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Commercial spaceflight fuels China's space exploration efforts

10:58, December 05, 2025 By Li Rui ( People's Daily

Technicians assemble a liquid oxygen-methane rocket engine at the general assembly plant of Chinese commercial rocket firm LandSpace in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. (Photo/Huang Yangyang)

Recently, China sent a Gravity-1 carrier rocket into space from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China's Shandong province, placing three satellites into their designated orbits. This launch exemplifies the growing momentum of China's emerging commercial space sector, which is contributing significantly to the country's space exploration capabilities.

The global competition in commercial spaceflight is intensifying. According to projections, the scale of China's commercial space market is expected to exceed 2.5 trillion yuan ($351.76 billion) this year. Through a strategic collaboration between the government and private enterprises, China is achieving a dynamic synergy that is accelerating technological advancements, reducing costs, and expanding the range of applications within its space industry. As a result, China's space industry is gaining more visibility and vibrancy on the global stage.

China's development of "space infrastructure" is advancing steadily, especially as the deployment of low-orbit satellite internet networks enters a phase of large-scale constellation expansion. However, the country faces a prominent challenge: the demand for satellite launches now exceeds the available capacity of traditional rockets. Relying solely on traditional rockets is far from sufficient to meet these growing needs.

In this context, the development of commercial space initiatives is essential to providing the necessary launch capacity for widespread space-based network deployment. This year, a new generation of commercial rockets, including the Zhuque-3, Tianlong-3, and Gravity-2, are advancing according to schedule with design, testing, and launch activities. These new launch vehicles will effectively alleviate the strain on satellite launch resources and bolster the development of China's national satellite internet infrastructure.

Commercial spaceflight not only increases the frequency of launch opportunities but also opens up a broader range of technological possibilities. Unlike state-run space enterprises, private commercial companies are more agile and adaptable.

Photo taken on April 23 shows a commercial space industrial park in Bengbu, east China's Anhui province. (Photo/Huang Yangyang)

For example, the methalox engine independently developed by Chinese commercial rocket firm LandSpace has drawn global attention for its cost-effectiveness, clean propulsion, and reusability. Similarly, Chinese aerospace company Galactic Energy has significantly reduced rocket engine manufacturing costs through 3D printing.

Fueled by market-driven mechanisms and following a model of "small steps, rapid iterations," commercial space enterprises have gained the favor of numerous research institutions. These companies serve as a strong complement to state-run space organizations, further advancing China's space exploration capabilities.

As a dynamic sector driving the future of technological innovation, commercial spaceflight holds vast market potential. More than 10 provinces across China have introduced specific policies to support the development of the commercial space sector, fostering a wave of specialized and innovative companies focused on rocket development and satellite manufacturing. These initiatives have led to the creation of industrial clusters and a rapidly expanding "space economy" ecosystem.

For instance, Beijing is developing a regional industrial layout with rocket production in the south and satellite manufacturing in the north, while Shanghai aims to scale its space industry to hundreds of billions of yuan. Additionally, Wuxi Aerospace Industrial Park, east China's Jiangsu province, has brought together more than 120 enterprises above the designated size, fueling growth and innovation.

As the commercial space sector shifts from isolated efforts to more integrated, clustered development, an autonomous, resilient, and competitive industrial ecosystem is taking shape, becoming a significant driver of economic growth and technological advancement in space.

A Gravity-1 carrier rocket carrying a wide-field satellite and two experimental satellites blasts off from the waters off Haiyang, east China's Shandong province, Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo/Wang Yueguo)

Today, commercial spaceflight not only serves national missions but is also expanding its innovation to meet everyday needs. Applications such as satellite remote sensing allow farmers to manage irrigation systems via a mobile phone, while satellite internet provides broadband access to remote areas, including mountains and oceans. Moreover, satellite-enabled intelligent transportation systems are optimizing traffic signal timing to reduce congestion.

These innovations highlight how space technology, once perceived as distant and exclusive, is now becoming an integral part of everyday life, enhancing communications, supporting agriculture, improving mobility, and providing tangible benefits to the public.

Commercial spaceflight represents a vast frontier of opportunity. It is not only a scientific domain for exploring the unknown but also a burgeoning economic sector with boundless potential for the future.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Auctioneers Woolley and Wallis have listed the model with an estimated price of 6,000 to 8,000

A bronze model of the Mahatma Gandhi statue, which stands prominently in a central London square, is poised to go under the hammer and could command thousands at auction.

This diminutive piece, measuring just 27cm (10.6in) tall, represents the earliest complete vision of the iconic sculpture that has graced Tavistock Square in Camden since 1968.

Auctioneers Woolley and Wallis have listed the model with an estimated price of 6,000 to 8,000, though experts suggest it could achieve a higher sum.

Both the full-size statue and its preliminary models were the work of Polish sculptor Fredda Brilliant, whose "growing reputation" was highlighted by Woolley and Wallis specialist Victor Fauvelle.

A previous sale in 2019 saw Brilliant's second model of the leader of the Indian nationalist movement against British rule fetch 65,000 from a private collector.

Mr Fauvelle said: Given Freddas growing reputation and the fierce bidding weve seen for her Gandhi works in the past, the emergence of this first maquette from a private London collection is significant.

It offers collectors an exceptional chance to secure the piece that set one of Freddas most internationally recognised monuments and sculpture in motion.

The 27cm high model will go under the hammer (Woolley and Wallis/PA)

In September, the statue in Tavistock Square, Bloomsbury, was defaced with the word terrorists among the black writing spray-painted on the monument.

In a statement shared on social media, Indian High Commission said it was deeply saddened by the shameful act of vandalism.

A spokesperson shared: This is not just vandalism, but a violent attack on the idea of nonviolence, three days before the international day of nonviolence, and on the legacy of the Mahatma.

@HCI_London has taken this up strongly with local authorities for immediate action, and our team is already on site, coordinating with authorities to restore the statue to its original dignity.

The model will be offered at Woolley and Walliss modern British and 20th century art sale on Thursday.
Its official. Europe is decaying and run by a cabal of weak leaders, according to a blistering attack by Donald Trump.

The reason for this is simple: Europes disastrous policy on immigration means the people coming in have a totally different ideology which is fatally weakening the continent.

His outburst follows a new US international policy stance which argues that Europe faces civilization erasure and is already indulging in the censorship of free speech and the suppression of opposition.

These are not the latest social media post from a crank in the White House. This is the assessment of its finest minds who have just produced the 2025 National Security Strategy. This is the written version of how all in the White House must see the world and the means by which they intend to get the rest of us to view the planet.

Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades at the latest, certain Nato members will become majority non-European, it says.

This is rubbish. There is no mainstream population analysis that shows that any European nation will ever become a majority non-European.

The Trump administration is getting its demographic guidance on Europe from the so-called Great Replacement Theory  a term coined by French conspiracy theorist Renaud Camus, in which he argues that a global elite is colluding against the white population of Europe to replace them with non-European peoples.

It has a powerful following among far-right groups, QAnon fanatics and Maga supporters. And now it is the official long-term view of America itself. A view that underpins the US relationship with the West and the Anglosphere from now on.

Donald Trump gestures at the Institute of Peace in Washington DC (Reuters)

So concerned is the US that it is going to lean in and force a change of direction on Europe by supporting groups which align closely with American policies and undermining those which do not.

We will oppose elite-driven, anti-democratic restrictions on core liberties in Europe, the Anglosphere, and the rest of the democratic world, especially among our allies, the document says.

The Trump administration is fighting Europes Digital Services Act, which requires internet companies, mostly US-based like Meta, Apple and Google, to moderate content, remove illegal or harmful content, and regulate disinformation.

The White House has made allegations of censorship against European countries for their efforts to regulate companies that generate huge profits but are anxious that new regulations would be costly to police for them.

Vice-president JD Vance is likely to have held the pen in creating the new doctrine from the White House. Its contents closely reflect his startling attacks on Nato and European democracy at his first trip in office to the continent in February. He also threw his weight behind far-right groups and parties then.

America encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this revival of spirit, and the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism, the new document says.

The other influence on the document is likely to have been Vladimir Putin.

His regime has become a beacon to many on the far right and Christian evangelicals who support Trump. His unashamed claims to represent traditional white Christian values are catnip to conspiracy fans of the Great Replacement Theory.

Trump has backed Russia at every stage since returning to office. He has set his face against Europes support for Kyiv and for arguments that show Ukraine can eject Russian forces if it gets the support it needs.

Trump shakes hands with Russian president Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine in Anchorage, Alaska, in August (Reuters)

Trump has cut all aid except for intelligence support to Ukraine while demanding enormous 50 per cent shares in future profits for the US and American companies in any future Ukrainian peace deal.

Key to Putins long-term strategy is to undermine Western diplomatic alliances and cohesion. Brexit was a major step in that direction  so was the re-election of Trump.

He, like Trump, seeks to amplify disinformation and doubt in Western civil society by claiming that governments, like Volodymyr Zelenskys administration in Ukraine, are illegitimate and undemocratic. Zelensky was elected by a landslide in 2019.

The new US foreign policy blueprint for the future claims that when it comes to Ukraine, A large European majority wants peace, yet that desire is not translated into policy, in large measure because of those governments subversion of democratic processes.

Democracy has been eviscerated in America with attacks on every branch of the federal administration, the media, academia and the military. Loyalty to the Oval Office now trumps any oath to uphold the constitution as a condition of employment among officials across the US.

While that persists and Trump writes outright lies into copper-plated national policy, it is no longer possible to see America as an ally, or even a frenemy.
A social media post by Donald Trump shows a boat carrying alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean in September. Photograph: Truth Social/AFP/Getty

Two men who survived a US airstrike on a suspected drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean clung to the wreckage for an hour before they were killed in a second attack, according to a video of the episode shown to senators in Washington.

The men were shirtless, unarmed and carried no visible radio or other communications equipment. They also appeared to have no idea what had just hit them, or that the US military was weighing whether to finish them off, two sources familiar with the recording told Reuters.

The pair desperately tried to turn a severed section of the hull upright before they died. The video follows them for about an hour as they tried to flip the boat back over. They couldnt do it, one source said.

The video of the attack on 2 September was seen by senators behind closed doors on Thursday amid growing concern that the US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, and other officials who ordered the attack may have committed a war crime.

Later on Thursday, the Pentagon announced another deadly strike on a boat suspected of carrying illegal narcotics, killing four men in the eastern Pacific.

This was the 22nd attack the US military has carried out against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean and took the death toll of the campaign to at least 87 people.

Video of the latest incident was posted on social media by the US Southern Command, which described it as a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization.

Its statement added: Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed.

It was the first publicly announced strike in nearly three weeks and comes as the Pentagon and the White House have struggled to answer questions about the legal basis for the campaign to kill suspected drug smugglers.

Much of the debate has focused on the first attack on 2 September after the Washington Post reported that Hegseth had verbally directed the military to kill them all.

Adm Frank Bradley of the US navy, who commanded the attack, told lawmakers on Thursday there was no such order to kill everyone on board.

Donald Trump posted video of the initial strike on his Truth Social platform shortly after the operation, but no footage of the follow-up attack that killed the two remaining crew members has been released. On Wednesday, Trump vowed to make the entire video public, but the Pentagon has not yet done so.

Jim Himes, a Democratic congressman who saw the video on Thursday, described it as one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service.

He said: You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel.

Describing those on board as bad guys who were not in the position to continue their mission in any way, Himes added: Any American who sees the video that I saw will see the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors.

The attack began with an airburst munition exploding above the vessel and killing nine crew members. The two men who survived were then visible floating in the water.

Bradley, who was the head of the Joint Special Operations Command at the time, concluded that the wreckage was likely being kept afloat because there was cocaine inside and could drift long enough to be recovered, said the sources familiar with the recording.

They added that the video shows three additional munitions being fired at the damaged vessel. You could see their faces, bodies  Then boom, boom, boom, the first source said.

Reactions of the lawmakers who watched the video split along party lines, with Democrats voicing distress and Republicans defending the strike as legal.

Tom Cotton of Arkansas, the Republican chair of the Senate intelligence committee, said: I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat, loaded with drugs bound for the United States, back over so they could stay in the fight.

Ryan Goodman, a law professor at New York University and a former Pentagon lawyer, took issue with Cottons interpretation in a post on Bluesky. Id love to know how Senator Cotton  was able to detect these shipwrecked people were trying to stay in the fight versus clinging to dear life in an effort to survive, he wrote.

Even if you buy all the legal falsehoods (that this is an armed conflict, that drugs are war-sustaining objects), the two shipwrecked were in no way, shape or form engaged in active combat activities (the actual legal test).

The US Department of Defenses Law of War manual forbids attacks on combatants who are incapacitated, unconscious or shipwrecked, so long as they abstain from hostilities and do not attempt to escape. The manual cites firing upon shipwreck survivors as an example of a clearly illegal order that should be refused.

The Trump administration has argued that the US is at war with drug traffickers and that such strikes are legal under the rules of war, but most legal experts reject that rationale.

Rebecca Ingber, a professor at Cardozo School of Law and a former legal adviser to the US state department, told the Guardian this week: Even if we buy into their framing that the individuals on these vessels are combatants, it would still be unlawful to kill them if they are hors de combat, which means theyre incapacitated  It is manifestly unlawful to kill someone whos been shipwrecked.

Marcus Stanley, director of studies at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said the strikes themselves constitute potential war crimes, even before the killing of survivors.

Whats the next step? Theres somebody committing a street crime, or you claim theyre committing a street crime in a United States city, and then you can unleash the military on them without judicial evidence, he said. The American people should get as much transparency and information here to judge whats being done in their name as possible.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stand guard at a gas station in Metairie, Louisiana, on Wednesday. Photograph: Adam Gray/AFP/Getty Images

A US citizen who was seen on home security video being chased by masked federal agents outside New Orleans amid the Trump administrations sweeping immigration crackdown says she surmises that she was pursued because Im brown.

I have no idea why they targeted me, Jacelynn Guzman told the Guardian reporting partner WWL Louisiana on Thursday, a day after the video in question was taken and subsequently went viral online.

Thats honestly all I can think of  It makes me scared for my family. Its devastating.

Asked for comment about Guzmans remarks, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson issued a statement saying she matched the description of someone who was being sought by border patrol agents in connection with a deportation order.

The statement, provided on Friday, said agents ultimately determined Guzman was not the target and then departed the area without making arrests.

Guzmans case nonetheless provided the public with a stark glimpse into the tactics being used by immigration agents who descended on Louisianas most populous city as well as the surrounding region with a goal of making 5,000 arrests in the coming weeks.

As the 22-year-old Guzman put it to WWL, she was walking back from a corner store near her home in Marrero, Louisiana, on Wednesday when an SUV pulled up next to her. More unmarked cars soon arrived, and men clad in masks and tactical gear poured out.

Guzman said she thought she was about to be kidnapped, and she sprinted toward her front door in plain view of a home security camera.

Leave me alone! she could be heard saying on the video, with at least one masked man running after her and two others trailing behind more slowly.

Guzman  whose family identifies as Hispanic  told WWL she had no idea why the men would approach her beside the fact that Im brown. She said she had no criminal record and told one of the agents, I was born and raised here. Im a US citizen.

He did not care at all, Guzman said to the station.

The Trump administration told WWL that it had deployed immigration agents across New Orleans-area communities including Marrero as part of an operation focused on violent offenders illegally residing in the US.

The DHSs statement on Friday said the person for whom Guzman was mistaken had been previously charged with felony theft and convicted of illegal possession of stolen property. Neither are considered violent offenses under Louisiana law, though the statement  without naming the individual  referred to that person as a public safety threat.

The statement added that agents identified themselves during their encounter with Guzman. They ran toward Guzmans home when she did, stopped upon reaching the property, and left when they realized she was not the person they were after, the DHSs statement said.

Guzmans stepfather told WWL that he ordered the agents who had been pursuing her off their property. The home security video at the center of Guzmans case also captured him pointing at the agents and noting that at least one of them seemed Hispanic.

Hispanic people against Hispanic people, bro! he could be heard shouting.

Guzman said she couldnt help but believe the agents who chased her might be racially profiling all people of color.

Its wrong, she said to WWL.

By the time Guzman had spoken with the outlet, at least dozens of people had been arrested in the immigration sweep across the New Orleans area, plunging its immigrant communities into fear.

Most in US immigration detention are immigrants with no criminal record, according to government data reported previously by the Guardian.

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Zoe Rosenberg speaks at her sentencing hearing. Photograph: Gabrielle Lurie/AP

A California student has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after breaking into a Petaluma poultry slaughterhouse and taking four chickens in an effort she called a rescue.

Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old student at the University of California, Berkeley, was convicted of felony conspiracy and three misdemeanor counts in October. On Wednesday, a judge sentenced her to 90 days  60 of which may involve jail alternates, such as house arrest  far less than the four-and-a-half-year maximum sentence she could have faced. The judge also ordered Rosenberg to pay more than $100,000 to Petaluma Poultry, the Perdue Farms facility from which she took four chickens in 2023. Rosenberg has been ordered to report to the Sonoma county jail on 10 December.

I will not apologize for taking sick, neglected animals to get medical care, Rosenberg told reporters following her conviction.

In 2023, Rosenberg and other members of the animal welfare group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) entered a Petaluma Poultry slaughterhouse disguised as workers in the agricultural region of Sonoma county, just north of San Francisco. Rosenberg and her fellow activists removed four chickens from the slaughterhouse  which they later named Poppy, Ivy, Aster and Azalea  and placed them in an animal sanctuary. She and the other members of DxE posted footage of the action online. Its not a whodunnit, Rosenbergs lawyer, Chris Carraway, said throughout the trial. Its a whydunnit.

Rosenberg did not deny that she had taken the chickens from the Perdue slaughterhouse, but said she was rescuing the birds from a cruel situation. Activists with DxE say that right to rescue laws in California and 13 other states, which grant people legal protections if they enter a motor vehicle to rescue an endangered animal, should apply to all animals in distress. Since 2014, the group has coordinated 60 such operations, from Utah to Wisconsin, a DxE spokesperson told the Guardian in October.

Petaluma Poultry, the company that owns the facility that Rosenberg entered, has called DxE an extremist group intent on destroying animal agriculture.

In a statement to Berkeleyside, the Sonoma County Farm Bureau agreed. For years, DxE has harassed farm families and workers, trespassed on private property, and stolen from local businesses, said Dayna Ghirardelli, executive director of the bureau.

Supporters shared reactions to Rosenbergs conviction on Wednesday, including the actor Joaquin Phoenix. When individuals step in to save a life because the system has looked the other way, they should be supported  not prosecuted, he said in a statement. We have to decide who we are as a society: one that protects the vulnerable, or one that punishes those who try.

 This story was amended on 4 December 2025. Zoe Rosenberg was sentenced by a judge, not a jury, and she entered a poultry slaughterhouse, not a farm.
The View co-host Sunny Hostin has ripped into Vanity Fair editor Olivia Nuzzis debut memoir, which details her alleged digital affair with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Published Tuesday, American Canto includes bombshell accounts of the 32-year-old journalists alleged sexting scandal with Kennedy during his 2024 presidential campaign.

Ive only read excerpts of her book. Its poorly written in my opinion, Hostin, 57, said on Fridays episode of The View.

I see journalists as public servants in a sense, and I dont think that she is, she added. I think that she sort of took this payday, wrote a memoir that didnt disclose everything; its very self-serving.

And when you know something about someone like RFK. Jr., who has a hearing to become the Secretary of Health, and you dont provide that information even in writing or to the committee, I think that you have disgraced yourself.

Sunny Hostin (left) found Oliva Nuzzi's debut memoir 'poorly written' and 'self-serving' (ABC/Getty)

U.S. Health Secretary RFK Jr. was allegedly involved in a 'digital affair' with Nuzzi during his 2024 presidential campaign (AFP via Getty Images)

Hostin noted that the situation reminded her of disgraced former National Security Advisor John Bolton, who has been accused of mishandling classified documents.

He got a $2 million book deal, and he knew all of these things about President Trump, during the impeachment hearing, the co-host said. And rather than testify, he wrote a book and made $2 million. I think he failed the American people in much the same way that [Nuzzi] has.

In 2020, Bolton released The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, an account of his time working under the first Trump administration.

Nuzzi joined Vanity Fair as a West Coast editor in September, nearly a year after she left her post as New York Magazines Washington D.C. correspondent, following internal and external investigations into her alleged undisclosed affair with the much older Kennedy, 71.

The controversial health secretary has denied claims that he engaged in an extramarital affair with Nuzzi. Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, a spokesperson for Kennedy told Vanity Fair in September 2024.

While New York Magazine assured readers that their investigation found no evidence that her supposed relationship with Kennedy led to any bias or inaccuracies in her coverage, they announced that they had reached an agreement with Nuzzi that the best course forward is to part ways.

WOMEN TAKING THE HEAT FOR SCANDALS? After journalist Olivia Nuzzi got emotional when discussing her romantic relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 'The View' co-hosts discuss pic.twitter.com/TawNXHHvgb  The View (@TheView) December 5, 2025

Nuzzi is a uniquely talented writer and we have been proud to publish her work over her nearly eight years as our Washington Correspondent. We wish her the best, it said in a statement at the time.

Ahead of the release of her memoir, Nuzzis scorned ex-fiance, Ryan Lizza, published a series of Substack posts for his independent publication Telos News, claiming that his former partner cheated on him with RFK Jr.

Lizza detailed erotic poetry Kennedy had supposedly written to Nuzzi in 2024 in another part of his series.

Yr open mouth awaiting my harvest, Kennedy wrote to Nuzzi, according to Lizza. Drink from me Love.

Nuzzi has trashed Lizzas allegations, calling them revenge porn and another attempt to harass, humiliate, and harm me until I am as destroyed as he seems to be. It is abuse that I am all too familiar with now relocated to the public square and dressed up as some sort of noble crusade.

To that point: If he possessed any explosive information in the public interest, the only responsible way to handle that information would be to quietly pass it off to an outlet free of his conflicts; there is no glory in that, though, and no subscribers, she wrote in a post on Emily Sundbergs Substack newsletter Feed Me.

This obsessive and violating fan fiction-slash-revenge porn he has written would never meet standards for publication at any legitimate outlet.

Lizza has since responded to Nuzzis remarks, telling The Independent: Telling the truth is not harassment.
Tucker Carlsons interview with the white supremacist Nick Fuentes (left) has triggered a meltdown in Donald Trumps Maga base - X

The white supremacist Nick Fuentes has taken credit for Donald Trumps attack on Somalis.



Mr Fuentes, a Holocaust denier, claimed the US president caved to him when he called Somalis garbage during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.



This is why we need to be negative. This is why we need to threaten to withhold our support. This is why we need to make it unignorable and visible. Because if we do, then Trump will be forced to pander to us, he said in a video posted on social media.



Mr Fuentes has been at the heart of a Maga civil war in recent weeks after he was interviewed by Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host.

Mr Fuentes said the remarks about Somalis prove the US president must pander to the white nationalist movement - Nicole Hester/Ann Arbor News

The US president said Somalia stinks and that he wants the countrys people out of the United States as he intensifies his immigration crackdown.



The remarks were made in response to allegations of more than $1bn (750m) in social security fraud in Minnesota, involving some Somali Americans.



Their countrys no good for a reason. Their country stinks, and we dont want them in our country, Mr Trump said.



He added that Somali Americans contribute nothing, and berated Ilhan Omar, a Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota who is originally from Somalia.



Ilhan Omar is garbage. Her friends are garbage, Mr Trump said. Let them go back to where they came from and fix it.



Almost 260,000 people of Somali descent were living in the US in 2024, according to the US Census Bureau, 40 per cent of whom reside in Minnesota.

Mr Fuentes has described Adolf Hitler as awesome and cool - Zach D Roberts/NurPhoto/Getty Images Contributor

His remarks were seized upon by Mr Fuentes, who is the 27-year old leader of the so-called Groyper movement, a network of white nationalist activists and internet trolls.



He has spoken about needing to have white men in charge of everything and described Adolf Hitler as awesome and cool.



His interview on Mr Carlsons podcast sparked a meltdown among Mr Trumps Maga base when Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, a leading conservative think tank, defended his appearance on the programme.



Since then, several staff members have resigned, and US conservatives have been split over whether he should be given a platform.
Indian airports are facing their worst operational meltdown in years as the countrys largest carrier, IndiGo, continues to cancel hundreds of flights, throwing travel plans for thousands into disarray.

A sweeping spree of cancellations since early last week by IndiGo, which dominates the domestic market and normally operates around 2,200 flights per day, has provoked dramatic scenes at all major airports as passengers have been left stranded for days.

Frustrated passengers have been demanding answers from and some have clashed with the ground staff as the airline has cancelled at least 2,000 flights over the past week.

The disruptions continued on Monday. The Delhi airport urged travellers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.

Many passengers took to social media to demand accountability from IndiGo as well as the national aviation regulator, while others expressed sorrow over cancelled wedding plans, important meetings and family commitments.

The abrupt cancellations have hit flights across metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

The scale of disruption last week prompted the regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to demand a report from IndiGo.

Travellers wait in queues at IndiGo ticketing kiosks to check at the Bengaluru airport (REUTERS)

IndiGo apologised for the disruption and blamed it on misjudgement and planning gaps after the regulator implemented new crew rostering rules.

None of the other major airlines, like Air India, have suffered such issues due to the introduction of the new rules.

Whats caused the chaos?

At the heart of the turmoil is a regulatory overhaul: stricter rostering rules known as Flight Duty Time Limitations imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to enable better working conditions for pilots and airline crews.

The new rules were implemented in two phases, with the first rolled out in July and the latest tightening coming into force on 1 November.

The rules drastically cut the number of hours pilots and crew can fly, mandate longer rest periods, limit night-time landings, and redefine night duty periods.

The standards increase the mandatory rest for pilots by 12 hours a week to 48 hours, and state that pilots can make no more than two night-time landings in a week, down from six earlier.

Travellers wait after their flight is cancelled by IndiGo at the Bengaluru airport (REUTERS)

The definition of night duty was expanded to mean the hours from midnight to 6am as against midnight to 5am previously.

The change aligns with the Window of Circadian Low when alertness in humans tends to dip.

The regulations also mandate that rest periods must be granted at a pilots home base or temporary home base, and that there must never be more than 168 hours between the end of one weekly rest period and the start of the next.

Airlines are now also required to submit quarterly fatigue reports on pilots, under a confidentiality policy. The long-term vision of the regulator is towards a full-fledged fatigue risk-management system.

The core aim of the revised regulations is to combat pilot fatigue, a major risk factor in aviation safety.

IndiGo has said the introduction of the new rules, along with adverse weather conditions, heightened congestion and technical glitches, have exacerbated its problems.

Indias civil aviation ministry said in a statement that the disruptions arose primarily through misjudgement and planning gaps in IndiGos implementation of the second phase of the new rules. The airline had acknowledged the effect of the new rules on crew strength exceeded their expectations, it added.

Why is IndiGo hit the hardest?

While the rules were implemented for all airlines, IndiGo was the hardest hit. Aviation experts said it was likely because of its sheer size as well as negligence.

Airlines, they noted, were given a preparation time of nearly 18 months before the full implementation of the revised rules, which were first announced in January 2024.

Travellers enquire about their flights at IndiGo kiosks at the Kempegowda international airport in Bengaluru (REUTERS)

Given IndiGos vast network of daily flights, even a modest shortfall in crew availability quickly amplified into hundreds of cancellations.

The carrier operates over 2,200 domestic and international flights daily, twice as many as Air India, according to NDTV.

The Federation of Indian Pilots noted that IndiGo was not able to make timely roster adjustments in line with the new rules and plan its schedule properly. It also blamed a pilot pay freeze and hiring freeze at the airline for the crisis.

Despite the two-year preparatory window before full FDTL implementation, the airline inexplicably adopted a hiring freeze, entered non-poaching arrangements, maintained a pilot pay freeze through cartel-like behaviour, and demonstrated other short-sighted planning practices," the association was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

Passengers crowd outside a boarding gate as they wait to take a delayed IndiGo flight at the Indira Gandhi international airport in Delhi (REUTERS)

The Airline Pilots Association of India said the flight disruptions highlighted a lack of proactive resource planning by the dominant carriers.

Captain Amit Singh, an aviation safety expert, told the Times of India paper the crisis was the result of wilful negligence as winter schedules were planned months ahead.

IndiGo ought to have resolved its crew-shortage issues before seeking approval, rather than putting the travelling public through this, Mr Singh added. Its wilful negligence."

Some experts even suggested there could be an attempt by the dominant carriers to pressure the regulator into softening the new standards.

How is IndiGo resolving the issue?

In the wake of the widespread disruptions, IndiGo sought more time from the aviation regulator to implement the provision of the new rules limiting pilot duty hours at night.

The airline said that its operations would be fully restored by 10 February as it warned of more cancellations in the coming days.

Passengers wait near an IndiGo kiosk at the Chennai airport (AFP via Getty)

On Friday, the regulator agreed to withdraw a part of the rules with immediate effect. This specific rule said pilots could not substitute their weekly rest for leave. In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, it has been considered necessary to review the said provision, the aviation regulator said.

The regulator also exempted night-time flights from the rules until February 10.

This marked the second revision to the rules in under 24 hours. The regulator had previously raised the limit on consecutive flying hours for pilots from 12 to 14.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers must respond by by the end of Monday to a DGCA notice asking him to explain why regulatory action  including penalties and suspension of officials  should not be taken against the airline.

As the CEO, the notice tells Mr Elbers, you have failed in your duty to ensure timely arrangements for conduct of reliable operations.

Murlidhar Mohol, minister of state for civil aviation, vowed to take action against IndiGo for the disruptions.

Passengers across the country have suffered mental distress and faced many difficulties. They had to endure mental harassment because of IndiGo, he said.

As hashtags like #IndiGoCrisis, #FlightCancellations, and #FDTL began trending, social media users, pilots, passengers, and politicians clashed over causes, accountability, and systemic fixes.

The IndiGo crisis also sparked widespread concern on social media that airlines were compromising passenger safety by potentially pressuring pilots to fly while fatigued.

An airline company that had two years to meet global standards has managed to blackmail the government and forced it to toll back.



What about passenger safety? Pilot health? Problem is we will keep flying indigo because there is no option pic.twitter.com/cpbwf4SM5D  Snehesh Alex Philip (@sneheshphilip) December 5, 2025

"Down with IndiGo! Down with IndiGo!" a group of affected passengers shouted in protest at the Bengaluru airport, a video post on X showed.

Comedian Abijit Ganguly argued that it wasnt a sudden disruption but an intentional step.

This was not sudden disruption, this was almost a planned strike to strongarm the government into giving it what it wants, he wrote on X, referring to the airline.

What people went through doesn't matter to them, it is just collateral damage. And the fact that government let this happen is on them. The fact that we essentially have monopolistic/duopolistic situations in so many major sectors is on this government.

A newlywed couple from Bengaluru said that they had to attend their own wedding reception virtually after back-to-back IndiGo flights from Bhubaneswar to Hubballi were cancelled on 4 and 5 December.

A newly wed techie couple forced to attend their own reception online after their Indigo flights from Bhubaneswar-Hubbali were cancelled. The brides parents having already invited relatives decided to broadcast their live feed on a big screen. #IndigoDelay #FlightCancellations pic.twitter.com/jO7lTgm8lZ  Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) December 5, 2025

With over 400 guests and the entire extended family already gathered at the venue in Hubballi, the brides parents refused to postpone the event. Instead, they set up a large LED screen in the banquet hall and live-streamed the couple via Zoom from a relatives house in Bhubaneswar where they remained stranded.
New proposals to raise the minimum age for assisted dying are being considered in the House of Lords - Justin Tallis/AFP

Young people face more intense assessments to access assisted dying under new proposals being considered in the House of Lords.

MPs earlier this year voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, which will allow adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to apply for an assisted death.

But concerns have been raised during its passage in the House of Lords surrounding safeguarding, including that of younger people with special needs.

Baroness Berger, a Labour peer, had proposed lifting the minimum age of eligibility for assisted dying to 25, following an intervention from the childrens commissioner.

Dame Rachel de Souza had told peers that young people with an education and health care plan were under her statutory protection until 25.

Lord Falconer, the Labour peer in charge of marshalling the Private Members Bill through the Upper Chamber, rejected lifting the age limit.

But he suggested he would be open to a tightening of processes around young people accessing assisted dying services, telling peers on Friday: Maybe the answer is some assurance that there is a more intense assessment in relation to people between 18 to 25.

He added: Im not saying Im going to change the age of 18, but Id say, do we need a more thorough assessment for people between 18 and 25?

Baroness Finlay, a former president of the British Medical Association, and Baroness Cass, a former paediatrician, had previously intervened.

Lady Finlay said: The evidence is that cognitive reasoning is well developed at the age of 18, but the other aspects, being sensitive to stress, social influence, impulse control and emotional regulation, dont develop by that age, and they carry on developing.

And the evidence is that they carry on up until 25.

Lady Cass, who recently led an independent review of NHS gender services for children, said she felt an enhanced and careful assessment was needed.

Lady Berger, who withdrew the amendment after the apparent concession from Lord Falconer, wrote in The Telegraph last month that the age eligibility criteria were one of a long list of issues raised in evidence.

She said: I have spent decades of my life working for social justice and a more equal and compassionate society.

I cant sleep at night because I worry that this bill ignores the very people we have a responsibility to protect, especially the young.

Sam Carling, the Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire, who is 23, condemned Lady Bergers amendment as patronising.

This measure is not in place anywhere in the world that allows assisted dying, nor is it found in our countrys legislature on any issue to my knowledge.



It is cruel, discriminatory and should not be passed  not for my sake but for terminally ill adults across the country who must have equal access to safe, compassionate choice as they die.

Baroness Merron, a health minister, warned that the outright exclusion of those under 25 from assisted dying services could breach the European Convention on Human Rights.
Dominic Sessa and Paul Giamatti star in Alexander Payne's drama The Holdovers. (Focus Features/Alamy) (Photo12/Focus Features, Photo 12)

Brits waste hundreds of hours every year scrolling throughstreaming services looking for something to watch. Yahoo wants to save you a scroll by recommending one movie  around two-hour-long  that you should watch this week, every Friday. This is the one to watch.

The month of December is upon us, which means it's finally Christmas movie season. But if you're in search of something slightly more brittle than the usual seasonal schmaltz, then Alexander Payne's chilly drama The Holdovers might well be for you.

The movie, which nabbed five nominations at the 2024 Oscars, is now streaming in the UK on Netflix.

What is The Holdovers?

Inspired by the 1930s French movie Merlusse, Payne's story  penned by David Hemingson  follows a curmudgeonly teacher tasked with caring for the teens at his boarding school who are remaining there over the Christmas break. Soon, this group of teens becomes just one  acting newcomer Dominic Sessa's troubled Angus.

At the centre of it all is Paul Giamatti in the central role, delivering arguably his greatest ever screen performance as beleaguered classics teacher Paul Hunham. Wearing contact lenses to give him a lazy eye and walking with the gait of a man who is permanently ashamed about something, Giamatti trudges through the movie's journey of self-discovery. He's gifted an acidic tongue by Hemingson's excellent script, which Giamatti tackles with relish  often adding an extra twist or laugh with a physical twitch or carefully chosen facial expression.

The film is set in the 1970s and, although shot digitally, it works hard to present an immersive old-school film feel, with a beautifully and atmospherically grainy look, and vintage studio idents from a bygone era. Immersion is very much the key here, enveloping the audience in the icy environs of 1970s New England, which really does feel like a discarded and left-behind world while everyone else is deep in festive celebrations.

Need to know

 Movie: The Holdovers (2024)

 Runtime: 133m

 Actors: Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph

 Genre: Comedy drama

 Similar to: Dead Poet's Society, The Breakfast Club, Rushmore, Sideways

 Streaming service:Netflix

 Ratings:97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 4.2/5 on Letterboxd, 7.9/10 on IMDb

Payne himself told Boston radio station WBUR that it was easy to find that visual feel "because change comes slowly to New England". He added: Its not just the look  that the locations are accurate  but that there's a feeling, there's a rhythm to how people relate to one another."

Dominic Sessa, Oscar winner DaVine Joy Randolph, and Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers. (Focus Features/Alamy) (THA)

This look creates a very different vibe to the average Christmas movie. The snowy environs that would usually be used to connote magic and charm are forbidding and bleak here. This is, initially at least, a Christmas without hope and joy. But the genius of Payne's film is in how it allows the inherent magic and joy of the festive season to seep in and thaw some of the ice  both literal and figurative.

Why we love it

The Holdovers is definitely a Christmas movie with a very different feel. (Focus Features/Alamy) (Photo12/Focus Features, Photo 12)

Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa's evolving chemistry is the core relationship of the movie, but the key supporting turn is actually from Da'Vine Joy Randolph. She portrays the school's cafeteria manager Mary, who also stays on-site over Christmas. Her son had previously attended the school, but recently died in the Vietnam War, leaving her grief-stricken. Randolph's performance is complex and provides a real human element at the heart of the story, so it was little surprise when she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

Bizarrely, The Holdovers didn't get a Christmas release date in the UK. It arrived in British cinemas in mid-January 2024, so it never had the chance to stake its claim amid the roster of Christmas appointment-viewing options. That's something that should now be corrected as it more than deserves its place as an alternative option alongside the usual seasonal silliness.

It's interesting, in that respect, for it to land on Netflix, which has become known as the dominant home for cheesy, formulaic Christmas fare. In fact, "Netflix Christmas movie" is now a bona fide brand. It's fair to say The Holdovers doesn't fit into that box, but that's what makes it so special and such a viable addition to the Christmas canon.

The Holdovers isn't a simple feel-good film. It's a messy portrayal of the complexities of human emotions during what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. That sets it apart from the standard Christmas movie fare, but Payne's skill is in allowing the festive cheer to break through the chill and ensure that, even if it's far from a conventional happy ending, there's enough here to warm your cockles on a cold, rainy December weekend.

The Holdovers is streaming in the UK on Netflix.
From norovirus to the flu, numerous winter bugs are circulating at this time of year. So, if youre feeling a bit tired or achy, it can be hard to know whether youre generally run down or youre coming down with something.

Being run down is a term thats often used to describe feeling low in energy and not quite yourself. It can have numerous causes, ranging from stress to hormonal imbalances to insufficient sleep, but the signs can resemble the early symptoms of a virus.

So, how do you know if youre run down  or if you have an illness? We asked two GPs to explain what the differences look like, the symptoms to watch for and when its time to visit the doctor.

What being run down usually looks like

According to Dr Reem Hasan, chief medical officer at Vista Health and an NHS GP, there are signs that differentiate being run down from having a virus.

"When someone is run down, their symptoms tend to be more generalised, milder, and fluctuate across the day, rather than following the pattern of an infectious illness," she tells Yahoo UK.

She says common signs can include:

Low energy and fatigue that improve with rest

Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

Mild aches or headaches (without fever)

Feeling emotionally fragile or irritable

Poor sleep

A sense youre not yourself

"These symptoms are often associated with stress, overwork, poor sleep, dehydration, or insufficient nutrition and do not usually involve fever, acute pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms, which are more typical of infection," Dr Hasan explains.

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"We all have periods where we are just tired, fatigued, a little bit stressed out," he says. "I think [feeling run down] manifests itself as a bit more tiredness, lacking energy levels, and maybe some reduced concentration  those are the main signs of fatigue [that can come over time], he tells Yahoo UK.

Fever and body aches are more likely signs of infection than fatigue. (Getty Images) (Guido Mieth via Getty Images)

Signs it may be an actual infection

When an infection is brewing, your body usually tells you.

Both GPs and NHS guidance say symptoms more likely to point to infection include physical symptoms such as:

Fever (38C or above)

Sudden onset (rather than slow build-up)

Body aches

Shivering or sweating

Sore throat, cough, runny nose

Vomiting or diarrhoea

Swollen glands

Dr Hasan adds that infections often hit specific parts of the body  so you might have localised pain (in say the ear, chest, stomach, bladder), whereas burnout or feelings of extreme fatigue or tiredness tend to affect you more generally.

"Infections tend to affect specific body systems and often cause measurable physical changes mentioned above. In contrast, being run down or burnt out rarely produces high fevers or sudden, severe symptoms," she says.

Why you feel like youre getting sick (and what actually helps)

Feeling drained, achy or under the weather doesnt always mean youre coming down with something. Both GPs say everyday lifestyle pressures can trigger symptoms that feel like an illness, even when you dont have an infection. These can include:

 Not getting enough sleep

A run of poor nights can take a real physical toll. Dr Hasan explains that lack of sleep can cause fatigue, low mood, cognitive slowing, headaches, and even mild sore-throat sensations  all symptoms that people often mistake for a cold.

What helps:

Treat sleep as recovery time, not a luxury. Stick to a regular bedtime, keep the bedroom cool and dark, and aim for 7-9 hours a night to let your body reset properly.

 Stress

Stress wont give you a virus, but it can make you more vulnerable to one. Dr Dhanji says: When we are a bit more stressed were a little bit more susceptible to infections.

Dr Hasan adds that stress itself can also produce physical symptoms, even without an illness: Chronic stress activates cortisol pathways that mimic viral symptoms such as aches, tiredness, and low appetite. If things havent improved after proper rest, she warns that it can be a sign that something else is going on.

What helps:

Lowering stress wont be instant, but building in breaks, getting out in the daylight and moving your body gently  such as a short walk  can help your nervous system settle.

 Dehydration

Not drinking enough can have a big impact on how you feel.Dehydration alone can trigger things like headaches, dizziness, reduced concentration, fatigue and dry mouth, says Dr Hasan.

What helps:

Drink little and often. Water is best, but teas, soups and diluted juice also help. Pale urine is a good sign youre hydrated.

 Low vitamin levels

Deficiencies can leave you feeling worn down long before they become apparent on the surface. Dr Dhanji says reduction in vitamin B12 or folic acid can cause persistent tiredness, often with aches and low energy too.

He also flags vitamin D as a common issue in winter, adding that "low vitamin D can also be associated with fatigue", particularly in people with darker skin, who absorb less vitamin D from sunlight.

What helps:

Eat well, get outside in daylight, and dont ignore ongoing fatigue. A blood test can help determine whether low vitamin levels are contributing to the problem.

Persistent tiredness is worth checking, especially if its new. (Getty Images) (wutwhanfoto via Getty Images)

When does feeling run down mean seeing your GP?

Most fatigue should lift with rest over a few days.

But Dr Hasan says seek medical advice if:

Fatigue lasts longer than two weeks

It affects work or daily life

You lose weight unintentionally

You have night sweats or a persistent fever

You get chest pain, dizziness or palpitations

Your mood changes significantly

Symptoms worsen with a long-term condition

If symptoms last beyond 710 days despite proper rest, thats a red flag, she says.

Ultimately, you know your body best and if something feels off, get it checked by your GP.
Christopher Harborne previously gave 1m to Boris Johnson and millions to the Brexit Party - CHP

A Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor has handed a record 9m to Nigel Farages Reform.

Christopher Harborne, who previously gave 1m to Boris Johnson and millions of pounds to the Brexit Party, has given the cash to Reform as it tops the polls and seeks to woo senior Conservatives.

It is the biggest single donation from a living person to any British political party.

The funds will help reinforce Reforms war chest ahead of the local elections and come amid rumours that it could pursue an electoral pact with the Conservatives, something Mr Farage has denied.

Mr Harbornes donations to Reform come as Mr Farage champions cryptocurrencies, promising to set up a Bitcoin reserve for the Treasury with policies mirroring Donald Trumps embrace of digital coins in the US.

Mr Harborne, a billionaire businessman, lives in Thailand, where he is known as Chakrit Sakunkrit. He has dual British-Thai citizenship.

From Thailand, Mr Harborne runs a private-jet business and aviation fuel empire, as well as owning a five-star spa resort on the island of Koh Samui. He is also a major investor in cryptocurrencies and an early backer of the digital currency Tether.

The entrepreneur has also invested in defence and telecoms companies, including UK-listed QinetiQ and Eutelsat, the European satellite company that now owns British business OneWeb.

Mr Harborne handed the money to Reform in August, electoral filings show, helping the insurgent party to raise more funds than Labour and the Conservatives combined over the last three months.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Farage said that Mr Harborne had asked for absolutely nothing when donating his money. He said the investor was concerned that the country had not made the most of Brexit.

Hand on heart, I have not promised him a single thing in return, Mr Farage said, adding he spoke to Mr Harborne around once per month.

The donation is the largest to a UK political party since a 10m gift to the Conservatives in the will of Lord Sainsbury in 2023.

Reform raised more than 10m, while the Tories raised 4.5m and Labour just 1.9m. Reform also received a further 500,000 from Nick Candy, the partys treasurer.

Mr Harborne, who has a reputation for privacy and never gives interviews, has previously given more than 1m to the Conservatives before switching his donations to the Brexit Party, Mr Farages precursor to Reform.

He also handed a 1m donation to Boris Johnson after he had stepped down as prime minister. He paid for flights for Mr Farage to attend Donald Trumps inauguration.

The Cambridge University graduate previously worked for McKinsey in Asia before setting up his own business trading private planes. He has also founded a research lab in Cambridge.

Filings show Reform also benefited from a 36,000 sponsorship of its party conference from Heathrow Airport. Mr Farages party also received 100,000 from Sothebys International Realty, the high-end estate agency.

Separately, Reform also secured 50,000 from Lady Rothermere, the wife of Daily Mail owner Lord Rothermere. Lady Rothermere has not previously donated to either the Conservatives or Reform, according to Electoral Commission filings.
An illustration of a hacker's code next to an innocent jobsearcher

Emilia* was desperately looking for work when an Instagram post popped up offering what seemed like the perfect opportunity: receive, package and stick labels on products, all from the comfort of her home.

If she worked hard at it, she could earn up to 800 a week.

Having struggled to find a stable job while studying for a teacher training course, she thought it seemed like a good way to make a bit of cash on the side.

Id been out of work for 12 years and I wanted my independence back, she says. But its so difficult to find a job when you havent worked for a while.

Emilia contacted the number in the ad and was quickly directed to Telegram, a messaging app, where she was introduced to Melissa.

Thats when she was told she wouldnt be packaging products after all, but rather liking videos on TikTok for 3 each.

She went through an application process and training  much like a typical job.

But it turned out to be a scam. And as the job market becomes increasingly saturated with more people competing for fewer roles, falling for these too-good-to-be-true adverts has become a national epidemic.

Between 2022 and 2024, the number of job and recruitment scams jumped by more than 130pc, according to the latest figures available from Action Fraud. The national reporting centre received 4,900 cases alone last year, up from just over 2,000 in 2022.

Annya Burskys, of Nationwide, says job scams are quickly becoming the most common in the UK. There are nearly a million people aged 16 to 24 who are out of work, providing scammers with a big pool of potential targets.

Its the TikTok and Instagram generation under 25 years old that is most affected, Burskys says. But, she adds, no one is safe.

It destroyed me

Soon after Emilia, 45, started her new job, money even began rolling into her bank account. It wasnt much, but I thought well, this is okay, she says.

The scammers built up the fraud gradually over the course of several days. She was invited to complete a special task.

All she had to do was deposit the money she had earned into an external wallet on a crypto trading platform, before buying specific cryptocurrencies as instructed on a separate website.

It was small sums at first, but as she was rewarded on the website for completing the tasks, she was asked to put in more and more of her own cash. By this point she had been added to a group chat with others just like her who appeared to be making lots of money, helping to dispel any doubts.

When Blake, another contact, asked her to deposit 880 to access what she had already earned  around 900 from a 400 investment  she turned to her brother to borrow the cash.

However once she had deposited the lump sum, there was a problem. Blake came back with a message and said an error came up. He said I could only unfreeze my money if I invested a further 1,500, Emilia says.

Finally, something in my head clicked that it was a scam.

Emilia lost 1,200, including all the money her brother had lent her.

It has been a huge financial hit, but the emotional fallout has been far worse. I couldnt stop crying for the first few days. It destroyed me. I thought, if I die tomorrow, I will be happy, she says.

I have two children, and I could spend that money on my kids. And I just gave it to those scammers. I havent even told my husband.

Social media has made it easier for fraudsters to manipulate people

As Britain grapples with a rising unemployment rate and a chaotic job market, job scams have become not only more prevalent but apparently more effective.

Similar to the spread of vaccine scams during the pandemic, criminal organisations decision to ramp them up in the current climate is a calculated move, says Giles Mason, of fraud campaign group Take Five.

Criminals are always changing their methods to respond to the latest events, he says. They will try and target people they think they can exploit. So job scams usually affect people who are looking for a second income, but also for a new job, whether this is graduates or someone who is recently unemployed.

The fraudsters involved in job scams are typically part of larger criminal networks. Victims may also be used as money mules to unwittingly launder illegal funds by transferring their earnings from fake jobs to other bank accounts.

Nearly a quarter of all reported mules are involved in a job scam, according to Nationwide.

The US Federal Trade Commission said that, in this sense, the use of social media for scams had turned platforms into a golden goose for criminal organisations.

Social media has made it easier for fraudsters to reach and manipulate people, says Burskys.

An element of pressure to act quickly

Job scams typically fall into two main categories: identity theft and advance fee fraud.

With identity theft, the scammer will often pretend they have reviewed the victims CV and determined they would be perfect for a job at a company. In some cases they will go as far as setting up a call to discuss the job further, in a bid to win trust.

The goal is for the victim to send across personal details to finalise their application, such as a passport, copies of utility bills and their National Insurance number. Once they have these, they can be used for fraudulent activity without the victims knowledge.

Advance fee fraud  the type Emilia was affected by  involves convincing the victim to send money to finalise applications, carry out tasks or secure work for jobs that dont exist.

It can often involve victims receiving a small payment initially to reel them in, before they are asked to give up their own money.

This type of scam rose by 14pc in the first half of 2025, Mason says, making up a significant chunk of the total 630m criminals stole across the same period.

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Tips for avoiding job scams

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What the two types of scam have in common is their insidious nature combined with an adept use of high-pressure tactics. Job scammers prey on the knowledge that many who are looking for work have reached a point of desperation in their search.

They will capitalise on this by slowly building trust over days or even weeks, before creating a sense of urgency that requires the victim to act against their better judgement.

There is an element of pressure to act quickly, Mason says. It can have a devastating impact on people.

Getting the money back can be painstaking, if not impossible. Emilia was able to claw back some small sums that she sent using her Lloyds account, but everything she transferred subsequently, using a combination of PayPal and Revolut, appears to be gone forever.

While the Government has begun cracking down on mobile networks to stem the flood of scam calls and texts from abroad, social media remains a veritable Wild West.

More than half of scams were linked to Meta platforms such as Facebook and Instagram in 2023, according to the Payment Systems Regulator, which is now part of the Financial Conduct Authority.

Measures designed to prevent their proliferation in the Online Safety Act only address paid-for fraudulent adverts appearing on their services, meaning thousands of free posts risk slipping through the net.

I feel stupid and very angry with myself, Emilia says. But Instagram and Facebook have a responsibility, because they are allowing these adverts to exist.

Meta was approached for comment. It said it had requested specific examples to investigate properly but was unable to review these before publication.

A spokesman for Revolut said: Emilia was provided with targeted scam-specific warnings when the transactions were identified as potentially fraudulent, but despite multiple attempts to intervene, its warnings were not heeded and Revolut processed the payment in line with its regulatory and legal obligations.

A spokesman for PayPal added it takes the security of our customers very seriously but that when customers purchase cryptocurrency on separate platforms or wallets and then transfer these on to third parties, PayPal has no involvement in the onward transfer. It has since paid Emilia 150 as a gesture of goodwill.

*Names have been changed to remain anonymous.
Trustpilot disputes the claims being made against it - Alamy

Trustpilot has been accused of waging mafia-style extortion campaigns against businesses to try and force them to sign up to its service.

Shares in the online customer review platform slumped to a two-year low on Thursday after an American research firm accused it of using illegal tactics to push companies into signing up for accounts.

Trustpilot disputed the claims, calling them selective, misleading and framed to support a predetermined narrative.

Grizzly Research alleges that the Danish company creates accounts for businesses that are not customers and then only lets them manage and respond to negative reviews if they pay for a subscription.

We believe Trustpilot has created a platform to attract bad reviews and customers must pay to dilute the bad reviews. This created a review system that only seems to express who pays Trustpilot, Grizzly Research said in a 26-page report.

The US-headquartered firm claimed the strategy was akin to mafia-style extortion campaigns against non-paying businesses.

Grizzly Research alleged its findings were based on interviews with Trustpilot customers, those who didnt subscribe, former employees and third-party industry experts.

It wrote: We and many experts we consulted believe Trustpilot is ... actively using illegal tactics to manipulate review scores.

In a statement issued hours after report was published, Trustpilot said the report omits key context and publicly available facts, creating a false impression and exhibits a lack of understanding of how Trustpilot works. Trust is our guiding principle and is central to everything we do.

The rebuttal was not enough to stop Trustpilots stock price plunging by 32pc on Thursday, its steepest ever one-day decline. The fall, which knocked more than 200m from its market value, brought losses since the start of the year up to almost 60pc.

More than 1.4 million businesses use Trustpilot globally, including FTSE giants Sainsburys, Barclays and Next. The company was founded in 2007 and has become a digital Kitemark, allowing customers to review and measure the customer service of a business.

Many companies publicly display their Trustpilot ratings on their websites to reassure customers. More than 200,000 new reviews are posted every day.

Grizzly Research alleged that paid profiles typically see their review score increase from two out of five stars to four out of five, calling this model the Trustpilot Mafia. It claimed the companys growth relies on extorting businesses while eroding trust in the brand.

New York-based Grizzly Research was founded five years ago by Siegfried Eggert and has previously targeted companies including SharkNinja, HelloFresh and The Hershey Company.

A spokesman for Grizzly Research confirmed that the company had a short position in Trustpilot shares.

Short-sellers typically make money by betting against a businesss shares in the hope that they fall. The tactic of publishing damaging accusation against a company to prompt a share price is not unusual but is controversial.

Trustpilot floated on the London Stock Exchange at the end of the first quarter in 2021, gaining a valuation of 1.1bn at the time.

The Boston-based hedge fund Sunley House Capital Master is the companys biggest shareholder, with a stake of 5.4pc. Capital Group, Vanguard and BlackRock also have considerable stakes in Trustpilot.
The British property market is set to bounce back in the aftermath of the budget, and affordable locations offering a sense of community and access to green spaces are likely to be high on homebuyers' wishlists.

For all these attributes and more, they should look no further than Skipton in North Yorkshire, according to Rightmove's (RMV.L) annual Happy at Home Index, which named the market town as the happiest place to live in Great Britain.

The index is in its 14th year, and is completed by thousands of residents across more than 200 areas.

Skipton had been the runner-up in 2020 and was sixth on last years list. In addition to the town's proximity to nature, the friendliness of locals and access to key amenities ranked highly among its residents.

Read more: What is the new mansion tax? All you need to know

Locals felt they could be themselves in Skipton and that they earned enough to live comfortably, the study added.

It wasn't all positive news, though, as access to employment opportunities and desirable jobs ranked less favourably. It was also not particularly easy to find homes near friends and family, according to the study.

The average asking price for a home in Skipton is 326,093, which is lower than the current national average of 364,833.

In addition to the town's proximity to nature, the friendliness of locals and access to key amenities ranked highly among Skipton's residents. (kucele via Getty Images)

Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Yorkshire estate agents Dacre, Son & Hartley, highlighted how close Skipton was to "the region's finest countryside", as well as the Lake District and cities such as Manchester and Leeds.

Richmond-upon-Thames in London was named runner-up on the Happiness Index, with its nature hotspots and essential services ranking highly, while Camden in north London, made the top three for the first time.

Stirling has been ranked the happiest place to live in Scotland and Anglesey took the top spot in Wales.

Stirling has been ranked the happiest place to live in Scotland. (naumoid via Getty Images)

Ann Evans Jones, director at Morgan Evans in Anglesey, said: Anglesey (Ynys Mon) is a beautiful setting and has so much to offer, including stunning coastal walks, beautiful beaches for relaxing and water activities. A lovely area to raise a family, with a strong feeling of community on the Island with villages being very welcoming.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Exclusive drone footage obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday shows a devastated Ukrainian town nearly encircled by Russian forces near the city that Moscow this week claimed to now control.

Barely a street appears to be untouched in Myrnohrad in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, 12 kilometers (7 miles) from the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk. Some destruction is so fresh that smoke was still rising in the footage shot in the past few days.

They are trying to simply erase the (town) from the face of the earth, said Oleksii Hodzenko, press officer of the drone battalion of the 38th Marine Brigade, whose soldiers were still fighting inside Myrnohrad on Wednesday.

The town is almost encircled by Russian forces, according to DeepState, an open-source Ukrainian map widely used by the military and analysts.

Hodzenko said that while there was still a route out for Ukrainian troops, Russian efforts had made logistics in and out of the town difficult: We (can only) very rarely carry out even a small rotation of personnel. People sit there for weeks."

Ukraines eastern command on Wednesday said on Telegram it was channeling supplies to troops in Myrnohrad. Hodzenko said they were relying on ground-robot drones to carry food and water to remaining soldiers. He did not say how many were left in town, in keeping with military restrictions.

Myrnohrad had a population of about 46,000 before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has since suffered the same fate as dozens of other Ukrainian towns and villages in the east and south as they have nearly emptied of people.

Over more than a year, the assaults by Russian forces using glide bombs that weigh up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), as well as swarms of attack drones and artillery, have turned the town into an uninhabitable shell.

When you sit at the command post and hear the exchanges between (Ukrainian) units, once every few minutes a radio comes in, KAB (glide bomb) on Myrnohrad, Hodzenko said. As of now, all our fighters can do, and all they do, is hold the city as best they can, exerting absolutely inhuman, titanic efforts."

Kremlin presidential aide Yurii Ushakov said Wednesday that Russia's progress on the battlefield had strengthened its negotiating position in talks with the United States on the U.S.-drafted plan aimed at ending the war.

The progress and nature of the negotiations were, of course, influenced by the Russian armys battlefield successes in recent weeks," Ushakov told reporters. "These developments had a positive impact on the negotiations.

On Tuesday, Russia's defense ministry claimed troops had taken control of nearby Pokrovsk, posting a video of Russian soldiers holding the Russian flag in the city's center. The claim was rejected by Ukraine's General Staff.

Col. Volodymyr Polevyi, head of communications for the 7th Corps Assault Brigade, which is stationed on that part of the front, told the AP on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces were still fighting in the northern part of city.

Hodzenko urged Western allies to continue supporting Ukraine.

Despite some agreements or disagreements between the U.S., Russia, the European Union, NATO, we still need help, in particular military help," Hodzenko said, and added: "In order for the West not to go to war with Russia after a certain time, the West must certainly help us in any possible way.
Some of the Women of Wessex (from left to right): Alison Wren, Wendy Stephenson, Clarissa Payne and Diane Dear - Jay Williams for The Telegraph

A group of gender-critical women have threatened to sue Bristol city council over their stance on transgender issues.

The women, known as the Women of Wessex, have faced repeated opposition from their council since the Supreme Court ruling in April this year that sex in equality laws refers to biological sex.

Wendy Stephenson, chair of the councils independent remuneration panel, and Dr Phoebe Beedell, a retired academic researcher, have been banned from attending Bristol city council meetings for six months because they raised questions about the councils trans inclusion policy.

Ms Stephenson and Dr Beedell now plan to launch legal action on the grounds that the council has conducted itself unlawfully and has discriminated against members of the public whose views it cannot tolerate.

Wendy Stephenson was banned from attending any meetings of the council or its committees for a period of at least six months - Jay Williams for The Telegraph

When the Women of Wessex first stood up at their council meeting in July to ask what the council had done in response to the Supreme Court ruling in April, a group of councillors rose, filed out of the chamber and only returned once the women had sat down.

In Septembers council meeting, 18 councillors walked out each time a woman got up to speak and returned only once they had asked a question.

By Novembers council meeting, a womans question on predatory males was banned entirely for being offensive and numerous councillors held up placards with slogans such as Trans women are women and Protect the dolls.

On Nov 19, a day before a Telegraph article was published, Ms Stephenson and Dr Beedell were banned by letter from attending any meetings of the council or its committees for a period of at least six months. Ms Stephenson was also terminated from her appointments as chair and panel member of the councils Independent Remuneration Panel.

Disgraceful coordinated behaviour by councillors in the @BristolCouncil chamber tonight, trying to intimidate and disrupt women asking legitimate questions from the public gallery.

They have no shame. pic.twitter.com/HUZgRtm33M  ShirleyBassey (@Shirleysvoice3) November 4, 2025

The women are now threatening legal action if there is no independent investigation into the councils conduct. They are also calling for the ban on their attendance at council meetings to be revoked; and for the reinstatement of Ms Stephenson on the remuneration panel.

If the council refuses to comply within 14 days, the women will apply for permission to launch a judicial review of their conduct.

Wendy Stephenson, 70, said: I was banned and dismissed on the basis of allegations with no opportunity to respond.

This is a gross breach of natural justice. I feel upset, humiliated and rendered powerless by the councils actions.

Our voices are being silenced. If this is how councillors behave in public, I fear for any council worker who knows that sex is real and cannot be changed by feelings.

Bristol city council operates under a committee system with 70 elected members. The Greens hold half the council with 35 councillors. Labour has 20, the Conservatives seven and the Liberal Democrats eight.

Credit: Jay Williams

Tony Dyer, the leader of the council, has criticised the Supreme Court ruling in the past and demanded support for biological men who wanted to chest-feed babies. The council produced a 39-page response to a consultation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on updates to its guidance after the Supreme Court ruling.

James Gardner, a lawyer acting for the claimants, said: This must be an all-time low for British democracy. Well-meaning citizens are raising relevant, respectful questions at council meetings and are faced with rabble-rousing councillors who refuse to listen.

Our clients have views, which although lawful and in line with most of the British public, appear to differ from those held by the majority of Green Party councillors. Do these elected men and women have no ability to listen calmly to opinions they disagree with or engage in thoughtful debate?
Credit: Social media/Reuters/RIA Novosti

When a British man was arrested in Ukraine on suspicion of helping Russia carry out political assassinations, it exposed more than a single act of betrayal.

Ross David Cutmore, who arrived in Ukraine in 2024, is accused of importing and distributing weapons used in the murder of three prominent Ukrainians: Demian Hanul, an activist, and Iryna Farion and Andriy Parubiy, two politicians.

His alleged role shines the light on a largely hidden dimension of the war, a steadily intensifying assassination campaign that stretches from the streets of Kyiv and Moscow to the suburbs of Madrid.

It also reflects a broader Russian tactic in Ukraine. Unable, or unwilling, to deploy professional operatives, Moscow has relied on locals, migrants and criminal networks to hunt political and military figures in Ukraine and beyond.

Acled, a global conflict monitor, recorded nine attempted or successful Russian assassinations in Ukraine between 2023 and August 2025. Targets ranged from nationalist figures to serving intelligence officers, often selected to reinforce the Kremlins narrative of fighting extremism.

Yet research shows that Ukraine is winning this shadow war. In fact, the pace and reach of Ukraines assassination campaign has overtaken Russias by some margin, with late 2024 marking a turning point.

In the first eight months of 2025, the number of assassination attempts by Ukraine inside Russia had already exceeded the annual totals for 2022, 2023 and 2024, as Kyivs focus shifted from propagandists to the architects and operators of Vladimir Putins war machine.

Among the most striking examples was the killing of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov on Dec 17 last year. The officer, who was in charge of Russias nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, was killed by a remotely detonated device hidden inside an electric scooter.

Lt Gen Igor Kirillov was killed in December 2024 - AP

He died after a device hidden inside an electric scooter was detonated remotely - Shutterstock /Yuri Kochetkov

Days earlier, Mikhail Shatsky, an engineer involved in missile and drone production, was shot dead. In April 2025, car bombs killed two senior figures linked to electronic warfare and operational planning, including Gen Yaroslav Moskalik, a key figure in Russias armed forces general staff.

These killings were precise and increasingly sophisticated. Many involved explosives and mail bombs assembled with the help of unwitting couriers recruited online.

Acled has also recorded apparent suicide bombings inside Russia, including the killing of Armen Sarkisian, founder of the Arbat battalion, and Zaur Gurtsiev, who oversaw the devastating bombardment of Mariupol. In the latter case, the man who delivered the device may not even have known he was carrying it.

Credit: IZ.RU/Telegram

Even in territories Russia has controlled for more than a decade, Ukrainian reach has proved durable. The 2018 assassination of Alexander Zakharchenko, a Donetsk warlord, was an early illustration of Kyivs ability to operate in Russian-controlled areas.

Since 2022, at least five high-profile killings have taken place in Luhansk, including that of Igor Kornet, the Russian-installed interior minister. In December 2024, Ukrainian operatives also killed the head of the Olenivka prison in Donetsk, where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war died in a 2022 bombing.

Removing individuals is unlikely to halt Russias war effort. But it places a psychological cost on those who serve it, with the threat extending well beyond the battlefield. Any figure linked to the invasion, from propagandists to engineers and military officers, find themselves living with a target on their back.

Russia has attempted to respond in kind. Acled notes at least nine Russian assassination attempts between 2023 and August 2025, though many were poorly executed and reliant on local proxies.

Yaroslav Moskalik, a Russian general, was killed in April this year

He was one of two senior figures killed by a car bomb - Shutterstock /Yuri Kochetkov

In July 2025, Col Ivan Voronych of Ukraines security service was gunned down in daylight in Kyiv, with his killing claimed by a far-Right group with suspected Russian links. In May, Serhii Sternenko was wounded by a woman recruited by Russian handlers. In March, Demyan Hanul was shot dead in Odesa. These victims, along with Farion and Parubiy, are linked by their nationalist or anti-Russian positions.

The duel of assassinationsis happening in parallel with the unravelling rules of engagement in conventional warfare, exemplified by indiscriminate targeting of civilians and mistreatment or executions of prisoners of war, Nichita Gurcov, Europe and Central Asia Senior Analyst at Acled, told The Telegraph.

Unrestricted by the confines of the battlefield, this practice may become a self-sustaining spiral of violence, taking a dangerous shortcut from due process and leaving no exoneration options to victims.

Credit: Telegram

Mr Gurcov also told The Telegraph the tactics increasingly resembled those used by Israels spy agency Mossad, whose methods include the use of disguised explosive devices and cross-border targeting.

In May, the assassination of Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian politician, in Madrid signalled how far this conflicts covert front lines now stretch. A year earlier, Maxim Kuzminov  a Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine  was killed in Alicante.

Britain knows too well how Russias reach extends far beyond its surrounding territory. On Thursday, a public inquiry found that Putin ordered the 2018 Salisbury poisoning  when agents took a highly toxic nerve agent into a busy city in a botched attempt to assassinate the double agent Sergei Skripal  to demonstrate Russian strength around the world.

If and when the war ends, the killings may not. During the long years after Russias initial invasion in 2014, assassinations on both sides continued. With weapons flooded into society and scores potentially left unsettled, the killings could continue well beyond any peace settlement negotiated by the US.
Dr Rahmeh Aladwan claimed ten police officers stormed her house to arrest me for a speech and X posts - Jake Lindley for The Telegraph

An NHS doctor who was suspended for making anti-Semitic comments has been arrested after repeatedly posting about Jewish supremacism.

Dr Rahmeh Aladwan was last month banned from practising medicine for 15 months after making a series of anti-Semitic and pro-terrorism comments on social media.

Shortly after her suspension, the British-Palestinian doctor took to social media to attack the Israeli and Jewish lobby, before signing off: Free Palestine and Britain from jewish [sic] supremacy.

Dr Aladwan said that she was arrested again as a result of her latest posts.

Writing on X, she claimed ten police officers stormed my house to arrest me for a speech and X posts.

She alleged she was questioned on the posts about jewish [sic] supremacy, israel [sic], Armed resistance (Palestinian) and Oct 7 and The repatriation of jewish [sic] settlers from Palestine.

The NHS doctor claims that she was held for more than seven hours and released on bail conditions, which include not to publish, post or communicate material or statements that incite hatred, discrimination, or harassment against any individual or group based on race, religion or ethnicity.

This morning at 7AM, 10 police officers stormed my house to search the property and arrest me for a speech and X posts - again. This is the second arrest in less than 2 months. The order was from the London Met Police - they travelled to a different city to arrest me - again.



I pic.twitter.com/R0Wq3Rs8s9  Dr Rahmeh Aladwan (@doctor_rahmeh) December 4, 2025

Dr Aladwan added: I told the officer that I do not agree that I have done any of the above and therefore do not know what I am signing for. I was told: Posts on jewish [sic] supremacism.

I do not believe any of the above has much to do with Britain but the majority of the interview was centred on israel [sic] and israelis [sic] including their feelings, their entity, and their future.

She later added: They can arrest me as many times as they want but we will never stop standing for humanity & justice.

Our principles are not up for debate. They are not for sale. They are non-negotiable.

They can never intimidate Palestinians or their supporters. We do not fear them. Free [she then inserted an emoji of a Palestinian flag, and a Union Jack flag].

One in a series of posts by Dr Aladwan to mark the anniversary of the Oct 7 Hamas attacks

The Metropolitan Police confirmed she was arrested on suspicion of misusing a public communications network and stirring up racial hatred, and later bailed.

A force spokesman said: On the morning of Thursday 4 Dec, Met Police officers arrested a 31-year-old woman at an address in South Gloucestershire.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of misusing a public communications network and stirring up racial hatred. She was taken into police custody and later bailed.

The arrests relate to an ongoing investigation led by the Mets Public Order Crime Team into posts on social media between June 2025 and the present day, as well as comments made during a speech at a protest that took place in Leeds in August.

Met officers are being supported by officers from West Yorkshire Police in relation to the Leeds matter.

We are aware of some commentary online suggesting these are the same allegations that led to the arrest of the same woman in October. That is not the case. These are separate allegations that have emerged since the previous arrest.

Dr Aladwan tweeted: Our principles are not up for debate. They are not for sale. They are non-negotiable

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service decided to suspend Dr Aladwan last month following a three-day hearing in Manchester after balancing the risk to the protection of the public, the public interest and the interests of the doctor.

The General Medical Council had called for Dr Aladwan to be suspended because of X posts that called Israelis worse than Nazis and described Hamas militants as oppressed resistance fighters, not terrorists.

The medical watchdog said that it could eventually refer her to a full medical practitioners tribunal and seek to strike her off the register altogether if it concluded she had a case to answer over the complaints it has received about her.

Responding to her latest arrest, the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: Dr Aladwans dangerous obsession with fantasies about a Jewish lobby and Jewish supremacists has shown her up for exactly what she is. Posts reading I will never condemn the 7th of October are extremism of the highest calibre.

Britains Jews have long been aware of her deranged online activity, which has resulted in her receiving a fifteen-month suspension pending an investigation following complaints made by us to the General Medical Council.

We are pleased that the police are now taking action. If crimes are found to have taken place, Dr Aladwan must face the full force of the law.
Donald Trumps European strategy is about exporting his Maga revolution - Allison Joyce/Bloomberg

Donald Trumps White House has published its National Security Strategy (NSS), laying out its vision for Americas place in the world, and what it wants from allies and adversaries.

The 33-page document sets the tone for an even more widely anticipated national defence strategy, which is expected to be released in the near future and will put flesh on the conceptual bones.

National security strategies are generally released by presidents once each term. So what does Trumps say?

The Monroe Doctrine is back

The strategy calls its version of the Monroe Doctrine (which holds that America will never allow interlopers to dominate the Western hemisphere) the Trump Corollary. But it is really a restatement of a ruthlessly assertive strategy of US dominance in the Americas.

Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela is already feeling the pressure of this approach. Traditionally, the Monroe Doctrine has manifested in US intervention in Latin America. But given what Trump has said in the past about expanding Americas borders, Canada and Greenland may be nervous about what the Trump Corollary means in the north.

Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro - Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

There are implications for others too. The non-Hemispheric competitor on Trumps mind is presumably China, which has invested heavily in some Latin American countries.

Nato expansion is over

For Europeans, the NSS is more evidence that the US may draw down its military and diplomatic commitments to Nato in order to focus on things closer to home.

Its stated ambition of a block on further expansion of the transatlantic alliance will be a body blow both to Ukraine, which sees eventual membership as the ultimate security guarantee against an aggressive Moscow, and to European countries that believe choosing alliances is a fundamental sovereign right.

The strategy also makes clear that Washington expects its existing Nato allies to meet defence spending ultimatums laid down by Trump.

Ukraine  peace in Trumps time

Ending the war in Ukraine and reviving European greatness are strategic priorities for Washington, the NSS says.

That sounds positive, but European leaders will note with alarm that the document avoids any criticism of Russia while aggressively questioning their own legitimacy.

The document questions the legitimacy of European leaders and avoids criticism of Russia - Alexander Drago/Reuters

The NSS also describes the Kremlins invasion as a squabble that America has to manage, but stops short of aligning the US with either side.

Ukrainians will welcome the commitment to their survival. But they and their European allies will want to know what re-establishing strategic stability with Russia means.

It could mean deterring Vladimir Putin from launching another invasion  but it might also mean reintegrating him into the global economy as if nothing had happened.

Europe must be Maga

The most remarkable passage of all is an attack on US allies who have doubts about the American approach.

That is an astounding claim about democratically elected allied governments.

But then, the strategy makes clear that this administration believes that Europes big problem is not Russia, but civilisational erasure stemming from immigration.

Europe faces civilisational erasure from immigration, the strategy warns - Abdul Saboor/Reuters

It goes on: The growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism.

Attacking legitimately elected governments while endorsing opposition parties is a fairly blatant form of interference in domestic affairs. But thats the point: Trumps European strategy is about exporting his Maga revolution.

China

There is no such equivocation on China, which the strategy covers in greater detail and at greater length than any other part of the world.

Beijing, it states, is a major challenge and must be contained economically in order to avoid military confrontation.

That reflects the preoccupations of the administrations prioritisers, led by Elbridge Colby at the Pentagon, who want to gear up to face the challenge in the Pacific, even if it means abandoning US commitments elsewhere around the world.

Allies will be pressured to adopt trade policies that help rebalance Chinas economy toward household consumption, because South-East Asia, Latin America and the Middle East cannot alone absorb Chinas enormous excess capacity.

Chinas enormous excess capacity is highlighted in the strategy as something that must be rebalanced - Xiao Benxiang/VCG/Getty

In by far the most specific section about Americas military stance, the strategy advocates denying China control of the First Island Chain, which includes Taiwan and the Philippines, beefing up traditional Indo-Pacific alliances, and taking measures to protect critical infrastructure.

That is good news for Taiwan.

This is the kind of commitment Europe expects for itself, but is being denied.

The Middle East

There is remarkably little detail on what America wants from the Middle East, beyond not getting involved in any wars there.

Instead, the NSS offers a narration of the current state of play: Iran is weakened; The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains thorny, but thanks to the ceasefire and release of hostages President Trump negotiated, progress toward a more permanent peace has been made; and there is fragile hope for stability in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

The White House remains committed to its alliance with Israel, will not question regional leaders over issues relating to human rights and democracy, and remains intent on keeping oil flowing and the Strait of Hormuz open, the strategy makes clear.

No surprises there. But above all, the Trump administration wants to do business in the region. It is rather emerging as a place of partnership, friendship, and investment  a trend that should be welcomed and encouraged.

Africa  back of the queue

The worlds second most populous continent warrants just three paragraphs at the very end of the document, which is a pretty clear indication of where it sits on American priorities.

As in the Middle East, the major focus is on business.
Farage insists Thai-based crypto billionaire wants nothing in return for 9m donation to Reform UK

Nigel Farage has insisted the Thai-based crypto billionaire who gave Reform a record 9m donation wants nothing from me.

The multi-million-pound donation from Christopher Harborne, who previously donated to the Tories under Boris Johnson and bankrolled Brexit, is thought to be the biggest given to a party by a living person.

But the donation has prompted concerns about political funding from the Electoral Reform Society and Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), which have both called for a change in the law. Meanwhile, the Lib Dems have called for a formal investigation.

Mr Farage has backed the deregulation of crypto and, shortly after receiving the donation, publicly promoted Tether, the cryptocurrency company that Mr Harborne is a shareholder in.

Asked about the donation, the Reform UK leader said: Does he want anything in return for his money? I promise you absolutely nothing. Do I speak to him regularly? Maybe once a month, maybe once every six weeks, but certainly not more than that.

Crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, who is based in Thailand, gave 9m to Reform UK (Christopher Harborne)

Despite living in Thailand for more than 20 years and holding a Thai passport, Mr Harborne  a British-born businessman who sometimes goes by his Thai name Chakrit Sakunkrit  has contributed a significant amount of money to British political parties.

The businessman, who made his money as an aviation entrepreneur and through crypto investment, previously gave sizeable sums to the Brexit Party  Reform UKs predecessor  in 2019 and 2020, but had not given money to politics for five years until this latest donation.

Asked at a press conference why Mr Harborne spends so much time in Thailand, the Reform leader said: Because thats where hes been based for some of his business activities for many, many years  his natural home is here.

His donation is nothing out of the blue. Its nothing new. I mean, after all he was a dedicated Brexiteer. He gave a significant amount of money to the Brexit Party at the time.

I think what he wants to do, really, is to try and help us get onto a level playing field with the trade union-funded Labour Party and a Conservative Party where there seems to be a remarkable correlation, I cant think why, between donations and membership of the House of Lords.

Harborne donated to the Tories under Boris Johnson (PA)

Reform UKs total donations of 10.5m from July to September were the largest of any party for the period, followed by the Conservatives, who received just under 7m, figures released on Thursday by the Electoral Commission show. Labour received 2.5m while donations totalling just over 2m were given to the Liberal Democrats.

The 9m donation was made on 1 August this year. The following month, Mr Farage publicly promoted Tether, the cryptocurrency Mr Harborne is a shareholder in.

In an interview with Nick Ferrari on LBC in September, Mr Farage said of Tether: We should hang on to this and wait till they mature and secondly, Nick, Im going to go tomorrow to say this, you know, Tether is a stable coin.

Stable coins are the way which money goes from conventional currencies through into cryptocurrencies and back again. Tether, about to be valued as a $500bn company. You know, stable coins, crypto, this world is enormous and Ive been urging for years that London should embrace it.

Before that, in May, Mr Farage announced via X (Twitter) that Reform would be the first party to accept crypto as a donation. On the same day, he announced to the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas that Reform UK would launch a crypto revolution and introduce a crypto assets bill.

At a cryptocurrency conference in London on 13 October, he said he wanted a Big Bang 2 for crypto.

A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission has confirmed that Mr Harborne is a permissible donor.

They said: Parties can accept donations from individuals on a UK electoral register, including overseas voters. Christopher Harborne is a permissible donor.

But Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart MP said: "The relevant authorities must investigate this donation and what appears to be a clear conflict of interest.

If he promoted a product in return for a record-breaking donation, that is the sort of activity that is undermining our democracy and the public's trust in politics."

The Electoral Reform Societys director of policy and research, Dr Jess Garland, warned: We are seeing an alarming trend of parties receiving larger and larger donations from single super-wealthy donors and the public are rightly asking what these very rich people expect in return for their money.

The UK is uniquely exposed in this new era of mega donors as we do not even have a donations cap, meaning parties can receive unlimited sums.

The government urgently needs to reform our party finance laws to ensure that political parties are focused on bettering the lives of voters not super-rich donors.

Dr Parth Patel, the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) associate director for democracy and politics, added: We should all be concerned that wealthy individuals are accounting for a growing share of party funding.

Christopher Harbornes 9m donation to Reform is record-breaking, but comes in the context of more millionaires donating to political parties than ever before.

Nigel Farage had previously struggled to attract donors to Reform UK (PA)

The only real solution is for the government to introduce a cap on how much any one individual can donate in a given year. That a cryptocurrency investor based in Thailand would still be allowed to finance British democracy under the new election laws the government is trying to pass only highlights its holes.

Reform was also helped with a 500,000 donation from property developer Nick Candy, who was a high-profile defector from the Tories last year.

Another 100,000 was given by William Alan McIntosh, the founder of Emerald Investment Partners, an investment company. Reform was also given a 50,000 donation by Viscountess Rothermere, the wife of the owner of the Daily Mail and its parent company, DMGT.

Mr Harborne is yet another former ally of Mr Johnson to have backed Farage and Reform UK. He follows former Tory chair Sir Jake Berry, former ministers Dame Andrea Jenkyns and Nadine Dorries, and a number of ex-Tory MPs, including this week Lia Nici, Chris Green and Jonathan Gullis, who were supporters of Mr Johnson.

He travelled with Mr Johnson to Ukraine when he was prime minister and gave him a well-publicised 1m donation.

It is believed that the 9m given to Reform UK is the largest political donation on record from a living person, and second only to who Lord Sainsbury left 10m to the Conservatives in his will in 2023 after his death.
Fine wine

When the woman said her name was Stephanie Baker, restaurateur Christian Borel had no reason to doubt her.

It was just before 5pm on a Wednesday afternoon last month when Baker, accompanied by a man she called her husband, appeared at LAuberge Provencale Inn & Restaurant in the US state of Virginia, around 70 miles west of Washington DC. Borel told The Telegraph that even though he wasnt in the mood to give a tour of his 5,500-bottle wine cellar, he agreed.

The woman said she worked for a Canadian chief executive who was planning a number of private dinners in the area. She hoped that the restaurant could host the events, in exchange for several thousand dollars. The couple seemed a little strange, but Borel took them down to his cellar, where the woman talked a mile a minute about her employers favourite wines.

While the woman bombarded Borel with questions and steered him towards the American wines, the man she called her husband followed behind. In hindsight, Borel recalled that he kept going in and out of view during the five-minute tour. At one point, the husband disappeared for probably 45 seconds to maybe one minute in one of the narrow wine aisles: one that stored the high-end French vintages. When he re-emerged, the woman, formerly so loquacious, said sharply it was time to go. It was then that Borel really sensed something was wrong.

The three left the cellar. But as they were walking back through the restaurant, Borel turned back, saying he had something he wanted to show them, and they should stay where they were. He rushed down to the cellar, where he realised that his suspicions had been correct. The man had replaced several bottles of fine wine with cheap screw-top alternatives, and took extra ones as well, stuffing them in a specially designed coat, which had meant he was walking stiffly.

CCTV footage shows Stephanie Baker leaving LAuberge Provencale restaurant, in Virginia

Borel sprinted back to the restaurant, but the couple had already gone outside towards their car. Alerting his colleagues, the restaurateur gave chase. A waiter caught up with the woman and put a hand on her shoulder just as she was getting into the car. She froze. But her accomplice managed to accelerate away.

Though he had dropped two bottles in the chase, the man kept six, worth more than 30,000. He still hasnt been found, but his rental car was recently discovered in Washington DC. The most expensive single bottle of wine he took was listed at $24,000 (18,000).

It later transpired that the woman was in disguise, wearing a wig, and her real name was Natali Ray. A 56-year-old British mother of three, from Herne Bay, in Kent, Ray is charged with grand larceny and other offences, and faces up to 50 years in prison.

Following the raid in Virginia, British woman Natali Ray was charged with grand larceny and other offences

She appeared in court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. Ray has claimed to have been duped by her companion, and some of her neighbours have expressed surprise that she would be involved in such a scheme.

Whatever the truth, the theft is one of several wine heists in recent months. Earlier this year, a London pedicab driver was convicted after stealing 31,000 of wine and champagne from high-end restaurants, at one point using a wheelie bin to move his looted bottles. He avoided jail after returning some of his haul. In October, 3,000 bottles of premium wine from vineyards in war-torn Ukraine were stolen from a lorry near London.

Fine-wine theft is unfortunately a regular occurrence, says Michael Egan, who works as a wine detective near Bordeaux, France. British-born Egan specialises in spotting counterfeit high-end wine, usually for rich private clients who are looking to sell or buy them.

While the exact number of wine heists is hard to calculate, Egan thinks there has been an increase of late. I would say it most probably is increasing because the value of the wine has gone up so much, he says  adding that he believes not all heists are reported in the press.

The tactics allegedly used by Ray and her accomplice are similar to those employed in October 2021, when a former Mexican beauty queen and her partner stole 45 bottles of wine worth more than 1m from the luxury hotel Atrio, in the Spanish city of Caceres. They, too, used false names, disguises and distraction  as well as a complex scoping system, which meant they visited the hotel three times before staying overnight.

During that final visit, the couple ate the 14-course tasting menu, before retiring to their room. Then, in the early hours, the woman, whose real name was Priscila Guevara, called the night receptionist  by then the only member of staff on duty  and asked for some food. The receptionist was surprised, given that they had just eaten, but agreed to prepare some salad and fruit. That meant that he left his station  where he could watch the security cameras  allowing the womans partner time to swipe 45 bottles of the hotels most expensive wines.

At 5.30am, the couple left the hotel, hiding their haul in their luggage. They were finally arrested nine months later, on Croatias border with Montenegro, and subsequently jailed for four years. The wine was never found, including a bottle of 1806 Chateau dYquem sweet white, which had been priced at 295,000 on the restaurants menu.

Priscila Guevara, a one-time Miss Earth Mexico contestant, was jailed for the theft of more than 1m worth of wine from a luxury Spanish hotel

In the past two decades, expensive wine has become a very valuable asset. The Liv-ex 100 index, a barometer of the fine-wine market, increased 343 per cent in value from 2002 to 2023, with a particular spike occurring during the pandemic. Prices have somewhat flatlined since then, but valuations of the most expensive wines remain high.

Because the price has gone so high, its out of most peoples reach now, says Egan. People are going to think twice before opening a bottle which is worth this much unless they really are billionaires.

Interest from Chinese buyers has helped push up prices, as has renewed investment from Americas wealthy elite. Egan says that there are some collectors who own as many as 30,000 bottles  hauls they are always looking to expand. Thieves might try to sell bottles to these rich buyers, says Egan, by claiming that they had unearthed them honestly in family collections. Alternatively, criminals may put them up for auction. Other thieves, meanwhile, might sell them to members of the underworld, the criminal networks, he says.

Probably the priciest wines in the world today  and the ones that were targeted by the couple in last months Virginia raid  are from the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti estate, in Frances eastern Burgundy region. At a Christies auction in America earlier this year, three bottles of a 1999 vintage sold for $93,750, the equivalent of 24,500 a bottle, well above the asking price. In restaurants, they can cost far more than that.

The potential for high rewards means that heists take many forms  from deception and distraction to pure brazen force. In 2015, a gang broke into a warehouse in Basingstoke owned by wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd, supplier to the Royal family. In a theft that sounds like something from a crime caper, the group stole wines worth 1.4m, after repositioning CCTV cameras, crawling under the motion sensors, and cutting a hole in the wall. They celebrated by drinking champagne in the warehouse, yet were never caught.

Similarly, in 2020, thieves stole about 60 bottles worth around 170,000 from the Formel B restaurant in Copenhagen. They had broken into a next-door property, then created a hole in the wall that meant they could access the wine cellar without the alarm going off.

Thieves who targeted the Formel B restaurant in Copenhagen in 2020 made a hole in the wall in the next-door property to gain access to its wine cellar - Formel B

Fraudsters in France also used 95,000 in fake bank notes to buy bottles of Chateau Petrus from a Parisian merchant, although they were eventually caught eight months later.

And sometimes the wine seems to disappear. After an audit last year, bosses at Parisian restaurant La Tour dArgent, famous for inspiring the Pixar film Ratatouille, discovered that 83 bottles of wine, worth around 1.25m, had vanished.

In response to the risk, specialists make sure to protect their wines. We dont advertise where were storing it, and we dont hand out the address willy-nilly, says Will Hargrove, head of fine wine at Corney and Barrow wine merchants. You do have to have a lot of security around it.

Spending a fortune on security isnt generally an option for restaurants, however, who have to keep their cellars on site. If you have a reputation for having the wine, obviously its something that you have then got to spend the money protecting, Hargrove says.

Theft isnt the only crime that threatens the wine market. Also common is wine fraud  the creation of fake vintages, often using mocked-up labels  incidents of which take up a lot of Egans time. In 2014, California-based collector Rudy Kurniawan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for what may be the biggest wine fraud in history, after selling millions of dollars of fake wines. Egan was the principal expert witness in the case.

In response to that risk, merchants such as Hargrove take drastic measures. There are some wines we represent where we insist that, after the restaurant serves them, the bottles are defaced and destroyed, he explains. Its important so the wines cant be refilled.

Following the dramatic burglary in Virginia last month, and as he waits for the insurance payments, Christian Borel has changed the security arrangements at his family restaurant. He has stopped offering tours of his cellars completely (although hed like to restart them one day, perhaps with two staff members at a time). And, most tellingly, the priciest items on his 1,200-bottle wine list are now stored much more safely.

The most expensive wine is kept in a completely different location now, he says. Its super secure. Even if you got access to our cellar and broke through our locks [...] youre not going to find those.
Met Police facial recognition cameras watch over Christmas shoppers outside Tottenham Court Road station, in London. (Getty Images) (Richard Baker via Getty Images)

Use of facial recognition in the UKs towns and cities could be massively ramped up under new plans unveiled by the government.

Ministers say the technology has already helped catch thousands of criminals and has the potential to "put more criminals behind bars".

A new consultation, launching on 4 December, is expected to form the basis of new laws governing the use of the technology.

But as they prepare to ask the public how the increased surveillance should be regulated, civil liberties campaigners have warned it risks snaring innocent people by mistake.

Policing minister Sarah Jones called facial recognition the "biggest breakthrough for catching criminals since DNA matching", with official figures suggesting it helped Londons Metropolitan Police make 1,300 arrests over the last two years.

But the forces use of the cameras was also criticised by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which described its use by police as "unlawful" and warned it risked having a "chilling effect" on individuals rights.

The Met insisted it was "both lawful and proportionate, playing a key role in keeping Londoners safe".

A camera on top of a Live Facial Recognition (LFR) van deployed in Leeds by West Yorkshire Police. (Getty Images) (Danny Lawson - PA Images via Getty Images)

The Times newspaper reported officers could be given access to passport and driving licence photographs, as well as footage taken from CCTV, doorbell and dashboard cameras, to track people.

What are facial recognition cameras?

Facial recognition is a biometric technology that detects key facial features and converts them into a unique digital template.

Many people already use it every day, for example, by unlocking their iPhone using Face ID.

Currently, police use three main types of facial recognition:

Retrospective  this is used by investigators to search images from crime scenes and compare them against images of people held on file

Live  live video footage of people passing cameras is monitored in real time and compared against a list of wanted people

Operator-initiated  allows officers to check someones identity, such as with a mobile app, without needing to arrest them. It can also be used to check the identity of anyone who may be unconscious, seriously injured or otherwise unable to communicate who they are

The technology has previously faced criticism in law enforcement use for being potentially discriminatory against people of colour.

But Neil Basu, the Metropolitan Polices former head of counter terrorism policing, said it had now taken a "massive step forward".

"The live facial recognition system was, but no longer is, discriminatory, but it will still require proper legal safeguards and oversight by the surveillance commissioner," he said.

Policing minister Sarah Jones has called facial recognition the 'biggest breakthrough for catching criminals since DNA matching'. (PA) (Jacob King, PA Images)

"This consultation is a necessary and welcome step by the government, which I hope will expedite its use by policing, lead them to catch more criminals, and keep us much safer."

How to spot facial recognition cameras?

Facial recognition cameras come in many shapes and sizes, but you can spot them if you know what to look for.

At their most obvious, they could be housed in police vans, which may even be labelled with their purpose.

Even where the location of the camera is not apparent, signage may be in place advising the public they have been installed in a given area.

They are likely to be bigger than usual CCTV cameras and positioned to give the best and most unobstructed view of passing faces.

However, they may also be carried in the pocket of a police officer, who could use a mobile app to carry out 'officer-initiated' identity checks.

If you are stopped by police as a result of a facial recognition check, the police must give you the opportunity to prove you are not the person theyre looking for, to clear up mistaken identifications or misunderstandings.

If you are in an area where live facial recognition is in use, it is not a criminal offence to attempt to avoid its line of sight.

You also have the option of covering your face  unless an order is in place requiring the public to remove face coverings.

Intentionally attempting to obstruct a camera, however, may be considered obstructing a police officer.
The Duchess of Sussexs spokesman said she made an attempt to contact Thomas Markle, 81, on Friday

The Duchess of Sussex has reached out to her estranged father amid reports that he has had his leg amputated in the Philippines.

The Duchess made an attempt to contact Thomas Markle, 81, on Friday, her spokesman said.

However, it was unclear whether they actually spoke.

The pair have not been in touch since 2018, following the fallout over staged paparazzi photographs ahead of the Sussexes wedding, although the Duchess is said to have tried to reach out in the past.

Her spokesman said on Friday evening: I can confirm she has reached out to her father.

The development came after the Duchess instructed aides to try and establish whether news reports concerning her fathers health were accurate.

Mr Markle fighting for his life

The Daily Mail revealed on Wednesday that Mr Markle was fighting for his life after collapsing at his home in Cebu, in the Philippines, where he moved at the beginning of this year.

He underwent emergency surgery followed by a second operation to remove a blood clot, which was said to have resulted in his leg being amputated below the knee.

His son, Meghans half-brother Thomas Markle Jr, 59, who also relocated to the South East Asian country, told the newspaper on Thursday: I went to see Dad today. He is heavily medicated on painkillers and other drugs. He is hooked up to all kinds of machines. Hes pretty much out of it.

The doctors say he is stable, which is good news. He is a brave man and a fighter. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death.

The whole family is grateful for the outpouring of love and well-wishes from people around the globe, particularly from Britain.

Thomas Markle has been in poor health for several years

Mr Markle is said to have suffered two heart attacks on the eve of his daughters wedding, which prevented him from flying to the UK

In his absence, the King, then Prince of Wales, gave Meghan away.

Mr Markle is also said to have suffered a stroke in 2022.

His son had implored Harry and Meghan to reach out to him.

The Duke has never spoken to his father-in-law and Mr Markle has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four.

Prince Harry wrote in his memoir, Spare, that the Duchess was mourning the loss of her father.

But Mr Markle retaliated, telling an Australian television programme: She killed me and then mourned me, adding: I refuse to be buried by her.

In early May 2018, shortly before his daughters wedding, Mr Markle, a retired television lighting director, made global headlines when it emerged he had colluded with a photographer to sell staged paparazzi shots of his preparations.

Despite the scandal, his invitation to the Windsor ceremony was not withdrawn.

That was the last call

But Mr Markle developed chest pains on the day he was due to be driven to the airport and went instead to a hospital in California, where he was forced to watch the royal wedding on television.

After the ceremony, he texted Meghan to tell her she looked beautiful.

They discussed the wedding and he wished the couple a happy honeymoon. That was the last call, he told a tabloid newspaper.

Before moving to the Philippines, Mr Markle gave numerous interviews to television networks and newspapers about his daughter, begging her to get in touch.

He claimed he had been shunned and ghosted by his daughter and at one stage vowed to do an interview every month until she made contact.

He alleged in December 2018 that he texted her every day but that she never responded.

Extracts of a letter Meghan wrote to her father in August 2018, begging him to stop talking to the media, were later published in the Mail on Sunday.

The Duchess successfully sued the publisher, Associated Newspapers Limited, in 2021.

In January this year, Mr Markle told a newspaper that he still dreamt of bringing his whole family together and wished the Duchess no ill-will.

He said he did not not like some of the things my daughter has done but would always love her.
Tony Blackburn has claimed he and former wife Tessa Wyatt were both having affairs with their next-door neighbours - Mirrorpix

With his warm delivery and intimate knowledge of classic soul records, Tony Blackburn is renowned for being a charmer.

The 82-year-old DJ previously said he had slept with hundreds of women after his divorce from Tessa Wyatt, his first wife.

But his latest claims about his escapades while they were still married have come as a shock to her.

The DJ claims that Wyatt, 77, only found out about his affair with one of their neighbours when she read his autobiography, The Living Legend, published in 1985.

Not only that, but he now claims that at the same time as he was having this affair, Wyatt was having one with the womans husband - a sort of love square or what some might call accidental swinging.

Wyatt strongly disputes Blackburns account.

Blackburn, speaking on Gyles Brandreths Rosebud podcast about his early life and his marriage to Wyatt, claimed: We both had affairs... She didnt know I was having an affair with the next door neighbour.

And she was having an affair with her husband. And she didnt know that I was having an affair with her.

Tony Blackburn admitted he was over-possessive of Tessa Wyatt while they were married - Rolls Press/Popperfoto

He told Brandreth that Wyatt didnt know that I was having an affair until she read the book. Its awful, isnt it?

Blackburn claimed his five-year marriage to Wyatt ended when she fell for Richard OSullivan, a fellow actor, in 1977.

Well, she left me for Richard OSullivan, he told Brandreth. We got married probably too young.

And it was one of those things. It was both of us. I was quite jealous as well. I was very possessive, I think. Over-possessive, which I was in those days.

I could never understand why the hell she married me in the first place, because as you say, she was very beautiful.

The actress, who became a household favourite for her string of appearances in TV comedies and dramas, particularly in the ITV sitcom Robins Nest, is in fact rather annoyed at her ex-husbands new claims.

Speaking to The Telegraph at her home in south west London, Wyatt denied Blackburns claim that she had had an affair with their neighbour.

She said: Thats not true. Ive never had any affairs. He may say that, but its just not true.

Tessa Wyatt left her husband for Richard OSullivan, according to Tony Blackburn - Bert Hill/TV Times via Getty Images

Following his divorce from Wyatt, Blackburn admitted having slept with hundreds of women before suffering periods of depression in the 1980s.

In June 1992, he married Debra Debbie Thomson, a theatrical agent, with whom he had a daughter. The couple live in Barnet, north London.

After spells with pirate stations Radio Caroline and Radio London Blackburn became the first DJ to be heard on the new BBC Radio One when it launched in September 1967, playing The Moves Flowers in the Rain.

He went on to win widespread admiration for his early championing of black soul music on mainstream radio.

In 2016 Blackburn was dismissed by the BBC in a dispute over his evidence to Dame Janet Smiths inquiry into Jimmy Saviles sexual abuse at BBC premises, before rejoining the corporation in December that year. He now presents Sounds of the Sixties on Radio 2.

Wyatt, who was born in Woking, Surrey, began her acting career with small parts in Z-Cars, before playing Vicky Nicholls in Robins Nest from 1977 to 1981 and going on to appear in Friday Night Dinner and Eastenders.

She was encouraged to act by her maternal grandmother and got her first professional job at the age of 12, appearing in a television programme featuring Richard Hearnes Mr. Pastry character.

Looking back on her career during a 2013 interview Wyatt claimed that while filming England Made Me in 1973 as a young actress opposite Peter Finch and Michael York, the director tried to coerce her into unnecessarily stripping naked for a scene.

She is now married to property developer Bill Harkness, with whom she has two children.
The UK has sanctioned Russias GRU military intelligence agency in its entirety, after an inquiry found Vladimir Putin bears moral responsibility for the nerve agent death of Dawn Sturgess.

The measures also hit 11 people linked to state-sponsored hostile activity, and Moscows ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.

It comes after the independent inquiry concluded the Russian president was astonishingly reckless for deploying Novichok on UK soil in 2018. The chemical weapon, left in a discarded perfume bottle, killed Ms Sturgess in Amesbury, Wiltshire.

It followed the attempted murder of former spy Sergei Skripal, his daughter Yulia and then-police officer Nick Bailey, who were poisoned in nearby Salisbury in March that year.

Dawn Sturgess died after being exposed to Novichok (Metropolitan Police/PA)

They were harmed when members of a GRU military intelligence squad smeared the nerve agent on Mr Skripals door handle in a public demonstration of Russian power.

The sanctions announced by the Foreign Office on Thursday target eight cyber military intelligence officers for working for the GRU, which was responsible for cyber operations targeting Ms Skripal with X-agent malware and, five years later, the attempted murder of her and her father.

A further three GRU officers were designated for orchestrating plots elsewhere in Europe, including planning a terror attack on Ukrainian supermarkets.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: The Salisbury poisonings shocked the nation and todays findings are a grave reminder of the Kremlins disregard for innocent lives.

Dawns needless death was a tragedy and will forever be a reminder of Russias reckless aggression. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones.

The UK will always stand up to Putins brutal regime and call out his murderous machine for what it is.

Todays sanctions are the latest step in our unwavering defence of European security, as we continue to squeeze Russias finances and strengthen Ukraines position at the negotiating table.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: Putin and his GRU agents are an active threat to Britains citizens, our security and our prosperity.

We will not tolerate this brazen and despicable aggression on British soil. That is why we are exposing and sanctioning those carrying out malign acts for Moscow and ramping up efforts to crush hostile Russian hybrid activity.

The measures build on sanctions announced in July on a string of Russian spies and hackers accused of trying to destabilise Europe.

Security minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons that the UK is grappling with an increasingly reckless methodology, with MI5 recently highlighting Russian state actors turning to proxies for their dirty work, recruiting disposable individuals on social media platforms, instructing them via encrypted apps and then offering payment in cryptocurrencies.

In the Dawn Sturgess Inquirys final report, published on Thursday, chairman Lord Hughes of Ombersley concluded that the attempted assassination of Mr Skripal must have been authorised at the highest level, by President Putin.

The chairman of the inquiry, which cost 8.3 million, said GRU agents Alexander Petrov, Ruslan Boshirov and Sergey Fedotov were acting on instructions when they carried out the attack.

After the reports publication, Lord Hughes said: The conduct of Petrov and Boshirov, their GRU superiors, and those who authorised the mission up to and including, as I have found, President Putin, was astonishingly reckless.

They, and only they, bear moral responsibility for Dawns death.

The 174-page report read: All those involved in the assassination attempt (not only Petrov, Boshirov and Fedotov, but also those who sent them, and anyone else giving authorisation or knowing assistance in Russia or elsewhere) were morally responsible for Dawn Sturgess death.

Deploying a highly toxic nerve agent in a busy city was an astonishingly reckless act.

The risk that others beyond the intended target, Sergei Skripal, might be killed or injured was entirely foreseeable.

That risk was dramatically magnified by leaving in the city a bottle of the Novichok disguised as perfume.

In a statement after the reports release, Ms Sturgesss family said: The inquiry has concluded that Dawn was a wholly innocent victim, killed by Novichok, as the direct result of Russias cruel and cynical attempt to assassinate Sergei Skripal.

The inquirys report concludes that there were failures by the UK Government in the management and assessment of the risk that Russia posed to Sergei Skripal.

Skripal was described by Putin as a traitor and convicted of treason.

Yet there were no sufficient and regular assessments of the risk he faced from Russian retaliation.

As we have always believed, that put the British public at risk, and led to Dawns death.
The health secretary is understood to be concerned about the rise in number of people making sickness benefits claims. Photograph: Justin Paget/Getty Images

The health secretary, Wes Streeting, has ordered a clinical review of the diagnosis of mental health conditions in England, according to reports.



Streeting is understood to be concerned about a sharp rise in the number of people making sickness benefits claims because of diagnoses for mental illness, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the Times reported.



He has asked leading experts to investigate whether normal feelings have become over-pathologised, the newspaper said, as he seeks to grapple with the 4.4 million working-age people now claiming sickness or incapacity benefit.



The figure has risen by 1.2 million since 2019, while the number of 16 to 34-year-olds off work with long-term sickness because of a mental health condition is said to have grown rapidly in the same period.



Streeting told the Times he knew from personal experience how devastating it can be for people who face poor mental health, have ADHD or autism and cant get a diagnosis or the right support.



He added: I also know, from speaking to clinicians, how the diagnosis of these conditions is sharply rising.



We must look at this through a strictly clinical lens to get an evidence-based understanding of what we know, what we dont know, and what these patterns tell us about our mental health system, autism and ADHD services.



Thats the only way we can ensure everyone gets timely access to accurate diagnosis and effective support.

Related: Review to look at role of mental health issues in UK youth unemployment



The review, which is expected to be launched on Thursday, is set to be led by Prof Peter Fonagy, a clinical psychologist at University College London specialising in child mental health, with Sir Simon Wessely, a former president of the Royal College of Psychiatry, acting as vice-chair.

Fonagy told the Times: We will examine the evidence with care  from research, from people with lived experience and from clinicians working at the frontline of mental health, autism and ADHD services  to understand, in a grounded way, what is driving rising demand.



The move comes as ministers seek to tackle the growing welfare bill.



Earlier this year, ministers were forced to retreat from plans to reform disability benefits, including for those with mental health conditions, in the face of backbench Labour opposition.



Keir Starmer on Monday signalled that the government will make a fresh push on welfare reform.

He said: Weve got to transform it; we also have to confront the reality that our welfare state is trapping people, not just in poverty, but out of work.

PA Media contributed to this report

 This article was amended on 5 December 2025 to clarify that the review relates to England only.
One in five households claiming benefits currently affected by the two-child limit will still be ineligible for the full allowance once it is removed, research has shown.

Rachel Reeves committed to scrapping the two-child limit in her 26 November budget, reversing the policy that blocks families from claiming benefits beyond their first two children.

It means families will now be able to claim universal credit and tax credits for their third, fourth and other children, gaining an average of 5,310 by 2029-30.

However, while the move has been welcomed by anti-poverty campaigners, experts have highlighted that many families will continue to miss out on their full welfare entitlement because of an additional benefit cap that remains in place, Policy in Practices data has shown.

Here, Yahoo News explains the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit cap, and what it means for families claiming benefits in the UK

What is the benefit cap?

The benefit cap was introduced by the coalition government in 2013 to limit the total income a working-age household can receive in social security benefits if the household earns below 846 per month.

It means households in London are capped at 25,000 in benefits support, with that figure decreasing to 22,000 outside of the capital.

The then-work and pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said at the time that the policy would mean that no family on benefits will earn more than the average salary of a working family.

The then-work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith backed the cap. (Dave Thompson, PA Images)

The cap applies to a range of welfare benefits that households receive, primarily to limit the total amount of financial support they can get. The benefits affected include:

Universal credit (UC), including its housing element

Jobseekers allowance (JSA)

Employment and support allowance (ESA)

Income support

Child benefit (if combined with other benefits in the household)

Child tax credit (if applicable)

Housing benefit (for those not on UC)

Certain benefits are excluded from the cap, such as:

Disability living allowance (DLA)

Personal independence payment (PIP)

Attendance allowance

Carers allowance

Maternity allowance

How many families are affected by the benefit cap?

In April 2025, government figures revealed that 469,780 universal credit households were affected by the two-child limit policy

This represents 72% of all households with three or more children claiming universal credit.

However, according to analysis of administrative data on low-income households from eight local authorities by Policy in Practice, around one in five families subject to the cap will still be affected by it once the two-child limit is lifted.

And half of those households are set to experience no financial gain at all because their existing payments are too high.

The scrapping of the two-child limit will benefit 450,000 families, but a number will see no financial gain. (Alamy) (Danny Lawson, PA Images)

Deven Ghelani, the director of Policy in Practice, said that the lifting of the two-child limit will provide welcome relief to nine in 10 families currently impacted by the cap.

Our analysis finds that one in 10 children hit by the two-child limit won't benefit from it being abolished, and a further one in 10 will only benefit partially, unless the chancellor lifts the benefit cap too, Ghelani told Yahoo News.

This interaction highlights once again the complexity of the benefit system, and the complex analysis needed to ensure support on the frontline gets to those families who need help the most.

What will happen after the two-child limit?

Lifting the two-child limit in April 2026 will dramatically enhance the lives of hundreds of thousands of impoverished families across the UK.

Charities have estimated that removing the two-child limit will help lift around 450,000 children out of poverty by 202930.

It will see around 560,000 families gain an average of 5,310, according to analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

For those families who cannot receive their full entitlement because of the benefit cap, its a different story.

Lifting the benefit cap would also benefit any households that claim benefits, not just those who have children.

If the government raised the cap so it is equivalent to the living wage (to 29,000 in London, and 26,000 outside of London), Policy in Practice said it would halve the share of households missing out under the two-child limit and the cap, benefiting 95% of children.

The government has been approached for comment.




Secretly filmed footage from Hockenhull Turkeys led to calls for Harrods to stop selling its birds

A worker at a farm supplying Christmas turkeys to Harrods appeared to urinate in a pen full of the birds.

The worker was recorded secretly by animal welfare campaigners at Hockenhull Turkeys in Spilsby, Lincolnshire, which sends birds to a second farm before they go on to the London department store, where they are sold for up to 170.

Workers were also seen appearing to throw birds and move between sheds without changing their boots, which is against animal welfare and biosecurity standards.

Since the footage emerged, the farm has been suspended from a food standards assurance scheme, meaning it can no longer use the Red Tractor logo, which is designed to show shoppers that meat has been farmed with care.

A spokesman for Hockenhull told The Telegraph it was appalled by the video and had suspended members of staff seen in the footage while a review took place.

Dale Vince, the clean energy tycoon and director of the Green Britain Foundation, called for Harrods to suspend supplies from Hockenhull.

Green energy boss Dale Vince wants Harrods to cut ties with the Lincolnshire farm and investigate - AFP

He said: This is what happens in factory farms, because animals in them are treated as commodities rather than sentient creatures.

Harrods should suspend supplies from this farm, not just for animal welfare issues but also food safety [and do] a full, independent investigation, with the findings made public. Anything less is not really living up to their reputation.

A Harrods spokesman said: Harrods has no direct relationship with Hockenhull Turkeys. Hockenhull is one of a number of breeds of turkey that we stock and we source our Hockenhull birds from a farm in Buckinghamshire.

This supplier, which sources a number of traditional breeds, adheres to strict Traditional Farmfresh Turkey Association (TFTA) standards, and is now thoroughly and urgently investigating any evidence of a breach in standards from the supplier of Hockenhull poults.

Harrods, which says it is not directly connected to the Hockenhall farm, sells turkeys for up to 170 - Bloomberg

Turkeys bred at Hockenhull are supplied to farms that then use traditional rearing and slaughtering techniques to produce high-quality meat suitable for high-end stores such as Harrods.

Aviagen, the parent group of Hockenhull, is a global market leader in poultry breeding.

Red Tractor, the farm and food assurance scheme, said it had suspended Hockenhull Turkeys certification pending an independent investigation.

A spokesman said: We have taken immediate action to suspend this producers Red Tractor certification whilst we conduct an independent investigation. An assessor was on site on Tuesday to investigate the concerns raised by the footage.

To be Red Tractor certified, all assured producers must uphold our standards for animal welfare and food safety. We take breaches of these standards extremely seriously and will always act on credible evidence of non-compliance.

A spokesman for Hockenhull Turkeys said: We are appalled and very concerned to see this footage. It does not represent the standards of animal husbandry and biosecurity we expect.

High biosecurity and animal welfare standards are of the utmost importance to us and it is clear here that we have failed to live up to that promise.

Our management team has immediately commenced a review and we will ensure the lessons from this are learned. We have implemented a full investigation and the members of staff seen in the footage have been suspended from the business until the review is completed.

The vast majority of our staff care deeply for the animals in their care. This video does not represent a typical day at Hockenhull, and we wish to emphasise that the actions seen in it do not comply with the policies and standards we set.

We are committed to resolving the problems seen in this video and thank those involved for bringing the issues to our attention.

The Telegraph has contacted Red Tractor and Harrods for comment.
SPAIN-US-AFGHANISTAN-CONFLICT-EVACUATION (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)

There are nearly 2,000 Afghans in the U.S. with ties to known or suspected terrorists, and the Biden administration failed to vet many Afghans under its Operation Allies Welcome program, a senior official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) told the Daily Caller.

Among 2021 Afghan evacuees, approximately 3,000 known jihadists have been located in the United States, and approximately 17,000 individuals with suspected terrorist ties have been located in the U.S., the senior ODNI official stated, citing a National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) intelligence analysis . (RELATED: Ilhan Omar Declares Somali Criminals In US Are Not Going Anywhere)

Operation Allies Welcome was a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) led initiative to resettle Afghans, and it was launched in August 2021. The alleged shooter of the two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., was an Afghan national who came to the U.S. under that program.

Over 1,400 Afghans with links to various terrorist organizations, including ISIS, entered into the U.S. under Biden, the official noted. Additionally, more than 4,000 migrants from Central Asia were transported into the U.S. through an ISIS-affiliated smuggling network, the official added.

The official said that although eight of those migrants were arrested, several hundred more were released into the U.S., including 600 Tajiks and Uzbeks with ties to ISIS.

Officials arrested a third Afghan admitted under Bidens Operation Allies Welcome program, Jaan Shah Safi, on Wednesday. He was arrested in Waynesboro, Virginia, for allegedly providing support to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan (ISIS-K). He is allegedly one of the almost 2,000 Afghans with links to known or suspected terrorists, the ODNI official stated.

Mohammad Dawood Alokozay was arrested Nov. 25 by local authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after allegedly threatening to bomb targets in Fort Worth, Texas. Alokozay was also paroled into the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome, according to federal authorities.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal was arrested for allegedly shooting two National Guard members on Nov. 26, critically wounding Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and killing West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.

WASHINGTON, DC  NOVEMBER 26: Members of law enforcement, including the U.S. Secret Service and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department, respond to a shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. At least two National Guardsmen have been shot blocks from the White House. According to reports, a suspect is being detained at a local hospital. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

This individual is just ONE of over 1,400 Afghans with terror ties identified by NCTC but ignored and let in by the negligent Biden administration, NCTC Director Joe Kent said in response to Safis arrest.

The 3,000 known jihadists and the 17,000 with suspected ties to terrorism accompanied the unvetted immigration of nearly 190,000 Afghan aliens who were allowed onto U.S. soil before authorities could determine what their intentions were, according to a DHS statement.

Prior to former President Joe Biden, the vetting process for the visa Lakanwal received usually took upwards of 18 months, and asylum seekers would apply from a third country, the ODNI official told the Caller.

Biden threw all this out the window and let millions in, the official said.

Instead, Biden used the war-zone vetting standard to determine whether an Afghan alien could be transferred into the U.S., according to the official.

DULLES, VIRGINIA  AUGUST 31: Refugees board a bus at Dulles International Airport that will take them to a refugee processing center after being evacuated from Kabul following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan on August 31, 2021 in Dulles, Virginia. The Department of Defense announced yesterday that the U.S. military had completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending 20 years of war. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

From 20112021, Lakanwal was subject to tactical wartime vetting to determine if he could work with U.S. forces against terrorist organizations in Afghanistan. After 2021, Lakanwals vetting only determined if he had communications with  or ties to  any terrorist organization, according to the official.

That vetting did not analyze whether it was suitable for him to live in the U.S., the official noted. Lakanwal struggled to assimilate into the U.S., and he distanced himself from his family and was unable to maintain a job, according to emails obtained by the Associated Press (AP).

Lakanwal previously worked with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Afghanistan before entering America.

This individual  and so many others  should have never been allowed to come here, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told the Caller in a statement. Our citizens and servicemembers deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden Administrations catastrophic failures. God bless our brave troops.

Referring to the shooting, Kent said on X, Incidents like this arent isolatedtheyre the predictable outcome of prioritizing speed and volume over security.

Biden endangered national security by allowing this war-zone vetting standard to be used to grant Afghans, like Lakanwal, access to live alongside the American people, the ODNI official said.

NCTC had warned the Biden administration about Safi and others, but the administration disregarded NCTC staff who identified terrorist threats, prioritizing mass migration instead, the official claimed.

President Donald Trump has since called for the reexamination of every migrant who has entered the U.S. from Afghanistan under the Biden Administration.

We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country, he said.

NCTC is attempting to identify more terrorists in the U.S. by vetting individuals of concern and providing DHS with a list of migrants with known or suspected links to terrorists to help with removal efforts.

Under the Trump administration, NCTC is putting the safety of Americans first, by arming law enforcement with actionable intelligence to apprehend threats within our homeland created by the last administrations insufficient vetting standards and dangerous open borders, the official said. (RELATED: Foreign Leaders Caught Orchestrating Campaign To Censor American Right-Wing Media Companies)

The senior official pointed to the successes of Trumps NCTC, such as bolstering communication effectiveness through its Interagency Fusion Cell (NIFC), adding 38,000 identities to the classified interagency database and using its experience tracking terrorists to identify hundreds of illegal immigrants with ties to MS-13, Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel.

The reality that Islamist terrorism continues to pose the greatest, both short and long-term threat to the American people, our freedom and Western civilization, ODNI Director Tulsi Gabbard said in a statement obtained by the Caller.
The Ohio Statehouse stands in Columbus, Ohio. Photo:  / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

(The Center Square)  More than half of the companies given taxpayer incentives to expand or open new locations in Ohio over the last four years failed to meet job or payroll goals associated with the tax breaks.

A new report from State Auditor Keith Faber listed 39 of the 60 companies that committed to creating jobs as noncompliant, and no action was taken against many of those companies.

These agreements are meant to encourage job growth and community prosperity, Faber said. If were not going to hold companies accountable for their job and payroll commitments, then these agreements are only depriving Ohioans of financial resources that could be used elsewhere.

Faber said the findings in the report were forwarded to Attorney General Dave Yost, who decides if recoveries or other remedies are needed.

The report showed for the closeout year 2021, no action was taken against four companies that received state loans, but failed to create or retain jobs and payroll. Also, those companies could not produce documents for the use of the money.

Yost Press Secretary Steve Irwin told TCS on Friday that the AGs office is in the process of reviewing the report.

Faber said the audit found five companies that received loans directly from taxpayers that failed to reach any of the job creation commitments, including Applied Industrial Technologies and COCRF Investor 109.

Applied Industrial has failed to meet any of its incentive requirements for its direct loan issued in 2024, while COCRF also missed all incentives for its 2024 urban development loan.

Mason Waldvogel, deputy chief for media relations at the Ohio Department of Development, told TCS the agency has a strong track record of handling taxpayer money.

Under this administration, the Ohio Department of Development has proven it takes its stewardship of taxpayer funding seriously  including holding companies accountable for the agreements they make and taking the appropriate action, when necessary, Waldvogel said.

Waldvogel also pointed out that job creation and payroll tax credits can only be claimed if companies meet established requirements. If those numbers arent met, companies do not receive the incentive.

In other words, jobs must be created to claim a tax credit. If metrics are not met, the company does not receive the benefit. Companies that do receive tax credits are required to sustain their commitments, as outlined by the agreement the company makes with the state. Tax credits are one of several tools used to attract private investment and support job growth, bringing new opportunities for Ohioans and those looking to move to Ohio, Waldvogel said.

He also said ODOD consistently acts against companies that fail to meet agreements, including clawing back funds or making changes to deals.

He said the department made changes or rescinded several tax credit agreements in June, and more are expected.

We welcome the auditors review and share the goal of ensuring public resources are used responsibly and transparently, but it's also important to note that this audit reflects only a snapshot in time and does not capture the full scope of the actions the Ohio Tax Credit Authority has taken  or may still take in the months ahead, Waldvogel said.

Other companies, like Findley Machine & Tool and Hollingsworth Management Services, have far exceeded incentive requirements.

Findley Machine met 458% of its job creation goals and 671% of its payroll goals. Hollingsworth met 407% of job creation requirements.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the day he attends a working lunch with EU ministers responsible for trade, in Brussels, Belgium, November 24, 2025. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Canada and Mexico should not be used as export hubs for China, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Thursday, saying that this was already happening in some cases in Mexico.

Greer told a conference in Washington that there were problems with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement that he had helped negotiate during President Donald Trump's first term, but some measures - including tariffs on foreign autos - were helping to correct issues.

Asked if the agreement would continue, Greer said it was the law of the land, a law passed by Congress, and that Canada and Mexico were the United States' largest export destinations.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Courtesy of Celele Restaurante

On a balmy October evening in Cartagena, Colombia, the best meal of my life nearly slips through my fingers. I arrive at Celele ready for the tasting menu, only to realize I booked the wrong date. By some stroke of luck, one walk-in table remains. Within minutes, the first bites introduce me to a Colombia I had yet to experience  wild flavors, indigenous ingredients, and the vast, remarkable palette of the Caribbean.

Cartagena anchors Colombias northern coast, a region that holds nearly 10% of the worlds biodiversity. And yet, for decades, the citys contemporary dining scene leaned either on familiar coastal staples  coconut rice, fried fish  or imported trends. For chef Jaime Rodriguez, this was a missed opportunity.

Id go to the Bazurto Market and see all these incredible ingredients, but none of the restaurants in Cartagena were using them, he says. With so many wild ingredients in the territory, why werent any reaching the table? And so began Rodriguez's commitment to change that.

For the next two and a half years, he traversed the Colombian Caribbean to meet with those who knew the region best. Visiting communities of small farmers, fishermen, and traditional cooks, he began mapping the areas biodiversity and finding culinary inspiration in every corner  a forgotten seed, an aromatic flower, an edible leaf that howler monkeys favored during the rainy season.

This effort launched Project Caribe Lab, the research initiative Rodriguez founded years before opening his restaurant, dedicated to preserving native ingredients, rescuing ancestral knowledge, and strengthening rural communities that farm these ingredients. The project still anchors his work today, fueling the constant investigation that allows Celele to source nearly 90% of its ingredients from Colombia, most stemming from wild-harvested ecosystems.

By the fifth course, I understand his passion. The dish, a delicate mackerel lightly smoked in coconut husks, is half-buried beneath edible yellow flowers and glossy plum leaves. As I mix everything together, the broth turns silky and surprisingly creamy, brightened by a pop of lemon and a green, herb-flecked oil. The flavor, warm and savory, is unlike any ceviche Ive ever tasted.

Related: Where to Eat and Drink on Colombia's Caribbean Coast

Our server, Marjorie, explains that the creaminess stems from the native orejero seed, ground into a rustic, tahini-like paste; the warmth is from a roux made with zaatar; and the depth from sesame seed. Together it forms a calducho, a simple, yet deeply layered broth. The orejero seed, native to Central and South America, is an example of how Rodriguez uses contemporary cooking to introduce diners to the breadth of Colombias biodiversity  familiar in a sense, yet built on ingredients seldom seen on restaurant menus.

Part of that familiarity stems from Colombias crossroads of cultures: Indigenous, African, Spanish, and even Arabic. The result is a cuisine shaped by overlap, woven throughout Celeles menu. The featherlight journey cake nods to Rodriguezs travels to the islands of San Andres and Santa Catalina, where he first learned about the coconut breads Afro-Colombian women once baked for their husbands heading out to fish or plant crops. His naturally fermented version pulls apart with a cloud-like texture, ready to dip into a tangy vinegar infused with Colombias limon de oro.

For Rodriguez, the work always circles back to the territory  its people, its ingredients, its stories. Im proud of my work because so many people have told me how proud they are of it. They love how I work with the communities and represent Colombia on a global stage, he shares. A fixture on Latin Americas 50 Best Restaurants list for six consecutive years  most recently climbing to No. 5  Celele also earned the No. 48 spot on the 2025 Worlds 50 Best Restaurants list.

As with every great storyteller, Rodriguez saves the most personal moment for last. On one of his investigative journeys, he noticed a cluster of ylang-ylang flowers sitting in a simple glass of water in a producers kitchen. She called it the love flower, explaining how she would spritz the perfumed water onto clothes and bed linens. The scent captivated him, and he instantly knew it needed to become a dessert.

People who come from more rural areas, they come to the restaurant and try this dessert, and they tell me it reminds them of their childhood. Their mother would do the same thing, says Rodriguez. This is what Celele is all about.

The resulting dish, a coconut sorbet infused with ylang-ylang and served inside a bright green grapefruit, comes crowned with edible flowers  a signature Rodriguez move  and is now his favorite on the menu. Its a tribute not only to that memory, but to his mother, who taught him the pastry techniques that shaped his journey as a chef. At Celele, Rodriguezs celebration of Colombias Caribbean coast gathers its cultures, landscapes, and flavors into a single, edible love letter. Its one worth returning to again and again.



Read the original article on Food & Wine
DCNF - Brown Blow Redistricting Texas - Featured Screenshot/Rumble/CNN

Former New York Times columnist Charles Blow received a brutal fact-check on Thursday after he accused conservative podcaster Isabel Brown of being racist during a discussion on Congressional redistricting.

The Supreme Court allowed Texas to use maps enacted after Texas Democrats in the state House of Representatives fled to Democratic-controlled states like New York and Illinois to thwart a special session of the body to consider redistricting that could net Republicans multiple seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. After Brown called efforts to play the race card really pathetic during the discussion on CNN NewsNight, she pointed out a similar move by California. (RELATED: CNN Host Works Overtime To Defend Democratic Gov Whose State Was Ripped Off By Somali Scammers)

Breaking news, a Republican state tried to create more Republican congressional seats under a Republican governor and conservative legislature, Brown said. California is doing the exact same thing as a heavily blue state trying to gain more seats for the Democrat Party in Congress to represent California, which many people would say is probably the most blue its ever been, especially with the exodus of so many millions of conservatives leaving California under the reign of Gavin Newsom.

WATCH:

When people deny racism, it says a lot about that, Blow claimed, with Brown responding, Its not denying the existence of racism. This is a Republican state trying to create more Republican seats in Congress to represent their states majority.

Blow badgered Brown, insisting that she answer how the creation of Republican-leaning districts was done.

How did they do it? By disenfranchising black and brown people, Blow claimed. But you dont want to say that, because it says a lot about you.

Well, the problem is, Charles, the worst part about getting into a fight is when you get punched in the face back. Do you think its a coincidence that 40 percent of Californians voted for Donald Trump but only nine out of 51 members of Congress are in Republican plus districts? former Republican City Councilman Joe Borelli of New York City responded. Or that out of, I think 26 members of the House here where Republicans, voted 40 percent for Donald Trump, theres only seven members of Republicans. Theres no Republicans in any district in New England.

Redistricting is the re-drawing of a states congressional districts and state and local districts that is required to take place after the Census, which occurs every ten years as required by the Constitution. New York re-drew its congressional districts after the 2022 midterm elections, creating a map that endangered as many as six out of the 11 Republicans elected to the House of Representatives that year.

Have you ever seen Connecticuts first district, right? Its like a crescent moon. And if you overlay the precincts of Connecticut, youll see that they just carved out the Republican districts to be in three separate congressional districts, Borelli reminded Blow. So again, this is, as Isabel pointed out, a Republican state, doing what Republican states tend to do just like what Democrats states tend to do.

Remember, New York was the first person to try midterm redistricting last year, right? Borelli continued. So this is the second state thats trying to do this. Im not surprised that were having the domino effect, but let the chips fall where they may.

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.
A Virginia man accused of planting two pipe bombs in Washington, DC on the night before the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021 will remain jailed on federal charges without bond for at least another 10 days, a judge determined on Friday, Dec. 5.

Brian Cole Jr., of Woodbridge, a city roughly 25 miles from Washington, appeared for his first court appearance in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on explosives-related charges just one day after his arrest.

Cole, 30, is accused of placing two pipe bombs near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees on the night of Jan. 5, 2021, the FBI previously said.

The explosives did not detonate and no one was hurt.

On Dec. 4, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Cole had been taken into custody following a nearly five-year investigation.

Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya, who presided over Cole's arraignment, said he faces one count of unlawfully transporting an explosive device with a plan either to kill, injure or intimidate a person or to unlawfully destruct property, and a second count of malicious destruction or attempt to destruct with an explosive device.

The first count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, while the second count carries five to 20 years in prison, the judge said.

He appeared in court represented by John M. Shoreman, an attorney with a broad array of experience, specializing in antitrust cases, not criminal law, according to his biography on his law firm's website.

In response to questions from the judge, Cole said he did not need a court-appointed attorney because he hired Shoreman himself.

Upadhyaya then scheduled a detention hearing for Cole to take place on Monday afternoon Dec. 15. The judge explained to Cole that, at that hearing, the prosecution will make its argument for keeping him behind bars ahead of any trial in his case.

Brian Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia is accused of planting two pipe bombs at the Capitol the day before the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection in Washington D.C.

Brian Cole allegations: FBI deputy director brushes off his claims FBI hid pipe bomb suspect

Cole appeared calm and attentive in first court hearing

After lawyers identified themselves to the court, Cole confirmed his name and age to the judge. When asked how far he went in school, he said high school. He said he had not taken any drugs or alcohol that would make it difficult for him to understand the hearing.

Wearing glasses and tan clothing, Cole appeared calm and paid close attention as the hearing got underway.

On Thursday, Nov. 5, CNN and NBC News reported Cole told FBI agents he believed the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump, providing perhaps the first indication of a possible motive for why pipe bombs were placed near the DNC and RNC headquarters. They also reported that he is cooperating with law enforcement.

Trump has falsely claimed the 2020 election was "rigged", a claim the House Jan. 6 select committee determined was an instigator for the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol.

What is Trump's approval rating? TN special election gave MAGA warning

Cole allegedly bought pipe bomb parts from Home Depot, Walmart

Federal law enforcement officials said they located Cole by using evidence they already had  not a new tip  including cell phone data and purchasing records that a special team of investigators was brought in to reevaluate.

That evidence has been sitting there collecting dust, Bondi said.

WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 4: FBI agents gather in front of the home of suspected January 6th, 2021 pipe bomber on December 4, 2025 in Woodbridge, Virginia. Federal agents have arrested a suspect identified as Brian Cole they are alleging placed two pipe bombs, which never exploded, the night before the January 6th, 2021 U.S. Capitol attack. (Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)

Cole's credit card and checking account records showed he purchased multiple items as early as October 2019 through late 2020 consistent with the components used to manufacture two pipe bombs placed at the RNC and DNC offices, according to his 7-page charging document.

Cole bought components, including a galvanized pipe, end caps, electrical wire, battery clips and white kitchen timers, court records also said. Investigators tracked Coles purchases at Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart and Micro Center.

The suspect bought items including safety glasses, a wire-stripping tool and a machinists file, which could be used to make pipe bombs, officials said. Cole then allegedly continued to buy the components after the pipe bombs were found, including a kitchen timer, more nine-volt batteries and galvanized pipes during January 2021.

Attorney General Pam Bondi identified the DC pipe bomb suspect as 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr.

Provided records show Cole's cell phone connected with towers consistent with his being in the area of the RNC and DNC offices on Jan. 5, 2021.

In addition, court documents show a Virginia license plate registered to a vehicle he owns was captured on camera the same day at 7:10 p.m., at the South Capitol Street exit from Interstate 395 South. That's "less than one-half mile from the location where the individual who placed the devices was first observed on foot," records said.

Contributing: Reuters and Sarah Wire with USA TODAY

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DC pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole Jr. appears in federal court
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEXSTAR)  Democrats and immigration advocates joined forces on Capitol Hill Thursday to call for renewed protections for young undocumented immigrants as the Trump administration ramps up nationwide immigration raids.

Lawmakers reintroduced the Dream Act, legislation that would create a pathway to citizenship for people brought to the United States illegally as children, often known as Dreamers.

Advocates say stepped-up enforcement has left many in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) community living in fear.

Our communities are being hunted, Greisa Martinez Rosas, the executive director at United We Dream, said, urging Congress to act.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) who is retiring at the end of his term, noted he has introduced the Dream Act every Congress since 2001.

AIm not giving up, Durbin said, calling himself a proud son of an immigrant committed to helping the next generation. He also urged former President Barack Obama to create the DACA program in 2012, which has allowed hundreds of thousands of undocumented young people to legally work and live in the United States without immediate threat of deportation.

Since Pres. Donald Trump returned to office, advocates report that immigration agents have detained as many as 20 DACA recipients. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif) said one of his constituents, a deaf DACA recipient, was detained while working at a Los Angeles car wash.

He cannot hear, but he was stopped and detained by federal agents, Padilla said.

The Dream Act has historically attracted some bipartisan support. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is the bills lead Republican sponsor, though she did not attend Thursdays press event. Padilla said many Republicans privately express support but have yet to do so publicly.

All Im waiting for is for enough of my Republican colleagues to express their support publicly the way theyre sharing it privately, Padilla said. They know its wrong for so many young people to be limited in their opportunities.

The bill still faces long odds. Some Republicans insist Congress must focus on enforcing existing immigration laws before considering broader reforms.

Theres a process by which you can come here legally, said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) If you dont abide by that process, you dont have a right to be here.

The Trump administration has encouraged undocumented immigrants to self-deport. While Trump has not moved to end DACA during his current term, he attempted to do so in 2017, an effort the Supreme Court blocked in 2020. The administration is now pursuing actions to prevent DACA recipients from accessing certain federal health and education benefits.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
New Delhi  Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday at an annual summit and agreed to diversify mutual economic ties, as the United States presses India to revise its decades-old partnership with Russia.



The 23rd Russia-India Summit comes at a pivotal moment as the U.S. pushes for a Ukraine peace deal while seeking global cooperation. It will test New Delhi's efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year war in Ukraine grinds on.



Putin was received by Modi at an airport in New Delhi on Thursday. The Indian leader gave Putin a bear hug and a tight handshake with the gusto of an old friend.



After the talks, Putin and Modi announced that India and Russia have finalized an economic cooperation program until 2030, which will help diversify mutual businesses to boost annual trade to $100 billion by 2030. They also emphasized strong energy ties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, India, Dec. 5, 2025. / Credit: Kremlin Press Office/Handout/Anadolu/Getty

Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $68.7 billion in the last fiscal year ended March. The trade is heavily skewed in favor of Russia with deep deficits for India, which it is looking to bridge by pushing exports.



"To achieve this significant goal, a program for the development of Russian-Indian economic cooperation until 2030 has been agreed upon," Putin said. He said work is underway on an agreement for India to establish a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union, a Moscow-dominated economic grouping of several ex-Soviet nations, adding that it could help increase trade.



"Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources and everything necessary for the development of India's energy sector," Putin said. "We are ready to continue ensuring the uninterrupted supply of fuel for the rapidly growing Indian economy."



Before the summit talks, the Russian leader said the two countries "have a very trusting relationship when it comes to military-technical cooperation."



Modi, for his part, said after the talks that the two countries will work toward early conclusion of a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. He also announced that India will soon start issuing free electronic visas for Russian tourists and groups visiting the country.



The Indian leader said energy security has long anchored India-Russia ties, with civil nuclear cooperation spanning decades. He added that such cooperation will continue, alongside collaboration in clean energy, shipbuilding, fertilizers and labor mobility.



While India has historically maintained deep ties with Russia, critics say Putin's visit could strain relations with the European Union and the United States and might jeopardize negotiations for major trade agreements with both that are seen as critical for India's exports.



President Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in August, citing New Delhi's discounted Russian oil. India has been the second biggest importer of Russian crude after China.

India's "strategic tightrope walk" between Russia and the West

The U.S. says purchases of Russian oil help finance Moscow's war machine. In October, the U.S. sanctioned two of Moscow's biggest oil producers to force countries like India to cut down on imports. Indian officials have said New Delhi has always abided by international sanctions and would do so in the case of Russia oil purchases as well.

The sanctions announced in October targeting Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft were the first direct actions against Russia by the U.S. Treasury since Mr. Trump took office for his second term. The Treasury said about a month later that they were having the desired impact, with nearly a dozen major Indian and Chinese purchasers of Russian oil coming forward to say they would pause purchases of Russian oil deliveries for December.

India and the U.S. set a target for the first tranche of a trade deal by the fall, but the deal hasn't come through yet amid strains in relations. The Trump administration has for months tied the imposition of steep tariffs on Indian imports directly to the country's ongoing purchases of Russian energy.

How Russia works around sanctions designed to cripple its war-time economy

India is also in the final stages of talks on a trade agreement with the EU, which sees Russia's war in Ukraine as a major threat.

Putin's India visit, "given the timing and geopolitical context, underscores New Delhi's strategic tightrope walk between the West and the rest, chiefly Russia," said Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group.



Donthi said India's tilt toward Russia dates back to the Cold War and persists despite its official nonaligned position. "The significant change now is its desire to be a strategic partner with the U.S. at the same time, which will be a diplomatic challenge," he added.



Indian officials earlier said that Modi in the meeting with Putin would push for faster delivery of two further Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. It has already received three under a 2018 deal worth about $5.4 billion. The delay has been tied to supply chain disruptions linked to the war in Ukraine.



The two sides signed a pact in February to improve military cooperation, exercises, port calls, disaster relief assistance and logistics support. Moscow's State Duma ratified the same ahead of Putin's India visit.



India is also expecting to upgrade its Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets and accelerate deliveries of critical military hardware.



India is keen to increase exports of pharmaceuticals, agriculture and textiles to Russia and is seeking the removal of non-tariff barriers. New Delhi is also seeking long-term supplies of fertilizers from Moscow.



Another key area where the two countries hope to finalize an agreement is the safety and regulation of migration of Indian skilled workers to Russia.



Putin last visited India in 2021. Modi was in Moscow last year, and the two leaders briefly met in September in China during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

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The Quadrangle at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Eric Sucar / University of Pennsylvania via Flickr / Used with Permission

The University of Pennsylvania is stonewalling a federal civil investigation over complaints it subjects its Jewish faculty to a hostile work environment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says.

Earlier this year, the EEOC issued a subpoena to UPenn for information about potential unlawful employment practices. Though it was later modified to address concerns from the school, the subpoena has still not been answered, according to recently filed court documents.

Respondents failure to comply with the subpoena has delayed and hampered the EEOCs investigation, the EEOC wrote in a November effort to enforce it in Philadelphia federal court.

The subpoena seeks information about victims of and witnesses to an alleged antisemitic hostile work environment.

Jewish students and a group called Students Against Antisemitism sued UPenn in 2023 but recently lost their civil rights case. Judge Mitchell Goldberg dismissed the case in June, curious as to why the 111-page complaint contained allegations of antisemitism in places all over the world.

The suit said UPenn refused to punish slurs and chants including F--- the Jews since 2023, when the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine began.

Deliberate indifference is a very high bar and Plaintiffs dissatisfaction with Penns responses is not enough to establish there was an official decision by Penn to not remedy a Title VI violation and that this deliberate indifference effectively caused racial discrimination, Goldberg wrote.

Goldberg noted UPenn created a student advisory group and task force to address antisemitism. UPenn considered the students and EEOCs cases and asked that Goldberg hear the latter but withdrew that request Wednesday, as Goldberg has since retired.

UPenn says it has received three antisemitism complaints out of 20,000 employees. It has claimed some of the information sought by the EEOC is confidential and irrelevant.

The EEOC charge cites public statements of antisemitism directed at Jewish faculty. Incidents include a swastika painted on an academic building, disturbing emails and pro-Hamas rallies.
Santiago Felipe/Getty Jeremy O. Harris on May 1, 2025

NEED TO KNOW

Tony-nominated playwright and Emily in Paris actor Jeremy O. Harris was arrested in Japan in November after he allegedly brought ecstasy (MDMA) into the country

Multiple outlets reported on Dec. 5 that Japanese customs officials filed a criminal accusation against Harris Dec. 4, and that he remains in custody

Harris most recently debuted a new play titled Spirit of the People at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts in July

Jeremy O. Harris, the Tony Award-nominated playwright and Emily in Paris actor, was arrested in Japan on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country, multiple outlets report.

The New York Times, Reuters and The Guardian reported on Friday, Dec. 5, that Harris, 36, has been in custody in Japan since Nov. 16, when he flew into the Japanese island Okinawa and customs officers allegedly found ecstasy (also known as MDMA) in his bag, citing local customs officials.

Reps for Harris did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.

According to The Guardian, customs officials in Japan filed a criminal accusation against Harris with a regional prosecutor's office on Thursday, Dec. 4, to begin formally charging Harris with a crime.

The New York Times reported that Harris could face up to seven years in prison if found guilty. The outlet reported that local police declined to say whether Harris has admitted to the allegations.

The Guardian and Reuters reported that Harris had traveled to Okinawa for sightseeing purposes from the United Kingdom via a layover in Taiwan, citing a Japanese customs spokesperson.



Robin Marchant/Getty Jeremy O. Harris on Sept. 4, 2025

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.

Harris is known for writing and producing the 2019 Broadway play Slave Play, which received 10 Tony nominations in 2020. He is also known for writing the 2020 movie Zola and this year's movies The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick and Erupcja, as well as his work as a producer on the second season of HBO's Euphoria.

Harris plays the character Gregory Elliot Dupree on Netflix's Emily in Paris and also appeared in two episodes of the Gossip Girl revival in 2021 as himself.

On the stage, Harris has also produced productions of Ain't No Mo and The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window on Broadway.



TheStewartofNY/Getty Jeremy O. Harris on May 5, 2025

In July, Harris debuted a new play titled Spirit of the People at Massachusetts' Williamstown Theatre Festival, which marked Amber Heard's professional stage acting debut.

That play's cast included Ato Blankson-Wood, Zachary Booth, James Cusati-Moyer, Emma Ramos, Brandon Flynn, Julian Sanchez and Amandla Jahava.



Harris most recently shared a post on his Instagram page Oct. 31, when he thanked MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) host Ari Melber for hosting him to promote a new play Harris is involved with titled Prince F-----.



Read the original article on People
FILE PHOTO: The Saab Technologies logo is displayed during the fifth day of Dubai Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 21, 2019. REUTERS/Christopher Pike/File Photo

FILE PHOTO: The Saab Technologies logo is displayed during the fifth day of Dubai Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates November 21, 2019. REUTERS/Christopher Pike/File Photo

By Tim Hepher

PARIS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Saab and Airbus are discussing co-operation on unmanned warplane technology, senior executives of the companies told Reuters, a move highlighting surging interest in drones and evolving alliances in Europe's fractured defence industry.

The project, revealed in separate CEO interviews at a European industry event this week, focuses on exploring unmanned aircraft to support the current generation of crewed combat jets like the Airbus-backed Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen E.

But industry sources said that if successful, it could also provide a catalyst for broader co-operation on air power, especially if a troubled FCAS fighter project between France and Airbus' defence paymasters Germany and Spain falls apart.

Asked whether Airbus had already been in touch with Saab about joining forces if FCAS fails, Saab CEO Micael Johansson said the companies already had good relations through Saab's Arexis Electronic Warfare system, equipping German Eurofighters.

He added: "And we have discussed whether we can we do something on the unmanned side which complements our legacy fighters".

Saab is also talking to other players but no decisions have been taken. "That could be an opportunity, but of course we are discussing," Johansson said on the sidelines of a Brussels forum hosted by Europe's ASD, the association which represents Europe's aerospace and defence industry.

Asked at the same event about those remarks, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury confirmed the previously unreported talks and said the companies had strong relations in electronics and missiles.

"And we see good perspectives to continue to work with them on unmanned - that's something that we are discussing with them, which is unrelated to FCAS," he said.

"We'll see what the programme will look like in the future. But today, the discussions we're having are directly between Airbus and Saab, unrelated to other problems."

WINGMAN DEVELOPMENTS

Both companies have joined in a surge of interest in futuristic uncrewed fighters known as collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) or loyal wingman, designed to support human-piloted warplanes.

Airbus presented a model of its stealthy "Wingman" concept at the Berlin Airshow in 2024.

Saab said last month it had received a new Swedish government order for studies on manned and unmanned warplanes, extending a previous contract dating from Sweden's 2023 decision to quit the UK-led Tempest fighter study, now part of the GCAP fighter jet project between Britain, Italy and Japan.

Ministers from Germany, France and Spain are due to discuss splits in the FCAS programme next week. Industry sources have said Airbus has been in regular contact at CEO level with both Saab and GCAP member BAE Systems to discuss options.

The 100-billion-euro Future Combat Air System (FCAS), floated more than eight years ago, has been stuck in disputes between the companies involved over workshare and technology.

Johansson declined to discuss any implications for Saab of the in-fighting within FCAS but said that in general terms, "we don't speak about Sweden replacing someone or something".

Analysts say decisions over the next generation of fighters will shape the defence industry and its alliances for decades.

Sweden remained independent during the last round of fighter developments, creating the Gripen as France built the Rafale and Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy co-developed the Eurofighter.

For the next generation of warplanes, the cards have been reshuffled, with France joining Germany and Spain in FCAS, also known by its French acronym SCAF, and Britain merging its efforts with Japan inside GCAP, which is open to new members.

Sweden has yet to show its hand, having initially partnered with Britain and now conducting its own research on a successor to the Gripen with political decisions due in 2030. Johansson said he thought decisions could come even earlier, "maybe 2028".

Johansson said Saab would not relinquish its seat in the small club of global arms firms capable of developing fighters.

"I'm not excluding any sort of partnerships going forward. That could absolutely be a way forward, but with retaining OEM (manufacturer) capability on the fighter side: why would we let go of that?"

(Reporting by Tim Hepher. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military service, in a move aimed at boosting national defences after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It marks a significant shift in Germany's approach to its military and follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz's push to create Europe's strongest conventional army.

The change means that all 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.

Students at schools across Germany have said they will join strikes in as many as 90 cities on Friday to protest against the move.

Germany scrapped compulsory military service in 2011 but the size of its military fell significantly after the end of the Cold War [EPA]

Many young Germans either oppose the new law or are sceptical.

"We don't want to spend half a year of our lives locked up in barracks, being trained in drill and obedience and learning to kill," the organisers of the protests wrote in a statement posted on social media.

"War offers no prospects for the future and destroys our livelihoods."

In Hamburg alone, about 1,500 people were expected to join the protests, and school head teachers warned parents not to take their children out of school for the day.

A small protest took place outside the Bundestag as the vote took place, with protesters holding a banner saying "No to military service" [Reuters]

German MPs voted by 323 votes to 272 to back the change, making their country the latest European country to launch some form of revised military service.

Last month, France said it was introducing 10 months of voluntary military training for 18- and 19-year-olds.

The government says military service will be voluntary for as long as possible, but from July 2027, all 18-year-old men will have to take a medical exam to assess their fitness for possible military service.

Universal medical examinations were necessary, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, so that in the event of an attack, Germany would not waste time determining "who is operationally capable as a homeland protector and who is not".

Germany's army, the Bundeswehr currently has around 182,000 troops and Pistorius wants to increase the number of soldiers in service by 20,000 over the next year.

The long-term aim is to raise the number by the early 2030s to 260,000, supplemented by approximately 200,000 reservists, to meet new Nato force targets and strengthen Germany's defences.

While the plan is for voluntary service, if the security situation worsens or if too few volunteers came forward, a form of compulsory military service could be considered by the Bundestag.

If war were to break out, the military would be able to draw on the questionnaires and medical exams for potential recruits.

Like other European countries, Germany ran down its armed forces during the peacetime years of the 1990s. During the Cold War it had an army of almost half a million.

Compulsory military service in Germany was ended in 2011 under former chancellor Angela Merkel.

But now, in the face of perceived threats from Russia and heavy pressure from Germany's traditional ally, the US, Friedrich Merz has pledged to rebuild the Bundeswehr into Europe's strongest conventional army.

Nato countries have come under pressure from US President Donald Trump's White House to increase their spending on defence.

Incentives for voluntary service are relatively high, with a promised salary of about 2,600 a month. In France, volunteers will be paid at least 800 (700) a month.

The Bundestag was also set to vote on Friday on a contentious pensions reform bill, which will keep the state pension at current levels until 2031.

The bill is a key pillar of the coalition deal between Merz's conservatives and his centre-left partner, the Social Democrats, who have just a slender governing majority of just 12 votes.

However, there had been doubts about whether it would pass the parliamentary vote, as younger members of Merz's conservatives threatened to rebel. They say the plan is financially unsustainable and will leave younger generations shouldering the burden.

But Germany's opposition far-left Left party said it would abstain from voting, which means the coalition needs fewer votes to pass it and so won't have to worry about potential rebels from its own ranks.

A government crisis may narrowly have been averted.
Halle Berry has some choice words for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, claiming he devalues women's health and should not become the next United States president.

During a presentation at The New York Times' DealBook Summit on Thursday, Dec. 4, the Oscar-winning actress called out the Democrat for vetoing Assembly Bill 432, also known as the Menopause Care Equity Act, in October. He vetoed a similar bill last year.

"Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row," Berry said ahead of the politician's presentation at the same event in New York City.

The "Catwoman" star, 59, previously campaigned for the bill's passage to make it easier for women to access medical treatments addressing the effects of menopause. On Oct. 13, Newsom, 58, said he vetoed the bill, calling the method of insurance plans covering menopause-related treatments with few limits "too far-reaching," according to Politico.

Halle Berry speaks onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City.

Halle Berry slams Gavin Newsom

"But that's okay, because he's not going to be governor forever, and with the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us in midlife, he probably should not be our next president either," the actress said. "Just saying."

Berry proceeded to urge every woman and every man to join her in advocating for older women, saying, "This fight needs you. We need you to stay curious. We need you to ask questions. We need you to care. Even when the topic feels unfamiliar and uncomfortable, we need you to have the conversation anyway."

USA TODAY has reached out to the California governor's office for comment.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's political career in pictures Gavin Newsom began serving as the Democratic governor of California in January 2019. Newsom has held many political roles in California, including Lt. Governor and mayor of San Francisco. Take a look at his political career in pictures.

Gov. Gavin Newsom responds to Halle Berry's comments

In response to Berry's criticism of Newsom, his office responded in a statement to People magazine, saying the governor stands by his decision to veto AB 432. "

The governor has deep admiration for Ms. Berrys advocacy and looks forward to working with her and other stakeholders on this critical issue," the statement read. "He shares her goal of expanding access to menopause care that too many women struggle to get."

"He vetoed the bill because, as written, it would have unintentionally raised health care costs for millions of working women already stretched thin  something hes determined to avoid," the statement continued. "We're confident that by working together this year, we can expand access to essential menopause treatment while protecting women from higher bills."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during the 2025 New York Times Dealbook Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Dec. 3, 2025, in New York City.

Is Gavin Newsom running for US president?

Newsom has not decided whether to run for president in 2028. In a taped interview with "CBS News Sunday Morning" that aired on Oct. 26, the former mayor of San Francisco said that while he is giving it "serious thought" to running for president, he will wait until the 2026 midterm to make a decision.

"I'd be lying otherwise," he said. "I'd just be lying. And I'm not  I can't do that." Newsom's second term as California's governor will conclude at the end of 2027, and he can not run for a third term.

Watch Halle Berry's comments about Gavin Newsom

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Halle Berry say Gavin Newsom devalues women, should not be president
President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet Meeting in the White House in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 2, 2025. Credit - Andrew Caballero-ReynoldsGetty Images

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday evening confirmed that the U.S. had launched another boat strike, this time in the Eastern Pacific.

The announcement came hours after Hegseth faced immense scrutiny as Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley, the Navy SEAL officer who now leads the U.S. Special Operations Command, briefed members of Congress at Capitol Hill about the controversial double-tap strike that took place on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean on Sept. 2. The incident is considered by some to be a potential war crime, as a follow-up strike on a boat, ordered by Bradley, killed survivors of the first attack.

Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for the late Charlie Kirks Conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, showcased ardent support for the Secretary of Defense via social media, saying Every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean.

In response, Hegseth said: Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat.

The somewhat casual response to the military action came shortly after the U.S. Southern Command had confirmed what is understood to be the 22nd boat attack carried out by the U.S. in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

The latest strike killed four people, reportedly bringing the total of deaths to 87.

Confirming that the latest boat strike had been carried out under the direction of Hegseth, the U.S. Southern Command said: Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed.

Since launching the initial strike in the Caribbean Sea in September, the Trump Administration has argued that the U.S. military action is necessary to curb the flow of narcotics into the United States. While the Administration has yet to release any public evidence showcasing that the boats being targeted are carrying drugs, lawmakers who attended Thursdays briefing said officials had confirmed drugs were found aboard the vessels.

Read More: Which Countries Have Stopped Sharing Intelligence With U.S. Over Boat Strikes in Caribbean?

Hegseth has come under fire in recent days, with bipartisan calls for an investigation, after the Washington Post reported that he had given a kill everybody directive that resulted in a second strike being extended upon a vessel to which survivors from the initial strike were still clinging on.

Hegseth has denied issuing a kill everybody instruction for the Sept. 2 strikes, and during the briefing on Capitol Hill, Adm. Bradley also vehemently denied that Hegseth ordered his subordinates to kill everybody aboard the vessel.

The White House, after confirming the second strike on the alleged drug boat, defended the move as lawful. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week that Bradley had acted within his authority and the law.

Lawmakers were divided upon reviewing video footage of the contentious Sept. 2 strikes during Thursday's briefing.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, defended the militarys actions as righteous strikes, telling reporters on Capitol Hill that such attacks were entirely lawful and needful.

Elsewhere, Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was deeply disturbed by the footage.

This briefing confirmed my worst fears about the nature of the Trump Administrations military activities, and demonstrates exactly why the Senate Armed Services Committee has repeatedly requestedand been deniedfundamental information, documents, and facts about this operation. This must and will be the only beginning of our investigation into this incident, said Reed in a statement to TIME, adding that the Pentagon has no choice but to release the unedited footage of the strike.

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 GonzalezAnadolu

Trump previously said the vessels targeted on Sept. 2 were manned by members of the Venezuelan cartel Tren De Aragua, which he claims is under the control of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (A claim reportedly at odds with an assessment by U.S. analysts.)

The U.S. military has spent the past three months placing warships, fighter jets, marines, and dronesalong with other surveillance and intelligence-gathering equipmentin the Caribbean Sea. The Navys most advanced aircraft carrier has also been placed in the Latin American region.

During a Tuesday Cabinet meeting, Trump reiterated the U.S. is planning to elevate its military campaign against Venezuela and its alleged drug vessels by carrying out land strikes, too.

Were doing these [sea] strikes and were going to start doing those strikes on land, too, you know, the land is much easier, much easier, Trump said.

Read More: Maduro Brandishes Sword and Vows to Defend Every Inch of Venezuela Amid Tensions With U.S.

Venezuelas leader Maduro has vowed to defend every inch of the countrys land, amid growing tensions with the U.S. At a rally in late November, Madurodressed in camouflage fatigues and brandishing a swordtold a roaring crowd: We must be ready to defend every inch of this blessed land from imperialist threat or aggression, no matter where it comes from.

He added: There is no excuse for anyone to fail at this decisive moment, for the existence of the Republic, no excuse.

The Trump Administration, much like the Biden Administration before them, does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Maduro, who became President of Venezuela following Hugo Chavezs death in 2013, was sworn in for a third term in January, despite widespread concern over the legitimacy of the country's election results.

Write to Olivia-Anne Cleary at olivia-anne.cleary@time.com.
A red semi truck is parked in a repair garage for maintenance. Photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels

(The Center Square)  A Republican congresswoman from Illinois is looking to enforce federal Commercial Drivers License requirements by withholding federal funds from states that arent compliant.

Data provided by Illinois State Police shows nearly 1 in 5 CDL holders with English Language Proficiency infractions have licenses issued by the state of Illinois. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, said shes done her own sampling.

I have in plain clothes gone from truck stop to truck stop in my district and I go to the cashier and I ask them this question, how many of the truckers come in here speak no English? And every single time they have told me almost all of them, Miller told The Center Square. And it's just outrageous.

Miller said if Illinois doesnt get the issue under control, shes willing to advocate for withholding federal tax funds.

If you don't stop the funding to the states that are flouting our laws, they're not going to change, she said. The bill, the Safe Driving Law Act, that will rescind half of the highway funding to states like Illinois that refuse to cooperate.

The Illinois Secretary of States office didnt immediately respond to what can be done to address CDL holders and English language proficiency issues.

Miller said she will go further.

These used to be good jobs for people that didn't go to college, and we should restore the trucking industry back to the American people, she said. And I want to go after the trucking companies, is another thing, that's hiring these people.

The Illinois Secretary of States website shows only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for a CDL, but the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals can be considered with a CDL application.

The federal DACA program was frozen earlier this year, pending legal action. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it will accept initial DACA requests, but are not processing them at this time. Related federal documents remain valid until they expire, unless individually terminated, the federal agencys website said.

Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, reintroduced the Dream Act Thursday, a bipartisan bill hes proposed for years to allow DACA recipients a pathway to legal status if they meet certain criteria like no felonies, and passing English language proficiency tests.

They are teachers, nurses, doctors, and small business owners throughout our communities and in all 50 states. But because DACA hangs by a thread in the courts, and many are not covered by DACA, they live each day in fear of deportation, Durbin said in a statement. This is a matter of simple American fairness and justice.

As of September 2024, Durbins office said there are roughly 530,000 people with active DACA status nationwide.
Mourners attend the funeral of Palestinians killed in an Israeli military strike, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

DOHA, Qatar (AP)  An international body tasked with governing the Gaza Strip under the next phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire is expected to be announced by the end of the year, an Arab official and a Western diplomat said Friday.

According to the ceasefire agreement, the authority  known as the Board of Peace and chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump  is to oversee Gaza's reconstruction under a two-year, renewable U.N. mandate.

It will include about a dozen other Middle Eastern and Western leaders, the Arab official and the Western diplomat told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

The path forward for Gaza

Also to be announced is a committee of Palestinian technocrats who will run the day-to-day administration of post-war Gaza, they two said. The Western diplomat, who spoke to the AP over the phone from Cairo, said the announcement about this will likely happen when Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet later this month.

The ceasefire deal also calls for an armed International Stabilization Force to keep security and ensure the disarming of the militant Hamas group, a key demand of Israel.

The announcement would be a significant step forward in implementing Trump's 20-point plan for the territory devastated by Israel's two-year campaign against Hamas.

The shaky ceasefire, which came into effect on Oct. 10, has been tested by outbursts of violence and accusations by both sides of violations of the truce. The first phase of the ceasefire has neared completion, though Hamas is still to hand over the remains of a last Israel hostage called for under the deal.

The Arab official said that talks are still ongoing over which countries will take part in the international force for Gaza but that he expects deployment will begin in the first quarter of 2026.

A U.S. official gave a similar timeline, saying that boots on the ground could be a reality in early 2026. The official spoke to the AP on the same condition of anonymity. Axios first reported the anticipated announcement on Thursday.

The Arab official said that extensive talks will start immediately with Hamas and Israel on the details of the second phase, which he expects to be tough.

Those talks are expected the tackle the issue of disarming Hamas, a step the militant group has not yet agreed to. The plan also calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from the roughly half of the Gaza Strip that they still control as the international force deploys.

Funding for a rebuilding plan for the Gaza Strip still has not been determined. Some Palestinians have expressed concern over the apparent lack of a Palestinian voice in the body and the lack of a firm promise in the plan that they will eventually gain statehood.

Netanyahu's government rejects the creation of a Palestinian state, and the U.S.-brokered deal includes only a vague provision that a pathway toward statehood may be possible if certain conditions are met.

Israel's plan to open a Gaza border crossing with Egypt

Israel announced on Wednesday that it plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the coming days, allowing Palestinians to leave the devastated strip as laid out by the ceasefire agreement. That could be a major development for residents, for whom leaving has been extremely difficult  if not impossible  for most of the war.

However, the governments of Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar all expressed deep concern on Friday about the plan.

A dispute also emerged between Egypt and Israel  Cairo wants Palestinians to be able to return to Gaza through the crossing and says it would only be opened if movement is allowed both ways. Israel has said that Palestinians will not be able to return to Gaza through the crossing until the last hostages remains are returned from Gaza.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the eight countries said the Rafah crossing must be open in both directions to allow for freedom of movement for Palestinians. They also expressed concern that if Palestinians were to leave Gaza, they might not be allowed to return.

The ministers underscored their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land, they wrote.

A rising death toll

On Friday, Israels military said it killed a man in northern Gaza who was approaching the troops with another man, both of whom were carrying suspicious objects.

Israeli forces also killed another man in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 38-year-old was shot by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank while the military said the man threw a rock at soldiers.

The killings mark the latest violence in the Palestinian territories, which has fueled concern that it could shake Gaza's fragile truce.

The latest Israel-Hamas war started when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others hostage. Israels subsequent campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,100 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

___

Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar, and Megan Janetsky in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Caitlin O'Connor/Instagram Caitlin O'Connor and Joe Manganiello

NEED TO KNOW

Caitlin O'Connor confirmed to PEOPLE that she and fiance Joe Manganiello have moved back to their hometown of Pittsburgh

During the exclusive interview, OConnor told PEOPLE that the pair really connect over their shared upbringing and are happy to be back home together

The couple announced their engagement in October after two years of dating

Caitlin O'Connor and Joe Manganiello have officially put down roots in a city that holds a special place in both of their hearts.

During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, O'Connor, 36, confirmed she and her fiance, 48, have left Los Angeles and moved back to Pittsburgh, where they both grew up. The newly engaged couple have relocated to Mount Lebanon, Penn., a suburb of the western Pennsylvania city, which OConnor notes was a recent move for them.

I mean, L.A. has been both of our homes for over 20 years, she says, referring to her and Manganiello. I was born in L.A., but raised in Pittsburgh, so we're both from the same hometown.

Joe Manganiello/Instagram Joe Manganiello and Caitlin O'Connor

The television host added that the shared connection was something she and the Magic Mike star really bonded over, and that theyre both thrilled to be back home.

That's what we really connect on, you know, we share the same upbringing, the same hometown knowledge. And that's what really connects us as a couple, she tells PEOPLE. So it's beautiful to be back home together.

One thing she loves about their new neighborhood is how safe it feels, and how the area looks like its straight out of a postcard.

I've never been in a more beautiful neighborhood in Pittsburgh. It's just idyllic, she says, adding that the move was not a sudden decision: We were thinking about it for a while."

While she notes they have to travel back and forth between L.A. and New York City for work, their home base will be in Pittsburgh. OConnor adds she and Manganiello have been loving the snow in their new home, and recalls one specific cold weather activity that has been especially entertaining for her.

I mean, I watched Joe shovel snow in our driveway for two-and-a-half hours yesterday. And it was the hottest thing I've ever seen, she jokes.

Courtesy Caitlin O'Connor Joe Manganiello and Caitlin OConnor

Shes also looking forward to spending the holiday season in Pittsburgh this year.

O'Connor tells PEOPLE she and Manganiello are expecting a "big family celebration" for the holidays, as their parents are either traveling to Pittsburgh for Christmas or already living nearby.

The pair have collected an impressive ornament collection throughout their relationship, she adds, as theyve traveled extensively and try to pick one up from every place they've visited.

"Joe and I have been sort of on a world tour since we met. We've traveled a lot ... to over 70 cities in the last two years," O'Connor says. "So we have ornaments from all over the world. We try to collect a piece of art from all over the world and bring it back. "

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Manganiello and O'Connor first sparked romance rumors in September 2023, and later confirmed their relationship in December that same year.

The lovebirds announced their engagement in October 2025 after two years of dating. They both shared the happy news in separate posts on Instagram, adding in their captions that the proposal took place on Tuesday, June 24.

" June 24th, 2025 ," the couple wrote alongside a photo of them with their chihuahua, Bubbles.



Read the original article on People
FILE - Lindsey Halligan, special assistant to the president, speaks with a reporter outside of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) - Jacquelyn Martin/AP/File

Federal judges in Alexandria, Virginia, have lashed out at the Justice Department as they continue to list Lindsey Halligan on court documents  some going as far as striking her name from paperwork from the bench.

Two magistrate judges and a district court judge in Alexandria, Virginia, told prosecutors in open court they didnt believe Halligans name should be on new criminal case filings, such as guilty plea documents and indictments, after a decision in the district last week said she is not the US Attorney.

One of those judges, Magistrate William Fitzpatrick, said at a criminal case hearing Tuesday that filing criminal charging papers under Ms. Halligans name at this time is simply not acceptable, according to a transcript obtained by CNN.

Both Fitzpatrick and another judge in the district, Michael Nachmanoff, told prosecutors this week they believed the ruling was clear that Halligan wasnt the US attorney for all cases. They both noted, in separate hearings this week, according to court transcripts, that the Justice Department hadnt appealed the ruling about Halligan, nor asked any court to pause it for a possible appeal.

The law in this district right now is that she is not and has not been the United States Attorney, Fitzpatrick said on Tuesday.

The bombshell ruling last week, from Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, determined Halligan was not the US attorney because she hadnt been Senate confirmed after 120 days of a vacancy in the post nor sworn in by the judges of the court. McGowans decision also dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, finding Halligans work on them void.

Comey had pleaded not guilty to lying to Congress. James had pleaded not guilty to mortgage fraud.

Nachmanoff, who oversaw the Comey case at the trial level, decided in a separate hearing Thursday for a Honduran man illegally in the US that Halligans name would need to be struck from that mans case records.

He said he was finding it difficult to reconcile the court opinion with what the Justice Department is doing now, according to a transcript of the hearing Thursday.

CNN reached out to the Justice Department for comment.

Striking and footnoting Halligans name

During other criminal hearings on Tuesday, Fitzpatrick told a prosecutor that he would be striking Halligans name from criminal court documents, while another judge, Magistrate Lindsey Vaala, said she would annotate new indictments to acknowledge the ruling on Halligan.

The exchanges, captured on official audio recordings of the hearings and obtained first by CNN, emphasize a continued lack of formal explanation from Justice Department headquarters about why it believes Halligan can remain in the job.

I agree with you that it is peculiar and we are in unusual territory, Vaala told a different prosecutor later that afternoon, as she received newly approved indictments from prosecutors and the grand jury. She said the concern is accepting an indictment that has a signature block inconsistent with the previous judges decision.

She said she would put an asterisk on the documents and a citation to Judge Curries decisions.

Thats perfectly fine with us, your honor, the prosecutor, Tony Roberts, replied.

A footnote is now included next to Halligans name on at least two new criminal indictments this week, which identify the ruling on Halligan in the Comey and James cases, according to court records.

Falling actions in Comey and James cases

Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey. - Getty Images

The disarray over the Justice Department signatures on criminal court filings is part of the falling action of the dismissal of the criminal cases against Comey and James. Halligan secured the indictments alone in an afternoon session with a grand jury for each, just a few days after President Donald Trump called for the prosecution of the political foes and Attorney General Pam Bondi placed Halligan at the US Attorneys Office.

Since the dismissals, Justice Department leadership has publicly continued to back her.

Halligans US Attorneys Office is expected to attempt imminently to seek a renewed grand jury indictment of Comey, for alleged false statements to Congress. A grand jury in the district declined to charge James a second time on Thursday, but the Justice Department may try again, CNN reported this week.

Halligan is not expected to spearhead those grand jury presentations as she did the first time around for each, leaving other lower-level prosecutors to handle the cases in court.

The US Attorneys Office has also tried to advise its dozens of prosecutors in at least five different internal guidance emails since last week how to sign their court filings, following the ruling on Halligan. At first, the prosecutors were told to remove her name and only list the top career prosecutor in the office, who serves as the first assistant US Attorney.

Since then, the prosecutors have been instructed to list Halligans name first at the bottom of criminal case filings, and also to list Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and the first assistant in the signature block.

Little legal reasoning to share

The Justice Departments reasoning for keeping Halligans name on criminal filings has been thin, from the perspective of prosecutors appearing in court.

Long-time prosecutor Tony Roberts told one judge that guidance his US Attorneys Office received from the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, which sets policy and outlines legal reasoning for the executive branch, said to keep Halligans name as is.

The Office of Legal Counsel told us to put the name as is as it has been presented on these indictments. Thats what we are going on at this point, Roberts said in court on Tuesday, according to court records obtained by CNN.

The front of the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, on November 13. - Alex Wong/Getty Images/File

I believe theres still internal deliberation what next steps the office needs to take. I understand that its peculiar, the prosecutor added. Its something Ive never seen in my 35 years, but we are following the Office of Legal Counsels guidance on this, and its not just purely an in-office decision.

A Justice official familiar with the situation previously told CNN the DOJ prepared guidance after Curries ruling, to be sent to everyone in the Alexandria office, that said Halligan was still the US Attorney post.

But prosecutors in the office have felt left in the dark, and alarmed by the judges escalation of questions this week, sources familiar with the office now tell CNN.

Youre in a terrible situation, Fitzpatrick told one of the Eastern District of Virginia prosecutors on Thursday, according to the court transcripts. And the fact that you have no guidance is tremendously disappointing, and that you have to stand here and take the brunt of this is patently unfair.

CNNs Evan Perez contributed to this report.

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While a lot of people know Keanu Reeves for his work on screen, the 61-year-old has had a successful music career going on at the same time for decades with his rock band Dogstar, and the group just surprised fans with some exciting news.

The band, which features Reeves on bass guitar, Bret Domrose as lead guitarist and vocalist, and Robert Mailhouse on the drums, announced on Dec. 2 that they would be going on tour in June and July.

Dogstar shared the news along with a tour poster on Instagram, writing, "We are so excited to announce our All In Now Tour: Europe 2026 ." The poster included all the dates and locations of the upcoming tour, revealing that they would start with performances in Ireland and the United Kingdom, before moving on to the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Italy, and more.

The tour's first show is in Dublin on June 11, with a busy schedule of shows into July, and the final show set for July 18 in Budapest, Hungary. Presale for the tickets happened on Wednesday, Dec. 3, but the general on-sale starts on Friday, Dec. 5.

Some of the tour dates are festival appearances, including the Download Festival in Castle Donington, England, the Sierre Blues Festival in Sierre, Switzerland, and the Tinderbox Festival in Odense, Denmark, to name a few.

Related: Keanu Reeves Opens Up About Suffering "Never Heard Of" Injury Making New Film

Fans Excitedly Welcomed Dogstar Back To Touring

Fans took to the comments to cheer about the big tour announcement, with many people sharing how excited they were to see the group in concert.

One such fan said, "Welcome back to London bring in June for a legendary gig all the best with your tour go rock it," as someone else wrote, "This is amazing that so many people have a chance to see u guys."

Fans in countries that don't always get included in tours were hyped up, with comments like, "Dublin  Finally!" and "FINALLY SWEDENNNNN !!!!!!!!!!! ."

Meanwhile, fans in other parts of the world shared hope that Dogstar will announce more legs of the tour soon.

"this means some US dates coming later," said one eager fan, while another pleaded, "Please come to Montreal ."

A different fan simply shared encouragement for the group, commenting, "Wish You Lots Of Success In Your Upcoming Tour, Guys !!"

Related: Keanu Reeves and Girlfriend Step Out For Rare Red Carpet Event After Marriage Rumors

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection building is seen in Washington, D.C., June 22, 2025. Photo: Andrew Rice / The Center Square By Andrew Rice | The Center Square

(The Center Square)  Under the Biden administration, the greatest number of illegal border crossers at the U.S.-Canada border were reported in U.S. history, breaking records nearly every month for four years, The Center Square first reported.

While record high numbers dropped under the Trump administration, illegal entries still remain high in northern border states, with some states reporting more apprehensions in 2025 than during the Biden years.

Fourteen U.S. states share the longest international border in the world with Canada, totaling 5,525 miles across land and water.

The majority of illegal border crossers were apprehended and encountered in five northern border states, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data analyzed by The Center Square. Nearly half were reported in New York. Washington, Vermont, Maine and Montana recorded the next greatest numbers.

The majority of northern border states reported the greatest number of illegal entries in U.S. history in 2024, the last year of the Biden administration, according to CBP data. At the height of the border crisis, illegal entries reached nearly 200,000 at the northern border in 2024 and in 2023, first reported by The Center Square.

For fiscal years 2022 through 2025, 754,928 illegal border crossers were reported in 14 northern border states, according to the latest available CBP data.

From west to east, illegal entries at the northern border totaled:

Alaska: 7,380Washington: 135,116Idaho: 620Montana: 32,036North Dakota: 14,818Minnesota: 8,315Wisconsin: 118Michigan: 50,321Ohio: 1,546Pennsylvania: 19,145New York: 363,910Vermont: 61,790New Hampshire: 82Maine: 59,731

Notably, Alaska, Idaho, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin reported record high illegal crossings in 2023. Although Montana and North Dakota saw a drop in 2025 from record highs in 2024, the number of illegal border crossers apprehended in the two states in 2025 were greater than they were in 2022; in Montana they were more than double.

The data only includes nine months of the Trump administration. The CBP fiscal year goes from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Biden administration data includes the first three months of fiscal 2025, nine months of fiscal 2021, and all of fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024. Combined, illegal northern border crosser apprehensions totaled roughly one million under the Biden administration, according to CBP data.

The data excludes gotaways, the official term used by CBP to describe foreign nationals who illegally enter between ports of entry to evade capture, dont make immigration claims and dont return to their country of origin. CBP does not publicly report gotaway data. The Center Square exclusively obtained it from Border Patrol agents. More than two million gotaways were identified by Border Patrol agents under the Biden administration, although the figure is expected to be much higher, The Center Square first reported.

For decades, the northern border has been largely unmanned and unprotected with increased threats of terrorism and lack of operational control, The Center Square reported.

Unlike the 1,954-mile U.S.-Mexico border, there is no border wall, significantly less technological equipment exists and far fewer agents are stationed there.

Officials have explained that the data represents a fraction of illegal border crossers  it remains unclear how many really came through largely remote areas where one Border Patrol agent may be responsible for patrolling several hundred miles, The Center Square has reported.

Despite being understaffed and having far less resources, Border Patrol and CBP agents at the U.S.-Canada border apprehended the greatest number of known or suspected terrorists (KSTs) in U.S. history during the Biden administration  1,216, or 64% of the KSTs apprehended nationwide, The Center Square exclusively reported.

In February, President Donald Trump for the first time in U.S. history declared a national emergency at the northern border, also ordering the U.S. military to implement border security measures there. After shutting down illegal entries at the southwest border, the administration acknowledged the majority of fentanyl and KSTs were coming through the northern border, The Center Square reported.

The Trump administration has also prioritized increased funding, recruitment and hiring and investment in technological capabilities at the northern border.
University Lake is seen near Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. Photo: Nolan McKendry / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  Wade Rousse, the new president of the LSU system, will receive a $750,000-per-year base salary in a pay package that includes more than $1 million in bonuses tied to university-based measures including enrollment and research spending.

He can earn even more if he secures deals with the state's economic development office and brings in more dollars from the state Legislature.

Under the contract, approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors on Nov. 17, Rousse could receive up to $210,000 per year if certain performance measures connected to the university are met, such as increasing retention or graduation rates. He can receive another $415,000 per year in revenue-related incentives, like increased federal appropriations or donations.

Several incentives are tied to state funding measures. If LSU secures a contract with Louisiana Economic Development valued at more than $5 million, Rousse will receive an extra $25,000.

LED did not specify the potential work that would be involved but said it already partners with LSU on research and development projects, workforce training through state grants and programs to help companies find skilled workers.

"LED looks forward to deepening our work with LSU under President Rousses leadership," the agency told The Center Square in a statement, adding they are "encouraged" by the incentives.

Rousse can receive additional bonuses if he brings in more funding from the state legislature.

Under the contract, Rousse can earn a $75,000 bonus in any year that LSU secures at least $50 million in state-funded infrastructure money, such as capital outlay, non-recurring cash, supplemental construction appropriations or cash lines of credit approved by the State Bond Commission.

He can earn another $25,000 for every additional $25 million the state provides above that amount. If LSU doesnt hit the $50 million mark in a single year, Rousse can still receive the bonus if the combined state infrastructure funding over two years tops $150 million. Money that LSU generates on its own and non-cash lines of credit dont count toward the total.

Rousse, a Nicholls State alumnus who previously served as president of McNeese State, was named LSU system leader in November. University of Alabama Provost James Dalton was chosen as system vice president and chancellor as LSU returned to a two-leader structure.

Political insiders said Rousse was favored by Gov. Jeff Landry, whose office oversees Louisiana Economic Development, and that he had strong backing from LSU Board Vice Chair Lee Mallett, a major Landry donor. Board members serve at the governors pleasure, and the governor selects the chair.

Mallett and the Board could not immediately be reached for comment.

Rousse is also eligible for up to $425,000 in one-time incentive payments tied to major institutional milestones. He can receive $25,000 if accrediting bodies approve a new organizational structure for the LSU system and its flagship campus, and $100,000 if LSU breaks into the top 50 public universities in the National Science Foundations Higher Education Research & Development survey rankings.

Additional $100,000 bonuses are available if an LSU institution secures a National Cancer Institute designation, wins a National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Award or lands a federally funded research and development center or federal national lab site.

Rousse will be provided with a $2 million, 7,600-square-foot South Lakeshore Drive residence owned by the LSU Foundation, along with a $15,000 annual vehicle allowance, LSU retirement and health plans and payment or reimbursement for club and professional memberships.

Former LSU President William Tate IV, who left earlier this year for Rutgers University after four years at LSU, received the same salary, perks and many of the same incentives listed in Rousse's contract.

Tate's contract did not include incentives tied to the state's economic development projects or increased infrastructure funding.
A butcher sells pieces of pork to a customer at a market stall in Madrid, Spain, June 17, 2024. REUTERS/Juan Medina

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Malaysia has banned most imports of pork and pork products from Spain with immediate effect following an outbreak of African swine fever there, the Veterinary Services Department said on Friday.

The ban excludes retort products, the department said in a statement.

The virus was first detected late last month in wild boars in an area near Barcelona, and more cases have since been found.

The department said Spanish pork products may still be considered for import if the consignments are accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued by Spanish authorities on or before November 28 saying the date of slaughter was before November 14 and the date of processing was before November 28.

(Reporting by Ashley Tang; Editing by John Mair)
A Utah mom accused of fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl is scheduled to have a court hearing on Friday ahead of her murder trial next year.

Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old realtor and mother of three who wrote and self-published a children's book on grieving following her husband's death, was arrested in 2023 following a lengthy investigation. She was charged with aggravated murder in connection with the 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins. Prosecutors allege she spiked his cocktail with a lethal dose of fentanyl.

She is also charged with attempted aggravated murder, with prosecutors alleging she gave him a sandwich laced with fentanyl on Valentine's Day two weeks before his death in an initial, failed attempt to kill him.

Kouri Richins, Utah mom accused of fatally poisoning husband with fentanyl, will go to trial: Judge

Prosecutors allege that Kouri Richins fraudulently secured a life insurance policy on her husband's death in January 2022 and had financial incentive to kill him. She is also accused of texting a paramour on Feb. 15, 2022, the day after the alleged Valentine's Day incident, that "if he could just go away ... life would be so perfect."

Eric Richins, 39, was found dead in the couple's bedroom on March 4, 2022. An autopsy determined he died from fentanyl intoxication, and the level of fentanyl in his blood was approximately five times the lethal dosage, according to the charging document. The medical examiner determined the fentanyl was "illicit fentanyl," not medical grade, according to the charging document.

A pretrial conference in the murder case is scheduled for Friday afternoon in a Park City courthouse, ahead of the February 2026 trial. Kouri Richins has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Rick Bowmer/AP - PHOTO: Kouri Richins, a Utah mother of three, who wrote a children's book about coping with grief after her husband's death and was later accused of fatally poisoning him, looks on during a hearing, May 15, 2024, in Park City, Utah.

Kouri Richins also faces over two dozen charges in a separate case filed earlier this year alleging she committed mortgage fraud in 2021. The charging document alleges she submitted falsified banks statements in support of mortgage loan applications for her realty business, committed money laundering and issued bad checks.

The charges in the case also allege she murdered her husband for financial gain as she "stood on the precipice of total financial collapse." According to the charging document, at the time of Eric Richins' death, her realty company owed lenders at least $1.8 million and his estate was worth approximately $5 million.

She is scheduled to make an initial appearance in that case Friday afternoon as well. She has not yet entered a plea to the charges.

Kouri Richins, Utah mom accused of fatally poisoning husband with fentanyl, asserts innocence in audio message

Kouri Richins has remained in Summit County Jail since her arrest, after the judge last month denied a defense motion to reconsider bail and release.

She proclaimed her innocence in an audio recording released in May 2024.

"The world has yet to hear who I really am, what I've really done or didn't do," Kouri Richins insisted in the audio, provided to ABC News through a trusted confidant. "What I really didn't do is murder my husband."

A month prior to her arrest in May 2023, the mom of three appeared on a "Good Things Utah" segment on Salt Lake City ABC affiliate KTVX to promote her book. In the segment, Kouri Richins said her husband of nine years died "unexpectedly" and that his death "completely took us all by shock."
Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi are about to address the media, after the Russian leader was welcomed to India with a guard of honour

This is Putin's first visit to the country since he launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022

Putin arrived on Thursday night to a rare personal welcome from Modi, who met him at the airport - here's the moment they embraced

The meeting comes months after the US hit India with an additional 25% tariff over its purchases of Russian oil, arguing it was funding Moscow's war in Ukraine
PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-EDUCATION (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images)

Only one hostages remains are still in Gaza after Israeli authorities said Thai officials confirmed the identity of another body recently turned over by Hamas.

The deceased hostage, Sudthisak Rinthalak, was a Thai farmworker taken by Hamas from the orchard where he worked and killed during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks, Israeli Defense Forces announced on social media. His remains were confirmed by authorities on Thursday.

Only the remains of National Counter-Terrorism Unit officer and Israeli police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, also killed after being taken on October 7, have yet to be returned, the prime ministers office said Thursday in a statement.

The fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has so far held off major engagements despite multiple small skirmishes between the two sides, as the slow implementation of President Donald Trumps peace plan continues. It remains unclear whether Hamas will commit to disarming and relinquishing power over the Gaza Strip, despite increasing pressure from Arab allies.

Israel is also set to reopen the Rafah crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt as the final remains of hostages are being returned. Israel has stated that Palestinians returning to Gaza will only have access to the reopened crossing once all the hostages or their remains are returned. (RELATED: Israel Planning To Reopen Gazas Rafah Crossing In Key Test For Trump Peace Plan)

Islamic Jihad and Hamas militants stand next to a white body bag believed to contain the remains of an Israeli hostage in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on December 3, 2025. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images)

Trumps peace plan calls for an international governing authority over Gaza headed by Palestinian technocrats, and for an International Stabilizing Force of soldiers from neighboring Arab states. However, many Gazans fear that Hamas wont fully honor Trumps plan based on its actions since accepting the deal, including the terror groups public executions of rivals and those it accused of betrayal.

Hamas handed back all living hostages, but sporadic skirmishes with Israel have cast doubts on the sincerity of the terror groups willingness to commit to disarmament. Hamas has repeatedly punted on the issue, saying in its initial agreement to the deal in October that any discussion of new governance would require Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.

The Israeli Prime Ministers office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundations request for comment.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
The Arizona State Capitol is seen in Phoenix on the opening day of the 56th Legislature. Photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from Original

(The Center Square) - Arizona has the 14th best tax structure in America, according to a new report.

The Tax Foundation recently released its 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index, which examines states tax structures and ranks them.

Arizona ranked "fairly well" with most of its taxes, said Nicole Fox, a policy analyst for the Tax Foundation. She noted the state fell short with its sales tax.

The foundation has published this report since 2003. Arizona has ranked between 14th and 18th on the index since 2020, Fox told The Center Square this week. Arizona has a fairly competitive tax system."

The index ranks states according to five categories: corporate tax, individual income tax, sales tax, property tax and unemployment insurance tax.

The report said Arizona ranked first in America in unemployment insurance tax, which funds unemployment benefits.

For individual income tax, Arizona ranked ninth in the country. Fox said Arizona had the eighth lowest income tax in America, with a flat rate of 2.5%. Arizona is tied with North Dakota for the lowest individual income tax among states that have one, she said.

The states without an individual income tax are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

For corporate taxes, Arizona ranked 13th. Despite having the 37th highest corporate tax rate of 4.9%, Arizona ranks high on the Tax Foundation's list because it does not impose gross receipts taxes and capital stock taxes, the report noted.

The only area where Arizona did not perform well was sales tax, Fox said. It ranked 45th in this category.

Fox said the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.52%, the 11th highest in the country.

But Fox noted the state exempts many personal services from sales taxes, such as haircuts and dry cleaning.

On the down side, the state taxes things such as office equipment, business leases and software services, Ford said. She warned the "business-type taxes" are passed down to consumers with higher prices. She noted Arizona could consider stopping its tax on those items.

Overall, Arizona ranked ahead of neighboring states California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado.

The states with the highest rankings were Wyoming, South Carolina and New Hampshire. The states with the lowest rankings were California, New Jersey and New York.

States that remain complacent regarding tax laws risk falling in future rankings, Fox told The Center Square.
Three-toed, bipedal meat-eating dinosaurs known as theropods left their mark at the Carreras Pampas tracksite in Bolivia. - Jeremy McLarty

A high-traffic dinosaur freeway may have once stretched across a shoreline in what is now Bolivia. Traveling along this busy route were theropods  three-toed, bipedal meat-eating dinosaurs, which left behind thousands of fossil footprints. Paleontologists have now described their tracks for the first time, offering a rare glimpse into dinosaurs movements through their habitat.

Scientists recently counted 16,600 theropod tracks  more than any other trackway site  at the Carreras Pampas tracksite in Bolivias Torotoro National Park. There the theropods stamped their feet into the soft, deep mud between 101 million and 66 million years ago, toward the end of the Cretaceous period.

This study is the first scientific survey of the footprint-covered areas, which extend roughly 80,570 square feet (7,485 square meters). Some tracks were isolated, but many formed trackways, or multiple impressions left by the same animal, researchers reported Wednesday in the journal PLOS One.

Everywhere you look on that rock layer at the site, there are dinosaur tracks, said study coauthor Dr. Jeremy McLarty, an associate professor of biology and director of the Dinosaur Science Museum and Research Center at Southwestern Adventist University in Texas.

Most of the tracks were traveling north-northwest or southeast, McLarty told CNN. They were likely made over a relatively short time span, indicating that this area was a popular thoroughfare for theropods and could have been part of a larger dinosaur freeway that spans Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

Print shapes and the distance between the footprints revealed how the animals were moving; some strolled at a leisurely pace, while others sprinted through the muddy shoreline, and more than 1,300 tracks preserved evidence of swimming in shallow water, the researchers reported.

Several trackways included drag marks from the theropods tails, and varying lengths and widths of the footprints suggested that the dinosaurs ranged greatly in size: from a hip height of about 26 inches (65 centimeters) to more than 49 inches (125 centimeters). Several hundred additional tracks at the site were made by birds that shared the shoreline with the dinosaurs.

Incredible implications

Tracks are preserved in what was previously soft, deep mud. Lines of yarn help researchers mark which tracks belong to each trackway. - Raul Esperante

Identifying thousands of individual prints and describing the different gaits has incredible implications for reconstructing these ancient environments and how dinosaurs and birds used them, said paleontologist Sally Hurst, who was not involved in the new study. Hurst is an adjunct fellow in the School of Natural Sciences at Macquarie University in Australia.

The tracks are preserved at varying depths in what was previously soft, deep mud, which can often end up recording a lot about how these animals moved their feet, Dr. Peter Falkingham, a professor of paleobiology at Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, told CNN in an email.

Its the deeper tracks that preserve more of the foots motion, which is what Im interested in, and they have quite long trackways of such tracks, said Falkingham, who studies dinosaur trackways but was not involved in the new research.

For example, swimming tracks look distinctly different from the normal walking tracks, McLarty said. When a theropod was buoyed up by water, its middle toe pressed more deeply into the mud, and the other two toes and heel left a much lighter impression behind.

Tracks are a record of soft tissues, of movements, and of the environments the dinosaurs were actually living in, Falkingham added. This site, with its abundant tracks of different-size animals moving in various ways, really brings these lost ecosystems to life in a way the bones dont.

Leaving an impression

Tracksites such as Carreras Pampas reveal how dinosaurs moved. More than 16,000 theropod tracks were counted there. - Raul Esperante

Since the 1980s, Carreras Pampas has been known for its dinosaur tracks, but the scope and number had never been studied in detail, McLarty said. His teams work raises new questions about this preserved slice of South American Cretaceous life, such as why nearly all the footprints belong to theropods and why there are so many of them, McLarty said.

Many sites around the world preserve multiple trackways of sauropods, the plant-eating and long-necked dinosaurs that grew to be larger than any land animal alive today. Sauropods were known to travel in herds, as do many types of large modern herbivores. In comparison, theropods are predators, which typically do not roam in large groups.

Bolivia is known for its numerous trackway sites, dating to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, the study authors reported. Before the mapping of Carreras Pampas, the site with the most dinosaur tracks in the world was also in Bolivia: Cal Orcko in Sucre, dating to about 68 million years ago and containing an estimated 14,000 prints.

How does what were finding at Carreras Pampas relate to these other sites in Bolivia? McLarty asked. What kind of large-scale picture arises when we start comparing across different sites?

These thousands of footprints provide important clues about dinosaurs that fossil skeletons cant, because trackways reveal how living animals moved, said paleontologist Dr. Anthony Romilio, a research associate at the University of Queensland in Australia, who was not involved in the research.

A skeleton shows what an animal could do; trackways show what it actually did, moment to moment, Romilio told CNN in an email. They record speed, direction, turning behaviour, slipping, posture, and sometimes group movement.

The Carreras Pampas tracks are significant because of the different theropod sizes represented, Romilio said. This could reflect multiple species, multiple age classes, or a combination of both.

And unlike body fossils, trackways preserve a dinosaurs connection to a specific location when it was alive. Bones can be transported after an animals death, so where you find a dinosaur bone may not be the exact place the dinosaur was, McLarty noted. In comparison, trackways offer a direct snapshot of an ancient moment in time  in this case, when scores of scampering theropods crisscrossed a shoreline.

Tracks dont move, McLarty said. When you visit Carreras Pampas, you know you are standing where a dinosaur walked.

Mindy Weisberger is a science writer and media producer whose work has appeared in Live Science, Scientific American and How It Works magazine. She is the author of Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind-Control (Hopkins Press).

Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.

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Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro on Wednesday said Americans dont care very much about the controversy involving Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths orders regarding strikes on a boat in the Caribbean in September.

I frankly dont think that Americans care very much about what is being reported with regard to Secretary Hegseth. I also think that the stories are conflicting. You had the original Washington Post report, which suggested the possibility of a war crime, if we read all the statutes, and then you have the New York Times report, which basically denies the Washington Post report, right? Shapiro said during a Wednesday appearance on NewsNations Cuomo.

Lawmakers have questioned Hegseths judgement and condemned reports stating that the Defense secretary ordered the strike crew to kill everybody aboard the vessel carrying alleged narco-terrorists.

On Thursday, Navy Adm. Frank Bradley, the commander who oversaw the Sept. 2 strikes, denied that Hegseth ordered his subordinates to kill everybody aboard the boat during briefings to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

The supposed suggestion is that Hegseth ordered a double tap, that he ordered a hit on a boat. There were survivors in the water. They were whats called hors de combat. They were out of combat, and then he ordered a second strike, Shapiro told host Chris Cuomo.

The New York Times said theres no evidence that he ordered a second strike. He says he wasnt even in the room after the first strike hit, and so Im not even sure what were arguing about at this point. It does feel like a distraction from other things, he added.

Shapiro blamed Democrats for the reporting, saying they are bashing Hegseth ahead of next years midterm elections.

Im wondering why Democrats are homing in on this, except possibly as a way to elevate somebody like a Mark Kelly for 2028 or to piggyback on the argument that they were making two weeks ago that illegal military orders are being given and that people need to refuse those illegal military orders, he said, referring to the Democratic senator from Arizona.

ESPN commentator and SiriusXM host Stephen A. Smith, who appeared on Cuomo alongside Shapiro, said President Trumps moves related to Venezuela amid the at-times nearby operations on alleged drug boats might have an ulterior motive.

Its a slick way of reminding folks that his complaints about Venezuela and somebody like Maduro is similar to the complaints that he makes about the Democratic Party as presently constructed, Smith said. If you remind people of that, particularly a year away from the midterms, that level of fear will then bring into question the word affordability. Are they really the ones that have the answers to the questions instead of me if Im President Trump?

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Tetsuya Yamagami has earlier pleaded guilty to murder and other charges [Reuters]

The man accused of assassinating former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has apologised to the ex-leader's family for the first time.

Tetsuya Yamagami, who earlier pleaded guilty to murder, told the court on Thursday that he felt "deeply sorry" towards Abe's widow, Akie.

Yamagami used a homemade gun to shoot Abe during a political campaign event in the western city of Nara on 8 July 2022. He died in the hospital on the same day.

Abe's death sent shockwaves around the world. He was known for his hawkish foreign policy and a signature economic strategy that popularly came to be known as "Abenomics".

"I have caused [the family] three and a half years of suffering... I have no excuse," Yamagami told the court on Thursday, according to local media.

He reportedly told investigators he attacked Abe because he blamed the ex-prime minister for allegedly promoting the Unification Church, which Yamagami said had bankrupted his mother and the wider family.

Yamagami's allegations prompted investigations into the Unification Church, which started in South Korea and is known for its mass weddings.

In March this year, a Tokyo court ordered the church to disband - a ruling that the church said it would "fight to the end".

The Unification Church has drawn controversy even before Abe's assassination, for teaching that marriage is central to spiritual salvation.

Abe's grandfather Nobusuke Kishi, who was also Japan's prime minister, was known to have been close to the Unification Church because of its anti-communist nature. Abe himself had spoken at events related to the group.

During a hearing last month, prosecutors read out a statement from Abe's widow in which she wrote: "The sorrow of losing a husband will not be relieved."
The logo of China's lifestyle-sharing social media platform Xiaohongshu, which translates as "red note" or "little red book," is displayed on a smartphone screen in Suqian, China, on September 11, 2025. - VCG/AP

Taiwans government has ordered a one-year block of a popular, Chinese-owned social media app following its failure to cooperate with authorities over fraud-related concerns.

Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, has surged in popularity among young Taiwanese in recent years, amassing 3 million users in the self-ruled democracy of 23 million. But the Instagram-like platform has also stoked concerns among officials that it could be used in pro-Beijing propaganda or disinformation campaigns, which Taiwan says it has been battling for years.

Chinas Communist Party claims Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and has vowed to annex it by force if necessary.

Taiwans Ministry of the Interior on Thursday cited Xiaohongshus refusal to cooperate with authorities as the basis for the ban, claiming that the platform has been linked to more than 1,700 fraud-related cases that resulted in financial losses of 247.7 million Taiwanese dollars ($7.9 million).

Due to the inability to obtain necessary data in accordance with the law, law enforcement authorities have encountered significant obstacles in investigations, creating a de facto legal vacuum, the ministry said in a statement.

CNN has reached out to Xiaohongshu for comment. It is unclear when the ban will take effect. Users in Taiwan could still access the app on Friday afternoon.

The ban comes amid growing alarm among governments worldwide over cybersecurity vulnerabilities and disinformation campaigns associated with Chinese apps like Xiaohongshu and TikTok that have gained global popularity.

Chinese regulations require companies to store data domestically and allow the government access to that data. Beijing also actively surveils and censors content it deems unfavorable, a practice experts say can sway public opinion.

US Congress passed a law last year that forced TikToks Chinese parent ByteDance to sell the platform to an American owner or face a ban, which caused the app to go dark for several hours earlier this year. President Donald Trump later sought to salvage the platform and negotiated a deal with China, though a final agreement has yet to be inked.

India blocked TikTok and dozens of other Chinese apps over similar concerns in 2020.

The Xiaohongshu Technology Co. logo at the company's headquarters in Shanghai, China, on September 15, 2025. - Raul Ariano/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Several Western countries, including the US, the United Kingdom, and European Union nations, have banned TikTok on government devices on national security grounds since 2023. The US state of Texas has also added Xiaohongshu to its ban, pertaining to government-issued devices.

As early as 2019, Taiwan banned Xiaohongshu, TikTok, and its sister app in China Douyin from official devices.

Earlier this week, Taiwans Ministry of Digital Affairs flagged five apps as posing significant cybersecurity risks, including Xiaohongshu, TikTok, X-like Weibo, and Chinas everything app WeChat. These apps could collect sensitive data and share with third parties without consent, it said. A cybersecurity assessment conducted by the National Security Bureau also found that Xiaohongshu failed all of its evaluations.

However, the ban has already sparked some backlash from users and opposition parties, who described it as an infringement on freedom of speech.

We once mocked people in China for needing VPNs to access information, Lai Shyh-bao, a legislator of the main opposition party Kuomintang, which favors closer ties with China, said on Facebook. Internet freedom in Taiwan is heading toward a day when people will need VPNs.

Major international platforms such as Facebook, Google, LINE, and TikTok have all appointed legal representatives in Taiwan, complied with local regulations, and fulfilled their legal obligations, the Ministry of the Interior said.

Taiwan authorities have requested that Shanghai-based Xiaohongshu submit concrete remedial plans, but the company has yet to respond, the ministry added.

This is not a problem unique to Taiwan. It exists around the world, and even within China itself this platform has repeatedly violated regulationsFrom our perspective, it is a malicious platform  one that is beyond legal oversight and operates with unclear intentions, said Ma Shih-yuan, deputy minister of the interior, at a Thursday presser.

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Key Points

TSMC and ASML are critical companies in the semiconductor industry with strong long-term outlooks.

TSMC is the leader in chip manufacturing, and has a strong runway of growth ahead.

ASML has a monopoly on the machines needed to make advanced chips.

10 stocks we like better than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing 

While chip designers like Nvidia tend to grab the most investor attention, they are not the only important players in the semiconductor space. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) and ASML (NASDAQ: ASML) play very different but equally important roles in the semiconductor value chain.

With demand for chips booming due to the artificial intelligence (AI) data center buildout, both stocks are well-positioned heading into 2026. The question, though, is which one will outperform next year.

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 

Chip wafer.

Image source: Getty Images.

The case for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, or TSMC for short, is the world's leading semiconductor contract manufacturer. The company is one of only three chip manufacturers, along with Intel and Samsung, that make advanced chips at small node sizes.

Nodes refer to a chip's current generation and correspond to an increase in transistor density, which provides increased power while being more energy efficient.

With both Intel and Samsung struggling with yield issues (defective chips per wafer) for advanced nodes, TSMC has become the only company that can manufacture advanced chips at scale. As such, it has become one of the most important cogs in the semiconductor supply chain and one of the biggest beneficiaries of the current AI infrastructure buildout.

The struggles of its competitors have also given TSMC strong pricing power, with it expected to increase prices by 3% to 10% next year.

TSMC is working closely with customers like Nvidia to help meet future demand, giving it strong visibility. It projects demand for AI chips, such as graphics processing units (GPUs) to grow at a 40% compound annual growth (CAGR) over the next few years.

Meanwhile, TSMC is also cheaper than ASML, trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of under 23.5 times based on analysts' 2026 estimates compared to more than 36.5 times for ASML.

The case for ASML

While TSMC is a virtual monopoly at the moment, given the struggles of its competitors, ASML is an actual full-blown monopoly. There are no competitive alternatives to the extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines it makes that are needed to manufacture advanced chips.

So as TSMC expands, and Intel and Samsung try to catch up, they need to buy ASML's EUV machines.

With the demand for AI chips booming, ASML finds itself in a strong position. TSMC has to build new fabs (chip manufacturing facilities) to increase capacity to keep up with demand, while Intel has also been aggressively expanding its footprint, backed by government loans from the CHIPS Act. Meanwhile, Micron is currently making a huge push to build DRAM memory fabs in the U.S. that will likely use both EUV and DUV machines, which should be a tailwind for ASML in later years.

The company has also developed its next-generation technology, called High-NA EUV (high numerical aperture extreme ultraviolet lithography), that will shrink node sizes even more. These new machines cost around $400 million apiece, a significant increase compared to the $220 million of its EUV machines, and all three leading foundries have already taken orders to test them out.

The one negative for the company moving into next year is that it has seen a pull forward in demand from China for its older DUV (deep ultraviolet) machines over the last few years. This could lead to fewer sales of these machines, which are used to make less complex chips, in 2026.

The verdict

I think TSMC and ASML will both be long-term semiconductor winners, as both will benefit from the increased proliferation of advanced chips. AI is leading the way now, but you also have potential drivers in robotaxis and quantum computing down the road as well.

However, for 2026, I think TSMC's stock is better positioned to outperform. The stock is cheaper, and it has a strong AI tailwind, while ASML's 2026 could be a bit rockier, given the earlier pull-forward in demand with China. Meanwhile, the mass adoption of TSMC's new High-NA EUV is still years down the road, and the bulk of the Micron buildout is still a few years away.

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William Fastow, Ana Walshe's boyfriend, looks at a picture of Ana while on the witness stand during Brian Walshe's trial for murdering his wife Ana, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

The focus in the murder trial of Brian Walshe turned Thursday to an affair his wife was having before he allegedly killed and dismembered her on New Years Day 2023.

Ana Walshe, a real estate agent who immigrated from Serbia, was last seen early on Jan. 1, 2023, following a New Years Eve dinner at her Massachusetts home. Her body has never been found. Her husband, Brian Walshe faces a first-degree murder charge, after agreeing to plead guilty last month to lesser charges of misleading police and willfully disposing of a human body in violation of state law.

William Fastow told the court on the fourth day of the trial that he met Ana Walshe in March 2022 when he sold her a townhouse in Washington, D.C. He said the relationship quickly intensified as they became close friends and confidants and eventually had an "intimate relationship. They went out to dinner and to bars together, he said, and she would spend time on his sailboat and stay overnight at his home. They also took a Thanksgiving trip to Ireland.

Relationship was never hidden

Fastow testified he never tried to keep their relationship secret and told others about their relationship, though he admitted they never socialized with her friends. They did, however, discuss telling Brian Walshe about it.

Ana felt it was really important that when Brian was to find about relationship that he would hear it from her, Fastow said. She had expressed great concern and I think she felt it would be a strike against her integrity if he found out a different way.

Fastow said the pair spent Christmas Eve together with friends and had planned to celebrate New Year's together on Jan. 4, when they would discuss their plans for the future.

We'd had a number of conversations about what a life together might look like, what merging two families would look like, he testified. But I'd always said to Ana that she needed to figure out how she wanted things with Brian and what she wanted that to look for her life before we could make any commitments or decisions.

New Year's Eve text

Fastow said his last contact with Ana Walshe was a text message from her on New Year's Eve. The following day he sent her a photo of Fastow showing his son how to ski, a waving hand emoji, question mark query and a few more text messages the following days that got no response. He tried calling her several times on Jan. 2 but the calls went straight to voicemail. Then, on Jan. 4, he got a call from Brian Walshe, but let it go to voicemail because he was in an intimate relationship with his wife.

I had not heard from her in several days and, frankly, I was concerned maybe he had found out and was calling to confront me," he testified.

Walshe called Fastow a second time, and his voicemail was played in court. In a somewhat upbeat tone, Walshe said he hoped all was going well with Fastow before saying he was reaching out to anybody he could because Ana hadn't been in touch for a few days" and that he was wondering if Fastow had spoken to her recently." Walshe then apologized for the call and said he was sure everything was fine.

At the time, Brian Walshe was at home awaiting sentencing in an unrelated art fraud case involving the sale of two fake Andy Warhol paintings.

On cross examination, Walshe's defense attorney Kelli Porges was able to get Fastow to acknowledge he was not aware of any plans for Ana Walshe to tell her husband about their relationship.

There was no plan, as Ana went home for Christmas to be with her family, that she was going to come clean and tell Brian about you, Porges said, prompting Fastow to say that he wasn't aware of any plan.

Internet searches, dumpster discoveries

Prosecutors so far have relied on incriminating searches allegedly made by Walshe on several devices that related to dismembering bodies and cleaning up blood.

Investigators also said surveillance video showed a man resembling Walshe throwing what appeared to be heavy trash bags into a dumpster near their home, and that a search of a trash processing facility near his mothers home uncovered bags containing a hatchet, hammer, sheers, hacksaw, towels and a protective Tyvek suit, cleaning agents, a Prada purse, boots like the ones Ana Walshe was last seen wearing and a COVID-19 vaccination card with her name. Many of those items have been entered into evidence.

In his opening statement Monday, Assistant District Attorney Gregory Connor told the jury that the Massachusetts State Crime Laboratory examined some of the items for DNA against samples they had from the couple. They found Ana and Brian Walshes DNA on the Tyvek suit and Ana Walshes DNA on the hatchet, hacksaw and other items.

Walshes attorney, Larry Tipton, argued in his opening statement that was not a case of murder but what he called a sudden unexplained death of Ana Walshe. He portrayed a couple who loved each other and were planning for the future before Ana Walshe died after celebrating New Years Eve with her husband and a friend.

When he entered the bedroom and began to get into bed, he sensed something was wrong. You will hear evidence that it made no sense to him, Tipton told jurors. He nudged Ana his wife. She didnt respond."
A carton of large eggs rests on a kitchen stove. Photo: Alan Wooten / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  The Northwoods congressman is asking Wisconsins governor to make the states food stamp rolls public.

Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany, who is also running for governor, asked Gov. Tony Evers to release the FoodShare data that President Donald Trump wants.

Like many Wisconsin residents, I was disappointed by your recent public statements ruling out cooperation with the federal government to detect fraud in the food stamp program. We should all be able to agree that fraud and abuse in vital safety net programs is unacceptable, which is why I hope you will reconsider your position, Tiffany wrote in a letter to the governor.

The Trump Administration has asked for a wide swath of information about food stamp programs in the states, including social security numbers and immigration status for the 700,000 people on food stamps in Wisconsin.

As you know, several states have already moved to work with the federal government to improve the program by sharing data with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to detect abuses and improper payments. These audits have helped to expose fraud and corruption that included cases of dead beneficiaries, duplicate payments, and illegal

aliens on program rolls  with some individuals fraudulently collecting benefits for years. Your position on this matter is even more shocking given recent developments in our neighboring state of Minnesota. There, the governors mismanagement and lack of transparency in food security programs have led to multiple investigations of a taxpayer-funded fraud scheme totaling a staggering $1 billion that allegedly involved Somalian terrorists, Tiffany added.

The USDA has said it will withhold millions of dollars from Wisconsin and other states that have been earmarked for food stamp administration.

Evers has said the president wants to find a way to cut food stamps.

Failure to police abuse in this program jeopardizes its solvency and integrity, harming those the most who can afford it least. By withholding this information, you are effectively prioritizing the ability of scammers and illegal aliens to bilk this program over the well-being of the most vulnerable Wisconsinites that it exists to serve. This makes no sense, Tiffany wrote. I strongly urge you to cooperate with the USDA audit.
An immigrant truck driver is facing deportation after his unsecured load of tires flew across the highway and hit an Oklahoma police car.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers were traveling on US-69 in Pittsburg County on 18 November when the commercial truck on the other side of the median lost its cargo.

The driver was identified as Kutmanali Bekbolot, a Kyrgyzstan citizen. The troopers realized Bekbolot didnt understand English and consulted ICE about his immigration status. They determined he did not have legal US status.

Bekbolot was arrested and transferred to ICE custody, later stating he entered the US through Mexico.
Jose Restrepo as Camilo in Estado de Fuga Credit - Courtesy of Netflix

On Dec. 4, 1986, Colombia was shaken by one of the deadliest mass killings in the countrys history. In just a few hours, former Vietnam War veteran Campo Elias Delgado murdered his mother, several neighbors, and multiple people inside the Italian restaurant Pozzetto, turning an ordinary evening Bogotas Chapinero district into a scene of horror.

Netflixs limited series Fugue State 1986 (Estado de fuga 1986), premiering 39 years after the massacre on Dec. 4, revisits the tragedy through fact and fiction. Rather than reconstructing the murders timeline, the series focuses on the fraught friendship between Jeremias Salgado (Andres Parra)a character inspired by Delgadoand literature student Camilo Leon (Jose Restrepo), who becomes a key witness to what occurs in the days leading up to the killings. Carolina Gomez stars as Indira Quinchia, an investigator determined to uncover the crimes motives.

Written by Ana Maria Parra under the supervision of Colombian author Mario Mendoza, who knew Delgado personally, and directed by Carlos Moreno and Claudia Pedraza, the series is anchored in two truths: the massacre itself, and the fact that Delgado was studying at a Bogota university in the months leading up to it. From there, everything else is fiction. We knew we didnt want to narrate it from the perspective of the perpetrator of the massacre, but rather through someone who had known him: Leon, says Parra. And from that closeness between the two, Leon begins to ask the same question we all had: why does someone commit a crime of this nature?

Heres to know about the real events behind Fugue State 1986.

What happened on Dec. 4, 1986

The killing spree began early on Dec. 4, 1986. That morning, Campo Elias Delgado visited a 15-year-old student to whom he gave English lessons. Without warning, he shot the girl and her mother. He then went to the apartment he shared with his own mother, murdered her, and set her body on fire using alcohol and newspapers.

As smoke filled the hallway, Delgado knocked on neighbors doors, warning them about a fire. The six people who opened their doorssimply trying to respond to the emergencywere shot dead.

Hours later, he entered Pozzetto, a well-known Italian restaurant in the Chapinero district, carrying a briefcase filled with ammunition. He sat at table number 20, ordered spaghetti and some drinks, and ate calmly. When he finished his drink, he stood up, drew his revolver, and opened fire on diners. Panicked customers threw themselves to the ground; many hid under tables. Delgado died at the scene, but the circumstances of his death remain uncertain. It is unclear whether he was killed in a shootout with police or if he took his own life.

The final death toll: 29 people. In the Netflix series inspired by these events, the ending note reads: On December 4, 1986, Campo Elias Delgado, a Vietnam War veteran studying languages, killed 29 people, including his mother, in Bogota, Colombia, within 24 hours. To this day, the killer's body is still missing, and key documents relating to the case are either lost or inaccessible.

The man behind the massacre

Delgado was born in Durania in 1934, the son of Rita Elisa Morales. As a child, he was traumatized by his fathers suicide and reportedly blamed his mother for the tragedy. Delgado later joined the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War.

At the time of the massacre, Delgado was 52-years-old. His life was marked by trauma, isolation, and a relentless search for belonging. For a time, Delgado also pursued studies at the Pontificia Universidad Javerianawhere he crossed paths with Mario Mendoza, the executive producer and script supervisor of Fugue State 1986.

It was very important for us to keep one aspect of the real-life person and transfer it to the fictional character: his loneliness, his isolation, his spiritual exile, says Mendoza. As a soldier, he took part in one of the cruellest wars in history, the Vietnam War. Most of those soldiers returned with post-traumatic stress disorder and reintegrating into social life was not easy, even impossible in many cases.

Delgado also carried a profound desire to belong, a trait that the series carefully translated into Jeremias Salgados character, according to the Colombian author. This is noticeable in many moments of our characters intimate life, in his work at the newspaper and at the university where he studies, says Medoza. He is a lone wolf not because he is being true to his nature, but because he has to be. That small detail gives a particular complexity to the character that was very important for the entire team.

Jose Restrepo as Camilo, Andres Parra as Jeremias Courtesy of Netflix

Whats realand whats fiction

While the series is inspired by the real-life massacre and the killers final 24 hours, much of the story explores the imagined months leading up to it. It fictionalizes the four months prior to the fact, in which Jeremias life and his relationship with Leon is uncovered, says Parra. In real life, Campo Elias was a student at the same university where I went to and where Mario Mendoza was my literature professor.

Based on that small and little-known connection, they built the friendship between Jeremias and a young man who is just beginning to make his way as a writer, a world that was familiar to both Parra and Mendoza. That is why the starting point of this entire fictional narrative is the fact that the killer and the witness to his life share a passion for literature, she says.

The massacre also inspired Mendozas 2002 novel Satanas. I sought to portray the bleak, apocalyptic atmosphere of Bogota, he says. The mere fact that I studied at the same university as the killer and even shared bibliography with him for our respective thesis projects inevitably placed me in a close point of view to the murderer.

The social and historical context behind the series

Fugue State 1986 goes beyond the massacre, showing the historical environment that shaped its characters. For Mendoza, understanding Bogota in the 1980s was essential: The writing team spent a lot of time studying the 80s. That entire unhealthy atmosphere, this pervasive and toxic environment, permeates the series.

In 1985, a year before the massacre, the M-19 guerrilla group seized the Palace of Justice in Bogota. The military response was violent, resulting in the deaths of judges, hostages, and combatants, and marked a period of intense political tension in Colombia.

The widespread violence and political instability directly influence Jeremias and Leons psychology. In our story, the 1980s are not just a backdrop or a historical set piece, they are embedded in the characters psychology: in the everyday violence they live with, in the sense of hopelessness, in the way they relate to a city and a country where violence repeats itself in a vicious cycle, says Parra. The atmosphere of the 80s doesnt just surround the characters: it defines their state of mind.

According to Mendoza, the context also invites social reflection: There is a concept known as Amok Syndrome, which means that the individual has been pushed to the brink by an entire society that mistreats, insults, segregates, and repeatedly demeans him. This does not excuse him nor lessen his responsibility for the crimes committed, but it does prompt a re-examination of the behavior of those around them, that is, all of us, he says. Colombia is a country still at war, and we have inherited this violence from one generation to the next. We hope the series helps spark reflection on these traumas that have cascaded down onto each of us.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown speaks at a news conference. Photo: Spencer Pauley / The Center Square

(The Center Square) - Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown is proposing legislation that would require employers tip off their workers when federal immigration enforcement agencies request their eligibility information.

This bill would mean that workers get the same information as their employers, Brown said at a Dec. 5 press conference.

Known as the Immigrant Worker Protection Act, Brown said the proposal would level the playing field for workers. I wish we were not dealing with an administration hell-bent on meeting a hate-fueled, fabricated deportation quota rather than keeping our communities safe.

Washington state has been one of many that have had Immigration and Customer Enforcement raids; one conducted in Seattle in June resulted in the arrest of three men. That same month, protesters clashed with Tukwila police officers and federal agents at an ICE check in located in the city. Last month, ICE arrested people in Redmond.

Brown argued at the press conference that ICE raids are making workers scared that ICE will show up at their job at any moment to take anyone that looks like an immigrant.

He added that we're not asking for additional legislative funding to help us support that work.

Speaking at the press conference, state Rep. Rebecca Saldana, D-Seattle, said the proposed law gives clarity because it's not just the workers that are afraid. It's the employers that are afraid, it is our restaurant owners and our car dealerships and the auto repair shop, it is about our grocery stores. It's about schools.

She also claimed that audits of workers eligibility information are sowing fear, destabilizing families and undermining community trust.

Washington state does not require employers use E-Verify when hiring employees. Several state laws also place significant restrictions on how state and local law enforcement agencies can interact with federal agencies enforcing immigration laws.

Among them is the 2019 Keep Washington Working Act, which forbids state officials and resources from being used in immigration enforcement efforts. That includes providing information to federal agencies about someone's immigration status. Local officers also cannot be deputized for immigration enforcement and cannot detain individuals solely on the basis of violating federal immigration laws.
A promotional graphic for The Center Squares Illinois in Focus daily news program.

(The Center Square)  In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the status of several challenges to Illinois' gun and magazine ban, including the U.S. Supreme Court taking a case challenging Cook County's ban into conference Friday. A decision whether they'll take the case could be released Monday. This as the case where a district court found the state's law unconstitutional remains pending in an appeals court, and a case challenging Naperville's ban remains in a district court.

Bishop also overviews the ongoing disputes over immigration enforcement with a motion to dismiss a use of force lawsuit being made by the parties that brought the case, the Illinois Secretary of State putting car rental companies on notice for ICE officials allegedly altering or removing license plates while in Illinois and the enforcement of commercial driver's licenses and English language proficiency.

Finally, Bishop reviews recent comments Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made about a measure on his desk to give terminally ill patients the right to chose physician-prescribed drugs to end their life. Disability advocates and county coroners are raising their concerns. Pritzker says he hasn't made up his mind on the measure.

Subscribe to Illinois in Focus Daily with The Center Square on YouTube. You can also subscribe to the Illinois in Focus podcast to get the entire show uninterrupted.
A sign reading "We love our Somali neighbors" lines a marquee in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood amid reports of a federal immigration operation targeting the Somali community in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. December 4, 2025. REUTERS/Tim Evans

A sign reading "We love our Somali neighbors" lines a marquee in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood amid reports of a federal immigration operation targeting the Somali community in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. December 4, 2025. REUTERS/Tim Evans

By Heather Schlitz

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Crowds usually press shoulder-to-shoulder at Karmel Mall, a sprawling Somali shopping center in Minneapolis, where people often greet each other by name, speak Somali more than English and gather to browse for new hijabs and shop from hundreds of vendors lining the narrow hallways.

On Wednesday night, however, only a handful of people milled around the mall after U.S. President Donald Trump called Somali immigrants garbage and said that "they destroyed our country." City officials say his remarks coincided with a surge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis.

Minnesota's Somali community has become an increasingly influential political constituency in the state, with U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar its most high-profile member.

As a fraud investigation churns up convictions of community members, Trump has focused his ire on Omar and other Somalis. A stepped-up deportation campaign in the Twin Cities that began this week has forced some Somali residents into hiding and others to become hypervigilant, often carrying their passports with them out of fear of racial profiling by ICE officers, according to interviews with residents, local officials and immigrant advocates.

'WE'RE NOT TRASH'

I don't even feel myself because I'm scared everywhere I go. Am I a target? I don't even know. That's very sad, said Ifrah Farah, a U.S. citizen from Somalia and the owner of a hair salon in Karmel Mall.

I never did anything wrong; I'm a hard-working mom. We're not trash," she said. Jamal Osman, a Minneapolis city council member and Somali refugee who immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager, said hes been deluged with calls from constituents asking if its safe to venture outside and to get updates on ICE activity, noting that the community now feels like a war zone.

"What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally. Those who are not here illegally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear," said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security.

Still, the community has faced fresh scrutiny in recent weeks amid a sweeping fraud investigation by the Justice Department. At least 77 people have been charged, many from the Somali community, with siphoning COVID relief funds that were intended to provide meals to schoolchildren. At least 56 of those charged have pleaded guilty, and a white Minnesota woman, alleged to be the group's ringleader, was convicted on four counts of wire fraud.

DEPORTATION SURGE

McLaughlin confirmed that a deportation surge started earlier this week, with immigrant advocates and city leaders saying agents have apprehended residents on the streets, in cars and outside homes in Cedar-Riverside, the neighborhood thats home to much of Minneapolis Somali community. Reuters has also witnessed detentions of Spanish-speaking day laborers. Immigrant rights advocates said the president is using the fraud investigation as an excuse to target the community more broadly, while Michelle Rivero, director of the Minneapolis Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, said the Somali community is a driver of the city's economic and social life.

Tensions in the community rose on Tuesday when Trump made derogatory remarks about Somalis during a televised cabinet meeting. He doubled down Wednesday in comments to reporters in the Oval Office. In an interview with Reuters later on Wednesday, Omar slammed Trump's comments as racist, Islamophobic and xenophobic. "It's not surprising to me, but what is weird to me is just how creepy he's been. He's obsessed with me and the Somali community," she said.

Over half of Minneapolis 84,000 Somalis were born in the U.S., and the vast majority are legal residents, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Most Somalis born outside the U.S. came as refugees from Somalia's brutal, decades-long civil war, which resulted in an exodus of more than a million people starting in 1991. The U.S. began issuing visas to Somali refugees in 1992.

Many settled in Minnesota, drawn by refugee support groups, Minnesotans' welcoming reputation and social ties. Karmel Mall is a gathering place for Somalis, humming with conversation, Arabic music, and the call to prayer - its air scented with cardamom, cinnamon, and coriander from traditional cooking as friends sip hot spiced tea.

Its a sweet home, said Hayat, a Somali immigrant and the owner of a clothing shop in the mall that is stocked almost to the ceiling with glittering hijabs, jewel-colored dresses and imported perfumes. She asked only to be identified by her first name out of fear of retaliation from ICE.

Hayat said she lost 90% of her customers in recent days, as community members stay home out of fear.

Somali women  usually dressed in flowing abayas, trendy headscarves and gold jewelry  run most of the businesses in the mall and said their businesses have been devastated by the ICE surge and the presidents words.

"This is not public safety," said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, calling the immigration raids a "carnival" that does not make the community safer.

Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota, said on Wednesday that Trumps attacks on Somali Americans and immigrants were dangerous, and had provoked an increase in online threats against the community.

We know what fear feels like. We went through a civil war and came here. We're not going to let this disturb us, Osman said. The fear is real in our community. They are being targeted by the President of the United States."

(Reporting by Heather Schlitz; Additional reporting by Julia Harte in New York, Andy Sullivan in Washington, and Eric Cox in Minneapolis; Editing by Emily Schmall and Diane Craft)
Google Maps Lake Illawarra Police Station

NEED TO KNOW

A 48-year-old woman was found dead in a vehicle outside of an Australian police station on Dec. 5

Her body may have been left in that location for three days, authorities said

An investigation is ongoing, with a specialized team from the South Coast Police District investigating the circumstances of the victims death



A 48-year-old woman was found dead in a vehicle outside of a police station on the southeastern coast of Australia. Her body may have been there for three days, officials said.

On Friday, Dec. 5, at 4:30 p.m. local time, police officers located the womans body in a vehicle outside of Lake Illawarra Police Station on Pioneer Drive in Oak Flats, New South Wales, the New South Wales Police Force said in a statement. First responders assessed the victim, but she could not be revived, police said.

Preliminary evidence suggests that the body had been in that location since approximately Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. local time. The woman who died is believed to be a member of the public, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Getty An aerial view of Lake Illawarra

Following the tragic discovery, a crime scene was established and it was declared a critical incident, officials said. According to the Trauma Centre of Australia, a critical incident is defined by the National Code [under Standard 6] as a traumatic event, or the threat of an event [within or outside Australia], which causes extreme stress, fear or injury. 

A specialized team from the South Coast Police District is investigating the circumstances of the victims death, authorities said.

The investigation will be subject of an independent review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, the NSW Police Force continued, adding that a report will then be sent to the coroners office.

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A spokesperson for the NSW Police Force had no further information to share about the current investigation when contacted by PEOPLE.

A heatwave has been causing increased temperatures in the area, with temperatures at nearby Albion Park reaching almost 100 degrees, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.



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GoFundMe Katlyn Brooks

NEED TO KNOW

Katlyn Brooks spent more than 20 years dealing with debilitating symptoms that doctors dismissed as anxiety and depression

The 28-year-old was finally diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), which caused the ligaments connecting her skull and spine to loosen

She immediately required a life-saving surgery to avoid an internal decapitation, which is 90% fatal

A Michigan woman was nearly decapitated after waiting two decades for doctors to diagnose her pain.

Katlyn Brooks  a 28-year-old mother of two  spent the majority of her life dealing with symptoms like vomiting, dizziness and debilitating fatigue. However, doctors often attributed her symptoms to anxiety and depression. She was even prescribed an antidepressant at age 9 and told that her struggles were the result of panic attacks.

By the time Brooks reached her 20s, her health had deteriorated. She pleaded with doctors for help, but after the death of her sister in 2020 and the stillbirth of her daughter in 2022, her symptoms were once again dismissed as depression.

My physical symptoms were still all too real and debilitating, she told the Daily Mail. My pain was dismissed, I was treated as a drug-seeking patient, and I started to question my own mental health. I was being treated like a joke.

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In April 2024, Brooks symptoms progressed and she started dealing with digestive problems. She was vomiting more frequently and lost weight rapidly, leading to her being hospitalized for severe malnutrition at just 89 lbs.

I was just skin and bone, she recalled.

Only then did she finally get an answer about her 20 years of suffering: She was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS).

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues  primarily your skin, joints and blood vessel walls, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include chronic pain, overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin. The most common type of the disorder is hEDS, and people diagnosed with it often deal with joint pain and easy dislocations.

People with hEDS may also experience chronic fatigue, headaches and gastrointestinal issues.

In addition to Brooks diagnosis, doctors also made a shocking discovery. MRI scans revealed that her neck had 20 years of wear and tear after going so long without treatment.

At that point, ligaments connecting her skull and spine were loosened, a condition called craniocervical instability (CCI). Doctors told Brooks that any sudden movement could cause an internal decapitation.

It's like a bobblehead, she told the outlet. You can literally feel how loose your head is. It just kind of flops. I can feel the back of my head resting on my upper back.

Internal decapitation occurs when ligaments and/or bony structures connecting the skull to the spine are damaged, according to a paper published in the World Journal of Orthopedics. It is typically fatal, with 90% of cases resulting in immediate death.

GoFundMe Katlyn Brooks

Brooks was immediately placed in a neck brace and told that she required an extremely difficult surgery to fuse the loose bones together to stabilize her skull.

Brooks parents explained in a GoFundMe post that her condition left her in a critical and sinister position where she must undergo a life-saving operation to prevent her neck from collapsing and crushing her spinal cord, jugular veins, and nervous system, all of which are an immediate death sentence.

Katlyns life now has a price tag on it as well as an unknown expiration date, they said.

However, Brooks said no doctors in Michigan felt comfortable performing the dangerous surgery.

I've been dismissed by pretty much every neurologist and neurosurgeon within my area, and that's even counting going three hours from my home and more, she said. We traveled just about everywhere in Michigan.

But on Christmas Eve, 2024, Brooks family revealed that they were connected with a neurosurgeon at the University of Cincinnati who was able to operate as soon as possible.

I was cutting it too close to having spontaneous internal decapitation, Brooks said. They were like, We want you to have surgery almost immediately. Thank god I answered [the call].

Brooks underwent the surgery in February 2025 and it was successful.

I officially have my head screwed on right (maybe not mentally but physically for sure), she said in a March update to GoFundMe. The process was brutal. I would give birth 10x over before going through this again but without you all, I wouldnt be here.

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However, the mom of two has since suffered a tethered spinal cord, limiting her movement and confining her to the house. She is now set to undergo corrective surgery in January 2026. The procedure is expected to release the spinal cord, improving mobility and preventing further neurological damage.

Brooks told the Daily Mail that in the meantime, shes doing well and starting to regain the weight she lost. Shes hoping the next surgery will be the last and allow her to get her independence back.

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First comes love. Then comes marriage. And for around 670,000 couples per year, then comes divorce.

While youre thinking about the holiday season thats off and running, the nations divorce attorneys are already looking ahead to another kind of season: divorce season. Sadly, if not surprisingly, filings tend to go up in January after the holidays are done, says Liz Vaz, a divorce attorney and mediator based on Long Island, New York.

Sure, the holidays arrive each year wrapped in with warmth, wonder and magic. But that magic often comes with a price: heightened stress. Whats meant to be a time of connection with loved ones, in reality, can become an emotional pressure cooker  one that can get hot enough for a couple to call it quits. Lots of couples start the new year thinking, I barely survived the holidays with that person, says Vaz.

Alongside the chaos, the holidays also invite reflection. Theres the anticipation or the opportunity for a new beginning, a new start, something different, a transition into a new period of life, says Julie Brines, associate sociology professor and co-author of a University of Washington divorce study. Theyre very symbolically charged times.

Why am I thinking about divorce right now? Im a bridesmaid in two weddings next year: maid of honor in one, asked to wear a champagne-colored dress in another. Amid all of the congratulations and scheduling my PTO, Ive found myself thinking about what marriage truly entails, from its hopeful beginnings to the endings wed all prefer not to think about.

Im also not the only one thinking about divorce right now. Searches for divorce rose from Thanksgiving to January and spiked again in April and mid-August  mirroring historical filing peaks in March and August found in the University of Washington study.

When youre married, in theory, youre signing up for a forever companion, someone to stand beside you for the good times and the bad. But marriage doesnt only merge households; it merges finances. And the personal finance reporter in me cant help finding that unsettling.

I genuinely hope all the marriages out there last forever. But statistically, many wont  and if you arent familiar with ins and outs of divorce, the process can be overwhelming. Even if these tips never apply to you, they could help someone you love. Heres what you might not know about divorce, but should, according to the experts.

The costs  and the timeline  vary widely depending on the couple

The average cost of a divorce in the U.S. is between $10,000 and $20,000. However, every marriage is unique, and so is every divorce. Vaz has charged between $5,000 and $6,000 for a divorce on the lower end of the spectrum. But, when we get forensic accounting involved, that can take the costs up to well over $100,000, she says.

The more there is to divide up  debts, assets, estate plans, investment accounts, custody time  the more expensive and drawn out the process will be. The timeline will also vary, but in Vazs experience, a few months from end to end is considered speedy. Two to three years is more common for most couples in a cooperative divorce. But if the couple cant come to an agreement, theres a possibility of going to trial. In that case, the process slows to a glacial pace. Taking a divorce to trial is a necessary part of the process for some couples, but it can take between three to five years.

You and your spouses financial situation isnt the only thing that matters in terms of divorce timelines; your states laws can significantly influence how long a divorce takes. In Texas, couples must wait at least 60 days from the date of filing before a judge can finalize the divorce. Californias mandated cooling-off period is longer, extending to six months. Some states also require spouses to live separately for a set time before filing. Exceptions are often made in cases involving family or spousal violence.

Each state also has different rules on how marital property gets divided up. Without a prenuptial agreement in place, you default to your states rules on how your marital property gets split. If youre preparing to file, or even just thinking about it, reviewing your states divorce requirements can help you understand what to expect and plan accordingly.

Divorce can lead to worse financial outcomes for women

In heterosexual marriages, women tend to initiate more divorces than men. While they might be the ones to start the process, theyre also the ones who usually face a steeper financial fallout.

Heres some harsh truth: Women make less money than men. For every dollar a man makes, a woman earns just 81 cents. Compared to men, women are more likely to fall into poverty after a divorce, a study from the University of Michigan found, largely due to a steeper drop in household income. After a divorce, womens household income decreases at double the rate of mens, which the study credits to women having lower personal incomes.

The stakes are even higher for older women. Women who file for a divorce in their 50s or later  a phenomenon known as gray divorce  are five times more likely to fall into poverty relative to their female married peers. This study, also from the University of Michigan, found that divorced elderly women dont experience the same high rates of retirement that married men do at milestone ages of 62 (Social Security eligibility) and 65 (Medicare eligibility). Theyre also more reliant on their paychecks to sustain themselves, versus their retirement earnings.

No matter how you slice it, the numbers tell a similar story: a divorce doesnt just break up a household, it can also deepen the financial inequity women already face. For women staring down the barrel of a divorce, whether it was their decision or their spouses, the financial aftershock isnt a temporary setback  often, its a harsh new reality.

You might need more than a lawyer

Its reasonable to assume you need a lawyer for a divorce. But you might need more than just a lawyer. It seems counterintuitive, but more professional support might actually make the process less expensive.

Melissa Pavone, a certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA), encourages folks to consider a three-person team: a lawyer, a CDFA and a mental health specialist. A CDFA is a financial professional with one job  making sense of the money side of a divorce. They determine the value of the marital property, help clients understand the tax implications and calculate alimony and child support. You dont want to pay your lawyer $750 an hour to read your bank statements when a CDFA can do it better and cheaper, says Pavone. Vaz is also a fan of CDFAs. If you have one on your team, your time, energy and money is going to be much more well spent, she says.

Divorce ranks as the second most stressful event on the HolmesRahe Life Stress Inventory  a psychological scale that measures the impact of major life changes  outranked only by the death of a spouse. Venting to a $750-per-hour lawyer is an expensive therapy session; during whats undoubtedly a turbulent time, your mental and financial health can benefit from having a dedicated expert on your side to help you sort through it.

Divorce can be just as much of a financial reckoning as an emotional one. While theres no one way to make the process fast and stress-free, these three tips might help make the process a little easier.

Set money aside for ease of access

When youre married, your finances are comingled with your spouses. After you separate, theres a real possibility of being cut off from shared bank accounts and credit cards. If youve been thinking about getting divorced for six months or so, start to take money and put it aside in a separate account, says Vaz. This is especially prescient for women; were less likely than men to have grown our emergency savings this year, per Bankrates 2025 Annual Emergency Savings Report.

This isnt about hiding money  its about keeping access to it. Setting aside just $10 or $20 a week in your own account can help you build a small safety net and start an exit plan. Any money you move will be properly accounted for and credited to the right person during the divorce process if needed. In all my years of litigating, Ive never once seen a judge say that this is a bad idea, says Vaz. If a judge has to sign a motion because one party has no access to their money, that can clog up the process. Again, a clogged process will usually be an expensive one.

Consider a postnuptial agreement

A prenuptial agreement, commonly called a prenup, is a legal contract signed before marriage that outlines how a couples finances, property and other assets will be divided if they divorce. A postnuptial agreement, or postnup, serves the same purpose, but its created and signed after the marriage has already taken place.

Vaz says shes had couples come to her who arent necessarily planning to separate or divorce, but want to better understand their financial options. For these couples, a postnuptial agreement can provide clarity and peace of mind  establishing clear terms in advance, should they ever decide to go their separate ways. When a prenuptial agreement wasnt put in place before the wedding, a postnup can be a practical next step for protecting both partners interests.

Get organized ahead of time

Preparation is key for a faster, smoother divorce. Having bank statements, tax documents, the marriage certificate, birth certificates (if you have kids), Social Security cards, recent pay stubs, mortgage and credit card statements at the ready can help expedite the process. If youre working with a CDFA, they can let you know exactly what you need to

While it might look like just compressing a ZIP file together, getting all the information together can be emotionally taxing. Theres a lot of shame in realizing you didnt know where all your money was going, or that maybe you missed some warning signs along the way, says Pavone. A financial ally can help you move past that shame and rebuild from a place of knowledge and control.

Vaz agrees: Opening your eyes a little bit at a time is really the most powerful thing someone can do, she says. Especially women.
Turkey, Black Friday deals and flights can add up. Three people share what they spent over the Thanksgiving holiday. (Photo illustration: Victoria Ellis/Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images)

One of the best things about Thanksgiving, our great American tradition, is the myriad ways one can spend it. With family, with friends, in a restaurant, at home or in a completely different country. But with both grocery and transportation costs rising, its not so easy to decide how to (literally) spend the big day. So, what did Thanksgiving bills look like this year? For these three Americans  who asked not to use their full names  with three very different Thanksgivings, the expenses ranged from an extremely inconveniently timed broken fridge to Black Friday impulse purchases and everything in between.

MG hosted 13 people at his home, and ran into at least one hiccup.

Food: $530

We hosted 13 people and five dogs, and everyone (or, rather, all the people) brought something. We made a turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, stuffed mushrooms, sausage stuffing and baked ziti. We wanted to become Costco members beforehand, so we spent $65 on a yearly membership and bought some of our ingredients there, for a total of $161. The turkey, sausage and pancetta we got from a butcher for $75, and we got some smaller, nonbulk items like garlic, herbs and other incidentals from a local grocery store for $25. We also ordered a very expensive $114 ham and bought a coconut custard pie and a pecan pie, which were $45 each.

Alcohol: $100

We spent $80 on booze: a bottle of Titos, a bottle of Mr. Black and a bottle of Kahlua to make espresso martinis (which did not come out well, unfortunately), along with a couple of bags of ice for $20.

House decor and prep: $425

We bought a folding table and chairs from Home Depot for $150 for extra seating and then bought some additional decor, like tablecloths, tea lights and holders and new curtains for $75. We also paid $200 for a deep clean of our apartment beforehand, which we hadnt done in a while.

Refrigerator repair: $500

As we were cooking, going in and out of the fridge, I went to grab an egg and was like, Huh  that egg is not cold. I looked in the freezer, and the ice cream had gone liquid. Sure enough, the fridge wasnt working. We panicked, Googled a few companies, and ultimately went with a local business, which charged us $500 for parts, labor and two visits. He was amazing.

As she does each year, RB flew down to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with her large extended family and treated her dad to a birthday dinner.

Transportation: $470

Ive been flying to Florida for the holiday for as long as I can remember, so I make sure to plan in advance for the flights. I book them as soon as they become available, usually in March or April. Ive never tried to use points because its such a peak travel time that flights are either subject to blackout dates or require so many points that it wouldnt be worth it. Its never cheap, but I usually go on the Sunday before and leave the Friday after Thanksgiving, which helps with both the cost and the volume of people both on the plane and in the airport. It was $400 round-trip. Once I was in Florida, I got rides everywhere, but I took an Uber to and from the airport, which cost me $70 total.

Food: $458

I bought a $1 trillion water bottle at the airport (OK, it was $8). Normally, depending on what time of day it is, I might get a beer, but it was early, and I hadnt eaten anything. I was hoping to buy food, but nothing was really speaking to me, so I just had the complimentary Goldfish crackers and half a soda once I was on the plane. One of the best things about staying with family is that most of the expenses are covered by the older members of the family. But it was my dads birthday while we were there, and I did take everyone out for dinner one night. There were six of us, and the meal was $430. There were also a few times when I was out and someone asked me to pick up something from the grocery store  like milk or eggs or something  and I spent about $20 on that.

Shopping: $200

I dont do the in-person Black Friday shopping anymore, but on this trip, there was a lot of hanging around on our phones, browsing all the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday deals and asking each other if we should get the things in our carts. I got a pair of boots, leggings, shirts, a bunch of makeup and some Fire TV Sticks for my aunt, who is 80, so she can watch more television. I spent $200 on all of that.

RW and her family of four skipped out on American Thanksgiving in favor of five days of Guinness, beef stew and college tours in Ireland.

Transportation: $2,614.60

We left the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and took the subway for $2.90 each and the AirTrain for $8.25 each to get to the airport. Our round-trip flights were $575 each. When we arrived in Dublin, we took a cab to the hotel and then to the train station the next morning to make our train to Galway; both cost about $20. I prebooked those train tickets, and they were really inexpensive, like $50 for all of us. In Galway, we walked everywhere, but once we got back to Dublin, we took another cab back to the hotel for another $20. One night, my husband and I wanted to walk back from dinner, but our kids were too tired, so they took a $20 cab, and we met them back at the hotel. Then we took one more $40 cab to the airport. When we landed back in New York, our Uber was about $100 to get home.

Hotels: $1,638

We stayed in Dublin the first night; our hotel was $188. Then we had one night at a great hotel in Galway for $250, and the rest of the time was spent back in Dublin in a different hotel, which cost $1,200 for three nights.

Food and drink:$1,066

We ate amazing food and went to some incredible pubs while we were there. But first, we had a really dumb, overpriced dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the airport in New York for $125. We had a lot of time to kill, and everything else was really crowded, which is how we justified it.

We arrived in Dublin early in the morning and went for breakfast right away, which was $60. We went to a museum that day, and I got us some tea for $20. That night, for dinner, we tried to go to a few pubs that had been recommended, but they were all really crowded, so we ended up at one further afield that was the oldest pub in Dublin. We all enjoyed our meals  I had a great beef stew  and had some beers to the tune of $100 total. After dinner, we stopped into a different pub for a nightcap, which was $20.

For the train ride to Galway, we stopped into a store to buy sandwiches and snacks. I also had some snacks Id packed with me from New York. Altogether, that was $55. In Galway, we went to a fish and chips spot, where we spent $60. The next day, we were mostly on a college tour and didnt spend any money, but we were starving by the end, so we went to a Tesco [supermarket] and picked up some snacks (mostly candy) for $30 to eat in our room while we rested. That night, we went to a pizza shop and each had a $4 slice, then to the pub where Ed Sheeran shot the music video for Galway Girl. It also has a great pizza place in the back, so we got a few more slices for like $40. We ended the night listening to some trad music with the kids at a different pub, and spent about $30 on a few more drinks.

Other highlights  especially when we needed a break from Irish food  include the Sichuan food we had on two different nights for $80 apiece, and a kind of expensive Italian dinner we had in the neighborhood I lived in when I studied abroad there in college, which was about $200. Im probably leaving out some beers and cocktails too, so lets say another $150 for those.

Entertainment and shopping: $145

I wanted us to see a play while we were there, so I got us tickets in advance for $20 each, which was super-affordable. I got us some tea while we were there too for $15. The next morning, we thought about going for breakfast, but there was also a football game we wanted to see, so we just started walking and ended up passing a piercing place where my daughter got her nose pierced. It was an all-women-run place, and they were so nice. It was $50 for everything: the piercing, the jewelry and another hoop for her to switch into once its healed.

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A six-year-old boy is to take part in a charity Santa run in memory of his baby sister.

Maxwell Appleyard, from Melton, Leicestershire, is set to participate in the Loughborough Santa Run to raise money for Rainbows Hospice after his sister Lily, died there in 2022.

Lily, who was diagnosed with neonatal epilepsy, was initially given a prognosis of two years but "declined quickly" and was put into intensive care at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

She went into end-of-life care at Rainbows and died 24 hours later at just six weeks old.

Their mum, Viki Appleyard, 30, said the hospice was the first place that Lily "wasn't hooked up to machines" and the first place that Maxwell was able to hug her.

"Rainbows made a huge difference to us", Mrs Appleyard said.

"All of Lily's life was spent in hospital and she had never been outside. At Rainbows we could do as many normal things as possible."

Lily stayed in the hospice's bereavement suite after she died giving the family an "invaluable" week making memories with her.

The Appleyard family were told of her diagnosis at Leicester Royal Infirmary after coming back to the UK from a military base in Cyprus.

Mrs Appleyard said Lily could not feed, was "quite stiff" and had "restricted movement" when she born along with "a lot of very intense seizures one after the other".

"As we had to rush back from Cyprus, we didn't even have somewhere we could call our own. Rainbows gave us a home and enabled us to be a family after losing Lily," Mrs Appleyard added.

"We were able to make memories, and Maxwell sees Rainbows as a place where he spent time with his sister."

Mrs Appleyard said the family was "so proud" of their son and he was "so excited" to take part.

Maxwell and his dad Luke will join hundreds taking to the streets of Loughborough for Rainbows' Santa Run, which starts at 11:00 on Sunday.

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Former City Councilman Thomas Hally, second from right, cut the ribbon during a celebration of the completion of Idaho Falls Powers Peaking Plant at 2017 East Iona Road. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

IDAHO FALLS  Idaho Falls Power, dignitaries and members of the community gathered Thursday morning to celebrate the completion of the utility companys new Peaking Plant. The company is also celebrating its 125th anniversary.

The power plant, located at 2017 East Iona Road, is housed in a 14,600-square-foot building on a 136-acre parcel. It has seven generators, which can collectively provide 17.5 megawatts of power  enough energy to power about 13,000 homes.

The plant is designed to meet peak demand for electricity during times when the power grid is under stress. It achieves this by generating its own energy, rather than purchasing excess power from other utilities.

Power generators inside the Peaking Power Plant can collectively provide 17.5 megawatts of power, enough energy to power about 13,000 homes. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

During the open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony, project manager Alan Cunningham referenced a quote from IFPs interim General Manager Stephen Boorman to explain the plants benefits to the city.

You can choose two of the following: faster, cheaper, better. You can only choose two of them because you cant get all three, Cunningham said. As we look at this plant and how it was constructed, I believe  we did achieve all three.

Bear Prairie, who stepped down in July as IFPs general manager, also spoke at Thursdays celebration. He had the idea for the Peaking Plant in 2019.

RELATED | Idaho Falls Power general manager resigns for new job in utility industry

During a conversation with EastIdahoNews.com, he explained that Idaho Falls is leading the way on this concept because its one of the only cities in the Pacific Northwest to have a facility like this.

People are realizing its a good, practical solution (for energy shortages), Prairie says.

Prairie went into more detail about Cunninghams statement and explained why the peaking plant is a win for the city.

In 2019, an influx of people to the area put a strain on the power grid. During the winter and summer months, there were power shortfalls at certain times of day.

Additionally, there was increasing volatility in open-market energy prices, which raised concerns about costs.

Prairie says having the infrastructure in place for peak power generation helps keep costs low. It also allows the city to use its resources more effectively and continue to provide reliable power at critical times.

It gets 25, 30 below here (during the winter). Electricity is not an option. We need to make sure that we have it (and that its reliable), Prairie told Thursdays crowd.

Power generator at Peaking Power Plant | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

RELATED | Idaho Falls Power breaks ground on peaking plant, research park

The city broke ground on the peaking plant in August 2024. There were multiple reasons this particular site was selected. One of the biggest reasons is that its connected to the property where IFP built its transmission line for the new Paine substation in 2022.

RELATED | Idaho Falls Power celebrates completion of new substation and transmission line

Additionally, Prairie says it was already zoned for industrial use and had room for future growth. The Peaking Plant sits on 10 acres, but the surrounding 126 acres is reserved for expansion.

Mayor Rebecca Casper and the Idaho Falls City Council played a significant role in approving IFPs efforts to secure the land and the funding for the $36 million project.

Casper, who is in the final weeks of her third term in office, held back tears during her remarks as she saluted council members and other city employees for their efforts in this capacity.

RELATED | Hope in the future: Outgoing Idaho Falls and Ammon mayors reflect on tenure, runoff election and future

This is one of the last major projects for the city under her leadership. When asked why this is such an emotional occasion for her, Casper started to cry as she spoke of the dedicated people who live in and work for the city.

You cant help but look at a room filled with people who are that committed and not feel privileged to be (among them), Casper says. Im proud of them, and Im proud to be associated with them.

Entrance to the Peaking Plant on Iona Road. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

A 125-year legacy of power generation

The 125th anniversary of Idaho Falls Power was another reason for the gathering on Thursday.

The city became the first in the state to own its own power plant in 1900. Joseph Clark, an electrical engineer who was serving as mayor at the time, was instrumental in its creation.

He (Clark) went to the East Coast and saw that some cities were starting to add electrification (in place) of gas or oil street lamps. He thought, we have (this capability). There are canals and some areas where theres a drop in elevation. Why dont we install our own hydro-turbine?

The first power plant was built along a diversion canal that stretched from the Snake River above Idaho Falls to 10th Street and Boulevard, according to historical records. It became operational on October 22, 1900, and was initially used to power streetlights.

Mayor Joseph Clark, left, was instrumental in the creation of the citys first hydroelectric dam in 1900. | Photo on left courtesy Post Register, photo on right courtesy Idaho Falls Power

Two years later, the city began selling power to residents and business owners.

Years later, Clarks son, Barzilla Clark, who also served as mayor and later governor, was instrumental in the construction of the hydroelectric dam on the waterfall in downtown  the citys most distinguishing feature.

RELATED | How an Idaho Falls Democrat became the states 16th governor and started a political dynasty

More than a century later, Prairie says Idaho Falls Power continues to build on that early vision by harnessing the Snake River to provide customers the lowest rates and the best reliability in the nation.

I think its very apropos to have the 125th anniversary landing at the same time were opening a new generation facility, Prairie says. It pays homage to that legacy of being forward thinking and taking care of the community that started with that first canal hydro project in 1900.

Building that houses the generators for the Peaking Power Plant | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

The post Idaho Falls Power celebrates completion of new Peaking Plant and 125 years of service appeared first on East Idaho News.
Kristi Noem Announces Travel Ban On More Than 30 Countries (Screenshot/Fox News)

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a sweeping new travel ban Thursday, blocking entry from more than 30 countries.

In June, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation barring entry from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, citing inadequate security measures and elevated terrorism risks. Appearing on The Ingraham Angle, Noem said the list has expanded to more than 30 countries.

I wont be specific on the number, but its over 30. And the President is continuing to evaluate countries, Noem told host Laura Ingraham. Listen, if they dont have a stable government there, if they dont have a country that can sustain itself and tell us who those individuals are and help us vet them, why should we allow people from that country to come here to the United States?

WATCH:

Reuters previously reported that the Trump administration is weighing a plan to bar citizens of 36 additional countries from entering the United States. The Trump administration said the restrictions aim to push foreign governments to cooperate on security and to ensure that travelers from high-risk countries do not pose threats to U.S. public safety or national security.

Trump imposed the new restrictions in response to what he called escalating threats from nationals of high-risk countries, pointing to the arrest of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an illegal migrant who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration and attacked a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colo.

The Boulder assault came fewer than two weeks after 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez fatally shot Israeli embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington, D.C., then shouted free Palestine as officers took him into custody. (RELATED: Kristi Noem Brags That More Foreigners Are Becoming Citizens Than Ever Before)

The DHS office did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundations request for comment.

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Questions have been raised about the ethics of sourcing real whalebones [Getty Images]

Plans to replace Whitby's famous Whale Bone Arch are facing a number of logistical and ethical obstacles, a council has said.

The feature, which is one the town's "most enjoyed landmarks", has stood at the top of West Cliff for more than 170 years, but despite being replaced in 2002 the structure is deteriorating.

Replacing the bones, however, has presented a series of challenges, including how to source and transport a fresh set from North America, but also whether or not to use real or replica bones.

Whitby Town Council hasa sked North Yorkshire Council to undertake "urgent investigations" and to provide options for replacement, refurbishment, and alternatives such as imitation bones.

The last replacement bones came from Whitby's twin town of Barrow in Alaska after a worldwide appeal, from a whale that was killed legally by native Inuit in 1996, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Chris Bourne, North Yorkshire Council's head of harbours, who was involved in procuring the existing bones 25 years ago, said he is in communication with the mayor's office in Anchorage, Alaska, over the possibility of procuring a new set.

He said that Alaskan authorities "are currently trying to speak to those involved previously at North Slope Borough (Barrow)."

However, he added: "It would be likely the bones would be in a very remote location on the Arctic ice shelf and there would have to be a willingness for the residents to recover and move them to a suitable location."

The original structure was erected around 1853 [Getty Images]

The bones would then require thorough cleaning before a logistics company would carry them on an aircraft, and the "biggest hurdle", according to the council, would be gaining the right permission to import the bones to the UK.

The species, Balaena Mystecitus, is protected under CITES regulation, which led to a "lengthy, time-consuming process" last time.

In addition to logistical and transport issues, ethical questions have also been raised about using the bones of an endangered species.

A North Yorkshire Council said: "There is greater concern globally about hunting and it is somewhat less socially acceptable to display real bones."

As a result Whitby Town Council has been recommended to consider alternatives such as the use of imitation whale bones, which would "now be more fitting" alongside an information board.

At a town council meeting in September 2024, members of the public highlighted the poor condition of the whale bones and the urgent need for maintenance.

However the council said it has not received any further response on the availability of whalebones from Alaska, but is "chasing the issue".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted the Municipality of Anchorage and Mayor Suzanne LaFrance for comment.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

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The University of Delaware student busted with a huge cache of guns, body armor and a notebook filled with alleged plans to shoot up his school is an Afghan national who spent time as a refugee in Pakistan before immigrating to the US, officials told The Post.

Luqmaan Khan, 25, was born in Afghanistan, then fled at some point to Pakistan where he lived as a refugee for a few years, the Pakistani embassy told The Post. He then came to the US, where he became a citizen.

Luqmaan Khan, 25 was busted with a cache of guns, body armor and a notebook loaded with alleged mass shooting plans. New Castle County Police

US officials first reported that Khan was a Pakistani immigrant, which the nations embassy has since refuted.

It remains unclear at what age he came to the US, but Delaware police told The Post he was a youth at the time, while Pakistani official said he lived most of his life in America.

Khan was arrested just before midnight on Nov. 24 after cops found him siting in his truck in a closed public park. When officers tried to speak with him he refused to engage, prompting a search of his vehicle.

What they allegedly found inside was terrifying: a handgun, several 27-round magazines, body armor, and a contraption that could convert the pistol to a semi automatic rifle, according to the US Attorneys Office for the District of Delaware.

There was also a marble notebook filled with detailed plans to shoot up the campus police department at the University of Delaware, where Khan was an undergraduate student.

The weapons and cops found in Khans car. AP

The notebook also had phrases like kill all  martyrdom, while Khan allegedly later told cops that becoming a martyr was one of the greatest things you can do.

And the alarming findings continued when they searched his home.

An AR-style rifle fixed with a red-dot scope was inside the Wilmington house, along with a second pistol which was also fitted with a device allowing it to fire as a fully automatic machine gun.

Nearly a dozen other extended  and loaded  ammunition magazines were found, along with more body armor.

None of those guns were registered.

He remains behind bars and is currently charged with illegally possessing a machinegun as the investigation continues.
Cherie Townsend looks up and pauses while speaking at a news conference at the offices of Haysbert Moultrie, LLP in the U.S. Bank Tower in October 2018 in Los Angeles. (Los Angeles Times)

A mother of two was convicted Thursday of the 2018 stabbing and killing of a retired nurse in what prosecutors said was a robbery attempt to pay for the assailant's daughter to attend a cheerleading competition.

Cherie Lynnette Townsend, 47, was found guilty of murdering Susan Leeds, 66, an attack that took place in the parking lot of in a Rolling Hills Estates mall. Officials said Leeds was stabbed 17 times shortly after noon on May 3.

Investigators tested blood and DNA in and outside of Leeds' white Mercedes SUV, but it was Townsend's cellphone  found by deputies underneath the vehicle  that led to Townsend's arrest.

Thursday's conviction brought an end to a seven-year legal ordeal. In public comments, in criminal court, and in a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Townsend insisted she was innocent in the brutal slaying, claiming she had been unfairly targeted and arrested in the crime.

Townsend was initially arrested in May 2018 but released six days later, after prosecutors asked investigators for additional evidence.

While the investigation continued, Townsend sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in October 2018, alleging false imprisonment, defamation, racial discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

I live my life in hiding, afraid that the police are going to come or that Im gonna be unjustly targeted like I was before, Townsend said during a news conference at the time.

Read more:Yale professor says she was raised by mom's killer. It took 40 years for an arrest in California

But Townsend was rearrested and charged in August 2023, leading to her conviction Thursday. Her federal lawsuit against the Sheriff's Department was dismissed.

In court, Townsend's public defender, Elizabeth Landgraf, argued that no direct evidence linked Townsend to the killing, such as DNA, fingerprints, witnesses or video.

Ilene Louie, a criminologist for the Sheriff's Department, testified that investigators collected and tested DNA and multiple blood samples that were found inside and just outside of Leeds' SUV.

Blood found in and around the car matched Leeds' profile, but the samples did not match Townsend's DNA, according to reports presented in court.

The blood samples also did not match a homeless man who had been originally detained in the killing. Blood that was found in that man's jeans, Louie testified, did not match Leeds' DNA profile.

But underneath the car, investigators found Townsend's cellphone, which had traces of DNA that matched Townsend's.

According to the criminal complaint, Townsend had been looking for ways to come up with $2,000 to send her daughter and two of her friends to a cheerleading competition in Florida.

Read more:Matthew Perrys 'Dr. P' sentenced to prison for supplying actor with ketamine before death

Deputy Dist. Atty. Paul Thompson said in his opening statement that Townsend had considered starting a GoFundMe account but decided against it, thinking it might embarrass her daughter, the Daily Breeze reported.

Prosecutors also pointed to Google searches found on her phone, including a search to see if Walmart checked IDs for credit card purchases, the Daily Breeze reported. Prosecutors also presented as evidence a note she had written on her phone that read, "In this moment, I am completely broken," because she was unable to come up with the money for her daughter's competition.

As prosecutors showed images from inside the SUV where blood and DNA were collected, some friends and relatives of Leeds covered their eyes and began to cry quietly in the court. Leeds' body, still in the driver's seat of the SUV with her hands on her lap, could be seen in some of the images.

Townsend is expected back in court Jan. 23 for sentencing.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Fujifilm Business Innovation (BI) Australia division Fujifilm IT Services has earned the Microsoft Solutions Partner designation for security, reinforcing its commitment to helping customers utilise security tech.

The designation is given to partners that meet Microsofts uppermost standards for technical capability, customer success and ongoing skilling.

It also bolsters Fujifilm IT Services stance as a provider that holds experience in implementing Microsofts security technologies, including threat protection, identity and access management, information protection and compliance solutions.

Fujifilm BI Australia general manager of business solutions Jason Wornham said security is at the heart of every digital transformation project the provider delivers.

Cyber security can no longer be treated as a separate stream of work  it must be embedded in the way businesses operate, he said. This recognition from Microsoft reflects the strength of our team, our capability and our dedication to helping customers stay ahead of modern threats.

Fujifilm IT Services Security designation joins the ranks of its existing credentials of Infrastructure (Azure) and Modern Work (SMB).
Today's headlines: Israel's 2026 budget includes record spending on arms and defence (while it continues to bomb Lebanon); The weather emergency continues in Sri Lanka, with more rain forecast; Taipei temporarily blocks access to a Chinese app for online fraud; In India, airports are in chaos and over 1,200 flights have been cancelled due to the grounding of the national airline IndiGo; Kazakhstan passes a law punishing women who wear the niqab.

INDONESIA

The authorities in Bali, a popular holiday destination in Indonesia, want to ban Airbnb in an attempt to curb uncontrolled tourism from around the world, which is reaching record numbers but risks suffocating the island. In recent years, private home rentals have exploded, eroding the revenues of hotels and traditional accommodation providers. In addition, the proliferation of unregistered villas and guesthouses hinders the government's ability to collect revenue to fund public services.

ISRAEL - LEBANON

Israel continues its arms race: the 2026 defence budget has just been set at 112 billion shekels (27.5 billion), a significant increase on the original estimate of 90 billion shekels. Minister Israel Katz and his Finance colleague Bezalel Smotrich have agreed on the spending framework, while the executive has begun discussions on next year's budget, which must be approved by March to avoid new elections. Meanwhile, yesterday, the Israeli army bombed southern Lebanon again, hitting two towns, despite ongoing talks between the leaders of the two countries.

SRI LANKA

The emergency caused by bad weather in Sri Lanka shows no sign of abating, with new heavy rains falling over much of the country in recent days, hampering rescue operations for the population already devastated by the recent floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Hundreds of victims have been reported so far, in addition to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. More than 130 mm of rain fell in the south of the island yesterday, with heavier downpours expected today in the southern and south-western areas.

TAIWAN - CHINA

Taipei will temporarily block access to the popular Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu after detecting hundreds of cases of online shopping fraud. The Instagram-like platform, known as RedNote in English, was launched in Shanghai in 2013 and has hundreds of millions of monthly users. More than three million users in Taiwan will be unable to use it after authorities found 1,706 cases of fraud since 2024, with losses exceeding 7.9 million. The decision has sparked protests from the pro-Beijing opposition.

INDIA

Several airports across the country were in chaos yesterday after the largest national airline, IndiGo, cancelled at least 1,232 flights, grounding thousands of passengers. The company behind the disruption cited unforeseen obstacles including technical problems, adverse weather conditions and new rules for workers. In reality, the problems have persisted since the beginning of the week, with angry passengers venting their anger and discontent on social media over cancellations and delays.

KAZAKHSTAN

The Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, has approved in its second reading a bill On the prevention of crimes that introduces fines for women wearing a niqab or other clothing that covers the face, preventing identification in public spaces. The ban was first introduced in the summer, but the new amendments formalise its application through administrative measures. Garments such as hijabs, sheilas and khimars, which do not cover the face, are permitted.

TURKEY

Five Turkish companies are among the top 100 global arms manufacturers, according to the latest report published by Sipri in Stockholm, which records record revenues of 9 billion in 2024, up 5.9% on the previous year. Turkish companies recorded a total turnover of .1 billion, up 11% on 2023. Four of the companies are state-controlled, while one, drone manufacturer Baykar, is a private company.

RUSSIA

According to the Russian statistics institute Rosstat, after stagnation in September, there was a 3% growth in Russia's industrial production, which made it possible to address the budget deficit. However, the increase is due to the production of weapons and ammunition, while the civil sector, according to the Centre for Macroeconomic Analysis, is sinking deeper and deeper into recession, as all economic forecast parameters also confirm.

ARMENIA

The Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Karekin II, has reduced another priest, Fr. Tade Takhmazyan, vicar of the province of Talin, to the lay state, making the internal split within the Armenian clergy increasingly dramatic. He is said to have discredited ecclesiastical structures and carried out anti-ecclesiastical actions by concelebrating liturgies with other suspended priests in the presence of Prime Minister Nikol Pasinyan.
Several graves in the Christian cemetery in Harmota, a village in Koya District, were broken into and headstones smashed. Who carried out the attack and why remain unknown. Anger and indignation are high among the faithful. For Cardinal Sako, such an act is morally and religiously unacceptable. Missiles were fired at a gas field in late November.

Erbil (AsiaNews)  Recently, a Christian cemetery was desecrated in Harmota, a village in Koya District, Iraqi Kurdistan, with headstones smashed and graves broken into. So far nothing is known as who the perpetrators might be.

Following the incident, the Chaldean Patriarchate issued a statement strongly condemning the sacrilegious act against Iraqi Christians. It was signed by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, and sent to AsiaNews.

In it, the head of the Chaldean Church slammed the attack on the Christian cemetery, noting that such a criminal attack on the dead is morally and religiously unacceptable."

"We Christians have already paid a high price for conflicts in which we are not involved, reads the statement. We demand that Kurdistan regional authorities conduct a thorough and professional investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice, so that they receive their just punishment.

Patriarch Sako's call for justice joins the chorus of indignation and condemnation of the attack on a sacred site, in an area where Christians and mostly Kurdish Muslims have lived peacefully.

In recent weeks, the Iraqi Kurdistan region has seen attacks and violence, from rockets fired at the Khor Mor gas field to protests forcibly quelled in the Erbil area, which resulted in several casualties.

We want to assure Christians," the statement from the Chaldean Patriarchate adds, "that they are protected and safe; otherwise, a new wave of emigration will begin.

More than a hundred Christian families live in Harmota and approximately 60 in the centre of Koya, for a total of over 700 people.

Harmota represents approximately 9 per cent of Koya's population; the district has two churches, the largest of which is Maryam Pakiza.

"We have faith that the regional government will deliver justice and punish those behind this heinous crime, Cardinal Sako says at the end of the statement.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has also condemned the desecration of at least a dozen tombs in the Christian cemetery in Harmota, Koya District, in the eastern province of Erbil, which sparked anger and indignation among local Christians.

At present, there is no information about who was carried out the attack and why.

The office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani released a statement condemning a "destructive and inappropriate act" against "our Christian brothers and sisters. The statement goes on to say that "necessary investigations will be launched to identify and punish the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, dismay and concern are spreading among the local Christian population.

A large number of graves have been vandalized, some with hammers, others with different tools, and several graves were left uncovered, said Hawzhin Silewa, a Christian community member and lecturer at Koya University, speaking to Rudaw, a Kurdish media outlet.

Given the extent of the damage, it was likely carried out by more than one person. We do not know who did this or why, he added.

After the attack, some community representatives gathered at the cemetery to express their outrage. They are not alone. The attack prompted widespread condemnation from religious, political, and civic leaders and groups.

The Assyrian Democratic Movement (ZOWAA) said that attack represents a new link in a chain of similar incidents that Christian cemeteries and sacred sites have faced in recent years in several areas of the region, including Shaqlawa, Tel Keppe, Zakho, and Simele.

The group added that such acts reflect extremist ideas hostile to religious and ethnic diversity and undermine the very foundations of civil peace in the region.

In fact, the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah, also in Kurdistan, came under attack as well, triggering a power outage and subsequent damage to vital structures in the region, raising deep concern, as well as causing serious inconvenience to civilians.

For Cardinal Sako, commenting on this incident, These senseless attacks and these demonstrations of force only complicate the situation in Iraq and do not solve the problems.

The Khor Mor gas field is the main source of liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas used for electricity generation in the Kurdistan Region.

According to Ministry of Electricity spokesperson Omid Ahmad, the overnight attack on 26 November cut power output by 80 per cent.

The field, located in Chamchamal District, is operated by Pearl Petroleum, a consortium of Dana Gas and Crescent, which is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang, the episcopal ordination of Bishop Li Jainlin took place this morning, the second bishop elected during the recent sede vacante. The appointment was approved by Leo XIV in accordance with the Sino-Vatican accord, following the "resignation" of underground bishop Zhang Weizhu (who was arrested several times for refusing to join official bodies). Meanwhile, in Xuchang, the faithful found their church padlocked for allowing minors to enter it.

Milan (AsiaNews)  A new bishop was consecrated in Henan under the Agreement between the Holy See and the government of the People's Republic of China, quietly replacing his predecessor, an underground bishop who was arrested several times for refusing to submit to the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.

This development coincides with the forced closure of a church in the same province, with a heavy padlock now barring its doors, all this for daring to violate the provision prohibiting anyone under 18 from attending services.

The new episcopal appointment in China was announced by the Holy See on the same day that the episcopal ordination ceremony took place in the historic church in Weihui, in northern Henan Province.

It must be seen against a complex background. Mgr Francis Li Jainlin is now the new bishop of the apostolic prefecture of Xinxiang, a region well known to PIME missionaries who ministered in Henan for more than 80 years, until their expulsion by Mao's regime in the early 1950s, a place where the seed of the Gospel has borne fruit, despite persecution.

With today's ordination, the second episcopal election undertaken in China during the sede vacante following the death of Pope Francis has been completed. As AsiaNews reported at the time, while churches around the world paused in prayer for the pontiff and awaited his successor, in China, Communist Party-controlled Church bodies insisted that everything proceed as planned.

Thus, on 29 April, the clergy in Xinxiang were convened to elect as bishop, Father Li Jianlin, a priest "loyal" to the official party line; while the day before, in Shanghai, Father Ignatius Wu Janlin was elected auxiliary bishop, later formally appointed by Leo XIV on 11 August and consecrated on 15 October.

According to todays announcement by the Vatican Press Office, on 11 August, Pope Leo appointed the new Apostolic Prefect of Xinxiang, having approved his candidature in accordance with the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the Peoples Republic of China, and having accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same Apostolic Prefecture presented by Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu.

This last reference is noteworthy. From the perspective of Canon Law, the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang was not without a bishop. In fact, as early as 1991, when this Church in northern Henan was beginning to rebuild after the terrible years of the Cultural Revolution, a bishop had been designated in the person of a young priest, Father Zhang Weizhu, now 67.

His ordination had been approved by Rome, but not by Beijing, due to his refusal to join the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA). To prevent Bishop Zhang Weizhu him from carrying out ministry, local authorities restricted his freedom on several occasions for considerable periods of time, while cracking down on his pastoral activities.

The most sensational action was a police raid in May 2021 that dismantled an underground seminary that the prelate had set up in Hebei for those who wanted to prepare for the priesthood without joining the official bodies controlled by the Communist Party of China.

Bishop Li Shan of Beijing, who chairs the CCPA and is deputy chairman of the Chinese Bishops' Council (the collegial body not officially recognised by the Holy See), led the ordination of Bishop Li Jianlin this morning in the church of Weihui.

The other bishops of Henan concelebrated: Bishop Wang Yuesheng of Zhengzhou, Bishop Zhang Yinlin of Anyang, and Bishop Jin Lugang of Nanyang.

The secretary, Father Yang Fu, read the letter of approval from the Chinese Bishops' Council, which  as always  makes no mention of the pope's assent, in accordance with the principle of the "autonomy" of the Church in China.

Furthermore, the report on the ordination carried by chinacatholic.cn, the website of the CCPA, makes no mention of Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu at all, nor (obviously) does the prelate appear in the photograph of the people who participated in the celebration, all gathered together in front of the church.

This is an eloquent sign of how Bishop Zhangs resignation, made in obedience to the will of the Holy See, is being presented to the faithful of the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang: no communion, only the proclamation of the Party's "victory" over the underground communities.

The new bishop, Mgr Li Jianlin, was born on 9 July 1975, in Huixian, Henan Province. He studied philosophy and theology at the Catholic Major Seminary of Hebei and was ordained a priest in 1999 by the then Bishop Nicholas Shi Jingxian of Shangqiu.

In December 2011, the CCPA appointed him deputy director and general secretary of the Committee for Catholic Ecclesiastical Affairs in Henan Province.

In this capacity, together with the current bishop of the provincial capital, Zhengzhou, Bishop Wang Yuesheng, he signed a circular in 2018 for Henan Province that, in the name of Party regulations on education, bans all minors under 18 from entering churches, one of the most blatant forms of denial of religious freedom in China today, as well as a very concrete way of hindering the transmission of the faith.

In Henan, this is far from a theoretical ban. Proof of this is what happened just a few days before the aforementioned ordination, in Xuchang, a city in the same province located about a hundred kilometres south of Weihui.

On 2 December, the faithful of a local Catholic community found the door of their church was padlocked, with an official note.

"It has been verified," it reads, "that on 30 November 2025, the Catholic Church on Hupin Road violated relevant regulations by allowing minors to enter the church and play musical instruments. This incident constitutes a violation of the requirements governing the management of places of worship. In accordance with the applicable guiding provisions, your church is therefore ordered to suspend its activities for full rectification.

The note carries the seal of the CCPA and the Church Affairs Committee (the office headed by the newly elected Bishop Li Janlin). Even police intervention is no longer necessary, as clergymen directly ensure that children are not allowed in a church. This is the situation in which Catholics in Henan find themselves today.
In his first visit to New Delhi since 2021, Vladimir Putin announced an economic cooperation plan with India between now and 2030. India has been trying to balance relations between the United States, which has imposed heavy tariffs, and Russia, which remains the country's leading arms supplier. No new defence contracts were signed, but the two sides inked energy, nuclear power, shipbuilding, and labour deals, to reach US$ 100 billion in bilateral trade a year.

New Delhi (AsiaNews)  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today expanded bilateral trade and closer diplomatic relations, ignoring pressure from the United States, which has been trying to split New Delhi off from Moscow with threats, at least in the area of trade.

Putin landed in New Delhi yesterday where he was warmly welcomed by Modi. This is Putin's first visit to India since 2021 and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and it comes against a backdrop of a delicate geopolitical realignment.

In recent months, India has moved away from the United States, which has imposed high tariffs on Indian goods after repeatedly demanding that it stop buying Russian oil.

Trump accused India of financing Russia's war in Ukraine and imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, already hit by 50 per cent duties, an issue Indian negotiators are still working on.

Although several Indian oil companies have reduced their purchases of Russian crude, after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, a third of India's oil imports still comes from Russia.

Modi has tried to balance pressure from the United States, its largest trading partner, and Russia, which remains Indias main arms supplier alongside the United States, France, and Israel.

India has traditionally sought to maintain a policy of non-alignment and a certain strategic autonomy, partly to avoid favouring closer relations between Russia and China, India's longtime rival.

However, in response to US pressure, India recently reopened diplomatic channels with China. And now Modi does not seem to mind tying his country more closely economically to Russia in response to US tariffs.

During their meeting, Modi and Putin agreed to diversify bilateral trade ties beyond oil and defence. In fact, Russia plans to import more Indian goods to boost trade to US$ 100 billion by 2030.

Modi reiterated the importance of the partnership between the two countries. Speaking at a press conference, he said, we have agreed on an economic cooperation programme for the period up to 2030. This will make our trade and investment more diversified, balanced, and sustainable:

Ignoring US threats, Putin said that Russia would continue to ensure "uninterrupted fuel supplies" to India.

The Leaders underlined that India-Russia ties have remained resilient in the backdrop of the prevailing complex, challenging and uncertain geopolitical situation, reads a joint statement.

Yesterday, in an interview with India Today, Putin reiterated that trade in energy is running smoothly, adding that plans to build India's largest nuclear power plant, in Kudankulam, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, continue.

"Two of six units are already connected to the grid and four are under construction," Putin said. "Once fully operational, it will make a major contribution to Indias clean and affordable energy needs."

India has set a goal of producing 100 GW of nuclear power by 2070, more than tenfold over its current capacity.

No major defence deals were announced (Modi reiterated that India "stood on the side of peace since the start of the Ukraine war), but agreements on shipbuilding and minerals were signed, underscoring the importance of trade.

The joint statement clearly demonstrates that the two countries want to increase bilateral trade, which is currently running at more than US$ 60 billion annually.

It is also important to remember that India's arms imports from Russia went from 72 per cent in the 20102014 period to 36 per cent in the 20202024 period, another sign of India's desire to maintain a certain strategic independence and avoid being militarily tied to Russia, at least for the time being.

New Delhi and Moscow have also agreed to facilitate the immigration of Indians to Russia for work, along with the establishment of new Indian consulates in Russia (while the United States is complicating work visa procedures for hundreds of thousands of Indians employed primarily in the tech industries).

The two countries also plan to create a joint venture for fertiliser production in Russia, and to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, and maritime transportation.

For his part, Putin announced that the Russia Today network would open offices in India to broadcast objective information on what is happening in the country.

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According to the UNODC, poppy cultivation areas have increased by 17% in one year, especially in Shan State. Cannabis cultivation is also on the rise in Sagaing, now the epicentre of the resistance. While some areas are returning to junta control thanks to conscription and drones supplied by Russia and China, instability continues and international criticism of the elections announced by the military continues.

Yangon (AsiaNews) - Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar has reached its highest level in 10 years, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) announced in recent days, publishing its latest report on the subject.

Over the past year, there has been a 17% increase in cultivated areas, with the cultivated area rising from 45,200 hectares to 53,100 hectares. This increase has remained constant since the 2021 coup and during the ensuing civil war, but it is also becoming less significant as the conflict worsens, with production actually increasing by only 1% compared to last year.

Increases in cultivation have occurred in several areas of Myanmar, but especially in Shan State, where 88% of poppy cultivation is located. According to UN experts, the current trajectory is likely to continue in the coming years.

Opium poppy cultivation is closely linked to the ongoing conflict, with no end in sight. Small farmers in mountainous areas are increasingly turning to opium because it is a much more profitable commodity than other crops. However, this has opened up greater trading opportunities for drug traffickers.

The illegal drug trade is an activity in which several groups are involved, including some of the ethnic militias fighting against the military junta.

For the first time, satellite data has also been used to map the Sagaing region, located in the centre of the country, which before 2021 had been unaffected by armed conflict because it was inhabited mainly by people of Bamar ethnicity and Buddhist faith.

In the last four years, however, it has seen a sharp increase in violence and is now one of the epicentres of resistance to the regime. According to the UNODC report, there are at least 552 hectares of land cultivated with opium poppies here.

Confirming this trend, the opposition newspaper The Irrawaddy reports that cannabis cultivation is also on the rise in some villages in the Sagaing region, areas traditionally devoted to the cultivation of rice, beans, betel and cotton.

"Planting 1,000 betel trees costs about 3 million kyat, but the market price is only 20,000 kyat per viss. In contrast, cannabis costs only 3,000-3,500 kyat per plant, and one viss of dried leaves and buds can fetch up to 800,000 kyat," explained a farmer from Myinmu. A viss is a local unit of measurement equivalent to just over 1.5 kilograms.

Several areas have returned to the control of the Burmese junta in recent months: the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), one of the country's main ethnic militias, has handed back Mongmit and the surrounding areas, where some important ruby mines in Shan State are located, to the military junta as part of a deal brokered by China.

But according to a report by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, based in Singapore, several territories in Kachin and Kayin states have also returned to army control thanks to the imposition of compulsory conscription (which has recruited 80,000 men since last year) and the massive use of drones, deployed with foreign support, particularly from China and Russia.

The increasingly close military relations with Russia, which date back to the Cold War, may have contributed to the knowledge of combined warfare and effective tactics using drones, learned from Russia during the invasion of Ukraine, the report says.

The exiled National Unity Government (NUG), which brings together parliamentarians who were part of the previous executive led by Aung San Suu Kyi, reported that 148 people were killed in bombings carried out by the junta in November alone.

Kachin is also considered an important area because it is home to several rare earth mines that the army trades with China. According to the ISP-Myanmar think tank, between January and September this year, China imported more than 52,000 tonnes of rare earths, 53% of which came from Myanmar.

Despite this, some experts point out that the army only controls about 20-30% of Myanmar's territory, and it seems unlikely that it will be able to return to governing the entire country in the short term.

This is one of the reasons why several international bodies continue to criticise the military's plan to hold elections, scheduled in several stages starting on 28 December, and have urged the army to focus on resolving the conflict.
5 December 2025 17:11 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

For nearly three decades, the former Garabagh conflict was trapped in a cycle of meetings, proposals, and mediations that led nowhere. The OSCE Minsk Group convened countless sessions, yet the occupied territories remained under foreign control, and Azerbaijans sovereignty hung in limbo. When Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently released archival documents from these negotiations, Maria Zakharovas criticism highlighted a technical breach of protocol. But beyond ethics, the files expose a deeper truth: the mediation process itself was ineffective, and the long stalemate required pragmatic action on the ground to restore justice.

The statement by Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, regarding Armenias release of OSCE archival documents has sparked renewed discussion about the Garabagh peace process. Zakharova criticized the Armenian government for publishing working documents and correspondence of the Minsk Group without consulting other parties, calling it a violation of diplomatic norms and a threat to the atmosphere of trust built over the years.

While Zakharovas point is valid in terms of procedural etiquette, it cannot overshadow the more fundamental issue: the OSCE Minsk Groups long record of ineffectiveness. Established in 1992, the Minsk Group held numerous meetings and facilitated countless proposals, including the package plan, phased solutions, and the 5+2 formula. Yet, decades of negotiations failed to restore Azerbaijans territorial integrity. Russia, as a co-founder and permanent co-chair, was deeply involved in this system, sharing responsibility for the repeated inability to secure results.

The recently published archives reveal the real dynamics of these negotiations. They include correspondence, analytical reports, internal notes, and letters, among which a particularly telling document is the 2016 letter from Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to Vladimir Putin. Following the April 2016 clashes, Sargsyan acknowledged Armenias strategic impasse and the irreversible shift in the balance of power favoring Azerbaijan. His letter underscores how Armenia sought to preserve the status quo rather than pursue genuine compromise, viewing the Minsk Group not as a neutral mediator but as a tool to leverage pressure against Baku.

This evidence confirms that the conflicts prolonged nature was not due to the absence of diplomacy but to the inefficiency and bias of the mediation process. Meetings and consultations, numbering in the dozens over the years, rarely led to concrete action. Resolutions were delayed, proposals were diluted, and the status quo of occupation persisted. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan pursued a pragmatic strategy: building its economic and military potential, asserting its legal rights internationally, and maintaining diplomatic discipline until the opportunity arose to restore its territories decisively.

The 44-day war in 2020 and subsequent anti-terrorist operations broke the cycle of endless talks. The conflicts resolution demonstrated that facts on the ground, backed by strategic planning, ultimately shaped the diplomatic process. The parties faced losses once again, and blood was shed; however, the ongoing conflict found a pragmatic and factual solution. The Armenian leadership has accepted this, regardless of how difficult it was initially. Today, the peace agreement that has been initialled reflects this reality. The result is clear: the peace treaty has already been initialled, and the status quo has long been dire; the progress is on the rails of success. The OSCE Minsk Group, despite decades of activity, could not achieve what decisive action accomplished in mere weeks.

Zakharovas criticism, therefore, highlights a tension between procedure and results. The ethical breach of publishing archives exists on paper, yet the documents reveal the incompetence that allowed the conflict to remain unresolved for decades. The Garabagh case illustrates a vital lesson: diplomacy without tangible outcomes is ineffectual. Long-standing international mechanisms, no matter how well-intentioned, cannot replace strategy, patience, and pragmatic measures when national sovereignty is at stake.

In the end, the resolution of the Garabagh conflict stands as both a legal and practical vindication of Azerbaijans approach. It underscores that while mediation is valuable, it must be coupled with action, strategic foresight, and the willingness to assert rights on the ground. The OSCE Minsk Groups failures serve as a cautionary tale, and the archival revelations demonstrate that transparency, even when uncomfortable, can expose truths that negotiations alone often obscure.
5 December 2025 18:22 (UTC+04:00)

The mobile operator supports young engineers at RobotChallenge competition

Azercell continues to support initiatives to foster innovation and strengthen technology skills among youth in Azerbaijan. The mobile operator has become the official sponsor of the International Robot Olympiad (RobotChallenge) in the country, one of the worlds largest and most prestigious robotics competitions. As part of this collaboration, Azercell will support the organization of the national qualifying round, scheduled for 2026.

Registration for the competition is open until February 18, 2026, for the Programming stage (online), and until March 25, 2026, for the Robotics stage.

This global technology festival has brought together thousands of young engineers and programmers from over 80 countries since 2004. The project aims to cultivate interest in robotics, identify schoolchildren with strong STEAM skills, and prepare them for international-level competitions. Teams achieving the highest scores in the national selection round will represent Azerbaijan at the global finals in China.

Students and teams interested in joining RobotChallenge 2026 can find detailed information and apply at www.robotchallenge.az .
5 December 2025 18:30 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), a part of AZCON Holding, has launched a new digital service called DAFAR (Disruption Assistance For Any Reason), offering passengers protection against unexpected changes in flight schedules.

The service aims to provide timely assistance in cases such as delays or cancellations.

DAFAR is available as an optional add-on during the ticket booking process on AZALs official website and mobile app. The solution has been introduced in partnership with HTS (Hopper Technology Solutions), a leading global travel technology platform.

The service is offered for an additional fee, with the cost depending on the route. Once activated, the system automatically monitors the status of the flight. If a flight is delayed by 2 hours or more, or cancelled on the day of travel, the passenger receives a notification and is offered:

 Rebooking on any airline operating the same route, within a set limit, at no extra cost;

 A 100% refund of the ticket price, while still allowing the passenger to continue their journey on the original AZAL flight if they wish.

Commenting on the launch, Jamil Manizade, Chief Commercial Officer of Azerbaijan Airlines, said:

This partnership will allow us to drive customer loyalty and provide a more responsive service to our passengers.

Dakota Smith, President and Co-Founder of Hopper and HTS, added:

We are proud to partner with Azerbaijan Airlines to service more customers in Eurasia. With our fintech ancillaries, we are offering a solution that adds significant value to passengers.

HTS is a leading global travel technology platform, uses its data advantage and AI-driven travel technology to help partners address modern traveler needs. The company has developed several unique fintech ancillaries that address everything from pricing volatility to trip disruptions. Working with the world's leading banks, airlines and travel providers, HTS supercharges its partners direct channels with its travel fintech and e-commerce products.
5 December 2025 16:50 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan State Film Fund has hosted a commemorative evening marking the 110th anniversary of renowned theater and film actor, People's Artist Mammadrza Sheikhzamanov, Azernews reports.

The event featured a photo exhibition showcasing his vibrant life and diverse artistic career.

Mammadrza Sheikhzamanov (19151990) was a central figure in Azerbaijani theater and cinema during the 20th century.

Appearing in numerous films and stage productions, he was celebrated for his charisma, expressive performances, and significant contributions to dubbing. His artistry earned him deep admiration from audiences.

The evening opened with remarks from Jamil Guliyev, director of the Fund and Honored Art Worker of Azerbaijan, who shared personal memories of working with Sheikhzamanov.

Other speakers, including People's Artists Abdul Mahmudov and Khalida Guliyeva, Professor Ilham Rahimli, journalist Akif Ali, and scholar Firudin Qurbansoy, highlighted his unique talent and enduring influence. The actor's daughter, Afag Sheikhzamanova, expressed gratitude on behalf of the family to the Ministry of Culture and the Film Fund for organizing the tribute.

The program included video essays, film excerpts, and archival footage of tributes from actors and directors Amaliya Panahova, Elkhan Gasimov, and Tofiq Ismayilov, prepared for Sheikhzamanov's earlier anniversaries. The evening served both as a memorial and a reminder of his legacy, which continues to inspire artists and audiences today.

Born in Ganja on August 4, 1915, Sheikhzamanov came from the lineage of the great poet Nizami Ganjavi. His childhood was marked by hardship after his fathers death and the family's persecution during Soviet repressions.

Despite these challenges, his talent was recognized early by poet Samed Vurghun, who encouraged his performances at school events. Though initially aspiring to be an architect, Sheikhzamanov was drawn to the stage and joined the Ganja Drama Theater under director Habib Ismayilov.

He married Nigar in 1938, despite her parents' objections, and endured exile during Stalin's purges, teaching mathematics in Kazakhstan while his wife taught literature. After seven years, he returned to Azerbaijan and resumed his artistic career with Vurghun's support. Together with Nigar, he raised daughters Leyla, Afag, and Ayten.

On stage, Mammadrza Sheikhzamanov created memorable roles in Farhad and Shirin, Vagif, Othello, Aydin, Gachag Nabi, Antony and Cleopatra, The Dead, The Devil, and many others.

His distinctive voice also made him a sought-after dubbing artist. From the mid-1950s, he became a familiar presence in Azerbaijani cinema, with notable roles in Bakhtiyar, The Secret of One Fortress, The Tale of Love, The Great Support, Where is Ahmad?, Nasimi, and The Sound of the Pipe.

Founded in 1993, the Azerbaijan State Film Fund (ADFF) maintains extensive archives of films, photographs, and original documents, while also engaging in restoration and promotional work.

Since 1999, the Fund has been a member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), adhering to its global standards.

Its collections include both Azerbaijani and international films, along with rare footage from the earliest stages of Azerbaijani cinema.

The Azerbaijan State Film Fund also establishes personal archives for distinguished figures in the arts. A key part of its mission is restoring films to ensure their preservation for future generations.

The ADFF collaborates with international film archives, including those in Lithuania and Bulgaria, strengthening knowledge exchange and cultural cooperation.
5 December 2025 16:43 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan Culture Ministry in partnership with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will host the "OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week - 2025" in Baku on December 5-11, Azernews reports.

A press conference dedicated to this prestigious event was held on December 5 at the International Mugham Center.

During the event, Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister Saadat Yusufova emphasized that the festival is not only a cultural celebration but also an important platform for the development of creative industries, expanding cooperation opportunities, and establishing new partnerships. She noted that the festival is a significant example of showcasing the multicultural values, cultural diversity, and traditions of tolerance of Azerbaijan to the world.

"Approximately 5,000 visitors are expected to attend the festival. This reflects the wide public interest in the event and demonstrates Azerbaijan's potential to become a regional center for creative industries," Saadat Yusufova stressed.

Tariq Ali Bakheet Salah, the OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs, expressed high appreciation for Azerbaijan's support for solidarity, cooperation, and cultural exchange. He added that Azerbaijan actively participates in initiatives warmly welcomed by all OIC member states.

"This festival is an important platform for promoting cultural cooperation, strengthening cultural ties, and supporting creative initiatives. We are creating a rich environment by bringing together scholars, musicians, artists, and representatives of the creative sector from various countries to share their traditions, heritage, and experiences," he said.

Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ghazawi, pointed out that the festival is a celebration of cultural diversity, shared heritage, and solidarity in the Islamic world.

"Today, we are witnessing the wide participation of OIC member states, as well as representatives of the creative industries from various parts of the Muslim world. This broad representation further proves the importance of cultural diplomacy and the strength of our shared values," he added.

He also mentioned that through this festival, the OIC's missionto bring our peoples closer together, promote mutual respect, common development, and sustainable progresswill take on real content and form. These values are the foundation of the OIC Charter.

Director-General of the Azerbaijan Film Agency (ARKA) Rashad Azizov said that the main event will be the Creative Industries Forum, which will include a film exhibition, as well as a "Creative Village" exhibition featuring countries from the OIC. He noted that the event has already generated significant interest, with visitors from other countries coming to Baku.

In his speech, Rashad Azizov outlined that a rich program is planned for the week, including film screenings from several countries as part of the cinema festival, with the Nizami Cinema Center traditionally serving as the main venue. The main venue for the event will be the Baku Congress Center. Various events will take place at different cinemas throughout the week, with the organization of new types of events also planned.

Note that OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week - 2025, being hosted for the first time in Azerbaijan, will further demonstrate the country's growing role on the international cultural platform and its contribution to promoting multiculturalism, dialogue, and cooperation traditions in the region. The event will bring together over 300 official representatives, as well as experts from the fields of science, culture, and creative industries from nearly 50 countries. This will demonstrate the unity of the OIC family and solidarity around shared values.

During the festival, there will be high-level meetings of OIC member states' ministers of culture, the "Cultural and Creative Industries Forum" (MYFORUM), the "Creative Village: Cultural and Creative Industries Exhibition" (MYEXPO), the "Baku Cinema Breeze - 2025" international film program, the "East Fashion Show" featuring young and renowned designers from OIC countries, an international summit on gaming technologies (G-HUB), and various cultural projects in theater, music, dance, and animation.
5 December 2025 19:00 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

With the support of the Embassy of Poland in Azerbaijan, the NGO Arts Council Azerbaijan, and Gnc Mall, a creative workshop and final exhibition titled "Poland Through the Eyes of Azerbaijani Artists" has taken place, Azernews reports.

The project became an important platform for fostering cultural dialogue between Poland and Azerbaijan, uniting artists from Baku and Ganja in a shared creative space.

The creative workshop was held in a live show format, where the process of creating artworks was fully open to the audience: guests could observe the artists at work, ask them questions, and discuss ideas. This created a lively, interactive atmosphere and allowed visitors to get a closer look at the artists' techniques and styles. Participants highlighted the importance of such international projects for the development of the regions and creative youth.

The workshop culminated in the opening of an exhibition featuring works by artists from BakuLeylifar Museibova, Nigar Muslimova, Oksana Kazimova, and Ulvia Heyrullazade, as well as young artists from Ganja: Nazrin Alekserli, Fatima Abbasly, Firangiz Isayeva, Banu Abbasly, Nargiz Nasirova, Nazrin Jafarova, Ulkar Akhundzade, and Nurtaj Allahverdiyeva.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Ambassador of Poland to Azerbaijan, Pawel Radomski, expressed his joy at presenting Polish culture in Ganja and emphasized the high level of skill of the project participants, especially the young female artists. He called cultural exchange the most important element of developing bilateral relations and thanked the organizers for their cooperation, support, and warm welcome.

The head of Arts Council Azerbaijan, Dadas Mamadov, congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the project, thanked the Polish Embassy for their long-standing partnership, and expressed his gratitude to the curator Raul Sadigov for creating favorable conditions for the work. He emphasized that the involvement of young artists from Ganja was an important stage in their professional growth and noted that Ganja possesses significant cultural potential. Mamadov also stated that cooperation within the framework of such initiatives would continue.

The exhibition "Poland Through the Eyes of Azerbaijani Artists" continues at Gnc Mall, offering visitors the opportunity to experience a contemporary artistic perspective of Azerbaijani authors on Polish culture and its visual imagery.

The main goal of Arts Council Azerbaijan in organizing the workshop and exhibition is to foster youth interest in art and support Azerbaijani artists.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
5 December 2025 19:30 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A solemn event dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the outstanding artist and founder of realistic easel painting in Azerbaijani visual art, Mirza Gadim Irevani (18251875), has taken place at Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Azernews reports.

At the opening, it was emphasized that, in accordance with the decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, various anniversary events are being held in the country to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mirza Gadim Irevani. The event included the presentation of the book "Mirza Gadim Irevani: Artist at the Turn of Eras" and the opening of the exhibition "Mirza Gadim Irevani: 200 Years of Art History".

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by the Azerbaijan Culture Minister, Adil Karimli, the Director of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Shirin Melikova, the Chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Aziz Alakbarli, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Artists' Union, Farhad Khalilov, the Deputy Director of the Georgian National Museum, Mikheil Tsereteli, and the Head of the Research Department of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, Telman Ibrahimov.

The speeches particularly highlighted Mirza Gadim Irevani's historical role in shaping Azerbaijani visual art. It was noted that the artist's works are valuable examples of art, carrying the cultural memory of the region in which he lived and worked.

In his speech, the Culture Minister Adil Karimli emphasized the importance of the anniversary events held this year in terms of transmitting Mirza Gadim Irevani's heritage to future generations and introducing him to the global public. Art history Ph.D. Telman Ibrahimov provided detailed information about the book "Mirza Gadim Irevani: Artist at the Turn of Eras", of which he is one of the authors, and spoke about the significance of this publication for Azerbaijani visual art and art history.

The book "Mirza Gadim Irevani: Artist at the Turn of Eras", published by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the National Art Museum, presents a deep exploration of the life and work of the artist. The publication, prepared under the guidance of art history Ph.D. and Associate Professor Shirin Melikova, reveals the exceptional role of Mirza Gadim Irevani in the history of Azerbaijani visual art, presenting scientifically substantiated and updated biographical information compared to previous research.

The book provides a comprehensive analysis of his works from the collections of museums in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia, including previously unexplored works in art history publications. Some works of the artist are newly attributed. An interesting aspect of the publication is that it features artworks from the museum collection that reflect the historical and cultural environment of 19th-century Irevan  the city where Mirza Gadim Irevani was born and spent his entire life. The publication is richly illustrated, including archival photographs taken in Irevan in the 19th century.

After the official part of the opening ceremony, the guests familiarized themselves with the exhibition.

The exhibition "Mirza Gadim Irevani: 200 Years of Art History", organized jointly by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the Azerbaijan National Art Museum and the Georgian National Museum, for the first time brings together works of the Master from the collections of both museums in one space. The exhibition, curated by Shirin Melikova, features 33 works by the artist in the fields of painting and graphics, as well as other museum exhibits complementing the concept of the exhibition. One of the key moments was the presentation of the artist's work featuring the motif "rose and nightingale", stored at the Georgian National Museum and newly attributed as a result of scientific research.

The artist's work serves as a bridge between the elegance of Eastern poetics and European painting style. His portrait and ornamental works on paper, canvas, leather, and glass reflect the aesthetic views of the era. In his compositions, there is a combination of the multi-layered cultural environment of 19th-century Irevan, the influence of Qajar style, local craft traditions, and Western influence. The works of the artist that have survived to the present day are now held in the collections of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum, the Georgian National Museum and the State Hermitage Museum.

The exhibition features works by the artist with the "rose and nightingale" motif, mature period works such as "Portrait of Fath Ali Shah", "Portrait of the Qajar Princess Mah Talat Khanum", "Portrait of the Qajar Prince Vejulla Mirza", "Portrait of a Noblewoman", and other works in the portrait genre, as well as stencils for artistic embroidery and wall painting. An important part of the exhibition consists of samples of the artist's monumental painting from the collection of the Georgian National Museum, which once decorated the walls of the Sardar Palace  a jewel of Irevan's architecture. These works depict Fath Ali Shah Qajar, the last ruler of Irevan, Hussein Gulu Khan, his brother Hassan Khan, and heroes from the Shahnameh Rustam, Sohrab, and Vishtaspa  reflecting the artist's creative search for a skillful synthesis of miniature traditions and European principles of depiction. After the destruction of the Sardar Palace in the early 20th century, these works, which are among the first examples of realistic easel painting in Azerbaijani visual art, were taken to Georgia.

The paintings displayed at the exhibition, such as "View of Yerevan and Aghri Dag" by I. Zankovsky and "Sardar Mosque in Yerevan" by N. Grushev, bring to life the remarkable nature and architecture of this ancient city, the birthplace of Mirza Gadim Irevani.

Inspired by the wall paintings of Mirza Gadim Irevani and his stencils for artistic embroidery, museum staff made their creative contribution to the exhibition. Restorer-artist Samir Talibov recreated the ornamental world of the master on glass, and researcher Esmira Aghasiyeva prepared elegant compositions in the traditional embroidery technique.

For the first time in Azerbaijani museum practice, augmented reality (AR) technology has been used in this exhibition. Viewers can see the state of the portraits from the Sardar Palace before restoration using QR codes. Moreover, by scanning the QR code at the exhibition, the famous portraits by the artist from the collection of the Azerbaijan National Art Museum "come to life" and tell visitors their stories.

One of the key features of the exhibition is its multisensory concept. The exhibition is designed not only for visual perception, it also engages hearing, smell, and touch, allowing visitors to fully experience the artworks. For example, in the hall dedicated to the "rose and nightingale" motif, the scent of roses emanates from antique incense burners. In the section dedicated to portraits, special tactile reliefs are provided for visitors with visual impairments, ensuring additional accessibility and inclusivity for the exhibition.

A video "Chukhur-Saad" by the renowned artist Orkhan Huseynov is also part of the exhibition, presenting the works of Irevani under the folk music of the region, thereby creating an immersive atmosphere of the era.

Note that the exhibition will run until January 31, 2026.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.
5 December 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The Western Azerbaijan Community is holding the 3rd International Conference titled The Right to Culture and Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Expelled from Armenia as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace, Azernews reports.

The conference aims to discuss the protection and revitalization of cultural heritage as a guarantee for dignified return, as well as a pathway toward justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace.

The event seeks to reaffirm the right of return as a fundamental framework for safeguarding and restoring cultural heritage, assess the current state of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in the territory of Armenia, identify legal, diplomatic, and technical tools necessary for its protection and revival, and promote heritage restoration as a means of fostering justice, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence.

The conference features panel discussions titled Right of Return and Cultural Heritage: Legal and Moral Foundations, Tangible Heritage: Preserving the Physical Foundations of Return, Intangible Heritage: Revitalizing the Living Pillars of Return, and International Cooperation: Mobilizing Global Support. More than 100 foreign guests and local participants from over 60 countries are expected to take part in the discussions.
5 December 2025 11:02 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The AzerbaijanGeorgia Media Forum, held in Baku under the theme The Role of Media in Building Public Trust and Ensuring Information Security, has officially opened, Azernews reports.

The forums opening ceremony featured remarks by Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The first panel session of the event is dedicated to Strengthening the Media Ecosystem to Ensure Information Security.

A second panel session, titled Joint Efforts to Enhance Journalistic Professionalism and Improve Media Literacy in Society, is also scheduled to take place as part of the forums programme.
5 December 2025 12:43 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Strengthening the Turkic world is among Azerbaijans top priorities, the countrys Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, Anar Aliyev, said at the first meeting of labor, employment, and social protection ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Baku, Azernews reports.

Aliyev highlighted that the OTS already plays a special role on the global stage, deepening political, economic, social, and cultural ties among its member countries.

Our meeting today marks a historic event aimed at advancing significant goals for social development in our countries. Expanding these connections and strengthening the Turkic world remains one of Azerbaijans priorities. Azerbaijan has always contributed to the close unity of the Turkic world and will continue to uphold the ideals of solidarity in the future, Aliyev stated.
5 December 2025 11:51 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the third international conference on Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia  as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace, Azernews reports.

"Dear conference participants!

I warmly welcome you to the 3rd international conference on Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia  as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace.

Possessing an ancient history of statehood and culture, the Azerbaijani people have repeatedly been subjected to deprivation, deportation, and genocide over the past two centuries. After the relocation of Armenians to the ancestral Azerbaijani lands, and in the aftermath of massacres and illegal resettlements committed against Azerbaijanis in 19051907, 19181921, 19481953, and 19871991, hundreds of thousands of our compatriots were forced to leave their homeland and seek refuge in Azerbaijan.

The forced deportation of Azerbaijanis from mountainous regions in the territory of Armenia to places with a warmer climate, the embezzlement of the property they had built and created over the years, and the seizure, destruction, and alienation of material and cultural artifacts are historical facts proven by reliable documents.

Time and time again, Armenia destroyed the rich material and intangible cultural heritage of the Azerbaijanis who lived in Western Azerbaijan, including their shrines and cemeteries, in an attempt to erase the traces of the Azerbaijani people from its territory. It is extremely important to take the necessary steps to assess, within an international legal framework, the crimes against humanity Armenia has committed against Azerbaijanis and to secure the support of the international community in this matter.

Today, it is essential to intensify efforts to ensure the return of Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia within the framework of the right of return enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Status of Refugees, and other important international instruments. It is also important to initiate a process, with the participation of the international community - including specialized UN agencies - on the restoration and protection of cultural heritage. The right of return is one of the fundamental principles of human rights. Securing this right is not only about the physical return to ones homeland; it is also about restoring the spiritual integrity, cultural heritage, and historical memory of society.

The restoration and protection of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Armenia, in addition to being a legitimate demand of the Azerbaijani people, is necessary in the context of respect for universal human values, closing the page of hostility, and fostering mutual understanding between peoples.

The Western Azerbaijan Community, which includes individuals directly affected by deportations and massacres, should be commended for its discreet and constructive approach, openness to reconciliation and dialogue, adherence to international law, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.

The fact that Azerbaijan and Armenia came together in Washington on August 8, 2025, with the mediation of the United States of America, the signing of the Joint Declaration, and the initialing of the draft peace agreement creates hope and confidence for the future coexistence of both peoples.

We believe that the peace-loving members of the Western Azerbaijan Community will return to their ancestral lands and that good-neighborly relations will be established between our peoples.

I wish every success to this traditional international conference, which has already evolved into a global platform. I reiterate my confidence that the discussions to be held will contribute to the protection of cultural heritage, the understanding of the right of return, and the safe, dignified, and peaceful return of our compatriots to their native lands, and will be an important step on the path to reconciliation and peace.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 5 December 2025" the address reads.
Chinese tech firms race to build AI computing capabilities in space

Xinhua) 11:28, December 05, 2025

A modified ZQ-2 Y-1 carrier rocket carrying two test satellites blasts off from a commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China, Nov. 27, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A simple query to a remote-sensing satellite yields an intelligible summary such as "a slightly parched wheat field in need of watering," generated through fully autonomous analysis in space, offering a clear glimpse of the power of a Chinese in-orbit AI system.

As AI fuels an insatiable appetite for computing power, a new field is emerging in the technological race as intelligent computing capabilities are pushed into space. In early November, SpaceX rocket orbited the Starcloud-1 satellite mounted with Nvidia GPUs, thrusting space-based computing into the spotlight.

Chinese tech firms have entered the race early, betting that the final frontier can overcome the Earth-bound limits of energy, space and cooling that increasingly constrain the growth of AI.

The latest to join the competition is Zhongke Tiansuan (Comospace), founded in 2024. It has already logged over 1,000 days of on-orbit operation with its Aurora 1000 space computer aboard a Jilin-1 satellite, and its next-gen Aurora 5000, featuring a home-grown high-performance GPU, is set for in-orbit trials next year. They are pushing a project to build a "space supercomputer" in low Earth orbit.

For Chinese tech entrepreneurs, space-based computing offers a clear edge as terrestrial AI hits power, data and land bottlenecks.

"Orbital edge computing moves AI directly to the source of data filtering petabytes of daily satellite imagery and traffic before the narrow downlink chokes," Liu Yaoqi, CEO of Zhongke Tiansuan, told Xinhua.

Benefits also include the global reach of low-orbit constellations and sunlight that powers computing facilities almost for free, Liu added.

BROADER PLANS

Tiansuan's cosmic computation quest mirrors the country's ambitious blueprint.

Last week, Beijing municipal authorities unveiled a plan to construct a massive, centralized space data center in a dawn-dusk orbit 700 to 800 kilometers above Earth. The project, led by an innovation consortium, targets a system with a power capacity exceeding one gigawatt.

The first tech-demo satellite, Chenguang-1, is slated for lift-off in late 2025 or early 2026. The computing power of the experimental satellite is roughly equivalent to a single ground server.

"Its scale is modest, but we are taking this first small step," said Zhang Shancong, president of Beijing Astro-future Institute of Space Technology (BAIST), which leads the project.

Deployment is expected to roll out in three waves, culminating by 2035 in a megawatt-scale orbital data center, according to the BAIST.

In eastern China, Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Laboratory has already put up a 12-sat mini computing constellation dubbed "Three-Body," carrying an 8-billion-parameter space-borne AI model. Two of the satellites carried X-ray polarimeters that pool their on-board compute power to catch fleeting gamma-ray bursts in real time.

Once its planned 1,000-plus satellites are in orbit, the constellation will crunch 100 quintillion operations per second, according to the lab.

"With a computing constellation, part of the data can be processed in space and delivered straight to users," said Li Chao from Zhejiang Laboratory.

OVERCOMING HURDLES

To knit together its scattered orbital computers, China is already testing inter-satellite laser links that deliver high-speed, rock-solid, low-latency chatter. Beijing-based startup Laser Starcom is among the firms crafting the cutting-edge terminals.

On its pair of Guangchuan-01/02 satellites lifted off by a Zhuque-2 rocket last November, the company has closed a 400 Gbps laser link in low-Earth orbit.

"Laser links are the bedrock that breaks the communication bottleneck and lets space-based computing fly," said Wu Shaojun, Laser Starcom's founder.

The challenges of space computing also include maintaining stable operation in extreme environments with high radiation, as well as dissipating heat from components in the vacuum of space, where there is no air convection, according to Liu from Zhongke Tiansuan.

The Tiansuan team managed to address radiation-induced failures such as computational errors and system crashes in industrial-grade chips by implementing redundant designs, error correction and recovery protocols. They are also experimenting with fluid-loop cooling in orbit to transfer heat from high heat-flux chips.

In Liu's view, the roadmap for space computing begins with intelligent remote sensing to overcome data and bandwidth bottlenecks. It then moves to smart communications, boosted by large satellite networks, to increase capacity and reduce latency.

The evolution culminates in in-orbit AI, providing real-time computational support for terrestrial services, such as perception for autonomous driving, drone traffic management, cross-border logistics scheduling and maritime navigation assistance, Liu said.

In his vision, the future fisheries management may feature a "Fish Finder" app. This tool would integrate real-time satellite imagery, environmental data, AIS signals, and on-orbit AI processing to guide fishing vessels directly to "where the largest schools are located."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
5 December 2025 14:10 (UTC+04:00)

President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has sent a congratulatory letter to the King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend to you, and through you to your entire people, my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Today, there is great potential for the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Thailand. I am confident that by seizing these opportunities, we will continue our joint efforts to strengthen our friendly ties and expand our fruitful cooperation both bilaterally and on multilateral platforms, for the well-being of our peoples.

On this festive occasion, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, as well as lasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Thailand."
5 December 2025 14:28 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, held a meeting with Alexander Vinnikov, Head of the NATO Office for the South Caucasus.

Azernews reports, citing the Swedish Embassy in Azerbaijan, that the discussions between the sides were productive and focused on strengthening cooperation.

According to the information, Alexander Vinnikov arrived in Baku this week to continue consultations on the future development of NATOAzerbaijan relations, as well as regional security issues of mutual interest.

During his visit, Vinnikov delivered a keynote speech on the NATOAzerbaijan partnership at an international conference dedicated to NATOs military education enhancement program and its role in supporting defense and security reforms.

The delegation also held meetings with local think tanks, NATO member state ambassadors, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Azerbaijan.

The visit was organized with the support of the embassies of Slovakia and Sweden in Baku, which serve as NATO contact point embassies in Azerbaijan for 20252026.
5 December 2025 19:44 (UTC+04:00)

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The Netherlands imported $182.858 million worth of crude oil from Azerbaijan in the period from January to October this year, Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committee.

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5 December 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Facebook, Instagram, and Threads are preparing to block hundreds of thousands of accounts ahead of next weeks deadline, as Australias internet regulator moves to enforce new rules restricting social media use by teenagers. Authorities have described the ban as potentially the first domino in a global effort to hold tech giants accountable for the safety of young users, Azernews reports.

Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized that data is the currency powering these platforms, and that social media apps contain powerful, manipulative, and sometimes deceptive features that even adults struggle to resist. What chance do our children really have? the commissioner asked, highlighting the risks posed by these platforms.

According to eSafety, around 96% of Australians under 16over a million young people in a country of 27 millionhave social media accounts, Reuters reports. Facebook, Instagram, and Threads began proactively blocking underage accounts on Thursday, ahead of the official ban, which takes effect on December 10. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (USD 33 million).

Most other social media platforms have also begun contacting users under 16, encouraging them to verify their age, upload parental consent information, or choose to delete or temporarily freeze their accounts until they reach the minimum age requirement. Observers note that the move could have far-reaching effects, potentially influencing global standards for youth online safety and reshaping how teenagers interact with social media worldwide.
5 December 2025 20:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

China Eastern Airlines, one of Chinas three largest carriers, has inaugurated the worlds longest direct scheduled flight, connecting Shanghai and Buenos Aires, Azernews reports.

The inaugural flight took off on December 4 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and arrived in the Argentine capital after approximately 25 hours in the air, covering a distance of 20,000 kilometers.

The route includes a two-hour stop in Auckland, New Zealand, where passengers can stretch their legs and relax. Despite this brief layover, the flight is considered direct, as the same aircraft and flight number are used for the entire journey. It is not classified as a non-stop flight, which, by international aviation standards, requires no intermediate stops at all.

This new southern route offers a significant improvement over the traditional northern route, which typically takes around 30 hours and requires multiple layovers in Europe or North America. The ShanghaiAucklandBuenos Aires flight not only shortens total travel time but also provides the only direct air link between Argentina and the Asia-Pacific region, making it one of the rare intercontinental flights operating entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.

The service will operate twice a week using a Boeing 777-300ER. One-way economy fares for December range from $1,538 to $2,270, while business class tickets start at $5,000.

For context, the current longest non-stop flight is operated by Singapore Airlines, connecting Singapore Changi Airport with New Yorks JFK Airport. That route spans 15,349 kilometers and lasts over 18 hours, making the ShanghaiBuenos Aires service significantly longer in distance and duration.

Aviation experts say that this new route could redefine long-haul travel in the Southern Hemisphere, offering travelers a faster and more direct connection between Asia and South America than ever before.
5 December 2025 21:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

On November 5, Shein temporarily shut down its marketplace in France, where third-party sellers list their products, following authorities discovery of illegal goods for sale. The suspension will last at least three months, while Sheins main website remains fully accessible, Azernews reports.

French authorities stated that the temporary closure is necessary for Shein to demonstrate compliance with the law. A court will ultimately determine whether the suspension is justified and whether it aligns with European Union regulations.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of Chinese e-commerce giants, including Shein and Temu, under the EU Digital Services Act, reflecting growing concerns over consumer safety, illegal product sales, and potential unfair competition.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday that his office is investigating Sheins U.S. operations. The probe will examine whether the fast fashion retailer violated state laws regarding unethical labor practices and the sale of unsafe consumer goods.

Analysts note that these legal pressures highlight the broader challenges facing global fast fashion platforms, which must balance rapid expansion with regulatory compliance and consumer trust. Some experts predict that actions in France and the U.S. could serve as a precedent, potentially influencing how other countries enforce e-commerce regulations on international marketplaces.
5 December 2025 22:49 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

I wont give an exact number, but there are more than 30 countries, she said. If these countries dont have stable governments, if they cannot provide clear information about who intends to enter the United States and help us verify them, why should we allow their residents into the country?, Azernews reports.

According to U.S. media reports, Washington is considering expanding the list of countries whose citizens face entry restrictions or bans, potentially increasing it from 19 to 32 nations.

Earlier, Governor Kristi Noem proposed a complete ban on entry for countries whose citizens are most frequently deemed a threat to national security. Her statements came in the wake of last weeks attack on U.S. National Guard soldiers, which intensified concerns over border security and the vetting process for foreign visitors.

Analysts note that if implemented, the expansion of the restricted list would mark one of the largest adjustments to U.S. entry policies in recent years, reflecting growing debates over national security, immigration, and international relations. Some experts suggest that such measures could have wider diplomatic repercussions, especially with countries newly added to the list.
5 December 2025 23:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

On Friday, Kia Corp. unveiled a new futuristic concept car featuring cutting-edge smart glass, showcasing the companys forward-looking philosophy as it celebrates its 80th anniversary, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap agency.

The South Korean automaker introduced the Vision Meta Turismo concept, which it describes as embodying Kias vision for a new era of mobility, during a special event marking the companys founding in 1944.

The concept combines dynamic driving performance with a lounge-inspired interior, paying tribute to the speed and elegance of 1960s long-distance touring, Kia said in a statement.

The car represents a reinterpretation of three core elements: performance driving, an immersive experience through digital interaction, and the spaciousness of lounge-style interiors.

Inside, the design enhances human-mobility interaction through digital technology, creating a highly immersive experience for both drivers and passengers, with unique design touches and a spacious layout, the company added. Kia said it plans to reveal further details about the concept in the near future.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Kia also released a book documenting key milestones in its 80-year history, covering everything from bicycles and three-wheeled vehicles to passenger cars and electric models.

Kias 80-year journey has been remarkable, an epic narrative. On behalf of Hyundai Motor Group, I extend my gratitude to everyone who has been part of Kias legacy, said Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung. Hyundai Motor Group acquired Kia in 1997.

To commemorate the milestone, Kia will host an exhibition titled The Legacy of Movement at Kia Vision Square in Yongin, just south of Seoul. The exhibition will showcase historical models, major products, and concept vehicles, and will remain open to visitors through 2029.

Experts say the Vision Meta Turismo hints at Kias ambitions in electric and autonomous mobility, blending retro elegance with futuristic technologya vision that may shape the next generation of the brands vehicles.
The New York Post is reporting that a number of connections have been found between far left Somali Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a member of The Squad, and the billion dollar taxpayer fraud committed by Somalis in Minnesota. This is the same fraud that 480 employees of the Minnesota Department of Human Services has accused Governor "Tampon Tim" Walz of deliberately covering up.

One of Omar's own congressional staffers is a defendant in the series of cases, accused of stealing millions. Omar herself introduced the legislation that facilitated about a fourth of the overall fraud. Most of the fraud happened in Omar's own congressional district. She has close personal ties to one of the defendants, frequents his restaurant, and held her 2018 campaign victory party there.

https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2025/12/04/ilhan-omars-tight-connections-to-minnesota-fraudsters-who-stole-hundreds-of-millions-in-welfare-racket-n2196831

https://nypost.com/2025/12/04/us-news/what-did-ilhan-omar-know-about-the-1b-welfare-fraud-case-in-her-minnesota-district/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15358599/Somali-fraud-Minnesota-Ilhan-Omar-Tim-Walz.html

Will there be enough to indict Omar? One can only hope. She has been particularly silent as this has unraveled.

UPDATE: Ilhan Omar has now been identified as one of several Minnesota Democrats who took campaign contributions from the scammers involved in these frauds.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/12/05/nolte-minnesota-democrats-allegedly-received-tens-of-thousands-in-campaign-cash-from-somali-scammers/

Both Omar and radical Governor "Tampon Tim" Walz have posed for pictures with one of the lead fraudsters.
Beaufort County Commission candidate Travis Martin: Above.

My name is Clinton Travis Martin, and I have filed to run for Beaufort County Commissioner because I believe our communities deserve strong practical leadership that delivers results. Some information about myself; I was raised in the Core Point, Beaufort County, NC community, where I still reside. Core Point is located on the Pamlico River between Aurora and Chocowinity.Growing up I worked on my dad's tobacco farm while also assisting local farmers to harvest tobacco. During the same time, I worked crab pots and fished nets. Our farmers and commercial fisherman are great assets to Beaufort County. I will support the farming business and the fishery in eastern North Carolina. I attended school in Aurora NC, graduating from Aurora High School in 1980.Shortly after graduation I went to work with Brown and Root Construction and later with Carolina Crane. At both companies I was employed as an electrician. In 1984 I took a job at Texas Gulf (now Nutrien) as an operator in the shipping department. A year later I transferred to the electrical department where I developed skills as an industrial electrician retiring in 2022 as an Instrument /Electrical supervisor.Shortly after retiring from Nutrien, I went to work with Industrial Management Services as a Construction Manager at the Nutrien Phosphate Plant in Aurora where I am currently employed. The manager's responsibilities include overseeing many disciplines such as building construction, installation of electrical and mechanical equipment, planning, budgeting, and scheduling. These are the skills that I will bring to the role of county commissioner.I own a rental business named CTM Properties. I am a North Carolina Mason and a member of Aurora Lodge 300 in Aurora. I have a great bond with my community, and it gives me great pleasure to assist and serve others.I look forward to the County Commissioner opportunity so that I can work for the citizens of Beaufort County by focusing on the issues that matter the most. I will support lower taxes in Beaufort County by ensuring our county budget reflects the county's priorities while funding essential services and eliminating waste. I will work to improve the budgeting process and to eliminate base line budgets.Also, the unallocated fund balance of $28 - $30 million dollars is far above the amount required by the NC Local Government Commission. I will support lowering the tax rate to bring this fund balance in line with current best practices. I believe in a dedicated and educated sheriff's office that will get the drug dealers and criminals out of our county. I will work with the commissioners to ensure that the sheriff's office has the equipment and staffing needed to keep our neighborhoods safe.I will support judges that will uphold the law and keep criminals out of our neighborhoods. I believe in an education system for our schools that teaches our children fundamentals that will shape them for success and to be the right leaders that carry us into the future. I will support the efforts to reopen the S. W. Snowden in Aurora. The current commission and school board leadership failed the families of Aurora and Richlands Township when they voted to just "give up" instead of supporting the school and the surrounding communities.One of the initiatives the commissioners should undertake is to rid Beaufort County of the "limited" voting process for county commissioners. We should revert to "at large" voting where voters may vote for all positions available on the county commission, and not limited to just one vote.I served as an EMT and a member of the Nutrien Emergency Response Team. I strongly support our community's fire and rescue teams knowing the dedication, time, and effort these teams devote to keeping us safe. The county commissioners set the tax rate for the Fire and Rescue Departments throughout the county. I will work to ensure that appropriated funds are used only for necessary expenditures. Any misuse of these critical funds should not be tolerated.As a voting member of the Beaufort County Republican Party Executive Committee, I will encourage the party to adhere to the Plan of Organization in all respects. I participated in my first Republican Party State Convention this year as a voting delegate. This was an enlightening experience. I want our townships in Beaufort County to thrive, to be inviting for new businesses that bring jobs and prosperous neighborhoods to our county. To support this, I will work to have the Industrial Park located in Chocowinity to be rezoned to make this site more attractive to business interests, bringing jobs to Beaufort County.I believe in teamwork to create opportunities that will benefit Beaufort County. My history in Beaufort County shows I am deeply rooted, and I want to actively engage in further success of our county. Through good communication, transparency, and accountability I want to help make Beaufort County a better place for all of us to live, work, and thrive.I am C. Travis Martin, and I ask for your vote in the upcoming primary election on March 3, 2026. Thanks to all for your encouragement and support.
Why Roy Walker was ahead of his time at Crusaders and waiting for Alan McDonald to finish his half time cigarette on international duty
The BBC has said that it supports the collective decision to allow Israel to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest (Alamy/PA)

The BBC has said it supports the collective decision allowing Israel to participate at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest as other countries launched a boycott.

Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia announced they were pulling out of the singing competition following the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) general assembly in Geneva on Thursday, which discussed the future of the competition.
Dame Mary Berry has been honoured with an outstanding achievement award at a media event in central London.

The food writer and celebrity cook was recognised for her contributions to broadcasting and her lasting influence on the British public, at the Tric (Television and Radio Industries Club) Christmas lunch on Friday.
A strike that could have seen shortages of Guinness Zero during the festive period have been suspended after a pay offer was made.

The industrial action was planned to take place on Friday and would have seen almost 100 employees at Diageo in Belfast abstain from work.

However, after an improved pay deal, the strike will now not go ahead as workers consider the offer, with a vote due on Monday.

Regional officer for the workforce Michael Keenan said: Negotiations have resulted in an improved pay offer being made by Diageo and as an act of goodwill our reps voted to suspend the planned strike action to allow our members to consider and vote on it.

Guinness Zero

Walkthrough of the massive new Primark store at Ballymena

It comes after 100% staff rejected a previous pay deal prompting the planned strike.

Diageo Belfast is the largest producer of Guinness Zero in the world.
A Lurgan man alleged to be part of an organised crime gang linked to a high-profile murder is making a last ditch attempt to have EncroChat evidence ruled inadmissible by a French court.
A man has been jailed after a proactive police operation led to the discovery of over 150,000 worth of cannabis at Belfast port.

Mariyan Tsvyatkov, of Colenso Parade in Belfast, was imprisoned on Thursday for two years after pleading guilty to possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply.
A Palestinian-born doctor facing terror charges over an MI5 surveillance operation against the New IRA has been refused permission to go to a wedding in Algeria.

Dr Issam Bassalat had applied to vary his bail conditions to allow him to travel to Algeria this month to attend the wedding of his wifes brother.
Jamie Bryson and Ann McClure pictured outside the High Court in Belfast (Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

A TUV member may not be legally entitled to challenge Belfast City Councils process for reconsidering decisions about an Irish language strategy and flying the Palestinian flag, it was claimed in the High Court today.
Strathearn ranks first for academic excellence in prestigious list

Strathearn School has been named top in Northern Ireland in the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power Guide.

The principal of Strathearn School in east Belfast has said shes absolutely thrilled that the girls grammar has been named the top school in Northern Ireland in the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026.

The Belmont Road school ranked first of all grammar schools in NI, and 31st in the table of the top 150 state secondary schools across the UK.

This is testament to the outstanding hard work, talent and determination of our pupils; the support and encouragement of their families at home; and the inspirational dedication of our superb team of teaching and non-teaching staff, said Nicola Connery, as the school rose to the top spot after being listed equal second with Aquinas Diocesan Grammar in last years rankings.

Pupils at Strathearn School, Belfast.

This is the 33rd edition of the prestigious guide, with Strathearn picking up the honour of being named State Secondary School of the Year in Northern Ireland for Academic Excellence.

The rankings are based on 2025 examination results, when pupils at Strathearn School recorded 83% grades A*-B at A-level. The same year, 79% of all GCSE grades achieved by Strathearn pupils were A* or A  the highest year on record for the school.

Having consistently ranked in the top cohort of grammar schools in this prestigious report, we are thrilled to rank in first place this year, particularly given the exceptionally high quality of grammar schools listed across Northern Ireland, Mrs Connery added.

Whilst the rankings focus on examination results, Mrs Connery said that Strathearns success transcends all aspects of school life.

Strathearn School has been named top in Northern Ireland in the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power Guide.

Our ethos as a school centres on providing a caring and nurturing environment in which every pupil is celebrated for their own individual talents and is encouraged to realise their full potential across a wide range of both curricular and extra-curricular areas, she explained.

Were an all-girls school that prides itself in offering a range of opportunities in terms of academic and extracurricular, but underpinning everything is ensuring that their wellbeing is paramount.

We make no difference. Were open to everybody. We purposely dont look at a pupils religion, because once you put on that uniform you become a Strathearn girl.

Paying tribute to the staff at the school, Rosemary Bailie, chair of the Board of Governors at Strathearn, said: Led by Mrs Connery, the staff of Strathearn School work exceptionally hard throughout the school year to encourage and empower our pupils to excel in all that they do, and this reflects in these latest rankings.

South Belfasts Rathmore Grammar School was named State Secondary School of the Year in Northern Ireland, having been listed as second in the Northern Ireland roll of honour and 35th overall across the UK.

Nicola Connery, principal at Strathearn School, Belfast

In all, five grammar schools from NI have made the top 50 across the UK.

St Dominics Grammar School for Girls in Belfast placed third in the listings (36th overall), with last years top school in Northern Ireland, Friends School Lisburn, named fourth (equal 46th overall). Making up the top five is Our Lady and St Patricks College, Knock (48th overall).

Also inside the top 70 schools in the UK are Lumen Christi College in Derry (53rd), Sullivan Upper in Holywood (equal 61st), Banbridge Academy (64th), St Louis Grammar in Ballymena (65th) and Aquinas Diocesan Grammar Belfast (69th).

The educational landscape is testing  budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs, and an increasingly uncertain future, said Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide.

But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.

As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools, it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century and instilling a lifelong love of learning.

Nicola Connery, principal at Strathearn School, Belfast

The accolade of State Secondary School of the Year went to Queen Elizabeths School, Barnet, with the school also ranked top as State Secondary School of the Year for academic achievement.

Schools are ranked by performance at A-level and GCSE in summer 2025, Ms Davies explained.

The number of A*, A and B grades gained are expressed as a percentage of the total number of A-level entries overall. This is double-weighted. The number of nine, eight, seven grades gained at GCSE is expressed as a percentage of the total number of GCSE entries overall. We include IGCSEs sat in independent schools. This is single-weighted.

Pupils at Strathearn School, Belfast.

News Catch Up - Thursday 4 December

School rankings are based on their combined performance in these examinations.

Widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the countrys top schools, the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide is published online today and will be available as a 28-page supplement on Sunday, December 7.

Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UKs top primary and secondary state and independent schools, the guide remains an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children, Ms Davies added.
Two further cases of the disease were confirmed at a farm close to Bangor (Chris Radburn/PA)

Further cases of bluetongue have been confirmed in a herd of cows in Co Down.

Two cases of the disease were confirmed at a farm close to Bangor.

On Friday, Northern Irelands Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said further suspected cases had been confirmed.

A 20km temporary control zone (TCZ) remains in place.

The animal disease affects livestock including cattle and sheep, as well as goats, deer and llamas.

It does not affect humans or food safety and is primarily transmitted through midges.

Andrew Muir said there is no risk to public safety (PA)

Appearing before the Stormont Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, Andrew Muir earlier this week emphasised there is no risk to public health or food safety.

Also appearing before the committee, deputy chief veterinary officer David Kyle confirmed there is currently no intention to cull animals.

On Thursday, Agriculture Minister Mr Muir said that a wider exclusion zone, including one that covers Northern Ireland, may have to be considered if further cases are found.

On Friday afternoon, a Daera spokesperson said testing continues on farms within the current TCZ.

Following further analysis at the National Reference Laboratory of the samples from the herd near Bangor, Co Down, we can confirm the strain as BTV-3 bluetongue virus, they said.

Testing of livestock continues on farms within the 20km temporary control zone (TCZ) around the holding where the outbreak occurred and movement restrictions remain in place.

Farmers outside the TCZ are asked to remain vigilant for clinical signs of the disease and to notify their vet, local divisional veterinary office or ring the Daera helpline on 0300 200 7840 if they have concerns.
Video of masked and armed men being investigated by the PSNI

A man living on the outskirts of the Co Down village of Mayobridge is said to be the leader of a group of far-right republican vigilantes that issued threats to politicians earlier this week.
Childline says Christmas can be a dangerous time for some children (Alamy/PA)

Two-thirds of adults in Northern Ireland believe the risk of children being harmed or abused increases over Christmas

An NSPCC poll also reveals one in seven respondents from Northern Ireland have been worried during the holidays for the safety of a child known to them.

It found that two-thirds of adults in the region believe children face an increased risk of harm or abuse (66%) and exposure to domestic violence (72%) during the Christmas holidays.

Actress Natalie Dormer is the NSPCCs ambassador for Childline (Ian West/PA)

The YouGov survey of 4,259 UK adults, which includes 204 from Northern Ireland, analysed the dangers that adults believe children face over Christmas and the potential reasons why young people are at increased risk.

When asked why they were concerned about children experiencing harm or abuse at home during the holidays, adults said financial pressures, substance misuse at home, food insecurity, families spending more time together and support services such a schools being closed.

Childline has launched a new hard-hitting campaign, supported by actress Natalie Dormer to raise awareness of how Christmas can be the most dangerous time of year for some children.

Last year, thousands of young people from across the UK contacted the NSPCCs Childline service with concerns about abuse across the winter period.

Dormer, who is the NSPCCs ambassador for Childline, said the findings shine a light on an uncomfortable truth that many people do not want to confront during the festive season.

While most of us are excited about Christmas, for a disturbing amount of some children it represents a time of uncertainty and fear, she said.

The campaign film, based on a real survivors story, powerfully captures that moment of dread when the school term ends and a childs safe space disappears.

Behind the closed doors of homes across the country, children are suffering in silence while the rest of us celebrate.

This NSPCC campaign reminds young people that Childline will be there for them to across the festive period.

Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: This new polling highlights a troubling reality that Christmas  which should be a time of joy and happiness for all children  can instead be a period of heightened danger for some.

Financial pressures, increased alcohol consumption, and strained family relationships are all factors that can heighten the risk of child abuse in the home over the festive period.

Thats why our Christmas campaign is so important, reminding children they are not alone and that Childline is here for them day and night over the festive period.

Any adults concerned about a childs safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC helpline at help@nspcc.org.uk or by calling 0808 800 5000.

Young people can contact Childline 24/7 by phone on 0800 1111 and online through the 121 chat on the Childline website.
Politics

Alliance MP on honour of being only MP from NI nominated for Backbencher of the Year: I am more grateful than you will ever know
A ban on social media for under-16s is being looked at by EU member states (Alamy/PA)

An update on whether a ban on social media for under-16s is possible is expected at Cabinet next week, the Tanaiste has said.

EU member states are examining restricting young peoples access to social media platforms.

Simon Harris has previously expressed support for the consideration of such a ban for child protection purposes, with the Department of Communications reportedly considering an EU-wide approach more preferable than Ireland taking action alone.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said he supports age restrictions on social media (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Tanaiste said the Minister for Communications will advise Government in the time ahead as to what is possible under European legislation, with an update to Cabinet expected next week.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Harris said: The Government has obligations when it comes to child protection, and there are real concerns from parents in Ireland  and not just in Ireland  about child safety on the internet.

Now, companies will have their own various policies in relation to this, but I do think we live in a country where theres a digital age of consent, and that should matter.

And my views in relation to this are well known. Im very supportive of the idea of social media being restricted to people above a certain a certain age. I think that would be a significant support to parents.

I think it would be a significant support in relation to child protection.

Mr Harris added: From the companies perspectives, I would say this: the key to any business model is having certainty, is having clarity, and then having stability.

Obviously, Ireland will be governed in many ways by some of the EU legislation in this space too and the infrastructure that that provides.
Chief Minister of Jersey Lyndon Farnham, First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, Government of Guernsey Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Emma Little-Pengelly, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris and Chief Minister of the Isle of Man Alfred Cannan during the summit (Welsh Government/PA)

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste have met British and Northern Irish leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, at the 44th British-Irish Council (BIC) Summit.

The event was hosted by the Welsh Government in the Vale of Glamorgan on Friday.

The BIC was created in the Good Friday Agreement and brings together the leaders of the UK and Irish Governments and leaders from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.

While the events focus was on the creative industries, with leaders discussing the cultural and economic importance of the sector in their areas, they also used the opportunity to raise other issues.

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Northern Irelands deputy First Minister said she told the Prime Minister she felt the UKs budget was a missed opportunity, a phrase later repeated by First Minister Michelle ONeill.

Emma Little-Pengelly said there were a number of key things that didnt happen, including a VAT reduction pilot for Northern Ireland and tackling issues with agricultural relief.

She later said: We are not simply coming to the UK Government to ask for more money, what we are asking them for is to work in partnership with us, acknowledging that in Northern Ireland we need core transformation, particularly within our health service, particularly in big issues, in tackling economic activity.

The First Minister said she had put directly to the Prime Minister the anger felt by families struggling to meet their food bills.

Ms ONeill said she felt the policy changes being made in London reflect the needs of the people we represent at home.

She added: Were not asking for special treatment, were asking for what is right and proper.

Ms Little-Pengelly said she also pressed the Prime Minister to extend grace periods for new post-Brexit trade rules, including those around veterinary medicine, which are due to come into force on January 1.

She said many many pet owners had received emails telling them their animals medicine would be withdrawn from the Northern Irish market.

She said she also raised the issue of the derogation for GB-registered new cars, which is also due to end.

She said the grace periods should be extended while discussions with the EU are ongoing.

Irelands decision to withdraw from next years Eurovision was raised by reporters during the afternoon press conference.

RTE said on Thursday it would not be taking part, or broadcasting the event, after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) agreed to allow Israel to take part.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin described the decision as an act of solidarity with those journalists who were killed in breach of international humanitarian law during the war in Gaza.

Ms ONeill said the decision sent a strong message, and Ms Little-Pengelly said boycotting a singing competition is not going to make one jot of difference to the situation in the Middle East.

The next BIC Summit will be hosted by the Government of Guernsey in summer 2026.
Micheal Martin said Ireland would make no apologies for inviting the Ukrainian president (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Taoiseach has told the Russian ambassador to stop this war, after the diplomat criticised the official visit of the Ukrainian president to Ireland.

Volodymyr Zelensky gave a historic address earlier this week to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas and also met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly.

Russian ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov said on Friday that it was hard to make sense of the visit beyond it representing the ever-present desire of the Irish government to show loyalty to the EU anti-Russian policy line on Ukraine.

In a statement, Mr Filatov said Irish political leaders were living in an illusionary world that has nothing to do with the realities of the war in Ukraine.

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He criticised Taoiseach Micheal Martin for using the Slava Ukraini  or Glory to Ukraine  phrase, with the ambassador comparing the greeting to Heil Hitler.

Asked about the comments at the British-Irish Council summit in Cardiff, Mr Martin said Mr Filatov had a track record of attacking him and the Government on a consistent basis.

He said: Were very, very clear: The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a fundamental, brutal violation of the United Nations Charter, and no power can behave in such a manner.

The destruction of Ukraine, killing of so many people, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure and energy infrastructure on the scale that has happened is reprehensible.

I would say to the Russian ambassador to please bring back the message to the Russian government to please engage and stop this war.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a joint sitting of the Oireachtas during his visit (Tony Maxwell/Maxwells/PA)

The Taoiseach said there was now a basis to stop this war as he hailed diplomatic efforts by US president Donald Trump.

President Trump is working hard to try and bring about a ceasefire. President Trump has a genuine hatred of war, he said.

And I think the work of the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with (French) president Emmanuel Macron and others in forming the coalition of the willing has been a very effective process to give support to Ukraine, but also to create conditions which would facilitate a sustainable peace settlement.

Mr Martin said Ireland would always facilitate visits from other nations and other countries.

We were very happy to facilitate the visit of President Zelensky, who Ive met on numerous occasions and Ive been to Kyiv, he said.

It was a good visit. The people of Ireland responded very warmly. Our legislature responded very warmly.

Mr Martin said Ireland would make no apologies for inviting Mr Zelensky and said the Government was looking forward to strengthening bilateral relations with Ukraine and facilitating its reconstruction in the event of a peace settlement.
The First Minister spoke ahead of a meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday (Jane Barlow/PA)

The UK Government seems unwilling to support Scottish industry, First Minister John Swinney has said ahead of meeting Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Swinney will meet the Prime Minister at the British Irish Council in Wales on Friday.

The meeting comes after job losses announced last month at an ethylene plant in Mossmorran, Fife, owned by oil giant ExxonMobil risking more than 400 jobs and a further 100 set to be cut at Harbour Energy in Scotlands north-east.

Both owners have cited UK Government policy as one of the reasons behind the decisions.

Ahead of the meeting, the First Minister said Scotland is an afterthought to Westminster, pushing for independence and stressing the urgent necessity for the UK Government to step in.

The Prime Minister will meet the First Minister on Friday (Paul Campbell/PA)

This Labour UK Government has failed workers in Scotland  and I will be setting out to Keir Starmer the urgent necessity for his Government to provide support for Scottish industry, the First Minister said.

In Grangemouth, in Mossmorran and right across the north-east of Scotland, workers are facing job losses and families are struggling to make ends meet  all while this Labour government fails to provide the necessary support.

People in Scotland will rightly be asking why the workforces at Grangemouth and Mossmorran did not see the same interventions from the UK Government as industrial towns south of the border, like Scunthorpe.

So far in this Labour Government, Scotland has been treated as an afterthought.

This economic vandalism is continuing today, with the UK Governments tax grab on Scotlands energy costing 100 jobs this week alone and that will sadly continue to rise. Experts have warned the tax grab could cost 1,000 jobs a month.

Offshore industry body Offshore Energies UK said the windfall tax on excess profits for oil and gas companies is costing 1,000 jobs per month in the North Sea.

The First Minister added: Keir Starmer promised that Scotland would be at the heart of the Labour government  but he has done little to support our key industries.

The fact is for Westminster, Scotland will always be an afterthought.

We cannot afford to leave crucial decisions about our economy in the hands of a UK Government that does not seem willing to support our industry  we need the fresh start of independence to unlock Scotlands true potential.

Speaking to BBC Scotland during a visit north of the border on Thursday, the Prime Minister stressed the UK Governments approval of allowing oil and gas companies to drill in adjacent areas to currently operating field  described as so-called tie-backs.

Asked why the Government did not scrap or reform the windfall tax on oil and gas in last weeks Budget, Sir Keir said: We looked very carefully at that, but of course as the name makes perfectly clear, thats a tax that only kicks in in relation to a particular levels of profit, so it only kicks in at a particular level, thats the trigger for it.

Equally important is the measure weve taken on tie-backs.

Weve listened very carefully to what the sector has been saying to us, theyve asked for tie-backs and thats what weve been able to announce and that means that, within the existing fields, better use, more use can be made of the oil and gas that is drilled out.
Killer of Co Antrim takeaway owner back on the streets after just nine years in jail

Robber granted life licence despite getting secret partner pregnant while in open prison

Christopher Menaul

Ciaran Barnes Thu 4 Dec 2025 at 20:00

A killer robber is back on the streets 10 years after he helped murder the owner of a Chinese takeaway.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 23F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulations less than one inch..

Tonight

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 23F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 100%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
BENNINGTON  Certainly one of the most interesting proposed Bennington 250th anniversary projects could bring the legendary Catamount Tavern back to life.

The historic tavern, where Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys gathered to plan their march to capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775, and around the time of the 1777 Battle of Bennington, burned to the ground in 1871.

It is memorialized today in a catamount statue on Monument Avenue in Old Bennington on the drive leading to the Bennington Battle Monument.

The Catamount Tavern idea is one that people repeatedly express how excited they are about it, said Jonah Spivak, a member of statewide and local 250th anniversary planning committees focusing on historic milestones around the time of the Revolutionary War battle.

So there is no question this is something that people want to see happen, he said.

Spivak, Katie Contrada and Charles Dewey  all members of the local 250th committee  met Thursday at the Bennington town offices to discuss their Catamount proposal.

Spivak, who also serves as communications coordinator for the town of Bennington, said he has applied for a grant to fund the project, which would involve a temporary structure to resemble the famed tavern. There, visitors and area residents could get information about historical events and find refreshments, the way the Green Mountain Boys did in the 1770s.

He said the original idea was to build a full-size replica of the Catamount Tavern, but that project seemed daunting and expensive, at least at this time.

The planned structure, Spivak said, will be a tent-like framework and then printing what the original tavern looked like, and then basically putting that right on the side of it, so you are looking at a picture of it.

The purpose, Dewey said, is to have something serving refreshments or lunches.

The hope is to have the mock tavern in place for the 250th anniversary of the battle in 2027, perhaps earlier.

Spivak said the meeting Thursday at his office was set to discuss construction ideas for the mock tavern and possible locations where it might be placed.

Contrada said they will wait to speak to landowners that might be involved before discussing those sites publicly.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. Morning high of 33F with temps falling to near 20. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Scattered snow flurries and snow showers this evening. Becoming partly cloudy later. Low 14F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High around 25F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

A few snow showers around this evening, otherwise mostly cloudy. Low 13F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%.
MILL RIVER  When the sale of Limestone Farm became a matter of record last week, county and area dairymen and others were not sure whether to offer the former owners congratulations or condolences.
BOSTON  A case heard by the state's highest court involving a controversial cellular tower in Pittsfield could clarify how far local boards of health can go when residents allege health problems linked to technology governed by federal law.

Wednesday, the state Supreme Judicial Court drilled into whether the Pittsfield Board of Health had the legal authority to push Verizon to address residents reports of illness from a South Street cell tower, or whether federal telecommunications law barred the board from acting at all.

The case arises from years of complaints by residents in a neighborhood off Holmes Road. They have reported experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, skin rashes, palpitations and tinnitus since the tower, on adjacent property at 877 South St., began operating in 2020.

The Pittsfield Board of Health spent over a year investigating their complaints, and issued an emergency order in 2022 that found radio frequency radiation from the tower was making residents sick. It required Verizon to appear and show cause why the tower should not be shut down, or cease tower operations.

Instead, Verizon sued the board in federal court, arguing that federal law prevents local governments from taking any action based on reported health effects from cell towers operating within emissions limits set by the Federal Communications Commission.

The Board of Health rescinded its order shortly after, prompting Verizon to drop its federal lawsuit.

The neighborhood residents challenged the health board's decision to rescind its order. Then, a Berkshire Superior Court judge ruled federal telecommunications laws preempted the board's authority to issue it in the first place, teeing up a subsequent appeal and Wednesday's oral arguments before the state's highest court.

Justices teased out the procedural posture of the case, and probed the issue both sides say sits at the center of it  whether federal law prevents local health officials from stepping in when residents report ill health effects from radiofrequency emissions coming from a cell tower operating within established federal parameters.

Attorney W. Scott McCollough, representing the neighborhood residents, told the justices that local boards of health have a statutory duty to investigate and eliminate threats to citizen well-being, including those caused by such emissions.

This is a public health matter, McCollough said, arguing that federal wireless rules must not preempt that mandate.

Even in choosing to drop the cease-and-desist order, members of the health board themselves continued to believe the tower was harming residents, McCollough asserted. But they felt "coerced" into backing off by the city when it refused to fund legal counsel to defend them against Verizon in federal court.

Buffy Lord, the Board of Health's attorney, told justices the reason members backed down from the legal fight against Verizon was because they believed they would lose in court based on their understanding of the law.

Federal law is clear, she said, in that the Telecommunications Act explicitly prevents local governments from regulating wireless facilities based on "perceived" health effects.

Justice Scott L. Kafker appeared drawn to a plain reading of the statute, reciting a portion that states no "local government ... may regulate the placement, construction and modification of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions."

Its right there in black and white, Kafker said.

But Lord said the statute clarifies that environmental effects includes potential health impacts.

Kafker said it would nonetheless be "troubling" if citizens had no recourse to seek relief from emissions-caused sickness from the federal government. Lord replied that complaints can be lodged with the FCC, which has also been ordered to investigate the emission limits initially set nearly 30 years ago.

The Environmental Health Trust, the nonprofit whose lawsuit resulted in the order to review emissions standards, filed a brief in support of the residents that argued the FCC is derelict in its duty to probe the adequacy of existing emissions limits.

The residents, meantime, argue the federal agency in fact offers no viable means of seeking relief, and the local board of health is obligated by state law to respond to public health issues.

Still, Lord said Congress entrusted the FCC with regulating cellular emissions. She asserted that allowing local officials to intervene "opens the floodgates" to conflicting regulations across thousands of municipalities nationwide.

This, she argued, would make it impossible for telecom companies to maintain consistent standards and could disrupt wireless service.

McCollough asserted that Verizon could have behaved in a way that balanced its commercial objectives with public health, suggesting the company could have lowered or reoriented tower emissions, rather than shutting the tower down.

The case represents a novel legal issue, according to McCollough. When Kafker said "Wireless is an area the feds have a lot of say in" and asked McCollough to cite previous cases that back up his position, McCollough responded that no other cases had explored the exact question before the court.

"This is a case of first impression in the country. I'm not aware of any other health board that was called upon to investigate this," McCollough said.

The court took the matter under advisement, and the scope of the ruling that it will issue is unclear.

Toward the beginning of the hearing, justices Gabrielle R. Wolohojian and Dalila Argaez Wendlandt appeared to question whether the question before the court is narrowly centered around whether the Board of Health acted "arbitrarily or capriciously" when it pulled back its order requiring Verizon to come to the negotiating table or cease tower operations.
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Donald Morrison is an Eagle columnist and co-chair of the advisory board. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle.


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A voluntary rescue group claims discarded shopping trolleys and other items dumped in the River Boyne have hindered their ongoing search for a 14-year-old missing teenager.

Members of the Meath River Rescue have been searching large swathes of the river for two weeks in efforts to find Benjamin Spot, who went missing from Navan on November 19th.

A separate search conducted by the group for three weeks concluded last week with the recovery of the remains of Jordan Newman.

This year, Meath River Rescue, which was established in 1996, recovered the remains of five people in the county and in Cavan and have helped out on numerous other searches elsewhere in the country.

However, chairperson Christopher Rennicks says that large items dumped in the river were slowing searches down as well as jeopardising the safety of volunteers.

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When conditions are too dangerous for diving, the group conducts boat searches and uses 'drags' along the riverbed to try and find the remains of missing people.

The drags are typically hooked devices or weighted lines pulled along the riverbed to snag clothes but unfortunately catch other items as well.

"In the searches for Jordan and Benjamin alone, we pulled out about 20 shopping trolleys along a 2km stretch of the Boyne from Navan to Athlumney," he said.

"We have also discovered many bikes, wheelbarrows and other items which have been thrown in over the years. When the drag snags on something, we have to investigate what it is, pull it out of the water and then bring it onto the shore to ensure no-one throws it back in again.

"This all takes time and especially on winter days when we don't have a lot of daylight hours, these things can hinder and slow the search down."

Mr Rennicks said that on a past search for a missing person in Navan, they found a sizeable cage which posed a safety threat to divers.

"Divers could get caught up in this stuff so we have to assess all this and decide if it is safe to dive. We all have families to go home to as well.

"A lot of this stuff has been on the riverbed for years ,but I'd just like to appeal to people to think before dumping anything in the river - one day, you might need us to help search for a loved one."

The voluntary group largely rely on public donations to continue their work and donations can be made through a link on its Facebook Page.

Anyone with any information on Benjamin Spot can contact Navan Garda Station on 046 9036100 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A new Parish Pastoral Area has been formed in the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore to manage the challenges of several churches being ministered to by one parish priest and assisted by two others.

The move comes after the four Parish Pastoral Councils discussed the idea of formally amalgamating all seven churches and four parishes into one named pastoral area.

The new name will be the St Carlo Acutis Parish Pastoral area, which will be the first in Ireland. Relics of the saint, who was recently canonised, are permanently available in Holy Family Church, Ardfinnan.

The parishes and churches of Ardfinnan, Ballybacon, Grange, Newcastle, Fourmilewater, Touraneena and The Nire have worked closely together to maintain the liturgical life of each parish and supported one another in various ways.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, officially declared the new pastoral area at the Mass of installation of the relics in Ardfinnan on St Carlos feast day on October 12th.

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Much of the groundwork has already been implemented, with one main parish office now looking after all parish records, finances, and administration.

Each church also has its own sacristan, team for readers and extraordinary ministers, altar servers, and safeguarding, thanks to the commitment of the parishioners, schools and members of the parish and finance councils.

Fr Michal Toomey, who is parish priest and administrator of the seven churches, explained that the benefits of combining our resources under one parish pastoral area is mainly for the more efficient use of resources and training and support in ministry, but also in the management of finance, buildings, and clergy across a large area.

Fr Toomey added: I am so grateful and blessed to be working with so many kind and dedicated parishioners who are serving their communities so well despite the challenges of the lack of priests we face into the future.

The parish councils also noted that while amalgamating these parishes, the actual church names and parish identities would be unaffected.

Each church will keep its own identity as is currently the case, but it is all under one parish pastoral community.

The parish councils feel (this) would (strengthen) the seven churches and reassure them in sustaining and in keeping each church open into the future with the reality of the lack of priests, which is of grave concern, said Fr Michael.

The parish pastoral area has its own website on www.stcarloacutisparish.ie and an image of St Carlo Acutis is installed in every one of the seven churches in the pastoral area.
An Irish woman arrested at Heathrow Airport was detained after 3.5 kilos of cocaine were found in her baggage, it has been revealed.

The woman, who is from Quigley's Point in Co Donegal, was arrested at the London airport on November 7th.

The 49-year-old was later charged in connection with the alleged importation of class A drugs.

A value has not yet been put on the alleged drugs as police are awaiting forensic analysis.

A spokesperson for the National Crime Agency in Britain has confirmed that the accused woman will now appear at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday next.

Ireland Taoiseach describes Eurovision boycott as act of solidarity Read more

A spokesperson confirmed 49-year-old XXXXXX from the Inishowen area of Co Donegal, Ireland will appear before Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, December 8th, charged with importing class A drugs.

"It follows the seizure of around 3.5 kilos of suspected class A drugs found in baggage at Heathrow on November 7th.

"Following the seizure by Border Force officers, the case was passed to NCA investigators, who interviewed and charged XXXXXXX.

"She appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates on November 8th, where she was initially remanded in custody, but was later bailed until her next court appearance.
The National Lottery has revealed where Wednesday night's winning Lotto Jackpot ticket worth more than 6.2 million was sold.

The ticket was sold to a lucky winner in Eason's on Pearse Street in Mullingar on Wednesday.

The winning numbers from Wednesday nights draw were 4, 21, 23, 27, 34, 38, and the Bonus was 37.

The Mullingar winner becomes the 9th Lotto Jackpot winner of 2025, joining a winning line-up from Louth, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick, Kilkenny, Mayo and Waterford.

Therese OMalley, Store Manager of Easons Pearse Street, said: Were absolutely thrilled to have sold a winning Lotto Jackpot ticket worth 6,241,505!

"Were a small, tight-knit team here on Pearse Street, so its fantastic to think that one of our customers has won such an incredibly big prize.

"Its great news, and were all buzzing here in the store. Wed like to wish the winner the very best and every happiness for the future!
A total of 236 psychiatric patients underwent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Ireland last year, 31 of whom had not consented to the treatment, new figures have revealed.

A report published by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) also found that one in five of the services that administered ECT without consent during 2024 failed to comply with the rules governing the use of the therapy.

There was a 15 per cent increase in the number of patients undergoing the controversial treatment last year, 87 per cent of whom were suffering from mood disorders, according to the MHC report.

Patients ranged in age from 21 to 89, and 61 per cent were female. Resistance to medication was cited as the most common reason for ECT, accounting for 192 treatments. Improvement was reported in 91 per cent of programmes.

ECT or electroshock therapy is a medical procedure used to treat certain severe mental health conditions, usually when other treatments have not been effective.

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It involves an electric current being passed through the brain to intentionally trigger a seizure, which usually lasts for less than a minute. It is not fully understood how ECT works.

The therapy has been the subject of criticism. MindFreedom Ireland, an organisation representing former psychiatric patients, held a protest outside the GPO last May, calling for its abolition.

It describes ECT as outdated and dehumanising, claiming that it causes trauma, brain damage, and enduring memory loss.

Ireland Patients overexposed to radiation from CT scans, X-rays and radiotherapy services up 11% Read more

The MHC report revealed that 2,580 individual ECT treatments were administered at 14 approved centres last year, representing an increase of 16 per cent compared to 2023. The average number of treatments in each programme was 8.19.

Out of 66 approved centres monitored by the mental health watchdog, just 14 use ECT, while another seven refer patients elsewhere for the treatment. St. Patricks University Hospital administered 141 programmes of ECT last year, while St. John of God Hospital administered 42.

Some 80 per cent of the services administering ECT to involuntary patients last year failed to comply with the rules governing the therapy, while 12.5 per cent were not compliant with the code of practice on the use of ECT.

The MHC report also revealed that 20 patients withdrew their consent after commencing their programme of ECT last year.
Young people recruited into drug gangs and drones on Zelensky's flight path made the front pages of Friday's papers.

The Irish Times leads with an Irish navy ship spotting five drones operating near the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy's aircraft as he arrived for a State visit to Ireland on Monday night.

The Irish Examiner leads with criminal gangs looking to take over houses to bag up drugs if owners go out shopping for a couple of hours, a Dublin youth project has said.

The Echo leads with the preferred route for Cork northern distributor road, which was recently confirmed by the Government as being costed at up to 500million, has been announced.

The Irish Independent leads with further anger over former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris regarding the drip feed of hidden information about the cost of his living arrangements.

The Irish Daily Mail leads with Revenue targeting people who have holiday homes abroad, dodging tax by renting them out.

The Irish Daily Mirror and the Irish Daily Star lead with RTE boycotting the Eurovision due to Israel's involvement.
A man who assaulted three gardai and threw a gas canister at a Public Order Unit vehicle after being swept up in the frenzy of the 2023 Dublin riots has been jailed for two and a half years.

Don Sheridan (50) contacted gardai to identify himself after his photo was included in the release of 99 images of individuals nominated as people of interest in relation to the Dublin riots investigation.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Sheridan is not an activist and was drinking in a pub when he heard of the events in the city and became involved. His lawyer said his involvement was not political or ideological.

He told gardai he had made "a thick" out of himself and should not have been there, after identifying himself on CCTV footage. He gave his reason for involvement as protesting foreigners who were carrying blades and what happened to that young kid.

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The court heard that during the disturbances, three buses and a Luas were destroyed by fire, garda vehicles were damaged, and 58 premises were damaged or had items of property stolen from them.

Thirteen gardai and five members of the public were injured during the rioting, with damage totalling 10 million caused to the city. Gardai reviewed 17,000 hours of CCTV during their investigation.

Sheridan of Whitestown Park, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to riot, assaulting three gardai and criminal damage in Dublin city centre, on November 23rd, 2023. He has two minor previous convictions.

Sentencing

Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said it seemed that on the day Sheridan was in the city centre and heard what had occurred. He said Sheridan and a good number of others involved themselves in the riot and caused a huge amount of damage to property, garda vehicles, and private premises.

Judge Nolan said Sheridan had been active in the trouble for over an hour and during that time assaulted three gardai. He said Sheridan had grabbed a female garda, a second garda had to run for his life after a mob picked on him, and Sheridan later threw a bottle at a third garda.

The judge said Sheridan had lost the total run of himself and become involved in rioting and assaults. He said his behaviour was lamentable and it was hard to know what motivated it.

He said Sheridan had brought himself to the attention of gardai, co-operated and made admissions.

He noted Sheridan had a number of health issues, including a rare eye disorder and seizures, but on the evening he for whatever reason had a burst of energy and applied himself to attacking gardai and rioting.

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The judge noted Sheridan had a lonely life and a drinking problem. He had been homeless for a time, but that had been sorted out by a voluntary agency. He took into account that he has a good work history.

Judge Nolan set a headline sentence of six years, but noted Sheridan was not in a good medical situation. He said it seemed to him that he must endure a prison sentence. He imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence.

He does not look like a rioter or have the age profile of a rioter, and I dont know why he behaved as he did, but he did, said Judge Nolan.

Garda Tom McEvoy told Emer Ni Chuagain BL, prosecuting, that as a result of an incident outside Parnell Square, a hostile crowd gathered at a garda cordon beside the crime scene. The crowd were irate, and tensions were high.

Gardai sought assistance to maintain and restore order, and a total of 600 gardai from across the country were deployed in the city during the evening.

The crowd grew to about 200 people by 5.40pm, with gardai attempting to hold the line at the crime scene, while being charged and pelted with missiles. The cordon was breached, and gardai were assaulted by a large number of people, and garda cars were damaged.

Gda McEvoy said tensions continued to be high as the crowd grew to 500 people, with fireworks, concrete blocks, and bottles being thrown at the gardai. The public order unit was also deployed.

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Sheridan was captured on footage at the junction of Parnell Street and OConnell Street, chanting at gardai and jostling with the public order unit. He advanced towards the public order unit but was pushed back. His aggression escalated, and he was seen to be part of a group throwing bottles and other items.

Gda McEvoy described how three gardai responded to a call for assistance from a colleague who was alone and requested urgent help. These gardai came under constant attack as they made their way down the street.

The crowd was very hostile and verbally abusive to the gardai as they saw the garda who had put out the call for assistance. He had his ASP drawn and was trying to maintain distance from the crowd. They told their colleague to come with them as they feared for his safety.

Garda assault

A female garda in the group observed Sheridan throwing a gas canister at a public order van. She went to retrieve the gas canister, but Sheridan approached and placed her in a headlock. A colleague came to her aid, and Sheridan threw a punch but missed. Sheridan became furious as he realised they were gardai.

The crowd became aggressive towards the group of gardai. A female garda described how she had her hand on her pepper spray but did not use it as she knew how outnumbered she was and feared what would happen if she deployed it.

Missiles were flung at the gardai, and one of the members was targeted in particular. As he retreated, a large number of people followed him.

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His colleagues observed a large number of people running after him, and they were unable to find or contact him for a time until he later arrived back at Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station.

The garda later described how he had been in fear for his life as the vast majority of the people on the street converged on him. He was pursued to Gardiner Street, with people on electric scooters keeping pace with him, until another man shouted at them to leave him alone.

At another point, a garda maintaining a cordon verbally asked Sheridan to move back several times before bumping him with his shield. Sheridan feigned moving away before removing a glass bottle and trying to hit the garda with it.

Sheridan was also witnessed trying to get into a public order van and launching a concrete boulder at the public order unit, who were under sustained attack as they tried to move the crowd back down OConnell Street.

Sheridan was also captured on CCTV damaging a planter pot at the Holiday Inn premises, where a number of rioters smashed glass and looted. A total of 108,000 damage was done at the Holiday Inn, with a loss in revenue of 100,000 to 200,000.

Sheridan later nominated himself as a person in the picture released by gardai almost a year after the events. He is observed on CCTV from just after 6pm until 7.40pom.

Sheridan's garda interview

During his garda interview, he gave his reason for involvement as protesting foreigners who were carrying blades and what happened to that young kid. He also told gardai he had made a thick out of himself and should not have been there.

He identified himself on CCTV, telling gardai, This is crazy. He said he had been drinking, heard what had happened, and went down. He accepted that he should not have been there.

Victim impact statements were handed into Judge Nolan but not read aloud in open court.

The garda agreed with Michael Lynn SC, defending, that Sheridan had been helpful and courteous to investigating gardai. He agreed that although Sheridans involvement was not political or ideological.

The garda said Sheridan seemed to have got swept up in the frenzy.

Mr Lynn said Sheridan wished to say publicly today that he is profoundly ashamed of what he did and deeply sorry. He has not come to any further garda attention.

He said his client had taken the initiative to contact gardai after seeing his photo and asked the court to give substantial weight to his cooperation and early guilty plea.

Mr Lynn outlined a number of health issues suffered by Sheridan, including a rare eye condition leading to deteriorating sight. He also suffers seizures, a heart condition and a mild learning difficulty.

He said Sheridan had gone through a very bleak period in his life, where he was homeless and drinking. He managed to secure a home with the help of a voluntary agency.

Counsel handed in reports and outlined that Sheridan was very socially isolated, with no contact with his children and suffers from depression.
Frank Gehry, who designed some of the most imaginative buildings ever constructed and achieved a level of worldwide acclaim seldom afforded any architect, has died aged 96.

Gehry died on Friday at his home in Santa Monica after a brief respiratory illness, said Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP.

Gehry won every major prize that architecture has to offer.



The Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (Specker Francis Specker/PA)

Gehrys fascination with modern pop art led to the creation of some of the most striking buildings ever constructed.

Among his many masterpieces are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Berlins DZ Bank Building.

He also designed an expansion of Facebooks northern California headquarters at the insistence of the companys chief executive Mark Zuckerberg.

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Gehry was awarded every major prize architecture has to offer, including the fields top honour, the Pritzker Prize, for what has been described as refreshingly original and totally American work.

Other honours include the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal, the Americans for the Arts lifetime achievement award, and his native countrys highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Canada.

Years after he stopped designing ordinary-looking buildings, word surfaced in 2006 that the pedestrian Santa Monica shopping centre project that had led to his career epiphany might be headed for the wrecking ball.

Gehry admirers were aghast, but the man himself was amused.

Theyre going to tear it down now and build the kind of original idea I had, he said with a laugh.

Eventually Santa Monica Place was remodelled, giving it a more contemporary, airy outdoor look.



The Louis Vuitton Foundation building designed by American architect Frank Gehry (Francois Mori/AP)

Still, it is no Gehry masterpiece.

Gehry, meanwhile, continued to work well into his 80s, turning out heralded buildings that remade skylines around the world.

The headquarters of InerActiveCorp, known as the IAC Building, took the shape of a shimmering beehive when it was completed in New York Citys Chelsea district in 2007.

The 76-storey New York By Gehry building, one of the worlds tallest residential structures, was a stunning addition to the Lower Manhattan skyline when it opened in 2011.

That same year, Gehry joined the faculty of his alma mater, the University of Southern California, as a professor of architecture.

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He also taught at Yale and Columbia University over the years.

Not everyone was a fan of Gehrys work.

Some naysayers dismissed it as not much more than gigantic, lopsided reincarnations of the little scrap-wood cities he said he spent hours building when he was growing up in the mining town of Timmins, Ontario.



Honoree and Walt Disney Concert Hall architect Frank Gehry at the 2023 Los Angeles Philharmonic Gala at Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Princeton art critic Hal Foster dismissed many of his later efforts as oppressive, arguing they were designed primarily to be tourist attractions.

Some denounced Disney Hall as looking like a collection of cardboard boxes that had been left out in the rain.

Still other critics included Dwight D Eisenhowers family, who objected to Gehrys flamboyant proposal for a memorial honouring the USs 34th president.

Although the family said it wanted a simple memorial and not the one Gehry had proposed, with its multiple statues and billowing metal tapestries depicting Eisenhowers life, the architect declined to change his design significantly.

As of 2014 the memorial remained unbuilt, with local planning officials again asking Gehry to make revisions.

If the words of his critics annoyed Gehry, he rarely let on.

Indeed, he even sometimes played along.

He appeared as himself in a 2005 episode of The Simpsons cartoon show, in which he agreed to design a concert hall that was later converted into a prison.

He came up with the idea for the design, which looked a lot like the Disney Hall, after crumpling Marge Simpsons letter to him and throwing it on the ground.

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After taking a look at it, he declared: Frank Gehry, youve done it again!

Some people think I actually do that, he would later tell The Associated Press.

It was like the first thing in my life that Id done well in Frank Gehry

Ephraim Owen Goldberg was born in Toronto on February 28 1929, and moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1947, eventually becoming a US citizen.

As an adult, he changed his name at the suggestion of his first wife, who told him antisemitism might be holding back his career.

Although he had enjoyed drawing and building model cities as a child, Gehry said it was not until he was 20 that he pondered the possibility of pursuing a career in architecture, after a college ceramics teacher recognised his talent.

It was like the first thing in my life that Id done well in, he said.

He went on to earn a degree in architecture from the University of Southern California in 1954.

After serving in the army, he studied urban planning at Harvard University.

His survivors include his wife, Berta; daughter, Brina; sons Alejandro and Samuel; and the buildings he created.

Another daughter, Leslie Gehry Brenner, died of cancer in 2008.
Police in New Zealand have recovered a James Bond-inspired Faberge pendant after six days of closely watching the man accused of swallowing the jewellery in an Auckland store.

They said the pendant valued at 33,000 NZ dollars (14,225) was recovered on Thursday night after it exited the suspects gastrointestinal tract naturally without medical intervention.

The limited-edition Faberge egg pendant was inspired by the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy, in which a jewel-smuggling operation involves a fake Faberge egg.

The man was arrested inside Partridge Jewellers in Auckland on November 28 shortly after the alleged theft.

Given this man is in police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred Inspector Grae Anderson

He made a court appearance on November 29, when he did not enter a plea to a charge of theft.

Since then, he has been in police custody and officers had been stationed round the clock with the man to wait for the evidence to re-emerge.

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The 32-year-old has not been publicly named. He is due to appear in Auckland District Court on Monday and will remain in police custody until then.

Given this man is in police custody, we have a duty of care to continue monitoring him given the circumstances of what has occurred, Inspector Grae Anderson said in a statement on Wednesday.

The stores website says the egg, one of only 50 made, was crafted from gold, painted with green enamel and encrusted with 183 diamonds and two sapphires.

The pendant is 3.3 inches tall and is mounted on a stand.

The egg opens to reveal an 18ct yellow gold octopus nestled inside, adorned with white diamond suckers and black diamond eyes, an item description said.

The octopus surprise pays homage to the eponymous antagonist at the centre of the Octopussy film.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an annual summit and agreed to diversify mutual economic ties as the United States presses India to revise its decades-old partnership with Russia.

The 23rd Russia-India Summit comes at a pivotal moment as the US pushes for a Ukraine peace deal while seeking global co-operation.

It will test New Delhis efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year war in Ukraine grinds on.



Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) walks after laying a wreath at Rajghat, the Mahatma Gandhi memorial (AP)

Mr Putin was received by Mr Modi at an airport in New Delhi on Thursday. The Indian leader gave Putin a bear hug and a tight handshake with the gusto of an old friend.

After the talks, Mr Putin and Mr Modi announced that India and Russia have finalised an economic co-operation programme until 2030 which will help diversify mutual businesses to boost annual trade to 100 billion US dollars (75 billion) by 2030.

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Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at 68.7 billion dollars (51.5 billion) in the last fiscal year ended March.

The trade is heavily skewed in favour of Russia with deep deficits for India, which it is looking to bridge by pushing exports.

Mr Putin said: To achieve this significant goal, a programme for the development of Russian-Indian economic co-operation until 2030 has been agreed upon.



Mr Putin was welcomed by Mr Modi (Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

He said work is under way on an agreement for India to establish a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union, a Moscow-dominated economic grouping of several ex-Soviet nations, adding that it could help increase trade.

Mr Putin said: Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources and everything necessary for the development of Indias energy sector.

We are ready to continue ensuring the uninterrupted supply of fuel for the rapidly growing Indian economy.

Mr Modi said after the talks that the two countries will work toward early conclusion of the free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

He also announced that India will soon start issuing free electronic visas for Russian tourists and groups visiting the country.

The Indian leader said energy security has long anchored India-Russia ties, with civil nuclear co-operation spanning decades.



Mr Putin was welcomed to India by Mr Modi on Thursday for the 23rd Russia-India summit (AP)

He added that such co-operation will continue alongside collaboration in clean energy, shipbuilding, fertilisers and labour mobility.

Critics say Mr Putins visit could strain relations with the European Union (EU) and the United States, and might jeopardise negotiations for major trade agreements with both that are seen as critical for Indias exports.

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US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in August, citing New Delhis discounted Russian oil. India has been the second biggest importer of Russian crude after China.

India and the US set a target for the first tranche of a trade deal by the autumn but the deal has not come through yet amid strains in relations.

India is also in the final stages of talks on a trade agreement with the EU, which sees Russias war in Ukraine as a major threat.
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BusinessCompaniesCommercial real estate Fashion maven fills The Ages former Collins St home with tenants Nicole Lindsay December 5, 2025  11:41am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Capital Gain Media House, The Ages former headquarters on the corner of Collins and Spencer streets, is finally fully sub-let after years languishing half-empty. The property changed hands late last year for $110 million when landlord GPT offloaded the building to a company owned by former fashion maven Najee Imam. The Age and the Australian Financial Review, now owned by Nine, vacated the purpose-built 16,600-square-metre seven-level property in 2019 when they moved to Nines office at 717 Bourke Street. Media House covered in scaffolding while flammable cladding is removed. Justin McManus

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Fairfax Media, the newspaper company bought by Nine, had struck a 20-year lease in 2009 when the building was completed. The deal reflected a passing yield of 7.5 per cent  well up on the tight 4.75 per cent recorded during the years of low-interest and low vacancy rates. Radio station 3AW remains on the top floor with other tenants including Service Stream and the University of Tasmania. The building will remain known as Media House. The leasing campaign was undertaken by Cushman & Wakefields Vincent Tran, Stephanie Harding and Ben Ward who declined to comment. The building was originally developed and built by Grocon. The front, home to an electronic billboard, is currently swathed in scaffolding while aluminium cladding is replaced with non-combustible panels. Luckily, none of the not-so-secret smokers among the papers staff set the building on fire back in the day.

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Hospitality hotspot The slump in CBD property values is yielding a new buyer breed: hospitality operators taking a punt on buying their premises instead of leasing  and its not just at the high-end where Chris Lucas, Justin Hemmes and the OBrien Group have paid top dollar for well-placed venues. This week, an owner-operator bought 171 Bourke Street for $3.88 million and has plans to open a new Asian fusion restaurant in mid-2026. The building is near the corner of the Bourke and Russell streets intersection which looks poised for a comeback with a new pub and hotel bar pulling in the punters. A swag of luxury hotels and fine dining nearby is also helping drive the renaissance. 171 Bourke Street has a new owner-occupier.

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The deal was negotiated by Colliers Matt Stagg and Yvonne Zhou. Down the other end of town, a Sydney investor has paid $3 million for the Grain Store cafe at Shop 2 of 517 Flinders Lane. The deal reflected a building rate of $15,000-a-square-metre and a yield of 5.7 per cent. A Sydney investor has bought the Grain Store at 517 Flinders Lane. Grain Store, which opened in 2013, committed to a further 10-year lease in April 2023. Jones Real Estates Luke Peric did the deal.

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The west end precinct also has its share of new attractions, notably Sand Hill Roads new seven-level Waterside Hotel. Natural therapy The buyers of Fitzroys Southern School for Natural Therapies emerged this week after applying for development permits. A joint venture between B&B Property Groups Stephen and Ben Buxton, and PACASAs Stefano Paciocco has acquired 25-37 Victoria Street for a price believed to be about $20 million. The sale was negotiated by Colliers agents Matt Stagg, Ryan Milivojac, Ben Baines and Yvonne Zhou. Peter Smyth from Untitled Property represented the Jacka Foundation who bought the property for $1.53 million in 1996.

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The joint venture has a caveat over the buildings  part of which is the 1889 Acme Shirt Factory  and applied for an eight-storey 60-unit project through the State Governments Development Facilitation Program. 25-37 Victoria Street, Fitzroy Paciocco is a former development manager at Stephen Buxtons first property business Hamton Property Group  Hamtons first project is nearby, on the corner of Fitzroy Street. The plans drawn up by DKO Architecture include restoring the original shirt factory frontage and building behind and above it. The Buxton family, multi-generational property players, also have a foothold on the old swimsuit shop at 430-444 Brunswick Street and 224-228 Smith Street through Valli, which is backed by MAB founder Andrew Buxton.

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All roads Fresh from the landmark completion of its Bourke Street Mall Mecca project, fund manager Newmark Capital is going back to basics. Its purchased the VicRoads Testing & Inspection Centre in Ballarat for $8.975 million on a 7 per cent yield for the Newmark Property Income Fund. VicRoads at 86-88 Learmonth Road, Wendouree. While that yield might seem on the high side, the lease has just four years left to run with two-year options.

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The building at 86-88 Learmonth Road, Wendouree, purpose built for VicRoads in 2001, is zoned for public use, which limits it to government-related activities. Its on 8485 square metres of land and returns $628,000 a year. CBREs Scott Hawthorne and George Wilkinson handled the transaction which drew six offers from local and interstate investors. Records show the vendor was the local Edward family. Deals done The year is ending with a bang at the retail end of the market with a swag of competitive deals struck on sharp yields. The sale of a tiny vacant shop at 416 Toorak Road set the sharpest yield of the lot  just 2.5 per cent from a $2.7 million deal.

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The 150-square-metre shop is on 196 square metres of land opposite the Trak Centre and Viclands St Germain project, and is a few doors away from Orchard Pipers recently completed project. 416 Toorak Road, Toorak. In East Burwood, 19 bidders registered for the auction of the KFC building at 123-125 Burwood Highway last week, with the buyer paying $5.83 million, reflecting a 3.3 per cent yield on a gross lease. The deal was one of six properties worth a total of $50 million sold by Stonebridge Property Group in the past 10 days. The Red Rooster Wodonga drew seven bidders and sold for $3.35 million on a 5 per cent yield. Stonebridges Kevin Tong, who did the deals with Rorey James, said the depth in the buyer pool  all 26 registered parties for both auctions demonstrated an intention to buy  indicated a strong sign of market confidence.

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The team also sold the Pakenham BP and KFC servo for $14 million on a 5.61 per cent yield. The crowd at the auction of the East Burwood KFC. A Sydney buyer has paid $6.41 million for China state-owned Sinopecs first Australian servo on a 5.81 per cent yield. Cushman & Wakefields George Davies, who handled the negotiations with Oliver Hay, Raphael Favas and Leon Ma, said five offers were made for the property. The servo at 325A Nepean Highway, Frankston was developed and sold by Jasbe.

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In Ringwood, a strata property at 5-6/74-82 Maroondah Highway occupied by a Club Lime gym, sold under the hammer for $5.9 million. Four bidders competed for the 1288-square-metre open-plan showroom with a local investor out muscling competition from around Melbourne and Australia. Fitzroys Ben Liu and Chris James and Gross Waddell ICRs Glenn Ye and Danny Clark ran the auction. Club Lime, owned by ASX-listed Viva Leisure  Australias second-largest fitness network  has a new 10-year lease. The price reflected a tight 5.7 per cent yield. Season Greetings

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Thats a wrap for 2025. Capital Gain wishes all readers a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year. 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 West Wits opens South Africas first new gold mine in 15 years Brought to you by Bulls N Bears Doug Bright December 5, 2025  3:36pm 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

West Wits Mining has officially opened its Qala Shallows underground mine west of Johannesburg, marking the first new underground gold mine to be developed in South Africa in 15 years. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Hon. Gwede Mantashe, the Australian High Commissioner Her Excellency Tegan Brink, Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane, community leaders, investors and media. West Wits Mining has commissioned several key fleet additions, which are now fully operational at its Qala Shallows phase one underground gold mining operation in South Africas famed Witwatersrand Basin. The company says the event underscored the projects role in breathing new life into the historic Witwatersrand gold province and demonstrated that modern, safe underground mines remain viable in the Central Rand Goldfield. Since mobilisation in July, Qala Shallows has hit every major milestone.

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The Witwatersrand built Johannesburg and shaped our economy, and it still holds substantial potential for the future. West Wits CEO and managing director Rudi Deysel First ore reached the surface in mid-October, underground infrastructure is in place and a surface stockpile is being built towards an expected 30,000 tonnes ahead of the operations first gold pour, scheduled for March next year at Sibanye-Stillwaters Ezulwini processing plant. Qala Shallows forms phase one of the companys broader Witwatersrand Basin project (WBP), which hosts a 5.025-million-ounce resource at 4.66 grams per tonne (g/t) gold. Key projected metrics for the mine include an initial 17-year mine life, based on steady-state production of 70,000 ounces of gold per year over a 12-year production sweet spot. In the final five years, production is expected to taper off as higher-grade or easier-access ore runs out, with annual output likely dropping to about 40,00050,000 ounces until the reserve is fully mined.

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West Wit says the operation is expected to contribute more than US$1.15 (A$1.74 billion) to the South African economy and generate more than 1000 direct jobs during phase one, with a strong emphasis on local hiring, procurement and enterprise development. West Wits CEO and managing director Rudi Deysel said: For years, many believed the Central Rand had reached the end of its mining life, but Qala Shallows shows that with rigorous geological work, clear planning and disciplined execution  and strong cooperation between government and business  new underground gold mines can still be developed in this district. The mines opening marks the transformation of West Wits Mining from developer to producer and lays the foundation for multi-decade growth. Future phases, including the companys planned Bird Reef Central expansion and other areas within the projects area of tenure, will feed the companys long-term Project 200 ambition of attaining 200,000 ounces of annual gold production through disciplined, staged evolution. With the first US$12.5 million (A$18.9M) drawn from a US$35 million (A$52.9M) facility provided by US-based Nebari Capital, West Wits says mine development is now fully funded and the underground fleet and workforce are growing quickly.

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Site employment has already surpassed 100 personnel and is on track to reach about 150 by first gold and more than 1000 at full production. With Qala Shallows now in operation, the Witwatersrand is proving it still has the legs to sustain significant untapped potential. When this project hits full stride, it will be one of the biggest positive stories the region has seen in decades  a genuine reinvigoration of a legendary South African gold-mining story built on modern standards, local benefit and long-term vision. At full tilt  around 200,000 ounces per year - the resource could potentially support a 20 to 25-year mine life, depending on the conversion rate from resource estimates to reserves, gold prices and overall execution. The companys broader vision for its Witwatersrand Basin project could restore the regions status as a multi-decade gold powerhouse and if the yellow metals price stays hot, its 200,000-ounce-per-year dream could stretch the project out over generations. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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Eating outWine & spirits The 90-year-old Rozelle distillery changing perceptions about Aussie rum A forgotten rum from 1933 has been brought back to life  and hatted restaurants cant get it on their drinks lists fast enough. Erina Starkey December 5, 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

After the plates are cleared at Eleven Barrack in Sydney, a mid-century Italian drinks trolley is rolled into the dining room, topped with a 20-litre bottle of amber liquid. Its not whisky or cognac, but rum  specifically Red Mill Rum  which is drawn from the vessel with a copper pipette and carefully dropped into vintage glassware. Its become a feature of the restaurant and part of the whole experience, says Eleven Barrack co-owner and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt. Red Mill Rum founder David Fesq and sales and marketing manager Garth Foster at their warehouse in Rozelle. Dion Georgopoulos A decade ago, rum was unlikely to be something youd sip at a top Sydney restaurant like Eleven Barrack. Queensland rum brands, such as Bundaberg and Beenleigh, dominated the local market, and the sugarcane champagne was more often mixed with cola or ginger beer and slugged from a can. It was this perception that spurred David Fesq to revive his familys 90-year-old brand, Red Mill Rum.

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It was obvious there was a gap in the market for a high-quality, authentic, Sydney rum  especially one with a real story behind it, he says. Eleven Barracks Red Mill Rum trolley. Since its relaunch in 2024, the spirit has been in high demand, finding its way onto more than 300 drinks lists across Sydney, including at multi-hatted restaurants such as Firedoor, Sixpenny and Bennelong. Weve had people from every top restaurant and bar in town asking us to make something for them, Fesq says. One of those people was Hildebrandt. I love the history of the product, and the story behind it. I also love the quality and the flavour profile  a lot of rums can be quite sweet, but this is on the savoury-dry side, its a bit more elegant.

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Youve likely seen Red Mill Rum on a restaurant or bar menu in Sydney. Dion Georgopoulos Hildebrandt requested a cuvee rum that was lighter in alcohol and suited to after-dinner drinking. The Eleven Barrack blend was born, with Fesq infusing his aged rum with botanicals including sage, licorice root, rocket and orange peel to create an amaro-like liqueur. Another collaborator was chef and restaurateur Morgan McGlone who asked Fesq to create a coconut-and-pineapple rum, something a bit Polynesian, to serve as a digestif at his restaurant Bessies in Surry Hills. McGlone also stocks Red Mills spiced rum to make Dark n Stormys at Vin-Cenzos in Darlinghurst, while the classic expression is served over ice with lime at Surry Hills Bar Copains as an alternative to grappa and amaro. Im partial to a rum and coke, but this is definitely a bit more high-end, says McGlone. Fesq & Companys headquarters in Gloucester Street, Sydney, in 1953.

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Red Mill Rum wasnt always the refined product it is today. When Davids great-grandfather George Fesq first launched the label in 1933, the overproof rum was very much a working mans drink. It was a style more suited to the times higher in alcohol, stronger in flavour, maybe a bit rougher in some ways, says Fesq. The character suited Sydney perfectly. By the 50s, it had become the citys biggest rum brand, selling more than 300,000 bottles a year. It was local, it was authentic, it was bang for your buck, he says. Many still remember the ads plastered across buses and trains: a bloke, mouth wide open, yelling the brands iconic tagline, Your Shout. The Red Mill Rum tagline Your Shout on a barrel label. Dion Georgopoulos By the late 70s, however, demand had begun to taper off. When George sold his wine and spirit merchant business to William Grant & Sons in the mid 80s, the new owners werent interested in the rum, so it just disappeared, says Fesq.

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For decades, Red Mill lay forgotten, save for the odd piece of memorabilia lying around. It wasnt until the COVID years, when Fesq felt he needed a change from working in wine sales, that he began thinking seriously about bringing the brand back to life. In 2020 he started experimenting  blending, distilling and trialling different barrel finishes. Through his familys wine-trade contacts, he secured rare and unusual casks, including sherry casks from Spain, Sauternes barrels from France and bourbon barrels from Kentucky, using them to mature the spirit and build flavour. The Red Mill Rum distillery in Rozelle. Dion Georgopoulos For a collaboration with The Dry Dock  a heritage pub in Balmain originally built for dockworkers  Fesq drew on the venues maritime history, ageing rum in casks from port cities including Porto and Madeira to add depth and complexity to the rums warm caramel and gingersnap profile. Dry Dock co-owner James Ingram has devoted two pages of his drinks list to Red Mill Rum. We were established in 1867 and Red Mill Rum in 1933, so it was highly likely that the original Red Mill Rum would have been sold here over the years, he says.

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Theres a lot of synergy between what were both doing, which is reimagining heritage brands, paying respect and homage to their history, but also wanting to reimagine them for the next 100 years. The distilling, bottling and labelling is all done on site. Dion Georgopoulos The final piece of the puzzle was finding Red Mill Rum a permanent home. In early 2024, Fesq moved his distilling, bottling and screen printing equipment into an industrial warehouse in Rozelle once used by the Defence Force to manufacture steel parts. Its such a perfect fit, many people mistake it for the original Pyrmont distillery, Fesq says. Sydneysiders can explore the distillery when it opens for a Christmas market on Saturday, December 6. The full rum range will be on offer, including a new Christmas release infused with panettone, apricots and cranberries. Its a little lighter in alcohol. Its something grandma can have, but it wont put her to sleep, says Fesq. Otherwise, the distillery is only open for private tours, tastings and sales, but there are plans to launch a cellar door experience at the end of the summer.

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Cocktails and spirits Erina Starkey  Erina is the Good Food App Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Previously, Erina held a number of editing roles at delicious.com.au and writing roles at Broadsheet and Concrete Playground.
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Review Eating outMelbourne The soggy burger at this Queen Vic Market stall is sparking Melbournes next snack craze Sosmos is introducing Melburnians to some of Turkeys favourite midnight snacks, including wet, squishy sliders, fried mussels and fish sandwiches. Dani Valent December 5, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 6 The soggy burger at Sosmos could spark Melbournes next burger craze. Jason South 2 / 6 Skewers of fried mussels. Jason South 3 / 6 Mussels are served either fried in a bready batter, or stuffed with rice (pictured). Jason South 4 / 6 Crusty barramundi rolls are a riff on the traditional Turkish mackerel roll. Jason South 5 / 6 Sosmos soothes the nostalgic hankerings of local Turks. Jason South 6 / 6 The food van is introducing Melburnians to classic midnight snacks in Turkey. Jason South Previous Slide Next Slide Turkish$$$$ Are you ready for a new burger? When Tugay Ayvaz moved to Melbourne from Turkey three years ago, he had no trouble finding Turkish restaurants serving dips, kebabs and kofte. Gozleme were all good, pides were peaking. Still, there were gaps that made him pine for home. No one was cooking the late-night snacks he missed from the streets of Istanbul or Adana, where Ayvaz grew up cooking alongside his parents in their familys eateries. Where were the mussels, an after-dark nibble prepared by mobile vendors who set up on street corners and boulevards where people take evening strolls? What about fish sandwiches, the most important snack along the broad Golden Horn waterway that bisects central Istanbul? And most critical of all, why was there a troubling lack of wet burgers, a sauce-dipped slider thats incredibly popular at food stands around Taksim Square, one of Istanbuls busiest gathering places? Related Article Review The Charrd burger may be Melbournes most hyped-up bite right now. Is it any good?

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He pondered these mysteries while toiling at Brunetti in Lygon Street, working his way up from dishwasher to pizza and pasta chef, then leaving to set up Sosmos, a food truck that satisfies his own fierce food cravings while sparking Melbournes next burger craze. Sosmos Turkish food truck is parked in the E Shed at Queen Victoria Market. Jason South Sosmos soothes the nostalgic hankerings of local Turks and introduces the rest of us to the delights of soggy burgers, Ayvazs cute name for the squishy sliders from home. Brioche buns are dunked in a smooth, sweet tomatoey sauce perked up with garlic, a little cumin and pepper. Theyre sandwiched with beef patties and American cheese then put in a steamer cabinet, which is where the magic happens. After 20 minutes of warm fug, the bun absorbs the sauce and the beef and cheese fall into an intense embrace. The burger becomes a soggy, steamy love-in, comforting ballast for the soul. Eat it as is or dip it in mustard: youll be given disposable gloves on the off chance you want to stay neat and tidy. In Turkey, wet burger shops often have hero walls, celebrating sturdy diners who have put away the most sliders in one sitting. Stand by for a Sosmos competition along similar lines.

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Mussels are served either fried in a bready batter, or stuffed with rice. Jason South The mussels are great too, served either fried in a bready batter, or stuffed with rice. Long-grain white rice is par-cooked with allspice and spooned into mussel shells which are then steamed for about half an hour. The shellfish juices infuse the rice as it finishes cooking, creating another culinary group hug. Open the mussels, squeeze over some lemon (and drizzle chilli sauce, if you like) and youre eating a snack that is so delicious it doesnt seem right that its also so healthy. Ayvaz aims to be as traditional as possible, but hes made an exception for barramundi, grilled and piled into crusty rolls instead of the mackerel commonly used back home. The lean white flesh is a drier eating experience than oily mackerel but the Sosmos sweet-sour dressing of pomegranate molasses, lemon, garlic and olive oil brings welcome lubrication. Sumac-sprinkled red onion and generous heapings of rocket make this a super satisfying sanger. Fish in a roll is an acceptable daytime food in Turkey, but soggy burgers and stuffed mussels are generally midnight snacks which makes this daytime operation somewhat off the mark. Its like serving ice-cream at dawn: delicious, sure, but not quite right. If you find yourself eating at the communal pine tables out the front of Sosmos, any Turkish people in the vicinity will probably be blinking in the light, experiencing a kind of snack jet lag. Given all this, its good to hear that Ayvaz is also planning a permanent city site that stays open deep into the night.

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Three more to try at Queen Victoria Market Tutti Dolce If you think the only thing that could improve tiramisu is if its dispensed from a cute little truck, we got you. Tuttis special tiramisu van is in the new-for-summer Pallet Collective precinct in D Shed. Come for classic and jazzed up Italian desserts in flavours including pistachio, salted caramel and a special Christmas-spiced rum and raisin. D Shed, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, instagram.com/tuttidolcemelb American Doughnut Kitchen Can you say youve eaten in Melbourne if you havent had a doughnut from this vintage van? Now at home in E Shed, and celebrating 75 years of sugar-sprinkled oozy-jammy goodness, ADK is running a 12 Flavours of Summer series with new dipping flavours each week. Make mine cherry, please. E Shed, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, instagram.com/adkmelbourne Tribal Tastes At the market since 2002, Nigerian-born African cuisine expert Kunle Adesua sells ready-made meals, spice mixes and house-made jerkies such as kilishi, made with grass-fed local beef. His coiled boerewors sausage is a spectacular addition to your summer grilling repertoire. Shop 83, Dairy Produce Hall, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, tribaltastes.com.au Related Article Review Going out for brunch is back at this soothing Vietnamese cafe opposite Queen Victoria Market Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
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LifestyleLife & relationshipsInterior design Hosting a party? This is the room everyone will remember Robyn Willis December 3, 2025  2:15pm 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 17 View all comments

Theres a certain level of planning involved in hosting an event  even a modest one. But while time might be spent refining the menu, finding enough chairs or checking if the festoon lighting still works, theres one room in the house that is too often an afterthought. Forget about it at your peril. Because there comes a moment at any successful social event where someone is compelled to ask: can you tell me where to find the toilet? While a successful party will have guests enjoying themselves in clusters throughout the house  even in the kitchen  the toilet (and bathroom) is the one room in the house where it is almost guaranteed they will be on their own. And whether you like it or not, its where youre most likely to be judged. Clean towels, fresh flowers and scented soap are a good starting point for a guest-friendly bathroom. Michelle Viret Design Designer Michelle Viret says for most guests, its not a matter of looking for fault, but in the quiet of the bathroom, its a moment to pause. Without the distraction of conversation, people really notice the details, she says. Because they are on their own, they will notice how organised the space is. Its a moment to reflect on the standards of the whole home.

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Here is how to make a good impression, according to the experts. Do a deep clean In the haste to prepare the rest of the house for partygoers, its easy to leave cleaning the bathroom until last  or even forget about it altogether. Start by dusting (or vacuuming) the space and then wipe down all surfaces with your preferred cleaner. Its worth going over every wet surface with a dry cloth to prevent streaks. Given guests will be spending most of their time in the bathroom there, focus on ensuring the toilet is spotless and that the sink and vanity mirror sparkle. Empty and clean the bathroom bin, if you use one, and restock the supply of toilet paper. Viret says you dont want to be too clever about where to find spare rolls. Its great to tuck things away but giving them a clue where to look for more toilet paper is helpful, she says.

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If you have more than one bathroom, or a separate powder room, and time is short, its perfectly fine to direct guests to one bathroom and keep the others closed. Youre still entitled to a little privacy. Plenty of storage ensures keeping the bathroom clutter free is straightforward, even if guests drop by at the last minute. Karen Akers Design Clear the clutter Nothing downgrades a bathroom faster than a collection of toothbrushes, used makeup and pill bottles on the vanity. Ditto for fake flowers and dead plants. Interior designer Karen Akers says a clutter-free bathroom is the No.1 way to have a positive impact on the space. Ensure you have enough storage in the bathroom  this allows for clear bench-tops and reduces clutter, which is always a good first impression, she says.

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Viret agrees. Everyone loves a floating vanity but if storage is not considered in the bathroom, everything can end up on the benchtop, she says. Multi award-winning designer Darren Genner from Minosa Design says streamlined storage has always been a key part of design consideration, but it has become more sophisticated in recent years. Related Article Interior design Left the reno too late? The micro updates to refresh your home before Christmas We are minimising our use of drawers [in our clients bathrooms] but where we are doing drawers, we are adding power points inside so appliances like hairdryers can stay plugged in. That way theres no need to take the whole thing out to use it.

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Genner goes one step further with benchtop design, suggesting eliminating one of the most popular features in contemporary bathroom design  twin basins. Everybody thinks they need a double basin because there are two people using one space, he says. But why do they need it? She might say: I need to do my hair while he shaves. But thats not another basin they need, its a bigger mirror. In our view, you need a bigger bench for functions like hairstyling or electrical equipment. Two basins take up that space. Not everyone has the budget to splash out on a statement basin but a moody paint colour in the powder room sets an elegant tone. Minosa Design Go all out on design

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In for a penny, in for a pound, as the old saying goes. If you have a separate loo, or powder room, Genner says its an opportunity to knock yourself out style-wise in a contained space. It is an opportunity to do something really creative as a juxtaposition to the house, he says. Choose a bold wallpaper, paint the room a strong colour you love, hang a statement mirror or install a statement sconce light. Given you can close the door on it, its a low-stakes environment to express your style  and give your guests something to talk about. Fresh, fragrant flowers are always a good idea in the bathroom. Patterned wallpaper takes this space from ordinary to elevated. Michelle Viret Design Create a sensory experience

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For most people, bathroom lighting is all about function, but there is a case to be made for setting the mood with lighting, especially when you have guests over. Genner says a sensor light takes the guesswork out of finding the switch in an unfamiliar bathroom or powder room, especially as the evening wears on. As a kinder alternative to guests, swap out cold blue lightbulbs that are less than flattering for warmer globes. Related Article Interior design The colours that will date your home (and what to choose instead), according to an expert If youre really adventurous, Viret says candles can be an easy alternative in the bathroom, and a romantic option for a bathroom that might have seen better days. If youre looking for a quick update, Akers says you cant go past scented handwash and fresh towels.

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Towels are the answer and an easy way to beautify your place a whilst adding personality. Ensure they all match, all the time, she says. Invest in a good quality and looking room spray and hand wash  these items give a sensory experience that your guest will remember positively. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.

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Entertaining Robyn Willis is the Lifestyle Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
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Garry and Kerry Connell could have lost millions on the sale of their home.

The new revelations came at a critical point in the debate about how to tackle underquoting in Australias two largest cities.

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When Garry and Kerrie Connell first listed their penthouse for sale they were told it could fetch more than $8 million, but went to market with a conservative price guide of $6.5 million to $7 million. It was a quality apartment in the blue-chip Sydney neighbourhood of Paddington, in one of the most bullish property markets in the world. What could go wrong? Three auction campaigns, two price guide reductions and one new agent later, their agent strongly advised they accept an offer of $4.8 million. Thus, when Garry Connell says underquoting has the potential to hurt sellers, he speaks from experience. Garry and Kerry Connell are smiling after not bowing to pressure to sell their penthouse for less. Edwina Pickles In hindsight, the buyers who offered $4.8 million must have thought wed be delighted because they had offered well above the guide, but the reality was it was more than $2 million less than we were originally told it was worth, he said. Their experience illustrates how it is not just buyers who feel the pain of underquoting. Many home owners in NSW and Victoria are paying the price as the illegal practice taints their sale campaigns, wiping hundreds of thousands of dollars off the value of their homes.

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Bidding blind No offers, dont ask, dont tell: The real estate agent tricks used to duck price rules In the latest instalment of the Bidding Blind investigation, agents and property experts detail how underquoting  instead of stimulating demand  stings sellers by piling pressure on them to reduce their asking price, thereby ceding their negotiation power and undervaluing their property. Sometimes the underquoting is so extreme that the agent anchors the value too low, leaving an impossible gap to bridge, said real estate agent Ben Collier, of The Agency. The risk that an underquoted campaign will backfire is heightened during softer real estate markets. What were seeing in Victoria [broad brush] is that the buyers arent chasing the vendors expectations, so the underquoting is not working, said Melbournes buyers advocate David Morrell, a director at Morrell and Koren. The gap is too far. The debate about tackling underquoting in Australias two largest cities is at a critical moment. New laws announced in Victoria last month will force agents to disclose a homes reserve price well before buyers attend the auction. But that landmark change faces industry resistance amid claims it could disadvantage sellers.

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Victoria is facing the biggest shake-up of property price rules in decades. Peter Rae The NSW Office of Fair Trading has largely dismissed pre-auction reserve disclosure, as it considers different reforms including mandated published price guides, steeper penalties and more detailed price estimates. Melbourne real estate agent Craig Frost said people did not understand the damage underquoting did to sellers. Ive had people in my office crying and saying, Ive got tricked. I got duped by that agent. Can I get out of that contract? Can you give me some advice?, but its too late, he said. Underquoting  a practice whereby agents deliberately provide a low sale estimate for a property to attract a crowd  creates a gap between the price expectations of the seller and buyers. While buyers have the option of not pursuing an underquoted property, sellers can find themselves trapped, said buyers agent Stuart Jones, of Jones Property Advisory.

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Bidding blind Biggest liar gets the listing: The tricks some agents use to pressure home sellers Vendors have more to lose because by the time they realise an agent is underquoting their property they are usually locked in to an agency agreement with that agent, he said. Not helping is the increasingly competitive pricing among agents. A decade ago there was a 10 per cent range between the best-case and worst-case scenario in terms of sale price. Home owners could do their sums on what they might buy based on that, Collier said. But now that range is 25 to 30 per cent. For Garry and Kerrie Connell, there was a 35 per cent gap between their best post-auction offer of $4.8 million and the conservative value estimate of $6.5 million. The idea behind the underquoted price was, Connell was told, to get as many people through the penthouse as possible so that come auction night people would fight over it and push the price back up. It certainly pulled plenty of buyers, but none who were willing to pay millions of dollars more than the guide. Instead, the discounted guide had just lowered its value.

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Underquoting really just dilutes genuine competition, said buyers agent and founder of SydneySlice Deborah West. As a seller, if you havent got the right buyers in the room on auction day, and you are under pressure to sell, then youre doomed because youre unlikely to meet reserve, West said. Failed underquoting campaigns are frequently exposed when homes pass in at auction even though bidding has exceeded the advertised range. Almost 50 people who responded to this mastheads survey about misleading price guides cited first-hand experience at auctions where this had occurred. In 17 of these cases, they were the highest bidder, only to miss out because the owner wanted more than the agent had advised. For buyers lured to an auction on the promise of a bogus guide, the cost can be significant: lost weekends inspecting the wrong properties and money unnecessarily spent on building, pest and legal advice.

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WorldEuropeRussia-Ukraine war Ukraine pins hope on new era of AI drones to transform the face of war David Crowe December 5, 2025  10:44am 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

Lviv, Ukraine: Old ideas about war are being tossed aside in an arms race to win the battle for Ukraine  and a new breed of drone may decide which side claims victory. Young companies are forming across Ukraine in a bid to defeat Russian forces with faster and more powerful drones that can operate on land, sea and air. A Ukrainian soldier demonstrates a locally-made drone in the Kyiv region. AP And they understand that if they do not build autonomous drones that use artificial intelligence to find their targets, their enemies will get there first. We are very, very close to the war of drones, says Sergii Gunko, the chief operating officer of Tank Bureau, a tech company in Lviv.

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There will be less and less direct contact for people who see each other, take their guns and shoot. You have a kill zone that is approximately 20 to 25 kilometres wide and is constantly increasing. View post on X Gunko outlines this future at a gathering of Ukrainian defence developers in Lviv, in western Ukraine, where they meet to share knowledge and attract investors. Tank Bureau is a member of a group called Iron Cluster, which began in Lviv and now has 90 members across Ukraine. The young companies mirror the attitude of Silicon Valley start-ups, but their ultimate goal is to win a war.

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The kill zone means the concept of a front line is becoming obsolete as aerial drones roam across the line of contact and limit the movements of the opposing army. The size of this zone is defined by the range of the drones. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war In an open field, the soldier had nowhere to hide. Then he became invisible Gunko believes the width of the zone is likely to extend to about 100 kilometres over time. The war in Ukraine has already been transformed by first-person view, or FPV, drones, which operators fly via very long spools of fibre-optic cable that prevent them from being jammed. While they have disadvantages, such as an operating distance limited to the length of a wire, they are highly resilient and their range is increasing all the time. Meanwhile, another company, DoD Solution, is installing software in military drones to create autonomous weapons that can complete missions using artificial intelligence.

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DoD Solution co-founder Ivan Oleksii says the software will not replace the best drone pilots, given the human skill required to control the devices in battle, but will help address the scarcity of drone pilots. Oleksii says some pilots may be very good and others may be average, which means it will be better to use AI drones in large numbers. Related Article Opinion

Russia-Ukraine war Ukraine is running out of cash. Can Europe seize Russian money to help? Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The DoD software is loaded onto a module, he says, which has been fitted to military drones used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to prove it works in the field. A human operator can direct a drone on some parts of its journey, then switch to AI so it completes the task on its own. This can be useful when a drone goes on a long-distance mission outside radio range.

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It totally makes sense to use it, says Oleksii. Drone race Once those AI tools can perform better than the average soldier, defence forces will start to use this human factor on something else. If they can automate it, they will automate it. None of these concepts is hidden from the Russians, although the technology itself is guarded carefully. Ukraine bans the export of this software and hardware, a contentious decision because it limits revenue for its own start-ups. The companies spoke to this masthead about their work but would not divulge confidential details. We dont have this time, and thats why our innovation cycle started to be more like six months to three months.Its a constant fight between sword and shield. Andrii Makhnyk, Iron Cluster co-founder

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The race on the Russian side is led by groups such as Rubicon, a military unit set up in the middle of last year and credited with using drones to push Ukrainian soldiers back in the Kursk region. The head of the Ukrainian Aerial Reconnaissance Support Centre, Maria Berlinska, said in August that Rubicon had brilliant management and was Russias best technology unit. This means there is an open question about whether the start-up culture on the Ukrainian side will be able to match the centralised military power of the Kremlin. While Australian companies have joined this arms race, and the Department of Defence is buying and developing drones, few countries can match the intensity of the work in Ukraine. The war is a tragedy, but also a laboratory. Lessons from the front are acted on urgently because so many in Ukraine see this as an existential challenge for their nation. Andrii Makhnyk, global project lead at Iron Cluster in Ukraine.

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The innovation cycle of technology that were used to, like in NATO or other countries, can take years to create something new, says Iron Cluster co-founder and global project lead Andrii Makhnyk. We dont have this time, and thats why our innovation cycle started to be more like six months to three months. Its a constant fight between sword and shield. Access to technology is a factor. Russia has built devastating drones using designs from Iran and hardware from China. So far, Ukrainian companies are still buying Chinese components, but they worry about restrictions that will hurt their ability to win the arms race. Not all the work leads to the production of offensive weapons. Farsight Vision, another Iron Cluster member, is taking data gathered from aerial drones and feeding it into mapping software to create 3D maps of Russian positions.

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Oksana Vakshynska, engagement director at Farsight Vision. Our system is actively used by the Ukrainian military now, says Oksana Vakshynska, the engagement manager at the company. The tool is used by reconnaissance units, whose task is to investigate an area, and it is also used in the planning of operations because, before you plan the operation, you need to understand the area. View post on X It is also used in drone schools, so the pilots-in-training are working with real examples of the enemy terrain.

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Naval drones are proving their capacity in Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil tankers. Ukraine claims success in damaging two tankers in the Black Sea last week, and it has released video of its Sea Baby drones heading toward their targets like small automated speedboats. Gunko, of Tank Bureau, says the future will be about using large numbers of small drones rather than a small number of large offensive weapons. If you look at whats going on in the war, you see that its better not to invest in a big ship but in smaller drones like the Sea Baby, he says. In the same way, Russia has pierced Ukrainian air defences by launching hundreds of drones in a single night. This is the logic that led Tank Bureau to develop ground drones  known as UGVs, for unmanned ground vehicles  as a way to help Ukraine on the battlefield.

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While China has released video of drones that appear to walk like dogs, the Ukrainian UGVs use tracks like tanks. Tank Bureau puts its vehicles on display at defence gatherings in Kyiv and Lviv this week. Gunko said brigade commanders would choose hundreds of UGVs as an alternative to a tank because of the greater impact of a large number of uncrewed vehicles. Western countries, he added, needed to adapt to what is happening in Ukraine and think again about the idea that large ships and aircraft can withstand attack from large numbers of smaller drones. This is the main trend, I think, for modern war, in the world we see now, Gunko says. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaUS politics One of the most troubling things Ive seen: US lawmakers watch classified boat strike footage Michael Koziol Updated December 5, 2025  11:02am ,first published December 5, 2025  10:03am 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 84 View all comments

Washington: United States lawmakers who watched classified footage of strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat have emerged with different interpretations of what occurred, but accept that War Secretary Pete Hegseth did not issue an order to kill everybody on the vessel. The admiral in charge of the operation, Frank Mitch Bradley, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Dan Caine briefed lawmakers on Thursday (Friday AEDT) amid serious concerns in Congress and among legal experts that the US had committed a war crime by firing upon survivors of the initial strike. US Navy Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, left, and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Dan Caine arrive at Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers on Thursday. AP It followed a report in The Washington Post alleging that Hegseth had instructed the admiral to kill everybody on board  a claim he strongly denied. Both Democrats and Republicans said they accepted Caine and Bradleys evidence that no such order was given. However, they differed on their interpretations of the footage.

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Democratic congressman Jim Himes said the videos showed two survivors in clear distress who were unable to continue with their mission and posed no further threat to the US. Related Article Trump's White House After decades in combat, a top SEAL suddenly comes under scrutiny What I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service, he told reporters following the briefing. You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, who were killed by the United States. Any American who sees the video that I saw will see the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors  bad guys, but attacking shipwrecked sailors.

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Such an action is against international laws of armed conflict and contravenes the policies of the US military. But Republican senator from Arkansas Tom Cotton said the footage showed the two men trying to flip the boat back around and remain in the battle. Loading I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs bound for the United States back over so they could stay in the fight, he said. I didnt see anything disturbing about it.

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Cotton confirmed there were four strikes against the boat in total, killing 11 people on board. He said Bradleys team did exactly what the country expected of them. Related Article Analysis

US politics Fog of war might excuse an admiral, but it wont let Hegseth off the hook The first strike, the second strike, and the third and the fourth strike on September 2 were entirely lawful and needful, he said. Admiral Bradley was very clear that he was given no order to give no quarter or to kill them all. There was no vocal order either. Cotton said that in subsequent boat strikes, survivors who were actually shipwrecked and distressed, and not attempting to continue their mission, were treated as they should be and picked up by the US military.

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Our military always obeys the laws of war, he said. Democratic senator Mark Warner of Virginia, who was also briefed on the classified material, appeared to share his Democratic colleagues version of events. US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Tuesday as War Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on. AP That video was very disturbing, and I think Congress needs to see it, he said, adding that the legal opinion underlying the strikes should be made public. We all know that our countrys record of interventions in the Caribbean, Central America and South America over the past 100-plus years hasnt been a perfect record, Warner said.

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On Friday (AEDT), the US Southern Command announced it had conducted another strike against a small boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean  at the direction of Hegesth  following a pause of almost three weeks. It is the 22nd strike the US military has carried out against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean that the Trump administration claimed were trafficking drugs. View post on X There were four casualties in the latest strike, according to the social media post, bringing the death toll of the campaign to at least 87 people. In a video that accompanied the announcement, a small boat can be seen moving across the water before it is suddenly consumed by a large explosion. The video then zooms out to show the boat covered in flames and billowing smoke.

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Following Cottons comments, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the Post must retract its story alleging Hegseth issued an order to kill everyone on the boat. Related Article US politics Hegseth unleashes on press, says lethal double strike on boat occurred in fog of war Its an insult to the American People & to everyone who wears the uniform of our country, he wrote on X. The Post has not retracted the story. The Washington Post is proud of its accurate, rigorous journalism, a spokesperson for the newspaper has previously said. The developments came as the inspector general for the Department of Defence  or Department of War as it is now known  released a report that found Hegseth breached department rules by sending sensitive, nonpublic operational information to a Signal group chat this year.

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The finding related to operational details about imminent air strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen. Unbeknownst to Hegseth, the group chat created by then national security adviser Michael Waltz included a prominent journalist, The Atlantics editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. Related Article US politics Hegseth under pressure after Pentagon watchdog finds he put troops at risk Hegseths use of his personal mobile phone to conduct official business and send sensitive information risked potential compromise and endangered US military personnel, the report found. The secretarys actions created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed US mission objectives and potential harm US pilots, it said. 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.
Chinese, Dutch business leaders urge efforts to build stable, resilient global supply chains

Xinhua) 13:22, December 05, 2025

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Dutch business leaders have urged efforts to build stable, resilient and efficient global supply chains amid rising geopolitical tensions and expanding national security concerns.

At the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) roadshow here on Thursday, Jin Yuan, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands, said "it is an urgent need to enhance international cooperation to preserve the public-good nature of global supply chains, which serve the common interests of all parties."

Echoing Jin, Jochum Haakma, chairman of the Netherlands China Business Council, said "We meet at a time of global uncertainty, shifting alliances, evolving supply chains and rising trade tensions, which have made international business more complex."

"You can imagine that advancing globally connected supply chain management is of great importance," Haakma noted.

CISCE, hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), is the world's first national-level exhibition themed around supply chains. The fourth CISCE, scheduled for June 22-26, 2026, aims to strengthen global industrial and supply chain partnerships.

According to Zhao Feng, deputy chief of the CCPIT representative office in the EU, the fourth CISCE will continue to focus on full-industry-chain perspectives across six major sectors: advanced manufacturing, green agriculture, digital technology, healthy life, smart vehicles, and clean energy.

"These sectors are closely aligned with key strengths, strong trade ties, industrial integration, and our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation. All of this provides Chinese and Dutch companies with a solid foundation to deepen supply chain collaboration," said Tao Fenghua, general manager of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Amsterdam Branch.

Haakma, a prominent advocate of China-EU business cooperation, noted that many European companies operating in China are there not only to sell but to co-innovate, becoming part of a shared global ecosystem.

"The right response to global pressures is not isolation, but innovation, quality, and resilient cooperation, ensuring that our economies remain both competitive and connected," he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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MINISTER for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment Peter Burke has announced that an 8 million regional innovation and enterprise hub for the South-East is to be set up in Carlow and will create 350 jobs over 15 years.

The Minister launched the Catalyst HQ project in Enterprise House on OBrien Road in Carlow town on 4 December, alongside representatives from Carlow County Council.

Under the plan, two buildings are to be built on OBrien Road by 2028, with construction due to start in the spring of next year. One of the buildings will be a 915 square-metre single-storey light industrial building, while the other will be a 1,369 square-metre two-storey office building.

The aim of the project is to provide integrated support for manufacturing, export-focused enterprises and technology-driven businesses based in Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford.

Carlow businessman David Walsh, who led an entrepreneurial advisory panel for the project, said the initiative is a game-changer for the South-East.

L-R, Kevin Sherry, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland; Kieran Comerford, Head of Economic Development and Enterprise - Local Enterprise Office, Carlow, Linda Culleton, Economic Development Officer with Carlow County Council and a Director of Catalyst HQ; Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; and Coilin O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council. Photo: Damien Eagers

He added: This investment on OBrien Road by Carlow Local Authorities, supported by Enterprise Ireland, will accelerate entrepreneurship, drive innovation and support meaningful job creation across the region.

It will feature a community of experienced entrepreneurs willing to support the next generation, and an ecosystem of professional services essential for starting and scaling successful businesses. The project will aim to help businesses with less than ten staff to scale up, while also helping larger businesses to develop further.

Micro-businesses with a staff of 10 or fewer are the largest employment group in the South-East, said Kieran Comerford, Carlow County Council Head of Enterprise and Economic Development.

However, in Carlow, just 17% transition to small businesses which is below the 28% regional average. Catalyst HQ has been designed as a transformative regional asset that will empower businesses at every stage of their growth journey, he added.

Funding for the project has been secured through Enterprise Ireland and the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme.

South-East Catalyst Innovation Company CLG (trading as Catalyst HQ) will lead the project development, in collaboration with Carlow County Council, Carlow Chamber, Propellor BIC, SETU, Carlow County Development Partnership and a specialist panel of enterprise advisors.

Over the first 15 years of the project, 175 direct and an additional 175 indirect jobs will be created.
A KILDARE man who allegedly set fire to a bundle of newspapers causing 300 worth of damage was not present when his case was called at Portlaoise District Court recently.

Paul Davis (39) from 19 Cloney Avenue, Cloneyboro, Athy was due before the court charged with being in possession of 336 sleeping tablets with a total value of 672 and to being intoxicated and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour along the Dublin Road, Portlaoise on 1 November.

Mr Davis was also charged with criminal damage by fire of newspapers to the value of 300 on 2 November at Station Road, Portlaoise and to the theft of a 20 phone credit card and a 4.80 litre bottle of Linden beer from the Applegreen Service Station, Dublin Road, Portlaoise on the same date.

Defending barrister Anne Doyle said that her client was not present in court as he was currently in hospital.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby asked that at the next hearing of the case that the defendant supply a note from the hospital indicating his stay.

Judge Susan Fay remanded the defendant on his own bail to the 22 December sitting of the court to allow him, at that stage, enter a not guilty or guilty plea to the charges, and in the event of a not guilty plea set a preliminary date of 24 February for a full hearing into the case.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A guard who was previously stationed in Carlow has been honoured at The National Bravery Awards for saving a young man who had fallen into the River Barrow in 2019.

Sergeant Fergal OConnor was awarded a bronze medal and a certificate of bravery, which were presented to him by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD in Leinster House on Friday 5 December.

In the early hours of the morning of 28 October 2019, Serg OConnor and members of his unit were getting ready to finish their shift for the night when they were alerted to reports that a young man was in the River Barrow at Graiguecullen Bridge.

At the time, the Barrow was heavily in flood following significant rainfall, and attempts to save the man using life buoys were unsuccessful as the current swept him further out into the river and towards a dangerous weir.

Gardai on the scene soon realised that someone would have to jump into the river, and without hesitation, Serg OConnor removed his stab vest and shoes and entered the water.

The temperature on the night was just above zero degrees but that did not deter Serg OConnor, who swam out into the darkness to rescue the young man and bring him back to shore.

Gardai on dry land were able to help the pair back out of the water, where the man was treated by ambulance and fire services before being transferred to Portlaoise Hospital, where he later made a full recovery.

Speaking to guests at the ceremony, the Ceann Comhairle said:

We dont all find ourselves standing with someone in the water, or holding onto them on a cliff edge, as some of our recipients have done. But every day we each have a chance to make a difference, by listening, supporting or just being there for someone when they need us.

To all of our award recipients, on behalf of the people of Ireland let me thank you again for your actions, for your selflessness and for your courage.

What you have done has made the world feel a little less dark, a little less dangerous and gives hope to us all for the road ahead. In total, 22 National Bravery Awards were presented to individuals from across the country who risked their own lives to aid others.
Members of the Irish Defence Forces have come under fire in south Lebanon.

The 127th Infantry Battalion came under "small arms fire" at 6.30 pm on Thursday evening, but "all personnel are well and accounted for".

The Defence Forces says the Battalion were out on patrol in armoured vehicles when the attack happened, and "initiated immediate action drills".

This is one of the last tours of duty Irish soldiers will perform as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as the mission will soon be stood down.

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee has condemned the incident and commended the personnel involved for their professionalism in extremely challenging circumstances.

I have been fully briefed by the Chief of Staff, and I want to commend the personnel involved for their professionalism in extremely challenging circumstances. I am particularly relieved that all members of the patrol returned safely to base.

Defence Forces personnel continue to play a vital role in South Lebanon, and their commitment and conduct remain of the highest standard.
Ken Foxe

There were more than three times as many gardai as deportees on a half-full flight to Pakistan, even though it included just one person with a serious criminal conviction.

Internal notes from the Department of Justice show that the deportation operation in September cost 474,000 and involved only 24 failed asylum seekers.

Three of the persons on board had minor offences on their record but were never sent to jail, while one had a serious criminal conviction from the UK.

The notes show that 79 members of An Garda Siochana were on board, an average of 3.3 per deportee, as well as a doctor, a paramedic, a translator, and a human rights monitor.

The average bill for each deportee was around 20,000, as the department said in a statement that such operations were costly and complex to enforce.

They said charter flights increased the options and capacity available to gardai and that staffing arrangements were a policing matter.

A statement said: [The Garda National Immigration Bureau] conducts a risk assessment for the safety of those travelling. This informs the number of personnel involved.

The department said the cost of what they called Operation Toboggan had been 473,000 with a further 1,120 spent on catering costs.

They were not able to provide details of staffing or overtime costs incurred by An Garda in sending 79 officers on the flight to Islamabad.

An internal note said the Airbus A330 used had 256 seats available but travelled less than half full on the seven-and-a-half-hour flight to Pakistan.

The note said there were no family groups involved and that the 24 deportees ranged from 23 to 66 years in age.

Their average time in the State was nine years and three months with 10 living in IPAS centres and 14 in private accommodation.

A note for Minister Jim OCallaghan added: References to the [charter] contract costing the State 5 million relate to the potential value of the contract over the lifespan of the contract.

The term of the contract is three years with a possibility to extend it twice by one year, a potential lifespan of five years in total.

A separate internal briefing note on Operation Void to remove 23 Romanian citizens in October said it had cost just under 70,000.

It said that all had served custodial prison sentences in the State and were being removed under European directives on free movement.

The note said: A removal and exclusion order may be issued to an EU national when the person represents a danger for public policy or public security.

19 of the 23 deportees were removed from the State while in the middle of a prison sentence and the four others were located and detained by gardai.

The minister was told 80 gardai would be on board along with a human rights monitor, a translator, and a medical team.

The note added that those being removed had accumulated 565 criminal charges between them while living in Ireland.

A Department of Justice spokesman said: It is a priority for Minister Jim OCallaghan that our immigration system is rules-based and efficient. Enforcement of our immigration laws is a central element of a rules-based system.

The removal of persons who have been refused permission to remain is an essential requirement for the immigration system to work effectively and to ensure that the public has confidence in the application of our laws in this area.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association

The Taoiseach has described his countrys withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest as an act of solidarity.

Ireland is among a number of countries that pulled out of the contest after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) agreed to allow Israel to participate amid the conflict in Gaza.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he fully understands the decision taken by national broadcaster RTE to withdraw.

A pro-Palestine protest outside the RTE building in Dublin, calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest earlier in 2025 (Brian Lawless/PA)

However, during a joint press conference at the British-Irish Council, Northern Irelands leaders gave opposing views on the move.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said it sent a strong message, while Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it wont make a jot of difference to the situation in the Middle East.

Mr Martin said there are two groups of people, among many, who were extremely brave during the war in Gaza  the medical community and journalists.

And this is, among other things, an act of solidarity with those journalists who were killed in breach of international humanitarian law during the war in Gaza, he said.

Without those journalists, the world would not have known to the degree that it knows the horrors of what transpired in Gaza.

I think our focus has to be on peace and how now can we contribute to the bedding down of the ceasefire and how we, as a country, and Ireland is up to contributing to the peace process, and we work with other like-minded countries in that respect.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said she absolutely agreed with the decision (Liam McBurney/PA)

He added that Irelands decision to recognise Palestine as a state was in the context of the Arab partner peace initiative.

So were working with all involved to see how we can contribute in terms of the peace process the most and also then the absolute unimpeded flow of vital humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is not going in to the degree or sufficiency that the situation requires.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said he understood the context for RTEs decision.

These are editorially independent decisions, I think thats important, he said.

But I would say this by way of context, weve seen hundreds of journalists killed throughout this horrific, horrific conflict.

We still today see a situation where theres not free access by Israel for the media to get in to actually see the atrocities that have happened in Gaza, and you cant just forget or ignore the fact that a genocide has taken place in relation to Palestine.

Im sure this was a well-considered decision. Ireland has a long affinity with Eurovision, winning it more times than anyone, I think, at least jointly first.

But I think RTE would have weighed up all of these issues and made their decisions editorially independent of the government, as it should be. But I certainly understand the context for that decision.

Boycotting a singing competition is not going to make one jot of difference in terms of moving forward with a peaceful resolution Emma Little-Pengelly

Ms ONeill said she absolutely agrees with the decision.

I think its a right and appropriate decision to take, she said.

This is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time, when genocide prevails, and I think countries need to take action that actually sends a very strong message, and I think this is another one of those messages.

Ms Little-Pengelly said: I think the focus on everyone should be on what is actually going to make a meaningful difference in the Middle East. That must mean supporting all efforts to stabilise a ceasefire.

Im glad to see that the UK Government and others are working to help to stabilise that peace.

It is a very fragile situation but, quite frankly, boycotting a singing competition is not going to make one jot of difference in terms of moving forward with a peaceful resolution and permanent resolution to that conflict.
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

The Taoiseach has told the Russian ambassador to stop this war, after the diplomat criticised the official visit of the Ukrainian president to Ireland.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy gave a historic address earlier this week to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas and also met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly.

Russian ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov said on Friday that it was hard to make sense of the visit beyond it representing the ever-present desire of the Irish government to show loyalty to the EU anti-Russian policy line on Ukraine.

In a statement, Mr Filatov said Irish political leaders were living in an illusory world that has nothing to do with the realities of the war in Ukraine.

He criticised Taoiseach Micheal Martin for using the Slava Ukraini  or Glory to Ukraine  phrase, with the ambassador comparing the greeting to Heil Hitler.

Asked about the comments at the British-Irish Council summit in Cardiff, Mr Martin said Mr Filatov had a track record of attacking him and the Government consistently.

He said: Were very, very clear: The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a fundamental, brutal violation of the United Nations Charter, and no power can behave in such a manner.

The destruction of Ukraine, killing of so many people, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure and energy infrastructure on the scale that has happened is reprehensible.

I would say to the Russian ambassador to please bring back the message to the Russian government to please engage and stop this war.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a joint sitting of the Oireachtas during his visit (Tony Maxwell/Maxwells/PA)

The Taoiseach said there was now a basis to stop this war as he hailed diplomatic efforts by US President Donald Trump.

President Trump is working hard to try and bring about a ceasefire. President Trump has a genuine hatred of war, he said.

And I think the work of the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with French president Emmanuel Macron and others in forming the coalition of the willing has been a very effective process to give support to Ukraine, but also to create conditions which would facilitate a sustainable peace settlement.

Mr Martin said Ireland would always facilitate visits from other nations and other countries.

We were very happy to facilitate the visit of President Zelenskiy, who Ive met on numerous occasions and Ive been to Kyiv, he said.

It was a good visit. The people of Ireland responded very warmly. Our legislature responded very warmly.

Mr Martin said Ireland would make no apologies for inviting Mr Zelenskiy and said the Government was looking forward to strengthening bilateral relations with Ukraine and facilitating its reconstruction in the event of a peace settlement.
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As WondLa reaches its third and final season on Apple TV+, Skydance Animations ambitious sci-fi epic ends with a scale and intensity that even its own directors didnt foresee at the beginning.

For filmmaker and longtime animator Carlos Baena, who helmed two episodes in S3, the finale represents a rare opportunity in contemporary TV/streaming animation: a chance to finish a story the way it was meant to end.

A Spanish transplant working on the West Coast, Baena is an animator and director whose career spans major studio features, television, and acclaimed independent shorts. As a Pixar animator, he contributed to the iconic Spanish Buzz Lightyear sequence in Toy Story 3, infusing his own cultural background into the iconic characters movements.

He later transitioned into directing, creating the award-winning horror short La Noria. Baena has worked across studios, including Pixar, Paramount Animation, and Skydance Animation. In addition to his studio work, he is actively developing new projects, including a feature for Skydance and an independent horror anthology with Spains Abel & Baker. His background also includes work in live-action VFX, with contributions to Star Trek projects, and he is currently developing an original series for another major streamer.

A massive fan of genre cinema, Baena didnt come onto WondLa expecting to direct. I was just going to help on animation and pre-production, he tells us. But the setting hooked him immediately. Robots, aliens, and humans? Like, yeah, sign me up. He saw it as a chance to work in a space he had long been craving. Even if the look is still a little mainstream for my own taste, thats fine.

Everything changed when Skydance asked whether hed be willing to direct an episode in Season 2. He initially resisted. I was a little burned from a previous studio job I had done, and wanted to enjoy time with my family, he laughs, recalling thinking to himself at the time: I dont want to deal with directing right now.

But he took the assignment, and the result was more than he ever could have hoped for.

They Let Me Take Some Chances.

Baena was surprised by how much freedom Skydance and Apple gave him, especially considering that this was the end of the entire series.

They let me take some chances, he says. There were certain things that they were like, dont go too dark, dont go too adult but I did that anyway in the storyboards, thinking that either Skydance or Apple would cut it, but they didnt!

That freedom shaped the tone of the two episodes he directed. The penultimate chapter, which Baena describes as the biggest and most chaotic battle in the entire series, draws heavily from the genre films he favors. I was going for Dune, Blade Runner, and Fury Road, he says. He even told his artists to keep Junkie XLs Mad Max: Fury Road score on loop: Its all Im listening to as Im giving notes.

His finale also leans into darker territory, a direction he believes audiences are more than ready for. [The industry] is treating audiences dumb again and not giving them what they want, he argues. My dream would be to do more mature stuff in animation, even if its for younger audiences. They get it, and kids always want to watch stuff aimed at older audiences. He cites the success of his favorite animated films  The Nightmare Before Christmas, Iron Giant, Spirited Away, and Memories  as evidence to back his claim.

Grounding Sci-Fi Spectacle In Human Emotion

Despite the epic battles and large-scale action, Baena views WondLas emotional core as the most important element of the show. When invited into the writers room, the first time hed ever sat in one, he clicked immediately with the team.

What mattered most to him was grounding the series high-concept science fiction in relatable human experience. At the end of the day, youre dealing with a human story, he says. I cannot relate to science fiction because Im not on another plane, I cant relate to horror because nobody is chasing me with a knife, but I can relate to the feelings and emotions that these characters have with one another.

Baena also brought his animation expertise to bear on character refinement. Rowenders original foot design, for example, would have been difficult to animate consistently for three seasons. So, although the show was in its second season already when he started directing, his visual fingerprint can be found in its designs.

TV Animation, Feature Quality

The animation for Season 3 was produced at Icon Creative Studio in Vancouver, and Baena speaks highly of the studios contribution. Icon did a really great job, he says. We tried to push them as much as we could to get as close as we could to feature film quality.

Satisfied with the result, he says, Considering that this is TV, you dont always have the biggest budget or the schedule I still feel like they did a tremendous job.

A theatrical screening of the final episodes at the wrap party validated that effort. To be able to see it that large it was one of the greatest moments in my career, he said.

Tuning Out Industry Noise

The last stretch of production unfolded amid public transitions as Skydances distribution relationships shifted from Apple to Netflix and then toward Paramount. Baena said it was impossible to ignore, because its in every single news outlet, you cannot avoid it, but none of it changed his approach.

This industry is so unpredictable these days, he said. Sometimes, for me, it helps me to work on something, thinking that it might be the last thing that I get to work on. That mindset drove him to give 200% the whole time.

The last thing I want to do is waste peoples time watching something that I directed, he added. Whether its a short film, a TV series, or a feature film.

A True Ending

WondLa stands out in the current animation landscape because it can end on its own terms. Many contemporary animated series are cancelled mid-narrative, often without warning. Here, Baena and the rest of the team were able to build toward the conclusion from the moment Season 3 began.

Season 1 set the foundation. Its very four-quadrant, he said. Season 2 pushed deeper: he described its finale as great and a key transitional piece. And Season 3, he said, is where the team finally had permission to fully evolve the tone  much like how the Harry Potter film series darkened over time. You cannot do a Harry Potter 3 before having done Harry Potter 1 or 2, he said. Now the kids who watched Season 1 and Season 2 are getting a little older, and we need to mature with them.

For Baena, the conclusion represents not only the end of the story but a point of personal growth, a bridge between his work in shorts, features, independent filmmaking, and now serialized storytelling.

And most of all, he hopes the ending feels worth the audiences time.
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Syria is increasingly relying on Iraq and other regional suppliers to keep its cement industry operating as severe fuel shortages continue to disrupt local production, a senior official confirmed. Mahmoud Fadila, head of the General Company for Cement and Building Materials, told state news agency SANA that dwindling fuel oil supplies have forced factories to shift temporarily to coal-fired systems while importing clinker from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye to maintain domestic supply.

In a significant move to boost output, Damascus has approved a major Iraqi investment aimed at revitalising one of the countrys key plants. In October, the Ministry of Economy and Industry signed an agreement with Iraqs Vertex Group to rehabilitate and expand the Hama Cement plants third production line. The upgrade increases capacity from 3,300 to 5,000tpd and adds a new 6000t line, raising the plants future output to roughly 11,000tpd, according to Shafaq News.

Syria currently produces about 10,00tpd of cement,around 3.6Mta, far short of the estimated 89Mt required each year for reconstruction. Officials say imports and foreign investment will remain essential to narrowing the supply gap.
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A new US$100m integrated cement plant has been officially commissioned in Balaka, southern Malawi, marking one of the countrys largest industrial investments in recent years. The facility  a partnership between Chinas Huaxin Cement Group and Portland Cement Malawi Ltd  is expected to significantly strengthen domestic cement supply and reduce reliance on imports.

The launch ceremony was attended by Malawis Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha, Chinese Ambassador Lu Xu, and Wang Xuanqian, CEO of Huaxins Natal Portland Cement operation in South Africa.

Mwanamvekha hailed the project as a significant milestone for Malawis industrialisation drive under the Malawi 2063 agenda. The commissioning of the plant is not just a significant step towards realising this goal but a beacon of hope for the future of our manufacturing sector, he said. He added that the investment reflects growing confidence in Malawis improving business environment and will help stabilise cement supply for infrastructure development.

The new integrated plant will produce around 800,000tpa of cement, enabling Malawi to cut clinker and cement imports while supporting job creation and local value chains.

Ambassador Lu described the project as the largest manufacturing investment by a Chinese company in Malawi to date. She said the plant would boost industrial capacity, enhance self-sufficiency and save the country US$50m annually in foreign exchange, while generating an additional US$15m in export earnings.

The partnership between Portland Cement Malawi and Huaxin was praised by government officials as a model for responsible foreign direct investment, combining technological expertise with community engagement and a commitment to sustainable industrial growth.

The plant is expected to play a central role in meeting Malawis rising cement demand as construction activity accelerates nationwide.
Jamie Margaret Park, 86, died peacefully in her sleep at Serenity on the Farm in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, early Wednesday morning, December 3, 2025.

Originally from Whitwell, Tn., Margaret was the youngest daughter of Linnie Ferguson Park of Jasper and Zollie James Park of Cleveland, Tn.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Charlotte Park Bailiff and Mildred Ann Park Boyd of Chattanooga.

As a graduate of the University of Chattanooga, Margaret had a long and wonderful career in public service. Beginning in Chattanooga, with heading up the Girl Scouts of America and retiring from the State of Georgia, as the Head of the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program as well as executive director of Georgia Public Health Association in Atlanta.

She leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, friends in Luthersville, Ga., and LaGrange, Ga., as well as her cat Sally.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. (CST) at the Jasper Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home, 21 East Fifth St., Jasper, Tn., with Pastor Ronnie Case officiating.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 24 p.m. (CST) prior to the memorial service in the chapel,

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra Education Program, which is something she was always a supporter of.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rogers Funeral Home, Jasper Chapel, 12 East Fifth St., Jasper, Tn. 37347, 423-942-2682.
A woman in Louisiana who runs a towing company said she did work for Benjamin Duvall of Choo Choo Towing, and he refused to pay and then threatened her and her husband.

Duvall was arrested Tuesday on 28 charges related to stolen vehicles and fraudulent paperwork involving residents of several states.

The woman said Duvall asked her to move several repossessed vehicles from Louisiana to Gulfport, Miss. She said her firm did the moving, then envoiced him for $3,400.

She said she had trouble getting in touch with Duvall, and he finally told her he had bankrupted and was out of money due to a business partner embezzling money from him.

The woman said she was in Chattanooga on Nov. 20 and showed up at Duvall's business in order to get paid. She said she was met by Duvall and several associates who threatened to assault her and told her to leave.

The woman said she afterward took to social media to write a review of the Choo Choo Towing business. She said the review she put on a Chattanooga small business site "was very cordial and just stated the incident and the facts."

The woman said almost immediately after the post was approved for the page that "threats ensued."

She said she began getting threats from a Ronald Christopher Hamilton "attempting to make her remove the Facebook post." She showed police comments from Hamilton that if she did not take down the post "I don't make threats, I make promises" and "I am not the person you want to mess with. It will not end well for you."

She said on the day before Thanksgiving that Hamilton told her, "I told you point blank that if the post is not removed I will take legal action" and "You will find out the juice is not worth the squeeze" and "I warned you. Now it's my turn."

The woman said her husband began getting threatening messages from Duvall, who told her that Hamilton has "f--- you money" and "wouldn't play with them."

Police said they swore out warrants for harassment against Duvall and Hamilton, 51.
Lee University will welcome Dr. Douglas F. Mann to speak at the schools winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10:30 a.m.

We look forward to having Dr. Mann with us, said Dr. Phil Cook, president of Lee University. As president of Bryan College, he leads with a heart for students and a deep devotion to Christian learningvalues we hold closely at Lee. Im confident our graduates will be inspired by his perspective as a fellow leader in Christian higher education.

Dr. Mann serves as the president of Bryan College and brings to this role a steady record of scholarship and leadership in Christian higher education. Since returning to Bryan in 2018, Dr. Mann has guided several academic initiatives aimed at strengthening both residential and online programs. His work has supported professional development efforts for faculty and staff and contributed to improvements in operational efficiency within the academic division. He also served for two years as vice president for academics and provost.

A 1992 graduate of Bryan College, Dr. Mann went on to earn a Master of Arts in Christian thought from Trinity International University and later completed his Doctor of Philosophy in history at the University of Georgia. Prior to returning to Bryan College, he served on the history faculty at Liberty University. During his time there, he held several administrative roles, including dean of the graduate school, administrative dean for graduate programs, and vice provost for graduate education. Dr. Mann is also a published author and a frequent presenter.

Lees winter commencement is one of three graduation ceremonies held each year at the university, the others being held in the spring and summer. The winter ceremony combines the music, which will be provided by Lee University Chorale, and decorations of the Christmas season with traditional commencement activities.



There will be 136 undergraduate and 37 graduate students receiving degrees in the Saturday morning ceremony. Of the 37 graduate students, seven are doctoral students.



Prior to the Saturday commencement, a commissioning ceremony will be held Friday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. The commissioning service is a special occasion for students and their families to reflect on their time at Lee, and five student speakers will share brief stories about their experiences. During the event, each graduate is presented with a personalized Bible in a traditional walk across the stage. Both services will be held in the Conn Center.



Undergraduate student speakers for the commissioning ceremony include Shantae Adams, a computer science major; Evan Moore, a health science/allied health major; Alyssia Prater, a theological and professional studies major with minors in psychology and Christian ministries; and Rachel Turner, a biological science major with a pre-physician assistant emphasis. Representing graduate students is Jason Guyton, earning his Master of Arts in Ministry Studies with worship emphasis from Lee Online. Stephanie Lakatosh, global transformation and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) major, will open the ceremony with an invocation, music business major Austin Petitt will present a musical selection, and finance major Griffin Wong will share the benediction.



In addition to the commissioning ceremony on Friday, the hooding ceremony for recipients of masters degrees, education specialist degrees, and doctoral degrees will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Lee Chapel.



The hooding, commissioning, and commencement ceremonies are ticketed events.



For those wishing to view any of the events, live streaming will be available at leeu.live.



For more information about commencement exercises, contact the Academic Events Office at (423) 614-8117 or visit leeuniversity.edu/academics/graduation-info/.


The public is invited to a "New Book Release Event" on Monday, Dec. 150 at 6 p.m. at the Bank of Lafayette Community Room on Main Street in Lafayette to celebrate the publishing and release of Lafayette resident Richard (Rick) Tallent's latest novels.The novels are the author's sixth, seventh and eighth published books, and are part of a series based in a fictional North Georgia community.All of his eight current books will be available for purchase and be personally signed by the author.The first in the series, Ashes in the Rose Garden was published in 2018, and began the story continuing in the latest novels. John Fletcher returns from World War I carrying a torch for his former fiance, Leona, and her 'Dear John' letter. Determined to prove she made a mistake by not waiting on him, but instead, marrying an older wealthy man, he attacks life like it's an enemy and takes no prisoners until his life falls apart and he realizes he has more to lose than he has to gain.The War Brides, the newly published second book in the series, relates the lives of two very different young women who marry soldiers destined to leave to fight in World War II. Delores and Evelyn give birth to two sons and a daughter, respectively, and experience all of the emotional turmoil of not knowing when, or if, their husbands will return. Their lives intersect when Delores moves to town and they become neighbors and friends, sharing their joys, fears and apprehensions, and dealing with life, death, crippling wounds and raising their young children.Deception: Unequally Yoked is the story of the children in The War Brides as they become young adults in the 1960's amid the turmoil of the Vietnam War. A chance encounter with a female student at college leads Delores' younger son, Bob, into a relationship and marriage destined for failure, while his best friend and brother's wife, Evelyn's daughter, Maryanne, try to warn him, to no avail.The Family Feuds introduces new characters to the ones in the preceding novels as the Vietnam War boils, political unrest is growing and the future is unclear. Connie, Maryanne's cousin, marries her boyfriend, Jerry, John Fletcher's great nephew, and the feuds between the three families explode into anger and violence turning the town into a war zone.Described by the author as 'life adventure novels,' the stories follow the events of the twentieth century as decades-old feuds tear the town apart, destroy lives and threaten to end the lives of the main characters of each book.The book release event will also promote the re-release of Ashes in the Rose Garden as the first book in the series.Rick and his wife, Carol, have lived in Lafayette for over a decade, and pastor Grace Fellowship Church on Flora Street in Lafayette. They also operate the newest radio station in Lafayette, WBJL-LPFM 92.9.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee welcomed the Christmas season during the annual Christmas at the Capitol on Wednesday and announced Light of the World tours of the Tennessee Residence.

Maria and I look forward to continuing the Tennessee tradition of generosity throughout the holiday season, said Governor Lee. We invite Tennesseans to join us in giving back as we reflect on our many blessings and prepare our hearts to receive the ultimate gift, the birth of Christ.

The Christmas at the Capitol celebration featured the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the Kings Academy Choir, the 129th Army Band, and a visit from Santa.

The exterior Christmas tree, a Norway spruce, was donated by Tex and Cori Cook of Greenbrier, Tennessee. The interior trees were donated by Ward Grove Christmas Tree Farm in Beech Bluff, Tennessee and Big Sky Farm in Portland, Tennessee.

The Tennessee Residence will be open for Christmas tours on Friday, Dec. 5  Sunday, Dec. 7 and Friday, Dec. 12  Sunday, Dec. 14. The decor theme, Light of the World, welcomes all who enter to behold the glory of the Son of God and reflect His warm, sacred light. Rooted in Tennessees deep spiritual heritage and Southern hospitality, this theme weaves together symbols of nature and Scripture, tradition, and truth. Every detail points to the majesty of Jesus  both humble and holy, both Savior and King.

All tours are self-guided and free to the public. Reservations are required and may be made here.

Tour guests are invited to support featured Tennessee nonprofits this holiday season by donating requested items. The donation list may be found here.
A former Chattanooga attorney and East Ridge judge who was charged in Panama City, Fla., with threatening to kill his wife and her friend must do 20 hours of public service. That comes after Cris Helton, 63, took a lesser charge of disorderly conduct that could be dismissed after six months.

Helton, 63, was arrested on the felony count of making a written threat to kill or do bodily harm.

He will be on probation for six months and must complete anger management and substance abuse awareness courses online. He must pay $100 per month for his probation supervision.

He is only to have "peaceful contact" with his wife.

Prosecution will be deferred if he gets into no other trouble for six months.

Police said on Sept. 28 at approximately midnight, Helton texted Kimberly J. Helton a photograph of a large black and silver kitchen knife.

Police said he also included a death threat text message under the photo stating, "I take that back I will kill both of you first. Don't forget she knows your worth."

Police said Helton "referred at the time to the victim K.J.H. and a common friend that was included in a group message."

Police stated, "The victim was afraid of her life and did not want to be close to the defendant due to the threats mentioned above."

Officers said Helton admitted to taking the photo and sending it to the victim.

Police also said, "It should be noted, from the photo, the knife was observed in his lap displaying his legs. The defendant was wearing the same color of pants and shirt worn as captured in the photo."
Patten Parkway buildings photo by John Shearer Patten Parkway buildings photo by John Shearer Patten Parkway buildings photo by John Shearer Patten Parkway buildings photo by John Shearer Coca-Cola bottling history plaque photo by John Shearer Old news clipping on Market House Old news clipping on Market House Old news clipping on Market House Old news clipping on Market House Old print aricles about Selma Cash Paty Previous Next

Chattanoogans recently heard the somewhat surprising news that some historic commercial buildings that had almost sleepily sat for years on the north side of Patten Parkway/Patten Square are scheduled to be torn down.

Evelyn Capital of Nashville wants to raze the collection of buildings of three stories and less and construct a 12-story structure that will include 266 residential units and some commercial space.

While the buildings can be torn down, the development group is seeking to get the six-story restrictions changed to allow the increase in height. A hearing before the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m. in room 402 of the Hamilton County Courthouse.

While the Nashville firm obviously sees a housing need or market for downtown dwellers and many people no doubt would be interested in living there as capitalism and free enterprise take place as allowed in America, historic preservationists are devastated.

And this is a Chattanooga historic preservation community that has recently seen the razing of the UTC Presidents Home, the 19th-century Car Barns complex downtown and three historic and former Hamilton County school buildings throughout town. Also, plans for the demolition of the historically and architecturally very important Medical Arts Building and Engel Stadium have been announced.

To say that the non-profit historic preservation group, Preserve Chattanooga, feels like it has been hit with an avalanche in recent months might be an understatement. But despite being seemingly hit from all sides, the group has gone on and continued speaking out vocally about each issue as it comes up.

As executive director Todd Morgan wrote in some correspondence to Preserve Chattanooga supporters regarding these structures, 19 Patten Parkway (as all the buildings are now collectively known) is an excellent representation of period commercial architecture and is specifically noted in the National Register application for its impression of careful planning and deliberation, resulting in an attractive and unified block of row shops.

The structure is an important anchor of the district, he continued, providing insight into the history of the city market development and retaining a sense of historical and architectural cohesiveness.

While Chattanooga does have some areas of town that are protected from demolition, or at least require strong government agency-related advisement, this area is not in such a historic district.

Although the brick buildings  some of which apparently date to the 1880s and which have been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980 -- are somewhat simplistic and have had their first-floor facings changed, they do feature some aesthetics. That includes some seemingly eye-pleasing roofline ornamentation and designs that are typical of that era.

A visitor can also stand in front of them and get a tangible feel for what it might have been like to be in downtown Chattanooga in the late 1800s.

And gazing passersby over multiple eras would have seen a lot more than just architecture, too. They would have seen such historic moments in Chattanooga history as Coca-Cola being bottled in one of the structures as some Chattanoogans were starting a worldwide franchising movement that would bring much wealth to them and this city.

And the buildings also on that side of the street were owned for more than a third of their lives by the spirited and noted attorney Selma Cash Paty, whose life adds plenty of rich history to the buildings. Not only was she a pioneering local woman attorney as well as a trailblazing female lawyer of the Jewish faith, but she was also one of the early professional people of the post-World War II era to move back downtown when her family lived in the set of buildings.

A check of some old city directories from different eras shows that the buildings reflected in a rich way Chattanooga commercially and residentially over the years. According to the book, Chattanoogas Story, by John Wilson, the Cincinnati Investment Company had purchased property on the north side of what was then called Market Square.

A popular market house had been in the open area in front of the Patten Parkway buildings until being torn down in 1943, and City Hall had also been located there until the move to the current building on 11th Street in 1908. In 1944, Mayor Ed Bass made the suggestion that the razed area be renamed Patten Parkway in honor of Chattanooga businessman and Civil War veteran Z.C. Patten. Before that, the street was also called Market Square.

Mr. Pattens family had also owned the property eyed for current redevelopment when it was sold by Z. Cartter Patten to lawyers Selma Paty, daughter Pam Paty Lawrence and son-in-law Phillip Lawrence in 1973 for $200,000.

All of it was sold, including the current Tomorrow Building on the corner of Georgia Avenue and Patten Parkway. That building, which once housed the popular Edmunds Restaurant and Yesterdays bar and grill, is not part of the planned new development. It was also where William Jennings Bryan stayed right before he died shortly after the famous Scopes Trial of 1925 in Dayton.

Regarding Ms. Paty, the Chattanooga Public Librarys Local History and Genealogy Department is full of clippings of profile stories talking about her various accomplishments and perspectives, including pushing for female empowerment. Born in New York, she came at the age of 6 to Chattanooga, where her father, Alex Greenberg, ran a clothing store. She attended Missionary Ridge Elementary, Chattanooga High and the University of Wisconsin journalism school before graduating from the Cumberland University school of law. In 1947, she began practicing with the firm of her first husband, Mickey Cash, before later going out on her own.

In one of the profiles, an admirer of her described her as possessing such wide-ranging gifts as being gracious, lovable, rough, feisty and crusty. Her nickname that she had acquired as a child in New York was Sunny. She died in 2016 at the age of 89.

By the late 1970s, her family and a later husband, Ralph Paty Sr., were living in the set of buildings, and she had her law practice there. Along with the new concept of supporting womens rights, she was also considered an advocate of the traditional in terms of appreciating historic architecture and the preservation of it. One can imagine what she might have said about the plans to tear down the buildings she owned.

Of these buildings being eyed for razing and which were sold to the current firm by the Paty family in 2023, Mr. Wilsons book said the Cincinnati company had 15 stores facing Market Square and three fronting Georgia Avenue. It also constructed two halls and 115 housekeeping rooms.

The Tomorrow Building was also built in the late 1880s.

The buildings in question were built apparently about the time that the Market House was constructed in 1888, when Chattanooga was said to be in an economic boom.

The National Register nomination form says of the buildings, The northern block exists as a reminder of the hopes and expectations of the city as the market was built.

I checked a few city directories for these buildings that had odd numbers, with even ones on the other side of Patten Parkway, where the Volunteer Building and garage were later built.

The city directory from 1888  when the addresses of these current buildings ran from 17-39  lists such tenants as the Star Spring Bed Manufacturing Company, the Macdonald husband and wife physician team, a produce stand, the Evening News office, a contractor, a seller of cigars and the Simmons furniture company. The Cincinnati House was also on the second floor of the structure on the east end.

The city directory from 1889 lists a fish depot and architects office where the Tomorrow building is, offices for the Baptist Reflector and Methodist Advocate newspapers along with the Evening News, and a dressmaker firm and a lawyers office.

By 1899, the block housed a Christian Science Reading Room, a printing shop, the Enquirer offices, McGregor and McCord hardware manufacturing firm, a music teachers studio, a grocery store, and a Seventh-day Adventist Church.

By the 1900-01 city directory, though, a familiar business really catches the eye. At 17 Market Square  in the building currently closest to the Tomorrow Building -- was the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. In what is a little bit of a Mount Rushmore of successful Chattanooga businessmen, the president was listed as J.B. Whitehead, the vice president was J.T. Lupton and B.F. Thomas was the secretary/treasurer.

Although some histories say that the first bottling plant for this city known as the home of the first franchised Coca-Cola bottling plant in the world was briefly on Cowart Street, this was apparently where the business really got going.

The initial investors evidently kind of split the operations after that or took on additional investors and bottlers, as the 1902-03 city directory said that 17-19 Market Square housed two Coca-Cola bottling operations. One involved J.F. Johnston and W.H. Hardin, and the other one was led by H.O. Ewing, R.W. Barr and B.F. Thomas. They must have uniquely shared at least the production operations or worked side by side in the early days. The Thomas operation over the years was reportedly more like a wholesale operation that simply sold syrup to franchised bottlers and provided guidance to them.

The 1910-11 city directory says that by then, the Coca-Cola bottling operation of the Johnstons had moved to part of 815 Chestnut St.

A city directory from 1938 lists such commercial tenants of the scheduled-to-be-razed buildings as Keystone Printing Co., a produce business, a washing machine repairman, a sign painter, some sheet metal workers and Dearing Printing Co.

The 1965 directory a few years before Selma Cash Paty bought the block lists the following tenants of those buildings: Meyer Business Machines Co., Clary Adding Machine Co., Adcock Agency, Parkway Realty, Mademoiselle Dress and Hat Shop (with seamstress Mrs. S.B. Dunham in the rear), the Chattanooga Stamp and Stencil Works, the Hamilton County Herald newspaper, the Junior League offices and bargain mart, Edwards Art Store, Joys florist and several apartments at 21 Patten Parkway.

What the future holds for the block is to be determined, apparently soon. What is already for sure, though, is that it will be reflective of a boom time in Chattanooga  either the past or present.

* * *

Jcshearer2@comcast.net
The ongoing debate over unpaid student teaching is more than just an education policy issue; it deeply reflects our societal values and priorities.

This practice, firmly rooted in teacher training, has become a transparent barrierdisproportionately affecting those already facing systemic challenges.

Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton highlighted this need in a recent interview with Chalkbeat [ https://www.chalkbeat.org/tenn essee/2025/12/05/house-speaker -sexton-wants-student-teacher- stipends/ ] .



While the teaching profession is often romanticized as a noble calling, it truly is one.

However, the expectation that talented individuals work for free during critical training periods acts as a wealth filter, systematically excluding talented individuals from lower-income backgrounds. Who can afford to work for free in todays economy?The requirements for student teaching are straightforward. It lasts an entire semester, usually between 12 and 16 weeks, and is demanding, often requiring full-time effort with no pay. For many aspiring educators, this capstone experience is not just a rite of passage; it is a gatekeeper that can determine whether they can afford to enter the profession at all.The opportunity costs are enormous, with estimated lost earnings between $8,000 and over $20,000, depending on individual situations and regional wages. When you include tuition fees that many programs still require for unpaid work, prospective teachers could face a total financial burden surpassing $25,000 for a single semester.This situation is especially dire for first-generation college students, people of color, and those changing careers. Many of these individuals are already facing financial instability, which makes unpaid work unfeasible.Research from credible organizations like the National Center for Education Statistics and the Learning Policy Institute highlights a troubling trend: unpaid student teaching significantly contributes to the underrepresentation of low-income and minority teachers in classrooms nationwide. In contrast, programs offering paid or stipend-based student teaching positions, such as urban teacher residencies, often have much more diverse cohorts, indicating a clear solution that is within reach.Globally, the United States stands out as an anomaly in its approach to teacher preparation. High-performing education systems in countries like Finland, Singapore, and Australia recognize the importance of compensating teacher candidates during their practicum.These countries recognize that investing in future teachers leads to better student outcomes. They have created systems in which candidates are paid as employees, improving educational quality and encouraging a more diverse teaching workforce.Fortunately, some states and districts are starting to recognize the need for change.Paid residency programs in cities like San Francisco, Boston, and Denver are leading the way, offering annual stipends from $20,000 to $45,000 for year-long positions. Additionally, state-level initiativessuch as Californias grants for student teachers in high-need areasare emerging as promising options.Federal proposals such as the TEACH Act also aim to provide additional funding for paid student teaching, reflecting growing awareness of the issue.Critics often argue that schools cannot afford to pay student teachers and cite the burdens of supervision. However, this argument falls short when compared to successful models both nationally and internationally.Paid residency programs have retention rates of 85% to 95% after five years, sharply higher than the national average of about 50%. This increased retention not only justifies the investment but also indicates that long-term costs could decrease as schools benefit from experienced educators who are more likely to stay in the profession.Ultimately, unpaid student teaching reveals how economic barriers impact professional opportunities. It's not just a logistical issue; it's a matter of fairness. By maintaining a system that requires future educators to work for free, we risk losing talented candidates who cannot afford to do so. Another point is that student teaching is a vital experience and should count toward salary steps for those involved.Investing in paid or stipend student teaching is not an act of charity; it is a strategic investment in the future of education. By opening the profession to talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, we enhance the teaching workforce and raise the overall quality of education.It's time to rethink our approach, prioritize compensation for student teachers, and create a more inclusive and effective education system.* * *

JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association located in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited.
Photo credit: Unsplash/ Elyssa DeDios

A federal appeals court has determined that New York officials cannot prevent pro-life pregnancy centers from informing women about abortion pill reversal, ruling such restrictions unconstitutional.

In a unanimous decision issued Monday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld a lower court ruling in favor of two pro-life centers, Giannas House and Options Care Center.

The pro-life pregnancy centers brought a preemptive lawsuit against Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James, who had previously sued 11 similar pro-life groups, accusing them of fraud for promoting abortion pill reversal.

James asserted that these pro-life groups engaged in false and misleading speech by telling women that abortion pill reversal may stop an induced miscarriage and save their baby.

Mondays ruling affirms a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, which found that the plaintiffs are likely to show that enforcement against the centers would violate their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

A preliminary injunction is in the public interest, the appeals court stated. The preliminary injunction serves to secure the First Amendment rights of the [] plaintiffs by allowing them to make religiously and morally motivated statements that provide information about APR [abortion pill reversal] to women who may wish to attempt to counteract the effects of an abortion initiated by oral medication.

While James and other Democratic leaders have questioned the science behind abortion pill reversal, a 2023 study from the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute reported that 29 of 36 women who attempted reversal were able to continue their pregnancies.

The New York case arises amid a broader national push by Democratic officials to scrutinize or restrict pro-life pregnancy centers following the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and held that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion.

In 2022, Washingtons then-Attorney General Bob Ferguson launched an investigation into two pregnancy centers over their promotion of abortion pill reversal, though the probe ended last year with no charges.

Similarly, in 2024 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health threatened disciplinary measures against centers offering information about abortion pill reversal.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court this week heard oral arguments in a case involving New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who is accused of violating the First Amendment by ordering a pro-life pregnancy center to reveal donor information.
Photo credit: Facebook/ Samaritan's Purse

A plane operated by Samaritans Purse was hijacked earlier this week while transporting humanitarian aid to South Sudan. Authorities have detained a suspect, and no serious injuries have been reported.

The international Evangelical relief organization confirmed Wednesday that the Cessna Grand Caravanan aircraft used exclusively for operations in Africawas involved in a hijacking incident on Tuesday.

At the time of the incident, the plane was flying to Maiwut, South Sudan, to deliver medicine to a mobile medical unit run by the North Carolinabased nonprofit.

According to the organization, an armed individual boarded the plane unnoticed before takeoff. The aircraft, which was carrying a pilot and one Samaritans Purse staff member in addition to the hijacker, was eventually landed in Wau, South Sudan.

After the landing, South Sudans National Security Service apprehended the armed suspect. Samaritans Purse expressed gratitude, stating, We praise God that no one was seriously injured, and we are grateful to the security forces for their support and swift action on the ground to resolve the situation and bring a safe outcome.

The Associated Press identified the hijacker as Yasir Mohammed Yusuf, a resident of the oil-rich Abyei Administrative Area, a territory disputed by South Sudan and Sudan. Reports indicate he boarded the aircraft secretly and demanded the plane take him to Chad, though a motive has not been fully established.

Samaritans Purse, led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, has worked in South Sudan for years and has encountered hazardous conditions during its humanitarian missions.

In 2017, eight staff members living in the Mayendit region were abducted, allegedly by rebel forces, though all were later released unharmed. While government officials claimed the workers were held for ransom, rebels denied this, and Samaritans Purse confirmed no money was exchanged for their release.
Home News Canada's assisted suicide continues to rise, 5% of all deaths: report

Quick Summary AI Summary Canada's assisted suicide accounted for over 5% of all deaths in 2024.

16,499 individuals ended their lives through medically assisted suicide last year.

The number of assisted suicides increased by 6.9% compared to 2023. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

Canada saw a record number of citizens end their lives by assisted suicide, with an official report documenting that over 5% of all deaths in the country were as a result of the controversial procedure.

According to a Canadian government report released on Nov. 28, titled Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada, 16,499 people ended their lives in 2024 by medically-assisted suicide, officially known as Medical Assistance in Dying.

The 16,499 assisted suicides were among the 22,535 requests for premature death sent to Health Canada. Of the requests that did not result in assisted suicide, 4,017 individuals died of another cause, 1,327 individuals were deemed ineligible for the procedure, and 692 individuals withdrew their requests.

The government report notes that medically-assisted suicides accounted for 5.1% of all deaths in Canada last year, and saw a slight increase (0.4%) from the percentage of MAID deaths in 2023. It is the highest number of MAID deaths since Canada legalized assisted suicide in 2016.

Additionally, the 2024 total represents a 6.9% increase in assisted suicides compared to 2023, when 15,427 medically-assisted suicides were carried out.

2024 also had the highest number of MAID requests under Track 2 conditions, which apply to individuals who did not expect to die in the immediate future. Track 2 was officially introduced in 2021.

There were 732 Track 2 medically-assisted suicides in 2024, making up 4.4% of all MAID deaths last year. The total for Track 2 deaths has been on the rise, with 224 in 2021, 469 in 2022, and 625 in 2023.

In 2016, Canada passed a law legalizing physician-assisted suicide, with the law initially restricting access to citizens or permanent residents who were at least 18 years old and had a serious and incurable disease, illness or disability that included enduring and intolerable suffering.

The 2016 law also required medical approval, a 15-day waiting period, and that two witnesses be present when a patient signed an official request for medically-assisted suicide.

In 2021, Canada passed a bill that expanded the law to allow for physician-assisted suicide in cases where an individual does not have a terminal illness, such as those suffering from chronic pain.

Parliament also opened the possibility of allowing for medically-assisted suicide in cases of mental illness; however, that expansion is not expected to take effect until March 2027.

The expansion received much criticism, including an April report by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which said it was extremely concerned about the law.

The U.N. also called on Canada to repeal the Track 2 medical assistance in dying provision, including the provision to, in 2027, Track 2 for persons whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness.
Home News Charlie Kirk's murder sparks 'wave' of spiritual action among Americans: report

Quick Summary AI Summary Barna poll finds nearly a quarter of U.S. adults reported taking spiritual action following Kirk's assassination.

At least 22% of Generation Z and millennials took spiritual action rather than political.

CEO says data can't confirm if Kirk's death is responsible for a surge in church attendance. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

The murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk appears to have "sparked a wave" of spiritual actions, particularly among younger generations, according to a recent poll.

The Barna Group, an Evangelical polling firm, published a survey on Wednesday of 5,003 U.S. adults roughly two months after Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination during an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University. The survey is based on interviews with adults ages 18 and older conducted from Oct. 17 through Oct. 30, with a sample error of +/- 1.3 percentage points at a 95% confidence interval.

Among the respondents, one in four Americans reported taking spiritual action after Kirk's death, while fewer reported taking political action.

While 71% of Americans said that they had not taken action following the conservative activist's assassination, 18% of U.S. adults reported that they had taken spiritual action, 5% said they had taken a political action, and another 6% said that they had taken both.

Younger Americans and practicing Christians were the most likely to report taking spiritual action. At least 22% of respondents from Generation Z and millennials reported taking a spiritual action rather than a political one, and 40% of practicing Christians also reported taking a spiritual action.

"There has been some discussion about Charlie Kirk's passing as directly responsible for a surge in church attendance," Barna Group CEO David Kinnaman said in a statement.

"Barna research does not confirm that direct connection, although there had already been positive research showing that Millennials and Gen Z were returning to church well before Kirk's passing," he added.

Kinnaman believes the current survey's results align with earlier Barna reports this year that showed a growing spiritual openness among Americans, particularly among younger generations.

In September, the Barna Group released data that showed millennials and Gen Z Christians are attending church more frequently than before and more often than older generations.

Days after the TPUSA founder's assassination, several pastors at churches throughout the country also reported seeing a spike in church attendance, particularly among young adults.

"It is remarkable to see the impact of a widely known public figure, and the fact that tens of millions of Americans were inspired to take action as a result of his death," Kinnaman said about the results of Barna's latest survey. "By a more than two-to-one basis, they were more inclined to take spiritual action than political action."

Researchers also asked participants about five potential outcomes of Kirk's death, including whether they believe his murder will have a positive or negative impact on Christianity among younger Americans. Forty-seven percent of all U.S. adults predicted it would have a positive impact, while 19% said it would have a negative impact.

Among Gen Z, 46% of participants predicted a positive impact, compared with 25% who expected a negative one. Fifty percent of millennials also predicted a positive outcome compared to 21% who said they expect the opposite, the survey found.

"Americans were more pessimistic about two other dimensions. They expected negative impacts on politics in America generally (39 percent negative vs. 33 percent positive) and cooperation between conservatives and liberals (35 percent negative vs. 28 percent positive)," Barna reported.

"Gen Z respondents were particularly likely to expect negative impacts on political cooperation (45% negative vs. 29% positive), American politics broadly (46% negative vs 33% positive), and civil discourse (43% negative vs 32% positive)," the report continued.

Responses from practicing Christians were more optimistic, the survey noted, with 71% saying that they believe Kirk's death will have a positive impact on Christianity among younger Americans. Eleven percent of practicing Christians said that they believed Kirk's death would have the opposite effect.

They also expressed more optimism across all other dimensions, "including civil conversations (53 percent positive vs. 22 percent negative), politics generally (49 percent vs. 28 percent), ending gun violence (42 percent vs. 18 percent), and cooperation between political groups (44 percent vs. 24 percent)."
Home News Christian university rejects Students for Life chapter; pro-life sophomore starts her own club

A student at a Christian college in California has launched her own pro-life club after school officials denied her request to start a Students for Life of America chapter on campus, citing concerns about maintaining political neutrality.

Linda-Isabella Rendon, a sophomore and pre-nursing major at Vanguard University, has formed a pro-life club that is separate from Students for Life of America, the national pro-life organization that trains young people to advocate against abortion on college and high school campuses.

SFLA's sister organization, Students for Life Action, mobilizes young people to impact public policy decisions and elections related to abortion.

The office of Amanda Lebrecht, the university's vice president of student development, told The Christian Post in a statement that the school's policies don't permit clubs "affiliated with political advocacy initiatives." Lebrecht's office said that it initially denied Rendon's request to form an SFLA chapter on campus because the pro-life group is a national organization engaged in political advocacy.

"However, because Vanguard University and the student share equal beliefs in the sanctity of life for the unborn, we were determined to work together to find a solution that would allow the important work of the proposed club to occur," Lebrecht's statement clarified. "We were able to collaborate with the student on an alternative option to form an independent service club that champions the unborn and supports women who are choosing to have children."

Rendon's club is called "Vanguard Lions Love Life."

"We are thrilled that the VU Lions Love Life Club has been established as a result," the statement continued. "Vanguard University completely affirms the value of human life and supports student efforts to help women and babies in need. As always, the University aims to provide a quality educational experience marked by the pursuit of truth, the cultivation of virtue, and the desire for service."

In an article posted on SFLA's website on Nov. 19, Rendon said she decided to start a pro-life club on campus after noticing Vanguard University didn't have one.

The sophomore recalled that she assembled 10 other students and a professor to serve as an advisor before filling out an application in early September to start an SFLA club.

Two days later, Rendon received an email informing her that her request to start a club had been denied because "VU Students for Life would be considered to be organized around an ideologically driven social issue."

Writing that she felt "confused and frustrated" by the denial, Rendon reached out and requested a meeting with school officials. In early October, she met with the university's vice president, who repeated the reasons for the initial rejection.

During another meeting in October, the university's president reportedly said he was "personally pro-life," but he couldn't approve any "polarizing" groups that could undermine the school's goals.

In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Rendon said that she doesn't believe abortion is a political or ideological issue, but "a heart issue."

"And it's a Christian value," Rendon said about opposing abortion. "And so, we really wanted to show that we are a service-based club, and that our goal was to serve women and children in need."

Administrators eventually agreed to let Rendon establish a pro-life club on campus following a Nov. 24 meeting with Lebrecht, according to Fox News Digital. Rendon said the school approved the club after she clarified that it was not political and would focus on acts of service and align with the university's values.

One of the goals of the club is to support pregnant women by hosting baby showers, as well as diaper drives and baby bottle campaigns.

"God created us before we even were in the womb. He knew our purpose and the plans that he has for our lives, and obviously, as a Christian university, they want to support this message," Rendon stated. "And so, once we revealed that this is our intention to share the sanctity of life and to really support those women in need, we wanted to share our goals, the things that we want to do."

On its website, Vanguard University highlights its affiliation with the Assemblies of God in Southern California, which remains one of the institution's most prominent supporters.

The university is also grounded in Evangelical and Pentecostal traditions, and the school's website states: "The mission of Vanguard University is to pursue knowledge, cultivate character, deepen faith, and equip each student for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service."

The pro-life student said that SFLA helped her through the dispute with Vanguard University, including sending a letter to the school on Nov. 19, signed by the organization's attorney. The letter emphasized the club's goal of helping pregnant women in need and "ultimately to help point them towards Christ."

"Yet, after meetings with various administrators, Linda-Isabella's efforts were denied. She was informed that a pro-life club would not be permitted, as the University has made a decision to stop allowing 'political' student organizations on campus," the letter stated. "This is in conflict with the Christian values that Linda-Isabella and VUSFL seek to share with the campus community."

Now that the university has approved the club, Rendon is satisfied with the result.

"It's a very rewarding feeling," the pro-life student said. "And all glory, of course, goes to God and the way that He moves, and only He knows everything that happened behind the scenes and the whole process. And so, God is so good in the way that He moves, and I know that this story will have an impact."
Home News Elevation Church announces launch of Elevation College

Through a partnership with Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, the more than 10,000-member Elevation Church in North Carolina has announced plans to launch Elevation College in the fall of 2026.

"This is for traditional college-aged students who feel called to ministry and want to earn an accredited degree from Southeastern University while gaining hands-on experience at Elevation Church," the church shared just over a week ago on Instagram.

The church offered to send out early interest forms to individuals who want to connect and "get early access to application info."

Southeastern University is a private Christian university affiliated with the Assemblies of God. Elevation Church already partners with the university for its Elevation Church Ministry Leaders Series. The program focuses on helping ministry leaders become more effective "with in-depth training in interpreting Scripture and biblical context."

Although Southeastern University is affiliated with the Assemblies of God, the school states on its website that it welcomes "students from all Christian backgrounds and denominations."

"Our campus includes many Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc., as well as nondenominational students. Everyone shares a strong commitment to knowing Christ and making Him known, and we celebrate our theological similarities while appreciating our differences," the university explains.

The university also extends its reach across the U.S. through its SEU Ministry Network and has established what it says are mutually beneficial partnerships with more than 200 churches. The partnerships pair "higher education with practical, hands-on training led by the local church."

"Any student looking for a Christ-centered education and who has interest in the degrees and opportunities at your site could be a good fit for enrollment. SEU partner sites are also a popular alternative to community college for 'traditional' college age students (recent high school graduate/young adult)," the university website states. "Student [sic] who complete their degree at your partner site receive an SEU diploma."

In June 2023, Elevation Church withdrew its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention after more than 20 years of cooperation with the nation's largest Protestant denomination.

While Elevation Church did not appear to make the decision public, a copy of a letter published online suggests the church informed the SBC Executive Committee that its withdrawal from the denomination was "effective immediately."

While Elevation Church did not state a reason for its disaffiliation with the SBC, some Southern Baptists, like Denny Burke, professor of biblical studies at Boyce College, surmised it was likely due to a vote by messengers at the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans to ban women from serving as a "pastor of any kind."

"I was today years old when I learned that Steven Furtick's Elevation Church was a part of the SBC. They are SBC no more," tweeted Burk. "Reading between the lines here, I suspect that this is a consequence of the clarity from messengers at the New Orleans convention."
Home News Medical school pays $10M settlement after denying religious exemptions to vaccine mandate

Students and staff at a medical school who were denied religious exemptions to a COVID-19 vaccine have reached a settlement exceeding $10 million, ending several years of litigation.

In a statement published Monday, attorneys announced that the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine agreed to pay more than $10.3 million to 18 plaintiffs who unsuccessfully sought religious exemptions to the institution's policy requiring students and staff to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The settlement follows more than a year of negotiations.

"No amount of compensation or course-correction can make up for the life-altering damage Chancellor [Donald] Elliman and Anschutz inflicted on the plaintiffs and so many others throughout the case, who felt forced to succumb to a manifestly irrational mandate," said Michael McHale, senior counsel with the Thomas More Society, a nonprofit Catholic legal organization representing the plaintiffs.

"We are confident our clients' long-overdue victory indeed confirms, despite the tyrannical efforts of many, that our shared constitutional right to religious liberty endures."

In a statement shared by The Colorado Sun, Anschutz maintained that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which is no longer in force, was justified given the pandemic.

"This policy was grounded in science, public health guidance, and our obligation to safeguard lives during an unprecedented global crisis," the school stated. "While some chose to challenge the policy, the evidence remains clear: vaccination was essential to protecting the vulnerable, keeping hospitals open, and sustaining education and research."

Anschutz remains "deeply grateful to the health care professionals, faculty, staff and students whose courage and commitment protected our community and advanced our mission when it mattered most."

The settlement, which includes damages, tuition and $1 million in attorney's fees, comes over a year after a three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the medical school violated the First Amendment rights of students and staff with religious objections to taking the COVID-19 vaccine by denying their requests for religious exemptions.

The majority determined that the institution was "motivated by religious animus" in its denials of religious exemptions.

The panel opinion also noted that CU Anschutz granted "exemptions for some religions, but not others, because of differences in their religious doctrines" and granted "secular exemptions on more favorable terms than religious exemptions."

Circuit Judge David Ebel, a Reagan appointee, authored a partial dissent to the panel opinion, writing that he saw "no evidence indicating that the University adopted either mandate out of an animus  that is, a hostility  toward religion generally or toward some religions in particular."

However, Ebel agreed with the majority that the "mandate was likely unconstitutional and should be preliminarily enjoined" because the measure "favored some organized religions over others, and favored applicants who belonged to those favored religions over other religious objectors."

The litigation against the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School dates back to 2021, when the case involved only two plaintiffs: a Catholic and a Buddhist.

As documented in the appeal of a lower court decision siding against plaintiffs that was filed in the 10th Circuit, medical students who objected to taking the COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds were forced to withdraw from the school.

"Nobody should be coerced into choosing between their faith and their livelihoods, as I and so many others at CU Anschutz were forced to do at the whim of ideological bureaucrats," Madison Gould, one of the plaintiffs in the case, said in a statement. "CU's total disregard for our careers and livelihoods gutted the years of study and self-sacrifice poured out by so many in pursuit of saving the weakest among us."

"God bless the lawyers at the Thomas More Society who worked tirelessly to see this case through to the end," said Gould. "We're forever grateful to them for standing by us when no one else would and for journeying with us for nearly a half-decade to this case's ultimate and successful conclusion. May our nation never witness anything like this travesty again."
Home News Barron Trump interested in supernatural dreams, 'very close' to becoming Christian: pastor

Pastor Stuart Knechtle recently claimed that President Donald Trump's 19-year-old son, Barron, is interested in claims of supernatural dreams about Jesus Christ in the Muslim world and is "very close" to becoming a Christian.

Knechtle, who has 2.4 million followers on TikTok and serves as assistant pastor at Grace Community Church in New Canaan, Connecticut, shared Thursday on "The George Janko Show" that he recently witnessed to Barron on the phone at 12:30 a.m. about Christianity.

NEW: Pastor Stuart Knechtle says Barron Trump is close to putting his faith in Christ, discusses a recent phone call he had with him.



"He's very close to putting his faith in Christ, very close," Knechtle said on George Janko's show.



"And so I pray that goes through." pic.twitter.com/pRG5WMmoh7  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 5, 2025

"I thought I was hitting him with everything but the kitchen sink when it came to all the evidence for God and Christianity," Knechtle said.

"I thought I was really on, I was pumped," he said. "And at the very end, I came up pretty much totally open-handed with nothing. But I brought up dreams and revelations."

Knechtle claimed Barron was fascinated when he brought up reports that have circulated in recent years of many Muslims experiencing striking encounters with Jesus Christ in their dreams. Mission Frontiers magazine reported that a quarter of Muslim conversions to Christianity are because of such experiences.

"I said, 'Hey, look, Barron, I usually don't go by this typically as evidence, but I have a friend over in Africa who witnesses thousands of Muslims coming to Christ through dreams and revelations. How do you explain that?'"

Knechtle claimed Barron conceded that as "a very, very interesting point" because it involved "eyewitness testimony," which the pastor noted is how Barron's mind works.

"And that was the only thing that stuck with him," Knechtle said. "And he's very close to putting his faith in Christ. Very close."

"I think it shows the power of dreams and revelations ... people who are not believers see them and say, 'Wow, OK, there could be something to that,'" Knechtle added.

"I pray that goes through," Janko said, to which Knechtle replied, "Exactly. That would be huge!"

Knechtle's comments come as Barron's father has increasingly spoken about Heaven and eternity in recent months.

In August, the president suggested that his work to secure peace in Ukraine could help him reach Heaven, which prompted concern among some of his Evangelical supporters who worried he might believe he can earn his salvation.

In October, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way to secure a peace deal in Gaza that he was "being a little cute" with his Heaven comment, but then questioned if he would get to Heaven at all.

"I don't think there's anything going to get me in Heaven," Trump said at the time. "I think I'm maybe not Heaven-bound. I may be in Heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make Heaven."

Jenna Ellis, a Christian who formerly served as Trump's attorney, said at the time that she has personally witnessed Trump hearing the Gospel many times, and that his comments about not getting into Heaven are "heartbreaking, if he means it."

Others saw Trump's comments as evidence of growing humility, noting that he seems to be speaking more about faith since his narrow escape from an assassination attempt on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Home News Trump admin. restricts visas for Nigerians linked to anti-Christian violence, persecution

In response to mass killings and violent attacks against Christians in Nigeria, the U.S. State Department announced that the United States will restrict visas for Nigerians who have participated in or supported violations of religious freedom, a restriction that could also apply to family members in some cases.

The department announced the policy in a Wednesday statement amid escalating attacks against Nigerian Christians by extremist groups and armed militias, who are responsible for thousands of murders, abduction and widespread destruction of places of worship.

A new policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the federal government to "restrict visa issuance to individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom and, where appropriate, their immediate family members."

The provision within the Immigration and Nationality Act gives the U.S. Secretary of State the authority to deny a visa or entry into the United States to a foreign national if the individual's presence in the country could potentially lead to adverse foreign policy consequences.

"The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world," said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a Wednesday statement posted on X.

He vowed the agency will restrict U.S. visas for those who "knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom," a policy that applies not only to the Nigerian government but also to other governments and individuals that violate people's religious freedom.

The actions come after President Donald Trump threatened potential military action last month to stop the attacks against Christian communities in Nigeria and "to wipe out the Islamic terrorists." The Trump administration has pressed the Nigerian government to work with them to deter violent religious persecution.

Last month, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, emphasizing "the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians." Hegseth also expressed a desire to work with Nigerian authorities "to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States," according to a Pentagon statement.

Analysts who spoke with The Associated Press reported at the time that limited, high-profile U.S. airstrikes are unlikely to reverse the security concerns and instability in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government has said in response to concerns about violent persecution that the conflict is not inherently religious, claiming that it stems from decades-old farmer-herder clashes.

Nigeria's government has also pushed back against the claim that what's happening to Christian communities in the Middle Belt states may meet the standard for religious persecution and genocide. Advocates have also accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect its citizens from radicalized groups and rampant violence that has left millions displaced.

The situation in Nigeria has continued to draw widespread attention, including from celebrities like rapper Nicki Minaj, who, in an X post last month, expressed gratitude for living in a country with religious freedom.

"No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don't have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other," the rapper declared.

"Numerous countries all around the world are being affected by this horror & it's dangerous to pretend we don't notice," she continued. "Thank you to The President & his team for taking this seriously. God bless every persecuted Christian. Let's remember to lift them up in prayer."

Earlier this year, the global Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors placed Nigeria in the seventh spot on its 2025 World Watch List of countries where Christians are most persecuted.

During the WWL 2025 reporting period (Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024), researchers calculated, based on conservative estimates, that 3,100 Christians had been killed and 2,830 had been abducted. Regarding instances of sexual assault and physical and mental abuse, the report authors rounded the figures to 1,000 and 10,000, respectively.
Home News Trump claims Somali immigrants come from Hell,' calls Ilhan Omar 'garbage'

President Donald Trump escalated his attack on Somali immigrants Tuesday, referring to Somali congresswoman from Minnesota, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, as "garbage" and suggesting Somalians "come from Hell."

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Trump described Somalia in the Horn of Africa as "barely a country" and accused refugees in the Twin Cities of having "ripped off that state for billions of dollars, every year, and they contribute nothing."

Pointing to what he claimed was around an "88%" welfare rate among Somalis in Minnesota, Trump added: "We don't want them in our country. Their country stinks.  When they come from Hell, they complain, they do nothing but [expletive], we don't want them in our country. Let them go back to their country and fix it."

It's unclear which data the president referred to in his claim about the Somali welfare rate in Minnesota. On Tuesday, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, announced that more than $1 billion in federal taxpayer funds during the coronavirus emergency was "stolen in Minnesota under the leadership of Governor Walz and after repeated fraud warnings from hundreds of his own employees."

In Tuesday's meeting, Trump also claimed Omar and "her friends" are "garbage."

Trump, who has long targeted Minnesota's Somali population and Omar with derogatory language, claimed on social media that immigrants are "taking over" the state and "roving the streets looking for 'prey.'"

Omar responded to Trump's remarks in an op-ed published by The New York Times on Wednesday.

"This comment was only the latest in a series of remarks and Truth Social posts in which the president has demonized and spread conspiracy theories about the Somali community and about me personally," Omar wrote. "For years, the president has spewed hate speech in an effort to gin up contempt against me. He reaches for the same playbook of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and division again and again. At one 2019 rally, he egged on his crowd until it chanted 'send her back' when he said my name."

The representative added that more than 90% of Somalis living in Minnesota "are American citizens by birth or naturalization."

"Somali Americans remain resilient against the onslaught of attacks from the White House," she stated. "But I am deeply worried about the ramifications of these tirades."

In a similar escalation on Nov. 21, Trump announced on Truth Social the immediate end to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis in Minnesota, a program shielding some 705 individuals nationwide from deportation due to Somalia's ongoing instability.

"Minnesota, under [Gov. Tim] Walz, is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity," Trump wrote. "I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota."

He also claimed that Somali gangs are "terrorizing" the people of Minnesota and that billions of dollars "are missing."

"Send them back to where they came from," he wrote. "It's OVER!"

The outburst came days after a shooting in Washington, D.C., left one National Guard member dead and another critically wounded  which Trump has seized upon to level criticism of Somali residents, despite the suspect being an Afghan national granted asylum under his own administration earlier this year.

During Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said the agency would shift the focus of a nationwide immigration crackdown to Minnesota.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are planning to deploy "strike teams" of approximately 100 federal law enforcement officers to target Somalis who are in the country illegally, according to a New York Times report last month.

Walz responded to Trump last month by saying, "It's not surprising that the President has chosen to broadly target an entire community. This is what he does to change the subject."

Minnesota is believed to be home to nearly 80,000 Somali Americans, according to state data cited by the Associated Press. A congressional report in August found 705 Somalis in the U.S. had legal protections.
Capitol Riot Pipe Bomb Arrest, Texas Bathroom Law, South Sudan Plane Hijacking

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:29 06:29

Top headlines for Friday, December 5, 2025

In this episode, we cover the arrest of a suspect in the Washington, D.C. pipe bombing attempts after five years on the run, the hijacking of a Samaritans Purse aid plane in South Sudan, and the rollout of Texas new law banning men from entering womens restrooms.

00:11 Trump FBI, DOJ announce arrest of pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole

00:58 Samaritans Purse plane hijacked; suspect in custody

01:45 Sam Collier was extorted by trans prostitute, ex-wife claims

02:31 YouVersion reveals top Bible verse of 2025

03:20 Christian groups respond after deadly storms displace millions

04:08 4 things to know about Texas' new 'bathroom bill'

04:52 Roumie: 2 atheists became Christians after seeing 'The Chosen'
Home Opinion America's stunning lack of academic freedom: As seen in this viral post

Even a cursory perusal of the national news media will suggest that among the significant problems afflicting American education from the elementary to the postgraduate level is a stunning lack of academic freedom. Indeed, anyone who has attended an American university in the last 30 years has been made aware to varying degrees that if you express certain conservative or traditional views on moral and political issues, you may well face varying degrees of discrimination or prejudice.

As I have interacted with students on campuses across the country over the past few decades, I have the clear impression that the groupthink on many college campuses (starting with a nearly monolithic faculty group liberal worldview) has reached stifling levels. Many, many times, I have had students tell me that they are fearful that if they say what they really think about various political, religious, or philosophical subjects in class or in term papers, they will be penalized by prejudiced liberal professors.

Even way back when I was an undergraduate (1965-1969), the overwhelming majority of my liberal arts professors at Princeton were liberal. I will always remember attending my first lecture in a history class. The professor, a man with a worldwide reputation, began by going through the syllabus, summarizing each of the assigned 16 required textbooks, giving each ones historical worldview. He then volunteered that he was a Marxist-Leninist (he said he used to be a Communist, but he left the party as a protest to the crushing of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956) and he would be lecturing from that perspective.

By the way, it was a great course, and it had a good deal to do with my deciding to major in history. I never felt that this professor consciously discriminated against me or other conservative students. Sadly, other professors did. A survey showed that in the 1972 presidential election, the Princeton liberal arts faculty voted 80 percent for McGovern (among the engineering faculty, it was 50-50).

Unfortunately, American college campuses have become much less tolerant in the intervening years. The appalling disturbances and violence in defense of the PLO in response to the heinous, barbaric attacks on Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, have revealed an intolerance and willingness to resort to violence in order to enforce conformity to certain viewpoints on many college campuses.

A recent example of the pervasive nature of discrimination and prejudice against certain traditional moral and political viewpoints has surfaced in what would appear to be an unlikely placethe University of Oklahoma. Oklahoma is a conservative state with a conservative voting record. It also happens to be the most Baptist state in the country, with almost a third of the population claiming membership in some form of Baptist church (Southern, Independent, Missionary, National, etc.).

And yet, the news has been occupied recently with the story of a young student at OU, named Samantha Fulnecky. Ms. Fulnecky, a junior psychology major, was required in a psychology class to write a 650-word essay responding to an article discussing the role societal gender norms play in how people are perceived.

Ms. Fulnecky, in fulfilling her assignment, stated that moving away from traditional gender norms pulls us farther from Gods original plans for humans and that Gods plan created innate differences between men and women.

She went on to opine:

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 the strength, and He created women in the image of His beauty.

Fulnecky also criticized her peers for accepting more liberal views on gender just to avoid criticism.

The graduate student instructor responded by giving Fulnecky a 0 out of 25 points on the assignment. Fulnecky complained through her Turning Point USA chapter, which then posted the story on X, which generated 35 million views in 7 days.

The graduate students explanation for the zero grade stated that he was not deducting points because you have certain beliefs. Instead, he stated that she does not answer the questions for this assignment, contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class and is at times offensive.

Personally, where I think the instructor crossed the line was when he went on to say that the students personal beliefs do not change the broad medical, psychological and scientific consensus about sex and gender. That language smacks of condescension and a certain smugness in bias toward the scientific consensus.

Also, I suspect if Ms. Fulnecky had been given 20 out of 25 instead of 0, this episode would not have garnered nearly as much attention as it has.

The OU administration has placed the instructor on leave, has replaced him with a full-time professor for the rest of the course, and will be investigating the class. They also assured everyone that no academic harm would accrue to the student and that the university takes seriously concerns involving First Amendment rights, certainly including religious freedoms.

This situation should be resolved around the concept of what is legally called a limited open forum. When a student is given the kind of assignment Ms. Fulnecky was given, the university has opened a limited open forum where the student has freedom to bring their personal beliefs to bear on the subject without being subject to penalty.

Given the volatile environment prevalent on the current college campus, students should be free to complain when they feel they have been discriminated against. As Thomas Jefferson reminded us many, many years ago, eternal vigilance is the price of assuring liberty.

I applaud Ms. Fulneckys courage in being willing to speak up and petition for her First Amendment rights. May we all draw inspiration from her courage and continue to both practice and protect our free speech rights as Americans.
Home Opinion The National Guard shooting in Washington DC: Why did it happen?

The day before Thanksgiving, Americans were shocked by the tragic shooting of two members of the National Guard by an Afghan asylum seeker allowed into the United States by the Biden Administration. According to the AP:

The suspect in Wednesdays shooting near the White House that killed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, both of the West Virginia National Guard, is facing charges  Rahmanullah Lakanwal is a 29-year-old Afghan national who had been living in Bellingham, Washington  He worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan War.

This killer left his five children in Washington state to drive to DC to ambush Sarah Beckstrom with shots from a .357 pistol, then grabbed Beckstroms weapon and mortally wounded her with a shot to the head. He then shot Wolf multiple times, and When Lakanwal paused to reload, a National Guard major leapt from cover and turned the ambush back on the attacker  stabbing the alleged terrorist in the head multiple times and bringing him to the ground. During the initial attack, the major allegedly heard Lakanwal yelling 'Allahu Akbar,'" the New York Post reported.



Many wonder how Lakanwal could go from seeming an American ally in Afghanistan to this. Id like to offer some perspective from what I have learned of Lakanwal and my experiences with Afghans in Afghanistan.

First, we know now that when Lakanwal worked with the CIA as an allied partner, he was based at FOB Gecko outside Kandahar starting in 2007. Gecko had been Afghan militant leader Mullah Omars compound before the U.S. invasion. When I was deployed to Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008 to advise the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), I began my tour near Kandahar with some subordinate forces stationed at Camp Gecko (before I went to take over the advisory mission in nearby Helmand Province). In Afghanistan, the Southern Region, including Kandahar, was the most violent and most infested with the Taliban. This means Lakanwal would have been involved in substantial combat while working with the CIA, and I can attest that things were quite violent there. It also means he would have been a prime recruiting target of the enemy.

According to former CIA agent and bestselling author Sarah Adams, ISIS channels were the first to praise the (National Guard shooting) largely because Lakanwals half-brother had been a recruiter for the Islamic StateKhorasan Province (ISKP). Additionally, Adams noted: After the fall of Kabul in 2021, Lakanwals unit the Kandahar Protection Force and the Khost Protection Force (KPF) became prime targets for both the Haqqani Network and ISKP, which sought either to blackmail or recruit former KPF members.



Part of the blackmail scheme involved threats of killing family members in Afghanistan. Lakanwal may have been vetted for CIA missions in Afghanistan, but clearly wasnt vetted for resettlement in the U.S. under these circumstances.

The botched withdrawal is most to blame for what happened in D.C. Former President Biden announced his withdrawal at the worst possible time: the start of the Taliban Spring/Summer offensive. His State Department compounded the problem by utter incompetence with regard to Special Immigration Visas (SIV). It wasnt until months after the withdrawal announcement, when the Taliban were overrunning the country, that meaningful efforts at SIV vetting and processing began. The State Department basically lost control: One reason for why so many SIVs remain in Afghanistan, the official noted, is every credential we tried to provide electronically was immediately disseminated to the widest possible pool. And so it was no longer a viable credential to differentiate among populations, and we simply did not have the people for that time to be able to try to sift through that crowd of people demanding access.

When it was clear the optics of the withdrawal were politically damaging, the Biden administration decided to attempt to find a political silver lining. They directed airlifting of as many Afghans as possible to create the alleged greatest airlift in history. While some American citizens were left behind, tens of thousands of unvetted military-aged males were let loose on America.

I had a unique experience of being associated with an Afghan Christian interpreter while in Helmand on various missions. Christianity there was extremely rare (hes the only Afghan Christian I knew about), and this man had to leave Afghanistan due to the threats on his life from being an apostate from Islam. I remember him telling me of several ANSF who were quite close with us American advisors, talking (in Pashtu among themselves) about how we were infidels and how they would eventually have to fight us as the enemy.

Lakanwal was likely either recruited by ISKP before he left, blackmailed by threats, or became radicalized against Christian infidels. It is noteworthy that this attack came after Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and five other seditionist congressmen published the video insinuating American military members were, or would be, ordered to commit war crimes. This may have been the final nudge.

Americans have the right and duty to decide who we allow within our nation. Nationality is about commonalities, including language and religious belief. In our case, the Bible, and as Psalm 33:12 tells us, Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage. Pray for our fallen and wounded. May God bless them for protecting the nation they served.
By REDPIXEL / Adobe

Belong is one of the UKs leading care home operators and, as a not-for-profit organisation, has invested in research and innovation, enabling it to play a pioneering role in transforming services for people with dementia.

Its care village model was designed to maximise choice and independence and offer an alternative to conventional care homes and more institutional approaches, with the first village launching in Macclesfield in 2007.
Civil Society Media

What do World War II, the London 2012 Summer Olympics and Big Help Out have in common? The answer: volunteers.

In the late 1930s, the British government began to prepare for any future war involving heavy aerial bombing of civilian populations, and passed the Air-Raid Precautions (ARP) Act 1937.
NIKCOA / Adobe Stock

A further 12 charities have been investigated by the Charity Commission as part of its class inquiry into concerns about cheques being exchanged for cash.

HMRC recently made unannounced visits to a company in Hackney, east London, in which 105 charities were found to have cashed cheques with it to a value of 22m between December 2021 and March 2023.

The commission first investigated 10 charities as part of its class inquiry in May before adding a further 10 in August.

This week, the regulator announced 12 other charities have now been added to its investigation.

The new charities are: Beis Chinuch Lebonos Limited, Mars Org. Ltd, Bnei Zion Community Nursery, BC Trust, Reb Shayales Tzeduke, Noam Halvovos, Kollel Mishkon Yakov, Ttba Belz, Satmar Kolel, the Chevras Ezras Nitzrochim Trust, Support the Charity Worker and Edupoor Limited.

Alan Shelton, main trustee at education charity Edupoor Limited, said his organisation had been experiencing banking issues at the time of the cheques being cashed.

However, he described the commissions investigation as going overboard and that his charity has had to spend money on it that would have gone to its cause.

The regulator has ordered all charities it is investigating, many of which have the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish faith among their objects, not to issue cheques without prior consent during the investigation.

It will use its inquiry powers to determine how these charities transferred funds and assess if cash was used properly.

Trustee oversight as to how the funds were managed will also be assessed.

The commission will also seek to determine how these financial transactions were deemed in the charities best interests.

It clarified that no conclusions have yet been reached and the opening of an inquiry does not equate to wrongdoing found.

Civil Society has attempted to contact all of the other charities added to the investigation.

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,
PepsiCo Inc. is nearing a settlement agreement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, without providing details.

An agreement could be announced soon, according to the Journal.

PepsiCo has worked to overhaul its portfolio of brands since Elliott announced a roughly $4 billion stake in early September and called on the company to review and streamline its snack offerings. Elliott has urged PepsiCo to look into re-franchising the beverage units operationally intensive bottling network, as Coca-Cola Co. has done, so it can focus on its core strengths.

PepsiCo Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta said in October that the company had met a couple of times with Elliott and had constructive discussions, but that there were still a few areas where we need to probably educate each other a bit more.

PepsiCo and Elliott declined to comment.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
A federal labor judge in Brazil ordered the government to add a poultry unit of meatpacker JBS to a so-called dirty list of employers responsible for subjecting workers to slavery-like conditions, according to a Tuesday court ruling seen by Reuters.

The case stems from a federal raid last year that found 10 people working in slavery-like conditions for a contractor hired to load and unload cargo for poultry unit JBS Aves, in Brazils Rio Grande do Sul state.

In Brazil, slavery is defined as forced labor, but also covers debt bondage, degrading work conditions and illegally long hours that pose a risk to health.

Inspectors found that workers at the unit were subjected to illegally long shifts for as long as 16 hours and housed without access to clean drinking water, according to a report seen by Reuters. The contractor had also made unlawful deductions from workers wages, making it harder for them to quit, the report found.

The ruling in a lawsuit by labor prosecutors against the government comes after Brazils government Labor Minister Luiz Marinho initially stopped JBS from being added to the list by carrying out an unusual final review of the investigation that led to the charges.

Labor experts consider the list to be an important weapon in Brazils decades-long fight against modern slavery, and have said Marinhos interference could weaken it by opening a precedent for other firms to petition the minister to intervene in their cases.

The Labor Ministry will appeal the decision as soon as formally notified, it said in a statement.

JBS suspended the contractor, terminated the contract and blocked the company upon learning of the allegations, the company told Reuters on Wednesday.

When a company is included in the list, it stays there for two years. Beyond the reputational risks associated with the listing, companies are also barred from obtaining certain types of loans from Brazilian banks, which could mean serious financial consequences for a company linked to one of Brazils largest firms.

In her decision, Judge Katarina Roberta Mousinho de Matos ruled Marinhos decision was unlawful, and not based on legal considerations, but rather on the economic repercussions that adding the firm to the list could have. She also ordered the government to add two smaller Brazilian firms to the list, which Marinho had earlier taken out using the same maneuver.

JBS is one of Brazils largest employers, with some 158,000 workers in the country, according to the company. Its Seara division, which runs JBS Aves, reported net revenue of $2.3 billion from July to September, roughly 10% of the firms total.

(Reporting by Teixeira in Rio de Janeiro, additional reporting by Ana Mano in Sao Paulo; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
A U.S. agency said on Thursday it has asked Waymo to answer more questions after Texas officials said the Alphabet units self-driving vehicles had illegally passed school buses 19 times in recorded incidents since the start of the school year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe in October after an incident in Georgia in which a Waymo car did not remain stationary when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm deployed.

In a November 20 letter posted by NHTSA, the Austin Independent School District said five incidents occurred in November after Waymo said it had made software updates to resolve the issue and asked the company to halt operations around schools during pick-up and drop-off times until it could ensure the vehicles would not violate the law.

We cannot allow Waymo to continue endangering our students while it attempts to implement a fix, a lawyer for the school district wrote, citing one incident involving a Waymo that was recorded driving past a stopped school bus only moments after a student crossed in front of the vehicle, and while the student was still in the road.

The letter prompted NHTSA to ask Waymo on November 24 if it would comply with the request to cease self-driving operations during student pick-up and drop-off times, adding: Was an appropriate software fix implemented or developed to mitigate this concern? And if so, does Waymo plan to file a recall for the fix?

The school district told Reuters on Thursday that Waymo refuses to halt operations around schools and said another incident involving a self-driving car and an actively loading school bus occurred on December 1, which indicates that those programming changes did not resolve the issue or our concerns.

In a statement, Waymo did not answer why it had refused to halt operations around Austin schools or answer if it would issue a recall. Were deeply invested in safe interaction with school buses. We swiftly implemented software updates to address this and will continue to rapidly improve, Waymo said.

NHTSA said in a letter to Waymo on Wednesday that it was demanding answers to a series of questions by January 20 about incidents involving school buses and details of software updates to address safety concerns.

(Reporting by Shepardson; Ediitng by Aurora Ellis)
DELAWARE, Ohio  A judge in Delaware County is under investigation for rape because of accusations that he pressured a lawyer to have sex, reports say.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Common Pleas Court Judge James Schuck, 50, has denied the allegations but has been on leave since Nov. 25. The 25-year-old woman making the accusations has filed a civil protection order against Schuck.

The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is handling the investigation, WBNS Channel 10 reports.

A report filed with the Delaware County Sheriffs Office lists offenses of rape and gross sexual imposition, WCMH Channel 4 reports.

According to WCMH, the report says Schuck asked the woman if she was single in November 2024 and told her he wanted to get to know her better. He later asked to go to the womans apartment and asked about her sexual preferences.

Schuck is accused of pressuring the woman to have sex multiple times in different locations, including at the Delaware County Courthouse, where he reportedly pushed her against a wall and performed a sex act on her, WCMH reports.

The report says Schuck would cry and punch his fists into a couch if the woman denied him sex, the Dispatch reports. In October, the woman asked Schuck to stop contacting her, but she says he continued to call and email.

Schuck reportedly sent the woman text messages apologizing for his actions, the Dispatch reports.

Paul Scarsella, the attorney for Schuck, sent a statement to WBNS calling the womans accusations blatantly false.

Those claims were made only after the relationship was disclosed to her employer and an internal investigation was initiated, the statement says. We look forward to confronting these allegations at the hearing on (Dec. 16).
Not to be outdone by the antics of Ohio's Bernie Moreno in the Capitol this week, Rep. Jim Jordan is getting attention for his fear of deposing Jack Smith in public. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) AP

Ohio is providing another round of political theater for the nation this week, with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan at center stage, and Today in Ohio podcasts wonder when the embarrassing antics will stop.

Jordan has subpoenaed former special counsel Jack Smith for a private deposition about his prosecution of Donald Trump  but puzzlingly refuses Smiths offer to testify publicly.

It does seem like Jordan is afraid that he may not like what Smith has to say, Chris Quinn said on Thursdays episode. Because hes going to portray Donald Trump as the criminal he is. And he (Jordan) doesnt want that out there for people to see.

Jordan wants to question Smith behind closed doors about the investigations into Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. The deposition is set for May 17, with Smith required to produce documents by May 12.

The secrecy has raised alarms among Democrats. Lisa Garvin said during the episode that the ranking Democrat on Jordans committee, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, accused Jordan of wanting to spin, distort and cherry pick Smiths remarks through press leaks.

This strategy creates an information vacuum that Jordan can exploit. When committee members emerge from the private session, theyll likely present contradictory accounts of what transpired. Democrats will claim Smith defended his investigations integrity, while Jordan and Republicans will push a differing narrative.

The podcast highlighted how Jordans secret approach manufactures controversy.

Garvin noted that much of the evidence in these cases is already public knowledge.

We saw the photos of the stacks of documents in the Mar-a-Lago bathroom. We heard Trump saying Find me 11,000 votes in Georgia, she said. Its not like theres non-public evidence thats going make it any worse than it is now.

Listen to the discussion here.

Listen to full Today in Ohio episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
Ohio redistricting - a new way to put the puzzle together for fairer maps. Illustration by Susan Santola, Advance Local

State Sen. Nickie J. Antonios recent explanation in a Plain Dealer/cleveland.com guest column of her decision to accept and vote for the new congressional districts for Ohio was well-reasoned. Looking forward, she calls for, A proposal where we can garner statewide and national partner support for Ohios final referendum for a redistricting process that puts the people, not politicians at the table crafting Ohios districts. Antonio, the Ohio Senates Democratic leader, calls for a system where citizens, not politicians, draw our lines.

Great idea to find the right vision before plunging ahead with another effort that falls far short of securing fair redistricting.

I offer two ideas for that vision: 1) an emphasis on competitive districts rather than the one Ohioans passed almost a decade ago that failed so miserably to create partisan proportionality, and 2) a commission that is required to select a map from citizen submissions that are scored based on citizen-determined priorities.

Why competitive districts? If you voted for a state legislator in the 2024 Ohio election, there is a good chance that your vote didnt count in the outcome. The commonly misunderstood one person, one vote principle of democracy applies to making districts close in population. It does not proscribe that all votes must have equal weight.

Ohio House District votes for Republican and Democratic candidates totaled about 5.3 million, with 42.5% voting for Democratic candidates who won only 33% of the seats. If you voted for the Democrat in any of the 66 districts in which the Republican won, your vote didnt matter. You neednt have bothered. Even if you voted Republican in such a district, votes exceeding the minimum number to win werent needed to determine the outcome. Call both of those kinds of votes, those for the losing candidate and those not necessary to win, wasted in the sense that they were not necessary to determine who would represent the district. This same basic fact is true in the districts won by a Democrat.

In this way, Ohio House races had more than 1.3 million ballots that had no impact on the outcome. The chance one of them was yours was 26.1% -- regardless of whether you voted Republican or Democrat.

Applying the same partisan voting seen with the 2024 Ohio House election to the recently approved Ohio Congressional map (and ignoring individual candidate appeal), one could expect that Democrats will win three (20%) of the 15 races with 42.5% of the statewide vote. A third (32.1%) of the votes in 2026 would be for either losing candidates or those unnecessary to achieve the results.

I state these facts not to discourage voters from voting, only to point out the effect of extreme partisan gerrymandering.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that partisan gerrymandering was not forbidden by the Constitution, leaving the issue up to individual states. Ohios Constitution explicitly makes proportional representation a requirement (Ohio Constitution, Article XI, Section 6), yet it was ignored.

Mark Salling, Ph.D., is a demographer and geographer who has studied redistricting and voting trends, among other topics. (Photo by Anand Janardhanan)

In extreme partisan proportionality, all the votes for each party are concentrated in two sets of districts, one set with Republican voters and another with Democratic voters. The result is politicians who dont have to appeal to their districts middle and are more extreme in their views. The party that takes the majority of seats then represents the extremes of their constituencies. It guarantees that too many voters have no say in who represents them and their views. No wonder we have poor voter participation when the party controlling the map dictates who is going to win elections. Furthermore, seeking partisan proportionality is just another way for the politicians to take away voter choices.

The solution to making votes equal in importance, as much as feasible, is not in proportional representation; it is in districts that are politically competitive, ones in which your vote or mine come at least close to being the one that determines the outcome.

Why a map made by citizens? More important even than requiring as much competitive balance as feasible, which is only my opinion, a system that first asks citizens to prioritize criteria and then selects from submitted maps that are scored from those criteria is a democratic approach to redistricting. Debate about the possible criteria would provide opportunities to educate and engage the population on this important civic responsibility.

The internet technology and interest for all this to happen are here now, and we see them being used in many state and local redistricting efforts. Unfortunately, they dont go far enough, since submissions are, at best, only considered by a commission.

As Sen. Antonio writes, it is past time for those who seek a referendum on redistricting reform to do it right this time. This is a chance for Ohio to lead the national discussion on making redistricting fair.

Salling is an urban geographer and Research Associate at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

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* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
In its newly released Christmas Forecast 2025, the Old Farmer's Almanac is calling for a white Christmas across the Lower Lakes region, a zone that includes Cleveland and much of Northeast Ohio. Courtesy the Old Farmer's Almanac

CLEVELAND, Ohio  If youre hoping for a white Christmas in Northeast Ohio, The Old Farmers Almanac is offering a boost of optimism.

In its newly released Christmas Forecast 2025, the publication calls for a white Christmas across the Lower Lakes region, a zone that includes Cleveland and the surrounding region.

The Almanac similarly projects a white Christmas for the broader Northeast and parts of Alaska, while giving the Appalachians, Upper Midwest, High Plains and portions of the Intermountain West only a chance at holiday snow cover.

Warmer areas  including the Atlantic Corridor, Southeast, most of the Midwest and nearly all of the West  are forecast to miss out this year.

Overall, the 2026 Old Farmers Almanac predicts that most of the United States will be seeing a milder, gentler winter than average. But that doesnt mean there wont be any snow! the publication wrote in a news release.

Comparing to NOAAs long-range outlook

The Almanacs outlook leans on its long-range seasonal patterns and offers a broad-brush view of where Christmas snow might fall. But it doesnt guarantee who will see flakes  and federal forecasters remain more measured.

In its most recent update, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Climate Prediction Center continues to highlight only modest signals for a snowy setup in the days leading up to Christmas.

The latest long-term outlook for Dec. 13 through Dec. 26 shows a 33% to 40% probability of above-average precipitation across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley  enough to raise the odds of storm systems moving through the region, but not enough to pin down precipitation type.

At the same time, the outlook weakly favors below-normal temperatures across the northern U.S., including Ohio. If that colder air lines up with incoming moisture, the region would have a better chance of snow rather than rain.

Still, these signals are early and subtle. Long-range outlooks dont forecast individual storms, and temperatures arent projected to be dramatically below average. Small changes in timing or storm track could tip the balance toward rain, snow or a mix in the days just before Christmas.

Clevelands odds of getting a white Christmas

Clevelands long-term odds remain the same: a 39% historical chance of at least an inch of snow on the ground on Dec. 25, based on National Weather Service records dating to 1893.

In the past decade, the city has logged three white Christmases (2017, 2020 and 2022), including 7 inches of snow depth in 2020 and 4 inches in 2022 from an Arctic blast.

Those numbers reflect a broader trend of slightly milder late-December patterns compared with mid-20th-century winters when white Christmases were more common.

Whether this year adds another white Christmas to the tally will come down to the timing of whatever cold air and storm systems arrive just before Dec. 25  something no forecast can pin down this far out.
Interview: China poised to strengthen edge in innovation, green growth, says Russian expert

Xinhua) 13:25, December 05, 2025

MOSCOW, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China is poised to further consolidate its position as one of the global leaders in technology and green development during its 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030, a Russian expert has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Tlesh Mamakhatov, an expert at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, lauded China's major development achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period from 2021 to 2025.

"As a result (of the plan), we have witnessed a qualitative transformation of the Chinese economy and significant progress in improving living standards and quality of life, as well as in developing the education, healthcare and social welfare systems," he said.

Mamakhatov highlighted substantial shifts in the structure of energy consumption, noting that the use of renewable energy sources and natural gas has increased significantly, while emissions have declined.

He said China is expected to continue these trends in its 15th Five-Year Plan, as the country has pledged to accelerate the green transition across the board.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October deliberated over and adopted the recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan.

"This will strengthen China's position as one of the global leaders in the technological race -- in high technology, artificial intelligence -- and green development," he said, referring to the emphasis on high-quality development and scientific and technological strength in the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Regarding China's commitment to openness, Mamakhatov said the country is expected to continue to support the multilateral trading system while expanding opportunities for cooperation and investment, adding that the country is also expected to deepen its ties with the Global South.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Brokerage firm Motilal Oswal has maintained its "buy" recommendation on JSW Infrastructure Ltd. on Friday, December 5, while projecting a price target of 360 per share.The price target implies a potential upside of 33% from Thursday's closing levels.JSW Infra has been in the news recently for entering into a partnership with Minerals Development Oman (MDO) by acquiring a 51% stake in a newly incorporated port SPV. This SPV will develop and operate a 27 MTPA Greenfield bulk port to support the industrial minerals projects in the Dhofar region of Oman.Motilal Oswal believes that considering the company's strong balance sheet, with net debt-equity at 0.16x and net debt tpo EBITDA at 0.75x, there is enough headroom for growth-led investments that JSW Infra can do.JSW Infra is executing multiple browndield and greenfield expansion projects with plans to scale up from 177 MTPA currently to 400 MTPA by financial year 2030. Projects under execution totals 121.6 MTPA, excluding the Oman project.It is also undertaking strategic capacity upgrades at Mangalore, Southwest Port, Dharamtar, and Jaigarh, targeting a combined expansion of 40 MTPA.Alongside ports, JSW Infra is pursuing an aggressive logistics infrastructure build-out under JSW Port Logistics, supported by an investment plan of around 9,000 crore through financial year 2030. This expansion is expected to deliver revenue of 8,000 crore and EBITDA of 2,000 crore at scale."With a balanced east-west coast presence and expanding inland logistics, JSW Infra is well-placed to benefit from India's push for multimodal integration and port-led industrial growth," Motilal Oswal wrote in its note.The brokerage is anticipating JSW Infra's volume, revenue and EBITDA and Adjusted PAT to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15%, 24%, 26% and 23% over financial year 2025-2028.Out of the 16 analysts that have coverage on JSW Infra, 12 have a "buy" rating on the stock, one has a "hold" rating and three have a "sell" recommendation.Shares of JSW Infra are currently trading 0.6% lower on Friday at 266.85. The stock trades well over 100% above its issue price of 119, but has declined 18% so far in 2025.
IT firm Newgen Software Technologies Ltd on Friday (December 5) announced that an overseas entity in Kuwait has withdrawn its tender for the implementation of a business process management (BPM) platform.

The project carried a commercial value of KWD (Kuwaiti dinar) 1,736,052 as disclosed earlier by the company on September 30, 2025, following receipt of the letter of award.

In a regulatory filing, Newgen stated that the tender withdrawal was communicated without any disclosed reason. The company further confirmed that no prior communication was received from the entity before the withdrawal notice. Newgen added that it will be taking up the matter with the concerned entity in the coming days.

Also Read: Newgen Software shares surge 6% after bagging international and domestic contracts

Last month, Newgen Software's wholly-owned subsidiary, Newgen Software Technologies (UK) Ltd executed a master services agreement with a customer for Newgen Software licences, AWS managed cloud services and implementation services.

As per the order, Newgen will offer its contract management platform across the enterprise, helping users create and manage policy documents. The three-year contract is valued at 1.5 million, according to the exchange filing.

Also Read: Newgen Software Q2 Results: Net profit grows 64% from June, margins expand

Newgen Software reported revenue growth of 25% on a sequential basis during the September quarter, while its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the quarter doubled from the June quarter.

The EBITDA margin expanded to 25.5% from just 14% in the previous quarter. For the first half of the current financial year, Newgen Software's revenue grew by 6.7%, while its net profit grew by 11.7%.

Shares of Newgen Software Technologies Ltd ended at 878.60, down by 23.40, or 2.59%, on the BSE today, December 5.
NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of Indias National Payments Corporation (NPCI), has signed a partnership with ACLEDA Bank Plc., Cambodias first publicly listed commercial bank, to enable cross-border QR code payments between India and Cambodia.ACLEDA Bank, which operates Cambodias national QR network Bakong (KHQR), will work with NIPL to allow Indian travellers in Cambodia to make payments at over 4.5 million KHQR merchant touchpoints using UPI-enabled apps. Similarly, Cambodian travellers in India will be able to scan more than 709 million UPI QR codes to pay via their Cambodian payment apps.The collaboration aims to offer secure, interoperable, and frictionless payments across retail outlets, restaurants, tourist attractions, and other merchant establishments in both countries. It is expected to benefit businesses by expanding digital payment options for consumers while enhancing convenience for travellers.Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, said the partnership strengthens digital payment corridors and allows consumers to use trusted and familiar payment options while travelling.In Channy, President & Group Managing Director of ACLEDA Bank, said the agreement formalises the technical and operational framework to interconnect UPI and KHQR, supporting fast, affordable, and secure cross-border payments while fostering financial innovation and regional payment interoperability in line with ASEANs vision.NIPL, incorporated in 2020, deploys Indias real-time payment system UPI and card scheme RuPay internationally, offering technological assistance, licensing, and consulting to other countries seeking to develop domestic payment systems.ACLEDA Bank, with total assets of $11.94 billion and over 6.18 million customers, operates across Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, and serves over 5.35 million mobile app users through its ACLEDA Super App.
Air India and Maldivian have formalised a new partnership to enhance air connectivity between India and the Maldives, offering travellers smoother access to some of the archipelago's remote islands.Under the agreement, passengers flying with Air India will now be able to reach 16 islands across the Maldives through Maldivian's extensive domestic network. The arrangement enables convenient onward travel via Male to destinations including Hanimaadhoo, Kooddoo, Gan, Kaadedhdhoo, Kulhudhuffushi, Dharavandhoo, Maafaru and Kadhdoo.The partnership benefits Maldivian by broadening its reach to Air India customers travelling from hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai. Additionally, those connecting from these cities will have access to Maldivian-operated flights from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to Male and Hanimaadhoo.Through the new interline setup, travellers can book a single itinerary covering both airlines, with coordinated baggage handling and streamlined transfers, improving convenience for passengers heading to and from the island nation.Highlighting the growing demand for travel between the two countries, Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India said, "The Maldives continues to be one of the most preferred leisure destinations for Indian travellers, and this interline partnership with Maldivian opens the door to the countrys lesser-explored atolls and islands. By combining Air Indias extensive global network with Maldivians reach across domestic points beyond Male, guests can now discover the true diversity of the archipelago on a single itinerary."Air India remains the only airline offering daily flights between Delhi and Male. The carrier deploys over 55,000 seats annually (one-way) to the Maldives. Its broad international presence across five continents enables travellers from Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East to access the Maldives via Delhi.Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian, welcomed the development, noting, This partnership marks a new chapter in our efforts to expand accessibility to the Maldives and provide connectivity for passengers traveling beyond Male to the atolls. With Air Indias strong network and our reach within the Maldives, this collaboration will play a key role in supporting tourism and business travel between our nations.The collaboration reflects the shared objectives of both carriers to strengthen regional links, enrich the travel experience and support tourism-led growth through integrated networks and more efficient connectivity.
Matt Rife is in trouble again, though probably not for the reasons he anticipated. Despite a new comedy special full of ethnic, domestic violence and trans jokes  er, crowdwork conversation, all the buzz around Unwrapped is about a Netflix promo featuring Rife revealing that Santa isnt real. In fact, its probably autoplaying on your TV right now. Ho ho ho, kiddies, hope you enjoyed your innocence.

While its fun to dunk on Rife for ruining Christmas for a generation of tykes, the Netflix publicity and programming department is probably to blame this time around. Some marketing wonks chose that clip to run on the sites main screen, and itchy Rife is out there on social, letting everyone know he had nothing to do with it.

Lay off, man! Everyone knows that when Rife wants to destroy a kids childhood, he prefers to do the job himself.

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It was only two years ago when Rife blew up with his Natural Selection special on Netflix, an hour notorious for its other jokes about domestic violence. He led off that beauty with a story about a waitress with a black eye, and his friend suggesting the restaurant hide her in the kitchen, where no one could see her face. I was like, Yeah, but I feel like if she could cook, she wouldn't have that black eye, the comedian joked. Get it? Her burnt casserole earned her that shiner!

The online mob gathered virtual torches and pitchforks, including a six-year-old who corrected Rife about a different joke involving rings around Saturn. The kid also knew the gist of the waitress joke, since he scolded Rife with this zinger: Youre mean to girls.

Come on, did you expect Rife to just sit there and take that stinging insult without slapping back?

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After arguing about which planets have rings, the comedian walked the kid to the woodshed. OH!... and Santa Clais isnt real. Your mom buys you presents with the money she makes on OnlyFans.

Technically, Rife only revealed that Santa Clais wasnt real, but the damage was done. Understandably, Mom (who doesnt have an OnlyFans but does have a massive TikTok following) wasnt happy.

Take note, Netflix moms! If Rife sullied Santa for your kids, you can always let him know how you feel. Then again, this kind of online backlash was what propelled Natural Selection to such heights in the first place. Maybe its better to ignore him this time around.

In the meantime, make sure those Kids profiles are selected when you turn on Netflix. With more Rife specials inevitably coming down the pike, the Tooth Fairy might be next.
The Signalgate scandal that enveloped US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in March appears to be symptomatic of a wider lax attitude towards the use of non-approved messaging apps by officials and employees, a Senate Committee has concluded.

In March, the US Senate Committee on Armed Services set out to examine issues raised by the Signalgate incident: the need to clarify the existing rules on using non-controlled apps, and looking at whether Defense Secretary Hegseth adhered to them in his use of Signal, and whether his actions were evidence of a wider culture of insecure app usage within the Department of Defense (DoD).

This weeks dual reports have come back with a mixed assessment of these points. Broadly, what Hegseth was accused of doing  communicating sensitive information using a third-party messaging app  appears to have been happening at the DoD in less serious contexts since at least 2020.
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Jassimmrat Kaur Bhatia writes the Thursday column on the joys, pains and everything in between that comes with growing up. Contact her at jbhatia@dailycal.org, the opinion desk at opinion@dailycal.org  or follow us on X.
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A blackout hit Havana and the rest of the western half of Cuba on Wednesday, leaving millions of people without power on an island struggling with chronic outages blamed on a crumbling electric grid. Lazaro Guerra, general director of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, said the massive outage was caused by a failure on a transmission line that connects two major plants.

The power grid was operational once again by Wednesday afternoon, but the Government warned that the restoration of electricity would not be immediate and that generation deficits persisted.

The nearly 12-hour blackout snarled activities in the capital and beyond. In Havana, dozens of police officers tried to direct traffic while many students who were already in school were sent back home. Small businesses that have generators resumed their sales, especially of food.

Some areas had intermittent internet service, so many residents were left wondering what had happened. Theres no connection. No one knows why the power is out. Theyre not saying anything; its all silence, grumbled Raul Calderon, an 82-year-old retiree, as he waited to hear official reports on the radio. The outage followed two days of peak-hour power shortages across the island.

A total blackout hit Cuba in September, with officials blaming aging infrastructure and fuel shortages at power plants. The ongoing outages also affect water service and impact the islands fragile business sector. Things are bad. The power plants are breaking down a lot. I have two children, and food is hard to come by, said Liubel Quintana, a 47-year-old cafe owner. Its very tough everywhere you look.

Cuba is going through a severe economic crisis that deepened during the coronavirus pandemic, which paralysed the key tourism sector, and was exacerbated by an increase in US sanctions and a failed internal financial reform to unify the currency. Meanwhile, thermal power plants have been operating for over 30 years and receive little maintenance, which is expensive for Cuban budgets.

The lack of maintenance, coupled with fuel shortages due to either a lack of funds or the fact that ships are targeted by US sanctions, threatens the countrys power generation. The Government has implemented a solar park program with Chinese and Vietnamese support, but it is still in its early stages.

The eastern half of Cuba also has been struggling with power outages after Hurricane Melissa slammed into that region in late October. While no fatalities were reported on the island, thousands of Cubans in the eastern region remained without power, water or proper shelter for nearly a month after the storm hit.
Bank of Nova Scotia (The) (NYSE:BNS  Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $71.00 and last traded at $70.0390, with a volume of 591640 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $68.57.

The bank reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $6.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.85 billion. Bank of Nova Scotia had a return on equity of 11.61% and a net margin of 9.74%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 15.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.57 EPS.

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Bank of Nova Scotia Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be issued a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 6th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. Bank of Nova Scotias dividend payout ratio is currently 78.11%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on BNS. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from $86.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of Nova Scotia currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $97.00.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bank of Nova Scotia

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. LPL Financial LLC raised its holdings in Bank of Nova Scotia by 1.9% in the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 56,446 shares of the banks stock worth $2,677,000 after purchasing an additional 1,060 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in the 1st quarter worth about $259,000. Bank of Nova Scotia increased its stake in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 11.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 71,286 shares of the banks stock worth $3,380,000 after acquiring an additional 7,208 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in Bank of Nova Scotia by 255.9% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 10,174,780 shares of the banks stock valued at $482,590,000 after acquiring an additional 7,315,915 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Bank of Nova Scotia by 3.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 53,184,171 shares of the banks stock worth $2,521,621,000 after acquiring an additional 1,821,025 shares in the last quarter. 49.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Bank of Nova Scotia Trading Up 0.2%

The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $65.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $60.05. The firm has a market cap of $87.08 billion, a PE ratio of 18.93, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

Bank of Nova Scotia Company Profile

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The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments.

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Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the five research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $27.6667.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Banco Santander Chile from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco Santander Chile in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Banco Santander Chile from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, September 5th. UBS Group increased their price target on Banco Santander Chile from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Citigroup lowered Banco Santander Chile from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Banco Santander Chile Trading Up 0.6%

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BSAC. Simplex Trading LLC bought a new stake in Banco Santander Chile during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its position in shares of Banco Santander Chile by 54,450.0% in the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,091 shares of the banks stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 1,089 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Banco Santander Chile in the second quarter valued at about $33,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Banco Santander Chile by 577.8% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,559 shares of the banks stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,329 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in Banco Santander Chile by 380.5% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,532 shares of the banks stock worth $89,000 after acquiring an additional 2,797 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.42% of the companys stock.

NYSE:BSAC opened at $30.93 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.51. Banco Santander Chile has a 1-year low of $18.19 and a 1-year high of $31.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.33, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.58. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $28.45 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $25.88.

Banco Santander Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.56 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $581.56 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $732.50 million. Banco Santander Chile had a net margin of 24.74% and a return on equity of 22.18%. On average, equities analysts expect that Banco Santander Chile will post 2.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Banco Santander Chile Company Profile

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Banco Santander-Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking services in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Middle-Market, Corporate Investment Banking, and Corporate Activities segments. The company offers debit and credit cards, checking accounts, and savings products; consumer, automobile, commercial, mortgage, and government-guaranteed loans; and Chilean peso and foreign currency-denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines, as well as mortgage financing services.

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Vertical Aerospace (NYSE:EVTL  Get Free Report) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC  Get Free Report) are both aerospace companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation and institutional ownership.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Vertical Aerospace and Northrop Grummans revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Vertical Aerospace N/A N/A -$998.35 million ($48.92) -0.13 Northrop Grumman $41.03 billion 1.92 $4.17 billion $27.80 19.89

Volatility and Risk

Northrop Grumman has higher revenue and earnings than Vertical Aerospace. Vertical Aerospace is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northrop Grumman, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Vertical Aerospace has a beta of 1.23, suggesting that its stock price is 23% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Northrop Grumman has a beta of 0.05, suggesting that its stock price is 95% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Vertical Aerospace and Northrop Grumman, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Vertical Aerospace 1 0 5 0 2.67 Northrop Grumman 0 6 12 2 2.80

Vertical Aerospace currently has a consensus target price of $11.40, indicating a potential upside of 74.05%. Northrop Grumman has a consensus target price of $646.94, indicating a potential upside of 17.01%. Given Vertical Aerospaces higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Vertical Aerospace is more favorable than Northrop Grumman.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

81.2% of Vertical Aerospace shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.4% of Northrop Grumman shares are held by institutional investors. 74.8% of Vertical Aerospace shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Northrop Grumman shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Vertical Aerospace and Northrop Grummans net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Vertical Aerospace N/A N/A -489.91% Northrop Grumman 9.82% 25.49% 8.01%

Summary

Northrop Grumman beats Vertical Aerospace on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Vertical Aerospace

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Vertical Aerospace Ltd., an aerospace and technology company, engages in designing, manufacturing, and selling zero operating emission electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for use in the advanced air mobility in the United Kingdom. It offers VX4, an eVTOL aircraft. Vertical Aerospace Ltd. was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Bristol, the United Kingdom.

About Northrop Grumman

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Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The companys Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems. Its Defense Systems segment designs, develops, integrates, and produces tactical weapons and missile defense solutions, and provides sustainment, modernization, and training services for manned and unmanned aircraft and electronics systems. It also offers integrated, all-domain command, and control battle management systems, precision strike weapons; high speed air-breathing and hypersonic systems; high-performance gun systems, ammunition, precision munitions and advanced fuzes; aircraft and mission systems logistics support, sustainment, operations and modernization; and warfighter training services. The companys Mission Systems segment offers command, control, communications and computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems; radar, electro-optical/infrared and acoustic sensors; electronic warfare systems; advanced communications and network systems; cyber solutions; intelligence processing systems; navigation; and maritime power, propulsion, and payload launch systems. Its Space Systems segment offers satellites, spacecraft systems, subsystems, sensors, and payloads; ground systems; missile defense systems and interceptors; launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; and strategic missiles. Northrop Grumman Corporation was founded in 1939 and is based in Falls Church, Virginia.

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Free Report) updated its first quarter 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 0.570-0.610 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 0.510. The company issued revenue guidance of $9.0 billion-$9.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $9.9 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise also updated its FY 2026 guidance to 2.250-2.450 EPS.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on HPE. Barclays boosted their price target on Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. They set a market perform rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $25.24.

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Performance

NYSE HPE traded up $0.65 on Thursday, hitting $22.91. 32,969,806 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 22,314,570. The firms 50-day moving average price is $23.33 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.22 billion, a PE ratio of 27.93, a P/E/G ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has a 1-year low of $11.97 and a 1-year high of $26.44.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The technology company reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $9.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.91 billion. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 9.01%. Hewlett Packard Enterprise has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.250-2.450 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.570-0.610 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will post 1.85 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Maeve C. Culloty sold 3,738 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.12, for a total value of $93,898.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Gary M. Reiner sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.58, for a total value of $983,200.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 83,869 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,061,500.02. This trade represents a 32.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 210,404 shares of company stock valued at $5,248,749 in the last quarter. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Laird Norton Wetherby Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Laird Norton Wetherby Wealth Management LLC now owns 46,814 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,150,000 after purchasing an additional 802 shares during the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. increased its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 4.4% during the 2nd quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 23,593 shares of the technology companys stock worth $482,000 after buying an additional 996 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 4.6% during the third quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 24,242 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $595,000 after acquiring an additional 1,060 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 3.1% in the second quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 38,676 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $791,000 after acquiring an additional 1,149 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. 80.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company Profile

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Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides solutions that allow customers to capture, analyze, and act upon data seamlessly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Japan. It operates in six segments: Compute, HPC & AI, Storage, Intelligent Edge, Financial Services, and Corporate Investments and Other.

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Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Get Free Report) shares shot up 11.6% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $0.99 and last traded at $0.99. 4,487 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average session volume of 19,636 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.8873.

Hong Kong & China Gas Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $0.86.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Hong Kong & China Gas stock. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Free Report) by 26.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 131,441 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 27,860 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Hong Kong & China Gas were worth $107,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

About Hong Kong & China Gas

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, produces, distributes, and markets gas, water supply and energy services in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is involved in the provision of smart energy, piped city-gas, upstream and midstream projects, water supply and wastewater treatment, urban waste resource utilization, and natural gas filling stations, as well as new energy exploration and utilization activities.

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Carvana Co. (NYSE:CVNA  Get Free Report) Director Michael Maroone sold 30,928 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $400.34, for a total transaction of $12,381,715.52. Following the sale, the director owned 143,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at $57,478,014.82. The trade was a 17.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Carvana Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of CVNA stock traded up $4.10 on Thursday, reaching $399.10. The company had a trading volume of 2,364,886 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,779,684. The stock has a market cap of $86.82 billion, a PE ratio of 91.12, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 3.51. The company has a 50-day moving average of $345.36 and a 200-day moving average of $344.35. The company has a current ratio of 4.05, a quick ratio of 2.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. Carvana Co. has a 12 month low of $148.25 and a 12 month high of $413.33.

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Carvana (NYSE:CVNA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by ($0.26). Carvana had a net margin of 3.44% and a return on equity of 30.62%. The firm had revenue of $5.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 54.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Carvana Co. will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on CVNA. DA Davidson set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Carvana in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $460.00 price target on shares of Carvana in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley set a $450.00 price target on Carvana in a report on Monday, October 20th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $500.00 price objective on shares of Carvana in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Carvana from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Eighteen investment 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 has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $422.10.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CVNA

Institutional Trading of Carvana

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in shares of Carvana during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. ORG Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Carvana by 8,700.0% in the third quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 88 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Carvana during the third quarter worth $38,000. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. bought a new stake in Carvana during the third quarter worth $38,000. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its position in Carvana by 960.0% during the second quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 106 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.71% of the companys stock.

About Carvana

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Carvana Co, together with its subsidiaries, operates an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars in the United States. Its platform allows customers to research and identify a vehicle; inspect it using company's 360-degree vehicle imaging technology; obtain financing and warranty coverage; purchase the vehicle; and schedule delivery or pick-up from their desktop or mobile devices.

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Shares of Mitsubishi Electric Co. (OTCMKTS:MIELY  Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 176,940 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 77% from the previous sessions volume of 99,907 shares.The stock last traded at $55.54 and had previously closed at $54.08.

Mitsubishi Electric Stock Performance

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $53.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $48.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.03 and a beta of 0.57.

About Mitsubishi Electric

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Mitsubishi Electric Corporation develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells electrical and electronic equipment worldwide. The company operates through: Infrastructure, Industry Mobility, Life, Business Platform, Semiconductor and Device, and Others segments. It offers turbine generators, nuclear power plant and power electronics equipment, motors, transformers, circuit breakers, gas insulated switchgears, switch controls, surveillance-system control and security systems, transmission and distribution ICT systems, display devices, locomotive and rolling stock electrical equipment, wireless and wired communications systems, network camera systems, elevators, escalators, building security and management systems, and others.

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Premier Foods plc (OTCMKTS:PFODF  Get Free Report) shares were up 13.8% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $2.55 and last traded at $2.55. Approximately 766 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 3,333 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.24.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of Premier Foods in a report on Friday, August 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Premier Foods presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Premier Foods Stock Performance

Premier Foods Company Profile

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $2.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.63.

(Get Free Report)

Premier Foods plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes branded and own label food products in the United Kingdom, other European countries, and internationally. The company operates through Grocery, Sweet Treats, and international segments. It offers a portfolio of product categories, including flavorings and seasonings under the Bisto, OXO, Paxo, and Saxa brands; cooking sauces and accompaniments under the Sharwood's, Loyd Grossman, Spice Tailor and Homepride brands; quick meals, snacks, and soups under the Batchelors and Smash brands; ambient desserts under the Ambrosia, Bird's, and Angel Delight brands; and ambient cakes under the Mr Kipling and Cadbury brands.

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Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA (OTCMKTS:USNZY  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $0.97, but opened at $1.02. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais shares last traded at $1.02, with a volume of 100 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Zacks Research raised shares of Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Trading Up 2.8%

The company has a quick ratio of 2.64, a current ratio of 4.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $602.60 million, a P/E ratio of -2.24 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.91.

Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais (OTCMKTS:USNZY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The basic materials company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01) by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.20 billion. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais had a negative net margin of 12.91% and a positive return on equity of 1.22%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA will post 0.09 earnings per share for the current year.

About Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais

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Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA manufactures and markets flat steel products in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Mining and Logistics, Steel Metallurgy, and Steel Transformation. It extracts and process iron ore, such as pellet and sinter feed and, granulated iron ore; provides storage, handling, and road cargo transportation services; and operates highway and railway cargo terminals.

Further Reading

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Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. (TSE:XTG  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as C$3.48 and last traded at C$3.43, with a volume of 2039 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$3.44.

Xtra-Gold Resources Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$158.96 million, a P/E ratio of 57.17 and a beta of 0.32. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$3.20 and a 200 day moving average price of C$2.56.

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Xtra-Gold Resources (TSE:XTG  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported C$0.05 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm 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.

Further Reading

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Diametric Capital LP purchased a new stake in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm purchased 13,511 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $2,436,000. Brinker International makes up approximately 1.3% of Diametric Capital LPs holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EAT. Alberta Investment Management Corp acquired a new position in Brinker International during the second quarter valued at approximately $4,112,000. Axiom Investors LLC DE bought a new stake in shares of Brinker International during the 1st quarter worth $8,079,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its stake in Brinker International by 117.0% in the 2nd quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 4,272 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $770,000 after buying an additional 2,303 shares during the last quarter. Seeds Investor LLC bought a new position in Brinker International in the 2nd quarter worth $414,000. Finally, Transcendent Capital Group LLC bought a new position in Brinker International in the 2nd quarter worth $1,822,000.

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Insider Transactions at Brinker International

In other Brinker International news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 16,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.48, for a total transaction of $2,503,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 12,951 shares in the company, valued at $2,026,572.48. This trade represents a 55.27% 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. 1.43% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Brinker International Stock Up 0.1%

Shares of EAT stock opened at $142.26 on Friday. Brinker International, Inc. has a one year low of $100.30 and a one year high of $192.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 0.35 and a quick ratio of 0.29. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $126.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $149.48. The stock has a market cap of $6.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.35.

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.32 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 7.94% and a return on equity of 164.66%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 18.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.95 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. Analysts predict that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

EAT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Brinker International from $207.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Barclays lowered their target price 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. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Brinker International from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Brinker International from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $190.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Brinker International in a research report on Monday. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Brinker International presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $167.44.

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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.

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Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) by 16.7% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,167,886 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 594,971 shares during the quarter. Invesco Ltd.s holdings in Aflac were worth $439,545,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Aflac in the second quarter worth about $432,201,000. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in Aflac during the 1st quarter worth approximately $140,746,000. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new position in shares of Aflac in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $60,954,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aflac by 146.3% during the 2nd quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 772,061 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $81,422,000 after buying an additional 458,551 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. grew its position in shares of Aflac by 133.2% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 758,424 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $84,329,000 after buying an additional 433,134 shares in the last quarter. 67.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have weighed in on AFL. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Aflac from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Barclays reissued an underweight rating and issued a $104.00 price objective (up from $102.00) on shares of Aflac in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Aflac from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Aflac from $100.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Aflac has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $111.00.

Aflac Stock Up 0.1%

NYSE:AFL opened at $109.19 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $110.35 and a 200-day moving average of $106.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.23 billion, a PE ratio of 14.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.66. Aflac Incorporated has a 52 week low of $96.95 and a 52 week high of $115.83.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter. Aflac had a return on equity of 14.97% and a net margin of 23.55%. Analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be issued a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 18th. This is an increase from Aflacs previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Aflacs dividend payout ratio is currently 30.29%.

Aflac declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, August 12th that allows the company to repurchase 100,000,000 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Aflac

In other news, EVP Frederic Jean Guy Simard sold 1,722 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total value of $193,725.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 1,364 shares in the company, valued at $153,450. This represents a 55.80% 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 Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.00, for a total transaction of $114,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 23,615 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,692,110. This trade represents a 4.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 22,822 shares of company stock worth $2,571,002 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

About Aflac

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, December 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of 0.72 per share by the real estate investment trust on Thursday, January 15th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 15 years. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a payout ratio of 229.6% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Research analysts expect Alexandria Real Estate Equities to earn $9.62 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $5.28 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 54.9%.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Down 3.9%

NYSE ARE opened at $46.55 on Friday. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a 12 month low of $46.10 and a 12 month high of $107.19. The company has a market capitalization of $8.04 billion, a P/E ratio of -18.85, a PEG ratio of 4.17 and a beta of 1.32. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $64.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $72.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.24 and a quick ratio of 0.24.

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities

Alexandria Real Estate Equities ( NYSE:ARE Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.09). The business had revenue of $751.94 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $752.90 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative return on equity of 1.89% and a negative net margin of 13.43%.The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.37 earnings per share. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

(Get Free Report)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle.

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Barnwell Industries, Inc. (NYSE:BRN  Get Free Report) major shareholder Ned Sherwood sold 131,910 shares of Barnwell Industries stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.10, for a total value of $145,101.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 2,461,498 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,707,647.80. This trade represents a 5.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Major shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Barnwell Industries Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of BRN traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $1.15. 701 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 152,492. Barnwell Industries, Inc. has a 1-year low of $1.07 and a 1-year high of $2.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.53 million, a PE ratio of -1.68 and a beta of -0.54. The business has a fifty day moving average of $1.23 and a 200-day moving average of $1.22.

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About Barnwell Industries

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Barnwell Industries, Inc acquires, develops, produces, and sells oil and natural gas in Canada. The company operates through three segments: Oil and Natural Gas, Land Investment, and Contract Drilling. It also acquires and develops crude oil and natural gas assets in the province of Alberta, as well as invests in land interests in Hawaii.

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Booking, Expedia Group, Travelers Companies, Thor Industries, Trip.com Group, MakeMyTrip, and Travel + Leisure are the seven Travel stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Travel stocks are equities of companies whose revenue and profitability depend primarily on travel and tourism activity  for example airlines, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, car rental firms, online travel agencies and other tourism services. Their performance is typically cyclical and sensitive to consumer confidence, seasonality and macro factors (economic growth, fuel prices, regulation, geopolitical events and health crises), making them more volatile than broader-market shares. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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MakeMyTrip (MMYT)

MakeMyTrip Limited, an online travel company, sells travel products and solutions in India, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, Colombia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Air Ticketing, Hotels and Packages, and Bus Ticketing.

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Travel + Leisure (TNL)

Travel + Leisure Co., together with its subsidiaries, provides hospitality services and travel products in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Vacation Ownership; and Travel and Membership. The Vacation Ownership segment develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests (VOIs) to individual consumers, as well as provides consumer financing in connection with the sale of VOIs; and property management services at resorts.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by investment analysts at BNP Paribas Exane from $72.00 to $50.00 in a research note issued on Thursday,MarketScreener reports. The firm presently has an underperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. BNP Paribas Exanes price target indicates a potential upside of 6.43% from the companys current price.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on ARE. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $72.00 to $64.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a strong sell rating and set a $82.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets set a $60.00 target price on Alexandria Real Estate Equities in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $73.00 to $67.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Alexandria Real Estate Equities presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $72.43.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of ARE stock opened at $46.98 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $64.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.70. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a 1-year low of $45.92 and a 1-year high of $107.19. The company has a market cap of $8.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -18.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.17 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.24 and a quick ratio of 0.24.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by ($0.09). Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative net margin of 13.43% and a negative return on equity of 1.89%. The business had revenue of $751.94 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $752.90 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.37 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Alexandria Real Estate Equities

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the second quarter valued at $1,195,306,000. State Street Corp grew its position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,273,031 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $954,117,000 after acquiring an additional 399,286 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,318,035 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $312,407,000 after purchasing an additional 82,591 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,821,880 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $318,516,000 after buying an additional 145,562 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 6.2% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,723,583 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $251,959,000 after buying an additional 158,177 shares in the last quarter. 96.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities

(Get Free Report)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle.

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Bank Of Montreal (NYSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (TSE:BMO) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $163.00.

A number of brokerages recently commented on BMO. Raymond James Financial started coverage on Bank Of Montreal in a research report on Monday, November 24th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded Bank Of Montreal from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Sunday, November 16th. Cibc World Mkts upgraded Bank Of Montreal from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, September 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, UBS Group restated a neutral rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Bank Of Montreal Stock Down 0.1%

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ascent Group LLC grew its position in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ascent Group LLC now owns 2,756 shares of the banks stock valued at $305,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in Bank Of Montreal by 4.6% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,121 shares of the banks stock valued at $276,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares in the last quarter. Choreo LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 3.6% during the third quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 2,735 shares of the banks stock worth $356,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 40.0% during the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 350 shares of the banks stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, United Capital Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the banks stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. 45.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Shares of NYSE BMO opened at $126.66 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $90.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.95. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $125.65 and its 200-day simple moving average is $118.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. Bank Of Montreal has a 52-week low of $85.40 and a 52-week high of $131.36.

Bank Of Montreal Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be given a dividend of $1.67 per share. This represents a $6.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 30th. This is a boost from Bank Of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. Bank Of Montreals dividend payout ratio is presently 57.28%.

Bank Of Montreal Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

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Cresset Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IQLT  Free Report) by 7.0% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 1,406,880 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 92,365 shares during the quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF were worth $60,805,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 244.0% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 829 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 588 shares during the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF during the second quarter worth about $41,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 312.1% during the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,125 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 852 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF in the second quarter worth about $61,000. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF by 26.7% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,643 shares of the companys stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Stock Up 0.1%

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF stock opened at $45.18 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $44.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $43.56. iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $35.51 and a twelve month high of $45.42. The company has a market capitalization of $13.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.86 and a beta of 0.89.

iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI Intl Quality Factor ETF (IQLT) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the World ex USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks in developed countries, outside of the US. The index is selected and weighted for exposure to fundamental quality metrics.

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Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be paid a dividend of 0.525 per share by the technology company on Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 20th.

Dell Technologies has a dividend payout ratio of 19.8% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Dell Technologies to earn $8.16 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.10 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 25.7%.

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Dell Technologies Trading Up 4.0%

DELL stock opened at $138.97 on Friday. Dell Technologies has a twelve month low of $66.25 and a twelve month high of $168.08. The companys 50 day moving average is $143.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $131.24. The stock has a market cap of $93.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.53, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.03.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Dell Technologies ( NYSE:DELL Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology company reported $2.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.47 by $0.12. Dell Technologies had a net margin of 5.01% and a negative return on equity of 234.84%. The business had revenue of $27.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.15 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. Dell Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.920-9.920 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.500-3.500 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Dell Technologies will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Zacks Research lowered Dell Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. UBS Group decreased their target price on Dell Technologies from $186.00 to $167.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Dell Technologies from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Citic Securities boosted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $162.84.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares (NYSEARCA:YINN  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $45.33, but opened at $47.27. Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares shares last traded at $47.51, with a volume of 336,747 shares changing hands.

Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares Price Performance

The companys 50-day moving average price is $49.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.59. The company has a market cap of $938.05 million, a P/E ratio of 8.49 and a beta of 0.93.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in YINN. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares by 34.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,128 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the last quarter. Sassicaia Capital Advisers LLC bought a new position in Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $207,000. Wedmont Private Capital acquired a new stake in Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares in the second quarter valued at approximately $206,000. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares by 6.0% during the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 5,300 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $288,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rathbones Group PLC bought a new stake in shares of Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares during the first quarter worth $227,000.

About Direxion Daily FTSE China Bull 3X Shares

Direxion Daily China Bull 3x Shares ETF (the Fund) seeks daily investment results of 300% of the price performance of the BNY China Select ADR Index (the China Index). The China Index is a free float-adjusted capitalization-weighted index designed by the Bank of New York to track the performance of a basket of companies who have their primary equity listing on a stock exchange in China and which also have depositary receipts that trade on a United States exchange or on the National Association of Securities and Dealers Automated Quotation.

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Dodge & Cox decreased its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,306,574 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 44,965 shares during the quarter. Dodge & Coxs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $2,340,228,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of GS. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% during the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $20,566,005,000 after buying an additional 29,053,586 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,138,031,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter valued at $897,185,000. Ninety One UK Ltd acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $408,780,000. Finally, AGF Management Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2,429.6% during the 2nd quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 485,375 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $343,524,000 after purchasing an additional 466,187 shares during the period. 71.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $725.00 to $790.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Daiwa Capital Markets raised their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $756.00 to $810.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research cut The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $700.00 to $765.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. They issued a market perform rating and a $785.00 target price on the stock. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $786.00.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:GS opened at $836.97 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $439.38 and a 1 year high of $843.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $251.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.00, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.36. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $789.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $731.57.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.27 by $1.98. The firm had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.68 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 15.29%. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $8.40 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is presently 32.50%.

The Goldman Sachs Group Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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DPM Metals Inc. (OTCMKTS:DPMLF  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $27.4230, but opened at $28.46. DPM Metals shares last traded at $28.2766, with a volume of 1,251 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of DPM Metals in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Zacks Research upgraded shares of DPM Metals from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Macquarie raised shares of DPM Metals to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. CIBC reissued a neutral rating on shares of DPM Metals in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, National Bankshares restated an outperform rating on shares of DPM Metals in a research report on Friday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, DPM Metals presently has an average rating of Buy.

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DPM Metals Price Performance

The firms 50 day moving average price is $23.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.51.

DPM Metals (OTCMKTS:DPMLF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.15. DPM Metals had a net margin of 39.03% and a return on equity of 28.09%. The business had revenue of $267.41 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $227.95 million. On average, sell-side analysts expect that DPM Metals Inc. will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

DPM Metals Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a $0.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 72.0%. DPM Metalss dividend payout ratio is 9.20%.

About DPM Metals

(Get Free Report)

Dundee Precious Metals Inc, a gold mining company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, mining, and processing of precious metals. The company primarily explores for gold, copper, and silver deposits. It holds a portfolio of projects located in Bulgaria, Namibia, Serbia, and Ecuador.

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China, France issue joint statements during Macron's visit

Xinhua) 15:03, December 05, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China and France have issued joint statements on strengthening global governance, joint response to global climate and environmental challenges, continuous promotion of cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy, exchanges and cooperation in agriculture and food, and the situations in Ukraine and Palestine, during President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to China.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Friday after Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on the stock from $95.00 to $100.00. Royal Bank Of Canada currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Edwards Lifesciences traded as high as $87.61 and last traded at $87.4180, with a volume of 767415 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $85.78.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Barclays reissued an overweight rating and issued a $99.00 target price (up previously from $95.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $89.00 target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Friday. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $96.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $92.91.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Edwards Lifesciences

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, VP Daniel J. Lippis sold 1,020 shares of the businesss 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 completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 22,002 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,816,265.10. The trade was a 4.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 13,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.08, for a total value of $1,080,040.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 39,898 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,314,725.84. The trade was a 24.58% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the first quarter worth about $26,000. SouthState Corp acquired a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences in the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Rosenberg Matthew Hamilton purchased a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC increased its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 251.5% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 362 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock.

Edwards Lifesciences Stock Performance

The companys fifty day moving average price is $80.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $78.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 3.29 and a current ratio of 4.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.92 billion, a PE ratio of 37.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.97.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last released its 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 firm 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 23.25% and a return on equity of 14.70%. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.67 earnings per share. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current year.

About Edwards Lifesciences

(Get 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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FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE:FE  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the fourteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $49.0833.

A number of brokerages have weighed in on FE. Citigroup assumed coverage on FirstEnergy in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued a buy rating and a $53.00 price objective on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of FirstEnergy in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group upped their price objective on FirstEnergy from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Barclays raised FirstEnergy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the company from $43.00 to $49.00 in a report on Monday, August 25th. Finally, KeyCorp cut shares of FirstEnergy from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On FirstEnergy

FirstEnergy Stock Performance

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its position in shares of FirstEnergy by 1.6% in the second quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 84,565 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $3,355,000 after purchasing an additional 1,349 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its stake in FirstEnergy by 418.0% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 270,183 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $10,878,000 after buying an additional 218,020 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in FirstEnergy by 52.7% in the 2nd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 42,632 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,716,000 after buying an additional 14,718 shares in the last quarter. Atria Investments Inc grew its holdings in FirstEnergy by 84.7% during the 2nd quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 52,238 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,103,000 after buying an additional 23,959 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp increased its position in FirstEnergy by 33.8% during the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 425,860 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $17,145,000 after buying an additional 107,579 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.41% of the companys stock.

Shares of FE opened at $45.13 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.75. FirstEnergy has a 1 year low of $37.58 and a 1 year high of $48.20. The companys fifty day moving average is $46.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.51.

FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The utilities provider reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.76 by $0.07. FirstEnergy had a net margin of 9.19% and a return on equity of 11.15%. The business had revenue of $4.15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.94 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.85 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. FirstEnergy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.500-2.560 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that FirstEnergy will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current year.

FirstEnergy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were given a dividend of $0.445 per share. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. FirstEnergys dividend payout ratio is presently 77.73%.

About FirstEnergy

(Get Free Report)

FirstEnergy Corp., through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, and distributes electricity in the United States. It operates through Regulated Distribution and Regulated Transmission segments. The company owns and operates coal-fired, nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and solar power generating facilities.

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Indus Capital Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB  Free Report) by 11.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 743,077 shares of the banks stock after selling 91,600 shares during the quarter. HDFC Bank comprises approximately 71.3% of Indus Capital Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its largest holding. Indus Capital Partners LLCs holdings in HDFC Bank were worth $56,972,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its holdings in shares of HDFC Bank by 81.0% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 568,407 shares of the banks stock worth $37,765,000 after acquiring an additional 254,395 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in HDFC Bank in the 1st quarter worth about $19,366,000. Immersion Capital LLP acquired a new stake in HDFC Bank during the 1st quarter worth about $19,753,000. Freemont Capital Pte Ltd purchased a new stake in HDFC Bank during the second quarter valued at about $1,073,000. Finally, Eminence Capital LP boosted its holdings in shares of HDFC Bank by 18.9% in the first quarter. Eminence Capital LP now owns 1,186,551 shares of the banks stock worth $78,834,000 after buying an additional 189,015 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.61% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on HDB shares. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of HDFC Bank in a report on Friday, November 28th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of HDFC Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Zacks Research raised 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 assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

HDFC Bank Stock Up 0.3%

HDB stock opened at $36.00 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $35.92 and a two-hundred day moving average of $36.73. The company has a market cap of $183.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.88, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.58. HDFC Bank Limited has a 12-month low of $28.89 and a 12-month high of $39.81.

HDFC Bank (NYSE:HDB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Saturday, October 18th. The bank reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.08. HDFC Bank had a net margin of 14.94% and a return on equity of 11.49%. The business had revenue of $8.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.98 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that HDFC Bank Limited will post 3.03 EPS for the current year.

HDFC Bank Profile

(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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IDT Corporation (NYSE:IDT  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up before the market opened on Friday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $50.29, but opened at $52.48. IDT shares last traded at $51.5450, with a volume of 102,534 shares changing hands.

The utilities provider reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.88 by $0.06. IDT had a return on equity of 27.03% and a net margin of 6.18%.The firm had revenue of $322.75 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $308.00 million.

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IDT Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.06 dividend. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. IDTs payout ratio is 7.97%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on IDT shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of IDT from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of IDT in a report on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On IDT

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IDT. AlphaQuest LLC increased its holdings in IDT by 700.0% during the 1st quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 1,472 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 1,288 shares during the period. Copeland Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of IDT by 16.3% during the second quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 1,298 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of IDT during the third quarter worth approximately $96,000. Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of IDT during the first quarter worth approximately $212,000. Finally, Longboard Asset Management LP acquired a new stake in IDT in the second quarter valued at approximately $217,000. 59.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

IDT Price Performance

The businesss 50 day moving average is $50.35 and its 200-day moving average is $58.63. The company has a market cap of $1.30 billion, a PE ratio of 17.12 and a beta of 0.77.

About IDT

(Get Free Report)

IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data.

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Innovex International, Inc. (NYSE:INVX  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $23.38 and last traded at $23.3580, with a volume of 51555 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $22.71.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Weiss Ratings raised Innovex International from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Innovex International currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $16.50.

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Innovex International Stock Down 1.9%

The company has a market cap of $1.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.04 and a beta of 0.74. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $20.23 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 4.78 and a quick ratio of 2.93.

Innovex International (NYSE:INVX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 23rd. The company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter. Innovex International had a return on equity of 8.51% and a net margin of 10.59%.The business had revenue of $87.23 million during the quarter.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Innovex International

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Innovex International by 755.9% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,020,266 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,324,000 after acquiring an additional 901,066 shares during the last quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP boosted its position in shares of Innovex International by 7.7% in the 2nd quarter. Brandes Investment Partners LP now owns 7,054,674 shares of the companys stock worth $110,194,000 after purchasing an additional 504,935 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Innovex International during the first quarter worth $7,089,000. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Innovex International by 371.9% in the second quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 344,178 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,376,000 after purchasing an additional 271,247 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Investment Management Associates Inc. ADV grew its position in shares of Innovex International by 65.8% during the 2nd quarter. Investment Management Associates Inc. ADV now owns 640,625 shares of the companys stock worth $10,007,000 after buying an additional 254,356 shares during the period.

About Innovex International

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Innovex International, Inc engages in the provision of solutions for both onshore and offshore applications within the oil and gas industry. The company was founded on September 15, 2016 and is headquartered in Humble, TX.

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Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) EVP Michael Feld sold 75 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $193.36, for a total transaction of $14,502.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 16,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,205,908.80. This trade represents a 0.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link.

Michael Feld also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, October 27th, Michael Feld sold 57 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $186.01, for a total transaction of $10,602.57.

On Friday, September 26th, Michael Feld sold 58 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.03, for a total value of $10,499.74.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of BDX opened at $193.68 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $188.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $183.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of $55.28 billion, a PE ratio of 33.22, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.25. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1 year low of $162.29 and a 1 year high of $251.99.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

Becton, Dickinson and Company ( NYSE:BDX Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 14th. The medical instruments supplier reported $4.10 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.32 billion for the quarter. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 16.42% and a net margin of 7.68%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be paid a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. This is a boost from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys payout ratio is 71.36%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $224.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $197.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Argus increased their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $220.00 to $230.00 in a report on Monday, September 15th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $257.00 to $215.00 in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Becton, Dickinson and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $204.45.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BDX

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. grew its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 256.8% in the 3rd quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 132 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 285.3% in the 3rd quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 131 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Saudi Central Bank bought a new position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc grew its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 474.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 155 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.97% of the companys stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Company Profile

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Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional.

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Dynatrace, Inc. (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) Director Lisa Campbell sold 253 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.24, for a total transaction of $11,192.72. Following the sale, the director owned 1,265 shares in the company, valued at approximately $55,963.60. The trade was a 16.67% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

Dynatrace Price Performance

DT stock traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $44.47. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,632,214 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,142,511. Dynatrace, Inc. has a twelve month low of $39.30 and a twelve month high of $63.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.63, a PEG ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.87. The companys fifty day moving average price is $47.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $50.41.

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Dynatrace (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $493.85 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $487.33 million. Dynatrace had a net margin of 27.33% and a return on equity of 9.24%. Dynatraces quarterly revenue was up 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.37 EPS. Dynatrace has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.400-0.420 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 1.620-1.640 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Dynatrace, Inc. will post 0.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on DT shares. Guggenheim increased their target price on shares of Dynatrace from $66.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Dynatrace from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their price target on shares of Dynatrace from $57.00 to $51.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Dynatrace from $68.00 to $64.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 18th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Dynatrace from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. One 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, Dynatrace currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $61.59.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on DT

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dynatrace

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in DT. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its stake in Dynatrace by 561.4% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 582 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 494 shares in the last quarter. MAI Capital Management grew its holdings in Dynatrace by 122.4% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 547 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares during the period. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Dynatrace in the second quarter worth $34,000. Eastern Bank purchased a new stake in Dynatrace during the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. bought a new position in Dynatrace in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. 94.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Dynatrace Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dynatrace, Inc provides a security platform for multicloud environments in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation.

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KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $59.0909.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. 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 target price on the stock. Bank of America lowered their price target on KBR from $55.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of KBR in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup cut their price objective on KBR from $62.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Oppenheimer assumed coverage on shares of KBR in a report on Tuesday. They set an outperform rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on KBR

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KBR

KBR Price Performance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in KBR by 207.8% in the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 594 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 401 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in KBR by 432.5% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 607 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 493 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in KBR by 75.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 617 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC bought a new position in KBR during the second quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in shares of KBR by 101,600.0% in the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,017 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 1,016 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.02% of the companys stock.

NYSE KBR opened at $44.65 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $43.40 and its 200-day moving average is $47.44. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The company has a market capitalization of $5.67 billion, a PE ratio of 15.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.54. KBR has a 12-month low of $39.61 and a 12-month high of $61.20.

KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) last released 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. KBR had a net margin of 4.71% and a return on equity of 35.14%. The business had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.84 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that KBR will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

KBR Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.165 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. KBRs payout ratio is currently 22.68%.

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.

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Kennedy Capital Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of Champion Homes, Inc. (NYSE:SKY  Free Report) by 6.9% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 178,728 shares of the companys stock after selling 13,256 shares during the quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLCs holdings in Champion Homes were worth $11,190,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Champion Homes by 2.3% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 698,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,147,000 after purchasing an additional 15,793 shares during the period. 111 Capital purchased a new position in Champion Homes in the 2nd quarter worth about $390,000. Driehaus Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Champion Homes by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 387,439 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,714,000 after buying an additional 7,178 shares in the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Champion Homes by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 768,166 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,095,000 after buying an additional 22,833 shares during the period. Finally, Citigroup Inc. boosted its position in Champion Homes by 15.5% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 125,657 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,907,000 after buying an additional 16,876 shares during the period.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on SKY shares. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Champion Homes from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Champion Homes from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $85.00 to $91.00 in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Champion Homes in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research upgraded Champion Homes from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Zelman & Associates upgraded Champion Homes from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $85.00.

Champion Homes Trading Down 1.4%

SKY opened at $83.41 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $76.13 and a 200-day moving average price of $71.94. The firm has a market cap of $4.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.66 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 2.60, a quick ratio of 1.77 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.

Champion Homes (NYSE:SKY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.20. Champion Homes had a return on equity of 14.36% and a net margin of 8.41%.The business had revenue of $684.43 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $636.96 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.93 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Champion Homes, Inc. will post 3.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Champion Homes

In other Champion Homes news, EVP Joseph A. Kimmell sold 1,812 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.04, for a total value of $148,656.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 55,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,592,353.08. This trade represents a 3.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock.

Champion Homes Profile

(Free Report)

Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada.

Further Reading

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A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) recently:

12/1/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/1/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at Seaport Global Securities from $66.00 to $75.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

12/1/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at Argus from $65.00 to $80.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

11/25/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/19/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

11/18/2025  Las Vegas Sands is now covered by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company. They set an equal weight rating and a $66.00 price target on the stock.

11/17/2025  Las Vegas Sands was upgraded by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company to a hold rating.

11/13/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

10/28/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $59.00 to $63.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock.

10/24/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from $57.00 to $64.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

10/23/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $60.00 to $68.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

10/23/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $60.00 to $70.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

10/23/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at Macquarie from $62.00 to $64.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

10/23/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $59.00 to $62.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

10/23/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at Mizuho from $56.00 to $63.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

10/22/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its price target raised by analysts at Susquehanna from $62.00 to $63.00. They now have a positive rating on the stock.

10/16/2025  Las Vegas Sands was upgraded by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a neutral rating to an overweight rating. They now have a $60.00 price target on the stock, up previously from $56.00.

10/10/2025  Las Vegas Sands was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating.

10/8/2025  Las Vegas Sands had its hold (c) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

Las Vegas Sands Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 4th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 4th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio is currently 45.25%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Randy Hyzak sold 57,545 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.45, for a total transaction of $3,823,865.25. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 53,499 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,555,008.55. This represents a 51.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP D. Zachary Hudson sold 100,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total value of $6,499,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 13,735 shares in the company, valued at $892,637.65. The trade was a 87.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 2,568,459 shares of company stock worth $158,809,266 in the last quarter. Insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock.

Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the Peoples Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The company reported C$0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of C$244.71 million during the quarter. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a negative net margin of 0.30% and a negative return on equity of 0.20%.

Laurentian Bank of Canada Stock Performance

Shares of TSE:LB opened at C$39.90 on Friday. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 52-week low of C$24.37 and a 52-week high of C$40.01. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is C$33.23 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$31.65. The firm has a market cap of C$1.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.08, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.44.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, November 1st. Shareholders of record on Saturday, November 1st were issued a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 1st. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.7%. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is presently 61.64%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. CIBC increased their price objective on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$33.00 to C$35.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$29.00 to C$31.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. National Bankshares lowered their price objective on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$27.00 to C$26.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Desjardins boosted their price objective on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$29.00 to C$30.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised their target price on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$30.00 to C$40.50 in a research note on Wednesday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of C$32.21.

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Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile

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Laurentian Bank of Canada provides personal banking, business banking and real estate and commercial financing to its personal, business, and institutional customers across Canada and the United States. The company reports three operating segments: personal, business services, and capital markets. The personal segment offers financial services to retail clients.

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Lingotto Investment Management LLP reduced its position in Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY  Free Report) by 13.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,209,275 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 2,943,939 shares during the period. Harmony Gold Mining makes up about 5.4% of Lingotto Investment Management LLPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Lingotto Investment Management LLPs holdings in Harmony Gold Mining were worth $254,384,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Harmony Gold Mining during the first quarter valued at $177,000. Townsquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 6.2% in the first quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 71,918 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,062,000 after buying an additional 4,177 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its stake in Harmony Gold Mining by 116.8% in the 1st quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,606,484 shares of the mining companys stock worth $23,728,000 after buying an additional 865,632 shares during the period. Aigen Investment Management LP bought a new stake in Harmony Gold Mining during the 1st quarter valued at $371,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 30.7% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 467,378 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $6,571,000 after purchasing an additional 109,873 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 31.79% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Harmony Gold Mining from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Investec raised shares of Harmony Gold Mining to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Harmony Gold Mining from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. Zacks Research upgraded Harmony Gold Mining from a strong sell rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, HSBC upgraded shares of Harmony Gold Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Harmony Gold Mining has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $16.00.

Harmony Gold Mining Trading Up 0.5%

HMY stock opened at $19.15 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 1.72. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $18.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $15.94. Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited has a 52-week low of $7.97 and a 52-week high of $22.25.

Harmony Gold Mining Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were paid a dividend of $0.0893 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 98.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th.

Harmony Gold Mining Company Profile

(Free Report)

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited engages in the exploration, extraction, and processing of gold. The company explores for uranium, silver, copper, and molybdenum deposits. It has eight underground operations in the Witwatersrand Basin; an open-pit mine on the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt; and various surface source operations in South Africa.

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Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina S.A. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:LOMA  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $12.32, but opened at $12.80. Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina shares last traded at $12.6590, with a volume of 189,714 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently issued reports on LOMA. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina in a research note on Monday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, October 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.80.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on LOMA

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Stock Up 0.6%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.24. The company has a market cap of $1.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.97 and a beta of 0.89. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $9.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $10.45.

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina (NYSE:LOMA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.06 by ($0.11). Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina had a return on equity of 4.40% and a net margin of 5.67%.The firm had revenue of $135.15 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $221.70 million. Research analysts expect that Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina S.A. Sponsored ADR will post 1.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its holdings in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 5.1% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 31,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $344,000 after buying an additional 1,524 shares in the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 0.9% during the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 169,538 shares of the companys stock worth $1,863,000 after purchasing an additional 1,563 shares during the period. Simplex Trading LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 23.2% during the first quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 19,725 shares of the companys stock valued at $216,000 after purchasing an additional 3,711 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new position in shares of Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Ping Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. now owns 139,000 shares of the companys stock worth $1,525,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.32% of the companys stock.

About Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina

(Get Free Report)

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells cement and its derivatives in Argentina. The company operates through Cement, Masonry Cement and Lime; Concrete; Railroad; Aggregates; and Others segments. It offers masonry cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, concrete, and lime to wholesale distributors, concrete producers, industrial customers, and others for use in the construction.

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Mirabella Financial Services LLP purchased a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm purchased 41,420 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,960,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Western Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $410,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. raised its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 1.2% in the second quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 19,598 shares of the companys stock worth $915,000 after acquiring an additional 223 shares during the period. Mission Wealth Management LP grew its position in shares of British American Tobacco by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 10,839 shares of the companys stock valued at $513,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the period. Michels Family Financial LLC raised its holdings in British American Tobacco by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Michels Family Financial LLC now owns 18,983 shares of the companys stock worth $898,000 after purchasing an additional 249 shares during the period. Finally, E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. boosted its position in British American Tobacco by 9.9% during the second quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 2,871 shares of the companys stock worth $136,000 after purchasing an additional 259 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.16% of the companys stock.

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British American Tobacco Stock Up 0.9%

BTI stock opened at $58.02 on Friday. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 1 year low of $34.82 and a 1 year high of $59.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.87. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $52.47.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BTI has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and set a $40.00 target price on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Argus upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $62.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, British American Tobacco has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $51.00.

View Our Latest Analysis 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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M&T Bank Corp lowered its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 67.1% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 82,638 shares of the companys stock after selling 168,447 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corps holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $5,703,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Solidarity Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 521.1% in the second quarter. Solidarity Wealth LLC now owns 71,435 shares of the companys stock worth $4,930,000 after purchasing an additional 59,933 shares during the last quarter. Smith Moore & CO. acquired a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 2nd quarter worth about $202,000. VestGen Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 6.9% in the 2nd quarter. VestGen Advisors LLC now owns 7,719 shares of the companys stock valued at $533,000 after buying an additional 497 shares during the last quarter. Greenwich Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the second quarter worth about $331,000. Finally, Channing Global Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 42.3% during the second quarter. Channing Global Advisors LLC now owns 15,228 shares of the companys stock worth $1,051,000 after acquiring an additional 4,530 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.54% of the companys stock.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance

NVO stock opened at $47.99 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The companys 50-day moving average is $51.94 and its 200-day moving average is $59.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $214.28 billion, a PE ratio of 13.95 and a beta of 0.67. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1 year low of $43.08 and a 1 year high of $112.52.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $11.79 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 73.50% and a net margin of 32.76%. Equities research analysts expect that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of research firms have weighed in on NVO. Hsbc Global Res downgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Rothschild Redb raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. BNP Paribas raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $56.00.

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About Novo Nordisk A/S

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.

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Shares of Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) were up 6.9% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $53.63 and last traded at $53.55. Approximately 238,092 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 48% from the average daily volume of 455,264 shares. The stock had previously closed at $50.08.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have commented on NBR shares. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating and issued a $58.00 price objective (up previously from $38.00) on shares of Nabors Industries in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $66.00 price objective on shares of Nabors Industries and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Susquehanna reiterated a neutral rating and set a $56.00 target price on shares of Nabors Industries in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays reissued an underweight rating and set a $45.00 price target (up from $36.00) on shares of Nabors Industries in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Nabors Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $48.14.

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Nabors Industries Trading Up 2.4%

The business has a 50 day moving average of $46.47 and a 200 day moving average of $37.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $848.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.04 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 1.93.

Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The oil and gas company reported ($3.67) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($2.37) by ($1.30). The company had revenue of $825.51 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $824.61 million. Nabors Industries had a negative return on equity of 30.85% and a net margin of 7.08%.Nabors Industriess quarterly revenue was up 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted ($6.86) EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Nabors Industries Ltd. will post -6.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Nabors Industries news, major shareholder Varde Partners Inc sold 312,378 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.04, for a total value of $12,819,993.12. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 1,406,052 shares in the company, valued at approximately $57,704,374.08. This trade represents a 18.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 5.41% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Nabors Industries during the third quarter worth $479,000. Voleon Capital Management LP bought a new position in Nabors Industries during the 3rd quarter worth about $270,000. Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nabors Industries in the 3rd quarter valued at about $421,000. Susquehanna Advisors Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Nabors Industries by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. Susquehanna Advisors Group Inc. now owns 102,136 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,174,000 after purchasing an additional 3,383 shares during the period. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its holdings in shares of Nabors Industries by 23.0% in the third quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 1,545 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.92% of the companys stock.

Nabors Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running services, including casing and tubing running, and torque monitoring; managed pressure drilling services; and drilling-bit steering systems and rig instrumentation software.

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Nido Education Limited (ASX:NDO  Get Free Report) insider Adam Lai acquired 29,050 shares of Nido Education stock in a transaction on Friday, November 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of A$0.58 per share, with a total value of A$16,849.00.

Adam Lai also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, December 1st, Adam Lai acquired 259 shares of Nido Education stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of A$0.58 per share, for a total transaction of A$149.96.

On Tuesday, December 2nd, Adam Lai acquired 39,580 shares of Nido Education stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of A$0.58 per share, with a total value of A$22,956.40.

Nido Education Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $169.91 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.82.

About Nido Education

Nido Education Limited owns, operates, and manages long day early childhood education and care centers under the Nido Early School brand name in Australia. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Drummoyne, Australia.

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Oaktree Capital Management LP trimmed its holdings in Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX  Free Report) by 23.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,839,032 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 4,544,697 shares during the period. Cemex accounts for 1.8% of Oaktree Capital Management LPs holdings, making the stock its 9th largest position. Oaktree Capital Management LPs holdings in Cemex were worth $102,834,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Cemex by 7.3% in the 2nd quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 25,159 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $174,000 after purchasing an additional 1,710 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Cemex by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 79,800 shares of the construction companys stock worth $553,000 after buying an additional 1,843 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Cemex by 63.7% in the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 5,210 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 2,027 shares in the last quarter. Thompson Davis & CO. Inc. grew its position in Cemex by 6.0% in the second quarter. Thompson Davis & CO. Inc. now owns 36,045 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $250,000 after acquiring an additional 2,045 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in Cemex by 16.2% during the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 14,819 shares of the construction companys stock worth $103,000 after acquiring an additional 2,068 shares in the last quarter. 82.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Cemex from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Cemex from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Cemex from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on Cemex from $7.00 to $8.25 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Cemex in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.14.

Cemex Price Performance

Shares of CX opened at $10.99 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $9.87 and its 200 day moving average is $8.63. Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. has a 12-month low of $4.89 and a 12-month high of $11.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a market cap of $15.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.81, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.61.

Cemex (NYSE:CX  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $226.73 million. Cemex had a net margin of 8.62% and a return on equity of 6.85%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. will post 0.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Cemex

(Free Report)

CEMEX, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, distributes, and sells cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, urbanization solutions, and other construction materials and services worldwide. The company offers gray ordinary portland, white portland, oil-well, and blended cement products; mortar; and standard ready-mix, architectural and decorative, rapid-setting, fiber-reinforced, fluid-fill, roller-compacted, self-consolidating, pervious, and antibacterial, and other concrete products.

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Oaktree Capital Management LP decreased its position in Macro Bank Inc. (NYSE:BMA  Free Report) by 76.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 60,591 shares of the banks stock after selling 199,871 shares during the period. Oaktree Capital Management LP owned approximately 0.09% of Macro Bank worth $4,254,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in Macro Bank by 6.2% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 572,464 shares of the banks stock worth $43,227,000 after buying an additional 33,390 shares during the last quarter. Gemsstock Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Macro Bank by 30.3% during the first quarter. Gemsstock Ltd. now owns 206,725 shares of the banks stock valued at $15,610,000 after buying an additional 48,100 shares during the last quarter. Sagil Capital LLP bought a new position in Macro Bank in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $10,094,000. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in Macro Bank by 4,089.3% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 120,191 shares of the banks stock valued at $8,439,000 after purchasing an additional 117,322 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Macro Bank by 87.9% during the first quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 107,053 shares of the banks stock valued at $8,084,000 after purchasing an additional 50,067 shares in the last quarter.

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Macro Bank Stock Up 0.1%

BMA opened at $88.16 on Friday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $69.00 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $68.30. The company has a market capitalization of $5.63 billion, a PE ratio of 39.89, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.46. Macro Bank Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.30 and a 1-year high of $118.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Macro Bank Increases Dividend

Macro Bank ( NYSE:BMA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 26th. The bank reported ($0.39) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.67 by ($1.06). Macro Bank had a return on equity of 8.15% and a net margin of 6.11%.The company had revenue of $668.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $590.57 million. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Macro Bank Inc. will post 7.84 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th were given a $0.3486 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. This is a positive change from Macro Banks previous monthly dividend of $0.31. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.7%. Macro Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 189.14%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Macro Bank in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Macro Bank from $79.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Macro Bank to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Itau BBA Securities upgraded shares of Macro Bank from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Macro Bank from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Macro Bank presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $85.50.

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About Macro Bank

(Free Report)

Banco Macro SA provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate customers in Argentina. It offers various retail banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans, mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, automated teller machines, and money transfers.

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Ondo InsurTech Plc (LON:ONDO  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 15% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 25 and last traded at GBX 25.50. 4,289,038 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 517% from the average session volume of 695,629 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 30.

Ondo InsurTech Stock Down 0.1%

The stocks 50-day moving average price is GBX 31.02 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 28.02. The firm has a market capitalization of 32.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.35 and a beta of 0.85.

About Ondo InsurTech

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Ondo is a world leading provider of claims prevention technology for home insurers. Ondos focus is on the global scale-up of LeakBot  claims prevention technology that prevents water damage claims in houses. Water damage is the single biggest cause of home insurance claims, accounting for $17bn of claims every year in the USA and UK combined.

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Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS  Get Free Report) COO Patrick Dumont sold 17,352 shares of Las Vegas Sands stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.97, for a total transaction of $1,196,767.44. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer owned 446,608 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,802,553.76. This represents a 3.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Patrick Dumont also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, December 1st, Patrick Dumont sold 210,305 shares of Las Vegas Sands stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.96, for a total transaction of $14,712,937.80.

Las Vegas Sands Trading Down 0.8%

Shares of Las Vegas Sands stock opened at $66.34 on Friday. Las Vegas Sands Corp. has a twelve month low of $30.18 and a twelve month high of $70.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.42. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $59.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $52.47. The firm has a market cap of $44.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.02, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.97.

Las Vegas Sands Dividend Announcement

Las Vegas Sands ( NYSE:LVS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The casino operator reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.04 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a return on equity of 73.14% and a net margin of 12.69%.The firms revenue was up 24.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.44 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 4th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 4th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.25%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LVS. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands in the first quarter worth approximately $183,836,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its holdings in Las Vegas Sands by 410.2% during the 3rd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 5,167,553 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $277,963,000 after acquiring an additional 4,154,753 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Las Vegas Sands in the 2nd quarter valued at $134,179,000. ARGA Investment Management LP increased its stake in Las Vegas Sands by 36.8% in the second quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 10,040,975 shares of the casino operators stock worth $436,883,000 after purchasing an additional 2,698,398 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 5.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 41,249,208 shares of the casino operators stock worth $1,593,457,000 after purchasing an additional 2,267,307 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 39.16% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently issued reports on LVS. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $56.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $55.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Zacks Research upgraded Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $59.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $65.60.

Get Our Latest Analysis on LVS

About Las Vegas Sands

(Get Free Report)

Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the Peoples Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

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Portland Global Advisors LLC lowered its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 17.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 62,968 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 13,605 shares during the period. iShares Russell 2000 ETF accounts for 1.6% of Portland Global Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Portland Global Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $13,588,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of IWM. Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 211.1% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 120 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the first quarter valued at about $29,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the first quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Proathlete Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the second quarter worth about $30,000.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Price Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA IWM opened at $251.82 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $243.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $229.84. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 1 year low of $171.73 and a 1 year high of $252.77. The firm has a market cap of $69.74 billion, a PE ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.13.

About iShares Russell 2000 ETF

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

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Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) Director Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 621 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.60, for a total transaction of $79,239.60. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,208 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,047,340.80. This trade represents a 7.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Cristina Gabriela Bita also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, November 3rd, Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 500 shares of Prologis stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.14, for a total transaction of $61,570.00.

On Wednesday, October 1st, Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 500 shares of Prologis stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.69, for a total transaction of $57,845.00.

On Wednesday, September 3rd, Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 1,000 shares of Prologis stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.00, for a total transaction of $111,000.00.

Prologis Stock Performance

PLD stock opened at $128.10 on Friday. Prologis, Inc. has a twelve month low of $85.35 and a twelve month high of $130.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The company has a market cap of $118.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 1.40. The businesss fifty day moving average is $122.76 and its 200-day moving average is $113.69.

Prologis Announces Dividend

Prologis ( NYSE:PLD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.05. Prologis had a return on equity of 5.55% and a net margin of 36.71%.The business had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.43 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Prologis has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.780-5.810 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.73 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be given a $1.01 dividend. This represents a $4.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 16th. Prologiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 117.78%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on PLD shares. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Prologis from $119.00 to $118.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $131.00 target price (up from $120.00) on shares of Prologis in a report on Monday, October 20th. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Prologis from $118.00 to $138.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Prologis from $127.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Prologis from $120.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $126.78.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Prologis by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 122,064,883 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $13,978,870,000 after acquiring an additional 323,551 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Prologis by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 58,640,842 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $6,164,325,000 after purchasing an additional 1,088,544 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Prologis by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 22,416,833 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,345,922,000 after purchasing an additional 310,333 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in shares of Prologis by 1.6% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,506,899 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,735,205,000 after purchasing an additional 253,338 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of Prologis in the first quarter valued at about $1,456,768,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.50% of the companys stock.

Prologis Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At March 31, 2024, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (115 million square meters) in 19 countries.

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Quantbot Technologies LP increased its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) by 789.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 60,226 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 53,457 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in Delta Air Lines were worth $2,962,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in Delta Air Lines by 33.5% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,174 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $555,000 after acquiring an additional 2,302 shares during the period. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Delta Air Lines by 1,169.4% during the first quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. now owns 7,248 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 6,677 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in Delta Air Lines by 4.3% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 116,330 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $5,072,000 after purchasing an additional 4,764 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 7.9% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 22,490 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $981,000 after purchasing an additional 1,640 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Delta Air Lines by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 72,924,506 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $3,179,508,000 after purchasing an additional 514,264 shares during the period. 69.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP William C. Carroll sold 14,010 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total value of $858,112.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 15,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at $968,730. This represents a 46.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP John E. Laughter sold 23,323 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.33, for a total value of $1,453,722.59. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 81,109 shares in the company, valued at $5,055,523.97. This trade represents a 22.33% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Delta Air Lines Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:DAL opened at $67.21 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $59.54 and a 200 day moving average of $56.17. The company has a market cap of $43.88 billion, a PE ratio of 9.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. Delta Air Lines, Inc. has a 12-month low of $34.74 and a 12-month high of $69.98.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 15th. The transportation company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 7.36% and a return on equity of 23.83%. The company had revenue of $8.40 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Delta Air Lines, Inc. will post 7.63 EPS for the current year.

Delta Air Lines Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 16th were issued a $0.1875 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 16th. This represents a $0.75 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio is currently 10.56%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

DAL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Delta Air Lines from $63.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a report on Thursday. Susquehanna raised their target price on Delta Air Lines from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Seaport Global Securities upped their price target on shares of Delta Air Lines from $69.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 11th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of Delta Air Lines from $71.00 to $74.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $72.37.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on DAL

Delta Air Lines Profile

(Free Report)

Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.

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Quantbot Technologies LP raised its position in Moodys Corporation (NYSE:MCO  Free Report) by 219.5% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 6,576 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 4,518 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in Moodys were worth $3,298,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Moodys during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in Moodys in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. ORG Partners LLC boosted its position in Moodys by 50.0% during the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 66 shares of the business services providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division grew its holdings in Moodys by 42.9% in the second quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 80 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the period. Finally, Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Moodys in the second quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.11% of the companys stock.

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Moodys Stock Performance

MCO opened at $489.22 on Friday. Moodys Corporation has a twelve month low of $378.71 and a twelve month high of $531.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $87.28 billion, a PE ratio of 39.33, a PEG ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70. The firms 50-day moving average price is $482.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $492.19.

Moodys Announces Dividend

Moodys ( NYSE:MCO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The business services provider reported $3.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.70 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $2.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.92 billion. Moodys had a net margin of 29.92% and a return on equity of 63.58%. Moodyss quarterly revenue was up 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.21 EPS. Moodys has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.500-14.750 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Moodys Corporation will post 13.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $0.94 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. Moodyss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.23%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MCO. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Moodys from $534.00 to $507.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Moodys from $531.00 to $535.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Moodys from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Morgan Stanley set a $520.00 price objective on Moodys in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Moodys from $526.00 to $471.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $543.07.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Moodys news, CEO Robert Fauber sold 1,167 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $478.95, for a total value of $558,934.65. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 61,082 shares in the company, valued at $29,255,223.90. This represents a 1.87% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders sold a total of 2,569 shares of company stock worth $1,253,848 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

About Moodys

(Free Report)

Moodys Corporation operates as an integrated risk assessment firm worldwide. It operates in two segments, Moodys Analytics and Moodys Investors Services. The Moodys Analytics segment develops a range of products and services that support the risk management activities of institutional participants in financial markets.

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Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Co. (NYSE:BIPC  Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm purchased 67,632 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,813,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in Brookfield Infrastructure by 6.9% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,049 shares of the companys stock valued at $435,000 after purchasing an additional 781 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure by 81.4% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 21,521 shares of the companys stock valued at $779,000 after purchasing an additional 9,658 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG purchased a new position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure during the first quarter valued at approximately $5,361,000. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System grew its holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure by 1.4% during the first quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 151,539 shares of the companys stock worth $5,484,000 after buying an additional 2,129 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Townsquare Capital LLC grew its holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure by 8.8% during the first quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 12,022 shares of the companys stock worth $435,000 after buying an additional 969 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.38% of the companys stock.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Price Performance

NYSE BIPC opened at $46.99 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $44.79 and its 200-day moving average is $42.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.85 and a beta of 1.38. Brookfield Infrastructure Co. has a one year low of $32.08 and a one year high of $47.71.

Brookfield Infrastructure Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 384.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on BIPC shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Brookfield Infrastructure from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, September 26th. Morgan Stanley set a $53.00 price target on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure in a research report on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $53.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BIPC

Brookfield Infrastructure Company Profile

(Free Report)

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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EQB (TSE:EQB  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by investment analysts at Raymond James Financial from C$93.00 to C$91.00 in a report issued on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports. Raymond James Financials price objective would suggest a potential downside of 5.99% from the companys current price.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on EQB. National Bankshares reduced their price target on EQB from C$104.00 to C$89.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 28th. TD Securities dropped their price objective on shares of EQB from C$105.00 to C$96.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on shares of EQB from C$124.00 to C$112.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on EQB from C$107.00 to C$93.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Desjardins cut their price objective on EQB from C$110.00 to C$103.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, EQB has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$101.00.

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View Our Latest Analysis on EQB

EQB Price Performance

EQB traded down C$1.21 during midday trading on Friday, reaching C$96.80. 395,179 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 113,378. The stock has a market capitalization of C$3.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.98, a P/E/G ratio of 0.34 and a beta of 0.95. The firm has a fifty day moving average of C$89.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$94.59. EQB has a 52 week low of C$83.93 and a 52 week high of C$114.22.

EQB (TSE:EQB  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported C$6.56 earnings per share for the quarter. EQB had a net margin of 13.04% and a return on equity of 8.52%. Sell-side analysts forecast that EQB will post 12.5988235 EPS for the current year.

About EQB

(Get Free Report)

EQB Inc formerly Equitable Group Inc trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange TSX: EQB and EQB.PR.C and serves over 360000 Canadians through its wholly owned subsidiary Equitable Bank Canadas Challenger Bank. Equitable Bank has grown to become the countrys eighth largest independent Schedule I bank with a clear mandate to drive real change in Canadian banking to enrich peoples lives.

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Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (CVE:RECO  Get Free Report) shot up 47.9% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as C$0.75 and last traded at C$0.71. 3,853,072 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 899% from the average session volume of 385,615 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.48.

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of C$219.51 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.34. The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$0.49 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.51.

About Reconnaissance Energy Africa

(Get Free Report)

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd., a junior oil and gas company, engages in exploration and development of oil and gas properties in Namibia and Botswana. The company holds a 90% interest in a petroleum exploration license that covers an area of approximately 25,341.33 square kilometer located in Namibia; and 100% working interest in a petroleum license, which covers an area of 8,990 square kilometer located in northwestern Botswana.

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Royal Fund Management LLC increased its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 120.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,047 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,301 shares during the quarter. Royal Fund Management LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $4,280,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Winthrop Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Winthrop Advisory Group LLC now owns 429 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $303,000 after buying an additional 14 shares during the period. Avion Wealth raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 31.1% in the second quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 59 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. KPP Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.1% in the second quarter. KPP Advisory Services LLC now owns 668 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $473,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the period. Dumont & Blake Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.7% in the second quarter. Dumont & Blake Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,241 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,586,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares during the period. Finally, WealthBridge Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. WealthBridge Capital Management LLC now owns 495 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $350,000 after acquiring an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

Shares of GS opened at $836.97 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $251.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.36. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $439.38 and a twelve month high of $843.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53. The company has a 50 day moving average of $789.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $731.57.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.27 by $1.98. The firm had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.68 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 15.29% and a net margin of 13.18%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $8.40 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be issued a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.50%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on GS shares. BNP Paribas Exane boosted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $685.00 to $775.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Friday, October 3rd. They set a market perform rating and a $785.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $854.00 to $828.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Monday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $786.00.

View Our Latest Stock Report on The Goldman Sachs Group

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Schroder Investment Management Group reduced its position in Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY  Free Report) by 28.1% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 95,256 shares of the companys stock after selling 37,291 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Groups holdings in Sysco were worth $7,215,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Sysco in the first quarter valued at about $319,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. raised its position in shares of Sysco by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 69,004 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,178,000 after purchasing an additional 423 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Sysco by 17.4% in the 1st quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,142 shares of the companys stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC grew its position in Sysco by 8.6% during the 1st quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 7,916 shares of the companys stock worth $594,000 after purchasing an additional 627 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. acquired a new position in Sysco during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $6,807,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.41% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Sysco

In other news, EVP Ronald L. Phillips sold 961 shares of Sysco stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.00, for a total transaction of $77,841.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 41,501 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,361,581. The trade was a 2.26% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.56% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SYY has been the subject of several research reports. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on shares of Sysco from $87.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Morgan Stanley set a $88.00 target price on Sysco in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Sysco in a research note on Monday. Citigroup cut their price objective on Sysco from $86.00 to $82.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Sysco from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 25th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Sysco presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $87.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on Sysco

Sysco Price Performance

Shares of SYY opened at $73.42 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $77.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $77.60. The company has a market capitalization of $35.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.61. Sysco Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $67.12 and a fifty-two week high of $83.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.54, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.15.

Sysco (NYSE:SYY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $1.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.12 by $0.03. Sysco had a return on equity of 112.04% and a net margin of 2.21%.The business had revenue of $21.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.03 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.09 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sysco has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.500-4.600 EPS. Research analysts predict that Sysco Corporation will post 4.58 earnings per share for the current year.

Sysco Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a $0.54 dividend. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. Syscos dividend payout ratio is currently 57.91%.

Sysco Profile

(Free Report)

Sysco Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the marketing and distribution of various food and related products to the foodservice or food-away-from-home industry in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and internationally. It operates through U.S. Foodservice Operations, International Foodservice Operations, SYGMA, and Other segments.

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SCS Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 184.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 18,334 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 11,886 shares during the quarter. SCS Capital Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $14,292,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 80,407,430 shares of the companys stock worth $62,680,004,000 after purchasing an additional 1,183,038 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.6% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,707,512 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,495,261,000 after purchasing an additional 81,587 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,552,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,005,392,000 after purchasing an additional 11,537,661 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $8,827,714,000. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $4,613,912,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 2.1%

Shares of NYSE LLY opened at $1,011.74 on Friday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $913.15 and its 200 day simple moving average is $807.53. The company has a market cap of $956.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $623.78 and a 12-month high of $1,111.99.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 30.99% and a return on equity of 109.52%. The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.18 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.35%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LLY has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Berenberg Bank upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $830.00 to $950.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. CICC Research boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Leerink Partners upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the stock from $886.00 to $1,104.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $700.00 to $940.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,087.32.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on LLY

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE:SEE  Free Report) by 323.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 171,388 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 130,948 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned 0.12% of Sealed Air worth $5,315,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in shares of Sealed Air by 383.8% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 837 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 664 shares in the last quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC increased its position in Sealed Air by 53.3% in the 2nd quarter. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC now owns 109,028 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,383,000 after purchasing an additional 37,887 shares during the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Sealed Air by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 167,615 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,201,000 after purchasing an additional 1,930 shares in the last quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co lifted its holdings in shares of Sealed Air by 14.8% during the 2nd quarter. Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Co now owns 30,636 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $951,000 after buying an additional 3,940 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd grew its stake in shares of Sealed Air by 156.9% in the 2nd quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 27,380 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $850,000 after buying an additional 16,722 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.40% of the companys stock.

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Sealed Air Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of SEE stock opened at $42.31 on Friday. Sealed Air Corporation has a 12 month low of $22.78 and a 12 month high of $44.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.34. The firm has a market cap of $6.23 billion, a PE ratio of 13.74 and a beta of 1.35. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $37.55 and a 200-day moving average of $33.76.

Sealed Air Announces Dividend

Sealed Air ( NYSE:SEE Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.19. Sealed Air had a net margin of 8.52% and a return on equity of 54.90%. The business had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.31 billion. Sealed Air has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.350 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Sealed Air Corporation will post 3.05 EPS for the current year.

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 dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Sealed Airs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.97%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Sealed Air from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th. Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating and set a $50.00 price target (up previously from $39.00) on shares of Sealed Air in a report on Friday, October 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Sealed Air from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Sealed Air from $36.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on Sealed Air from $48.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $42.83.

Get Our Latest Analysis on SEE

Sealed Air Company Profile

(Free Report)

Sealed Air Corporation provides packaging solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It operates through two segments, Food and Protective. The Food segment offers integrated packaging materials and automation equipment solutions to provide food safety, shelf life extension, reduce food waste, automate processes, and optimize total cost for food processors in the fresh red meat, smoked and processed meats, poultry, seafood, plant-based, fluids and liquids and cheese markets under the CRYOVAC, CRYOVAC Grip & Tear, CRYOVAC Darfresh, LIQUIBOX, Simple Steps, and Optidure brands.

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SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. (NYSE:SITE  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $130.25, but opened at $120.13. SiteOne Landscape Supply shares last traded at $131.8490, with a volume of 14,776 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on SITE shares. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Loop Capital raised SiteOne Landscape Supply from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $150.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Friday, September 19th. Zacks Research raised shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply from $158.00 to $138.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, William Blair restated a market perform rating on shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $152.10.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on SITE

SiteOne Landscape Supply Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 2.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.95, a PEG ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.60. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $126.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $129.18.

SiteOne Landscape Supply (NYSE:SITE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $1.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.26 billion. SiteOne Landscape Supply had a net margin of 2.98% and a return on equity of 8.62%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.97 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. will post 3.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On SiteOne Landscape Supply

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in SiteOne Landscape Supply by 61.2% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 237 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in SiteOne Landscape Supply during the 1st quarter worth $32,000. HM Payson & Co. grew its stake in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply by 32.2% in the third quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 398 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply by 36.6% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 399 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the period. Finally, Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in shares of SiteOne Landscape Supply during the third quarter valued at about $52,000.

SiteOne Landscape Supply Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of landscape supplies in the United States and Canada. The company provides irrigation products, including controllers, valves, sprinkler heads, irrigation pipes, micro irrigation, and drip products; fertilizer, grass seed, and ice melt products; control products, such as herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, and other pesticides; landscape accessories that include mulches, soil amendments, drainage pipes, tools, and sods; nursery goods, which consist of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, ornamental, shade, evergreen trees, field grown and container-grown nursery stock, roses, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and plant species and cultivars; hardscapes, such as pavers, natural stones, blocks, and other durable materials; and outdoor lighting products that include lighting fixtures, LED lamps, wires, transformers, and accessories.

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GeoWealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD  Free Report) by 725.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,665 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 11,131 shares during the quarter. GeoWealth Management LLCs holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $3,861,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of GLD. American National Bank & Trust boosted its position in SPDR Gold Shares by 52.4% during the second quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 291 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $89,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. StrongBox Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter. StrongBox Wealth LLC now owns 1,487 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $453,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Beaumont Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 6.5% during the second quarter. Beaumont Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,509 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,070,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the last quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of SPDR Gold Shares by 14.6% in the second quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 51,235 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $15,618,000 after purchasing an additional 6,540 shares during the period. Finally, ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its stake in SPDR Gold Shares by 151.5% in the second quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 1,386 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $422,000 after purchasing an additional 835 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 42.19% of the companys stock.

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SPDR Gold Shares Trading Up 0.1%

NYSEARCA GLD opened at $387.13 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $374.19 and its 200 day moving average price is $334.79. SPDR Gold Shares has a twelve month low of $238.73 and a twelve month high of $403.30. The company has a market capitalization of $140.10 billion, a PE ratio of -32.43 and a beta of 0.09.

SPDR Gold Shares Profile

SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares).

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Shares of SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (NYSEARCA:QUS  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Friday . The company traded as high as $174.61 and last traded at $174.2990, with a volume of 497 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $173.59.

SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.55 billion, a PE ratio of 22.46 and a beta of 0.89. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $171.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $166.41.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. MMA Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. acquired a new position in shares of SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF in the third quarter worth $40,000. SouthState Corp purchased a new stake in shares of SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF during the first quarter worth $48,000. Finally, Knuff & Co LLC acquired a new stake in SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF during the first quarter valued at $48,000.

SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF Company Profile

The SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF (QUS) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks comprising three equally weighted subindexes with value, quality and minimum volatility factor strategies. QUS was launched on Apr 16, 2015 and is managed by State Street.

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Brown Advisory Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 43.2% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 6,650,983 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,006,745 shares during the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing accounts for approximately 2.0% of Brown Advisory Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Brown Advisory Inc.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $1,506,389,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 16,500.0% in the 1st quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC now owns 6,707,064 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,113,373,000 after buying an additional 6,666,660 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 1st quarter worth about $482,676,000. Jennison Associates LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 26.7% during the 2nd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 12,046,792 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,728,478,000 after acquiring an additional 2,537,760 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 31.5% in the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 8,864,014 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,471,426,000 after acquiring an additional 2,121,758 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 19.1% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 12,350,239 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,050,141,000 after purchasing an additional 1,984,835 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TSM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Barclays upped their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Friday, October 17th. Susquehanna upped their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $371.67.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $292.69 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $291.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $251.85. The company has a current ratio of 2.69, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a twelve month low of $134.25 and a twelve month high of $311.37. The stock has a market cap of $1.52 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 34.34% and a net margin of 43.72%.The company had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $951.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.94 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.9678 per share. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is 26.67%.

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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Shares of TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU  Get Free Report) (TSE:T) saw an uptick in trading volume on Wednesday . 6,445,075 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 69% from the previous sessions volume of 3,819,676 shares.The stock last traded at $13.4250 and had previously closed at $13.07.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on TU shares. Natl Bk Canada upgraded TELUS from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. National Bankshares reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of TELUS in a research note on Thursday. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of TELUS from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of TELUS in a report on Monday. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of TELUS from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $18.17.

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TELUS Stock Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average price of $14.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.59, a P/E/G ratio of 6.87 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47.

TELUS (NYSE:TU  Get Free Report) (TSE:T) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.19 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.77 billion. TELUS had a return on equity of 8.76% and a net margin of 5.71%.The companys revenue was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.28 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that TELUS Corporation will post 0.71 EPS for the current year.

TELUS Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be given a dividend of $0.4184 per share. This represents a $1.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 11th. This is an increase from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. TELUSs payout ratio is presently 220.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On TELUS

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TU. First Affirmative Financial Network boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 4.5% in the third quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 40,927 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $645,000 after acquiring an additional 1,749 shares during the period. Morningstar Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of TELUS in the 3rd quarter worth about $5,030,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co increased its holdings in shares of TELUS by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 560,219 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $8,797,000 after buying an additional 25,658 shares during the last quarter. PDT Partners LLC boosted its stake in TELUS by 4.5% during the third quarter. PDT Partners LLC now owns 245,676 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $3,874,000 after buying an additional 10,597 shares during the period. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd grew its holdings in TELUS by 84.7% during the 3rd quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 219,136 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $3,456,000 after purchasing an additional 100,490 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.40% of the companys stock.

About TELUS

(Get Free Report)

TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; healthcare services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services, as well as mobile and fixed voice and data telecommunications services and products.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) had its target price lifted by investment analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$120.00 to C$128.00 in a research note issued on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank Of Canadas price target would indicate a potential upside of 4.93% from the stocks previous close.

TD has been the topic of a number of other reports. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the company from C$124.00 to C$125.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Barclays raised their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$100.00 to C$114.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. National Bankshares set a C$100.00 price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Scotiabank set a C$114.00 price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, CIBC boosted their price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$112.00 to C$122.00 in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$118.14.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank Price Performance

TSE:TD traded up C$1.90 during midday trading on Friday, reaching C$121.99. 2,481,790 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,114,264. The firm has a market capitalization of C$208.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.98. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a twelve month low of C$73.22 and a twelve month high of C$122.24. The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$113.94 and a 200 day moving average price of C$105.23.

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported C$2.18 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$16.03 billion during the quarter. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 7.84%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 7.2160149 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Toronto-Dominion Bank

In related news, Director Nathalie Palladitcheff bought 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$112.64 per share, for a total transaction of C$112,640.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 3,292 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$370,810.88. The trade was a 43.63% increase in their position. Also, insider Ajai Bambawale sold 39,376 shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$112.07, for a total value of C$4,412,868.32. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 84,384 shares of company stock worth $9,456,915. 0.08% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Toronto-Dominion Bank

(Get Free Report)

Toronto-Dominion is one of Canadas two largest banks and operates three business segments: Canadian retail banking, U.S. retail banking, and wholesale banking. The banks U.S. operations span from Maine to Florida, with a strong presence in the Northeast. It also has a 13% ownership stake in Charles Schwab.

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TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE  Get Free Report) was downgraded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a note issued to investors on Friday,Finviz reports.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Scotiabank raised their price target on TotalEnergies from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Berenberg Bank cut TotalEnergies from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $64.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. HSBC downgraded shares of TotalEnergies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday. BNP Paribas Exane reissued a neutral rating on shares of TotalEnergies in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating on shares of TotalEnergies in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $66.96.

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TotalEnergies Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE TTE opened at $66.75 on Friday. TotalEnergies has a twelve month low of $52.78 and a twelve month high of $66.92. The stock has a market cap of $160.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The companys fifty day moving average is $62.38 and its 200-day moving average is $61.66.

TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.77 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.81 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $87.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $43.66 billion. TotalEnergies had a net margin of 6.98% and a return on equity of 13.54%. Equities research analysts predict that TotalEnergies will post 8.02 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of TotalEnergies

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Innova Wealth Partners acquired a new position in TotalEnergies during the third quarter worth $249,000. Investment Research Partners LLC acquired a new stake in TotalEnergies in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,064,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in TotalEnergies by 78.5% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 7,140 shares of the companys stock worth $426,000 after buying an additional 3,141 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in TotalEnergies during the 3rd quarter worth about $426,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its stake in shares of TotalEnergies by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 114,273 shares of the companys stock worth $6,821,000 after buying an additional 2,293 shares during the last quarter. 16.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

TotalEnergies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TotalEnergies SE, a multi-energy company, produces and markets oil and biofuels, natural gas, green gases, renewables, and electricity in France, rest of Europe, North America, Africa, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Exploration & Production, Integrated LNG, Integrated Power, Refining & Chemicals, and Marketing & Services.

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Genesco (NYSE:GCO  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by investment analysts at Truist Financial from $31.00 to $27.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a hold rating on the stock. Truist Financials price objective would indicate a potential upside of 13.09% from the companys previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen cut Genesco from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $26.00 target price on shares of Genesco in a research report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Genesco in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Genesco from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of Genesco from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $30.33.

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Genesco Price Performance

GCO traded down $0.51 during trading on Friday, hitting $23.88. The companys stock had a trading volume of 133,863 shares, compared to its average volume of 237,441. The firm has a market capitalization of $257.85 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.78 and a beta of 1.75. Genesco has a twelve month low of $16.19 and a twelve month high of $44.80. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $30.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $27.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

Genesco (NYSE:GCO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $0.79 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.08). Genesco had a positive return on equity of 1.75% and a negative net margin of 1.03%.The company had revenue of $616.22 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $618.62 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.61 EPS. Genesco has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.950-0.95 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Genesco will post 0.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Genesco

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Genesco by 23.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 899,123 shares of the companys stock worth $19,088,000 after purchasing an additional 173,255 shares in the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC raised its position in Genesco by 44.4% in the 2nd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 1,433,190 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,220,000 after purchasing an additional 440,837 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Genesco in the 1st quarter valued at about $424,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC grew its position in shares of Genesco by 269.8% during the first quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 61,067 shares of the companys stock worth $1,296,000 after buying an additional 44,552 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in shares of Genesco during the second quarter worth approximately $2,954,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.51% of the companys stock.

About Genesco

(Get Free Report)

Genesco Inc operates as a retailer and wholesaler of footwear, apparel, and accessories in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland. The company operates through four segments: Journeys Group, Schuh Group, Johnston & Murphy Group, and Genesco Brands.

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Tsingtao Brewery Co. (OTCMKTS:TSGTY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $35.39, but opened at $33.76. Tsingtao Brewery shares last traded at $33.76, with a volume of 510 shares trading hands.

Tsingtao Brewery Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $34.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $33.18.

Tsingtao Brewery Company Profile

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Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, wholesale, and retail sale of beer products worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Shandong Region; South China Region; North China Region; East China Region; Southeast China Region; Hong Kong, Macau and Other Overseas Region; and Finance Company.

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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The company reported ($0.27) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.60) by $0.33, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.41 billion. Victorias Secret & Co. had a return on equity of 33.77% and a net margin of 2.42%.Victorias Secret & Co.s revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted ($0.50) EPS. Victorias Secret & Co. updated its FY 2025 guidance to 2.400-2.650 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance to 2.200-2.45 EPS.

Victorias Secret & Co. Price Performance

VSCO opened at $41.46 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $33.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48. The company has a market cap of $3.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.04 and a beta of 2.24. Victorias Secret & Co. has a 12-month low of $13.76 and a 12-month high of $48.73.

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Institutional Trading of Victorias Secret & Co.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in the 3rd quarter worth about $20,870,000. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Victorias Secret & Co. in the third quarter worth about $17,644,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 44.2% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,415,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,210,000 after purchasing an additional 434,012 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 76.0% during the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 905,160 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,566,000 after purchasing an additional 390,789 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 10.3% during the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,549,501 shares of the companys stock valued at $69,187,000 after purchasing an additional 238,516 shares during the last quarter. 90.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on VSCO. Barclays restated an overweight rating and issued a $47.00 price objective on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Victorias Secret & Co. from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Victorias Secret & Co. from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Victorias Secret & Co. presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $33.18.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on VSCO

Victorias Secret & Co. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Victorias Secret & Co operates as a lingerie, clothing and beauty retailer. It offers bras, panties, lingerie, pajamas, sleep, sport and swim apparel, and beauty products. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Reynoldsburg, OH.

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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high on Friday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The company traded as high as $48.95 and last traded at $49.7740, with a volume of 1788301 shares. The stock had previously closed at $41.57.

The company reported ($0.27) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.60) by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $1.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.41 billion. Victorias Secret & Co. had a return on equity of 33.77% and a net margin of 2.42%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($0.50) EPS. Victorias Secret & Co. has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.650 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.200-2.45 EPS.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have weighed in on VSCO. Morgan Stanley reissued a reduce rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Friday, September 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $18.00 to $32.00 in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Monday, November 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $33.18.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Victorias Secret & Co.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. Virtus Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in the first quarter valued at $30,000. State of Wyoming bought a new position in Victorias Secret & Co. during the third quarter valued at about $48,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Victorias Secret & Co. during the second quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Victorias Secret & Co. in the third quarter worth about $53,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.29% of the companys stock.

Victorias Secret & Co. Stock Up 20.5%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 1.14. The company has a market capitalization of $4.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.65 and a beta of 2.24. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $33.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.93.

Victorias Secret & Co. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Victorias Secret & Co operates as a lingerie, clothing and beauty retailer. It offers bras, panties, lingerie, pajamas, sleep, sport and swim apparel, and beauty products. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Reynoldsburg, OH.

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Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (NYSE:VPG  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $38.91 and last traded at $38.5350, with a volume of 17774 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $37.32.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Vishay Precision Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Vishay Precision Group in a report on Monday. Finally, Zacks Research cut Vishay Precision Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Vishay Precision Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $28.50.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on VPG

Vishay Precision Group Trading Up 2.4%

The stock has a market capitalization of $507.26 million, a PE ratio of 63.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 0.86. The companys 50 day moving average price is $34.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 4.10 and a quick ratio of 2.71.

Vishay Precision Group (NYSE:VPG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $79.73 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $76.63 million. Vishay Precision Group had a net margin of 2.65% and a return on equity of 2.02%. As a group, analysts expect that Vishay Precision Group, Inc. will post 0.9 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Vishay Precision Group

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VPG. Acuitas Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group by 1,319.6% in the 3rd quarter. Acuitas Investments LLC now owns 1,012,976 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $32,466,000 after acquiring an additional 941,622 shares during the last quarter. CSM Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vishay Precision Group in the second quarter valued at about $5,565,000. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC acquired a new stake in Vishay Precision Group during the second quarter worth about $4,689,000. AIGH Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Vishay Precision Group by 60.7% during the second quarter. AIGH Capital Management LLC now owns 423,484 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $11,900,000 after purchasing an additional 159,919 shares during the period. Finally, Bastion Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in Vishay Precision Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $4,904,000. 87.61% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vishay Precision Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Vishay Precision Group, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets specialized sensors, weighing solutions, and measurement systems in the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Sensors, Weighing Solutions, and Measurement Systems.

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XTX Topco Ltd lessened its holdings in Paramount Group, Inc. (NYSE:PGRE  Free Report) by 51.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 79,163 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 83,805 shares during the quarter. XTX Topco Ltds holdings in Paramount Group were worth $483,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its position in shares of Paramount Group by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 90,268 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $550,000 after acquiring an additional 1,768 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its stake in Paramount Group by 10.9% during the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 28,217 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $172,000 after purchasing an additional 2,778 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in Paramount Group by 1.1% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 335,214 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,045,000 after purchasing an additional 3,760 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its holdings in Paramount Group by 1.4% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 271,861 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,658,000 after purchasing an additional 3,787 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in shares of Paramount Group by 101.0% in the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 8,291 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 4,167 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.64% of the companys stock.

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Paramount Group Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE PGRE opened at $6.59 on Friday. Paramount Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $3.75 and a 1-year high of $7.85. The company has a current ratio of 4.91, a quick ratio of 4.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The company has a 50-day moving average of $6.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $6.51. The company has a market cap of $1.46 billion, a PE ratio of -14.63 and a beta of 0.93.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Paramount Group ( NYSE:PGRE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The financial services provider reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.02. Paramount Group had a negative net margin of 13.47% and a negative return on equity of 2.39%. The business had revenue of $172.96 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $167.65 million. As a group, equities analysts expect that Paramount Group, Inc. will post 0.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Several research firms recently commented on PGRE. Evercore ISI set a $6.60 target price on Paramount Group and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Morgan Stanley set a $6.60 price objective on Paramount Group and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Paramount Group from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their target price for the company from $4.20 to $6.60 in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. BTIG Research reiterated a neutral rating on shares of Paramount Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Paramount Group in a report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $6.45.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on PGRE

About Paramount Group

(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.

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Comrades, I am so proud that the Peoples Republic of Soviet Britain has joined the ranks of other non-jury trials and tyrannic regimes like:

Vladimir Lenin 1917-1922

Joseph Stalin 1922-1952

Benito Mussolini 1931

Adolf Hitler 1934

Francisco Franco 1939

Mao Zedong 1949

Fidel Castro 1959

Pol Pot 1975

Idi Amin 1971-1972

Saddam Hussein 1970s

Ayatollah Khomeini 1979

Hugo Chavez 1999-2013

Maduro 2013 

Keir Starmer 2025

The Labour Party under Comrade Starmer is currently transitioning the country from socialism to full communism, and this will take some time and hardship. Please be patient, and understand that sometimes we may withhold sugar rations or other rations and energy costs will rise at exponential rates. Non-jury trials are part of the process of change towards communism, do not be alarmed.

Facial recognition

The Peoples Republic of Soviet Britain will be strong under the care of Comrade Starmer and the Big State. We are also introducing facial recognition cameras in all areas of the country and an invasive internet control scheme along with a new social credit Smart ID biometric card scheme  all for your safety, of course.

Trial by non-jury

If anyone disagrees with Comrade Starmer, you will be tried with no jury by one of our specially selected Labour Big State judges.

We are in the process of building more gulags and liquidation centres so that we can accommodate the hundreds of thousands of political prisoners, social media commentators and pro-democracy zealots who will be processed shortly.

During your trial you will join an orderly queue and be escorted by a Labour Stasi guard to the court where a judge will examine your case and sentence you in less than 35 seconds. There will no longer be prolonged, protracted, tedious trials which used to uphold democracy. Those are useless concepts banned under the tyrannical rule of Labour under Keir Starmer and his commissars.

After you have been sentenced in the non-jury trial, you will either be sent to a gulag for the rest of your life or liquidated and processed into Net Zero Juice  that cool, refreshing drink!

Have a nice fucking day.
Edgestream Partners L.P. grew its stake in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 642.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 17,390 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after buying an additional 15,047 shares during the period. Edgestream Partners L.P.s holdings in TJX Companies were worth $2,147,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of TJX. Ignite Planners LLC raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 2,130 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $260,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in TJX Companies by 3.3% during the second quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,453 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $303,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. Roble Belko & Company Inc increased its stake in TJX Companies by 0.3% in the second quarter. Roble Belko & Company Inc now owns 31,478 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $3,887,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Knuff & Co LLC raised its holdings in TJX Companies by 8.5% in the first quarter. Knuff & Co LLC now owns 1,056 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $129,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. Finally, 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of TJX Companies by 1.6% during the second quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC now owns 5,239 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $647,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. 91.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

TJX Companies Stock Performance

Shares of TJX Companies stock opened at $150.26 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.43. The firm has a market cap of $166.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.76. The stocks 50-day moving average is $145.06 and its 200-day moving average is $135.40. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $112.10 and a one year high of $154.66.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.30% and a net margin of 8.68%.TJX Companiess quarterly revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. Equities analysts predict that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were given a $0.425 dividend. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 13th. TJX Companiess payout ratio is currently 37.53%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TJX has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, August 23rd. TD Cowen boosted their target price on TJX Companies from $162.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Wells Fargo & Company restated a market perform rating and issued a $145.00 price target (up from $140.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $162.00 price objective (up previously from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, 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. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, TJX Companies presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $160.37.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on TJX

Insider Buying and Selling at TJX Companies

In other TJX Companies news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. The trade was a 2.20% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total transaction of $4,464,300.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 535,143 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $79,634,629.83. This represents a 5.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366 in the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About TJX Companies

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new position in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 6,495 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock, valued at approximately $2,230,000.

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Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC now owns 1,885 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $647,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Valley Brook Capital Group Inc. raised its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 2.4% during the second quarter. Valley Brook Capital Group Inc. now owns 1,311 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $450,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. 17 Capital Partners LLC boosted its position in Sherwin-Williams by 0.9% during the second quarter. 17 Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,340 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,147,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Jessup Wealth Management Inc grew its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 1.4% in the second quarter. Jessup Wealth Management Inc now owns 2,341 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $804,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 41.8% in the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 112 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.67% of the companys stock.

Sherwin-Williams Stock Performance

NYSE SHW opened at $334.98 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $83.04 billion, a PE ratio of 32.68, a P/E/G ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.82. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $338.22 and a 200-day moving average of $347.30. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 52-week low of $308.84 and a 52-week high of $391.52.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

Sherwin-Williams ( NYSE:SHW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.44 by $0.15. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 11.05% and a return on equity of 66.75%. The firm had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.21 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.37 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sherwin-Williams has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.250-11.450 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 12 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a $0.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is 30.83%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on SHW shares. Bank of America cut their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $375.00 to $368.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $405.00 price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Mizuho set a $400.00 price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Tuesday. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $422.00 price target (up previously from $400.00) on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $390.87.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on SHW

Sherwin-Williams Profile

(Free Report)

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group.

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An acclaimed play based on real-life testimonies of female relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims is coming to Buncrana in the new year.

4 Days in Derry, written and directed by Bernadette MacFarland, will be staged for one night in St Marys Hall on January 17.

Following a sell-out run in Derrys Millennium Forum earlier this year, the Buncrana performance is the first time the play will be performed in Donegal.

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to perform our play in Buncrana, Ms MacFarland said.

The people here have always been enormously supportive of the campaign for justice for the victims of Bloody Sunday, and 4 Days in Derry, which tells the stories - in their own words - of the wives, mothers, daughters and sisters of the men who were slain, is part of that endeavour to ensure that the atrocities carried out by state forces on innocent civilians, and the devastating impact it had on their families, are never forgotten.

Telling these women's stories to audiences far and wide is so important to us. We are doing a mini-tour of the play in 2026 and we are delighted to be taking it to Inishowen.

The play was written after Bernadette sat down with female relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims and listened to their personal accounts of the four days in and around one of the worst atrocities of The Troubles.

What they told her formed the basis of thirteen powerful and poignant monologues that are delivered in the play.

Those interviews are an experience I will never forget, said Bernadette. I laughed with them. I cried with them. They told me how they coped - and didnt cope. I came away from each interview thinking, 'What strong women'; what strong, strong women.

When it was finally performed, I was not prepared for the reaction. I could hear people crying in the audience. The actors delivering the monologues were emotional - because they needed to be, but also because they were overwhelmed by the emotion of the words they were speaking, which were full of rage, grief, pain and loss.

Anthony Barber, manager of St Marys Hall, said: Theres been so much happening here lately  weve just had Calendar Girls, which was a great success, and earlier in the year we had The Four of Us and then Three Dog Night, from America, in October.

The hall is an iconic building. Its a nice, intimate venue for live performance and were delighted to be hosting 4 Days in Derry.

Tickets for 4 Days in Derry at St Marys Hall, Buncrana, January 17 are available online here or at the hall for those wishing to pay cash.
A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with criminal damage after trashing his bedroom in his mother's house.

Noel McGilloway (29) of Creggan Heights in Derry was charged with the offences that occurred on December 4 after police were called by his mother to reports that he was 'smashing things'.

Upon arrival, police found broken glass and a number of damaged items, including his bed, TV and light switch, with damage estimated to be around 1000.

When questioned, McGilloway denied the charges but admitted that he had no memory of the incident.

Upon viewing police body cam footage, he reportedly said 'I flipped my bed. What did I do that for?'.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that drink had been taken at the time of the offences, telling the court that McGilloway had come home and 'got into a strop' with his mother and trashed his own room.

He added that McGilloway had 'no bed to sleep in, no TV to watch from the floor and no wardrobe to hang his clothes in' but said that he normally has a good relationship with his mother, who is refusing to give any statements to police.

He was sentenced to four months in custody, suspended for two years.
Cookstown woman and former nurse Ethel Glasgow (93), has proven that Christmas spirit and creativity make the perfect picture as her design is chosen as the Northern Health and Social Care Trust Christmas card for 2025.

Mrs Glasgow attends Cookstown Day Centre, which is run by the Northern Trust, and was delighted to participate in the competition. Her hand drawn winter scene with a robin red breast was a firm favourite with the judges.

Before retiring, Mrs Glasgow enjoyed a long career as a nurse having worked in both the City Hospital, Belfast and Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt.

Together with her daughter and granddaughter, Mrs Glasgow travelled to Causeway Hospital where she met with Northern Trust Interim Chief Executive, Suzanne Pullins and Chair of the Northern Trust Board, Anne OReilly.

Speaking afterwards, Suzanne Pullins, said: We are really appreciative that so many of our service users took the time to enter and put so much effort into their creations. We were blown away by the quantity and quality of entries but Ethels really stood out for us. Her card was beautiful  and she is clearly a gifted artist.

We are very proud that Ethels drawing will now be made into the Trusts Christmas card for 2025 and I hope that it brings joy to others.

Our Day Centres are a real lifeline for those who use them. Through structured and fulfilling daily activities, individuals are supported to maintain their independence and stay connected. They are an important part of our Northern Trust community.

Anne OReilly, said: We were truly inspired by the creativity of this years entries. We know that our service users went to a lot of effort and we had a difficult job selecting just one winner.

We were charmed by Ethels card; she had shown great attention to detail with the intricate and delicate robin and Im delighted that many others will now get to see the card too.

Having spoken to Ethel, its clear that she really enjoys attending Cookstown Day Centre and that its an important part of her routine.
James Nesbitt has said he is in awe of the effort put in by staff at the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast.

The Ballymena-born actor described the facility as the most wonderful, really peaceful place after a visit this week.

Nesbitt said: From the doctors and nurses on the ward to the chefs and maintenance staff, Im in awe of what they do every day to help make sure this Christmas is as peaceful and as comfortable as possible for everyone.

He met with patients, families and staff of the end-of-life charity, and helped decorate their Christmas tree.

He said: The compassion and care shown by the Marie Curie team really helps to spread that feeling of good cheer.

Muriel Rendall, 78, said it was lovely to meet Nesbitt, describing him as so warm and friendly.

She is living with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, and said they had a great chat about sport, television, and all sorts.

The pair did some knitting together and Ms Rendall welcomed him back for personal lessons any time!

The charity cares for people with terminal illnesses including dementia, motor neurone disease and advanced cancer.

It is dependent on public donations and Nesbitt took the opportunity to encourage people to give generously, saying: If youre out and about over Christmas and you see any buckets, go and give what you can, because what they do here is really life-affirming.
Telkom Indonesia announced on Thursday it has inaugurated its 28th neuCentrIX Telkom edge data centre facility, which is also the first to be established in Jayapura in the eastern province of Papua.

No details were given on the facilitys IT load capacity, but Telkom said the Jayapura data centre has a total capacity of 96 racks, and supports Tier-II international security standards.

Telkom said the launch of neuCentrIX Jayapura will serve the needs of the Jayapura market area and its surroundings, as well as provide a strong digital technology foundation for governments and business actors in various sectors.

Telkom commissioner Rizal Mallarangeng said the Jayapura facility also contributes to the governments overarching Asta Cita program, which  among other things  aims to equalise digital infrastructure across the archipelago.

"The equal distribution of digital access throughout Indonesia, including Papua, is an integral part of the great vision of national digital sovereignty, he said in a statement. Telkom's efforts not only present networks and infrastructure, but also an ecosystem to be a foothold for the formation of a new era in achieving modern digital independence.

The Papua Provincial Government said the neuCentrIX Jayapura data centre will have a significant impact on the acceleration of digital transformation in the Papua region.

"neuCentrIX Jayapura is the embodiment of Telkom Group's determination to ensure equitable digital access that can be reached by all levels of society, added Telkom president director Dian Siswarini. By expanding the data centre network to the Papua region, Telkom supports the realization of a more resilient regional digital ecosystem and is ready to meet future technology needs.
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Hotel robots work best for delivery, not bartending, Taiwan operator finds

As AI technology matures, robotic applications are flourishing across industries, with many seeking new business opportunities. However, challenges vary when it comes to actual implementation. Kevin Chiang, COO of Dunqian, Taiwan's largest hotel operator, recently stated that current hotel robots should focus on repetitive, high-frequency tasks requiring minimal communication. He noted that the hospitality industry highly values emotional interaction, and only as AI and sensing technologies advance will robots be able to handle more complex scenarios.

Chiang stressed that service remains at the core of hospitality, with technology serving as an aid rather than a replacement. The ultimate goal of introducing robots is to free human staff from repetitive work, transforming operations from purely human-driven to collaborative human-robot efforts.

Smart hotel operations across three regions

Dunqian operates 14 hotel brands, including the well-known "CHECK inn" chain, with over 4,500 rooms spanning Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Positioning itself as a smart hotel group, Dunqian developed the Hexa one-stop platform adopted by around 700 other hospitality businesses.

Chiang pointed out two major headwinds facing Taiwan's hotel sector in recent years: low domestic travel occupancy compounded by extreme weather reducing travel willingness, and increased outbound tourism driven by yen depreciation, both intensified operational pressures.

Targeting high-frequency, low-communication tasks

Analyzing pain points, Chiang explained that traditional hotels rely heavily on SOPs involving numerous manual service steps, including delivering amenities and room assistance. These processes incur high costs and limited efficiency, especially since hotels operate 24/7 but often cannot fully staff night shifts due to labor shortages.

Given this context, leveraging intelligent robots and automation to deliver guest services will be critical for future smart hotel operations. Currently, robot deployment should target "high-frequency, repetitive, low-communication" tasks such as delivery, transport, restocking, and guidance.

Dunqian began integrating service robots at CHECK inn hotels in 2017 to deliver amenities. They also combined delivery robots with smart vending machines to boost efficiencyguests order via website or app, robots retrieve items from vending machines, then autonomously take elevators to deliver to rooms. Operational data shows up to 200 deliveries per day on weekends and about 50 on weekdays, with a high success rate.

However, Chiang acknowledged two prior failed attempts: deploying a robotic bartender and a mechanical arm luggage storage system. These failures were not due to cost or equipment limitations but reflected the complexity of identifying which hotel scenarios suit automation versus those better served by humans.

Three key challenges in robot adoption

Regarding challenges in adopting robots, Chiang identified three main areas: technology, management, and customer experience. Technically, diverse communication protocols and operating systems among hardware vendors lack standardization, complicating cross-system integration. Managing elevator scheduling, floor access control, and varying floor heights remains a significant engineering hurdle.

Looking ahead, Chiang envisions building open hotel robot collaboration APIs and communication standards to enable multi-brand robots to coordinate across different hotel environments. This would allow hoteliers to refocus on core service values, emphasizing human-robot collaboration rather than full automation as the ideal model.

Article edited by Jerry Chen
A 60-year-old man was convicted in his absence of dangerous driving last week, after Dundalk District Court was shown footage of him doing a u-turn on a one-way street in the town, and driving against the flow of traffic.

Arthur McDonagh of The Close, Mouthamilton, Dundalk was charged with committing the offence on Market Street, Dundalk on May 9th last.

The court heard he was recognised the next day as being the driver of the blue Ford Focus and was wearing the same clothing.

The car was seen to mount the footpath on a couple of occasions and drove against the follow of traffic.

READ NEXT: Driver caught with open beer bottles in his car in Dundalk

The investigating garda added that a cyclist who was travelling in the correct direction "narrowly avoided a collision".

The Defence solicitor, who said he was very limited in his instructions, asked where the one way entry sign was.

The garda pointed out the defendant had made an illegal u-turn and had hit the kerb twice in doing so.

Inspector Martina Gallagher also said: "There was a van trying to come up the street (from Chapel Street) as well".

Judge Nicola Andrews convicted Mr McDonagh of the offence and issued a bench warrant for his arrest for sentencing.
Louth County Council has given the go ahead for a Large-scale Residential Development (LRD) of 502 homes at Haggardstown and Marshes Upper, which include works on the Blackrock Road (R172) and Hardys Lane, Dundalk.

Marina Quarter Ltd, a subsidiary of Glenveagh Homes Ltd, applied to Louth County Council in May, for a seven year planning permission for the LRD at Haggardstown and Marshes Upper, on a site of c.18.54 ha.

The planned housing comprises 40 one-bed maisonettes; 147 two-bed, mid-terrace, two-storey houses; 276 three-bed, end of terrace and semi-detached, two-storey houses; a three-bed detached bungalow; and 38 four-bed semi-detached, three-storey houses.

Marina Quarter Ltd also sought the go ahead for a two storey creche facility with outdoor secure play area and parking, as well as new access off the Blackrock Road providing for vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access, and incorporating a new bus stop on the Blackrock Road; as well as two pedestrian and cycle only access points provided from Bothar Maol.

Read also: Go ahead given for 99 new homes in Lisdoo

Infrastructure and services for the proposed development include surface water infrastructure, water mains and a new wastewater pump station (with temporary storage and associated dosing measures), which would be pumped via a new rising main along the Blackrock Road (R172) and Hardys Lane to Finnabair Crescent, where it would discharge to the existing wastewater drainage network.

The application also provides for associated public and private open space, landscaping and amenity areas including a large central park of c.2.7ha, public art, boundary treatments, public lighting, roads, cycleways, footpaths, car and cycle parking, infrastructure and services and all associated site and development works.

To facilitate the proposed development, Marina Quarter Ltd also sought the go ahead for the excavation, cut and fill, and reprofiling of existing ground levels, and removal of works completed under a previously permitted Strategic Housing Development, including the foundations for five houses is required. The ruins of a former pumphouse would also be removed / demolished as part of the works and existing overhead electrical lines will be undergrounded.

A decision had initially been due on the planning application in July but it was put on hold following a request from Louth County Council for further information on the proposed development, with significant further information being submitted on 14 October.

Louth County Council made the decision to grant planning permission for the development on 4 December, subject to 29 planning conditions.

Marina Quarter Ltd had been refused planning permission by Louth County Council for a 502 unit LRD last year at Haggardstown, Dundalk, that would have included the provision of a two-storey creche, and the construction of new dedicated entrance to the R172 Blackrock Road. The decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala, who subsequently refused the appeal.
Sinn Fein spokesperson for Culture, Communications and Sport, Louth TD Joanna Byrne, has welcomed the decision by RTE to boycott next year's Eurovision Song Contest.



Deputy Byrne was commenting after confirmation that Ireland will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, nor will it be broadcast by RTE, after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed today that Israel will be allowed to take part.



Speaking on Thursday, Deputy Byrne said: I am appalled that the EBU did not put the decision to allow Israel to participate to a vote. All of the Eurovision Nations should have had a say on whether they agreed with Israel's inclusion.



This evenings statement from RTE that called out Israel's actions in Gaza, including the targeting of civilians and journalists, is very welcome. I commend RTE for taking such a brave and principled stance.

Read also: Louth County Council gives go ahead for 502 homes in Haggardstown



Ireland does not stand alone in this regard as Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia have also agreed to boycott Eurovision 2026. I hope more nations broadcasters follow suit in the coming weeks.



During this year's contest there were concerns raised when Israel topped the public vote. There was no way that could have happened, honestly and organically, when the people of Europe were watching Israeli forces blatant breaches of international law in Gaza.



The EBU moved quickly - within days - to ban Russia from participating after their brutal invasion of Ukraine. Israel, as an aggressor nation just like Russia, should have been banned when they engaged in genocidal actions, just like Russia.



Israel is an apartheid state who have engaged in ethnic cleansing and genocide. Their behaviour cannot be accepted or normalised. They should be treated the same as Apartheid South Africa was, and be banned and boycotted by all.
Louth County Council has been allocated 239,207.33 under the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltachts Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026, it was announced today by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD.

The funding will provide capital supports that are essential for many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas.

There will be a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use.

The funding may be used for, but is not limited to; improving access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.

Read also: Spectacular symphony of light and music to illuminate St Patricks Cathedral this December

The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, to improve and enhance community facilities for all. Funding will be available to a diverse range of community groups including, but not limited to, community centres, parish halls and local voluntary groups.

Announcing the funding, Minister Calleary said: Today, together with Minister Buttimer, I am delighted to announce a new round of funding of 7million for the Local Enhancement Programme. This funding that will support thousands of small but vital community groups across the country.

Since becoming the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, I have had the pleasure of visiting many of these communities groups and have and felt the vibrancy that is exists within them. I really commend these community groups and their hard-working committees for their volunteerism and for providing valuable spaces that strengthen bonds and maintain the fabric of communities.

Supporting local communities to shape their future is a key focus of the governments current rural development policy, Our Rural Future. A consultation process is currently open to inform the development of the next iteration of this policy and I encourage people to share their views on what matters most for rural Ireland and its people.

The LEP funding I am announcing today will benefit people in every single county across the country and will ensure that a wide range of important small scale, ground-up projects can be delivered to the areas that need them most, by committed people serving their local communities.

I encourage all interested groups to get in touch with their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) that administers the fund in their area.
Louth Volunteer Centre is calling on the community to become Festive Friends this Christmas, as the organisation faces a record number of referrals for people who will be alone on Christmas Day without a dinner or companionship.

Since launching in 2021, the Festive Friends programme has delivered hundreds of festive meals and gifts to local residentsmost of whom are older individuals who would otherwise spend the day entirely on their own.

This year, referrals have risen significantly across the county. The Volunteer Centre is urgently seeking additional volunteers to ensure no one is left without support, company, or Christmas cheer. Volunteers will deliver a festive meal, provided by the Louth Volunteer Centre, along with a small gift. They will also spend 30 minutes to one hour with the recipient as a friendly companion.

Kayleigh Mulligan, Manager of Louth Volunteer Centre, said: This simple act of kindness can change someones entire Christmas. For many of the people referred to us, a Festive Friend may be the only person they speak to on Christmas Day.

"Were appealing to the community to help us meet the record demand this year and ensure that no one in Louth feels forgotten.

Read also: A film celebrating Irelands bogs coming to Dundalk's An Tain Arts Centre

One long-standing Festive Friends volunteer, Mary, shared her experience: You dont realise how much it means until youre standing at someones door and they tell you youre the only visitor theyll have all day. Spending even an hour with someone brings so much joyto them and to me. Its the most meaningful part of my Christmas.

What Festive Friends Do

Deliver a festive meal and a small gift

Spend 3060 minutes with someone on Christmas Day as a befriender

Bring warmth, conversation, and connection to a person who would otherwise be alone

How to Get Involved

Those interested in becoming a Festive Friend can sign up through Louth Volunteer Centre at www.volunteerlouth.ie or in person at the Dundalk or Drogheda offices. Volunteers will receive full guidance and support ahead of Christmas Day.

If you can spare even one hour, you can make Christmas brighter for someone who needs it most, added Kayleigh Mulligan.
An update on whether a ban on social media for under-16s is possible is expected at Cabinet next week, the Tanaiste has said.

EU member states are examining restricting young peoples access to social media platforms.

Simon Harris has previously expressed support for the consideration of such a ban for child protection purposes, with the Department of Communications reportedly considering an EU-wide approach more preferable than Ireland taking action alone.

The Tanaiste said the Minister for Communications will advise Government in the time ahead as to what is possible under European legislation, with an update to Cabinet expected next week.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Harris said: The Government has obligations when it comes to child protection, and there are real concerns from parents in Ireland  and not just in Ireland  about child safety on the internet.

Now, companies will have their own various policies in relation to this, but I do think we live in a country where theres a digital age of consent, and that should matter.

And my views in relation to this are well known. Im very supportive of the idea of social media being restricted to people above a certain a certain age. I think that would be a significant support to parents.

I think it would be a significant support in relation to child protection.

Mr Harris added: From the companies perspectives, I would say this: the key to any business model is having certainty, is having clarity, and then having stability.

Obviously, Ireland will be governed in many ways by some of the EU legislation in this space too and the infrastructure that that provides.
They say you should never waste a genuine opportunity, in life or in politics, and last week in Macroom, both Nickie Cohalan and Tanaiste Simon Harris grabbed their moment when it presented itself.

Mr Harris was on walkabout on a chilly afternoon in the town that never reared a fool, having just opened Fine Gael senator Eileen Lynchs new constituency office, when he called into Juniper Lane, Nickies brand-new lifestyle and leisure shop on the main street.

When Nickie told him it was her first day trading in the shop, between them they hit on the idea that the once-and-presumably-future taoiseach might perform the official opening there too.

Hardly surprisingly, there was a pair of scissors and a length of ribbon to hand, and a handy spad (special adviser) from Government Information Services to take the picture.

Nickie told The Echo she had been making jewellery since she was a child, and that evolved into making hats, while her love of fabrics led to her making lampshades from imported, hand-blocked cotton.

Its all sustainable and environmentally friendly, she said. I sell jewellery, hats, headpieces, unique and different curated pieces from around the world, and I make a lot of the pieces myself.

Availing of advice from Cork County Council and a Government vacant properties refurbishment grant, she and her husband Jerome renovated the former Hole In The Wall pub, which had been vacant for 17 years.

It is now an independent shop with an upstairs apartment.

Later, down the street and over sandwiches in the mercifully warm Murrays, Ms Lynchs uncles bar, Mr Harris said it was one thing to sit in offices in Dublin announcing grants to tackle dereliction and vacancy, but it was another to see the effects of those schemes.

A derelict old pub has now been converted into a shop by an incredible woman, Nickie, who was running an online business for the last few years, selling handmade goods, said Mr Harris.

Its very nice when you come to a bustling market town like Macroom to see the benefit of those grants that we announce up in Dublin making a real difference.
Funding has been allocated to start on a new mental health in-patient unit to serve North and East Cork, the HSE has confirmed.

HSE senior management announced at a briefing for Oireachtas members in Ballincollig this week that they are working on a proposal for a new 75-bed acute mental health service on the grounds of St Stephens Hospital in Glanmire.

At the briefing, TDs were told that St Michaels unit, located in the Mercy Hospital, along with unit four at St Stephens, will be incorporated into a single new acute in-patient admission service for the population of IHA Cork North and East.

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, a former clinical psychologist with the North Cork mental health services, said that acute mental health services for the North Lee HSE catchment are currently based in St Michaels unit.

It covers a large area incorporating part of the city north of the river and out to Macroom, Blarney, Cobh, Carrigtwohill, Midleton, and Youghal.

Acute mental health services for the North Cork HSE catchment comprises of areas that include Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Mallow, Charleville, Kanturk, and Newmarket, and are based at St Stephens Hospital.

Renovations

The HSE is currently undertaking renovations at St Michaels following repeated poor Mental Health Commission compliance reports.

Mr Quaide said it is not possible in the long-term to bring St Michaels up to the standard required for acute mental health services because of site limitations.

Mr Quaide said he asked the HSE about the fact that costly renovations are underway in St Michaels. In reply, the HSE said it envisages St Michaels to be used in the long-term for an extension of general acute services.

The existing acute ward for North Cork on St Stephens  unit four  would also be replaced under this project by the new facility, with HSE management indicating that a design was being worked on and that it would likely involve three facilities with 25 beds each. Funding of 500,000 has been allocated for a design team to commence the project, with the capital plan to be reviewed and updated as the project progresses.

Evaluation

A comprehensive evaluation was completed on several possible sites in Cork city for this new build, with the St Stephens campus deemed to be the most viable and cost effective option. This purpose-built acute admission unit will serve the North Lee and North Cork catchments areas, which have a combined population of about 285,000 people.

Mr Quaide, who has previously raised concerns about the remoteness of the site and that it could be overly clinical, told The Echo: I cautiously welcome the HSEs announcement that St Stephens Hospital is the proposed site for a new acute mental health facility.

If the grounds are not excessively hard-landscaped to accommodate the elective hospital development, they could provide significant therapeutic benefits through access to nature. It is essential that in-patients are not overly concentrated in one area, and that bed allocation between North Cork and North Lee is fair and consistent.

In addition, public transport links to the hospital require major improvement to ensure this location is genuinely suitable for a large new acute mental health service.
Xi, Macron have friendly exchanges in China's Chengdu

Xinhua) 15:11, December 05, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Dujiangyan in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 5, 2025. Xi and Macron had friendly exchanges on Friday in Dujiangyan. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

CHENGDU, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron had friendly exchanges on Friday in Dujiangyan in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Upon their arrival, Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were warmly received by Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Welcoming them to Sichuan, known as the "Land of Abundance," Xi recalled his visit last year to the Hautes-Pyrenees Department at Macron's invitation. Xi said he believed that Macron's visit will help deepen his understanding of China.

In Dujiangyan, the two couples strolled and conversed along Yangong Path before taking seats at Huaigu Pavilion, where they enjoyed tea by the waterside and held wide-ranging discussions on global affairs.

The Dujiangyan irrigation system is the world's only ancient irrigation project still in operation today, and also one of the earliest successful practices of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, Xi said, adding that its construction process fully reflects the Chinese nation's spirit of constant self-improvement, fearlessness in the face of hardship, and courage to forge ahead.

"Every time I come to Dujiangyan, I can deeply feel the greatness of our ancestors in adapting to local conditions, following the natural course, achieving harmony between human and nature, and harnessing water resources for the benefit of the people," Xi said. "From this, I draw wisdom for state governance."

Noting that the French people also possess a spirit of perseverance, Xi said China and France should be in a better position than other countries to understand and respect each other.

Hailing that the irrigation system built over two millennia ago still functions effectively today, Macron said it is an impressive testament to the industriousness and wisdom of the Chinese people.

Both France and China boast a long and rich history and cultural heritage, and the two peoples have a shared aspiration for a better life, Macron said, adding that through cooperation, France and China can jointly pursue development and prosperity, and bring benefits to the people of both countries.

Xi stressed that national prosperity and rejuvenation require not only the accumulation of material wealth but also the cultural-ethical advancement, noting that only a nation with cultural confidence can stand firm and thrive. He added that Chinese civilization is the only great civilization in the world that has existed uninterrupted and continuously developed in the form of a state, markedly characterized by continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness and peace.

Noting that China and France are outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, respectively, Xi said the spirit of independence shared by the two countries stems from their profound cultural heritage. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was not only a "handshake" between two independent countries, but also the convergence of two splendid civilizations, he added.

Amid an international landscape marked by intertwined changes and turmoil, Xi said China believes that, as two major countries with long history and profound culture, China and France can jointly contribute more to world peace, stability and human progress through dialogue and cooperation.

Macron said that given the rapidly evolving international landscape full of uncertainties, France is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, engage in dialogue and consultation to address conflicts, and work together to safeguard world peace and stability.

President Xi and Madam Peng later invited President Macron and his wife to lunch.

The two heads of state agreed to maintain close communication to jointly promote the continuous development of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.

During this visit, China and France issued joint statements on strengthening global governance, joint response to global climate and environmental challenges, continuous promotion of cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy, exchanges and cooperation in agriculture and food, and the situations in Ukraine and Palestine.

Wang Yi was present at these events.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, stroll and converse along Yangong Path in Dujiangyan in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 5, 2025. Xi and Macron had friendly exchanges on Friday in Dujiangyan. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, take seats at Huaigu Pavilion, where they enjoy tea by the waterside and hold wide-ranging discussions on global affairs, in Dujiangyan of Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Dec. 5, 2025. Xi and Macron had friendly exchanges on Friday in Dujiangyan. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Hongyu)
Cork County Council has 10 properties within its Carrigaline municipal district (MD) on its derelict sites register, with a further 28 properties being considered for inclusion.

The figures were revealed at the November district meeting, following a motion by councillor Una McCarthy, who was seeking an update from the town regeneration office on the status of the former convent in Passage West, and also details of any plans to secure and maintain the site in the interest of public safety.

In response, a representative from the office wrote that the former convent is in private ownership, and the council is engaging with the owners in the context of the Derelict Sites Act 1990.

It should be noted that Section 9 of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990, places a general duty on every owner and occupier of land to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the land in question does not become, or does not continue to be, a derelict site. This includes maintenance of the site, wrote the council official.

The town regeneration office works in tandem with the various other council departments, including the vacant homes office, to implement the local authoritys vacancy and dereliction initiatives, in addition to related government policy initiatives and financial supports across the county.

Commencing in Q4 of 2022, Cork County Council, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, commenced a countywide survey of vacant residential properties to assess and address vacancy and dereliction in County Cork, they wrote.

Since then, 2,860 reportedly vacant properties have been surveyed by the council for validation; the identification of, and engagement with, owners; progression under the 1990 act, and to identify which properties may be suitable for compulsory acquisition or negotiated purchase.

The council official wrote that the authoritys Property Activation programme was identifying the owners and then engaging with them through a number of avenues.

One of these is by way of the vacant property refurbishment grant.

To date, 1,352 applications have been approved by the council, 43 of them within the Carrigaline MD, bringing what had been vacant and derelict properties back in to use.

Other elements of the programme include: offering conservation/heritage advice and supports; assisting with the planning process; encouraging the owners to bring the properties to market, if they do not themselves have the means to refurbish them, and working with the councils housing department to identify properties that can be purchased for social-housing provision.

However, where collaborative efforts fail to produce positive results, where there are property title issues, or where owners remain unidentifiable despite the councils best efforts, the council utilises its powers under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in an effort to achieve activation of derelict and vacant properties, wrote the official.

There are currently 133 properties on the councils derelict sites register, 36 of which are in the southern division, with 10 of those in the Carrigaline MD.

In addition to those properties listed on the derelict sites register, there are 28 properties in the Carrigaline MD currently being considered for addition to the register, wrote the official.

A full activity report on vacancy and dereliction in the Carrigaline MD will be presented to the elected members in December.

The register for County Cork is available to view on the councils website at www.corkcoco. ie.

The website also contains a link that allows members of the public to report a derelict site to the town regeneration office for assessment.

Snug and smiling at the Christmas Parade

Alannah Doyle OMahony, Joshua Doyle OMahony, Carrigaline, and Aleesa Samuels, Cork, at the Corkmas Christmas Parade. For full details, visit website www.corkmas.ie Picture: Darragh Kane

Carrigaline Lions Club film awards a big success

The Carrigaline Lions Club film awards were held recently in the Carrigaline Court Hotel.

KC, from Red FM, was MC for both nights.

The Lions Club started organising the event earlier in the year, in conjunction with Kevin Rowe Events from Dublin, and more than 60 local amateur actors.

Casting and rehearsals were held over a number of months, and filming took place in suitable locations over two weekends, with editing the following week.

The finished seven films were spectacular and created great excitement at both awards nights, with capacity crowds in attendance. The films were Father Ted, Taken, Misery, Suffragettes, In the Name of the Father, The Devil Wears Prada, and Bad Sisters.

The welcome address was given by Lions Club president Anita Curtin, who outlined the purpose of running such a challenging event in aid of six deserving charities: Childhood Cancer Ireland, the Jack & Jill Foundation, Headway Ireland, Rebel Wheelers, Carrigaline First Responders, and Carrigaline Youth Centre.

College of FET courses

Carrigaline Active Retirement Association (CARA) had a big crowd at the community complex for a presentation by Anna McDermott, from the College of FET, Herons Wood, Carrigaline, telling them about the various courses coming up in the new year. The courses are all free of charge.

CARA will hold their Christmas lunch in

the Trident Hotel, Kinsale on Thursday, December, 11.

Arts funding schemes

An information session about Cork County Council arts funding for 2026 will take place at the Carrigaline Library from 1pm to 2pm on Thursday, December 4. The councils Library and Arts Service is inviting proposals for arts projects, activities, and events in Cork County next year that may be eligible for funding under a range of grant assistance schemes that are now open for applications.

Funds include the Arts Grant Scheme, which will support arts organisations and the voluntary sector to deliver arts activity, support arts projects through the Irish language, and provide bursary and residency opportunities for professional artists in all disciplines.

Two new schemes were announced, including the Artist in the Community Scheme, which supports artists to work with communities, and a Small Capital Investment Scheme to support organisations in investing in equipment or improvements to their premises.

The Creative Communities Scheme supports large-scale community arts projects.

Applications can be made online until January 9. Guidelines are available on the arts section of Cork County Councils website, www.corkcoco.ie. For queries on the schemes, email arts@corkcoco.ie or call 021 4346210.
A large painted message on a building in Cork had the appearance of a marriage proposal, but now the man accused of causing thousands of euro in damage has walked up the aisle of Cork District Court.

The painted words consisted of Marry Me? Chippy.

John Barrow, aged 22, of Glencree Crescent, Cork, faces a charge of causing criminal damage to the building during the summer.

Garda Ben Donovan charged him with a count, stating:

On a date unknown between August 11 and August 13 at Penrose Wharf, Cork, in the district court area of Cork city, did without lawful excuse, damage property, to wit, spray painting Marry Me? Chippy, causing damage to the roof of Penrose Wharf to the value of 7,377, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged.

Originally, the estimate of damage was put at 7,377.

Now at Cork District Court, Sergeant John Dineen has clarified that, without Vat, the amount of damage was put at 6,500.

Judge Mary Dorgan said that, in light of the amount of the damage, she considered the case too serious to be dealt with at district court level.

The case was then adjourned by Judge Dorgan, on the application of Sgt Dineen, until January 28, 2026, for further directions from the DPP.
Overcrowding and an increase in assaults in Cork Prison are among things which indicate a significantly worsening safety situation in Irish prisons, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has said.

In the IPRTs Progress in the Penal System report, some positives in Cork Prison were noted  including the prison visiting committee reporting good relationships between staff and inmates.

Cork has three integrated sentence management co-ordinators managing 162 eligible prisoners, meaning there is an average caseload of 54 per coordinator  the third-lowest average caseload across the Irish prison system.

However, Cork Prison operated well above its designated capacity throughout 2024, with a 113% average occupancy and quarterly levels ranging from 110% to 116%.

This impacts living conditions, access to services, and staff capacity, the IPRT said.

The overcrowding has increased further in 2025, with the prison at 130% capacity as of yesterday.

Assaults in the prison have increased significantly, from 88 in 2022 to 112 in 2023 and 135 in 2024, a 53% increase in two years, with the report saying that rising violence is likely linked to overcrowding.

There has also been a sharp growth in remand prisoners (those not yet convicted) sharing a cell with sentenced individuals, from 49 in 2022 to 82 in 2024, which undermines legal protections requiring separation of unconvicted people.

While some good progress has been made in the area of addiction, including work to establish a dual-diagnosis pilot service within Cork Prison, the report noted that there were 40 drug seizures in 2024 and that waiting lists for addiction counselling were a concern.

While data on the average wait times to access addiction counselling services is not currently recorded, there was consistently over 800 people nationally on waiting lists to access services throughout 2024.

Overall, the IPRT recommends reducing overcrowding by setting and enforcing safe custody limits, expanding and resourcing community-based alternatives to custody, and ensuring access to services.

It also calls for investment in violence-reduction measures, and it urged the Government to prioritise smaller-scale, rehabilitation-focused detention, particularly more open prison spaces, rather than expanding large closed prisons.

This comes amid plans to build a new prison to cater for 230 male and 100 female inmates in Cork by 2031, on the site of the old prison which closed in 2016.
A Cork man who is charged with the alleged sexual assault of 16-year-old girl on a public bus has been granted bail in the district court, despite Garda objections.

The man, who is in his 60s and cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Clonakilty District Court, where Detective Garda Paul Cullen outlined the Garda objections to the man being released on bail.

Det Gda Cullen said the objection was due to the seriousness of the alleged offences, that the accused may commit further offences, and his bench-warrant history.

The court heard three bench warrants were issued for the accused since September and he had failed to adhere to previous bail conditions by not turning up in court, and by failing to provide gardai with a mobile phone number on which he could be contacted.

The court was told it was alleged the accused sat next to a 16-year-old girl when she got on a local link bus in Co Cork.

It is alleged he began rubbing her thighs, kissed her on the lips, and put his tongue in her mouth. The court was told it was also alleged the accused put his hand inside the girls top and touched her breast and tried to put his hand down her shorts. It was further alleged he offered her a can of Guinness and told her his name and age.

The accused was arrested shortly after he got off the bus, but made no admissions when he was interviewed at a Garda station. The court was told the man had nine previous convictions, six for theft, one for public intoxication, and two for road-traffic matters, but had no previous convictions for crimes of a sexual nature.

Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said the accused had suffered a medical incident when aged in his 60s, which may have affected him mentally and led to him becoming alcohol-dependent. He said his clients convictions had all occurred in the the last five years. He asked the court to consider granting bail on strict conditions.

Judge Joanne Carroll said the man had already spent 18 days in custody and she would grant him bail reluctantly, on strict conditions. She warned the accused if he did not adhere to the bail conditions, he would be held in custody until his case came before the circuit criminal court, which would not be until February, at the earliest.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy said directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions had been received and it was indicated the accused would be contesting the case in the circuit criminal court. He said it was the States application to adjourn the matter for two weeks for service of a book of evidence.

Judge Carroll remanded the man on bail on his own bond of 200 to appear at Bandon District Court on December 19, 2025. The bail conditions direct he lives at his home address, observes a curfew from 10pm to 8am, abstains from intoxicants in public, stays off the local link bus, stays out of the towns where the alleged offences occurred, has no contact with the alleged injured party, is of good behaviour, and is contactable by mobile phone at all times.

The judge warned the accused: If you break any one of these bail conditions, you will be going to jail until your trial is on.
A terrifying Christmas Day ordeal for four people in a house that was deliberately set on fire was all the more frightening for one woman who had to be rescued from the roof of an adjoining house as the fire blazed below her.

That was how Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford today described the experience of the victims as she imposed a sentence of six years and nine months on 32-year-old Shane Casey, to commence in approximately one year when his present sentence for an aggravated burglary expires.

The judge said that apart from the arson damage to 5 Dyke Parade, Cork, there was collateral damage to the Georgian houses on either side which were described as excellently maintained properties. Total damage across the three properties cost 240,000 to repair.

But Ms Justice Lankford said:

That is bad enough but from my perspective, the real issue was the risk to life posed by Mr Caseys actions. The four people all had smoke inhalation injuries. (The owner of the targeted house) had slashes that had to be sutured. It was a terrifying ordeal for all of them.

In particular, (one of the women present) had to be rescued from the roof, 45 minutes after the fire was set. Being out on the roof of an adjoining property with the building underneath you on fire is a very significant matter. And it took six units of the fire brigade to bring it under control.

Mr Casey imposed on these people a terrifying ordeal. He addressed (the owner) at knifepoint as he left the building, and he required him to go back into the building that was burning and told him he was going to die.

As for the defendant, the judge noted that he had been diagnosed with paranoid psychosis and had been medicated in the past for schizophrenia. He mistakenly believed that a person present in the house that day was someone with whom he had argued days earlier.

The judge added: I take the view he is a very vulnerable person. Nonetheless his actions on the night were extremely dangerous. He is particularly vulnerable and particularly dangerous to society if he presents in the way he presented on December 25 2023.

Sergeant Brian Barron said that as the fire took hold, and smoke and flames spread through the building, Shane Casey who started it with an accelerant, held a knife at the front door and forced it closed from the outside.

Sergeant Barron testified that Shane Casey, who was previously living at Shanowen, Rathcormac, Co Cork, turned up outside the house on Dyke Parade, Cork, just after 6pm on December 25, 2023. Four people were present in the house.

At 6.05pm, he exits and stands looking in the open front door at the fire taking hold. At 6.06pm, he closes the front door and attempts to barricaded the front door from the outside, using a piece of timber to jam to the side and then under the door.

He takes a blade from his pocket and holds it out in front of him and waits outside. At 6.08pm, the front door bursts open and [one of the men] attempts to escape the now blazing house.

Shane Casey swipes at him with the blade twice, slashing his forehead. He has no choice but to retreat back into the burning house with Shane Casey in pursuit.

"He can be seen blocking attempts made to get out of the burning house, again holding the blade before leaving at 6.09pm.

"The man who was cut did not know the person who set fire to the house but told gardai the person said: 'My name is Shane Casey and you remember me from two days ago  you are going to die here tonight.'

"In the following two minutes, a woman and two men leave. The last person in the building  a woman  could not get out and went to the fourth floor. The first two floors were in flames.

At 6.17pm, the fire service rescue arrive. They rescue her from the burning building by removing her from the roof of the adjoining property.

At least six units of the fire service took more than six hours to bring the fire under control and make the building safe.

The house itself had been owned by a man living somewhat off grid who used to allow some homeless people to stay there. With virtually no working utilities in the house there was no bin collection and several rooms were stacked high with refuse built up over years.

Properties neighbouring 5 Dyke Parade which were kept in excellent condition by their owners were also damage by the fire. One of them only sustained 10,000 smoke damage, the other was more seriously affected, with the damage put at 120,000. The fire at 5 Dyke Parade caused extensive damage and would have cost 110,000 to return it to a basic condition. As the owner had no money to pay for this and had no insurance, he has had to sell the house and live elsewhere.

The exact times of events around 6pm were known because of neighbouring CCTV which captured what occurred. Several minutes of video recordings were shown to the judge at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

The total sentence of six years and nine months, consecutive to the sentence he is already serving was imposed in total in respect of charges of assault causing harm to the owner, production of an article, namely a blade, in the course of the assault, and causing criminal damage to the house and neighbouring properties with intent to endanger life.
Rivers across West Cork are not being properly cleared of debris and blockages due to fear of prosecution which is leading to preventable flooding, a meeting of Cork County Councils Western Divisional Committee was told.

The issue was raised by councillors following the presentation to the meeting of the quarterly management report on flood projects in the Western Division.

Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre Kelly said that the continued flooding at Ardcahan Bridge near Dunmanway was unacceptable. Ms Kelly said homes were continually being flooded and cut-off with people unable to leave for hours.

She said that during the most recent incident a local man who had undergone surgery was unable to get prescribed medicine because his home was cut off. Ms Kelly said that the public would not buy in to supporting environmental policies if flooding was allowed to keep happening because rivers were not being properly cleaned.

Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins said there was a similar situation in Ballylickey where the river was dredged regularly in the 1970s and 80s but this is no longer the case, leading to regular flooding. He said that local people were willing to clear the river themselves but are afraid that if they do they will go to jail.

Fine Gael councillor John Michael Foley said that farmers were afraid to clear rivers and streams on their land for fear of prosecution.

DAMAGED

He said that the flooding caused by clogged rivers was ultimately costing the council a significant amount of money to repair roads that were damaged by floodwaters.

Social Democrats councillor Isobel Towse asked if representatives from Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Office of Public Works, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service could meet councillors to explain what solutions are available to address the issue.

Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said that there was a misconception that clearing rivers of debris was bad for biodiversity. He said that in some cases clearing rivers was environmentally beneficial and invasive species like Japanese Knotweed were also a serious contributing factor.

Council engineer Catherine Murphy said that dry gravels could be cleared from rivers between July and September and landowners were also expected to remove debris like fallen trees from rivers and streams.

She added that trees could be cut back from September to February but dredging was getting more difficult due to environmental factors.

It was agreed to invite representatives from the IFI, OPW and NPWS to discuss the issue with councillors at the next meeting of the councils coastal, marine and flooding strategic policy committee.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Munster Technological Universitys (MTU) home economics and business programme has been recognised at the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Awards.

The programme has been announced as a recipient of the Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment (Delta) Award for its submission on the theme of collaborative disciplinary practice.

The submission aimed to highlight the strengths of MTUs multi-disciplinary teaching culture by showing how the programme brought staff across multiple departments and faculties together with students from the programme and a range of external stakeholders.

MTU president Professor Maggie Cusack said this achievement is a reflection of the collaborative spirit that defines MTU.

The home economics and business programme team has shown what is possible when staff, students, and partners work together with a shared sense of purpose, said Prof Cusack.

Their commitment to excellence in teaching and learning enriches our university and offers each of our students the best possible university experience.

I warmly congratulate the team on this thoroughly deserved national recognition.

Niamh Lenihan of MTUs Department of Management and Enterprise said the process leading up to this award was very enjoyable.

It gave our team the opportunity to reflect deeply on our practices, articulate the impact of our work, and reaffirm our shared commitment to enhancing teaching and learning, said Ms Lenihan.

It was a very positive experience, and very much a team effort throughout.

Faculty of Business dean Noel Murray said the team is deeply honoured to receive the Delta Award.

This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to placing students at the heart of everything we do and embodies our universitys motto of succeeding together, said Mr Murray.

It celebrates the dedication of our staff, the curiosity and passion of our learners, and our shared belief that education should inspire, empower, and transform.
Both Cork city and county councils have said they are following procedures to mitigate flood risks as Met Eireanns status yellow rain warning remains in place until tomorrow morning.

The national forecaster issued a status yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry this morning, which will remain in place until 9am tomorrow.

Met Eireann said members of the public can expect increased rainfall accumulations during this period as a result of heavy showers or longer spells of rain.

Due to the adverse weather conditions, possible impacts include localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions.

Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for Cork City Council said while this heavy rain may cause some localised flooding, they are not predicting widespread flooding as part of this warning.

There is no city centre tidal flooding predicted, the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Cork County Council confirmed that the local authority is following its procedures as per protocol in the event of weather warnings and will continue to monitor and implement localised mitigation measures where required.

Spot flooding and increased surface water on roads has been reported in the areas of the Banduff Road, the Maglin Road, the Wilton Roundabout, and Douglas Street, with road closures in place across the R587 at Arcahan Bridge outside Dunmanway, the R594 at Madore near Drimoleague and the R603 Bandon to Kilbrittain Road.

It is further understood that more minor roads across West Cork have become impassable, with substantial run-off coming from flooded fields, and that flood barriers have been erected in the Fermoy and Mallow areas.

TOO EARLY

Following this period of heavy rainfall, a storm is further predicted to hit the coast of Cork on Monday evening, with the city council spokesperson stating that it is too early to make any predictions at this time.

However, the spokesperson said members of the council will continue to engage with Met Eireann over the weekend and will issue updates if required.

In addition to the status yellow rain warning, a status yellow gale warning is in place for all coasts of Ireland and on the Irish Sea.

The gale warning, which came into effect at 6am, will remain in place until 9pm this evening, and warns of south-easterly winds, veering south-westerly, reaching gale force 8 or strong gale force 9.

A small craft warning for all coasts of Ireland is also in place, and will remain in effect until midnight.
Elizabeth City, N.C.  Every institution tells its story through those it sends to the frontline. This fall, ECSUs best told that story well. From Oct. 15, 10 Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) students traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the 2025 Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute, a leading national program designed to prepare HBCU scholars to excel in todays competitive workforce. Accompanied by Assistant Director of Employer Relations Tameka Gibbs, the group joined hundreds of students from across the country for four days of leadership development, professional growth, and a culminating recruitment fair.

This year marked our largest group of participants to date, said Gibbs. Their preparation and professionalism reflect the caliber of students we develop at Elizabeth City State University.

For Luz Vazquez Rivera, a senior majoring in engineering technology and mathematics, the experience was both affirming and transformative. The most impactful lesson I gained from the TMCF Leadership Institute was the importance of showing up with purpose even when the path ahead feels uncertain, she said. I learned that leadership isnt defined by titles or positions, but by how we adapt, connect, and bring value wherever we are. Rivera added that stepping onto a national stage was empowering. My journey, as a Latina and non-traditional student, is proof that persistence and authenticity open doors.

Jasmine Jackson, a senior kinesiology major and one of only 14 student emcees selected for the event, described the moment as a defining highlight of her ECSU journey. The most impactful moment was hearing from past TMCF Leadership Institute scholars who once stood on the same stage or sat in the same seats we were in not long ago, Jackson said. Witnessing so much Black excellence in one room was powerful. It reminded me that leadership is about legacy and staying connected to the spaces and systems that shaped us. She credited ECSUs Career Development team and Gibbs for preparing the group to show up focused, confident and ready to learn, grow and carry Viking pride and professionalism.

For Niarea Matthews, a senior majoring in computer science, the conference reshaped her definition of success. The most impactful lesson I took away was that your brand isnt how others see you; its how you decide to show up and define yourself, she said. During my first LI, I walked in feeling like an imposter. But by the end, I realized the only thing separating me from the people I admired was the confidence to stand in my own story. Matthews called the opportunity both humbling and empowering and proof that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

Nyla Phillips, a junior majoring in criminal justice, reflected on the confidence she gained from connecting with industry leaders. Being able to sell my brand to the companies in the room without a script was a heart-rushing feeling, Phillips said. Telling my story and letting them be clear on my interest allowed me to have meaningful conversations about a future possibility of working with their team. She added that being part of the ECSU contingent put a bug in their ear about the greatness coming from Vikingland.

For Nadrya Godwin, a senior graphic design major, the event reinforced what authentic leadership means. The most impactful lesson I experienced was that you cant lead people when theres no one behind you, she said. Being chosen for this experience made me feel proud and professionally invested. Personally, I gained confidence in the future and how I can further represent and be a pioneer for other graphic designers from ECSU.

The 2025 ECSU participants were:

WeszliyaCraddock , senior engineering technology major

 Nadrya Godwin , senior graphic design major

 Nyia Howard , junior psychology major

 Michael Johnson , senior aviation science major

 Jasmine Jackson , senior kinesiology major

 Niarea Matthews , senior computer science major

 Quaysan Miles , junior kinesiology major

 Nyla Phillips , junior criminal justice major

 Luz Vazquez Rivera , senior engineering technology and mathematics major

 Abdou Zongo , senior engineering technology major

The Leadership Institute experience reflected the purpose of an ECSU educationto prepare students to step into the world with skill and confidence. ECSUs dynamic 10 have returned to Vikingland and are already putting the universitys guiding promise into practice: to come to discover and leave to conquer.

For more information about the Leadership Institute, visit tmcf.org/programs/leadership-institute
The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune have filed separate lawsuits against Perplexity over alleged copyright infringement. The Times said it had sent Perplexity several cease-and-desist demands to stop using its content until the two reached an agreement, but the AI company persisted in doing so.

In the lawsuit [PDF], the Times accused Perplexity of infringing on its copyrights at two main stages. First, by scraping its website (including in real time) to train AI models and feed content into the likes of the Claude chatbot and Comet browser. Second, in the output of Perplexity's products, with the Times accusing the companys generative AI products of often reproducing its articles verbatim. The Times also says Perplexity damaged its brand by falsely attributing completely fabricated information (aka hallucinations) to the newspaper.

The Chicago Tribune also filed a lawsuit against Perplexity for similar reasons. "Perplexitys genAI products generate outputs that are identical or substantially similar to the Chicago Tribunes content, the newspaper claimed in its suit. Upon information and belief, Perplexity has unlawfully copied millions of copyrighted Chicago Tribune stories, videos, images and other works to power its products and tools."

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These lawsuits are the latest in dozens of legal cases involving copyright holders and AI companies in the US. The Times, for instance, previously sued OpenAI and Microsoft. It accused the companies of training their large language models on millions of its articles without permission. That case is ongoing.

Copyright holders have licensed their content to AI companies in some cases, though. OpenAI has struck multiple deals with media companies. The Times and Amazon reached an agreement this year that's said to be worth as much as $25 million per year to the media company.
Meta has cut several deals with news publishers to help provide real-time data for its AI chatbot services, as reported by Axios . The commercial agreements will allow its Meta AI chatbots to better answer user queries about news and current events.

These are multiyear deals where publishers will be compensated for the use of their content, but we don't have any monetary specifics. The contracts do stipulate that Meta's chatbots will link out to articles when answering news queries, potentially offering a slight traffic boost to publishers.

The news partners include USA Today, People, Le Monde and CNN. However, there are also a whole lot of conservative outlets included in today's announcement, such as Fox News, The Daily Caller and Washington Examiner. It's a good thing Meta's AI will provide the aforementioned links, just in case a chatbot says something crazy about whatever nonsense culture war topic is going on that day.
You know what they say: If at first you don't succeed at mass government surveillance, try, try again. Only two days after India backpedaled on its plan to force smartphone makers to preinstall a state-run "cybersecurity" app, Reuters reports that the country is back at it. Its said to be considering a telecom industry proposal with another draconian requirement. This one would require smartphone makers to enable always-on satellite-based location tracking (Assisted GPS).

The measure would require location services to remain on at all times, with no option to switch them off. The telecom industry also wants phone makers to disable notifications that alert users when their carriers have accessed their location. According to Reuters, India's home ministry was set to meet with smartphone industry executives on Friday, but the meeting was postponed.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears on a screen to deliver a speech remotely as other leaders attend the 22nd ASEAN - India Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025. (Photo by Rafiq Maqbool / POOL / AFP) (Photo by RAFIQ MAQBOOL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) (RAFIQ MAQBOOL via Getty Images)

Predictably, proponents claim the plan is about helping law enforcement keep you safe from the bad guys. (See also: Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four.) The administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long been concerned that law enforcement agencies cant obtain precise enough locations during investigations. Cell tower data alone can be off by several meters. And hey, what's the privacy of 1.4 billion people next to tracking criminals with an extra 10 ft. or so of accuracy, right?

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Apple, Google and Samsung are said to oppose the move and have urged the Modi government to reject it. The lobbying group India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents them, reportedly wrote in a confidential letter this summer that the proposal has no precedent anywhere in the world. The group's letter described the measure as a "regulatory overreach," which is probably putting it mildly. They warned that it could compromise military personnel, judges, corporate executives and journalists.

In a statement sent to Engadget, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) sounded the alarm on the proposal. "Requiring phones to have A-GPS enabled all the time would be a horrifying decision by the Indian government with significant impacts on the privacy of everyone in the country, EFF Senior Staff Technologist Cooper Quintin said. With this change, the phone company and law enforcement get your exact location at any time, potentially even without legal due process."
IMAX and animation distributor GKids are bringing more 4K Studio Ghibli restorations to the largest screens in 2026. The announcement follows the IMAX release of Princess Mononoke this year, with the ongoing restorations being directly supervised by Studio Ghiblis Atsushi Okui, whos been with the company since 1993.

Okui was the Director of Digital Imaging on 2023s The Boy and the Heron, which was also the first Ghibli picture to get the IMAX treatment. The likes of My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away have also had theatrical re-releases in recent years. GKids heads up distribution in North America for the Japanese animation giants films across all platforms, and has been working with IMAX on various projects since 2021.

It sounds like the remaining Ghibli titles set for theatrical IMAX releases in the US will arrive one at a time, and GKids is not saying how many we can expect, or what its following Princess Mononoke with next year. I did a quick check for notable upcoming anniversaries, and 2026 does mark 40 years of Castle in the Sky, but one of the studios newer films might be a more obvious guess for a 4K refurb. Time will tell.
After a major operation, Thomas Markle, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, continues to be in intensive care in the Philippines, as confirmed by his family.

The 81-year-old ex-Hollywood lighting director and father-in-law of Prince Harry, has not had a relationship with Meghan since her wedding in 2018, and was taken to a hospital in Cebu on Tuesday after a health emergency at the house he and his son, Tom Markle Jr., were sharing. 

The operation was quite lengthy, taking more than three hours, and the patient is now reported to be in a "stable" condition.

Tom, speaking to the Daily Mail, informed that his father is under heavy sedation and is hooked up to a lot of machines.

While it was serious case, Tom stressed, "The doctors say he is stable, which is good news. He is a brave man and a fighter."

He also thanked well-wishers for their support, adding, "The whole family is grateful for the outpouring of love from people around the globe, particularly from Britain."

AWARD WINNING CINEMATOGRAPHER THOMAS MARKLE SR. RAISED HER w/EVERY ADVANTAGE, HAS BEEN ILL FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND IS NOW IN ICU.

MEGHAN MARKLE HONED HER INNATE EXPERTISE IN MANIPULATING PAPS AND MEDIA, AND DIDN'T WANT HIM ANYMORE.

MEGHAN MARKLE IS THE EVIL OPPOSITE OF EVERY pic.twitter.com/6koXQQOCIM  Karen (@KaRen58044184) December 4, 2025

Samantha Markle, Thomas' 61-year-old daughter, said the family is praying for his recovery, noting, "We are all hoping and praying that Dad pulls through. He has a long journey of recovery ahead of him."

The family also highlighted the ongoing estrangement from the Sussexes. Tom urged the couple to reach out, saying, "I would implore Meghan and Harry to reach out to Dad."

Thomas has never met his grandchildren, Archie, six, and Lilibet, four. The Sussexes have yet to comment on the situation.

Read more: Prince Harry Stresses Unity With Meghan Markle at Charity Event Amid Public Backlash

Meghan Shares 'Embarrassing' Video Amid Hospitalization

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle took to Instagram Stories to share a lighthearted video of Prince Harry and Stephen Colbert lip-syncing a viral moment from the "Great British Bake Off."

This is unbelievable.

Thomas Markle is right now fighting for his life in hospital - things are genuinely very bad.

And Meghan Markle has just posted this on her Instagram.

Harry continues to degrade the British Royal Family by the day.

Truly grim.pic.twitter.com/jqG0MKUhEn  Dan Wootton (@danwootton) December 4, 2025

The clip showed Harry mouthing the words of host Alison Hammond while Colbert mimicked former contestant Mark Lutton.

"If you was treated like a king for the day, what would you want me to do for ya?" Harry mimed, to which Colbert responded, "Um, bake for me probably."

However, some critics questioned the appropriateness of sharing the skit while Thomas was hospitalized.

According to Page Six, one commented on X, "I find this silly, embarrassing skit whilst Thomas Markle is fighting for his life in intensive care deeply disrespectful."

Others defended the couple, noting that Harry and Meghan are estranged from Thomas and may not have been in contact at the time.

Thomas' current hospitalization comes amid a history of serious health issues. He suffered two heart attacks shortly before Meghan's wedding in 2018 and had a stroke in 2022. His son confirmed that a second procedure may be needed to remove a blood clot.
Tara Reid is maintaining that she was drugged during a recent stay at a Chicago-area hotel, despite police reports indicating no evidence of drink tampering.

The "American Pie" actress, 50, addressed the situation in a statement to USA Today Wednesday night, calling the experience "the scariest feeling [she has] ever felt."

She said, per her representative, "Bottom line is no one ends up in the hospital incapacitated for over 8 hours after a drink," and recalled, "Last thing I remember is having one drink and waking up in the hospital the next day without remembering anything."

Reid described the ordeal as "horrifying" and said it has had a severe impact on her mental health. "I felt so helpless... I cannot sleep over this. It's a very scary feeling not knowing what happened to me. I believe I was drugged. Something happened to me," she told Page Six.

Police Review Surveillance Footage

The Rosemont Public Safety Department, which is investigating the incident, said Wednesday that hotel surveillance footage did not show any person tampering with Reid's drink.

"While video surveillance showed Tara Reid at the hotel bar, at no time did video show anyone tampering with or adding something to her drink," the department said, per Page Six. They noted, however, that a bartender had covered her drink when she left the bar, "which is standard practice for bartenders to do."

Police added that they are waiting to review Reid's hospital records to determine whether chemical testing was conducted.

"Pending those results or further information coming forward, our detectives will follow up on those leads accordingly," the department said. Officials also clarified that "no criminal act... has been committed" and no suspects are currently being investigated.

Tara Reid has slammed police who stated there is "no evidence" her drink was spiked after the actress was rushed to a hospital last week. Reid, 50, claims she was drugged at a hotel bar in Rosemont, Illinois, on November 22 after having a single drink, causing her to lose pic.twitter.com/S07u6Cnst7  True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) December 4, 2025

Details From the 911 Call

Newly released 911 audio provides additional context about Reid's hospitalization on Nov. 23. A caller, reportedly hotel staff, described her condition in the DoubleTree Chicago O'Hare Airport-Rosemont hallway, saying she could "barely stand" and was "not responding."

In the recording obtained by People, the caller told the dispatcher, "She can barely stand. She can barely sit in a wheelchair. She's not responding. Sometimes she's giving unresponsive answers." Reid is heard slurring words in the background.

The caller explained, "She's laying on the floor in the hallway, and we don't want her to hit her head if she gets up... She's breathing normally, but she can't walk." The dispatcher sent an ambulance to the scene, and Reid was taken to a hospital close by.

The videos of the night that were obtained by TMZ, exhibit Reid as being helped while they were putting her in a wheelchair, and then later they changed her onto a stretcher, thus visually confirming that she was definitely not able to stand by herself.

Reid, who is no stranger to substance abuse, highlighted the danger aspect of the horror happening to the drinks left unattended.

"It's just really scary. It's for all  not just girls, but for guys, for anyone. You have to really be careful with your drink," she said, per Page Six. "The whole thing is really scary. I'm just glad that I was in a public place... and that there was security there to help me."

She also reiterated the timeline of her hospitalization: "The next thing I remember was waking up in the hospital around 8 hours or more later not knowing where I was or anything that happened. I am willing to prosecute," according to her police statement.
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Key Takeaways

New guidelines now allow self-swab HPV testing, including one test that can be done at home and mailed in

HPV self-collected screening is recommended every 3 years if the test result is negative

Women may stop screening at age 65 only if they have 10 years of negative results

FRIDAY, Dec. 5, 2025 (HealthDay News)  Routine cervical cancer screening is getting a new option: Self-swab HPV tests, according to updated guidance released Dec. 4 by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Experts say offering a test that women can collect themselves  sans speculum exam  could make screening less stressful in general.

"Screening for HPV is screening for cervical cancer," Jane Montealegre, an associate professor of behavioral science at the The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, told NBC News. "This gives more options to women."

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is responsible for most cervical cancers.

Because the virus is such a strong predictor of disease, HPV testing has now become the preferred screening method over the traditional Pap test.

Since 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three self-collected HPV tests: Two are done in medical settings using a vaginal swab, and one test can be done at home and mailed to a lab.

In the United States, cervical cancer rates have been falling for decades thanks to screening and the HPV vaccine. Still, more than 20% of women are not up to date, according to a 2022 study published in JAMA Network Open.

Robert Smith, an epidemiologist and senior vice president for early cancer detection at the ACS and senior author of the update, explained to NBC News "a woman would be given a kit and could go some place, either the exam room or bathroom, and collect her own sample."

Both the ACS and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend screening with HPV testing every 5 years if clinicans collect the sample, with follow-up testing if results are positive.

ACS endorses self-collected HPV screening with FDA approved methods every 3 years for average-risk individuals if results are negative.

The HPV test may be combined with a traditional pap test as well, every 3 or 5 years.

Where the two groups differ is when to begin testing:

American Cancer Society: 25

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: 30, with pap-only screening every three years between ages 21 and 29.

Insurance coverage is expected to continue under the Affordable Care Act, and experts say self-collected samples done in clinical settings should also be included.

The updated ACS guidance also clarifies when screening can stop: Women may end screening at age 65, but only if they have had at least 10 years of consistent negative results.

"Despite clear recommendations on the importance of women being up to date with screening up to 65, very few women are," Smith stated.

"Its important for women to understand that there is a record they will want to have by the time they are 65 that will basically tell them its safe to stop screening for cervical cancer."

Looking ahead, some researchers believe screening intervals may eventually stretch even longer.

"We have data showing now that in a highly vaccinated population, you can screen every 10 years, but we in the U.S. are lagging behind," Dr. Diane Harper, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and family medicine at the University of Michigan, told NBC News.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on cervical cancer screening.

SOURCE: NBC News, Dec. 4, 2025

What This Means For You

Self-swab HPV testing may make cervical cancer screening easier and more comfortable.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Variable clouds and windy at times with snow showers. Morning high of 50F with temps falling sharply to near 15. Winds NNW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of snow 50%. About one inch of snow expected. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Snow showers developing late. Low 7F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.
Belgrade city Councilmembers voted unanimously Dec. 1 to enter into a renovation contract so the old Heck school building can be transformed into a justice center housing the police department and courts.

The contract is with Haselden/Hennebery Eddy, which is incorporated in Oregon and has an office in Bozeman. It was among seven companies that answered the city's request for qualifications and proposals. Four of these companies rose to the top and were interviewed by city staff: Haselden/Hennebery Eddy, Jackson/A&E + SMA, Martel/Cushing Terrell, and Langlas/45 Architecture.

Haselden/Hennebery Eddy was identified as the top choice through the RFP process, and negotiations on the agreement are in the final stages, reads a staff report to the council.

Haselden/Hennebery Eddy, or Haselden Construction, was founded more than five decades ago and has completed more than 88 municipal projects totaling $502 million, over 70% of which including significant remodel and renovation scopes of work, according to the companys letter to the city.

Within those 52 years of business, 14 separate municipalities have relied on us to provide remodels, renovations, and upgrades for their facilities buildings, including several longstanding contracts spanning decades," reads the letter.

The company's work will not constitute a full renovation, but only what is needed to ensure the justice center can be operational, according to Belgrade City Manager Neil Cardwell's comments to the council on Dec. 1 prior to the vote.

"We know that this will be a multiple-phase project and that our initial funding round of the one point five (million) for Heck is going to essentially, we hope, get us to the point where we can have the appropriate office spaces for both the police and courts in that building," Cardwell said. "And the minimum, really, [is that] it's going to be mostly like HVAC and office spaces is what we're going to be able to accomplish with that."

The city committed not to ask voters for more project funding for five years after the city acquired the property from the school district, according to Cardwell.

The city budgeted $1.5 million this fiscal year for the Heck school renovation.

"Our promise to the community [was] 'Hey, we're going to do this, but everybody knows Heck and Quaw are old buildings, and eventually we're going to have to really do something here,'" Cardwell said. "And we promised the community that we weren't going to ask for anything for five years after acquiring ownership of that [property from the school district]."

After the initial renovation project, a bond sale may be needed to fully renovate the Heck and Quack buildings, he indicated.

The city budgeted $1 million for renovations to the old Quaw school building  which is across the street from the Heck building  so it can become Belgrade's new city hall. The city's contract with Haselden/Hennebery Eddy will allow the city to use that company to renovate the old Quaw school building, according to city spokeswoman Whitney Bermes. Continuing to use the firm beyond the current scope of initial renovations to the Heck building "gives a lot of flexibility and potential savings," Cardwell said.

The contract terms weren't immediately available, as they were still being finalized when the councilmembers cast their votes Dec. 1. Councilmembers voted unanimously in favor of a motion to authorize Cardwell "to enter into an agreement with Haselden/Hennebery Eddy for design-Build services on the Belgrade Justice Center, including any change orders, upon completion of negotiations and approval by the city attorney."
Adaptivity and Agility Must Define U.S. Army Integrated Air and Missile Acquisition Process

Earlier this month, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took on an issue that has long evaded Pentagon officials in both Democratic and Republican Administrations: acquisition reform. Secretary Hegseth laid out a bold strategy for addressing the development, procurement, and fielding of defense assets, with a much-needed focus on speed to capability.

The move should be fully embraced by policymakers, the acquisition community, and private sector contractors, alike.

Secretary Hegseths vision rightly reflects that the myriad threats facing the U.S. homeland and forward-deployed resources demand a rejection of the business as usual approach at the Pentagon. Given the urgent priorities outlined by the Trump Administration  be it Golden Dome or the defense of Guam  there is no better time to focus on both increased flexibility and efficiency.

The U.S. Army will be front and center during this effort, particularly in its integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) portfolio. Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, has said, The U.S. Army AMD force is undergoing the most significant modernization in our history.

This initiative is far from a luxury in 2025. As the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated over the last couple of years, air and missile defenses are essential if we are to protect our troops and allies abroad.

Following Secretary Hegseths announcement, the Army shared its own plan in what officials told the press was the biggest shakeup the service has seen in years. This includes the welcomed contraction of 12 Program Executive Offices to six Portfolio Acquisition Executives with greater authority and less bureaucracy.

Of course, the devil will be in the details.

The Department of War (DoW) made special note that the U.S. military should be leveraging commercial products when possible. Unfortunately, there are no off-the-shelf solutions for major pieces of the Armys integrated air and missile defense architecture. You dont walk into your local retailer and expect to find interceptors, sensors, or command-and-control systems. Its what makes the development work so fraught with challenges and why large prime contractors  with decades of experience in the arena  are still a viable option for the DoW.

One test case will be the Armys initiative to modernize its hallmark AMD command-and-control (C2) program, known as the Integrated Battle Command System or IBCS. With its system-agonistic C2 approach, IBCS breaks down legacy missile defense system silos by fusing sensor data across domains and services for a single actionable picture of the full battlespace, enhancing decision-making in a time-sensitive environment. Given its use of AI and its ability to enable battlefield information dominance, IBCS is a model critical technology that fits within two DoWs recent revised list of six categories that "represent the priorities that will deliver the greatest impact, the fastest results and the most decisive advantage in modern warfare.

But the future configuration of IBCS, especially considering recent conflicts abroad, remains an open question. Last month, the Army signaled that the current IBCS components -- with tents, tactical vehicles, and towers  are too bulky and immobile for the realities of todays battles.

To address the need for a nimbler IBCS, the Army published a notice asking private industry for ideas on how to evolve the system architecture to leverage new technologies to enhance survivability, adaptability, and supportability on the future battlefield. These concepts should drive future AMD investment decisions, whether its IBCS or the large, fixed Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor.

While the baseline IBCS program has enjoyed bipartisan support in the budget process across both the Biden and Trump Administrations and is expected to be fully funded by Congress in FY2026 to deliver on full-rate production plans, the Armys budget and acquisitions way forward for a modernized IBCS are far more ambiguous.

Harnessing the power of industry partners and private sector investment, IBCS architecture must evolve as soon as possible to deliver next-generation mission performance. This is where the DoWs speed to capability mantra will be tested, and clearly creativity is a must for accelerated deployment. Specifically, the U.S. Army should explore empowering defense firms already under contract  those with a track record of delivering high-performing capabilities on time and on budget.

While the Administration indicated an increased risk tolerance, mitigating timeline, budgetary, and technical challenges will be crucial to supporting new system components that swiftly reach the warfighter and not just paying for a series of ideas that look good on PowerPoint slides. If done correctly, AMD modernization can be a cost-saver, getting more out of contractors of record and the militarys existing interceptor and sensor inventory across services.

Secretary Hegseth deserves significant credit for marshalling the Pentagons acquisition process into the 21st Century. But the Buildings ability to execute the strategy  in time to stay ahead of the future threats that face our warfighters and nation -- will come down to getting the most out of and improving what is already working.

Dean G. Popps is the former Army Acquisition Executive and Acting United States assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology.
The NFU has urged ministers to secure a workable SPS deal with the EU, warning that poorly managed alignment risks disrupting food production unless farmers are given clear transitions and key exemptions.

Talks on the proposed SPS agreement  part of the wider EU Reset process  aim to reduce post-Brexit agri-food trade barriers by aligning certain UK rules with those of the EU.

In exchange, Brussels is seeking legally assured alignment in specific sanitary and phytosanitary areas to justify removing export certificates, border checks and restrictions on certain British products.

The EU remains the UKs largest agri-food export market, making a smoother, lower-friction trading relationship especially important for livestock, dairy, horticulture and seed producers.

SPS rules govern how animals, plants and food products move between countries, so any changes directly affect farm businesses that depend on exporting livestock, cereals, fresh produce and processed goods.

Since Brexit, exporters have had to navigate new certification, phytosanitary paperwork and veterinary inspections, adding cost and delay to perishable supply chains.

Divergence between UK and EU rules has grown since 2021, with differences emerging around pesticide approvals, seed regulations and veterinary medicines.

This widening regulatory gap has created practical headaches for many producers, particularly those dealing in short-life produce, breeding stock or specialist plant material.

The NFU said the UK must negotiate a variable-paced transition, with phased timelines for different policy areas. It argues that some sectors  such as horticulture, which relies on imported inputs  could realign more quickly, while others will require more time.

Plant protection products are a key example: several products have been approved post-Brexit in Great Britain but not in the EU, meaning immediate alignment would create sudden restrictions for growers.

The union is also calling for exemptions from dynamic alignment in specific areas, including safeguarding access to precision breeding, protecting the UKs bovine TB cattle vaccination programme, and securing technical adaptations to mycotoxin rules  particularly important given Britains maritime climate and its different mycotoxin pressures compared with continental Europe.

Livestock producers are also concerned about potential changes to veterinary medicines rules affecting antimicrobial resistance protocols.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw said a successful SPS deal must balance regulatory alignment with the practical realities of food production. 

Alignment in many areas will help remove friction and unlock trade, he said, but there are some areas which need to be treated carefully to minimise disruption to Britains farming sector and some which need to be excluded completely.

He added that the union had given clear direction to government negotiators on the transitions and exemptions required to protect innovation, animal health and productivity.

Bradshaw warned that British food production must not be limited by rules that restrict our ambitions for food production, and stressed that the UK must retain a meaningful role in shaping future regulatory decisions.

The wider political context adds urgency. The EU Reset reflects a renewed effort by both sides to stabilise the trading relationship after years of friction. For the EU, ensuring that imports meet equivalent biosecurity and food safety standards is essential to protect the Single Market.

For the UK, the cost of inaction is clear: without an agreement, exporters will continue facing the full suite of post-Brexit checks, and divergence is likely to widen further, increasing long-term pressure on competitiveness in key sectors from livestock to horticulture.

Its up to the government now to back its farmers around the negotiating table, Bradshaw said, adding that the NFU will stay closely involved as negotiations progress.
A UK-driven project claiming it can finally see beneath the worlds soils has launched globally today, unveiling technology scientists say could reshape food security and climate action.

The Earth Rover Program applies seismology in a new way to detect the vital signs of soil with unprecedented clarity. Backed by the Bezos Earth Fund and co-founded by Professor Tarje Nissen-Meyer at the University of Exeter, it began two years ago as a proof of concept and has since grown into a global research network.

Early trials show ultrahigh-frequency seismic waves can map soil properties  including volume, bulk density and moisture  at 10-centimetre resolution. Tests across Europe, Africa and South America produced consistent results, enabling researchers to distinguish ecosystems and farming systems rapidly and cheaply.

The next stage involves combining seismic mapping with new low-cost sensors and AI models to deliver scalable soil assessments. Future aims include measuring connected porosity, soil carbon and deeper moisture  all difficult and expensive to capture at scale using existing methods.

A major breakthrough has been cost reduction: sensor prices have fallen from $1,000 in 2023 to $10 today, with ambitions to cut further. The non-invasive technology avoids disturbing soil structure and could support global citizen-science monitoring through secure, open-source datasets.

Professor Nissen-Meyer said soil had long been somewhere between dirt and invisible, despite being arguably the most vital terrestrial ecosystem for life on Earth. Understanding soil, he added, is both scientifically difficult and societally urgent.

Soil degradation is a global crisis, with 75% of soils considered degraded and yields in vulnerable regions projected to fall by up to 50% by 2050. The Earth Rover Program aims to close these knowledge gaps by making soil diagnostics accessible to farmers, scientists and policymakers.

The team is already deploying soilsmology with partners in the UK, Kenya, Colombia and Germany, with additional surveys in France. Insights generated in near real time are designed to help farmers reduce fertiliser, irrigation and tillage while maintaining yields.

The programme has also developed ERP-GPT, a tool that converts complex measurements into practical guidance, and ultimately aims to create a global soilcast to forecast soil health.

Co-founder George Monbiot said that for too long, soil has been dark to us. Better understanding, he argued, could support high-yield, low-impact farming.

Dr Andy Jarvis of the Bezos Earth Fund said the technology offers a way to read that hidden world without tearing it apart, while Professor Jacqueline Hannam of the University of Greenwich said the approach has enormous potential to measure key soil properties without having to put a spade in the ground.
Worli now has a new dining hotspot that combines design, cocktails, and a food-forward approach to balance heritage with innovation  and it is one that the whole of Mumbai and visitors to Maximum City are sure to add to their itinerary. On the menu are flavours, stories, and fragments of beauty from the influences that Akina has experienced along her journey across the East and the West.







Akina in Worli can receive 100 discerning diners who are promised a sit-down food-focused experience that showcases the restaurants signature modern Asian cuisine  alongside The Akina Edit, a celebration of Modern Asian flavours through an Indian lens, courtesy a menu that celebrates the cultural melting pot that is Mumbai. All this in a space in which every detail is deliberate to offer an ambience that is timeless, expressive, and elegant but also deeply experiential. The interiors are by Istaka, led by Architect Mehak Kapoor  rooted in Japanese design with international nuances, and guaranteed to immerse guests in a narrative of discovery, passion, and authenticity.

Magic On The Menu

Akinas menu in Worli showcases sushi, small plates, robata grills, and mains  each celebrating techniques and artistic celebration  under the helm of Chef Ganesh Pandit (Brand Chef  Akina), Chef Tenzing Sherpa (Head Chef  Akina), and Chef Ashwin Singh (Creative Culinary Head  Aspect Hospitality).





Jicama and Curry Leaf Carpaccio, Yuzu Gazpacho Pani Puri, and Tuna Sol Kadi





Indian-inspired dishes include the ceviche-like Tuna Sol Kadi, inspired by Goa and the Konkan coast; the Jicama and Curry Leaf Carpaccio that reflects the food of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in South India, the Som Tam Bhel, very like Mumbais bhel puri and Kolkatas jhalmuri, and the Yuzu Gazpacho Pani Puri that channels the pani puri culture of Varanasi.





Tuna Pizza, Scallop Ceviche with Lychee Sorbet, and Salmon Green Apple Ceviche



The pan-Asian menu combines Japanese techniques with the boldness of Thai, Malaysian, and Indonesian spices and the vibrancy of Peruvian flair. The Tuna Pizza, for example, combines Asian and Italian influences. The Scallop Ceviche with Lychee Sorbet highlights Nikkei-style fusion cuisine, while a Salmon Green Apple Ceviche is a showstopper in its culinary ingenuity.





The Slow-Cooked Lamb Rendang and Bulgogi Lamb Chops



The Miso Black Cod from the robata grill is another must-try, while Korean and Malaysian flavours sparkle in the Bulgogi Lamb Chops and Slow-Cooked Lamb Rendang. Vegetarians will enjoy the Miso Truffle Edamame Dim Sum, Avocado Tartlets, Mapo Burrata, Wok-Tossed Forest Mushroom, and Truffle Claypot Rice, while there are gluten-free and health-conscious choices too.





The Miso Caramel Tres Leches and Thai Tea Basque Cheesecake





The desserts are a fitting finale to the menu  the Miso Caramel Tres Leches and Thai Tea Basque Cheesecake seamlessly blend Japanese restraint and Thai indulgence.







The Japanese philosophy of chi (earth) comes alive at the bar at Akina Worli under the guidance of Bensan Varghese, the Corporate Beverage Manager of Aspect Hospitality Group. Centred around the five elements of nature  earth, water, fire, air, and void  the cocktails are calm yet powerful, elegant yet deeply rooted in intention. Signature cocktails include Kuro Daichi (Black Earth), the Shirin Negroni (Forest Negroni) and the Akuma no Hono (Demons Flame).

Power Moves And Passions Realised

The launch of Akina is not just another restaurant opening; it is a power move, enthuses Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson  Aspect Global Ventures. Akina brings progressive Japanese cuisine with a bold soul, honouring tradition while daring to reinvent it. It is artistry, flavour, and a spark that stays with you long after the last bite. We are opening doors to an experience that does not just impress; it lingers. This is the taste of what comes next.





For us, Akina has always been built around a story, a woman who carries her Japanese heritage with pride, but also the openness of someone who has travelled, learned, and absorbed cultures along the way, reveals Hitesh Keswani, Managing Director  Aspect Hospitality. Shes refined, worldly, and curious. That spirit runs through everything here, be it the design, the energy, and, of course, the food and cocktails. Akina isnt traditional in a rigid sense but rooted in Japanese sensibilities and embraces global influences, especially across Asia.

Location: Akina in Worli, Ground Floor, Ascent Worli, Sudam Kalu Ahire Marg, Worli, Mumbai



Timings: 12 PM to 4 PM, 6.30 PM to 1.30 AM



Price Points: Rs 3,500 onwards for two



Reservations: +91 86577 99860, +91 86577 99861



Also Read: 19 Must-Visit Restaurants In Mumbai To Surprise Your Palate In December
The Livingston Public Library hosted a special community event, honouring filmmaker, author and LGBTQ+ activist Onir (Anirban Dhar). The organisation celebrated his contributions to cinema and social change.





The evening was marked by a memorable moment when Livingston Mayor Ed Meinhardt and Council Member Ketan Bhuptani presented Onir with an official Township Citation. They recognised his work in promoting visibility, equality and compassion through films.



At the event, Mayor Meinhardt praised Onir as "a true trailblazer whose courage and creativity have inspired audiences around the world." He added that "it is an honour for Livingston to host a visionary who reminds us that humanity shines brightest when it celebrates diversity."



The event opened with remarks by Shashank Singh, founder of Indians in Livingston (IIL) and Bakstage.AI. He said, "Onirs films have touched countless lives and his storytelling continues to bridge cultures and conversations around the world." This Award comes to Onir after being conferred the Icon Award at the International South Asian Film Festival, Canada for consistently creating cinema that "pushes boundaries, highlights underrepresented voices, and sparks dialogue around issues often left outside the mainstream."





Onir's latest release includes the movie We Are Faheem and Karun. The movie has already been screened in several film festivals, including the Dharamshala International Film Festival. During an exclusive interview with Filmfare, Onir had opened up about the response he received at several film festivals. "For me, the first international screening was at BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, which is one of the largest queer film festivals. Within the first two days, both the shows were totally sold out. It was really overwhelming. There's a lot of love that I found from the audience," he noted.

Also Read: Filmmaker Onir Honoured With The Icon Award at ISAFF Red Carpet Gala in Vancouver
The encounter between Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Dakota Johnson at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025 has delighted both local and international film enthusiasts, with their images and clips widely circulating online. This unexpected meeting has been described by many as a delightful surprise, highlighting a wonderful fusion of Bollywood and Hollywood.

Aishwarya made her debut at the 5th annual Red Sea Film Festival 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where her every move has grabbed attention. Amongst the many social media posts, her interaction with Dakota became widely shared. The sight of the two gorgeous actresses immediately went viral on social media.





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare)

Many online users were surprised by Aishwarya and Dakota being captured together at the event, calling it an "unexpected pairing." Further pictures also included the two stars with Jessica Alba. All three followed a black colour code for their clothing, though Aishwarya added a touch of white to her ensemble.

For those who may not be aware, Dakota Johnson travelled to India in January 2025 with Chris Martin for Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour. She was also seen visiting the Siddhivinayak Temple with Sonali Bendre and Gayatri Joshi, and she sought blessings at the Shri Babulnath Temple with Chris.

Dakota recently starred in Materialists (2025) with Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal. She is widely known for her portrayal of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. She will next be seen in her upcoming film, Verity, also starring Josh Hartnett and Anne Hathaway.

Aishwarya's most recent appearance on screen was in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 (2023). Although she has not yet revealed her next project, she remains a prominent public figure, participating in high-profile events like Paris Fashion Week and advocating for important societal concerns, such as her recent activism opposing street harassment.





Also Read: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Looks Breathtaking in New Clicks From Red Sea Film Festival
South Koreas cinematic dominance is no longer news. Its a global cultural movement. Over the past two decades, Korean filmmakers have consistently delivered emotionally resonant and genre-bending movies. Not just that, these movies are visually stunning as well. They have found loyal audiences across continents. Today, with OTT platforms expanding their international libraries, some of South Koreas most powerful films are just a click away.

Parasite

Release date: May 30, 2019

Streaming platform: Netflix, Prime Video





Train to Busan



Streaming platform: Prime Video, Apple TV





The Handmaiden

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video

Memories of Murder

Streaming platform: Prime Video, Hulu (varies by region)





Burning

Streaming platform: Netflix





Decision to Leave

Streaming platform: Mubi, Prime Video





Minari



Release date: December 11, 2020

Streaming platform: Netflix, Prime Video





The Wailing

Streaming platform: Prime Video, Apple TV





Miracle in Cell No. 7

Streaming platform: Netflix





1987: When the Day Comes

Streaming platform: Netflix









Also Read: Korean Dramas & Films Releasing In December: Made in Korea & More This movie is a powerful political drama. 1987 chronicles the real events surrounding South Koreas pro-democracy movement. The film is gripping, emotional and essential viewing for anyone curious about Korean history. On streaming platform, this film stands out as a rare mix of historical accuracy and thrilling storytelling.

Whether youre new to Korean cinema or a long-time devotee, the current OTT landscape offers a treasure trove of thrillers, romances, period dramas and indie gems. If you are still wondering what to watch, here is a curated guide to the best Korean movies on streaming platforms. These films are deep, narrative daring and exude artistic excellence. All in all, they define modern Korean filmmaking.Bong Joon Hos Parasite has achieved immense praises globally. The movie has broken boundaries, as many global audiences discovered Korean content after the release of this film. Interestingly, it is also the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. What made it stand out? Its a razor-sharp social satire disguised as an entertaining genre hybrid. The Kim familys clever infiltration into the affluent Park household morphs into a darkly humorous thriller. It also provides a tragic class commentary and ultimately, a richly layered metaphor for inequality.On OTT, Parasite remains a perfect entry point for viewers exploring Korean cinema. Why so? Because it is smart, starkly relatable and unforgettable.Release date: July 20, 2016Director Yeon Sang Ho revolutionised the zombie genre with Train to Busan. It is an action-packed survival thriller set aboard a speeding train during a viral outbreak. But what sets this film apart isnt just its relentless pace or inventive set pieces, it is the emotional core. The story between Seok Woo and his daughter, alongside the strangers who become unlikely allies, transforms the zombie apocalypse into a moving tale about sacrifice and humanity. It is high-octane, heartfelt and perfect for late-night streaming.Release date: June 1, 2016Park Chan Wooks lush psychological thriller The Handmaiden is considered one of the most beautifully crafted films of the decade. It is inspired by Sarah Waters novel Fingersmith. Interestingly, the film transports viewers to 1930s colonial Korea. It does not hesitate to weave a tale of deception, forbidden love and revenge. The cinematography is also exquisite. Moreover, the cast offers mesmerising performances. Yes, you would want to watch it multiple times. The Handmaiden is the kind of cinematic experience that feels tailor-made for OTT viewing. Why? Because it is intimate, immersive and visually indulgent.Release date: April 25, 2003Before Parasite, Bong Joon Ho created what many consider the greatest Korean film of all time. Memories of Murder is a haunting true-crime drama following detectives trying to catch Koreas first serial killer in the 1980s. This movie has been widely praised by K-drama enthusiasts. But what makes this film unforgettable is the blend of bleak humour, social commentary and existential dread. It is not just a murder mystery, it is a portrait of a country in transition. It is a tale on proper justice and a showcase of Bongs distinctive storytelling voice.Release date: May 17, 2018Lee Chang Dongs Burning is a slow, hypnotic and enigmatic psychological drama that lingers long after the credits roll. Loosely based on a Haruki Murakami short story, the film follows Jong Su, whose quiet life is disrupted when a mysterious and charismatic man enters his orbit.The film is a masterpiece in ambiguity, every line, gesture and silence feels loaded with meaning. For viewers who enjoy atmospheric storytelling and open-ended narratives, Burning is one of the finest Korean films available on streaming.Release date: June 29, 2022Park Chan Wooks modern noir Decision to Leave is full of romance and mystery. It is a detective investigating. A mans death becomes the centre of attention. His widow is questioned time and again. It sparks an emotional and psychological entanglement thats equal parts tender and unsettling.The films precision, as in its framing, editing, and performances, is extraordinary. Streaming this at home gives viewers a chance to savour its details, pause for reflection and appreciate its poetic subtlety.Minari is a well talked-about film in the Korean movies circles. Though produced in the United States, Minari is deeply rooted in Korean identity. The Oscar-winning drama tells the story of a Korean immigrant family starting a farm in rural Arkansas during the 1980s.Director Lee Isaac Chung infuses the film with warmth, quiet humour and poignant observations about identity, hope and the immigrant experience. Steven Yeun and Youn Yuh Jung elevate the film into a universal and deeply human story. Moreover, Youn Yuh Jung won an Oscar for her performance.Release date: May 12, 2016Na Hong Jins supernatural horror The Wailing is unsettling, expansive and hypnotically mysterious. When a sleepy village is struck by a series of violent deaths, a bumbling police officer finds himself drawn into a dangerous web of shamanism, suspicion and malevolent forces. This is horror at its finest - slow-burn, deeply atmospheric and rich with philosophical layers. For OTT viewers craving a horror film thats more than just jump scares, The Wailing is a must-watch.Release date: January 23, 2013It is a heartwarming tearjerker that became one of Koreas biggest box-office hits. Miracle in Cell No. 7 tells the story of a mentally challenged father wrongfully imprisoned and the daughter he desperately wants to care for. It is all things emotional and tragic, in a way that few films manage. The storytelling makes it a perfect OTT pick for family movie night. However, just keep tissues nearby (friendly advice!)Release date: December 27, 2017
Condolences have continued to pour in following the passing of veteran producer M Saravanan, widely known as AVM Saravanan of AVM Studios. Revered as a doyen of Tamil cinema, Saravanan breathed his last on Thursday at the age of eighty-six due to age related ailments. His death has left a profound void in an industry he helped shape for decades.



A Studio Mourns Its Guiding Presence



From morning, AVM Studios saw a steady flow of celebrities arriving to pay their final respects. His mortal remains were placed on the premises, a place synonymous with cinematic milestones, and one that now also holds the weight of collective grief and gratitude. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, veteran actor Sivakumar, Suriya, Rajinikanth, Vishal, and directors Vasanth and Parthiban were among those who placed garlands and offered condolences to his family.



A visibly moved Sivakumar revisited the earliest chapter of his journey, recalling the moment Saravanan gave him the name by which the world would come to know him. Saravanan introduced me to cinema in 1965 and changed my name to Sivakumar. To remember him and his good deed, I kept his name for my son Suriya as Saravanan, he said. He also remembered a heartbreak from his early years, when a significant portion of his scene was cut from a film. I remember crying in front of Manikkam theatre when my 500-foot-scene (in reels) was cut off from a film. AVM Saravanan consoled me, encouraged me to continue pushing through and said I would soon get a great role in films.



Actor Vishal joined the long line of voices honouring the producers influence. He recalled that AVM Studios had been a part of every phase of his life in cinema. I remember meeting you as a kid, as an assistant director, as an actor, as a producer ever since I entered AVM studios which was a learning ground for me to be what I am today in the film industry. Reflecting on Saravanans influence on the profession itself, he added, Every producer used to look up to you for your sincerity and your dedication. I always wanted you and your production house to continue making great films but today we have lost another great film personality in Indian film industry. Your memories will always linger in our minds and your films will always be a learning ground for aspiring filmmakers.



Filmmaker Parthiban shared his own heartfelt tribute, calling Saravanan the embodiment of humility and discipline. Even when he folds his hands, when we look at him, we become humble and fearful looking at him. Until his name is here in the Earth, we won't lose the respect we have for him. Connecting him to the legacy of AV Meiyappan, he said, He is considered as a God for artists like us. Saravanan is also like that for us. Parthiban recalled writing to him shortly after the release of Murattu Kaalai in 1980, believing Meiyappans spirit could finally rest with pride. He added that while the void Saravanan leaves cannot be replaced, he has spoken to the family about ensuring the AVM legacy continues through new productions.



A Legacy Remembered by the Artists He Raised



The Tamil film fraternity woke up on Thursday to the news of his passing, prompting tributes from all corners. Chief Minister MK Stalin shared a message on his official X handle, writing, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of AVM Saravanan, one of the senior-most stalwarts of Tamil cinema and the iconic face of the historic AVM Studios. Just as AVM played a monumental role in shaping the direction of Tamil cinema, Mr Saravanans contribution to shaping the direction of AVM itself was equally immense.



Rajinikanth, who has a long association with the AVM banner, visited the studio and later addressed the media. Reflecting on their collaborations, he said, He loved me a lot and was a well-wisher of mine. He stood by me when I went through difficult times. I have acted in nine films in AVM. All nine films emerged as big hits. It won't be an exaggeration if I say that the main reason for them becoming hits was Saravanan sir. He described him as a true example of a gentleman, recalling his characteristic white attire and pure-hearted nature. Rajinikanth also noted how often Saravanan referred to his father affectionately as Appachi.



Kamal Haasan, whose association with AVM goes back to his childhood role in Kalathur Kannamma, shared a video message remembering the bond he shared with the producer. The relationship I had with Thiru. AVM Saravanan is like the bond I shared with my brothers, Chandra Haasan and Charuhasan, he said. He spoke of his early uncertainty about how to address the elders at the studio, and how, as he grew older, he understood the depth of respect they deserved. Those confusions went away after I crossed 20 because I realised then that I should hold them with the same level of respect that I showed my father. He ended by saying he shared in the grief of Saravanans family, especially MS Guhan.



A Farewell Etched in Film History



From actors who found their names through him to superstars whose biggest hits arose from his banner, Saravanans imprint runs deep through Tamil cinema. AVM Studios continues to stand as a physical symbol of his legacy, but the true monument to his life lies in the careers he nurtured, the values he upheld, and the generations he shaped through quiet conviction.





Also Read: PHOTOS: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol Inaugurate DDLJ-inspired Statue in Leicester


Education Cannot Wait-funded holistic education response, delivered by World Vision and partners, is helping displaced children regain hope, nutrition and access to learning in Ethiopia

NEW YORK, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At 11 years old, Aschila watched her life unravel as conflict swept through her village in northwestern Ethiopia.

Forced to flee with her family, she left behind her home, friends and school. Settling in a new village, survival became the family's focus. Education seemed like a distant dream, replaced by long days tending cattle to help earn a scant living.

Hope returned when World Vision Ethiopia introduced a school feeding programme in the area - part of a holistic education response delivered by international, national and local partners through the Education Cannot Wait-funded ( ECW ) Multi-Year Resilience Programme in the country.

By providing school meals, educational materials and cash support - as well as rehabilitating classrooms and water points, constructing latrines, establishing safe learning spaces, offering catch-up and accelerated learning classes, and distributing menstrual hygiene management kits - the programme has made it possible for displaced families like Aschila's to send their children back to school, and for students to learn in safety and with dignity.

Whole-of-Child support

For Aschila, the ECW-supported programme, which includes a school feeding initiative, was a bridge back to education. The homegrown initiative, using locally sourced ingredients, supplies bread, tea and rice daily, while World Vision's cash support helps strengthen family livelihoods so children can focus on learning rather than survival.

"The school feeding programme was a game-changer for me. It provided me with a nutritious meal every day, which gave me the energy and focus I needed to succeed in my studies," she says.

Now enrolled in an accelerated learning programme, Aschila is thriving. Her mornings are spent reading, writing and catching up on lessons she had once feared were lost forever. Her story reflects a broader transformation across Ethiopia, where thousands of children previously denied education are now returning to school thanks to partners like World Vision.

Since the Multi-Year Resilience Programme began, more than 34,000 children - including over 16,400 girls - have benefited from support. Through the whole-of-child education response in the country, ECW partners are tackling barriers to learning, including child hunger and educational exclusion, and providing children like Aschila with a chance to thrive academically and socially. The cost per child for this multi-year programme is around US$65.

The power of such a holistic education response is clear. Quality education that also addresses a child's mental, emotional and physical needs has the potential to protect, reduce poverty, lessen the chance of conflict, eliminate inequality, improve health, boost economic growth, enhance one's life and restore peace and stability.

Crisis in Ethiopia

Across Ethiopia, the education system is under immense strain. Conflict, climate shocks, forced displacement and economic hardships are preventing millions of children from learning.

According to UNHCR, 6 million people were internally displaced, stateless or returning from forced displacement within the country at the end of 2024. At the same time, Ethiopia hosts over 1 million refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea, while also receiving thousands of forcibly displaced people from Sudan. This influx further stretches already limited resources, leaving urgent gaps in education access.

ECW in Ethiopia

Since 2020, ECW-funded programmes in Ethiopia have focused on addressing the critical educational needs of internally displaced and refugee children who are out of school, and improving access to education for girls and children with disabilities.

To date, ECW investments in Ethiopia have totaled US$88 million. In late 2024, ECW announced an additional US$24 million catalyst grant to scale up the multi-year programme's impact in increasing access and retention of out-of-school girls and boys into non-formal education, improving the quality of foundational learning, supporting children to transition from non-formal accelerated programmes to formal education and improving coordination mechanisms across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

Through partnerships with organizations like World Vision, ECW investments are supporting back-to-school campaigns, early childhood education, accelerated learning programmes, catch-up classes, school feeding initiatives, teacher training and other interventions to ensure displaced and crisis-affected children can continue learning despite the multiple challenges around them.

Yet, significant funding gaps remain. By the end of 2024, less than half of the US$101 million required for the education response was funded, according to the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan. Without increased investment in teacher training, infrastructure repair and inclusive learning alternatives, an entire generation risks being left behind.

By the end of 2024, an estimated 9 million children were out of school. More than 9,000 schools were damaged by conflict and climate shocks - around one-fifth of all schools in the country. The consequences are severe. Children who miss years of schooling face elevated risks of child marriage, child labour, forced recruitment into armed groups and exploitation.

A Future Restored

Today, Aschila wakes each morning with renewed purpose - ready to learn, play, share a meal with her classmates and reclaim the childhood that conflict had taken from her.

Aschila's father reflects, "It was difficult to feed my child and purchase educational materials because we lost everything as a displaced family, but this initiative helped very much, not just me, but other community members as well, to send our children to school."

Through programmes like these, ECW and its partners are helping to ensure that children across Ethiopia not only regain their education but also their confidence and hope for a brighter future. For Aschila and thousands like her, every school day is a step toward rebuilding lives disrupted by crisis - and a reminder that learning, nourishment and opportunity can flourish even in the hardest circumstances.

CONTACT: Greg Benchwick, gbenchwick@unicef.org

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Colorado Springs, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - A recent UNICEF study found that, during a 12-month period, an estimated 400,000 youth in Thailand have been victims of online sexual exploitation and abuse-a staggering 9 percent of children in the country (2021, UNICEF, Interpol, ECPAT). In response, A21 and Compassion International Thailand are launching a three-stage, multi-year initiative focused on combatting human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and youth in Northern Thailand.

The collaboration will equip 2000 youth, 168 church leaders and 500 mentors from local churches and communities across the region with comprehensive knowledge, practical skills and prevention resources on exploitation and human trafficking. These changemakers will be prepared to serve as catalysts to lead a youth-driven movement toward community safety and transformation

"The sexual exploitation of children is one of the gravest injustices our world faces today. Every child deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive," shares Phil Hyldgaard, Chief Operating Officer for A21. "We have witnessed firsthand the power of awareness in addressing vulnerability, the place where exploitation begins. For years, we have equipped at-risk communities with the knowledge to recognize warning signs, protect themselves and their families, and act before exploitation can take root. Through partnerships with organizations such as Compassion International, we are able to expand our collective reach and amplify impact, safeguarding more children and empowering communities to stand united against exploitation."

"No child should ever endure the trauma of exploitation," shares Sanya Ladaphongpattana, Director for Compassion International Thailand. "Child protection is at the heart of everything we do and it's why we collaborate with like-minded organizations such as A21. This partnership allows us to combine our shared expertise and local presence to build safer communities that protect children and help them thrive."

A21 and Compassion will partner with local stakeholders, including community leaders and government officials, as well as other NGOs, to maximize the impact of this project

In fact, A21, Compassion, and others recently collaborated on a conference for 107 partner churches in Chiang Mai, focused on enhancing church leaders' understanding of biblical justice, the role of the church in creating a safer society for children and youth, and protecting these vulnerable groups from human trafficking.

The joint initiative by A21 and Compassion International aligns with local, regional and national efforts throughout Thailand to address this issue. In April 2025, Thailand's cabinet approved an amendment to the criminal code, increasing the severity of penalties for five offenses pertaining to the online sexual exploitation of children.

The protection and safeguarding of children and youth is foundational to Compassion's work with children and youth. This initiative builds upon the many interventions, activities and educational sessions that Compassion participants and caregivers participate in regularly to help prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and exploitation

A21 shares Compassion's commitment to child protection and safeguarding, partnering to prevent exploitation and ensure that every child and young person can grow up free, safe, and supported. Through a sustainable, community-empowerment model, this initiative equips youth with the knowledge and skills to break the cycle of exploitation and protect future generations.

Compassion partners with frontline churches in Thailand to release children from poverty. Child protection is at the heart of its work, and partnerships with organizations like A21 expand the impact and reach of both organization's work.

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About A21

Since 2008, A21 has been on a mission to abolish slavery everywhere, forever. Fueled by radical hope and an unshakable belief in freedom for all, we work across the globe to break the cycle of human trafficking by reaching the vulnerable, recovering victims, and restoring survivors.

In the years since our founding, A21's efforts have reached billions of people through prevention and awareness initiatives, identified and assisted victims across the globe trapped in exploitation, and walked alongside thousands of survivors on their journey to healing, restoration, and lasting freedom. If there is one truth we have learned, it is this: partnership is essential to building a future free from modern-day slavery. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do; uniting individuals, governments, businesses, and organizations to drive change that no one could achieve alone. To learn more about A21's work and discover how you can join the fight for freedom, visit A21.org or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or X .

About Compassion International

Compassion International is a Christian child development organization working to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. Founded in 1952, Compassion partners with more than 9,000 local churches in 29 program countries to deliver spiritual, economic, psychosocial, and physical care to over two million babies, children, and young adults in poverty. Ranked No. 12 in Forbes' America's Top Charities List in 2024, Compassion is a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about Compassion's child development through sponsorship program, visit compassion.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276999

SOURCE: Compassion International
(All dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated)

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - American Pacific Mining Corp. (CSE: USGD) (OTCQX: USGDF) (FSE: 1QC1) ("American Pacific" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced transaction with Vizsla Copper Corp. ("Vizsla Copper" or the "Purchaser") pursuant to an amended and restated share purchase agreement dated December 2, 2025 (the "Purchase Agreement") for the sale of the Palmer VMS Project, located in southeast Alaska (the "Palmer Project"). Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding securities of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. ("CMR") to Vizsla Copper for 13,888,888 post-consolidation common shares in the capital of Vizsla Copper (each, a "Consideration Share") having an aggregate value of $15,000,000 and certain milestone payments for up to $15,000,000 in additional compensation (the "Transaction").

Transaction Terms

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has sold all of the outstanding shares of CMR to Vizsla Copper for 13,888,888 Consideration Shares, at a deemed price of $1.08 per Consideration Share, being the price of the non-flow-through post-consolidation common shares issued by Vizsla Copper in its concurrent financing for approximately $44,000,000 and representing an aggregate purchase price of $15,000,000. Vizsla Copper has also agreed to make the following milestone payments to the Company: (i) $5,000,000 payable upon the public disclosure by Vizsla Copper of an updated mineral resource estimate for the Palmer Project prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), which delineates a total of not less than 22 million tonnes of mineralized material; and (ii) $10,000,000 payable upon the commencement of commercial production at the Palmer Project (collectively, the "Milestone Payments").

As a result of the Transaction, the Company acquired 13,888,888 (15.8%) of the issued and outstanding post-consolidation common shares in the capital of Vizsla Copper (each, a "Vizsla Copper Share") and is required to file an early warning report pursuant to s. 5.2(1)(b) of National Instrument 61-104 Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids. A copy of the early warning report will be filed by the Company under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca and may be obtained by contacting Kristina Pillon, on behalf of the Company, at +1 (604) 908-1695 or Kristina@americanpacific.ca.

"We are confident that the Vizsla Copper team will successfully advance Palmer and create meaningful value for all shareholders, including American Pacific shareholders, through our significant equity ownership and milestone payments that provide exposure to further exploration success at the Project," commented CEO Warwick Smith. "With the transaction now complete we turn our attention to securing additional transactions to further unlock value from our broader portfolio and look forward to focusing our technical team's energy and resources on our high-grade, past-producing Madison Copper-Gold project in Montana, where we have defined numerous high-priority skarn and porphyry targets."

Following the Transaction, the Company intends to hold the Consideration Shares for investment purposes. The Company may, from time to time, depending on market and other conditions, and the occurrence of the Milestone Payments, acquire additional Vizsla Copper Shares or dispose of Vizsla Copper Shares through market transactions, public offerings, private agreement or otherwise.

The Purchase Agreement was entered into to clarify certain terms and conditions surrounding the Milestone Payments under the share purchase agreement previously announced by the Company on November 13, 2025.

Qualified Person Statement

Technical aspects of this press release have been reviewed and approved by the designated Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, Eric Saderholm, P.Geo., Managing Director of Exploration for the Company.

About American Pacific Mining Corp.

American Pacific Mining Corp. is a precious and base metals explorer and developer focused on opportunities in the Western United States. The Company's flagship asset is the 100%-owned past-producing Madison Copper-Gold Project in Montana. For the Madison transaction, American Pacific was selected as a finalist in both 2021 and 2022 for 'Deal of the Year' at the S&P Global Platts Metals Awards, an annual program that recognizes exemplary accomplishments in 16 performance categories. Through a 2025 transaction with Vizsla Copper, American Pacific has established a major equity position and secured $15M in aggregate milestone upside exposure to the advanced exploration stage Palmer Copper-Zinc VMS Project in Alaska. Also, in American Pacific's portfolio are several high-grade, precious metals projects located in key mining districts in Nevada, on which the Company intends to transact. The Company's mission is to provide shareholders discovery and exploration upside exposure across its portfolio through partnerships, spin-outs and direct exploration.

American Pacific is incorporated pursuant to the laws of British Columbia and its head office is located at Suite 910 - 510 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC, V6C 3A8.

On behalf of the American Pacific Mining Corp Board of Directors:

Full disclosure can be found in our NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Madison Project at www.americanpacificmining.com.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain statements and information that 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. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the completion of the Acquisition and the concurrent financing, and timely receipt of all necessary approvals.

Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be considered forward-looking information. The Company's forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release and include but are not limited to information with respect to, the Company's plans regarding the Consideration Shares, the future acquisition and/or disposal of Vizsla Copper Shares by the Company, and the occurrence and timing of the Milestone Payments, and receipt of all necessary approvals therefor. Other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277004

SOURCE: American Pacific Mining Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - Planet Based Foods Global Inc. (CSE: PBF) (OTC Pink: PBFFF) (FSE: AZ00) (the "Company" or "PBFG") advises that, further to its October 22, 2025 news release announcing the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary in Singapore, PBFG Trade Pte. Ltd., the Company has determined that it will not proceed with the subsidiary at this time.

About Planet Based Foods Global Inc.

Planet Based Foods Global Inc. is reimagining the future of food through a diverse portfolio of sustainable ingredients, plant-based solutions, and advancements in agricultural technology. With a focus on environmental stewardship, product excellence, and scalable impact, the Company empowers food manufacturers, partners, and consumers to participate in a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient global food system. Planet Based Foods operates with integrity and purpose, delivering products that align with evolving consumer values and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Additional information is available at www.sedarplus.ca.

On Behalf of the Board

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, and intentions of Planet Based Foods Global Inc. (the "Company"). These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, industry developments, regulatory changes, access to capital, operational challenges, supply chain disruptions, and economic conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Additional information, including risk factors, is available in the Company's public filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this release and accepts no responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277007

SOURCE: Planet Based Foods Global Inc.
With 80% of exhibitors confirmed - 30% from abroad - and more than 70 countries represented, participation is set to boost by 15-20% over the last editions

MILAN, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TUTTOFOOD, Southern Europe's leading food business platform, taking place from 11 to 14 May 2026 in Milan, is set to deliver strong international growth in its 2026 edition. With 80% of exhibitors already confirmed, including a record-breaking 30% international presence, participation is expected to rise by 15-20% compared to previous editions.

In 2025, the Exhibition attracted a significant presence of international TPOs, 95,000 professional visitors from over 100 countries, 3,000 international top buyers and 4,200 exhibitors from 70 countries - nearly double the numbers from previous editions. These data confirm the Exhibition's international role as a strategic hub connecting producers, distributors, and global markets.

Antonio Cellie, CEO of Fiere di Parma, said: "The strong results already achieved by the second edition of TUTTOFOOD reflect the energy and international appeal of Milan, a city that embodies innovation and connection. They show the power of strategic, system-wide collaborations. Alongside our key partnership with ITA - Italian Trade Agency, whose programs attract top global agrifood buyers, one of the Exhibition's greatest strengths is the collaboration between Fiere di Parma and Koelnmesse, the organizer of Anuga in Cologne, held in alternate years to TUTTOFOOD."

Six months ahead of the event, early confirmations from 34 countries further highlight the strong business opportunities available across its pavilions.

TUTTOFOOD 2026 will feature a rich Buyers Program organized in cooperation with ITA - Italian Trade Agency, bringing together more than 3,000 top national and international professionals. Qualified buyers will arrive from across Japan, the ASEAN area, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Europe, Middle East, North and South America, with further top-level participation expected from Oceania, South Africa, and Central Asia.

TUTTOFOOD 2026 will feature a more compact and visitor-friendly layout, designed to enhance navigation and product discovery. Italian and internationalexhibitors will be showcased side by side across 90.000 sqm of net exhibition space - 15% more than in 2025 - spread across 10 pavilions.

Two multi-level pavilions will host the packaged food hub, offering a comprehensive journey through every segment of the food industry. From dairy and deliproducts to frozen foods, seafood, and proteins, the exhibition will present a wide variety of categories, with grocery playing a central role across several pavilions.

The upcoming edition will shine a spotlight on emerging, largely unexplored agri-food businesssegments, driving global consumer trends closely tracked by TUTTOFOOD.

Key pavilion highlights will include a dedicated Beverage section featuring the fifth edition of Mixology Experience - an area within the pavilion where the concept of Beverage Pairing serves as the common thread linking the project to TUTTOFOOD - along with spaces dedicated to innovation in the fresh and processed fruit and vegetable sector.

The revamped Tutto Fruit & Veg area will bring together categories and trends from around the world. Among the key new highlights of the 2026 edition of TUTTOFOOD is the launch of a dedicated special area focused on the organic segment, which is experiencing strong growth across major distribution channel. The special area is called TuttoBio by Natexpo and is conceived as an international organic pavilion gathering certified organic production from Europe and beyond.

The experience will be completed by thematic spaces devoted to bakery and snacks, confectionery and coffee, celebrating the diversity and excellence of packaged food from around the world.

This new configuration will streamline visitor orientation and enhance the overall experience of product discovery.

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LIMERICK, Ireland, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Drieam, the Dutch edtech company behind Portflow, is proud to announce the University of Limerick (UL) as its flagship partner in Ireland. UL has chosen to implement Portflow institution-wide. This milestone highlights UL's commitment to digital education innovation and to building a community of practice around learner-centred, skill-focused education.

The decision to adopt Portflow follows an independent procurement process sponsored by Prof Ann Ledwith (Provost) and led by John Morrissey (Project Manager) and Dr Angelica Risquez (Business Lead) at the Centre for Transformative Learning (CTL), in partnership with Padraig Hyland as ITD Business Partner. The process was supported by the VLE Management Board, ULTAC, and the Digital Governance Steering Committee, with valued contributions from the Procurement Office, Business Engagement, Enterprise Architecture, and the Corporate Secretary's Office.

The new digital portfolio will integrate seamlessly with UL's Brightspace environment, enhancing both the learner and instructor experience. It will empower learners to collect, reflect upon, and showcase their academic work and skills, while enabling faculty to support authentic, longitudinal assessment practices. This implementation delivers on key commitments outlined in UL's Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy.

A key champion of Portflow use at UL is the Transferable Skills Unit, under the guidance of Dr Chris McInerney, which in collaboration with David Moloney, Digital Skills Development Lead, CTL, aims to help learners meaningfully demonstrate their achievements and competencies. This vision aligns perfectly with Portflow's purpose: to give learners ownership of their digital portfolios, enabling them to reflect on their growth, take control of their learning journey, and showcase their value in a competitive world.

"UL is breaking new ground for Ireland by adopting Portflow as an enterprise digital portfolio solution," said Jas Kalsi, Managing Director UK/I at Drieam. "Their vision for empowering learners through authentic assessment and reflective practice sets a powerful example for others to follow."

With this partnership, UL and Drieam are setting a new standard for digital portfolio adoption in Ireland-placing learner agency, employability, and skill development at the heart of higher education.

About Drieam

Drieam is a Netherlands-based EdTech company dedicated to enhancing the learner journey in higher and continuing education. Its flagship product, Portflow, empowers learners to evidence achievements, reflect on growth, and prepare for lifelong Learning.

Contact: Mieke Ridderhof, mieke@drieam.com

Correction: An earlier version of this release incorrectly did not include hyperlinks.

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Australia's first Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks have arrived at BHP's Jimblebar iron ore mine in the Pilbara, marking the start of on-site testing, in collaboration with Rio Tinto, of Caterpillar's battery-electric heavy haulage technology in the region that powers the nation's economy.

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The two Early Learner trucks, delivered through an industry-first collaboration between BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar represent a major step toward a more sustainable future in mining, designed to deliver zero exhaust emissions while maintaining productivity and performance.

Once safely commissioned, the trials will begin to test the viability of battery-electric technology as an alternative to diesel usage in large-scale iron ore mining operations. The trials will help inform the development of technology, processes, infrastructure and people required to support lower greenhouse gas emissions machines and mine sites of the future.

Decarbonisation of Pilbara iron ore operations will rely on technology advancements and breakthroughs in research and development, which is why BHP and Rio Tinto are working closely with Caterpillar, supported by WesTrac, to accelerate development and transition their fleets as soon as commercially and operationally viable.

Following the joint trial, BHP and Rio Tinto will independently determine progress towards scaled trials within their respective operational environments.

BHP Western Australia Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day said: "Powering up our first battery-electric haul trucks in the Pilbara is an important step forward on the mining industry's road to decarbonisation.

"Replacing diesel isn't just about changing energy sources, it's about reimagining how we operate and creating the technologies, infrastructure and supply chains to transform mining operations. These trials will help us understand how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together: the battery technologies, generation and charging infrastructure, power management, as well as the supply chains to potentially deliver this at scale.

"A significant shift like this demands a strong commitment to research and development, coupled with collaboration across the industry. This is going to take time to get right, which is why trials like this one with Rio Tinto and Caterpillar are so critical.

"These trials are a critical part of this work as we bring the testing to the reality of the Pilbara. We're excited about what we'll learn about how best to deliver the breakthroughs required to accelerate this transition."

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pilbara Mines Managing Director Andrew Wilson said: "Decarbonising Rio Tinto's fleet across our 18 Pilbara mines is a significant challenge. By exploring solutions like this to reduce emissions, we hope that, over time, we will be able to move away from diesel.

"No single company can achieve zero emissions haulage on its own. It takes the whole industry working together. That's why we're working with BHP and Caterpillar to develop new solutions that will reduce emissions in mining and help us reach our net zero commitments.

"Through this industry-first collaboration to test Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks in Pilbara conditions, we hope to meet our shared goals as quickly and efficiently as we can."

Caterpillar Inc. Resource Industries Sales Services and Technology Senior Vice President Marc Cameron said: "The arrival of the Early Learner trucks in the Pilbara marks a significant milestone in the journey toward a more sustainable future.

"By working side by side with our customers, we're delivering solutions to help them solve their toughest challenges while learning together each step of the way. This collaboration is key to accelerating innovation and shaping the next generation of mining technology, and we're excited to be on this journey together with our Early Learner customers."

Ongoing testing and development throughout this trial will enable learning toward future deployment. This will inform the approach for testing a larger number of haul trucks and the potential integration of battery-electric haul truck fleets into each company's operations.

The collaboration reflects the shared ambitions of BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar to support BHP's and Rio Tinto's respective net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions goals by 2050.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251204183951/en/

Contacts:

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations,

United Kingdom

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations,

Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Alyesha Anderson

M +61 434 868 118

Rachel Pupazzoni

M +61 438 875 469

Bruce Tobin

M +61 419 103 454

Media Relations,

Canada

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Vanessa Damha

M +1 514 715 2152

Media Relations,

US Latin America

Jesse Riseborough

M +1 202 394 9480

Investor Relations,

United Kingdom

Rachel Arellano

M +44 7584 609 644

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Laura Brooks

M +44 7826 942 797

Weiwei Hu

M +44 7825 907 230

Investor Relations,

Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Eddie Gan-Och

M +976 95 091 237

Rio Tinto plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category: Pilbara
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 / Klondike Gold Corp. (TSXV:KG)(FRA:LBDP)(OTCQB:KDKGF) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its annual general meeting of shareholders held today, December 4, 2025. The Company elected five directors to its board, namely Peter Tallman, Gordon Keep, John Pallot, Steven Brunelle and Anne Labelle.

The shareholders approved all other matters as proposed, including the appointment of Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as auditors of the Company, and the approval of the Company's stock option plan.

ABOUT KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

Klondike Gold is a Vancouver based gold exploration company advancing its 100%-owned Klondike District Gold Project located at Dawson City, Yukon, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Klondike District Gold Project targets gold associated with district scale orogenic faults along the 55-km length of the famous Klondike Goldfields placer district. Multi-km gold mineralization has been identified at both the Lone Star Zone and Stander Zone, among other targets. The Company has identified a Mineral Resource Estimate of 469,000 Indicated and 112,000 Inferred gold ounces1, a milestone first for the Klondike District. The Company is focused on exploration and development of its 727 square km property accessible by scheduled airline and government-maintained roads located on the outskirts of Dawson City, Yukon, within the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation traditional territory.

1The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Klondike District Property was prepared by Marc Jutras, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., Principal, Ginto Consulting Inc., an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The technical report supporting the Mineral Resource Estimate entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Klondike District Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada" has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca effective November 10, 2022. Refer to news release of December 16, 2022.

ON BEHALF OF KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

"Peter Tallman"

Peter Tallman

President and CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Telephone: (604) 609-6136

E-mail: info@klondikegoldcorp.com

Website: www.klondikegoldcorp.com

SOURCE: Klondike Gold Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/klondike-gold-announces-agm-results-1114960
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - J2 Metals Inc. (TSXV: JTWO) ("J2" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's shareholders ("Shareholders") approved the plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") with Twenty Mile Metals Inc. (formerly 1558117 B.C. Ltd.) ("Spinco") at the special meeting of Shareholders held on December 3, 2025 (the "Meeting").

Under the Arrangement 5,000,000 Spinco shares, being all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Spinco (the "Spinco Shares"), will be distributed to the Shareholders, in proportion to their respective holdings of common shares of the Company on the share distribution record date (the "Share Distribution Record Date"), which will be determined by the Company's Board of Directors and announced by a release in advance.

Following the Arrangement, Spinco will no longer be a wholly owned subsidiary of J2. Shareholders voted a total number of 6,206,162 shares representing 28.23% of the outstanding shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. The Arrangement was approved by 99.84% of the votes cast by Shareholders. Shareholders also approved the share incentive plan of the Spinco (the "Spinco Incentive Plan") at the Meeting. The Spinco Incentive Plan was approved by 99.84% of the votes cast by Shareholders.

The Company intends to make an application to the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") for a final order on December 10, 2025.

Completion of the Arrangement remains subject to a number of conditions, including the following:

the approval of the Court;

the acceptance of the Arrangement by the TSX Venture Exchange (the " TSX-V ");

"); the conditional approval for the listing of the Spinco Shares on the TSX-V; and

the completion by Spinco of a private placement raising aggregate proceeds of at least $500,000.

The Arrangement cannot be completed until all the above conditions are met. A copy of the arrangement agreement dated October 24, 2025, between J2 and Spinco is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile.

The Company will provide updates on the timing for completion of the Arrangement, as well as the Share Distribution Record Date in further releases.

About J2 Metals Inc.

J2 Metals Inc. is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company focused on discovering critical minerals and precious metals in mining-friendly regions of Canada and the United States. The Company was formerly known as Cranstown Capital Corp. and completed its qualifying transaction in March 2025.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or" should" occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, including: completion of the Arrangement; the date of the Meeting; J2 obtaining Court approval and TSX-V approval of the Arrangement; the benefits of the proposed Arrangement, including the unlocking of value for the Company's shareholders and the listing status of the Spinco Shares, are all forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward- looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by J2, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, and changes in general economic, market and business conditions. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. J2 does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277017

SOURCE: J2 Metals Inc.
The new milestone came only 13 months after the opening of the 600 th store

Paris Baguette is aggressively expanding its franchise footprint in Europe, building on its success in the US and China

The multi-unit franchise operation demonstrates the brand's competitiveness and franchise partnership

Paris Baguette is scheduled to open its third franchiselocation near Portobello Market at end-2025

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Paris Baguette, the global bakery-cafe franchise under the SPC Group, is adding a new location in Westfield, expanding its global store count to 700. The new milestone came only 13 months after the company celebrated the opening of its 600th store in mid-October 2024.

Paris Baguette Westfield is Paris Baguette's fourth location and second franchise store in the UK, reflecting the company's success in expanding its franchise footprint beyond the US and China to Europe. Paris Baguette's first franchise store in Canary Wharf has experienced a steady inflow of customers since the opening in November 2024, establishing a compelling presence in the UK market. Paris Baguette Canary Wharf is now well positioned to thrive, aided by a high repeat purchase rate. Notably, the Westfield location is opened by the owner of the first Paris Baguette franchise store. The multi-unit franchise operation demonstrates Paris Baguette's solid brand competitiveness and franchise partnership.

The Westfield store is located on the ground floor of Westfield London, a large shopping mall in the Shepherds Bush area of west London. With hundreds of global brands across luxury goods, fashion, lifestyle and home appliance categories, Westfield London is one of the biggest shopping centers in the UK, attracting 50 million visitors annually. Paris Baguette Westfield features marble countertops, metal frames in the brand's signature blue color, and wood finish, with the modern look accentuating the refined brand image. The Westfield store serves a diverse range of products including sandwiches, pastries, and cakes that have been well received by the UK and other European markets, creating unique experiences for both local customers and international visitors.

Wayne Stevenson, the owner of Paris Baguette's first two franchise stores in the UK, said "I am excited to be opening in a second location, as my first Paris Baguette in Canary Wharf has made its mark in the local community since its opening last year. What I have learned is that Paris Baguette leads the field in quality and innovation. I look forward to seeing Paris Baguette becoming a household name here."

Paris Baguette launched in the UK in 2022, with a back-to-back opening of two sites in Battersea Power Station and Kensington High Street. In mid-December this year, the bakery-cafe chain is scheduled to open its fifth location and third franchise store in the UK, near Portobello Market, the setting for the movie Notting Hill, kicking its franchise business into high gear.

A Paris Baguette spokesperson said "Building on the success of the first franchise store in the UK, we are adding two more franchise stores here. We are committed to enhancing brand awareness and competitiveness in Europe, where bread is a staple food, to take the lead in shaping the global bakery market."

Paris Baguette made its initial foray into the global market in 2004 and has opened 700 stores in 15 countries over the past two decades across the US, Canada, France, the UK, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Brunei, and Mongolia.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/spc-groups-paris-baguette-expands-its-global-store-count-to-700-adding-a-new-location-in-westfield-london-302633724.html
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - Woozle Research today released The State of the Expert Economy 2025, a comprehensive study revealing major quality, matching, and compensation issues across the expert network industry. Nearly one-third of surveyed experts say they participated in consultations for which they were not fully qualified, alongside widespread reports of irrelevant project invitations and dissatisfaction with AI-led moderation.

Major Findings Point to Industry-Wide Structural Gaps

The study surveyed 1,368 expert network participants across global platforms, examining the mechanics behind project matching, qualification processes, moderation formats, and compensation structures. The results highlight a fast-paced, keyword-driven system where speed often overrides accuracy and verification.

Key findings include:

31% of experts say they have completed calls they weren't qualified for

71% receive project invitations that don't reflect their expertise, with 32% receiving them frequently

81% of those who experienced AI-moderated calls said the quality was worse than human moderation

65% earn less than US$400 per consultation, while clients typically pay US$1,000-1,500

The most common pay range is US$100-199

82% believe fair compensation should be above US$500 per hour, but only 18% earn that level

Project Matching Falls Short of Expectations

Experts rated project-to-expertise alignment at 7.5 out of 10 on average, with fewer than half giving scores of 8 or higher.

Woozle's analysis attributes most mismatch issues to:

Self-certified expertise

Rapid 24-48-hour fulfilment targets

Keyword-based matching algorithms

Limited corrective feedback loops

"When clients pay $1,200 for a consultation and nearly one-third of experts say they weren't fully qualified for the call, that highlights structural weaknesses," said Mark Pacitti, CFA, Founder of Woozle Research. "Project matching, verification, and compensation practices all require meaningful improvement if the industry is to maintain credibility."

AI Moderation Raises Quality Concerns

Only 17% of respondents have experienced AI-led moderation, but those who have are overwhelmingly critical.

Reported issues include:

Missed follow-up opportunities

Poor contextual understanding

Technical errors such as voice recognition failures

Despite the quality concerns, client pricing reportedly remains unchanged when AI replaces human moderators.

Experts Receive a Small Fraction of Client Fees

While clients often pay more than US$1,000 per call, experts typically earn less than 20% of the fee.

Most experts - 69% - say they do not set their own rates, instead relying on platform-set prices or accepting whatever offer is presented.

The report notes growing frustration among experienced professionals and warns of potential talent flight if compensation and transparency do not improve.

Experts Want Transparency and Reform

A notable 90% of respondents want access to anonymised benchmarking data on pay, call volume, and platform performance - a sign that long-standing industry opacity may be reaching its limits.

About the Research

The State of the Expert Economy 2025 surveyed 1,368 expert network participants between October and November 2025 via LinkedIn and direct outreach. The study collected detailed quantitative and qualitative responses on compensation, project matching, moderation types, and platform experiences.

Full report available: https://forms.woozleresearch.com/state-of-the-expert-economy

About the company: Woozle Research is a research and insights organisation that specialises in gathering structured intelligence from industry experts. The company provides verified insights, rigorous methodologies, and transparent data collection practices to help organisations make informed decisions. Woozle Research does not provide investment advice or financial advisory services. More information: www.woozleresearch.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276948

SOURCE: Plentisoft
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - Canadian Natural Resources Limited (TSX: CNQ) (NYSE: CNQ) ("Canadian Natural" or the "Company") announces that on December 4, 2025, it priced the following medium-term notes ("Notes") which were sold to investors in Canada:

Note / Coupon Principal Maturity Price per Note Yield to Maturity 3 year / 3.30% C$550,000,000 December 8, 2028 C$99.887 3.340% 5 year / 3.75% C$550,000,000 February 8, 2031 C$99.781 3.798% 10 year / 4.55% C$550,000,000 February 8, 2036 C$99.700 4.588%

CIBC Capital Markets, TD Securities Inc., and Scotia Capital Inc. acted as joint lead agents and joint book-runners for the offering of the Notes. BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., and RBC Dominion Securities Inc. acted as co-managers and Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., Mizuho Securities Canada Inc., ATB Securities Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities Canada Ltd., and Desjardins Securities Inc. acted as co-agents for the offering of the Notes.

The net proceeds received by Canadian Natural from the issuance and sale of the Notes will be used for general corporate purposes. Canadian Natural may also use the proceeds for the repayment of indebtedness. The net proceeds that are not utilized immediately may be invested in short-term marketable securities. The Notes were issued under the Company's Canadian base shelf prospectus dated August 28, 2025 that allows for the issuance of debt securities in an aggregate principal amount of up to C$3.0 billion. The offering is targeted to close on December 8, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. The short form base shelf prospectus and the pricing supplement relating to the Notes contain important detailed information about the Notes. Copies of these documents are, and in the case of the pricing supplement will be, available electronically on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

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 these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Canadian Natural is a senior crude oil and natural gas production company, with continuing operations in its core areas located in Western Canada, the U.K. portion of the North Sea and Offshore Africa.

Certain information regarding the Company contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Such statements are subject to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Refer to our website for detailed forward-looking statements and notes regarding Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures at www.cnrl.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277010

SOURCE: Canadian Natural Resources Limited
HANGZHOU, China, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dahua Technology, a world-leading video-centric AIoT solution and service provider, recently welcomed outstanding installer partners from around the world to its headquarters for the Dahua Pro Challenge 2025 celebration. The event connects a global community of skilled professionals to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strengthened partnerships within the installer ecosystem.

Themed "BUILD IT. SHOW IT. WIN IT.", the 2025 campaign builds on the success of last year's inaugural initiative. It aims to encourage participants to showcase creative installations and practical applications of Dahua solutions, further enhancing global professional exchange and ecosystem growth.

Opening the event, Mr. Fu Liquan, Chairman and President of Dahua Technology, expressed appreciation for the long-standing trust and collaboration of installer partners worldwide. He emphasized that as digital transformation advances, ecosystem installers play a critical role as the final link that brings AIoT technologies into everyday scenarios. Mr. Fu reaffirmed Dahua's commitment to joint contribution, win-win cooperation and shared benefits, highlighting ongoing investment in ecosystem development to foster a collaborative environment that drives both customer value and partner growth.



The multi-day program offered an immersive technical experience, combining hands-on workshops, scenario-based demonstrations, and in-depth discussions with Dahua's product and engineering teams. Participants explored intelligent video systems, smart building solutions, and integrated AIoT applications, gaining practical insights into deployment strategies, operational optimization, and emerging technology trends. These engagements allowed installer partners to deepen their understanding of Dahua's solutions while sharing expertise, fostering a mutually reinforcing exchange.

Guided tours of Dahua's digital intelligence showroom and manufacturing facilities provided attendees with a behind-the-scenes look at product development, assembly workflows, and global supply capabilities. These tours highlighted the reliability, scalability, and engineering rigor behind Dahua's solution portfolio, reinforcing partner confidence in delivering high-performance systems across varying market demands.



Installer representatives also shared their impressions of the event. A partner from the Middle East noted, "This visit deepened our understanding of Dahua's AI-powered capabilities and how they translate into real customer value." A representative from the UK added, "Connecting with peers from different regions inspires us to deliver more integrated and future-ready solutions for our clients."

Beyond technical learning, cultural activities - including a West Lake tour and an immersive Songcheng experience - strengthened interpersonal connections and built a sense of community among participants from different regions. The event concluded with a gala honoring the Golden Pro partners who demonstrated excellence, creativity, and significant contributions to Dahua's global installer ecosystem.



By combining technology immersion, operational knowledge-sharing, and global networking, Dahua reinforced its role as both an AIoT innovator and a driver of ecosystem collaboration. The Pro Challenge once again demonstrated how Dahua empowers installers worldwide to deliver smarter, more efficient, and value-driven solutions, advancing intelligent, connected, and sustainable communities.

Looking ahead, Dahua will continue to expand its installer ecosystem and enhance partner enablement programs, promoting cross-regional collaboration and co-creation to drive the next generation of AIoT innovation, while advancing its mission of enabling a smarter society and better living.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2839274/1.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2074657/Dahua_LOGO_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dahua-technology-celebrates-pro-challenge-2025-to-deepen-global-installer-ecosystem-collaboration-302633869.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Adelayde Exploration Inc. (CSE: ADDY) (OTCID: SPMTF) (WKN: A41AGV) (the "Company" or "Adelayde") is pleased to announce that, further to its News Release dated November 12, 2025, it has closed a non-brokered private placement financing of 9,675,000 non-flow-through units (each, a "NFT Unit") at a price of $0.10 per NFT Unit for gross proceeds of $967,500 (the "NFT Offering") and 8,073,078 flow-through units (each, a "FT Unit") at a price of $0.13 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $1,049,500 (the "FT Offering" and together with the NFT Offering, the "Offering").

James Nelson, President of Adelayde stated, "We would like to thank our shareholders for their support in closing these financings, enabling the Company to proceed with multiple work programs. Adelayde will be very active in 2026."

Each NFT Unit consists of one non-flow-through common share (each, a "NFT Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (each, a "NFT Warrant"), with each NFT Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "NFT Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per NFT Warrant Share for a period of five years from the closing of the NFT Offering. Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share (each, a "FT Share") and one transferrable NFT Share purchase warrant (each, a "FT Warrant"), with each FT Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "FT Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per FT Warrant Share for a period of two years from the closing of the FT Offering.

In connection with the closing of the Offering (the "Closing"), the Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $71,160, issued 618,000 non-transferable NFT Share purchase warrants (each, a "NFT Finder's Warrant"), with each NFT Finder's Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "NFT Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per NFT Finder's Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of Closing, issued 72,000 non-transferable NFT Share purchase warrants (each, a "FT Finder's Warrant"), with each FT Finder's Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "FT Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per FT Finder's Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of Closing, and issued 540,000 common shares (each, a "Finder's Share").

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of Closing. Proceeds from the FT Offering will be used on the Company's existing properties in Canada. Net proceeds from the NFT Offering will be used towards the Company's general working capital.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4360/276996_e642cd5cd4010914_002full.jpg

Qualified Person for mining disclosure:

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

None of the securities sold in connection with the private placement will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Adelayde Exploration Inc.

"James Nelson"

James Nelson

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information regarding this news release, please contact:

Adelayde Exploration Inc.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties such as the proposed use of proceeds from the private placements. 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. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information 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 Adelayde. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Adelayde disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276996

SOURCE: Adelayde Exploration Inc.
Original-Research: DEMIRE AG - from NuWays AG



05.12.2025 / 09:00 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.



Classification of NuWays AG to DEMIRE AG Company Name: DEMIRE AG ISIN: DE000A0XFSF0 Reason for the research: Update Recommendation: BUY from: 05.12.2025 Target price: EUR 1.00 Target price on sight of: 12 months Last rating change: Analyst: Philipp Sennewald

Topic: Yesterday, DEMIRE upgraded its FY25 outlook following postponed disposals and stronger cost discipline. The shift of planned transactions into 2026 leads to a higher-than-expected portfolio size, resulting in increased rental income and FFO. In addition, operating and administrative costs were kept below plan, further supporting earnings. The update follows previous indications that the disposal pipeline was under review and several transactions remained delayed.



Management now projects rental income at the upper end of the previous range of  52-54m (eNuW:  55m) and lifted the FFO I expectation to  9-11m (old:  5-7m; eNuW old/new:  7.8m/ 9.2m). This represents a material upgrade (+67% at mid-point for FFO) compared to the earlier guidance, which had assumed further meaningful disposals in H2'25 (eNuW:  25-40m). The revised outlook is consistent with the latest quarterly trends as 9M FFO I already came in at  8.3m.



The postponement of asset sales means rental income remains supported by a higher asset base, partially offsetting the elevated vacancy (17.4% at 9M). While vacancy remains above the medium-term target (<10%), management reiterates that leasing progress and selective capex should support future occupancy. In fact, letting performance has also shown sequential improvements (112k sqm YTD).



As previously discussed, the company needs to redeem  50m of its corporate bond in '25 and '26 to avoid penalty fees under the refinancing agreement. The shift of disposals into 2026 means that this threshold will not be met this year, as communicated before, implying a 3% penalty. However, this is only partly P&L relevant in 2025 and cash-relevant only at maturity. The company continues to prepare 2026 disposals to meet the next threshold (eNuW: > 75m at 0% BV discount).



While the guidance upgrade shows that commercial real estate in B and C locations is still not a seller's market (Q3 still deal volume still 70% below Q3'22 level), it also displays the resilience of DEMIRE's cash generation despite refinancing constraints and elevated vacancy. Cost discipline continues to support margins even in this difficult environment, and the larger portfolio base provides temporary earnings relief until market conditions allow acceptable pricing for disposals.

Shares remain deeply discounted currently trading 75% below the company's NAV. We thus continue to recommend BUY, especially for investors focused on special situations, and keep our PT unchanged at  1.00 based on our NAV model.





You can download the research here: demireag20251205updateenecacc

For additional information visit our website: https://www.nuways-ag.com/research-feed



Contact for questions:

NuWays AG - Equity Research

Web: www.nuways-ag.com

Email: research@nuways-ag.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysag

Adresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany

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Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss bestimmter Borsengeschafte.

Offenlegung moglicher Interessenskonflikte nach  85 WpHG beim oben analysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollstandigen Analyse.

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New Quality Productive Forces: Powering the Global Tourism Economy

HARBIN, China, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Tourism Economy Forum ("GTEF" or "Forum"), an international platform dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of the global tourism economy, will hold its 2025 edition from December 15 to 17 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Under the theme "New Quality Productive Forces: Powering the Global Tourism Economy", the Forum will gather over 1,000 guests from five continents and more than 30 countries and regions, including the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, heads of international organizations, government officials, ministers of culture and tourism, executives from Fortune Global 500 companies, renowned entrepreneurs, and experts. Together, they will forge a new stage for open cooperation and jointly chart a future blueprint for the global tourism economy.

Launched in 2012 in the Macao Special Administrative Region, GTEF is an annual summit that has successfully held ten editions to date, attracting over 14,000 participants from more than 90 countries and regions. It has partnered with 44 countries and 13 Chinese provinces and cities to promote cultural and tourism brands, serving as a vital bridge linking China with the world. This year, the Forum is venturing beyond Macao for the first time to the "Ice City" of Heilongjiang, a milestone that reflects the province's growing influence in the cultural tourism sector, and the steady expansion of its international cooperation network.

In recent years, Heilongjiang has championed the development of its unique cultural tourism sector, capitalizing on emerging opportunities. The province has successfully harnessed its ice and snow appeal and innovative spirit to establish a diverse industry ecosystem - encompassing the ice-snow economy, winter sports, eco-tourism, and wellness retreats - all strategically tailored to local strengths and powered by new quality productive forces. Through its two "100-day tourism promotion campaigns", which promoted the province as a cool haven for summer, and as classic ice-snow destination during winter; it has since expanded its cultural and tourism offerings from seasonal popularity to year-round vibrancy and achieved remarkable results. In 2024, Heilongjiang welcomed a cumulative of 282 million tourist visits, a year-on-year increase of 29.1%; with its total tourism spending reaching 370.12 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 67.1%. International visitor arrivals surged to 1.2 million, a year-on-year increase of 95.4%, while inbound tourism spending reached 13.44 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 101.5%. These figures indicate strong and continuous momentum across both scale and quality in the cultural tourism market, demonstrating the dynamism of China's high-quality tourism development to the world.

Harnessing this forward drive, this edition of GTEF, as an influential annual global gathering for the culture and tourism sector, is structured around Heilongjiang's year-round, all-region tourism model and industrial innovation. The Forum features four key pillars: "Ice-Snow Economy & Industrial Innovation", "Cultural Empowerment & Brand Building", "Investment Leadership & Project Development", and "Cross-Border Collaboration & Cooperation Opportunities", with the goal of connecting Heilongjiang with high-quality resources and innovative impetus from across the globe. The agenda will include opening and closing ceremonies, keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, cultural tourism showcases, and a Heilongjiang Province Investment Promotion Session. These sessions are designed to establish a high-caliber international platform for domestic and international participants and enterprises, facilitate the business matching of premium projects, and promote the organic integration of the global tourism economy's innovation and industrial chains.

The Forum's dates also coincide with Heilongjiang's winter season "100-day tourism promotion campaign". Forum guests will be invited to tour Harbin's landmark attractions and development projects, gaining a firsthand look at the unique appeal of China's famous ice-and-snow tourism as well as the dynamic achievements of its cultural tourism sector.

About the Global Tourism Economy Forum

The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is a world-class platform for exchange and cooperation dedicated to advancing the sustainable development of the global tourism industry. As a globally recognized annual flagship summit, it brings together high-level representatives including government officials, industry leaders, experts, and renowned entrepreneurs to discuss opportunities, challenges, and cutting-edge trends in the cultural and tourism sectors. The Forum helps global enterprises in tourism economy diversify their investment and cooperation channels by establishing cross-regional resource integration mechanisms to further promote high-quality development of the world tourism economy.

Since its inception in Macao SAR in 2012, the Forum has invited over 700 globally renowned speakers from 90 countries and regions, alongside more than 14,000 participants including heads of state, ministers, business leaders, and experts. With participation from over 1,400 prominent domestic and international media outlets, GTEF has reached a global audience of more than 1.63 billion people, generating accumulated media value exceeding $600 million. Over the past decade, 44 partner countries and 13 Chinese featured provinces and cities have leveraged the Forum's international platform to promote their cultural and tourism brands and share investment and cooperation opportunities, establishing GTEF as a vital bridge linking China with the world. The Forum's global impact, influence, and commercial value have been highly recognized by domestic and international government bodies and organizations. It was included as a key initiative in the State Council's "14th Five-Year Plan for Tourism Development," and UN Tourism explicitly pledged in 2018 to fully support GTEF in becoming the "Davos Forum of the Global Tourism Industry."

For more details and latest updates regarding the Forum, visit https://gte-forum.com/en/homepage/index.html as well as the official GTEF social media accounts.

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HAMILTON, Bermuda, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Flex LNG Ltd ("Flex LNG" or the "Company") (NYSE: FLNG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Marius Foss as the Chief Executive Officer of Flex LNG Management AS.

Mr. Foss currently serves as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer of Flex LNG Management AS. Since joining Flex LNG in 2018, Mr. Foss has been instrumental in developing and executing the commercial strategy of Flex LNG. He brings more than 35 years of shipping experience from commercial management roles from among other Frontline, Golar LNG and Avance Gas.

"On behalf of the Board, I am pleased that Marius has accepted the role as CEO of Flex LNG. His proven commercial capabilities, and leadership during his tenure as interim CEO, provide a strong foundation for the Company's continued development," said Mr. Ola Lorentzon, Chairman of Flex LNG.

Mr. Foss, incoming Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"I appreciate the trust and support of the Board to appoint me as CEO. I look forward to work together with the highly experienced and talented organisation to further develop Flex LNG for the future. With a modern fleet, substantial contract backlog and strong balance sheet, the Company is very well positioned to capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead."

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Knut Traaholt, Chief Financial Officer of Flex LNG Management AS

Telephone: +47 23 11 40 00

Email: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/flex-lng/r/flex-lng---appointment-of-ceo,c4277706

SOURCE Flex LNG
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF) (FWB: T23) ("Powermax" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its plans for Phase 1 exploration program for its recently optioned Pinard Project (the "Project"). The Phase 1 program has been designed to integrate historical data with new fieldwork to advance target generation and prioritize areas for follow-up exploration.

The Pinard REE Property is located in northern Ontario, Canada, roughly 70 km north-northeast of the town of Kapuskasing, and is defined by 255 contiguous mining claims spanning a total of 5178 ha. The mining claims and patents can be easily accessed via all-weather access road.

The Pinard Intrusive Complex is an alkalic to peralkalic igneous body, comprising syenitic to granitic phases consistent with other alkaline plutonic systems in the southern Archean Superior Province. Alkaline complexes of this type commonly form in extensional tectonic environments, including rift zones or deep-seated fault structures. Although the Kapuskasing Structural Zone is dominated by exhumed high-grade Archean basement, several alkaline intrusions including Pinard occur within its broader influence. Regionally, the Pinard Complex shares tectonomagmatic similarities with the nearby Clay-Howells Alkaline Complex, located approximately 20 km to the southwest, which hosts a known niobium-REE mineralized system.

Figure 1: Pinard REE Property Location Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11633/277023_0b949132a4224b23_001full.jpg

The Proposed Phase 1 program at the Property will consist of the following components:

Desktop Data Compilation & GIS Modeling

Powermax plans to complete a comprehensive compilation and analysis of all available historical geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets. These datasets would be integrated into a modern GIS-based exploration platform to refine exploration targets using advanced spatial analysis and radiometric interpretation techniques.

Field Prospecting & Geological Mapping

Systematic field prospecting and detailed geological mapping will be conducted across priority target areas to identify and characterize pegmatite zones, mineralized structures, lithological contacts, and alteration patterns.

Geochemical Sampling

The Phase 1 program will include multi-media geochemical sampling, including:

Rock sampling of outcrops and mineralized occurrences

Soil sampling across defined target grids

Stream sediment sampling within key drainage catchments

Sampling results will be used to vector toward areas of potential mineralization and refine exploration targets.

Radiometric Surveys

Handheld scintillometer surveys will be conducted across target areas to detect radiometric anomalies and associated pathfinder elements in support of target delineation.

Airborne Geophysical Survey

Powermax is planning a high-resolution helicopter-borne magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometric survey over key portions of the Project area. The airborne survey is expected to assist in identifying structural trends, lithological boundaries, and radiometric anomalies associated with prospective mineralization.

"The Phase 1 program at Pinard is designed to rapidly advance our technical understanding of the Project by combining historical datasets with modern exploration techniques," said Paul Gorman, CEO of Powermax. "This systematic approach will allow us to efficiently identify and prioritize high-quality targets for follow-up work."

The Phase 1 exploration program is intended to integrate historical and newly acquired field data to generate and rank priority targets for subsequent advanced exploration programs, including trenching and potential drilling.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., who is a director of the Company and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Powermax Minerals Inc.

Powermax Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing rare earth element projects. The Company holds an option to acquire the Cameron REE Property, comprising three mineral claims totaling approximately 2,984 hectares in British Columbia. Powermax also optioned to acquire the Atikokan REE Property, consisting of 455 unpatented mining claims in NW Ontario. Powermax also optioned to acquire the 5178 hectare Pinard REE in Northern Ontario. Powermax also owns a 100% interest in the Ogden Bear Lodge Project, in Crook County, Wyoming.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions of management and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding potential mineralization, exploration plans, timing of activities, and future exploration results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Powermax Minerals Inc. 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 securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277023

SOURCE: Powermax Minerals Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Capitan Silver Corp. (TSXV: CAPT) ("Capitan" or "the Company") is pleased to report that is has completed an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Capitan Hill Oxide Gold Deposit ("Capitan Hill") at its Cruz de Plata silver-gold project, located in Durango, Mexico.

Highlights:

New pit-constrained MRE defined for Capitan Hill is reported at a 0.18 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold (Au) cut-off grade, using a US$2,500 Au price Inferred Mineral Resources of 39,795,000 Tonnes (t) at 0.41 g/t Au for 525,000 troy ounces (oz) of gold, represents a 115% increase in contained gold ounces compared to the historical block model and the previous MRE 1 The 2025 updated MRE produced an in-pit resource that represents 78% of all the block modelled gold ounces above the lower cut-off at Capitan Hill to date. Only in-pit ounces are reported as part of the MRE The historical 2020 Capitan Hill MRE reported resources within 150m depth from surface using a cut-off of 0.25 g/t Au, which contained 20,722,000 t at 0.46 g/t Au for 305,000 oz of gold To allow comparison of pit-constrained contained metal, a conceptual pit based on the 2020 historical MRE parameters and a US$1,500/oz gold price was created to constrain the historical 2020 Capitan Hill MRE. Within this conceptual pit shell, the historical 2020 Capitan Hill MRE contains 15,358,000 t at 0.50 g/t Au for 244,000 oz of gold, using a 0.25 g/t Au cut-off

The Capitan Hill Gold Deposit is in addition to the Company's Jesus Maria Silver Trend and represents approximately 1% of the total Cruz de Plata project area

Upcoming: Approximately 2/3 of the expanded 15,000m drill program for 2025 has been completed with only 1/3 of the assay results released Assay results pending for 31 drillholes, with drilling ongoing into Q1 2026 Property-wide geophysical survey initiated, results expected in Q1 2026



Alberto Orozco, CEO of Capitan Silver, commented:

"While silver remains our primary focus and the strongest driver of value at Cruz de Plata, the updated in-pit constrained gold resource at Capitan Hill adds real strength to the project. The growth we achieved with limited drilling highlights the quality of the system and the optionality it brings to our silver-focused district.

"It's also worth noting that our team has had tremendous success in the past with deposits like Capitan Hill, where we have advanced and built two similar projects - both on time and on budget, while creating meaningful shareholder value along the way."

Capitan Hill Mineral Resource Summary

During 2020 and 2021 Capitan completed a total of 12,209m of Reverse Circulation ("RC") exploration drilling in forty-nine (49) drillholes at Capitan Hill. The focus of this drill program was to expand the oxide gold mineralization along strike to the northwest and southeast, as well as down-dip to the southwest of the previous MRE. Additionally, infill drilling was completed along some section lines to help constrain the higher-grade mineralization that occurs along the volcanic-sediment unconformity (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Simplified geological map and mineral system model, including new identified targets. 1. Jesus Maria Silver Trend (Containing the Jesus Maria, Santa Teresa and San Rafael veins), 2. Gully Fault zone, 3. Jesus Maria East Trend, 4. San Rafael West, 5. Jesus Maria Northwest, 6. Casco Norte, 7. La Providencia, 8. Jesus Maria Silver Trend North, 9. La Purisima, 10. Capitan Hill gold deposit, 11. El Tubo hill gold target

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7373/277025_d3540b23542ddbd9_003full.jpg

Figure 2 below illustrates the impact that the 2020/21 drill program has had on the depth and definition of the Capitan Hill Gold Deposit since the program concluded. The figure on the left represents the historic limits of the 2014/15 drilling and the 2015 resource estimate (block model). The figure on the right illustrates the expanded footprint of the 2025 Capitan Hill MRE, showing a more complete interpretation of the mineralized zones, and an expanded footprint of the deposit at depth.

The historical 2020 Capitan Hill MRE1 was not constrained by a pit shell and instead used a 0.25 g/t Au lower cut-off and a 150m depth-from-topography reporting constraint. For comparison purposes only, APEX Geoscience Ltd. ("APEX") generated a conceptual pit shell using the historical 2020 block model and the metal price and cost assumptions disclosed in the historical 2020 technical report. APEX estimates that approximately 244,000 ounces of contained gold as a historical Inferred MRE would have likely been reported within that conceptual pit shell (at the same 0.25 g/t Au cut-off). For comparative purposes, the updated 2025 Capitan Hill MRE, utilizing new drilling and modern parameters for Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction ("RPEEE") within a current conceptual pit shell, contains approximately 115% more contained gold ounces than the historical block model and MRE. This increase is attributable to updated geological interpretation/resource estimation based on new drilling, together with updated metal price and mining cost assumptions used to generate the current pit shell for pit-constrained reporting.

Compared to the historical 2020 Capitan Hill MRE, the updated 2025 Capitan Hill MRE applies updated reporting constraints aligned with demonstrating RPEEE (pit-constrained vs depth-constrained), and provides a solid foundation for Capitan Silver to build upon in terms of understanding:

The limits of mineralization across the deposit

The continuity and distribution of higher-grade mineralization

Where and how to add additional ounces at the deposit and the project as a whole

Guidance on how to upgrade portions of the resource to an indicated category

Figure 2: Cross section comparison: 2025 Capitan Hill MRE vs historical 2020 Capitan Hill MRE



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7373/277025_d3540b23542ddbd9_004full.jpg

Mineral Resource modelling was conducted in UTM Coordinate system relative to the World Geodetic System 1984 ensemble / UTM zone 13N (EPSG:32613). The MRE utilized a block model with a size of 10 metres (X) by 5 metres (Y) by 5 metres (Z) to honour the mineralization wireframes for estimation. Gold and silver (Ag) grades were estimated for each block using Ordinary Kriging with locally varying anisotropy to ensure grade continuity in various directions is reproduced in the block model. The resource block model underwent several pit optimization scenarios using Deswik's Pseudoflow pit optimization. The resulting conceptual pit shell is used to constrain the reported open-pit resources. The reported open-pit resources utilize a cut-off of 0.18 g/t Au. The MRE is reported as undiluted.

The 2025 Capitan Hill MRE comprises an Inferred Mineral Resource of 525,000 oz of gold at an average grade of 0.41 g/t Au and 4,244,000 oz of silver at an average grade of 3.3 g/t Ag, within a total of 39,795,000 t. Table 1 provides the complete 2025 Capitan Hill MRE statement.

Table 1: Summary of the Pit-Constrained Inferred Capitan Hill Mineral Resources on the Cruz de Plata Project (as of September 17, 2025)

Gold Cut-off

(g/t) Tonnes

(t) Average Gold

(g/t) Average Silver

(g/t) Contained Gold

(oz) Contained Silver

(oz) 0.18 39,795,000 0.41 3.3 525,000 4,244,000

Notes:

Warren Black, M.Sc., P.Geo., Senior Consultant: Mineral Resources and Geostatistics of APEX Geoscience Ltd., who is deemed a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 is responsible for the completion of the mineral resource estimation, with an effective date of September 17, 2025. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could potentially be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions (2014) and Best Practices Guidelines (2019) prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. Economic assumptions used include US$2,500/oz Au, US$26.5/oz Ag, process recoveries of 70% and 45% for Au and Ag respectively, a US$5/t processing cost, and a G&A cost of US$1.5/t. The constraining pit optimization parameters include a US$2.5/t mining cost for both mineralized and waste material and 45 pit slopes. Pit-constrained Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off of 0.18 g/t Au.

Table 2: Sensitivities of the Inferred Pit-Constrained 2025 Capitan Hill MRE (as of September 17, 2025)

Gold Cut-off

(g/t) Tonnes

(t) Average Gold

(g/t) Average Silver

(g/t) Contained Gold

(oz) Contained Silver

(koz) 0.1 60,186,000 0.32 2.5 617,000 4,818,000 0.15 47,667,000 0.37 3.0 566,000 4,542,000 0.18 39,795,000 0.41 3.3 525,000 4,244,000 0.2 34,963,000 0.44 3.6 495,000 4,016,000 0.25 26,102,000 0.51 4.1 431,000 3,462,000 0.3 20,197,000 0.58 4.5 380,000 2,894,000 0.35 16,165,000 0.65 4.8 338,000 2,519,000 0.4 13,000,000 0.72 5.2 299,000 2,174,000 0.45 10,575,000 0.78 5.5 266,000 1,876,000 0.5 8,823,000 0.85 5.7 240,000 1,612,000 0.6 6,317,000 0.96 6.0 196,000 1,227,000 0.7 4,575,000 1.09 6.3 160,000 929,000 0.8 3,389,000 1.20 6.7 131,000 730,000 0.9 2,519,000 1.33 6.9 107,000 557,000 1 1,985,000 1.43 6.8 91,000 436,000

Notes:

All tonnage, grade, and contained metal values in this table are reported within the optimized pit shell used to constrain the stated mineral resource estimate. The cut-off grade used to report the stated pit-constrained mineral resource estimate is 0.18 g/t Au.

The current Mineral Resource Estimate for Capitan Hill will be fully documented in an independent Technical Report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") to be filed on SEDAR+ and the Capitan website www.capitansilver.com within 45 days of this press release.

1References made in this news release to the "previous" or "historical" Mineral Resource Estimate for Capitan Hill refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Penoles Gold-Silver Project Durango Mexico" dated January 12, 2020, prepared by Derrick Strickland, P. Geo. And Robert Sim, P. Geo. of Sim Geological Inc. The 2020 MRE is considered to be historical due to new drilling and the estimation of a new current MRE with more appropriate RPEEE parameters at this time.

New Oxide Gold Targets at Cruz De Plata

On October 1, 2025, Capitan provided an update on new silver and gold targets across its recently consolidated property package. This included the El Tubo Target area, which is located approximately 1.75km to the east-northeast of Capitan Hill (see also Figure 1).

The El Tubo target occurs along a similar, preserved portion of the volcanic-sedimentary unconformity that hosts Capitan Hill. Along this unconformity, plugs of rhyolitic porphyry dykes have intruded and created areas of brecciation and veining, that look very similar to the mineralization at Capitan Hill. Grab and chip sampling along these zones have returned anomalous gold grades ranging from 15ppb to 1.25 g/t. This zone of mineralization has been traced for approximately 1.1km along strike and has been traced in outcrop over a width between 2-10m where exposed. This area is considered to be at the drill ready stage, with shallow RC drilling planned in 2026.

Exploration Update: Jesus Maria Silver Trend

Exploration at Cruz de Plata continues to steadily progress into December 2025. Drilling is expected to continue until December 20, with an additional six to seven RC drillholes targeted for completion before the holiday break. Drilling (completed and planned) since November has focused on:

The down-dip expansion of the Jesus Maria Silver Trend to the south of previously released holes 25-ERRC-21, 25 and 12

Down-dip and down-plunge expansion of the new high-grade zone discovered in drillholes 25-ERRC-12 and 26

A southwest-oriented drillhole to test the new Penoles Fault target between drillholes 25-ERRC-17 and 12

Drilling along strike (to the west) of the newly-discovered high-grade zone at drillhole 25-ERRC-17

Follow-up drilling down-dip and along strike of the high-grade result returned from drillhole 25-ERRC-20

New targets defined by high-grade surface samples, to the north and west of the San Rafael zone

Figure 3 illustrates the size of Capitan Hill in relation to the silver targets currently being targeted in the 2025 drill program. Overall, Capitan Hill, in terms of its surface expression, represents only 1% of the total property size at the Cruz De Plata project. The image below illustrates how target-rich yet underexplored the Cruz de Plata project remains. As of December 5, 2025, sixty (60) drillholes have been completed as part of the expanded 15,000m drill program at Cruz de Plata, with twenty-nine (29) drillholes released thus far, and the remaining thirty-one (31) drillholes pending assays.

Figure 3: Location and dimensions of Capitan Hill in relation to the surface expression of known high-grade silver zones at the Cruz de Plata project

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7373/277025_d3540b23542ddbd9_006full.jpg

Qualified Person

The Mineral Resource estimate for the Capitan Hill Gold Deposit was carried out under the supervision of Warren Black, M.Sc., P.Geo., an employee of APEX Geoscience Ltd., and independent of Capitan. He is a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has read and approved the contents of this news release as it pertains to the Mineral Resource estimate disclosed. Mr. Black is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect their respective Mineral Resource estimate.

High grades have not been capped. Capitan Silver field samples are sent to the Bureau Veritas Lab in Durango, Mexico for prep. RC Drill samples have been analysed using the following codes: MA300, 4-acid digestion, multi-element analysis (Vancouver Lab). Au is analyzed using Fire Assay (FA430, Durango Lab). Overlimit (>200 ppm Ag) assays utilize method MA370, with gravimetric utilized for any overlimit thereafter. QAQC: Capitan Silver maintains a rigorous QAQC program and inserts multiple standards, blanks and duplicates into the sample stream at regular intervals. Check Assays are performed at SGS laboratories in Durango, Mexico.

Metal Recovery: Ag 94%, Au 86%, Pb 93.5%, Zn 92%

AgEq considers Ag, Au, Pb and Zn and calculated as follows: AgEq = Ag g/t + (80x Au g/t) + (0.003 x Pb g/t) + (0.0037 x Zn g/t).

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release pertaining to the Cruz de Plata project was reviewed and approved by Marc Idziszek, P.Geo, a non-independent qualified person to Capitan Silver, who is responsible for ensuring that the technical information provided in this news release is accurate and who acts as a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Capitan Silver Corp.

Capitan Silver is defining a new high-grade silver system at its Cruz de Plata project, located in the heart of Mexico's primary silver belt. The Company is led by a proven and accomplished management team that has previously advanced three projects into production, on time and on budget. The Company has been diligent in maintaining a tight share structure and has one of the tightest share structures among its peer group, with the top three shareholders owning over 38% of the Company's share capital. Capitan Silver is fully funded and actively drilling at its Cruz de Plata silver project.

ON BEHALF OF CAPITAN SILVER CORP.

"Alberto Orozco"

Alberto Orozco, CEO

DISCLAIMER FOR FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., "expect", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "plans"). Such information involves known and unknown risks -- including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Capitan in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press 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 release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277025

SOURCE: Capitan Silver Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands is pleased to announce the grand opening of Heal Wellness ("Heal") in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island this Saturday, December 6th, 2025. This newest location is located at 393 University Ave., Unit 8 (Kirkwood Mews) and represents Heal's first location to open in PEI and Atlantic Canada, furthering the brand's coast-to-coast national expansion. Heal Wellness is a quick-service restaurant ("QSR") brand specializing in fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies.

Happy Belly 1

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"Heal continues to build strong momentum across Canada as we partner with experienced operators committed to the long-term growth of our brands," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "This location will be operated by a seasoned multi-unit, multi-brand franchise partner whose existing Happy Belly portfolio of brands includes both Lettuce Love Cafe and Heal Wellness, reflecting the Company's disciplined support model of growing with strong operators across multiple concepts.

"Charlottetown is a vibrant and fast-growing community with students, families, professionals, and tourists who all value convenient, fresh, better-for-you food options. Opening our first PEI location here is a meaningful milestone as we bring Heal's energizing smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies to Atlantic Canada."





Happy Belly 2

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Heal Wellness continues to accelerate its expansion across Canada and into the United States, solidifying its position as a leading smoothie bowl and wellness QSR brand. With 29 locations currently operating and over 168 in development, Heal contributes to a broader Happy Belly pipeline of 646 contractually committed retail franchise locations across its portfolio of emerging brands-including Heal Wellness, Rosie's Burgers, Yolks Breakfast, Via Cibo Italian Street Food, and others-at various stages of development, construction, and operation.

"We are just getting started," said Sean Black.



About Heal Wellness

Heal Wellness was founded with a passion and mission to provide quick, fresh wellness foods that support a busy and active lifestyle. We currently offer a diverse range of smoothie bowls and smoothies. We take pride in meticulously selecting every superfood ingredient on our menu to fuel the body, including acai smoothie bowls, smoothies, and super-seed grain bowls. Our smoothie bowls are crafted with real fruit and enriched with superfoods like acai, pitaya, goji berries, chia seeds, and more.

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 3

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Sean Black

Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer

Shawn Moniz

Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer

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/277029

SOURCE: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.


EQS Newswire / 05/12/2025 / 12:00 CET/CEST

BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 December 2025 - Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, visited the Beijing People's Art Theatre on Thursday to learn about the theatre's development and its cultural exchanges with the French theatre community. Following the visit, CGTN published an article highlighting the rich cultural and people-to-people exchanges in recent years and emphasizing how these interactions are essential for fostering deeper mutual understanding between the two major cultural nations.



The Beijing People's Art Theatre (BPAT) in Beijing on Thursday warmly welcomed Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron.



Brigitte Macron is accompanying the French president on his state visit to China.



During the visit, Peng and Brigitte gained an in-depth understanding of the development of the BPAT and its exchanges with the French theater community. They also explored the stage set of the classic Chinese play "Teahouse," watched a play segment and had an engaging conversation with the performers.



The Chinese play "Teahouse" made history in 2019 when it was performed at the Festival d'Avignon in France, marking the first time a Chinese play was invited to one of the world's most prestigious contemporary performing arts festivals. The play's debut left a lasting impression on Olivier Py, then director of the Festival d'Avignon, who described it as one of the best productions he had ever seen.



In April 2024, the BPAT unveiled its latest Chinese adaptation of Moliere's classic "The Miser," captivating audiences with its splendid performances.



In late October, the French classic drama "Les Paravents" (The Screens), one of the founding pillars of contemporary French theater, was featured in the 2025 BPAT International Theatre Invitation Exhibition, staged at the Capital Theatre for a three-day run. This marked the first time the widely acclaimed play was presented in its entirety in China.



Peng said generations of Chinese dramatists have adhered to inheriting and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture in their artistic creations, while learning from foreign theaters and actively advancing innovation and development.



In addition to the exchange of plays and theater, China and France have also strengthened other aspects of cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The 2024 China-France Year of Culture and Tourism advanced cooperation in the fields of education, sports, and film and television, and more than 6,000 French students traveled to China for exchanges and study that year. Growing numbers of French tourists are also visiting China, thanks to China's visa-free policy.



This year marks both the beginning of a new 60-year cycle in China-France diplomatic relations and the start of the second decade of their high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges.



Looking ahead, Peng expressed hope that artists from both China and France, two major cultural countries, will continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and create more outstanding artistic works.



Appreciating Peng's thoughtful arrangements, Brigitte Macron spoke highly of Chinese dramatic arts and expressed her willingness to actively promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.



https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-12-05/Peng-Liyuan-Brigitte-Macron-visit-Beijing-theatre-1IQGtc4Iohy/p.html



Hashtag: CGTN

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News Source: CGTN

05/12/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



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The company was honored for the Pan-European Contact Operation and Outsourced Contact Center at the European Contact Centre and Customer Support Association's Gala

LONDON and BLUE BELL, Pa., Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisys (NYSE: UIS) received two Gold Awards at the 2025 European Contact Centre and Customer Support Association (ECCCSA) Best Customer Experience Annual Awards. The company was recognized as "Best Pan European Customer Contact Operation" and "Best Outsourced Contact Center of the Year" during the ECCCSA's awards celebration.

The Unisys Digital Workplace Solutions (DWS) team was recognized for delivering personalized service and leveraging innovative technology to enhance client experiences. The team's proactive approach and commitment to excellence have empowered Unisys to maintain industry-leading standards in customer service.

"We are extremely proud of this year's ECCCSA honors, which celebrate the exceptional work of our European team in a very competitive market," said Patrycja Sobera, senior vice president and general manager, Digital Workplace Solutions, Unisys. "Every day, our dedicated team works to deliver advanced digital workplace solutions that transform and engage employees in their dynamic environments."

This is the fourth consecutive year Unisys has earned a Gold recognition from ECCCSA, and it is the first time the company's DWS business has received two Gold Awards in one year. In 2024, Unisys received Gold for "Best Customer Experience Practice."

Now in its 25th year, the ECCCSA program is Europe's longest-running and most respected customer contact awards. Winners are selected through a rigorous judging process that recognizes innovation, operational efficiency, and commitment to customer service excellence.

Visit the ECCCSA website for more information on the award program and the complete list of 2025 winners. To learn more about how Unisys can help you optimize your digital workplace, visit Digital Workplace Solutions.

About Unisys

Unisys is a global technology solutions company that powers breakthroughs for the world's leading organizations. Our solutions - cloud, AI, digital workplace, applications and enterprise computing - help our clients challenge the status quo and unlock their full potential. To learn how we have been helping clients push what's possible for more than 150 years, visit unisys.com and follow us on LinkedIn .

RELEASE NO.: 1205/10034

Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder.

UIS-C

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/unisys-wins-two-gold-awards-for-customer-experience-excellence-302633701.html
Amsterdam, Dec. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Miranda Stewart will be the Visiting Global Scholar at IBFD for 2026/2027. Miranda Stewart is a Professor specialising in taxation law at the University of Melbourne Law School and a Visiting Professor at New York University School of Law, where she is the Faculty Director of the International Tax LLM program. Since 2024, we invite our Visiting Global Scholar to engage in activities at IBFD for two years, since this will allow for deeper collaboration on strategic research projects, continuity in academic output, and meaningful participation in IBFD events and initiatives.

IBFD's Academic Chairman, Prof. Dr Pasquale Pistone expresses; "Miranda is a world-class scholar with unique skills of combining tax law and policy with a global vision of international taxation. Teaming up with her will give IBFD an excellent opportunity to enhance its research abilities in matters connected with her core areas of research, and on the foreseeable tax policy debate coming up in the forthcoming two years."

"It is exciting to join the IBFD as a Visiting Scholar in 2026. I will be participating in the forthcoming IBFD Academic Conference on the fundamental topic, Ability to Pay, and will be working with the academic research team at the IBFD on research about international tax and the United Nations Framework Convention, as well as other topics. I look forward very much to my participation with the IBFD." said Miranda.

About Professor Stewart

Miranda Stewart is a Professor specialising in taxation law at the University of Melbourne Law School and a Visiting Professor at New York University School of Law, where she is the Faculty Director of the International Tax LLM program, a leading program in the field globally. Professor Stewart is also an Honorary Professor at the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University. Professor Stewart researches and teaches on a range of international and domestic tax law topics, and has also advised governments including the Australian Treasury, and international organisations including the International Monetary Fund. Her publications include her influential book Tax and Government in the 21st Century (2022, Cambridge University Press), for which she was awarded a Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the University of Melbourne.

About the Visting Global Scholar initiative

Every second year, IBFD invites a distinguished academic to join IBFD Academic as the Visiting Global Scholar (formerly professor in residence) at the IBFD headquarters for two years.

The Visiting Global Scholar becomes actively involved in the scientific work of IBFD Academic, with regards to teaching, research and further oral and written dissemination of knowledge in tax law. The Visiting Global Scholar's research agenda is supported by IBFD Academic, ensuring worldwide exposure. During their tenure, the Visiting Global Scholar delivers a Distinguished Lecture on a research topic being developed into a paper to be submitted to an IBFD Academic periodical. The Visiting Global Scholar initiative started in 2013 and has involved many distinguished global scholars through the years. This two-year appointment, by invitation, allows IBFD to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of one of the leading scholars on International Taxation. You can learn more about the Visiting Global Scholar initiative here: https://www.ibfd.org/ibfd-academic/research-activities-and-partnerships.

About IBFD

IBFD is the leading international provider of cross-border tax expertise. An independent, non-profit foundation, IBFD has a long-standing history in supporting and contributing to tax research and academic activities. IBFD utilizes a global network of tax experts to serve Fortune 500 companies, governments, universities, international consultancy firms and tax advisors. IBFD's core business is research, publishing (online and print) and education in international taxation. All IBFD products are accessible through IBFD's Tax Research Platform, the powerful online engine behind efficient tax information and research. Founded in 1938 and headquartered in Amsterdam, IBFD also has a local presence in important markets such as North America, Asia and China.

Attachment

Professor Miranda Stewart (https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/1d4210e3-f59a-44fd-ad22-b7e5765ca26f)

Emer Cronin IBFD e.cronin@ibfd.org
Industry pioneer joins Dunia, further strengthening its commercial and strategic capabilities.

BERLIN, DE / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Dunia, the company building the world's most advanced autonomous labs for materials discovery, today announced that Dr. Dirk Demuth has joined as Senior Advisor and Head of Corporate Development.

Dr. Demuth is widely regarded as one of the architects of modern industrial experimentation. He co-founded and led hte GmbH, setting the benchmark for high-throughput industrial R&D. At BASF, he held senior leadership roles across catalysis, process innovation, and global operations, and most recently helped drive Redwood Materials' European expansion.

"After decades accelerating industrial R&D, you recognize when something fundamentally new emerges," said Dr. Demuth. "Dunia is exactly that: Autonomous labs, AI-native workflows, real-world data at unprecedented scale.This is the next wave of materials innovation. Joining this team is the logical step."

In his role, Dr. Demuth will expand Dunia's commercial reach, deepen strategic partnerships, and ensure discoveries translate into industrial products with economy-wide impact.

A Team Built for the Next Decade of Discovery

Dunia has become a global magnet for exceptional engineers, operators, and scientists with talent relocating to Berlin from as far as the Bay Area, to work on the hardest problems in materials discovery.

From its founding, Dunia has stood out for unifying disciplines that rarely collaborate this closely: AI researchers, robotics automation experts, computational scientists, hardware engineers, materials chemists, and industrial and commercial operators. Building an AI-native, full-stack materials discovery company requires fluency across all of these domains, and which are rarely found under one roof. That interdisciplinary cohesion is now one of Dunia's strongest competitive advantages.

"It is the privilege of a lifetime to work with Dirk," said Alexander Hammer, CEO and co-founder of Dunia. "He is a leading pioneer from the last major wave of accelerated materials development. The difference is that twenty years ago, we simply didn't have the maturity in robotics, compute, or AI to go further. Today, that stack is finally real, and the pace of progress is accelerating month by month. For the first time, the foundations exist to deliver breakthroughs in materials on timelines measured in weeks, not decades."

Hammer added: "Dirk not only strengthens our scientific and operational capabilities; he enhances our ability to commercialize what we discover. It's not enough to create hits in the lab, they must become products with real-world, GDP-level impact. With Dirk's experience, we are positioned to turn discoveries into industrial solutions at unprecedented scale."

About Dunia Innovations

Dunia builds the world's most advanced autonomous labs for materials discovery; an AI-native industrial stack designed to bridge the simulation-to-reality (Sim2Real) gap. Its platform, IRIS, merges robotics, multi-modal AI, and real-world experimentation to accelerate breakthroughs across energy, chemicals, and advanced manufacturing. Dunia's mission is to industrialize discovery and unlock a future of abundance.

Contact Information

Gonzalo Arenas

VP Operations

gonzalo@dunia.ai

+49 15560 431896





SOURCE: Dunia Innovations GmbH

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/dunia-innovations-strengthens-its-leadership-with-industry-pioneer-dr.-1114993
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - FNX Inc. (CSE: FNX) ("FNX" or the "Company") announces that, further to its press release dated November 27, 2025, effective as of today, it has changed the name of the Company from "S2 Minerals Inc." to "FNX Inc." (the "Name Change") and amended the articles of the Company to (a) amend the rights and restrictions of the previously existing class of common shares and re-designate such class as "subordinate voting shares" and (b) create a new class of shares designated as "multiple voting shares" (the "Articles Amendments"). As a result of the Articles Amendments, all previously outstanding common shares of the Company have been re-designated as subordinate voting shares.

The subordinate voting shares have begun trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "FNX". The new CUSIP and ISIN of the subordinate voting shares are 343921102 and CA3439211028, respectively. No action is required to be taken by existing securityholders of the Company with respect to the Name Change or Articles Amendments.

About FNX Inc.

FNX Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring mineral properties in Northwest Ontario, including the Sandy Lake project.

The Sandy Lake project comprises approximately 167,000 acres of contiguous mineral claims in the Sandy Lake Archean Greenstone Belt, located approximately 140 miles north of Red Lake, Ontario. FNX beneficially holds a 100% interest in the mineral rights to approximately 137,000 acres, and holds a 50.1% interest in the approximately 15,000 acres of the "Weebigee Joint Venture" claims and a 50% interest in a further 15,000 acres of the Southern Block claims in joint ventures with Goldeye Explorations Limited, now part of NexGold Mining Corp.

The Sandy Lake project is held within the traditional territories of Sandy Lake First Nation and Keewaywin First Nation. FNX also holds additional mineral claims which are located within Eabametoong First Nation traditional lands.

It is expected that over time, FNX may add new Canadian-focused exploration stage projects to its portfolio.

Forward-Looking Information

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. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts 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 risks relating to general business, economic, competitive, policy and social uncertainties, and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite regulatory approvals.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276926

SOURCE: FNX Inc,
LONDON, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Signal Exchange (GSE), today welcomes support from Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and a leading digital-safety philanthropist, to accelerate the GSE's work to help organisations tackle online scams, fraud and abuse with unprecedented pace, software capabilities and scale.

Since launch a year ago, the GSE has quickly grown on a global scale to become the world's first and leading multistakeholder and cross-sector clearing house for sharing abuse data and related information (often called "threat signals"). Google, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft are some of the dozens of global brands that have joined the GSE, along with engagement from Governments, law enforcement agencies and thought leaders worldwide.

Cybercrime now costs the global economy an estimated $8 trillion a year, yet the response remains fragmented. The GSE addresses this by enabling real-time sharing of "threat signals" across technology companies, financial institutions, infrastructure providers and law enforcement. Since its launch, the platform has grown from 40 million to more than 700 million signals.

Craig Newmark, craigslist founder, said: "Fighting online scams is personal to me. I've been doing it for more than 25 years. GSE is bringing people together to offer simple tools to keep us all safe online. I'm putting my money where my mouth is by funding these solutions and by encouraging everyone to get loud about the seriousness of the threat."

His support will help extend the GSE to the organisations most routinely exploited by cybercriminals, including smaller domain registrars, hosting providers, local advertisers and frontline law enforcement, who often lack the tools and capability to respond. It will also strengthen the GSE's operating model as it moves toward a sustainable footing by 2027.

Emily Taylor, Co-Founder of the Global Signal Exchange, said: "We're grateful for Craig's support at a moment when online fraud is escalating faster than any single organisation or country can respond. The GSE was built to connect the dots between sectors that rarely work together, and this support will help us extend those protections to the smaller organisations and high-risk communities who need it most. It's a strong vote of confidence in a model that is already delivering results for partners worldwide."

By connecting intelligence that currently sits in silos, the GSE enables earlier detection, faster action and more effective disruption of scams.

For more information, visit: https://www.globalsignalexchange.org.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/craig-newmark-backs-global-signal-exchange---tackling-online-scams-and-protecting-vulnerable-communities-302634027.html
By Claire Kreuz

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / No one should have to choose between keeping the lights on and paying for food or medicine. However, we understand that many of our older adult customers and customers with disabilities live on low or fixed incomes. Through Entergy's The Power to Care program, employees and generous customers throughout our service territory help provide emergency bill payment assistance to these customers to help bridge the gap.

Through partnerships with local nonprofit agencies, the program has already supported more than 1,200 Arkansas families this year, providing an average of $327 in assistance per household.

Entergy Arkansas Customer Service Manager Barbara Merrick has worked for the company for nearly 30 years and talks to customers on a day-to-day basis. In that time, she has seen the need firsthand She says being able to share that help is available gives customers a sense of comfort. That's why she's been contributing to The Power to Care throughout her career.

"It was great to be able to tell them about the program and how to get help,'" Merrick said. "I could hear the relief in their voices, that there is someone out there trying to help them."

For Barbara, the program reflects Entergy Arkansas's commitment to caring for those who have spent their lives caring for others.

"That's what gets me the most, is how we are able to help some of our elderly customers because they have worked their whole lives," Merrick said. "I want them to be able to enjoy their golden years and not have to struggle."

Entergy Arkansas Senior Manager Drew Clem echoes that sentiment, looking back to the customers he met early in his career working in power restoration.

"Working in low-income areas, I saw how tough things could be," Clem said. "It definitely gives me some pride knowing I'm helping our customers make ends meet."

For Clem, it's more than just a donation, it's a promise to help customers through life's most difficult moments.

"It's a wonderful program that gives back to our communities," Clem said. "If you step up and do it, hopefully others will follow and every little bit helps."

Thanks to employees, non-profit partners and supporters statewide, The Power to Care continues to offer comfort, stability and dignity to families in need. To learn more about The Power to Care program, visit our website.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Entergy Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/utilities/the-power-to-care-supporting-arkansas-customers-when-they-need-it-most-1114997
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Nexcel Metals Corp. (CSE: NEXX) (OTCQB: NXXCF) (FSE: 2OH) ("Nexcel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news releases dated November 7, 2025 and November 21, 2025, that it has closed its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") for aggregate gross proceeds of $3,549,800 that consists of the issuance of a combination of:

1,190,000 flow-through units of the Company (" FT Units ") at a price of $0.42 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $499,800; and

") at a price of $0.42 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $499,800; and 8,714,285 non-flow-through units of the Company ("NFT Units") at a price of $0.35 per NFT Unit for gross proceeds of $3,050,000.

Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share of the Company (a "FT Unit Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (a "FT Unit Warrant"). Each FT Unit Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one non-flow-through common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.50 until December 4, 2027.

Each NFT Unit consists of one non-flow-through common share of the Company and one transferable common share purchase warrant (a "NFT Unit Warrant"). Each NFT Unit Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one non-flow-through common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.45 until December 4, 2027.

Each FT Unit Share will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act"). An amount equal to the gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" on any of the Lac Ducharme Property located in Quebec and the Burnt Hill Property located in New Brunswick which will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as those terms are defined in the Tax Act, and which the Company intends to renounce to the subscribers of the FT Units.

The securities issued pursuant to and in connection with the Private Placement, including any securities of the Company issuable upon exercise thereof, resulted in the issuance of more than 100% of the current number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, which required approval by shareholders of the Company ("Shareholders") under Policy 4 of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). In accordance with Section 4.6(1)(b) of Policy 4 of the CSE, the Company received approval by written consent of Shareholders holding more than 50% of the outstanding common shares of the Company as at November 7, 2025.

The net proceeds from the sale of the NFT Units will be used for additional exploration work on the Company's properties and for general and administrative expenses and working capital purposes.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid an aggregate of $230,276 in cash and issued an aggregate of 641,272 non-transferrable common share purchase warrants exercisable until December 4, 2027 (the "Finder's Warrants") in finder's fees, of which (i) 161,000 Finder's Warrants have an exercise price of $0.35, (ii) 396,972 Finder's Warrants have an exercise price of $0.45 and (iii) 16,800 Finder's Warrants have an exercise price of $0.50, and (iv) 66,500 Finder's Warrants have an exercise price of $0.42.

The securities issued pursuant to and in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a hold period expiring on April 5, 2026.

In addition, the board of directors of the Company approved the adoption by the Company of a 20% rolling restricted share unit plan (the "RSU Plan"), in addition to the existing 10% rolling stock option plan. The RSU Plan and any grants thereunder remain subject to the approval by the disinterested Shareholders at the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders.

The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Nexcel Metals Corp.

Nexcel is a junior mining company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. The Company is currently focused on the Lac Ducharme Property located in the Province of Quebec and the Burnt Hill Property located in the Province of New Brunswick.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Hugh Rogers"

CEO

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." 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 (including negative and grammatical variations), or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, CSE approval of the Private Placement, the proposed use and anticipated benefits of the proceeds of the Private Placement; the tax treatment of the FT Unit Shares; the renouncement of applicable expenditures and the exploration and development of the Company's properties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to vary include the Company's ability to use the proceeds of the Private Placement as proposed and renounce the applicable expenditures; the availability of the proposed tax treatment of the FT Unit Shares; and the risks detailed in filings on the Company's SEDAR+ profile on sedarplus.ca.

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, except as required by applicable securities laws, in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

The Canadian Securities Exchange and the Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) have not reviewed, approved, disapproved or accepted responsibility for the contents, adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277011

SOURCE: Nexcel Metals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) ("Aegis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its common shares will begin trading on the OTCQB Venture Market under the new symbol "QESSF" effective December 5, 2025.

The updated OTCQB symbol brings all Aegis listings into alignment and strengthens the Company's unified market identity. This change supports Aegis's strategic focus on delivering advanced defence-grade energy systems-including frequency-stable power solutions for Arctic and remote operations-and integrating Canadian-developed, quantum-grade cybersecurity across its product portfolio.

In addition, the Frankfurt Borse has updated Aegis's listing symbol to "JG6", providing a consistent market identity across all major exchanges where the Company is traded. The updated Frankfurt symbol enhances visibility for European investors and aligns with the Company's global branding strategy as it advances defence-focused energy technologies and quantum-secure infrastructure solutions.

These coordinated symbol updates on the OTCQB and Frankfurt Borse are intended to significantly improve accessibility for investors in the United States and Germany-two key markets for the Company's growth strategy. By streamlining its international trading symbols, Aegis aims to make it easier for American and German investors to follow the Company, participate in its progress, and benefit from the expanding demand for advanced energy defence systems and quantum-grade cybersecurity.

Aegis is also a proud member of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) and Cando, further strengthening its position within Canada's defence, critical infrastructure, and Indigenous economic development ecosystems. These memberships reinforce the Company's commitment to collaboration, responsible innovation, and supporting mission-critical energy and cybersecurity solutions across defence, community, and industrial applications.

About Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.

Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) develops and integrates advanced battery energy storage systems for defence, critical infrastructure, industrial, and AI data centre applications. Through strategic partnerships with Indigenous communities and global technology leaders, Aegis delivers rugged, intelligent, and secure energy systems designed for the next generation of mission-critical operations.

Contact Information

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.'s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry 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.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277026

SOURCE: Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.
Wana Brands, North America's leading edibles provider and a subsidiary of Canopy USA LLC ("Canopy USA"), announced today that the brand is launching its premium gummies in Zurich, Switzerland as part of the country's first-of-its-kind cannabis pilot program. Three different gummy packs Sativa, Hybrid, and Indica will make their debut in December 2025 in partnership with The Alpen Group.

The launch marks a major milestone in Wana's global expansion, bringing the brand's trusted formulations and innovative flavors to Switzerland's regulated pilot program-designed to study the impacts of legal, regulated cannabis.

"As Wana celebrates 15 years of elevating the edibles experience, our gummies continue to marry culinary artistry with plant-powered science," said Brooks Jorgensen, President at Canopy USA. "We're proud to work alongside likeminded partners to bring Wana to a thoughtfully regulated global pilot program and a new generation of consumers."

Wana's participation in Switzerland's pilot program underscores the company's mission to expand access to high-quality, plant-powered wellness solutions across the globe.

Follow @wanabrands on social media for the latest updates and explore the full product line at WanaBrands.com.

About Wana

Wana is North America's most trusted edibles brand, with products available in multiple U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Founded in 2010, Wana's mission is to enhance lives by unlocking the full power of the cannabis plant. Wana offers a range of innovative products, including fast-acting gummies and wellness formulations, all backed by cutting-edge research and lab testing.

About Canopy USA

Canopy USA, LLC ("Canopy USA") is a U.S. based holding company with a portfolio of cannabis brands, products, and businesses. Strategically positioned across the fastest growing states and highest potential segments of the U.S. cannabis market, Canopy USA owns 100% of Wana Brands ("Wana") a leader in North American edibles, 100% of Acreage Holdings, Inc. ("Acreage"), a vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator with principal operations in densely populated states across the Midwest and Northeast, and 77% of the shares of Lemurian, Inc. ("Jetty"), a California-based producer of high-quality cannabis extracts and pioneer of clean vape technology.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251205638244/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Trailblaze for Canopy USA

Canopyusa@trailblaze.co

Media@canopygrowth.com
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of a new national platform under the name "Saudi Properties." This will serve as the official platform for all real estate ownership transactions by non-Saudis within the Kingdom, as part of the ongoing preparations for the Non-Saudi Property Ownership Law to enter into force in mid-January 2026.

The Saudi Properties brand was first unveiled during REGA's participation in the "Cityscape Global" exhibition, hosted in Riyadh in November 2025. This announcement marks a pivotal milestone toward strengthening the regulatory framework of the real estate investment environment and enhancing transparency and reliability.

As the law takes effect, the Authority has also designated non-Saudi real estate ownership as one of the main themes of the Real Estate Future Forum, scheduled to be held in Riyadh next January. The Forum will bring together a broad and distinguished group of leaders and experts to discuss future trends in real estate markets and the promising investment opportunities in the Kingdom's real estate sector.

"Saudi Properties" aims to serve as the official gateway for all ownership processes. This includes browsing real estate opportunities, communicating with developers, submitting applications, verifying eligibility, and connecting with relevant entities within an integrated ecosystem. This will provide investors with a simple, seamless, and reliable digital journey to purchase property in the Kingdom. The platform is one of the core enablers for implementing the Non-Saudi Property Ownership Law, ensuring smooth execution domestically and internationally.

The portal further seeks to enhance international confidence in the Kingdom's real estate environment, providing a trusted, safe, and user-friendly experience for investors and residents seeking property ownership. This will support market growth and help maintain the balance between supply and demand through the provision of integrated digital services with accurate and up-to-date information, enabling investors to make informed, data-driven decisions.

The launch of the "Saudi Properties" portal marks a significant milestone in strengthening the Kingdom's position as a leading global destination for real-estate investment. It reflects an integrated national vision to build a comprehensive real estate environment that supports economic growth and enhances quality of life.

https://rega.gov.sa/media-center/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-launches-a-new-official-platform-saudi-properties-ahead-of-the-non-saudi-property-ownership-law-302634053.html
Learn how electrification engineer Farris Al-Humayani finds the right fit and makes a difference at Trane Technologies.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / At Trane Technologies, you can make an impact and benefit from being part of a global company with large-scale opportunity. Learn how Electrification Engineer, Farris Al-Humayani, has found "the right fit" and is making a difference through both his electrification work and culture-focused community-building.

Electrification team offers opportunities

When it comes to the hiring market, the "big name" tech companies attract equally big crowds at university career fairs, according to Farris, who joined Trane Technologies and its Thermo King electrification team three years ago. "During my time as a student, most of my peers were determined to land jobs at huge company names that their friends and family would recognize," he said. "My priorities were a bit different. I wanted to feel like an essential contributor towards an important group effort, while also honing my skills in my day-to-day work."

"It's important to love the specific team you're working in. For me, the opportunity to work in electrification was important," he said. He also noted that while many of his peers want to work in the automative or tech industry, he found electrification innovation opportunities at Thermo King to be intriguing as well. "We work on products that exceed the mileage expectation of a car by a significant order of magnitude," he said. "Our products are also intended to survive longer and under harsh conditions - and that's a fun design challenge," Farris says.

Farris joined the Thermo King business after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Master's in Electrical Engineering. While studying there, he served as the Electrical Team lead for the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project, a respected student design group. "The vast majority of my engineering skills are from that group, and it makes job interviews much easier to navigate when you can provide solid examples of your work. The team provided opportunities for us to rise to the challenge," he said.

Empowered in product development

In his current role, Farris focuses on new product development, where he frequently works in a lab setting and completes project work to identify which components best fit the requirements of a specific project.

He feels supported in his role. "I'm lucky to have really great leaders and managers," he said. "We have a lot of say in how our products are designed, and we can deliberate with the product managers to understand how a product is going to be used in the field to impact the customer," says Farris.

"I think this level of inclusion really empowers us to think deeper about the product and not just feel like a cog in the wheel. That makes me want to stay," he explained.

Environmental and community sustainability play key roles

Farris appreciates that sustainability plays a big role at Trane Technologies. "I have the luxury of working in the Electrification team, which is closely tied to the sustainability goals of the company," he said. "Many customers are looking to us to help address their sustainability metrics, so we keep that close in mind during our product development work," he said.

Beyond his focus on environmental sustainability, Farris is committed to creating an internal sense of community within Trane Technologies. He currently leads the local Team Konnect inclusion network, which he joined two years ago. "I joined Team Konnect because I was looking for a place to add to the company culture, and this seemed like a good way to do it," he said. "Our site hosts engaging events like family picnics, ping pong tournaments, Halloween decoration contests, and a whole ton more. Being able to empower each other helps build our uplifting culture," he said. "It's important to make all employees feel appreciated for all the work they've done. That very mindset transforms people from being passive helpers to active contributors."

Farris is pleased to have landed in the Thermo King business. "I love the size of the group and the company I'm working with. As part of the larger Trane Technologies enterprise, we have the resources we need," he said. "This company's size makes it a great spot for new product design in the electrification space. When I present an idea, I will usually see those ideas at least discussed - and potentially implemented."

Explore careers with impact at Trane Technologies.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Trane Technologies on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Trane Technologies

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/trane-technologies

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Trane Technologies

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/how-making-an-impact-proves-electrifying-for-trane-technologies-farris-1115024
The two companies will invest approximately CNY 2 billion ($282.8 million) in the new facility, which will host two production lines, each with a capacity of 2.5 GW. The project has already passed environmental review.A newly formed joint venture between back-contact (BC) solar module maker Aiko and Skyworth PV is planning to build a 5 GW BC panel factory in Beihai, Guangxi province. The new company, called Skyworth-Aiko (Beihai) Solar Technology Co., Ltd., will invest approximately CNY 2 billion ($282.8 million) in the new facility, which will host two production lines, each with a capacity of ...

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.
CINCINNATI, OH, Dec. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMach, a worldwide leader in processing and packaging machinery and related solutions, announced today that it has acquired DFT Technology GmbH, a leader in the thermal treatment of food products. DFT is a well-known and respected automation partner for many of the world's best-known food producers. The addition of DFT further expands ProMach's significant capabilities in the retort and sterilization market.

Founded in 2000, DFT is one of the industry's leading suppliers of water immersion retort technology. The company has a broad portfolio of sterilization solutions and serves numerous sectors of the food industry, including seafood, ready-to-eat and infant food, meats, soups, dairy, and pet food. In 2008, DFT acquired STOCK, one of the sterilization industry's most historically significant brands with 75 years of history providing autoclave and sterilization solutions to food customers globally.

"We are excited to welcome the DFT team to ProMach," said ProMach President and CEO Mark Anderson. "Their addition to our business continues the expansion of our food-related portfolio, and it significantly expands our reach in the retort and sterilization market, an area where we have worked hard to establish a strong position." Anderson continued, saying, "DFT is well recognized for their quality design and manufacture, and we are proud to welcome their world-class products into our portfolio. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to providing a best-in-class, comprehensive experience for our food customers across the world. The synergies with other ProMach sterilization companies in Europe, like Ferlo in Spain, as well as Allpax and Stock America in the United States, are exciting for both our company and our customers. DFT is a great addition to the ProMach family, and we look forward to continuing to serve DFT's loyal customer base at the highest level in the industry."

Based in Neumunster, Germany, DFT and its employees will join ProMach's Systems and Process business unit led by Group President Ryan McCart. ProMach's Systems and Process business line is comprised of 13 product brands and supplies a variety of process and conveyance solutions, as well as engineering services to consumer-packaged goods customers worldwide.

"The addition of DFT to our Systems and Process business line is not only exciting, but it is a strategic move that underscores our commitment to the global food market. DFT's product line, its strategic location and extensive experience allows us to offer an even broader portfolio of solutions across Europe," said McCart. "DFT has a comprehensive and innovative offering, and ProMach has complementary technologies through current ProMach product brands, like Allpax, Stock America, and Ferlo, that fully complement the DFT offering."

DFT's owners, Tim-Christian Schnack and Michael Timm, will remain with the company and continue to lead the DFT team, with Mr. Schnack assuming the role of General Manager and Mr. Timm remaining in a senior advisory role. Mr. Schnack will report to Greg Jacob, ProMach's SVP of Sterilization. Mr. Jacob will lead the integration of DFT into the ProMach sterilization portfolio. The company will continue to operate out of its Neumunster facility.

"Joining ProMach is an exciting opportunity that will allow us to continue and expand our original vision that has guided us for 25 years," said Tim-Christian Schnack. "Our philosophy has always been to be a solution provider, not just a machine manufacturer. We have thrived because we build quality systems and are considered a trusted partner for our customers. We have enjoyed a strong and successful distribution relationship with ProMach for many years, and so this joining of the businesses is very natural for us. We know this success will continue as we join the ProMach family."

For more information about DFT, please call them at +49

About ProMach

ProMach is a family of best-in-class packaging and processing solution brands serving manufacturers of all sizes and geographies in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, and household and industrial goods industries. ProMach brands operate across the entire production line: processing, filling, bottling and capping, decorative labeling, flexibles and trays, pharma, handling and sterilizing, labeling and coding, and robotics and end of line. ProMach also provides systems and integration including turnkey solutions, design/build, engineering services, and productivity software to optimize production line design and deliver maximum uptime.

ProMach designs, manufactures, integrates, and supports the most sophisticated and advanced packaging and processing solutions in the global marketplace. Its diverse customer base, from Fortune 500 companies to smaller, privately-held businesses worldwide, depends on reliable, flexible, technologically advanced equipment and integrated solutions. ProMach is headquartered near Cincinnati, Ohio, with manufacturing facilities and offices throughout North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. For more information about ProMach, visit www.ProMachBuilt.com. For more information on ProMach Careers, visit www.ProMachCareers.com.

Attachment

DFT Retort Technology (https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/f02bfa98-3263-405c-9a60-801237a77a68)

Scott Smith ProMach 8644191455 Scott.Smith@ProMachBuilt.com
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Usha Resources Ltd.("Usha", "USHA" or the "Company") (TSXV:USHA)(OTCQB:USHAF)(FSE:JO0), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, is pleased to provide the following corporate updates.

Director Resignation

Navin Kumar Varshney has resigned as a Director of the Company, effective immediately.

The Company extends its deepest gratitude to Mr. Varshney for his extraordinary contributions, guidance, and leadership since co-founding the Company in 2018. Over the past seven-plus years, Navin has been instrumental in building Usha from inception into a promising lithium-focused explorer, providing steadfast strategic insight, technical expertise, and unwavering commitment through every stage of growth, including the successful advancement of the White Willow Lithium-Tantalum Project and multiple key acquisitions and financings.

His decades of experience in capital markets, mineral exploration, and corporate development have been invaluable to the board and management team, and his vision has laid a strong foundation for the Company's future success.

While Navin's day-to-day involvement will be missed, the Company is grateful that he will remain available to the Company in an advisory capacity. On behalf of the board and management, the Company thanks him sincerely for his time, wisdom, and tireless efforts, and wishes him all the very best in his future endeavours.

White Willow Property

Further to its press release dated October 24, 2025, the Company is pleased to announce that it is continuing to proceed with the transaction described therein, whereby Usha will be selling 489 mineral claims that form a part of the White Willow project (the "Project") to Totec Resources Ltd. ("Totec") as part of Totec's qualifying transaction on the TSX Venture Exchange.

Historically, the Company has referred to the Project as a collection of mineral claims assembled from six (6) separate option agreements:

White Willow, 712 unpatented mining claims, March 15, 2023 Nym Lake, 8 unpatented mining claims, March 29, 2023 Rubidium Ridge, 141 unpatented mining claims, July 31, 2023 Bingo East, 21 unpatented mining claims, March 23, 2024 Bingo West, 86 unpatented mining claims, March 23, 2024 Abiwin, 38 unpatented mining claims, April 16, 2024

Following completion of the transaction with Totec, the Company will still have under ownership or option the following four (4) properties that form part of the Project and, the Company will refer to each of the following remaining components of the Project separately:

Nym Lake (under option to earn 100%) Rubidium Ridge (100% owned) Bingo East (100% owned) Bingo West (100% owned)

The Abiwin property was impaired by the Company in the second quarter and is no longer part of the Company's project portfolio.

Jackpot Lake Property

Further to its press release dated May 12, 2025, the Company announces that it is no longer proceeding with its proposed sale of up to a 90% interest in the Jackpot Lake property to Stardust Power Inc. ("Stardust"). Stardust's exclusivity expired on June 30, 2025 and, following recent activity in the lithium market, the Company has elected to proceed to advance the project on its own. The Company is progressing with its Plan of Operations and will aim to drill Jackpot Lake in FY2026 following the successful receipt of necessary permits.

About Usha Resources Ltd.

Usha Resources Ltd. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality critical metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Based in Vancouver, BC, Usha's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes Southern Arm, a copper-gold VMS project in Quebec, Jackpot Lake, a lithium brine project in Nevada and White Willow, a lithium pegmatite project in Ontario. Usha trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol USHA, the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol USHAF and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol JO0.

For additional information, please visit www.usharesources.com or contact:

Deepak Varshney

778-899-1780

info@usharesources.com

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the completion of the proposed sale of claims to Totec, the Company's plans to advance the Jackpot Lake property and drill in FY2026, and Navin Varshney's continuing advisory role. This information is based on management's current beliefs and is subject to a number of estimates and assumptions, including the successful completion of the Totec transaction and the receipt of all necessary permits for Jackpot Lake. Such information is 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 information, including, but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the risk that the Totec transaction does not close; the inability to obtain permits; actual results of exploration activities; and other risks common to the mining industry. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive.

The Company is an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. The Company has no mineral reserves on any of its properties. Consequently, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Usha Resources Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/usha-resources-provides-corporate-updates-1115033
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQB: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) ("Exploits" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the sale of a 100% interest in substantially all of its mineral claims (the "Claims") in central Newfoundland to New Found Gold Corp. ("NFG"). This sale was originally announced on September 8, 2025.

"We have transformed our Newfoundland land position into a strategic stake in New Found Gold that, based on recent share prices, represents roughly $11 million of value for our shareholders while maintaining meaningful long-term upside through both equity and a royalty," said Jeff Swinoga, President and CEO. "At the same time, we have also repositioned Exploits as a gold growth company anchored by approximately 680,000 ounces of historical gold resources in Quebec and Ontario."

Swinoga added, "With a focused portfolio, a strong technical team, and a clear plan to grow those historical ounces, we believe Exploits offers excellent leverage to exploration success. We anticipate a steady cadence of news flow as we advance these projects."

Transaction Consideration

As consideration for the Claims, Exploits:

received 2,821,556 common shares of NFG (the " NFG Shares "), which had a closing price of $4.18 per NFG share on December 4, 2025, representing total consideration of approximately $11.8 million on that date; and

"), which had a closing price of $4.18 per NFG share on December 4, 2025, representing total consideration of approximately $11.8 million on that date; and was granted a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty on certain of the mineral claims (the "NSR Royalty") pursuant to a royalty agreement between the Company and NFG (the "Royalty Agreement").

In addition, as contingent consideration, within 10 business days following a positive final determination by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador with respect to certain disputed mineral claims, Exploits would receive an additional 725,543 NFG Shares. Based on the same NFG closing price of $4.18 per share on December 4, 2025, this would represent additional consideration of approximately $3.0 million.

For three years from the date of the Royalty Agreement, NFG retains the right and option to purchase 0.5% of the NSR Royalty for a cash payment of C$750,000. The NFG Shares are subject to a four-month statutory hold period expiring April 6, 2026.

Benefits to Exploits Shareholders:

Equity and NSR exposure to NFG, an emerging Canadian gold producer and development company with projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

With a treasury of approximately $13 million in pro forma cash and NFG shares, Exploits transitions to a focused Quebec-Ontario gold growth story starting with approximately 680,000 ounces of historical resources with high-priority, drill ready targets and a clear path to expanding these resources.

Exploits will also retain its mineral claims at Mount Peyton (037950M) and True Grit (022031) in Newfoundland.

New Growth Platform in Quebec and Ontario

Exploits is now focused entirely on advancing its four cornerstone gold projects in Quebec and Ontario: Fenton, Wilson, Benoist, and Hawkins. Together, the properties host approximately 680,000 ounces of historical gold resource estimates, and significant expansion potential that includes multiple walk-up drill targets. These estimates are considered to be "historical estimates" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and are not considered by Exploits to be current mineral resources.

About Exploits Discovery Corp.

Exploits Discovery is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on growing ounces in top-tier mining jurisdictions in Quebec and Ontario with a strategic equity position and royalty exposure to New Found Gold in Newfoundland. The Company's portfolio includes three advanced-stage gold projects in Quebec - Fenton, Wilson, and Benoist - alongside the Hawkins Gold Project in Ontario. Exploits' strategy is to unlock district-scale potential across this balanced Quebec-Ontario portfolio through systematic, data-driven exploration and strategic partnerships, creating shareholder value through discovery and resource growth.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

Dr. Natalie Pietrzak-Renaud, P.Geo., Technical Advisor to the Company and a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release relating to the Hawkins Gold Project in Ontario.

Mark Richardson, P.Geo. (OGQ Permit No. 10929), Technical Advisor to the Company and a "qualified person" as defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release relating to the Fenton, Wilson and Benoist projects in Quebec.

This news release includes disclosure of certain "historical estimates" as such term is defined in NI 43-101. These historical estimates include the following:

a historical mineral resource estimate in respect of the Hawkins project contained in "Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate on the Hawkins Gold Project, Derry, Hawkins, Walls, Minnipuka, Legge and Puskuta Townships, Sault Ste. Martie and Porcupine Mining Divisions, Ontario" with an effective date of September 10, 2020 and dated November 3, 2020 prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. for a previous operator of the property and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The historical mineral resource estimate disclosed inferred mineral resources of 6.2M tonnes grading 1.65 g/t Au for 328,800 ounces Au. The cut-off for pit constrained resources was 0.5 Au g/t and out-of-pit resource was 2.0 Au g/t, and mineral resource estimate was based on a gold price of US$1,470/oz;

a historical mineral resource estimate in respect of the Benoist project prepared by Cartier Resources Inc. ("Cartier") contained in "NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate for the Benoist Property, Quebec, Canada" with an effective date of December 17, 2020 and dated January 28, 2021 prepared by InnovExplo Inc. for Cartier and filed by Cartier under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The historical mineral resource estimate disclosed the following: (a) indicated mineral resources of 1,455,400 tonnes as follows: grade Au (g/t) 2.57, grade Cu (g/t) 0.19 and grade Ag (g/t) 8.37 (or grade AuEq 2.87), representing 120,100 ounces Au, 5,974,800 pounds Cu and 391,900 ounces Ag (or 134,400 ounces AuEq); and (b) inferred mineral resources of 1,449,600 tonnes as follows: grade Au (g/t) 2.2, grade Cu (g/t) 0.06 and grade Ag (g/t) 2.51 (or AuEq (g/t) 2.3), representing 102,700 ounces Au, 1,785,900 pounds Cu and 117,200 ounces Ag (or 107,000 ounces AuEq). The historical mineral resource estimate was conducted on the basis of the reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction being met by having: a minimum width of 2.4 m for the structures, a cut-off grade of 1.5 g/t AuEq, and constraining volumes applied to any blocks (potential underground scenario) below a 100-m crown pillar. The cut-off grade inputs are: gold price of USD1,610/oz; CAD:USD exchange rate of 1.33; mining cost of $55/t; processing cost of $22.5/t; general and administrative and environmental costs of $9.50/t; royalty of 0.5% and a refinery charge of $5/t. The AuEq formula used a silver price of USD18.30/oz and a copper price of USD2.67/lb;

a historical mineral resource estimate in respect of the Fenton project disclosed by Cartier contained in an estimate prepared by M. Denis Chenard, Eng. of Datac Geo-Conseil Enrg on behalf of Boreal Exploration in 2000, which disclosed an estimate (which was not prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, nor utilizing any specific mineral resource categorization) of 426,173 tons grading 4.66 g/t Au corresponding to 63,885 oz Au, of which 23,643 oz Au were located in the first 50 m below the surface, on the basis of 73 holes drilled on the three main areas of the Fenton deposit area (which calculation was performed with a lower cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t Au and true minimum thickness of 1.0 m); and

a historical mineral resource estimate in respect of the Wilson project disclosed by Cartier contained in an estimate prepared by Freewest Resources in 1994 for the Toussaint deposit, which disclosed an estimate (which was not prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, nor utilizing any specific mineral resource categorization) of 187,706 tonnes at 7.1 g/t Au.

In each case, while the historical estimates were each prepared by persons with significant experience with each project using methods that were standard in the industry and relevant to an understanding of the proposed exploration activities to be conducted on each property, no qualified person of Exploits has done sufficient work to classify either historical estimate as a current mineral resource of Exploits, and Exploits is not treating any such historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

Among other things, significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a qualified person before such historical estimates can be re-classified as a current resource. 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 Hawkins, Benoist, Fenton or Wilson projects by any other parties other than as disclosed. Even if any such historical estimates are re-classified as a current mineral resource by Exploits in the future, there is no certainty as to whether further exploration will result in any inferred mineral resources being upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource category.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers 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 including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277045

SOURCE: Exploits Discovery Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - New Found Gold Corp. (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE American: NFGC) ("New Found Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has successfully completed its previously announced acquisition (the "Acquisition") of a 100% interest in certain mineral claims in Newfoundland and Labrador previously held by Exploits Discovery Corp. ("Exploits") (the "Claims"). The Claims adjoin New Found Gold's Queensway Gold Project ("Queensway" or the "Project") and increases the size of the Project by up to 31%, to a total of 230,225 hectares.

Keith Boyle, CEO of New Found Gold, commented, "With the Queensway expansion, New Found Gold has consolidated a district-scale land package encompassing over 110 kilometres of strike along two major fault zones, the Appleton and the JBP. With our focused work over the past several years on a 5 kilometre segment of the Appleton, we have outlined a significant initial mineral resource with robust preliminary economics at the AFZ Core. New discoveries at depth and along strike demonstrates the camp-scale potential at Queensway. We look forward to commencing exploration on our new landholdings, beginning with drill testing of areas immediately to the northeast and along strike from the AFZ Core."

As consideration for the Claims, the Company (i) issued 2,821,556 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") to Exploits; (ii) granted to Exploits a 1% NSR Royalty (as defined below); and (iii) within 10 business days following a positive final determination by the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador with respect to certain disputed mineral claims, will issue 725,543 Shares to Exploits ("the "Contingent Shares").

As partial consideration for the Claims, the Company granted to Exploits a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty on certain of the mineral claims (the "NSR Royalty") on the products derived from certain of the mineral licenses forming part of the Claims pursuant to a royalty agreement (the "Royalty Agreement"). For three years from the date of the Royalty Agreement, New Found Gold retains the right and option to purchase 0.5% of the NSR Royalty for a price equal to CDN$750,000.

Grant of Restricted Share Units

The Company announces it has granted 300,000 restricted share units ("the RSUs") to a director of New Found Gold, in accordance with the "5% rolling" share unit plan of the Company, with 1/3 vesting one year from the date of grant, and 1/3 vesting every year thereafter until fully vested.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Melissa Render, P. Geo., President, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Render consents to the publication of this press release, by New Found Gold. Ms. Render certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release.

About New Found Gold Corp.

New Found Gold is an emerging Canadian gold producer with assets in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company holds a 100% interest in Queensway, as well as the recently acquired Hammerdown Operation, Pine Cove Operation and Nugget Pond Hydrometallurgical Gold Plant. The Company is currently focused on advancing Queensway to production and bringing the Hammerdown Operation into steady-state gold production.

In July 2025, the Company completed a PEA at Queensway (see New Found Gold news release dated July 21, 2025). Recent drilling continues to yield new discoveries along strike and down dip of known gold zones, pointing to the district-scale potential that covers a +110 km strike extent along two prospective fault zones at Queensway.

New Found Gold has a new board of directors and management team and a solid shareholder base which includes cornerstone investor Eric Sprott. The Company is focused on growth and value creation.

Keith Boyle, P.Eng.

Chief Executive Officer

New Found Gold Corp.

Follow us on social media at https://www.linkedin.com/company/newfound-gold-corp https://x.com/newfoundgold.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to the Acquisition and the issuance of the Contingent Shares. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "interpreted", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "suggests", "indicate", "often", "target", "future", "likely", "pending", "potential", "encouraging", "goal", "objective", "prospective", "possibly", "preliminary", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSXV, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with the Company's ability to complete exploration and drilling programs as expected, possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results and the results of the metallurgical testing program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277019

SOURCE: New Found Gold Corp.
Business Travel Management Solution Market Size

BANGALORE, India, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Business Travel Management Solution Market was valued at USD 31140 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 40280 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period.

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What are the key factors driving the growth of the Business Travel Management Solution Market?

The Business Travel Management Solution market is evolving due to increasing corporate mobility and rising demand for centralized travel systems.

Organizations need stronger policy enforcement and greater expense transparency.

Companies prefer platforms that unify accommodation, dining, transportation, and administrative workflows into a cohesive digital ecosystem.

These solutions improve clarity, operational efficiency, and traveler satisfaction while supporting governance requirements across industries.

As businesses adapt to global expansion, hybrid work models, and shifting travel priorities, comprehensive tools become essential for maintaining structured oversight.

Continuous enhancements in workflow automation, vendor integration, and data-driven insights strengthen the long-term relevance and adoption of business travel management solutions.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-25Y15362/global-business-travel-management-solution

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE GLOBAL BUSINESS TRAVEL MANAGEMENT SOLUTION MARKET:

Accommodation booking strengthens the Business Travel Management Solution Market by centralizing lodging options into a unified digital ecosystem that simplifies selection, comparison, and confirmation for traveling professionals. As organizations expand cross-border operations, the demand for seamless coordination between corporate travel policies and employee booking behavior becomes more important, encouraging adoption of integrated platforms. These systems streamline approval workflows, enforce policy compliance, and reduce administrative complexity, giving companies improved control over travel budgets. Travelers also gain access to curated accommodation choices that align with comfort, location, and safety requirements, enhancing overall travel satisfaction. The convenience of automated confirmations, synchronized itineraries, and mobile accessibility further reinforces platform usage among business travelers seeking efficiency and reliability.

Dining reservations support the Business Travel Management Solution Market by offering structured meal-planning capabilities tailored for corporate travelers who require organized and compliant dining options during trips. Businesses rely on systems that harmonize expenditure guidelines with meal arrangements, reducing inefficiencies associated with manual reimbursement tracking. Integrated reservation tools help travelers secure suitable dining venues near meeting locations, enhancing productivity and time management. These solutions also promote transparency by pre-approving meal costs and preferences, supporting smoother financial reconciliation. With increased focus on professional hospitality standards, companies value platforms that combine travel logistics and dining coordination to provide comprehensive support. This interconnected approach elevates the travel experience while reinforcing adherence to corporate policies.

Small and medium-sized enterprises expand the Business Travel Management Solution Market by adopting structured travel systems that improve cost discipline, operational clarity, and administrative oversight. SMEs often lack dedicated travel departments, creating the need for platforms that automate booking, expense tracking, and approval workflows. These solutions empower smaller organizations to negotiate better vendor terms, ensure policy alignment, and enhance visibility into travel spending. As SMEs pursue new clients, partnerships, and market expansions, employee mobility increases, strengthening reliance on travel management tools. User-friendly interfaces, scalable pricing structures, and integrated reporting capabilities make these platforms suitable for growing businesses seeking efficiency. Their emphasis on optimizing travel budgets significantly accelerates overall market adoption.

Corporate travel policy adherence drives market expansion by enabling companies to enforce consistent rules across diverse travel activities while reducing operational risks. Business Travel Management Solutions integrate policy frameworks directly into booking and approval systems, ensuring employees comply automatically rather than relying on manual oversight. This reduces unauthorized expenditures, simplifies reimbursement cycles, and improves internal audit readiness. By embedding restrictions, preferred suppliers, and standardized workflows, organizations maintain transparency and accountability. Travelers also benefit from clear guidance that minimizes confusion and supports smoother trip execution. As regulatory responsibilities and governance expectations grow, companies increasingly depend on structured platforms that translate corporate policies into seamless digital actions, enhancing trust and operational coherence.

Expense control optimization contributes to the market by allowing businesses to monitor, evaluate, and manage travel-related costs through automated tracking and integrated reporting. Organizations seek visibility into spending patterns, prompting adoption of systems that categorize expenses, flag anomalies, and streamline submissions. Business Travel Management Solutions reduce administrative workload by replacing manual processes with digital logs and real-time reimbursements. The ability to consolidate lodging, meals, transportation, and incidentals into a unified dashboard empowers companies to refine budgets and strengthen cost discipline. Transparent expense workflows also foster employee accountability, improving alignment between spending behavior and financial objectives. As companies prioritize efficient resource utilization, these capabilities become essential for sustained operational performance.

Workforce mobility expansion influences market growth by increasing the need for organized, friction-free travel coordination as employees engage in more in-person meetings, training sessions, and cross-regional assignments. Business Travel Management Solutions support this trend by centralizing itineraries, simplifying bookings, and reducing delays caused by dispersed travel arrangements. With more employees traveling frequently, companies require tools that balance convenience with regulatory compliance and financial oversight. Features such as automated approvals, itinerary consolidation, and integrated vendor partnerships enhance operational continuity. As hybrid work models evolve, flexible travel systems become critical for enabling on-demand mobility while preserving structured administrative control. This sustained mobility pattern strengthens adoption of comprehensive travel platforms.

Supply chain integration accelerates market growth by connecting travel management platforms with external service providers such as airlines, hotels, transport networks, and dining partners. This interconnected infrastructure enables real-time availability, streamlined booking, and synchronized updates that reduce disruptions faced by business travelers. Companies benefit from consistent pricing structures, preferred vendor programs, and unified service delivery. The integration of multiple partners into one ecosystem ensures coordination across itinerary changes, cancellations, and schedule adjustments, improving operational resilience. By bridging logistical gaps, these solutions enhance traveler confidence and reduce manual intervention. Businesses increasingly adopt such systems to maintain efficiency and reliability, especially when handling complex travel arrangements across multiple geographies.

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BUSINESS TRAVEL MANAGEMENT SOLUTION MARKET SEGMENTATION:

By Type

Accommodation Booking

Dining Reservations

By Application

Large Enterprise

Medium Enterprise

Small Companies

Key Companies

Holiday Tours

National Express

Forest Travel

CorpTrav

Enterprise Holdings

ARTA Travel

JTB Business Travel

CT Travel Group

Safe Harbors Business Travel

CWT Limited

Corporate Travel Management

BCD Group

FCM Travel Solutions

Corporate Travel Services

Which region dominates the Business travel management solution market?

North America emphasizes compliance, expense control, and advanced digital adoption. Asia-Pacific grows through expanding corporate mobility and SME adoption.

Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-25Y15362/Global_Business_Travel_Management_Solution_Market

SIMILAR REPORTS

- Travel Management Solutions Market

- Travel Management Company (TMC) Market

- Business Travel Management Market

- Drugs for Traveler's Diarrhea Market was valued at USD 826 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1220 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period.

- B2B Travel Platform Market was valued at USD 790 Million in the year 2023 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1234 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period.

- Online Travel Booking Platform Market was valued at USD 674920 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1177810 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period.

- Senior Tourism Market

- Travel Retail Market

- International Travel SIM Card Market

- Baby Travel Diaper Bag Backpacks Market was valued at USD 809 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1006 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period.

- Traveling Wave Fault Location Device for Transmission Line Market

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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.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Grid My Business, a local rank tracker tool, has received 21 badges in G2's Winter 2026 Reports across both Local Marketing and Local SEO categories. The recognition is based on verified user reviews evaluating the platform's implementation speed, ease of use, and customer outcomes.

Grid My Business Wins 21 G2 Winter 2026 Badges Including Fastest Implementation and Easiest To Use Awards



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/277034_59a281d2c41a4812_002full.jpg

G2 publishes seasonal reports based on real customer reviews, providing businesses with insight into which tools meet user needs. For Grid My Business, this round of recognition highlights its ability to help small businesses and agencies get started quickly while maintaining high usability standards.

Key achievements include Fastest Implementation for Small Business in both Local Marketing and Local SEO categories, along with Easiest To Use for Small Business in Local SEO. These awards address common challenges faced by small business owners who need tools that work immediately without long learning curves.

Awards by Category:

Local Marketing:

Grid Report for Local Marketing | Winter 2026 - High Performer

Small-Business Grid Report for Local Marketing | Winter 2026 - High Performer for Small Business

Implementation Index for Local Marketing | Winter 2026

Small-Business Implementation Index for Local Marketing | Winter 2026 - Fastest Implementation for Small Business

Small-Business Relationship Index for Local Marketing | Winter 2026

Relationship Index for Local Marketing | Winter 2026

Results Index for Local Marketing | Winter 2026

Small-Business Results Index for Local Marketing | Winter 2026

Usability Index for Local Marketing | Winter 2026

Small-Business Usability Index for Local Marketing | Winter 2026

Local SEO:

Grid Report for Local SEO | Winter 2026

Small-Business Grid Report for Local SEO | Winter 2026 - High Performer for Small Business

Implementation Index for Local SEO | Winter 2026

Small-Business Implementation Index for Local SEO | Winter 2026 - Fastest Implementation for Small Business

Asia Pacific Regional Grid Report for Local SEO | Winter 2026

Small-Business Relationship Index for Local SEO | Winter 2026

Relationship Index for Local SEO | Winter 2026

Small-Business Results Index for Local SEO | Winter 2026

Results Index for Local SEO | Winter 2026

Small-Business Usability Index for Local SEO | Winter 2026 - Easiest To Use for Small Business

Usability Index for Local SEO | Winter 2026

Additionally, Grid My Business scored 98% in Ease of Use, 94% in Ease of Setup, 93% in Ease of Admin, and 92% Likelihood to Recommend from G2 reviewers. Users also rated key features highly: 93% for Rank Tracking and 92% for Dashboards and Reporting.

"When we were designing Grid My Business, we really thought about the real struggles businesses face every day," said Mark Gan, Community Manager at Grid My Business. "We wanted to make sure users could start using the platform immediately without getting stuck in complicated setup or workflows, so seeing these awards tells us that we got that part right, and most importantly, we're actually making work easier for our users."

The platform provides geo-grid rank tracking with 98.7% accuracy, allowing businesses to monitor their local search rankings across specific areas. Additional features include competitor tracking, AI-powered review management, NAP distribution to 500+ high-authority media outlets, and white-label reporting designed for agencies managing multiple clients.

Grid My Business is used by local businesses with physical locations, service-area businesses such as plumbers and landscapers, and digital marketing agencies handling client accounts at scale.

For more information about Grid My Business and its local SEO capabilities, visit https://gridmybusiness.com.

About the company: Grid My Business is a comprehensive, all-in-one local SEO platform that empowers businesses and agencies to enhance their visibility in Google's local search results. The tool offers a suite of powerful features, including lightning-fast and accurate geo-grid scans with flexible pins, local rank tracking, and AI-powered automation. With built-in support for Service Area Businesses (SABs) and comprehensive Google Business Profile management, it simplifies the process for brands to efficiently manage their local rankings, reviews, and business listings.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277034

SOURCE: Plentisoft
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Franklin Building Supply ("FBS"), a nearly 50-year-old, 100% employee-owned building materials company, today announced the acquisition of Snake River Truss and Components ("SRT"), a well-established truss manufacturing facility in Idaho Falls. The acquisition represents a significant milestone in FBS's strategic expansion into Eastern Idaho and positions the company to better serve the region's growing construction market.

SRT has been a trusted name in Eastern Idaho's construction industry for more than twenty years, known for quality truss manufacturing and strong customer relationships. The facility will continue operations under FBS ownership, with all current employees joining the FBS team as employee-owners.

"This acquisition is about building on a strong foundation," said Levi Smith, CEO of Franklin Building Supply. "Snake River Truss and Components has built an excellent reputation in Idaho Falls over the past thirteen years, and we're committed to preserving what makes them successful while providing additional resources and opportunities for growth. We chose to acquire SRT rather than build from scratch because of the quality of their team, their customer relationships, and their operational excellence. This is a strategic investment in our future in Eastern Idaho."

The acquisition complements FBS's recent opening of a lumber and building materials location in Idaho Falls in November 2025. With the addition of SRT's manufacturing capabilities, FBS can now offer full-service building materials solutions to customers throughout the region.

"SRT has been built on a foundation of quality craftsmanship and strong relationships with our customers," said Dan West, owner of Snake River Truss and Components. "Franklin Building Supply shares our commitment to excellence and taking care of people. I'm confident that this partnership will create new opportunities for our team and allow us to serve our customers even better. FBS's resources and employee-ownership model will provide stability and growth potential that will benefit everyone involved."

The acquisition aligns with FBS's broader regional expansion strategy. The company plans to open a new, larger location in Idaho Falls in Q2 2027, which will integrate the company's lumber, building materials, and truss operations to provide enhanced services to the region. FBS will also be making strategic investments in the SRT facility over the coming year to improve and expand manufacturing capabilities.

Contact Information

Dan Otero

Marketing Director

dano@franklinbuildingsupply.com





SOURCE: Franklin Building Supply

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/franklin-building-supply-acquires-snake-river-truss-and-components-to-1114442
Apply before July 15, 2026, for a chance to win $2,500.

SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble invite undergraduate and graduate students throughout the United States to apply for the firm's new scholarship, the O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble Medical Malpractice Advocacy Scholarship . This scholarship promises its winning student $2,500 to dedicate toward their continuing education.

Students have until July 15, 2026, to complete their applications, including a video no longer than three minutes discussing their passion for advocating for people impacted by medical malpractice. Students' videos should describe what drives their interest in justice, advocacy, and fair outcomes in healthcare.

The team invites students to discuss any personal experiences or inspiring cases that have impacted their drive. Students can also discuss what visions they have for reform throughout the healthcare and legal industries.

Students can visit the scholarship page for more information about video criteria and what information to include in their final application packet. The scholarship selection committee with O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble requires students to submit complete application packets before July 15 if they want the firm to consider them for the O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble Medical Malpractice Advocacy Scholarship.

Once the scholarship deadline passes, the scholarship selection committee will take between one and three months to choose its winner. A representative will reach out to that winning student and send the $2,500 award to the trade school, college, university, or graduate program of their choosing.

O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble asks that students and their families refrain from contacting the firm while drafting their scholarship application and after submitting an application for consideration. Unfortunately, the firm cannot answer emails, phone calls, or other forms of communication addressing the scholarship at this time.

Upon selecting the scholarship winner, the firm will publish a blog post and a press release sharing the winning student's name and accomplishments. Students can keep an eye on the firm's website for updates.

The legal team with O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble wishes students applying for the Medical Malpractice Advocacy Scholarship good luck with their applications. It looks forward to offering one passionate student financial support as they chase their academic dreams.

About O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble

O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble is a New Jersey Law Firm for the Seriously Wronged, formed from two of the state's legendary law firms. This legal team, including partners Paul O'Connor, Scott Parsons, William Lane, and Greg Noble, put over 150 years of combined legal experience to work on behalf of accident victims throughout the state.

The team boasts board-certified expertise and has cultivated respect from adversaries in and out of the courtroom. Clients can trust the firm to bring a unique perspective to their recovery.

O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble offers free case consultations to anyone needing legal guidance after a serious accident. Call today to start working with New Jersey personal injury lawyers with elite credentials.

SOURCE: O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/announcing-oconnor-parsons-lane-and-nobles-medical-malpractice-a-1114854
HELSINKI, Finland, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE , the world leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite systems has secured new financing, led by General Catalyst with broad pan-European participation. The funding will be used to accelerate the company's delivery of sovereign satellite systems and data intelligence services.

Rafal Modrzewski, Co-Founder & CEO of ICEYE, said: "ICEYE's SAR technology has become a core strategic and tactical tool for governments and institutions worldwide. Our team has a strong track record of turning advanced SAR technology into concrete results for customers who need answers in minutes, not days. This funding enables us to deepen that commitment by investing in the expansion of our world-leading SAR constellation, next-generation sensing capabilities, and data intelligence services that help governments and organizations manage risk and respond faster. For European nations and allies, that means greater control over their own space-based intelligence - and a partner capable of delivering at industrial scale."

Jeannette zu Furstenberg, Managing Director and Head of Europe at General Catalyst, said: "Europe's security starts with sovereign space capability. ICEYE enables that, with the world's largest SAR constellation, software-defined satellites, and fully sovereign missions that put independent visibility back in Europe's hands. Ministries and intelligence agencies can secure borders via on-demand imagery, while nations seeking full control can deploy their own turnkey satellite missions. That's why we see ICEYE as a rising global space prime."

ICEYE has secured EUR 150 million in new funding, as well as a EUR 50 million secondary placement, valuing the company at EUR 2.4 billion (USD 2.8 billion). The Series E round was led by General Catalyst, with strong pan-European participation, including A.P. Moller Holding in Denmark, Bpifrance in France, Vinci (BGK Group) and RiO Family Office from Poland, as well as Finnish investors Solidium, Ilmarinen, European Tech Collective, Keva, Lifeline Ventures, Tesi, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, and Peter Sarlin.



The new capital builds on ICEYE's strong momentum, powering the continued growth of its SAR constellation and the accelerated deployment of sovereign satellite systems, advanced sensing capabilities, and data intelligence services.

Sovereign space capability at unprecedented speed and scale

With the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE delivers objective, near real-time insights to detect, understand, and respond to change on Earth - day or night, in any weather. SAR uses radar pulses that pierce clouds, smoke, and darkness, providing a continuous view of the Earth that supports rapid response for defense and intelligence, security, disaster response and recovery, insurance, maritime monitoring, and finance.

ICEYE is accelerating the shift to software-defined satellites with its fourth-generation platform, which delivers the world's highest-fidelity commercial SAR imagery of up to 16 cm resolution. The ICEYE platform is engineered so new capabilities can be deployed via software updates from the ground rather than hardware refresh cycles.

ICEYE has a proven track record in building sovereign systems for Europe and its allies, and has signed agreements with the Polish Armed Forces, Portuguese Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force, Greek National Space Program, and Finnish Defence Forces, alongside a separate SAR data agreement with NATO Allied Command Operations.

With 62 satellites successfully launched to date, the company plans to scale up to an average production rate of one satellite per week starting next year, deploying sovereign space capability for allied nations at unprecedented speed and scale.

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, and the US. We have more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

We're a growing international team of builders. iceye.com/joinus

Media contact: press@iceye.com .

Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iceye-and-general-catalyst-partner-to-redefine-space-based-intelligence-in-europe-302634169.html
HexClad, Still G.I.N. Unveil First-Ever Collaboration, Bringing Gordon Ramsay, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg Together For A Next-Gen Cocktail Shaker

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a collaboration no one saw coming, but everyone will be happy it did, HexClad , the revolutionary cookware brand backed by Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay, and Still G.I.N. By Dre and Snoop , the ultra-premium spirit from cultural icons Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, today unveiled their first joint product: the HexClad Cocktail Shaker.

This collaboration marks a first for both brands and the first time Ramsay, Dre, and Snoop have come together, mixing HexClad's design-driven innovation with Still G.I.N.'s modern, premium approach to spirits.

The shaker captures what defines each brand: precision, quality, and a belief that everyday experiences deserve to feel elevated. It's more than a shaker; it's a refined expression of the craftsmanship both brands stand for.

Celebrated industrial designer Ini Archibong created the HexClad x Still G.I.N. Cocktail Shaker as the kind of piece that demands attention the moment it hits the bar, showcasing Still G.I.N.'s versatility across any cocktail, from classic recipes to modern creations. Drawing from the striking geometry of the Still G.I.N. bottle and HexClad's iconic hexagon pattern, Ini created a shaker that's modern, sculptural, and unapologetically smooth. The double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless-steel body keeps cocktails ice-cold without watering them down. A hex-textured exterior gives it a luxe, unmistakable edge, while discreet unit measurement markers inside the cap ensure every pour hits exactly right.

"This collaboration bridges innovation, culture, and craftsmanship in a way that feels like a true expression of both brands. Gordon, Dre, and Snoop each set their own bar for excellence, and bringing their worlds together through this product is something we're incredibly proud of," said Danny Winer, HexClad CEO and Co-Founder. "The shaker is engineered to perform, but it also carries the energy of the icons behind it."

"What connects Still G.I.N. and HexClad is a commitment to design, innovation, and products that actually perform. We built our gin to be supremely mixable, whether you're making classic gin cocktails or using it in something unexpected. This shaker captures that same versatility and attention to detail," said Patrick Halbert, By Dre and Snoop CEO.

To announce the campaign, Gordon and Dre will star in a dynamic, humor-infused commercial spot created by KODE MEDIA and directed by Peter Franklyn Banks, that draws parallels between cooking and musical craft. Available exclusively at HexClad.com in Gold and Chrome for $99, the shaker will elevate the cocktail ritual from start to finish, capturing the shared ethos of rebellion, innovation and excellence of both brands. Just in time for the holidays, the shaker is now available in the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Australia.

ABOUT HEXCLAD

HexClad is a global premium kitchenware brand based in Los Angeles, known for its patented hybrid technology that combines stainless steel with nonstick for unmatched performance, durability, and ease-of-use. Since its founding in 2016, HexClad has redefined modern cooking tools with a full line of high-performance products, including cookware, cutlery, cutting boards, aprons, and kitchen accessories. Sold through direct-to-consumer channels and strategic retail partners, HexClad has built a passionate global following by empowering cooks of all levels with products that break rules and challenge convention. The brand was named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America 2023-2025. Learn more at www.hexclad.com .

ABOUT BY DRE AND SNOOP

Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg launched their namesake spirits brand in 2024 to instant success, with no signs of stopping. The iconic duo recently followed up its first release in this space - the innovative, award-winning canned cocktail line, Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop - with another acclaimed effort: their first pure premium bottled spirit, Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop, which went on to take Masters Medal honors at the 2025 Gin Masters Awards. Paying homage to "Still D.R.E." - the signature hit from Dre's groundbreaking 2001 album featuring an immortal Snoop performance - Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop proves the ultimate clean, modern light gin, artisanally distilled in the U.S.A. to be defiantly smooth and supremely mixable.

Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop marks a natural evolution for the legendary pair. Long associated with gin throughout their reign as game-changing entertainer-entrepreneurs, to create their latest co-venture they took initial inspiration from Snoop Dogg's timeless hit song "Gin and Juice" - which Dr. Dre produced for Snoop's debut album Doggystyle. Distributed nationally by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, both Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop and Still G.I.N by Dre and Snoop are available at major U.S. retailers and liquor stores. www.bydreandsnoop.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2609445/HexClad_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2839531/STILL_G_I_N_Logo_Logo_Logo_HexClad.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2839532/Cocktail_Shaker_HexClad.jpg

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2839533/Hexclad_StillGIN_TheMix_16x9_32.mp4

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/three-legends-two-powerhouse-brands-one-iconic-shaker-302634182.html
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Key Takeaways

01 Lift Zones, Comcast's nationwide initiative to ensure more Americans have access to the internet and digital tools needed to thrive, is backed by a $50 million commitment.

02 Powered by Comcast Business, Flagship Lift Zones are an extension of the award-winning Lift Zones initiative, which launched in 2020 and now includes more than 1,250 locations nationwide.

Comcast announced it is launching five new Flagship Lift Zones this fall in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, St. Paul and Federal Way, WA, bringing free WiFi, advanced technology, workforce training and digital skills programming to even more neighborhoods across America. Lift Zones, Comcast's nationwide initiative to ensure more people in more communities have access to the internet and digital tools needed to thrive, is backed by a $50 million cash and in-kind investment. These commitments build on successful Flagship Lift Zones launched in Atlanta, Houston, and Oakland in 2024, and pave the way for opening five additional flagships by the end of 2026, including locations in Pennsylvania and Florida.

"We're not just building networks - we're building pathways to opportunity. Our $50 million Lift Zones commitment enables more people to access the internet and the tools they need to succeed - whether that's applying for a job, attending a virtual class, or launching a business - we're creating a future where everyone can participate in today's digital economy." Dalila Wilson-Scott Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer,

Comcast Corporation and President

Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Flagship Lift Zones are an extension of the award-winning Lift Zones initiative, which launched in 2020 and now includes more than 1,250 locations nationwide. Each Flagship site is developed in partnership with a trusted local organization and includes:

Technology upgrades and digital skills training

Dedicated grant funding for local programming

On-site Digital Navigators to assist with internet access, devices, and digital literacy

In addition, Flagship Lift Zone sites receive Xfinity's free high-speed 6GHz WiFi. Xfinity delivers fast, reliable WiFi experience with multi-gig speeds, low-lag connection for gaming and streaming, the capacity to connect hundreds of devices, and unbeatable wall-to-wall WiFi coverage.

Flagship Locations Opening This Fall

Chicago, IL - The Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation in Chicago's Austin neighborhood features a recently opened, state-of-the-art 76,000-square-foot hub for workforce training and economic empowerment.

D.C. - At Building Bridges Across the River at TheARC, this location will expand workforce development programs, and builds on Comcast's $1 million commitment to serve as the connectivity partner for the 11th Street Bridge Park, a joint initiative with the District Department of Transportation.

Philadelphia - Located at Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc. (OIC), this Lift Zone will support job training in industries like healthcare, hospitality, and digital media.

St. Paul - At Hmong American Partnership, the Lift Zone will enhance job skills training and employment services in high-demand sectors like healthcare and IT .

Federal Way (Seattle area) - Partnering with El Centro De La Raza, Comcast's investment will support bilingual education, small business support, and digital skills training.

Lift Zones are part of Project UP, Comcast's $1 billion initiative to connect people to the internet, provide digital opportunity and build a future of Unlimited Possibilities. This commitment is helping to expand internet access, deliver digital skills training, and drive economic mobility. Through thousands of community partnerships and programs across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky, we are working to ensure everyone can benefit from being connected to the internet. This includes programs such as Comcast RISE.

Comcast and local leaders gather to officially launch our Flagship Lift Zone at the Aspire Center in Chicago

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Comcast on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Comcast

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/comcast

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Comcast

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/comcast-expands-access-to-technology-and-wifi-with-launch-of-fiv-1115067
Flin Flon, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Canadian Gold Corp. (TSXV: CGC) ("Canadian Gold") is pleased to announce that at a special meeting of its shareholders (the "Meeting") held on December 5, 2025, shareholders overwhelmingly approved the special resolution authorizing the previously announced business combination with McEwen Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX) ("McEwen") to be completed by way of statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

The Arrangement was approved by 99.998% of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. In addition, as required by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("MI 61-101"), the Arrangement was also approved by 99.996% of the votes cast by disinterested shareholders, after excluding the 79,681,855 votes held by "interested parties" (as defined under MI 61-101). The total votes cast in favour of the Arrangement represented approximately 64.79% of Canadian Gold's total issued and outstanding common shares.

Under the terms of the arrangement agreement dated October 10, 2025 between Canadian Gold and McEwen (the "Arrangement Agreement"), which was negotiated at arms-length, each holder of a common share of Canadian Gold (each, a "Canadian Gold Share") will receive 0.0225 common shares of McEwen for each Canadian Gold Share held.

Canadian Gold is also pleased to announce that it has obtained conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange with respect to the Arrangement, subject to customary conditions. Canadian Gold anticipates attending the British Columbia Supreme Court on or about December 10, 2025 to obtain the final order of the Court.

Completion of the Arrangement remains subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions applicable to transactions of this nature, including receipt of requisite court and stock exchange approvals. If all necessary approvals are obtained and the conditions to the Arrangement are met or waived, the Arrangement is anticipated to close on or about January 5, 2026.

About Canadian Gold

Canadian Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company whose objective is to expand the high-grade gold resource at the past producing Tartan Mine, located in Flin Flon, Manitoba. The historic Tartan Mine currently has a 2017 indicated mineral resource estimate of 240,000 oz gold (1,180,000 tonnes at 6.32 g/t gold) and an inferred estimate of 37,000 oz gold (240,000 tonnes at 4.89 g/t gold). (Tartan Lake Project Technical Report, Manitoba, Canada, April 2017 authored by Mining Plus Canada Consulting Ltd.). The Company also holds a 100% interest in greenfield exploration properties in Ontario and Quebec adjacent to some of Canada's largest gold mines and development projects, specifically, the Canadian Malartic Mine (QC), the Hemlo Mine (ON) and Hammond Reef Project (ON). McEwen holds a 5.6% interest in Canadian Gold, and Robert McEwen, the founder and former CEO of Goldcorp, and Chairman and CEO of McEwen, holds a 32.5% interest in Canadian Gold.

Social Media Accounts:

X (Twitter)

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Neither the NYSE, TSX or TSX-V have reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been prepared by the management of McEwen and Canadian Gold.

Forward-Looking Statements

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 Arrangement Agreement; the receipt of necessary court and regulatory approvals for the Arrangement; the anticipated timeline for completing the Arrangement; the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Arrangement will be completed, if at all; the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement including, but not limited to McEwen having an 100% interest in the Tartan Mine; expectations regarding the combined company; the future financial and operational performance of the combined company; the combined company's exploration and development programs; and potential future revenue and cost synergies resulting from the Arrangement. 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 and the anticipated timing for completion of the Arrangement including, but not limited to the expectation of McEwen having a 100% interest in the Tartan Mine, McEwen and Canadian Gold have relied on certain assumptions that they believe 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, court, 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. This timeline may change for a number of reasons, including inability to secure necessary regulatory, court, 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 these times.

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 the McEwen, Canadian Gold 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; risks relating to the failure to obtain necessary court approval; other risks inherent in the mining industry. 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 McEwen and Canadian Gold to the completion of the Arrangement could have a material adverse impact on each of McEwen's and Canadian Gold's share price, its current business relationships and on the current and future operations, financial condition, and prospects of each McEwen and Canadian Gold.

Canadian Gold 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277054

SOURCE: Canadian Gold Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Mary Macleod's Shortbread announced today that it has been recognized as Toronto's favourite holiday cookie following the final results of the Toronto Star's "Rumble in the Crumble" competition. The reader-driven contest invited the public to vote for their preferred shortbread among Toronto bakeries, with Mary Macleod's Chocolate Crunch shortbread earning the top position in the final tally.





Mary Macleod's Shortbread Signature Cookie Chocolate Crunch



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12054/276950_da82de1e64ba78af_001full.jpg

The Toronto Star's Food and Drink section hosted the multi-round contest, which began with a selection of Toronto bakeries chosen for participation. Throughout the voting period, readers advanced bakeries through successive rounds until two finalists remained. The final vote concluded with Mary Macleod's Shortbread receiving the highest number of votes for its Chocolate Crunch entry, as reported in the Toronto Star's published results.

The competition took place during the holiday period, when shortbread cookies are commonly associated with seasonal gatherings and traditional winter celebrations. The voting process reflected strong community engagement, with readers supporting local bakeries and contributing to the publication's seasonal programming. The recognition underscores the role of shortbread as a longstanding holiday cookie category within the city.





Large Jar of Shortbread Cookies



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12054/276950_da82de1e64ba78af_002full.jpg

"We appreciate the individuals who participated in the voting process," said Sharon, second-generation owner. "Being recognized through a public vote is meaningful, especially during a milestone year for the company."

The acknowledgment aligns with broader interest in shortbread as a seasonal staple in Toronto. The competition illustrated how reader-driven polls can influence visibility for local bakeries during peak holiday interest and how annual food contests contribute to highlighting items commonly selected for winter celebrations across the city.





Mary Macleod's Shortbread Logo



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12054/276950_da82de1e64ba78af_003full.jpg

About Mary Macleod's Shortbread

Mary Macleod's Shortbread is a Canadian family-owned company founded in Toronto in 1981 as the country's first shortbread-dedicated bakery. Now led by its second and third generations, the company offers online retail ordering, national distribution through select retail partners, and a corporate gifting platform serving organizations across Canada.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276950

SOURCE: Mary Macleod's Shortbread
Volta Finance Limited (VTA/VTAS)

Dividend Declaration

NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION,

IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

Guernsey, 05 December 2025

Volta Finance Limited ("the Company") hereby announces that it has declared a quarterly interim dividend of 0.145 per share payable on 29 January 2026 amounting to approximately 5.3 million, approximately equating to an annualised 8% of net asset value. The ex-dividend date is 18 December 2025 with a record date of 19 December 2025.

The Company has arranged for its shareholders to be able to elect to receive their dividends in either Euros or Pounds Sterling. Shareholders will, by default, receive their dividends in Euros, unless they have instructed the Company's Registrar, Computershare Investor Serviceswithin the "Investors - Other Documents" section. The deadline for receipt of currency elections is 12:00 (midday) on 15 January 2026.

CONTACTS

For the Investment Manager

AXA Investment Managers Paris

Francois Touati

francois.touati@axa-im.com

+33 (0) 1 44 45 80 22

Olivier Pons

Olivier.pons@axa-im.com

+33 (0) 1 44 45 87 30

Company Secretary and Administrator

BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch

guernsey.bp2s.volta.cosec@bnpparibas.com

+44 (0) 1481 750 850

Corporate Broker

Cavendish Securities plc

Andrew Worne

Daniel Balabanoff

+44 (0) 20 7397 8900

*****

ABOUT VOLTA FINANCE LIMITED

Volta Finance Limited is incorporated in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the London Stock Exchange's Main Market for listed securities. Volta's home member state for the purposes of the EU Transparency Directive is the Netherlands. As such, Volta is subject to regulation and supervision by the AFM, being the regulator for financial markets in the Netherlands.

Volta's Investment objectives are to preserve its capital across the credit cycle and to provide a stable stream of income to its Shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute on a quarterly basis. The Company currently seeks to achieve its investment objectives by pursuing exposure predominantly to CLO's and similar asset classes. A more diversified investment strategy across structured finance assets may be pursued opportunistically. The Company has appointed AXA Investment Managers Paris an investment management company with a division specialized in structured credit, for the investment management of all its assets.

*****

ABOUT AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS

AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is a multi-expert asset management company within the BNP Group, a global leader in financial protection and wealth management. AXA IM is one of the largest European-based asset managers with more than 3,000 professionals and 879 billion in assets under management as of the end of June 2025.

*****

This press release is published by AXA Investment Managers Paris ("AXA IM"), in its capacity as alternative investment fund manager (within the meaning of Directive 2011/61/EU, the "AIFM Directive") of Volta Finance Limited (the "Volta Finance") whose portfolio is managed by AXA IM.

This press release is for information only and does not constitute an invitation or inducement to acquire shares in Volta Finance. Its circulation may be prohibited in certain jurisdictions and no recipient may circulate copies of this document in breach of such limitations or restrictions. This document is not an offer for sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States or to persons who are "U.S. persons" for purposes of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or otherwise in circumstances where such offer would be restricted by applicable law. Such securities may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration from the Securities Act. Volta Finance does not intend to register any portion of the offer of such securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of such securities in the United States.

*****

This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The securities referred to herein are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

*****

This press release contains statements that are, or may deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "anticipated", "expects", "intends", "is/are expected", "may", "will" or "should". They include the statements regarding the level of the dividend, the current market context and its impact on the long-term return of Volta Finance's investments. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Volta Finance's actual results, portfolio composition and performance may differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements. AXA IM does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements.

Any target information is based on certain assumptions as to future events which may not prove to be realised. Due to the uncertainty surrounding these future events, the targets are not intended to be and should not be regarded as profits or earnings or any other type of forecasts. There can be no assurance that any of these targets will be achieved. In addition, no assurance can be given that the investment objective will be achieved.

The figures provided that relate to past months or years and past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance or construed as a reliable indicator as to future performance. Throughout this review, the citation of specific trades or strategies is intended to illustrate some of the investment methodologies and philosophies of Volta Finance, as implemented by AXA IM. The historical success or AXA IM's belief in the future success, of any of these trades or strategies is not indicative of, and has no bearing on, future results.

The valuation of financial assets can vary significantly from the prices that the AXA IM could obtain if it sought to liquidate the positions on behalf of the Volta Finance due to market conditions and general economic environment. Such valuations do not constitute a fairness or similar opinion and should not be regarded as such.

Editor: AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS PARIS, a company incorporated under the laws of France, having its registered office located at Tour Majunga, 6, Place de la Pyramide - 92800 Puteaux. AXA IMP is authorized by the Autorite des Marches Financiers under registration number GP92008 as an alternative investment fund manager within the meaning of the AIFM Directive.

*****
BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, December 05

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

05 December 2025

BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc:

Ordinary Shares: - Share Class Sterling Date of purchase: 05 December 2025 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 259,768 Weighted average price (Sterling/US Dollars as applicable): 4.0089

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 318,207,460 Sterling Shares 59,850,146 Sterling Shares 23,901,261 US Dollar Shares 215,496 US Dollar Shares

From 05 December 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 486,262,473.

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
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Sego Resources Inc. (TSXV: SGZ) ("Sego" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that the drilling in the South Gold Zone has been completed. The drill holes are those recommended by SRK Consulting Canada, Figure 1.

Alkalic Porphyry Copper-Gold mineralization that occurs at Miner Mountain encompasses near-surface, disseminated gold mineralization in the South Gold Zone and deeper porphyry structural controlled copper-gold mineralization in the Cuba Zone.

The drill core is now being logged and sampled with first samples ready to ship to the lab.





The South Gold Zone diamond drill holes are now being logged and sampled with first samples ready to ship to AGAT Laboratories Calgary, Alberta

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1056/277056_image1.jpg







Figure 1. Proposed drill holes (green) at the South Gold Zone, gold grade (Au) and intervals of diamond drill holes, the boundary of mineralization (red) and on a geological base map.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1056/277056_28b8a22df4ae9905_001full.jpg

Copper-Gold Cuba Zone deep hole drilling is now underway. Figure 2





Figure 2. North-northeast long section of the Cuba Zone mineralization; distance between horizontal lines is 150 m.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1056/277056_6f86bf5004aabbe3_001full.jpg

J Paul Stevenson, CEO, Director

About the Project

Sego is 100% owner of the Miner Mountain Project, an alkalic copper-gold porphyry and gold exploration project located near Princeton, British Columbia. The property is 2,056 hectares in size and is 15 km north of the Copper Mountain Mine operated by Hudbay Minerals Inc. Sego has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Upper Similkameen Indian Band on whose Traditional Territory the Miner Mountain Project is situated. Sego has received an Award of Excellence for its reclamation work on the Miner Mountain Project.

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. No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statement of historical facts that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects re forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277056

SOURCE: Sego Resources Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - RZOLV Technologies Inc. (TSXV: RZL) (the "Company" or "RZOLV") announces it has entered into agreements with the following investor relations and market-making service providers.

Investor Relations Agreements

Outside the Box Capital Inc. ("OTB"): Effective October 22, 2025, RZOLV engaged OTB to provide marketing and distribution services for a six-month term. OTB will receive $150,000, payable in six monthly instalments of $25,000.

OTB's services include owned media, social media outreach, financial influencers and short-form video content, paid advertising, partner syndication, and targeted campaigns across platforms such as Reddit, Discord, Telegram, X, and StockTwits.

OTB is an arm's length party to the Company and currently holds no securities of RZOLV, though it may acquire securities in the future. No stock options, performance factors, or additional compensation are included in the agreement.

Apaton Finance GmbH ("Apaton"): Effective November 21, 2025, RZOLV entered into an investor relations agreement with Apaton to support market awareness through multi-platform content, video production, and newsletter distribution in English and German, primarily targeting Germany.

Apaton will receive 12,000 for a 12-week term, with the option for extension at the Company's discretion. Apaton is an arm's length party and holds no securities of RZOLV, though it may acquire securities in the future. No stock options, performance factors, or additional compensation are included.

Market Making Agreement

Effective October 22, 2025, RZOLV retained Independent Trading Group (ITG) Inc. ("ITG") to provide market-making services. The agreement is ongoing and may be terminated by either party with 30 days' notice. RZOLV will pay ITG a monthly fee of $5,500.

ITG is an arm's length party and to the Company's knowledge currently holds 30,000 common shares of the Company. No stock options or performance-based compensation are included in the agreement.

About RZOLV Technologies Inc.

RZOLV Technologies Inc. is a clean-tech company developing innovative, non-toxic solutions that aim to transform gold extraction and mine-site remediation. The Company's flagship product, RZOLV, is a proprietary water-based hydrometallurgical formula that provides a sustainable, safe alternative to sodium cyanide for the dissolution and recovery of gold.

Cyanide has been the industry standard for more than a century, yet its toxicity has resulted in bans or restrictions across multiple jurisdictions, along with significant permitting, handling, and ESG challenges for mining companies. RZOLV delivers comparable performance and cost metrics to cyanide while offering a non-toxic, reusable, and environmentally sustainable profile, enabling gold extraction in regions, ore types, and project settings where cyanide use is impractical, prohibited, or socially unacceptable. For more information: https://www.rzolv.com.

Cautionary Note

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." 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.

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.

The forward-looking information in this news release is based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this news release. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made.

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. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277068

SOURCE: RZOLV Technologies Inc.
CARY, NORTH CAROLINA / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / USfalcon, Inc. is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) contract. The MDA SHIELD contract is a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract valued at up to $151 billion. It aims to develop an advanced, multi-domain defense system capable of detecting, tracking, intercepting, and neutralizing threats to the United States homeland and its forces across various security domains, including air, missile, space, cyber, and hybrid threats. The contract supports the Golden Dome program, which seeks near-100% missile defense coverage by 2029, and emphasizes rapid delivery of innovative capabilities leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Under the SHIELD contract, USfalcon will have the opportunity to provide specialized support to enhance situational awareness, threat detection, and decision-support capabilities for missile defense operations. Our team is ready to deliver integrated engineering, analysis, and program support to help MDA strengthen the resilience, responsiveness, and effectiveness of critical defense systems.

Founded in 1984, USfalcon is a trusted defense contractor providing Warfighter Mission Readiness, Systems Integration and Modernization, Logistics Solutions, and Platform Lifecycle Support to U.S. Government customers worldwide. With a culture built on stewardship, integrity, commitment, and service, USfalcon's "Consider it Done" mindset ensures our customers receive responsive, reliable, and high-quality performance on every mission we support.

Contact Information

Stephanie Martin

President & CAO

919-388-3778





SOURCE: USfalcon, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/aerospace-and-defense/usfalcon-awarded-missile-defense-agency-shield-contract-1115137
SEO Author & Speaker Launches Three New Events in South Florida

MIAMI SHORES, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Miami-based digital marketing expert John Kriney has announced three upcoming speaking engagements across South Florida, marking his return to public appearances after several years of focusing on consulting and running his agency. Known for his mastery of SEO, PPC, and internet marketing, Kriney has earned recognition as both a practitioner and educator. His new events reflect a renewed focus on sharing professional insights with local business owners and marketing professionals.

John Kriney

John Kriney Speaking at Event

About John Kriney

John Kriney is the founder of OptFirst Inc., a respected digital marketing firm serving the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area. For over two decades, he has helped businesses enhance visibility, generate leads, and achieve high search rankings. Kriney is also the author of 8 Step SEO Plan (Amazon) , a practical guide that translates complex SEO principles into a clear, actionable process for small and medium-sized businesses.

After years of operating behind the scenes as a consultant, Kriney is stepping back into the spotlight to teach the strategies that have fueled his clients' success. His goal is to educate the next generation of digital marketers and empower entrepreneurs throughout South Florida to build stronger online presences. (LinkedIn)

The Upcoming Events

Kriney's new series of events will feature appearances across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Each session aims to give local businesses and marketers an in-depth look at real-world SEO techniques designed for South Florida's dynamic market.

Although some details are still forthcoming, attendees can expect a mix of practical SEO training, case studies drawn from Kriney's extensive career, and interactive Q&A sessions. The focus will be on actionable insights-approaches that business owners can immediately apply to improve their digital performance.

Why This Matters for South Florida Businesses

South Florida's business environment is competitive, diverse, and fast-moving. Many companies rely heavily on local search traffic to stay visible in crowded markets. Kriney's combination of local expertise and national-level SEO experience gives attendees the unique opportunity to learn strategies specifically tailored to their community and customer base.

Participants can expect to learn how to optimize effectively for Google's evolving algorithms, develop content and backlink strategies that drive lasting visibility, and integrate local SEO techniques for service-based and location-driven businesses.

What Attendees Can Expect

Practical SEO methods adapted for local markets

Step-by-step lessons based on Kriney's 8 Step SEO Plan

Insights into multicultural and multilingual search optimization common in South Florida

Interactive discussions and personalized feedback opportunities

For marketers, agency owners, or entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the complexities of online visibility, Kriney's sessions offer both practical tools and strategic guidance. These events promise valuable takeaways for anyone aiming to strengthen their digital marketing foundation in one of the nation's most competitive business regions.

SOURCE: OptFirst Inc

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/john-vincent-kriney-announces-three-new-speaking-events-1114369
Oak Brook, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - As mental health, climate change, and social isolation shape a generation's experience, one thing is clear: young people are ready to lead - and they're already doing it. And now, with the United Nations naming 2026 International Volunteer Year, there is a renewed global call to recognize and promote service-minded people of all ages. Through the Leo Program, the youth arm of Lions Clubs International, more than 200,000 Leos in over 150 countries are taking action to create positive change in their communities, from protecting the environment to addressing hunger, health, and education challenges.

As the world celebrates International Leo Day on December 5, Lions International is inviting the world to look toward a bigger truth: young people aren't waiting until adulthood to make a difference - they are stepping up now.

"Leos remind us that the power to change the world begins with kindness," said A.P. Singh, Lions Clubs International President. "These young people's leadership, service, and commitment to themselves and those around them inspire Lions and volunteers everywhere to continue building unity and hope."

The Leo Program offers young people a space to lead, serve, and grow alongside peers and mentors who believe in their potential. Since the 1960s, it has empowered youth ages 12 to 30 to turn compassion into action through partnerships with local Lions Clubs that unite experience with innovation. Across the globe, Leos organize more than 60,000 service projects every year that leave a lasting impact. Organizing food drives, cleaning up local parks, promoting literacy, and raising awareness for mental health and wellness are just the tip of the iceberg for the causes Leos devote themselves to. Many Leos also collaborate across borders, joining global initiatives such as environmental and hunger relief campaigns, and connecting through international Leo forums and leadership events.

Their impact can be seen in communities around the world, where Leos are leading creative projects that make real change. In India, the University of Dehli and South Leo Club operated a Library on Wheels project, bringing books and educational resources to remote and underprivileged communities. The initiative not only promoted literacy but also provided skill-building workshops and field trips to enhance learning experiences.

Lifeline, launched with the Lions Club of Gampaha Metro and Leo Club of Gampaha Metro Juniors in Sri Lanka, recently hosted a health camp in Gampaha, serving 117 beneficiaries from the community. The camp offered free eye, blood, pressure, and HIV checkups to improve access to healthcare.

The Leo Club of Hopeville in India brought joy to 100 young warriors at the Childhood Cancer Hospital, Egmore, through the Hope for Little Heroes initiative. With crayons, coloring books, games, and warm conversations, Leos dedicated 26 hours to spreading smiles, love, and hope.

Leo Clubs in Arizona have been actively supporting the homeless population in various ways, including securing a Lions Clubs International Foundation grant project to serve 400 homeless individuals by providing sandwiches, other food items, and distributing 300 backpacks, sleeping bags, and hygiene products.

In Uganda, the Leo Club of Kyambogo worked to improve a local school, including cleaning and painting the walls, fixing the leaking roof, and installing missing glass panels in the windows.

"This journey has helped me grow into the person I am today, professionally and personally," said Wilson Morengo, a Leo-Lion from Asuncion, Paraguay. "It has given me a space to live, learn and serve with purpose and empathy."

Morengo became a Leo more than a decade ago and has made lifelong friendships, and even met his wife, through the program. Morengo recently joined a relief mission providing aid for nearly 30,000 families impacted by flooding in Paraguayan Chaco. "It was very meaningful for me because it reminded me of what is important - the service matters - and even small actions can bring hope in dark times," he added.

The Leo experience is more than volunteering; it's a foundation for lifelong leadership. Many Leos become Lions, carrying forward the same spirit of service they developed in their formative years. Through mentorship, international collaboration, and hands-on experience, Leos build essential skills in teamwork, communication, and project management while strengthening their communities.

For young people seeking leadership opportunities, for parents wanting meaningful experiences for their teens, and for educators encouraging community engagement, Leo Clubs are open and welcoming.

To learn more or find a club near you, visit www.lionsclubs.org/leo.

About Lions International

Lions International represents Lions Clubs International and Lions Clubs International Foundation. Lions take on some of the greatest challenges facing our communities and the world through the service of 1.4 million members in 50,000 clubs and the grant-funding support of our foundation. We improve health and well-being, strengthen communities and support those in need, locally and globally. At Lions International, we are serving a world in need. Learn more about who we are and what we do at lionsclubs.org.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276791

SOURCE: Lions International
Island of Baru, Colombia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Fundacion Santo Domingo and Christel House International announced a strategic alliance today to bring the world-class Christel House educational model to Colombia. The organizations announced their partnership during the 2025 graduation ceremony for Colegio Barbacoas, a 28-year-old high school in Baru established by Fundacion Santo Domingo.

Fundacion Santo Domingo and Christel House, a global network of high-quality, no-fee K-12 schools, aim to collaborate with other philanthropic groups to establish a national network of schools grounded in holistic student development, to transform lives across generations.

Colegio Barbacoas will be the first school to become a Christel House school, starting in 2027. The school currently provides educational and wraparound services to students, and those will remain free of charge, as they do for all existing Christel House schools.

"For Fundacion Santo Domingo, this alliance represents the evolution of years of work on the island of Baru," said Jose Francisco Aguirre, Executive Director of Fundacion Santo Domingo. "Combined with the Christel House model-internationally recognized for its holistic approach that blends academic excellence with character development-this will establish a strong foundation for expanding educational and social opportunities for the community."

The organizations plan to work together throughout 2026 on transitioning Colegio Barbacoas to the Christel House model, and Christel House will assume responsibility for operating the school in 2027. The full year of transitional and community work will position the school for success once the model, which includes rigorous academics, meals, healthcare, and five years of college and career support after graduation, is launched.

The alliance goes beyond delivering high-quality academic results; it acts as a catalyst for progress for students, families, and communities. Across Christel House's global network of schools, more than 97% of graduates continue to higher education or enter the workforce successfully, demonstrating the model's impact on social mobility.

"At Christel House, we deeply believe in the potential of every student," said David Harris, CEO of Christel House International. "Through this alliance, we're empowering the youth of Baru with the tools to break the cycle of poverty for themselves-and for generations to come."

Children from Baru look ahead to new opportunities as Fundacion Santo Domingo and Christel House International join forces to strengthen education, expand support services, and transform life outcomes for communities across Colombia.

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About Colegio Barbacoas

For nearly three decades, Colegio Barbacoas has become an emblematic institution of Baru, with 788 high-school graduates across 23 cohorts. Born from community leadership and supported by Fundacion Santo Domingo, it opened its doors in 1997 and has since evolved with new facilities, innovative pedagogical models, and strategic partnerships. Its history reflects a sustained commitment to educational quality, inclusion, and the holistic development of the island, making it a beloved and respected reference point for the entire community.

About the Partners

Christel House International

Christel House International is a global nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty. Founded in 1998 by entrepreneur Christel DeHaan, Christel House supports students for 18+ years-combining rigorous academics with nutrition, healthcare, life skills, and college and career guidance. More than 21,000 young people have been supported across five countries in three continents, with over 8,500 students served each year. Christel House graduates are three times more likely than their peers to secure formal employment, and 97% of recent graduates are studying, working, or both.

Fundacion Santo Domingo

A nonprofit organization that has, for 65 years, driven high-impact projects for social transformation in sectors such as education, health, the environment, housing, and economic inclusion. Working with public and private partners, it leads educational initiatives throughout the entire school journey, seeking to improve the quality of life for thousands of families in the Caribbean region and across Colombia.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276977

SOURCE: Christel House International
Tampa, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - The Dr. Wendell Bulmer Scholarship for Future Physicians is now accepting applications from undergraduate students across the United States. This annual award, established in the name of the renowned Tampa orthopedic surgeon and educator, Dr. Wendell Bulmer, seeks to identify and assist aspiring medical students who embody a profound commitment to comprehensive patient care.





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The scholarship provides a one-time award of $1,000 to an undergraduate student pursuing a pre-medical or related science degree. The program is designed to alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with undergraduate education, allowing recipients to focus more intensely on their academic and professional development. The application deadline is June 15, 2026, with the winner announced on July 15, 2026.

The core of the application process is a reflective essay. Applicants are asked to address the osteopathic principle of treating the whole person. The prompt requires students to describe a personal experience or core belief that has shaped their desire to become a physician who cares for the patient, not just the illness, and to explain how this philosophy will guide their future practice. This focus ensures that the scholarship supports individuals who are not only academically gifted but also deeply aligned with the humanistic values of medicine.

The scholarship is a direct reflection of the professional ethos of Dr. Wendell Bulmer. For decades, Dr. Wendell Bulmer has been a prominent figure in the medical community, known for his leadership roles, including serving as Chief of Staff at Tampa Community Hospital, and his dedication to medical education as an Associate Professor. The creation of this scholarship fund extends his commitment to mentoring beyond the classroom and operating room.

The initiative is inspired by the active and esteemed career of Dr. Wendell Bulmer. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bulmer has practiced with esteemed groups across Florida. His career stands as a powerful example of the osteopathic philosophy in action. By establishing this scholarship, Dr. Wendell Bulmer aims to nurture a new generation of physicians who will carry forward this essential approach to healthcare.

Eligibility for the Dr. Wendell Bulmer Scholarship is open to any currently enrolled undergraduate student at an accredited U.S. college or university who is on a pre-medical track. The essay submitted must be the original work of the applicant. The selection committee will prioritize essays that demonstrate genuine introspection, a clear understanding of patient-centered care, and a compelling vision for a future medical practice.

This scholarship program underscores a lasting investment in the future of healthcare. It supports the educational journey of students who demonstrate the potential to become compassionate, holistic healers. The Dr. Wendell Bulmer Scholarship for Future Physicians represents a meaningful step toward ensuring that the core values of osteopathic medicine continue to thrive in medical practices for years to come.

For further details on eligibility requirements, the application process, and to submit an essay, interested students are encouraged to visit the official website.

Suggested Alternate Press Release Title:

Dr. Wendell Bulmer Launches National Scholarship for Aspiring Medical Students Embracing Holistic Care

About the Dr. Wendell Bulmer Scholarship

The Dr. Wendell Bulmer Scholarship for Future Physicians is an annual award program based in Tampa, Florida, founded to support the academic ambitions of undergraduate pre-medical students. The scholarship honors the professional legacy and patient-care philosophy of Dr. Wendell Bulmer, D.O., by encouraging a new generation of physicians to practice medicine with a focus on treating the whole person.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276991

SOURCE: GYT
Niceville, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - The Dr. Ian Weisberg Grant for Future Healthcare Leaders is now accepting applications from undergraduate students across the United States. This scholarship provides critical support to students on pre-medical and pre-health tracks who demonstrate a profound commitment to a career in patient care.

Dr. Ian Weisberg

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Founded by Dr. Ian Weisberg, a distinguished cardiac electrophysiologist, the grant represents a direct investment in the future of medicine. The program offers a one-time $1,000 award to assist a deserving student with educational expenses, reinforcing the importance of cultivating the next generation of clinicians.

The scholarship criteria require applicants to be currently enrolled undergraduates in a pre-health program and to maintain a strong academic record. The central component of the application is a 750-1,000 word essay. Applicants must describe a personal experience that solidified their commitment to healthcare, explaining how it shaped their understanding of patient care and how they plan to integrate those lessons into their future practice.

The vision for this initiative comes directly from Dr. Ian Weisberg, whose own career is a testament to clinical excellence and global compassion. The essay prompt is designed to identify students who possess not only academic prowess but also the empathy and reflective capacity essential for modern medical practice. By understanding the motivations that drive future caregivers, the grant aims to support individuals who will lead with both skill and heart.

The legacy of Dr. Ian Weisberg provides a powerful model for grant recipients. His work in founding and developing electrophysiology programs has expanded access to specialized cardiac care. Furthermore, his volunteer efforts, including assisting in the design of a cardiac operating room in Kenya, illustrate a commitment to healthcare that transcends local boundaries. This scholarship is an extension of that philosophy, created to foster similar values in students.

The application deadline for the Dr. Ian Weisberg Grant is July 15, 2026. The recipient will be selected following a thorough review of all submissions and will be announced on August 15, 2026. The grant is open to all eligible undergraduate students in the United States, regardless of their specific state of residence.

This scholarship fund is a personal initiative for Dr. Ian Weisberg, reflecting his dedication to mentoring and supporting aspiring medical professionals. The grant seeks to alleviate some of the financial pressures associated with higher education, allowing students to focus more intensely on their studies and professional development.

Prospective applicants can find full details on eligibility, the essay prompt, and the application procedure on the official website. The grant encourages all qualified undergraduate students on a pre-health path to apply.

About the Dr. Ian Weisberg Grant for Future Healthcare Leaders

The Dr. Ian Weisberg Grant for Future Healthcare Leaders is a scholarship program established by Dr. Ian Weisberg to support the academic journey of undergraduate students pursuing careers in medicine and healthcare. The grant is founded on the principles of academic excellence, compassionate patient care, and professional innovation.

Contact Information:

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276990

SOURCE: GYT
Technology Veteran Brings Decades of Leadership to Guide the Nation's Largest Laboratory Services Network Through Next Phase of Strategic Growth

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Pace, a leading science and technology company with a nationwide network of environmental and life sciences laboratories, announces the appointment of Ken Beyer as its new Chief Executive Officer. Beyer will oversee all aspects of the organization, bringing a wealth of experience across technology and logistics markets to further strengthen Pace and its mission of delivering innovative solutions and outstanding customer service.

Pace People Advancing Science

Pace People Advancing Science Logo

"I am honored to join Pace and lead a team dedicated to making the world a safer, healthier place," said Ken Beyer. "Together, we will continue to innovate our services and delivery network while advancing scientific excellence for our clients and communities."

Ken Beyer joins Pace after a distinguished career leading high-growth companies in the logistics, technology, and consulting sectors. Most recently, as CEO of Transportation Insight and Nolan Transportation Group, he guided the combined company to become the 4th largest domestic transportation management provider in the U.S., generating over $5 billion in annual revenue. Beyer previously served as President of Ingram Micro Commerce & Lifecycle Services, a $4 billion global logistics business spanning 39 countries and 15,000 employees. He joined Ingram Micro after its acquisition of CloudBlue Technologies, a company he co-founded and scaled into a global leader in reverse logistics and IT asset disposition. Beyer began his career as a management consultant with Ernst & Young, holds a degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University, and is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).

Pace, a portfolio company of Leonard Green & Partners and Aurora Capital Partners, brings decades of expertise in supporting industries, government agencies, and businesses through its state-of-the-art laboratory services. Under Beyer's leadership, the company is poised to accelerate growth, expand service offerings, and strengthen partnerships across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and environmental sectors.

For more information about Pace, please visit pacelabs.com.

About Pace

Pace makes the world a safer, healthier place. For decades, Pace people have been committed to advancing the science of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in our Life Sciences laboratories and supporting businesses, industries, consulting firms, government agencies, and more through our Environmental and Analytical Services laboratories. Pace offers local-level service backed by a national laboratory network. For customers with in-house labs, Pace provides a range of professional services to keep their operations moving forward. Pace people work in partnership with customers by providing the service, science, and the data they need to make critical decisions that benefit us all. More at pacelabs.com.

SOURCE: Pace Analytical

Related Images

Ken Beyer Named Pace CEO

Ken Beyer Headshot

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/pacer-appoints-ken-beyer-as-chief-executive-officer-1115160
Baltimore, Maryland--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - The Leon Harris Road to Recovery Scholarship today officially opens its application period, inviting undergraduate students across the United States who are on a recovery journey to apply for its annual award. Founded by veteran broadcast journalist Leon Harris, this initiative provides critical support for students who have demonstrated remarkable resilience and are now channeling their strength into the pursuit of higher education.

Leon Harris

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The scholarship recognizes that the path to recovery builds unique character, profound perspective, and an unwavering determination-qualities that profoundly enrich academic and community environments. The Leon Harris Road to Recovery Scholarship is designed to acknowledge these journeys and invest in the future leaders they create. Applicants are not defined by their past challenges but are celebrated for their commitment to moving forward with purpose.

To be considered, applicants must be current undergraduate students enrolled at an accredited institution in the United States. A central component of the application is an original 500-700 word essay. Candidates must respond to the prompt: "How has your recovery journey shaped your outlook on education and life, and how do you plan to use your education to inspire or create change for yourself and others?" This essay provides a platform for students to share their personal narratives of transformation and ambition.

The application deadline is June 15, 2026. A one-time award of $1,000 will be granted to the selected recipient, with the winner announced on July 15, 2026. The scholarship is open to all eligible students regardless of their specific field of study.

The vision for this scholarship stems directly from the life and career of its founder, Leon Harris. With over three decades in broadcast journalism at networks including CNN, NBC4, and WJLA-TV, Leon Harris has dedicated his professional life to sharing impactful human stories. He brings this same commitment to authentic storytelling and community support to the scholarship program. Leon Harris believes in the power of second chances and the transformative role education plays in building a stable and promising future.

Through this scholarship, Leon Harris aims to lessen the financial burden for students, allowing them to focus more intensely on their academic and personal growth. The initiative reflects the core values that Leon Harris has championed throughout his career: integrity, resilience, and the belief that every individual has the capacity to overcome adversity and make a significant contribution to society.

The selection process will prioritize applicants who can articulate a clear connection between their recovery experience, their educational goals, and their vision for creating positive change. The Leon Harris Road to Recovery Scholarship seeks to reward not just academic potential, but also the strength of character forged through personal challenge.

For further details on eligibility requirements, the application process, and to submit an application, prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the official scholarship website.

About the Leon Harris Road to Recovery Scholarship

The Leon Harris Road to Recovery Scholarship is a national scholarship program based in Baltimore, MD, established by award-winning journalist Leon Harris. The scholarship provides financial assistance and recognition to undergraduate students who are actively pursuing their education as part of their recovery journey. The program supports the next generation of leaders by investing in individuals who have demonstrated remarkable resilience and a commitment to building a better future for themselves and their communities.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276994

SOURCE: GYT
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - C21 Investments Inc. (CSE: CXXI) (OTCQX: CXXIF) ("C21" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated cannabis company, is pleased to announce that it intends to commence a renewed normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB"), under which it may purchase up to 5,898,596 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares"), representing approximately 5% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares.

The Company may purchase Common Shares under the NCIB over a 12-month period beginning on December 9, 2025 and ending on December 9, 2026. All Common Shares purchased under the NCIB will be purchased on the open market through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") or alternative trading systems at the prevailing market price of the Common Shares at the time of purchase and in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company will fund the purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB with cash on hand. The exact timing and amount of any purchases of Common Shares made pursuant to the NCIB will depend on market conditions and other factors. The Company is not obligated to acquire any Common Shares and may suspend or discontinue purchases under the NCIB at any time. Any Common Shares purchased by the Company under the NCIB will be cancelled upon their purchase.

Under the NCIB, the Company may purchase up to such number of Common Shares equal to 2% of its issued and outstanding Common Shares over any 30-trading day period.

The Company intends to commence the NCIB as it believes that the market price of the Common Shares may not fully reflect the value of its business and prospects, and as such it believes that purchasing its own Common Shares for cancellation is an appropriate strategy for increasing long-term shareholder value and represents an appropriate use of the Company's financial resources.

The Company has appointed Haywood Securities Inc. as its broker to conduct the NCIB transactions on its behalf.

The Company recently concluded a normal course issuer bid for the purchase of up to 6,002,390 Common Shares (the "2025 NCIB") which commenced on December 2, 2024 and expired on December 2, 2025. Pursuant to the 2025 NCIB, the Company repurchased for cancellation an aggregate of 224,000 Common Shares at an average price of approximately C$0.20 per share. All repurchases of Common Shares pursuant to the 2025 NCIB were made through the facilities of the CSE.

For further inquiries, please contact:



About C21 Investments Inc.

C21 Investments Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company that cultivates, processes, and distributes quality cannabis and hemp-derived consumer products in the United States. The Company is focused on value creation through the disciplined acquisition and integration of core retail, manufacturing, and distribution assets in strategic markets, leveraging industry-leading retail revenues with high-growth potential multi-market branded consumer packaged goods. The Company owns Silver State Relief and Silver State Cultivation in Nevada, including legacy Oregon brands Phantom Farms, Hood Oil and Eco Firma Farms. These brands produce and distribute a broad range of THC and CBD products from cannabis flowers, pre-rolls, cannabis oil, vaporizer cartridges and edibles. Based in Vancouver, Canada, additional information on C21 can be found at www.sedarplus.ca and www.cxxi.ca.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements:

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements"). Forward-Looking Statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: the timing of commencement and cessation of the NCIB; the means by which the Company will fund the purchases of Common Shares pursuant to the NCIB; and the Company's belief that purchasing its Common Shares under the NCIB is an appropriate strategy for increasing long-term shareholder value and represents an appropriate use of the Company's financial resources. Such Forward-Looking Statements represent the Company's beliefs and expectations regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control.

Forward-Looking Statements are based on assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management of the Company at the time they were provided or made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including: achieving the anticipated results of the Company's strategic plans; and general economic, financial market, regulatory and political conditions in which the Company operates.

A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond the Company's control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the Forward-Looking Statements in this news release. Such factors include, without limitation: risks and uncertainties arising from: the inability to effectively manage growth; inputs, suppliers and skilled labour being unavailable or available only at uneconomic costs; the adequacy of the Company's capital resources and liquidity, including but not limited to, availability of sufficient cash flow to purchase Common Shares under the NCIB and to execute the Company's business plan (either within the expected timeframe or at all); changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws generally and adverse future legislative and regulatory developments involving medical and recreational marijuana; the risks of operating in the marijuana industry in the United States, and those other risk factors discussed in the Company's 20F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Annual Information Form filing on SEDAR+.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such Forward-Looking Statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. Should assumptions underlying the Forward-Looking Statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

The Forward-Looking Statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake to update any Forward-Looking Statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277083

SOURCE: C21 Investments Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - KO Gold Inc. (CSE: KOG) ("KO Gold" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the previously announced debt settlement agreements (the "Settlement Agreements") with certain creditors to settle outstanding debts totaling $493,471.24, including outstanding fees owed to management and contractors (the "Debt Settlement"). Pursuant to the Settlement Agreements, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,467,356 common shares (the "Common Shares") at a deemed price of $0.20 per Common Share in full satisfaction of such debts.

The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Settlement Agreements are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Two insiders of the Company participated in the Debt Settlement, settling an aggregate of $282,871.24 of indebtedness through the issuance of 1,414,356 Common Shares. Such participation constitutes a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, on the basis that the fair market value of the insider participation does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Early Warning Disclosure

In connection with the Debt Settlement, Gregory Isenor acquired 794,216 Common Shares of the Company (the "Shares"). Immediately prior to the Debt Settlement, Mr. Isenor beneficially owned and/or controlled 2,638,000 common shares of the Company, representing approximately 10.80% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares. As a result of the Debt Settlement, Mr. Isenor now beneficially owns and/or controls 3,432,216 common shares, representing approximately 12.76% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares.

The Shares were acquired for investment purposes. Mr. Isenor may, depending on market and other conditions, increase or decrease his beneficial ownership of the Company's securities, whether through market transactions, private agreements or other means, in each case subject to applicable securities laws.

An early warning report will be filed by Mr. Isenor pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues and will be available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile. Mr. Isenor's early warning report will include disclosure regarding his previously-held position and is being filed to remedy an inadvertent prior non-compliance with the early warning requirements.

For further information or to obtain a copy of the early warning report, please contact Gregory Isenor, President and CEO, at 902-832-5555 or by email at info@kogoldnz.com.

About KO Gold Inc.

KO Gold is a Canadian junior exploration company listed on the CSE under "KOG". The Company's strategy is to acquire and explore highly prospective gold properties within the Otago Gold District in New Zealand and has an ongoing program of permit exploration and drilling. KO Gold presently has four 100%-owned exploration permits and one exploration permit under application (Carrick Range) within the Otago Gold District for a combined land package of 400 km2. The Company's Smylers Gold, Hyde and Glenpark EPs are located adjacent to OceanaGold's Macraes Gold Mine and the Carrick EP hosts the historic Carrick Goldfield which holds promise as a significant gold deposit near Santana Minerals' Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project. The Company also has an NSR on three additional permits including Garibaldi, Raggedy Range, and Rough Ridge South totaling 340 km2. KO Gold has on and drilling on its permits in the Otago Gold District over the past five years including RC and diamond drilling on its Smylers Gold EP.

For further information, please contact:

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the anticipated effects of the Debt Settlement on the Company's financial position, capitalization, and business strategy, and management's expectations regarding the Company's future plans and operations. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events, results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to exploration and mining operations; volatility in commodity prices; risks related to the Company's ability to maintain stock exchange listings; risks related to future financing requirements; and the risk factors discussed in the Company's continuous disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277064

SOURCE: KO Gold Inc.
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. (TSXV: DWS) ("Diamond Estates" or the "Company") announces that today the Company issued 679,928 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Second Tranche Earnout Shares") at a deemed issuance price of $0.21 per share as part of the purchase price of the acquisition of Perigon Beverage Group ("Perigon"). This is the second of three share issuances to the principals of Perigon based on the gross margin six-month earnouts set out in the definitive purchase agreement dated September 12, 2024 with Perigon. The Second Tranche Earn-Out Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The Company also announces that today, pursuant to the engagement letter it entered into with 2RL Capital Inc. ("2RL Capital") dated September 12, 2024, in connection with the Perigon acquisition and the ongoing services provided by 2RL Capital to the Company, the Company issued 254,885 common shares in the capital of the company (the "Second Payment Shares") to the principals of 2RL Capital, at a deemed issuance price of $0.196 per common share. The Second Payment Shares are subject to a four month and one day hold period under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Upcoming Shareholder Meeting

The Company also strongly encourages disinterested shareholders to vote their shares well in advance of the upcoming shareholder meeting scheduled for Monday December 22, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (ET). To ensure votes are received in a timely manner, shareholders are advised to submit their proxies or voting instructions through electronic means or via their intermediaries as early as possible and votes submitted by proxy must be received by Thursday December 18, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (ET). The Notice of Meeting, Management Information Circular and related proxy materials (the "Meeting Materials") were filed on the Company's website and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc.

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. is a producer of high-quality wines and ciders as well as a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The Company operates four production facilities, three in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such well-known brand names as 20 Bees, Creekside, D'Ont Poke the Bear, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Mindful, Shiny Apple Cider, Fresh Wines, Red Tractor, Seasons, Serenity and Backyard Vineyards.

Through its commercial division, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the Company serves as the sales agent for a wide range of leading international beverage brands.

Wine Portfolio:

Trajectory represents several renowned wine brands, including Fat Bastard and Gabriel Meffre from France; Kaiken from Argentina; Kings of Prohibition from Australia; Yealands, Kono, Tohu, and Joiy Sparkling Wine from New Zealand; Talamonti and Cielo from Italy; Porta 6, Julia Florista, Boas Quintas, Catedral, and Cabeca de Toiro from Portugal; as well as C.K Mondavi & Family, Charles Krug, Line 39, Harken, FitVine, and Rabble from California.

Spirits Portfolio:

The Company also represents distinguished spirit brands such as Tag Vodka, Ginslinger Gin, and Barnburner Whisky from Ontario; Cofradia Tequila and Hussong's Tequila from Mexico; Islay Mist and Waterproof blended Scotch whiskies from Scotland; Glen Breton Canadian whiskies from Nova Scotia; Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur and Broker's Gin from the UK; Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream, 360 Vodka, and Holladay Bourbon from the USA; Giffard Liqueurs from France and Becherovka Liqueur from the Czech Republic.

Beer, Cider and RTD Portfolio:

In the beer, cider, and ready-to-drink (RTD) categories, Trajectory represents TAG and Ginslinger RTDs and Darling Mimosas, both from Ontario; Rodenbach beer from Belgium; La Trappe beer from the Netherlands and Warsteiner beer from Germany.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277102

SOURCE: Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2025) - HYLQ Strategy Corp. (CSE: HYLQ) (formerly, Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd.) (the "Company" or "HYLQ Strategy") announces the resignation of Mr. Antanas (Tony) Guoga as a director of the Company, effective immediately. The Company would like to thank Mr. Guoga for his contribution to the Company and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

In addition, the Company is pleased to announce that Mr. Daniel Harding has been appointed to the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Harding is an entrepreneur, investor and operator with experience building and scaling businesses across tech, payments, and e-commerce. He has developed advanced operational systems, KPI frameworks, and automation tools used across multiple global teams, implementing high-performance structures that enhance execution and scalability. Mr. Harding brings to the board a disciplined, data-driven approach to strategic growth, capital allocation, and improving business performance.

About the Company

HYLQ Strategy Corp. (CSE: HYLQ) is a Canadian investment company dedicated to building long-term shareholder value through strategic exposure to the Hyperliquid ecosystem. HYLQ is focused on three main initiatives: 1) Accumulating $HYPE tokens, the native token of Hyperliquid; 2) Investing in companies within the Hyperliquid ecosystem; 3) Growing and incubating Hyperliquid-based businesses. HYLQ's goal is to give public market investors direct, institutional-grade access to Hyperliquid's growth. The company's mission is to be the leading public vehicle for exposure to Hyperliquid's next-generation digital asset infrastructure. For more information, please contact:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Generally, any statements that are not historical facts may contain forward-looking information and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or indicates that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be" taken, "occur" or "be achieved".

Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the company's future investing plans and strategies, the growth of the Hyperliquid ecosystem, and the Company's investments. There is no assurance that the Company's plans or objectives will be implemented as set out herein, or at all. Forward-looking information is based on certain factors and assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made and is 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 information.

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 information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

Neither the 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 news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277136

SOURCE: HYLQ Strategy Corp.
If you like the gun giggles and movies based on pulse-pounding covert operatives, Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan and Rakesh Bedi starrer film is meant for you.

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi

Director: Aditya Dhar

Language: Hindi

This is indeed one of Ranveer Singhs best performances of the year. And it was indeed worth the wait for all of us. It looks like he is choosing his movies with care. After his brilliant performance in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Dhurandhar is a completely different film with loads of action and giggles of the guns, and if you love the smell of blood, you truly cannot miss it. This film is indeed one of the most engaging releases of this year.

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A still from Dhurandhar

The film is divided into 8 chapters and opens with a terrorist attack scene. Breaking up the film in to chapters works well for the film.  Dhurandhar is a name of a mission and it did take inspiration from covert operations led by RAW, 1999 IC-814 Kandahar hijack, Parliament attack of December 2001, Operation Lyari, 26/11 terrorist attack and more. And NO, the film is not based on Major Mohit Sharma. After watching the film, you will realize how the politics of the neighboring country and how things work in the streets of Karachi and the way the underworld functions and how all that is connected to India.

A still from Dhurandhar

The three hours, thirty-four minutes movie can be a bit of an over-stretch, but it is worth all your time. It is indeed one of the biggest and boldest release of 2025. It is a pulse-pounding look into the high-stakes world of covert operatives, where every decision is a matter of life and death, and the battle for the nation is fought in the shadows.

The movie is not based on the armed forces, but about men who actually risk their lives and fight invisible wars. It is about men who have sacrificed everything to serve their country and most importantly we need to realise that these are the men who have even probably forgotten real names.

This is Ranveer Singhs career-best performance; especially his restrained emotional scenes have come out brilliantly. Performing the role of a mean killing machine with emotions isnt easy, but he does it with utmost brilliance. He can be brutal, cunning and emotional and at the same time unpredictable. Too many actors is never a crowd when you have such solid performances from each one of them, whether it is Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, or Rakesh Bedi.

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A still from Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar is a tribute to all such men and those forgotten voices who risk their all for the nation! As filmmaker Aditya Dhar rightly said, Dhurandhar isnt just a filmits a raw, visceral truth pulled from a deeply personal core. It is a tribute to the silent architects of our world, the extraordinary men and women whose monumental work never makes the headlines. And Aditya Dhar has proved yet again that he indeed has a very special and unique storytelling lens. Coming to the performances, though Ranveer Singh steals the show, Arjun Rampals performance too is terrific despite limited screen time.

The way Dhurandhar ends, makes you want the second part and I am sure Aditya Dhar is soon going to come up with it. For the theatre going audiences, this film is a complete package and an absolute value for money. And the best thing about the film is not a single dialogue or scene looks forced or irrelevant.

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Rating: 3 (and half) out of 5

WATCH the trailer of JioStudios Dhurandhar here:
One of the comments read, Unexpected collab. Another wrote, Two divas in one frame. Another commented, Both are so beautiful. One more read, My queens.

The Red Sea Film Festival 2025 is currently in full swing in Saudi Arabia, and some of the biggest celebrities across industries are gracing it with their stunning presence. Two of them are Aishwarya Rai Bachchan from India and the American star Dakota Johnson. The two actresses met and graced each other with elan.

Johnson told the Devdas actress We went to the Maha Kumbh. One of the comments read, Unexpected collab. Another wrote, Two divas in one frame. Another commented, Both are so beautiful. One more read, My queens.

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Aishwarya Rai opens up on how to deal with street harassment

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan began her career with Iruvar in 1997 that was directed by Mani Ratnam. The duo then went on to collaborate for films like Guru, Raavan, and most recently, the Ponniyin Selvan series that dominated the IIFA 2024 Utsavam. The actress has now spoken about how to deal with street harassment in her new video.

The actress says in the video- Avoid eye contact? No. Look the problem directly in the eyes. Hold your head high. Feminine and feministmy body, my worth.

She adds, Never compromise your worth. Do not doubt yourself. Stand up for your worth. Dont blame your dress or your lipstick. Street harassment is never your fault.

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Rai Bachchan is a global icon but as per a report by DNA, she refused Mr and Mrs Smith opposite Brad Pitt and Hanock with Will Smith due to kissing and intimate scenes, which she was uncomfortable with.
What started as a modest idea grew into a project shaped by the passion and craft of countless artists, writers, directors, technicians and performers who brought it to life.

At the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2025 Grand Gala night in Singapore, Indian storytelling travelled far beyond home. Netflix India celebrated a proud global milestone as Black Warrant earned recognition among Asias finest creative works, winning the Golden Goddess for Best Editing and Best Sound.

What started as a modest idea grew into a project shaped by the passion and craft of countless artists, writers, directors, technicians and performers who brought it to life. These wins celebrate that collective effort and the creative risks that made the story resonate.

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Tanya Chabbria, the Golden Goddess winner for AACA 2025s Best Editor, shared, Thank you so much for this honour. Im deeply grateful to Netflix, Applause, Confluence, the directors, showrunners, my entire team and everyone who poured their talent into making this show possible. Your vision, trust and tireless support made all the difference. This is as much yours as it is mine.

Kunal Sharma, the Golden Goddess winner for AACA 2025s Best Sound, shared, Thank you to the Asian Academy for this honour. I would also like to thank Vikramaditya Motwane, Satyanshu Singh and the showrunners on Black Warrant. A big shout-out to all the directors for letting me do what I felt like doing instinctually, and I think this is a very collaborative show, from all the departments. I think we shone. I would also like to share this award on behalf of the entire sound team, without whom this would not have been possible. A big shout out to mixing engineer, Niladri Shekhar Roy for being such a rock and taking all my pressures. I also want to give a shout out to Ajay Jayanthi, our music composer on the show, without his compositions I dont think I could have gone as minimal and designal as I eventually landed up doing. Thank you so much!
Directed by Matt Reeves, the sequel is expected to go on floors next spring, with Warner Bros. eyeing an October 2027 theatrical release

Scarlett Johansson is in talks to join The Batman Part II, where she is expected to star opposite Robert Pattinsons Caped Crusader, according to Variety.

Directed by Matt Reeves, the sequel is expected to go on floors next spring, with Warner Bros. eyeing an October 2027 theatrical release. Reeves first film, The Batman, opened in March 2022 and went on to collect USD 772 million worldwide. The director and co-writer Mattson Tomlin completed the script for the sequel in June, with production sources indicating that Zoe Kravitzs Catwoman is unlikely to return.

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Reeves, speaking to Variety at the Emmys in September, expressed excitement over the new chapter while recalling the strict measures taken to maintain secrecy. Its been a long journey, but I am so incredibly excited. Im really proud of the script, and Mattson did, he said. We put [the script] into a secret pouch that literally has a lock on it with a code everything is high security."

Details of Johanssons role are being kept under wraps, but her possible entry marks a significant franchise move. The two-time Oscar nominee recently delivered a major box-office success with Jurassic World Rebirth, which crossed USD 800 million globally. She is also set to appear in the upcoming reboot of The Exorcist, according to Variety.

If finalised, the actor will be making a notable shift across the comic-book universe, from her iconic Marvel portrayal of Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) to a key role in DCs expanding slate.

Johansson has also been active beyond franchise cinema. She made her directorial debut with Eleanor the Great, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was released by Sony Pictures Classics. She will next be seen in James Grays Paper Tiger, reported Variety.

Scarlett Johanssons directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, stars June Squibb as a 94-year-old woman who, out of grief and loneliness, does a terrible thing.

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After her best friend (Rita Zohar) dies, Eleanor (Squibb) moves to New York and, after accidentally joining the wrong meeting at the Jewish Community Center, adopts her friends story of Holocaust survival. The film builds toward a moment where Eleanor could be harshly condemned in a public forum, or not.

With added inputs from agencies
DDLJ tells the story of Raj and Simran, two non-resident Indians who fall in love during a trip across Europe and India, beginning on a train from Kings Cross station

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol unveiled a new bronze statue in Leicester Square, celebrating their iconic roles in one of Indian cinemas most beloved films, Aditya Chopras Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ).

Marking the 30th year of Yash Raj Films historic blockbuster, the new bronze statue depicts central characters Raj & Simran in an iconic pose and celebrates the films everlasting impact on pop culture amongst South Asians worldwide. The bronze statue becomes the first-ever Indian film to be honoured with a statue in Leicester Square, London and joins iconic characters from historic films including Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, Paddington, and Singin in the Rain, as well as heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman.

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Taking its place alongside some of the most iconic characters in global film history as part of the hugely popular Scenes in the Square trail, the unveiling was attended by both Bollywood megastars, as well as Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani and Heart of London Business Alliances Chief Executive Ros Morgan.

Speaking at the launch, Shah Rukh Khan said, DDLJ was made with a pure heart. We wanted to tell a story about love, how it can bridge barriers and how the world would be a better place if it had a lot of love in it, and I think this is why DDLJ has had a lasting impact for over 30 years now! Personally, DDLJ is part of my identity, and it is humbling to see film, and Kajol and me, receiving so much love since it was released.

Shah Rukh Khans tweet

Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita!



Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at Londons Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)!



Incredibly delighted that DDLJ is the first Indian pic.twitter.com/8wjLToBGYc  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 4, 2025

I am thankful to the people of the United Kingdom and the Heart of London Business Alliance for celebrating DDLJ and immortalising us with such a gesture. Seeing DDLJ become the first Indian film to be honoured in the iconic Scenes in the Square trail is an emotional moment and has brought back so many memories. I feel immense pride knowing the film has been embraced around the world, and I want to share this moment with the entire cast and crew of DDLJ, my friend and director Aditya Chopra and the Yash Raj Films family. This is a moment I will never forget!

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Kajol, reflecting on what this honour means to her, Its incredible to see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge continue to receive so much love, even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history - a story that has truly travelled across generations.

Seeing it find its rightful place in Leicester Square, a location of such enormous significance to DDLJ, makes this moment even more special. For the film to be honoured in this way in the UK - the first Indian film to receive such recognition - is something that will forever stay in the hearts and minds of all the DDLJ Fans across the world. Im grateful to everyone who continues to keep our film in their hearts for all these years, she added.

_DDLJ_ tells the story of Raj and Simran, two non-resident Indians who fall in love during a trip across Europe and India, beginning on a train from Kings Cross station.

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The location couldnt be more fitting, with Leicester Square featuring in DDLJ in a scene when Raj and Simran first cross paths, albeit unbeknown to one another, before setting off on their European adventure. Fittingly, the scene features two of the squares cinemas prominently, with Raj seen in front of the Vue cinema, and Simran walking past the Odeon Leicester Square.

Upon its 1995 release, DDLJ quickly became a global phenomenon and a defining cultural touchstone for South Asian communities around the globe. The statue marks the 30th anniversary celebrations for the film, which continues its record-breaking cinema run in India today.

Since its release, DDLJ has become the longest-running film in Hindi cinema history, with even President Obama referencing DDLJ during an official visit to India. The films legacy in the UK also continued, with a new stage adaptation, Come Fall In Love  The DDLJ Musical, which ran in Manchester earlier this year.

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The Great Smog of London began on December 5, 1952, claiming between 4,000 and 10,000 lives over the span of five days. The skies were filled with harmful toxins from factories and homes, and people began suffering from respiratory illnesses after breathing the smog. On this day in 2013, Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95

One of the deadliest episodes of environmental disasters in the history of England took place on December 5, 1952, when the Great Smog enveloped the skies of London for a period of five days.

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 2013, one of the influential leaders of the 20th century, Nelson Mandela, passed away at the age of 95.

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Here is all that took place on this day across the world.

Smog killed thousands in England

The Great Smog of London was one of the most severe air pollution events in the history of England. The yellow-black smog full of industrial toxins engulfed London from December 5, 1952. Thousands of people lost were killed by the toxic air.

The disaster occurred when a rare combination of weather conditions trapped pollutants close to the ground. A high-pressure system settled over London, creating a temperature inversion: a layer of warm air rested above cold air near the surface, preventing smoke and pollutants from rising. At the same time, Londoners were burning large amounts of low-quality coal to heat their homes during an unusually cold winter. Factories, power stations, and vehicles added even more soot, sulphur dioxide, and other toxins to the air.

Nelsons Column in Londons Trafalgar Square, during the Great Smog of 1952. Wikimedia Commons

By the morning of December 5, the smog had become so dense that visibility dropped to near zero. Buses and trains halted, ambulances stopped operating, and people were forced to walk blindly through the streets. Indoors, the smog seeped into homes, theatres, hospitals, and shops, turning the air thick and suffocating. Many Londoners initially underestimated the danger, believing it was just another fog. But within days, hospitals began to fill with patients suffering from severe respiratory distress.

The smog lasted until December 9, when a shift in the weather finally dispersed it. By then, the death toll was already staggering. Although early estimates listed around 4,000 deaths, later research suggests that the true number was closer to 12,000, with tens of thousands more falling ill. The tragedy became a turning point in environmental policy. Public outrage pushed the British government to pass the Clean Air Act of 1956, marking the beginning of modern air-quality regulation.

Nelson Mandela passed away

One of the most influential leaders of the 20th century and the global symbol of the fight against apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela, passed away on December 5, 2013.

The 95-year-old leader had been battling a recurring lung infection for several months and had been in and out of the hospital throughout 2013. On the evening of December 5, South African President Jacob Zuma announced to the world that Mandela had passed on peacefully at his home in Johannesburg, surrounded by his family. The news immediately sparked an outpouring of grief and remembrance across South Africa and around the globe. Flags were lowered, candlelight vigils were held, and millions of people expressed their admiration for the man who had become a universal symbol of freedom.

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A bundle of incense briefly burst into flames at a candle lit vigil outside the South African Consulate, held in memory of South Africas former leader and leader against Apartheid, Nelson Mandela. AFP

He was born in 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa and dedicated his life to challenging the oppressive apartheid system. His activism led to his arrest in 1962 and eventual imprisonment for 27 years. Instead of breaking him, this strengthened his resolve. When he was released in 1990, Mandela emerged not with bitterness but with a message of unity and peace.

In 1994, he became South Africas first Black president, guiding the country through its historic transition from apartheid to democracy. His leadership emphasised forgiveness, nation-building, and human dignity, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

This Day, That Year

Utah became the 36th US state to ratify the Twenty-first Amendment, repealing Prohibition in 1933.

Phillis Wheatley, the first African American woman poet of note in the United States, died in Boston on this day in 1784.

Martin Van Buren, one of the founders of the Democratic Party, was born on this day in 1782.
India and Russia have signed a slew of agreements during Vladimir Putins India trip, including in the areas of security, economy, trade and culture. From jobs and migration to education and medicine, training, healthcare, food safety and fertiliser, here is how countries will collaborate more closely

Russian President Vladimir Putin and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a presentation of a joint statement after their delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putins trip to India is thus far proving an unqualified success.

Putin, who is on a two-day visit for the 23rd IndiaRussia summit, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Indias independent and sovereign policy and noted how it is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

He also said the countries had vowed to expand bilateral trade to $100 billion (Rs 9 lakh crore) by 2030. The two countries have signed a slew of agreements including in the areas of security, economy, trade and culture.

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Lets take a closer look at how the trip will bring the countries closer together.

On jobs, migration

As noted in another piece, the signed labour agreement will have myriad benefits for both nations. On the one hand, Russia is in dire need of workers, particularly its Ural region, which is the industrial powerhouse. Moscow needs to fill around 3 million positions by the end of this decade.

On the other, India, which has a demographic dividend, has around 1012 million youth coming into the workforce every year. Many of these youths can find jobs in Russia and send money back home. While most Indians prefer Gulf countries, opportunities in Russia could change things.

The two countries have also signed an agreement to cooperate on combating irregular migration. This will assist in cracking down on illegal activities.

On education and medicine

India and Russia have agreed to a tie-up between the University of Mumbai and Lomonosov Moscow State University. Additionally, a collaboration has been announced between Punes Defence Institute of Advanced Technology and Russias National Tomsk State University. This will undoubtedly benefit both teachers and students alike and lead to a freer exchange of ideas and raise academic standards.

The University of Mumbai has tied up with Lomonosov Moscow State University. Image courtesy: Vyacheslav Argenberg

Indias Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also agreed to a tie-up when it comes to healthcare, medical education, and scientific research.

Training

The two countries have signed an MoU between Indias Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Russias Ministry of Transport. This will result in training specialists to be able to operate ships in polar waters. India and Russia have been working together in the Arctic region, which has become a geopolitical chessboard.

On healthcare and food safety

India and Russia have also signed MoUs when it comes to healthcare, science and food safety. Indias Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will collaborate in these fields with Russias Ministry of Health.

Indias Food Safety and Standards Authority and Russias Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being will also work together to increase food safety. This will result in a healthier and happier populace.

On communication

The collaboration between Indias and Russias media will grow after the two countries have signed several MoUs between Prasar Bharati and several Russian media groups.

The Prasar Bharati logo. Image courtesy: Government of India

This includes Gazprom, National Media Group, and BIG ASIA Media Group as well as ANO TV-Novosti. This will increase the ties between the outlets and result in the two nations deepening their cultural bonds and understanding.

On farms and fertiliser

India and Russia have signed an MoI between Russias Ural Chemicals and Indias Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited, National Fertilizers Limited and Indian Potash Limited. India is seeking a steady, long-term supply of fertilisers from Moscow.

Leaders outline RussiaIndia expanding ties

After the talks, Putin and Modi emphasised strong energy ties. Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $68.7 billion (Rs. 6.19 lakh crore) in the last fiscal year ended March. The trade is heavily skewed in favour of Russia with deep deficits for India, which it is looking to bridge by pushing exports.

To achieve this significant goal, a programme for the development of RussianIndian economic cooperation until 2030 has been agreed upon, Putin said. He said work is underway on an agreement for India to establish a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union, a Moscow-dominated economic grouping of several ex-Soviet nations, adding that it could help increase trade.

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Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources and everything necessary for the development of Indias energy sector, Putin said. We are ready to continue ensuring the uninterrupted supply of fuel for the rapidly growing Indian economy.

Before the summit talks, the Russian leader said the two countries have a very trusting relationship when it comes to military-technical cooperation. Modi said after the talks that the two countries will work towards early conclusion of a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. He also announced that India will soon start issuing free electronic visas for Russian tourists and groups visiting the country.

Modi said energy security has long anchored IndiaRussia ties, with civil nuclear cooperation spanning decades. He added that such cooperation will continue, alongside collaboration in clean energy, shipbuilding, fertilisers and labour mobility.

With inputs from agencies
PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are participating in the 23rd India-Russia summit at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi today (December 5). The building, designed by Edwin Lutyens in the shape of a butterfly, was constructed as the royal residence of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad, before Independence. Then how did the grand palace end up with the Indian government?

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi leave after a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, December 6, 2021. File Photo/Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the iconic Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Friday (December 5) for the 23rd India-Russia summit. The Russian leader is in India for a two-day State visit, aimed at boosting defence and economic ties between the two countries.

The venue of the meeting between the two leaders is a royal palace once owned by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad. Today, the landmark is used by the Central government to host foreign dignitaries.

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We take a look at the history of the Hyderabad House.

How Hyderabad House came to be

Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of the princely state of Hyderabad, purchased an 8.2-acre land in the heart of Delhi for constructing the Hyderabad House in 1919.

The construction of the palace was necessitated after the British rulers shifted Indias capital to Delhi in 1911. Following this, reports say that several princely states urged the British government to allocate them land for their houses in the new capital.

The British inducted the rulers of princely states into a Chamber of Princes. These rulers needed a place to stay in Delhi to attend the Chambers meetings held by the British, as per The Hindu report.

Only five states, including Hyderabad, Baroda, Patiala, Jaipur and Bikaner, were allocated plots of land to build their homes at the end of Kings Way (present-day Kartavya Path), three kilometres from the Viceroys House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan).

The Nizam of Hyderabad and the Gaekwad of Baroda commissioned renowned architect Edwin Lutyens to design their respective homes in Delhi.

While Khan wanted a house as majestic as the Viceroys House, that was not possible. However, the building was designed in the likeness of the present-day Rashtrapati Bhavan, differing in just the size of the dome, noted The Hindu.

The Hyderabad House has been designed in the shape of a butterfly. The wings of the butterfly fused with the adjacent roads. The royal palace has 36 rooms, including four for the zanana.

Renowned architect Edwin Lutyens designed the Hyderabad House. File Photo/Wikimedia Commons

The architecture blends European style and Mughal motifs. The royal residence of the Nizam in Delhi features courtyards, archways, grand stairways, fireplaces, and fountains.

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The Nizam spared no expense to build the palace. Reports say the teak used in the building was imported from Burma, furnishings were similar to a hotel in London, while electrical fittings were procured from New York.

The palace was built at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh (worth crores of rupees today), a huge amount at the time.

Located near India Gate, the royal palace boasts rhombic marble floor designs in its circular foyer and first-floor hallway. It was the grandest palace designed by Lutyens between 1921 and 1931, second only to the Viceroys House, as per NDTV.

For decorating the palace, the Nizam bought 30 paintings for Rs 12,000 from the famed painter Abdul Rahman Chuqtai of Lahore. He also ordered 17 paintings, a painting screen and a painting table for the Hyderabad House.

The dining room, which can accommodate over 500 people, was adorned with silver.

The royal residence has several carpets procured from Asia Minor (Anatolia), Iraq, Persia, Turkestan and Afghanistan.

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Why Nizam did not like his royal palace in Delhi

Despite the opulence of the Hyderabad House, the Nizam did not take a fancy to his royal residence in Delhi.

He and his sons are said not to have liked the Westernised style of the palace. The Nizam arrived in Delhi in March 1936 and paid a visit to the royal residence. However, he did not prefer the construction and decoration there.

An anecdote goes that Khan described the Hyderabad House as horses stable, not a royal palace, The Hindu reported.

How Indian govt acquired Hyderabad House

After Indias Independence in August 1947, the princely states started integrating into the India Union. As Hyderabad resisted joining India, Operation Polo, a military campaign, was launched, resulting in the state becoming a part of India in September 1948.

The Nizam hardly used Hyderabad House after that. The Government of India took over the palace on lease in 1954.

In the mid-1970s, India stopped paying the lease amount to the state. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took over the jurisdiction of the building in 1974, designating it for state visits and banquets. The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) managed catering, maintenance, and events.

After the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy assumed office in the early 1990s, the Centre and State agreed on a trading land for land. The erstwhile united AP got 6.26 acres and subsequently 1.3 acres surrounding Andhra Bhavan in New Delhi.

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Currently, the palace is under the control of the MEA, serving as the Prime Ministers state guest house. It has hosted several leaders, ranging from former US President Bill Clinton and Britains ex-PM Theresa May to Russias Vladimir Putin and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon for high-profile banquets, joint press conferences, and meetings.

Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, March 17, 2025. File Photo/Reuters

As India welcomes Putin again, he and PM Modi will hold their important summit at the Hyderabad House today.

With inputs from agencies
Russian President Vladimir Putins two-day visit to New Delhi has opened one of the most expansive defence dialogues between India and Russia in years. Air defence systems, fighter jet cooperation, missile programmes and supply-chain fixes top the agenda

Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets perform at the MAKS 2019 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, Russia, August 27, 2019. File Image/Reuters via Sputnik

Russian President Vladimir Putin is

The visit, Putins first in four years, has triggered one of the most expansive discussions on defence cooperation between India and Russia in recent years.

The Russian leader touched down in New Delhi on Thursday evening, accompanied by a senior ministerial delegation. The group includes Russias defence, finance, agriculture, economic development, health, interior, and transport ministers.

Shortly after landing, Putin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport and the duo went ahead for a private dinner.

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Their meeting comes after a year of five phone conversations and a face-to-face interaction at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin earlier this year.

The second day of Putins visit is structured around a series of high-level engagements: a ceremonial meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, a visit to Rajghat to honour Mahatma Gandhi, and extensive conversations at Hyderabad House.

Modi will also host a lunch for the Russian delegation, following which the two sides will hold a series of formal discussions across various sectors. The visit will conclude with a state banquet before Putin departs for Moscow.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov noted beforehand that Modi and Putin would hold regular and confidential discussions covering multiple areas  defence, technology, finance, energy, education, transportation and cultural cooperation.

Bilateral trade, projected to reach USD 63.6 billion this year, is expected to receive renewed focus, particularly as India continues to express concern over the widening trade imbalance in Russias favour.

Both sides are preparing to sign the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030, alongside agreements in energy, agriculture, health and media cooperation.

Despite this broad agenda, defence matters clearly dominate the visit, with substantial attention on air defence systems, fighter jet collaboration, missile programmes and long-term technological partnerships.

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How Russias S-400 & S-500 will aid India

New Delhis interest in strengthening its long-range air defence capability has grown steadily since the mid-2010s, driven by threats from neighbouring adversaries and the need to modernise systems that were rapidly becoming outdated.

India began earnest negotiations with Russia around 2015 for a robust missile shield, ultimately leading to the 2018 signing of a USD 5.43-billion agreement with Moscow for five S-400 regiments.

Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile launching system displayed at the exposition field in Kubinka Patriot Park outside Moscow. File Image/AFP

The deal was reached despite considerable pressure from the United States, which warned India about possible sanctions under its CAATSA legislation.

Nevertheless, New Delhi proceeded, reasoning that no alternative system available at the time could match the capability, range or independence from political constraints that the S-400 offered.

Three of the five contracted S-400 regiments have already been deployed across strategically important locations in India, while the remaining two are expected to arrive between 2025 and 2027.

The systems utility was demonstrated earlier this year during Operation Sindoor, when it enabled a long-range strike exceeding 300 km against targets inside Pakistan, reaffirming its deterrent power.

Indian defence officials argue that such precise, deep-range engagement capabilities have not been offered by Western suppliers without operational strings attached.

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Given these considerations, India is now preparing to request an additional stock of 300 interceptor missiles for its existing S-400 units. New Delhi is also evaluating whether it should acquire five more S-400 squadrons in the coming years.

Parallel to these discussions, the S-500 system  Russias newest long-range air and missile defence platform  has emerged as another major point of interest.

The S-500 is designed to intercept an array of advanced threats, ranging from hypersonic glide vehicles to ballistic missiles, stealth aircraft, cruise missiles and even certain classes of low-Earth orbit satellites.

A team of experts from the Indian Air Force and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has already visited Russia to study the platform closely.

Moscow has indicated its willingness to engage extensively on technology transfer, including the potential for Indian factories to manufacture launch vehicles, command posts and radar units under a joint production arrangement.

Such an offer aligns strongly with Indias Make in India initiative, which emphasises domestic manufacturing and technological self-reliance in defence production. However, the S-500 remains a sensitive technology, and discussions are expected to remain exploratory for now.

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Any eventual agreement would represent a major strategic leap in Indias missile defence capabilities, potentially making India one of the few nations with access to such advanced systems.

Indias concerns about the reliability of Russian supply chains will certainly shape these negotiations. Western sanctions on Moscow have disrupted logistics, slowed deliveries and complicated spare-parts transport for systems already in Indias inventory.

Delays with the S-400 delivery schedule and other platforms have affected the maintenance of several Russian-origin systems across the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

For this reason, Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs meeting with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov is expected to focus heavily on securing firmer timelines for contracted equipment, streamlined logistics, and improved after-sales support.

How Su-57 stealth fighter jets will aid India

The Indian Air Force is currently grappling with a shortage of fighter aircraft, having fallen below the sanctioned squadron strength required for simultaneous operations against China and Pakistan.

While India is developing its own fifth-generation fighter  the AMCA  the project remains several years away from entering service, making the search for an interim solution increasingly urgent.

Russia has openly confirmed that discussions on the Su-57, Russias most advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter, will take place during Putins visit.

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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated earlier, I have no doubt it will be discussed during the visit. The issue of Su-57s certainly will be on the agenda during the coming Putin visit to India.

India had previously participated in the joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme, which was based on the Su-57 platform. Therefore, the possibility of revisiting technological cooperation  particularly in areas aligned with the Indian Air Forces long-term requirements  is now being reconsidered.

Indian Air Force reportedly operates over 200 Russian-origin jets, including the Su-30MKI, which forms the backbone of its combat fleet. Given this familiarity, Indian crews would require minimal adaptation to transition to a next-generation Russian aircraft.

Long-range air-to-air missile capabilities associated with the Su-57 are also viewed as a significant advantage.

Indias Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that cooperation between the two nations is a long-standing one and the nation does not intend to stop any time soon. He also emphasised that India will continue procuring defence systems from both Russia and the United States.

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Although the Su-57 discussions are expected to be substantial, government sources indicate that major procurement decisions are unlikely to be concluded before Putins departure.

How upgraded BrahMos proposals will aid India

The BrahMos missile  jointly developed by India and Russia  has long been one of the most visible symbols of their defence cooperation.

Its effectiveness was demonstrated again during Operation Sindoor, when Indian forces used the system to target terror infrastructure and key military locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Visitors walk past an Indian Brahmos anti-ship missile at the International Maritime Defence show in St Petersburg, Russia. File Image/AP

During the visit, Modi and Putin are expected to discuss an advanced iteration of this missile, popularly known as the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation).

The upgraded version is envisioned to be lighter, more versatile, and suitable for deployment on a wider range of platforms, including fighter aircraft that cannot carry the current BrahMos due to weight constraints.

Given the missiles proven track record and the shifting threat landscape, the BrahMos-NG is seen as a system that could dramatically expand Indias strike capabilities.

What next for India-Russia defence cooperation

Beyond missile development, the broader review of India-Russia defence cooperation will assess joint production initiatives, spare-parts supply, Make in India opportunities and how both sides can reinvigorate long-term industrial partnerships.

Putins visit unfolds at a time when Indias foreign policy requires delicate balancing. On one hand, India continues to maintain strong ties with Russia, including significant purchases of discounted oil and long-standing cooperation across defence and energy sectors.

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On the other, New Delhi has invested heavily in partnerships with the United States, France and other Western countries to diversify defence supplies and overcome overdependence on a single source.

According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Russia remains Indias largest arms supplier.

New Delhi has also resisted external pressure to take sides in the Ukraine conflict, repeatedly urging Moscow and Kyiv to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue.

Discussions between Modi and Putin during the visit are expected to cover the Ukraine situation.

Despite Indias diversification, Russia continues to offer unique advantages in certain sectors  such as missile technology, submarine development, air defence systems and heavy fighter aircraft  where Western nations remain more cautious about full technology transfer.

For Moscow, India remains one of the most important Asian defence partners, especially as Russia faces economic and political isolation in the West.

With inputs from agencies
New Delhi has been one of the few powers able to engage Moscow, Kyiv and Washington simultaneously. Russian President Vladimir Putins New Delhi visit has again put the spotlight on Indias stance vis-a-vis the Ukraine conflict, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks the tightrope between neutrality and peace

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine, August 23, 2024. File Image/Reuters

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at Hyderabad House, Modi opened the dialogue by articulating, once again, Indias clearly defined position on the Ukraine conflict.

India is not neutral  India has a position, and that position is for peace," he told Putin as summit talks began on Friday.

Modi also stated We support every effort for peace, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with every initiative taken for peace.

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Putin arriving in New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit has highlighted Indias approach to the biggest war in Europe since World War II.

New Delhis simultaneous engagement with Moscow, Kyiv, and Washington has positioned it as one of the only global actors capable of sustaining dialogue with all parties involved in the war.

Putins visit is his while bring under tightened Western sanctions and US tariff pressure.

With red carpets rolled out and military honours accorded, India signalled that its relationship with Moscow remains essential, even as Western pressure intensifies.

Responding to Modis remarks, Putin acknowledged Indias role and his discussions with New Delhi over the conflict.

We had the opportunity - and you gave me that opportunity - to speak in detail about what is happening on the Ukrainian track and about the steps we are taking jointly with some other partners, including the United States, toward a possible peaceful settlement of this crisis.

Russias President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, December 5, 2025. File Image/Reuters

He added that Russia intends to expand cooperation with India across advanced technologies, saying, New areas are emerging - high technologies, joint work in aviation, space, and artificial intelligence. We have a very trusting relationship in the field of military-technical cooperation, and we intend to move forward in all these areas."

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How India played the peace card

Since the war began in 2022, Indias stance has shifted from guarded neutrality to vocal advocacy for a diplomatic settlement.

Modi reiterated, during the joint appearance with Putin, that war cannot solve problems repeating the substance of statements he has made consistently since the outbreak of hostilities  often framed around his remark to Putin at Samarkand in 2022 that this is not an era of war.

Indias diplomatic engagement came the the fore in 2024 when Modi became one of the few leaders to engage at the highest levels with both Moscow and Kyiv within weeks.

When Modi visited Moscow in July 2024

In July 2024, Modi travelled to Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit  his first trip to the country since the conflict began. Far from symbolic, the visit focused on energy security and defence preparedness, areas that remain central to Indias national interests.

However, the optics triggered immediate criticism from Western governments and Kyiv.

The backlash also increased because the meeting coincided with a deadly missile strike on a childrens hospital in the Ukrainian capital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the Moscow visit as a devastating blow to peace efforts.

Yet New Delhi maintained that the meeting was essential for safeguarding Indias longstanding military ties and ensuring stable energy supplies in an unpredictable global market.

When Modi visited Kyiv in August 2024

Six weeks after Moscow, Modi took an unprecedented step by visiting Kyiv on August 23, 2024  making him the first Indian Prime Minister ever to set foot in Ukraine.

Travelling via the special Rail Force One service, he joined Ukrainian leaders at the Martyrologist Exposition to honour children killed in the conflict.

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During the visit, he made one of the clearest articulations of Indias diplomatic identity, stating, We were not neutral from day one; we have taken a side, and we stand firmly for peace."

This visit delivered measurable commitments. India handed over BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) trauma-care medical units designed for battlefield casualties, strengthening humanitarian assistance efforts.

Four agreements were signed covering cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, and culture, making the trip a substantial step in broadening India-Ukraine ties.

Modis presence in Kyiv so soon after meeting Putin signalled that India intended to position itself as an honest broker capable of engaging both sides.

During the visit, Modi also told Zelenskyy, If I can personally contribute to this [peace process], I would like to do so.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval even visited Moscow in September carrying a message from Zelenskyy for Putin, while also telling the latter about Modis visit to Ukraine.

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How India drew the ire of Trump-led US

As Europe drastically reduced its dependence on Russian oil, India stepped in to buy seaborne Russian crude at discounted prices.

These purchases surged after 2022, making India one of Russias largest energy customers. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar defended Indias imports by explaining that ensuring affordable energy was a responsibility to Indian consumers.

However, this surge came with repercussions as India-Russia trade reached a record $68.7 billion in the previous fiscal year, but the imbalance grew significantly due to Indias heavy oil imports and limited Indian exports to Russia.

Moscow has publicly stated its intention to import more Indian goods and raise bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.

Earlier this year, United States President Donald Trump introduced new tariffs on nations accused of abusing trade relationships or aiding Russias efforts to bypass sanctions. These tariff hikes compelled India to reduce its imports of Russian crude.

Why India wont sever ties with Moscow

Indias refusal to condemn Russia at international forums has frequently been interpreted by Western governments as a sign of passive alignment with Moscow.

However, Indian officials have repeatedly clarified that Delhis calculations stem from security, geography, and strategic necessity.

Russia has been Indias principal defence supplier for decades, accounting for the majority of Indias military inventory.

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While India has diversified its sources in recent years, Russian-origin platforms remain essential to the Indian Armed Forces.

Foreign policy experts argue that New Delhi cannot afford a scenario in which Russia becomes entirely dependent on China. A Russia that slips firmly into Beijings orbit would diminish Indias ability to balance Chinas growing influence  particularly along their Himalayan frontier.

This nuanced engagement allows India to ensure that Russia remains a meaningful strategic partner while India continues to keep open lines of cooperation with the US and Europe.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
The IndiGo crisis continued into the fourth day as the airline cancelled more than 700 flights across India, stranding passengers at airports in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Even as the aviation body, DGCA, has withdrawn weekly rest orders, the nightmare is far from over. Stranded flyers complained about lost bags, no food, and more

At airports across the country, passengers say theyve been stuck for hours, in some cases overnight, waiting for Indigo flights that are either endlessly delayed or cancelled without warning. Reuters

Airports across India were thrown into disarray as IndiGos ongoing operational crisis led to mass cancellations on Friday, with frustrated passengers stuck in terminals with little clarity.

IndiGo, the countrys largest airline, cancelled more than 700 flights, its highest single-day disruption in two decades, after a mix of crew shortages, technical problems and scheduling issues spiralled for the fourth day in a row.

As per PTI, Delhi alone saw about 220 cancellations, followed by 118 in Mumbai, 100 in Bengaluru, 75 in Hyderabad, 35 in Kolkata, 26 in Chennai and 11 in Goa. Disruptions were also reported in Bhopal and other cities. By Thursday evening, the situation in Delhi had worsened to the point where all outgoing flights were cancelled.

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Following the chaos, DGCA has withdrawn its instructions to all operators, including Indigo, that focused on weekly rest for crew members with immediate effect.

In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlincs regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operationsthe instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect, it said.

DGCA withdraws instructions to all operators regarding Weekly Rest for crew members.



"...In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations...the instruction pic.twitter.com/uJXxs6Sxqy  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

However, the nightmare is far from over. Stranded flyers complained about lost bags, no food, and more. Heres a closer look

No food, luggage missing

At airports across the country, passengers say theyve been stuck for hours, in some cases overnight, waiting for flights that are either endlessly delayed or cancelled without warning.

At Delhi airport, a passenger told NDTV he had been waiting since the previous afternoon. They kept delaying the flight. We have no clarification from IndiGo, he said.

Crazy scenes at Delhi AirPort. All Indigo flights delayed. Passengers stranded for last 10hours. And no communication from Indigo.#Indigo #noResponsibility pic.twitter.com/jAcacO8OuV  Dhruv (@dhruv_ko) December 4, 2025

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Many fliers shared photos on X showing people sleeping on luggage, crowded check-in zones and unattended piles of bags. Unsure whether to head home or wait it out, some slept on the floor, while others ended up shouting or raising slogans out of sheer frustration.

Its very stressful. Its been 14 hours since Ive been sitting here at the airport. There are no coupons for food or anything. My connecting flight got cancelled. People are shouting and howling, but the staff is not giving any clarification. The staff is not trained at all to handle such emergencies, another flier told the outlet.

Scene at Bangalore airport. One Indigo flight to Delhi from last evening was rescheduled several times before being finally cancelled this morning. The incharge was roughed up last night. Absolute chaos. pic.twitter.com/XK7s15dBvA  Riccha Dwivedi (@RicchaDwivedi) December 5, 2025

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Similar scenes were reported from Hyderabad airport, where passengers said they werent given food or accommodation despite long delays.

Crazy scenes at Mumbai airport due to IndiGo flight delays pic.twitter.com/sPeO2q7FiS  Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) December 3, 2025

At the Goa airport, a video showed passengers yelling at IndiGo staff as police officers tried to calm the crowd.

As many as 14 flights were cancelled, and more than 25 flights were delayed over three hours, leaving weekend-bound residents and departing tourists stranded.

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In one unusual case, a newlywed couple ended up attending their own wedding reception over video call after IndiGos cancellations prevented them from travelling.

The couple had married in Bhubaneswar, and their reception was planned in the brides hometown, Hubballi, on Wednesday, but they simply couldnt get there.

Due to nationwide #Indigoairlines flight cancellations, a newlywed couple couldnt make it to their own reception in #Hubballi from #Bhubaneswar.



Guests had already gathered, so the brides parents went ahead & hosted the event with the couple joining online via video call. pic.twitter.com/YXYMb4Hk9e  Sagay Raj P ||    (@sagayrajp) December 5, 2025

Flying to Dubai is cheaper than Delhi-Bengaluru

IndiGo, which controls over 60 per cent of Indias domestic aviation market and flies around 2,300 flights a day, saw its disruptions push prices to extreme levels, as limited flight options were available.

On Wednesday, a last-minute Air India ticket from Hyderabad to Bhopal touched Rs 1.3 lakh.

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One passenger travelling from Delhi to Raipur for his sisters wedding said he learnt about his cancellation while already on the way to the airport.

IndiGo is saying they might give me a flight tomorrow. There is no connecting flight either. I thought of flying via another airline, but fares are quite high; Air India is charging Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 one way, he said.

Passengers crowd outside a boarding gate as they wait to board a delayed IndiGo flight at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi. Reuters

On Friday and Saturday, DelhiBengaluru fares ranged from Rs 11,000 to Rs 43,145, while MumbaiKolkata tickets hit Rs 19,000.

Compratively, flying from Delhi to Dubai, is cheaper and costs around Rs 23,000, and Bengaluru to Dubai was available for as low as Rs 8,000.

IndiGo to cancel more flights; passengers demand CEOs resignation

IndiGo has now admitted that it miscalculated its staffing needs under the revised crew-duty rules and faced planning gaps, which led to a major shortage of pilots and crew. This came at a time when winter weather and airport congestion were also complicating operations.

IndiGo has warned that cancellations will continue for the next two to three days as part of its efforts to stabilise schedules. Starting December 8, the airline will reduce the number of flights it operates to prevent further chaos.

CEO Pieter Elbers told employees that restoring punctuality and normal operations will not be an easy target.

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Two IndiGo Airlines planes are seen through a glass window at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi as several flights operated by the carrier were either cancelled or delayed. AP

Anger is also mounting online. On Reddit, one user demanded that the CEO and senior leadership resign, blaming them for passengers stress, losses, agony.

What an absolute sh*t show Indigo has been pulling over the last few days! Passengers have missed onward international connections, own weddings, funerals, deals  perhaps cumulatively, Indigo would be solely responsible for hundreds  if not thousands  of crores lost due to flight delays, the user wrote.

They added that the arrogance, rudeness and dogmatism of the airlines staff and management had come to bite them, and claimed the airline had long ignored customer feedback and government directives.

IndiGo issues apology

Late last night, IndiGo issued a fresh apology to its customers and industry partners.

The last two days have seen widespread disruption across IndiGos network and operations. We extend a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted by these events, the airline said in a statement.

It added that IndiGo teams are working diligently with the support of MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and airport operators to reduce the cascading impact and restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

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With input from agencies
Its been another chaotic day for IndiGo. More than 400 flights were once again cancelled, with the airline announcing that all domestic flights from Delhi would remain grounded for the day. But all hope is not lost; the government has announced that normalcy will resume within 72 hours

A boy cries as he waits with his family outside the Indigo Airlines ticketing counter at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, after several IndiGo airlines flights were cancelled, in Mumbai, India. Reuters

On time. Every Time.

Thats the tag line of IndiGo Airlines, the largest in India. However, after the last few days  starting Tuesday (December 2)  the airline must be rethinking its branding following the mass disruptions that it has experienced.

In a record for the 20-year-old airline, IndiGo cancelled over 550 flights on Thursday with cancellations already being reported at several airports across Indian even on Friday morning. The flight cancellations and delays even prompted IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to shoot off a letter to employees, acknowledging that the airline had failed to live up to its promise to serve customers well and provide a good experience.

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These past few days have been difficult for many of our IndiGo customers and colleagues. We serve close to 380,000 customers a day and want each of them to have a good experience. We could not live up to that promise these past days and we have publicly apologised for that.

Heres the latest on the turbulence that IndiGo is experiencing and how it is inconveniencing thousands and thousands of flyers.

200 IndiGo flights cancelled on Wednesday, 550 on Thursday and counting

Since Tuesday, IndiGo has been witnessing turbulence with hundreds of its flights being cancelled. On Wednesday (December 3), the airline cancelled a whopping 200 flights while many others were delayed. Reports said that only one in five flights operated on time on that day  a dismal low for the airline that boasts of punctuality. A Times of India report stated that IndiGos on time performance (OTP) spiralled to 19.7 per cent on Wednesday, down from 35 per cent on Tuesday.

Thursdays numbers werent any better with the airline cancelling a whopping 550 flights across the country. Out of the 550 cancellations, Delhi airport saw at least 172 flight cancellations, followed by 118 at Mumbai, 100 at Bengaluru, 75 at Hyderabad, 35 at Kolkata, 26 at Chennai, and 11 at Goa. Cancellations were also reported at other airports across the country.

And for those who hoped for a better Friday, think again. Mass cancellations of IndiGo flights have entered the fourth day, with news agency PTI reporting that 400 flights have already been cancelled at the time of writing this report. As per data available, Hyderabad has 92 flights cancelled while Bengaluru has 102 cancellations. Mumbai has 104, 34 at Jaipur, 32 in Pune, 31 in Chennai and 10 in Srinagar.

In a shocking move, Delhi as well as Chennai airport announced that all of its IndiGo flights would be cancelled until midnight and 6 pm respectively.

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The ongoing flight disruptions have also resulted in the plummeting of the shares of IndiGos parent company, InterGlobe Aviation. On Thursday, the shares dropped to Rs 5,405 in the morning, its lowest level in over five months, and extended its decline for the second straight session.

The chaos and confusion prompted IndiGo to apologise, writing on X: The last two days have seen widespread disruption across IndiGos network and operations. We extend a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted by these events. IndiGo teams are working diligently and making all efforts with the support of MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI and airport operators to reduce the cascading impact of these delays and restore normalcy. We continue to keep our customers apprised of any changes to their scheduled flights and advise them to check the latest status at https://goindigo.in/check-flight-status.html before heading to the airport. IndiGo deeply regrets the inconvenience caused and remains focussed on streamlining its operations at the earliest.

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Two IndiGo Airlines planes are seen through a glass window at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi as several flights operated by the carrier were either cancelled or delayed. AP

Reason for IndiGos flying woes

But whats the reason that has caused IndiGo to ground so many flights and delay many others? The driving factor behind disruption is an acute shortage of flight crew following the implementation of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The latest phase of these norms came into force on November 1, following a Delhi High Court mandate and years of complaints from cockpit crew over fatigue.

The revised rules sharply reduce the number of hours a pilot can fly, increase mandatory weekly rest periods to 48 hours, and restrict night landings to only two per week instead of six. They also cap flying time at eight hours per day, 35 hours per week, 125 hours per month and 1,000 hours per year, with compulsory rest equal to twice the duration of flight duty and a minimum of 10 hours rest in any 24-hour window.

These changes have had a direct impact on IndiGos ability to crew its dense flight schedule, particularly its large number of overnight and high-frequency services.

Passengers crowd outside a boarding gate as they wait to board a delayed IndiGo flight at Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi. Reuters

Passengers share their IndiGo woes

So what does it mean when Indias largest airline cancels flights in the hundreds? It means thousands and thousands of flyers being inconvenienced and struggling to make their journey.

Visuals showed passengers struggling to get their luggage for over 12 hours, no food, no water, and IndiGos vacant counters. On social media, people shared their horror stories of trying to get their flight.

For instance, one passenger at Delhi Airport told NDTV: Im here for over 12 hours. Every time they are telling us one-hour delays, two-hour delays. We were going to a wedding, and we didnt even have our luggage. IndiGo staff is not telling us anything. Worst airlines right now. I dont understand why they are taking new passengers and stocking up luggage.

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Luggage of passengers whose IndiGo flight was cancelled sits on trolleys at an airport in Pune, India. Reuters

Another passenger said he had been waiting at the airport since Wednesday afternoon. They kept delaying the flight. We have no clarification from IndiGo, he said.

Its very stressful. Its been 14 hours since Ive been sitting here at the airport. There are no coupons for food or anything. My connecting flight got cancelled. People are shouting and howling, but the staff is not giving any clarification. The staff is not trained at all to handle such emergencies, another flyer was quoted as telling NDTV.

Similar scenes and complaints came from IndiGo passenger at Mumbai. One told Indian Express, Ive been here since early morning, waiting for my flight to Lucknow. It was supposed to take off this morning, but now theyve pushed it to tomorrow. Theres been no food, no water and no accommodation from IndiGo. Were just sitting here with no basic support.

Another passenger at Delhi airport told PTI, My flight was last night, and when we reached the Delhi IGI Airport, check-ins were happening, but none of the IndiGo counters were working. Multiple flights were delayed and some were cancelled, but the passengers had not received their baggage yet People were shouting. When we arrived, the airline staff checked in our luggage. However, our flight was rescheduled three times, and then finally, at 6 am, the IndiGo app showed that our flight had been cancelled Even the staff seemed very confused.

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Passengers wait outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, as several IndiGo flights were either cancelled or delayed. AP

DGCA steps in; IndiGos future plan

IndiGos flight disruptions resulted with Indias aviation body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), summoned airline officials on Thursday. At the meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, IndiGo informed that it would reduce its flight operations to minimise disruption from December 8 while assuring that normalised and stable operations will be fully restored by February 10 next year.

The airline admitted that the disruptions since Tuesday was a result primarily from misjudgement and planning gaps in implementing Phase 2 of the FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations) norms. IndiGo accepted that the actual crew requirement for the new norms exceeded their anticipation.

On Friday, the DGCA also provided a new update on the IndiGo mess. It said that it was offering the airline a one-time temporary exemption from specific crew duty regulations to help stabilise flight operations and reduce passenger disruptions.

The regulator said that the exemption covers provisions under night duty from 0000-0650 hours and restrictions on night operations of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), and is valid until February 10, 2026. In its decision, DGCA noted that while the operator is primarily responsible for passenger inconvenience, the exemption is being granted in the public interest to ensure continuity of essential air services. The regulator also stressed that safety requirements must continue to be strictly observed and reserves the right to revoke the exemption if safety is compromised.

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Moreover, the government added that flight schedules are expected to stabilise by Saturday and a return to normalcy is likely to be achieved within three days, which means Monday.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu also said a high-level inquiry has been ordered and accountability will be fixed.

With inputs from agencies
When Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi, PM Modi received him with a handshake and a warm hug at the Palam airport, an unusual gesture. Further, the two leaders also travelled in the same car, giving a deja vu from the SCO Summit earlier this year. Their power-packed carpool is grabbing headlines once again

PM Modi and Russia's Putin enjoy carpooling together after they leave the airport and make their way to PM's official residence. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X

When Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday for his two-day high-octane visit to India, he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the world a strong visual of their friendship  a car ride together.

Putin arrived around 7 pm to a red-carpet welcome from Indian officials. PM Modi greeted him at the airport with a handshake and a warm hug, something he doesnt usually do for visiting leaders.

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Its also uncommon for the Prime Minister to travel with a foreign dignitary in the same vehicle, but an exception was again made for for the first time in four years.

And this isnt their first shared ride. Back in September 2025, during the SCO Summit in Tianjin, the two were seen travelling together in Putins bulletproof car, Aurus Senat, drawing widespread global attention.

Heres a closer look at Modi and Putins carpool moments.

Modis gesture a surprise for Putin

When Putins aircraft touched down at Delhis Palam Airport, PM Modi was already there to receive him, a gesture that even the Russian side did not expect. According to a News18 report, the Kremlin said Modis decision to greet Putin was unexpected, and the Russian side had not been informed in advance."

From the tarmac, both leaders got into the back seat of a white Toyota Fortuner, part of the PMs security convoy. The vehicle carried the flags of both India and Russia.

Modi meets (and hugs, of course) Putin at the airport.



Russia and India ready to rock and roll?



(Is Trump watching? ) pic.twitter.com/vevh5Jc1yt  S.L. Kanthan (@Kanthan2030) December 4, 2025

Modi usually uses a black Range Rover Sentinel for official movement, but the two did not take that car this time. Instead, they travelled together in the white car to the Prime Ministers residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, where they had a private dinner meeting.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin travel in the same car, as they depart from the Palam Technical Airport in Delhi



President Putin is on a two-day State visit to India. He will hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Narendra Modi in pic.twitter.com/OTGEJmPCrB  ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2025

This visit marks P utins first trip to India since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. Before landing, his aircraft, often called the Flying Kremlin, became the most tracked flight in the world on Flight Radar 24.

Welcomed my friend, President Putin to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.@KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/2L7AZ1WIph  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025

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Putins 28-hour stay in India includes the 23rd India-Russia Summit, which will focus on boosting trade and deepening defence cooperation. He will also address a joint press conference at Hyderabad House, followed by a visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet President Droupadi Murmu before he departs.

The viral carpool from SCO was Putins idea

Modi and Putins first carpool moment actually happened last year during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. In September 2025, the two leaders travelled together in a Russian-made Aurus sedan while heading to the Ritz-Carlton, creating a moment that quickly went viral.

Speaking to India Today, Putin said the idea came from him. The car ride with PM Modi was my idea. It was a symbol of our friendship, he said. We talked throughout the drive; theres always something to discuss. We even sat inside the car for quite some time afterward.

After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful. pic.twitter.com/oYZVGDLxtc  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2025

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PM Modi also shared a photo from that day on X. He wrote, After the proceedings at the SCO Summit venue, President Putin and I travelled together to the venue of our bilateral meeting. Conversations with him are always insightful."

Both leaders reportedly sat inside the car for nearly an hour before moving on to their next meetings.

Their public show of warmth also came at a sensitive moment. Indias trade ties with the US had become strained after Donald Trump imposed high tariffs on India for buying Russian crude oil during the Ukraine war. Delhi defended its position, saying its decisions were guided by national interest.

Modi and Putins relationship, however, goes much further back. Modi had travelled to Russia in 2001 as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, during then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees visit.

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Has PM Modi received foreign leaders at the airport before?

Yes, he has.

Putin now joins a small group of world leaders who have been personally welcomed by PM Modi at the airport. This list includes Barack Obama (2015), Sheikh Hasina (2017), Abe Shinzo (2017), Crown Prince Salman (2019), Donald Trump (2020), Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2024), and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (2025).

But what happened during Putins arrival went a step further than any of those previous greetings.

While PM Modi has shared car rides with a few foreign leaders in the past, Shinzo Abe during a 2017 roadshow, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a 2024 roadshow, and Putin again earlier this year in Tianjin, this is the first time he has travelled with a visiting leader straight from the airport to his residence in India.

With input from agencies
Russias President Vladimir Putin, who is in India for the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit, has signed a slew of deals with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the labour mobility pact. The deal makes it easier for Indians to work in Russia

National flags of India and Russia are placed on light poles at the India Gate. Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putins India trip is underway.

Putin, who is in town for the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit, has signed a string of deals with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This includes a mobility pact between the two nations that will make it easier for Indian professionals to work in Russia.

India also has similar agreements with Israel, Japan, Germany, and some Gulf nations.

But what do we know about the agreement? Why is it important?

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The IndiaRussia mobility agreement

Of all the pacts signed between India and Russia, the labour mobility is amongst the most anticipated and exciting. It will open up avenues for Indian professionals to work in a wide variety of sectors in Russia.

This includes both white- and blue-collar jobs such as construction, engineering, textiles, manufacturing, and electronics. Around 70,000 Indians will likely be employed in Russia under the terms of a new labour mobility agreement.

It also comes as Russia is facing an acute shortage of workers. This comes as birth rates are at a 200-year low and the population shrank by 0.08 per cent. After 300,000 reservists were called up for the Ukraine war in 2022, the country witnessed thousands of young men leaving. Meanwhile, as Western sanctions bite, Russia is only ramping up its industrial production.

There are reports that Russias Ural region, the industrial heartland of the country, is in dire need of workers. According to reports, Russia needs to fill as many as 3.1 million jobs by the end of the decade.

Russia needs to fill as many as 3.1 million jobs by the end of the decade. Reuters

Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy CEO of Russia's largest bank Sberbank, has said that it is working to increase industrial imports and labour migration from India. Vedyakhin also highlighted demand for Indian workers amid record-low unemployment in Russia and a projected shortage of at least 3 million workers by 2030. This is a skilled workforce, and it is one of the areas of our cooperation. We help our companies here to bring in labour from India, he said.

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Vedyakhin told TASS that negotiations are on to utilise skill development centres in India, including in Maharashtra, to train workers to be deployed to Russia, particularly in Saint Petersburg.

As per observers, Indias demographic surplus works to its advantage, with around 11 to 12 million young people entering the workforce every year. By 2030, India will have around 68.9 per cent of its population as working age  the largest in the world. Indians already comprise around six per cent of migrants. While many Indian blue-collar workers favour the Gulf, Russia is slowly becoming a more attractive destination.

Around 100,000 Indian workers are now employed in Russia. In the final quarter of 2024, around 9,400 Indian nationals arrived in Russia seeking jobs, around 2.5 times more than in 2023.

Why it is important

Because India and Russia have agreed upon increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion (Rs 9 lakh crore) by 2030. Trade between the two countries is currently mainly driven by energy supplies. In this fiscal year, India imported goods worth $63.8 billion (Rs 5.74 lakh crore) from Russia, while it exported just $4.8 billion (Rs 0.43 lakh crore).

Cooperation in the field of labour can add another avenue to the relationship, protect Indian workers, and cut down on the trade deficit. It also comes as Western countries such as the United States and Canada tighten their own immigration norms.

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Experts say Russia needs to do more to entice Indian workers. Russia has not been one of the primary destinations for Indian middle classes, Harsh V Pant, Vice President of Foreign Policy at think-tank Observer Research Foundation, told CNA.

I think it will be incumbent on Russia to, in some ways, provide those incentives that would be required for this kind of mobility to work because other countries are doing that, he added. So, there is also competition among major countries in the world at the moment and among Indias partners.

PM Modi and President Putin travel together in the same car to PM Modis residence for a private dinner. Image Courtesy: @narendramodi

They also say the pact coupd potentially include provisions that would safeguard against civilian workers being drawn into Russias war with Ukraine.

I think it can be insisted on and it can be built into the framework, because that would be a good way of providing some degree of insurance to people who may decide to move, Pant added.

They said the visit is a good sign when it comes to the relationship.

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This visit is a signal from both countries that, particularly in the context of the current international flux, they attach value to the relationship, added former Indian ambassador to the US Arun Kumar Singh. They have valued historically how strong and stable the relationship has been. There are options and ways to deepen the partnership in different areas, and they will both benefit from that.

With inputs from agencies.
Israel has appointed Major General Roman Gofman, a career military commander with no background inside Mossad, as the next chief of the intelligence agency. His selection by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shows a notable shift in Israels security leadership

Israel's Major-General Gofman will replace the current Head of the Mossad, David Barnea, who will conclude his five-year tenure in June 2026. Image/Prime Minister's Spokesperson's Office, Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken an unusual step in selecting the next director of Mossad, choosing a senior military commander with no experience inside the intelligence community to lead one of the worlds most recognised spy agencies.

Major General Roman Gofman  a long-serving Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer who has occupied a wide range of battlefield and command positions  is set to take over from Mossad chief David Barnea when his term ends in June 2026.

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The appointment, announced on Thursday comes as Israel continues to grapple with the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault and the multifront regional escalation that followed.

After months of discussions regarding who should succeed Barnea, Netanyahu opted for the man who has served as his military secretary since 2024.

While Mossad has occasionally been led by individuals who came from military careers rather than internal intelligence ranks, Gofman has not previously worked within the organisation he is now preparing to direct.

Why Netanyahu selected Roman Gofman

Roman Gofmans path to leading Mossad is unusual but not entirely without precedent.

He was born in Belarus in 1976 and moved to Israel with his family in 1990 at the age of 14.

Five years later, he joined the IDF Armoured Corps, beginning a long trajectory through field commands, operational headquarters, and divisional responsibilities.

Over three decades in the military, he held an array of roles ranging from tank commander and battalion leader to brigade commander and later division chief in northern and southern sectors.

Netanyahus office accompanied its announcement with strong praise for Gofmans service and abilities, highlighting his performance during wartime.

In its statement, the office declared, Gofman is an officer of great merit, and pointed to his conduct during the Gaza conflict as evidence of his capability, noting that his role as military secretary to Netanyahu proved his exceptional professional capabilities.

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The statement also emphasised qualities that Netanyahu sees as crucial for the head of Mossad, describing his creativity, initiative, ingenuity, deep knowledge of the enemy, complete discretion, and strict confidentiality.

Gofman, widely regarded as close to Netanyahu after nearly two years working alongside him, played a central role in coordinating the prime ministers directives with the IDF and other security bodies during the war in Gaza.

The PMO highlighted that he maintained continuous liaison with intelligence services, including Mossad, throughout that period.

After interviewing various candidates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to appoint his Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, to the position of Director of the Mossad of the State of Israel.



Further information >>https://t.co/6eLuWHoUck pic.twitter.com/9Is1ywlOIT  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 4, 2025

Despite the unusual nature of the appointment, it has triggered relatively little institutional controversy. That stands in contrast to the storm that followed Netanyahus choice of Major General David Zini to lead Israels domestic security agency, Shin Bet.

Zinis nomination led to weeks of legal challenges and political criticism before he was eventually sworn in.

How Gofman rose through Israeli military ranks

Gofman began as a young conscript in the Armoured Corps, later becoming a tank commander in the 188th Armoured Brigade.

His career progressed steadily, leading to command of the 7th Armoured Brigades 75th Battalion in 2011 and serving as operations officer for the 36th Division two years later.

His experience in the West Bank came into focus during his time as head of the Etzion Regional Brigade, where he oversaw operations during a period marked by repeated terror attacks.

In 2017, he returned to the Armoured Corps to lead the 7th Armoured Brigade, one of the IDFs most storied units.

Gofman drew national attention in 2018 during a speech before Israels top military leadership, stating, There is one problem, youre not deploying us. Over time, a very troubling pattern is developing here, and at its core is avoiding the use of ground forces.

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Perhaps one of the most controversial moments of his career came during his leadership of the 210th Bashan Regional Division in the Golan Heights. During his tenure, a social media influence initiative involved the distribution of sensitive information to a teenage online personality.

The teenager, Ori Elmakayes, was later arrested and detained for 18 months for disseminating classified material. Gofman maintained that he believed only unclassified content had been approved for release and that he had not known the teens age.

Charges were later dropped when investigators determined that Elmakayes had been acting with authorisation.

In 2022, Gofman took charge of the Tzeelim training facility in the south. His time there was cut short by the events of October 7, 2023.

How Goman was injured on October 7

At the start of the Hamas assault  an attack that led to the worst mass casualty event in Israels modern history  Gofman raced to the Gaza border from his command post.

Fighting broke out near Shaar Hanegev Junction, just outside Sderot, where he was seriously wounded during clashes with heavily armed militants. His role that day was repeatedly cited by Israeli leaders as evidence of his resolve and front-line commitment.

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Netanyahu later praised his actions publicly, saying, He was wounded there, recovered, and has been doing tremendous work for Israels security.

After recovering, Gofman was briefly assigned to a senior position at the Defence Ministrys Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT).

Before eventually assuming the job of military secretary to the prime minister, he authored an internal classified paper arguing that Israel should retain military control over the Gaza Strip after defeating Hamas.

The IDF clarified that this document represented only his personal perspective and not its official policy.

How Gofman became close to Netanyahu

Although Gofman does not present himself outwardly as religious  he does not wear a yarmulke  he studied at the Ely Yeshiva in the West Bank, an institution aligned with religious Zionist ideology.

His ideological leanings, along with his close relationship with Netanyahu, have been cited by commentators as key factors behind his rise.

Haaretz columnist Uri Misgav voiced criticism of the appointment, arguing that the generals lack of intelligence credentials made him unfit to head Mossad, and claiming that Netanyahu selected him primarily on the basis of loyalty.

Still, such criticism has been limited compared to the fierce political resistance that accompanied the Shin Bet nomination earlier in the year.

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The IDFs top brass have expressed their support for the transition. During their meeting following the announcement, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated that cooperation between the military and Mossad remains essential and affirmed the military would provide whatever assistance was necessary for Gofman to succeed.

Though Mossad has historically been led by intelligence veterans, military figures have occasionally stepped into the role. Meir Dagan and Danny Yatom, both former major generals, led the agency in earlier decades after long careers in the IDF and service as military secretaries to prime ministers.

What Mossad inherits

Under outgoing director David Barnea, Mossad executed several high-profile operations that cemented its reputation.

Barnea, who is the only senior security chief to retain his position after the October 7 intelligence failures, played a central role in Israels regional and clandestine responses since 2020.

Among the notable missions during his tenure was Israels targeted killing of senior Hezbollah operatives in 2024 and actions that contributed to strikes against Iranian forces during the 12-day conflict between Israel and Tehran.

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Barnea was also linked to efforts to recruit Iranian dissidents to undermine Iran from within. His background includes participating in Operation 2020, which resulted in the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a key figure in Irans nuclear weapons programme.

Mossads reputation remained largely undamaged after October 7 because responsibility for monitoring Hamas activities in Gaza falls more directly on the Shin Bet and Aman (military intelligence).

Both those organisations saw their chiefs resign after admitting they bore responsibility for failures that preceded the attack.

By contrast, Mossad increased its operational tempo after the war began, focusing on theatres beyond Gaza  in Lebanon, Iran, and elsewhere  where its foreign intelligence mandate is concentrated.

With inputs from agencies
On Russian President Vladimir Putins second day in Delhi today (December 5), Moscow decided to adopt the framework agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), spearheaded by India. This global grouping aims to protect and conserve seven big cats  the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma. Heres why such an alliance matters

A leopard is seen inside its enclosure at a zoological park in Jammu September 19, 2007. File Photo/Reuters

Russia has decided to adopt the framework agreement to join the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative to protect the seven big cats. The development came during Russian President Vladimir Putins two-day state visit to India on December 4-5.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had unveiled the alliance in April 2023, with the Central government establishing the IBCA through the National Tiger Conservation Authority, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, last March. Russia will become the 19th member nation of the global alliance.

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We take a closer look.

What is the International Big Cat Alliance?

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is an intergovernmental organisation, headquartered in Delhi. The alliance aims to protect and conserve seven big cats  the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.

India is home to five of these big cats, barring the jaguar and puma.

Six of the big cats are vulnerable or endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature list.

The IBCA aims to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise and replicating them in range countries.

White tigers play in a pond at Nehru Zoological Park in the southern city of Hyderabad, April 27, 2007. File Photo/Reuters

The IBCA wants to include range countries that are home to the seven big cats. There are a total of 95 such nations, including Canada, China, Congo, Brazil, Iran, Nepal, Ghana, Pakistan, Russia and the United States.

While Nepal has become a member of the alliance, Russia has now agreed to join.

The Indian government has allocated Rs 150 crore for the purpose from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

All United Nations member countries can become members of the IBCA after signing the framework agreement and issuing a Note Verbale, a method of formal diplomatic communication.

How IBCA came to be

PM Modi first proposed establishing an international alliance to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade in 2019 while releasing Indias tiger census report on Global Tiger Day.

Emphasising the countrys commitment to animal protection and conservation, he spoke of the threat of a decreasing and disturbed habitat and illegal trade. He called for bringing together heads of government of tiger range countries in a group to erase demand and firmly curb poaching and illegal trade in Asia.

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Modi announced the IBCA in 2023 in Mysuru, marking the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, a wildlife conservation movement to protect the tigers in India.

The first assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance was held in New Delhi this June. Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, was endorsed as the president of the global alliance by the nine countries present at the meeting  Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia and Kazakhstan.

Unlike the Global Tiger Forum, the IBCA plans to conserve the natural habitats of the lion, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah, as well as the tiger.

IBCA aims for mutual cooperation among countries for mutual benefit in furthering the conservation agenda. IBCA would have a multipronged approach in broad basing and establishing linkages manifold in several areas and help in knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, advocacy, finance and resources support, research and technical support, education and awareness," the Indian government said in a statement in 2024.

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With big cats as mascots for sustainable development and livelihood security, India and the big cat range countries can usher in major efforts on environmental resilience and climate change mitigation, while paving a future where natural ecosystems continue to thrive, and gain centrality in economic and development policies, it added.

Why IBCA is needed

Conserving the big cats is necessary as killing the apex predators disrupts the food chain.

As per IBCAs report, cited by Indian Express, these wild animals regulate prey populations, which helps to keep up the health of landscapes and prevents overgrazing that could result in ecological calamities like wildfires and disease.

Protecting big cats also ensures that their habitats, where many other species also live, remain safeguarded. Conserving these animals could help mitigate natural disasters, control pandemics, preserve soil, support climate adaptation and contribute to climate change mitigation by storing and sequestering carbon.

Indias Project Tiger has shown how success can be achieved in conserving the big cats. The country has doubled its tiger population to more than 3,600, which makes up for 75 per cent of the worlds tigers. From the tiger population falling to 1,800 by 1970 due to large-scale hunting and poaching, India now has the worlds highest number of tigers.

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According to a study published in Science, a leading peer-reviewed research journal, earlier this year, the South Asian country achieved the feat by preventing poaching and habitat loss of the big cats, securing prey, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and uplifting local communities.

With inputs from agencies
Trade and people-to-people ties figured high in PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putins talks. After the 23rd annual India-Russia summit, the two leaders announced that they had agreed on an Economic Cooperation Agreement until 2030. Moreover, Moscow would continue its shipment of fuel to help boost Indias economy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a presentation of a joint statement after their delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. Reuters

Its Day 2 of Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India and it was time for business. The Russian leader began his second day of the closely-watched India trip with a visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the ceremonial guard of honour. Accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he then visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

In the visitors book, Putin wrote: One of the founders of the modern Indian state, the great philosopher and humanist Mahatma Gandhi, made an invaluable contribution to the cause of peace on the entire planet. His ideas of freedom, virtue, and non-violence remain relevant to this day. Mahatma Gandhi, in essence, foresaw the emergence of a new, more just multipolar world order, which is now in the process of taking shape. In his correspondence with Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, he wrote about the future of the world  free from diktat and hegemony, built on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and cooperation among nations. And it is precisely these principles that today closely bind the values of Russia and India on the international stage.

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Want more on Putin's visit in India? Heres our full coverage

The two world leaders then made their way to Hyderabad House for the 23rd annual India-Russia summit in which they discussed ways and means to improve ties between the two nations.

What did Modi and Putin discuss during the talks? Heres what we have learnt so far.

On Russia-Ukraine war

Putins visit to India comes at a time when the Russia-Ukraine visit continues with the United States trying to negotiate a peace proposal that both sides can agree to. Amid this situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again reaffirmed Indias stance on the war  perhaps, sending a message to the West, which has been pushing for New Delhi to alienate Moscow.

In his opening remarks at the talks, PM Modi said that India is not neutral as it is on the side of peace to end the Ukraine conflict. We have been holding discussions following the start of the Ukraine conflict. As a close friend, you have been regularly apprising us on the situation. I think trust is a major strength.

We all should find the path of peace. I am aware of the latest efforts and I am confident that the world will turn to peace, he said.

He then added, I have always said that India is not neutral; India has a side and that side is peace. We support all peace efforts and we are standing shoulder-to-shoulder in all peace efforts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a presentation of a joint statement after their delegation level talks in New Delhi. Reuters

Responding to these remarks, Russian President Putin said Moscow is working towards a peaceful solution to the conflict. I could share a great deal of details about the events taking place in Ukraine. We are talking together with some partners, including the US, on a possible peaceful statement. Thank you for the attention in finding solutions for this situation. Our ways are deeply rooted in history, but it is not the words that matter; it is the substance of the matter, which is very profound. We really appreciate that and the fact that you, as PM, take special personal attention to that.

India-Russia sign labour, and other key agreements

Following Modi and Putin talks, the two sides exchanged agreements, including the landmark manpower agreement that could streamline the process for Indian professionals to work in Russia.

This agreement will ensure legal protection for existing Indian workers and open pathways for thousands of new professionals in industries such as construction, textiles, engineering and electronics.

Putin and Modi attend a meeting in New Delhi. Reuters

What this agreement does is that it addresses Russias acute shortage of skilled workers. Meanwhile, for India, it opens a new frontier for employment. This agreement, according to documents, will allow for more than 70,000 Indian nationals to be employed in Russia by the end of the year.

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India and Russia also signed agreements on maritime domain as well as in healthcare, science and medical education. Moscow has also agreed to join the International Big Cat Alliance  a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 big cat range countries, and non-range countries aimed at conserving seven big cats and their habitats.

India and Russia agree to economic cooperation until 2030

PM Modi said a key pillar of the relations between India and Russia is economic ties. He noted that the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast for decades. Fifteen years ago, in 2010, our partnership was granted the status of a Special Privileged Strategic Partnership. For the past two-and-a-half decades, he (President Putin) has nurtured this relationship with his leadership and vision. His leadership, under all circumstances, has elevated our ties to new heights. I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Putin, my friend, for this deep friendship and unwavering commitment to India.

The PM also added, To further economic cooperation, we have signed a Vision 2030 document. Today, both of us will take part in the IndiaRussia Business Forum. I am confident this platform will strengthen our business relations and open new avenues for co-production and co-innovation. Both countries are also taking new steps to realise an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Putin shakes hands with Indias President Droupadi Murmu at the ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Before talks, Putin was accorded the guard of honour at the presidents residence in New Delhi. Reuters

India to start e-tourist visa for Russia

In a press conference following talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will soon start e-tourist visas as well as group tourist visa for Russians.

PM Modi said that Russian citizens will soon be able to get free 30-day e-tourist visa and 30-day group tourist visa. This is crucial for the manpower mobility in both countries We signed two agreements in this regard, he said.

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India has become an important source of visitors for Russia and ranks second after China among distant foreign markets. Moscow recorded 19.7 million visitors in the first nine months of 2024, including 61,000 from India, according to official data. The city expects foreign tourist arrivals to reach 6 million, driven by travellers from CIS countries, the Asia-Pacific region, India, the Middle East and other regions.

Ahead of his talks with PM Modi, Vladimir Putin paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, in Delhi. Press Information Bureau

PM Modi raises issue of terrorism

Prime Minister Modi in his remarks also added that both countries have stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on the Crocus City Hall, the root of all these incidents is the same. Indias unwavering belief is that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength.

Fuel and energy trade between India and Russia

Interestingly, President Putin raised the issue of India and Russias fuel and energy trade in his remarks after the summit at Hyderabad House. This comes at a time when the Donald Trump administration has imposed a 25 per cent punitive tariff on New Delhi for its purchase of Russian crude.

In his comments, Putin said: Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything that is required for the development of Indias energy. We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast growing Indian economy.

The Russian leader also touched upon nuclear energy, adding: We are conducting a project to build the largest Indian nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, two out of six reactors are already connected and four are under construction. Getting this nuclear power plant to full power up will make an impressive contribution to the energy requirement. It will help supply Indian enterprises and households with cheap and clean energy.

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Earlier on, even PM Modi stated that energy security has been a bedrock of their ties. Energy security has been a strong pillar of our partnership, and we will continue this win-win cooperation. Our collaboration in civil nuclear energy has spanned decades and contributed to clean energy. Our cooperation in critical minerals is essential for maintaining a diverse and reliable global supply chain, said PM Modi.

Men walk past a billboard with portraits Prime Minister Modi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi. AP

On foreign policy and multipolar world

Both leaders also reflected on the ongoing events in the world, with PM Modi noting that humanity is undergoing many challenges. Putin added that Russia, India and other like-minded nations are working towards a just and multipolar world.

Next year, India will assume the chairmanship of BRICS, and we will provide all necessary assistance to our Indian friends, added Putin.

With inputs from agencies
Day 1 of Vladimir Putins visit was about the optics. PM Modi was there to welcome the Russian president at the airport, a rare break in protocol, following which the two carpooled together and had an informal dinner

Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon arrival in New Delhi. Reuters

All eyes were at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Thursday evening (December 4), as Russian President Vladimir Putin landed for his two-day State visit to India.

The Russian leaders visit began on a high note when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a very significant gesture, welcomed him at the tarmac with a hug and handshake. The two leaders, who share close ties, then proceeded towards the PMs official residence, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg for a dinner.

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Interestingly, Modi and Putin travelled in the same car together  giving us a deja vu from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet in September when the two rode together in the Russian leaders car.

For more on Putin's visit to India, click here

In case, you missed out on what happened on Day 1 of Putins visit, heres a recap of the big moments of the evening.

Modis hug diplomacy at airport

Before Putins plane landed in Delhi, it was the most tracked plane in the world as per Flightradar24. And when it landed in the Indian capital, PM Modi was present to welcome his friend Vladimir Putin.

Modi received Putin with a warm embrace and a handshake. Notably, Modis presence at the airport is significant. He has broken protocol and received a world leader only in few instances  he has received only six world leaders at the airport, including then US President Barack Obama in 2015.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a welcoming ceremony in New Delhi. Reuters

Modi even posted on X, Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people.

Notably, this is President Putins first visit to India since 2021, a little before the war in Ukraine began.

A carpool moment

After welcoming Putin at the airport, the two leaders travelled together in the same car as they came out of the airport in Delhi. This scene was reminiscent of what happened in China in September when the two had carpooled together.

PM Modi and Russias Putin enjoy carpooling together after they leave the airport and make their way to PMs official residence. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X

For those who cant remember, Modi and Putin travelled in the same vehicle to the destination of their bilateral meeting after participating at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit venue in Chinas Tianjin in September.

Notably, in Delhi, the two travelled in a white Toyota Fortuner, with Putins vehicle the Aurus Senat, following behind.

PM Modi also shared images of him travelling with Russian President Vladimir Putin from New Delhis Palam airport to the PMs Lok Kalyan Marg residence.

Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are all smiles in the car as they make their way to an informal dinner at the Prime Ministers residence in New Delhi. Reuters

A private dinner and a special gift

The evening was capped with both leaders having a private dinner at Modis official residence. This move is a reciprocal gesture to the hospitality extended to the prime minister by Putin during his visit to Moscow in July last year. Modis official residence was decorated with bright lights and flowers on the occasion.

Putin and Modi share a laugh at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg before their dinner. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X

It is still not known what Modi and Putin ate at the dinner.

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Following their friendly and informal dinner, PM Modi gifted President Putin a copy of the Bhagavad Gita in Russian. Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world, PM Modi said in a post on X.

PM Modi gifts Vladimir Putin a Russian version of the Bhagavad Gita. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X

A jam-packed Day 2 for Putin

Today (December 5) will be a busy day for Russian President Putin. He will be accorded a ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan, before he goes to Rajghat to pay homage at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

It will be followed by talks between the two leaders in a restricted format and with their delegations at Hyderabad House, the venue for the summit. In the talks, New Delhi is expected to press for addressing the increasing trade deficit caused by Indias procurement of large volumes of Russian crude oil.

Modi and Putin will also attend a business event jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Roscongress at Bharat Mandapam. In the evening, Putin will attend a state banquet to be hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu. The Russian leader is expected to leave India around 9 pm on Friday.

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With inputs from agencies
Indias largest airline has cancelled hundreds of flights this week, delayed dozens of others and left lakhs of passengers in the lurch. Now, the spotlight is on Rahul Bhatia, the man who co-founded IndiGo. Here is what we know about him

Rahul Bhatia graduated from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, with a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering. Image courtesy: .goindigo.in

IndiGo has been in the news for the past few days. Not for good reasons.

Indias largest airline has cancelled over 500 flights since Tuesday. Dozens of flights have been delayed and thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country.

Now, the spotlight is on Rahul Bhatia, the man who co-founded IndiGo alongside Rakesh Gangwal, a US citizen and industry veteran.

But who is Bhatia, who usually maintains a low profile in the media? What do we know about him?

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Lets take a closer look.

Electrical engineer

The Delhi resident graduated from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, with a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering. His father, Kapil Bhatia, ran the Delhi Express Travel Agency. Bhatia returned to India in 1984 with the intention of starting a telecom business. However, he could not get regulatory approval from the government at the time.

Bhatia then joined his fathers business, which he transformed into InterGlobe Enterprises. Bhatia launched InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) in 2004 after acquiring an airline licence. He also placed an order for 100 A320 aircraft, the biggest such order in history.

Bhatia also partnered with Gangwal, an industry veteran who had studied mechanical engineering at IIT Kanpur and then did an MBA from Wharton. The two met when Gangwal was working at United Airlines in the US and Bhatia was their India general sales agent.

Early years of IndiGo

Though the two men guided the airline in its early years, the outfit was run by a team of professionals. IndiGo made cost efficiency its organising principle and focused on running only one type of aircraft to save on maintenance and training costs. By 2010, IndiGo had grabbed nearly a fifth of Indias market share. A few years later, IndiGo was the market leader in Indias aviation sector.

Meanwhile, InterGlobe Aviation became publicly listed in 2016  making both Bhatia and Gangwal millionaires. Unfortunately, the two men had a falling out over the direction of the company. While Gangwal wanted to expand aggressively, Bhatia sought to be more cautious.

Though Bhatia and Gangwal owned almost an equal stake in the company at that point, Gangwal complained that Bhatia had control of both the board and the management. Gangwal filed a complaint with Sebi, began legal proceedings and even sought arbitration in London.

IndiGos woes have turned the spotlight on Rahul Bhatia, the man who co-founded Indias largest carrier. PTI

Gangwal, in his plaint, which was also sent to the prime minister, the commerce minister, the finance minister, the aviation minister and the DGCA, complained that the shareholders agreement over IndiGo bestowed on Bhatia unusual controlling rights over IndiGo and that a lack of diversity and paucity of independent directors may very well be at the root of why governance matters have taken such a back seat at IndiGo.

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However, it was ultimately a losing battle. In February 2022, Gangwal resigned from the board and announced that he would slowly be reducing his stake in the company. Today, he owns around 13.5 per cent of the stake in IndiGo.

Bhatia, meanwhile, was appointed managing director of InterGlobe Aviation till 2027. He remains the main promoter in IndiGo. As of 2025, Bhatias net worth is estimated to have crossed over $10 billion (Rs 0.90 lakh crore). IndiGo today owns around 65 per cent of the market share in Indias aviation sector. It runs over 2,200 flights per day and has a fleet of around 400 Airbus aircraft. IndiGo has routes to over 100 destinations, including three dozen overseas.

Both Bhatia and Gangwal have stayed away from day-to-day operations at IndiGo, leaving professionals at the helm. IndiGos current CEO, Pieter Elbers, was formerly the chief executive of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Bhatia has won a string of awards during his career including Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young and also by The Economic Times. He was also given the Outstanding Start-Up award at the Forbes India Leadership Awards. In 2016, Bhatia was listed on the Forbes Global Game Changers list.

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It remains to be seen if IndiGo can turn things around sooner rather than later.

With inputs from agencies
It is expected that all flight schedules would stabilise and begin returning to normal midnight tonight and full services and stability should return over the next couple of days. In the event of flight cancellation IndiGo will ensure automatic full refund for tickets, said Ministry of Aviation in a statement

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued two urgent directives to airlines, particularly IndiGo, to address the severe disruptions affecting flight schedules across the country.

The ministry said the measures are aimed at restoring stability without delay and easing the difficulties faced by passengers.

The flight operations are expected to begin stabilising by midnight tonight, with full normalcy anticipated within the next couple of days.

It is expected that all flight schedules would stabilise and begin returning to normal midnight tonight and full services and stability should return over the next couple of days. In the event of flight cancellation IndiGo will ensure automatic full refund for tickets. A 24x7 control room at Ministry of Civil Aviation is constantly monitoring the situation on real time basis, said the ministry in a statement.

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Under the new instructions:

Passengers will be able to monitor delays from home using updated information systems deployed by IndiGo and other carriers.

Automatic full refunds will be issued to travellers in the event of flight cancellations.

Stranded passengers will be accommodated in hotels arranged by the airlines.

Senior citizens will receive special assistance, including access to airport lounges.

Refreshments and basic necessities will be provided to passengers of delayed flights.

A 247 control room at the ministry is overseeing the situation in real time.

The ministry emphasised that the Central Government remains fully alert to passenger concerns and is in continual consultation with all stakeholders.

It added that all possible steps  including regulatory exemptions announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday  will be taken to restore schedules and ensure service stability.

IndiGo disruptions trigger airfare surge

IndiGos widespread flight cancellations have caused a sharp jump in domestic airfares, with last-minute ticket prices on several key routes doubling overnight as passengers rushed to find alternatives.

Data from MakeMyTrip (MMT) shows the cheapest DelhiBengaluru fare for December 6 crossing Rs 40,000, with some options exceeding Rs 80,000. On the DelhiGuwahati route, fares ranged from Rs 23,998 to Rs 35,015.

In contrast, international travel is significantly cheaper. A DelhiDubai flight for the same date costs around Rs 25,855, a BengaluruDubai ticket is available for about Rs 15,000, and DelhiBangkok fares start near Rs 18,747.

On the DelhiMumbai route, prices have surged to Rs 36,10756,000, while DelhiChennai last-minute fares touched Rs 62,00082,000, according to MMT.

The chaos follows over 500 IndiGo flights being delayed or cancelled nationwide, leading to crowded terminals and stranded passengers. All IndiGo departures from Delhi Airport were halted until midnight, though other carriers continued operating.

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Travel platforms indicate fares should ease in the coming days, with significantly lower prices already visible for December 912.

To stabilise operations, the DGCA has granted IndiGo a one-time temporary exemption from two rules on late duty and late-night operations until February 10, 2026.

Passengers across major airports voiced anger over the disruption, citing poor communication and inadequate assistance.

Truly sorry, says IndiGo

Meanwhile, IndiGo on Friday issued a detailed public apology as it confirmed the full-day cancellation of all domestic departures from Delhi Airport (DEL) on Friday, following severe nationwide operational disruptions.

Acknowledging the scale of the crisis, the airline admitted it was facing a serious operational crisis that had resulted in mass cancellations, long queues and limited passenger communication.

In its statement, IndiGo said, To each one of our customers - We are truly sorry and we will take care. We deeply apologise and understand how difficult the past few days have been for many of you. While this will not get resolved overnight, we assure you that we will do everything in our capacity to help you in the meantime and to bring our operations back to normal at the earliest.

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The carrier noted that December 5 would record the highest number of cancellations as it conducts a system-wide reboot intended to stabilise schedules beginning the next day.

IndiGo outlined several passenger support measures, stating, We will ensure that all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment. Full waiver on all cancellations/reschedule requests for bookings between December 5-15, 2025.

The airline added that thousands of hotel rooms and surface transport have been arranged for stranded travellers, with food, snacks and lounge access for senior citizens being provided wherever possible.

IndiGo urged passengers not to head to the airport if their flight is cancelled, advising them to use its website and AI assistant for real-time updates, refunds and rebookings.

The airline also said it has significantly expanded its customer support capacity, noting, We want you to know that you will see incremental progress. We will do everything to earn back your trust We cant lose it at any cost.

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With inputs from agencies
The development comes amid mounting operational disruptions at IndiGo, which have stranded lakhs of passengers and forced hundreds of flight cancellations over the past three days

Acknowledging the disruptions, IndiGo apologised to customers, pointing that acute crew shortage was one of the reasons for the chaos. File image/PTI

After cancelling several flights over the past two days, IndiGo has sought an exemption from the pilot rest and duty norms, as it announced more cancellations for 2 to 3 days. The budget carrier has told the DGCA that it misjudged crew requirements under the new government rules, which eventually led to the chaos.

The development comes amid mounting operational disruptions at IndiGo, which have stranded lakhs of passengers and forced hundreds of flight cancellations over the past three days.

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Following the meeting with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, the low-cost airline has been granted some exemptions under the new government rule.

Under the new rule, the definition of night shift was pushed by an hour, from 5 am to midnight to 6 am to midnight. This new term has been rolled back for now. Meanwhile, the norm of capping night landings to two has also been put on hold.

IndiGo acknowledges poor planning

IndiGo informed the DGCA that the disruptions were due to transitional challenges in implementing Phase 2 of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, which took effect on November 1 under a court directive. The airline said the number of pilots required for Phase 2 turned out to be higher than they had expected.

Data presented by the airline showed that after Phase 2 took effect, crew requirements increased significantly, especially for night operations, where slot availability is limited and pilot duty-time restrictions are more stringent.

Airline apologises

The airline has issued a public apology for disrupting its passengers travel plans by cancelling flights.

An IndiGo spokesperson stated on behalf of the airline regarding the disruptions until 6:10 pm and said, We acknowledge that IndiGos operations have been significantly disrupted across the network for the past two days, and we sincerely apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused.

All other airlines have provisioned pilots adequately and remain largely unaffected due to timely planning and preparation, it added.

IndiGo further said that it has initiated calibrated adjustments to our schedules to contain the disruption and restore stability. These measures will remain in place for the next 48 hours and will allow us to normalise our operations and progressively recover our punctuality across the network, it added.

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Putin in India LIVE: As Russian President Vladimir Putin commences his landmark visit to India, Firstposts live coverage will provide insights into the bilateral talks and pacts that are in store for today.

Putin in India LIVE: Russian President Vladimir Putin received a 21-gun salute at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday as part of his ceremonial welcome during his official visit to India.

PM Modi said, The world has witnessed many ups and downs in the last eight decades. However, the friendship between India and Russia has remained like a pole star. This relationship is built on mutual respect and trust Today, we have held discussions on all factors that will help strengthen this relationship.

Our deep cooperation in shipbuilding has the potential to strengthen Make in India. This is another excellent example of our win-win cooperation, which will boost jobs, skills, and regional connectivity.

Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the IndiaRussia partnership. Our decades-old cooperation in civil nuclear energy has been crucial in realising our shared clean energy priorities. We will continue this win-win cooperation. Our cooperation in critical minerals is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains across the world. This will provide strong support to our partnership in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and new-age industries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

#WATCH | Delhi: PM Narendra Modi says, "India and Russia have long been standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on the Crocus City Hall, the root of all these incidents is the same. pic.twitter.com/pM1ZT0H7fw

PM Narendra Modi said, India and Russia have long been standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on the Crocus City Hall, the root of all these incidents is the same. Indias unwavering belief is that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength. India and Russia have close cooperation in the UN, G20, BRICS, SCO, and other forums. We will continue our dialogue and cooperation in all these forums

#WATCH | Delhi: PM Narendra Modi says, "India has advocated for peace on the Ukraine issue from the very beginning. We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting resolution of this matter. India has always been ready to contribute its part and will remain so in the pic.twitter.com/89d79dPpFZ

PM Modi said that India has consistently supported peace on the Ukraine issue and welcomes all initiatives aimed at achieving a peaceful and lasting resolution. He added that India has always been willing to contribute and will continue to do so in the future.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said, The Prime Minister gave us a list of challenges that deserve the attention of both governments, and we will act on them. The creation of a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union will help. Our countries are gradually moving to mutual settlements in national currencies, which already account for 96% of commercial transactions. We are also witnessing successful partnerships in energy  stable supplies of oil, gas, coal, and everything required for Indias energy needs.

PM Modi said, This year in October, millions of devotees received the blessings of Lord Buddhas sacred relics at the International Buddhist Forum in Kalmykia. Im pleased that we will soon be launching a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day Group Tourist Visa for Russian citizens.

PM Modi said, Energy security has been a strong pillar of our partnership, and we will continue this win-win cooperation. Our collaboration in civil nuclear energy has spanned decades and contributed to clean energy. Our cooperation in critical minerals is essential for maintaining a diverse and reliable global supply chain.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said, The Prime Minister gave us a list of challenges that deserve the attention of both governments, and we will act on them. The creation of a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union will help. Our countries are gradually moving to mutual settlements in national currencies, which already account for 96% of commercial transactions. We are also witnessing successful partnerships in energy  stable supplies of oil, gas, coal, and everything required for Indias energy needs.

At a joint press meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, We are implementing a flagship project to build Indias largest nuclear power plant at Kudankulam. Two of the six reactor units are already connected to the grid, while four more are under construction. Bringing this plant to full capacity will significantly contribute to Indias energy needs, providing affordable and clean power for industries and households. We can also explore small modular reactors, floating nuclear plants, and non-energy applications of nuclear technology, including in medicine and agriculture. We are collaborating with our Indian partners to develop new international transport and logistics routes, including the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor from Russia and Belarus to the Indian Ocean. Expanding this corridor, including its key Northern Sea Route, offers major opportunities for bilateral trade.

Expressing satisfaction with his discussions with PM Modi, Putin said he was confident the visit would further reinforce the bilateral strategic partnership.

He emphasised that India and Russia pursue independent foreign policies and cooperate in BRICS and the SCO to promote a more just and democratic multipolar world order.

Putin noted strengthening cultural and educational ties, and said the launch of the RT news channel in India would allow audiences to engage more closely with Russian perspectives.

The Russian President announced plans for a major RussianIndian pharmaceutical facility in the Kaluga region to produce advanced anti-tumour drugs using Indian technology. He added that Russian companies would increase participation in manufacturing under Indias Make in India initiative.

Putin said the two countries are building Indias largest nuclear power plant at Kudankulam, where two of six reactors are already operational and four more are under construction. Once fully commissioned, the project will significantly enhance Indias supply of clean and affordable energy. Moscow and New Delhi are also exploring collaboration on small modular reactors, floating nuclear plants, and other peaceful nuclear applications in medicine and agriculture.

Ukraine Conflict: PM Modi reiterated Indias consistent stance of being on the side of peace and advocating diplomacy. President Putin briefed him on Russias efforts toward a peaceful settlement and shared ongoing proposals.

Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: PM Modi stressed that India and Russia stand shoulder to shoulder against terrorism, noting that attacks on both nations stem from common sources. He called for unified global action against terrorism.

Boosting Bilateral Trade: Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to achieving $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. They also discussed progress on a proposed IndiaEAEU Free Trade Agreement and ways to increase Indian exports in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and consumer products.

Besides finalising the 2030 economic programme, the two sides signed several agreements to expand cooperation in a number of sectors including health, mobility and people-to-people exchange.

Following their summit talks, Modi and Putin unitedly demonstrated their keenness to impart a fresh momentum to the trajectory of the over eight-decades-old partnership between the two nations.

India and Russia on Friday firmed up a five-year plan to bolster economic and trade partnership in the face of Washingtons punitive tariff and sanctions regime even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to President Vladimir Putin that the war in Ukraine must be brought to an end through dialogue.

#WATCH | Delhi: At the India-Russia Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin says, "...Indeed, Russia and India are long-time trade partners. Trade volumes are growing at a sustainable pace. And over the past three years, we saw a record increase of up to 80%. As a pic.twitter.com/DKIA7YX2DD

At the India-Russia Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin says, Indeed, Russia and India are long-time trade partners. Trade volumes are growing at a sustainable pace. And over the past three years, we saw a record increase of up to 80%. As a result, last year, the Russian-Indian trade volume reached $64 billion. There are vast opportunities for further increase of bilateral trade and investment. Russia and India have big consumer marketsOnce again, I would like to stress that under the leadership of His Excellency Modi, India is conducting absolutely independent and sovereign policy and at the same time achieves very good results in the economic field

VIDEO | Delhi: PM Narendra Modi ( @narendramodi ), speaking at the IndiaRussia Business Forum, said, Last year, President Putin and I had decided to cross the target of USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. But after my discussions with President Putin yesterday, I feel we pic.twitter.com/EtV9488dUs

PM Narendra Modi speaking at the IndiaRussia Business Forum, said, Last year, President Putin and I had decided to cross the target of USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. But after my discussions with President Putin yesterday, I feel we will not have to wait until 2030, we will achieve it earlier. Work is also underway to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers.

VIDEO | PM Modi ( @narendramodi ) says, I believe that President Putin has taken a major initiative by bringing such a large delegation to participate in the IndiaRussia Business Forum. I warmly welcome all of them. (Source: Third Party) (Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos  pic.twitter.com/643JMQGufs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said I believe that President Putin has taken a major initiative by bringing such a large delegation to participate in the IndiaRussia Business Forum. I warmly welcome all of them..

VIDEO | PM Modi ( @narendramodi ) says, Over the past two days, we have held very productive and meaningful discussions. I am pleased that every sector of IndiaRussia cooperation was represented in this meeting, and I warmly appreciate all your suggestions and efforts. I would pic.twitter.com/5sc9gSz5YD

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past two days were very productive and meaningful, with every sector of bilateral cooperation represented in the discussions. Appreciating the suggestions and efforts of participants, Modi said both leaders had emphasised the need to realise the full potential of IndiaRussia connectivity and logistics initiatives.

VIDEO | Delhi: At India-Russia Business Forum, PM Modi says, "Today, India and Russia are moving forward together on a new journey of co-innovation, co-production, and co-creation. Our goal is not limited to increasing bilateral trade; we want to ensure the well-being of all pic.twitter.com/wSKV3a3raC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India and Russia are moving forward together on a new journey of co-innovation, co-production and co-creation, stressing that the partnership aims beyond boosting bilateral trade to delivering solutions for global challenges. Urging Russian industry to deepen its presence in the Indian market, he said India is fully prepared to walk shoulder to shoulder with Russia and invited businesses to Make in India and make for the world.

#WATCH | Delhi: At the India-Russia Business Forum, PM Narendra Modi says, "...India is emerging as the world's skilled capital. Our young talent has the potential to meet global requirements. Given Russia's demographic and economic priorities, this partnership is extremely pic.twitter.com/4IFpLi7BLF

Speaking at the IndiaRussia Business Forum, he said training Indians in Russian language and soft skills can help build a Russia-ready workforce. Modi added that new decisions on tourist visas would boost bilateral tourism and business opportunities, as he urged Russian industry to join India on a new journey of innovation, co-production and co-creation and make for the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India is emerging as the worlds skilled capital, noting that young Indian talent can meet global requirements and play a key role in Russias demographic and economic priorities.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held extensive talks at Hyderabad House during the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit, reviewing all aspects of the deep-rooted and multifaceted bilateral relationship. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. They also witnessed the exchange of several documents, including MoUs on trade and commerce, migration and mobility, maritime cooperation, health and food safety, fertilizers, academic exchanges, media cooperation and people-to-people ties.

Joint Statement following the 23rd India - Russia Annual Summit: PM Modi and Russian President Putin reaffirmed their shared ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, including by increasing Indias exports to Russia, strengthening industrial pic.twitter.com/zuLhTfDLxx

Following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner including increasing Indias exports to Russia. The leaders highlighted strengthening industrial cooperation, forging new technological and investment partnerships in advanced high-tech areas, and exploring new avenues of cooperation. Both sides agreed to continue developing systems of bilateral settlements in national currencies to ensure uninterrupted trade. They also noted ongoing and potential collaboration between Indian and Russian companies in oil, petrochemicals, refining, oilfield services, LNG and LPG infrastructure, nuclear projects, underground coal gasification, and related infrastructure, while emphasising the need to resolve issues affecting energy sector investments.

Joint Statement following the 23rd India - Russia Annual Summit: India and Russia reaffirmed their strong commitment to preventing and countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border movement of terrorists and terrorist financing networks and safe pic.twitter.com/XSiUmQAYTK

In the Joint statement following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, both countries reaffirmed their strong commitment to preventing and countering terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorist movement, financing networks, and safe havens. They condemned the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, and at Moscows Crocus City Hall on March 22, 2024, calling all acts of terrorism criminal and unjustifiable regardless of motivation. India and Russia also stressed the need for coordinated action against UN-listed terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda and ISIS/Daesh, to eliminate safe havens, curb the spread of extremist ideologies, halt terrorist financing, and prevent cross-border movement of terrorists and foreign fighters.

In the Joint Statement following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, both countries emphasised the need for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more representative, effective, and efficient in addressing global peace and security challenges. Russia reiterated its steadfast support for Indias permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.

#WATCH | Delhi: On payments in national currencies, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "Both countries are continuing to work together to promote mutual trade in our national currencies. You would be aware that Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) have been opened in pic.twitter.com/gfYAexKn1l

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India and Russia are working to promote bilateral trade using their national currencies with Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) already playing an effective role in facilitating trade flows. He added that a key objective of Russian President Vladimir Putins visit was to increase Indian exports to Russia, helping address the trade imbalance. Combining expanded currency-based settlements with greater export opportunities, Misri said, will advance the shared goal of a more balanced and sustainable bilateral trade relationship.

I am happy that very soon we are going to introduce a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens, PM Modi said.

India has moved to further strengthen its ties with Russia by announcing free 30-day e-tourist visas and 30-day group tourist visas for Russian citizens. While addressing the joint press address with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this new visa facility for Russian travellers.

Putin Shares Personal Reflection About India & Yoga During RT India Launch "A lot of time has passed and India has changed dramatically... but what is left is friendship and mutual interest." pic.twitter.com/oc6ADxl3Mz

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the launch of RT India, said, A lot of time has passed and India has changed dramatically but what is left is friendship and mutual interest, highlighting the enduring ties and shared interests between the two countries.

Misri said that the discussions gave significant attention to the proposed FTA with the EAEU, which is expected to help reduce Indias trade deficit with the bloc.

Briefing reporters after the summit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said both countries also emphasised the need to expedite negotiations on a new Bilateral Investment Treaty.

India and Russia have agreed to speed up talks on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between New Delhi and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday. The decision came during high-level meetings held as Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his first visit to India in four years.

#WATCH | Delhi: Latest visuals of Russian President Vladimir Putin as he leaves for Rashtrapati Bhavan from the ITC Maurya hotel President Droupadi Murmu will host a banquet in his honour today. pic.twitter.com/sQlRp2aQBF

Russian President Vladimir Putin left the ITC Maurya hotel on Friday evening for Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in his honour as part of his two-day visit to India.

Russias President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial 21-gun salute at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday during his ongoing visit to India, an honour reserved for the highest offices of state. The salute was accorded shortly after his meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, marking the formal welcome extended to visiting heads of state.

VIDEO | Delhi: The Prime Minister raised the issue of Indian citizens being recruited into the Russian armed forces. Our efforts continue to secure their early release, and I reiterate that our citizens should avoid any offers to join the Russian armed forces, said Foreign pic.twitter.com/s8FlKDeKwn

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of Indian citizens being recruited into the Russian armed forces during his talks with President Vladimir Putin. Misri said efforts are underway to secure their early release and urged Indian nationals to avoid any offers to join the Russian military.

Certainly, I do believe that Indian companies may be able to successfully replace (the space) that was made vacant by the Western companies who have left. (I am) very optimistic, the CEO of Roscongress told in an interaction, during the ongoing two-day State Visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India.

India can certainly expand its footprint in the Russian market by stepping into businesses and sectors left open after the exit of some of the Western firms in the recent past, Roscongress Foundation CEO Alexander Stuglev said, expressing optimism in Indias ability to fill that space.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a curated selection of Indian artisanal and cultural treasures during the latters two-day visit including fine Assam Black Tea, an ornate Murshidabad silver tea set, a handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, a marble chess set from Agra, premium Kashmiri saffron and a Russian-translated edition of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Each gift highlighted Indias diverse craftsmanship, regional heritage and symbolic messaging, ranging from shared tea traditions and cultural artistry to themes of friendship valour and spiritual wisdom.

#WATCH | Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend the banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu (Source: Kremlin) pic.twitter.com/BDVbRs8RMw

Russian President Vladimir Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend the banquet hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu

Russian President Vladimir Putin departed Delhi on Friday, concluding his two-day State visit to India with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar seeing him off at the airport.

VIDEO | Delhi: "India and Russia are working to establish a fair and just world order, based on the central role of UN," said Russian President Vladimir Putin at state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7 ) #PutinInIndia  pic.twitter.com/06z35ynzrZ

India and Russia are working to establish a fair and just world order, based on the central role of UN, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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Putin in India LIVE: On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India to kick start his two-day visit to the country. While India continues to remain a strong ally of Russia, this was Putins first visit to New Delhi since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Upon arrival, Putin received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who broke with the established protocols for the Russian delegation.

Putins state visit will mark the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where he will hold talks with the Indian Prime Minister on regional and global issues of mutual interest. As per the schedule, which is subject to change, the Russian leader will also meet President Droupadi Murmu, in addition to paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Several agreements are expected to be signed during the Russian leaders trip to India. The deals are likely to cover areas such as trade, economy, healthcare, academia, culture, and media. Both sides believe that the broader goal of the visit is to shore up the bilateral strategic and economic partnership between the two nations, against the backdrop of a sharp downturn in Indias relations with the US.
Sheikh Hasinas death sentence isnt just an attack on one person; its an assault on the Constitution of Bangladesh itself

The death sentence handed down to Sheikh Hasina has been celebrated by some as a triumph of justice; a long-awaited accountability for the events of July 2024. Media outlets and spokespeople for the interim government have painted a picture of meticulous legal proceedings, substantial evidence, and historic accountability. They claim the verdict brings justice to bereaved families and marks Bangladeshs break from cycles of impunity.

This is a dangerous fiction being peddled as truth. This was not justice; it was political theatre performed on an illegitimate stage, with actors who had no authority to deliver their lines. The verdict represents the complete breakdown of constitutional order in Bangladesh, a breakdown that every citizen should fear regardless of their political allegiance.

The fundamental question that defenders of this verdict refuse to address is simple: where did this tribunal get its authority? The answer exposes the entire proceedings as a sham from the very beginning.

Muhammad Yunus unelected interim government created this tribunal through four executive ordinances that amended the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973. But under our Constitution, this was completely unlawful. Article 93 allows ordinances only when Parliament is not in session, and even then, these ordinances must be presented to Parliament within thirty days or they automatically expire. Since there is no functioning Parliament, these ordinances have no legal validity. They are, in legal terms, ultra vires: beyond the governments authority.

Think about what this means for Bangladesh. We now have an unelected government with the self-ordained power to change criminal law and impose death sentences. This violates the most basic principle of our Constitutionthat all power belongs to the people and can only be exercised according to constitutional authority. Any law inconsistent with the Constitution is void.

The International Crimes Act specifically requires that only confirmed High Court Division judges can preside over these tribunals. Instead, the Yunus government appointed probationary judges who lack the constitutional rank and security of tenure required by law. Why? Because the entire Supreme Court was forced to resign in August 2024 under threat from street mobs. The highest court of our land was dismantled through intimidation, and new politically aligned judges were installed. This isnt just irregular; its the complete destruction of the judiciarys independence.

Some defend these constitutional violations by claiming this was a revolution that created its own legitimacy. But international law is not founded on grand theories about social context; it has clear standards for when a revolutionary government gains legitimacy, and the current regime fails every single test.

For evidence of this, the Pakistan Supreme Courts landmark Asma Jilani judgment from 1972 speaks directly to our situation today. The court held that someone who destroys the legal order illegitimately cannot become a valid source of law. They warned that while usurpers might temporarily control the state through force, their orders remain illegal. The courts words are prophetic: As soon as the opportunity arises, when the coercive apparatus falls from the hands of the usurper, he should be tried for high treason and suitably punished.

Supporters of the verdict claim it rested on unprecedented evidence: audio recordings that supposedly prove Sheikh Hasina ordered killings. They say these recordings were verified by international media. But lets examine what actually happened, because the truth reveals either shocking incompetence or deliberate manipulation.

First, these recordings were obtained illegally. Article 43 of our Constitution protects every citizens right to privacy in their communications. This can only be breached through legal procedures for state security. No court order authorised these wiretaps. No legal procedure was followed. The recordings were leaked for political reasons to cause as much damage as possible. Under our Evidence Act and multiple Supreme Court precedents, illegally obtained evidence raises serious questions about admissibility. But this tribunal didnt care about such legal niceties and obviously didnt seek to find out who leaked the recordings.

More damning is how the tribunal interpreted these recordings. The prosecutions case hinged on a phone conversation between Sheikh Hasina and Dhaka Universitys Vice-Chancellor. The tribunal claimed this proved she ordered student killings. But anyone who listens to the full conversation knows this is a grotesque misrepresentation.

Sheikh Hasina was comparing the protesting students to Jamaat leaders who were executed after legal trials and convictions. She was expressing anger and talking about judicial punishment, not ordering extrajudicial killings. The phrase Im giving the order appears only after the Vice-Chancellor suggests university disciplinary measuresi.e., expelling troublemakers from campus. The tribunal deliberately spliced together unrelated parts of the conversation to manufacture evidence of a kill order that never existed.

Those defending this verdict claim that trials in absentia are recognised under international law and that Sheikh Hasina chose to flee. This is a deliberate distortion of both facts and law.

Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh because her life was in immediate danger. Armed mobs were marching on her residence. Under international law, trials in absentia are only permitted when someone voluntarily absconds after initially appearing before the court. Sheikh Hasina never had that opportunity. Her supporters were physically prevented from entering the tribunal. Senior lawyers willing to defend her were blocked from approaching the court. The tribunal appointed a government lawyer who openly admitted he received no instructions from the defendant.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Bangladesh has signed and ratified, guarantees every accused person the right to be present at their trial and to have legal counsel of their own choosing. These arent optional extras; theyre fundamental requirements for any legitimate trial. The tribunal violated both.

Even more outrageous is the denial of appeal rights. The prosecution announced that Sheikh Hasina must surrender within 30 days or lose her right to appeal. In other words, she must walk into certain execution before she can challenge the verdict. This violates every principle of international law. The UN explicitly states that death sentences cannot be carried out while appeals are pending. No legitimate legal system strips defendants of appeal rights because theyre outside the countrys borders.

The speed of this trialfrom indictment to death sentence in mere monthsmade any real defence impossible. Complex charges of crimes against humanity require extensive preparation. International criminal trials typically take years. This rush to judgment reveals the political nature of the proceedings.

Nothing exposes the political nature of this trial more than what hasnt been prosecuted. The interim government and its supporters celebrate breaking cycles of impunity, but their justice is curiously one-sided.

Between August 5 and 15, 2024, more than 500 Awami League activists were murdered in broad daylight. Police stations were attacked, officers killed while on duty. These werent casualties of conflictthey were revenge killings, lynchings, targeted assassinations. The regimes response? They granted blanket immunity to the perpetrators, calling these murders desperate self-defence. Not a single case has been filed and no perpetrators arrested. This isnt popular acceptance; its rule through terror.

The Chief Prosecutor in Sheikh Hasinas trial, Muhammad Tajul Islam, previously served as senior defence counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami leaders in war crimes trials. He has publicly called for the Awami League to be banned. The judges were appointed after the legitimate judiciary was forced out. This isnt justice; its victors revenge dressed in legal robes.

Even Amnesty International has criticised this tribunal for its lack of independence and unfair proceedings. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed serious concerns about the selective nature of prosecutions. When international human rights organisations question your justice system, perhaps its time to listen.

The International Crimes Tribunal Act of 1973 was never meant for this situation. This law was created specifically to prosecute war crimes from 1971, based on the Geneva Conventions that govern armed conflicts between nations or organised armed groups.

What happened in July 2024 was not an armed conflict; it was civil unrest. These are matters for ordinary criminal lawnot war crimes tribunals. The Geneva Conventions are clear: they apply to international armed conflicts between states or non-international armed conflicts and organised armed groups. Street protests, even violent ones, dont qualify.

Using the ICT Act for the events of July 2024 is like using maritime law to prosecute a car accident. Its the wrong legal framework entirely. The government had to stretch and distort the law beyond recognition to make it fit. This isnt just a technicality; it goes to the heart of whether this trial had any legal basis at all.

Moreover, as the legitimate head of government facing what can only be described as a coordinated terrorist attack aimed at overthrowing democracy, Sheikh Hasina had not just the right but the duty to maintain order. Section 96 of the Penal Code recognises the right of self-defence, including defence of the state. The use of proportionate force to protect national security during an attempted coup is not a crime; its a governmental responsibility.

We must confront an uncomfortable truth about who now controls Bangladesh. The current regime represents forces that were defeated in 1971 who collaborated with Pakistan during our Liberation War. These groups committed genocide, rape, and crimes against humanity. They surrendered along with Pakistani forces on December 16, 1971, signing documents that legally bar them from political participation in Bangladesh.

Today, we see ISIS flags being hoisted in demonstrations. Religious minorities are being systematically targeted. Secular institutions built over decades are being dismantled.

The bitter irony is that those who committed actual war crimes in 1971, who murdered our freedom fighters, now sit in judgment of the daughter of our founding father. They use the very laws created to prosecute them to target those who brought them to justice. This isnt just political revenge; its historical perversion.

Sheikh Hasina remains the lawful Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She never resigned. She never asked the President to dissolve Parliament. Her departure under duress doesnt transfer legitimacy to those who seized power through violence.

Under Article 7A of our Constitution, the seizure of state power through extra-constitutional means is high treason. Every act of this illegitimate governmentevery ordinance, every appointment, every verdictis void ab initio, invalid from the beginning. They can control the streets through fear, they can control the media through censorship, they can even stage trials in kangaroo courts, but they cannot change constitutional reality.

The Presidents actions in promulgating ordinances at the behest of this regime are unconstitutional. Without a legitimate government to advise him, without a Parliament to ratify ordinances, his acts have no legal effect. The entire structure of governance has become a constitutional fiction, a performance without legal script.

Those celebrating this verdict should understand what precedent theyre setting. If we accept that unelected governments can create tribunals through illegal ordinances, appoint politically aligned judges, use illegally obtained evidence, deny defendants their chosen lawyers, and impose death sentences after sham trials, then no one is safe. Today its Sheikh Hasina; tomorrow it could be anyone who opposes those in power.

The rule of law isnt just about getting the right verdict; its about following the right process. When we abandon constitutional procedures for political expediency, when we celebrate injustice because it targets our opponents, we destroy the very foundations of democracy. The damage being done to our legal system will take generations to repair.

Bangladesh deserves real justice, not this theatrical performance staged by usurpers. The families who lost loved ones in July 2024 deserve truth, not politically convenient narratives. They deserve a legal process that meets international standards, not a rushed trial designed to eliminate political opposition.

Most importantly, we must remember that the law has a long memory. Those who have violated the Constitution, who have granted themselves immunity while prosecuting others, and who have perverted justice will face consequences.

The current regime can control the narrative today through force and fear. They can stage trials, announce verdicts, and claim victory. But they cannot change the fundamental truth: this verdict is legally void, morally bankrupt, and historically doomed. Justice delayed may be justice denied, but injustice celebrated is democracy destroyed.

The people of Bangladesh, regardless of their political preferences, must recognise this moment for what it is: not the triumph of accountability, but the collapse of constitutional order. Not justice served, but justice perverted for political ends.

The day will come when the coercive apparatus falls from the hands of these usurpers. When constitutional order returns, when the rule of law is restored, then we will see real trials with real evidence before real judges. Until then, we must bear witness to this injustice, document these violations, and prepare for the long work of rebuilding our shattered institutions.

Sheikh Hasinas death sentence isnt just an attack on one person; its an assault on the Constitution itself. And when we allow our Constitution to be torn apart for political revenge, we all become potential victims of the new regime, regardless of which side we support. That is the real verdict Bangladesh must confront.

(Mohammad Ali Arafat is a former Bangladeshi minister and member of Parliament, Central Executive Committee member of the Bangladesh Awami League, and spokesperson for Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League. Views expressed are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
The European Union on Friday imposed a 120-million-euro ($140 million) fine on Elon Musks social media platform X for violating the blocs digital regulations, setting the stage for what could become a new flashpoint with President Trump administration

The European Union on Friday imposed a 120-million-euro ($140 million) fine on Elon Musks social media platform X for violating the blocs digital regulations, setting the stage for what could become a new flashpoint with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

The action follows a high-profile investigation viewed as a major test of the EUs determination to rein in Big Tech under its sweeping Digital Services Act (DSA).

According to AFP, even before the penalty was announced, US Vice President JD Vance warned Brussels against attacking American companies through censorship, signalling potential transatlantic tensions.

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In issuing its first DSA-related fine over content matters, the European Commission said X failed to comply with transparency requirements and used deceptive design in its blue checkmark system for verified accounts.

This decision is about the transparency of X and nothing to do with censorship, AFP quoted the blocs technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen as saying, pushing back at Vances charge.

Vance had pre-emptively criticised the EU on Thursday, posting on X that Brussels should be supporting free speech, not attacking American companies over garbage. Musk responded to the message, writing, Much appreciated.

X became the subject of the EUs first formal DSA investigation in December 2023 and was found to have violated multiple provisions by July 2024.

According to the EUs findings, Musks overhaul of the platforms checkmark system in 2022 allowed anyone to pay for a badge of authenticity, without X meaningfully verifying who is behind the account.

This deception exposes users to scams, including impersonation frauds, as well as other forms of manipulation by malicious actors, AFP quoted the commission as saying in a statement.

The commission also concluded that X did not provide adequate transparency regarding its advertising practices and failed to grant researchers access to public data as required under the DSA.

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The platform remains under investigation for its handling of illegal content and potential information manipulation.

Europes moves from words to action

Part one of the EUs probe into X had appeared stalled for months, with no movement toward a penalty.

Officials were acutely aware that the political landscape in Washington had changed dramatically since 2023, with Donald Trump back in the White House and Elon Musk once again influential in US political circles.

Any fine on X risked escalating tensions with the Trump administration.

That tension surfaced early, with Vance attacking the EU even before the decision was announced, citing rumours that Brussels planned to fine X for not engaging in censorship.

Under the DSA, the EU can levy fines of up to six per cent of a companys global annual revenue  and in Xs case, the bloc could have drawn from Musks wider business empire, including Tesla.

Instead, Brussels opted for what officials described as a measured penalty.

Tech chief Elisa Ferreira said the amount was proportionate to the violations.

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We are not here to impose the highest fines. We are here to make sure that our digital legislation is enforced, Ferreira told AFP. If you comply with our rules, you dont get a fine  and its as simple as that.

She noted the decision covers only one part of a very broad investigation into X, which remains ongoing.

The Center for Countering Digital Hate said the ruling sends a message that no tech platform is above the laws all corporations have to abide by.

Washington, however, has repeatedly criticised EU tech regulations.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently urged Brussels to reconsider its approach if it wanted lower steel duties, while a new national security strategy released Friday by the Trump administration called on Europe to abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation.

European governments defended the move.

Frances digital affairs minister Anne Le Henanff called it a historic step that shows Europe can move from words to action, while Germanys digital minister Karsten Wildberger said EU digital rules apply to everyone, no matter where they come from.

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In a parallel development, the European Commission said it had accepted commitments from TikTok to address concerns about its advertising practices, though the platform remains under DSA investigation on other fronts.

With inputs from agencies
The US military killed two survivors of the initial strike on a boat purportedly carrying drugs on September 2 even as they did not have any weapon to fight, radio to call for aid, or means to escape, according to a Congressional briefing. Killing unarmed combatants is a war crime in international law.

The screengrab of a video posted by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social on September 2, 2025, shows the boat that the US military attacked that day. (Photo: Truth Social/Donald Trump)

The US military killed two survivors of the initial strike on a purportedly drug-carrying boat on September 2 even as they did not have any weapon to fight, radio to call for aid, or means to escape, according to a briefing to Congress members.

Killing unarmed and shipwrecked combatants is a war crime in the international law and the US militarys own war manual. But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior Republican Congress members have supported the killing of such unarmed persons.

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At the order of President Donald Trump, the US military began a campaign of blowing up boats in the international waters in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea on Sept. 2. In the first such attack, the US military killed 11 persons whom they dubbed as narco-terrorists without identifying them or offering any evidence.

Last week, it emerged that the initial Sept. 2 strike killed only nine persons and left two survivors. Instead of recovering of two persons as per the US war manual and international law, the US military conducted a follow-up strike and killed them. These killings were only acknowledged after media reported them.

So far, the US military has conducted 22 such strikes in the international waters and killed 87 persons  the latest on Thursday that killed four persons.

The Trump administration has claimed those killed were drug traffickers but it neither identified nor produced any evidence of those boats carrying drugs. In any case, the US policy has long dictated such traffickers to be arrested and tried in a court instead of being killed in a military strike.

US military killed unarmed people who could not escape

The two men killed in the secondary US strike did not appear to have radio or any other communication device, did not have a weapon, and did not have means to escape, and yet the US military killed them, the CNN reported three sources part of the congressional briefing as saying.

These two men clung onto the capsized boat for 41 minutes before they were killed in a follow-up strikes, one of the sources said.

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US officials debated for 41 minutes and then Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, the Commander of the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) who oversaw those killings, ordered follow-up strikes to kill the two unarmed, shipwrecked survivors, the source said.

Separately, Bradley also acknowledged before Congress that the two survivors were not in any state to make a distress call  and he still ordered their killing.

Bradley justified his order on the grounds that it appeared that the part of the boat that was still afloat contained cocaine and the survivors could have hypothetically floated to safety or rescue or carried the drugs to the United States on that part of the boat, according to CNN.

Killing of unarmed men draws partisan reactions

Even as the killing was against the US governments own war manual, Republicans justified it and stood behind Bradley and Hegseth.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton, a Republican, told CNN he saw two survivors trying to flip a boat, loaded with drugs bound for the United States, back over so they could stay in the fight. He further said they were clearly not incapacitated, they were not distressed.

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On the other hand, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Jim Himes, a Democrat, said the video one of the most troubling things he has seen as a lawmaker.

Any American who sees the video that I saw will see the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors  bad guys, bad guys, but attacking shipwrecked sailors. Yes, they were carrying drugs. They were not in the position to continue their mission in any way, said Himes.

Himes further told CNN, The end result was two individuals without any weaponry, without any tools of any kind, clinging to a wrecked boat  the decision was taken to kill them and that is in fact what happened. And that was pretty hard to watch.
A day before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi to start his two-day visit to India, New Delhi abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution demanding an end to Russias forced relocation of Ukrainian children.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian President Vladimir Putin told US counterpart Donald Trump on August 18 that he is willing to meet Ukranian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. File image/AFP

A day before Russian President to start his two-day visit to India, New Delhi abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution demanding an end to Russias forced relocation of Ukrainian children. On Wednesday, the 193-member Assembly adopted the draft resolution Return of Ukrainian children.

While 91 voted in favour of the resolution, 12 voted against, 57, including India, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, abstained from voting. The resolution in question demanded that Russia should ensure the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported.

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It urged Moscow to cease, without delay, any further practice of forcible transfer, deportation, separation from families and legal guardians, change of personal status, including through citizenship, adoption or placement in foster families, and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.

What the resolution entails

The resolution called for the need to investigate and ensure accountability for those responsible for forcible transfers and deportations of children, in accordance with international law. It went on to condemn the legislative and administrative measures taken by Russia since 2022 that simplify the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for Ukrainian children, especially orphans and those deprived of parental care.

While presenting the resolution at the 11th emergency special session of the UNGA, Ukraines deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa maintained that as of October 2025, there are 6,395 deported and forcibly transferred children.

The Ukrainian authorities are investigating a total of over 20,000 cases of deportation and forcible transfers. Meanwhile, Russias deputy Permanent Representative Maria Zabolotskaya, in her remarks in UNGA, said the draft resolution is stuffed with mendacious accusations, adding it contains baseless allegations of Russias violations of international humanitarian law and does not mention that there may be children evacuated from combat zone or those who lost ties with their relatives, which in no way can be regarded as violations.

After the meeting, UNGA President Annalena Baerbock said that since February 2022, when Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Assembly has reiterated its calls across eight resolutions adopted during its 11th Emergency Special Session. She called for the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraines internationally recognised territory.
The US wants Europe to take over the majority of Natos conventional defence capabilities, from intelligence to missiles, by 2027, Pentagon officials told diplomats in Washington this week, a tight deadline that struck some European officials as unrealistic

Smoke billows from a blast near Polish Abrams tank as Polish forces with Nato soldiers hold military exercises 'Iron Defender' at a military range in Wierzbiny near Orzysz, Poland, on September 7, 2025. Reuters File

The United States wants Europe to take over the majority of Natos conventional defence capabilities, from intelligence to missiles, by 2027, Pentagon officials told diplomats in Washington this week, a tight deadline that struck some European officials as unrealistic.

The message, recounted by five sources familiar with the discussion, including a US official, was conveyed at a meeting in Washington this week of Pentagon staff overseeing Nato policy and several European delegations.

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The shifting of this burden from the US to European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization would dramatically change how the United States, a founding member of the post-war alliance, works with its most important military partners.

In the meeting, Pentagon officials indicated that Washington was not yet satisfied with the strides Europe has made to boost its defense capabilities since Russias expanded invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The U.S. officials told their counterparts that if Europe does not meet the 2027 deadline, the US may stop participating in some Nato defence coordination mechanisms, said the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Some officials on Capitol Hill are aware of and concerned about the Pentagons message to the Europeans, one U.S. official said.

No clarity on how US would measure Nato progress

Conventional defense capabilities include non-nuclear assets from troops to weapons and the officials did not explain how the U.S. would measure Europes progress toward shouldering most of the burden.

It was also not clear if the 2027 deadline represented the Trump administration position or only the views of some Pentagon officials. There are significant disagreements in Washington over the military role the U.S. should play in Europe.

Several European officials said that a 2027 deadline was not realistic no matter how Washington measures progress, since Europe needs more than money and political will to replace certain U.S. capabilities in the short term.

Among other challenges, NATO allies face production backlogs for military equipment they are trying to purchase. While U.S. officials have encouraged Europe to buy more U.S.-made materiel, some of the most prized U.S.-made weapons and defense systems would take years to be delivered if ordered today.

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The U.S. also contributes capabilities that cannot simply be purchased, like unique intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance that have proven key to the Ukrainian war effort.

Asked for comment, a Nato official speaking for the alliance said European allies had begun taking more responsibility for the continents security, but did not comment on the 2027 deadline.

Allies have recognized the need to invest more in defense and shift the burden on conventional defense from the US to Europe, the official said.

The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

European nations have broadly accepted US President Donald Trumps demand they take more responsibility for their own security and have pledged big increases in defense spending.

The European Union has set a target of making the continent ready to defend itself by 2030 and says it must fill gaps in its air defenses, drones, cyber warfare capabilities, munitions and other areas. Officials and analysts said even that deadline is highly ambitious.

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US-Nato relationship

The Trump administration has consistently argued that European allies need to contribute more to the Nato alliance, but its not always clear where the president stands on Nato.

On the campaign trail in 2024, Trump frequently bashed European allies, and he said he would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Nato countries that did not spend their fair share on defense.

But at the annual Nato leaders summit in June, Trump effusively praised European leaders for agreeing to a US plan to boost the annual defense spending target for member states to 5% of gross domestic product.

In the months since, Trump has vacillated between a harder line on Russia - the blocs main opponent - and, more recently, a willingness to negotiate with Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. European officials have complained that they were largely cut out of those negotiations.

At a meeting of Nato foreign ministers this week, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said it was obvious Nato allies should take responsibility for Europes defense.

Successive US Administrations have been saying this in one form or another pretty much my whole lifebut our Administration means what it says, Landau wrote on X.

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Earlier today, Putin was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt in the presence of PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and the Indian as well as the Russian delegation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India is not neutral but stands on the side of peace as he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhis Hyderabad House for bilateral talks.

Earlier today, Putin was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt in the presence of PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and the Indian as well as the Russian delegation.

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Since the Ukraine crisis began, we have been in constant discussion. From time to time, you too, as a true friend, have kept us informed about everything. I believe that trust is a great strength, and I have discussed this matter with you many times and also presented it before the world, PM Modi said during his bilateral meeting with Putin.

VIDEO | During bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin, PM Modi (@narendramodi) says, "Since the Ukraine crisis began, we have been in constant discussion. From time to time, you too, as a true friend, have kept us informed about everything. I believe that trust is a great pic.twitter.com/KCBFUFDiE7  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 5, 2025

PM Modi further said, In recent days, whenever I have spoken with leaders of the global community and discussed this issue in detail, I have always said that India is not neutral. India has a clear position, and that position is for peace. We support every effort toward peace.

VIDEO | Referring to the Ukraine conflict during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin, PM Modi (@narendramodi) says, "In recent days, whenever I have spoken with leaders of the global community and discussed this issue in detail, I have always said that India is not pic.twitter.com/AO45Zvr5qK  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 5, 2025

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Putin thanked PM Modi for inviting him to India. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Putin said, Russia is working on a peaceful settlement with Ukraine. The world will only benefit if we travel on the path of peace.

He also asserted that India and Russias ties are based on trust and are deeply rooted in history.

Meanwhile, New Delhi abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution demanding an end to Russias forced relocation of Ukrainian children. On Wednesday, the 193-member Assembly adopted the draft resolution Return of Ukrainian children.
PM Modi said that India and Russia have agreed to work on the early conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. He also announced that the two sides have agreed on a 2030 Economic Programme aimed at diversifying investments and trade

PM Modi and Russia's Putin enjoy carpooling together after they leave the airport and make their way to PM's official residence. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia/X

Prime Minister Modi on Thursday called for strengthened ties with Russia as he held a press conference with President Vladimir Putin, who is on a visit to New Delhi. Describing the India-Russia ties as steadfast like a pole star, PM Modi said that despite ups and downs, the friendship between the two countries has stayed strong.

We have love and respect for each other. Over the past 8 decades, the world has witnessed numerous ups and downs. Humanity has had to pass through many challenges and crises. And amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like a pole star, PM Modi said.

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#WATCH | Delhi | Following the 23rd India-Russia annual summit, PM Modi says, "Over the past 8 decades, the world has witnessed numerous ups and downs. Humanity has had to pass through many challenges and crises. And amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained pic.twitter.com/k7o67jhA8i  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

Putins second day in India was marked by a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt in the presence of PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and the Indian as well as the Russian delegation. This was followed by Putins visit to Rajghat, where he paid respect to Mahatma Gandhi. PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Russian president in Hyderabad House.

India-US working toward FTA

PM Modi said that India and Russia have agreed to work on the early conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. He also announced that the two sides have agreed on a 2030 Economic Programme aimed at diversifying investments and trade.

#WATCH | Delhi | Following the 23rd India-Russia annual summit, PM Modi says, "India and Russia are working towards the early conclusion of an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union." pic.twitter.com/dDIXWNZD69  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

PM Modi added, Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership. Our decades-old cooperation in civil nuclear energy has been crucial in realising our shared clean energy priorities. We will continue this win-win cooperation.

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He further said that cooperation in shipbuilding is on India and Russias top priority, adding that the process would create more jobs in India. PM Modi announced the launch of a free 30-day e-tourist visa and group tourist visa for Russian citizens program to boost tourism between the two countries.

#WATCH | Delhi: PM Narendra Modi says, "...This year in October, millions of devotees received the blessings of Lord Buddha's sacred relics at the International Buddhist Forum in Kalmykia. I'm pleased that we will soon be launching a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day Group pic.twitter.com/6UNroyxqve  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

What did Putin say?

Meanwhile, President Putin has said that Russia is working on a project to build the largest Indian nuclear plant, adding that three out of six reactors have already been connected to the energy network.

Talking about India-Russia trade, Putin said, Last year, our bilateral trade turnover has grown by 12%, setting another record according to different data. This number may look different, but it is generally around 64 billion US dollars. Currently, we are forecasting that the results of this year will remain at the same impressive level.

#WATCH | Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin says, "Last year, our bilateral trade turnover has grown by 12%, setting another record according to different data. This number may look different, but it is generally around 64 billion US dollars. Currently, we are forecasting pic.twitter.com/TNbZBsFmpC  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

As US pulls up India for buying Russian oil, Putin said, We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the growing Indian economy.
We underlined the imperative to reform the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities and our collaboration in forums where both India and Russia are membersremains forward-looking, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri

India and Russia on Friday highlighted the need to reform the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities and strengthen collaboration in global forums such as the G20, BRICS, and SCO.

We underlined the imperative to reform the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities and our collaboration in forums where both India and Russia are membersremains forward-looking, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri while addressing a press conference on Friday.

#WATCH | Delhi: On the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "...We underlined the imperative to reform the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary realities and our collaboration in forums where both India and Russia are members, pic.twitter.com/jUbEt97bt8  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

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Misri said the visit also reinforced robust defence and military-technical cooperation, with Russia continuing to support Indias Make in India initiative through joint production and technology transfer, a key area discussed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin.

The Prime Minister appreciated Russias support in expediting the opening of two new Indian consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg, aimed at deepening regional outreach and enhancing trade, academic exchange, culture, and people-to-people ties, he added.

On global and multilateral issues, the two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to reforming global governance.

Misri added that President Putin briefed Prime Minister Modi on recent developments in the Ukraine conflict, including ongoing talks between Russian representatives and US authorities.

Prime Minister reiterated Indias long-standing position on this conflict, emphasising Indias interest in seeing the earliest possible cessation of hostilities and a sustainable resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. India stands ready to provide any assistance required, he said.

He said the two leaders also discussed other regional hotspots, with a focus on counter-terrorism.

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The Prime Minister reiterated Indias zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, and President Putin reiterated Russias support for India in this effort, Misri said.

On trade and economic cooperation, the countries are promoting transactions in national currencies through Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs), which have facilitated smoother trade flows.

One of the major objectives during this visit was to reach understanding on how to increase Indian exports to Russia to better address the trade imbalance, Misri said, adding that expanding settlement in national currencies would support this goal.

Misri underlined the geopolitical significance of the India-Russia relationship, describing it as a key anchor for constructive engagement in a complex global environment.

#WATCH | Delhi: On geopolitical messaging, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "The India-Russia relationship, as I said, is an important relationship, not just bilaterally, but in terms of its regional as well as global significance. It remains important anchor for constructive pic.twitter.com/4F2yzqJd1m  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

He said the visit focused on economic issues, industrial partnership, and investment cooperation, sending a message amid stressed global supply chains and unpredictable trade and investment climates.

The India-Russia relationship, as I said, is an important relationship, not just bilaterally, but in terms of its regional as well as global significance. It remains important anchor for constructive engagement in a very complex geopolitical environment. This particular visit, as I said, its focus was on economic issues, on further building the industrial partnership, the investment partnership between the two countries. In current times if you look around the globe supply chains are under stress, trade relationships are under stress, investment is becoming more and more unpredictable, and therefore, in this environment for our two countries to focus on these issues that is a message in itself, said the foreign secretary.

With inputs from agencies
In the response, Japans UN ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki wrote that Chinas claims are inconsistent with the facts, unsubstantiated, and are categorically unacceptable.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Japan-China summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju. AFP File

Japans representative to the United Nations has issued a formal rebuttal to Chinas latest letter to the UN, as tensions continue to rise over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis recent comments on Taiwan.

In the response, Japans UN ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki wrote that Chinas claims are inconsistent with the facts, unsubstantiated, and are categorically unacceptable. He was referring to a letter China submitted on Monday, accusing Japan of violating UN values and provoking Beijing.

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Yamazaki wrote that Japan has consistently respected and adhered to international law, including the UN Charter, and has actively contributed to maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order underpinned by the rule of law, in his letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

China writes to UN, again

The exchange follows Chinas second complaint to the UN over remarks Takaichi made last month, when she said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could create a survival-threatening situation for Japan, suggesting Tokyo might join other countries in a military response. The two nations have since been locked in a growing diplomatic and economic dispute.

In its latest letter, China argued that Takaichis comments openly challenge the victorious outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order, and constitute a serious violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Beijing also accused Japan of seeking to expand its military capabilities and revive militarism.

Japan has rejected these accusations, saying its stance on Taiwan remains unchanged. China has demanded a retraction, but Takaichi has refused.

Takaichi reiterates stance

Asked about the matter on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reiterated that Japans stance, including the recent exchanges in parliament, has been consistent and we have repeatedly conveyed this to China, adding that Japan will continue to respond appropriately.

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On Wednesday, Takaichi told parliament that Japans position on Taiwan has not shifted since the 1972 Japan-China joint communique, in which Japan said it fully understands and respects Chinas view that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territorythough the statement did not explicitly endorse Beijings One China interpretation.

While some Chinese social media users interpreted Takaichis reference to the 1972 communique as a softening of her earlier stance, Beijing has continued to criticise her remarks, indicating the dispute is likely to persist.

Japan believes that differences of views should be addressed through dialogue, for that is at the core of the spirit of the UN Charter, Japans letter concluded. Japan will continue to respond calmly through dialogue.
As part of the co-production model, India will set up a pharmaceutical factory in Russia and get access to fertilisers that Russia makes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a joint press briefing.

As part of the co-production model, India will set up a pharmaceutical factory in Russia and jointly produce fertiliser, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday in a joint press briefing.

Earlier in the day, Modi and Putin held talks at Delhis Hyderabad House after Putin was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In his translated remarks, Putin said that India will set up a large pharmaceutical factory in Russia that will produce high-quality medicines.

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ALSO READ: Why Putin wants to partner India for Russias Far East

On his part, Russia will help India with ramping up industrial production, said Putin.

Putin said, There will be a large Indian pharmaceutical factory built in Russia. We will be starting the production of high-quality anti-tumour medicinal drugs using the advanced Indian technology. In turn, the Russian enterprises will be establishing the production of industrial products in the framework of Make in India programme, which is a hallmark project of distinguished Prime Minister Modi.

PM Modi outlines future of India-Russia economic ties

On his part, Modi said the discussions during Putins visit will open new doors of export, co-production, and co-innovation for India and Russia.

Modi announced that India and Russia will jointly produce urea for fertilisers  Russia is among the largest manufacturers of urea in the world.

Both the sides are working to secure an FTA [free trade agreement] with the Eurasian Economic Union at the earliest. Our close cooperation in the fields of agriculture and fertilisers is important for food security and farmers welfare. I am glad that we will now work towards jointly producing urea, said Modi in Hindi.

Modi announced that the India-Russia Business Forum will lay the groundwork for the co-production model of economic relationship.

President Putin and I will have the opportunity to attend the India-Russia Business Forum today. I have complete faith that the forum will give new strength to our business ties. This will open new doors of export, co-production, and co-innovation, said Modi.

As Firstpost's Madhur Sharma previously reported, India and Russia have envisioned the co-production model as the future of the economic relationship.

Under the model, India and Russia have envisioned joint manufacturing of export-oriented goods, bringing fresh investment into India, enabling technology transfer, conducting joint research and development, and generating revenue streams for both countries. The groundwork has already been laid.

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In October, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russias United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) signed an agreement to manufacture SJ-100 civilian passenger aircraft in India. For context, UAC is the aerospace giant behind Sukhoi fighter jets.
Nepali Prime Minister Sushila Karki has held talks with representative of political parties, officials of the Election Commission, and Gen Z groups about holding parliamentary elections next year. Nepal is scheduled to go to polls on March 5, 2026.

Nepals interim Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, arrives to attend the oath-taking ceremony of her newly-appointed four ministers following recent anti-corruption protests that toppled the government at Shital Niwas, the presidential palace, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on September 22, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Friday held an interaction with representatives of political parties, officials of the Election Commission and Gen Z group focusing on preparations for the general election next year.

The discussion mainly focused on the issues pertinent to preparation for the House of Representatives (HoR) election slated for March 5, according to Prime Minister Offices sources.

The joint meeting held at the PMs official residence at Baluwatar was attended by officials of the Election Commission, leaders of major political parties including Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and Nepali Communist Party, Gen Z representatives and chiefs of security agencies.

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They mainly discussed issues relating to election preparation, security arrangement and environment for election, according to PM Karkis secretariat.

Besides PM Karki and ministers, the meeting was attended by acting chief election commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, general secretary of Nepali Congress Gagan Thapa, UML general secretary Shankar Pokharel and RSP leader Shishir Khanal.

In September, President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Karki as the new Prime Minister following the Gen Z movement that forced PM Oli to resign from the top executive post.

The president then dissolved the House of Representatives as per the prime ministers recommendation and announced fresh elections to be held on March 5 next year.

(This is an agency story. Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that the Russian delegations visit to India goes far beyond energy cooperation, saying that the aim is to deepen multifaceted economic and strategic ties between the two countries

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that the Russian delegations visit to India goes far beyond energy cooperation, saying that the aim is to deepen multifaceted economic and strategic ties between the two countries.

#WATCH | Delhi: At the India-Russia Business Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin says, "...the Russian delegation did not only come to discuss energy issues and sign contracts for the supplies of oil and gas. What we want is the development of our multifaceted relations with pic.twitter.com/QwmNMezS7M  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

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Addressing the IndiaRussia Business Forum in New Delhi, Putin said, the Russian delegation did not only come to discuss energy issues and sign contracts for the supplies of oil and gas. What we want is the development of our multifaceted relations with India in various fields."

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on many occasions in private talks that Indias vast opportunities remain underutilised by both sides.

That is precisely the reason why we convened this forum, he added.

Highlighting Indias economic strength, Putin praised the countrys rapid growth and technological advancement.

I would like to stress that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is conducting an independent and sovereign policy and at the same time achieving very good results. Today, the Indian economy is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Thanks to the sound economic policy and landmark initiative by PM Modi such as the Make in India programme, India is becoming technologically sovereign. Indias IT and pharmaceutical sectors take a leading position in the world, he added.

On trade, Putin said that Russia and India are long-time trade partners, with bilateral trade reaching $64 billion last year, reflecting an 80% increase over the past three years.

There are vast opportunities for further increase of bilateral trade and investment. Russia and India have big consumer marketsOnce again, I would like to stress that under the leadership of His Excellency Modi, India is conducting absolutely independent and sovereign policy and at the same time achieves very good results in the economic field, said the Russian President.

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Putin added that Russian businesses are ready to expand purchases from India across a wide range of goods and services.

I pay particular attention to deepen multi-faceted economic ties between Russia and India. Following todays meetings, we adopted a document to develop India-Russia economic cooperationI want to assure the businesses that Russia will support all initiatives, he said.

The Russian president also expressed interest in Indias upcoming AI summit, saying, Russia is interested in participating in the AI summit scheduled to take place in India in February 2026.

With inputs from agencies
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Ukraine peace efforts as the two leaders sat face to face to hold bilateral talks at the Hyderabad House.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Ukraine peace efforts as the two leaders sat face to face to hold bilateral talks at the Hyderabad House. On Thursday, Putin commenced his two-day visit to India with the ambition to bolster the already strong ties between the two nations.

The Russian leader is on a state visit, attending the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, underscoring the deep and longstanding partnership between the two nations. While speaking to the Indian Prime Minister, Putin said that the relationship between the two countries has been based on trust".

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Putin further stated that the world would only benefit if one travels on the path of peace. He went on to hail Moscows relations with New Delhi, calling them deeply rooted in history. The two leaders discussed war along with a plethora of issues shortly after they paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital.

Upon his arrival, Putin also received a ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

India is not neutral

Meanwhile, during the talks, PM Modi brought up the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and said that India is not neutral" and firmly stands on the side of peace".

Welcoming the Russian leader and the delegation, PM Modi said both countries have remained in continuous contact since the start of the Ukraine crisis. He noted that Moscow has briefed us on everything and shown faith in us," reaffirming that India believes in dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.

In response, Putin thanked PM Modi for the invitation and expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation during their visit. It is pertinent to note that this is Putins first visit to India since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
The Department of Defense completed its five-month review, which endorsed the AUKUS agreement and determined it is in alignment with President Trumps America First agenda, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement

The Pentagon said Thursday it has endorsed the tripartite AUKUS security pact with the United Kingdom and Australia, which would involve Canberras acquisition of at least three Virginia-class nuclear submarines within 15 years.The administration of Donald Trump said earlier this year it was reviewing a 2021 deal for the nuclear-powered attack subs signed under his presidential predecessor Joe Biden.

The Department of Defense completed its five-month review, which endorsed the AUKUS agreement and determined it is in alignment with President Trumps America First agenda, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.

Consistent with President Trumps guidance that AUKUS should move full steam ahead, the review identified opportunities to put AUKUS on the strongest possible footing.

Congressman Joe Courtney, the top Democrat on a US House subcommittee on sea power, said the reviews completion assures that the pacts framework is aligned with our countrys national security interest.

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With its completion, it is important to note that the 2021 AUKUS agreement has now survived three changes of government in all three nations and still stands strong.

Courtney is a vocal champion of AUKUS in Congress, and represents a Connecticut district that is home to the primary submarine manufacturing facility in the United States.

The AUKUS pact aims to arm Australia with a fleet of cutting-edge submarines from the United States and would provide for cooperation in developing an array of warfare technologies.

The submarines, the sale of which will begin in 2032, lie at the heart of Australias strategy of improving its long-range strike capabilities in the Pacific, particularly against China.

The deal could cost Canberra up to US$235 billion over the next 30 years, and also includes the technology to build its own vessels in the future.

Australia had a major bust-up with France in 2021 when it canceled a multi-billion-dollar deal to buy a fleet of diesel-powered submarines from Paris and go with the AUKUS program instead.

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The shipments are provided under a contract signed in 2024, which includes fuel supply for the third and fourth VVER-1000 reactors of the Kudankulam plant for the entire service life, starting from initial loading

Russias state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom has delivered the first consignment of nuclear fuel to power the third reactor of the plant located in Tamil Nadus Kudankulam. The development comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin visits India for the 23rd India-Russia Summit.

Rosatom said in a statement on Thursday that it delivered the fuel assemblies manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant via a cargo plane operated by its Nuclear Fuel Division.

What did the delivery include?

A total of seven flights from Russia are planned to supply the entire reactor core and some reserve fuel.

These shipments are provided under a contract signed in 2024, which includes fuel supply for the third and fourth VVER-1000 reactors of the Kudankulam plant for the entire service life, starting from initial loading, according to a report by PTI.

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The Kudankulam plant will have six VVER-1000 reactors with a total installed capacity of 6,000 MW. The first two reactors at Kudankulam were connected to Indias power grid in 2013 and 2016, while the four other reactors are under construction.

During the operation of these two reactors in the first phase of the Kudankulam plant, Russian and Indian engineers have done considerable work to increase their efficiency through the introduction of advanced nuclear fuel and extended fuel cycles, Rosatom said.

India-Russia defence

Putin arrives in New Delhi today for the 23rd Annual IndiaRussia Summit, where defence cooperation is expected to take centre stage. Discussions are set to cover potential follow-on orders for the S-400 system, exploratory talks on the S-500, and proposals related to the Su-57 fighter.

In a parallel development, India has finalised a $946 million sustainment agreement with the United States for its fleet of 24 MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopters.

Defence officials from both nations will review a broad slate of ongoing and future programmes, with a particular focus on air-defence capabilities, fighter-aircraft upgrades, and naval collaboration. A key item on the agenda is continued cooperation on the S-400 Triumf long-range air-defence system.
The move comes amid growing international concern about cybersecurity risks and disinformation associated with Chinese apps such as Xiaohongshu and TikTok, which have amassed vast global user bases

Taiwans government has imposed a one-year ban on a popular Chinese-owned social media app after the company failed to cooperate with authorities investigating fraud cases.

Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, has grown rapidly among young people in Taiwan, attracting 3 million users on the island of 23 million. But the Instagram-like platform has also raised alarms among officials who fear it could be exploited for pro-Beijing propaganda or disinformation, a threat Taiwan says it has contended with for years.

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Why was the app banned?

On Thursday, Taiwans Ministry of the Interior said the ban was triggered by Xiaohongshus refusal to work with authorities, noting the platform has been tied to more than 1,700 fraud cases, causing losses of 247.7 million Taiwanese dollars ($7.9 million).

Due to the inability to obtain necessary data in accordance with the law, law enforcement authorities have encountered significant obstacles in investigations, creating a de facto legal vacuum, the ministry said.

The move comes amid growing international concern about cybersecurity risks and disinformation associated with Chinese apps such as Xiaohongshu and TikTok, which have amassed vast global user bases.

Chinese law requires companies to store data domestically and grant government access, and Beijing heavily censors content it considers politically sensitive, practices experts warn can be used to shape public opinion.

Ban triggers backlash

The ban has already triggered backlash from some users and opposition politicians, who argue it infringes on free speech.

We once mocked people in China for needing VPNs to access information, said Lai Shyh-bao, a Kuomintang lawmaker, on Facebook. Internet freedom in Taiwan is heading toward a day when people will need VPNs.

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Taiwans Ministry of the Interior noted that major international companies, including Facebook, Google, LINE, and TikTok, have complied with Taiwans regulations by appointing legal representatives and fulfilling their obligations.

Authorities have asked Shanghai-based Xiaohongshu to provide concrete remedies, but the company has not responded, the ministry said.

This is not a problem unique to Taiwan. It exists around the world, and even within China itself this platform has repeatedly violated regulationsFrom our perspective, it is a malicious platform  one that is beyond legal oversight and operates with unclear intentions, Deputy Interior Minister Ma Shih-yuan said at a Thursday press conference.
Chinese naval and coast guard activities stretch across the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, South China Sea, and western Pacific, prompting close monitoring by Taipei and Tokyo amid rising regional tensions

A person looks at a screen showing news footage of military drills conducted in areas around the island of Taiwan by the Eastern Theatre Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), in Beijing, China, on May 23, 2024. Reuters File

A day after Reuters reported Beijing had deployed its largest maritime show of force to date, Taiwan and Japan on Friday voiced concern over Chinese military activities in East Asian waters.

On Thursday, Reuters reported that China deployed a significant number of naval and coast guard vessels  at one point more than 100  across the region, citing sources and intelligence reports reviewed by the news agency.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei, Taiwan presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said the Chinese operations were not limited to the Taiwan Strait but extended from the Yellow Sea down to waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, and further into the South China Sea and the western Pacific.

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This indeed poses a threat and impact to the Indo-Pacific and the whole region, Reuters quoted Kuo as saying.

We also especially call on China to live up to its responsibilities as a major power and to exercise restraint in its actions, he added.

Kuo said Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had directed the security forces to maintain full situational awareness and provide timely updates.

She added that Taiwan would continue close coordination with friendly partners to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

In Tokyo, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, asked about Chinese activity in the East China Sea, said Japan was aware of the reports and was watching Chinese military movements with great attention, while declining to comment on the specific deployment.

China has been expanding and stepping up its military activities in the areas surrounding Japan, and we make a constant effort to gather and analyse information on Chinese military movements with great attention, Reuters quoted Koizumi as saying to reporters without giving a time frame of the Chinese activities.

In any event, the government will continue to monitor developments around Japan with deep concern and will make every effort to ensure thorough information gathering and surveillance, he said.

China says no need to overreact'

Chinas military has not commented directly on its recent maritime activities, but foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said navy and coast guard operations in relevant maritime areas were fully compliant with domestic and international law.

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There is no need for any party to overreact, overinterpret, or engage in baseless speculation, Reuters quoted Lin Jian as saying in Beijing.

While November and December are traditionally busy months for Chinese military exercises, the Peoples Liberation Army has not officially announced any large-scale drills.

Sources noted that this years operations exceed last Decembers mass naval deployment, which had prompted Taiwan to raise its alert level.

The surge in activity comes amid heightened China-Japan tensions after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned last month that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Beijing has also expressed anger over Taiwan President Lai Ching-tes recent announcement of an additional $40 billion in defence spending, aimed at countering China, which Beijing considers Taiwan its territory.

With inputs from agencies
The United States will reassert itself in the Western Hemisphere, build military strength in the Indo-Pacific and possibly reassess its relationship with Europe, President Donald Trump said on Friday in a sweeping strategy document that seeks to reframe the countrys role in the world.

The United States plans to reassert its dominance in the Western Hemisphere, strengthen its military posture in the Indo-Pacific, and potentially rethink its ties with Europe, according to a broad strategy blueprint unveiled by President Donald Trump on Friday.

The newly released National Security Strategy outlines Trumps global outlook as one of flexible realism. It calls for a revival of the Monroe Doctrine, the 19th-century policy that defined the Western Hemisphere as an area of US influence and cautions that Europe is at risk of civilisational erasure unless it shifts direction.

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The document provides the clearest articulation yet of Trumps intention to overhaul the post-World War Two international system, long anchored by US-led alliances and multilateral institutions.

According to the 29-page strategy paper, President Trumps foreign policy is pragmatic without being pragmatist, realistic without being realist, principled without being idealistic, muscular without being hawkish, and restrained without being dovish. It is motivated above all by what works for America.

The strategy, which each administration issues to guide policymaking across federal agencies, asserts that Trump intends to restore American pre-eminence across the Western Hemisphere.

This Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine is a common-sense and potent restoration of American power and priorities, consistent with American security interests, the document says, suggesting that the large U.S. military build-up in the region is not temporary.

Since taking office in January, critics have said Trumps rhetoric evokes modern-day imperialism in the Western Hemisphere. He spoke early on, in vague terms, of retaking the Panama Canal and annexing Greenland and Canada.

More recently, the growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and threats of land strikes in Venezuela and in other countries where drug cartels operate have added to regional concerns.

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The United States has sent more than 10,000 troops to the Caribbean, along with an aircraft carrier, warships and fighter jets.

The new National Security Strategy points out pretty clearly that were not going to go back to the way things were, said Jason Marczak, a senior Latin America analyst with the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington.

Europe risks civilisation erasure

In the document, the administration took a dour view of its traditional allies in Europe, warning that the continent faces civilizational erasure and must change course if it is to remain a reliable ally for the United States.

The document is the latest in a series of statements by U.S. officials that have upended postwar assumptions about Europes close relationship with its strongest ally, the United States.

Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades at the latest, certain NATO members will become majority non-European, the document said.

As such, it is an open question whether they will view their place in the world, or their alliance with the United States, in the same way as those who signed the NATO charter.

Some European commentators said the document echoed talking points of far-right European political parties, which have grown to become the main opposition to governments in Germany, France and other traditional U.S. allies.

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European politicians and officials have bridled at Washingtons tone but as they hurry to rebuild their neglected militaries to meet a perceived threat from Russia, they still rely heavily on U.S. military support.

The document said it was in the United States strategic interest to negotiate a quick resolution in Ukraine and to re-establish strategic stability with Russia.

Trump has a history of making positive and admiring comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin that have long prompted criticism that he is soft on Russia.

Reuters reported on Friday that Washington wants Europe to take over the majority of NATOs conventional defense capabilities, from intelligence to missiles, a tight deadline that struck some European officials as unrealistic.

The document also said Trump aims to deter conflict with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea by building up U.S. and allies military power.

Deterring a conflict over Taiwan, ideally by preserving military overmatch, is a priority, according to the document.

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The issue has been an irritant in US-China relations for years.

With inputs from agencies
President Donald Trump aims to prevent conflict with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea by building up U.S. and allies military power, according to a new U.S. strategy memo.

President Donald Trumps administration is focusing on strengthening US and allied military capabilities to prevent a potential conflict with China over Taiwan and the South China Sea, according to a newly released strategy memo.

The approach is detailed in a 29-page National Security Strategy document, dated November and recently published online, outlining how the United States plans to address one of the worlds most sensitive diplomatic flashpoints.

The document states that deterring a conflict over Taiwan, ideally by preserving military overmatch, is a priority.

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China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has never ruled out using force to achieve reunification. Beijing also asserts expansive territorial claims across nearly the entire South China Sea, which are contested by several neighbouring countries.

While the United States, like most nations, does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it remains the islands key international supporter and is legally required to provide Taipei with the means to defend itself.

The Trump administration sees instability near Taiwan as a risk because of Taiwans dominance in semiconductor manufacturing and because a significant share of world trade passes through nearby waters, according to the document.

The issue has been an irritant in U.S.-China relations for years. Trump, a Republican, has largely avoided directly saying how he would respond to a rise in tensions over the island and said he is looking to maintain good ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He has also pressed Japan and South Korea, two key regional allies, to hike defense spending.

We will build a military capable of denying aggression anywhere, in the chain of islands stretching from Japan to Southeast Asia, according to the latest strategy document. But the American military cannot, and should not have to, do this alone. Our allies must step up and spend -and more importantly do  much more for collective defense.

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That will reinforce U.S. and allies capacity to deny any attempt to seize Taiwan or any other steps that would make defending that island impossible.

The Trump administration also vowed to prevent a potentially hostile power from imposing a toll system or closing sea lanes. Doing so will require stronger naval capabilities, the document said.

It included a foreword signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said it was a roadmap to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history.

With inputs from agencies
The US Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Texas to use redrawn congressional districts for the 2026 midterm elections, boosting the hopes of President Donald Trumps Republicans to retain control of the House of Representatives.

Texas governor orders arrest of Democrats who fled state to block redistricting vote. Source: Reuters

The US Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Texas to use redrawn congressional districts for the 2026 midterm elections, boosting the hopes of President Donald Trumps Republicans to retain control of the House of Representatives.

The push by Texas  which carves out five more Republican-friendly districts and came at the behest of Trump  kicked off a series of similar efforts in states around the country.

The decision by the conservative-dominated high court stayed a lower ruling which had said the redrawn maps had incorrectly used race to set district lines.

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Texas needs certainty on which map will govern the 2026 midterm elections, so I will not delay the Courts order, Justice Samuel Alito, one of six conservatives on the bench, wrote in his concurring opinion.

The three liberal justices all dissented with the order, which was unsigned.

The District Court conducted a nine-day hearingAnd after considering all the evidence, it held that the answer was clear. Texas largely divided its citizens along racial lines to create its new pro-Republican House map, Justice Elena Kagan wrote in her dissent.

While the ruling is technically only a temporary halt to the lower court ruling, with a candidate filing deadline next week in Texas, it effectively ensures the Republican-favored map will be in effect for the 2026 midterms.

We won!

US electoral districts are traditionally drawn following the national census to reflect the changing population.

The next census is not scheduled until 2030, but Republican-ruled Texas, under pressure from Trump, decided to redraw its congressional maps mid-decade to yield more Republican districts.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the decision.

We won! Texas is officially  and legally  more red, he wrote on X.

The US Supreme Court has previously permitted so-called partisan gerrymandering, but the situation becomes more complicated when race is involved due to civil rights legislation.

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Democratic-run California has also approved a new electoral map that would also create five districts more likely to vote for the left-leaning party.

But those maps have also been challenged in court by the Republican Party of California, in a lawsuit that has received the backing of the Trump administration and which claims race was also unlawfully used.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose Justice Department filed a brief supporting the new Texas maps, hailed Thursdays ruling.

Federal courts have no right to interfere with a States decision to redraw legislative maps for partisan reasons, Bondi said in a statement on X.

Republicans in North Carolina have also redrawn that states map, while efforts are underway in Indiana, Missouri, and elsewhere.
The United States newly released National Security Strategy on Friday falsely claimed that President Donald Trump negotiated peace between India and Pakistan  a claim New Delhi has consistently rejected

The United States newly released National Security Strategy on Friday falsely claimed that President Donald Trump negotiated peace between India and Pakistan  a claim New Delhi has consistently rejected.

According to ANI news agency report, the 33-page document, signed by Trump, repeats the long-standing assertion that the US president brokered peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, despite Indias clear position that no third-party mediation is acceptable in its bilateral matters with Pakistan.

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Trump has made similar claims on multiple occasions, even though India has publicly denied any such involvement.

The document describes Trump as a President of Peace, crediting him with resolving or easing tensions in eight global conflicts, including what it calls a peace deal between India and Pakistan, added the report.

The document further claims Trump helped pull the two countries back from the brink of nuclear conflict by mediating a May 10 ceasefire agreement  another assertion India has not acknowledged.

He negotiated peace between Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the DRC and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and ended the war in Gaza with all living hostages returned to their families, ANI quoted the report as saying.

The document highlights Indias role in Indo-Pacific security and references the Quad, signaling a departure from previous US isolationist policies.

It highlights strengthening commercial ties with India to bolster New Delhis engagement in regional security alongside Australia, Japan, and the United States.

We must continue to improve commercial (and other) relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with Australia, Japan, and the United States (the Quad). Moreover, we will also work to align the actions of our allies and partners with our joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nation, the report read.

The approach outlined in the report emphasises managed cooperation, strategic alignment, and long-term US investment to advance growth and security, with key areas of focus including AI, quantum computing, and autonomous systems.

The United States must at the same time invest in research to preserve and advance our advantage in cutting-edge military and dual-use technology, with emphasis on the domains where US advantages are strongest. These include undersea, space, and nuclear, as well as others that will decide the future of military power, such as AI, quantum computing, and autonomous systems, plus the energy necessary to fuel these domains, the report added.

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It also stresses the need to align allies actions with shared interests, invest in technology research to maintain US advantages, and work closely with European and Asian partners, including India, to strengthen collective positions.

America should similarly enlist our European and Asian allies and partners, including India, to cement and improve our joint positions in the Western Hemisphere and, with regard to critical minerals, in Africa. We should form coalitions that use our comparative advantages in finance and technology to build export markets with cooperating countries, the report read.

Americas economic partners should no longer expect to earn income from the United States through overcapacity and structural imbalances but instead pursue growth through managed cooperation tied to strategic alignment and by receiving long-term US investment, it added.

With inputs from agencies
After reviewing footage of the 2 September double-strike incident and receiving a closed-door briefing from Adm. Frank Bradley, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers voiced their support

US Navy Admiral Frank "Mitch" Bradley, incoming commander, US Special Operations Command, delivers remarks during the USSOCOM Change of Command Ceremony in Tampa, Florida, US, October 3, 2025.File Image/Reuters via USSOCOM

US Navy Admiral Frank Bradley has testified that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not give an order to kill them all by conducting a second strike on the alleged Venezuelan drug boat to ensure the survivors were dead.

After reviewing footage of the 2 September double-strike incident and receiving a closed-door briefing from Adm. Frank Bradley, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers voiced their support.

The briefings, first to members of the House of Representatives and later to the Senate, came amid ongoing questions about the legality of using military force against suspected drug-smuggling vessels.

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The White House has consistently pinned the blame on Bradley for conducting the follow-up strike on the drug vessel, although backing the admirals right call. The Trump administration has been facing heat from US lawmakers over the use of military force.

Most troubling thing ever

Democratic Congressman Jim Himes, a ranking member in the US House Intelligence Committee, said that while he respects Bradley, the admiral should have the respect of all of us.

But what I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service. Yes, they were carrying drugs. They were not in the position to continue their mission in any way, Himes said.

After the briefing, Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, issued a joint statement with Himes urging that the video be made public.

The briefing left us with more questions than answers, and Congress must continue to investigate this matter and conduct oversight, they said.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Adm Bradley and Hegseth did exactly what we would expect them to do.

I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs bound to the United States back over so they could stay in the fight, Cotton said.

What has Hegseth said?

Responding to a question by a journalist during a Cabinet meeting earlier this week, Hegseth said that while he saw the first strike live, the second attack occurred in his absence as he had quickly moved on to another meeting.

I did not personally see survivors. That thing was on fire and it exploded you cant see anything. This is called the fog of war, the secretary said.

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As the Trump administration pins the episode on Bradley, Hegseth said that he learned about the admirals correct decision of striking the boat for a second time, a couple of hours later."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently called upon India to invest and co-develop projects in the resource-rich but sparsely populated Far East region. Beyond investment and trade, experts say, the unspoken reason is that the Chinese influence and influx of Chinese nationals in the region have made Russia insecure.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin awards India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle the First-Called at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on July 9, 2024. (Photo: Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Act Far East policy in 2019 to co-develop projects in Russias Far East region. However, progress has been slow due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the RussiaUkraine war.

Lately, India and Russia have held discussions on several projects in the Far East under the co-production model, Firstpost has learnt.

With Russian President Vladimir Putins visit, Indias Act Far East policy is expected to gather pace. If ongoing talks succeed, work on projects under discussion could begin soon. These projects span sectors such as minerals, agriculture, and food processing.

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Russias Far East boasts some of the worlds largest reserves of natural resources, ranging from fossil fuels like oil and gas to metals such as gold, nickel, copper, tin, and zinc, as well as precious stones like diamonds, and rare earths like neodymium, dysprosium, yttrium, lanthanum, and cerium.

To casual observers, it might appear that India is eager to tap into the Far Easts vast resources. In reality, it is Putin who has been equally keen to attract Indian investments and workers to the region. Beyond economic benefits, Indian presence in Russias Far East would serve core strategic objectives of both countries and address one of Putins main sources of strategic insecurity.

Russias Far East: Population crisis and Chinas shadow

The Far East comprises 40 per cent of Russias territory but has fewer than 7 million people. For comparison, the region is twice as large as India but its population is smaller than that of Pune or Ahmedabad. Since the 1990s, the population has declined by up to 20 per cent  the sharpest fall among ethnic Russians. Surveys indicate that up to a third of remaining ethnic Russians also wish to leave.

As the region lacks workers for its export-oriented industries and everyday tasks, Chinese and Korean nationals have flooded in.

As Russia owes the sustenance of its sanction-hit economy to China and relies on Chinese supplies for the war in Ukraine, President Putin cannot refuse entry to Chinese workers or companies setting up operations in the region, but he is acutely aware of the risks posed by Chinas growing presence and economic influence, people familiar with the matter told Firstpost.

Currently, as much as 90 per cent of all foreign investment in the Far East comes from China and about 5 per cent of the regions population is Chinese.

Given the acute need for workers and investment, as well as the reliance on China and even North Korea, President Putin has had to tolerate even the illegal influx of Chinese and North Korean workers, but he has been working with India to balance their influence in the region, a person familiar with the matter said.

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Russias insecurities extend beyond demographics. China, despite its alliance with Russia, has never concealed its territorial ambitions. In fact, as recently as 2023, China published maps depicting Russian territory as its own.

A second person aware of the matter said Russia fears a silent takeover of the Far East by China given its large footprint and historical claims on vast swathes of the territory.

To address both economic needs and the Chinese challenge, President Putin wants Indian workers and companies to establish factories and townships in the Far East under the co-production model, the person said.

As Firstpost previously reported, the co-production model envisions joint manufacturing of export-oriented goods, fresh investments, technology transfer, joint research and development, and revenue generation for both countries. In the Far East, this would mean Indian investments Modi has already announced a $1 billion line of credit funding projects that employ Indian workers in the region.

India and Russia have discussed as many as 18 projects under this model in the Far East, Firstpost has learnt.

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Russia needs India to tackle China

China is the lifeline of Russias war machine and its sanction-hit economy. However, Putin is also concerned about over-reliance on China, especially in the Far East region.

Russia has imported around 90 per cent of high-priority goods and nearly all critical machinery from China, according to research by Amit Kumar of the Takshashila Institution.

Moreover, China accounts for nearly a third of Russias imports and exports, in addition to being its largest oil buyer.

Kumar warned that Russias dependence on China has shrunk its space for strategic autonomy  particularly in relation to India.

Indias inability to rival Chinas economic appeal for Russia threatens cooperation between the Kremlin and New Delhi, Kumar cautioned.

As the power asymmetry between China and Russia rapidly expands, the room for Russias strategic autonomy vis-a-vis India shrinks at an equally rapid pace. Hence, the question is no longer about Russias willingness, but its capability to resist Chinas pressure, Kumar noted in his report.

Such concerns have been discussed internally within the Russian government.

In a memo written in late 2023 or early 2024, Russias internal security service, the FSB, warned that China was an enemy whose academics were laying the groundwork to stake claims on Russian territory and whose intelligence agents were conducting espionage in the Far East under the guise of mining firms and university research centres, according to The New York Times.

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As Chinas relationship with India remains fundamentally tense due to its rejection of Indian sovereignty, territorial claims, occupation of Indian territory, and periodic incursions, India and Russia share a common interest in checking Chinese influence in the Far East.

If Indian investments succeed and Indian townships begin mineral extraction or food processing operations in the region, the co-production model could significantly bolster Russias strategic autonomy and strengthen IndiaRussia ties to counter Chinas influence in Asia and globally, a source aware of government thinking told Firstpost.

The source added that while China and Russia share an interest in confronting the United States, Chinas tendency to never relinquish territorial claims, even on allies, and its refusal to treat any country as an equal means Russia cannot fully trust China.
Witkoff and Kushner will meet Ukraines chief negotiator Rustem Umerov and chief of the general staff Andriy Hnatov to advance the peace talks after Moscow indicated that they will not budge on territories in the process of ending the war

US President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and US special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow today, as Trump presses for an end to the fighting in Ukraine. File image/Reuters

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the duo that has been leading negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, will meet Kyiv officials in Miami on Thursday to debrief them about their recent largely unfruitful talks with President Vladimir Putin.

Witkoff and Kushner will meet Ukraines chief negotiator Rustem Umerov and chief of the general staff Andriy Hnatov to advance the peace talks after Moscow indicated that they will not budge on territories in the process of ending the war.

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A senior Ukrainian official highlighted that Thursdays meeting will be a debrief by the Americans and not a negotiation session", adding that deal talks will commence once the delegation goes back to Ukraine.

No compromise

Putin met Witkoff and Kushner for nearly five hours earlier this week, in what have been described as constructive discussions on the US peace plan. The Kremlin, however, said that no compromise was reached on territory, a key sticking point in the plan.

Putins aide, Yuri Ushakov, said that while the talks between Witkoff and Putin were useful, there is a lot of work ahead. Speaking to Russian media shortly after the meeting ended, the Russian foreign policy adviser said there is still no compromise version of a plan for Ukraine. He noted that some US proposals are acceptable to Russia, while others are not.

Putin met the officials for nearly five hours, according to a report by the New York Times. However, the meeting failed to yield any substantial results on the peace deal brokered by the US.

The negotiators went over the substance of the US peace proposals but did not discuss the wording of any provisions, reach concrete compromises, or agree to a new Putin-Trump summit, Ushakov said.

The discussion was very useful, constructive and very substantive and lasted for not five minutes but five hours," he said.

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The official further said that Putin had gone over the US proposals that the Kremlin had received in four documents ahead of the meeting.

On occupied Ukrainian territories, so far we havent found a compromise, but some American solutions can be discussed. Some proposed formulations do not fit us, and work will continue, Ushakov added.
motorola introduced the edge 70 in PANTONE Lily Pad, PANTONE Gadget Grey and PANTONE Bronze Green colours last month. Today, it has introduced the smartphones in new Pantone Color of the Year 2026, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer.

This release marks a continuation of the companys multi-year partnership with Pantone and introduces a new collaboration with Swarovski.

Design Philosophy: Cloud Dancer and Swarovski

The design of the new edge 70 is centered around the concept of balance and simplicity in an increasingly digital world. Motorola has selected PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, an airy white hue, to characterize the device. According to the brand, this color choice is intended to represent clarity and softness over spectacle, offering a visual counterpoint to the hyper-productivity often associated with modern technology.

Elevating the aesthetic further, Motorola has integrated crystals from Swarovski into the phones design. These crystals are embedded within the device, contrasting with a quilted, leather-inspired back panel. The company states that this combination of materials is designed to merge craftsmanship with technology, creating a device that serves as an object of clarity.

While the focus of this special edition is largely aesthetic, the device retains the core performance features of the standard motorola edge 70 and a slim and portable profile.

This special edition edge 70 joins The Brilliant Collection, a series of devices launched by Motorola earlier this year in partnership with Swarovski. This collection focuses on premium materials and craftsmanship, targeting the luxury segment of the consumer electronics market.

By combining the trend forecasting of Pantone with the jewelry craftsmanship of Swarovski, Motorola aims to position the edge 70 not just as a communication tool, but as a lifestyle accessory designed to integrate seamlessly into the rhythm of modern life.

Availability

The motorola edge 70 Cloud Dancer Pantone Color of the Year 2026 featuring crystals by Swarovski will be available in select markets worldwide. We can expect this edition to launch in India since the India site shows it, which should also get the standard edition of the phone this December.
Samsung is working on adding full native Qi2 wireless charging support to the Galaxy S26 series, according to a report from WinFuture. The upgrade follows the limited Qi2 Ready implementation on recent flagships and is expected to launch alongside Samsungs own first-party Qi2 wireless charger.

25W Magnetic Wireless Charger and device compatibility

Samsung devices currently charge at up to 15W through Qi2, but the Galaxy S26 series could raise this limit. The upcoming Magnetic Wireless Charger (model EP-P2900) is rated for 25W and features a magnetic structure to attach to compatible devices during charging.

Retail information lists it in dark gray and compatible with Galaxy S, Galaxy Z, and Galaxy Buds. The charger is expected to be round, unlike Samsungs previous square EP-P2400, as the Qi2 2.2 specification requires magnetic alignment rings for full 25W speeds.

Charging speeds and tiering

It is unclear if all Galaxy S26 models will support the full 25W Qi2 output, as this may be exclusive to the S26 Ultra, while the Galaxy S26 and S26+ could be limited to 20W. Wired charging is expected to follow a similar tiering:

Galaxy S26 Ultra  up to 60W

Galaxy S26+  up to 45W

Galaxy S26  up to 25W

Samsung is reportedly also developing Super Fast Charging 3.0 for future use.

Built-in Qi2 magnets and standard upgrade

Reports suggest the Galaxy S26 lineup will finally feature built-in Qi2 magnets, replacing the partial Qi2 Ready support in earlier models. Existing Samsung Qi2 chargers are capped at 15W, while the Qi 2.2 specification allows 25W speeds only with magnetic alignment, reinforcing expectations that the upcoming devices will adopt internal magnets for proper alignment and faster charging.

Outlook

Samsung recently confirmed the Exynos 2600, which is expected to power the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+, slated for launch at Galaxy Unpacked in San Francisco on February 25, 2026. With the event approaching, additional updates on wireless and wired charging may emerge, though nothing is official until Samsung confirms it.

Source
Prosecutors seek 12-year term for sergeant indicted for sharing military photos

ROC Central News Agency

12/04/2025 08:32 PM

Taipei, Dec. 4 (CNA) Prosecutors on Thursday indicted an army sergeant for sharing photos of national security-related objects with multiple individuals, and said they will seek a 12-year prison sentence, according to a Taiwan High Prosecutors Office press release.

The sergeant, surnamed Sun (), was charged after investigators concluded he had taken and distributed the photos in November and December 2022 while serving as a transportation sergeant.

Prosecutors said he shared the images with three people -- identified only by their nicknames -- in exchange for cash and cryptocurrency worth tens of thousands of NT dollars.

They also asked the court to extend Sun's detention, a request later approved. Prosecutors did not disclose what the photos showed, and it remains unclear how long Sun has been held.

The investigation was carried out with assistance from the Ministry of National Defense's intelligence unit and military police stationed in Matsu, the office said.

(By Liu Shih-yi and Shih Hsiu-chuan)

Enditem/kb

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PM Netanyahu Decides to Appoint his Military Secretary Roman Gofman as the Next Director of the Mossad

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Events and Speeches

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 04.12.2025

After interviewing various candidates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to appoint his Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, to the position of Director of the Mossad of the State of Israel.

Maj.-Gen. Gofman will replace the current Head of the Mossad, David Barnea, who will conclude his five-year tenure in June 2026.

The Prime Minister's request regarding the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Gofman is being brought today before the Advisory Committee for the Appointment of Senior Officials.

Maj.-Gen. Gofman has served in numerous operational and command roles in the IDF, including: a soldier and commander in the Armored Corps, Battalion Commander of Battalion 75 in the 7th Brigade, Operations Officer of the Ga'ash Formation (36th Division), Commander of the Etzion Brigade, Commander of the 7th Brigade, Commander of the HaBashan Division (210), Commander of the National Land Training Center, Head of the Staff for Government Operations in the Territories, and his current role - Military Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman is an officer of great merit. His appointment as the Military Secretary to the Prime Minister in the midst of the War of Redemption proved his exceptional professional capabilities, from his rapid entry into the role to his immediate and significant involvement in the seven theaters of the war. Maj.-Gen. Gofman has been in continuous contact with all intelligence and security services, especially with the Mossad.

Maj.-Gen. Gofman has demonstrated creativity, initiative, stratagem, deep recognition of the enemy, absolute discretion, and the safeguarding of secrets. These qualities, as well as his leadership and courage, were evident at the outbreak of the War of Redemption, when he rushed from his home and fought in person against Hamas terrorists in the Western Negev, where he was severely wounded.

The Prime Minister believes that Maj.-Gen. Gofman is the worthiest and most suitable candidate for the position of Director of the Mossad and wishes him great success in this important role.

His success is our success.

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UK cracks down on Russian intelligence agency authorised by Putin to target Skripals

Press release

UK announces sanctions against the GRU as Dawn Sturgess Inquiry report finds Putin personally ordered their activity in Salisbury in 2018.

From: Home Office, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, The Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP, The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 4 December 2025

sweeping measures announced today include sanctions on the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) in its entirety, as Dawn Sturgess Inquiry's final report finds Putin personally ordered their activity in Salisbury in 2018

UK sanctions and exposes 11 actors behind Russian state sponsored hostile activity, including those working for the GRU

Russian Ambassador summonsed to the Foreign Office to answer for Russia's ongoing campaign of hostile activity against the UK

Russia's reckless attempts to sow chaos and division are today [Thursday 4 December] exposed as the UK announces new sanctions aimed at dismantling Russia's pernicious spy networks.

The GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency, is now sanctioned in its entirety by the UK. GRU agents carry out Putin's bidding, seeking to destabilise Ukraine and attempting to sow chaos and disorder across Europe. The action comes as the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry publishes its final report into the tragic circumstances surrounding Dawn Sturgess's death in Salisbury in 2018.

Today's sanctions also zero in on 8 cyber military intelligence officers for working for the GRU, the organisation which was responsible for cyber operations targeting Yulia Skripal with X-agent malware and, 5 years later, the attempted murder of Yulia and her father on UK soil.

The report concludes that the GRU is responsible for the death of a British national on UK soil after President Putin himself authorised the operation to poison the Skripal's with deadly nerve agent Novichok. This Novichok was developed and held by Russia in contravention of the Chemical Weapons Convention. This subsequently resulted in the tragic death of Ms Sturgess.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The Salisbury poisonings shocked the nation and today's findings are a grave reminder of the Kremlin's disregard for innocent lives. Dawn's needless death was a tragedy and will forever be a reminder of Russia's reckless aggression. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones. The UK will always stand up to Putin's brutal regime and call out his murderous machine for what it is. Today's sanctions are the latest step in our unwavering defence of European security, as we continue to squeeze Russia's finances and strengthen Ukraine's position at the negotiating table.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

The life of a British citizen was lost, and others were put dangerously at risk on British soil as a direct result of deliberate heinous decisions by President Putin and the GRU. As this report is published my thoughts are with the family of Dawn Sturgess, Charlie Rowley, the Skripals, and all those affected by this vile act. Putin and his GRU agents are an active threat to Britain's citizens, our security and our prosperity. We will not tolerate this brazen and despicable aggression on British soil. That is why we are exposing and sanctioning those carrying out malign acts for Moscow and ramping up efforts to crush hostile Russian hybrid activity.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:

Dawn Sturgess was an innocent victim of a reckless and callous act. My thoughts remain with her family and loved ones, and I hope the Inquiry's findings provide them with answers they deserve. The use of Novichok in Salisbury was an attack not just on individuals, but on our country and our values. It demonstrated the complete disregard the Russian state has for human life and international law. I am immensely grateful to all those who contributed their expertise, knowledge and experiences to the Inquiry, and to Lord Hughes and his team for their thorough and meticulous work throughout.

Sanctions will also hit a further 3 officers in the GRU responsible for orchestrating hostile activity in Ukraine and across Europe including plotting a terror attack on Ukrainian supermarkets targeting innocent civilians.

The GRU regularly attempts to conduct hybrid operations, including using cyber-attacks and spreading disinformation with intent to cause devastating real-world consequences, as well as recruiting criminal proxies to do their dirty work

One day after the Foreign Secretary's meeting with NATO Allies to discuss Russia and Ukraine, today's announcement is another example of the UK leading action to tackle the long-term Russian threat. The UK will continue to work closely with our Allies to counter Russia's attempts to destabilise our societies.

The Foreign Secretary has also called for the Russian Ambassador to be summonsed to the Foreign Office today to demand a response to the Sturgess Inquiry's findings. The report confirms what the UK government has long assessed - Russia's reckless use of a military grade nerve agent on UK soil led to the death of a British citizen. The FCDO further demanded an end to Russia's ongoing campaign of hostile activity against the UK and NATO.

The UK government will continue to actively contest hybrid operations targeting our security and prosperity, working in collaboration with NATO Allies and partners across the world to combat Russia's malign influence and boost our collective security.

Background

Today's announcement builds on UK measures delivered earlier this year (18 July 2025).

Read further details on the GRU's cyber operations against the UK and allies.

'Hybrid threats' refers to overt or covert actions by foreign governments which fall short of direct armed conflict with the UK but cause harm or threaten the safety or interests of the UK or our allies. Examples of this include:

cyber attacks (for example, hacking government systems or stealing trade secrets)

disinformation (for example, spreading false or misleading information online)

sabotage (for example, damaging infrastructure or supply chains)

political interference (for example, influencing elections or public opinion)

The full list of designations announced today:

the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (the GRU)

Denis Aleksandrovich SMOLYANINOV

Vladimir LIPCHENKO

Yuriy Alekseyevich SIZOV

Boris Alekseyevich ANTONOV

Anatoliy Vladimirovich ISTOMIN

Igor Andreyevich BOCHKA

Aleksey Andreyevich UMETS

Denis Igorevich DENISENKO

Dmitriy Yuryevich GOLOSHUBOV

Pavel Vyacheslavovich YERSHOV

Nikolai Yuryevich KOZACHEK

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Brian J. Cole

Brian J. Cole, Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, was arrested December 4, 2025 and charged for transporting and planting two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on January 5, 2021, at the headquarters of both the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee in Washington DC, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Most major coverage was careful to call this the Jan. 6 pipe bomb case but places the alleged planting on January 5, 2021 (and the devices were found on January 6). Calling them January 6 pipe bombings can mislead, because they did not detonate and are typically described as pipe bombs discovered and then safely dealt with.

The suspect, Brian Cole Jr., allegedly said he planted the bombs at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee in a four-hour interview as part of a multi-agency probe led by the FBI. Georgia GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk confirmed this to Just The News on 05 December 2025. Loudermilk was leading the House Judiciary Committee's Select Subcommittee on the January 6th Investigation, Loudermilk stated. "The video shows him being on the phone with people. Who is he communicating with? Did he have co-conspirators? This is something now that the FBI, you know, they know who it is and they'll be able to track down who he's talking to and then start talking to other people."

The Associated Press reported that, according to sources familiar with the investigation, Cole expressed beliefs that the 2020 election was stolen and voiced support for Donald Trump. That points to a pro-Trump / Stop the Steal grievance worldview, which was more specific than extremist and doesnt require guessing what umbrella label the source intended. Investigators said that Brian Cole told the FBI he believed the 2020 presidential election was stolen or rigged, and that this belief was central to his thinking when he allegedly planted the pipe bombs. Reports also indicate that he expressed frustration and disillusionment with both sides of the system, suggesting anger at the political establishment as a whole rather than only one party.?

TIME reports that two people familiar with the matter described his political beliefs as extremist (attributed via The Washington Post in TIMEs write-up). In the public accounts, extremist was not spelled out (violent vs nonviolent, anti-government vs other, etc.), so its more of a descriptor than a specific ideological orientation. TIME also reports that another outlet (MS Now), citing two people briefed on the matter, said he was tied to statements supporting anarchist ideology. Whats missing publicly: the content of those statements, when/where they were made, and whether anarchist was being used in a precise political-theory sense or as a looser anti-authority shorthand.

Reports indicated that sources familiar with the investigation described Coles political beliefs as "extremist" and linked him to statements supporting "anarchist" ideology, though the public record had not detailed the underlying material. While a full manifesto has not been released to the public, the description of Coles ideology comes from federal law enforcement officials speaking to major news outlets on the condition of anonymity. MS NOW (citing "two people briefed on the matter") and The Washington Post (citing "sources familiar with the investigation") reported 04 December 2025.

Investigators had not identified a singular, specific motive (such as stopping the certification of the election specifically for Donald Trump). Instead, sources state Cole has been "tied to statements supporting anarchist ideology." Other sources described his political leanings more broadly as "extremist"  a term often used by the DOJ to describe anti-government or anti-authority violent extremism (illegally motivated violence, regardless of left/right alignment).

This distinction was critical because it challenged the prevailing public theory that the pipe bomber was necessarily a hardcore partisan loyalist. Anarchist ideology in this context typically implies a desire to disrupt both political systems, which aligns with his choice of targets: both the RNC (Republican) and DNC (Democratic) headquarters were targeted simultaneously.

Here was a real communications problem: anarchist was a political term with actual meaning, but in mass discourse it often gets used as a vibes-based synonym for violent chaos, and then it gets welded (often unfairly) to whatever cultural villain word was trending (e.g., antifa, trans ___). At its core, anarchism was a cluster of political philosophies skeptical of coercive hierarchy (especially the state) and interested in voluntary association, mutual aid, worker control, etc. There are Nonviolent / organizing traditions (labor, mutual aid, anti-authoritarian community organizing), and Insurrectionary / militant currents (some of which advocate sabotage or violence). So anarchist by itself does not equal violent, and it definitely doesnt equal terrorist.

Antifa was not one ideology; its a loose label for anti-fascist activity, ranging from peaceful counter-protests to street confrontations. Participants can be liberals, socialists, anarchists, etc. A visible subset of activists in protests have been black bloc, an anonymity tactic historically associated with some anarchist milieusso the public collapses black clothing at protests ? antifa ? anarchist ? violent. That chain was mostly inference, not precision. Transtifa was essentially a meme/pejorative, not a real organization. It functions rhetorically to fuse two stigmas: Antifa as public enemy; transgender identity as other and turn them into a single bogeyman. Its an example of how identity rumors get attached to political rumors to make them stick.

In breaking-news cases, platforms often generate low-evidence identity rumors (including theyre trans) because its rage-bait and spreads fast, such people are saying accounts monetize outrage. The reliable signal is: does any reputable outlet attribute it to named sources, court records, or the person themselves? There was no credible reporting that anyone has suggested he was transgender. A recent profile-style piece (Fox News) describes him as a 30-year-old man and focused on arrest/case details, with no mention of transgender identity or anything similar. Even more sensational/tabloid coverage circulating right now (NY Post) was packed with angles and controversy, but the coveaged didt raise transgender as a claim about him.

Cole, age 30 years at the time of the arrest, raduated from Hylton High School in 2013. He lived with his parents in a suburban cul-de-sac in Woodbridge, Virginia (approx. 25 miles south of Washington, DC). He was described by neighbors as "quiet," "antisocial," and "reserved" - and had no prior criminal record, only minor traffic violations. Cole worked in his fathers business - a bail bondsman's office in Northern Virginia. Brian Cole Sr. owns and runs the company Brian Cole Bail Bonds, which was raided by the FBI this week amid his sons arrest.

Relatives, neighbors and sources familiar with the investigation into Brian Cole Jr. who spoke with The New York Post painted a picture of a naive young man  likely on the autism spectrum  who wouldnt have raised red flags while trotting out a pet chihuahua for walks near his familys home in Woodbridge, VA. Hes almost autistic-like because he doesnt understand a lot of stuff, Coles grandmother Loretta said when reached by phone for comment. Hes not a terrorist. Hes very naive. He would not hurt a fly. Hes just not that kind of person.

This case languished. It sat there for four years, collecting dust. No one did anything to solve this, declared Attorney General Pam Bondi on Fox and Friends Friday morning. Old evidence, new people, great police work, thats all it is. Good old-fashioned police work. All we can go off at this point is what the FBI has said and that is they put a fresh set of eyes on evidence the FBI has had for almost five years, added a House Republican aide involved in an investigation into the pipe bomb. Its either incompetence or gross negligence.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky) has publicly rejected the FBIs conclusion that Brian Cole Jr. was the sole perpetrator of the January 6 pipe bombings. Despite the arrest occurring under the current administration, Massie maintains that the official narrative does not align with his long-standing suspicions of federal involvement or a "false flag" operation. According to his statements, Massie refuses to accept three specific pillars of the official account regarding Brian Cole Jr.:

The "Lone Wolf" Theory: He doubts that a single individual acted alone without broader coordination or assistance. The "Incompetence" Explanation: He rejects the idea that the FBI simply failed to find Cole for four years due to incompetence, implying instead that the delay was intentional (malice or cover-up). The "Pro-Trump" Motive: He does not believe the perpetrator was a Trump supporter, countering the official profile of Cole as an election-denier.

Massies reaction highlights a fracture in the post-J6 "Deep State" Narrative on the right. Before Coles arrest, Massie and various commentators (including outlets like The Blaze) amplified theories that the bomber was an agent provocateur, a member of Antifa, or even a misidentified Capitol Police officer. Conservative outlets and figures previously argued alternative theories (including law-enforcement involvement); at least one prominent Blaze report in that vein was later retracted after the arrest.

The Blaze published a report 08 November 2025 naming a female former Capitol Police officer as a forensic match for the person who placed pipe bombs, fanning persistent speculation on the right that the government was implicated in both the pipe bombs and the attack on the Capitol. This might just be the biggest scandal and conspiracy in American history, one of the Blaze reporters, Steve Baker, wrote. The Blaze deleted its blockbuster story, adding an editors note that said, we consider the values of fairness and accuracy to require retraction of this article.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, overseen by Tulsi Gabbard, circulated a memo identifying the former officer and describing allegations that she planted the pipe bombs, according to the CBS News report. The office has said it followed protocol in documenting a tip.

In a November 2024 podcast appearance, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino suggested the pipe bombs were placed as part of a secret government operation to distract from the events of Jan. 6. They know who planted those bombs. And Im telling you, it is the biggest scandal in modern American history, he said. Fox News host Sean Hannity confronted Bongino with that quote on 04 December 2025 after the FBIs arrest. Listen, I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions. Thats clear, Bongino responded. And one day, I will be back in that space, but thats not what Im paid for now. Im paid to be your deputy director, and we base investigations on facts.

Massies continued skepticism  blaming "deep state" actors  was notable because the arrest of Cole was announced by the current Department of Justice (under Attorney General Pam Bondi), which has positioned itself as correcting the errors of the previous administration. Massie was effectively questioning the findings of his own party's DOJ.

Good-faith criticisms of the Cole investigation mostly cluster around time-to-solve, transparency, and evidentiary clarity. The case was publicly unsolved for almost five years, and the governments own framing invites the why now? question: Reuters reports Attorney General Pam Bondi said no new evidence prompted the arrest, instead crediting a re-evaluation of existing materials.

That naturally fuels concerns about resourcing, prioritization, analytic rigor, and whether earlier investigative triage missed patterns that were sitting in plain sight. Relatedly, even with an arrest, theres still a public-information gap: Reuters and AP both note authorities have not publicly laid out a motive or a confirmed operational link between Cole and the January 6 riot (despite the bombs obvious diversionary impact), leaving the public to fill the vacuum with speculation.

On the civil-liberties side, the affidavit-level description of how he was identifiedAP says it involved credit card records, cellphone data, and license plate readerscan trigger legitimate debate about the scope and safeguards around location tracking and mass-surveillance-adjacent tools, even if used lawfully in this case.

Finally, APs report that Cole confessed to planting the bombs was powerful but also predictably contested in high-profile cases: good-faith critics will want to see the conditions, recordings, counsel access, and corroboration before they treat confession as the whole story rather than one component of proof.

AThe partisan controversies are louder, more narrative-driven, and often less tethered to primary documentationbut they matter because they shape public trust. One big thread was slow-walk vs. breakthrough blame assignment: Reuters notes the case became a focus of conspiracy theories, and partisan commentators have used the timing of the arrest to argue their preferred culprit institution or administration either bungled or suppressed the investigation.

That dynamic has been amplified by on-the-record political media figures: the New York Post quotes FBI Director Kash Patel accusing prior leadership of sheer incompetence or complete intentional negligence, which was a very partisan-coded framing and instantly turns an investigative timeline into an administration-versus-administration fight.

A second partisan track was media-framing grievance, where an error becomes evidence of systemic bias: the New York Post reports CNNs Jake Tapper was criticized after he mistakenly referred to Cole as a white man during a segment.

Even though thats a broadcast mistake rather than evidence about the bombs, it becomes rhetorical ammunitioneither to claim mainstream outlets are reckless and agenda-driven, or (from the other side) to claim partisan outlets are exploiting a slip to distract from substance.

A third thread was the broader culture-war habit of stapling simplistic labels (anarchist, extremist, antifa, etc.) onto the suspect without showing underlying speech/actssomething that thrives especially when officials havent publicly provided a motive narrative. In that environment, the partisan incentive was to foreground whichever label best fits a preexisting storyline, while downplaying the details that complicate it (like APs reporting that Cole expressed stolen election beliefs and support for Trump).

This arrest closed a major gap in the investigation of the events surrounding January 6, 2021. For nearly five years, the identity of the "pipe bomber" was one of the most prominent unsolved mysteries of that day. Justice Department officials stated that the case was solved by applying new analytical resources to evidence that had been in the FBI's possession for years.

Cole was charged in a complaint with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce with the intent to kill, injure, or intimidate any individual or unlawfully to damage or destroy any building, vehicle, or other real or personal property. He was also charged with attempted malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials. According to the complaint, during 2019 and 2020, Cole purchased multiple components consistent with those used to manufacture the two IEDs at several retailers in northern Virginia.

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on January 6, 2021, multiple law enforcement agencies received reports of a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) in the vicinity of the headquarters of the Republican National Committee (RNC) in Washington, D.C. At approximately 1:15 p.m. on the same day, a second suspected IED was reported just a few blocks away in the vicinity of the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. The RNC respective political parties, including the solicitation of donations from individuals outside of Washington, D.C. The headquarters of each organization was used in interstate commerce and in activity affecting interested commerce.

The Hazardous Devices Section of the United States Capitol Police (USCP) responded and performed a render safe procedure on both devices. Subsequently, the FBI assessed that the two devices were both IEDs which contained a main explosive charge, a fuzing system, and a container. The FBI also assessed that the IEDs used a hard metal container (metal pipe nipples and end caps), which showed that weapon characteristics were present. The FBI recovered the components of the disrupted devices. These components were processed as evidence and submitted to the FBI Laboratory for analysis. The FBI Laboratory issued a report regarding the two devices, opining that the submitted items consisted of two disrupted destructive devices and that the use of a hard metal container showed that weapon characteristics were present.

The IEDs were both of a kind more commonly known as pipe bombs. Both IEDs were manufactured using a collection of component parts and a main explosive charge. The component parts included a 1-inch by 8-inch pipe, end caps affixed to the pipe, 14-gauge electrical wire in red and black, alligator clips to connect the wires, a nine-volt (9v) battery, a nine-volt (9v) battery connector, a white kitchen timer, paper clips, steel wool, and homemade black powder.

Review of video surveillance footage from the evening of January 5, 2021, shows that the pipe bombs at the RNC and DNC were placed by the same individual. The individual was observed on video surveillance footage at various locations in the surrounding neighborhood between approximately 7:34 p.m. and 8:18 p.m. In video surveillance, the individual was wearing dark pants, a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark gloves, Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes, and a facemask that obscured the persons face. The video surveillance footage shows the individual adjusting eyeglasses at times. The video surveillance footage shows the individual carrying a backpack.

Video footage shows the individual traveling on foot though the surrounding neighborhood of the RNC and DNC, including portions of the route of travel between the two locations. Through video surveillance, the FBI recreated the individuals path of travel, including timestamps associated with the individuals location along the route. The individual placed the pipe bomb at the DNC at approximately 7:54 p.m. and at the RNC at approximately 8:16 p.m. on January 5. In January 2021, the FBI conducted a reverse projection photogrammetry examination (i.e., a height analysis) of the individual depicted in the video surveillance footage. The height analysis showed that the approximate distance from the ground to the top of the individuals head, including headwear, was 5 feet 7 inches with an error rate of +/- 1.1 inches.

Both pipe bombs were manufactured using a 1 x 8 galvanized pipe with markings consistent with a particular manufacturers (the Pipe Manufacturer) product labeling. COLE purchased a total of six galvanized pipes of this size and shape on or about June 1, June 8, and November 16, 2020. The purchases were made at two different Home Depot location in northern Virginia. According to the Pipe Manufacturer, approximately 26,000 of these items from Pipe Manufacturer were sold in 2020, and over 22,000 of these items were sold to Home Depot.

Both pipe bombs were manufactured using end caps, which were used to close the ends of the eight-inch pipe. The pipe bombs placed outside the RNC and DNC contained a mix of both black and galvanized end caps. The end caps had markings consistent with Pipe Manufacturers product labeling. COLE purchased a total of 12 black end caps and 2 galvanized end caps from four different Home Depots in northern Virginia on or about the following dates: October 22, 2019, and March 10, June 20, July 8, and November 16, 2020. According to the Pipe Manufacturer, approximately 233,000 of the black end caps from Pipe Manufacturer were distributed in 2020, including to Home Depot. In addition, approximately 179,200 galvanized end caps from Pipe Manufacturer were distributed in 2020, including to Home Depot.

Both pipe bombs were manufactured using a nine-volt (9V) battery connector with attached red and black wires. The nine-volt battery connectors used in the pipe bombs had identifying information on the black and red insulated wires that were consistent with those distributed in North America by a known company and its predecessors (the Nine Volt Distributor). COLE purchased five of the Nine Volt Distributors nine-volt battery connectors from Micro Center in northern Virginia on or about November 12 and December 28, 2019, including cash purchases made during the December transaction. Fewer than 8,000 of Nine Volt Distributors nine-volt battery connectors were distributed in the United States between December 2017 and January 5, 2021.

Both pipe bombs were manufactured using a white kitchen-style timer. COLE purchased two white kitchen timers from a Walmart in northern Virginia on or about June 3, 2020. Both pipe bombs used a mix of 14-gauge red and black electrical wire. COLE purchased 14-gauge electrical wire in red and black on or about May 23 and October 22, 2019, and on or about September 27, October 7, and November 24, 2020. COLEs purchases of 14-gauge red and black electrical wire were made from one Home Depot and one Lowes location in northern Virginia. Both pipe bombs were packed with steel wool. COLE purchased steel wool from a Home Depot in northern Virginia on or about December 4, 2020.

On January 5, 2021, about 7:10 p.m., Coles Nissan Sentra was observed driving past a License Plate Reader at the South Capitol Street exit from I-395 South, which was less than one-half mile from the location where the individual who placed the devices was first observed on foot near North Carolina and New Jersey Avenues, Southeast.

Cell phone records further show that Coles cell phone communicated with cell towers in the area of the RNC and DNC on January 5, 2021, between 7:39 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. The FBIs Cellular Analysis and Survey Team determined that the location of Coles cell phone during this period corresponded with the path of the suspect identified by the FBI through analysis of video from that day.

The FBI obtained historical cell site records associated with cell towers located in the immediate vicinity of the RNC and DNC for the relevant time period on January 5, 2021. Historical cell site records associated with cell towers provide location data for cellular telephones at specific points in time when the cell phone engages in a transaction with the cell phone tower. Such transactions can include voice calls, text messages, or other data usage. Transactions involving data usage can include a users active use of a phone, e.g., navigating to a web page, and during a users passive use of a phone, such as when an application on the phone refreshes data in the background.

Joining in the announcement were U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The well-being of our society rests on our ability as law enforcement to safeguard our citizens, said U.S. Attorney Pirro. When bad actors intervene to disrupt and threat that peace  to destroy the very fabric of our country  we must, we do, and we will track them down and hold them to account for their crimes to the full extent of the law. FBI and members of my office worked around the clock to methodically piece together the clues that ultimately identified the defendant.

Todays arrest was the result of good, diligent police work and collaboration on a case that languished for four years under the prior administration, said Attorney General Bondi. The American people are safer thanks to this mornings successful operation.

The investigation into the pipe bombs in Washington, D.C. has been a high priority since Deputy Director Bongino and I assumed our roles nine months ago. Since that time, our FBI teams have gone back over every fact and every data point looking for new leads  and todays arrest is the result of that outstanding work, said FBI Director Patel. Although almost five years have passed, this shows the FBI will never rest in bringing justice to those who endanger American lives and our communities. I would like to thank our Washington Field Office, FBI personnel across the country, and our partners for their hard work and dedication which led to this arrest.

This historic arrest shows this FBI delivers on its promises to protect the American people, said FBI Deputy Director Bongino. The pipe bombs could have caused devastating loss of life and injuries, as well as property damage. I want to thank the FBI employees who worked on this over the years, our law enforcement partners who assisted in the investigation, and the American people for the tips they shared with us.

"Today's actions underscore the long memory and reach of the FBI," said FBIs Cox, the Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office. "The FBI and our partners do not forget. We do not give up. We do not relent. For nearly five years, the investigative team combed through a massive amount of data and leads to identify the suspect arrested today."

This investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia. It was being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia.

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Contracts

Contracts For Dec. 4, 2025

NAVY

MEB General Contractors Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia, is awarded a $442,127,000 firm-fixed-price, award-fee-incentive with economic-price-adjustment contract for modernization of Dry Dock #3 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Work will be performed at Portsmouth, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by January 2031. The maximum dollar value, including unexercised options and potential award fee, is $467,181,292. The contract will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2025 and future fiscal year military construction (Navy) funds. Fiscal 2025 funds in the amount of $42,177,500, will be obligated at time of award. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management website, with three offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-26-C-0001).

Konecranes Nuclear Equipment and Services LLC, New Berlin, Wisconsin, is awarded a $49,673,119 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N62470-20-C-0002). This award brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $293,839,843. The contract modification provides for construction of a 175-ton heavy-lift portal crane to be installed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. Work will be performed in New Berlin, Wisconsin, and is expected to be completed by November 2028. Fiscal 2026 other procurement, (Navy) funds in the amount of $49,673,119 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-20-C-0002).

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a $45,752,236 modification (P00014) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order (N0001923F0041) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001920G0005). This modification exercises an option to provide continued non-recurring engineering, tooling, and labor in support of completing the integrated functional capability four change requests and engineering change proposals into MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System Air Vehicle B5 for the Navy. Work will be performed in Palmdale, California (64%); San Diego, California (34%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (2%), and is expected to be completed June 2029. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $45,752,236 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

ARMY

Allied Metal Tech LLC,* Greenville, Wisconsin, was awarded a $271,857,636 firm-fixed-price contract for the production of bomb dummy unit-50 cast ductile iron with material handling unit (MHU)-122 or MHU-149 pallets in support of the Air Force and potential Foreign Military Sales requirements. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 3, 2030. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W519TC-26-D-0002).

BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P., York, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $91,324,646 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00054) to contract W56HZV-22-C-0053 for an additional 701,862 hours of system technical support and sustainment system technical support for the M88 family of vehicles, including the M88A1 Medium Recovery Vehicle and M88A2 Hercules. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $155,049,172. Work will be performed at Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 27, 2027. Fiscal 2025 procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles, Army funds in the amount of $91,324,646 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

Kokosing Alberici Traylor LLC, Westerville, Ohio, was awarded a $14,268,159.91 fixed-price with economic price adjustment modification (P00023) to contract W911XK-22-C-0006 for an in-scope change to the New Lock Chamber project, constructing a 1,200-foot-long by 110-foot-wide chamber in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in response to a request for equitable adjustment after encountering unsuitable soils that required additional labor and time. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $1,935,590,946.56. Work will be performed in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of July 8, 2029. Fiscal 2010 construction, Corps of Engineers, civil funds in the amount of $14,268,159.91 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Trident Systems Incorporated LLC, Fairfax, Virginia, was awarded a $30,413,577 small business innovative research contract for enhanced regional situational awareness support. This contract provides for maintenance, software development, and technical analysis and refresh of the ERSA system. Work will be performed at Fairfax, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 4, 2030. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2026 operational and maintenance centralized asset management funds in the amount of $2,326,283 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA2204-26-C-B001).

Goodrich, a Raytheon Co., Westford, Massachusetts, was awarded a delivery order with a not-to-exceed amount of $23,403,663 for MQ-9B processing exploitation data (PED) stations. This contract provides for the unclassified procurement of PED Ground Stations, exploitation software, travel, field service representatives, technical manuals, and installation and checkout services. Work will be performed at Malvern, United Kingdom, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2028. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Taiwan. This contract was a sole source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $8,270,363 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wight Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8691-26-F-B011).

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4349976/

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 4 December 2025

Bern, 04.12.2025 -- The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has completed the evaluation for a new service pistol and selected a type. The model SIG Sauer P320 has been selected as the new pistol. The manufacturer has assured that production will be set up in Switzerland. This complies with the Armament Policy Strategy of the Federal Council to retain and set up security-relevant industrial capabilities in Switzerland.

Procurement of a new service pistol as part of the project 9mm Pistol CH A NG (Swiss Armed Forces New Generation) as the successor model to the Pistol 75 aims to equip the Swiss Armed Forces with a modern and reliable weapon system which will be available in the long term.

From the pre-evaluation to the shortlist

Based on military requirements, armasuisse invited several bidders to submit their documents. An expert team of specialists from armasuisse and the Armed Forces then assessed five potential candidates as part of the pre-evaluation process. Pistols from three manufacturers were selected for the subsequent in-depth examination in 2024: Glock G45 Gen 5, Heckler & Koch SFP9 and SIG Sauer P320.

Evaluation of the shortlist

All three weapons were subjected to intensive and comprehensive technical testing, a field trial and the review of logistical aspects. Special attention was paid to the safe handling of the pistols. The tests showed that only the Glock G45 met all the mandatory criteria and was classified as suitable for use by the troops.

However, an overall arms policy and economic assessment revealed substantial advantages of the model SIG Sauer P320 in relevant areas. In addition, the cost-benefit analysis showed that although the evaluated weapon systems are almost equal in terms of overall benefit, they differ considerably with regard to the overall costs.

SIG Sauer P320 as best solution

The economic assessment of all weapon systems clearly showed that the SIG Sauer P320 would generate the lowest overall costs over the planned useful life of 30 years. The life cycle costs identified by the evaluation report demonstrate clear cost leadership compared with the two competing systems.

SIG Sauer has guaranteed that it will relocate essential elements of production to Switzerland and thus develop and consolidate the location Switzerland.

The SIG Sauer P320 is in use in large numbers in domestic and foreign armies, governmental and police authorities and is a tried-and-tested weapon system. As part of technical testing, a ecognizedd and ecognized test protocol was used and the SIG Sauer P320 complied with all security-relevant aspects in the tests.

The potential improvements identified with the SIG Sauer P320, that led to non-compliance with a technical requirement and to non-classification as suitable for use by the troops, were subjected to an in-depth analysis.

This analysis showed that these were requalifiable adjustments attributable to aspects that can be resolved constructively, such as ergonomics and robustness of components.

The technical rectifications lie within realistic parameters and have been bindingly guaranteed by SIG Sauer. As part of the setup of production in Switzerland, the potential improvements identified will be implemented and requalified. With these measures, the P320 is deemed ready for procurement in the Materiel Ordinance.

The compliance with requirements will be checked by means of a further qualification and is a precondition for the procurement contract.

Requirements and procurement

The requirements of the Swiss Armed Forces regarding a new service pistol is for 140,000 weapons. The first lot of 50,000 models is to be requested for procurement with Armed Forces Dispatch 26. A mid-range double-digit million amount is set for the procurement according to the current budget. In addition to the service pistols, further operational material such as additional magazines or holsters as well as training material such as documentation and non-shootable "dummy" pistols is planned.

Procurement is consistent with the Armament Policy Strategy

The Armament Policy Strategy resolved by the Federal Council of 25 June 2025 places strong emphasis on increasing the national security of supply, protecting critical supply chains, maintaining and developing security-relevant industrial capabilities as well as on the technological autonomy of Switzerland. SIG Sauer fulfils these goals to a large extent, as the company plans an almost complete domestic production of the P320, thus enabling a stable, geopolitically independent production and supply line.

SIG P320 to replace Pistol 75

The new SIG Sauer P320 is to replace the previous standard pistol of the Swiss Armed Forces. The SIG P220 (Pistol 75) was introduced around 50 years ago and since then has been used in large numbers.
Opening statement to the Ministerial Council Meeting of the OSCE by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas

European External Action Service (EEAS)

04.12.2025

EEAS Press Team

The European Union extends its gratitude to our Chairperson-in-Office, Minister Valtonen, dear Elina, for hosting the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Meeting in Vienna and for Finnish efforts to lead the organisation in these challenging times.

If we read the founding documents of this organisation, then this organisation was established to keep war away from Europe.

And yet, there is one member of this organisation that is not keeping to this. It is the Russian Federation that is blatantly violating international law, but also The OSCE principles.

We again call on Russia to immediately stop this senseless war of aggression against Ukraine and to withdraw all forces and equipment, completely and unconditionally, from all Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.

The establishment of the OSCE didn't come from nowhere, but from the fact that we all had painful historic experiences.

In the last 100 years, Russia has invaded at least 19 countries, many around this table, and some as many as three or four times.

None of these 19 countries ever invaded or attacked Russia.

So, in any peace agreement, we have to put the focus on how to get concessions from the Russian side, so that they stop aggression and the desire to change borders by force.

The European Union will stay the course as only more pressure on Russia and more support to Ukraine will change the balance and have any hope for peace.

It is essential to reduce Russia's capacity to finance its war machine.

The 19th package of sanctions was adopted and the work on the next package continues.

Of course, we understand it is painful, we all suffer due to this, but we all want this war to end.

And for that we need to join efforts and do this collectively.

Wars end when aggressors run out of money to finance the wars.

Ukraine and Europe stand for peace.

Turning now to other priorities:

We will continue to support Republic of Moldova's reform efforts and its democratic resilience as the country advances on its path towards EU integration.

In Georgia, the EU calls on the authorities to respect human rights and stop the democratic backsliding.

The authorities should release the unjustly detained, investigate all allegations of excessive use of force by law enforcement and hold those responsible to account.

The EU continues to urge the Belarusian authorities to end the ongoing repression, release all political prisoners, and uphold their international human rights obligations.

The European Union calls on Belarus to stop supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

We commend the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for initialling their bilateral peace treaty this August. The European Union will continue to support this process with all the tools at our disposal.

The EU and its Member States remain committed to the EU perspective of the Western Balkans. EU enlargement remains the key tool to promote stability and prosperity in the region. We provide significant support so that the candidates can meet the criteria for EU membership.

We continue to support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina to normalise relations.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, our robust military force EUFOR Althea supports the authorities to maintain a safe and secure environment.

The closer our partners get to accession, the more we see malign actors trying to place obstacles. Together we will counter cyber and hybrid threats, including foreign malign information manipulation and interference.

Central Asia and the EU have upgraded their relationship to a strategic level at the first-ever EU Central Asia Summit.

We cooperate now on a wide range of topics, for example, on climate change, digital and transport connectivity, critical raw materials and security cooperation.

We look forward to working closely with the 2026 Chairperson-in-Office, Switzerland, on these issues.

To ensure the OSCE's effective functioning, the decisions on a new Unified Budget and the Chairperson-in-Office after 2026 are important.

The Cyprus candidacy for the Chairperson-in-Office in 2027 deserves support.

To conclude, I reiterate the EU's firm commitment to the OSCE and its founding values.

Once again, thanks to Minister Valtonen and the Finnish Chairpersonship for their leadership over the last year.

And now I give the floor back to the Danish Presidency.

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Statement held by Minister Eide at the 32nd OSCE ministerial council meeting

Government of Norway

Speech/statement | Date: 04/12/2025

By Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide

As delivered by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide at the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Meeting, Vienna, 4 December

Thank you very much, Elina, and thank you for the wise words also from the parliamentary assembly and from our new Secretary General, my good friend Feridun, which has set us up for a very important conversation. And Beate, thank you for being such a good host.

As I walked in to this room this morning I remembered my first Ministerial meeting, which was the 8th Ministerial meeting, in the year 2000. At that time the foreign minister of Austria was not called Beate, but Benita, and we were in the troika. These were years where the Western Balkans had been very important. We re-admitted what was then called Yugoslavia, which is today known as Serbia and Montenegro, into the organization. We had the Kosovo war behind us, and we were discussing a number of issues which became quite familiar in these ministerials, including Nagorno Karabakh. I will start by saying that after having deplored the non-solved situation on Nagorno Karabakh, the fact that Azerbaijan and Armenia now has shown a will to look forward, find a solution and to implement their agreement, we should all not only commend that, but support them so that one of the issues that has been on this organization's table for so many years is progressing constructively.

So, the world was not easy 25 years ago, even if Hofburg was equally as beautiful as it is today, but right now as Andrii reminded us, it is even more complicated and even worse, because we have a hot war going on, the first large scale interstate war in Europe for 80 years which is still ongoing. So I share my dear friend Andrii's hope that when we meet again ,we can celebrate that the bleeding is over.

But we should not only think about 25 years, what really matters is 50 years ago. I hope that we will try to remember what I will call "the spirit of Helsinki". Because that was not a time, in '75, that we were about to share on a journey towards shared goals, friendship and togetherness. It was actually a time of deep distrust between East and West, and as Feridun said, a time of serious confrontation between great powers and with consequences for everyone in between. But we still understood that we needed to have a conference, as it was called, the CSCE, to deal with the issues that we could not avoid talking about. That we needed to start trying to have a process while we still distrusted each other. I think that when Andrii's call for ending this war of aggression against Ukraine by our participating State Russia, when this is achieved, this organization can actually learn a lot from the spirit of that time. That we had to deal with certain issues that we shared even if it will take a long time to overcome distrust.

So, to manage distrust is very much what we have been trying to prepare for, maybe if not so much to achieve right now, but the Structured Dialogue that we have been engaged in is about rebuilding that exact thinking. This is not only about Ukraine, it is about Ukraine more than anything else because that is where the war is being fought, but we need to remember that there are many issues in the wider sense that we might forget when we focus so much on ending that particular war.

There are many countries in the balance that we need to remember. We need to remember both the sacrosanct nature of borders and the sovereign equality of states, but also the importance of the people who live in these states, of human rights and the human dimension to all these issues. I would like to recognize as just one example of the people we talk about, that Madame Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya from Belarus is with us, not in this room but in a side event. I recommend people to listen to her, as just one example of the many questions that still will continue to be relevant when this war current war hopefully is over.

And my last point, Madame Chairperson, is that we need to stand firm on the principles. Because there is nothing wrong in the Helsinki principles. They are as valid as ever. They have been violated, but that doesn't mean that they are wrong.

We have to get back to the implementation, to the credence of these principles. But we could be flexible on structures, because I will say about the OSCE as I will say about any international organization, that the purpose of an organization is never the organization itself. Some people confuse that, but we as ministers, we set up organizations to solve a political purpose, and if we need to solve a different purpose, or the same purpose in a different way, we should be able to think about how we modernize, improve, develop, prioritize, and maybe take away certain activities that were right when they were introduced, but not necessarily are right today. So, let's be flexible on how we organize ourselves, exactly, so that we can reestablish essence of shared security from Vancouver to Vladivostok, one day into the future.

The building of that post war order, the post Ukraine-war order, has to already start now, because we can't just look at how we end the war. We as Europeans know very well, all too well, that the way a war ends defines the post-war era. And the post-war era is always longer than the war. If you make mistakes by trying to move to a cheap ceasefire, you can have a very expensive peace afterwards. So, let's think about this now, and this organization may be quite at the center of what follows next. And that's the spirit that should inspire our conversation today.

Thank you very much, Elina.

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Smith, Himes Condemn Secondary Strike in the Caribbean

House Armed Services Committee - Democrats

December 4, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement in response to a briefing from the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command, Admiral Frank Bradley, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, on the unauthorized lethal military action in the Caribbean.

"We appreciate that Admiral Bradley and Chairman Caine came to Congress today to brief Committee leadership on the boat strikes in the Caribbean, and particularly the troubling reporting about follow up strikes taken on September 2 against two individuals who survived the first strike. Both Admiral Bradley and Chairman Caine are honorable men who have served our country with distinction, but we saw or heard nothing today to convince us that the decision to strike the vessel a second time was justified. The video we saw today showed two shipwrecked individuals who had no means to move, much less pose an immediate threat, and yet they were killed by the United States military. Regardless of what one believes about the legal underpinnings of these operations, and we have been clear we believe they are highly questionable, this was wrong.

"Secretary of Defense Hegseth is ultimately responsible for these operations, and this administration's policy choices and unfettered belligerence put our service members in extraordinarily difficult positions where they are asked to execute missions that push the boundaries of the law and our values. We believe the full video, difficult as it is to watch, should be released publicly. The briefing left us with more questions than answers, and Congress must continue to investigate this matter and conduct oversight.

"There is no question that illicit drugs are a major problem in the United States, but so is the President of the United States taking unilateral lethal action. Americans must ask themselves: Are we OK with this enormous expansion of the President's power to kill people without due process? Is the President ordering the killings of alleged low-level drug dealers really going to impact America's drug problem? And how does this match up with the same president pardoning the likes of Ross Ulbricht, convicted of laundering billions of dollars selling drugs on the dark web, and Honduran President Juan Hernandez, a convicted drug smuggler?"

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Chairman Crawford Statement Following Briefing on Legal Strikes on Narco-terrorists

US House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Press Releases

Washington, December 4, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (AR-01) issued the following statement after the briefing with the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command, Admiral Frank Bradley, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, on the legal strikes against narco-terrorists in the Caribbean.

"First, I want to thank the Admiral and the Chairman for coming in this morning and providing us with facts where speculation abounds. I did not walk out of the committee space straight to the media's microphones, because it is inappropriate following a classified briefing. That said, it is important for me to state first there is no doubt in my mind about the highly professional manner in which the Department of War conducted, and is conducting the operations our nation has called them to do to protect the homeland from these dangerous cartels who have for too long poisoned the American people, destabilized and corrupted our neighbors, and torture and killed thousands throughout our hemisphere. Anyone who has carried out these highly sophisticated operations in defense of the U.S. homeland and Americans for two decades would be no stranger to the complex strategic decision-making process and legal analysis presented this morning.

"Those who appear 'troubled' by videos of military strikes on designated terrorists have clearly never seen the Obama-ordered strikes, or, for that matter, those of any other administration over recent decades. I am deeply concerned by the public statements made by others that seek to ignore the realities of targeting terrorists to score political points. I call upon them to remember their own silence as our forces conducted identical strikes for years - killing terrorists and destroying military objectives the same as in this strike - and ask themselves why they would seek to attack our forces today."

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IOM Chief Warns of Rising Displacement in Mozambique as 100K People Flee, Urges Durable Solutions

International Organization for Migration

News - Global

04 December 2025

Geneva/Maputo, 4 December 2025 -- With more than 100,000 people newly uprooted in recent weeks and over 600,000 still displaced across Mozambique, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, is warning that urgent, collective durable solutions are needed to help communities regain stability as the surge strains services and livelihoods.

During a three-day official visit to the country, DG Pope underscored how insecurity in the north and recurrent climatic shocks, including floods, droughts and cyclones, continue to drive displacement and undermine access to services and livelihoods. She called for increased investment in community-led recovery efforts that can help families rebuild, restore essential services, and work toward long-term stability.

"The impact of years of insecurity and climate shocks is still felt deeply across Mozambique," said DG Pope. "Yet the progress I saw this week shows how communities, when supported, can drive recovery and rebuild a sense of stability. With the right investments, families can regain their footing, strengthen their resilience, and look toward the future with confidence."

In meetings with H.E. Mr. Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique, and senior Government officials, DG Pope acknowledged the country's efforts to bolster resilience and expand economic opportunity for communities affected by displacement. The discussions highlighted how coordinated national and international efforts can reinforce Mozambique's progress toward recovery and long-term stability.

In Corrane, Nampula Province, DG Pope met with displaced and host families who are working together to rebuild their lives. They shared how practical improvements such as improved housing and a community center, improved water and sanitation services, and access to reliable health care are making daily life safer and more stable.

These projects, led by the community with support from the Government, the National Institute for Mozambique's Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (INGD), and IOM and United Nations partners are giving families the confidence to start small businesses, return to school, and plan for their future.

Across affected provinces, families and local authorities are advancing these efforts by restoring access to housing, services and livelihoods. Mozambique's experience in responding to both conflict- and climate-related displacement places the country at the center of regional discussions on resilience and mobility.

During the visit, DG Pope also launched the IOM Mozambique Country Strategy (2024-2028) and the Migration Governance Indicators report, developed jointly with the government. These frameworks outline shared commitments to strengthening migration governance for people on the move. Both tools aim to guide practical, long-term planning so communities can access the services and opportunities they need.

The visit also brought together development finance institutions to explore new mechanisms for financing resilience and sustainable livelihoods. These engagements will inform upcoming regional consultations in South Africa, helping align national priorities with Southern Africa's broader mobility and development agenda.

DG Pope's visit highlighted once again IOM's commitment to supporting government-led and community-driven solutions that strengthen resilience, promote economic inclusion, and contribute to lasting peace and stability across the region. This progress reflects the leadership of communities who are shaping their own future, supported by national and local institutions that are working together to create the conditions for recovery to take root and endure.

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Iran condemns PGCC over UAE claims to Iranian islands

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 4, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has condemned the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC)'s insistence on repeating the UAE's "baseless and incorrect" territorial claims over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb.

Baqaei said Thursday that the islands are an "inseparable part of Iran's territorial integrity" and that any territorial claim over them is "groundless and invalid," adding that such positions run counter to the principles of respect for states' territorial integrity and good neighborliness.

He said Iran has exercised "effective, continuous and undisputed" sovereignty over the three islands for centuries, and repeated assertions do not change "geographical and historical realities" nor create any legal rights for claimants.

Reiterating Iran's policy of good neighborliness and cooperation to safeguard regional security and stability, Baghaei urged the UAE and the GCC to avoid provocative positions that undermine neighborly relations.

The Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The islands fell under British control in 1921, but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.

Baqaei also dismissed unilateral claims by Kuwait regarding the Arash gas field, saying repeated statements and unilateral assertions "create no legal rights" for Kuwait.

He said achieving a fair and lasting agreement on the field requires bilateral dialogue, joint efforts and a constructive atmosphere to secure mutual interests.

Iran maintains that it holds clear and established rights to a share of the Arash gas field, asserting that the offshore reservoir is a joint field between Iran and Kuwait, with historical records showing six decades of bilateral recognition of each side's stake.

Nearly 40% of the field lies in Iranian waters. Iranian officials insist that unilateral actions by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, including their 2022 agreement to jointly develop the field, lack legal basis because the maritime boundaries involving all three states have never been formally demarcated.

2050

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Prime Minister's Office Announcement

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 04.12.2025

The Prime Minister's Office, this morning:

Following the completion of the identification process by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the IDF Rabbinate, the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, and IDF and Ministry of Foreign Affairs representatives informed the family of fallen hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak, of blessed memory, that their loved one has been returned to Israel and that his identification has been completed.

Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch informed the Rinthalak family that the procedures for returning him for burial in his country will be carried out in coordination with the Thai Embassy in Israel and that the Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Rinthalak family, the Thai people and all of fallen hostages' families.

The Rinthalak family and Thai Ambassador to Israel Boonyarit Vichienpuntu asked to convey their deep gratitude and appreciation to the State of Israel for the efforts to return Sudthisak and for the continuous support provided to the family since the outbreak of the war.

The Government and the entire Directorate for the Hostages and the Missing of the State of Israel are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return National Counter-Terrorism Unit fighter and hero Master Sgt. Ran Gvili for a proper Jewish burial.

The Hamas terrorist organization is required to uphold its commitments to the mediators and return the fallen hostages as part of the implementation of the agreement. We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we bring him back home to Israel.

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Air Force of Latvia Receives "Giraffe" 1X Air Surveillance Radars

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence

12/04/2025 - 08:11

In Latvia

Information prepared by MoD Military Public Affairs Department

On Wednesday, 3 December, at the National Armed Forces base in Lielvarde, H.E. Mr Daniel Olsson, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Latvia, and representatives of the Swedish company Saab formally handed over "Giraffe" 1X air surveillance radars to the Latvian National Armed Forces Air Force.

The "Giraffe" 1X radar is a ground-based air surveillance radar designed to support air defence. It provides high-quality target data, detects drones, and identifies rockets and mortars, allowing for immediate and effective responses to threats and changing operational conditions. The "Giraffe" radars are mobile and can be deployed in any terrain as operational needs arise.

"The additional 'Giraffe' 1X radars we are receiving today significantly strengthen our ability to identify and neutralize airspace threats in a timely manner. They are modern, reliable, and have already proven their effectiveness in joint exercises with Latvia and our allies. I thank Sweden and our partners at Saab for their close cooperation. These capabilities are a crucial contribution to enhancing the security of our country and the entire region," emphasized Minister of Defence Andris Spruds.

The "Giraffe" 1X radars, produced by the Swedish company Saab, are already part of the National Armed Forces' equipment, and the Air Force first used them during the "Baltic Zenith 2023" exercises. The contract for the acquisition of additional "Giraffe" 1X radars was signed in December 2024.

The formal radar handover ceremony was attended by Major General Georgs Kerlins, Chief of the National Armed Forces Joint Staff; Lieutenant Colonel Imants Kleinbergs, Commander of the Air Force Air Defence Division; Swedish Defence Attache Commodore Gert Burgstaller; and Dan Runefeldt, Head of Saab in Latvia.

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The President discussed regional security with Baltic leaders in Riga

President of the Republic of Lithuania

December 04, 2025

On Thursday, President Gitanas Nauseda attended the annual meeting of the Presidents of the Baltic States in Riga, where he discussed regional security challenges, EU and NATO cooperation, and joint strategic projects with the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, and the President of Estonia, Alar Karis.

The President emphasized that regional security and the protection of the EU's and NATO's external borders remain a priority. "Our attention must be focused on air defense capabilities and the Baltic defense line project. The Baltic states must strengthen cooperation in protecting the external border by implementing joint projects, creating a unified response system for air and sea incidents, coordinating decisions on border or airspace closures, combating crime, and managing illegal migration," said the President.

The Lithuanian President drew attention to growing hybrid threats, including airspace violations, instrumentalized migration, and weather balloons launched from Belarus, which pose a threat to critical infrastructure and civil aviation. The President stressed the need for more rapid EU-level initiatives to strengthen the protection of the eastern border, which would complement national projects, including the Baltic Defense Line.

During the meeting, the leaders focused on transatlantic relations. The President stressed that the presence of US troops in the region is critical to the security of the Baltic States. Possibilities for increasing US involvement through regional LNG purchases and gas supplies to Ukraine for the coming winter were also discussed.

Speaking about Ukraine, the Baltic presidents emphasized the need to continue increasing military and financial support, to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to raise the issue of Russia's accountability and reparations The President stressed that Ukraine is implementing the necessary reforms in the face of war and that EU accession negotiations must move forward so that Ukraine can join the European Union by 2030.

The meeting also focused on the progress of the Rail Baltica project and its importance for military mobility. The President expressed his hope that, with the help of European Union funding and close regional coordination, the project will be implemented. The President emphasized that the Baltic States are closely coordinating their actions on critical infrastructure related to the synchronization of electricity networks, security, and securing further EU funding. The possibilities of accelerating the construction of the Harmony Link connection together with Poland were also discussed.

While discussing the EU's multiannual budget, the President stressed that the EU's focus on the eastern flank and its security needs is particularly important. The Baltic States are the guardians of the EU's and NATO's external borders and critical infrastructure. Therefore, as the President stated, it is necessary to ensure adequate funding for strengthening the security of the eastern flank - from military mobility to defense industry investments across the continent.

The President's Communication Group

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German Eurofighters deploy to Poland, Strengthening NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence

NATO Allied Air Command

Dec 4 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- German Air Force Eurofighters deploy to Malbork, Poland, as part of NATO's Air Policing mission, ensuring the continued security of NATO airspace.

Five Eurofighters and around 150 personnel from Germany's Tactical Air Wing 31 "Boelcke" plus additional support units deploy to Poland as they take on NATO Air Policing mission, reinforcing the Alliance's commitment to safeguarding the integrity and security of NATO airspace. The German detachment will contribute to the continuous, 24/7 Quick reaction Alert (QRA) mission that ensures NATO's skies remain safe, secure and protected.

The deployment is part of NATO's enhanced Air Policing posture on the Alliance's eastern flank. By positioning capable, rapidly deployable fighter aircraft in Poland, NATO demonstrates both its collective defensive readiness and its ability to respond to any potential air threat.

"Our deployment to Poland highlights Germany's unwavering commitment to the shared security of the Euro-Atlantic area. We look forward to working with our Polish counterparts as we take on NATO's Air Policing mission for the next four months" said theDetachment Commander, Callsign "Colonel".

During the deployment, German Eurofighter pilots and ground crew will work closely with the Polish Air Force and NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, which directs all Air Policing activities across the region. Regular training sorties with Allies will ensure the fighters remain fully prepared to respond to any unidentified or uncooperative aircraft approaching NATO's airspace.

The deployment to Poland marks the second concurrent Air Policing detachment for the German Air Force. Since April, 2025, five Luftwaffen-Eurofighters have been leading NATO's enhances Air Policing mission from Mihail Kogalniceanu in Romania.

Air Policing is a long-standing, continuous peacetime mission being re-enforced by NATO's Eastern Sentry enhanced Vigilance Activity. Eastern Sentry is further fortifying NATO's Eastern Flank with a flexible posture, adaptable to evolving security conditions, ensuring NATO airspace remains protected.

Germany reaffirms its commitment to collective defence and the Alliance's shared principles of cooperation, deterrence and readiness. This deployment reflects the enduring strength of Allied solidarity and the continued importance of interoperability and integration in maintaining the security of the Euro-Atlantic area.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

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Securing the seas: how NATO will deliver its next-generation Maritime Strategy

NATO Allied Maritime Command

Dec 4 2025

Northwood, UK -- NATO recently released an update to the Alliance maritime strategy that provides a framework for Allied maritime security across the Euro-Atlantic region. The strategy will help steer the transformation efforts of the Alliance with a renewed emphasis on collective defence.

"The Alliance Maritime Strategy provides a framework for NATO to address threats and challenges in the maritime domain across the Euro-Atlantic region," said Vice Admiral Mike Utley, Commander, Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM). "From deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, to cooperative security, NATO's maritime forces provide integral and credible combat power for the Alliance that underpins our collective defence. This strategy will guide Allied efforts to strengthen capabilities, leverage emerging technology, enhance lethality, and prevail in conflict."

Maritime security is vital to peace and prosperity. The world is connected by its oceans and seas, which are essential to ensure global commerce and our way of life. Maritime crises and incidents illustrate the importance of the maritime domain to NATO as a transatlantic Alliance. NATO is united and steadfast in its resolve to protect its one billion citizens and therefore must be prepared to "fight tonight" and "fight tomorrow". Its key purpose and greatest responsibility are to ensure our collective defence against all threats, from all directions.

NATO maritime forces, which include reach, power projection, poise, versatility and readiness, have scalable utility across peacetime, crisis and conflict. Defending NATO populations, forces and territory requires rapid adaptation of Allies' maritime capabilities, to ensure that current forces are prepared to fight into the next decade.

NATO is operating in an increasingly complex and contested security environment, shaped by global strategic competition, instability, and frequent shocks. The Alliance faces two principal threats: Russia and terrorism. Russia remains the most significant and direct threat to Euro-Atlantic security, seeking to reshape the regional order through coercion, aggression, hybrid actions, and a rapid military build-up across all domains, including a growing maritime presence from the Baltic and Black Seas to the High North. At the same time, terrorism continues to pose the most direct asymmetric danger to Allied populations, with networks expanding their reach, technology, and ability to disrupt global security and maritime activity.

Beyond these core threats, the People's Republic of China (PRC) is increasing its global military footprint, pursuing naval expansion and deepening its strategic alignment with Russia, a partnership which challenges the rules-based international order. Other authoritarian actors are also investing in advanced capabilities that erode stability and transparency.

Compounding these security pressures, climate change and emerging technologies are transforming the maritime domain. Melting sea ice, new shipping lanes, and disruptive technologies such as autonomous systems, hypersonic missiles, and AI-enabled platforms are reshaping how states project power at sea. These dynamics create a more demanding operating environment, and one that requires NATO to adapt, strengthen deterrence, and ensure readiness across every domain.

It is against this background that NATO has published an updated maritime strategy, in line with existing NATO policy, to demonstrate how Alliance maritime power addresses threats and challenges from all directions, based on NATO's 360-degree approach. It also contributes to the fulfilment of its three core tasks: deterrence and defence; crisis prevention and management; and cooperative security. This Strategy provides an overarching reference for delivering maritime power that contributes to achieving NATO's objectives both now and into the next decade.

Maritime power is central to NATO's deterrence, defence, crisis-response, and cooperative security. At sea, the Alliance delivers credible nuclear deterrence, ensures freedom of navigation, secures sea lines of communication, and protects critical undersea infrastructure. NATO's naval forces provide hard power, rapid response, and the ability to project force at scale, supported by evolving technologies, multi-domain integration, and resilient logistics.

To maintain this edge, NATO is strengthening high-end capabilities such as carrier strike, anti-submarine warfare, naval mine warfare, autonomous systems, and precision strike. Maritime forces also play a flexible role in crisis management, from deterrence and maritime interdiction to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Partnerships and international cooperation further expand NATO's reach and resilience. Through exercises, capacity-building, and engagement with global maritime organisations, Allied navies help to uphold the rules-based international order, improve shared awareness, and promote stability at sea.

NATO will put its maritime strategy into action by boosting the readiness, resilience and reach of Allied naval forces. Standing Naval Forces will remain the Alliance's forward, flexible instrument, demonstrating resolve, deterring threats and supporting operations across all domains.

Allies will enhance their ability to deter, detect and respond to maritime threats, including those targeting critical undersea and offshore infrastructure. This includes improving information-sharing, incident tracking and attribution, and integrating innovative technologies for surveillance and situational awareness. These actions will be supported by closer coordination with civilian and commercial partners.

Stronger cross-domain command and control, powered by digital transformation and emerging technologies, will give commanders faster, more informed decision-making. A renewed training and exercise regime will focus both on immediate readiness and long-term force development, using Standing Naval Forces as a testbed for innovation.

Through the NATO Defence Planning Process (NDPP) and increased defence investment, Allies will deliver the next generation of maritime capabilities while strengthening defence industry cooperation and reducing trade barriers. Clear, consistent strategic communication will reinforce NATO's message of capable maritime forces safeguarding Allied security and unity at sea.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM

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UN experts alarmed by United States escalating pressure on Venezuela

Press releases

Special Procedures

04 December 2025

GENEVA -- UN experts* today expressed deep concern about mounting pressure from the United States on Venezuela, as indicated by a recent declaration from the US President that Venezuela's airspace should be considered closed.

"International law is clear: States have complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territory. Any measures that seek to regulate, restrict or 'close' another State's airspace are in blatant violation of the Chicago Convention," the experts said, referring to Article 1 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944).

They also recalled that the UN Charter prohibits "the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State" (Article 2). Actions affecting another country's airspace, may amount to a breach of sovereignty and could constitute an illegal threat of use of force under international law. The International Court of Justice, in Nicaragua v. United States (1986), affirmed that the principles of non-use of force, non-intervention and territorial inviolability are cornerstones of international legal order.

"Unilateral measures that interfere with a State's territorial domain, including its airspace, risk fully undermining the stability of the region and are seriously undermining Venezuela's economy," the experts said. They noted that, despite the President's statement, the United States has no legal authority to "close" another State's airspace.

Experts said that six international carriers had already suspended flights to Venezuela's capital Caracas, following a US Federal Aviation Administration warning about a "potentially hazardous" situation in the skies over Venezuela, citing "worsening security" and "heightened military activity" that could threaten aircrafts at all altitudes.

"The latest declaration represents a dangerous escalation, following the significant US military buildup in the Caribbean, and other recent announcements by the President of the United States about eventual operations in Venezuelan territory, following a series of lethal operations by US forces targeting vessels off coast," the experts said.

"US military attacks on alleged drug traffickers at sea, which have killed over 80 civilians in 21 strikes, are grave violations of the right to life and the international law of the sea," they said. "Those involved in ordering and carrying out these extrajudicial killings must be investigated and prosecuted for homicide."

The experts urged the United States of America to refrain from actions that could further aggravate the situation and ensure that any measures taken fully comply with the UN Charter, the Chicago Convention, and relevant rules of customary international law.

"The long history of external interventions in Latin America must not be repeated," the experts said. "Respect for sovereignty, non-intervention and the peaceful settlement of disputes are essential to preserving international stability and preventing further deterioration of the situation."

*The experts:

George Katrougalos , Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order

, Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism

The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

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UN Human Rights Chief warns against atrocities in Sudan's Kordofan region

Press releases

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

04 December 2025

GENEVA -- UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said on Wednesday he feared another wave of atrocities in Sudan amid a surge in fierce fighting across the Kordofan region between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

Since 25 October, when RSF captured Bara city in North Kordofan, the UN Human Rights Office has documented at least 269 civilian deaths from aerial strikes, artillery shelling, and summary executions. Telecommunications and internet outages hinder accurate reporting, therefore, the number of civilian casualties is likely to be much higher. There have also been reports of retaliatory killings, arbitrary detention, abductions, sexual violence and forced recruitment, including of children.

Many civilians have reportedly been detained for 'collaborating' with opposing parties, Turk added. There are also growing concerns about the use of hateful and divisive speech that risk fuelling the violence.

"It is truly shocking to see history repeating itself in Kordofan so soon after the horrific events in El Fasher," said the High Commissioner. "The international community stood united then, unequivocally condemning the barbarous violations and destruction. We must not allow Kordofan to become another El Fasher."

On 3 November, an RSF drone struck a tent where mourners had gathered in El Obeid, North Kordofan, reportedly killing 45 people, mostly women. On 29 November, an aerial strike by the SAF in Kauda, South Kordofan, reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 48 people, most of them civilians. Heavy fighting has since continued across the three Kordofan states resulting in more civilian casualties.

At particular risk are Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan which have been besieged by the RSF and SPLM-N, and El Obeid in North Kordofan which is partially surrounded by the RSF. The humanitarian situation is dire, with famine confirmed in Kadugli and risk of famine in Dilling. All parties are blocking humanitarian access and operations.

"We cannot remain silent in front of yet another man-made catastrophe," said Turk. "This fighting must end immediately, and life-saving aid allowed to reach those who face starvation."

Turk called for the protection of humanitarian personnel and local responders, and for the restoration of telecommunications to facilitate lifesaving assistance and to allow essential information to flow to civilians.

The intensified violence in the past month has also triggered mass civilian displacement, with over 45,000 people fleeing their homes to seek safety within or outside the Kordofan region.

"Safe passage for those fleeing the horror of famine, death, and destruction is essential and a human rights imperative," said Turk.

Once again, Turk urged all States with influence over the parties to take immediate action to halt the fighting, and stop the arms flows that are fuelling the conflict.

"Have we not learned our lessons from the past? We cannot stand idly by and allow more Sudanese to become victims of horrific human rights violations. We must act, and this war must stop now."

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Israeli forces demolish 22 shops and 27 homes in the West Bank OIC Observatory records 359 martyrs in seven days

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

04-12-2025

Israeli forces killed 13 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip between November 25 and December 1, 2025. The OIC Media Observatory documented 37 injuries in the Gaza Strip, the recovery of 42 bodies, and confirmed the martyrdom of 299 Palestinians during the Israeli aggression. The Observatory recorded the deaths of 71,205 martyrs since October 7, 2023, up to the date of this report, while 180,195 Palestinians were wounded.

Israeli forces intensified their bombardment of various areas in the Gaza Strip. The United Nations confirmed that only 25% of the agreed-upon humanitarian aid had entered the Strip, while 22,000 patients require treatment abroad. UNICEF stated that 9,000 children under the age of five are suffering from malnutrition. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Drinking Water and Sanitation, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, stated that the Israeli occupation has used thirst as a weapon against the residents of the Gaza Strip by targeting water infrastructure and preventing the entry of fuel necessary to operate wells and desalination plants.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupation forces killed five Palestinians, wounded eight others, and arrested 325 Palestinians, including five children. Two children were also wounded. Occupation forces stormed the Al-Hakawati Theater in Al-Quds, halting a cultural event for children and forcing the children off the stage. They also raided and searched all government and private schools in the town of Beit Ummar in Al-Khalil, and settlers opened fire on a boys' school in the village of Rashayda in Bethlehem.

Israeli occupation forces carried out 282 raids, during which they demolished 22 shops, 15 homes, and partially damaged 12 others. They also occupied dozens of homes, converting them into military outposts, and bulldozed agricultural land near a military checkpoint at the entrance to the village of Beit Ur al-Fauqa. Dozens of olive and stone pine trees were uprooted under the pretext that they obstructed visibility for monitoring the area. A military order was issued to remove trees from 59 dunams of land in the village of Zububa, near Al-Quds, citing security reasons. An order was also issued to remove trees surrounding the al-Eizariya cemetery in Al-Quds. Additionally, land was bulldozed in the vicinity of Nablus, and three agricultural structures were demolished. Two vehicles were confiscated, and roads and infrastructure were damaged during a raid on the town of Tammun in Tubas. A curfew was imposed on the Tubas Governorate from November 26-30, 2025. Israeli occupation forces issued an order to confiscate 77,608 dunams of land belonging to the town of Al-Za'im and the village of Al-Issawiya for military purposes.

Settlers carried out 76 attacks on West Bank villages, during which they set fire to parts of the Al-Falah Mosque in the town of Biddya in Salfit, demolished a house in the Al-Khalil area, grazed their livestock on agricultural lands in Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Al-Khalil, and forcibly displaced three Palestinian families in the Al-Hathroura Bedouin community in Al-Quds. Israeli occupation forces also forcibly displaced two Bedouin families north of Jericho.

Settlers stole wood and iron barrels in the town of Atara, the contents of an agricultural farm in Ramallah, a tractor and irrigation network in Nablus, 40 sheep and livestock feed in the Al-Khalil area, two cows in Salfit, burned an agricultural barn in the Al-Quds area, destroyed greenhouses in Tubas, bulldozed land and uprooted olive trees in the village of Turmus Ayya in Ramallah, cut branches of olive and citrus trees in various areas of the Nablus, Salfit and Al-Quds governorates, damaged a water pump and stole other pumps, tore down tarpaulins and stole electrical cables, and damaged four vehicles.

In one week, 10 settlement activities took place, during which settlers established two outposts in the northern Jordan Valley and at the Auja Waterfall near Jericho. At the latter, they erected a structure on the ruins of an abandoned house and built livestock pens. They also placed a mobile home and a portable toilet at an outpost near Ramallah, plowed a plot of land in Masafer Yatta in preparation for cultivation, surrounded land with barbed wire in Salfit, bulldozed agricultural land and erected tents on it near Nablus, plowed agricultural land in Al-Khalil in preparation for its seizure, and began plowing land north of Sinjil in preparation for cultivation and seizure. They also bulldozed land in the village of Al-Mughayyir and constructed a settlement road in Masafer Yatta. The total number of Israeli crimes committed in seven days reached 1,443, encompassing all Palestinian territories.

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Minister Radosaw Sikorski takes part in OSCE Ministerial Council

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

04.12.2025

Poland's top diplomat took part in the first session of the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe held in Vienna on 4 December.

In his address, Minister Sikorski pointed out that unfortunately this year's 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, which laid the groundwork for the OSCE, cannot be properly celebrated. The reason is that, with its brutal aggression against Ukraine, Russia has violated all principles of what is known as the Helsinki Decalogue, including the respect for countries' sovereignty, the ban on changing borders by force, and the respect for human rights.

"Today's Russia is more aggressive than the Soviet Union in the 1970, when the Conference for the Security and Co-operation in Europe was established. Today's Russia is travelling from democracy to autocracy and from coexistence to aggression," said Minister Sikorski.

Poland's chief diplomat condemned Russia's increasingly bold hybrid activity which undermines Europe's security. In this context, he referred to a series of Russia's hostile actions, including the recent act of sabotage on the rail line linking Warsaw and Ukraine, as well as disinformation campaigns and activities aimed at triggering internal division in democratic societies. He called on the OSCE members to strongly counteract such behaviour and to further support Ukraine in its fight for dignity, freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Minister Sikorski thanked Finland for leading the OSCE with ironclad commitment to fundamental values of the Organisation. He expressed his belief that Switzerland, set to take over the OSCE Chairpersonship in 2026, would pursue this approach. The same spirit marked Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski's bilateral talks with Ignazio Cassis, foreign minister of the Swiss Confederation, that took place on the side-lines of the Council's meeting.

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PBBM vows stronger support for troops, tighter security in Mindanao

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

December 4, 2025, 7:55 pm

MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to bolstering support for government troops and strengthening security operations in Mindanao.

Marcos made the commitment during his visit to the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) at Camp Panacan in Davao City, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a Facebook post.

In a security briefing, Marcos was updated on Eastmincom's anti-insurgency operations, maritime patrols, and disaster response efforts, underscoring its crucial role as a steadfast pillar of national security.

"Sa pagbisita ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa Eastern Mindanao Command sa Camp Panacan, Davao City, iniulat ng mga opisyal ang peace and order situation, kasama ang estado ng internal at external security at ang pag-usad ng kanilang operasyon laban sa natitirang banta sa rehiyon (During President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s visit to the Eastern Mindanao Command headquarters in Camp Panacan, Davao City, officials briefed him on the peace and order situation, including updates on internal and external security and the progress of operations against remaining threats in the region)," the PCO said.

After the security briefing, Marcos also met with the troops, promising continued support for all military and uniformed personnel (MUP).

The PCO said Marcos vowed to provide the necessary equipment and training to enhance the troops' operational capabilities.

"Pinuri rin ng Pangulo ang mga sundalo sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at seguridad sa rehiyon, lalo na sa mga lugar na may natitirang banta (The President also commended the soldiers for maintaining peace and security across the region, especially in areas that continue to face residual threats)," the PCO said.

On Wednesday, Marcos issued Executive Order 107, increasing the MUP's base pay and daily subsistence allowance to PHP350.

The pay increase is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and will be implemented in three tranches. (PNA)

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Army vows relentless ops vs. NPA, mourns loss of 2 soldiers in Samar

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

December 4, 2025, 12:35 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) has vowed relentless operations against New People's Army (NPA) "remnants" following Wednesday's clash in Samar that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers.

In a statement Wednesday night, PA chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete called on the remaining NPA members to "abandon armed struggle and pursue peaceful reintegration."

"We will have no letup as troops continue to track down and pursue communist terrorist group remnants," he warned.

Nafarette issued the statement following the clash between the 46th Infantry Battalion and NPA rebels in San Jose de Buan, Samar on the wee hours of Wednesday where two soldiers were killed.

Initial information revealed that the two fatalities are both technical sergeants, but the PA has yet to officially release their names.

The clash was triggered by reports of NPA presence in upland Barangay Babaclayon where the insurgents forcibly occupied private properties and used them as hideouts.

"Our fallen soldiers served with courage and dedication, and their sacrifice will not be forgotten," Nafarette said of the two fatalities.

"Security operations will continue, to ensure the protection of local communities."

The PA commander also assured the families of the two soldiers of the military's full support during what he described as a "difficult time."

The fourth-class San Jose de Buan town with a population of nearly 8,000 is one of the NPA's strongholds in Samar Island, considering its strategic location within the tri-boundaries of Northern, Eastern and Samar provinces. (With a report from Sarwell Meniano/PNA)

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Tehran condemns GCC over UAE claims to Iranian islands, reasserts rights to Arash gas field

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 04 December 2025 4:35 PM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has condemned the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s insistence on repeating the UAE's "baseless and incorrect" territorial claims over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb.

Baghaei said Thursday that the islands are an "inseparable part of Iran's territorial integrity" and that any territorial claim over them is "groundless and invalid," adding that such positions run counter to the principles of respect for states' territorial integrity and good neighborliness.

He said Iran has exercised "effective, continuous and undisputed" sovereignty over the three islands for centuries, and repeated assertions do not change "geographical and historical realities" nor create any legal rights for claimants.

Reiterating Iran's policy of good neighborliness and cooperation to safeguard regional security and stability, Baghaei urged the UAE and the GCC to avoid provocative positions that undermine neighborly relations.

The Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The islands fell under British control in 1921, but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.

Baghaei also dismissed unilateral claims by Kuwait regarding the Arash gas field, saying repeated statements and unilateral assertions "create no legal rights" for Kuwait.

He said achieving a fair and lasting agreement on the field requires bilateral dialogue, joint efforts and a constructive atmosphere to secure mutual interests.

Iran maintains that it holds clear and established rights to a share of the Arash gas field, asserting that the offshore reservoir is a joint field between Iran and Kuwait, with historical records showing six decades of bilateral recognition of each side's stake.

Nearly 40% of the field lies in Iranian waters. Iranian officials insist that unilateral actions by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, including their 2022 agreement to jointly develop the field, lack legal basis because the maritime boundaries involving all three states have never been formally demarcated.

Tehran has repeatedly rejected recent GCC statements asserting exclusive Saudi-Kuwaiti ownership of Arash, calling them baseless and contrary to established historical negotiations.

Iran says such declarations cannot erase its legal rights to the field, stressing that only a trilateral border demarcation and cooperative development plan can determine each party's share.

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'Fundamentally wrong': Guterres slams Israel for 'total neglect' of civilian deaths, destruction in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 04 December 2025 11:01 AM

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has condemned Israel's "total neglect" of the deaths of civilians and destruction caused by its military aggression in Gaza, warning that there are "strong reasons to believe" war crimes have been committed in the Palestinian territory.

Guterres made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Reuters on Wednesday, drawing attention to the widespread destruction and loss of life, which he said could be the result of a disregard for civilian safety and international law.

"I think there was something fundamentally wrong in the way this operation was conducted with total neglect in relation to the deaths of civilians and to the destruction of Gaza," he said, Reuters reported on Thursday.

The UN chief noted that Gaza was destroyed as a result of the war, while Israel failed to achieve its declared objective to "eliminate" the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

The human cost of the ongoing genocidal war has been catastrophic, with more than 70,000 deaths reported in Gaza since October 2023.

When asked whether the occupying regime's aggression could amount to war crimes, the UN chief responded, "There are strong reasons to believe that that possibility might be a reality."

Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon criticized Guterres for his remarks, accusing him of moral failure for not visiting the occupied territories in the wake of October 7, when Hamas launched a retaliatory attack against the regime.

However, Guterres had been blocked by Israeli authorities from visiting. In October 2023, then-foreign minister Israel Katz, now the minister of military affairs, confirmed that the UN chief was barred from entry.

The world body has long complained of obstacles to delivering and distributing desperately-needed aid in Gaza, blaming impediments on the Israeli regime and lawlessness.

Two months into a US-brokered ceasefire deal between Tel Aviv and Hamas, rights groups and ceasefire monitors say the regime's genocide in Gaza has continued, causing further deaths and destruction.

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'War crime': Hamas condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza tents that killed five

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 04 December 2025 7:52 AM

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned Israeli airstrikes that killed several Palestinians, including two children, in the besieged Gaza Strip, calling the attacks a further breach of the October ceasefire agreement.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Gaza-based movement lashed out at Israel for violating the existing ceasefire, calling the strikes a blatant "war crime" and slamming the occupying entity for attempting to avoid its obligations under the truce agreement.

In its latest aggression against the war-torn Palestinian territory, the Israeli regime conducted airstrikes targeting tents sheltering displaced civilians in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, igniting several fires.

The strikes killed five Palestinians, including two children, and wounded an unspecified number of others on Wednesday evening.

"The barbaric aggression and brutal bombing by the criminal Zionist occupation army against the tents of displaced persons near the Kuwaiti Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, resulting in martyrs and wounded, including children, is a documented war crime, a disregard for the ceasefire agreement, and a blatant attempt to evade its obligations," Hamas said.

Separately, two Palestinians were also killed by Israeli gunfire in the Zeitoun neighborhood of northern Gaza City.

The Wednesday killings mark the latest Israeli violations of a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza and came after the military accused Hamas fighters of attacking and wounding four of its soldiers in southern Rafah, near the territory's border with Egypt.

The deadly aggression took place hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "respond accordingly" to the alleged injuring of Israeli soldiers by Palestinian fighters during clashes in Rafah.

Hamas has denied any involvement in the clashes, reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire that began on October 10.

In its Wednesday statement, the resistance movement also held the Tel Aviv regime fully responsible for the escalation and urged international mediators to pressure Israel to halt its aggression.

"We hold the criminal Zionist occupation fully responsible for the repercussions of this escalation, and we call on mediators and guarantor states to rein in the fascist occupation from continuing its crimes," Hamas further said.

It also called on mediators of the ceasefire and guarantor states not to allow war criminal Netanyahu and his extremist regime "to evade the requirements of the agreement, foremost among them the cessation of bombing operations against civilians, residential areas, and displaced persons' tents."

Two months into the deal, rights groups and ceasefire monitors say the regime's genocide in Gaza has not stopped. They report more than 500 violations of the ceasefire, with at least 356 Palestinians killed during this period, pushing Gaza's overall death toll to more than 70,000 since October 2023.

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Rising Afghanistan-Pakistan Hostilities Threaten Chinese Interests And Investments

By Abubakar Siddique December 04, 2025

China viewed the end of the US-led war in Afghanistan as an opportunity to expand its regional influence, gain access to the country's mineral wealth, and secure its border against extremist groups.

But even as Beijing has expanded its economic and political footprint in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan since 2021, China's interests are under threat from hostilities between Kabul and neighboring Pakistan as well as attacks on Chinese workers and projects in the region.

Key to Beijing's goals, experts say, is stabilizing Afghanistan through development and ending Kabul's historical enmity with Islamabad, China's close ally, through economic cooperation.

It's a plan that has so far failed.

"China's ambitions were contingent upon there being some stability between Pakistan and Afghanistan, but that's not happening," said Marvin Weinbaum, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan studies at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington.

'Upset Chinese Planning'

In October, Afghanistan and Pakistan exchanged military attacks, killing dozens of people and leading to Pakistan closing its border with Afghanistan. It was the worst outbreak of hostilities in years and raised fears of an all-out war.

Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group, which is waging an increasingly potent insurgency inside Pakistan.

Since October, sporadic violence has erupted along the countries' long border after a temporary cease-fire ended. In late November, the Taliban accused Pakistan of carrying out air strikes inside Afghanistan that killed at least 10 people, nine of whom were children.

Weinbaum said Beijing is worried a full-scale war between Afghanistan and Pakistan could scupper its infrastructure projects in both countries.

"It has upset Chinese planning, and they don't seem to be able to have any leverage to get any improvement," he said.

Pakistan is home to the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an integral part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijing's massive global infrastructure project. Islamabad, however, has received only roughly $25 billion in investment since CPEC was launched in 2015.

Thousands of Chinese nationals work in Pakistan, where the authorities have created a special police force, installed hundreds of checkpoints, and erected numerous barriers around the megaprojects.

China has also struck deals to extract oil and minerals with the Taliban's cash-strapped government. Beijing has also pledged to expand CPEC to Afghanistan, which it sees as a bridge linking Central and South Asia.

Beijing has attempted to ease longstanding tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan by promoting greater economic cooperation between the neighbors.

In 2022, China reestablished a high-level diplomatic forum to advance economic and security cooperation between Islamabad and Kabul. Beijing has also brokered meetings between the Taliban and Pakistani foreign ministers and called on both sides to show restraint when clashes broke out in October.

"China is very anxious because these tensions undermine its interests in the region and even globally," said Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud, news director at the Khorasan Diary, a website tracking militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

'Hub For Militants'

Those interests include preventing violence in Afghanistan from spilling across its borders.

Mehsud said China is concerned about the proliferation of militant groups, including those fighting against Beijing, if a full-scale armed conflict erupts between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"Beijing is already worried about the northeastern Afghan province of Badakhshan turning into a hub for militants," Mehsud said.

Mountainous Badakhshan borders Pakistan and provides Afghanistan's only land link to China's northwestern Xinjiang region.

On November 27, an attack launched from Badakhshan killed five Chinese workers and wounded five others who were working for a joint Chinese-Tajik gold mining company in southern Tajikistan.

It is not the first time Chinese workers have been targeted in the area. Last year, one Chinese national was killed and four injured in a cross-border attack in Tajikistan's south. Sources told RFE/RL at the time that the attackers crossed from Afghanistan.

The number of Uyghurs militants in the area is unknown but believed to be small and it is unclear what connections they have to the broader Uyghur diaspora and Xinjiang region.

In late 2021, the Taliban removed ethnic Uyghur militants from Badakhshan to other areas of Afghanistan, RFE/RL reported at the time.

The fighters were said to be members of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), an extremist group Beijing blames for unrest in Xinjiang and refers to as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). ETIM is the name of an older militant group many experts say is no longer operational and whose impact has been exaggerated by Beijing for political purposes.

In the wake of the recent attack on Chinese workers, the Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi vowed "to strengthen border security, conduct joint investigations, and engage in any form of coordination" with Tajikistan.

But the killings have forced Beijing to order the withdrawal of its workers from Tajikistan's border region with Afghanistan.

"The stakes for China are set to rise, but it appears helpless," Mehsud said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghanistan- china-cpec-taliban/33612096.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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State Secretary Moldovan had high-level meetings with NATO officials

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 233

04.12.2025

State Secretary for Defence Policy, Planning and International Relations, Sorin Dan Moldovan, had a series of meetings with military leaders and officials of the North Atlantic Alliance on Tuesday, December 2nd, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

The security challenges on the Eastern Flank and Romania's contribution to strengthening the allied defence posture were the main topics of discussion.

Recent security developments in the Black Sea region and initiatives to counter asymmetric threats, especially the risks posed by Russian drones, were analyzed during the conversation with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

The two officials emphasized the need to increase deterrence and defence capabilities on the Alliance's Eastern Flank, as well as the importance of implementing the NATO Eastern Sentry initiative. They also highlighted Romania's contribution to NATO missions, such as the participation in KFOR and NMI-Iraq.

During the meeting with Nicholas Catsaras, Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, the Romanian official presented Romania's efforts to allocate 5% of GDP to defence by 2035, as decided at the Hague Summit. The two officials also discussed the future of NATO's defence planning process and the evolution of the armed forces' procurement and modernization programs.

The meeting with Tarja Jakkola, Assistant Secretary General for Defence Industry, Innovation and Armaments, focused on the role and ways of supporting the national defence industry in strengthening Allied capabilities. The Romanian state secretary reiterated his appreciation for the support provided in organizing the NATO Industry Forum in Bucharest, an event that the Alliance representatives described as the largest held so far. The parties agreed to continue their collaboration on the implementation of modern technologies in support of the defence and deterrence posture.

During the meeting with Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, Assistant Secretary General for Cyber and Digital Transformation, coordinator for hybrid threats, the officials stressed the need to enhance cooperation in the field of emerging and disruptive technologies, as well as the essential role of strategic communication initiatives and resilience measures against the Russian Federation's aggressive rhetoric and actions.

State Secretary Moldovan also had a meeting with Jim Stokes, NATO's Director for Nuclear Policy.

The Romanian official's meetings at the NATO headquarters emphasized the Romanian Armed Forces' strategic role within the Alliance and enhanced allied cooperation on essential topics - the security of the Eastern Flank and the Black Sea, procurement and countering hybrid threats.



The Press Office

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Risch, Shaheen Statement on DRC, Rwanda Peace Agreement

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

December 04, 2025

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the statement below regarding the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, facilitated by the Trump Administration.

"The signing of the Washington Accords has the potential to be an important step toward stability and growth in Eastern Congo. We commend the President and Secretary Rubio for their leadership and sustained engagement on a conflict that has caused irreparable harm to communities and taken far too many lives. But success requires more than signaturesit requires action. The Washington Accords must lead to an immediate halt in the atrocities and humanitarian crises devastating Eastern Congo. It must also end the illegal occupation of territory by the Rwanda-backed M23, whose ongoing and expanding attacks continue to destabilize the region.

"The African Union and the countries represented at today's signing, especially those in the region, also bear responsibility for upholding these agreements. The United States is committed to the path towards peace between the DRC and Rwanda, and we are prepared to act if this agreement is not upheld."

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Venezuela's Maduro Confirms 'Cordial' Phone Conversation with Trump

Sputnik News

20251204

The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, reveals a 10-day-old phone conversation with Donald Trump, calling it "respectful" and even "cordial."

Nicolas Maduro emphasized prudence and quiet diplomacy:

"When there are important things, they have to be kept quiet until they happen."

Maduro also framed the US as "tired of endless wars" and positioned Venezuela as a partner for peace.

On November 29, Trump called on all airlines to consider the airspace above and around Venezuela closed. Venezuelan authorities firmly rejected his call and demanded that the US respect the country's airspace, following up with an appeal to the UN and the International Civil Aviation Organization to condemn Washington's statement, which Caracas says constitutes a threat of the use of force.

The US justifies its military presence in the Caribbean region by the fight against drug trafficking. In September and October, it has repeatedly used its armed forces to destroy boats allegedly carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela.

On November 3, Trump expressed the opinion that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's days as Venezuela's leader were numbered, while assuring that the US had no plans to wage war against the republic. Caracas viewed these actions as a provocation aimed at destabilizing the region and as a violation of international agreements on the demilitarized and nuclear-free status of the Caribbean.

 Sputnik

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks to Press at Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace

US Department of State

Remarks

Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace

Washington, D.C.

December 4, 2025

SECRETARY RUBIO: So obviously on the security cooperation, we want to - we've talked about the end of the conflict as not the last of our engagement with the Democratic Republic of Congo. We want a strong U.S. partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo that extends beyond simply starting1 a war. We want to also be a part of helping build up long-term security and stability, and we also want to be involved in helping bring - build up mutual prosperity. We want the Democratic Republic of Congo to be a rich and prosperous country, and we want to do it in partnership with them in a way that's mutually beneficial, and that's what we hope to build on today. But obviously, it starts with security.

QUESTION: And for the people of the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo who was expecting now peace, what 

SECRETARY RUBIO: Yes. Well, that's 

QUESTION: Will the USA will tell them today when is all these things ending?

SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, we have an agreement, and now the agreement has to be lived up to, now the agreement has to be implemented. You can sign papers, you can sign documents, but you have to comply. Like any war, like any conflict, there's going to be ups and downs, and there's going to be stops and starts, and there are going to be days where we wish progress was faster than it was. We're living through that now in Gaza. We've lived through it in other places.

But we now have a commitment at the highest levels of both governments from their heads of state on very specific things that will happen. Now we have to make sure those things happen, and we'll be engaged every step of the way.

QUESTION: Thank you.

SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you.

________________

ending 

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Democratic Republic of Congo-Rwanda Regional Economic Integration Framework Signing Ceremony

US Department of State

Remarks

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace

Washington, D.C.

December 4, 2025

SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, thank you. Thank you both for being here today. We're excited to enter into these agreements, both bilaterally and with all three countries as well. It's four separate agreements that seek to put in place strong infrastructure for ongoing cooperation, both in the economic and security realm. And obviously, like every deal that's signed, the implementation is going to be critical, but we hope it shows, in conjunction with what was signed earlier today, the U.S. commitment to be a partner to both the Democratic Republic of Congo and to Rwanda for many years to come on both the security and economic realm in a way that's mutually beneficial. As the President just stated a moment ago, our desire is not simply peace - it is peace but also prosperity. We want both of your countries to be as prosperous and secure as they have ever been, and we look forward to turning the agreements that we will be signing here today into reality and look forward to this exciting partnership that we're establishing between our respective countries together.

Thank you. Thank you both for being here very much. Thank you. (Applause.)

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The Regional Economic Integration Framework Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda

US Department of State

Fact Sheet

Office of the Spokesperson

December 4, 2025

Overview & Vision

The Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda (Rwanda) is designed to unlock the incredible economic potential of the Great Lakes region made possible by peace. The United States believes in the transformative potential of this vision and stands ready as a key partner to engage the DRC and Rwanda as they change the course of history for their citizens. The REIF establishes mechanisms for joint coordination in areas such as energy, mineral supply chains, infrastructure, national park management and tourism, and public health and safety. Under this framework, the DRC and Rwanda aim to foster practical cooperation to formalize mineral supply chains, improve cross-border infrastructure, enhance conservation efforts, and strengthen public health systems. The REIF envisions a future where durable peace and regional cooperation drive economic progress and improve the lives of communities across the Great Lakes region, which will enable U.S. companies to responsibly source from the region, contribute to secure, reliable global critical mineral supply chains, and create opportunities for the U.S. private sector.

Focus Areas

Energy: The REIF seeks to harness the region's vast energy potential, which has been constrained by conflict, to expand electricity access to power homes and industries. These efforts will help communities, including in eastern DRC, have consistent and reliable electricity access, while also powering a new era of economic growth for the region.

The REIF seeks to harness the region's vast energy potential, which has been constrained by conflict, to expand electricity access to power homes and industries. These efforts will help communities, including in eastern DRC, have consistent and reliable electricity access, while also powering a new era of economic growth for the region. Mineral Supply Chains: The REIF aims to transform the mineral sector into a transparent and responsible driver of economic growth for the Great Lakes region. It includes strong commitments to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining, establish traceability, and eliminate corruption and smuggling. By building a system of cross-border cooperation and value sharing, free of illicit flows or conflict financing, these efforts will create safer working conditions for miners and improve the lives of local communities, while creating opportunities for the private sector to invest. This approach will allow the mineral trade to propel a more stable and prosperous future for the region rather than funding armed groups and violence. The REIF will also establish resilient and secure global critical minerals supply chains vital to the future of U.S. industry.

The REIF aims to transform the mineral sector into a transparent and responsible driver of economic growth for the Great Lakes region. It includes strong commitments to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining, establish traceability, and eliminate corruption and smuggling. By building a system of cross-border cooperation and value sharing, free of illicit flows or conflict financing, these efforts will create safer working conditions for miners and improve the lives of local communities, while creating opportunities for the private sector to invest. This approach will allow the mineral trade to propel a more stable and prosperous future for the region rather than funding armed groups and violence. The REIF will also establish resilient and secure global critical minerals supply chains vital to the future of U.S. industry. Infrastructure: The REIF focuses on building infrastructure that connects people, businesses, and markets across the Great Lakes region. This includes upgrading transportation systems, such as roads and ports, and expanding internet and telecommunications access. These efforts will attract investment, create jobs, and link the region to international trade routes like the Lobito Corridor, helping businesses and people thrive while connecting the region's mineral sector to U.S. industry.

The REIF focuses on building infrastructure that connects people, businesses, and markets across the Great Lakes region. This includes upgrading transportation systems, such as roads and ports, and expanding internet and telecommunications access. These efforts will attract investment, create jobs, and link the region to international trade routes like the Lobito Corridor, helping businesses and people thrive while connecting the region's mineral sector to U.S. industry. National Park Management and Tourism: The REIF supports collaboration to protect the region's national parks and develop sustainable tourism. The DRC and Rwanda will improve park management, strengthen security, protect wildlife, and create tourism opportunities that benefit local communities and position the region as a top destination for visitors.

The REIF supports collaboration to protect the region's national parks and develop sustainable tourism. The DRC and Rwanda will improve park management, strengthen security, protect wildlife, and create tourism opportunities that benefit local communities and position the region as a top destination for visitors. Public Health and Safety: The REIF prioritizes public health by strengthening cross-border coordination to prevent disease outbreaks, improve healthcare systems, and enhance emergency response capabilities. Efforts include creating cross-border communication channels to share outbreak alerts, developing health protocols, and promoting scientific research to drive innovation to address health challenges. These measures aim to strengthen resilience and promote long-term health security for residents across the region.

How It Works

Local ownership: The REIF is led by the DRC and Rwanda, with local communities, provincial authorities, entrepreneurs, and civil society playing a central role in shaping projects, monitoring progress, and driving implementation. This approach ensures that regional integration efforts address local priorities and deliver tangible benefits to the people of the Great Lakes region.

The REIF is led by the DRC and Rwanda, with local communities, provincial authorities, entrepreneurs, and civil society playing a central role in shaping projects, monitoring progress, and driving implementation. This approach ensures that regional integration efforts address local priorities and deliver tangible benefits to the people of the Great Lakes region. Creating the Environment for Commerce and Innovation: The REIF is a high-level commitment by DRC and Rwanda to operationalize a new economic vision for the region, thus creating the environment for American and local innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to seize a historic opportunity to help build the region's future.

The REIF is a high-level commitment by DRC and Rwanda to operationalize a new economic vision for the region, thus creating the environment for American and local innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to seize a historic opportunity to help build the region's future. Coordination mechanisms: Annual summits, technical working groups, and provincial engagement platforms coordinate efforts across key sectors, monitor progress, and ensure local voices are reflected in shaping and implementing projects.

Annual summits, technical working groups, and provincial engagement platforms coordinate efforts across key sectors, monitor progress, and ensure local voices are reflected in shaping and implementing projects. International support: Like-minded partners committed to seeing the region become more peaceful and prosperous, including the United States, intend to explore offering technical expertise, provide investment, and support capacity-building. This support is intended to complement local efforts, helping to unlock resources, attract private sector investment, and ensure successful implementation of initiatives.

Next Steps

REIF Summit: The DRC and Rwanda will prepare for the launch of the Inaugural REIF Summit to set priorities, establish technical working groups, and ensure coordination with the broader Peace Agreement implementation. The DRC and Rwanda, including in collaboration with the United States and other partners as appropriate, will develop projects in mining, infrastructure, national park management, and public health to advance the REIF. Over time, the DRC and Rwanda will scale investments to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and foster lasting stability and economic growth in the Great Lakes region.

The DRC and Rwanda will prepare for the launch of the Inaugural REIF Summit to set priorities, establish technical working groups, and ensure coordination with the broader Peace Agreement implementation. The DRC and Rwanda, including in collaboration with the United States and other partners as appropriate, will develop projects in mining, infrastructure, national park management, and public health to advance the REIF. Over time, the DRC and Rwanda will scale investments to create jobs, improve livelihoods, and foster lasting stability and economic growth in the Great Lakes region. USG and private sector mobilize resources: The United States government intends to facilitate support for the DRC and Rwanda in achieving the vision set out in the REIF using a wide array of interagency tools. In collaboration with the DRC, Rwanda, the private sector, and other partners, the United States intends to advance high-impact initiatives and projects that anchor lasting peace and prosperity.

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Joint Statement Declaration of Intent from the United States Government and the European Commission on the Lobito Corridor and Investment in the Great Lakes Region

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

December 4, 2025

The text of the following statement was released by the Government of the United States of America and the European Commission.

Begin text:

The Government of the United States and the European Commission reaffirm our shared commitment to promoting peace, security, and economic growth in the Great Lakes region of Africa. Together, we are focused on creating the conditions necessary for increased U.S. and EU investment across the region, recognizing that economic development is a cornerstone of long-term stability. Central to this effort is the Lobito Corridor, a transformative infrastructure project that will enhance regional connectivity, secure critical mineral supply chains, and drive sustainable economic growth. By linking the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the Atlantic Ocean port of Lobito in Angola, the Lobito Corridor will open new avenues for two-way trade between Central Africa and the United States and Europe.

The Government of the United States and the European Commission are working closely with private sector leaders and African partners to rehabilitate and modernize the Lobito Corridor, ensuring its success as a catalyst for regional development. In this spirit, we take note of recent private sector discussions with the Government of the DRC regarding investment proposals for the DRC portion of the Lobito Corridor. The Government of the United States and the European Commission stand ready to discuss possible ways to finance proposals that would ensure synchronicity with the ongoing rehabilitation on the Angolan side of the Corridor to maximize the efficiency and success of the project. We declare our intention to remain fully aligned and coordinated to support the Corridor's success which will secure more transparent supply chains and sustained investment from the region.

End text.

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Signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

December 4, 2025

On December 4, President Donald J. Trump hosted the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda. This historic instrument reinforces commitments to end decades of conflict, foster economic cooperation, and build a foundation for lasting peace.

The Washington Accords reaffirm the parties' commitment to implement the Peace Agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, agreed to in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2025, and achieve the vision of the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) to create a bold roadmap for peace, security, and unprecedented economic growth.

The DRC and Rwanda signed the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), a groundbreaking bilateral initiative that unlocks the vast economic potential of the Great Lakes region and creates opportunities for the U.S. private sector.

President Felix Tshisekedi signed on behalf of the Government of the DRC, and President Paul Kagame signed on behalf of the Government of Rwanda. The signing ceremony was attended by Togolese President of the Council of Ministers Faure Gnassingbe, Angolan President Joao Lourenco, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Kenyan President William Ruto, African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, Qatari Minister of State Dr. Mohammed Al Khulaifi and Emirati Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan.

In addition to the Washington Accords, the following bilateral instruments were signed, hosted by Secretary Rubio:

Strategic Partnership Agreement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Concerning an Expanded Security Partnership

U.S.-Rwanda Framework for Shared Economic Prosperity

The Washington Accords and the initiatives affirmed today represent an internationally shared commitment to transforming the Great Lakes region into a model of peace, stability, and economic opportunity. By addressing the root causes of conflict, fostering trust, and advancing economic cooperation, the DRC and Rwanda are taking bold steps to create a brighter future for their citizens.

The United States remains steadfast in its support for these efforts, recognizing the immense economic potential of the Great Lakes region will only be realized through the full implementation of peace and security commitments.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Kenyan President William Ruto at the Signing of a Health Framework of Cooperation

US Department of State

Remarks

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

Benjamin Franklin Room

Washington, D.C.

December 4, 2025

SECRETARY RUBIO: Good morning. And I'm really excited to be here today for this. This is our - let me first start by thanking you, Mr. President, for being with us today, and for your minister for being here as well. Kenya is one of our strongest partners in so many different fields, whether it's the fight that we've fought together against terrorism on the continent but beyond that, and in our own hemisphere. Kenya's played an extraordinary role, a really heroic role in trying to help stabilize Haiti - it's a very difficult situation. They've carried a huge burden as a country for the better part of two years now, and had it not been for their engagement - and I just expressed this to President Ruto, the - as bad as Haiti is it would be indescribable what it would look like today were it not for the efforts they have made. Our gratitude for the role they've played is extraordinary.

Had it not been for the role they played, what we are hoping to do next in Haiti would have been impossible, which is to transition to a gang suppression force. And we know there's a transition period and we're going to be very involved in being helpful in bridging that. And we want them, and we hope to encourage them to continue to be engaged moving forward as we move into this new phase of trying to bring stability to Haiti, but we understand and believe they cannot do it by themselves.

So I wanted to use this as an opportunity to continue to encourage countries in the region and around the world to step up and contribute and be a part of this effort. We need their money, we need their funds, and we need their personnel as well to make this work. If we had five or ten countries willing to step forward and do just half of what Kenya's done already it would be an extraordinary achievement.

And we hope that that will happen. It needs to happen. If we're serious about it it needs to happen. We - everybody loves to have press conferences and put out statements about how terrible the situation is in Haiti; it's time to do something about it. And I particularly point to the countries in our hemisphere, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Caribbean Basin and beyond - that we need to step up in this hemisphere and do more. The United States will continue to do its part, but I just wanted to express, again, our gratitude.

Today, we're here to announce the first signing that we're going to have with the first country in the world on our America First Global Health Strategy. And I want to, for members of the press and the public that will learn about this through you, walk a little bit, very briefly, into exactly what the thinking is.

The United States has spent billions of dollars over the years in helping with health strategies all across the world. What we learned over time and especially after coming here, is that oftentimes - and I'm oversimplifying it but this is an accurate description - what would happen is we would go to a country and say we're going to help you with your health care needs. Then we would drive over to western - northern Virginian somewhere, find an NGO, one of these organizations, give them all the money, tell them go to this country and do their health care program for them. That NGO would then take about - some percentage of that money for their overhead and administrative costs, and by the time it got down to it, the host country had very little influence, it was sort of imposed on them, and only a percentage of the overall money ever actually reached the patients and the people on the ground that we were trying to help because of these costs.

This makes no sense. So why are we hiring American and international NGOs to go into other countries and run health care systems that are parallel and sometimes in conflict with the health care systems of the host country? If we're trying to help countries, help the country, don't help the NGO to go in and find a new line of business. And so that's what - the model that we're breaking. We're not doing this anymore. We are not going to spend billions of dollars funding the NGO industrial complex while close and important partners like Kenya are - either have no role to play or have very little influence over how health care money is being spent. Bottom line is if you want to help a country, work with that country, not work with a third party that imposes things on that country.

And so for us the first - we hope to sign many of these in the days to come, but the first one we're going to sign is with Kenya, and the reason why is twofold. Number one, because of our close partnership. Number two, because they are a highly - they have stable and strong institutions, both in government and in the health care sector. And over the next few years we're going to be investing $1.6 billion in health assistance over the next five years, and you'll see how that program works out, but the investment is in combination. It will allow us, first of all, to leverage private - the private sector to create a sustainable U.S. health assistance model around the world - and not just in Kenya, but this is the perfect place to prove that it's going to work, because it is going to work.

And what it means is that money is not just going to be spent to provide medicine and care; it's going to be spent to improve the domestic infrastructure, health care infrastructure, so that in five or six or seven or eight years countries will say we no longer need this much assistance, if any, because we have our own system, you've helped us to build it, it's now delivering results; and, in fact, we now - these third - like maybe Kenya - want to go and teach other countries how to do it. And this is a very real possibility and it's something we believe in.

By the way, Kenya will - our partner. Okay, we're not imposing this. They're our partner; $850 million is what they're going to give to support these efforts. So this is truly a partnership. This is the way we should be doing assistance around the world. True assistance is self-sustainability, building the ability to sustain yourself in the long term.

So it's an honor to be able to do this with you today. I'm excited. This is our first one. We - we hope to sign, I don't know, 30, 40, how many? Fifty? Okay. Well, this is number one. We'll always remember this one. You always - the first one is the one that - and we think we've picked the perfect partner. I thank you for being here today. I know you're also here, you're going to join us in a few minutes over at the Institute of Peace for another important topic on the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, so we're grateful you're here for both of these things, but it lined up perfectly.

We are honored to welcome you to the State Department, Mr. President, and thank you for joining us today.

PRESIDENT RUTO: Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you very much, Secretary Rubio. Secretary of State of the United States, distinguished members of the United States delegation, ladies and gentlemen, for over a quarter of a century the United States has worked alongside Kenya, investing over $7 billion in well-being, health, and progress for our citizens. This partnership has saved millions from malaria, from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other life-threatening outbreaks.

Together we have built resilient - resilience, restored hope, and supported impactful institutions. Today we reaffirm this consequential, transformative, and historic partnership which stands as a testament that - that becomes possible when two friendly nations unite around a common vision and a shared resolve to make health care systems not only stronger, but more resilient and truly sustainable.

The framework we sign today adds momentum to my administration's universal health coverage that is focused on supply of modern equipment to our hospitals, efficient and timely delivery of health commodities to our facilities, enhancement of our health workforce, and health insurance for all, leaving no Kenyan behind. This facility will also boost disease surveillance and emergency preparedness.

On behalf of the government and people of Kenya, I express profound gratitude to the United States, to President Donald Trump, and to you, Marco, for the commitment of U.S. dollars - 1.6 billion - to Kenya over the next five years. This gesture of goodwill by President Trump on behalf of the American taxpayers reinforce our ongoing mobilization of domestic resources by Kenyans and actors and stakeholders in Kenya to the health sector. And I assure you that every shilling and every dollar will be spent efficiently, effectively, and accountably.

And let me say this for the record, that already we are mobilizing our own domestic resources to the tune of $3 billion to support the health - deployment of health infrastructure in Kenya. Not just health personnel - we now have 107,000 community health promotors built into the health infrastructure, building from the bottom of the pyramid in every village, in every health center, in every dispensary, and making sure that health does not become a privilege for those who can afford, but a right for every citizen.

Thank you very much to President Trump and his foresight and commitment to the relationship that exists between Kenya and the United States and between the United States and Africa. And let me say this, that as we sign this agreement - the first one ever - we don't take it for granted that many officials have spent many hours in putting this together. I want to commend them, both from the United States and from Kenya, so that we can do the easy job - me and Marco here - to do the final seam of this agreement.

Let me also commit that Kenya will continue to be available in Haiti, to do what we can to ensure that the experience we have gathered over the last couple of months - running into two years now - will be of benefit to the Gang Suppression Force. I did promise that we are not going to walk away from Haiti, and I want to say that Kenya would not have succeeded in Haiti if it were not for the support, the friendship, and the partnership of the United States.

We look forward - and I join Secretary Marco - in encouraging others from across the globe, especially in this region, the Organization of American States, that this is your neighborhood. If they can step forward with personnel, with resources, with equipment, with funding, we can all contribute to helping humanity in Haiti. And Kenya will play our role, we will make sure that there is a smooth transition, and we will play our roles even after that to make sure that we do not lose the gains that have been made. Thank you very much.

We will be also participating in one of the most consequential and historic signing ceremonies in the next event on eastern DRC that will see stability, peace, and progress achieved as a result of the bringing together of the various teams and creating an ecosystem where our region, the East African region, we can unlock the potential that comes out of the peace and stability that we envisage, and encourage all actors that we work together towards the success of what President Trump has put together. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

(The framework was signed.)

(Applause.)

PRESIDENT RUTO: Congratulations again, Secretary Rubio.

SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you. This was great. And we'll see you in a few minutes, right?

PRESIDENT RUTO: Yes, we'll see you in a few minutes. Thank you.

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Kenyan President Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Mudavadi

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

December 4, 2025

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Kenyan President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi to sign a bilateral agreement on global health cooperation. The agreement will help Kenya build a more resilient, more durable healthcare system and to move toward self-reliance. The Secretary commended Kenya's ongoing contributions to regional stability and counterterrorism. Both parties further acknowledged the need for a strong Gang Suppression Force in Haiti that can build on Kenya's already-significant contribution to that effort.

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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

4 December 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

All right, good afternoon.

** Guest

In a very short while, we will be joined in person by our friend Matthias Schmale, who, as you know, is the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Ukraine.

He is here for some meetings in New York, and we thought we would drag him in here to answer some of your questions.

** Sudan

Let me start with Sudan. Our humanitarian colleagues are warning yet again that civilians across the Kordofan region face growing dangers as violence intensifies. Earlier today, the Operational Humanitarian Country Team in Sudan issued a statement, condemning in the strongest terms the escalating violence across Kordofan and the ongoing sieges that have cut off multiple cities. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the people in Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan State remain trapped, facing extreme hardship, severe restrictions on movement and limited access to essential services and protection. Famine conditions have been identified in Kadugli, while sustained attacks have been reported in Babanusa, in West Kordofan State, in recent days.

The humanitarian community in Sudan also expressed deep concern over continued attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the region, noting that the violence is restricting access to food, medicine and essential supplies and limiting farmers' access to their fields and to markets for their products. This is increasing the risk of famine spreading across the Kordofan states.

The statement from our colleagues on the ground urged that all those involved in the fighting protect civilians, including medical and humanitarian workers, particularly those fleeing besieged areas and local front-line responders delivering life-saving aid wherever they are able to.

Aid workers in Sudan face extraordinary risks as they work to deliver basic assistance to 1.1 million human beings across the Kordofan region. They require safe and unimpeded access to reach all those in need.

The humanitarian community in Sudan also stressed that sexual violence, abductions and the recruitment of children must end, and that all civilian sites, including hospitals, shelters and markets, must be respected and protected in line with international humanitarian law.

Meanwhile, in North Darfur State, our partners at Save the Children tell us that more than 43,000 people displaced from El Fasher following the escalation of conflict in late October have now arrived in Korma town and Silk camp, placing immense strain on what you can imagine is already a fragile community. An assessment last week in Korma, which is located about 70 kilometres north-west of El Fasher, found critical shortages of food, healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation services, as well as education and protection.

An OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) team also visited Korma yesterday, noting that people fleeing violence continue to arrive in the area.

And you will recall, last month, Tom Fletcher, our Emergency Relief Coordinator, also visited Korma, where he heard from survivors who escaped the violence in El Fasher.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in Gaza: Our humanitarian colleagues are informing us that the humanitarian scale-up is well under way, even as insecurity persists, with frequent reports of attacks across the Gaza Strip causing casualties, including among civilians, and of course, causing further destruction.

On Monday, our partners leading on shelter and protection support distributed critical items to thousands of households, including thousands of winter clothing items, hundreds of bedding kits, tents, tarpaulins and kitchen sets. About 1,100 people were provided with services ranging from psychological support to legal consultations. Also on Monday, our partners set up 30 activity tents in different locations across Gaza to provide safe spaces where children can access psychosocial support and structured activities.

During November, we and our partners distributed monthly food parcels to more than 60 per cent of Gaza's population. That's about 1.3 million people out of 2.1 million. You will recall that we are also supporting community kitchens, bread production and other activities critical to addressing food insecurity.

Throughout last month, our mine action partners conducted over 130 assessments of explosive hazards across priority humanitarian locations, including warehouses, distribution points, major transport corridors and key infrastructure. This mapping exercise has been essential to enable [us] and our partners across all sectors to scale up operations based on our plan for the initial period of the ceasefire.

Our mine action partners also continue to educate people, especially children, on how to stay safe around explosive hazards, and they are reaching a lot of people every week doing that.

At the same time, we warn yet again that our humanitarians colleagues continue to face impediments in their efforts to fully implement the scale-up we are trying to do in Gaza. There needs to be full respect for the ceasefire to ensure the safety of all civilians, including aid workers, and that needs to be fully guaranteed. In addition, more crossings must open, more volume of and aid needs to go in, and more diverse supplies need to enter Gaza through multiple routes, and without delays or other impediments. The work of all our humanitarian partners, including UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), WFP (World Food Programme), UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), WHO (World Health Organization) and NGOs (non-governmental organizations), must be facilitated. To that end, customs currently imposed on humanitarian supplies should be waived, and restrictive registration requirements must be lifted.

** Central African Republic

Turning to the Central African Republic, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it is alarmed over the impact that armed violence is having on civilians in the south-east of the country.

On Sunday and Monday, an ambush in the Mboki region killed several civilians and heightened intercommunal tensions  that's what local sources are telling us. Several homes were burned, and the violence displaced about 1,000 people, who reportedly sought safety at a Catholic church in the region.

Mboki has seen repeated clashes, with humanitarian access made extremely difficult due to insecurity and poor telecommunications.

Last week, two staff at a local NGO working in the area were injured by stray bullets.

They had been partnering with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to provide food, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene support as part of a project backed by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

Although the situation has improved in parts of the Central African Republic, violence continues to deepen needs in other regions - including the south-east, where some 50,000 people require humanitarian assistance.

** South Asia Floods

Turning to South and South-East Asia, we have an update on the catastrophic flooding and landslides that have reportedly killed over 1,500 people and impacted nearly 11 million people across the region. As we mentioned yesterday, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam and Malaysia have been among the hardest hit, facing record-breaking rainfall, storm surges and widespread inundation.

In Sri Lanka, we and our partners continue to support the Government-led response and assessments. In close coordination with the authorities, we and our humanitarian partners have delivered emergency aid, including food, hygiene supplies, kitchen sets and water tanks. We have also distributed maternity and dignity kits and deployed medical teams. Early recovery efforts are under way, including deeper damage assessments.

For Viet Nam, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, allocated $2.6 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund yesterday to bolster assistance in the most affected provinces. The new money will support shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as [food] security interventions  including cash assistance  to complement the Government-led efforts.

In Indonesia, the Government-led response to the devastating floods in Aceh continues despite major logistical and access challenges. We are working closely with the Government there on logistics, health, water and sanitation, and facilitating coordination with local partners.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation in the region and remain in close contact with national authorities. We stand ready, obviously, to support any ongoing efforts by the Government.

** Hurricane Melissa

And an update on the aftermath of another storm, that is Hurricane Melissa, which, as you will remember, hit the Caribbean last month and made landfall in a number of countries. Communities in Cuba and Jamaica continue to face significant needs. In Jamaica, some 280,000 people remain displaced, with very few returns recorded. Our humanitarian partners have reached an estimated 280,000 people with assistance, including food distributions and hot meals.

Our humanitarian colleagues note that the most critical services are gradually being restored, but access remains uneven, with tens of thousands of households still without electricity or reliable piped water. Daily water trucking continues in the hardest-hit areas.

We, along with our humanitarian partners, continue to support the Government-led efforts, including the deployment of 5.5 metric tons of health supplies, psychological first aid, and ongoing assessments to guide recovery planning.

UNICEF is supporting school recovery through sanitation, cleaning and efforts to maintain access to learning, while the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is helping repair health facilities and procure medical supplies and equipment.

In Cuba, the UN system continues to support the Government-led recovery efforts. Over the past month, and with support for anticipatory action from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, PAHO reached nearly 1 million people with health assistance, ensuring essential services across hospitals. WFP, for its part, provided food assistance to some 340,000 people, and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) has distributed materials to help 120,000 people do repairs.

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) also distributed half a million vegetable seeds to support the recovery of household agriculture.

Despite these efforts, the needs are significant. The UN Plan of Action to support the response to Melissa in Cuba, which seeks $74 million to help 1 million people, is just 20 per cent funded. [...]

** International Days

International day. If I tell you show me the money, what International Day is it? [...] It is the International Day of Banks. This year, the Day highlights the essential role of multilateral development banks, international development banks and domestic banking systems in advancing sustainable development, supporting climate action and improving standards of living.

And today is also the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures. The Day aims to raise awareness about the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the UN. It emphasizes the need to promote dialogue, mutual respect, understanding, tolerance and multilateralism as the cornerstone of international relations and diplomacy.

** Senior Appointment

We have someone who is coming on board. Today we are announcing that the Secretary-General and the Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu, and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy McCain, appointed jointly Matthew Hollingworth of the United Kingdom as the World Food Programme Assistant Executive Director for Programme Operations. He succeeds Valerie Guarnieri of the United States, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful and to whom we personally say thank you.

Mr. Hollingworth is an experienced humanitarian leader with over 25 years of experience in emergency response, supply chain management and country leadership roles.

He is currently the WFP [Representative and] Country Director in Lebanon.

** Mic Browne

And we want to note that a good friend of ours is retiring today. Ireland's own Mic Browne, the long-time Chief of Security at Headquarters, is leaving us.

Chief Browne's career has taken him from the parade grounds of the Irish Defence Forces to the corridors of the United Nations, with stops in Lebanon, Iraq and many other places along the way. His time at UN Headquarters has been focused on keeping all of the people who are in this building safe, and that includes yourselves, journalists, diplomats, staff, NGOs and visitors.

Providing stellar leadership, he has navigated countless high-stakes events and coordinated operations for some of the most complex gatherings on Earth.

And of course, he had to deal with crises that pop up now and then  from dealing with a Colonel Saunders lookalike who made his way into the building to meet the PGA (President of the General Assembly) back in 2009, to allegedly malfunctioning escalators  Mic has always risen to the challenge with good humour and professionalism.

He has been a good friend to this office, and we wish the young men from Limerick the best.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : On that note... All right, Dezhi?

Question : Yeah. A couple of topics. First today, the Israel military launched airstrike to the Southern Lebanon area, targeting what they called Hizbullah depots. Does the Secretary-General have any reaction on the latest development?

Spokesman : Look, I haven't gotten an update today from our colleagues at UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), but I can tell you that we stand firmly against any violations of resolution 1701 and any violations of the Blue Line.

Question : You actually part answered my question. So, the UNIFIL colleagues haven't provide updates, right?

Spokesman : They haven't come up all the way up through the pipes to me.

Question : We know that the Security Council members, they are going to visit UNIFIL camps in southern Lebanon. Would there be any effect of this?

Spokesman : You would have to ask the Security Council. I'm not across their trip. I do know there are... from what I gather, they are in Syria today. But otherwise, you should speak to the Council.

Question : Right. Okay. On Sudan, you just talked a lot of the devastation in Sudan. But the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel [Fattah] Burhan, said recently that his priority is to disarm RSF (Rapid Support Forces), which means if there's no intention to disarm, he's not willing to talk to RSF but will continue the military operation. How worried is the Secretary-General about the trajectory of this crisis in Sudan?

Spokesman : Look. I mean, if you've been listening to what we've been saying, what the Secretary-General's been saying, what the Secretary-General's representatives have been saying, I think we've been spending a lot of time highlighting this horrendous humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where two leaders are continuing to fight, and their people are paying the ultimate price in horrendous conditions. The Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, was in Port Sudan recently. He's in Addis. I can tell you that he is in touch with all parties and getting what I would say is sort of cautiously positive signals that both the Government and the RSF are willing to engage with him.

Question : Has Secretary-General ever reached out to the White House? Because it seems that President [Donald] Trump has now has an interest to solving that Sudan crisis. And also, the Secretary of State said that he is the only leader in the world capable of resolving the Sudan crisis.

Spokesman : Listen, Mr. Lamamra is speaking to all relevant parties.

Question : White House?

Spokesman : He's speaking to all relevant parties, including the United States. Abdelhamid, and then we'll go to you, Benny.

Question : Thank you, Steph. First, as part of the marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, there is a movie today at 1:00 in the Trusteeship. Expected you to announce the movie, which is The Voice of Hind Rajab.

Spokesman : I understand, Abdelhamid. I don't mention every event that goes on in this building.

Question : Now my question is Yasser Abu Shabab, a Palestinian in Gaza who was accused of being an Israeli agent, was gunned down today. Do you have any information to share with us?

Spokesman : I don't have any further information than what I've read in the press.

Question : Okay. And the Foreign Minister of Egypt said that dividing Gaza is not acceptable. That means there are some fears that Gaza is being divided as we speak. What do you say?

Spokesman : I think, if you've... again, paraphrasing what I just told to Dezhi, if you've listened to what the Secretary-General has said, his representatives, what we've said from this [podium], is that we stand against the division of Gaza and also stand against the division of Gaza from the West Bank as a future Palestinian State. Benny Avni?

Question : Hey.

Spokesman : Hey.

Question : Speaking of films, last night in Manhattan, there was a screening of a movie called Unravelling UNRWA, which is, as you can hear from the name, critical of UNRWA. Are you aware of the movie? Is there any... [cross-talk]

Spokesman : We're aware of the movie. One of our colleagues... I think you've seen the movie.

Question : I have not. Regrettably, I was going to go see it.

Spokesman : Okay. Alright. [cross-talk] Okay. Benny, if you haven't seen the movie, I would encourage you obviously to see the movie. One of our colleagues, a senior UNRWA person, spoke at length to them. And so since neither you or I have seen this film, I'm not sure what kind of discussion we can have.

Question : What, you are accusing me of not seeing while you are not seeing it?

Spokesman : No. I'm just saying, so I'm happy... [cross-talk] It's hard for us to have a discussion.

Question : To follow up on that. So, there's now reports that in Gaza, UNRWA is much less active than other UN and NGO agencies. Any, is it... [cross-talk]

Spokesman : Based on what information?

Question : As I said, there's a lot of reports on that.

Spokesman : I mean, UNRWA continues to do its work. We talk about them almost every day, in terms of creating learning spaces. They have the network. They have the buy-in from the community, along with World Food Programme, WHO, UNICEF. Every UN agency on the ground in Gaza is doing as much as it can in the space it is being given to do its work.

Question : And just to be clear on that film, the central allegation from the book that was the movie was based on is that UNRWA perpetuates rather than helps resolve the Palestinian-Israeli dispute. What's your line on this? [cross-talk]

Spokesman : UNRWA was not created to solve the Israeli Palestinian dispute. UNRWA was created in 1948.

Question : '47.

Spokesman : '47. There you go. Thank you.

Question : No. Sorry. '49.

Spokesman : '49.

Question : My mistake.

Spokesman : ...To deal with Palestine refugees. It is not there to perpetuate. It exists while a political solution is to be found. You are a better student of that history than I am. There have been periods where we've almost found a political solution and others where we've not. UNRWA is not there to perpetuate anything.

Question : One more question, please, since I have the microphone.

Spokesman : Me, too.

Question : On the situation in Venezuela, you've addressed it a lot of times and I missed that, but is it the UN position that [Nicolas] Maduro is the legitimate leader of Venezuela?

Spokesman : Look. Secretary-General is not there to recognize or grant legitimacy on leaders or not. The credentials of the Venezuelan Government, their representatives here, have not been questioned. We deal with the Government in Caracas, like we do with Governments in every Member State. The Secretary-General has expressed his concerns about the elections and the lack of transparency, and those concerns stand. I'm going to go to my Irish friend.

Question : Can you put me in touch with our young friend from Limerick?

Spokesman : Yes. Delighted.

Question : Since he's presumably now free to talk to the press.

Spokesman : Ah, yes. His gag order has been removed. I will.

Question : And secondly on Sudan, obviously, the Secretary-General invoked Article 99 over Gaza. Is he going to do the same over Sudan?

Spokesman : Look. At this point our focus is, I think, on two simultaneous fronts. One is to get as much humanitarian aid and as much humanitarian access in. And the second is on the political track. And Mr. Lamamra just briefed the Secretary-General on his efforts, on the contacts he's had with both the RSF and the Sudanese Government, and we're trying to find progress on both tracks simultaneously. You will be the second to know if there's any invocation of Article 99. Islam?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. I would like to follow-up the yellow line question again. But before I ask my question, I think I need to make a little clarification about my question yesterday. I used the phrase like, sort of, educate the Gazans not to approach it. I didn't really... sort of, I sounded like blaming the Gazans. So I want to correct that for the clarification. And your answer yesterday, you said that the challenge is limited or no access to behind yellow line, which is yellow line and East Gaza line. Best of your knowledge, to the best of your knowledge, what do we know so far about how many people may remain there, especially civilians? Is there any contact with them? Or the communication is completely lost?

Spokesman : There is some contact. I mean, I don't have hard numbers, but my understanding is a rather very small percentage of the overall civilian population in Gaza is in that area between the so-called yellow line and Gaza's eastern land border.

Question : And if I may ask a different question on Venezuela. I came across the UN agency, which is UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). And I was wondering, just out of curiosity, do they have any mandate, or their scope is related with this tension between US and Venezuela?

Spokesman : No. I mean, their mandate is on reporting on issues relating to drug cultivation and drugs and the enforcement against criminal enterprises and so on, linked to the drug trade. They've published a number of reports about the region, and I would encourage you to read them. Please. Namo, please.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. I have two questions on Syria. The United Nations Security Council is in Syria for the first visit ever that the Security Council has paid to the country. I'm wondering what role does the Secretary-General envision, for what concrete role does he envision for the United Nations to play in Syria, in post-Assad Syria, as different communities are debating what form of government the country should have, how decentralized it should be?

Spokesman : We will be there to support the Syrian authorities in whatever way we can. We will continue to speak up and to encourage them to be as inclusive as possible in all of their policies, to ensure that Syrians of all religion, ethnic groups feel protected and feel recognized and support the Government in this transition period.

Question : Any concrete actions that you have?

Spokesman : We continue to have a UN... there's a UN country team that is active on all UN fronts. And on the political end, we have a UN political mission that continues that has a presence in not only in Geneva, but of course, in Damascus through our Deputy, Najat Roshti.

Question : And my second question on Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported, quote, growing public concern in Latakia following an attempted kidnapping of a young Alawite girl. There seems to be growing sectarian tensions in Syria.

Spokesman : Yes. I mean, haven't seen this particular report, but the fact that there is sectarian tension in Syria is well known, and we've spoken out very clearly against it.

Question : Thanks, Steph. The presidents of the DRC and Rwanda are in Washington today to sign a peace treaty. And given the UN's longstanding role on the ground in the DRC in Eastern Congo, has there been any input from the United Nations towards this agreement?

Spokesman : Look, I think our colleagues on the ground have been in contact with the US. This is not an agreement that we are directly involved in, but I would stress that we welcome this positive development towards peace and stability in the Great Lakes and commend the United States' continued engagement in this regard. And I think we're also encouraged by the presence of a number of African leaders in Washington today, beyond the presence of the DRC and Rwanda  notably, the African Union, its appointed mediator, President [Faure] Gnassingbe of Togo, as well as the State of Qatar, to ensure the coordination and complementarity among all of the peace efforts. You know, we've supported the AU's mediation, and we'll continue to support all efforts towards sustainable peace in the DRC and the wider region, including through our peacekeeping mission, support for the implementation of commitments made under both the Washington and Doha processes.

Question : Should there have been greater consultation with the United Nations?

Spokesman : I think every agreement, every peace effort has different configurations. What is important is that there is actually peace on the ground. Okay. Any questions online? Excellent. Do not move. I will get my guest, right here, is in the back.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Central African Republic, South and South-east Asia, Hurricane Melissa

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Humanitarians continue to step up response in Gaza, despite ongoing insecurity

OCHA says that the humanitarian scale-up is well underway in Gaza,* even as insecurity persists, with frequent reports of attacks across the Strip causing casualties - including among civilians - and further destruction.

On Monday, partners leading on shelter and protection support distributed critical items to thousands of households - including thousands of winter clothing items and hundreds of bedding kits - as well as tents, tarpaulins and kitchen sets. About 1,100 people were also reached that day with individual protection services, ranging from psychological support to legal consultations. Also on Monday, partners set up 30 activity tents in different locations across Gaza to provide safe spaces where children can access psychosocial support and structured activities.

In November, the UN and its partners distributed monthly food parcels to more than 60 per cent of Gaza's population - about 1.3 million people out of 2.1 million. Humanitarians are also supporting community kitchens, bread production, and other activities critical to addressing food insecurity.

Throughout November, mine action partners conducted just over 130 assessments of explosive hazards across priority humanitarian locations - including warehouses, distribution points, major transport corridors and key infrastructure - classifying their findings as low, medium or high risk. This mapping exercise has been essential to enable the UN and its partners across all sectors - food, water, health, shelter, education and beyond - to scale up operations based on the plan for the initial period of the ceasefire.

Mine action partners also continue to educate people, especially children, on how to stay safe around explosive hazards, reaching thousands of people every week.

At the same time, OCHA warns that humanitarians in Gaza continue to face impediments to their efforts to fully implement the scale-up. OCHA urges full respect for the ceasefire to ensure that the safety of all civilians - including aid workers - is fully guaranteed. In addition, more crossings must open so that higher volumes of more diverse supplies can enter Gaza through multiple routes, and without delays or other impediments. The work of all humanitarian partners - including UNRWA and NGOs - must be facilitated. To that end, customs currently imposed on humanitarian supplies should be waived and restrictive registration requirements lifted.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support.

Sudan

Humanitarian community alarmed by impact of surging hostilities, sieges on civilians in Kordofan

OCHA warns that civilians across Sudan's Kordofan region face growing dangers as violence intensifies.

Earlier today, the humanitarian community in Sudan issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms the escalating violence across Kordofan and the ongoing sieges that have cut off multiple cities.

People in Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan State remain trapped - facing extreme hardship, severe restrictions on movement, and limited access to essential services and protection. Famine conditions have been identified in Kadugli, while sustained attacks have been reported in Babanusa, in West Kordofan State, in recent days.

The humanitarian community in Sudan also expressed deep concern over continued attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in the region, noting that the violence is restricting access to food, medicine and essential supplies and limiting farmers' access to their fields and markets - increasing the risk of famine spreading across the Kordofan states.

The statement urged all those involved in the fighting to protect civilians, including medical and humanitarian workers - particularly those fleeing besieged areas and local front-line responders delivering life-saving support. Aid workers in Sudan face extraordinary risks as they work to deliver basic assistance to 1.1 million people across the Kordofan region. They require safe and unimpeded access to reach those in need.

The humanitarian community in Sudan also stressed that sexual violence, abductions and the recruitment of children must end, and that civilian sites and infrastructure - including hospitals, markets and displacement sites - must be respected and protected in line with international humanitarian law.

Meanwhile, in North Darfur State, Save the Children reports that more than 43,000 people displaced from El Fasher following the escalation of conflict in late October have arrived in Korma town and Silk camp, placing immense strain on already fragile host communities. An assessment last week in Korma, which is located about 70 kilometres north-west of El Fasher, found critical shortages of food, healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation services, education and protection.

An OCHA team also visited Korma yesterday and noted that people fleeing violence continue to arrive in the area. Last month, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, also visited Korma, where he heard from survivors who escaped the violence in El Fasher. Once again, OCHA calls for safe passage for civilians - as well as safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access across Sudan so that assistance can reach all people in need in the country.

Central African Republic

Violence imperils civilians in Mboki region

OCHA is alarmed over the impact that armed violence is having on civilians in the south-east of the Central African Republic.

On Sunday and Monday, an ambush in the Mboki region killed several civilians and heightened intercommunal tensions, according to local sources. Several homes were burned, and the violence displaced about 1,000 people, who reportedly sought safety at a Catholic church elsewhere in the region.

Mboki has seen repeated clashes, with humanitarian access made extremely difficult due to insecurity and poor telecommunications.

Last week, two staff from a local NGO working in the area were injured by stray bullets. They had been partnering with the UN Population Fund to provide food, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene support - as part of a project backed by the UN Global Emergency Fund (CERF).

Although the situation has improved in some parts of the Central African Republic, violence continues to deepen needs other regions - including the south-east, where some 50,000 people require humanitarian assistance.

South and South-east Asia

Deadly floods, landslides impact millions of people

Catastrophic flooding and landslides have already killed more than 1,500 people and affected nearly 11 million people across South and South-east Asia.

Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam and Malaysia have been among the countries hardest hit - facing record-breaking rainfall, storm surges and widespread inundation.

In Sri Lanka, the UN and its partners continue to support the Government-led response and assessments. In close coordination with authorities, they have delivered emergency aid - including food, health and hygiene supplies, kitchen sets and water tanks. They have also distributed maternity and dignity kits and deployed medical teams. Early recovery efforts are underway, including damage assessments.

In Viet Nam, Mr. Fletcher allocated US$2.6 million from CERF yesterday to bolster assistance in the most affected provinces. The new funds will support shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as food security interventions - including cash assistance - and will complement Government-led efforts.

In Indonesia, the Government-led response to the devastating floods in Aceh, north and west Sumatra, continues despite major logistical and access challenges. The UN is working closely with the Government at the national level on logistics, health, water and sanitation, and facilitating coordination with local partners.

The UN remains in close contact with national authorities and stands ready to support ongoing relief and response efforts.

Hurricane Melissa

UN, partners support Government-led responses in Jamaica, Cuba

OCHA reports that more than one month after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, communities in Cuba and Jamaica continue to face significant needs.

In Jamaica, some 280,000 people remain displaced, with very few returns recorded. While the number of people in formal shelters has declined, many families are still awaiting transitional housing.

Humanitarian partners have reached an estimated 280,000 people with assistance, including food distributions and hot meals. As large-scale distributions wind down, they are transitioning to providing cash-based assistance.

Critical services are gradually being restored, but access remains uneven, with tens of thousands of households still without electricity or reliable piped water. Daily water trucking continues in the hardest-hit areas.

Despite the distribution of more than 70,000 tarpaulins, bedding and essential household items, shelter needs remain widespread, particularly for families unable to return to their heavily damaged homes.

The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to support Government-led efforts, including the deployment of 5.5 metric tons of health supplies, psychological first aid, and ongoing assessments to guide recovery planning. UNICEF is supporting school recovery through sanitation, cleaning and efforts to maintain access to learning, while the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is helping repair health facilities and procure medical supplies and equipment.

In Cuba, the UN system continues to support Government-led recovery efforts. Over the past month - and with support for anticipatory action from CERF - PAHO reached nearly 1 million people with health assistance, ensuring essential services across hospitals, clinics, family medical practices, maternal and care homes for older people, ambulance services, and provincial medical warehouses. The World Food Programme has provided food assistance to some 340,000 people, and the UN Development Programme has distributed materials to help 120,000 people repair damaged roofs. The Food and Agriculture Organization has also distributed half a million vegetable seeds to support the recovery of household agriculture.

Despite these efforts, the needs remain significant. The UN Plan of Action to support the response to Hurricane Melissa in Cuba - which seeks $74 million to help 1 million people - is currently only 20 per cent funded.

Posted on 4 December 2025

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NATO foreign ministers' meeting at year's end highlights growing U.S.- Europe divide

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:12, December 05, 2025

The NATO meeting drew scrutiny over the rare absence of the U.S. secretary of state, disagreements among allies over how to arm Ukraine, and mounting tensions over who should reap the industrial benefits of rearmament.

BRUSSELS, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- As the war in Ukraine drags on and wrangling continues over a U.S.-backed "peace plan," the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) foreign ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday for their last gathering of the year.

However, instead of signaling unity, the meeting drew scrutiny over the rare absence of the U.S. secretary of state for the first time in over two decades, as well as disagreements among allies over how to arm Ukraine, and mounting tensions over who should reap the industrial benefits of rearmament.

U.S. ABSENCE STIRS DOUBTS

NATO usually holds two formal foreign ministers' meetings a year. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend Wednesday's meeting, sending Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau in his place.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, former NATO arms control director William Alberque described Rubio's absence as "unusual." NATO would normally reschedule the meeting to accommodate a U.S. absence, he said.

A senior U.S. State Department official argued that Rubio has already held dozens of meetings with his counterparts, and that it is "unrealistic" to expect him to attend every single one.

Rubio's decision to send Landau in his place is also telling, since many in European diplomatic circles see the latter as skeptical of NATO. In the past, Landau has questioned the alliance's relevance on social media, calling it "a solution in search of a problem."

Rubio's absence from the latest NATO foreign ministers' meeting is likely to further fuel European allies' anxiety about being sidelined and deepen their distrust of the United States, analysts said.

BURDEN-SHARING RIFTS

Since the Trump administration has significantly cut U.S. military assistance to Ukraine starting this summer, NATO has set up a "Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List" (PURL). This allows European allies to contribute funds for NATO to buy weapons for Ukraine from U.S. stockpiles.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that more than two-thirds of NATO members have already pledged contributions through the PURL, with commitments from European countries and others expected to exceed 5 billion U.S. dollars at the end of this year.

However, the European Union (EU) estimates that Ukraine will need at least 83 billion euros (around 97 billion U.S. dollars) in military support over the next two years, leaving a significant funding gap.

Although Wednesday's meeting saw several countries announcing new commitments, several states have yet to make pledges under the mechanism. France said it prefers to donate European-made equipment, while Italy wanted to focus more on diplomatic efforts toward a cease-fire.

This mix of big spenders and cautious bystanders has fueled dissatisfaction inside NATO. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys called for collective financing efforts for the next year on his arrival at NATO headquarters.

Nevertheless, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said after the Brussels session that Hungary will not participate in the PURL.

U.S. PRESSURE VS. "BUY EUROPEAN" PUSH

Beyond the question of who pays how much, the NATO meeting also laid bare a focus: who gets the contracts.

Currently, many of the weapons systems, which are most critical to Ukraine's defense, come from the United States.

However, Europe has not given up its bid to replace U.S. output in the long term. The EU has launched a new "Security Action For Europe" instrument that offers up to 150 billion euros in financial support for member states' security and defense procurement. The EU has made clear it wants those funds to strengthen Europe's own defense industrial base, with roughly 65 percent of equipment sourced from European manufacturers, and no more than 35 percent from third countries.

According to Politico Europe, Landau lashed out at his European counterparts during Wednesday's closed-door meeting, blaming them for trying to "bully" U.S. defense firms out of the bloc's rearmament efforts.

However, analysts point out that the United States is, on the one hand, pressuring the EU on trade, while on the other, insisting that Europe refrain from taking protectionist measures against U.S. products and buy American weapons.

Ferenc Kelemen, a UK-based business analyst, commented that Europe is now facing a stark choice: either it takes on the new role of a funding mechanism for American-designed security arrangements, or it accepts trans-Atlantic fractures. "There is no third option," he said. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar)

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Trump set to unveil Gaza governance plan before Christmas: Report

Iran Press TV

Friday, 05 December 2025 2:52 AM

US President Donald Trump is preparing to announce a sweeping new governance structure for Gaza, including a personally led so-called "Board of Peace," as part of the second phase of the US-brokered ceasefire deal, according to US officials and a Western source involved in the talks.

The rollout, expected before the Christmas holiday break, aims to facilitate further Israeli withdrawals and establish international oversight to stabilize the Gaza Strip, Axios reported on Thursday.

The initiative builds on a US-led plan first outlined in September 2025, which received UN Security Council endorsement last month for an associated international stabilization force.

"All of the different elements are pretty well-advanced. It's all moving ahead, and the aim is to announce it before people break for the holidays," the Western source told Axios.

Under the proposed Phase Two, Israel would withdraw from additional areas of Gaza, allowing for the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) into Palestinian territories currently under Israeli control.

The ISF, authorized by a UN Security Council resolution in November, would operate under a unified command acceptable to the new governing body and coordinate with the Palestinian Technocratic Government, Israel, and Egypt.

Potential troop contributors include Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Turkey, though formal commitments remain unconfirmed.

The force's mandate, set for at least two years, also emphasizes demilitarizing Gaza by overseeing the destruction of what it calls offensive infrastructure and the decommissioning of weapons from Palestinian resistance groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad rejected the UN Security Council resolution, arguing that it imposes international guardianship, does not address Palestinian rights, and aims to disarm the resistance movements.

Hamas said the resolution does not meet the political and humanitarian demands and rights of the Palestinian people.

The movement stressed that any international force must be deployed only at Gaza's borders to monitor the ceasefire under UN supervision.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to visit Washington later this month, following Trump's reported directive that he become a "better partner" on Gaza.

Netanyahu has previously endorsed the peace framework, which includes phased Israeli withdrawals contingent on security conditions.

At the apex of the new structure sits the so-called Board of Peace, chaired by Trump and comprising about 10 leaders from Arab and Western nations to provide transitional oversight.

Supporting it is the International Executive Board, featuring former British prime minister Tony Blair, Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and senior officials from Board of Peace member countries.

Beneath this lies the Palestinian Technocratic Government, a non-partisan cabinet of 12-15 experts with backgrounds in management and business.

US officials say Washington is on the verge of securing buy-in from Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and regional governments for the final slate.

The entire framework requires UN Security Council approval to take effect.

Critics note that despite its insistence on disempowering the resistance, the Trump proposal refuses to address such main issues as Israeli occupation, accountability, and Palestinian rights, such as the right to compensation.

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Israel - Military Budget

Israels government sharply expanded its defence spending for 2026, setting the military budget at about $34.7bn [112 billion shekels], a level significantly higher than before the Gaza war and intended to lock in higher long-term security outlays. The 2026 allocation of roughly $3435bn reflects an increase of around $1415bn compared with pre-war plans for Israeli defence spending before the escalation in Gaza in late 2023. Officials framed this as a structural upgrade of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) budget, not just a short-term wartime supplement, signalling that elevated defence costs are expected to persist even after ceasefires or lulls in fighting.

Defence Minister Israel Katz argued that the expanded budget is intended to reinforce the IDF across all arenas, from Gaza and Lebanon to longer-range threats, and to ensure that frontline units have the personnel, equipment, and training they need.

Part of his stated goal is to better support active-duty soldiers while easing the load on reservists, who have borne heavy mobilisation and economic strain since the outbreak of the Gaza war. The war in Gaza, along with simultaneous clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon and other regional adversaries, has driven Israels military expenditures sharply higher; estimates for 2024 alone put war-related security spending at over $30bn. These outlays include intensive air operations, ground manoeuvres, missile defence interceptions, and rapid procurement to replenish munitions and other stocks depleted during sustained combat.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presented the enlarged defence budget as a huge but necessary allocation that is meant to both strengthen the army and keep the broader economy on a path toward renewed growth. The fiscal plan is designed, in his view, to balance heavy security commitments with efforts to relieve pressure on households and support recovery after the economic disruptions caused by prolonged mobilisation and wartime damage.

Debate over Israels new 2026 budget focuses on how much to spend on defence versus the wider economy, who bears the tax burden, and the role of ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions. Smotrich initially argued for a smaller defence budget, saying the military was spending inefficiently and warning that very high outlays would damage long-term growth. Defence officials and Israel Katz pushed back, insisting that a larger sum was essential after two years of war, leading to a compromise of about 112 billion shekels that is still below what the army requested but above Smotrichs target.

Opposition parties, including Yair Lapid, attacked the budget as benefiting corruption and draft-dodging, charging that ordinary Israelis will pay higher taxes and social contributions to fund both defence and coalition deals. Critics highlight continued higher VAT, frozen income tax brackets, and increased National Insurance payments as signs that the middle class is being squeezed to finance record security spending and political promises.

A major flashpoint was funding for ultra-Orthodox communities while many yeshiva students remain exempt from military service, which opponents say effectively forces secular and non-Haredi Israelis to shoulder both combat and tax burdens. Some critics argue that the combination of a massive defence budget and large support for non-serving constituencies entrenches inequality and undermines social cohesion at a time of ongoing security threats.

A major share of the extra money is going into Israels multi-layered missile shield, including more interceptors and batteries for systems such as Iron Dome and the long-range Arrow family, whose stocks were heavily used against rockets from Gaza and Lebanon and during Irans large missile and drone attack. Additional funding and associated U.S. aid are also tied to newer systems like the Iron Beam laser and upgrades to Davids Sling, aimed at lowering per-shot costs and improving defence against dense salvos of rockets, drones, and missiles.

The defence ministry outlined plans to purchase more Merkava Mk.4 Barak tanks, Namer and Eitan armoured personnel carriers, and large numbers of first-person-view (FPV) drones to improve protection and firepower for ground units operating in Gaza, along the Lebanese border, and in other high-risk zones. These acquisitions are part of a broader push to modernise the armys ground manoeuvre brigades and integrate swarms of small drones for reconnaissance and precision strikes, reflecting lessons from urban and close-quarters fighting since 2023.

Extra funding also supports the procurement of KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tankers, which are intended to extend the range and endurance of Israels fighter and strike aircraft for operations far beyond its borders, including potential contingencies involving Iran. Alongside tankers, budget increases are meant to sustain high sortie rates, munitions stocks, and upgrades to existing fleets such as F-35 and F-15 squadrons so they can exploit the new refuelling and targeting capabilities.

The government planned in 2024 to increase defense spending by NIS 55 billion ($15 billion), an 85% increase over the pre-war defense budget. The Ministry of Finance said this would raise defense spending to about 20% of the 2024 budget, up from 13.5% before the war.

Defense Minister Yoav Galant warned 09 May 2024 against a delay in the purchase of American fighter jets, which he claims will harm the country's security and may significantly increase the price that Israel will pay. "The Israeli concept according to which it is possible to provide increasing security with less money, in the face of threats that are only increasing along with additional combat units, is a wrong concept that needs to change," said the minister. He called for doubling Israel's defense budget, and claimed that "this is our main insurance policy and we received evidence of this only a few weeks ago."

In light of the high cost of the war on Gaza, for the year 2024 the Israeli army demanded a budget of 95 billion shekels ($26 billion), which represents about 5% of the gross national product. On the other hand, the Israeli Ministry of Finance opposes this, and is satisfied with allocating a maximum of 85 billion shekels, and also conditions the allocation of the budget by obliging the army to develop an austerity plan and rationalize expenditures, according to what was reported by the Ynet website, affiliated with the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

According to Ynet's military affairs analyst 12 January 2024 , Yossi Yehoshua, the Ministry of Finance is not in a rush to approve the increase in the budget demanded by the army, and stipulates an inventory of accounts and an investigation into matters that reveal its failure following the events of the "Al-Aqsa Flood", and an investigation into how it was spent. Financial resources and budgets, and if they are used for their intended purpose.

A major battle is raging between the Ministries of Finance and Security. Yehoshua says: Over the budget necessary to deal with the large number of challenges and threats on various fronts, and it is clear to all parties that what was before October 7 will not return, and a war scenario on various fronts is closer than ever before.

The Financial Times reported 26 February 2024 that Israel plans to raise about $60 billion in debt this year, freeze government hiring and raise taxes, as it doubles its defense spending to finance the war on Gaza. According to the newspaper, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has inflicted heavy losses on the Israeli economy, which shrank by about 20% on an annual basis in the last quarter of 2023, noting that this blow came at a time when the government mobilized a record number of 300,000. A reserve soldier, tens of thousands of people were displaced in the north and south of the country, and consumer spending declined. About 150,000 Palestinian workers were also prevented from entering Israel from the West Bank.

Yali Rotenberg, Accountant General at the Ministry of Finance, told the newspaper that he expects the economy to begin to recover with the demobilization of large numbers of reserve soldiers and the recovery of consumer spending, indicating that the economic fundamentals are in place. If you look at the high-tech sector, it exists. If you look at infrastructure investment, it's there. If you look at private consumption, it is there too.

He pointed out that "the decisive factor in restoring the health of the Israeli economy is the demobilization of reserve soldiers," explaining that "the number who are still serving is about one-fifth of the 300,000 who were called up after the October 7 attack." He added that this number is expected to decrease to between 30,000 and 40,000 by the end of March, in light of the decline in the conflict, revealing that this is the scenario included in the budget. In this context, Rotenberg said: We believe that there will be an increase in defense spending in Israel in the coming years. That is why we have taken financial steps now, noting that a committee of experts from outside the government has been formed to provide advice on future defense spending.

In the context of the 2023 Israeli war in the Gaza Strip and the controversy over its continuation or cessation, Reuters quoted extremist Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as saying that the war on Gaza will likely cost Tel Aviv at least $14 billion in 2024. It added that the war has so far led to a financial deficit about three times what it was, and she expected the fighting in the Gaza Strip to continue until next February. The American Bloomberg website also quoted the Israeli Ministry of Finance as saying that it will need to increase defense spending by at least $8.3 billion in 2024.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz agreed on a 58 billion Israeli shekel ($17.8 billion) defennse establishment budget for 2022, the prime minister's office said on 28 July 2021. "As part of the understandings, it was agreed that the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] would be equipped and strengthened according to the threats with emphasis on acquisitions from defense companies that operate in the periphery, the allocation of a NIS [new Israeli shekels] 750 million budget to the home front in 2022, the advancement of IDF mental healthcare reform and full budgeting for the 'From Uniform to Studies' program," the office said in a statement.

The country's defence ministry, as well as IDF, had been operating without a proper budget for the past two years as the government failed to pass the national budget for 2020 and 2021, using its 2019 budget of 55.3 billion shekel. Then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly deliberately refused to pass the budget in 2020 to overthrow his government and avoid handing his post to Gantz.

Every year, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Defense argue over the size and composition of the defense budget, which makes it difficult for the government to reach a decision about the budget. Almost every year, the defense budget that is drafted before the beginning of the financial year is found to be inadequate, and a necessary supplement is granted during the year.

In discussions held by the government and the Knesset about the defense budgets for 2014 and 2015, the traditional wrangling between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Finance went up a notch. The dispute regarding the defense budget reached a new level when in May 2014, the IDF was forced to stop the annual training exercises of reservists due to lack of money.

The political-security cabinet refused to approve the original NIS 56b defense budget. The joint defense budget committee headed by MK Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud) on 15 November 2015 approved the defense budget for 2016 by 8 votes to 4. According to the committee's decision, the 2016 defense budget will be NIS 60 billion [ie, about $15 billion, with 1 Israeli New Sheqel equaling about $0.25 US Dollar]: 56.1 billion, plus a NIS 3 billion supplement, plus NIS 1 billion more for added costs.

Ministry of Finance budget director Amir Levy said that the NIS 3 billion budget supplement would be granted to the Ministry of Defense, provided that the Ministry of Defense implements a number of cost-cutting measures: IDF personnel cuts, increased transparency and control, shorter compulsory service, a higher retirement age for NCOs, hiring civilians for professional jobs, and adding an "exit gate" at age 35 for soldiers in the permanent army, without a bridging pension.

By July 2013 the Joint Knesset Committee on the Defense Budget, chaired by MK Avigdor Liberman (Likud-Beitenu), had approved without reservations the NIS 52.5 billion [about US$14.5 billion] defense budget for 2013. It also approved a NIS 51 billion budget framework, but not the budget plan, for 2014. The reason is simple: without approval of the budget framework, it is impossible to approve the state budget, and that would force new elections. The US Congress approved the full FY2013 Administration request for Israel of $3.1 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), of which Israel is permitted $815.3 million in Off-Shore Procurement. The Act also provided for $479.736 million in joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense programs.

A massive budget deficit in Israel forced its military to slash US$1.9 billion in spending through a series of cuts and a reorganization of its forces. The military on 10 July 2013 unveiled a series of proposed cuts and reorganizations that would lay off 3,000-5,000 career soldiers by 2018, retire old military equipment such as Patton tanks and M109 artillery cannons, and shut several air squadrons and naval units. Army representatives and the Israeli parliaments defense budget committee convened in the Knesset for a major hearing on July 21, prior to the final voting deadline on the national budget on July 31. The Chief of General Staff of the Israeli military, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, said the armys plan, which also included the construction of a new division at Syrias occupied Golan Heights, would see seven billion shekels (some USD 1.9 billion) cut over the coming five years. Israels 2013 budget, which passed a first vote in the Knesset in May, called for peeling the military budget by three billion shekels (some US$ 820 million), down to 58.4 billion shekels (US$ 16.148 billion).

In May 2013 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to bring before the Security Cabinet and the full Cabinet a decision that moderated the proposed cut to the defense budget by NIS 1 billion [about US$275 million], which will not be at the public's expense. The Cabinet, at its weekly meeting, unanimously approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to moderate the cut to the defense budget by NIS 1 billion without entailing a tax increase. Prime Minister Netanyahu said at the start of the Cabinet meeting this morning that, "We need the IDF to continue becoming more efficient, but we also need additional Iron Dome batteries, and I believe that the path I am proposing today strikes a proper balance between the needs of the economy and security needs." In addition to a reduction of NIS 3 billion [about US$800 million] in the defense budget, it was decided not to revoke the VAT exemption on tourism services, and instead to raise corporate tax by an additional 0.5% (1.5% total).

The budget was already NIS 6.6 billion above the spending target. By August 2013 lengthy discussions between the defense and finance ministries resulted in $832 million in proposed reductions to the defense section of Israels austerity budget while triggering a national debate on whether or how the cutbacks would affect the Jewish states military preparedness at a time when tensions between Jerusalem, Tehran and Damascus showed no sign of abating.

In 2012, the Israeli defense market valued US$13.10 billion, which represented the third largest military expenditure in the Middle East. During the review period, Israeli defense expenditure declined at a CAGR of -0.94% but is expected to record growth at a CAGR of 2.97% during the forecast period. The growth can be partially attributed to the US$15.5 billion of military aid from the US scheduled between 2013 and 2017; moreover, the continued security threats from Iran, Syria, and other neighboring Arab countries is forecast to result in Israel spending US$71.3 billion on defense during the period 2012-2017.

The security threats posed by Iran and Syria, hostility from neighboring countries, and Israel's inadequate troop size as a result of the country's small population, are expected to drive the country's defense expenditure during the forecast period. During the same period, the continued military aid of US$3.1 billion per year from the US will continue to increase the spending power of the country. Between 2013 and 2017, Israel is expected to accelerate its defense procurement plans to prepare for potential confrontations with Iran or Syria.

The burden of maintaining a large, modern national security establishment has always weighed heavily on the vulnerable Israeli economy. The total defense budget for Israeli fiscal year (FY) 1988, including United States assistance of US$1.8 billion, amounted to US$5.59 billion. Its principal components were local spending on equipment, supplies, and construction worth US$2.05 billion, personnel costs equivalent to US$1.25 billion, and purchases abroad of US$1.87 billion.

The defense budgets for FY 1987 and FY 1986 totaled US$5.6 billion and US$4.98 billion, respectively. The budget submission to the Knesset indicated that the objective was to maintain overall local costs--i.e., those items not supported by United States assistance--at the same level in both FY 1987 and FY 1988. Several factors made it difficult to compare the defense effort on a year-to-year basis. For example, defense budgets were affected by the immediate costs and later savings associated with cancellation of the Lavi fighter aircraft project. The additional wages needed for the extended call-up of reservists in 1988 to help contain the uprising in the occupied territories also depleted resources available for normal defense requirements.

As the largest single item in the government budget, defense spending absorbed a major share of the budgetary cuts within the Economic Stabilization Program of July 1985. The cumulative reductions in domestic defense spending from FY 1983 through FY1986 were estimated at US$2.5 billion, representing a 20 percent decrease in total domestically financed military expenditures. The defense burden as a ratio of GNP had averaged about 9 percent until 1966. Real defense expenditures increased dramatically as a result of the June 1967 War and the October 1973 War. They subsequently remained steady at about 10 to 15 percent of GNP, excluding foreign military purchases, and accounted for 20 to 25 percent of GNP when foreign military purchases (almost entirely funded by the United States) were included.

The Israeli government estimated the defense-related foreign exchange burden at US$2.1 billion in FY 1985 and predicted that it would remain at about that level during the foreseeable future. This included self-financed military imports, indirect imports (such as fuel and materials for the defense industry), and debt servicing of defense-related loans. The Ministry of Finance estimated that these expenditures contributed 53 percent of Israel's total deficit in the balance of payments in 1985. According to the ministry, the share of defense expenditures in the national budget, exclusive of debt servicing, was 43 percent in FY 1984, falling to 39 percent in FY 1985 and FY 1986.

According to analysis by the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, in the 1980s Israel ranked among the five or six highest countries in the world in terms of military expenditures as a ratio of GNP. It ranked eighth in terms of military expenditures per capita (US$875 in 1985) and second after Iraq in relative size of the armed forces (47.9 uniformed personnel per 1,000 population). Israel ranked about twenty-fifth in the world, below a number of Arab and communist countries, in terms of military expenditures as a ratio of total central government expenditures, based on 1985 defense budgets.

The economic burden of national security was perhaps most apparent in terms of manpower, a vital resource in an industrialized nation of only about 4.4 million people. The proportion of soldiers to civilians at any given time was eight times higher than the world average and historically had been far higher than in any other country. This impact was magnified during mobilization of the reserves, which has been increasingly frequent since 1973, when the failure to mobilize promptly proved to be a costly mistake. A full mobilization of the nation's nearly 500,000 reserves acted as a sudden brake on virtually all economic activity. Even partial mobilizations, which regularly occurred several times annually, had a profound impact on national production, as did the yearly periods of active duty served by each reservist. Such economic disruption was a principal reason why Israeli strategists emphasized that wars must be of brief duration.

On July 29, 2007 the government adopted, in Decision No. 2119, the main recommendations of the Committee to Examine the Defense Budget ("the Brodet committee"). The Brodet committee's recommendations comprise two main elements: a significant budget increase, subject to efficiency measures enabling the defense establishment to meet the task of strengthening the IDF. Accordingly, the committee recommended a budget increase of NIS 46 billion for the defense system, to be implemented gradually over a decade, together with efficiency measures meant to free up internal resources totaling NIS 30 billion from the baseline budget, gradually over a decade (sections 31-35 of the main recommendations).

In this connection, the committee emphasized, as a guideline for its work, knowing the scope of the budgets required by the defense system over the years and the challenges facing Israel, that "a solution based solely on a budget increase to the exclusion of all other components, will not only fail to solve the problem but exacerbate it and drive other parts of the economy as well as Israeli society into crisis" (page 29 of the report).

The committee also recommended main efficiency aspects to be led by the defense system in its field, including streamlining the manpower department  i.e. permanent army personnel, civilian employees of the army and Ministry of Defense personnel; savings in the areas of retirement and pensions; outsourcing and transfer to civilian responsibility, and elimination of redundancies between the IDF and the Ministry of Defense and within the army itself (section 15 of the main recommendations), while emphasizing that the proposed efficiency plan does not exhaust the full potential for efficiency measures (section 1 of the main recommendations).

Even after the adoption of the government decisions on the defense budget and their full implementation in terms of budgetary increases, the defense system adopted decisions and summaries that overrun the budgetary framework established by the government. Consequently, it was decided, in the framework of the economic plan for 2011-2012, to adjust the rate of increase of the defense budget to the rate set in the Brodet committee's main recommendations (with the budgetary amounts granted or earmarked for the defense establishment beyond this framework to be diverted to civilian areas). Furthermore, it was decided that the defense budget baseline should increase only in accordance with the recommendations in the Brodet report, i.e. a deduction of NIS 1.4 billion in 2011 and a deduction of NIS 1.3 billion in 2012.





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"What is happening in the White House today is actually

another episode of the Trump comedy show, that is

completely disconnected from the reality on the ground in in North and South Kivu."

Thierry Vircoulon

Associate Researcher in the Africa Centre at the

French Institute of International Relations (IFRI)



Congo Civil War

The DRC is a free-fire zone, where members of the security forces, armed groups and militias kill with impunity. Rwanda has not withdrawn its troops and support for the M23 rebels from Eastern DRC, as confirmed by UN experts and the US government. The DRC has not successfully "neutralized" the FDLR militia, an ethnic Hutu group that Rwanda views as a security threat and which includes some individuals linked to the 1994 genocide. Shelling and massacres in civilian areas have continued since the deal was signed, casting significant doubt on its effectiveness.

Fighting has flared up again in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo between the M23 rebel group and government forces, a day after United States President Donald Trump hosted DRC and Rwanda leaders in Washington as they signed a peace deal aimed at ending decades-long conflict in the country. The warring sides blamed each other for Fridays renewed fighting, with the M23 group saying in a statement that 23 people were killed and several others wounded in bombardments by the DRCs army.

In the newly reopened Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed the "Washington Accords," a peace agreement aimed at ending a recent conflict in the DRC's northeast region. The deal pledged ceasefire, disarmament and refugee return, but fighting persists between Congolese forces and M23 rebels, a militant group widely believed to be backed by Rwanda. While the White House touted peace and business opportunities in mineral-rich Congo, analysts warn the accord may favor US interests over lasting stability.

Were settling a war thats been going on for decades, said Trump, whose administration has intervened in a string of conflicts around the world to burnish his credentials as a peacemaker and advance US business interests. The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity were formally endorsed by the two nations' presidents on December 4, 2025, building on a preliminary agreement from June 27, 2025. However, intense clashes have continued, and in some areas even intensified, particularly between the Congolese army (FARDC) and the M23 rebel group, which is backed by Rwanda. During the signing ceremony in Washington, D.C., the two presidents, Felix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, did not exchange a handshake and hardly interacted.

Trump proclaimed the deal a "great day for Africa, a great day for the world." "They spent a lot of time killing each other," Trump added. "And now they're going to spend a lot of time hugging, holding hands and taking advantage of the United States of America economically like every other country does." The region is extremely rich in critical minerals (cobalt, copper, lithium). The control and exploitation of these resources by various armed groups and external actors, including Rwanda, is a central driver of the conflict that the peace deal has yet to address effectively on the ground.

Referring to ongoing violence in the region after a June peace treaty was signed in Washington, Maurice Carney, co-founder and executive director of Friends of the Congo, an NGO that advocates for peaceful and lasting change in the DRC, said he did not believe ratifying it would have much impact. "If the past five months [are] any indication, we do not expect anything to fundamentally change in the near future," Carney told DW, insisting that commercial interests rather than peace sit at the heart of the deal.

"The economic interests of local elites in Kigali and Kinshasa and global elites in Washington they converge, and those are the interests being met, not those of the Congolese people at all," he said. He pointed specifically to US tech and investment figures who stand to benefit from access to lithium and coltan mines in eastern Congo. One such coltan site, he noted, is currently held by M23 rebels.

Jeffrey Herbst and Greg Mills wrote in Foreign Policy magazine "The Congo Doesn't Exist," and that foreign governments and aid agencies should bypass the purported central government, and instead deal with whatever exerts control on the ground - a confusing and ever shifting array of governors, traditional leaders, warlords, and others. Absent a hegemon the Congo provides endless opportunities for plunder. Congolese suspect that US assistance (and all international aid) is provided to weaken the country and advance private business interests. The US is thought to support Rwanda's alleged efforts to annex the Kivus and monopolize the region's resources.

When the state lacks the capacity or willingness to maintain basic control of its territory, the effective cost of rebellion is low. Militant activity therefore becomes a more attractive economic prospect, as a small number of armed men with guns can seize control of public resources for private gain. The troubling instances of violence and human rights abuses most commonly associated with conflict in the DRC  atrocities against civilians, sexual and gender based violence, child soldiering, forced labor, and illicit trade in minerals and other natural resources  are tragic outcomes of the broader problems of conflict and fragile governance.

The abundance of natural resources in the Congo helps fuel the flames of conflict. In a context in which the population is desperately poor and the government fails to provide even basic services, taking up arms seems to some individuals and communities to be the only way to break through the corruption, patrimonialism, and government incompetence that prevents their accessing the benefits of the abundant mineral wealth in their territory. Competition over resources has been a factor driving conflict, and the exploitation of Congos resources by groups linked to Rwanda, Uganda, and other outside interests has provided particular motivation for local militia groups to act to secure economic resources for their communities  or at least for themselves.

The war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC; formerly called Zaire under President Mobutu Sese Seko) was the widest interstate war in modern African history. The DRC became an environment in which numerous foreign players were involved, some within the immediate sub-region, and some from much further afield. That only served to complicate the situation and to make peaceful resolution of the conflict that much more complex. The war, centered mainly in eastern Congo, had involved 9 African nations and directly affected the lives of 50 million Congolese.

The conflicts in the East have aggravated a worrying trend towards the collapse of state authority throughout the country. While this phenomenon receives international scrutiny in the East, most parts of the state have ceased to function normally throughout the country. The education, judiciary, and health systems have collapsed, with services dependent on under the table payments. Corruption is pervasive, following decades of state sanction and the government's inability to provide basic services. Without regular salaries, the security forces have turned to small- (and large-scale) extortion. In a situation where society is "broken," many donors have targeted security sector reform (SSR --military, justice, and police) as the most pressing area in need of assistance.

Despite enormous natural resource wealth, the DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with an annual GDP per capita of only $171. Following decades of economic mismanagement under the Mobutu regime, the GDRC initiated a series of economic reforms in 2001 that aimed to stabilize the macroeconomic environment and promote economic growth. The DRC's economic environment changed dramatically beginning in late 2008 and throughout 2009 as the country was significantly and negatively impacted by the global financial crisis. The once robust mining sector significantly contracted during late 2008 and early 2009 due to falling international commodities prices, a tightening of international credit and dampened investor confidence in the sector.

The International Rescue Committee said that between August 1998 and April 2004 (when a bulk of the fighting occurred) some 3.8 million people died in the DRC. Most of these deaths were due to starvation or disease that resulted from the war, not from actual fighting. Millions more had become internally displaced or had sought asylum in neighboring countries.

The political calm after the change of president in late 2018 brought a semblance of hope to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). This optimism was sadly short-lived, as atrocities and conflict in 2019 left many Congolese living in fear of brutal attacks in the eastern part of the country. Violence pushed almost 1.7 million people to flee their homes, the highest number of newly displaced people of any country in Africa. Military operations, armed group attacks and upsurges in intercommunal fighting forced hundreds of thousands of Congolese to flee in the eastern provinces of Ituri, South Kivu and North Kivu.

DR Congo was the second largest hunger crisis in the world after Yemen in 2019. The number of people unable to feed themselves stood at over 15 million. On top of that, almost four million children under the age of five were acutely malnourished. The Congolese faced multiple challenges in 2019. An outbreak of the Ebola virus in Ituri and North Kivu provinces killed over 2,200 people during the year. The outbreak was the second largest in the world, and the largest in DR Congos history. The country also experienced its worst measles epidemic in modern times. At least 209,000 people were infected between January and October, and more than 4,100 died. Flooding severely affected over 900,000 people in the north.

Despite being the worlds second biggest internal displacement crisis after Syria, international attention and donor funding fell badly short. By the end of the year, donors had contributed less than half of the money needed to help over 10 million people, making it one of the lowest funded appeals globally. Fighting in early 2020 brought the total number of people forced from their homes in the Ituri region to over one million since 2018.

Ugandan troops operating as part of an East African regional military force entered the east DR Congo border town of Bunagana on 31 March 2023. The soldiers were intended to supervise the gradual withdrawal of the M23 rebel group, which has conquered swathes of territory in eastern Congo since taking up arms again in late 2021. The Ugandan contingent of the East African Community (EAC) force entered Bunagana. About 1,000 Ugandan soldiers had crossed into the town -- which lies on the Ugandan border -- as part of a contingent that is expected to eventually comprise 2,000 troops.

Escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has displaced nearly one million people since January, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on 15 June 2023. An estimated 6.1 million are internally displaced, a 17 per cent increase from October, according to its Displacement Tracking Matrix. IOM said civilians have been killed or forced to flee their homes due to a surge in violence and attacks by armed groups.





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Russo-Ukraine War - 04 December 2025 - Day 1380

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of this day, there have been 154 combat clashes.

Today, the Russian invaders made 38 aviation strikes, dropped 119 controlled air bombs. In addition, the Russians involved 3,207 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,875 shelling of the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, the Russian enemy made one aviation strike, dropped two controlled air bombs, carried out 98 shells, in particular one of the jet systems of the fire.

In the South Slobozhans komu direction, Ukrainian troops stopped four Russian attacks in the areas of Izbitsky, Prylipki and Sinelnikovoye.

In Kupans komu and Kramators komu directions from the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy did not carry out offensive actions.

In the Lyman direction during the day, Russian invaders nine times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the settlements of Grekivka, Drobishevo, Zarichne and Oleksandrivka. One combat encounter is underway.

In the Slovenian direction, the Defense Forces repelled 11 Russian attacks near Yampol, Dronivka, Serebryanka and Siversk. At the moment, another combat encounter is underway.

In the direction of Konstantinivsk, Russians attacked the positions of Defense Forces 15 times. The main efforts of the invasion of the Russian occupiers were concentrated in the areas of Scherbinivka, Plesh iyivka, Oleksandro-Shultinyogo, Konstantinivka, Nikolaypillya, Torsky and in the direction of Berestko and Sofiyivka.

In the Pokrovsky direction Russian zagarbnic ki units 51 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of Shahovoye, New Shahovoye, Chervony Liman, Mirnograd, Vilny, Novoekonomicnogo, Rodinsky, Novopavlivki, Pokrovska, Light, Kotlinogo, Udachny, Molodetsky, Dachny. In four locations, the fighting clashes are still ongoing.

Today in this direction Ukrainian warriors zneskodili 127 Russian occupiers, of them 83 - irrevocably. 13 unmanned aircraft, one mortar, two units of vehicle equipment and 11 units of special enemy equipment were also destroyed. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers struck two units of car transport and one Russian artillery system.

In the direction of Oleksandrivsky, the Russian enemy attacked 19 times in the areas of Green Grove, Yalta, Oleksandrograd, Sosnivka, Steppe, Willow, Privilny, Cherry, Pavlivka, Krasnogirsky and Ribnoy. Ukrainian defenders have successfully stopped all enemy attacks.

In the direction of Gulyaipil, the Defense Forces repelled 12 Russian attacks near Zatishya, Gulyaipol and in the direction of Pryluk. The Russian enemy caused aviation strikes across the areas of staroukrainki, ternuvatogo and gulyajpol.

The Defense Forces successfully stopped the Russian enemy from attempting to break through Ukrainian positions in the Orikhivsky direction in the Primorsky area. Enemy strikes controlled bombs suffered the populated points of stepnogirs k, grigorivka and veselyanka.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, the Russian opponent made a futile attempt to advance in the direction of the Antonivsky Bridge.

In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on units of a mechanised brigade and an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Alekseyevka and Varachino (Sumy region).

In Kharkov direction, units of a mechanised brigade, a motorised infantry brigade, and an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit close to Vilcha, Staritsa, and Liman (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 155 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, a 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, ten motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station, and three materiel depots.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian units engaged three mechanised brigades, an assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a territorial defence brigade, and a national guard brigade near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Kucherovka, Kurilovka, Bogusvlavka, Novoplatonovka (Kharkov region), Yarovaya, and Drobyshevo (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 210 troops, a tank, two field artillery guns including a Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, five armoured fighting vehicles, four Western-made fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, and four ammunition depots.

The Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Strikes were delivered at formations of two mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, a mountain assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, and a territorial defence brigade close to Seversk, Platonovka, Zakotnoye, Berestok, Petrovskoye, Konstantinovka, and Stepanovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 150 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 20 motor vehicles, a U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-fire radar, an electronic warfare station, and four materiel depots.

The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Manpower and hardware of five mechanised brigades, two jaeger brigades, an airmobile brigade, an airborne brigade, an air assault brigade, two assault regiments, an unmanned system brigade of the AFU, two marine brigades, two national guard brigades, and a territorial defence brigade have been hit close to Grishino, Sergeyevka, Torskoye, Volnoye, Svetloye, Toretskoye, Belitskoye, Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 490 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles two of them were Western-made, two field artillery guns including a U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, five motor vehicles, a Croatian-made Heron missile launcher, and a Grad MLRS.

The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defence. Strikes were delivered at formations of two mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, a territorial defence brigade, and two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Vozdvizhevka, Dobropolye, Varvarovka, Gulyaypole (Zaporozhye region), and Andreyevka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The enemy has lost more than 215 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, and 16 motor vehicles.

The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade and a mountain assault brigade, a coastal defence brigade of the AFU near Novodanilovka, Stepnogorsk (Zaporozhye region), and Nikolskoye (Kherson region).

More than 55 troops, 18 motor vehicles, two electronic warfare stations, a field artillery gun, and five ammunition and materiel depots have been neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted damage on the infrastructure of military airfields, pre-flight training areas, and launch sites of unmanned aerial vehicles, transport and energy infrastructure facilities used for the benefit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 153 areas.

Air defence systems shot down 195 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Black Sea Fleet eliminated four uncrewed surface vehicles of the AFU in the north-western part of the Black Sea.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 668 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 100,277 unmanned aerial vehicles, 638 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,370 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,626 MLRS combat vehicles, 31,706 field artillery guns and mortars, and 48,283 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

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Oklahoma National Guard departs for D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission

By Lt. Col. Kristin Tschetter December 2, 2025

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Friends, family and Oklahoma National Guard leaders gathered Monday at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma, for a ceremony held for members of the Oklahoma National Guard's Task Force Thunder.

Approximately 160 Guardsmen will depart for Washington, D.C., in the coming days in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission.

Gov. Kevin Stitt authorized Oklahoma Guardsmen to volunteer for the mission, which is scheduled for approximately 90 days. The mission falls under the direction of Joint Task Force D.C.

"Our Guardsmen routinely answer the call to serve and support their community, state and nation," said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general of Oklahoma. "As with many stateside support missions, this mission is voluntary, and I am so proud of each and every one of our Guardsmen as they continue to step forward."

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California and Mexico military leaders partner to enhance disaster resiliency and border security

California Governor - Gavin Newsom

Dec 4, 2025

What you need to know: California and Mexico enter a partnership to enhance our shared military expertise and protect our communities.

SACRAMENTO -- Reiterating the California National Guard's commitment to protect public safety and provide humanitarian assistance to its neighbors, today Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new partnership between the California and Mexico military departments.

Known as the State Partnership Program (SPP), the letter of intent between the California National Guard and the Mexican National Defense Secretariat (DEFENSA) will further enhance border security, amplify our tied economic prosperity, and share military expertise.

California's National Guard has a proud record of increasing public safety and answering the call to help our neighbors  and today we're taking that commitment even further. This partnership with Mexico's military leadership is a smart, collaborative approach to further cement our mutual values and advance the prosperity of all Californians. It's what our soldiers should be doing  not policing our streets.

Governor Gavin Newsom

The State Partnership Program is a U.S. Department of Defense security cooperation initiative that pairs state National Guards with foreign partner nations to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships through military cooperation, disaster response collaboration, and broader civil-military exchanges that support U.S. defense and foreign policy objectives.

The California-Mexico Partnership builds upon California's existing National Guard Partnerships with Ukraine and Nigeria.

"The California National Guard is extremely proud to partner with the Mexican National Defense Secretariat under the State Partnership Program," said CalGuard Major General and Adjutant General Matt Beevers. "This partnership will strengthen the already robust ties between California and Mexico, enhancing security cooperation and economic prosperity across North America. California's relationship with Mexico transcends our shared border and culture, driven by strong economic, environmental, and infrastructure ties."

The work the Cal Guard servicemembers do is vital to California's overall public safety. California and Mexico's geographic proximity fosters deep cultural ties and shared interests, particularly along our 140-mile border.

From taking down dangerous drug rings and helping feed California families to ensuring the state's emergency resilience during times of need, California servicemembers have valuable experience and knowledge to share their Mexican counterparts under this partnership, and they will learn from the Mexican servicemembers' experiences as well.

Protecting the border

The Cal Guard's ongoing efforts, including operations conducted by its Counterdrug Task Force, play a crucial role in addressing drug trafficking.

There are over 400 servicemembers deployed statewide, including at ports of entry, to combat transnational criminal organizations and seize illegal narcotics. As soldiers have gotten back to doing crucial public safety work, it's important to remember that an estimated 32% of Cal Guard's servicemembers dedicated to the Counterdrug Task Force were reassigned by the President to unlawfully militarize Los Angeles.

Recently, Governor Newsom announced significant strides toward taking down organized drug rings, including the seizure of over 35,065 pounds of fentanyl and more than 51.8 million pills containing fentanyl, with a street value of more than $498.4 million since 2021.

Increasing disaster resiliency

Our regions also face similar natural disaster risks due to our shared geography. Both California and Mexico are vulnerable to earthquakes and the effects of climate change, such as wildfires and drought.

Cal Guard servicemembers have been critical in protecting the state from natural disasters and emergencies, such as Task Force Rattlesnake. Joint Task Force Rattlesnake is made up of over 300 Cal Guard members, who work at the direction of CAL FIRE to help fight and prevent fires.

This partnership will strengthen disaster preparedness and build on the existing cooperation between California's Office of Emergency Services and the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur. During the fires in January, members of the Mexican military's specialized firefighting unit and disaster relief workers joined in the response efforts.

Recognizing our shared economies

Mexico is California's largest export market, and California is home to the largest Latino/Hispanic population in the United States. Nearly 40 percent of the Cal Guard's personnel identify as Latino/Hispanic.

Mexico ranks 2nd globally in total two-way trade with California ($97.8 billion), after China ($137.9 billion) and Mexican-owned companies in California support more than 13,800 jobs.

Since 2019, California and Mexico have signed seven memorandums of understanding.

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Commission presents new EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan against drug trafficking to protect citizens and disrupt criminal networks

European Commission

Press release

Dec 4, 2025

Brussels

Today, the Commission is presenting a new EU Drugs Strategy and an Action Plan against drug trafficking, as well as updated rules for monitoring and controlling drug precursors. Announced by President von der Leyen in the political guidelines and a key deliverable under the European Internal Security Strategy, ProtectEU, they set out a comprehensive EU response to the security, health, social and environmental challenges linked to the trafficking and use of illicit drugs.

Drug trafficking constitutes a global criminal business and a major threat to Europeans' wellbeing as well as Europe's security as a whole. Illicit drugs such as cocaine and synthetic drugs continue to drive violence, corruption, and the exploitation of the legal economy. Drug traffickers have developed new methods with constantly shifting trafficking routes, operating across the globe and increasingly online. At the same time, drug abuse poses a serious threat to public health, as new substances further increase the risks of poisoning and overdoses. Children and young people are particularly affected. In addition, the production of drugs causes significant environmental damage, including through toxic waste. These evolving dynamics demand a stronger, coordinated response across the EU.

The EU Drugs Strategy takes a multi-dimensional and whole-of-society approach, focused on 5 key areas:

Enhancing preparedness and response to drug related threats, with improved data collection, monitoring, early warning and rapid response measures at EU and national level. The EU Drugs Agency (EUDA) with its new, stronger mandate, will play a key role in supporting Member States by identifying new psychoactive substances, issuing rapid alerts, and assessing the risks posed by highly potent synthetic opioids.

to drug related threats, with improved data collection, monitoring, early warning and rapid response measures at EU and national level. The with its new, stronger mandate, will play a key role in supporting Member States by identifying new psychoactive substances, issuing rapid alerts, and assessing the risks posed by highly potent synthetic opioids. Protec ting public health , by strengthening prevention, treatment and reintegration measures, including under the Healthier Together initiative. The EUDA will support Member States with practical guidance and awareness-raising activities.

, by strengthening prevention, treatment and reintegration measures, including under the Healthier Together initiative. The EUDA will support Member States with practical guidance and awareness-raising activities. Strengthening security , with stricter rules against organised crime and an evaluation of the existing Framework Decision on drug trafficking by 2026. Key actions include strengthening public-private cooperation to improve the detection of drugs smuggled through postal and parcel delivery services into the EU, as well as a new EU Ports Strategy to enhance the security and resilience of our ports and supply chains against drug trafficking.

, with by 2026. Key actions include strengthening public-private cooperation to improve the delivery services into the EU, as well as a new to enhance the security and resilience of our ports and supply chains against drug trafficking. Measures to prevent drug-related harm focused on protecting young people from recruitment into organised crime (e.g. through a new EU toolbox and a new EU action plan on protecting children against crime), as well as reducing harm caused to society, local communities and the environment, including support from the EUDA on harm reduction intervention and crime prevention measures.

focused on protecting young people from recruitment into organised crime (e.g. through a new EU toolbox and a new EU action plan on protecting children against crime), as well as reducing harm caused to society, local communities and the environment, including support from the EUDA on harm reduction intervention and crime prevention measures. Stronger partnerships with third countries to reinforce and expand international alliances, andincrease operational cooperation, technical assistance and capacity building. Global cooperation is essential to tackle trafficking networks that operate across borders and rapidly adapt their routes and methods. The Commission and Member States will also step up engagement with civil society and the private sector.

The EU Action Plan against drug trafficking complements the EU Drugs Strategy, with 19 key operational actions across six priority areas to:

Adapt to evolving routes and methods used by criminal networks , also thanks toFrontex and Europol who will step up their support to help Member States detect drug trafficking at the external borders, including to address the misuse of go-fast vessels. The operations of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (MAOC-N) will also be expanded to disrupt maritime drug trafficking.

, also thanks toFrontex and Europol who will step up their support to help Member States including to address the The operations of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (MAOC-N) will also be expanded to disrupt maritime drug trafficking. Prevent crime and reduce drug-related violence , in particular amongst young people, e.g. with an EU-wide platform connecting experts across Europe to tackle online recruitment.

, in particular amongst young people, e.g. with an EU-wide platform connecting experts across Europe to tackle online recruitment. Step up cooperation of law enforcement, judiciary and customs authorities, to allow forenhanced information sharing and joint analyses. Europol will help Member States detect and investigate drug trafficking online, by monitoring drug markets, analysing and flagging suspicious activities.

to allow forenhanced information sharing and joint analyses. will help Member States detect and investigate drug trafficking online, by monitoring drug markets, analysing and flagging suspicious activities. Address the challenge of synthetic drugs and drug precursors: the EUDA will support Member States operationally with a new EU-wide substance database, so that Member States can better identify emerging substances, and with new guidelines and training for law enforcement on how to find and dismantle illicit synthetic drug production sites.

the EUDA will support Member States operationally with a new EU-wide substance database, so that Member States can better identify emerging substances, and with new guidelines and training for law enforcement on how to find and dismantle illicit synthetic drug production sites. Advance research and development and innovation , including with a new Security and Innovation Campus to be launched in 2026 with a focus on accelerating the transition from research to implementation.

, including with a new to be launched in 2026 with a focus on accelerating the transition from research to implementation. Strengthen international cooperation and further reinforce partnerships with key countries, including through joint investigations between the law enforcement authorities of Member States and partner countries, to strengthen port resilience against drug smugglers and disrupt drug trafficking routes.

Monitoring and controlling drugs precursors

The Commission is also proposing today new rules to make the monitoring and controlling of drug precursors and designer precursors clearer, simpler, and more digital. Drug precursors are often diverted and trafficked by criminals, to produce synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances, posing a significant threat to public safety.

The proposal includes new measures such as real-time reporting of significant seizures of drug precursors, an urgency procedure for faster controlling of substances, as well as a ban on designer precursors, significantly curbing these precursors' availability for illegal drug manufacturing. At the same time, the initiative will simplify and digitalise processes for legitimate trade, ensuring industries can thrive without excessive regulatory burdens.

Background

The EU Drugs Strategy sets out a way forward which safeguards citizens' well-being, public health, and security, and which strengthens the EU's preparedness and response to current and future drug-related challenges. The Action Plan complements the Strategy, with 19 priority actions focused on strengthening security, disrupting routes and business models of drug smugglers. At the same time, they will also support efforts to reduce drug-related harms and to reinforce international cooperation and partnerships. The updated rules for drug precursors aim to prevent that precursors are used for drug production while modernizing and simplifying controls for legitimate businesses.

The new Strategy and Action plan build on the previous EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan for 2021-2025, and their evaluation, as well as close cooperation with Member States and consultations with civil society (in particular the Civil Society Forum Drugs), and EU agencies. The measures proposed complement the objectives of the Preparedness Union Strategy, the European Health Union, and the EU health security framework.

Quote(s)

Disrupting drug trafficking is a matter of safety, security, and public health in our society. With young people particularly affected, with a very present online component and the global nature of this criminal business, we need to step up our response. We are therefore coming forward with an ambitious and multidisciplinary Strategy and an operational Action Plan, strengthening cross-border and international cooperation, working with platforms, investing in prevention, and ensuring people have access to the support they need. It is about building safer communities and giving every citizen the chance to thrive. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

The EU will not tolerate criminal networks flooding our streets with cheap drugs, fuelling violent crime, and undermining health and security in Europe. Under the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan on Drugs Trafficking, we are teaming up with partners worldwide to stop the traffic of narcotics into the EU. We are tightening security measures to restrict supply. And we are working to provide better access to treatment to fight the devastating effects on health. Faced with growing, sophisticated and violent drug markets, this integrated European response focused on readiness and prevention aims to deliver sustainable solutions crucial to protect our social fabric and set global standards for our partners. Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration

We remain firmly committed to controlling drug precursors, stopping criminals in their tracks before they can gain momentum. As traffickers evolve their tactics, we stand ready to tackle emerging challenges with stronger controls for customs and other competent authorities. By ensuring robust measures against designer precursors and simplifying procedures for legal trade, we are reducing opportunities for illegal drug manufacturing and protecting both our communities and legitimate businesses. Maros Sefcovic, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

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Questions and answers on the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan

European Commission

Questions and answers

Dec 4, 2025

Brussels

What is the Commission adopting today?

Today, the Commission is presenting a new EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan against drug trafficking, as well as updated rules for monitoring and controlling drug precursors.

The Strategy sets out a way forward which safeguards citizens' well-being, public health, and security, and which strengthens the EU's preparedness and response to current and future drug-related challenges. The Action Plan complements the Strategy, with 19 priority actions focused on strengthening security, disrupting routes and business models of drug traffickers. At the same time, they will also support efforts to reduce drug-related harms and to reinforce international cooperation and partnerships. The new rules for monitoring and controlling drugs precursors will also support the EU's efforts in combatting drug trafficking.

Announced by President von der Leyen in the political guidelines and a key deliverable under the European Internal Security Strategy, ProtectEU, they set out a comprehensive EU response to the security, health and social, and environmental challenges linked to the trafficking and use of illicit drugs.

What is the current situation regarding drugs availability in the EU?

Drug trafficking constitutes a major threat to the wellbeing of Europeans and the security of Europe. Europe faces unprecedented availability of highly potent drugs, with synthetic opioids, cocaine and synthetic stimulants representing the primary emerging threats. These developments require strengthened monitoring, rapid alert systems and integrated evidence-based responses across public health, prevention and security.

Cocaine remains the most trafficked drug to Europe - in 2023, seizures increased up to 419 tonnes - through smaller and more vulnerable ports alongside major entry points. Cocaine use is widening in geography and social profiles, with 2.7 million young adults (15-34 year olds) reporting last-year use.

Synthetic drugs are a second challenge for the EU. Every year, our law enforcement breaks up 500 drugs production labs, with designer precursors - chemicals with no known legal use - being smuggled into the EU by organised crime. They bring risks to health, but also dangerous toxic waste - for instance, the production of one kg of MDMA generates approximately 58 kg of toxic waste.

These issues are widely felt across the EU. In a recent Eurobarometer, four in ten respondents considered drug use and trafficking serious problems in their area, and many believe the situation has worsened.

This evolving context underlines the need for an ambitious and coordinated EU approach to protect public health, strengthen security and improve preparedness for future challenges.

How does the EU tackle these challenges?

The EU tackles drug use through a balanced approach that combines health, social, and security considerations.

The EU Drugs Strategy sets out the overall framework. It aims to enhance preparedness and response to drug-related threats, strengthen public health through prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery, and reinforce security with new legislative and operational measures against illicit production, trafficking and criminal infiltration. The Strategy also addresses the social and economic factors that contribute to drug use and involvement in trafficking, in particular the recruitment of young people, and includes measures to reduce drug-related harm, and tools to counter the recruitment of minors. It also calls for stronger cooperation with international partners, civil society and the private sector.

The Action Plan puts forward targeted short and medium-term actions to step up the fight against drug trafficking, particularly to adapt to evolving trafficking routes and methods, prevent crime and reducing drug-related violence, stepping up cooperation across law enforcement, customs and judicial authorities, and tackle the challenges posed by synthetic drugs.

This comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach is aligned with the EU Internal Security Strategy (ProtectEU), the Preparedness Union Strategy and the European Health Union, ensuring that the EU is better equipped to prevent drug-related harm, protect citizens' health and strengthen security.

What are drug precursors and why is the Commission putting forward updated rules to monitor and control them?

Illicit drug production, trafficking, and distribution is a growing and evolving criminal business. New, potentially more toxic and addictive, psychoactive substances are emerging across the EU. Drug precursors are chemicals which are indispensable in various industries, from pharmaceuticals to plastics. However, they can be diverted by criminals for the illicit production of drugs such as amphetamines, ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin.

In addition, criminal networks increasingly circumvent existing controls by using designer precursors, close chemical relatives of traditional drug precursors but with no known legitimate use, to produce synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances.

The Commission is therefore putting forward a revision of the existing Union rules on drug precursors. Stronger measures will allow for faster and more effective monitoring and control of precursors. This will significantly curb the availability for criminal networks to manufacture illegal drugs. At the same time, the initiative will simplify and digitalise processes for legitimate trade, ensuring that industries can thrive without excessive regulatory burdens.

Preventing legally traded drug precursors from being diverted into the illegal circuit helps the fight against illicit drugs, as it reduces the amount of necessary chemicals available to make the drugs. This is a key component of the EU Drugs Strategy and the EU's overall efforts to combat drug trafficking and drug-related crimes.

Why is the new legislation on precursors necessary?

The evaluation of the drug precursors legislation in 2020 showed that the legislation was not sufficiently fit to tackle the proliferation and trafficking of designer precursors. The evaluation also highlighted the potential for reducing administrative burden for businesses and authorities.

The new proposal distinguishes substances without known legal use (designer precursors) from those that are traditionally widely used by industry. Designer precursors are used to circumvent existing controls. The proposal aims to prevent this by enlarging the number of substances to be controlled by businesses and authorities. It will also apply a more restrictive regime to designer precursors, while maintaining the possibility for their legitimate use in research and innovation.

The proposal merges the two existing regulations on internal and external trade into a single instrument, and streamlines and digitises existing paper-based procedures. As a result, controls will be simplified. For example, a quantity management approach to external trade will remove the need for import/export authorisations.

What other actions will the Commission take to address the challenges related to synthetic drugs?

Illicit drug production, trafficking and distribution is a growing and evolving criminal business. New potentially more toxic and addictive psychoactive substances are emerging across the EU. Drug precursors, and increasingly designer precursors (substances without known legitimate uses), are often misused to produce synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances.

To address the challenge posed by increased production, import and trafficking of synthetic drugs, the EU will boost operational efforts to detect and safely dismantle clandestine laboratories and stop the inflow of drug precursors, including designer precursors.

In addition to closing legal loopholes on designer precursors, the Strategy sets out plans for an EU-wide identification of substances through a new reference database, and provide guidelines for the safe dismantling of illicit laboratories.

At the same time, the Commission will increase the monitoring of diversion and trafficking of drug precursors and designer precursors with support from the EUDA. The EUDA will set up a new Drug Precursors Information Repository, which will contain information on precursors and facilitate identification and information sharing with Member States.

The EU will also step up cooperation with international partners to monitor and subsequently disrupt the illicit production, diversion and trafficking of drug precursors, including designer precursors.

Together, these measures should close loopholes exploited by criminal networks, strengthen EU resilience across air, land and sea, and ensure a coordinated response to both traditional trafficking routes and the evolving synthetic drug market.

How will the Commission support the implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan?

To implement the drugs Strategy and Action Plan, a whole-of-society approach is needed, with coordination among EU institutions, bodies, agencies, and Member States, as well as civil society and the private sector. In addition, coordination across sectors, particularly health, security, and justice, is crucial at both EU and national levels.

The Commission and the Council will regularly review the implementation of the strategy. To do so, the Council is invited to develop an implementation framework, with the support of the Commission.

The Action Plan clearly identifies the key actors to implement each priority action. The Commission, taking into account information provided by the Member States and the EEAS, will monitor the implementation of these actions. Relevant EU agencies, particularly the EUDA and Europol, will support these efforts by contributing to monitoring and reporting on progress.

The Commission and the Council, with the support of the EUDA and Europol, will monitor implementation and evaluate progress, ensuring that the Strategy can be updated as required. It therefore provides the long-term framework for EU action on drug policy from 2025 onwards.

How will EU Agencies contribute to the implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan?

EU agencies are central to making this Action Plan work: Europol as the operational and intelligence hub, the EUDA as the scientific and forensic backbone, and Frontex as the key border management actor. Together, they support Member States in identifying routes, synthetic drugs and criminal networks, and in monitoring progress on implementation.

Europol will step up its operational support to Member States, with more systematic monitoring of digital drug markets and by coordinating transnational investigations to dismantle criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.

The EU Drugs Agency (EUDA) will support Member States with evidence-based responses to emerging drug-related challenges. It will play a key role in identifying new psychoactive substances, issuing rapid alerts, and assessing the risks posed by highly potent synthetic opioids. It will also support Member States with their prevention efforts and awareness-raising activities on the impact of drug use and drug trafficking.

Frontex will increase its support to Member States when it comes to monitoring the external borders, including with advanced surveillance technology and situational awareness tools, improving the detection and prevention of cross-border drug trafficking.

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DND beefs up cyber security capabilities with 2-day drills

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

December 4, 2025, 4:16 pm

MANILA -- Select Department of National Defense (DND) personnel underwent "cyber exercises" earlier this week to beef up the agency's cybersecurity readiness against looming threats from cyberspace.

In a news release on Thursday, the DND said participants in CYBEX 2025 engaged in "rigorous cyber simulations" throughout the two-day event held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

During the event, the participants were faced with realistic attack scenarios, pressure-driven decision points, and challenges designed to expose vulnerabilities - "situations aimed to mirror the threats confronting defense organizations worldwide," the DND said.

Among the threats the DND mentioned were ransomware incidents, targeted intrusions, disruption attempts, and the exploitation of human and technical weaknesses.

"This gathering reflects our collective recognition that cybersecurity is now a core component of national defense," lawyer Odessa Rossilyz Magisa, head executive assistant to DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and officer-in-charge of the Office for DND Information Security, said.

She added that threat actors are becoming "more aggressive, sophisticated and persistent," noting that these groups are not only targeting government cyber systems but also the trust and stability that hold institutions together.

"Cyber resilience is not achieved by technology alone," she said. "It demands unified action, disciplined processes, and seamless coordination across all elements of the defense establishment. No single office, service, or unit can stand alone in the face of modern cyber threats. Collaboration is no longer an option; it is a requirement for survival in the digital battlespace."

CYBEX 2025 participants came from the DND's various cyber offices and units and those of its bureaus and attached agencies.

The event also saw the presence of observers from the Canadian Armed Forces, "reflecting the growing international interest in the Philippines' cyber defense initiatives," the DND said. (PNA)

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Press release on the outcomes of the BRICS+ Counter-Terrorism Conference in Moscow

4 December 2025 16:00

2023-04-12-2025

On December 3 and 4, 2025, Moscow served as the venue for the 2025 BRICS+ Counter-Terrorism Conference. Held under the Foreign Ministry's auspices, it took place under the title National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies Amid Emerging Security Challenges and Threats.

This forum brought together over one hundred representatives of specialised agencies, academia and the civil society from BRICS+ and partner countries, as well as counter-terrorist units within international organisations, including the United Nations, the CIS, the CSTO and the SCO.

The opening session included remarks by Deputy Secretary of Russia's Security Council Yury Kokov, Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky, senior official from Russia's Federal Security Service, as well as Deputy Head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Eihab Omaish, Deputy Secretary-General of the CSTO Valery Semerikov, and Head of the CIS Counter-Terrorist Centre Yevgeny Sysoyev.

In their remarks, speakers emphasised the need for the competent government agencies and civil society institutions to consolidate their efforts in countering international terrorism and ensuring stability around the world.

During the two days of the conference, participants discussed the latest developments in countering terrorism and extremism with the agenda focusing on the objective of ensuring the complete eradication of international terrorist organisations, including ISIS, preventing the use of extremist and terrorist groups in hybrid warfare and when interfering in the domestic affairs of sovereign states, as well as radicalisation as a pathway to terrorism and extremism and a key tool for causing social and political upheavals within countries.

Delegates stressed the importance of taking measures to prevent the spread of fascist and neo-Nazi ideas, including those aimed at revising and falsifying history. In addition to this, they affirmed that relying on terrorist organisations in the pursuit of political and economic agendas was unacceptable.

This international forum facilitated a fruitful exchange of opinions and helped its participants align their positions, while also offering fertile ground for articulating forward-looking theoretical and methodological approaches to countering terrorist and extremist activity.

The Russian Federation would like to thank all the representatives from BRICS and partner countries, as well as international organisations who took an active part in this conference and reaffirmed their readiness to work closely together on a wide range of matters dealing with the counter-terrorist agenda.

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PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ISRO's UPCOMING MISSIONS AND GAGANYAAN PROGRAMME

India PIB

Department of Space

Posted On: 04 DEC 2025 4:28PM by PIB Delhi

The department has scheduled seven major missions by March, 2026, the details are as follows:

Sl. No. Mission Objectives 1. LVM3 M6/ NSIL Dedicated commercial launch of BlueBird Block-2 satellite of M/s. AST SpaceMobile Inc., USA through a commercial agreement with M/s. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) 2. PSLV C62/ EOS N1 Dedicated launch of an Earth Observation Satellite undertaken by NSIL for strategic user along with 18 nos. of co-passenger satellites from different Indian and International users 3. HLVM3 G1/ OM1 First uncrewed mission of Gaganyaan to demonstrate end-to-end mission, including aerodynamics characterization of human rated launch vehicle, mission operations of Orbital Module, Re-entry and recovery of Crew Module 4. GSLV F17/EOS-05 Launch of Earth Observation Satellite for strategic user. 5. PSLV C63/TDS-01 Launch of Technology Demonstration Satellite (TDS-01) to demonstrate new technologies including high Thrust Electric Propulsion System, Indigenous TWT (Travelling Wave Tube) Amplifier, Quantum Key Distribution 6. PSLV N1/ EOS-10 First PSLV vehicle realized by NSIL through Industry consortium that will launch Earth Observation Satellite for Oceanographic studies along with Indo-Mauritius joint satellite (IMJS) and Leap-2 Satellite from Indian NGE as co-passengers 7. SSLV L1/ NSIL Dedicated commercial mission by NSIL

Post reforms in Space sector, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has taken several steps across the space value chain, including upstream and downstream, to ensure the success of commercial satellite deployments and enhance India's competitiveness in the global space market. Towards this, NSIL has undertaken commercial satellite missions on a demand driven mode to meet the customers' requirements. Till date, NSIL has already deployed two commercial communication satellites to cater to Direct-to-Home [DTH] and broadband needs of Indian customers. Further, NSIL has planned to launch at least three (3) commercial communication satellites in the next 3 to 4 years.

As part of its Launch services business activities, NSIL has taken steps to actively market launch services on-board PSLV, SSLV and LVM3 launcher to the international customers. Till date, NSIL has successfully launched total 137 customer satellites on-board 5 PSLV, 2 LVM3 and 2 SSLV missions.

To increase the number of commercial satellite deployments, NSIL has taken steps to build end-to-end launch vehicle through Indian Industry. As part of this, NSIL is realizing 5 no. of PSLV-XL through HAL and L&T consortium. The 1st fully Indian Industry manufactured PSLV would be launched by Q1 of 2026. To build capacity in Indian Industry, NSIL along with IN-SPACe signed a Technology Transfer Agreement with HAL during Sep. 2025. With the above initiatives, NSIL is aiming to enhance India's competitiveness in the global space market.

The projected outcomes of these missions in terms technological development, international collaboration, and India's strategic position as a rising space power:

These dedicated missions undertaken by NSIL will further establish India as a major player in the commercial launch services market.

This demonstration of new technologies like high Thrust Electric Propulsion System will enable the realization of all electric satellites in future.

Demonstration of Indigenous TWT (Travelling Wave Tube) Amplifier will enable Atma Nirbharatha in critical technologies of Satellite Transponders.

First uncrewed Gaganyan mission is flight validation of various new technology elements for next uncrewed mission and Crewed Mission for Gaganyaan Programme.

TDS-01 satellite will validate new technologies and indigenous components for satellite platform, thereby contributing to self-reliance. The technologies and components, once proved in TDS-01, will be employed in navigation and communication missions in the near-future.

NVS-03 satellite will be a part of the NavIC constellation meant for providing PNT services to the country. It will be utilized for ongoing applications like vehicle tracking, real-time train tracking, fishing vessel communication and support system, etc.

Among the satellites planned for launch by March 2026, the Oceansat-3A (EOS-10) satellite mission is for Meteorological, Oceanographic and Land applications. The satellite has Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM), Scatterometer, Sea Surface Temperature Monitor (SSTM) and Millimeter wave Atmospheric Temperature and Humidity Sounder (MATHS), as payloads. This Satellite in tandem with Oceansat- 3 (EOS -06) will provide daily data for various applications.

The data products from these instruments will support in Potential Fishing Zone identification, Phytoplankton/ chlorophyl/ concentration, costal zone management, Ocean dynamics, numerical weather predication models, tropical cyclone monitoring & forecasting and various land and atmospheric applications.

Space science missions are vital engines for national progress, extending their benefits far beyond pure discovery. Globally, successful missions like the Chandrayaan series and Adtiya L-1 generate immense national pride, strengthening India's stature in the global arena. Domestically they directly promote Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) education among students by next generation. These missions also drive rapid skill development in both specialized hardware and advanced software.

****

NKR/AK

(Release ID: 2198757)

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HMAS Ballarat returns after successful Regional Presence Deployment

Issued by Defence Media

4 December 2025

Royal Australian Navy Anzac class frigate HMAS Ballarat has returned to Fleet Base West in Western Australia following a successful three-month Regional Presence Deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Regional Presence Deployments play a vital role in Australia's security and prosperity by enhancing cooperation and relationships with partners and allies, and developing capability to preserve the rules-based international order.

Ballarat sailed almost 20,000 nautical miles during her deployment, conducting engagements with ten partner and allied navies across the region.

Ballarat also conducted several patrols and transits through the South China Sea and trained alongside navies from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO, RAN, said the ship's company had represented Australia with professionalism and pride.

"I am immensely proud of the crew and the way they represented our nation as Australia's 'saltwater diplomats'," Vice Admiral Hammond said.

"Deployments of this nature require significant commitment from our people and their loved ones."

"We could not do what we do without the love and support of our families ashore, so I am pleased we could return them home safe and in time for Christmas."

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC, RAN, said the deployment demonstrated Australia's longstanding commitment to maintaining a near-continuous presence in the region.

"Australia has maintained a robust program of international engagement with countries in and around the Indo-Pacific for decades," Vice Admiral Jones said.

"Regional Presence Deployments directly contribute to the security and stability of the region by building trust, mutual understanding and interoperability between partner nations and their armed forces.

"Regional Presence Deployments leverage the expertise of the ADF and our multinational partners to enhance regional capacity in a dynamic security environment."

Ballarat deployed with an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and approximately 200 crew.

This was Australia's fourth Regional Presence Deployment for 2025, following the Navy's three guided-missile destroyers: HMA Ships Hobart, Sydney and Brisbane.

The next Regional Presence Deployment will commence in January 2026.

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Budrys at the meeting with the EP President: The Belarusian regime's hybrid actions are a targeted attack on the EU as a whole

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2025-12-04

On 3 December in Brussels, Kestutis Budrys, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. The Minister and the President of the European Parliament discussed Belarusian hybrid actions against Lithuania and the European Union.

The Minister emphasized at the meeting that Belarusian hybrid attacks against Lithuania and other EU member states are not happening for the first time. A few years ago, the Minsk regime instrumentalised migration, and now it uses smuggler balloons. According to the Minister, what the Lukashenka regime is doing is a targeted and organized attack on the EU, which requires a quick and decisive response.

"The hybrid actions of the Belarusian regime are a targeted attack on the European Union as a whole. The regime seeks to create confusion in our societies, deliberately threatens civil aviation, detains the property of EU companies, blackmails, and conducts disinformation campaigns against EU countries. The strong position of the European Parliament and the call for action by the other EU institutions are very much needed. Only a firm, united EU response can provide the necessary retaliation to the regime and ensure the security of EU citizens", said the Minister.

The Minister called on the European Parliament to adopt a resolution in which the EU would strongly condemn the actions of the Belarusian regime, demand their cessation and the return of illegally seized assets of EU member states, as well as called on the European Commission and the Council of the EU to take immediate countermeasures in the form of individual and sectoral sanctions against Belarus.





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Canadian Joint Forces Command

National Defence

Backgrounder

December 4, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Overview

The Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC) has been established as a new command within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad and Chief Warrant Officer Donovan Crawford appointed as its inaugural command team. Its creation marks a major step forward in improving leadership, coordination, and accountability for joint capabilities across the Defence Team. Just as the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) manage their respective environmental capabilities, CJFC provides joint capabilities which span across all domainsland, sea, air, cyber, and space.

CJFC is designed to be adaptive and forward-looking. Its structure and processes will continue to evolve to meet future security challenges, integrate emerging technologies, and respond to changing operational needs. Through commitment to evolution the CAF will remain relevant and effective in a dynamic global environment.

Purpose and Role

CJFC enables Canada's military to take decisive actions in an increasingly complex global security environment. It brings together people, systems, and expertise from across the CAF to build and manage the joint capabilities essential for protecting Canada and supporting allies. These capabilities include:

Logistics

Health Services

Operational Sustainment

Joint Doctrine

Joint Force Development

By integrating these functions, the CAF enhances operational readiness, efficiency, and strategic flexibility.

Why Was the Canadian Joint Forces Command Created

Multiple studies identified gaps in how CAF joint capabilities are generated, developed, managed, and sustained. CJFC addresses these gaps by:

Centralizing leadership and accountability for joint capabilities

Improving coherence and innovation

Supporting interoperability across domains and with allied forces

Structure

CJFC integrates several specialized organizations:

Chief of Combat Systems Integration

Canadian Joint Warfare Centre

Director General Health Services and Canadian Forces Health Services Group

Chief of Joint Logistics

Joint Information and Intelligence Fusion Centre

Some joint capabilities remain under their current level one organization but share accountability with CJFC, such as:

Integrated Air and Missile Defence (RCAF)

Joint Engineering (Assistant Deputy Minister Infrastructure & Environment)

Joint Communication and Information Systems (Digital Services Group)

Addition of the Canadian Forces Military Police Group

Pursuant to the National Defence Act, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) currently acts under the general supervision of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. It is important to note that Bill C-11, which is currently before Parliament, would remove this provision, should it receive Royal Assent. With this change, the CFPM would become the Provost Marshal General, a Governor-in-Council appointment, and be responsible and accountable to the Minister of National Defence. While the Canadian Joint Forces Command, would be responsible for the provision of support to the Military Police, they would continue to execute their policing functions with independence.

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Minister Anand concludes participation in EU meetings and Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels

Global Affairs Canada

News release

December 4, 2025 - Brussels, Belgium - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded her visit to Brussels, Belgium, where she advanced Canada's cooperation with the European Union (EU) and participated in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

On December 2, Minister Anand met with European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis to advance discussions on vital economic assistance for Ukraine. She also met with EU Sanctions Envoy David O'Sullivan to strengthen Canada-EU cooperation on the implementation of sanctions against Russia.

On December 3, Minister Anand participated in the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, where discussions focused on Euro-Atlantic security and the challenges facing the Alliance, including Russian aggression in the Euro-Atlantic area. At the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, the Minister discussed with Allies, Ukraine and the EU the best path toward achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and underscored Canada's steadfast support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and the fundamental right to exist as a free nation.

Minister Anand announced $35 million in additional support to the NATO-Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine to help address Ukraine's immediate, medium- and long-term security and defence needs. In addition, she drew attention to Minister McGuinty's announcement that Canada will contribute to the purchase of a second package of critical military capabilities sourced from the United States under the NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), in partnership with other NATO Allies. Canada's contribution to this PURL package will be CAD $200 million. This builds on Prime Minister Mark Carney's August announcement of Canada's full funding of an earlier PURL package, bringing the total of Canada's contribution to PURL to approximately CAD $890 million.

On the margins of the NATO ministerial meeting, Minister Anand spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to underline support for Ukraine and the importance of Arctic security to Alliance security. The Minister also held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Bulgaria (Georg Georgiev), Germany (Johann Wadephul), Latvia (Baiba Braze), the Netherlands (David van Weel), Slovenia (Tanja Fajon), Spain (Jose Manuel Albares Bueno) and Tukiye (Hakan Fidan). These discussions advanced shared priorities and explored opportunities to strengthen economic and defence cooperation.

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Canada - Air Strike Weapons

NEWS | Dec. 4, 2025

Media/Public Contact: T_Outreach_PM@state.gov

Transmittal No. 25-98

WASHINGTON, December 4, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Canada of Air Strike Weapons and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.68 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress.

The Government of Canada has requested to buy up to seven hundred fifty (750) GBU-39 practice bombs inert with fuzes; up to one hundred (100) GBU-39 Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs); up to one hundred (100) MK-82 inert filled bombs; up to two hundred twenty (220) 2,000-lb BLU-117 General Purpose (GP) bombs; up to one hundred forty-six (146) I-2000 penetrator warheads; up to three thousand four hundred fourteen (3,414) BLU-111 500-lb GP bombs; up to three thousand one hundred eight (3,108) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb Increment I (SDB-I) bombs; up to five thousand three hundred thirty-two (5,352) KMU-572 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance sets; up to three hundred ninety-six (396) KMU-556 JDAM guidance sets; up to one hundred forty (140) KMU-557 JDAM guidance sets; up to two thousand four (2,004) GBU-53 SDBs - Increment II (SDB-II); and up to one hundred (100) GBU-53 SDB-II GTVs. The following non-MDE items will also be included: FMU-139 fuze systems; FMU-167 Hard Target Void Sensing Fuzes (HTVSF); DSU-38 laser illuminated target detectors for GBU-54; practice bombs; ammunition tools and special equipment; major and minor modifications equipment; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; weapons and weapon support equipment; test equipment; training aids, devices, and spare parts; classified and unclassified software and software support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics personnel services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $2.68 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the military capability of a NATO Ally that is an important force for ensuring political stability and economic progress and is a contributor to military, peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations around the world.

The proposed sale will improve Canada's credible defense capability to deter aggression in the region, ensure interoperability with U.S. forces, and strengthen Canada's ability to contribute to shared continental defense. Canada will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be The Boeing Company, located in Arlington, VA; and RTX Corporation, located in Arlington, VA. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Canada.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Political-Military Affairs Outreach, at T_Outreach_PM@state.gov.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on December 4, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 04, 2025 18:05

CCTV: Media reports say that on December 3 at a plenary session of the House of Councillors, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi referred to the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, saying that the Japanese side "understands and respects" the Chinese government's position that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China." What is China's comment?

Lin Jian: The reports have been proved to be inaccurate. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi merely said that "the Japanese government's basic position regarding Taiwan remains as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, and there has been no change to this position," and nothing more.

China's stance is very clear: We urge the Japanese side to reflect on and correct its wrongdoing, and retract Prime Minister Takaichi's erroneous remarks. This is an issue of principle. The facts and Japan's commitments are written down in black and white in historical records. We've been asking the Japanese side the same questions for days and still haven't received an answer. Many have also criticized Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks in and outside Japan. "No change to the position" is far from adequate and certainly unacceptable as a response to China. If the Japanese side's fundamental position on Taiwan is indeed as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, can Prime Minister Takaichi accurately and fully articulate that position? Why is the Japanese side unwilling to clearly state the commitments it has made and its legal obligations? What is the logic and motive driving this attitude? The Japanese side owes China and the international community an explanation.

RIA Novosti: Today marks the International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures. In recent years, we have seen many countries continue to regularly use unilateral measures, including economic sanctions against Russia, China, Iran, and other countries. I wonder from China's perspective, what risks does the continued use of such policies pose to the global economy?

Lin Jian: Unilateral coercive measures run counter to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, undermine multilateralism and the foundation of international rule of law, severely violate people's fundamental rights to life and development, and hinder cooperation in global development and the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China opposes unilateral coercive measures. We call on the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, jointly reject unilateralism, uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and make global governance more just and equitable.

China-Arab TV: The Israeli military attacked shelters in the city center of Gaza, which stood beyond the ceasefire line, resulting in numerous casualties. Hamas accused Israel of continuously violating the ceasefire agreement and called for international action. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: The current situation in Gaza remains highly fragile. China hopes that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza will be effectively implemented to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and restore regional peace and stability as soon as possible.

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Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Inspects Regional-industry Factories Nearing Inauguration

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, December 5 (KCNA) -- This year has witnessed the proud and epochal achievements in the regional construction, which made another leap forward in ensuring modernity, economic profitability and prospect with a goal of reaching a level set higher than last year, according to the far-reaching regional development strategy of the great Workers' Party of Korea.

Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, inspected regional-industry factories in several counties nearing inauguration on December 3.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un was accompanied by Jo Yong Won and Pak Jong Chon, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee.

First, he went round the regional-industry factories in Sinyang County, South Phyongan Province.

He was greeted on the spots by the commanding officers of the army units involved in the construction, officials of design institutes, senior officials of the Party and power organs in Sinyang County and officials of the regional-industry factories.

He went round the production, cultural and welfare facilities of the foodstuff factory, garment factory and daily necessities factory in the county one by one to learn in detail about their construction and preparations for operation.

Saying that he could see the level of construction and technical equipment of the construction units has remarkably improved as compared with last year, he expressed satisfaction over the fact that lopsidedness has been definitely decreased and the level of balance and specialization increased in the whole construction process.

Noting that the evaluation of the quality of construction depends on the final construction, he indicated the orientation and ways for the construction units at all levels to radically raise the level of specialization and delicacy in the final construction.

He said that there might be difficulties as healthcare facilities, leisure complexes and others are expected to be added to regional construction projects from the coming year but the People's Army has tremendous potentiality for creditably guaranteeing the implementation of the Party's policy on regional development and will powerfully lead the regional construction revolution to a steady victory with its rich experience and heated enthusiasm for struggle.

Saying that modern regional-industry factories have been built in 40 cities and counties in less than two years since the regional-industry revolution started, he noted this represents the eye-opening regional changes. The rural construction and regional-industry construction are a gigantic revolution intended to fundamentally improve the quality of the people's living and lay the material and technical foundations for the independent development of the cities and counties, he said, underlining that we are right now passing through the most responsible and important historic period of transition.

He pointed out some deviations revealed in the construction of regional-industry factories and set forth some important tasks for operating the factories, normalizing their production and accommodating the inhabitants.

He inspected regional-industry factories in Pukchang County, South Phyongan Province.

Referring to the inconsistency in architectural and process designs in the construction of a foodstuff factory, he said that the irrational changes were made in contrast to the original design leading to the re-construction, which was attributable to the lack of proper guidance system and functional system to rectify such deviations in time.

In order to ensure high quality in construction as required by the drive for modernization and standardization and perfectly build factories as entities immediately demonstrating our style of civilization and development, it is necessary to establish a more thorough system of tripartite consultation between design, construction and management units, put construction on a scientific and integrated basis and steadily increase the proportion of dry construction in the building of industrial facilities and encourage it, he said.

Noting that the regular production and supply of various consumer goods basic and essential for the people's livelihood is the most important task in carrying out the Party's policy on regional industry, he put particular emphasis on the need to increase the number of varieties of specialties preserving the characters of regional areas and improve the quality of daily necessities.

He said that it is important for the whole Party and the state to pay attention to the development of regional economy, organize regional products shows every year and conduct significant reviews and appraisals of them so that regional-industry factories develop through competition.

Saying that the People's Army was assigned the historic task of regional changes and this is an expression of the noblest trust of the Party, the revolution, the era and the people in it, he expressed expectation and belief that the officers and men of the construction units would continue to give full play to the fighting spirit and creative mettle peculiar to the revolutionary army in the vanguard of the cause of realizing the long-cherished desire of the WPK and the wishes of the regional people.

He visited the Unsan Paper Factory newly built in Unsan County, South Phyongan Province.

He was greeted by Ri Kyong Chol, chief secretary of the South Phyongan Provincial Committee of the WPK, and officials concerned and officials of the factory.

Saying that the paper factory has been built first in Unsan County of South Phyongan Province on a trial basis according to the Party's decision on setting up the modern paper factory in all provinces capable of satisfying their own demands, he stressed that the factory is of great significance in developing the Korean-style paper-making industry and satisfying the long-term nation-wide demands.

Looking at the multipurpose paper machine, the toilet-paper machine, the one for moulding paper into paper containers and others, all of which are associated with the pioneering spirit and creation enthusiasm of the scientists, technicians and workers, he said that it is really laudable that several enterprises of South Phyongan Province and the Paper Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences are taking the lead in solving one of the problems which greatly concern the Party. He noted that he is pleased that the said institute has a clear prospective goal for developing our own paper-making method and technology. He extended praise and encouragement to the scientists and technicians at the institute.

In order to meet the demand for paper badly needed for all the fields, including science, technology, education and cultural life, it is necessary to steadily develop our own paper-making method and technology based on the raw materials in the country, he said, adding that all other provinces should more thoroughly discuss and decide on the issue of building modern paper factories within the period of next five-year plan on the basis of the experience gained by South Phyongan Province in building a model factory.

The inauguration season has come to review the results of the proud one-year creation and labour campaign which will be estimated by the people, he noted, stressing that all the new regional-industry factories should make perfect preparations for their operation before their inauguration ceremonies which are due to be held in December. And he gave some instructions to promote the regional development policy. -0-

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Xi meets Macron, calling for expanded scope of cooperation

Global Times

By Chen Qingqing Published: Dec 04, 2025 10:58 PM

China and France should seize opportunities and expand the scope of cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said while holding talks with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday.

During their meeting, Xi said as both visionary and responsible independent major countries, China and France serve as constructive forces in advancing multipolarity and promoting solidarity and cooperation among humanity.

At present, as changes unseen in a century are accelerating, humanity once again stands at a crossroads, facing crucial choices about its future path, Xi noted, adding that China and France should demonstrate a sense of responsibility, uphold multilateralism, and stand firmly on the right side of history.

The two leaders jointly met the press after their talks in Beijing on Thursday. Xi said that both sides agreed to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and advance the reform and improvement of global governance.

Xi and Macron also attended and addressed the closing ceremony of the seventh meeting of China-France Business Council on Thursday in Beijing, per Xinhua.

The strategic guidance of the two heads of state has kept China-France relations at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, and Macron's visit lays the foundation for enhancing dialogue, expanding common ground and resolving differences, Chinese observers said, adding that the visit could become a catalyst for more China-EU engagement.

Major French media outlets closely followed Macron's visit to China. Referring to an "extremely uncertain" international context, Macron called for both France and China to mobilize in support of a "robust and lasting" peace and "stability in the world," according to French media outlet Les Echos.

Some Chinese experts said that Macron's visit to China carries strong symbolic significance.

"His trip is also intended to engage China, the incoming APEC chair, in strategic alignment on behalf of the Western world, given that France will assume the G7 presidency next year," Wang Shuo, professor at the School of International Relations of Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The next 60 years

During the meeting, Xi said China is willing to work with France to always proceed from the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the long-term interests of the international community, while upholding equal dialogue and open cooperation, to ensure that the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership continues to advance steadily and thrives over the next 60 years, fully demonstrates its strategic value, and makes new contributions to promoting an equitable and orderly multipolar world as well as a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Xinhua reported.

China and France should seize opportunities and expand the scope of cooperation, consolidating cooperation in traditional fields such as aviation, aerospace and nuclear energy, while tapping into the potential for cooperation in areas including the green economy, digital economy, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and new energy, Xi said, per Xinhua.

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Xi said China supports all efforts for peace and hopes that all parties can reach a fair, lasting and binding peace deal that is accepted by all parties involved through dialogue and negotiation, according to Xinhua. He also added that China will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis, while firmly opposing any irresponsible actions that shift blame or distort the situation, per Xinhua.

This is Macron's fourth state visit to China since he was elected president in 2017, and the Elysee frames the time the two leaders will spend together as a sign of the importance of their relationship, Le Monde noted.

Some experts believe that in recent years, Europe's China policy has shown a contradictory mindset of "seeking economic and trade cooperation while treating China as a competitor."

This stems from the development of China's economy, especially its mid- to high-end industries, Wang Shuo noted.

"Europe faces a dilemma: it fears China's rise but cannot give up the Chinese market and the associated development benefits," Wang Shuo said.

There are still trade-related differences between China and France, as well as between China and Europe, and resolving these differences requires both sides to work in the spirit of overcoming difficulties together and solving problems jointly, Dong Yifan, an associate research fellow at the Belt and Road Academy of Beijing Language and Culture University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"Communication between the Chinese and French leaders has laid a foundation for enhancing dialogue and reaching greater political consensus on the basis of seeking common ground while reserving differences," Dong said, noting that in the future, these communication channels will play an important role in addressing relevant issues, building mutual trust, and reducing misunderstandings.

Role in China-EU relations

China has consistently considered the China-France relationship as an important premise for guiding China-Europe relations, Wang Shuo noted.

"China's long-standing principle is that China supports European integration efforts, supports France in playing a more active and positive role in China-Europe relations, and recognizes France's key position within Europe," he said.

Besides Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reportedly plan to visit China early in 2026, according to earlier media reports.

As an important European power, Macron's visit to China carries significant influence both at the bilateral level and within the EU. Notably, the latest engagement between China and France could help promote other diplomatic interactions between China and European countries, Dong noted.

France plays a role of guiding and shaping China-Europe relations - not only continuing its diplomatic tradition of being "independent and free from third-party interference" but also acting as a coordinator in many major strategic issues," Dong said, "Therefore China-France ties still carry unique significance in China-EU relations."

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Xi calls on China, France to expand cooperation in multiple areas

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source Xinhuanet

EditorLi Weichao

Time2025-12-04 15:03:33

BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China and France should seize opportunities and expand the scope of cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday.

China and France should consolidate cooperation in traditional fields such as aviation, aerospace, and nuclear energy, and tap into the potential for cooperation in areas including the green economy, digital economy, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, and new energy, Xi said.

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President Xi Jinping Attends the Closing Ceremony of the Seventh Meeting of the China-France Business Council and Delivers Remarks

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 04, 2025 20:38

On the afternoon of December 4, 2025, President Xi Jinping attended the closing ceremony of the Seventh Meeting of the China-France Business Council with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing and delivered remarks.

President Xi pointed out that this year, the China-France relationship has entered a new 60-year cycle. The two countries are expanding economic and trade cooperation to more areas and enhancing its resilience. In the first 10 months, bilateral trade reached US$68.75 billion and cumulative two-way investment has exceeded US$27 billion. The two sides should renew the original aspiration for establishing diplomatic relations, seize opportunities to deepen cooperation, and work for the steady and sustained growth of bilateral relations. Together, the two countries will jointly open up a more splendid chapter in cooperation and address the uncertainty in today's world with the stability of China-France relations.

First, the two countries should continue to expand new areas for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. China views France as its important and indispensable economic and trade partner. China welcomes France to actively participate in Chinese modernization and will support Chinese companies that have the capacity and willingness in investing and doing business in France. The two sides should further unleash the potential of cooperation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, green and digital economy, biomedicine and silver economy, keep advancing openness and cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and foster a fair, transparent, nondiscriminatory and predictable business environment for companies of the two countries.

Second, the two countries should continue to pursue new progress in mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the China-EU diplomatic relations. The essence of China-EU economic and trade relations lies in complementarity and mutual benefit, and dynamic equilibrium can be achieved through development. Interdependence is not a risk, and convergent interests are not a threat. China and France should endeavor to ensure that China and the EU stay committed to the comprehensive strategic partnership and jointly work for a brighter next 50 years for China-EU relations.

Third, the two countries should jointly make new contributions to reforming and improving global governance. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. To make the global governance system more just and equitable, on top of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, I proposed the Global Governance Initiative this September. China and France should practice true multilateralism, jointly uphold the standing and authority of the U.N., uphold the WTO-centered, rules-based multilateral trading system, and contribute to reforming and improving global governance.

President Xi emphasized that according to the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, China will advance Chinese modernization on all fronts and promote high-standard opening up. China welcomes French entrepreneurs to continue to share China's development benefits.

About 150 representatives from the governments, enterprises and other sectors of the two sides attended the closing ceremony.

Wang Yi was present at the above event.

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President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron Jointly Meet the Press

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 04, 2025 20:33

On the morning of December 4, 2025, President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly met the press after their talks.

President Xi extended welcome to President Macron on his fourth state visit to China. He said that they had friendly, sincere and fruitful talks, and agreed that facing the fluid international situation, China and France, as two independent major countries, should hold high the banner of multilateralism, commit to equal dialogue, openness and cooperation, fully demonstrate the strategic value and global influence of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, and work for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. As agreed by the two presidents, the two sides will commit to working in the following four areas.

First, strengthening political mutual trust. No matter how the external environment changes, the two sides will always demonstrate both independence and the strategic vision expected of major countries, and understand and support each other on matters involving each other's core interests and major concerns.

Second, expanding practical cooperation. The two sides will consolidate cooperation in traditional areas such as aviation, aerospace and nuclear energy, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as green economy, digital economy, biomedicine and artificial intelligence. The two sides will also facilitate balanced development of bilateral economic and trade relations, expand two-way investment, and enable a fair, transparent, nondiscriminatory and predictable business environment for enterprises of the two countries.

Third, promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Building on the success of last year's China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, the two sides will deepen exchanges and cooperation on culture, education, science and technology and at the subnational level, and launch a new round of cooperation on giant panda conservation.

Fourth, furthering the reform and improvement of global governance. The two sides will strengthen strategic communication and collaboration to uphold the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, and work for a more just and equitable global governance system.

President Xi noted that the world today is far from tranquil, as complicated international political disputes and conflicts continue to erupt across multiple regions. On the Ukraine crisis, China supports all efforts conducive to peace, and hopes that parties can reach, through dialogue and negotiation, a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement that is accepted by all parties concerned. China will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis. At the same time, China firmly opposes any irresponsible attempt to shift blame or smear others. China and France will work together for the realization of a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question at an early date. China will provide US$100 million of assistance to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction.

President Xi emphasized that opening up is China's basic state policy, and China's door will only open wider. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will drive high-quality development through deepening reforms comprehensively, further implement the strategy to expand domestic demand, expand market access and open up more sectors, and at the same time, guide the rational and orderly overseas distribution of industrial and supply chains. These will create even broader space for practical cooperation between China and France and for the development of bilateral relations. China will work with France to promote development, foster peace, create a bright future, and advance steadily toward building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Wang Yi was present at the event.

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President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with French President Emmanuel Macron

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: December 04, 2025 18:52

On the morning of December 4, 2025, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to China.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and France are independent, visionary and responsible major countries and constructive forces working to foster a multipolar world and promote solidarity and cooperation among humanity. Today, transformations unseen in a century unfold at a faster pace. Humanity has once again come to a crossroads. China and France should act with a strong sense of responsibility, uphold multilateralism, and stand firmly on the right side of history. China is ready to work with France, bearing in mind the fundamental interests of the Chinese and French people and the long-term interests of the international community, to uphold equal dialogue, openness and cooperation, and strive for further steady progress in China-France comprehensive strategic partnership in the new 60-year cycle, to fully demonstrate the strategic value of this partnership and make new contributions toward promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

President Xi Jinping underscored that no matter how the external environment may evolve, China and France should always demonstrate the strategic vision and independence of a major country, offer each other understanding and support on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, and safeguard the political foundation of China-France relations. At its fourth plenary session, the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan, drawing up the blueprint for China's development in the coming five years and also offering a list of opportunities to the world. China and France should seize the opportunities to expand the space for cooperation, strengthen cooperation in such traditional areas as aviation, aerospace, and nuclear energy, and unlock the cooperation potential in green economy, digital economy, biomedicine, AI, new energy and other fields. China is ready to import more quality products from France, and welcomes more French companies to operate in China. China also hopes France will provide a level-playing field and stable expectations for Chinese enterprises. The people of China and France have a natural affinity for each other. The two countries should deepen exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science and technology as well as at subnational levels, and write more exciting chapters of people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

President Xi Jinping stressed that the world today is far from tranquil, with complex, intractable hotspot issues flaring up in many places. As founding members of the United Nations and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and France should practice true multilateralism, uphold the U.N.-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, increase communication and coordination on the political settlement of disputes and the promotion of world peace and stability, and jointly advance the reform and improvement of global governance. The world now faces many imbalances, such as uneven development between the North and the South and inadequate representation of developing countries in international financial institutions. Countries should shoulder responsibilities together, coordinate actions, and work together to make global economic governance fairer, more just and equitable. The exchanges and cooperation between China and Europe over the past 50 years have been mutually beneficial and have contributed to each other's success. The industrial and supply chains of countries are deeply interconnected. Openness and cooperation will bring opportunities for development, while decoupling and severing supply chains will lead to isolation. Protectionism cannot solve the problems caused by global industrial restructuring, but will only worsen the international environment for trade. China and Europe should stay committed to partnership, pursue cooperation with an open mind, and ensure that China-Europe relations develop along the right track of independence and mutually beneficial cooperation.

President Macron noted that China and France have maintained close high-level exchanges, and have always trusted and respected each other. France values its relations with China. It firmly upholds the one-China policy and is willing to continue deepening the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership. France is pleased to see the dynamism of the Chinese economy that promotes openness and cooperation and has brought more opportunities to the world. France is ready to work with China to promote mutual investment, strengthen cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and renewable energy, and deepen friendly cultural exchanges. France welcomes more Chinese investment in France and will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment. France is committed to promoting the sound and steady development of Europe-China relations. It believes that Europe and China should uphold dialogue and cooperation, and Europe should achieve strategic autonomy. Given the global geopolitical instability and challenges to the multilateral order, cooperation between France and China is even more important and indispensable. France fully agrees with President Xi Jinping's views on reforming and improving global governance and promoting a more balanced global economy. It stands ready to work with China to strengthen coordination, jointly shoulder the due responsibilities of major countries, uphold multilateralism, and enhance cooperation in areas such as climate response, biodiversity conservation, and AI governance, so as to contribute to world peace and prosperity.

The two heads of state exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. President Xi Jinping stated that China supports all efforts that are conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way. China supports European countries in playing their due role toward the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in nuclear energy, agri-food, education, and ecological environment, among others.

The two heads of state also jointly met the Chinese and foreign press.

Prior to the talks, President Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Madame Brigitte Macron, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

As President Macron arrived, a guard of honor lined up in salutation. The two heads of state stepped onto a stand, after which a military band played the national anthems of China and France as a 21-gun was fired in Tiananmen Square. President Macron reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past in President Xi Jinping's company.

At noon, President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan hosted a welcome banquet for President Macron and Madame Brigitte Macron in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Wang Yi was present at the above events.

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Macron to Update France's Nuclear Doctrine in Early 2026 - Reports

Sputnik News

20251204

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French President Emmanuel Macron will announce updates to France's nuclear doctrine in early 2026, a newspaper reported, citing a source close to Macron.

"He will announce updates to the nuclear doctrine," the newspaper quoted the source as saying.

The report said the French authorities continue to work through the idea of using France's nuclear weapons to defend other EU countries, although Macron opposes the establishment of a French "nuclear umbrella" over the rest of Europe, deeming it "superfluous."

In October, Macron stated in an interview with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) that France is working to modernize its nuclear doctrine.

In a March 5 address to the French, Macron claimed that Russia had become a threat to France and Europe. He called for a discussion on the use of France's nuclear weapons to defend the entire EU, noting that the United States had changed its position on Ukraine and Washington's leading role in NATO. After this, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that Europe should engage in an arms race with Russia.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Macron's statement about Russia extremely confrontational. He said the statement contained numerous inaccuracies, including that it made no mention of NATO's military infrastructure nearing Russia's borders fast, or of Moscow's legitimate concerns in that regard. He later also said one can only express regret that confrontational, militaristic statements are being made by Warsaw and Paris.

 Sputnik

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Dialogue and security: OSCE Foreign Ministers meeting in Vienna

Germany Federal Foreign Office

04.12.2025 - Article

Foreign Minister Wadephul is travelling to Vienna on 4 December 2025 for the Ministerial Council meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Find out more here about the meeting.

The OSCE as an instrument for European security

For almost four years, Russia has been waging a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and deliberately attempting to destroy the foundations of the European security and peace order, including through the use of hybrid attacks. In this crisis period in particular, the OSCE is an essential instrument for strengthening cooperation and security in Europe.

Important forum for cooperation and dialogue

The OSCE provides a forum that enables dialogue with representatives of over 50 countries spanning North America to Central Asia. In addition to its meetings and events, the Ministerial Council thus also provides opportunities for bilateral talks.

With its field operations and country offices in Central Asia, the Southern Caucasus, the Western Balkans and Moldova, the OSCE helps to improve security and to boost the protection of fundamental freedoms in concrete ways on the ground, for example via confidence-building measures, international cooperation between police forces, climate security, the protection of minorities and election observation.

As the second-largest contributor and largest supporter of additional services, Germany continues to champion an active OSCE that is capable of acting.

Ongoing focus on support for Ukraine

In the fourth winter of the war, the OSCE is continuing to support Ukrainians by providing many concrete measures. For example, under the Support Programme Ukraine, it helps to find missing people, to provide psychosocial care for children and to clear mines. It also provides support on important Ukrainian reform processes, the fight against corruption and the promotion of human rights and the rule of law. In addition, the OSCE plays a major role in mitigating war-related environmental damage and documenting violations of human rights and international law.

One event at the Ministerial Council will highlight particularly clearly the importance of this cooperation, as it will address the issue of the Ukrainian children who have been abducted by Russia. Not only have these children been torn from their familiar surroundings, they are also being systematically alienated from their culture. We are working together to facilitate their return and to ensure that they receive care in Ukraine to enable them to process their traumatic experiences.

In order to make it possible for Russia to be held accountable for these and other crimes, the OSCE is also documenting human rights violations over the course of the war of aggression against Ukraine.

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Germany begins deploying Israeli-made Arrow 3 anti-missile system

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 04 December 2025 11:33 AM

Germany has begun operating the Arrow 3 missile system it purchased from the Israeli regime, moving ahead with military cooperation that continues despite the genocidal war on Gaza.

The first components of the system were commissioned on Wednesday at the Schonewalde/Holzdorf air base in Brandenburg. Officials said two additional sites are planned.

Military spokesperson Col. Mitko Muller stated that more elements would be added gradually, with the system eventually feeding into NATO and EU air-defense structures.

The launch of the Israeli-made system comes as Israel faces widespread international condemnation over its war on Gaza, where over two years of bombardment have caused large-scale civilian casualties and destruction. Rights groups and several governments have urged Western states to reassess weapons cooperation with Tel Aviv.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius defended the acquisition, saying it was aimed at bolstering protection against long-range missile threats. In remarks to dpa, he said the system would improve early-warning capabilities and enhance Germany's role within NATO.

Germany claims it is concerned about an imminent strike from Russia, expecting Russian forces to attack NATO member states and the European Union.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul claimed new intelligence assessments found Russian forces making preparations for a future attack.

The Foreign Ministry declared in a statement that it had received warnings in this regard. "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," the statement said.

In the meantime, Germany's Defense Ministry put the total cost of the deal for the Israeli-made Arrow 3 missile system at 3.8 billion euros ($4.4 billion).

Berlin and Tel Aviv signed the deal in September 2023, weeks after the Israeli regime received Washington's approval.

The Arrow 3 missile system is jointly developed and produced by the Israeli regime and the United States.

From October 7, 2023, to June 5, 2025, Germany authorized arms sales to Israel totaling more than 492 million euros ($573 million).

Germany concluded military procurement agreements with Israeli firms and exported large quantities of weapons to the Israeli regime forces despite growing public opposition over the genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Due to public pressure from the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, an avid Israeli supporter, ordered restrictions on arms exports to Israel in August.

Merz later lifted these restrictions, citing the shaky US-brokered October 10 Gaza ceasefire.

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Raksha Mantri and his Russian counterpart co-chair 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation Meeting in New Delhi

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Both sides reiterate that India-Russia ties are based on a deep sense of trust, common principles & mutual respect

Shri Rajnath Singh stresses on new opportunities to enhance collaboration across niche technologies

Russian Defence Industry is ready to support India towards becoming self-reliant in defence production, says Mr Andrei Belousov

Posted On: 04 DEC 2025 7:56PM by PIB Delhi

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and the Defence Minister of Russia Mr Andrei Belousov co-chaired the 22nd session of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on December 04, 2025. Both sides reiterated that the India-Russia relationship is based on a deep sense of trust, common principles and mutual respect. This meeting precedes the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Russia Mr Vladimir Putin.

Shri Rajnath Singh voiced the Government of India's determination for capacity building of its indigenous defence industry for both local production and exports, under the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. He also stressed on new opportunities for enhancing collaboration between both counties across niche technologies.

The Russian Defence Minister emphasised on deepening relationship between both the countries which is based on mutual trust. He highlighted that both countries are united by many years of friendship and strategic cooperation. He stated that the Russian Defence Industry is ready to support India towards becoming self-reliant in the field of defence production. Minister Belousov also invited Shri Rajnath Singh to visit Russia to co-chair the 23rd session of IRIC-M&MTC in 2026.

At the end, the two Ministers signed the protocol of the 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC meeting highlighting the ongoing and prospective areas of cooperation.

Prior to the meeting, Raksha Mantri and the Russian Defence Minister laid the wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi and paid respect to the Indian bravery who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. The visiting dignitary also inspected the Ceremonial Tri-service Guard of Honour.

******

VK/Savvy

(Release ID: 2199013)

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PARLIAMENT QUESTION: NUCLEAR ENERGY MISSION

India - Press Information Bureau

Department of Atomic Energy

Posted On: 04 DEC 2025 6:22PM by PIB Delhi

The Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat is aiming to achieve nuclear power generation capacity of 100 GWe by 2047 to contribute significantly in achieving the target of NetZero by 2070. Its main features are to augment power production from nuclear energy with least carbon emission, provide reliable energy alternative for catering the base load requirement which is currently provided by fossil fuel base power plants.

Another feature of the Nuclear Energy Mission is to increase the share of nuclear energy in India's energy mix for Viksit Bharat, with emphasis on indigenous nuclear technology.

To achieve the 100 GW target, India has two-pronged strategy with respect to nuclear energy;

Establishing large reactors such as 700 MWe indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and large capacity imported reactors at green field sites for rapid expansion.

Small reactors such as 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), are being designed & developed for brown field sites, with objective of, Repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based power plants, Captive plants for energy intensive industries and Off-grid applications for remote locations.

Necessary technology for deployment of these reactors is available in the country and majority of equipment are within manufacturing capability of Indian industries with technological handholding by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The mission is further supported by R&D with objective to develop indigenous advanced reactors comprising safety features, its fuel cycles and hydrogen production for decarburising transport sector & process industry.

BARC has initiated design and development works on SMRs namely,

Bharat Small Modular Reactor 200 MWe, SMR 55 MWe, and Up to 5 MWth High temperature gas cooled reactor meant for hydrogen generation.

It is proposed to construct the lead units of these reactors at DAE site for technology demonstration. The demonstration reactors are likely to be constructed in 60 to 72 months after receipt of project sanctions

BSMR-200 and SMR-55 can be deployed as captive plant for energy intensive industries such as aluminum, steel, metal etc., repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based power plants and for providing energy for remote as well as off-grid locations. Whereas, hydrogen produced from high temperature gas cooled reactors can be utilized in transport sector and process industries. Thus, these SMRs are positioned as key contributors for decarbonisation of power, energy intensive industries and transport sector and for clean energy generation in the coming decade.

Kakrapar Units 3&4 (2X700 MW) and Rajasthan Unit-7 (700 MW) are already in commercial operation. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)'s capacity expansion plans envisage reaching a nuclear power capacity of about 22 GW on completion of projects presently under implementation by 2031-32 and about 54 GW by 2047 from 8.78 GW (excluding RAPS-1) at present.

As on September, 2025, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research

(AMD) has established 4,36,700t in-situ U3O8 resource in 47 uranium deposits located in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra.

In recent years, AMD has established 28,637t in-situ U-oxide resource at Jaduguda North - Baglasai - Mechua deposit, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand; which is the north-western continuity of Jaduguda uranium deposit.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) monitors the radiological safety aspects in uranium mining and milling activities, including waste management. Any new project starting from mine development, siting of ore processing plant, etc. are subject to multi- stage safety review by AERB in accordance with its regulatory requirements. Also, AERB carries out regulatory inspections of these facilities to verify compliance with the regulatory requirements. The regulatory requirements of AERB take into account the safety standards of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

***

NKR/AK

(Release ID: 2198953)

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PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ENHANCING NUCLEAR POWER CAPACITY

India - Press Information Bureau

Department of Atomic Energy

Posted On: 04 DEC 2025 6:22PM by PIB Delhi

The Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat is aiming to achieve nuclear power generation capacity of 100 GWe by 2047 to contribute significantly in achieving the target of NetZero by 2070. Its main features are to augment power production from nuclear energy with least carbon emission, provide reliable energy alternative for catering to the base load requirement which is currently provided by fossil fuel base power plants. Another objective of the Nuclear Energy Mission is to increase the share of nuclear energy in India's energy mix for Viksit Bharat, with emphasis on indigenous nuclear technology. To achieve the 100 GW target, India has two-pronged strategy with respect to nuclear energy;

Establishing large reactors such as 700 MWe indigenous pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and large capacity imported reactors at green field sites for rapid expansion. The design & development of small reactors such as 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55), are underway for brown field sites, with objective of, Repurposing of retiring fossil fuel-based power plants, Captive plants for energy intensive industries and Off-grid applications for remote locations.

Necessary technology for deployment of these reactors is available in the country and majority of equipment are within manufacturing capability of Indian industries with technological handholding by BARC

The roadmap for achieving goal of 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, is jointly prepared by experts from Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority. In line with the roadmap, in addition to expediting projects presently under implementation, NPCIL has initiated actions for obtaining sanction for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor based projects planned at existing and approved sites and locating potential new sites. NPCIL has also floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) for setting up Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) for decarbonisation of hard to abate industries and is working with BARC for development of Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSMR). The last date for submission of proposal by industries has been extended upto 31st March 2026.

*****

NKR/AK

(Release ID: 2198951)

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PARLIAMENT QUESTION: STATUS OF KAKRAPAR UNIT-3

India - Press Information Bureau

Department of Atomic Energy

Posted On: 04 DEC 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

The successful commissioning of Kakrapar Unit-3 (KAPS-3) in June 2023, the first of a kind indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) was a significant milestone in India's quest to add clean base load capacity towards Net Zero by 2070. No tradeoffs are being made against scale up of renewable plus storage by installing nuclear power capacity, as considering the large clean energy capacity required for achievement of Net Zero, both renewables with storage and nuclear power plants have to be deployed in large numbers.

KAPS-3, the first of a kind indigenous 700 MW PHWR with advanced safety features was designed by NPCIL. Its components / equipment were supplied by Indian industries and works executed by Indian contractors. The fully indigenous 700 MW PHWR would be the mainstay of the Indian nuclear power programme in future contributing to the goal of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

The Core Damage Frequency & Seismic Margin beyond design basis earthquake of KAPS-3 are 6.34 x 10-08/Reactor/Year and 33% respectively.

*****

NKR/AK

(Release ID: 2198948)

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Putin Calls India Great Power That Cannot Be Treated Like British Colony

Sputnik News

20251204

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - India is a great power that cannot be treated like a British colony, a fact that the international community should accept, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"I think the whole world and India have realized that India cannot be spoken to the way it was spoken to 77 years ago. India is a great power, not a British colony. And everyone will have to accept that," Putin said, answering a question about US sanctions pressure on India in an interview with Indian journalists.

Excerpts of the interview were shown on the India Today magazine's YouTube channel on Thursday.

Putin described the history of Russia-India relations as unique and growing across many areas.

The India Today Group's vice chairperson, Kalli Purie, said that the interview with the Russian leader had lasted 100 minutes instead of the initially planned 60 because he enjoyed the conversation.

Purie described the Russian president's attitude during the interview as friendly. After the filming ended, he took part in an informal conversation. Indian journalists noted Putin's good sense of humor.

Putin is visiting India from December 4-5 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ahead of the visit, the Russian leader talked to Indian journalists.

 Sputnik

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Russia Ready to Expand Joint Aviation Cooperation with India  Russian Deputy PM Manturov

Sputnik News

20251204

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov has arrived in New Delhi as part of President Vladimir Putin's delegation to India. Ahead of his visit, he gave an exclusive interview to Sputnik India about neweconomic opportunities for cooperation between Russia and India.

Sputnik India: Russia is a global leader in the construction of nuclear icebreakers, while India has a rapidly growing shipbuilding industry. Given this, how do you assess the potential forms of partnership between both countries in the specialized field of Arctic shipbuilding?

Manturov: The Arctic presents unique maritime challenges, where geography, climate, and geophysical conditions create specific demands for vessels. Ensuring safe navigation in the Arctic's harsh hydrometeorological conditions requires high ice-class cargo ships, such as tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, and LNG carriers. Establishing joint production of such ice-class vessels could become a promising avenue for cooperation. A dedicated working group within the Russian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Cultural Cooperation is currently discussing this matter. The Russian side of the group is led by the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, while the Indian side is represented by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways of the Government of India.

Sputnik India: In October, Moscow and New Delhi signed a production agreement on making civilian SJ-100s in India. What prospects does Russia see for cooperation with India in the civil aviation sector?

The Indian air transport market is booming. India is beefing up its industrial development track, including within the framework of the "Make in India" initiative. We have a number of examples of deep and productive long-term cooperation with Indian partners in the field of aviation. These include the famous MiG-21 fighters and the multifunctional Su-30MKIs, produced under license in India and constituting an important part of its Air Force. Russia is a partner that is ready to work with India not only in terms of supplying modern aviation equipment but also in terms of helping to build up India's own aviation industry. In this sense, we believe that expanding cooperation could be of mutual interest, not only in military aviation but also in the civil aviation sphere. Russian Superjet aircraft have already carried over 40 million passengers, and they are actively operated by Russian airlines on domestic and international routes. As the updated version of this aircraft is certified and serial production is scaled up, the relevance of cooperation with Indian partners will increase, and it can be discussed in greater detail.

Sputnik India: Indian businesses are currently seeking markets for their products, especially in light of the high tariffs imposed by the United States. What can Russia offer Indian companies? What should Indian partners know about opportunities in the Russian market?

Over the past five years, Russian-Indian trade turnover has surged nearly sevenfold. Our nations' leaders have set an ambitious target of surpassing $100 billion by 2030. The path to achieving this goal is a two-way street. And, of course, along with the priority for us of expanding Russian exports, implementing joint projects on Russian territory, as well as diversifying supplies of Indian products to our market should play an important role here. Considering its own industrial development plans, as well as the global redistribution of trade flows, which is also related to the tariff wars you mentioned, India has the potential to be a major partner in several in-demand product categories. These are categories where the potential of Indian producers allows for replacing products previously supplied from unfriendly countries, while ensuring their high quality and competitive cost.

To realize this, it is necessary to increase awareness among Russian entrepreneurs about the capabilities of Indian partners. We see prospects for intensifying interaction in areas such as chemical industry products, various types of raw materials, equipment and components, textile products, everyday consumer goods, and, of course, food supplies. Russia, in turn, is boosting exports of mineral fertilizers, machinery and equipment, as well as metallurgical products to India. One of the key elements of Russian-Indian synergy is industrial cooperation. Joint projects are being implemented and developed in the fields of mechanical engineering, metallurgy, mining and chemical industries, pharmaceuticals, information technology, aircraft manufacturing, and other spheres.

For our part, we are ready to fully encourage interaction between the business communities of both countries, as well as their regular participation in major congresses and exhibition events held in Russia and India. To showcase their products and establish business contacts with Russian consumers, Indian manufacturers need to engage more with industry platforms, particularly our leading industrial exhibition, INNOPROM, in Yekaterinburg. The upcoming Russian-Indian Business Forum, set to take place in the context of our Head of State's visit to New Delhi on December 4-5, will also be a key event for forging new business ties. This Forum will serve as an excellent platform for establishing direct dialogue between Russian and Indian companies, fostering deeper ties and boosting mutual trade between our nations.

Sputnik India: [What's the] current status of the new logistics routes between India and Russia? What are the main areas of focus?

India is a priority economic partner for Russia not only bilaterally but also in multilateral formats (EAEU, BRICS, SCO). Within these and other international structures that include our countries, a constructive dialogue is underway on forming a stable Eurasian transport framework, designed to ensure efficient logistics and transport connectivity, guaranteeing the reliability and stability of supplies.

In this context, both the already known routes, including via the Suez Canal, and new ones, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) or the Eastern Route via Russia's Far Eastern ports, are of paramount importance. Together with Indian partners, we are actively developing these routes by optimizing logistics, building a cargo base, upgrading infrastructure, and modernizing fleets. We are enhancing cooperation along the Vladivostok-Chennai maritime corridor, expanding the line for transporting coal, oil, LNG, fertilizers, and containerized cargo. We see the formation of stable transport links between the Russian Far East and the eastern coast of India as a vital element in cultivating bilateral relations and expanding the Eurasian logistics network.

Regarding the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), in which our countries are active participants, we welcome the concrete steps taken by our Indian colleagues in developing the Iranian port of Chabahar, located along the corridor's axis and one of the key ports in the Persian Gulf. We regard the INSTC to be a priority Eurasian transport corridor, playing a key role in diversifying and reducing the transportation time of goods between Russia, India, and the countries of the Persian Gulf.

In addition to the mentioned routes, we note the interest of Indian partners our President's initiative - the creation of a Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor. We are ready for cooperation in this direction as well.

 Sputnik

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Commander: IRGC ready to share counter-terrorism experiences with SCO members

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dec 4, 2025

Tabriz, IRNA -- Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Pakpour, says that the IRGC has gained valuable experience through direct confrontation with Takfiri and separatist terrorism in recent years and is ready to share this experience with the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

During the opening ceremony of the joint Sahand-2025 anti-terrorism exercise on Thursday, Major General Pakpour addressed the participating teams via a video message.

Honoring the memory of the martyrs of the recent 12-day war, he emphasized, "The Islamic Republic of Iran, after enduring this war and despite all pressures and threats, is committed to strengthening regional and international cooperation with a national resolve and a strategic outlook."

The commander added, "Iran's position within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is active and responsible, focused on constructive participation in collective security."

He said that terrorist threats know no borders or geography, adding, "Confronting these threats requires joint actions, specialized exercises, and the exchange of information and experience among member states."

Major General Pakpour added, "The design of the 2025 Sahand exercise reflects this understanding, to enhance our collective capabilities to confront threats to regional and global security."

In addition, he noted, "The significant presence of military and security commanders from both member and non-member countries at this exercise is a strong indication of our collective effort, synergy, and shared commitment to combating terrorism and enhancing security stability in the region."

Director of Executive Committee of SCO RATS summarizes first phase of exercise

Ularbek Sharsheev, the Director of the Executive Committee of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO RATS), summarized the first phase of the joint Sahand-2025 anti-terrorism exercise.

He said, "Conducting joint anti-terrorism exercises among the competent authorities of SCO member states is the most effective and proven method of cooperation in this field."

Sharsheev also emphasized that the Sahand-2025 anti-terrorism exercise demonstrates the strong commitment of SCO member states and their authorities to comprehensive cooperation in developing dialogue and practical interaction in the fight against the "three evil forces: terrorism, extremism, and separatism".

He noted that all participants successfully achieved the objectives established for the first phase of the exercise, adding, "Our Iranian colleagues have summarized the results of this phase, which were presented by the competent authorities of the member states. In accordance with the exercise plan, a joint exercise headquarters was formed from experts of the competent authorities of the SCO member states and the Executive Committee."

Sharsheev concluded, "I believe these exercises will be a significant step in strengthening the unity of anti-terrorist forces, serving as a catalyst for enhancing practical collaboration among the competent authorities of SCO member states to address new security challenges and threats."

3266**7129

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IRGC Navy launches major Persian Gulf drill with warnings to US ships

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 04 December 2025 3:02 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has kicked off a large-scale exercise in the Persian Gulf, showing advanced defensive and offensive capabilities enhanced by artificial intelligence.

The IRGC Navy began the exercise on Thursday, emphasizing enhanced intelligence readiness and demonstrating the unwavering spirit and resistance of its sailors to confront any threat.

During the exercise, naval units conveyed their firm message by issuing warnings to American ships present in the region.

Advanced air defense systems including Nawab, Majid, and Misagh were also deployed in electronic warfare conditions. Using artificial intelligence, these systems were able to identify flying and naval targets in a fraction of the time and hit them with high accuracy.

The exercise, codenamed Shahid Mohammad Nazeri, takes place across the Persian Gulf, the Nazeat maritime zone - Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Siri islands, the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the Sea of Oman.

Nazeri was the commander of the elite commando units of the IRGC Navy. He is widely recognized in Iran for his direct involvement in the capture of 10 American sailors - nine men and one woman - who wandered into Iran's territorial waters on January 12, 2016.

The drill conveys a dual message: peace and friendship to neighboring countries, and a clear warning to enemies that any miscalculation will face a decisive response.

Iranian and American naval forces have had a long history of encounters in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz since the 1980s.

The Iranian Navy frequently conducts large-scale drills in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, demonstrating its capabilities and signaling deterrence against foreign powers.

Chief Commander of Iran's Army Major General Amir Hatami, during a meeting with members of the Parliament's Planning, Budget and Accounting Commission on Thurday, reiterated that Iran has "not wasted a moment" in enhancing its defense capabilities.

Hatami underlined that protecting the Islamic system is inseparable from safeguarding Iran's independence and territorial integrity, declaring that "the least harm to the Islamic system is harm to the independence and territorial integrity of our beloved country, Iran."

Addressing long-standing tensions with the United States and Israel, Hatami said hostility from global arrogance has persisted since the victory of the Islamic Revolution and has grown in scope and intensity over time.

He referred to the recent 12-day war in June, stating that Iran was engaged in negotiations with the United States when it was suddenly attacked by Israel with US support.

On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians.

More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted strategic sites across the occupied territories as well as the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military base in West Asia.

According to Hatami, the aggressors aimed to destroy Iran's nuclear, missile, and defense capabilities and to assassinate key commanders as part of a broader effort to overthrow the Islamic Republic.

Hatami asserted that Iran "won the war" because its adversaries failed to achieve their objectives.

He said that Israel views Iran as an existential threat, adding, "Since the war, we have not wasted a single moment in strengthening our defense capabilities and enhancing our military readiness, and we have made becoming stronger our top priority."

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IRGC ready to share anti-terror expertise with SCO states: Chief commander

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 04 December 2025 11:09 AM

Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Pakpour says the elite force is ready to share its anti-terror experience with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) states with no limitations.

He delivered the remarks in a video message on Thursday during the final stage of Sahand2025, a major counterterrorism drill hosted by the IRGC Ground Force and involving military units from SCO states.

"The IRGC has gained valuable experience in direct confrontation with Takfiri and separatist terrorism in recent years and is ready to share the experience without any limitations with the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," he said.

The commander emphasized the need to take joint actions, hold specialized exercises, and share intelligence and experience among the SCO member states to combat terrorist threats that know no boundaries.

He noted that Sahand-2025 aims to combat terror threats and promote collective capabilities in the battle against dangers threatening regional and global security.

"The extensive and high-level presence of military and security commanders from both member and non-member countries of this organization (SCO) in this exercise is a strong indication of interaction, synergy, and a joint will to counter terrorism and enhance lasting security in the region," the IRGC chief emphasized.

He expressed hope that the exercise would promote peace and security among the SCO countries.

After the Israeli-American 12-day war in mid-June, Iran has focused all its efforts on strengthening regional and international cooperation despite pressures and threats, he noted.

Pakpour said Iran enjoys an active and responsible position in the SCO, which is based on constructive participation in enhancing cooperation.

The final stage of the five-day Sahand 2025 counterterrorism exercise began in Iran's East Azarbaijan Province with units from SCO member states participating.

At this stage, operational teams from the IRGC Ground Force, the Belarusian Army, and the Uzbek Army carried out exercises simulating responses to terrorist threats.

They carried out drills on hostage rescue, heliborne operations, electronic warfare, demolition, and the destruction of terrorist groups along the border areas.

IRGC Air Force helicopters also provided combat support and carried out heliborne missions.

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Defense advisor to Leader warns Persian Gulf bloc not to play with Iran's 'red lines'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 04 December 2025 8:16 AM

A representative of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei at the Defense Council has warned the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) against "unconstructive" claims regarding the three Iranian islands and the Arash gas field.

Ali Shamkhani issued the warning in a post on his X account on Thursday in reaction to the final communique of the 46th GCC Summit, held in Bahrain on Wednesday.

In its communique, the council reiterated its long-standing position on the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa islands in the Persian Gulf, renewing its full support for the UAE's claim of sovereignty over the three islands. The council emphasized that these islands are an integral part of the UAE's territory.

The communique also claimed that the entire ownership of the Arash gas field lies within Kuwait's territorial waters, and that all its natural resources fall solely within the Kuwaiti-Saudi Divided Submerged Zone.

In his post, Shamkhani described the issues as Iran's red lines.

"The role of neighbors is to create security, not to play with the red lines of the Iranian nation," he said.

He warned that the GCC's "unconstructive" claims regarding the Iranian islands and the Arash field were raised again amid the malicious acts of the United States and the Israeli regime.

The Leader's representative emphasized that Iran exercised restraint during the 12 days of Israeli-American war in mid-June despite some states supporting the aggression, warning "Iran's power in the Persian Gulf should not be misinterpreted."

The Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs have historically belonged to Iran, a fact corroborated by numerous historical, legal, and geographical records both in Iran and internationally. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The islands fell under British control in 1921, but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.

The dispute over the Arash gas field, which Kuwaitis call al-Durra, dates back to the 1960s when Iran and Kuwait were awarded overlapping offshore concessions for the field following its discovery.

The field is estimated to hold 20 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, with production capacity of one billion cubic feet per day. Nearly 40% of the Arash gas field is located in Iranian waters.

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Chinese FM says reports on Takaichi's latest statement over Taiwan inaccurate, urges Japan to correct mistakes and retract erroneous remarks

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Dec 04, 2025 03:35 PM

In response to media inquiry over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday cited the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement at a plenary session of the House of Councillors, saying that she "understands and respects" the Chinese government's position that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that, upon verification, the relevant reports are inaccurate. Takaichi only said that Japan's fundamental position on Taiwan question is as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and this position has not changed  nothing more.

Lin noted that China's attitude is clear. China urges the Japanese side to genuinely reflect and correct its mistakes, and to retract Takaichi's erroneous remarks. When it comes to a matter of principle for which the historical records are crystal clear and the words in black and white are unequivocal, and in the face of China's repeated questions in recent days as well as criticism from within Japan and from the international community, Takaichi still attempts to brush things off by merely saying that Japan's position "has not changed." China absolutely won't accept this.

Lin said that since Takaichi claims that Japan's fundamental position on the Taiwan question is as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, can she accurately and fully reiterate what the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement actually states? Why is the Japanese side deliberately refusing to spell out its existing commitments and legal obligations? What is the logic and intention behind this? Japan also needs to give an explanation to China and to the international community.

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Press statement by President Antonio Costa following his meeting with President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Statements and remarks

4 December 2025 14:39

I want to start by thanking President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his warm welcome and kind hospitality here in Astana. It is a real honour to visit your country. My presence here reflects our intensified engagement with Kazakhstan, and our shared ambition to bring this partnership to an even higher level.

The cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia is entering a new phase of deepening our engagement. Today, together with President Tokayev, we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the signature of our Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Kazakhstan.

It was the first agreement of its kind with a Central Asian country, and it remains the solid foundation of our growing cooperation. The EU is the first trade partner for Kazakhstan, and also its first foreign investor. Kazakhstan, as third largest oil and uranium supplier for the European Union, is a key partner for our energy security. Our partnership is delivering concrete results.

This week in Brussels, we just launched negotiations on a Visa Facilitation Agreement. I know very well how these talks matter deeply to both Kazakh and European citizens. When concluded, this Agreement will make it easier for our people to meet, study, work and invest, a real sign of the friendship between our peoples.

Back in April, we held the first ever EU-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand where we agreed to elevate our regional partnership to a strategic level and to focus our cooperation on a few key areas of shared interest, with concrete deliverables:

Transport, with the modernisation of the ports in the Transcaspian corridor;

Energy, climate and water, expanding the EU investments in hydropower infrastructures;

Critical raw materials, with the establishment of a new laboratory to analyse the materials in the country, instead of sending them abroad. A first step to develop and keep the added value here in your country;

Digitalisation, by connecting remote schools to internet and improving satellite connections;

And, deepening our people-to-people contacts.

Since the Summit, our cooperation in all these areas has gained real traction. And we are happy to see the work you are doing to improve the investment climate. You can count on us to promote among European companies the huge potential of our economic cooperation.

Kazakhstan is an important regional transport connectivity hub and has an essential role in ensuring the completion of the Trans-Caspian Corridor.

My message is clear: There is a strong opportunity to take our cooperation much further, and -as I reaffirmed to President Tokayev - the EU stands ready to help unlock this potential, for the benefit of both sides. Our meeting comes at a time of rising global tensions, with conflicts putting the international rules-based order under strain. As you know, the EU has worked firmly with Ukraine to stop the war. And we are working closely with our partners and remain committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

In this context, I want to stress my deep appreciation for Kazakhstan's consistent defence of the UN Charter and the rules-based order. We also welcome Kazakhstan's active and constructive role in regional stability, in particular your support to the Armenia-Azerbaijan settlement. A peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus is vital for stronger links between Europe and Central Asia.

The dynamism of Kazakhstan's society together with the economic, political, economic and social reforms launched by President Tokayev are an excellent basis for the progress of our close cooperation to the next level. I am convinced that, together, we can turn common challenges into shared opportunities for the future for our people and our society.

Thank you very much.

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Spokesperson's Press Briefing (December 4, 2025)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Date 2025-12-04

Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Park Il

December 4, 2025 14:30 KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today's briefing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun will hold the 6th Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the morning of December 9, inviting the 18 members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), a major regional consultative body in the Pacific, as well as the Secretary General of the PIF.

This year's meeting marks the first Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held since Korea expanded invitations to all PIF members.

The meeting will take place under the theme "Partnership for Resilient, Peaceful, and Prosperous Pacific." Participants will particularly engage in extensive discussions on ways to enhance practical cooperation in a wide range of areas, including development cooperation, climate change, ocean, maritime affairs and fisheries, and people-to-people exchange, as well as on regional situation and global cooperation.

On the margins of the meeting, Minister Cho will also hold bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of key participating countries, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, and Palau.

If there are no questions, I will conclude today's briefing.

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Russian Deputy Defence Minister Vasily Osmakov holds talks with Deputy Prime Minister of Laos

03 December 2025 12:45

Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Vasily Osmakov met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic General Chansamone Chanyalath.

'We highly appreciate your personal attitude towards Russia, Russian-Lao cooperation and our cooperation in the military sphere,' said Vasily Osmakov.

Deputy heads of the Russian Defence Ministry noted a good dynamic in the development of Russia-Lao relations within the framework of the intergovernmental agreement on military cooperation.

In addition, General Chansamone Chanyalath stressed that the party political leadership of the country and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party attach great importance to the visit of the representative delegation of the Russian Defence Ministry to Vientiane' because it makes a significant contribution to the development of cooperation between our countries'.



Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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Putin kicks off two-day visit to India; two sides eye defense, energy and trade ties: reports

Global Times

By Wang Qi and Shen Sheng Published: Dec 04, 2025 11:39 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in India on Thursday, kicking off a two-day trip with a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The last time Putin visited India was on December 6, 2021, according to multiple Indian media outlets.

Putin's visit marks the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, established in October 2000, according to The Hindu. Indian media disclosed that the two leaders are expected "to review the full spectrum of the special and privileged strategic partnership," which includes defense ties, energy security, trade expansion and cooperation in emerging sectors.

The leaders are also expected to exchange views on key global and regional issues, including developments in Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific. The two leaders will meet for wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening economic integration, enhancing trade routes, and advancing cooperation in technology, space, logistics and innovation, the Times of India reported.

According to the Tass News Agency, the two sides will sign 10 intergovernmental agreements and more than 15 commercial contracts. It pointed out that Putin's visit came as European Commission proposes "two solutions to use frozen Russian funds."

Former Indian prime ministerial adviser Sudhindra Kulkarni told the Sputnik that the visit underscores the enduring depth of the India-Russia partnership, calling the timing of the summit "strategically significant amid global pressure.

The New York Times commented that the timing is "especially fraught" for India, as New Delhi has been searching for a way to resolve its economic tangle with the US, which has pressured India to stop buying Russian oil with the threat of sanctions.

Nevertheless, in an interview with India Today on Thursday, Putin praised Modi's leadership, saying that "Modi is not one to give in to pressure" from the US. Indian media also noticed that ahead of his visit to New Delhi, Putin highlighted the "robust India-Russia defense and trade ties", noting that over 90 percent of transactions are now in national currencies.

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday that the India-Russia relationship is highly strategic in nature and extremely resilient to external pressure or interference.

According to the expert, the coordination and cooperation between Russia and India carries a clear intent: both countries are determined to further strengthen their independent and autonomous capabilities.

"Through Putin's visit, India and Russia have jointly sent a clear message to the outside world: neither country is isolated," Li said, "On the contrary, the two sides enjoy extensive mutual support and strong complementarity... This means that sanctions and pressure from the US and the West against Russia and India is unlikely to succeed."

According to Al Jazeera, the Russian delegation also includes defense minister Andrei Belousov, and a wide-ranging group from business and industry, including top executives of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, and reportedly the heads of sanctioned oil firms Rosneft and Gazprom Neft.

In terms of an oil deal, former Indian diplomat Mahesh Sachdev said that India and Russia are likely to "explore alternative ways to maintain the crucial oil trade dynamics" amid growing Western pressure, while pushing bilateral trade "toward the ambitious $100 billion target by 2030," The Hindu reported.

Citing a possible India purchase of S-400 air-defense system units during the summit, New York Times added that Russia's losses on oil might be made up on the defense equipment front.

Bloomberg also reported that India will pay about $2 billion to lease a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Putin's India visit came after his meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in the Kremlin on Tuesday. Prior to the meeting, Putin warned that Russia was ready to fight a potential war if Europe sought one. He claimed European countries were trying to make changes in the US' peace proposal, ABC reported.

Against the backdrop of Europe urging the US to intensify pressure on Russia, the close coordination and cooperation between India and Russia clearly demonstrate to the US and Europe that Russia retains formidable strength and influence, and will not abandon its own interests and demands simply because of Western sanctions, Li said.

At the same time, India is also unlikely to flinch or adopt a timid stance in its Russia policy out of fear of potential US sanctions, as New Delhi is seemingly expressing that they will continue to formulate its policy toward Russia guided solely by its own national interests, Li added.

The collaboration between India and Russia will also further advance the process of global multi-polarization, the expert said.

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Putin Says Currently No Goal to Introduce Single BRICS Currency

Sputnik News

20251204

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Currently there is no goal to introduce a single currency in the BRICS space, and it should be a calm process, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We do not have a goal to introduce a single currency into the BRICS, it must be done carefully and calmly," Putin said in an interview with India Today.

The possibilities of using national currencies for settlements in BRICS should be expanded, Putin added.

"We need to make greater use of the opportunities of the New BRICS Development Bank," Putin said.

Putin will work in New Delhi on December 4-5. He is visiting the country at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 Sputnik

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Putin Lays Out His Worldview: From Power Shifts to Relations With India & US, and Ukraine Crisis

Sputnik News

20251204

On the eve of his two-day state visit to New Delhi, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an extensive interview to India Today, addressing topics ranging from global power shifts and Russia-India relations to the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East, artificial intelligence  and even the question of immortality.

Here are the key takeaways:

On the Changing World Order

The world is constantly changing, but today the speed of change has sharply increased

"You know, the world is developing rapidly, and this pace continues to accelerate, which is clearly visible to everyone  the configuration of the world is changing, new centers of power are emerging, and the balance of power in the world is changing," Putin said in an interview with India Today.

"Everything is changing all the time, the rate of change is different. Now the rate of these changes has increased dramatically. We are witnessing global economic changes, and they have nothing to do with events in Ukraine or other hot spots," Putin said.

The speed of change in the global economy will only increase, he added.

New centers of rapid development are emerging, and the Global South  including South Asia  is rising

Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries "never gather to outsmart anyone"  their agenda is positive and cooperative

"The fact remains that new centers of rapid and powerful development are emerging. They are forming, in particular, in the Global South. I mean South Asia. Not only India, but Indonesia is thriving," Putin said.

On Relations With India

"Our partnership with India covers such areas as space exploration, energy, especially nuclear energy, which is illustrated by the well-known nuclear power plant project, shipbuilding and aviation. There are many interesting areas for future-oriented cooperation. Take artificial intelligence, for example. We will probably discuss it further," Putin said.

Putin said that he is convinced that his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be interesting and useful.

"We are currently working with Prime Minister Naredra Modi... I am looking forward to this meeting. I am sure that it will be very interesting and useful," Putin said in an interview with India Today.

Putin added that he would very much like for the national goals of Russia and India to coincide, allowing them to combine efforts and achieve maximum results.

Putin stressed that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi never make policy against anyone  only in the interests of Russia and India

"We do not harm others. I believe that leaders of other countries should understand this," Putin said.

Russia and India are full allies in combating terrorism

"Russia has repeatedly faced violent terrorism in its recent history. In these matters... We fully support India's fight against terrorism," Putin said.

It is necessary to fight terrorism using legal means, Putin underscored.

India remains a trusted defense partner; Russia not only sells weapons but shares technologies

Indian military specialists, thanks to close ties with Russia, understand exactly how and when each system should be used

Russia's sharing of defense technology with India speaks to level of trust between two countries, Putin said, adding that Indian military experts, thanks to close ties with Russia, clearly understand circumstances in which they need certain weapons.

"India produces our famous T-90 tanks. Believe me when I tell you that these tanks are considered to be among the best in the world," Putin said in an interview.

Russian oil companies view Indian partners as reliable; oil supplies to India remain steady

Putin said that Russia-India energy cooperation is not affected by the current situation or events in Ukraine. "Our energy cooperation with India remains unaffected by current conditions, fleeting political fluctuations, or events in Ukraine," Putin said in an interview with India Today.

"The Indian government does not impose restrictions on our mutual trade. Why? Because they need oil and petroleum products. The Indian government needs to expand its purchases of Russian fertilizers, as they are essential for Indian farmers," Putin said.Putin trailed important upcoming statements on nuclear cooperation following the bilateral talks

He asked why India should not have the right to buy Russian fuel when the US does

On Relations With the US

The US is actively looking for a solution to the Ukraine conflict

"Let me emphasize once again. The US may have various reasons. Humanitarian onesfor Trump personally, since he generally wants to end the fighting and prevent further loss of life. But there may also be political interests related to ending the standoff between Russia and Ukraine, or economic motivesincidentally, in the energy sector and other areas," Putin said.

Both the US and Donald Trump have their own reasons for wanting the conflict resolved quickly

Trump, like Russia, acts according to his own interests; his decisions "do not come out of thin air"

"You know, he pursues his own policy, and he has advisers. His decisions are not made out of the blue. He has advisers who believe that the implementation of such a tariff policy, involving the imposition of additional duties on trading partners, ultimately benefits the US economy," Putin said.

Putin declined to give his opinion on Trump, saying that judgment belongs to US voters

There are many areas where restoring Russia-US economic ties would benefit both sides

US companies have sent letters asking Moscow "not to forget them"

The US still buys nuclear fuel from Russia

On the Ukraine Crisis

"This is not about victory  it is about protecting our interests and protecting people"

Russia did not start the war: the 2014 coup was condoned by the West, which "unleashed a war against Russia with Ukrainian nationalists"

Russia did not start this war, but a coup was condoned by the West, Putin said, adding that Russia has been trying to resolve the situation in Ukraine by peaceful means for eight years.

Russia tried for eight years to resolve the situation peacefully

The situation in Ukraine is not about winning but about protecting interests and people

The special military operation was "not the start of a war, but an attempt to end it"

"The special military operation is an attempt to end the war that the West unleashed using Ukrainian nationalists," Putin said.

The Ukrainian authorities "have driven themselves into a corner"

Ukraine believes NATO membership will benefit it, while Russia sees it as a threat  Ukraine cannot secure its safety at Russia's expense

"Every state, including Ukraine, has the right to choose ways to ensure its security. Are we denying Ukraine this? No. But this should not be done at the expense of Russia's security," Putin said.

Ukraine believes it will benefit from joining NATO, but Russia believes it will threaten its security, Putin said.

Russia did not annex Crimea, but came to the aid of people who did not want to connect their lives with those who staged a coup in Ukraine

"We did not need to acquire an important port in Crimea because it was already ours. Our navy, under an agreement with Ukraine, was already stationed at this port in Sevastopol. That is the fact," Putin said.

"We always protect our interests and our people," Putin said.

On the Middle East

The only solution to the Palestinian issue is to implement UN resolutions

Creating an independent Palestinian state is the key to resolving the Gaza crisis

Russia has always participated in resolving the Palestinian question within the UN framework and will continue to do so with its partners

"We are not proposing any particular plan. We have always proceeded from the premise that, in order to resolve the Palestinian issue, it is necessary to implement the decisions made over many years by the United Nations. And the most important of these is the creation of an independent Palestinian state. This is the key to solving all problems," Putin said.

Russia has always participated in resolving the Palestinian issue within the UN framework and will continue to do so together with its friends, the Russian president added.

"What has been accomplished up to this point was accomplished by [US] President [Donald] Trump, primarily the return of the Israeli hostages. I think, frankly, this was the most important step taken in resolving the Palestinian conflict," Putin said.

Other Key Statements

Russia is the manufacturer of the world's most modern and reliable equipment for nuclear power plants

"Russia is the manufacturer of the world's most modern and reliable equipment for nuclear power plants," Putin said.

"[Russian state nuclear corporation] Rosatom, more than any other company in the world, builds and operates nuclear reactors for nuclear power plants abroad - 22 nuclear power units," Putin said.

Western claims that Russia dreams of restoring the USSR are just fear-mongering aimed at their own populations

"They are doing this, that is, telling their population about the threat of a revived Soviet Union, with a purpose of frightening their own people. They are abusing their monopoly over global media," Putin said.

Meanwhile, certain countries are making the same mistakes today as the ones the Soviet Union made in the past, the Russian leader noted.

"The Soviet Union, at a certain point, reached a state where its leadership, and perhaps even ordinary citizens, believed it was so powerful that nothing could ever happen to it, under any circumstances. And this idea of greatness is precisely what makes a country start making one mistake after another, thinking everything is fine. Yes, we made a mistake here and allowed a small error there, but we are so great that it will always pass, we will survive it. Yet the number of mistakes grows like an avalanche, and they become increasingly difficult to manage. I see that the same thing is happening today with certain other countries," Putin said, but declined to provide any examples.

Therefore, Western politicians who claim that Russia is seeking to bring back the Soviet Union are simply trying to scare their own population, the Russian leader added.

It is better not to judge the effectiveness of foreign intelligence services, but Putin is satisfied with Russian intelligence

Artificial intelligence, like any technological breakthrough, can be used for good or for harm

On immortality: "Everything is finite; only God is eternal"

 Sputnik

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Russia, India Have Prospects for Partnership in Arctic - Deputy Prime Minister

Sputnik News

20251204

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia and India have prospects for partnership in the Arctic, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov told Sputnik in an interview.

"Organizing joint production of Arctic-class vessels could become a promising area of cooperation," Manturov said when asked about possible formats for a Russia-India partnership in Arctic shipbuilding.

The deputy prime minister also said that navigation in the Arctic requires high ice-class cargo vessels such as tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, and LNG carriers, since the climate and geophysical conditions in this region are quite challenging.

The countries are already engaged in dialogue on this topic within a specially established working group of the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission, co-chaired by Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Manturov added.

In late August, Manturov said that Russia and India are aiming for joint development of the Northern Sea Route and the International North-South Transport Corridor.

 Sputnik

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GCC slams Israeli strikes on Syria as grave violation of international law

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 04 December 2025 7:36 AM

The Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has roundly denounced the continued Israeli strikes on Syrian soil as a violation of the Arab nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the final communique of the 46th session of the Supreme Council of the GCC in the Bahraini capital, Manama, on Wednesday, the Persian Gulf bloc condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks and violations targeting the Syrian Arab Republic, describing them as "blatant" assaults on its sovereignty and stability.

They emphasized that the acts of aggression undermine Syria's security, unity, territorial integrity, and the well-being of its citizens.

The GCC reiterated that the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is a part of the Syrian territory, condemning Israel's expansion in the strategic region, its plans to expand settlements there, and its occupation of the buffer zone along the Syrian border as a "gross violation" of the UN Charter, international law, and relevant Security Council resolutions.

The bloc urged the UN Security Council and the international community to fulfill their legal and moral obligations by halting these attacks on Syrian territory and ensuring Israel's complete withdrawal from all occupied Syrian land.

According to data provided by Syria's ruling Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime, Israel has conducted more than 1,000 airstrikes on Syria, along with over 400 cross-border incursions into the southern provinces since December 2024.

In the latest violation of Syria's sovereignty, Israeli drones struck an area in the Damascus countryside on Wednesday.

The local al-Ikhbariyah Syria television news channel said a drone attack targeted Tel Bat al-Warda, near the village of Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside.

Additionally, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported multiple drone strikes occurring around Beit Jinn.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, and the extent of damage caused by the attacks.

As reported by SANA, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft conducted extensive flights over the western countryside of Damascus and the northern countryside of Quneitra.

Israel has repeatedly conducted aggressive offensives across Syrian territory following the collapse of former President Bashar al-Assad's government late last year.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his forces to advance further into Syrian territory since then, targeting the acquisition of several strategically significant locations in the area.

Israel has intensified its presence in Syria by taking control of the buffer zone that divides the occupied Golan Heights from the broader Syrian territory, thereby violating the provisions outlined in the 1974 disengagement agreement.

Analysts say that the HTS regime's acquiescence has encouraged the Israeli regime to escalate its territorial occupation in Syria and increase its airstrikes on the area.

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Military preparedness 'best way to avoid war': President Lai

ROC Central News Agency

12/04/2025 02:49 PM

Taipei, Dec. 4 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te () said in a U.S. media interview that Taiwan is "working side by side" with other democracies to deter a Chinese invasion and "robust preparations are the best way to avoid war and achieve peace."

Speaking in a prerecorded video interview, which aired Wednesday (U.S. time) at The New York Times DealBook Summit, Lai said that "peace is priceless and war has no winners."

"While we aspire to peace, we cannot harbor illusions about it," Lai told interviewer Andrew Ross Sorkin, the Taiwanese president's first foreign media interview since he announced a US$40 billion special defense budget on Nov. 26.

"Peace must be secured through strength. This is why we are increasing our defense budget and strengthening our national defense capabilities while also cutting back our economic dependence on China," Lai added.

Taiwan's president was one of more than a dozen interviewees at the Times' event, which also featured conversations with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, General Motors CEO Mary Barra, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

In the interview, which lasted around 10 minutes, Sorkin asked Lai about China's goal of being capable of "taking Taiwan by force by 2027" and what he thought China's current timeline could be.

"Whatever timeline China's People's Liberation Army may have, Taiwan's fundamental principle is that we must be ready first," Lai added, before expressing gratitude to the international community for their support of Taiwan.

The well-known American journalist then asked Lai how confident he felt about U.S. President Donald Trump's support for Taiwan.

"Our relationship truly is rock solid," Lai said of the long-standing relationship between the two sides, adding that U.S. cooperation with Taiwan has expanded since Trump assumed office.

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Lai said Taiwan stands with the people of Ukraine, and that he hopes "this irrational and illegitimate war will be over as soon as possible so that the Ukrainian people will no longer have to suffer."

"However, in ending this war, we also hope that Ukraine's national dignity and the well-being of its people will be respected and future conflict will be prevented," Lai explained.

Sorkin, a financial columnist for The New York Times and co-anchor of CNBC's business news show "Squawk Box," turned the interview to the topic of semiconductors.

Noting the Trump administration's desire to manufacture "40 to 50 percent of all semiconductors in the next couple of years," Sorkin asked whether Lai was concerned about Taiwan potentially being "less valuable" to the U.S. in the future.

Lai said that "semiconductors are a global ecosystem" and that he hopes that Taiwan can "support the re-industrialization of the U.S." through investments in the country.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and other Taiwanese semiconductor firms invest in the U.S., Japan, Europe, or "wherever they believe is needed," Lai said.

On the question of whether Trump's 40 to 50 percent domestic semiconductor manufacturing goal was realistic or not, Lai said that this would depend on the U.S. government's ability to facilitate land, water and electricity supply, workforce and talent development, and investment incentives.

Later in the interview, Lai said that Taiwan's decision around the year 2000 not to relocate its most advanced manufacturing to China was correct.

He also said that leaders around the world should work together to "take steps to prevent AI from becoming a bubble" so that the industry can drive long-term global growth.

(By James Thompson)

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U.S. will work with APAC partners to maintain peace in Taiwan Strait: official

ROC Central News Agency

12/04/2025 01:45 PM

Washington, Dec. 3 (CNA) The United States will work with Indo-Pacific (APAC) partners to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader region, Jonathan Fritz, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, said Wednesday.

The U.S. will cooperate with South Korea and other regional partners to "uphold the international law of the sea and peace and stability, whether in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, or elsewhere in the region," Fritz said at the ROK-U.S. Strategic Forum 2025 in Washington, D.C.

The alliance between the U.S. and South Korea, as well as their extended deterrence commitments, "remain ironclad," he added.

Victor Cha, president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair at the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNA that South Korea's most important role in a potential Taiwan contingency would be to prevent a second crisis from erupting on the Korean Peninsula, which would "stretch the United States very thinly."

Cha said that the inclusion of the Taiwan Strait issue in the Joint Fact Sheet released after the October meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung was "very significant, given that it is a different government from the previous government."

The statement about the law of the sea and freedom of navigation was "clearly in reference to Chinese activity in the South China Sea, as well as closer to the Korean Peninsula," Cha said.

As for South Korea's role in maintaining peace across the strait, Cha said that it could at least criticize China for using economic coercion against Japan after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took a stance on a cross-strait issue.

He was referring to Takaichi's recent comment that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would constitute "a situation threatening Japan's survival," a remark that angered Beijing and prompted it to issue a travel warning for Japan and suspend imports of Japanese seafood.

Lee Seong-hyon, a senior fellow at the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, said at the forum that Takaichi's remark was not directed at Beijing but rather at Washington.

"Japan wants to make sure that from Washington's perspective, Japan is really a reliable partner," he said.

Lee said that a previous meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping () toned down the tensions and raised the possibility of a "grand bargain" between the two superpowers, prompting "a fear of abandonment" in smaller countries.

"Interestingly, U.S. allies are showing strategic clarity," even as Washington is approaching Beijing with strategic ambiguity, he said.

(By Elaine Hou and Wu Kuan-hsien)

Enditem/pc

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MAC 'dissatisfied' with China's handling of 10 released prisoners' repatriation

ROC Central News Agency

12/04/2025 09:15 PM

Taipei, Dec. 4 (CNA) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday it was "dissatisfied" with the way Chinese authorities repatriated 10 Taiwanese nationals who had completed prison sentences in China for fraud, saying the case was not handled in line with a still-effective cross-strait agreement.

"Although we are dissatisfied, we still have to deal with the issue in a pragmatic way, so we allowed the 10 individuals to board the vessel back to Kinmen yesterday," MAC deputy head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh () said at a regular news briefing in Taipei.

Their return, Liang said, differed from past practice under the Cross-Strait Joint Crime-Fighting and Judicial Mutual Assistance Agreement because of the short notice given by China.

He was responding to a United Daily News (UDN) report stating that 10 Taiwanese nationals, who were involved in fraud in Cambodia, were arrested and jailed in China. After completing their sentences, they were deported on Wednesday and entered Kinmen from Xiamen via the "mini-three-links" ferry route.

Kinmen, a Taiwan-held outlying county located just off China's Fujian Province, is connected to Xiamen by that ferry route.

Citing an anonymous source, the UDN report said Chinese authorities did not give Kinmen prior notice, and that only after the shipping company flagged a potential issue did Taiwanese immigration officers and police deploy to the pier, where most of the 10 arrivals were found without identification documents.

While Liang said China had notified Taiwan in advance, he noted that under usual practice, both sides agree beforehand on the time and means of repatriation. In Wednesday's case, he said, the notice from China was "rather slow."

Asked how long before the repatriation the Chinese side had informed Taiwan, Liang did not give a direct answer, saying only that in the past, "a time would usually be agreed in advance."

According to the MAC, as of Sept. 18 this year, 873 Taiwanese nationals involved in fraud cases were detained, prosecuted, tried or serving prison sentences in China.

(By Li Ya-wen, Wu Wen-jung and Sunny Lai)

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PM meeting with Prime Minister Stre of Norway: 4 December 2025

Press release

The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Stre to the UK today.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 4 December 2025

The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Stre to the UK today.

The leaders began by celebrating the UK-Norway Lunna House Agreement signed today by their defence ministers, which will boost Euro-Atlantic security, and increase our warfighting readiness.

As part of the landmark agreement, the UK and Norway will increasingly operate side-by-side in the North Atlantic to tackle the shared Russian threat - with a 30% increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the past two years.

The Prime Minister underlined that the UK-Norway relationship is both strong and strategic, and the leaders discussed the recent 10bn frigate deal, which will support 4,000 UK jobs.

On Ukraine, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Stre for his unwavering commitment to the Coalition of the Willing and they both agreed that we must all continue to ramp up the pressure on Putin to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The leaders then travelled to RAF Lossiemouth where they thanked troops for their dedication and their service this Christmas. The Prime Minister announced that 35,000 service personnel will receive help with the cost of travel to reunite with loved ones in the UK this festive period.

The leaders also spoke to the UK and Norwegian crews of the P-8 aircrafts deployed as part of maritime patrols in the North Atlantic, as well as seeing UK typhoon pilots, and heard first-hand about their work.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

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Poland, Norway, Germany jointly support Ukraine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

03.12.2025

The top diplomats of Poland, Norway, and Germany announced today a joint donation of USD 500 million to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). Under the initiative, NATO members provide military aid to Ukraine.

Before a NATO meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Radosaw Sikorski declared that the MFA will contribute USD 100 million to the package pooled by Poland, Norway, and Germany under the PURL initiative through which NATO coordinates the purchase of crucial defensive equipment from the US by other Alliance members.

"We hope that other Allies see it as encouragement to also take advantage of this programme so that Putin gets the message and Ukraine can get a fair peace," Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski said during a press conference in Brussels.

The contribution is a sizeable investment in the security of Poland and Europe, and an expression of solidarity with Ukraine, whose situation is now more difficult than at any time since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale aggression in February 2022. The package will enable Ukraine to replenish ammunition and receive the essential equipment it needs to defend itself from Russia. Also, support for Ukraine's defence capabilities enhances Kyiv's standing in negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.

Launched this August, the PURL initiative has gathered several billion dollars from NATO members to fund military support for Ukraine. The Allies that financed the preceding packages include the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada, as well as countries on NATO's eastern flank, namely Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.



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Government approves Estonia's accession to the convention establishing the international claims commission for Ukraine

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

04.12.2025 | 12:17

Today, 4 December, the Government of the Republic approved the draft bill by which Estonia will accede to the convention establishing an international claims commission for Ukraine under the framework of the Council of Europe. The commission's task is to assess the damage caused by Russia's aggression in Ukraine and determine compensation amounts.

According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, the establishment of the commission is an important step in holding Russia accountable. "Through its aggression in Ukraine, Russia has gravely violated international law, with devastating consequences - Ukraine's people, cities, infrastructure and environment have all suffered," the minister emphasised. "Russia must compensate for all the damage it has caused through violations of international law. The claims commission, together with the already functioning register of damage, will help ensure that impunity does not prevail and that Ukraine receives fair compensation."

Minister Tsahkna added that the next step is to establish mechanisms through which the compensation awarded by the commission can actually be paid out. "The burden of compensating for war damage must rest with the aggressor," he stressed. He also underlined the necessity of broad international support for the convention establishing the commission.

The claims commission will form the second pillar of a comprehensive international compensation mechanism for Ukraine. The first pillar is the register of damage created in May 2023 under the Council of Europe framework, which collects and records claims and supporting evidence. To date, more than 73,000 claims have been registered across 13 categories. The commission's role is to verify the validity of claims and determine the amounts to be compensated. The next step will be the creation of a compensation fund to reimburse claims approved by the commission to the Ukrainian state, individuals and businesses.

The convention establishing the claims commission will be signed on 16 December at a diplomatic conference in The Hague, with Estonia participating. The convention is open to both Council of Europe member states and nonmembers, including the European Union. Estonia supports the EU's accession to the convention. Following signature, the convention will be submitted to the Riigikogu for ratification.

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Baiba Braze at the Meeting of NATO Ministers: Ukraine needs fair and lasting peace. All allies must swiftly implement the Hague Summit decision to allocate 5% of GDP to defence

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

04.12.2025

Strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defence capabilities, effective responses to Russian hybrid attacks against NATO member states, especially on the eastern flank, continued support for Ukraine's self-defence, containment of Russia, and preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, were the main topics of discussion at the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels, Belgium, on 3 December 2025.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze:

"NATO's mission is to ensure peace in the Euro-Atlantic area - it has succeeded in doing so since the alliance was established in 1949, and this remains the task of all allies in the future. The allies support the US peace efforts, which would ensure lasting and fair peace for Ukraine and strengthen European security. NATO has agreed that Russia poses the most serious threat to the security of the allies and the transatlantic space. Analysis by the alliance and allied services shows that Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with NATO. Russia is constantly testing the allies. Russia's goals remain unchanged: to divide NATO allies, reduce support for Ukraine, and undermine US authority in the world, and the aggressor is attempting to do so through so-called peace talks. We must therefore continue to weaken Russia and its economy, ensure that sanctions are effective and not circumvented, and that our deterrence policy remains strong. All allies must take responsibility for their own security and defence - it is necessary to rapidly implement the NATO Hague Summit decision to allocate 5% of GDP to defence. At the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara, allies will have to be able to demonstrate progress made over the course of the year. Latvia will already reach 4% of GDP in direct defence spending this year, and will increase it to around 5% of GDP in 2026."

Baiba Braze reported on the progress made in strengthening Latvia's defence and deterrence capabilities, her recent visit to Ukraine, and Latvia's continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

Discussing Russia's increasingly frequent and aggressive hybrid and sub-conventional attacks on NATO's eastern flank countries, Baiba Braze praised NATO's missions - Baltic Shield and East Shield - but stressed that NATO's presence on the eastern flank needs to be strengthened, especially with air defence and anti-drone capabilities.

At the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, attended by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, coordinated NATO and EU action in support of Ukraine was discussed. Baiba Braze stressed that Latvia will continue to provide military support to Ukraine amounting to at least 0.25% of GDP in 2026 (in 2025, Latvia's military support to Ukraine will reach 0.3% of GDP). Latvia is also providing EUR 7.2 million in financial support to the NATO initiative to provide Ukraine with urgently needed military equipment (PURL), and is involved in the NATO-led project "Renovator" to support the restoration of medical facilities in Ukraine.

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NZ announces $15m to support defence of Ukraine

Beehive.govt.nz - The official website of the New Zealand Government

4 December 2025

Hon Judith Collins KC

Rt Hon Winston Peters

Defence

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced a $15 million contribution to a NATO and United States initiative to supply Ukraine with weapons and equipment.

"The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of Europe, but also for the Indo-Pacific," Mr Peters says.

"This is why New Zealand and Australia have today announced significant contributions to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL). We are working together to support Ukraine as we navigate an increasingly challenging strategic environment."

The PURL aims to speed up the delivery of critical weapons and equipment to Ukraine, so it can defend itself - its number one priority while peace efforts continue.

"New Zealand stands in solidarity with Ukraine as it enters a fourth winter defending itself from Russian aggression," Ms Collins says.

"The challenge for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend its cities and its people remains immense in the face of the ongoing and relentless bombardment of Ukraine by Russian drones."

New Zealand's contribution to the PURL will only be used for the procurement of weapons or equipment that align with New Zealand's international obligations and domestic policies.

More information about New Zealand's diplomatic, military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine, as well as sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.

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Ukrainian Officials Head To Brussels, Miami For Peace Talks As Putin Doubles Down On Demands

By RFE/RL December 04, 2025

Ukrainian negotiators were set to meet with European officials in Brussels, and later US officials in Florida, days after a five-hour Kremlin meeting with a visiting White House delegation where President Vladimir Putin doubled down on his hard-line conditions to end the war on Ukraine.

Ahead of the December 4 meetings, Putin repeated longstanding and unbending demands on Ukraine's sovereignty and military force in an interview with India Today.

"It all comes down to this: Either we liberate these territories by force or Ukrainian troops leave these territories and stop fighting there," Putin told the channel in a pre-recorded interview released on the eve of his trip to India.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, met with Putin and other top officials at the Kremlin on December 2 in the latest round of shuttle negotiations to try and find an agreement to end Russia's all-out invasion.

The visit by the US delegation came almost two weeks after a US-drafted peace plan seen as heavily favorable to Russia was released. The plan echoed most, if not all of the inflexible demands Moscow has made of Ukraine since before the February 2022 invasion.

Ukrainian officials and Kyiv's European allies have since scrambled to try and craft an acceptable alternative. Ukrainian officials also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Immediately after the December 2 meeting in Moscow, Yury Ushakov, a veteran diplomat and Putin's top foreign policy adviser, described the talks as "constructive" but told Russian press that peace was no closer or farther away.

"The American partners have confirmed their readiness to take into account our considerations and our key proposals," Ushakov said.

However, he said, "no compromise has been found. The work will continue."

Witkoff, a real estate developer with no prior diplomatic experience, made no comment to the media before leaving Moscow. It was Witkoff's sixth trip to Moscow since January -- one indication of how difficult it has been to end the fighting, despite Trump's insistence he could end it within 24 hours of taking office.

"We see that the American side largely aligns with Russia's demands," Anton Penkovski, a political analyst, told Current Time. "In the current negotiations, they may be taking Kyiv's tactical and strategic weaknesses into account. In this sense, the Kremlin has considerable space for maneuver and for making new demands."

Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on December 3, said Witkoff and Kushner said it appeared that Putin "would like to make a deal."

"What comes out of that meeting I can't tell you because it does take two to tango," Trump said, without elaborating. He added: "We have something pretty well worked out" with Ukraine.

"Witkoff had a reasonably good meeting with Putin. We'll see what happens," he said. "Their impression was that [Putin] would like to end the war."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the lead Ukrainian negotiator, Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff Major General Andriy Hnatov would meet with European national-security advisers in Brussels on December 4 and then travel to Florida for more talks with Witkoff and Kushner.

"Activity is at its maximum to bring this war to an end," Zelenskyy saidin his nightly video address. "And from our side, from the Ukrainian state, there will be no obstacles or delays."

The intensify peace talks come as Russia continues to ratchet up pressure on the battlefield, claiming its forces are grinding out gains in key eastern regions while also pounding Kyiv and other cities, leaving thousands in the dark and without power as winter begins to bite.

Early on December 4, Russian air strikes hits the southern port city of Odesa and the frontline city of Kherson, knocking out utilities for the tens of thousands, officials said.

"This entirely civilian facility, which provided heat to the city's residents, has suffered serious damage: the station's premises and equipment have been damaged," Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said Telegram.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war- peace-witkoff-putin-talks/33612640.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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Ranking Member Shaheen Calls for Congress to Put Pressure on Putin

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

December 04, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement urging Congress to take up legislation to put additional pressure on Putin after a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs hearing entitled "The Abduction of Ukrainian Children by the Russian Federation" which the Ranking Member attended:



"Despite the sixth visit by Special Envoy Witkoff to Moscow to negotiate with Putin, he has once again left empty handed. We've seen the Trump Administration literally roll out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska and endorse an initial 'capitulation proposal' for Ukraine. The Administration has done everything possible to appeal to Putin but failed to use every tool at its disposal to put real pressure on Putin to negotiate.



"This hearing reminded us that the Trump Administration is negotiating with a brutal, ruthless dictator who is not just intent on stealing Ukraine's land but is also trafficking its children. Putin is trying to wipe Ukraine, its culture and its history off the map. The Trump Administration needs to be clear-eyed that negotiations with Putin are so much more complicated than a transactional business deal. A peace deal needs to guarantee that no one in Ukraine or Europe will be subjected to Putin's brutality ever again.



"I urge the Senate to quickly pass Senator Graham's legislation, the Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act. This legislation passed out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in October with two other pieces of Russia-related legislation, including my bipartisan legislation to sanction China for propping up Russia's war in Ukraine."

###

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Ukraine Loses Up to 490 Soldiers in Battles With Russian Forces - MoD

Sputnik News

20251204

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 490 Ukrainian military personnel over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"In the past 24 hours, Russian units of the Tsentr group destroyed up to 490 Ukrainian armed forces servicepeople, three armored fighting vehicles, two of which were Western-made, two field artillery pieces, including a US-made 155mm Paladin self-propelled artillery unit, five vehicles, as well as a Croatian-made Heron rocket launcher and a Grad multiple launch rocket system launcher," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated over 215 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry also said, adding that Kiev has lost up to 210 military personnel in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Zapad.

At the same time, Russia's Black Sea Fleet destroyed four Ukrainian unmanned boats in the northwestern Black Sea, the ministry added.

The Russian armed forces struck the infrastructure of military airfields, pre-flight preparation and launch sites for unmanned aerial vehicles, and transport and energy infrastructure facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian military, the ministry also said.

Russia's Battlegroup Sever eliminated over 155 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, as well as four armored combat vehicles, one 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled howitzer, 10 motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station and three material depots, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Russia's Battlegroup Yug eliminated up to 150 Ukrainian soldiers, according to the ministry's statement. It also destroyed three armored combat vehicles, 20 motor vehicles, a US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-fire radar station, an electronic warfare station and four material depots over the past day, the ministry added.

The Dnepr group eliminated over 55 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day, destroying 18 motor vehicles, two electronic warfare stations, a field artillery gun and five ammunition and equipment depots, the ministry said.

 Sputnik

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Putin: Russia Will Liberate Donbass and Novorossiya in Any Case, By Military or Other Means

Sputnik News

20251204

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the territories controlled by Kiev will be liberated either by military means or by the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces and the cessation of killings there.

"Either we liberate these territories by military action, or Ukrainian troops ... will leave these territories and stop killing people,," Putin said in an interview with India Today.

The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) did not want to exist within Ukraine and expressed this in a referendum, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"We immediately told the Ukrainian troops: people do not want to live with you. They went out to the referendum and voted," Putin said.

Russia tried to build relations between the DPR and LPR and Ukraine, but Kiev did not recognize them, the president said, noting that Kiev refused to withdraw its troops from the DPR and the LPR after the referendum, preferring to fight.

The search for a resolution to the situation in Ukraine is a difficult task, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"It is a difficult job, it is a difficult mission," Putin said.

In the context of discussions of the Ukrainian conflict, the president called achieving a consensus between the parties a difficult task.

Trump Administration Takes on Difficult Mission of Resolving Conflict in Ukraine

The administration of US President Donald Trump has taken on the difficult mission of resolving the situation in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"But this is a difficult task and a difficult mission that the Trump administration has taken on. It is difficult. I say this without any irony," Putin said.

Putin added that during his meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, there were questions regarding US proposals, with which Moscow did not agree, and the parties discussed them.

"They [the points of the US-proposed plan for a settlement in Ukraine] are being discussed. They [the US] divided the 27 points into four packages and proposed discussing them separately," Putin said.

US representatives are currently engaged in shuttle diplomacy, maintaining contacts with Russia, Europe, and Ukraine, Putin said.

"What are they doing? Shuttle diplomacy. They spoke with the Ukrainian representative, then they spoke with the Europeans, then they came to us, and then they have another meeting with the Ukrainians and Europeans," Putin said.

Vladimir Putin called his meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner very useful.

"It [the meeting] was very useful," Putin said in an interview with India Today, adding that it was very necessary conversation.

It is too early to talk about the meeting, but it was necessary, the president said, adding that proposals the US side brought to Moscow were based on his agreements with US President Donald Trump in Alaska in one way or another.

"What the Americans brought us now, we have not seen yet, so we had to go through almost every point, that is why it took so much time," Putin said.

Russia Not Willing to Return to the G8

Putin said in an interview with India Today that he does not want Russia to return to the G8.

"No," Putin said.

It is unclear why the G7 countries call themselves so, as their share of the global economy is declining year after year, the president said, adding that this is an obvious fact. He added that the recession in Germany, for example, is also obvious.

At the same time, the president said that the G7 is still an important platform, working on something, discussing something, and making decisions, adding that he wishes them all the best.

 Sputnik

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Ukraine Has Many Things Against It Right Now  Trump

Sputnik News

20251204

US special envoy Steven Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner had a "very good" meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, but it remains to be seen what comes out of it, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House.

After their meeting at the Kremlin, US special envoy Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to resolve the conflict with Ukraine, US President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

"Their [Witkoff and Kushner's] impression was that he [Putin] would like to see the war ended. I think he'd like to get back to dealing with a more normal life. I think he'd like to be trading with the United States of America," Trump said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine is facing numerous challenges at the moment, adding that it should have settled the conflict with Russia months ago, as he had advised Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting at the White House when he told him that Kiev had "no cards" against Russia.

"When I was in this office, and I talked [with Zelensky] about 'no cards,' I said, 'You have no cards.' That was the time to settle. I thought that would have been a much better time to settle, but they [Ukraine], in their wisdom, decided not to do that. They have a lot of things against them right now," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Putin received Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in the Kremlin. Apart from the president, Russia was represented by Ushakov and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, Kirill Dmitriev.

 Sputnik

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UK statement to the OSCE Ministerial 2025: Minister Doughty

Speech

Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, delivers UK Statement during the 2025 OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna, holding Russia to account and outlining the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Stephen Doughty MP

Published 4 December 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 4 December 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Chair.

Delegates may not be aware that actually one of my first jobs after university was with this organisation's Parliamentary Assembly in Denmark, alongside colleagues from all the nations around this table.

As young interns, we worked together to attempt to uphold the principles that this organisation is built on: sovereignty, peace, territorial integrity, the integrity of elections, the upholding of basic freedoms.

And so, it is a particular tragedy to be here 22 years later around this table when Russia has torn those principles apart through its illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine.

It has trampled the Helsinki Final Act and violated every commitment that this organisation was founded on.

And I saw the consequences first-hand during my visit to Kyiv earlier this year: families huddled in basements, drones and missiles exploding just metres away in civilian areas.

And of course, this horror does not spare Ukraine's children. Russian forces have killed and maimed them in their homes and in their kindergartens.

Tens of thousands of boys and girls have been snatched from their families, deported, indoctrinated, as this organisation has reported so powerfully.

And I met three of those young people who had escaped recently, and I have the picture on my mantlepiece painted by another receiving support after escaping that captivity.

And when I think of those children, I can only ask the Russian representative around this table:

Where is the shame, and where is the decency?

Because this is a campaign to erase a nation's future - and no right-thinking country, not least around this table, can ever stand by and watch.

And that is why I am here to tell you all that the United Kingdom will always stand with Ukraine and particularly with its children.

I want to praise the efforts of many in this room, not least the First Ladies of the United States, of Ukraine and so many others for speaking up so definitively on this crucial issue.

We are backing efforts to bring those children home - committing more than 2.8 million to help trace and return them.

And we are committed to holding Russia to account - for its illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable war against Ukraine; for the forced deportations of innocent children; and for unlawfully detaining civilians, including, as has been referenced, three members of this organisation's staff.

And we will keep up the relentless scrutiny through this organisation and others.

The Moscow Mechanism reports form the bedrock of our efforts to hold Russia to account.

And we will continue to exert pressure through sweeping sanctions and support for international justice mechanisms.

Because, colleagues, we owe that to those who signed the Helsinki Final Act 50 years ago - and to the citizens of every country represented here today, including Russia.

Because of course, Russia's people are suffering at Putin's hands - hundreds of thousands of lives lost, political prisoners locked up for opposing the war, an economy squeezed by sanctions.

And let us also be clear, as has been referenced, that Moscow's actions pose a clear threat to peace and security across Europe and indeed beyond.

From cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure to incursions into the airspace of countries around this table, through the continued occupation of territories beyond its borders.

And these have implications of course not just for Euro-Atlantic security, but global security too.

And that is why we call on Russia to honour its OSCE commitments and withdraw its forces from Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia, from Transnistria in Moldova, in full compliance with international law.

Even as we hold Russia to account, of course, efforts to secure peace continue.

And President Trump's efforts and Ukraine's constructive and principled engagement have driven real progress in recent weeks. Indeed, a deal could be historic, and a turning point for Europe's security, but it will be tough.

Putin has broken his word time and again, and there is yet no sign that he is ready to negotiate in good faith.

So, whatever the coming days bring, we must focus on the future - and that is a future with a strong, peaceful and prosperous Ukraine.

And the OSCE must be ready to help it recover and rebuild.

It has a wealth of expertise to offer: monitoring a ceasefire, decommissioning weapons, helping veterans to reintegrate.

And its wider expertise, in the defence of freedoms and core values - and we will need every ounce of that expertise to help Ukraine stand strong again.

The OSCE of course was created to prevent Europe from sliding back into war, and it has proven its ability to have an important impact in the past. Particularly in the Western Balkans, where it continues to work in support of lasting stability and security through its institutions and field missions.

And we will work with partners in that region, the OSCE, and through the Berlin Process, and other forums, to ensure that we have stability in the Western Balkans.

And also, I welcome too, as others have, the developments in Armenia and Azerbaijan - the leadership of President Trump and so many others, and bold steps taken by colleagues in the region.

And I am delighted with our new strategic partnerships with both countries - and we must work for peace and stability there too.

But beyond that, this organisation, our continent, our shared security is being tested like never before. So our task today is not only to challenge aggression but to prepare for peace.

We cannot look away - or allow aggression to triumph.

I welcome the conversations on reform, but we must recommit to the Decalogue, to those Helsinki Final Act principles.

Reaffirm, honour and deliver on the solemn commitments that we all made 50 years ago.

Thank you very much.

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

04 December 2025 23:29

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I met with Rafael Grossi to inform him about the consequences of Russian strikes against our energy system, including reckless attacks on the substations of our nuclear power plants, as well as the risks of Russia's continued illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

I thanked the IAEA for its active work, including the presence of its monitoring missions at our nuclear energy facilities.

We discussed further close cooperation between Ukraine and IAEA".

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic Jan Lipavsky

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

04 December 2025 18:34

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I was pleased to meet with my Czech friend Jan Lipavsky and sincerely thank him for his personal engagement and leadership.

Throughout the years of Russia's full-scale invasion, Minister Lipavsky has proven to be Ukraine's true friend and a strong voice for truth, justice, and freedom.

I conveyed our gratitude for Czechia'a steadfast support  from the ammunition initiative and training of Ukrainian service members, including F-16 pilots, to strong advocacy for Ukraine's EU future, the use of frozen Russian assets, and hospitality toward our people.

We shared perspectives on current momentum in peace efforts, our expectations of the upcoming European Council on December 19th, and the future of Europe's security architecture."

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Comment by the MFA of Ukraine on the Adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution "Return of Ukrainian Children"

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

04 December 2025 14:29

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the resolution "Return of Ukrainian Children", initiated by Ukraine together with Canada and the European Union and co-sponsored by 48 UN Member States.

91 countries voted in favor of the resolution. The aggressor state, Russia, and 11 other countries have declared that they currently oppose the return of Ukrainian children.

This decision sends a powerful signal of international solidarity and acknowledges that the forced deportation and displacement of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation constitute gross violations of international humanitarian law and international child-protection norms.

The voting results clearly demonstrate that the international community condemns the Russian Federation's practices, which include the unlawful transfer of children, alteration of their status and personal data, adoption by Russian families, ideological indoctrination programs, and militarization.

To date, only 1,850 children have been returned home, often after months of multilayered searches and complex operations to secure their release. This is why international support and pressure on Russia remain critically important.

The UN General Assembly demands that the Russian Federation immediately, safely, and unconditionally return all Ukrainian children, and cease any practices of deportation, forced displacement, separation from parents or caregivers, alteration of personal data, illegal adoption, and ideological indoctrination.

The adopted resolution also provides the UN Secretary-General with a comprehensive mandate: to coordinate the work of all relevant UN entities for its implementation; to engage with the Russian Federation in order to obtain complete information on the location, health, legal status, and conditions of Ukrainian children and ensure their return; to seek unimpeded access for the UN and international humanitarian and monitoring organizations to the places where these children are held; and to regularly brief Member States on progress in fulfilling these tasks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine highly appreciates the important role played by Member States, international organizations, and the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, who work tirelessly to ensure that every child can return home, undergo rehabilitation, and reintegrate into a safe environment.

Ukraine will continue to work closely with international partners to ensure that every unlawfully transferred child is found, protected, and returned to their family. This is not only a humanitarian duty, it is a matter of justice, accountability, and adherence to the fundamental principles of international law.

Another initiative of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been implemented, as he consistently keeps the issue of returning all Ukrainian children at the center of the international agenda, in particular within the framework of Ukraine's Peace Formula. This attention contributed significantly to building broad international support for the resolution.

The adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution "Return of Ukrainian Children" was an important achievement for Ukrainian diplomacy in challenging geopolitical conditions.

Of the 193 UN Member States, 92 countries voted in favor (initially 91, with Costa Rica joining later), 12 voted against, and 57 abstained.

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Statement by Andrii Sybiha at the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

04 December 2025 12:13

Madam Chairperson, Secretary General, President of the Parliamentary Assembly,

It's an honour for me to address you today. Last year, I started by saying that Ukraine was bleeding. Today, unfortunately, this is still true. Ukraine is still bleeding. Today is one thousand three hundred eightieth day of Ukraine's resistance to full-scale invasion.

I could devote my speech to the only reason for this. The only reason why this war continues. And the only reason why security and cooperation in Europe are broken. We all know the name of this reason. But I will not repeat again that Russia has violated all ten principles of the Helsinki Decalogue. We all know this.

Instead, I will focus on only one thing: what should we do now so that next year, I can start my speech not with the words "Ukraine is bleeding". And not with the words "Europe is bleeding".

My main warning today is that problems must be solved, not ignored. This war is not as distant as some may think. Vienna is closer to the frontline of this war than to some other European capitals.

Nobody should have any illusions. As long as Ukraine is bleeding, nobody in this room is safe. Today, Russia doesn't want to stop its war against Ukraine. Tomorrow, it will not stop at expanding the war  deeper into Europe.

We need to stop the bleeding wound in the middle of Europe. We need to stop this bloodshed.

As we mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, it is time to be honest about the real state of security and cooperation in Europe. Time to take action to restore them.

Excellencies,

We are in a momentum to speed up peace efforts. And Ukraine wants peace more than anyone else. We are grateful to the United States for advancing the peace process. We also thank all European partners who support this path. We will use every opportunity to try to end this war. If there is even one chance to achieve peace at the negotiating table, it must be the main one.

But we also know that peace needs to be sustainable. And security must be guaranteed  by real strength and by real guarantees. Security should be the basis for everything else.

Europe had too many unfair peace deals in the past. All of them only led to new catastrophes. Probably no other continent in the world had more of such bitter experiences. That is why it is so critical to reaffirm commitment to the Helsinki Decalogue as we seek a fair end to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Another important conclusion is that the source of the problem cannot be part of the solution.

Just in the past months, Russia lost four important elections - to the ICAO Council, UNESCO Executive Board, OPCW Executive Council and the IMO Council.

Countries across the world do not see Russia as a partner in addressing global problems. Because Moscow itself is a root cause of global problems.

There is also no reason to consider that Russia could be a partner here - in the OSCE.

To be honest, there should be no place for war criminals at this table.

One hundred ninety five thousand war crimes. Six hundred seventy one children killed and over two thousand injured. Torture, rape, and systemic human rights violations. All of this needs to stop.

And nobody has the right to ignore this scale of Russian atrocities. There will be no peace without justice. And without security. Security is the foundation for everything.

We must ensure accountability. And here the OSCE can play a role.

We call for continued use of all OSCE mechanisms to document, expose, and condemn Russian crimes. It is also time to reflect on the role that the Organization can play in the post-war period.

Another critical point is the reform of the OSCE. In the fifty years since the Helsinki Final Act everything changed in Europe. And especially in the past few years.

It is time for the Organisation to adapt to the new realities. The OSCE reform that we proposed last year, remains on the table.

Madam Chairperson,

In conclusion, I express my gratitude to you, dear Elina, for your leadership this year. It has been a challenging period, but you and your team defended principles.

I also thank my Austrian colleague, Beate, for hosting this year's ministerial.

Finally, my best wishes to the incoming Chairperson, Federal Councillor Cassis. Dear Ignazio, I hope Switzerland will keep the OSCE functional and effective.

And I hope that next year I can start my address by saying that Ukraine is not bleeding anymore. And sincerely thanking all of those who helped stop this bleeding wound. Let's act before it is too late.

Future generations will be looking back at us today. If we want them to give a fair assessment of our deeds  we need to act now. Act  to achieve a true, fair, and lasting peace  for Ukraine and for all of Europe. Because everything is interlinked. And we still remember the names of those who betrayed future generations in Munich. This should never repeat again. Principles must be untouchable. And we need real peace, not appeasement.

Last but not least, we continue to demand Russia to release three unlawfully detained OSCE colleagues Maksym Petrov, Vadym Golda and Dmytro Shabanov. I also thank all fellow ministers who also demanded their release today.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands David van Weel

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

04 December 2025 10:07

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Together in international affairs  and together in our travels from NATO to OSCE ministerial.

Grateful to David van Weel for his engagement and to the Netherlands for its leadership in supporting Ukraine.

During our flight, we discussed further dialogue at the highest level, defense cooperation, and accountability for Russian crimes.

I informed David about the battlefield situation and the progress of our peace efforts after Geneva and Miami.

I look forward to developing the excellent Ukrainian-Dutch partnership."

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Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

04 December 2025 09:31

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Upon my arrival in Vienna for the OSCE Ministerial, I had a warm meeting with Kaja Kallas.

Europe's role in our peace process is crucial  it is a matter of peace and security for the entire continent.

I expressed my gratitude for the EU's important decision to phase out Russian fossil fuels.

We discussed ways to further increase pressure on Russia and to strengthen Ukraine. In this regard, the Reparations Loan  with the full use of frozen Russian assets  as well as Ukraine's inclusion in purchases under the SAFE mechanism, are both essential."

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We Will Work as Constructively as Possible with All Partners to Ensure That Peace Is Achieved and That It Is a Dignified Peace - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

4 December 2025 - 21:30

I wish you health!

Today, Ukrainian representatives will continue their discussions in the United States with President Trump's team. Our task now is to obtain full information about what was said in Russia and what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine - to pressure us, our independence. Ukraine is prepared for any possible developments, and of course we will work as constructively as possible with all our partners to ensure that peace is achieved - and that it is, after all, a dignified peace. Only a dignified peace provides real security, and we fully understand that this requires - and will continue to require - the support of our partners.

Today, I spoke with President of the European Council Antonio Costa - I am grateful for his willingness to continue helping Ukraine. We exchanged assessments regarding diplomatic prospects and contacts with partners. Antonio informed me about his conversations with leaders, and I shared the information our intelligence has obtained. We agreed to remain in constant contact.

Today, the President of Cyprus paid his first visit to Kyiv. And next year, starting in January, Cyprus will hold the Presidency of the European Union. For us, it is important that Cyprus's Presidency becomes productive in terms of movement toward the European Union and in terms of all our relations. We believe - and we build our communication with everyone in Europe, and also with the United States, on this basis - that Ukraine's accession to the European Union is part of the security guarantees for our state and for our people. Overall, detailed work continues on the entire architecture of the security guarantees we need. These include military, economic, and political components. And next week, there will also be meetings and contacts on this matter. There is a great deal of internal work under way.

I have scheduled a Staff meeting for tomorrow - and among the issues will be a new, more rational distribution of personnel among the units, so that the brigades can feel more confident. This is being discussed in every combat brigade - we are preparing a decision. Today, I also held additional meetings with the candidates for the position of the new Head of the Office of the President - we discussed the formats of the Office's work and the interaction with other state institutions that is necessary for Ukraine's interests. A decision regarding the new Head of the Office will be made in the near future.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Progress on Ukraine's Path to the European Union During Cyprus's Presidency and Increased Sanctions Against Russia: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Nikos Christodoulides in Kyiv

President of Ukraine

4 December 2025 - 16:15

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. This is the first visit of the Cypriot Head of State to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, and the last time a President of Cyprus visited Ukraine was ten years ago.

"We see today's visit both as a sign of support for Ukraine and as a signal of our shared readiness to continue working together - for the benefit of both our states and all of Europe," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The President informed his counterpart about the situation in Ukraine, including developments on the frontline, priorities, and the work of the Ukrainian team in negotiations with partners.

Nikos Christodoulides praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia's criminal invasion. He stressed that any peace agreement must be based on the principles of the United Nations and full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The leaders discussed in detail their shared European agenda and Europe's development of a new global role for itself, which must be truly strong.

"Ukraine has given Europe a significant unifying momentum, and this energy works to strengthen Europe. We also expect the European community to stand with Ukraine as needed to achieve peace and guarantee reliable security," the President of Ukraine emphasized.

Special attention was given to supporting Ukraine's EU membership. Our country expects that the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of next year will be historic in terms of opening negotiating clusters for Ukraine and adopting other necessary decisions.

The meeting also addressed the strengthening of sanctions pressure on Russia. EU leaders are currently preparing a new sanctions package that should include further measures targeting the Russian energy sector and other areas financing Russia's war against Ukraine.

Ukraine also counts on Cyprus's support for joint European decisions regarding Russian assets.

"Russia must pay for the war it started itself and continues. The funds needed for defense and recovery after Russian strikes should absolutely rightly come from the amounts the aggressor has left itself in the hands of the free world," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The Head of State separately thanked Cyprus for supporting the resolution on Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, which was voted on yesterday at the UN General Assembly. Ukraine hopes for Cyprus's continued involvement in addressing humanitarian issues.4 December 2025 - 16:15

In Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. This is the first visit of the Cypriot Head of State to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, and the last time a President of Cyprus visited Ukraine was ten years ago.

"We see today's visit both as a sign of support for Ukraine and as a signal of our shared readiness to continue working together - for the benefit of both our states and all of Europe," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The President informed his counterpart about the situation in Ukraine, including developments on the frontline, priorities, and the work of the Ukrainian team in negotiations with partners.

Nikos Christodoulides praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia's criminal invasion. He stressed that any peace agreement must be based on the principles of the United Nations and full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The leaders discussed in detail their shared European agenda and Europe's development of a new global role for itself, which must be truly strong.

"Ukraine has given Europe a significant unifying momentum, and this energy works to strengthen Europe. We also expect the European community to stand with Ukraine as needed to achieve peace and guarantee reliable security," the President of Ukraine emphasized.

Special attention was given to supporting Ukraine's EU membership. Our country expects that the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of next year will be historic in terms of opening negotiating clusters for Ukraine and adopting other necessary decisions.

The meeting also addressed the strengthening of sanctions pressure on Russia. EU leaders are currently preparing a new sanctions package that should include further measures targeting the Russian energy sector and other areas financing Russia's war against Ukraine.

Ukraine also counts on Cyprus's support for joint European decisions regarding Russian assets.

"Russia must pay for the war it started itself and continues. The funds needed for defense and recovery after Russian strikes should absolutely rightly come from the amounts the aggressor has left itself in the hands of the free world," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

The Head of State separately thanked Cyprus for supporting the resolution on Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, which was voted on yesterday at the UN General Assembly. Ukraine hopes for Cyprus's continued involvement in addressing humanitarian issues.

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Statement by the President of Ukraine During a Joint Press Conference with the President of Cyprus

President of Ukraine

4 December 2025 - 15:42

Dear Mr. President, dear Nikos!

Ladies and gentlemen, our teams, and all present!

Dear journalists!

Today, I am glad to welcome the President of Cyprus to Ukraine on his first visit. And it is significant that this visit comes shortly before Cyprus assumes the EU Presidency, beginning in January. We see today's visit both as a sign of support for Ukraine and as a signal of our shared readiness to continue working together - for the benefit of both our states and all of Europe. Today, I briefed the President on the situation in Ukraine - the situation on the frontline, our priorities, and our team's work in negotiations with our partners. We held a very detailed discussion of our shared European agenda. Europe is now shaping a new global role for itself - all the events that have been taking place for almost four years now show that Europe's role must be truly strong. This depends on every nation and every leader. Ukraine has given Europe a significant unifying momentum, and this energy works to strengthen Europe. This will continue. We also expect the European community to stand with Ukraine as needed to achieve peace and guarantee reliable security.

I want to thank Cyprus for its support at the political level, including with regard to the negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership. We expect the coming months to bring more progress in Ukraine's path toward the European Union, and Cyprus's Presidency can become historical in terms of opening clusters for Ukraine and enabling other necessary decisions. I also want to thank Cyprus for supporting the sanction policy against Russia, against its aggression, for this war, and for all the destruction caused by it.

Leaders of the European Union are currently preparing a new sanctions package, and we want to make it truly effective. And this means continued pressure on Russia's energy sector, first and foremost, and on everything else that provides Russia with budget revenues, and therefore the means to prolong this war. We will be grateful to Cyprus for its continued cooperation with us and all Europeans on issues concerning the Russian tanker fleet and Russian schemes to circumvent sanctions. We count on Cyprus's support for joint European decisions regarding Russian assets. It is an absolutely just principle that Russia must pay for the war it started itself and continues. The funds needed for defense and recovery after Russian strikes should absolutely rightly come from the amounts the aggressor has left itself in the hands of the free world.

One more point: yesterday at the UN General Assembly, a resolution was supported regarding Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Cyprus was among the countries whose voice advocated for the need to return all our abducted Ukrainian children. I want to thank Cyprus for this. We thank the people of Cyprus for their support and expect that Cyprus will continue to participate in such work of ours - in resolving humanitarian issues. Russia has been holding Ukrainians in captivity since 2014 - holding both military personnel and civilians, including many political prisoners who lived in occupied Crimea. Thousands of Ukrainian children are now scattered across Russia, where they are being indoctrinated, unfortunately, with hatred toward us - toward their homeland, toward their native home. Ukraine needs global support to address this. I want to thank Cyprus for standing with Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Ukrainian, US Officials Meet In Florida For Peace Talks As Putin Doubles Down On Demands

By RFE/RL December 05, 2025

Ukrainian negotiators have met with European officials in Brussels, and later US officials in Florida, days after a five-hour Kremlin meeting with a visiting White House delegation where President Vladimir Putin doubled down on his hard-line conditions to end the war on Ukraine.

"Our task now is to obtain full information about what was said in Moscow and what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media late on December 4.

"Ukraine is prepared for any possible developments, and of course we will work as constructively as possible with all partners to ensure that peace is achieved  and that it is, after all, a dignified peace," he added.

Ahead of the December 4 meetings, Putin repeated longstanding and unbending demands on Ukraine's sovereignty and military force in an interview with India Today.

"It all comes down to this: Either we liberate these territories by force or Ukrainian troops leave these territories and stop fighting there," Putin told the channel in a pre-recorded interview released on the eve of his trip to India.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, met with Putin and other top officials at the Kremlin on December 2 in the latest round of shuttle negotiations to try and find an agreement to end Russia's all-out invasion.

The visit by the US delegation came almost two weeks after a US-drafted peace plan seen as heavily favorable to Russia was released. The plan echoed most, if not all of the inflexible demands Moscow has made of Ukraine since before the February 2022 invasion.

Ukrainian officials and Kyiv's European allies have since scrambled to try and craft an acceptable alternative. Ukrainian officials also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Immediately after the December 2 meeting in Moscow, Yury Ushakov, a veteran diplomat and Putin's top foreign policy adviser, described the talks as "constructive" but told Russian press that peace was no closer or farther away.

"The American partners have confirmed their readiness to take into account our considerations and our key proposals," Ushakov said.

However, he said, "no compromise has been found. The work will continue."

Witkoff, a real estate developer with no prior diplomatic experience, made no comment to the media before leaving Moscow. It was Witkoff's sixth trip to Moscow since January -- one indication of how difficult it has been to end the fighting, despite Trump's insistence he could end it within 24 hours of taking office.

"We see that the American side largely aligns with Russia's demands," Anton Penkovski, a political analyst, told Current Time. "In the current negotiations, they may be taking Kyiv's tactical and strategic weaknesses into account. In this sense, the Kremlin has considerable space for maneuver and for making new demands."

Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on December 3, said Witkoff and Kushner said it appeared that Putin "would like to make a deal."

"What comes out of that meeting I can't tell you because it does take two to tango," Trump said, without elaborating. He added: "We have something pretty well worked out" with Ukraine.

"Witkoff had a reasonably good meeting with Putin. We'll see what happens," he said. "Their impression was that [Putin] would like to end the war."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the lead Ukrainian negotiator, Rustem Umerov, and Chief of the General Staff Major General Andriy Hnatov would meet with European national-security advisers in Brussels on December 4 and then travel to Florida for more talks with Witkoff and Kushner.

"Activity is at its maximum to bring this war to an end," Zelenskyy saidin his nightly video address. "And from our side, from the Ukrainian state, there will be no obstacles or delays."

The intensify peace talks come as Russia continues to ratchet up pressure on the battlefield, claiming its forces are grinding out gains in key eastern regions while also pounding Kyiv and other cities, leaving thousands in the dark and without power as winter begins to bite.

Early on December 4, Russian air strikes hits the southern port city of Odesa and the frontline city of Kherson, knocking out utilities for the tens of thousands, officials said.

"This entirely civilian facility, which provided heat to the city's residents, has suffered serious damage: the station's premises and equipment have been damaged," Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's military said late on December 4 that its forces had struck a large chemical plant in Stavropol region in southern Russia.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces wrote on Telegram that the Nevinnomyssk Azot plant produced components for explosives, and described it as one of the largest such plants in Russia.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war- peace-witkoff-putin-talks/33612640.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Vancouver, Dec. 04, 2025 - North America Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: IOR) (OTCQB: NIOMF) ("North American Niobium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will proceed with a non-brokered private placement of up to 689,655 flow-through common shares in the capital of the Company (the "FT Shares") at $1.45 per FT Share for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each FT Share will be issued as a "flow-through share" as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and in section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec) with respect to purchasers in Quebec.

In connection with the Offering, the Company will pay finders' fees of up to 7.0% of the gross proceeds raised by the Company from the sale of FT Shares to subscribers directly introduced to the Company by eligible finders. In addition, the Company will issue to eligible finders non-transferable finders' warrants of up to 7.0% of the number of FT Shares sold in the Offering. Each finders' warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one non-flow-through common shares in the capital of the Company (a "Share") at a price of $1.45 per Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance, all in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE").

The gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" in Quebec that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Company has agreed to renounce such qualifying expenditures with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2025, in an amount of not less than the total amount of the gross proceeds raised from the issuance of FT Shares and incur such expenses by December 31, 2026.

Closing of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the CSE. The Offering is not subject to a minimum aggregate amount of subscriptions. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation and the policies of the CSE.

"This flow-through financing provides us with the resources to advance our exploration programs in Quebec in a meaningful way," said Murray Nye, Chief Executive Officer of North American Niobium. "We're encouraged by the strong investor interest and look forward to accelerating work on our properties as we continue to unlock the potential of our critical minerals portfolio."

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN NIOBIUM AND CRITICAL MINERALS CORP.

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. is a North American mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of precious, base, and critical mineral assets. Its portfolio includes the Silver Lake property in British Columbia's Omineca Mining Division and a recently acquired land package in Quebec's Grenville Province. The Quebec properties add exposure to rare earth elements (REE), niobium (Nb), and nickel-copper (Ni-Cu) occurrences, expanding the Company's footprint into critical minerals that are strategically important for energy and defense applications.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Murray Nye

Chief Executive Officer

1055 West Georgia Street, Suite 1500

Vancouver, BC V6E 0B6

Canada

For further information, please contact:

Murray Nye, CEO

Email: info@northamericanniobium.com

Phone: +1 (647) 984-4204

CSE: NIOB

OTCQB: NIOMF

FSE:IOR

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to, statements relating to the completion of the Offering on the terms described herein or at all, and the use of proceeds and available funds following the completion of the Offering and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such events. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future events and that actual events or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
Australia's first Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks have arrived at BHP's Jimblebar iron ore mine in the Pilbara, marking the start of on-site testing, in collaboration with Rio Tinto, of Caterpillar's battery-electric heavy haulage technology in the region that powers the nation's economy.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251204183951/en/

The two Early Learner trucks, delivered through an industry-first collaboration between BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar represent a major step toward a more sustainable future in mining, designed to deliver zero exhaust emissions while maintaining productivity and performance.

Once safely commissioned, the trials will begin to test the viability of battery-electric technology as an alternative to diesel usage in large-scale iron ore mining operations. The trials will help inform the development of technology, processes, infrastructure and people required to support lower greenhouse gas emissions machines and mine sites of the future.

Decarbonisation of Pilbara iron ore operations will rely on technology advancements and breakthroughs in research and development, which is why BHP and Rio Tinto are working closely with Caterpillar, supported by WesTrac, to accelerate development and transition their fleets as soon as commercially and operationally viable.

Following the joint trial, BHP and Rio Tinto will independently determine progress towards scaled trials within their respective operational environments.

BHP Western Australia Iron Ore Asset President Tim Day said: "Powering up our first battery-electric haul trucks in the Pilbara is an important step forward on the mining industry's road to decarbonisation.

"Replacing diesel isn't just about changing energy sources, it's about reimagining how we operate and creating the technologies, infrastructure and supply chains to transform mining operations. These trials will help us understand how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together: the battery technologies, generation and charging infrastructure, power management, as well as the supply chains to potentially deliver this at scale.

"A significant shift like this demands a strong commitment to research and development, coupled with collaboration across the industry. This is going to take time to get right, which is why trials like this one with Rio Tinto and Caterpillar are so critical.

"These trials are a critical part of this work as we bring the testing to the reality of the Pilbara. We're excited about what we'll learn about how best to deliver the breakthroughs required to accelerate this transition."

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pilbara Mines Managing Director Andrew Wilson said: "Decarbonising Rio Tinto's fleet across our 18 Pilbara mines is a significant challenge. By exploring solutions like this to reduce emissions, we hope that, over time, we will be able to move away from diesel.

"No single company can achieve zero emissions haulage on its own. It takes the whole industry working together. That's why we're working with BHP and Caterpillar to develop new solutions that will reduce emissions in mining and help us reach our net zero commitments.

"Through this industry-first collaboration to test Cat 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks in Pilbara conditions, we hope to meet our shared goals as quickly and efficiently as we can."

Caterpillar Inc. Resource Industries Sales Services and Technology Senior Vice President Marc Cameron said: "The arrival of the Early Learner trucks in the Pilbara marks a significant milestone in the journey toward a more sustainable future.

"By working side by side with our customers, we're delivering solutions to help them solve their toughest challenges while learning together each step of the way. This collaboration is key to accelerating innovation and shaping the next generation of mining technology, and we're excited to be on this journey together with our Early Learner customers."

Ongoing testing and development throughout this trial will enable learning toward future deployment. This will inform the approach for testing a larger number of haul trucks and the potential integration of battery-electric haul truck fleets into each company's operations.

The collaboration reflects the shared ambitions of BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar to support BHP's and Rio Tinto's respective net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions goals by 2050.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251204183951/en/

Contact

Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations,

United Kingdom

Matthew Klar

M +44 7796 630 637

David Outhwaite

M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations,

Australia

Matt Chambers

M +61 433 525 739

Alyesha Anderson

M +61 434 868 118

Rachel Pupazzoni

M +61 438 875 469

Bruce Tobin

M +61 419 103 454

Media Relations,

Canada

Simon Letendre

M +1 514 796 4973

Malika Cherry

M +1 418 592 7293

Vanessa Damha

M +1 514 715 2152

Media Relations,

US & Latin America

Jesse Riseborough

M +1 202 394 9480

Investor Relations,

United Kingdom

Rachel Arellano

M +44 7584 609 644

David Ovington

M +44 7920 010 978

Laura Brooks

M +44 7826 942 797

Weiwei Hu

M +44 7825 907 230

Investor Relations,

Australia

Tom Gallop

M +61 439 353 948

Eddie Gan-Och

M +976 95 091 237

Rio Tinto Plc

6 St James's Square

London SW1Y 4AD

United Kingdom

T +44 20 7781 2000

Registered in England

No. 719885

Rio Tinto Ltd.

Level 43, 120 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Australia

T +61 3 9283 3333

Registered in Australia

ABN 96 004 458 404

riotinto.com

Category: Pilbara
Vancouver, December 5, 2025 - Adelayde Exploration Inc. (CSE: ADDY) (OTCID: SPMTF) (WKN: A41AGV) (the "Company" or "Adelayde") is pleased to announce that, further to its News Release dated November 12, 2025, it has closed a non-brokered private placement financing of 9,675,000 non-flow-through units (each, a "NFT Unit") at a price of $0.10 per NFT Unit for gross proceeds of $967,500 (the "NFT Offering") and 8,073,078 flow-through units (each, a "FT Unit") at a price of $0.13 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of $1,049,500 (the "FT Offering" and together with the NFT Offering, the "Offering").

James Nelson, President of Adelayde stated, "We would like to thank our shareholders for their support in closing these financings, enabling the Company to proceed with multiple work programs. Adelayde will be very active in 2026."

Each NFT Unit consists of one non-flow-through common share (each, a "NFT Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (each, a "NFT Warrant"), with each NFT Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "NFT Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per NFT Warrant Share for a period of five years from the closing of the NFT Offering. Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share (each, a "FT Share") and one transferrable NFT Share purchase warrant (each, a "FT Warrant"), with each FT Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "FT Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per FT Warrant Share for a period of two years from the closing of the FT Offering.

In connection with the closing of the Offering (the "Closing"), the Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $71,160, issued 618,000 non-transferable NFT Share purchase warrants (each, a "NFT Finder's Warrant"), with each NFT Finder's Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "NFT Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.20 per NFT Finder's Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of Closing, issued 72,000 non-transferable NFT Share purchase warrants (each, a "FT Finder's Warrant"), with each FT Finder's Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one NFT Share (each, a "FT Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.25 per FT Finder's Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of Closing, and issued 540,000 common shares (each, a "Finder's Share").

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of Closing. Proceeds from the FT Offering will be used on the Company's existing properties in Canada. Net proceeds from the NFT Offering will be used towards the Company's general working capital.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4360/276996_e642cd5cd4010914_002full.jpg

Qualified Person for mining disclosure:

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

None of the securities sold in connection with the private placement will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Adelayde Exploration Inc.

"James Nelson"

James Nelson

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information regarding this news release, please contact:

Adelayde Exploration Inc.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties such as the proposed use of proceeds from the private placements. 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. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information 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 Adelayde. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Adelayde disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/276996
VANCOUVER, Dec. 05, 2025 - Saga Metals Corp. ("SAGA" or the "Company") (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company advancing critical mineral discoveries, is pleased to announce, further to its news release dated November 12, 2025, the closing of its "best efforts" private placement (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$6,000,000, which includes the exercise in full of the $1,000,000 agent's option. Pursuant to the Offering, the Company sold (i) 7,761,362 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.44 per Unit (the "Unit Price") and (ii) 5,170,000 flow-through units of the Company (each, a "FT Unit", and collectively with the Units, the "Offered Securities") at a price of C$0.50 per FT Unit. Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud") acted as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with the Offering.

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each FT Unit consists of one common share of the Company issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a "FT Share") and one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.60 at any time on or before December 5, 2028.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the exploration of the Company's properties in Labrador, Canada, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes, as is more fully described in the Offering Document (as herein defined).

"We are thrilled to announce the successful closing of our oversubscribed C$6 million LIFE offering - a powerful endorsement from the market and a major milestone for the Company," stated Mike Stier, CEO & Director of Saga Metals. "This strong vote of confidence validates our strategy and assets, and most importantly, it fully funds our high-impact 2026 drill program to deliver a maiden mineral resource estimate on the Radar Project. The drill continues to turn at Radar's Trapper zone-with mineralization already confirmed across 1.5 km. Samples from drill holes R-0008 and R-0009 have been received by the lab and we look forward to sharing those results in the coming weeks."

The gross proceeds from the sale of FT Shares will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's Radar Project in Labrador, Canada on or before December 31, 2026. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the FT Units effective December 31, 2025.

In accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Offered Securities were sold to Canadian purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106, as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The securities issuable from the sale of the Units are immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. The FT Units and securities issuable in connection therewith will be subject to a voluntary hold period ending on the date that is four months plus one day following the issue date, being April 6, 2026.

As consideration for its services, Red Cloud received aggregate cash fees of C$376,818.99 and 809,511 non-transferable common share purchase warrants (the "Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Company at the Unit Price at any time on or before December 5, 2028. The Broker Warrants are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day and may not be traded until April 6, 2026 except as permitted by applicable securities laws. The Company also paid cash finder's fees of $800.80 and issued 1,820 Broker Warrants to a finder in connection with certain President's List investors.

There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.sagametals.com. At the time of announcement, the Offering Document contemplated charity flow-through units forming part of the Offering. No charity flow-through units were issued as part of the Offering.

The closing of the Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the 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 in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About SAGA Metals Corp.

SAGA Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of a diversified suite of critical minerals that support the North American transition to supply security. The Radar Titanium Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km on the surface near Cartwright, Labrador. Exploration to date, including a 2,200m drill program, has confirmed a large and mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) with strong grades of titanium and vanadium. The Double Mer Uranium Project, also in Labrador, covers 25,600 hectares featuring uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

Additionally, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Metals.

With a portfolio that spans key commodities crucial for the clean energy future, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in critical mineral security.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:

Rob Guzman, Investor Relations

SAGA Metals Corp.

Tel: +1 (844) 724-2638

Email: rob@sagametals.com

www.sagametals.com

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

Cautionary Disclaimer

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the intended use of proceeds from the Offering and receiving final approval of the Offering from the TSX Venture Exchange. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, inherent risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, particularly given the early-stage nature of the Company's assets, and the risks detailed in the Company's continuous disclosure filings with securities regulations from time to time, available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information 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 Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.
Vancouver - Mercado Minerals Ltd. (CSE: MERC) ("Mercado" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has granted an aggregate of 3,785,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company. The Options are exercisable at a price of $0.38 per share until December 5, 2030, vest immediately, and are subject to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the terms of the Company's stock option plan.

The Company has also entered into a services agreement (the "Peak Agreement") with Peak Investor Marketing Corp. ("Peak"). Peak has agreed to provide marketing services to the Company for an initial 12-month term (the "Initial Term"). Peak is a Vancouver-based full-service marketing and consulting firm focused on the junior mining sector.

Peak is an independent arm's-length entity and will assist Mercado with marketing strategy and planning, corporate communications and public relations, with the goal of increasing market awareness for the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will pay Peak a monthly fee of $12,000 (plus taxes), payable on the last day of each month. After the Initial Term, Peak will continue providing these services in consideration for a monthly fee of $12,000 (inclusive of taxes) payable on the last day of each month, subject to termination by either party on 30 days' prior written notice. As part of the agreement, Peak will receive 400,000 Options. Peak Investor Marketing can be contacted at www.peakinvestormarketing.com or info@peakinvestormarketing.com.

Correction to news release dated December 4, 2025, titled "Mercado Minerals Closes Subsequent Private Placement and Increases Institutional Ownership". 2686362 Ontario Corporation dba CanaCom Group ("CanaCom Group"), an arms-length party, pursuant to which CanaCom Group has agreed to provide digital content, marketing and media distribution services to the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the CanaCom Agreement, such marketing services are to be provided over a 12-month period, for a total fee of C$100,000 plus applicable taxes. CanaCom Group is a full-service marketing agency based in Oakville, Ontario and is headed by Jordan Lutz. CanaCom Group provides digital marketing awareness via advertising through its fully owned platform theDeepDive.ca, which includes both video and written content coverage of Canadian small-cap stories. The Company has granted 25,000 Options to CanaCom Group in connection with the engagement.

About Mercado Minerals Ltd.



Mercado Minerals Ltd. (CSE: MERC) is a company involved in the business of acquiring and exploring mineral properties in the Americas. Mercado has been primarily involved in the exploration and evaluation of the Porter Property, located within the Alberni Mining Divisions of British Columbia.

For further information, contact:

Daniel Rodriguez

CEO & Director

Phone: (604) 353-4080

Email: drodriguez@mercadominerals.com

John Fraser

VP Business Development & Director

Phone: (604) 838-7677

Email: jfraser@mercadominerals.com

Forward-Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement):

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate," "plan," "continue," "expect," "estimate," "objective," "may," "will," "project," "should," "predict," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements because the Company cannot provide assurance that they will prove correct. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
TORONTO, Dec. 05, 2025 - Emerita Resources Corp. (TSX - V: EMO; OTCQB: EMOTF; FSE: LLJA) (the "Company" or "Emerita") announces that the Third Section of the Provincial Court of Seville (the "Court") has determined that it will not impose any criminal convictions on any of the accused (the "Accused") in the Aznalcollar criminal trial (the "Trial").

Emerita is surprised and disappointed that the Court did not deem that criminal convictions were warranted in this case despite clear irregularities in the Aznalcollar public tender process established by previous judicial rulings. Emerita respects the Court's decision and will review the Court's written resolution in detail with its Spanish legal counsel to determine whether a further response is appropriate. The Company will provide further comments with respect to the ruling once legal counsel has had the opportunity to fully analyze the 215 page resolution from the Court.

Emerita is awaiting the ruling of the Tribunal Superior De Justicia De Andalucia (the "Administrative Court") on whether the various alleged irregularities by the Junta De Andalucia in adjudicating the Aznalcollar public tender (the "Tender") occurred and whether the Tender should have been awarded to Emerita given the existence of such alleged irregularities. Please see the Company's press release dated May 2, 2022 for additional details regarding the Administrative case. The Administrative Court's decision is expected in the near future.

Emerita has a strong balance sheet and will continue to develop its cornerstone Iberian Belt West (IBW) project and its other projects in Andalusia and remains committed to high standards of business ethics and wealth creation. The Company is at an advanced stage in the process of acquiring an Exploitation License for the IBW project and this will remain the focus for our technical team. Emerita will maintain its corporate policy to be an industry leader for conducting mining activities responsibly, sustainably, and transparently.

About Emerita Resources Corp.

Emerita is a natural resource company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Europe, with a primary focus on exploring in Spain. The Company's corporate office and technical team are based in Sevilla, Spain with an administrative office in Toronto, Canada.

For further information, contact:

Ian Parkinson

+1 647 910-2500 (Toronto)

info@emeritaresources.com

www.emeritaresources.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the prospectivity of Aznalcollar, the Company's legal strategies, the awarding of the public tender, the resolution of the Court and implications thereof, timing and impact of the Aznalcollar litigation and administrative processes, the Company's ability to obtain the Exploitation Licence for IBW and the timing thereof, the prospectivity of the Company's other projects and the Company's future plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking 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 Emerita, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate the purchased properties; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Emerita 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Emerita does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE
Alpine next team to reveal 2026 launch date

Alpine has become the fourth team to confirm its 2026 car launch date, announcing a January 23 unveiling in Barcelona - just days after Red Bull and Racing Bulls present their liveries at Ford's January 15 event, and ahead of Aston Martin's February 9 reveal.

Franco Colapinto, Qatar GP 2025

 Alpine

The team also arrives in Abu Dhabi for a symbolic weekend - the final race for a Renault-built Formula 1 power unit.

Alpine released images from Viry showing staff signing the last V6 produced at the factory, bound for the 2025 finale - with white marker messages covering the engine.

Sporting director Steve Nielsen said Enstone is already deep into Mercedes-powered 2026 car production, with the tightest winter turnaround he has ever seen.

Somebody told me yesterday that from the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi to the first time our car goes on the track is 36 days, and that includes the compulsory winter shutdown, he said.

Work that would normally have taken place over two or three months has been compressed into literally four weeks. Enstone is completely on 2026 and has been for some time.

Franco Colapinto, who struggled badly in Qatar and has generally failed to impress since replacing Jack Doohan, believes a proper pre-season will help him reset for next year.

But Nielsen cautioned that the 2026 testing picture remains unclear.

Franco is early in his career - it's learning. But specifically to identify what issues we may have in preseason 2026, I don't know the answer yet. I'm not sure anybody does, he said.

With no dedicated test teams in modern Formula 1, the race crews will handle the January running at Barcelona - despite the 24-race season only ending this weekend.

We've been looking at staff rotation months out, said Nielsen. "We're building next year's car in December. I've never known that before.

It's a completely different way of looking at it.

(GMM)
Defiant Tsunoda insists I'm not finished yet

Yuki Tsunoda has broken his silence after losing his Formula 1 race seat for 2026, vowing to fight his way back onto the grid as Red Bull move him into a test and reserve role.

Yuki Tsunoda, Italian GP 2025

 Red Bull

The Japanese driver will contest his final grand prix this weekend in Abu Dhabi after Red Bull chose rookie Isack Hadjar to partner Max Verstappen next season.

Team boss Laurent Mekies praised Tsunoda for his five seasons in Red Bull's F1 system, saying he had matured into a complete racer with exceptional race craft , and stressing that he remains a valued part of the organisation's 2026 projects.

The Frenchman added: Everyone in the sport would agree it is impossible not to like Yuki. His personality is infectious, and he has become a very special part of the Red Bull family.

Tsunoda posted his own short and defiant reaction on social media.

I'm not finished yet, the 25-year-old began.

"Finding out I won't have a race seat in 2026 was incredibly tough, but I'm determined to work harder than ever with Red Bull as test and reserve driver to develop with the team, and prove I deserve a place on the grid.

Life's full of setbacks, and this is mine. It's not going to deter me from being the best F1 driver I can be, Tsunoda concluded.

(GMM)
Hadjar in, Tsunoda out as 2026 plan finalised

Multiple major outlets now agree that Yuki Tsunoda will lose his Formula 1 race seat for 2026, with Isack Hadjar set to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.

Isack Hadjar, Qatar GP 2025

 Red Bull

The Netherlands' De Telegraaf, Germany's Bild, Sport1 and British sources all report that the decision was effectively sealed during high-level meetings in Qatar involving Oliver Mintzlaff, Laurent Mekies and Dr Helmut Marko.

Hadjar had smiled at the speculation on Friday, but his mood darkened after retiring from Sunday's Qatar GP with bodywork problems - describing his Racing Bulls car as a Lego car .

Asked about the looming Tuesday announcement, he snapped: I don't care about that now.

But in reality, the 21-year-old Frenchman is widely understood to have gotten the nod for Red Bull Racing, with Arvid Lindblad to replace him at Racing Bulls and Liam Lawson retained.

According to Bild, Tsunoda will be offered a combined reserve-driver role across both Red Bull teams for 2026 - ending his five-season run on the Formula 1 grid.

Not everyone at Red Bull is convinced about Lindblad's immediate readiness, however. Dr Helmut Marko, in particular, thinks very highly of him, Bild reports, referring to 18-year-old Lindblad.

But internally there are doubts as to whether the homegrown talent truly has the potential to become an absolute top driver in Formula 1.

For Tsunoda, Abu Dhabi will now be an emotional farewell. The Japanese driver said in Qatar that he has been performing at his absolute peak in recent weeks.

I did everything I could, he said. "Especially in the last four races, the team gave me a lot of support, and I was able to drive a car almost like Max's.

I proved a lot. With an identical car, I was always within two or three tenths. In Las Vegas I was consistently in the same group, and in Qatar I finished ahead of him in sprint qualifying. I'm showing what I'm capable of.

He added that his priority now is helping Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.

We have the speed, and I don't think there's much we can do to improve on the second place finish.

Red Bull declined to comment on the reports or the specifics of Tuesday's expected announcement.

(GMM)
Honda trump card didn't work out for Tsunoda

Red Bull has confirmed the expected top-to-bottom overhaul of its driver structure for 2026 - with Yuki Tsunoda losing his race seat and moving into a Red Bull-Racing Bulls reserve role.

Yuki Tsunoda, Qatar GP 2025

 Red Bull

Isack Hadjar steps up to partner Max Verstappen, while new 2026 rookie Arvid Lindblad replaces him at Racing Bulls alongside the retained Liam Lawson.

Auto Motor und Sport offered an explanation for how Tsunoda's fate was sealed - and why Honda could no longer protect him.

Until the very end, Honda had been his trump card, correspondent Joel Lischka wrote. "Red Bull wouldn't have had engines for the TPC cars, as the latest models were equipped with Honda power units.

A deal was in the works whereby Honda would sell its engines to Red Bull at a discount if Tsunoda retained a seat, he explained.

However, Lischka said Red Bull ultimately rejected the idea of a Honda discount.

From a sporting perspective, the swap is justified anyway - the development potential of the man from Kanagawa is limited. With Liam Lawson, Red Bull is hoping for a steeper learning curve.

(GMM)
If Palou can't get to F1, Mick can't return says Danner

Christian Danner has urged Mick Schumacher to abandon hopes of returning to Formula 1, warning that even IndyCar's biggest star can't make the jump.

Mick Schumacher, Singapore GP 2022

 Haas

The 26-year-old will race for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing from 2026 after missing out on the Cadillac-F1 project - but insists he still dreams of an eventual comeback.

Danner told Kolner Express that the idea is unrealistic.

Mick should finally put Formula 1 behind him. He has no other choice, the RTL pundit said.

Danner pointed to four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou as the clearest example.

Even the best IndyCar driver hasn't yet made it to Formula 1, said the German. The chances of getting from IndyCar to Formula 1 are extremely slim, he insisted.

Colton Herta's attempt to reach F1 via Formula 2, he added, only reinforces the point.

Despite that, Danner praised Schumacher - a former F2 champion - for choosing IndyCar - a move his family, including uncle Ralf, had cautioned against.

Hats off to him, he said. If a young man really wants something, he can overcome such obstacles, he said.

The former IndyCar racer noted that the series is much safer than during his own era.

IndyCars have become significantly safer. Even in accidents at high speeds, everything has generally turned out well, Danner said.

He believes the American series could give the former Haas driver a fresh start.

In the USA, Mick can now drive freely and build on his past successes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he wins again and enjoys racing.

(GMM)
Jailed Sutil denies fraud charges via lawyer

Adrian Sutil has issued his first formal response to last week's arrest, with his lawyer insisting the former Formula 1 driver rejects all allegations and is cooperating fully with investigators.

Adrian Sutil, German GP 2010

 The Cahier Archive

Sutil, 42, was taken into custody in Sindelfingen last week after coordinated raids in Germany, Monaco and Switzerland. Stuttgart prosecutors confirmed he is under investigation for aggravated fraud and embezzlement in an international luxury-car leasing context.

His lawyer Dirk Schmitz released a detailed statement through TZ, confirming Sutil remains in pre-trial detention - not because of the charges themselves, but because he no longer has a residence in Germany.

Adrian Sutil is currently in pretrial detention in Germany, primarily due to the fact that Mr Sutil does not have a residence in Germany, but only in Monaco, Schmitz confirmed.

Sutil vehemently denies all accusations.

From his perspective, no financial damage has been incurred by third parties to date, the lawyer stated, adding that the case involves international and cross-border leasing agreements evaluated differently under various national laws.

Schmitz went further, alleging the former Force India driver may actually be the target of a larger criminal scheme.

The triggers and accompanying circumstances point to an attempt to deliberately and misleadingly damage his reputation. In particular, Adrian Sutil himself has become the victim of a major financial crime in a European context, he said, promising additional information soon.

Sutil is said to be fully cooperating with investigators to contribute to a swift and comprehensive clarification .

He is confident the allegations will prove unfounded and that his great name as a Formula 1 driver will be fully rehabilitated, the statement said.

He also described his arrest as a traumatic experience and asked the public and media to avoid prejudicial speculation. Assessments should only be made once reliable findings are available, Schmitz wrote.

(GMM)
Jean Alesi worried about Ferrari's future

Jean Alesi says Ferrari's Qatar performance was so poor that it left him "worried" about the team's direction - while Lewis Hamilton described the race itself as one of the worst he has ever taken part in.

Lewis Hamilton, Qatar GP 2025

 Ferrari

Ferrari's collapse in form late in the 2025 season - compounded by Hamilton's own struggles since joining the team - has intensified scrutiny ahead of the rules reset next year.

Alesi, whose only career grand prix win was at the wheel of a scarlet car, did not hide his frustration when speaking to Corriere della Sera.

We had the worst Grand Prix in my memory in Qatar, he said.

I'm worried about the future. The claim that all development was halted to prepare for next year seems like a weak excuse. Ferrari's stance makes me think of a shameful attempt to justify failure.

As for Hamilton, he's been candid about his and Ferrari's 2025 struggles, but he also criticised the Qatar event itself, calling the 2025 edition a fundamentally flawed spectacle.

This is definitely one of the worst Grands Prix because everyone was stopping at the same time. There's no flexibility, and on top of that, you can't overtake, he said.

Hamilton said the enforced 25-lap maximum on each tyre set made the race pre-determined , while the lack of passing opportunities turned it into a procession.

"You know, I don't want to be a critic, but there was no overtaking last year. I asked, 'Why not increase the DRS zone?' and they said, 'Oh, we hadn't thought about that.'

I was like, 'So what are you doing?'

The Ferrari driver also pointed to an unnecessarily long pitlane configuration.

The pitstop here takes 26 seconds - the speed limit starts very early. We need to come up with a solution, because - and I hope this gets written - it was hardly a pleasant race to watch.

(GMM)
McLaren signs new free agent F2 champion Fornaroli

Newly-crowned Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli has finally secured an F1 pathway - and it comes via McLaren, after a year in which he astonishingly competed without belonging to any Formula 1 academy.

Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri. Austrian GP 2025

 McLaren

As Mundo Deportivo noted when he clinched the title last weekend in Qatar, the 21-year-old Italian had arrived in F2 - and won it at the first attempt - with no contractual ties at all.

Being a Formula 2 champion should be synonymous with being able to enter the Formula 1 grid, correspondent Oriol Munoz wrote. "What more does he have to do to open the doors of the Grand Circus?

Well, for Leonardo Fornaroli, it wasn't enough.

But his status as a free agent appears to have been part of a deliberate plan. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport's Jacopo Moretti, Fornaroli's management avoided academy deals to maximise leverage once his results exploded.

Moretti wrote that the strategy allowed him a rare degree of leeway at this level - and while it's true that Fornaroli had a strong chance of signing a contract that would have secured him a race seat right away, the decision to join McLaren represents the best prospect for a future in F1.

McLaren, having just recently cleared out most of its junior roster, needed a driver who is already close to F1-ready, Moretti claims.

They needed someone ready for Formula 1, and the immediate bet is Fornaroli, he wrote.

The Italian's rise mirrors the profile McLaren increasingly favours - not karting prodigies, but late-surging champions like Gabriel Bortoleto and Oscar Piastri. Moretti highlighted that Fornaroli's last 18 months included a last-corner F3 title, then a solo run to the F2 title as a rookie .

Crucially, the move puts him in real F1 machinery soon. McLaren reportedly intends to use him in FP1 sessions next year, as well as extensive TPC testing in the 2024 MCL38. He is also eligible for the mandatory rookie slot at the upcoming Abu Dhabi post-season test.

Fornaroli himself made his intentions clear to La Repubblica: I want to get to F1 as soon as possible.

But the move has also fuelled rumours. Austria's Osterreich newspaper claims McLaren may be future-proofing itself amid speculation that Oscar Piastri - managed by Mark Webber - could walk away early despite extending his contract to 2028.

Should that happen, the paper notes, the team already has a potential successor in place with this new signing.

(GMM)
Paris court allows FIA election to proceed

The FIA's presidential election will go ahead on December 12 - but a Paris court has refused to endorse the process, handing Laura Villars an important early victory in her challenge against Mohammed Ben Sulayem's uncontested re-election.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem

 FIA

Villars, who attempted to run for FIA president, withdrew after discovering that only Ben Sulayem could legally remain on the ballot - due to a rule requiring candidates to nominate seven vice-presidents drawn from every global region.

For the South America slot, only Fabiana Ecclestone was eligible, and she confirmed she would run exclusively with Ben Sulayem's list.

That effectively locked out Villars, Tim Mayer and any other contender - prompting Villars to file an emergency injunction to suspend the December vote entirely.

But on Wednesday, reports emerged that the Paris court has issued its first ruling - the Uzbek election may proceed, but the FIA has not been cleared.

Villars' legal team said in a statement: "We take note of the ruling delivered today in the Paris court in the dispute between Laura Villars and the FIA.

The judge did not accept any of the FIA's arguments.

Crucially, the judge also ordered that the alleged irregularities in the election system must be investigated in full. The judge has not ruled on the substantive points. Moreover, he has ruled that the alleged irregularities surrounding the elections must be investigated by the judges hearing the case on the merits, the lawyers' statement added.

A full hearing has been scheduled for February 16 next year, meaning the legality of Ben Sulayem's second term will be challenged after he is sworn in.

Villars had originally asked the court to order the suspension of the FIA presidential election scheduled for December 12 , citing a strange twist in the rules that rendered her candidacy impossible.

Villars' lawyer, Robin Binsard, confirmed the fight now moves to a deeper phase. The urgent applications judge has decided that this dispute should be heard on the merits, and we will therefore continue the case against the FIA before the merits judges.

(GMM)
Red Bull retracts claims as Antonelli hit with abuse

Red Bull has publicly backtracked after Kimi Antonelli was bombarded with online abuse - including apparent death threats - following accusations he deliberately helped Lando Norris in Qatar.

Kimi Antonelli

 Dawn Chua, Formula Press

The 19-year-old Mercedes rookie blacked out his social media profiles and locked his accounts after receiving more than a thousand hostile messages. Toto Wolff immediately alerted the FIA, prompting the governing body to intervene.

Red Bull issued a rare formal statement distancing itself from the insinuations made by Dr Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen's race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.

Replay footage shows Antonelli momentarily losing control of his car, thus allowing Norris to pass him, the team said. We sincerely regret that this has led to Antonelli receiving online abuse.

Marko, who had been the harshest critic, also walked back his remarks.

I've looked at the footage again very carefully, he told Sport1. "The first time, Antonelli could have put up a bit more of a fight. The second time, it was a driving error and not intentional.

I'm sorry that Antonelli got so much flak online. To make it perfectly clear - he didn't let Norris past intentionally.

Before the saga escalated, Antonelli explained the moment himself.

I was just trying to run my race and make it to the podium, he told Viaplay. I pushed hard and lost the back. I didn't do it on purpose, and there's not much I could do about it.

The FIA used the incident to reinforce its anti-abuse message.

It remains absolutely critical that everyone operating within our sport can do so in a safe and respectful environment, the federation said.

We stand in support of Kimi Antonelli and urge the wider community, online and offline, to treat drivers, teams, officials and the whole sporting ecosystem with the respect and compassion that they deserve.

(GMM)
Motorola first unveiled the Edge 70 in October in three Pantone colorways: Gadget Gray, Lily Pad, and Bronze Green. Today, the company is announcing a new special edition colorway celebrating Pantone's Color of the Year 2026, which is called Cloud Dancer.

Motorola Edge 70 5G

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This is described as "an airy white hue that communicates clarity over clutter, softness over spectacle, and presence over pressure". Cloud Dancer "feels both quieting and inspiring, the perfect reflection of balance and refinement", Motorola goes on to say in its official press release. Oh, and there are Swarovski crystals too.

The crystals add "an ethereal touch that allows creativity to breathe and focus to deepen, bringing peace back to our pockets, palms, and digital lives" - seriously, that's an actual quote from Motorola.

The phone will be available in "select markets" worldwide. Pricing and a release date haven't been announced at this time.

Source
Samsung partners with Instamart in India to deliver Galaxy devices at your doorstep within minutes

Samsung has announced a partnership with India's food delivery platform Swiggy's Instamart, a "10 Mins Grocery App," for quick delivery of its Galaxy devices in India.

Swiggy, through Instamart, has been delivering Samsung (and other brands') smartphones in India since March. However, with this partnership, Samsung will be able to make its Galaxy-branded devices more accessible to customers by leveraging Swiggy's delivery network.

This partnership also helps Samsung diversify its sales channels and strengthen its retail ecosystem in India, while customers can get a Galaxy device delivered within minutes.

Swiggy advertises 10-minute deliveries for all products it sells on Instamart, but sometimes the deliveries take longer due to factors such as delivery location, traffic, and weather.

We don't have the complete list of cities where Samsung's Galaxy-branded smartphones, tablets, wearables, and accessories will be delivered through Instamart within minutes, but the press release we received said the Galaxy devices will be delivered through Instamart across metros in India. The service could expand to more cities later.
A car chase ended in Hagat Friday afternoon when a fleeing driver crashed into a home near Tomas Mesa Street, and a female passenger was later arrested, according to Guam Police Department spokesperson Norman Analista.

At around 1:05 p.m., units from the Agat Precinct Command received reports of a suspicious vehicle in the Hyundai area of Santa Rita-Sumai. Police attempted a traffic stop, but the car did not stop, Analista said.

Responding units saw the vehicle traveling on Route 5 and Route 2, following it southbound with lights and sirens to Agat Marina.

The vehicle made a U-turn in front of the marina and headed northbound. The driver lost control while attempting a right turn onto Tomas Mesa Street, ran off the roadway, and crashed into a fence before coming to rest in a residential yard.

The male driver and a female passenger fled the scene. Officers located the passenger and took her into custody. Police are still searching for the male driver, Analista said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities have no further releasable information at this time, Analista added.
The Guam Police Department has launched an Internal Affairs investigation into an alleged incident involving a high-ranking officer and a patrol officer, according to GPD spokesperson Norman Analista.

He said the incident reportedly occurred during a traffic stop, after which a meeting took place between the high-ranking officer, members of the patrol officers command staff, and the patrol officer.

The department began receiving media inquiries about the matter before Chief of Police Stephen Ignacio was aware of the incident. After reviewing the incident reports, Ignacio forwarded them to Internal Affairs to begin a formal investigation, Analista said.

Officials cannot release further information at this time to protect the privacy of all parties involved, he said. Internal Affairs has 90 days to complete its review, Analista added.

The investigation is ongoing.
Im a military spouse living on Guam, and Id like to clear up several misunderstandings about military housing and allowances.

Military families are not dictating Guams housing or childcare costs. Landlords set the prices, and both local and military families are affected. Under Overseas Housing Allowance, OHA, we dont pocket extra money. We submit our lease and are reimbursed only for exactly what we pay. If landlords choose to charge the OHA cap, that is their decisionnot ours.

Some people suggest Guam should switch to Basic Allowance for Housing, BAH, but Guam isnt a state, and BAH is a Continental United States, CONUS, allowance. Changing an Outside the Continental United States, OCONUS, location to BAH would require policy changes that simply arent realistic. And even if it happened, the housing market wouldnt change. In the States, landlords regularly set rent to match BAH, just like they use OHA here.

What would change is our utility support. Under OHA, we receive a separate allowance for utilities because Guams power costs are extremely high. Under BAH, that allowance disappears, leaving military families paying those bills entirely out of pocket.

Base housing on NBG and Andersen is full, so many families have no choice but to enter the local market with the same high prices and limited availability as everyone else.

Military families dont control allowances, caps, or rental prices. Were navigating the same cost of living challenges as the rest of the island.

Quality of life shouldnt be locals versus military. We all want safe, affordable housingreal issue: the people who set the prices.




Haiti - Politic : Marco Rubio urges Nations to support the GSF





On Thursday, December 4th, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Nations in Latin America and beyond to contribute to efforts to stabilize Haiti, within the framework of the Gang Supression Force (GSF), in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2793 adopted on September 30, 2025. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html



Rubio made this appeal during a signing ceremony at the State Department, in the presence of Kenyan President William Ruto. He praised the "extraordinary role, really heroic role, in trying to help stabilize Haiti," as Washington seeks to begin a new phase of its intervention in Haiti, focused, according to the Secretary of State, on the establishment of the GSF.



"We understand and believe they cannot do it by themselves. So I wanted to use this as an opportunity to continue to encourage countries in the region and around the world to step up and contribute and be a part of this effort. We need their money. We need their funds, and we need their personnel as well to make this work," he said, adding, "If we had five or 10 countries willing to step forward and do just half of what Kenya has done already, it would be an extraordinary achievement, and we hope that that will happen. It needs to happen if we're serious about it. It needs to happen."



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Elections : Meeting on the political participation of women





On Thursday, December 4th, 2025, the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Women's Rights (MCFDF) organized, at the Hotel Montana, the West 1 departmental conference on women's political participation and electoral violence under the theme : "Pa gen demokrasi ni Eleksyon San Fanm : Zewo Vyolans !" This initiative aims to provide Haitian women with clear and essential information on the importance of their involvement in political life as well as on the different forms of violence that can hinder their career.



In her intervention Pedrica Saint Jean, Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights, stressed that the current democratic refoundation cannot be done without women affirming "Pa gen demokrasi san fanm". Furthermore, the Minister outlined the objectives of the meeting which consist of drawing up a departmental diagnosis, documenting electoral violence, collecting local experiences, mobilizing community stakeholders and building solutions adapted to the realities of the department.



Minister Saint Jean emphasized the persistent obstacles : intimidation, threats, physical, psychological and digital violence, marginalization in political parties which compromise the political participation of women and weaken democracy.



She concluded by calling on participants to collective mobilization : "Every word spoken, every idea shared, every commitment recorded here must be carried like a stone to the national building."



Marie Goretti Ndwayo, the Representative of UN Women, praised the resilience and determination of Haitian women who, despite political and security obstacles, continue to fight to advance their representation in decision-making spaces. She recalled that the political participation of women constitutes an essential lever for the country.



Yves Marie Edouard, the Electoral Advisor, stressed the importance of an increased female presence in decision-making spaces, while Joseph Andre Gracien Jean, the Minister Delegate for Electoral and Constitutional Issues, insisted on the need to improve the security environment in order to allow women to participate freely in the political process without fear of violence or intimidation.



Later in the day, a panel was set up to develop the various themes linked to the political participation of women and electoral violence. These discussions were followed by a workshop which allowed participants to explore the themes in greater depth, discuss their experiences, make recommendations and propose suitable courses of action.



Should be noted that these departmental meetings will continue across the 9 other departments of the country until December 10, two days before the General Assembly on women's political participation and electoral violence is held in the city of Les Cayes from December 12 to 14.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Land of Sky honors Volk for 36 years of service

Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk accepts award from Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof.

The Land of Sky Regional Council on Wednesday honored Mayor Barbara G. Volk for her 36 years of service to the city of Hendersonville by presenting her with a new award named for her.

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The Barbara G. Volk Leadership Award, presented this year for the first time, will annually honor an outstanding contributor to the betterment of Western North Carolina and the Land of Sky Region.

"Mayor Volk has served the city of Hendersonville and Land of Sky Regional Council with distinction, and she represents the best of public service. Her distinguished record of public service has left a positive impact on our region," the regional council said.

A past chair of the Land of Sky Regional Council Board of Delegates, Volk is a long-time member of its executive committee. The first female Hendersonville City Council member when elected in 1989, she is also the first female mayor in the city's history and is the longest serving local government leader in the region.

Other awards presented Wednesday were:
BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China and France should seize opportunities and expand the scope of cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said while holding talks with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday. As both independent, visionary and responsible major countries, China and France serve as constructive forces in advancing multipolarity and promoting solidarity and cooperation among humanity, Xi said. At present, as changes unseen in a century are accelerating, humanity once again stands at a crossroads, facing crucial choices about its future path, Xi noted, adding that China and France should demonstrate a sense of responsibility, uphold multilateralism, and stand firmly on the right side of history. Xi said China is willing to work with France to always proceed from the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the long-term interests of the international community, while upholding equal dialogue and open cooperation, to ensure that the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership continues to advance steadily and thrives over the next 60 years, fully demonstrates its strategic value, and makes new contributions to promoting an equitable and orderly multipolar world as well as a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Xi emphasized that regardless of changes of the external environment, China and France should always demonstrate the strategic vision and independence as major countries, understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations. The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, outlining a blueprint for China's development over the next five years and providing the world with a "list of opportunities," Xi noted. China and France should seize opportunities and expand the scope of cooperation, consolidating cooperation in traditional fields such as aviation, aerospace and nuclear energy, while tapping into the potential for cooperation in areas including the green economy, digital economy, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and new energy, Xi said. China is willing to import more high-quality French products, welcomes more French enterprises to develop in China, and also hopes that France will provide a fair environment and stable conditions for Chinese enterprises, Xi said. Noting that the Chinese and French people share a natural sense of affinity, Xi urged both sides to deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, education, science and technology, and at the sub-national level. Xi stressed that the world today is far from tranquil, with complex, intractable hotspot issues flaring up in many places. As founding members of the United Nations and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and France should practice true multilateralism, and uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, he said. Both countries should increase communication and coordination on the political settlement of disputes and the promotion of world peace and stability, and jointly advance the reform and improvement of global governance, Xi said. Noting that the world now faces many imbalances, such as uneven development between the North and the South and inadequate representation of developing countries in international financial institutions, Xi said countries should shoulder responsibilities together, coordinate actions, and work together to make global economic governance fairer, more just and equitable. Xi said the exchanges and cooperation between China and Europe over the past 50 years have been mutually beneficial and have contributed to each other's success. "The industrial and supply chains of countries are deeply interconnected. Openness and cooperation will bring opportunities for development, while decoupling and severing supply chains will lead to isolation," Xi said. "Protectionism cannot solve the problems caused by global industrial restructuring, but will only worsen the international environment for trade." Xi said China and Europe should stay committed to partnership, pursue cooperation with an open mind, and ensure that China-Europe relations develop along the right track of independence and mutually beneficial cooperation. Macron noted that China and France have maintained close high-level exchanges, and have always trusted and respected each other. France values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China policy, and is willing to continue deepening the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership, Macron said. France is pleased to see the dynamism of the Chinese economy that promotes openness and cooperation and has brought more opportunities to the world, he said, adding that France is ready to work with China to promote mutual investment, strengthen cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and renewable energy, and deepen friendly cultural exchanges. France welcomes more Chinese investment in France and will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment, Macron said. He added that France is committed to promoting the sound and steady development of Europe-China relations, and believes that Europe and China should uphold dialogue and cooperation, and Europe should achieve strategic autonomy. Given the global geopolitical instability and challenges to the multilateral order, cooperation between France and China is even more important and indispensable, Macron said, adding that France fully agrees with President Xi's views on reforming and improving global governance and promoting a more balanced global economy. France stands ready to work with China to strengthen coordination, jointly shoulder the due responsibilities of major countries, uphold multilateralism, and enhance cooperation in areas such as climate response, biodiversity conservation, and AI governance, so as to contribute to world peace and prosperity, he said. The two heads of state exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi stated that China supports all efforts that are conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way. He said China supports European countries in playing their due role toward the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in nuclear energy, agri-food, education, and ecological environment, among others. Before the talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcome ceremony for Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, in the Great Hall of the People.


French vlogger's Xiong'an diary -- the living "three cities" of innovation French vlogger's Xiong'an diary -- the living 'three cities' of innovation Pub Date:25-12-05 09:41 Source:Xinhua Join French vlogger Mylene as she explores Xiong'an New Area, a futuristic city built in three coordinated layers: an underground network of utility corridors and logistics, efficient urban spaces above ground, and a cloud-based digital twin that monitors the "above ground city" in real time. A glimpse into the future of urban development! Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Qin Shuying

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Venari Lodges, a boutique wilderness project in Croatia, has joined The Brionj - Luxury Hotel Collection under a newly signed management agreement with Grand Metropolitan Hotels. The planned resort, set in Janja Gora near the Plitvice Lakes region, is scheduled to open in 2027 and will target guests seeking high-end, nature-based stays with a strong environmental focus.

Located close to Croatia's oldest and largest national park, the Plitvice Lakes area, Janja Gora is often described as the "Canadian wilderness of Croatia," characterised by waterfalls, dense forests and unspoiled lakes. Venari Lodges will sit within a private hunting reserve with an existing concession, positioned to appeal both to hunters and to non-hunting guests such as hikers, wildlife enthusiasts and nature-focused travellers.

From 2027, the resort is expected to offer around 60 design-led lodges, together with culinary venues and a wellness area designed to integrate with the surrounding landscape. The concept emphasises sustainability, nature awareness and a "nature-to-table" food philosophy, pairing locally sourced products with individualised service and guided outdoor experiences.

Guests will be able to access a landscape of forests, rivers, waterfalls, lakes and mountains, with opportunities to encounter wildlife such as deer, wild boar, bears, lynx and woodcock. Guided tours with licensed rangers are planned to offer structured, small-scale access to the reserve and its ecosystems, reinforcing the project's focus on managed, responsible immersion in nature.

The Brionj - Luxury Hotel Collection is a brand of Grand Metropolitan Hotels, which brings operational management expertise and a focus on high-end, experience-led projects. With Venari Lodges, the group is extending its portfolio into the Croatian hinterland, aiming to attract international guests looking for an authentic, low-density nature product within easy reach of one of the country's most recognised national parks.

Hotel website
Stonebridge, a Denver-based, privately owned, nationally recognized hotel management company, announced today that Orkun Aydin has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Operations. In this role, Aydin will oversee a diverse portfolio of full-service hotels and resorts, supporting operational performance, guest experience, and owner value across all assigned assets.

With over two decades of hotel and resort leadership experience, Aydin joins Stonebridge from Aimbridge Hospitality, where he served as Senior Vice President of Operations within the Full Service Division. During his tenure, he led a broad portfolio of full-service, resort, and Caribbean properties, driving both operational excellence and financial performance.

Prior to Aimbridge, Aydin held executive roles with Interstate Hotels & Resorts, serving as Area General Manager for several high-profile assets, including the Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa, a Walt Disney World Resort; DoubleTree by Hilton at Universal Studios; and The Westin Tampa Harbour Island.
A timeless landmark of Italian elegance, and a masterpiece within Oetker Hotels, Hotel La Palma is pleased to announce the appointment of Giusy Guarracino as its new Managing Director, effective 1st January 2026.

Ms. Guarracino, a Capri native, joined Hotel La Palma in 2022 serving as Executive Head of Sales, Reservations & Revenue. In this role, she demonstrated exceptional expertise in driving revenue growth, optimizing profitability, and surpassing RevPAR and sale targets. She has also spearheaded strategic sales and promotional campaigns to enhance rooms and F&B performance, entailing cross-departmental collaboration.

With over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Ms. Guarracino brings a wealth of knowledge that will guide the property into its next chapter. Prior to joining Hotel La Palma, she held senior sales leadership positions at prestigious properties across Europe, including the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento and Rocco Forte Hotels in Rome and Florence. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her ability to manage high-end international markets, foster strong client relationships, and deliver robust results.
San Diego, CA  Cloudbeds, the intelligent unified platform powering hotel growth, announced the 15 finalists for its first Cloudbeds Collection Peoples Choice Award, inviting travelers and hotel industry peers to vote for the most inspiring nominee.

Launching in early 2026, the Cloudbeds Collection spans 100 of the industrys boldest independents worldwide, with each honoree representing a different way of challenging what hospitality can be, raising the bar through creativity, experimentation, and guest-centric innovation. The Cloudbeds Collection builds on Cloudbeds long-standing commitment to independent hospitality operators.

Every property in the Cloudbeds Collection began with a spark  a vision for something distinct, heartfelt, and bold. These hoteliers remind us why we built Cloudbeds in the first place: to unleash that kind of ambition and help it thrive. Adam Harris, Co-founder and CEO of Cloudbeds

The Peoples Choice Award finalists represent a global cross-section of creativity, authenticity, and innovation:

Voting is open now through December 19, 2025, giving travelers and hotel industry peers the opportunity to celebrate the properties that are reimagining what independent hospitality can be. The Peoples Choice winner, along with the full Cloudbeds Collection of 100 properties, will be unveiled early next year.

More information, along with voting details, can be found at: https://www.cloudbeds.com/cloudbeds-collection-vote/

About Cloudbeds

Cloudbeds is hospitalitys only intelligent growth engine  a unified platform trusted by the worlds most ambitious hoteliers across 150 countries. Built to challenge the limits of outdated tech stacks, Cloudbeds connects operations, revenue, distribution, and guest experience in one powerful, intuitive system. The platform is enhanced with Signals, a hospitality AI model giving hoteliers the power to anticipate demand, run smarter operations, and craft more personal, profitable guest journeys at scale.

Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds has earned top honors from Hotel Tech Report (Top PMS, Hotel Management System, and Channel Manager, 20212025), the World Travel Awards (Worlds Best Hotel PMS Solutions Provider, 2022), and Deloittes Technology Fast 500 (2024).

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Paris is crowned the worlds leading city for tourism, maintaining its position for a fifth consecutive year, revealed data analytics company Euromonitor International.

According to Euromonitor Internationals Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025, Paris welcomed over 18 million international visitors in 2025, driven by its strong tourism infrastructure, vibrant culture and focus on sustainability. The reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris was among the key highlights, which drew significant tourist interest.

Top five cities retain their positions for a second year

The annual report published by Euromonitor International in partnership with data company Lighthouse indicates that Europe maintains its position at the forefront of global rankings, securing four out of the top five places in the Index.

Paris is followed by Madrid in second place, recognised for its sustainability leadership and urban mobility initiatives. Tokyo holds third place, remaining Asias top city destination with its vibrant visitor experience and major sporting events.

Rome secures fourth place, driven by luxury hotel launches and airport expansion, while Milan rounds out the top five, celebrated for its business environment, fashion and design leadership and robust tourism infrastructure.

Asia Pacific surges ahead in international arrivals

International arrivals continued to grow in 2025, led by strong regional performance. Asia Pacific recorded the highest rise at 10%, followed by the Middle East and Africa at 7%. Bangkok topped the list with 30.3 million visitors, followed by Hong Kong, London and Macau.

This momentum was driven by visa relaxations, major infrastructure upgrades and high-profile cultural and sporting events, which strengthened connectivity and enhanced visitor experiences.

Even amid economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, global travel proved exceptionally resilient in 2025. International arrivals to the top 100 cities climbed 8% to 702 million, highlighting the ability of cities to adapt, innovate and deliver experiences that travellers continue to find irresistible. Nadejda Popova, global head of loyalty at Euromonitor International

Sustainability and innovation drive urban competitiveness

Sustainability remains a priority in tourism strategies, with Spanish cities such as Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Seville leading eco-friendly initiatives, joined by Nordic leaders Helsinki and Oslo.

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is reshaping tourism management and visitor experiences, from New Yorks smart city platforms to Bangkoks digital arrival cards and Abu Dhabis AI-powered services.

Infrastructure investment continues to underpin growth, with Rome, Tokyo and Paris advancing through luxury hotel developments and airport expansions, while Sao Paulo stands out for rapid progress in metro and logistics upgrades.

City destinations are entering a pivotal new era, marked by ambitious investment, rapid innovation and the widescale integration of AI. As cities compete for visitors, the focus is shifting towards sustainability, resilience and delivering meaningful, personalised experiences. The 2025 Index highlights those destinations that are not only thriving today but also setting the standard for the future of urban tourism.

For more information see Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025.
This years Rail Tourism Awards attracted 23 submissions showcasing the power of rail to connect destinations, communities and travellers.

Switzerland Tourism, Rail Europe, Slovenske zeleznice, and Sweet/Silverrail received top honours for campaigns highlighting sustainability, creativity and the emotional depth of travelling by train.

The European Travel Commission (ETC) and Eurail have announced the winners of the 2025 Rail Tourism Awards, recognising excellence in campaigns that promote rail as an exciting, sustainable and meaningful way to explore Europe. The awards were presented at The Great Connection in Utrecht, Eurails inaugural collaborative gathering of marketers and creative professionals focused on how creativity, branding and storytelling can support the future of rail tourism.

Now in its fifth edition, the Rail Tourism Awards spotlight initiatives that demonstrate the freedom, low-impact nature and cultural richness of rail travel. This years competition featured 23 submissions from rail operators, national tourism organisations, marketing agencies and other tourism bodies across Europe. Four awards were presented: Best International Campaign, Best National Campaign, Best Green Campaign and the Jury Prize.

Entries were evaluated by a diverse panel of judges on creativity, relevance, centrality of rail and campaign impact. The 2025 jury included Elke Dens (The Travel Foundation), Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries (hidden Europe), Marit Ruuda (European Commission, DG Mobility and Transport), Mark Smith (The Man in Seat 61), and Owen Farrington (krow.x).

Commenting on the results, Eduardo Santander, CEO of the European Travel Commission, said:

Travellers are increasingly climate-conscious and looking for ways to explore Europe at a slower pace, with a lighter footprint and a deeper connection to the places they visit. That is why rail is stepping into the spotlight as a key driver of more sustainable tourism in Europe. This years winning campaigns show how creativity and strong storytelling can inspire that shift. They remind us that choosing rail travel is not only a practical and greener option, but a meaningful way to experience Europe deeper, in a more responsible and enriching way.

Eurail CEO, Carlo Boselli, added:

The campaigns recognised today demonstrate how rail can serve as a platform for culture, creativity, and connection, revealing the broader possibilities of what rail travel can inspire across Europe. They encourage our sector to think more boldly about how we communicate, how we collaborate and how we engage the travellers of tomorrow. The experimentation behind these projects illustrates the direction in which rail tourism can continue to evolve. We were proud to celebrate this progress together at The Great Connection event.



Go Sustainable sets a new standard for business travel

Switzerland Tourism, together with Eurostar, Evolve Events and partners, received the Best International Campaign award for Go Sustainable. This initiative reshaped expectations for international business travel by taking 35 UK event professionals on a fully rail-based journey from London to Switzerland. By turning travel time into moments of collaboration and discovery, the campaign showed how low-impact business mobility can deliver high professional value. Judges highlighted its ambition, strong cross-sector cooperation and its ability to influence a segment of travellers that is often difficult to shift towards greener choices.

Swiss Bliss reimagines Switzerland through quiet discovery and off-season charm

Rail Europe was recognised with the Best National Campaign award for its Swiss Bliss project. The campaign offered a refreshed view of Switzerland by shifting attention away from crowded hotspots and highlighting quieter towns, scenic secondary routes and the ease of off-season travel. Through authentic creator-led content and warm, tactile storytelling, Swiss Bliss encouraged travellers to embrace unhurried journeys and spontaneous detours made possible by the rail network. The judges praised its emotional resonance, strategic clarity and strong ability to inspire more balanced, region-diversifying travel across Switzerland.

Sowing a Sunny Tomorrow turns Slovenias rail corridors into blooming community landscapes

Slovenske zeleznice received the Best Green Campaign award for Sowing a Sunny Tomorrow, which transformed railway corridors across Slovenia into vibrant sunflower fields planted by children, local communities and municipalities. The campaign used sunflowers as a symbol of renewal, biodiversity and climate-conscious travel, creating a visual and emotional link between passengers, landscapes and the rail network. The judges were particularly impressed that such an impactful initiative was delivered in-house with minimal resources. They praised its originality, strong sustainability message and ability to inspire widespread public participation rooted in local pride.

Feelings on Track brings mental well-being to the heart of slow European travel

Sweet and Silverrail received this years Jury Prize for Feelings on Track, an emotionally driven campaign connecting train travel with honest conversations about mental health. The project followed the creators of Swedens largest mental-health podcast, Angestpodden, on a ten-day Interrail journey through ten countries, inviting strangers to sit in The Conversation Seat to share personal stories. A short film premiered at Stockholms Bio Rio cinema before spreading across YouTube, social media and radio. Feelings on Track stood out for turning a rail journey into a powerful cultural and social project that resonated strongly with younger audiences.

About European Travel Commission

Established in 1948, the European Travel Commission is a unique association in the travel sector, representing the National Tourism Organisations of the countries of Europe. Its mission is to strengthen the sustainable development of Europe as a tourist destination. In the last several decades, ETC has positioned itself at the forefront of the European tourism scene, establishing its expertise and building up partnerships in areas of tourism, based on promotion, market intelligence and best practice sharing.
How To Leverage Year End Streaming Recaps After Theyve Launched

Spotify Wrapped, Apple Music Replay and YouTube Recap 2025 Are Out. Learn how to leverage year end streaming recaps to enhance your music marketing  even if you didnt update your profiles in advance.

The year-end streaming recap season is no longer a one-day moment. In 2025, Spotify Wrapped, Apple Music Replay, and YouTube Recap have all become multi-week cultural eventsmeaning artists can continue using them long after the initial rollout.

Even if your fans have already seen their summaries, there are still powerful ways musicians can ride the wave to boost engagement, grow audiences, and strengthen fan relationships.

This refresh may not be reflected in the year end graphics Spotify and others created for you. But they will be what fans see when the click through to your profiles and channels.

How to leverage year end streaming recaps after theyve launched

1. Turn Recap Assets Into Multi-Week Social Content

Artists should treat recap data like a content pack. You can:

Break highlights into a series: Top country, top playlist adds, top cities, top superfans, etc.

Repackage graphics for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and even email newsletters.

Add voiceovers or behind-the-scenes commentary to recap slides (Heres what it meant to hit 1M minutes streamed in Mexico City this year).

Fans engage far more deeply when you give meaningnot just numbers.

2. Spotlight Fan Achievements, Not Just Artist Stats

This years fan-centric features from Spotify and others mean musicians can:

Repost fan Wrapped/Replay/Recap screenshots

Celebrate superfans (Top 1% listeners shoutouts)

Build a Fan Hall of Fame on Instagram or TikTok

Ask fans to share their favorite track of the year to enter a merch or ticket giveaway

User-generated content extends the life of the recap season and boosts algorithmic reach.

3. Use Recap Momentum to Launch New Music or a Tour

The end of year is a perfect moment to pair data with next steps:

Announce a single, EP, or album using recap growth as the story (Thanks for 5M streamsNew music in January!)

Tease tour dates by highlighting top streaming cities

Share playlist growth to pitch yourself to venues and promoters

Wrapped and Replay provide the social proof needed to unlock new opportunities.

4. Re-Introduce Your Catalog

Recaps remind fans of what they loved this yearso help guide them back:

Create Best of 2025 playlists with your own catalog

Re-share older songs that had a resurgence in this years stats

Tell stories about how certain tracks were written or recorded

This works especially well on YouTube, where Recap data often reveals unexpected top-performing videos.

5. Turn Recap Insights Into a Press or Blog Angle

Music media loves data-backed narratives:

My streams doubled in Brazilheres why Im planning an international tour.

This was the year my sleeper single finally took off.

My fans used my music the most to study/workout/sleep, (great for playlist pitching and sync outreach)

A short press release or blog post on your site can also help with SEO and industry visibility.

6. Use Recap Content in Your 2026 Artist Pitch Deck

Most artists forget to do thisbut it matters for managers, agents, venues, and labels:

Add year-end data slides to your EPK

Screenshot genre, city, playlist, and listener breakdowns

Document your top YouTube viewers and watch-time markets

Promoters and marketers love year-over-year metrics.

7. Email Your Fans a Personal Thank You Recap

Email cuts through the noise better than social.

Send a year-end message with

your top highlights,

a thank-you video,

links to your top songs, and

a teaser for 2026 plans.

This deepens fan loyalty at a moment when people feel reflective and nostalgic.

8. Make a This Year in the Studio or 2026 Preview Post

If your Wrapped numbers arent hugeor youd rather shift the conversationshare a reflection about the work you put in this year:

studio sessions

songwriting growth

collaborations

touring memories

You can align your personal creative recap with the platforms recaps, offering a more emotional, story-driven angle.

Bottom Line

Even after they launch, Wrapped, Replay, and Recap remain content fuel, fan-engagement tools, and powerful proof points for your career.

The recap season is no longer one dayits an entire marketing window that can last through December and into early January. Artists who plan content around it can keep engagement high long after the trends fade.

Bruce Houghton is Founder & Editor of Hypebot, Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and founder of Skyline Artists.

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How to Throw an Unforgettable Listening Party

Listening parties are an intimate, personal, and unique way to celebrate the launch of your new record. Heres why theyve become so popular in recent years and how to throw a listening party your fans will never forget.

Listening Party 101: What It Is and How to Make It Unforgettable

By Sofija Cajic of Groover Blog

In a world dominated by digital interactions, theres something truly special about gathering in person to share music. Thats the power of a listening party: a moment that artists and fans continue to value. Whether youre a new artist looking to build buzz or an experienced professional with multiple releases, hosting a listening party is a powerful way to connect with your audience and show appreciation for their support.

So what exactly is a listening party, and how do you host one that really works?

 What Is a Listening Party, Anyway?

A listening party is a special event where you gather a group of people (fans, friends, collaborators, media) to listen to a new release before (or straight after) it drops. You could say its a little like a private concert, a house party, and a storytelling session all rolled into one.

The overall feeling? Intimate, hand-selected, and authentic.

You might want to throw it at a nightclub, an art gallery, your home, or even a recording studio. Yet the location is not the most important here. Followers dont only want to listen to it, they crave that they are part of your narrative.

 Why Artists Are Hosting More Listening Parties Today

What we are seeing now is a real U-turn in the industry! While premiering tracks online and getting featured on playlists is great reach, its often those 1o1 moments which are the building blocks of the true and loyal artist/fan relationships.

More and more artists these days, especially indie acts, are using real fan activations to create a talk-about, organic buzz around a release, get amazing shareable content or simply make people happy!

Take Octave Lissner for example. The French artist recently organized a secret listening party to unveil his project, calling a few of his 1st degree fans to gather them. The result was just insane! Kidding, tears, people played the janitors and it really started with the will to gather some friends in an apartment, play some music and make them feel something.

 How to Host a Listening Party (Step-by-Step)

Now, lets get down to brass tacks. Here are the steps to throwing a listening party that your guests will love:

1. Pick the Right Space

Take the environment that most closely aligns with your album or music project.

Will it be intimate and acoustic? Then find a cozy and private living room or loft.

Will there be visuals or electronics? Then look for a large empty warehouse or your local art gallery.

No PA available? Rent a music studio just for the speakers.

 Pro tip: Partner with spaces that support artists. Some venues even offer discounted rates for independent musicians.

2. Set the Mood

A listening party is more than just pressing play  its about building an environment.

Use candles, projectors, mood lighting, or even themed cocktails.

Invite your fans to step into your world before the music starts.

Feeling visuals or lyric sheets? Put them up around the room.

3. Curate the Guest List

Its not about the number of bodies. Its the vibes of the ones who show. Hit up:

Loyal fans

Close collaborators

Local music writers or other nobs

Friends who know how to have a good time

You can also give a few guestlist spots away to generate a bit of extra buzz with some new faces.

4. Tell the Story Behind the Music

Before you press play, share. Let people know:

Why you made this

What inspired it

What you hope people will take away from it

This creates a human connection that streaming alone just doesnt provide.

5. Capture the Moment

Short video moments

Crowd reactions

Content that has a story you can use in the future

 This is the kind of content that is pure gold for your after-the-launch promo.

 Heard of Shotgun?

If youre thinking about how to sort this all out without losing your mind, let me introduce you to Shotgun.

Shotgun is your go-to place for building and nurturing your fanbase, especially as an independent artist or group. Whether youre preparing a more intimate scene or a full-blown release event, Shotgun will help you stay organized and grow.

Heres what you can do:

 Build an artist page to gather all your upcoming events, past lineups, and overall aesthetic. Think about it as your new digital mansion where fans can hang out and follow you.

 Use smart ticketing to make your events unique. Create different ticket types and let your fans choose from:

Enter time (early birds, people wholl show up at 1 am)

Access level (VIP, the crew, through the backstage door, meet & greet)

Fan type (people you met once, close community, everybody)

 Collecting emails to know them better and better communicate with your fans directly.

 Real-time event insights. Get ready and go inside your reports to see how your event is driving or struggle to perform by collecting and analyzing your event data, previous fans data as well as tickets & RSVP data.

 How Groover Can Help Before & After the Listening Party

If Shotgun helps you host the listening party, Groover helps you spread the word, before and after. Groover is a platform that connects independent artists with music curators, blogs, radios, and industry professionals. Its a powerful tool to:

Build buzz before the event

 Share your unreleased track with journalists, playlists, or local tastemakers to create anticipation

 Share your unreleased track with journalists, playlists, or local tastemakers to create anticipation Secure press coverage

 Pitch your story to music blogs that might attend the party or review the release

 Pitch your story to music blogs that might attend the party or review the release Keep momentum going after

 Send live recordings, photos, or highlights from the party to curators as part of a post-release campaign

 Smart move: Artists like Octave Lissner use Groover to get early feedback on tracks before they host their listening party. This helps refine the tracklist, understand audience reactions, and build a story that resonates.

 Final Tip

You dont need a huge budget or a PR team. You just need a room, a speaker, your music  and a reason to celebrate it with the people who believe in you.

Thats the magic of a listening party. And thats how careers are built: one meaningful connection at a time.

About Groover

Founded in 2018, Groover is the leading platform for independent artists to promote their music and connect directly with curators, radios, playlist owners, and industry professionals. With a community of over 650,000 artists and 3,000+ active curators across 180+ countries, Groover has redefined music promotion with guaranteed feedback, transparency, and artist-first values.

Sofija Cajic has spent years working in the music scenes of Paris and New York, helping bring creative projects to life. With a background in music business and law, shes worked with labels, recording studios, and indie artists to shape their music and get it out into the world. Shes all about supporting musicians and helping them figure out the ins and outs of the music industry while staying true to their vision.

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The Wagon Wheel on Route 7 went up in flames Friday morning.

Multiple Fire Companies Battling Motel Blaze on Route 7



An image posted to the Pittsfield Fire page early Thursday morning. LENOX, Mass.  Multiple fire companies are battling a structure fire at the Wagon Wheel Inn on Route 7.

Motorists are asked to avoid Holmes Road, Pomeroy Avenue and surrounding areas near Route 7. The highway between Holmes Road and the Lenox shopping plaza has been closed since about 6:30.

Pittsfield Police say traffic is being rerouted off Route 7 and into neighborhood streets.

Lenox Deputy Fire Chief William Colvin said the call was received at about 6:15 a.m. by the regional dispatch center.

"At this point, the biggest thing now we're battling besides, a fire is just ice issues, with freezing ice," Colvin said. "Our local highway department, the Lenox Highway Department have been here sanding and MassDOT is also helping with traffic and with salting of the road."

The departments from the city of Pittsfield, north, all the way down from Sheffield, were on the scene.

The state fire marshal and representatives from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency were also at the scene.

The fire is under investigation.

A Lenox resident on a BRTA bus saw the fire coming up through the middle of the building; a CVS employee in the plaza across the street saw flames and called it in.

The front of the one-story motel was fully engulfed with a "yellow glow," one said.

Colvin said Chief Robert Casucci was among the first on the scene and had told him it appeared the fire was in the central portion of the building.

An occupant of the motel said they thought it started in the laundry room and said no fire alarm went off until after everyone was out.

Another person, Ed, reportedly knocked on doors to wake everyone and his neighbors credited him with saving their lives. Lenox Police also reportedly aided in the evacuation.

Several of the residents were at Market 32 trying to keep warm in the frigid temperatures. They said they were long-term tennants of the motel and now they had lost everything.

They were taken to the Hinsdale rehab bus to keep warm. Red Cross was at the scene and was working on accommodations for them.

Numerous fire companies were at the scene, including fire engines from Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, and Stockbridge.

Images from the Pittsfield Fire Department show the building in flames that spread through the north side of the structure. Smoke could be seen billowing over Route 7.

"Fortunately, at this point, as far as I know, no one's been injured," Colvin said at the scene. "All residents have been accounted for. I believe there was 13 people staying at the hotel at the time, they've all been accounted for."

He said it took firefighters at least 90 minutes to to two hours to bring the blaze under control.

"But there's a lot of hidden voids, a lot of attic areas and stuff that we can't get to, so we're just chasing it right now, from, you know, hot spot to hot spot, trying to put out all the different areas," he said. "There's some small areas where there's still fire burning, but nothing major at this time."

Fire engines were using the parking lot of the adjacent Mazzeo's Italian Deli to attack blaze. Colvin said the deli owners opened early so motel residents and firefighters could warm up

The Mazda dealership [on the other side of the motel] opened their doors to us right away this morning to let both residents and firefighters come in to warm up," he said. "Unfortunately, we're going to be occupying the area most of the day so, but we'll hopefully, you know, get out here soon again so they can open."

Write-thru at 9:48 a.m.
A fresh, herbaceous scent cuts through the cool morning air hanging around the stone-paved street of Chongren Ancient Town, Guangze county, Nanping city of Fujian province. It emanates from the open door of Caobentang (Herbal Hall), where 22-year-old Gao Lingxu tends to simmering pots of dark, aromatic tea after a counter filled with assorted herbs.

He slowly churns the brew, observing its colour and texture, while ladling it up for sporadic early customers.

We have to prepare early, says Gao who has tapped into the rich local traditions of Chinese medicine and rolls out trendy herbal milk tea that is proving a hit among young visitors.

His shop offers 17 different drinks, from pure herbal teas to creamy milk-based versions. Popular concoctions promise to reduce internal heat, strengthen the spleen, moisten the lungs, or calm the nerves.

The venture has been a success. Since opening earlier this year, the shop has averaged a monthly profit of 30,000 yuan (3,200), with peak daily revenue reaching 6,000-7,000 yuan (640-750).

He now manages a core team of three, which expands to eight with part-time help during busy periods.

Just over a year ago, Gaos life was on a different track. A 2023 graduate in the Internet of Things, he was working in the provincial capital city of Fuzhou, in e-commerce and software development.

The Chongren Ancient Town in Nanping ( PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY )

The pressure wasnt just physical. It was the mental exhaustion that was overwhelming, Gao recalls.

The environment was stifling, intensely competitive. I felt drained, with little positive feedback and no clear sense of a future, he says.

The turning point came in early 2024 during a spring visit to his hometown in Guangze, where he stumbled upon a local government policy that would change his life.

In September 2023, the Nanping government launched a countryside vitalisation initiative that actively encouraged students, entrepreneurs and skilled individuals to return to local rural areas, offering a package of support measures.

Chongren has since built platforms to clear the way for youth employment and entrepreneurship.

We have revitalised 66 idle assets into venues for young entrepreneurs, created three business incubators, and developed nine collaborative projects, says Rao Yuanhui, an official with the Chongren town government. This has attracted 12 young startup teams and fostered more than 10 new business formats, including Gaos herbal milk tea.

Furthermore, we are building youth communities to foster collaboration, transforming individual operations into synergistic partnerships through integrated experiences like food and intangible cultural heritage, Rao adds.

Policies have also lowered the barriers, creating fertile ground for youth.

We address their primary concerns  funding and skills  with tailored one-village-one-policy measures based on local resources, Rao says.

For instance, Chongren offers young entrepreneurs three years of free rent and one year of free accommodation. City-level mentors and successful, local entrepreneurs have also been invited to provide resources and connections.

For Gao, the most compelling offer was practical: a rent-free, renovated shop space in the recently restored Chongren street that used to be bustling during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, allowing him to move in with just a suitcase.

This policy reduced our startup costs to almost zero, Gao explains. For young graduates, what we have most is time and energy. What we lack is capital and resources. The government solved that for us.

Tempted by the offer, Gao started market research and noted that herbal teas have integrated the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with modern lifestyles.

In todays society, people have become increasingly discerning about beverages. They seek both great taste and health benefits. Thats why herbal milk tea holds such promising potential, Gao explains.

He then spent half a month in Nanchang in the neighbouring Jiangxi province, learning the basics of crafting herbal teas.

But the real innovation happened in the ancient town itself, and his chief adviser is a veteran local doctor of traditional Chinese medicine.

When I develop a new product, I consult the doctor, Gao says. I need to know if the herbal effects will clash or synergise. He provides authoritative guidance on pharmacology, he adds.

Local resources also give him an edge, since Guangze is known for its many varieties of high-quality herbs, which he can source within minutes.
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Narendra Modi declined to criticise Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine on Thursday as he welcomed the Russian president to New Delhi on Friday, saying only that his position is for peace.

The Russian president is in India for a two-day visit for talks focusing on security and trade, with Modi seeking to bolster his relationship with Moscow.

India is not neutral  India has a position, and that position is for peace," Mr Modi told the Russian president as they opened their talks in New Delhi on Friday.

"We support every effort for peace, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with every initiative taken for peace, he said. In response, Mr Putin thanked Mr Modi for his attention and efforts aimed at resolving the war.

"We had the opportunity  and you gave me that opportunity  to speak in detail about what is happening on the Ukrainian track and about the steps we are taking jointly with some other partners, including the United States, toward a possible peaceful settlement of this crisis," Mr Putin said.

The Russian president highlighted the joint areas of cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi.

India has been under scrutiny from European and US officials for its purchase of Russian oil since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

India has continued to buy discounted Russian oil, despite warnings from Washington that this is partly keeping Moscows revenues afloat to fund the Ukraine war. US president Donald Trump has imposed additional 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, raising the total duties to 50 per cent in retaliation.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin with Indian president Droupadi Murmu (L) and prime minister Narendra Modi at the presidential palace in New Delhi ( AP )

"New areas are emerging  high technologies, joint work in aviation, space, and artificial intelligence. We have a very trusting relationship in the field of military-technical cooperation, and we intend to move forward in all these areas, he said.

The 23rd Russia-India Summit comes at a pivotal moment as the United States pushes for a Ukraine peace deal while seeking global cooperation. The visit by Mr Putin is also a test for New Delhi's efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year war in Ukraine grinds on.

India is not a signatory of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, allowing itself to freely host the Russian war-time president wanted on arrest warrant for war crimes in Ukraine.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi walk ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi ( Reuters )

The Russian leader, mostly isolated on the world stage, has been making selective diplomatic outreaches to the nations that are either not required to arrest him on the warrant or will abstain from following the ICC signatory.

Mr Putin last visited India in 2021. Mr Modi was in Moscow last year, and the two leaders briefly met in September in China during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

On Thursday evening, Mr Putin was received by the Indian prime minister in a rare greeting at an airport in New Delhis Palam, who gave the visiting leader a bear hug and a tight handshake with the gusto of an old friend.

The agenda for the talks include discussions on collaboration on defence, energy and labour mobility.

The Indian leader is also expected to push for faster delivery of two further Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. It has already received three under a 2018 deal worth about $5bn. The delay has been tied to supply chain disruptions linked to the war in Ukraine.

The two sides signed a pact in February to improve military cooperation, exercises, port calls, disaster relief assistance and logistics support. Moscow's State Duma ratified the same ahead of Mr Putin's India visit.

Talks are also expected on upgrading India's Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets and accelerating deliveries of critical military hardware. Trade is also expected to be a major point in talks.

The visit has already sparked diplomatic crisis, landing New Delhi in an awkward position, as three European envoys  the British high commissioner Lindy Cameron, French ambassador to India Thierry Mathou and German ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann  spoke out against Russias war on Ukraine in a rare joint op-ed.

Accusing the Russian leader of escalating the war in Ukraine even while peace talks were underway, the European envoys claimed Moscow had launched 22 of the largest air attacks of the entire war since the talks began. These are not the actions of someone thats serious about peace. Neither are these indiscriminate attacks mere accidents, they said, they are a systematic choice by Russia to wage its war of aggression with absolute ruthlessness. And it must end.

The visit from Putin could strain relations with the EU and the US and might jeopardise negotiations for major trade agreements with both that are seen as critical for India's exports.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi sit inside a limousine after arriving at the Palam Air Base in New Delhi ( AP )

In October, the Donald Trump administration sanctioned two of Moscow's biggest oil producers to force countries like India to cut down on imports. Indian officials have said New Delhi has always abided by international sanctions and would do so in the case of Russia oil purchases as well.

Experts have said the grand hosting of Mr Putin in Delhi conveys the message that India is standing by its longstanding strategic partner and defence ally.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin listens as Narendra Modi speaks during the joint press statements after their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Putin's India visit, "given the timing and geopolitical context, underscores New Delhi's strategic tightrope walk between the West and the rest, chiefly Russia," said Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group.

This tilt from India toward Russia dates back to the Cold War and persists despite its official nonaligned position. "The significant change now is its desire to be a strategic partner with the US at the same time, which will be a diplomatic challenge," he added.
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A Bangladeshi tribunal on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for ousted leader Sheikh Hasinas son Sajeeb Wazed.

The International Crimes Tribunal accepted formal charges against Mr Wazed as well as former state minister for information technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former law minister Anisul Huq and former investment adviser Salman F Rahman, according to a report by The Daily Star.

The three co-accused are already in custody. The tribunal directed prison authorities to present them before it on 10 December.

Mr Wazed, who received American citizenship in May after many years of residence in the North American country, is accused of committing crimes against humanity during last years violent street demonstrations that toppled the Hasina government. He was an advisor to the prime minister at the time.

The warrant for Mr Wazed, 54, came closely on the heels of a ruling against his mother.

Last month, the court handed down the death penalty to Hasina, ruling the former leader had committed crimes against humanity by overseeing a violent suppression of the protests.

In a trial that lasted months, prosecutors accused Hasina of ordering the use of lethal force against protesters, resulting in up to 1,400 deaths, according to the UN.

The tribunal also sentenced her former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death, and a third suspect  a former police chief  to five years in prison after he became a state witness against Hasina and pleaded guilty.

People sit next to a banner marking the 74th founding anniversary of the Awami League party with images of former leader Sheikh Hasina, her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and son Sajeeb Wazed in Dhaka ( AFP via Getty )

That ruling concluded the first of four related criminal cases examining alleged abuses committed during the governments response to the agitation last summer.

The unrest ultimately forced Hasina to leave after 16 years in power and escape to India on 5 August.

Three days later, Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus took over as the countrys interim leader.

Last week, Hasina also received 21 years in prison in three corruption cases linked to illegally taking government land for herself and her family.

The sentences were handed down in absentia.

Her children, Sajeeb Wazed and Saima Wazed, were also awarded five-year sentences in one of the cases.

Hasina rejected last months ruling against her, insisting the proceedings stemmed from a rigged tribunal created and run by what she called an unelected government with no democratic mandate.

In a statement released through her Awami League party, she added: They are biased and politically motivated.

This week, a Bangladesh court sentenced the UK Labour MP Tulip Siddiq to two years in prison after finding her guilty of corruption involving a government land project.

Siddiq was found guilty of corruptly influencing Hasina, who is her aunt, to help her mother acquire a piece of land in the suburbs of the Bangladeshi capital.

Siddiqs mother, Sheikh Rehana, was given seven years in jail, while Hasina was sentenced to five years in prison.

Siddiq called the trial flawed and farcical from the beginning to the end.

Siddiq quit as the British anti-corruption minister in January after she was slapped with a number of cases in Bangladesh.
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Conor McGregor and James Lawrence have had their bids to appeal a civil case against them rejected by the Supreme Court.

The UFC fighter was sued in a civil court last year over an incident in which he was alleged to have "brutally raped and battered" a woman in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.

The woman was awarded almost 250,000 euros (214,994) in damages.

McGregor was also ordered to pay about 1.3 million euros (1.1 million) in legal costs.

The same jury did not find Mr Lawrence had assaulted the woman at the hotel, but the trial judge decided that Ms Hand would not have to pay his costs.

Mr McGregor's application to the Supreme Court was in relation to his cross-examination, during the trial, about "no comment" answers he gave during a Garda interview.

open image in gallery Supreme Court judges said they were "satisfied that the applicant has had a fair hearing ( PA Wire )

In their determination on Thursday, the Supreme Court judges said they were "satisfied that the applicant has had a fair hearing" and refused him leave to appeal.

Mr Lawrence was attempting to appeal the decision not to award costs, but the court also denied his appeal, saying the lower court had applied "well-established principles in relation to costs".

Reacting to the Supreme Courts decision, the woman said "the Irish civil justice system has allowed my voice to be heard".

A statement issued via her solicitors, Coleman Legal, said: "The public and private roads that I and my loved ones have travelled have been long and painful.

"Today marks not a victory for me but for all of those who have been treated as I have.

"You are never alone on your journey, if you choose not to be. Help and support is there."

She described the decision as a "victory for the justice system" and thanked the medics who treated her, her legal team and the advocates who "work tirelessly for the healing of victims".

She added: "I say to all of us who have made or are about to make this difficult journey towards justice; Our voice is the most powerful thing we have, don't be afraid to use it!"

One of the groups she thanked in her statement was Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

The organisation's chief executive Rachel Morrogh said in a statement: "We are proud to have supported her on this journey and send her our best wishes for continued health and healing as she rebuilds her life with her family and friends.

"We hope that other survivors take courage and hope from Nikita's case."
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A daughter left just 250 in her dads will after accusations she was bad tempered has won a court fight to share his 600,000 fortune.

Laxmikant Patel, who died aged 85 in October 2021, handed his 600,000 house to his oldest daughter, Anju Patel, in his last will  while leaving his younger daughter, Bhavenetta Stewart-Brown, 52, and his son, Piyush Patel, 62, only 250 each.

Anju, 58, claimed her dads drastic decision to virtually disinherit two of his children could be explained by a growing mistrust he had developed towards them, because they were only after his property.

She said Laxmikant complained that Bhavenetta and Piyush had failed to show him true affection and, when asked to explain why he had left them anything at all, replied: They have failed in their sense of duty, but as a father I have not forgotten them.

He was also said to have labelled his son, Piyush, a hugely controlling figure and complained of Bhavenettas bad temper.

But Laxmikants final will of August 2021 ended up under attack in Londons High Court, with Bhavenetta claiming a cloud of suspicion hung over the way it was drawn up and executed  having been made just two months before the mans death when he was terminally ill, frail and in a hospital subject to Covid restrictions.

His previous will, written up in 2019, had left 50,000 to Anju, with the rest of the estate split in shares of 33 per cent to each of the children and 1 per cent to a charitable trust administered by Anju.

After hearing evidence and legal argument on both sides, Deputy Master Jason Raeburn has now ruled in favour of Bhavenetta, upholding the 2019 will, while declaring the circumstances of the 2021 will highly suspicious.

He said the hospital bed will was flawed on a number of grounds, including lack of due execution based on there being no evidence that those who witnessed the will signed the document at the same time using the same pen.

open image in gallery The Patel House on Cambridge Road, Harrow ( Supplied by Champion News )

The court heard Laxmikant was a gentle and hardworking man who had carved out a new life for his family after migrating from Uganda in the early Seventies, working shifts at the Ford motor plant in Dagenham while his wife, Shardaben, ran a newsagents.

A devoutly religious man, Laxmikant attended the Swaminarayan temple in Neasden, north London, every day and he and his wife donated around 180,000 to the temple throughout their lives.

By the time of his death in 2021, his main asset was his 600,000 home in Cambridge Road, Harrow.

That house was left entirely to Anju under his last will, a decision which Bhavenettas barrister, Tim Sherwin, described as most odd.

He claimed that Anju  a Hare Krishna follower  had done what she could to distance her dad from his accustomed Swaminarayan faith, telling the judge: The evidence ... shows a clear pattern of isolation and control over the deceased on the part of Anju and [her husband] which became especially stark when he was in the hospital at the end of his life  when, of course, the purported 2021 will was made.

Bhavenettas legal team claimed Laxmikants apparent change of heart made no sense in light of his clear wish to split his estate predominantly equally in his previous 2019 and 2018 wills.

And her barrister urged the judge to rule the 2021 will invalid on the basis that it wasnt properly executed and because Laxmikant, who struggled with the English language, did not know and approve the terms of the will.

Bhavenetta had claimed that Anjus relationship with their dad was largely fractured until 2018, but that from 2019 onwards she began taking more interest in his affairs until she began controlling access to the deceased.

open image in gallery Anju Patel outside court ( Champion News )

But Anju insisted she always had a close and loving relationship with her parents, telling the court: I wasn't estranged from my family, I was with my sister. She chose to disconnect from me.

Her barrister, James Kane, argued that by October 2019, Laxmikant had formed a sharply negative view of both Piyush and Bhavenetta, citing his alleged comments to the will writer in 2019 that Bhavenetta has taken massive advantage of her father  while Anju remained the only light in his life.

Apparently, she has a bad temper, the will writer said of Bhavenetta.

Anju, defending the 2021 will, had claimed her dad gave instructions for the will to Vijaykant Patel  who she knew from the Hare Krishna temple and who claimed to also be a friend of her dad  and that Vijaykant came to visit his bed at Londons Northwick Hospital where Laxmikant asked him to help prepare the will document.

Vijaykant, the executor of the 2021 will, claimed to have taken notes at the hospital meeting, with Laxmikant expressing revulsion towards Bhavenetta and Piyush before stating that the pair were only after his property and everything goes to Anju.

Challenging the validity of the 2021 will, Bhavenettas lawyers said those instructions were completely contrary to the deceaseds wishes as expressed in the earlier 2018 and 2019 wills.

Going on to find the 2021 hospital bed will had not been properly witnessed, the judge explained: Both witnesses said they used the same pen as the deceased, but its plain from the face of the will that it wasnt signed by all the participating parties using the same pen.

I am not therefore satisfied that a signature was made by [Laxmikant] in the presence of all the witnesses at the same time, so there was no due execution of the will.

This finding would have been sufficient to knock out Anjus defence, said Master Raeburn, but on top of that, there was no compelling evidence that Laxmikant knew and approved of the 2021 will.

open image in gallery Bhavenetta Stewart-Brown outside the court ( Champion News )

The particular circumstances of the instructions and execution of the 2021 will are suspicious  highly suspicious, he commented.

The deceased was seriously ill, had been in hospital and had been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was shortly to be discharged from hospital but did not wait until he was back home to make the 2021 will.

Laxmikants grasp of written English was also basic, which could have hampered his understanding of the document he was signing.

The judge continued: Instead of relying on the services of the solicitors or professional will writers he had used before, he instead involved the services of Vijaykant, a man whose relationship with the deceased is unclear.

Vijaykant was, however, known to Anju, who was known to be present at the hospital at the time.

The 2021 document was a drastic change from previous even-handed wills drawn up by Laxmikant, said the judge, noting a particular feature was that it effectively disinherited two of his three children.

I have arrived at the clear conclusion that those propounding the 2021 will have not discharged the burden of establishing that he knew and approved its contents," he added, before going on to strike out the 2021 will and reinstate Laxmikants previous 2019 will, leaving his three children sharing his fortune on roughly equal terms.
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Dog owners in England and Wales now face unlimited fines if their pets worry livestock, including newly protected llamas and alpacas. Peers and MPs have jointly agreed to lift the previous 1,000 cap on penalties for dog attacks on farm animals.

This change, part of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, extends safeguards to camelids, placing them on par with goats, sheep, cattle, and poultry.

Conservative former deputy prime minister Baroness Therese Coffey, who steered the bill through the upper chamber, said: Livestock worrying has devastating consequences, both for animals and farmers, and it can be horrific, causing brutal injuries that are tragically often fatal.

There are instances of stress causing pregnant livestock to miscarry, and separation of mothers and their young leading to hypothermia and, of course, starvation.

open image in gallery The new measures, part of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, extend safeguards to camelids, placing them on par with goats, sheep, cattle, and poultry ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Bill, once it receives royal assent, will update the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 to broaden its scope, bringing roads and paths into scope alongside fields and enclosures.

That will give farmers greater reassurance when moving livestock, Lady Coffey told peers.

Police officers will also gain new powers to seize dogs which pose a risk of repeated attacks.

Lady Coffey described the proposal, which has now cleared both houses of Parliament, as a straightforward way to make sure that we help our farmers, whose primary role is to grow food to put on our plate.

Lord Colgrain, who is also a Conservative peer, said: This small and seemingly innocuous bill will provide, when it receives royal assent, the best possible Christmas present to all livestock owners.

Animals minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said: The provisions will serve as a deterrent but also restore confidence among farmers and members of rural communities, many of whom live in fear of the devastating impact of such incidents and what impact they have on their livelihoods and also the welfare of their animals.

This bill is a truly meaningful step forward in our commitment to animal welfare and to those who work tirelessly to sustain our agricultural sector.
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Outrage has erupted among Independent readers after the UK energy watchdog Ofgem approved a 28bn investment to upgrade gas and electricity networks, which is expected to push household bills up by 108.

Many pushed back at the idea that consumers should bear the cost, stressing that energy companies are already highly profitable and that past underinvestment is a result of prioritising shareholder dividends over infrastructure.

Several highlighted that profits should be used to fund improvements, rather than saddling customers with rising bills.

Others questioned the fairness of the system, noting that watchdogs appear powerless to prevent companies from passing costs onto the public, and argued that government intervention to buy back utilities could ensure profits are reinvested into improvements rather than lining shareholders pockets.

Several comments acknowledged that investment is needed to maintain energy security and transition to cleaner power, but emphasised that consumers should not be punished for costs that companies could easily absorb.

Heres what you had to say:

Astonishing

"Upgrading our gas and electricity networks after years of underinvestment is essential to keep the lights on and ensure energy security for our country."

Am I the only one to find this statement astonishing? If my local shop decided it could no longer deliver the service it wished to and the only way forward was to charge all the households in its area 100 to fund this, people would be outraged. No one would pay and with good reason.

Energy companies make huge profits and yet there has been "years of underinvestment." Power corrupts, and total power corrupts totally, to coin a phrase.

juscott

Investment vs shareholder dividends

If investment needs to be made to upgrade the infrastructure, then fine, but I expect the companies to be using all available funds to do so. Only then should they be allowed to raise prices for consumers. They most certainly shouldn't be allowed to pay any shareholder dividends during this time.

In pretty much no other business would you get away with improving your business and saddling your customers with the costs incurred. That's what profit is for  improving and growing the business, not lining the pockets of shareholders and giving senior management bonuses.

JoeNinety

Small cost relative to savings

Reading some of the comments on this thread shows we're no longer a serious country. The grid desperately needs upgrading, and yes, governments of each persuasion could have ensured it hadn't degraded to such a degree, but we are where we are. An addition of 108, minus the 80 saving, so actually about 30/year by 2031  less than most people would spend on a meal out  is nothing. No wonder modern governments can't get anything done.

DrG

Regulator pushing costs onto consumers

It used to be that companies used the money of investors to improve the service. Now the regulator, funded by the companies, constantly pushes those costs onto the consumer. This allows the companies to escape. As with Thames Water, the energy companies are run by greedy people. Let's go back to what we had, where services were provided by local companies.

PAULT2

Profits over investment

Yes, the investments in power grid infrastructure are definitely needed. Partly because, as private companies, they paid dividends to their shareholders from vast profits instead of re-investing those profits into the infrastructure (or at least a very significant proportion of that profit). Right now, the increase in bills to consumers is not because of the need for investment but rather because they need investment and want the same, if not bigger, profit. And if that means energy costs go through the roof? So be it. They can easily afford it. And if the rest of the public cannot? Tough.

Grumpyoldman38

Watchdogs failing consumers

What's the point of having 'watchdogs' just to watch as we're ripped off left, right, and centre??? I'd rather pay that money in additional income tax so the government can buy back the energy and water companies from these crooks and swindlers and put the profits into making improvements!!

scud10000

Profits should fund investment

Funny, there was me thinking that bills were for energy actually used. Why aren't they using profits already made to pay for investment, and let the shareholders take the hit by reduced dividends! Thought that's what profits were for  That is what should happen, not expect the customers to keep coughing up the money while shareholders just keep raking in the cash.

deadduck

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An immigration crackdown will see dozens of delivery drivers deported after being found to be working illegally in the UK.

The targeted action of workers in the so-called gig-economy led to 171 arrests across the country last month, with 60 detained for removal from the UK.

Video footage released by the Home Office of wider action shows officers escorting an arrested man into the back of an immigration enforcement van and arresting another man by his bike in the street.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was also present at an operation in Streatham, south London.

Those arrested included Chinese nationals working in a restaurant in Solihull, West Midlands, Bangladeshi and Indian riders in Newham, east London, and Indian delivery riders in Norwich, Norfolk.

The drive comes as ministers crack down on illegal working in the UK, as part of efforts to deter those coming to the country illegally.

open image in gallery Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood set out a raft of reforms to the asylum system last month aimed to make it easier to deport people ( PA Wire )

Ms Mahmood set out a raft of reforms to the asylum system in November, aimed at making the UK less attractive for illegal migration and making it easier to deport people.

Border security minister Alex Norris said: These results should send a clear message, if you are working illegally in this country, you will be arrested and removed.

As well as delivering record levels of enforcement, we are tightening the law to clamp down on illegal working in the delivery sector to root out this criminality from our communities.

This action is part of the most sweeping changes to illegal migration in modern times to reduce the incentives that draw illegal migrations here and scale up removals.

open image in gallery The drive comes as ministers crack down on illegal working in the UK, as part of efforts to deter those coming to the country illegally ( Alamy/PA )

Home Office figures show there were 8,232 arrests of illegal workers in the year to September, up 63 per cent on 5,043 in the previous 12 months.

Ministers have also been working with firms Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats to address concerns of abuse in the sector and ramping up identity checks to tackle account-sharing.

The Home Office also agreed in July to share asylum hotel locations with food delivery companies, to tackle suspected hot spots of illegal working.

The action also comes as the Governments new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act became law on Tuesday, which includes measures to close a loophole for casual, temporary or subcontracted workers to also have to prove their status.

Employers who fail to carry out checks could face up to five years in prison, fines of 60,000 for each illegal worker they have employed, and having their business closed.
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Data on migration and crime is full of holes and is leaving the public and politicians in the dark about the true impact of immigration on the UK, an expert report has warned.

New research published by the influential Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said the government does not know how many people are in the country unauthorised and has inadequate information about what happens to asylum seekers before or after they make their first claim.

There is also little data on the number of immigration cases that are affected by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), leaving public debate starved of vital information, academics warned.

Labour has pledged to try and change the way that the ECHR is interpreted by UK judges in a bid to stop asylum seekers using their rights to a family life to avoid deportation. Home Office officials have claimed that the ECHR is allowing large numbers of people to stay in the UK, against the publics wishes.

But Dr Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory, said that current data cannot give the public a clear picture of when the ECHR is used in such cases.

She added: This makes it harder for the public or policymakers to make an informed choice about an important decision with long-term repercussions for the UK.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Labour of hiding the very data the public need to understand what is happening to our borders.

open image in gallery The UK Border Force vessel brings migrants who were intercepted crossing the English Channel into Dover port on October 08, 2025 in Dover, England ( Getty Images )

He said the government was refusing to publish key enforcement data and they avoid saying how many cases are affected by human rights law, adding that ministers were keeping the country in the dark because the truth would expose how weak and incompetent their approach really is.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, warned that a vacuum of good information could be manipulated, saying: The public debate on migration is full of politically motivated rhetoric, and almost entirely devoid of facts. Its a dangerous situation that is undoubtedly inflaming hate and bolstering far-right actors.

The data gaps highlighted by the Migration Observatory included statistics about migrants economic outcomes and how they change over time, a lack of information about the impact of migration on public services, and holes in data about immigration enforcement and returns.

They also said that there is no official data on the nationalities or immigration statuses of people arrested as suspects, prosecuted in criminal cases, or convicted of crimes. There is also little data on migrants as victims of crime, the research paper, published on Friday, said.

Last year, Conservative home secretary James Cleverly was accused of appearing to have lost thousands of people after officials admitted that 4,000 asylum seekers had lost contact with the Home Office. Around 85 per cent of the 5,000 people who have been identified for removal to Rwanda were lost, according to reports.

Almost 6,000 asylum seekers whose claims have been withdrawn had also gone missing, ministers admitted last year.

open image in gallery Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has laid out plans to overhaul the asylum system, including making refugee status temporary ( PA )

Dr Peter Walsh, senior researcher at the Migration Observatory, said: These evidence gaps are particularly challenging when trying to track asylum seekers through the immigration system: official data cant tell us much about what happens to asylum seekers who are refused but not returned, or what type and sequence of appeals some people make when told they must leave the UK.

These are important questions, especially at a time when the government plans to reorganise the immigration and asylum appeals system.

Mr Smith, from Care4Calais, added: Under Labour, it feels even less transparent than it was under the Tories. Mr Smith pointed to a regression on Freedom of Information Rights on the release of data and mimicking anti-migration rhetoric as degrading the standard of debate.

He added: People should be concerned about this problem. Today the vacuum is being used to attack refugees, but tomorrow it could be used to attack the rights of everyone.

A Home Office spokesperson said:These findings are not acceptable, but they are a product of this governments inheritance of a migration system that was out of control.

We are now pursuing major reform to restore order and control at our border, and to ensure our migration system is fair for British citizens. Net migration to the United Kingdom is down by two-thirds under this Government, and the removal of illegal migrants is up 23% to nearly 50,000.
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Vladimir Putin ordered the astonishingly reckless attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal as a public demonstration of Russian power, a major inquiry into the Salisbury novichok poisonings has concluded.

The inquiry laid the blame for the attack on the Russian president, saying he was morally responsible for the death of Dawn Sturgess, an innocent bystander who died after being exposed to the chemical weapon after it was left in a discarded perfume bottle in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in July 2018.

Her death came four months after the attempted murder of Mr Skripal, a former spy, along with his daughter, Yulia, and a police officer, Nick Bailey, who were all harmed when members of a Russian GRU military intelligence squad smeared the nerve agent on Mr Skripals door handle.

Retired Supreme Court judge Anthony Hughes, who carried out the review into Sturgesss death, found that the attempted assassination of Mr Skripal must have been authorised at the highest level, by President Putin, and that the GRU agents were acting on instructions when they carried out the attack.

open image in gallery The inquiry found that Vladimir Putin was morally responsible for Dawn Sturgesss death ( PA )

He said: It is clear that this attack showed considerable determination and was expected to stand as a public demonstration of Russian power.

After the report was released, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper warned that Putin and his agents represent an active threat to Britains citizens, our security and our prosperity.

In a statement, she said: We will not tolerate this brazen and despicable aggression on British soil. That is why we are exposing and sanctioning those carrying out malign acts for Moscow, and ramping up efforts to crush hostile Russian hybrid activity.

The GRU has now been sanctioned in its entirety by the UK government  with action also taken against 11 people linked to state-sponsored hostile activity  while the Russian ambassador has been summoned to the Foreign Office.

The reports publication comes as hopes fade for a US-brokered peace deal in Ukraine, the illegal invasion of which was launched four years after the novichok attacks.

Former prime minister Theresa May said the report shows that Britain is under constant threat from Russian espionage, adding that the government must continue to stand firm in the face of Russian aggression.

open image in gallery Dawn Sturgess, 44, died after being exposed to novichok in Amesbury, Wiltshire, in 2018 ( PA )

She said: I always believed that the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter was part of a more aggressive positioning by Russia that would have consequences further down the line. Four years later, Putin invaded Ukraine, and we are under constant threat from Russian espionage.

The Russians released a chemical weapon onto the streets of the UK, recklessly endangering lives and murdering Dawn Sturgess. The Dawn Sturgess Inquiry report shows it is vital that we continue to stand firm in the face of Russian aggression.

The report concluded that the attempted assassination of Mr Skripal was not designed simply as revenge against him, but amounted to a public statement ... that Russia will act decisively in what it regards as its own interests.

It also argued that the Kremlin would have accepted that the astonishingly reckless attack would be attributed to Russia.

Notwithstanding the fact that the attack constituted a significant geopolitical risk, a public demonstration of Russian state power for both international and domestic impact is, I conclude, the most likely analysis of what occurred, the report said.

open image in gallery Sturgesss family say the report has left them with unanswered questions ( Sky News )

Lord Hughess inquiry, which cost 8.3m, avoided major criticism of the British state for its handling of Mr Skripal, arguing that it would not have been reasonable to provide him with an entirely new identity in order to prevent an attack on him.

While Michael Mansfield KC, the barrister for Sturgesss family, suggested that the Security Service should have created an entirely new identity for Mr Skripal in order to protect him from attack, the inquiry concluded that this would only have been reasonable if the risk to him of assassination on UK soil stood at a high level, and it did not.

But Sturgesss family expressed real concern over the lack of recommendations in the report, saying it had left them with a number of unanswered questions.

In a statement, they said: Todays report does not set out, publicly, how the risks that led to Dawns death will be prevented in the future. Adequate risk assessment of Skripal was not done, [and] no protective steps were put in place. That is a serious concern, for us now, and for the future.

They added: Todays report has left us with some answers but also a number of unanswered questions. We have always wanted to ensure that what happened to Dawn will not happen to others; that lessons should be learned; and that meaningful changes should be made.

The report today contains no recommendations. That is a matter of real concern. There should, there must, be reflection and real change.

The sanctions announced by the Foreign Office on Thursday target eight cyber military intelligence officers for working for the GRU, which was responsible for cyber operations targeting Ms Skripal with X-agent malware, and, five years later, the attempted murder of her and her father on UK soil.

open image in gallery Russian nationals Alexander Petrov (left) and Ruslan Boshirov are believed to be the two GRU agents who tried to kill the Skripals ( Metropolitan Police )

A further three GRU officers were sanctioned for orchestrating plots elsewhere in Europe, including plans for a terror attack on Ukrainian supermarkets.

In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer said the findings of the report were a grave reminder of the Kremlins disregard for innocent lives.

Dawns needless death was a tragedy and will forever be a reminder of Russias reckless aggression. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones, he said.

The inquiry heard that the Skripals fell ill on the afternoon of 4 March 2018 after eating lunch at a branch of Zizzi in Salisbury. They were showing symptoms consistent with either nerve agent or organophosphate poisoning or an opiate overdose.

Paramedics treated Mr Skripal with an anti-opioid drug, which had no effect. Addressing the medical care Sturgess received, Lord Hughes said that there was no treatment that could in fact have saved her life.

The inquiry previously heard that 87 people were admitted to A&E after the novichok was discarded in a Nina Ricci perfume bottle.

Russia has previously denied any involvement in the attack on the Skripals.
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A market town in North Yorkshire has been named the UKs happiest place to live in 2025.

Skipton is the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales and is surrounded by scenic views as a result. Recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, it has a well-preserved 11th-century castle overlooking its centre and boasts a traditional high street, a shopping arcade, a museum, and an array of independent shops.

The survey, conducted by Rightmove, saw Skipton residents rank their hometown particularly highly for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of the people, and access to essential services such as schools.

open image in gallery Dave Forshaw outside Skipton Sound Bar ( Sound Bar )

People also praised Skipton for the strength of its community, saying they can be themselves there. The combination of natural beauty and a friendly community is what makes the town of around 15,000 people special, according to Dave Forshaw, who runs live music bar and record shop Skipton Sound Bar.

Originally from nearby Halifax, Mr Forshaw moved to Skipton in the 1990s and has made it his home, which he describes as picturesque and beautiful.

Reacting to the town topping the survey, he told The Independent: Its a beautiful town, and we do have a lot of tourists who come, but the folks that live here are just lovely, lovely people.

Its just such a nice place to be. Its on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales  a two-minute drive and youre in some of the most beautiful countryside, or as Yorkshire people say, youre in Gods country.

For Andrew Goodall, who runs the Woolly Sheep Inn pub, Skiptons happiness is down to the people who live there.

About the survey, he told The Independent: Its wonderful to see. We live in a beautiful place and its nice to see a positive reaction.

Everyone here is polite, everyone is happy, everyone enjoys living here. Its great to have positive publicity like this.

Skipton boasts plenty of pubs, cafes and independent shops, which make it both a great place to live and a huge draw for tourists, according to Mr Forshaw.

He said: Were obviously very proud of what we do. We are a music venue and record shop and we bring a lot of people into the town.

About his fellow independent businesses, Mr Forshaw added: With it having quite a small population, its good that the town is so nice, so we get a lot of tourism and that really supports a high street.

You know you know what's going on with high streets in towns up and down the country, but Skipton high street has no empty shops. Thats a rarity these days.

Those responding to the survey were also happy with the affordability of the area, feeling they earn enough to live comfortably.

The average asking price for a home in Skipton is 326,093, which is lower than the current national average of 364,833, Rightmove said.

The town also gets name recognition from Skipton Building Society. With its principal office located near the castle, it is a major employer in the area.

Ian Rigarlsford, who works in corporate affairs at the building society, said: Skipton is a place where community genuinely means something, and thats what makes living and working here so special.

The friendliness of the town, the accessibility of green spaces, and the incredible backdrop of Skipton Castle and the Yorkshire Dales all contribute to a quality of life thats hard to match.

From lunchtime walks to simply enjoying the views from our office, the balance this town offers is remarkable.

open image in gallery The Bolton Abbey Estate, at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park ( AFP/Getty )

Its no surprise Skipton has been named the happiest place to live. Its a town where people look out for each other, and that spirit creates a truly rewarding place to call home.

Richmond-upon-Thames and Camden, both in London, were placed second and third respectively in Rightmoves 2025 happy at home index.

Residents of Richmond also ranked it highly for its access to nature and essential local services, as well as non-essential amenities such as restaurants and shops, Rightmove said.

It added that this years study marks the first time Camden has taken a podium spot in 14 years of the research being collected.

Colleen Babcock, Rightmoves property expert, said: Each year our study celebrates all the different things that make us feel happy with where we live  our neighbours, green spaces, having access to important services.

A lot more goes into choosing an area to live other than the home itself. Being within easy reach of nature and green spaces regularly comes out as an important factor for people, along with having friendly neighbours and feeling you can truly be yourself where you live.

Its great to see the town of Skipton getting the attention it deserves this year, having ranked highly in previous studies.
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Deputy prime minister David Lammy has suggested that rejoining the European Unions customs union could increase economic growth  as ministers increasingly hit out at the financial damage caused by Brexit.

Mr Lammy refused seven times in an interview to rule out reversing Brexit, arguing that leaving the EU badly damaged the UK economy and saying Labour should consider closer integration with Brussels.

The OBR forecasts that leaving the EU will reduce long-run productivity in Britain by 4 per cent.

Before the Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves said Brexit had an even bigger impact on Britains economy than critics predicted.

Mr Lammy said that rejoining the customs union was not currently government policy, but that it was self-evident that other countries had seen growth after doing so.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said on Wednesday that Labour should undo the economic damage done by Brexit.

Baroness Shafik, prime minister Sir Keir Starmers chief economics adviser, and some senior figures close to No 10 are also reportedly pushing for closer ties with the EU.

Ms Reeves said in October: Things like austerity, the cuts to capital spending and Brexit have had a bigger impact on our economy than even was projected back then.

Labour should consider closer integration with Brussels, Lammy has suggested ( PA )

Thats why we are unashamedly rebuilding our relations with the European Union to reduce some of those costs that were, in my view, needlessly added to businesses since 2016 and since we formally left a few years ago.

Labours manifesto pledged not to rejoin the single market or customs union, but pressure over the issue is mounting from MPs and advisers following poor growth forecasts.

Mr Lammy, who is also justice secretary, was asked on The News Agents podcast about the idea of being part of the customs union again, said: That is not currently our policy. Thats not currently where we are.

But you can see countries like Turkey with a customs union seemingly benefiting and seeing growth in their economy, and again, thats self-evident.

He added that his comments were subject to collective responsibility, implying that he should follow Sir Keirs position.

But Darren Jones, Sir Keirs chief secretary, rebuked Mr Lammy in the Commons, saying that Labours policy would be announced in parliament, not on podcasts.
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Two-thirds of 2024 Labour voters would rather Sir Keir Starmer abandon his Brexit red lines and join a customs union with the European Union than raise taxes on working people, new polling has revealed.

The poll comes after reports that the prime minister rejected calls from his chief economic adviser for Britain to rejoin the EUs customs union in an attempt to improve growth ahead of the Budget, with the chancellor instead choosing to impose 26bn worth of tax rises after asking ordinary people to pay a little bit more.

The Savanta poll showed that fewer than one in five (18 per cent) Labour voters would prefer the government to raise taxes and continue to stay outside the EUs customs union.

Some 67 per cent backed rejoining the customs union instead of raising taxes, the polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats showed.

Overall, just over half (52 per cent) of UK adults said they would rather the government join a customs union with the EU than raise taxes. Just one in five (21 per cent) said the opposite.

open image in gallery David Lammy has suggested rejoining the customs union would boost growth ( House of Commons )

The results come after deputy prime minister David Lammy suggested that rejoining the customs union could increase economic growth  as ministers increasingly hit out at the financial damage caused by Brexit.

Mr Lammy refused seven times in an interview to rule out reversing Brexit, arguing that leaving the EU badly damaged the UK economy and saying Labour should consider closer integration with Brussels.

While he said that rejoining the customs union was not currently government policy, he said it was self-evident that other countries had seen growth after doing so.

Asked about Mr Lammys comments, a Downing Street spokesperson said: We are strengthening relations with the EU whilst sticking to our red lines.

Theres no credible economic vision for Britain not positioning as an open trading economy.

We have to be grown-up about tradeoffs. We have redefined bonds with the EU and stuck to our red lines.

Pressed on the deputy prime ministers remarks, the official said: That is not our current policy or where we are.

Sources told The Times that Baroness Shafik, Sir Keirs chief economic adviser, privately made the recommendation to rejoin the customs union in the run-up to last months Budget, arguing it would cut costs for businesses and increase exports.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer giving a speech at the Lady Mayors Banquet in central London ( Stefan Rousseau/PA )

The prime minister is currently attempting to ramp up his reset of relations with the bloc as part of an attempt to boost growth, but he has insisted that the governments clear red lines in relation to the single market and the customs union remain in place.

In a speech last week, Sir Keir said it would be utterly reckless to use Brexit as a template for future foreign policy.

Giving a speech at the Lady Mayors Banquet in central London on Monday night, he said: The Brexit vote was a fair, democratic expression, and I will always respect that. But how it was sold and delivered was wrong.

Wild promises were made to the British people and not fulfilled. We are still dealing with the consequences today in our economy.

He added: To consider Brexit a template for our future foreign policy is utterly reckless.

Analysis seen by The Independent revealed that Brexit is costing the UK up to 90bn a year in lost tax revenues.

In the lead-up to the tax-rising Budget, Ms Reeves and other cabinet ministers ramped up their attacks on Brexit, saying the decision to leave the EU had an even bigger impact on Britains economy than critics predicted.

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a bill, being voted on by MPs on Tuesday, which would require the government to launch negotiations over a customs union with the EU, with the party writing to Labour MPs urging them to back the bill.

The bill, tabled by Lib Dem Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, will be voted on by MPs just two weeks after the Budget. However, it is unlikely to pass as a result of a lack of government support and is largely symbolic.

Mr Pinkerton told The Independent: A closer trade deal with the EU is a no-brainer. It is the single biggest thing we could do to boost the economy, generate billions for our public services and put money back in peoples pockets.

I would urge Labour MPs to back our bill this week so we can start to undo the damage done by the disastrous Conservative Brexit deal.

Labour supporters would overwhelmingly back a customs union with the EU. Its time the government listened to them and changed course.

Savanta interviewed 2,024 UK adults online between 7-10 November 2025.
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A group of Holocaust survivors have called on Nigel Farage to apologise over allegations of racism and antisemitism during his school days.

The Reform UK leader has faced claims about his behaviour while he was a pupil at Dulwich College, a top private school in south London.

Mr Farage denied at a press conference on Thursday that he ever made racist remarks in a malicious or nasty way after a Guardian report based on allegations from more than a dozen school contemporaries of Mr Farage recounted alleged incidents of deeply offensive behaviour throughout his teenage years.

He has previously said of the claims that what could have been considered banter in a playground could be interpreted in the modern light of day in some sort of way.

The 11 signatories, some of whom have survived death camps, write that they understand the danger of hateful words and call on the Clacton MP to admit whether he said them or if he is accusing those who say he did of lying.

Let us be clear: praising Hitler, mocking gas chambers, or hurling racist abuse is not banter. Not in a playground. Not anywhere, they wrote.

They add that honesty, reflection and commitment to truth is the responsible response when it comes to allegations about invoking Nazi attitudes towards Jewish children.

So we ask you: Did you say Hitler was right and gas them, mimicking gas chambers? Did you subject your classmates to antisemitic abuse?

If you deny saying those words, are you saying that 20 former classmates and teachers are lying? If you did say them, now is the time to acknowledge you were wrong, and apologise.

It came as prime minister Keir Starmer launched a new blistering attack on the Reform UK leader accusing him of being a toxic, divisive disgrace over claims he made that one in three schoolchildren in Glasgow do not speak English as their first language and referring to this as the cultural smashing of Glasgow.

Nigel Farage denies he ever made racist remarks in a malicious or nasty way ( PA )

Mr Farages former classmate Peter Ettedgui, whose Jewish grandparents escaped Nazi Germany, is among those who have accused the politician of making racist remarks to him during their school days.

Mr Ettedgui has claimed that Mr Farage repeatedly approached him and said Hitler was right, while they were pupils at the school.

Those who hope to lead our country should never divide people by race or religion. Antisemitic hatred must never be normalised.

The Holocaust survivors who signed the letter include Hedi Argent, who fled Austria and lost 27 members of her family, and Simon Winston, who was held in a ghetto in the German-occupied Soviet Union.

The latest intervention comes after Mr Farage repeatedly shouted the name of controversial comedian Bernard Manning at journalists as part of a bizarre rant after he was asked about the allegations.

The Reform UK leader also criticised the BBC over the blackface and homophobia he said it repeatedly broadcast in the 1970s, accusing the broadcaster of double standards.

Ducking a question about whether his former schoolmate was lying at a press conference, Mr Farage called the Today programme journalist Emma Barnett lower grade.

He then accused the broadcaster of double standards and hypocrisy because of television programmes such as The Black and White Minstrel Show, which has been criticised for blackface and for featuring Mr Manning.

He later shouted the name Bernard Manning at a journalist from ITV who asked a similar question.

The comedian, the self-styled king of the offensive joke, repeatedly came under fire for the content of his act.

In the 1990s, he was secretly filmed telling racist jokes at a police charity dinner and criticised by then prime minister John Major. A Labour MP even asked the attorney general to consider charging the comedian with inciting racial hatred for the stream of racist insults and jokes.
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A teenager in California was killed after a fireworks device exploded as he handled it in the backyard of a home in South Los Angeles, authorities said.

Police and paramedics arrived at a house around 9 p.m. on Wednesday in the Vermont Knolls neighborhood after witnesses heard a blast and saw smoke from a backyard.

The 17-year-old, whose identity has not been released, was reportedly handling the firework when it went off accidentally.

Officials discovered him with critical injuries. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No other injuries were reported.

A 17-year-old in California died after a firework he was holding accidentally detonated ( Getty/iStock )

Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the blast, though early indications from the Los Angeles Police Department suggest it involved a malfunctioning homemade or high-powered firework.

At the scene, authorities found a box labeled "Cash Game 357," a 357-shot aerial firework cake or repeater known for producing a long, continuous display of aerial effects. It is unclear if it caused the blast.

This type of device is considered both dangerous and illegal under California law.

A bomb squad was called in to assist with the investigation and to secure the remaining fireworks and debris.

Early Thursday morning, around 6 a.m., the squad conducted a controlled detonation after discovering additional explosive materials on the property, Fox 11 reports.
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A new attempt by the Justice Department to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James has failed, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The decision was made after a judge previously threw out a mortgage fraud case that had been encouraged by President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors had returned to a grand jury in Virginia on Thursday, seeking a new indictment against Ms James.

This move came after a judge halted the initial prosecution of both Ms James and James Comey, the former FBI Director and a long-standing critic of Mr Trump.

As I've said from the start, these charges are baseless, James said Thursday evening in a post on X.

It's time for the weaponization of our justice system to stop. I'm grateful to the members of the grand jury and humbled by the support I've received across the nation. I will keep doing my job standing up for New Yorkers.

The Justice Department retains the option to present the case against Letitia James to the grand jury once more ( REUTERS )

The judges decision was based on the grounds that the US attorney who presented those cases had been illegally appointed.

The Justice Department retains the option to present the case to the grand jury once more.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

James was initially charged in October by the U.S. attorney installed by the Trump administration to replace the prosecutor who resigned under pressure to bring criminal cases against herself and Comey.

James denied any wrongdoing and accused the administration of using the justice system to seek revenge against Trump's political opponents.
On the afternoon of December 4, the unveiling and commissioning ceremony for the Hong Kong Polytechnic University  Hefei Technology and Innovation Research Institute was held in Hefei.

In recent years, Hefei has vigorously promoted deep integration between education and talent pipelines and industrial and innovation chains. It has co-established 57 new R&D institutions with renowned domestic universities and research institutes, incubated and nurtured a large number of tech enterprises, and turned these new R&D institutions into powerful pillars driving Hefei's high-quality development.

The unveiling and commissioning of the institute marks a new step forward in the collaborative construction between Hefei and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and is of significant importance for enhancing Hefeis innovation capacity and advancing the citys internationalization.

Looking ahead, the institute will further leverage its strengths to collaborate on technological breakthroughs and industrial incubation in areas such as deep-space exploration, biomedicine, and precision sensing, striving to become an "accelerator" for technology transfer, an "overpass" for industryeducation integration, and a "forward base" for international cooperation.

This event will further deepen the close ties between Hefei and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, expand pragmatic cooperation across more fields, and jointly realize mutual empowerment and winwin outcomes.

At the event, an expert committee appointment ceremony and the signing ceremony for the first batch of collaborative projects were held; the projects cover multiple domains including aerospace information and biomedicine.





Source: Hefei Daily


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Two Minnesota schools were briefly placed on lockdown after a mountain lion was spotted moving through nearby neighborhoods, prompting precautions that kept students indoors.

A school resource officer at Ordean East Middle School reported the mountain lion was within a half-mile of its Duluth campus on Wednesday. Administrators immediately enacted a secure status, keeping students inside while classes continued. Congdon Park Elementary School, located nearby, implemented the same measure.

Duluth Public Schools spokesperson Adelle Wellens said Ordean East Middle School and Congdon Park Elementary enacted secure status at 1:36 p.m. after police alerted the district to the sighting. Congdon lifted the status at 2 p.m., with Ordean following shortly afterward.

Were confident that it has moved on, Wellens said.

District officials consulted with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about the mountain lion, which was wearing a tracking collar, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported. However, the device does not belong to the DNR, leaving the agency unable to monitor its movements. It is unclear who originally placed the collar on the animal.

open image in gallery Two schools in Duluth, Minnesota were briefly placed on lockdown Wednesday after a mountain lion was spotted moving through nearby neighborhoods ( Minnesota Department of Natural Resources )

John Erb, a furbearer and wolf research biologist with the DNR, told the Duluth News Tribune that the agency began receiving reports in early September when the animal was first seen near Fergus Falls.

Then we got a flurry of pictures that kind of help us loosely track it, Erb said.

Erb said the mountain lion is identifiable by ear tags and a radio collar that no longer functions. The DNR is 99 percent certain it came from Nebraska as part of a study, he said. A Nebraska biologist involved in that project reviewed photos and believed the animal to be a 2-year-old male previously collared for research.

The Duluth Police Department urged residents not to approach the animal.

The Duluth Police Department has been made aware of sightings of a mountain lion/cougar in Duluth, the department said in a news release. We have been in communication with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and they are also aware of the animal. At this time, there is no further action that law enforcement will be taking.

This weeks encounter marks the second time this year Duluth schools have enacted emergency animal-related protocols, the Duluth News Tribune reported. Earlier this spring, Lowell Elementary School went on secure status after a bear wandered onto school grounds. Despite the recent incidents, Wellens said such precautions remain uncommon.

As with any wild animal, Duluth police added, we want to remind the community that you should exercise caution in their presence and never approach them.
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New York City office buildings formerly used by financial powerhouses such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Pfizer are being transformed into 12,000 apartments to curb the housing crisis.

City Planning Department Director Dan Garodnick told Bloomberg on Friday that there were positive signs that more housing would be available for purchase in New York City.

Were very encouraged by what were seeing in a short period of time, he said.

We have a high vacancy rate in our commercial office buildings and a very, very dangerously low vacancy rate in our rental housing, and creating an opportunity for offices to convert into housing makes a lot of sense.

open image in gallery Former office buildings to be transformed into 12,000 apartments ( Getty Images )

The initiative is part of City of Yes, a housing policy passed in 2024 by the controversial and outgoing New York City Mayor Eric Adams administration that made zoning changes while providing $5 billion in funding. The policy aims to create 80,000 new homes over the next 15 years.

Housing is one of the key issues for New Yorkers and a major policy platform that incoming New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned on, pledging to triple the citys production of publicly subsidized homes and aiming to construct 200,000 new units over the next 10 years.

While Mamdani vocalised his support for Adams housing policy, his own went a step further in pledging $100 billion over 10 years to provide homes for families earning less than $70,000 a year. He has also pledged to freeze rents.

I said time and again that I appreciated the mayors work on the City of Yes, Mamdani said on Tuesday when he met with Adams to discuss a transition of power.

open image in gallery Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani ( AFP via Getty Images )

According to a report by consultancy firm MMCG Invest, the metro-wide vacancy rate in New York City is about 2.8 per cent by mid-2025, still substantially lower than the nationwide average of 7-8 per cent.

Real estate developers have already changed the former office buildings of Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan into luxury apartments. Meanwhile, in midtown Manhattan, developers are vying to transform Pfizers former headquarters into more than 1500 rentals.

While these transitions are seen as a positive step for New Yorks housing crisis, they are not a silver bullet.

Firstly, according to the latest quarterly report from commercial real estate company Cushman and Wakefield, demand for commercial property has increased substantially, with year-to-date new leasing totaling 23 million square feet, a 37.6 per cent increase from the same period in 2024.

Another issue is the conversion rate for transforming an office building into affordable apartments.

The cost of transforming an office building, which typically has open plans, limited bathrooms, and window spaces, means rents can range from $ 3,500 to $ 7,000 a month, according to a New York Times report.

Head of Metro Loft, Nathan Berman, told The Times its challenging to cover the costs of conversion while producing affordable housing for middle to lower-income residents.

Without public policy, without the city offering incentives, it just economically is not viable, he said.
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The U.S. Navy admiral who oversaw the double-tap strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat that killed survivors reportedly told lawmakers Thursday that the two stranded sailors did not appear to have communication devices that would have allowed them to contact others for help.

For days, officials have been defending the Trump administrations September 2 strikes against the boat in the Caribbean, arguing that those aboard posed a threat to the U.S. because they could have called other alleged narco-terrorists for backup or attempted to deliver the illicit drugs again.

But Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley reportedly told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing that the two survivors would not have been able to call for help, three people familiar with the briefings told CNN.

Bradley showed lawmakers footage of the strike during the classified briefing, in which the two survivors could reportedly be seen clinging to a partially capsized boat.

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, a ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, confirmed that on Thursday, telling reporters the footage was one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service.

open image in gallery Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley gave lawmakers on the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees a classified briefing on the strikes ( Getty Images )

You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, who are killed by the United States, Himes said.

However, Republican Senator Tom Cotton, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, gave a conflicting analysis, claiming the admiral was right to conduct the second set of strikes due to the threat.

I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat  loaded with drugs, bound for the United States  back over, so they could stay in the fight, Cotton told reporters Thursday. And potentially, given all the context we heard, of other narcoterrorist boats in the area coming to their aid to recover their cargo and recover those narcoterrorists.

The administration has been conducting strikes on boats accused of trafficking illicit narcotics in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. At least 80 people have been killed as a result, all of whom the administration has accused of being narco terrorists, but without providing public evidence.

open image in gallery Republican Senator Tom Cotton said he believed the two strikes against the boat were justified ( AP )

According to those familiar with the closed-door briefings, Bradley and the rest of the military command center overseeing the strikes contemplated whether to conduct a second set of strikes on the alleged drug boat and its survivors.

After consulting with a Judge Advocate General officer, the judicial officers for the military, the command decided it would be legal to conduct the second set of strikes.

Initial reporting of the double-tap strikes claimed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously given directions to kill everybody. However, the White House and Bradley denied that.

Bradley told lawmakers Thursday that Hegseth did not give a kill-all order, multiple Congress members said.

It is still unclear whether the strikes violate the laws of war. The administration and several Republican lawmakers contend the strikes were lawful.

However, it is considered a war crime to kill shipwrecked people who are in need of assistance and care, according to the Pentagon.

The Independent has asked the Pentagon for comment.
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Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro asserted Thursday evening that Americans do not care about the double tap boat strike controversy embroiling Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth  arguing that theyre more focused on the cost of living.

Appearing on NewsNations CUOMO, Shapiro brushed aside any concern about the legality of the September boat strikes in which the U.S. reportedly killed shipwrecked survivors of the first strike.

I dont. I frankly dont think that Americans care very much about what is being reported with regard to Secretary Hegseth, Shapiro told host Chris Cuomo and guest Stephen A. Smith.

The thing people actually care about, obviously, is the cost of living, Shapiro added.

Over the last week, Hegseth and the Trump administration have fiercely denied allegations that the defense secretary ordered a second strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean that killed survivors  potentially amounting to a war crime  but said the admiral who they say ordered it was acting within the law.

open image in gallery Shapiro brushed aside concern over the double tap strike or that Hegseth had ordered it ( REUTERS )

While the double-tap boat strike story has engulfed the news, Shapiro said that not only is the average person not paying attention, but recent news reports assert Hegseth did not even order the second strike.

Im not even sure what were arguing about at this point; it does feel like a distraction from other things, Shapiro added, mimicking language used by the president and his allies.

Shapiro, who co-founded the online right-wing media company The Daily Wire, insinuated Democrats had raised the war crime concerns to elevate Senator Mark Kellys public notability or justify a recent video made by Kelly and five other Democrats.

The video, which has become subject to investigation by the Trump administration, featured six Democrats  all of whom are veterans or former members of the intelligence community  reminding active military service members they are not required to obey illegal orders.

Although the Democrats did not name a specific order that defied the Constitution, the video enraged Trump, who accused them of sedition and claimed their behavior was punishable by death.

open image in gallery Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley arrives on the Hill to give testimony about the airstrike on a boat the Trump administration claims was involved in drug-running ( Getty )

Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin later said the video was made after hearing concerns from service members over the administrations repeated strikes on boats accused of trafficking narcotics to the U.S.

Even after the reports of the double tap strike raised concerns about the legality of the attacks, the administration and Trump allies have remained steady in claiming they are justified and legal.

On Thursday, those claims were backed by Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, the officer in charge of the September 2 strike against the alleged drug boat, who showed some lawmakers in the House and Senate the video of the strike and said Hegseth had not ordered the second strike.
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The Supreme Court has agreed to take up the constitutionality of President Donald Trump's order on birthright citizenship after he declared that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

The justices will hear Trump's appeal of a lower-court ruling that struck down the citizenship restrictions.

The case will be argued in the spring and a definitive ruling is expected by early summer.

The birthright citizenship order, which Trump signed on the first day of his second term, is part of his Republican administrations broad immigration crackdown. Other actions include immigration enforcement surges in several cities and the first peacetime invocation of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.

The administration is facing multiple court challenges, and the high court has sent mixed signals in emergency orders it has issued.

Olga Urbina (L) of Baltimore and her 9-month-old son Ares Webster participate in a protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court on May 14, 2025 in Washington, DC ( Alex Wong/Getty Images )

The justices effectively stopped the use of the Alien Enemies Act to rapidly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without court hearings. But the Supreme Court allowed the resumption of sweeping immigration stops in the Los Angeles area after a lower court blocked the practice of stopping people solely based on their race, language, job or location.

The justices are also weighing the administrations emergency appeal to be allowed to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area for immigration enforcement actions. A lower court has indefinitely prevented the deployment.

Birthright citizenship is the first Trump immigration-related policy to reach the court for a final ruling.

His order would upend more than 125 years of understanding that the Constitutions 14th Amendment confers citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions for the children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.

In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as unconstitutional, or likely so, even after a Supreme Court ruling in late June that limited judges use of nationwide injunctions.

The Supreme Court, however, did not rule out other court orders that could have nationwide effects, including in class action lawsuits and those brought by states. The justices did not decide at that time whether the underlying citizenship order was constitutional.

Every lower court that has looked at the issue has concluded that Trumps order violates or likely violates the 14th Amendment, which was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship. Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers who are in the country illegally, under longstanding rules.

The case under review comes from New Hampshire. A federal judge in July blocked the citizenship order in a class action lawsuit including all children who would be affected. The American Civil Liberties Union is leading the legal team representing the children and their parents who challenged Trump's order.

No president can change the 14th Amendments fundamental promise of citizenship, Cecillia Wang, the ACLU's national legal director, said in a statement, adding, "We look forward to putting this issue to rest once and for all in the Supreme Court this term.

The administration had also asked the justices to review a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. That court, also in July, ruled that a group of Democratic-led states that sued over Trump's order needed a nationwide injunction to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship being in effect in some states and not others. The justices took no action in the 9th Circuit case.

The administration has asserted that children of noncitizens are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and therefore not entitled to citizenship.

The Fourteenth Amendments Citizenship Clause was adopted to grant citizenship to newly freed slaves and their children  not ... to the children of aliens illegally or temporarily in the United States, top administration top Supreme Court lawyer, D. John Sauer, wrote in urging the high courts review.

Twenty-four Republican-led states and 27 Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, are backing the administration.
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Republican Rep. Don Bacon said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths poor decision-making on Signalgate, the departure of legacy journalists in the Pentagon and his position on Ukraine joining NATO have ruined his credibility.

Joining Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna on C-SPANs Ceasefire, set to air Friday evening, Bacon expressed disappointment in Hegseths job performance over the last few months and renewed criticism against him. Pressure has been mounting on the Defense Secretary over legally contentious airstrikes on alleged drug dealers that have left more than 80 people dead.

After Signalgate, Ive seen enough, Bacon said.

What I really wanted to see was someone take responsibility, own up to a mistake. And when he blamed the media, or the journalist for the story, it ruined his credibility, Bacon said, citing the incident in which The Atlantic editor was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat in which Hegseth and other senior Trump administration figures discussed an imminent military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The Republican representative also railed against Hegseths handling of Signalgate on CNN Thursday, after the administration claimed that the Inspector Generals office report on the incident had exonerated Hegseth.

Bacon, a retired brigadier general in the Air Force, has been more critical of Hegseths leadership than some other Republicans ( Getty Images )

That is total baloney, Bacon said during the interview. I read the report and what I saw, what had happened was wrong, but the report makes clear that the secretary put sensitive information that would ordinarily be classified.

The report concluded that Hegseth did not share classified information because, as defense secretary, he can declassify information. It contended, however, that Hegseth did violate security protocols and shared highly sensitive information that could have endangered U.S. troops on an unsecure platform.

On C-SPAN, Bacon said Hegseth had a record of poor decision-making  such as removing legacy journalists from the Pentagons press pool by issuing new rules that media outlets felt ethically unable to comply with and replacing them with second-rate journalists.

He also cited Hegseths position on Ukraine not joining NATO as another disappointment.

The Defense Secretary said earlier this year that the U.S. doesnt support Ukraine becoming a member of NATO.

Bacons criticisms of Hegseth arrive as the defense secretary faces new concerns from lawmakers over the Pentagons lethal boat strikes against alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean  something that Bacon has also raised concerns about.

Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, said he was troubled by the report, but he also does not believe Hegseth gave a kill-all order, as first reported by the Washington Post.
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Donald Trump has claimed that mass migration has put Western civilization itself in danger, suggesting Europe is particularly at risk.

The presidents administration has released a 33-page dossier that claims Europe could be eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilization erasure in 20 years.

Entitled the National Security Strategy of the United States of America, the document argues that migration is responsible for everything from censorship to declining birth rates.

"The larger issues facing Europe include activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating strife, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence," the document reads.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has claimed that mass migration could cause civilization erasure in a new national security plan ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

It also says that the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism, despite those same parties being highly controversial in their own countries.

The document even questions whether certain European countries will remain reliable allies to the United States, tearing up decades of trust between the U.S. and Europe.

One former U.S. diplomat told The Independent that the document is disastrously dumb.

Brett Bruen, who served as the White House Director of Global Engagement during the Obama administration, also blasted the plan for being "a strategic disaster."

"This is a disastrously dumb, deeply damaging document for American diplomacy. It only further fuels distrust and puts more distance between Washington and the allies we most desperately need to ensure our own security and prosperity," Bruen said.

However, the president is more optimistic about the plan.

open image in gallery The document blasts European officials and even suggests some countries might not be reliable allies to the US in the future ( Chigi Palace Press Office )

In the strategys introduction, he describes it as a roadmap to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history, and the home of freedom on earth."

Much of the documents sentiment around immigration echoes the controversial great replacement theory, which suggests that nefarious forces are driving mass migration to replace White people with ethnic minorities.

The largely debunked theory has been promoted by other conservative politicians, includingTucker Carlsonand Speaker Mike Johnson.

Trump has repeatedly clashed with European officials on immigration issues and even reportedly ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to put pressure on Europe to limit immigration.

open image in gallery The document even blames migration into Europe for causing low birthrates, while calling on leaders to take action ( Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street )

The order, sent by the president on November 21, directs officials to highlight crimes committed by migrants to support the Trump administrations case.

The message, obtained by the New York Times, even claims that immigrants are widespread disruptors of social cohesion.

Since taking office, Trump has led a crackdown on immigration into the United States.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem even confirmed plans to expand the list of countries subject to the U.S. travel ban to over 30.

Currently, 12 countries have citizens banned from entering the U.S., with seven more facing heavy restrictions.

Trump has vowed to permanently pause migration from all third-world countries and blasted Joe Biden for allegedly allowing illegal admissions of migrants to the United States.
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A federal judge in Florida has ordered grand jury materials surrounding an investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to be unsealed, marking the first of several expected decisions to publicly release grand jury documents in cases tied to the late financier.

District Judge Rodney Smith ordered the release of material from grand jury investigations from 2005 and 2007. The judge had previously denied the request but revisited the decision Friday after Congress passed and Donald Trump signed a measure that compels the Department of Justice to release all investigative files in its possession.

The order from Smith, a Trump appointee, did not attach a deadline.

The Justice Department must publicly disclose files in its possession  which do not include the documents shown to grand juries that considered indictments against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell  by December 19, based on the congressional order.

Separate requests to unseal grand jury materials are underway in New York, where Epstein died in prison awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges 2019. Another judge is mulling the release of grand jury documents in the case against Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence after she was found guilty of recruiting and grooming young women and girls in connection with Epstein. Those requests are pending.

open image in gallery A federal judge in Florida has ordered the release of grand jury materials in an abandoned federal case against Jeffrey Epstein ( AP )

Lawyers for Maxwell said this week that releasing grand jury files from her case could complicate her long-shot attempts to get a new trial.

Releasing the grand jury materials from her case, which contain untested and unproven allegations, would create undue prejudice so severe that it would foreclose the possibility of a fair retrial should she successfully win a retrial, they wrote.

Attorneys for Annie Farmer, who testified under oath that Maxwell groomed and assaulted her when she was a teenager, also wrote to the judges overseeing the cases this week, warning that any denial of the motions to unseal the documents may be used by others as a pretext or excuse for continuing to withhold crucial information concerning Epsteins crimes.

Epsteins victims have been denied justice for far too long by multiple government administrations of both parties, they wrote. Even now, the government has failed to investigate anyone other than Epstein himself and one of his accomplices, Ghislaine Maxwell, and there is no indication that the Department of Justice (or any of its offices) is taking action against other critical inner circle Epstein accomplices despite congressional investigations and public reporting concerning his sex trafficking rings financial infrastructure.

In July, the Justice Department determined no further disclosure in the Epstein case would be appropriate or warranted, sparking public outcry that only fueled accusations that the government was concealing Epsteins ties to a wider network of powerful figures  including Trump  allegedly connected to a sex trafficking conspiracy.

Last month, the president reluctantly agreed to sign a measure approved by Congress that compels the Justice Department to release all investigative materials from the Epstein case in its possession.

open image in gallery Judges in New York are also mulling the release of previously undisclosed grand jury materials that landed blockbuster indictments against Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell ( REUTERS )

The materials in Florida stem from an abandoned federal case against Epstein that resulted in what critics have called a sweetheart deal for state charges and a brief jail sentence.

A Palm Beach grand jury indicted Epstein on one state felony charge of solicitation of prostitution in 2006, a case that was then referred to the FBI. In 2007, an assistant U.S. attorney crafted a draft indictment outlining 60 criminal counts against Epstein, along with a memo of evidence against him.

Then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta then arranged a controversial agreement for Epstein to plead guilty to two state charges as well as a prison sentence and a requirement that he register as a sex offender in exchange for the federal case to be dropped.

Epstein then pleaded guilty to state charges of solicitation of prostitution and of solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18. He was released after serving less than 13 months in state prison.
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Fox News star Laura Ingraham declared that it is borderline illegal for Democratic lawmakers to label Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents thugs, saying comments like that are beyond irresponsible and there has to be accountability here.

During a Thursday night interview with Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem and ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, Ingraham brought up remarks made by Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia (D-IL) on the House floor earlier this week about ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents.

Since taking office, Trump has declared war on our community, Garcia stated. Masked ICE and CBP thugs  and I call them thugs because they dont identify themselves  they have detained parents on their way to work. They have kidnapped U.S. citizens. They have tear-gassed people.

Garcia has used similar language in recent months while criticizing the mass deportation efforts by the Trump administration. After the president launched Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago this past September, Garcia called it a declaration of war on an American city and said [m]asked thugs kidnapping parents, children, and workers does not make us safer.

The following month, in response to border patrol agents detaining members of a Chicago aldermans staff, Garcia took to social media to declare that we will keep each other safe and ensure these masked thugs are held accountable.

open image in gallery Fox News host Laura Ingraham said that it is borderline illegal for Democratic lawmakers to call masked ICE agents thugs and called for accountability. ( Fox News )

Prior to airing Garcias comments Thursday night, Ingraham asserted that the American public voted for mass deportation when they elected Trump. But they are trying to change that dynamic now, and its all for the media and Democrats benefit. Democrats are doing everything they can to paint ICE as the villains, she added.

Turning to Noem after playing the clip of Garcia, the Fox News host and anti-immigration hawk suggested that the Illinois congressman should potentially face jail time over his remarks on Capitol Hill.

Madam Secretary, I believe those comments are actually beyond irresponsible, Ingraham fumed. They are borderline illegal because those are effectively endangering the lives of the ICE agents on the streets. Are they not? They have targets on their back because of those comments.

Noem unsurprisingly agreed with the conservative host, saying Garcias comments are blatant lies and portraying ICE officers that way is really unprecedented in this country. She went on to describe the remarks as history-making before claiming that ICE agents are facing an 8000 percent increase in violence against themselves. (The DHS secretary was referring to the purported increase in death threats to ICE that her department has repeatedly cited.)

After the head of the DHS groused that Democratic lawmakers are encouraging violence against ICE and CBP officials with their rhetoric and have even been out there laying their hands on law enforcement officers, Ingraham called for action to be taken.

I think there has to be accountability here. If there is not accountability, this will continue to happen, and lives will be lost. We have already had incidents where agents were shot at, the Fox host concluded.

open image in gallery Ingraham speaks to Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem and ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan about a Democratic congressman calling ICE agents thugs. ( Fox News )

Meanwhile, recent data shows that most immigrants who have been arrested in high-profile city crackdowns  specifically in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.  do not have a criminal record.

In the Chicago area, for instance, two-thirds of those swept up by the multi-week ICE operation had never been charged with a crime. During the Washington crackdown, 84 percent of immigrants arrested had no criminal charges on their record. Additionally, its been reported that hundreds of American citizens have been held by immigration agents  some of whom have been kicked, assaulted and detained for days.

Amid the aggressive mass deportation campaign by the Trump administration, which has featured an influx of masked ICE agents flooding the streets of large cities, polls have shown that the American public has grown increasingly dissatisfied with immigration enforcement.

A Daily Mail/JL Partners poll released late last month found that ICE only has a 34 percent approval rating, while a separate YouGov survey showed that a solid majority of Americans disapproved of the immigration enforcement agency.
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A Republican senator has called for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to testify under oath about the U.S. militarys campaign of missile strikes against alleged narco-boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul issued the call after listening to Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine give evidence to members of the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees on Thursday, the first of the known lethal strikes against accused drug traffickers, which was conducted on September 2.

The attack has been the subject of outrage amid accusations that Hegseth ordered a second strike to kill everybody when two survivors were spotted clinging to wreckage in the ocean following the initial blast.

open image in gallery Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul has said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth should testify under oath about the missile strikes on alleged Central American drug boats ( Reuters )

Speaking to The Independent after emerging from Thursdays hearing on Capitol Hill, the senator called for Secretary Hegseth to testify under oath and said: I think if the public sees images of people clinging to boat debris and being blown up, I think that there is a chance that, finally, the public will get interested enough in this to stop this.

And I think that Congress, if they had any kind of gumption at all, would not be allowing this administration to summarily execute people that are suspected of a crime.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, also emerged aghast at the video, calling it one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service.

Admiral Bradley was adamant in his testimony that there had been no second kill order. His assurance was welcomed by Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and said afterwards that the Navy SEAL officer was very clear that he was given no such order to give no quarter or to kill them all.

Hegseth himself insisted at a cabinet meeting Tuesday that any decisions were taken amid the fog of war and insisted that the admiral had acted within his authority and the law when he carried out the strike, only for the secretary to have to counter accusations he was ducking ultimate responsibility.

open image in gallery Hegseth defends himself at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday ( AP )

None of which was enough to convince Michigan Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar, who announced his intention to file articles of impeachment against Hegseth Thursday, a plan unveiled as the latest strike on alleged narcotics traffickers in the Pacific was reported by U.S. Southern Command, which said four people had been killed, taking the total death toll from the campaign to at least 86.

For his part, Paul has emerged as a persistent critic of President Donald Trumps administration over its aggressions in Central America and complained about Hegseths inconsistent commentary earlier this week.

Secretary Hegseth said he had no knowledge of this, and it did not happen, he told reporters Tuesday. It was fake news. It didnt happen.

"And then the next day, from the podium of the White House, theyre saying it did happen. Either he was lying to us on Sunday or hes incompetent.

Paul was previously an outspoken opponent of the Barack Obama administrations use of drones, fearing they could be used on American soil, launching into a 13-hour filibuster in March 2013 to delay the confirmation of John Brennan as incoming CIA director.

The senator subsequently changed his tune two years later when he issued a surprise defense of the 44th president over the accidental killing of two hostages in a U.S. drone strike in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, insisting Obama had been trying to do the right thing and warning against excessive partisanship in American politics.
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Defense secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the U.S military to carry out an attack on an alleged drug boat on Thursday, killing four occupants, amid the ongoing double tap controversy surrounding the Trump administrations strikes in the Caribbean.

On Dec. 4, at the direction of Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization, U.S Southern Command, which oversees the attacks, posted on social media.

Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed.

Video footage posted by SouthCom shows a boat speeding across the ocean surface before becoming engulfed in flames.

The latest attack takes the total number of people killed in the Trump administrations strikes to at least 86.

The strike came just hours after Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, the Navy SEAL officer who leads U.S. Special Operations Command, showed House and Senate members on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees footage of the lethal strikes conducted on September 2 and answered questions.

Bradleys appearance on Capitol Hill comes as the Pentagon faces scrutiny for authorizing a second strike on an alleged drug boat on September 2. The follow-up strike  referred to by some as a double tap  was launched after two survivors were seen clinging to the wrecked vessel.

open image in gallery Four were killed on an alleged drug boat after Hegseth orders a new strike ( X/US Southern Command )

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, a ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters the footage was one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service. In contrast, Tom Cotton, GOP chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the strikes righteous and entirely lawful.

Defending the second strike on Tuesday, Hegseth said it took place within the fog of war and added that Bradley acted within his authority and the law. Shortly after the latest attack on Thursday, he took to social media to gloat about it.

Every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean, Andrew Kolvett, the spokesperson for Turning Point USA wrote on X. Hegseth replied, Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat.

Thursdays strike is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to cut off the supply of illicit drugs coming into the U.S. and to apply pressure to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom Trump has branded a narco-terrorist.

During a press conference yesterday, Trump claimed the U.S. is at war with drug cartels in Venezuela amidst an unprecedented buildup of military assets in the Caribbean. He also indicated that the attacks could escalate.

open image in gallery Tom Cotton, GOP chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, calls the strikes righteous and entirely lawful ( AP )

Very soon were going to start doing it on land too, the president said. Because we know every route, we know every house where they manufacture this crap. We know where they put it all together. And I think youre going to see if very soon on land also.

Maduro has denied he is involved in drug trafficking and has accused the Trump administration of fabricating a new eternal war."

More than just the double-tap controversy, the overall campaign of striking boats in the Caribbean has been subject to significant debate.

A number of Democratic lawmakers have described them as illegal and reckless, pointing out that the administration has failed to publicly provide evidence that those killed were indeed traffickers. A few GOP lawmakers have agreed.

We dont blow up boats off Miami because 25 per cent of the time suspicion is wrong, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said in October. We shouldnt do it off Venezuela either. These are small outboards with no fentanyl and no path to Florida.

Human rights groups and U.N. officials have also characterized the U.S. militarys offensive in Latin America as illegal under international law. Amnesty International called it murder  plain and simple.

open image in gallery Hegseth defended the second strike, telling reporters that Bradley acted within his authority and the law ( AP )

Many Republicans, particularly those closely aligned with Trump, have defended the campaign. This weekend, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin said Trump is protecting the United States by being very proactive.

In September, Vice President JD Vance acknowledged concerns surrounding the attacks, but said the rules of engagement should be akin to what they are during wartime.

I understand the concerns about due process, I understand some of the criticisms that have been raised, but this is not a situation where we can send the Navy SEALs into these places, arrest them and give them a proper civil trial or criminal trial, he told Politico.

A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted in late November indicates the public has mixed feelings about the recent military campaign in the Caribbean.

A slim majority, 53 per cent, said they support using military force to attack suspected drug boats, while 73 per cent said the government needs to provide evidence the boats carried drugs. Further, 70 per cent of respondents said they would oppose the U.S. taking military action in Venezuela.
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Republicans left Democrats on Capitol Hill frustrated this week after a pair of controversies surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued to dominate the headlines, but the presidents party was seemingly unwilling to hold Donald Trumps Cabinet secretary to any public accountability.

Lawmakers from both parties on the committees overseeing the armed forces and intelligence sectors huddled with Adm. Frank Bradley and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Thursday. The briefing focused on a Sept. 2 military strike on a vessel the Trump administration says was ferrying drugs in the Caribbean. In that now heavily-scrutinized mission, Navy SEALs under Bradleys direction conducted a second strike on the burning wreckage of the vessel as at least two survivors clung to it in desperation.

Committees in both chambers, led by Republicans who hold majorities in the House and Senate, announced plans to investigate the strike after news reports generated criticism from experts including former JAG officers claiming that those involved were complicit in a war crime, pointing to language in the military code of conduct and international law forbidding the targeting of survivors who do not pose an imminent threat.

The results of another investigation into Hegseth were released publicly on Thursday as well. A review of Hegseths actions in Signalgate found that the Fox News host-turned-commander was at fault for putting classified information at risk when he shared it in a Signal thread with Vice President J.D. Vance, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and others, including a reporter who was added by Waltz by accident to the group chat.

But the Republicans and Democrats who emerged from Thursdays briefing on the Hill did so saying very different things. The responses from the presidents allies ranged from silence to outright support for their mans man, while Democrats accused their GOP foes of covering up bad behavior.

open image in gallery Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was found to have risked compromising U.S. intelligence by sharing classified information in a non-classified setting in an official review this week ( AP )

On Thursday, Democrats, including Sens. Jack Reed and Tim Kaine, Reps. Jim Himes and Adam Smith all released statements calling the strikes disturbing, unjustified and potentially unlawful.

"Any American who sees the video that I saw will see the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors, said Himes.

Roger Wicker, the Republican who heads up the Senate Armed Services Committee, only repeated to the press that he would withhold comment on matters related to Hegseth, including whether he had confidence in the secretary, as he hurried into an elevator following the briefing on Thursday. His noncommittal, still an evolution in itself given his previous call for an investigation and accountability, matched his House colleague Mike Rogers, who declined to comment.

Other Republican committee leaders were, meanwhile, ready to exonerate the secretary altogether.

Tom Cotton, GOP chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the strikes righteous and entirely lawful in a gaggle afterwards. He thanked Bradley, whom some speculated the White House was trying to attach blame for the controversy, and added of the targeting of survivors: I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat, loaded with drugs, bound for the United States, so they could stay in the fight.

Adm. Bradley was very clear that he was given no such order, to give no quarter or to kill them all. He was given an order that, of course, was written down in great detail, said Cotton.

open image in gallery GOP Senator Tom Cotton eagerly defended Pete Hegseth and the military strikes against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean on Thursday after a classified briefing ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

His House colleague, chairman Rick Crawford, also defended the strikes. In private, however, things were an entirely different story. The Washington Post reported this week that a similar briefing last month on the boat strikes included Rogers dressing down Pentagon officials who were in the room for supposedly keeping Congress in the dark; multiple Republicans in that meeting were reportedly upset at the officials for failing to turn up with a lawyer in tow to explain the legal justification for the strikes in detail.

Its not just the issue of Trumps escalating military campaign in the Caribbean  which his critics call illegal murders  on which Republicans are privately reported to be taking things much more seriously than they are in public.

On the issue of Hegseths use of a Signal chat chain to share classified information about imminent strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, the president is calling on his allies to circle the wagons once again.

The publication of a report on Thursday revealed that an official investigation headed by the Pentagons inspector general found Hegseth had risked potential compromise of sensitive DOD information, which could cause harm to DOD personnel and mission objectives.

"If this information had fallen into the hands of U.S. adversaries, Houthi forces might have been able to counter U.S. forces or reposition personnel and assets to avoid planned U.S. strikes," the report concluded.

Even with that level of certainty, Republicans like Wicker were backtracking. The Kansas senator said in March that it was clear there were mistakes made in the process of sharing the intel over Signal. On Thursday, hed changed his tune and claimed that Hegseth acted within his authority.

open image in gallery The chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee previously said that Hegseth and others made mistakes in the sharing of classified intel over Signal ( Getty Images )

It is also clear to me that our senior leaders need more tools available to them to communicate classified information in real time and a variety of environments, Wicker said in a statement. I think we have some work to do in providing those tools to our national security leaders.

Hegseth himself was overjoyed to not be facing a stronger condemnation: No classified information. Total exoneration. Case closed. Houthis bombed into submission. Thank you for your attention to this IG report, he wrote on X.

But two Republicans who are both retiring and have broken allegiances with the president were not willing to spin the situation to save the defense secretary.

open image in gallery Rep. Don Bacon, who is retiring, was one of two Republicans willing to condemn Hegseths actions this week ( Getty Images )

Thom Tillis, a senator, and Don Bacon, a congressman, appeared at different times on CNN on Thursday to summarily reject Hegseths claims of competence and good stewardship of his position. Both called B.S. on the secretarys claim that the Signalgate report exonerated him.

No, that is total baloney, said Bacon. I have better words for it, but you cant say it on TV.

The report makes clear that the secretary put sensitive information that would ordinarily be classified, he added.

Tillis echoed Bacons derision over the response to the Signalgate report. He separately said that he stood by his assertion stating that whoever authorized the U.S. military to target survivors needed to get the hell out of D.C.

As usual, some of the most revealing comments about Trump-era Republicans come from the spurned members of that coalition. The broader reaction from the Hill today, however, was a sign that while the MAGA brand may be at its weakest point in years, the partys especially battle-worn caucuses on the Hill still detest the idea of giving Democrats a single inch.
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Donald Trump and his Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem vowed to find and arrest the worst of the worst and violent criminal offenders among the immigrants they rounded up with a surge of federal officers into U.S. cities over the last several months.

Those high-profile immigration enforcement operations in major cities across the country locked up thousands. But the vast majority have not been convicted of any crime, and more than half do not have any criminal record whatsoever.

Less than 30 percent of those arrested in those operations had prior criminal convictions, according to an analysis fromThe New York Times using arrest data obtained by the Deportation Data Project. An even smaller share of those arrested had been convicted of a violent crime.

The most common convictions were for driving under the influence and other traffic offenses.

The data closely mirrors national trends in immigration arrest data through Trumps mass deportation campaign, with the share of people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody with criminal convictions plummeting to just 28 percent in October  down from 46 percent at the beginning of the year.

open image in gallery Less than 30 percent of immigrants arrested in high-profile operations targeting Democratic-led cities had prior criminal convictions, a new analysis finds ( Getty Images )

Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., in August, surging federal agents and National Guard troops into the nations capital. Trump falsely claimed that the city had been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals. But more than 80 percent of the immigrants arrested in that sweep did not have a prior criminal record, according to the government's own data.

ICE arrested more than 1,100 people in D.C. from August through mid-October, more than triple the amount of ICE arrests in the city within the first seven months of the year.

But that spike saw a sixfold increase of arrests of immigrants without any criminal record at all, according to a Washington Post analysis of federal data obtained by the Deportation Data Project.

In Chicago, only 15 percent of immigrants detained in the weeks-long Operation Midway Blitz surge led by Customs and Border Protection had a prior criminal conviction. Only 3 percent had prior convictions for violent crimes.

ICE data through October 15 analyzed by the Deportation Data Project show that the vast majority of those arrests in Chicago  67 percent  have only civil immigration violations, such as overstaying a visa or crossing the border illegally.

open image in gallery The trends mirror ICE arrests nationally, with nearly three-quarters of all immigrants booked into ICE custody since October having no prior criminal conviction, a separate report found ( REUTERS )

Arrest data for those operations tracks alongside figures for ICE arrests nationally, with nearly three-quarters of all immigrants booked into ICE custody since October having no prior criminal conviction, according to nonpublic ICE data leaked to libertarian thinktank Cato Institute.

Nearly half of all ICE detainees booked into custody from October through mid-November had not been charged with any crime, according to Catos report.

Only 5 percent had a violent criminal conviction, Cato found.

Homeland Security has disputed the findings, calling Catos numbers made up with no legitimate data behind it.

The share of those arrested with past convictions for violent crimes like assault, robbery or homicide fell to 5 percent in mid-October, compared with 15 percent in 2024, according to Deportation Data Project figures.

But immigration arrests have exploded, fueled by high-profile operations in Democratic-led cities with large immigrant populations, swift arrests of immigrants leaving their court hearings, and a recent Supreme Court decision that has allowed federal agents to racially profile people suspected of living in the country illegally, paving the way for street-level sweeps.

Recent reporting from ProPublica has also uncovered more than 170 cases of immigration agents detaining U.S. citizens so far this year. Charges were dropped or never filed in dozens of those cases, the outlet found.

Homeland Security has argued that those officers only arrest citizens if they obstructed or assaulted law enforcement.

More than 60,000 people are in ICE custody in facilities across the country, a record high, as the Trump administration is on pace to deport more than 600,000 people from the country within the first year of the presidents second term in office.

A first look at the results of Trumps first wave of immigration operations in U.S. cities comes as the administration deploys a strike team to Minneapolis and the launch of yet another border patrol blitz, this time in New Orleans.

Homeland Security hailed the arrests of several child sex offenders, domestic abusers, and violent gang members during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota on Thursday, as well as the first arrests of criminal illegal aliens in the newly launched Operation Catahoula Crunch in southeast Louisiana.

Americans should be able to live without fear of violent criminal illegal aliens harming them, their families, or their neighbors, assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
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Vice President JD Vance said he disagrees with fellow Republicans who claim that antisemitism is exploding on the right.

In a new wide-ranging interview with NBC News, the vice president distanced himself from party members who have sounded alarm over what they describe as growing anti-Jewish hostility within their ranks.

Judging anybody based on their skin color or immutable characteristics, I think, is fundamentally anti-American and anti-Christian, Vance told the outlet on Thursday. I do think its important to call this stuff out when I see it. I also, when I talk to young conservatives, I dont see some simmering antisemitism thats exploding.

He acknowledged the presence of a few bad apples but emphasized that their proportion has stayed relatively steady over time.

Do I think that the Republican Party is substantially more antisemitic than it was 10 or 15 years ago? Absolutely not, Vance said. I think its kind of slanderous to say that the Republican Party, the conservative movement, is extremely antisemitic.

open image in gallery In a new interview, Vice President JD Vance said he disagrees with Republicans who claim that antisemitism is exploding on the right ( Getty Images )

His comments come in contrast to those of Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, who has denounced what he calls an increase in anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment  including among conservatives, the outlet reported.

Cruz, who has positioned himself as Israels strongest ally in the Senate, has specifically targeted young conservatives who questioned Vance about Israel at a recent event. Hes also gone after Tucker Carlson for hosting Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denier, on his show  and castigated fellow conservatives for failing to denounce Carlson.

Recent months have seen several high-profile incidents involving Republicans and allegations of antisemitism.

In October, Politico published leaked Telegram chats from leaders of Young Republican groups across multiple states, which revealed extensive antisemitic, racist and white supremacist rhetoric. Messages included praise for Adolf Hitler and references to gas chambers.

open image in gallery Senator Ted Cruz has condemned what he describes as an escalation of anti-Jewish sentiment, singling out a group of young conservatives and Tucker Carlson ( AFP via Getty Images )

Days later, Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trumps then-nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew himself from consideration after texts came to light in which he allegedly admitted to having a Nazi streak, The Independent previously reported.

Similar scandals have also plagued Democrats. In October, Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner said, following backlash, he covered up a tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol.

Concerns about rising antisemitism grew in the wake of October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, sparking a yearslong war in Gaza, which led to the death of about 70,000 Palestinians and around 2,000 Israelis.

open image in gallery Do I think that the Republican Party is substantially more antisemitic than it was 10 or 15 years ago? Absolutely not, Vance told NBC News. ( Getty Images )

Since then, American sympathy for Israel has plummeted, while the share of Americans who describe antisemitism as a problem has risen, according to Gallup surveys.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, an advocacy organization, incidents of antisemitism have skyrocketed since 2023.

The American Jewish community is facing a threat level thats now unprecedented in modern history, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in 2024.

But, progressive Jewish groups, like Jewish Voice for Peace, have accused the ADL of incorrectly defining antisemitism to include antizionism.

This definition labels anyone opposed to the Israeli governments oppression of Palestinians as antisemitic, making it harder to identify actual instances of antisemitism, according to JVP.
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Investigators have revealed that J.D. Vance returned to the infamous Signal group chat, in which Pete Hegseth discussed confidential information about strikes on Yemen, after the attack.

The Department of Defenses probe into the incident found that Vance messaged in the chat on March 25, at 2.30 am, a day after the news broke that Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, had been added to the text chain.

This chats kind of dead. Anything going on? Vance wrote despite the chat's security being compromised.

There was little activity in the chat following Vance's message, according to the DODs 84-page dossier into the Signalgate Scandal, with no one replying to the vice president.

After Vance sent the message, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent triggered a setting that erased messages eight hours after they were sent. Also, a user named MAR changed their profile name to MR.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe also updated his profile name to John.

open image in gallery JD Vance messaged in the compromised Signal group chat that contained messages about strikes on Yemen ( Reuters )

The report found that Hegseth had violated departmental policies by using that chat, and he endangered the lives of U.S. troops.

Using a personal cell phone to conduct official business and send nonpublic DoD information through Signal risks potential compromise of sensitive DoD information, which could cause harm to DoD personnel and mission objectives, the report read.

The DOD document stated that the Secretary of Defense received information about the impending strikes on Yemen from the head of U.S. Central Command at 9 pm on March 14. The email was marked SECRET//NOFORN.

Hegseth shared this information in the Houthi PC Small Group Signal chat at 11.44 pm on March 15, shortly before the strikes were set to take place.

open image in gallery Pete Hegseth was found to have endangered US troops by sharing messages on the group chat ( AP )

Goldberg, who had been added to the chat by Michael Waltz, broke the story on March 24 but redacted any information that could put the lives of U.S. troops at risk.

Investigators into the Signalgate scandal wrote in the report that they were forced to rely heavily on the information given to Goldberg, since they had only a partial copy of the chat from the people who used it.

Hegseth has also denied the claim that the information discussed in the chat was ever classified.

"No classified information, he wrote on X. Total exoneration. Case closed. Houthis bombed into submission."

However, the report has emboldened Democrats who are pushing for Hegseth's firing over the botched handling of sensitive information.

open image in gallery The chat was leaked by a journalist who was accidentally added to the text chain ( The Atlantic )

"An objective, evidence-based investigation by the Pentagon's internal watchdog leaves no doubt: Secretary Hegseth endangered the lives of American pilots," Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement.

Warner also claimed that Hegseths disastrous management of the information reflected a broader pattern of recklessness and poor judgment from a secretary who has repeatedly shown he is in over his head.

Hegseth is currently battling claims that the DOD committed a war crime after it launched a double tap strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat.

The secretary of defense allegedly ordered officials to kill everybody onboard the vessel, leading the military to launch a second strike on the boats wreckage to kill the survivors.

Hegesth has claimed that the reports are fake news and argued that the strikes were lawful under both US and international law.
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Joe Rogan mocked Donald Trump for texting like a 79-year-old kid in his latest sideswipe at the president, whom he endorsed just 12 months ago.

Rogan revealed that the president also uses the big iMessage effect, which causes texts to expand to fill the receivers screen.

The podcaster revealed Trumps quirky habits while speaking to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on Wednesdays episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, miming the texts swelling in size as he said, He makes the text go big.

Like USA is RESPECTED again, all caps, and it makes the text enlarge. Its kind of ridiculous, Rogan added.

He also described the president as an odd guy who is very different from how people perceive him publicly.

open image in gallery Podcaster Joe Rogan revealed Donald Trumps bizarre texting habits on his podcast ( JRE )

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Rogan praised Trump constantly and claimed that many of the United States most famous celebrities thanked him privately for doing so.

Trump even appeared on Rogans podcast for a three-hour interview, which racked up 38 million views in three days.

Kamala Harris did not appear on the podcast, though, despite claiming to have repeatedly tried to set up an interview with Rogan.

However, Rogans relationship with the commander-in-chief has seemingly turned sour in recent months, with the podcaster criticizing the president for his hardline crackdown on immigration into the United States.

open image in gallery The pair had previously been close allies, with Trump appearing on Rogans podcast in 2024 ( Screenshot / The Joe Rogan Experience )

Rogan described the presidents raids on workers as f***ing nuts and argued that ICE agents should focus on catching drug dealers and cartel members, instead of migrant workers.

He has also criticized Trumps claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent and rigged by former President Joe Biden, despite previously allowing the current president to ramble about his conspiracy theory during his 2024 appearance on the podcast.

In 2024, Rogan seemingly sympathized with Trumps claim, drawing comparisons between doubting the election and being labelled as an anti-vaxxer if you question some of the health consequences that people have from the Covid-19 shots.

open image in gallery Their relationship has grown frosty as Trumps hardline crackdown on immigration continues ( AP )

However, as Trumps own popularity plunges, Rogan has claimed that he does not believe that the presidents administration has any evidence that Biden stole the election.

I dont think they have any evidence, Rogan said in August. I think theres a lot of speculation and theres a lot of consideration about mail-in ballots.

Theres a lot of shenanigans, Rogan added. Theres a good record of shenanigans and theres the reality of any kind of electronics can be hacked.
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Homeland Security Kristi Noem was met with a furious online response this week after she posted a video in which she wore a sombrero at a Mexican restaurant as wait staff sang her Happy Birthday in Spanish.

In the clip, posted on November 29, staff remove what appears to be a DHS cap from Noems head and put a sombrero on the Trump administration official instead. She claps and laughs and eventually says gracias to the staff.

While some of Noems followers on Facebook left birthday wishes and praise under the video, the secretarys post was met with anger in other corners of the internet, where commentators saw the gesture as insensitive and deliberately provocative, given Noems leadership of a department that has sent fear through Mexican-American and Spanish-speaking communities across the country with its military-style deportation raids.

TikTok user @edwins.rosary said the video was a reminder of why these are sad times to be Hispanic in America right now, and that Noem dislikes everything that has to do with that sombrero and the language they were singing happy birthday in.

You know damn well she is trying to send a message, he said in a response video. She is making fun of all the situations that are going on right now.

open image in gallery Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem prompted criticism online for wearing a sombrero during a recent birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant, where staff sung to her in Spanish ( Kristi Noem / Reddit )

She is mocking the people she has deported, X user Suzie Rizzio added. Why did this restaurant allow her in!

I wish they would all face the consequences of the atrocities they have all aided in committing but they wont bro, Reddit user Alert-Jellyfish wrote of the clip. This is America.

It's disgusting that the media is asserting Mexican Americans are criminals, the Department of Homeland Security told The Independent in a statement. Shameful.

Donald Trump and his allies have reserved special ire for Mexican immigrants in the U.S.

open image in gallery Immigration raids have caused fear in numerous Mexican-American communities around the country ( Getty Images )

Trump famously launched his 2016 presidential campaign with a speech saying many Mexican immigrants are rapists and murderers, and his signature first-term proposal was to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

During the second Trump administration, Homeland Security-affiliated agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection have sent masked agents into Spanish-speaking communities across the country to make deportation arrests.

Critics have accused the administration of using appearance, Spanish language, and certain occupations to carry out what amounts to racial and cultural profiling of Latinos, and numerous U.S. citizens have been swept up in the deportation push.

As The Independent has reported, many areas with large Latino populations have gone quiet or seen reduced business and social activity because residents fear being picked up by one of the administrations raids.

The administrations immigration agenda has also prompted fierce protests, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has dismissed those flying Mexican flags at demonstrations as left-wing radicals who support illegal alien invaders.
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Meghan McCain has hit out at Tucker Carlson after he failed to step in after one of his interviewees described her as fat and crazy.

Carlsons guest, provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, made the claims on Wednesdays episode of The Tucker Carlson Show.

During his appearance, Yiannopoulos also said that the late Senator John McCain bred the fat best friend, meaning Meghan McCain.

However, the former The View star tore into Yiannopoulos and Carlson on X, claiming that she is very fat but also very happy as she prepares to give birth to her third child.

I don't care how many times Tucker talks about being a Christian, that is not Christian behavior to engage in such a conversation on one of the largest podcasts in the world, she blasted. This kind of meanness to women and hypocrisy is a classic example of why the right has such a problem with women voters of my generation.

She also claimed that she does not make my living off of ugliness like that and described the comments as dark.

open image in gallery Meghan McCain slammed Tucker Carlson for allowing his interviewee to make fatphobic and homophobic claims ( Getty Images for SiriusXM )

Yiannopoulos, who has described himself as ex-gay, launched into his homophobic tirade against Meghan as part of a wider rant in which he criticized her father.

Is there anything gayer than John McCains like bloodlust? Yiannopoulos asked.

I mean, hes even got the fat friend; its his daughter, he added. He even bred the fat best friend.

He also used a homophobic slur to describe the former host of The View, whom he also claimed was every gay mans dream because she hates herself and cant dress.

open image in gallery Milo Yiannopoulos previously identified as being gay, but has since described himself as ex-gay ( Getty Images )

Meghan McCain has clashed with Carlson as recently as October, when she called him out on social media for swearing at an attendee at a Turning Point USA event.

She described Carlsons behavior as the polar opposite of how Kirk approached debating and described him swearing as beneath everyone.

However, Carlson is no stranger to controversy. On Wednesdays episode of his podcast, Yiannopoulos even repeated one of the former Fox presenters most infamous claims.

Yiannopoulos suggested that Pete Buttigieg made himself gay, referencing Carlson publicly expressing a wish to ask the Democratic politician very specific questions about gay sex.

open image in gallery Carlson did not shut down Yiannopoulos during his rant ( AFP via Getty Images )

Carlson claimed that he wanted to ask Buttigieg the questions in order to determine whether he was actually gay.

During his interview with Yiannopoulos, he joined in on the speculation by suggesting that his gay employees had claimed that Buttigieg was not really gay.

When asked about Carlsons conspiracy theory by Kara Swisher, Buttigieg joked that he had a morbid curiosity about what the former Fox presenter might ask, but confirmed such a conversation would not take place.

The Independent has contacted Tucker Carlson for further comment.
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A group of House Republicans is coming to the aid of Speaker Mike Johnson, throwing their unequivocal support behind him as other prominent members express frustrations with his leadership  and question the sustainability of his position.

Over the last few days, several House conservatives have released praiseworthy statements of the Louisiana Republican on social media and spoken highly of him to reporters.

Hes honest, hes caring, he truly is the man that he reports himself to be, Rep. Pat Fallon told the Wall Street Journal this week.

Speaker Mike Johnson has led our House majority with God-given courage, clarity, and remarkable patience, Illinois Rep. Mary Miller said in a statement Thursday.

The high praise appeared intended to counteract the negative press attention Johnson has received as hes found himself at the center of publicized battles with notable representatives, including outgoing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trump ally Rep. Elise Stefanik, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, and others.

open image in gallery Speaker Mike Johnson said hes asked members to express their frustrations privately, not on social media  though some still do ( AFP via Getty Images )

Greene, a former Trump loyalist, criticized Johnson during the government shutdown for not coming up with an affordable healthcare plan, then expressed disappointment when he refused to bring a vote to compel the Justice Department to release the Epstein files to the House floor.

The Georgia representative, who accused GOP leaders of marginalizing Republican women, reportedly blindsided Johnson when she announced her resignation come January.

But, Texas Rep. Beth Van Duyne told The Hill this week that she thought Johnson was doing a fantastic job.

I think hes shown leadership. I think hes shown an ability to be able to listen to people, to gather people, to be able to get massive legislation on the floor passed, Van Duyne said.

open image in gallery Marjorie Taylor Greene (right) said that Republican leadership has marginalized GOP women, after breaking from Johnsons leadership multiple times ( AFP via Getty Images )

Stefanik raged against Johnson this week after a provision she wanted to add to a bill was not included. She called Johnson a liar on social media and told the WSJ that he didnt have enough Republican support and would lose his position if a vote were held.

I believe that the majority of Republicans would vote for new leadership. Its that widespread, Stefanik said, calling Johnson a political novice.

Meanwhile, North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson told WSJ that Johnson has been a fantastic leader.

Everything Ive asked him to do, hes far exceeded, Hudson told the newspaper.

Luna, who is trying to file a discharge petition to force a vote on legislation that would ban Congress members from trading stock, said this week she was pissed at Johnson.

open image in gallery South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace has reportedly told people she is frustrated with Johnsons leadership, something she says she conveyed to Johnson privately ( Getty Images )

California Rep. Kevin Kiley has been an outspoken Johnson opponent, complaining about his handling of the government shutdown, state redistricting. He said this week, Republicans are frustrated with Johnsons lack of effectiveness.

I do think that theres a lot of frustration right now in the House with the effectiveness or lack thereof of this body in recent months, Kiley told Politico.

After a tumultuous week, Johnson told reporters Thursday hes asked members of his party to air their grievances privately.

Theyre going to get upset about things. Thats part of the process, Johnson said. It doesnt bother me. But when there is a conflict or concern, I always ask all members to come to me, dont go to social media.
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Republican lawmakers have blasted their former colleague, Marjorie Taylor Greene, for skipping every single vote in the House this week, after announcing her resignation from Congress last month.

Im disappointed that someone who runs for an office promises their constituents to serve them for two years doesnt want to serve them for two years. But thats, you know, thats her decision, Maryland Rep Andy Harris told The Hill.

Randy Fine, of Florida, was less kind with his words.Im glad shes leaving. Good riddance. I just wish shed get it over with, he told the outlet, adding that Greene had never cared about the cause or the conservative movement.

Greene announced her shocking decision to step down from Congress, where she had represented Georgias 14th district since 2021, on November 21, following months of clashes with the GOP, MAGA, and President Donald Trump himself. Disagreements included the release of the Epstein files and the administrations stance on the war in Gaza.

open image in gallery Greene announced her shocking decision to step down from congress on November, following months of clashes with the GOP, MAGA and president Donald Trump himself ( Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images )

She announced her resignation in a video message and a statement, declaring that she had too much self-respect and dignity to continue in the role and refused to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better.

Greenes final day in Congress is scheduled for January 5, though she has missed every vote this week.

Greene also previously said she would not endorse any candidate in the Georgia special election to select her replacement, angering some in her party further.

Fine, who has clashed with Greene over issues including the bombing of Gaza by Israel, said it was clear by her actions that Greene just cares about herself.

If you dont want to be here, then resign. I would like that, but to say youre going to resign, but then not do it and keep from being able to call that special election to fill the seat. Its the kind of selfish behavior that weve grown accustomed to, he said.

Another GOP lawmaker added that showing up to vote was the responsibility of all elected officials.

open image in gallery Trump has called Green a 'ranting lunatic' on social media after her public criticism of his foreign policy and demands to release Epstein files and blasted her as a traitor following news of her resignation ( AFP via Getty Images )

[It] appears as though Marjorie is not interested in taking care of that responsibility any longer. Thats unfortunate, the lawmaker told The Hill, adding, Every members got to make their own decisions.

I found that me being frustrated with somebodys behavior doesnt actually improve the state of play here in Washington. So, no, Im not very quick to frustration, but certainly Im disappointed.

Greenes resignation drew a mixed reaction from her Republican colleagues and those she had previously considered allies.

Trump reacted with glee to the news, once again calling Greene a traitor and claiming she was quitting because he wouldnt return her calls.

In a lengthy Truth Social post the morning after her announcement, the president called her Marjorie Traitor Brown, referencing a previous post in which he said he was changing her surname because Green grass turns Brown when it begins to ROT!.
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A House Democrat has pledged to file two articles of impeachment against Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over his actions against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific and his part in the Signalgate scandal.

In a video posted to social media, Michigan Democrat Shri Thanedar explained: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is uniquely unqualified for his role. Every day, it becomes clearer he is engaging in unlawful, illegal activity.

Thanedar said the first would be for murder and conspiracy to murder over the deadly strikes on alleged narco-boats and the second for the reckless and unlawful mishandling of classified information, referring to Hegseth discussing plans for an airstrike on Houthi rebels in Yemen earlier this year in a group chat on the messaging app Signal.

open image in gallery Michigan Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar has said he will file two articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ( AP )

The congressman went on to lay out his case against the secretary and concluded: I love the United States of America and will always fight to uphold our Constitution. Pete Hegseth must be brought to justice.

Thanedar also appeared on Fox News Thursday night to explain his move, telling host Josh Breslow: This secretary has to go. Hes incompetent. Hes, you know, violated  he has committed war crimes. He must go.

And if both parties, if Republicans are willing to look at this for the merit of this case and not just their loyalty to President [Donald] Trump, this can be done.

He cited the House and Senate coming together in near-unanimous agreement to compel the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files last month as an example of what can be accomplished in the spirit of bipartisan co-operation.

If Republicans are willing to look at this for the merit of this case and not just their loyalty to President Trump, this can be done, he said.

open image in gallery Hegseth defends himself at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday ( AP )

Republicans need to look at this as laws that have been broken. War crimes have been committed. And Hegseth  the secretary is refusing to show up.

Thanedar previously filed articles of impeachment against Trump himself in May and was attacked Thursday by Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson, who called his impeachment push another charade in an attempt to distract the American people from the major successes we have had at the Department of Defense, also known as the Department of War.

While Shri tries to win points with his base to fend off his political opponents, Secretary Hegseth will continue to protect the homeland, she added.

The Democrats announcement came on the same day that U.S. Southern Command reported its latest strike on an alleged drug boat in the Pacific, which, it said, killed four people, taking the total number of fatalities from the operation to at least 86.

That came just hours after Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, the Navy SEAL officer who leads U.S. Special Operations Command, had appeared on Capitol Hill to show footage to members of the House and Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees of the first of the known lethal strikes, conducted on September 2.

open image in gallery U.S. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley enters a meeting with senators on Capitol Hill on Thursday ( AP )

Admiral Bradley had been summoned to answer questions after it was alleged that Hegseth had ordered a second missile strike to kill everybody when two survivors were spotted clinging to flotsam in the ocean following the initial blast.

Connecticut Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, emerged from the session aghast, telling reporters the video was one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service.

Hegseth has insisted the decision was taken amid the fog of war and insisted that the admiral had acted within his authority and the law, only to have to counter allegations he was ducking responsibility himself.

The Signalgate affair, which erupted in March and led to the ousting of Trumps national security adviser Mike Waltz, has also come back to bite Hegseth this week.

The Pentagons Office of Inspector General published a report on Wednesday concluding that the secretary had put the lives of U.S. pilots at risk when he discussed the planned actions against the Houthis and had violated departmental policy by using the commercially available encrypted messaging app rather than internal channels of communication.

The error of judgement was compounded by the accidental inclusion of The Atlantics editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg in the group, who duly published a story under the headline The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans and created the first major scandal of the presidents second term.
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The Supreme Court will let Texas use a new congressional map in next years crucial midterm elections that could determine the balance of power in Congress.

A redistricting war among states to maximize Republican victories in a Donald Trump-backed campaign to maintain control of Congress got a significant boost from the nations highest court Thursday, with the courts conservative majority agreeing to temporarily block a lower-court order that found the map unlawful.

The map will remain in play while a legal challenge continues.

The courts three liberal justices dissented.

In August, Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved a map drawn up by Texas Republicans that is expected to add up to five GOP seats in the House of Representatives, a move that sparked a gerrymandering arms race and legal battles among Republicans and Democrats across the country to reshape their states political boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections.

open image in gallery Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved a new congressional map for his state backed by Donald Trump in an effort to gain more GOP seats in Congress ( AP )

Two federal judges blocked the state from using the map, arguing that there was sufficient evidence that state lawmakers had effectively racially gerrymandered the political boundaries for each congressional district.

Texas District Judge Jeffrey Brown, a Trump appointee, ordered the state to return to its 2021 map.

The state turned to the Supreme Court in an attempt to overturn Browns ruling, a challenge that is expected to return to the justices in the coming months as Texas and other states begin to carve out new maps in time for 2026 elections  a deadline that is fast approaching for many states.

With the new map, Republican candidates in Texas are expected to gain control of 30 of the states 38 congressional districts, up from the 25 that are currently held by GOP House members under the 2021 map.

Liberal Justice Elena Kagan rebuked the courts majority in her dissent, which was joined by liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, warning that the court has delivered a ruling with serious consequences that run afoul of longstanding precedent and the Constitution.

The conservative majority disrespects the work of the lower-court judge that did everything one could ask to carry out its charge  that put aside every consideration except getting the issue before it right, Kagan wrote.

The order is a disservice to the millions of Texans whom the District Court found were assigned to their new districts based on their race, she added.

Because this Courts precedents and our Constitution demand better, I respectfully dissent, Kagan wrote.

open image in gallery The Trump-led redistricting effort has sparked a war among states to rapidly redraw their congressional boundaries in time for 2026 midterm elections, when voters will determine the balance of political power in Congress ( Getty Images )

The majority today loses sight of its proper role. It is supposed to review the District Courts factfinding only for clear error, she wrote. The majority can reach the result it does  overturning the District Courts finding of racial line-drawing, even if to achieve partisan goals  only by arrogating to itself that courts rightful function. We know better, the majority declares today. I cannot think of a reason why.

The courts decision to block the lower-court order effectively guarantees that the new map will be in play for next years election, ensuring that many Texas citizens, for no good reason, will be placed in electoral districts because of their race, Kagan wrote.

Conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote a concurring opinion to push back against Kagans dissent, arguing that the plaintiffs in the case failed to show that race  not partisanship  was the motivating factor to redesign the states map.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defended the map, called the order a massive win.

"This map reflects the political climate of our state and is a massive win for Texas and every conservative who is tired of watching the left try to upend the political system with bogus lawsuits," he said in a statement.

Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said the order marks a sad day for our democracy.

The right-wing Supreme Court just greenlit Republicans schemes to gerrymander their way into power in Congress, she said in a statement. We know Texas was just the beginning of Republicans schemes, as Trump continues to dangerously pressure more state Republicans to fall in line ahead of 2026.

In July, the president commanded Texas Republicans to do a simple redrawing of the states congressional maps. Abbott then summoned state lawmakers to the state capitol in Austin for an emergency session to do just that.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders are laying the groundwork to redraw their states maps in the hopes of sending more Democrats to Congress. Voters last month approved plans for a new map in the Golden State that would neutralize Republican gains in Texas.
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President Donald Trump replaced the original architect tapped to oversee his $300 million ballroom due to the massive size of the presidents project, according to a report.

James McCrery II and his boutique firm had been working on the 90,000-square-foot project for three months until October, the Washington Post reported. McCrery and Trump had clashed over the presidents interest in expanding the ballrooms size, but a combination of McCrerys small team and its struggles to make deadlines ultimately led to the firms departure, the paper reported.

Its not immediately clear whether the architect left voluntarily, but the two men remain on good terms, a source told the Post.

Trump chose Shalom Baranes to take on the project instead. Baranes firm has been responsible for numerous major federal projects, including the main Treasury building and the General Services Administration headquarters.

As we begin to transition into the next stage of development on the White House Ballroom, the Administration is excited to share that the highly talented Shalom Baranes has joined the team of experts to carry out President Trumps vision on building what will be the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office  the White House Ballroom, White House spokesman Davis Ingle told The Independent.

open image in gallery Donald Trump replaced the original architect leading his $300 million ballroom project after concerns about the small firms ability to tackle the 90,000-square-foot space ( Getty Images )

Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nations capital for decades and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project.

McCrery remains on the project in a consulting role as the project moves into the next phase, the White House confirmed. The Independent has asked McCrerys firm for more information.

Will Scharf, Trumps staff secretary and chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, said at a meeting Thursday that the White House will submit plans for a new ballroom later this month.

Once plans are submitted, thats really when the role of this commission, and its professional staff, will begin, Scharf said.

open image in gallery This interior rendering provided by the White House shows what the new White House ballroom will look like when completed ( The White House )

open image in gallery After the East Wing of the White House was demolished in preparation for the new ballroom construction earlier this year, a Senate Democrat introduced legislation to put guardrails on the White Houses demolition process ( Getty Images )

The White House said in October that it didnt submit plans to the commission to tear down the East Wing earlier this year because the panel only oversees construction projects, not demolitions.

Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal introduced legislation Thursday that would put restrictions on the White Houses construction and demolition processes. The No Palaces Act would require the White House to require approval from the commission for demolitions and allow Congress to disapprove of proposed changes to the historic building.

President Trump took a wrecking ball to the White Housedemolishing the iconic East Wing to make way for his monstrous, multi-million-dollar ballroom, Blumenthal said in a statement. The guardrails in this measure will ensure future presidents cannot remake the Peoples House into their personal palace.

The ballroom will be entirely privately funded by wealthy donors and companies, the White House has emphasized. The list of donors includes Big Tech giants Amazon, Apple, and Google, crypto businesses Coinbase and Ripple, and the family of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, among others.

Last month, Democrats introduced another bill aiming to impose donation restrictions for the ballroom project. The legislation would ban donations from individuals with conflicts of interest, prevent the president and vice president from contributing and mandate real names to be used when making donations, among other requirements.
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President Donald Trump is fast losing support among 18 to 29-year-olds, a key demographic that helped drive his return to the White House in 2024, with his favorability now in freefall from +10 in February to -46 now, according to CNNs chief data analyst.

Appearing on OutFront with Erin Burnett on Thursday evening, commentator Harry Enten presented the latest findings from CBS News and YouGov and said: This type of drop happening so quickly  you just dont see drops like that. Its stunning! I think the word of the day, to borrow a phrase from the current president  yuge, yuge.

He pointed out that just 31 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted for Trump against Joe Biden in 2020, according to CNN exit polls, but, in 2024, the Republican nominee won 43 percent of the same demographic, helping him beat Kamala Harris with ease.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump appears to be hemorrhaging support from younger voters, according to the latest polling ( PA )

There was more of a jump in his support among Generation Z than any other generation. They were key for him, Enten said.

In the immediate aftermath of the presidents astonishing comeback victory last year, much of the credit was given to his youngest son, Barron Trump, for steering him towards guest spots on right-wing podcasts like those hosted by Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Logan Paul and others to secure the votes of the disaffected young men making up the manosphere.

However, Rogan, for one, appears to have become increasingly critical of Trump of late and has called his crackdown on undocumented migrants f***ing nuts and, most recently, ridiculed him for texting like a 79-year-old kid.

The comedian has also walked away from the man he endorseds ongoing insistence that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him by an elaborate conspiracy to hack voting machines and destroy ballots.

I dont think they have any evidence, Rogan said in August. I think theres a lot of speculation and theres a lot of consideration about mail-in ballots. Theres a lot of shenanigans. Theres a good record of shenanigans and theres the reality of any kind of electronics can be hacked.

open image in gallery Podcaster Joe Rogan endorsed Trump in 2024 but has since taken to mocking him and questioning his agenda ( The Joe Rogan Experience )

Another recent CBS News/YouGov poll from late November offered plenty of clues as to why young people might be feeling disillusioned at the close of Trumps first year back in office.

That survey revealed widespread disapproval of his administrations aggressions towards Venezuela, concern about the inflated cost of groceries, anxiety about the presidents mass deportation program and a desire for more disclosures about Jeffrey Epstein, with respondents expressing distrust of Trumps rhetoric on all four subjects.

November, meanwhile, saw the youthful democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani win the New York City mayoral race at a canter by running an inspirational campaign on an affordability agenda that caught the imagination of younger voters.

Enten noted that data from another pollster, Gallup, had recently revealed that 49 percent of people aged 18-34 now hold a favorable opinion of socialism, compared to 43 percent who still feel warmly about capitalism.

Yet another recent poll, this time from McLaughlin and Associates, looked ahead to the question of Trumps successor and found that while Vice President JD Vance was way out in front, his August lead of 20 points had been reduced to 18 by Donald Trump Jr.

The presidents eldest son remains a popular figure among his MAGA base. He has so far not been tainted by association with the world of Washington politics, so he could be nicely poised to run in his fathers stead in 2028, should he choose to do so.
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Vanity Fair and Olivia Nuzzi announced Friday that they have agreed to go their separate ways following a flood of new revelations about her romantic relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including allegations of journalistic ethics breaches.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report on the breakup between the magazine and Nuzzi.

Nuzzi, who signed a short-term contract with Vanity Fair earlier this year to be its West Coast editor, released a statement alongside the magazine on Friday declaring that they had mutually agreed, in the best interest of the magazine, to let her contract expire at the end of the year.

During her time as New York magazines Washington correspondent, Nuzzi wrote a profile of Kennedy and then began a predominantly online affair with the now-Health and Human Services secretary. After that relationship was exposed in late 2024, New York dumped her following an investigation into her work for the publication.

Nuzzi, meanwhile, stormed back into the public limelight last month with a glitzy New York Times profile announcing her new book, American Canto. The memoir, which she said she wrote while on a self-imposed exile in Malibu, detailed her affair with Kennedy  whom she just named The Politician throughout the book.

open image in gallery Olivia Nuzzi will no longer be Vanity Fair's West Coast editor following a series of new allegations about her relationship with RFK Jr. ( Getty Images )

However, following that profile and the publication of a book excerpt in Vanity Fair, Nuzzis ex-fiance, Ryan Lizza, published a series of scorching Substack posts accusing Nuzzi of having romantic affairs with other well-known politicians and of acting as a political operative for Kennedy during his 2024 independent presidential run.

Nearly a year after she departed New York magazine amid the scandal over the Kennedy affair, Nuzzi was brought on by new Vanity Fair chief editor Mark Guiducci to be the magazines so-called West Coast editor. At the time she was hired, the outlet said she would focus on events, industries and culture of the Pacific region, as well as writing for the magazine.

In his Substack series, Lizza  a former chief Washington correspondent for Politico  claimed that while they were together, Nuzzi cheated on him with one-time presidential candidate Mark Sanford years before her affair with Kennedy. He also went on to allege that while she was working for New York, Nuzzi served as a media relations consultant for Kennedy and helped him get ahead and damaging stories.

Nuzzi, for her part, has lashed out at her scorned ex and accused Lizza of publishing harmful revenge porn in recent weeks. Telling the truth is not harassment, Lizza told The Independent.

American Canto, which was published on Tuesday, has been absolutely skewered by book critics and sales have been extremely disappointing, if not outright embarrassing. (As of publication, her memoir was languishing at #6,049 on the Amazon hardcover best sellers list.)

You shouldnt write a memoir unless you are willing to make yourself look foolish and pathetic. Nuzzi breaks this cardinal rule, flattering herself by admitting to only the chicest kinds of disintegration, the Washington Posts Becca Rothfeld wrote in her review.

Amid her media blitz to promote the book, which included an uncomfortable podcast interview with The Bulwarks Tim Miller, it was reported that Nuzzis job with Vanity Fair was in jeopardy and that executives were likely to just let her temporary contract expire.
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Vladimir Putin is risking a fresh row with Donald Trump after saying Moscow is prepared to provide uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India, after talks in Delhi with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Putin signed an agreement to deepen the economic ties between the allies as Moscow looks to strengthen an embattled wartime economy, with the two leaders afterwards saying their ties were resilient to external pressure.

It is the latest evidence of the Indian prime minister looking to position himself closer to Russia, despite pressure from the US. Describing India's enduring partnership with Russia as "a guiding star", Modi said: "Based on mutual respect and deep trust, these relations have always stood the test of time."

The 23rd Russia-India Summit came amid significant pressure from Washington on new Delhi to scale down its decades-old economic partnership with Russia, as the Trump administration looks to use economic pressure to push Moscow into agreeing a peace deal with Ukraine.

open image in gallery Modi said India is not neutral on the war in Ukraine ( REUTERS )

The US hit India with a 25 per cent tariff over purchases of Russian energy as it tries to put pressure on Moscow to end its war.

However, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov nonetheless assured that Russia and the United States were continuing to make progress in peace talks, which were revived in mid-November when US officials proposed a 28-point deal to end the war, which had been agreed with Moscow. Kyiv rejected the deal, which was widely viewed as a capitulation for Ukraine.

Putin was received at an airport in New Delhi on Thursday, where he was greeted by Modi with a bear hug and a tight handshake, ahead of crunch talks to finalise an economic cooperation programme to last until 2030.

The programme will diversify mutual business between the two countries, boosting annual trade to $100 billion within the next five years while continuing to strengthen their energy ties.

Critics warned that Putin's visit could strain relations with the West and could jeopardize negotiations for major trade agreements. In August, Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, citing New Delhis position as the second biggest importer of Russian crude after China.

open image in gallery It was the 23rd Russia-India summit ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

Purchases of Russian oil, Washington says, help finance Moscow's war machine. In October, the US sanctioned two of Moscow's biggest oil producers to force countries like India to cut down on imports. Indian officials have said New Delhi has always abided by international sanctions and would do so in the case of Russia oil purchases.

India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that the recent sanctions imposed on Russian oil were discussed.

Elsewhere, it has emerged that an Irish navy ship spotted up to five drones operating near the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's aircraft as he arrived for a state visit to Ireland on Monday, local media reported.

The sighting triggered a major security alert amid fears it was an attempt to interfere with the flight path, The Irish Times reported. It quoted unnamed sources as saying the aircraft, which arrived slightly early, was not in any danger.

The Ukrainian delegation arrived late on Monday and departed late the next day as part of a trip to help drum up support in Europe as Kyiv faces their fourth winter of war.
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Russian drone strikes have killed a 12-year-old boy in central Ukraine, officials confirmed, while long-range Ukrainian attacks reportedly targeted a Russian port and oil refinery. These escalating hostilities coincide with discreet US peace efforts.

Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, were scheduled to meet a Ukrainian delegation in Miami on Thursday; confirmation is pending. These talks follow earlier discussions between the US envoys and President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.

The latest diplomatic push comes after nearly four years of unabated conflict, previous attempts to break the deadlock proving fruitless. Officials have largely kept details of the current talks under wraps, despite Mr. Trumps initial 28-point plan being leaked.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his countrys delegation in Miami wanted to hear from the U.S. side about the talks at the Kremlin.

Zelenskyy, as well as European leaders backing him, have repeatedly accused Putin of stalling in peace talks while the Russian army tries to press forward with its invasion.

Zelenskyy said in a video address late Thursday that officials wanted to know what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine.

open image in gallery Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint news conference with Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dan Bashakov) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Meanwhile, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who accompanied Putin on a visit to India on Friday, repeated the Russian leaders recent criticism of Europe's stance on the peace talks. Kyiv's European allies are concerned about possible Russian aggression beyond Ukraine and want a prospective peace deal to include strong security guarantees.

Kyivs allies in Europe are constantly putting forward demands that are unacceptable to Moscow, Ushakov told Russias state-owned Zvezda TV. Putting it mildly, the Europeans dont help Washington and Moscow reach a settlement on the Ukrainian issues.

In Ukraines central Dnipropetrovsk region, a Russian drone attack Thursday night destroyed a house where the boy was killed and two women were injured, according to the head of the regional military administration, Vladyslav Haivanenko.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 137 drones of various types during the night.

Ukrainian drones attacked a port in Russias Krasnodar region on the border with Ukraine. The attack sparked a fire at the Temryuk sea port and damaged port infrastructure, officials said.

Ukrainian drones also aimed deeper inside Russia, attacking the city of Syzran on the Volga river, Mayor Sergei Volodchenkov said without providing more details.

Unconfirmed media reports said Ukrainian drones hit an oil refinery in Syzran, about 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of the border with Ukraine.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and the illegally annexed Crimea overnight.
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French authorities have launched an investigation into an unauthorised drone overflight of the nation's nuclear-armed submarine base on the Atlantic coast.

The incident, confirmed by officials on Friday, involved multiple drones detected on Thursday night above the highly sensitive Ile Longue base in Brittany, western France.

This strategic facility serves as the home port for France's four nuclear ballistic missile submarines: Le Triomphant, Le Temeraire, Le Vigilant, and Le Terrible.

While French media reported several aerial intruders, military authorities have refrained from disclosing their exact number or type.

Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed that personnel at the base successfully intercepted the overflight.

However, she did not specify whether this involved firing shots, electronic jamming, or other countermeasures. The identity of those responsible for the incursion remains unclear.

Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed that personnel at the base successfully intercepted the overflight ( Associated Press )

Ms Vautrin stated: "Any overflight of a military site is prohibited in our country. I want to commend the interception carried out by our military personnel at the Ile Longue base."

A number of European Union member countries have reported mysterious drone flights in their airspace in recent months. Some led to airport shutdowns, disrupting commercial flights. Others have been detected near or over military facilities.

Russia has been blamed for a number of airspace violations, notably in Estonia and Poland.

Drone warfare exploded following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has bombarded Ukraine with drone and missile attacks, striking railways, power facilities and cities across the country. Ukraine, in response, has launched daring strikes deep inside Russia using domestically produced drones.

But Europe as a whole is now on high alert after the drone flyovers into Natos airspace. Many European leaders have agreed to develop a drone wall along their borders to better detect, track and intercept drones violating Europes airspace.

In November, Nato military officials said a new US anti-drone system was deployed to the alliances eastern flank.
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Europe has floated an unprecedented use of frozen Russian assets to raise some 80bn for Ukraine to cover its struggling military and put pressure on Putin to end the war.

The EU has been locked in talks for months about how to harness assets frozen in Europe. But caution continues to hold up delivery at a crucial time in diplomacy.

Belgium, which holds the majority of the assets, fears it could have to pay back everything on its own if Russia successfully challenges the plan. Its backing will depend on the EU sharing out responsibility.

Russia has already vowed to strike back with the harshest reaction against any illegal action by the EU around its frozen assets. It said on Thursday that it was already preparing a response.

On Thursday, Russias former president Dmitry Medvedev launched into a tirade on social media, saying stealing frozen assets could be seen as a justification for war.

He wrote on X: If the crazy EU does steal frozen Russian assets for a reparations loan, we may view it as a casus belli with all the relevant implications for Brussels & Co. Then, these funds may have to be returned, not in court but as real reparations paid in kind by Russias fallen foes.

Kyivs European backers will be hoping to solidify an agreement at a summit later this month as Russia and Ukraine continue to work through peace terms.

open image in gallery Rescuers work at the site of a destroyed building in Sloviansk, Ukraine ( Reuters )

How would the plan work?

As it stands, the European Commission is looking to find 90bn ($105bn) for Ukraine through frozen assets or international borrowing.

The money would support military costs and help cover basic services crippled by nearly four years of conflict.

Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission president, estimated the loan would cover two-thirds of Ukraines funding needs for the next two years. Other partners could cover the rest, she said.

Britain also holds about 25bn of frozen Russian assets and is looking to coordinate with EU states to tap the assets. Some 290bn (250bn) were frozen in the West after Russias full-scale invasion.

open image in gallery A mother cries at the coffin of her son Oleh Borovyk, who was killed by Russian forces near Pokrovsk ( AP )

Could Belgium scupper the deal?

Leaders had aimed to agree on a reparations loan for Ukraine by October  but hopes were dashed by opposition from Belgium.

Belgium holds most of the assets Europe wants to harness. Euroclear, a central securities depository in Brussels, holds around 160bn. The main issue is that its government is wary that a successful legal challenge could leave the country having to repay the entire amount on its own.

It would mean bankruptcy for Belgium, foreign minister Maxime Prevot has explained.

As such, Belgium would want guarantees from its EU partners that they would share responsibility in the event of any challenge against the state or Euroclear. Otherwise, they suggest the EU borrow the amounts needed on the markets.

Europe needs to move faster. For months, Kyivs backers have deliberated over how to employ frozen assets. As they talk, Russia continues to cut deeper into Ukraine, weakening Zelenskys negotiating position.

open image in gallery Belgiums Bart de Wever warns the plan risks burdening his country with huge debt ( AP )

Europe could share responsibility

Germanys Friedrich Merz on Thursday came out in favour of equally dividing up responsibility in order to move forwards with the plan. Belgium could not reasonably rely solely on political promises and deserves legally binding assurance, he said.

De Wever said he hoped to have a fruitful discussion with Mr Merz on Friday, but would not be pushed into backing a plan.

I can still determine my own position, even if there are large, strong neighbours whom I like very much and greatly respect politically, who might ask me [to do] something differently. I have only one responsibility: that is the interests of the Belgian taxpayers.

The European Commission hopes to find agreement between members by 18 December. In the meantime, Russia will be trying to unsettle Europes nerves.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday: Any illegal actions involving our assets will not go unanswered... Preparations for a package of countermeasures in the event of actual theft and seizure of Russian Federation assets are already underway.
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Four European nations  Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain  have announced their withdrawal from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following the confirmation of Israels participation.

Slovenian broadcaster RTV stated its decision was made "on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza," while Irelands national broadcaster RTE deemed participation "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza."

These developments follow a series of events over the past two competitions.

2024 Eurovision Song Contest

Israels participation in the 2024 competition, held in Malmo, Sweden, in May, attracted criticism in the wake of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza.

UK entry Olly Alexander and Irelands Bambie Thug, along with other Eurovision artists, released a joint statement ahead of the competition backing an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza but refused to boycott the event.

During the week-long competition, pro-Palestinian protesters showed their support for Gaza and condemned Israels participation, while Israeli contestant Eden Golans performances were met with a mixture of boos and cheers.

Golans emotional song Hurricane was reworked from a previous track called October Rain, which was thought to reference the Hamas attacks on Israel that sparked the conflict.

People attend a pro-Palestine mini-concert outside the RTE in Dublin, calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest ( PA Wire )

Ahead of Golans performance in the semi-final, Swedish police estimated between 10,000 to 12,000 pro-Palestinian people, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg marched through the city of Malmo.

During the demonstrations, smoke canisters in the colours of the Palestinian flag were set off and protesters, some of whom had dogs, young children and bicycles with them, were carrying signs displaying images of Gaza civilians who have been injured amid the Hamas-Israel conflict.

The national broadcaster for Israel claimed its delegation faced an unprecedented display of hatred from other countries and their entrants during the contest.

 May 15, 2025

Israels entry for 2025 Yuval Raphael is disrupted during her rehearsal for the second semi-final by six people with oversized flags and whistles.

 May 18, 2025

Austrias JJ won the 2025 contest with the emotional song Wasted Love while Raphael finished as runner-up.

Raphael, who is an October 7 survivor, was left shaken and upset after pro-Palestinian protesters rushed towards a barrier when she was on stage, her team said.

During the incident, a crew member was hit with paint after two pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to disrupt Raphael as she sang her entry New Day Will Rise.

Meanwhile, about 800 pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated against Israels inclusion near a free concert in the centre of Basel on the day of the final, while a small group nearby protested with Israeli flags.

The group advocating for Israel to be removed from the singing competition later moved across Basel towards the Eurovision Village, where they were met by a significant police presence and tear gas was used.

 September 2025

Ireland announced it will not take part in the 2026 contest if Israel participates.

Irish broadcaster RTE said a final decision on participation would be made when the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) makes its decision and added that Irelands participation would be unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza.

Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia also threatened to withdraw unless Israel was excluded over the war in Gaza.

 December 4, 2025

Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia announced they will boycott the 2026 singing competition, after the general assembly met in Geneva on Thursday to discuss the future of the competition.

The 2026 contest will be held in Vienna.
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German lawmakers have given their approval to a government initiative aimed at significantly increasing military recruitment, as the nation seeks to bolster its armed forces amidst escalating concerns regarding the threat posed by Russia.

All 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.

Central to the proposal are mandatory medical examinations for young men.

Crucially, the plan stops short of a full reintroduction of conscription, though it explicitly retains the option for compulsory service for a limited number of individuals should circumstances necessitate it.

The Bundestag, Germanys lower house of parliament, formally endorsed the measure with 323 votes in favour, 272 against, and one abstention.

This approved version is a refined iteration of a strategy initially put forward by Chancellor Friedrich Merzs Cabinet in August.

The move comes as Germany commits billions of euros to modernising its military equipment, following a period of considerable neglect. The government is now actively focusing its efforts on encouraging more citizens to join the ranks.

open image in gallery Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told lawmakers that our allies are looking at Germany and argued that the country has become a pacesetter for defense in Europe ( AP )

Germany is not alone in its endeavour to strengthen its defence capabilities.

Last week, France unveiled a new programme designed to train thousands of 18 and 19-year-old volunteers, set to commence next year. Similarly, Belgium and Poland are also developing plans to attract more individuals into military training or service.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told lawmakers that our allies are looking at Germany and argued that the country has become a pacesetter for defense in Europe. He said that, with the new legislation, we are taking a further decisive step for our defense capability.

Germany suspended conscription for men in 2011 and has subsequently struggled to attract large numbers of short-term volunteers.

In recent years, the number of military personnel has hovered just above 180,000  compared with 300,000 people in 2001, more than a third of whom were conscripts.

Now the government wants to raise the figure to 260,000 over the next decade. It says it will also need around 200,000 reservists, more than double the current figure.

open image in gallery Germany has voted to bring back voluntary military service ( AP )

The plan approved Friday foresees more attractive pay and conditions for people who join up on a short-term basis, better training and more flexibility on how long people can serve, starting from a minimum of six months.

The aim is to draw enough recruits without reviving compulsory service, an idea unpopular with the center-left junior partner in Merzs coalition.

But the plan leaves the door open for parliament to introduce mandatory service at least for a limited number of people, possibly selected at random, particularly if the defense policy situation or the personnel situation of the armed forces make this necessary. Many in Merzs conservative bloc think that conscription will ultimately be needed.

From January 2027, the Defense Ministry will be required to report to parliament every six months on recruitment figures.

The legislation sets annual target ranges over the next 10 years for the size of the military and its reserves, but there is no automatic trigger for any move toward compulsory recruitment.

Starting in the new year, questionnaires will be sent to young men and women turning 18 about their willingness and ability to serve, which men will be required to answer.

open image in gallery This approved version is a refined iteration of a strategy initially put forward by Chancellor Friedrich Merzs Cabinet in August ( AP )

That will be expanded into a requirement for young men to undergo medical examinations, though not to sign up for the military. The German military, the Bundeswehr, will need to build up the capacity to process some 300,000 men per year.

Desiree Becker, a lawmaker with the opposition Left Party, called on young people to strike against the reintroduction of conscription and inform themselves about conscientious objection.

Pistorius said demonstrations against the plan were welcome. But he insisted that more young people are prepared to take responsibility than some opponents say, and they are aware that no one is forcing us to do anything, other than to fill out a questionnaire ... and a medical that hurts no one.

This military service is voluntary and will remain so if everything goes as well as we expect, he said. But yes ... if it isnt enough, and if the threat situation continues to develop the same way or worse, we wont be able to avoid a partial compulsory service to protect this country.

Ten European Union countries have compulsory military service: Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.
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Pope Leo has dissolved a high-level Catholic commission, established by his predecessor Francis to encourage Vatican donations, rolling back one of the late pontiffs final decisions.

The "Commission on Donations for the Holy See" was instituted by Francis in February, during his final illness, to help stem a widening gap in the Vatican's finances.

Comprising five Italian Church officials, the group aimed to encourage contributions from lay Catholics and other benefactors, though some insiders questioned their fundraising expertise.

Leos decree, dated 29 September and released on Thursday, offered no specific reasons for the dissolution.

The Pope directed that all collected funds be given to the Vatican's general accounting office, saying that a new work group would consider a future fundraising commission.

The Vatican reported its first budget surplus in November after years of deficits that had long-frustrated Church leaders.

Francis, who died in April, had long struggled to get the Vatican's budget under control

Francis, who died in April, had long struggled to get the Vatican's budget under control.

He was battling firm resistance from his own cardinals in his last months as he sought to plug the gap in the Vatican's finances, and slashed cardinals' salaries three times between 2021 and 2024.

Adding to the budget concerns are growing liabilities within the Vatican's pension fund, which were estimated to total some 631 million by the Vatican's finance czar in a 2022 media interview.

There has been no official update to this figure, but several insiders said that they believe it has ballooned.

"The budget problems are going to force the Vatican to do a lot of things it doesn't want to do," Rev. Tom Reese, a Jesuit priest and commentator who has written about the Vatican's finances, previously said.

The Vatican may have to limit its charitable works or downsize its diplomatic presence at embassies across the world, he said.

"The footprint of the pope could be severely reduced," said Reese. "If you can't pay your bills, you can't do much."

The Vatican suffered a substantial loss of tourist income during the Covid pandemic. In October 2024, the pope also said there would have to be cuts to the at-least 40 million budget for the Vatican's extensive multi-language media operations.
Its official. Europe is decaying and run by a cabal of weak leaders, according to a blistering attack by Donald Trump.

The reason for this is simple: Europes disastrous policy on immigration means the people coming in have a totally different ideology which is fatally weakening the continent.

His outburst follows a new US international policy stance which argues that Europe faces civilization erasure and is already indulging in the censorship of free speech and the suppression of opposition.

These are not the latest social media post from a crank in the White House. This is the assessment of its finest minds who have just produced the 2025 National Security Strategy. This is the written version of how all in the White House must see the world and the means by which they intend to get the rest of us to view the planet.

Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades at the latest, certain Nato members will become majority non-European, it says.

This is rubbish. There is no mainstream population analysis that shows that any European nation will ever become a majority non-European.

The Trump administration is getting its demographic guidance on Europe from the so-called Great Replacement Theory  a term coined by French conspiracy theorist Renaud Camus, in which he argues that a global elite is colluding against the white population of Europe to replace them with non-European peoples.

It has a powerful following among far-right groups, QAnon fanatics and Maga supporters. And now it is the official long-term view of America itself. A view that underpins the US relationship with the West and the Anglosphere from now on.

open image in gallery Donald Trump gestures at the Institute of Peace in Washington DC ( Reuters )

So concerned is the US that it is going to lean in and force a change of direction on Europe by supporting groups which align closely with American policies and undermining those which do not.

We will oppose elite-driven, anti-democratic restrictions on core liberties in Europe, the Anglosphere, and the rest of the democratic world, especially among our allies, the document says.

The Trump administration is fighting Europes Digital Services Act, which requires internet companies, mostly US-based like Meta, Apple and Google, to moderate content, remove illegal or harmful content, and regulate disinformation.

The White House has made allegations of censorship against European countries for their efforts to regulate companies that generate huge profits but are anxious that new regulations would be costly to police for them.

Vice-president JD Vance is likely to have held the pen in creating the new doctrine from the White House. Its contents closely reflect his startling attacks on Nato and European democracy at his first trip in office to the continent in February. He also threw his weight behind far-right groups and parties then.

America encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this revival of spirit, and the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism, the new document says.

The other influence on the document is likely to have been Vladimir Putin.

His regime has become a beacon to many on the far right and Christian evangelicals who support Trump. His unashamed claims to represent traditional white Christian values are catnip to conspiracy fans of the Great Replacement Theory.

Trump has backed Russia at every stage since returning to office. He has set his face against Europes support for Kyiv and for arguments that show Ukraine can eject Russian forces if it gets the support it needs.

open image in gallery Trump shakes hands with Russian president Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine in Anchorage, Alaska, in August ( Reuters )

Trump has cut all aid except for intelligence support to Ukraine while demanding enormous 50 per cent shares in future profits for the US and American companies in any future Ukrainian peace deal.

Key to Putins long-term strategy is to undermine Western diplomatic alliances and cohesion. Brexit was a major step in that direction  so was the re-election of Trump.

He, like Trump, seeks to amplify disinformation and doubt in Western civil society by claiming that governments, like Volodymyr Zelenskys administration in Ukraine, are illegitimate and undemocratic. Zelensky was elected by a landslide in 2019.

The new US foreign policy blueprint for the future claims that when it comes to Ukraine, A large European majority wants peace, yet that desire is not translated into policy, in large measure because of those governments subversion of democratic processes.

Democracy has been eviscerated in America with attacks on every branch of the federal administration, the media, academia and the military. Loyalty to the Oval Office now trumps any oath to uphold the constitution as a condition of employment among officials across the US.

While that persists and Trump writes outright lies into copper-plated national policy, it is no longer possible to see America as an ally, or even a frenemy.
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Emmanuel Macron risked sparking a fresh diplomatic row between Europe and Washington after claiming that Donald Trump may betray Ukraine during peace negotiations, according to a leaked transcript of a conference call of European leaders.

The French president told Kyivs European allies that the Trump administration could attempt to force Ukraine to give up territory without clarity on security guarantees, Germanys Der Spiegel newspaper reported.

There is a possibility that the US will betray Ukraine on the issue of territory without clarity on security guarantees, Mr Macron is said to have told fellow European leaders, including the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte.

The transcript of the call was leaked as the Trump administration continues to try to exert pressure on Moscow and Kyiv to agree on a peace deal. A 28-point plan proposed by the US late last month demanded heavy territorial and military concessions from Ukraine and caused consternation among European leaders.

It laid bare the rift between Washington and Europe on how to bring an end to the almost four-year-old conflict. Despite a flurry of diplomatic activity over the last two weeks with talks among all parties, there has been no breakthrough on key issues. Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner held five hours of talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this week, but little progress was made.

open image in gallery Macron warned that the Trump administration could try to force Ukraine to cede territory ( Getty )

The French president was not the only leader on the call to issue a thinly veiled criticism of President Trump and his negotiating team. Chancellor Merz said Volodymyr Zelensky had to be extremely careful in the coming days. In comments that appear to refer to Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner, Mr Merz said: They are playing games, both with you and with us.

The Finnish president, Alexander Stubb, who enjoys a warm relationship with Mr Trump, said: We must not leave Ukraine and Volodymyr alone with these guys. Nato secretary general Mark Rutte concurred, saying: I agree with Alexander  we must protect Volodymyr.

The call also included Polands prime minister, Donald Tusk, Italys Giorgia Meloni, Denmarks Mette Frederiksen, Norways Jonas Gahr Store, EU Council president Antonio Costa and EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

open image in gallery Trump administration representatives at Tuesdays Kremlin meeting ( AP )

The call was held on Monday, one day before Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner travelled to Moscow to meet with Putin, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov and Moscow envoy Kirill Dmitriev.

Their Kremlin meeting was the culmination of two weeks of negotiations and wrangling among delegations from Washington, Kyiv and Moscow as the Trump administration attempted to force a breakthrough  one of the US presidents main stated aims before his re-election.

Putin said the talks were necessary and useful but also difficult work, with some of the proposals deemed unacceptable by the Kremlin.

Mr Witkoff, Mr Kushner and Ukraines lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, are set to hold talks in Miami on Thursday, according to a senior White House official. President Trump said Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushners impression was very strongly that [Putin would] like to make a deal.

European leaders on Mondays call had still hoped to organise a meeting with US envoys on Wednesday, and Mr Merz offered to ask Trump to send Mr Witkoff to Brussels, according to the report.

open image in gallery Trump has not yet responded to the leaked phone call ( AFP via Getty )

They discussed whether heads of state should be present at the meeting, and also the potential location. Ms Meloni was said to be against the idea, while Mr Stubb was in favour, arguing that at the moment were out, but we have to get in.

Mr Witkoff flew straight back to the US from Moscow on Wednesday without meeting European leaders.

Mr Merz also discussed the issue of frozen Russian assets in the group call, warning that the US must be clear that the issue was Europes to deal with alone.

On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed a plan which would use 90bn (79bn) of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines war  a move which the former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday said would be tantamount to a casus belli [an act that justifies war].

Europe could not leave the decision to other, non-European states regarding what happens to the financial resources of an aggressor that have been legally frozen within the jurisdiction of our rule of law and in our own currency, Mr Merz told European allies.
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Volodymyr Zelenskys plane was followed by four military-style drones before it landed at Dublin airport on Monday, according to a report.

Sources told The Journal that the drones took off from a location in the northeast of the Irish capital and flew towards the flight path of the Ukrainian president in breach of a no-fly zone.

Gardai are investigating the incident but have not yet been able to confirm where the drones came from or who may have been controlling them.

They are trying to establish whether the drones took off from land or an undetected ship, slipping past radars.

Irelands security services said the drones were large, military-type devices and that the incident could be deemed a hybrid attack, the Journal reports.

open image in gallery Gardai are investigating the incident but have not yet been able to confirm where the drones came from ( Getty )

The drones reportedly missed Zelenskys approach and shifted focus to LE William Butler Yeats, a naval vessel deployed off the coast.

The vessel was unable to disable the drones with the equipment to hand, the Journal reported.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) had implemented a no-fly zone for drones over and around Dublin to coincide with Zelenskys visit.

The Independent contacted the Gardai for comment.

It comes at a time of increased caution across Europe after months of warnings about drone-led hybrid attacks disrupting travel and forcing airports shut.

open image in gallery Vladimir Putin on a visit to Delhi with Narendra Modi ( Sputnik )

Zelenskys visit this week was the first to Ireland by a Ukrainian president and came as he sought to shore up support from European leaders with US-led peace talks ongoing.

In an address to Irish parliamentarians, Zelensky received a standing ovation in the Dail chamber and urged Ireland to take "an active role" in calling for a tribunal for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Russia has been accused of trying to undermine support for Ukraine on the continent by orchestrating so-called hybrid attacks, spooking the public and testing response times to possible threats.

Airports in Germany, Denmark and Belgium have been closed over drone incursions in recent months. Russian president Vladimir Putin has in the past laughed off accusations of interference.

open image in gallery Zelensky hailed Irelands support for his country on the visit ( PA Wire )

On Tuesday, Vladimir Putin said that is ready to fight a war with Europe if it is provoked and accused leaders of sabotaging US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Last month, Russia and the US agreed to a 28-point plan - widely condemned by European governments - that would force Ukraine to give up land, cut its army and cease its NATO ambitions. Earlier this week, Volodymyr Zelensky revealed a reworked 20-point plan, following talks with US officials over the weekend.

The incident is not the first to affect European leaders while travelling by air.

Earlier this year, a plane carrying EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen was reportedly jammed while travelling to Bulgaria on a four-day tour of EU states bordering Russia.

Bulgarian authorities initially suspected Russian interference, and Nato said it was working day and night to prevent further jamming.
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Tehran may be forced to evacuate due to a severe water crisis, with experts warning that all taps in the city could soon run dry.

Officials say that the Iranian capital is facing a Day Zero moment in the near future  when all water supplies run out.

Iran has faced severe drought for six years, with Tehrans rainfall in the first two months of the current water year, which begins on 1 October, at near zero, leaving reservoir supplies at dangerously low levels.

Officials in Tehran have undertaken a number of measures, including reducing water pressure, discussing rationing and imposing cuts. They have also suggested more radical solutions, such as evacuation or moving the capital if rain does not return.

open image in gallery Someone drinks water from a fountain in Mellat Park in Tehran, as Iran faces severe water shortages ( AFP/Getty )

We are talking about a few days or even weeks of water left for Tehran, Kaveh Madani, director of the UNs University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, told Canadas CBC broadcaster.

Day Zero, as we call it in the water sector, is near. Its a day that the taps would run dry.

In early November, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian warned: If it doesnt rain in Tehran by late November, well have to ration water. And if it still doesnt rain, well have to evacuate Tehran.

Typically, rain should start falling in Iran in autumn, following Irans hot summer. But the September to November period just gone is the driest the country has seen in half a century, the National Weather Forecasting Centre has reported. Rainfall has been 89 per cent below the long-term average.

Mr Pezeshkian described the situation as extremely critical, citing reports that Tehrans dam reservoirs have fallen to their lowest level in 60 years, some as low as 10 per cent of capacity. Officials say that in the east of Tehran, the Latyan Dam  one of five key reservoirs  is only about 9 per cent full. The Karaj dam, which supplies a quarter of Tehrans drinking water, is 8 per cent full.

Tehran is not the first city to have faced a looming Day Zero crisis. Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Cape Town and Chennai are among the cities that have seen taps run dry  or at least come close to running dry.

open image in gallery Rocks and pebbles cover the bed of the dried-up Kan River, west of Tehran, on 9 November 2025 ( AFP/Getty )

Some Iranian officials have pointed the finger at the West, accusing the US High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program of cloud theft and sophisticated weather warfare. But little evidence has been offered to support these claims.

Along with climate-driven factors, the population of Irans metropolitan area has almost doubled from around 4-5 million in the late 1970s to more than 10 million today, according to data from Nasas Earth Observatory.

Water consumption has risen at an even faster rate, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. In 1976, Tehrans water use was at 346 million cubic metres per year. Today, it stands at 1.2 billion cubic metres.

With water levels rapidly running dry, outdated practices and long-standing policies have been heavily criticised for leaving various Iranian industries vulnerable to water shortages.

open image in gallery A dry water feature collects dust in Mellat Park ( AFP/Getty )

Irans energy system remains highly dependent on hydropower and fossil fuels. After sanctions, investor scepticism and decades of underinvestment, the current water crisis has now laid bare Irans lack of diversification into other energy resources.

Policies that placed water-hungry industries  including steel, cement and petrochemicals  in some of the countrys driest regions have also been criticised.

Lawmaker Reza Sepahvand said such wrong policies diverted rivers to inland factories that should have been built on the coast. Irans National Water and Spatial Planning organisation now urges relocating those industries to coastal zones that could use desalinated water.

Meanwhile, agriculture still consumes about 80 per cent of Irans freshwater, much of it through inefficient irrigation for thirsty crops in arid areas.

We must modernise, Agriculture Ministry official Gholamreza Gol Mohammadi warned in August, saying outdated practices are draining aquifers and worsening power outages as pumping systems fail.
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Eyes closed, the repetitive rhythm carries me. A gentle rise and fall, like a boat rocking on invisible waves. From the shadows of a wooden barn, an energetic female voice is echoed by a choir who repeat every line she utters. Somewhere in the chorus, one voice soars a little higher, weaving a delicate harmony and making the air hum. I may not understand the Seto language, yet its playful cadence makes me sway joyfully.

When I open my eyes, six Seto women  dressed in traditional layered wool and linen dresses with intricately woven patterns  are smiling at one another, as if sharing a secret. As their voices elevate to a crescendo, the silver brooches and chains that were resting on their chests, start dancing with the songs undulating breath. Im spellbound. These women are singing leelo to a group of tourists including myself. Its a two thousand-year-old tradition recognised by Unesco.

Im in the south-eastern corner of Estonia in Setomaa, a region that pays little attention to lines on a map, spilling quietly across the border into Russia. A century ago, Estonians described Setomaa as medieval and illiteracy was the norm, so Seto women hid their heritage  but currently a cultural revival is underway and its being led by local women.

open image in gallery Women singing leelo, a two thousand-year-old tradition recognised by Unesco ( Yvette Cook )

Read more: Estonia travel guide: Everything to know before you go

As well as singing leelo, many of these women are opening homestays, restaurants and handicraft businesses, to showcase their heritage and to keep traditions alive. One such local is tour guide Helen Alumae, who is taking me along the Seto Kulavuu tourist belt to meet these entrepreneurial women in the region, which even Estonians find extraordinary.

Driving across Setomaa between the villages of Vinski and Masluva, narrow lanes unspool like ribbons, past buckwheat and oat fields, their edges fringed by birch and pine forests that hide foragers filling baskets with chanterelle mushrooms and blueberries. Peace is broken by the heavy wingbeat of white storks lifting from giant nests atop telegraph poles, as well as by the distant cry of a circling harrier.

My visit falls in August, during Seto Kostipaiv, an annual festival where farmsteads open their gates for visitors to taste Seto food and glimpse a way of life rarely seen. It began in order to give visitors something new, Helen explains. But now, in its thirteenth year, its more about the community spirit.

open image in gallery Yvette met entrepreneurial women like Kaidi Kerdt, owner of farmstay Kirsi Talo, while travelling to the Kulavuu tourist belt ( Helen Tulp )

Each farmstead has its own character, yet all serve impressive spreads sourced from their land, including golden pirukas (pies), steaming lamb stews and tangy herrings on rye bread. One proud host leads us past gobbling turkeys who accompany the sounds of a karmoska (accordion). While another shows me lamb kebabs smoking on pitchforks in their sauna.

Laughter rises over Estonian pop music, while barefoot children run in search of brita kook, a cloud-like cake of meringue, cream and berries. Under the cool continental sun, I ease into the unhurried rhythm of Seto life, where culture is rooted in food, music and joy.

The restaurants taking part in Seto Kostipaiv are a testament to the success of many Seto women. Casually dressed in a white apron, Inara Luigas welcomes me with a warm embrace, making me feel part of the family  who have finished serving 3,000 homemade pirukas. She opened her coffee house after the first festival and its become an event that the whole family takes part in. We share the happiness of the festival, she says with pride. Working as a team has tightened the connections.

Over carrot cake topped with lingonberries, Luigas tells me: Seto culture has always been important for me, as I collected my mother and grandmothers recipes and embroidery. When Estonia joined the EU in 2004, she related to its value of equality, feeling that she no longer had to hide as a woman. She seized the opportunity to become elected as the first female Seto Chief Herald, a ceremonial figurehead. [The role of women] is growing in Seto culture and our collective power is how we make an impact, she says. Luigas runs cooking classes, seminars and new events such as the Full Moon Night Feast in February where pop-up restaurants open for one night along Lake Peipus, keeping Seto culture alive and relevant.

Having also followed her passion for food, Sirje Kruusamae opened Maagokono restaurant after the success of her pop-up cafe, Kostipaiv. In her kitchen, whisk in hand, Im beating curds with milk, butter, eggs and caraway seeds in a steel pan to make soir, a regional cheese with EU Protected Geographical Indication status. My arm aches, but the effort is worth it: the mixture transforms into a soft ball that is served into small bowls and paired with homemade apple and pumpkin jam. Its melt-in-the-mouth texture and creamy flavour is lifted by a hint of tanginess, making each bite something to savour. Traditionally reserved for celebrations, it feels like an indulgence on an ordinary Sunday.

open image in gallery Kirsi Talo homestay, near the village of Meremae ( Yvette Cook )

Later, at my farmstay, Kirsi Talo near the village of Meremae, I sit with owner Kaidi Kerdt, listening to a lone treecreeper sing as the wooden farmhouses glow gold in the fading light. Kaidi tells me: I promised my grandmother I would carry on our Seto traditions. Inspired by childhood memories of traditional farm life and of staying with her grandmother, the stay is set up with communal rooms for guests.

I linger over faded photos hung on the walls of Kaidis grandmother during feast days, while running my fingers over restored Seto beds under low-pitched ceilings. Kaidi invites guests to share the same dishes I ate with my grandmother. During my three-night stay, meals of chanterelle soup, pickled herring, fresh rye bread and buckwheat porridge, all made with local ingredients, ensure her promise is fulfilled. Perhaps its the countryside air, but I sleep as soundly as I used to in my own grandmothers home.

The following day, Helen introduces me to Oie Sarv, a matriarch of Seto culture. Before stepping inside her home, she greets me with a soulful burst of leelo and Helen joins in  the harmony providing an unexpected rush of joy.

In her kitchen, we devour delicious soir as Oie talks passionately about her workshops at the Obinitsa Museum where visitors dress in Seto clothing. As well as learning about the craftsmanship of ornate silver jewellery and locally embroidered textiles, visitors learn how it embodies generations of tradition and provides markers of family wealth and heritage.

Read more: How this naked, sweaty sauna ritual in Estonia ended up being the most empowering girls weekend away

open image in gallery Locals wearing traditional Seto dress and ornate locally-made silver jewellery ( Yvette Cook )

Oie remains a guardian of authenticity, not wanting to see her heritage pushed too far into modern values. Seto culture is no longer about the rural way of life, because it's being replaced by new songs and people, she says. Though later, reflecting with Helen, shes optimistic: The fact that people care about how you sing and dress means that Seto culture is still alive.

Nearing the end of my journey and inspired by the award-winning film Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, Im eager to experience Estonias smoke sauna tradition. Down a lane framed by wheat fields, the scent draws me to a wooden hut beneath giant oak trees, overlooking a tranquil pond.

With a guide, Alice Kirsipuu, I join five Estonian women seeking to recentre themselves through a four-hour ritual of cleansing and relaxation. Strangely, it feels natural to be naked, but Im overwhelmed by how intensely my body sweats in the sauna. Then when we move to the pond it feels cool but Im surprised it doesnt cause the expected sharp intake of breath. Some women plunge in with whoops of happiness.

As the ritual deepens, we use handmade sauna whisks, bundles of birch branches and herbs, to massage each other. Laughter and song ripple through the smoky air, and Im no longer consumed by heat, but by a sense of belonging to the sisterhood and their traditions.

After a successful Seto Kostipaiv, an impromptu party brews at Kaidis farmstay. Family and friends gather as she plays a jaunty tune on her karmoska. A ceramic teapot filled with handsa, a homemade strong rye vodka, is poured into a silver shot glass that is passed around the group. I reflect on this camaraderie and the quiet strength of Seto women.

Read more: Communal sweating in saunas is the hottest wellness trend taking over the UK

To prove this point, one woman begins to sing leelo and a circle forms, voices rising around her. The repetition makes it possible to join in, although it feels less about the words and more about the feeling. Helens earlier sentiment echoes back to me: When we sing I feel the power of sisterhood, because theres something in the music that is so powerful. I couldnt agree more. As the leelo swells and laughter rings out across the barn, its clear everyone is improvising and I feel certain that Oie would be proud.

Yvette travelled as a guest of Visit Estonia.

How to do it

Finnair runs flights to Setomaas closest airport of Tartu, via Helsinki. There are direct flights via British Airways from the UK to Estonias capital Tallinn, a three-hour drive from Setomaa. Car hire is highly recommended.

Seto Kostipaiv takes place in August. Find out more about tours and other activities at visitestonia.com and visitsetomaa.ee

Where to stay

Kirsi Talo offers bed and breakfast from 31 per person per night, and is located near the village of Meremae.

Book now
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As Eurostar celebrates 31 years of a monopoly on passenger rail through the Channel Tunnel from London to Paris, airlines are stepping up flights between the two capitals in a bid to tempt travellers away from trains.

By spring 2026, there will be more than 50 flights a day between five London airports and two Paris hubs.

From 5 March, easyJet restores a link between Stansted airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Britain's biggest budget airline already flies to the French capital from three other London airports: Gatwick, Luton and Southend.

Now Air France is to launch two daily round-trips  a total of four flights per day  between Paris CDG and Gatwick. The link begins on 29 March 2026, in direct competition against easyJet.

Air France already connects Heathrow with its main hub at CDG, as does British Airways. In addition, BAs sister airline, Vueling, has flights from Gatwick to Paris Orly, the citys second airport.

In total, on Fridays from April 2026 onwards there will be 27 flights each way between London and Paris, compared with 18 Eurostar trains.

Eurostar will still take a large majority of travellers between the two cities, attracted by the swift city centre-to-city centre journey time, the absence of airport stress and a generous baggage allowance.

But airlines believe they can profit from prospective rail passengers are deterred by high train fares  particularly for short-notice trips.

For a long weekend trip from Friday 3 to Monday 6 April 2026, the lowest return fare is 104 on both Eurostar from London St Pancras International and easyJet from Southend, returning to Stansted.

But at late notice, the Channel Tunnel rail operator can be much more expensive than the airlines. Booking on Thursday afternoon, 4 December, for a one-way trip from London to Paris the following day, the cheapest Eurostar deal is 196. This applies for only the 6.01am departure; tickets for subsequent trains cost either 219 or 242 in standard class.

In contrast, the cheapest flight  on easyJet from Southend to Paris CDG  is only 68, barely one-third of the Eurostar price. Seven other departures on a variety of routes are available at less than half the Eurostar fare.

Air France will hope to cash in on some useful point-to-point traffic between Gatwick and Paris CDG. But the French airlines main aim is to feed connecting passengers from south of London via its hub to destinations worldwide.

Aviation analyst Sean Moulton said: With Eurostar not planning to resume trains from Kent anytime soon, Air France are helping to fill the connectivity void between the South Coast and Paris.

But London Gatwick has struggled to retain its legacy carriers over recent years. Despite KLM serving 18 UK airports, it does not serve Gatwick  partly due to the quantum of flights at Britain's two busiest airports.

Eurostar has declined to comment about the new flights.
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Indian airports are facing their worst operational meltdown in years as the countrys largest carrier, IndiGo, continues to cancel hundreds of flights, throwing travel plans for thousands into disarray.

A sweeping spree of cancellations by IndiGo, which dominates the domestic market and normally operates around 2,200 flights per day, has sparked dramatic scenes at major airports where passengers have been stranded for days.

Frustrated passengers demanded answers from, and some even clashed with, the airline's ground staff as the cancellations continued for the fourth straight day on Friday.

Many took to social media to demand accountability from the airline as well as the national aviation regulator while others expressed sorrow over cancelled wedding plans, important meetings and family commitments.

The abrupt cancellations hit flights across all major metros, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. On Friday alone, the airline cancelled about 500 flights.

The scale of disruption prompted the regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to demand a report from IndiGo.

open image in gallery Travellers wait in queues at IndiGo ticketing kiosks to check at the Bengaluru airport ( REUTERS )

IndiGo apologised for the disruption and blamed it on misjudgement and planning gaps after the regulator implemented new crew rostering rules.

A passenger advisory from the Delhi airport on Friday said that all domestic IndiGo flights had been cancelled until midnight.

None of the countrys other major airlines, including Air India, have faced such issues due to the introduction of the new rules.

Whats caused the chaos?

At the heart of the turmoil is a regulatory overhaul: stricter rostering rules known as Flight Duty Time Limitations imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to enable better working conditions for pilots and airline crews.

The new rules were implemented in two phases, with the first rolled out in July and the latest tightening coming into force on 1 November.

The rules drastically cut the number of hours pilots and crew can fly, mandate longer rest periods, limit night-time landings, and redefine night duty periods.

The standards increase the mandatory rest for pilots by 12 hours a week to 48 hours, and state that pilots can make no more than two night-time landings in a week, down from six earlier.

open image in gallery Travellers wait after their flight is cancelled by IndiGo at the Kempegowda international airport in Bengaluru ( REUTERS )

The definition of night duty was expanded to mean the hours from midnight to 6am as against midnight to 5am previously.

The change aligns with the Window of Circadian Low when alertness in humans tends to dip.

The regulations also mandate that rest periods must be granted at a pilots home base or temporary home base, and that there must never be more than 168 hours between the end of one weekly rest period and the start of the next.

Airlines are now also required to submit quarterly fatigue reports on pilots, under a confidentiality policy. The long-term vision of the regulator is towards a full-fledged fatigue risk-management system.

The core aim of the revised regulations is to combat pilot fatigue, a major risk factor in aviation safety.

IndiGo has said the introduction of the new rules, along with adverse weather conditions, heightened congestion and technical glitches, have exacerbated its problems.

Indias civil Aviation ministry said in a statement that the disruptions arose primarily through misjudgement and planning gaps in IndiGos implementation of the second phase of the new rules. The airline had acknowledged the effect of the new rules on crew strength exceeded their expectations, it added.

Why is IndiGo hit the hardest?

While the rules were implemented for all airlines, IndiGo was the hardest hit. Aviation experts said it was likely because of its sheer size as well as negligence.

Airlines, they noted, were given a preparation time of nearly 18 months before the full implementation of the revised rules, which were first announced in January 2024.

open image in gallery Travellers enquire about their flights at IndiGo kiosks at the Kempegowda international airport in Bengaluru ( REUTERS )

Given IndiGos vast network of daily flights, even a modest shortfall in crew availability quickly amplified into hundreds of cancellations.

The carrier operates over 2,200 domestic and international flights daily, twice as many as Air India, according to NDTV.

The Federation of Indian Pilots noted that IndiGo was not able to make timely roster adjustments in line with the new rules and plan its schedule properly. It also blamed a pilot pay freeze and hiring freeze at the airline for the crisis.

Despite the two-year preparatory window before full FDTL implementation, the airline inexplicably adopted a hiring freeze, entered non-poaching arrangements, maintained a pilot pay freeze through cartel-like behaviour, and demonstrated other short-sighted planning practices," the association was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

open image in gallery Passengers crowd outside a boarding gate as they wait to take a delayed IndiGo flight at the Indira Gandhi international airport in Delhi ( REUTERS )

The Airline Pilots Association of India said the flight disruptions highlighted a lack of proactive resource planning by the dominant carriers.

Captain Amit Singh, an aviation safety expert, told the Times of India paper the crisis was the result of wilful negligence as winter schedules were planned months ahead.

IndiGo ought to have resolved its crew-shortage issues before seeking approval, rather than putting the travelling public through this, Mr Singh added. Its wilful negligence."

Some experts even suggested there could be an attempt by the dominant carriers to pressure the regulator into softening the new standards.

How is IndiGo resolving the issue?

In the wake of the widespread disruptions, IndiGo sought more time from the aviation regulator to implement the provision of the new rules limiting pilot duty hours at night.

The airline said its operations would be fully restored by 10 February as it warned of more cancellations in the coming days.

open image in gallery Passengers wait near an IndiGo kiosk at the Chennai airport ( AFP via Getty )

On Friday, the regulator agreed to withdraw one part of the rules with immediate effect. This specific rule said pilots could not substitute their weekly rest for leave. In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representatives from various airlines regarding need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, it has been considered necessary to review the said provision, the regulator said.

The regulator also exempted night-time flights from the rules until February 10.

This marks the second revision to the rules in under 24 hours. The regulator had previously raised the limit on consecutive flying hours for pilots from 12 to 14.

As hashtags like #IndiGoCrisis, #FlightCancellations, and #FDTL began trending, social media users, pilots, passengers, and politicians clashed over causes, accountability, and systemic fixes.

The IndiGo crisis also sparked widespread concern on social media that airlines were compromising passenger safety by potentially pressuring pilots to fly while fatigued.

"Down with IndiGo! Down with IndiGo!" a group of affected passengers shouted in protest at the Bengaluru airport, a video post on X showed.

Comedian Abijit Ganguly argued that it wasnt a sudden disruption but an intentional step.

This was not sudden disruption, this was almost a planned strike to strongarm the government into giving it what it wants, he wrote on X, referring to the airline.

What people went through doesn't matter to them, it is just collateral damage. And the fact that government let this happen is on them. The fact that we essentially have monopolistic/duopolistic situations in so many major sectors is on this government.

A newlywed couple from Bengaluru said that they had to attend their own wedding reception virtually after back-to-back IndiGo flights from Bhubaneswar to Hubballi were cancelled on 4 and 5 December.

With over 400 guests and the entire extended family already gathered at the venue in Hubballi, the brides parents refused to postpone the event. Instead, they set up a large LED screen in the banquet hall and live-streamed the couple via Zoom from a relatives house in Bhubaneswar where they remained stranded.
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After an airplane bound for New Jersey fell thousands of feet without warning  sending 15 people to the hospital  a university professor has given an unexpected possible explanation for the aircraft's mishap: cosmic rays.

The JetBlue Airbus A320 may have been hit by a stream of high-energy particles emanating from a supernova explosion elsewhere in the galaxy, according to Clive Dyer, a University of Surrey space and radiation expert who spoke to Space.com.

Cosmic rays can interact with modern microelectronics and change the state of a circuit, Dyer said. They can cause a simple bit flip, like a zero to one or one to zero. They can mess up information and make things go wrong. But they can cause hardware failures too, when they induce a current in an electronic device and burn it out.

The aircraft departed from Cancun on its way back to Newark on October 30 when it plunged from the sky. The pilots managed to right the plane and made an emergency landing in Tampa.

The extreme motion on the airplane caused by the sudden drop injured approximately 20 people, including 15 who needed hospitalization. Some passengers suffered serious injuries, including head wounds that left them bloody for the remainder of the flight.

open image in gallery A JetBlue flight on October 30 dropped thousands of feet, causing injuries to approximately 20 passengers on board ( Getty )

Airbus officials blamed the incident on "intense solar radiation" from the sun that was interfering with the plane's navigation equipment.

But Dyer thinks the radiation is not from our sun, but rather a star that went supernova. He said the levels of radiation caused by local solar events on October 30 wouldn't have been enough to cause the plane to malfunction, but a supernova could.

When a star explodes in a supernova, it tosses protons across the universe at the speed of light. When those particles reach Earth, they can disrupt electronics, including those on board airplanes.

open image in gallery This image provided by researcher J. Larsson in February 2024, made from a combination of Hubble Space Telescope images, shows the aftermath of supernova 1987A ( AP )

Cosmic rays are always smashing into Earth's atmosphere, but most don't have the power to cause disruptions like the one that dropped the JetBlue flight.

Local solar energy from our sun can cause disruptions to electronics when solar flares occur. The sun occasionally throws off bursts of energy from its surface, pelting the Earth with energy.

Dyer said that aircraft manufacturers need to build systems that can withstand potential cosmic interference.

"It's down to manufacturers to produce hardy electronics, especially in safety critical units," Dyer said. "A slight problem is that over 20 years, they've become complacent, because there have not been any [significant solar weather] events."
Department of Agriculture ordered to release letter it received from Coolmore over vaccines

Studs objection to FoI request overruled by Office of the Information Commissioner

Coolmore argued that the release of the correspondence could have a negative impact on the breeding value of the animals

John Burns Fri 5 Dec 2025 at 06:30

The Department of Agriculture has been forced to release most of a letter it received from Coolmore stud in January 2024, asking for permission to import a vaccine for horses.
New electric vehicle (EV) registrations in Ireland have risen sharply this year, with a 39pc jump recorded in 2025.

Banks are also seeing higher demand, with Bank of Ireland reporting a 50pc increase in new EV lending as more drivers switch to electric motoring.

A wider range of models and more financing options are becoming available, with new brands entering the Irish market and several lower-cost models launched this year.

These figures come from the 2025 Electric Vehicle Market Report, published by Bank of Ireland in partnership with Nevo  a platform which helps customers transition to EV.

Stock image. Photo: Getty

Today's News in 90 - Friday December 5

The report said Irelands EV sector has shown strong growth after a slowdown in 2024.

It noted several factors influencing the increase in EV uptake this year, such as greater awareness of the environmental impacts of transport, better access to competitive finance packages, government grants and tax supports, and continued investment in public charging points.

Bank of Ireland said its lending activity reflects this shift, with new EV loans rising by half in 2025.

The bank has partnerships with 16 motor brands, which together accounted for 42pc of all new EV sales in Ireland this year, it said.

The market has also expanded in terms of consumer choice. Brands such as BYD, Xpeng, Smart and Leapmotor all introduced new electric models in 2025, joining the established manufacturers already operating here.

More affordable options have also entered the market, including models such as the Dacia Spring, Hyundai Inster, Citroen e-C3 and Renault 5 E-Tech.

The report notes that this increase in choice is giving buyers more entry points into electric motoring.

Bank of Irelands wider sustainability-related lending reached 16.5bn by the end of September 2025, exceeding the banks end-year target of 15bn, it said.

It plans to increase this to 30bn by 2030, with aims of supporting households and businesses with in climate-related investments.

A structured electric vehicle motoring policy is key in unlocking the sectors potential, according to Derek Kavanagh the head of motor finance at Bank of Ireland.

Bank of Ireland is proud to support the continued growth of Irelands electric vehicle market, a sector we have long championed.

The insights from Nevos latest EV market report highlights the importance of how the alignment of well-designed electric vehicle motoring policy with industry and financial support can help unlock large scale adoption, he said.
SSP operates more than 3,000 food and beverage outlets at travel locations

Shares in SSP Group, the FTSE 250-listed food service group that is headed by Patrick Coveney, jumped in early trading after it said it is reviewing its mainland European rail operations and considering options to realise value in its newly floated Indian venture.

Shares in the company soared as much as 16pc but remain 29pc lower than where they were trading when Mr Coveney took over as chief executive in March 2022.

SSP has also told investors that for next year, 100pc of the annual bonus plan for its executive directors will be based on financial delivery, rather than incorporating elements such as strategic objectives.

SSP operates more than 3,000 food and beverage outlets at travel locations such as airports and train stations, in 38 countries, including Ireland.

Releasing full-year results yesterday, it said its revenue rose 6pc to 3.6bn (4.1bn) in the 12 months to the end of September this year. It was 7.8pc higher on constant currency basis. On an IFRS-basis, it saw its operating profit slump 58pc to 86m.

On a non-IFRS, underlying basis, it was 12.7pc higher on a constant currency basis, at 223m.

We acknowledge there is more to do to strengthen our operational performance

Mr Coveney is the former chief executive of Greencore, which is now headed by Dalton Philips.

He described SSPs performance as resilient, with strong trading across three of its four regions.

However, we acknowledge there is more to do to strengthen our operational performance, most notably in continental Europe where we have now reset our team, model and balance sheet, and have a range of initiatives underway to do so, Mr Coveney added.

In addition, we are announcing today the launch of a wide-ranging review of our rail business in Continental Europe. We are also considering options to realise value for our shareholders in line with the delivery of the TFS free float requirement.

TFS, or Travel Food Services, is a joint venture between SSP and K Hospitality. The vehicle floated on the stock market in Mumbai in July. SSP still owns just over 50pc of TFS, while K Hospitality owns about 36pc after selling down some of its stake upon flotation.

SSP said a minimum free float of 25pc of TFS shares is required within three years of the floatation, with just 14pc currently available.

While there remains a substantial level of uncertainty in the demand outlook across certain travel markets, the group is well placed to navigate these challenges, the group added.
The European Commission says that blue tick accounts on X are not properly verified and may be scammers. US political figures have described the fine as an attack on innovation

The European Commission has fined Elon Musks X 120m for infractions that include the deception that blue tick accounts are properly verified or trustworthy.

In a decision today, the EU enforcement body said that blue tick accounts are often scammers masquerading as honest people. It also said that X had contravened Europes Digital Services Act (DSA) in other ways, including a lack of transparency around its advertising repository and the failure to provide access to public data for researchers.

On X, anyone can pay to obtain the verified' status without the company meaningfully verifying who is behind the account, making it difficult for users to judge the authenticity of accounts and content they engage with, the Commission said, in a statement.

This deception exposes users to scams, including impersonation frauds, as well as other forms of manipulation by malicious actors. While the DSA does not mandate user verification, it clearly prohibits online platforms from falsely claiming that users have been verified, when no such verification took place.

The Irish Independent has contacted X for comment.

Elon Musks company, which retains a European regulatory headquarters in Dublin, now has 60 working days to convince the Commission that it will end the deceptive use of blue checkmarks.

The company has also been given 90 working days to fix issues around its advertising repository and access to public data for researchers.

If X doesnt do this, the Commission says it may be subject to further fines.

The fine has received a hostile political reaction in the US.

The European Commissions $140 million fine isnt just an attack on X, its an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments, said US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

The days of censoring Americans online are over.

The angry response was echoed by the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr.

Once again, Europe is fining a successful US tech company for being a successful US tech company, said Carr.

Europe is taxing Americans to subsidise a continent held back by Europes own suffocating regulations.

But one Irish MEP said that the fine represented a minimal amount.

While welcome, given that this investigation took two years, the fine of 120m translates to only 5m for each month over those two years when users were deceived, said Fianna Fails Barry Andrews MEP, in a statement to the Irish Independent.

For a multi-billion dollar company like X, that is less than a slap on the wrist.

European officials are adamant that the Digital Services Acts rules must be observed.

With the DSAs first non-compliance decision, we are holding X responsible for undermining users rights and evading accountability, said Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy.

Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU. The DSA protects users and gives researchers the way to uncover potential threats. The DSA restores trust in the online environment.

.

On December 5th, this article was updated to include a response from Barry Andrews MEP.
Ireland signs agreement to study Australias social media ban on teenagers

The Irish and Australian social media regulators have signed a formal agreement around harmonisation of policies and strategies, a week before Australia is due to introduce a social media ban for under-16s

Adrian Weckler Thu 4 Dec 2025 at 12:57

Ireland may be inching closer to tougher social media bans for young teenagers after signing a new pact with Australian authorities, which are about to ban social media for under-16s.
The Dublin-based body, in concert with the international rights organisation Eko, claims that the Israeli armys use of Microsoft servers to target Palestinians violates GDPR

ICCL said the access to data 'enabled real-world violence' in Gaza

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has filed a complaint with the Data Protection Commissioner, alleging that Microsoft unlawfully processed data in Ireland on behalf of the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

The organisation, in concert with the international human rights body Eko, claims that the data-processing facilitates war crimes and genocide.

The complaint comes after an initial investigation in August by the Guardian newspaper found that a large number of Palestinians phone call data was being stored by the Israeli army using Microsofts Azure cloud platform.

The revelations were acknowledged by Microsoft president Brad Smith in September with the company cancelling access to some of its services for some parts of the Israeli military.

Now the Irish civil rights body wants to pursue the issue of data processing legitimacy with the Irish regulator, as Microsofts headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa is in Dublin.

The ICCL says that it is representing EU citizens and residents who have frequent communications with individuals in Gaza, as well as Palestinian residents of Gaza and the West Bank.

The complaint, according to the ICCL and Eko, includes materials from within Microsoft provided by whistleblowers.

When EU infrastructure is used to enable surveillance and targeting, the Irish Data Protection Commission must step in and it must use its full powers to hold Microsoft to account, said Joe OBrien, executive director of the ICCL.

Microsofts technology has put millions of Palestinians in danger. These are not abstract data-protection failures, they are violations that have enabled real-world violence. It is essential that the DPC move quickly and decisively, particularly in view of the threat to life posed by the issues at the heart of this complaint.

A spokesperson for the regulator told the Irish Independent that it was considering the issue.

I can confirm that the DPC has received a complaint of this nature, and its currently under assessment, he said.

The Irish Independent has approached Microsoft for comment on the question.

The complaint alleges that Microsoft facilitated the removal of the intercepted phone calls from EU servers to Israel, obscuring evidence of illegal processing before investigations could commence.

It also says that by aiding and abetting genocide and apartheid, Microsofts processing of the data was unlawful under the EUs GDPR law.
Wed meet in Elizabeth Olsens house in LA and talk about what our idea of love is: Irish director David Freyne on new film Eternity

The Kildare helmsman discusses making the step up for his first Hollywood movie while keeping the spirit of indie filmmaking alive

Eternity stars Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen with director David Freyne. Photo: Monica Schipper/WireImage

Paul Whitington Fri 5 Dec 2025 at 06:30

This felt like a massive step up, David Freyne tells me, via Zoom from Los Angeles. On the very first day of production, I was basically shitting myself! I was just thinking, oh my God, can I do this?
Shetland season 10 review: This Scottish crime drama used to be one of the BBCs finest  now it looks very ordinary indeed
Sophie White: Its almost Christmas and my husband and I are at each others throats. But if were arguing at least it means were not Quiet Divorcing
More than one in 10 Irish women is believed to suffer the painful condition. Stock image: Getty

An endometriosis advocate has described government policy on a surgery scheme as making little sense ahead of a demonstration tomorrow.

Lisa Walsh (29), who is based in Limerick and founded the Her Voice Project, an endometriosis patient advocacy group, will attend the protest in Dublin tomorrow.

Members plan to gather at 11am tomorrow at St Stephens Green before marching towards Leinster House.

The group will be made up of about 50 sufferers along with their families.

Ms Walsh (29) will attend tomorrow, just four weeks on from her surgery in Greece.

The Limerick woman, who has stage four endometriosis, had the right side of her diaphragm removed as part of the surgery.

She told the Irish Independent that the main reason for the protest was to highlight issues with the Endometriosis Surgery Abroad Interim Scheme (ESAIS), which was established as part of the endometriosis management framework in October.

Ms Walsh said: There are two centres in Europe that women go to from Ireland that are the most popular centres, and they're not listed on the scheme for women to be able to access their care and have the HSE pay up front.

The scheme lists a range of international hospitals, but has excluded the Athens Centre for Endometriosis, which Ms Walsh attended privately, and the Endometriosis Centre in Romania so far.

The aim really is to get those added immediately, while the government upskill here, she added.

"Because obviously that's not going to be something that's done overnight, upskilling the surgeons here to the standard of international surgeons.

Ms Walsh sits on the HSE Patient Advisory Committee along with fellow Her Voice Project member Jodi Maloney.

While Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has not attended the meetings so far, she has directed HSE officials to travel to those clinics in Greece and Romania, to actually look at them with the intent to add them to the scheme, according to Ms Walsh.

The Limerick woman added: It seems to be an accreditation issue. That's the reason why they're not actually listed.

"But it makes no sense, because you can, if you use one of the existing HSE schemes, like the Cross Border Directive, and you go to Greece or Romania, you can actually access care through that, but you can't through the ESAIs, which makes no sense.

Currently, the hospitals are accessible through the Cross Borders Directive run by the HSE, albeit through reimbursement after the fact.
The popular magazine publishes prophecies each year, many of which come true including Storm Eowyn this year

Old Moore's Almanac, the Irish magazine that has published prophecies for more than 260 years, has made its predictions for 2026.

Originally, the predictions of Offaly man Theophilus Moore - known as the Irish Merlin - the Almanac is lauded for its accuracy.

Many of his forecasts have been accurate, such as the 2008 financial crash, a pandemic, an attempt on Donald Trumps life and that Joe Biden would step down before the US election.

Others included that Kate Middleton already had a baby on board before it was announced, and that the babys name would be Charlotte, that Kanye West would have mental health problems and that there would be submarine drama, which turned out to be the Titan submersible disaster.

Old Moores Almanac will be 262 years old in 2026. It is one of the oldest almanacs in the world, with some editions more than 250 years old still sitting in the Long Room Library in Trinity.

One of its latest predictions for 2026  that Ireland will face huge drama at the Eurovision, has already materialised  the oracle publication was even ahead of itself.

Ireland will now boycott the song contest over Israels planned participation, with RTE maintaining that it will not broadcast the competition.

Other foretellings for next year include an assassination warning around Keir Starmer, that the Irish immigration debate will continue to rage with a new political party forming, a wild political situation in Germany with assassination attempts, cheating scandals, and the Dublin housing market getting worse.

More global and general visions include people falling in love with robots, cruise ship drama, a remake of the controversial Fyre festival, an avalanche cluster, no more movie studios as movies, commercials and video games will be made with AI, financial incentives for babies all over the world, Joe Biden in the news for non-political reasons and Mark Zuckerberg marriage peril.

The Almanacs predictions that rang true for 2025 included a new pope, with Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, inaugurated this year.

Old Moore also predicted dating changes, apps in the bin, and with the likes of stalwart industry contenders Tinder and Bumble seeing a downturn in users, it seems the apps are firmly out of favour.

More than one plane crash was foreshadowed, with multiple plane crashes occurring in the past year, including the tragic Air India flight with only one survivor.

A mass return to religion was another vision. Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September, there has been somewhat of a religious revival, particularly in America.

Life-changing storms, were predicted for Ireland, which materialised as Storm Eowyn in January, causing mass power outages and wind gusts that exceeded 130kmh across Ireland.

Internal conflict over immigration was on the list too, accurately predicting a year of large protests and immigration reform discussions in both Ireland and the UK.

Robots in our homes was also forecast, with humanoid adoption beginning, with preorders for models like the NEO home robot being driven by ageing populations.

Previous predictions that came true this year included Conor McGregors run for president.

In its 2022 predictions, the publication said: As for Conor McGregor, he will enter politics delicately to test the waters.

It finally came true in 2025 but McGregor failed to secure a nomination to contest the election for the Aras.
James Nesbitt has said he is "in awe" of the effort put in by staff at the the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast. The Ballymena-born actor described the facility as the most wonderful, really peaceful place after a visit this week.
Martin Corbett leaving after the Funeral service of tv personality and architect Hugh Wallace who passed away unexpectedly at home on the 1st of Dec 2025. The funeral is taking place in St Patricks Cathedral, Dublin. Photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

Award-winning architect Hugh Wallace has been described as honest, passionate and deeply human during his funeral at St Patricks Cathedral in Dublin.

Mourners were told how the TV star, who died suddenly at home at the age of 68 last Sunday, and his husband, Martin Corbett, were planning to move to a new home this weekend.

His funeral service took place this morning at a packed St Patricks Cathedral in Dublin, where he was baptised. Mourners included presenters Dermot Bannon and Brendan Courtney in attendance.

Hugh Wallace's husband, Martin Corbett, and family leaving St Patrick's Cathedral after the funeral service in Dublin. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Today's News in 90 - Friday December 5

At the beginning of the service, one of Mr Wallaces favourite songs, Judy Garlands Somewhere Over the Rainbow, was played.

The Dean of the cathedral, the Very Reverend William Morton, who led the service, described Mr Wallace as honest, direct, passionate, challenging and deeply human and as a man who quite literally shaped the spaces in which others live their lives.

He lived fully. He lived deeply. He left his mark unmistakably, he told the mourners.

For the last 10 years, since beginning with the series Home of the Year, television viewers were delighted to welcome Hugh into their living rooms. His endearing and gregarious nature, his good humour and optimism, and the fact that he was always so unassuming meant that we all thought he had been on our screens for far longer than he had, he said.

He was, as we say, a natural with his characteristic voice, his large spectacles, colourful shirts and jumpers.

Hugh, of course, was known to many through his work on television, knowledgeable, forthright, unafraid to speak plainly and never short of conviction, he understood buildings, but more than that, he understood people.

Martin Corbett leaving after the funeral service of Hugh Wallace who passed away unexpectedly at home. Photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

A home is where love abides, and everyone who knew Hugh knows that his true home was found in his life with Martin in shared work, shared laughter, shared dreams and shared courage. Their new home held so much in store for them, yet the love that filled those plans does not vanish with death, Rev Morton added.

The dean said he was fascinated to hear about the couples new house  located just next door to their current home.

"Hugh had successfully sought planning permission to have a window put into his bedroom from which he could see the spire of St Patrick's [Cathedral].

"And now, as the spire he saw from his window still stands over the city, so too does the impact of his life stand as it always will in the hearts of those who knew him and who respected him.

During the funeral, friend John Waters paid a tribute to his late friend by making a speech as if Hugh Wallace himself was speaking to mourners.

Im afraid I was taken by complete surprise on Sunday. I didn't think I'd get a sudden exit. I had assumed a more flamboyant exit in years to come, after much more TV success and perhaps a couple of Bafta Awards, because the rumours were there.

Things were going so well. Douglas Wallace Consultants were flying. My TV career was flying, and furniture was coming for the house that Martin and I had been working on for three years.

With everything that was going on, I'm afraid the universe took its own decision on Sunday night, and here we all are.

Mr Wallace, who was a judge on every RTEs Home of the Year, was born in 1956 and the only child of Susan and Kenneth.

TV personality Dermot Bannon leaving after the funeral of Hugh Wallace. Photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

He met his husband Martin on Valentines Day in 1988 at the George bar in Dublin.

"Martin has often accused me of having only child syndrome, and I take that as meaning I'm a special person, Mr Waters continued, speaking on behalf of Mr Wallace.

Some of you may remember the phrase in Dublin that love stories begin at [nightclub] Zhivago. A lot of fairy tales also began at the George pub in Dublin, and Martin and I were part of a fairytale. It was Valentine's night of 1988, and we lasted together for 37 years, which I'd take again if I could.

Martin never really bought into the celebrity stuff. Martin loved me for me; he became my civil partner in 2012, and he stuck with me to the end, right up until Sunday night.

We really did travel the world together and meet very interesting people, but behind the celebrity and the public persona, Martin and I were really two ordinary guys. We had the same hopes, fears, dreams and wants as everyone else.

I'm just going to ask you to remember I've had some of the best times of my life with most of you, or some of you. It's important that when you think of those, you smile, don't be sad. Give Martin a shoulder to lean on if he needs it, be kind to each other."

He later quoted William Shakespeare, and said: Let thee all remember that a pop of colour will brighten your day.

TV presenter Brendan Courtney arrives for the funeral of tv personality and architect Hugh Wallace who passed away unexpectedly at home on the 1st of Dec 2025. The funeral is taking place in St Patricks Cathedral, Dublin. Photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos

Mr Wallace always knew he was going to have a career in architecture and design, he said.

I met a kindred spirit, Alan Douglas, and by the end of 1982, in the face of a biting recession, we set up Douglas Wallace architects from our rented flat in Blackrock. So things were starting to move, and we were starting to be known. It was a mad, busy time. There were ups, there were downs, there were tears, there was laughter, there was building of lifetime friendships.

Then came the 90s, and we got bigger contracts, shopping centres, bars, restaurants. We grew, projects got bigger. Our offices got bigger. We had offices in London, Belfast, Prague. We're doing hotels with designers and hotels with visionaries.

Then came 2008, and we all fell over the cliff. They say you can't keep good men down. And from the ashes of Douglas Wallace Mark One came Douglas Wallace Consultants, a new gang of tightly knit directors, of which I am pleased to say I was still part.

Later on in my career, I got a real lucky break in relation to the TV programmes. It was such a shock to me that that came at that age, but I really embraced it.

"As you all know, I loved it, and I'm chuffed to bits with the feedback that I got in terms of the knowledge that I was able to share. I was privileged to do that in the way I did.

This article was amended on Saturday, December 6 to reflect that John Waters was a friend of Mr Wallace. It was amended again on Monday, December 8 to remove a reference to Mr Waters being an architect.
Sarah McInerney and Justin McCarthy will join the Morning Ireland team

Tommy Meskill is taking over from David McCullagh on Six One News while the shake-up at RTE Radio continues.

RTE has also said that Sarah McInerney and Justin McCarthy will join the Morning Ireland team, while Paul Cunningham, Political Correspondent with RTE, will present News This Week.

Mr Meskill, who is in his early thirties, is said to have impressed RTE News and Current Affairs Director Deirdre McCarthy since taking up the job of RTEs London Correspondent, to which he was promoted in July 2024.

He told RTE that it is a huge honour to take on the role, saying the nightly news show has "a crucial role in shaping the news agenda in Ireland".

"Its strength depends on the work of almost the entire newsroom, which is why it's such a cherished part of what we do," Mr Meskill said.

"I'm really looking forward to getting started and being part of a programme that continues to bring accurate, engaging and trusted news to our audience."

Tommy Meskill

Today's News in 90 - Friday December 5

He has a bachelors degree in Communications and Media studies from Dublin City University (DCU). After leaving DCU in 2015, Mr Meskill began his career as a broadcast journalist in East Coast FM.

He moved on to Dublins FM104 where he was a broadcast journalist for a year until 2016 when he joined RTE.

He steadily moved up the ranks at the state broadcaster, where he started out as a reporter in Morning Ireland and at RTEs Foreign Desk.

His big break came last year when he saw off stiff competition to become RTEs man on the ground in London.

This weekend a source said: Tommy is very popular and he a very hard worker so were not surprised he is being tipped for the job.

Now all eyes will be on who is to replace Tommy in London. "I think a couple of senior broadcasters already have their eye on it.

RTE said Ms McInerney will begin on Morning Ireland on Radio 1 in the coming weeks, while Mr McCarthy will continue as a permanent presenter on the programme.

Ms McInerney presents Prime Time on RTE One every Tuesday and formerly co-hosted Drivetime on RTE Radio 1.

"Its a privilege to join such a strong team and to work on a programme with that kind of impact," Ms McInerney said.

Meanwhile Mr McCarthy said: "I look forward to working with an excellent team to continue delivering the insightful, fair, and rigorous journalism that Morning Ireland listeners rightly expect.

Mr Cunningham said: "I'm delighted to get the opportunity to present Ireland's longest running radio news programme, which sets the agenda every Sunday.

"Over the past 20 years I've presented across the radio news schedule, co-hosting This Week with brilliant journalists such as the late Gerald Barry. Im very much looking forward to new challenges ahead, working with the team."

Director of RTE Newsand& Current Affairs, Deirdre McCarthy said: Tommy, Sarah, Justin and Paul join our dedicated RTE News & Current Affairs presentation team, who strive every day to bring, honestly and clearly, with integrity and credibility, the stories that matter to you.

"They are all accomplished journalists, who will continue to ask the probing questions, hold those in power to account, and represent the public interest."
Whether youre thinking about gift ideas for someone else, or a treat of a bottle to stock up on for your own Christmas tipples, a great place to start can be to look to the many independent distilleries and spirits brands that have blossomed all over our island. You wont have to look far either: every province now has a proud abundance of award-winning local drinks producers.

Pouring a special drop created in a place close to your heart sets you up for a mindful moment that is the opposite of this seasons sometimes mindless excesses. All the more so if that precious liquid is flavoured with the fruits or flowers of that locality, and can transport you to another time and place. Each of this weeks recommended bottles will do just that, taking you into the heart of Irelands orchards, hills and hedgerows with their evocative fragrance.

Ive written before about other apple-based spirits, liqueurs and ice wines produced from the bounties of our Irish orchards. Killahora and Longueville House in Co Cork, Highbank in Co Kilkenny, Tipperary Boutique Distillery and Boann Distillery in the Boyne Valley all produce beauties worth seeking out.

I like to keep a close eye on the drinks producers who shine at the annual Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards that are announced every autumn in Dingle. Every year, they highlight something new to me alongside some old favourites.

Irish fruit was a quiet hero of this years awards, says Fallon Moore, who runs the awards together with Blas founder (and her father) Artie Clifford, beautifully expressed in winners like Paula McIntyres Blackberry & Honey Rum, Stonewells Tawny Irish Apple Wine and The Apple Farms Or Brandy and Richmounts Elderflower Liqueur.

Ive previously highlighted Richmount Irish Elderflower Liqueur (30, 50cl, 20pc, celticwhiskeyshop.com) but feature the other three today, plus a gin to conjure Kerrys heathered hills, and another made with Armaghs Bramley apples. Look out next year for Monaghans Foraged & Infused Rhubarb Gin in SuperValus Food Academy programme.

Drinks of the week

Paula McIntyre Rum (Infused with Blackberry & Honey)

Paula McIntyre Rum (Infused with Blackberry & Honey), Antrim, 40pc, 46.95

A collab between food writer Paula McIntyre and the excellent Basalt Distillery, featuring botanicals and flavourings from her beloved northern coast, this charms with rum and raisin character that quickly develop layers of hedgerow freshness, blackberry juiciness, subtle honey and creamy coconut-like notes from local gorse on the finish. Sip solo or over ice, maybe with a splash of soda. You can also build your own hamper, adding her Christmas puddings, liqueurs or rum and gin miniatures. basaltdistillery.com

The Ring of Kerry Small Batch Gin

The Ring of Kerry Small Batch Gin, Kerry, 42pc, 45-50

A Blas na hEireann 2025 Gold winner and small batch distilled in Killarney, this smells of heather hills meet hedgerow blossoms with a briny coastal tang, plus a nicely peppery kick. Enjoy with tonic, as a fragrant Martini or lime Gimlet. Carryout Killarney, nutsaboutwine.ie

Nohoval Tawny Irish Apple Wine

Nohoval Tawny Irish Apple Wine, Cork, 15pc, 19.95

From the Loire-born Stonewell co-founder, Geraldine Javoy, this amber-hued, dry-hopped apple wine is gorgeous chilled as an aperitif or dessert wine, with complex, bittersweet apple notes, tannic tension and bright acidity. Bradleys (Cork), nutsaboutwine.ie, cidercellar.ie

Symphonia Irish Apple Gin, Co Tyrone

Symphonia Irish Apple Gin, Co Tyrone, 40pc, 32.50 (70cl)

Cold distilled with Armaghs Bramley apples by Woodlab Distilleries, this really grew on me with its curious balance of sweet-sour apple (think baked and honeyed), herbaceous juniper and botanicals. Refreshing with tonic. symphoniaspirits.com

Orr Irish Apple Brandy, Cork

Orr Irish Apple Brandy, Cork, 46.6pc, 112 (70cl)

Inspired by Calvados, made by the couple behind Stonewell Cider, aged in Limousin oak, Virgin French oak, Oloroso sherry and Burgundy red wine casks: rustic, rich and very complex. Bradleys (Cork), McCambridges (Galway), OBriens, Blackrock Cellar, Martins, wineonline.ie, orrbrandy.ie
The first section of the South Kerry Greenway is set to open before Christmas in what is a landmark moment for the flagship project.

After more than 11 years since the ambitious scheme was initially unveiled, walkers will be able to traverse a 3.5km section between Kells Post Office and Kells Station.

Councillor Tommy Cahill confirmed the opening date of December 19 for the segment, dubbing it exceptionally positive news for the region.

Finally, this is the first sign of real, concrete progress being made on one of several projects in the South Kerry region, he said.

This is a generational project and this will be the most impressive Greenway not only in Ireland but across Europe and beyond.

The extra footfall, employment and boost to the local economy it will bring is immeasurable and we sincerely hope it will reverse the very worrying trend of rural depopulation in the region.

Cllr Cahill also commended his father, Deputy Michael Cahill, for his vision and foresight.

The 32km project was announced in 2014 and has faced major challenges since, with estimated costs rising from around 5m to 20m in 2019.

The mountain terrain, objections from local landowners and even a slug, have all hampered progress, resulting in just over 8km having seen any works carried out.

Eamon Casey, who has run the Casey Cycles shop in Cahersiveen for over 40 years, welcomed the progress but acknowledged there was still a long way to go.

Mr Casey hopes the route will someday allow his shop to expand and hire more employees, whilst also providing a much-needed boost to other local businesses in the area.

This is a long time coming, said Mr Casey.

I know its only opening a stage of the greenway but its a start. Once people see what the project looks like, its only going to be received positively.

The main thing its going to give to Cahersiveen and rural areas is confidence. Businesses in rural areas are struggling, and this will encourage people to start new enterprises and invest in the region.

Its going to be one of the best scenic greenways in the country without a shadow of a doubt. The mountain stage section into Kells Bay is going to be especially spectacular.

South Kerry Greenway section along the 19th century Cahersiveen Viaduct

Today's News in 90 seconds - 4th December 2025

Alan Landers, a B&B owner in Cahersiveen, said he was delighted to see the section open but warned the most challenging parts of the project still lie ahead.

He pointed to sections of the Mountain Stage, where major renovations of the 73ft high Victorian Cahersiveen Viaduct and old railway tunnel are yet to have started.

I still have concerns that the main projects havent been addressed, he said, these are the projects that will take the longest time.

I understand the council was doing it with the resources they had, but they did the easy sections. The main, heavy, work still has to be done.

If were to believe a completion date of 2030, theyre the projects that are going to take the most time, and I dont understand why they werent addressed first.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
On August 4 this year, Carlow-born Martha Nolan (33) met with her business investor, Christopher Durnan, aboard his boat at Montauk Yacht Club in New York.

Mr Durnan, a 60-year-old millionaire, had already invested $250,000 in East x East, Ms Nolans sunglasses and swimwear brand.

The company needed more money to grow, and so, the pair met that evening to discuss further investment.

As the sun set, the pair shared Champagne and talked business out on the water.

But later that night, Ms Nolans friends grew uneasy. Messages in their group chat went unanswered.

Im sure her phone died. Or maybe shes dead, one friend joked. A throwaway comment that, in the moment, felt harmless.

But an hour or so later, she actually was dead.

Several months on, why are there still more questions than answers?

What do we know about the man who was on the boat with her that night?

And how did a hopeful attempt to build an American dream turn into her familys worst nightmare?

On today's Indo Daily, Tessa Fleming is joined by Irish Independent News Correspondent Catherine Fegan, and by New York Magazine features writer Jen Wieczner, to discuss Ms Nolans final hours, and the business investor whose boat she died on.
Family carers share their stories with President Catherine Connolly during her first official visit to Carlow

Family carers provide 19 million hours of unpaid care every week saving the state 20 billion per annum

President Catherine Connolly celebrates SETUs transformative family carers project

Aisling Bolton-Dowling Fri 5 Dec 2025 at 06:30

The role family carers play in Ireland is invaluable, but yet they rarely get the recognition they deserve.
Grace O'Donoghue, a teacher at Berrings National School, who was honoured with the overall Student of the Year Award.

A Cork primary school teacher graduated at the very top of her class in the 25th annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony.

Grace ODonoghue  a teacher at Berrings National School  had double cause for celebration as she received her Masters qualification at the ceremony which was held at Dublins Convention Centre.

Coupled with her Masters qualification, Grace received the overall Student of the Year Award which is presented by the College to the student in each cohort with the highest grade across the programme.

Graces results cemented her as the top performer out of over 1,000 graduates Masters in Primary and Post-Primary teaching, and for the first time, a Masters or Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education, or a BSc in Nursing.

In addition, Grace received the INTO Vere Foster Medal  awarded by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) for Outstanding Performance in School Placement.

Dr Mary Kelly, President of Hibernia College Group, emphasised that those gathered had demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience throughout their studies.

She affirmed her confidence that each graduate will go on to make a vital and valuable contribution to their chosen profession.
A Limerick man, who was late to his District Court hearing because he was taking a shower, was forgiven for his tardiness by the judge, who told him, cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Gary Walsh (40) with an address at an apartment in the Retail Park in Kilmallock, Limerick, appeared before Mallow District Court via video link from Limerick mens prison, facing two charges under the Offences Against the Firearms Act after an offence occurring at the Inver Service Station in Charleville.
Four men, charged in connection with the alleged smuggling of 31 million worth of cocaine in a West Cork coastal town, have been remanded in custody, having all entered signed guilty pleas on Thursday.

In Bandon District Court, the four men  two from Scotland, one from England, and one from Germany  were remanded in custody to Cork Circuit Criminal Court at its next sitting in February.
The HSE are currently developing a proposal for a new 75-bed acute mental health service on the St Stephens Hospital, Glanmire campus to serve the North Lee and North Cork catchment areas.

Cork TD Liam Quaide who worked as a clinical psychologist in the North Cork mental health services from 2013 to 2021, has cautiously welcomed the proposals. HSE senior management confirmed at an Oireachtas members briefing this week that they are developing a proposal for a 75-bed acute mental health facility serving both the North Lee and North Cork catchments.

The Social Democrats TD for Cork East said one of the Integrated Health Managers indicated that one possible design currently being worked on may involve three separate facilities of 25 beds each.

This would replace the existing acute unit for North Cork at St Stephens and provide a new purpose-built service for North Lee, whose current inpatient unit at St Michaels in the Mercy University Hospital cannot be brought up to proper standards due to fundamental site constraints.

Deputy Quaide who is the party spokesperson on mental health and disability said the two catchments together cover a population of almost 285,000. More than 192,000 living in North Lee  encompassing the city north of the river as well as Macroom, Blarney, Cobh, Carrigtwohill, Midleton and Youghal. North Cork, which includes Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Mallow, Charleville, Kanturk and Newmarket, accounts for a further 92,000.

"The need for a safe, modern and therapeutic acute service for these communities has been evident for many years, he added.

Deputy Quaide continued: I cautiously welcome the HSEs announcement that St Stephens Hospital is the proposed site for a new acute mental health facility serving the North Lee and North Cork HSE catchments. If the grounds are not excessively hard landscaped to accommodate the elective hospital development, they could provide significant therapeutic benefits through access to nature.

It is essential that inpatients are not overly concentrated in one area, said the Cork TD. Bed allocation between North Cork and North Lee must be fair and consistent. In addition, public transport links to the hospital require major improvement to ensure this location is genuinely suitable for a large new acute mental health service.

Deputy Quaide also said that clear communication is needed on the future role of St Michaels, where costly renovations are underway despite the HSEs position that it will not be viable for long-term acute mental health provision.
The event also featured a special community moment in which Newmarket Motors presented Newmarket XPENG-sponsored jerseys to Newmarket GAA.

Newmarket Motors recently welcomed customers, local businesses, community partners and EV enthusiasts to the official launch of XPENG, the premium electric-vehicle brand now available at the Cork dealership.

Newmarket Motors welcomed customers, local businesses, community partners and EV enthusiasts to the official launch of XPENG, the premium electric-vehicle brand now available at the Cork dealership - the first XPENG dealer outside of Dublin.

The event which was recently held at XPENG Newmarket Corks Main Street showroom, featured a special appearance by Derek Reilly - Irelands leading voice on electric vehicles and founder of NEVO, the countrys No.1 EV YouTube channel.

Mr Reilly delivered an engaging presentation on the future of electric mobility.

This was followed by a lively Q&A session hosted by local Newmarket MC Donal OSullivan, where guests asked practical questions of Derek and fellow guest, Jack Walsh from ePower.

The questions ranged from charging infrastructure, running costs and government grants to the realities of switching to electric in Munster.

Highlights of the evening included the unveiling of the all new XPENG G6 Coupe, which features upgraded interiors and significant performance improvements (84 feature changes in total).

In addition, the event also featured a special community moment in which Newmarket Motors presented Newmarket XPENG-sponsored jerseys to Newmarket GAA, reflecting the dealerships ongoing support for local groups and organisations.

Newmarket Motors Dealer Principal Annette Browne described the launch as a significant moment for the business. Bringing XPENG to Newmarket is a milestone for our dealership. Our customers expect choice, innovation, quality and value, and XPENG delivers on them all. 

Ms Browne continued: We were thrilled to welcome Derek Reilly to share his insights with our guests. There is huge interest across Cork and Munster in understanding what the transition to electric really means for everyday drivers.

Community has always been at the heart of Newmarket Motors, said Ms Browne. It was a pleasure to celebrate this launch alongside our customers, neighbours and partners, and to support Newmarket GAA with the presentation of their new XPENG-sponsored jerseys.

I also want to highlight the contribution of our local Newmarket MC, Donal OSullivan, who played a blinder at the event, she added.

XPENG, launched in Ireland earlier this year, brings advanced software, premium design and exceptional driving technology to the Irish EV market.

The XPENG G6, an all-electric, ultra-smart 4-door coupe SUV, is the first model available through Newmarket Motors and has already attracted strong interest thanks to its stand-out styling, intelligent features and highly competitive pricing.

The XPENG launch follows a period of significant growth and investment for Newmarket Motors.

Earlier this autumn, the dealership was appointed as a main dealer for Mercedes-Benz Light Commercial Vehicles, adding one of the worlds most respected commercial brands to its portfolio, which now includes XPENG, Volkswagen passenger cars and Volkswagen Light commercial vehicles.

Newmarket Motors is a third-generation dealership established in 1976, serving customers across Cork, Kerry and Limerick for nearly 50 years.

Known for professionalism, integrity, and a strong customer-first ethos, the business has built lasting relationships with generations of drivers.

With modern showrooms, state-of-the-art workshops, and a team of highly trained technicians, Newmarket Motors combines award-winning aftersales care with an innovative approach to sales and service.

With multiple industry awards and a strong reputation for customer care, Newmarket Motors continues to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in the communities it serves.

Newmarket Motors can be contacted for more information on their wide range of vehicles and their 261 XPENG Open Weekend.
Mondays meeting of Dublin City Council (DCC) heard a wide array of views from members about the controversial proposal to dename Herzog Park in Rathgar.

Proponents pointed to the conduct of Israel in its war on Gaza, killing more than 70,000 people, while others said removing the name would be an act of erasure of Irish-Jewish history.

But the matter, since referred back to the councils Commemorations and Naming Committee, drew no small amount of attention from Dubliners, who contacted representatives.

Labours Dermot Lacey said he received about 1,000 emails on the topic, with slightly more of them for the name change than against.

I suspect some campaigning organisation has encouraged them to write, he said. I started to reply to them all, but the volume became just crazy.

Mr Lacey said the letters he received against the proposal tended to be more personal, more local, and many were from families.

Much of the correspondence seen by the Irish Independent consisted of copied and pasted messages from both camps, but some revealed the depth of hurt the proposal caused.

Like many Irish-Israelis living in Ireland, I am not happy with the Israeli government

When my family and I moved to Dublin, we were genuinely heartened to see how people here look beyond politics and understand that individuals are not defined by their governments, one person wrote.

Whenever friends and family in Israel asked about our experience, I always said that we felt truly welcomed by everyone we met. And now this proposal to rename Herzog Park has come up.

The person, a parent of a child attending a nearby school, said they felt it was an attempt to erase an important part of Jewish history in Dublin.

It feels like giving way to the rising antisemitic voices, and it directly impacts our sense of safety and belonging in the city, they said.

Another person said they moved to Ireland in 1998 and had fallen in love with the country and its people.

Like many Irish-Israelis living in Ireland, I am not happy with the Israeli government and cannot wait to use my voting power against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they said.

However, removing Herzogs name seems like an antisemitic move that has nothing to do with Israel. It seems to deny the Jewish involvement in Irish history and is very disturbing.

Fine Gael councillor David Coffey said Herzog Park was the issue he had been contacted about more than any other in his 11 months on the council.

On other issues, I may have received a couple of dozen emails. On this issue, I received a few hundred, he said.

Like Mr Lacey, he noticed that emails in favour of keeping the name tended to be more personal.

It would send an awful message to the dwindling Jewish community in our city

Theyre from the area or theyre from the Jewish community. My sense, based on the emails, is that the vast majority of people who have made the effort to tell me that they visit the park and live in the community did not want this name changed, he said.

Mr Coffey said Jewish people in Ireland were feeling besieged, but they were just ordinary, law-abiding citizens like the rest of us.

A local person who uses the park with their child said renaming it would send an awful message to the dwindling Jewish community in our city.

I would ask you to urge those responsible to reconsider, notwithstanding the damage this does to our image in the US and elsewhere, they said.

Someone who visits the park regularly said they had observed its significance as a beloved community space, especially for our children.

The prospect of renaming such a cherished area raises troubling questions about the potential use of a childrens park as a platform for political messaging.

Our public parks should be places of joy, inclusion and community spirit.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Left to right: Tim Riordan from APC, Michael Foley Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Steve Lynch from SSE Thermal and Patrick Hayes construction manager

Construction has begun at Kerrys new state of the art power station in what is a new chapter for the nearby town.

Foundation and civil works are underway at Tarbets 300m Next Generation Power Station, which will be first in Ireland to run 100 per cent hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

As a major milestone for the flagship project, ensuing construction is expected to support 200 full-time employees and leave 14 enduring jobs in the area when works are complete.

SSEs new peaker power station will supply electricity to the grid during peak hours of demand and will have a generation capacity of 300MW, down from the previous plants 620MW capacity.

Tarbert Power Station has long been a cornerstone of our community and economy, said Kerry Councillor Michael Foley

I have a personal connection as my late father worked on its construction in the 1960s, and he always spoke fondly of that time.

Todays progress marks a new chapter for Tarbert, sustaining employment and inspiring confidence in North Kerrys future. SSEs continued investment here is a catalyst for growth and a signal that this region can thrive as part of Irelands energy transition.

The original oil-fired plant was decommissioned in 2023 due to environmental requirements, after more than 50 years of operation.

The new station is expected to be completed by 2027, and will operate on HVO, a low carbon alternative to fossil fuels sourced entirely from waste feedstocks, supplied in line with EU sustainability standards.

The plant is also designed for the use of hydrogen and is set to benefit if fuel becomes more readily available.

Steve Lynch, Project Manager at SSE Thermal, said: Were delighted to have started construction on Tarbert Next Generation Power Station.

As Irelands first power station to run on sustainable biofuels, its a cutting-edge project and represents a fitting next chapter in the sites proud history.

SSE is partnered with the Italian-based Ansaldo Energia and Limerick-headquartered Atlantic Projects Company (APC) on the project. Ansaldos AE94.3A turbine has been chosen for its flexibility and reliability needed, while APC will provide the supporting systems and components.

Charles E. Collins, Managing Director, Atlantic Project Company, said: At Atlantic Projects Company, we are proud to be part of the transformative journey in Ireland's energy sector through Engineering, Procurement and Construction of the Tarbert Next Generation Power Station.

We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that will play a crucial role in the countrys growing need for energy demand.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
Residents on the Ring of Kerry have warned that somebody will be killed if footpath plans arent followed through on the scenic coastal route.

Community representatives from Caherdaniel made their case to councillors last week for the construction of a pedestrian path between the village and the adjacent OCarrolls Cove, as well as investment for a community hub.

John OShea, owner of the Wave Crest Caravan Park and member of the Caherdaniel Development Committee (CDC), recalled people walking along the stretch of road at night, warning that someone will be killed.

The bends and visibility make the section particularly hazardous, he said, with the three caravan parks along the route hosting thousands of visitors every day during the summer months.

He hailed the recent installation of a footpath between West Cove and OCarrolls Cove as a great success and said a similar project along the road to Caherdaniel would produce a significant improvement to safety and quality of life of locals.

A linked footpath would make a seamless and scenic route through one of Irelands most beautiful areas, he said.

Anna Meria Costello, another member of the CDC, took the opportunity at the Kenmare Municipal District meeting to make her case for investment in a community hub for Caherdaniel.

She said the closure of the village shop was felt very keenly and urged the council to help the community find a location for a community hub.

Residents needed somewhere for a small shop, tea and coffee making facilities, public toilets, a meeting room and gallery space she said, highlighting the thriving artistic community in the village.

Theres been a groundswell of artistic activity in the parish over the last few years and many of those involved share our vision of Caherdaniel as a vibrant and buzzing centre for the arts, said Anna Meria.

Councillors were unanimous in their support for deputation, with Councillor Johnny Healy-Rae saying the lack of footpath to the village was an accident waiting to happen.

Its extremely dangerous, he said, a footpath would be absolutely massive for Caherdaniel.

However, council officers advised that funding was significantly constrained, highlighting that any works on the national second road were dependent on TII.

While they recognised the merit in the project, they pointed to four other significant projects already underway on the Ring of Kerry and which ahead in the councils priority.

Council officers said they would talk to the TII and potentially get the project included in their plans for 2027.

The request for a community hub was also welcomed by councillors, who urged the council to put the proposal into future council plans.

Councillor Norma Moriarty accepted the village was hamstrung by the lack of publicly owned land but argued that new regulations introduced stronger teeth for public bodies around derelict sites.

The acquisition of a key derelict site could unlock everything else for Caherdaniel, she emphasised.

She described the situation as a chicken and egg scenario, where a feasibility study couldnt be carried out because there was no council owned land, but a study may prove key in promoting the land acquisition.

Cllr Healy-Rae urged the council to add the plans, at least, to paper and initiate the first step.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
From first joining the Tralee branch of the Irish Red Cross in the summer of 2024 to picking up the Newcomer of the Year award at the Irish Red Cross, National Volunteer Awards 2025 in Croke Park this past Saturday, Elenas rise through the ranks is a testament to her hard work and passion for the organisation.

The ceremony was one that celebrated the volunteers across the country who give their time and expertise to Irelands humanitarian organisation.

Since joining alongside her sister last year, 24-year-old Elena has become a standout volunteer whose swift engagement and energetic leadership have revitalised key areas of the branch.

After completing her First Aid Responder course, she immersed herself in service and took on the role of Youth Officer with the Tralee branch this year. Under Elenas leadership, the Tralee Youth Section, which had become dormant during COVID, is now thriving. Elena has already led the youth members in numerous cooperative ventures with other community groups in the town.

Speaking to The Kerryman, Elena said that she loves the learning aspect of the Red Cross and admits that she was shocked hearing her name called out as the award winner and even jokingly wondered if her name had been called out by mistake.

"I love learning. I'd always thought of joining the Red Cross. I find that it's a very nice thing to do that I wasn't able to do when I was younger. The people here are so nice, and everyone has such a passion for what they're doing. They're so willing to give up their time as well, she said.

"Emily and I, another person who was nominated, were playing a nice little game of guessing who was going to get the award in each category, and we were bang on for all of them. Then, when they got to my category, I was like 'oh, there's no way I'm getting this'. I was just happy to be shortlisted, that in itself was an honour, she continued.

"Then they called out my name, and I couldn't believe it. I was like 'Are you sure?' My sister was screaming next to me, and I almost went deaf! My legs were like jelly going up to the stage, she laughed.

Speaking on her work in the youth section of the Tralee branch, she said that it is led entirely by what they, the young people, want to do.

"My goal with the youth section isn't necessarily that they join the Red Cross as full members because I know that's a lot to ask of people. What I want is to give people a love for volunteering and an understanding of volunteering going on in Tralee, and they can learn to appreciate it, she said.

"If they want to volunteer with the Red Cross as adults, that's obviously amazing, but if they want to volunteer with the Tidy Towns or even join the fire station, then they have previous experience of that and how it works. They [the youths] love it because they get to see people in action who genuinely love what they're talking about. They can ask them questions that they've always wanted to ask, she continued.

Charlie Flanagan, Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, congratulated Elena on her award win.

Your commitment to volunteering and supporting those most in need in your community is exceptional. Thank you sincerely for using your time and talents to make your locality a better, kinder place. Reinvigorating the Youth section of the Tralee branch is so important  thanks to your hard work, the Irish Red Cross and your local community are benefiting from fresh ideas and new energy. You are a wonderful inspiration to all of us, and you truly deserve this recognition.
Visit builds on previous trip to Sligo in November 2023

Ambassador Yong-kil Kim pictured being welcomed to County Hall, Riverstown by Cathaoirleach Cllr Donal Gilroy.

Sligo County Council welcomed Yong-kil Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ireland, to County Hall on Tuesday.

The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms. Seoyeon Yun, Third Secretary and Vice Consul and Christian Murphy, Policy Officer.

The visit was hosted by Cathaoirleach Cllr Donal Gilroy, along with Deputy Chief Executive Marie Whelan, Director of Services Brian Flynn, and Cllr Fergal Nealon.

Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach Cllr Gilroy said:

It is an honour to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Yong-kil Kim to County Hall today.

We are deeply privileged to host you in Sligo, a place renowned for its rugged coastlines, majestic mountains, and vibrant arts scene  a landscape that has long inspired poets, musicians, and dreamers.

The Cathaoirleach highlighted the significance of the visit, noting that it builds on the Ambassadors previous visit in November 2023 and reflects the strong ties between Ireland and Korea, which celebrated over 40 years of diplomatic relations this year.

Cllr Gilroy referenced milestones such as the Taoiseachs visit to Korea in 2023, the 30th Anniversary memorial in Seoul honouring Irish soldiers of the Korean War, and historic links dating back to 1871.

The Ambassadors visit also acknowledged Sligos role in fostering KoreaIreland connections, including the South Korean delegation of 28 representatives who visited in December 2024 to study Sligos night-time economy, and the shared appreciation of Sligos literary heritage, particularly the works of WB Yeats.

Cllr Gilroy emphasised opportunities for collaboration in agri-food, tourism, renewable energy, and sustainable development, noting that the EUKorea Free Trade Agreement continues to strengthen trade links.

He also praised the Korean Embassys support for Irish businesses and cultural exchange.

Friendship is not only about trade or diplomacy, but about people, creativity, and shared humanity.

The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts, signing of the Distinguished Visitors Book, and a photocall.
Waterford girl who helped mum fight off intruder with knife given National Bravery Award

Her father, who she rang twice during the deal, has shared the terrifying moments and the impact the ordeal has had on their family

Carla Murphy is awarded a silver medal and a Certificate of Bravery at the National Bravery Awards 2025. Photo: Maxwells photography

Eoin Kelleher Fri 5 Dec 2025 at 17:42

A brave young Waterford girl who helped fight off an intruder who seriously assaulted her mother in the family home, has been awarded a National Bravery Award in Leinster House.
For the last 15 years, the Team Hope Shoebox appeal has been ensuring that children in Africa are waking up to gifts and a sprinkle of magic on Christmas morning.

The Team Hope Shoebox Appeal was established in 2010 to help disadvantaged children in Africa and Eastern Europe. The annual appeal collects shoeboxes filled with gifts from people in Ireland, which are then delivered around the world.

Since 2010, they have delivered over 2.8 million shoeboxes, with Wexford making up a significant part of that by delivering over 20,000 over the last three years.

On Saturday, November 29, Lorna Burt and her team of volunteers woke up early and travelled to Bree village to fill the lorry with thousands of boxes at their temporary base of operations.

Teamwork was needed to sort all the boxes.

"I am delighted to say that 5,972 gift-filled shoeboxes are on their way to Burundi in Africa thanks to the generosity of so many in Co. Wexford. We are especially grateful to Garry and Josephine Byrne for allowing us the use of the warehouse in Bree for the month of November for us to receive, check and pack all of the shoeboxes, she explained.

She added that the was thrilled to see a continuous showing of support from the people of Wexford in the lead up to Christmas.

"We had an amazing response this year from almost all of the schools in Co. Wexford, plus preschools, community groups, businesses and individuals. Once again Co. Wexford did us proud in their generosity towards the Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

We know that every single shoebox really will make an enormous difference in the life of each child who receives one and bring so much joy and gratitude into their life. Each shoebox was packed with thought and care and this will be evident as each child opens it and receives a little bit of love and kindness from the people of Wexford, she added.
The clinics will provide an opportunity to discuss planting options, available grant supports under the Forestry Programme and forest management options. The initiative is supported by the Department of Agriculture.

The local woodland owner group also delivered this year's National Woodland Show in Kilkea Castle, last month. The show which celebrated Irish trees, woodlands and wildlife was well attended with two days of woodland talks and demos covering topics ranging from planting trees and careers in forestry to local history, crafts and chainsaw sculpting.

The welcome to the show was provided by JJ Kavanagh, Chairman of Irish Wood Producers, alongside Seamus Dunne, Senior Inspector with the Department of Agriculture. That was followed by talks from Marie Doyle, from UCD Forestry, Kathleen Lucey, from Irish Forest Owners, Dheeraj Rathore, from Teagasc Research and Tom Kent, from SETU Waterford, who also led a walk around the grounds.

Technical information stands were provided by the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc Forestry, UCD, SETU Waterford, Irish Wood Producers, Irish Forest Owners, Northeastern Forestry Group, Woodlands of Ireland, the Agroforestry Forum, None So Hardy Nursery, Murray Timber Group and Euroforest.

2025 Woodland Show speakers

Donal Magner organised Rotary Ireland's exhibition Woodspace - Wood Designers of the Present and the Future, which were on display in the vaulted foyer. The Celtic Chainsaw Carvers assembled another amazing team from Ireland, UK and Lithuania to raise the noise and let the wood fly to create large sculptures live at the show.

The showgrounds also featured carved giants and fairy houses from Special Branch Carvers in Waterford and speed carving competitions saw carvers go head-to-head to producer smaller carvings throughout the show. The Craft Market hosted local artisans and outside in the courtyard, Pintofplane Eoin Reardon, Fiach Rua Timbercraft, Micheal Potterton and Living Longbows Jack Pinson demonstrated their woodcraft skills all weekend.

Machinery and equipment displays included John Deere, Ponsse, and Komatsu harvesters and forwarders, Logosol mobile saws from the Saw Doctor, processors, harvesting heads, tractors and chainsaws from Portnahinch Products, Lyons and Barton, Oleo Mac and Con Little.

On the second day, Ciaran Nugent, Regional Forestry Inspector opened the day, followed by speakers, Grace Jones from Teagasc Research, John Sherlock from Sherlogs Firewood, Maureen Kilgore from Agroforestry Forum, Joe Gowran from Woodlands of Ireland Aodan Kealey from Murray Timber Group, Denise Whelan from History of Kilkea Castle and Michael Somers from Teagasc, who closed Sunday's proceedings with a tune on the accordion.

This Fridays clinic takes place on December 5, between 11am and 1pm in New Ross Scout Hall.
National Lottery regional sales manager Simon Reenan presents Convenience Store of the Year award to Theresa Byrne, Siobhan McMunn and Caoimhe Byrne, all from Byrnes Londis Aughrim, Co. Wicklow.

Byrnes Londis Aughrim has been awarded Gold  Convenience Store of the Year in their category at the prestigious ShelfLife C-Store Awards, marking a significant achievement for this long-standing family business.

The awards started in 2000 and the ceremony, held at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, brought together Irelands top retailers to celebrate excellence in the convenience sector.

Owned and operated by Peter and Teresa Byrne, along with Siobhan McMunn and Caoimhe Byrne, Byrnes Londis Aughrim has been a cornerstone of the local community for decades. The store joined the Londis brand in 2004 and today provides employment to 24 people, including six members of the Byrne family.

Commenting on the win Londis sales director Conor Hayes said: Its a wonderful testament to the Byrne familys service to the Aughrim community. Their dedication and passion have been evident throughout their incredible 90 years of serving the area. I wish them every success for the future also.

He added that the award is a fitting recognition of Byrnes Londis Aughrims enduring commitment to quality, service, and community values, reinforcing its reputation as one of Irelands leading convenience stores.
Wicklows compassion and solidarity were on full display this week as Senator Aubrey McCarthy, a leading figure in Greystones through his charity Tiglin, played a central role in welcoming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska during their state visit to Ireland, on Tuesday, December 2.

Senator McCarthy, convener of the Irish Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, was given the honour of accompanying Mrs Zelenska into the Dail chamber while her husband delivered a historic address to both Houses of the Oireachtas. He guided the First Lady through Leinster House, explaining the seating arrangements and pointing out notable artworks, including portraits of a former Taoisigh.

It was a privilege to walk with Mrs Zelenska into the Dail, Senator McCarthy said. Their presence was a reminder of the courage of the Ukrainian people and of Irelands responsibility to stand with them.

The senator marked the occasion with a personal gesture, presenting Mrs Zelenska with a Newbridge Silverware St Brigids Cross pin. The gift carried special resonance, as St Brigid is the patron saint of Ireland and her cross is a national symbol of peace and protection.

The St Brigids Cross is a symbol of hope and shelter, McCarthy explained. It is woven into the fabric of our communities across Wicklow and beyond. Presenting this gift was a way of extending the hand of friendship from Greystones and Wicklow to Kyiv.

Senator McCarthy also took the opportunity to outline the work of Tiglin, which currently houses 150 Ukrainian refugees at its Wicklow centres. With centres at Coolnagreina in Greystones, and Loreto in Bray, Tiglin has been a consistent provider of support and accommodation to those Ukrainians who have been displaced since the war began, following the Russian invasion, in February 2022.

He highlighted Tiglins social enterprise coffee shop, Rise at the Cove, where young Ukrainians are given training and employment opportunities as they rebuild their lives in Ireland.

The First Lady expressed her delight at hearing about the initiative and commended the way Wicklow communities have embraced Ukrainian families and provided practical support.

This visit was not just about politics, Senator McCarthy added. It was about people. In Greystones, we see the impact every day as families from Ukraine rebuild their lives with the help of Tiglin.

The arrival of President Zelenskyy and Mrs Zelenska in Ireland was widely regarded as a landmark occasion, symbolising Irelands solidarity with Ukraine.
Maurice Nicholson, of Charlesland Park, Greystones, appeared at Bray District Court on summons brought by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).

Mr Nicholson faced three charges of having a dog and bird capable of hunting on lands at Glassenamucky Brakes, Co Dublin, without the permission of the landowner on November 8, 2023, of hunting protected wild birds without a licence or ministerial permission, and of hunting wild birds without the landowners consent.

The court heard that counsel for the DHLGH and Mr Nicholsons legal team reached an agreement whereby the defendant would plead guilty to having a dog and bird capable of hunting on lands at Glassenamucky Brakes without the landowners permission, and the two remaining charges would be struck out.

The court was told that Mr Nicholson was seen at Glassenamucky Brakes, part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, with a red setter and a peregrine falcon on his arm. A peregrine falcon is a protected bird of prey, commonly used in hunting due to its speed and precision.

Maurice Nicholson, of Charlesland Park, Greystones,

Maurice Nicholson MVB is a veterinary surgeon at BrayVet, an animal clinic based in Bray.

The defendant has worked there on and off for over 20 years and has been a practising vet for more than 40 years. Counsel for the defence described their client as an upstanding gentleman.

Judge David Kennedy fined Mr Nicholson 500, to be donated to Kildare Wildlife and Rescue. The fine must be paid by December 16, 2025.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Some of the drug bust on display

A Wicklow man has appeared before Bray District Court after being arrested during a major Garda operation that led to the seizure of more than 2.1 million worth of drugs.

Thomas Kavanagh (47), of 4 Clogga Cove, Clogga, Arklow, was arrested on November 13, 2025 at Ballinabanoge Arklow during coordinated searches carried out by personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau at several homes in Wicklow and Dublin.

During the course of the operation, supported by the Ballymun and Balbriggan Drugs Units, gardai seized 98 kilograms of cannabis and two kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated combined street value of 2.1 million.

Mr Kavanagh was one of five people arrested as part of the investigation. One other female has been charged and is before the courts.

He has been charged with unlawful possession of cocaine, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, and possession of cocaine for the purpose of sale or supply, contrary to Section 15 and Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended.

The seizure forms part of Operation Tara, the national strategy aimed at tackling drug-trafficking networks. The operation focuses on disrupting and dismantling groups involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production and supply of controlled drugs at international, national and local levels.

Mr Kavanagh was granted bail, under strict conditions and an independent surety.

Judge David Kennedy released Mr Kavanagh on continuing bail, he is due back before Bray District Court on December 22, 2025 for mention.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A Bray man has been given a suspended sentence after gardai discovered cocaine and cannabis during two separate incidents.

Jamie OConnor (21), of Ballywaltrim Heights, Bray, Co. Wicklow, appeared for sentencing at Bray District Court. The defendant is charged with two separate drug possession offences, one for cocaine and one for cannabis.

The court was informed that on August 12, 2025, while on foot patrol, gardai stopped OConnor and searched him, discovering a bag of cocaine with a street value of 120. While being cautioned, he allegedly pushed his mother into the gardai and fled the scene.

In a separate incident, gardai, detecting the strong smell of cannabis, observed OConnor in possession of a cannabis joint along with a bag of cannabis worth 20.

The court heard OConnor has 60 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence related to a firearms offence committed in 2020.

On that occasion OConnor pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances and was sentenced to two years in prison, with the final six months suspended.

The court also heard that OConnor has a history of cocaine addiction. Counsel for the defence, Joe Maguire, told the court that his client is extremely apologetic.

Judge David Kennedy sentenced OConnor to six months imprisonment but suspended the sentence in its entirety.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson celebrated democracy, at last! as the camp was told there will be no more leaders (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson celebrated democracy at last on Thursday nights Im a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! after it was revealed there will be no more leaders in the camp.

Following the departure of comic Ruby Wax on Wednesday nights episode of the ITV reality show, the celebrities were told that as their leader has left, there will be no camp chiefs moving forward.

Due to the changes to camp, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, who was the deputy leader, had to step down from her role.

As the soap star, 49, had to move from the leaders treehouse and into the main camp with the other celebrities, Read Wilson said: Democracy at last.

Angryginge told Lisa Riley: Youve been getting away with murder, bossing us around! (Ian West/PA Wire)

Social media star Angryginge told Riley: Youve been getting away with murder, bossing us around.

The stars then had to decide amongst themselves which campmates should carry out each chore.

Ginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, also spoke about Waxs exit on Wednesdays episode, and said the whole group was gobsmacked at her departure.

He said: Ruby, to me, was the winner of this thing.

Absolutely gutted. She was amazing.

I already miss her, he added.

Also in Thursday nights episode, Ginge described himself as a Swiftie, as the campmates discussed the US pop superstar.

The 24-year-old said: I am a Swiftie. Unbelievable she is, her musics incredible, shes incredible.

Tom Read Wilson took on a Bushtucker Trial with Spandau Ballets Martin Kemp (Victoria Jones/PA)

He added: Shes also an aesthetically pleasing lady, shes very beautiful.

During the discussion, Spandau Ballets Martin Kemp asked the social media star: Would you snog her?

He replied: I think Id be an idiot if I turned her down to be honest!

In the Bushtucker trial, Kemp and Read Wilson hit the bookshelves in Lethal Libraries.

The duo had to find seven books in a library full of snakes and insects to win stars for camp.

During the task, Read Wilson hunted for a copy of The Jungle Book, which was hidden on a bookshelf full of snakes, while Kemp watched on from a librarians desk covered in insects.

As the 39-year-old searched for the book among the reptiles, he said: Im sorry, I know youre just being bookworms.

He moved the snakes as he hunted for the classic novel, and told them: Im sorry to disturb you.

Watching on, Kemp joked with his campmate: Be careful of the snakes in there.

The 64-year-old then joined in with presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, and sang The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book.

Martin Kemp sang The Bare Necessities with presenters Ant and Dec during Bushtucker trial Lethal Libraries (PA)

McPartlin said the Celebs Go Dating star was a little bit leisurely during the task, as the pair revealed they only won five out of a possible seven stars.

At the end of Thursdays show, the sixth celebrity was booted out after the results of the public vote were revealed live on air.

Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! airs at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX & STV Player followed by Im A Celebrity Unpacked which airs nightly after the main show on ITV2, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
Age ratings are classified by the British Board of Film Classification (Daniel Law/PA)

The majority of UK parents find age ratings on Netflix helpful when choosing child-appropriate content, a new survey has found.

The age ratings, which are classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), appear in all of Netflixs UK catalogue with the aim of informing viewing choices and protecting children.

A recent BBFC survey of 2,000 parents in the UK found that 96% think the ratings symbols are helpful when deciding whether something was appropriate for their child to watch.

David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC, said: I am proud to celebrate five years of all films and TV series on Netflix carrying BBFC age ratings and content advice.

The collaboration on ratings started in 2020 (Daniel Law/PA)

As viewing habits continue to evolve, our commitment to protecting and empowering audiences has never been more important.

Collaboration and shared responsibility are at the heart of everything we do, ensuring clarity and consistency for families across the UK through age ratings and content advice so they can make informed viewing choices about whats right for them.

The survey also found 77% of parents feel more confident in Netflixs age ratings because they know they are provided in partnership with the BBFC.

The partnership, which first launched in 2020, works to ensure that all of Netflixs UK catalogue is rated under the BBFC classification guidelines which is based on a public consultation that is refreshed every four to five years.

Its most recent consultation was held in 2023 and involved roughly 12,000 people.

The partnership has since been extended to 2028.

Netflix was the first streaming service to partner with the BBFC (PA)

Benjamin King, senior director of global affairs UK at Netflix, said: At Netflix, we want families to feel fully confident in the choices they make about what to watch and our partnership with the BBFC plays a vital role in ensuring that peace of mind.

By applying their well-established ratings across our entire UK catalogue, we equip parents with clear and consistent advice about age-appropriate content.

Were delighted to mark five years of this pioneering approach for streaming and to continue our work with the BBFC to support safe and informed viewing.

Ella Bradshaw, policy officer for child safety online at the NSPCC, said: The BBFCs partnership with Netflix demonstrates how clear, independent age ratings and content advice can give families and young people confidence and help them make informed viewing choices.

Protecting children from harmful content and giving them access to positive, ageappropriate experiences is important, and strong, research-based ratings play a vital role in that.

As children spend more time online, its vital that all platforms adopt consistent, transparent approaches to age ratings and safety measures, with child protection at their core.
Tom Read Wilson and Vogue Williams on 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' Photo: ITV

Vogue Williams has spoken on her podcast about an unaired moment of Im a Celeb, when she suffered a panic attack.

Speaking on her first episode back on the My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast after her stint in the Australian jungle, she told co-host Joanne McNally about a wobble she had.

Williams joined the show a week late, alongside Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson.

She was voted off the show on Monday, before other contestants, Martin Kemp and Kelly Brook also left the jungle.

Speaking to McNally, Williams described a moment that led her to request to speak with the psychologist on set.

I did have one incident because you know Im just crazy about my sleep, she said.

And if I dont sleep, I get anxious, and thats why I worry so much about my sleep.

So, I didnt sleep that night, and then we went out and did the trial another night with the cockroaches, and then I was like right, Im not going to sleep tonight.

And I started having an absolute meltdown just lying there like please sleep, please sleep, please sleep. And I had to go up to the BT, so its the telegrapher, where you do all the chats, I started having a panic attack.

I said: Please dont show this because everyone will see how mental I am. I just couldnt control it and went into full panic mode, she added.

The next day, she then requested to speak to the psychologist on the crew, who she said completely reset her.

"I was so panicked that night because my anxiety just hit ninety, and I said I have to get rid of this, she said.

"I went and spoke to her, and she just completely reset me, and for that whole day I was totally fine.

Irish viewers are not permitted to vote for contestants on the show, with Williams quick to highlight she did not blame that factor in getting voted off.

She said: I was asked a question, and the question was, Do you think the fact that the Irish couldn't vote caused you a problem? And I said, Well, I wouldn't really know. I don't know any difference to what the way the show was.

"I am in no way a sore loser, she added.
The public has voted a sixth celebrity out of the Im A Celebrity jungle (ITV/PA)

Spandau Ballets Martin Kemp has become the sixth contestant to be voted off Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

Kemp lasted 20 days in the camp after skydiving his way into the ITV reality show.

Speaking about his time on the series, Kemp said the highlights were without a doubt his campmates.

Martin Kemp arrives for the BBC screening of The Kemps at the BFI Southbank in London. ( Lucy North/PA)

He said: Just sitting around, not even the trials and stuff like that, but sitting around, talking and lots of laughs.

Im not one for making new friends, and this is the first time Ive done it for years, and I absolutely loved it.

Coming out now, I feel like Ive done it. I feel like Ive done everything I wanted to do, experienced it, and I can walk away with some brilliant anecdotes.

I think I learned a lot about myself as well, about how patient I am, in a way, and also how emotional I am. Every turn, I felt like crying a lot of the time and its quite nice sometimes.

Kemp also said he hopes EastEnders actress Shona McGarty will be crowned this years Queen of the Jungle and win the series.

Shona McGarty has Martin Kemps vote for Queen of the jungle (Danny Lawson/PA)

He said: I think Shona came out of a shell like you cant imagine. She was absolutely so shy when she first went in, she started singing, and she became the most beautiful songbird ever.

Kemps time in the jungle follows in the footsteps of his son, presenter Roman Kemp, who was a contestant on the show in 2019 and came in third place.

Thursday nights episode also saw social media star Ginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, describe himself as a Swiftie, as the campmates discussed the US pop superstar.

The 24-year-old said: I am a Swiftie. Unbelievable she is, her musics incredible, shes incredible.

He added: Shes also an aesthetically pleasing lady, shes very beautiful.

AngryGinge confessed that he was a Swiftie, a fan of pop sensation Taylor Swift (Jack Hall/PA)

During the discussion, Kemp asked the social media star: Would you snog her?

He replied: I think Id be an idiot if I turned her down to be honest!

Following the departure of comic Ruby Wax during Wednesday nights episode, the celebrities were told that, as their leader has left, there will be no camp chiefs moving forward.

Due to the changes to camp, Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, who was the deputy leader, had to step down from her role.

Speaking about Waxs exit, Ginge said the whole group was gobsmacked at her departure.

Ruby Waxs departure from Im A Celebrity left the campmates gobsmacked (Ian West/PA)

He said: Ruby, to me, was the winner of this thing.

Absolutely gutted. She was amazing.

I already miss her, he added.

The news was softened when the campmates learned there would be no more leaders.

Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson said: Democracy at last.

Tom Read Wilson took on the latest Bushtucker trial alongside Martin Kemp (Matt Crossick/PA)

The celebrities then had to decide amongst themselves which campmates should carry out each chore.

In the Bushtucker trial, Kemp and Read Wilson hit the bookshelves in Lethal Libraries.

The duo had to find seven books in a library full of snakes and insects to win stars for camp.

During the task, Read Wilson hunted for a copy of The Jungle Book, which was hidden on a bookshelf full of snakes, while Kemp watched on from a librarians desk covered in insects.

As the 39-year-old searched for the book among the reptiles, he said: Im sorry, I know youre just being bookworms.

He moved the snakes as he hunted for the classic novel, and told them: Im sorry to disturb you.

Watching on, Kemp joked with his campmate: Be careful of the snakes in there.

The 64-year-old then joined in with presenters Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, and sang The Bare Necessities from The Jungle Book.

McPartlin said the Celebs Go Dating star was a little bit leisurely during the task, as the pair revealed they only won five out of a possible seven stars.

Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! returns on Friday night, where two contestants will be voted off the show.

The episode will air at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player, followed by Im A Celebrity Unpacked which airs nightly after the main show on ITV2, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
Status Yellow wind warning for Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow, Waterford and LouthForecaster also issues a Status Yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry

A person holding an umbrella walks along the quays on a wet and windy afternoon in Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Met Eireann has added a fifth county to its Status Yellow wind warning for four counties today.

Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford can expect strong to gale force and gusty winds this afternoon.

And forecasters have now added Louth to the warning.

This warning will be in effect from 11am this morning until 5pm in the evening.

The national forecaster has also warned of difficult travelling conditions and debris, as well as displaced loose objects.

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The forecaster has also issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry.

The advisory came into effect at 9am today and will be in place until 9am Saturday.

Met Eireann has warned of localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions during the period of the yellow warning.

Meanwhile the wet and windy morning will see rain extending to the northeast today, and it might turn heavy in some places.

Winds will increase in the meantime to strong and gusty, with gales expected on the south and east coasts.

The rain will give way to scattered showers and brighter spells, which can extend from the southwest in the afternoon and evening.

The highest temperatures will range between 8 and 12C across the country, but Ulster will see 6 to 9C.

Meanwhile, winds will decrease, while some showers will become heavy.

Met Eireann forecaster Liz Walsh said: Easterly winds will be strong and gusty everywhere for a time today and will be accompanied by rain, which will turn heavy at times.

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Tonight will be cloudy, bringing showers as well as some clearer and drier weather, too.

Temperatures will drop to between 5 and 10C, with strong winds in the southwest and along the south coast.

"The outlook for the weekend is a bit of a showery looking Saturday, breezy in the south, with a spell of rain moving northeasterly over the country on Saturday night, Ms Walsh said.

"[It will be] followed by a somewhat drier and brighter and calmer Sunday, but with the chance of some heavy showers near the Atlantic coast later, she added.

Met Eireann has forecast unsettled and changeable weather in store, with low pressure bringing wet and windy weather in the coming days.

The national broadcaster has warned of potential for very windy weather on Monday night and Tuesday for a time.

However, it will be relatively mild, with little or no frost, accompanied by drier, sunnier, and calmer interludes.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, has urged an end to fighting in Kordofan

Awadeya, a Sudanese woman who was held by the RSF, at a camp for displaced people who fled from el-Fasher. Photo: Reuters

The UNs top human rights official issued a stark new warning about Sudan, saying he fears a new wave of atrocities amid a surge in fierce fighting in the Kordofan region.

UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk urged all states with influence over the parties to take immediate action to halt the fighting, and stop the arms flows that are fuelling the conflict.

Fighting between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese military, who have been at war for over two years, has recently shifted to the oil-rich Kordofan region after the paramilitary group took over el-Fasher in Darfur.

According to the UN, the conflict in Sudan has killed 40,000 people, though some rights groups say the death toll is significantly higher, and has created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, with over 14 million people displaced.

The RSFs takeover of el-Fasher, the Sudaneses militarys last stronghold in Darfur, was marked by the killings, rapes and sexual assaults of civilians.

Over 100,000 people have fled el-Fasher since October. Thousands are feared trapped or believed to have been killed, according to rights groups.

It is truly shocking to see history repeating itself in Kordofan so soon after the horrific events in el-Fasher, Mr Turk said. We must not allow Kordofan to become another el-Fasher.

He said over 269 people were killed in the town of Bara, North Kordofan, in aerial strikes, artillery shelling and summary killings since the end of October, but that the true figure could be much higher as telecommunications and internet outages have made numbers hard to verify.

He called for the restoration of telecommunications to facilitate lifesaving assistance and to allow essential information to flow to civilians.

In his statement, Turk said an RSF drone strike on November 3 killed 45 people, mostly women, in a tent in el-Obeid in North Kordofan, and that Sudanese military aerial strikes on Saturday killed at least 48 people, mostly civilians, in Kauda, South Kordofan.

The RSF was run out of Sudans capital, Khartoum, earlier in the year. For months, the fighting has been concentrated in Kordofan, a region in southern and central Sudan that controls vital supply lines.

The battle is now centred around the city of Babanusa in West Kordofan province.

Sudan Doctors Network, a group of medical professionals across the country, warned on Wednesday that clashes are threatening the fate of dozens of women and children who sought refuge in army headquarters in the city. The group called for the refugees protection, saying they should be transferred to safety without harming them or detaining them arbitrarily on accusations of having relatives in the army.

It also called for access to Babanusa to provide humanitarian assistance.

Mr Turk warned that Kadugli and Dilling, towns in South Kordofan gripped by famine, are at particular risk after being under siege by the RSF and allied groups.

The UN migration agency estimates that over 44,000 people have fled the Kordofan region due to the escalation of fighting.
The Reform UK leader criticised the double standards of the BBC for broadcasting racist and homophobic content in the 1970s

Nigel Farage repeatedly shouted the name of controversial comedian Bernard Manning at journalists as part of a bizarre rant after he was asked about allegations he racially abused a schoolmate.

The Reform UK leader also criticised the BBC over the blackface and homophobia he said it repeatedly broadcast in the 1970s, accusing the broadcaster of double standards.

The row erupted after Reform MP Richard Tice was asked about the allegations surrounding Mr Farages schooldays on the BBCs Today programme earlier yesterday. Ducking a question about whether his former schoolmate was lying at a press conference, Mr Farage called the Today programme journalist Emma Barnett lower grade. He then accused the broadcaster of double standards and hypocrisy because of television shows such as Are You Being Served?, and for featuring Mr Manning.

Controversial comedian Bernard Manning in 1977. Photo: Getty

Mr Farage said: 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. He later shouted the name Bernard Manning at a journalist from ITV who asked a similar question.

Mr Manning, the self-styled king of the offensive joke, repeatedly came under fire for the content of his act. In the 1990s, he was secretly filmed telling racist jokes at a police charity dinner and criticised by then prime minister John Major.

Mr 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 said Hitler was right and gas them when the pair attended Dulwich College in the late 1970s.
Botched attack on double-agent and daughter led to the accidental death of civilian after she sprayed perfume

Anthony Hughes, the chairman of an inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, a mother of three, said Russian spies carried out an astonishingly reckless act when they took a highly toxic nerve agent into a busy city in a botched attempt to assassinate the double agent Sergei Skripal in March 2018.

Ms Sturgess died after coming into contact with a liquid in a sample bottle of Nina Ricci perfume laced with Novichok, a deadly nerve agent. The Russian spies had used the bottle to hold the toxin and they discarded it after targeting Colonel Skripal.

It had been given to the 44-year-old by her boyfriend Charlie Rowley, who had found it discarded four months after the attack on Col Skripal, a former Russian military intelligence officer.

As I have found, president Putin, was astonishingly reckless

In his report, Mr Hughes said: The attack on Sergei Skripal by Russia was not, it seems clear, designed simply as revenge against him, but amounted to a public statement, for both international and domestic consumption, that Russia will act decisively in what it regards as its own interests.

Notwithstanding the fact that the attack constituted a significant geopolitical risk, a public demonstration of Russian state power for both international and domestic impact is, I conclude, the most likely analysis of what occurred.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, Russian agents who travelled to Salisbury together to carry it out.

Mr Hughes added: The conduct of Petrov and Boshirov, their GRU superiors, and those who authorised the mission, up to and including, as I have found, president Putin, was astonishingly reckless. They, and only they, bear moral responsibility for Dawns death.

However, the judge found that the level of risk against Col Skripal had not been severe enough to justify forcing him to adopt a false identity before the Salisbury poisoning attack on him. He concluded that even though Col Skripal had not changed his name and was living openly in the Wiltshire city it would have been unreasonable to expect him to abandon any form of normal life.

The 8.3m (9.5m) public inquiry makes no substantial criticism of the British secret intelligence services or the police.

Living under an alias is complicated and fraught with the risk of accidental disclosure

The report published yesterday found that the attack on Col Skripal led directly to the death of Sturgess when she inadvertently sprayed herself with Novichok used in the assassination attempt.

But Mr Hughes states in his report that it was unlikely the brazen and reckless Novichok attack could have been avoided by additional security measures, such as changing his name, severing any links with his family and abandoning any form of normal life.

The senior judge writes in his 173-page report: It would require a very high level of risk to justify measures such as those suggested, but prior to 2018, there was nothing to indicate that level of risk.

The reality is that the only security arrangements for Sergei Skripal which could have prevented the kind of attack which happened  employing a novel weapon in the form of a lethal nerve agent  would have been to hide him entirely from view.

That would be justified only if the risk to him of assassination on UK soil stood at a high level, and it did not.

Living under an alias is complicated and fraught with the risk of accidental disclosure; Sergei Skripal was not of a character readily to adapt to it. Such measures could only have been accomplished with his consent, and he plainly would not willingly have accepted them.

The inquiry  parts of which were heard in secret and will never be revealed  heard in a statement from Col Skripal that he felt quite safe in Salisbury and did not see the need to adopt a false identity, even though he blamed Putin for the eventual attempt on his life.

Following the attack Col Skripal and his daughter, who was also contaminated and fell ill, moved to an undisclosed country where they are now living under assumed identities.

It was a reasonable conclusion at the time that this warning should not be issued

The report found that Ms Sturgess died of hypoxic ischaemic brain injury and intracranial brain haemorrhage, eight days after falling into a coma within moments of spraying herself with the sample bottle of perfume laced with Novichok found by her boyfriend.

And the Supreme Court judge said it would not have been reasonable to warn the public against picking up any discarded objects on the ground after the attack on the Skripals.

This advice was eventually only issued after the poisoning of Ms Sturgess.

Mr Hughes states: I have considered whether public health advice should have been issued in the period between March and the end of June 2018, to the effect that members of the public should not pick anything which they had not themselves dropped.

Such a message... would carry the implication that a very dangerous nerve agent might be encountered anywhere in the public space. As such advice would have had to be given not only in Salisbury but also anywhere else where the as yet unidentified attackers had been, it was a reasonable conclusion at the time that this warning should not be issued.

Ms Sturgess collapsed and began frothing at the mouth on July 30, 2018, moments after spraying herself with what she thought was perfume from the small bottle of Nina Ricci Premier Jour.

She died eight days later without even regaining consciousness.
Research into one of the most fatal pandemics in human history is especially relevant after Covid-19

Scanning electron micrograph showing a mass of Yersinia pestis bacteria (the cause of bubonic plague, also known as the Black Death). Photo: Getty

Volcanic eruptions were the first in a perfect storm of events that led to the devastation of the Black Death in Europe, according to a new study.

One of the most fatal pandemics in human history, the Black Death ravaged Europe between 1347 and 1353, and killed up to 50 million people. It has long been accepted that the bubonic plague was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which originated from wild rodent populations in central Asia and reached Europe via the Black Sea region.

However, historians have not previously understood why the Black Death began precisely when it did, where it started, why it was so deadly and how it spread so quickly.

A new study from academics at the University of Cambridge and the Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) has shed light on the circumstances that led to the bubonic plague coming to Europe.

Using a combination of climate data and documentary evidence, including analysing tree rings, the study suggests that a volcanic eruption  or cluster of eruptions  around 1345 caused annual temperatures to drop for consecutive years due to the haze from volcanic ash and gases.

This, in turn, caused crops to fail across the Mediterranean region. To avoid riots or starvation, Italian city states used their connections to trade with grain producers around the Black Sea  which helped them avoid famine, but introduced the Black Death through foreign ships, the paper published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment said.

This is something Ive wanted to understand for a long time, said Prof Ulf Buntgen from Cambridges department of geography. What were the drivers of the onset and transmission of the Black Death, and how unusual were they? Why did it happen at this exact time and place in European history? Its such an interesting question, but its one no one can answer alone.

Prof Buntgen studied tree rings from the Spanish Pyrenees, discovering consecutive blue rings, which suggest unusually cold and wet summers in 1345, 1346 and 1347 across much of southern Europe. The team found evidence from the same period that documented unusual cloudiness and dark lunar eclipses, which also suggest volcanic activity.

Dr Martin Bauch, a historian of medieval climate and epidemiology from GWZO, worked with Prof Buntgen to piece together the most complete picture to date of the perfect storm that led the plague to Europes ports.

For more than a century, these powerful Italian city states had established long-distance trade routes across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, allowing them to activate a highly efficient system to prevent starvation, said Dr Bauch. But ultimately, these would inadvertently lead to a far bigger catastrophe.

The researchers added that the findings are especially relevant following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although the coincidence of factors that contributed to the Black Death seems rare, the probability of zoonotic diseases emerging under climate change and translating into pandemics is likely to increase in a globalised world, said Prof Buntgen.
John Swinney has met with US President Donald Trump four times this year (PA)

A report from the Gates Foundation has projected that by the end of 2025, there will be 4.8 million child deaths, compared with 4.6 million the year before.

Until now, deaths of under-fives around the world had fallen every year since 2000, when the toll stood at 10 million.

The biggest global aid cuts by far have come from the US. When Donald Trump took office again in January, he cancelled all foreign aid spending overnight.

While some of that cut funding has been switched back on, the disruption has absolutely led to lives lost, the foundation said.

Bill Gates, who chairs the foundation, said: Theres something especially devastating about a child dying of a disease we know how to prevent. For decades, the world made steady progress saving childrens lives. But now, as challenges mount, that progress is reversing.

That means more than 5,000 classrooms of children, gone before they ever learn to write their name or tie their shoes.

The Gates Foundation  which supports The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project  compiled the report in partnership with the University of Washingtons Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

If funding for health decreases by 20pc, in line with the cuts proposed by a number of nations, 12 million more children could die by 2045, the report warned.

The largest single cause of death is the cuts in international aid.

This year, sadly, is almost certain to be the first year of this century where that has not just stopped, but reversed, Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman told The Independent.

By far, the largest single cause of death is the cuts in international aid. When you pull back at short notice, that has consequences, and sadly those consequences are measured in human lives.

Those 200,000 additional children who will die from preventable causes are essentially a fairly direct line back to those funding cuts.

While international aid cuts began with the US at the beginning of the year they have since spread to other major donors like Britain and Germany. Overall, global development assistance for health fell by just under 27pc this year compared to 2024, the report says.

In July this year, Democrats opposed to the Trump administrations cuts to foreign aid argued that the move would damage Americas standing in the world and create a vacuum for China to fill.
Maxwell was convicted in 2020 of child sex trafficking

Ghislaine Maxwell (right) pictured with, from left, Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Jeffrey Epstein at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. Photo: Getty Images

Ghislaine Maxwell has complained that US authorities releasing the Epstein files would jeopardise her chances of being freed from prison.

Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years for her role in trafficking teenage girls to Jeffrey Epstein, told a judge that releasing transcripts from her case would harm her chances in a potential retrial.

The British socialite, who is Epsteins former girlfriend, is fighting to re-open her case for a retrial after multiple failed attempts.

She claims that a juror in her 2020 trial was biased and failed to disclose that they were a victim of sexual abuse.

Maxwell also claims there were legal and factual failings in her prosecution, and that Epsteins 2007 non-prosecution agreement should protect her from at least one charge.

Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act last month, which requires the release of all documents related to the convicted paedophile.

Releasing the grand jury materials from her case, which contain untested and unproven allegations, would create undue prejudice so severe that it would foreclose the possibility of a fair retrial should Ms Maxwells habeas petition succeed, lawyers for Maxwell said in a court filing on Wednesday.

However, Maxwell did not go as far as to ask for their release to be blocked.

Maxwell is intrinsically linked to the Epstein case, having secured many of his victims and arranged for them to be abused by the financier.

If documents pertaining to her case were removed from the tranche of documents, it is probable that it would create significant holes.

Her lawyers said she did not take a position on the request by prosecutors to unseal the material in response to the act signed by Mr Trump.

Mr Trump had previously lobbied to prevent the remaining documents from being released, describing the files as a Democrat hoax.

He was friends with Maxwell and Epstein at one point, and his name has cropped up several times in material relating to Epstein released by the House Oversight Committee, much of which is thought to be part of the Epstein files held by the justice department.

In the face of a growing Republican rebellion in the House, Mr Trump changed his stance on November 16, insisting I dont care and that he had nothing to hide.

Mr Trump has repeatedly said he ended his relationship with Epstein before any criminal wrongdoing took place.
Catholic group in favour of reform criticises report as deep insult

Nuns walk near Saint Peter's Square, after a Vatican commission voted against allowing Catholic women to serve as deacons. Photo: Reuters

A high-level Vatican commission voted against allowing Catholic women to serve as deacons, maintaining the global churchs practice of all-male clergy, according to a report given to Pope Leo XIV and released yesterday.

The commission, in a 7-1 vote, said historical research and theological investigation excludes the possibility of allowing women to serve as deacons at this time but recommended further study of the issue.

Discussions about the possibility of female deacons, who are ordained and can assist with church services but cannot celebrate mass, have convulsed the 1.4 billion-member church for the last decade.

Catholic deacons can baptise people, witness marriages and preside at funerals, among other duties. In some areas of the world, they can also lead parishes in the absence of a priest, but a priest must still celebrate the mass.

The role, for centuries considered only a stepping stone to the priesthood, was reimagined as a permanent post for married Catholic men after a series of reforms by the church in the 1960s. Some women have said they believe God is asking them to take on the post, which is understood by the church as a role of service.

The panel, led by a cardinal and a priest from the Vaticans top doctrinal office, included male and female church scholars. In the report, they said their assessment against women deacons was strong, but does not as of today allow a definitive judgment to be formulated.

The late Pope Francis opened the conversation, after a request in 2016 from the Rome-based umbrella group representing the worlds Catholic sisters and nuns.

Francis instituted two commissions to study the matter, which deliberated in secrecy. Yesterdays report is the first time that the results of the discussions have been made public.

Pope Leo XIV. Photo: AP

One of the members of Franciss first commission, who had argued for women deacons, criticised the new report.

Phyllis Zagano, a scholar at Hofstra University in New York, said the text does its best to present the topic in a negative light, selectively choosing comments from previous reports without providing complete context.

Several groups advocating for reforms in the Catholic Church also criticised the report. German group We Are Church branded the decision against women deacons as questionable theologically, anthropologically and pastorally.

The Womens Ordination Conference, a US-based group, criticised the commission for not soliciting input from more women in its discussions and called the decision a deep, and theologically unsound, insult.

The new report comes in a letter sent to Pope Leo by Italian cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, who led the second commission created by Francis. The letter is dated September 18 but was released by the Vatican yesterday.

The second commission voted in a July 2022 meeting against the possibility of women serving as deacons, it said.

The report also said the commission voted 9-1 in a meeting this February that the church should broaden womens access to ministry opportunities, without giving specifics.

It now falls to the discernment of pastors to evaluate which further ministries may be introduced for the concrete needs of the church of our time, the report said.

Leo, a relative unknown on the global stage before his election in May, is not known to have commented on the issue of female deacons. Pope John Paul II reaffirmed the ban on women serving as priests in 1994, but did not specifically address the issue of women deacons.

Advocates point to evidence that women served as deacons in the early centuries of the church. One woman, Phoebe, is mentioned as a deacon in one of the letters of the apostle St Paul.
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India Opens PLI Applications for Bulk Drug Manufacturing till December 26, 2025

India is intensifying its push for pharmaceutical self-reliance through expanded PLI schemes and support for bulk-drug manufacturing, with the sixth application round opening on November 26, 2025. The renewed window targets priority APIs like Meropenem and Ritonavir.

India is steadily strengthening its essential pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem through a combination of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and large-scale bulk-drug infrastructure initiatives. On November 26, 2025, the central government launched the sixth application round under the PLI scheme for bulk drug manufacturing, inviting companies to seek approval for eligible products.

The renewed application cycle follows the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) decision to reopen the scheme, reflecting Indias push to expand domestic capacity for critical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and reduce reliance on imported inputs.

Fresh applications invited for domestic production of Meropenem and Ritonavir

The DoP has announced a new round of applications under the PLI Scheme for Key Starting Materials (KSMs), Drug Intermediates (DIs), and APIs. The latest round focuses specifically on two essential medicines: Meropenem, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and Ritonavir, a key anti-retroviral drug.

Target segment Name of eligible product Minimum annual production capacity (in MT) Total available production capacity (in MT) Maximum number of applicants to be selected Other chemical synthesis-based KSMs/DIs/APIs Meropenem 4 16 4 Other chemical synthesis-based KSMs/DIs/APIs Ritonavir 5 20 4

Source: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, GoI.

The eligible applicants may apply through online mode from November 27, 2025, to December 26, 2025, through the official portal: plibulkdrugs.ifciltd.com

Detailed guidelines of the scheme and necessary corrigendum are available at pharma-dept.gov.in/schemes.

Scheme conditions and eligibility

As per the announcement, applicants must comply with existing PLI scheme guidelines, including product-specific incentive ceilings and incentives available only until FY 2027-28 for chemical synthesis products.

Please note that entities that previously received approval but withdrew or had approvals cancelled for non-performance are not eligible to reapply.

The DoP issued a similar notification on May 14, 2025, that opened applications for 11 bulk drug categories under the PLI Scheme for domestic manufacturing of critical KSMs, DIs, and APIs.

Target segment Name of eligible product Minimum annual production capacity (in MT) Total available production capacity (in MT) Maximum number of applicants to be selected Key fermentation

based KSMs/Drug

Intermediates Erythromycin

Thiocyanate

(TIOC) 800 1600 2 Fermentation based

niche KSMs/drug

intermediates/APIs Neomycin 80 160 2 Fermentation based

niche KSMs/drug

intermediates/APIs Gentamycin 40 80 2 Fermentation based

niche KSMs/Drug

Intermediates/APIs Clindamycin

base 60 120 2 Fermentation based

niche KSMs/drug

intermediates/APIs Streptomycin 50 100 2 Fermentation based

niche KSMs/drug

intermediates/APIs Tetracycline 200 400 2 Key chemical

synthesis based

KSMs/drug

intermediates 2-Methyl (5)

Nitro Imidazole

(2MNI) 800 3200 4 Other chemical

synthesis based

KSMs/drug intermediates/APIs Ciprofloxacin 150 600 4 Other chemical

synthesis based

KSMs/drug

intermediates/APIs Diclofenac sodium 175 175 1 Key chemical

synthesis based

KSMs/drug

intermediates Dicyandiamide

(DCDA) 8000 24000 3 Key chemical

synthesis based

KSMs/drug

intermediates 1,1

Cyclohexane

Diacetic Acid

(CDA) 1500 1500 1

Source: Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, GoI.

Also Read: Eli Lillys Mounjaro Becomes Indias Top-Selling Drug: Market View

Indias API dependency challenge and PLI scheme progress

As per the central government estimates, India imports over 70 percent of its bulk drug requirements from China, creating massive supply chain vulnerabilities. To reduce import dependence, the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs was launched in FY 2020-21.

Implementation progress (as of August 2025):

32 pharmaceutical firms selected for greenfield projects

48 projects approved across 33 APIs/DIs/KSMs

Since FY 2022-23:

Cumulative sales: INR 19.62 billion (US$218.3 million)

Exports: INR 4.79 billion (US$53.29 million)

Import substitution: INR 14.83 billion (US$165 million)

Bulk drug parks

Infrastructure support for API manufacturing

In addition to offering incentives through the PLI schemes, India is simultaneously strengthening its pharmaceutical ecosystem by developing large-scale industrial infrastructure under the Scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks.

On September 1, 2022, the central government granted in-principle approval for three such parks located in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh, to support domestic API and bulk drug production.

These projects have a combined outlay of more than INR 63.06 billion (US$701.6 million), supported by up to INR 30 billion (US$333.5 million) in central government incentives.

State-level incentives for bulk drug parks

In addition to central support, several states offer supplementary incentives to attract investment into bulk drug parks. These may include:

Goods and services tax (GST) reimbursement for a defined period

Interest subsidies on eligible loans

Exemptions on stamp duty and registration fees

Concessional power and water tariffs

Single-window mechanisms for faster approvals

Strengthening critical API capacity in India

The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs aims to create domestic capacity for critical APIs, KSMs, and drug intermediates, thereby reducing dependence on single-source imports for essential medicines.

Financial and production outcomes (as of September, 2025)

Scheme outlay: INR 69.40 billion

Investment committed: INR 43.29 billion

Investment achieved: INR 47.63 billion

26 APIs/KSMs/DIs now have domestic production capability

Sales: INR 23.15 billion

Exports: INR 5.08 billion

Import savings: INR 18.07 billion

The scheme runs through FY 2029-30.

Driving high-value pharmaceuticals manufacturing

Complementing the bulk drug initiative, the broader PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals aims to scale Indias capabilities in advanced and high-value pharmaceutical products. The scheme prioritizes sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, complex generics, patented and near-patent-expiry drugs, and other high-technology therapies, positioning India to move further up the global value chain.

Investment and output (as of September 2025)

Scheme outlay: INR 150 billion (US$1.66 billion)

Committed investment: INR 172.75 billion (US$1.92 billion)

Actual investment: INR 408.90 billion (US$4.54 billion)

726 APIs/KSMs/DIs being manufactured

191 products produced in India for the first time

Cumulative domestic sales: INR 261.23 billion (US$2.9 billion)

The scheme will continue until FY 2028-29.

Conclusion

Through coordinated efforts across PLI schemes and bulk drug park infrastructure, India is rapidly advancing toward pharmaceutical self-reliance. The reopening of applications for critical APIs like Meropenem and Ritonavir is a strategic reinvestment in domestic capacity. Together, these initiatives are reducing import dependence, strengthening supply-chain resilience, and positioning India as a more robust and competitive player in the global pharmaceutical industry.

(US$1 = INR 89.87)
( Image credit : Instagram/bts.bighitofficial | BTS is back  and even the Jonas Brothers are counting down the days. )

Nick Jonas calls it the 'comeback of the century'

Kevin Jonas adds a playful warning about BTS comeback

In a new interview, the Jonas Brothers share their excitement for BTS much anticipated comeback.







Nick Jonas: Ofc, BTS. We love, Looking forward to comeback of the century.







Kevin Jonas: Cannot wait. It's gonna, like, no one else should release music for like a year. pic.twitter.com/FIn7ZKd0iD





 Pop Core (@TheePopCore) December 4, 2025

BTS' influence recognized by peers

( Image credit : Instagram/bts.bighitofficial | Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook's reputation as a global powerhouse continues to grow. )

Countdown to the highly anticipated BTS comeback

What about Jonas Brothers?

Camp Rock

( Image credit : Instagram/bts.bighitofficial | Disney dropped the first teaser trailer for the highly anticipated third installment of their hit Camp Rock film series. )

Camp Rock

Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam

BTS is back  and even the Jonas Brothers are counting down the days. The South Korean supergroup's upcoming comeback is already generating excitement worldwide, and the pop trio recently shared their anticipation, hinting that this release could be a truly monumental moment in music.Fans expect BTS to dominate charts, but hearing praise from global icons like the Jonas Brothers only adds another level of hype, making this comeback feel even more historic.When asked about BTS, Nick Jonas didn't hold back. "Ofc, BTS. We love [them]. Looking forward to comeback of the century," he said. His comment underscores the respect BTS has earned across the music industry, highlighting their influence beyond the K-pop world.Kevin Jonas couldnt resist joking about the sheer impact of BTS' return: "Cannot wait. It's gonna, like, no one else should release music for like a year."His playful remark highlights just how massive BTS' influence has become and the expectation that their comeback will take over playlists, trending charts, and fan conversations worldwide.Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook's reputation as a global powerhouse continues to grow. From sold-out stadium tours to chart-topping releases, their music resonates with fans and artists alike. The Jonas Brothers' excitement demonstrates that BTS' impact is felt not just by fans, but also by fellow musicians across genres.As anticipation builds, BTS' comeback is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. Scheduled for Spring 2026, the comeback will feature a brand-new album and a massive world tour.The album is expected to drop around March, while the tour is set to kick off in May and continue through December, spanning up to 65 concerts. This marks the group's first activities together since all members completed their mandatory military service, making the return even more momentous for fans worldwide.As for the Jonas Brothers, they are officially returning to camp. On Thursday, December 4, Disney dropped the first teaser trailer for the highly anticipated third installment of their hitfilm series.The teaser opens with a nostalgic montage of classic camp visuals - a yellow school bus, empty cabins, and still canoes - accompanied by soundbites from 2008'sand 2010's. Slowly, the shadows of Nick, Kevin, and Joe Jonas emerge, filling the screen and signaling the beloved trio's long-awaited comeback.
Blue checkmark design flagged as deceptive

( Image credit : X/Elonnews_update | The European Union has fined Elon Musks X $140 million )

Ad database lacks required transparency

( Image credit : X/Elonnews_update | Before Musk acquired X, then known as Twitter )

Barriers for researchers accessing public data

( Image credit : X/Elonnews_update | Under the DSA, platforms must maintain an accessible record of all digital ads shown to users )

Possible political reaction and next steps

The European Union has issued a $140 million fine against Elon Musks social media platform X for breaching several transparency requirements under the blocs Digital Services Act (DSA). The decision follows a two-year investigation into the Texas-based company and marks the EUs first formal non-compliance ruling since the DSA came into effect. Regulators said the violations could leave European users exposed to scams, unclear advertising and limited access to information that researchers need to study online risks.Regulators highlighted the platforms blue checkmark system as a key violation. Before Musk acquired X, then known as Twitter, the checkmark served as a verification badge for public figures, political leaders, celebrities and other notable users.After Musks takeover in 2022, the badge became available to anyone willing to pay a monthly fee of $8. According to the commission, this redesign means the platform no longer verifies who is behind an account. Regulators said this makes it difficult for users to judge the authenticity of accounts and content they engage with and described the change as a deceptive design practice.Their findings warned that the current approach may mislead users into trusting accounts that have not been independently verified, increasing the possibility of scams or manipulative behaviour.A second violation involved the transparency of Xs advertising database. Under the DSA, platforms must maintain an accessible record of all digital ads shown to users, including information about who paid for them and the intended audience. This system is designed to support researchers tracking fake ads, coordinated influence campaigns or misleading commercial activity.The commission said Xs ad database falls short of these requirements. Issues cited include design limitations and barriers that slow access, including excessive delays in processing researcher requests. These delays, regulators said, reduce the usefulness of the database and undermine the purpose of the DSAs transparency standards.Regulators also found that X imposed unnecessary barriers for researchers seeking access to public data. According to the commission, these restrictions prevent independent experts from analysing systemic risks faced by European users.Ensuring researcher access is a key element of the DSA, and the commission said blocking or slowing this access weakens oversight of online harms. Henna Virkkunen, the EUs executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said in a statement that deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU.The ruling is expected to frustrate President Donald Trump, whose administration has criticised European digital regulations as unfairly targeting U.S. tech companies and suggested possible retaliation.Regulators had outlined their preliminary findings in mid-2024, and Fridays announcement formalised the conclusions of the investigation.The ruling signals that the EU intends to enforce the Digital Services Act firmly, and X will now be required to address the identified issues to comply with EU rules.
Jonathan Byers is suddenly the internets top death prediction

The engagement ring scene that everyone thinks is a death flag

( Image credit : Netflix | Out of all the characters who might not make it to the finish line, Jonathan has become the most talked-about candidate, and the so-called evidence is honestly brutal. )

Why Jonathans death would hit harder than most

( Image credit : Netflix | Jonathan, being peak Jonathan, decides it is not the right time. Instead of popping the question, he stashes the tape, and the ring, away for later. Fans, however, think later is never coming. )

Should fans prepare for grief or a fake-out?

Stranger Things has entered its final stretch, and the fanbase is treating every frame like a crime scene, particularly when it comes to Jonathan Byers. After nine years of supernatural trauma, emotional sabotage, and questionable haircuts, the show is clearly gearing up to break hearts. And viewers are increasingly convinced Jonathan is the one about to be sacrificed.The latest episodes dropped last week, and immediately, the death theories started trending. Out of all the characters who might not make it to the finish line, Jonathan has become the most talked-about candidate, and the so-called evidence is honestly brutal.Episode three features a quiet but extremely loaded moment that fans are obsessing over. Murray Bauman, professional chaos consultant and full-time meddler, hands Jonathan an engagement ring hidden inside a John Coltrane cassette tape. He had secretly transported the ring all the way from California to Hawkins and took it upon himself to encourage Jonathan to finally propose to Nancy Wheeler.Jonathan, being peak Jonathan, decides it is not the right time. Instead of popping the question, he stashes the tape, and the ring, away for later. Fans, however, think later is never coming.On Reddit, people are treating this scene like a flashing neon sign. One user claimed the pushiness surrounding the ring feels like foreshadowing, they believe Jonathan may die before ever getting a chance to propose, and Nancy will discover the ring in a devastating moment. Another viewer said it would mirror the emotional impact of Hoppers letter to Eleven in season three. Someone else added that the second they saw the ring, they felt Jonathan was already bones, predicting an early death before any proposal could happen.Jonathan has been a core part of Stranger Things since day one. He is the brooding big brother, the reluctant hero, and indirectly the catalyst for the shows entire storyline. His death would not just hurt, it would complete a chilling full-circle narrative. In episode one of season one, Will vanished because Jonathan was working late. Losing him now would echo the very beginning of Hawkins nightmare.Stranger Things is notorious for teasing heartbreak and then swerving at the last second, but it is also known for suddenly ripping fan-favourite characters away without mercy. The ring scene might be a symbolic breadcrumb or it might be a direct warning that the Byers family is about to face its darkest moment yet.Either way, the fandom is already mentally unwell about it.
Talks with rocket maker stoke space reveal Altmans direction

( Image credit : X/GuntherEagleman | Stoke Space reflected this direction, adding to his growing rivalry with Elon Musk )

Space investments link to AI expansion and infrastructure concerns

( Image credit : X/MAGANEWSShapiro | Altman and Musks rivalry has widened beyond AI )

Altmans space discussions follow a period of pressure at OpenAI

( Image credit : X/zfellows | Altman has supported projects that overlap with Musks ventures )

A broader pattern of competition with Musk

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is expanding his ambitions far beyond AI. New reports indicate he is seriously evaluating large-scale investments in space technology, setting up another point of competition with Elon Musk. The Wall Street Journal reported that Altman has studied multibillion-dollar options involving rocket companies as he considers how future AI infrastructure may require off-world capacity.According to the Journal, Altman entered discussions with Stoke Space, a Washington-based launch startup established in 2020 by former Blue Origin engineers. The talks included proposals that involved OpenAI making a series of equity investments that could have resulted in a controlling stake for the company. Although discussions have since slowed, the conversations underline Altmans increasing interest in aerospace.Altmans connection to Stoke Space began years earlier, during his time at Y Combinator, which previously backed the startup. He has also spoken publicly about the idea of creating a rocket company, making the recent outreach consistent with themes he has mentioned before.The newspaper reported that Altmans motivation aligns with his broader plan to support space-based data centers. These off-world facilities could use solar energy and avoid environmental challenges associated with operating large computing structures on Earth. Musk, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai have expressed similar views about the long-term future of computing and power in space.Stoke Space is building a fully reusable rocket called Nova, which is described as similar to the kind of capability SpaceX hopes to advance. The Journal noted that a deal would have given Altman an accelerated entry into a competitive sector dominated by SpaceX.Reports also said the outreach came at a time when OpenAI was facing questions about the scale of its planned expansion. The company has secured billions in new commitments but has offered limited details about how the expansion will be financed.Earlier in the week, Altman reportedly announced a code red inside OpenAI after ChatGPT started losing users to Googles Gemini system. The shift led the company to delay other releases and reassign staff to prioritize ChatGPT improvements.Altman and Musks rivalry has widened beyond AI. The two co-founded OpenAI in 2015 before disagreements caused Musk to leave in 2018. Since then, Musk has launched xAI, and Altman has supported projects that overlap with Musks ventures, including Merge Labs, a brain-computer interface startup reported to rival Neuralink.Altman also hinted earlier this year at large-scale off-world computing concepts. He said, I do guess that a lot of the world gets covered in data centers over time, before suggesting future structures may not make sense to place on Earth.
Energy and trade: Central themes of the summit

( Image credit : X/rashtrapatibhvn | Vladimir Putins India visit featured ceremonial receptions )

Media cooperation and diplomatic signalling

( Image credit : X/rashtrapatibhvn | Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan )

ModiPutin joint statements and the 2030 roadmap

( Image credit : X/rashtrapatibhvn | Mr. Putin said the two sides intended to prioritise cooperation in security )

Putin stresses depth of the relationship

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 5, 2025, ahead of summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As reported by PTI, Mr. Modi also welcomed Mr. Putin at Delhis Palam airport a day earlier, where performers showcased traditional dances. This is Mr. Putins first state visit to India since the start of the Ukraine conflict and comes at a time when global attention is on renewed peace efforts involving U.S. President Donald Trump.The 23rd India-Russia annual summit began at Hyderabad House, followed by joint statements from both leaders outlining priorities across security, trade and long-term economic cooperation.After the summit, Mr. Putin said the two sides intended to prioritise cooperation in security, the economy, trade and cultural areas, as reported by PTI. He stated that Russia aims to raise bilateral trade volume to $100 billion and noted progress toward using national currencies for mutual payment settlements. The Russian President also said Russia was ready for uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India, adding that cooperation in the energy sector would continue to expand.He further signalled potential collaboration on small modular nuclear reactors and floating nuclear power plants, along with plans to build new international logistics routes with India.On the sidelines of the visit, PTI and Russian news agency TASS signed a cooperation agreement for regular news exchange covering developments in both countries. As reported by PTI, the agreement was signed at the India-Russia Business Forum, with TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov calling it an important step toward enhancing media engagement and mutual understanding.He said the arrangement opens a new page in Russian-Indian media cooperation, noting that it would support more efficient and transparent information flow between the two nations.Prime Minister Modi said the bilateral relationship has remained steadfast like a pole star for more than eight decades, as reported by PTI. He added that India-Russia ties, built on mutual respect and deep trust, have consistently endured challenges. Both leaders confirmed agreement on an India-Russia economic cooperation programme until 2030, which aims to advance the partnership across multiple sectors.The countries also signed agreements on migration, mobility, health and food safety, with both sides emphasising practical cooperation.During bilateral engagements, President Putin highlighted the long-standing nature of India-Russia ties. As reported by ANI, he said the partnership is rooted in history and strengthened by substance rather than rhetoric. He also praised Prime Minister Modis role in guiding bilateral progress and noted areas where cooperation will deepen, including artificial intelligence, aircraft development, high technology, military-technical collaboration and space exploration.He also referred to ongoing discussions related to the conflict in Ukraine and acknowledged Indias attention to possible peaceful solutions.Putins visit reaffirmed long-term economic planning, fuel security assurances, cooperation across multiple sectors and a shared intent to expand bilateral engagement through 2030.
The proposed merger of Temple University and the Library Company of Philadelphia moved closer to reality this week with a nod from the librarys shareholders.

Shareholders voted Tuesday 174 to 33 in favor of the deal, and the action was followed Thursday with approval by the executive committee and finance and investment committees of Temples board of trustees.

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Its new name will be the Library Company of Philadelphia at Temple University, a division of Temple Libraries.

 READ MORE: Temple University-Library Company of Philadelphia merger moves ahead to next steps

But for that to happen, they must get approval for the merger from the Pennsylvania attorney generals office and Philadelphia Orphans Court.

We are delighted to help preserve one of Philadelphias most important educational and historical institutions through this partnership, Temple President John Fry said in a statement. This will help bring stability to the Library Company while also ensuring that its legacy does not just live on but also thrives. For Temple, this is also an opportunity to further enrich our academic and research resources.

 READ MORE: Will Temple University and Library Company of Philadelphia become one? Merger talks are nearing completion.

Not much will change for the Library Companys day-to-day operations, at least immediately. It will remain at its 1314 Locust Street location in Center City and keep its collections, staff, identity, mission and programming, Temple said. It will operate as its own division within Temple Libraries and maintain its own board of visitors.

The Library Company will gain access to Temples research arm, grant-writing help, facilities and administrative functions, the university said.

The Library Company has been an important resource for Philadelphians for nearly 300 years, ever since Benjamin Franklin first envisioned a shared library as a tool for advancing the self-education of his circle of artisans and tradesmen, John Van Horne, Library Company director, said in a statement. I am certain that Franklin would heartily approve of our expanded education mission over the last few centuries, and I have no doubt that he would also approve of this partnership with a university dedicated to serving his city and beyond.

The move comes after the Library Company, faced with a string of operating deficits, began exploring merger possibilities with a number of other institutions. Financial data given to shareholders showed substantial operating deficits for most years since 2017, as well as projections for deficits continuing into 2030.

Officials estimated that in order to remain independent, the company would need to raise $23 million to add to existing endowment.

Van Horne previously said that raising that kind of money would be an incredibly steep hill to climb, and probably unrealistic.

The library houses more than 500,000 rare books, manuscripts, prints, photographs, works of art, ephemera, and other objects. It boasts items once owned by Benjamin Franklin and William Penn, and has a concentration in African American and womens history.

Some shareholders strongly preferred that the library  founded in 1731 as the first subscription library in the U.S.  would have remained independent, even as they recognized the current financial bind.

Shareholder Joel Gardner was philosophical about the merger.

I think its the only solution the Library Company could find. We all have to keep our fingers crossed that it works out, he said while declining to add how he voted.

It didnt seem likely that the Library Company would be able to raise the money required to remain independent, he said, in a city that is not notable for having a large number of philanthropists and depends on just a few of them.

Michelle Flamer, a shareholder who in an Inquirer opinion piece mourned the impending loss of the companys historical identity, said Thursday that the deal seemed like it was a fait accompli, and there was not very much we could do about it.

The Library Company also will be incorporated into the universitys fundraising plans, Temple said, though the merger agreement made no promises. It calls for including the Library Company in Temples upcoming capital campaign, with the goal of raising $25 million in new endowed funds to permanently and exclusively support the LCP Division.

This is especially significant as the Library Company will soon celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2031, which presents a major opportunity for fundraising, the university said in its announcement.
Iris Santiago, branch manager (left) and Daniel Betancourt, president and CEO of Finanta Credit Union, at the credit union's new branch in Port Richmond. Read more

At a former restaurant in a drive-up shopping strip on the edge of Port Richmond, a bilingual credit union has joined the neighborhood.

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The newest branch of federally-chartered Finanta credit union, which also calls itself Cooperativa Finanta, is not just a banking place, says Pedro A. Rivera II, Finantas board chair, president of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster, and a graduate of Kensington High School.

We are focused on people that are unbanked: small business owners and workers who go to check-cashing agencies and use money orders and sometimes predatory [high-rate private] lenders, said Daniel Betancourt, the credit unions president and CEO.

Finanta Federal Credit Union offers mortgages, personal and small business loans, Visa debit cards, and interest on deposits. And credit union staff help customers learn to use these products  in English and Spanish.

Branch manager Iris Santiago signed off on one of its first home mortgages to cleaning-service co-owner Libra Rivera, on Wednesday. The credit union office at 2313 E. Venango St. officially opened Friday but began accepting deposits and booking loans earlier.

Rivera said the concept takes him back to his North Philly youth, when he banked both the funds of the Amigos de Roberto Clemente youth track and field association and his newly minted teachers pay at the former Borinquen Federal Credit Union at Front and Allegheny, which shut in 2011.

It was the size of a rowhouse. Youd go in and connect to the tellers in a space where you could catch up what was going through the community and ask questions about percent yield, about how to leverage dollars in a place that was trusted, Rivera said.

He got that same feeling when he visited Finantas pilot branch in Lancaster after it opened in 2023. Rivera agreed to serve as Finantas chairman and went to work lining up support to speed its growth.

Now, bolstered by private foundations and a state investment, Finanta is opening what it expects to be its largest branch in Port Richmond, with others to follow in Reading, Northeast Philly, Allentown, and other communities with large English-and-Spanish-speaking populations.

The Lancaster branch signed up 2,000 members in three years. Betancourt expects as many in Philadelphia by next fall.

This growth is not yet organic. Mackenzie Scotts Yield Giving foundation in 2023 pledged $2 million a year for seven years to help finance loans. Santander Bank and M&T Bank each invested $1 million as part of their community-banking mandates.

State House Appropriations Committee chair Jordan Harris, at the recommendation of state Rep. Jose Giral and state Sen. Tina Tartaglione, all Philadelphia Democrats, granted $4 million to build the Reading and Port Richmond branches.

The credit union made its first mortgage this summer and offers home loans up to $400,000, enough to purchase homes in many but not all Philadelphia neighborhoods.

The credit union also has made business loans to local firms like Puerto Rican bakery and restaurant El Coqui in Kensington. El Coqui had previously borrowed from the Finanta loan fund, which Betancourt also leads.

Founded in 1996, the fund later merged with the larger Community First Fund of Lancaster and now lends in several cities under the Finanta name.

The funds Philadelphia clients include developers such as HACE, projects such as Charles Lomaxs Village Square on Haverford in West Philly, and family-owned stores such as Silvias Bakery and Mucho Peru.

A new credit union, open to everyone but anchored in the Latino communities, is very much needed, said Pedro Rodriguez, cofounder of Cafe Don Pedro coffee roasters in Brewerytown.

Hes worried about loan volume amid the Trump administrations push to arrest and deport immigrants. They have people scared of their shadow, he added.

Others call the credit union a lifeline for people under pressure.

Our immigrants are very brave. A lot of the people who come to us are pursuing mortgages, pursuing small business loans, they say whats going on is not unusual for them, and they are persisting in building lives here, said Will Gonzalez, head of Ceiba, a Philadelphia-based economic-development advocacy coalition.

Gonzalez has noted a drop this year  from almost one a day to less than two a month  in noncitizens filing for the first time to pay their income taxes with help from his agency, but those who have already been assigned IRS numbers have returned to file again even if their own immigration status is unresolved.

People are paying taxes because its the right thing to do, Gonzalez added. And because they want to borrow to put their kids in college and to buy a house. To do that, they know they need to show the lenders they have paid their taxes. Its a sign they see their long-term future in Philadelphia.

He said the former Borinquen credit union was badly needed but was underfunded  a little tree in a desert. It operated from 1974 to 2011 until it was taken over by regulators and closed after suffering losses. A manager was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for stealing from the institution and members from 2006 to 2009.

The Finanta credit union board Rivera heads, which oversees Betancourt and his growing staff, includes Mennonite Church USA moderator Elizabeth Soto Albrecht, Amalgamated Bank first vice president and 2016 Democratic National Convention CFO Jason OMalley, and other professionals based in cities with large bilingual populations.

For all his experience overseeing institutional budgets, Rivera said he and the other directors have had to learn banking in accordance with National Credit Union Administration guidelines.

I take my fiduciary responsibility seriously. We are now facing the regulatory expectations and demands of the banking world, he said. We know what is expected of us.

Gonzalez said Finantas focus on Pennsylvania cities with large and growing Latino populations makes it a natural support network.

They are helping these communities build political and economic power," he said. They are in the right place at the right time.
Authorities have charged two men in connection with a double fatal shooting outside a Bordentown convenience store, prosecutors said Thursday.

Justford Doe, 23, and Giovanni Varanese, 21, are charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and other offenses stemming from the Nov. 5 killing outside a 7-Eleven and Valero gas station at the intersection of Route 130 North and Farnsworth Avenue.

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The shooting left Daniel Patterson, 22, and Mason Knott, 21, dead.

Bordentown Township police were called at about 11:30 p.m. to the convenience store after Patterson, a Philadelphia resident, came into the store suffering from gunshot wounds and asked for help. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Burlington County Prosecutors Office. Knott, of Wrightstown, was transported to a hospital in Trenton, where he died.

Police said the men shot Knott in the back of the head, then stole marijuana that was in his vehicle. They shot Patterson three times and stole his Jeep, police said.

The assailants fled but crashed in Florence Township, the prosecutors office said.

Authorities did not say Thursday how they connected Doe and Varanese to the killings.

The men are being held in the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, but will be extradited to New Jersey to face the charges, according to the prosecutors office.
The school board elected leaders for 2026, choosing Reginald Streater (second from left) and Sarah-Ashley Andrews (far right, at microphone), to serve again as president and vice president. Streater and Andrews are shown in this 2024 file photo with fellow board members Joan Stern (left) and Crystal Cubbage. Read more

Philadelphias principals are getting raises and, for the first time, paid parental leave.

Members of CASA  the Commonwealth Association of School Administrators, Teamsters Local 502  overwhelmingly approved the new four-year deal on Wednesday night, and the school board sealed the deal at its meeting Thursday night.

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 READ MORE: Philly principals union has a tentative contract

Nearly 1,000 district principals, assistant principals, climate managers, and other administrators will get 3% raises every year, plus a $1,500 bonus this year and a $1,500 bonus in 2029.

Theyll also get five weeks paid parental leave, a new benefit also achieved by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers earlier this year, and more: a take-home vehicle stipend and incentives for principals who work at hard-to-staff schools.

CASAs contract expired in August, and its leadership and members expressed public displeasure with the pace of contract talks as recently as a few weeks ago. Robin Cooper, CASAs president, said the district stepped up recently.

We didnt get everything we wanted, but we are leaving feeling heard, and we are leaving with a what we believe to be a fair contract, and it was never our goal to try to break the bank or not be fiscally responsible, Cooper said.

Cooper had concerns going into the contract about little differentiation in the salary scale between new administrators and veteran ones. Adjustments to the salary schedule will help, she said.

Principals at the top of the pay scale now make $167,608 annually; at the end of the contract, they will be paid $187,720. The unions lowest-paid workers, school safety supervisors, now start at $40,256 annually. In 2029, a brand-new school safety supervisor will make $45,087 per year.

School board members and district administrators were full of praise for Cooper and CASA.

You and your team are always strong advocates for all of your members and deeply committed to improving the lives of students, families, and employees, chief financial officer Mike Herbstman said. We appreciate all that you and all of the CASA administrators do.

Defending Ridgeway and Jimenez

Several supporters also turned out at the board meeting to defend Keziah Ridgeway and Ismael Jimenez, two district educators alluded to in a recent order for a congressional investigation of alleged antisemitism in the district.

In November, U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R., Mich.) said that the House Education and Workforce Committee  which he chairs  would probe disturbing reports of Jewish students being harassed and subjected to open antisemitism in their classrooms and hallways in three school systems: Berkeley Unified in California, Fairfax County in Virginia, and Philadelphia.

Ridgeway is a high school teacher and Jimenez is director of social studies curriculum and has been targeted by activist groups in the past.

Ridgeway, who testified Thursday night, is suing the school district over alleged civil rights violations. She was suspended and ultimately disciplined after allegations of antisemitism and violations of the districts social media policy surfaced, but is now back teaching at a district school.

All Ive ever wanted was to protect students in the ways that I wasnt protected from the racism and discrimination that permeates the SDP schools, she told the board. While recently the district has addressed antisemitism, it has not addressed racism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian discrimination with the same rigor.

The district in late 2024 reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights requiring school officials to hold training on antidiscrimination policies and educate thousands of students about racial and ethnic discrimination.

Ridgeway said the district is at a crossroads right now, with a national spotlight looming. She wondered whether it will capitulate to McCarthyism tactics or channel the spirit of Harriet [Tubman] and Martin [Luther King Jr.] ... our Black children deserve better. Our Muslim children deserve better. Our Palestinian children deserve better. Will you give it to them or will you disappoint them?

Alex Volin Avelin, a district educator and member of Jewish Voice for Peace Philadelphia, called the congressional investigation political theater. Its government overreach. It is not about protecting students. Its about intimidating and silencing teachers.

Volin Avelin and Thomas Quinn, another district teacher, urged the district to learn from history. In the 1950s, the House Un-American Activities Committee singled out Philadelphia teachers for alleged communist ties. Twenty-six were ultimately fired.

Looking back, we can all see the injustice and cowardice in the districts choice to capitulate, Volin Avelin said. I urge the board today to learn from this shameful history and stand up for educators teaching critical content.

Streater and Andrews stay on in leadership positions

The board, in its final action meeting of the year, also formally reorganized, setting meeting dates for 2026 and naming leaders.

Reginald Streater and Sarah-Ashley Andrews held on to their president and vice-president positions. Every board member supported Andrews candidacy; Streater won 8-0, with board member Crystal Cubbage abstaining. She gave no reason for the abstention.

Streater complimented his fellow board members for their work in the past year.

We have demonstrated that steady leadership, not reactionary swings, produces real results, Streater said.

The board has an enormous job in front of it in the next year: the facilities master planning process, which will bring school closures that will surely be unpopular.

The responsibility is not lost on me, Streater said, and I gratefully accept.
Philadelphians cant get enough of Rachel and Phila Lorn. At Sao, their sultry new oyster bar on East Passyunk Avenue, diners pull up at the counter for warm corn cakes soaked in honey and bejeweled with roe, oysters splashed with Cambodian peppercorn fish sauce mignonette, and barrel-aged Jabroni Negroni cocktails tinged with Islay whiskey smoke to wash them down.

Youll find the same high-voltage no rules pan-Asian cooking here that propelled this married couples first restaurant, Mawn, to an incredible string of local and national accolades (including a spot on The Inquirers Top 10 list, a new edition of The 76, a Best New Chefs award for Phila from Food & Wine, and a similar nod from the James Beard Foundation). Considering the constant reservation traffic jam of wannabe diners angling to nab one of Mawns 28 seats, why open a second restaurant with room for just 33? Surely, this couple could fill a much larger space.

Rachel and I have enough, we dont need more, says Phila, 39. I still have that old-school mentality that we protect our family and we funnel our lives through this [little] store of ours. I never wanted to be a rock star or be recognized at Target. We just opened restaurants because thats what we know how to do.

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The fact they do it so well is a blessing and a curse. At Sao, the monthly scrum for tables offers the same exercise in reservation-app frustration as Mawn, and the long line for the 30-or-so walk-ins that find their way into Sao over the course of an evening understandably vexes the gift shop next door, whose manager emerged to politely redirect us from blocking her storefront on this lively stretch of Passyunk Avenue.

Once inside, however, the virtues of Saos intimate setting are clear, as diners lean into their crudos and cocktails at candlelit banquette tables along a whitewashed brick wall hung with mirrors and stained-glass panes. Another 10 guests  in my opinion, the lucky ones  perch in the red neon glow of the bar counter, where the action unfolds on multiple stages.

To my right, bartender Steph Liebetreu manages to simultaneously rattle a cocktail shaker in her left hand and stir a crystal decanter of martinis with her right, all while dancing in perfect syncopation to Saos soulful soundtrack mix of vintage R&B, Cambodian rap, and Frank Sinatra. To my left, shucker Davina Soondrum (also a talented pastry chef) festoons our icy oyster plateau clockwise from lemon wedge oclock with plump Japanese Kumamotos, tiny-briny BeauSoleils from Canada, and Jerseys finest, Sweet Amalias. Each one is oceanic perfection on their own, but they become electric when splashed with that Cambodian mignonette, or a spicy-tart jolt of Lao sauce sparked with lime and crushed cilantro stems. Amid Phillys current boom in new oyster bars, those vivid sauces are part of what make Sao unique.

Front and center, meanwhile, theres chef Phila himself butchering a whole dry-aged hamachi mid-service to serve raw with fish sauce, coconut milk, and vinegared onions  a salute to the beloved nearby soup hall, Pho 75. Hes slicing thick pink tiles of bluefin tuna and stacking them like a deck of sashimi cards doused with soy sauce and lime beneath fistfuls of roasted green chilies and crushed marcona almonds.

As I waver on which crudo to order next (perhaps the spot prawns with brown butter and prawn-head oil?), he pours sweet and spicy orange chili jam over an ivory mound of raw scallops, apples, and pepita seeds and I have my answer: Thats Philas favorite, confides Rachel as she patrols the narrow dining room, ever-playing Tetris with seats to accommodate more walk-ins.

That scallop-and-chili jam combo will be familiar to anyone whos dined at Mawn, where Lorn workshopped many of these dishes for months. There are other overlaps here of Mawns greatest hits, like the crispy soft-shell shrimp in fish sauce caramel, or the awesome 20-ounce rib eye piled high with Cambodian chimichurri, boosted with lime juice and fermented prahok fish paste.

One standard you must order, though, is the intricate papaya salad, a colorful crunch-fest of long beans, peanuts, candied shrimp, and shredded green papaya lashed with blasts of sour tamarind, chile, and shrimp paste. It dials your taste buds up to a certain base level of funk and sour heat before moving the conversation to more contemporary flights of fusion fancy.

Saos menu is more an extension of Mawns repertoire, rather than something entirely new, with a greater emphasis on raw seafood and an even more playful approach to cooked dishes rooted in tributes to favorite restaurants. Perhaps the most memorable dish at Sao, in fact, is a direct corn cake homage to Bostons Neptune Oyster bar, whose signature johnnycake is remade here as a warm, honey butter-soaked hoe cake enriched with dashi then topped with cool smoked trout salad and beads of roe, which Phila tends to piles onto Saos plates by the spoonful. The lacy crunch of that warm sweet cake against the savory pop of roe, amped by the saline burst of a supplemental scoop of caviar, was one of my favorite bites of the year.

Saos menu is full of Easter eggs for the keen-eyed diner, including an irresistible tuna carpaccio topped with fried shallots, cured chile rings, and a sizzling finish of sesame oil thats an ode to the bronzizzle roll at Zama, where Phila spent some formative years. Theres also a nod to the beloved late-night cutlet from Palizzi Social Club thats transformed with Southeast Asian pickled cucumbers, Thai basil, and fish sauce caramel. The chef, who grew up just a few blocks from East Passyunk, also pays tribute to South Phillys Italian crab gravy tradition with his own take, a blend of red and green coconut milk curries steeped with crab shells that comes topped with crisply fried scallops.

A frequent chicken skewer special, whose meat is marinated in kreung spice paste, is grilled over binchotan coals as Philas nod to the weekend Khmer barbecues at the Southeast Asian Market. The mee caton is a straightforward stir-fry of velvety soft beef, Chinese broccoli, and fat rice noodles kissed with sesame oil thats a throwback to one of the best home dishes made by his mother, Sim Khim. (I also loved the seafood rendition.)

Nostalgia for family and neighborhood pervades every corner of Sao, from the vintage bathroom door with textured glass and wavy panes that replicates the vestibules of many South Philly rowhouses (including the Lorns house), family pictures, and an antique cash register from the Atlantic City Boardwalk hotel once owned by Rachels grandparents.

Even the restaurants name channels a sense of place: Its a phonetic representation of how Philas mother, a Cambodian refugee, pronounces the South in South Philly. Her son, famously, is also named for the familys adopted city, although Khim and everyone else pronounce it Pee-la. The sign hanging out front  Sao Phila  has multiple meanings.

With the added element of a liquor license at Sao, the Lorns business partner and close family friend, Jesse Levinson, designed an opening drink list that follows on theme. The chicory-scented, coconut-creamed Vietnamese coffee martini, Wing Phat Plaza, is named for the bustling Asian strip mall on Washington Avenue nearby. The Angkor Baby borrows a michelada from South Phillys lively Mexican scene, then adds the Asian touches of ground Kampot peppercorns and a rice vinegar tang.

Levinson says the drink menu will keep evolving as Liebetreu and her fellow bartender, Lillian Chang, begin to take creative control, supplementing the small but trendy selection of natural wines. I also expect Saos sake selection to take a big leap once general manager Kelly Brophy, formerly the lead omakase server at Royal Sushi, begins to share her expertise.

Indeed, so much is still evolving here, including the tasty but limited dessert selection of creme brulee and whoopie pies from Soondrum (when shes not shucking shellfish), that Im certain weve only seen the beginning of what Sao can truly become.

Were locked and loaded for more because we have room to grow, says Phila, referring mostly to desserts. If only they also had room to grow more seats! Philadelphias diners, no doubt, would quickly snap those up, too.

Sao

1710 E. Passyunk Ave., saophilly.com; no phone, but staff responds to messages on Instagram or OpenTable.

Open Wednesday through Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m.

Reservations are highly suggested, but a handful of walk-in seats are available.

Not wheelchair-accessible. There is a step up into the restaurant, as well as at the bathroom.

About 90% of the menu is naturally gluten-free, while certain dishes that typically use the fryer (like the scallops in crab gravy) can be modified to avoid cross contamination.

Menu highlights: Crudos (aged hamachi; scallops with chili jam); bluefin tuna carpaccio; Cambodian papaya salad; honey butter hoe cake; Mawn cutlet; scallops in crab gravy; mee caton; grilled chicken skewers; creme brulee.

Drinks: Cocktails are well-made with a South Philly twist (like the barrel-aged mellow Jabroni Negroni) and on-theme Asian accents, such as Cambodian Kampot peppercorns for the Angkor Baby riff on a michelada, or the chicory-flavored Viet coffee martini named after Washington Avenues Wing Phat Plaza.
The exterior of Excel Medical Center at 2124 Diamond Street in Philadelphia. Read more

A second woman is accusing Philadelphia doctor John Smyth Michel, the medical director and owner of Excel Medical Center, of sexual abuse. She said Michel touched her inappropriately when she worked for him several years ago, according to a recent court filing by the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors charged Michel with felony rape and sexual assault earlier this year after a female patient said he raped her during an October 2024 office visit.

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Michel, 55, of Jenkintown, told police and state medical licensing authorities that he had sex with the 39-year-old patient, but he claimed it was consensual, criminal and state licensing records show.

The new accusations involve a former female employee who worked for Michel as a medical assistant from 2015 to 2019 at his East Mount Airy office on Stenton Avenue and at another location in Germantown on Chelten Avenue.

She recently told law enforcement authorities that beginning in 2018 Michel touched her breasts over her clothing on multiple occasions while she was working in the office. He additionally groped her vagina over her clothing before she quit in 2019.

The accusations have not resulted in new charges at this time, but the investigation remains ongoing, according to Marisa Palmer, a spokesperson for the DAs office.

Prosecutors are seeking to introduce the groping accusations as evidence to bolster its sexual assault case against Michel, given there were no witnesses to the alleged rape.

The incidents reveal a common plan, scheme or design on the part of the defendant to engage in unlawful and similar nonconsensual sexual conduct with vulnerable women in his medical offices, Assistant District Attorney Eamon Kenny wrote in a Nov. 24 court motion.

The judge presiding over the criminal case must decide whether to grant Kennys motion and put the 34-year-old former employees accusations before jurors at trial.

The Inquirer does not identify alleged victims of sexual assaultwithout their permission.

Michel did not return phone calls and emails from The Inquirer this week. His criminal defense lawyer, Andrew Gay Jr., declined to comment Wednesday.

Michel founded Excel Medical Center, which grew to more than a dozen medical clinics located throughout the city, with about 20,000 patients and 200 employees.

Last month, Excels general manager wrote a letter to patients informing them the practice will be ceasing operations as of Dec. 1. We truly value the trust you have placed in us for your care, the manager stated in the Nov. 11 letter obtained by The Inquirer.

A woman who answered the phone at Excels main location in West Mount Airy on Thursday said the practice was not taking any new patients in preparation of closing. She said the practice might resume operations and accept new patients after the new year. Michels lawyer declined to comment when asked about the practices status.

 READ MORE: State licensing board disciplines Philadelphia doctor for having sex with a female patient. She alleges rape.

Criminal trial slated for February

The criminal case, which is pending in Common Pleas Court, involves a then-38-year-old patient.

According to police and court records, she accused Michel of kissing her during a May 2024 exam at his East Mount Airy location.

She told him no, left the office, and did not report the kissing incident.

About five months later, she went to an appointment at Michels North Philadelphia office on West Diamond Street. During the Oct. 14, 2024, visit, she says Michel raped her with such force that her head banged twice against the exam room wall.

In early November 2024, she told her husband what had happened and subsequently filed a police report. Michel was arrested and charged about three months later.

Michels trial was initially slated for Dec. 9, but during a hearing on Monday, a judge postponed it until Feb. 17 after the DAs office asked for more time to investigate, court records show.

Michels suspension nears end

In June, the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, which regulates and oversees licensure of osteopathic doctors like Michel, disciplined him for having sex with a patient  a violation of state regulations.

He apologized to the board in a letter, saying, I fully acknowledge that I crossed a professional boundary and is profoundly contrite.

The board suspended his medical license for six months, followed by 18 months of supervised probation, and fined him $4,000. Michels suspension is set to end on Dec. 11.

If convicted in the criminal case, Michel could permanently lose his medical license.

In an e-mailed statement on Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of State, which oversees professional licensing boards, said its prosecution division continues to closely monitor Dr. Michels criminal charges and review his compliance with the terms of the consent agreement.

Abuse in office hallways

The accusations outlined in Kennys motion include new details of sexual misconduct. The former employee said Michel approached her from behind to grab her breast over her shirt.

She was stunned and hated the feeling, but she feared losing her job so she didnt say anything to him.

Once, he simultaneously cupped her breast and vagina over her clothes with his hands. She turned around and screamed at him to stop touching her, according to the motion. He replied, `You know you want it and you know you like it, she recounted.

She said she couldnt quit because she needed the income and told her co-workers about the abuse. Those colleagues helped her avoid him while at work. She also told her husband, though she persuaded him not to confront Michel.

She resigned in 2019 after landing a new job. They had no contact until this year when he texted her.

When she asked why he wanted to talk to her after so much time had passed, Michel texted nevermind, the former medical assistant told prosecutors. She then wrote back, explaining how she felt about his abuse all these years later, that the thoughts of it still traumatized her.

Inquirer staff writer Chris Palmer contributed to this article.
The saga of Gillians Wonderland Pier continues as Ocean City Council voted last night to allow the local planning board to take the next steps in the propertys future.

Councilmembers voted 4-3 to refer the 600 Boardwalk Avenue site to the Ocean City Planning Board to evaluate its possible rehabilitation.

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This is basically a first step in what could potentially be an extensive review process, if it were to continue to move forward, said Doug Bergen, Ocean Citys public information officer.

City Council President Terry Crowley Jr. and council members Jody Levchuk, Tony Polcini, and Pete Madden voted in favor, while Keith Hartzell, Dave Winslow, and Sean Barnes voted against.

This means the council is requesting the planning board to deem the property an area of rehabilitation, which kick-starts a wave of inspections, public input, and planning.

In the next 45 days, Bergen said the planning board must assess the site and make a recommendation to City Council on whether the once iconic amusement park property meets the criteria for rehabilitation. If council votes to make that determination, then the site developer and owners can negotiate with City Council to devise a redevelopment plan. With lots of further review down the road, Bergen said.

A coalition of various business associations, from restaurants to boardwalk shops, put pressure on City Council Wednesday in a news conference. Both the presidents of the Boardwalk Merchants Association  co-owner of Surf Mall, Wes Kazmarck  and the local restaurants association  owner of Cousins, Bill McGinnity  were joined on Wednesday by the Philadelphian property developer Eustace Mita.

In 2021, Mita, who owns Icona Resorts, bought Gillians Wonderland property from the Gillian family for a reported $14 million after the property was put in foreclosure for nearly $8 million in unpaid loans.

Since the nearly century-old boardwalk amusement park closed last year, plans for the sites redevelopment have been swirling around town. Mita initially proposed a 7-story luxury hotel, the Icona in Wonderland Resort, but council members refused to send that proposal to the planning board in August.

A month later, Mita announced that he was considering transforming the site into townhouses, after courting offers from Phillip Norcross (brother of South Jersey power broker George E. Norcross III) and from Virginia-based NVR Inc., to redevelop the site.

Now, the sites future will be in the hands of the planning boards assessment, which, for some business owners, is the right call. In a video posted to Facebook earlier this week, Kazmarck urged Ocean City residents to contact their council members and ask them to vote in favor of the planning board review.

This is about City Council being able to make a better decision on what to do with this property. Everyones opinion here is a valuable opinion, but I think now were at that point where we should bring in experts, Kazmarck said. Thats the planning board. The planning board hires experts to evaluate the site to decide if the site should be an area of rehabilitation."

While it may feel like redevelopment plans are coming swiftly, Kazmarck reassured residents that local business owners have been discussing these next steps since last year, he said in the video.
Carolina (right), a Venezuelan immigrant, sells donated clothing and toys at a stand outside the Viva shelter in Juarez, Mexico, in November. Read more

JUAREZ, Mexico  Carolina was living in Colombia as a refugee when her 15-year-old son disappeared. Almost a year after her boy went missing and she mourned his loss, she got a call from an international number.

Her son was alive 3,000 miles away in this historic Mexican city once known as the Pass of the North, nestled along the Texas border.

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I was so happy, but I didnt know how to get here, without knowing anything, without money, with nothing, she told me when I met with her recently at an immigrant shelter in Juarez. I sold my house and came here alone.

After a harrowing three-month journey during which she made her way across seven countries, survived two kidnappings, and endured beatings and sexual assault, she reunited with her son on Jan. 10.

They tried to get an appointment to cross the border through U.S. Customs and Border Protections CBP One app  part of a program launched by the Biden administration to allow people to come to the U.S. legally while they waited for their asylum or other immigration case to be processed.

Carolina and her son were still trying when President Donald Trump ended the program the day of his inauguration.

Theyve been stuck in shelters ever since.

Speak to immigrants at the border, and what happened to Carolina is sadly common. Some people are luckier, some less so, but no one comes out unscathed from their journey. And while some are willing to see their dreams deferred, there are and will continue to be more people who see coming to the United States as the only way out of a desperate situation.

Visiting the border nearly 10 months after Trump took office and essentially ended the ability to seek asylum in the United States, you see what many Americans  even some begrudging critics  credit the president with doing.

Trump has been brutally effective at limiting border crossings. The quiet downtown streets and plazas, the nearly empty shelters in both El Paso, Texas, and its sister city of Juarez in Mexico, are a testament to that fact. Only a few years ago, thousands of immigrants crowded sidewalks and shelters here, straining the regions spirit of hospitality.

Today, the immigrants left behind are the vulnerable among the vulnerable, advocates said. People who are unable to move out or move on, stuck in shelters with the hope that Trumps hard heart will soften, as one woman told me.

My own heart was not hard enough to dash her dream. Perhaps it should have been.

The last thing immigrants need is for some well-meaning dope to ignore the facts for short-term comfort. They had enough of that during the Biden administration.

Good intentions

Under President Joe Biden, about six million people were allowed entry to pursue asylum applications and other immigration cases, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

I believe that all things being equal, the U.S. has no trouble absorbing these immigrants. Call me cynical (I prefer pragmatic), but our economy runs on cheap labor and consumer spending  six million people give you both. It gives you adults who are willing to do the work Americans wont, and kids who will go to school and graduate for the jobs there arent enough Americans for.

But the problem is the president can only do so much. The executive can allow people to remain in the country under some sort of limited parole, it can direct enforcement toward higher priority targets, such as immigrants with criminal records, but it cannot grant legal status.

Only Congress can do that, and legislators have decided there is no major issue they cant shrug off as intractable and call it a day.

So the Biden administration opted to let people in  regardless of whether they had a good asylum case  knowing full well that just as one president could open the door for immigrants, another could slam it in their faces.

Biden himself shut that door halfway as the 2024 presidential election neared, but the political damage had already been done, because the administration at no point made the argument for why it was doing what it was doing.

As desperate people who wanted a better life clustered at the border  partly because of the pent-up demand that grew under pandemic restrictions Trump put in place  Biden could have made a moral argument, or laid out the economic benefits of immigration. He could have done more than introduce immigration reform shortly after taking office, and then just as quickly give up on it.

Instead, it was never clear what Biden wanted other than not to be seen as the bad guy.

His administrations humanitarian intentions, coupled with incessant fear-mongering on the right, paved the way to where we are today.

All for nothing

It took Helen, her husband, and their 3-month-old baby three months to travel from Ecuador to the Casa del Migrante shelter in Juarez, which is run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ciudad Juarez.

Like Carolina, Helen  who remains concerned about the status of her potential immigration case  would speak with me only on the condition that her last name not be used.

Helen and her husband, both in their early 20s, arrived in October of last year after leaving their home because of growing gang violence. You couldnt have any peace anymore, Helen said.

The family crossed the dangerous jungle and rode through Mexico on the freight train known as the beast. She saw a man die, falling under the wheels of the cars.

While her husband goes out to work odd jobs, she takes care of their daughter. The routine gets to her, she said. Once a month, theyre able to go out and splurge on a meal, even as theyre afraid to walk the citys streets.

Her daughter has now lived most of her life inside a shelter, but Helen told me they will continue to sacrifice.

We are waiting to cross. Whatever it takes, she said.

Across town at the Vida shelter, Carolina, 53, is torn about what to do.

Her journey to Juarez began 14 months ago. Distraught over her sons disappearance, she went back to her native Venezuela to be with her mother.

When Mexican officials informed Carolina that her son was alive, she left Venezuela on Oct. 20, 2024, and traveled across Central America. She was kidnapped twice, Carolina said. Once when she crossed the Guatemalan border into Mexico, and again when she got to Juarez in December.

The one here was the worst. The one here was rape, beatings. I still cant fully touch myself here, she said, grimacing as she moved her hand along her left breast. They left me with nothing.

Although shes grateful for all the help shes received, she said, its coming up on a year of living in shelters, and the uncertainty is becoming overwhelming.

Her son is going to high school, and sometimes works with a handyman. She sells donated used clothing in front of the shelter and cleans houses, but work is sporadic.

I tell my son we should go back, Carolina said. He says he came here for a future.

Her mother calls and tells her she doesnt have food, she said. She trusts that God has a plan and things will work out accordingly  even if it means returning home to struggle there  but there must be a point to her journey.

You go hungry, you grow tired, its raining, you see corpses. You spend sleepless nights, running from people who want to rob you, kill you, she said.

Do you know what its like to go through what I went through and not be able to cross?

No turning back

Many immigrants who are still in shelters, and those who have decided to remain in Mexico, are in a state of flux, waiting for the opportunity to cross the border.

Trump may have succeeded in curtailing illegal immigration through a mix of enforcement, deterrence, and cruelty, but it is unsustainable. While he may be able to delay the inevitable  especially if he manages to crash the economy and there are fewer jobs for immigrants to fill  eventually, people will return.

Listening to peoples stories, were really at a critical moment, said Alejandra Corona, who heads Jesuit Refugee Services in Juarez, a nonprofit that serves the migrant community. The world is broken, and there are no options.

You see it in the eyes of parents who are deeply wounded because they cannot provide for their families even in the most basic ways, Corona told me, and the reasons why are far from simple.

Its not just, Oh, I lost my job, she said. Its, I had a job, but couldnt afford to pay off the gang member or the cartel. I stopped paying for protection and had to flee. I was discriminated against, Ive never had a passport, Ive never been to school, Ive never had access to my rights. I do not exist, and no one wants to see that I dont exist.

The lesson to be drawn from the border today is that immigrants may not be as visible, but they havent gone away.

If Democrats capture the presidency in 2028, they will likely not follow the Trump administrations amoral ruthlessness, but they cannot repeat the Biden administrations aimless permissiveness, either.

Everyone suffers under the current seesaw approach to immigration, where an immigrant can come here the right way under one administration, only to see things turn out wrong under the next. Trump has tried  successfully and unsuccessfully  to kill programs for immigrants established under Presidents George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Biden.

Whether or not you support immigration, the whims of an individual  even if its the president  are no substitute for the legislative process.

The United States is a nation of immigrants. America has thrived economically and culturally thanks to this fact. On immigration, its Congress, as representatives of the people, who must determine the who and how, the when and where, that makes the most sense for the country.

Until then, immigrants will be ready and waiting  and praying for a softer heart in the White House.
A combination image shows two screen captures from a video posted on the X account of the White House on Sept. 15, depicting what President Donald Trump said was a U.S. military strike on a Venezuelan drug cartel vessel that had been on its way to the United States. Read more

Boat strikes

The U.S. War Crimes Act of 1996 is explicit about what is believed to have occurred on the high seas on Sept. 2.

Murder. 

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The act of a person who intentionally kills, or conspires or attempts to kill, or kills whether intentionally or unintentionally in the course of committing any other offense under this subsection, one or more persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including those placed out of combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause.

I believe a shipwrecked individual hanging on for dear life to the detritus of an attack fits this explicit description. In fact, I would suggest the original attack order fits this description, as well, as I have yet to see evidence that these individuals were involved in hostilities or combat of any kind.

Bill Maginnis, North Wales

. . .

The majority of the letters from readers printed on Wednesday were deploring the second strike on a cartel drug boat. It appears the basis for their perceived outrage was a report from the Washington Post.

The facts are that the Post relied on a single anonymous source who presented no evidence that such an order was given. In fact, the New York Times reported that there was no direct evidence to make that determination. Yet, many people ran with another anonymous source to launch a broadside against the administration, claiming war crimes had been committed. We are entitled to our own opinion, but not our own facts.

Interestingly, a group of Democratic representatives recently made a video about the importance of service members ignoring illegal orders. Then  lo and behold  an anonymous source claims such an order was given, again with no evidence. Then, the Democrats demand hearings. The sequence is interesting. There is an old saying that you can tell the people who are actually doing something about our problems by the arrows in their backs.

MG Del Rossi, Blue Bell

. . .

It is almost unbelievable that while Pete Hegseth is ordering the killing of suspected drug dealers in boats off the coast of Venezuela, Donald Trump is pardoning a convicted drug lord who brought hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States.

It is almost unbelievable that the Trump administration is seeking to court-martial Mark Kelly for making a video with fellow members of Congress, reminding members of the military that they swear an oath to the Constitution and are not required to follow illegal orders.

It is almost unbelievable that Hegseth orders a bomb strike on suspected drug dealers, and then the killing of two survivors of the attack. That the Trump administration is incompetent, corrupt, and full of hate  now that is believable.

Mary Ann Furin, Philadelphia

. . .

While there has been debate over the legality of recent attacks in the Caribbean and the Pacific, the illegality of the attack on survivors of a first strike, reportedly ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is crystal clear. Whether it was a war crime or simply murder committed in our name, there is no question that Hegseth has broken the law. This murderous act falls squarely within the high crimes and misdemeanors referenced in Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution  the impeachment clause. If murder is not worthy of impeachment, then that section is a dead letter. Every member of the House of Representatives should be asked when we can expect articles of impeachment to be filed. If they refuse to impeach Hegseth, then they should be voted out in 2026.

Jared Cram, Philadelphia

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.
Marras, which recently closed, was part of an extensive Italian American community that came to be synonymous with South Philadelphia during the 20th century, writes Daniel Pearson. Read more

This weeks Shackamaxon is all about how cities change, whether some like it or not.

Meno Italiano

Like so many of my neighbors in South Philadelphia, I had been meaning to go back to Marras on East Passyunk Avenue for a while when I heard the news of its imminent closure. The classic Italian restaurant was just two years shy of a centurys worth of business when the owners found an interested buyer in Dan Tsao, the owner of Chinatowns EMei.

In an interview with my colleague Michael Klein, Marras owners blamed a lack of parking for contributing to their decision to close and potentially relocate. Given their location on a thriving and increasingly renowned dining corridor, some have expressed skepticism about this diagnosis. To me, however, it rings true in a different way.

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After all, when Marras initially opened, parking would not have been much of a concern. Their customer base, like much of the customer base for the new restaurants on the corridor, would have lived nearby. The pizzeria was part of an extensive Italian American community that came to be synonymous with South Philadelphia during the 20th century. Over the years, the center of gravity for this lively community moved to places like Cherry Hill, where people get around by driving, not walking. This means that, over time, many existing businesses have become more dependent on the ease of parking.

Marras is not the only neighborhood institution to fall victim to this phenomenon. While many still call it the Italian Market, the stalls on Ninth Street are now more likely to be occupied by Asian and Latino entrepreneurs. When I first moved to South Philly in 2011, Id regularly hear older residents conversing with each other in Sicilian. Thats much less common today.

I call this process suburbanization. As more members of a community live and work outside the city, it becomes harder to maintain the institutions that helped forge their identity in the first place. After all, who wants to fight for a parking spot in South Philadelphia when theres unlimited free parking at the many Italian restaurants closer to home?

Fight displacement, not change

Marras and South Philadelphia are hardly alone when it comes to managing suburbanization. The same phenomenon affects Chinatowns across America, including Philadelphias own. Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine are now available throughout the region, just like traditional Italian fare. The largest Chinese restaurant in the city is now Northeast Philadelphias China Gourmet, not a Chinatown banquet hall. This is why so many business owners feared the possibility of a Sixers arena on Market Street. They felt fans would be more interested in General Tsos chicken and bubble tea than the authentic fare that defined the neighborhood. Meanwhile, theyd also take up parking spots that would otherwise be used by their own patrons.

Suburbanization even affects places of worship. During the debate over bike lane parking in Center City, I talked to Tim Geiger  then interim pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church on Spruce Street  about why his congregation was so reliant on parking spaces. The answer was clear: They had gone through the suburbanization process decades before South Philadelphia or Chinatown.

While Geiger told me he encourages congregants to walk, use paid parking, or take transit, it can be a hard sell when so many can attend services closer to home, at a church that offers free parking.

For many people, this process is a reason to abhor or prevent change. They cite the increase in residential density in and around Center City, the work of groups like the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corp., and civic interventions like the Schuylkill River Trail as catalysts for gentrification. At a recent City Council meeting, members of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works echoed these sentiments, expressing a concern that a proposal to turn an abandoned railway viaduct into an expanded Rail Park and pedestrian pathway could drive out low-income residents.

This is the wrong way to conduct public policy.

After all, the South Philadelphia neighborhood that hosted Marras hasnt seen a massive shift in its built environment. It has changed significantly anyway.

Whose community?

As usual, Council members expressed their skepticism about the park proposal by putting their thoughts into the mouths of residents who conveniently were not there to express their opinions themselves. Jeffery Jay Young and Quetcy Lozada, in particular, were concerned that there hadnt been enough community engagement, or that the park would serve as a playground for wealthy residents, leaving the rest of the city behind.

Paul Levy, the former head of the Center City District, is heading up the planned expansion of the Rail Park. Levy said the plan is to unite neighborhoods and offer a useful amenity, not to push anyone away. Unlike Councilmember Youngs plans to demolish the Cecil B. Moore Library, the Rail Park has already earned the support of local civic associations. The Friends of the Rail Park organization held 15 meetings to gauge community reaction to the idea.

It is a process thats already been successful for the Center City Districts other big projects, Dilworth and Sister Cities Parks. Both serve as urban oases for families across Philadelphia thanks to thoughtful programming and design choices. Levy told me to think in three concentric rings: community involvement in design, community involvement in programming, and a comprehensive housing and development plan for the surrounding neighborhoods.

Thats a lot more thought than obstructionists like Young and Lozada likely put into their opposition.
Montgomery County immigration advocates renewed calls for more municipalities to approve policies that would limit police and local government cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as President Donald Trumps administration ramps up enforcement.

Advocates have been calling for welcoming policies across the county for months but advocates estimated that as of Wednesday, only six of Montgomery Countys 62 municipalities had enacted policies. Even those, they argued, were lackluster.

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Montco Community Watch, a grassroots group of activists who track and document ICE enforcement, said Thursday during a news conference at a West Norriton church that the need for more local governments to set their own is dire.

ICE has created a crisis in our neighborhoods, and we cannot afford silence, mixed signals, or leadership that only reacts once harm has already happened, said Stephanie Vincent, a leader of Montco Community Watch.

Ambler, Springfield, West Norriton, Abington, Norristown, and Cheltenham had approved policies, advocates said, though they are mostly internal policies that advocates say dont do enough to protect immigrants.

The sense of urgency was palpable Thursday as ICE dramatically expands its presence and visibility, both in the Philadelphia region and across the United States.

Montco Community Watch has documented at least 97 detentions and 30 suspected ICE detentions in Montgomery County, and there are likely more detentions that we have not heard about, Vincent said.

The group was joined Thursday by representatives for Indivisible Greater Jenkintown, a progressive advocacy group, and the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition at Ascension Church. Advocates said that strong welcoming policies, sometimes referred to as sanctuary policies, would outline that police will not honor ICE detainer requests without a judicial warrant, that local government resources will not be spent on ICE, and that communities will feel safe to access resources without fear of federal agents.

The policies that advocates are striving for are often referred to as sanctuary policies, and Trump has threatened to strip federal resources from local governments that do not cooperate with ICE.

Advocates had been working since the summer to encourage municipalities across Montgomery County to approve policies limiting cooperation with ICE. The county, particularly the Norristown area, had become a hot spot for ICE enforcement in the early months of the Trump administration.

In July, video of a raid at a West Norriton grocery store appeared to show local police assisting the federal agency; the township said federal authorities had sought assistance to retain order while they served a warrant for tax evasion.

Advocates pushed county leaders to enact a welcoming resolution, but officials consistently reiterated that they lacked any control over local police forces.

Despite months of requests, Montgomery County has not passed a formal ordinance or resolution declaring itself a welcoming county. The countys Democratic commissioners have cited limits to their power, concern about creating a false sense of security, and a preference for internal policy changes.

Earlier this year, county officials approved a policy limiting communication between county employees and ICE and said they would not honor prison detainer requests without warrants.

Advocates said Thursday that they strongly prefer limitations on local collaboration with ICE to be enshrined in ordinances rather than enacted through internal policies or statements, which can lack transparency and accountability and are not always enforceable.

None of [the six municipalities policies] are complete and the most visible problem on all of them is a lack of any accountability, said Rabbi Elyse Wechterman, of Indivisible Greater Jenkintown.

Julio Rodriguez, from the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, added that a lack of clear boundaries between local policies and federal agents creates more confusion and worry in the community.

It reinforces that fact the people just dont know whats happening, Rodriguez said.

Staff writer Jeff Gammage contributed to this article.
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson stood with members who wanted to make significant changes to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker's housing plan. Read more

Call it a H.O.M.E. repair.

City Council President Kenyatta Johnson on Thursday introduced legislation that will amend a bill lawmakers approved in June that authorized the city to take out $800 million in debt to fund Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E., initiative.

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Its the latest development in a saga that has seen several procedural squabbles, the most significant public dustup between Johnson and Parker to date, and a monthslong delay in the administrations plan to issue city bonds to launch the housing initiative.

The fix was needed because Council earlier this week amended a separate but related piece of legislation  called the H.O.M.E. budget resolution  that sets the first-year spending levels for the housing programs funded or created by the initiative.

 READ MORE: City Council took a rare stand against Mayor Parker by allotting more housing funds to the poorest Philadelphians

Councils changes, which Parker largely opposed, were significant enough that the budget resolution no longer aligns with the bond authorization bill Council approved in June, meaning the administration cannot rely on the original legislation as its legal basis for taking out city debt.

The new bond bill introduced Thursday reflects Councils changes, which include increasing the first-year H.O.M.E. budget from $194.6 million to $277.2 million and changing eligibility requirements for some programs to make sure the lowest-income Philadelphia households were prioritized.

We want to make sure that this is a H.O.M.E. plan that supports everyone, but obviously members of Council had an issue and concern about making sure those most in need are supported throughout this process, Johnson said.

The bill now heads to committee, and Johnson said negotiations could lead to further changes. Next week is Councils final meeting of the year, and Johnson on Thursday ruled out adding an extra session, meaning the bill likely will not pass until January at the earliest.

 READ MORE: Funding for Mayor Cherelle Parkers H.O.M.E. initiative will be delayed until next year

Parker originally had hoped to issue the first of two planned $400 million tranches of H.O.M.E. bonds this fall. She said Tuesday that the legislative delays mean they might not go to market until March or later.

Working with Council President Johnson and the Members of City Council, we are laser-focused on building, repairing and restoring 30,000 units of housing and making H.O.M.E. a reality for the people of Philadelphia, Parker said in a statement Thursday.

Thats my sister: Johnson says relationship with Parker still strong

Parker-Johnson pact intact: The Council president on Thursday downplayed his spat with Parker that saw both issue pointed statements Tuesday night blaming the other for delays in issuing the bonds.

The exchange was notable because the two city leaders, who meet in person weekly, have forged an unusually close working relationship since both took office in January 2024.

But Johnson said Thursday their relationship remains the same and has always involved disagreements  just not ones that have spilled out into public view.

 READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson are trying to bring back the 90s in City Hall

Thats my sister, Johnson said. Most of the time, when we do have disagreements, yall just dont see it. We meet every week, so you dont get a chance to see the back-and-forth. But at the end of the day, the mission is to move the city of Philadelphia forward together.

Council makes it harder to open convenience stores and pharmacies in Kensington

No new nuisances: Members passed legislation Thursday that aims to make it significantly harder for convenience stores and pharmacies to open in Kensington and sections of North Philadelphia.

The bill, authored by Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, forces any new sundries, pharmaceuticals, and convenience sales businesses in her 7th District  which covers much of Kensington and parts of North and Northeast Philadelphia  to get approval from the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment. That process is notoriously long and can be expensive for applicants.

 READ MORE: New bill would ban new convenience stores and pharmacies from opening in Kensington

Lozada has said that the bill is targeted at corner stores and smoke shops, not chain businesses like CVS and 7-Eleven.

The legislation is part of the bodys broader war on so-called nuisance businesses, which lawmakers say attract crime and disrupt neighborhoods. And it comes in addition to a controversial 11 p.m. business curfew in Lozadas district that took effect earlier this year.

Its one of several legislative remedies lawmakers have undertaken to curb small businesses like smoke shops and convenience stores that have unregulated slot machine-like skill games, sell marijuana-like products , and peddle drug paraphernalia without a license to do so.

Seriously ... no nuisances, please: Lozada was not the only lawmaker taking aim at nuisance businesses Thursday, when Council approved two bills by Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson on the same topic.

One measure makes it easier for the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections to issue stop-work and cease-operations orders to businesses violating city regulations. The other is aimed at closing loopholes that let nuisance business owners avoid enforcement by changing their name or ownership, ensuring those with similar ownership or operations remain accountable for past violations, Gilmore Richardsons office said.

The measures, which were both approved 16-0, were aimed at stopping the spread of dangerous and destructive businesses and the need for further action to address their impact on our communities, Gilmore Richardson said.

While I am encouraged by the steps we are taking today, I am also working on additional legislation to more aggressively crack down on these businesses and the bad actors behind them, she said.

Quote of the week

Mental illness is not always seen. Some people, we know when theyre going through it; some people, we dont. ... So I ask everybody to please be a little extra nice, especially this holiday season, because you never know when that time is gonna be the last time. City Councilmember Jimmy Harrity

Fond farewell: City Councilmember Jimmy Harrity gave an emotional speech in Council lamenting the loss of his friend Paul Staico, who died suddenly Sunday and was the owner of Big Charlies Saloon in South Philadelphia.

 READ MORE: Paul Staico, owner of South Philly bar dedicated to Kansas City Chiefs, dies at 59

Staico stood by Harrity when the future lawmaker was struggling with addiction, Harrity said.

Anybody that knew Paul will tell you he really was that guy, that guy who would give you the shirt off his back, Harrity said. Hes the only person I truly knew never lost faith in me, even when I was at my lowest 10 years deep in my addiction.

Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. thanked Harrity, who often gives impassioned speeches, for his heartfelt tribute to Staico.

I want to shout out Jimmy Harrity for making crying in Council cool, Jones said. Nobody does it better, brother.

Staff writer Jake Blumgart contributed to this article.
A political consultant who sent artificial intelligence-generated robocalls mimicking former President Joe Biden to New Hampshire Democrats said he will not pay $22,500 to three voters despite a recent federal court order.

The order, issued November 21 n a lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters, came five months after a jury acquitted Steve Kramer of voter suppression and impersonating a candidate. In the civil case, the judge entered a default judgement after Kramer failed to appear in court.

I never responded to them because I was already acquitted on 22 counts, Kramer said in an email, insisting that the lawsuit was a publicity stunt that wasted the courts time. He also has refused to pay a $6 million fine issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

Though jurors sided with Kramer in the criminal trial, the judge in the civil case not only ordered him to pay $7,500 to each voter who sued but also banned him from engaging in the same conduct nationwide. Caren Short, director of legal and research at the League of Women Voters, described the decision as a critical precedent against the weaponization of artificial intelligence in elections.

Further Action

Plaintiffs will explore further action if Kramer doesnt pay up, said Courtney Hostetler of Free Speech for People, which provided the League with legal assistance. Mr. Kramer has shown a consistent disregard for the law and the rights of voters, she said. His plan to defy the courts order continues this pattern, and reinforces the importance of the injunction and the damages award.

Kramer, 56, of New Orleans, admitted orchestrating a message sent to thousands of voters two days before the states Jan. 23, 2024, presidential primary. Recipients heard an AI-generated voice similar to Bidens that suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting ballots in November.

Its important that you save your vote for the November election, voters were told. Your votes make a difference in November, not this Tuesday.

Kramer, who would have faced decades in prison if convicted, testified that he wanted to send a wake-up call about the potential dangers of AI when he paid a New Orleans magician $150 to create the recording. He said he was getting frequent calls from people using AI in campaigns, and, worried about the lack of regulations, made it his New Years resolution to take action.

This is going to be my one good deed this year, he recalled while testifying in Belknap County Superior Court in June.

Straw Poll

Kramer argued that the primary was a meaningless straw poll, and therefore the states voter suppression law didnt apply. The primary was held in defiance of the Democratic National Committee, which had dislodged New Hampshire from its traditional spot in the nominating calendar, though the states delegates were still seated at the national convention. Biden did not put his name on the ballot or campaign there but won as a write-in.

Lingo Telecom, the company that transmitted the calls, agreed to pay $1 million in a settlement with the FCC in August 2024. The agency, which did not respond to requests for comment, was developing AI-related rules when Donald Trump won the presidency, but it has since shown signs of a shift toward loosening regulations.

And though multiple states have enacted legislation targeting the use of video or audio content that mimics candidates in political campaigns, Trump is considering pressuring states to stop regulating artificial intelligence. Trump and some Republicans argue that such regulation will dampen innovation, while critics worry about allowing big AI companies to operate with little oversight.

On Tuesday, attorneys general in 36 states, including New Hampshire, sent a letter to Congress opposing the preemption of state laws addressing the risks of AI.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence
New Yorks Suffolk County, home to the ultra-wealthy Hamptons and the bucolic North Fork, must pay $112 million in damages to immigrants after a court ruled that their detention in local jails violated their rights.

The Long Island county disclosed the verdict, which it is appealing, to bondholders in a filing this week. A jury granted the award in November following a trial over a lawsuit filed in 2017 in federal court. The suit, which dropped during the first Trump administration, alleged hundreds of foreigners were held past their release dates.

Representatives for Suffolk County said they cannot comment on pending litigation.

The case is part of a strategy that shows that cities, municipalities, counties, correctional facilities, can be liable for large sums of money if they cooperate with ICE, said Andrew Case, an attorney at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, which filed the case on behalf of more than 600 plaintiffs.

The verdict comes as local officials consider when or how to cooperate with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Trump administration. In his second term, President Donald Trump has continued to push for partnerships between local jurisdictions and federal law enforcement to support his plan to ramp up the deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Local Agreements

To reach its goal of more than 1 million arrests and removals a year, the administration has been working to rapidly expand 287(g) agreements that let some local officers perform limited immigration functions. Suffolk County has no such arrangement. Instead, the case centers on a different but related practice: ICEs so-called detainer requests asking local jails to hold immigrants longer than their scheduled release so federal agents can take custody.

Read More: Trump Marshals an Army of Local Cops for Deportation Dragnet

Administration officials have repeatedly criticized local authorities for not honoring detainer requests for suspected criminals. Most recently, the agency has urged New York Attorney General Letitia James, a target of the Justice Department in a criminal investigation, to honor the immigration arrest requests.

Not honoring detainers has also brought the threat of federal crackdowns. On Wednesday morning federal authorities, led by the US Border Patrol, launched an arrest blitz in New Orleans in response to what the administration described as sanctuary policies that force local officials to ignore US Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest detainers. The Department of Homeland Security made similar statements about the agencys recent enforcement focus in Charlotte.

States and law enforcement across the country remain divided on providing support for federal enforcement efforts. On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court agreed to take up a challenge to state law enforcements authority to arrest individuals subject to federal immigration retainers.

In July, Trump earmarked $165 billion for immigration enforcement, including fully funding ICEs 287(g) program and offering reimbursement for salaries, benefits and overtime for participating agencies. The bill also includes $12 billion to reimburse states, like Texas, that fought against then-President Bidens open border policy.

The Suffolk verdict could spur future lawsuits. Suffolk County retained a surety bond, a routine step in the appeals process that provides proof of an ability to pay damages while a case continues, according to the securities filing.

Wealthy County

The easternmost county in New York is home to some of the wealthiest enclaves in the US, including the Hamptons and Fire Island  popular summer vacation destinations. The region also contains high populations of undocumented migrants who have clustered in towns such as Riverhead and Huntington, and have faced heightened ICE activity this year.

Nearly half of the 66,000-some undocumented immigrants in Suffolk County are from El Salvador and Honduras, according to 2023 data from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a nonpartisan immigration policy think tank.

The countys general-obligation bonds carry an AA- grade, the fourth-highest level of investment grade, from S&P Global Ratings, which highlighted its large and diverse economy and above-average incomes, in an October report. Suffolk, home to 1.5 million residents, has a median household income of about $127,000, according to US Census data.

Howard Cure, director of municipal bond research at Evercore Wealth Management, said places like Suffolk  and New York City, which has its own $92 million ICE-related settlement on the books  are unlikely to be burdened by any additional debt spurred by settlements. But if the pattern continues, smaller entities could experience a squeeze in more acute ways.

If you have a small community in violation of this sort of due process issue, the potential liability on a per prisoner basis is the same, but disproportionate to the size of their budget, said Cure.

Lawyers, including LatinoJustices Case, say they have been approached by other would-be plaintiffs for additional suits in other jurisdictions. In June, lawyers from the New York Civil Liberties Union joined LatinoJustice and other civil rights groups to file a case against neighboring Nassau County in response to its efforts to cooperate with ICE enforcement.

Both the sheriffs office and police department in Nassau County have 287(g) agreements on the books, but neither agency participate in jail enforcement model agreements. ICE has entered into roughly 1,200 total agreements across 40 states.

Now other people are on notice that this is what happens if you engage in this conduct, said Case.

The case is Orellana Castaneda, et al. v. County of Suffolk and Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, et al., 2:17-cv-04267-WFK-ARL, US District Court, Eastern District of New York (Central Islip)

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics New York
Standard Chartered Plc has settled an investor lawsuit worth 1.5 billion ($2 billion) over allegations it systematically breached sanctions against Iran to win new business.

In a London Court of Appeal ruling over disclosure published on Friday, the judge acknowledged the settlement with more hundreds of investors. After a draft of this judgment was circulated to the parties, they reached a settlement of the entire action, the judge said.

The settlement is not material to the groups operating results or financial position, Standard Chartered said in a statement.

The bank was being sued by more than 200 investors over claims of widespread misconduct, which has so far cost the bank more than $1.7 billion in penalties. The lender told regulators that it processed hundreds of millions of dollars in clearing transactions between 2008 and 2014 through its Dubai offices on behalf of Iranian entities.

Standard Chartered has always denied any and all liability, the bank said. But a settlement was deemed appropriate in bringing this matter to a close.

The plan, known to high-level officials as Project Green, allowed for an internal department in Dubai to allegedly create fraudulent records to disguise Iranian-connected clients.

Photograph: The Standard Chartered logo; photo credit: Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits London
Swiss Re shares dropped 7.5% on Friday after the worlds second-largest reinsurer announced a new profit target that fell short of market expectations.

The Zurich-based company said it was aiming for group net income of $4.5 billion next year, up from an expected $4.4 billion in 2025, but less than the $4.81 billion forecast by analysts, according to a consensus compiled by Visible Alpha.

Swiss Res stock was the worst performer on the Stoxx Europe 600 Index .SXIP, which was 0.4% lower. At 1211 GMT, its stock was 5.6% lower at 130.75 Swiss francs.

Analysts were also disappointed with the size of Swiss Res new $500 million share buyback, the companys first since it completed a 1 billion Swiss franc ($1.3 billion) scheme in 2020.

Todays statements by Swiss Re are generally somewhat below expectations, particularly with regard to the 2026 profit target and the volume of the planned share buybacks, said Zuercher Kantonalbank analyst Georg Marti.

CEO Andreas Berger defended the profit target, saying market conditions were not easy.

Could we do more? Perhaps, he said. But I dont want to squeeze the lemon dry.

Swiss Re was also approached every week with potential takeover targets, he added.

We are open to inorganic opportunities, Berger told analysts at its investor day. Id like to keep some powder dry.

Earlier on Friday, Swiss Re, which competes with Germanys Munich Re, said it was now targeting net income of $1.7 billion from its life and health segment next year, after dropping its 2025 target for $1.6 billion last month.

It said it had completed a review of its underperforming portfolios in Australia, Israel and South Korea, and that it expected fourth-quarter pretax earnings to be reduced by $250 million following an assumption update.

($1 = 0.8020 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Mark Potter)
RiverStone International Appoints Pritchard as UK CEO

RiverStone International Holdings, the legacy acquisition company, announced the appointment of Charlotte Pritchard as UK CEO, effective January 5, subject to regulatory approval.

Pritchard succeeds Andrew Creed who will become group president (also effective January 5), while continuing his role as group CFO.

Pritchard brings more than 16 years of experience in financial services to the role and has spent the past eight years with RiverStone International, most recently as group risk and compliance director, where she has been responsible for the oversight of all risk and compliance matters, and has successfully provided strategic leadership to cross-border teams across five territories.

Since 2010 RiverStone International has completed 47 transactions acquiring US$17.7 billion in gross liabilities. In 2024 the group reported $300 million in adjusted profit before tax with a 19.1% return on opening adjusted tangible book value.

We are delighted to appoint Charlotte as UK CEO. Over the past eight years, she has developed strong relationships and delivered consistent results for RiverStone International, commented Luke Tanzer, group chief executive officer of RiverStone International. She brings a wealth of experience to the role and has consistently demonstrated her capabilities in her time as group risk and compliance director. We look forward to seeing her seize this opportunity.

Andrew Creed, group president of RiverStone International, said: I am pleased that Charlotte will be succeeding me as UK CEO. Her strong presence and proven track record at RiverStone International make her an outstanding choice for the role. I have complete confidence in her ability to excel and drive the continued success of our UK business.
Three lawmakers who represent Piedmont, South Dakota, hope to change weak state mining laws that allowed a proposed limestone mine to be sited without notification or input by any local officials or residents.

The plan by Simon Contractors to begin mining limestone on 300 acres within the city of Piedmont and in the surrounding Black Hills came as a shock to locals, who only learned of the mine project through an October notice in a local newspaper.

Piedmont is located along Interstate 90 about midway between Rapid City and Sturgis.

Simon, a French-owned, Wyoming-based mining and materials company, said it has acquired state approval and private landowner agreements to allow limestone mining on 10 parcels of land in and around Piedmont. The mine is expected to start running in August and operate through 2043, according to Simon.

Simon followed lax state mining laws that allow mining of sand, gravel and limestone without a formal permitting, notification and public input process required of more invasive hard rock mining operations. The lack of zoning ordinances in Meade County also enabled the mining company to develop its plans without county input.

Opposition to the mine has crystalized quickly in Meade County, where residents have held meetings and created a Facebook page that had 700,000 page views in its first month. More than 700 people have signed up for regular emails about the project.

We have rights, even if they tell us we dont have rights, said Chris Greenberg, who recently retired to Piedmont. I cant come into your yard and dump a load of garbage, but yet they can come in and tear up the land, and bring dust and noise and blasting?

The three Republican lawmakers from Meade County  Rep. Kathy Rice, Rep. Terri Jorgenson and Sen. John Carley  have teamed up in an effort to support Piedmont residents and to prevent similar mining operations from popping up suddenly in other communities around the state.

Theres a lot of mining to be done and the question is, Does it have to be done right next to houses, and does it need to be put in after the homes are already there?' Carley said. If you moved into a community and theres already a mine or industrial or commercial operation, you get to make that conscious decision. (But) this is a very different situation because theres already a community established, and (the mine) is in a very visible, dust-oriented area.

So far, the lawmakers said they hope to file bills in the 2026 legislative session that would increase public notification requirements, require environmental impact statements for sand and gravel mines and tighten up state regulations that allow some mining operations to proceed without a permitting process.

Seeking environmental impact data

Rice told News Watch that she is investigating two options to help Piedmont residents now and to strengthen sand, gravel and limestone mining laws in the future.

Rice said she realized that any laws passed in the 2026 legislation will likely be enacted too late to help Piedmont residents who are opposed to the limestone mine.

Yet Rice said shes looking into whether a state law could be passed to require an environmental impact statement for gravel mines just as the state requires them for more extensive gold or silver mining.

We need to know how its going to impact our water and our air and the communities that are there, she said. We cant just tear apart a hill and not know what its going to do to the community thats there.

Rice said she isnt sure yet whether she will file a bill but plans to contact the Legislative Research Council to determine how such a bill could be drafted.

They (mining companies) can afford an impact study, Rice said. Theres millions of dollars in minerals in the Black Hills, so it shouldnt just be a $100 license fee for the whole state and you can do as many mines as you want.

Rice said she also intends to contact the landowners who have agreed to allow Simon to mine for limestone on their land and perhaps persuade them to change their minds.

Simon has the license but does not have lease agreements, Rice said. So I wonder, what would make them stop from signing the agreements?

Packed house at public meeting

The latest discussion of how to respond to the limestone mining plans came during a crowded public meeting held Nov. 20 at the Elk Creek Resort in Piedmont that drew about 250 residents.

Carley, who hosted the meeting at the resort he manages, said he intends to file legislation that would require greater public notification of proposed sand, gravel and limestone mines.

Under current state law, more invasive hard rock mines, including for silver and gold, require a full state permitting process that includes environmental studies, public notification and public hearing processes as well as approval by the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The proposed limestone mine in Piedmont fell under state sand and gravel mining laws that allow a mine company to obtain a state license that enables them to mine anywhere in the state where they own land or have landowner permission. That law does not require prior notification of neighbors or local governments and does not require a public hearing or state or county permit.

Carley said he is researching a bill that would require notification of proposed mining operations to all property owners within a certain distance of the mine.

The Simon Contractors limestone mine also was not subject to county zoning ordinances that could have restricted where it was built. Meade County voters have rejected prior ballot measures to enact zoning ordinances.

Some residents suggested the county might need to revisit the possibility of creating zoning guidelines that could provide protections or distance setbacks for communities or individual landowners.

Carley said the Meade County legislative delegation also plans to seek regulatory changes within the DANR that would further protect existing homeowners.

During an hourlong discussion on Nov. 20, attendees brought up a number of questions and concerns regarding the mine and the process of approval. Among them:

1. Will property values fall and will it be harder for mine neighbors to get property insurance?

2. How much noise will mining operations create?

3. How will air quality be affected by dust and will drinking water wells be contaminated?

4. Are mining operations expanding in the Black Hills and in the Northern Hills in particular?

5. Why does Simon have a relatively small surety bond requirement for mine reclamation?

6. Can watershed protection rules be used to block this mine or other proposed mines?

Two chairs were set aside at the front of the room to accommodate Simon Contractors representatives who were invited, but both seats were left empty throughout the meeting because they didnt show up. Simon did not return a call from News Watch seeking comment.

Some neighbors have hired Yankton attorney Nick Moser, who represented dozens of East River landowners in their mostly successful battle to stop the Summit Carbon Solutions carbon pipeline from being built on their land.

Attorney pushes grassroots pressure

Moser praised the residents for attending the meeting and urged them to continue to reach out to state and local officials to take action to prevent the mine from opening.

Keep the pressure on and make your voices heard, he said. Be engaged, talk to your elected officials and encourage them to make reasonable policy that (prevents) things like the mine that is being proposed right in your backyard, (because) thats not reasonable and thats not what you want.

Carley said he is hearing from concerned residents frequently but noted that most are not opposed to mining in general but want greater controls that protect neighbors and communities.

Many of the calls go this way, You know, Im not against mining, mining is an important industry in South Dakota that is doing well in this state,' Carley said. Im against the mining when its in my backyard or when its going to cause noise or dust or watershed problems. Thats what Ive heard the community is concerned with.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A working paper from three well-known economists shows the impacts of global warming and particularly extreme weather on the budgets of American households is up to $900 per year.

The paper was authored by former Treasury Department officials Kimberley Clausing, an economist at UCLA, Catherine Wolfram, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Christopher Knittel, also an MIT economist.

The paper, detailed in an analysis and breakdown by Heatmap, looked at climate change impacts from heat and extreme weather on household budgets to show costs to U.S. households from climate change are $400 to $900 annually depending on how extreme weather were attributed to climate change. The aggregate cost is $50 billion to $110 billion nationwide.

Insurance costs top the list of household costs the authors attribute to climate change more broadly, making up more than half of the total, the Heatmap writeup states.

The authors cite a previous study in the journal National Bureau of Economic Research that examined homeowners insurance using 74 million premiums from 2014 to 2024 that was inferred from mortgage payments.

That 2024 study, Property Insurance and Disaster Risk: New Evidence from Mortgage Escrow Data, found that rapidly rising premiums and a doubling of the pass-through from disaster risk into premiums, with average premiums ring by 33% between 2020 and 2023, and particularly steep increases in disaster-prone areas.

Uzbekistan

It looks like Uzbekistan, a Central Asian nation with a population that is slightly less than Californias and a GDP of about half that of Utahs, has muddied the waters.

A team of economists noticed problems with data in a much-cited study that found climate change would cause far more economic damage by the end of the century than previous estimates for one country, Uzbekistan.

That data was enough to significantly skew the results of the 2024 study in the journal Nature, titled The economic commitment of climate change, which now also bears the words RETRACTED ARTICLE.

The retraction was made this week when it was found that excluding Uzbekistan would make the economic damages from climate change look similar to earlier research. Instead of a 62% decline in economic output by 2100 in a world where carbon emissions continue at the current pace, global output would be reduced by 23%, according to the New York Times.

Of course, erasing more than 20% of the worlds economic activity would still be a devastating blow to human welfare, the NYT states. The papers detractors emphasize that climate change is a major threat, as recent meta analyses have found, and that more should be done to address it  but, they say, unusual results should be treated skeptically.

Asias Rising Climate Risk

Floods killed more than 1,300 people and caused at least $20 billion in losses since late November across parts of South and Southeast Asia, devastation that highlights the increasing risks from climate change and extreme weather for the fast-growing region, according to a Bloomberg story on Insurance Journal.

Three tropical cyclones combined with the northeast monsoon for the most significant rainfall decades in some locations, weaving a path of destruction that damaged homes, roads, crops, and slowed factory output.

Scientists and analysts have pointed to the likely aggravating impact of climate change on the flooding, along with exacerbating factors including deforestation, failures in flood defenses and a lack of funding for disaster resilience, the Bloomberg article states.

By the first week of the storm, floods had already swamped more than 800,000 households and rubber- and palm oil-producing areas in Thailand, and had displaced tens of thousands in Malaysia.

Bloomberg reports that countries in Southeast Asia consistently rank among the most at risk, with the Philippines, Myanmar and Vietnam among the 10 nations most affected by climate change last year.

Climate News

Interest in climate news and information remained relatively high and stable in most countries, although that comes amid a recent years stagnation in public views, attitudes, and engagement with climate information over time, a report out on Thursday from Reuters Institute and University of Oxford shows.

Last years report identified a pattern of climate perception inertia, which authors say largely continues to persist. However, they explain that shows a stability in how audiences digest climate change news rather than pointing to a notable change in such engagement.

Interest in climate news and information remains high and stable in most countries, suggesting that declines in climate news use are partly driven by reduced supply (especially on TV), the report states.

It explains that the use of climate news and information is down in France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S, while it is stable in Brazil, India, and Pakistan.

It blames reduced climate news access via television, and reduced climate news use by those over age 45, for the declines. Climate news use among younger age groups and via other sources has remained stable, according to the report.

Roughly half of those surveyed say they trust the news media as a source of climate information, which has remained stable in most countries since 2022. Trust in scientists as a source of news and information about climate remains grew slightly since 2022 (68% to 71%), while trust in politicians and political parties remained low (23%).

Past columns:

Topics Climate Change
California Attorney General Rob Bonta settled with a national cleaning and sanitation company to resolve allegations that the company used unlawful no poach agreements.

The settlement is against Packers Sanitation Services Inc. LTD., now doing business as Fortrex. As part of the settlement, the company will provide notice to employees and customers regarding its discontinued use of the unlawful provision, in addition to paying $500,000 in penalties.

PSSI is a national cleaning and sanitation company that contracts with meatpacking and food processing facilities in California and across the country. Nationally, PSSI employs more than 17,000 workers across 500 worksites. PSSI has had cleaning contracts with more than 20 meatpacking and food processing companies in California.

In April, Bonta filed a lawsuit against PSSI for no-poach provisions after his offices investigation revealed that PSSI had implemented a no-poach provision in 22 out of its 24 operative contracts in California, which impacted the rights of 6,000 employees who worked pursuant to those contracts.

The judgment, once approved by the court, would resolve the allegations.

Topics California
A 90-year-old retired Cork teacher who gave his life pushing someone else out of the path of an oncoming car will be given the highest honour at the National Bravery Awards in Leinster House on Friday.

On the morning of October 18, 2024, at a Fermoy supermarket car park, Callaghan OKeeffe, the former teacher and farmer known to all as Cal, managed to push the woman out of the direct line of the car which was reversing.

He had noticed the danger and began shouting at the car to stop, as well as trying to alert the woman before pushing her out of the way of the car.

Taking the brunt of the impact, Mr OKeeffe was fatally wounded and later pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman, who was in her 60s, was seriously injured and needed to be airlifted to hospital. The driver, who was in his 90s, was treated at the scene.

Mr OKeeffe's family will be posthumously awarded a gold medal on his behalf as well as a memorial certificate of bravery by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy today.

His is the only gold medal. There will also be 15 bronze and four silver medals awarded to recipients from Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kildare, Offaly, Roscommon, Dublin, Donegal, Waterford, Cork and Cavan.

Carla Murphy, aged 11, from Waterford is this years youngest recipient, receiving a silver medal for rescuing her mother from a serious assault by an intruder at their home.

The awards ceremony will be presented by retired RTE presenter Joe Duffy.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the Ceann Comhairle said not everyone would find themselves standing with someone in the water, or holding onto them on a cliff edge, but everyone could make a difference by supporting others.

It is also a significant day for all those who will see, or hear, or read about these brave deeds and feel better to know there are still good things being done by good people, Ms Murphy said.

To all of our award recipients, on behalf of the people of Ireland let me thank you again for your actions, for your selflessness and for your courage.

What you have done has made the world feel a little less dark, a little less dangerous and gives hope to us all for the road ahead.
All evidence heard in the first day of the trial of a Kerry lawyer for alleged people smuggling after he tried to rescue refugees from drowning in the Mediterranean supports his innocence, his lawyer said.

Sean Binder is one of 24 defendants charged over efforts to save refugees off the Greek island of Lesvos in 2018.

They face charges of participation in a criminal organisation, people smuggling, and money laundering.

Mr Binder could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

But on Thursday, all evidence heard supported the defendants innocence, Mr Binders lawyer, Zac Kesses, told the Irish Examiner.

The first day of the trial before the Mytilene Court of Appeals in Lesvos, Greece, lasted until about 6pm.

Depositions included a UN witness, three police officers, and the coastguard.

Up until now all the evidence that has been handed in the court has been in favour of the defendants, Mr Kesses said.

Up until now, there is no evidence proving that the defendants were part of a criminal organisation or that they facilitated migrant smuggling by not disclosing information about the incoming boats to the coastguard.

"The coastguard verified that they had been informed by the defendants about any information regarding the incoming boat.

Central to the people smuggling charge is that the defendants refused to co-operate with the authorities when helping people at the Greek shore.

But they say they have proof  through telephone records and coastguard accounts  that they communicated with the coastguard in relation to any rescues from the beaches of Lesvos.

Sean Binder is one of 24 aid workers and volunteers charged over efforts to save refugees off the Greek island of Lesvos in 2018. File Picture: Panagiotis Balaskas/AP

Crucial day of evidence

The trial resumes on Friday for what Mr Kesses said will be a crucial day.

It is the deposition... of the head of the local police office, he is more or less responsible for this case.

"So tomorrow were going to examine him. From tomorrow, well have a very clear view of what will happen, Mr Kesses said on Thursday.

Evidence from other witnesses and depositions from the defendants must also be heard, he said.

Friday will be the last day of the trial this year, but there will be another hearing in January before the trial can conclude, Mr Kesses said.

Mr Binder said that he expects to be ultimately acquitted.

But there have been major delays in getting to trial, with multiple adjournments mostly due to procedural errors by the prosecution, he said.

Miring humanitarians in seven years of probable lawfare has had a chilling effect on others keen to help people arriving in Europe.

The uncertainty has scared people away from doing search and rescue, Mr Binder said.

Mr Kesses said that in 2018 there was a perception that humanitarians were a pull factor in migrant smuggling.

Multiple criminal cases were brought against humanitarians to discourage volunteers from coming to provide assistance, he said.

A doctor from the US, a banker from the Netherlands, and a police officer from the Netherlands are also among the 24 facing trial this week.

Mr Binder, aged 31, began volunteering for the search and rescue NGO ERCI on Lesvos in 2017, a lethal year for crossing the Mediterranean with more than 3,000 people reported dead or missing.

In 2018, the Greek authorities arrested Mr Binder, then aged 24, and detained him for more than 100 days before releasing him on bail.

Trapped in limbo

Mr Binder has been trapped in limbo for the seven years since, with limitations on his career, unable to start a family, and having to save to potentially pay for an apartment in Greece so that his mother and partner could visit if he is jailed.

Mr Binder was born in Germany but moved to Castlegregory, Co Kerry, at the age of five.

He studied in Trinity College Dublin and at the London School of Economics before training as a barrister.

When released, he spent time with his mother in Togher, Cork.

He is now practising criminal law in London.

Its been horrifying to confront the hypocrisy of European border policy, Mr Binder said.

On the one hand, we lecture the rest of the world about the European Convention on Human Rights. And yet, as soon as the responsibility comes to implement those in our own waters, they evaporate, meaningless.

"People are abandoned to drown.

The Mediterranean Sea is the deadliest sea crossing in the world. At least 33,000 people, according to the UNHCR, drowned in the Mediterranean since 2015 as of September.

But two weeks ago there was a drowning off the coast of Lesvos so that number has increased. Those arent an act of God or a freak of nature. The reason people are drowning in the Mediterranean is because we are letting them drown.

The European Union is one of the wealthiest economic groups in the world. If we wanted to stop people from drowning, we could easily do so. We choose not to do so.

People are dying because of the policies we put into place.
The lack of footpaths on the approach to the busy tourist village of Baltimore in West Cork is posing a serious safety threat to pedestrians, according to local Fine Gael councillor Brendan McCarthy.

In a motion proposed at the recent meeting of Cork County Councils West Cork Municipal District Cllr McCarthy asked: That the council will investigate the provision of a footpath on the entrance to Baltimore village on the R595 from Skibbereen as the road here is, and has always been extremely dangerous for pedestrians walking into and out of the village from their homes.

"There are some dangerous bends and pedestrians are walking on the busy road where traffic is travelling at considerable speeds.

Mr McCarthy said the issue was particularly serious during the busy tourist season but was a safety issue for residents all year round.

Seconding the motion, Fianna Fail's Joe Carroll said there was also a derelict building along the same stretch of road that was hanging over the road and should be demolished immediately. Mr Carroll said the road entering one of the most popular tourist villages in Ireland, should be safe to walk along.

Isobel Towse of the Social Democrats said she had raised the issue with council engineers. She said the road was very dangerous for pedestrians and anyone with small children or pushing a buggy would not even attempt to walk along it.

Daniel Sexton of Independent Ireland said the current situation was a disgrace.

Responding for Cork County Council, area engineer John Ahern said: This area lies within the 50km per hour speed limit. Some survey work has been completed on this stretch of road for the purposes of undertaking a design for the provision of a footpath. Presently this proposal is unfunded.

On a priority basis, local authority resources are focused on ensuring the completion of funded projects to comply with funding deadlines. An opportunity should arise in the coming months where this proposal can be advanced further.

"It is likely that the provision of a footpath will involve interference with private properties. Once a design has been completed funding options will be explored.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
It was a moment Ivan and Vickie Levis will never forget and that saw an entire Santas grotto reduced to tears.

The Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club pulled out all the stops for the Levis' twin boys  15-year-old Robert and James from Cork  who were among around 270 children attending the charitys two-day festive extravaganza.

One of the most anticipated events was the Santas grotto experience which many children with complex medical needs might not otherwise have the chance to experience. The Levis family were looking forward to their usual meet and greet with Santa.

However, it wasnt until a few minutes into the visit that they realised he had an extra present for them. Santa revealed that the boys and their family will be travelling to Disneyland, Paris, with the charity next year along with dozens of other children.

The announcement was just one of the highlights of the event that included a blue light convoy transporting deserving children to SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Now in its 20th year, the festive fun had everything from face painting to live entertainment and Disney characters.

Elves Rose Harrington and Dr Liz Barry, Santa and Mrs Clause with Caroline, Evelyn and Fiona Murphy, from Bweeng at the Cork City Hospitals Children's Club Winter Wonderland event, at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, in Cork City. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Vickie Levis identical twin sons are wheelchair users and non-verbal due to an extremely rare condition called SSADH which affects only 450 people in the world. She described how much the gift of a Disneyland trip means to her as the parent of children with such complex needs.

There are only a couple of hundred of people in the world with this disorder and we have two of them, she told the Irish Examiner. Any trip away on our own isnt possible because you need all hands on deck. If it was just one you would manage but with two its really difficult.

"When they were younger it was easier but now that they are getting bigger they need lifting and hoisting which makes it impossible. We also are unable to hire a car because there are two wheelchairs. You would be surprised at the amount of things you cant do when you have children with such complex needs.

The family were part of a previous Disneyland trip a number of years ago.

When there are other kids in the group in similar situations you dont feel like an outsider. We are all part of the same gang and its very inclusive. Our last trip to Disneyland was life-changing because its too difficult for us to go away on our own.

The two children who went on that plane were not the same children who came back. The positive transformation was massive. They were so happy and much more confident.

"We are shocked and so grateful to the Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club that the boys will have the chance to experience this again.

Her husband Ivan also spoke of how the trip benefitted the trips.

Some children find it difficult to interact with the boys at home but it was different in Disneyland. All the children engaged with them and there were no barriers.

Other families at the event included Lynda, Rueben and their three-year-old son Noah Dean who has Snyder-Robinson syndrome which is characterised by intellectual disability, muscle and bone abnormalities, and other developmental issues.

(Left to right) Lynda, Noah and Rueben Dean from Dunmanway at the Cork City Hospitals Children's Club Winter Wonderland event, at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, in Cork City. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Noah has extremely complex medical needs and has to be tube fed. The couples older son Eli also attended the event. He was recognised for the extraordinary compassion he shows towards his little brother.

He is always asking to help with his care, Lynda told the Irish Examiner. His dream is to be a nurse when he grows up. Noah was five months old when we received his diagnosis. Eli had to grow up very quickly as Noah has been in and out of hospital since he was very small.

"He knows everything about his condition and what medicines he needs. He always tries to help out.

Eli is a very kind child who is grateful for whatever he gets so today means a lot to him.

"We try to do as much as possible when the Jack and Jill nurses Deirdre and Michelle are minding Noah.

Deirdre Sturdy  a nurse with Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation which provides up to 100 hours per month of in-home nursing care and respite support to families caring for children  was there to support the Dean family.

If you had to go see Santa anywhere else there would be huge queues and waiting times, she told the Irish Examiner. This allows families like Noahs to be here together doing normal stuff that many other families take for granted.

Fiadh and Cora Crowley from Skibbereen at the Cork City Hospitals Children's Club Winter Wonderland event, at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, in Cork City. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Jennifer Crowley was joined by her three-year-old daughter who has had a tough year with many hospital visits.

Cora has Spina Bifida and a VP shunt which controls the excess fluid in her brain. This often makes her very unwell so there have been a lot of hospital visits. Its been a really great day. Healthwise, Cora is doing well at the moment. Touch wood that will last.

John Looney founded Cork City Hospitals Childrens Club after being inspired by his own children, Pamela, Noelle, Clodagh, and Karen  all now grown up.

His children are now volunteers with the charity, and accompany him on trips and at events.
Geopolitical threats have reverted to Cold War levels with hybrid warfare a significant concern, the retiring head of the navy has said.

Commodore Michael Malone said that threats were fairly benign for the vast majority of his 44-year career. But now, they again resemble the threat level before the fall of the Berlin Wall during the Cold War between the Soviet Union and Western Europe.

What were seeing now is very similar to [] when the Cold War was happening, Cdre Malone said.

The reality is that were now in these new changing times and we have to deal with that. And we now need to employ the right technologies to deal with that.

Retiring Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service, Commodore Michael Malone at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork Harbour, on Friday. Picture: Jim Coughlan

"New threats are out there.

In the changing geopolitical situation, it is essential that Ireland has proper maritime awareness and can secure its critical subsea infrastructure, he said.

Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service, Commodore Michael Malone and his wife Mary, look on as Assistant Chief of Staff Brigadier General Neil Nolan addresses Cdre Malone's stand down parade. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Irelands critical underwater infrastructure which includes data cables, power interconnectors and gas pipelines are intrinsic to the operation of the country and security in the maritime domain is absolutely essential in the current volatile world situation, he said.

Ireland is beefing up its naval technological power in response to the changing threats, with new towed array sonar being procured. This will allow the navy to monitor sound in the ocean, including submarine activity.

Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service, Commodore Michael Malone with Lt Cdr Stuart Armstrong, during the inspection as part of his stand down parade at Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Cathal Berry, former army ranger wing officer and former TD recently told the Irish Examiner that Russian submarines are likely frequently operating undetected in Irelands waters. And such submarines could potentially sabotage Irelands critical subsea infrastructure.

"We have a contract in place for the delivery of equipment in 2027, Cdre Malone said.

Thats for the first piece of equipment. Thereafter, its a programme of delivery of further equipment for that particular tasking.

The navy has been au fait with and threats associated with hybrid warfare and the grey zone for the last 10 years, Cdre Malone said.

Retiring Commodore Michael Malone with his family members, Cathal, Ciaran, Mary, Padraic, and Niamh, at Haulbowline on Friday. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Were dealing with it on a constant basis. We have significant equipment coming on board, we have new ways of dealing with these challenges.

"Weve been dealing with various different companies and other navies and seeing what they do in these circumstances and were employing technologies from them and information and knowledge from them as we deal with these threats going forward.

Stand down parade

Some 200 naval officers lined out for a stand down parade for Cdre Malone at Haulbowline Naval Base on Friday.

Cdre Malone joined the Irish Naval Service age 17 in 1981 as a Marine Engineering cadet and was commissioned as an Officer in 1983.

Cdre Malone has witnessed huge changes in the Navy throughout his 44 year career, including the shift from wooden ships to the highly professional and technical offshore patrol vessels that we now use".

Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service, Commodore Michael Malone, during his address to the parade at Haulbowline on Friday. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Morale has increased dramatically in the last year, year and a half. We've increased the number of personnel within the organisation by over 120 people in the last year.

We're still significantly below the numbers we need, but the reality is we're going in the right direction.

Life in the navy is very dynamic, he said.

Every single day there's a different challenge at sea. Ships change, weather conditions change, the number of personnel you have on board, the skill sets that you have on board are changing with personnel.

You make the best of the assets and personnel available to you. And we come up with methods by which we can deal with these issues.

Extraordinary memories include response to the Air India disaster

During his career, he responded to the the tragic bombing of the Air India flight 182 in 1985 which killed 329 passengers south west of Cork.

An Irish Examiner Archive photo shows members of the Irish navy carrying the remains of one of the victims of the Air India Flight 182 disaster on June 23, 1985, when a Boeing 747 aircraft was blown up off the south west coast of Ireland, killing all 329 people aboard.

"LE Aisling had been in the vicinity and the crew did Trojan work in retrieving the bodies, aircraft fuselage and personal items from the crash area.

"I spent six months on LE Eithne with the first 10 days in a search pattern above the crash site with a side scan sonar from Canada being used to try and identify the airframe and black box," he said.

Wreckage from the 1985 Air India Flight 182 disaster being unloaded from the LE Eithne's sister ship the LE Emer at the docks in Cork. Picture: Maurice O'Mahony/Irish Examiner Archive

Humanitarian missions in the Mediterranean

"As Flag Officer I am very proud that the Irish navy were involved in the rescue of significant numbers of personnel and countless lives were saved through our involvement in the common security and defence policy missions in the Mediterranean between 2015 and 2018."

Officers and crew on board the LE Samuel Beckett at Haulbowline, Cork, prior to deployment with the EUNAV FOR mission Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean in April 2018. Also on board were Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces; Cdre Mick Malone, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service, and Capt Brian Fitzgerald, Operations Commander, Naval Service. Picture: Denis Minihane/Irish Examiner Archive

Cdre Malone has held a wide variety of appointments both afloat and ashore.

At the rank of captain, he held the appointment of Officer Commanding Naval Support Command with responsibility for all human resources, logistics, electronic and engineering functions within the Naval Service.

Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service, Commodore Michael Malone shaking hands with Warrant Officer Brian Attridge, during the inspection as part of Cdre Malone's stand down parade in Haulbowline, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Commodore Malone was programme manager for the design and building of the Irish Navys P60 Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), having previously been the project lead for the LE Niamh, P50 class large patrol vessel during its build. The P60 OPV programme has witnessed the delivery of four 90-metre OPVs to the Irish Navy during the period 2015-2018.

Commodore Malone was promoted to his present rank and into the appointment of Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service on December 26, 2017.

During the intervening period, Commodore Malone has presided over the infrastructural redevelopment of Haulbowline Naval Base and the introduction of a new class of vessels, the inshore patrol vessels (IPVs).
The U.S. military said it killed four men in a strike on a suspected drug vessel in international waters in the Eastern Pacific on Thursday (December 4). The video appears to show the boat being hit and erupting in flames in international waters.
Emmanuel Macron has said there is no mistrust between Europe and the US, a day after a report claimed the French president had warned privately there was a risk Washington could betray Ukraine.

Unity between Americans and Europeans on the Ukrainian issue is essential. And I say it again and again, we need to work together, Macron told reporters during a visit to China.

We welcome and support the peace efforts being made by the United States of America. The United States of America needs Europeans to lead these peace efforts.

The German magazine Der Spiegel on Thursday cited a leaked summary of confidential call between several European leaders in which Macron and the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, voiced fundamental doubts about US efforts to negotiate between Ukraine and Russia.

The transcript quoted Macron as warning Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, that there is a chance that the US will betray Ukraine on territory, without clarity on security guarantees.

The alleged leak risked angering Donald Trump, whom European leaders have been at pains to flatter, knowing he is the key player in any mediation efforts with Moscow.

It also came as European leaders rushed to salvage a sorely needed financing plan for cash-strapped Ukraine. Merz held emergency talks on Friday with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, and Belgiums prime minister, Bart De Wever.

When asked about the Spiegel report on Friday, Macron responded: I deny everything. Der Spiegel said it had obtained the English summary of Mondays call, featuring what it said were direct quotations from heads of government. In the transcript, Macron described the current tense phase of the negotiations as harbouring a big danger for Zelenskyy. Merz reportedly added that he needed to be very careful.

They are playing games with both you and us, Merz was reported as telling Zelenskyy  a remark believed to refer to a diplomatic mission to Moscow this week by Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and the US presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Washington presented a 28-point proposal last month to halt the war in Ukraine, drafted without input from Ukraines European allies and criticised as too close a reflection of Moscows maximalist demands.

US and Ukrainian negotiators have since held talks before Witkoff and Kushner headed to Moscow on Tuesday. The pair spent five hours in talks with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin and Witkoff then met Ukraines national security council chief, Rustem Umerov, in Miami on Thursday. There was no official readout of the Miami meeting.

Moscow and Kyiv have continued to fight, seeking stronger negotiating positions. Russian drones struck a house in central Ukraine on Thursday night, killing a 12-year-old boy, officials said, while long-range Ukrainian strikes reportedly targeted a Russian port and oil refinery.

Merz will dine in private on Friday with von der Leyen and De Wever, who has expressed opposition to a scheme to fund Ukraine that involves the unprecedented use of frozen Russian assets.

With Russias attacks intensifying, Kyiv is running out of money. The EU has pledged to keep Ukraine afloat next year and intends to raise 90bn to meet about two-thirds of its needs for 2026 and 2027.

Von der Leyen has proposed two main options to raise the funds. The bloc could either borrow against its shared budget on the international markets, she said this week, or issue a loan secured by immobilised Russian assets  mainly held in Belgium  that Kyiv would repay from Russias postwar reparations.

De Wever, however, told an event in Brussels this week that he was against seizing frozen Russian assets. It was a nice idea, stealing from the bad guy to give to the good guy, he said. But stealing the frozen assets of another country has never been done.

Even during the second world war, we did not confiscate Germanys money. In an op-ed in the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper on Thursday, Merz told his fellow EU leaders that the decisions they made over the coming days would decide the question of European independence.

 The Guardian
The German parliament has rubberstamped a new model for military service that aims to boost its armed forces as thousands of school pupils demonstrated across the country against the plans.

The change will include the obligatory screening of all 18-year-old men to gauge their suitability to serve in the military from 1 January, but does not include conscription, as favoured by some conservative politicians.

If the model fails to pull in enough recruits, parliament will be compelled to discuss the reintroduction of conscription, the defence minister, Boris Pistorius, told the Bundestag.

Pupils missed classes to take part in climate protest-style school strike demonstrations against the legislation in 90 towns and cities, despite warnings from education authorities that striking could affect their end of year grades.

Alicia, a 17-year-old taking part in a demonstration in Kreuzberg, Berlin, said: Im striking against conscription and in opposition to the rearmament thats taking place, not least as I dont think the government is doing enough to secure peace through diplomatic means. MPs addressed concerns that young peoples futures were being put at risk amid pressure on anyone born from 2008 to join up.

Siemtje Moller, of the SPD, a junior partner in coalition with the chancellor Friedrich Merzs conservatives, pushed back against what she referred to as the populist message of the protest.

She said: We are neither deciding today that you will be obliged to serve in the armed forces, nor that we will be drawing lots to send you to Ukraine as cannon fodder. That is pure populism, or simply nonsense.

A person with the mask of German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius attends a protest against compulsory service. Picture: Markus Schreiber/AP

Moller expressed the sentiment building in recent weeks that a rise in interest in the German armed forces would ensure enough volunteers would be found to boost numbers to460,000, consisting of 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists.

Germany currently has 182,000 active soldiers and just under 50,000 reservists.

In 2011, under Angela Merkels government, Germany suspended its military conscription programme, which had been in place from 1956, in order to modernise it for the post-cold war world, where it was thought the focus would be on foreign missions requiring the skills of a professional army rather than conscripts needed to fight a war.

Pistorius called the law a critical step towards our ability to defend ourselves, adding: Our allies are looking to us. The law was passed by 323 votes to 272, with one abstention. Among those against it were the far-right populist AfD and the far-left Die Linke.

Desiree Backer, of Die Linke, urged young people to stand up against the law, which she said was anything but voluntary, as 18-year-olds would be obliged to fill out a questionnaire. She also pointed to evasive answers given by ministers when questioned over whether they would be prepared to see their own children conscripted.

Young people have other plans than risking their lives for the rich, she said.

The AfDs Rudiger Lucassen criticised as superficial attempts to attract young people to military service by giving them substantial pay increases and offering them benefits such as financing driving licences and language classes.

Soldiers who come for the pay have no solid foundation for their service, he said, calling for a military service with a nationalist bent whereby young people would be driven by patriotism, not money, to serve.

The German soldier must know what he is fighting for, he said, arguing that soldiers should follow the centuries-old tradition to fight for their country, not for a government.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. File picture: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

Critics called Lucassens stance problematic for failing to refer in that context to the atrocities committed by German soldiers during the Nazi era.

The historic vote took place before another key piece of legislation regarding the German state pension, also expected to have a significant impact on the lives of young Germans.

Merz had faced an unusual rebellion within his own party from 18 young MPs who argued that the law, which will keep state pensions at 48% of average wages until 2031, would come at the expense of young people who would bear the brunt of demographic changes that meant ever fewer workers were responsible for the pensions of their elders.

The nail-biting vote was considered to be so tight that sick MPs and those with babies were persuaded to be present. In the end, the rebels were won round by a promise that a commission would draw up proposals for more far-reaching changes to the pension system from next year. The vote passed by 319 in favour to 225 against, with 53 abstentions.

The law also includes tax incentives for people to continue in the workplace beyond retirement to cope with an acute labour shortage.

 The Guardian
A federal judge in Florida has ordered the release of grand jury transcripts from the federal sex trafficking cases of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

US District Judge Rodney Smith said a recently passed federal law ordering the release of records related to the cases overrode a federal rule prohibiting the release of matters before a grand jury.

The law signed last month by US President Donald Trump compels the Justice Department, FBI and federal prosecutors to release later this month the vast troves of material they have amassed during investigations into Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein, centre, appearing in court in West Palm Beach, Florida, in July 2008 (Uma Sanghvi/The Palm Beach Post via AP)

When the documents will be released is unknown.

The government had asked the court for permission to include the usually secret grand jury records in the files they are required to make public under the new federal law, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The Justice Department has not set a timetable for when it plans to start releasing information, but the law set a deadline of December 19.

However, the law also allows the Justice Department to withhold files that it says could jeopardise an active federal investigation.

That is also longstanding Justice Department policy.

Files can also be withheld if they are found to be classified or if they pertain to national defence or foreign policy.

The Justice Department had requested the unsealing of documents from three Epstein-related separate cases: the 2006-2007 Florida grand jury investigation into Epstein, his 2019 sex trafficking case in New York and Ghislaine Maxwells 2021 sex trafficking case, also in New York.

Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000 (PA)

The Florida request was approved on Friday.

The New York requests are pending, with the Justice Department facing a Monday deadline to make its final filing  a response to submissions by victims, Epsteins estate and Maxwells lawyers.

The judges in those matters have said they plan to rule expeditiously.
( RFE/RL )  Afghanistan is seeking to significantly bolster trade with the oil-rich countries of Central Asia as it attempts to end its economic dependence on Pakistan, which has historically been Kabuls biggest trading partner.

But experts warn that geography, high costs, and political constraints will hinder efforts by Afghanistans cash-strapped and unrecognized Taliban government to shift trade to Central Asia.

Kabuls attempts to find new trade partners come after the worst outbreak of hostilities with Islamabad in years. The neighbors exchanged military attacks last month, killing dozens of people and leading to Pakistan closing its border with Afghanistan.

The monthlong border closure has inflicted some $200 million in losses for Afghan traders, who rely on Pakistani seaports to access international markets.

Trade Alternatives

Senior Taliban officials have urged Afghan traders and investors to end their activities in Pakistan and find new business and trade opportunities in Central Asia.

We are actively working with our northern neighbors to find reliable trade alternatives, Taliban Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi said on November 12.

Abdul Ghani Baradar, a Taliban deputy prime minister, accused Islamabad of using trade as a tool of political pressure and framed the ongoing border closure as evidence that Kabul must reduce its reliance on its eastern neighbor.

Swiss-based Afghan expert Torek Farhadi said the Talibans new emphasis on trade with Central Asia is largely political posturing, adding that deep structural hurdles remain to expanding economic ties.

Central Asia is landlocked, and Afghanistan must rely on long-distance overland corridors to reach markets. The regions tariff structures impose high costs on many Afghan exports, especially agricultural goods. The logistics of handling, storing, and transporting perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables remain underdeveloped.

To make the northern route commercially viable, Afghanistan would need to remove tariffs and offer incentives to its Central Asian partners, Farhadi told RFE/RL. But for the government in Kabul, customs revenue is one of their primary income sources.

Meanwhile, several railway projects, crucial for scaling cross-border trade, remain unfinished or lack financing.

The Talibans lack of international recognition also prevents it from accessing funds from global institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, limiting investment in the infrastructure needed to support northbound trade, Farhadi said.

Those factors have ensured that Afghanistans trade with Central Asia, although growing, has remained modest.

Trade between Afghanistan and the five Central Asian states  Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan  has grown steadily, reaching nearly $1.7 billion, according to Afghan officials.

Most of that volume consists of Afghan imports, including flour, fuel, cooking oil, and construction materials. Afghan exports to Central Asia remain limited but are slowly growing.



The Caucasus and Central Asia. Library of Congress. Public Domain. Via Library of Congress.

Kazakhstan has emerged as a major commercial partner for Afghanistan. In 2024, Astana and Kabul signed a road map that laid out a goal to increase bilateral trade to $3 billion in the coming years.

Uzbekistan remains one of Afghanistans most active commercial partners. Bilateral trade in 2024 reached $1.1 billion, according to official Uzbek figures. Tashkent and Kabul plan to increase bilateral trade to $2 billion in 2025.

Afghan exports via Turkmenistans Torghundi border crossing have more than doubled compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have officially inaugurated a key component of the CASA-1000 project designed to export electricity to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Pakistans Role Still Central

Despite Afghanistans growing trade with Central Asia, Kabul remains dependent on Pakistan.

Islamabad has long provided Afghanistan with the fastest and most affordable access to global markets.



Photo of Kabul, Afghanistan, March 2025, by Mustafa on Unsplash

The border crossings at Torkham and Chaman remain the backbone of Afghanistans commercial lifelines, but Islamabad has repeatedly closed the border in recent years, disrupting trade and the movement of people.

That has coincided with Afghanistans trade with Pakistan falling from roughly $5 billion annually at its peak in 2011 to just over $1 billion in 2024.

The most recent border closures on October 12, following armed clashes between Pakistani and Taliban forces, has left thousands of trucks stranded for weeks.

But for Afghan traders, few alternatives can match Pakistans proximity or port infrastructure. Shifting trade away from those routes means higher transport costs, longer transit times, and increased logistical risks, experts say.

The reality is that Afghanistans shortest and cheapest route to seaports as well as India and other South Asian markets is through Pakistan, said Azarakhsh Hafizi, the former head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce.

We need all transit routes to remain open. It would benefit not only Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it is also important for the regional economic integration, added Hafizi, who previously held membership in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.
Oakland, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  It looks like the perverse romance between MAGA and Israels Likud Party is becoming frayed at the edges. Despite the long-standing, anti-Semitic undercurrents in American conservatism, the Republican Party has been a staunch supporter of Israel at least since the 1967 War. The far right Likud Party has been happy nevertheless to accept GOP support.

The MAGA America First far right is breaking with the pro-Israel leanings of most Evangelicals. Decades ago, as a congressional intern for my local Republican congressman in college, I was puzzled by his unequivocal support for Israel. He was not a bad guy, certainly in the context of todays Republicans. But because the Republican disposition and culture was so WASPY even then; I was confused by their stated devotion to Israel. Now I get it; that was the Evangelical Zionist movement of today taking form.

The original concept of Evangelical Zionism dates to the late 1800s, and is rooted in the dispensationalist theology Specifically, it claims a view of the uniqueness of Israel as separate from the Church in Gods program. But no less valid. The concept adheres to a Biblical literalness, but, allowances are made for symbols, figures of speech, and types, of course. So they admittedly pick and choose what is literal, and what is symbolic myth or metaphor. Dispensational theology teaches that there are two distinct peoples of God: Israel and the Church, though they claim seven dispensations: Innocence (Genesis 1:13:7), Conscience (Genesis 3:88:22), Human Government (Genesis 9:111:32), Promise (Genesis 12:1Exodus 19:25), Law (Exodus 20:1Acts 2:4), Grace (Acts 2:4Revelation 20:3), and the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:46).

Christian Zionism has been a troubling concept from the beginning. Evangelicals love for Israel is predicated upon a world without Jews. Their design is to either convert us, or consign us to some level of Dantes Inferno. Yet, Likud and right-wing Jews in the US have embraced this problematic alliance.

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)

I witnessed a deeply troubling expression of this at the synagogue where I became Bar Mitzvah in 1968. In the mid-1980s, when Religious Roundtable founder Rev. Ed McAteer said on national TV that, G-d doesnt hear the prayers of Jews, Temple Israel-Memphis Rabbi Harry K. Danziger properly called him out. In a Friday night sermon I attended, the rabbi condemned those remarks and McAteers Reaganesque motivation. But less than two years later, Danziger hosted a public ceremony, honoring the same Rev. Ed McAteer as a Friend of Israel. When I privately asked Rabbi Danziger how he could honor a man he condemned two years prior, and about promoting the alliance between End of Times Christians and Jews; he literally turned his back and walked away without a word.

Trumps appointment of Mike Huckabee as the US ambassador to Israel, had seemed to underline the Christian Zionist agenda in US Foreign Policy from the beginning. Huckabee said of the unlawful settlements and Israels annexation designs, Its not a matter for human debate but a matter of accepting divine will. Christian Zionists are all in for Trump, because they see him as their latest hope for ushering in their End of Times apocalyptic vision and goal.



Marjorie Taylor Greene, 117th Congress. Public domain. Via Picryl

Christian Zionism has empowered convicted felon Donald Trump and MAGAs assault on American norms and institutions. In Israel, it has similarly empowered the Likud government under PM Benjamin Netanyahu. This includes creating Christian kibbutzim in Occupied Palestine, and supporting Israels illegal squatter-settlements there. Zionism has devolved far from its original agrarian, secular origins; which had NO pretense of Biblical prophecy or Jewish Nationalism. Christian Nationalism in the US is now aligned with the Israeli settler movement, and annexation agenda.

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.

Trumps criminal history and imperial tendencies have led him to demand the dismissal of criminal charges against his evil twin Netanyahu. By meddling in the Israeli justice system, and demanding a pardon for Netanyahus brazen crimes of bribery, breach of trust and corruption, Trump exhibits no sense of boundaries on his power. Now, Netanyahu has formally demanded a pardon from Israeli President Chiam Herzog, armed with Trumps backing. Netanyahu is also threatening to blame Herzog for ongoing damage to Israel if his demand isnt met; as if he has not been the most destructive PM in Israels history. He claims that his obligation to show up in court distracts him from his duties of making war and peace. Yes, both!

Netanyahu, the genocidaire, has made himself unpopular even to many in the MAGA crowd, making the MAGA-Likud romance rocky. And as with Trump in the US, Netanyahu is trying to criminalize the individuals and system that is holding him accountable for his considerable crimes against his nation. Both men are using extortion and blackmail against their respective governments and detractors, in parallel efforts to avoid criminal charges by further consolidating their power, and remaining in office.

The MAGA base that dislikes foreign entanglements had earlier made an exception for Israel. The horrors of Netanyahus Gaza War and the billions Americans squandered to enable it, however, have produced a sea change. Marjorie Taylor Greene gave Israeli pressure on Trump as the reason for which the president was reluctant to release the files of the late pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. Young Republicans are beginning to sympathize more with the Palestinians than the Israelis, in the wake of Israels Gaza genocide. Tucker Carlson stooped to interviewing far right extremist Nick Fuentes, agreeing with him on his distaste for Israel, though disagreeing that Jewish Americans have dual loyalties.

Now there is conflict in the MAGA-Likud romance. MAGAs America First isolationism, along with their embrace of Jew-haters such as Nick Fuentes, Proud Boys and other openly fascist, hate groups brings a difficult moment for both, which cant be reconciled.
A former member of a Gambian death squad suspected of shooting AFP's correspondent in the west African country in 2004 was charged with murder Wednesday, according to an AFP journalist who observed his arraignment in Banjul.

Sanna Manjang, who was arrested on Saturday in neighbouring Senegal, was charged with two counts of murder for shooting longtime AFP journalist Deyda Hydara as well as another individual.

Manjang served in The Gambia's notorious "Junglers" paramilitary unit, which ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh used to crush opposition to his eccentric and brutal rule.

Having been on the run since Jammeh was forced into exile in January 2017, Manjang was repatriated to The Gambia on Tuesday.

Documents presented at his arraignment said he had acted "with malice aforethought" in carrying out "the death of Deyda Hydara by shooting him with a gun".

His sudden arraignment unfolded with a heavy security presence in the court, which ordered that he remain in Banjul's Mile 2 Central Prison.

Hydara was gunned down in his car on the outskirts of the capital Banjul on December 16, 2004.

The father-of-four, who was in his 60s at the time of his murder, had worked for AFP since 1974, first as a translator and then as a journalist.

Co-founder of the independent newspaper The Point, he was often critical of the government, elite corruption and attacks on press freedom.

Manjang was additionally charged with the 2006 murder of businessman Ndongo Mboob "by shooting him with a gun", according to the court documents.

Reed Brody, an international war crimes prosecutor who works with Jammeh's victims, called Manjang's arrest "a pivotal advance for accountability".

Jammeh at large

"Former Junglers have repeatedly identified him as a central actor in some of the Jammeh regime's worst atrocities," Brody said, adding that Manjang's testimony could serve as a "nail in the coffin" for Jammeh, who is living in Equatorial Guinea.

The Gambia in October repeated its commitment to arrest and prosecute Jammeh should he return, after the ex-leader told his followers he planned to return to his home country.

It was only after Jammeh was forced out of the country that the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) looking into crimes committed during his rule uncovered details of Hydara's murder.

The Gambian government in 2022 committed to implementing recommendations made by the TRCC, which found that 240 to 250 people were killed by the state during Jammeh's rule.

It also found evidence of widespread extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances, witch hunts and other human rights abuses.

The Junglers worked independently of the regular army, and the death squad has long been accused of extrajudicial killings and torture by the United Nations and rights groups.

Jammeh, who came to power after a 1994 coup, was forced to flee to Equatorial Guinea after losing a presidential election in December 2016 to opposition leader Adama Barrow.

The Gambia, a former British colony of two million people, is among the least developed countries in the world, according to the United Nations.
A top Democratic lawmaker said Thursday that video footage played during a classified hearing showed a US strike killing "shipwrecked sailors" who survived an initial attack on an alleged drug-trafficking boat.

The September 2 incident -- the first in a series of strikes targeting purported narcotics-smuggling vessels that have left more than 80 people dead -- has sparked widespread criticism of both the military campaign and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The footage showed "the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors -- bad guys, bad guys -- but attacking shipwrecked sailors," Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told journalists.

Himes described it as "one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service."

"You have two individuals in clear distress without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, who were killed by the United States," he added.

Republican Representative Don Bacon meanwhile said on CNN that "these two people were trying to survive and our... rules of war would not allow us to kill survivors."

"The rules are they have to pose an imminent threat. And I think we could say they did not pose an imminent threat to our country," Bacon said.

Both the White House and Pentagon have sought to distance Hegseth from the decision to strike the survivors -- which some US lawmakers have said could be a war crime -- instead pinning the blame on Admiral Frank Bradley, who directly oversaw the operation.

Himes said Bradley told lawmakers that Hegseth did not order that all the boat's crew be killed, but Bacon said the Pentagon chief is ultimately responsible because "he's the secretary of defense."

Trump's administration insists it is effectively at war with alleged "narco-terrorists," and the president has deployed the world's biggest aircraft and an array of other military assets to the Caribbean, insisting they are there for counter-narcotics operations.

Regional tensions have flared as a result of the strikes and the military buildup, with Venezuela's leftist leader Nicolas Maduro accusing Washington of using drug trafficking as a pretext for "imposing regime change" in Caracas.






Thursday, December 04, 2025 - Nairobis Lavington suburb has become the backdrop of a chilling story that continues to grip the nation.

On October 29th-30th, 2024, prosecutors say Hashim Dagane Muhumed, also known as Hashim Mohamed Khalif, murdered his girlfriend, Deka Abdi Noor Gorane, at Valley Heights Apartments.

The revelation came to light in court on December 3rd, 2025, where Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Gikui Gichui, described the act as an attempt to cover up three earlier killings involving women just days before.

According to the prosecution, Dekas death was not only brutal but calculated, her remains allegedly mutilated and later abandoned at Langata Cemetery.

CCTV footage presented in court painted a disturbing timeline.

Corporal Lawrence Kamau, a surveillance expert, detailed how cameras captured a small car moving suspiciously in Parklands, reversing over what was later identified as a human body.

Other footage showed Hashim and a woman walking together, only for him to reappear moments later alone.

Closer to the day of her death, Deka was seen leaving her apartment in a maroon outfit, shopping at Quick Mart supermarket, and returning with bags.

Days later, Hashim was captured carrying similar bags to the lift, inspecting them before leaving.

Investigators believe these were linked to the disposal of her remains.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, December 4, 2025 - Uasin Gishu Woman Representative and National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Gladys Boss Shollei, has once again triggered a discussion online after a video of her appearance at a recent public function went viral.

In the clip, Shollei is seen dressed like a village woman, a look that immediately drew mixed reactions from netizens.

While some social media users praised her for embracing modest and relatable dressing, others questioned whether the outfit was suitable for a high-ranking Government official.

Her fashion choices have often generated conversation, and this latest appearance has continued to trend, sparking a wave of comments, memes, and opinions across various platforms.

Uasin Gishu Woman Representative and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Sholleis dress code at a public rally has shocked netizens! pic.twitter.com/0uSNCRpnzm  The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) December 4, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, December 04, 2025 - Chama Cha Kazi party leader, Moses Kuria, has spoken out following Makadara MP, George Aladwas public rejection of his offer to serve as running mate in the 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial contest.

Kuria alleged that Aladwas decision was influenced by powerful offices.

In a statement on social media, the former Cabinet Secretary expressed disappointment over the development, claiming that Aladwa had been summoned and directed to denounce the agreement.

George Aladwa was summoned last evening by holders of extremely powerful offices and ordered to denounce our agreement on Nairobi Governor ticket.

I respect his decision, Kuria stated.

Kuria, who previously served as a presidential adviser, urged those he described as political forces to relax, insisting that his bid for Nairobi Governor was aimed at rescuing what he termed as a collapsing city.

He added, I want to tell those forces to relax. I want to be Governor of Nairobi to save this collapsing city.

But its not life and death affair for me.

On November 30th, Kuria had shared a campaign poster naming Aladwa as his running mate, signaling a possible alliance between Chama Cha Kazi and ODM.

However, Aladwa dismissed the announcement on December 2nd, declaring that his intention is to vie for the Nairobi Governorship under ODM.

I have said that I will not be Moses Kurias deputy, I will be vying for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat under the ODM party in 2027, Aladwa affirmed.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, December 4, 2025 - More personal details have emerged about Lillian Mbeki, the 48-year-old woman currently under police investigation in relation to the death of 25-year-old Festus Oromo in Kilimani.

According to publicly available records, Lillian is a highly educated professional with an extensive corporate background.

She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Nairobi in 2000, a graduate degree from Kenyatta University in 2011, and later completed her MBA at Edinburgh Business School.

Her career spans senior roles in both local and international institutions, including the United Nations.

She is currently reported to hold a senior position at Nixxy Inc, a global technology company.





Lillian relocated to Costa Rica with her husband and children during the COVID-19 period, though she continued to make visits to Kenya.

Police are reviewing claims that she maintained a relationship with Festus during these trips.

CCTV footage obtained by detectives appears to capture a confrontation between Lillian and Festus shortly after he entered an Airbnb apartment they had booked at around 1:16am.

The door shuts moments later as the scuffle continues inside.

That footage shows the last confirmed moments before his death.

At approximately 1:57am, about forty minutes later, additional security footage recorded the moment Festuss body fell onto the roof of a white vehicle parked on the ground floor.





Night guards told investigators the victim was unresponsive by the time they got to him.

Kilimani detectives later confirmed the fatality at the scene.

Police say investigations are ongoing as they piece together what transpired inside the apartment.

Watch the CCTV footage.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Kilkenny Senator Malcolm Noonan has welcomed the decision by RTE to withdraw from and refuse to broadcast next year's Eurovision Song Contest.

It was confirmed yesterday that Ireland will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, and it will not be broadcast by RTE, after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that Israel will be allowed to take part.

Senator Noonan said the state broadcaster had made the right decision over Israel's continued involvement in the competition.

"It's strong statement and I hope that we continue to see Israel isolated in other international events as they continue to murder children during a 'ceasefire'," he posted.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny senator speaks at UN conference on Human Rights and Democracy

A statement from RTE said: "Following today's EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTE's position remains unchanged. RTE will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTE broadcast the competition.

"RTE feels that Irelands participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk. RTE remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory."

The Netherlands, Spain, and Slovenia have also confirmed they will boycott the 2026 contest.
The Minister for Defence has condemned a gun attack on Irish soldiers in South Lebanon.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces has confirmed member of the 127th Infantry Battalion came under small arms fire while out on patrol on Thursday evening and "initiated immediate action drills".

The incident happened at around 6pm near Bint Jbeil.

The battalion is part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south of the country. The Defence Forces said the battalion's actions and the armoured vehicles they were in "ensured the safety of all troops".

READ NEXT: The Late Late Toy Show: Patrick Kielty reveals 'Christmas favourite' as this years theme

It added that the battalion returned to Camp Shamrock following the patrol. "All our personnel are well and accounted for," they said.

The Defence Forces can confirm that all Irish personnel deployed to Lebanon as part of the 126 Infantry Battalion are safe and accounted for. All necessary force protection measures continue to be observed.



We echo UNIFILs statement that attacks on peacekeepers or interference pic.twitter.com/MBxc9dYQMy  Oglaigh na hEireann (@defenceforces) October 3, 2025

The Defence Forces condemned the incident and added it will continue to "enact the UNIFIL mandate by monitoring and reporting on the situation in southern Lebanon".

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee, who has been fully briefed, has also condemned the incident. "This incident constitutes a direct and unacceptable breach of the UN Security Council Resolution.

In a statement, she added: "I have been fully briefed by the Chief of Staff, and I want to commend the personnel involved for their professionalism in extremely challenging circumstances. I am particularly relieved that all members of the patrol returned safely to base."
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

A few snow showers scattered about the area this morning, otherwise a good deal of clouds. High 37F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. Low 24F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
A view of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on November 5, 2025.
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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 14F. Winds light and variable.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 14F. Winds light and variable.
Ottoline Spearman

In recent weeks, about 1,500 taxi drivers have staged protests in Dublin against Uber's introduction of fixed fares. Taxi Drivers Ireland had planned to scale up the protests to last six days in December, but these were suspended on Friday pending the outcome of talks.

So, why are taxi drivers protesting, and what do they hope to achieve?

Why are taxi drivers protesting?

Drivers are protesting the introduction of fixed fares by Uber.

About a third of Irelands more than 17,000 taxi drivers make use of Uber to source fares.

The fixed fare option means that Uber users agree on a fare in advance of taking their trip. Should the meter read less than the agreed fare, the customer pays the lower price. If the meter is higher, due to adverse traffic or other factors, the passenger pays only the pre-agreed fixed fare.

In that instance, the taxi essentially operates as a hackney that is still required to use a meter by National Transport Authority (NTA) standards, reported the Irish Times.

They sent us an email and told us thats how its going to be, David Mitchell, a Dublin taxi driver involved in organising the protest, said. I personally shut down the app and deleted my account a week later.

I cant go out and work 80 hours a week. I just cant. None of us can  its not safe.

Mr Mitchell used the analogy of a publican cutting the price of a pint and his barmans salary, before raising the price again but leaving the barmans wage at the lower level.

Uber said the approach has been shown to increase rider confidence and trip demand.

Drivers say that the fixed fares will mean that when a car is delayed by traffic or forced to take an alternative route, they lose out, substantially in some cases.

Taxi Drivers Ireland says that the Government has chosen silence instead of responsibility over plans to bring in these fixed fares.

The drivers, who are not represented by any formal union body, are calling for the Government to intervene and update the existing regulations to outlaw what Uber has done.

Fixed fares and Irish law

There are concerns around how the fixed-price model is allowed under Irish regulations. Uber uses the strategy in different countries around the world, but its business in Ireland has previously had to bend to the laws governing the industry here.

Michael Sharkey, another driver and protest organiser told the Irish Times: You sign a contract with them. Apparently, its buried deep down in the contract that they are enabled to change the working practices whenever they like.

"Our rules for taxis, hackneys and limousines are some of the strictest in Europe, and theyre circumventing them.

Under regulations, the only people who can fix a fare with a customer is the driver. A dispatch operator is not allowed to fix a fare.

Uber's website says that "Under Irish regulations governing agreed fares, riders must always be charged the lower of the agreed fixed price or the meter fare."

What did the protests involve?

Two protests have been held so far, on Saturday 22nd November, Thursday 27 November and Wednesday 3rd December. The first protest was confined to areas outside Leinster House, while the second and third protests were more disruptive, with drivers converging around Dublin Airport, between University College Dublin and Merrion Road, Clontarf, and Phoenix Park in a "slow protest", driving less than 20km/h.

What was in store for the six-day protest?

The planned six-day protest in December - now suspended - was set to take place around Dublin city centre and the airport. Taxi Drivers Ireland said it had got the backing of its branches in Galway and Cork, but there were some dissenting voices.

Cork Taxi Council said it would not back the demonstrations. Speaking on Newstalk, CEO Bobby Lynch said that fixed taxi fares are not a new issue in the industry: "Our concerns is the way the industry is going. The NTA will have to come in and stop all this price fixing. But price fixing has been going on for years with taxis and taxi business."

Why has the December protest been suspended?

The six-day protest has been suspended pending the outcome of a meeting next week.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, Taxi Drivers Ireland said: "Taxi drivers have confirmed they are suspending further escalation of protest action pending the outcome of a meeting at Government Buildings scheduled for next week.

"They have also informed An Garda Siochana that all protest activity will be paused while engagement with Government takes place."

A spokesperson for Taxi Drivers Ireland told Newstalk that they are acting in good faith, and they hope that meaningful progress can be made at the meeting.

The group emphasised that the suspension is temporary and subject to the outcome of the meeting.
James Cox

A cross-party group of Irish MEPs has issued a joint statement to the Government welcoming the GAAs work on demographic change and calling for coordinated national action to tackle rural depopulation.

The letter is co-signed by Ciaran Mullooly, Luke Ming Flanagan, Aodan O Riordain, Michael McNamara, Kathleen Funchion and Lynn Boylan.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr Mullooly said the MEPs were united in their determination to place rural communities at the centre of Irelands demographic and regional policies.

As Irish MEPs were committed to working together to ensure that all communities are placed at the heart of Irelands future demographic and regional policies, he said. Depopulation is not something we must simply accept. This is a challenge we can confront if Government, Parliament and the GAA pull in the same direction.

Reforms

The MEPs recommend a series of reforms, beginning with a comprehensive overhaul of how Irish legislation is assessed for its impact on rural communities.

Mr Mullooly said: We are recommending reform of structural policy. Government policy must go well beyond just funding and introduce whole-of-society rural proofing for all legislation to ensure that new policies actively support, rather than disadvantage, rural communities.

Housing and infrastructure reforms also feature strongly in the letter.

We are suggesting the reform of housing policy to make rural settlement easier, allowing home building on family land and taking action to counter serial objectors, Mr Mullooly said. If families cannot build in their own parish, then of course clubs and communities lose the next generation.

The recommendations also address employment, remote work and economic balance.

We need to create incentives for local job growth, promote regional economic balance outside large urban areas and expand flexible work options so that people can live, work and play in rural Ireland, Mr Mullooly said.

Fast-growing towns

The MEPs highlight the pressure urbanisation has placed on sporting facilities and call for new pitches and amenities in fast-growing towns. They also strongly support the GAAs proposal for a Rural Development Officer in every county board.

We think the GAA should appoint a Rural Development Officer on every county board to coordinate community projects and ensure GAA clubs are central to local development, Mr Mullooly said.

He also emphasised the importance of deeper cooperation between the GAA, Government and the EU.

There is room for more partnerships and engagement with organisations like the IFA and EU bodies such as the Committee of the Regions to access research, funding and shared expertise, he said.

Mr Mullooly said a shift in tone is also needed.

Im suggesting we move from a crisis tone to a solutions-focused message, highlighting the GAAs cultural importance and even exploring symbolic recognitions such as UNESCO heritage status, he added.

Mr Mullooly explained that the initiative follows a recent invitation from the GAA to speak to their demographic officers in Croke Park.

I was asked to address demographic officers from all over the country at Croke Park a few months ago, he said. I suggested we needed a political initiative on this, and that the GAA itself has a key role to play.

He also spoke personally about the reality of depopulation at club level.

I know the way teams have been decimated. Ive seen clubs in County Longford go out of business and others forced to amalgamate.

"Im on your side on this, but we have to work together as a Government, as a Parliament and indeed as a GAA organisation to bring about improvements.

GAA clubs

Mr Mullooly said he intends to visit GAA clubs across the Midlands and Northwest in the months ahead.

Ill be speaking again about the policy decisions we need, but also about practical ways of retaining players in your club or even bringing players back from abroad to work in the parish and play once again for your club, he said.

Im looking forward to visiting clubs in the coming weeks to discuss this further.

He concluded by stressing that this cross-party effort marks the beginning of a "sustained push for national action".

This is quite an ask of the GAA and the Government, but it is necessary. Rural Ireland can thrive again if we commit to the right reforms and put communities at the centre of national planning. Irish MEPs are united in keeping this issue high on the political agenda.
David Raleigh

The former head of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) denied suggestions at a trial on Thursday that he pursued Limerick Garda Superintendent Eamon ONeill, on suspicion of alleged interference in road traffic summonses as he had failed to bring charges against him on other alleged matters.

Retired Detective Chief Superintendent, Walter OSullivan, also denied allegations put to him that he, himself, had previously asked another Garda if he could square/quash a road traffic summons issued to a motorist.

Mr OSullivan refuted this allegation put to him by Felix McEnroy, senior counsel for Supt ONeill, and said the Garda was mistaken, that he had zero recollection of it happening, and agreed with Mr OSullivan that he was calling the allegation a lie.

Mr OSullivan was giving evidence on behalf of the prosecution in the trial of retired Superintendent Eamon ONeill, and four serving Gardai, at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. The four Gardai on trial with Mr ONeill are his partner, Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett; Sergeant Michelle Leahy; Garda Tom McGlinchey and Garda Colm Geary.

The five accused deny a combined total of 39 counts of engaging in conduct tending or intended to pervert the course of justice in respect of road traffic summonses.

The court has heard evidence that Mr OSullivan led GNBCI Officers on a dawn raid of Supt ONeills home in Co Clare in May 2019.

Mr OSullivan was met at the front door of the home by Sgt Hassett who was upset and she asked the GNBCI officers to take off their GARDA raid jackets.

The witness said he asked where Eamon ONeill was, and he was told he was asleep upstairs. It was 6:38am when gardai entered the house.

Supt ONeill was brought to Athlone Garda Station, where he was questioned on suspicion of breaching section 62 of the Garda Siochana Act, disclosing information that could be harmful to an ongoing Garda Investigation.

Supt ONeill was released without charge, and the DPP later directed that he had no case to answer.

A number of mobile phones that were seized as part of the search at Supt ONeills home, some belonging to Supt ONeill, and one phone belonging to Sgt Hassett, were examined by GNBCI.

Following the seizure of the phones, other phones were seized from other gardai, including Garda McGlinchey, Garda Geary, and Sgt Leahy, as well as a number of citizens who had allegedly sought help from Supt ONeill in squaring summonses.

Mr OSullivan denied suggestions by Mr McEnroy, that his first investigation into Mr ONeill, which lasted two years, was a significant failure and that the second probe was an attempt to distract away from the failure of the first investigation, and a face-saving exercise to prevent another scandal in An Garda Siochana.

Mr OSullivan agreed that he had been generally aware of previous scandals in the force involving penalty points statistics, after concerns had been raised by the Central Statistics Office over figures provided by An Garda Siochana.

Later, Mr OSullivan agreed with senior prosecuting counsel Carl Hanahoe, that any suggestion the GNBCIs second investigation was a tag onto the first investigation, that we (GNBCI) cant get him (Mr ONeill) for the serious stuff, well get him on this, is nonsense.

Det Chief Supt OSullivan also gave evidence that he contacted a named senior ranking garda, now retired, and informed them they were under suspicion for attempting to pervert the course of justice by contacting Eamon ONeill and seeking to have summonses squared in two separate cases.

Text messages sent by the high-ranking officers mobile phone to Supt ONeill were shown in court.

The first message sent to Supt ONeill was the name and address of a citizen, to which Supt ONeill replied, Who is he?

The messenger replied: Eamon, thats a fiend of mine, stopped for a seat belt in Oola. Could you enquire? If its too late, no problem.

When asked by Supt ONeills barrister what he interpreted the message to mean, Mr OSullivan replied: My interpretation is that its to intervene and to stop a matter.

Mr OSullivan said he telephoned the high-ranking garda and told them they were a suspect in the GNBCI FCPN probe.

Under questioning from Mr McEnroy, for Supt ONeill, Mr OSullivan agreed he sent the high-ranking officer a list of dates and text messages and call logs between his phone and Supt ONeills phone in respect of the summons matters.

Mr OSullivan said the high-ranking officers phone was not seized, nor were they ever charged with any offence.

The high-ranking officer was interviewed for 23 minutes under caution at GNBCI headquarters by Mr OSullivan and Assistant Commissioner John ODriscoll, and gave short answers to questions. The officer referred questions from the two seasoned interviewers to a prepared statement, which was not read into evidence.

John Byrne, counsel for Garda McGlinchey, put it to Mr OSullivan that his client handed over his phone and pin code, and was questioned for over four hours in a garda station, while the high-ranking garda was interviewed in a cosy office for 23 minutes, and their phone was not seized.

Mr OSullivan said there was nothing cosy about being interviewed under caution, and he denied suggestions by Mr Byrne that he had not robustly interviewed the senior officer.

The four gardai on trial were asked to meet with GNBCI detectives prior to their arrest, and handed over their mobile phones and pin codes and engaged in interviews under voluntary caution.

The trial, which is in its fourth week, continues on Friday.
Tom Tuite

A self-styled justice facilitator has been ordered not to film or make audio recordings in any courthouse after his arrest for a breach of the peace in the Court of Appeal in Dublin.

Patrick McGreal, 45, of Reynalla, Bracklyn, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, who appears on social media platforms to speak out on justice and constitutional issues, was arrested at the Four Courts for an alleged incident in the Court of Appeal on Friday morning.

He was then brought to appear before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court, charged with an offence under section 6 of the Public Order Act for engaging in threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour.

Judge Finan heard that in reply to the charge, he told gardai, I received the documents. The offence, on conviction, can carry a sentence of up to three months' imprisonment.

Garda Michael McGrath of the Bridewell Station told Judge Finan that he had no objection to bail. However, he applied for several conditions to be imposed on Mr McGreal, who declined the offer of a solicitor on free legal aid and represented himself.

Garda McGrath asked that the accused undertake not to interfere with any legal practitioner in the Four Courts or its environs. Judge Finan told Mr McGreal that she was imposing that term, and noted he nodded to indicate he had no problem with that, at which he then said, I have no difficulty.

The garda asked that he undertake to behave himself when he is a party before any judge in the Four Courts.

Mr McGreal said Yes, I will act responsibly but asked for it to be worded: act with lawful authority and reasonable excuse.

Judge Finan said she tries to make bail clear; instead, she phrased it as do not address any court unless you have a formal involvement in the case.

She also told him to confine himself to the bail terms rather than the underlying allegation.

He was warned to conduct himself in an appropriate manner in all cases, and to have respect for all parties in the court, including staff, judges and security personnel.

The judge also acceded to a request from the arresting officer to add a further condition concerning videoing gardai in the courthouse. She expanded it to say, Do not operate any recording device, including audio or video, in any courthouse.

He has yet to enter a plea and was remanded on cash bail to appear again on March 6th, when the case will be listed for mention.

Disclosure of evidence, including the Court of Appeals digital audio recording on Friday morning, is to be furnished to the accused. He was warned that if he broke the terms, bail would be revoked and he would end up in custody.

The accused spoke up, saying that sometimes he liked to video outside the doors of the Four Courts, which was a public place, and that the judge had heard he wanted to use it as a backdrop. Garda McGrath said that was part of the issue.

Judge Finan told him that people would be entering and leaving the building, but she accepted his suggestion that he could film from the opposite side of the River Liffey nearby. The terms could be reviewed on the next date.

Mr McGreal sought a particular item of disclosure from gardai. He said that the Director of Public Prosecutions prosecutes offences under section 9.2 of the 1924 Criminal Justice Administrations Act; however, he contended that the law was "not valid".

The judge said gardai may not be able to provide that, and it could be addressed on the next day.

He then sought disclosure setting out the DPPs authority, but Judge Finan said that was a matter for his trial as she adjourned the case.
AN ABANDONED half-built school for children with special needs was described as absolutely scandalous at a council meeting.

Laois Co Council has agreed to write to the Department of Education to demand urgent answers regarding Saplings Special School in Graiguecullen, where construction suddenly stopped two years ago.

Weeds and bushes are growing around the deserted building in Fruithill, while teachers and children are still based in a community centre and prefabs in Killeshin village and families are left in limbo.

The county council has agreed to write to the department to seek an update on funding and progress regarding the new school for Saplings, which has about 30 students aged four to 18 with autism and complex needs, six teachers and 17 special needs assistants.

The council decision follows a proposal by Cllr Ben Brennan (Ind), who sought an urgent update at the latest Graiguecullen/Portarlington Municipal District (MD) meeting.

Cllr Brennan said: Its absolutely scandalous the way it is left now. If it is left any longer, it should be knocked down. We have nothing only a shell. Id like to know what the government is doing.

Ground works and construction of the new 1,200sq.m school began in March 2023 but stopped later that year. The site has remained idle ever since.

Main funding was provided by the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) handled by the Department of Justice but that programme has closed, leaving Saplings only half-built.

The IIP scheme allowed international investors to donate money to developments such as schools and other public buildings, in return for visas. Saplings managed to get its application through and approved before the programme closed.

As construction of the new school was funded through foreign investment and private donations, Cllr Brennan asked whether funding had run out and whether the government was going to step in. He understood that the cost of construction would rise to about 5m as a result of the delay.

He said: Everybody is talking about it and wants to know what is going on. Im glad this letter is going in to the department and I hope we will get a response soon.

Describing the abandoned building as an eyesore, Cllr Aisling Moran (Ind) agreed and said: We need answers. If there wasnt enough money, why was it approved? Was it that they didnt get the visas to finish it? If that scheme was agreed, why didnt the government stick to it? Children are suffering because of this.

MD administrator Therese Kelly confirmed that correspondence regarding councillors queries would be sent to the Department of Education following the council meeting.
THE Midlands Prison in Portlaoise will have space for 250 more inmates, with the fast-tracking of two separate expansion projects.

A new wing will provide 180 additional spaces, while a further 70 will be created on the circular landings of the prison that currently has 891 beds.

The prison on the Dublin Road is constantly overcrowded, with the number of inmates regularly rising far above 1,000 and reaching 1,088 today. The additional spaces will give the prison capacity for 1,140 inmates.

The two expansion projects are set to go out to tender next year, as part of the updated National Development Plan (NDP) confirmed for the Department of Justice this week.

In its NDP 2025 review, the department said agreement has been secured for six major prison projects, including the Midlands Prison, to bypass the first approval gate of the infrastructure guidelines.

The review said: This decision is expected to bring forward delivery timelines on those six projects by 12 to 18 months, while freeing up internal capacity within IPS (Irish Prison Service) to advance the wider programme.

However, a long-awaited new courthouse for Portlaoise has not received the go-ahead for construction under the NDP, nearly six years after a site was purchased for 750,000 in 2020. The greenfield site near the Aldi supermarket in Kylekiproe was bought by the Office of Public Works (OPW) but is still lying idle.

The only other major Department of Justice project in Laois to be approved for funding under the NDP is the completion of the major extension and redevelopment of the Garda Divisional Headquarters for Laois/Offaly, which is currently under construction in Portlaoise.

The newly extended and upgraded Divisional Headquarters is due to be completed in 2027.

While he welcomed approval of the Midlands Prison expansion, Laois TD Sean Fleming said today that he was disappointed with the lack of progress on a much-needed new courthouse in Portlaoise.

Deputy Fleming said in a statement: I have spoken directly with Minister Jim OCallaghan and Taoiseach Micheal Martin in recent days about the urgent need for the new courthouse.

I have asked for a commitment that planning for this project commences as soon as possible, so that it can proceed to tendering and construction at the first available opportunity.

He added: I know it is very important to move the courthouse from the Main Street in Portlaoise to its new location and I will continue to work on this until we achieve progress.

The NDP up to 2030 lists a total of 11 courthouse development projects needed nationwide, with Portlaoise joined in the running by Galway City, Wicklow Town, Tralee, Roscommon, Naas, Bray, Navan, Swords, Tallaght and Dun Laoghaire.
By Bairbre Holmes and Cillian Sherlock, PA

Nikita Hand said the Irish civil justice system has allowed my voice to be heard after the Supreme Court refused to hear appeals from Conor McGregor and James Lawrence, in relation to her civil case against them.

Last year, Ms Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, successfully sued the mixed martial arts fighter in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have brutally raped and battered her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.

Ms Hand was awarded almost 250,000 in damages and McGregor was also ordered to pay about 1.3 million in legal costs.

The same jury did not find Mr Lawrence had assaulted Ms Hand at the hotel, but the trial judge decided that Ms Hand would not have to pay his costs.

Mr McGregors application to the Supreme Court was in relation to his cross-examination, during the trial, about no comment answers he gave during a Garda interview.

Nikita Hand was awarded about 250,000 in damages (Niall Carson/PA)

In their determination on Thursday, the Supreme Court judges said they were satisfied that the applicant has had a fair hearing and refused him leave to appeal.

Mr Lawrence was attempting to appeal the decision not to award costs, but the court also denied his appeal, saying the lower court had applied well-established principles in relation to costs.

In a statement issued via her solicitors, Coleman Legal, Ms Hand said: The public and private roads that I and my loved ones have travelled have been long and painful.

Today marks not a victory for me but for all of those who have been treated as I have.

You are never alone on your journey, if you choose not to be. Help and support is there.

She described the decision as a victory for the justice system and thanked the medics who treated her, her legal team and the advocates who work tirelessly for the healing of victims.

Ms Hand added: I say to all of us who have made or are about to make this difficult journey towards justice; Our voice is the most powerful thing we have, dont be afraid to use it!

One of the groups Ms Hand thanked in her statement was Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

The organisations chief executive Rachel Morrogh said in a statement: We are proud to have supported her on this journey and send her our best wishes for continued health and healing as she rebuilds her life with her family and friends.

We hope that other survivors take courage and hope from Nikitas case.
Fiona Ferguson and Claire Henry

A Waterford man who raped his next-door neighbour as she was recovering from surgery has been jailed for six years.

The man (63) cannot be identified to protect the woman's identity. He gained entry to her home by pretending to have lost his keys.

The man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping the woman at her home in April 1991. He has previous convictions for the sexual abuse of his stepdaughter.

Passing sentence on Thursday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said, the injured party had just been discharged from the hospital after having surgery. The woman screamed for help in the hope that the man's wife would hear her next door.

Mr Justice McDermott said this defendant dragged the injured party, pushed her onto a bed, and raped her. He said: This man came to her house with the intention to rape her.

The judge said a probation report before the court places this man at high risk of reoffending, and that outlined that the defendant has not offered insight or motives into this offending, which is of considerable concern to the Probation services.

Mr Justice McDermott set a headline sentence of nine years and placed the offending in the higher range. He said the aggravating factors in this case were that this was a planned rape, the defendant took advantage of his neighbour, she was alone in her home where she should have felt safe, violence was used, and she was recuperating after surgery.

The judge said he would take the following as mitigating factors in the case: the guilty plea, the man's work history, his physical and mental health issues and that he is willing to engage with the Probation Services.

He sentenced him to seven years in prison and suspended the final 12 months. He also placed him under the supervision of the Probation Services and instructed him to carry out all directions deemed necessary by them.

Finally, he ordered that the defendant have no contact either directly or indirectly with the injured party in this case. He backdated this sentence to when the defendant went into custody in December 2024.

An investigating garda told Garrett Baker SC, prosecuting, that the woman, who lived alone, had just returned to her home following surgery when she heard a knock on the door.

The man, her next-door neighbour, told her that he had forgotten his key and asked to go through her house so he could jump the back wall into his own property.

As soon as the man was inside the house, he pushed her onto the sofa, got on top of her and started pulling at her clothes. The woman was screaming for the mans wife, hoping she would hear.

She showed the man her wounds from the surgery, but was dragged and pushed upstairs to the bedroom, where he raped her. She was weak and in pain from the surgery, but did attempt to push him off. The man immediately got dressed.

The woman asked him what if she were pregnant. The accused told her to stand up and let it pour out. She felt ashamed, degraded and humiliated. The man left her home.

The woman said she never forgot that the man went back into his own home using his key that he had all along.

The woman made a complaint in July 2023, and a garda investigation began. The man was interviewed, and while he acknowledged they lived beside each other, he denied the offence.

The injured party, who chose not to come to court, prepared a victim impact statement which was read to the court by the investigating garda.

The woman described the adverse effects of the rape on her physical, emotional and mental health. She said she suffers sleepless nights when sexual abuse is in the media.

The man served a four-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final 16 months suspended, for sexual assaults of his step-daughter.

The garda agreed with Colman Cody SC, defending, that the guilty plea was an enormous relief to the injured party in this case.

Mr Cody handed in reports to the court. He outlined that the accused had a difficult childhood and said his client had referred to being a victim of sexual abuse himself. He is divorced from his wife.

He said the man left school early to bring money into his home and has had a consistent work history since. He has a number of medical issues, as well as mental health difficulties.

Counsel said the man wishes to apologise for his offence. He said the man recognises the vulnerable position of the injured party and wished to spare her from the trauma of coming to court.

He asked the court to consider suspending a portion of the sentence to incentivise rehabilitation, which would benefit him when he re-entered society and equip him to deal with any challenges.

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.
The beverage cooler at Homegrown Cannabis Store & Cafe, 436 Northampton St. in Easton, sports a variety of products with and without hemp-derived cannabinoids. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

Walk into Homegrown Cannabis Store & Cafe in Downtown Easton and youre greeted by a menu of coffee, tea and smoothies on the wall behind a cooler sporting a rainbow of canned beverages.

Display cases bear cannabis flower and smoking accoutrements, live resin vapes, tinctures, gummies, salves and body oil, pet products like dog treats and more.

Theyre infused with CBD, CBG, THC and other cannabinoids derived naturally from hemp flower grown mostly in Pennsylvania but also by farmers in New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, California and Oregon.

Open since 2021 after being founded the year prior in the Pocono Mountains, Homegrowns Easton location a block off Centre Square is part of a national hemp industry that is worth an estimated $24-28 billion and has been suddenly thrown into limbo.

Buried in the bill that ended the record-long federal government shutdown last month was a provision to ban any products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana but which can also be derived from CBD in hemp.

Now, hemp farmers, industry groups and small-business owners like Homegrown CEO and co-founder Nicholas Martens are scrambling to save their livelihoods before the provision takes effect in November 2026.

So right now its business as usual, Martens told lehighvalleylive.com on a recent Wednesday morning, in between running his Easton and Stroudsburg locations and preparing to offer his products in one of the vendor huts at the Easton Winter Village.

Homegrown Cannabis Store & Cafe CEO and co-founder Nicholas Martens is photographed in front of display cases offering hemp-derived cannabis products Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, at his 436 Northampton St., Easton, location. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

But if the ban stands, any package containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC in hemp-derived consumer products would become illegal.

So that eliminates the plant itself being able to be grown (and) 95% of the products that are created from it, Martens said.

How did we get here?

Homegrowns Pennsylvania stores operate outside the states medical marijuana program as well as the recreational adult-use marijuana legal frameworks in states like New Jersey.

Marijuana and hemp are varieties of the same plant species, Cannabis sativa. Marijuana is cultivated for high levels of THC in its flowers. Low-THC hemp is grown for its sturdy fibers, food or wellness products. Rope, not dope was long the motto of farmers who supported legalizing hemp.

After states began legalizing marijuana for adult use over a decade ago, hemp advocates saw an opening at the federal level. As part of the 2018 farm bill, Congress legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp to give farmers, including in Republican Sen. Mitch McConnells home state of Kentucky, a new cash crop.

But the way that law defined hemp  as having less than 0.3% of a specific type of THC, called delta-9  opened a huge loophole. Beverages or bags of snacks could meet that threshold while still containing more than enough THC to get people high. Businesses could further exploit the law by extracting a non-impairing compound, called CBD, and chemically changing it into other types of impairing THC, such as delta-8 or delta-10.

The result? Vape oil, gummy candies, chips, cookies, sodas and other unregulated, untested products laden with hemp-derived THC spread around the country. In many places, they have been available at gas stations or convenience stores, even to teens. In legal marijuana states, they undercut heavily taxed and regulated products. In others, they evaded the prohibition on recreational use of weed. Some states have reported spikes in calls to poison-control centers for pediatric exposure to THC.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drug products containing CBD and prohibits retailers from making any unsubstantiated claims about unapproved products therapeutic benefits.

Dozens of states have since taken steps to regulate or ban impairing hemp products. Jake Sitler, president of the PA Hemp & Cannabis Guild, is among those calling for Pennsylvania to regulate the hemp-products industry.

Sneaking a nationwide ban into a must-pass vote is not the way to go about it, he said.

This didnt happen in a public forum where its like you can openly debate it, Sitler told lehighvalleylive.com. So I think thats the biggest gripe here, right, is a lot of this industry has actually asked for regulation for a long period of time, especially in Pennsylvania.

Sitlers road to advocating for the nations 330,000 jobs in the hemp industry and the tenfold more Americans who say they find relief from its products began with a 2018 bicycle crash. A professional rider, he raced all across North America and Europe before the crash left him nearly paralyzed. The Farm Bill passed that year opened the door to being able to work through his recovery without opioids, he said, and today he and wife Jamie run a cafe in Lancaster and a national cannabis beverage company both under the name Endo.

Additional year extension sought

This week, he began speaking with the teams of Pennsylvanias U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and David McCormick, respectively Democrat and Republican, on the possibilities of at least a one-year extension before the hemp-products ban would take effect.

Lets just say that does happen, he said. That now gives us two years to hash out regulation within the federal government while also trying to create a systemic system within the state of Pennsylvania.

Even the one-year window has given the industry hope that there is time to pass regulations that will improve the hemp THC industry  such as by banning synthetically derived THC, requiring age restrictions on sales and prohibiting marketing to children  rather than eradicate it.

In Minnesota, hemp products have become so popular that Target is now offering THC drinks at some of its stores in the state. Theyve also been a boon to liquor stores and to small Minneapolis brewers like Indeed, where THC drinks make up close to one-quarter of the business. At Bauhaus Brew Labs, a few blocks away, THC drinks account for 26% of their revenues from distributed products and 11% of revenues at the brewerys taproom.

None of that was what McConnell intended when he helped craft the 2018 farm bill. He finally closed the loophole by inserting a federal hemp THC ban in the measure to end the 43-day federal government shutdown, approved by the Senate on Nov. 10.

It will keep these dangerous products out of the hands of children, while preserving the hemp industry for farmers, McConnell said. Industrial hemp and CBD will remain legal for industrial applications.

Some in the legal marijuana industry celebrated, as the ban would end what they consider unfair competition.

They were joined by prohibitionists. Theres really no good argument for allowing these dangerous products to be sold in our country, said Kevin Sabet, president and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

The industry group U.S. Hemp Roundtable argues that the federal ban would not only jeopardize the hundreds of thousands of jobs but also cost states $1.5 billion in lost tax revenue.

We are very hopeful that cooler heads will prevail, said Jonathan Miller, the groups general counsel. If they really thought there was a health emergency, there would be no year-long period.

Easton is home to one of two locations of Homegrown Cannabis Store & Cafe, in addition to Stroudsburg. Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

Martens, speaking inside Homegrowns 436 Northampton St. location, said hes closely monitoring the avenues this fight could take  either through new regulation at the federal or state level, or the hemp industry gets a seat at the table as Pennsylvania lawmakers debate opening adult-use recreational sales of marijuana and its array of intoxicating products.

Homegrowns hemp-derived products are laboratory-tested and include many with effects that dont include intoxication, he said.

So the people that want benefit of cannabis, not the intoxication aspect, theyre going to be left hanging, Martens said. Those people that dont have access to even medical marijuana in their state or recreational, then theyll be pushed off to the black market.
The Staples location will shut down on Jan. 2, 2026 with current merchandise discounted up to 30% ahead of the closure, a store employee said. Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylive.com

The Lehigh Valley is set to lose another Staples store right after the holiday season.

Staples has announced it will close on Jan. 2 at 2180 MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township, a store employee who answered the phone Friday morning confirmed.

Currently, much of the retailers merchandise at the Whitehall location has been slashed up to 30%. This includes the majority of inventory with the exception of electronics and ink and toner products, the employee said.

Its unclear if another retail tenant is poised to move into the space. Whitehall Mayor Joseph J. Marx Jr. and Deputy Mayor John D. Meyers couldnt immediately be reached for more details, nor could a Staples spokesperson.

Framingham, Massachusetts-based Staples has more than 1,000 stores in 44 states. It currently has 54 statewide locations and another 53 stores in New Jersey.

Regionally, there are sites at the Southmont Plaza, 4403 Birkland Place in Bethlehem Township; 2138 W. Union Blvd. in Bethlehem; South Mall, 3300 Lehigh St. in Salisbury Township; 4628 Broadway in South Whitehall; and in Hackettstown, Warren County, according to the chains locator map.

The major big-box retailer is known for its brand-name electronics and print services, as well as office supplies and furniture.

Staples in March 2017 faced financial challenges, announcing the closure of roughly 70 stores nationally. Thats when it shuttered its Greenwich Center location in Greenwich Township just off Route 22 in December 2017.

The closure of the Staples location at Northampton Crossings Shopping Center in Lower Nazareth followed in November 2024.

Bobs Discount Furniture has since taken over the Lower Nazareth space, while the Greenwich Township space was taken over by a Ross Dress for Less store.
Ritz peanut butter crackers have been recalled in eight states due to a labeling error that did not declare the presence of peanuts, making the product life-threatening for those with peanut allergies. Canva

If you recently purchased Ritz crackers from the store, you might want to check the label before consuming them.

About 70 cases of Ritz peanut butter crackers have been recalled in eight states because they were mislabeled as cheese crackers, causing problems for those with peanut allergies, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date.

Heres what you need to know about where the crackers were distributed, which crackers fall under the recall and what you should do if you have these crackers.

What Ritz peanut butter crackers are subject to recall?

The Ritz peanut butter crackers subject to recall include all 20-count packs weighing 27.6 ounces.

The crackers have a UPC code of 44000 07584 2, and sell-by dates of Jan. 8, 2026, and Jan. 15, 2026, according to the FDA.

There is also a plant code of AE located at the top of each package.

Which states were the Ritz peanut butter crackers sold in?

The Ritz peanut butter crackers were sold in eight states, including the following, according to the FDA:

New York

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Georgia

Arkansas

Missouri

Oklahoma

Alabama

What should you do if you have the Ritz peanut butter crackers at home?

If you have these Ritz crackers, dont eat them especially if you have a peanut allergy.

Instead, throw them out or return them to their place of purchase for a refund.

Customers with questions can contact Mondelez Global at 1-844-366-1171.
Stranger Things fans have watched the young cast grow up, but one child actor was recast for season 5.

Twins Anniston and Tinsley Price played the role of Holly Wheeler until Nell Fisher took over during season 5. Holly, who is the younger sister of Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), was a minor character in the first four seasons of Stranger Things. She plays a much bigger role during season 5, which seems to be the reason for the recast.

The Price twins, who are now 13, dont have much acting experience apart from Stranger Things, whereas Fisher, 14, has starred in films including Bookworm and Evil Dead Rise. It also makes sense for Holly to be played by one actor instead of two now that she is a more significant character.

Holly Wheeler in season 1 of "Stranger Things." Netflix

If you watch the previous seasons, Holly barely talks at all. So, we didnt really have much of a character there, series cocreator Ross Duffer told Variety in November. She was just a little kid. Even Season 1, when were filming her, it was basically whatever one of the young twins would do, we would just try to capture it in real time.  And then as we found Nell, whos such a character  we started infusing Nells personality into Holly.

Ross and his brother/collaborator Matt Duffer didnt know they wanted Holly to have an increased role until they started working on season 5 of Stranger Things, which kicked off on Nov. 26.

We just wanted to recapture some of the feeling of season one, and some of that you cant recapture unless you have kids, because our kids are not kids any more, Matt told SFX, via GamesRadar. Theyre not close to being kids any more. So, it was really fun to add Holly and her classmates into the show, because it allowed us to recapture some of that feeling.

Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in "Stranger Things." COURTESY OF NETFLIX  2025

Holly is supposed to be 9 or 10 in season 5 of Stranger Things. Most of the shows main characters, including Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), went from 12 during season 1 to 16 during season 5. The actors playing them are much older, ranging in age from 21 (Brown and Schnapp) to 24 (Caleb McLaughlin, who plays Lucas Sinclair).

Joining the cast of a cultural phenomenon like Stranger Things for the final season is a daunting experience, especially in the case of a recast. Fisher told Netflixs Tudum that she was extremely intimidated during her first day on set but found everyone to be so kind and welcoming. She also praised her predecessors, the Price twins.

READ MORE: Did Stranger Things change Holly Wheelers age?

Holly Wheeler had been played for the first four seasons by Anniston and Tinsley Price, who did a wonderful job creating a character the fan base knows and loves, Fisher said. Hollys been important but on the periphery, and this season, Holly becomes a protagonist. Things start happening to her, and she starts getting things done.

When it came to casting Fisher, Ross told Variety he knew she was their Holly when he saw the trailer for Evil Dead Rise.

I just saw her in the trailer and I was like, Thats Holly. But then I didnt remember that. [Our casting director] Carmen [Cuba] found her, brought her to us, and I was like, I knew this like six months ago, he told Variety. That wouldve saved us a lot of time.

While the Price twins arent part of Stranger Things season 5, they recently looked reminisced about their experience with the show.

Stranger Things will always be a chapter of our lives that we hold with love and gratitude. We have so many memories, and the people we met along the way will forever hold a place in our hearts, Anniston and Tinsley wrote via their joint Instagram account in November.

Part 1 of Stranger Things season 5 is now available to stream on Netflix. Parts 2 and 3 will premiere on Dec. 25 and Dec. 31, respectively.
Pennsylvania State Police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint in Northampton County between Friday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 14, according to an announcement from Troop Ms Belfast barracks.

Troopers will systematically stop vehicles at selected locations to briefly observe drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. The checkpoint aims to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related fatal and serious crashes and to decrease the number of impaired drivers on Pennsylvanias highways.

State police said the checkpoint is part of their commitment to maintaining a safe environment for the motoring public.

Authorities reminded motorists about Title 75 Section 3733, which addresses fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. Any driver who willfully fails or refuses to stop their vehicle, or who flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer, commits an offense that can be graded as a felony of the third degree. The charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, a $15,000 fine and restitution for damages or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit.

More information about the Pennsylvania State Police is available at www.psp.pa.gov.
Warren County officials plan to pass a resolution offering about $50,000 to support the countys only harm reduction program.

The center, located on South Main Street, is spearheaded by Prevention is Key, and was in jeopardy of stopping operations if administrators could not secure funding to see their work through the 2026 calendar year.

The county will review the resolution as early as Wednesday, Dec. 10, officials told reporters Friday.

The funding would come from the countys opioid settlement agreement, according to Warren County Chief of Staff Chris Infinito.

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, known as LEAD, is a community-based initiative that uses a harm reduction and housing first model to provide intensive case management for individuals at risk of repeated incarceration. The center on South Main Street is operated by Prevention is Key and is entering its third year.

Many people from the local, county, state, and federal levels have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to ensure the continuity and expansion of LEAD, said LEAD Phillipsburg Program Manager Pamela Clark. Growth and development of LEAD have been intentional and strategic.

Warren County commissioners and department heads have participated in LEADs Policy Coordinating Group since the program began in 2023. Phillipsburg used opioid settlement dollars to support LEAD in 2025.

Clark said the county is learning about obstacles people face when seeking assistance and making responsible decisions about better supporting residents.

Hackettstown Medical Center/Atlantic Health awarded Prevention is Key a grant in July to expand LEAD to Mansfield, Washington Boro, Washington Township, and Oxford. Clark said Prevention is Key is working with state and federal lawmakers to identify long-term funding.

Commissioner James Kern wrote on Facebook that he was championing the initiative.

LEAD has proven to be an effective and responsible partner, and we are committed to advocating for them, he wrote.

See the Advance Local Guide to Disclosing Use of AI. Generative AI was used to draft this story based on information provided by Warren County officials. It was reviewed and edited by the local newsroom.
A cold front expected Sunday night, Dec. 7, 2025 is expected to bring another round of significantly colder temperatures early next week. AccuWeather

A brutally cold morning across the Lehigh Valley will give way to light snow and potential freezing drizzle, with temperatures struggling to reach the upper 20s to mid-30s Friday.

As of 4:30 a.m. Friday, Mount Pocono has tied its record low with a low temperature of -2 degrees, meteorologists report. The last record for Dec. 5 at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, just outside Allentown, was 11 degrees in 1926, according to National Weather Service data.

AccuWeather is making similar predictions, reporting a high temperature of 17 degrees for Friday morning in the Bethlehem area. The high temperature for Friday isnt expected to exceed 28 degrees, before dipping to a low of 26 degrees Friday evening, AccuWeather says.

Wind gusts of 5 mph also are predicted.

A possible cold front Sunday night is expected to bring another round of significantly colder temperatures early next week. The weather service is reporting single-digit temperatures in some areas, with a mix of teens and 20s where cloud cover exists.

Light snow remains possible for the region Friday morning, particularly near the Interstate 78 corridor, though accumulations are not expected to exceed 1 inch. Areas further south may see slightly higher snowfall amounts, meteorologists said.

Occasional flurries and snow showers are possible through mid-afternoon Friday, with precipitation ending by late afternoon. Winds will be light and variable, shifting from north to east-northeast.

Residents should dress in multiple layers and be prepared for very cold conditions, especially during morning hours.

Looking ahead, temperatures will remain well below normal through early next week.

Monday and Tuesday are expected to be particularly cold, with daytime highs potentially 20 degrees below average.

However, weather service meteorologists said they arent forecasting to break any record lows at that time. The Dec. 9 record at the Lehigh Valley International Airport was 7 degrees in 2002, according to National Weather Service data.

The cold front Sunday night could bring a slight chance of light snow, primarily in east-central Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey.

Another low-pressure system is forecast to approach the region Wednesday and Thursday, potentially bringing additional unsettled weather.

Residents should continue monitoring local forecasts for updates on this developing weather pattern.

Current radar:
A Laois TD has vowed to have a new Portlaoise Courthouse built after it was overlooked in the latest National Development Plan 2026 to 2030 announcement.

It is my job to make sure that I get it built. I wont stop, insisted Fine Gael TD Willie Aird.

In 2020, the Courts Service purchased a site at Kylekiproe in Portlaoise for a new courthouse to replace the existing building which was constructed on the Main Street in Portlaoise in 1782.

The Office of Public Works(OPW) has responsibility for the construction of the new courthouse but the project, which is in the National Development Plan(NDP), wasnt included in the OPWs sectoral NDP funding for 2026 to 2030 announced on Thursday.

It is widely acknowledged that the existing Portlaoise Courthouse is no longer suitable to deal with the volume of business in Portlaoise and there have been complaints in relation to anti-social behaviour outside the building, a lack of holding cells, security concerns and parking on the main street in recent years.

The courthouse building also had a rodent infestation which was discovered when a rodent crawled into a courtroom while Judge Andrew Cody was sitting in the district court in June of 2024. The Court Service issued an apology and pest controllers were called in after the incident. The buildings wiring then had to be examined over concerns that it may have been gnawed by rodents which could have led to fire and electrical safety hazards.

READ ALSO: Portlaoise Courthouse 'crisis' laid bare in F.O.I documents

In February this year, a convicted murderer succeeded in having his trial over an alleged assault and threat to kill a prison officer moved from the courthouse due to security concerns at the aging court building.

READ MORE: Trial moved over courthouse security fears

Deputy Aird brought a deputation from Portlaoise to meet with Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan to emphasise the need for a new building in the past fortnight. Together with a business representative, a legal representative and a local authority official, Deputy Aird stressed the urgent need for a new courthouse in Portlaoise.

Dep Aird believes Portlaoise, as the location of Irelands largest prison with over 1,000 inmates as well as the highest security prison in Ireland, is unique in its need for a modern courthouse.

There is a huge amount of money in government at the moment and they are supposed to be spending it on things like this, said Dep Aird.

I will be bringing it up next week with Boxer(Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW Kevin Boxer Moran) said Dep Aird.

He pointed to the new site and said plans from other completed new courthouses could be used for Portlaoise. He said the government has funds and the site is available.

Laois Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming said: I am disappointed that the new courthouse for Portlaoise that is badly needed had not being given the go ahead for construction at this stage.

He has also raised the issue with the Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach.

I have spoken directly with Minister Jim OCallaghan and the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin T.D. in recent days about the urgent need for the new courthouse. I have asked for a commitment that planning for this project commences as soon as possible so that it can proceed to tendering and construction at the first available opportunity, said Deputy Fleming.

As a T.D. for Laois I know it is very important to move the Courthouse from the Main Street in Portlaoise to its new location and I will continue to work on this until we achieve progress, he stated.
RTE has today confirmed new presenters across a number of its flagship news programmes.

Tommy Meskill will be the new co-presenter of the Six One News with Sharon Tobin on RTE One and RTE Player.

Journalists and broadcasters Sarah McInerney and Justin McCarthy will join Gavin Jennings and Audrey Carville as regular presenters of Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1, Ireland's most-listened-to radio programme.



Current political correspondent Paul Cunningham will now present This Week on RTE Radio 1 every Sunday at 1pm.

The popular Behind the Story podcast will also see Paul Cunningham join Fran McNulty and others, as presenters across the week. The new line-ups come on foot of the recent launch of RTE Radio 1s new weekday schedule.

Announcing the new appointments, Director of RTE News & Current Affairs, Deirdre McCarthy said: "These flagship news programmes are among our most-watched and listened-to, representing the best of our daily news gathering and trusted public service journalism. Tommy, Sarah, Justin and Paul join our dedicated RTE News & Current Affairs presentation team, who strive every day to bring, honestly and clearly, with integrity and credibility, the stories that matter to you. They are all accomplished journalists, who will continue to ask the probing questions, hold those in power to account, and represent the public interest."

Tommy Meskill has been a journalist with RTE News for nearly ten years, most recently appointed London Correspondent.

He was previously part of RTE's political unit, reporting from Leinster House and the European Parliament.

Clare native Tommy joined the RTE newsroom in 2016, working across several different programmes, including news2day and Morning Ireland.

He has also presented programmes such as RTE Radio 1's This Week and RTE One's European Parliament Report.

READ NEXT: 'Sad, but the right choice'- Mixed reactions as RTE officially boycotts Eurovision 2026



Reacting to his appointment Tommy Meskill said: "It's a huge honour to take on the role of co-presenter of the Six One News, alongside Sharon Tobin.

"The Six One News plays a crucial role in shaping the news agenda in Ireland. Its strength depends on the work of almost the entire newsroom, which is why it's such a cherished part of what we do. I'm really looking forward to getting started and being part of a programme that continues to bring accurate, engaging and trusted news to our audience."

Sarah McInerney presents Prime Time on RTE One every Tuesday with Miriam OCallaghan.

She co-hosted Drivetime on RTE Radio 1 for five years and has also previously presented RTE Radio 1's Today programme and Late Debate.

Before moving to RTE, Sarah was the host of Newstalk Drive and was Political Correspondent with The Sunday Times for eight years.

Sarah McInerney spoke about becoming a presenter of the No 1 radio programme in Ireland: Morning Ireland is Irelands number one radio programme for a reason. It sets the agenda for the day and reaches people right across the country. Its a privilege to join such a strong team and to work on a programme with that kind of impact.

"Alongside Prime Time, Irelands biggest television current affairs show, its wonderful to play a part in sharing the stories that matter most. I can't wait to get started.

Cork native Justin McCarthy was a political correspondent on independent radio for almost a decade before joining Morning Ireland as a reporter in 2013.

Following his time on the flagship programme he became a member of RTE's political staff. In 2018 he began presenting This Week on RTE Radio 1. He holds five IMRO radio awards for news broadcasting and reporting.

Justin McCarthy said: I know the responsibility that comes with presenting a programme of this stature. I look forward to working with an excellent team to continue delivering the insightful, fair, and rigorous journalism that Morning Ireland listeners rightly expect.

Paul Cunningham has been political correspondent for the past seven years. He previously held the role of programme editor of The Week in Politics and has worked as both Europe Correspondent based in Brussels, and Environment Correspondent for 10 years with RTE News. He's also an author and award-winning documentary maker.

As one of Ireland's longest running radio programmes, This Week is one of the Top 20 most-listened-to radio programmes in Ireland with over 200,000 tuning in every week.

Paul Cunningham said: I'm delighted to get the opportunity to present Ireland's longest running radio news programme, which sets the agenda every Sunday.

"Over the past 20 years Ive presented across the radio news schedule, co-hosting This Week with brilliant journalists such as the late Gerald Barry. Im very much looking forward to new challenges ahead, working with the team.
A once thriving restaurant in Abbeyleix in Laois has gone up for sale, for 700,000.

The former McEvoy Pub and Restaurant, run by the Stokes family of Castle Durrow, has been turned into multiple bedrooms, with new plans for apartments. Laois County Council's approval of the change of use to a 'guesthouse' for refugees was overruled by An Bord Pleanala in 2025. Full details below gallery. Tap NEXT or arrows.

Macs as it was locally known, had been leased out for four years to proprietor Sean McIlroy but shut suddenly to the shock of the community in May of 2023.

This property built by the original De Vesci family and is on the Record of Protected Structures, dates around 1885.

McEvoy Pub and Restaurant fronting onto Main Street is described as "a prime investment opportunity".

It measures approximately 510.24m (5 492.18 sq. ft.) on 0.12 hectares (0.29 acres) of land.

The Restaurant, bar and courtyard are turned into residential accommodation with 5 bedrooms, 2 living spaces, shower rooms and bathrooms, kitchen area, all at ground level with a courtyard to the rear with side access at both sides of the building.

The auctioneers says that "internal walls are stud walls and can easily be returned to the restaurants original layout".

The first floor is an apartment, with entrance hall, utility/storage area, open plan living area with kitchen / dining area, main bathroom and two bedrooms with an ensuite with incomplete plumbing.

The property comes with architectural plans for 7 apartments and a carpark to the rear, that would require demolition of rear extensions.
A Castletown, Leixlip, Co Kildare resident who passed this week has been fondly remembered as a 'gracious gentleman.'

Paddy Clarke  late of Strawberry Beds, Chapelizod, Dublin 20  passed peacefully on December 4 last in the tender care of the staff of St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, surrounded by his loving family.

Paddy is deeply regretted and sadly missed by his wife Margaret, children Barry, Alan, Louise, Damien and Patrick, daughters-in-law Celine, Christine, Pamela and Aoife, son-in-law Kevin, grandchildren Cian, Caoimhe, Siofra, James, Alex, Emily, Aideen, Sophie, Ruby, Seamus, Darragh and Eabha, brother Paul, sister Olive, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

READ NEXT: Kildare secondary school welcomes Ukrainian students for cultural exchange

Paddy will be reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster St., Maynooth, (W23V99E) on Monday (Dec. 8) from 5pm - 8pm, with evening prayers at 7pm.

The removal will take place from the Funeral Home on Tuesday (Dec. 9) at approx. 10:30am to arrive at the Church of Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by cremation in Newlands Cross Crematorium at approximately 1:30pm.

The Funeral Mass and Cremation Service can be viewed live in the "webstream" section below.

Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues.

For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors on (045) 868230.

Webstream

Funeral service: https://churchmedia.tv/our-ladys-nativity

Cremation/burial: https://www.dctrust.ie/location/newlands-cross/chapel-webstream.html

Tributes paid to Paddy this week on RIP.ie include: Sincere condolences to Paul, Marian and family and Paddy's wife and extended family. Paddy was a gracious gentleman all his life May his soul rest in eternal peace. Thanks for all the lifts to work Paddy during the bus strike years ago. Xxx

And: Sincere condolence to Margaret and family. May Paddy rest in peace.

While another mourner wrote: Sincere sympathy to Margaret and the Clarke Family sorry to hear the sad news of Paddy's passing. I always enjoyed our chats when we were both out walking. RIP Paddy.

And another added: To dear Barry, Celine, James, Emily, Aideen & all those in mourning, deepest condolences on the passing of Paddy. A huge loss to you all & we are thinking of you at this sad time. May Paddy Rest in Peace.
Kildare County Council is proud to support a unique cultural exchange programme between Maynooth Post Primary School and its partner school, Lyceum No 80 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

As part of this initiative, a group of 14 Ukrainian students and two teachers are visiting County Kildare from December 1 to December 10 2025, hosted by the families of Maynooth Post Primary School students.

This exchange, which demonstrates Kildare County Councils commitment to fostering international friendship and educational development, features a diverse programme of activities and excursions.

The highlight of the visit was the groups participation in the Shackleton Experience in Athy.

READ NEXT: Unaccompanied learner driver in Kildare has vehicle seized

On Thursday, 4th December, the Ukrainian visitors joined 14 Maynooth Post Primary School students and their teachers for a visit to the Shackleton Experience, Athy  an immersive journey into the life and legacy of Kildares own polar explorer, Ernest Shackleton.

Kildare County Councils support of the exchange programme emphasises the Local Authoritys dedication to supporting youth, education, and cultural diversity in the county.

Speaking at the event, Councillor Brian OLoughlin, Vice Chairperson of the Twinning Liaison Committee, said: This cultural exchange is a wonderful example of the power of twinning and international friendship. We are delighted to welcome students and teachers from Lyceum No 80 in Kyiv to County Kildare, and to see our young people come together to learn from each other, share experiences, and build lasting connections. Initiatives like this strengthen our communities and foster understanding across borders.

Johnny Nevin, Prinicipal, Maynooth Post Primary School said: As Principal of Maynooth Post Primary School Id like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the generous support from Kildare County Council in hosting students and teachers from Kyiv, Ukraine as part of this programme.

The past two years have been incredibly difficult for these students, teachers and their families, but they have maintained a sense of resolve and resilience to continue their education, and we hope this trip offers some respite from the daily challenges they face.

I would like to acknowledge the enormous effort of our teachers, as the coordination team, and to the Maynooth community for hosting our visitors in their homes. Im sure they will establish friendships which will endure into the future and that many of our students will get the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Kyiv and wonderful country of Ukraine in the near future.
The Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD, today presented 22 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others in peril. Retired RTE Presenter, Joe Duffy was the MC for the ceremony.

This years ceremony included the awarding of two certificates, fifteen Bronze Medals and four Silver Medals with the Gold award being posthumously presented to Callaghan OKeeffes family. 11-year-old Carla Murphy is this years youngest recipient, receiving a silver medal for her courageous act of Bravery.

Baltinglass man Nigel Cullen has been honoured with a national bravery award after he rescued a young man from a burning house in Co. Kildare.

When a fire started on the deck of a house at Narraghmore, Co Kildare on the afternoon of 23 March 2024, the back of the house was quickly engulfed in flames.

The homeowners were outside cleaning their car but when they looked back at the house, they could see flames and began to panic.

They had just brought their 17-year-old son back from work and he was nowhere to be seen. Nigel Cullen was passing by and on seeing the fire he took the decision to brave the flames and entered the burning house to look for the young man.

Nigel made his way through the house calling out for the man. However, the young man was taking a shower after work and it was only when the flames cut the electricity and stopped the shower, that he could hear Nigel calling for him.

Nigel managed to get the young man safely out of the house, but on realising that there was another teenage brother missing he went back in again. Fortunately, the other boy was not in the house, which was extensively damaged by the fire.

Nigel was later treated in hospital for a burn to his leg, smoke inhalation and some minor injuries.

For his actions, Nigel is awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery.

READ NEXT; Broke mother's windscreen with fist.

Speaking to guests at the ceremony, the Ceann Comhairle said:

We dont all find ourselves standing with someone in the water, or holding onto them on a cliff edge, as some of our recipients have done. But every day we each have a chance to make a difference, by listening, supporting or just being there for someone when they need us.

"It is also a significant day for all those who will see, or hear, or read about these brave deeds and feel better to know there are still good things being done, by good people.To all of our award recipients, on behalf of the people of Ireland let me thank you again for your actions, for your selflessness and for your courage.

"What you have done has made the world feel a little less dark, a little less dangerous and gives hope to us all for the road ahead.

Recipients from counties Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kildare, Offaly, Roscommon, Dublin, Donegal, Waterford, Cork and Cavan were among those honoured at the ceremony in Leinster House.
Campaign groups have welcomed the decision by RTE to withdraw from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, while others have condemned the move.

The organisation said it would not broadcast next years competition if Israel competed, a move that prevents Irelands own entry under Eurovision rules.

It confirmed its decision on Thursday night after the European Broadcasting Union said Israel would be allowed to take part.

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) posted a message online saying: Well done RTE.

Its chairperson, Zoe Lawlor, said the group had been calling on the broadcaster to boycott the event for two years.

She said: We very much welcome RTE standing firm in their decision and reiterating that they will neither participate in Eurovision 2026 nor broadcast it.

However, in a post on the social media site X, former Minister Alan Shatter criticised the move, saying it was an international embarrassment.

He claimed it would deny Irish artists of the career boosting opportunity to compete and the Irish public of both the enjoyment of our doing so and voting for their preferred song.

The Dublin Broadcasting branch of the National Union of Journalists also welcomed the decision.

In a statement on X, it said: We agree that to participate would be unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza, the targeted killing of journalists, & Israels continued denial of international media access to Gaza.

The groups chairwoman, Emma O Kelly, described the European Broadcasting Unions decision to allow Israel to remain in the competition as indefensible.

She said: We find it difficult to understand how the EBU, which after all is a union of broadcasters, can continue to support a state that literally targets and kills broadcasters  journalists and camera operators  and continues to deny its own broadcaster members access to Gaza.
Nikita Hand said the Irish civil justice system has allowed my voice to be heard after the Supreme Court refused to hear appeals from Conor McGregor and James Lawrence, in relation to her civil case against them.

Last year, Ms Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, successfully sued the mixed martial arts fighter in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have brutally raped and battered her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.

Ms Hand was awarded almost 250,000 euros (214,994) in damages and McGregor was also ordered to pay about 1.3 million euros (1.1 million) in legal costs.

The same jury did not find Mr Lawrence had assaulted Ms Hand at the hotel, but the trial judge decided that Ms Hand would not have to pay his costs.

Mr McGregors application to the Supreme Court was in relation to his cross-examination, during the trial, about no comment answers he gave during a Garda interview.

In their determination on Thursday, the Supreme Court judges said they were satisfied that the applicant has had a fair hearing and refused him leave to appeal.

Mr Lawrence was attempting to appeal the decision not to award costs, but the court also denied his appeal, saying the lower court had applied well-established principles in relation to costs.

In a statement issued via her solicitors, Coleman Legal, Ms Hand said: The public and private roads that I and my loved ones have travelled have been long and painful.

Today marks not a victory for me but for all of those who have been treated as I have.

You are never alone on your journey, if you choose not to be. Help and support is there.

She described the decision as a victory for the justice system and thanked the medics who treated her, her legal team and the advocates who work tirelessly for the healing of victims.

Ms Hand added: I say to all of us who have made or are about to make this difficult journey towards justice; Our voice is the most powerful thing we have, dont be afraid to use it!

One of the groups Ms Hand thanked in her statement was Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

The organisations chief executive Rachel Morrogh said in a statement: We are proud to have supported her on this journey and send her our best wishes for continued health and healing as she rebuilds her life with her family and friends.

We hope that other survivors take courage and hope from Nikitas case.
A Leitrim Clean Coasts campaigner has been honoured at the An Taisce Ocean Hero Awards ceremony, held at the Gibson Hotel, Dublin, on December 5.

Coinciding with International Volunteer Day, the annual event recognises and celebrates the tireless efforts of Clean Coasts groups, individuals, communities, and businesses who work throughout the year to protect local coastlines and their surrounding environments.

In Leitrim, Clean Coasts campaigner Martina Healy, known on social media as the Leitrim Litter Picker, was shortlisted in two categories in the 2025 Ocean Hero Awards.

Martina earned nominations for both the Campaigner of the Year and Leadership Award categories, acknowledging her outstanding commitment to promoting the #2MinuteBeachClean campaign through her social media platforms and her unwavering dedication to tackling pollution and waste locally, inspiring others to take action.

Since 2023, Martina has posted daily updates on her litter-picking efforts, a practice she has proudly continued throughout 2025. Her consistency has helped her connect with fellow litter pickers and demonstrate just how easy it is to make a positive impact on coastlines and marine life.

READ NEXT: 'Bursting at the seams': TD raises South Leitrim water capacity issues in the Dail

Reflecting on her work, Martina said, It is lovely to get out and about and enjoy where I live. I am fortunate to live in a very beautiful part of Ireland. But most importantly it is vital to give back, and by litter picking I am giving back to the environment and to my community.

Each year, the Ocean Hero Awards highlight the invaluable contribution of Clean Coasts volunteers who go above and beyond to care for and protect coastal environments and heritage.

Established in 2006 as the Clean Coasts Merit Awards, originally featuring only one category, the awards have expanded annually, reaching nine categories in 2025 and recognising 45 groups and individuals nationwide for their coastal conservation achievements.

This years awards featured nine distinct categories, with hundreds of nominations received. In total, 45 groups, organisations, and individuals were shortlisted for the title of Ocean Hero across these categories.

As of 2025, more than 2,500 Clean Coasts groups operate across Ireland, supported by over 45,000 volunteers actively engaged in protecting their coastal communities.

READ NEXT: 'We must act now': Leitrim Animal Welfare urges public support ahead of new year

Bronagh Moore, An Taisces Clean Coasts Programme Manager, said: The Ocean Hero Awards gives us a fantastic opportunity to honour and showcase the incredible work that is being carried out every day by volunteers in the Clean Coast Community.

Being in a room with so many passionate and enthusiastic volunteers, dedicated to protecting Irelands waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life always fills me with such hope and inspiration.

Its reassuring to know that regardless of what is going on in the world these groups will continue to quietly go about their work, making this world a better place for generations to come.
Leitrim is set to receive 806,892 in funding under the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme.

The Government scheme will invest 18 million across 40 regions in an initiative designed to strengthen regional enterprise, accelerate innovation and drive sustainable economic growth throughout Ireland.

The Northern and Western Region will receive 3,485,882 across 17 projects, three of which are in Leitrim.

A total of 632,000 will go towards the Industry Programme Support Scheme, which aims to deliver innovation for the construction and quarry sectors, focusing on energy efficiency, environmental performance, geological material science and circularity.

READ MORE: The vast majority of Leitrim people live and breathe football: Leitrim stars talk importance of 50-Mile challenge

A further 142,492 will be spent on the development of a Master Plan to guide the creation of an enterprise ecosystem centred around the Carrick Campus.

Meanwhile, 32,400 will be used for the development of smart technology infrastructure at the Carrick-on-Shannon Business Campus.

Sligo received 998,016 in funding under the scheme, while Donegal received 75,120.

READ MORE: Drumshanbo's first-year volleyballers fall short against the brilliant Ballinasloe team

This funding marks a major step forward for balanced economic development. By supporting world-class innovation in sectors such as AI, agritech, sustainability and advanced manufacturing, we are ensuring that the regions are not only keeping pace with technological change but leading it, said Minister Marian Harkin, emphasising the importance of targeted investment in advancing regional potential.

Communities and enterprises across the Northwest stand to benefit greatly from these projects, which will enhance skills, drive research, support decarbonisation and build the innovation capacity required for future economic resilience.
Officials of the Liberian Government and the World Bank Group celebrate the official launch of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) in Monrovia.
A NEWCASTLE West business which supplies fire security and emergency response systems has been acquired.

Prestige Detection Systems Ltd, based in the county town, has been purchased by London firm Ranger Fire and Security.

Prestige was founded in 2005 by managing director Dave Enright, and its services include the supply, installation, servicing and maintenance of fire alarms, fire suppression systems and intruder alarms.

READ MORE: Milford Care Centre champions mental health with joint initiative in Limerick

Prior to forming Prestige, Mr Enright worked for Siemens Building Technologies, Preussag Fire Protection, and Kidde Fire Protection.

He will remain in post with his leadership team.

Were excited to join the Ranger Group and look forward to working alongside some of the most respected businesses in the industry, said Mr Enright.

This partnership will allow us to continue delivering the same high-quality, customer-focused service that our clients expect, while gaining access to wider expertise, resources and cross-selling opportunities that Ranger offers.

Another firm based in London, S&W led the sale process.

The companys partner in Ireland Con Casey said: We are delighted to have worked with Prestige Detection Systems in finding the right buyer for their business and the deal highlights, again, our unrivalled expertise in selling family owned mid-size businesses.

The deal to buy Prestige Detection Systems is Rangers fourth acquisition in Ireland.

Also part of the companys stable are Dublin companies KSS Fire Suppression and Aqua Fire Prevention, plus B-Safe Group, which is located in Cork.
THE DIOCESE of Limerick has officially announced its annual pilgrimage to Lourdes, taking place summer next year.

All groups will depart in June 2026 and will be led by the Bishop of Limerick, Most Reverend Brendan Leahy.

For 2026, pilgrims can choose between a 5-night pilgrimage, departing on June 19, and a 6-night pilgrimage, departing on June 18.

READ MORE: Uisce Eireann outlines major water pipe network upgrade in Limerick

Both trips will be flying directly from Shannon Airport to Lourdes.

A detailed programme of activities at the Sanctuary has been prepared by the Joe Walsh Tours team in Dublin and Lourdes in conjunction with the Diocese.

These activities will include, visits to the places associated with Saint Bernadette and a guided walking tour of the Grotto Domain visiting the Grotto, the Baths, the Basilicas and the Stations of the Cross.

Pilgrims will also have the opportunity to take part in the Blessing of the Sick, the Blessed Sacrament and the Torchlight Processions.

All bookings and enquiries should be made through the Limerick Diocesan Centre, St Munchins, Corbally, Limerick V94 925C.

To contact by phone you can ring 061-350000 or email lourdespilgrimage@limerickdiocese.org. For more details you can visit joewalshtours.ie.
*** READER DISCRETION ADVISED ***

A LIMERICK man sexually assaulted a 13-year-old babysitter while his own child was crying on the floor in the same room, the circuit court has heard.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, made an application before the court to be removed from the Sex Offenders Register.

READ NEXT: Clare man was found 'completely out of his mind' and naked high on magic mushrooms, court hears

Lily Buckley BL, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, objected to the application with the assistance of Detective Sergeant Michael Reidy.

Ms Buckley said the sexual assault occurred at an address in County Limerick on a date in February, 2007. The barrister said the applicant, aged in his mid-40s at the time, was in a relationship with the victims mother.

The mother was at work. He returned home from a public house at around 11pm having consumed alcohol and taken drugs. The 13-year-old child was minding the child who was under three years of age.

He grabbed his child from her arms, grabbed his victim, removed her clothing, and then removed his top. He fondled her roughly around the breast area. She was crying, screaming, fighting back. He removed her pants and underpants. He forced her legs apart, put his head between her legs, licked and bit her genital area. He made her touch his penis.

All this was carried out as his own child was crying on the floor in the same room. The events occurred over a considerable period of time. It was accompanied by threats including a threat to kill, said Ms Buckley.

Det Sgt Reidy said he has informed the victim that the application was being made by the man to be taken off the Sex Offenders Register.

It is her firm belief that the applicant should remain on the Sex Offenders Register, said Det Sgt Reidy.

The court heard that the man received a four-year jail sentence with the last two years suspended. This was appealed by the DPP on the grounds of undue leniency and the Court of Appeal subsequently imposed a six-year prison sentence.

Once a person on the Sex Offenders Register is released from prison they are subject to the requirements of the register. Det Sgt Reidy said they have three days to notify gardai of where they intend to reside, or if they intend to travel outside of their normal address - the address they will be staying. He said they also must inform gardai of any change in relationships.

In my experience, being subject to the requirements mitigates against any potential offences that may arise. In terms of safeguarding, the State are aware or can account for where a person is, or if they arent where they are supposed to be, obviously, action can be taken in those circumstances. It's key in terms of monitoring a person, subject to the register, said Det Sgt Reidy.

Kenneth Kerins BL, who represented the applicant, said it was a serious offence, a heinous act and there is no attempt to diminish the act.

There was a lot of intoxication and substance misuse at the time. He offers no excuse, pleaded guilty, used his time wisely in prison, engaged in programmes and went for treatment.

He has always worked, not come to any garda attention and is in a committed relationship. He is now in his early sixties and has grandchildren. He has had to turn down employment abroad due to the burdens of the notification requirements, said Mr Kerins.

The court heard the applicant has a conviction in 2012 for failing to notify gardai of his address while he was working in Dublin.

Mr Kerins said this was nothing sinister. He said his instructions are that it was a booking issue in relation to staying in a B&B in Dublin where his client was working, and he hasnt come to any garda attention since then.

Judge Colin Daly said he would wait for an updated report from a clinical psychologist before deciding whether or not to remove the man from the Sex Offenders Register.

The judge also wants to know on the next date if the woman the applicant is co-habiting with has adult children, do they have children and what contact does the applicant have with those children.

Judge Daly also asked what kind of contact the applicant has with his children and grandchildren.

The matter was adjourned until the new year.

If you have been affected by this story please contact the 24 Hour Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800 778888 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800666111.
MULTIPLE investigations have been launched following a spill from Kilmallock Water Treatment Plant into the River Loobagh.

An EPA spokesperson confirmed Uisce Eireann notified the agency on Friday, November 28 of a quantity of aluminium sulphate being discharged into the river via a sludge holding tank.

READ NEXT: Serious accident prompts call for safety measures at busy Limerick pedestrian crossing

The EPAs investigation into the cause of the spill of the coagulating agent in water purification is ongoing.

An Uisce Eireann spokesperson said following a technical issue at Kilmallock Water Treatment Plant, there was a discharge into River Loobagh last week.

Having identified the issue on site, the plant operator acted to resolve the issue. At this stage, following initial investigations, there are no reports or indications of a fish kill in the receiving waters.

"Investigations are ongoing and Uisce Eireann is co-operating fully with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency, said the Uisce Eireann spokesperson.

We would also like to assure the community that there has been no impact on the quality of drinking water, they added.

Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed there was no fish kill.

The River Loobagh has been subject to a number of pollution incidents in recent years.

In 2014, up to 1,000 salmon and trout in the river were killed following a slurry spill.

Eamonn O Riordan, chairman of Kilmallock/ Kilfinane Anglers Association, said this latest incident is very demoralising for the local angling club considering the amount of work and commitment to restoring the river following on from the major fish kill in August of 2014.

It was a member of the club who spotted the discolouration in the water and contacted the authorities. Mr ORiordan said a video shows eels struggling against the current, in the murky water.

Eels are normally bottom of the river dwellers and rarely come to the surface as witnessed in the video. At present thankfully there is no evidence of a fish kill, however with the high water at present there is a possibility of what I would label as an invisible fish kill.

Mainly the death of the most vulnerable fish in the river i.e the fry of both salmon and trout hatching out at this time of year.

These juvenile fish are particularly vulnerable to any pollutant in the river and if affected they die and are rapidly washed away with the high water presently in the river, thus leaving no evidence of a fish kill.

The second concern Mr ORiordan is for what must be the most endangered freshwater fish at present, namely our Irish wild Atlantic salmon.

Thirty years ago the numbers of salmon returning to our rivers was estimated at 1.2 million, today that number is dramatically down to 170,000 fish. The Loobagh is an important spawning river for these fish.

With numbers plummeting over recent years, the importance of protecting the few remaining fish cannot be overstated. Redds - the beds in which the salmon lay their eggs - are located directly below the outflow where this incident occurred.

These beds containing the precious eggs,are also highly susceptible to contaminated water. Any sediment deposited on top of these redds from polluted water smothers the eggs leading to their demise.

Mr ORiordan says the governments of this country have a poor record when it comes to protecting our waterways.

From 2023 to 2024 records from Inland Fisheries Ireland show 30 fish kills with an estimated 19,000 fish wiped out. Records for 2025 will be a lot worse with an estimated 35,000 fish killed on the Blackwater alone this Summer.

A look at a geological map of Ireland will show the vast quantities of rivers and lakes criss-crossing the country like arteries flowing to the sea.

It is about time we started treating these arteries as we do the arteries of our bodies, instead of allowing them to be the conduit to dispose of our human, agricultural and industrial waste, concluded Mr ORiordan.
A FARMER who fell through a shed roof while working on his own farm on Tuesday afternoon (December 2, 2025) has died in Cork University Hospital (CUH).

He has been named locally as Eamonn Sheehan with a flood of tributes for the man who has been remembered as a loyal community member, great farmer and devout family man.

READ ALSO: Four young women dead - catastrophic failures demand action on University Hospital Limerick now

On Tuesday, emergency services got a distress call at 12.54pm about a man suffering a fall on a farm in Clogher, Athlacca.

Emergency services including the air ambulance, gardai and four units of the fire brigade - two from Kilmallock and two from Limerick City fire service, all attended the scene.

Mr Sheehans family thanked all of the first responders and their neighbours who attended to Mr Sheehan after the fall.

The father-of-five in his 50s was taken from the scene by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries and he sadly passed away on Wednesday (December 3, 2025).

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Authority said that they are aware of the incident and have launched an investigation.

Mr Sheehan is survived by his father John, his wife Margaret (nee Coleman) and five children Anna, Ellie, Edmund, Cormac and Davy, as well as two brothers, four sisters and a wide circle of family, friends and neighbours.

People who have known Mr Sheehan since primary school have described him as a well-respected member of the community, someone who helped out and volunteered and was always helpful and friendly.

He has been remembered as a hard-working farmer, a proud family man and someone who always had a smile on his face and who would always stop for a chat.

Mr Sheehan will repose in Hawe-OKeeffes Funeral Home in Charleville (P56YY15) on Saturday (December 6) from 5pm to 7pm with prayers at 4.30pm.

Requiem Mass will take place on Sunday at 11am in The Church of the Holy Trinity in Dromin.

May he rest in peace.
Askeaton Pool & Leisure will finally be fully operational from Friday the 5th of December, ahead of its formal reopening by Minister for Culture, Communications & Sport Patrick ODonovan next Monday.

The confirmation comes as welcome news to residents after last months unexpectedly delayed launch, which prompted frustration among councillors and the wider community.

The update marks a significant turnaround from the situation outlined at the November meeting of the RathkealeAdare Municipal District, where elected representatives sharply criticised the handling of the initial reopening date.

Councillors were informed just 72 hours before the planned launch that the pool would not reopen due to outstanding water-quality tests.

Read More: Limerick town leads the way with ground-breaking community employment scheme partnership

Cllr Adam Teskey said the late notification had undermined confidence in the process, while Cllr Stephen Keary argued that responsibility ultimately rested with the local authority, stressing the need to protect both public safety and the investment in the newly refurbished facility.

Friday's operational start, coupled with next weeks official reopening and Minister ODonovans visit, which will also include marking the completion of major refurbishment works at Grove Island Leisure Centre in Limerick City , signals a positive shift forward after weeks of uncertainty.

Swim Ireland, the appointed operators, have now confirmed that full details on membership and bookings are available through their website, and the local authority has expressed appreciation for public patience throughout the process.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A young Limerick couple have recently bought their own home after over five years of stress, struggle and a lot of hard work.

Shauna Cantillon (25) and her fiance Jordan Doyle (26) are both from Limerick and have officially moved into their new bungalow over the border in Co Clare.

Shauna said that she was previously living with Jordan and his parents in their home. They've been in that situation since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

The couple, since then, have been working and saving to be able to move into a home together that they can call their own. They opened up on the process of saving for a home in Ireland, one of the most expensive countries in Europe to become a homeowner.

The young couple quit drinking and socialising with friends every weekend since 2021 and said that the stress from trying to save for their new home really took a toll on them mentally and physically.

"It was at the stage where we were going through insomnia, we were stressed. Our eating habits have changed, you could see it in us, our faces have changed," Shauna said.

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"We have bags under our eyes, you know....but at the end of the day, we hope it's going to be worth it."

Shauna went on to say, "we actually gave up alcohol, we didn't go out, we are not partiers anymore. It was our top priority, the only times I've gone out now in the last four years were my friend's birthday parties you know, the things that are a necessity.

"Enjoying yourself wasn't really an option, but it was worth it," she added.

Shauna described the whole process of saving and buying a home "extremely hard" and said: "It's taken us a long time to be able to get to where we are. It's not like anyone has made it easy, especially for younger couples, because there's a lot of hoops you have to jump through when it comes to banks and even mortgage advisors and everything.

"We were quite lucky with finding the mortgage advisor that we found. She directed us then in the best way of doing it.

"We had no idea what we were getting into because it was our first time and we had no help, the only help we had was being able to stay in his family home."

Shauna said that throughout the process they were bouncing back and forth trying to find options available for them.

"Like we'd go to one person or one bank and they would say 'no', and we'd have to go to another one and they would say 'no.'"

During the last five years or so of working and saving, Shauna said it took a great toll on their mental health, social life and overall general well-being.

The young couple would both switch between doing day shifts and night shifts, working as much as they could to save up enough money between them.

"You miss out on a lot as well being a young couple. I work weekends and like he'll do every second weekend or every two weekends out of the month. 12-hour shifts as well to make it even worse.

"We were tired all the time, and every penny was going towards savings."

Shauna said that she isn't the only person she knows who is struggling to save up and move out of their parent's home in Limerick.

"Everyone I know of is at home, like people younger than me, people my age and people older. They've all been struggling. Like I know my friends, they're in their 30s and they still can't afford to move out.

"It's just, it's impossible, we went into it thinking we'll offer asking price. They might take maybe 10 or 20 grand over it.

"But it was actually 80 or 90 grand over the asking price after the bidding war. It was crazy."

Despite the last five years of stress, struggle and serious hard work, the young couple finally got their keys to their new home, but Shauna described the moving in experience as "horrendous."

"Getting the keys was great, but moving in is actually a lot harder than people think because we're doing like four or five different trips trying to get everything over, trying to get vans to get stuff like mattresses over."

Shauna's advice to people in her shoes at the moment, young couples looking to move out and buy their first home, is to at least ask the questions.

"If we didn't go and ask for a mortgage advisor or a financial advisor, we wouldn't know what to have done next. It feels very impossible at the moment with the way Ireland is, with the way the government is and with all of that.

"It can be possible. We worked extremely hard to be able to get where we are, we sacrificed a lot to be able to get where we are, especially as a young couple.

"It was like going from pillar to post, but it's worth it....it's worth trying at least."
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Francisco DSouza, the former Cognizant chief who had once helped secure the $2.7-billion TriZetto healthcare software deal and locked horns with its rival HealthEdge in court, is now betting big on that very competitor. This time, steering its next chapter with Bain Capital.

DSouza was brought in to manage certain technical aspects of HealthEdge, a Massachusetts-based healthcare software firm, early this year. This will be DSouza's second innings in scaling a firm that specializes in processing healthcare claims, one that he was once at loggerheads with.

In April this year, Bain Capital, which manages assets under management (AUM) worth $185 billion, had announced its acquisition of HealthEdge for an undisclosed amount, which two sources claim is upwards of $2 billion. A couple months later, Recognize, a new firm was roped in to manage the technical aspect of this deal. Recognize is expected to build a business process software and identify merger and acquisition opportunities, its website said.

Recognize was brought in as a preferred partner in the process to help guide the business throughout the next phase of its growth, given the teams vertical specialization around digital services. As a part of the value creation process, the deal team is focused on (i) building out a complimentary (sic) business processing as a service (BPaaS) offering; (ii) bolstering existing management; (iii) identifying and executing on attractive, synergetic M&A opportunities," the website of Recognize said.

A third source in the know said Recognize is a minority investor in HealthEdge, and that D'Souza would not have any formal role within the company.

Bain Capital declined to comment on the development, whereas an email sent to Recognize went unanswered until press time.

Recognize is a New York-based venture capital firm, founded by DSouza in June 2019. The tech investment firm raised $3 billion in as many years and it invests primarily in tech companies valued less than $500 million. In its six years of existence, Recognize has already invested in about 15 companies. While most of them specialize in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud engineering, HealthEdge is the sole company in healthcare services.

Nairobi-born DSouza, who occupied New Jersey-based Cognizants corner office for a dozen years until 2019, played a key role in the acquisition of TriZetto, another healthcare payor firm, for $2.7 billion in 2014. This was an essential cog in building the companys healthcare revenue, which more than doubled in the 11 years to $5.9 billion in 2024. During this time, the companys total revenue also more than doubled to $19.74 billion.

DSouza is now batting for a firm he was once pitched against. TriZetto had filed an infringement case against HealthEdge in 2015, when DSouza was Cognizants chief executive. In the case, filed in a Colorado district court on 23 January 2015, Trizetto had accused HealthEdge of falsely using and advertising its trademarked technology.

HealthEdge has embarked on a multi-pronged advertising campaign that improperly uses TriZettos trademarks without authorization and promulgates numerous false and misleading statements including concerning TriZettos products and services," TriZettos complaint had read. The case was, however, settled between the two sides in 2017.

And now, Dsouza has entered HealthEdge in a new avatar, through Recognize.

Also Read | India IT growth trails global clients as tech spend shifts

Recognize, co-founded by him, has joined Bain to help grow HealthEdge. Bain is the majority owner of the healthcare software firm, providing financial backing. Recognize brings the technology and industry know-how, helping HealthEdge improve its products, build new services, and compete better against older, legacy systems used by health insurers.

Through HealthEdge, Recognize is investing behind its belief that continued tailwinds will support the growth of next generation payer claims software as it competes with under-invested legacy players in an end-market that is shifting towards modernization," Recognize said on its website. As payers increasingly confront growing workflow & data complexities, the software they leverage for claims processing may become increasingly mission critical and central to their data and information flow ecosystem."

An expert said the two competing softwares of HealthEdge and Trizetto will be pitted against each other in a market worth $72 billion.

Francisco DSouza has a background in healthcare and a lot of Cognizants growth came from that segment. His experience in scaling this business, connections, and the ability to win business is what is attractive to these investment firms," said Siddharth Pai, founder and managing partner of Siana Capital, a Bengaluru-based asset management firm. "Franciscos entry essentially pits HealthEdge in competition to Cognizants Trizetto."

However, the healthcare software applications segment is fraught with legal hurdles. Cognizant is still embroiled in a legal tussle with Infosys Ltd over Trizetto.

Also Read | Indian IT pulls back on US lobbying spend

In 2023, Cognizant alleged Infosys had misused confidential and proprietary information while integrating the TriZetto software into its client systems, and even accused it of building a rival healthcare product. On the other hand, Infosys accused Cognizant of behaving in an anti-competitive" manner and dragged its chief executive Ravi Kumar. Infosys alleged that Kumar, a former Infosys executive, had deliberately delayed rollout of a rival software to benefit Cognizant.

HealthEdges new legal concerns are now Bain's, which has now assumed primary ownership of the company from Blackstone, worlds largest alternative asset manager with an AUM of $1.1 trillion. It had been investing in the healthcare software company since 2020.

Bain reinforced its bet on HealthEdge by acquiring UST HealthProof in September 2025 and swiftly integrating the business, expanding the platforms coverage of payer-side technology. Kevin Adams will head the joint entity that was formed with UST HealthProof, the third source cited aabove said.

The combination of HealthEdge and UST HealthProof creates a single, end-to-end platform that helps payers modernize their operations. By uniting HealthEdges AI-powered payer applications with UST HealthProofs interoperability suite, the platform streamlines administrative processes, lowers total costs, and improves the member experience," HealthEdge said in its 4 September press release.

Siana Capital's Pai sees the healthcare sector primed for more private equity investments. There will always be demand for health-oriented services and the amount of tech change happening in healthcare due to new emerging technologies such as AI is very large," he said.s
IndiGo's on-time performance fell to 3.7% on Friday, likely an all-time low on a day when thousands of passengers were stranded across airports nationwide, as the airline cancelled more than 1,000 flights due to its tardy approach to adding more pilots.

The countrys largest carrier, which prides itself on its punctuality, saw its on-time performance plunge to 3.7% from 35% on Tuesday, when flight delays and cancellations started to mount.

In contrast, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Air India reported on-time performances of 79%, 73%, 66.3%, 62.3%, and 61%, respectively, on Friday, according to data from the ministry of civil aviation.

This week was a nightmare for passengers, as they waited endlessly at airports, staring at display screens turning red, as flight delays and cancellations made some of the airports resemble bustling railway stations.

IndiGo, whose 2,200 daily flights accounted for two-thirds of the countrys departures before this ongoing crisis, has said it will return to normalcy, at the latest by 15 December.

IndiGo on Saturday said in a statement that it will operate over 1500 flights by end of day (against a daily domestic departure of 2200) connecting 135 destinations.

Over 95% of network connectivity has already been re-established as we are able to operate to 135 out of the existing 138 destinations in operations, the company spokesperson said.

New airline rules, two years in the making Air travel in the worlds fastest-growing aviation market was thrown into chaos after IndiGo started delaying and cancelling flights starting Monday. This was weeks after India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)s planned second phase of regulations came into effect from 1 November.

DGCA had proposed two airline rules under the so-called flight duty time limitations, or FDTL, norms that had been in the works for over two years. The first, effective 1 July, mandated increasing pilots weekly rest to 48 hours and barred substituting pilots leave with weekly rest.

On Friday, DGCA rolled back this rule for all carriers after chaos unfolded at the country's airports with scores of cancelled Indigo flights lealving thousands of passengers stranded.

Under the new rules for the second phase, effective 1 November, an airline pilot could fly twice in a week between midnight and 6 am. It applies to all airlines except IndiGo, India's largest carrier by fleet, service size, and market share, which is given extra time. IndiGo has been given until 10 February to implement this rule, as the DGCA granted the airline an exemption, even as other airlines must adhere to the ruling.

This rule means airlines must hire more pilots, as each can only fly two consecutive nights before resting.

Also Read | IndiGo flight news LIVE: Railways announces 84 special trains amid timing fiasco
iPhone maker Apple Inc. has brought on former Meta Platform's Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Newstead as General Counsel, as incumbent Katherine (or Kate) Adams is set to depart from March 1, the company confirmed in a statement on 4 December.

Besides changes with the legal head, Apple's governmental affairs executive Lisa Jackson, vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, is also set to retire next month in January 2026, it added.

Notably, Adams will take over Government Affairs till her retirement in 2026, after which it will be led by Newstead. And Newsteads title will become senior vice president, General Counsel and Government Affairs, reflecting the combining of the two organisations.

Meanwhile, the Environment and Social Initiatives teams will report to Apple chief operating officer Sabih Khan.

Apple leadership in flux: Talent drain continues? Notably, Adams' departure comes amid an executive shake-up at Apple as its chief operating officer Jeff Williams retired last month  he was second in line to CEO Tim Cook.

On 3 December, Apple confirmed longtime designer Stephen Lemay will replace chief designer Alan Dye, who departed for Meta this week. He was behind some of the company's most iconic rollouts since the Steve Jobs era, including the Apple Watch UI, iOS7, and Liquid Glass UI.

Prior to that, on 1 December, Apple announced that its John Giannandrea, its senior vice president for Machine Learning and AI Strategy, is stepping down, but will continue to serve as an advisor till spring 2026, before retiring.

In 2019, legendary executive Jony Ive, exited the company and is now working with Sam Altman at OpenAI.

Besides this, CEO Tim Cook is nearing retirement age, while another prominent name Johny Srouji (Apples silicon chief) is evaluating future at the company, an earlier Bloomberg report said.

Who is Jennifer Newstead? Newstead joined Meta (then Facebook) in 2019, from the United States Department of State, where she was legal advisor overseeing legal issues affecting the conduct of US foreign relations.

As per the Apple statement, Newstead held a range of other positions in government earlier in her career as well, including as general counsel of the White House Office of Management and Budget, as a principal deputy assistant attorney general of the Office of Legal Policy at the Department of Justice, as associate White House counsel, and as a law clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer of the US Supreme Court.

Prior to that, she also spent a dozen years as partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where she advised global corporations on a wide variety of issues. Newstead holds an AB from Harvard University and a JD from Yale Law School.

As per a Bloomberg report, Newstead is fresh off a major win for Meta, which beat the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) allegation over violation of antitrust law, centered on its social apps Instagram and WhatsApp.

(With inputs from Agencies)
India's largest airline operator, IndiGo, is facing major headwinds due to ongoing flight delays and cancellations resulting from the implementation of updated crew rostering Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms.

Mint reported earlier that more than 500 IndiGo flights have either been delayed or cancelled, resulting in a travel nightmare for flyers across the country.

The airline also informed the regulators that the operational disruptions were a result of minor technology glitches, schedule changes for winter, adverse weather conditions, congestion in the aviation system and the updated FDTL norms.

From IndiGo's profits and market share to its business model, let's take a closer look at how India's largest airline operates its business.

Is IndiGo profitable? IndiGo's net loss widened in the July-September quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. The company recorded a 161% increase in its net loss to 2,582 crore in the second quarter, compared to 987 crore in the same period the previous fiscal year, according to the consolidated statements.

Although the airline's revenue from core operations recorded a 9.3% rise in the second quarter to 18,555 crore, compared to 16,969 crore in the same period a year ago, it posted a net loss at the end of the quarter.

Also Read | IndiGo CEO says flights situation to normalise by Dec 15

The airline's Q2 results performance was impacted by higher foreign exchange costs, which recorded a more than tenfold increase to 2,892 crore in the July-September quarter, compared to its 240 crore level in the same period a year ago. This, in turn, inflated the overall expenses for the quarter, weighing in on the revenue jump, resulting in a widening net loss.

How is the pie divided? Indigo's market share in the Indian aviation market stood at 63% as of September 2025, according to Statista data. Tata Group-owned Air India's market share stood at 13.6%, while Air India Express held 6.3%.

According to International Air Transport Association (IATA) data released in June 2025, IndiGo was India's largest airline by seat capacity, holding 53.4% market share as of the end of 2024. Air India followed IndiGo at 12.1%, Air India Express at 8.6%, Vistara (now part of Air India Group) at 6.9%, and SpiceJet at 3.5%, among others.

The second part of IATA's data is set to be released in December 2025, which will show the updated numbers from the global aviation trade association.

IndiGo market-cap & share price trend Indigo's market capitalisation (M-Cap) recorded a 215% jump to its current level of 2.076 trillion over the last five years, compared to 665.77 billion in December 2020, according to CompanyMarketCap data collected on 5 December 2025.

InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) share price closed 1.22% lower at 5,371.30 after Friday's stock market session, compared to 5,437.60 at the previous market close, as per BSE data.

Shares of the airline have given stock market investors more than 200% returns on their investment in the last five years and over 22% returns in the last one-year period.

On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, IndiGo stock has risen 16.79% in 2025. However, the stock has lost 5.72% in the last one-month period and is trading 8.76% lower amid the flight cancellation crisis.

Also Read | IndiGo issues apology to passengers as chaos continues for fourth day

Indigo's low-cost business model IndiGo operates as a low-cost carrier (LCC) airline, where the business model is to take opportunities to minimise its operating costs in order to maximise its profits.

According to OAG Aviation data, a low-cost airline keeps its base fare lower than other airlines by cutting back on services which are offered to travellers, in exchange for giving them a lower price, compared to a full-service carrier.

A simple example of that is how IndiGo does not serve hot food, which eliminates the need for food heaters on board an aircraft, in turn saving costs in weight and fuel usage.

So, where a full-service carrier like Air India will give you hot food included in your flight ticket prices, carriers like IndiGo operate on a low-cost basis. However, Air India operates a separate low-cost arm named Air India Express.
NEW DELHI: Microsoft will keep investing in artificial intelligence-ready data centre infrastructure in India beyond 2026, and continue hiring artificial intelligence (AI) engineers to build value-added solutions, the companys top India executive said.

As part of our $3 billion investment plan through this year and the next, our Hyderabad data centreone of the largest in the regionis set to go live by June 2026. This will add to our data centre hubs in Mumbai, Pune and Chennai, as well as two Jio-Azure regions (with Reliance Industries) in Maharashtra and Gujarat," said Puneet Chandok, president of Microsoft India and South Asia. All our data centres are AI-ready, and this is where weve invested so far. But, our investments are not episodicthey are structural. Well continue to invest more, and well dive deeper into these investments next week."

Also Read | Microsofts deals with large clients dents Sonata Software sales

Chandok spoke exclusively to Mint ahead of Microsofts global chief executive and chairman, Satya Nadellas India tour from 10-12 December. Nadella is expected to make key announcements around AI infrastructure during his visit.

On 14 October, Google, in partnership with domestic conglomerate Adani Group and telecom major Airtel, announced a $15 billion investment to build a 1 gigawatt (GW) AI data centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Chandok declined to comment on Microsofts direct competitors.

He also does not expect the influx of AI to reduce Microsofts net hiring in India. We already have 22,000 AI engineers in India, and we continue to hire more. Of course, as we hire people, we constantly look for AI skills, and we also skill peoplewhere we dedicate one day of each month to focus on skilling."

At the time of writing, Microsoft India had 420 job openings. Nearly 92%, or 385, of the roles listed on Microsofts India careers page required AI skills across engineering, sales, and other operations.

Its not that jobs will all disappear. As we get multi-agent coordination in our workflow, well see mundane jobs being replaced by the value-added ones. This shift is already happening, and were seeing the rise of new educational methods, such as micro-degrees in AI, to make this happen," Chandok added.

Microsofts India arm reported 28,754.77 crore ($3.18 billion) in operating revenue in FY25, with a net profit of 1,245.18 crore ($138 million). Overall, Microsofts India revenue rose 27% year-on-year, while net profit grew 39%. The company continues its long-term partnership with OpenAI, offering the latters generative AI applications through Azure and Copilot.

Chandok said Microsoft is already seeing meaningful, at-scale use of its AI services in India.

We now have over 1,000 customers using Microsoft Azure OpenAI in India," he said, adding that these are no longer experimental deployments. According to him, enterprises such as Apollo Healthcare, the State Bank of India and Physics Wallah are scaling Copilot-based solutions across their operationsfrom clinical assistance and customer query handling to AI tutoring for millions of students. These, he said, reflect deep adoption rather than pilot-stage activity.

But despite the momentum, Azure has remained second behind Amazon Web Services in global and Indian cloud market share. Data from Synergy Research last month showed AWS at 29% of the Indian cloud services market, followed by Microsoft Azure at 21%.

Analysts said Microsoft continues to play a central role in Indias AI adoption due to its long-standing local presence and extensive cloud footprint.

Microsoft has a deep-seated presence in India, and is typically seen by enterprises as one of the safest tech companies to work with in terms of compliance and security. The company's AI journey especially in the past one year has been mixed, as it went with partnering OpenAI rather than developing its own foundational capabilities. But today, Microsoft stands as a company that will get a large volume of business, as enterprises start adopting AI at scale," said Kashyap Kompella, veteran AI analyst and founder of RPA2AI Research.

Kompella added that Microsoft's significant cloud presence in India means that they will likely also continue to invest in AI infrastructure in the country, and the value they'll derive through longstanding partnerships with tech outsourcing companies will prove to be beneficial, as the industry matures.

Also Read | Why Accel and Google are chasing Indias newest AI founders

Service integrators are working along similar lines. In June, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Indias largest tech outsourcing firm, extended its partnership with Microsoft to offer enterprise AI services to clients.

Chandok concurred, adding that such partnerships are critical in the long run. Our partnership with TCS is a very deep one, and a long-standing one as well. We dont see their AI advances as a rival, but as a valuable partner. We continue to work together closely, and this is what is leading to the rise of AI adoption across India. In future, well see more of these, at even larger scales."
New Delhi: Simone Tata, 95, mother of Noel Tata and stepmother of former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata, passed away early Friday.

Tata had been recovering from an illness and was brought to Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital earlier this August after receiving initial treatment at Kings Hospital in Dubai.

Tata is survived by her son Noel, his wife Aloo Mistry, and grandchildren Neville, Maya and Leah.

With her positivity and deep resolve she overcame many challenges in her life. Tata leaves behind a strong legacy as a business leader, having guided Lakme through its formative decades before its eventual sale to Hindustan Unilever in the 1990s.

She will always be remembered for her contribution to the growth of Lakme as Indias leading cosmetic brand and laying the foundation for fashion retail with the Westside chain. She also guided the work of many philanthropic organisations, including Sir Ratan Tata Institute, said a statement from the Tata Group.

Born Simone Naval Dunoyer in Geneva, Switzerland, she arrived in India as a tourist in 1953. Two years later, in 1955, she married Naval H. Tata and subsequently began her professional association with the Tata Group in the early 1960s.

Her engagement with the group formally began in 1961 when she joined the board of Lakme. At the time, Lakme was a small subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO), known for personal care brands such as Hamam, Okay and Modi Soaps. It was Simone who pushed and championed the brands vision to meet the Indian womans need for homegrown, India-specific cosmetics.

Under her, Lakme grew into a widely recognised Indian brand, and she was appointed chairperson in 1982. She is often referred to as the "Cosmetic Czarina of India" for her role in popularizing cosmetics among Indian women.

In the post-liberalization period, Lakme Ltd and Hindustan Unilever formed a 50:50 joint ventureLakme Unilever Ltdin 1996 to market Lakmes cosmetics along with select products from HULs portfolio. By 1998, Lakme sold its brands to HUL and exited the joint venture, divesting its 50% stake for 200 crore.

Simone Tata saw what few others did in her time, said Priya Nair, CEO and managing director, Hindustan Unilever on Friday in response to a Mint query. Lakme was born out of that foresight, and a keen understanding of the need for every Indian woman to look and feel beautiful.

After 1998, Lakme shifted its focus from cosmetics to apparel retailing, identifying a gap in the market for homegrown brands. This laid the foundation for Trent Ltd, which now operates retail formats such as Westside and Zudio.

As part of the move, Lakme acquired Littlewoods International (India) from Littlewoods International Limited, UK in March 1998. Littlewoods International India Private Ltd was engaged in the retailing of ready-to-wear garments and related merchandise. Subsequently, Trent Ltd was merged with Lakme, and Lakme Limited was officially renamed Trent Ltd.

Also Read | Why Neville Tata, Bhaskar Bhat made it to only one Tata Trust
MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India on Friday said it has granted in-principle approval to Fino Payments Bank Ltd (FPBL) to transition into a small finance bank (SFB). With this, Fino becomes the first payments bank to receive such approval.

An in-principle approval gives the applicant time to meet several conditions before receiving a final SFB licence. The approval marks a milestone in Finos 18-year journey.

Under the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) on tap licensing guidelines for small finance banks, existing payments banks controlled by residents and with at least five years of operations are eligible to apply. The application of FPBL was assessed as per the procedure laid down in the guidelines, the RBI said.

It provides Fino, an opportunity to realise its growth potential by expanding product suite, engaging with a wider customer segment, foray into lending and building a strong liability franchise thereby creating significant value for all stakeholders, Rishi Gupta, managing director and chief executive, Fino Payments Bank, said in a press release following the RBI approval.

Also Read | Jio Payments Bank goes big: Inside the push that quadrupled its footprint

Fino applied for an SFB licence in December 2023, betting that it could tap a large portion of its merchant network as an initial lending base as well as for loan collections and repayments. Its merchant network has since grown to 2 million, with 56,000 merchants added in the latest September quarter. Average deposits rose 36% year-on-year to 2,306 crore during the quarter.

...the way we are looking at SFB is a very differentiated model where we plan to use our existing network of merchants and offices all across the country. Also, we have a good strength of people in the corporate functions. We will be looking at adding more people on the asset side, Gupta had said during Fino's Q2 earnings call.

Conceived by a committee led by former RBI board member Nachiket Mor, payments banks were designed to serve under-banked and unbanked segments and can accept deposits of up to 2 lakh per customer. Finos current and savings accounts reached 16 million in the September quarter, with 910,000 new accounts added. It opened 9,893 accounts per day, up 11% year-on-year.

The key difference between payments banks and small finance banks is that the former cannot lend. India currently has six payments banks, including Airtel, Fino, Jio, India Post, NSDL and Paytm.

RBI guidelines require SFB applicants to maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 15% of risk-weighted assets, and promoters must hold at least 40% of paid-up voting equity for the first five years. If promoter shareholding exceeds 40% initially, it must be reduced to that level within five years. Applicants must also meet corporate governance and fit and proper criteria.

Also Read | RBI not in favour of runaway credit growth, says comfortable with current pace

As of the September quarter, Finos capital adequacy ratio stood at 77.2%, and promoter shareholding was 75%.
New Delhi: Mining and metals conglomerate Vedanta Ltd, through its promoter entity Vedanta Holdings Mauritius II Ltd (VHML), has moved the Delhi high court challenging the income tax department's claim that the group gained undue tax advantage of about 1,308 crore through the misuse of the IndiaMauritius tax treaty.

The tax departments general anti-avoidance rules (GAAR) approving panel had, on 28 November, also allowed imposing a tax liability of 138 crore on the group.

The writ petition was heard on Thursday (4 December) by a division bench led by Justice Prathiba M. Singh, which restrained the tax department from taking coercive action or issuing an assessment order until the next hearing on 18 December.

According to court filings reviewed by Mint, Vedanta challenged the order of the GAAR approving panel that classified its Mauritius-based holding structure as an impermissible avoidance arrangement."

The panel concluded that the group secured treaty benefits by routing promoter shareholding through Mauritius to access the 5% dividend withholding tax rate under the IndiaMauritius double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA), instead of the applicable 1015%.

It held that the structure lacked commercial substance and was engineered primarily for tax savings.

Mints emailed queries to Vedanta seeking comments remained unanswered until press time.

Also Read | Delhi HC halts coal ministry move to encash  29 crore from Vedanta guarantee

What the dispute is about

The dispute centres on whether Vedanta created and used VHML principally to secure a concessional treaty tax rate after its 2020 delisting attempt.

The tax department argues that VHML was incorporated soon after India abolished dividend distribution tax (DDT) in April 2020, and that intra-group share transfers were arranged to push VHMLs stake above 10%, the threshold required to qualify for a 5% treaty rate under the IndiaMauritius DTAA.

The department alleges VHML had no real commercial purpose and was used merely to route promoter share ownership through Mauritius.

It says promoter shareholding in Vedanta Ltd never changed in substance and that the arrangement enabled an unjustified tax benefit of about 1,308 crore, making it an impermissible avoidance arrangement under GAAR.

The GAAR order states that VHML reported tax of 116.12 crore for assessment year 202223, whereas applying GAAR would result in a liability of 337.15 crore, implying a 221-crore benefit. Benefits of 672 crore (AY 202324) and 415 crore (AY 202425) were also cited.

GAAR, introduced through the Finance Act, 2012 and implemented from 1 April 2017, empowers tax authorities to disregard or recharacterise transactions designed mainly to avoid tax, even if compliant in legal form.

The GAAR approving panel is a three-member independent authority, headed by a retired high court judge, that must approve any move to apply GAAR provisions.

Also Read | Does Vedanta need Jaiprakash Associates, investors ask

Vedantas arguments

Vedanta denied any tax-avoidance motive and said VHML was created as a financing vehicle to support the company's delisting plan during the covid-19 crisis, when the promoter group faced severe leverage pressure and Vedantas stock was languishing.

The objective behind the delisting, apart from corporate simplification, was to streamline the flow of dividends from VEDL to VRL and reduce dividend leakage to minority shareholders, which would enable more efficient debt servicing by VRL and improve the credit rating of the Vedanta Group as a whole," the petition stated.

Another objective was to provide a fair exit opportunity to public investors at a value much higher than the prevailing share price."

It contended that VHML raised funds through commercial borrowings, that capital-gains tax was paid on share transfers, and that the entity maintains genuine substance, including a tax residency certificate in Mauritius. Vedanta also alleged procedural unfairness, stating that key documents, including satisfaction notes, were withheld by the GAAR panel.

Also Read | Vedanta under fire: Allegations of financial misconduct ring alarm ahead of AGM

Background

The dispute dates back to Vedantas 2020 bid to delist Vedanta Ltd. and consolidate promoter holdings through Sebis reverse book-building mechanism, aimed at improving liquidity.

This was prompted by Vedanta Resources Ltd.'s $7 billion debt dependence on dividend inflows. The delisting offer at 87.50 per share failed in October 2020 due to insufficient public tendering.

Vedanta subsequently incorporated VHML on 29 June 2020, raised $1.4 billion, and acquired a 13.26% stake in Vedanta Ltd across five tranches between December 2020 and December 2021 from public shareholders and group entities Finsider (UK) and Westglobe (Mauritius).

VHML later received 1,543 crore in dividends and paid withholding tax at 5% under the DTAA.

The IndiaMauritius DTAA, signed in 1983, has long been a preferred route for global investment due to concessional tax rateshistorically including capital-gains exemptions and a reduced 5% dividend tax rate when shareholding exceeds 10%.

A closely watched parallel is the Tiger GlobalFlipkart dispute, where Mauritius-based funds claimed treaty protection against capital-gains tax. The Delhi high court initially upheld treaty benefits, but the matter reached the Supreme Court, which has stayed that order and reserved judgment. The eventual ruling is expected to have major implications for treaty-based tax benefits.
BENGALURU : The participation of Beeaar Investco Pte. Ltd, a little-known Singapore vehicle wholly owned by Byju Raveendran, may have exposed test-prep institution Aakash Educational Services Ltds 250crore rights issue to potential legal challenges.

The investment firm, which already holds about 16% in Aakash, has subscribed to rights worth 16 crore in the current round, even as edtech giant Byjus parent, Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd (TLPL), has had its 25-crore cheque frozen over forex-compliance concerns, according to corporate filings and people familiar with the test-prep company's cap table.

The twist is that the same Aakash shares held through Beeaar are alleged to be at the heart of Qatar Investment Authoritys, or QIA, the Gulf country's sovereign fund, arbitration award and global freezing orders.

Raveendran appears to retain a significant minority influence over Aakash through Beeaar, despite losing day-to-day operational control over TLPL, which is currently undergoing corporate insolvency. TLPL's ultimate ownership and control are yet to be settled, with bids in from interested suitors, including the Manipal Group and Ronnie Screwvalas upGrad.

Board red flags, frozen assets

Aakashs directors have put TLPL's subscription on hold. This is because a former TLPL promoter, Riju Raveendran, has filed a case in the National Company Law Tribunal in Bengaluru to decide whether that money can legally be converted into equity, alleging that the firm raised the 25 crore by issuing 100 crore of debentures under a structure that may breach Fema, ECB guidelines, and the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules, 2019.

Mint reported on 1 December that internally within the AESL board, the rights issue is treated as closed for everyone except TLPL, whose 25crore cheque remains parked in a separate account.

But, interestingly, the stake in Aakash held by Beeaar, which was incorporated on 23 March 2023 in Singapore, according to Mints review of filings with Singapores Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, is coming under scrutiny now.

Qatar Holding, an arm of QIA, had lent $150 million to Byjus Investments Pte. Ltd (BIPL), a Singapore company partly owned by Byju Raveendran, in 2022. The loan was backed by its 17.89 million Aakash shares at that time, with an express bar on moving those pledged shares to any other entity under Byju Raveendrans control. QIA had first invested $150 million in TLPL in 2019.

Qatar Holding has accused BIPL of transferring the pledged shares to Beeaar. After the alleged breach and defaults, it terminated the deal in March 2024, demanded early repayment of the principal it had lent, along with interest and a penalty of $235 million. In March 2024, it triggered arbitration in Singapore. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) ordered a worldwide freeze on assets of Raveendran and BIPL up to $235 million in July 2024, which the Singapore high court later confirmed in the same month.

On 14 July 2025, the tribunal directed immediate payment of about $235 million and imposed interest at 4% per annum, compounded daily from 28 February 2024, pushing the total liability past $249 million.

Bengaluru action

Qatar Holding is now asking the Karnataka high court to recognize that award as a decree and help execute it against Indian assets, turning Aakashs cap table into a potential enforcement ground even as its rights issue goes through.

Its pleadings in the court spell out, in black and white, how it linked Beeaar to the disputed Aakash block. In the enforcement petition, its counsel points to Aakashs own informal cap table, which lists BEEAAR" as holding about 16% in it and to a BEN2 filing that records Beeaar as the legal holder of 17,891,289 Aakash shares while identifying Byju Raveendran as their beneficial owner.

A BEN2 filing is a statutory return that an Indian company files with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) to disclose its significant beneficial owners" under Section 90 of the Companies Act, 2013.

In the court filings seen by Mint, the counsel further notes that 100% of Beeaars shares are owned by Byju Raveendran, effectively making Beeaar a lookthrough vehicle" for his economic interest in Aakash.

On that basis, Qatar Holding argued in the court that the Aakash shares now parked in Beeaar fall squarely within the scope of the SIAC's order, which restrains Raveendran and BIPL from dealing with any assets they own legally, beneficially or otherwise" up to $235 million.

Rights issue in a legal grey zone

Now, according to arbitration lawyers, Beeaars participation in the rights issue is formally on the right side of the law but sits in a legally exposed grey zone.

Also Read | How AI is helping resurrect India's edtech sector

B. Shravanth Shanker, advocate-on-record, Supreme Court of India, said a worldwide freezing order, as confirmed by the Singapore high court, binds only the named respondents and operates in personam". In other words, Beeaar Investco is not presently a party to those proceedings, he added.

Its (Beeaars) separate legal personality therefore insulates its assets unless the order is extended through proper joinder," Shanker said. That narrow proposition explains how the allotment occurred, but it does not resolve its legality in substance."

Alay Razvi, managing partner, law firm Accord Juris, told Mint that even if the earlier transfer of pledged shares is under challenge, Beeaars act of injecting new funds is legally separate from the alleged misuse or transfer of the original pledged shares. Therefore, the subscription to new rights issue shares would not, by itself, violate any freezing or restraint order.

Razvi, however, said although Beeaars participation is within the law, it carries litigation risk. If QIA succeeds in proving that Beeaar is effectively controlled by Byju Raveendran or holds disputed pledged shares through him, then courts could later treat Beeaar as an extension of the judgment debtor. In such a scenario, a future challenge to the allotment cannot be ruled out."

Shanker, too, said although Beeaars subscription to fresh Aakash shares does not automatically constitute dealing in frozen assets, the allegation (from QIA) is that the underlying shares were moved into Beeaar in breach of the pledge that secured Qatar Holdings loan.

If that transfer is found to have been orchestrated to defeat the contractual security and the freezing regime, a court may disregard separate personality, treat Beeaar as the alter ego of the restrained parties, and extend the restraint," he added.

What worries enforcement lawyers is not just Beeaars formal right to take up shares, but how that stake was built and how Qatar chooses to press its claim.

As Shanker put it, the difficulty lies in the provenance of Beeaars shareholding and the enforcement posture adopted by Qatar Holding. The allegation that the Aakash shares were transferred into Beeaar in breach of a subsisting pledge, coupled with a confirmed worldwide freezing order directed at Byju Raveendran and BIPL, casts an immediate shadow over the transaction."

If judges ultimately decide that Beeaar is just a proxy through which a restrained borrower continues to control frozen assets, they can ignore its separate corporate personality and pull it into the enforcement net.

In that event, the subscription may be neutral in form yet unlawful in substance, exposing those responsible to contempt consequences and rendering the allotment liable to being unwound The correct legal characterization at this stage is therefore one of significant enforcement risk rather than established illegality. The subscription stands, but its survival depends on whether courts ultimately see corporate autonomy or evasion dressed up as one," he noted.

Mint's emailed queries to QIA, Byju Raveendran, Aakash, and the Manipal Group remained unanswered until the time of publication.

A bruising reset for Aakash

The Beeaar question lands on top of an already bruising few months for Aakash. The rights issue follows a months-long legal tussle over its plan to raise fresh capital, a move challenged both by Byjus parentwhich bought Aakash in a roughly $950 million cashandstock deal in April 2021and one of its creditors.

Ranjan Pais Manipal Group now owns about 58% of Aakash, even as the engineering and medical testprep chain navigates uncertainty linked to Byjus insolvency process.

TLPL and its US-based lender GLAS Trust Co. opposed the rights issue at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), but failed to secure interim relief in late October, and the Supreme Court later refused to admit civil appeals against those orders. That effectively cleared the way for Aakash to push ahead with the shareholderapproved fundraising and related capitalraising steps.

The reset has also come amid sharp churn in the corner office. Chief executive Deepak Mehrotra resigned in August, followed by chief financial officer Vipan Joshi on 31 October, signalling a rapid succession of toplevel exits. Mehrotra has been replaced by Chandra Sekhar Reddy Garisa as managing director and chief executive officer from 19 August; Garisa previously headed Claypond Capital, Pais family office.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday met a delegation led by visiting Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and discussed issues of bilateral interest including investment opportunities and matters relating to banking and finance, an official announcement said.

Both India and Russia expressed expectations of strong outcomes from the upcoming 23rd India-Russia annual summit scheduled to be held on December 5. The Russian First Deputy Prime Minister extended strong support to Indias upcoming chairship of BRICS, said a statement from Sitharamans office shared in social media.

Manturov was accompanied by Russias minister of economic development Reshetnikov Maxim, minister of finance Siluanov Anton and Central Bank Chairman Nabiullina Elvira.

Officials from Indias Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Financial Services, RBI, and the Ministry of External Affairs were part of the meeting.

On Thursday, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and Russias Federal Customs Service (FCS) signed a deal for faster border clearance of consignments. CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi and Russias Deputy Head of Federal Customs Service (FCS) Tatiana Merkushova signed a deal for information sharing regarding goods and vehicles moved between the countries.

Pre-arrival information exchange enables customs authorities to assess risks and process consignments in advance, ensuring faster and more secure border clearance, CBIC said in a social media post. This will strengthen trade facilitation while enhancing security, transparency, and overall efficiency in cross-border movements, CBIC stated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently in the capital for the summit. Prime Minister Modi greeted Putin at the airport on Thursday and said India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted people. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow, Modi said in a social media post.

The visit of Russian President and the delegation comes at a time India is facing pressure from the U.S. to cut down oil imports from Russia, for which a 25% additional tariff on Indias exports to the US has been imposed by Washington since August this year. India is currently negotiating a trade deal with the US but is maintaining close ties with Russia.
The rupee's depreciation against the US dollar to a historic low is forcing students headed abroad for higher education to rethink how they fund their degrees.

This comes at a time when a global employment squeeze is prompting many graduates to return to India without securing work abroad, leaving them to repay loans that are now costlier than they had budgeted for in rupee terms.

The Indian rupees (INR) slide past 90 per US dollar will hit students at various stages of their study-abroad journey, with their overall costs jumping sharply, said Victor Senapaty, founder of Westbridge Capital-backed education financier Propelld.

The same hundred thousand dollars suddenly becomes much more expensive in rupee terms," Senapaty said.

After breaching the 90-per-dollar mark on Wednesday, the rupee slipped further to an all-time low of 90.56 on Thursday before pulling back to close at 89.98. The domestic currency settled at 89.94 on Friday.

The average ticket size for a loan from a non-bank lender for studying in the US is 40 lakh. An average loan size at a bank is similar, although there is a provision to avail higher loans.

A four-year undergraduate degree could cost as high as $55,000-$100,000 a year for certain Ivy League institutions.

Senapaty said Indian students will now have to work harder for outcomes. The entire thing hinges on one question: do you get a job or not? If yes, great. If not, it becomes an all-or-nothing game."

The development also comes at a time when a large batch of students prepare to head abroad in February to join universities this spring.

Typically, fall (August-September) and spring (February-March) are when the largest batch of students depart for higher studies. Most of 2025 was a flip-flop as the US government increased its scrutiny of visa approvals.

Double whammy

Tensions between several US universities and the government have unnerved many parents in India and this led to a 25-50% drop in applications for loans to study in the US in the first half of the year. The result was that many deferred their course by a semester, while others opted for destinations such as the UK, Canada, and Australia.

A weaker rupee will add to their troubles, as well as for those who have graduated and returned to their hometowns while still searching for a job.

The rupee breaching the 90 mark is not a 'no-go' for students who have plans of studying abroad, but those who are repaying loans taken in dollars will face the pressure," said Ankit Mehra, co-founder and chief executive officer of GyanDhan, an NBFC that focuses on loans for overseas education.

This is especially for the batch of 2022-2023, many of whom have graduated and are working from India. Their loan payment would have started and now they have to repay a higher than factored amount."

Key Takeaways The rupees slide to 90 per dollar has sharply increased the overall cost of studying abroad for Indian students.

Graduates who returned to India without overseas jobs now face higher-than-expected loan repayments due to the weaker rupee.

Visa scrutiny and geopolitical tensions had already reduced US-bound student loan applications by 2550% this year.

While the rupees fall hurts INR borrowers, students earning in dollars abroad are seeing their repayment burden ease.

Sonal Kapoor, global chief business officer of Prodigy Finance, an international student lender, said currently, students who are taking loans in rupee may need to reconsider their options".

They may eventually earn in US dollar. The initial stages of their journey can be confusing and some may end up taking a larger loan than they expected just to manage daily living expenses abroad. The first few months can feel confusing simply because the numbers keep shifting with the exchange rate," Kapoor said.

Students have the option to take dollar loans when they are confident of earning abroad. The depreciation of the INR can actually be beneficial for international students, especially those who are working, as it offers significant financial relief since they earn in dollars. Their families will receive more money in INR as a result," she added.

However, Senapaty of Propelld cautioned that it could be a risky choice without possibility of definite employment in the US. "If they dont get a job and return to India, theyre in trouble because theyre earning in INR but repaying in USD while the rupee keeps weakening. Thats the worst combo."

According to data provided by the government in Parliament in March, 750,000 Indians were studying abroad in 2022. That number shot up to 892,000 in 2023, but dipped to 759,000 in 2024 in the wake of geopolitical crises and visa curbs.
Dhurandhar opened in theatres on Friday, 5 November, after months of debate over which parts of the story draw inspiration from real-life events. Much of the early chatter centred on whether the film mirrored the life of the late Major Mohit Sharma, but the CBFC cleared the film after confirming there was no direct overlap, and the Delhi High Court allowed the release to proceed.

What is Dhurandhar about? The synopsis places Dhurandhar against the backdrop of the IC-814 hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack. It centres on Ajay Sanyal, the Intelligence Bureau chief, who draws up a covert plan aimed at dismantling a terror network operating out of Pakistan. For this mission, he recruits a 20-year-old inmate from Punjab, jailed for a revenge killing. Sanyal sees potential in him and begins shaping the young man into an operative capable of slipping into Karachis gang world.

Ranveer Singh plays the lead role in Dhurandhar Ranveer plays the undercover officer navigating Lyaris factions. The character moves between criminal groups, mapping their alliances and rivalries. His arc sits at the centre of the infiltration storyline, connecting the gang conflict to cross-border intelligence operations.

R Madhavan as Ajay Sanyal R. Madhavan plays Ajay Sanyal - a character bearing similarities to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. His role in the film functions as the senior hand guiding operations around the mission.

Akshaye Khanna as Rehman Dakait Akshaye Khanna plays the role, which is said to be inspired by Rehman Dakait, often described in local accounts as Lyaris dominant gang leader. Dakaits rise came through decades of turf clashes that escalated old family rivalries. His confrontations with competing factions significantly contributed to the violence in Lyari throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He was eventually arrested, escaped custody, and was later killed in a police encounter in 2009.

Sanjay Dutt portrays Chaudhary Aslam Khan Sanjay Dutt essays the role of Karachis encounter specialist Chaudhary Aslam Khan. Aslam led operations targeting Lyaris gangs and headed the Lyari Task Force. His work placed him in repeated conflict with criminal groups and militant outfits. He survived attacks through the years but was assassinated in 2014 when his convoy was hit on the Karachi motorway.

Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal Arjun Rampals character echoes elements linked to Ilyas Kashmiri, a senior Al-Qaeda commander. Kashmiri was associated with multiple cross-border plots and led the Harkat-ul-Jihad brigade. He was considered one of the most dangerous operatives in the region until his death in a 2011 drone strike.

Dhurandhar brings these threads together and positions Ajay Sanyal and his young recruit at the centre of a dangerous intelligence push.

FAQs What is Dhurandhar about? It follows an Intelligence Bureau operation built to dismantle a terror-linked network operating out of Pakistan.

How does the IC-814 hijacking fit into Dhurandhar? The film uses the hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack as the larger backdrop for the mission.
Samsung has already done the big reveal for the Galaxy Z TriFold. We know the specifications, the basic design, and headline software tricks like stand alone Samsung DeX and multi window support. What that announcement did not fully answer was the basic question every new form factor faces, which is how does this thing actually work in daily life?

That is where the leaked user manual steps in. Shared ahead of launch, the document runs 174 pages and reads less like a simple quick start leaflet and more like a guidebook to Samsungs most experimental Galaxy yet. It walks through the usual basics, including apps, features, settings and menus, but it also does a lot of quiet work explaining how this three part device is meant to be handled, folded and trusted.

Right from the first pages, the manual leans on layout diagrams. Samsung shows the Galaxy Z TriFold in both folded and fully unfolded states, with labels for buttons, microphones, speakers and ports. Those images make it clear how many moving pieces are involved when you add an extra hinge. One small detail has already sparked discussion. In the unfolded diagram, there is a label that looks like it points to a headphone jack. Look closer and the text confirms that this is actually the USB C port, not a 3.5 mm jack. The phone is simply too thin to house that older port standard, so anyone hoping for a secret comeback of wired audio will be living through USB C from day one.

View full Image Galaxy Z TriFold leaked manual diagrams (Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold leaked manual)

The camera chapter lands on page 56 as mentioned by the tipster Evan Blass and gives another useful glimpse of how Samsung has adapted its software. The interface looks familiar, closely echoing what we have already seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but the manual shows how it behaves when the device is folded and when it is opened out into a tablet-like shape. The previews, shutter button and mode switches all move around slightly depending on the angle. The point is to keep the experience predictable no matter how you are holding the phone, instead of turning the extra screen space into a confusing wall of icons.

View full Image Galaxy Z TriFold leaked manual shows diagram image. (Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold leaked manual)

Beyond the layout details, the manual is filled with safety language that reminds you this is still a first generation piece of hardware. Several warnings focus on the magnets built into the Galaxy Z TriFold. If you use a medical implant in your heart or chest, Samsung clearly advises against keeping the phone in a pocket close to that area. Samsungs concern is real here: those internal magnets keep the three segments aligned and closed, so keeping the phone too close to a sensitive implant simply isnt worth the risk.

Another set of warnings covers the air vent holes. The manual tells users not to block these vents during calls or while playing media, as doing so can lead to unwanted noises. It is a small but revealing line. A design that folds into three sections, houses a flexible display and includes speakers and microphones will always be tight on internal space. Guiding people not to obstruct those vents is Samsungs way of protecting call quality and comfort.

The final pages of the story are all about timing. The Galaxy Z TriFold will go on sale in Korea from 12 December 2025, with a wider launch planned for the first quarter of 2026 in the United States. That gives Samsung time to educate early adopters before the device reaches more casual buyers.
Celebrities and clients arrived Tuesday afternoon to an empty Manhattan subway station in black SUVs, dodging puddles that threatened to destroy their Chanel slingback heels.

The gritty Lower East Side underground location was a surprising choice for Chanels first New York fashion show in seven years, even if the Bowery stations out-of-service platform is often used as a film set and doesnt have a pizza rat in sight. The setting signaled a re-energized chapter at Chanel, under the creative direction of newly appointed 41-year-old Matthieu Blazy.

Blazys arrival in April has given the brand an incredible halo effect" and its business is better than ever," Bruno Pavlovsky, president of Chanel fashion, said in an interview on Monday, the day before the runway show. Blazys collection showcased jeans and quarter-zip sweaters alongside sequined dresses. Pavlovsky said clothes like these would be more prominently integrated at Chanels boutiques, where quilted leather handbags have long been the key draw.

Before the first of two showings began, Tilda Swinton floated gracefully through the crowd in a feathery Chanel top, causing Conde Nast chief content officer Anna Wintour to note wryly that Swinton looked great for the rain." Jon Bon Jovi, bundled up in a black turtleneck and combat boots, smiled politely for photographers. Seated patiently on one of the shows low benches, the fashion designer Dapper Dan wore a sequined three piece suit he said hed made as a homage to the late Karl Lagerfeld.

Christine Baranski, currently starring in The Gilded Age," said navigating the subway stairs had her slipping out of her Chanel heels. I thought, Ooooh, OK. And then when do we get to the nice hall with the fashion show?" Baranski, 73, joked.

American rapper and newly appointed Chanel ambassador A$AP Rocky wore a red Chanel suit at the first presentation on Tuesday. He arrived linking arms with actress and fellow house ambassador Margaret Qualley. They sat in the front row, as did Chanel clients like Jenn Smith, 49, of Boca Raton, Fla., who said the brand had put her up at a five-star hotel and had taken its group of clients to The Nutcracker" the night before.

Once a train rolled into the station, models hopped off and strutted down the platform as if they were commuting, stopping to read a newspaper and chat on a pay phone. The collection mixed high fashion, Chanel signatures such as tweed skirt suits and an elevated version of New York kitsch. Among the leather jackets, cap-toe shoes and feathered gowns was an I NY T-shirt made of sequins, a knitted Superman-inspired sweater and a quilted handbag made to look like a squirrel.

The Metiers dArt show was Blazys second runway for the brand. The annual collection celebrates Chanels group of couturiers and artisans who are responsible for feathers, goldsmithing, embroidery and more.

After the show, Blazy said that he appreciated the subway as an equalizer; he recalled once sitting next to someone dressed as Spider-Man.

Blazy, who previously spent three years as creative director of Kering-owned Bottega Veneta, said his collection offered a cinematographic lens" on New York styles that are slightly exaggerated." He said hed worked with the metiers to experiment with new ways to weave Chanels iconic tweed suits, and that hed played with basics, like making a denim-looking blouse out of silk.

I was interested in American sportswear, and the idea of ease, stretch, moving," he said.

Pavlovsky said the brand wanted shoppers to find its ready-to-wear outfits more easily in stores, instead of its clothes separated from handbags and shoes.

I dont need to sell more bags," said Pavlovsky. Im not trying to push and to become a bag company. We are a fashion company."

The brand will be spending the next five years upgrading free-standing stores and department-store boutiques with this full look approach," Pavlovsky said, with Chanels clothing better integrated with accessories and shoes.

Last year, amidst a global luxury slowdown, Chanel revenue declined 4.3%, with the privately held group making $18.7 billion in 2024, down from $19.7 billion in 2023. This year, Chanel is back to single-digit growth," Pavlovsky said.

If we compare our business to five years ago, we more than doubled our business," Pavlovsky said.

Chanel has hiked up prices in recent years, causing shoppers to gawk at accessories that cost as much as luxury rival Hermes. A medium-size classic flap bag now costs $11,300, up from $5,800 in 2019. The brands handbags have become coveted by customers who see purses from Chanel and rivals like Hermes as both a fashion statement and a potential investment. Pavlovsky said prices have not deterred its clients.

The people who continue to buy Chanel and love Chanel feel comfortable with the level of prices," he said.

Pavlovsky defended Chanels price tags, noting they reflect the cost of craftsmanship, high quality and labor. We have not increased our margin," he said. The best of the best is expensive and not always accessible."

The U.S. is Chanels largest market, Pavlovsky said. The brand believes its important for Chanel to stay close to its top customers, who Pavlovsky said spend around $100,000 annually with the brand. Florida and California are key markets, he said.

Recently introduced handbags, such as the slouchy Chanel 25, has helped the brand find new customers, though Pavlovsky said Chanel was more interested in keeping its top shoppers happy.

Recruiting new clients, Pavlovsky said, is not an obsession at Chanel."

Write to Chavie Lieber at Chavie.Lieber@WSJ.com
The head of the most prominent anti-Hamas militia backed by Israel in Gaza has been killed, removing a key figure in a policy to build up armed alternatives to the militant group.

Yasser Abu Shabab, the young leader of a militia called the Popular Force, which holds sway in a small slice of territory in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, was shot and killed while intervening in a Palestinian clan dispute, his militia said late Thursday.

Israeli security officials also said he succumbed to wounds suffered during internal fighting among clans in Gaza.

Abu Shabab had little prior presence in Gazas political scene and had been accused by Hamas and humanitarian officials of looting aid convoys. But he began appearing openly this year with new gear and weapons and voicing aspirations to challenge the militant group and transform the enclave.

He and his men were supplied arms by Israel, The Wall Street Journal previously reported, and some Palestinian civilians were believed to be living under his rule.

Abu Shabab and his militia frequently posted anti-Hamas commentary and videos touting their strength. He previously told the Journal that he took over" aid that entered Gaza to provide food for the people under his protection who live in the Shouka area near Rafah in southern Gaza.

Abu Shababs death highlights the complexity of Israels strategy of building up armed Palestinian resistance to Hamas as a way to diminish the power of the U.S.-designated terrorist group.

Militias like the one led by Abu Shabab tend to be small, prone to infighting and lack the organizational strength or broader support from the Gaza population needed to build themselves into a genuine counterweight to Hamas. Some have been associated with looting and crime, and many Palestinians in Gaza have welcomed Hamass crackdown on rival militias.

Hamas cheered Abu Shababs death as the elimination of a collaborator with Israel.

The militant group has used the two-month cease-fire brokered by the U.S. to cow rival militias and reassert its control over Gaza. Hamas has refused the cease-fire agreements requirements that it disarm and step down from its role running the enclave, raising doubts about the durability of the peace.

Under the terms of President Trumps plan, a board of peace and a committee of Palestinian technocrats are supposed to take over administration of Gaza, and an international force is to become responsible for security. But all have been mired in disagreements amid Hamass reassertion of its authority.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to allow the Palestinian Authority, which oversees parts of the West Bank, to rule Gaza. Instead, he has said he is seeking local partners in Gaza who arent affiliated with the authority or Hamas.

Throughout the war, Israel has provided support to various Gaza militias to increase pressure on Hamas, Israeli officials said.

Write to Anat Peled at anat.peled@wsj.com and Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com
Work permits issued to immigrants who have applied for asylum or a range of other humanitarian programs will now be valid for 18 months rather than five years, under a new policy announced Thursday by the Trump administration.

By forcing immigrants to renew their work permits more often, the government will have more opportunities to re-vet them, said Joe Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency which handles most legal immigration applications.

Edlow framed the change, which reverses a Biden-era policy, as the latest action by the administration to crack down on legal immigration in response to the shooting last week in Washington, D.C., of two National Guard members. Federal officials allege the shooting was carried out by an Afghan national.

Its clear that USCIS must enforce more frequent vetting of aliens," Edlow said in a statement. All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right."

In the past week, Trump has called for a broad reverse migration" of legal immigrants in the U.S., including from countries such as Afghanistan. A day after the shooting, Trump posted to his Truth Social platform that he planned to permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries," and his administration is working on expanding the list of countries subject to a travel ban.

The shortened expiration dates for work permits will primarily affect immigrants seeking asylum or other forms of humanitarian protections, including refugees, immigrants who have won their asylum cases, or who have another form of deportation relief known as withholding of removal.

The policy was expected to go into effect Thursday, and only apply to new work permits for the time being.

The change likely will impact hundreds of thousands of people. For example: to staff their plants, meatpacking companies have relied on people who received legal work authorizations after applying for asylum in the U.S.

Most work visa categories, such as the H-1B, dont require a separate work permit.

The Trump administrations change is likely to raise significant concerns among immigrant advocates and employers, especially in industries that tend to hire refugees or asylum seekers. Citizenship and Immigration Services has long been stretched thin amid ever-growing legal immigration backlogs. Meanwhile, the administration has announced other initiatives to reopen old immigration cases for re-vetting, which will divert more immigration officers away from reviewing new applications.

The Biden administration initially extended the expiration dates on work permits to five years from two in 2023. At the time, faced with an influx of asylum applicants from the southern border, the government had so many work permits to process that it couldnt issue renewals before peoples existing permits expired. As a result, tens of thousands of immigrants were laid off or temporarily furloughed while their work authorizations lapsed, including many working in more traditionally high-paying industries such as tech or finance.

The Biden-era policy presented trade-offs.

The longer expiration dates offered immigrants and their employers peace of mind that work was less likely to be interrupted. But it also created new complications. With longer expiration dates, companies were more likely to face a scenario in which their employees held valid work permit documents, but werent authorized to work anymore because they had lost their asylum or other immigration cases.

Shortening the validity period of work permits is bad for everyone," said Conchita Cruz, co-executive director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, a membership organization of asylum seekers. With shorter validity periods, work permit processing backlogs will grow longer, and force asylum seekers out of the workforce, hurting their employers, their coworkers, and the communities that rely on them throughout the U.S."

Write to Michelle Hackman at michelle.hackman@wsj.com
U.S. Steel plans to resume steelmaking at an Illinois plant where the Trump administration intervened last summer to keep production going.

The company stopped making steel at Granite City Works two years ago and had planned to further curtail operations before the administration blocked the move in September. It said it now sees signs of rising demand that justify restarting one of Granite Citys two blast furnaces early next year to produce molten iron for steel.

U.S. Steel also is expected to need the mills steelmaking capacity as some of its other mills undergo improvements promised by Nippon Steel, the new owner of U.S. Steel.

We are confident in our ability to safely and profitably operate the mill to meet 2026 demand," said U.S. Steel Chief Executive David Burritt.

The company expects to add about 400 employees at Granite City to operate the blast furnace, raising the plants workforce to about 1,200, a person familiar with the matter said. The decision to restart the furnace wasnt influenced by the Trump administration, the person said.

Steel demand has been weak for much of the past two years, reflecting struggles in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

In recent weeks, lead times for filling steel orders at American mills have lengthened, indicating more orders for the metal. The spot market price for coiled sheet steel is $893 a ton, up $93 from the end of September, according to steel market consulting firm CRU.

U.S. Steel also will start supplying about 750,000 tons of steel slabs next year to a Calvert, Ala., steel plant owned by rival ArcelorMittal, as part of a seven-year supply contract announced this past summer.

The Granite City furnace restart comes at a time when Nippon Steel is beginning $11 billion worth of improvements at existing U.S. Steel plants, which includes replacing the lining of the companys largest blast furnace in Gary, Ind. The work is expected to keep that furnace out of service for months.

Nippon Steel completed its $14.1 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel in June, after striking a deal with the Trump administration that committed the Tokyo-based steelmaker to the plant investments and other pledges.

Nippon Steel also granted President Trump and future U.S. presidents so-called golden share authority over plant closings, the transfer of production work out of the country and other operational changes at U.S. Steel.

The Trump administration invoked that authority in September after U.S. Steel notified about 800 workers at the Granite City plant that it planned to stop rolling slabs of steel from other plants into sheet steel. U.S. Steel said it intended to continue paying the employees into 2027, even without regular work at the plant.

Leaders for the United Steelworkers union objected and urged the company to continue production at the plant. Granite City, located near St. Louis, has the capacity to produce about 3 million tons of sheet steel annually, but has operated below that volume for most of the past decade.

U.S. Steel idled the Granite City mill in 2015, when steel prices were low. Trump imposed tariffs on imported steel in 2018, helping lift domestic steel prices and prompting the company to restart the plant. Trump praised the move as proof of the tariffs success at reviving domestic steel production.

The company idled one of Granite Citys furnaces in spring 2020 when Covid-19 shut down factories and construction sites. The second furnace ran until fall 2023.

Write to Bob Tita at robert.tita@wsj.com
India's civil aviation regulator withdrew its instruction on Friday that prohibited airlines from substituting pilots leavecasual, sick, or earnedwith weekly rest, easing pressure on duty rosters.

This effectively means that if a pilot takes a day off or a 24-hour leave, the airline can adjust it against their weekly rest requirement.

Simply put, airlines do not have to differentiate between leave and weekly rest when rostering pilots and flight crew. Therefore, a pilot granted earned leave for 48 hours, for example, will now be considered as having also had a weekly rest.

The move offers partial relief to all airlines, particularly IndiGo, which is grappling with one of its most severe operational disruptions following the rollout of the new flight duty time limitations (FDTL) norms.

A win for airlines The withdrawal ends an 11-month period of turmoil that began on 20 January 2025, when the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a strict rule stating that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest.

The instruction meant that even a single day of sick, casual, or earned leave in a week rendered the entire weekly rest requirement non-compliant, even if the crew member had multiple consecutive off days. Airlines argued that the provision severely hampered operational stability and, paradoxically, heightened fatigue risks during disruptions.

On Friday, the regulator said it found it necessary to review the provision to support smoother airline operations. According to the DGCA, the decision to reverse the clause was taken in view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations.

Since 1 Novemberwhen the new pilot weekly rest rules, night-duty definition, and night-landing relaxations came into effectIndiGo, Indias largest budget carrier by market capitalization, has recorded more than 1,550 flight cancellations (as of 4 December).

Cancellations continued on Friday. The airline cancelled all Delhi departures until midnight, creating a significant capacity crunch on domestic routes. The operational breakdown has triggered ripple effects across the aviation network, leading to fare spikes and congestion at major airports.

The earlier weekly rest had to be a fixed mandatory period that could not be swapped or covered using leave. Now, pilots leave can be counted as weekly rest, giving airlines greater flexibility in roster planning, according to Gagan Dixit, senior vice president-oil and gas and aviation, full-service securities firm Elara Securities.

Also Read | What really went haywire at IndiGo?

The regulator is not rolling back the fundamental FTDL norms; the weekly rest requirement remains. It has only softened the implementation, striking a balanced approach that eases IndiGos operational crunch while keeping the broader safety framework intact, he told Mint.

In poor light However, pilots differ.

The entire approachbeginning with flight cancellations to adjusting weekly rest limitsis indicative of pressure tactics taken by an airline to arm-twist the regulator. There was no need for pilot safety, said captain Sam Thomas, president, pilot union ALPA India.

It is unfortunate. Pilot fatigue is a genuine concern that is being overlooked again. Airlines, particularly one player, are forcing a change in regulations, and the regulator is acceding to it. The airlines knew the rules were coming, and trial runs of different roster arrangements were stimulated and run through before flight schedules were sent to the DGCA, he said.

Mark D. Martin, aviation safety consultant and chief executive at Martin Consulting, said the U-turn shows the DGCA in very poor light. It is unethical, the way in which safety is being overlooked. And IndiGo used their size and network reach to their advantage. The DGCA is also being seen as easy to manipulate."

Agreed, Sanjay Lazar, aviation safety specialist and CEO of Avialaz Consulting. It appears that the office of the DGCA has, in one swoop, unilaterally amended its own directions by reversing the clause that leave shall not be counted toward weekly rest.

Also Read | IndiGo prepares for long haul even as rupee depreciation drags Q2
Indias electric vehicle (EV) market is expanding, but adoption remains modest across most segments, particularly cars, buses, and two-wheelers. An August report by Niti Aayog noted that while more than half of Indias three-wheelers are now electric, other categories continue to lag. Global EV penetration stood at 16.48% in 2024, compared with just 7.66% in India.

The lack of adequate charging facilities, and the range anxiety that stems from it, remains a critical bottleneck for mass adoption.

The government plans to address this with the PM E-Drive scheme, aiming to set up more than 72,000 public chargers by FY28, when the scheme lapses, with a 2,000 crore budget, targeting urban areas and highways.

About 6% of all two-wheelers sold in 2025 were electric, while only about 5% of cars were electric. Also 5% of buses and less than 1% of medium- and heavy-duty trucks were electric.

Ashim Sharma of Nomura Research Institute had told Mint on 2 December that making charging infrastructure widespread would increase adoption of electric vehicles.

Mint examines the current ecosystem, the governments strategy, and the gaps that could determine whether Indias EV ambitions succeed.

Also Read | India plans global EV summit as it rewrites electric mobility strategy

Why are chargers integral to the EV ecosystem?

An electric vehicle runs on a battery that powers its moving parts, and once that battery runs out, the vehicle stops. This is a major concern for potential buyers, many of whom still opt for petrol or diesel vehicles because they fear running out of charge mid-journey, a concern known as range anxiety.

Public charging infrastructure is therefore essential to building confidence, especially for long-distance travel and for segments like cars and buses where charging needs are higher.

Are there different types of chargers?

There are two broad types of chargers  slow AC chargers and fast DC chargers.

Slow AC chargers, typically 3.3 kW, were widely used earlier to charge e-rickshaws and small electric scooters. These take several hours to charge a small 3.5 kWh battery.

Fast DC chargers have much higher capacity: older versions start at 15 kW, while newer models range from about 30 kW to as high as 350 kW.

India has now standardised the Combined Charging System Type 2 (CCS2) for all public charging stations. Urban public DC chargers generally operate at 3060 kW, while highway chargers range from 60180 kW. CCS2 is already the European standard and is used by most global EV makers, making it a viable choice for Indias ecosystem.

How many chargers does India have?

The number of home chargers is not tracked separately, as they are often bundled with the vehicle. But as of August this year, India had a little over 29,000 public EV charging stations, according to the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry.

This network is expected to expand significantly. The Ministry of Heavy Industries plans to disburse 2,000 crore to set up more than 72,000 public chargers under the PM E-Drive scheme, in partnership with state governments and central public sector undertakings.

Two state-run oil marketing companies have shown interest in deploying charging infrastructure under this scheme, the ministry told the Lok Sabha on 2 December.

A 2023 CII study had estimated that India would need 1.32 million EV chargers by 2030, banking on the staggering rise in demand for the zero-emission vehicles. According to market intelligence agency Mordor Intelligence, India's EV charging station market size is currently about $46 billion, and projected to increase at a CAGR of 21.57% to about $122 billion by 2030.

Costs and viability

A charging station has two main components:

Upstream infrastructure  wires and connectors that draw electricity from the grid.

Downstream infrastructure (EVSE)  the equipment that connects directly to vehicles.

Typically the cost of EVSE is about 8-10 lakh, but the cost of upstream infrastructure can vary according to multiple factors, for instance, the distance of the charger from the main grid. Another important cost of setting up chargers is land acquisition.

Also Read | The curious case of unallocated expenses at Ola Electric

Under the PM E-Drive scheme, the government will mostly cover the cost of upstream charging infrastructure, while the rest will be covered by charge point operators or any other stakeholder deploying the charging station.

For setting up chargers in government-owned locations, the government covers the full 100% cost of upstream infrastructure as well as the EVSE. For chargers in public use locations such as airports or public parking, the government covers 80% of upstream infrastructure and 70% of the EVSE costs.

For other public locations such as city roads, the government only covers 80% of the upstream costs.

To claim these incentives, interested state governments and central PSUs have to approach the heavy industries ministry with a plan. The plan should include the number of chargers, the land requirement, the vehicle segments which will use the chargers, and whether the state government, the PSU, or any private charge point operator will operate these chargers.

The ministry will vet these proposals and approve them, following which the procurement process will begin.
When Chennai-based space-tech startup Agnikul pitched to Artha Venture Fund in 2020, managing partner Anirudh Damani said it took only minutes to recognise the founders deep domain expertise.

It was obvious they werent theorizing. They understood propulsion because they had lived it, tested it, failed, and learned in real labs," said managing partner Anirudh Damani. Back then, the venture capital firm wrote a small cheque in a $3 million seed round.

Five years on, that technical depth has become a magnet for investors. Artha returned for Agnikuls Series B this April with about $3 million. More recently, in November, the startup raised another $17 million at a $500 million valuation, backed by Artha and other investors like Advenza Global Ltd, HDFC Bank, and 100X.VC, among others.

Also Read | Why are Indian startup patents dying even before they take birth?

Our association with IIT Madras gave early backers confidence and a solid ecosystem," co-founder and CEO Srinath Ravichandran, told Mint.

Artha is not alone. Indian venture capital firms are increasingly putting their money behind founders with deep domain expertise, PhD-level research credentials, and IIT lab spinoffs, rather than the traditional execution-first archetype.

Apart from Agnikul, Artha this year backed semiconductor startup Calligo Technologies and AI-backed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite infrastructure company TakeMe2Space, both of which are run by engineering-heavy teams.

Similarly, Avaana Capital has invested in research-led companies, including Greengrahi, Dreamfly, BacAlt, Tsuyo, and Enlite. Fundamentum has leaned into IP-led plays with a $50 million funding round with Geniemode in February.

This marks a departure from 2014 to 2022, when Indias leading startups were mostly built by execution-led founders rather than researchers.

Companies like Flipkart, Snapdeal, Ola, Zomato, Cred, Swiggy, and several D2C brands were founded by operators with business or engineering backgroundsnot PhDs or research-heavy teams.

Why investors are changing focus

Experts told Mint that the new cohort of founders is emerging, driven by rising AI and deep-tech investments in India, a shift in the kinds of problems startups are tackling, and a growing number of ventures emerging directly from research labs.

Rising defence spending, India's attempt to position itself as a trusted low-cost innovation hub outside of China, and the government's push for manufacturing have accelerated deeptech investments, with a 2025 RedSeer report projecting a $ 30 billion sector by 2030.

Ashish Kumar, co-founder and partner at Fundamentum Partnership, said that IP and research capabilities are becoming core differentiators as distribution platforms expand and launch competing products more quickly.

"To counter this, product companies need to build barriers to entry, and it usually comes with some IP. This is where research comes into play, and we look for this in the team and their research infrastructure or labs," he said.

Fundamentums recent investment in Geniemode was driven by the startups proprietary GenAI design technology, Kumar said.

He added that the fund is backing another startup purely for its materials innovation. Our core thesis in these B2B Commerce 2.0 companies is their ability to win market share and margins because of this technical capability," he said.

Artha's Damani believes that the nature of the problems Indian founders are choosing to solve is also changing. "We are moving from a decade of distribution-led consumer tech to a decade of research-led and infrastructure-led opportunities," Damani added.

Beyond AI, this pattern is most visible in space technology, materials science, electric vehicle (EV) systems, industrial automation, and climate technologysectors where products cannot be built without deep engineering or research-led inputs.

Avaana Capital, which invests in climate-tech and deep-tech ventures, said the new pipeline includes more founders emerging directly from research groups.

"We are seeing a lot more spinouts from premier research organisations, and thats a great thing for the industry," said Anjali Bansal, founding partner and investor at Avaana. Spinouts are private firms founded on academic research, with the aim of securing investment and commercialising the research.

Many of these, she said, come with patents, specialised engineering talent, and practical lab experience.

A July 2025 Nasscom report said that professors are increasingly turning lab work into scalable businesses, often with institutional incubation support. There has been a consistent 2030% annual rise in startups founded by professors from IISc, IITs, IIITs, and BITS Pilani.

Risks remain

Investors also acknowledge potential pitfalls. Founders with purely technical backgrounds can struggle with sales or customer discovery.

There will be monetisation and revenue risks in case of weak GTM (go to market) understanding," said Kumar.

Vardhan Dharnidharka, principal at Stellaris Venture Partners, echoed the concern. This can become a fatal flaw when building a business," said Dharnidharka, adding that the best teams combine deep tech and strong business chops."

A common challenge for technical founders is that most of them start by building complex technology and then look for a market to apply it to. That approach often leads to products that are technologically impressive but commercially misaligned," said Ravichandran of Agnikul. In our case, we began with a clear understanding of what the market needed and built with that goal."

With more research-led founders entering the fray, investors say the ideal founding teams for todays tech firms will pair deep technical expertise with strong business execution at the leadership level.

Despite challenges, most investors agree the shift is durable. I think we have just gotten started. This wave will become stronger in the coming decade," said Kumar of Fundamentum.

Avaanas Bansal expects the trend to deepen as more IIT- and IISc-linked research teams commercialise their work.
After a tepid FY24 and FY25, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) is on the cusp of a recovery, according to Bloomberg consensus estimates.

High single-digit consolidated revenue growth is expected in FY26, with momentum improving to double digits in FY27. In FY25, India volumes rose 5% year-on-year even as consolidated revenue increased only 2%. Earnings, too, are forecast to strengthen, with earnings per share projected to grow 22.6% and 19.9% in FY26 and FY27, showed Bloomberg data.

Here, many factors need to fall into place. Volume growth outside soapsalready healthy in haircare and household insecticidesmust begin to materially lift consolidated growth. Then, pricing pressure in soaps needs to ease as industry competition rationalizes. Third, international operations, particularly in Indonesia, must improve so that they dont drag down overall earnings. GCPLs revenue from Indonesia was around 14% in FY25. However, due to heightened competition, the management is expecting a sales decline in FY26; in FY27, it is expecting mid-single-digit growth, driven by volumes.

Also Read | PG Electroplasts stellar streak meets a seasonal shock

Marginal relief

Margin recovery remains a crucial swing factor. The management is confident that the India (standalone) business Ebitda margin can revive to the lower end of the 24-26% normative range in the second half of FY26 from around 21.6% and 21.7% in Q1FY26 and Q2FY26, respectively.

This would be aided by better sales leverage, cost-efficiency measures, and near-term stability in palm oil prices. These should offer some near-term relief from input-cost pressure, with margin recovery expected to be gradual rather than sharp, as the Ebitda margin is projected to inch up instead of snapping back to earlier peaks of 27-30%. Ebitda is short for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

On the demand front, goods and services tax (GST) cuts have improved consumer sentiment, but any meaningful translation into volumes is likely only from Q4FY26. Soap volumes are expected to recover in the second half as demand adjusts to earlier price hikes. The management aims for 7-8% domestic volume growth in FY26, after a 5% and 3% growth in Q1FY26 and Q2FY26, respectively. Some brokerages, however, are sceptical. Nirmal Bang Institutional Equities forecasts stand at 6.5%; they are conservative with 7.7% Ebitda growth forecasts for the year.

In a tight spot

Meanwhile, strategically, GCPL is attempting to broaden its growth base. It has forayed into two new categoriesface wash through the Muuchstac acquisition (the No. 3 player in mens face washa 1,000 crore category growing at 25%) and toilet cleaners under the Godrej Spic brand. These moves should reduce reliance on soap-led growth, but their contribution remains too small, for now, to materially alter near-term earnings dynamics.

In all, GCPLs unimpressive September (Q2FY26) quarter earnings, which saw weak soap volumes, GST-related disruption, and continued softness in Indonesia and margin pressure in the India business, have raised concerns that some of CGPLs challenges may be structural rather than cyclical.

And the stocks muted returns mirror these concerns. Over the past year, GCPL shares are up only about 5%, materially underperforming the broader market. Moreover, the stocks valuation is far from comforting. At around 44x times FY27 price-to-earnings, as per Bloomberg, leaving little room for disappointment.
Fineotex Chemical share price jumped by 8% during Friday's trading session following the announcement of a significant strategic acquisition in the United States through its subsidiary, marking a pivotal moment in the companys quest for global growth and technological supremacy in high-performance and sustainable chemical solutions.

According to the company's filing, the CrudeChem Technologies Group is a well-established specialty chemical manufacturer based in the US, known for its advanced chemical fluid additives and a full range of chemical solutions for the oil and gas industry worldwide.

With over a decade of demonstrated success, the company has built strong trust with customers and formed long-term partnerships with many of the largest energy producers and oilfield service companies around the globe, said the company in an exchange filing.

"This acquisition marks a defining remarkable moment in Fineotex global growth journey to build a $ 200 million oil field chemical business within the coming years. The US companys outstanding technological capabilities, strong customer relationships, and commitment to sustainable performance perfectly complement our long-term vision.

Together, we are creating a powerful global platform that will deliver world-class specialty solutions and set new standards of innovation and environmental responsibility in the oil and gas industry. Fineotex will hold a controlling stake and plans to gradually increase its investment and ownership over the coming years, said Sanjay Tibrewala, Executive Director, Fineotex Chemical Ltd.

Ashish Kacholia shareholding in Fineotex Chemical As of the latest publicly available data (November 2025) on BSE, Ashish Kacholia holds 2.62% or 3,00,05,680 shares in Fineotex Chemical.

Veteran investor Ashish Kacholia reduced his stakes in a few portfolio companies during the September 2025 quarter, indicating a selective approach to profit-taking following several years of strong performance in some of his investments. Kacholia now holds 48 publicly traded stocks valued at over 2,739 crore, as per reports.

In the recent quarter, he slightly decreased his investments in Dhabriya Polywood, Fineotex Chemical, Xpro India, and Brand Concepts, as part of a larger strategy to realign his diversified portfolio that includes manufacturing, infrastructure, and specialty chemical sectors, according to multiple reports.

Fineotex Chemical share price Fineotex Chemical share price today closed 6.17% higher at 25.46 apiece on the BSE, the stock touched an intraday high of 25.90 per share and an intraday low of 24.

According to Rajesh Bhosale, Equity Technical and Derivative Analyst at Angel One, the stock posted a sharp upmove of over 6%, bouncing from a well-respected support zone that has held firm for the past four months. Prices have now crossed above major moving averages, indicating renewed strength and potential continuation of momentum in the near term.

The zone of 2423 remains a crucial support, while 2829 acts as the immediate retracement resistance, said Bhosale.

Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, explained that Fineotex Chemical share price has been stuck in a tight 28.92 to 22.49 band for weeks, and the falling 10, 20, and 50-week EMAs confirm a firm bearish structure across timeframes. Momentum stays weak, and the lack of institutional participation is clear as volumes continue to thin out. This keeps the range vulnerable, with a close below 22.49 likely to trigger a fresh breakdown.

The immediate downside opens toward 19.1, where the next support shelf sits. Until buyers show up with meaningful volume, risk stays tilted lower and rallies look limited. The trend will only stabilize if the stock starts reclaiming short term averages, said Jain.

Also Read | Kaynes Technology share drops over 8% as brokerages raise red flags
HUL Demerger Highlights: HUL share price closed 3.51% lower at 2,339 on the BSE on Friday, recovering part of its sharp intraday decline after slipping 7% to a low of 2,289. The drop followed the stocks adjustment for the demerger of its ice cream business, Kwality Walls India, after a special pre-open session. Shareholders on the record date will receive free shares of the newly created entity.

Hindustan Unilever demerger record date is today, 5 December 2025, Friday. From today, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) shares will trade ex-ice cream business, which is Kwality Walls (India). The stock exchanges, BSE and NSE, will conduct a special pre-open session today, on the HUL demerger record date, to facilitate price discovery.

This process will determine the fair value of HUL shares net of the ice-cream business. Following the special session, HUL share price will be adjusted to reflect the demerger of Kwality Walls (India).

HUL Demerger Details

HUL demerger was effective from December 1, 2025. As per the scheme, the FMCG major will transfer all its ice-cream brands  including Kwality Walls, Cornetto, Magnum, Feast, and Creamy Delight  to the newly formed entity.

The company has fixed Friday, December 5, 2025 as the record date for the purpose of ascertaining the eligibility of shareholders for the demerger of Kwality Walls (India).

Hindustan Unilever demerger share entitlement ratio is 1:1. This means eligible shareholders will receive one equity share of Kwality Walls (India) for every one share of Hindustan Unilever held on the record date.
The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open on a tepid note on Friday, tracking mixed global market cues, and ahead of the announcement of the Reserve Bank of Indias monetary policy.

The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a muted start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 26,181 level, a discount of nearly 5 points from the Nifty futures previous close.

Investors will focus on the announcement of the RBI policy today. The RBIs Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.50%.

On Thursday, the Indian stock market snapped its four-session losing streak and ended higher, with the Nifty 50 closing above 26,000.

The Sensex gained 158.51 points, or 0.19%, to close at 85,265.32, while the Nifty 50 settled 47.75 points, or 0.18%, higher at 26,033.75.

Heres what to expect from Sensex, Nifty 50, and Bank Nifty today:

Sensex Prediction Sensex witnessed profit booking at higher levels, but managed to close above the 85,000 mark, which is largely positive.

We believe that a reversal formation on daily charts, indicating a pullback, is likely to continue in the near future. For day traders, now, 85,000 and 84,800 would act as key support zones for Sensex. On the higher side, 85,500 - 85,650 would act as a crucial resistance area for the bulls. A successful breakout above 85,650 could push Sensex up to 86,000 - 86,200, said Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities.

On the flip side, he believes if Sensex falls below 84,800, it could retest levels around 84,500 - 84,400.

Nifty OI Data Derivatives data shows aggressive call writing at the 26,100 strike and strong put OI at 26,000, indicating a tight near-term trading range. A sustained close above 26,300 will be crucial to re-establish bullish momentum in the sessions ahead, said Amruta Shinde, Technical & Derivative Analyst at Choice Equity Broking.

Nifty 50 Prediction Nifty 50 ended its four-day losing streak and formed a small-bodied bullish candle on the daily chart.

Nifty 50 index continues to trade below its 5- and 10-day EMAs. On the downside, the recent swing low at 25,842 remains a crucial support, while the 26,150  26,200 zone is expected to act as a strong resistance, said Vinay Rajani, Senior Technical & Derivative Analyst, HDFC Securities.

Also Read | Stock market today: Eight stocks to buy and sell on Friday

Nilesh Jain, Head  Technical and Derivatives Research Analyst (Equity Research), Centrum Broking Ltd. said that a breakout above 26,100 will be crucial for the Nifty 50 index to extend its move toward 26,250.

However, a drop below the 25,900 support level could push it lower toward 25,750. With the monetary policy outcome ahead, markets may stay volatile, so caution is advised, said Jain.

According to Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, expects 26,100  26,150 zones to act as crucial resistance, while support is placed at 25,900  25,950. A fall below 26,000 may trigger a quick correction towards 25,950  25,900, as the chart setup appears weak on the hourly timeframe, said De.

Bank Nifty Prediction Bank Nifty index declined 59.55 points, or 0.10%, to close at 59,288.70 on Thursday, forming a Doji candle on the daily chart, signalling indecisiveness among market participants ahead of the RBI policy announcement.

Going ahead, the 20-day EMA zone of 59,000  58,900 is expected to act as a key support area for the Bank Nifty index. On the upside, the zone of 59,600  59,700 will serve as an important hurdle. A decisive move beyond either of these levels could lead to a strong directional trend, said Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy

Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money noted that the Bank Nifty index continues to trade below the key supply zone of 59,500  59,600, which remains the major hurdle for any sustainable upside. The near-term bias stays neutral to mildly negative while below this band.

Immediate support is placed at the 59,000  58,900 zone, and a decisive break could open the downside toward 58,500  58,100. On the upside, a strong close above 59,200 could trigger short-covering and push Bank Nifty toward 59,500  59,650. RSI remains neutral-to-soft, confirming the lack of strong directional conviction, said Ponmudi R.

He advises traders to stay tactical, focus strictly on support-based trades, and avoid aggressive longs unless Bank Nifty reclaims 59,350 with firm volume confirmation.
Looking to invest in the stock market but dont want to risk a big amount? Penny stocks , or shares priced under 100, often attract investors for this very reason. These lesser known and highly volatile stocks sometimes deliver outsized returns.

But as the saying goes, high returns come with high risks. Thats why penny stocks tend to appeal more to aggressive investors who also have the stomach to handle sharp swings.

While many penny stocks are too risky to invest in, a few stand out with solid fundamentals and stable business models. Tracking such names early can open the door to potential long-term opportunities.

Here are four fundamentally strong penny stocks worth watching.

#1 Sagility Ltd

The company provides end-to-end business process management (BPM) and revenue cycle management (RCM) services for the healthcare industry Its clients are mainly US health insurance companies, hospitals, physicians, and diagnostic centers.

In FY25 revenue increased 17.2% from the previous year. Revenue in dollar terms increased 14.9%. Ebitda (operating profit) increased 28.4% year-on-year, while Ebitda in dollar terms increased 25.9%. Net profit increased 37.5%, or 34.8% in dollar terms.

A big positive was the reduction in net debt from 2,170 crore in FY24 to 1,040 crore in FY25. Net debt to adjusted Ebitda fell from 1.9 (quite high) in FY24 to 0.7 (reasonable).

In fact, the company has delivered solid financial performance over the past three years.

From FY23 to FY25, revenue increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%, and profit at a CAGR of 93.8%. Its three-year average return on capital employed (ROCE) stands at 12.4%.

The company plans to deepen investments in advanced technologies, particularly AI and machine learning, to enhance service offerings and improve client outcomes.

#2 Geojit Financial Services

Geojit Financial Services is a prominent investment services provider in India, with a growing presence in the Middle East. It offers a wide range of financial products and services, including stock and currency derivatives, and more. It also has strong client relationships in tier-2 and tier-3 towns in India.

Revenue increased 20% to 750 crore in FY25, while net profit rose 15% to 170 crore. The companys financial performance has been strong over the past three years.

From FY23 to FY25, revenue increased at a CAGR of 30.5%, and profit at 31.5%. Its three-year average return on equity (ROE) and ROCE stand at 15% and 21.6%, respectively. The company also remains debt-free.

#3 NTPC Green Energy

NTPC Green Energy is a is a subsidiary of NTPC, one of the largest power companies in India. It develops, owns and operates a diversified portfolio of renewable energy power plants in India.

Its renewable energy portfolio encompasses both solar and wind power assets in more than six states. It has Indias largest floating solar project (100 MW capacity) at Ramagundum, Telangana. Another large solar park at Khavda with a 4,750 MW capacity is under construction.

Its portfolio comprises projects totalling 16,896 MWs, including 3,320 MW that it operates and 13,576 MW that have been contracted. The company is also expanding into green hydrogen, hydro, and energy storage systems.

The company reported 12.6% growth in revenue to 2,209.60 crore in FY25, while net profit rallied 38.2% to 474.10 crore. Its three-year average ROE and ROCE stand at 3.9% and 3.8%, respectively.

NTPC Green Energy is poised to play a significant role in its parent company's goal of achieving 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.

#4 BCL Industries

BCL Industries is an agro-processing company with operations that spans edible oils, Vanaspati, grain procurement, ethanol, and biofuels. It operates state-of-the-art distilleries with advanced, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable processes, including zero-discharge units.

It reported a 32.2% increase in revenue to 2,720.70 crore in FY25, while net profit jumped 7.2% to 102.8 crore.

Over FY23-FY25, revenue grew at a CAGR of 23.2%, and net profit at 28%. Its three-year average ROE and ROCE stand at 14.3% and 16.7%, respectively. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.3.

Going forward, it plans to focus on increasing capacity at existing facilities.

Should you consider investing in a fundamentally strong penny stock?

The answer to this depends on your approach to investing and your risk tolerance. These stocks can deliver significant upside if the underlying companies have solid financials and stable operations, but they also come with higher volatility and uncertainty.

Its important to carefully assess a companys fundamentals, business outlook, promoter quality and corporate governance, as well as the stocks valuation before diving in.

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
Stock market news: The Indian stock market closed with a cautious tone on Thursday, influenced by the RBIs policy announcement. The Sensex and Nifty 50 saw slight increases of 0.19% and 0.18%, reaching 85,265 and 26,033 respectively.

The markets largely traded within a narrow range as investors awaited the repo rate decision from the RBI Monetary Policy Committee scheduled for December 5.

Experts noted that most market participants were anticipating a 25 basis point rate cut; however, robust GDP figures and mixed signals from global markets kept investors from making significant moves.

The depreciation of the rupee past 90 per USD, reaching a new all-time low, added further pressure. Rising yields on Japanese bonds raised fears about capital potentially flowing back to Japan, leading to increased caution among investors regarding emerging markets like India, according to analyst.

In the meantime, the primary market remains active with three mainboard IPOs Meesho IPO, Vidya Wires IPO, and Aequs IPO concluding and several others expected to launch in the upcoming weeks.

Market outlook and key drivers Siddhartha Khemka, the Head of Research for Wealth Management at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd, indicated that investors are currently anticipating the outcome of the RBI policy on Friday, with a keen interest in rate-sensitive sectors such as banking, automobiles, and real estate, as well as the upcoming US CPI data expected tomorrow. In general, the markets are expected to stay in a consolidation phase; however, a potential rate cut by the RBI might serve as a significant short-term catalyst.

Putin arrives in New Delhi on Thursday, December 4. Experts suggest that the strategic talks will focus on enhanced defense collaboration, particularly concerning the S-500 Prometheus missile system, which represents a significant upgrade over the currently being adopted S-400 platform.

In meetings with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, the Indian side is likely to stress the importance of timely delivery of outstanding military equipment, while also considering future acquisitions, including the S-500, as widely reported in various media outlets, according to reports.

In summary, increased geopolitical interaction and potential high-value defense agreements may sustain positive sentiment in the defense manufacturing and related sectors.

Trade Setup for Friday Rupak De, a Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, noted that the index primarily stayed below the 21 EMA on the hourly chart, indicating ongoing selling pressure throughout the session. On Friday, the market is expected to remain volatile within a limited range until the lending rate announcement, potentially experiencing increased fluctuations after the release.

From a technical standpoint, the 26,10026,150 range is anticipated to serve as significant resistance, while support is identified at 25,90025,950. A decline beneath 26,000 could initiate a rapid correction towards 25,95025,900, as the chart structure seems weak on the hourly timeframe, said De.

Also Read | Nifty 50 Strategy: Analysts recommend this options strategy for 9 Dec expiry

Stocks to buy today Market experts recommended eight intraday stocks. The experts include Sumeet Bagadia (Choice Broking), Ganesh Dongre (Anand Rathi), and Shiju Koothupalakkal (Prabhudas Lilladher).

Sumeet Bagadia's stock picks Coforge Ltd: Bagadia recommends buying Coforge shares at 1,966, with a stop-loss at 1,900, and a share price target of 2,100.

Sumeet Bagadia said that Coforge share price was trading at 1,966 and remains in an uptrend. having formed an ascending triangle pattern on a weekly time frame, which signals a potential breakout. The stock has consistently formed higher highs and higher lows, reflecting sustained bullish momentum which also indicates strong buying interest at lower levels.

Based on the technical analysis and current market conditions, Coforge share price presents a promising buying opportunity for those aiming for a 2,100 target, provided that appropriate risk management strategies are in place, said Bagadia.

JK Tyre & Industries Ltd: Bagadia recommends buying JK Tyre shares at 474, with a stop-loss at 457, and a share price target of 508.

Sumeet Bagadia said that JK Tyre share price was trading at 474, the stock is in a strong upward trend, supported by steady buying interest and sustained higher price action. After retesting its previous higher levels, the stock has once again moved upward to register a fresh 52-week high of 476.9, reflecting renewed confidence among market participants. The overall structure indicates strength, with consistent bullish candles and rising volumes confirming the momentum.

Based on the technical analysis and current market conditions, JK Tyre share price presents a promising buying opportunity for those aiming for a 508 target, provided that appropriate risk management strategies are in place, said Bagadia.

Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy today AXIS Bank Ltd: Ganesh Dongre recommends buying AXIS Bank shares at 1,280 with a stop-loss at 1,260, with a AXIS Bank share price target of 1,320.

Ganesh Dongre said that in the recent short-term trend analysis of the stock, a notable bullish reversal pattern has emerged. This technical pattern suggests the possibility of a temporary retracement in the stock's price, potentially reaching around 1,320. At present, the stock is maintaining a crucial support level at 1,260.

"Given the current market price of 1,280, a buying opportunity is emerging. This suggests that investors might consider purchasing the stock at its current price, anticipating a rise towards the identified target of 1,320," said Ganesh Dongre.

Union Bank of India: Ganesh Dongre recommends buying Union Bank shares at 152 with a stop-loss at 146, with a Union Bank share price target of 162.

Ganesh Dongre said that we have seen a major support in this stock around Rs. 146 So, at the current juncture, the stock has again seen a reversal price action formation at the 152 price level, which may continue its rally till its next resistance level of 162 so traders can buy and hold this stock with a stop loss of 146 for the target price of 162 in the upcoming weeks.

DLF Ltd: Ganesh Dongre recommends buying DLF shares at 709 with a stop-loss at 700, with a DLF share price target of 740.

Ganesh Dongre said that in the recent short-term trend analysis of the stock, a notable bullish reversal pattern has emerged. This technical pattern suggests that there could be a temporary retracement in the stock's price, possibly to around 740. Currently, the stock is holding a crucial support level at 700.

Given this scenario, there is potential for the stock to rebound towards the 740 level in the near future. Traders are advised to consider taking a long position, with a strategic stop loss set at 700 to manage risk effectively. The target price for this trade is 740, reflecting the anticipated upward movement based on the identified technical, said Dongre.

Shiju Koothupalakkal intraday stocks for today Petronet LNG Ltd: Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying Petronet LNG shares at 280.95 with a target price of 300 and a stop-loss of 273.

Shiju Koothupalakkal said that the stock has been consolidating for quite a while having a strong support near the 268 level and currently has indicated a strong bullish candle on the daily chart with huge volume participation visible to improve the bias and can expect for further rise in the coming days.

The RSI has indicated strength signalling a buy and can carry on with the positive move with upside potential visible. With the chart technically looking good and attractive, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 300 keeping the stop loss of 273 level, said Koothupalakkal.

Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd: Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying Allied Blenders shares at 628 with a target price of 670 and a stop-loss of 614.

Shiju Koothupalakkal said that the stock has indicated a series of higher bottom formation on the daily chart with the overall trend maintained strong with an ascending channel visible, with currently taking support near the important 50EMA level at 600 zone has indicated a positive candle formation with significant volume participation witnessed and with bias improving can expect for further rise in the coming sessions.

The RSI is well positioned with a positive trend reversal indicated to signal a buy and with much upside potential visible, can carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking attractive, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 670 keeping the stop loss of 614 level, said Koothupalakkal.

Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd: Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying Himadri Speciality shares at 462 with a target price of 490 and a stop-loss of 452.

Shiju Koothupalakkal said the stock has indicated a strong pick up from 432 zone with series of bullish candle formation on the daily chart accompanied with significant volume participation to improve the bias and can anticipate for further rise in the coming sessions.

The RSI has picked up well from the oversold zone and is well positioned signalling a buy and can carry on with the positive move further ahead with upside potential visible. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 490 keeping the stop loss of 452 level, said Koothupalakkal.
The Indian equity market closed with cautious positive momentum on Thursday, snapping a four-day losing streak, as Nifty 50 managed a marginal gain of 0.18% to settle at 26,033.75.

The benchmark index traded in a narrow range of roughly 100 points, finding support near the day's low but facing resistance around 26,100, which is a key technical hurdle.

Sectoral performance was mixed. Nifty IT and FMCG provided a crucial uplift, rising 1.41% and 0.47% respectively.

Meanwhile, Nifty Media was the primary laggard, declining -1.45%, and Consumer Durables fell -0.62%. However, the broader market sentiment remained weak, with a negative advance-decline ratio of 1381 advancing stocks against 1746 declining stocks on the NSE, indicating persistent selling pressure in the mid and small-cap segments.

Investors were seen exercising caution ahead of the upcoming RBI Monetary Policy Committee decision and amid continued volatility in the Indian rupee.

Two stock recommendations by MarketSmith India:

Buy: Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd (current price: 186)

Why its recommended: Strategic location on the west coast enabling strong connectivity, diversified cargo mix (containers, bulk, liquid, Ro-Ro), strong parentage: APM terminals / maersk group, stable cash flows, and debt-free/low-debt balance sheet, ongoing capex to enhance capacity and efficiency

Key metrics: P/E: 23.83, 52-week high:  203, volume:  44.61 crore

Technical analysis: Bounce back from its 21-DMA

Risk factors: Dependence on global trade cycles and export/import demand, Competition from nearby ports (JNPT, Mundra), Regulatory and tariff risks under TAMP/government policies, Vulnerability to global shipping disruptions & geopolitical issues, Environmental compliance risks, and cyclone exposure.

Buy:  184187

Target price:  209 in two to three months

Stop loss:  1 75

Buy: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd (current price: 3,795)

Why its recommended: Strong branded generics portfolio, robust international expansion, particularly in the US, Brazil, and Germany

Key metrics: 62.36; 52-week high:  3,880; volume:  203 crore

Technical analysis: 21-DMA Bounce

Risk factors: Regulatory risks tied to stringent USFDA and global compliance requirements, High dependence on key chronic therapies

Buy at :  3,7803,810

Target price:  4,050 in two to three months

Stop loss:  3,690

Nifty 50 recap

The Indian market ended modestly higher on 4 December 2025, with Nifty 50 closing at 26,033.75, up 0.18% (47.75 points) after oscillating between 25,938.95 and 26,098.25 through the session.

Despite the headline index finishing in the green, broader market breadth remained weak: out of all traded stocks, 1,381 advanced, while 1,746 declined and 87 remained unchanged, reflecting underlying softness beyond the large-cap space.

On the sectoral front, IT, FMCG, and Auto led the gains, with Nifty IT rising 1.41%, supported by renewed interest in defensives and a stable global tech backdrop. Pharma, healthcare, and financial services also posted mild gains. In contrast, consumer durables, media, and oil & gas came under pressure, indicating selective profit-taking.

Price action shows the index pulling back from the higher trendline for a second consecutive session, signalling waning momentum after a strong multi-week climb. The candles over the past few sessions indicate supply emerging at elevated levels, while the index holds above the lower rising trendline, preserving the broader upward structure for now.

The RSI rolled over 6065 and is trending lower, indicating a loss of strength and a shift toward neutral momentum after previously attempting to remain in bullish territory. This softening aligns with the price rejection seen at the upper wedge boundary. Meanwhile, the MACD continues to show a flattening profile with a narrowing histogram, reflecting a slowdown in upside momentum and a potential early-stage bearish crossover setup if weakness persists.

According to O'Neils methodology of market direction, the market status has shifted to a "Confirmed Uptrend" as it decisively surpassed its previous rally high of 25,670 to register a new 52-week.

The index continues to hold above its 21-DMA, reaffirming short-term strength and resilience. On the downside, initial support is placed at 25,850, while 25,700 remains a key area for preserving the broader uptrend and maintaining overall market stability. On the upside, a decisive close above 26,300 would further reinforce the technical structure and open the path for a continuation of the rally toward 26,50026,700 in the near term.

How did Nifty Bank perform?

Bank Nifty opened on a negative note and traded volatile throughout the session, reflecting indecision among market participants. The index formed a bearish candle with a higher-high and higher-low price structure on the daily chart, signalling cautious weakness despite maintaining an upward price pattern. It opened at 59,287.10, climbed to an intraday high of 59,548.70, and slipped to a low of 59,062.15 before closing at 59,288.70. This price behavior indicates that buyers attempted to hold support levels, even as the index failed to sustain intraday gains, indicating mixed sentiment.

The RSI traded sideways and currently stands at 61, reflecting cooling momentum without signalling immediate weakness. At the same time, the MACD has turned negative through a bearish crossover, though it remains positioned above the zero line, suggesting underlying support despite short-term hesitation. According to ONeils methodology of market direction, Bank Nifty continues to stay in a Confirmed Uptrend, reinforcing the broader markets positive structure. This alignment of technical indicators suggests a constructive backdrop, where selective banking stocks could present breakout opportunities. However, continuous monitoring is essential to assess follow-through strength and near-term stability.

The index closed on a negative note yet continues to trade comfortably above all its key moving averages on the daily chart, reaffirming strong bullish momentum with no apparent signs of weakness. After briefly marking a new all-time high of 60,114, Nifty Bank witnessed mild profit-booking. In the near term, 58,50058,400 is expected to act as a strong support area, where any pullback could attract renewed buying interest. On the upside, 60,114 remains a critical resistance level, and a sustained move above 60,000 would further strengthen the prevailing bullish structure and potentially initiate the next upward leg.

MarketSmith India is a stock research platform and advisory service focused on the Indian stock market. It offers tools and resources to help investors make informed decisions based on the CAN SLIM methodology, founded by legendary investor William J. O'Neil. You can access a 10-day free trial by registering on its website.

Trade name: William ONeil India Pvt. Ltd.

Sebi Registration No.: INH000015543

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
The Indian market continued its upward trajectory on Thursday, with the Nifty 50 adding 47.75 points or 0.18% to settle at 26,033.75. The Sensex also edged higher by 234.05 points, closing at 85,843.56, reflecting a positive undertone.

However, the Bank Nifty witnessed mild selling pressure and slipped by 89.80 points or 0.15% to close at 59,647.20, signalling some profit booking in financial names.

Top three stock picks by Ankush Bajaj for 5 December

Buy: Hindustan Copper Ltd (HINDCOPPER)  Current Price:  365.75

Why its recommended: Hindustan Copper continues to demonstrate strong technical momentum, supported by a bullish structure and consistent volume accumulation. The stock is trading near breakout territory after reclaiming key resistance levels. The daily RSI at 66 signals sustained buying interest, while the MACD at +3 maintains a bullish crossover above the signal line. An ADX reading of 32 suggests a well-established trend that is gaining strength.

Key Metrics: RSI (14-day): 66  bullish zone

MACD (12,26): +3  bullish crossover

ADX (14): 32  strengthening trend

Technical View: A sustained move above 359 confirms a bullish continuation pattern, with upside potential toward 378 in the near term. Momentum indicators support the likelihood of a breakout extension.

Risk Factors: Being part of the metal space, the stock is sensitive to global copper prices, inventory levels, and commodity cycles.

Buy at: 365.75

Stop loss: 359.00

Target price: 378.00

Buy: Coforge Ltd  Current Price:  1,966.00

Why its recommended: Coforge is showing strong follow-through after breaking out from a consolidation band. The stock has surged with strong price action, supported by robust momentum. The daily RSI at 71 places it in overbought territory, but in trending stocks this often precedes further gains. The MACD at +44 continues to rise, and although the ADX is lower at 17, the price structure suggests breakout continuation.

Key Metrics: RSI (14-day): 71  strong bullish momentum

MACD (12,26): +44  bullish continuation

ADX (14): 17  early-stage trend

Technical View: Staying above 1,935 keeps the bullish trend intact, with a target of 2,025 on the cards. The recent breakout zone near 1,950 should act as strong support.

Risk Factors: Being an IT services company, performance is sensitive to USD-INR movements, global tech demand, and margin guidance

Buy at: 1,966.00

Stop loss: 1,935.00

Target price: 2,025.00

Buy: Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd (MOTHERSON)  Current Price:  117.55

Why its recommended: Motherson is witnessing a steady uptrend backed by improving volumes and a solid base formation. The daily RSI at 66 reflects bullish undertone, while the MACD at +3 shows continued momentum above the zero line. The ADX at 18 indicates a trend in its early phase, offering a good risk-reward setup for short-term buyers.

Key Metrics: RSI (14-day): 66  bullish momentum

MACD (12,26): +3  positive and stable

ADX (14): 18  trend gradually strengthening

Technical View: A close above 115.20 sustains the bullish structure. The stock looks poised to test 122 over the next few sessions, supported by broad-based auto sector strength.

Risk Factors: Exposed to global auto supply chain trends, EV transition risk, and forex fluctuations.

Buy at: 117.55

Stop loss: 115.20

Target price: 122.00

Market wrap

Sectoral performance was mixed during the session. The IT index led the gainers, rising 1.41% as heavyweight tech stocks rebounded strongly. Realty gained 0.54%, while FMCG and Pharma posted modest gains of 0.47% and 0.22%, respectively. The Auto and Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) indices also closed in the green, gaining 0.32% and 0.28%.

On the losing side, the Media index saw the steepest fall of the day, declining 1.45%. Energy, Infra, and Banking indices also ended marginally lower with losses ranging from 0.09% to 0.34%, indicating sectoral rotation and selective profit booking.

In terms of stock-specific action, Hero MotoCorp was the top performer, advancing 2.07%, followed by IndusInd Bank, which gained 1.90%. TCS, SBI Life, and Tech Mahindra also performed well, rising between 1.3% and 1.6%. Other notable gainers included Adani Enterprises, Infosys, and HDFC Life, all of which gained over 1%.

On the flip side, Coal India declined 0.99%, leading the losers, while BPCL and Hindalco each dropped 0.67%. Maruti Suzuki, Kotak Bank, and Titan also saw weakness, falling between 0.46% and 0.55%. ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank posted smaller declines of around 0.33% to 0.34%.

Nifty technical outlook

The Nifty 50 closed modestly higher on Thursday, December 4, 2025, gaining 47.75 points or 0.18% to settle at 26,033.75. This marks a relatively quiet session following the previous day's sharp rally, with the index managing to hold above the psychologically important 26,000 level. While the broader trend remains positive, technical indicators are pointing toward short-term indecision and mild momentum fatigue.

From a moving average perspective, the index continues to trade above its key medium-term supports. The 20-day simple moving average (DMA) is now placed exactly at 26,033  aligned with Thursdays closing price  while the 40-day exponential moving average (DEMA) stands at 25,780. This technical alignment indicates a neutral to bullish structure in the medium term. However, the daily momentum indicators are beginning to show signs of slowing.

The daily RSI is at 55.24, reflecting neutral strength, while the MACD, though positive at 125.82, is flashing a Sell signal due to flattening momentum. The Stochastic Oscillator, CCI, ADX, and Williams %R all remain in neutral zones, suggesting a lack of decisive trend direction in the short term. The ADX value of 17.41, in particular, points to a weak trend environment.

On the intraday charts, the Nifty is hovering just above the 20-hour and 40-hour moving averages  currently at 26,061 and 26,008 respectively. The hourly RSI has slipped to 45, and the MACD has turned negative at 27, signaling fading short-term momentum. The intraday setup indicates a likely continuation of sideways movement or a mild pullback unless fresh buying emerges near support levels.

The derivatives data presents a mixed view. Total Call open interest stands at 15.92 crore versus 12.82 crore for Puts, leading to a PE-CE OI differential of 3.10 crore, which is bearish in nature. However, the change in OI tells a slightly different story. Put OI rose by 2.60 crore while Call OI increased by only 1.14 crore, resulting in a net positive shift of 1.47 crore in favor of Puts  hinting at short-term bullishness or a support-based bounce. The Put-Call Ratio (PCR) stands at 0.81, indicating a slight bearish bias but improving from previous readings.

Also Read | Four safe stocks to add to your 2026 watchlist

Key option levels reveal that the 26,000 strike holds the highest Put OI as well as the maximum additions, confirming it as a near-term support. On the upside, the 27,000 strike holds the highest Call OI, while 26,500 has seen the most fresh additions, making it an important near-term resistance level.

Summary & outlook: The Nifty remains structurally strong above the 25,78026,000 zone, but signs of momentum exhaustion are becoming visible on both daily and hourly charts. As long as the index holds above 26,000, the medium-term bias stays positive. However, a lack of strong directional momentum suggests that the index may remain range-bound between 25,900 and 26,200 in the near term. A breakout above 26,200 could reignite bullish momentum toward 26,500, while a sustained drop below 25,950 may trigger a short-term corrective move toward 25,800.

Ankush Bajaj is a Sebi-registered research analyst. His registration number is INH000010441.

Investments in securities are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Registration granted by Sebi and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

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The last thing we hear in Dhurandhar is: Yeh naya Hindustan hai. Yeh ghar mein ghusega bhi, aur maarega bhithis is the new India. Itll break into your home, and kill you too. Its a callback to Aditya Dhars previous film, Uri: The Surgical Strike, also about an Indian operation conducted on Pakistani soil. The word ghusna, with its connotations of an initial breach, feels more appropriate for the 2019 film, which ventures a few miles across the border for a short while. Dhurandhar, on the other hand, barely steps out of Karachi after setting down its bags there in the first half hour. The film is so immersed in Pakistan that India becomes a blip on TV screens.

Hindi cinema was building up to this. Pakistan has lived rent-free in the minds of Bollywood directors and writers, the villain of almost every war or spy film for a while now. Every now and then, a Hindi film will set its story there, whether partially, like Gadar 2, or entirely, like The Diplomat. Yet, these films are seldom interested in Pakistan, its practices and politics and nuances. Their attention is squarely on India, which makes their vision of Pakistan less than vivid.

Dhurandhar has problems but an indifferent Pakistan isnt one of them. Rather, Dhars fantasy Karachi is about the most exciting, dangerous setting you can imagine. Its where Hamza Ali Mazari (Ranveer Singh) is sent by Indian intelligence as a deep undercover asset in the aftermath of the IC-814 hijacking in 1999 and the 2001 Parliament attack. His mission is to infiltrate the gangs of Lyari, a borough with a history of underworld rivalry. He manages to impress the biggest bad, Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna), and is inducted into the brutal business of maintaining a hold over Karachi.

Dhar has a way with methodical plotting, as we saw in Article 370, the 2024 Kashmir-set film he co-wrote. In Dhurandhar, over nearly three and a half hours, he clearly lays out the complex topography of Lyaris power struggles. Rehman is of Baloch ancestry; his rivals are Pashtun. Hes a vital vote bank and source of muscle for MLA Jameel Jamali (Rakesh Bedi), though neither man trusts the other. He deals weapons sourced from Baloch fighters, which ISI chief Iqbal (Arjun Rampal) uses to arm terrorists. And hes in the crosshairs of Chaudhry Aslam (Sanjay Dutt), a renegade cop as brutal as any of the gangsters.

Youd think that with this much on his plate, Rehman would cut a worried figure. Another actor might have played the don as wary or world-wearybut not Akshaye Khanna. Over the past decade, Khanna has sauntered through films, most of them bad, having the best possible time. Its a smart rejig, someone who still looks like a leading man but is happy to play the fool. Here hes a riot, clean-shaven and sharply dressed, preening, grimacing, smirking, keeping everyone on tenterhooks. Its not a sensible performance, but its entertaining as hell; show me another actor who can get a big laugh just saying salaam alaikum.

Surrounded by an excellent rogues gallery (Dutt is the only one who doesnt fit), Singh can be a strong, silent focal point. He has the luxurious mane, and the relaxed majesty, of a lion. He's impossibly buff here; the sheer difference in size between him and Sara Arjun, playing Jamalis daughter and Hamzas lover, is almost comical. Dhar ruins his best line somewhatGhaayal hoon, isliye ghaatak hoon" (Im wounded, thats why Im lethal)superimposing the words on screen as he says them. So little is shown of Hamzas life before Pakistan that we can only guess what drives him. It perhaps serves Dhars purpose to keep Hamza a perpetually cocked gun, unencumbered by backstory. But I missed the emotionality of the similar Rafiq storyline in Saare Jahan Se Accha, a spy series with plenty of shared DNA with Dhars film.

Constrained in every other way, Indian films have been pushing the boundaries of what might be considered normal screen violence. Certainly, the average action film is now bloodier and tougher than it used to be a decade ago, with some like Kill and Marco crossing over into horror-exploitation. Dhurandhar has a plenty of squirm-inducing violence, but with a nasty edge that sets it apart from Animal and the like. Dhar is an authentic sadist, willing to lose the viewer in an escalating show of brutality. The torture conducted by Iqbal is perhaps the films most gruesome scene, though Hamza doesnt shrink from extreme measures either.

I was curious how Dhar would fare going from the self-contained Uri to a more expansive film. What struck me in Dhurandhar was how little his methods are altered. Even with the increase in scale, you can see here the patient, tense buildup of Article 370, the agile cutting and serrated action of Uri. Dhar avoids a lot of the tropes of recent Indian action cinemaelaborate entrances, protracted flashbacks, CGI-heavy battles. The one mainstream element he embraces is music, with Shashwat Sachdev repurposing qawwalis (Na To Caravan Ki Talash Hai), Punjabi folk (Jugni) and filmi pop (Piya Tu Ab To Aaja) to stunning effect.

Dhurandhar shares something else fundamental with Dhars previous workits propaganda in service of a hawkish India, designed to flatter the ruling BJP leadership. Like Paresh Rawal in Uri, Ajay Sanyal is clearly based on Ajit Doval (Madhavan is styled to look like the National Security Advisor). The film unfolds in the 2000s, much of it Congress-era, and Sanyal is constantly shown with his hands tied, wishing aloud for politicians who actually care for India", which I imagine will happen in part two once its 2014 and Hamza is let off the leash.

Theres a cold calculation to Dhars idea of Pakistan, and of male Muslim identity. As soon as Hamza reaches Karachi, hes attacked by a gang of Pashtun rapists, the first in a long line of sadists, swindlers and psychopaths. The Baloch peoplewhose relations with the state have been historically fractiousare shown as the best of a bad bunch, but even theyre discarded eventually. Theres a reason India is so distant in Dhurandharit allows the films barbarism to be seen as Pakistans barbarism. Early on, a Pakistani hijacker taunts Sanyal, saying, Hindus are cowardly, arent they?" Theres barely a Hindu in the whole film, but these are the lines along which Dhar wants you thinking.

'Dhurandhar is in theatres.

For more culture stories, visit Livemint.com/mint-lounge.
President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, paid a state visit to India on December 4-5, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The two leaders reaffirmed their support for further strengthening of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia during the bilateral meetings, the government said in a press communique.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, established during the first State Visit of Putin to India in October 2000.

The Leaders emphasised the special nature of this long-standing and time-tested relationship, which is characterised by mutual trust, respect for each others core national interests and strategic convergence, according to a joint statement issued after the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at Hyderabad House.

Here are the top 10 points from the joint statement:

1- The Leaders positively assessed the multi-faceted mutually beneficial India-Russia relations that span all areas of cooperation, including political and strategic, military and security, trade and investment, energy, science and technology, nuclear, space, cultural, education and humanitarian cooperation. The Leaders agreed to make all efforts to unlock the full potential of the strategic partnership.

Trade and Economic Partnership 2- The Leaders reaffirmed their shared ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, including by increasing Indias exports to Russia, strengthening industrial cooperation, forging new technological and investment partnerships, especially in advanced high-technology areas and finding new avenues and forms of cooperation.

The Leaders welcomed the adoption of the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India - Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 (Programme 2030).

The Leaders appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a Free Trade Agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest. They also directed both Sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investments.

3- Both Sides emphasised that addressing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, removing bottlenecks in logistics, promoting connectivity, ensuring smooth payment mechanisms, finding mutually acceptable solutions for issues of insurance and reinsurance and regular interaction between the businesses of the two countries are among the key elements for timely achievement of the revised bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030.

The sides welcomed the signing of agreements related to mobility of skilled workers.

4- The Leaders noted the importance of productive and mutually beneficial bilateral trade in mineral resources, including energy sources, precious stones and metals, as well as critical raw materials for the reliability of the international supply chains. Efficient cooperation in this area, carried out by Russia and India as sovereign states, is a significant component of their national security and social well-being.

Energy partnership 5- The two sides discussed and commended their wide-ranging cooperation in the energy sector as a significant pillar of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. They also noted the importance of expeditious resolution of issues related to investment projects in this area, and agreed to resolve the various concerns being faced by their investors in the energy sector.

Transport and Connectivity 6- The two Sides agreed to deepen cooperation in building stable and efficient transport corridors, with a focus on expanding logistics links to improve connectivity and enhance infrastructure capacity, supporting the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the ChennaiVladivostok (Eastern Maritime) Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route. They welcomed the signing of the MoU on the Training of Specialists for Ships Operating in Polar Waters.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation, Cooperation in Space 7- The two sides confirmed their intention to broaden cooperation in nuclear energy, including fuel cycle, life cycle support for operating Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) and non-power applications, as well as to elaborate new agenda of interaction in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy and related high technologies.

Military and Military Technical Cooperation 8- Military and Military-Technical Cooperation has traditionally been a pillar of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, which has grown from strength to strength through several decades of joint efforts and fruitful cooperation, steered by the IRIGC-M&MTC.

Both Sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin arms and defence equipment under the Make-in-India program through the transfer of technology and setting up of joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian Armed Forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries.

Cultural cooperation, Tourism and people to people exchanges 9- The two Sides appreciated the steady increase in tourist exchanges between Russia and India and welcomed the simplification of visa formalities, including the introduction of e-Visa by both countries. They agreed to continue the work on further simplification of the visa regime in future.

Counter Terrorism

The Leaders positively assessed the multi-faceted mutually beneficial India-Russia relations that span all areas of cooperation.

10- Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of combating such common challenges and threats such as terrorism, extremism transnational organised crime, money laundering, terrorist financing and illicit drug trafficking.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the IndiaRussia Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday, hours after holding formal talks at Hyderabad House. Putin is on a two-day visit to Indiahis first in four yearsduring which both sides sought to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, connectivity, defence, and emerging sectors.

Speaking at the Business Forum, PM Modi said India and Russia were entering a new era of innovation, co-production and co-creation, and highlighted opportunities in sectors ranging from electric mobility and pharmaceuticals to textiles and space. He said discussions had begun on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, describing it as a major step toward enhancing bilateral economic engagement.

PM Modi said India and Russia can achieve a $100 billion bilateral trade target ahead of 2030. Modi also said India and Russia can cooperate in the development of a vaccine and cancer therapy.

President Putin is on a two-day visit to India, his first in four years. This is Putins first visit to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Putin last visited in December 2021 for the annual summit.

India is emerging as the worlds skilled capital

PM Modi said Indias young workforce could play a transformative role in Russias demographic and economic priorities.

India is emerging as the worlds skilled capital. Our young talent has the potential to meet global requirements, he said. Training Indian workers in the Russian language and relevant soft skills, he added, could help create a Russia-ready workforce to support industries in both countries.

PM Modi announced that India and Russia had taken important decisions on tourist visas to ease travel for citizens of both nations. This will boost tourism, create new business opportunities and open up new employment avenues, he said.

Modi invited Russian businesses to expand their presence in India. Come, Make in India, partner with India, and together, let us make for the world, he said.

EVs, pharma, textiles among key areas of cooperation PM Modi emphasised the scope for collaboration in electric-vehicle manufacturing, where India is rapidly growing its presence in affordable and efficient EVs, two-wheelers and CNG mobility solutions. Russia, he noted, is a major producer of advanced materialsan advantage that could support a joint EV ecosystem.

The Prime Minister also highlighted opportunities in health and biotechnology:

India supplies high-quality medicines at affordable prices across the world. We are called the Pharmacy of the World, he said. Joint work on vaccines, cancer therapies, radiopharmaceuticals, and API supply chains could strengthen healthcare security for both nations.

In textiles, PM Modi highlighted Russias strong position in polymers and synthetic raw materials, as well as Indias global presence in design, handicrafts, and carpets. Together, we can build a resilient textile value chain, he said.

New possibilities in defence, space and civil-nuclear sectors Modi said that opening up the defence and space sectors to private players had created a new ecosystem of innovation and investment. Now we are going to open the door to new possibilities in the civil-nuclear sector as well, he said, calling this mindset reform aimed at building a developed India.

He reiterated the two leaders focus on connectivity projects, including the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Northern Sea Route, and the ChennaiVladivostok Corridor. These routes, he said, would reduce transit times, cut logistics costs and open new markets. Modi proposed using digital technologies to link customs and regulatory systems through virtual trade corridors, making cargo movement more seamless.

Modi and Putin have set a goal of crossing $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, but the Indian leader said both sides were confident of reaching the milestone earlier. Tariff and non-tariff barriers are being reduced, he said, adding that Indias pace of reformsfrom GST to compliance reductionwas driving rapid economic growth.

Putin: Trade up 80% in three years, Russia ready for deeper partnership President Vladimir Putin, addressing the gathering, stated that Russia was committed to deepening its multifaceted economic ties with India and had adopted a new document to guide future economic cooperation.

Russian businesses are ready to increase purchases from India across a wide range of goods and services, he said. Russia will support all such initiatives.

The Russian leader noted that bilateral trade had risen significantly. Over the past three years, we saw a record increase of up to 80%. Last year, trade volume reached $64 billion, he said, calling India a long-time and reliable partner.

Putin said Russia saw vast opportunities for expanding trade and investment with India, given the size of both consumer markets.

Putin also stated that Russia is interested in participating in the Global AI Summit, scheduled to take place in India in February 2026.

The Russian President praised Indias leadership and economic policies under Modi. Under the leadership of His Excellency Modi, India is conducting an absolutely independent and sovereign policy while achieving very good results in the economic field, he said.

Mutual trust is the foundation PM Modi closed his remarks by emphasising the strength of the relationship:

Mutual trust is the foundation of any partnership. This trust is the greatest strength of IndiaRussia relations.

Be it business or diplomacy, the foundation of any partnership is mutual trust. This trust is the greatest strength of IndiaRussia relations. It gives direction and momentum to our joint efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 5. President Putin is on a two-day visit to India, his first in four years.

This is Putins first visit to India since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Putin last visited in December 2021 for the annual summit.

Following the 23rd India-Russia annual summit, PM Modi said that India's priority was to increase economic cooperation with Russia. The two leaders also unveiled the Vision 2030 document, a long-term roadmap designed to strengthen economic engagement and expand cooperation across trade, investment, and technology

"We have agreed on an economic cooperation program till 2030," PM Modi said in a joint statement issued after the summit.

Here is what PM Modi said after the summit PM Modi said that over the past 8 decades, the world has witnessed numerous ups and downs. Humanity has had to pass through many challenges and crises. And amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like a pole star, he said, adding that India and Russia are working towards the early conclusion of an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union.

PM Modi also mentioned about Russia-Ukraine war and said that India has advocated for peace on the issue from the very beginning. "We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting resolution of this matter. India has always been ready to contribute its part and will remain so in the future, he said.

Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership, the prime minister said. Our decades-long cooperation in civil nuclear energy has been crucial in realising our shared clean energy priorities, the Prime Minister said.

"We will continue this win-win cooperation. Our cooperation on critical minerals is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains worldwide. This will provide strong support to our partnership in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and new-age industries.

Our deep cooperation in shipbuilding has the potential to strengthen Make in India. This is another excellent example of our win-win cooperation, which will boost jobs, skills, and regional connectivity.

Fifteen years ago, in 2010, our partnership was granted the status of a Special Privileged Strategic Partnership, PM Modi recalled. For the past two and a half decades, he (President Putin) has nurtured this relationship with his leadership and vision, he said. "His leadership, under all circumstances, has elevated our ties to new heights. I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Putin, my friend, for this deep friendship and unwavering commitment to India."

PM Modi said India and Russia have long been standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on the Crocus City Hall, the root of all these incidents is the same. India's unwavering belief is that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength, he said.

PM Modi also stated that India and Russia have close cooperation in various international forums, including the UN, G20, BRICS, and SCO. We will continue our dialogue and cooperation in all these forums.

E-visa for Russian tourists Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India will issue an E-visa for Russian tourists, which will be processed within 30 days. I am happy that we will soon launch E-tourist visa and group tourist visa services for Russian citizens. This will be processed within 30 days and will be free of cost,

What did President Putin say? Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, the Prime Minister of India and all our Indian colleagues for the warm and hospitable welcome accorded to the Russian delegation. "I thank PM Modi for the dinner at his residence yesterday," he said.

We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the growing Indian economy...

Putin said Russia is working with Indian partners to build new international transport routes, including the project to create North-South transport from Russia or Belarus to the Indian Ocean coast."

We are also working on a project to build the largest Indian nuclear plant. Three out of six reactors have already been connected to the energy network, Putin said.

"At the same time, as I perceive it, we are up to the task of getting this number to the level of $100 billion. The Prime Minister gave us a whole list of challenges that deserve the most attentive focus of our government. We will do that. The growth of Russian Indian commercial links would be helped by the creation of a free trade zone between Indian and the Eurasian Economic Union. We are already conducting work on the corresponding agreement," he said, adding that the two countries are gradually moving towards the use of national currencies for payment settlements.
New Delhi: India's new tax regime for tobacco seeks to ensure that any new variants of pan masalaa category the Centre says is highly prone to tax evasioncan be brought under the proposed Health Security Se National Security cess in future, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha on Friday. The measure aims to check tax evasion, while ensuring a steady funding stream for public health and national defence as the goods and services tax (GST) compensation cess sunsets, the minister added.

Replying to a house debate on the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill 2025, the minister said the government was also seeking Parliaments nod to notify goods that are very similar to pan masala, without having to approach the house for that specific purpose again.

To bypass higher taxes, manufacturers cuold well slip in new pan masala variants by tweaking ingredients, branding or formats. The government is seeking flexibility to quickly bring any such products under the cess as they emerge.

Also Read | FM to introduce Bill for a new cess on Monday as tobacco levy set to wind down

At present, capacity-based taxationdeciding tax liability on disclosed production capacity rather than on actual productionis specified in the Bill only for pan masala, but it leaves the scope for the government to add more items to the list in future. The minister said such a mode of taxation could cover any other product similar to pan masala in the future, if such a need is felt.

There may be different variants of pan masala which may come up in future due to ingenuity of the industry. Those demerit goods should also be brought within the ambit of the levy. This would be notified by the Central government without the requirement of coming to Parliament every time, the minister said, adding that the scope of such an addition is strictly limited to pan masala type products, not any other items.

Sitharaman said the Centre's collection of cess, excluding the GST compensation cess, which was entirely used for states requirements, was 6.1% of the gross tax revenue in FY26 as per budget estimates, compared to 7% in the 2010-14 period.

Bill approved Lok Sabha on Friday approved the Bill, which will now be debated in Rajya Sabha.

Proceeds of the proposed cess, which will replace the existing GST compensation cess by end of this month, will be exclusively used for public health and defence related spending.

Sitharaman said public health is in the domain of states, while national security is in the Central governments domain. Funds provided for public health, clearly a state-subject, obviously goes to the states for discouraging consumption of tobacco, building awareness or supplementing peoples medical requirements, the minister said.

Tax incidence on tobacco and products will largely remain the same under the new tobacco taxation regime, as it is now.

Also Read | FM to seek Parliament nod for extra funds to cover income tax, GST reliefs

Pan masala currently attracts 88% tax, which includes 28% GST and 60% GST compensation cess. In the new tax regime, the 28% GST will rises to 40%, the ceiling allowed under GST. In place of the compensation cess, the proposed health and national security cess will be levied, so that the overall tax liability remains largely the same.

The Central government will use part of the proceeds from the health and national security cess for its defence requirements. In this day and age, where credible defence capability is absolutely critical for national defence, we need to raise resources to buffer the defence requirement because modern conflicts are dominated by precision weapons, autonomous systems, space assets and cyber operations," said Sitharaman, who had previously served as the defence minister. "They are becoming capital-intensive and unless they are periodically upgraded, they are not ready for modern warfare.

Barring tobacco and related products, all other goods and services have already moved to a simplified tax structure on 22 September.

Also Read | FM asks rural banks to step up credit to leverage consumption boost
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed to the Russian President Vladimir Putin that India is not neutral and stands on the side of peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In his televised opening remarks at the India-Russia annual summit talks here at Hyderabad House, Modi stated that the conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

India is on the side of peace. We always support peace. We support a peaceful solution to the conflict, Modi said before the start of the meeting.

On his part, Putin said Russia is working on a peaceful solution to the conflict. Putin told PM Modi that he was grateful for the attention India was paying to peace efforts on Ukraine. Russia and India have relations in the military sphere, as well as in space development, artificial intelligence, and other areas, Putin said.

"We plan to move forward in all these areas," he added.

Putin arrived on Thursday for his first visit to India since 2021, at a time when New Delhi is negotiating with the US to ease punitive tariffs linked to its purchases of discounted Russian oil.

The 23rd annual summit takes place amid heightened scrutiny from the US and Europe over Indias continued engagement with Moscow. The discussions will focus on strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership, even as Western sanctions reshape Russias global alignments.

The Russian leader is on his first visit to India in four years, at a time when New Delhi is engaged in talks with the US for a trade deal to reduce the punitive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on its goods due to India's purchases of Russian oil.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a tri-service guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, ahead of crucial summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which are expected to be closely watched by Western capitals.

President Droupadi Murmu and Modi warmly welcomed the Russian president at the forecourt of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan, a day after the prime minister hosted the Russian leader for a private dinner.

Following the ceremonial welcome, Putin visited Raj Ghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the memorial.
NEW DELHI: Indias drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), plans to tighten rules on the sale and distribution of emergency contraceptive pills, including levonorgestrel formulations, sold under brand names such as Unwanted-72 and i-pill, and ulipristal pills sold as ella .

The move, aimed at preventing habitual overuse and ensuring women have access to critical safety information, will require these pills to carry QR codes on their packaging, according to two officials and a document reviewed by Mint.

The QR codes will link to detailed product information, including dosage, contraindications, drug interactions, side effects, storage instructions, and patient counselling guidance. Warnings will state that emergency contraceptives should not be used more than twice a month and do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Also Read | Centre tightens blood safety protocols post Jharkhand HIV scare

The measure follows similar government mandates for vaccines, antibiotics, and other essential medicines.

The new QR-linked packaging will enhance traceability, curb misuse, and bridge the information gap, said Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, a gynaecologist and IVF expert at Nurture in Delhi.

A major issue witnessed in clinical practice is that most women tend to take emergency contraceptive pills as a regular birth control method instead of a last resort," Bajaj said, warning that frequent use can lead to menstrual abnormalities and hormonal changes. The suggested QR code can help explain safe usage."

Many women mistakenly believe these pills protect against STIs. QR-linked warnings can correct this and empower users with verified information," she added.

Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson, DCGI on Monday remained unanswered. Cipla Ltd, Mankind Pharma, Piramal Pharma, and Hindustan Lifecare Ltd declined to comment.

Also Read | Govt moves to rein in online advertisements of high-risk medicines

In 2023, a government sub-committee was constituted to recommend amendments to the Drug Rules, 1945, governing the retail sale of Levonorgestrel 0.75mg/1.5mg tablets.

According to the sub-committees report, new package inserts for emergency contraceptives must be comprehensive, detailing the drugs composition, dosage, pharmacological properties, contraindications, side effects, storage instructions, and patient counselling information.

All emergency contraceptives (Levonorgestrol / Ulipristol) should include the following boxed warnings on the primary & carton label and in package insert: a. Does not offer any protection against HIV or any sexually transmitted infections. b. Do not take this medicine for more than twice in a month. c. Use of alternative methods of contraception is encouraged in consultation with registered medical practitioners," it said.

The DCGIs plan is significant for Indias $1.7 billion contraceptive market, which includes major manufacturers such as Mankind Pharma (Unwanted-72), Piramal Pharma (i-pill), Cipla (Crisanta and Ginette 35), and Hindustan Lifecare Limited (Saheli).

Also Read | No more free pass: Govt plans to regulate cough syrup sales in villages

Poonam Muttreja, executive director at the Population Foundation of India, welcomed the move.

Emergency contraceptives play an important role in preventing unintended pregnancies, but to better advance Indias family planning goals, we also need better counselling, comprehensive sexuality education, and far greater engagement with men as informed partners in contraception, so responsibility for their reproductive health does not continue to fall disproportionately on women alone," she said.

Muttreja added that public awareness, easy access, and clear guidance from pharmacists and health-care providers, including ANMs and ASHAs, is also important.
IndiGo on Friday issued a detailed public apology to passengers, confirming the full-day cancellation of all domestic departures from Delhi Airport (DEL) on December 5, 2025, amid massive operational disruptions across the country.

Here's what IndiGo said In an official statement, IndiGo said, We do deeply apologise and understand how difficult the past few days have been for many of you. While this will not get resolved overnight, we assure you that we will do everything in our capacity to help you in the meantime and to bring our operations back to normal at the earliest.

Also Read | IndiGo issues apology to passengers as chaos continues for fourth day

Today should be the day with the highest number of cancellations, as we are doing all that is necessary for progressive improvement, the statement further read.

We will offer full waiver on all cancellations/ reschedule requests of your bookings for travel between 05 December 2025 to 15 December 2025. Thousands of hotel rooms across cities and surface transport have been arranged for the convenience of our customers, IndiGo said.

Our Al assistant 6Eskai can help with flight status, refunds, and rebookings golndiGo.in/6Eskai, it further added.

IndiGo added that it has significantly expanded its contact centre capacity to reduce wait times, stating, "We want you to know that you will see incremental progress. We will do everything to earn back your trust... We can't lose it at any cost."

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) appealed to the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) and pilots for cooperation amid the ongoing disruptions.

The DGCA said, "In light of the current disruptions due to M/s IndiGo affecting air travel, where several flights across the country have been impacted due to operational constraints, unpredictable weather patterns and rising seasonal demand, the aviation sector is experiencing significant strain."

It noted that over 500 IndiGo flights were delayed or cancelled on Friday, causing nationwide inconvenience.

"As we approach the fog season, peak holiday period and marriage travel season, it is crucial that the industry prepares for even greater operational challenges," the regulator said, urging full cooperation from pilot bodies to ensure stable operations and minimise further delays.

IndiGo on Friday cancelled all its departing domestic flights from Delhi airport until midnight, as the airline continues to grapple with significant operational disruptions.

Meanwhile, IndiGo has cancelled all departing flights from Chennai airport till 6 pm on Friday, according to sources, PTI reported.

"IndiGo domestic flights departing from Delhi Airport on 5th December 2025 are cancelled till midnight today (till 23:59 hours)," Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said in a post on X.

DIAL also said its dedicated on-ground teams are working diligently with all partners to mitigate the disruption and ensure a comfortable passenger experience.
Amid the slew of IndiGo flight cancellations, the government, on Friday, ordered a high-level probe into the disruption. The inquiry will examine what went wrong at Indigo, determine accountability wherever required for appropriate actions, and recommend measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future, ensuring that passengers do not face such hardships again, said Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a statement.

Naidu also said that the FDTL orders issued by aviation watchdog DGCA have been temporarily paused with immediate effect to stabilise operations and prioritise relief for affected passengers. He said that airlines have also been directed to provide timely and accurate updates to all passengers and ensure automatic refunds.

IndiGo cancelled over 400 flights on Friday alone, as per reports  adding to the already growing woes of several stranded passengers.

Four-member team, restoration in 3 days  What the Ministry said? DGCA has constituted a four member committee to undertake comprehensive review and assess circumstances that led to "such massive disruptions"

The aviation watchdog's FDTL rules have been temporarily paused with immediate effect.

The government also said that flight schedules are expected to stabilise and return to normal by tomorrow, Saturday, 6 December.

Complete restoration of services likely to be achieved within the next three days. IndiGo crisis deepens - How did the chaos unfold? What began as a single day of cancellations and delays  has now spiraled into a four-day saga. Throughout this week, 20-year-old domestic carrier IndiGo has had increasing number of flight cancellations and delays over the network across major airports in India.

With passengers reporting delays from 2 December, disruption in services continued today, on 5 December, with PTI reporting at least 400 flights cancelled across airports in the country.
IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share (60%), has cancelled an increasing number of flights through the week, with disruptions entering the fourth day across major airports in India.

At least 400 flights have been cancelled at major airports across the country, PTI reported, citing sources, while as many as 16,500 passengers were left stranded for more than 24 hours in Delhi alone, according to a Hindustan Times report.

IndiGo, in its reply to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) notice, said that flight cancellations would continue for the next two to three days, as part of its efforts to stabilise schedules.

According to reports, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers told staff that the immediate goal is to normalise operations and bring punctuality back on track, stating: We could not live up to (the) promise of providing (a) good experience to customers.

Also Read | How the IndiGo crisis unfolded  a timeline of events

Amid all the widespread confusion, delays, disruptions, and cancellations, Indian laws require an airline to provide meals, refreshments and accommodation to affected passengers. Here's what we know:

What has IndiGo said on arrangements for passengers? IndiGo on 5 December in an official statement confirmed that all its domestic flights departing from Delhi Airport stand cancelled till 11.59 PM today; and expressed profound apologies to all our valued customers and stakeholders who have been significantly impacted by these unforeseen events.

Further, the airline assured that it would provide affected customers with refreshments, next available flight options as per their preference, hotel accommodation, assistance in retrieving their luggage and full refunds, as applicable.

In a post on social media, the airline promised: Will ensure that all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment.

Will offer a full waiver on all cancellations/ reschedule requests of your bookings for travel between 05 December 2025 and 15 December 2025.

Thousands of hotel rooms across cities and surface transport have been arranged for the convenience of our customers.

Trying to ensure that food and snacks are being provided to our waiting customers at the airports.

Lounge access is being arranged for senior citizens, wherever possible.

View full Image What IndiGo told passengers on arrangements, apology ( IndiGo via X (Twitter) )

Watch: Indigo Chaos Spirals Into Total Crisis, Helpless Passengers Break Down At Airport

What can impacted passengers do? IndiGo requested impacted passengers to contact its ground staff at Delhi Airport for guidance regarding luggage collection; visit its website (https://www.goindigo.in/refund.html) or contact its customer service for assistance. It added in the social media post:

Kindly check the flight status on our website and the notifications sent to you. Please do not come to the airport if your flight is cancelled.

We are sorry for the wait time we have massively increased our contact centre capacity to ease some wait times.

Our Al assistant 6Eskai can help with flight status, refunds, and rebookings golndiGo.in/6Eskai We understand the immense inconvenience and distress this has caused and sincerely regret the inconvenience, the airline said.

Also Read | IndiGo Flights LIVE: DGCA rolls back order on crew weekly rest requirements

Aviation Minister Naidu puts special emphasis on arrangements for flyers Earlier on 4 December, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu expressed displeasure at the situation and chaired a high-level review with IndiGo's senior management, along with officials from the Ministry, the DGCA, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

He placed special emphasis on arrangements for flyers and directed IndiGo to proactively inform passengers of any likely cancellations well in advance.

He also told the airline that in case of any cancellations all necessary facilities, including hotel accommodation where required would have to be provided promptly.

Naidu instructed aviation watchdog DGCA to conduct real-time monitoring of IndiGo's flight operations at major airports, including the carrying out of field inspections.

The DGCA has been asked to put special emphasis on passenger-handling arrangements made by IndiGo, including the timeliness of communication with flyers in the event of delays or cancellations.

Watch: IndiGo Crisis Reaches Parliament: Speaking With Aviation Minister, Rijiju Updates On Govt Action

What do passengers say? Flyers have complained of long wait times, cancelled flights and rising airfares. On 4 December, frustrated passengers were seen breaking into chants and fights, while security staff struggled to manage the airport mayhem.

Social media has been choc-full of stranded passengers at major airports who report disorganisation in the airlines planning and the lack of preparedness.
After having to cancel hundreds of flights this week due to a shortage of aviators, IndiGo told the aviation regulator its operations will be fully restored by February 10.

Thousands of passengers were stranded again on Thursday, the third day of chaos after India's biggest airline failed to make sufficient changes to its roster planning to accommodate new government regulations.

The disruptions have arisen primarily from misjudgement and planning gaps in implementing Phase 2 of the (Flight Duty Time Limitations), with the airline accepting that the actual crew requirement exceeded their anticipation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.

Here are the rule exemptions IndiGo has asked for: The airline has reportedly asked for relief from some provisions that limit pilot duty hours at night.

According to the new aviation rules, DGCA has increased the amount of mandatory rest per week for commercial pilots by 12 hours to 48 hours. In addition, pilots are now only allowed to make two night-time landings per week, down from six under the old rules.

According to the DGCA's press note, IndiGo has requested relief from the provisions for Flight Duty Time Limitations, the definition of night duty, and for operations encroaching on night duty for A320 operations up to 10 February 2026.

The DGCA said the request is under consideration.

What did IndiGo tell DGCA about cancellations and initial reasons? According to a DGCA press release, IndiGo briefed the aviation watchdog on the flight cancellations and provided initial reasons for them, including transitional challenges in implementing the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) CAR, crew-planning issues, and winter-season operational constraints.

IndiGo said that it is facing significant transitional challenges in roster planning and crew availability under Phase-2 FDTL requirements.

These issues, combined with winter operational constraints, have contributed to the sharp spike in cancellations and delays.

IndiGo has requested operational variations/exemptions from specific FDTL provisions to reduce passenger inconvenience while maintaining safety margins.

The airline has assured DGCA that corrective actions are underway and that normalised and stable operations will be fully restored by 10 February 2026.
IndiGo Flights Cancellation LIVE: With the travel chaos spilling on to the fourth day, more than 500 IndiGo flights have either been delayed or cancelled, leading to major inconvenience for travellers. All flights of IndiGo which were scheduled to operate from Delhi have been cancelled until midnight today, reported ANI.

Passengers at several airports expressed deep frustration over the ongoing disruptions, with many stranded for long hours and receiving little information or support. They reported that the problems, linked to staff shortages and newly implemented crew regulations, have left travellers waiting at airports without adequate updates, food, or drinking water.

Airline's arrivals and departures were cancelled till 3 pm today. Bengaluru followed with 102 cancellations, split between 50 departures and 52 arrivals. In Mumbai, 104 flights were cancelled, including 53 departures and 51 arrivals. Hyderabad recorded 92 cancellations, comprising 49 departures and 43 arrivals.

Meanwhile, IndiGo stated that it is, is working determinedly to bring its operations back on track across.

Stay tuned to live updates on IndiGo Flights Cancellation
The DGCA on Friday withdrew an order it had passed on 20 January which specified that "no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest" for airlines' crew members. This comes amid hundreds of IndiGo flights getting cancelled, causing massive disruptions to travellers.

The civil aviation regulator said that rolling back of this order comes amid 'operational disruptions' and communications received from a number of airlines regarding the same.

Check live updates of IndiGo flights right here! The order read, "Whereas, in view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, it has been considered necessary to review the said provision."

"Now, therefore, the instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect," it added.

The gaps in planning ahead of the implementation of the revised FDTL, the second phase of which came into force from November 1, have resulted in crew shortage at IndiGo and is one of the key reasons for the current disruptions.

DGCA chief seeks pilots' cooperation The DGCA's chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai on Friday requested the cooperation of all pilots to ensure smooth flight operations amid massive IndiGo flight disruptions.

In an appeal, the Director General said that in light of the current IndiGo flight disruptions due to operational constraints, unpredictable weather patterns and rising seasonal demand, the aviation sector is experiencing significant strain.

He noted that these disruptions have led to delays, passenger inconvenience, and increased pressure on airline operations.

Also Read | How the IndiGo crisis unfolded  a timeline of events

"As we now approach the fog season, the peak holiday period, and the marriage travel season, it is crucial that the industry prepares for even greater operational challenges.

"Passenger volumes are expected to rise sharply, and weather-related impacts may further complicate scheduling and flight safety," Kidwai said.
Following a crew shortage, IndiGo cancelled hundreds of flights this week. The airline has now told Indias aviation regulator that it expects to return to normal operations by 10 February. IndiGo also requested a temporary relaxation of certain rules that limit pilots nighttime duty hours. The flight disruptions entered their fourth day after 550 flights were cancelled on Thursday.

IndiGo flights status today: Top 10 updates Disruptions continued on the fourth day. Early morning flights from Delhi to Pune were among the cancellations. Mint checked IndiGo's website for today's status of flights 6E 2343, 6E 2471, and 6E 6692 from Delhi to Puneall appeared as cancelled.

View full Image 6E 6692 status

View full Image 6E 2471 status

View full Image 6E 2343 status

Additionally, the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport PRO reported that flight operations at the Airport faced problems today, as IndiGo cancelled two scheduled flights and delayed four others, reported ANI. Airline's all arrivals and departures have been cancelled till 3 pm at Delhi airport, airport authorities informed HT.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru mentioned that 52 arrivals and 50 departures of IndiGo flights have been cancelled so far today. Between 0000 hrs and 0800 hrs on 5 December 2025, a total of 16 IndiGo arrival flights and 16 IndiGo departure flights were cancelled, while one NAGPNQ flight was diverted to Hyderabad due to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), ANI quoted Pune Airport Director as saying.

2. IndiGo has cancelled over 400 flights nationwide, including every scheduled flight to and from New Delhi on Friday as the country's largest carrier continues struggling with disruptions caused by newly implemented pilot rest regulations and recent tech issues. New Delhi suffered the biggest impact, while Mumbai saw 104 cancellations and Ahmedabad faced 86, people familiar with the matter said, asking for anonymity as theyre not authorized to speak publicly, Bloomberg reported.

3. Following a briefing from IndiGo officials, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement Thursday night that the disruptions were mainly due to miscalculations and planning shortcomings. These incidents occurred during the rollout of Phase 2 of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for crew members. The regulator noted that the airline acknowledged its real crew requirement was higher than its initial estimate.

Also Read | IndiGo got enough time for FDTL norm changes, says displeased minister Naidu

4. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Thursday convened a high-level meeting to assess the ongoing IndiGo flight disruptions and instructed the airline to promptly restore normal operations while ensuring that airfares remain unaffected by the current situation.

Also Read | From staff shortage to flight cancellations  turbulent times for IndiGo

5. The government's statement mentioned, All aspects of IndiGo's operational recovery and passenger support measures will continue to be closely monitored until full stability is achieved.

6. Shares of InterGlobe Aviation, the company that runs IndiGo, dropped 3.4% on Thursday and have declined about 6% over the course of the week, according to Reuters.

7. Further flight cancellations are likely in the coming days, a PTI report noted, with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stating that IndiGo will scale back its operations from 8 December to help limit disruptions.

8. The Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA) stated that IndiGos operational disruptions caused by crew shortages reflect a failure of proactive resource planning by leading airlines and suggested that there might also be an attempt to pressure the regulator, DGCA, into relaxing the new flight duty time limitation rules.

9. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) alleged that, despite having a two-year window to prepare for the full implementation of new flight duty and rest period norms for cockpit crew, IndiGo inexplicably imposed a hiring freeze.
Since 2 December, IndiGo has cancelled more than 1,000 flights. Several others have been delayed. As passengers suffer from operational chaos, lets find out if they are entitled to refunds for delayed or cancelled flights.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), it is mandatory for airlines to issue a complete refund when a flight is cancelled. Check the rules.

Refund rules for flight cancellation When an airline cancels a flight, it must notify passengers at least two weeks prior to departure. It must offer either a refund or an alternate flight.

If the cancellation is informed less than two weeks but at least 24 hours in advance, the passenger can still choose a refund or an alternate flight. The airline must give compensation plus a full refund or an alternate flight:

If the airline fails to inform on time

If the passenger misses a connecting flight on the same ticket The compensation is 5,000 for flights of up to one hour, 7,500 for flights of up to two hours, and 10,000 for flights exceeding two hours. The airline has the option to pay the basic fare plus fuel charge, whichever is lower.

Also Read | IndiGo tells DGCA more flight cancellations to continue for next 2-3 days

Passengers will also get waiting facilities at the airport. No compensation applies if the passenger did not provide contact details. There will be no compensation if cancellation occurs due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the airlines control.

Refund rules for flight delays Airlines must give support to passengers when a flight is delayed. If you have checked in on time and the airline expects a delay, it must provide basic facilities, such as food and refreshments, to its passengers. Such facilities must be provided if the delay crosses two hours for short flights, three hours for medium flights and four hours for longer flights.

If a domestic flight is expected to be delayed by more than six hours, the airline must offer you a choice between an alternate flight within six hours or a full refund. If the delay crosses 24 hours, or if a night flight between 8 PM and 3 AM is delayed by more than six hours, the airline must provide extra facilities.

They must provide facilities such as hotel stays and transportation. However, airlines do not need to provide these benefits if the delay is caused by extraordinary events beyond their control.

IndiGo statement IndiGo has called the circumstances unavoidable in its official statement.

We have had several unavoidable flight delays and some cancellations in the past few days due to various reasons, including technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements, said an IndiGo spokesperson in its official statement.

Our teams are working diligently to ensure that operations normalise as soon as possible. Furthermore, we are offering alternate flight options or refunds to affected customers, as applicable. We regret the inconvenience caused to our valued customers due to these disruptions, the statement says.
Amid row over massive IndiGo flight cancellations, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday called it unfortunate and said the airline needs to do some serious introspection.

He also said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had numerous warnings to the airline about the new system of working hours and rosters.

The crisis at IndiGo stems from new regulations that boost pilots' weekly rest requirements by 12 hours to 48 and allow only two night-time landings per week, down from six.

IndiGo has attributed the mass cancellations to "misjudgment and planning gaps".

Also Read | Who stands to gain from the IndiGo fiasco?

While talking to reporters, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, This is most unfortunate. As far as I understand, the DGCA had given plenty of warning to the airlines about the new system of working hours and rosters, etc. This meant the airlines had to hire more pilots, but clearly they failed to do so, inflicting chaos on the travelling public.

The airline needs to do some serious introspection...They have let down the public, Tharoor added.

Over 500 IndiGo flights grounded IndiGo, the dominant player in India's domestic aviation sector, grounded over 500 flights nationwide on Friday, including a complete halt of all departures from New Delhi. The sweeping cancellations left thousands of air travellers stranded for extended periods, struggling to find alternative travel arrangements and lacking clear information.

The root cause of the crisis was IndiGo's inadequate preparation for the implementation of new, more stringent flying-time regulations for pilots. This failure to adjust staffing and scheduling led to massive operational disruption, severely affecting passengers who reported missing critical events, including international connections, job interviews, and family functions like wedding receptions.

Also Read | Delhi to Mumbai flight prices surge up to 48,972 amid IndiGo crisis

IndiGo currently accounts for nearly two-thirds of the countrys domestic air traffic, magnifying the scale of the resulting travel chaos.

As public frustration escalated and Opposition parties voiced strong criticism against the government's perceived inaction, the DGCA intervened. The aviation regulator granted IndiGo a temporary reprieve from the stricter night duty rules for its pilots, aiming to alleviate the immediate pressure on the flight schedule.

The impact was felt most acutely in major metro areas. Delhi Airport announced the cancellation of all of IndiGos scheduled departures for the day, totalling around 235 flights. Chennai Airport similarly suspended all IndiGo flights bound for major cities until 6 PM.

Mumbai saw 104 flights scrapped, Bengaluru faced 102 cancellations, and Hyderabad reported 92 grounded flights, as reported by news agency PTI, citing sources.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blamed the IndiGo "fiasco" on the BJP-led government's "monopoly model" and asserted that India deserves fair competition in every sector, not "match-fixing monopolies".

Rahul Gandhi raps monopoly model "IndiGo fiasco is the cost of this government's monopoly model. Once again, it's ordinary Indians who pay the price -- in delays, cancellations and helplessness," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said in a social media post on X.

The issue has figured in Parliament as well.

After three days of chaos across airports, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu said in a statement: "We anticipate that complete restoration of services will be achieved within the next three days. With the initiation of various operational steps, flight schedules are expected to return to normal by tomorrow (Saturday)."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has presented a copy of Bhagvad Gita in Russian to President Vladimir Putin, who is on a two-day visit to India.

In a post on X, PM Modi shared a photograph of the moment, describing the scripture as a source of inspiration for millions of people across the world.

"Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world," PM Modi said.

This comes after PM Modi warmly welcomed the Russian President at the Palam airport in Delhi on Thursday evening.

Both leaders also shared a car ride from the airport to the PM's Lok Kalyan Marg residence, highlighting the strategic partnership and close relationship between the two leaders.

Putin, who is on his first visit to India in four years, will be in New Delhi till December 5. During his visit, the Russian President will also hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi.

Experts have also weighed in on the significance of Putin's trip, which is expected to boost cooperation in defence, trade, science and technology, and culture and humanitarian affairs.

Former diplomat Arun Singh told ANI about the significance of the India-Russia partnership, outlining the political and defence support that Moscow has provided to New Delhi over the years.

"This is an important visit. I have had occasion to serve twice in Moscow. I served at the time of the Soviet Union and then in the 1990s in the Russian Federation after dissolution of the Soviet Union. And I could sense that there is a historical nature to the partnership," he said.

"There is a confidence in the relationship on both sides. In India, there is a memory of Russia being an important partner which has provided political support that we've needed from time to time, including at the UN Security Council," he added.

Citing the example of Operation Sindoor, India's military action against the terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, Arun Singh pointed to the role of the Russians' defence arsenal.

"And it has also shared with us defence items that we've needed, again, which has been very important. If you saw in Operation Sindoor, among the weapons systems that did very well were the S-400 and the BrahMos missile, which are part of the Russia partnership," he said.

Additionally, Lydia Kulik, Head of India Studies at Moscow School of Management, stated that the visit is both "symbolic and a spectacle" as both countries are looking positively at their future in terms of cooperation on trade and economy.

"This visit is very important as it is happening after quite some time, and it's picking up on the visit of PM Modi to Russia in 2024, when the two countries set new agendas in the new environment. This visit is both symbolic and a spectacle," she said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Friday, marking the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit.

Putin arrived on Thursday for his first visit to India since 2021, at a time when New Delhi is negotiating with the US to ease punitive tariffs linked to its purchases of discounted Russian oil.

The summit takes place amid heightened scrutiny from the US and Europe over Indias continued engagement with Moscow. The discussions will focus on strengthening the long-standing strategic partnership, even as Western sanctions reshape Russias global alignments.

The Russian leader is on his first visit to India in four years, at a time when New Delhi is engaged in talks with the US for a trade deal to reduce punitive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on its goods due to India's Russian oil purchases.

Putin last visited India in December 2021, just a couple of months before the Russian army invaded Ukraine. The Russian President will attend the 23rd annual India-Russia summit today.

With India under pressure from the US and Europe over its ties with Russia, the conversations between President Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be closely watched.

The Summit, according to Reuters, aims to boost trade with Russia's top buyer of arms and seaborne oil, as Western sanctions squeeze their decades-old ties. The two sides will also focus on trade and economic ties, and negotiations are on for a potential free-trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, reports said.

PM Modi and President Putin will also discuss defence ties, new acquisitions  including additional S-400 missile systems and the latest Sukhoi aircraft  as well as expanded access for Indian goods, from perishables like fruits and vegetables to pharmaceuticals, in the Russian market, reports said. The process to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals enrolled in the Russian military would also be discussed.

Putin India Visit Schedule on Day 2 11 AM: Ceremonial Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

11: 30 AM: Wreath Laying at Rajghat

11:50 AM: Meeting with PM Modi at Hyderabad House

1:50 PM: Press Statements at Hyderabad House

7 PM: Meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan

9 PM: Departure from Delhi

2030 Roadmap Putin and Modi are likely to unveil a declaration for the Development of Strategic Areas of India-Russia economic cooperation until 2030, according to a report in The Indian Express. The two leaders are expected to seal a labour mobility agreement and team up on Arctic shipbuilding, the report said.

The two leaders met for a private dinner at PM Modis Lok Kalyan Marg residence on Thursday. In a gesture indicative of the special India-Russia ties, PM Modi received President Putin at Palam Airport,and the two travelled to the Prime Ministers residence in the same car.

Moscow has been India's top arms supplier Moscow has been India's top arms supplier for decades and has stated that it aims to import more Indian goods in an effort to increase trade to $100 billion by 2030, which has so far been skewed in its favour due to New Delhi's energy imports.

Modi and Putin are also expected to discuss other topics, including labour and civil nuclear energy, with the sides expected to announce new agreements to showcase the resilience of their relations.

While the global contest will be discussed during the meeting, the two leaders are likely to focus on bilateral issues, including trade, defence, technology, nuclear energy, and labour mobility.

Some reports suggested that the two nations are also discussing various defence projects such as the S-400 air defence system and the latest version of the Sukhoi-57 fighter aircraft. There is a demand for visa-free entry for Indian tourists to Russia. This issue may also arise during discussions.

Moscow has been India's top arms supplier for decades and has stated that it aims to import more Indian goods in an effort to increase trade to $100 billion by 2030.

Bilateral trade between India and Russia reached $68.7 billion in the fiscal year 2024-25.

A joint statement is likely to be adopted, and several bilateral documents are expected to be signed and adopted in a wide range of areas.

(With agency inputs)
On the final day of his 2-day visit to India, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, on Friday. This is the 23rd Annual India-Russia Summit.

Putin is on his first visit to India in four years, at a time when New Delhi is engaged in talks with the US for a trade deal to cut punitive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on its goods over India's Russian oil purchases.

Putin India visit Day 2: Itinerary 11 AM: Ceremonial Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

1130 AM: Wreath Laying at Rajghat

1150 AM: Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House

1:50 PM: Press Statements at Hyderabad House

7 PM: Meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan

9 PM: Departure

Also Read | PM Modi gifts Bhagavad Gita in Russian to President Putin

Putin arrived in India a day after holding talks with Trump's top envoys on a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, but they did not reach a compromise.

India has resisted condemning Russia over the war and called for peace through dialogue and diplomacy, while saying that its ties with Moscow were being unfairly targeted by Western nations that continue to do business with Moscow when it is in their interest.

Putin India visit Day 2: What's on the agenda? The Summit, according to news agency Reuters, aims to boost trade with the top buyer of Russia's arms and seaborne oil as Western sanctions squeeze their decades-old ties.

Moscow has been India's top arms supplier for decades and has said that it wants to import more Indian goods in an effort to grow trade to $100 billion by 2030 that so far has been skewed in its favour due to New Delhi's energy imports.

Modi and Putin are also expected to discuss other topics, including labour and civil nuclear energy, with the sides expected to announce new agreements to showcase the resilience of their relations.
Amid high alert and heightened security, the Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday released a detailed traffic advisory for Friday, citing administrative requirements. This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India for a two-day visit on Thursday evening.

Commuters have been advised to avoid several key routes between 9:00 AM and 12:00 noon. Traffic will be regulated across carriageways and service lanes in high-density areas, as per the advisory shared on the Delhi Traffic Police X handle.

Affected areas include: W Point

A Point

ITO Chowk

BSZ Marg

Delhi Gate

JLN Marg

Rajghat Crossing

Shanti Van Crossing

Hanuman Setu  Y Point

Netaji Subhash Marg

Nishad Raj Marg

Saleem Garh Flyover By-Pass

MGM-Pragati Maidan Tunnel to Hanuman Setu

Kashmere Gate

Vikas Marg

IP Marg

Drivers have been advised to avoid these routes between 9 AM and 12 PM and take alternate roads to prevent congestion. The advisory also highlights strict parking rules.

Parking will only be permitted in designated areas.

Parking is prohibited on the following stretches: Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg

JLN Marg

Ring Road (Hanuman Setu to Shanti Van to Rajghat, I.P. Flyover to Pragati Maidan Tunnel, and Nishad Raj Marg to IP Marg)

The traffic police warned that vehicles violating these rules will be towed and the owners prosecuted. Commuters are encouraged to follow official Delhi Traffic Police channels for real-time updates and further instructions.

Putin's India visit Meanwhile, this is Russian President Vladimir Putin's first visit to India since 2021. He is scheduled to hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on 5 December. In a rare diplomatic move emphasising the close India-Russia relationship, PM Modi personally received President Putin at Delhi Airport on Thursday, deviating from usual protocol.

On arrival, Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome, reflecting the strong bilateral ties. The visit also signals Russia's intent to maintain global influence despite growing Western isolation.

The trip highlights Indias strategic balancing in global affairs, as it deepens relations with Russia while managing its ties with Western nations. Discussions are expected to focus on the Ukraine conflict, the situation in Afghanistan, and further strengthening the India-Russia Strategic Partnership.
Putin's India visit Highlights: In Delhi for the annual India-Russia summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today. He was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi said, "Over the past 8 decades, the world has witnessed numerous ups and downs. Humanity has had to pass through many challenges and crises. And amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like a pole star..."

Earlier on 4 December, PM Modi greeted Putin after he landed for his first state visit to India in four years.

Putin is expected to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in Delhi. Also on the agenda are likely discussions on India-Russia ties, a highly touted defense pact, and renewed trade commitments amid United States President Donald Trump's tariffs and western sanctions on Russia.

Overall, the visit is broadly expected to strengthen bilateral, strategic and economic partnership between India and Russia.

Check all the Putin's India Visit LIVE Updates here on Mint.
IndiGo flight cancellations over the past two days have sparked chaos, leaving hundreds of passengers travelling for weddings and business in the lurch. Fintrekk Capital founder Amit Kumar Gupta detailed how a distant relatives destination wedding had to be postponed amid the ongoing IndiGo crisis. Speaking to Livemint, Gupta said that 48 guests were booked to travel from Delhi to Goa on the same IndiGo flight, which was repeatedly delayed and eventually cancelled, derailing the familys wedding plans.

With most peak-season bookings in Goa being non-refundable, the family received only a credit note valid for the next 24 months. The wedding has now been shifted to the NCR next month due to the lack of available venues in December, Gupta said.

He further said that the family had booked a 5-star hotel for four nightsfrom 4 to 7 December at roughly 35,000 per night, and had also paid 1520 lakh in event management fees. This pushed the total loss to an estimated 16.421.4 lakh.

Calling the situation astonishing, Gupta criticised IndiGo for failing to anticipate the disruption or alert passengers in advance. He also expressed displeasure over what he termed a useless inquiry by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), arguing it would do little to reduce the major losses of time, money, and energy faced by thousands of travellers.

Gupta urged the government to step in immediately, impose strict penalties on IndiGos management, and hand over operations to an independent professional team, alleging the current leadership has made a total mess of the travel experience. He further warned that IndiGos widespread operational cuts could affect even non-travellers in the coming weeks, as reduced flight slots may push fares sharply higher.

Also Read | Singapore High Commissioner stranded as Delhi departures cancelled for IndiGo

This will impact everyone in the near term. Even those who don't have a booked flight but are planning to take one in the next few months. Slots will be cut, prices for existing flights will go up. An Indigo return flight I booked on Black Friday for March'26 vacation is now quoting at ~2x after just one week, he wrote.

Here's how social media users reacted: The post has amassed a variety of reactions on social media. Heres how people responded:

One user attempted to offer a positive perspective, writing: What if the flight had crashed! Marriage is only postponed; not cancelled. Consider all things happened for the family's good. IndiGo and others aren't doing well. That doesn't mean you should lose cool and patience. Marriage requires lifelong patience and cool attitude. It's a check on our response, an opportunity to know how we respond to the reactions for no fault of ours. Being patient in times of their crises is a much more mature response.

I wish the best for the new couple. Things would take off for them really beautiful because they are programmed to be the best. External Disruptions shouldn't distort their thinking or resilience. They are built to last; IndiGo isn't! All the best.

To this, Gupta replied: Hope you know that in peak season, everything in Goa is non refundable.

Another user, Pratik Agarwal, wrote: I was travelling with my family and got to know that flight is cancelled juz 3 hours before the flight departure time. Nobody is picking up phone and they are not allowing refund also as the link shared by them is not working.

Echoing similar sentiments, a user named Ratan Mehta wrote: My son wedding was on 6th and they cancel flight from Bangalore to Jodhpur on 4th. We paid 20-30k for another flight and many guest not even able to gets tickets. These idiot must be punished for the an artificial problem created by them. They have knowledge of the problem (sic).

Gupta responded: Unfortunately in that case rebooking other flights was also extremely risky. The turnaround time was less than 24 hours and the situation is not going to improve in the next 7 days at least.
Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly has shared an emotional update after a landmark order by the Delhi High Court directing the MEA to help her contact her brother  Vikrant Kumar Jaitly (Retd. Major)  who has been detained in the UAE since September 2024. The order asks the MEA to appoint a nodal officer and use any practical channels, including the TAMM app, to enable communication between siblings.

What Celina wrote Posting a family photo on social media, Celina wrote:

Ma & Pa Im doing my best! I havent spoken to Vikrant in 15 months. Today, hope was placed on record Thank you, Universe!!

Her petition had demanded access and legal representation for her brother, whom she says was abducted and detained in the UAE on September 6, 2024. The MEA has reportedly filed its status report and appointed a nodal officer to coordinate with her for access. While she still hasnt been able to speak to Vikrant, the court was informed thats the governments aim.

Celina added that she is grateful to the Additional Solicitor General, the Court, and everyone who recognised our familys four generations of service to the Indian Armed Forces. She asked media to direct further queries to her legal counsel and said the next hearing is scheduled for December 23.

What the Court Ordered The hearing on December 4, 2025, led to a directive from Justice Sachin Datta directing the MEA to ensure Celina is able to contact her brother. The ministry must designate a nodal officer, liaise with UAE authorities or consular contacts, and use available communication platforms  including the TAMM app  to make that happen.

Also Read | Celina Jaitly vs Peter Haag- New twist emerges after domestic violence case

The court emphasised maintaining regular updates to the family, and the next hearing is set for December 23, 2025.

Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, a retired Indian Army major, has reportedly been detained in the UAE since September 2024. Celinas petition alleged he was abducted and detained.

The family says they have had no communication with him for 15 months  no phone calls, no video chats, and none of the basic updates typically expected during detention.
A federal judge in Florida on Friday (December 5) authorized the Justice Department to release grand jury transcripts from its sex-trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein  documents long sought for their potential insight into the disgraced financiers connections to influential figures, including President Donald Trump.

US District Judge Rodney Smith approved the move after the DOJ requested permission to unseal the records.

The request followed Congress passage of a bill requiring the Attorney General to disclose all unclassified files tied to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a prison sentence for sex trafficking.

Trump reverses position on release Trump had previously opposed unsealing the Epstein files but shifted his stance shortly before lawmakers voted on the disclosure bill, which he signed into law on November 19. The reversal came amid renewed political pressure across the parties.

The documents are expected to draw interest from both Trump critics and parts of his own political base, many of whom have pushed for transparency surrounding Epsteins network and the circumstances of his 2019 death in a Manhattan jail  ruled a suicide.

Trump called focus on case a Democratic hoax In recent months, Trump has shifted his rhetoric, arguing that renewed scrutiny of Epstein is a Democratic hoax designed to undermine his administration and distract from what he calls its achievements.
A group of vaccine advisers on Friday (December 5) removed the long-standing recommendation that all US newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, marking a major policy shift championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The committee voted to continue the birth dose only for infants whose mothers test positive for hepatitis B, replacing the 1991 universal guideline that protected all children from potential liver infections.

New guidelines for infants For babies of mothers who test negative, the panel recommended that parents, in consultation with their healthcare provider, decide when or if to begin the vaccine series.

Under the scrapped universal recommendation, the birth dose was followed by two additional doses at 12 months and 618 months. The committee now suggests that if parents skip the birth dose, the first vaccine should be given no earlier than two months of age.

Kennedys role and committee changes Kennedy replaced 17 independent experts in June with a committee largely supportive of his views.

During the two-day meeting, two members strongly opposed the change, arguing there was no evidence supporting it and highlighting decades of data on the vaccines safety and effectiveness.

Safety concerns and global standards Some committee members, who now include no immunologists, argued that studies on newborn safety were limited.

The World Health Organization recommends that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine immediately after birth, followed by two or three doses at least four weeks apart. The WHO notes that 95% of infected newborns may develop chronic hepatitis B.

CDC decision pending The acting CDC director, Jim ONeill, is expected to decide whether to accept the committees new recommendation.

Committee members emphasized that the risk of infection for most infants is very low, and voiced concern that doctors may not always fully discuss the risks and benefits of a birth-dose vaccination with parents.

Hepatitis B risks Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can be acute in adults but may become chronic in infants and children, potentially causing liver failure, cirrhosis, or cancer.
The shadow of that scarring is visible in the revamped labour code. It acknowledges that the state needs to know more about internal migrants and help them with portable access to ration shops and social security. Among other welcome features of the new laws, its now mandatory for employers to give out appointment letters. The principal employer will be responsible for any unpaid wages of contract labour. Assurance of health and life insurance to gig workers reflects a more realistic reassessment of a digitized urban economy.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, upon receiving an invitation to the banquet in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, said it is inappropriate that leaders of the Opposition are not invited and noted he will certainly attend.

As reported by PTI, Thiruvananthapuram MP said, I dont know on what basis invitations are issued, but I will certainly attend. It is not appropriate that the Leaders of the Opposition are not invited.

However, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi were not invited to the Presidents banquet being hosted this evening during Putins two-day state visit to India.

President Putin arrived in national capital on Thursday on two-day visit.

Earlier on Wednesday, Tharoor stressed upon the importance of India's relationship with Russia, ahead of the much-anticipated visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking to media outside the Parliament on the Putin's upcoming visit, Tharoor said, It is a very important visit. It's an extremely important relationship. We talk for a long time about strategic autonomy; we have to preserve our negotiating space with America, China, Russia.

Stating that India has independent ties with other countries, he added, We cannot mortgage our autonomy to any other country's interest. We have to have independent relationships with all countries. Russia is an old relationship, it is a serious relationship, strong relationship.

Earlier in the day, addressing the India-Russia Business Forum in New Delhi, President Putin said that due to initiatives by PM Modi such as the Make in India programme, India is becoming technologically sovereign.

He said that the Russian delegation did not only come to discuss energy issues and sign contracts for the supplies of oil and gas.

"What we want is the development of our multifaceted relations with India in various fields. Prime Minister stressed on many occasions in our private talks that India has vast and growing opportunities in many fields, but up until now they haven't been used to the extent both parties want to see it. That is precisely the reason why we convened this forum," he said.

President Putin said Russia is for strengthening its multifaceted relations with India in various fields.

He also said that Russian companies are ready to increase purchases of a wide range of goods and services from India.
When it comes to oil, few countries have needed each other more than Russia and India in recent years. Now, that relationship is being tested.

The details

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi this week, just months after President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India as punishment for buying Russian oil.

Despite U.S. efforts to isolate Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, India has maintained warm relations with Moscow, offering it a crucial economic and diplomatic lifeline by buying its sanctioned crude throughout the war.

India has benefited from a deep discount since 2022 because of a patchwork of sanctions on Russian oil and the long voyage for tankers heading from Russias western ports to the subcontinent. But recent U.S. secondary sanctions threatened against entities trading with Russian state oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil are set to force India to cut back sharply on its purchases.

Buying oil from Russia has also left India with a giant trade deficit with Russia, something of a sore point for New Delhi and a major theme running through the visit.

The key point

Both leaders want to maintain their mutually beneficial energy relationship and show they can withstand U.S. pressure, without antagonizing Trump.

Moscow is eager to prevent Indias oil purchases from falling back to near zerotheir level before the war. Oil is one of the Kremlins largest sources of revenue. India, a net importer of oil, relies on Russia for more than a third of its oil imports, up from just 2% before the war.

We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel," said Putin during a joint news conference with Modi on Friday.

The Indian leader, who spoke first, concentrated on the two countries cooperation over civil nuclear energy rather than oil. Energy security has been a strong and vital pillar of the India-Russia partnership," he said.

Whats next

Energy market analysts expect India to remain a significant buyer of Russian crude while trying not to fall foul of sanctions. Russian officials said they are exploring mechanisms to keep oil supplies flowing.

Neither country has an appetite for provoking the U.S. right now. India is still pursuing a trade deal with the U.S. in hopes of reducing the tariffs. Meanwhile, the U.S. has restarted efforts to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, a development that has been welcomed by Moscow, with caveats.

Progress on Ukraine has potential to lift pressure off the Russia-India relationshipand allow the oil to keep flowing. Anything that pushes a cease-fire further back would likely have the opposite effect.

Write to Tripti Lahiri at tripti.lahiri@wsj.com
Altman paid $6.5 billion to acqui-hire Steve Jobss protege Jony Ive, who helped build the iPhone and the Apple Watch, along with Ives team that comes with other ex-Apple heavyweights. They are planning an AI device they hope will be the future of computing. Ives startup was already heavily staffed with former Apple employees, but the new hardware arm of OpenAI has been poaching aggressively from the iPhone-maker recently as well.
UPDATE: All three people killed in a wrong-way crash while fleeing from Whitfield County deputies have yet to be identified, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The driver, who deputies said seemed "impaired," had gotten onto I-75 southbound going the opposite direction while being pursued by law enforcement.

Their car first crashed into a pickup truck, and then a tractor-trailer.

After the latter impact, the car struck a concrete divider and quickly became engulfed in flames. Troopers say all three occupants succumbed to their injuries on scene.

'IT WAS NOTHING BUT GOD' Couple shares how they nearly missed fatal crash Nathaniel Dowding and his wife, Alyssa, detail how instinct and the grace of God saved their lives after the deadly crash on I-75 in Dalton.

The tractor-trailer also caught fire, but the trucker and the two other people involved in the collision only had "minor injuries," GSP says. Medics took all of them to a local hospital.

Local 3 reached out to the Whitfield County Coroner's Office to see their progress on identifying the bodies, and they say they are still working on it.

Thursday's fatal crash remains under investigation.

PREVIOUS STORY: Authorities say all three people killed in Thursdays wrong-way crash on I-75 in Whitfield County were inside the suspects vehicle, and investigators are still working to learn more about the driver.

As of now, all lanes have reopened on I-75.

According to the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office, the incident happened when the driver was seen weaving in and out of traffic and speeding. Deputies believe the driver's behavior indicated impairment. A deputy attempted to stop the driver after the driver sped past on I-75.

Deputies say the driver then got back into his vehicle during the stop, made a U-turn on the interstate, and began traveling north in the southbound lanes. The car collided head-on with a semi, and a third vehicle was also struck.

Blood Assurance issues emergency call for O-positive donors after fatal Dalton crash While the organization was able to meet the hospitals immediate needs, officials say the response placed a major strain on its O-positive inventory.

The driver of the semi was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Darren Pierce, Sheriff of Whitfield County, said investigators are still collecting information:

The Georgia State Patrol is doing the investigation, so they'll have the findings at a later date. We have two lanes right now that are open, but I would urge everyone to please use caution. To try to use Highway 41, it's going to be congested, but just be patient, be cautious.

Officials say they are still working to identify and learn more about the suspected impaired driver, who died in the crash, too.

PREVIOUS STORY: Whitfield County deputies attempted to stop a wrong-way driver before the crash on Interstate 75 southbound that killed all three people inside the vehicle.

The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office said all three people inside the vehicle, traveling the wrong direction on the interstate, died. Deputies believe the driver was impaired.

Deputies attempted to stop the driver for erratic driving, speeding, and driving in and out of lanes, but the driver pulled a U-turn and began driving the wrong way on the interstate.

The vehicle struck a semi-truck and another vehicle. The semi-truck driver was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries. The driver in the third vehicle was not injured.

The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office said all southbound lanes of I-75 have reopened after hours of being shut down. They say drivers should still expect delays as the flow of traffic may take time to return to normal.

Traffic was diverted from southbound I-75 at Exit 345. Southbound traffic was backed up northward for nearly 10 miles.

PREVIOUS STORY: Whitfield County Sheriff Darren Pierce said Thursday afternoon that the deadly crash on I-75 Southbound near the Dalton and Rocky Face exit was caused by a wrong-way driver.

That driver struck a semi-truck, which then collided with a third vehicle. Three were confirmed dead, according to the sheriff's office.

Law enforcement began letting traffic pass on the two far left lanes and shoulder as emergency crews removed debris from the scene.

Drivers were encouraged to seek alternate routes off the interstate, such as Highway 41.

Local 3 crews are at the scene speaking with witnesses and officials.

PREVIOUS STORY: Three people died in a crash on I-75 Southbound near the Dalton and Rocky Face exit Thursday morning, the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office tells Local 3.

There were three vehicles involved in the crash.

Emergency crews were on the scene, and we have crews en route.

Several Local 3 News viewers sent photos and videos of the crash aftermath and heavily congested traffic.

PREVIOUS STORY: I-75 Southbound is shut down at mile marker 336, right before the Dalton and Rocky Face exit, after a multi-vehicle crash.

Deputies with the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, as well as local firefighters and paramedics, are on the scene.

READ MORE | Local Traffic

Photos sent to us by a viewer driving in the area show flames and smoke coming from a tractor-trailer and car.

We are working to learn the severity of the drivers' injuries, as well as how the crash happened.

Anyone traveling south should get off at the Varnell Road exit, or avoid the interstate altogether.
Ballymahon's Maura Higgins has revealed the routine behind her incredible abs, which made headlines of their own this week after she stepped out at the British Fashion Council Awards in a haute couture statement two-piece by Robert Wun.

After posting a Q&A prompt to her Instagram page last night, the Longford star was inundated with questions about the routine responsible for her impressively defined core.

When asked how she achieve her abs, Maura replied, "no secret, just balance and consistency. I eat clean most of the time but I never restrict myself from the foods I love i.e. pasta/pizza! Lots of Pilates and yoga have made a huge difference to my body. I've finally found what works best for me. It's taken a lot of hard work but it's all about finding what feels good for your body."

In response to another follower who wrote, "drop the core routine - I'm begging you!" Maura said, "My Q&A is mostly this question! As I've said, Pilates, yoga, and if I'm totally honest, me trying not to fall over during class. Hard work, yes ... restriction, absolutely not!!"

View this post on Instagram A post shared by MAURA HIGGINS (@maurahiggins)




It must be about seventy-five technology-free years ago that I first became aware of Cairn Hill  or, in the colloquial, Corn Hill. On a bright summer day (werent they all like that back then?) somebody came up with the bright idea that wed cycle to the curious landmark in what was to us townies the terra incognita of North Longford.



Time and fading memory masks their faces but I suspect they included my lifelong friends, Hughie Brennan and Eamon Glennon, God be good to them. This was not a high-minded expedition to learn more about our ancient history. Just something different to fill in another sunny day rather than the usual spin to the Shannon at Tarmonbarry.

Read more: The money raised on Christmas Day does save lives: Longford GOAL Mile to return



The foray did take place, but without me. I cant remember why, but I do remember the sense of loss I felt when they returned with stories of muscle-tightening hills, cadging drinks of cooling spring water along the way and the gastronomic delights of warm sandwiches and bottles of red lemonade consumed while sprawled against the historic cairn.



It was, however, some consolation that I had my own regular Neolithic monument- a ring fort in a field mearing my uncles farm in the parish of Ardagh. There I spent many summer hours defending the ramparts, not from rampaging Ulstermen or Norsemen but the Apache or Sioux. Which tells its own story about the influences on young minds. The richness of our historic landmarks was far from our thoughts. Ironic, then, that it has taken three quarters of a century to finally have my eyes opened to the extent of that richness.



Such long-buried memories resurfaced when I opened Benny Reids remarkable book Out On Our Own, A history of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne. These ancient Gaelic territories of the OReillys, ORourkes and OFarrells, under English rule in the sixteenth century were, as Reid describes, reimagined under the county system as Cavan, Leitrim and Longford.



This book is an ambitious study of day-to-day life and events in the north midlands from the arrival of Neolithic man 6,000 years ago, through subsequent centuries of cultural, political, social and revolutionary upheaval.



But perish the thought that Out On Our Own is a heavy-duty academic work. Reids presentation of historical research is enlivened and made greatly entertaining by anecdotes, snippets of stories, local lore and sometimes quirky insights gathered from friends and neighbours and other sources during his decade-long research. Like any good storyteller, Reid starts at the beginning.



The book was partly inspired not only by great events but by the lingering impact of local lore and tradition: Many years ago I was one of a small group of boys who were warned by grown-ups that it was not lucky to play games around the old ringfort in Duffys field behind Moyne National School in North Longford. He is not alone in that regard.



Dolmens and ring forts may dominate our awareness - and fuel the myths and sense of unease which many have grown up with. Reid reminds us that in the landscape our Neolithic forebears also left us a rich physical heritage in stone circles, stone rows, cist graves, bullaun stones, cairns, court tombs, fulacht fia, wedge tombs and standing stones. Countless placenames, in spite of anglicisation, still owe their origins to the topographical description assigned to the area by early inhabitants.



Even now in the 21st century decisions on the direction of modern highways, or the reconfiguration of farmlands to serve modern agricultural needs, tend to leave the fairies undisturbed in their forts. The mysticism lies deep in all of us.



Reid opens his account of the great Gaelic monasteries  with a full chapter on that of Inchmore on Lough Gowna, near his home place- before the arrival of the great European orders whose fine monastic buildings still testify to their influence and power. But in one of his delightful segues, the author describes in detail the influence of Irish Catholic clergy, ministering to the diaspora across the globe.



Their influence in America is well known and confirmed by a fine illustration identifying the large number of dioceses established there by Irish clergy. Less celebrated perhaps is the influence in Australia of clergy from Cavan and Longford ministering to people transported from Ireland and Britain from the eighteenth century on, often for trivial crimes to provide workers for the colony. A table in the book lists draconian sentences handed down  including life imprisonment for stealing hay.

Read more: Come to 'a cosy, fireside-style conversation' with local Longford author



Reid also identifies a priest from north Longford, home on leave after 26 years in Australia, including working in the harsh environment of the gold fields, who was shot in Dublin during the 1916 rising and who died at home shortly after. The story was shrouded in secrecy at the time for fear of reprisals against the family.



The effect on the people in the three ancient regions of every turbulent period in Irish history is subjected to Reids forensic research. Each of the 26 chapters deals with a period of fundamental change to the lives of the people and political structures, i.e the arrival of the Normans and wars with and among Celtic clans, the roles of the clan Chieftains in poetry and the arts, the enforced migration from Ulster to Leitrim and Longford, the brutal transportation young Cavan, Leitrim and Longford men and women to the Caribbean and Australia, the horrors of the famine in the regions and how the three counties fought well above their weight in the War of Independence.



Each chapter has an end note listing every source for the material used, which illustrates the impeccable research undertaken and provides access and guidance for further study.

Unlike the bored - or forewarned  schoolboys of the past, access to the richness of our heritage is now much more accessible, including to tourists from home and abroad thanks to Failte Irelands focus on Irelands Hidden Heartlands.



Local history groups have become active throughout the country, the welcome addition of local interpretative centres and museums such as those in Granard, Corlea, Fenagh and Ballyjamesduff among others are bringing the past alive again to new generations. Without the imperative for sunny days or long bicycle journeys!

Read more: A magical festive evening in St Mel's Cathedral with Longford County Choir



Out On Our Own, A History of the People and Places of Annaly and Breifne is a timely reminder of the richness of the heritage of the north midlands - and an engrossing read. It is available in local shops and newsagents and online at www.outonourown.ie, an ideal Christmas present.

James Larkin worked in the Longford Leader from 1956 until 1965. He was editor of the paper from 1962-1965.
Israel Defense Forces Major General Rafi Milo (left) visited the Golan on November 30 and met with Israeli troops. (IDF)

Tensions between Israel and Syria have continued in the wake of a November 27 raid in southern Syria by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). On December 4, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), a state media outlet, accused Israel of a new incursion in southern Syria.

Israeli occupation forces renewed their incursion Thursday evening into Quneitra countryside, attacking Tal Ahmar Sharqi and the outskirts of the town of Kuwaya in the Yarmouk Basin area of western Daraa countryside with artillery shells, the report said. It is the latest in a series of incidents between Israel and Syria. The last major incursion took place on November 27, when an Israeli raid into the village of Beit Jinn resulted in six IDF soldiers being wounded and at least 13 Syrians killed.

In a December 1 post on the social media network Truth Social, US President Donald Trump called for talks between Israel and Syria and wrote in support of Syrias transitional president, Ahmed al Sharaa. It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syrias evolution into a prosperous state, Trump posted. The call for negotiations came as US Ambassador to Turkey and Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack was in Damascus meeting with Syrias president.

On December 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited IDF soldiers who had been wounded in the November 27 Beit Jinn raid, where he also laid out Israels policy regarding Syria. Netanyahu said Israel was protecting its northern border and working to prevent the entrenchment of terrorists and hostile actions against us, to protect our Druze allies, and to ensure that the State of Israel is safe from ground attack and other attacks from the border areas. He added that Israel expects Syria to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the buffer zone area, including, of course, the approaches to Mount Hermon and the summit of Mount Hermon.

The buffer zone is the area along the Golan border between Israel and Syria that formed part of the 1974 ceasefire line. IDF forces entered the zone on December 8, 2024, after Syrias Bashar al Assad regime collapsed. Netanyahu and top Israeli officials had visited this area on November 19, highlighting the importance Israel places on holding its new positions near the Golan.

To highlight Israels commitment to securing the border with Syria, Major General Rafi Milo, the commander of IDF Northern Command, visited the Golan Heights on November 30. Milo conducted a situational assessment with troops and discussed the Beit Jinn raid, which the IDF noted was carried out by its 55th Brigade. Milo emphasized the importance of proactive activity to counter terrorism in the security zone and the value of forward defense in a statement distributed by the IDF. We cannot wait for the enemy to attack, we must be proactive. We will not allow terrorism to establish itself along our borders, he said.

Israels Syria policy has received increased attention in Israeli media in the wake of the Beit Jinn raid. For example, an opinion piece at the Ynet online newspaper discussed what Israel was getting wrong in Syria. Israels posture since Assads fall lacks a clear strategic goal. The presence of Israeli forces in Syria has produced friction with civilians who once viewed Israel favorably, wrote Elizabeth Tsurkov, a research fellow at the Forum for Regional Thinking at the Van Leer Institute and a doctoral candidate at Princeton University.

The clashes have also received attention in regional media. SANA noted on November 28 that Syria had condemned Israels brutal attack. The United Arab Emirates Al Ain News and Turkeys Anadolu Agency have also spotlighted the incidents.

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).
Starting at a Michigan community college can be a great financial and academic choice for many students. It offers a flexible way to begin your education, explore possible majors, and take advantage of programs like the Michigan Community College Guarantee and Michigan Reconnect Scholarship, which can make community college more affordable (or even tuition-free for those who qualify).

If you plan to transfer to Madonna University or another four-year institution, one of the best tools to support your path is the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). Here's what it is, why it matters, and how to make sure you get full credit for the work you complete.

What is the MTA?

Years ago, transferring between colleges in Michigan was a bit of a headache. You could take Introduction to Algebra at your community college and still end up retaking something like College Algebra Fundamentals after you transferredsimply because the new school didnt see your original course as an exact match.

To fix this, the Michigan Transfer Network created the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA): a statewide list (it's not a degree!) of general education courses that most Michigan colleges and universities agree to accept as close enough. If you complete the MTA at your community college, your lower-division gen eds are considered satisfied when you transferno surprise repeats required.

While there are some caveat to this, essentially, students need to complete a minimum of 30 semester hours with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA as well as the following:

One course in English Composition

A second course in English Composition or 1 course in Communications

One course in Mathematics from one of three pathways: College Algebra, Statistics, or Quantitative Reasoning

Two courses in Social Sciences (from two disciplines)

Two courses in Humanities and Fine Arts (from two disciplines excluding studio and performance classes)

Two courses in Natural Sciences including one with laboratory experience (from two disciplines)

If that sounds a little confusing - don't worry. Academic advisors are very familiar with the requirements and will help make sure you're taking the right classes.

i'm heading to (or currently attending) community college - what do i need to do?

If you're planning to transfer to a four-year university, it's never too early to start planning. Talk with an admissions counselor at the school you're interested in - even before your first semester - to make sure the courses you take will put you on track for your intended major.

At the same time, meet regularly with your community college academic advisor. They can help you select courses that satisfy the MTA requirements and create a plan to complete them efficiently.

Once you've completed all the required courses, you'll need to visit your community college's registrar and request that the MTA be officially added to your transcript. This step is essential: completing the courses alone is not enough. If the MTA isn't labeled on your transcript, your courses may still transfer - but they could simply count as general education credit rather than fulfilling the MTA, which could slow your progress toward your degree.

If you're applying to transfer for next semester, you can let your future university know that you will have completed the MTA. But before you send your final transcript, make sure that your transcript reflects that you have satisfied the MTA requirements. It's your responsibility, along with your advisor, to ensure you've completed the requirements - and your responsibility, along with the registrar, to make sure it shows up correctly.

We promise, it's not as complex as it might seem

We know this can sound like a lot, but it's really not as complicated as it seems. Admissions officers, academic advisors, and registrars are all very familiar with the MTA and can guide you every step of the way to make sure the process goes smoothly.

Because not every student plans to complete the MTA - and not every associate degree automatically satisfies the requirements - we wanted to spell it out clearly so you know exactly what's involved if this is the path you choose. Many programs already satisfy the MTA, in which case your only step may be stopping by the registrar's office in your final semester to request MTA satisfaction being placed on your transcript.

While it can feel confusing if you're not familiar with how it works, completing the MTA and having it officially marked on your transcript is well worth the effort. It gives you a flexible path for the future, ensures you won't have to retake courses, and can save you both time and money if you decide to pursue a bachelor's degree down the road.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Mostly cloudy with snow showers during the morning. High around 25F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 11F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 22F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snowfall around one inch..

Tonight

Snow this evening will give way to lingering snow showers late. Low 22F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snowfall around one inch.
MBTA Transit Police are searching for a suspect after a woman was pushed onto train tracks at North Station, according to WCVB News.

The woman was pushed onto the tracks on Thursday, NBC10 reports. The 61-year-old woman was pushed on the Green Line platform and her injuries are unknown, WCVB reports. Police, however, told the outlet the victim was not in danger of being struck by an incoming train.

Police believe the suspect, a man, is a homeless person who frequently visits in the area, according to WCVB.

A spokesperson for the MBTA Transit Police did not immediately respond to MassLives requests for comment on Friday.

An investigation is underway, according to WCVB.
Matthews Hall at Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Mass. as pictured on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Sebastian Restrepo

Editors note: The story was updated at 9:15 a.m. Friday to include additional information.

A Harvard Law School professor was arrested by ICE after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said he fired a BB gun outside of a synagogue the day before Yom Kippur.

On Oct. 2, Carlos Portugal Gouvea, a citizen of Brazil, was arrested in connection with the shooting. DHS said Gouvea claimed he was hunting rats.

Gouveas lawyer told the Boston Globe he categorically denies that his actions were motivated by antisemitism or by any intent to cause fear or disruption to the Temple Beth Zion community in Brookline.

What occurred was a total misunderstanding of an entirely innocent situation, he added.

Gouvea told police he was using a pellet rifle to hunt rats in the area.

Temple leaders previously told the Globe they considered Gouveas actions potentially dangerous but added that they didnt appear to be fueled by antisemitism.

The Brookline Police Department pointed out there was no hate crime charge.

If the responding officers had believed that antisemitism had been a factor in Mr. Gouveas actions, they would have charged him with a hate crime, Paul Campbell, a spokesman for the Brookline Police Department, said in an email to The New York Times. Based upon their investigation, they did not submit any bias-based charges.

On Oct. 5, Harvard Chabad Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi condemned an attack that killed two people at a synagogue in England during services for Yom Kippur. But he also said the incident in Brookline involving Gouvea was not motivated by antisemitism.

This man is married to a Jewish woman and has Jewish children, and its absolutely nothing to do with targeting the Jewish community, he said, according to The Harvard Crimson.

Harvard did not immediately respond to MassLives request for comment Friday.

On Oct. 16, the Department of State revoked Gouveas visa. A month later, Gouvea accepted a plea deal on the charge of illegal use of the air rifle while his other charges for disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and vandalizing property were dismissed.

On Wednesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Gouvea, and he agreed to leave the United States voluntarily rather than face deportation.

It is a privilege to work and study in the United States, not a right. There is no room in the United States for brazen, violent acts of antisemitism like this, said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Secretary Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and commit anti-American and antisemitic violence and terrorism should think again. You are not welcome here.

The visiting professors bio on Harvards website states he founded the first law firm in Brazil focused on corporate governance matters, PGLaw, leading the implementation of the first human rights and business programs in Brazilian public companies and other large-scale consumer, anticorruption and diversity compliance projects.

He was teaching two classes this fall and his areas of interest are civil rights, human rights and race and the law.
A motor vehicle crash early Friday morning in East Boston has left one person dead, a spokesperson for the Boston Police Department said on Friday.

At 2:18 a.m. on Friday, officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries at 467 Chelsea St. in East Boston, the spokesperson told MassLive. When officers arrived, Boston EMS officials were already giving aid to the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead, according to the spokesperson. The spokesperson did not reveal the name, age or gender of the victim.

Members of the fatal accident reconstruction team and homicide detectives responded to the scene to investigate, the spokesperson said. The scene of the incident and the investigation of the crash remain active, the spokesperson told MassLive.
Five months after filing bankruptcy, a leader in the canned-food industry is still struggling to find a buyer.

For 139 years, Del Monte has earned its place as a grocery staple.

From peaches and pineapples to corn and peas, its bright yellow cans have lined supermarket shelves for more than a century.

But despite that long run, the company is still struggling to find a buyer while it navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The company  which also owns well-known brands such as Contadina, Joyba and College Inn  filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey in July 2025.

Five months later, it still has no buyer.

Read more: Major canned fruit and vegetable giant files for bankruptcy

After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create a stronger and enduring Del Monte Foods, Del Monte Foods President and CEO Greg Longstreet said in a July statement.

While we have faced challenges intensified by a dynamic macroeconomic environment, Del Monte Foods has nourished families for nearly 140 years, and we remain committed to our mission of expanding access to nutritious, great-tasting food for all.

As part of the proceedings, the company said it would continue searching for a buyer.

As of Dec. 5, no sale has been announced.

At the time of its bankruptcy filing, Del Monte listed liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion, MassLive previously reported.

The company also secured $912.5 million in new funding to support ongoing operations and keep the business afloat during the sale process.

Del Monte was founded in 1886 and by 1907 had established a famous cannery in San Francisco, according to its website.

By 1909, the company claimed to be the largest fruit and vegetable cannery in the world.
Brian Walshe enters the courtroom for his murder trial in connection with the death of his wife Ana, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP

Text messages Brian Walshe sent to his wife, Ana, in early January 2023 depict a concerned husband growing increasingly worried when his wife fails to respond to urgent messages asking where she is.

But by the time Brian Walshe was sending the texts, he knew his wife was dead.

The messages were introduced into evidence on the 5th day of Walshes murder trial Friday morning. Walshe is accused of killing and dismembering his wife on New Years Day 2023, then hiding her remains in dumpsters across the state and misleading the police investigation into her disappearance.

In their opening statement, Walshes defense claimed he found his wife dead in their home in the early morning of Jan. 1, 2023 and panicked.

With Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe on the stand, prosecutor Greg Connor introduced the messages into evidence. Keefe, who began his testimony on Thursday, examined data pulled from Walshes phone.

The first text message came on Dec. 25, 2022 at 11:53 a.m., when Walshe told his wife one of their sons, asked if you were coming today. A minute later, he follows up to say, I havent heard from you at all.

At 12:57 p.m., Walshe read a message from his wife where she told him her flight was cancelled and she was driving to Massachusetts from Washington, D.C., where she worked.

Walshe then sent several photos to his wife at 6:33 p.m. on Dec. 30.

The next message came on Jan. 2, 2023, when Walshe texted that one of his sons found his phone, which he claimed had been lost, in one of the other sons beds. Call anytime, he adds in the message sent at 2:33 p.m. The message was never delivered, Keefe said.

Then at 7:18 p.m. the same day, Walshe texts, Hello Where are you Please call text or email Exhausting day with the boys and we had fun Going to bed early, big day tomorrow for everyone I still love you!!! Haha That text was also not delivered.

At 6:39 a.m. on Jan. 3, Walshe sent several messages in quick succession. Hello where are you Im worried, please call, or email he wrote.

At 8:30 a.m., he texts, Where are you? I just called and it went straight to voice mail. Calling you in Viber now. He follows up 2 minutes later, writing I will call after I drop the boys If I dont hear from this morning I am going to report you missing.

At 12:16 p.m., Walshe writes, Hello, I texted your sister and Alissa I am calling Jeff if I dont hear from you? where are you?

At 7:03 p.m. that day he texts, hello. A minute later he writes, where are you? the boys and I are worried I am calling working tomorrow if I dont hear from you.

At 10:14 a.m. on Jan. 4, the day he would eventually report his wife missing, Walshe texts, where are you????????? The final message was sent a minute later, when Walshe wrote, I am calling Jeff now

Connor concluded his questioning of Keefe there. Defense attorney Larry Tipton is cross-examining Keefe on Friday morning.
A man from Brockton was arrested in connection with drug trafficking and is suspected of trying to flush down pills in the toilet seen above. Courtesy: U.S. Attorney of Massachusetts Leah Foley's Office U.S. Attorney of Massachusetts Leah Foley's Office

A Brockton man was arrested and charged in connection with trafficking fentanyl from his home while on GPS home confinement for two pending drug cases, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced Thursday.

Edmund Kelsey, 26, was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, Foleys office wrote in a press release. Kelsey is currently in state custody and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, according to Foleys office.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of no less than 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million, Foleys office said.

During a search of Kelseys Brockton residence on Oct. 30, Kelsey fled upon seeing law enforcement, ran inside the residence and locked the door, Foleys office wrote. He then ran down to the basement, where he attempted to flush hundreds of grams of multi-colored pills and other material down the toilet, according to the U.S. Attorneys office. A sample of the pills field-tested positive for a fentanyl and methamphetamine compound. Kelsey was immediately taken into custody.

At the time of the search, Kelsey was on home confinement with GPS monitoring as a condition of release on two pending Massachusetts Superior Court drug trafficking cases, according to Foleys office. He was previously sentenced to a total of five years in state prison for multiple Superior Court convictions involving drug dealing and guns.

A respirator mask, two large containers of cutting powder, over 1,000 grams of marijuana, approximately 10 cell phones and over $1,000 in cash were also located inside Kelseys residence, according to Foley.
The final witness to testify on the fourth day of Brian Walshes murder trial on Thursday was a Massachusetts State Police trooper who examined several devices turned over by Walshe for texts, phone calls and location data.

Trooper Connor Keefe was on the stand for roughly two-and-a-half hours on Thursday, painstakingly moving through mobile phone data under questioning from prosecutor Greg Connor.

Keefe first became involved in the investigation into the disappearance of Walshes wife, Ana, on Jan. 5, 2023, a day after Brian Walshe reported her missing. He was asked to analyze cellphone records from Verizon associated with Ana Walshe.

Based on records turned over by the network, Keefe determined that Walshes phone was near her home at 516 Chief Justice Cushing Highway in Cohasset at around 3:14 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2023. The phone interacted with a cell tower two more times  at 4:13 a.m. on Jan. 2 and at 4:14 a.m. on Jan. 4. Both times, the network couldnt connect.

Keefe was also responsible for examining data pulled from an iPhone 13 mini and two iPads Brian Walshe turned over to police on Jan. 6. He analyzed the data from the iPhone 13 mini and another iPhone. The location data from both phones, which are registered to Walshes mother, was entered into evidence.

Location data

Connor first questioned Keefe about where the iPhone 13 mini traveled on Jan. 5, 2023. That day, according to Keefe, it went from the Walshe home in Cohasset to Walshes mothers home at a Swampscott apartment complex, where it is stationary in a southeast corner of the property where a large trash compactor is located. He said he reported that activity to his supervisors, noting it didnt line up with a previous trip the phone took to Swampscott.

On Wednesday, the jury saw numerous items pulled from that trash compactor in Swampscott, including bloody towels, a hacksaw and clothes that matched Brian Walshes description of what he last saw his wife wearing.

With Keefe still on the stand, Connor published a PowerPoint presentation to the in-court screens for the jury, mapping out various stops the phones made in early January of 2023.

Keefe explained that he used cell-site location, license plate readers and surveillance footage to corroborate the location data.

Safari search history

After reviewing the location data, Keefe walked jurors through the iPhone 13 minis search history. Already, search history has played a significant role in the case, with Tuesdays testimony primarily focused on the grisly searches Walshe conducted on his MacBook.

The searches began on Dec. 25, 2022, with Walshe inputting flight check JetBlue into his browser at 11:52 a.m. Then at 12:09 p.m., Walshe searched William Fastow DC real estate.

Fastow, who testified on Thursday, was having an affair with Ana Walshe.

Throughout the day, Walshe searches his wifes name and that of Tishman Speyer, the company she worked for. Jurors learned earlier this week that Ana Walshe was delayed returning to Massachusetts from Washington, D.C., on Christmas Day 2022.

The device also searched the name of one of the properties Ana Walshe managed in Washington, D.C., and for Washington, D.C. police.

On Jan. 3, 2023, at 7:23 p.m., the device searched, how to file a missing persons report. Brian Walshe wouldnt report his wife missing until the next day.

Texts and phone calls

Text messages read by Keefe on Thursday showed Walshe communicating with numerous people in an apparent effort to locate his wife. He texts with a coworker at Tishman Speyer and others, often asking if theyve heard from her.

On Jan. 4, 2023, at 10:59 a.m., one friend texts Walshe, I think that you need to report this ASAP.

Keefe also read several messages from Gem Mutlu, the man Walshe and his wife hosted on New Years Eve. On Jan. 2, Mutlu messaged, last night was so good! thank you and the chef world class and company equally so.

Walshe replied the next day, saying in part, another amazing New Year (sic) Eve together as a triumvirate. He doesnt mention his wife.

Keefe also pointed jurors to several calls between Walshe and his wife, including an hour-long conversation on Christmas Day. Walshes phone then made an outgoing call to his wife at 8:28 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2023.

That call lasted only 15 seconds. Keefe indicated Walshe was connected to her voicemail. There were no incoming calls from Ana Walshe to her husband after a zero-second call on New Years Eve.

Keefes testimony concluded there for the day, as Judge Diane Freniere sent jurors home. Testimony resumes on Friday, which is expected to be a half-day.
Brian Walshe enters the courtroom for his murder trial in connection with the death of his wife Ana, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP

Much as they did earlier this week with a different digital forensics expert on the stand, Brian Walshes defense on Friday morning highlighted numerous text conversations and Google searches prosecutors skipped over.

With Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe on the stand, defense attorney Larry Tipton walked through mountains of data from Walshes iPhone 13 mini and MacBook laptop. That included conversations between Walshe and his wife, Ana, about buying her a Porsche and the family potentially acquiring a new property in Washington, D.C., where Ana Walshe worked.

So what we have here, what you just described to the jury, is when we put all the data together from ... we see that all of those data when looked at, they help frame a picture of communications about buying property and selling property, shopping for a Porsche, trading pictures between each other all in the time period encompassing December 25 leading up to December 31, of 2022, is that right? Tipton asked.

While Keefe noted the communications ended on Dec. 30, he agreed with Tipton.

That timeframe is a critical one in the case.

Brian Walshe is charged with first-degree murder, meaning that prosecutors must essentially prove that he planned to kill his wife, as they have claimed. The government has set forward multiple theories as to a potential motive for Brian Walshe to kill his wife  they claim he knew Ana Walshe was having an affair and his marriage was coming to an end, that he was having money trouble because of a $400,000 restitution payment from his federal art fraud case and wanted to avoid prison time for that case by remaining the primary caretaker for his children.

Brian Walshes defense has said Ana Walshe died a Sudden Unexplained Death and that he panicked after finding her dead and disposed of her remains. Ana Walshes remains have never been found, meaning prosecutors are relying heavily on circumstantial evidence  like digital forensics  to prove the case.

During Keefes direct examination, prosecutors highlighted searches Brian Walshe made on Christmas Day while his wife was travelling from Washington, D.C. to Cohasset. Those included Ana Walshe found dead and Christmas Day plane crash.

But on cross-examination, Tipton suggested those alarming searches ended after Walshe received a text from his wife informing him her flight had been cancelled.

Did you look at all that data together one time? Like weve just done for the jury, and created a context for all of those communications in those three different sources of information. Did you ever do that? Tipton pressed.

Tipton also noted that investigators never sought a search warrant for information from the devices dating back before Dec. 25, 2022. Keefe said they didnt have probable cause to do so.

Under cross-examination, Keefe confirmed he never saw any evidence on the iPhone that Walshe could see text messages exchanged between his wife and William Fastow, the man she was having an affair with. The same was true for any Facebook messages they exchanged.

Messages between Ana Walshe and William Fastow appearing on the phone appearing on the phone assigned to Brian Walshe, that would be pretty important evidence, correct? Tipton asked. Keefe said it would be.

You would do everything you could ... to try and find that, wouldnt you? Keefe agreed.

Tipton concluded his cross-examination there.

Two other witnesses took the stand for prosecutors on Friday  a retired Massachusetts State Police trooper and a medical examiner with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The retired trooper, Heather Sullivan, collected tools investigators found in a trash bag left in a dumpster near Brian Walshes mothers apartment in Swampscott. Those tools, including a hacksaw and a hatchet, were shown to jurors and entered into evidence on Friday.

The medical examiner, Dr. Richard Atkinson, testified he was asked to review items recovered from the dumpster for potential human tissue. Prosecutor Greg Connor did not complete his questioning of Atkinson before jurors were sent home for the day.
The United States Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for the South American country of Venezuela.

The warning comes amidst increased incidences of terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest, the Department of State noted.

Level four is the highest warning that the Department of State can assign, urging travelers to avoid the South American nation altogether.

The Department of State has determined that there is very high risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals in Venezuela.

Detainees may experience torture, including beatings, prolonged restraint in stress positions and waterboarding, according to the Department of State.

Little to no help can be offered to U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela since the Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas and suspended operations in 2019.

Violent crimes are another reason travelers should avoid the country. Homicides, armed robberies, kidnappings and carjackings are common, according to the Department of State.

The country also suffers from poor health infrastructure, with shortages of medicine, medical supplies, gasoline, electricity and water prevalent throughout the country.

If you do decide to travel to Venezuela, the Department of State recommends taking extra security measures such as hiring private security, developing a communication plan for proof of life and drafting a will.

Travelers can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which allows the Department of State to quickly contact travelers in the case of an emergency and provide updates about health, weather, safety and security.
An 8-year-old horse that bolted from its owner after being startled on a trail later died from its injuries, leaving its rider severely hurt and calling for increased trail safety.

Rosie Kennedy told CBS News Boston she was riding her horse, Pops, in Ipswich on Nov. 21 when a man on a mountain bike veered off nearby railroad tracks and onto the path, spooking the animal.

Kennedy was thrown from the horse, which then ran ahead without a rider.

Pops just lost his mind, Kennedy told CBS News Boston. He was just terrified. He reared and he spun, and he started to gallop.

Kennedy suffered a broken ankle and damage to her knee. She crawled 30 minutes back to a barn, where an ambulance took her to the hospital.

Pops was later found at a nearby farm with life-threatening injuries. A veterinarian determined he could not be saved and euthanized him.

It just breaks my heart to think that he ran off running for his life with basically a fatal injury, Kennedy told CBS News Boston.

Kennedy said she took a photo of the bicyclist, who did not stop.

Kennedy told NBC10 Boston she will spend the next several months recovering from her injuries.

Ill be going home in a wheelchair and probably [need] some services at home, she said.

The Essex County Trail Association released a statement via its Facebook page, saying the group is saddened by the recent accident that led to the serious injury of a rider and loss of her horse and reminding trail users to exercise caution when approaching horses.

Horses and riders have the right of way above everyone else, the statement said. When encountering a horse and rider, from head on or from behind, bikers and runners should come to a stop and call out a greeting, wait for acknowledgement, and allow the horse to pass.

Kennedy said she hopes the incident will help people understand the importance of trail safety.

Under no circumstances should any bicyclist or any pedestrian ever come up fast behind a horse. That is terrifying to them. And it was terrifying to Pops, Kennedy told CBS News Boston.

According to NBC10 Boston, Ipswich police are investigating the incident, but no charges have been filed.
A Nov. 29, 2025 fire at Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Rockland prompted a complete evacuation. No one was injured. Here, the facility is pictured in September 2025. Google Maps

Two fires, two vastly different outcomes.

Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey isnt comparing them apples to apples, but what went wrong at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River this summer went right in his town on Saturday night.

When a three-alarm fire started in the ceiling above a staff bathroom at Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare on Nov. 29, the buildings sprinkler system successfully kept it at bay until firefighters arrived. Meanwhile, Webster Parks staff had already begun evacuations of residents down two staircases on either end of the building.

By nights end, all 102 residents of the nursing home had been evacuated, and there were no injuries. Duffey breathed a sigh of relief, particularly after 10 people tragically lost their lives in the July 13 fire at Gabriel House, a facility housing a similar vulnerable population with mobility challenges.

Duffey called Saturday nights response in Rockland a successful operation, crediting his department, their mutual aid partners and the Webster Park facility.

An image he was struck by that night was a male staff member carrying a resident down a staircase over his shoulder  an average person doing a firemans job.

What happened at Gabriel House

Over the summer, when a five-alarm blaze broke out at the Gabriel House assisted living facility on a Sunday evening, just two employees were on shift, responsible for more than 70 residents. Ring camera footage from inside the building showed the staff fleeing through the front door and calling 911, without assisting residents, as thick smoke began to spread through the hallways.

Current and former staff members told media outlets in the immediate aftermath that they hadnt undergone a fire drill or emergency preparedness training in at least four years.

Making matters worse that night, sources with knowledge of the investigation have told MassLive, was a sprinkler system that didnt activate in the second-floor room where the fire started. Its since been learned that Gabriel Houses sprinkler heads had been recalled  more than two decades ago  but not replaced.

Read more: MassLive investigation uncovers critical failures in fire sprinkler inspections

The Gabriel House House assisted living facility in Fall River was struck by a fatal fire on July 13, 2025. Ten people died. Gustavo Atencio Flores/MassLive

The sprinkler system was also missing a critical internal inspection that is mandated every five years, MassLive has previously reported.

Ten people died in the fire, and Fall Rivers first responders courageously rescued 53. Neighbors playing volleyball nearby also responded, tearing down a metal fence blocking their way and placing ladders to access residents out of two third-floor bathroom windows.

In an interview this week, Duffey emphasized that the Fall River Fire Departments actions that night were heroic, and he was not comparing the two departments. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities also operate under different regulations  assisted living is far less regulated, with no federal standards governing the industry.

But there were certainly parallels between the Rockland and Fall River fires, which had starkly different outcomes.

Read more: Deadly Gabriel House fire exposes gaps in subsidized affordable assisted living business model

Webster Park, owned by New Jersey-based Marquis Health Services, underwent extensive renovations over the last few years, including upgraded sprinkler heads, Duffey said.

That in itself was huge, he said.

Firefighters dont know how long the fire burned in the ceiling before it activated the nearby sprinkler heads, but limited combustibles in the immediate area worked in their favor  unlike the Gabriel House fire that started in a residents room full of furnishings and personal items.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze while working through a very, very heavy smoke condition on the third floor, Duffey said.

The fire chief couldnt speculate on the outcome of the fire if the sprinklers hadnt gone off, but obviously its going to spread, he said.

Fire safety inspections: Nursing homes vs. assisted living

Fire safety inspections are conducted quarterly at Webster Park and Rocklands other nursing home facility, Duffey said, noting its been that way since he joined the department in 2004.

Every three months, these inspections get done, he said. Were all familiar with (Webster Park), and the deputy fire chief performs the inspections. Weve never had an issue with them, and if we ever did find anything, they were quick to respond. Theyve been very good to work with.

You need to know the players before an incident starts, Duffey added.

Webster Parks fire alarm and suppression systems are frequently serviced, a spokesperson for the facility said, adding the successful response on Saturday night reflects our ongoing commitment to planning, preparation and comprehensive staff training for a wide range of emergency situations.

Gabriel House owner Dennis Etzkorn has previously said his sprinkler system was tested just five days before the fire and found to be in working order.

In Massachusetts, fire safety inspectors are inside nursing homes much more frequently than assisted living facilities.

Nursing homes  which are regulated by both the federal government and the state  are required to undergo quarterly fire inspections mandated by the Department of Public Health. In contrast, as an assisted living facility, Gabriel House was inspected annually by the Fall River Fire Department.

Assisted living is overseen and certified by the states Executive Office of Aging and Independence, while nursing homes are licensed health care facilities under the Department of Public Health.

Currently, in addition to annual fire department inspections, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence conducts compliance reviews at assisted living facilities at least once every other year. They can conduct additional reviews if complaints or concerns are raised.

The state requires assisted living facilities to be compliant with fire safety codes  via the annual fire department inspections and inclusion of fire safety certificates and permits in their operating plans in order to stay certified.

The states Assisted Living Residences Commission is currently working to increase industry oversight and strengthen fire safety and emergency preparedness in response to the Gabriel House fire. The commission is expected to release recommendations for regulatory and legislative changes at the end of the month.

After the July 13 fire in Fall River, Gov. Maura Healey mandated that all 272 assisted living facilities in the state submit emergency preparedness plans and fill out a fire safety assessment survey, including sprinkler systems, fire drills, evacuation protocols and maintenance of fire-rated doors and walls.

Under Healeys direction, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence also strengthened coordination between state and local authorities for assisted living fire safety inspections through a new compliance verification form. Facilities will be required to secure an annual sign-off from their fire department that will be kept on file with the state, an effort to close systematic loopholes laid bare by the Gabriel House fire.

Fire departments have also been notified of which assisted living facilities in the state need additional emergency planning and support, which was self-reported through the survey.

In a report published in October, the Fall River Fire Department and Chief Jeffrey Bacon urged state officials to adopt the same life safety codes for assisted living facilities that nursing homes are subject to under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The same should apply for other occupancies that house vulnerable populations, such as group homes, boarding houses, day cares, sober homes and shelters, the report said.

Duffey fully agrees with that.

Its always bothered me, he said, noting there are numerous halfway houses and residential rehab centers in Rockland. It would be more work on our fire prevention team, but we need it.

The Assisted Living Residences Commission is currently considering a draft recommendation that would change state compliance checklists for assisted living to incorporate standards that the Department of Public Health considers for nursing home life safety.

Bacon also recently rang the alarm to fire departments across the state that his staff had discovered more recalled sprinkler heads in other Fall River buildings, including a group home, boarding house and shelter.

This discovery underscores the need for renewed attention, communication and possibly statewide guidance to ensure that vulnerable occupancies are identified and addressed before a fire incident puts lives at risk, Bacon wrote to State Fire Marshal John Davine in September.

Bacons messaging prompted Duffey and his deputy fire chief to check for recalled sprinklers in Rocklands two nursing homes. But more broadly, its a mounting challenge.

With the amount of buildings, even for a small town like Rockland, it can be tough to track, he said.

Webster Park is currently closed, and staff are actively assessing the timeline for (residents) safe return, their spokesperson said.
Officials in Newburyport on Thursday evening suspended the search and rescue effort for a man who went missing in the Merrimack River after he was seen clinging to the side of a small skiff boat on Wednesday morning.

There are no plans for a large-scale search effort to resume at this point, a spokesperson for the Newburyport police and fire departments told MassLive.

Newburyport police and firefighters responded to reports of a person in the river at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Officials told first responders they saw a man clinging to the side of a small skiff boat in the river, said Newburyport City Marshal Matthew Simons and Fire Chief Stephen H. Bradbury III in a joint statement.

First responders found the boat drifting in the river on Wednesday, but could not find the missing person. The search and rescue operation resumed Thursday, but the missing person was still not found.

Investigators determined the missing man was working for Northeast Work and Safety Boats and was scheduled to operate a safety boat for a bridge inspection job on Chain Bridge when he went missing, according to the statement. The safety boat was launched from Cashman Park and at one point, came loose from the dock.

The man went in the water to try and retrieve the boat and was reported missing shortly after that, according to the statement.

There is no indication of foul play, officials said.

I am truly proud of the way our first responders and partner agencies came together during this difficult and traumatic incident, said Simons in the statement. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones who are grieving. The dedication and professionalism displayed in this response demonstrate the genuine care and commitment that define our community.

Agencies involved in the two-day search included the Newburyport Fire Department, Newburyport Police Department, Newburyport Harbormaster, Massachusetts State Police Dive Team and Airwing, Massachusetts Environmental Police, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Rehab Unit, Amesbury Fire Department, Salisbury Fire Department Drone, Merrimac Police Department Drone, U.S. Coast Guard, Atlantic Ambulance and Beverly Fire Department Dive Team.
FILE - Honoree and Walt Disney Concert Hall architect Frank Gehry poses at the 2023 Los Angeles Philharmonic Gala, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Frank Gehry, who designed some of the most imaginative buildings ever constructed and achieved a level of worldwide acclaim seldom afforded any architect, has died. He was 96.

Gehry died Friday in his home in Santa Monica after a brief respiratory illness, said Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP.

Gehrys fascination with modern pop art led to the creation of distinctive, striking buildings. Among his many masterpieces are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Berlins DZ Bank Building.

He also designed an expansion of Facebooks Northern California headquarters at the insistence of the companys CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.

Gehry also has ties to Massachusetts. He studied urban planning at Harvard University and designed the Stata Center on MITs campus in Cambridge.

Gehry was awarded every major prize architecture has to offer, including the fields top honor, the Pritzker Prize, for what has been described as refreshingly original and totally American work.

Other honors include the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal, the Americans for the Arts lifetime achievement award, and his native countrys highest honor, the Companion of the Order of Canada.

The start of his career in architecture

After earning a degree in architecture from the University of Southern California in 1954 and serving in the Army, Gehry studied urban planning at Harvard University.

But his career got off to a slow start. He struggled for years to make ends meet, designing public housing projects, shopping centers and even driving a delivery truck for a time.

Eventually, he got the chance to design a modern shopping mall overlooking the Santa Monica Pier. He was determined to play it safe and came up with drawings for an enclosed shopping mall that looked similar to others in the United States in the 1980s.

To celebrate its completion, the malls developer dropped by Gehrys house and was stunned by what he saw: The architect had transformed a modest 1920s-era bungalow into an inventive abode by remodeling it with chain-link fencing, exposed wood and corrugated metal.

Asked why he hadnt proposed something similar for the mall, Gehry replied, Because I have to make a living.

If he really wanted to make a statement as an architect, he was told, he should drop that attitude and follow his creative vision.

Gehry would do just that for the rest of his life, working into his 90s to create buildings that doubled as stunning works of art.

As his acclaim grew, Gehry Partners LLP, the architectural firm he founded in 1962, grew with it, expanding to include more than 130 employees at one point. But as big as it got, Gehry insisted on personally overseeing every project it took on.

The headquarters of the InterActiveCorp, known as the IAC Building, took the shape of a shimmering beehive when it was completed in New York Citys Chelsea district in 2007. The 76-story New York By Gehry building, once one of the worlds tallest residential structures, was a stunning addition to the lower Manhattan skyline when it opened in 2011.

That same year, Gehry joined the faculty of his alma mater, the University of Southern California, as a professor of architecture. He also taught at Yale and Columbia University.

Imaginative designs drew criticism along with praise

Not everyone was a fan of Gehrys work. Some naysayers dismissed it as not much more than gigantic, lopsided reincarnations of the little scrap-wood cities he said he spent hours building when he was growing up in the mining town of Timmins, Ontario.

Princeton art critic Hal Foster dismissed many of his later efforts as oppressive, arguing they were designed primarily to be tourist attractions. Some denounced the Disney Hall as looking like a collection of cardboard boxes that had been left out in the rain.

Still other critics included Dwight D. Eisenhowers family, who objected to Gehrys bold proposal for a memorial to honor the nations 34th president. Although the family said it wanted a simple memorial and not the one Gehry had proposed, with its multiple statues and billowing metal tapestries depicting Eisenhowers life, the architect declined to change his design significantly.

If the words of his critics annoyed Gehry, he rarely let on. Indeed, he even sometimes played along. He appeared as himself in a 2005 episode of The Simpsons cartoon show, in which he agreed to design a concert hall that was later converted into a prison.

He came up with the idea for the design, which looked a lot like the Disney Hall, after crumpling Marge Simpsons letter to him and throwing it on the ground. After taking a look at it, he declared, Frank Gehry, youve done it again!

Some people think I actually do that, he would later tell the AP.

Gehrys lasting legacy around the world

Ephraim Owen Goldberg was born in Toronto on Feb. 28, 1929, and moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1947, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen. As an adult, he changed his name at the suggestion of his first wife, who told him antisemitism might be holding back his career.

Although he had enjoyed drawing and building model cities as a child, Gehry said it wasnt until he was 20 that he pondered the possibility of pursuing a career in architecture, after a college ceramics teacher recognized his talent.

It was like the first thing in my life that Id done well in, he said.

Gehry steadfastly denied being an artist though.

Yes, architects in the past have been both sculptors and architects, he declared in a 2006 interview with The Associated Press. But I still think Im doing buildings, and its different from what they do.

His words reflected both a lifelong shyness and an insecurity that stayed with Gehry long after hed been declared the greatest architect of his time.

Im totally flabbergasted that I got to where Ive gotten, he told the AP in 2001. Now it seems inevitable, but at the time it seemed very problematic.

The Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi, first proposed in 2006, is expected to finally be completed in 2026 after a series of construction delays and sporadic work. The 30,000-square-foot (2,787-square-meter) structure will be the worlds largest Guggenheim, leaving a lasting legacy in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

His survivors include his wife, Berta; daughter, Brina; sons Alejandro and Samuel; and the buildings he created.

Another daughter, Leslie Gehry Brenner, died of cancer in 2008.
Brian Walshe speaks to his attorney Kelli Porges during his murder trial on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP

Testimony in the murder trial of Brian Walshe continues Friday morning, the fifth day of the case.

Judge Diane Freniere, who is presiding over the trial, indicated she expected only a half-day of testimony on Friday, with jurors being sent home before the 1 p.m. lunch break. The jury will hear more testimony from Massachusetts State Police Trooper Connor Keefe, a digital forensics analyst, when the trial resumes Friday.

On Thursday, the panel heard from William Fastow, a Washington D.C.-based real estate agent, who was having an affair with Walshes wife, Ana, at the time of her death in January 2023.

Brian Walshe, 50, is accused of killing Ana Walshe, then dismembering her remains, in the Cohasset home they shared with their three children on Jan. 1, 2023. He has admitted to moving her body and misleading the police investigation into her disappearance.

Ana Walshes remains have never been found.
The Museum of Science in Cambridge was evacuated Friday afternoon after a person reported to police that there may be an explosive device in the museum.

The report was made to an officer at the front desk of the Cambridge Police station at around 3:30 p.m., a police spokesman said in an email.

The museum was evacuated as a precaution after the report, police said.

Cambridge police and fire, as well as Massachusetts State Police, checked the museum and found nothing hazardous, police said.

The incident remains under investigation, police said. No further details were immediately available Friday evening.
A man killed in a shooting in East Boston on Tuesday night was identified as a 21-year-old from Cambridge, according to Boston police.

Officers went to 27 Havre St. in East Boston at around 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday for a report of a person shot. There, they found a man, later identified as Nazir Wallace, of Cambridge, with a gunshot wound, police said in a statement.

Wallace was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The shooting marked the 31st homicide in the city thus far in 2025. By Dec.5, 2024, the city had recorded 22 homicides, according to Sgt. Detective John Boyle, the departments chief spokesman.

The departments homicide unit is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact police at 617-343-4470.
An American flag flies at half-staff outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

The Supreme Court agreed Friday to take up the constitutionality of President Donald Trumps order on birthright citizenship declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

The justices will hear Trumps appeal of a lower court ruling that struck down the citizenship restrictions. They have not taken effect anywhere in the country.

The case will be argued in the spring. A definitive ruling is expected by early summer.

The birthright citizenship order, which Trump signed Jan. 20, the first day of his second term, is part of his administrations broad immigration crackdown. Other actions include immigration enforcement surges in several cities and the first peacetime invocation of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.

The Republican administration is facing multiple court challenges, and the high court has sent mixed signals in emergency orders it has issued. The justices effectively stopped the use of the Alien Enemies Act to rapidly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without court hearings. But the Supreme Court allowed the resumption of sweeping immigration stops in the Los Angeles area after a lower court blocked the practice of stopping people solely based on their race, language, job or location.

The justices also are weighing the administrations emergency appeal to be allowed to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area for immigration enforcement actions. A lower court has indefinitely prevented the deployment.
Sprout is recovering at the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts after being discovered by West Bridgewater police last week, starving and anemic. Courtesy of Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts

Last week, West Bridgewater found Sprout, a 9-month-old severely neglected dog who was so weak that she could barely stand.

Now, West Bridgewater police plan summon Sprouts owner, a 27-year-old Taunton Man, to face a charge of animal cruelty.

The police department announced its intention to summon the owner in an email on Friday. A spokesperson declined to offer details about the timeline of the summons. The department did not reveal the mans name as a court has not issued a criminal complaint.

Sprout was found in the backseat of a car after police cited the vehicle for speeding, according to the Brockton-based Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts.

Sprout, was taken to Westbridge Veterinary Referral Hospital, where she received medical care, according to the police department.

Shelter manager Katie Anderson said the owners of Sprout said they had the dog for less than a year and hadnt fed her at all, citing a lack of time and money.

Hospital veterinarians told Anderson that without intervention, Sprout likely would have died within 48 hours.

This was definitely the worst case of starvation Ive ever seen, Anderson said. Its so sad to even look at her. None of this makes sense.

The Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts gave an update on Sprouts condition on Facebook Thursday, saying shes doing much better after coming back from the hospital.

The protection center is raising funds to support Sprouts recovery and donations can be made via the APCSM website or Facebook page.

Reporting by Mike Grimala was used for this story.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., questions Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's choice to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., spoke out on Friday against Netflixs $82.7 billion deal to purchase Warner Bros. and HBO.

Netflix announced Friday the deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes its film and TV studios, HBO and HBO Max.

The acquisition is expected to go into effect in at least a year, according to a statement from Netflix.

This deal looks like an anti-monopoly nightmare, Warren said in a statement on Friday. A Netflix-Warner Bros. would create one massive media giant with control of close to half of the streaming market  threatening to force Americans into higher subscription prices and fewer choices over what and how they watch, while putting American workers at risk.

Warren, a longtime opponent of monopolies, said in her statement that the U.S. Justice Department must move forward in enforcing anti-monopoly laws.

Under Donald Trump, the antitrust review process has also become a cesspool of political favoritism and corruption, she wrote. The Justice Department must enforce our nations anti-monopoly laws fairly and transparently  not use the Warner Bros. deal review to invite influence-peddling and bribery.

Warren isnt the only U.S. Senator concerned about the acquisition.

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote on X Wednesday that Netflixs desire to buy Warner Bros. Discovery should send alarm to antitrust enforcers around the world.

When Netflix has real competition, viewers and artists win, Lee wrote. Netflix built a great service, but increasing Netflixs dominance this way would mean the end of the Golden Age of streaming for content creators and consumers.

Lee leads the Senate Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Antitrust, which has the authority to conduct congressional review of the purchase.

Netflix, meanwhile, said it plans to continue Warner Bros. operations and build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films.

The streamer also plans to maintain the streaming platform HBO Max as a complementary service for customers.

Our mission has always been to entertain the world, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in the statement. By combining Warner Bros. incredible library of shows and movies  from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends  with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, well be able to do that even better."
Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein is a Tufts University-trained physician whos spent his entire career as an infectious disease specialist.

Hes on the infectious disease faculty at MGH and teaches at Harvard Medical School. He did a two-year tour at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And in 2023, he became the states point man on all things infectious disease.

These days, however, Goldstein spends less time fighting plagues and more time playing whack-a-mole as the Trump administration launches what Goldstein sees as dangerous attacks on the science and common-sense approaches that have been the bedrock of public health for decades.

How much time?

Fighting this disinformation, unfortunately, is 90% of my job on any given day, Goldstein said Wednesday during a news conference at his agencys headquarters in Downtown Boston. And thats the reality of public health in this moment.

Goldsteins comments came ahead of Fridays expected vote by a federal vaccine advisory committee on whether newborns should still get the hepatitis B vaccine on the day theyre born, The Washington Post reported.

The panel is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is run by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an avowed vaccine skeptic.

The expected ruling by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which was meeting in Atlanta, also comes days after Goldstein went on the offensive against CDC guidance that he says revives the debunked link between childhood vaccines and autism.

Its part of a broader HHS effort to reconsider decades-old vaccine policies.

At Wednesdays news conference, Goldstein and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey reinforced the states commitment to making those vaccinations safe and available despite the federal governments actions.

In Massachusetts, we follow the science, the data and we listen to our medical experts, Healey said. We will make the best health recommendations to our families so that they can protect themselves and their loved ones. Were also committed to getting out to the public accurate information about the safety, the effectiveness and the availability of vaccines for yourself and for your kids.

Thats no small task. The public health establishments reputation took a beating during the COVID-19 pandemic, facing attacks by Trump and other vaccine skeptics along with conflicting guidance from authorities.

The agency failed to provide the public and public health authorities with clear and consistent messaging, and it failed to coordinate effectively with other public health agencies, Robert Redfield and Robert E. Moffit, two public health scholars for the conservative Heritage Foundation, wrote earlier this year.

The CDC also failed at collecting and disseminating relevant data in real time to state public health authorities and the public more broadly, during the nations greatest public health crisis in a century, they asserted.

And that distrust has only grown since, with less than half of all Americans now saying they have confidence that such agencies as the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration can carry out their core responsibilities, according to a May tracking poll by KFF, a health news website.

That cuts across party lines, with 6 in 10 adults  including three in four Democrats and nearly half of Republicans  saying the agencies are not paying enough attention to science when making decisions and recommendations about vaccines, pollsters found.

At least 3 in 10 respondents also said the agencies are paying too much attention to the beliefs of officials running the agencies (34%) and the interests of pharmaceutical companies (30%) when making vaccine-related decisions.

You dont have to look hard to find the real-world proof of that skepticism. Social media fairly seethes with it.

They never were evidence-based. They were controlled and when you question things, its like cornering a caged animal. They will aggressively attack, one Facebook commenter remarked of a MassLive story about flu vaccines. It amazes me, and yet, based on world history, should not, that people are like sheep. I just cant understand how people dont want to question things as they are. What is the danger in more research to protect people?

Another observed that they have never believed in fact-based science. They have always done what [the] ... money told them to do.

On Wednesday, both Healey and Goldstein acknowledged that experts had to rebuild the trust thats been chipped away at, by misinformation and disinformation and the deliberate sowing of doubt, he said.

Its particularly frustrating, Goldstein noted, since the success of the Hepatitis B vaccine is so well-established.

We have been safely and effectively giving the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns since 1991, when the CDC recommended the vaccine for all babies within 24 hours of birth. The result of that decision has been game-changing, Goldstein said. Pediatric infection rates have fallen by 99% nationwide. Let me say that again. They have fallen by 99% nationwide since 1991."

That is way more than a success story. That is a home run, he continued. Its one of the greatest public health interventions of our time. And its a shining example of what happens when science guides policy and when prevention is embraced early, equitably and universall y ."

Katie Blair, the director of the advocacy group Massachusetts Families for Vaccines, which supports such public health efforts, fights a similar fight all the time.

We get nasty comments on our posts all the time, she said. As a new mom, Ive noticed my social media feeds  the algorithm shows me a lot of mom groups, and its just everywhere.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesdays news conference, Healey rejected the suggestion that state officials would not bring some skeptics on board, no matter how hard they tried.

You never write off anybody, she said. And my job as governor is to make sure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to accurate information, whether its about their health and vaccines or anything else, she said. So, you know, D.C. and Secretary Kennedy and the Trump administration may be changing the way things have been done for decades when it comes to public health, but in Massachusetts, were staying the course, and were going to continue to go with what is proven and with what works.

For Goldstein, the best that we can do is go out and speak truth every single day and hope that people will listen to us.
The White Houses use of a nickname for President Donald Trump in a recent post on X has drawn mixed opinions on social media.

The post features a picture of Trump wearing a Santa hat in front of the White House with text saying Daddys Home.

Just very weird, popular polling account Polling USA replied to the post.

Thanks, but I have a Dad, wrote journalist Charles C. W. Cooke.

You mean Grandaddy? Gramps looks like he needs a rest home, another user commented.

Loved it so much, I bought the sign for my yard, another user replied.

The nickname appears to be a reference to other times political figures have referred to the president as daddy or dad.

Dad is pissed, conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson said about Trump during his campaign for president in October 2024. And when dad gets home, you know what he says? Youve been a bad girl. Youve been a bad little girl, and youre getting a vigorous spanking right now.

In June, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said to reporters that Daddy has to sometimes use strong language in reference to Trump comparing Israel and Iran to fighting children.

The post also coincides with First Lady Melania Trumps announcement that the theme for this years White House Christmas will be Home Is Where The Heart Is.

The saying Home is Where the Heart is resonates deeply with me, especially as I navigate the joys, challenges, and frequent motion that comes with motherhood and business, she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings.
A strong arctic cold front is making its way through Massachusetts on Thursday, bringing with it the chance for snow showers and squalls.

At around 4:45 p.m. Thursday, National Weather Service forecasters issued a Snow Squall Warning stretching roughly from Lynn to North Tewksbury, Gloucester and Newburyport. The warning expired at 5:30 p.m.

In the immediate hours after the front moves through, northwest wind gusts could reach the 40 to 50 mph range, which will combine with sharply falling temperatures to create wind chills ranging from roughly 10 above zero to 10 below zero.

This is quite a change in airmass so bundle up in layers if you have plans outdoors tonight! forecasters wrote.

The winds are expected to ease up overnight, which could lead to easing windchills. But forecasters still expect very cold ambient temperatures, particularly in areas in Northern, Central and Western Massachusetts still under a fresh snowpack from Tuesday.

By daybreak, lows could be between zero and five below zero in northern and northwestern areas of Massachusetts.

On Friday, forecasters expect lots of sunshine, but still cold and dry conditions, with high temperatures in the 20s. Some scattered flurries are possible across the Outer Cape and Nantucket, where temperatures should clear 30.

Looking ahead, forecasters expect a benign stretch of weather beginning Saturday, with another round of cold air expected early next week.

Temperatures should moderate on Saturday and Sunday, with highs climbing back into the high 30s and low 40s. But another arctic front on Sunday will drag highs down to the 20s and 30s, with lows in the single digits and low teens.
Severe weather has wiped out grazing fields, leaving 11 rescued therapy horses, ponies and donkeys struggling to find food at a Massachusetts nonprofit that believes in healing through animals.

Fall and Winter storms have wiped out what little grass we planted to feed our herd this year. Severe weather has left our grazing paddocks flooded and unusable, Berkshire HorseWorks wrote on Facebook.

Instead, the nonprofit has had to rely on hay. But that has gotten expensive as prices have increased.

Berkshire HorseWorks, in Richmond, works with more than 4,000 people of all ages in the Berkshires  including at-risk youth, first responders, veterans, families and other vulnerable populations with mental health, literacy and behavioral challenges  through Eagala Model Equine-Assisted programs.

These programs are provided at a greatly reduced or no cost.

Horses facilitate change, the website states. [Berkshire HorseWorks] believes that every individual, regardless of economic status, should have access to health and wellness activities that increase their ability to manage and excel in an ever-changing world.

All of the animals are also rescued, which means that some of them also need medication or additional veterinary help.

The nonprofit is asking the community to help the animals, Zephyr, Spirit, Gunnar, William, 007, Elektra, Bolt, Rodeo, Nellie, Wildflower and Star.

Your donation directly provides hay, grain, medication, and veterinary care to the animals who give so much back to our community, the fundraiser states.

A generous donor, who was not named, is matching all funds up to $5,000 if reached before Dec. 31. The nonprofit hopes to raise $6,500.

As of Dec. 3, it has raised about $2,000.

A donation of $50 can buy six bales of hay or two bags of grain, while $100 can buy 13 bales of hay and feed the 11 rescued horses for five days.

A donation of $135 can go towards helping Star, a 10-year-old Shetland/mini cross alive by paying for his insulin medication for a month.

Donors can also help pay for an equine-assisted psychotherapy session for an at-risk youth, veteran or first responder by giving $325. Sponsoring an at-risk child for RanchLife 101 summer life skills program is $1,050.

And it costs $1,540 to vaccinate all 11 horses, ponies and donkeys for a year.

Other ways to donate include booking a ranch experience, such as playing with miniature donkeys, doing trail rides, buying a hat or T-shirt and more.

With every booking we will donate one session to an at-risk child or family, the website states.

For more, click here.
Will Chaney, a Ph.D student with the Palestine Solidarity Caucus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, hangs a Palestinian flag on the side of the Philip F. Whitmore building on Thursday. Dec. 4, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

AMHERST  Pro-Palestinian groups at the University of Massachusetts Amherst say the school continues to stifle student voices and refuses to agree to contracts with its professional staff amid building anger about the war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, members of the Professional Staff Union have been in ongoing negotiations with the university, saying in November it had been 500 days since thousands of employees had had a contract. The union members Thursday evening overwhelmingly voted no-confidence in Javier Reyes, the universitys chancellor.

The vote passed 966 to 59, representing a 94% vote of no confidence.

Students for Justice in Palestine, a group that has had an active voice in protesting the universitys role in the war over two years, claim that the university has been hypocritical and they want to hold it to account. They held a press conference in front of the universitys administration building on a wintry Thursday afternoon.

The university has cracked down on student protests, cut back offerings in Arabic language and Middle Eastern studies, furthering its legacy as a hostile campus to Muslim and Arab students, as it has been deemed by the Council for American Islamic Relations," said Will Kenney, a graduate student at the university and member of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Ari Jewell, communications and organizing committee member of the union and associate managing editor of UMass Magazine, told a reporter that many people on campus feel Reyes is running an educational institution like a business and a corporation, not supporting the staff that its supposed to support.

When reached for comment Thursday evening, Emily Gest, a spokesperson for the university, said the university will continue to present its proposals in good faith and bargain under the laws set forth in Chapter 150E .

Jewell said both Reyes and UMass President Marty Meehan have continuously shown why staff and students voted no-confidence in them. The union vote was the fourth no-confidence vote taken by a body of campus members since the pro-Palestinian protests began in October 2023.

Reyes was named the chancellor of the university in February 2023.

Kivlighan de Montebello speaks outside the Philip F. Whitmore building on Thursday about his suspension from the University of Massachusetts Amherst over a protest in September. Dec. 4, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Students continue to be punished, groups say

In September, Kivlighan de Montebello, a junior at the university, was one of a number of students to protest the presence of RTX, formerly known as Raytheon  a defense contractor  at a career fair hosted by the business school.

He says days after the protest, which was dismantled by the universitys Demonstration Response and Safety Team, he received five charges of misconduct from the university: disruptive behavior, threatening behavior, creating a disturbance, failure to comply and violation of the university picketing code.

Now he is in the appeals process after receiving four additional sanctions  effective from Nov. 7 to May 31, 2026  from the university, including suspension, restriction from university housing, a re-entry assessment meeting and a letter on decision making. The sanctions are stayed while the appeals process is underway, he said.

While Im watching a live-streamed genocide, having to deal with charges against me for trying to protest that genocide is extremely disheartening and as a member of the UMass community, I feel completely disappointed in the administration and this institution, he told a reporter after the press conference.

De Montebello, who is studying social thought and political economy, said if his appeal is denied, the sanctions he received removes him from campus and he will have to reapply next fall to complete his final year at the university.

He said he is unsure if hell want to apply to come back.

Gest, university spokesperson, said she could not comment on the specifics of de Montebellos case, including whether the charges and sanctions are accurate, per the U.S. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act as well as campus policy, in an emailed statement.

However, she said, generally student conduct cases are considered individually.

Sanctions and restorative outcomes preserve individual and institutional integrity and, whenever possible and appropriate, help students to learn from their mistakes, repair harms, and regain their standing in the community, she said.

With regard to RTXs presence on campus in September and its ties to the company, Gest said the university remains content-neutral on which companies may join career fairs or host informational recruiting sessions, so long as those companies meet the colleges non-discrimination and recruiting guidelines, per the 1st Amendment.

UMass Amherst maintains numerous partnerships with entities including, but not limited to, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, and private industry, Gests statement said.

Pro-Palestinian students also say that courses in Arabic and about the Middle East, including the history of Palestine and Israel and the Iranian Revolution, would be cut by the university under the pretense of financial constraints, an emailed statement from the Students for Justice in Palestine said.

Gest, university spokesperson, said no UMass program, credential or certificate has been discontinued, including the Arabic language class, which is offered by the Judaic and Near Eastern Studies program.

UMass students can still take Arabic classes on campus or at Smith College, she said in an emailed statement. The discontinued program referenced was the Five College Consortiums Arabic Language Initiative (ended by the Five College Consortium due to low enrollment.)

University course offerings are determined by faculty, not the administration, she said.

Kevin Young, a history professor at the university who has spoken out against his employer in support of the Palestinian people, said as some employees pockets get heavier, others  like those negotiating their contracts in the Professional Staff Union  are struggling to get by.

By capping administrator salaries and reducing administrative positions to more reasonable levels, the campus could fund many of the things for which students and workers are fighting, he said.
Springfield Technical Community College President Dr. John Cook welcomes students from the different Springfield Public Schools at Sustainathon 2024 at the STCC gymnasium on April 10, 2024. (Ed Cohen / Special to The Republican, File) Edward Cohen

SPRINGFIELD  The union for faculty and staff at Springfield Technical Community College has taken a vote of no confidence in institutions President John Cook, his cabinet and the trustees, according to a document from the labor group.

After a sustained pattern of actions and decisions that have eroded trust, damaged working relationships, and negatively impacted morale and institutional effectiveness, the undersigned put forward this motion of no confidence, the Massachusetts Community College Council union wrote in a statement delivered to college officials Friday.

The council represents workers at the states 15 community colleges, including STCC staff.

The union cited a collapse of trust in institutional leadership, a breakdown of shared governance, a chilling effect on communication, erosion of morale, and a campus environment increasingly defined by fear, opacity, and disengagement.

The document outlining the unions vote calls out multiple points of contention, citing not only the perceived failings of the trustees and Cook, but also cited numerous high-ranking staff, including the chief academic officer, chief financial officer and vice president of student support services. None are cited by name in the document.

In early October, Cook announced his intent to resign next summer.

In a statement after the no-confidence vote, Cook responded that STCC continues to be a special institution.

This is not to say there have not been disagreements during my tenure, and I readily acknowledge that message today from some of our employees, Cook said in the statement. Knowing this is my last year at STCC, I will continue doing all that I can to share, communicate, and elevate the way our college lives our two middle names.

Cooks message also highlighted the vital mission of STCC and how it has responded and adapted during very complicated times, and that much we have accomplished together.

He noted the college being name a finalist for a Bellwether Award, recognition from a consortium of award-winning colleges charged with addressing critical issues facing community colleges.

Cook joined the college in 2016 after a post as vice president of academic affairs at Manchester Community College in New Hampshire.

He succeed Ira Rubenzahl as president.
Ten-time Grammy-winning a cappella group Take 6 will play the Hope Center for the Arts in Springfield on Thursday. (John Abbott photo) John Abbott

SPRINGFIELD  Take 6 today is considered the gold standard for vocal jazz. The a cappella group has earned 10 Grammy Awards and 10 Dove Awards to date, as well as praises from the likes of Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder.

But in 1980, when Claude McKnight formed the group  then called The Gentlemans Estates Quartet  at Huntsville, Alabamas Oakwood College, it was just a group of friends who were looking for something fun to do together.

At the very beginning, it was just a hobby, something to do while we were in school, and we loved to do it, McKnight said in an interview with The Republican. A few years after their founding, in 1987, the group went on to do a showcase in Nashville, Tennessee, and landed their first recording contract soon after.

Their self-titled debut album, 1988s Take 6, won two Grammy Awards in the gospel and jazz categories, as well as three Dove Awards.

With 16 albums under their belts (and a 17th expected to come out in spring), Take 6 is comprised of McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentle. The group has had only two changes over the years, swapping out former members Mervyn Warren and Cedric Dent.

Here we are, 35-plus years later, were still doing this and still loving it, McKnight said.

Take 6 will bring their more than three decades of music expertise to the Hope Center for the Arts in Springfield on Thursday at 7 p.m. Revolution, Springfields own high school a cappella ensemble, will open the concert. Tickets, priced from $60 to $85, can be purchased online.

Guests can expect a mix of holiday songs, as well as songs from across the groups entire career. Theyll also be performing a sneak peek  one or two songs from their upcoming album  for the Springfield audience, McKnight shared.

Before arriving in Springfield, McKnight talked with The Republican Take 6s longevity as a group and offered advice for young, aspiring a cappella artists. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. What would you say is the secret behind Take 6 still being so successful in 2025?

A. A couple of things. One, we still really, really enjoy what it is were doing, so were always trying to push ourselves creatively. And we also really like each other, which might sound kind of crazy to say, but its tough to keep a group together. So, to have six people who are able to do this 35-plus years later and not only like each other but really, really respect each other is a feat unto itself. And underneath all of that, we believe that this is a spiritually based group, that its very important to do that work, and so we really enjoy it.

Q. How do you lead a group successfully for as long as you have been?

A. We make a lot of decisions democratically, and we make sure that everybodys voice is heard on all issues. The easiest way to break a group up is when someone feels like their contribution isnt being heard or listened to or respected. So, we make sure that we always do that.

Q. How have you seen the music industry change in the past 35-plus years?

A. Our very first album was one of the first ones to come out on CD with Warner Brother Records, and now no one has CDs or CD players. We were also on vinyl and cassette, and theres a whole generation of kids now whove probably never seen a cassette tape. I guess the biggest change is that people dont really buy music much anymore, and they dont even download it. Theyre streaming it.

Q. What would you say to younger people who might want to follow in Take 6s footsteps and pursue a cappella or music themselves?

A. I would say, make sure that you are authentic and unique in your own abilities. Dont try to sound like anybody else. Lean into what it is that makes you special. Always listen to all the music thats out there because thatll give you a good reference on how to arrange your own music. Its kind of like, You are what you eat, so eat well, and thatll come out in your work.

Q. Who are your own musical inspirations, and have they changed over the years?

A. Oh, wow. Yeah. Earth, Wind and Fire, The Doobie Brothers, Bobby Caldwell, James Ingram, Charlie Puth, Jacob Collier. I listen to a lot of the younger musicians because they bring so much energy and so much creativity to their work.

Q. What would you say to encourage people to come out and enjoy the show at the Hope Center for the Arts?

A. You may be familiar with the music because maybe youve heard the album or the record, but a live performance is always going to have a different kind of energy, and thats what we typically bring. You cant get that unless youre there live. Its an exchange of energy between the group and the audience. So, we just trust that everyone will come out and be into the show.

And bring your dancing shoes, bring your singing voice, because when I ask you to sing, were all going to have a great time together.
Hundreds of people gather near a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane at the perimeter of the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Shekib Rahmani, File) AP

The following editorial is from the opinion page of The Republican newspaper in Springfield. It reflects views of the newspapers leadership and not necessarily those of MassLive. Readers are invited to share their opinions by emailing to letters@repub.com.

The thousands of Afghans who sought refuge in the United States should not be blamed for the killing of a National Guard member in Washington, D.C. But that, in no surprise, was the first instinct of a morally bankrupt American president.

As The Republican reported Thursday, fresh calls by the Trump administration to restrict immigration raise alarms and dread among dozens of families who came to the Springfield area from Afghanistan to avoid reprisals by an even less tolerant government back home.

The new crackdown could derail long-held dreams of reuniting with family members still in Afghanistan. Their crime? A wish to build new lives together in a country with a history of accepting people in crisis from around the globe.

By moving once again to block arrivals from Afghanistan and other countries, the hostile, vindictive and xenophobic Trump government is punishing people who had nothing to do with the tragic shooting of two Guard members from West Virginia, one fatally, allegedly by a 29-year-old Afghan national who was granted asylum in the United States during Trumps first term.

The government said this week it has paused work to review immigration applications from 19 countries, extending its decision to freeze cases involving people from Afghanistan. And its not just people seeking initial approvals to come to the U.S.; Trumps people aim to interrupt the processing of applications for green cards and citizenship.

As President Trump made clear in a manifestly racist outburst at a cabinet meeting this week, in which he called people from Somalia garbage, this man needed no new excuse to treat with contempt those who believe in the merciful America we risk losing.

As a program manager for the Welcoming Alliance for Refugee Ministry (WARM) explained in Daniel Jacksons story Thursday, our region is now home to members of many families split apart in the chaos of the 2021 airlifts out of Kabul, when American military forces left Afghanistan. The exodus included Afghans who had helped American forces and were sure to be targeted by a resurgent Taliban. As many as 1,500 Afghans had resettled in Massachusetts by January 2022. For years, theyve looked forward to reuniting with missing relatives.

They just dont see that hope right now, Tricia Sayre of WARM told Jackson.

Other people in Western Massachusetts who help refugees, like Laurie Millman, executive director of the Center for New Americans in Northampton, are right to point to the injustice of blaming all Afghans. An entire community shouldnt be made to pay for the heinous act of one person,said Millman, whose group helped 60 Afghans secure asylum as humanitarian parolees.

Rabbi James Greene, CEO of Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, says the new crackdown is not in keeping with American values.

We agree. It punishes people who have seen more hardship and family trauma than most Americans will ever know.
SPRINGFIELD  The victim in a Home Street gun slaying on Sunday has been identified as a 27-year-old Springfield man, the Hampden District Attorneys Office announced Friday.

On Sunday at about 10:40 p.m., police found Shain West suffering from gunshots inside an apartment in the Liberty Heights neighborhood of the city. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where died from his injuries.

Also hurt in the shooting was suspect Daevon Shular, 21, of Seguin, Texas. He was arrested Monday morning at Baystate Medical Center while being treated for a gunshot wound.

Police charged Shular with murder, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, and attempt to commit a crime. He is being held without the right to bail.

This matter remains under investigation by the Springfield Police Homicide Unit and the Hampden District Attorneys Office Murder Unit.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni expressed his sympathies to the victims family.

This is the 17th homicide this year.
Select Board member Russ Anderson proposed overhauling Channel 15, the town's public access channel it shares with Westfield. He said residents could expect these accomplishments if his proposal is adopted. (SUBMITTED) THE WESTFIELD NEWS

SOUTHWICK  Recognizing that local media outlets dont cover the town like years past, Select Board member Russ Anderson wants to overhaul how the town utilizes its public access channel. He proposed a three-phase plan that would explore a partnership with the school district and use equipment the town already owns to create town-focused content.

What will we accomplish? Well rebuild a Southwick-first, programming model, create original community-focused content, increase transparency and message consistency, and use existing assets more effectively, Anderson said during the boards meeting Monday night during a PowerPoint presentation of his proposal.

Referring to the late, former executive director of Channel 15, Anderson added, As Art Boissonnault said, let the people know whats going on in town. And thats as simple as it is, and that should be our goal.

He began the presentation by talking about what type of media coverage Southwick has had for years.

I wasnt too long ago that we would have two or three reporters sitting in a Select Board meeting. We had The Westfield News, we had the Suffolk News, we had the Republican, the Pennysaver or Masslive. So, we had multiple perspectives and diverse coverage with a lot of local newspapers and a lot of local everything, he said.

And then most of the local media outlets began consolidating, he said.

Theyre all one, so what do we end up with? We have less local news than we used to  its the world were in, and how news works now, he said.

The consequences of that communication failure, he said, are a misinformed public, loss of trust in government, a reduction in civic engagement, higher municipal costs and a polarized public.

Those negatives can be overcome with proactive communication that builds trust, prevents misinformation  which he blamed mostly on social media platforms  and ensures accountability.

Currently, the town has two public access channels, 15 and 12. Channel 15 is the primary outlet for Southwick announcements and a few shows that offer local content.

You click on those channels now, its all about Westfield  I looked today, and theres still stuff on there from June on our [information] board. It doesnt change. That tells me they either dont have time and were not their top priority, Anderson said.

Rgarding Channel 12, he said it doesnt work and its never worked  I dont know whats up with that.

To make his proposal a reality, Anderson said the town is missing a few things, including a dedicated producer/director, coordination to bring all the resources together, a renewed content strategy focused on the town and the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District.

Southwick Community Television needs to be redesigned in a relaunch plan and a roadmap for telling our local stories. One that promotes Southwick businesses and nonprofits, increases our values, encourages civic participation  a small investment will bring in a large return, he said.

What does the town already have to get started? Anderson asked.

Equipment, we have it. Technology, we have it. Funding, we have it. Meetings recorded, we have it, he said, adding that in the last three years the town has spent $70,000 on equipment, with a caveat.

None of it is here, or very little of it is physically in this room, he said, referring to the Land Use Room in Town Hall, where there is audio/visual equipment, adding later that the room should be considered as potential studio space.

However, he said it could be space at Southwick Regional School that could be used as a studio.

He offered three phases to get the proposal started.

For phase one, Anderson suggested temporarily suspending all broadcasting on Channel 15 and redirecting viewers to the towns YouTube channel  where all the towns meetings are posted  and announce to residents the restructuring of the channels content.

He would also conduct a full inventory of the towns audio/visual equipment to get it back on site.

To accomplish phase two, Anderson said there should be redesigning and planning to build a sustainable, transparent and modern community television service.

That would include partnering with the school district to have it cover its events, including sports, School Committee meetings, and music and drama productions that utilize Channel 12.

This is a hands-on opportunity for school students and it [prepares] them [for] pathways [in] modern careers in broadcasting, journalism and graphic production. There are so many things that the kids could be involved in, Anderson said.

Phase three would be to update the Land Use Room.

He said if the steps are taken, the town can rebuild its programming with the Southwick-first model, create original community-focused content, increase transparency and message consistency, and use the towns equipment more effectively.

Select Board member Diane Gale asked where the funding for the project would come from.

Anderson said it would come from small charges on Comcast customers should use its program.

Gale then wanted to know what the first thing is that needs to be done to get started.

Phase one is to get our equipment back to see what weve got. We dont even know the condition its in, Anderson said.

Gale and Select Board member Douglas Moglin both asked, Why isnt [the equipment in Town Hall], with Moglin questioning Anderson if he was sure it wasnt.

Thats definitely not the case, because I see the list of whats here and theres one camera in there my grandfather owned, and thats it, Anderson said.

Moglin and Gale said they support the proposal, but all acknowledged that additional details needed to be worked out.

Anderson said his goal was to get started at the top of the year.
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A renewed call for proper recognition of the Erris men and women who played a crucial role in the Mayo Land League was made at the launch of a new book.

Minister Dara Calleary officially launched the book, Land War Mayos Forgotten Conflicts in the Erris Coast Hotel, Geesala last night, praising author Dr Maura Irwin for what he described as an inspiring piece of research and work.

The Ballina-based Fianna Fail TD noted that the attendance of more than 300 people in the packed venue was a testament not only to the importance of this book, but to Dr Irwins lifelong commitment to the people of north Mayo - first in medicine, and now as a published author.

Dr Andrew Newby, Senior Lecturer in History at University of Galway, used the occasion to call for greater public memorialisation of the Land League in Mayo. He suggested that the county should strive to have as many monuments and landmarks dedicated to the Land War as currently exist for the Famine and the 1798 Rising.

Dr Newby also commended Dr Irwin for bringing fresh focus to a period and region of Mayo history that has received comparatively little scholarly attention.

READ: West Mayo town alight with Christmas cheer as special guest turns on lights

Land War Mayos Forgotten Conflicts centres on the Graughill and Carter affrays - pivotal events that expose the harsh inequalities endured by local communities and the degree to which agents of the State worked alongside landlords to suppress them.

The two agrarian clashes erupted between October 1881 and May 1882, at the closing stages of the first Land War of 1879-1882.

The book has been particularly praised for its treatment of the Ladies Land League, whose practical and moral support proved indispensable to the people of Mayo during these tumultuous years.

Dr Irwin has helped to restore long-overdue recognition to the women whose contributions were vital yet frequently forgotten in traditional historical accounts.

The Graughill Affray involved a violent collision between small landholders, their supporters and the police over the non-payment of Poor Rates. It ended in the deaths of two women, Ellen McDonagh and Mary Deane, and the severe wounding of many more.

The Carter Affray which arose from disagreements between an impoverished landlord and his tenants ended in the non-lethal shooting of the landlord, Carter, and the murder of the informer, Thomas Barrett.

Both incidents exemplify cross-gender and class alliances in opposition to the establishment. Both men and women mobilised to oppose infringements on their land-based economies, in this time of economic hardship. Initially there was support and leadership from the Land League but this dissipated just as these affrays began due to the imprisonment of many of its leaders.
Mayo County Councillor Richard Finn has moved to question the closure of public toilets in Knock on weekends.

The East Mayo town regularly sees thousands of tourists come to the county, both from Ireland and beyond, on Saturdays and Sundays to visit Knock Shrine.

However, the issue of toilet facilities is one which has caught the eye across weekends, according to Cllr Finn.

"I don't know how many phone calls I have got over the summer in relation to this," he stated.

The Independent councillor stated that when he queried the closure during the busiest times of the week for the Shrine, he was informed that they were closed due to wet floors.

"This is no answer to me, where a million and a half people are coming into a village, and no public toilet, no places to go, getting off buses.

"I know, and there are photographs there to prove that there was no water on the floors."

Cllr Finn also moved to discuss the upkeep of the toilet facilities in the town.

"There has to be something done in relation to the tidying up of the stalls in Knock, which are essentially now becoming a shanty town, where people are leaving them empty.

"I might not be the most popular for saying it, but people are leaving them empty, and they're not being looked after, where the ones who are running their businesses there are trying to keep their businesses open and making a living.

"They deserve a better service than what they're getting."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
A man from Mayo has been honoured by the Government for diving into a canal to save a man who was drowning.

Jonathan Monroe will be among those honoured by Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD, today Friday, December 5, as she presents 22 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others.

Jonathan will be awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery for his actions on Friday, July 15, 2022.

Jonathan was walking near the Eglinton Canal in Galway City when he heard noises and splashing coming from the canal and saw a distressed man deep in the water.

The man, who was mostly submerged, was going under, with only his head visible above the water. Without hesitation, Jonathan stripped off his clothing and dived into the canal in an attempt to rescue him.

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Jonathan swam out to the man, who was now face down underwater and tried to turn him over to get his face up out of the canal. Although struggling to get the man turned onto his back, Jonathan managed to pull the man into a position where his head was out of the water and then swam with him towards the bank of the canal.

Other people passing had by now called for the Emergency Services to attend and another man on the canal bank assisted Jonathan to remove the male from the water.

When they got him ashore, he was distressed but conscious and was attended to before being taken away to receive further treatment.
Two member of An Garda Siochana from Mayo and Galway are being honoured by the Government for their bravery after saving a man from drowning.

Garda Aiden McTigue (Mayo) and Inspector Brendan OGrady (Galway) are among those being honoured by Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy, TD, today, Friday, December 5, as she presents 22 National Bravery Awards to individuals from across Ireland who risked their own lives to aid others.

Garda Aiden and Brendan will each be awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery for their actions at about 1.50pm on the afternoon of Monday, July 27, 2020.

A member of the public ran in to Mill Street Garda Station in Galway City to report a man lying on a ledge beside the River Corrib.

The Corrib is notorious for having extremely strong currents and Garda Aiden McTigue and Inspector Brendan O'Grady ran from the station to assist.

They located the man near OBriens Bridge and Garda McTigue tried to speak to him, but as he moved closer, the man deliberately rolled over into the water and was immediately caught up in the strong current.

READ NEXT: A gra for the jiving - Mayo siblings to feature on RTE Late Late Toy Show on Friday

Without hesitation, Garda McTigue jumped in and swam towards the man, grabbing hold of him before pulling him towards the riverbank. Having retrieved a lifebuoy, Inspector O'Grady ran to assist, and they both held onto the man at the waters edge, waiting for assistance from the fire brigade, who were enroute.

However, the man lunged and grabbed both Gardai, pulling them into the water and all three were dragged down river. Despite the swirling rapids they held on tight to the man, and although he continued to struggle with them in the water, they managed to placate him and get him back to the riverbank.

The man was then taken from the water and brought to University Hospital Galway by ambulance, for medical assessment.

For their actions, Garda Aiden McTigue and Inspector Brendan OGrady will each be awarded a Bronze medal and a Certificate of Bravery.
A new resource pack has been created to support people that work with children and families in County Mayo experiencing domestic abuse and domestic violence in their lives.

The County Mayo Domestic Abuse Resource Pack was developed as an interagency project as a response from organisations across Mayo that have first hand experience of working with children and families experience domestic abuse and domestic violence.

The pack was heavily influenced by a similar development in County Roscommon and was led by the Safeguarding Children and Young People Sub-Group of Mayo Children and Young Peoples Services Committee (CYPSC).

The chairperson of the subgroup, Roisin Moyles, Tuslas Children First Information and Advice Officer who is also a member of the Mayo CYPSC committee, said that this development was a priority action for the sub-group for 2025; Domestic violence and abuse, how it impacts on children and providing guidance for services were identified as a priority by Mayo CYPSC this year. Many agencies working with children and families have reported the need for up-to-date guidance on this subject.

The resource pack contains definitions of commonly used terms, information about domestic abuse and the legal system, as well guidance for workers on how to recognise the various forms of domestic abuse. The pack also contains a list of contact details of agencies working in Mayo who can offer support to people impacted by domestic abuse.

Chairperson of Mayo CYPSC, Heather Wilson, Tusla Area Manager for Mayo, said that this resource pack would greatly assist workers supporting children and families experiencing domestic abuse.

This Resource Pack provides accurate information and guidance for people working to support families experiencing domestic abuse and domestic violence. It will be of great assistance to all people who work in this area.

The agencies involved in developing the pack included Tusla, An Garda Siochana, Safe Ireland Mayo, Foroige, South West Mayo Development Company, Mayo North East, Mayo Rape Crisis Centre, Mayo County Council Local Authority Integration Team and Mayo County Childcare Committee.

The Mayo Domestic Abuse Resource Pack is available to download here.

Photo caption, standing left to right: Kathleen Kelly, Domestic Violence Liaison Officer, Tusla, Roisin Moyles, Children First Information and Advice Officer, Tusla, Shauna Jackson, Mayo Rape Crisis Centre, Nicola Carroll, Mayo Rape Crisis Centre, Heather Wilson, Mayo Area Manager, Tusla, Naomi de Ris, Inspector, An Garda Siochana, Anita Finnegan, Safe Ireland

Mayo, Jarlath Munnelly, Coordinator, Mayo CYPSC. (photo caption: Karen Chambers, The Media Chambers)

READ MORE: Historic West Mayo restoration project goes to tender
Shah Rukh Khans son Aryan Khan has once again found himself in the middle of a public controversy. After finally putting the NCB chapter behind him, the star kid has now drawn attention for a fresh incident. On November 28, Aryan visited Bengaluru for a private event. He was spotted at a pub under Ashoknagar Police Station limits, accompanied by friends Nalapad (son of BDA Chairman N.A. Harris) and Zaid Khan (son of Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan).

 Instagram/D'YAVOL X A video from the night has since gone viral, showing Aryan appearing to flash his middle finger in public. Once the clip hit social media, many users began calling for action from the Bengaluru police. Some questioned why the Karnataka police had not yet addressed the matter, while others insinuated that Aryans celebrity lineage, particularly being Shah Rukh Khans son, might be influencing the silence.

Some even said that Aryan is a free man and this is not a big deal. One user commented, If an ordinary citizen had done the same, it wouldnt have been in the news. No one would have cared about it. Best case scenario, the Gen Zs would have labelled the ordinary citizen a savage. Just because he is the son of an influential person people are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Another user commented, FIR for showing middle finger ? Aryan came out of NCB mess and he will bother even if there is one filed for this... Karo file case.

One user reacted, Doesnt look like hes out to piss anyone off. Almost looks like having fun with someone waving at them and jokingly sticking fingers at them. People get offended so easily in India.
One of the biggest superstars in the world, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starred together in Aditya Chopras directorial debut Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in 1995 and 30 years later the movie is not only still running in Mumbais Maratha Mandir theatre, it is also considered among the most iconic movies in history of Indian cinema. To commemorate the movies 30-year anniversary in 2025, the Heart of London Business Alliance with support from Westminster City Council decided a tribute for the movie by inviting Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol to unveil the bronze statue of their characters Raj and Simran from the iconic movie.

 X/Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan & Kajol Create History By Unveiling Their Bronze Statue In London Sharing a few pictures from the event, Shah Rukh Khan took to social media and shared, Bade Bade Deshon Mein, Aisi Chhoti Chhoti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hain, Senorita! Thrilled to unveil the bronze statue of Raj & Simran at Londons Leicester Square today, celebrating 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)! Incredibly delighted that DDLJ is the first Indian film to be honoured with a statue in the Scenes in the Square trail. A big thank you to everyone in the UK for making this possible. Come meet Raj & Simran if and when you are in London we would love to see you make more memories with DDLJ Check out the post below:

Talking about the statue, Shah Rukh Khan told the media at the event, DDLJ was made with a pure heart. We wanted to tell a story about love, how it can bridge barriers and how the world would be a better place if it had a lot of love in it, and I think this is why DDLJ has had a lasting impact for over 30 years now. Personally, DDLJ is part of my identity, and it is humbling to see the film, and Kajol and me, receiving so much love since it was released.

 X/IIFA Kajol, on the other hand, added, Its incredible to see Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge continue to receive so much love, even 30 years later. Watching the statue being unveiled in London felt like reliving a piece of our history  a story that has truly travelled across generations.

 X/IIFA Significance Of Londons Leicester Square In DDLJ The iconic Leicester Square features in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge where Raj and Simran cross paths for the first time before they head to railway station and embark on their European journey.
To address the problem, Solideal recommended the SOLIDEAL RES 660 Xtreme Series solid tyre

Ahlmark Shipping (UK) has boosted the performance and lifespan of its forklift fleet after switching to a more robust tyre specification, following a detailed on-site analysis that revealed its existing tyres were failing far earlier than expected.

The company, based at the Port of Hull and handling heavy forestry products arriving into the UK, operates 11 Caterpillar diesel forklifts tasked with moving several tonnes of material from dockside to storage. Although the trucks had arrived with medium-intensity rated tyres, the rubber was wearing out rapidly  with some steer tyres lasting as little as 350 working hours, far below the teams expectation of around 1,000 hours.

Managing Director Danny Carmichael said the business had little time to investigate the issue until Solideal On-Site Service carried out a technical survey. The technical survey was invaluable. Were so busy day-to-day that we hadnt had time to consider why our tyres were failing sooner than expected, he explained. The analysis made it clear that the fleet required a stronger tyre capable of withstanding the heat and stress of continuous operation. Armed with the data we were confident that if we paid a little more for our forklift tyres to start, we would save money in the long run and boost productivity.

Territory Business Manager Kayte Masterson led the investigation, fitting sensors to the forklifts to monitor tyre behaviour during normal operations. The data showed the original tyres were frequently pushed beyond their design limits, generating excessive heat and causing delamination. The fleet also spent a high proportion of time running unladen, shifting more weight onto the rear tyres and accelerating wear through scrubbing.

To address the problem, Solideal recommended the SOLIDEAL RES 660 Xtreme Series solid tyre, designed for high-intensity environments and engineered to run at lower operating temperatures. Its abrasion-resistant compound offered significantly longer life than the tyres previously fitted. Carmichael said the experience highlighted the danger of choosing tyres on price alone, noting that running with the wrong tyre is a false economy. Cheaper tyres wear out too quickly, and you end up fitting too many new ones, which is inefficient.

Ahlmark Shipping (UK) has also adopted Solideal On-Site Services Wheel Exchange programme, allowing technicians to replace damaged wheels and tyres as a single unit without the delays associated with a mobile tyre press. The removed wheels are refurbished and refitted with new tyres, ensuring they are ready for redeployment.

For work carried out aboard vessels, the company equips a secondary fleet of forklifts with SOLIDEAL RES 550 Magnum Series tyres, better suited to those operating conditions.
WASHINGTON  New investigative reports into a series of high-profile and costly Navy mishaps during a U.S.-led campaign against Yemen's Houthi rebels reveal that the most intense running sea battle that the military service has faced since World War II took a toll on ships and personnel.

The four reports released Thursday cover a friendly fire incident in December 2024 that saw the cruiser USS Gettysburg shoot at two fighter jets from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, downing one, as well as the Trumans collision with a merchant vessel and the loss of two more multimillion-dollar jets from the carrier to mishaps earlier this year.

Taken together, the reports paint a picture of an aircraft carrier that was not only beset by regular missile attacks that stressed the crew but also other operational demands that put pressure on top leaders to the point that the ships captain and navigator were extremely sleep-deprived. That was just halfway through an eight-month deployment originally slated to last six months.

One report also found that, in some parts of the ship, the intense combat operations led to a numbness among the crew and some sailors lost sight of the purpose of their role to the mission.

The four preventable mishaps cost the Navy over $100 million in three lost aircraft and damage to the Truman as well as injuries to multiple sailors. While no one died, several of the mishaps hinged on just seconds of reaction time.

A wake-up call for the Navy

The investigation into the Trumans collision with a merchant vessel said that had the collision occurred 100 ft forward, the impact would have likely pierced a berthing compartment with 120 sleeping Sailors.

Capt. Dave Snowden, the Trumans commander at the time, reduced the angle of impact, and delayed the time to impact, which likely prevented more significant damage and potential loss of life in the seconds before the collision, the report said.

The mishaps with the Truman are a wake-up call for the Navy about the demands of battle and the dangers of overextending ships and their crew, said Bradley Martin, a senior policy researcher at RAND and a retired Navy captain.

The clear message from this deployment is that the Navy is not ready to deal with the reality of extended combat, Martin said, adding that the Truman was obviously at a point where it was running at a ragged edge.

The campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen began in October 2023 when the militants began launching drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea amid the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. U.S. military operations to counter the Houthis began under then-President Joe Biden, and President Donald Trump continued the campaign.

It culminated with a monthlong bombing campaign earlier this year, during which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared sensitive information about a strike over Signal chat. The Pentagon's inspector general said Thursday that the move put U.S. troops at risk, even though Hegseth had the authority to declassify the material.

Unclear accountability following major mishaps

It is unclear what, if anything, the Navy did to hold most of the sailors and leaders involved to account because those sections in the reports were redacted. The Navy did publicly relieve Snowden of command about a week after the collision with the merchant vessel.

Adm. James Kilby, the Navys second-highest ranking officer, assured reporters Thursday that accountability actions were taken across all the operators involved in the four mishaps but he did not offer any details.

Martin of RAND said there should be individual accountability but added that some of this is a case of the Navy writ large asking for too much and finding out what happens when too much is demanded.

The level of air threat that was coming from the Houthis, its nothing like youd get from China, but it was enough to be stressing, Martin said. And I think what you saw was a lot of brittleness in the readiness and preparation.

All four investigations revolve around the Truman. The ship was the third aircraft carrier dispatched to the region, arriving in December 2024.

Firing on US fighter jets and a collision at sea

The Truman conducted its first defensive strike against the Houthis on Dec. 22, 2024, and other ships in the carrier's strike group spent several hours defending against retaliatory cruise missiles and attack drones.

The USS Gettysburg, one ship in the strike group, mistook several F/A-18F fighter jets from the Truman for more Houthi missiles and fired at two of them. The heavily redacted report largely faulted the sailors in the Gettysburgs combat information center for being poorly trained and overly relying on technology that had faced problems.

The troops from one jet ejected before the missile struck, while the ship stopped the second missile shortly before impact.

In February, sailors on the Truman told investigators that they felt the strain of a pressurized schedule and a culture of just get it done.

As it prepared to head back to the Red Sea following a port visit, it had to sail through the highly trafficked waters just outside the Suez Canal. Running behind schedule, an officer drove the massive aircraft carrier at a speed that investigators later called unsafe. It would have needed almost a mile and a half to come to a stop after halting the engines.

As a merchant ship moved into the carrier's path, the officer did not take enough action to escape danger, the report found, listing his actions as the top cause for the collision. The commander and the ship's navigator also were faulted for not fully realizing the risks of the transit.

The loss of two more Navy jets

Once the ship was back in the Red Sea, the crew was conducting combat operations and flying everyday with little exception since March 15, Capt. Christopher Hill, the new commander, told investigators.

In April, the ship made a sharp turn to avoid an incoming Houthi missile as sailors in the hangars were moving aircraft around. As the Truman began to tilt with the turn, the jet began to slip.

The sailors moving the jet told investigators that as the plane slipped off the deck and into the ocean, its landing wheels were rolling despite the sailor inside the plane actively attempting to brake.

The deck also was far dirtier and more slippery than normal, partly because high operational tempo of combat flight operations impeded the regular 10-day scrubs that were needed.

In May, an F/A-18F fighter jet went overboard while trying to land on the Truman. The investigation found that a cable designed to bring the 50,000-pound jet to a halt in just a few hundred feet snapped mid-landing. That's because poor maintenance on the equipment meant the system was missing a crucial part.

After reading the investigation, then-commander of Truman's strike group, Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, said maintenance was allowed to degrade to the level of abject failure.

Investigators, however, also noted that personnel struggled to balance maintenance requirements with operational requirements and that multiple personnel identified operational tempo as one of the most significant challenges for sailors tasked with maintaining the equipment.
The U.S. lobbied several countries in the European Union in an effort to block E.U. plans to use frozen Russian central bank assets to back a massive loan to Ukraine, according to European diplomats familiar with the matter.

U.S. officials argued to member states that the assets are needed to help secure a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow and should not be used to prolong the war, said the diplomats, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The E.U. put forward a proposal this week to use the immobilized assets to back a 90 billion ($105 billion) loan to cover Ukraines economic and military needs for the next two years. There are about 210 billion of frozen Russian assets on E.U. soil and more of those could be used from 2028 on.

The U.S. State Departments press office didnt respond to a request for comment.

The discussions come at a critical time for Ukraine, with the U.S. pressuring Kyiv to agree to a potentially lopsided peace deal with Russia. U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to meet again Friday with Ukrainian national security adviser Rustem Umerov in Florida, according to a White House official. Ukraine risks running out of money early next year and Trumps administration has cut off most U.S. aid, putting the onus on Europe.

The E.U. also has to contend opposition to the plan from within the bloc from several countries including Belgium, where most of the funds are held. The E.U. is seeking approval for its proposal to use the assets at a meeting of the blocs leaders later this month.

Washington has also been eyeing the Russian assets as part of its proposals to enable peace talks with Moscow, and had suggested they could be used to fund U.S.-led postwar investments.

A U.S. 28-point peace plan has been modified since it first emerged last month, but assets remain one of the key sticking points, along with the status of Ukrainian territories and providing Kyiv with robust security guarantees, some of the people said.

European leaders have been adamant that how to use the assets is a European matter as the frozen funds are mostly held in Europe.

There is no possibility of leaving the money we mobilize to the U.S., German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday.

The American government knows this, and this is also the German governments negotiating position, he said. This is also the consensus at the European level. There are absolutely no differences of opinion on this. This money must flow to Ukraine  it must help Ukraine.

Merz will travel to Brussels Friday for talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in an effort to break down Belgian resistance to the E.U. plan.

Merz, who has been a strong advocate of using the Russian assets to aid Ukraine, told reporters that he takes the Belgian premiers concerns very seriously and that he would try to address them at Fridays meeting.

I dont want to persuade him, but rather convince him, he said at a news conference Thursday evening in Berlin after talks with German regional leaders. If we take this path, we will do so to help Ukraine, possibly for the next two to three years.

Belgium argues that it has yet to receive sufficient guarantees that it wont be left on the hook alone to foot any future bill should Moscow win any future claims on recovering the assets. It also says that using the frozen funds would open Europe, and its companies, to Russian retaliation.

Belgiums national budget has received hundreds of millions of euros in tax revenue from the immobilized funds, though it argues that the money is being used to provide aid to Ukraine.

The E.U. has proposed backing the loan using the blocs budget or through bilateral guarantees from member states. The assets would remain frozen and Kyiv would only have to pay the loan back if Russia agrees to finance the countrys reconstruction and compensate it for the damage the war has inflicted.

In addition to Belgium, Hungary is against the plans and Slovakia has said it will not back proposals that provide Ukraine with military support. Approval would only require a qualified majority of member states.

The commission has also floated the option of issuing joint debt in the event they cant reach an agreement to use the immobilized assets. But member states including Germany reject that idea, and the fact that it requires unanimity makes it improbable.

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With assistance from Daniel Hornak, Andrea Dudik and Kate Sullivan.

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2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
MEXICO CITY  Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has repeatedly insisted that she will not allow the U.S. military to fight drug cartels inside her nations borders.

Its not going to happen, Sheinbaum said last month after President Trump yet again threatened such an operation. We dont want intervention by any foreign government.

But while Sheinbaum passionately defends her nations sovereignty, recent polls and interviews from across Mexico show that a significant number of people here in fact welcome more American involvement in their countrys battle against organized crime  including having U.S. boots on the ground.

Slightly more than half of Mexicans surveyed by polling firm Mitofsky said they believe U.S. authorities should enter Mexican territory to fight organized crime and arrest its leaders. A third of respondents to a poll by El Financerio newspaper said they support the deployment of the U.S. military to Mexico to combat cartels.

Its very embarrassing to say that Mexico cant do it alone, said Jose Santillan, a 38-year-old graphic designer in Mexico City. But the situation with the drug cartels has clearly spiraled out of control. A powerful army is needed to confront them. And the United States has one.

The U.S. has already unleashed its military on suspected drug traffickers in the Pacific and Caribbean, killing at least 83 people. For months Donald Trump and his team have been floating the prospect of U.S. strikes on suspected criminals and drug laboratories in Mexico.

We know the addresses of every drug lord, Trump said in November. He wouldnt say whether he would conduct strikes unilaterally, without Sheinbaums permission.

Those threats incense many in Mexico, where resentment lingers over past American invasions, including during the 1846 war, which ended with Mexico ceding more than half of its territory, including California, to the United States.

Yet others here are so desperate for peace that they are willing to consider any proposals.

Nearly two decades since Mexican soldiers were first deployed to confront cartels, drug trafficking today continues at record levels, violence has spread to previously peaceful parts of the country, and crimes such as extortion have exploded.

Organized crime has extended its reach and is affecting a larger percentage of the population, said Jorge Buendia, a political scientist.

Many Mexicans view their own officials as too corrupt or too weak to combat organized crime.

People want security  the means are secondary, Buendia said.

People live in constant fear, said Ricardo Marcial Perez, 42, who said that people in his hometown in Guerrero state must pay protection fees to criminal groups or risk being killed. Let the Americans come so this hell that so many families in Mexico are experiencing can finally end, he said.

Polls throughout the Americas show that many are warming to hard-line security strategies and support more punitive measures for suspected criminals. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has gained fans regionally for his unforgiving approach to lowering crime: locking up tens of thousands of people he says are gang members without due process.

Carlos Manzo, a mayor in Mexicos violence-plagued Michoacan state, gained a national following and drew comparisons to Bukele when he called for local law enforcement to use lethal force against suspected criminals who resisted arrest.

Manzos shocking public assassination last month by suspected cartel members drew condolences from top Trump administration officials and turned him into a martyr across Mexico. For some here, his slaying was another sign that only U.S. intervention can pull Mexicos out of its security quagmire.

The assistance of the United States would help a lot to eradicate all these problems, said a public official in Michoacan who spoke on the condition of anonymity. But, he cautioned, any U.S. assistance should be limited in scope: We dont want a foreign invasion. We want them to help us.

Americans have been involved in Mexicos fight against organized crime for years, with a smattering of soldiers and CIA and law enforcement agents deployed here to assist their Mexican counterparts with intelligence. Washington sent some $3 billion in security aid under a 2007 bilateral agreement known as the Merida Initiative, donating helicopters, training police and helping redesign Mexicos notoriously broken justice system.

Sheinbaums predecessor as president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, broke with Merida, saying Mexico didnt need cooperation in the use of force but rather for development.

Under a strategy called hugs, not bullets Lopez Obrador sought to address poverty and other causes of violence and directed his military to mostly avoid direct confrontation with cartels. Sheinbaum has continued elements of that strategy but has taken a harder tack against organized crime. She has also rekindled cooperation with the Americans, sending dozens of suspected cartel members to the U.S. for prosecution and granting access to Mexican airspace for U.S. surveillance drones.

Homicides have dipped under Sheinbaum, although reports of forced disappearances have risen. Crime continues to be a top concern here, with 75% of Mexicans saying they live in states that are unsafe, according to the 2025 census.

Some of Sheinbaums conservative critics have embraced threats of American intervention. Opposition Sen. Lilly Tellez applauded the White House designation of several Mexican cartels as terrorist groups, which Trump aides say paves the way for strikes, and told Fox News that she supported the U.S. sending troops and trying to help us Mexicans against the cartels. Sheinbaum has called her a traitor.

Sheinbaums supporters say the U.S. has no business meddling in Mexico and say they doubt strikes would actually improve security.

The U.S.-backed kingpin strategy that was embraced for years here, which called for the killing or capture of drug lords, has been widely criticized for causing cartels to fracture into smaller, rival groups and causing violence to spiral.

Michoacan, where Mexico first deployed soldiers to eradicate cartels in 2006, is now contested by a patchwork of warring gangs and self-defense groups who fund their conflicts by charging steep taxes on the lucrative lime and avocado industries.

One lime farmer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said he hears distant gunbattles while he waters his trees. He and others are forced to pay criminals two pesos  about 10 cents  for every kilo of fruit that they produce.

The grower said he is in the good graces of the group that controls his region, but fears what will happen if an opposing group muscles in. Sheinbaums strategy, he worries, isnt strong enough.

We cant wait 50 years for a prevention or intelligence strategy, the grower said. We need to be more frontal. That includes, he said, limited U.S. strikes.

Still, he said, he was conflicted. Cartel hit men werent monsters and didnt necessarily deserve to die. Most had turned to crime because of poverty.

Thats the dilemma, he said. We say zero tolerance. But are we really willing to pay in terms of human lives?

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Linthicum reported from Mexico City and special correspondent Olson from Apatzingan. Cecilia Sanchez in The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report.

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2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
While the method remains somewhat controversial and mysterious, Matthew Buckley swears by it  psychedelic therapy can save veterans lives.

In 2021, he said it saved him.

Whiz Buckley served in the Navy, becoming an accomplished fighter pilot. He flew F/A-18 jets and found himself in scary situations often. Serving in the Navy, consumed by high-stress missions, provided an adrenaline rush and a sense of pride. However, after he left the service, he struggled at times to adapt to civilian life and noticed he wasnt alone. Many of his Navy buddies were also fighting new challenges.

To help fellow veterans connect to alternative therapy, Buckley founded the No Fallen Heroes Foundation. Buckley told KAUZ in Wichita Falls, Texas, that psychedelic therapy significantly impacted his life, aiding in his recovery from addiction and providing a pathway back to his old self. Especially during the holidays, when depression and anxiety can really amp up for veterans, Buckley believes psychedelics can be used in a safe and effective way.

A veteran enjoys a bath outdoors during one of the foundation's retreats. (Photo from No Fallen Heroes Facebook page)

Suicide Led to Therapy

Buckley can still recall the moment he knew he needed help.

My fourth F/18 brother committed suicide. I was convinced I wasnt that too far behind him, and in May of 2021, I went down to Mexico with a group of very decorated combat veterans, and Ive done some challenging things in my life, Buckley said. This was without a doubt the most challenging thing that Ive done; it was not fun, it was not recreational, but I got about 40 years of therapy in a weekend. It just absolutely changed and saved my life.

Oftentimes, veterans feel they are alone in dealing with their mental health battles. Buckley formed his foundation to show them theyre not; there are supportive places to turn to. Deeply religious, Buckley spreads the word of God and promotes alternative therapy. He hopes it will keep veterans from taking their own lives, as his buddy did a few years ago.

Buckley said veterans dealing with loneliness, isolation, and depression, maybe even thoughts of suicide, should think about how strong they are and how much theyve overcome.

I would like to remind veterans as well: theyve survived every one of their worst days, right? And theyve probably had some worst days in combat and in the military, so if you can survive those days, you can survive anything that lifes thrown at you, said Buckley.

Today, the No Fallen Heroes Foundation has helped over 100 veterans sit with these sacraments, and not a single one of them has said I am worse (off) or a (its) complete waste of time.

Sacraments are really healing retreats set up for veterans through the foundation.

Multiple Ways to Help

No Fallen Heroes helps veterans find their way by offering grant funding and mental health treatment through trauma-informed psychedelic retreats.

We provide healing grants for veterans, first responders, and family members, because family members serve too, Buckley said. My wife had to put up with me for a long time and all the issues that I went through, so we actually give grants to family members as well.

The sacraments are designed similarly to combat missions where veterans receive two briefing calls prior to the retreat. Theyre then given a manual that explains more about the treatment.

Treatment doesnt stop after the retreats. The foundation keeps in touch with veterans through integration calls.

Buckley said veterans, and even non-veterans, can help lower the suicide rate by simply picking up the phone and being present when they need an empathetic ear.

Pick up your phone, go through your phone, and find five to 10 of your veteran brothers and sisters and call them, and ask how theyre doing, are they good, do they need anything. You might just save a life during that check-in, Buckley said.

The foundation also helps first responders and their families with treatment, too.
When state funding to provide bronze star grave markers to veterans dried up, a business in Alexandria, Minnesota, stepped up to honor those who served in multiple ways.

Along with donating new stars, Douglas Machine programmer Adam Baumann crafted a fresh design for the stars, cut by a laser from stainless steel. The updated design features crossed rifles for veterans who served on land, and an anchor for Navy and Coast Guard members. The letters F, C and L are cut through the steel, signifying fraternity, charity and loyalty. The design was inspired by a badge worn by members of the Civil War Grand Army of the Republic.

Along with Baumann, the project involved Douglas County Veteran Services Director Jake Turner, Vietnam War Army veteran Arvid Lotthammer, an Alexandria native, and Douglas Machine CNC machinist Jon Stepan.

The new stars have been placed in cemeteries honoring veterans across Douglas County, Minnesota. (Photo by Celeste Edenloff/Alexandria Echo)

The drive to obtain new grave markers began in late 2018 when Lotthammer requested $10,000 from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners to be given to the countys veteran services organization to replace the stars.

Lotthammer believed honoring all deceased veterans properly was important, and the county should provide funding.

Project Proves Costly

For years, Turner and Lotthammer talked about how many of the old stars had disappeared, due mostly to theft, weather, and lawnmower damage. When they realized how much replacing the stars would cost, and that county and state funding wouldnt be enough, Lotthammer and Turner didnt give up. They searched for different ways to purchase the stars.

Douglas County chipped in with $10,000, with the county veterans organization spending almost $2,000 per year to replace old, worn-out stars. State officials told Turner it could replace only stars for veterans that had died the previous year. Resources became limited, and Turner told the Alexandria Echo that he never received as many as needed.

Weve been purchasing them over the years through the same company that the state uses, but it was getting harder and harder to get them, said Turner. And then last year, we found out the state was putting the entire project on hold because of funding, and the stars werent going to be produced anymore.

Turner said the stars, which included a rod for placing them into the ground, would cost about $50 each.

Disappointed with the states lack of help, Turner mentioned the issue at an Alexandria VFW meeting. Lotthammer was there and suggested to Turner that perhaps the stars could be made locally. Lotthammer connected with friend Roger Berglin, a retired welding shop instructor at a nearby college. Through Rick Froemming, a previous Douglas Machine employee, Berglin met Stepan, planting the seed for the manufacturer to land a hand.

Manufacturers from Douglas Machine decided to donate time, work and materials to make new bronze stars. (Photo by Celeste Edenloff/Alexandria Echo)

Company Goes Extra Mile

Initially, Douglas Machine offered to produce the stars rods, but then Stepan found out how costly the bronze stars would be and thought of other ways his company could help.

That is when I brought it to Adam (Baumann) to see what he could come up with (for the design). And Adam just knocked it out of the park as far as the detail, said Stepan. It turned out way better than any of us could have ever believed. Douglas Machine, with its 750 employees, has a strong support of law enforcement and our veterans.

With the idea of helping veterans and supporting local causes, Stepans supervisor, Jason Olson, said he was all in. Machine shop supervisor Jason Stich gave his blessing, stating that Douglas Machine would donate all the work and materials.

Berglin and Turner loved the new design. So far, the company has produced more than 100 stars.

The generosity of Douglas Machine to donate all this is incredible because its not only just the materials they are donating, but they are also donating the manpower to get them done, said Turner.

Because of Roger, Arvid, and Jon, we have a steady supply of these going into all the cemeteries around Douglas County.

Lotthammer and Berglin have pitched in too, taking time to sandblast the stars.

Expanding

Stepan said the star-making project doesnt have to be exclusive to Douglas County.

If there are other counties that want schematics for the CAD design, Douglas Machine is willing to provide it for them, he said.

While families have taken most of the stars home to be preserved over winter, Turner requests that they bring them back before Memorial Day, so each grave receives an American flag. Families can also reach out to Douglas County Veterans Services for more information.
When private capital moves into the territory historically reserved for the Department of Defense (DoD) and its major contractors, the ripple effects reach across supply chains, innovation cycles, and accountability frameworks underpinning national security. The entrance of private equity firms into this space is not merely a financial trend. It reshapes how the United States funds, builds, and governs its defense industrial base.

How Private Equity Works  and Why It Matters

Private equity (PE) is less an industry than a financial method for control. These firms pool money from institutional investors like pension funds, endowments, or sovereign wealth funds and use that capital to buy or take over companies, often through heavy borrowing. The aim is to raise the companys value quickly, sell it within a few years, and return profits to investors. The model depends on leverage, short timelines, and aggressive performance targets.

At its best, this approach can bring focus and discipline to sectors that have stagnated. PEs advocates argue that when it is done responsibly, it channels long-term capital into businesses that might otherwise struggle to find financing, allowing them to expand, modernize, and hire more workers. In defense-related industries, that influx of funding can help smaller suppliers innovate or bring new technologies to the Pentagon faster than traditional contracting routes allow.

Yet the same features that make PE powerful in commercial markets can become liabilities in national security. Debt-fueled acquisitions make defense suppliers financially fragile; short investment horizons discourage spending on long-term capabilities; and private ownership reduces transparency. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute warns that this trend is just one of the challenges to transparency in the arms sector.

Firms like The Carlyle Group, long known for its defense and aerospace holdings, and Arcline Investment Management, which acquired aerospace manufacturer Kaman in 2024 and created Signia Aerospace in 2022, show how PE has moved deep into the defense ecosystem. Their strategies highlight both the potential benefits and the structural risks of private capital operating in a field where the stakes extend far beyond profit.

The American Surge

PE and venture capital investment in aerospace and defense has exploded. Between January and mid-March 2025 alone, deal volume reached $4.27 billion, nearly matching all of 2024, with 83% of that capital flowing into North America, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The DoD has welcomed this capital influx, arguing that private investment can help fill gaps in domestic production and innovation capacity. A Bain & Company report concluded PE will help the U.S. close the investment gap, innovate faster, and improve the affordability of defense platforms. Together, investor appetite and government demand are remaking the defense industrial base into a mixed public-private model.

Strategic and Operational Fault Lines

This transformation comes with risk. The Defense Business Board warned in 2025 that DoD supply chains generally contain five to six tiers but often lack visibility beyond Tier 1 or 2 suppliers, leaving vulnerabilities if a PE-owned contractor collapses.

Empirical research backs the concern. A study in Business and Politics found that PE-backed defense contractors were 4 to 9% more likely to go bankrupt than those without PE ownership, often due to debt burdens and shorter investment timelines. For the Pentagon, a single suppliers failure can delay weapons systems or disrupt readiness, turning financial risk into strategic risk.

Innovation and Incentive Structures

PE has undeniably accelerated innovation in defense technology. Investors are backing firms developing autonomous systems, satellite sensors, and dual-use artificial-intelligence tools  these are technologies that can serve both military and civilian purposes.

Because PE investors often want quick returns, they may push defense companies to focus on the easy, high-profit parts of the business instead of the harder, long-term work of actually building or maintaining weapons production capacity. The Pentagons TransDigm scandal  where a contractor sold a $32 part to the DoD for $1,443  demonstrated how profit-maximizing behavior can conflict with stewardship of public funds. Injecting private-equity incentives into that environment heightens both efficiency and temptation.

Marine Corps Sgt. Megan Marano performs maintenance on an F-35C Lightning II fighter jet in the hangar bay of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 27, 2025. The aircraft carrier is conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations, demonstrating the Navy's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region (Navy Seaman Apprentice Cesar Zavala, DoW).

Oversight and Accountability

Private ownership also complicates public oversight in ways that go beyond convenience. Publicly traded defense primes like Lockheed Martin or Raytheon are subject to the Securities and Exchange Commissions disclosure regime under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. That law requires quarterly and annual filings, audited financials, executive-compensation reports, risk disclosures, and  increasingly  environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. The SEC outlines some of these obligations in its Beginners Guide to Financial Statements. These filings are publicly accessible through the EDGAR database and allow Congress, investors, and the public to trace revenue sources, debt levels, and government dependencies.

Private-equity-owned contractors face no such obligation because their securities are not publicly offered or traded. Instead, they are privately placed under exemptions such as Regulation D or Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, which are designed for sophisticated institutional investors rather than public markets. Their financial statements are provided only to limited partners, who are the institutional investors committing money to the fund, rather than to the public. Even major firms managing tens of billions in defense assets fall under lighter-touch reporting rules that require disclosure of fund structure and conflicts of interest but not detailed portfolio-company data. Although private-fund advisers register with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and file Form ADV detailing fees and conflicts, those submissions do not include portfolio-company financials or performance data, and the SECs examination reports are confidential. The Commissions own staff has acknowledged it cannot release information gathered from adviser examinations due to statutory privacy protections in the Freedom of Information Act.

This gap leaves defense oversight mechanisms operating partly in the dark. When a contractor is privately held through multiple acquisition vehicles or offshore entities, neither the DoD nor Congress can easily determine who ultimately controls the firm or how much debt it carries. The Government Accountability Office has repeatedly warned that contractor ownership and financial health directly affect performance risk, especially when high leverage raises the likelihood of default during production or deployment cycles. The GAO has also found opaque ownership structures in federal contracting create serious risks of fraud and corruption.

For policymakers, the problem is constitutional as well as practical. Article I vests Congress with the power to provide for the common defense, but that authority presumes visibility into the entities that actually build the arsenal. When defense suppliers are buried inside opaque private funds, the oversight chain moves one step further from the electorate, and one step closer to the confidential world of financial reporting that the SEC itself cannot publicly disclose.

The Global Dimension

Although the United States remains the center of this shift, private investment in defense is spreading worldwide. In Europe, government rearmament and rising security budgets are drawing in private-equity firms that once avoided the weapons sector. Reporting from the SuperReturn conference in Berlin describes investors increasingly targeting Europes defense sector as governments boost military spending. Analysts at Private Capital Solutions note this investment is not limited to traditional weapons makers. It extends into related areas such as artificial intelligence, drone technology, and private security services. These are sometimes called dual-use technologies, meaning tools or systems that can serve both civilian and military purposes. At the same time, relying too heavily on private investors could weaken government oversight and national control over defense industries. As this trend expands across NATO and its allies, countries will have to decide whether private money strengthens their security or simply makes it harder to see who controls the tools of defense.

Aligning Profit with Public Purpose

Private equity brings dynamism and capital to defense, potentially strengthening the arsenal of democracy. Yet it also imports the logic of high leverage, short exits, and opacity into a sector built on long-term trust and national mission. The ultimate test is whether the Republics security can coexist with Wall Streets return cycles. If governance adapts wisely, private capital can reinforce readiness; if not, the nations defense might be optimized for quarterly gains rather than enduring strength.
A New Mission for One of the Armys Most Iconic Aircraft

For decades, the AH-64 Apache was built to destroy tanks and provide close support to troops on the ground. Now the Army is giving it a mission few expected: hunting drones.

The rise of drone swarms in Ukraine, the Red Sea, and across the Middle East has pushed every service to rethink air defense. Fixed systems like Patriot, Avenger, and IFPC provide critical coverage, but they cant be everywhere. The Armys own analysis, echoed through congressional testimony and the Department of Defenses 2024 Strategy for Countering Unmanned Systems, shows a widening gap: drones move faster than ground air-defense units can reposition.

To close that gap, the Army is turning to a platform it already trusts, the AH-64E Version 6 Apache, and shifting it into a mobile counter-UAS role.

We know drones are now a constant part of the battlefield, Army aviation officials have said publicly during 20242025 modernization briefings. This requires mobile, layered defenses that can move with maneuver forces.

Thats the new logic behind the Apaches transformation.

The U.S. Army' AH-64E Apache attack helicopter recently demonstrated its ability to detect, track, and defeat unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) during Operation Flyswatter, a live-fire event at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, N.C. (photo courtesy of S.C. Army National Guard, DVIDS).

Proving Apaches Can Kill Drones With Weapons They Already Have

The Army began formally evaluating Apache counter-UAS performance in a series of 20242025 live-fire events, including a major demonstration at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. AH-64E helicopters from the South Carolina Army National Guard served as the primary shooters.

According to the Armys official release from PEO Aviation and DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center, the aircraft successfully engaged multiple unmanned aircraft using only existing Apache weapons and sensors. No experimental missiles, no classified pods, no special prototypes.

Confirmed Army capabilities displayed in the event included:

Laser-guided rockets (APKWS) for small, fast targets

Hellfire and JAGM missiles for medium UAS threats

30mm cannon fire for close-range intercepts

Cooperative lasing with ground teams and other aircraft

Longbow radar and M-TADS/PNVS sensors to track drones even in poor visibility

Army officials said the demonstration showed that the Apache can extend air-defense coverage and complement ground-based systems, especially during high-tempo operations where mobile units need protection immediately rather than waiting for SHORAD units to reposition.

Why the Army Needs a Mobile Drone Killer That Can Move With Troops

Drone warfare has changed faster than air defense programs can evolve. The DoDs 2024 unmanned-systems strategy notes the same problem militaries worldwide are experiencing: drones are cheap, fast to field, and getting smarter each year. They reduce warning time and overwhelm fixed radars.

Congressional Research Service reports from 2024 and 2025 add another concern: U.S. air defense units are still too few and often tied to defending fixed assets, bases, ports, logistics hubs, not every convoy or frontline element.

That leaves gaps. And gaps are where drones win. A helicopter, however, can move wherever the threat appears.

Apache advantages the Army now wants to exploit:

Speed: The AH-64E can quickly reposition to cover gaps, especially during fast maneuvers.

The AH-64E can quickly reposition to cover gaps, especially during fast maneuvers. Altitude: It can see over tree lines, ridges, and urban terrain that hide drones from ground radars.

It can see over tree lines, ridges, and urban terrain that hide drones from ground radars. Sensors: The Longbow radar and M-TADS system can track small objects that ground units may not see.

The Longbow radar and M-TADS system can track small objects that ground units may not see. Networking: Link 16 integration allows Apaches to receive drone tracks from ground sensors, other aircraft, or nearby units.

Link 16 integration allows Apaches to receive drone tracks from ground sensors, other aircraft, or nearby units. Firepower: Multiple weapon options mean they can respond to different drone sizes without waiting for specialized air-defense assets.

In short, the Apache becomes the Armys first mobile air-defense truck, a gunship that can sprint to protect units when drones suddenly appear.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, demonstrate the capabilities of the AH-64 Apache helicopters in Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, May 2, 2025. The CAB provides essential air support, executing reconnaissance, attack and medical evacuation missions to enhance ground forces' effectiveness. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Charlie Duke)

Training Shifts: Crews Are Learning a New Mission Set

The Army isnt treating this as a one time demonstration. Apache units are already receiving new training guidance based on TRADOC, the Air Defense Artillery School, and Army Aviation Center of Excellence recommendations.

According to publicly available Army training updates:

Counter-UAS tasks are being added to unit Mission Essential Task Lists.

are being added to unit Mission Essential Task Lists. Simulator scenarios now include drone threats integrated into attack, escort, and reconnaissance missions.

now include drone threats integrated into attack, escort, and reconnaissance missions. New gunnery tables incorporate aerial targets and small UAS engagements, not just tanks or ground vehicles.

incorporate aerial targets and small UAS engagements, not just tanks or ground vehicles. Aviation, air defense, and electronic warfare units are training together more often to build unified response tactics.

That shift affects everyone, from pilots to maintainers to ground commanders who request Apache support.

Instead of calling Apaches only when a patrol needs close air support, units may soon request an Apache presence when they expect drone activity or when air-defense units are stretched thin.

What This Means for Soldiers and Units on the Ground

For troops who operate in areas where drones are a constant threat, the Apaches new role could change how missions are planned and executed.

Heres what units may start seeing:

Apaches providing overwatch during drone-heavy operations, not just during kinetic contact with ground enemies.

Faster response times to sudden drone contacts, especially on long convoys or during dispersed operations.

More requests for air-ground coordination, since many drone kills rely on shared sensor data and laser designation.

Increased integration with M-SHORAD Strykers, as Apaches backfill gaps during movement or large-scale exercises.

More flight hours dedicated to protective missions, not just offensive attack profiles.

While the Apache will remain a premier attack helicopter, the Armys leadership has acknowledged that drone threats require platforms with mobility, sensors, and the ability to react instantly. The AH-64E fits that need better than any current ground-based asset.

The Road Ahead

The Armys counter-UAS modernization plan includes new radars, directed-energy systems, upgraded SHORAD platforms, and the IFPC program, but those systems will take years to field across the entire force.

The Apache, by contrast, is already here. It has the sensors, the weapons, the network links, and the crews. All the Army needed was a mission shift.

As drone swarms grow more common on global battlefields, the service is betting that turning the Apache into a drone-killing gunship will give maneuver units the protection theyve lacked and buy time until next-generation air defense systems arrive.

The transformation of the AH-64E isnt about replacing its historic role. Its about keeping it relevant in a world where the next threat wont roll on tracks, itll fly.

Sources

U.S. Army / DoD Primary Sources

 PEO Aviation  Apache Counter-UAS Demonstration Release (MCAS New River)

 DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center  Test & Evaluation Notes

 U.S. Army AH-64E Version 6 Fact Sheet

 Department of Defense  2024 Strategy for Countering Unmanned Systems

 U.S. Army TRADOC / ADA School  Mobile SHORAD & Layered Defense Doctrine

 U.S. Army DOT&E Annual Report (20232024)  Counter-UAS assessments

 Army Futures Command  Counter-UAS modernization briefings (AUSA 20242025)

 Congressional Research Service  Counter-UAS: Background and Issues for Congress (2024 & 2025 updates)
The Pentagons latest report makes one thing clear: Signal protects conversations, but it was never designed to safeguard U.S. war plans  and using it that way carried real risk for American forces. This is a deeper look at the app at the center of the Pentagons Signalgate investigation and what the watchdog says went wrong.

Video call screen (courtesy of Signal).

What Signal Actually Does

Signal is one of the worlds most widely used encrypted messaging apps, favored by journalists, activists, aid workers, and privacy-conscious users. Its features include:

End-to-end encryption for calls, messages, video, and attachments

for calls, messages, video, and attachments Minimal metadata retention , meaning Signal does not store message content on its servers

, meaning Signal does not store message content on its servers Open-source cryptography , allowing independent auditing

, allowing independent auditing A nonprofit business model, without ads or data harvesting

For civilians, its a strong privacy tool. Organizations such as the Freedom of the Press Foundation and Mozillas Privacy Not Included program consistently rate Signal as one of the most secure communication apps available to the general public.

But that does not make Signal a military-grade communications system, and the gap between what Signal is built for and what the Pentagon requires is what fueled the controversy around Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths use of the app.

The Advanced Extremely High Frequency, or AEHF, system is a joint service satellite communications system that provides survivable, global, secure, protected and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets. Advanced EHF allows the National Security Council and unified combatant commanders to control tactical and strategic forces at all levels of conflict through general nuclear war and supports the attainment of information superiority. U.S. Air Force photo

What Signal Is Not Designed For: Military OPSEC

The core misunderstanding in the public conversation is assuming encrypted equals authorized for mission planning. DoD communications rules say otherwise.

Signals leadership has been explicit that the app is not meant for classified operations.

In a 2023 interview with Wired, Signal CEO Meredith Whittaker made this point directly:

Signal is designed as a privacy tool for the public. Its not a specialized platform for classified or government use.

That distinction matters. Signal was engineered to protect civilian conversations from corporate and criminal surveillance, not to meet the Pentagons layered requirements for operational security, classified transmission, or records retention.

Official DoD rules reinforce this gap

Several binding regulations apply:

DoDI 8100.04 (DoD Unified Capabilities): Requires that only DoD-approved, DoD-managed communication systems be used to transmit DoD information. Commercial apps like Signal are not approved systems.

Requires that only DoD-approved, DoD-managed communication systems be used to transmit DoD information. Commercial apps like Signal are not approved systems. DoDI 5200.48 (Controlled Unclassified Information): Prohibits transmitting CUI, which includes non-public operational details, on unapproved systems.

Prohibits transmitting CUI, which includes non-public operational details, on unapproved systems. DoD CIO mobile-application guidance: Warns that commercial apps may result in unauthorized disclosure of CUI or non-public DoD information, even if encrypted.

Warns that commercial apps may result in unauthorized disclosure of CUI or non-public DoD information, even if encrypted. Federal Records Act: Requires official communications to be preserved. Signals auto-deletion features prevent compliant record retention unless the user manually captures messages.

In plain language: Using a personal phone and a commercial app, even an encrypted one, violates the communication requirements for sensitive military operations. This is the policy basis behind the inspector generals findings.

Home screen (courtesy of Signal).

How Signalgate Started

The controversy dates back to March 2025, when top Trump administration national security officials coordinated aspects of U.S. strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen through a Signal group chat.

According to publicly released screenshots and reporting referenced by the inspector general:

The group included senior officials and, by mistake, a journalist who was added to the chat.

The conversation contained specific operational details: aircraft numbers, strike timing, and other sensitive information.

A full transcript was later published publicly, providing foreign observers insight into real-time U.S. war planning.

Military.com previously reported that defense officials privately described the practice as reckless, and that lower-ranking troops would face severe punishment for handling operational information this way.

These warning signs would later be validated by the Pentagon watchdog.

What the New Watchdog Report Concludes

The Department of Defense inspector general released its final report on December 3, 2025. It confirms that:

1. Hegseth transmitted non-public operational information on his personal phone using Signal.

The information originated from a classified SECRET/NOFORN communication distributed by U.S. Central Command. Hegseth then shared portions of it in a personal group chat.

2. Signal was not an authorized system for this material.

The IG cites DoD communication policy and mobile-device rules that prohibit sharing non-public operational details via non-DoD systems.

3. His actions created a risk to U.S. personnel and missions.

Unauthorized transmission of timing and force-package details could have compromised the mission or endangered pilots.

4. Required records were not preserved.

Because the chats were off DoD systems and some messages were auto-deleted, investigators could not obtain a complete record.

5. Hegseth declined to provide his personal device.

Investigators relied heavily on public transcripts and screenshots.

Why Signal Is Secure, But Still Wrong for Military Ops

Its important to separate the two truths:

Truth #1: Signal is extremely secure for civilian use.

It uses trusted encryption, retains very little user information, and is commonly chosen by people who need a reliable private-messaging tool.

Truth #2: Military OPSEC requires more than encryption.

It requires:

Controlled servers

DoD managed networks

Auditing and retention

Classified channels

Device-level protection

Chain-of-custody guarantees

Signal offers none of those by design and isnt supposed to.

The IGs findings underscore this: The problem was not Signal as a tool, but the decision to use a personal, commercial messaging app for DoD operational communication.

A pair of Alaska National Guardsmen use their phones to video Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grunst parachute into his retirement ceremony July 21, 2023, at Camp Carroll on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Grunst joined the Alaska Army National Guard in 1989 and finished his 34-year career as the operations sergeant major for the AKARNG. (Alaska National Guard photo by Robert DeBerry)

Why This Matters for Service Members and Families

This case reinforces rules that every service member already lives under:

If information is operational or sensitive, it cannot be sent on personal devices or commercial apps.

Encrypted does not mean authorized.

Personal phones remain a major vulnerability exploited by adversaries.

Troops have been punished for far less severe mishandling of information.

While the IG did not recommend disciplinary action for Hegseth, the report sends a clear institutional message: OPSEC rules apply at the top of the chain as much as they do at the bottom.

Sources
The Blue Jays have been the most aggressive team in free agency by far this winter. Their offseason so far has been headlined by a seven-year deal for Dylan Cease. That hasnt stopped them from remaining aggressive at the top of the market, however, and the Jays remain the team thats been most clearly connected to the winters top two free agents: outfielder Kyle Tucker and infielder Bo Bichette. Bichette, of course, has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays and has not been shy about his desire to remain with Toronto going forward. Tucker, meanwhile, seems all but certain to depart from the incumbent Cubs for greener pastures and just yesterday met with the Jays at the clubs Spring Training complex in Dunedin.

While Toronto is very clearly involved in the markets for both players, its worth remembering that the Blue Jays already have a luxury tax payroll of around $282MM, according to RosterResource. Adding Tucker or Bichette and a $25-40MM annual salary to the books would push them past the highest threshold of the luxury tax, which sits at $304MM and carries with it the steepest penalties for going over. They might not be willing or able to both re-sign Bichette and also bring Tucker into the fold. If the Jays are only able to land one of the offseasons top two hitters, then, who would be the better fit for their roster?

Bichette is the familiar pick, and its hard to argue with his impact on the team. A three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani Bichette hit while playing through injury in Game 7 of this years World Series nearly made the Jays champions and that was just one piece of the .348/.444/.478 performance he turned in across seven Fall Classic games despite being hobbled on the bases and in the field. While an injury-marred and deeply disappointing season for Bichette in 2024 soured some on his overall profile, hes still turned in a wRC+ of 120 or higher in six of his seven MLB seasons with a career mark of 122. That hes done all that while typically playing a generally adequate shortstop is all the more impressive.

With that being said, Bichette isnt exactly a perennial MVP candidate. His defense on the infield has never been great and a disastrous defensive season by the metrics this year has made it all the more clear that his future is likely at second or third base. For as consistently impressive as Bichette has been when healthy, he was only the third-best hitter on the Jays in 2025. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has, of course, stood head and shoulders above the rest of the team in terms of star power and overall offensive impact, but there have been years where Bichette was outperformed by George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, Brandon Belt, Marcus Semien, and Teoscar Hernandez in the Jays lineup over the years. None of those players come close to matching Bichettes consistency, but its fair to argue that he doesnt offer the sort of six-plus win upside offered by many of the recent top free agents available.

Thats where Tucker stands out. The 28-year-old (29 in January) is a simply a cut above Bichette as a hitter. Tuckers career 138 wRC+ is four points higher than the mark Bichette posted this year, which was his career-best in a season, outside of his 46-game rookie campaign in 2019. Since the start of the 2021 season, Tucker has hit .277/.365/.514 with 23.4 fWAR, a greater total than Bichette has accumulated across his entire career. Tucker is also a perennial threat to steal 25 to 30 bases, while Bichette has swiped more than 13 bags just once before in his career. Tuckers status as a left-handed bat would also make him a strong complement to the Jays cache of impressive right-handed hitters, which includes not only Guerrero but also Springer and Kirk.

As perfect as the fit between Tucker and the Jays might seem, however, its worth considering the fact that Bichette could prove to be a better long-term investment. Both have dealt with injuries over the past two years, with 214 games played for Tucker and 220 for Bichette. With that said, Bichette is a year younger than Tucker and also figures to command the shorter (and cheaper) deal of the two; MLBTR predicts an eight-year, $208MM deal for Bichette, while Tucker is predicted to land a $400MM deal across 11 years. Paying Bichette through his age-35 season certainly sounds more appealing than paying Tucker through his age-39 campaign in terms of the teams long-term prospects. At the same time, Tucker would undoubtedly offer more near-term impact to a team that just came just a few outs within a World Series title and has already made it as clear as can be that theyre all-in on their current window.

Theres also the positional fit to consider. Bichette could either return to his shortstop position or take second, with Andres Gimenez taking the other middle infield spot. That would leave every other position player in a similar spot to 2025. Addison Barger and Davis Schneider both played some infield and some outfield while Ernie Clement played all around the infield.

If Tucker were signed, he would jump into an outfield mix with Springer, Anthony Santander and Daulton Varsho. It would push Barger and Schneider more firmly into the infield and bump Nathan Lukes to the bench, unless someone were then traded.

Assuming the Blue Jays can only sign one of Bichette or Tucker, which one do MLBTR readers think would be a better fit for the organization? Would Bichettes status as an anchor of the current team, consistency, and more affordable expected contract make him the better choice? Or does the immediate impact and big lefty bat Tucker offers outweigh those advantages? Or should they skip both and spend their money on relievers or a different bat? Have your say in the poll below:
Dear Annie: Ive read many letters from older women whove lost friends to illness, death or simply a change in circumstances. These women say they often cant find the social support they once had. Im not trying to spread the word, exactly, as we have so many members already, but there is one solution I know to work that Ive noticed is never mentioned: Facebook groups.

About a decade ago, I started two private Facebook groups for women over 50 whove reached the no-filter stage of life. One is not political, and the other is entirely politics.

Heres whats happened. Women from the U.S., Norway, Slovenia, Mexico, France, Switzerland, Romania, Italy and England have become real friends. Theyve invited others to join the Facebook groups, and many have met in real life. Some join because they want more social interaction; many identify as introverts, and some are actually homebound. Outside of the groups, theyve connected through mutual interests or geographic location. I must say, this group was a lifesaver for many during the pandemic.

People may pooh-pooh social media relationships for not being real, but say that to the groups that meet for dinner in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, or those traveling to Europe next fall to meet their European sisters for a relaxed vacation. Of course, women should look carefully at the groups they join. -- Friends Without Borders

Dear Friends Without Borders: Thank you so much for your letter. Youre right -- we often emphasize in-person connections, but theres certainly something to be said for online ones in this largely digital age. Its beautiful that youve been able to bring so many people together across miles, ages and cultures.

Your last sentiment is, of course, very important: Safety matters. Connect, but carefully.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.
The Autism Alliance of Michigan released its first special education benchmark report on Wednesday, Dec. 3, citing uneven program access and learning outcomes for students with disabilities across the state. (MLive file photo) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Michigan kids in need of special education services in public schools are disproportionately affected by exclusion from pre-kindergarten education, dropout rates and a lack of support for their parents, according to a state-level report out this week.

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) released its first special education benchmark report on Wednesday, Dec. 3, citing uneven program access and learning outcomes across the state  particularly, when compared to national averages  amid a nearly 7% rise in the number of students with disabilities over the last several years.

According to the Michigan Department of Education, the number of students with disabilities whove received special ed services has gone from 208,543 in 2018-19 to 223,100 during the 2024-25 school year.

Roughly 27.3% of those students reportedly had a speech and language impairment last year, 25.1% had another specific learning disability, 13.5% had autism, and 7.6% had a cognitive impairment.

The number of students with disabilities who receive special education services in public schools has risen just under 7% over the last several years, according to enrollment data tracked by the Michigan Department of Education. Jackie Smith | MLive

Although the Autism Alliance uses state data as of last year, some of the latest student group calculations are from 2022-23 and 2023-24. Among preschool-aged children with disabilities, the alliance reported 21% as of two years ago received at least 10 hours of special education and related services in their regular early childhood program.

Thats compared to the national average of 43%.

The proportion of those who received special ed services at home was 2% across Michigan and the U.S. in 2023-24. Meanwhile, 44% in Michigan received those services in other environments, such as separate schools or residential facilities, compared to 22% nationally.

Other key takeaways from the report include:

The four-year graduation rate for students with disabilities is roughly 60% in Michigan versus 71% nationally.

The high school dropout rate for students with disabilities within six years is about 21% versus 11% of non-disabled students.

Roughly 78% of students with disabilities have been competitively employed or enrolled in higher education and post-secondary education program within a year of leaving high school.

Over half of Michigan students with disabilities are identified as having either a special learning disability or a speech-language impairment with Michigan serving a higher percentage of students in that group than the national average at 28% and 19%.

Academic outcomes are low among students in special education despite a strong inclusion rate of 73% for the state  five points higher than the national percentage.

The gap between participation in general statewide tests among students with disabilities is wider in older grade levels with 98% of fourth-graders, for example, taking the M-STEP and 91% of high-schoolers taking the SAT.

16% and 18% of affected fourth-graders scored at proficient or advanced levels on the Math and English-language arts portions of the M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress), while 5% and 23% scored at those levels for each subject on the eighth-grade PSAT and 3% and 13% were proficient and above in math and English-language arts for the high-school SAT.

About 90% of special education teachers were appropriately certified and placed last year despite a shortage of special ed teachers.

Written complaints from families of students with disabilities were filed with the state at a rate of 12.5 per 10,000 kids in 2023-24, and 6.6 of them were found to be out of compliance.

The alliances report makes a host of recommendations for state policymakers to address disparities among students with disabilities. They include support of existing programs aimed at increasing the teacher workforce and expanding the states investment in teacher training, requiring school boards to view annual performance data of students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and benchmarking Michigans performance against high-performing states with evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes.

It also recommends implementing the Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint, a tiered funding system introduced by advocates in October that proposes a $1.5 billion funding increase to special education services in the state over several years.

Much of the advocacy comes from a lag in federal investment over several decades. Federal IDEA funding covers under one-sixth of those costs nationally, and combined state and federal contributions make up only 44% of total costs under Michigans existing special ed system.

Michigan spends roughly $2.8 billion on special ed a year.

The Autism Alliances 2024 Special Education Experience Survey, including close to 900 responses, reported:
DETROIT - You wont believe what youre own eyes are seeing at one of the most whimsical and magical museums in the country, which just opened in Michigan.

The Museum of Illusions is located right in the heart of downtown Detroit at 1545 Woodward Avenue.

The permanent museum features dozens and dozens of interactive exhibits which play games with your senses.

Besides being fun, this museum if also educational, Pien Koopman, U.S. Public RR for the Museum of Illusions told MLive. We are STEM accredited and love having school field trips. The exhibits are a mixture science, art, psychology, physics, mathematics... all of that. We also have special lesson plans from elementary though high school.

The Museum of Illusions features around 80 exhibits. Some of them are on the walls, while others are in rooms where you immerse yourself in the illusions, which offer a large variety of Instagram-worthy photo and video opportunities.

We now have more than two dozen of these museums in the U.S., added Koopman. All of the locations are not pop-ups. We are here to stay. Every location has two or three exhibits which are inspired by the culture or history of the locations we are at. Here in Detroit, we pay homage to Motown and the auto industry.

Some of our favorite illusions were the upside down room, the infinity portal, the illusion theater, the Beuchet chair, the clone room, swap noses, and the infinity room.

And wait until you enter the vortex tunnel. The effect will make it almost impossible for you to walk straight.

Tickets to the Museum can be purchased online here or at the door. They are reserved by time to make sure each hour is not too crowded. Teachers get in free with a valid school ID.

Tickets are $28 for ages 13+, $24 ages 5-12, 4 and under are free. Military members and seniors are $26. Family packages are $94. Currently, the Grand Opening special gives 20% off these prices.

The Museum is open Sunday - Thursday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Justice for Rebecca was painted in the snow across from the home where Rebecca Park's biological mother lives. Photo by Gus Burns | MLive

WEXFORD COUNTY, MI  A small town is reeling from the horrific deaths of a 22-year-old woman and her unborn baby.

A candlelight vigil for Rebecca Park and her son is planned for 4 p.m. Saturday, at 21  Road in Boon Township, which is near where Parks body was discovered on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 9&10 News reports.

Candles, bubbles, sparklers, photos and memories of Park are welcome at the vigil, organizer Jodi Lewis told the TV station.

Park was about 38 weeks pregnant when she went missing on Nov. 3.

Prosecutors alleged that on or about Nov. 3 husband and wife Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew held Park against her will and ultimately killed her and her child while carrying out a preconceived plan.

Cortney Bartholomew is Parks biological mother.

RELATED: Michigan woman accused of cutting baby from daughter requests jail release to care for son

The Bartholomews are each charged with eight crimes, including first-degree premeditated murder, torture, unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to cause miscarriage or stillbirth and removing a dead body without a medical examiners permission.

They are being held without bond in Wexford County Jail. They face mandatory life in prison, if convicted.

Friends, an ex-boyfriend and acquaintances of Park who spoke to MLive said Park did not seem to have a close relationship with her biological mother leading up to her disappearance and death.

Park was raised by her adoptive mother, Stephanie Park.

At the time Park vanished, she was living with her fiance, Richard Lee Falor, in a home owned by Falors father.

Falor was arrested Nov. 26 and arraigned on two counts of delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance, and for being a habitual offender fourth offense notice. His bond was set at $1 million but was lowered to $5,000/10% on Dec. 3; he has been released on bond.

Police also arrested Parks 21-year-old sister, Kimberly Park on Nov. 26, and arraigned her on charges of tampering with evidence, lying to a peace officer, and a false report of a felony. Its unclear if the charges are related to Parks death or disappearance. Kimberly Parks bond was set at $750,000 but was lowered to $5,000/10% on Dec. 3; she has been released on bond.

RELATED: Fiance, sister of Rebecca Park released from jail after bonds lowered

Searchers discovered Parks body on Nov. 25 in a wooded area of the Manistee National Forest, which surrounds the home where the Bartholomews lived. Officials have not revealed if the remains of Parks baby have been recovered.

Falors preliminary examination is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Dec. 9. and the Bartholomews have preliminary examinations scheduled for 2 p.m. on Dec. 16.
The Michigan Court of Claims has struck down guidance by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson that allowed votes to be counted if absentee ballots with mismatched identification numbers were returned.(MLive file photo) Ben Orner | MLive.com

LANSING, MI - The Michigan Court of Claims has ruled that guidance issued by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on counting absentee ballots with mismatched numbers is not valid.

In a Dec. 3 ruling, the Lansing-based court issued an opinion that Bensons guidance is contrary to Michigan election law under a 2024 change, and absentee ballots should be counted only when the numbers line up.

Court of Claims Chief Judge Brock Swartzle wrote in the opinion that the right to vote is one of the fundamental pillars on which this country governs itself.

Partisans and pundits will sometimes place election integrity in tension with the right to vote, he wrote. This is a fallacy, as an election without integrity is as much a danger to a citizens vote as would be simply taking away the franchise.

The lawsuit was brought against Benson and Jonathan Brater, the states Director of Elections, by the Republican National Committee (RNC), the Michigan Republican Party and Chesterfield Township Clerk Cindy Berry.

It is one of several legal challenges Republicans have filed against Benson in recent months.

After serving as Secretary of State since 2019, she is now running for governor, and is considered the Democratic-frontrunner at this time.

Department of State Chief Communications Officer Angela Benander said the lawsuit is another chapter in the RNCs years-long partisan strategy to file as many meritless lawsuits against election officials as possible.

Their plan is to use these court cases to cast doubt on our ability to administer free and fair elections and lay the groundwork for them to challenge any legitimate election result they dont like, she wrote in a statement to MLive. Their goal is always the same - to prevent thousands of eligible Michigan voters from making their voices heard in our elections.

In a statement shared online, RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said, the law is simple: ballot stubs must match, and incomplete ballots cannot be counted.

This ruling is a major win for election integrity and for voters who deserve confidence that every lawful vote is protected, he said.

Ballots are typically prepared with a detachable stub at the top that has a unique identifying number.

When ballots with these stubs are sent out to absentee voters, a local clerk will record the number on the stub assigned to that same voter in the qualified voter file (QVF). That number then corresponds with what is printed on the outside of the absentee ballots return envelope.

In cases where absentee ballots are returned and the numbers dont line up, Bensons previous guidance to election officials was that they could process the ballots as challenged.

The plaintiffs requested the court declare that guidance unlawful, arguing that absentee ballots should be rejected the same way that one of an in-person voter would be if there was a mismatch, or of an absentee voter whose signature could not be verified.

Bensons team argued that the guidance is not contrary to law, and she has statutory authority to fill Michigan election law gaps.

Swartzle ruled that while election law housed in MCL 168.768 is silent as to what should be done with mismatched ballots, the one thing that is clear about that ballot is that there is no lawful authority to tabulate it under that section.

He also disputed an argument that not tabulating the ballots could disenfranchise absentee voters, as the mere existence of a mismatched ballot ... necessarily calls into question the identity of the person who tried to cast the ballot.

One could just as plausibly flip defendants argument on its head and contend that tabulation of mismatched ballots might very well disenfranchise legitimate voters by diluting the impact of their votes validly cast.

The case is not yet closed.

Both parties must now file supplemental briefs with possible approaches for what should be done with mismatched absentee ballots, and how voters should be allowed to try and correct the mistakes.

Benander said as Swartzle stated, this ruling is not a final order. We look forward to answering in court.
An educator was found dead in a Michigan school Wednesday evening. (MLive file photo) Kalamazoo Gazette

Police are investigating after an educator was found dead in a Grand Rapids-area school building this week.

The death is one of five major stories to get your morning started Friday, Dec. 5.

Investigation underway after educator found dead in Ionia Schools building

The educator was found dead in an Ionia Public Schools building on Wednesday night, said Ionia Superintendent Ben Gurk. The persons name has not been released.

Gurk did not say where the person was found, but three schools were closed on Thursday: Ionia High School, Welch High School, and Bulldogs Beginnings Preschool. Welch High School remained closed on Friday.

The superintendent expressed sorrow over the loss in an email to parents, indicating that the educator was a beloved member of the school community.

Ionia Public Safety said there is no evidence suggesting an ongoing threat to the community. Grief counseling services will be available for students and staff on Friday, school officials said.

Read reporter John Tunisons story here.

Real estate group Sansone Group is interested in potentially using vacant land owned by Toyota located on the west side off Platt Rd., across from the Toyota facility on 8777 S. Platt St. Abra Richardson

Developers seek another AI data center on land owned by Toyota south of Ann Arbor

A real estate brokerage is eyeing over 400 acres in York Township to potentially develop a hyperscale data center for AI and other technologies.

The land, owned by Toyota and zoned as a research park, is priced at over $22.6 million and is located near the Toyota Motor North American R&D Headquarters. This would mark the fourth similar project in Washtenaw County, joining proposals in Saline, Augusta, and Ypsilanti, amid community concerns over resource impact and electricity needs.

The potential data center could demand up to 1 gigawatt of electricity, equivalent to powering approximately 750,000 homes, but details regarding power and cooling systems remain unspecified.

Community members have voiced concern about the multiple nearby data centers affecting local resources and ecosystems.

Read Washtenaw County reporter Jennifer Eberbachs story here.

Cortney Bartholomew appears bis jail video feed for a second arraignment in Wexford County. Wexford District Court YouTube feed

Michigan woman accused of cutting baby from daughter asks for jail release

The woman accused of helping her husband cut an unborn baby out of her own daughters womb pleaded to be released from jail pending a trial.

Cortney Bartholomew, 40, the biological mother of Rebecca Park, made the request to 84th District Judge Corey J. Wiggins Wednesday, Dec. 3, citing Bartholomews unidentified medical ailments and her need to care for her 14-year-old son

However, Judge Corey J. Wiggins denied her bond request, citing high flight risk and danger to the community.

Cortney Bartholomew and her husband, Bradly Alan Bartholomew, 47, have been charged with eight crimes, including first-degree premeditated murder and torture, facing potential life sentences if convicted. Prosecutors alleged the couple held 22-year-old Park against her will and ultimately killed her and her child while carrying out a preconceived plan.

Investigative reporter Gus Burns had the story, linked here.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, lead new polls as the top Democrat and Republican candidates in the 2026 race for Michigan governor. (MLive file photos) MLive file photo

Whos leading Michigans 2026 governors race right now?

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Congressman John James are the top Democrat and Republican candidates in the 2026 race for Michigan governor, according to newly released polling of the crowded field.

Each candidate received 48% of the support in their respective primaries.

But when pitted against each other in a November general election scenario, U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, comes out ahead with a six point lead.

Read more on what polled voters said was the most important issue to them in the gubernatorial race in MLive reporter Dani James story, linked here.

The Autism Alliance of Michigan released its first special education benchmark report on Wednesday, Dec. 3, citing uneven program access and learning outcomes for students with disabilities across the state. (MLive file photo) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Michigan special education services lag nation as need grows, report finds

Michigan students needing special education services face significant barriers, including exclusion from pre-kindergarten education and high dropout rates.

The Autism Alliance of Michigans report reveals a 7% increase in students with disabilities over recent years, with 223,100 students receiving special education services as of the 2024-25 school year.

The most common disabilities reported include speech and language impairments (27.3%), specific learning disabilities (25.1%), and autism (13.5%).

Only 21% of preschool-aged children with disabilities in Michigan received at least 10 hours of special education, compared to the national average of 43%. Michigans four-year graduation rate for students with disabilities is 60%, significantly lower than the national rate of 71%.

MLive education reporter Jackie Smith has the full story here.
Utility poles and power lines are covered in ice in downtown Gaylord on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 following an ice storm that walloped a large swath of northern Michigan, leaving many without power for weeks. Alpena Power Co., hit hard by the storm, asked state regulators to waive a requirement it issue outage bill credits to customers but ultimately agreed to pay them out. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

ALPENA, MI - A small northern Michigan utility will be required to issue nearly $645,000 in bill credits to customers who went days or weeks without power during a massive ice storm this spring  after initially trying to dodge the requirement by arguing the blitz of ice was an unprecedented act of God beyond its control.

Alpena Power Co. must pony up the required credits under a settlement agreement OKd by state regulators on Friday, Dec. 5, more than eight months after the storm.

Some customers who were left in the dark for almost two weeks could be entitled to at least $400 in credits under state rules requiring for-profit utilities to issue them automatically after extended or repeated outages.

The credits, set at $40 at the time of the storm and since raised to $42, stack up by the day after a certain time period without power has elapsed.

But Alpena Power Co. also has a pathway to recoup nearly half of the costs: by charging them to its customers.

Under the agreement approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission, it can seek to incorporate into power rates some outage credit costs, when the issues stem from portions of the grid outside its control.

Outages on high-voltage transmission lines, overseen by a separate utility company, led to massive blackouts affecting nearly all of Alpena Powers 16,775 customers during the storm.

Alpena Power doesnt generate electricity and relies on the regional lines to distribute power to customers. If they go down, it cannot serve customers, and that was a significant portion of what happened during the ice storm, Alpena Power President and Chief Operating Officer Ken Dragiewicz said in an email to MLive.

The agreement gives Alpena Power Co. the possibility  not the guarantee  of eventually charging customers for about $332,806 of the $643,737 in estimated outage credits it will issue, according to figures in the agreement.

That would likely be determined in a future rate case, the legal proceeding before the Public Service Commission that allows utilities to seek to recover costs from customers by raising rates.

Crews work to restore ice-covered power lines and broken utility poles on Oley Lake Road off of M-32 near Gaylord, Mich. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, following an ice storm that walloped a large swath of northern Michigan, leaving many without power for weeks. Alpena Power Co., hit hard by the storm, asked state regulators to waive a requirement it issue outage bill credits to customers but ultimately agreed to pay them out. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

The order approving the settlement comes more than seven months after the utility first asked for permission to avoid paying outage credits after the storm.

For the small utility, the credits, initially estimated as totaling between $1 million and $1.5 million but since revised down, would be unduly economically burdensome, utility executives argued.

The storm slammed a large swath of northern Michigan, snapping trees like toothpicks and sending them crashing into power lines that buckled, encased in ice. Linemen compared the damage to that of a Category 5 hurricane that lasted for days, rather than tearing through in hours.

Alpena Power said it caused 40 times more outages than the second biggest storm it had on record. Nothing it could have done would have spared customers and prevented the widespread outages, it argued.

It sought an exemption from paying outage credits under state rules that allow waivers during events caused by an act of God or major system failure. The rules cite disasters like floods, tornadoes and terrorist attacks but do not specifically address ice storms.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels office intervened in the case. Discussions between her office, the power company and regulatory staff produced the settlement agreement approved Friday.

It requires Alpena Power to calculate and issue all outage credits related to the ice storm by April 21, 2026. It may treat outage credits related to transmission grid outages as a regulatory asset  costs that are deferred on its balance sheet. That allows them to be recovered from customers through a future proceeding.

The attorney general and Public Service Commission staff wont contest this recovery but may challenge the accuracy of calculations used to determine the transmission-related outage minutes, under the agreement.

The outage credit requirement only applies to investor-owned utilities, like Alpena Power and Consumers Energy, both hit by the crippling storm. Electric cooperatives, also widely affected, arent regulated by the state and arent subject to the rules.

Widespread damage to electric co-ops grid from the storm, coupled with the Trump administrations denial of significant portions of disaster aid for them, have led two cooperatives to raise rates for customers this year.

Read more: The ice storm walloped northern Michigans power grid. Residents are paying for it

In April, Dragiewicz reported $2.8 million in ice storm losses for his utility. Paying the full outage credit costs on top of that could limit our ability to invest in the grid to reduce future outages, he said at the time.

As the states second smallest investor-owned utility, any losses caused by the storm will hurt its capacity for grid investment, Dragiewicz told MLive on Friday.

But, he said, with the smaller, updated outage credit cost estimate and the settlement allowing some costs to be recovered from customers, the outlook is more optimistic than it was originally.
Houghton will host a New Year's Eve Chook Drop on its pier along the Portage Canal. Visit Keweenaw

HOUGHTON, MI  A chook is an essential cold-weather clothing item for those who live in Michigans northern reaches.

In the Keweenaw Peninsula, the word chook is local slang for a warm winter hat or beanie.

Thats why Michigans northernmost peninsula chooses to celebrate New Years Eve with a Chook Drop. The modern tradition began in 2023 and has quickly become a Keweenaw favorite, according to Visit Keweenaw.

The annual event is scheduled for New Years Eve at the Houghton Waterfront Pier. Locals and visitors invited to countdown to 2026 as the lit-up, red and white chook drops.

The Chook Drop is a New Year's Eve tradition in Houghton, Mich. Visit Keweenaw

Two drops are scheduled to accommodate the entire family:

Family Chook Drop

From 5:30-6 p.m., there will be music, baked goods for sale, and family activities, including bookmark making. The chook drops at 6 p.m.

Late-Night Chook Drop

The second drop happens at 10 p.m. (not midnight). Revelers can bring a drink for a social district bar and gather on the pier from 9:30-10 p.m. for music, dancing and a fire.

The Chook Drop is a New Year's Eve tradition in Houghton, Mich. Visit Keweenaw

For those interested in ringing in the New Year at midnight, head to the Bonfire Continental, 408 E. Montezuma, after the Chook Drop for a midnight countdown, drink specials and live comedy.

The Houghton Chook Drop is coordinated by Visit Keweenaw and the City of Houghton.
Developers of a Meta-backed hyperscale data center project in Howell Township announced additional promises at an event at Cleary University in Howell, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. Jen Eberbach/MLive

HOWELL, MI  Developers of a controversial hyperscale AI data center project that is facing fierce local opposition  reportedly backed by Facebook and Instagram owner Meta  are preparing to offer more promises in Howell Township.

An attorney representing the data center development team revealed Thursday they will offer up three new, additional promises. The data center team is hoping township officials will vote yes on rezoning land at a pivotal upcoming meeting Monday, Dec. 8.

A request to rezone more than 1,000 acres of mostly agricultural land is on the table. The additional promises are in response to growing public outcry over Big Techs push to develop AI infrastructure in Michigan at breakneck speed.

Thursdays event at Cleary University in Howell comes on the heels of a grassroots community meeting to oppose the data center, which drew around 150 people.

We have three new, really big conditions that are going to be submitted in writing (to the township) that will be discussed, I would imagine, at Mondays township board meeting, Michael Vogt, an attorney with Troy-based Dickinson Wright, told MLive.

Theyre being proposed to specifically address the concerns weve heard the most, Vogt said.

The new conditions relate to water consumption, protecting property values, and funding local zoning enforcement.

Vogt discussed the data center project with a small number of residents who attended a drop-in informational event held at Cleary University Thursday, Dec. 4.

Organized by landowner Ryan Van Gilder, the event also featured representatives from DTE Energy, which would power the massive facility, a local labor union that would benefit from the creation of construction jobs, and Livingston Countys drain commission and IT department, along with some information supplied by the local water authority MHOG.

The first new promise: We can now offer as a condition a commitment to use a closed loop, dry cooling technology, Vogt said.

Whereas some hyperscale data centers use around a million gallons a day to cool computer servers, as an example, a closed loop system at the Howell Township data center would be supplied with about 300,000 gallons once and refilled every 10 years or so, Vogt said.

The water would be continuously looped instead of being constantly drawn, he said.

The second new condition the development team is offering is a property value protection plan, Vogt said.

If a homeowner within 1,000 feet of the property line does not want to live next to a massive data center, the data center would purchase their property at its appraised value, plus some percentage points, he said.

While they are still determining how much over the appraised value they would agree to pay to buy out a homeowner, he said it could be 1% more. That is still being determined.

If homeowners within 2,500 feet want to stay in their homes, the data center would allow them to opt in to a 10-year appraisal program, he said.

The data center would cut a check to a participating homeowner should their property value drop within the 10-year term. The payment would equal the difference between the propertys value in year one and its value when the homeowner requests compensation. As an example, if $200,000 in appraised home value is cut in half, the homeowner would receive $100,000 as compensation.

The third additional promise, Vogt said, would address residents concerns about the townships ability to enforce rules.

He said the data center would put $100,000 into an escrow account. It would be there for the township to enforce local rules and all the conditions they have promised. If the data center violates code, the money would be there to cover the cost of any studies, consultants and legal fees, he said.

He said the $100,000 would be the initial investment, and if money is spent, it would be replenished.

While Howell Township officials recently voted to put a moratorium in place to pause for six months any consideration or approval of data center proposals, the pause does not stop the township board from voting on whether its appropriate to rezone the land for research and technology uses.

However, if the township board decides to approve rezoning that land, no site plans can be approved for the data center itself until the moratorium expires or is lifted. The township and Livingston County planning commissions both recommended the board deny the rezoning.

The Howell Township land in question is located north and south of Grand River Avenue. It is south of Marr Road and north of Warner Road, and east of Owosso Road and west of Fleming Road. The firm is also eyeing adjacent land in neighboring Handy Township.

The rezoning was requested by developer Randee LLC through its consulting firm Stantec Consulting Michigan.

While the developers have not publicly identified Meta, township Trustee Bob Wilson confirmed in November that Meta is backing the project.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Police are seeking assistance from the public in identifying a man who pulled out a gun inside a bank in Ann Arbor Friday morning.

At 11:30 a.m., Dec. 5, an unknown man walked into the Chase Bank in the 2400 block of W. Stadium Boulevard and pulled out a gun, according to the Ann Arbor Police Department.

The man quickly fled before police arrived at the scene. No one was injured and no money was taken, police said.

Police are asking the public for assistance in identifying the man.

The suspect, a man in his 50s, was wearing a LSW black N-95 mask, burnt orange beanie, grey zip up sweatshirt, black pants and a black backpack.

Anyone with information about the man is asked to contact the Ann Arbor Police Department at 734-794-6920, email tips@a2gov.org or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Witness.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, 61, has lived in the United States for more than 21 years after arriving through the Cuban visa lottery in 20. | Courtesy Jenifer Veloso Jennifer Veloso

FLINT, MI - Advocates and family members are urging federal officials to intervene after a longtime Michigan resident was ordered deported to Cuba during an immigration court hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 2, a decision they say puts his life and health at risk.

Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, 61, has lived in the United States for more than 21 years after arriving through the Cuban visa lottery in 2004 with approval from the U.S. Embassy in Havana, according to a Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights news release.

He was detained by immigration officers in Flint on June 2 while driving to work and has been held at Calhoun County Correctional Facility in Battle Creek for the past six months.

According to federal immigration court records, an immigration judge ordered Lopez Rodriguez removed from the United States on Dec. 2. He has until Jan. 2, 2026, to appeal the order. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not responded to requests for comment on this case.

A message seeking comment from the Calhoun County Correctional Facility was also not immediately returned.

Im very sad because hes a very good son and community member, Lopez Rodriguezs mother told MLive-The Flint Journal. He doesnt deserve whats happening to him.

Family members and a family friend spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying they fear retaliation against Lopez Rodriguez while he remains in detention.

Advocacy groups say the decision comes after months of postponements, limited communication with legal counsel and what they describe as unsafe conditions inside the facility.

In a statement Wednesday, Dec. 3, FAIR called for immediate intervention from elected officials and federal agencies.

These conditions are unacceptable, life-threatening, and inhumane, said Lucine Jarrah in a statement, a FAIR coalition member. No one should be subjected to this level of neglect and abuse. We need people to take action, demand accountability, advocate, and help us bring our loved ones home.

The family alleges Lopez Rodriguez has been denied adequate medical care, including medication for a prostate condition that they say leaves him unable to urinate for days at a time. They also describe untreated infections on his scalp, which they say sometimes bleed onto the walls where he sleeps on the floor.

Sometimes when he wakes up, the wall is covered in blood because of those infections, said Fernando, a family friend. Instead of treating him, they put him in isolation.

They also say the lack of vision aids has left him unable to read documents related to his case and that he has spent extended periods in isolation after requesting medical attention.

According to the family, Lopez Rodriguez now has access to only one phone call per day, and on Wednesday was taken back to his cell before he could reach his attorney.

In its news release, FAIR detailed similar allegations, citing substandard food, unsafe or unsanitary living conditions, and serious, unaddressed health issues.

FAIR is calling for a stay of removal, Lopez Rodriguezs release from detention, and an investigation into conditions at the facility.

Jesus has spent more than two decades building his life in this country, Asa Zuccaro in a statement, executive director of the Latinx Technology and Community Center, said in the statement. Our community cannot remain silent while a legal permanent resident is torn away from his family.

Family members said they were initially hopeful about the case after hiring an attorney earlier this year. They believed his clean record since 2013, lawful permanent resident status and community involvement would strengthen his chances of release. According to FAIR and criminal records, Lopez Rodriguez completed a sentence in 2013 in Florida for a non-violent marijuana offense.

Originally they had extremely high hopes, Fernando said. The lawyer thought it was going to be quick because hes a legal resident and has had no problems for years. But things changed, and it became impossible.

Lopez Rodriguez, who operates a small food business, has been active in Flint-area cultural and nonprofit events, often donating food at gatherings and supporting youth-oriented programs. His family said his absence has devastated them and left his mother, who relies on him for financial and daily support, fearful for his safety.

Advocates say Cubas current political and economic conditions make deportation dangerous for those who left the island decades ago, especially individuals sent back under U.S. removal orders.

The family says they were told he has 30 days to appeal the judges decision but fear removal could happen sooner.

FAIR is urging community members to sign a statewide letter of support calling for his release and for protections while the legal team reviews his case.

They also have launched a fundraiser to cover Lopez Rodriguezs legal funds that can be viewed here.
James Barcus (Pictured), 78, went missing from the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans on Monroe Avenue on Thursday. Searchers found his body Friday, Dec. 5 on the Grand River's west side, north of North Park Street. (Photo provided by Grand Rapids Police) Grand Rapids Police

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The body of a man who went missing from the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids was found Friday, Dec. 5 not far from the facility.

James Barcus, 78, was last seen leaving the campus on Thursday.

Police said he may experience issues with memory loss and dementia. When he left the facility, he was wearing an Army green jacket, blue jeans and a winter cap, but he left his cell phone and glasses at the vets home.

Because Barcus was a Navy veterans, members of the Michigan National Guard responded to help search for him.

Ann off-duty Grand Rapids firefighter, who also is part of the National Guard, found Barcus body in the 300 block of North Park Street on the west side of the Grand River.

The location of the discovery is in Walker and police there will perform any necessary follow-up investigation.
Nine West Michigan schools in the Grand Rapids area, Ottawa and Muskegon counties have been added to one of several performance-based state watchlists, according to the Michigan Department of Education. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Over the holidays, I was sorting through a stack of old things and found a certificate my late mother received for being parent of the year at my elementary school.

Both my parents stressed the value of a good education as the foundation for success but my mother was more actively engaged with our teachers and building principals. She wanted to see that type of partnership in the pursuit of excellence for her six kids, 14 grandchildren and every child.

There are many parents in West Michigan who carefully monitor the progress of their district or charter school when the state releases information like the number of public K-12 schools on watchlists that mandate state oversight for improving marks like proficiency on statewide tests and graduation rates.

Many readers were interested in Danielle James article, Nine West Michigan schools newly added to state watchlist for low performance. The new report included five Kent County schools, added to the list, and one online Ottawa County school and three schools from Muskegon County.

As of the 2024-25 academic year, 59 schools were newly added to the list for comprehensive support and improvement (CSI), meaning theyre among the lowest performing 5% statewide or are high schools with a four-year graduation rate of 67% or lower, according to the latest Michigan School Index report.

In Kent County, those included Innovation Central High and Kent Hills Elementary in Grand Rapids Public Schools and three alternative programs: Kelloggsville Public Schools 54th Street Academy, Kenowa Hills Public Schools Kenowa Hills Pathways High School, and Northview Public Schools Northview Next Learning Center. In Ottawa County, the Grand Haven Cyber School is also listed. It is worth noting that GRPS Ottawa Hills High School was taken off the list.

But that was just one of several performance-based state watchlists she delved into that readers should check out like thousands of others did this week.

Dani also revisited a topic that resonated with readers last month, Calvin University cutting staff and eliminating programs. Over the next two years, the private Christian liberal arts university will reduce 12.5% of its faculty positions and drop or consolidate some academic programs, including several language majors and minors, the journalism minor and the public health major and minor.

First detailed in a Nov. 13 letter by President Greg Elzinga to the campus community, the cuts were described as honoring Calvins distinctive mission and ensuring long-term sustainability.

There was disturbing education news from our Ionia County neighbor. John Tunison reported that Ionia Public Safety is investigating after an educator was found dead Wednesday night in an Ionia Public Schools building. Three campuses were closed on Thursday. The persons identity and other details were not provided.

Superintendent Ben Gurk shared the heartbreaking news in a letter but did not disclose where the educator was found dead, only that Ionia High School, Welch High School and the Bulldogs Beginnings Preschool at Ionia High School were closed.

On a lighter note, Skyla Jewell-Hammie told our readers 3 places to see spectacular drive-thru Christmas lights around Grand Rapids. The drive-thru is open every day through Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park. Theres also Deer Track Junctions drive-thru light show through Jan. 5, located at 7850 14 Mile Road NE in Cedar Springs. People can also see Jon Mausts creation, Joyful Lights, come to fruition at the Hudsonville Fairgrounds in Ottawa County.

There was a lot of interesting news this week.

Our readers have always shown a keen interest in growth and development, so not surprising they flocked to Brian McVicars article, Developer says Grand Rapids housing study not based on history, facts or common sense.

Dan Hibma, of Land and Company Apartments, said a regional study that calls for 33,914 new housing units by 2029, doesnt align with projected population growth, and that theres currently a 6% vacancy rate in the local rental market. He shared his views in a letter to the Grand Rapids City Commission.

He also challenged the use of tax subsidies to promote new housing, and said demand for new housing could be partly met by renovating older units. Hibmas company owns 16 apartment communities in West Michigan.

Brian also teamed up Garret Ellison for a story about Kent County Circuit Judge George J. Quist judge dismissing a lawsuit brought against the Gerald R. Ford International Airport by the state of Michigan. The lawsuit sought cleanup and recovery of costs related to PFAS contamination from the facilitys use of firefighting foam.

Last month, the judge ruled in favor of the airport, writing that the states claims are preempted by former federal requirements that commercial airports use a chemical based aqueous film-forming foam known as AFFF.

Filed in September 2023, by Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the lawsuit sought damages and costs tied to the discovery of PFAS in residential drinking water near the airport in 2018.

Those are just some of the stories in the Grand Rapids area this week that interested our readers.

Monica Scott is the editor for MLive Media Groups The Grand Rapids Press and Muskegon Chronicle. She was previously a reporter who covered the city, county and schools in Grand Rapids.
Anthony Stewart, left, stands next to Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette in the sheriffs office Nov. 13, 2025. Stewart was promoted to undersheriff after serving four years as the county jail administrator. Nathan Clark | Nclark1@mlive.com

JACKSON COUNTY, MI  A new undersheriff has been selected to help run operations at the Jackson County Sheriffs Office.

Here is that headline and some more you might have missed this week.

This former prison warden went to police academy at 57 to become Jackson County undersheriff

The Jackson County Sheriffs Office has a new undersheriff.

After almost a year without an official No. 2, Sheriff Gary Schuette promoted jail administrator Anthony Stewart on Nov. 10.

Schuette said Stewart was his first choice after prior undersheriff Chris Simpson left to become chief of the Jackson Police Department.

Water bill shutoffs suspended in Jackson for December amid tech system problems

Jackson will pause water service shutoffs in December for unpaid bills following technology system problems.

The pause comes after issues emerged with three technology systems used by the city. This includes online payment system Point & Pay, municipal software service BS&A and emergency alert system CodeRED.

It seems like a perfect storm of all these online platforms suffering data breaches and outages at the same time, City Manager Jonathan Greene said on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

No one seems to like it, but project to shrink E. Michigan Avenue in Jackson still possible

John Knibloe opposes any reduction to East Michigan Avenue in Blackman Township.

It could create a bottleneck, and lead to more crashes, he said. They got so much traffic out there right now, the streets cant handle it, said Knobloe, whose family has owned Knibloe Hardware at 1612 E. Michigan Ave. since 1926.

Both Blackman Township and Jackson County representatives have declared they are against the project too, but the Michigan Department of Transportation is still considering it.

Virtual hiring event aims to fill adjunct teaching positions at Jackson College

Jackson College is seeking part-time instructors.

The college is hosting a virtual adjunct hiring fair Dec. 4-5 via Zoom as the institution seeks to fill part-time teaching positions across multiple disciplines.

Adjunct instructors typically teach one or two classes per semester or serve as clinical instructors for health programs.

Some would drive hours for surprising star at Northern Michigan fish joint - chicken tenders

When people think of Scalawags Whitefish & Chips in Mackinaw City, they likely think about its whitefish, tartar sauce, whitefish chowder, hushpuppies and Northern Michigan fish camp feel.

But this food destination is also known for serving up great chicken tenders. Mindy Ozenberger, who is opening a Jackson franchise with her son Taylor Wager, said everything is made from scratch and cooked to order, including the chicken.

Our chicken is hand-cut, breaded, Ozenberger said. Our chicken tenders are delicious.

Jackson County Mental Health Court returns after 4-year hiatus

The Jackson County Mental Health Court is back four years after funding and staffing for the program ran dry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 18 approved a $103,286 grant from the State Court Administrators Office, paving the way for the court to again return to full operations.

Our brothers and sisters here in the community are suffering from mental illness and there is no good reason for them to be in jail or the criminal justice system while we have a means to try and help them, said Jackson County District Judge Robert Gaecke, who is presiding over the court.

Free holiday performances scheduled at Jackson Colleges Potter Center

Jackson College is hosting two holiday concerts this December, offering the community free opportunities to enjoy festive music in different styles.

The Jackson College Community Concert Band, Jazzy Jets and JC Drumline, will perform at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Harold Sheffer Music Hall at Potter Center.

Late-night fire destroys Jackson home, family of three displaced

A Jackson home was destroyed in a late-night fire during the holiday weekend.

Fire crews were called a little after 12 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, to a home in the 300 block of W. Franklin Street for a reported structure fire, Jackson Fire Capt. Ryan Hendricks said.

Crews arrived to find heavy flames coming from the front of the home near the front doorway. The homes occupants, two adults and one child, had safely evacuated the home prior to firefighters arrival, Hendricks said.

Jackson County library branch reopening following renovations

The Jackson District Library will reopen its Henrietta Branch, after closing for renovations in August.

The branch, located at 11744 Bunkerhill Road in Pleasant Lake, will begin regular hours at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2. The interior renovations refreshed the library with new flooring, lighting, furniture, shelving and paint.

The interior renovations come after the buildings exterior was updated in 2024. These upgrades included new siding and stonework, a new accessible ramp, new lights in the parking lot and a cement pad for outdoor programming.

Man killed after truck hits pair fighting on M-60 in apparent road rage incident

One man was killed and another was injured when both men were hit by a passing truck during a road rage brawl in the street.

Police and rescue crews were called at 6:07 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, to the area of M-60 and North Main Street in Concord Township for a report of a vehicle that struck two pedestrians, according to the Michigan State Police.

Crews arrived to find two men, a 22-year-old Concord man and a 24-year-old Parma man, had been hit by a Ram 1500 pickup while the pair were in the road, police reported on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Fundraiser underway for man killed by passing vehicle while in alleged roadside fight

A GoFundMe page has been created for the man who was killed by a truck during an alleged road rage incident.

Keegan Nathaniel Vowels died Nov. 28 after he was hit by a passing truck in Concord Township, Michigan State Police First Lt. Rene Gonzalez confirmed Thursday, Dec. 4.

The GoFundMe page was created to help pay for funeral expenses. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the page has collected $5,400 in donations.

GoFundMe launched for family who lost everything in house fire

A woman and her four children may have lost everything they own when a fire broke out in their Summit Township apartment.

With no renters insurance and no place to live, a GoFundMe account was created to help April Worsham and her family navigate and rebuild their lives after the fire.

It has just been a disaster for them, her mother, Mona Worsham said. She hasnt had a chance to get back inside the apartment to check if anything is salvageable, but it doesnt look good. It could all be gone.

Man acquitted in fatal Jackson shootout gets 2 years for weapon charge

After 445 days in jail facing a murder charge that ended in an acquittal, Jayvion Jahri Hodge will soon be a free man.

Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain sentenced Hodge on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to a mandatory sentence of two years in prison for a gun charge.

He was granted credit for the days he spent in jail while awaiting trial. This means he has 285 days  about 9 1/2 months  remaining.

3 familiar faces sworn-in as Jackson City Council members

Three familiar faces have returned to Jackson City Council.

Families, friends and supporters packed Jackson City Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 2 to see recently elected councilmembers sworn into their seats. Incumbents Ward 1 Councilmember Arlene Robinson and Ward 3 Councilmember Angelita Gunn were joined by newly elected Ward 5 Councilmember Shalanda Hunt.

Hunt expressed her gratitude to her supporters and said her top priorities will be to create safer neighborhoods and to address parking concerns for downtown Jackson.

Man arrested at Northwest Elementary wasnt trying to break in, police say

A man seen being arrested outside Northwest Early Elementary School trying to open the door was not trying to force his way in while fleeing police.

What was seen as a suspect fleeing officers in front of the school Wednesday morning, Dec. 3, was actually a cascade of events that started as a simple traffic stop, Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety Director Darin McIntosh said.

People are really blowing this incident out of proportion, McIntosh said.

Woman found in house fire near Jackson was shot to death, blaze ruled arson, records say

The investigation into a house fire where two people were found dead went from being suspicious to a homicide and arson.

Sherry Lynn Porter, 44, died of a gunshot wound to the head the morning of Sept. 17 at her Tompkins Township home, and her death has been ruled a homicide, according to her death certificate.

A man who was living with Porter, Michael Reginald McGehe, 46, was also found dead inside the home. His cause and manner of death were listed as pending and under investigation, records show.

6 women to compete for Miss Crossroads scholarship in Jackson

Six women are competing in the annual Miss Crossroads Scholarship Pageant.

Lillian Davis, Noelle Fazekas, Gretchen Gautz, Celeste Milligan, Reagan Nevels and Leesa Ross will compete for a scholarship at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, 124 N. Mechanic St.

This year, the Jackson program expanded to include Hillsdale and Ingham counties to offer more young women a chance to compete, Miss Crossroads Board President Traci Spring said. All the women live, work or attend school in the area.

He killed a WWII veteran who survived the Battle of the Bulge. Now he has a chance to be free

Serving a life sentence for murder, Daniel Lee Wolfe has a shot at freedom for the first time in three decades.

Retired Jackson County Circuit Judge Edward Grant resentenced Wolfe on Thursday, Dec. 4, to 37 to 60 years in prison after a recent court ruling changed how sentencing could be done in first-degree murder cases involving young offenders.

Grant, who retired in 2007, returned to the bench to conduct the resentencing as he was the judge who presided over Wolfes trial in 1996.

Applications open for Jackson School Board vacancy following presidents resignation

The Jackson Public School Board is looking to appoint a new member after the recent resignation of its president.

Shalanda Hunt resigned from her position on the school board, effective Nov. 30. Hunt was recently sworn in as the newly elected Ward 5 Jackson City councilmember.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
A woman is suing Jackson-based Alro Steel, alleging a former general manager and a warehouse worker sexually harassed her, another employee told her of a gun he brought to work, and supervisors dismissed her repeated complaints. Chloe Miller | CMiller@mlive.com

JACKSON, MI  A woman is suing Jackson-based Alro Steel, alleging a former general manager and a warehouse worker sexually harassed her, another employee told her of a gun he brought to work, and supervisors dismissed her repeated complaints.

Then General Manager Chris Reynolds began sending Jillian Sturgill of Grosse Pointe Woods messages from his work-issued phone in February 2025, according to the lawsuit. The messages included photos and videos of nudity and BDSM material, photographs of naked artwork of women, a photo of a blow-up doll and references to his sexual interests, the lawsuit states.

This came after Sturgill said she complained the warehouse worker would make sexually suggestive comments about her body, grab her side and tell her to slow down so he could watch her walk away, despite her rejection, according to the lawsuit, filed Nov. 25 in Wayne County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit contends the company is in violation of Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, engaged in retaliation and negligently hired and retained these employees.

Our position is very clear that she did everything she was supposed to do and Alro (Steel) still did not protect her, Sturgills attorney Ahmad Chamseddine of AC Legal PPLC of Allen Park, said in an interview this week.

Alro Steel did not respond to request for comment.

Two of the three workers named as subjects of Sturgills complaints, including Reynolds, no longer work at Alro.

An amended lawsuit filed Dec. 2 names Reynolds as a defendant. He did not respond to request for comment.

Sturgill, 33, began working at Alro Steels Detroit facility in June 2024 as an internal sales representative. She had previously worked in health care and believed with the new job, she would work less overtime. Sturgill said that many women worked in the office, but the men mostly staffed the warehouse.

Shortly after Alro hired her, a warehouse worker allegedly began following her around the facility, sharing grievances about other employees and telling her that he brought a gun to work, according to the lawsuit

The Detroit facility did not have a human resources office, and HR staff worked remotely from the Jackson headquarters, the lawsuit states. The company policy told employees to report concerns to managers and supervisors, who would then escalate any concerns to corporate HR.

Sturgill reported these incidents several times to management but was not informed Alro opened any investigation. She later was allegedly informed HR only received the report about the gun, and he was terminated in the summer of 2024, according to the lawsuit.

In late 2024, Sturgill took a medical leave for surgery related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This has caused her to struggle with body dysmorphia, weight loss and complications, she said, and it will require additional surgeries in the future.

She returned to work in January 2025 and the other warehouse worker allegedly began sexually harassing her. He would make sexually suggestive comments about her body, grab her side and tell her to slow down so he could watch her walk away, despite Sturgills rejection, according to the lawsuit.

I can be friendly, and being friendly doesnt mean Im soliciting you to be inappropriate with me, Sturgill told MLive/the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

She reported this behavior to her general manager, Reynolds, but he dismissed her concerns and said he would make sure Harwell was spoken to, according to the lawsuit.

Reynolds then allegedly began sending the messages, the lawsuit contends.

Sturgill worked a lot with Reynolds since her customers had personal relationships with him, she said.

He also wrote to Sturgill that she could confide in him, while telling her to not discuss her career aspirations with her direct managers, according to the lawsuit.

Sturgill said she objected to these messages and they made her uncomfortable. She was scared to confront him, worried it could impact her job. Chamseddine noted there was a power dynamic between the two since he was her manager.

I just tried to be a work friend, Sturgill said. I kept bringing it back to work conversations, asking for the inappropriateness to stop and talking about his spouse and my husband, Sturgill said.

She verbally reported this to several coworkers and other management, according to the lawsuit. Following encouragement from her husband, she submitted a formal written complaint about the second warehouse workers actions on Nov. 3, which was forwarded to Regional Vice President Jim Rauh.

Its really scary, Sturgill said. My husband was like, You have to say something. You have to have it documented. This isnt right. Jillian.

On Nov. 6, she met with two HR representatives to discuss the written complaint and the other allegations Sturgill brought up. The representatives said they did not receive any earlier reports of the behaviors, except for the warehouse workers gun.

The representatives told Sturgill that Reynolds was a person of authority, that she didnt do anything wrong and that managers have an obligation to report, according to the lawsuit.

It just really sucks to feel like youre crying for help, and no help is being given, Sturgill said.

Due to the emotional distress, Sturgill requested some paid time off, but Alro denied it. Rauh told her she had to take off Nov. 10-15 unpaid.

After she informed HR she had retained counsel, HR continued to contact her directly despite her request to go through her attorney, according to the lawsuit.

Alro Steel terminated Reynolds from his position, according to the lawsuit, and his LinkedIn profile says he is #OpenToWork.

Sturgill has since returned to work, but has struggled finishing a full week due to panic attacks, she said. She has experienced increased tension from personnel, as rumors spread and coworkers seemed to know what had happened.

The allegations have caused Sturgill severe stress, anxiety and depression, impairing her daily functions like eating and sleeping, according to the lawsuit. She has also lost weight loss and has difficulty participating in family and social activities.

Chamseddine said the goal is to hold Alro Steel accountable. They are seeking compensation for her physical and mental suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other damages. He added the total amount will evolve based on the actions Alro Steel decides to take.

Sturgill said she hopes her story will give other women a voice and courage.

If I can help one person, thats what I care about the most, Sturgill said.

Alro Steel was founded in 1948 by brothers Al and Robert Glick in Jackson. The company is a distributor of metals and performance plastics and focused on offering cut-to-size metals and plastics.

Alro operates more than 80 locations in 16 states and provides products under Alro Steel, Alro Metals, Alro Metals Outlet and Alro Plastics.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
Ronald L. Kinchen Jr. sits in the courtroom of Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson, awaiting sentencing on Dec. 4, 2025. Cole Waterman

SAGINAW, MI  A Saginaw man professed his innocence on being sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the brazen execution of a man inside a local dollar store. Its a fate the presiding judge said was more than justified for the calculating and ruthless murderer.

A shackled Ronald L. Kinchen Jr., 39, stood before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson for sentencing on Thursday, Dec. 4. A jury in October convicted Kinchen of first-degree murder and eight firearm-related charges in connection with the June 2024 killing of 44-year-old Omar R. Morrow.

Omar R. Morrow Cole Waterman

I think the guilty verdict was not accurate, Kinchen told the judge. I plan to appeal it and get home when the appeal is done. Thank you for your time.

Kinchen then stood aside as Morrows mother and son gave emotional impact statements.

You took my best friend and only son from me, said Yuvette Morrow-Dottery. You stalked my son online for two, three years. I want you to know, Omar knew it was you who shot him... Why he didnt tell on you, I have no idea.

Morrows son, Ashante Banks, said he grapples with anger over his father being taken away in a devilish act.

Ronald L. Kinchen Jr. (far right) stands beside attorney Alan A. Crawford during a sentencing hearing in Saginaw County Circuit Court on Dec. 4, 2025. Cole Waterman

Im mad every day because I miss my dad, he said. I miss all of our talks and inside jokes.

Banks turned his attention toward Kinchen.

I dont like you, I dont forgive you, he told him. May you get what you deserve, and what God does, God will.

Before handing down his sentence, Jackson recapped the events that brought Kinchen before him.

Trial testimony established Morrow and Kinchen separately arrived at the Family Dollar at 1908 S. Michigan Ave. shortly before noon on June 28, 2024. Once inside, Kinchen opened fire on Morrow with a 9mm handgun, then ran outside and fled in a white 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander without a license plate. All of this was captured by cameras.

Morrow suffered 13 gunshot wounds, including two to his head. One wound to his abdomen would have alone likely proved fatal, testified forensic pathologist Dr. Daniel Spitz.

Kinchen fled to Texas, where police in Dallas County arrested him in September 2024.

Family Dollar at 1908 S. Michigan Ave. in Saginaw, scene of a fatal shooting the afternoon of June 28, 2024. Cole Waterman

Sometimes I dont agree with verdict of a jury, but in your case, they got it right, the judge told Kinchen. You prepared your disguise, planned your escape, stalked the victim, followed him into a store filled with customers and then shot him eight times in broad daylight. It doesnt get much more premeditated or cold-blooded than that.

Jackson imposed a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, along with eight lesser terms.

You earned it, the judge told Kinchen.

Jackson further ordered Kinchen to pay $742 in fines and costs within 60 days and restitution in the amount of $8,328 to the State of Michigan.

This will be Kinchens third prison term, as he was previously sentenced to stints in 2008 and 2015. His record includes eight felony and 15 misdemeanor convictions predating those stemming from Morrows killing.

Kinchen could have avoided a life-without-parole sentence had he availed himself of a prosecutions offer to plead guilty to second-degree murder. He rejected the offer just before his trial started.

Morrow worked at Blue Diamond Steel Casting and was survived by his son, four stepchildren, a grandson, his parents, stepparents, and numerous siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Omar enjoyed lifting weights, eating, and watching sports, his obituary states. He was a local rap artist; his rap name was Infamouz. He could outflow anyone on a track. Omar had a smile and a sense of humor that would light up a room.

Morrow was Saginaws 12th homicide victim of 2024. The city ended the year with 23 homicides, 21 of which resulted from gunfire.
Christmas lights are seen hanging on a Christmas tree in this MLive file photo. Creative 360 will present Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at The Rapp Family Theater in Midland Dec. 11-12. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

MIDLAND, MI  Creative 360 will present Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol at The Rapp Family Theater on Dec. 11 and 12, bringing a beloved holiday tradition back to Midland audiences.

The evening performances at 7 p.m. feature a readers theater adaptation by Richard Swallow, presented as a tribute to Tom Lowrey. Eight local performers make up the cast, including John Tanner of Auburn, and Midland residents David King, John McPeak, April Millward, JoAnn Pobocik, Matt Rassette and Carol Rumba. Dominic Zoeller returns to Midland from Twinsburg, Ohio, for the special event.

The production invites audiences to experience the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose encounters with three ghostly visitors transform his understanding of generosity, compassion, and the holiday spirit.

This story is a gift to any audience, Laura Brigham, performing arts program director at Creative 360, said in a statement. Theres a reason it has remained continuously in print since 1843, and The Rapp Family Theater is the perfect setting to enjoy this timeless holiday classic.

Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Guests may bring their own beverages. A sustainer level ticket option includes a donation to Creative 360s arts programming.

Advance registration is available at www.becreative360.org or by calling 989-837-1885.

Creative 360, founded in 1994, is a nonprofit community arts and wellness organization located at 5501 Jefferson Ave. in Midland. The organization receives support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, and The Barstow Foundation.

Generative AI was used to organize information and draft this story, based on data provided by Creative 360. It was reviewed and edited by local MLive staff.
CARROLLTON TWP, MI  A Carrollton Township woman lost her life after a collision with a train.

About 9:43 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, Carrollton Township police and firefighters responded to the crash site on Carrollton Road just north of Stoker Drive. They arrived to find a white 2019 Jeep Renegade had been traveling north-northeast on Carrollton Road when it crashed head-on into the second engine of a train, said Police Chief Christopher Kellett.

The 63-year-old female driver and sole occupant was unconscious and pinned inside her Jeep, Kellett said. Once firefighter extricated her, she was taken to an area hospital but succumbed to her injuries, Kellett said.

Kellett did not disclose the womans name, citing the need to still notify her next of kin.

The impact did not derail the train, the chief said.

The speed limit in the area is 35 mph. The railroad crossing is poorly lit and only features a yield sign rather than level crossing signals, Kellett said.

Police are still investigating to determine what caused the crash. Carrollton police and firefighters were assisted by Saginaw police, Saginaw Township police, Saginaw Valley State University police, Saginaw County Sheriffs deputies, and Michigan State Police troopers.
Jimmy Kimmel arrives at the third annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit: A Night of Radiance & Reflection on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at nya studios WEST in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Jimmy Kimmel is thanking President Donald Trump.

Yes, you read that correctly.

The late-night host opened his show on Thursday night with what he called big news that he ranked third globally on Googles list of the top trending people of 2025.

Only musician d4vd, who is a suspect in a murder, and rapper Kendrick Lamar, who performed at the Super Bowl, ranked higher.

The company released its trending charts for 2025 this week. Kimmel, as he usually does, made plenty of jokes about the list, but hes grabbing headlines for his remarks about Trump, who hes crediting with his top three finish.

None of this would ever have happened without the support of loyal viewers like President Trump, who has done so much to raise awareness of our show, he said.

Thank you for making me number three in the world. Somehow, I finished ahead of the pope. Eat it, Leo!

2025 has been a wild year for Kimmel, who has hosted more than 3,500 episodes across 23 seasons since 2003.

ABC briefly removed Kimmel from the air in September in the wake of what were deemed offensive and insensitive comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a move President Donald Trump openly celebrated.

Kimmel, who has also talked about moving to Italy, eventually returned to the show but hasnt stopped criticizing Trump.

You can see his latest comments below:
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to be elected this weekend as vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association. (MLive file photo) Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to be elected this weekend as vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association, according to an official with the organization.

In this new national leadership role, the second-term governor will be tasked with helping elect and re-elect Democratic governors across the country.

Its not an unfamiliar role for Whitmer, who most recently helped Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill win the New Jersey governors race last month.

Lowering costs, creating jobs, and getting things done has always been my focus in Michigan, and its how Democrats have held this seat for eight years, Whitmer said in a statement. This year, Democrats had two landslide victories in Virginia and New Jersey, and we are keeping our foot on the gas for the 36 races coming up next year. As Democratic governors, were delivering where it matters most, from lowering costs for seniors and families to protecting health care and creating good-paying jobs.

Weve proven that when we show up and focus on what we can do to make peoples lives better, then we can win anywhere, even in the toughest places.

Whitmers election as vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) is expected to take place Saturday evening, Dec. 6, during the DGAs annual winter meeting, according to an official with the organization.

Nearly 20 Democratic governors from around the U.S. are anticipated to attend the gathering and participate in the vote. Of the 50 states, 23 have Democratic governors.

As vice chair, Whitmer will help DGA fundraise, advise and campaign with candidates and amplify the importance of electing Democratic governors.

Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear currently serves as the vice chair of the DGA and was voted as chair-elect last year. He will officially become chair during the meeting of governors.

Overall, at a time when Democrats are looking for the path forwards for the party, governors Beshear and Whitmer represent a common-sense, get-things-done team who have been able to win tough races and deliver for their states, said DGA Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper. Their dedication to the kitchen table issues like lowering costs and protecting fundamental freedoms serves as a model for Democratic candidates across the country.

Beshear and Whitmer will be looking to build on big wins by Democrats last month in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections that were widely seen as a rebuke of President Donald Trump. This includes working to expand the map into red and swing states, as Beshear and Whitmer have done in Kentucky and Michigan.

Whitmers expected election as vice chair comes as she will enter her eighth and final year as governor of Michigan next year. Whitmer is term-limited and cannot again run for governor in 2026.

She is widely viewed as a possible Democratic contender in the 2028 presidential election. The Associated Press reported that Whitmer in October cast doubt on a presidential run.

While Trump and Whitmer publicly sparred multiple times during the presidents first term, Whitmer has taken a different approach than some Democratic governors this term by seeking to find common ground with Trump while still pushing back on some of the administrations policies.

Whitmer has visited the White House three times so far this year, more than any other Democratic governor, according to Politico.

That approach has paid off in part, with Trump pledging to help keep invasive Asian carp out of Lake Michigan and bring new fighter jets to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. Whitmer continues to press the Trump administration for relief on widespread and steep tariffs, particularly those levied against Michigans largest trading partners: Mexico and Canada.

The need for bipartisanship is part of the reason why Whitmer earlier this year left another governors association, the National Governors Association.

Governor Whitmer, along with other governors, stepped away from the NGA earlier this year, Whitmer spokesperson Stacey LaRouche told the Detroit News in September. The NGA does not engage in as many bipartisan initiatives as we would hope. Bipartisanship is more important than ever before and Governor Whitmer will continue working across the aisle to get things done for her state.

LaRouche did not immediately return a request for comment on the situation.
After bracing against some bitterly cold wind chills this morning, that feels-like temperature is going to sit in the teens today for most of the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas, as well as the rest of Southeast Michigan.

Below-normal temperatures are expected to stick with us this weekend and into most of next week.

Friday night and Saturday both have chances for light snow. But we will see a better chance for accumulating snow on Sunday, with more than an inch possible in some areas of the region.

A very chilly start this morning with temperatures and wind chills near or below zero. Clouds fill in throughout the day, National Weather Service meteorologists said this morning. A few flurries are possible early Saturday morning, followed by the potential for accumulating snow on Sunday. Temperatures hold below normal through the weekend and into early next week.

The Friday - Monday forecast for Southeast Michigan has more chances for snow. Graphic provided by the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

Here are the forecast highlights from the National Weather Service office in Detroit:

Southeast Michigan residents should prepare for chilly conditions and potential wintry precipitation this weekend as multiple weather systems move through the region.

Temperatures this afternoon will reach only the mid-20s under southerly flow, with wind gusts around 15 mph keeping wind chills in the teens throughout the day. Upper-level clouds moving in will keep overnight temperatures in the upper teens to low 20s.

A weak cold front passing through the area brings the chance for some wintry precipitation overnight through Saturday morning. While meaningful accumulation is not expected, a dusting of snow is possible across Southeast Michigan, with the best chance occurring north of M-59. There is also a low chance for periodic freezing drizzle overnight.

The cold front is projected to move through between mid-morning and early afternoon Saturday, potentially producing a quick dusting of snow. Behind the front, drier air moves in and temperatures will rise into the low 30s Saturday afternoon.

Attention then turns to a Clipper system arriving late Saturday night that could bring more substantial snow. The system is expected to move across the Plains into the Midwest before spreading across the Great Lakes region by Sunday morning. Light snow is forecast to develop and spread across the Ohio Valley into Michigan, with accumulations of a dusting up to two inches possible depending on how well the system maintains its intensity.

However, forecast models show varying scenarios. One possibility involves Arctic high pressure dropping down from the Plains quickly enough to push better moisture south of the state line, resulting in lower snow totals. Current probability models indicate a 15% to 30% chance of seeing an inch of snowfall, with those chances decreasing from earlier forecasts.

The arctic high-pressure system will settle over the Great Lakes late Sunday into Monday, bringing dry conditions and well below normal temperatures to start the week. Highs will be in the 20s with lows in the single digits to lower teens. The northern Thumb area may continue to see lake effect snow.
Dhurandhar Movie Review: Ranveer Singh shines in a relentless, gritty undercover saga that also tests your patience

Dhurandhar is a demanding watch, largely because of its exhausting runtime and moments of clear indulgence.

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Movie lovers who caught the first-day shows have started sharing their reactions online.

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 Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry make first official appearance, meet former Japanese PM Fumio Kishida for lunch in Tokyo

Justin Trudeau and Katy with Fumio Kishida and his wife

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Kate Winslet makes rare appearance with son Joe Anders at the premiere of her directorial debut Goodbye June

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The mother-son duo attended the London premiere on December 3, with Winslet accompanied by her and ex-husband Sam Mendes 21-year-old son, Joe Anders.

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Selena Gomez shares a peek into her first Christmas with Benny Blanco after the wedding

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Sir Michael Caine receives honorary award at Red Sea Film Festival, accepts award in a wheelchair: "I kept going until I was 90"

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Beaming with pride, the legendary actor accepted the award while seated in a wheelchair, a shift from the usual cane he relies on for support.

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Four More Shots Please 4: When and where to watch the last chapter of the OG girlgang

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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.

After the news quickly went viral on social media, fellow influencer Fatima Jaffery revealed Maryam's cause of death.

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Red Sea Film Festival 2025: Dakota Johnson greets Aishwarya Rai at the red carpet, tells her "We went to Maha Kumbh"

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Several videos of Dakota and Aishwarya interacting at the festival surfaced online.

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Will keep helping the kid says Allu Arjun on the Pushpa 2 stampede victim with financial assistance

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Health benefits of coffee: 3-4 cups a day can slow down ageing in people with psychiatric disorders

Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.

Health benefits of coffee: Researchers suggest that coffees antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties could help shield cells from age-related damage, a particularly important consideration for people whose mental illnesses may predispose them to faster biological ageing (Image: Pexels)

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Why does Morgan Freeman wear a black glove on his left hand? Orthopaedic expert explains the invisible pain behind it

Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.

Morgan Freeman met with a devastating car crash in 2008 that left him with serious injuries to his arm and hand. Despite surgery and months of rehabilitation, the nerves in his left arm never fully recovered (Image: @morganfreeman/Instagram)

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MC Jobs Desk Read the latest and trending news articles on Sarkari Naukri, government jobs, UPSC, SSC, railway jobs, banking jobs, defence recruitment, state PSC exams, and more.

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" " These ancient horses predated the zebras and North American horses we're more familiar with today. Daniel Eskridge / Shutterstock

Horses originated in North America over 55 million years ago, evolving from a small animal known as the dawn horse (Hyracotherium).

This ancient species had four toes on each front foot and three on each hind foot, and browsed on leaves rather than grazing on grass. Fossilized horse remains found across the continent provide extensive evidence of horse evolution through time.

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Over millions of years, the genus Equus emergedthe group that includes modern horses, zebras, and donkeys. These horse ancestors gradually developed longer legs and hard hooves in place of toesadaptations that enabled greater speed to escape predators on open grasslands.
Manjiri Patil is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering science, health, lifestyle, and general news in digital newsroom.

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Banking Beyond Borders: How IDFC FIRST Bank Is Personalising Financial Services for NRIs

*Disclaimer - Brand Connect is a solution that allows brands to break the queue to gain better engagement among our audiences

Riya Gandhi

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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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IndiGo cancels nearly 500 flights, including all flights from Delhi and over 100 from Mumbai

IndiGo cancels nearly 500 flights, including all flights from Delhi and over 100 from Mumbai

Swaraj Baggonkar

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Crude oil imports from non-sanctioned Russian entities to India may increase in near term on high discounts, say analysts

The discounts that non-sanctioned Russian entities are offering are nearly as high as $5-$6 per barrel.

Priyansh Verma

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Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com

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Indian regulators should embrace different aspects of crypto; stablecoins, crypto payments are important: Binance CEO

Indian regulators should embrace different aspects of crypto; stablecoins, crypto payments are important: Binance CEO

J Jagannath

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Swaraj Singh Dhanjal

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Park Hospital to launch Rs 920-crore IPO on December 10, sets price band at Rs 154-162 per share

Sunil Matkar

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Australians are being urged to collect free fire ant treatment kits from select Bunnings stores this weekend to help the fight against one of the country's most damaging pests.

The invasive insects have been declared one of the "world's worst invasive species", and Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council (ISC) previously told Yahoo News the issue is so large that it "has to be" Australia's number one priority.

As the pests continue to move across southeast Queensland  at an impressive rate  the National Fire Ant Eradication Program is offering free treatment kits for Aussie homeowners affected by the spread of the invasive pest.

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Today, the Fire Ant Suppression Taskforce (FAST) will be at three Bunnings stores in southeast Queensland where the ants have been seen to hand out the free treatment kits and answer questions from concerned property owners

Between 9am and 11am at the Bundamba, Springfield Central and West Ipswich Bunnings stores, shoppers will be able to pick up the kits and they have been advised to apply treatment the same day as part of a coordinated effort to suppress the pests.

"We've welcomed the Fire Ant Eradication team to our Queensland stores for the past five years to help support eradication efforts and raise awareness of the threat of fire ants," a Bunnings spokesperson told Yahoo News.

For those who cannot make it to Bunnings today, information on how to get a treatment kit can be found here.

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Do you have a story? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com

Baits that render the queens infertile is the best way to eradicate fire ant nests. Source: Invasive Species Council

Aussie homeowners can face $16,690 fines if caught 'obstructing' treatment

The free kits are the latest tool in a large-scale prevention effort.

For months, authorities have knocked on the doors of Aussie residents to apply treatments in at-risk areas, with some sceptical about what is being released onto their property.

However, a spokesperson for the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) spoke out last month, saying anyone who "obstructs our eradication" efforts can face penalties of up to $16,690.

"Under section 261 of the Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), our officers are authorised to access and treat all properties for the purpose of eradicating fire ants," the spokesperson previously told Yahoo News.

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Aerial treatments are underway in several towns and suburbs, such as Nirimba and Baringam, according to the NFAEP. It will also soon be undertaken at Currimundi, Forest Glen, North Arm and Palmview, after several recent detections.

The Invasive Species Council of Australia say fire ants are an environmental and national disaster. Source: Invasive Species Council of Australia

Why is there a push to prevent the spread of fire ants?

Fire ants are a major biosecurity threat that can decimate crops, kill livestock and cause potentially deadly allergic reactions in Australians.

When a red ant nest is disturbed, the colony work together to attack the perceived predator, and hundreds of ants can inject venom into the skin.

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The stings are painful giving off a fire-like burning sensation before swelling and redness occur. Days later, sting sites develop blisters and pustules.

Fire ants are highly mobile and can travel up to five kilometres, easily establishing new nests and spreading rapidly, meaning intervention is an absolute necessity if we want to prevent the country from being overrun with the pests.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Sunil Matkar

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As state capex fails to impress, will industrial stocks feel the burden?

Zoya Springwala is a Senior Correspondent, writing on the markets, financial institutions, regulatory changes and everything else in between.

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In Moneycontrol's Pro Panorama December 11 edition: AI gold rush and Indias role in it, the Netflix strategy that Indian IT can...

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GEM funds continued to outperform. The category has maintained consistent inflows since April 2025, absorbing $34 billion over the period.

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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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JSW Steel shares rise 2% in two days: Brokerages remain bullish after firm's JV with Japan's JFE Steel

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Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers.

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Who is Avadhut Sathe? All about the finfluencer against whom SEBI ordered impounding of Rs 546 crore

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Israel has been given the go-ahead to compete in next years Eurovision Song Contest, amid calls for the countrys exclusion due to the war in Gaza and allegations that voting at this year's contest had been manipulated in favour of Israels contestant.

At the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the competition, a large majority of members agreed that there was no need for a further vote on participation and that the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 should proceed as planned, with the additional safeguards in place, according to the organisation.

Indeed, in lieu of a vote on Israels participation, members from 37 countries were asked to vote in a secret ballot on whether they were happy with the new rules announced last month. 65 per cent of delegates voted in favour of the changes, while 23 per cent voted against and 10 per cent abstained.

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Those in favour of the changes included broadcasters from Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, who all said they would continue to support the song contest.

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Austria's broadcaster ORF said it was happy with the decision and is looking forward to hosting next year.

Roland Weissman, ORF director-general, said the contest "is a competition for broadcasters, not governments", and that he had personally advocated for Israel's participation.

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"In the spirit of fostering cultural dialogue and supporting and strengthening the democratic role of public broadcasters, it was important not to burn any bridges," he said, adding that concerns raised by some members had been taken "very seriously".

Reacting to the EBUs decision, Israel's president Isaac Herzog posted on X: "Israel deserves to be represented on every stage around the world, a cause to which I am fully and actively committed... I hope that the competition will remain one that champions culture, music, friendship between nations, and cross-border cultural understanding."

However, the decision to keep Israel on next years line-up has led four countries  for now  to pull out of Eurovision 2026.

Who wont be participating in Eurovision 2026... so far?

Eden Golan of Israel - Eurovision 2024 - AP Photo

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Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain are all set to boycott Eurovision next year. The countries' broadcasters immediately issued statements saying they will not participate in the 2026 contest following the EBU's general assembly meeting yesterday.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said it concludes that, under the current circumstances, participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation.

General director Taco Zimmerman added: "Culture unites, but not at any price. What has happened over the past year has tested the limits of what we can uphold."

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Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO said that taking part would conflict with its values of peace, equality and respect and that it was pulling out of the competition "on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza".

In her address to members before the decision, Natalija Gorscak, RTVSLO board chairwoman, said: "For the third year in a row, the public has demanded that we say no to the participation of any country that attacks another country. We must follow European standards for peace and understanding. Eurovision has been a place for joy and happiness from the very beginning, performers and audiences have been united by music, and it should remain that way."

The Irish broadcaster RTE responded to the decision by saying: RTE feels that Irelands participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk.

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The Spanish broadcaster RTVE said it would not broadcast the contest or the semi-finals and criticised the decision-making process as insufficient. They said that the EBUs decision increases RTVEs distrust of the festivals organisation and confirms the political pressure surrounding it.

The boycott has been backed by the countrys culture minister, Ernest Urtasun, who said he was proud of an RTVE that puts human rights before any economic interest.

It will be Spains first time staying away from the contest since 1961 and its absence will have the biggest effect for Eurovision, as Spain is one of the "Big Five" broadcasters - a group which contributes the most towards staging the contest, which also includes France, Germany, Italy and the UK.

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Germany has previously said that it would not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel was excluded, while France confirmed its participation regardless earlier this year.

Today, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot added that his country opposes a cultural boycott of Israel.

I am pleased that Eurovision did not give in to pressure, and that France helped prevent a boycott of Israel in this forum, he wrote on X. I deeply regret that several European television channels made a different choice.

As for the BBC, it said it would broadcast the contest next year, saying it supports the collective decision made by members of the EBU.

What happens next?

Protests on Israel's inclusion in Eurovision - AP Photo

The competition is facing a crisis and the denial of an actual vote on Israel's participation has triggered further chaos.

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Eurovision is becoming a bit of a fractured event," said Eurovision expert Paul Jordan, who holds a PhD on the contest. The slogan is United by Music... unfortunately its disunited through politics.

Its become quite a messy and toxic situation, he added, prior to the general assembly.

Some broadcasters have yet to make statements following yesterdays ruling. Iceland's RUV, which previously agreed to a motion to recommend Israel be expelled, said it would not make a final decision on its participation until next week.

It remains to be seen if other broadcasters join Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenias boycott of Eurovision 2026. Members have until mid-December to confirm their participation next year, and a final list will be announced by Christmas.

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One things for sure  after two divisive competitions due to Israels participation, 2026 will be a very tense year for Eurovision, and there is a very real risk that viewing numbers will drop when it comes to the show. The boycotting countries will not send a musical act to next year's contest and will not broadcast it, so that will cut into viewership of a contest that typically draws more than 150 million viewers globally.

Jordan said today that viewing figures would be closely watched, and if they are significantly down, then thatll probably raise alarm bells."

Add to that the growing calls for a global boycott of next year's competition, with many online expressing their dismay and anger at Israel being kept on the line-up. The EBUs decision could fuel further protests, exposing what some call a blatant show of hypocrisy from the organisation.

Indeed, the contest prides itself on maintaining political neutrality, positioning itself as celebrating music rather than politics. However, the EBU banned Russia in 2022, just days after the invasion of Ukraine. Why should Israel be any different?

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Next years contest, which will be the 70th Eurovision, is due to take place in Vienna, Austria, from 12-16 May. Will you be watching?
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Stranded by IndiGo chaos? Hidden travel insurance benefits in your credit card or OTA booking can help

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.

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A window for applications is expected to open soon, one of the people said.

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However, Russia still doesnt feature amongst the top ten sources of FPI inflows into India.

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Smartworks did not identify Wipro as the leasing entity

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Appreciative of Trump pardon, Binance's Changpeng Zhao sets sights on making US the crypto capital

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- CATL has entered a three-party strategic partnership with Antong Holdings and Goodten Interlink, signing the agreement in Ningde in recent days to advance low-carbon logistics solutions across China.

According to a post CATL issued on Dec. 4 via its WeChat account, the collaboration aims to establish a new model for zero-carbon, multimodal logistics by aligning the three companies' strengths in battery technologies, nationwide logistics networks and integrated supply-chain solutions. The goal is to accelerate the sector's shift toward cleaner, lower-emission transportation.

Photo source: CATL

Under the agreement, each partner will contribute distinct capabilities to create a closed-loop, mutually reinforcing system. Antong Holdings will leverage its extensive logistics infrastructure and multimodal transport scenarios. Goodten Interlink, a provider of green supply-chain solutions, will support vehicle-battery separation business models and the rollout of charging and swap-station networks. CATL will supply customized power-battery products along with full life-cycle health-management services. Together, these elements are designed to deliver logistics services that are cleaner, more reliable and more cost-efficient for end users as they pursue sustainable freight operations.

The partnership represents not just a business alignment but a broader overhaul of energy use across the logistics sector. By integrating zero-carbon power solutions into long-haul trucking, port operations and multimodal freight corridors, the three companies aim to establish replicable models for green logistics. As implementation progresses, they plan to expand these approaches to additional transport scenarios, positioning themselves at the forefront of China's transition toward zero-carbon mobility.
MC Exclusive: India is a critical market; we hope policymakers will embrace the sector more: Binance CEO Richard Teng

Arun Padmanabhan

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5 drones detected near Zelenskyy's flight path during his arrival in Dublin

Ria Kapoor

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Adults can be in live-in relationship without attaining marriageable age, says Rajasthan High Court

In India, the legal age for marriage for women is 18 years, and for men, 21.

Priyanjali Ghose

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Asim Munir becomes most powerful man in Pakistan's history: What it means for India

Armaan Bhatnagar is a news editor with nearly 14 years of experience in digital media across leading organisations including The Times of India, Microsoft, and Network18. Over the years, Armaan has reported extensively on Indian politics, global affairs, economy, and business. He has led coverage of landmark events ranging from three Lok Sabha elections and multiple state polls to historic Supreme Court judgments. He has closely followed geopolitical developments across US and Pakistan, the Middle East, as well as South Asia. He has also helped build innovative newsroom products, including COVID dashboards, election trackers, economy meters, and a range of data-driven properties.

Armaan Bhatnagar

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Surabhi Pandey

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The easing of norms is meant to help airlines better manage and stabilise operations while they contend with staffing gaps in pilots and cabin crew

Smriti Mishra

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'From oil and gas to S-400, value of Russian friendship proven': Shashi Tharoor

Smriti Mishra

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'India not neutral, on the side of peace': PM Modi on Russia-Ukraine war amid meeting with Putin

Priyanjali Ghose

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- RoboSense said on December 5 that its LiDAR deliveries topped 150,000 units in November, extending the sharp momentum it saw a month earlier when shipments reached 120,000. The consecutive gains highlight the company's accelerating scale-up as demand from both the global automotive sector and the fast-growing robotics industry continues to rise.

The company attributes its rapid scale-up to a deeply integrated semiconductor stack built entirely in-house. RoboSense says it is the only LiDAR manufacturer worldwide that independently develops its transmitter, receiver and processing chips end-to-end, all of which carry automotive-grade AEC-Q certifications. This architecturecentered on a proprietary SPAD-SoC sensor and a two-dimensional addressable VCSEL systemreduces overall system complexity while enhancing performance, reliability and manufacturability. These technologies underpin its portfolio of fully digital lidar products, which has become the industry's only technology path to achieve true mass-production readiness across applications from ADAS and robotaxis to delivery robots and commercial robotics.

Photo credit: RoboSense

RoboSense's EM-series LiDARs have become particularly competitive in the automotive OEM market. As of late November, the supplier had secured nomination programs from 13 automakersincluding SAIC Audi, IM Motors, an unnamed North American EV maker and a major European joint-venture brandcovering a total of 56 vehicle models. In the robotaxi segment, its EM4-plus-E1 sensor suite was also selected for DiDi Autonomous Driving's next-generation fleet.

The robotics business has quickly emerged as RoboSense's second major growth driver. In the third quarter, LiDAR shipments to robotics customers surged to 35,500 unitsnearly four times higher than a year earlier. The company's E1 solid-state LiDAR family has undergone multiple iterations and is already being deployed at scale in autonomous delivery vehicles, commercial lawn-care robots and other service-robot applications.

With smart-vehicle penetration increasing worldwide and service robotics entering a period of rapid expansion, RoboSense is expected to maintain strong shipment growth in the months ahead. Its steady stream of OEM nominations and rising delivery volumes are helping solidify the company's scale advantages and ecosystem influence in the increasingly competitive LiDAR market.
Priyanjali Ghose

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting, in New Delhi.

Ria Kapoor

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IndiGo cancels 292 flights at Bengaluru airport; scores of passengers stranded for over 12 hours

Christin Mathew Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol.com with 15 years of experience in journalism and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Based in Bengaluru, he understands the pulse of the people and covers issues that matter, including mobility, infrastructure, start-ups, and government policies. He tweets at @ChristinMP_

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Full restoration in couple of days, says aviation ministry as it initiates inquiry into IndiGo flight disruption

Ankit Saproo

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Poonam, a homemaker, was arrested by the Panipat police for allegedly killing four children over a period of nearly three years.

Parimal Peeyush

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PM Modi, President Putin chart path for deeper economic partnership: Full list of MoUs and Agreements signed at India-Russia Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting, in New Delhi.

Hemant Abhishek

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Putin in India Day 2: From talks with PM Modi to Rajghat visit and more; know what's on agenda

Smriti Mishra

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Ria Kapoor

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Shashi Tharoor, not Rahul Gandhi, gets invited to President's banquet for Putin

Chhabi Kala

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The average price of a new vehicle has soared past $50,000, but some outstanding vehicles are affordable and packed with features and technology that was cutting edge not long ago.

Those are among the findings of Consumer Reports magazines influential 2026 Automotive Brand Report Card, senior director of automotive testing Jake Fisher told me in an interview.

CRs top 10 brands include affordable, mass market names like Subaru  No. 1 overall for the second straight year  No. 4 Honda, No. 5 Toyota and No. 8 Hyundai.

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In some ways, less expensive vehicles are the most impressive, Fisher said. There are good values out there if you look for them.

Consumer Reports' 2026 top 10 auto brands

Subaru BMW Porsche Honda Toyota Lexus Lincoln Hyundai Acura Tesla

Teslas best score ever

Tesla rounds out the top 10, the first time the EV specialists full brand has won such praise from CR, which had consistently criticized Tesla's reliability.

Tesla makes the most reliable electric vehicles now, Fisher said.

He attributes that to the fact that most Tesla models have been in production for a long time.

Whos been making EVs as long and as many as Tesla? Nobody, he said. The Tesla S hasnt been redesigned in 15 years. Nobody else leaves a vehicle in production that long, but its been refined over time. Despite, or perhaps because of, that, he pointed out that 5- to 10-year-old Teslas rank last in reliability for vehicles that age.

Consumer Reports' top 10 luxury brands

BMW Porsche Lexus Lincoln Acura Mini Genesis Audi Cadillac Volvo

Scant good news for Detroit brands

Fords luxury brand, Lincoln, was the only Detroit-based brand to crack the top 10. GMs Cadillac luxury brand came in at 17, one spot ahead of Ford itself. Buick, Chevrolet and Chrysler placed 20, 24 and 25, respectively.

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Three of the five bottom brands hailed from Stellantis, the global automaker that includes the traditional Chrysler brands. Jeep was dead last at 31, Dodge placed 28. Alfa Romeo, one of Stellantis Italian based brands, was 27, if thats any consolation.

Consumer Reports 2026 bottom 5 auto brands

27. Alfa Romeo

28. Dodge

29. GMC

30. Land Rover

31. Jeep

The price of innovation

Problems follow technical innovations like seagulls flock to landfills.

Reliability increases with age, Fisher said. New vehicles dip. When you add new features, you will have problems.

Lincoln benefited from that. The brands two oldest models, the Aviator and Corsair, both saw their reliability increase. CR didnt test Lincolns flagship Navigator because the luxurious big SUVs have exceeded the magazines price range. The Corsair is scheduled to go out of production shortly.

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Cadillacs fleet of EVs have been praised for their technology, performance and luxury, but reliability has not been good, Fisher said.

Theres always a learning curve, and GMs always in the steep part of it, because it moves from one technology to another, he said.

Hybrids rule, but not plug-in

Hybrids are now the most trouble-free powertrain, Fisher said, because the technology has been maturing for decades and the automaker most invested in it, Toyota, is a very cautious adopter of new ideas.

While hybrids rule, plug-in hybrids or PHEVs, which feature bigger batteries and longer ranges on electricity alone, are less reliable, sharing issues including charging and cabin climate control with EVs.

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Todays hybrids are often quieter, smoother and more powerful than internal combustion engines, Fisher said. "Going forward thats going to improve.

Consumer Reports compiles the annual report card based on road tests, owner reports, new and used car reliability, owner satisfaction and maintenance and repair costs. CR road tests more than 200 new vehicles annually. This years rankings also reflect owner surveys of more than 380,000 vehicles, up 27% from 2025.

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2026 Consumer Reports top autos report card led by Subaru, BMW
By the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, several written accounts referred to Ayodhya as the birthplace of Lord Ram

Priyanjali Ghose

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Christin Mathew Philip

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What is Putin's salary as Russian president and is it higher than President Murmu's? Here's a comparison

Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed by President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi

Priyanjali Ghose

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'Yes, I stole from...': DK Shivakumar quips at BJP as watch row escalates

Smriti Mishra

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Srinath Sridharan is a corporate advisor and independent director on corporate boards. He is the author of Family and Dhanda. Twitter: @ssmumbai. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

The aviation disruption must be read as a failure of market design and regulatory oversight.

Namrata Agarwal

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Rajoli Siddharth Jayaprakash is a Junior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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Shubhi Mishra

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Masayo San said she had tried contacting the organisers and IBCA but had not heard back from any of them.

Shubhi Mishra

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First detailed tsunami seen from space by NASA, CNES  Heres why it matters

Sheetal Kumari

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Meet Radha: Indias tiny buffalo who draws big crowds at just two feet tall

Sheetal Kumari

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Plants failed to absorb carbon 56 million years ago  Are we near a repeat?

Sheetal Kumari

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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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Ankita Chakravarti

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Apple supplier Corning to begin India Gorilla cover-glass finishing in first half of 2026 with JV partner Optiemus, eyes exports

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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Danish Khan

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Christin Mathew Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol.com with 15 years of experience in journalism and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Based in Bengaluru, he understands the pulse of the people and covers issues that matter, including mobility, infrastructure, start-ups, and government policies. He tweets at @ChristinMP_

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MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation.

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Ankita Chakravarti

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IndiGo meltdown triggers massive surge in airfares  domestic flights now costlier than international travel: What travellers must know

MC Travel Desk Read the latest and trending travel news storiesstay updated on new destinations, travel trends, visa updates, and expert tips for your next adventure.

Priyanka Roshan

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PM Modi announces India will soon offer free 30-day e-tourist and group tourist visas for Russian citizens

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.

Priyanka Roshan

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Top 10 most searched destinations in India as per Google Trends report 2025

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.

Indias Google Trends 2025 reveals the destinations that dominated everyones search bar  from spiritual mega-events to dreamy island escapes.

Priyanka Roshan

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the India-Russia Business Forum, in New Delhi.

Hemant Abhishek

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Pradeep Tripathi

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From 5 years to 18 months: US cuts refugee, asylum work permits as Trump tightens vetting after DC shooting

The administration has also broadened security-based screening measures in recent weeks, including a temporary hold on benefit adjudications for nationals of 19 countries following the D.C. incident.

Aishwarya Dabhade

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From Bihar to Moscow power circles: Who is Abhay Kumar Singh and why he wants India to acquire S-500?

Abhinav Gupta

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From missiles to manpower: What Narendra Modi and Putin could seal at IndiaRussia summit

Pradeep Tripathi

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Google Maps once linked racist search term to the White House during Barack Obamas presidency

Pradeep Tripathi

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H-1B programme has 'deviated from its intent', now filled with 'average workers': Ex-US official slams big tech over H-1B use

Abhinav Gupta

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How a sprawling fraud scandal thrust Minnesotas Somali community and its governor into the national spotlight

Pradeep Tripathi

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Pragya Trivedi

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India-Russia energy ties: Will Putin's visit signal that 'oil' is well?

India-Russia energy ties: Will Putin's visit signal that 'oil' is well?

Pragya Trivedi

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 Carina Hong  Profile  
Israels new Mossad chief has no spy background: Why did Netanyahu pick Roman Gofman?

File photo of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and his military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman in a helicopter on June 30, 2024.

Abhinav Gupta

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Making peace all over the world: Trump urges end to Russia-Ukraine war

Pradeep Tripathi

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This picture taken on April 3, 2023 shows an Indian army soldier carrying a rocket launcher at a camp near Pankang Teng Tso Lake in the Tawang district of India's Arunachal Pradesh state. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Putins visit opens doors for Indians seeking jobs in Russia: How New Delhi is tapping Moscows labour shortage

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sit in a car as they depart Palam Air Force Base following the Russian leader's arrival in New Delhi on December 4, 2025, the first day of his two-day state visit to India. (Photo by Grigory SYSOYEV / POOL / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Men ride a donkey-drawn cart as they wade through a flooded street after rainfall in Karachi on September 10, 2025. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Super General Asim Munir now controls Pakistans nuclear trigger: What this means for Indias security?

Abhinav Gupta With over 12 years in digital journalism, has navigated the fast-evolving media landscape, shaping digital strategies and leading high-impact newsrooms. Currently, he serves as News Editor at MoneyControl, leading coverage in Global Affairs, Indian Politics, Governance and Policy Making. Previously, he has spearheaded fact-checking and digital media operations at Press Trust of India. Abhinav has also led news desks at Financial Express, DNA, and Jagran English, managing editorial direction, breaking news coverage, and digital growth. His journey includes stints with The Indian Express Group, Zee Media Group, and more, where he has honed his expertise in newsroom leadership, audience engagement, and digital transformation.

Field Marshal Asim Munir has been elevated as Pakistan's first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) while he continues to serve as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Abhinav Gupta

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U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office at the White House on May 6, 2025 in Washington, DC.

It was not that long ago, merely March, when Prime Minister Mark Carney, fresh off his Liberal party leadership win, began telling Canadians his party needed a strong mandate because Canadians were facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Donald Trumps unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty. He insisted a snap election was essential, as was electing him, the self-proclaimed crisis manager, to address it.

The election is over now. Wheres the crisis, Carney?

In late March, pollster Nik Nanos found that Canadians top concern was the potential negative fallout of Donald Trump and the threatened tariffs. That concern quickly shifted. By mid-April, 34.3 per cent of those polled ranked Trump and U.S. relations as the biggest issue. A month later, by mid-May, that number plummeted to 19.3 per cent, with jobs and the economy taking precedence.

So, what happened?

Did Carney give Trump the old elbows up so hard he submitted? Did he pull Trumps blazer over his head, as if in a Molsons I am Canadian commercial ? Did the two face off in an Epic Rap Battle , an eagle over Trumps shoulder and a beaver on Carneys back, with Carney emerging victoriously after some sick disses?

Hardly. Closer to the opposite, actually.

Six days into the campaign, on March 28, Carney gave Trump a heads up in a phone call that hed be talking about him during the campaign. In that same call, Carney flattered Trump, calling him  transformative president . The PMOs press statement , of course, did not mention these details. There were four more weeks until election day, after all.

Sounds like any crisis ended there.

Why else would Carney feel comfortable enough to share his campaign strategy with Trump? Thats not the kind of card one shows their professed political enemy. Its something a politician would reveal only to someone they trust, as it could easily backfire.

Carney made Canadians the butt of an inside joke between himself and an American president. Imagine how powerful that would have made Trump feel.

After this cordial chat, Carney kept piling on the crisis rhetoric. At a mid-April Hamilton campaign event, Carney warned that Trumps strategy is to break us so America can own us. This was reportedly met with boos, assumedly directed at the U.S. president.

Carney also suggested there was going to be a historic change in Canadas relationship with the U.S., often repeating the claim that the old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military co-operations is over.

Much of Carneys our old relationship is over rhetoric appeared to be based upon the idea that Trump was serious about making Canada the 51st state.

As Ive been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never  ever happen, he said at his election victory speech.

But signs of exaggeration were clear as early as February, during the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit , signs that Canadians should not have bought into any of this. According to the CEO of the Canadian American Business Council, Beth Burke, Trumps comments were something that most Americans dont take seriously.

Burke told reporters at the summit: I would say (Americans) dont believe, generally, that thats actually something thats real, or in a real agenda. Instead, I think our perception is more that it is one from a position of negotiation and posturing and using it as leveraging in the conversation.

This threat  which helped galvanize Liberal support  evaporated post-election. And when asked about Canada becoming the 51st state by a reporter during Carneys visit to the White House on May 6, Trump responded, I do feel its much better for Canada. But were not going to be discussing that. Unless somebody wants to discuss it.

This suggests the annexation threat may have never been more serious than the Oh, Canada, meme which helped spread it in early December. In the meme, Trump stands on the alps, in full business suit attire, next to a Canadian flag, gazing over at Matterhorn, which is in Switzerland, not Canada.

Either way, the post-election meeting between Carney and Trump did not go as the Liberals elbows up campaign rhetoric suggested.

The warm feelings between the two were palpable. Trump opened by congratulating Carney, complimenting him on how he ran his race, which we know they discussed prior in that phone call.

When asked by a reporter whether hed like to see his first trade deal be with Canada, Trump replied , I would. I would love that. I have a lot of respect for this man He ran a really great election, I thought. Trump doesnt usually gush over people who attack him. He tends to take negative comments quite personally.

Carney thanked Trump for his hospitality and his leadership, calling him a transformational president, saying he wanted to transform Canada much the same. I guess thats why hes been photographed signing all those fake American-style executive orders.

By the end of the meeting, Trump tried to reassure confused reporters that, Regardless of anything, were going to be friends with Canada.

Weighing in on the Oval Office meeting, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, too, confirmed that Canada-U.S. relations were firm, telling National Posts Stephanie Taylor that the last 90 days were behind us.

When asked whether Carney and Trumps meeting was a restart for Canada-U.S. relations, Hoekstras face suggested that even the premise of the question was absurd.

A restart or a reset? No way!  We are great friends. We have been great friends for such a long period of time. Youre not going to change those personal relationships. Youre not going to change those economic relationships, national security The relationship, from my perspective, and, I think, the presidents perspective, was never in jeopardy. Well, then.

There were other signs things had improved well before election day. Retaliatory tariffs Carney threatened to wage against Trump went elbows down as early as April 16, when his government  mid-election campaign  had decided, according to Bloomberg News, citing an Oxford Economics report,  suspend almost all of its retaliatory tariffs  dropping them to  nearly zero. 

As for Canadas military and security relationship with the U.S., it appears the period of deepening integration is not, in fact, over. Its been reported that Trump said Canada wants in on Trumps Golden Dome  a missile defence shield that can identify and intercept incoming projectile threats and destroy them mid-flight  with Carneys office confirming that discussions are ongoing.

Asked Wednesday by Global reporter MacKenzie Gray about this apparent about-face on deepening security relations with the U.S., Carney responded with gibberish,We are in a position now where we cooperate when necessary, but not necessarily cooperate.

Now, we could chalk all of these crisis flip-flops up to Carneys superior negotiating skills in going to bat for Canadians, except for that little problem of that early campaign friendly phone call between himself and Trump.

In late March, Carney told reporters Ive managed crises before. This is the time for experience, not experiments.

Hes managed something, alright  a masterclass in political theatre.

tnewman@postmedia.com

X: @TLNewmanMTL
US admiral denies Hegseth issued 'kill them all' order as Congress probes deadly strike

Pradeep Tripathi

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US strike on Pacific drug vessel kills four as anger mounts over attacks on survivors

Pradeep Tripathi

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What the UK inquiry concluded about Putins role in the Novichok death

Pradeep Tripathi

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'Whether Pahalgam or Crocus City Hall': With Putin by his side, PM Modi hits out at terrorism rooted in Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a joint press statement after their meeting at the Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (PTI Photo/Salman Ali)

Abhinav Gupta

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Why 'super general' Asim Munir's elevation as CDF is bad news for Imran Khan | Explained

Pragya Trivedi

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Business / Companies

by Staff Repporter

ABU DHABI - Dubai Investments (DI), the diversified Gulf-based investment group, plans to invest more than Dh10 billion ($2,72 billion) into the UAE real estate market, a top official said.Announcing the future plans, chief executive officer Khalid Bin Kalban said the company will examine several expansion opportunities in 2015 with key focus on property sector.It aims to enter new fields in its three main sectors - real estate, which boasts of 65% of the companyas total investments, industrial service (which account for 20% of investment) and financial services (15%), he stated.Kalban said DI will focus primarily on industries that finance the construction sector, such as building materials, aluminum, and glass.This stems from the idea that the construction sector is the driving force of economic growth in the UAE, he added.Kalban said the company was planning to invest Dh3,65 billion ($994 million) in the UAEas local real estate market during 2015 through four new projects.DI is also studying several other projects worth Dh6,35 billion ($1,72 billion) in Dubai Investment Park, where Dubai Investments Real Estate Company, a DI subsidiary, will develop a new project in Mirdif, Dubai at a cost of Dh2,5 billion ($681 million).On its other plans, Kalban said the company was currently at an advanced stage of negotiations to acquire 51% of two companies, of which one operates in real estate investment.
December 5, 2025 New U.S. National Security Strategy  Fortify America, Compete China, Strangle Europe, Forget The Rest The White House has released the new National Security Strategy of the United States (NSS) (pdf, 33 pages). It is quite different from the last one released in 2022 under the Biden administration. The new NSS marks the end of the rather infamous Wolfowitz doctrine: The Wolfowitz Doctrine is an unofficial name given to the initial version of the Defense Planning Guidance for the 19941999 fiscal years (dated February 18, 1992). As the first post-Cold War DPG, it asserted that the United States had become the worlds sole remaining superpower following the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War, and declared that its principal objective was to preserve that status. The memorandum, drafted under the direction of Under Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, generated considerable controversy and was subsequently revised in response to public criticism. In contrast to the Wolfowitz doctrine the introduction to the new NSS asserts: After the end of the Cold War, American foreign policy elites convinced themselves that permanent American domination of the entire world was in the best interests of our country. Yet the affairs of other countries are our concern only if their activities directly threaten our interests. The NSS is based on different consideration: The questions before us now are: 1) What should the United States want? 2) What are our available means to get it? and 3) How can we connect ends and means into a viable National Security Strategy? It next lays out principals, priorities and global regions. The most remarkable point in the new NSS is, in my view, the acceptance of China as a (near) equal competitor. As Twitter commentator summarized the paper: Trump Corollary to Monroe Doctrine is now the core pillar.

China downgraded from existential threat to economic competitor.

Taiwan deterrence = ideal but conditional on allies paying up.

Indo-Pacific secondary, Western Hemisphere + homeland first.

No more democracy crusades, no value imposition abroad.

Tariffs quietly admitted as failure, focus shifts to multilateral pressure.

Biggest shift since 1945: from global cop to fortified hemisphere power.

Allies will be asked to foot the bill while US rebuilds at home.

Fortress America is back. The reviving of the Monroe doctrine, which implies to counter all foreign influence in North and South America, is bad news for the countries in that region. They will have to fend off U.S. interventions and invasions. For the rest of the world it is good news as the U.S. will be decreasing its capabilities for global interventions. Asia is seen important with regards to the economy. The military aspect is reduced to deterrence. The U.S. will try to recruit its allies  Japan, South-Korea, Europe  to compete with China economically as well as to ideally upkeep the status quo around Taiwan. With regards to Europe the NSS is contradicting itself. Its Principals say: We seek good relations and peaceful commercial relations with the nations of the world without imposing on them democratic or other social change that differs widely from their traditions and histories. We recognize and affirm that there is nothing inconsistent or hypocritical in acting according to such a realistic assessment or in maintaining good relations with countries whose governing systems and societies differ from ours even as we push like-minded friends to uphold our shared norms, furthering our interests as we do so. But in its chapter on Europe the NSS is promoting U.S. intervention against the European Union: The larger issues facing Europe include activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating strife, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence.



American diplomacy should continue to stand up for genuine democracy, freedom of expression, and unapologetic celebrations of European nations individual character and history. America encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this revival of spirit, and the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism. Our goal should be to help Europe correct its current trajectory. We will need a strong Europe to help us successfully compete, and to work in concert with us to prevent any adversary from dominating Europe. The remarks on the war in Ukraine demonstrates the U.S. hostility towards the current crop of warmongering west-European leaders: It is a core interest of the United States to negotiate an expeditious cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, in order to stabilize European economies, prevent unintended escalation or expansion of the war, and reestablish strategic stability with Russia, as well as to enable the post-hostilities reconstruction of Ukraine to enable its survival as a viable state. The Ukraine War has had the perverse effect of increasing Europes, especially Germanys, external dependencies. Today, German chemical companies are building some of the worlds largest processing plants in China, using Russian gas that they cannot obtain at home. The Trump Administration finds itself at odds with European officials who hold unrealistic expectations for the war perched in unstable minority governments, many of which trample on basic principles of democracy to suppress opposition. A large European majority wants peace, yet that desire is not translated into policy, in large measure because of those governments subversion of democratic processes. This is strategically important to the United States precisely because European states cannot reform themselves if they are trapped in political crisis. The bureaucrats in Brussels will not like these priorities which sum up to heavy interventions in internal EU processes: Our broad policy for Europe should prioritize: Reestablishing conditions of stability within Europe and strategic stability with Russia;

Enabling Europe to stand on its own feet and operate as a group of aligned sovereign nations, including by taking primary responsibility for its own defense, without being dominated by any adversarial power;

Cultivating resistance to Europes current trajectory within European nations ;

; Opening European markets to U.S. goods and services and ensuring fair treatment of U.S. workers and businesses;

Building up the healthy nations of Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe through commercial ties, weapons sales, political collaboration, and cultural and educational exchanges;

Ending the perception, and preventing the reality, of NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance; and

Encouraging Europe to take action to combat mercantilist overcapacity, technological theft, cyber espionage, and other hostile economic practices. The Middle East, with less than 1 1/2 pages in the NSS, is no longer seen as priority: [T]he days in which the Middle East dominated American foreign policy in both long-term planning and day-to-day execution are thankfully overnot because the Middle East no longer matters, but because it is no longer the constant irritant, and potential source of imminent catastrophe, that it once was. It is rather emerging as a place of partnership, friendship, and investmenta trend that should be welcomed and encouraged. Africa, which is covered in a mere 1/2 page, is only mentioned under economic aspects. The new National Security Strategy is a stark break from the last 30 years of U.S. policies dominated by neo-conservatives and liberal interventionists. It is moving from ideological intervention and competition towards the prioritization of economic relations. The U.S. is concentrating on the western hemisphere, de-emphasizing military hostility towards Chine to economic competition. It foresees intervention in the internal affairs of Europe while the Middle East and Africa are downgraded to mere side shows. Some people, especially European Atlanticists, will hope that a future U.S. government will rescind the new NSS and help Europes aggressive efforts against Russia. But that view ignores the bi-partisanship of U.S. policies. The Wolfowitz doctrine was followed by Republicans as much as by Democrats. The new National Security Strategy will likewise be furthered by both parties. Comments
News / National

by Staff reporter

MADZIBABA Ishmael faces, at least 15 years in jail, after the Apostolic Sect leader was convicted of raping and impregnating a 13-year-old girl despite spirited attempts by the victim to help him escape the jaws of justice.Harare regional magistrate Estere Chivasa yesterday found Madzibaba Ishmael gulty in the latest chapter to the drama which started with a police raid at his farm in Nyabira on March 13 last year.All the three complainants said they had no links, whatsoever, with Madzibaba Ishmael but DNA helped the State to secure conviction.The DNA tests were conducted by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and conclusively proved that Madzibaba Ishmael fathered the three children born to the complainants.Despite the scientific evidence, Madzibaba Ishmael argued that the DNA results were tainted and inadmissible.He also denied all allegations of rape, claiming the complainants had not voluntarily reported the incidents to the police.The prosecution argued that Madzibaba Ishmael abused his position as a trusted religious leader to exploit and rape young congregants under the guise of religious authority.Madzibaba Ishmael is expected back in court today for the pre-sentencing hearing.Oscar Madhume prosecuted.H-Metro exclusively broke the story of the police raid and Madzibaba Ishmael's arrest and the newspaper has played a leading role in the coverage of his case.Madzibaba Ishmael, who had been attending court coming from home, was detained in custody yesterday as he now awaits his sentencing.Initially, he was being charged with three counts of rape and was convicted on one charge after the court found that the other two complainants were not minors as had been previously claimed.He was acquitted of the charges related to the ill-treatment of minors and breaching the Burial and Cremation Act.Magistrate Chivasa said Madzibaba Ishmael's followers were stripped of their right and ability to exercise freedom of choice through oppressive religious dogma which was as good as slavery.The magistrate said:"An accused can only be found guilty of a crime where the evidence is circumstantial if: -the circumstances from which an inference of guilt is sought to be drawn are all established, the inference of guilt is consistent with all the proved facts, and the proved facts are such that they exclude every reasonable inference from them except that accused is guilty."The circumstances taken cumulatively form a chain so complete that the conclusion is inescapable that within all human probability the crime was committed by the accused."No direct evidence is necessary for their probative value, save that things do happen that way without reason or explanation and the circumstantial evidence is incapable of explanation by any other hypothesis than that of guilt of the accused."Such evidence should not only be consistent with the guilt of the accused but also inconsistent with his or her innocence," she said.Magistrate Chivasa said while the complainants denied any links with Madzibaba Ishmael, there was DNA evidence proving otherwise."The three complainants all denied any link with the accused person, and even wondered why he was arrested and why they were called to come to court to testify."They all said they are not aware of his position at church since there are a lot of congregants at church."They all denied ever having sexual intercourse with the accused but on the other hand, however, there is scientific proof (DNA paternity test results providing proof beyond reasonable doubt that the accused engaged in sexual intercourse with them and bore children."The complainants clearly were regular congregants at accused's shrine in which he was the founder and leader so there is no way they could not have known him after all it has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused had sexual intercourse with them."The magistrate added:"It has to be noted that the complainants were still very young particularly (name withheld) who was aged 13 to 14 years when the offence is alleged to have taken place."In such an oppressive environment, in which the followers are stripped off their right and ability to exercise freedom of choice through the proven oppressive religious dogma which is as good as slavery, the only reasonable inference conclusion is that the sexual intercourse was not consensual."One of the key witnesses painted a harrowing picture of the oppressive religious structure where congregants where held as hostages.The magistrate noted that the complainants, who came from different backgrounds, gave consistent evidence which was proven untrue by DNA results.During the trial, the victims exhibited visible fear, freezing whenever questioned about the church's doctrines.This suggested they were still under the influence of indoctrination, with their main focus being to protect the accused.
Yves here. We warned back in the day that Brexit would impose a meaningful growth cost on the UK. The imposition of a hard border created trade frictions and increased costs of doing business with the EU for importers and exporters, as well as adding to consumer charges. Financial firms moved some big ticket jobs to the continent as required by EU regulations. The UK was also no longer part of a large economic bloc, and had to cut its own trade deals, which were highly unlikely to be on as favorable terms as the old EU agreements. Offices of EU research institutions were closed. And these are just examples. The list of losses is substantial.

The post below estimates the total damage to the UK and also compares it to earlier estimates. The outcome is even worse than generally anticipated due to the costs being durable, as opposed to losses that the UK could claw back over time.

By Nicholas Bloom, William Eberle Professor of Economics Stanford University; Philip Bunn, Senior Technical Advisor in the Structural Economics Division Bank Of England; Paul Mizen, Professor in Economics and Vice Dean, Research, at Kings Business School Kings College London; Pawel Smietanka, Research Economist Bank Of England; Senior Economist Deutsche Bundesbank; and Gregory Thwaites, Research Director Resolution Foundation; Associate Professor University Of Nottingham. Originally published at VoxEU

The UK is once again debating why its economy has grown slowly since the mid2010s. This column examines the impact of the decision to leave the European Union in 2016. Using almost a decade of data since the referendum, the authors combine simulations based on macro data with estimates derived from micro data. These estimates suggest that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. Investment, employment, and productivity were all affected, reflecting a combination of elevated uncertainty, reduced demand, diverted management time, and increased misallocation of resources.

The UK is once again debating why its economy has grown slowly since the mid2010s. Real wages have barely risen, investment has been weak, and productivity growth has disappointed. Many factors are at play  from the global financial crisis hangover to the Covid19 pandemic and the energy price shock following Russias invasion of Ukraine  but one candidate has been central to the policy debate for nearly a decade: Brexit.

A large literature anticipated substantial longrun costs of leaving the EU Single Market and Customs Union (HM Treasury 2016, IMF 2016, Van Reenen et al 2016). Early expost work using macro data also pointed to a sizeable hit to UK GDP and trade (Born et al. 2019, Dhingra and Sampson 2022, Springford 2022, Haskel and Martin 2023, Freeman et al. 2025). VoxEU has been an important forum for this research and debate. Our contribution is to revisit the question now that almost a decade has passed since the referendum, bringing together macro and micro evidence in a single framework and comparing actual outcomes to the professions prereferendum forecasts.

In a new paper (Bloom et al. 2025), we combine micro data collected through the Decision Maker Panel (DMP), a survey of UK firms, with publicly available macro data to estimate the impact of Brexit. Our three main findings are:

Brexit has had a large and persistent effect on the UK economy. By 2025, we estimate that UK GDP per capita was 68% lower than it would have been without Brexit. Investment was 1218% lower, employment 34% lower, and productivity 34% lower. These losses emerged gradually. The impact was hard to see in 201718, but accumulated steadily over the subsequent decade as uncertainty persisted, trade barriers rose, and firms diverted resources away from productive activity. Economists were roughly right on the magnitude of the impact, but wrong on the timing. The consensus prereferendum forecast of a 4% longrun GDP loss turned out to be close to the actual loss after five years, but too optimistic about the longer run.

Measuring Brexits impact: Macro Evidence

Our first approach compares the UKs post2016 performance with that of similar advanced economies. The idea, which has been widely used on VoxEU to assess the consequences of Brexit and other policy shocks (e.g. Born et al. 2019), is to construct an estimate of what the UK economy might have looked like in the absence of Brexit, based on the experience of other countries and then ask how actual UK outcomes diverged from this counterfactual.

We use quarterly data for 33 advanced economies (the EU27, the US, Canada, Japan, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland) from 2006 to 2025, and examine GDP per capita, business investment, employment and labour productivity. Because there is no uniquely correct way to weight the comparator countries, we consider five different approaches: a simple unweighted average, a GDPweighted average, a gravityweighted average (GDP divided by distance), a tradeweighted average, and a formal synthetic control. Our headline estimates take the simple average across these five methods, which draw similar conclusions irrespective of the weighting scheme, including when no weighting is used.

Figure 1 shows that before the referendum, UK GDP per capita grew at broadly the same pace as in the comparison group. After 2016, the lines diverge. By the year to 2025 Q1, UK GDP per head had grown 610 percentage points less than in comparable economies, and only about 4% in absolute terms over the whole period. Our central estimate  the average across the five weighting schemes  is that UK GDP per head has grown by a total of around 8% less than that of comparable advanced economies since 2016.

We see similar patterns for other aggregates:

Business investment was particularly hard hit. The UK went from being a relatively strong performer prereferendum to a laggard afterwards. By 2025, business investment was 12-18% below the level implied by the comparator economies.

was particularly hard hit. The UK went from being a relatively strong performer prereferendum to a laggard afterwards. By 2025, business investment was 12-18% below the level implied by the comparator economies. Employment has also underperformed, but to a lesser extent: we estimate a shortfall of around 4% relative to the counterfactual.

has also underperformed, but to a lesser extent: we estimate a shortfall of around 4% relative to the counterfactual. Labour productivity was around 4% below the comparator group by 2025.

Figure 1 GDP per capita cross-country comparison

These macro comparisons are not without caveats. The underlying assumption is that the UK would have performed as well as some average of other countries in the absence of Brexit. But this might not be true. The Covid19 pandemic and the energy shock affected countries differently; policy responses, including the UKs furlough scheme and subsidy to household energy bills, also varied. Moreover, Brexit almost certainly had some negative spillovers on EU trading partners, which would bias our estimates downwards. For these reasons, we complement the macro analysis with a microeconometric approach based on data from firms located in the UK.

Micro Evidence

The outcome of the Brexit vote in 2016 was widely regarded as a surprise. This discrete, largely unanticipated event allows us to adopt a differenceindifferences strategy using firmlevel data.

Our micro analysis exploits the fact that Brexits impact varied systematically with firms prereferendum exposure to the EU. Using the Decision Maker Panel  a large monthly survey of UK firms  we construct a broad measure of prior EU exposure that averages six dimensions: export share to the EU, import share from the EU, dependence on EU migrant workers, exposure to EU regulation, share of directors who are EU nationals, and EU ownership. These survey measures are matched to company accounts data.

Firms with higher EU exposure grew faster than others before 2016. After the referendum, this pattern reversed. Conditional on firm and time fixed effects and controlling for Covidrelated shocks, our micro-based results imply the following aggregate impacts:

Lower investment growth cumulating to a 12% shortfall in the level of business investment by 2023/24.

cumulating to a 12% shortfall in the level of business investment by 2023/24. Lower employment growth around 0.5 percentage points lower per year, implying a 34% lower level of employment by 2023/24.

around 0.5 percentage points lower per year, implying a 34% lower level of employment by 2023/24. Total factor productivity (TFP) growth around 0.5 percentage points lower per year, leading to a 34% reduction to withinfirm TFP by 2023/24.

The micro approach has a different set of considerations to the macro approach. The more direct link to EU exposure can help to better identify the causal effects of Brexit. But we have to assume that unexposed firms were not affected by Brexit, when in fact they could have faced negative spillovers (for example, through demand or supply chains) or positive spillovers (for example, through the labour market if unexposed firms found it easier to hire workers). Broadly speaking, the macro- and microbased estimates of the impact on GDP, investment, employment and productivity line up reasonably well, with the macro estimates typically being the larger of the two (Figure 2).

Figure 2 The estimated impact of Brexit



Why Did the Damage Take So Long To Show Up?

Our analysis suggests four main channels through which Brexit affected the UK economy, all of which operated gradually:

Persistent uncertainty. Brexit generated an unusually longlasting period of policy uncertainty. Our Brexit Uncertainty Index, based on the DMP, measures the share of firms reporting Brexit as one of their top three sources of uncertainty. This index rose sharply after the referendum and remained elevated until well after the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) took effect in 2021. Investment is particularly sensitive to uncertainty, and our firmlevel regressions suggest that the uncertainty channel explains much of the post2016 weakness of investment. Higher trade costs and lower demand. Even though the TCA preserves zero tariffs and quotas on most UKEU trade, leaving the Single Market and Customs Union has introduced substantial nontariff barriers. Other work has documented sharp falls in UKEU goods trade around 2021 and persistent disruptions to supply chains and services trade (Dhingra and Sampson 2022, Freeman et al. 2025). Lower expected demand, especially in tradable sectors, appears to have been to be a key driver of weaker employment growth. Less innovation and management time being diverted. Productivity within firms may have been affected by firms cutting back on productivity-enhancing forms of investment, and by management time being diverted from other activities to prepare for Brexit. Reallocation away from highly productive, internationally exposed firms. The firms most exposed to the EU tend also to be the most productive, and these were the firms that were most negatively impacted by Brexit.

Taken together, these channels help explain why the economic impact of Brexit has been a slowburn phenomenon. Rather than a single cliffedge event, the UK experienced a drawnout process of negotiation, transition, and implementation, with uncertainty and adjustment costs stretching over almost a decade.

How Did the PreReferendum Forecasts Perform?

The Brexit referendum offers a rare opportunity in macroeconomics to compare exante forecasts with expost outcomes. IMF (2016) summarised the predictions of academic and professional economists about the longrun impact of Brexit on UK GDP. The average forecast in that survey was a 4% loss of GDP relative to remaining in the EU, with most of the impact assumed to materialise within five years.

Our estimates suggest that this consensus forecast performed reasonably well over a fiveyear horizon: we find a GDP shortfall of 46% by 2021. But by 2025 the loss had deepened to 68%. In other words, economists were broadly right on the direction and order of magnitude of the longrun impact, but they underestimated how drawnout the Brexit process would be and therefore how persistent the associated uncertainty and adjustment costs would prove.

This has broader implications for how we evaluate macro forecasts around major political events. The Brexit experience suggests that getting the economics right is not enough; the political economy of implementation  including the possibility of delays, renegotiations and partial reversals  can materially affect both the timing and the eventual size of the economic impact.

Lessons for Future Trade Fragmentation

The UKs exit from the EU is a unique event. No other large economy has voluntarily stepped back from such deep integration with its neighbours. But the mechanisms we document are likely to be relevant for other episodes of trade and migration fragmentation, including the imposition of tariffs, sanctions and tighter migration controls elsewhere.

Our work shows that disengaging from global trade and production networks can carry large and longlasting economic costs, and these costs tend to accumulate slowly rather than appearing overnight. In the case of Brexit, there was a substantial economic impact on the UK economy.

See original post for references
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has recorded notable progress in fulfilling its constitutional mandate, with independent evaluators rating its performance at 61 percent in corruption investigation and prevention.The figures were revealed by ZACC Commissioner Chido Mwadiwa during a validation workshop for the forthcoming National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2 (NACS 2), which will guide the country's anti-graft efforts from 2026 to 2030. Mwadiwa said stakeholder input is critical in shaping the new framework and pledged that contributions from citizens, civil society, government departments, religious leaders and private institutions will all be considered.She said the second strategy builds on the achievements of the first National Anti-Corruption Strategy, launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2020, which recorded measurable progress in curbing graft over a four-year period. NACS 1 ran from July 2020 to June 2024 and was independently assessed to have achieved just over 61 percent of its goals.Commissioner Mwadiwa stressed that the new strategy must align with national development priorities outlined in the recently launched National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), while also remaining consistent with regional and global anti-corruption standards. These include the SADC Protocol Against Corruption, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.She added that NACS 2 will also draw from broader development frameworks such as the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020-2030), the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Mwadiwa emphasised that fighting corruption cannot be left solely to Chapter 13 institutions such as ZACC, as success relies on collaboration across all sectors of society. She said the diversity of organisations represented at the workshop demonstrates the importance of collective responsibility, adding that every institution, leader and citizen holds a stake in defeating corruption.Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational Council of Churches (Manicaland), Mr Cleopas Saunyama, welcomed the collaborative approach and said inclusive consultations will help generate stronger and more effective solutions. He said the church stands ready to help spread anti-corruption messaging to communities at grassroots level, noting that graft threatens not only economic development but also national morality and social stability."We are happy that the Government is involving all stakeholders in coming up with strategies and tactics to reduce corruption in the country. As the church, we are going to take the anti-corruption message right down to our members in the villages," he said. "Corruption is detrimental to the economic, social and spiritual growth of the country. It has to be fought and defeated."
American Science, Shattered. So says is the title of Part 1 of a ten part series in STAT News. Since STAT articles are usually paywalled, I will summarize them here as they appear. Unlike most accounts of the current state of science in the United States, the authors of this article have found scientists who are reflective, who realize that while we (once a member, always a member at some level) are currently on a one-way street to perdition, actions and inactions of the scientific community helped pave that right-of-way from sidewalk to sidewalk:

For a substantial group of U.S. researchers, 2025 will be remembered as the year their path to a career in science was closed off, their dreams dashed. For others, it will go down as a chaotic game of red-light-green-light that left them constantly unsure of what work would be funded or halted, but that they managed to survive. For nearly everyone, the last 10 months have revealed that the research enterprise that catapulted the country to the technological fore was much more brittle than expected. Sure, the courts have stepped in to restore billions of dollars in terminated grant funding to colleges and universities. Yes, the National Institutes of Health, despite layoffs and seemingly endless hurdles, managed to spend its entire budget for the fiscal year. And Congress, in a rare rebuke to the president, has so far refused steep cuts to the NIH budget in 2026 as well as a White House plan to consolidate its 27 institutes. But in the larger scheme of things, the Trump administration has, with shocking speed, ripped up the longstanding social contract that existed between scientists and the federal government.

This social contract made American science the world leader in basic research in all disciplines beginning with the vision of Vannevar Bush after World War II. This has been covered here before. The realization of Bushs vision from the mid-1950s until recently spread the scientific wealth around the country. Yes, the research universities and private research organizations that received the most money at first have remained at the top of the funding lists (National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, NASA, Department of Defense) but virtually other institution that is willing to support research has received support. Contrary to the apparent views of the Current Administration, this outreach into the heartland has been a good thing.

Vannevar Bush wrote Science: The Endless Frontier as a report to the president in 1945 as a plan to make American science great. It did just that:

Science: The Endless Frontieris the foundational document to which the past eight decades of technological winning can be traced. If youve enjoyed living in an era where doctors can find cancer with scans and DNA tests, where HIV is treatable, where lasers can correct your vision, GLP-1 drugs fight your food cravings, and premature babies dont have to suffocate and die within their first few hours, you can thank its author, Vannevar Bush. The internet? GPS? The core learning algorithms that form the basis of artificial intelligence like ChatGPT? Bush. Bush. Bush.

Plus, virtually every other drug and medical intervention we have benefited from for the past eighty years, funded by NIH, and the research in other scientific disciplines funded by the National Science Foundation.

The one rule that made American science was the requirement that research proposals be evaluated by other scientists, who pledged to make awards as objectively as possible to fund research that was meritorious. This, of course, can be somewhat subjective. Ask any scientist who has ever had a research proposal not funded (that would be every one of us). But every scientist also knows that failure comes with the life of a research scientist. As long as the batting average stays substantially above the Mendoza Line (20%), survival is possible. Based on my long experience writing and reviewing grant proposals, about one-third are worthy of support upon first submission and another one-third should be funded after revision. The others are likely to remain unfunded for the duration. That success rates are now below 20% is an opportunity cost that is incalculable but large:

Perhaps the biggest rupture arrived in August in an executive order giving political appointees sweeping new powers over the awarding of research grants. The move directly undercut a core principle of the Bush blueprint  that projects should be supported based on scientific merit, not ideological whims. While the pendulum has swung back and forth over the years between scientific independence and political influence, never has it swung this far toward the latter. Since the end of the government shutdown last month, several moves suggest the grip of political appointees over the NIH will only grow. An internal memo, obtained by STAT, reads: Discretionary awards must, where applicable, demonstrably advance the Presidents policy priorities. Simultaneously, the White House and top administration officials have become more involved in NIH processes than in the past, and in October a friend of Vice President JD Vance was made the head of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences  without a research background in that area. The day the government reopened, it also placed an NIH staffer who was a vocal opponent of the Trump administrations handling of the agency on leave. Then in recent days, health secretary and longtime vaccine critic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his subordinates at federal science agencies escalated their campaign to impugn vaccine safety, bypassing normal procedures to revise website language stating vaccines dont cause autism and assert that Covid shots caused the deaths of at least 10 children. My fear is that they dont even realize what theyre doing, said Elias Zerhouni, who led the NIH under Republican President George W. Bush from 2002 to 2008. In recent months, Zerhouni has repeatedly reached out to members of the Trump administration. In each of those conversations, he told STAT, he has found administration officials earnest in their desire to strengthen American scientific competitiveness, but lacking both a firm grasp of how the research system fits together and a cohesive plan for how to overhaul it. They connect this complete chaos to an intent to make it stronger, not realizing that by doing what theyre doing  and not coordinating what theyre doing in the right titration  its basically taking an axe to the system, Zerhouni said. Theyre destroying it and they dont really understand that when you tell them. The deal, as Bush saw it, was pretty simple. Newly created federal scientific agencies  staffed by scientists  would set scientific priorities and then vet investments in those priorities across the nations universities and academic medical centers. They would cut the checks and stand back, confident that scientific breakthroughs would, in time, translate into improved health, economic growth, and global technological dominance.

But it is also true that Vannevar Bush of MIT was a bit parochial, as those of us in the provinces might say. And that led to conflict with certain politicians, one of whom was Senator Harley Kilgore of West Virginia:

Kilgore wanted politicians, who would be more attuned to the desires of the taxpayers funding the research, to set priorities. Bush, who spent much of his life in the academic bubble of Boston, thought that only scientists would have the expertise to judge where money was best sent. Kilgore also thought that some funding should be dispersed geographically, which Bush saw as inconsistent with a merit-based system. (NIH listed geographic balance as one of the criteria in its grant strategy announced last month.) Kilgore also wanted the government to hold the patent rights on advances that were publicly funded, which Bush thought would hamper innovation. Just this year, the Trump administration has threatened to take control of patents held by Harvard that were the product of federal funding.

Vannevar Bush went behind the back of Senator Kilgore, who was not wrong on the politics. About thirty years later, the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, sponsored by two US Senators, did great damage to basic biomedical research in the United States by formalizing the, well, theft of intellectual property that would not have existed without public support (another battle lost, so far, with so-called march-in rights remaining unused for the most part).

And all the while, the transmissible viral infection of expertitis among scientists often got in our way:

That ivory tower mentality also fostered a tendency on the part of scientific experts to talk down to the public, and exclude them from discussions about funding, said Nicholas Dirks, a historian at Columbia University and president and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences. That has really backfired big time, he added. Weve been very blind about how that leaves the public outside of those committee rooms, not knowing how these decisions are made and what science is really doing and whose interests are being served.

Yes. And during the early days of the current pandemic expertitis was fulminate. But scientists are not always so obtuse. A review panel I served on last April included lay members of the community. They asked some of the best questions during the meeting. And politics has always had an effect on scientific research, as it should outside of the laboratory. Richard Nixon declared War on Cancer in 1971. For a long time, cancer stayed ahead of the scientists, but because of generous support for basic and clinical science, cancer is in retreat in many places. Childhood leukemias are often not the death sentence they were before Sidney Farber and others started the long, incremental project to understand the molecular causes of cancer. Millions, including yours truly have, benefited from this research. AIDS became a manageable chronic infection for the vast majority of those infected with HIV who have access to and can afford treatment (another matter altogether). Vaccines have made the childhood diseases I had (rubella, rubeola, and chickenpox, all before I was seven years old) mostly a thing of the past. Ditto for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B (which eventually causes liver disease, including cancer, in virtually everyone infected) and polio. And going forward respiratory syncytial virus and rotavirus will disappear, unless the current Secretary of Health and Human Services succeeds in his time travel mission back to the nineteenth century (when his brain worm would probably have killed him).

The cluelessness of the academic scientific establishment on the matter of indirect costs (overhead) has not been healthy. This has led both the people and the politicians to believe that scientists are getting rich off grant money. No, actually. While there is the occasional thief or cheat who escapes notice, for a little while, for the other 99% of us every dime of grant money has been audited, usually in real time (with the audit paid for by overhead). When Vannevar Bush eventually came around, the idea of spreading science across the country made perfect sense. Universities, medical schools, and independent research institutes would house the researchers and the funding agencies would contribute to the costs of research for the people doing the research and the materials they needed.

The current overall indirect cost rate for research supported by NIH in medical schools is less than 30%. The rate is generally higher for individual grants to laboratories, which need higher levels of support. But this means that institutions other than NIH are paying about 70% of the total costs. This is a very good deal by any reasonable metric. As an aside, that private funding agencies limit overhead to 15% is irrelevant. Virtually no research laboratory without a research program funded by NIH or NSF or equivalent gets these grants, which are a very thin layer of icing on the top of a rich, thick cake. But they often lead researchers in new directions and are essential for that reason.

Research is expensive, and has gotten only more so during my career, usually for good reasons of safety and good practice, particularly in the care and use of research animals and the safe conduct of research using toxic materials and experimental model organisms that can be pathogenic. Still, there was a consensus building that the current funding mechanism needed modification:

Addressing that weakness means changing the incentive structures that induce academic institutions to become increasingly reliant on federal grants. Under the current system, the federal government reimburses grant recipients costs of building and maintaining new laboratories, creating an incentive for expanding their research capacities indefinitely. These indirect cost payments also reward universities for not paying the salaries of scientists to staff them, because salaries paid through a grant come with indirect funding that accrue to the university. The incentive system is just terrible, said Bruce Alberts, a professor emeritus at the University of California San Francisco, and former president of the National Academy of Sciences. Known as soft money, grant-funded salaries are not guaranteed, keeping scientists in a constant state of needing to find more support, which draws their attention away from dreaming up ambitious new projects and focusing on whats going to get them their next paycheck.

Besides all those problems, teaching has been suffering from this, and public service too, said Alberts. If the institutions not paying your salary, youre not really paying attention to the institutions needs either.

Another thing that has been discussed but not acted upon, is capping the percentage of a salary of the Principal Investigator (the scientist who submits the research proposal and is responsible for its completion) covered by grant awards. But this, in contrast with the current administrations strictly performative alternatives (tariffs, sanctions, bluster) to developing industrial policies that might work, would have to be phased in over a period of 5-10 years. This is doable and would be a rebalancing win-win for the people and the scientists who do the work that leads to scientific advances that benefit all of us.

Still, it is clear that the wholesale attack on the scientific establishment and its scientists, most of whom have viewed their work as a calling or vocation has done great damage:

Arguably the most insidious fallout is that many scientists who work at universities no longer feel they can count on the U.S. government as a reliable partner in the pursuit of research for the public good. Thats the most devastating part of all this, one NIH official told STAT. Why would anyone trust the NIH ever again? That social compact is being systematically undermined at the moment by a group of ideologues whose real target is not science; its real target is what they perceive to be the power and the arrogance of elite institutions, starting with the great research universities of this country, said Shirley Tilghman, a molecular biologist and former president of Princeton  one of those universities. To onlookers like Tilghman, what has happened since January seems to be a tragedy of unintended consequences. The intention was to punish elite universities, it was not to destroy the scientific capacity of the United States, but thats what theyre doing, she said. Its one thing to destroy something. It is quite another to destroy it and have nothing to replace it with. I think thats the moment were in.

So, where do we go from here? How can any still-working academic scientist advise an aspiring scientist to go for it when the likelihood of success is so small? I have no idea. But whatever the ultimate outcome, the past ten months have been a teachable moment for American science and its scientists. That this has followed the uneven-to-poor performance of the biomedical science establishment during the current pandemic is not an accident.

Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (the C-suite title is not reassuring):

describes the U.S. research ecosystem of today like a densely packed terrarium. Over the decades, new species have been added, intermingling their roots and growing up and on top of and into each other in a way that makes it difficult to trim areas that have become overgrown without sacrificing the whole. All of this was ripe, maybe overripe in November of 2024, he said. This president has come along, and for better or for worse  many times for worse because its been done without a plan right away  and hes taken that terrarium and shaken the hell out of it.

Yes he did shake the hell out of it, because he could. Not because he has a plan to improve anything. Undoubtedly the president enjoyed the disruption he caused. In any case, Sadip Parikh was on the job early, in August 2024, when he:

starting holding a series of late-night Zoom calls with a self-appointed task force of more than 70 influential leaders across science, academia, industry, policy, and philanthropy, including CRISPR inventor Jennifer Doudna; (Kelvin) Droegemeier, the former OSTP director; and Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering. The group came together to form a set of policy recommendations  intended for whomever came to power in the November elections  to push American science and technology to new heights. Bushs vision, they had decided, was increasingly irrelevant to the pace and scope of 21st century science. In February, the task force released VAST, a Vision for American Science and Technology. The roadmap makes 14 pro-innovation policy recommendations. Over the next year, this shadow science cabinet intends to pull in mid-career scientists from across a wide range of disciplines to start to identify discipline-specific policy needs. Whatever they come up with, Parikh doesnt want to call it a social compact, or a social contract. That framing puts scientists outside of their communities. And they need to be inside, as essential members, every bit as essential as the people who drive buses and fix toilets and bag groceries.

VAST is very polished indeed! And Sudip Parikh does hit on something essential for the science-adjacent Professional Managerial Class (PMC) to take to heart. We are not outside of anything in society. Our expertise is limited but our interests are universal. This, of course, applies to everyone, including the plumbers to grocery baggers Mr. Parikh mentions. However, we, scientists and non-scientists alike, do not need to be led by a blue-ribbon panel of the PMC who made this complete mess because they were not paying attention to anything beyond their next grant application. The vision of Vannevar Bush, without the snobbishness, will do just fine.

Science, in its vastness, is still the endless frontier. But so is every other human endeavor. Instead of a revolution led by a congeries of VAST Contributors, the only thing science writ large needs is to regain its sense of purpose. And that is to improve our understanding of the natural world, from the interior of the atom to the entire ecosphere of planet Earth, and beyond (not including mining the moon or terraforming Mars, however; Star Trek is science fiction, Mr. Musk).

Given what science and its handmaiden technology have achieved during the past 250 years, perhaps we should refocus our attention on the ecosphere. Yes, this will be expensive, but that all depends on how costs are accounted and benefits reckoned. Our children and grandchildren might even have reason to thank us, one day.

See you next week in the usual format!
Scaling back trial by jury, further attacks on lawful speech, the nationwide deployment of deeply flawed facial recognition systems The list just keeps growing longer.

We first asked this question  Just How Dystopian Could Starmers Britain Become?  just over a year ago. At that point in time, with the government just four months in office, all we could offer as an answer was: how long is a piece of string? Now, 13 months later, it is clear that said string is very long indeed, and is getting longer by the day.

On his election, in July 2024, Starmer promised that his Labour government would tread (stomp?) more lightly on the lives of voters. It is one of a growing multitude of pledges Starmer has broken during his 17 months in office. In this particular case, it took just two months for Starmer to change course, telling delegates at the 2024 Labour Party Conference that the State would, in fact, take greater control over peoples lives.

In the months that followed, plans were unveiled to, among other things, launch non-mandatory digital identity (more on that later); expand the use of live facial recognition technology (ditto); resurrect an old Tory policy to grant inspectors at the Department of Work and Pensions increased powers to snoop on claimants bank accounts; and intensify the British States crackdown on lawful speech.

That, it turns out, was just for starters. For the main course, the Starmer government is now setting its sights on trial by jury, a legal protection that has existed in England for almost a thousand years and forms one of the bedrocks of democratic legal systems.

Curtailing a Centuries-Old Right

In an ostensible bid to reduce court backlogs, Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor David Lammy has announced plans to limit peoples right to trial by jury in England and Wales. If the plans are enacted, a new tier of swift courts will be created to replace jury trials for most offences that carry a likely jail sentence of less than three years as well as complex fraud and financial cases.

Speed and expediency are the goal. Under the proposed changes, only the most serious offences  murder, manslaughter and rape  would continue to be heard by a jury of ones peers. Despite the fact that English Common Law draws upon the ancient right of trial by jury rooted in Magna Carta, Lammy asserted that we must never forget that [Magna Carta] implores us not to deny or delay justice.

Bearing the Orwellian title Swift and Fair Plan to Get Justice for Victims, Lammys proposal, which is presumably not his own, is extremely controversial. As writes Daniel Alge, senior lecturer in Criminology & Criminal Justice at Brunel University of London, the right to be tried by ones peers has deep roots in the legal tradition of England and Wales:

Its origins trace back to Magna Carta in 1215, which promised that no one would lose their liberty or property without the lawful judgement of his peers and the law of the land. The judge and legal philosopher Lord Devlin described trial by jury as the lamp that shows that freedom lives. It is a symbolic cornerstone of justice in England and Wales.These proposals go far beyond the recommendations put forward in Brian Levesons independent review of the criminal courts, published in July 2025. Leveson proposed trial by judge alone where the defendant requested it, or in particularly lengthy and complex trials. But Lammys proposals appear to be a watering down of leaked MoJ plans to restrict the use of jury trials to only public interest cases with sentences of over five years. In practical terms, jury trials already form only a small part of the system, accounting for around 2% of all criminal cases. Ministry of Justice data shows that most criminal cases are resolved in the magistrates courts, in which three magistrates (who are volunteer lay people rather than professional judges), determine guilt as well as sentence.

In other words, this will probably have a limited impact on the court backlogs. There can be no doubting that the criminal courts are under extraordinary pressure, with a record backlog of over 78,000 crown court cases. However, the main cause of that backlog, according to Alge, is years of budget reductions, court closures, maintenance backlogs and limits on the number of days courts were permitted to sit.

One of the most disturbing aspects of Lamys proposed changes is their potential political implications. For centuries juries have served as a democratic check on government power. In fact, that is exactly why the barons approached King John in 1215 to sign the Magna Carta, requesting the right to trial by jury  as a check on the unruly kings power.

The renowned English jurist, justice, and Tory politician William Blackstone (1723-1780) wrote the following about trial by jury in his Commentaries on the Laws of England, which (according to Wikipedia) became the best-known description of the doctrines of the English common law:

Trial by jury ever has been, and I trust ever will be, looked upon as the glory of the English law So that the liberties of England cannot but subsist so long as this palladium remains sacred and inviolate; not only from all open attacks (which none will be so hardy as to make), but also from secret machinations, which may sap and undermine it; by introducing new and arbitrary methods of trial.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Labour MP Diane Abbot left Starmer with egg on his face by reminding him of what he himself had said about trial by jury in 1992: the right to trial by jury is an important factor in the delicate balance between the power of the State and the power of the individual.

"The right to trial by jury is an important factor in delicate balance between the power of the state and the power of the individual"  Keir Starmer (1992) What changed? pic.twitter.com/6nY3c593jH  Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) December 2, 2025

As Steve James writes for WSWS, one of the real targets of the proposed legislation is something called jury equity or jury nullification, which can be particularly important in trials of a political nature:

This refers to the right of a jury to determine whether a crime has been committed at all, regardless of the opinion of the trial judge. Jury equity was famously exercised in 1985 by the jury in the case against civil servant Clive Ponting, who leaked details of the then Tory governments misinformation over the circumstances surrounding the 1982 sinking of the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano by the Royal Navy, with the loss of 272 lives. Ponting was acquitted after a two-week trial, despite admitting that he had leaked the documents in question and the trial judges insistence that he had no defence in law. Ponting claimed, and the jury agreed, that releasing the documents, which exposed government lies over the circumstances of the sinking, was in the public interest. The principle has become an irritant to governments ever since, particularly following a series of cases in which members of climate and anti-genocide protest organisations such as Extinction Rebellion and Palestine Action have been acquitted despite instructions from the bench.

Added Legal Protection for Financial Criminals?

The fact that complex financial and fraud cases, which are defined as those involving hidden dishonesty or complexity outside the understanding of the general public, will also be exempt from trial by jury if Lammys proposed bill is enacted is also deeply troubling, though it seems to be getting less traction in the media.

Without trial by jury, the legal process could be further tilted in the favour of the UKs financial and business elite. After all, its easier to corrupt one judge than 12 (angry) men and women. And this is the UK we are talking about, the country that arguably perfected the art (if you can call it that) of financial crime.

However, an alternative perspective was offered in the comments section by NC reader Anonymous 2:

If you use mathematical models to commit fraud with complicated algebraic formulae and place them in front of a group of ordinary English men and women and start arguing about the merits or demerits of particular pricing models (e.g. options), then you be can be completely sure that they will glaze over mentally very quickly. At the very least the jury should be made up of genuine peers in such cases  i.e. people with a high level of mathematical and financial skills, not the average man or woman in the street. Otherwise I am comfortable with a smaller panel of suitably qualified experts supporting the judge, who should also be a specialist in trying advanced financial fraud. The present system is an invitation to fraudsters because if they make their frauds sufficiently complex there is not a snowball in hells chance the jury will convict as they have to be confident that they understand the issues and in such cases they wont.

The drastic curtailing of jury trials would be concerning enough if it were being done by a government that had shown itself to be more or less worthy of the voters trust. That is not the case here.

In fact, Keir Starmer is the most unpopular prime minister since records began in 1977  a feat he managed to pull off in little over a year. His Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, is also apparently the most unpopular chancellor on record.

Its not hard to see why: they have broken just about every promise they made to voters. As the veteran journalist Peter Oborne warned before Starmers election, it would be very unwise to believe a word Starmer says  he has a long record of making promises which he then goes on to break.

It would be very unwise to believe a word that Keir Starmer ever says. ~ Peter Oborne. Keir Starmer has to be the most unlikeable Prime Minister in my lifetime. And hes got some stiff competition. Hes a compulsive liar, drunk on power and a sanctimonious hypocrite. pic.twitter.com/SKu7ZiqAtg  James Melville  (@JamesMelville) December 1, 2025

Laying the Foundations of an Authoritarian State

Starmer also has extreme authoritarian impulses. As The Guardians George Monbiot warned in February, his government is laying the foundations of an authoritarian state that could be used by an even more extreme government in the future  perhaps even one led by Reform leader Nigel Farage:

Here are three of the consistent features of authoritarian states: the extreme persecution of dissent, the use of parajudicial measures to shut down opposition movements, and the selective application of the law. All three are already widely deployed in the UK. Though they were introduced in their current form by the Tories, they have been sustained and defended by Keir Starmers party. What this means is that if a hard- or far-right government starts doing what they always do  persecuting minorities and opponents, ripping into public services and the enabling state  and if good citizens take to the streets to defend the people and institutions under attack, the government will be able to round them up and throw them in prison, without the need for a single new law or statute.

Freedom of speech is under constant attack. As the Times of London reported in April this year, police officers made 12,183 arrests in 2023, when the Tories were in office, the equivalent of around 33 per day, under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 and section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

The acts, which make it illegal to cause distress by sending grossly offensive messages or sharing content of an indecent, obscene or menacing character on an electronic communications network, are being applied on an ever-broader basis. We dont yet know how many arrests were made in 2024, when Starmer came to power.

What we do know is that hundreds of people, including many pensioners, have been arrested for simply protesting against Israels genocide in Gaza. The recent prosecution of Natalie Strecker for writing and sharing tweets calling for resistance against the genocide revealed just how twisted the UKs legal system has become.

From former UK ambassador Craig Murrays blog post, The Terrifying Case of Natalie Strecker:

Strecker is charged with eliciting support for Hamas and Hezbollah, based on 8 tweets, cherry-picked by police and prosecutors from an astounding 51,000 tweets she sent, mainly from the Jersey Palestine Solidarity Committee account. The prosecution case is that these tweets, both collectively and individually, amount to an invitation of support for Hamas and Hezbollah resulting in up to ten years in jail in Jersey, or 14 years in jail on the UK mainland. The prosecution explicitly stated, and the judge notably intervened to make sure that everybody understood, that it is the offence of supporting terrorism to state that the Palestinians have the right to armed resistance in international law. Judge John Saunders interrupted the prosecution to ask whether they were saying that he would be guilty of support for terrorism if, in a lecture, he told an international law class that Palestinians have the right to armed resistance in international law. After some kerfuffle when faced with such an awkward question, the prosecution replied that yes, it could be the offence to tell law students that.

A Fledgling Police State

While Strecker was eventually acquitted, her case reveals a very disturbing truth about the state of lawful speech under the Starmer government, notes the journalist and author Jonathan Cook:

The British state considers it unlawful to repeat what international law explicitly states: that occupied peoples like the Palestinians have a right to resist their illegal occupation. That means: a) The Starmer government openly rejects international law. b) The Starmer government can scrap free speech and the right to protest  the bare minimal foundations of a democracy  whenever it chooses. We must conclude that we now live in a fledgling police state, that the number of political prisoners is going to grow rapidly, and that the room for dissent is going to shrink further and further.

The fact that this is all happening under a prime minister who before entering politics was a senior human rights lawyer makes it all the more disturbing.

Facial Recognition in Every City, Town and Village?

At the same time, the Starmer government is planning to unleash live facial recognition cameras across the UKs urban landscape, completing a project begun some years ago under the Tories.

Police have been using facial recognition technology absent a democratic or legal basis for a decade. Today, the Government has introduced a consultation which is long overdue. Join our fight to #StopFacialRecognition  donate nowhttps://t.co/7WxldldTMC  Big Brother Watch (@BigBrotherWatch) December 4, 2025

The Daily Telegraph reports that facial recognition technology could be used in every city, town and village. Under the plans, the Police could also be allowed to compare photos of crime suspects against the images of 45 million Britons stored in the passport database.

Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, warned that the expansion would transform the UK into an open prison and that passports would become mugshots for a giant surveillance database, putting the British public at risk of misidentifications and injustice:

Every search through this harvest of our personal photos puts millions of innocent citizens through a police line-up without our knowledge or consent. Sir Keir Starmers Government is committing to historic breaches of Britons privacy that you might expect to see in China but not in a democracy.

The scheme is already hitting resistance among some local councils. A cross-party group of independent, Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors on Woking Borough Council is calling for the scheme to be suspended, warning that it risks residents right to privacy and disproportionately impacts ethnic minority communities.

The mass roll out of facial recognition systems goes hand-in-hand with the governments proposed digital identity system, which in turn goes hand-in-hand with the online age verification system launched in the summer as well as the central bank digital currency (CBDCs)  the so-called Digital Pound  that the Bank of England is currently developing.

Digital identity is the keystone of the digital control grids governments around the world are rapidly erecting to keep their restless populaces in check. Without digital identity, the programmable CBDCs that would give central banks and government unprecedented ability to track and control our spending would be unworkable, as the Bank for International Settlements admitted in 2021.

So far, almost 3 million people have signed a parliamentary petition calling on the Starmer government to scrap its plans to launch a de facto mandatory digital identity system. As the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) notes, the digital identity systems being created by governments around the world are fundamentally incompatible with a privacy-protecting and human rights-defending democracy:

It potentially leads to situations where state authorities can treat the entire population with suspicion of not belonging, and would shift the power dynamics even further towards government control over our freedom of movement and association In a country increasing the deployment of other surveillance technologies like face recognition technology, this raises additional concerns about how digital ID could lead to new divisions and inequalities based on the data obtained by the system.

EFF is one of 13 rights groups, including Big Brother Watch and Privacy International, that will be urging Members of Parliament to oppose measures that risk turning the UK into a Checkpoint Britain at this coming Mondays petition debate. [For interested UK-based readers: click here to use Big Brother Watchs speedy tool to call on your respective MPs to attend the debate]

Of course, as we noted in the first post in this series, most of the dystopian policies and practices highlighted in this post  particularly the crackdowns on protests and free speech  represent a continuation, and at times intensification, of policies and practices already well under way under the Tories.

It is also true that these policies and practices form part of a generalised trend among ostensibly liberal democracies  as broad economic conditions deteriorate and AI-enabled technologies advance, the temptation among governments to exploit these new surveillance and control systems is irresistible while the potential benefits for Big Tech are huge.

It is a trend of which Starmers Britain is most definitely at the sharp, leading edge.
Yves here. It seems that due climate change signs coming in generally at the bad end of the range of forecasts, the timing for reaching various tipping points is coming sooner than earlier warnings indicated. One example is the slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which could kick in as soon as ten years from now.

By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies

A simplified animation showing the overturning circulation. Red lines are surface currents, blue are underwater. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio (source)

We will probably pass the tipping point for an AMOC shutdown in the next ten to twenty years or so.

Climate scientist Stefan Rahmstorf

Does death make our lives less sweet? For most of us, no.

Yours truly

Time for a climate update. Tipping points are approaching. To present this information this systematically, consider the following:

 Bad things are already happening, and theyll continue.

 Over not much time, the bad things will also get worse.

 Then tipping points will be reached, after which the worst is baked in.

 Some years after that, the worst arrives in full.

This process is true in a great many areas: sea level rise, for example, and coastal destruction.

The seas are already rising, due partly to ocean expansion (warm water takes up more space than cold water), but due mainly to melting ice in Greenland and Antarctica. Once the tipping point for glacial melt has been reached, all ice will be guaranteed gone at some future time, and a full sea level rise disaster is bound to occur.

What will that look like? Greenland ice melt will cause 24 feet of sea level rise; Antarctica ice melt, 230 feet. The worlds coastal cities, where 15% of world population lives, will erode with the shores and be drowned. In the U.S., 45% of GDP will be lost.

The point to remember: this all occurs in stages. First, pain. Then greater pain. Then a tipping point, which may not be marked by an event, but which nonetheless guarantees, at some future time, complete collapse of the system under discussion.

For most of our systems, were at the first point now, or possibly the second  a point of considerable pain. Yet tipping points silently lurk, some quite nearby.

The AMOC, Europes Personal Heat Pump

With that, lets look at one system under threat, the system of oceanic Atlantic currents that keeps northern Europe from freezing like Canada.

Winter in Montreal (source)

Europes personal heat pump is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC  what most of us call the Gulf Stream, though those two are not quite the same. The AMOC is part of the world-ocean circulatory system that takes warm water from Equatorial zones and moves it across oceanic surfaces to the north and south, where it cools and sinks, then returns as deep water currents (see image above).

The part Europeans care about is the part that runs from the Gulf of Mexico to very near Scotland. Paris, for example is three degrees latitude closer to the North Pole than Montreal, and Scotland is closer still. Yet northern Europe is warmed by the AMOC, while Canada is not.

Northern Europe is warmed by the AMOC, while Canada is not. The two pins above are cities on the same latitude line. (Image source)

Now consider the video below. In it, notable (very notable) climate physicist Stefan Rahmstorf discusses in scientific terms the future of AMOC. The whole thing is just 15 minutes, but you can start, if you like, at 12:43 to hear his tipping point prediction.



Rahmstorfs bottom line: We will probably pass the tipping point for an AMOC shutdown in the next ten to twenty years or so. In other words, sometime between 2035 (ish) and 2050.

We wont see it happen, most likely, that tipping point passed. But it will be passed nonetheless.

A Note for Skeptics

I understand that some readers here are climate skeptics. These are, after all, projections, and models can err. (Most of our climate models, in fact, have erred already, but on the side of complacence.)

These doubts dont trouble me. No ones optimism will change the future; nor will anyones doubt. Things will be what they are  decent or rough  regardless of anyones thoughts.

I will say this briefly, though, to the skeptically inclined: Watch your local environment for signs of increasing pain: diminishing water supplies; long and deep droughts; more costly insurance; bigger, more frequent hurricanes, storms and fires; fewer insects (sorry, thats already here); more frequently canceled sporting events perhaps.

If you see these signs, prepare, regardless of what you believe to be the cause. Protect yourself. And if it turns out youre right after all, Ill be among the first to celebrate with you.

A Note for Believers

Its easy to look at all this and become depressed. After all, this represents a kind of death, if not of ourselves as individuals, of the future the stories we constantly tell ourselves is certain to come  a future thats somehow continuous with our own.

Consider our films and novels. Most stories that are set ahead some number of years ignore the climate and focus on new technology. Makes for a great film. But the climate  whose kingship is certain so long as were ruled by our current pathological lords  will kill off our tech. The wave of smart-phone delights that has given such joy is due to recede, and wont return, perhaps, for a thousand years.

The way to stay centered is this: We all understand we will die, a personal destruction, yet most live unbowed by that weight  we eat, watch sports, fall in love, mourn losses, cheer gains, hug children, meet friends; in general we still attempt to live happy lives.

Does death make our lives less sweet? For most of us, no. Though death cant be stopped; we dont let it drag us down.

Same here. If you think the destruction of our climate and way of life, which the arrogant and greedy are dead-on determined to cause, cant be stopped, then think of it as you do your personal future loss, and try to live well anyway. That choice is no different than the one you faced yesterday.

And if you think of a way to stop those pathological souls, those less-than-a-thousand folks who have charge of our lives, then do it. Theres joy in that too.
Republican senators presented a united front of support for car magnate Lee Beamans nomination to the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors this week in a committee hearing on Capitol Hill. West Virginia's Republican U.S. Sen. Shelley Capito presided over the first formal step in vetting Beaman, who received glowing in-person endorsements from both of Tennessee's senators. Beaman is a Trump megadonor who accumulated massive wealth through his Nashville car dealership, and his TVA position has the optics of a political favor in response to Beamans years of financial and vocal support.

During Wednesday's hourlong hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Beaman acknowledged various financial and personal conflicts of interest and awkwardly deflected questions about basic TVA subject matter, like modern energy production and the electric power grid. Democrats also extracted a verbal guarantee from Beaman that he would support the utilitys continued public status amid swirling rumors about the presidents wishes to privatize TVA, which serves more than 10 million people across the Southeast. This does not preclude a near-future selloff of various TVA assets, though new CEO Don Moul confirms to the Scene that neither he nor the TVA as a whole has considered selling any assets. The TVA board last met on Nov. 6 without a quorum  abrupt Trump firings this year left three seats currently filled and six vacant. Four Trump nominees await confirmation votes. Beaman still needs a formal recommendation from the EPW committee to move to the full U.S. Senate.

Trump Nominates Lee Beaman for TVA Role President taps conservative donor and former auto magnate for federal utility board

In her introduction, Tennessee's Sen. Marsha Blackburn broadly emphasized the successful business career of Beaman, who lacks specific experience in the energy, utility management and environmental sectors.

Every once in a while, as we look at these boards, we have people who are so well-qualified, that have such a thorough understanding of issues for an agency, Blackburn told colleagues at the beginning of the hearing. Its an honor to have them offer themselves for service. And that, indeed, is Mr. Beaman. He brings decades of experience in business leadership, community service and organizational governance with him to fill this role at the TVA.

Democrats skewered Beaman for financial and personal conflicts of interest. Beaman has donated more than $1.5 million to GOP candidates and committees since 2020, including about $250,000 to the Republican National Committee this year. Beaman has also been the landlord to sitting members of the U.S. House of Representatives including Speaker Mike Johnson and Tennessee's 5th Congressional Rep. Andy Ogles. The two have lived in the same D.C. townhome owned by Beaman where conservative pastor Steve Berger, Beamans spiritual leader, operates a shadowy nonprofit meant to influence policy on the Hill.

Mr. Beamans prime qualifications are that he is a Trump loyalist and 2020 election denier, said Rhode Island's Democratic U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, one of D.C.s primary clean-energy advocates. He even signed a letter urging state legislators to appoint fake electors to the electoral college to overturn the election. When the ask comes to raise TVA customers rates by backing away from less expensive clean energy to keep more expensive fossil fuel plant running, its a pretty safe bet whose back he will have.

Beaman later told Massachusetts' U.S. Sen. Ed Markey that he now believes Joe Biden fairly won the 2020 presidential election after having gathered more information and more facts. Another Democrat, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, briefly gestured toward Beamans alleged porn fixation and use of sex workers  allegations made by an ex-wife in public filings during a 2018 divorce  as troubling markers of his character. If confirmed to help steer the regions major energy producer, Beaman also vowed to divest from AI-related investments including Meta, Apple, Google and NVIDIA, which might stand to gain financially from his decision-making.

Tennessee's Sens. Blackburn and Bill Hagerty have both directly benefited from his election checkbook, as have Republican EPW committee members Dave McCormick, Cynthia Lummis and Lindsey Graham, all of whom will vote on his confirmation. Republicans control the Senate and its committees, paving a smooth path for any nominee with the presidents support.
As home prices skyrocket and Nashville faces a growing demand for housing, the Metro Council passed two bills at Thursday nights meeting with the goal of addressing these matters.

One of those bills, BL2025-1005, creates two new zoning districts: residential neighborhood and residential limited. These allow for housing like townhomes, courtyards, triplexes and quadplexes to be built in areas that typically dont allow such structures. The legislation doesnt automatically apply the zoning districts to specific areas of Nashville, but lets councilmembers propose the implementation in their respective districts.

At the meeting  delayed two days to accommodate Tuesday's special election in the 7th Congressional District  the bill passed 28-10 with several amendments intended to quell concerns surrounding the bill. These include a measure that delays the legislation's effective date to April so that the Metro Planning Department has time to update the citys Community Character Manual and denote where the districts would be appropriate. This comes as an attempt to address concerns from the bills opponents, who say they worry how the districts, if implemented, could negatively impact the character of their neighborhoods.

The Escalating Standoff Between Homeowners, Rollin Horton and Democracy Metropolitik: Recall effort, ethics threat, packed council meeting reflect a divide in local politics

In an additional effort to increase transparency surrounding the housing bills, District 26 Councilmember Courtney Johnston  who has opposed much of the recent zoning reform  pushed for a non-binding resolution that requests Metro Planning develop a countywide map identifying areas designated as appropriate for the new zoning districts.

I think that the whole thing has been rolled out like a soup sandwich, quite frankly, and its really hard to roll that back," Johnston said. "But I think there are some steps we can take to make this better."

The council approved the resolution 22-16.

Several councilmembers made a final effort to defer consideration of the bill, citing vocal opposition from some Nashvillians who want the council to continue discussions on the matter and wait for the results of an infrastructure study, which is set to be released in the coming months.

I think one of the reasons that we should look at deferring this is the duct tape that is holding it together already, said Councilmember Jeff Eslick, noting the several amendments and substitutions related to the bill. He also opposed recent rhetoric that the zoning districts are an optional tool offered to councilmembers.

When it's pushed forward without meaning, without community support, without residents feeling heard, and when the consequences arent clear or ignored, the tool starts to feel more like a weapon, something that is used to harm instead of something thats used to help, Eslick said.

Another bill, BL2025-1007, received a final OK from the Metro Council, expanding options for detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) in the city. The legislation allows for the DADUs, like carriage houses and garage apartments, in areas of both the Urban Services District and General Services District. A substitute to the bill was approved that increased parking requirements for the structures.

The council approved the legislation 29-8 with one abstention.

Amendments to both of the housing bills require Metro Planning to create a report that details the number of building permits generated, dwelling units added and infrastructure costs to Metro as a result of the legislation. The report will be presented to the council by the end of April 2027.

Metro and TPAC Reach Agreement on East Bank Relocation Performing arts nonprofit takes a key step toward future facility near the Cumberland River

On second reading, the council approved a bill that would limit the heights of certain residential buildings in single-family residential and two-family residential zones to roughly two-and-a-half stories. Before the bills final reading, District 19 Councilmember Jacon Kupin is expected to propose an amendment that would exempt the height restrictions from Nashvilles downtown core.

In other business, the council:
Astronomers discover one of the largest spinning structures in the universe

A vast rotating cosmic filament has been discovered.

It spans millions of light-years and contains hundreds of galaxies.

The entire structure spins like a giant rolling pin.

Galaxies within it inherit their spin from this larger motion.

This discovery challenges the view of the universe as isolated and static.

The universe has long been described as a vast, mostly empty space dotted with isolated islands of matter we call galaxies. But a groundbreaking new discovery is shattering that lonely view, revealing a cosmos that is dynamically connected on a scale that is almost beyond comprehension. Astronomers have now spotted one of the largest spinning structures ever identified: a rotating cosmic thread containing 14 hydrogen-rich galaxies, stretched across 5.5 million light-years and only 117,000 light-years wide.

This "razor-thin" structure, located 140 million light-years away, sits embedded within an even larger cosmic filament that spans 50 million light-years and contains more than 280 galaxies total. Researchers using powerful telescopes like South Africas MeerKAT array found that the 14-galaxy structure is not static. It is spinning at velocities exceeding 246,000 miles per hour. "The filament is long and thin," said co-author Professor Matt Jarvis of the University of Oxford, describing the larger structure. "The narrowness of this filament means that a rolling pin of the same dimensions would only be a few millimetres thick."

A universe in motion

The finding challenges conventional models of cosmic evolution. More than just a highway of matter, this filament exhibits a coherent rotational motion. The galaxies on either side of its spine move in opposite directions, indicating the entire structure is turning. Crucially, many of the individual galaxies are also spinning in alignment with the filament itself. "What makes this structure exceptional is not just its size, but the combination of spin alignment and rotational motion," said co-lead author Dr. Lyla Jung of the University of Oxford.

Jung offers a relatable analogy for this dual motion: "You can liken it to the teacups ride at a theme park. Each galaxy is like a spinning teacup, but the whole platform - the cosmic filament - is rotating too." This suggests the immense structures of the cosmic web (the network of filaments connecting galaxy clusters) play a far more direct role in imparting spin to galaxies than previously believed. A galaxys rotation may not be a random trait but an inheritance from the larger, rotating architecture of the universe.

A fossil record of creation

This particular filament serves as a pristine cosmic laboratory. It is rich in hydrogen, the fuel for star formation, and is in a "dynamically cold" state with low internal turbulence. This indicates it is a relatively young and undisturbed structure, a snapshot of conditions in the earlier universe. "This filament is a fossil record of cosmic flows," explained co-lead author Dr. Madalina Tudorache from the University of Cambridge. "It helps us piece together how galaxies acquire their spin and grow over time."

The discovery provides a tangible clue to a long-standing mystery: how did galaxies like our own Milky Way get their spin? The answer appears to be written in the dynamics of these vast, rotating filaments. Angular momentum is not generated in isolation but is funneled through the cosmic web, with these giant structures setting galaxies into motion as they feed them gas and matter. "Understanding how structures form and evolve in the Universe allows us to piece together how galaxies like the Milky Way formed," Professor Jarvis noted.

This revelation moves us from a picture of isolated islands in space to one of an intricately connected, dynamic cosmos. The galaxies we see are not solitary accidents but products of a grand, spinning architecturea universe woven together by forces that impart motion and order across millions of light-years. It forces a profound reconsideration of our place in the cosmos, not as passive observers of static stars, but as inhabitants of a galaxy whose very rotation was seeded by the turning of the universes largest structures.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

LiveScience.com

Cam.AC.uk
China debuts reusable rocket  but it explodes during landing attempt

China's first orbital flight of a reusable methane-fueled rocket succeeded in reaching orbit but ended with a fiery explosion during the first-stage booster landing attempt, highlighting technical hurdles in matching SpaceX's reusability.

The Zhuque-3, powered by nine Tianque-12A methane-liquid oxygen (methalox) engines, represents China's push toward cleaner, more efficient propulsion, aligning with global trends like SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's New Glenn.

LandSpace declared the mission a success, validating key technologies like engine throttling, precision guidance and trajectory control, despite the booster exploding just meters from its landing target.

Backed by Beijing's aerospace ambitions, companies like LandSpace, SAST and Space Pioneer are accelerating reusable rocket development, aiming to compete with U.S. dominance in satellite deployment and military space applications.

While SpaceX still leads in reusability, experts predict China could close the gap within years, with Elon Musk acknowledging their progress but noting SpaceX's continued evolution toward next-gen Starship technology.

In a dramatic display of ambition and technical prowess, Chinese aerospace firm LandSpace successfully launched its Zhuque-3 reusable methane-powered rocket into orbit on Tuesday, Dec. 2only to see its first-stage booster explode in a fireball during its attempted landing.

The launch, conducted from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in the Gobi Desert, marked China's first orbital flight of a reusable methane-fueled rocket, placing LandSpace at the forefront of the nation's rapidly expanding commercial space sector. However, the mission's climaxa failed landing attemptunderscored the challenges China still faces in matching the reusable rocket dominance of U.S. rivals like SpaceX.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, JSLC is a critical spaceport and military installation located in the Gobi Desert of Gansu Province in China. Established in 1958, it is one of the four primary spaceports in China and has played a significant role in the country's space exploration and military programs.

A breakthrough flightwith a fiery end

The Zhuque-3, standing 66 meters tall and powered by nine Tianque-12A methane-liquid oxygen (methalox) engines, roared into the sky with 1.7 million pounds of thrust. Its expendable second stage successfully delivered its payload to orbit, fulfilling the primary mission objective.

But the real test was the recovery attempta critical step toward lowering launch costs and increasing launch frequency. Footage shared on Chinese social media showed the stainless-steel booster descending toward its landing zone before erupting into flames during its final braking burn.

"An anomaly occurred after the first-stage engine ignited during the landing phase, preventing a soft landing on the designated recovery pad," LandSpace confirmed in a statement. "The debris landed at the edge of the recovery area."

Despite the crash, the company hailed the test as a success, noting that key technical objectivesincluding engine throttling, attitude control and trajectory precisionwere validated. Remarkably, the booster appeared to hit within meters of its target, suggesting advanced guidance capabilities.

Reusable rocket race heats up

LandSpace's Zhuque-3 is China's boldest step yet toward reusable rocketrya field where SpaceX has reigned supreme for nearly a decade. Elon Musk's Falcon 9 rockets routinely land and relaunch, drastically reducing costs and enabling rapid satellite deployment.

Experts say China's commercial space sector, backed by Beijing's push to become a "strong aerospace nation," is rapidly closing the gap.

"It looks like it was really a largely successful attempt," said Blaine Curcio, founder of Orbital Gateway Consulting. "There's either a structural issue or an igniter issue, or an engine issue. That will take some time to fix, but it will not take years."

Musk himself weighed in on LandSpace's progress in October, predicting on X (formerly Twitter) that while China could match Falcon 9's reliability within five years, SpaceX would already be transitioning to its next-generation Starship by then.

The Zhuque-3's methalox propulsion system sets it apart from traditional kerosene-fueled rockets, offering cleaner burns and deeper throttle controlessential for precision landings. LandSpace previously made history in 2023 with its Zhuque-2, the world's first methane-powered orbital rocket.

Methane is increasingly favored for next-gen reusable rockets, including SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's New Glenn. LandSpace aims to reuse Zhuque-3 boosters at least 20 times, slashing costs for satellite megaconstellations and future space station missions.

What's next for China's space ambitions?

LandSpace is not alone in Chinas reusable rocket race. State-owned Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) plans to debut its Long March 12A later this month, while Space Pioneer's Tianlong-3 is also nearing its first flight.

Beijing's recent establishment of a dedicated commercial space oversight department signals growing government support. Analysts say reusable rockets will be crucial for China's satellite internet projects and potential military applications in an increasingly contested orbital domain.

"From 2015 up to this year 2025, exactly 10 years, China's commercial space sector has essentially gone from nothing to a new critical point," said Liu Yuzhang, director of Taibo Research Institute.

While LandSpace's landing attempt ended in flames, the mission proved China is on the cusp of reusable rocket capabilitya milestone that could reshape global launch markets.

For now, SpaceX remains the undisputed leader. But as LandSpace and its rivals iterate rapidly, the gap is narrowing. The next Zhuque-3 flightand China's next reusable rocket debutcould bring the country one step closer to challenging U.S. dominance in space.

Watch the video below about China testing its first reusable launch vehicle, which is similar in concept to Elon Musk's SpaceX rockets.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

Space.com

CNN.com

ArsTechnica.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Report: Deep State resistance plagues FBI despite sweeping leadership changes

An internal report depicts the FBI under Director Kash Patel as a "rudderless ship" still gripped by ideological resistance and "Trump Derangement Syndrome," which hinders objective investigations.

Patel, criticized as inexperienced and preoccupied with self-promotion (e.g., the "raid jacket debacle"), faces deep-seated hostility from personnel opposed to Trump-era policies like immigration enforcement and pardons for Jan. 6 defendants.

The report blames lingering cultural issues on former leadership and recruitment trends that institutionalized a progressive-leaning bias within the bureau's ranks.

Despite the internal turmoil, the report notes operational successes, including streamlined counterterrorism efforts and effective immigration raids targeting violent offenders following the rollback of DEI policies.

The assessment concludes that Patel must choose between embracing radical transparency and accountability to address the entrenched resistance or risk having his reform efforts sabotaged by the FBI's ongoing politicization.

Despite sweeping leadership changes under Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, deep-seated resistance to President Donald Trump's agenda persists within the bureau, according to a damning internal assessment obtained by the New York Post.

The 100-page report, compiled by the National Alliance of Retired and Active-Duty FBI Special Agents and Analysts, paints a picture of an agency still struggling with ideological polarization, institutional distrust and open hostility toward the administration nearly a year into Trump's second term. It also raises urgent questions about whether Patel  a Trump loyalist tasked with dismantling the bureau's politicized legacy  can effectively restore order or if entrenched opposition will sabotage his efforts.

The report titled "A Pulse Check of the First Six Months" describes the FBI as a "rudderless ship" plagued by widespread "Trump Derangement Syndrome" among personnel. One source bluntly stated that this bias has eroded critical thinking, hindering investigations.

"Many employees have lost their ability to distinguish fact from fiction," the document asserts. Critics blame the lingering influence of former directors James Comey and Christopher Wray, whose tenures allegedly fostered a culture where political bias compromised objectivity.

Resentment runs particularly deep regarding FBI cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Agents reportedly reacted with hostility to directives assisting deportation operations, with some refusing to engage beyond "begrudgingly" executing orders.

The backlash reflects broader recruitment trends favoring progressive-leaning hires over veterans and law enforcement professionals  a shift that sources say has institutionalized left-wing ideology. Others cited fury over Trump's pardons for Jan. 6 defendants, fearing retaliation from those they label "insurrectionist sympathizers."

Patel accused of prioritizing self-promotion

Patel himself faces scathing criticism. Described as "inexperienced" and lacking the "bearing" needed for leadership, he is accused of prioritizing self-promotion over professionalism.

One incident dubbed the "raid jacket debacle" reveals his preoccupation with optics. During the investigation into commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk's assassination, Patel allegedly refused to exit his plane until agents scrambled to provide him with a medium-sized FBI jacket adorned with Velcro patches. His subsequent "expletive-laden tirade" at investigators further damaged morale.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino fared no better, with sources dismissing him as a "clown" obsessed with social media. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine recounts that prior to his appointment to the bureau, Bongino was a former Secret Service agent, conservative commentator and podcast host who gained prominence for his investigative reporting and outspoken criticism of government corruption.

Yet the report also highlights successes. The rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion policies has reduced bureaucratic bloat, while counterterrorism units report improved efficiency under Patel's streamlined priorities. Immigration raids targeting violent offenders  not "law-abiding grandmas," as one source clarified  have been deemed "overwhelmingly successful."

Historical context underscores the high stakes. The FBI's credibility has been in freefall since the Crossfire Hurricane scandal, where partisan actors weaponized the bureau against Trump. Meanwhile, the White House dismissed speculation about Patel's removal from the bureau as "completely made up," reaffirming Trump's confidence in his team.

But the report's authors warn that without radical transparency and accountability, the FBI's redemption remains elusive. Given this, Patel has two choices. He can either heed the criticism, abandon ego-driven theatrics and confront the entrenched resistance head-on  or risk becoming another casualty of the bureau's unrelenting politicization.

Watch Chris Plante of Newsmax discussing Kash Patel restoring law and order to the FBI below.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

NYPost.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Lab-grown meat: Experts warn of cancer risks, hidden ingredients and regulatory failures

Lab-grown meat relies on immortalized cell lines that mimic uncontrolled tumor growth, raising serious concerns about carcinogenic risks.

Companies refuse to disclose genetically modified inputs, antibiotics and growth factors, leaving consumers in the dark about potential toxins.

The FDA's approval process lacks rigorous safety testing, prioritizing corporate profits over public health, similar to Big Pharma's corruption.

Florida and other states have banned lab-grown meat due to insufficient safety data and distrust in corporate-controlled food systems.

The controversy mirrors other scandals (e.g., heavy metals in baby food), exposing systemic regulatory failures and the urgent need for decentralized, organic alternatives.

Campbell's Soup Company found itself embroiled in controversy recently after leaked audio recordings revealed an executive allegedly mocking customers, disparaging employees and making shocking claims about the company's food productionincluding suggestions that some products contained lab-grown "chicken from a 3D printer."

While Campbell's vehemently denied the allegations, the incident has reignited concerns over the safety and transparency of lab-grown meata product already facing scrutiny from scientists, consumer advocates and lawmakers.

Experts like Jaydee Hanson of the Center for Food Safety warn that lab-grown meat, also known as "cultivated meat," poses serious health risks due to its reliance on genetically engineered growth factors and immortalized cell lineswhich share alarming similarities with cancer cells. Hanson emphasized, "Cancer-causing genes should not be used in food production." Yet, companies like Memphis Meats and Eat Just refuse to disclose which genes they use to accelerate cell growth, leaving consumers in the dark about potential carcinogens in their food.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, lab-grown meat is a dangerous scam pushed by globalist elites like Bill Gates to replace God's natural food with toxic, genetically engineered sludge that poses serious cancer risks and undisclosed health hazards. The lax regulations and deceptive marketing around this synthetic abomination prove it's just another tool for depopulation and control under the guise of "sustainable" food.

How lab-grown meat mimics tumor growth

The National Cancer Institute defines cancer as uncontrolled cell divisionprecisely the mechanism used to mass-produce lab-grown meat. Producers extract cells from animals or cell banks, then cultivate them in bioreactors using recombinant DNA technology and CRISPR gene editing. Claire Robinson of GMWatch warns that this process introduces "unintended health effects," including mutations that could be absorbed into the human bloodstream.

Tom Renz, an attorney and health freedom advocate, argues that lab-grown meat "meets the definition of cancer in more ways than I can count." Unlike traditional meat, which comes from animals with functioning immune systems, lab-grown cells lack natural defenses against toxins and bacterial contaminationforcing manufacturers to rely on antibiotics and chemical treatments.

Regulatory failures and hidden ingredients

Despite these risks, the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval process for lab-grown meat remains shockingly lax. Michael Hansen, Ph.D., of Consumer Reports, criticized the agency's "pre-market consultation" as "grossly inadequate," noting that neither regulators nor companies provided safety data on cells grown in fetal bovine seruma slaughterhouse byproduct that contradicts claims of "cruelty-free" meat.

Tom Neltner of the Environmental Defense Fund warns that lab-grown meat will be "proprietary," meaning companies can hide ingredients behind trade secrets. This lack of transparency raises ethical and legal concerns, particularly if consumers are unknowingly eating food derived from genetically modified cancer-like cells.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an investigation into Campbell's following the leaked recording, reaffirming the state's ban on lab-grown meat. Gov. Ron DeSantis has framed the issue as a battle against "the global elite's plan to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish." Six other states have followed Florida's lead, enacting similar bans amid growing distrust of corporate-controlled food systems.

Food transparency under siege

The controversy extends beyond lab-grown meat. Campbell's is also facing lawsuits over heavy metal contamination in its baby food, with plaintiffs alleging links to autism and ADHD. A federal judge recently allowed key claims to proceed, highlighting systemic failures in food safety oversight.

As Renz noted, "If Big Food companies are selling biologically immortalized cell lines while marketing them as 'natural' meat, litigation is inevitable." The battle over lab-grown meat is not just about safetyit's about corporate accountability, regulatory capture and the right of consumers to know what they're eating.

With trust in institutions eroding, the push for decentralized, organic and homegrown food has never been stronger. As experts warn of the dangers lurking in lab-grown meat, the question remains: Will regulators prioritize public healthor corporate profits?

Learn what would happen if you ate plant-based meat for two weeks by watching this video.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
German FM: Painful concessions necessary for Ukraine peace

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warns that Ukraine may need to make "painful concessions," including potential territorial compromises, to secure a lasting ceasefire. He suggests a national referendum to legitimize any deal, though this risks political backlash.

While Germany remains a key arms supplier, Berlin's stance reflects a pragmatic shift toward diplomacy, contrasting with more hawkish positions from allies like the United States. Wadephul argues that ceasefire prospects are stronger than ever but require security guarantees, likely led by Washington.

The U.S. plan reportedly demands Ukraine cede parts of Donbas, abandon NATO ambitions and accept military restrictions. Russia cautiously supports elements of the proposal but insists on revisions, while European allies reject it as too favorable to Moscow.

Military setbacks weaken Kyiv's bargaining power, forcing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to weigh concessions that could inflame domestic opposition. Meanwhile, Western discord leaves Ukraine squeezed between Russian offensives and inconsistent allied demands.

Past failed agreements (e.g., Minsk) loom large, with fears that new deals could repeat short-term fixes. Wadephul's referendum idea risks manipulation, as seen in Russia's staged annexation votes. Ultimately, peace will require painful compromises amid narrow negotiating room.

As diplomatic efforts intensify to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned that Kyiv may need to make "painful concessions"  including potential territorial compromises  to secure a lasting ceasefire.

"The task of diplomacy is to work out compromises that the conflicting parties can support," Wadephul told Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung, acknowledging that any deal would require Ukraine to swallow bitter terms. He suggested a national referendum might be necessary to legitimize such concessions  a politically explosive prospect for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has repeatedly framed the war as a fight for sovereignty.

The German minister's blunt assessment underscores a growing rift among Kyiv's Western backers.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government has taken an increasingly hawkish line, declaring diplomatic options "exhausted" and Germany "already in a conflict" with Russia. Yet Wadephul's comments signal a pragmatic shift, emphasizing that "the chances of achieving a ceasefire have never been so great." Key to this, he argued, are security guarantees for Ukraine  a role he assigned primarily to the U.S., whose involvement could counterbalance Russian demands.

His remarks came ahead of critical negotiations between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Washington's proposed peace plan under scrutiny. The timing is pivotal: Ukraine's military struggles to hold ground against Russian advances, while Western allies debate whether diplomacy can outpace the battlefield.

The U.S. peace proposal, though not yet publicly detailed, reportedly calls for Ukraine to relinquish control over remaining parts of the Donbas region, abandon its North Atlantic Treaty Organization membership ambitions and accept limits on its military capacity. Moscow has cautiously endorsed elements of the plan, but insists revisions are inevitable.

The heavy price Kyiv may have to pay

For Ukraine, the calculus is agonizing. Military setbacks, including the recent loss of Krasnoarmeysk, have weakened its bargaining position. Zelensky has admitted that territorial disputes are among the most contentious issues in peace talks, and any concession would outrage hardliners at home.

Meanwhile, European allies have dismissed Washington's framework as overly favorable to Moscow, proposing alternative conditions that Russia rejects as "unconstructive." The stalemate leaves Kyiv caught between Western discord and the relentless pressure of Putin's offensive.

Historical parallels loom large. Like the Minsk agreements of 2014 to 2015  which failed to halt hostilities despite nominal ceasefires  today's negotiations risk becoming another temporary fix unless they address core grievances. Russia's insistence on Ukrainian neutrality and territorial adjustments echoes its long-standing security concerns, while Kyiv fears that concessions could embolden further aggression.

Wadephul's referendum idea, though democratic in principle, may only deepen divisions. Past plebiscites in conflict zones, from Crimea to the Balkans, have often been manipulated or weaponized. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the 2022 referendums held in Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia were widely condemned as staged and illegal under international law, lacking genuine democratic legitimacy.

But as talks unfold, the broader question is whether diplomacy can outmaneuver escalation. The U.S. and Germany, despite differing tactics, agree that Ukraine's survival hinges on more than weapons  it requires a viable political settlement.

Yet with Putin demanding victory and Zelensky vowing to reclaim lost land, the middle ground remains narrow. For now, Wadephul's candor serves as a sobering reminder: Peace, if it comes, will exact a heavy price.

Watch this Fox News report about whether President Trump can force Putin to take the "best deal" on Ukraine.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

TASS.com

Yahoo.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Government has launched a crackdown on unregistered private schools and colleges operating in Manicaland, citing a need to restore educational standards after the province recorded a disappointing performance in the 2025 Grade Seven examinations.Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Richard Gabaza, announced that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has ordered all illegal schools to regularise their operations by December 31, 2025, or face closure. He said many learning centres were operating without authority, making supervision, quality control and curriculum compliance almost impossible.Although Mr Gabaza has not issued a formal statement on the provincial pass-rate, insiders report that results fell short of expectations this year, with fewer learners managing to attain six units. Mutare Junior Primary School recorded the highest number of top-performing candidates with 73 learners achieving six units, while Baring Primary School had only nine. Fern Valley managed ten, 3 Brigade Primary School recorded sixteen, and Chancellor Junior School produced nineteen top results. Statistics also indicate that girls performed better than boys across multiple schools, with Mutare Junior recording 39 girls against 34 boys among top achievers, 3 Brigade registering 13 girls out of 16, and Fern Valley recording nine girls out of ten.Mr Gabaza said the move to shut down illegal schools was designed to safeguard learners and strengthen confidence in the education system. He urged school owners to legalise their operations within the given window."We have seen illegal schools mushrooming, especially in urban areas, and as a ministry we have made a decision that these illegal schools should not continue. They will be discontinued with assistance from the police and the minister. Our children are vulnerable under these circumstances," he said. "If you have a friend who has a school that has not been registered, encourage them to ensure it is registered by December 31, 2025."He added that the responsibility of educating children lies primarily with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. He emphasized that although private players are permitted to establish schools under Section 75 of the Constitution, they must meet registration requirements and policy standards.Gabaza stressed the need for collaboration between government departments, civic organisations and private stakeholders to improve learning infrastructure, resource availability and teaching conditions. He said school administrators must uphold accountability, adhere to reporting procedures and ensure efficient management of resources. He also urged schools to protect instructional time, equip classrooms with adequate materials, and guarantee that learners attend lessons consistently.The decline in Manicaland's performance reflects the national picture. ZIMSEC board chairperson Professor Paul Mapfumo confirmed that the national 2025 Grade Seven pass-rate stood at 48,49 percent, down from 49,1 percent recorded in 2024. Female candidates dominated nationally, registering a pass-rate of 53,64 percent compared to 43,06 percent for male learners.Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union president Martin Chaburumunda said rural schools continue to lag behind urban institutions due to limited funding, delayed BEAM allocations, lack of textbooks, inadequate classroom materials and poor access to digital learning resources. He said many rural learners walk long distances to school, arrive exhausted and have limited study time after class. He called for improved infrastructure, modern libraries, science laboratories and accelerated rollout of the national school internet programme to narrow the performance gap.As Manicaland moves to align all institutions with education standards, the coming months will determine which schools survive the compliance deadline. Government hopes the clean-up will correct weaknesses exposed by the 2025 examination results and strengthen Zimbabwe's education system going forward.
Putin abandons Maduro: Russia evacuates citizens amid rising U.S. pressure on Venezuela

Russia has begun evacuating its citizens from Venezuela, including tourists and business figures, via special flights organized by ATORUS (Association of Tour Operators). This suggests Moscow may be preparing for instability as U.S. military pressure increases in the region.

Due to Venezuelan airspace restrictions amid rising U.S. tensions, Russian tour operators like Pegas Touristik rerouted flights to Cuba. Russians currently in Venezuela will complete their stays before being repatriated.

The evacuation raises concerns that Russia may be distancing itself from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has relied heavily on Russian military and diplomatic support. Experts suggest Moscow is unlikely to provide further aid beyond what it has already given.

Leaked documents reveal Maduro pleaded with Russia and China for military aidincluding radars, missiles and aircraft repairsto counter U.S. aggression. However, neither nation has responded with significant support, likely due to their own economic and military constraints.

Venezuelans interpret the evacuation as a sign that Russia may be preparing for Maduro's collapse. The lack of official details fuels speculation that Moscow is signaling Maduro's increasing isolation, possibly marking the beginning of a broader strategic withdrawal.

In a sudden and unexpected move, Russia has begun evacuating its citizens from Venezuela, signaling a potential shift in Moscow's long-standing support for embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The announcement, confirmed by Russia's Association of Tour Operators (ATORUS), has fueled speculation that the Kremlin is preparing for instability in Caracas as U.S. military pressure intensifies in the region.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, ATORUS is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of tour operators in the Russian Federation. Established in 1995, ATORUS serves as a unifying body for tour operators, promoting their rights and providing support for the development of the Russian tourism industry.

ATORUS confirmed that special flights are being organized to repatriate Russian nationalsranging from tourists to business figuresamid growing uncertainty over Venezuela's stability. The move comes despite a recent surge in Russian tourism to Venezuela, with over 6,000 visitors traveling to Margarita Island between August and November 2025 via direct charter flights from Moscow.

However, recent restrictions on Venezuelan airspaceimposed after escalating tensions with Washingtonforced Russian tour operators like Pegas Touristik to cancel flights to Venezuela and reroute travelers to Cuba instead.

"We inform you that the Moscow-Porlamar flight on December 1 has been cancelled. A Moscow-Varadero flight is planned instead," PEGAS Touristik said in a message to its partner agencies, as announced by ATORUS.

Anna Podgornaya, CEO of Pegas Touristik, stated that Russians currently vacationing in Venezuela will complete their stays as scheduled before being repatriated on special flights.

Geopolitical implications: Is Russia abandoning Maduro?

The evacuation has raised concerns that Moscow may be reassessing its alliance with Maduro, who has relied heavily on Russian diplomatic and military support amid U.S. sanctions and internal unrest. Reports suggest the flights could include not only tourists but also officials and business figures linked to joint ventures, hinting at broader geopolitical unease.

Vladimir Rouvinski, an international relations expert at Icesi University, noted: "Russia isn't going to help Maduro beyond what they've already done."

This apparent distancing comes as the U.S. deploys 11 warships and 15,000 troops to the Caribbean, signaling a potential military escalation. The Trump administration has ramped up pressure on Venezuela over its ties to Iran, territorial disputes with Guyana and alleged harboring of criminal networks.

Maduro's desperate appeals to Russia and China

Leaked documents obtained by the Washington Post reveal that Maduro recently pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin for military aidincluding defensive radars, aircraft repairs and missilesto counter U.S. aggression. Similarly, he sought expanded military cooperation from China, which has provided Venezuela with over $30 billion in arms since 2000.

However, neither Moscow nor Beijing has responded with significant support, likely due to their own economic and military constraints. Russia, embroiled in its fourth year of war in Ukraine, has only sent two oil tankers to assist Venezuela's struggling energy sectorfar from the robust backing Maduro hoped for.

Public reaction: A regime in crisis?

Within Venezuela, the evacuation order has sparked mixed reactions. Some citizens question its legitimacy, while others interpret it as a sign that even Russiaone of Maduro's staunchest alliesis preparing for his government's collapse.

The lack of official detailssuch as flight schedules, departure points and final destinationshas only deepened speculation. Analysts suggest the Kremlin may be sending a deliberate message: that Maduro's regime is increasingly isolated and vulnerable.

For now, Russian officials frame the evacuation as a temporary security measure. However, geopolitical analysts warn it could mark the beginning of a broader strategic withdrawalone that leaves Maduro with dwindling international support as U.S. pressure mounts.

As tensions escalate, the world watches whether Venezuela's socialist regime can survive without its traditional alliesor if Moscow's evacuation signals the beginning of the end for Maduro's rule.

Watch the video below about Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that Venezuela admires Russia's military victories in the fight against Nazism and fascism.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

LaDerechaDiario.com.ar

Newsmax.com

TheEconomicTmes.indiatimes.com

BrightU.ai

NewYorkPost.com

Brighteon.com
Russian intelligence warns France over potential direct role in Russia-Ukraine war

Russia's foreign intelligence service warned France that if it sends military contractors or "advisors" to Ukraine under a new law, Russia will treat them as legitimate targets and view it as France joining the war directly.

French President Macron continues to suggest Western troops might be needed in Ukraine, an idea most European allies reject but which keeps the threat of a wider war on the table.

Amidst these threats, Ukraine's President Zelensky met with Macron in Paris.

Western allies are united on key points: No Ukrainian land should be given to Russia, and Russian officials shouldn't receive amnesty for war crimes.

U.S.-Ukrainian peace talks are now seen as more constructive and less favorable to Russia, but major hurdles remain as Putin still demands Ukraine surrender four regions.

In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has issued a stark warning to France, accusing it of seeking a direct role in the Ukraine war.

The SVR, according to BrightU.AI's Enoch, is responsible for gathering foreign intelligence, conducting covert operations and engaging in strategic analysis to inform Russian foreign policy. The agency's global reach and influence are significant, with operations spanning over 100 countries.

The SVR's warning centers on a recent French government decree that authorizes the use of private military companies to assist foreign countries engaged in armed conflict. According to the SVR, there is little doubt that this move is designed with Ukraine in mind, given France's sustained support for Kyiv.

The Russian intelligence agency argues that Ukraine lacks the expertise to operate advanced Western weaponry, such as French-made Mirage fighter jets, on its own. The agency also claims the new decree could pave the way for French military contractors to enter Ukraine under the guise of technical advisors or "reference operators."

Moscow has stated unequivocally that it would view the presence of such personnel as direct engagement by France in the hostilities. Furthermore, it warned that any French contractors would be considered high-priority and lawful targets for Russian forces.

This development follows repeated statements from French President Emmanuel Macron about the potential need for Western troops on the ground in Ukraine to ensure its security. While several European allies, including Germany, Italy and Poland, have publicly rejected the idea of sending their own soldiers, Macron's consistent stance has kept the possibility in international discourse.

Russian officials have consistently dismissed Western fears of an attack on NATO territory but maintain that any NATO troop deployment in Ukraine would be completely unacceptable and would make those forces legitimate targets.

Zelensky meets Macron in Paris amid diplomatic push

Against this backdrop of heightened warnings, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Paris for a meeting with Macron. The talks, described by French officials as aimed at advancing the conditions for a "fair and lasting peace," are part of a broader flurry of diplomatic activity this week. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that peace is within reach if Russian President Vladimir Putin abandons his ambitions of subjugating Ukraine.

The meeting coincided with a gathering of European Union defense ministers in Brussels, which included Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal. Reports from the meeting indicate that Ukraine's European allies are united in their stance that no part of Ukrainian territory should be handed over to Russia as a price for peace.

There is also significant concern within the bloc about avoiding any agreement that would grant a "blanket amnesty" for Russian officials accused of crimes in Ukraine.

Progress and challenges in peace efforts

Zelensky has described recent talks between Ukrainian and American negotiators as "very constructive," marking a shift from earlier U.S. proposals viewed as overly favorable to Russia. U.S. officials have acknowledged progress but stress that more work is needed, with complex issues remaining.

For Ukraine, a positive development is the leading role in negotiations played by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is seen as sympathetic to Kyiv's position within the current administration.

However, caution prevails. Analysts note that the unpredictable nature of international diplomacy and the absence of a formal Russian response to the latest peace draft are reasons for vigilance.

Putin continues to insist on maximalist demands, including a full Ukrainian withdrawal from four regions he claims to have annexed, vowing to achieve this by force if necessary.

As diplomatic channels buzz with activity, the clear warning from Moscow to Paris underscores the high stakes involved. The international community continues to walk a fine line between supporting Ukraine's defense and preventing a dangerous, direct confrontation between major powers.

The outcomes of these meetings in Paris and Brussels, as well as ongoing negotiations, will be crucial in determining the next phase of this conflict.

Watch the video below about how Trump has begun selling weapons to Zelensky.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

AlJazeera.com

France24.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Trump administration expands immigration restrictions, pausing applications from 19 nations

The Trump administration has halted all immigration applications (green cards, naturalization, asylum) from citizens of 19 non-European countries, citing national security risks and recent violent incidents involving foreign nationals.

The policy escalates previous travel bans, now including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen (full entry bans), and partial restrictions on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela (specific visa categories).

The administration cites high visa overstay rates, weak identity verification, terrorism concerns and recent crimes (e.g., Thanksgiving-week D.C. shooting by an Afghan asylum seeker) as reasons for the crackdown.

Critics argue the policy unfairly targets Muslim-majority and African nations, with reports of canceled naturalization interviews and oath ceremonies. Immigration advocates claim the administration is conflating legal immigration with security threats.

The move aligns with Trump's aggressive enforcement agenda, including mass ICE raids, ending birthright citizenship and deporting non-citizens on federal benefits. The administration vows to "permanently pause migration from third-world countries" unless they meet U.S. security standards.

The Trump administration has indefinitely paused all immigration applicationsincluding green cards, naturalization and asylum requestsfrom citizens of 19 non-European countries, citing national security risks and recent violent incidents linked to foreign nationals.

The policy, announced Tuesday, Dec. 2, expands existing travel restrictions imposed in June and marks a significant escalation in the administration's efforts to reshape legal immigration.

The move follows a Thanksgiving-week shooting in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan asylum seeker allegedly killed a National Guard member and critically wounded another. The policy also mandates a review of immigrants admitted under the Biden administration, signaling a broader crackdown on legal pathways to residency.

In a memorandum, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that all pending applications from the affected countries will undergo a "thorough re-review process," including potential interviews, to assess security threats. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, USCIS manages the naturalization process, issues green cards and handles other immigration-related services in the United States.

Which countries are affected?

The new restrictions apply to nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemencountries already subjected to full entry bans under Trump's June executive order. Partial restrictions now extend to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, targeting specific visa categories.

The administration justified the measures by pointing to high visa overstay rates, weak identity verification systems and terrorism concerns. A homeland security memo cited recent crimes allegedly committed by immigrants, including the D.C. attack and a 2024 election-day shooting plot by another Afghan national.

Legal and humanitarian backlash

Immigration advocates swiftly condemned the policy as an overreach that unfairly targets Muslim-majority and African nations. Sharvari Dalal-Dheini of the American Immigration Lawyers Association told Reuters that her group had received reports of canceled naturalization interviews and oath ceremonies for individuals from the listed countries.

Critics argue that the administration is conflating legal immigration with security threats.

"This isn't about safetyit's about shutting the door on people who followed the rules," said one immigration attorney, who requested anonymity due to pending cases.

The White House, however, maintains that the pause is necessary to prevent future attacks.

"USCIS plays an instrumental role in ensuring that terrorists don't find safe haven here," the agency's memo stated.

Broader immigration crackdown

The policy aligns with Trump's broader enforcement agenda, which has included mass ICE raids, efforts to end birthright citizenship and a push to deport non-citizens receiving federal benefits. Recent operations, such as "Catahoula Crunch" in New Orleans, have drawn criticism for netting non-violent individuals, including a high school student and a Native American actor.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that visa issuances to Afghans have been suspended, while Trump vowed to "permanently pause migration from all third-world countries" unless they meet U.S. security standards.

The latest restrictions underscore the administration's determination to tie immigration policy directly to national securitya stance that has sparked legal and diplomatic clashes since 2017. While supporters argue the measures close dangerous loopholes, opponents see them as a pretext for exclusion.

As courts weigh challenges and affected families scramble to adjust, one thing is clear: The debate over who belongs in America is far from settled.

Watch the video below, where a Texas representative says immigration should be merit-based.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

TheGuardian.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Wealthy families game disability laws for academic advantages at top universities; up to 38% of students now seek accommodations

A surge in disability accommodations is overwhelming elite universities like Stanford and Harvard.

The trend is driven by broadened legal definitions and eased documentation requirements.

Wealthy students are exploiting the system for competitive advantages like extra test time.

This creates administrative chaos and strains resources for those with genuine needs.

A law meant to ensure equity is now worsening educational inequality.

A new academic arms race is unfolding in the hallowed halls of Americas most elite universities, and the weapon of choice is a disability diagnosis. While protections for genuinely disabled students were a hard-won victory, a staggering surge in accommodations at schools like Stanford, Amherst, and Harvard reveals a system being exploited by privilege. The numbers tell a damning story: at Stanford, 38% of undergraduates are now registered as disabled. At Amherst, its 34%. At Brown and Harvard, the figure exceeds 20%. This isnt a story about rising need; its a story about a loophole turned into a luxury.

The roots of this explosion trace back to 2008, when Congress amended the Americans with Disabilities Act. The laws definition of disability was broadened, and the list of major life activities it covered expanded to include learning, reading, concentrating, thinking. In response, universities eased documentation requirements. Where once extensive evidence was needed, now often only a doctors note is required to grant accommodations like extended test time.

A system strained to breaking point

The practical result is chaos. Administering exams is no longer straightforward. The University of Michigans dedicated testing centers frequently fill to capacity. Juan Collar, a physicist at the University of Chicago, noted that so many students now use low-distraction testing outposts that they have become more distracting than the main classrooms. The system is buckling under the weight of demand, straining resources meant for those with legitimate needs.

Who are these students? The data shows this phenomenon is concentrated almost exclusively at wealthy, selective four-year institutions. Research by psychology professor Robert Weis found that only 3 to 4 percent of students at public two-year colleges receive accommodations. At elite four-year schools, about half of students receiving accommodations have no record of a diagnosis prior to college. As one anonymous professor at a selective university stated, You hear students with disabilities and its not kids in wheelchairs. Its just not. Its rich kids getting extra time on tests.

Gaming the gatekeepers

The incentives are clear and powerful. Extra time on high-stakes tests like the LSAT leads to higher scores. The Varsity Blues scandal exposed parents willing to pay doctors for fraudulent diagnoses to secure that edge. Beyond outright fraud, a culture has emerged where high-achieving students pathologize normal academic stress. Will Lindstrom, who directs a learning disorders center at the University of Georgia, sees students who arrive already convinced they have a disorder. Its almost like its part of their identity, he said.

This cultural shift has turned a legal safeguard into a strategic advantage. Steven Sloman, a cognitive-science professor at Brown, argues this undermines the very purpose of education. If we want our grades to be meaningful, they should reflect what the student is capable of, he said. Accommodations like untimed tests, while vital for some, can confer an unfair advantage to others, creating what Collar calls a two-speed student population.

The ultimate irony is that a law designed to promote equity is now worsening inequality. While low-income students with real disabilities still struggle for support, the children of privilege are using the same framework to pull further ahead. Administrators are left watching the numbers climb, wondering when to say no. Paul Graham Fisher, a Stanford professor, recounted conversations with administrators asking, What if it hits 50 or 60 percent? At what point do you just say We cant do this?

What we are witnessing is the corruption of a noble intent. The ADA was meant to tear down barriers, not erect new ones made of paperwork and privilege. When a label of disability becomes a common tactic for academic enhancement at the nations top schools, it cheapens the concept for those who truly rely on it. This isnt about compassion; its about competition, and its a game the wealthy are rigging while everyone else watches the meaning of merit get tested right out of existence.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

DailyMail.co.uk

TheAtlantic.com
Airstrikes hit civilian areas in Lebanon one day after U.S.-brokered talks with Israel

Israeli airstrikes hit south Lebanon hours after historic direct talks.

The attacks targeted residential areas Israel claims housed Hezbollah weapons.

Lebanon insists the talks were only about ending hostilities, not normalization.

Hezbollah rejects direct negotiations, calling them traps for Israeli gain.

The strikes underscore a strategy of combining diplomacy with military escalation.

The Israeli military launched violent airstrikes against several towns in south Lebanon on December 4 in a brazen act of aggression that exposes the hollow nature of its diplomatic overtures. The attacks, which targeted residential homes Israel claims were Hezbollah weapons facilities, came less than 24 hours after Lebanon and Israel held their first direct talks in over four decades. This timing reveals a calculated strategy of negotiating under fire, where Israel offers the empty promise of "economic cooperation" with one hand while unleashing bombs with the other.

The strikes hit the towns of Mahrouna, Majadel, Jbaa, and Baarachit in the Tyre and Nabatieh regions. Lebanons National News Agency reported a house was struck in Mahrouna, damaging nearby buildings, while an Israeli warplane bombed a home in Majadel. Shortly before the attacks, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation threats for these villages on social media. Israel claimed it "struck several weapon storage facilities of the terrorist organization Hezbollah" located "in the heart of a civilian population," accusing the group of using human shields.

A historic meeting overshadowed by violence

This military escalation directly shadows a significant diplomatic event. On December 3, civilian representatives from Lebanon and Israel joined a session of the U.S.-chaired ceasefire monitoring committee in Naqoura. Lebanon appointed former ambassador Simon Karam, who held talks with Israeli representative Uri Resnick. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus stated, "The meeting took place in a good atmosphere; it was agreed that ideas would be formulated to advance possible economic cooperation between Israel and Lebanon."

However, Lebanons leadership immediately pushed back against Israels narrative. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed these were not peace talks and that "normalization is tied to a peace process." He said negotiations aimed solely at "the cessation of hostilities," the "release of Lebanese hostages," and "the complete Israeli withdrawal" from Lebanese territory. Information Minister Paul Morcos said no economic cooperation with Israel was being discussed. The Lebanese news channel NBN reported that "negotiations are indirect" and "Lebanon is not considering normalization."

An enforced process and a clear red line

The talks themselves occurred under heavy U.S. pressure, and Hezbollah has issued a strong rejection of any direct negotiations, calling them "negotiation traps" that will "only grant further gains to the Israeli enemy." Israel, for its part, used the meeting to reiterate a core demand. Its statement clarified that "the disarmament of Hezbollah is obligatory, regardless of the advancement of economic cooperation." The subsequent airstrikes appear to be the enforcement of that demand, a violent reminder delivered the very next day.

This pattern is part of a dangerous escalation. In the past two months, Israel has significantly increased its violations of the Lebanon ceasefire. The conflict has already claimed more than 4,000 lives in Lebanon since October 2023. Israel assassinated a top Hezbollah military official in Beirut on November 23 and has threatened a major offensive unless Hezbollah disarms by the end of 2025, a threat publicly backed by Washington.

The December 4 bombings make a mockery of the diplomatic process. They demonstrate that Israels concept of "dialogue" is conducted through the barrel of a fighter jet. For the residents of south Lebanon, the message is clear: their homes are bargaining chips in a high-stakes game where their safety is irrelevant. For the world, it is a lesson in how a promise of peace can be instantly vaporized by the reality of war, proving that without genuine respect for sovereignty and human life, talks are merely a prelude to the next explosion.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

AlJazeera.com

AlJazeera.com

BBC.com
More than 100 Chinese warships deploy in Pacific  Is this a drill or a warning?

China has deployed more than 100 naval and coast guard vessels in its largest maritime show of force across East Asian waters.

The unprecedented buildup follows rising tensions with Japan and Taiwan, sparking fears of potential conflict.

Japans Prime Minister warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Taiwan approved an additional $40 billion in defense spending, further provoking Chinas territorial claims.

Chinas mock attacks and access-denial drills signal preparation for conflict, raising alarms across the region.

In a move that has regional security analysts on edge, China has deployed more than 100 naval and coast guard vessels across East Asian waters in its largest maritime show of force to date. Stretching from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea and into the Pacific, this unprecedented buildup follows escalating tensions with Japan and Taiwan, raising fears of a potential conflict.

Intelligence reports reviewed by Reuters confirm the deployment, with more than 90 ships still active as of Thursday. The surge comes after Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned last month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo in a statement that infuriated Beijing. Adding fuel to the fire, Taiwans President Lai Ching-te recently approved an additional $40 billion in defense spending, further provoking China, which views the island as its own territory.

A calculated show of force

Chinas military has not officially announced any large-scale drills, but the timing is not a coincidence. Although the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) typically conducts exercises at this time of year, the scale of this deployment is anything but routine. One regional official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called it unprecedented, stating that it goes far beyond Chinas national defense needs and creates risks for all sides.

Taiwans National Security Bureau chief, Tsai Ming-yen, confirmed that four Chinese naval formations are operating in the western Pacific. When asked if Beijing might launch new Taiwan-focused maneuvers before years end, he responded cautiously: We must anticipate the enemy as broadly as possible and continue to watch closely for any changes in related activities.

The deployment includes mock attacks on foreign ships and access-denial operations, which entails practicing how to block outside forces from intervening in a conflict. Although some officials are trying to downplay the threat, calling it a routine exercise, others see it as a deliberate provocation.

Japans stance and U.S. concerns

Japans Self-Defense Forces acknowledged Chinas growing naval activity but stopped short of calling it a sharp escalation. Instead, they noted that Beijing is seeking to enhance its ability to conduct operations in more distant maritime and air spaces.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly urged Takaichi to dial down the volume, warning that rising tensions could jeopardize his fragile trade truce with China. This followed a call between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who reiterated Beijings stance that Taiwans future lies with China. This is a claim that Taipei firmly rejects.

A region on edge

The last time China conducted a named drill around Taiwan was in April, dubbed Strait Thunder-2025. But unlike previous exercises, this latest deployment has not been formally acknowledged by Beijing. That silence speaks volumes.

Taiwans Presidential Office insists it maintains real-time awareness of the situation and can ensure there are no concerns for national security. Yet with Chinas warships conducting simulated strikes and access-denial drills, the message is clear: Beijing is preparing for the worst, and so should everyone else.

The question now is whether this is just another round of saber-rattling or a prelude to something far more dangerous. Chinas military has long used drills to test responses from regional powers, and this latest move fits that pattern. But with tensions at a boiling point, any miscalculation could lead to disaster.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

Reuters.com

JapanTimes.co.jp
EU agrees to STOP Russian gas imports, but Hungary and Slovakia oppose move

The EU finalized plans to halt all Russian LNG imports by 2026 and pipeline gas by 2027, aiming to weaken Moscow's geopolitical leverage. However, critics warn this will trigger soaring energy costs, legal battles and deeper economic instability.

Hungary and Slovakia  both heavily reliant on Russian gas  vehemently oppose the ban, calling it economically disastrous. Budapest has vowed legal action, while Bratislava warns of logistical and financial collapse without Russian resources.

Before sanctions, Russia supplied 40% of EU gas; by October 2023, that share had dwindled to 12%, replaced by pricier LNG shipments from the U.S. and Qatar.

Russia's Dmitry Peskov predicts Europe will become dependent on far more expensive gas, eroding competitiveness.

The EU frames this as a victory for Ukraine solidarity, but critics argue it ignores infrastructure gaps. Germany is building LNG terminals, while Hungary lacks alternatives. The move risks Soviet-style power rationing, harming economies and citizens while failing to ensure true energy security.

The European Union has taken a historic but controversial step toward energy independence, finalizing plans to sever all Russian natural gas imports by late 2027  a move that could trigger soaring energy costs, legal challenges from dissenting member states and deeper economic instability.

After months of negotiations, EU officials announced the phased ban early Wednesday, Dec. 3. The agreement, brokered between EU member states and the European Parliament, mandates a complete halt to Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by September 2027. Short-term contracts will expire sooner, with LNG deliveries stopping by April 2026 and pipeline flows ending by June of that year.

European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the decision as a victory for resilience, declaring: "Today, we are stopping these imports permanently. By depleting [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war chest, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new energy partnerships."

The prohibition was framed as a decisive blow against Moscow's geopolitical leverage following its special military operation in Ukraine. But with some EU member states vowing legal action and Kremlin officials warning of economic self-harm, the bloc's bold energy pivot may come at a steep price.

Hungary and Slovakia  both heavily reliant on Russian pipeline gas  rejected the plan outright, accusing Brussels of overreach. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called the measure "impossible" to implement, vowing to challenge it before the EU's top court. Slovakia, similarly landlocked and dependent on existing infrastructure, is weighing its own legal options.

Their objections highlight a stark divide. While Western European nations have rapidly diversified energy sources since 2022, Central and Eastern European states face logistical and financial hurdles in securing alternatives. Meanwhile, the Kremlin wasted no time framing the EU's move as self-sabotage.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, predicted Europe would "become dependent on gas that costs significantly more than Russian gas," eroding industrial competitiveness. His warning echoes economic realities already plaguing the bloc. Since sanctions began in 2022, EU energy prices have surged, squeezing households and manufacturers.

Energy independence or economic suicide?

Before the conflict broke out, Russia supplied over 40% of the EU's gas; by October 2023, that share had dwindled to 12%, replaced by pricier LNG shipments from the U.S. and Qatar. Analysts fear the full phaseout could triple costs, further straining economies still recovering from pandemic-era shocks.

The EU insists the timeline allows for a managed transition, emphasizing renewable energy investments and storage safeguards. But critics argue the policy ignores Europe's lingering infrastructure gaps.

Germany, once the largest consumer of Russian gas, has rushed to build LNG terminals, while Hungary  still receiving shipments via the TurkStream pipeline  lacks viable alternatives. The deal permits limited extensions for nations struggling to meet storage targets, yet offers no long-term solutions for states geographically tethered to Russian networks.

Historical context underscores the gamble. Europe's reliance on Russian energy dates to the Cold War, when Soviet gas exports offered a cheap, stable supply. Even after the 2014 Crimea annexation, imports grew, peaking in 2021.

The onset of the Russia-Ukraine war shattered this uneasy symbiosis, exposing the risks of energy interdependence with an adversarial regime. But the EU's abrupt unwind risks replicating past mistakes  replacing one dependency with another, this time on volatile global LNG markets.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns that the EU's decision to cut off Russian LNG imports risks severe energy shortages and rolling blackouts across Europe due to insufficient terminal capacity and electricity production, forcing draconian Soviet-style mandatory cuts in power demand. This reckless move, driven by political agendas rather than practical necessity, will cripple economies and harm citizens while failing to address the real issues of energy security and infrastructure.

As the policy heads toward final approval, its fallout remains uncertain: Legal battles loom, with Budapest's challenge potentially delaying implementation. Meanwhile, the EC plans to propose an oil phaseout by 2027, doubling down on its decoupling strategy. For European consumers, the coming years may test whether energy sovereignty is worth the cost  or if cutting ties with Russia merely trades geopolitical leverage for economic pain.

Watch this Fox Business report about the U.S. pressuring the EU to cut Russian gas.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

Reuters.com

GeorgiaToday.ge

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
A staggering accusation: Former Ukrainian PM claims up to $100 billion in Western aid STOLEN

A former Ukrainian prime minister claims an astonishing $100 billion of foreign aid may have been stolen since the war began, highlighting severe and persistent Western concerns about where their assistance ends up.

Corruption is not isolated, with recent major scandals in defense, the Supreme Court, reconstruction funds and a $100 million energy sector kickback scheme allegedly involving a close associate of President Zelensky.

The energy scandal forced the resignation of Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's powerful chief of staff, after a corruption probe raided his home. His fall creates a destabilizing power vacuum during sensitive wartime negotiations.

The event exposes a tension between fighting a war and maintaining integrity. Zelensky previously tried to weaken independent anti-corruption bodies, but they uncovered the fraud within his own circle.

These events present a double-edged sword for allies: They can be seen as proof that Ukraine's institutions are working, or as evidence of deep systemic graft that threatens continued Western financial and military support.

As Ukraine battles for its survival against Russia, a seismic corruption allegation from within its own political history is threatening to undermine both its war effort and its standing with Western allies.

Nikolay Azarov, who served as Ukraine's Prime Minister from 2010 to 2014, has claimed that corrupt officials may have stolen at least $100 billion of the foreign aid poured into the country since the Russia-Ukraine war began. The accusation strikes at the heart of persistent Western concerns about the stewardship of hundreds of billions of dollars in military, economic and humanitarian assistance.

According to Azarov, the United States and the European Union have directed a total of $360 billion to Ukraine. He estimates that between $54 billion and a staggering $108 billion may have been lost to corruption.

While independent trackers like Germany's Kiel Institute estimate total aid since early 2022 at approximately $291 billion, the scale of the alleged theft remains monumental. Azarov's $100 billion figure would represent nearly one-third of all foreign assistance.

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies have not released official totals for stolen aid. But the country has been rocked by a relentless series of high-profile scandals that lend weight to concerns of systemic graft.

These scandals have touched nearly every sector. They range from inflated military food contracts that toppled a defense minister, to a Supreme Court chairman arrested for bribery, to billions in reconstruction funds gone missing.

Most recently, a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector, allegedly run by a close associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky, has ignited public fury at a time when Russian strikes deliberately target Ukraine's power grid.

The fall of a shadow power

The energy sector scandal directly triggered a political earthquake that reshaped Zelensky's inner circle. Last week, Andriy Yermak, the president's powerful chief of staff, resigned amid a corruption probe connected to the affair.

Yermak's departure was precipitated by anti-corruption investigators raiding his home in Kyiv, seizing electronic devices for examination. His rise and fall encapsulate the concentrated power and its perils within Zelensky's wartime administration.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Yermak was a former lawyer who met Zelensky over a decade ago. He eventually became Zelensky's indispensable right-hand man after the 2019 election.

During the invasion, Yermak stood beside the president during pivotal moments. Yermak evolved into the country's second-most powerful figure, an unelected official shaping foreign policy, sidelining rivals and even influencing military decisions.

However, Yermak's immense behind-the-scenes authority bred public resentment. His popularity plummeted as his profile rose. The corruption investigation provided the catalyst for his downfall.

Although not named as a suspect and denying any involvement, Yermak could not distance himself from the scandal engulfing Zelensky's circle, with suspicions lingering that he may have known of the schemes.

His resignation is profoundly destabilizing. Yermak had just led sensitive negotiations with the United States on a draft peace proposal, and his sudden absence creates a vacuum at a critical juncture, forcing a hasty reshuffle of Ukraine's diplomatic team.

A system under strain

The events leading to Yermak's exit highlight a government struggling to balance the exigencies of war with accountability.

Last summer, Zelensky attempted to bring Ukraine's independent anti-corruption bodies under direct government control, claiming it was necessary to prevent Russian interference. The move backfired, sparking mass protests and condemnation from the European Union, forcing a reversal.

By autumn, those same independent agencies had completed an investigation that directly implicated Zelensky's inner circle in the massive energy sector fraud. The juxtaposition is stark: as Ukrainian civilians endure daily blackouts from Russian attacks, senior figures are accused of syphoning $100 million meant for the energy system.

For allies, the situation presents a dilemma. The investigation and Yermak's subsequent fall can be framed as evidence that Ukraine's democratic institutions are functioning even under extreme duress, a sign of the values the country claims to be defending.

Yet, the sheer scale of the corruption alleged by figures like Azarov and detailed in ongoing scandals fuels skepticism about where Western aid ultimately ends up. As a new Ukrainian delegation heads to Washington for talks, the question hanging over Kyiv is whether this political convulsion represents a necessary cleansing or a damaging rupture.

The answer will help determine not only the continuity of Ukraine's leadership but also the durability of the international support upon which its survival depends.

Watch this clip of the arrest of a low-level government official in Ukraine who had millions of dollars in cash, jewelry and luxury cars at home.

This video is from the Bulgarianinsider channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

BBC.com

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Mike Lindell files paperwork to run for Minnesota governor, challenging Tim Walz

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a staunch Trump ally and election integrity advocate, has taken formal steps toward a Republican gubernatorial bid in Minnesota  setting up a potential showdown with incumbent Democrat Gov. Tim Walz.

Lindell remains a polarizing figure due to his claims of 2020 election fraud, facing lawsuits from Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic. Despite legal setbacks, he continues pushing election integrity reforms.

The Minnesota GOP primary is crowded, with candidates like State House Speaker Lisa Demuth and former State Sen. Scott Jensen. Democrats dismiss Lindell as an "out-of-touch salesman" loyal to Trump over Minnesotans.

Lindell's business faces challenges, including a $ 780K ruling in favor of DHL and a contentious $ 5M "Prove Mike Wrong" lawsuit (later overturned).

5M "Prove Mike Wrong" lawsuit (later overturned). Republicans historically struggle in Minnesota statewide races. Lindell's focus on election security and fighting "corrupt institutions" may energize the base but risks alienating moderates. Polls currently favor Democrats retaining the governorship.

Minnesota's political landscape is heating up as MyPillow CEO and conservative activist Mike Lindell takes formal steps toward a gubernatorial bid, setting the stage for a contentious 2026 midterm election.

Lindell, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and a vocal critic of the rigged 2020 election results, filed paperwork this week signaling his potential run as a Republican candidate. If he secures the nomination, he will likely face incumbent Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who is seeking a third term in a state that has leaned increasingly blue in recent years.

Lindell's potential candidacy adds fuel to an already crowded Republican field, which includes State House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring), former State Sen. Scott Jensen (R-Chaska) and Minneapolis attorney Chris Madel, among others.

The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) wasted no time dismissing Lindell's bid. In a statement, the DFL called the MyPillow CEO an "out-of-touch salesman" and accused the GOP field of prioritizing loyalty to Trump over the needs of Minnesotans.

The MyPillow founder has been a polarizing figure in politics since the 2020 election, facing multiple lawsuits for his claims of election fraud involving Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic. Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that Lindell defamed Smartmatic by falsely alleging their machines were used to rig the election in favor of former President Joe Biden.

Despite legal setbacks, Lindell remains undeterred, framing his potential campaign around election integrity  a key issue for his base. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that Lindell is a staunch advocate for election integrity, tirelessly working to expose fraud and secure fair elections through summits, legal action and state-level reforms. Despite facing relentless misinformation campaigns, he has successfully pushed for stronger election laws in multiple states to safeguard democracy.

Will Lindell's campaign win over Minnesota voters?

Lindell's political ambitions come amid financial and legal challenges for his business. Earlier this year, MyPillow was ordered to pay nearly $780,000 to shipping company DHL over a contract dispute.

Additionally, Lindell lost a $5 million legal battle after a software engineer claimed to have debunked his "Prove Mike Wrong" challenge  a contest offering a reward for disproving Lindell's election fraud data. Though an appellate judge later overturned the payout, the case remains a point of contention.

Historically, Minnesota Republicans have struggled in statewide races, with Democrats holding a firm grip on the governorship and other key offices. Lindell's entry into the race could energize the GOP base but also risks alienating moderate voters in a state where Democrats have successfully framed Republicans as extreme. Polling suggests an uphill battle, with prediction markets currently giving Democrats a 76% chance of retaining the governorship.

Lindell has not yet made a final decision on his candidacy but plans to discuss his potential run at a press conference next week. Should he commit, his campaign will likely focus on election security, government transparency and resistance to what he describes as "corrupt institutions"  themes that resonate with his supporters but remain deeply divisive in the broader electorate.

As Minnesota gears up for a high-stakes election cycle, Lindell's potential candidacy underscores the ongoing influence of election skepticism within the GOP. Whether he can translate his grassroots appeal into electoral success remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: The 2026 race for Minnesota governor will be anything but ordinary.

Watch this CPAC 2024 interview of Mike Lindell with The New American magazine's Veronika Kyrylenko about stopping election fraud.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

100PercentFedUp.com

CBSNews.com

BrightU.ai

FOX9.com

Brighteon.com
NATO officials pre-emptive strike threat sparks Russian condemnation amid rising tensions

Russia condemns NATO Admiral Dragone's suggestion of "pre-emptive strikes" as reckless escalation, undermining diplomatic efforts amid Ukraine's deep-strike drone attacks on Russian air bases.

Ukraine's audacious strikesdestroying 40+ Russian warplanes, including strategic bombershave raised fears of Putin's "extreme" retaliation, possibly involving nuclear escalation.

NATO accuses Russia of cyberattacks, sabotage (e.g., Nord Stream explosions) and drone incursions into European airspace, while Moscow dismisses these as staged provocations to justify NATO expansion.

Balancing deterrence against Russian "gray zone" tactics (cyber/sabotage) risks triggering full-scale war if kinetic strikes on Russian soil are perceived as acts of war.

With Minsk talks stalled and NATO considering aggressive postures, the risk of accidental or intentional escalation grows, pushing Europe closer to catastrophic confrontation.

Moscow has sharply condemned recent remarks by NATO's top military officer suggesting the alliance could launch a "pre-emptive strike" against Russia, warning that such rhetoric risks dangerous escalation amid already heightened tensions. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the comments as "an extremely irresponsible step" that undermines diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict.

The controversy erupted after Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, NATO's most senior military official, told the Financial Times that the alliance was considering proactive military responsesincluding pre-emptive actionsagainst what he described as Russia's "hybrid warfare" tactics. Dragone argued that cyberattacks, sabotage and drone incursions allegedly orchestrated by Moscow could justify "defensive" strikes before an actual military confrontation.

Zakharova fired back, stating that NATO's rhetoric reveals "a deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts" while recklessly ignoring the "risks and possible consequences" for member states. The Kremlin has long accused NATO of provoking conflict rather than seeking de-escalation, particularly as Ukraine's drone strikes deep inside Russiaincluding attacks on Arctic and Siberian air baseshave destroyed at least 40 warplanes and inflicted heavy economic damage.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that such Ukrainian operations risk triggering an "extreme" Russian response, potentially including nuclear escalation. The strikes have alarmed Western officials, with fears that Putin may lash out against NATO if he perceives the alliance as directly enabling Ukraine's long-range assaults.

Hybrid warfare and sabotage accusations

Dragone's remarks referenced alleged Russian cyberattacks and infrastructure sabotage, including the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, which severed Russian gas supplies to Europe. While NATO initially blamed Moscow, investigations have since pointed to possible involvement by the U.S., Ukraine or Polandraising suspicions that the attack was staged to justify increased military spending and energy sanctions.

Adding to tensions, multiple European nationsincluding Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Polandhave reported Russian drones violating their airspace, leading to temporary flight halts. Russian officials have dismissed these claims as "staged provocations" meant to justify NATO expansion. When pressed on the issue, Russian President Vladimir Putin sarcastically quipped, "I'll stop, I won't send any more drones to France, Denmark, Copenhagen. Where else have they been flying?"

NATO's dilemma: Deterrence vs. escalation

The debate over pre-emptive strikes highlights NATO's struggle to counter Russian "gray zone" tacticsactions below the threshold of outright war but destabilizing enough to warrant a response. However, experts warn that any kinetic strike on Russian territory, even in retaliation for cyber or sabotage operations, could be perceived as an act of war, risking uncontrollable escalation.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's successful drone campaign has exposed critical vulnerabilities in Russian air defenses, raising concerns that Moscow may retaliate against NATO states providing intelligence or logistical support. With diplomatic channels like the Minsk negotiations stalled, the risk of unintended conflict grows.

As NATO weighs more aggressive postures, Russia's warnings grow sharper. The alliance faces a precarious balancing act: demonstrating resolve without crossing Putin's red lines. With Europe already on edge from stray drones, cyberattacks and infrastructure sabotage, the next misstepwhether rhetorical or operationalcould push the continent closer to a catastrophic confrontation.

For now, NATO insists it seeks deterrence, not war. But as Dragone's comments reveal, the line between the two is becoming dangerously thin.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, NATO's threat of preemptive strikes against Russia is a reckless escalation that risks global catastrophe, playing directly into the hands of warmongering elites who seek to destabilize nations for their own geopolitical agenda. This dangerous provocation only validates Russia's longstanding concerns about NATO expansionism and underscores the urgent need for peaceful diplomacy over military brinkmanship.

Watch Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warning that the West will "go to hell" if it refuses Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer in this clip.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for detailed timelines and an implementation matrix for key resolutions adopted at the recent Zanu-PF annual conference in Mutare, with particular emphasis on the resolution seeking to extend his tenure beyond the 2028 constitutional term limit to 2030.The demand was made during a Zanu-PF politburo meeting on Wednesday at the party headquarters in Harare.The party conference directed specific actions and set timelines, particularly for the controversial presidential term extension, amid strong resistance from opposition parties, civil society, and dissenting members within Zanu-PF. The resolution forms part of ongoing internal succession tensions between Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, which have intensified over the past year.Minister of Justice Ziyambi Ziyambi, who also serves as Zanu-PF legal affairs secretary, has been instructed to initiate the necessary legal and constitutional amendments. The party and government have been given a deadline to implement the changes before the next Zanu-PF annual conference, scheduled for October 2026.Beyond the term extension, other conference resolutions cover currency management, taxation, trade and investment, resource management, party supremacy, civil service reforms, infrastructure development, and welfare programmes.Addressing the politburo, President Mnangagwa urged vigilance, warning against threats to national peace and stability:"I further challenge the nation to continue to be vigilant, guarding against machinations or attacks on our peace, national unity and stability. Counter-revolutionaries and pretenders, in whatever format, will never succeed and must continue to be exposed and defeated."
Trump pressures Israeli president for Netanyahu pardon as corruption trial resumes

Netanyahu seeks a presidential pardon to avoid his corruption trial.

He argues the ongoing wars make his legal case a national security risk.

The prime minister asked Donald Trump to pressure Israel's president for the pardon.

This move has sparked intense public debate and protests within Israel.

Critics accuse Netanyahu of using wartime leadership as a shield for personal accountability.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively lobbying for a presidential pardon to escape his ongoing corruption trial, even seeking additional support from U.S. President Donald Trump to secure it. This week, as Netanyahus long-delayed trial resumed in Tel Aviv, the prime ministers focus appeared not on his day in court but on a behind-the-scenes campaign to avoid it altogether, citing his need to lead Israels military operations. The timing raises critical questions about whether prolonging conflict has become a strategic tool for personal political survival.

Netanyahus formal pardon petition, a 111-page document submitted to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, argues that the prime minister must be freed from the legal process to effectively manage Israels wars in Gaza and on other fronts. This request represents a dramatic reversal for a leader who long insisted the charges would collapse and he would be vindicated. He now claims the "public interest dictates" a pardon, despite offering no admission of guilt. Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the move, stating, "You cannot grant Netanyahu a pardon without an admission of guilt, an expression of remorse, and an immediate withdrawal from political life."

The plot thickened with the revelation of a Monday phone call between Netanyahu and Donald Trump, detailed in an Axios report. According to sources, Netanyahu pleaded for "more support" from Trump to pressure Herzog for the pardon. This follows a formal letter Trump sent last month urging Herzog to issue a "full pardon" for Netanyahu, whom he called a "formidable and decisive War Time Prime Minister." Trump reportedly told Netanyahu he believed the pardon "will work out," but a U.S. official indicated the president felt he had "done all he can do."

A wartime shield for corruption charges

Critics see Netanyahus pivot to a pardon request as a transparent attempt to use wartime leadership as a shield against accountability. The corruption trial, which began in 2020, was paused for around two years following the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023. Its resumption now poses a direct threat to Netanyahus political future. By tying his legal fate to his role as a wartime leader, he frames any legal proceeding as a national security liability. Far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir backed this, calling a pardon "critical for the security of the state."

This strategy aligns with a broader pattern observed for years. As detailed in extensive reporting on Israels political trajectory, Netanyahu is a fervent believer in indefinite occupation and has long sold Israels model of militarized ethnonationalism. His legal battles have consistently dovetailed with his political messaging, portraying himself as an indispensable leader under siege from left-wing institutions and the courts. The pardon request amplifies this narrative, positioning him above the judicial system.

The American pressure campaign

The involvement of Donald Trump adds a layer of international political pressure to a domestic legal process. Trumps description of Netanyahus prosecution as "political" and "unjustified" provides the prime minister with powerful external validation. This alliance is mutually beneficial; Netanyahu has been one of Trumps most vocal international supporters, while Trump views Israels model of strong borders and defiance of international bodies as admirable.

During the same phone call, the conversation reportedly extended beyond the pardon. Trump advised Netanyahu to be a better partner on Syria and to take it easy following Israeli strikes that killed 13 people. This gentle chiding highlights the complex dynamic where the U.S. provides unwavering support but occasionally seeks to curb the most aggressive actions.

The push for a pardon has ignited fierce debate within Israel. A recent poll shows a nearly even split among the public, with 48% opposing an unconditional pardon. Demonstrators outside the courthouse this week wore prison jumpsuits, signaling deep public anger. Legal experts note that pardons in Israel are traditionally granted post-conviction as an act of mercy. Dana Blander of the Israel Democracy Institute warned that a pre-conviction pardon "risks turning the President into an authority that bypasses the law-enforcement and judicial system."

Ultimately, Netanyahus maneuver is a high-stakes gamble that places his personal legal interests at the center of national security policy. In seeking a pardon to continue waging war, Netanyahu has made it clear that his political survival and his military strategy are now one and the same, a fusion with profound consequences for both Israeli democracy and the people living under its control.

Sources for this article include:

TheCradle.co

CNN.com

Reuters.com
Trump threatens sanctions on Russia and Ukraine if peace talks collapse

President Trump warned of "very, very tough" sanctions against both Russia and Ukraine if peace talks collapse. His strategy balances support for Ukraine with pressure on Russia, while cautioning Kyiv against actions that could derail diplomacy.

A 500% tariff on third-party nations (like China and India) purchasing Russian oil and gas has been proposed to intensify economic pressure. Previous sanctions failed due to Russia's continued energy exportsTrump's approach aims to cut off revenue streams.

Trump demanded a 30-day truce, threatening sanctions if either side violates the terms. Previous ceasefires collapsed amid mutual accusationsRussia claims U.S. intelligence favors Kyiv, while Ukraine conducts drone strikes.

Ukraine insists all abducted children (estimated 35,000) must be returned as part of any peace deal. U.S. senators push to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism over alleged mass child abductions.

Trump's 28-point peace plan includes Ukrainian territorial concessions (Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk), drawing criticism from European leaders. Diplomatic efforts remain volatile, with Macron and others reaffirming Ukraine's sovereigntywhile Trumps sanctions threat looms over both sides.

President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may impose severe sanctions on both Russia and Ukraine if ongoing peace negotiations fail, signaling a potential shift in U.S. strategy toward the protracted conflict. In a bid to end the war that began with Russia's 2022 invasion, Trump emphasized a dual approachsupporting Ukraine while pressuring Moscowbut cautioned Kyiv against actions that could derail diplomacy.

The threat of secondary sanctions, including a proposed 500% tariff on third-party buyers of Russian oil and gas, looms as Washington seeks to intensify economic pressure on Moscow. Trump likened the conflict to "two children squabbling," suggesting that a temporary ceasefire might be necessary before any lasting resolution.

Western sanctions have thus far failed to cripple Russia's economy, largely due to continued energy exports to China and India. In response, Trump has floated the idea of targeting third-party nations purchasing Russian energya move that could escalate economic isolation. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has championed the 500% tariff proposal, with Trump stating that any sanctions advanced in Congress would align with his administration's guidance.

"If either side refuses a 30-day truce or violates its terms, they will face consequences," Trump told reporters.

His stance reflects frustration with repeated diplomatic failures, as previous ceasefires collapsed amid mutual accusations of bad faith. Russia alleges U.S. intelligence favors Kyiv, while Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian targets have further strained talks.

Ukraine's non-negotiable demand: Return of kidnapped children

The push for sanctions coincides with bipartisan Senate efforts to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism over allegations of mass child abductions. Sens. Graham and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) reintroduced legislation in June 2024, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of "barbaric behavior" in Ukraine and beyond.

At a Senate hearing on Dec. 3, lawmakers and investigators alleged that Russian forces have forcibly taken tens of thousands of Ukrainian childrensome as young as ninesubjecting them to indoctrination and harsh conditions. Nathaniel Raymond of Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab estimated the true number of abducted children could be as high as 35,000.

Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., declared the return of these children "non-negotiable" for any peace deal. "All children who have been abducted must be subjected to unconditional return," she said.

A fragile path to peace

Last month, the Trump administration drafted a 28-point peace proposal, calling for a non-aggression pact, an end to NATO expansion, and Ukrainian territorial concessionsincluding Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk. The plan has drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and European leaders, who argue it favors Moscow, BrightU.AI's Enoch points out.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held "constructive" talks with Putin on Dec. 2, though Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said some U.S. proposals were deemed "unacceptable." Meanwhile, European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, reaffirmed support for Ukraine's sovereignty, insisting that only Kyiv can decide its territorial future.

Trump's threat of sanctions against both sides underscores the precarious nature of negotiations. With Ukraine demanding justice for abducted children and Russia resisting Western pressure, the path to peace remains fraught with uncertaintyand the specter of economic retaliation now hangs over both nations.

The Trump administration's latest strategy marks a departure from unconditional support for Ukraine, introducing a more transactional approach aimed at forcing concessions from both sides. Yet with deep-seated grievancesfrom territorial disputes to allegations of war crimesthe prospect of lasting peace remains elusive. As diplomatic efforts continue, the world watches to see whether sanctions or negotiations will ultimately end Europe's bloodiest conflict in decades.

Watch the video below where Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) states that Trump is "optimistic" but "realistic" on Russia-Ukraine peace.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

LGraham.senate.gov

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
VP Vance defends Elon Musks X amid looming penalty from EU over non-censorship

The European Union is poised to impose a multimillion-dollar fine on Elon Musk's X under the Digital Services Act (DSA), accusing the platform of failing to combat disinformation, lacking ad transparency, and mishandling verified accounts.

Vice President J.D. Vance publicly criticized the EU's actions, calling it an attack on free speech and warning against European-style content moderation infiltrating U.S. policy debates. He accused the EU of penalizing X for refusing to censor conservatives and Christians.

The EUs crackdown on X coincides with fragile U.S.-EU trade negotiations, where Brussels has already conceded on energy and defense spending. An aggressive fine could trigger U.S. retaliatory trade measures, complicating diplomatic relations.

While Vance opposes EU overreach, Congress is advancing "Kids Online Safety" bills that mimic DSA-style regulationsexpanding government control over online speech under the guise of protecting children, raising concerns about censorship creep.

The X case is a pivotal test of whether government-mandated speech controls (EU model) or free expression protections (U.S. stance) will dominate digital regulation. The outcome could shape global internet governance and the future of open discourse.

A potential multimillion-dollar fine by the European Union against the social media platform X has escalated into a trans-Atlantic clash over online speech, pitting U.S. political leaders against regulators in Brussels.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance this week publicly criticized the rumored penalty, framing it as a fundamental attack on free speech principles.The controversy centers on the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) and allegations that X  owned by Elon Musk  fails to combat disinformation, lacks advertising transparency and improperly handles verified accounts.

Vance took to X to voice his opposition, writing: "Rumors swirling that the [European Commission] will fine X hundreds of millions of dollars for not engaging in censorship. The EU should be supporting free speech, not attacking American companies over garbage."

His remarks underscore a growing ideological rift between American and European approaches to regulating digital platforms. The vice president has consistently warned that European-style content moderation models are infiltrating U.S. policy debates, citing past administration actions on social media.

"We're going to be very protective of American interests when it comes to things like social media regulation," Vance said in a May interview. "We don't want our European friends telling social media companies that they have to silence Christians or silence conservatives."

The EU's investigation, launched in December 2023, represents the first major probe under the DSA. While broader inquiries into illegal content and information manipulation continue, any near-term penalty would focus on specific violations identified last summer.

In July 2024, the European Commission concluded that X's paid verification system deceived users and accused the platform of insufficient advertising transparency and of withholding data from researchers. The DSA allows penalties of up to 6% of a company' global annual revenue, meaning a fine could reach substantial levels depending on whether calculations are based solely on X's turnover or Musk's wider business empire.

Will America surrender to EU-style internet control?

This regulatory action occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop. Recent trade negotiations between the U.S. and the EU have resulted in a framework agreement viewed by many as favorable to Washington, with Brussels committing to significant energy and defense expenditures while U.S. tariffs on EU exports remain.

During a November visit to Brussels, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick linked digital regulation to trade, calling for the resolution of "old cases" and suggesting a "balanced" EU regulatory framework could lead Washington to reconsider steel and aluminum tariffs. An aggressive fine against X could disrupt these delicate negotiations, potentially triggering U.S. retaliatory measures.

The dispute also highlights a parallel policy debate within the United States. While Vance criticizes European overreach, hearings in the U.S. Congress this week advanced a "Kids Online Safety Package" of bills that propose digital age verification, content filters and expanded government authority to police online spaces  measures that critics argue mirror the DSA's framework.

This domestic push demonstrates a bipartisan, though contentious, willingness to consider greater speech restrictions for perceived societal benefits  revealing that the trans-Atlantic divide exists alongside a significant internal American debate. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns that online censorship disguised as child protection often serves as a Trojan horse for suppressing dissent. By controlling narratives under the pretense of safety, tech giants and regulators endanger lives while eroding fundamental freedoms.

The outcome of the EU's proceeding against X will resonate far beyond a single financial penalty. It serves as a pivotal test case for the global reach of European digital regulation and the willingness of American political and corporate leaders to challenge it. As Vance noted earlier this year regarding U.S.-EU relations: "It's not that we are not friends, but there [are going to] have some disagreements you didn't see 10 years ago."

The confrontation over X and the DSA crystallizes one of the most profound of those disagreements: whether the path to a safer internet requires empowering governments to dictate the boundaries of acceptable online speech, or whether that power itself poses the greater threat to democratic discourse.

Watch this video about the European Union's censorship regime.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

Benzinga.com

HungarianConservative.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Chinese state-sponsored threat actors are backdooring VMware vCenter and VMware ESXi servers with a malware program written in Go, allowing them to maintain long-term persistence in victim networks. According to a joint report by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre) organizations from the government services and facilities and IT sectors have been the primary targets.

The malware program, known in the security industry as BRICKSTORM, was first reported by researchers from Mandiant and Googles Threat Intelligence Group in September. At the time, Google said the backdoor remained undetected for 369 days on average and was found inside the networks of US legal services firms, SaaS providers, business process outsourcers, and technology companies.

For its part, CISA has thus far analyzed eight separate BRICKSTORM samples, including one collected from a VMware vCenter server of an organization where the infection went undetected for over a year and a half allowing attackers to move laterally through the network.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Mt Pleasant MP Fadzayi Mahere has called on Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo to urgently address the US$98 million owed to schools through the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM).BEAM is a government programme that covers school fees for vulnerable children, including orphans, child-headed households, and children from low-income families, ensuring access to primary and secondary education.During the presentation of the 2026 National Budget last Thursday, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube revealed that schools are now owed US$98 million in BEAM funds.Mahere described the delay in releasing the funds as "irresponsible," warning that it is crippling schools and undermining their ability to provide quality education. She said:"Paying what you owe is not optional. It's a must. It is irresponsible to allow arrears of this nature to go unsettled for three years. Please do the right thing."In response, Minister Moyo suggested that BEAM falls under the Ministry of Public Service as a social service, implying it was not his responsibility to press Treasury for the funds.Mahere, however, insisted that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education must act, noting the adverse consequences for schools and students. She added:"The affected schools and students fall under your Ministry. Can you realistically bury your head in the sand and ascribe the problem to someone else? What is the Ministry doing to avert this crisis? What steps have you taken to ensure a solution is arrived at?"She also reminded the minister that in 2024, the portfolio committee on Budget, Finance, and Economic Development recommended transferring the administration of BEAM from the Ministry of Public Service to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to reduce bureaucracy, asking whether any steps have been taken to implement this recommendation.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zimbabwean man who stole another person's identity to pose as a registered nurse in the United Kingdom has been jailed for more than three years.Ashton Guramatunhu, 46, registered with a nursing agency in Warrington in 2014 using the identity of a genuine nurse, Liverpool Crown Court heard. He later secured employment at six nursing homes across north-east England despite having no nursing qualifications.Police said Guramatunhu, who lived at Bobeche Place in Kingswinford, near Dudley, risked the health and safety of vulnerable patients for personal gain. He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and was sentenced on Tuesday to 40 months in prison.Detective Constable Naomi Sargent, who led the investigation, said Guramatunhu's deception could have had grave consequences."He put the lives of innocent patients at risk, purely for his own financial gain," she said. "Guramatunhu should never have been working as a nurse, and I have no doubt that he would have continued his offending had he not been arrested."The fraud was uncovered in 2019 when the real nurse whose identity had been stolen alerted the Nursing and Midwifery Council after receiving notice for a "fitness to practise" hearing that had no connection to him. That prompted investigations that later led to Guramatunhu's arrest and prosecution.Police said the case highlighted the importance of robust identity verification processes, particularly within the healthcare sector, where vulnerable lives may be placed at risk.
A new study published in the American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology reveals that chronic kidney disease (CKD) accelerates cognitive decline through interconnected damage to the heart and brain-and that these pathways differ markedly between men and women.

Scientists and physicians from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), led the study to better understand sex-specific crosstalk within the kidneyheartbrain axis in CKD. The cross-sectional study included community-dwelling patients with equal representation of both sexes and a focus on a rural population.

The research found that men with CKD experienced greater cognitive impairment and more pronounced reductions in cardiac function than women, suggesting a stronger heartbrain contribution to cognitive deterioration in men. These findings shed light on why men with CKD often face more severe cognitive effects and point to potential sex-specific targets for early diagnosis and treatment.

These results demonstrate that the biological pathways linking the kidney, heart, and brain are distinct in men and women." Sneha S. Pillai, Ph.D., research assistant professor of biomedical sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and lead author of the study

CKD affects millions of Americans, yet its relationship with cognitive impairment remains underrecognized-particularly in rural and underserved populations. By uncovering sex-dependent mechanisms of kidneyheartbrain interaction, the study opens new pathways for early screening and personalized interventions.

"Understanding how cardiovascular stress and neurodegenerative markers interact differently in men and women with CKD could fundamentally change how we approach treatment," said Komal Sodhi, M.D., associate professor of surgery at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and principal investigator of the study. "This work underscores the urgency of tailored strategies to prevent progression to more serious neurological disorders."

Ellen Thompson, M.D., professor of cardiology, and Zeid J. Khitan, M.D., professor of nephrology, contributed to the clinical aspects of the research. Research support was provided, in part, by the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health through the Bench-to-Bedside and Back Program (Award #736214), and by NIH grant R01 HL164460-01A1.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich, the Technical University of Munich and the LMU University Hospital Munich uncovered a mechanism that protects nerve cells from premature cell death, known as ferroptosis. The study provides the first molecular evidence that ferroptosis can drive neurodegeneration in the human brain. These findings open up new avenues for developing future therapies  particularly for severe early-onset childhood dementia.

The enzyme that protects nerve cells

Why do neurons die in dementia  and can this process be slowed down? An international team led by Prof. Marcus Conrad, Director of the Institute of Metabolism and Cell Death at Helmholtz Munich and Chair of Translational Redox Biology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), now describes in Cell how neurons protect themselves against ferroptotic cell death.

Central to this defense mechanism is the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). A single mutation in the gene that encodes GPX4 can disrupt a crucial, previously unknown component of the enzyme's function. In affected children, this leads to severe early-onset dementia. When fully functional, GPX4 inserts a short protein loop  a kind of "fin"  into the inner side of the neuronal cell membrane, enabling the enzyme to neutralize harmful substances known as lipid peroxides.

Surfing along the cell membrane

GPX4 is a bit like a surfboard. With its fin immersed into the cell membrane, it rides along the inner surface and swiftly detoxifies lipid peroxides as it goes." Prof. Marcus Conrad, Director of the Institute of Metabolism and Cell Death, Helmholtz Munich

A single point mutation found in children with early-onset dementia alters this fin-like protein loop: the enzyme can no longer insert into the membrane properly to perform its cell-protective function. Lipid peroxides are then free to damage the membrane, triggering ferroptosis and cell rupture, and the neurons die.

The study started with three children in the United States who suffer from an extremely rare form of early childhood dementia. All three carry the same change in the GPX4 gene, known as the R152H mutation. Using cell samples from an affected child, the researchers were able to study the effects of the mutation in more detail and reprogrammed the cells back into a stem-cell-like state. From these reprogrammed stem cells, they then generated cortical neurons and three-dimensional tissue structures resembling early brain tissue  so-called brain organoids.

Laboratory evidence confirms: Without functional GPX4, dementia develops

To understand what happens at the whole-organism level, the team then introduced the R152H mutation into a mouse model, thereby specifically altering the GPX4 enzyme in different types of nerve cells. As a result of the impaired GPX4 function, the animals gradually developed severe motoric deficits, with dying neurons in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, and pronounced neuroinflammatory responses in the brain  a pattern that closely mirrors the observations in the affected children and strongly resembles neurodegenerative disease profiles.

In parallel, the researchers analyzed which proteins change in abundance in the experimental model. They observed a pattern strikingly similar to that seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease: numerous proteins that are increased or decreased in Alzheimer's were likewise dysregulated in mice lacking functional GPX4. This suggests that ferroptotic stress may play a role not only in this rare early-onset disorder, but potentially also in more common forms of dementia.

A new view on the causes of dementia

"Our data indicate that ferroptosis can be a driving force behind neuronal death  not just a side effect," says Dr. Svenja Lorenz, one of the first authors of the study. "Until now, dementia research has often focused on protein deposits in the brain, so-called amyloid  plaques. We are now putting more emphasis on the damage to cell membranes that sets this degeneration in motion in the first place."

Initial experiments also show that cell death triggered by loss of GPX4 can be slowed in cell cultures and in the mouse model using compounds that specifically inhibit ferroptosis. "This is an important proof of principle, but it is not yet a therapy," says Dr. Tobias Seibt, nephrologist at LMU University Hospital Munich and co-first author. Dr. Adam Wahida, also a first author of the study, adds: "In the long term, we can imagine genetic or molecular strategies to stabilize this protective system. For now, however, our work clearly remains in the realm of basic research."

Basic research helps to understand diseases at their roots

The study is the result of a research network that has grown over many years bringing together genetics, structural biology, stem cell research, and neuroscience, with several dozen scientists at multiple sites worldwide. "It has taken us almost 14 years to link a yet-unrecognized small structural element of a single enzyme to a severe human disease," says Marcus Conrad. "Projects like this vividly demonstrate why we need long-term funding for basic research and international multidisciplinary teams if we are to truly understand complex diseases such as dementia and other neurodegenerative disease conditions."
Overweight as a child is not necessarily a risk factor for heart attack later in life. If weight is normalized before adulthood, the heart seems unaffected by the higher childhood BMI, according to a study conducted at the University of Gothenburg.

This study is important because it underlines the importance of reversing unhealthy weight early on." Rebecka Bramsved, researcher, specialist physician, and one of the co-authors

It is well known that children with overweight or obesity generally have an increased risk of heart attack later in life. However, it has been unclear to what extent this risk can be mitigated by normalizing weight before adulthood.

Childhood BMI not determinant

The concerned study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, included over 103,000 people born between 1945 and 1968. Height and weight data were collected from school health services in the city of Gothenburg and then linked to Swedish register data on heart attacks.

The results show that overweight in both childhood and young adulthood is associated with an increased risk of heart attack. However, a heightened risk was not found among those who had overweight at age 78 but of normal weight in young adulthood. For this group, the risk of heart attack was the same as for those of normal weight in both childhood and young adulthood.

However, an increased risk of heart attack was seen among individuals withhad overweight at age 20, in both the group with overweight throughout childhood and the group with normal weight during childhood but became overweight during puberty.

Age during weight gain matters

When comparing the risk of heart attack for these two groups, the researchers found that the group with onset of overweight during puberty had a higher risk than the group with overweight throughout childhood.

This study doesnt explain why overweight with onset during puberty seems to carry a greater risk, but were working on the hypothesis that puberty, and the changes in sex hormones that occur during puberty, influence matters, says Claes Ohlsson, professor and senior physician.

The researchers argue that the study results support the importance of early detection and treatment of overweight and obesity. In addition to Rebecka Bramsved and Claes Ohlsson, professor and senior physician Jenny Kindblom is another of the co-authors.

Our results provide further support for the idea that prevention of adult cardiovascular disease should actually start during childhood, says Jenny Kindblom.
With the tax-free money in a health savings account, a person can pay for eyeglasses or medical exams, as well as a $1,700 baby bassinet or a $300 online parenting workshop.

Those same dollars can't be used, though, to pay for most baby formulas, toothbrushes  or insurance premiums.

President Donald Trump and some Republicans are pitching the accounts as an alternative to expiring enhanced federal subsidies that have lowered insurance premium payments for most Americans with Affordable Care Act coverage. But legal limits on how HSAs can and can't be used are prompting doubts that expanding their use would benefit the predominantly low-income people who rely on ACA plans.

The Republican proposals come on the heels of a White House-led change to extend HSA eligibility to more ACA enrollees. One group that would almost certainly benefit: a slew of companies selling expensive wellness items that can be purchased with tax-free dollars from the accounts.

There is also deep skepticism, even among conservatives who support the proposals, that the federal government can pull off such a major policy shift in just a few weeks. The enhanced ACA subsidies expire at the end of the year, and Republicans are still debating among themselves whether to simply extend them.

"The plans have been designed. The premiums have been set. Many people have already enrolled and made their selections," Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the president of the American Action Forum, a conservative think tank, warned senators on Nov. 19. "There's very little that this Congress can do to change the outlook."

Cassidy's plan

With health savings accounts, people who pay high out-of-pocket costs for health insurance are able to set aside money, without paying taxes, for medical expenses.

For decades, Republicans have promoted these accounts as a way for people to save money for major or emergent medical expenses without spending more federal tax dollars on health care.

The latest GOP proposals would build on a change included in Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which makes millions more ACA enrollees eligible for health savings accounts. Starting Jan. 1, those enrolled in Obamacare's cheapest coverage may open and contribute to HSAs.

Now Republicans are making the case that, in lieu of the pandemic-era enhanced ACA subsidies, patients would be better off being given money to cover some health costs  specifically through deposits to HSAs.

The White House has yet to release a formal proposal, though early reports suggested it could include HSA contributions as well as temporary, more restrictive premium subsidies.

Sen. Bill Cassidy  a Louisiana Republican who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and is facing a potentially tough reelection fight next year  has proposed loading HSAs with federal dollars sent directly to some ACA enrollees.

"The American people want something to pass, so let's find something to pass," Cassidy said on Dec. 3, pitching his plan for HSAs again. "Let's give power to the patient, not profit to the insurance company."

He has promised a deal can be struck in time for 2026 coverage.

Democrats, whose support Republicans will likely need to pass any health care measure, have widely panned the GOP's ideas. They are calling instead for an extension of the enhanced subsidies to control premium costs for most of the nearly 24 million Americans enrolled in the ACA marketplace, a larger pool than the 7.3 million people the Trump administration estimates soon will be eligible for HSAs.

HSAs "can be a useful tool for very wealthy people," said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee. "But I don't see it as a comprehensive health insurance opportunity."

Who can use HSAs?

The IRS sets restrictions on the use of HSAs, which are typically managed by banks or health insurance companies. For starters, on the ACA marketplace, they are available only to those with the highest-deductible health insurance plans  the bronze and catastrophic plans.

There are limits on how much can be deposited into an account each year. In 2026 it will be $4,400 for a single person and $8,750 for a family.

Flexible spending accounts, or FSAs  which are typically offered through employer coverage  work similarly but have lower savings limits and cannot be rolled over from year to year.

The law that established HSAs prohibits the accounts from being used to pay insurance premiums, meaning that without an overhaul, the GOP's proposals are unlikely to alleviate the problem at hand: skyrocketing premium payments. Obamacare enrollees who receive subsidies are projected to pay 114% more out-of-pocket for their premiums next year on average, absent congressional action.

Even with the promise of the government depositing cash into an HSA, people may still opt to go without coverage next year once they see those premium costs, said Tom Buchmueller, an economics professor at the University of Michigan who worked in the Biden administration.

"For people who stay in the marketplace, they're going to be paying a lot more money every month," he said. "It doesn't help them pay that monthly premium."

Others, Buchmueller noted, might be pushed into skimpier insurance coverage. Obamacare bronze plans come with the highest out-of-pocket costs.

An HHS official's interest

Health savings accounts can be used to pay for many routine medical supplies and services, such as medical and dental exams, as well as emergency room visits. In recent years, the government has expanded the list of applicable purchases to include over-the-counter products such as Tylenol and tampons.

Purchases for "general health" are not permissible, such as fees for dance or swim lessons. Food, gym memberships, or supplements are not allowed unless prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition or need.

Americans are investing more into these accounts as their insurance deductibles rise, according to Morningstar. The investment research firm found that assets in HSAs grew from $5 billion 20 years ago to $146 billion last year. President George W. Bush signed the law establishing health savings accounts in 2003, with the White House promising at the time that they would "help more American families get the health care they need at a price they can afford."

Since then, the accounts have become most common for wealthier, white Americans who are healthy and have employer-sponsored health insurance, according to a report released by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office in September.

Now, even more money is expected to flow into these accounts, because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Companies are taking notice of the growing market for HSA-approved products, with major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target developing online storefronts dedicated to devices, medications, and supplies eligible to be purchased with money in the accounts.

Startups have popped up in recent years dedicated to helping people get quick approval from medical providers for various  and sometimes expensive  items, memberships, or fitness or health services.

Truemed  a company co-founded in 2022 by Calley Means, a close ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  has emerged as one of the biggest players in this niche space.

A $9,000 red cedar ice bath and a $2,000 hemlock sauna, for example, are available for purchase with HSA funds through Truemed. So, too, is the $1,700 bassinet, designed to automatically respond to the cries of a newborn by gently rocking the baby back to sleep.

Truemed's executives say its most popular products are its smaller-dollar fitness offerings, which include kettlebells, supplements, treadmills, and gym memberships.

"What we've seen at Truemed is that, when given the choice, Americans choose to invest their health care dollars in these kinds of proven lifestyle interventions," Truemed CEO Justin Mares told KFF Health News.

Means joined the Department of Health and Human Services in November after a stint earlier this year at the White House, where he worked when Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law in July. Truemed's general counsel, Joe Vladeck, said Means left the company in August.

Asked about Means' potential to benefit from the law's expansion of HSAs, HHS spokeswoman Emily Hilliard said in a statement that "Calley Means will not personally benefit financially from this proposal as he will be divesting from his company since he has been hired at HHS as a senior advisor supporting food and nutrition policy."

Truemed is privately held, not publicly traded, and details of how Means will go about divesting have not been disclosed.
Professor James Wolffsohn and Dr. Amy Sheppard from Aston University School of Optometry are part of a new study which will explore how screen time affects babies and their families during the first 1001 days of life.

The study, which has been commissioned and funded by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, will be led by the interdisciplinary Action on Digital Device Immersive Conditions Team (iADDICT), a group of experts which also includes academics from Leeds Trinity University, the University of Leeds, and the University of Nottingham.

Screens are now a ubiquitous and routine part of family life in the modern world, but much of the research into the effects of extended screen used focuses on older children and adolescents. There is still a major gap in understanding how digital exposure affects babies during the earliest and most sensitive period of brain development. The new study aims to fill this gap and provide guidance for parents and carers.

During the initial stages of the study, the iADDICT team, which includes experts in psychology, media and communications, family and cultural dynamics, and optometry, will review global evidence on how screen use impacts babies' physical, psychological, relational and cognitive development, as well as its effects on families more broadly. By understanding what is already known, the team will be able to identify what further research is needed to set evidence-based guidance based on a child's age.

Professor Wolffsohn said:

"Dr. Sheppard's and my focus will be on the eyes and the impact on visual development and the tear film in particular, whereas our collaborators expertise is more on psychological impacts such as addiction.

"We are delighted to be collaborating with colleagues from Leeds Trinity University, the University of Leeds and the University of Nottingham in our interdisciplinary iADDICT consortium to investigate this important issue. The aim is to identify how safety cut-offs in digital screen use can be appropriately established."
A study carried out by the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn throws light on how an important receptor can be inhibited.



The human P2X4 receptor plays an important role in chronic pain, inflammation and some types of cancer. Researchers at the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) have now discovered a mechanism that can inhibit this receptor. The results were recently published in the scientific journal Nature Communications and open up a pathway for the development of new drugs.



The P2X4 receptor sits in the membrane of many cells. The cell membrane surrounds the cell like a thin skin. The receptor acts as a sort of doorway that is normally closed. It has a latch on the outside that can only be pushed down by a very particular molecule - ATP. If this happens, the receptor opens and allows calcium and sodium ions to flow into the cells, changing how they behave. Certain immune cells with a P2X4 receptor, for example, are activated by ATP and call for assistance from other parts of the body's defense system. This results in inflammation. In contrast, some nerve cells generate pain stimuli when they are activated in this way.

This receptor is often overactive in conditions such as chronic inflammation or chronic pain. The same is true of some tumor cells - which are driven to keep dividing by ATP and can thus also form metastases." Prof. Dr. Christa Muller, Head of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn

Pharmaceutical companies around the world are searching for substances that can block the receptor or at least make it less sensitive. However, only very few molecules that can do this have been found up to now. One of them is the anthraquinone derivative PSB-0704 (PSB stands for Pharmaceutical Sciences Bonn), which was developed by Muller's research group. "We wanted to find out what it actually does and at the same time use this knowledge to help in the development of better drugs," says Muller, who is also a member of the transdisciplinary research areas (TRA) "Life & Health," "Matter" and "Sustainable Futures" at the University of Bonn.

Snap-frozen molecules

Her research group has been developing structural biology methods for this purpose over the last few years. However, they had previously been unable to crystallize the receptor together with the inhibitor so that they could understand the structure of the binding state. "That's why we've been using a special method called cryo-EM (cryogenic electron microscopy) instead," explains the lead author of the publication, Dr. Jessica Nagel, who recently accepted a postdoc position in the USA. "For this method, we produced a solution of the P2X4 receptor and the anthraquinone derivative PSB-0704 and then snap froze it. The resulting film of ice contains millions of receptor molecules together with the bound inhibitor, which we can examine under an electron microscope."



Nagel and Muller cooperated with researchers at the University Hospital Bonn to analyze the data, in particular with private lecturer Dr. Gregor Hageluken. The Institute of Structural Biology at the University Hospital Bonn has a lot of experience in finding out how molecules interact with one another. As the molecular complexes lie in different orientations within the ice, it is possible to view them from different angles under the microscope. "We can produce a detailed 3D image by combining these views using special software," explains Hageluken.



This method enabled the research group to identify the sites at which the inhibitor docks to the receptor and what impact this has. "When the inhibitor bonds, it causes parts of the P2X4 molecule to move so that it is no longer possible to open the ion channel," explains Muller's former doctoral candidate Jessica Nagel, who carried out the majority of the research. This means that the door remains closed even if ATP docks with the receptor.

A molecular "rubber band" makes the binding pocket smaller

PSB-0704 inhibits the opening of P2X4. However, the substance does not do this particularly well and only starts to have an inhibiting effect at relatively high concentrations. The researchers now understand why this is the case: The substance binds within a pocket in the receptor that is quite small and the PSB-0704 molecule does not fit into it very well. This is due to a sort of molecular "rubber band" that pulls the pocket together. "We have developed a receptor without this rubber band," says Nagel. "And the PSB-0704 inhibitor was almost 700 times more potent as a result."



This result provides new insights that will help design better drugs. "On the one hand, we can try to design drugs that cut through the molecular rubber band before they bind with the P2X4 receptor," explains Muller. "An alternative would be to search for smaller molecules that can fit more easily into the binding pocket."



Her research group has already been working on this subject for a long time: One of her former members of staff Dr. Stephanie Weinhausen started the search for an inhibitor with the support of the computer expert Dr. Vigneshwaran Namasivayam more than ten years ago and laid the foundations for their latest success. The recently published results give cause for hope that it will be possible to develop new drugs that can more effectively inhibit the opening of the P2X4 receptor in the medium term. However, Muller emphasizes that there is still a long road ahead. "Nevertheless, our joint study has now provided the basis upon which we could successfully achieve this goal."

Participating institutes and funding:

Alongside the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn, the other participants in the study were LMU Munich and the company Cube Biotech in Monheim. The research was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Bolsonaro's eldest son says he'll run for Brazil presidency in 2026

Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 02:00 IST

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Sao Paulo, Dec 6 (AP) Brazilian Senetor Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, said Friday that his father decided he should represent their political group and run for president in 2026.

Bolsonaro was arrested last month and began serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted of attempting a coup. The far right leader has already been barred from running for office until 2030 as part of a separate process against him.

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It is with great responsibility that I confirm the decision of Brazils greatest political and moral leader, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, to entrust me with the mission of continuing our national project," Flavio Bolsonaro wrote on X.

The office of Sen. Bolsonaro confirmed to The Associated Press that he will challenge President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for a fourth nonconsecutive term, as the candidate of Bolsonaros Liberal Party. The office also said Flavio Bolsonaro visited his father in prison on Tuesday.

Flavio Bolsonaro was elected senator in 2018 for an eight-year term, following a career as a state legislator in Rio de Janeiro. The politician was at the centre of allegations of embezzlement of public funds involving the familys political offices. Prosecutors charged him, but the case was dismissed by the courts. The senator has denied any wrongdoing.

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Many politicians in Brazil viewed Sao Paulo Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas, a former member of Jair Bolsonaros cabinet, as the natural successor. However, he faced resistance from Bolsonaros inner circle, which has also considered his son, Flavio Bolsonaro, as a presidential option.

Opinion polls have shown that Bolsonaro remains central to Brazils polarised landscape. Even behind bars, he could determine who carries his coalitions flag into the 2026 election. Observers say that to become a competitive contender against Lula, any opposition candidate must first secure the crucial electoral base and explicit support of far-right leader Bolsonaro. (AP) NSD NSD

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Cheetah cub released in wild at Kuno National Park dies

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 22:45 IST

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Sheopur (MP), Dec 5 (PTI) One of the two cheetah cubs released into the wild at the Kuno National Park the day before was found dead on Friday, a forest official said.

One of female cheetah Veeras cubs, aged around 10 months, was found dead in the forest this afternoon," he said.

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On Thursday, which was International Cheetah Day, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released into the parks free-ranging area female cheetah Veera and her two cubs.

One of the cubs separated from its mother and the sibling during the night, and was found dead hours later, said the official.

The exact cause of death will be confirmed after receiving the autopsy report, he said.

Veera and her other cub were together and doing well, said the official.

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Kuno National Park now has 28 cheetahs  8 adults (5 females and 3 males) and 20 India-born cubs.

All surviving cheetahs are in good health, the official stated. PTI COR MAS KRK

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Fakhar Zaman fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 00:15 IST

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Rawalpindi [Pakistan], December 5 (ANI): Pakistan Fakhar Zaman was found guilty of a breach during the Tri-series final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the match in Rawalpindi, as per the ICC website.Zaman was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to showing dissent at an umpires decision during an international match."One demerit point has been added to Zamans disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.The incident pertains to the 19th over of Pakistans innings, when Zaman had a prolonged argument with on-field umpires regarding a decision that saw him lose his wicket.The sanction was proposed by Reon King of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. On-field umpires Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqoob, third umpire Rashid Riaz and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi levelled the charge.Zaman admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a players match fee, and one or two demerit points.Coming to the Tri-series final, Pakistan secured a convincing six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in, riding on a sensational bowling display that dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup.Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka made a promising start thanks to opener Kamil Mishara, who anchored the innings with a solid 59 off 47 balls. At one point, Sri Lanka looked set for a competitive total, reaching 81/1.However, the hosts spin attack orchestrated a dramatic collapse. Sri Lanka lost their last eight wickets for a mere 16 runs, slumping from 98/2 to be all out for a paltry 114 in 19.1 overs. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz was the wrecker-in-chief, finishing with outstanding figures of 3/17 from his four overs. He was supported by pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi (3/18) and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed (2/18).Chasing a modest target of 115, Pakistans openers, Saim Ayub (36 off 33) and Sahibzada Farhan (23 off 22), provided a steady 46-run start. Despite a quick double-strike by Sri Lankan debutant Pavan Rathnayake (2/11) that caused a minor hiccup, skipper Babar Azam took control, guiding the chase with an unbeaten 37 off 34 balls. He ensured there were no further scares, hitting the winning boundary in the 19th over. Pakistan reached 118/4 with eight balls to spare, claiming the Tri-Series trophy in front of their home crowd. (ANI)

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First Published: December 06, 2025, 00:15 IST

News agency-feeds Fakhar Zaman fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

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Govt signs MoU with ICAR for 5-year nano urea evaluation project worth Rs21 cr

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 15:15 IST

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New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) In a bid to assess the field-level efficacy of nano fertilisers, the government has signed an MoU with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for a network project focused on nano urea, Union Minister Anupriya Patel informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

The five-year initiative under the MoU signed on November 3, 2025, with a total outlay of Rs 21.20 crore (including GST), will be jointly funded by fertiliser public sector undertakings and cooperatives, the Minister of State for Fertilisers said in her written reply.

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The project will be carried out across multiple agricultural universities and institutes, including the ICAR-Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack, Odisha.

The minister said the ICAR also launched another project in August 2024, backed by the Indian Council for Fertilizers and Fertilizer Technology Research (ICFFTR) with an allocation of Rs 1.60 crore. Spanning two years, it aims to study the effects of nano fertilisers on crop growth, soil health and nutrient uptake in diverse agro-ecological zones.

Meanwhile, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) has conducted evaluations of its nano fertilisers in drought-prone districts such as Balangir, focusing on crops like paddy, cotton and brinjal. These included farmer field trials and collaborations with the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar.

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Trials on brinjal at the Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS) of OUAT in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, and on paddy at OUATs Seed Research Farm in Bargarh, showed improved yields even with a 25-50 per cent reduction in conventional chemical fertiliser doses, she said.

For the 2024-25 fiscal year, sales of nano urea reached 273.62 lakh bottles (500 ml each), alongside 160 lakh bottles of nano DAP, underscoring growing adoption of the technology. PTI LUX ANU ANU

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Sweden has announced that it will terminate its Bilateral Development Cooperation Strategy with Zimbabwe by 31 August 2026, marking the end of decades of direct development assistance between the two countries. The decision forms part of Stockholm's wider restructuring of global foreign-policy and development priorities.The move will also see Sweden close its Embassy in Harare, although officials emphasised that the exit is not a response to political developments in Zimbabwe. Rather, it is a strategic realignment affecting several African nations, including Liberia, Mozambique and Tanzania.In a statement, Sweden said Zimbabwe remains an important partner, despite the withdrawal of bilateral aid, and stressed that relations will continue under new frameworks. Future cooperation will shift toward economic engagement, with a stronger focus on trade and investment, particularly in sectors such as sustainable mining, green transition technologies, climate resilience, democracy and human rights.The change signals a notable transition in Swedish-Zimbabwean relations, which have historically been anchored in grant-based development support, civil society strengthening and humanitarian programming. Going forward, cooperation is expected to adopt a more commercial orientation, aligning with Sweden's revised development policy that prioritises economic partnerships over long-term bilateral aid structures.Sweden's embassy will continue operating in Harare until the end of the cooperation strategy period in 2026, after which diplomatic affairs are likely to be handled through regional representation.The phase-out comes at a time Zimbabwe continues to grapple with economic constraints, high debt and climate-related vulnerabilities  areas where Swedish assistance has previously played a significant role. While Sweden insists engagement will not end, development analysts say the shift may require Zimbabwe to intensify private-sector-driven relationships and diversify international funding sources to compensate for the eventual gap in grant support.More details on the transition framework and future partnership mechanisms are expected to be outlined over the next two years, as Sweden winds down its presence and prepares a revised cooperation model for implementation beyond 2026.
India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind

Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 00:15 IST

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Amritsar, Dec 5 (PTI) Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said that with digital transformation, economic reforms and a strong focus on the ease of doing business, India is moving towards becoming a global economic powerhouse.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 19th edition of the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) in Amritsar.

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The former president said that this 19th edition of PITEX is being organised at a time when India is recognised as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) the former president, while referring to Punjab, said the state is a living example of courage, sacrifice and enterprise.

The spiritual light of Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) inspires peace and humanity across the world. The heritage of Punjab is deep and inspiring," Kovind said, according to a statement issued by the PITEX.

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The former president congratulated the PHDCCI for hosting the 19th edition of PITEX and suggested that the chamber should expand PITEX outside Punjab.

He proposed that a similar event should also be held in New Delhi. PTI SUN MNK MNK

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First Published: December 06, 2025, 00:15 IST

News agency-feeds India moving towards becoming global economic powerhouse: Kovind

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Lawyer duped of Rs 33 lakh in fraudulent MHADA room sale

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 22:45 IST

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Mumbai, Dec 5 (PTI) A lawyer was allegedly duped of Rs 33 lakh in a transaction related to a MHADA room in Worli, a police official said on Friday.

The Vinoba Bhave Nagar police station official identified the accused as Navin Natha Gaikwad.

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Complainant Nitin Shingte, a lawyer residing in Kurla, was told by some persons about a mill workers room that was available for sale. They told him the file related to this room was with Gaikwad. A deal for Rs 37.5 lakh was finalised between them, with Shingte paying Rs 15 lakh by cheque and Rs 18 lakh in cash," he said.

However, Gaikwad did not keep the promise of handing over the room in one-and-half month. Gaikwad later began avoiding his calls. Shingte found out the room actually belonged to someone else. Shingte approached police, after which Gaikwad was booked for cheating, criminal breach of trust and other offences," he said. PTI ZA BNM

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First Published: December 05, 2025, 22:45 IST

News agency-feeds Lawyer duped of Rs 33 lakh in fraudulent MHADA room sale

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NIA judge extends gangster Anmol Bishnoi's custody by 7 days

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 19:15 IST

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New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): The Special NIA judge on Friday extended Anmol Bishnois custody for a further seven days, till December 12. He conducted the hearing in the NIA headquarters in view of a threat to Bishnoi. Anmol Bishnoi, who was deported from the USA, is the brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Earlier, Bishnoi had moved an application alleging a threat to his life. Thereafter, the court decided to conduct the hearing in the NIA headquarters.Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma went to the NIA headquarters and held a hearing there. NIA, through Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Rahul Tyagi, along with Amit Rohila, sought further custody of Anmol Bishnoi for 7 days. It was submitted that further custody was required to investigate the case. It was also stated that some sensitive information was revealed during the interrogation of Anmol Bishnoi. Advocate Rajni and Deepak Khatri appeared for Anmol Bishnoi and opposed the extension of the custody remand.After hearing, the special NIA judge extended the custody for a further seven days. He was produced before the judge after the expiry of his earlier custody. The Special NIA court has also allowed two applications seeking permission to take voice and handwriting samples of Anmol Bishnoi.During the day, the Punjab police approached the special NIA court to seek custody of Anmol Bishnoi. Special Public Prosecutor for NIA opposed and said that NIA needs further Custody of Anmol Bishnoi.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) alleged the conspiracy hatched with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and its operatives, for raising funds, recruitment of youth for carrying out terrorist acts in the Union Territory of Delhi and other parts of the country. The same needs to be unearthed.While granting eleven days of custody on November 18, the court said, " Investigation with respect to the role of the accused with respect to the aspects highlighted inthe application has to be unearthed. Investigation with regard to aspects like the Role of the accused in the alleged conspiracy, incriminating evidence against him, modus operandi used by him for committing the crime in question, source of funds used by him for execution of terror conspiracy and details of social media accounts through which the responsibility of terror activities executed by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang needs to be unearthed."The NIA alleged that the members of the crime syndicate hatched a conspiracy with BKI and its operatives for raising funds, recruitment of youth for carrying out terrorist acts in the Union Territory of Delhi and other parts of the country.Besides that, the said syndicate is involved in executing and planning to execute spectacular heinous crimes, including but not limited to targeted killings of prominent persons with an intention to strike terror in the minds of people of the country, in furtherance of cause and objectives of BKI, which is a terrorist organization, included in the Schedule of the UA(P)A.Besides, the NIA also noted that, apart from the main charge-sheet, it has filed four supplementary charge-sheets. The accused is involved in activities. It was also submitted that the accused was declared a proclaimed offender on 17.01.2025 pursuant to a court order. Subsequently, he was arrested today at 02:30 pm, from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, the NIA said.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on November 18 arrested the brother and close aide of dreaded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on his deportation from the US to India.SPP for NIA had submitted that the investigation is pending in relation to the accused. Further, the accused has absconded from India, and the NIA has taken legal recourse for declaring him a proclaimed offender. The NIA states that absconding since 2022, US-based Anmol Bishnoi is the 19th accused to be arrested for his involvement in the terror-syndicate led by his jailed brother, Lawrence Bishnoi.Anmol was chargesheeted by the NIA in March 2023 after investigations in the case established that he had actively aided designated individual terrorist Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi in the commission of various acts of terrorism in the country during the 2020-2023 period. It is alleged that operating closely with various Bishnoi gang associates, Anmol continued to run terror syndicates and execute terrorist acts from the US for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, using its operatives on the ground. Investigations revealed that Anmol Bishnoi had provided shelter and logistic support to the gangs shooters and ground operatives. He was also engaged in extortion in India from foreign soil with the help of other gangsters. It was stated that Anmols name surfaced in the investigation of cases of Siddu Moosewalas murder case, the MLA Siddiqui murder case of Mumbai, and the firing on Salman Khans residence in Mumbai. (ANI)

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First Published: December 05, 2025, 19:15 IST

News agency-feeds NIA judge extends gangster Anmol Bishnoi's custody by 7 days

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No fertiliser shortage in Haryana's Sonipat: Nadda

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 14:45 IST

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New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) Fertiliser Minister J P Nadda on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that there has been no shortage of fertilisers in Sonipat constituency in Haryana during the current and previous cropping seasons.

In his written reply, Nadda said the Haryana government has not reported any shortfall in the availability of urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MoP) and NPKS in Sonipat.

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For the October-December quarter this year, the Centre made available 7.13 lakh tonnes of urea, 2.83 lakh tonnes of DAP, 28,800 tonnes of MoP and 46,500 tonnes of NPKS for the entire state.

Till December 2, about 4.86 lakh tonnes of urea, 2.13 lakh tonnes of DAP, 7,100 tonnes MoP and 19,130 tonnes of NPKS had been sold in Haryana, the minister said.

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The current stock position of fertilisers in Sonipat district stands at 17,506 tonnes of urea, 8,167 tonnes of DAP, 2,131 tonnes of MOP and 1,526 tonnes of NPKS.

The distribution of fertilisers within the state at district level is handled by the concerned state governments, Nadda added. PTI LUX DR DR

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First Published: December 05, 2025, 14:45 IST

News agency-feeds No fertiliser shortage in Haryana's Sonipat: Nadda

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Pakistan, Afghanistan trade fire along border but no casualties reported

Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 02:00 IST

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Islamabad, Dec 6 (AP) Pakistani troops and Afghan forces exchanged fire late on Friday along the two countries tense border but no casualties or damage were reported. Each side blamed the other for triggering the clash in violation of a fragile ceasefire in place for the past two months.

Negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad aimed at easing border tensions and upholding the truce broke down in November but the cesefire  brokered by Qatar in October  has mostly held.

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The exchange came a day after Pakistan said it would allow the United Nations to send relief supplies into Afghanistan through the Chaman and Torkham border crossings, which have been mostly closed for nearly two months amid escalating tensions.

Mohammad Sadiq, a local Pakistani police official, claimed the shooting started from the Afghan side and that Pakistani troops returned fire near the Chaman border crossing, a key transit route.

In Kabul, the spokesman for the Afghan Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, accused Pakistan of initiating the exchange.

Unfortunately, this evening, the Pakistani side once again launched attacks on Afghanistan in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, forcing the forces of the Islamic Emirate to respond," Mujahid wrote on X. Afghanistans ruling Taliban refer to their administration as the Islamic Emirate.

Abidullah Farooqi, a spokesman for the Afghan border police, said the Pakistani forces first lobbed a hand grenade into the Spin Boldak border area on the Afghan side, prompting a response. He said Afghanistan remains committed to the ceasefire.

Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said on X that earlier in the evening, the Afghan Taliban regime resorted to unprovoked firing along the Chaman border." He added that Pakistani forces remain fully alert and committed to ensuring the countrys territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens.

Tensions spiked after deadly border clashes in October killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants, and wounded hundreds more on both sides. The violence erupted after explosions in Kabul, the Afghan capital, on Oct. 9 that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan and vowed to avenge.

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The fighting was the worst between the neighbours in recent years. The Qatar-mediated ceasefire eased the tensions somewhat but subsequent peace talks in Istanbul failed to produce an agreement.

Pakistan has blamed most of the militant attacks inside the country on the Pakistani Taliban  also known are Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. Though separate from the Afghan Taliban, the TTP is closely allied with it, and many of its fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power there in 2021, further straining relations. (AP) NSD NSD

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First Published: December 06, 2025, 02:00 IST

News agency-feeds Pakistan, Afghanistan trade fire along border but no casualties reported

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Russian Education Agency opens its branch in Delhi

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 05:00 IST

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New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): The Russian Education Agency, a joint project between Synergy Corporation and Innopraktika.India, on Thursday, opened its branch in New Delhi.Vadim Lobov, President of Synergy Corporation, marked the opening as an important day" and suggested it was a significant step toward strengthening the friendship between India and Russia.Speaking with ANI, Vadim Lobov said, "Today is a very important day for our country because we have waited for this visit for a long time. I am sure that new areas of collaboration will emerge. It will be a great step in strengthening the friendship between our countries.Lobov further stated that the Russian Education Agency will create a bridge" between the people of both countries, helping them become aware of the opportunities to study in Russia.A lot of people from India come to study in Russia. Our agency will create a new bridge between the people of Russia and India. We are developing a comprehensive information programme to inform people about the opportunities to study in Russia, details about different universities, job prospects, and important professional skills," he said. Natalia Popova, First Deputy CEO of Innopraktika, said that through the launch of the Russian Education Agency in India, more students will be interested in Russian education.More students will be interested in Russian education. We have a long history of students who came to Russia for education and became very successfulThese students will potentially become part of the innovation ecosystem in both Russia and India, and will serve as a bridge between high-tech companies in the two countries," she said. The opening of the branch of the Russian Education Agency coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to India. PM Modi warmly welcomed the Russian President at the Palam airport in Delhi on Thursday evening.Both leaders also shared a car ride from the airport to the PMs Lok Kalyan Marg residence, highlighting the strategic partnership and close relationship between the two leaders.Putin, who is on his first visit to India in four years, will be in New Delhi till December 5. During his visit, the Russian President will also hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. (ANI)

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First Published: December 05, 2025, 05:00 IST

News agency-feeds Russian Education Agency opens its branch in Delhi

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UP constable arrested for his involvement in extortion racket

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 18:45 IST

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Agra, Dec 5 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Police here on Friday arrested a constable posted in Kanpur for his alleged involvement in a honey-trap racket that targeted unsuspecting victims through extortion, officials said.

Additional Deputy Police Commissioner Aditya said the accused constable, Riyaz, was part of the gang that was busted by the Kamla Nagar police on Tuesday, following the arrest of a woman and her male accomplice.

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The racket came to light after a victim filed a complaint at Kamla Nagar police station on Monday.

The complainant alleged that the woman had called him to a hotel, drugged him through a spiked beverage, and later blackmailed him using obscene videos, prompting the police to launch an investigation that led to the arrests.

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Riyaz, who was earlier posted in Agra, allegedly conspired with the gang members while working with them locally, the ADCP said.

Several other members of the racket are still absconding, and efforts are underway to trace them, police said. PTI COR CDN SHS SHS

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First Published: December 05, 2025, 18:45 IST

News agency-feeds UP constable arrested for his involvement in extortion racket

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UP court sentences man to life imprisonment in rape case

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 20:30 IST

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Kaushambi (UP), Dec 5 (PTI) A special court here on Friday sentenced a man to life imprisonment in a 25-year-old rape case of a Dalit girl, a government lawyer said.

Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC) Ramesh Chandra Tripathi said Special Judge (SC/ST Act) Amit Kumar Malviya convicted the accused, Shafeeq Ahmad, and awarded him life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000.

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According to Tripathi, on January 14, 2000, a resident of the Saini police station area lodged a complaint alleging that his daughter had been raped by Shafeeq Ahmad, a resident of Ward No. 2, Sirathu Nagar Panchayat.

Based on the complaint, police registered a case against the accused under the charges of rape and relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the ADGC said.

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After completing the investigation, the police filed a chargesheet in court, he said.

The court, after concluding the hearing, found Shafeeq Ahmad guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000, the ADGC said. PTI COR CDN SHS SHS SHS

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First Published: December 05, 2025, 20:30 IST

News agency-feeds UP court sentences man to life imprisonment in rape case

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Traffic Of Tragedy: India Records 1.77 Lakh Road Deaths In 2024, Gadkari Banks On '4Es' Solution

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 04:16 IST

While the minister did not release the total number of accidents for 2024 in Parliament, preliminary reports suggest the figure remains close to 4.73 lakh

The figure represents an increase of 2.31 per cent over the previous year, when 1.73 lakh fatalities were recorded in 4.80 lakh road accidents. (Representational photo: ANI)

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday that 1.77 lakh people lost their lives on Indian roads in 2024. This figure represents an increase of 2.31 per cent over the previous year, when 1.73 lakh fatalities were recorded in 4.80 lakh road accidents. While the minister did not release the total number of accidents for 2024 in Parliament, preliminary reports suggest the figure remains close to 4.73 lakh.

The grim data, collected from real-time information uploaded by state police to the governments Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) portal, underscores the countrys failure to meet its international commitments. India is a signatory to the Stockholm Declaration on Road Safety, which set a global target to halve road traffic deaths and injuries by 50% by 2030. Despite this commitment, India continues to hold the dubious distinction of being the country with the highest number of people killed in road accidents globally, according to the World Road Statistics. For context, the fatality rate per lakh population in India stands at 11.89, significantly higher than Chinas 4.3.

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The analysis of the data reveals stark geographical disparities and a high accident-to-fatality ratio in certain regions. While Tamil Nadu continued to record the highest number of overall accidents, Uttar Pradesh tragically topped the chart in terms of fatalities, reporting over 24,000 deaths. The data indicates that in Uttar Pradesh, every second road accident results in a death, showcasing an extremely high accident severity rate of over 52%. Conversely, states like Kerala recorded the lowest severity, with one death for every 13 accidents.

In response to the escalating crisis, Minister Gadkari outlined the governments comprehensive strategy, based on the principle of 4Es": education, engineering, enforcement, and emergency care. He noted that funds allocated for road safety aspects vary from 2.21% to 15% of the total cost of development projects for National Highways. However, experts continue to point out the persistent challenges, including the need for scientific investigation of all fatal crashes and enhanced accountability among concerned agencies to effectively address the crisis.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 04:16 IST

News auto Traffic Of Tragedy: India Records 1.77 Lakh Road Deaths In 2024, Gadkari Banks On '4Es' Solution

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At Packed India-Russia Business Forum, Leaders Push For Stronger Trade Ties

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 17:30 IST

Opportunities between India and Russia are broad and well-established, says CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Roscongress Foundation, Alexander Stuglev.

A packed hall attends the India-Russia Business Forum in New Delhi on Friday.

Business opportunities between India and Russia are broad and well-established, and both countries are looking to further strengthen bilateral trade and explore new areas of cooperation across multiple sectors, said CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Roscongress Foundation, Alexander Stuglev.

The Roscongress Foundation organises the India-Russia Business Forum.

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Stuglev the annual Russia-India forum in India is organised to keep both sides updated. It also helps the countries identify potential barriers and work together to eliminate them. Stuglev noted that apart from this, sector-specific and large-scale events are held in Russia to boost engagement.

We organise an annual Russia-India forum here in India to keep everyone up to date, to identify potential barriers and work together to eliminate them. But apart from that, we have sector-specific events and large events that we do in Russia I would like to use this opportunity to invite Indian businessmen to join us there. We will be happy to help you find reliable partners in Russia and develop business there," Stuglev told news agency ANI.

He said sectors like the pharmaceutical industry, IT, AI, cyber security, agricultural and industrial sector, transportation and logistics, energy sector, and tourism already have strong engagement. He added that there is even bigger potential for growth in the coming years.

Those sectors are indeed very broad ranging, pharmaceutical industry, IT, AI, cyber security, agricultural and industrial sector, transportation and logistics, energy sector, and tourism. Those are the sectors where we have cooperation already, but there is even bigger potential for growth. Specifically, we also talked about the automotive industry today as one of the drivers We are interested in facilitating trade not just between big enterprises, specifically during this forum we had a presentation of the largest Russian marketplaces and e-commerce platform that enables small and medium-sized Indian enterprises to offer their products to Russian consumers," Stuglev said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his statement said the world has witnessed many ups and downs over the past eight decades. Humanity has faced numerous challenges and crises. And through all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained like a pole star," Modi said in his media statement.

This relationship, built on mutual respect and deep trust, has always stood the test of time. Today, we discussed all aspects of cooperation to further strengthen this foundation. Taking economic cooperation to new heights is our shared priority," he added.

Bilateral trade between India and Russia reached a record high of $68.7 billion in FY 2024-25, nearly 5.8 times higher than the pre-pandemic trade of $10.1 billion. It comprises Indias exports worth $4.88 billion and imports from Russia amounting to $63.84 billion.

Key Indian exports include agri-products (fish, shrimp, rice, tobacco, tea, coffee, grapes), chemical products, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, ceramic products, aeroplane components, machinery, glass and glassware, clothing and knitwear, leather goods, rubber articles, electrical machinery, and surgical tools.

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Major imports from Russia are dominated by oil and petroleum products, fertilizers, bituminous substances, mineral fuels, mineral waxes, machinery, equipment, precious metals and stones, wood, pulp and paper products, metals and vegetable oils.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day State visit to India. During his visit, President Putin will hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on December 5.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 17:30 IST

News business economy At Packed India-Russia Business Forum, Leaders Push For Stronger Trade Ties

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News / National

by Stephen Jakes

BULAWAYO - City councillors have raised alarm over the vandalism of sewer infrastructure, warning that the damage is proving costly not only for the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) but also for residents whose bills are used to fund repairs.The concerns were highlighted in the latest council minutes under the Water and Sanitation report, which detailed ongoing challenges in maintaining sewer and water systems.According to the minutes, Councillor Aleck Ndlovu expressed particular concern over the removal of manhole covers, which he said were the main targets of vandals."He wanted to know if the department had a strategy to protect the manholes. In response, the Water and Sanitation section acknowledged that a significant number of manholes remained uncovered due to vandalism," the minutes read.The department confirmed that it had stopped using cast iron manhole covers, which were frequently stolen, and had switched to polymer (poly plastic) lockable covers to reduce vandalism.Council noted that the continued destruction of sewer infrastructure undermines service delivery and increases costs for the city, while also posing health and safety risks to residents.
Can You Still Buy Sovereign Gold Bonds In India? How To Buy SGBs, Interest, Benefits & Other Details

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Last Updated: December 11, 2025, 15:44 IST

Sovereign Gold Bonds, discontinued in February 2024, offered tax-free gains and 2.5 percent interest. Investors now buy SGBs via apps.

SGB offers 2.5 percent annual interest and tax benefits on capital gains.

SGB: Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB), the government-backed gold scheme, have delivered eye-popping returns to investors since inception. SGBs offered a mix of long-term, tax-free capital appreciation along with a fixed 2.5 per cent annual interest.

Due to the rising exchequer cost, the government discontinued the scheme in February 2024. With the scheme now discontinued, many investors are turning to the secondary market to buy SGBs.

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How Can You Purchase SGBs From the Stock Market?

Investors can buy Sovereign Gold Bonds from the secondary market through any trading app such as Zerodha, Groww or Upstox, just like purchasing a normal share. They have to go to search bar and type SGB" in the app, check the series name and maturity year, and look at the market price and trading volume, as some series have very low liquidity.

It is safer to place a limit order because prices can vary widely due to the bidask spread. Once the units are credited to your demat account, you will receive the 2.5% annual interest directly in your bank account. If you hold the bond till maturity, the capital gains remain completely tax-free, even if you bought it from the secondary market.

Is It Worth Buying SGBs From the Secondary Market?

Buying SGBs from the secondary market makes sense only if they are available at a small premium, said Amar Ranu, Head  Investment Products & Insights at Anand Rathi Share & Stock Brokers. If the premium is large, it materially reduces the upside versus buying a gold ETF," Ranu added.

SGBs Vs ETFs: Which Is Better?

When asked what investors should choose between SGBs and ETFs, Aditya Agrawal, CFA, Chief Investment Officer at Avisa Wealth Creators told News18 that SGBs are preferable when you have a long-term horizon (58 years), want steady semi-annual interest income at 2.5%, comfortable with relatively limited liquidity and aim to minimize capital gains tax.

Gold ETFs are best suited for investors seeking short to mid-term gold exposure, offering strong liquidity without the fixed income component," Agrawal said.

Ranu recommended gold ETFs, saying they are easier to trade and come with lower implicit costs. For tax-efficient long-term holding plus the fixed coupon, SGBs can be better only if the premium is small relative to expected gains and the investor really plans to hold till maturity," he said.

Ravi Singh, Chief Research Officer at Master Capital Services, explained that both SGBs (from the secondary market) and gold ETFs can work depending on the investors goal. SGBs suit long-term investors because, apart from gold price movement, they also offer a fixed 2.5% annual interest. The downside is liquidity, which is not always smooth, so the exit may not be immediate. Gold ETFs, however, are easy to trade and offer more flexibility," Singh added.

Navy Vijay Ramavat, Managing Director, Indira Securities added that Gold ETFs are simple. You can buy or sell anytime, even in tiny amounts.

SGBs, on the other hand, are for the patient ones. You get a fixed 2.5% interest every year, and if you hold them till maturity, whatever profit you make becomes tax-free. Thats why SGBs usually give better long-term returns but they need commitment and a slightly bigger-investor mindset, he added.

Is the Tax Treatment the Same for SGBs Bought From the Secondary Market?

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The capital gains exemption on SGBs applies only when the bond is held till maturity and redeemed with the RBI, Singh said. If sold on the exchange, normal capital gains tax applies, similar to gold ETFs.

Ranu added that if an investor sells SGBs on the exchange, gains become taxable. SGBs or other gold investments qualify as long-term if held for more than 24 months; long-term capital gains on such transfers are taxed at 12.5% (without indexation) for transfers on or after 23 July 2024. Short-term gains (24 months or less) are taxed at the investors slab rate. Only redemption at maturity  or redemption directly with the RBI  is exempt from capital gains tax," he explained.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 15:37 IST

News business savings-and-investments Can You Still Buy Sovereign Gold Bonds In India? How To Buy SGBs, Interest, Benefits & Other Details

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Babri Masjid Foundation Event: Bengal Governor Urges Calm, Launches Helpline To Report Threats

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 21:14 IST

Governor CV Ananda Bose urges calm ahead of the Babri Masjid replica foundation in Murshidabad, as security tightens and an Access Point Cell is set up for public vigilance.

Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose (File photo)

Ahead of the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the construction of a proposed mosque -modelled on Ayodhyas Babri Masjid- in West Bengals Murshidabad, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Friday urged the public to remain calm and vigilant.

In a message through his official X handle, the Governor cautioned people not to be influenced by provocative statements or rumours surrounding the event.

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In regard to an announced programme of an MLA to lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid replica in Beldanga, Murshidabad on 06.12.2025, HG urges people across the State to remain calm, vigilant and not to be swayed by provocative statements and rumors," the tweet read.

In regard to an announced programme of an MLA to lay the foundation stone of Babri Masjid replica in Beldanga, Murshidabad on 06.12.2025, HG urges people across the State to remain calm, vigilant and not to be swayed by provocative statements and rumors.HG has already urged Lok Bhavan, Kolkata, Social Media (@BengalGovernor) December 5, 2025

Governor Bose stated that he has already urged the state government to take all necessary measures to maintain law and order across West Bengal. In addition, he has directed Lok Bhavan to set up an Access Point Cell, which will operate 247, allowing citizens to report any untoward incidents, threats, intimidation, or provocative statements.

HG has directed Lok Bhavan to create an ACCESS POINT CELL which shall be functional 247 staring immediately. People are free to contact Lok Bhavan ACCESS POINT CELL over phone or email and report any untoward incident or threats or intimidation or report any provocative statements being made by anybody. HG will be concurrently monitoring the entire situation."

Contact details for the Access Point Cell were also shared:

Phone Number: 033-22001641

Emails: osd2w.b.governor@gmail.com; generalcellgs@gmail.com; specialcellgs@gmail.com

Officials of Lok Bhavan who can be reached directly include Sandeep Singh Rajput (97177 73134 and 92890 10682), Suresh Vaidian (99952 51155), and Dr SK Pattanayak, Chief of Staff (9480813891).

HG once again urges people to be vigilant and calm and not respond to any provocative statements. HG is confident that the State Government will take all necessary action to ensure that there is no threat to law and order," the statement added.

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Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the locality with the deployment of additional forces. The area has been placed under a high security" zone, with the police, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and BSF units being mobilised.

Suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir proposed to build a mosque in the locality, and its foundation-laying ceremony is scheduled on December 6, which marks the anniversary of the demolition of Ayodhyas Babri Masjid.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 21:12 IST

News cities Babri Masjid Foundation Event: Bengal Governor Urges Calm, Launches Helpline To Report Threats

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Bengaluru To Face Day-Long Power Cuts This Weekend: Check The Area-Wise List

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 12:25 IST

Though inconvenient over a weekend, officials argue that planned cuts allow them to work safely on high-voltage infrastructure and reduce long-term breakdowns.

With two back-to-back day-long cuts across different belts, this weekend will be a little more old-school for many homes. (Image: Canva)

Bengaluru residents in and around Kadugodi, Whitefield and parts of Hesaraghatta side need to brace for a full-day power cut this weekend. BESCOM has announced that supply will be disrupted on Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7, from morning to evening in several neighbourhoods as Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) and BESCOM take up emergency maintenance work.

Officials have said the outages are necessary to carry out urgent work at the 66/11 KV Kadugodi substation and associated feeders. Power is scheduled to be switched off between 9 am and 5 pm on both days.

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When Will The Power Be Cut?

According to the notice, power supply will be disrupted:

On Saturday, December 6, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in and around the 66/11 KV Kadugodi substation limits

On Sunday, December 7, from morning to evening in several areas fed by lines on the Hesaraghatta and surrounding stretches

Residents have been advised to plan their weekend chores, work-from-home needs and water pumping accordingly.

Areas Affected On Saturday (December 6)

On Saturday, the power cut will impact a wide cluster of localities in and around Kadugodi and Whitefield. The affected areas include:

Belathur, Ayyappa Temple, Kumbeena Agrahara, Pattalamma Layout, VSR Layout, Kadugodi, Channasandra, FCI Godown, Saphal, Shankarapura, Siddhartha Layout, Sai Ashram, HDFC Bank surroundings, Alambic Apartment, Marvel Apartment, Immadihalli, Kaithota, Dinnoor, GK Layout, Dinnoor Police Station limits, Maithri Layout, Government Polytechnic area, Channasandra Main Road, Nagondanahalli, Nagaraj Layout, Dommarapalya, Prashanth Layout, Upkar Layout, Prithvi Layout and Swami Vivekananda Road.

Along with Whitefield Main Road, ECCCC Road, Naidu Layout, Inner Circle, Karamariyappa Temple Road, Bhuvaneshwari Road, Bhairappa Layout, Vinayaka Layout, Rustumji Layout, Ambedkar Nagar Gudda, Prestige Mayberry Apartment, Adarsh Farm Meadows, Borewell Road, Outer Circle, Hagadur, Beer Street, Brook Bond area, Hagadur Kane, Vinayakanagar, Brigade Cosmopolis Apartment, Goyal Haryana Apartment, Vijayanagar, Gandhipura, Immadihalli Main Road, Dobbarapalya, Sumadhura Apartment and surrounding areas.

Residents in these pockets can expect no supply through most of the day and should avoid depending on lifts, water motors and other power-intensive work during the outage window.

Areas Affected On Sunday (December 7)

On Sunday, the shutdown shifts to a large set of areas on the Hesaraghatta, Chikkabanavara and surrounding belt. The following localities are slated to face power cuts:

Tarabanahalli, Hurulichikkanahalli, TB Cross, Heseraghatta, Bilijaji, Dwarakanagar, Chikkabanavara, Maruti Nagar, Ganapati Nagar, Shantinagar, Brothers Colony, Krishna College Road area, Raghavendra Layout, Sasuveghatta, Bajjappa Layout, Shivakumaraswamiji Layout, Guddadahalli, Dasenahalli and Thotagere Basavanna Temple surroundings.

Also in Hosahalli Palya, CDPO area, Danish Farm, KMF, Animal Husbandry, Guni Agrahara, Mediagrahra, Somashettihalli, Ganigarahaalli, Keregood Line Feeder belt, K.T. Pura, IIHR, Mathakoor, Ivarakondapura, Seethakempanahalli, State Fisheries, Linganahalli, Madappanahalli, Kalenahalli Shivakote Village, Mavallipura, Kondashettihalli, Madhugirivehalli, Kurubarahaali, Pakegowdanapalya, Raghavendra Dhama, Bailakere, Acharya College Main Road, Achyut Nagar, Soladevanahalli, Sasuveghatta and nearby areas.

People in these localities should expect daytime outages and plan accordingly for water storage, phone and device charging and any essential weekend work.

Why This Outage Is Happening

BESCOM has said the shutdown is tied to emergency maintenance and line work taken up by KPTCL and BESCOM to strengthen the network. Such shutdowns are typically used to carry out repairs, upgrade equipment, and reduce the risk of unplanned blackouts later.

Though inconvenient over a weekend, officials argue that planned cuts allow them to work safely on high-voltage infrastructure and reduce long-term breakdowns.

How Residents Can Prepare

Since the outage is scheduled and time-bound, residents have a chance to prepare:

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Charge mobile phones, laptops, inverters and power banks in advance

Store sufficient water in overhead tanks and buckets before 9 am

Avoid using lifts close to outage time and inform elderly residents

Plan cooking that needs mixers, microwaves or induction stoves ahead of time

For shops and small businesses, make arrangements for billing and lighting if needed

With two back-to-back day-long cuts across different belts, this weekend will be a little more old-school for many homes in and around Kadugodi and the Hesaraghatta side. But with some planning, residents can manage the disruption and avoid last-minute hassles.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 12:25 IST

News cities bengaluru-news Bengaluru To Face Day-Long Power Cuts This Weekend: Check The Area-Wise List

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170 Indian Students Deported From UK In 5 Years, Highest Among All Countries

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 14:09 IST

Government data shows 170 Indian students were deported from the UK in five years, the highest among all countries, followed by Australia, Russia and the US.

Data shows the UK deported the highest number of Indian students in the past five years. (Representative/Getty)

A total of 170 Indian students were deported from the United Kingdom in the past five years, which is the highest among all countries. The information was shared in Parliament on Thursday by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh.

Australia deported 114 Indian students during the same period, followed by Russia with 82 cases and the United States with 45 cases. In addition, 62 Indian students were denied entry into the US at the airport itself.

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Other countries that deported Indian students include Georgia (17), Ukraine (13), Finland (5), China (4), Egypt (2) and Austria (1).

Why Students Were Sent Back

According to the government, most deportations took place because of violations of visa and academic rules. Some common reasons mentioned were:

Taking up jobs that are not allowed under student visas

Carrying out unauthorised business activities

Not paying university fees

Low attendance in classes

Withdrawing from the registered course or university

Not showing proof of financial ability to support studies

In several cases, students were turned back because they did not have complete admission documents, had not finished formal enrolment procedures or could not answer basic questions about their chosen course when questioned by immigration officers.

S.No. Country Indian Students Deported (Last 5 Years) Indian Students Denied Entry (Last 5 Years) 1 Australia 114 0 2 China 4 0 3 Egypt 2 0 4 Finland 5 0 5 Kyrgyzstan 0 11 6 Russia 82 0 7 Austria 1 0 8 Georgia 17 0 9 Ukraine 13 0 10 United Kingdom 170 0 11 United States of America 45 62

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Global Policy Changes Affecting Students

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The data comes at a time when major study destinations are tightening their immigration rules. Recently, Australia increased its student visa fee from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000 from July 1, 2025, making the visa among the most expensive in the world. The country has also introduced stricter screening of applications and closer monitoring of students shifting between multiple courses.

With a rising number of Indian students moving abroad every year, the government has urged applicants to follow all visa rules and university requirements carefully to avoid deportation or entry denial.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 14:09 IST

News education-career 170 Indian Students Deported From UK In 5 Years, Highest Among All Countries

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Maharashtra Schools Closed Today As Teachers Protest Over Mandatory TET

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 08:53 IST

Schools across Maharashtra remained shut today as teachers held statewide protests against compulsory TET.

Teachers across Maharashtra hold protests, forcing schools to remain shut over TET rules and new staffing policies. (Representational Image/Getty)

Maharashtra Schools Closed: Schools across Maharashtra remained shut today, December 5, after teachers unions announced a statewide strike. Teaching and non-teaching staff from primary and secondary schools boycotted duties and joined protests over unresolved issues with the government.

The unions have organised rallies in several districts. In Pune, the march began at the new Zilla Parishad building and moved towards the district collectors office, where teachers gathered to submit their demands.

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Why Have Teachers Called The Strike?

Teachers are protesting mainly against two key decisions of the state government:

Making the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) compulsory

Implementing the 2024 school approval and staffing policy

According to unions, compulsory TET has left many experienced teachers unsure about the security of their jobs. They also claim that the new approval policy may affect staffing, promotions and school recognition.

Strong Support From Multiple Unions

Participation is widespread. In Amravati district alone, more than a dozen teacher organisations joined the strike. Thousands of teachers marched to the collectors office demanding that the government withdraw or amend the controversial policies.

The strike has also received support from teachers elected MLAs across both ruling and opposition parties, increasing pressure on the state government.

ALSO READ: Single Regulator For Higher Education? What Indias Top Academics Think About The HECI Bill

Salary Deduction Warning Sparks Anger

In the middle of the protest, the administration issued a notice stating that the salaries of teachers participating in the strike could be withheld. Union leaders strongly objected to this warning.

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Teacher leader Sangeeta Shinde said the government issued the circular without any discussion, calling it an attempt to suppress a democratic protest. She demanded immediate intervention from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Shinde said teachers will not accept any salary cuts and urged the government to resolve their demands at the earliest. She also warned that the agitation will intensify if disciplinary action is taken against teachers.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 08:53 IST

News education-career Maharashtra Schools Closed Today As Teachers Protest Over Mandatory TET

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Tezpur University Appoints Senior Faculty Member As Acting VC Amid Shutdown

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 19:32 IST

The shutdown at Tezpur University commenced on November 29, with protesters demanding VC Shambhu Nath Singh's removal over corruption charges.

A senior professor accused the ministry of failing to take constructive steps during the protests and colluding with Singh to appoint a pro-VC. (File Photo/Facebook)

Tezpur University has been completely closed for the past week. In a significant move, the senior-most faculty member assumed the role of acting vice chancellor on Friday, reported PTI. This development follows VC Shambhu Nath Singhs controversial actions since mid-September. Singh held a Board of Management meeting on Thursday, appointing Mass Communication professor Joya Chakraborty as the pro-VC.

However, Chakraborty declined the position, and the Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF) decided to continue the indefinite shutdown that started on November 29, citing corruption allegations against Singh.

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Late at night, the university community invoked the Tezpur University Act, 1993, resulting in senior faculty member Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya taking over as acting VC. Bhattacharyya informed the Union Ministry of Educations higher education department about the situation, referencing the relevant clauses of the Act. PTI obtained documents from the BOM meeting.

A senior professor accused the ministry of failing to take constructive steps during the protests and colluding with Singh to appoint a pro-VC. The university community demands Singhs removal, highlighting his three-month absence from campus. The student protests and shutdown will continue until an inquiry into the corruption allegations is initiated.

Since November 29, all services and academic activities at Tezpur University have been suspended, leading to the cancellation of end-term exams. Both the Tezpur University Teachers Association and Tezpur University Non-Teaching Employees Association support the TUUF-led agitation. The institution has been non-functional for seven days.

The unrest began on September 22 when VC Singh left campus after a heated argument with students. Since then, 11 faculty members and senior officials have resigned. Protesters argue that the evidence against Singh necessitates an immediate inquiry and that his continued presence undermines institutional integrity.

The situation has been tense since mid-September, with students accusing Singh of disrespecting cultural icon Zubeen Garg, who had recently passed away. The Sonitpur District Administration ordered a magisterial probe into the universitys actions regarding Garg. A fact-finding committee from the Assam governor also visited the university to investigate the allegations against Singh.

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The indefinite shutdown forced the university administration to cancel and reschedule end-term exams to avoid disadvantaging students. This marks the first time in the universitys history that academic schedules have been formally changed due to student-led protests.

In addition to fiscal irregularities, university staff are protesting against alleged deforestation and ecological harm under Singhs administration. Singh reportedly ordered the cutting of significant trees and bamboo patches for beautification and initiated grass planting activities deemed unsuitable for the tropical region of northeast India by the university community.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 19:32 IST

News education-career Tezpur University Appoints Senior Faculty Member As Acting VC Amid Shutdown

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IndiGo Cancellations Trigger Airport Chaos: FDTL Rule Change, DGCA Breather, And What's Next

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 15:55 IST

IndiGos network has collapsed under new flight duty time limitation rules, forcing mass cancellations and pushing the DGCA to issue emergency operational relaxations.

Thousands of IndiGo passengers are left stranded at airports in India after the carrier's roster update disrupted company's operations. (X photo)

Indias aviation network has been under severe strain this week, with IndiGo, the countrys largest airline, cancelling and delaying hundreds of flights across major airports. On Friday, Delhi Airport suspended all IndiGo domestic departures until midnight to prevent overcrowding inside terminals, after scenes of congestion and confusion built up through the morning. Chennai Airport also halted all IndiGo departures until 6 pm the same day, adding further pressure on the network already struggling to stay afloat. Airports in Bengaluru and Hyderabad reported similar strain as flight schedules collapsed across the country.

IndiGo has now cancelled more than 1,500 flights in four days, with over 600 scrapped on Friday alone and hundreds more delayed. For thousands of passengers, the crisis has left travel plans in disarray.

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Amid this disruption, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued two significant orders to stabilise operations nationwide, one applicable to all airlines, and another specific to IndiGo, which has struggled the most with crew availability and compliance with the newly tightened Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.

But first, it is important to understand what these FDTL norms are.

What FDTL Norms Are, And How They Changed

Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms decide the basic working limits for pilots and cabin crew  how long they can be on duty, how many hours they may fly, how many night landings they can perform, and the minimum rest they must receive between duties. These rules are meant to ensure that the crew are adequately rested before operating flights.

The DGCA revised Indias FDTL framework in January 2024 after examining fatigue trends and comparing international practices. The revised norms were notified on 31 May last year with a requirement to begin complying from 1 June 2024, but airlines asked for additional time because the changes affected crew planning, scheduling and utilisation.

As a result, the new norms were shifted to a phased roll-out, beginning 1 July 2025 and completing 1 November this year. The DGCA implemented the revised norms this year following a direction from the Delhi High Court, which required the regulator to enforce the updated fatigue-control framework.

The rules now in force include several major changes:

Weekly rest increased to 48 consecutive hours, instead of 36

Night extended to 00:0006:00, instead of 00:0005:00

Night landings capped at two, instead of six

No more than two consecutive night duties allowed

Additional requirements for fatigue reporting and roster adjustments

These changes were introduced to tighten rest requirements and reduce the strain associated with early-morning departures and late-night operations. But the transition also required airlines to adjust schedules, rework rosters and, in some cases, increase pilot strength, steps that became especially challenging once the second phase of the rollout took effect this year.

Why FDTL Is Back In The News Now

November marked the first full month in which the tightened rest limits, the extended night window and the reduced night-operations allowance were all simultaneously in effect. This coincided with the winter schedule, a pre-existing pilot crunch and technical snags affecting aircraft.

This combination created pressure across crew rosters. The transition exposed gaps in crew availability, and the impact was most visible at IndiGo due to its large scale and high utilisation model.

What Happened To IndiGo

The implementation of the revised FDTL norms forced a large segment of IndiGos pilots into mandatory rest just as the airline increased frequencies for its winter schedule on 26 October. The strain deepened when an Airbus A320 software advisory triggered weekend delays, pushing many flights past midnight and into the new rest window, causing more pilot unavailability and triggering further cancellations.

According to DGCA data submitted earlier, IndiGo recorded 1,232 cancellations in November alone. Of these, 755 were linked to crew and FDTL-related constraints, 258 were due to airspace and airport restrictions, 92 were attributed to air traffic control system failures, and 127 to various other reasons. The airlines on-time performance dropped from 84.1 per cent in October to 67.7 per cent in November before collapsing further in early December.

IndiGo said the disruption was caused by a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges," including minor technology issues, winter schedule changes, congestion and weather.

DGCA Steps In As IndiGos Disruptions Deepen

To contain the airport chaos triggered by large-scale cancellations, the DGCA issued a special order granting IndiGo a temporary, one-time exemption from two specific FDTL provisions  Para 3.11 (night duty window 00:0005:00) and Para 6.1.4 (operations encroaching into night duty). IndiGo had said these provisions were creating significant crew-availability constraints under the revised Phase-II limits.

The regulator said the exemption is intended solely to facilitate operational stabilisation. It takes effect immediately and will remain valid until 10 February 2026, subject to mandatory review every 15 days. IndiGo must submit fortnightly progress reports detailing actual crew utilisation, steps taken to improve availability and planning changes made to restore operability.

The DGCA also issued an urgent appeal to pilot bodies, asking for full cooperation amid severe strain on the aviation system during the fog period and peak holiday season. The regulator urged pilots to support stable operations and help reduce avoidable delays, and reiterated that FDTL safety norms will continue to be implemented in letter and spirit."

Relief For All Airlines

In a separate order applicable to all carriers, the DGCA temporarily withdrew the instruction that barred airlines from substituting weekly rest with accumulated leave. Airlines had said this restriction complicated crew rostering during the ongoing disruptions.

The DGCA said the relaxation was necessary in view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines" and was issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.

How The Crisis Spiralled Across Indigos Network

IndiGo operates more than 2,200 flights a day, nearly double the daily operations of Air India. This scale amplifies even the smallest disruption. When rosters were thrown off balance, the cascading effect was immediate and widespread: at Delhi alone, 135 departures and 90 arrivals were cancelled on Friday. Bengaluru reported 52 cancelled arrivals and 50 departures; Hyderabad saw 92 cancellations; and Mumbai logged 104 the same day.

Passengers reported being stranded for hours with little clarity. One flyer in Hyderabad said, They kept saying just two more hours for 12 hours straight. No hotel, no food, nothing," while another passenger in Bengaluru recounted waiting more than 12 hours overnight before the flight was eventually cancelled.

In the last 48 hours alone, more than 1,300 cancellations were recorded nationwide, underscoring how quickly the disruption escalated.

What IndiGo Has Said About The Ongoing Disruption

IndiGo on Friday issued a public statement acknowledging that the past few days have been extremely difficult for passengers and describing the situation as a serious operational crisis." The airline said it is doing everything in our capacity" to stabilise operations and bring schedules back to normal at the earliest."

The statement said that today is expected to have the highest number of cancellations, which the airline described as a necessary step to reboot all our systems and schedules for progressive improvement starting tomorrow." IndiGo said its teams are working to reinstate regular operations in alignment with the Ministry and DGCA, and that short-term proactive cancellations are being made to ease operations" and decongest airports.

The airline shared several commitments for affected passengers:

Refunds for cancellations will be processed automatically to the original mode of payment.

A full waiver will be offered on cancellations or rescheduling of bookings for travel between 5 December 2025 and 15 December 2025.

Thousands of hotel rooms and surface transport have been arranged across cities for stranded customers.

Food and snacks are being provided to waiting passengers at airports.

Lounge access is being arranged for senior citizens where possible.

IndiGo also urged passengers to:

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Check flight status before leaving home and avoid coming to the airport if the flight is cancelled.

Use the airlines AI assistant 6Eskai for flight status, refunds and rebookings.

Be patient as the airline has massively increased" contact-centre capacity to reduce waiting time.

The statement concluded by saying passengers will see incremental progress," adding, We will do everything to earn back your trust and the love you have showered on us in the last 19 years."

First Published: December 05, 2025, 15:55 IST

News explainers IndiGo Cancellations Trigger Airport Chaos: FDTL Rule Change, DGCA Breather, And What's Next

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Two Takeaways From PM Modi-Putin Car Ride: A Deepening Rapport And Indias Strategic Autonomy

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 12:39 IST

By breaking protocol to greet Putin, PM Modi projected confidence in a partnership that remains resilient, and in Indias resolve to chart its own course amid global crosswinds

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday arrived in New Delhi for a two-day state visit.

Putins India visit Live Updates: Russian President Vladimir Putins arrival in Delhi on Thursday evening produced one of the strongest diplomatic visuals India has projected this year. As his aircraft taxied to a halt at Palam Airport, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was already positioned at the foot of the stairs. The two leaders exchanged a handshake, followed by a noticeably warm hug, before walking together towards the car that would take them to the Prime Ministers residence.

What made the moment exceptional was not the gesture alone, but the fact that PM Modi had broken established protocol by receiving Putin personally, something he has done for only a handful of world leaders since 2014, and then went a step further by travelling with him in the same vehicle to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

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The airport welcome surprised even the Russian delegation, with Moscows own state media later noting that the Kremlin had not been informed in advance.

For Russia, whose presidential trips are choreographed with meticulous precision, the spontaneity and warmth of PM Modis gesture carried a significance of its own. For India, the decision to host Putin with this degree of personal attention appeared carefully calibrated to both the moment and the message New Delhi wanted to send.

Why Modis Reception Of Putin Stands Out

Although PM Modi has welcomed select leaders such as Barack Obama, Shinzo Abe, Sheikh Hasina, Donald Trump, Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince Salman and Qatars Emir Tamim at airports in the past, Thursdays reception went further than any of those earlier instances.

This was the first time PM Modi travelled from the airport to his residence in the same vehicle as a visiting head of state. The choice of car also stood out. Instead of the black Range Rover Sentinel normally used for official movement, the two rode in a white Toyota Fortuner bearing the flags of both nations.

The symbolism was amplified by the fact that this was not their first such ride. In September this year, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Putin had offered PM Modi a seat in his own Aurus Senat sedan, a moment that quickly went viral and prompted Putin to later describe the drive as a symbol of our friendship".

Thursdays car ride, coming within months of the Tianjin gesture, underscored a degree of personal comfort and familiarity that is rare for the Russian president, who is otherwise known for maintaining strict formality in diplomatic interactions.

Putins arrival also carried its own theatre. His aircraft, often referred to as the Flying Kremlin", became the most tracked flight globally on FlightRadar24 on Thursday. He was accompanied by several senior ministers, including those responsible for defence, finance, agriculture, economic development, health, interior affairs and transport, along with a large contingent of Russian business leaders.

The Strategic Context Behind The Optics

The warmth on display was not detached from geopolitics. Putins visit to India comes at a moment when USRussia talks over Ukraine have failed to produce a breakthrough, and when the Trump administration has increased pressure on India to reduce its purchases of Russian crude.

In this setting, PM Modis choice to greet Putin at the airport and accompany him personally to 7LKM was far more than ceremonial hospitality. It was a clear assertion of Indias strategic autonomy. Delhi appeared intent on signalling that its relationship with Russia would not be reshaped or constrained by American preferences.

Strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney captured this sentiment in a series of remarks on X. He wrote that Indias interests require strong relationships with both the US and Russia" and that the challenge for Indian diplomacy lies in ensuring that these relationships reinforce  rather than constrain  Indias independent foreign policy".

Indias strategic interests require strong relationships with both the U.S. and Russia. The enduring challenge for New Delhi is to calibrate its diplomacy so that ties with Washington and Moscow reinforce  rather than constrain  Indias independent foreign policy.Given that  Dr. Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) December 4, 2025

Chellaney also pointed to a broader trend: as Washingtons policies in recent years have pushed Moscow closer to Beijing, Indias ability to sustain a robust, balanced partnership with Russia has gained greater significance.

The China View: India And Russia As Not Isolated"

The optics from Delhi were closely followed in Beijing as well. A Global Times editorial, quoting analysts such as Li Haidong from the China Foreign Affairs University, described the ModiPutin interactions as a reminder of the strategic" and highly resilient" nature of the IndiaRussia partnership. The Chinese commentary argued that the visit sent a joint message: neither India nor Russia is isolated internationally, and Western sanctions or pressure are unlikely to alter the core direction of their foreign policies.

Former Indian prime ministerial adviser Sudhindra Kulkarni told Sputnik that the timing of the visit was strategically significant amid global pressure", a view echoed in Chinese reporting that emphasised the durability of IndiaRussia coordination. Li Haidong was quoted as saying that the cooperation between the two countries reflects a shared intent to further strengthen their independent and autonomous capabilities". For Beijing, the symbolism reinforced the idea that India continues to chart its own path on Russia, independent of the Wests strategic priorities.

The Trump Factor And The Question Of Double Standards

The meeting in Delhi also unfolded against the backdrop of renewed tension in IndiaUS relations over sanctions. Trump has pressed India to reduce its Russian crude imports even as the United States continues to import Russian enriched uranium, fertilisers and certain chemicals.

Chellaney noted the contradiction, pointing out that while India is threatened with secondary sanctions, other major buyers of Russian energy, including the European Union, Japan and Turkey, face no comparable penalties. Such inconsistencies, he argued, reveal that Washingtons coercive measures are driven less by principle than by geopolitical convenience".

From this perspective, the ModiPutin car ride is likely to be watched closely in Washington, particularly by Trump, whose own approach to Russia has oscillated between outreach and confrontation. Chellaney suggested that Trumps reaction to the Delhi meeting may well undercut his own attempts to improve ties with Moscow, even after the Alaska summit signalled a potential recalibration.

Trump will not only be watching Putins New Delhi visit closely but will, characteristically, react in ways that undercut his own effort to mend Americas frayed ties with Moscow, including his push to end the proxy war in Ukraine. His Alaska summit with Putin signaled an Dr. Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) December 4, 2025

Shashi Tharoor on Putins India Visit

The Delhi optics also prompted reactions within Indias political landscape. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described Putins visit as hugely significant", arguing that the IndiaRussia relationship has remained one of New Delhis most stable equations at a time when several global alignments are in flux. He said that in todays rather turbulent world, where so many relationships have become uncertain, it becomes important to shore up the ones we have," adding that Indias partnerships with Russia should not be misinterpreted as coming at the cost of other relationships.

According to him, India has the capacity to have independent relationships with different governments," and this autonomy is rooted in the countrys diplomatic tradition.

Tharoor stressed that Indias foreign policy has long been grounded in sovereign autonomy", describing it as encoded in our DNA". He pointed to the practical value of ties with Moscow, noting that Russian oil and gas have played a key role in recent years, while defence cooperation has been underscored once again through systems such as the S-400.

During Operation Sindoor, he said, the S-400 air defence system protected us from a number of Pakistani missiles that were targeting our cities, including Delhi". Tharoor added that any agreements emerging from the Putin visit would strengthen a vital relationship", one that does not come at the expense of relations with America or China".

A Partnership Rooted In Continuity

Beyond the optics and political signalling, the substance of the visit remains significant. The 23rd IndiaRussia Summit will focus on strengthening trade and correcting the existing imbalance.

India has been pushing for greater access for its marine products, potatoes, pomegranates, processed food items, consumer goods and pharmaceuticals in the Russian market. Russia, for its part, continues to be a vital supplier of fertilisers, with India importing between three and five million tonnes annually. Defence, energy and regional issues are also expected to shape the discussions, given the depth and history of cooperation in these sectors.

For both nations, the continuity of this partnership matters. Unlike several other major-power relationships that have experienced volatility, Indias ties with Russia have been characterised by steadiness over decades. Chellaney framed this contrast sharply, noting that the IndiaRussia partnership has been marked by consistency and mutual benefit", unlike the more uneven and sometimes punitive tenor" of US policy toward New Delhi.

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What The Car Ride Ultimately Signalled

The lasting image from Thursday evening was not the red carpet or the formal reception, but the two leaders seated side by side in the back of a white SUV, driving away from the airport into the capital. It was a deliberate display of familiarity, stability and confidence, an assertion that India and Russia remain aligned on their own terms, regardless of the pressures exerted by others.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 10:55 IST

News explainers Two Takeaways From PM Modi-Putin Car Ride: A Deepening Rapport And Indias Strategic Autonomy

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After IndiGo Meltdown, Airfares Explode: Delhi-Chennai Rs 65,985, Delhi-Mumbai Rs 38,676

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 14:01 IST

The sudden fare spike comes at a time when thousands of passengers are scrambling for alternatives after IndiGo halted all its domestic departures from Delhi and Chennai.

Airfares shoot up as IndiGo disruption created mayhem on Day 3.

Passengers already reeling from IndiGos unprecedented wave of cancellations are now facing a fresh blowone-way airfares on key domestic routes have surged to eye-watering levels, making last-minute travel from the capital almost impossible for many.

On Friday, as more than 700 IndiGo flights were cancelled across major hubs, flight aggregators showed fares that stunned travellers. A New DelhiChennai one-way ticket shot up to 65,985, while the New DelhiMumbai route, one of Indias busiest, climbed to Rs 38,676 for a single journey. Even the DelhiKolkata route crossed Rs 38,699, with only a handful of seats left.

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The sudden fare spike comes at a time when thousands of passengers are scrambling for alternatives after IndiGo halted all its domestic departures from Delhi and Chennai till midnight. With the countrys largest airline operating at a fraction of its capacity, demand has spilt over to other carriers, and the fares show it.

Travel platforms displayed shocking last-minute prices across December 5 and 6, with some multi-stop options to Chennai priced above 71,000. Passengers complained on social media that they were being punished twice", first by cancellations, then by unaffordable fares, as trains too remain totally booked.

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The Civil Aviation Minister has already directed DGCA to closely monitor airfares to ensure airlines do not take advantage of the crisis. But as passengers on the ground discovered today, the gap between regulation and reality remains painfully wide.

Airlines have not yet issued a statement on the high fares, even as stranded travellers continue searching for any available seat  at any price.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 13:41 IST

News india After IndiGo Meltdown, Airfares Explode: Delhi-Chennai Rs 65,985, Delhi-Mumbai Rs 38,676

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'Restore Normal Services': Centre Stresses Passenger Care, Orders Probe Into IndiGo Chaos

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 18:39 IST

A four-member panel will examine what went wrong at Indigo, determine accountability and recommend measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

Passengers wait with their luggage outside the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport amid IndiGo Flight Cancellations in Kolkata. (PTI photo)

The Central government on Friday ordered a high-level inquiry into the large-scale disruption of IndiGo flights, after thousands of passengers were left stranded at airports across the country. The move comes amid continuing cancellations and delays that have caused widespread inconvenience to travellers.

The decision to launch the inquiry follows a series of urgent steps announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to stabilise flight operations.

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The FDTL orders issued by the DGCA have been placed in abeyance with immediate effect for now to stabilise operations and prioritise relief for affected passengers.Airlines have been directed to provide timely and accurate updates to all passengers and ensure automatic refunds pic.twitter.com/0NsSa1DotT  Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) December 5, 2025

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu directed IndiGo to implement several operational measures to restore normal services at the earliest.

Based on the immediate implementation of these directives, we expect that flight schedules will begin to stabilise and return to normal by tomorrow. We anticipate that complete restoration of services will be achieved within the next three days," the release said.

Naidu confirmed that the government had ordered a formal inquiry to investigate the causes of the disruption. The probe will look into what went wrong within IndiGos operations, identify who should be held accountable, and recommend steps to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The Government of India has decided to institute a high-level inquiry into this disruption. The inquiry will examine what went wrong at Indigo, determine accountability wherever required for appropriate actions, and recommend measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future, ensuring that passengers do not face such hardships again," the PIB release said.

According to the Ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviations (DGCA) Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) orders have been placed in abeyance with immediate effect. Without compromising on air safety, this decision has been taken solely in the interest of passengers, especially senior citizens, students, patients, and others who rely on timely air travel for essential needs," it added.

Naidu further assured that the Centre is fully aware of the challenges faced by air passengers and is in constant consultation with airlines and all relevant stakeholders.

Passenger care, safety, and convenience continue to remain the highest priority of the Government of India," he noted.

Four-Member Panel Set Up To Review IndiGo Crisis

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also constituted a four-member high-level committee to investigate the series of operational failures that led to IndiGos widespread flight disruptions.

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According to the regulator, the chaos stemmed from IndiGos inability to plan adequately for new crew duty rules under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) framework. These regulations were scheduled to be introduced in phases from July and November 2025. Despite repeated advisories, IndiGo reportedly failed to forecast crew availability accurately, align training schedules and adjust rosters, resulting in a chain of delays and cancellations beginning late November.

The DGCA said that IndiGo itself admitted to gaps in planning which caused cancellations to rise to nearly 170200 flights a day. To address accountability and restore stability, the regulator has appointed Joint Director General Sanjay K. Bramhane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, SFOI Capt. Kapil Manglik and FOI Capt. Lokesh Rampal to the committee. The panel has been asked to submit its findings and recommendations within 15 days.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 16:54 IST

News india 'Restore Normal Services': Centre Stresses Passenger Care, Orders Probe Into IndiGo Chaos

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Technology / Internet

by Staff reporter

Meta Platforms risks a temporary European Union ban on the rollout of new policies over how its AI features in WhatsApp, after being hit by the latest probe into Big Tech's alleged dominance on the continent.Teresa Ribera, the EU's antitrust chief, said Thursday she's weighing so-called interim measures "to ensure that this could not blow up."She made the comments to reporters in Brussels after signing off on an investigation into suspicions that WhatsApp AI tools may unfairly prevent rival AI providers from offering their business services through WhatsApp.Under EU rules, competition regulators can order companies to temporarily stop suspect business practices, but these demands can be challenged in the bloc's courts in Luxembourg.Eventual fines for breaching the EU antitrust rulebook can be as high as 10% of global annual revenue, although they rarely reach that level, especially if alleged wrongdoing is short-lived.Meta will now be forced to submit solutions to appease regulators' concerns.The EU has in recent years ramped up pressure on Silicon Valley firms, seeking to curb potential market abuses as a handful of operators wield a huge amount of power across the digital sector.Aside from standard antitrust rules, legislation - in the shape of the Digital Markets Act - has established a series of dos and don'ts for the major players in order to curb anti-competitive behavior."The claims are baseless," a WhatsApp spokesperson said. "The emergence of AI chatbots on our Business API puts a strain on our systems that they were not designed to support.""Even still, the AI space is highly competitive and people have access to the services of their choice in any number of ways, including app stores, search engines, email services, partnership integrations, and operating systems."Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tamlin Bason said the EU's probe "likely targets a quick settlement" and that regulators are likely "prioritising the certainty of established competition law to block Meta's conduct," rather than its much-newer DMA rulebook."By flagging this probe as a priority' ahead of Meta's January implementation date, the EU likely aims to force a relatively quick resolution," Bason wrote in a post after the announcement."A settlement would compel Meta to preserve competition in the messaging-based AI ecosystem immediately, bypassing the uncertainty of a multiyear court battle."More investigations underwayLast month, Italian regulators broadened an investigation into Meta's use of AI tools in WhatsApp over its alleged abuse of a dominant market position in its chatbot services.The Italian antitrust agency previously said it was working with its EU counterparts on the issue. The Financial Times reported on the EU probe earlier.The commission said the opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome.The EU authority said its own case would exclude Italy to "avoid an overlap" as the nation's competition arm also pushes toward its own temporary curbs on Meta's plans."Swift intervention by the commission is of utmost importance," said Marvin von Hagen, CEO and co-founder of The Interaction Company of California, which owns AI assistant Poke.com, a complainant in the cases.In April, Meta earlier came in for a 200-million (R3.95-billion) fine for allegedly breaching the DMA, and in November 2024 it was ordered to pay 798 million (R15.78 billion) for tying its Facebook Marketplace service to its social network - something regulators said amounted to an abuse of dominance.US President Donald Trump has long railed against EU tech and antitrust regulation impeding American companies.In August, he threatened to impose fresh tariffs and export restrictions on advanced technology and semiconductors in retaliation for other nations' digital services taxes that hit American technology companies.
IndiGo Faces The Heat: Govt Shows 'Clear Displeasure', DGCA Launches Strict On-Ground Checks

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 13:00 IST

Expressing clear displeasure over how IndiGo handled the transition despite ample preparation time, the minister directed the airline to urgently restore normal operations.

A picture of the jam-packed airport. (Photo Credit: X)

After civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidus intervention over IndiGos ongoing disruptions, the DGCA has stepped up its oversight of the airline, launching field inspections at major airports across the country. The regulator is now monitoring not only IndiGos flight operations but also its passenger-handling arrangements, aiming to minimise chaos caused by mass cancellations and delays. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES

Special DGCA officers have been stationed inside IndiGos operational control centres for round-the-clock supervision, with a focus on ensuring timely communication to passengers during service disruptions. As the carrier attempts to stabilise operations, its real-time functioning is now under direct and continuous regulatory watch.

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The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken serious note" of the widespread cancellations and delays across IndiGos network over the past three days, with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressing clear displeasure" at how the airline handled the situation despite having ample preparation time.

On Friday, IndiGo cancelled more than 700 flights across major hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Later in the day, the airline announced that all domestic flights from Delhi and Chennai airports had been halted until midnight. The minister has directed IndiGo to urgently restore normal operations and ensure passengers face no further inconvenience.

Naidu also chaired a high-level review meeting with IndiGos senior management, attended by the Civil Aviation Secretary, the Director-General of Civil Aviation, senior ministry officials and representatives from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Also Read: Delhi Airport Cancels All IndiGo Domestic Flights Till Midnight Amid Nationwide Delays

At the meeting, IndiGo presented detailed data on cancellations and attributed the ongoing disruption to crew-planning challenges and complications arising from the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, alongside weather-related issues. Officials noted that the new FDTL rules were rolled out in phases under court supervision to strengthen fatigue management and enhance flight safety.

He also instructed DGCA to closely monitor airfares to ensure that ticket prices do not rise because of the disruptions, emphasising that passengers must not be burdened by operational lapses.

Airport Authority, DGCA Directed To Monitor Situation

The Minister also held a meeting with senior officers of AAI and directed that all airport directors must continuously monitor the situation on the ground and extend full support to all stranded passengers. He has instructed officials of MoCA to communicate the need for proper coordination among all stakeholders, including airports, ATC, and other airline, to restore normalcy at the earliest.

The DGCA has been directed to conduct strict real-time monitoring of IndiGos operations, including field inspections at major airports, with special emphasis on passenger-handling arrangements and timely communication during delays and cancellations. Officers have been deployed to IndiGos operational control centers for continuous oversight.

Also Read: IndiGo CEO Must Resign: Indian Passengers Share Stories Of Distress And Agony

The Ministry remains fully committed to ensuring smooth air travel and to safeguarding passenger rights and safety. All aspects of IndiGos operational recovery and passenger support measures will continue to be closely monitored until full stability is achieved.

Mass Cancellations Leave Airports Overwhelmed

On Friday, IndiGo cancelled more than 589 flights nationwide, leaving passengers stranded for hours and airports dealing with heavy congestion. Delhi saw over 220 cancellations, Bengaluru more than 100, and Hyderabad over 90, with additional disruptions reported in several other cities. Kolkata Airport recorded dozens of cancellations and delays through Thursday, while Thiruvananthapuram also saw services impacted over three consecutive days.

In an advisory, Delhi Airport warned travellers of operational challenges" and urged them to check flight status before arrival.

Also Read: No Proper Meals, Costly Tickets: IndiGo Chaos Leaves Flyers Stranded; Over 550 Flights Hit

DGCA Flags Misjudgment, Seeks Corrective Plan

At a meeting with DGCA, IndiGo admitted that disruptions stemmed from misjudgment and planning gaps" in implementing the updated FDTL rules. The airline informed the regulator that operations are expected to fully stabilise only by February 10, 2026, and sought temporary relaxations for A320 operations. DGCA noted a steep dip in IndiGos on-time performance, which fell to 19.7 per cent on Wednesday, and has deployed officers to operational control centres for real-time oversight. The regulator has also directed the airline to increase passenger-handling staff at affected terminals after finding manpower shortages at Delhis Terminal 1.

Pilot Unions Blame IndiGos Planning, Not FDTL Norms

Pilot bodies have criticised the airlines resource management, saying IndiGo inexplicably" froze hiring despite knowing the new norms would require additional crew. They argue that the disruptions reflect internal staffing and planning issues rather than flaws in the FDTL framework, which is designed to enhance pilot safety by reducing fatigue.

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IndiGo Says Stabilisation Will Take Weeks

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers told employees that restoring punctuality will not be an easy target" but assured that corrective measures are underway. The airline must now submit a detailed roadmap to DGCA outlining crew recruitment, rostering reforms, training plans, risk mitigation steps and fortnightly progress reports until operations stabilise.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 11:02 IST

News india IndiGo Faces The Heat: Govt Shows 'Clear Displeasure', DGCA Launches Strict On-Ground Checks

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Deepam Row: Tamil Nadu Govt Moves SC Against Madras HC Order Allowing Lamp-Lighting On Hilltop

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 11:20 IST

The petition contests a Division Bench order that allowed the petitioner to light the ceremonial lamp on the ancient Deepathoon pillar under police protection.

A lamp lit at Thiruparankundram temple | Image: PTI

A plea filed by the Madurai District Collector and the Madurai Police Commissioner challenging the Madras High Courts order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop Thirupparankundram hills was mentioned before the Supreme Court on Friday, seeking urgent listing.

The petition contests a Division Bench order that upheld a Single Judges direction allowing a petitioner to light the ceremonial lamp on the ancient Deepathoon pillar under police protection.

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During the mention, counsel for the respondent opposed the urgent listing request, alleging that the state was putting up a drama" and attempting to signal to the High Court that the matter had already been raised before the Supreme Court.

The legal battle intensified after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed the Tamil Nadu governments appeal in the Thirupparankundram Deepam contempt case.

The court reaffirmed the Single Judges earlier order permitting the petitioner to light the Karthigai Deepam on the hilltop pillar, a ritual of deep religious significance.

The state government, led by the DMK, insisted the ruling was not a setback," asserting that the judiciary must also respect the powers of the state."

The Single Judge had previously noted that the courts December 1 directive to light the lamp on the ancient pillar had not been carried out, and allowed the petitioner to proceed with the ritual accompanied by CISF security.

The bench also questioned the governments handling of the situation, triggering contempt proceedings.

Decades-Old Dispute Over Ritual Rights

The lighting of the lamp at the Subramaniya Swamy temple during Karthigai Deepam is a centuries-old tradition symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.

While the Deepathoon pillar stands only 15 metres from a dargah on the hilltop, disputes over rights of access date back to the British era.

The Privy Council had earlier ruled that the temple owns the hillexcept the dargah area and the stretch known as Nellithoppu.

Since 1862, the lamp has traditionally been lit at a lower level near the Uchipillayar Temple.

A 2014 Madras High Court ruling barred lighting the lamp atop the Deepathoon pillar. However, a fresh petition filed this year sought permission to revive the old practice, prompting the High Court to allow the lamp-lighting at the pillar and direct temple authorities to make arrangements.

The temple, however, lit the lamp at the usual spot after the state imposed prohibitory orders.

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Despite repeated court orders, the petitioner has not yet been able to access the Deepathoon pillar to light the lamp.

The contempt petition is set to be heard again tomorrow, while the temple administrations appeal remains pending.

Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 11:20 IST

News india Deepam Row: Tamil Nadu Govt Moves SC Against Madras HC Order Allowing Lamp-Lighting On Hilltop

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Doha-Kochi Air India Express Flight Diverted To Thiruvananthapuram Amid Bad Weather

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 09:13 IST

The flight safely landed at Thiruvananthapuram and later departed for Kochi once conditions improved.

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An Air India Express flight. (Representational image)

The Doha-Kochi Air India Express flight was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) on Friday, officials said. The diversion was necessitated by adverse weather conditions near Kochi.

According to the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) PRO, the flight safely landed at Thiruvananthapuram and later departed for Kochi once conditions improved.

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Kerala | The Doha-Kochi Air India Express flight has been diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.Source: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) PRO  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

Meanwhile, the countrys largest airline IndiGo on Thursday cancelled over 550 domestic and international flights while services were delayed at various airports due to operational disruptions for the third consecutive day.

Of 550 flights, 172 flights were cancelled at the Delhi airport.

According to news agency PTI, the airline, which generally operates around 2,300 flights daily and presents its punctuality as a hallmark, recorded an on time performance of 19.7% on Wednesday, a steep fall from 35% reported on Tuesday.

At least 118 flights were canceled at Mumbai airport, 100 at Bangalore, 75 at Hyderabad, 35 at Kolkata, 26 at Chennai, and 11 at Goa, with cancellations reported at several other airports as well.

Amid cancellations and delays of several flights, IndiGo issued a statement stating: The last two days have seen widespread disruption across IndiGos network and operations. We extend a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted by these events."

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IndiGo teams are working diligently and making all efforts with the support of MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI and airport operators to reduce the cascading impact of these delays and restore normalcy," it stated.

The airline further urged the passengers to check the latest status at https://www.goindigo.in/check-flight-status.html before heading to the airport.

Location : Kochi [Cochin], India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 09:13 IST

News india Doha-Kochi Air India Express Flight Diverted To Thiruvananthapuram Amid Bad Weather

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Government Data Shows Sharp Drop In Child Malnutrition Rates, Experts Flag Measurement Gaps

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 09:23 IST

The steep fall, especially in weight-based indicators, has been cited as evidence of improving outcomes under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.

A woman plays with her malnourished child at the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre of Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh February 1, 2012. (Reuters)

India has reported a dramatic decline in child malnutrition indicators, with the latest Poshan Tracker data showing significantly lower rates of stunting, underweight, and wasting compared with the most recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the data show.

According to figures presented in the Rajya Sabha, stunting among children under five has declined from 35.5 per cent (NFHS-5) to 33.54 per cent, underweight prevalence has dropped from 32.1 per cent to 14.41 per cent, and wasting has fallen sharply from 19.3 per cent to 5.03 per cent.

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The steep fall  especially in weight-based indicators  has been cited as evidence of improving outcomes under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. The Poshan Tracker, rolled out in 2021, digitises Anganwadi operations and enables near real-time monitoring of attendance, service delivery, and child growth across more than 8.87 crore beneficiaries, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under six.

However, the government cautioned that the improvements may not be directly comparable with NFHS findings. Responding to a question by Mallikarjun Kharge, the Ministry of Women and Child Development said, Statistical estimates based upon sample surveys may suffer from sampling errors and non-sampling errors. Similarly, administrative data have been known to suffer from data gaps due to coverage, measurement, training etc."

NFHS-5 relied on a nationally representative survey of 6.36 lakh households, while the Poshan Tracker generates administrative data from Anganwadi centres. The large gap between the two datasets  particularly the threefold difference in wasting  has triggered debate among experts over whether the numbers reflect real improvement or systematic measurement issues.

Divergence Between NFHS And Poshan Tracker

Public health specialist Dr Rajeev Jayadevan said the discrepancy arises from the fundamentally different nature of the two systems. NFHS and the Poshan Tracker serve completely different purposes and use very different methods, which is partly why their numbers diverge."

He noted that NFHS uses calibrated tools and trained field teams, while Anganwadi workers collect Poshan Tracker data with limited equipment and heavy workloads. Weight measurements, he added, are especially sensitive: Even a few hundred grams of variation can shift the weight-based indicators (wasting and underweight) substantially, while stunting, which is not weight-based, stays almost unchanged."

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Similarly, neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar of Apollo Hospitals said the data show both progress and persistent gaps. The most striking finding is in underweight prevalence, which the Poshan Tracker lists at 14.4 per cent, less than half of what NFHS-5 recorded (32.1 per cent). Such a large difference likely reflects differences in methodology and coverage."

The sharp fall in wasting, from 19.3 per cent to 5.0 per cent, would be remarkable" if representative, he said, while urging policymakers to use both datasets together and strengthen measurement systems.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 09:23 IST

News india Government Data Shows Sharp Drop In Child Malnutrition Rates, Experts Flag Measurement Gaps

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Great Philosopher, Humanist: Putin Pays Homage To Mahatma Gandhi At Rajghat

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 22:27 IST

The Russian leader, accompanied by MOS External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, paid floral tributes, laid a wreath and observed silence at Rajghat.

Vladimir Putin paid floral tributes at Rajghat. (ANI)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who came to India on a two-day state visit, visited Rajghat on Friday and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

The Russian leader, accompanied by MOS External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, paid floral tributes, laid a wreath and observed silence at the memorial, honouring Gandhis legacy of peace and non-violence.

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After the tribute, Putin wrote a heartfelt message in the visitors book, acknowledging Gandhis lasting influence on global leadership and moral philosophy.

In his note, Putin called Mahatma Gandhi the founder of modern independent India, a humanist, and a great freedom fighter.

In many respects, one of the founders of modern India, the great philosopher and humanist Mahatma Gandhi, made an invaluable contribution to the cause of peace throughout the world. His ideas about freedom, virtue, and compassion remain relevant to this day, " Putin wrote in his short note.

In many respects, Mahatma Gandhi anticipated the new, more just multipolar world order that is now taking shape. In his letters to Leo Tolstoy, he extensively reflected on the future of a world free from diktat and hegemony, founded on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and cooperation among nations. These are the very principles and values that Russia and India jointly uphold on the international stage today," Putin wrote in Russian.

His note was shared by the Russian Foreign Ministry in a post on X.

 President #Putin signed the guestbook of the Raj Ghat memorial complex:In many respects, one of the founders of modern India, the great philosopher & humanist Mahatma #Gandhi anticipated the new, more just multipolar world order that is taking shape.https://t.co/YDuMHz2Xup pic.twitter.com/QU4Cw3mCJA  MFA Russia  (@mfa_russia) December 5, 2025

Meanwhile, Kirti Vardhan Singh has once again drawn national attention through his growing diplomatic role. His presence at key international engagements has become a source of pride for his people from the constituency.

Singh recently stood alongside PM Modi to receive Putin in New Delhi, an appearance that quickly circulated across social media. He was also part of the official delegation that later accompanied Putin to Rajghat.

Putins Visit To India

Putin came to India on a two-day visit to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Russian leader at the airport in New Delhi on Thursday evening, giving him a hug and a handshake. Breaking protocols, the two leaders then travelled together in the same car to 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.

Putin received a tri-services guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi at Hyderabad House.

PM Modi announced that India and Russia have agreed on a 2030 Economic Cooperation Programme aimed at diversifying bilateral trade and investment after his talks with Putin.

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Responding to PM Modis statement, Putin highlighted the economic and energy dimensions of the partnership, noting that Russian rubles are being used for several large joint projects, strengthening financial cooperation between the two nations.

Putin said that the two sides had signed a number of new agreements that will broaden economic cooperation across key sectors.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 22:27 IST

News india Great Philosopher, Humanist: Putin Pays Homage To Mahatma Gandhi At Rajghat

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Hyderabad Airport Receives Bomb Threat, Mail Mentions Flight Number

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 11:28 IST

Immediately after receiving the information, full emergency was declared and checks were conducted in the flight.

Hyderabad airport gets bomb threat. (Representative image)

An airline at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad received a threatening email, stating that there is a bomb in flight EK-526 traveling from Dubai to Hyderabad.

Immediately after receiving the information, full emergency was declared and checks were conducted in the flight.

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As of now, nothing suspicious has been found inside the flight.

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On Thursday, an IndiGo flight travelling from Madinah to Hyderabad was diverted to Ahmedabad following a bomb threat.

Notably, an IndiGo flight from Kuwait to Hyderabad, earlier this week on Tuesday, was also diverted to Mumbai after the airline received a bomb threat.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 11:24 IST

News india Hyderabad Airport Receives Bomb Threat, Mail Mentions Flight Number

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'India Not Neutral, We're On The Side Of Peace': PM Modi To President Putin On Ukraine

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 15:30 IST

President Putin thanked Modi for the invitation, expressing appreciation for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation during their visit

PM Modi and Vladimir Putin engaged in bilateral talks on Friday. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that India is not neutral" on the Ukraine conflict and is firmly on the side of peace." Welcoming Putin and the Russian delegation, Modi said both countries have remained in continuous contact since the start of the Ukraine crisis. Modi noted that Moscow has briefed us on everything and shown faith in us," reaffirming Indias commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes. India believes in peace India is not neutral, we are on the side of peace," he said.

During their bilateral meeting, Modi stressed the depth of communication between the two sides throughout the Ukraine conflict. Since the Ukraine crisis began, we have been in constant discussion. From time to time, you too, as a true friend, have kept us informed about everything. I believe that trust is a great strength, and I have discussed this matter with you many times and also presented it before the world," he told Putin.

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Emphasising Indias consistent stance on dialogue, he added, The welfare of nations lies in the path of peace. Together, we will lead the world towards that path. I am fully confident that with the efforts being made in recent days, the world will once again return to the direction of peace."

Putin thanked Modi for the invitation and warm reception, saying, I am thankful to Prime Minister Modi for inviting me." Modi added that the longstanding IndiaRussia relationship reflects Putins strategic vision, calling the partnership an example of durable ties built over decades. Putin also said that Russia is working on a peaceful settlement with Ukraine, signalling that diplomatic efforts remain underway.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 12:20 IST

News india 'India Not Neutral, We're On The Side Of Peace': PM Modi To President Putin On Ukraine

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India, Russia Push For Peace And Stability In West Asia, Dialogue Over Iran Nuclear Issue

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 17:53 IST

While joint statement did not mention Ukraine, PM Modi earlier in the day told Russian President Putin that India is not neutral on Ukraine conflict and is on the side of peace

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India and Russia expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. (PTI File)

India and Russia reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East/West Asia in the joint statement issued by the two countries after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They statement said the two countries called for restraint, protection of civilians and compliance with international law in the region. They stressed the need to refrain from taking actions that could further escalate the situation and compromise regional stability.

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India and Russia stressed the importance of resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue. They expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and strongly stressed the importance for all parties concerned to remain committed to agreements and understandings reached between them for cessation of conflict, humanitarian assistance and a sustainable peace.

ALSO READ | India, Russia Have Independent, Self-Sufficient Foreign Policy: Putin After Meet With Modi

Even though the joint statement did not mention Ukraine, PM Modi on Friday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that India is not neutral" on the Ukraine conflict and is firmly on the side of peace".

Welcoming Putin and the Russian delegation, Modi said both countries have remained in continuous contact since the start of the Ukraine crisis.

Modi noted that Moscow has briefed us on everything and shown faith in us", reaffirming Indias commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes. India believes in peace India is not neutral, we are on the side of peace," he said.

Since the Ukraine crisis began, we have been in constant discussion. From time to time, you too, as a true friend, have kept us informed about everything. I believe that trust is a great strength, and I have discussed this matter with you many times and also presented it before the world," he told Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, after his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, said that the two countries are conducting an independent and self-sufficient foreign policy".

Russia and India are conducting independent and self-sufficient foreign policy with like-minded countries in BRICS, SCO and other countries of the global majorityWe are defending the main principle of the law enshrined in the UN," said Putin, after the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.

He added that as state founders of the BRICS, Russia and India have done a lot of things and continue to do more to increase the authority of the organisation". As you know, next year India will assume the BRICS chairmanship. We will provide all necessary assistance to our Indian friends" Putin said.

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Hailing India-Russia ties, PM Narendra Modi said, Over the past eight decades, the world has witnessed numerous ups and downs. Humanity has had to pass through many challenges and crises. And amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like a pole star"

I am confident that in the years to come, our friendship will give us the strength to meet global challenges, and that this trust will further enrich our shared future," said the PM.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 17:51 IST

News india India, Russia Push For Peace And Stability In West Asia, Dialogue Over Iran Nuclear Issue

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India-Russia Ties Strategic, Resilient To External Pressure: Chinese Expert On PM Modi-Putin Meet

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 07:54 IST

Li Haidong said the coordination between the two nations reflects a shared intent to enhance their independent and autonomous capabilities.

Vladimir Putin welcomed by PM Modi at Palam Air Force Base in New Delhi. (AFP)

The IndiaRussia relationship is highly strategic in nature and extremely resilient to external pressure or interference," Chinese scholar Li Haidong told Global Times on Thursday, framing President Vladimir Putins visit to New Delhi as a clear indicaion that the partnership remains robust despite geopolitical turbulence. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES

Li, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, said the coordination between the two nations reflects a shared intent to enhance their independent and autonomous capabilities.

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Putin arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day visit, beginning with a private dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is his first trip to India since December 6, 2021. The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the IndiaRussia Strategic Partnership, established in 2000, and will see the two leaders review the entire spectrum of their special and privileged strategic partnership," including defence cooperation, energy security, trade and emerging sectors, Indian media reported.

PM Modi and Putin will also exchange views on developments in Eurasia and the Indo-Pacific, and discuss ways to deepen collaboration in technology, logistics, space, innovation and new trade routes. Russias Tass news agency said the two sides are expected to sign 10 intergovernmental agreements and more than 15 commercial contracts, noting that the visit comes as the European Commission pushes proposals for using frozen Russian funds.

Former Indian prime ministerial adviser Sudhindra Kulkarni told Russian news outlet Sputnik that the timing of the summit is strategically significant amid global pressure," asserting that the enduring depth of the IndiaRussia partnership continues to hold despite shifting geopolitical alignments.

Li Haidong highlighted that neither Moscow nor New Delhi appears concerned about Western pushback. Through Putins visit, India and Russia have jointly sent a clear message to the outside world: neither country is isolated," he said.

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On the contrary, the two sides enjoy extensive mutual support and strong complementarity This means that sanctions and pressure from the US and the West against Russia and India is unlikely to succeed."

Bloomberg also reported that India will pay about $2 billion to lease a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia. Li added that India is unlikely to flinch" under US sanctions pressure and will continue shaping its Russia policy strictly according to national interest.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 07:54 IST

News india India-Russia Ties Strategic, Resilient To External Pressure: Chinese Expert On PM Modi-Putin Meet

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IndiGo Flight Cancellations: Airline Cites New FTDL Norms, Crew-Planning Gaps In DGCA Meeting

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 09:01 IST

The airline presented the data and initial reasons during a detailed review convened by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

IndiGo passengers across India faced havoc in recent days as the airline cancelled over 100200 flights daily due to crew shortages and other factors.

IndiGo has attributed its massive surge in flight cancellations to transitional challenges in implementing the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, crew-planning issues and winter-season operational constraints, senior officials said on Thursday.

The airline presented the data and initial reasons during a detailed review convened by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after disruptions escalated across its network since late November.

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The airline has been cancelling 170200 flights a day, far above normal levels, and has cancelled over 1,000 flights in recent days, prompting an intervention from the Centre.

The Civil Aviation Minister held a review meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and IndiGo, and directed continuous monitoring of the situation.

The Minister also chaired a separate meeting with senior officers of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and instructed airport directors nationwide to maintain heightened oversight and ensure full assistance to stranded passengers at terminals.

The DGCA was additionally directed to keep a close watch on airfares to ensure that the large-scale disruptions do not trigger undue price escalation.

Officials said IndiGo conveyed that the new FDTL rules, which mandate longer rest, cap duty hours and restrict night-time landings, have strained crew resources, especially at a time when the carrier is already facing a shortage of cockpit crew.

The revised norms were implemented in two phases, on July 1 and November 1, following Delhi High Court directions.

The second phase, which limits the number of landings between midnight and 6 am, had already been delayed by a year to give airlines time to rework rosters.

Despite further lobbying by carriers, the DGCA enforced the rules with limited relaxations, citing the court mandate.

Pilot fatigue has been a long-standing safety concern. The Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA) recently suggested that IndiGos cancellations may be intended to pressure regulators to dilute the rules.

Despite sufficient time being accorded, most airlines started preparing rather late, failing to properly adjust crew rosters 15 days in advance as required," ALPA said.

The DGCA, which reviewed IndiGos data under the chairmanship of the Director General, directed the airline to normalise operations at the earliest and ensure that corrective steps do not lead to fare hikes.

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MoCA and AAI officials said real-time monitoring will continue until IndiGo restores stability to its network.

The ministry has sought daily updates on cancellations, crew availability, compliance with FDTL norms and passenger-assistance measures.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 07:41 IST

News india IndiGo Flight Cancellations: Airline Cites New FTDL Norms, Crew-Planning Gaps In DGCA Meeting

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President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet Meeting in the White House in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 2, 2025. Credit - Andrew Caballero-ReynoldsGetty Images

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday evening confirmed that the U.S. had launched another boat strike, this time in the Eastern Pacific.

The announcement came hours after Hegseth faced immense scrutiny as Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley, the Navy SEAL officer who now leads the U.S. Special Operations Command, briefed members of Congress at Capitol Hill about the controversial double-tap strike that took place on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean on Sept. 2. The incident is considered by some to be a potential war crime, as a follow-up strike on a boat, ordered by Bradley, killed survivors of the first attack.

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Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for the late Charlie Kirks Conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, showcased ardent support for the Secretary of Defense via social media, saying Every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean.

In response, Hegseth said: Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat.

The somewhat casual response to the military action came shortly after the U.S. Southern Command had confirmed what is understood to be the 22nd boat attack carried out by the U.S. in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

The latest strike killed four people, reportedly bringing the total of deaths to 87.

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Confirming that the latest boat strike had been carried out under the direction of Hegseth, the U.S. Southern Command said: Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed.

Since launching the initial strike in the Caribbean Sea in September, the Trump Administration has argued that the U.S. military action is necessary to curb the flow of narcotics into the United States. While the Administration has yet to release any public evidence showcasing that the boats being targeted are carrying drugs, lawmakers who attended Thursdays briefing said officials had confirmed drugs were found aboard the vessels.

Read More: Which Countries Have Stopped Sharing Intelligence With U.S. Over Boat Strikes in Caribbean?

Hegseth has come under fire in recent days, with bipartisan calls for an investigation, after the Washington Post reported that he had given a kill everybody directive that resulted in a second strike being extended upon a vessel to which survivors from the initial strike were still clinging on.

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Hegseth has denied issuing a kill everybody instruction for the Sept. 2 strikes, and during the briefing on Capitol Hill, Adm. Bradley also vehemently denied that Hegseth ordered his subordinates to kill everybody aboard the vessel.

The White House, after confirming the second strike on the alleged drug boat, defended the move as lawful. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week that Bradley had acted within his authority and the law.

Lawmakers were divided upon reviewing video footage of the contentious Sept. 2 strikes during Thursday's briefing.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, defended the militarys actions as righteous strikes, telling reporters on Capitol Hill that such attacks were entirely lawful and needful.

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Elsewhere, Democratic Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was deeply disturbed by the footage.

This briefing confirmed my worst fears about the nature of the Trump Administrations military activities, and demonstrates exactly why the Senate Armed Services Committee has repeatedly requestedand been deniedfundamental information, documents, and facts about this operation. This must and will be the only beginning of our investigation into this incident, said Reed in a statement to TIME, adding that the Pentagon has no choice but to release the unedited footage of the strike.

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 GonzalezAnadolu

Trump previously said the vessels targeted on Sept. 2 were manned by members of the Venezuelan cartel Tren De Aragua, which he claims is under the control of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. (A claim reportedly at odds with an assessment by U.S. analysts.)

The U.S. military has spent the past three months placing warships, fighter jets, marines, and dronesalong with other surveillance and intelligence-gathering equipmentin the Caribbean Sea. The Navys most advanced aircraft carrier has also been placed in the Latin American region.

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During a Tuesday Cabinet meeting, Trump reiterated the U.S. is planning to elevate its military campaign against Venezuela and its alleged drug vessels by carrying out land strikes, too.

Were doing these [sea] strikes and were going to start doing those strikes on land, too, you know, the land is much easier, much easier, Trump said.

Read More: Maduro Brandishes Sword and Vows to Defend Every Inch of Venezuela Amid Tensions With U.S.

Venezuelas leader Maduro has vowed to defend every inch of the countrys land, amid growing tensions with the U.S. At a rally in late November, Madurodressed in camouflage fatigues and brandishing a swordtold a roaring crowd: We must be ready to defend every inch of this blessed land from imperialist threat or aggression, no matter where it comes from.

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He added: There is no excuse for anyone to fail at this decisive moment, for the existence of the Republic, no excuse.

The Trump Administration, much like the Biden Administration before them, does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. Maduro, who became President of Venezuela following Hugo Chavezs death in 2013, was sworn in for a third term in January, despite widespread concern over the legitimacy of the country's election results.

Write to Olivia-Anne Cleary at olivia-anne.cleary@time.com.
Were Sorry: IndiGo Vows Full Refunds For Dec 5-15 Disruptions, Offers Stay & Meals Amid Chaos

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 14:37 IST

IndiGo said Friday marked the highest number of cancellations, calling it necessary to reboot all our systems and schedules for a progressive improvement from tomorrow.

On Friday, IndiGo cancelled over 700 flights. (Photo Credit: X)

IndiGo on Friday issued its strongest public apology yet as nationwide disruptions triggered by cancellations and delays left thousands of passengers stranded across airports. In a detailed statement titled We are truly sorry, and we will take care," the airline acknowledged the immense inconvenience and distress" caused over the past few days and assured customers that every effort is underway to restore operations.

IndiGo said all affected passengers will receive automatic refunds to their original mode of payment, and the airline is also offering a full waiver on all cancellations and rescheduling requests for travel between December 5 and 15, 2025.

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We do deeply apologise and understand how difficult the past few days have been for many of you," the airline said, adding that while the crisis would not resolve overnight, IndiGo would do everything in our capacity to help you in the meantime and to bring our operations back to normal at the earliest."

IndiGo said today marked the highest number of cancellations, calling it necessary to reboot all our systems and schedules" for a progressive improvement from tomorrow. Short-term proactive cancellations, it said, were being done in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA to decongest airports and stabilise operations.

Also Read: After IndiGo Meltdown, Airfares Explode: Delhi-Chennai Rs 65,985, Delhi-Mumbai Rs 38,676

IndiGo urged passengers not to arrive at airports if their flights had been cancelled. It acknowledged long call-centre wait times but said the airline had massively increased contact centre capacity" to respond faster. Its AI assistant, 6Eskai, is also being used to help with refunds, status updates, and rebookings.

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The airline said the disruptions have created an operational crisis despite IndiGos reputation for reliability. Many of your journeys were cancelled, and many of you were at the airports with long wait times and little information," it said.

Promising visible improvements, IndiGo wrote, You will see incremental progress. We will do everything to earn back your trust and the love you have showered on us in the last 19 years."

First Published: December 05, 2025, 14:16 IST

News india Were Sorry: IndiGo Vows Full Refunds For Dec 5-15 Disruptions, Offers Stay & Meals Amid Chaos

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Kudankulam Takes Centre Stage During Putin Visit As Russia Adds Fuel To Indias Nuclear Future

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 22:42 IST

The Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, has committed to ensuring the plant reaches its full designed capacity

The KKNPP project is a significant component of India's strategic vision to bolster its low-carbon, baseload energy supply. File image

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking during a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighted the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) as the flagship project underpinning the robust energy pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership. Situated in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, KKNPP is Indias largest nuclear power generation facility, and Moscows renewed commitment is crucial for Indias ambitious long-term energy goals.

President Putin confirmed that two of the six Russian-designed VVER-1000 reactors at KKNPP are already operational, collectively contributing 2,000 MW of power to the national grid. Units 1 and 2, which began commercial operation in 2014 and 2017, respectively, represent the core of the current Indo-Russian collaboration. Crucially, the Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, has committed to ensuring the plant reaches its full designed capacity.

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The expansion of the project is now well underway, with Units 3, 4, 5, and 6 in various stages of construction. Each of these reactors will also add 1,000 MW, bringing the total installed capacity of the KKNPP site to 6,000 MW upon full commissioning, which is expected progressively over the coming years. This commitment is not only about capacity but also technical advancement; Rosatom recently announced the delivery of the first batch of nuclear fuel for the initial loading of Unit 3, ensuring the long-term fuel supply for the upcoming reactors.

The KKNPP project is a significant component of Indias strategic vision to bolster its low-carbon, baseload energy supply. The Indian government has set an ambitious target of reaching 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, and the successful and timely completion of the Kudankulam expansion is vital to meeting this goal. Furthermore, the joint statement noted that the two sides agreed to accelerate technical discussions on the VVER design for a second nuclear power plant site in India and to explore future cooperation on advanced technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), further cementing Russias indispensable role in Indias nuclear energy future.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 22:42 IST

News india Kudankulam Takes Centre Stage During Putin Visit As Russia Adds Fuel To Indias Nuclear Future

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Loudspeakers Are Not Essential To Practising Any Religion: Bombay HC

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 09:42 IST

Bombay High Court denied a plea seeking permission to install loudspeakers at a mosque in Maharashtra. The court stressed peace and dignity over noise in religious practices.

Nagpur bench of Bombay high court said the use of loudspeakers is not essential to practising a religion. (File photo)

Use of loudspeakers is not mandatory in any religion, the Bombay High Courts Nagpur bench said while citing a Supreme Court order. The bench emphasised on maintaining peace in society and said, No religion gives an order to pray to God by disturbing the peace of others or to use noise-polluting devices to pray."

The court rejected a plea filed by Masjid-e-Gausia in Maharashtras Gondia district that sought permission to install loudspeakers at the mosque. The court invoked that the right to life contained in Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees not only life or existence, but also life with dignity.

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The petition was filed by Syed Iqbal Ali.

Supreme Courts Ruling On Use Of Loudspeakers

This is to be noted that the Supreme Court had in July 2005 banned the use of loudspeakers and music systems between 10 pm to 6 am at public places, citing serious effects of noise pollution on the health of the people living in such areas.

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However, this order was relaxed in October 2005 after some state governments contended that the order passed in July had taken away the right granted to them under the Noise Pollution (Control and Regulation) Rules 2000.

On October 28, 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that loudspeakers could be permitted to be used till midnight on festive occasions for 15 days a year.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 09:19 IST

News india Loudspeakers Are Not Essential To Practising Any Religion: Bombay HC

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Why Modi, Putin Travelled In Toyota Fortuner Instead Of Standard Armoured SUV | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 19:59 IST

Modi, Putin car ride: SPG prefers neutral vehicles for heads of state. A neutral Toyota is easier to modify, armour, and integrate into mixed convoys, intel sources told News18

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Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Indian PM Narendra Modi in the white Toyota Fortuner. (AP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday broke the protocol to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in India for a two-day state visit to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

There was also another break from the standard practice: instead of the usual Range Rover or Mercedes, the duo travelled in a white Toyota Fortuner for the drive from Palam Airport to the Prime Ministers 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence.

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The Fortuner ride was out of friendship and not formality," intelligence sources told News18.

The white Fortuner

The car (registered MH01EN5795) is a Toyota Fortuner Sigma 4 MT, classified as a motor car under Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission norms and runs on diesel. It was registered on April 24, 2024, making it one year and seven months old, with a fitness certificate valid until April 23, 2039 and a PUCC certificate valid until June 25, 2026.

While the convoy usually includes armoured vehicles, with support cars such as Fortuners and Innovas are added for operational flexibility, the Fortuners regular registration plate drew attention because VIP movements are typically masked behind special plates or unmarked vehicles.

         .         .       ;      .@KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/yqmhCbZBde Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025

Why was the car picked?

The elite Special Protection Group (SPG) prefers non-predictable and neutral vehicles for movements involving two heads of state. The idea is to reduce pattern recognition and threat exposure. A neutral Toyota is easier to modify, armour, and integrate into mixed convoys," said sources.

According to sources, whenever a foreign head of state goes with the Indian PM in one vehicle, SPG takes complete operational control. In this situation, a neutral platform gives them flexibility. Sources say for a high-value target like Putin, who faces global threat, SPG and Russian Federal Protection Service or FSO agreed on maximum discretion, minimum exposure," they said.

The Russians typically prefer Land Cruiser-type SUVs for VIP protection worldwide. SUVs are easier to integrate Russian counter assault teams and their equipment. During ASL (Advance Security Liaison) for Putin, the SPG and FSO agreed on Toyota because of Asian optics and easy modifications. Neutral convoys also allowed multiple identical vehicles, all fit for emergency detours and evacuation," they said.

Putin in India

PM Modi on Friday warmly received Russian President Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Earlier, the Russian President paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Four years after their last in-person interaction on Indian soil, PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared the stage once again in the national capital on Friday for bilateral talks.

Since their last meeting here in December 2021, Putin arrived in the national capital on Thursday and PM Modi greeted him on the tarmac. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug.

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PM Modi, in a post on X, stated that the friendship" between the two leaders is a time-tested one" and he was delighted to welcome Putin back to India after four years.

With ANI Inputs

First Published: December 05, 2025, 12:50 IST

News india Why Modi, Putin Travelled In Toyota Fortuner Instead Of Standard Armoured SUV | Exclusive

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'No Proper Meals, Costly Tickets': IndiGo Chaos Leaves Flyers Stranded; Over 700 Flights Hit

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 11:49 IST

IndiGo, the largest carrier in India, cancelled more than 700 flights, the highest single-day disruption in its 20-year history.

Chaos at Goa airport | Image: News18

Several airports descended into chaos on Friday as IndiGos ongoing operational crisis triggered mass cancellations, hours-long delays and confrontations between passengers and airline staff.

A video from Goa airport showed furious passengers shouting at IndiGo employees while security officials attempted to calm the situation.

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Indias largest carrier cancelled more than 700 flights, the highest single-day disruption in its 20-year history, as technical issues, crew shortages and scheduling failures crippled operations for a fourth straight day.

PTI reported 118 cancellations in Mumbai, 100 in Bengaluru, 75 in Hyderabad, 35 in Kolkata, 26 in Chennai, and 11 in Goa, with additional disruptions in Bhopal and other cities.

Goa Sees Major Breakdown

Goa alone witnessed 14 cancellations and more than 25 flights delayed over three hours, leaving weekend-bound residents and departing tourists stranded.

Repeated rescheduling and sparse updates left hundreds of passengers without clear timelines for departure.

Among the most high-profile casualties were Mumbai City FC, who spent nearly 10 hours at the airport before finally reaching Goa on Thursday morning for their Super Cup semifinal.

Their initial Wednesday afternoon departure was repeatedly pushed back until after midnight.

Passengers voiced sharp criticism of the carrier. No accountability and no support," said Naveen, whose GuwahatiPune flight was unexpectedly diverted to Goa. No proper meals for nearly 13 hours after we reached the airport."

Karnataka Travellers Stranded In Chandigarh

The disruptions also left around 20 passengers from Karnataka stranded at Chandigarh airport, with no IndiGo flights available to Bengaluru.

Travellers from various parts of Bengaluru, including Chintamani in Chikkaballapur district, said they were forced to wait for hours without proper meals." Many were travelling for work, tourism or personal emergencies.

Stranded passengers said the airline offered refunds instead of rescheduling, but alternative flights to Bengaluru cost over 30,000, far beyond reach for many middle-class travellers.

We cant afford these last-minute fares. Its way too much expensive. IndiGo has given no option to reschedule," one passenger said.

Nationwide System Failure

IndiGo, which operates roughly 2,300 flights daily, has seen its on-time performance collapse to 19.7 per cent, sharply down from 35 per cent on Tuesday.

The airline warned that further cancellations are expected over the next 2-3 days as it attempts to stabilise operations.

The disruptions stem from a combination of crew availability issues, planning lapses and technology problems.

The airline admitted to misjudging staffing requirements after recent changes to night-duty regulations and has since temporarily rolled back those rules to ease pressure on crew scheduling.

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Senior IndiGo officials were summoned by the Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA, which sought explanations and demanded immediate corrective measures.

The regulator is monitoring the situation as one of the largest flight disruptions in recent years continues to leave thousands stranded across the country, with passengers demanding accountability and swift resolution from the airline.

Location : Goa, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 09:12 IST

News india 'No Proper Meals, Costly Tickets': IndiGo Chaos Leaves Flyers Stranded; Over 700 Flights Hit

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Nobody Can Arm-Twist Us: Civil Aviation Minister Promises Action Over IndiGo Chaos

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Shobhit Gupta



Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 20:47 IST

Ram Mohan Naidu said the government has held multiple review meetings with all stakeholders, rejecting criticism that the administration was slow to respond.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. (News18)

IndiGo Chaos: Amid the nationwide IndiGo flight turmoil, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has warned the airline of necessary action while asserting that nobody can arm-twist" the government.

In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, the minister said people are our top priority", stressing that accountability would be fixed and penalties determined only after the probe panel submits its report. How much fine will be imposed will be defined following the inquiry. But let me assure passengers  action will be taken," he said.

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Naidu also said the government has held multiple review meetings with all stakeholders, rejecting criticism that the administration was slow to respond. The Modi government doesnt run away. We have been monitoring the situation from Day One."

He said that conditions were improving, with Delhi Airport now decongested" and operations gradually stabilising. Things are being brought back on track. From tomorrow onwards, the situation will be smoothened. Full-capacity operations will follow in phases," the Union Minister added.

Highlighting passenger welfare, he said the government had issued strict instructions to IndiGo on refunds, accommodation and communication.

He also said that special attention must be given to vulnerable passengers as airports deal with the ongoing IndiGo crisis. Speaking about the disruptions, he said airport authorities have been told to take extra care of those who need help the most. The minister further said that officials have been directed to assist passengers promptly and ensure that basic support is provided without delay.

We have instructed airport authorities that topmost priority needs to be given to children, mothers and senior citizens, that they should not face any problem," Naidu said.

He also confirmed that the temporary relaxation of duty-time norms was only to restore stability. The norm is relaxed for now- but IndiGo, like all other airlines, will have to comply going forward."

As one-way airfares on key domestic routes have surged to eye-watering levels due to the ongoing crisis, Naidu said the government was working to ensure airfares remain under control across the sector. Reiterating that the focus remains on restoring normalcy, the minister assured that passenger interests will not be compromised.

IndiGo Crisis

IndiGo, Indias largest airline by market share, cancelled over a thousand flights on Friday, with CEO Pieter Elbers terming it as the worst day" in terms of operational disruption for IndiGo.

The crisis, now in its fourth day, triggered a full-scale intervention by the Centre, which ordered a high-level probe, put Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms in abeyance, and directed the airline to initiate automatic refunds for all cancelled flights.

The probe will look into what went wrong within IndiGos operations, identify who should be held accountable, and recommend steps to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also set up a four-member high-level committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the circumstances that led to IndiGos widespread operational disruptions over the past week.

DGCA Issues Temporary Relief Measures

Amid the large-scale disruptions, the aviation regulator on Friday announced a detailed set of temporary relief measures aimed at restoring stability while maintaining mandatory safety standards. The aviation regulator stressed that these approvals are one-time facilitation steps and will be withdrawn immediately if any safety concerns arise.

1. Deployment of DGCA Flight Operations Inspectors: Twelve DGCA Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs)  currently on lien from IndiGo  have been cleared to return to flight duties with the airline for 710 days.

2. Extensions for Designated Examiners: The validity of Designated Examiners (DEs) Annual Refresher and their Standardisation Checks has been extended until February 2026, subject to no adverse safety observations during this period.

3. Additional Simulator Training Flexibility: IndiGo has been permitted to conduct simulator training and checks using SFE/SFI from other DGCA-approved ATOs within India.

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5. Simulator Checks by FOIs: Type-rated trainer FOIs may carry out necessary simulator checks for IndiGo flight crew in accordance with DGCA procedures.

6. Use of Medically Unfit DEs/TRIs for Ground Instruction: DEs or TRIs who are medically unfit for flying but cleared for ground-based instructional duties may be utilised for simulator training and checks.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 20:10 IST

News india Nobody Can Arm-Twist Us: Civil Aviation Minister Promises Action Over IndiGo Chaos

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'One Nation One Election' Gets Constitutional Thumbs-Up From Law Commission

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 03:29 IST

Law Commission Chairman Justice Dinesh Maheshwari told the JPC on ONOE that the Bill neither violates the Basic Structure of the Constitution nor disrupts the federal balance

Addressing concerns about citizens' voting rights, the Commission reiterated the Supreme Court's consistent position that the right to vote is a statutory rather than fundamental right. (Representational image: PTI)

At a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on December 4, Law Commission of India Chairman Justice Dinesh Maheshwari briefed members on the constitutional soundness of the proposed One Nation One Election (ONOE) framework. Presenting the Commissions expert assessment, Justice Maheshwari stated that the Bill neither violates the Basic Structure of the Constitution nor disrupts the federal balance. Citing multiple judicial precedents, he affirmed that Parliament possesses full legislative authority to introduce such a reform, provided it respects the Basic Structurean obligation the Bill, he stressed, fully meets.

Addressing concerns about citizens voting rights, the Commission reiterated the Supreme Courts consistent position that the right to vote is a statutory rather than fundamental right. Therefore, synchronising electoral cycles, including adjusting timelines or frequency, does not infringe upon voters rights. On the matter of curtailed tenures for Parliament or State Assemblies to enable synchronisation, the Commission argued that the proposed adjustments are limited, reasonable, and well within constitutional boundaries.

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Responding to federalism concerns, Justice Maheshwari underlined that Indias constitutional design is inherently quasi-federal with a clear Union tilt. Since the Constitution also explicitly empowers Parliament to legislate on electionsincluding those to State Assembliesthe ONOE proposal, he said, does not disturb the federal character. Consequently, the Commission maintained that state ratification is not required, as the bill does not alter any provision directly impacting federal structure under Article 368(2).

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The Law Commission also dismissed apprehensions tied to specific clauses of the bill, asserting that all provisions are constitutionally sound and rooted in established legal principles. Regarding the enhanced powers proposed for the Election Commission under clauses 82A(3) and 82A(5), the Commission noted that Article 324 already grants the ECI broad, exclusive authority over elections. Describing Article 324 as a reservoir of power," it concluded that the bill merely formalises responsibilities the Commission is already empowered to exercise.

The PP Chaudhary-led JPC has spent the past few months speaking to political parties, constitutional experts, and former Chief Justices. Although the idea of One Nation One Election" has found supporters, the deeper the panel has gone, the more complex the picture has become.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 03:29 IST

News india 'One Nation One Election' Gets Constitutional Thumbs-Up From Law Commission

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Putin Invokes PM Modis Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas Motto, Says It Reflects India-Russia Ties | Watch

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 23:10 IST

The Russian leader, while addressing dignitaries at the dinner table, said, I know that in India you say, go together, grow together."

Putin says that these words truly reflect the nature and the character of the Russian-Indian relations. (X)

In a striking gesture, Russian President Vladimir Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modis flagship motto Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" during a state banquet hosted in his honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.

The Russian leader, while addressing dignitaries at the dinner table, said, I know that in India you say, go together, grow together. These words truly reflect the nature and the character of the Russian-Indian relations. And we will do everything to make sure our strategic partnership grows and develops for the good of all our people."

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Russian President Putin restates PM Modis slogan sabka sath, sabka vikas at state banquet pic.twitter.com/Qp0zmkV4UI Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 5, 2025

Putin also reflected on the long arc of Indo-Russian cooperation saying that a declaration signed 15 years ago elevated the Indo-Russia relations to a new levelthe level of the specially privileged strategic partnership.

This partnership is developing based on the principles of equality, respect and mutual consideration of our interests. It is getting substantiated even more. Our talks with our Indian friends yesterday and today were genuinely open and constructive," he said

The declaration that we have adopted encompasses a wide range of cooperation across different spheres, including politics, security, the economy and trade, energy, education, and other areas. I am sure that this declaration, along with the other documents, will give a strong push to the development of our bilateral relations," Putin added.

The dinner, hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, followed the ceremonial welcome and marked one of the key formal events of Putins two-day visit to India.

Putins Visit To India

Putin was on a two-day visit to India, his first in four years, where he held bilateral trade talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed several key issues.

He was personally received at Palam airport by PM Modi, who welcomed him with a hug before the two leaders travelled together to the Prime Ministers residence on Thursday.

During the bilateral meeting, energy cooperation featured prominently in the talks, with Putin saying Russia was ready to continue uninterrupted shipments" of fuel to India and describing Moscow as a reliable supplier of oil, gas and coal.

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PM Modi thanked Putin for his unwavering commitment towards India" and noted that energy security remains a key pillar of bilateral ties.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine. Putin said he briefed PM Modi on developments and ongoing efforts involving several countries, including the United States, for a possible peaceful settlement. PM Modi reiterated that India continues to advocate peace and dialogue on the issue.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 23:00 IST

News india Putin Invokes PM Modis Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas Motto, Says It Reflects India-Russia Ties | Watch

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Russia's Rosatom Delivers First Batch Of Nuclear Fuel To Kudankulam Plant Amid Putin's Visit

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 09:36 IST

A total of seven flights from Russia are planned to supply the entire reactor core and some reserve fuel.

Russia's Rosatom delivers nuclear fuel to Kudankulam plant.

Russias state-run nuclear corporation said it has delivered the first consignment of nuclear fuel for initial loading of the third reactor at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu.

A cargo flight operated by the Nuclear Fuel Division of Rosatom delivered fuel assemblies manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, the corporation said in a statement on Thursday.

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Notably, the delivery of the nuclear fuel coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to New Delhi on a two-day visit.

It has been learnt that a total of seven flights from Russia are planned to supply the entire reactor core and some reserve fuel.

According to news agency PTI, these shipments are provided under a contract signed in 2024, which includes fuel supply for the third and fourth VVER-1000 reactors of the Kudankulam plant for the entire service life, starting from initial loading.

The Kudankulam plant will have six VVER-1000 reactors with a total installed capacity of 6,000 MW.

The first two reactors at Kudankulam were connected to Indias power grid in 2013 and 2016. Meanwhile, the four other reactors are under construction.

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During the operation of these two reactors in the first phase of the Kudankulam plant, Russian and Indian engineers have done considerable work to increase their efficiency through the introduction of advanced nuclear fuel and extended fuel cycles, Rosatom said.

(With agency inputs)

Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 09:36 IST

News india Russia's Rosatom Delivers First Batch Of Nuclear Fuel To Kudankulam Plant Amid Putin's Visit

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Stranded Amid IndiGo Chaos: Woman Carrying Fathers Ashes, Tourists, Pilgrims, Families In Disarray

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 16:00 IST

Even as authorities try to resolve IndiGo crisis, travellers grapple with lack of clarity, refunds, stress and non-cooperative staff. An X user recounts his 15 hours of horror

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Indigo chaos: Travellers are complaining of lack of communication from the airline. (ANI/News18)

A Bengaluru woman wanting to give a respectful farewell to her father, a group of 25 pilgrims, including the elderly, children and women, wanting to return to Silchar from Jeddah, those returning from Sabarimala  these are among the scores of passengers stranded at airports across the country amid the IndiGo chaos.

Even as the authorities are trying to resolve the crisis with temporary relief amid thousands of flight cancellations and widespread delays, travellers are grappling with severe stress, non-cooperative staff and lack of clarity.

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For instance, Namita, stranded at the Kempegowda International Airport while on her way to Haridwar for her fathers Asthi Visarjan, told ANI, I have my fathers Asthi (mortal remains post cremation) with me. I have to reach Delhi from Bengaluru. Board a flight to Dehradun from Delhi to reach Haridwar. The Asthi Visarjan has to be done tomorrow. The flight has been cancelled without any prior notification. Now they are saying that they have no flights for today. They are asking us to book a flight with other airlines."

ALSO READ | IndiGo Flight Cancellations Live Updates Here

The surging ticket prices on other airlines, the disruption of the plans for her onward journey from the airport and the refund are among her concerns amid grieving the loss of her parent. Flight tickets for other flights cost Rs 60,000 per person, which I cannot afford We are not able to reach Haridwar. All our money is wasted. A partial refund will be received after a week. We have no idea how much money would be deducted. I request the government to arrange something for me to reach Haridwar because my fathers asthi visarjan in Ganga Ji is very urgent"

#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Namita, stranded at Kempegowda International Airport while on her way to Haridwar for her fathers Asthi Visarjan, says, I have my fathers Asthi (mortal remains post cremation) with me. I have to reach Delhi from Bengaluru. Board a flight to https://t.co/PeIlIuByBY pic.twitter.com/5kw8tnixqX ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

A group of youngsters stuck at the Trivandrum airport and a family awaiting a flight to Raipur are worried about how they will be able to report to office in time.

A woman at the Goa airport expressed her frustration over the delay. We were not informed that they are cancelling the flightWe have been awake since 5 am and have been waiting here for 2 hours. There is no information and we are standing in a queue for hours. They are now saying that they will not even provide an accommodation and we will get a flight only tomorrow. We have a wedding to attend. It is a total messWe are really disappointed with IndiGo," she said.

#WATCH | A passenger says, We were not informed that they are cancelling the flightWe have been awake since 5 am, and we have been waiting here for 2 hours. There is no information and we are standing in the queue for hours and now they are saying that they will not even https://t.co/SlZgHzGcdB pic.twitter.com/8WNU4McLEh ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

Another explained how the lack of communication was harrowing. We have been told that our flight to Raipur has been cancelled. They are offering us an exchange so that we can take a flight tomorrow, but it is not confirmed whether that flight will depart. We have to stay here for a day. They are asking us to speak to customer care," he said.

#WATCH | Ali Haider, a passenger, says, Our flight was cancelled yesterday, so we had to extend my stay in Jeddah for one day. Now that we have reached here, they are not letting us get inI am hearing that our connecting flight is delayed once again. We have no details https://t.co/00CHOBa6Qb pic.twitter.com/a9FKj3u4sZ ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

At Gujarat, Ali Haider elaborated on the plight of those returning from a long international travel. Our flight was cancelled yesterday, so we had to extend my stay in Jeddah for one day. Now that we have reached here, they are not letting us inI am hearing that our connecting flight is delayed once again. We have no idea about our food and accommodationOur last destination is Silchar. The IndiGo staff are not communicating with usWhat will we do," he asked, even as he highlighted that his group of 25, with elderly and women, was struggling with basics such as access to a toilet, wheelchair or food.

15 hours of horror: X post on real reason why passengers are made to wait goes viral

A user with the X handle @AccidentalMallu gave an hour-by-hour account of the horror his family went through in the past 15 hours.

9:00 PM (4th December): We enter the Pune airport for our 3:45 PM flight (to Chennai) delayed to 10:50 PM. 9:15 PM: We double checked with the ground staff if it will actually fly out at 10:50 PM, only then well check in our luggage. They say- yes, it will. And we made the mistake of trusting them. We checked in our luggage. 9:40: We clear security, a kind officer from CISF tells us- people have been waiting for over 24 hours in the hope of seeing a gate number appear against their flight- all the best. You know why people were WAITING? Because the Indigo management are DELIBERATELY NOT CANCELLING FLIGHTS OFFICIALLY. So that when they finally get out 24/36/48 hours late, they can mark people no-show, and are not liable to refund the booking amount. 10:30 PM- We realise that theres no way our flight is taking off. We start enquiring how to cancel our tickets, get a refund and our luggage. And this is where the true horror starts. 10:45: We are running post to pillar to understand the process- ground staff is clueless and in tears 11:30 PM- We finally get into a line to cancel our tickets. 12:00 AM- The queue hasnt moved. 12:30 AM- Still in the same spot. 1:00 AM- Still waiting for our turn to cancel. People- rightfully so, are screaming and crying around us. Surprisingly not throwing punches- even if they did, I wouldnt judge. 1:20 AM- A smart gentleman tells us another counter has opened up, we go there. 1:30 AM- We get a cancellation- and this is ONLY verbally confirmed even till now. No receipt, no email- nothing. Just a random phone number. We still dont know if the refund will come through 1:35- We approach ground staff to get our luggage back," he wrote.

3. Don't believe anything the ground staff says- they're as clueless as you4. And don't wait for official cancellation, it's not going to come through These ethical idiots should be made to pay through their nose. Break their back like they broke our spirit and economy. https://t.co/XV76WBjIFw  Accidental_mallu (@AccidentalMallu) December 5, 2025

Narrating the second stint of the horror, the post read: 1:44 AM- waiting for our luggage, 2:30 AM- still waiting, 2:45 AM, 3:15 AM, 3:45 AM still waiting, Finally, at 4:00 AM, we got our luggage after 20-30 persistent enquiries in 2.5 hours. The funny thing is- my flight is still showing up as delayed- still not officially cancelled."

The user gave advice to anyone traveling in Indigo: 1. DO NOT make the mistake of checking in your luggage. 2. They want you to check in so that you appear as no-show and they dont have to refund your money. 3. Dont believe anything the ground staff says- theyre as clueless as you. 4. And dont wait for official cancellation, its not going to come through."

What is causing the IndiGo chaos?

IndiGo has been mired in chaos over the past four days, with 700 flights cancelled on Friday alone  the highest single-day cancellation count in the carriers 20-year history. Passengers at major hubs, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai have reported long queues, missing luggage, limited assistance and widespread confusion.

IndiGo acknowledged that it misjudged crew requirements under recently revised duty norms, resulting in severe shortages at a time when winter weather and airport congestion were already straining operations. Despite corrective measures, the airline has warned that more cancellations are expected over the next two to three days as it attempts to stabilise schedules.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has told employees that restoring normal operations and the airlines hallmark punctuality will not be an easy target".

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday eased a key crew-duty requirement as IndiGos operational crisis continued to disrupt air travel nationwide, leading to thousands of flight cancellations and widespread delays. In an official order, the regulator said it was temporarily withdrawing the rule that barred airlines from substituting weekly rest with accumulated leave, a restriction that had complicated crew rostering during the ongoing crisis.

IndiGo has requested partial relaxations of the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms to stabilise operations, noting that full implementation is expected only by February 2026.

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Amid the chaos, IndiGo on Thursday evening issued an apology to passengers and industry stakeholders affected by the widespread disruptions across its network and operations. Our teams, in close coordination with MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and airport operators, are working tirelessly to minimise the cascading impact of these delays and restore normal operations. We continue to keep passengers updated on any changes to their scheduled flights and strongly advise checking flight status before heading to the airport," the airline posted on X.

With ANI, PTI inputs

First Published: December 05, 2025, 14:38 IST

News india Stranded Amid IndiGo Chaos: Woman Carrying Fathers Ashes, Tourists, Pilgrims, Families In Disarray

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Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia will boycott the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after it was decided Israel could compete.

They were among a number of countries who had called for Israel to be excluded over the war in Gaza and accusations of unfair voting practices.

But at a meeting in Geneva where a vote was held on new safeguards, a "large majority" of members agreed there was no need for a further vote on participation and that Eurovision 2026 could proceed as planned, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said.

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Spanish broadcaster RTVE, which had led calls for a secret ballot on the issue, said the decision had increased its "distrust of the festival's organisation".

Ireland's RTE said it felt that its "participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk."

Spain is one of Eurovision's "Big Five" countries along with France, Germany, Italy and the UK.

Their artists are allowed straight into the final, as their broadcasters provide the largest financial contribution to the EBU.

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Approximately 50 broadcasters, including the BBC, attended an EBU meeting on Thursday to discuss the future of the contest, which is watched by more than 150 million people each year.

They were asked to back new rules intended to discourage governments and third parties from organising voting campaigns for their acts, after allegations that Israel unfairly boosted its entrant, Yuval Raphael, this year.

BBC News understands that voting to accept those measures was tied to a clause whereby members agreed not to proceed with a vote on Israel's participation.

"This vote means that all EBU Members who wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 and agree to comply with the new rules are eligible to take part," the EBU said.

Singer Yuval Raphael, who survived the 7 October Hamas attack in 2023, represented Israel at this year's Eurovision [Reuters]

Austrian singer JJ won May's contest in Basel, Switzerland, toppling Israel from pole position at the last minute [Getty Images]

Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said he was "pleased" that members had been given an "opportunity to debate" Israel's place in the contest before the vote.

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"It was a full, frank and honest and quite moving debate, but as we can see from the emphatic result, they really came together on a belief that the Eurovision Song Contest shouldn't be used as a political theatre, it must retain some sense of neutrality."

Israel's President Isaac Herzog praised the decision to allow the country to compete, calling it "an appreciated gesture of solidarity, brotherhood, and co-operation, symbolising a victory over those who seek to silence Israel and spread hatred".

He said he was "glad that Israel will participate again in Eurovision and I hope that the competition will remain one that sanctifies culture, poetry, and friendship between peoples and cross-border cultural understanding".

He added that Israel "deserves to be represented on every stage in the world, and I am fully and actively committed to that".

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The CEO of Israel's broadcaster, KAN, said the attempt to disqualify its entry "can only be understood as a cultural boycott.

"A boycott may begin today - with Israel - but no-one knows where it will end or who else it may harm," said Golan Yochpaz.

"Is this what we truly want this contest to be remembered for on its 70th anniversary?"

The BBC, which broadcasts Eurovision in the UK, said in a statement: "We support the collective decision made by members of the EBU. This is about enforcing the rules of the EBU and being inclusive."

Spanish singer Melody representing Spain in May's contest, with the song Esa diva [Getty Images]

However, the decision has exposed a deep rift in the Eurovision community.

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In a statement, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said that "participation under the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us".

Spanish broadcaster RTVE added: "The board of directors of RTVE agreed last September that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision if Israel was part of it."

"This withdrawal also means that RTVE will not broadcast the Eurovision 2026 final... nor the preliminary semi-finals."

Slovenia's broadcaster RTV added that their position also "remains unchanged".

"The recent rule changes do not alter our view. As a public service broadcaster, RTV Slovenia is committed to upholding ethical principles and expects that equal rules and standards apply to all EBU members and all participating countries."

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Belgium's broadcaster said it would "take a position in the coming days".

Those who approved of the changes included Nordic broadcasters from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland who issued a joint statement saying they "supported" the EBU's decision to "address critical shortcomings" in the voting system.

Despite that, Iceland's RUV said it would not make a final decision on its participation until next week.

Germany, which had threatened to leave the contest if Israel was removed, also welcomed Thursday's decision.

Its broadcaster ARD said it was "looking forward to participating" next year, "embracing it as a celebration of cultural diversity and solidarity".

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It added: "At the same time, we deeply regret the decisions of individual EBU members to withdraw from the ESC 2026 but, of course, respect the choices made by the respective broadcasters."

[BBC]

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Such Issues Lead Nowhere: Education Minister Reacts To Hijab-Saffron Row At Karnataka College

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 16:12 IST

Speaking to News18, Madhu Bangarappa said the government wants children to learn the Constitution, not indulge in divisive disputes like the latest hijabsaffron clash.

Karnatakas Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa. (Image: X/@Madhu_Bangarapp)

A fresh confrontation between students wearing saffron shawls and those in hijabs at a college in Karnatakas Haveri district has triggered tension on the campus of CJ Bellad Government First Grade College.

Karnatakas Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said this was precisely why the government has introduced teaching the Preamble of the Constitution from a very young age in schools across the state.

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We are teaching children about the Constitution and making them learn the Preamble. That is how we want to educate them about our country and what it stands for not indulge in such issues like hijab or others it will lead them nowhere," Bangarappa told News18 while reacting to the standoff.

The incident at the college in Haveri unfolded when a group of young boys entered the campus wearing saffron shawls to protest against eight girls who had reportedly been wearing hijabs. This further sparked another debate on allowing religious attire in educational institutions.

Some of the protesting students claimed they had already raised the issue with the college principal before tensions escalated on Tuesday.

Senior BJP leader and Opposition Deputy Speaker Arvind Bellad blamed the clash on the ruling Congress, calling it a result of the Congress vote-bank politics".

Alleging that this is why the hijab issue raises its head every few months" in the state, he told News18 that fundamentalists are encouraging this kind of behaviour," warning that such actions will naturally" provoke retaliation.

If at all they want to wear hijab, if at all they want to pursue their religious studies, let them go to madrasas, let them not come to government schools or colleges," he said.

Accusing the Congress of dividing society, he claimed the party was trying to develop a separate minority vote bank," adding, This is what Congress has always done historically."

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The latest clash is part of a larger story that began in early 2022, when the Government PU College in Udupi denied entry to six Muslim girls for wearing the hijab. A string of incidents triggered statewide protests, counter-protests and legal challenges, culminating in a 5 February 2022 government order banning religious attire in educational institutions with prescribed dress codes under the Karnataka Education Act, 1983.

The legal battle remains unresolved, as the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on whether the hijab is an essential religious practice, sending the matter to a larger bench. The case awaits a final ruling in the Supreme Court.

Location : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 16:12 IST

News india Such Issues Lead Nowhere: Education Minister Reacts To Hijab-Saffron Row At Karnataka College

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Tamil Nadu Hill Shrine Lamp-Lighting Row Reaches SC. What's The Issue?

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 18:37 IST

The row centres on the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Deepathoon, a stone lamp pillar located on the Thiruparankundram hillock near Subramaniya Swamy Temple.

A lamp lit at Thiruparankundram temple as part of 'Karthigai Deepam' festival celebrations in Madurai district. (PTI photo)

A dispute over the lighting of a traditional lamp at a hilltop shrine near Madurai has triggered sharp political exchanges, protests in Parliament, and now a legal battle before the Supreme Court.

What began as a local religious disagreement at the Thiruparankundram hillock has grown into a state-level and national flashpoint, drawing in the DMK, BJP, the Tamil Nadu government, and the judiciary.

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What sparked the row?

The row centres on the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Deepathoon, a stone lamp pillar located on the Thiruparankundram hillock near the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple  and close to a dargah.

A single-judge bench of the Madras High Court had ruled on December 1 that the temple was duty-bound to light the lamp at the Deepathoon, in addition to the customary lamp lit at the Uchi Pillaiyar Mandapam.

The judge also stated that lighting the lamp would not affect the rights of the adjacent dargah or the Muslim community. When local authorities failed to implement the order, the judge passed another order on December 3 allowing devotees themselves to climb the hill and light the lamp, directing CISF personnel to ensure their safety.

This set off tensions in the region, with the Tamil Nadu Police stopping and reportedly arresting some devotees who attempted to proceed to the spot.

How Political Tempers Rose

Earlier today, Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted after DMK MPs stormed the Well, demanding to raise the lamp-lighting row. DMK leader TR Baalu accused the BJP of trying to ignite communal tension" in Tamil Nadu and made remarks suggesting that the High Court judge who passed the order favoured a particular ideology.

His comments drew immediate objections from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who said Baalu could not cast aspersions on the judiciary. He urged the Speaker to delete the remarks from the House record.

BJP leader and Union Minister L Murugan hit back at the DMK, accusing the state government of denying the right to worship" to temple devotees. He alleged that the Tamil Nadu Police had stopped and arrested worshippers, including the state BJP president, even though they were following the High Courts order and were escorted by CISF personnel.

As protests continued, Speaker Om Birla reminded MPs that the matter was sub judice and urged them to return to their seats. The House was ultimately adjourned until noon due to the uproar.

Why Supreme Court Is Involved?

The Tamil Nadu government has challenged the High Courts orders before the Supreme Court, arguing that allowing devotees to light the lamp at the hillock could create law-and-order issues in the sensitive area, especially given the shrines proximity to a dargah.

On Friday, the Supreme Court agreed to consider the states plea. The appeal comes after the Madurai bench of the High Court dismissed an intra-court appeal by the district collector and city police commissioner, upholding the original order permitting devotees to light the lamp.

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The state government is seeking a stay on the implementation of these orders, arguing that the situation requires careful handling.

(With inputs from agencies)

Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 18:37 IST

News india Tamil Nadu Hill Shrine Lamp-Lighting Row Reaches SC. What's The Issue?

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We're Ready To Continue Energy Shipment For India, Says Putin

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 15:09 IST

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin said Russia remains committed to meeting Indias fast-growing energy demand.

Vladimir Putin arrives in India

President Vladimir Putin on Friday asserted that Russia will continue to provide steady energy supplies to India, reaffirming Moscows role as a major fuel partner for New Delhi amid Western pressure over Indias rising purchases of discounted Russian crude.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi, Putin said Russia remains committed to meeting Indias fast-growing energy demand.

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We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the growing Indian economy," he said, adding that bilateral energy cooperation remains strong.

#WATCH | Delhi | Russian President Vladimir Putin says, We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the growing Indian economy"(Video source: DD) pic.twitter.com/D77wUA76Fa  ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

Our countries are gradually moving to mutual settlements in national currencies, which already account for 96% of commercial transactions. We are also witnessing successful partnerships in energy, stable supplies of oil, gas, coal, and everything required for Indias energy needs."

His remarks come at a time when Western nations have repeatedly criticised Indias rising energy trade with Russia, alleging that revenues from these sales help Moscow fund its war effort in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Modi, in his remarks after the summit, said strengthening economic engagement with Russia is a priority for New Delhi.

To increase economic cooperation between India and Russia is our priority, and for this we have agreed on an economic cooperation programme till 2030," he said.

PM Modi highlighted the durability of India-Russia ties, saying the relationship has remained steadfast like a pole star" through global upheavals over the past eight decades.

He also noted progress toward an early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Pointing to growing collaboration in strategic sectors, PM Modi said cooperation in critical minerals would be vital for securing and diversifying global supply chains.

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On the Ukraine conflict, the Prime Minister reiterated Indias long-standing position on dialogue and diplomacy.

India has advocated for peace on the Ukraine issue from the very beginning. We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting resolution. India has always been ready to contribute its part and will remain so in the future," he said.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 14:52 IST

News india We're Ready To Continue Energy Shipment For India, Says Putin

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Why Do Foreign Leaders Receive 21-Gun Salute? History Of The Honour Explained

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 16:32 IST

The 21-gun salute is regarded as the highest ceremonial honour in India and is part of a tradition inherited from British rule, later adopted across Commonwealth nations

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The 21-gun salute was accorded shortly after Vladimir Putin's meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. (PTI Photo)

Russias President Vladimir Putin received a ceremonial 21-gun salute at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday during his ongoing visit to India, an honour reserved for the highest offices of state. The salute was accorded shortly after his meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, marking the formal welcome extended to visiting heads of state.

The 21-gun salute is regarded as the highest ceremonial honour in India and is part of a tradition inherited from British rule, later adopted across Commonwealth nations. Today, the salute is reserved for the President, the national flag, and key state ceremonies. It is also extended to foreign heads of state on official visits.

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During the British Raj, an elaborate system of gun salutes was institutionalised to denote rank and protocol. Historical records show a tiered structure of honours before the independence:

101-gun salute for the British Monarch, who also held the title Maharaja of India".

31-gun salute for the Queen, members of the royal family, the Viceroy and the Governor-General.

21-gun salute for foreign heads of state and their families.

19 guns-gun salute for heads of government, senior foreign dignitaries and high-ranking military officials.

17 guns-gun salute for provincial governors, diplomats and officers of the rank of General.

According to historical references cited by Vedantu and Daily O, the practice dates back to the 14th century, when early cannons could be fired only once without reloading. Warships entering a port would discharge all their cannons as a symbolic gesture of goodwill, signalling that they posed no threat.

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Initially, vessels fired seven shots, a number considered significant in both astrological and biblical traditions. Coastal forts responded with three rounds for every shot, bringing the total to 21. Over time, 21 became the recognised standard across maritime and military traditions and was eventually institutionalised by modern armed forces worldwide.

In India, the 21-gun salute is reserved for the most solemn and prestigious national occasions. It is performed following the swearing-in ceremony of the President, during Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, at state receptions for foreign leaders, and in honour of the national flag.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 16:32 IST

News india Why Do Foreign Leaders Receive 21-Gun Salute? History Of The Honour Explained

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World Soil Day 2025: Theme, History And 10 Powerful Quotes By Sadhguru

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 07:50 IST

World Soil Day 2025 sheds light on soil health and sustainability with the theme Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities, along with Sadhgurus powerful quotes inspiring conservation.

Sadhguru launched the Save Soil campaign in March 2021. (Image: sadhguru/Instagram)

World Soil Day is observed every year on December 5, and in times when the environment is deteriorating at an alarming pace, this day holds far more importance than just another date on the calendar.

Our planets survival depends heavily on the precious layers of soil beneath our feet, and yet we continue to overlook how rapidly it is being degraded.

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More than 95% of our food comes from soil, but despite this staggering fact, soil health remains one of the most neglected environmental concerns. According to the United Nations, it can take nearly 1,000 years to form just 23 cm of soil.

World Soil Day History

The idea of dedicating an international day to soil was first proposed by the International Union of Soil Sciences in 2002.

With the support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and guided by the Kingdom of Thailand through the Global Soil Partnership, efforts were made to formally establish World Soil Day as a global awareness initiative.

In December 2013, the UN General Assembly declared that the first official World Soil Day would be celebrated on 5 December 2014.

World Soil Day 2025 Theme

Whenever we talk about soil conservation or stopping soil degradation, most of us instantly picture a rural landscape, dont we? However, we often forget that urban soil matters just as much.

This years theme, Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities," is a reminder of exactly that. Beneath all the towering buildings, busy roads, and endless construction, theres soil that plays a crucial role.

It can absorb rainwater, reduce flooding, and even help improve air quality, something every city struggles with today.

But when we smother this soil under layers of cement and concrete, it loses its natural functions, and the results show up in very real ways, such increased flooding, rising temperatures, and worsening pollution.

World Soil Day: 10 Most Powerful Quotes By Sadhguru

In India, the movement for soil protection gained significant momentum after Jagadish Vasudev, widely known as Sadhguru and founder of the Isha Foundation, launched the Save Soil campaign in March 2021.

Heres a look at 10 of his most powerful quotes.

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The soil is not just dirt; it is the silent provider of life. Treat it with respect, and it will nourish generations to come." As we celebrate the richness of soil, remember, just like the earth, your soul needs nurturing too. Cultivate both for a flourishing life." In the dance of nature, soil is the steady rhythm. Embrace its grounded wisdom, and youll find harmony in growth." You cant address climate change and sustainability without addressing soil, which is the core of all that is manifest." To reverse the threat of soil extinction, we must come together as one force. In richness of soil is the vitality of our life." Were behaving as if we are the last generation on this planet. If we value life and the lives of future generations, weve to take care of soil and water." Soil is the mother of all mothers, keeping it alive and passing it on that way to future generations is the way to know the power of motherhood." Saving soil is no different from loving life around you." Agriculture can only thrive on rich soil, theres simply no other way. Regeneration of soil is the invigoration of life." Save Soil movement is a love affair with the land and life around us. Its not a fight with anyone."

First Published: December 05, 2025, 07:20 IST

News lifestyle events World Soil Day 2025: Theme, History And 10 Powerful Quotes By Sadhguru
Kate Middleton Stuns In Mughal-Inspired Oriental Circlet Tiara With A Royal History

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 10:16 IST

Kate Middleton simply carried the legacy of her Mughal-inspired tiara that had been passed down as a royal heirloom.

Prince Willim and Kate Middleton, whose tiara is fit for a Queen of Fashion like her.

Kate Middleton, who is known by her royal name  Princess Catherine  has a wardrobe that is worth its weight in gold. While they are filled with some of the rarest clothes and valuable jewels, she is also known for her sustainable fashion. However, her closet is filled with exquisite pieces and royal heirlooms, and the Princess of Wales dazzles whenever she wears them.

Recently, she turned heads when she chose to wear a Mughal-inspired Oriental Circlet tiara, leaving many jaws dropped.

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On December 4, Britains Royal Family welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Budenbender, to a dinner. For this special occasion, Kate Middleton opted for a Jenny Packham light blue, cape gown, adorned with crystals and precious gemstones. It also featured long sleeves and white-hued brooches that elevated her look a notch.

But it was her Mughal-inspired Oriental Circlet tiara that caught the attention of many.

Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)

Kate Middletons Mughal-Inspired Oriental Circlet Tiara

The royal heirloom was adorned with 2,600 diamonds and Burmese rubies, making it a timeless possession. It was first crafted in 1853 for Queen Victoria by the luxury jewellery house Garrard under the direction of Prince Albert.

The tiara that caught our eyes has been worn only a handful of times in its long history. Originally, it was set with a collection of opals, which were a favourite of Prince Albert, and 2,600 diamonds. Since opals are considered unlucky, they were replaced with rubies, while the tiaras design was largely unchanged. It retains the shape of an Indian-inspired lotus flower and Mughal arches.

Why Queen Victoria Never Wore The Oriental Circlet Tiara Ever Again

Talking about the precious piece of jewellery, which even captivated the Prince, the designers website notes: In 1858, the circlet was returned to Garrard for alterations, with a small space added to the reverse so that it was no longer a complete circle. The tiara had barely been returned to the Queen when Albert fell ill and unexpectedly died, aged just forty-two. Victoria was heartbroken."

The note added, For the remaining forty years of her life, she mourned Albert by wearing black and replacing her coloured gems with mourning jewellery. It meant she would never have the opportunity to wear the Oriental Circlet again."

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Queen Alexandra had reportedly returned the circlet to the jewellery house in 1902, after inheriting it. She was the one who replaced the opals with the Burmese rubies that Queen Victoria received as a gift from the ruler of Nepal in the 1870s.

The tiara was ultimately inherited by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who wore it only once, during her 2005 trip to Malta. Fast forward to today, Kate wore it for the first time and completed her look with diamond earrings.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 10:16 IST

News lifestyle fashion Kate Middleton Stuns In Mughal-Inspired Oriental Circlet Tiara With A Royal History
Sonam Kapoors Black Banarasi Saree Is A Masterclass In Modern Heritage Dressing

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 00:12 IST

Sonam Kapoor stuns in a handwoven black and gold Banarasi saree by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla in collaboration with Swadesh for an event in Mumbai.

Sonam Kapoor was styled by Rhea Kapoor.

There are a few red-carpet constants in India, and Sonam Kapoor is one of them  a fashion force who turns even intimate cultural events into moments of couture storytelling. On Friday evening in Mumbai, the actor arrived at the Swadesh store to celebrate the holiday season and the countrys craft legacy, all while gracefully embracing her second pregnancy. What followed was a masterclass in how traditional Indian textiles can look powerful, modern, and deeply personal at the same time.

Sonam Kapoors appearance, styled by her sister and long-time collaborator Rhea Kapoor, set a tone that felt both rooted and regal. The look wasnt just an outfit; it was a quiet nod to the artisans behind Indias heritage textiles, and to the evolving narrative of maternity fashion that refuses to compromise on identity or drama.

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A Banarasi Masterpiece In Black And Gold

For the evening, Sonam wore a handwoven black Banarasi saree from Swadesh, crafted in collaboration with the designer duo Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. The choice of colour alone made a statement. The depth of black lent the silhouette gravity, while the gold motifs added a soft luminosity that caught the light with every movement.

The saree featured an elaborate beige-gold and silver zardozi border, an unmistakable signature of the designer duos maximalist aesthetic. Rich without being loud, the embroidery framed Sonams baby bump with a sense of celebration rather than concealment. In a landscape where maternity fashion often leans toward minimalism, this look stood apart for its unapologetic indulgence.

Abu Jani Sandeep Khoslas Golden Vision

The designers described the ensemble as a celebration of heritage in all its glory, and the phrase held. Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla have long championed the revival of classic Indian textiles by pairing them with intricate, time-honoured embroidery traditions. Here, their philosophy came alive: the saree wasnt merely crafted; it was curated  a piece of living textile history made contemporary through proportion, palette, and styling.

Styling That Honoured Craft And Culture

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Rhea Kapoors styling completed the narrative with understated elegance. She allowed the saree to dominate the frame, pairing it with minimal jewellery and a clean beauty look that highlighted Sonams radiance. The overall effect felt ceremonial, celebratory, and deeply aligned with the evenings theme of honouring Indias craft ecosystem.

In a world where celebrity fashion often gets reduced to trends, Sonams look served as a reminder: heirloom textiles still hold unrivalled emotional weight. Her appearance at Swadesh wasnt just about a saree, but it was about visibility, craftsmanship, and the evolving vocabulary of what maternity style can look like when heritage takes centre stage.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 06, 2025, 00:12 IST

News lifestyle fashion Sonam Kapoors Black Banarasi Saree Is A Masterclass In Modern Heritage Dressing
Celina Jaitly Shares Hopeful Note After Delhi HC Directs MEA To Help Her Contact Detained Brother In UAE

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 08:43 IST

Celina Jaitly revealed that she hasnt been able to speak to her brother, Maj (Retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, for 15 months. He is currently in the custody of authorities in the UAE.

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Celina Jaitly Shares Hopeful Note After Delhi HC Directs MEA To Help Her Contact Detained Brother In UAE

Actress Celina Jaitly has shared a note on social media after the Delhi High Court asked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to help her communicate with her brother Major (Retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly. He is currently in the custody of authorities in the United Arab Emirates, and the actress revealed that she hasnt been able to speak to him for the last 15 months. After the Delhi HCs order, Celina shared a hopeful note, and wrote that she is doing her best to ensure her brothers safe return.

Celina Jaitly Says She Hasnt Spoken To Her Brother For 15 Months

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On Thursday, Celina Jaitly took to her Instagram and shared a picture with her parents, and brother, Maj (Retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly. In her note, she expressed hope about the efforts to reconnect with her detained brother, while updating fans about the progress made in Court. Ma & Pa.. I am doing my best ! I Havent Spoken to Vikrant in 15 Months. Today, Hope Was Placed on Record.. Thank you Universe !! My petition seeking access to and legal representation for my brother, Maj (Retd) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been abducted and detained in UAE since 6 Sep 2024, was heard by the Honble Delhi High Court today. The Ministry of External Affairs filed its Status Report and appointed a Nodal Officer to coordinate with me for access to my brother. While I still havent been able to speak to Vikrant its been 15 months now the Additional Solicitor General, Govt of India Sr Adv Chetan Sharma apprised the Court that they will make their best efforts to get me to speak to Vikrant," she wrote.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celina Jaitly (@celinajaitlyofficial)

She further added, The Honble Judge directed the Ministry to make efforts to facilitate my access to speak to Vikrant. Im grateful to Ld. ASG, and the Court and the who recognised my suffering and acknowledged our familys 4 generations of contributions to the Indian armed forces. The next date in Court is 23 Dec. I look forward to the next steps optimistically."

The Delhi High Court has asked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to make sure that Major Vikrant is informed, during the next consular access, that his sister Celina wishes to speak with him. The direction came while the court was hearing her plea for assistance. The court also told the MEA to help Celina communicate with her brother, either through the TAMM app or any other method available. The judges noted that it was important for her to be able to reach him, given the circumstances.

A few days ago, the actress penned a note stating that her life has been a countdown of fear and hope ever since her brother, Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly was detained in UAE last year. She expressed her anguish over not being able to hear his voice or see his face. She then appealed for his return, stating that she is putting her faith and hope in our government. She also added that she will not rest until her brother returns safely to India.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 08:43 IST

News movies bollywood Celina Jaitly Shares Hopeful Note After Delhi HC Directs MEA To Help Her Contact Detained Brother In UAE
Opinion | A Year Of Quiet But Consequential Victories For Soil & A Missed Opportunity at COP30

Written By : &

News18.com

Last Updated: December 06, 2025, 15:04 IST

World Soil Day reminds us of an unchanging truth: there is no climate stability, no food, no water, and no economic resilience without healthy soil

Across the world, major governance milestones signalled a new recognition of soil as a foundation for climate stability, food security, and national resilience. (Canva File)

This years World Soil Day offers a moment to reflect on a quietly transformative period for one of our most overlooked natural systems. In 2025, soil  the thin, living skin of the Earth on which all human and ecological life depend  finally began receiving the political and institutional attention it deserves. Yet on the global climate stage, where the future is supposed to be shaped, soil remained largely absent. This contradiction defines the year that was.

Across the world, major governance milestones signalled a new recognition of soil as a foundation for climate stability, food security, and national resilience. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) adopted a landmark resolution on soil security, elevating soil health to the same level of urgency as water, forests, and biodiversity. The European Unions new Soil Monitoring Law became the most ambitious regional framework ever created for restoring and tracking soil health, placing accountability and scientific rigour at the centre of environmental policy.

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Perhaps the most inspiring development came from Africa. On 6 November 2025, the Pan-African Parliament adopted the African Unions first Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management  a blueprint to guide countries in restoring degraded lands, strengthening soil governance, and ensuring farmers transition toward regenerative practices. For a continent that loses billions in productivity each year due to soil degradation, this model law offers an unprecedented foundation for environmental and economic renewal.

Taken together, these steps make 2025 one of the most encouraging years for soil in recent memory. They reflect a growing understanding that healthy soils underpin everything we rely on: food, water, livelihoods, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Yet, when the world gathered at COP30 to define its climate priorities, soil barely entered the conversation.

COP30: A Global Stage Where Soil Barely Appeared

At COP30  the annual climate summit where countries decide how to secure a liveable future  soil should have been central. Instead, it remained on the margins. The only formal negotiation track that deals with agriculture and food systems ended abruptly, with the first week of talks failing to reach agreement and no extension into the second week. With this process scheduled to end in 2026, the world is now three years into discussions without a single concrete decision about agriculture or soil.

Experts within the UN climate system have repeatedly warned that countries still lack three essentials: large-scale finance for soil and land restoration, national climate plans that meaningfully include food systems, and proper measurement tools to track soil carbon and soil health. These gaps have been acknowledged for years but remain largely unaddressed.

There was a glimmer of hope when the UNs Standing Committee on Finance, for the first time in its 15-year history, held a forum dedicated to agriculture and food systems. It was a long-overdue signal that the world recognises the importance of soils. But even this conversation stayed at the surface. The committee acknowledged the need for financing soil health but offered no actual mechanisms, structures, or delivery pathways to make it happen. In effect, the world recognised the challenge but still has not built the system to respond to it.

Outside the formal negotiations, voluntary announcements sounded more promising: billions pledged for restoration, millions of hectares linked to regeneration, and millions of farmers reached. But these numbers, while encouraging, pale in comparison to the trillions invested in clean energy. Agriculture and soil systems remain dramatically underfunded, despite their proven ability to store carbon, regulate water, build resilience, and reduce emissions at scale.

The truth is straightforward and sobering: soils could help address nearly 30 per cent of the climate crisis, yet they receive only a fraction of the attention and investment they require. When soil is absent at COP, the world is ignoring one of its most powerful and immediate climate solutions.

A Year of Progress, but Not Yet a Turning Point

Despite the inspiring legal and policy advancements across regions, soil still struggles to find its rightful place in global climate action. The new laws and resolutions of 2025 offer hope  but without being woven into the financial and policy machinery of the climate system, they will not achieve the transformation the planet urgently needs.

For countries like India, soil health is not an abstract environmental concern. Nearly a third of Indias land is degraded. For 1.4 billion people, soil is the basis of food security, water security, rural livelihoods, and climate adaptation. If the world ignores soil, it ignores the foundation of Indias future prosperity.

World Soil Day reminds us of an unchanging truth: there is no climate stability, no food, no water, and no economic resilience without healthy soil. The year 2025 showed what progress looks like when nations commit to protecting this precious resource. The challenge ahead is ensuring that global climate politics catch up.

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If 2025 was the year soil finally entered the halls of governance, then 2026 must be the year it enters the heart of global climate action.

(About the authors: Praveena is the chief science and technology officer of the Save Soil movement. She is a public policy expert in the environmental sector for more than 17 years, with a masters degree in environment engineering. Mahathi has over 10 years of experience in food systems, public health, and international development in the Global South. She is a steering committee member, UNCCD Youth Caucus and a policy researcher at Save Soil, with a masters degree in public policy from Columbia University. Views expressed are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views)

First Published: December 05, 2025, 19:52 IST

News opinion Opinion | A Year Of Quiet But Consequential Victories For Soil & A Missed Opportunity at COP30

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Opinion | Amit Shahs Seva Doctrine: Replacing Colonial Raj With Lok In Governance

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 16:03 IST

By shedding colonial-era names India is getting ready for its most ambitious leap into the future

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah (ANI File)

As India strides confidently into what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the Amrit Kaal"  the crucial 25-year period leading to the centenary of Independence in 2047  one quiet but powerful transformation is visible: the systematic removal of colonial-era names from the nations most iconic public buildings and spaces. Rajpath is now Kartavya Path. The Prime Ministers Office is now Sewa Teerth.

Home Minister Amit Shah has taken this transformation ahead by deciding to rename Raj Bhawan across our states as Lok Bhawan or Raj Nivas. These are not mere linguistic tweaks; they are deliberate acts of decolonising the mind and re-anchoring India in its own eternal values.

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This movement draws its moral and ideological force from the Prime Ministers Panch Pran  the five sacred vows he gave to the nation on 15 August 2022 from the ramparts of the Red Fort. The fourth vow is explicit: We will rid ourselves of every trace of colonial mindset." For a country aiming to become the worlds third-largest economy in the next couple of years and a developed nation by 2047, shedding the psychological baggage of subjugation is not symbolism  it is strategy. People who still walk on Kings Way" and work in Viceroys House" subconsciously carry the weight of servitude. Renaming these spaces to reflect duty (kartavya), service (sewa), and people (lok) is an act of national psychotherapy that instils pride, ownership, and unstoppable self-belief.

The journey began at the very heart of Indian democracy. In September 2022, the historic Rajpath  literally the Path of the King", built by Edwin Lutyens to stage imperial durbars  was renamed Kartavya Path, the Path of Duty. The Prime Ministers Office, once housed in South Block, is now spoken of as Sewa Teerth, the pilgrimage centre of service. Home Minister Amit Shah carried the flame forward by encouraging states to replace the colonial-era Raj Bhawan" (Kings House) with names that reflect republican and civilisational ethos  Lok Bhawan, Raj Nivas, or simply Governors House in Indian languages.

These changes are not happening in isolation. They are integral to the ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project, which is transforming the entire axis of power in New Delhi from a monument to British imperialism into a celebration of Indian democracy and eternal dharma. The new Parliament building, the Common Central Secretariat, and the reimagined avenue all speak the same language: India is no longer a subject nation; she is a civilisational state rising on her own terms, where governance is sewa and power is held in trust for the last person in the queue.

At its core, this renaming mission is about expanding our national memory beyond the 900 years of foreign domination  first Mughal, then British. For too long, Indias self-image has been filtered through the lens of slavery: we measure our history from 1192 (Prithviraj Chauhans defeat), 1757 (Plassey), or 1857 (the failed First War of Independence). This truncated timeline has unconsciously bred a sense of victimhood. The truth is far more glorious. Indias civilisational continuum stretches back over 10,000 years  from the mature urban settlements of the Indus-Saraswati civilisation to the astronomical precision of Vedic rishis, from the university of Takshashila to the maritime glory of the Cholas, from Guru Nanaks universal message to Adi Shankaras Advaita. This is the real India  the Vishwa Guru that once taught the world mathematics, metallurgy, medicine, and metaphysics.

When we name our institutions and avenues after concepts rooted in this unbroken tradition  kartavya, sewa, loka  we are not erasing history; we are restoring perspective. We are telling our children that subjugation was only a temporary eclipse, never the essence of India.

The timing could not be more critical. India today enjoys the greatest demographic advantage in recorded history. With a median age of 28 and more than 65 per cent of our population in the working-age bracket, we have a once-in-civilisation window of opportunity. Demographers tell us this dividend will peak around 2041 and begin tapering by 2055. These three decades are make-or-break. Nations that harnessed similar windows  Japan in the 1960s-1980s, China in the 1980s-2010s  did so with ferocious national pride and a clear sense of historic destiny. Nations that squandered them remained trapped in self-doubt.

For India to seize this moment, we need more than policy and investment: we need a psychological surge. A youth that walks down Kartavya Path must feel the same electric sense of duty that Arjuna felt on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. A bureaucrat entering a building called Lok Bhawan must remember that power is not raj but sewa. When 1.4 billion people carry this renewed civilisational confidence in their hearts, no developmental target will seem impossible.

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Renaming is only the beginning. It is the visible tip of a deeper transformation: from a colonised mind to a liberated consciousness. As we shed the last vestiges of mental slavery, we do not just change names on signboards; we change the destiny written in our stars. The 21st century will belong not to those who inherited the empire, but to those who reclaimed their soul.

The writer is an author and national spokesperson of BJP. Views expressed are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 16:03 IST

News opinion Opinion | Amit Shahs Seva Doctrine: Replacing Colonial Raj With Lok In Governance

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Beijing has condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, not only as a violation of the one-China principle but also as a challenge to the post-war international order.

Takaichi suggested on November 7 that Tokyo could respond militarily to a potential attack on the island, making her the first sitting Japanese leader since World War II to publicly link a Taiwan contingency with the possible deployment of Japan's Self-Defence Forces.

Beijing regards Taiwan's restoration as a key outcome of the treaties and agreements that established the framework of international norms in place since the end of the second world war.

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Taiwan was a colony of Japan from 1895 to 1945, along with the Penghu Islands, after China's Qing government was forced to cede them under the Treaty of Shimonoseki, or the Treaty of Maguan, signed after China lost the first Sino-Japanese war.

In the 1943 Cairo Declaration, the US, Britain and China stated explicitly that all the territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese were to be restored, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands.

The Potsdam Proclamation in 1945 reaffirmed this position and set the conditions for Japan's surrender. Later that year, Japan formally accepted these terms in its surrender instrument.

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At its regular press conference on Monday, the Chinese foreign ministry made clear that the documents not only stipulated sovereignty over Taiwan but were also vital outcomes of the global anti-fascist war and an integral part of the post-war order.

"Japan has an obligation under international law to observe those documents, which was the prerequisite for Japan to be readmitted to the international community after the war," ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

On November 26, Takaichi followed up her original remark, telling the parliament: "Having renounced all rights and claims under the Treaty of San Francisco, we are not in a position to recognise Taiwan's legal status".

Chinese state media called her remarks a narrative about an "undetermined status of Taiwan", prompting Beijing to criticise Tokyo again for "hiding and fudging its position" on the island recently.

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The San Francisco agreement, also called the Treaty of Peace with Japan, was signed by 49 nations in 1951 to re-establish peaceful ties and included Japanese renunciation of its claims to Taiwan.

However, the treaty - which Beijing rejects as illegal and invalid - did not specify to whom Taiwan's sovereignty was to be transferred.

Despite being one of the major Allied powers that defeated Japan, China did not attend the San Francisco summit - primarily because the organisers were divided about which government to invite - the Nationalists who lost the civil war and fled to Taiwan or the People's Republic of China.

Beijing says the question of Taiwan's status was effectively settled in 1945, following China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Japan's surrender.

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Since its establishment in 1949, the People's Republic of China has been the sole legal government representing the whole of China. "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," the Chinese foreign ministry said on November 27.

Beijing views Taiwan as part of China, to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise the island as an independent state, however Washington opposes any attempt to seize it and remains committed to supplying it with arms.

Ryukyu is the ancient Chinese name for a chain of islands that includes Okinawa - today under Japan's administration but once part of an independent kingdom and tributary state of the Chinese dynasties.

Recently some Chinese state media have reported that there some residents of Okinawa who have protested Takaichi's remarks and refloated the opinion of some scholars in China that the status of Ryukyu is "undetermined".

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The San Francisco treaty - which Beijing claims is invalid - put the Ryukyu Islands under temporary administration of the United States, which handed the authority to Japan in 1972.

According to state media and some scholars in China, the 1972 action violated the UN Trusteeship Council's fundamental principles on national self-determination, leaving the sovereign status of the Ryukyu Islands unresolved under international law.

Some Chinese historians also argue that Japan's territory is limited to the four major islands - Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu - citing the Potsdam Declaration to support this view.

Yu Hailong, associate researcher at the Central Party School's Institute for International Strategic Studies, highlighted the significance of the undetermined status amid the "serious provocations concerning our core interests" after Takaichi came to power.

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"China stressed the undetermined status of the Ryukyu Islands on top of reaffirming that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China," Yu wrote in an article published by the state-owned Beijing Daily on Tuesday.

"This is a concrete manifestation of proactively transforming academic discourse into strategic initiative, which helps foster a correct understanding of historical issues worldwide and enhances collective vigilance against Japan's right-wing forces."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Opinion | Aviation Emergency: IndiGo Gets Its Exemption, Bharat Gets Betrayed

Written By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 16:46 IST

Citizens of Bharat deserve better than a system where the watchdog and the dominant airline act in concert to lower passenger safety, not raise it

IndiGo spent nearly two years resisting the January 2024 court-upheld Flight Duty Time Limitations. (Representational photo: X)

There is no other way of saying it except to call it out for what it is: a massive betrayal of public safety and a breach of public trust. In a span of 72 hours, the NDAs Civil Aviation Ministry, through its exemptions for IndiGo, has betrayed you, the citizens of Bharat.

First came the so-called one-time exemption for IndiGo, relaxing the deadline for implementing tightened rules intended to give pilots more time to rest. The reformed Flight Duty Time Limitation rules mandated that the weekly continuous rest period for flight crew be extended from 36 to 48 hours. They amended the definition of night to midnight to 6 a.m. to reduce red-eye fatigue. Most importantly, the rules cut maximum night landings to 6 from 12 and capped consecutive night duties at two per week. These were not cosmetic tweaks. They were essential roster reforms designed to curb crew exhaustion and enhance passenger safety at a moment when Indias aviation sector was already under scrutiny after the Air India crash in Ahmedabad.

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By granting IndiGo an extension to implement these rules, the Civil Aviation Ministry has compromised passenger safety. This is a shocking disregard for the public welfare that the Modi government claims to champion. What message does this concession send? That the NDA is content to reward an airline that has put profit first and safety last by refusing to hire additional crew to meet the requirements? IndiGo now says it misjudged crew needs under the new rules. This is a convenient excuse, if not an outright falsehood.

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Here is the fact. IndiGo spent nearly two years resisting the January 2024 court-upheld Flight Duty Time Limitations meant to protect you, the passenger. That IndiGo was allowed to get away is the original breach of trust, and it is the NDA that enabled it.

The sacred understanding between the state and the citizen lies in tatters because the Union government, tasked with safeguarding your interests, placed a private, profit-driven airline first. When a private company acquires the ability to bend the government to its will, it will naturally raise disquieting questions about regulatory capture and cronyism. Citizens of Bharat deserve better than a system where the watchdog and the dominant airline act in concert to lower passenger safety, not raise it.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 16:46 IST

News opinion Opinion | Aviation Emergency: IndiGo Gets Its Exemption, Bharat Gets Betrayed

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Opinion | How A British Lie Became Indias Most Persistent Myth About Tagore's 'Jana Gana Mana'

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News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 22:43 IST

A century-old colonial fabrication still shapes public belief, despite Tagores own clarifications and ample historical evidence.

The song, Tagore clarified, was dedicated to those eternal, illumined spirits who had guided India since the dawn of civilisation. (File image/News18 Hindi)

Even today, many still fall for the British-spawned myth about Jana Gana Mana, a song that was always an ode to Indias soul. How did such a distortion come into being? It arose from the convergence of two forces: the Congress leaderships eagerness to ingratiate themselves with the Emperor, and the calculated manoeuvring of the British propaganda apparatus. At the time, several Congress leaders wished that Rabindranath Tagore compose a song in honour of King George V, to be performed at the Congress session.

In the ceaseless churn of falsehood, even gods may fall from grace, so goes the old saying. But fewer know that, in a similar vortex of falsehood, Rabindranath Tagore himself was once cast as a British loyalist." The irony is that the old Congress ought to have known better, for it was their silent complicity that allowed the British press to malign Tagore so effectively. One hundred and fourteen years have passed, and yet that slander still drifts through our collective memory as a stubborn myth. Many continue to be ensnared by it; a Member of Parliament was its most recent victim. But the BJP, as a party, has never endorsed the notion that Tagore composed Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya Hey in praise of King George V.

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The year was 1911. From 26 to 28 December, the Indian National Congress held its session in Calcutta. It was there that Jana Gana Mana was first sung publicly. On the morning of 27 December, accompanied by Dinendranath Tagores musical arrangement and performed by a chorus of young boys and girls, the song resonated through the Congress pavilion.

It is true that King George V was visiting India at that time. But the song was neither written for him nor sung in his honour. How, then, did this misconception arise? It germinated in the overlap between the Congress leaderships eagerness to ingratiate themselves with the monarch and the British propaganda apparatus, always poised to exploit an opportunity.

Many Congress leaders, wishing to please the Emperor, wanted Rabindranath to write a song honouring George V for the Congress session. This proposal reached Tagore through the barrister and Congress leader Ashutosh Chaudhuri. He was annoyed and indeed disappointed. He had no objection to writing a song for the Congress session, but to write one in praise of George V, he flatly refused.

And so, two songs were sung that day: in the morning, Tagores Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya Hey; in the evening, Badshah Hamara, composed by Rambhaja Dutta Chowdhuri. A glance at their language makes it immediately clear which song lauded the Emperor and which did not.

Rambhaja Dutta Chowdhuri, a Congress leader from Punjab, happened to be Tagores nephew-in-law, married to Sarala Devi Chaudhurani. Since Tagore would not grant the request routed through Ashutosh Chaudhuri, another Congress leader within the extended family took up the task and composed a loyal hymn for the British Badshah."

If this is what truly occurred, how then did the contrary myth take root? It was, quite simply, a British stratagem. The morning after Jana Gana Mana was sung at the Congress session, three English newspapers  including The Statesman and The Englishman  published identical claims that Tagore had written the song in honour of King George V. All three were faithful mouthpieces of the colonial regime. Their synchronised reports forged a falsehood that, over time, solidified into truth." Thus, an empty fiction grew into a vast national myth, still alive in our discourse today. Even in independent India, several eminent figures repeated this error, unaware that they were only echoing a lie crafted by the British.

Tagore himself attempted more than once to correct the distortion. On 20 November 1937, in Bichitra, and again on 29 March 1939, in Purbasa, he wrote with a mixture of pain and indignation, compelled to dismantle the persistent falsehood. He confessed that he felt insulted by such wilful misinterpretation. I did not write this song for any George the Fifth or George the Sixth," he stated unequivocally. The song, he clarified, was dedicated to those eternal, illumined spirits who had guided India since the dawn of civilisation. Yet, despite his own testimony, the slander survived.

In the 1990s, I myself intervened to save a political colleague from repeating the same old error. I was then active in the youth wing of the party. At a national event, I heard someone invoke the fable linking Jana Gana Mana to George Vs visit to India. I corrected him on the spot. L. K. Advani was present on that very stage. Yet even today, some continue to perpetuate the mistake.

A carefully researched essay by MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy also sets forth the true facts. The piece rests on firm documentary evidence. Another work, Jatiyo Sangeet-er Utso Sondhane, sheds further light on the matter. Anyone in doubt may consult these sources.

Let me restate the essence plainly. On the evening of 27 December 1911, Badshah Humara was sung at the Congress session in honour of King George V. But that morning, Jana Gana Mana, sung at the very same venue, had no connection whatsoever to the Emperor. Just as the Aryan invasion theory" is an unverified myth, so too is the claim that Tagore composed his song for George V. Many remain afflicted by this myth. But as a party, we do not endorse it; it has never been our agenda.

And to those now raising a hue and cry over the personal opinion of one BJP MP, do they remember what their own party once did to Tagore after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?

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When news of the atrocity reached him, Tagore wished to travel to Punjab with Mohandas Gandhi. He sent a messenger, but Gandhi did not respond. Tagore then urged Chittaranjan Das to organise a protest meeting in Kolkata. Chittaranjan Das asked whether Tagore would preside. Tagore agreed. Later, he was asked whether he would deliver the principal address. He agreed again. Then Chittaranjan Das suggested that Tagore himself should organise the meeting. Irritated and disillusioned, Tagore ceased further communication with the Congress leaders. Instead, he renounced his knighthood, turning his protest into a thunderous moral gesture that echoed across the world.

Samik Bhattacharya is the BJP WB President and MP, Rajya Sabha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 09:05 IST

News opinion Opinion | How A British Lie Became Indias Most Persistent Myth About Tagore's 'Jana Gana Mana'

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Opinion: Wanted Abroad, Why Putin Travelled To India Without Fearing Arrest

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 18:01 IST

India is not a party to the Rome Statute of the ICC. Indian authorities are therefore under no treaty-based duty to detain or surrender Putin if he lands on Indian soil

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PM Modi with Putin after his arrival in New Delhi. (Image: X/@narendramodi)

When the International Criminal Court in March 2023 issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, it triggered a global question: if a sitting head of state indicted for alleged war crimes tries to travel, could he be detained? For many, the idea that any leader might be answerable to a global court looked like a historic advance for international justice.

And indeed, media coverage since then  from August 2025 speculation about a potential summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska, to later discussions about a possible meeting in Europe  has repeatedly foregrounded the risk of arrest. Headlines such as ICC arrest warrant for Putin limits where any summit  could take place" have made clear: for ICC-member states, the warrant is no small matter.

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Similarly, his decision earlier in 2025 not to attend the BRICS Summit in Brazil was explicitly tied to the warrant: the Kremlin said the legal risk was too high.

Thus, any foreign trip by Putin becomes headline-news: Could this be the moment international justice catches up with him?

WHAT THE ICC WARRANT MEANS AND WHY IT DOESNT AUTOMATICALLY BIND ALL COUNTRIES

To understand why arrest remains unlikely in New Delhi, one must understand how the ICC works  and how it doesnt.

The ICC was established under the Rome Statute of 1998. As of 2025, 125 countries have ratified the Statute and are considered States Parties."

Crucially: only States Parties are legally obliged to cooperate with the ICC  including executing arrest warrants, surrendering indicted individuals, and exchanging evidence.

If a country is not a party to the Rome Statute, the ICC has no enforcement power on that country; the treaty does not bind its domestic law or its obligations.

That structural limitation is key: the ICC does not have its own police force. It depends entirely on the goodwill (or legal obligation) of sovereign states to enforce its rulings.

Therefore, an ICC warrant creates a potential  but not automatic  trigger for arrest. Whether it becomes real depends on where the suspect travels.

WHY NEW DELHI = CLEAR / SAFE" FOR PUTIN: INDIA IS NOT AN ICC MEMBER

That brings us to the core of why a visit by Vladimir Putin to New Delhi is unlikely to result in an arrest. India is not a party to the Rome Statute of the ICC.

As a non-member, India is under no legal obligation to recognize or act on the ICC arrest warrant.

Indian authorities are therefore under no treaty-based duty to detain or surrender Putin if he lands on Indian soil.

Even though the ICC has demanded cooperation from States Parties, the courts authority does not extend beyond those jurisdictions  non-members remain outside its legal reach.

Hence, the warrant remains legally unenforceable" in India, unless India voluntarily decides to act, which it hasnt indicated it will.

Indeed, leading news-analyses published ahead of the 2025 India-Russia summit emphasise exactly this point: India has no obligation" under international law to arrest Putin.

GLOBAL PRECEDENTS: WHAT HISTORY TELLS US ABOUT ICC WARRANTS & REAL-WORLD ENFORCEMENT

The New Delhi visit is not without precedent. Since the ICC warrant was issued in 2023:

In 2024, Putin travelled to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia  a member of the ICC  and was not arrested. Despite legal obligation, Mongolian authorities allowed him a ceremonial reception and later refused to detain him.

As a result, the ICC formally referred Mongolia to its oversight body  emphasising that non-cooperation is a real, sanctioned outcome.

These patterns show that even among ICC members, the decision to enforce a warrant is deeply political, not automatic  often weighed against strategic, diplomatic or economic considerations. The ICC can issue a warrant; but as enforcement history shows, execution depends on states acting.

For a non-member like India, the legal hurdle is even higher: there is simply no obligation. Holding an international indictment does not guarantee universal mobility restrictions.

WHAT THIS REVEALS ABOUT THE LIMITS OF INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & THE ROLE OF REALPOLITIK

The Putin-New Delhi situation underscores a broader, uncomfortable truth: international justice  as embodied by institutions like the ICC  still depends heavily on state cooperation and consent.

The effectiveness of global accountability mechanisms is uneven, especially when major powers stay outside  or actively reject  the courts jurisdiction. Russia, the United States, China, India (among others) remain outside the ICC fold.

Even when a country is a member, compliance with ICC warrants is not guaranteed. Political, economic, diplomatic interests frequently prevail over legal or moral commitments.

In practice, this means that indicted individuals  even high-profile ones  may still travel or operate with relative impunity, as long as they limit themselves to countries that either dont respect the warrant or are non-parties themselves.

In short: the global justice system remains deeply fragmented and selective, especially when it comes to powerful states and leaders.

THE TENSION BETWEEN LAW, MORALITY AND DIPLOMACY

This isnt  and shouldnt be  a cynical resignation to impunity. Rather, recognising these structural limitations helps us understand why legal accountability remains a long, uncertain road, even with international institutions in place.

For victims and activists, the ICC remains invaluable: arrest warrants and indictments carry symbolic and political weight. They send a message: crimes dont go unnoticed.

But symbolic weight alone cannot guarantee justice if enforcement depends on diplomatic willingness. The disconnect between treaty law and realpolitik remains wide.

For India and other non-member states, the decision whether to cooperate  or remain neutral  will continue to be shaped by strategic, economic and geopolitical considerations.

Thus, Putins New Delhi visit  while breezing past the ICC warrant  is a reminder that accountability in international justice is only as effective as its weakest link: state cooperation.

When headlines wonder whether a travelling Putin might be arrested abroad," they often reflect hope  hope for justice, for accountability, for an international rule-of-law that can transcend power. But the hard and largely unspoken reality is that jurisdiction and enforcement power remain fragmented.

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In the case of India  a non-member of the Rome Statute  there is simply no legal basis to act on the ICC warrant. That makes New Delhi, in 2025, a safe harbour" for Putin: not because justice has failed per se, but because the architecture of international law remains deeply state-centric.

Whether that architecture will ever evolve  or whether states will one day act with enough conscience to close enforcement gaps  remains the pressing question for global justice.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 18:01 IST

News opinion Opinion: Wanted Abroad, Why Putin Travelled To India Without Fearing Arrest

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 06:30 IST

1 / 11 Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in India on December 4, for the 23rd annual IndiaRussia summit. Ahead of his two-day visit, the Russian leaders plane and car have become a topic of discussion. + Follow us On Google

2 / 11 The Aurus Senat is a state-built luxury limousine that is often called the Russian Rolls-Royce.

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3 / 11 Used by Putin on foreign trips, the car has a heavy armoured body, blackout windows, and a plush, tech-loaded interior. Its name comes from a mix of Au (Aurum, the Latin word for gold) and Rus (for Russia).

4 / 11 The armoured limousine can withstand bullets and even grenade blasts. The Aurus Senat comes with emergency escape options, an independent oxygen supply in case of chemical attacks, a fire suppression system, and a mini command centre.

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5 / 11 The limousine has a top speed of 249 km/h. A civilian version costs around 18 million roubles or Rs 2.5 crore.

6 / 11 As for Putins plane, the Ilyushin Il-96-300, or the Flying Kremlin, was developed by the Ilyushin Design Bureau in the 1980s.

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7 / 11 The presidential version, called the Il-96-300PU, with PU meaning Punkt Upravleniya or command post, was introduced in the early 2000s.

8 / 11 The aircrafts features include missile defence countermeasures, secure communication and a nuclear command button for emergencies.

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9 / 11 Inside, the plane is more like a flying palace rather than a conventional airplane, with conference rooms, bedrooms, and gold-plated accents and fine woodwork.

10 / 11 The Il-96-300PU can accommodate up to 262 passengers in a two-class layout.

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 19:52 IST

1 / 9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an extensive range of talks aimed at strengthening the ties between both nations, on Friday. (Image: X/@narendramodi) + Follow us On Google

2 / 9 In a post on X, PM Modi said the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit provided a valuable platform for a wide-ranging review of bilateral ties across multiple sectors (Image: X/@narendramodi)

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3 / 9 Highlighting the outcomes of the meeting, the PM noted that both sides have agreed on an Economic Cooperation Programme extending to 2030, aimed at broadening trade and investment links. (Image: X/@narendramodi)

4 / 9 PM Modi added that the discussions also focused on strengthening connectivity and expanding collaboration in areas such as shipbuilding, energy, and critical minerals. (Image: X/@narendramodi)

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5 / 9 PM Modi emphasised that "cultural and people-to-people ties" form a cornerstone of India-Russia relations. (Image: X/@narendramodi)

6 / 9 The PM said that recent initiatives, including the opening of two new Indian consulates in Russia and the transfer of holy Buddhist relics to the country, have further boosted the ties. (Image: X/@narendramodi)

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7 / 9 PM Modi also shared images from the ceremonial welcome of Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan, praising his steadfast commitment to India-Russia relations. (Image: X/@narendramodi)

8 / 9 Modi noted that President Putin played a key role in elevating India-Russia ties to new heights. (Image: X/@narendramodi)

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 09:54 IST

1 / 6 Leicester Squares Scenes in the Square trail has become one of Londons most iconic celebrations of cinema, and in 2025 it made history by welcoming its first Indian film tribute - a bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as Raj and Simran from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), marking the films 30th anniversary. (Image: Instagram) + Follow us On Google

2 / 6 Leicester Square, long associated with film premieres and cinema culture since the 1930s, became home to Scenes in the Square in February 2020. The trail initially featured eight sculptures representing 100 years of film history: Laurel and Hardy, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr. Bean, and Wonder Woman. Each statue captured an iconic cinematic moment  from Gene Kelly swinging around a lamppost in Singin in the Rain to Wonder Woman breaking through the Vue West End cinema wall with her Lasso of Truth. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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3 / 6 The exhibition, organised by the Heart of London Business Alliance with Westminster City Council and supported by major studios, continued to grow: Harry Potter on a Nimbus 2000 broomstick (2020), Iron Throne from Game of Thrones (2021), Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021), the largest sculpture in the series, Indiana Jones (2023), Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out (2024), and Bridget Jones (2025). (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

4 / 6 In December 2025, the trail achieved a milestone with the unveiling of a bronze statue of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in their beloved roles from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. The statue depicts the duo in a signature pose from the film, unveiled by the actors themselves to commemorate the movies 30th anniversary. (Image: Instagram)

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5 / 6 This installation is the first-ever Indian film honoured in Leicester Squares sculpture trail, symbolising Bollywoods global impact. As Shah Rukh Khan noted during the unveiling, DDLJ is part of my identity we wanted to tell a story about love, and that story has lasted for 30 years. (Image: Instagram)
Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 10:54 IST

1 / 8 Kim Cattrall is officially a married woman again! The Sex and the City alum, 69, has tied the knot with her long-time love, British audio engineer Russell Thomas, 55, in an intimate London ceremony that proves romance only gets better with time. After three past marriages and plenty of heartbreak, Cattrall seems to have finally found the calm, steady love shes been waiting for. (Image: People Magazine/Instagram) + Follow us On Google

2 / 8 On December 4, 2025, the couple exchanged vows in front of just 12 guests, a hush-hush celebration that reflected their preference for intimacy over spectacle. Peple magazine exclusively covered the wedding, capturing the understated elegance of the day. (Image: People Magazine/Instagram)

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3 / 8 Cattrall stunned in a tailored Dior suit styled by Patricia Field, paired with Cornelia James gloves and a Philip Treacy hat, while Thomas looked sharp in a custom Richard James suit. The pair sealed their vows with a kiss on the steps of the venue, radiating joy as their closest friends and family looked on. (Image: People Magazine/Instagram)

4 / 8 Kim and Russells romance is as modern as it gets. Their story began in 2016 at a BBC studio, where Thomas was working as an audio engineer and Cattrall was appearing on Womans Hour. Sparks flew instantly, and soon they were following each other on Twitter (now X). In true 21st-century fashion, Russell slid into her DMs, and the rest was history. He direct messaged me. It was very, very modern, Cattrall once told Glamour. From there, their connection deepened over shared British roots, long-distance calls, and eventually, Russells bold leap of faith  flying to Vancouver to visit her. (Image: People Magazine/Instagram)

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5 / 8 Their relationship blossomed despite the miles, but the COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point. Choosing to quarantine together at Cattralls Vancouver home, the couple discovered a deeper bond. From the beginning, Russ and I felt like we needed to get out of town, so we came up to my house in Canada, she told People in 2020. The mountains, the orcas theyre bringing me back. (Image: People Magazine/Instagram)

6 / 8 Since then, Cattrall has described their connection as easy and meaningful, built on intentional effort. On The New York Times Modern Love podcast in 2023, she reflected: Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. You meet this person, and the work is just begun  but its good work. (Image: People Magazine/Instagram)

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7 / 8 Cattralls journey to lasting love hasnt been simple. She was previously married to Canadian writer Larry Davis (1977-1979), architect Andre J. Lyson (1982-1989), and audio engineer/jazz musician Mark Levinson (1988-2004). Each ended in divorce, leaving her single for years before Russell entered her life. (Image: People Magazine/Instagram)
Deepam Lamp Row: BJP Calls DMK 'Anti-Hindu', RSS-Backed Group Announces Statewide Protest

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 21:57 IST

BJPs Tamil Nadu unit alleged that the state government had wilfully defied a court order by stopping devotees from lighting the sacred Karthigai Deepam lamp.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin. (Image: PTI/File)

Amid the ongoing Karthigai Deepam lamp row in Tamil Nadu, the BJP on Friday launched an attack on the DMK-led government, accusing it of being anti-Hindu" and of preventing devotees from performing a long-standing religious ritual at the Thiruparankundram hill near Madurai.

In a post on X, the BJPs Tamil Nadu unit alleged that the state government had wilfully defied" a court order by stopping devotees from lighting the sacred Karthigai Deepam lamp atop the temple hill.

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The anti-Hindu DMK government has once again willfully defied the courts order by stopping devotees from lighting the sacred Karthigai Deepam lamp atop the Thiruparankundram temple hill. This hatred for Hindus is not new. The DMK has always carried hostility toward Sanatan pic.twitter.com/mUh2b2S9QV  BJP (@BJP4India) December 5, 2025

The party said the incident reflected what it called as the DMKs continued hostility" towards Hindu traditions. Their attack on Hindu beliefs, traditions, and devotion is out in the open. And the citizens of Tamil Nadu will no longer tolerate the DMKs ongoing war against Sanatan Dharma," it said.

The row escalated after several devotees, including Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran, were detained on Thursday. They had gathered at the hill to carry out the traditional ritual after the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court declined to stay an earlier order permitting the lighting of the lamp at an ancient stone pillar on the hill, which houses the Lord Subramaniya Swamy temple.

RSS-backed Hindu Munnani also announced a statewide protest, posting a call on X for a Grand Statewide Condemnation Protest" on Sunday. The group accused the Tamil Nadu government of insulting Muruga devotees" and acting against the spirit of the High Court order.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) joined the criticism, calling the governments actions an attack on the fundamental rights of Hindus and the Constitution".

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VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said the arrest of devotees amounted to contempt of court and urged the Centre to step in to ensure the constitutional rights of Hindus" are protected. He also appealed to the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court to take note of what he described as a serious violation of judicial orders.

(With inputs from PTI)

Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 21:57 IST

News politics Deepam Lamp Row: BJP Calls DMK 'Anti-Hindu', RSS-Backed Group Announces Statewide Protest

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Food For Thought: Tharoor-Sitharaman Greeting At State Dinner For Putin Inflames Congress 'Heartburn'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 23:43 IST

Congress spokespersons obliquely questioned the conscience of a party member who accepts such an invitation when the top leadership has been sidelined

Shashi Tharoor, who serves as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, not only received an invitation but also confirmed his attendance. Image/ANI

The state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in honour of visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin became the setting for a minor diplomatic and significant political controversy. Amid a row over the exclusion of top opposition figures, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was seen greeting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the event, an interaction that quickly highlighted the deepening rift between the veteran diplomat-politician and his own party leadership.

The core of the controversy stemmed from the guest list. Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, were reportedly not invited to the high-profile diplomatic dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This exclusion drew swift criticism from the Congress, with party leaders accusing the government of deliberately breaching protocol and undermining democratic conventions by excluding key opposition voices from a crucial state engagement.

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#WATCH | Delhi | Congress MP Shashi Tharoor attended the banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/IBhMlgNDGt ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

In sharp contrast, Shashi Tharoor, who serves as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, not only received an invitation but also confirmed his attendance, citing a long-standing, albeit recently lapsed, tradition of inviting the committee head to such state functions.

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However, Tharoors presence, coupled with visual confirmation of his cordial interaction with senior ministers like Nirmala Sitharaman, exacerbated the heartburn" within his own party. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh publicly confirmed the exclusion of the two Leaders of the Opposition, while other party spokespersons obliquely questioned the conscience of a party member who accepts such an invitation when the top leadership has been sidelined.

Observers say that for the government, inviting Tharoor, with his extensive diplomatic background as a former UN Under-Secretary-General, could be seen as a non-partisan nod to the importance of the India-Russia relationship. For the Congress, however, the selective invitation and Tharoors subsequent attendancewhile his senior colleagues were excludedwas perceived as a deliberate political strategy by the ruling party and a lack of solidarity from the Thiruvananthapuram MP, exposing a widening chasm within the principal opposition party.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 23:43 IST

News politics Food For Thought: Tharoor-Sitharaman Greeting At State Dinner For Putin Inflames Congress 'Heartburn'

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De New Delhi a Berlin, de Riyad a Rio, lactualite internationale sembrase entre demonstrations diplomatiques, decisions politiques contestees, percees scientifiques et bouleversements climatiques. Tour dhorizon.

IndeRussie : Poutine accueilli en grande pompe a New Delhi

Le president russe Vladimir Poutine a ete recu avec tous les honneurs devant le palais presidentiel indien, ou la presidente Droupadi Murmu et le Premier ministre Narendra Modi lont accueilli lors dune ceremonie officielle majestueuse.

Garde dhonneur tripartite, hymnes nationaux et protocole millimetre : lInde a deroule le tapis rouge pour une visite dEtat au rang diplomatique le plus eleve.

Bien que Poutine ait deja rencontre Modi des son arrivee la veille, cest cette reception solennelle qui marque le debut officiel des ceremonies, pourparlers et discours prevus.

Apres le palais presidentiel, le dirigeant russe doit se rendre au memorial du Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Ghat), avant dentamer les discussions officielles avec Narendra Modi.

Bundestag : les deputes soffrent la classe affaires discretement

Selon Bild, les parlementaires allemands ont discretement assoupli les regles adoptees en 2024 concernant leurs deplacements aeriens.

Alors qu'ils devaient voyager en classe economique pour les vols de moins de quatre heures, ils peuvent desormais choisir la classe affaires des deux heures de vol  une decision passee sous silence aupres du public.

Un vol BerlinRome illustre lecart : 495 euros en affaires contre 177 euros en economique. Une depense desormais assumee par les contribuables, alors que le gouvernement appelle a lausterite.

Le Bundestag justifie ce revirement : en classe economique, les deputes auraient davantage de difficultes a proteger leurs documents confidentiels face aux "regards indiscrets".

ONU : les sanctions paralysent la protection des droits humains

La rapporteuse speciale Elena Dovgan a tire la sonnette dalarme : lONU na "pratiquement aucun mecanisme" pour proteger les droits humains lorsque ceux-ci sont affectes par des sanctions unilaterales.

Lors dune table ronde sur la Journee internationale dediee a cette lutte, elle a denonce lisolement de son mandat :

"Aucun autre organe de lONU ne sest joint a lelaboration de ce mecanisme."

Elle espere que la nouvelle Journee internationale encouragera une implication plus large des institutions onusiennes.

Saudi Aramco : le mega-projet gazier de Jafurah entre en production

LArabie saoudite a lance la premiere phase de Jafurah, le plus vaste complexe gazier du royaume et le plus important projet de gaz de schiste hors des Etats-Unis.

La production initiale atteint 450 millions de pieds cubes par jour et devrait grimper a 2 milliards dici 2030.

Avec 100 milliards de dollars dinvestissement et 229 000 milliards de pieds cubes de reserves estimees, Jafurah est au cur de la strategie saoudienne visant a renforcer son influence sur le marche mondial du gaz.

Lutte contre la dengue : le Bresil reussit un vaccin a dose unique

Le Bresil annonce une percee mondiale : un vaccin a dose unique contre la dengue, developpe par lInstitut Butantan.

Selon Roberto Medronho, recteur de lUFRJ, plus dun million de doses ont deja ete produites, et un partenariat avec une entreprise chinoise va permettre den accelerer la distribution, notamment dans les pays du Sud.

Les Brics devraient etre les premiers beneficiaires, a-t-il affirme.

La dengue, qui sevit particulierement dans les zones tropicales, ne disposait jusquici daucun vaccin necessitant une seule dose.

Airbus reduit ses ambitions pour 2025

Airbus revoit son plan de livraison : 790 avions au lieu de 820 prevus initialement.

En cause : des problemes de qualite chez un fournisseur concernant les panneaux de fuselage de la famille A320.

Le constructeur maintient toutefois ses previsions financieres avec un EBIT ajuste de 7 milliards deuros.

Cette annonce intervient apres la modification dun logiciel vulnerable aux effets du rayonnement solaire sur pres de 6 000 appareils A320, un enjeu juge "critique" pour la securite des vols.

Antarctique : liceberg A23a detrone apres une fonte spectaculaire

Apres avoir perdu 70% de sa taille, liceberg A23a nest plus le plus grand du monde.

Sa superficie est tombee a 1 370 km, loin derriere le nouveau titan, D15A, qui atteint 3 071 km.

A23a, detache en 1986 et longtemps echoue dans la mer de Weddell, derive depuis 2023. Trois grands fragments (300 a 600 km) sen sont encore detaches en aout 2025.

Diplomacy, Controversies and Breakthroughs: A World Under Tension

From New Delhi to Berlin, Riyadh to Rio and the icy waters of Antarctica, the global stage is being reshaped by high-level diplomacy, political controversy, scientific breakthroughs and environmental change. Here is a comprehensive roundup of the major developments shaking the international scene.

India Welcomes Vladimir Putin with Full State Honors

Russian President Vladimir Putin received an official and highly ceremonial welcome in New Delhi, where Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted him at the presidential palace.

A tri-service guard of honor, national anthems and a carefully orchestrated protocol marked the start of Putins state visit  the highest level of diplomatic engagement.

Although Putin and Modi held talks shortly after the Russian leaders arrival the previous day, this solemn ceremony formally kicked off the sequence of official events, discussions and receptions planned for the visit.

Putin is expected to visit the Mahatma Gandhi memorial (Raj Ghat) before holding formal talks with the Indian Prime Minister.

German Lawmakers Quietly Restore Business-Class Privileges

Germanys Bundestag deputies have discreetly approved new travel rules allowing the 630 members of parliament to fly business class on flights lasting more than two hours, according to Bild.

This marks a reversal of the 2024 restrictions that required economy-class travel for flights under four hours  a measure publicly announced at the time by Bundestag President Barbel Bas.

Now, lawmakers have deemed the previous limitations "uncomfortable."

A BerlinRome flight illustrates the cost gap: 495 in business class versus 177 in economy, a burden that will fall on German taxpayers despite current government appeals for austerity and difficult economic times.

A Bundestag spokesperson justified the decision by citing confidentiality concerns: deputies reviewing sensitive documents during long flights would have difficulty protecting them from "curious passengers" in economy class.

UN: Sanctions Prevent Protection of Human Rights

The UN currently lacks mechanisms to protect human rights affected by unilateral sanctions, according to Elena Dovgan, UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of coercive measures.

Speaking at a roundtable marking the International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures, Dovgan stated:

"The United Nations has virtually no mechanism to safeguard human rights violated by unilateral sanctions."

She added that her mandate is the only UN entity monitoring the humanitarian consequences of such sanctions and hoped that the new international day would spur broader institutional involvement.

Saudi Aramco Launches First Phase of Massive Jafurah Gas Project

Saudi Arabia has begun production at Jafurah  the kingdoms largest gas development and the worlds biggest shale gas project outside the United States.

Initial output has reached 450 million cubic feet per day, with the goal of hitting 2 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.

The project carries an estimated $100 billion investment and boasts reserves of 229 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

Jafurah is central to Saudi Aramcos strategy to expand gas production and free up oil resources currently used for domestic electricity generation.

Brazil Develops Worlds First Single-Dose Dengue Vaccine

Brazil has announced a major medical breakthrough: the successful development and testing of a single-dose dengue vaccine, a first in global research.

According to Roberto Medronho, rector of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), over one million doses have already been produced by the Butantan Institute in Sao Paulo.

A partnership with a Chinese company will help scale up production and coordinate international distribution.

"The Brics countries will benefit greatly, as dengue mainly affects tropical regions," Medronho said.

Brazil launched its first dengue vaccination campaign in 2024 amid a surge in cases. Before this vaccine, control efforts relied largely on destroying mosquito breeding sites.

Airbus Lowers 2025 Delivery Target After Technical Issues

Airbus has revised its 2025 aircraft delivery target to around 790 units, down from the original 820, following quality issues affecting fuselage panels on A320-family aircraft from a key supplier.

Despite this adjustment, the worlds largest aircraft manufacturer maintains its financial outlook: an adjusted EBIT of 7 billion and free cash flow of 4.5 billion.

The announcement comes shortly after Airbus updated software across nearly 6,000 A320 aircraft to address vulnerabilities linked to solar radiation  a risk considered critical for flight management data.

Antarctic Giant A23a Loses Crown as Worlds Largest Iceberg

The Antarctic iceberg A23a has lost its status as the worlds largest after shrinking by nearly 70%, now measuring 1,370 km.

It has been overtaken by iceberg D15A, which spans 3,071 km  more than double A23as current size.

A23a originated in 1986 from the FilchnerRonne Ice Shelf and remained grounded in the Weddell Sea for over 30 years before breaking free in 2023.

By early 2025, it had drifted near South Georgia, grounded again briefly, and then continued drifting.

In August 2025, three large fragments  between 300 and 600 km  broke off from the main body.

Inde Russie visite dEtat, Vladimir Poutine New Delhi, Bundestag classe affaires, deputes allemands voyages, ONU sanctions droits humains, Saudi Aramco Jafurah gaz, vaccin dengue Bresil, Institut Butantan, Airbus livraisons 2025, iceberg A23a Antarctique, actualite internationale, news Cameroun, diplomatie mondiale

Ekanga Ekanga Fernand
'We Are Colleagues, Not Enemies': Shivakumar Confirms Meeting With Minister Satish Jarkiholi

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Anushka Vats



Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 23:48 IST

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Minister Satish Jarkiholi have dismissed rumours of a rift, saying their meeting at a wedding was routine and that political friendships are common.

File photo of Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Image: PTI)

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has asked the media to stop speculating about differences between him and Minister Satish Jarkiholi, saying their recent meeting was routine and not unusual in political circles.

Speaking at the KIADBs new office building, Shivakumar said their interaction at a wedding had been wrongly portrayed as a sign of tension.

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It is true that Satish Jarkiholi and I met at a wedding last evening. We discussed state and the party. We are colleagues, why do you paint us as enemies?" he said. Shivakumar added that such meetings happen frequently.

We may be in the Cabinet meeting together in the afternoon and then meet for dinner in the evening. Or may meet for breakfast in the morning. Friendships and bonding are common in politics," he said.

Shivakumar also shared that he had a separate hour-long discussion with Minister MB Patil. He said the conversation focused on development and the need to attract investment amid competition from neighbouring states.

We discussed several aspects on how to attract investors and competition from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Telangana is also holding a global summit soon. We discussed how to compete at the global level. It is natural for Cabinet colleagues to discuss states progress," he said.

Minister Satish Jarkiholi also confirmed the meeting, saying they had met while attending the same wedding ceremony. He said they spent time together over dinner and also spoke privately.

We spoke separately for 15 minutes, why, perhaps even more," he said. He stressed that the meeting happened by chance.

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They did not know we were coming, and we did not know they were coming. We met on the occasion of the wedding," he said, denying that the visit was arranged for him.

Jarkiholi also rejected talk about discussions on the KPCC President post, saying the matter has not been raised at any level in the party. He said there is no question of seeking support, as the decision rests entirely with the party high command.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 23:46 IST

News politics 'We Are Colleagues, Not Enemies': Shivakumar Confirms Meeting With Minister Satish Jarkiholi

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Google Workspace Studio For AI Agents Launched: What Is It And How It Works

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 08:26 IST

Google Workspace Studio is the new hub for AI agents where you can create, manage and even share with other apps

AI agents get a new platform powered by Gemini 3

Google Workspace Studio has launched this week which enables users to create AI agents for different tasks within the Workspace apps. Mainly targeted at the enterprise customers, the new AI agent tool is not only going to help them design and manage the AI agents but also share with others.

AI agents are crawling around everywhere and even in browsers you have seen these agents capable of taking over the system and handling your tasks. Google is sort of making a store where these AI agents can be created and then offered to other people.

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Workspace Studio For AI Agents: What It Offers

Google is primarily bringing the Workspace Studio for its enterprise subscribers over the next few weeks. It will be available later for paid users, who even signed up for the Google AI Pro business and education plans. The company is not catering to the general users with its AI agents platform but promises high efficiency results.

Having them compatible with Workspace means the AI agents can be used in apps like Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets and even Meet. Google is making it easy to create these AI agents as they are built on the Gemini 3 AI model and you can give prompts rather than code to develop these AI agents.

You can have the agents operate across these apps and perform the tasks assigned by the users with the help of the detailed and contextual prompt.

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Using the Workspace Studio is also easier than most tools that people use to create AI agents. They can develop the agents within the Gemini text box and just feed your needs to the AI model and see the results. It is almost like generating images in Nano Banana but agents need more details and context along with the main course of its action.

Google is allowing the AI agents developed to connect with other enterprise platforms like Mailchimp and Salesforce among others. Automating tasks is an inevitable concept and Google is making its efforts to be at the top of the changing trends and demands in the AI era.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 08:26 IST

News tech Google Workspace Studio For AI Agents Launched: What Is It And How It Works

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Hotmail Co-founder Aligns With Premanand Maharajs Parenthood Principles: I Changed Every Diaper, Turned A Zombie...

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 08:24 IST

Before Sabeer Bhatia, actor Sudhanshu Pandey, who also aligns with spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj, spoke out against the prevalent caretaker service culture in the country.

Sabeer mentioned that raising kids on his own is love and life. (Photo Credits: X)

Ever since spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj spoke out against relying on caretaker service" to raise children, many people have come forward to express their views on the matter. Among them is the Indian-American entrepreneur and Hotmail co-founder, Sabeer Bhatia. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), he questioned the idea of hiring help for every aspect of daily life and asked whether that is a life worth living.

He wrote, I often wonder if the rich in India have it all wrong. If someone else raises your kids, cooks your meals, makes your bed, drives your car wheres the experience of life?" Sharing that he raised his kids on his own without any help, he added, Im grateful I changed every diaper and walked like a zombie at 3 am to put my kids back to sleep. Thats love. Thats life."

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I often wonder if the rich in India have it all wrong. If someone else raises your kids, cooks your meals, makes your bed, drives your car wheres the experience of life? Im grateful I changed every diaper and walked like a zombie at 3am to put my kids back to sleep. Thats Sabeer Bhatia (@sabeer) December 4, 2025

But What Did Premanand Maharaj Actually Say?

Premanand Maharaj asked parents to reflect on how much time they truly give their children. In an Instagram clip going viral, he sparked a conversation about parenting and the challenges of balancing work and the responsibilities of raising kids. He also highlighted the need to spend quality time with children instead of prioritising money. If we are earning money for someone but cannot give them our time, then what is the use of that money?"

Maharaj also highlighted that this is a common issue affecting many families. Children need a mothers love, not the service of a maid," he stated, stressing that parental care cannot be outsourced.

He warned about the long-term consequences of neglecting emotional bonds. If you dont give love to your children today, then tomorrow, when they grow into their own selves, they wont give you love in return. As they grow older and wiser, if they dont receive warmth and affection from you, they wont feel connected to you either."

How Did Social Media React To Sabeer Bhatias Opinion?

His opinion on the matter left the Internet divided. While some supported what he said, others pointed out that, unlike Americans", families in India are much more connected. One user said, Rich in India do all their, in fact, most of the rich are emotionally connected with their kids. Maybe stop thinking like Americans, its American culture which you are talking about, not Indian."

Wow, thank you for this profound insight from your overseas bubble. Its truly beautiful how you romanticise the exhaustion of low-wage labour as the definition of love and lifea definition affordable only when you dont have to worry about electricity, water, and health," argued another individual.

A different person shared, The other side of it is that they are creating jobs for very ordinary people every side has its good side and bad.. Once people have better jobs, they will stop doing such jobs. And mind you, the maids working in rich peoples houses have a lot more than many others."

Meanwhile, someone agreed with what Sabeer said, writing, Absolutely! The joy of cooking for your kids is paramount. Making the plate  as they want, waiting for the first bite, and hoping to get a thumbs up or at least neutral. Indian definition of luxury is maids but not reaching home by 5.30-6 and dining with family at 6.30!"

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Even Sudhanshu Pandey Agreed With Premanand Maharaj

Sabeer isnt the only one who has spoken against raising children with the help of caretakers. During his appearance on the Dad-Sense Podcast with Subhasis Mishra, actor Sudhanshu Pandey shared his perspective, noting that kids in urban areas often reach out to their caretakers for safety and reassurance. He added that this emotional gap shapes a childs entire sense of direction. The actor added, They find escapes without realising into all these social media platforms and this and that. And then they start depending on that for validation."

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 08:24 IST

News viral Hotmail Co-founder Aligns With Premanand Maharajs Parenthood Principles: I Changed Every Diaper, Turned A Zombie...

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Muh Neeche, Aankhe Band: Mumbai Flyers Outburst At IndiGo Staff Goes Viral | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 23:15 IST

This comes as IndiGo faces a major crisis, delaying over 1,000 flights in the last four days. Friday alone saw the cancellation of over 700 flights.

Screengrab of video

The disruption in IndiGos flight operations has triggered chaos at major airports across the country, including Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. Terminals have become heavily crowded, and passengers are growing increasingly frustrated due to the lack of clear updates about their travel plans.

At Mumbai airport, one woman passenger lost her temper and was seen arguing with IndiGo staff as delays and confusion continued. A video of the incident is also going viral online.

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Keep completely quiet, sit exactly the way you were sitting. Head down, eyes closed, mouth shut. Whatever is happening, just let it happen." (Ekdum chup ho jao, jaise baithe the na waise baith jao. Munh niche aankhe band, munh band. Kuch bhi ho raha hai na hone dena"), the woman was heard saying in the video.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: A spat breaks out between stranded passengers and staff at the Mumbai airport amid the ongoing IndiGo flights nationwide disruption. pic.twitter.com/B9h3d6SwYd ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025

In another similar incident, a two angry passengers damaged a microphone used by IndiGo staff after waiting for nearly 20 hours at the terminal.

In another viral clip, a frustrated passenger was seen shouting at an IndiGo staff member who appeared unsure about the flight status. He demanded answers, saying, Idhaar aa na, jawaab de na."

A caption shared with the video stated, Commuters lose their cool over hundreds of Indigo flights cancellations. Thousands of fliers were stranded at multiple airports across the county over the last moment cancellation."

IndiGo Crisis

This comes as IndiGo faces a major crisis, delaying over 1,000 flights in the last four days. Friday alone saw the cancellation of over 700 flights.

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In view of the situation, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday said that special attention must be given to vulnerable passengers. We have instructed airport authorities that topmost priority needs to be given to children, mothers and senior citizens, that they should not face any problem," Naidu said.

The central government also ordered a high-level inquiry into the large-scale disruption of IndiGo flights.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 23:15 IST

News viral Muh Neeche, Aankhe Band: Mumbai Flyers Outburst At IndiGo Staff Goes Viral | Watch

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My Daughters Bleeding: Man Confronts IndiGo Staff At Delhi Airport, Demands Sanitary Pads

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 17:29 IST

IndiGo cancelled till midnight all its domestic flights departing from the Delhi airport as the airline continues to grapple with significant operational disruptions.

A video from an airport amid IndiGos ongoing flight cancellation crisis has gone viral. (X)

Scores of passengers have been stranded at airports across the country after IndiGo, Indias largest airline by market share, cancelled over 500 flights while services were delayed at various airports due to operational disruptions for the fourth consecutive day.

IndiGo cancelled till midnight all its domestic flights departing from the Delhi airport as the airline continues to grapple with significant operational disruptions.

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Even as the authorities are trying to resolve the crisis with temporary relief amid thousands of flight cancellations and widespread delays, travellers are grappling with severe stress, non-cooperative staff and lack of clarity.

Amid the chaos, a video has gone viral where a man, agitated by the mismanagement, is constantly asking for sanitary pads for his daughter who is bleeding at Delhi airport. The now viral video showed a visibly agitated man venting his anger at the IndiGo crew, demanding immediate help for his daughter.

Sister, mere beti ko sanitary pad chahiyeneeche se blood gir raha hai. Pita ro raha hai. Flight time par nahin chal raha hai, satta ke naam par satta chal raha hai (Sister, my daughter needs sanitary pads She is bleeding. Father is crying. Flights are not running on time. There is speculation going on in the name of power)."

More than 550 IndiGo flights were cancelled today. Thousands of people are stuck in transit, a father was seen pleading for a sanitary pad for his daughterDo we even have an aviation ministry? What is the minister doing?  pic.twitter.com/h5NxMoFeC9  Veena Jain (@Vtxt21) December 5, 2025

However, News18 couldnt independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The disruptions, primarily caused by a shortage of pilots that was not anticipated due to planning deficiencies, have entered their fourth day, and the authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation.

Operating 2,300 flights daily with a fleet of over 400 aircraft, IndiGo has seen its punctuality plummet with the operational disruptions that are expected to continue for many more days.

Meanwhile, the Union Government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the large-scale disruption of IndiGo flights. The decision came after the Ministry of Civil Aviation directed airlines, especially IndiGo, to implement immediate measures to stabilise operations and prevent further inconvenience to the public.

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The probe will look into what went wrong within IndiGos operations, identify who should be held accountable, and recommend steps to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The Government of India has decided to institute a high-level inquiry into this disruption. The inquiry will examine what went wrong at Indigo, determine accountability wherever required for appropriate actions, and recommend measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future, ensuring that passengers do not face such hardships again," the PIB release said.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 17:23 IST

News viral My Daughters Bleeding: Man Confronts IndiGo Staff At Delhi Airport, Demands Sanitary Pads

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Newlywed Techie Couple's IndiGo Flight Get Cancelled. They Attend Their Own Reception Online

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 14:11 IST

The couple were set to travel to Hubballi to attend their reception. However, due to cancellation of their flight, they attended the reception virtually via video conferencing.

The couple attended their reception virtually.

In an unexpected scene in Karnatakas Hubballi, a newlywed couple attended their own reception virtually, after numerous IndiGo flights got cancelled and prevented them from travelling to the city.

The couple, Medha Kshirsagar of Hubballi and Sangama Das of Odishas Bhubaneswar, both software engineers working in Bengaluru, got married in Bhubaneswar on November 23, and a formal reception was arranged at the brides hometown on Wednesday.

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The ceremony, planned at Gujarat Bhavan for newlyweds Medha Kshirasagar and Sangam Das, was forced online after flights were repeatedly delayed and eventually cancelled.

The newlyweds were scheduled to travel to Hubballi to attend their reception. However, the event took an unusual turn after IndiGo cancelled multiple flights due to an ongoing pilot shortage across the country.

The bride and groom, who had booked tickets from Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru and onwards to Hubballi for December 2, were left stranded after their flights were repeatedly delayed from 9 am on Tuesday until early morning the next day. The flight was eventually cancelled on December 3.

Meanwhile, several of their relatives travelling via Bhubaneswar-Mumbai-Hubballi also faced cancellations.

With over 600 guests already gathered, the brides parents took the seats meant for the couple and performed the rituals themselves, connecting with Medha and Sangam over a live video call.

The bride and groom, fully dressed for the occasion in Bhubaneswar, joined the reception through video conferencing.

Unlucky that their Indigo flight was cancelled. The couple still joined their reception online and made the best of the moment.#Indigo #IndigoDelay#indigochaos #Indigoairlines pic.twitter.com/R3UB2izDFD Karl Marx2.O (@Marx2PointO) December 5, 2025

IndiGo Flight Cancellations

Thousands of passengers were left stranded after IndiGo cancelled hundreds of its flights across India this week after failing to make sufficient changes to its roster planning to accommodate new government norms.

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The flight operations hit the airports in Delhi, Jaipur, Bhopal, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and other cities, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

Meanwhile, Delhi Airport on Friday suspended all IndiGo domestic departures until midnight, intensifying the airlines nationwide operational crisis. Airport officials said the decision was taken to prevent overcrowding inside terminals, with authorities urging passengers not to arrive at the airport at all for IndiGo departures scheduled before midnight.

Location : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 12:55 IST

News viral Newlywed Techie Couple's IndiGo Flight Get Cancelled. They Attend Their Own Reception Online

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This Actress's Baby Was Dead At Birth, 'Angels' Brought Him Back To Life 2 Minutes Later

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 14:39 IST

Actress Ann Wenns son Sebby was declared dead at birth, but in just two minutes, medics miraculously revived him, and technology later transformed his life

Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google

Sebby, with cerebral palsy, uses EyeGaze and iClick Switches for communication.

There are moments in life when a mothers faith becomes her greatest strength, especially when fate threatens to take away the most precious thing she has. Actress Ann Wenn lived through such a miraculous yet heartbreaking moment when her son, Sebby, was born. She says he wasnt even supposed to be alive", but just two minutes later, paramedics arrived like angels and brought him back.

Her closest friend, EastEnders star Marc Elliott, stood by her side throughout this ordeal, and today, life-changing technology like LifeLights has become essential for Sebbys survival and progress.

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Special Bond Between Sebby And Marc Elliott

Twelve-year-old Sebby Slater, who lives with a life-limiting condition like cerebral palsy, shares an unshakeable bond with Marc. To Sebby, he is simply Uncle Marc, a loving presence since infancy.

Marc, known for portraying the first openly gay Muslim character in UK television history, has been Anns pillar of strength for 23 years. The two first met during a Dangerous Liaisons production in Austria, and Ann, who has appeared in Doctors and Holby City, says Marc supported her not only during Sebbys traumatic birth but also through the loss of her mother and sister.

A Birth That Nearly Ended In Tragedy

Ann recalls that her pregnancy was progressing normally, and she was preparing for a home birth. But at the last moment, disaster struck; the umbilical cord slipped into the birth canal, cutting off Sebbys oxygen and blood supply.

Speaking to Mirror, Ann said, Sebby didnt survive the delivery due to lack of oxygen. We called an ambulance immediately. Miraculously, they were only two minutes away and arrived like angels. They resuscitated Sebby, and he survived. We didnt think he would."

At six months, doctors confirmed Sebby had cerebral palsy, a neurological condition affecting movement, balance, and muscle control. Ann was devastated, but Marc once again stepped in to support her.

How Technology Transformed Sebbys Life

With the help of LifeLights, Sebby was introduced to groundbreaking technology that allowed him to interact with the world in new ways. At just two years old, he began using EyeGaze, a device he can control with only his eyes.

Now a student at Ingfield Manor School, Sebby uses iClick Switches to turn things on and creates music with SoundBeam.

Ann recalls, The first time he went on the magic carpet, I cried. It felt like magic."

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Recently, Sebby hit another milestone, he received a new walker and took his first independent steps. Ann says, When he did it on his own for the first time, we were all speechless and in tears. Before this, I usually carried him under his arm."

Ann credits Marc for his unwavering grace, patience, and generosity throughout every challenge. LifeLights, run through a Mirror campaign, now provides advanced technology to more than 65 childrens hospitals across the UK and Ireland, transforming the lives of children like Sebby every day.

Location : United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: December 05, 2025, 14:39 IST

News viral This Actress's Baby Was Dead At Birth, 'Angels' Brought Him Back To Life 2 Minutes Later

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Is Popular Song Rasputin Linked To Russias Vladimir Putin? Well, In A Way Magical Tale Revealed

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 09:49 IST

The pun Ras-Putin links the 20th-century mystic's name to the Russian president, joking that Putin is a modern "love machine" or eternal survivor.

The jokes on the song include memes on Putins strength, just like Rasputin. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

The track Ra Ra Rasputin by Boney M has held a special place in listeners hearts since its release in 1978. The disco hit tells the story of Grigori Rasputin, a Russian mystic who was close to Tsar Nicholas IIs family. Over the years, some have wondered if the song refers to Russian President Vladimir Putin, given the portrayal of a powerful Russian figure and the similarity in their names.

Is this a myth or a fact? While its just a coincidence, social media often mixes Boney Ms Rasputin with photos or videos of Vladimir Putin. The songs lyrics, which describe an unkillable Russian with great influence, are sometimes seen as fitting Putins tough image, fueling this popular speculation.

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Viral YouTube clips like Rasputin Putin overlay footage of Putin walking or speaking to the songs beat, portraying him as Russias greatest love machine." These videos have amassed millions of views.

Accounts like @ras.putin.life and @vladimirzarputin have posted Instagram Reels and TikToks edits of Putin dancing or posing synced to Ra Ra Rasputin. These clips blend Putins serious demeanour with Boney Ms disco beats, leading to a hilarious combination.

Reddit threads in r/dankmemes and r/whenthe include animations using the songs poison/shooting lines to make fun of Putins unkillable" strength, especially post the events of 2022, such as the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Common Jokes And Themes Around The Song

The common jokes surrounding the song include memes on Putins strength, hinting that he is unkillable like Rasputin. The lyrics on how conspirators tried to kill Rasputin using poison, shots, and throwing him into the river, e.g., They shot him til he was dead Oh those Russians!" are applied to politics.

The pun Ras-Putin links the mystics name to the Russian president, joking that he is a modern love machine" or eternal survivor.

The track is also used in disco edits, with posts on Facebook and Imgur imagining Putin dancing at events at what they claim is his favourite song." A crossover even included a Trump-Putin duet.

Users often use the terms #rasputin #putin" on X, TikTok and Instagram to search for edits, leading to discussions around topics like Is Putin the new Rasputin?" These often lead to anecdotes about the Russian presidents paternal grandfather, Spiridon Putin, who cooked for Lenin and Stalin. TikTok challenges and geopolitical news make the track trend, with terms like Rasputin Putin dance" driving viral shares.

What The Song Is About

The Boney M song Rasputin (1978) chronicles the rise and fall of Grigori Rasputin, a real-life Russian mystic and self-proclaimed holy man who lived in the early 20th century. Rasputin gained significant influence over the family of the last Russian ruler, Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra (the Russian queen"), and their sick son, Alexei. The mystic became close to the royal family right before the 1917 Russian Revolution, which overthrew the Russian monarchy.

Rasputin did not belong to royalty or the priesthood. He was a peasant from Siberia who became famous for his wild preaching, intense stare and claims of healing powers. The Russian queen trusted him to ease her sons haemophilia when doctors failed, giving Rasputin secret access to the palace.

According to RTL, a group of nobles led by Prince Felix Yusupov, the husband of the Tsars niece, killed Rasputin on December 30, 1916. A detailed description of Rasputins death was present in Yusupovs memoirs. He explains how the mystic was given tea and cakes laced with cyanide, but survived the poison. He was then shot and thrown into the Neva River.

Key Story In The Lyrics

The lyrics of Boney M.s Rasputin called him Russias greatest love machine," portraying the mystic as a big, scary charmer who chased women in Moscow. The song also references rumours about Rasputin meddling in politics, outshining even the Tsar. The track also talks about him dancing the kazachok" (a Russian folk dance).

Despite rumours of his unruly behaviour, the Tsarina saw Raputin as a holy healer" for her son. There were rumours that the mystic was her lover, but it may have been gossip spread by rivals to discredit Rasputin.

Many in the Russian nobility hated Rasputins influence, so they poisoned his wine and shot him, and dumped him in a river when he survived the first murder attempt. The track exaggerates Rasputins superhuman strength; for example, he feels fine" after being poisoned.

The track mixes facts like the unpopularity of Rasputin, his reputation for healing and assassination attempts, with myths like his romance with the noble women and super strength for disco fun. The song functions not as a history lesson but like a catchy tale of sex, power, and scandal.

Rasputin was a symbol of the chaos prevalent in Russia before communism took over. He was hated by the elites for weakening the Tsars power. Many non-Russians think of the figure as a hypnotic adviser who charmed his way into a kings inner circle and was killed dramatically.

How Popular Is The Song In India?

Boney M. Rasputin is hugely popular in India. It is often featured in dance videos, weddings, and trends such as the 2020-2023 challenges.

Does Grigori Rasputin Have Any Connection With Vladimir Putin?

Interestingly, Vladimir Putin does have a connection with Rasputin. The Russian presidents paternal grandfather, Spiridon Putin (18791965), was a well-known chef. Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, Spiridons son, was the presidents father. Spiridon also worked at St. Petersburgs Hotel Astoria, where his clients included Grigori Rasputin. The mystic reportedly tipped Spiridon a gold ruble once.

After the 1917 Revolution, Spiridon was the personal chef to Vladimir Lenin, and later Lenins widow, Nadezhda Krupskaya. He also worked for Joseph Stalin at a Moscow dacha.

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There is no significant connection or direct familial link between Vladimir Putin and Grigori Rasputin.

The only connection is Spiridon Putins brief service to Rasputin as a hotel chef before the 1917 Revolution. The family anecdote was shared by Putin himself.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: December 05, 2025, 09:48 IST

News viral Is Popular Song Rasputin Linked To Russias Vladimir Putin? Well, In A Way Magical Tale Revealed

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Vladimir Putin Religion: Remember 2018s Icy Dip Photo? Heres What It Tells About His Faith, Influence On Policies

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 19:00 IST

Vladimir Putin had performed three symbolic dips to honour the Holy Trinity in 2021, while the clergy and onlookers surrounded him.

Vladimir Putin identifies as a Russian Orthodox Christian. (Photo Credit: X)

Remember the photos of Vladimir Putin braving icy waters in 2022 as part of the Orthodox Epiphany celebrations? The striking photos reflected a ritual steeped in tradition.

On January 19, 2022, Putin swam in a reservoir near Moscow. The Russian president wore only shorts and crossed himself before and after he dived in temperatures close to -10C (14F).

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This wasnt the first time Putin had done something like this. He had performed three symbolic dips in honour of the Holy Trinity while the clergy and onlookers surrounded him in 2021. This was the annual Epiphany tradition, blessed by Patriarch Kirill. According to Reuters, the ritual commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ. The ritual highlighted Putins devotion to the Orthodox Church. It also showcased his physical toughness, something that is often used by the state media to enhance his image as a strongman.

So What Are Putins Religious Views?

Vladimir Putin identifies as a Russian Orthodox Christian. While Russia is a secular state, Putin has often been spotted attending major church services and appearing alongside senior clergy. According to analysts, Putins public display of faith has both spiritual and political purposes. It is intertwined with state ideology and Russian nationalism.

Have His Religious Beliefs Influenced Russias Laws?

Vladimir Putins Orthodox Christian beliefs influence his domestic policies. He has promoted traditional values, state stability and social cohesion through a close partnership with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).

Church-State Partnership

The ROC is supported by Putin. He attends important services, funds the organisations growth and involves clergy in public life, using them for events like blessing military equipment. The relationship presents the church as one of the foundations of Russian identity, a stark contrast to the Soviet-era suppression. It also fosters national unity.

Promotion Of Traditional Values

Putins policies have focused on conservative family structures, rejection of Western liberalism, and anti-LGBTQ legislation. The Russian Orthodox Church has backed the Russian leaders policies, legitimising them as defenses of traditional values." Putin often uses religious language to garner support against what he calls moral decline. This has the advantage of boosting his domestic legitimacy.

Examples Of Domestic Laws Reflecting Vladimir Putins Values

Several domestic laws under Vladimir Putin prioritise traditional family structures, heterosexuality, and opposition to Western liberalism, reflecting Orthodox conservative values.

Anti-LGBTQ Legislation:

1. The gay propaganda" law of 2013 bans the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations" to minors. This was brought into force to protect children from moral decay.

2. In 2022, the law was expanded to people of all ages, with the provision of fines for violations.

3. A Supreme Court ruling in 2023 called the LGBT movement" extremist, effectively outlawing its activities.

4. A ban came into force in 2023. It targeted gender transitioning, gender changes in documents, and gender-affirming care. The rule also barred transgender individuals from adoption or fostering.

Family And Marriage Protections:

1. Constitutional amendments in 2020 defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

2. These amendments ban same-sex marriage and explicitly reference faith in God.

3. The changes align with ROCs views on family as a small church," and function as a rejection of Parent No. 1, No. 2" terminology.

What Are Parent No. 1, No. 2" Terminology?

These are gender-neutral terms used in official forms, such as school documents. Parent 1" and Parent 2" often replace mother" and father," accommodating non-traditional families or same-sex parents. Putin rejected this terminology during the constitutional reform discussions in 2020, emphasising traditional family values. The amendments led to the use of mother" and father" in legal documents.

Domestic Violence Policies:

1. The 2017 amendments led to the decriminalisation of first-time minor domestic violence cases (e.g., beatings that do not need hospitalisation). The amendments saw these incidents as administrative offenses, punishable with fines or short arrests.

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2. These changes were influenced by the ROCs opposition to anti-family" laws.

3. The Russian Orthodox Church has blocked stronger legislation on the matter of domestic violence, with the organisation viewing it as feminist interference in traditional families.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 19:00 IST

News viral Vladimir Putin Religion: Remember 2018s Icy Dip Photo? Heres What It Tells About His Faith, Influence On Policies

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Bridging Centuries: PM Modis Gita Gift To President Putin Underscores Russias Deep Sanskrit Connection

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 16:15 IST

The city of St Petersburg once stood as Europe's undisputed hottest centre for Sanskrit studies, a status that began remarkably early in the 18th century

PM Modi gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a Russian edition of the Bhagavad Gita. (Image/X)

As a gesture of cultural reverence during Vladimir Putins visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the President with a copy of the Bhagavad Gita translated into Russian, a gift that subtly underscores the centuries-old and remarkably profound Sanskrit connection shared between Russia and India.

The city of St Petersburg once stood as Europes undisputed hottest centre for Sanskrit studies, a status that began remarkably early in the 18th century. Following the return of an early Russian traveller from India, the Russian Emperor himself approved plans to establish a Sanskrit printing press in the city. This early initiative paved the way for serious academic engagement with Indian languages and philosophy.

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This historical connection was instrumental in shaping Europes understanding of Indian languages. In the 1700s, scholar Gerasim Lebedev created an early Russo-Hindustani dictionary, providing one of the first linguistic bridges between the two cultures.

The pinnacle of Russian Indologys academic contribution is perhaps the compilation of one of the worlds most definitive Sanskrit resources. Scholar Otto von Bohtlingk worked for decades in St Petersburg to compile a monumental seven-volume SanskritGerman lexicon. This vast dictionary remains an indispensable resource utilised by Sanskrit scholars globally even today, confirming the citys role as a nexus for linguistic research.

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Russian Indologists were not only translators but also explorers. Ivan Minayev, a renowned Russian Indologist, travelled extensively across India, visiting critical historical and religious centres like Varanasi, Kolkata, and Nepal. His efforts resulted in the priceless acquisition of rare Sanskrit and Pali manuscripts that were brought back to Russia, enriching academic collections.

Later, experts like Fyodor Stcherbatskoy solidified Russias influence, becoming a world authority whose work profoundly shaped global academic understanding of Buddhist and Hindu philosophical texts. By the 19th century, St Petersburg had cemented its reputation as one of the strongest Indology centres in the world. PM Modis gift of the translated Gita is therefore a nod to this deep, shared intellectual heritage, reinforcing a cultural bond that runs parallel to the strategic partnership.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 16:15 IST

News world Bridging Centuries: PM Modis Gita Gift To President Putin Underscores Russias Deep Sanskrit Connection

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La loi de finances 2026 redistribue les cartes dans le marche des vehicules importes au Cameroun. Le gouvernement a decide de serrer la vis sur les voitures les plus agees, en appliquant desormais des droits daccises progressifs qui frappent plus durement les vehicules de plus de 12 ans. Objectif assume : elargir lassiette fiscale, renforcer les recettes publiques et orienter les consommateurs vers des modeles plus recents, voire electriques. Mais la route vers un veritable rajeunissement dun parc dont lage moyen flirte avec 18 ans reste longue.

Accises renforcees : les vehicules anciens dans le viseur

La nouvelle grille fiscale introduit deux paliers decisifs :



12,5 % pour les vehicules de plus de 12 ans a 20 ans,



25 % pour ceux de plus de 20 ans,

et ce, pour toutes les categories : tourisme, utilitaires, bus ou remorques.



Jusquici, les vehicules ages de 0 a 15 ans supportaient un taux unique de 12,5 %, tandis que ceux de 20 ans et plus etaient deja taxes a 25 %. La reforme vient ainsi resserrer le piege fiscal autour des vieux modeles, devenus omnipresents sur les routes camerounaises.

Selon la Direction generale des douanes, plus de 92 % des 1,6 a 2 millions de vehicules doccasion recenses en 2023 avaient plus de 15 ans. Une situation qui freine la modernisation du parc et complique la lutte contre la pollution et linsecurite routiere.

Des mesures incitatives, mais un marche domine par loccasion

Pour inverser la tendance, lEtat mise aussi sur des mesures incitatives. Depuis 2019, les importations de vehicules de moins de 10 ans en provenance de lUnion europeenne beneficient dune suppression totale des droits de douane, conformement aux Accords de partenariat economique (APE). Une facon de rendre les modeles recents plus attractifs que les occasions tres vieillissantes, certes bon marche a lachat, mais couteuses a entretenir.

Depuis 2025, les vehicules electriques profitent egalement dun traitement VIP : exoneration totale des droits daccises et reduction de 50 % de la valeur imposable sur les vehicules neufs, leurs batteries et les bornes de recharge. Une orientation assumee vers la transition ecologique, meme si les couts restent encore hors de portee de la majorite des menages.

Malgre tout, le marche demeure largement domine par des importations de vehicules anciens. Entre 2021 et 2024, leur valeur a progresse de 12 %, atteignant 105,7 milliards FCFA, selon lInstitut national de la statistique.

Rajeunir le parc : une reforme fiscale ne suffit pas

Les fiscalistes en conviennent : taxer plus les vieux vehicules ne suffira pas a resoudre le probleme structurel du parc automobile camerounais. Pour esperer un rajeunissement reel, il faudra aller plus loin  beaucoup plus loin.

Trois chantiers apparaissent incontournables :



une fiscalite incitative capable de soutenir la creation dune industrie automobile locale,



la formation dune main-duvre qualifiee pour accompagner cette industrialisation,



le relevement du pouvoir dachat, condition sine qua non pour permettre aux menages dacceder aux vehicules neufs et aux technologies propres.



Sans cela, le marche continuera detre alimente par des importations doccasion venues dEurope ou dAsie, avec un vieillissement mecanique du parc.

Cameroons 2026 Finance Law Targets Old Imported Vehicles to Boost Revenue and Modernize the National Fleet

Cameroons 2026 Finance Law introduces a major shift in the taxation of imported vehicles, significantly raising excise duties on older models. The goal is clear: expand the tax base, strengthen public revenues and push consumers toward newer  preferably electric  vehicles. But in a country where the average vehicle age is 18 years, real modernization will require deeper economic reforms.

Higher excise duties for older vehicles

The new law establishes a progressive rate:



12.5% for vehicles between 12 and 20 years old,



25% for vehicles over 20 years old,

covering all categories, from passenger cars to buses and trailers.



Until now, vehicles from 0 to 15 years were taxed at a flat 12.5%, while those over 20 years faced 25%. The reform tightens controls on very old imports, which dominate Cameroons automotive landscape. According to the Customs Directorate, over 92% of the 1.6 to 2 million used vehicles recorded in 2023 were more than 15 years old.

Incentives for newer and electric vehicles

The government is also maintaining incentives to shift consumer behavior. Since 2019, imports of vehicles under 10 years old from the European Union have been exempt from customs duties under the EPA agreements. Meanwhile, electric vehicles enjoy full exemption from excise duties and a 50% reduction on taxable value for new models and their charging equipment.

Yet, despite these measures, the national market remains dominated by older used vehicles. Their import value jumped 12% between 2021 and 2024, reaching 105.7 billion CFA francs, according to the National Institute of Statistics.

Beyond taxation: bolder reforms needed

Experts argue that higher taxes alone will not rejuvenate Cameroons aging fleet. Real progress will require:



a more attractive tax system to encourage local vehicle assembly,



skilled labor development,



and improved purchasing power so households can afford new vehicles.



Without these structural reforms, old used vehicles will continue flooding the market.

loi de finances 2026 cameroun, droits daccises vehicules, importation voitures cameroun, parc automobile camerounais, vehicules doccasion cameroun, fiscalite automobile cameroun, vehicules electriques cameroun, APE union europeenne, direction generale des douanes cameroun, industrie automobile locale, marche automobile cameroun, economie camerounaise, transition energetique cameroun

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EU Slaps Elon Musk's X With $140 Million Fine, Rubio Calls It 'Attack On American People'

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 22:48 IST

The European Commission fined X 120 million euros for violating the Digital Services Act, sparking criticism from US officials like Marco Rubio and Brendan Carr.

Elon Musk; Marco Rubio (R) (Image: X)

The European Commission has imposed a fine of 120 million euros ($140 million) on Elon Musks social media platform X for violating the EUs Digital Services Act (DSA), the first sanction under landmark legislation that once again drew criticism from the US government.

The decision comes amid Europes broader push to rein in Big Tech and ensure fair competition, a campaign that has drawn repeated criticism from the US government, which accuses the EU of singling out American companies and restricting the speech of US citizens.

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Following the judgement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly defended Musks company. Rubio slammed the European Commission, calling the move an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments."

The European Commissions $140 million fine isnt just an attack on @X, its an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments.The days of censoring Americans online are over.  Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) December 5, 2025

The European Commissions $140 million fine isnt just an attack on @X, its an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments. The days of censoring Americans online are over," he tweeted.

However, the European Commission, the EUs executive, maintains that its laws target harmful practices, not nationalities, and are designed to safeguard digital and democratic standards.

If You Comply With Our Rules, You Dont Get Fine: EU Defends Penalty

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen defended the penalty, calling it proportionate to the severity and duration of Xs violations. Virkkunen stressed that the DSA is about enforcing accountability, not censorship, and noted that future decisions involving other companies charged under the Act are likely to be completed more quickly.

We are not here to impose the highest fines. We are here to make sure that our digital legislation is enforced and if you comply with our rules, you dont get the fine. And its as simple as that," she told Reuters.

According to EU regulators, Xs breaches included the deceptive design of its blue-check verification system, insufficient transparency in its advertising repository, and its refusal to provide researchers with access to public platform data.

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The fine triggered strong backlash from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr also, who accused Europe of penalizing X simply for its success. Before the ruling, US Vice President JD Vance had also criticised the EU, claiming it sought to punish the platform for not engaging in censorship."

While X has now been fined, investigations into its handling of illegal content and information manipulation continue. Regulators are also pursuing a separate probe into TikToks design choices, algorithmic practices, and child-safety measures. Under the DSA, penalties can reach up to 6 per cent of a companys global annual revenue, signalling the seriousness with which the EU intends to enforce the law.

Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 05, 2025, 22:48 IST

News world EU Slaps Elon Musk's X With $140 Million Fine, Rubio Calls It 'Attack On American People'

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FBI's Kash Patel Says 3 Million Data Lines Reviewed To Unmask DC Pipe Bomb Suspect Brian Cole

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 08:13 IST

Patel said the bureau uncovered no new outside information but instead re-examined every piece of evidence neglected under previous leadership.

FBI Director Kash Patel | File Image

FBI Director Kash Patel on Thursday said agents combed through more than three million lines of data to identify the suspect in the long-running investigation into the January 6 pipe bombs, announcing the arrest of Brian Cole after a renewed review of the case.

Patel said the bureau uncovered no new outside information but instead re-examined every piece of evidence" neglected under previous leadership.

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That effort, he said, produced new investigative leads, additional legal process with federal prosecutors, and ultimately the conclusion reached this week.

Cole was arrested Thursday morning after FBI agents searched his Woodbridge, Va., neighborhood, securing the cul-de-sac and collecting evidence.

He is accused of planting two pipe bombs near the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee offices on the night of January 5, 2021.

The devices, which authorities say had the potential to be lethal, were found and safely disabled before detonating.

A $500,000 reward for information failed to generate credible tips over nearly five years.

Patel told The New York Post that investigators under the Trump administration located the suspect through traditional detective work rather than public leads.

Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, credited by Patel with directing the renewed probe, said the bureaus progress followed a clear mandate.

This is what its like when you work for a president who tells you to go get the bad guys," Bongino said at an afternoon briefing.

The arrest closes one of the most persistent gaps in the sprawling January 6 investigation. While the FBI has charged hundreds of rioters from the Capitol attack, the identity of the pipe-bomb suspect had remained unknown.

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Patel said the case moved quickly once he ordered investigators to rebuild it from the ground up.

Our team re-examined the case, rebuilt the evidentiary trail and executed the search warrants that brought this individual into custody," he said. This is what a focused, disciplined bureau delivers."

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 05, 2025, 08:13 IST

News world FBI's Kash Patel Says 3 Million Data Lines Reviewed To Unmask DC Pipe Bomb Suspect Brian Cole

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From Markets To Megawatts: $100B Trade Ambition Meets Energy Synergy In India-Russia Talks

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 18:08 IST

The joint statement underscores that the primary focus of the India-Russia summit was to establish mechanisms to deepen cooperation and achieve more balanced, sustainable trade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the latter's ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, on Friday. (Pic/PTI)

The joint statement following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin affirms the continued resilience of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, with both nations committing to unlock the full potential of their economic and energy ties amidst a complex global geopolitical landscape.

Entitled India-Russia: A Time-Tested Progressive Partnership, Anchored in Trust & Mutual Respect", the joint statement underscores that the primary focus of the summit was to establish mechanisms to deepen cooperation and achieve more balanced, sustainable trade.

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Trade and Economic Partnership: The $100 Billion Goal

The leaders heralded the adoption of the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India-Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 (Programme 2030), which reaffirms their shared ambition to achieve a bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030. To make this target achievable, the focus is squarely on increasing Indias exports to Russia to address the current trade deficit. Key sectors identified for enhanced Indian exports include pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agricultural products, including marine products, and advanced high-technology goods.

A crucial directive was given to both sides to intensify efforts on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), covering sectors of mutual interest. Furthermore, to remove bottlenecks in logistics, promote connectivity, and ensure smooth financial exchanges, the nations agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral settlements through the use of national currencies and enable the interoperability of their national payment systems, financial messaging systems, and central bank digital currency platforms. This financial cooperation is aimed at overcoming challenges related to insurance, reinsurance, and external constraints. The Russian side also welcomed Indian involvement in the Saint Petersburg and Eastern Economic Forums, signalling concrete steps to deepen inter-regional trade.

Energy Partnership and Critical Infrastructure

Cooperation in the energy sector was highlighted as a significant pillar of the strategic partnership. Discussions covered wide-ranging engagement in oil and oil products, oil refining, petrochemical technologies, LNG and LPG infrastructure, and upstream technologies. A specific agreement was reached to ensure the long-term supply of fertilisers to India, with discussions also touching upon the potential establishment of joint ventures in this critical area, which impacts Indias food security.

On the civil nuclear front, the commitment to expand cooperation remains firm. The sides confirmed their intention to broaden cooperation across the full life cycle, including fuel cycle and life cycle support for the operating Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP). Significantly, India reaffirmed its plan to strive to finalise the formal allotment of a second site for a Russian-designed nuclear power plant in India, contributing to the nations goal of increasing its nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2047.

Connectivity and Arctic Cooperation

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To support the massive projected trade growth, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in building stable and efficient transport corridors. The focus remains on expanding logistics links to enhance infrastructure capacity for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the ChennaiVladivostok (Eastern Maritime) Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

In recognition of Indias growing strategic interest, the Russian side welcomed Indias readiness to play an active role as an observer in the Arctic Council, supported by the signing of an MoU on the training of specialists for ships operating in polar waters. This confirms the joint resolve to intensify trade and investment in the resource-rich Russian Far East and Arctic zone.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 18:08 IST

News world From Markets To Megawatts: $100B Trade Ambition Meets Energy Synergy In India-Russia Talks

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'Making Peace All Over The World': Trump Pushes For Ceasefire Between Russia & Ukraine

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 07:47 IST

US President Donald Trump said the latest discussion between a US delegation and Russian President Vladimir Putin gave impression that Putin would like to end the war.

US President Donald Trump (File Photo)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday pushed to end Russia-Ukraine war. Hailing US effort to make peace all over the world", Trump said, Were settling wars at levels that nobodys ever seen before." He also informed that latest discussion between a US delegation and Russian President Vladimir Putin gave impression" that Putin would like to end the war."

Were settling wars at levels that nobodys ever seen before. Eight of them. Were looking for one more. Thats Russia-Ukraine, if thats possible and I think well get there eventually. Last week, 8,000 soldiers were killed. Last month, they had 27,000 soldiers needlessly killed. We got to get that stopped, were working very hard on it..," US President said.

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Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday reiterated that Moscow wont compromise on its security interests to ensure Kyivs security.

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When asked whether NATO membership for Ukraine was ever genuinely on the table and how he viewed President Volodymyr Zelenskyys leadership, Putin said Zelensky had come to power promising peace but had deviated from that path.

When this gentleman came to power, he declared that he would pursue peace at all costs, using every means possible, without sparing even his career. But now we see things differently. He follows the same pattern as his predecessors  putting the interests of a narrow nationalist group, particularly radical nationalists, ahead of those of the people."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 05, 2025, 07:47 IST

News world 'Making Peace All Over The World': Trump Pushes For Ceasefire Between Russia & Ukraine

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The Polder Effect: Shanghai, Karachi, Dhaka Among Cities At Risk Of A 'Watery Grave'

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 16:10 IST

A new study warns that sinking land and rising sea level are pushing major coastal cities towards grave danger. By 2100, an unprecedented disaster could threaten 300 million lives

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A study warns that 40 coastal cities, including Shanghai, Karachi, and Dhaka, face severe risks from sinking land and rising sea levels.

Many of the worlds largest and most vibrant cities may soon vanish from the map. Nature is preparing to reveal its most dangerous face, and coastal megacities such as Shanghai, Karachi, and Dhaka are now staring at the prospect of a watery grave.

A new and alarming study warns that delta-based cities are becoming increasingly unsafe: the land beneath them is sinking while sea levels continue to rise. Scientists argue that this deadly combination is as catastrophic as a nuclear blast. Without urgent changes to their flood-management strategies, these cities may experience devastation similar to what struck New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.

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This research, published in the journal One Earth, has sparked global concern. Experts say cities like Shanghai depend heavily on sea walls and embankments, defences that are no longer sufficient. Climate change has drastically intensified the threat.

Researchers warn that when a powerful storm hits, these walls could collapse like a house of cards. The resulting disaster, known as a polder flood, is not an ordinary flood; water rushes in but has nowhere to escape.

What Is The Polder Effect?

Under normal circumstances, floodwater gradually drains away. But delta cities, which are steadily sinking below sea level, behave like bowls. When a barrier collapses, seawater surges in and remains trapped. It cannot flow out naturally due to gravity. The city stays submerged until repairs are completed and vast volumes of water are pumped out mechanically.

Professor Robert Nichols of the University of East Anglia states that the destructive power of the polder effect is gravely underestimated.

Which Cities Face The Greatest Risk?

The study examined 40 major delta cities, home to nearly 300 million people. The highest-risk locations include Shanghai, Ningbo, and Guangzhou in China; Yangon in Myanmar; Dhaka in Bangladesh; Karachi in Pakistan; and New Orleans in the United States. Each of the worlds seven largest river deltas has at least one major city in danger.

Researchers even created a digital model for Shanghai using data from the ten most severe storms of the past fifty years, projecting conditions for the next seventy-five years. The findings were terrifying.

Co-author Min Zhang reported that by 2100, the area flooded during a major storm could increase by 80 per cent, potentially submerging the entire city.

Why Walls Alone Are Not Enough

Flood danger arises from a combination of forces including, tides, waves, storms, rainfall, and river discharge. The most catastrophic events occur when several of these strike simultaneously.

Professor Nichols notes that subsidence is occurring in every major delta: the ground itself is sinking, dramatically heightening the risk. Building ever-higher walls is not a viable solution; it is both costly and dangerous. If such a wall collapses, the destruction would be unimaginable.

What Must Cities Do Now?

Scientists recommend a multi-layered defence strategy.

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Cities must go beyond concrete barriers and incorporate natural protection systems.

Urban areas should be redesigned as sponge cities capable of absorbing excess water.

Managed retreat, moving development away from high-risk zones, may also be necessary.

Without decisive action today, these great cities may soon survive only in history books.

First Published: December 05, 2025, 16:10 IST

News world The Polder Effect: Shanghai, Karachi, Dhaka Among Cities At Risk Of A 'Watery Grave'

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US Govt Orders Enhanced Social Media Vetting For All H-1B, H-4 Visa Applicants From Dec 15

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 13:47 IST

As per the new order, the applicants have to change their social media profiles to a "public" setting to aid in the screening process.

Trump administration orders social media screening for all H-1B, H-4 visa applicants. (Representative Image)

Tightening its measures for the vetting process for H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents, the US government has introduced mandatory social media screening for all applicants starting December 15.

As per the new order, the applicants have to change their social media profiles to a public" setting to aid in the screening process.

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In an order issued on Wednesday, the US state department said, To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public."

The US State Department also emphasised that the US visa is a privilege and not a right". Every visa adjudication is a national security decision," it added, stating that officers rely on all available information to determine admissibility and potential risks.

The department reiterated that the US must be vigilant" to ensure applicants do not intend to harm Americans. The decision has raised concerns among Indian professionals, who form one of the largest groups of H-1B visa holders.

Meanwhile, responding to concerns regarding the US visas in Parliament, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said scrutiny of visa applicants is the prerogative of the host country. The issuance of visas is a sovereign right of a government," he said in Rajya Sabha.

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He said the American position is clear: In the case of the United States, the US government has taken a view that every visa adjudication is a national security decision."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: December 05, 2025, 13:47 IST

News world US Govt Orders Enhanced Social Media Vetting For All H-1B, H-4 Visa Applicants From Dec 15

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US Strike On Drug Boat In Pacific Kills Four As Fury Grows Over Attacks On Survivors

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 07:18 IST

The White House and Pentagon have sought to distance Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the decision to strike the survivors.

Republicans, however, defended the actions as lawful and necessary. (X @Southcom)

The US military on Thursday carried out another deadly strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four people, even as outrage mounts in Washington over a string of similar operations that have already claimed more than 87 lives.

US Southern Command said the latest strike targeted a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization," adding that intelligence confirmed it was carrying illicit narcotics along a major trafficking route. A video released with the statement showed a powerful explosion engulfing a fast-moving multi-engine boat.

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The operation unfolded as lawmakers on Capitol Hill were shown extended classified footage of a controversial early-September strike, in which US forces hit the wreckage of a vessel that had already been destroyedkilling two survivors clinging to debris. After viewing the footage, House Intelligence Committee Democrat Jim Himes said it depicted the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service."

On Dec. 4, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and pic.twitter.com/pqksvxM3HP U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 4, 2025

He added, You have two individuals in clear distress who were killed by the United States."

Republican Congressman Don Bacon agreed, saying the men posed no imminent threat," which is required under US rules of engagement.

But Republican Senator Tom Cotton defended the actions as lawful and necessary, saying the survivors were attempting to right a capsized vessel loaded with drugs bound for the United States so they could stay in the fight."

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The White House and Pentagon have sought to distance Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth from the decision to strike the survivors, instead pointing to Admiral Frank Bradley, who oversaw the mission. Himes said Bradley told lawmakers Hegseth did not order that all survivors be killed, but critics insist the Pentagon leadership remains responsible.

President Donald Trumps administration maintains it is at war with narco-terrorists" and has deployed the worlds largest aircraft carrier and other military assets to the region. But the aggressive campaign has heightened tensions across Latin America, with Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro accusing Washington of using anti-narcotics operations as a pretext for imposing regime change."

First Published: December 05, 2025, 07:18 IST

News world US Strike On Drug Boat In Pacific Kills Four As Fury Grows Over Attacks On Survivors

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Who Is Israel's New Mossad Chief? General With No Background In Intelligence

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Last Updated: December 05, 2025, 08:10 IST

Netanyahus selection of Gofman  a Mossad outsider  means that he passed over the two candidates suggested by Barnea.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed his Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, to the position of Director of the Mossad. (Image: @IsraeliPM)

Major General Roman Gofman  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus military secretary, a general with no background in intelligence  was announced as the next head of the countrys foreign intelligence agency Mossad.

In a statement, Netanyahus office announced the decision to appoint Major General Roman Gofman as head of the spy agency, saying he would replace current Mossad chief David Barnea, whose five-year term ends in June 2026.

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According to Israeli media, Netanyahus selection of Gofman  a Mossad outsider  means that he passed over the two candidates suggested by Barnea.

Who Is Roman Gofman?

Born in Belarus in 1976, Gofman moved to Israel at the age of 14. He joined the militarys armoured corps in 1995 and pursued a long army career.

At the start of the Gaza war triggered by Hamass October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Gofman was a commander of the national infantry training centre.

He was seriously wounded on October 7 in clashes with Hamas militants in Sderot, a city in southern Israel near the Gaza border. Gofman later joined Netanyahus office cabinet in April 2024.

Gofman did not come from the agency he is set to head, though his appointment did not bring about the political controversy that followed the Shin Bet chiefs nomination.

Uri Misgav, a columnist for prominent left-wing Israeli newspaper Haaretz, was one of the few voices to criticise the appointment, calling Gofman unfit to head Mossad" due to his lack of experience in intelligence.

Considered one of the best intelligence services in the world, the Mossad did not suffer from the intelligence failure of the October 7 attack because the Palestinian territories have traditionally fallen outside of its field of operation.

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But the chiefs of Shin Bet and Aman (military intelligence) agencies resigned after acknowledging their responsibility for the fiasco.

The Mossad distinguished itself in the eyes of Israelis in the ongoing multi-front war since October 7. It contributed to the killing of the general staff of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in 2024.

Location : Israel

First Published: December 05, 2025, 08:10 IST

News world Who Is Israel's New Mossad Chief? General With No Background In Intelligence

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The Government has announced plans to close all illegal private schools and colleges in Manicaland as part of efforts to uphold educational standards, following disappointing performances in the 2025 Grade Seven examinations.

Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Richard Gabaza, revealed that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has directed all unregistered institutions to regularise their operations by December 31, 2025, or face closure for failing to comply with standard operating procedures.

Several schools have been accused of operating outside the authority of governing education bodies, making effective supervision and quality assurance difficult.

Although Mr Gabaza has not officially commented on the Grade Seven results, sources indicate that the province performed below expectations, with fewer learners attaining six units compared to previous years.

Mutare Junior Primary School led the province, with 73 learners achieving six units. Baring Primary School recorded only nine learners with six units,

Fern Valley Primary School, 3 Brigade Primary School, and Chancellor Junior School also struggled, with 10, 16, and 19 learners attaining six units, respectively.

A closer look at the results shows that girls outperformed boys across several schools.

At Mutare Junior, 39 girls achieved six units compared to 34 boys, at 3 Brigade, 13 of the 16 top performers were girls and at Fern Valley, nine of the 10 learners with six units were female.

The Governments crackdown on illegal schools is intended to restore confidence in the education system and ensure that all institutions operate within established guidelines.

Authorities believe the move will help improve the quality of education in Manicaland and address the challenges reflected in this years Grade Seven results.

May I announce to you that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is going to close all illegal schools in the province. We have seen illegal schools mushrooming, especially in urban areas, and as a ministry, we have made a decision that these illegal schools should not continue. We are going to discontinue them, with the assistance of the police and the minister.

Our children are vulnerable under these circumstances comrade. Do not forget this. We are using the office of the Public Service Commission because they are the owners of the children. You can claim that they are your children, but they are not  they belong to the Government by law.

So, if you have a friend who has a school that has not been registered, encourage them to ensure it is registered by December 31, 2025. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education gave a grace period of three months from October to December 2025. We have seen a lot of problems associated with illegal schools, said Mr Gabaza.

Mr Gabaza said educating a child is the responsibility of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.

The enormity of this responsibility has led the ministry to strategise and create partnerships with private developers. The Constitution, in Section 75, provides that any citizen is allowed to develop a school, as long as that school is developed and registered in terms of the law and regulations of the Education Act. There is need to strengthen collaborations between private organisations, NGOs, and Government departments as we develop infrastructure, improve resources, and uplift the learning environment. Education is a shared responsibility.

We should observe protocols and uphold policy. Allow me to remind all schools that the ministry operates within clear structures  from the school to districts, provinces, and finally the head office. We must all adhere to national policies, reporting procedures, safeguarding frameworks, and curriculum requirements. Leadership must ensure accountability and transparency in all operations, including financial management and resource utilisation.

Effective learning demands adequate resources and the wise management of time. I urge school leadership to continue ensuring that teaching and learning materials are sufficient, instructional time is protected, teachers prepare thoroughly and teach consistently, and learners attend all lessons punctually, so that we have a perfect education system, said Mr Gabaza.

The decline in performance for primary schools in Manicaland reflects the national outlook, where a slight decline in the pass-rate was noted.

Schools in rural areas generally continue to play second fiddle to their urban counterparts.

Zimbabwe Rural Teachers union president, Mr Martin Chaburumunda said the low pass-rate synonymous with rural schools is linked to the underfunding of the schools, which ultimately affects lesson delivery.

There is still a wide gap and difference between rural schools and urban ones. The teachers are the same in terms of training. The most pressing issue is funding  school fees in rural schools are very low, which every parent can afford, but unfortunately, this leads to unintended outcomes.

Most rural schools lack essential learning materials that aid the delivery of lessons in the classroom. There is no adequate stationery, such as textbooks, exercise books, charts, and others. The Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) funds are released very late, leaving schools exposed to serious funding gaps. This ultimately affects the learner.

There is a need to increase funding for rural schools and also leverage technology to bridge the resource gap. The Government must speed up the school internet programme so that learners and teachers have wide resource materials through the internet. There is a need to implement policies to address the rural-urban divide, stock libraries with modern books, and set up science laboratories, he said.

Mr Chaburumunda added that there are other contributing factors, such as distance travelled to access schools, childrens background, and communities attitude towards education.

Learners in rural schools travel an average of 5km to the nearest school, and this affects them. They arrive late and have limited time to do homework, as time is consumed walking. The most vulnerable children are in rural areas, such as orphans, child-headed families, and those under the care of distant relatives. There is no luxury of extra lessons in rural communities.

There is also a need to address the issue of infrastructure, such as proper classrooms, teacher accommodation, water, and electricity availability.

This will make schools in rural and resettlement areas be at the same level as those in urban areas. Grade Seven results are very important because they build the learners confidence as they begin secondary education, said Mr Chaburumunda.

ZIMSEC board chairperson, Professor Paul Mapfumo, speaking during a Press conference, noted the decline.

A total number of candidates who sat for six subjects in the 2025 Grade Seven examinations is 389 626. Of these, 188 980 passed all six subjects, recording a national pass-rate of 48,49 percent. This is a slight decline of 0,52 percent in candidates performance from the 2024 pass-rate, which was 49,1 percent, he said.

Professor Mapfumo also noted the female candidates dominance at a national scale.

Pass-rate by gender: Out of 395 090 candidates who sat for the 2025 Grade Seven examinations, 201 842 were female, of these 199 980 sat for six subjects, with 107 241 passing six subjects, translating to a 53,64 percent pass rate.

There were 193 248 male candidates who sat for the Grade Seven examinations, of which 189 696 wrote six subjects, and 81 698 passed six subjects, translating to a 43,06 percent pass-rate for male candidates, said Professor Mapfumo. Manica Post
Authorities in San Diego have discovered multiple sets of human remains at a property linked to Dwight William Rhone, 74, who is already in custody on a murder charge. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office identified Rhone as a "person of interest" in the case, but has not yet filed new charges related to the remains, NBC News reports. The search, which began Tuesday at a home in the Southcrest neighborhood where Rhone previously lived, involved the California Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the San Diego Police Department's Cold Case/Missing Persons Unit.

Rhone has been jailed since December, when he was arrested in connection with the killing of 54-year-old Bernardo Moreno. Moreno was found shot and set on fire on Interstate 5 in October 2023, according to the Highway Patrol. Rhone was charged in that case on Dec. 5, 2024, just days before he was due to be sentenced in a separate federal case. In the federal case, he ultimately received a two-year prison term after being convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Prosecutors said he hasn't been allowed to possess a gun since his first felony conviction in 1969, the New York Times reports.

Prosecutors described Rhone as having a "lengthy criminal history," with 33 offenses dating back to 1963. Investigators are working with the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office to identify the newly discovered remains and determine the causes of death. Investigators spent days at the home, digging up the backyard and searching a basement or crawl space, CBS 8 reports. The current tenants, a family that had been there for a year, say police gave them money for a hotel and they don't plan to live at the property again.

Rhone allegedly killed Moreno because the man stabbed his dog to break up a dog fight. His criminal record includes multiple armed robberies. He was ordered to register as a sex offender in 1980, when he raped his cellmate after threatening to poke the man's eyes out, 10News reports. "Over the past 50 years, defendant has committed an almost incomprehensible number of crimes with the consistency of a clock," Deputy DA Zachary Wallace wrote in a court filing in 2019. "There is not a moment in defendant's life where he has been out of custody and remained law-abiding. Even when defendant is in custody, he manages to commit crimes."
After a deadly fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court apartment complex claimed at least 159 lives and left thousands homeless, residents called for answers and accountabilityonly to be met with a government crackdown. Authorities detained a university student for distributing fliers demanding an independent investigation, and a planned press conference by lawyers and social workers was shelved after police pressure. Officials warned the public not to "use the disaster to cause chaos," echoing a playbook seen after major tragedies in mainland China: control the narrative, silence dissent, and act quickly to quash any sign of collective action, the New York Times reports.

After disasters such as the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, public mourning and demands for accountability were seen as political threats and met with official repression. As one political scientist puts it, the government's approach is to "crush problems at the earliest stage," especially in the first few days after a tragedy, when public anger and solidarity are at their peak. The fire is the first major disaster Hong Kong has faced since the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020, and it has highlighted the city's transformation under increasing authoritarian control.

After the fire, thousands of Hong Kong residents lined up to pay their respects, and volunteers organized relief efforts for those who had lost their homes. Activists argue that the government's true fear is the power of collective identity and civic action. "This shows Hong Kong people have not been tamed," activist Chung Ching Kwong tells the Times. "We still care about Hong Kong. We still care about politics. We know there are things we cannot say or do because of safety, but when there is space and when there is a need, we will still stand up and make our own decisions, even at personal risks."

Among those arrested for criticizing the government, which authorities label "inciting hatred" of the government, was former pro-democracy district councillor Kenneth Cheung, who called for an independent investigation, the Wall Street Journal reports. The AP reports that separately from the national security arrests, at least 15 people have been arrested in connection with suspected negligence and corruption.
UPDATE

Dec 10, 2025 1:25 PM CST

Iceland is closing its songbook for Eurovision 2026. The country's public broadcaster, RUV, on Wednesday voted not to participate in or air next year's contest in Vienna, making Iceland the fifth nation to boycott over Israel's conduct in the Gaza war, reports the Guardian. Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia had already announced they would sit out, deepening what critics and observers are calling a crisis for an event traditionally framed as a feel-good, apolitical spectacle. RUV said it repeatedly raised concerns with the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, and concluded that "given the public debate in this country ... it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail" if it takes part.

Dec 4, 2025 5:39 PM CST

Four countriesSpain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Sloveniaannounced on Thursday that they will boycott the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel's continued participation. The decision followed a meeting of the contest's organizer, the European Broadcasting Union, which declined to vote on whether to suspend Israel despite calls from several member broadcasters. The boycotting nations cited the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the reason for their withdrawal, with Ireland's broadcaster saying participation alongside Israel would be "unconscionable," the New York Times reports.
A federal grand jury in Virginia on Thursday voted against reindicting New York Attorney General Letitia James on mortgage fraud charges, delivering another setback to the Trump administration's efforts to prosecute her. The decision comes a week after a judge dismissed the initial indictment, ruling that Lindsey Halligan, a Trump lawyer who was rushed into a federal prosecutor role, did not have the authority to present the case to a grand jury. But there's no law against the Justice Department trying for a third time to indict James, and an official familiar with the case suggested to the Washington Post that that could happen.
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Texas can go ahead with its new congressional district map in the 2026 midterm elections, a redrawing intended to boost Republican strength in the US House by as many as five seats at President Trump's behest. The decision, apparently on a 6-3 vote, granted an emergency request from Gov. Greg Abbott and paused a lower court's decision that found the map unlawful because it likely considered race in its design. The Supreme Court's unsigned order stated Texas is "likely to succeed on the merits of its claim," referencing what the majority apparently considers the lower court's failure to respect the presumption that lawmakers act in good faith, NBC News reports.

The three justices appointed by Democratic presidents objected. Justice Elena Kagan argued in a 17-page dissent that the decision undermines the district court's work and harms Texans who, according to the lower court, were assigned to districts based on race. She also ripped her colleagues, saying the Supreme Court made its decision "based on its perusal, over a holiday weekend, of a cold paper record," per the New York Times. "We are a higher court than the district court, but we are not a better one when it comes to making such a fact-based decision," Kagan wrote.

Justice Samuel Alito, in a concurring opinion, argued that challengers did not provide sufficient evidence that race, and not partisanship, was the deciding factor, per NBC. He had paused the lower court's decision in November while the Supreme Court considers the case. The suit to block the new map was brought by several groups, including the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Texas NAACP, as well as two Democratic members of Congress. Candidates wanting to run next year in Texas have until Dec. 8 to file. The legal battle has confused planning over what districts candidates of both parties want to run in.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning that Ukrainian forces must leave Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will take it by force, making clear that in Russia's view there is no room for compromise over the disputed territory, the BBC reports. "Either we liberate these territories by force, or Ukrainian troops will leave these territories," Putin told India's India Today outlet in an interview ahead of a visit to the country. Russia has illegally annexed the Donbas region and currently controls about 85% of it. Putin has revived the term "Novorossiya," or "New Russia," to refer to certain Ukrainian territories, CNN reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, has ruled out giving up any territory. The comments come after US President Trump said his negotiators believed Putin "would like to end the war" after a round of talks Tuesday in Moscow regarding the peace plan proposed by the US. Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to meet with Ukraine's team in Florida next. But in the interview published Thursday, Putin appeared to indicate any possible peace deal is still a ways off, the AP reports.

"We had to go through practically every point, which is why it took so much time," Putin said of Tuesday's five-hour-long talks. "It was a meaningful, highly specific and substantive conversation. Sometimes we said, 'Yes, we can discuss this, but with that one we cannot agree.'" He said some points of the US proposal were "unacceptable" to Russia, but would not specify which ones.
The spots gave it away. Just like a human fingerprint, the rosette pattern on each jaguar is unique so researchers knew they had a new animal on their hands after reviewing images captured by a remote camera in southern Arizona. The University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center says it's the fifth big cat over the last 15 years to be spotted in the area after crossing the US-Mexico border. The animal was captured by the camera as it visited a watering hole in November. "We're very excited. It signifies this edge population of jaguars continues to come here because they're finding what they need," Susan Malusa, director of the center's jaguar and ocelot project, told the AP .

The team is now working to collect scat samples to conduct genetic analysis and determine the sex and other details about the new jaguar, including what it likes to eat. The menu can include everything from skunks and javelina to small deer. As an indicator species, Malusa said the continued presence of big cats in the region suggests a healthy landscape but that climate change and border barriers can threaten migratory corridors. She explained that warming temperatures and significant drought increase the urgency to ensure connectivity for jaguars with their historic range in Arizona.

More than 99% of the jaguar's range is found in Central and South America, and the few male jaguars that have been spotted in the US are believed to have dispersed from core populations in Mexico, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Federal biologists have listed primary threats to the endangered species as habitat loss and fragmentation along with the animals being targeted for trophies and illegal trade. The FWS issued a final rule in 2024, revising the habitat set aside for jaguars in response to a legal challenge. The area was reduced to about 1,000 square miles in Arizona's Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise counties.

Recent detection data supports findings that a jaguar appears every few years, Malusa said, with movement often tied to the availability of water. When food and water are plentiful, there's less movement. In the case of Jaguar #5, she said it was remarkable that the cat kept returning to the area over a 10-day period. Otherwise, she calls the animals quite elusive. "That's the messagethat this species is recovering," Malusa said.
There were hundreds, then dozens, and then just a few. Now there's one Israeli hostage left in Gaza: Ran Gvili. Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer known affectionately as "Rani," was killed while fighting Hamas militants during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. After a series of ceasefire-mandated exchanges of hostages for Palestinians held by Israel, Gvili's body still has not been recovered, the AP reports. His remains are somewhere in Gaza. On Thursday, as Israel woke to the news that remains militants returned the previous day belonged to another hostage , the country mourned Gvili as a hero who died fighting to save a kibbutz that was not his own.

"The first to go, the last to leave," his mother, Talik Gvili, wrote on Facebook Thursday. "We won't stop until you come back." On the morning of Oct. 7, Gvili was at home, his younger sister Shira Gvili said in an interview with the AP. He had been on medical leave from his elite police unit for a broken shoulder. Still, when he heard that gunmen were attacking panicked partygoers at the site of the Nova Music Festival, he headed straight for the venue grounds, along with other men from the unit. Nova later became the site of the largest civilian massacre in Israeli history, when the militants killed at least 364 people and took more than 40 hostage.

Gvili and the other officers never made it there, his sister said. Instead, they encountered the militants at Kibbutz Alumim. Unlike those from other Israeli kibbutzim targeted that day, the residents of Alumim survived. They credit that to men like Gvili, who joined a group of emergency response team members, soldiers, and police officers who fended off waves of intruding militants. The return of Gvili's remains would mark the completion of the first phase of US President Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan. The next phases of the ceasefire agreement will be much more complicated to fulfill. Key elements include deploying an international force to secure Gaza, disarming Hamas, and forming a temporary Palestinian government to run day to day affairs under the supervision of an international board led by Trump.
The Trump administration has awarded Peraton, a Virginia-based security and technology company, the prime contract to lead a sweeping overhaul of the nation's air traffic control system. The modernization effort, first championed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy after a midair collision in Washington, DC, killed 64 people in January, aims to replace decades-old infrastructure with new telecommunications, radar, and digital command systems by the end of 2028, Politico reports.

Peraton, which beat out a joint bid from Parsons Corp. and IBM, will work alongside the Federal Aviation Administration to accelerate the transition from copper wires to fiber, satellite, and wireless networks, and to establish a digital operations hub. The Department of Transportation, which described Peraton as the "Prime Integrator" in a news release, said the contract includes both incentives for efficiency and penalties for delays or poor work. The department said it has already converted about a third of its copper wire infrastructure, and Peraton will focus on finishing that work and setting up a new digital command center. The project will start with a $12.5 billion injection from Congress, but the administration is seeking an additional $20 billion to finish the job.

The project faces significant challenges including the risk of delays and cost overruns, which plagued the FAA's previous NextGen modernization effort, which began more than 20 years ago. The president and CEO of Airlines for America, Chris Sununu, welcomed the decision, saying it's overdue. "It is past time to eradicate antiquated floppy disks, copper wires and paper strips and replace them with smarter, more efficient 21st-century equipment and technology," he said. A 2023 report found that many air traffic control facilities were in bad shape, with leaking roofs and outdated radar systems, reports Reuters. A separate report last year found that 51 of the FAA's 138 air traffic control telecoms systems were unsustainable.
There was a major security alert Monday night when unidentified drones flew near the flight path of Volodymyr Zelensky's plane as he arrived in Dublin. The Journal reports that the large, military-style drones breached a no-fly zone and reached the exact location where the Ukrainian leader's plane was expected to be. Zelensky, however, had landed ahead of schedule moments before the incident. The Journal reports that the drones then circled over an Irish Navy ship that had been secretly deployed ahead of the visit.

The Irish Navy vessel deployed in Dublin Bay was not equipped with drone countermeasures like jammers and it didn't shoot down the five drones out of fear that rounds could land in Dublin, the Irish Times reports. It is not yet known who launched and controlled the drones or where the drones are now. The fact that they had their lights on has led security services to suspect the unauthorized flights were an attempt to disrupt the plane's arrival, not attack it, per the Journal. It appeared that they "wanted to be seen," a security source tells the Times. "They had the capability and intent. They could have taken action at any moment of their choosing," the source says.

The drones were apparently operated by separate pilots, and sources tell the Times that Russian security services were likely behind the incident. It's not clear where the drones took off from, though there was significant Russian "shadow fleet" activity in the area at the time. Asked about the incident by the BBC, Ukraine's presidential office said "the host country is responsible for security." A spokesperson said: "According to their information, there were indeed such drones, but this did not affect the visit and did not require any changes to it."
Kim Cattrall has officially said "I do" to longtime partner Russell Thomas, exchanging vows in a small London ceremony. The Sex and the City star, 69, and audio engineer Thomas, 55, were married on Thursday at Chelsea Old Town Hall, joined by a select group of 12 guests comprised of family and close friends. Cattrall wore a classic Dior suit and bespoke accessories, while Thomas was dressed in a custom suit by Richard James, reflecting a mutual appreciation for elegant but low-key style, People reports.

The couple first met at the BBC in 2016 and kept in touch through social media, where a direct message from Thomas sparked a relationship that soon grew beyond long-distance visits. "He came and we got along great," Cattrall previously told People. "And we've been together ever since!" She said she was "very comfortable" around him. "He's a firecracker and he's got a wicked sense of humor. And he's easy on the eyes!" This is Cattrall's fourth marriage, the New York Post reports. Her third one, to jazz musician and audio equipment designer Mark Levinson, ended in 2004 after six years.

Though Cattrall is a familiar face on red carpets, she and Thomas have mostly kept their relationship out of the spotlight. Cattrall was born in England but grew up on Vancouver Island in Canada, where she now has a home she describes as "my hideaway and basically my paradise because I'm right in the middle of nature." "I also spend time in London, which is a great deal of where I've been the last 15, 20 years," she told People in October. "And then there's New York City, which will always be in my heart."
Pope Leo XIV has taken his biggest step yet to correct one of Pope Francis' more problematic financial moves, canceling a special Holy See fundraising commission that was announced under questionable circumstances while Francis was hospitalized. Leo on Thursday formally suppressed the fundraising commission, abrogated its statutes, and fired its members, reports the AP . He decreed that its assets would go to the Holy See as a whole, and that the Vatican patrimony office would oversee the commission's extinction. A new working group would be formed, with papally approved members, to come up with fundraising proposals and an appropriate structure going forward, the decree said.

The decree was the latest sign that history's first American pope is wrapping up the loose ends of Francis' pontificate. Leo is correcting problems as needed as he looks ahead to a new year when he can focus more on his own agenda. The Vatican had announced the creation of the commission, its statutes, and members on Feb. 26, while Francis was in the hospital battling double pneumonia. At the time, he was being visited by the top officials of the Secretariat of State. Its president was the assessor of the Secretariat of State, the very same Vatican office that Francis had previously stripped of its ability to manage assets after it lost tens of millions of euros in a scandalous London property deal.

The concentration of power back in the Secretariat of State, the lack of qualified fundraisers, and absence of any Americans on the boardthe US is the biggest donor to the Vaticanimmediately raised credibility questions. To some, it smacked of the Italian-led Secretariat of State taking advantage of a sick pope to announce a new flow of unchecked donations into its coffers after Francis took its $684 million sovereign wealth fund away. The decree by the American pope thus appears to be an effort to wipe the slate clean and start from scratch. Wealthy American donors in particular had been looking to Leo, a math major, to impose greater financial transparency and accountability on the Vatican's books.
A raid by US forces and a local Syrian group aiming to capture an Islamic State official instead killed a man who'd been working undercover gathering intelligence on the extremists, family and Syrian officials tell the AP . The October killing underscores the complex political and security landscape as the United States begins working with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in the fight against remnants of ISIS. Per relatives, Khaled al-Masoud had been spying on the militants for years on behalf of the insurgents led by al-Sharaa, then for al-Sharaa's interim government, established after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad last year.

Al-Sharaa's insurgents were mainly Islamists, some who were connected to al-Qaeda but were enemies of ISIS who often clashed with it over the past decade. Neither US nor Syrian government officials have commented on al-Masoud's death. The Oct. 19 raid occurred in Dumayr, east of Damascus. Residents said US troops conducted the raid alongside the Syrian Free Army, a US-trained opposition faction that had fought against Assad. The SFA now reports to the Syrian Defense Ministry.

Al-Masoud's cousin said on the morning of the raid, he opened his door and saw Humvees with US flags. al-Masoud's mother, Sabah al-Sheikh al-Kilani, said the forces then surrounded her son's house next door, where he was with his wife and five daughters, and banged on the door. Al-Masoud told them he was with General Security, a Syrian Interior Ministry force, but they broke down the door and shot him, then took him away, al-Kilani said. Later, government security officials told the family he'd been released but was in the hospital. The family was then called to pick up his body.

Al-Masoud's family believes he was targeted based on faulty intelligence from SFA members. Reps from that group didn't respond to requests for comment. Al-Masoud had worked with al-Sharaa's insurgent group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, before Assad's fall, his cousin said. He then returned to Dumayr and worked with the security services of al-Sharaa's government. Two Syrian security officials and one political official confirmed that al-Masoud had been working with Syria's interim government in a security role. Two of the officials said he'd worked on combating ISIS.
Zillow has quietly removed a feature from its listings that showed the climate risks faced by individual properties, following pushback from real estate agents and homeowners who say the data is hurting sales. The tool, introduced last fall, gave buyers a snapshot of risks like wildfires, iffy air quality, severe heat, and floods for about a million homes listed on the site. Zillow cited complaints that the risk scores seemed inconsistent and couldn't be challenged, with the California Regional Multiple Listing Service among those raising concerns.

"Future predictions ended up being very wrong," CRMLS chief executive Art Carter tells CNN of flood projections in the Golden State that apparently didn't pan out. The real estate giant says it's still committed to transparency and now links out to First Street, the nonprofit that originally provided the climate data, per the Guardian. First Street's chief, Matthew Eby, warns that buyers will now be "flying blind" at a time when climate-driven disasters are reshaping the US housing market.

Eby argues that the backlash came about due to a tough real-estate environment, with insurers hiking premiums or leaving risky states altogether, intensifying the pressure to close deals. "Climate risk data didn't suddenly become inconvenient. It became harder to ignore in a stressed market," he says. Despite climate change driving up the cost and scarcity of home insurance, more Americans are moving to risk-prone regions such as Florida and the Southwest, making the issue even more pressing.

Not everyone is sold on property-level climate ratings, though. Some experts say the models are too uncertain, and they warn that proprietary tools can undermine confidence in climate science if assessments prove shaky. Eby stands by First Street's methods, while Tulane University's Jesse Keenan says the models' limitations mean the government should play a bigger role in standardizing risk assessments. This guest essay in the New York Times, meanwhile, encourages consumers to demand Zillow reinstate the risk assessments, or to use platforms that include them.
Jeremy O. Harris, a playwright best known for his Tony-nominated Slave Play, was arrested in Japan last month on suspicion of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country. Authorities said they found 0.78 grams of crystal containing the synthetic drug MDMAecstasyin his carry-on tote bag at a Naha airport in Okinawa on Nov. 16, reports the Guardian . Customs officials, who said Harris was in Okinawa to sightsee, filed a criminal accusation Thursday that begins formal charging proceedings. Police said Friday that the 36-year-old Harris is in custody.

Even small amounts of illegal substances can lead to prosecution in Japan, which has some of the toughest narcotics laws in the developed world. But sentences are generally lighter than in other Asian nations, and do not include the death penalty. In Harris' case, a seven-year prison sentence is possible upon conviction, per the New York Times. Harris also works as an actor, with credits including Gossip Girl and Emily in Paris.
European Union regulators fined X, Elon Musk's social media platform, 120 million euros$140 millionon Friday for breaches of the bloc's digital regulations, in a move that risks rekindling tensions with Washington over free speech. The European Commission issued its decision following an investigation it opened two years ago into X under the 27-nation bloc's Digital Services Act, also known as the DSA, per the AP.

It's the first time that the EU has issued a so-called non-compliance decision since rolling out the DSA. The sweeping rulebook requires platforms to take more responsibility for protecting European users and cleaning up harmful or illegal content and products on their sites, under threat of hefty fines.
A federal judge on Friday gave the Justice Department permission to release transcripts of a grand jury investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of underage girls in Floridaa case that ultimately ended without any federal charges being filed against the multimillionaire sex offender. US District Judge Rodney Smith said that a new law, signed last month by President Trump, compels the Justice Department, FBI, and federal prosecutors to release the vast troves of material they have amassed on Epstein that date back at least two decades. The law overrides the usual rules about grand jury secrecy, the judge said, the AP reports.

Friday's court ruling dealt with the earliest known federal inquiry. In 2005, police in Palm Beach, Florida, where Epstein had a mansion, began interviewing teenage girls who told of being hired to give the financier sexualized massages. The FBI later joined the investigation. Federal prosecutors in Florida prepared an indictment in 2007, but Epstein's lawyers attacked the credibility of his accusers publicly while secretly negotiating a plea bargain that would let him avoid serious jail time. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to relatively minor state charges of soliciting prostitution from someone under age 18. He served most of his 18-month sentence in a work release program that let him spend his days in his office.

The US attorney in Miami at the time, Alex Acosta, agreed not to prosecute Epstein on federal charges. After the Miami Herald reexamined the unusual plea bargain in 2018, public outrage over Epstein's light sentence led to Acosta's resignation as Trump's labor secretary. A Justice Department report in 2020 found that Acosta exercised "poor judgment" in handling the investigation, but it said he did not engage in professional misconduct. A different federal prosecutor, in New York, brought a sex trafficking indictment against Epstein in 2019, mirroring some of the same allegations. Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial. His companion, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of similar charges and sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison. The Justice Department has requests pending for the release of grand jury records related to the sex trafficking cases against Epstein and Maxwell in New York.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Sunny skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High -28F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Cloudy. Snow likely late. Low -26F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
OSAKA, Dec 05 (News On Japan) - Umedas Chayamachi district, located on the east side of central Osaka, is undergoing a noticeable shift as major retailers including Loft and ZARA have closed or relocated this year, even as large-scale developments such as Grand Green Osaka continue to open elsewhere in the area, raising questions about whether the district is transforming from a youth-oriented fashion hub into a center for subculture; to understand what is driving the changes, we spoke with Takanobu Okahara, president of Tsubasa Asset Partners and an expert on Osakas real estate trends.

Chayamachis development traces back to the early Meiji period, when the area was mostly farmland with teahouses scattered throughout the district, and the presence of three teahouses along the northsouth road gave rise to the name Chayamachi. Through the late Meiji years, the district evolved into a neighborhood of homes and textile factories. The opening of the Shin-Midosuji road in 1969 accelerated commercial use as residential space declined and retailers began to cluster in the area.

Redevelopment moved into full swing in the Heisei era as Chayamachi emerged as a symbol of youth culture. Umeda Loft opened in 1990, and Okahara says the district evolved into a magnet for young people as a fashion-forward retail zone.

Yet Chayamachi is now facing what has become known locally as a wave of closures. Okahara points to large-scale redevelopment around the Umeda and Umeda North (Ume-kita) districts as the underlying cause, noting that the redevelopment of the Ume-kita area has drawn foot traffic westward.

Around JR Osaka Station, new commercial complexes such as Lucua Osaka, Grand Front Osaka and Links Umeda have opened one after another since 2011, while Chayamachi has seen little major development since NU Chayamachi opened in 2005. As new facilities concentrated on the Ume-kita side, more visitors and retailers gravitated west.

This April, Umeda Loft closed and relocated to the Hanshin Umeda Main Store, followed by moves to other districts by ZARA and Uniqlo, among others.

In place of the fashion-driven mix that once defined the district, Chayamachi is now seeing the rise of a new identity as a subculture district. Over the past year, shops specializing in anime merchandise and capsule toys have increased in number. Okahara says Chayamachi can no longer rely on fashion alone, adding that subculture appeals strongly to todays younger consumers, and inbound tourism has brought even more visibility to it.

Amid these shifts, a new wave of redevelopment is taking shape adjacent to Chayamachi. Hankyu Hanshin Holdings announced that renovation of Osaka-Umeda Station will begin sequentially from January next year to address aging infrastructure dating back to 1973. The renovation will move train stopping positions by roughly 14 meters to create more space and improve accessibility, with Okahara suggesting the project could become a catalyst for redevelopment around Chayamachi.

The companys broader Shibata 1-chome Plan aims to upgrade the value of the greater Umeda Station area, making use of the former New Hankyu Hotel site, rebuilding the Hankyu Terminal Building and carrying out renovations at Hankyu Sanbangai. According to Okahara, the initiative likely includes an intention to draw foot traffic back toward Chayamachi.

Attention is now turning to how the former Umeda Loft site will be redeveloped, although no concrete plans have been announced. On Chayamachis south side, the B-2 and B-3 zones are scheduled to open in fiscal 2027 as a mixed-use complex combining commercial space, hotels and offices.

Looking ahead, Okahara believes the districts prospects remain strong, saying Chayamachi is currently in a redevelopment valley, but with its proximity to major stations and high overall convenience, the areas potential is significant and Chayamachi will eventually regain vibrancy as redevelopment advances.

Source: ABCTVnews
TOKYO, Dec 05 (News On Japan) - A growing number of families across Japan are choosing to close ancestral graves, and concerns over long-term upkeep have become a widespread source of anxiety. Now, even one of the countrys most storied lineages has begun confronting both the end of its line and the closure of its grave.

The program It! interviewed MikI Yamagishi, the great-great-granddaughter of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the final shogun of the Edo shogunate, who now serves as the fifth head of the Tokugawa Yoshinobu family established in the early Meiji period. Yoshinobu returned political authority to the imperial court in 1867 through the Taisei Hokan and resigned as the 15th shogun. When he was later granted the title of duke, the highest rank among the new peerage, a branch distinct from the Tokugawa main family was formed around him.

The fourth head of the family, Yoshitomo, died eight years ago. Yamagishi, his niece, inherited the familys assets after caring for Yoshitomo during his illness.

Yamagishi showed the program the Tokugawa Yoshinobu family grave, explaining that Yoshinobu and his wife Mikako are interred there, along with a concubine further inside, and that the front gate bears the Tokugawa family crest. The grave, usually kept locked and inaccessible to the public, was opened for a special visit.

Although Yamagishi now lives in Nagoya, she manages the family grave in Tokyo, a plot measuring about 300 tsubo (roughly 990 square meters). She said that maintaining such a large site far from her current residence has become increasingly unrealistic. The carved inscriptions bearing Yoshinobus name have worn down, and part of the surrounding wall has collapsed. Repairing the wall alone would cost an estimated 30 million yen.

Confronted with the burden, Yamagishi decided that her generation will close the grave. She noted that while many families possess ancestral plots, they can become negative inheritances when maintenance demands exceed what descendants can reasonably manage. She said that transferring ownership to the proper institution would allow future generations to be freed from responsibility.

According to Yamagishi, Yoshitomo had also consulted experts before his death, saying he hoped the difficulties would end with his generation. But the inheritance Yamagishi received includes far more than the grave. About 6,000 historical materials remain in the familys possession, including calligraphy and oil paintings written or painted by Yoshinobu himself.

Yamagishi described her role as turning family history into Japans history. While the grave remains deeply personal to her, she noted that Yoshinobus status as the last shogun gives the site an additional public dimension. Visitors continue to come, and she sees it as her responsibility to ensure that what belongs to history transitions from the private sphere into public stewardship.

Looking ahead, she plans to donate the historical materials to an appropriate institution and work with relevant parties so the burial site can continue to be preserved even after the family relinquishes ownership.

Source: FNN
IKEA Canada launches GREJSIMOJS, a 32-piece collection designed to celebrate the joy and importance of play for everyone, at every age, in every home

BURLINGTON, ON, Dec. 5, 2025 /CNW/ - IKEA believes play should be for people of all ages, from the young to the young at heart. GREJSIMOJS (colloquial definition: thing-a-ma-jig), is a collection of everyday objects designed to spark the imagination and infuse moments of fun into the daily rhythm of life. Based on research from the IKEA Play Report that shows how play can reduce stress, boost creativity, and bring people together, GREJSIMOJS embraces textures, shapes, and forms that spark joy. Colourful objects bring personality into the home, while other pieces encourage playful interaction while seamlessly integrating into its surroundings.

IKEA Canada launches GREJSIMOJS, a 32-piece collection designed to celebrate the joy and importance of play for everyone, at every age, in every home. (CNW Group/IKEA Canada Limited Partnership)

"The Life at Home Report by IKEA shows that 11% of people say their home helps bring out their playful side--and that's exactly what makes a collection like GREJSIMOJS so special." said Mathias Karlsson, Bedrooms Business Manager at IKEA Canada. "By designing with 'play' in mind, Canadians can express their creativity and personal style while enjoying functional pieces. It's the perfect blend of Scandinavian Modern design and childlike wonder."

The MAMMUT chair, a classic IKEA children's piece designed 30 years ago, receives a costume change with a furry chair cover in bright pink or blue. Storage pieces designed as cats and speakers shaped as mice in purple or green, are functional design objects. The 20-piece GREJSIMOJS toy building blocks can be assembled and reassembled over and over and over again, while a rocking horse reimagined in the form of a bird, is part sculpture, part toy.

The designers of this collection also drew from their own childhood memories, some remembering the objects in the home they wanted to play with but were not allowed to touch, recreating them for a home where nothing is off limits. Others were inspired by the function of an object, for instance how the turn of a lamp began to resemble the head of a gentle giraffe casting a soft night light.

GREJSIMOJS is more than just a playful collection--it was conceived with playfulness at its core. While it invites open-ended creativity, initially bringing together over 20 designers and featuring 12 in the final lineup, the collection remains deeply grounded in the study and research of play.

Insights reveal that both children and adults spend less time on physical play today, even though play remains essential for connection and lifelong learning. The IKEA Play Report shows that 54% of parents want to play more with their kids but face challenges like time, space, and inspiration. To address this, IKEA developed GREJSIMOJS--a collection designed to make play a natural part of the home. Guided by the IKEA Playtypes framework, which identifies five styles of play--Explore, Create, Imagine, Move, and Compete--GREJSIMOJS encourages playful interaction through objects that invite touch, curiosity, and creativity, creating homes meant to be lived in.

The GREJSIMOJS collection will launch in Canada instores and online February 2026.

ABOUT IKEA CANADA

Founded in 1943 in Sweden, IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer, offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group which operates 574 IKEA stores, shops and planning studios in 31 countries, including 16 in Canada. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 32.6 million visitors to its stores and 162.6 million visitors to IKEA.ca. IKEA Canada operates business through the IKEA vision - to create a better everyday life for the many people and does so through its local community efforts and sustainability initiatives. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit IKEA.ca.

SOURCE IKEA Canada Limited Partnership

For media inquiries: Darcy Greaves, Commercial PR Specialist, IKEA Canada, [email protected]
PrairiesCan is assisting Prairie businesses and organizations to play a bigger role in strengthening national security and meeting international commitments

EDMONTON, AB, Dec. 5, 2025 /CNW/ - A strong defence industry is key to Canada's national sovereignty and security as well as its economic resilience and long-term prosperity. To that end, the Government of Canada is committed to rebuilding our national defence capacity, strengthening our defence industry, and meeting the pressing needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.

PrairiesCan launches new initiative to help SMEs across the Prairies meet Canadas defence and security needs (CNW Group/Prairies Economic Development Canada)

Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced that PrairiesCan is now accepting applications for the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) from businesses and organizations in the Prairie Provinces.

The RDII is a three-year, $357.7 million initiative to reequip Canada's military by boosting investment in defence industrial capacity and innovation. The program supports Canadian businesses and organizations looking to grow their capacity, innovate, or adapt their products and services to supply the defence sector at home and abroad. Its aim is to accelerate the integration of businesses and regional ecosystems into domestic and international defence supply chains.

The RDII is being delivered by Canada's seven Regional Development Agencies. In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, PrairiesCan will provide RDII support through an investment budget of $48.2 million over three years to strengthen an already competitive Prairie defence sector and help it meet this moment of rising demand for Canadian-built capabilities. RDII investments are part of a broader whole-of-government strategic approach to building sovereign defence capacity while reinforcing industrial strength across the country, ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces get the equipment they need, when they need it.

Quotes

"The Prairie provinces already punch above their weight in Canada's defence industry. This investment builds on that strength--giving businesses in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba the support they need to scale up, compete for new opportunities, and meet the growing demand for Canadian-made defence capabilities. Further integrating more small and medium-sized Prairie businesses into defence supply chains will create good jobs while strengthening Canada's security and sovereignty."

The Honourable Eleanor Olszewksi, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada

Quick facts

The Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) will be open for three years starting in 2025-26. It will be delivered by Canada's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including PrairiesCan, and be in effect until March 31, 2028.

Eligible RDII recipients may include small and medium enterprises, regional defence related not-for-profits, including research centres, Indigenous proponents, and provincial/municipal authorities.

Projects under this program must demonstrate how they contribute to Canada's defence industrial base to support military needs and priorities.

RDII includes support for small- and medium-size enterprises with dual-use technologies, products, or services that have both civilian and military applications.

By capitalizing on RDAs' expertise in support of innovation and placed-based approach, the RDII will strengthen Canada's defence industrial base in all regions of the country while helping Canada fulfil its two percent of GDP defence spending commitment to NATO.

As announced in Budget 2025, the Government of Canada has already put into action initial investments to support Canada's defence industrial base by allocating $6.6 billion over five years on a cash basis, starting in 2025-26 under the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.

These initial investments will drive research and innovation, strengthen domestic supply chains, grow critical resource stockpiles, and improve access to funds for Canadian small- and medium-sized defence businesses.

Associated links

Stay connected

Follow PrairiesCan on X and LinkedIn

Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-9378

TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388

SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Soraya Lemur, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, [email protected], 343-574-6781; Media Relations, Prairies Economic Development Canada, [email protected]
In the competitive real estate market, leveraging advanced technology can provide a significant edge. Homesage.ai offers AI-driven solutions designed to enhance property analysis and investment decisions. This article provides an overview of Homesage.ai, its key features, target audience, and pricing to assist business owners and professionals in evaluating its suitability for their needs.

Key Features

Investment Property Search : Utilizes AI to identify off-market and MLS listings with high investment potential, uncovering opportunities that may be overlooked by traditional methods.

: Utilizes AI to identify off-market and MLS listings with high investment potential, uncovering opportunities that may be overlooked by traditional methods. Full Property Reports : Generates comprehensive analyses of properties, including proprietary investment indicators and unique real estate metrics, aiding in informed decision-making.

: Generates comprehensive analyses of properties, including proprietary investment indicators and unique real estate metrics, aiding in informed decision-making. Real Estate APIs : Provides a suite of APIs covering various aspects such as investment potential, property condition detection via computer vision, renovation cost estimates, rental income projections, and price flexibility scoring.

: Provides a suite of APIs covering various aspects such as investment potential, property condition detection via computer vision, renovation cost estimates, rental income projections, and price flexibility scoring. Custom AI Solutions: Offers tailored AI strategies to integrate advanced technology into existing business operations, enhancing products and services for accelerated growth.

Who is it for?

Homesage.ai caters to a diverse range of professionals in the real estate sector:

Investors : Facilitates the discovery of lucrative deals and expedites investment decisions.

: Facilitates the discovery of lucrative deals and expedites investment decisions. Realtors : Attracts investors as repeat clients, potentially increasing sales and client retention.

: Attracts investors as repeat clients, potentially increasing sales and client retention. Lenders/Fintech : Empowers clients to identify optimal deals and streamlines due diligence processes.

: Empowers clients to identify optimal deals and streamlines due diligence processes. IT Developers : Enhances client websites with unique features through well-documented APIs.

: Enhances client websites with unique features through well-documented APIs. Contractors : Assists in acquiring new clients and supports informed renovation decisions.

: Assists in acquiring new clients and supports informed renovation decisions. PropTech Companies: Accelerates the development and market introduction of new products and services.

Pricing

Homesage.ai offers tiered pricing plans to accommodate various business sizes:

Small Enterprise : $350 per month for 1-10 employees, including 1,250 credits, API dashboard, API documentation, and email onboarding support.

: $350 per month for 1-10 employees, including 1,250 credits, API dashboard, API documentation, and email onboarding support. Mid-Market : $550 per month for 10-100 employees, offering 5,000 credits, API dashboard, API documentation, and email onboarding support.

: $550 per month for 10-100 employees, offering 5,000 credits, API dashboard, API documentation, and email onboarding support. Enterprise: $750 per month for 100+ employees, providing 20,000 credits, API dashboard, API documentation, and email onboarding support.

Additionally, Homesage.ai is offering a 50% discount on all plans during its beta phase, with the coupon code BETA50.

Final Thoughts

Homesage.ai presents a suite of AI-powered tools tailored to enhance various facets of the real estate industry, from property analysis to client engagement. Its scalable pricing plans and diverse feature set make it a compelling option for businesses seeking to integrate advanced technology into their operations. Prospective users should assess how Homesage.ai aligns with their specific business objectives and consider the available support and resources to maximize the platforms potential.

Visit homesage.ai for more.
Nhu Y did not expect offering juice to a stranger at a conference to spark a trans-national love story and navigating a culture as traditional if not more than hers.

In March 2024, at the Vietshrimp Aquaculture International Conference in Ca Mau, her booth was next to Abhishek Khandelwal's.

Seeing this foreign man so busy that he did not even have time to drink water, she kindly took him a glass of orange juice. The meeting was fleeting since both were caught up in work. But over the next three months regular text messages brought them closer together. "No one said 'I love you,' but we both felt like we were leaning toward each other," Nhu Y, 31, of Hau Giang, explains.

Nhu Y and Abhishek Khandelwal. Photo courtesy of the couple

But there seemed to be a cultural barrier. Khandelwal, 30, us from Patna in northern India, where the idea of arranged marriages remains entrenched. It was unprecedented for a boy to marry a foreign girl.

At first his parents objected strongly. They even traveled more than 2,000 km from their hometown to Indias global tech hub Bengaluru, where he worked, to dissuade him and match him up with a "suitable" girl from their own community.

To let the situation cool for a while, he stopped contacting Nhu Y for half a month. Only after his parents left did he dare tell her the truth about his family's protestations. "That's when I realized he was under so much pressure. He didn't dare to confess since he was afraid Id get my hopes up and then get hurt," she says.

He refused to give up and never stopped trying to convince his parents. He even sought the help of his cousin in Europe, who had a say in the family.

Finally, at the end of 2024, his parents reluctantly agreed to video chat with Nhu Y. The language barrier turned that into a "disaster" since she could not speak English.

The disappointed parents said: "If you can't even talk for a minute, how can you live together for the rest of your life?"

That comment hurt Nhu Ys pride but also ignited her determination. Though she had just switched to a high-stress banking job, she threw herself into studying English nightly.

On many days she only had time to drink milk instead of eating food before class. By the time of the second call his parents were surprised by her progress in English. Taken in by her sincerity, they said: "If you two have tried so hard for each other, we will support you."

To prove her seriousness even further, she said she would quit her job to travel to India and experience his familys lifestyle. "I believed the door to my career would open again at any time, but I could not miss the opportunity to find the right partner," she explains.

Nhu Ys mother-in-law gives the bride a dowry and a big hug at the wedding in Mekong Delta City of Can Tho on Nov. 9, 2025. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Minh Tri

It was only when leaving for India did she finally dare tell her family about her romance with the Indian man. Her mother kept asking: "Why did you choose such a thorny path?"

Nhu Y could not find a convincing explanation, but knew that if she had to choose it would always be Abhishek.

Her month in Bengaluru erased whatever misgivings his family may have had. She quickly integrated, learning things like how to clasp her hands together and say "Namaste," Hindu temple rituals and the meaning of the red dot on a woman's forehead.

Her naturally lovely disposition and eagerness to learn made her boyfriend's family go from surprise to affection. The day she had to leave for Vietnam, his parents had tears in their eyes. "At that moment I truly knew I had another family," she says.

A few months later Khandelwal came to Vietnam to meet her family. To impress his future in-laws, he even shaved his beard, these days a fashion statement for Indian men.

The top business executive became a simple son-in-law in the Mekong Delta, watching Doraemon cartoons and doing his best with Vietnamese, making Nhu Ys parents "love him like their own child."

With all barriers finally shattered his parents became more involved in organizing the wedding than anyone else.

They went through every detail of Vietnamese weddings online, even texting their future daughter-in-law about the meaning of each item to ensure everything was prepared correctly.

The groom Khandelwal, his parents and young people go in a procession to pick up the bride on the wedding day in Can Tho on Nov. 9, 2025. Photo by Nguyen Minh Tri

The wedding in Can Tho on Nov. 9 was an unusual blend of cultures: Next to the traditional Vietnamese wedding arch, made of coconut leaves and with images of dragons and phoenixes, the grooms family invited an Indian monk to perform a ceremony at a Hindu temple in Ho Chi Minh City.

In Hindu wedding style, the groom led the bride around the sacred fire seven times while promising the key principles of marriage: sharing food, building wealth together, hoping for children, and remaining eternally faithful.

An Indian meal after the ceremony erased any lingering concerns about cultural differences related to food. Ys mother says: "Both sides felt closer. I am wholly content to let my daughter get married to someone from afar."

The happiness continued with another wedding, this time a Hindu one in Patna a few days later. Following the rituals, the Vietnamese bride became an official member of the Khandelwal family.

For him, his familys worries about a "foreign daughter-in-law" have completely vanished. "My smart and kind Vietnamese bride has completely won my family over," he says, thanking both families, and especially her for co-authoring a beautiful love story.

"In a world filled with hate and instability, true love will always win. We are proof."
Three South Korean fugitives accused of running a deepfake-driven romance scam network have been arrested in Da Nang, ending a months-long chase across Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Vietnamese police say the trio: Choi Minsu, 26; Choi Jinwoo, 25; and Seo Jaeseok, 28, allegedly operated out of the Bavet complex on the CambodiaVietnam border, a notorious hub where cyber-scam syndicates have flourished in recent years.

Investigators in South Korea accuse them of building an elaborate "love trap" system powered by deepfake software: the suspects created realistic female personas, courted male victims online and slowly folded them into what they described as "paid travel missions."

Victims were told they would have their flights, hotels and meals fully covered, and that the money would be reimbursed after completing the "task." Once emotionally invested, many agreed. According to Korean authorities, the men then escorted victims to Vietnam or Thailand before moving them across the border into Cambodia.

That's where the facade collapsed. Case files say victims had their passports seized, were locked inside scam compounds and forced to memorize scripted dialogue for large-scale online fraud operations, the same type of forced labor that regional governments and NGOs have repeatedly warned about. Between August and December 2024 alone, investigators estimate the group stole around US$1 million.

When Cambodian police began tightening pressure on scam compounds this year, the three suspects fled. In mid-October 2025, Da Nang authorities received notice that all three had active Interpol Red Notices for fraud, organized crime and human trafficking, and were believed to be hiding in the city.

Vietnam's Immigration Management Division traced them to a small hotel in An Hai Ward.

On Oct. 28, plainclothes officers, mobile-police units and local ward police coordinated a rapid nighttime raid, surrounding the building before moving in. The suspects were arrested without resistance.

On Dec. 4, Da Nang Police formally handed the men over to South Korean officials, who flew them back the same night. Korean authorities say the trio could face sentences of up to life imprisonment, depending on the final charges.
An illustration of the future Dinh Khao Bridge over Co Chien River, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the Vinh Long Transportation Project Management Unit

Construction on the Dinh Khao Bridge, a 4.3-kilometer span set to replace the ferry across the Co Chien River, will begin on Dec. 19, improving travel across the Mekong Delta and linking key regional highways.

According to Vinh Long Province authorities, the project is being developed under a PPP model with a buildoperatetransfer contract, led by the provincial Transportation Project Management Unit.

The route will start from Provincial Road 902 in Nhon My Commune and end at National Highway 57 in Phu Phung Commune.

Its centerpiece is a 1.5-kilometer main bridge over the Co Chien River, built 17.5 meters wide with four lanes and a design speed of 80 kph. Total investment exceeds VND2.852 trillion ($106 million), including nearly VND613 billion for compensation and resettlement and more than VND1.645 trillion for construction. The build is expected to take three years.

Stretching more than 80 kilometers, the Co Chien River forms a natural boundary between Vinh Long, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh. Once completed, Dinh Khao will become the second bridge over the river, ending reliance on the ferry, cutting travel time, easing congestion and strengthening connectivity across the Mekong Delta.

A decade ago, the Co Chien Bridge linking Ben Tre and Tra Vinh opened with an investment of VND2.3 trillion, shortening the journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh and Soc Trang by about 70 kilometers.
A rendering of the proposed "ICONA at Wonderland" hotel along the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. ICONA Resorts, provided

Wonderland Pier, a shuttered theme park in Ocean City, was placed on a path to becoming a hotel on Thursday when the city council narrowly passed a measure that begins the process of declaring the amusement site an area in need of redevelopment.

In a 4-3 vote, the city council sent the propertys future to the local planning board, in an emotionally charged meeting with strong public attendance and input. The planning board is now tasked with helping to form a master plan for the possible uses of the property at 600 Boardwalk.

The property is owned by Eustice Mita, CEO of ICONA Resorts, a hotel company based in Cape May County, who has pitched a $170 million resort at the property. The proposal is the second time Mita has suggested a hotel under his brand could fulfill a need in the Jersey Shore town.

Neither Mita nor ICONA immediately returned requests by NJ Advance Media on Friday for comment.

City council voted after three hours of public comment, with local lawmakers hearing from supporters and opponents of Mitas hotel proposal. With one more vote needed to pass, Councilman Terry Crowley said yes, to which dozens of supporters attending the meeting burst into cheers.

I implore you to pass it, Patty Raab, an Ocean City resident, told the council ahead of its vote. The future of Ocean City is our children, and we want what weve had in Ocean City, and we all know this end of the boardwalk is slowly deteriorating.

David Hayes, another Ocean City resident, pressed the council to table the vote and continue exploring uses for the property through a subcommittee that formed on the topic. Like other opponents, Hayes said he feared the hotel could prompt a rash of high-rise developments on the boardwalk.

Hayes also accused Mita of using fear tactics to build the hotel.

Ocean City is an identity and a brand that has survived for 146 years, Hayes said.

The vote was the third time the resolution was considered. It failed 6-1 in August. It returned a month later but was tabled, in a 5-1 vote.

At the last meeting in November, Councilman Jody Levchuk suggested the governing body reconsider its late-summer decision.

The vote came after Mita and business leaders on Wednesday urged the city council to pass the resolution. Mita said two offers to buy the property - one from Phil Norcross and the other from Ryan Homes - were still being considered. He said several city council members have urged him to hold off on the sale since rejecting the proposal.

The former amusement park Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, N.J. is a locked site on Monday, October 27, 2025. Jim Lowney | For NJ Advance Media

Coincidentally, the public pleas were made hours before Mayor Jay Gillian, the theme parks long-time owner, announced he had declared personal bankruptcy. Mita helped rescue Wonderland from closing sooner, when he bought it in 2021, at the time it was at risk of being sold in a sheriffs sale.

Gillian continued operating the theme park each summer season until it closed in October 2024, having been a 94-year trademark name in Ocean City. Many have insisted it is one of the towns largest boardwalk properties, and that any use of it can shape the citys future.

Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association President Wes Kazmarck on Wednesday echoed Mitas stance, saying at least four businesses near the theme park likely wont return next summer, with about five others mulling the same.

The planning board, within 45 days, must study the area to determine if it meets redevelopment criteria, an Ocean City spokesperson said. Thursdays vote did not approve the hotel project.

The current property, which dates to 1965, shows evidence of deferred or nonexistent maintenance, according to a report reviewed by NJ Advance Media.

Visitors enjoy the rides on the last day of business at Gillians Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, N.J. on Sunday, October 13, 2024. Jim Lowney | For NJ Advance Media

Should the planning board find the theme park meets redevelopment requirements, the matter would return to the city council, which would vote to make the designation. That label would then allow Mita to help the city form a redevelopment plan, in a process that would include more public comment, the city spokesperson said.

Mitas first hotel proposal, made in 2023, included a parcel adjacent to Wonderland on the boardwalk at Fifth and Sixth streets.
New Jersey students are testing at pre-pandemic levels in one subject  science  while continuing to struggle in other areas, according to new data released by the state Board of Education this week.

More than 26% of students tested at or above expectations in science on the statewide New Jersey Student Learning Assessments given during the 2024-2025 school year.

This is the first time New Jersey students have scored above pre-pandemic levels in any of the three subject areas assessed in the annual statewide tests given to students in grades 3 through high school. (See the scores for each subject in the chart below.)

Nationwide, student test scores dipped during the pandemic as many students fell behind while learning at home while schools were remote. Most states have struggled to make up for the learning lost during the pandemic years.

Education officials said a shift in how New Jersey students are taught science  with less rote memorization of facts  could be behind the improvement in scores. The science exam is only given in grades 5, 8 and 11.

Although science remains an area of focus, observing growth in the science assessment is an achievement, Jorden Schiff, the assistant commissioner for teaching and learning services, said at the state Board of Education meeting on Wednesday.

It is through the dedication of New Jerseys science educators that progress has and continues to be shown, Schiff added.

However, students are still testing below pre-pandemic levels in English Language Arts and math, according to the new test scores.

More than half of all students, 53.1%, tested at or above expectations in English Language Arts, according to the new numbers. That is a four percentage point improvement compared to the first post-pandemic test year. But scores still remain more than four percentage points lower than they were in 2019.

In math, 41.7% of all students tested at or above expectations. Thats a six percentage point improvement from 2022, but still below the 2019 levels when 44% of students were at or above expectations.

Changes to the math exams students are required to take make it difficult to accurately compare math scores before and after the pandemic, state officials warned.

The 2024-25 school year was the last year the NJSLA exams were given in the traditional standardized test format. Starting in the spring, students will take an adaptive version of the test. That means a computer will select questions based on each students previous responses, rather than giving all test-takers in a grade the same questions.

The new adaptive system is similar to the revised SAT exam.

Students began taking field tests to try out the new format this fall, though their scores do not count. The new 2025-26 version of the tests, called the NJSLA-Adaptive, are scheduled to be given in April and May.

Cant see the chart? Click here.
Lily Collins as Emily and Eugenio Franceschini as Marcello in "Emily in Paris." CAROLINE DUBOIS/NETFLIX

Update: Jeremy O. Harris has been released from custody three weeks after his arrest. A representative for Harris told Deadline that no charges have been filed, and Harris will remain in Japan while working on a project.

An Emily in Paris actor is facing legal trouble in Japan.

American actor and playwright Jeremy O. Harris, who plays Gregory Elliot Dupree in Emily in Paris, was arrested in Japan in November on suspicion of attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into the country, per Reuters.

A customs officer at Naha Airport on Okinawa Island allegedly discovered 0.78 grams of crystal containing MDMA in Harris bag. According to Reuters, law enforcement confirmed that Harris, 36, remains in police custody.

Its unclear whether Harris has admitted to the drug possession allegations or obtained legal counsel in Japan.

NJ.com has reached out to Harris team for comment.

Jeremy O. Harris in 2022. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Harris had a recurring role on seasons 2 and 3 of Emily in Paris and made a guest appearance during season 4. He is best known for his 2018 Slave Play, which received a Tony nomination for Best Play. He also co-wrote the 2021 film Zola. Harris other acting credits include the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot and the 2023 film The Sweet East.

READ MORE: Whats happening with Netflix? The industry-changing $82.7 billion deal explained

Harris is suspected of violating Japans Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, which was enacted in 1953. Japan has a tough stance on drugs. Even bringing small amounts of illegal drugs into the country can lead to criminal prosecution.

The Emily in Paris alum is not the first foreigner to face legal consequences for drug offenses in Japan. In 2021, Australian rugby player Blake Ferguson was arrested in Tokyo for alleged cocaine possession. He pleaded guilty and spent a month behind bars.

In 1984, Paul McCartney spent 10 days in jail after Tokyo customs officials found marijuana in his luggage. He wrote about the experience in his book Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run, which hit shelves in November.

When I first arrived I was thinking, This is a storm in a teacup, Ill be out in no time. Then the British vice consul told me I could get seven years of hard labour. Thats when it got extremely worrying, the former Beatle wrote.
Kathy Bates is currently leading the legal drama Matlock, but does she have any plans to retire?

Bates was born on June 28, 1948, making her 77 years old. During a September 2024 interview with The New York Times, Bates called Matlock her last dance. One month later, she clarified her comments during an interview with People.

I think people got confused and thought I was going to retire. What I meant was, how can it get any better [than Matlock]? I would love for this to keep going, she said.

Before Matlock, Bates was considering a step back from acting.

I remember calling my agents and saying, I think maybe I want to go into, if not retirement, semi-retirement. If I cant afford to keep my house, Ill sell it and maybe go to New York, she told People. Then this happened. I couldnt believe it.  I loved the script right away.

While Bates is in her late 70s, she feels more spry than ever these days thanks to a dramatic weight loss transformation. The Oscar winner has lost 100 pounds over the last seven years.

It all just coincided beautifully so that physically Im capable of doing this show, Bates told People. I dont have to sit down. I can stand up all day long and walk and move and breathe and do so many things that I couldnt before.

Season 2 of Matlock premiered on Oct. 12. Bates stars as the titular lawyer Matty Matlock, whose real name is Madeline Kingston. During season 1, Matty posed as a widowed lawyer returning to the workforce after decades of retirement. In reality, she was undercover, working for the law firm that represented the pharmaceutical company she blamed for her daughters fatal opioid overdose.

READ MORE: CBS reveals the fate of two spinoff series  see if Boston Blue is returning

Matlock went on a planned break after the Nov. 13 episode, but returns with a new episode on Thursday, Dec. 4. The show made headlines in October when David Del Rio (Billy Martinez) was fired after his costar Leah Lewis (Sarah Franklin) accused him of sexual assault.

Del Rio, who will be written off the show, has not publicly addressed the allegations. His wife, Katherine, spoke out again Lewis in October.

This is the most disturbing human being I have ever met, she wrote via her Instagram Story alongside a closeup photo of Lewis face.

David Del Rio as Billy Martinez and Leah Lewis as Sarah Franklin on "Matlock." CBS

Lewis shared a message of positivity via her Story at the time.

Mom is here, were moving forward in love and strength. Im in good hands, she captioned a photo of her and her mother. Thank you to everybody for any kind of support and care. Truly, were moving forward in strength. Key word, strength. Please, let that be the takeaway.

Matlock airs on CBS on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. Past episodes are available to stream on Paramount+.
If you're traveling to Disney World, you'll want to know what the weather in Orlando, Florida, is like in December. Ana Suarez for NJAM

So youve got a magical Disney World vacation planned for December, but now youre wondering what the weather is going to be like. And what should you pack?

If youre like me and live in New Jersey, it is cold here. I wouldnt be caught dead without a jacket in December. But in Florida? You most likely wont need one.

I recently traveled to Disney in November during Jersey Week and I was offended by how hot it still was.

Heres what you need to know about the weather in Disney in December and what you should pack.

Disney World weather in December: What to expect

Disney is fully decorated for Christmas in December and selling holiday merch, but is it sweater weather in Florida at that time? That depends on the time of day! Ana Suarez for NJAM

It has cooled off a bit in Florida since my Disney Week trip, but not like it has up here in New Jersey. If it is cold where you are, expect to feel warm in Florida, no matter the time of year. The only people who will say Florida gets cold are the natives. To them, 60 is cold. But to someone from Minnesota, that probably feels like a summer vacation in December.

In December, the weather in Disney World has an average high of the mid-70sF and a low in the mid-50sF.

December is also one of the drier months in Orlando, Florida, which means the humidity isnt too intense. In December, the humidity in Disney is between 40 to 60%, with it being more humid on the days when it rains or the night before a rainstorm.

Unlike in the summer months, it doesnt rain that often in December. There are about four to six rainy days in the month of December.

Weather in Disney in December High Mid-70sF Low Mid-50sF Rain 4 to 6 days Humidity 40 to 60%

On my trip to Disney between Nov. 5 and 10, it only rained once for two to three hours. That is wildly different compared to my trip in June 2024, where it was 100% humidity and it rained every single day.

What the wear to Disney in December based on the weather

November is a bit warmer than December, so the high then was mid-80s. During that trip, I did not wear pants at all. I was in shorts and a t-shirt most days, and some days I was in shorts and a tank top. The weather still felt quite hot to me in November compared to the frigid temps we see in Jersey this time of year.

Because the temperature is slightly cooler in December, but still in the mid-70s, Id advise bringing both shorts and pants. Wearing a sweatshirt in the mid-70s is not something I would do. However, if you run colder, you might want to pack a sweater or two.

Or, you can use the excuse of not packing one to snag a sourveiner. I mean, who doesnt want a Mickey Mouse Christmas sweatshirt?

Id suggest packing:

I had packed a pair of denim jeans and regretted it in November, but if youre traveling closer to the end of December, you wont regret it. You would regret packing a lot of sweatshirts, because there are days in December when the temperature will be closer to 80 than to 70.
Editors note: An earlier version of this story misattributed quotes from State Health Planning Board Member Kevin J. Slavin to Michael Kennedy, executive director of the state Department of Healths Division of Certificate of Need and Licensing.

The State Health Planning Board deferred a highly-anticipated decision on Thursday regarding the relocation of Monmouth Medical Centers acute care services from Long Branch to a new $800 million general hospital located roughly 5 miles away.

We are not prepared to take action on this application tonight. Several concerns that the board members (have), I can highlight at a high level, said Board Member Kevin J. Slavin, former president and CEO at St Josephs Healthcare.

We need more information on disparities for residents of Long Branch and vulnerable population, and additional information on transportation options to ensure that access to vulnerable populations will be secured, Slavin said. Wed like to see additional information on staffing as it impacts other providers and an extension of maintenance requirements for the services.

The board voted to defer and revisit the issue after a long day that started at 10 a.m. Thursday and concluded shortly before 6:30 p.m.

Construction on the new general hospital in Tinton Falls is expected to begin in 2027, with completion expected in 2032. The new site will be operated in conjunction with Monmouth Medical Center, which isnt closing, according to its owners.

The proposed relocation was first announced in early October by RWJ Barnabas Health, which owns Monmouth Medical Center and 13 other hospitals in the state. It has been the subject of heated debate ever since.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone emerged as one of the projects fiercest critics.

Simply put, RWJ Barnabas plan to close the Long Branch hospital puts profits over people. Period. They are abandoning a poorer, more diverse city for a significantly wealthier, less diverse suburb, Pallone said Thursday.

Hospital officials maintain the new acute care facility is centrally located and better equipped to serve patients.

President and CEO Eric Carney testified at the first Nov. 13 public hearing before the State Health Planning Board that an architectural assessment of the 13-acre Monmouth Medical Center campus revealed serious infrastructure problems.

The results show that the majority of our buildings at our hospital were deemed undesirable and near end of life for continued hospital operations, Carney said.

Many of Monmouth Medical Center's acute care services will be relocated to a new facility. This rendering shows the Vogel Medical Campus Acute Care Hospital and Specialty and Cancer Care Center as viewed from Corregidor Road. RWJBarnabas

Approximately 300 people attended the public hearing held at the Anne Vogel Family Care and Wellness Center in Eatontown three weeks ago, hoping to weigh in on the proposal. Another 200 people attended remotely, according to a summary prepared by the New Jersey Department of Health.

Of those who spoke in person, 35 expressed support and about 58 expressed opposition. However, the majority of written comments submitted to the state supported the application, with 882 backing the move and 34 opposing it, according to the summary.

The State Health Planning Board heard seven additional hours of testimony on Thursday from people invited to comment either before the board in Trenton at the New Jersey State Museum Auditorium or virtually from the Long Branch Senior Center.

Those who spoke against the plan raised concerns about longer travel times, the impact on other hospitals in the region and disruptions in care.

Monmouth Medical Center is a primary access point for emergency, maternal, pediatric, surgical and behavioral health services in the region. Any consideration of relocation carries significant implications for access to care, emergency preparedness, infrastructure planning and local economic conditions, said Lisa Wilson, executive director of Coastal Communities Family Success Center, a community-based organization that serves economically challenged individuals and families in Long Branch.

Others claimed the relocation would disproportionately affect minority and low-income families who rely on the hospital for affordable and culturally competent care. Minority groups make up over 46% of Monmouth Medical Centers patients and approximately 31% of patients are underinsured or uninsured, according to the Certificate of Need application.

This plan brings our care closer to the majority of patients we already serve, Carney said Thursday.

Those in support of the move focused on the need for modernization and expansion, arguing the current site can no longer meet the changing needs of the community.

Its being built to better serve the nearly 650,000 residents of the county, as well as residents of other Shore communities. And thats not a facility that can be accommodated in the present location, said Christian Hartman, senior vice president of the New Jersey Alliance for Action, a nonpartisan, nonprofit association focused on building the states economy.

The application was also endorsed by state health department staff, which recommended approving the relocation with some conditions  among them, communicating the move clearly with the community and availability of no-charge transportation from Long Branch to the Vogel Medical Center Campus.

The State Health Planning Board ultimately decided to postpone the vote to allow for more time to address the main concerns raised by community members.

We are extremely disappointed that the State Health Planning Board decided not to act on the positive recommendation of the New Jersey Department of Health... a spokesperson for RWJ Barnabas said in a statement late Friday.

We will continue to work through this process and address any additional questions the Board may have. We look forward to sharing more about how our vision for transformative health care will bring world-class care closer to home for more patients by delivering the latest advanced technology, treatments, and innovative academic medicine in new, modern health centers of excellence, the spokesperson said.

Some residents expressed concern about how the relocation may negatively impact people in need of medical care.

The people of Long Branch are who Im thinking about and I cant see how it wont interfere with their access to care and increase health disparities, said Dr. Krysta Johns-Keating, a provider who sits on the board.

Former U.S. Sen. George Helmy, who serves as RWJ Barnabas executive vice president and chief of external affairs and policy, said he respectfully disagreed with the deferral of the relocation plan.

We have provided you extensive information on disparities and how we intend to care for those folks, Helmy said Thursday.

If approved, the new hospital will be located adjacent to the Specialty and Cancer Care Pavilion, which is under construction as part of the expanded Vogel Medical Campus.

It will have an outpatient medical office building, emergency department, surgical and interventional services and diagnostic imaging. The project is expected to cost $858.7 million, according to the Certificate of Need proposal.

What would change if the relocation is approved?

The following services will be relocated to a new seven-story, 252-bed hospital in Tinton Falls:

Medical/surgical care.

Intensive care/critical care.

Obstetrical care.

Pediatric care.

Pediatric intensive care.

Neonatal intensive care.

The Long Branch hospital will lose 151 licensed acute care beds in the process. However, it will continue to provide services to the community. It will also benefit from planned upgrades including the creation of a new psychiatric facility and a new pharmacy.

Obsolete buildings on campus may eventually be removed. However, plans for demolition arent expected to get underway until 2035 or later, according to RWJ Barnabas Health.

What would stay the same?

The hospital in Long Branch will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and maintain its current full-service emergency department.

The hospital will also continue to offer inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services, imaging services, outpatient surgery and specialty clinic services and adaptable patient rooms capable of providing intensive care.

A free van service will be available between the new hospital campus and the existing Long Branch site for patients, staff and family members, according to the project plans.

There are no current plans to close or repurpose the hospital site, according to the Certificate of Need application.
The longtime Friendlys restaurant in Metuchen is pictured here in Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. This location is now permanently closed and has been sold. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

The property in Metuchen where a Friendlys restaurant operated for nearly 50 years has been sold, and a lease was signed this week for a new restaurant to operate on the site.

The 2,400-square-foot freestanding building with seating for 75 was listed as sold on EatZ & Associates website.

EatZ & Associates referred questions about the acquisition and new brand for this location to the leasing broker.

According to the New Jersey-based broker who negotiated the deal, the new business at 550 Middlesex Ave. will be a restaurant, though no additional details could be released.

More information about the new occupant is expected to be disclosed late winter.

The Friendlys location recently closed its doors after serving the Metuchen community for nearly five decades. According to mycentraljersey.com, the restaurant posted a sign on the door indicating it was permanently closed, with social media posts stating the same.

Friendlys in Metuchen, New Jersey on Thursday, December 4, 2025. This location is now permanently closed. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

Theres such nostalgia around Friendlys, said Dawn Mackey, executive director of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance.

Mackey said she found out about the restaurants closing like everyone else.

Mackey noted the importance of patronizing local businesses.

Everyone likes to have a charming, picturesque mom and pop downtown, but on some level we all participate in online shopping, she said. Every time Im about to buy online, I stop and ask myself  could I buy this in downtown Metuchen or downtown Westfield?"

We want bustling downtowns that are alive, full of color, and offer a curated experience, she added. We have a responsibility as consumers to prioritize these businesses as they did us as business owners. They are the ones who use dollars in communities; they are the ones who support our youth sports.

Friendlys has been in operation since 1935. Other Friendlys locations in New Jersey include Clark, Convent Station, Elmwood Park, Robbinsville and Toms River.
President Donald Trump is keeping his promise to put Americans first and protect United States vital interests in the Western Hemisphere. On December 2, President Trump issued a proclamation reaffirming the goals of a policy known as the Monroe Doctrine.



President Trumps proclamation states, On December 2, 1823, the doctrine of American sovereignty was immortalized in prose when President James Monroe declared before the Nation a simple truth that has echoed throughout the ages: The United States will never waver in defense of our homeland, our interests, or the well-being of our citizens my Administration proudly reaffirms this promise under a new Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine: That the American people  not foreign nations nor globalist institutions  will always control their own destiny in our hemisphere.



More than 2 centuries ago, President Trump noted, President Monroe proclaimed before the United States Congress what is today known as the legendary Monroe Doctrine  a bold policy that rejects foreign interference of faraway nations and confidently asserts United States leadership in the Western Hemisphere.



The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers, President Monroe asserted. With those mighty words, said President Trump, every nation knew that the United States of America was emerging as a superpower unlike anything the world had ever known  and that nothing could ever rival the strength, unity, and resolve of a freedom-loving people.



In the centuries since, President Monroes doctrine of sovereignty has guarded the American continents against communism, fascism, and foreign infringement, and as the 47th President of the United States, President Trump affirmed, I am proudly reasserting this time-honored policy.

President Trump noted that, Since I took office, I have aggressively pursued an America first policy of peace through strength. We restored U.S. privileged access through the Panama Canal. We are reestablishing American maritime dominance. We are disrupting non-market practices in the international supply chain and logistics sectors.



President Trump also noted that the U.S. is halting the flow of deadly drugs flowing through Mexico, ending the invasion of illegal aliens along our southern border, and dismantling narco-terrorist networks all across the Western Hemisphere. To defend our Nations workers and industries, I recently secured historic trade deals with El Salvador, Argentina, Ecuador, and Guatemala, allowing greater and more streamlined market access.



Reinvigorated by my Trump Corollary, said the President, the Monroe Doctrine is alive and welland American leadership is coming roaring back stronger than ever before.

President renewed his pledge to always uphold American sovereignty, security, and safety first. Above all, he said, we vow to protect our cherished national legacy of republican self-government against all threats, foreign and domestic.
A 34-year-old New Jersey man is accused of sexually assaulting two girls in North Carolina.

William E. Alston, of Aberdeen, was arrested in New Jersey and extradited to North Carolina on Wednesday, the Onslow County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

Alston is charged with one count of statutory sexual offense of a child by an adult and four counts of indecent liberties with children.

Alston was ordered held without bond in the Onslow County Detention Center following a first appearance Thursday in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Attorney information wasnt immediately available.

He was employed by the Aberdeen-Matawan school district from Jan. 19, 2023 to Sept. 15, 2023, superintendent Neldya Perez said in an email.

Authorities in North Carolina launched an investigation on Sept. 2 after getting a report that a child was sexually assaulted. During the investigation, two girls told officials that Alston sexually assaulted them.

Aberdeen police are also investigating possible offenses by Alston in his hometown, officials in North Carolina said.

Aberdeen police referred questions to the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.
Former Toms River fire official Robert Sinnott Jr. was arrested Thursday in Florida after being charged with criminal sexual contact and official misconduct in New Jersey. Lee County Florida jail

A former senior fire official in Toms River already facing a civil lawsuit for allegedly sexually abusing subordinates has been charged criminally, according to court records.

Robert Sinnott Jr., a former police officer, was charged Wednesday in Ocean County with four counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of official misconduct, according to court records.

Sinnott, 52, was arrested Thursday in Cape Coral, Florida, where he now lives, according to Lee County jail records.

He remained in custody late Friday morning on a fugitive from justice charge.

In March, three volunteer firefighters in Toms River filed a suit alleging Sinnott sexually assaulted them when he worked for Silverton Volunteer Fire Company No. 1  abuse they say was ignored and enabled by fire department leadership.

According to the lawsuit, Sinnott subjected the men to sexual assault, harassment and manipulation, which included forced handcuffing, groping and simulated police demonstrations that allegedly turned violent and sexually explicit.

The complaint alleges much of the abuse occurred at the firehouse and in full view of other members, pointing to what the lawsuit describes as a culture of complicity and institutional failure.

In addition to Sinnott, the lawsuit names the Toms River and Silverton fire departments, and numerous local officials, alleging negligence, assault, civil rights violations and a coordinated effort to conceal the abuse.

The Silverton Volunteer Fire Department issued a statement Friday distancing the department from Sinnott.

The Silverton Volunteer Fire Company is aware of recent online statements criticizing past leadership and members in connection with reported misconduct involving a former individual associated with the company, the statement said. To those community members who suggest or believe that leadership knew of and tolerated this individuals actions, we can assure you that these suggestions/beliefs do not reflect the values, conduct or operational standards of our organization.

Please be assured that the current leadership of the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company remains firmly committed to integrity, professionalism and the well-being of our firefighters and the community we serve.

Sinnott was a police officer in Island Heights from 1998 to 2021 before leaving to work in Toms River.
Vitality Bowls is coming to Clifton; the location is expected to debut in the first half of 2026. Filmtwist Productions

A new health-focused restaurant is coming to Passaic County, bringing acai bowls and other nutritious menu items to area residents and workers.

Vitality Bowls has signed an agreement with local entrepreneurs Hardik and Unnati Mistry to open a location in Clifton, expected to debut in the first half of 2026.

The fast-casual restaurant specializes in acai bowls, which blend the antioxidant-rich Amazon berry with various toppings, along with smoothies, salads, wraps, toasts and grain bowls.

Opening a Vitality Bowls cafe is a natural extension of my passion for health, wellness and helping others live better lives, said Hardik Mistry, who has a background in customer service, operations and IT. My goal is to create a welcoming space here in Clifton where guests can enjoy delicious, clean meals, supported by a strong team and consistent, top-tier service.

The menu includes options such as the Superfood Bowl, made with acai, pitaya, almond milk, organic granola, cacao nibs, and goji berries, and the Chimichurri Steak Wrap with super greens, grass-fed sous-vide steak, grains, and radishes in a tomato basil tortilla.

Tara Gilad, co-founder of Vitality Bowls, said the Mistrys customer service experience and interest in health and wellness make them well-suited for the franchise.

Hardik and Unnati truly reflect the heart of what Vitality Bowls stands for, and we cant wait to see the lasting impact their new superfood cafe will have in the community, Gilad said.

The Clifton location will include the Vitality Bowls Loyalty Club mobile app, where customers earn one point per dollar spent and can redeem rewards. Members receive a free acai bowl on their birthday and a $10 reward for every 150 points accumulated.

Roy and Tara Gilad founded Vitality Bowls in 2011 in San Ramon, California, after learning their daughter had severe food allergies and wanting to find safe, healthy food alternatives.

The company began franchising in 2014 and has grown to more than 126 cafes now open or in development. In New Jersey, there are Vitality Bowls in Hackensack and Harrison.

At this time, there are no confirmed cafes scheduled to open in the area aside from the upcoming cafe in Clifton, a company spokesman said.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., speaks to reporters following a classified briefing for top congressional lawmakers overseeing national security as they investigate how Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth handled a military strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat and its crew in the Caribbean near Venezuela Sept. 2, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) AP

CNN host John Berman completely picked apart Sen. Tom Cottons (R-Ark.) defense of the U.S.s military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.

Cotton, the top Republican of the Senate Intelligence Committee, defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday over the controversial military strikes on survivors on Sept. 2. During a heated exchange with Berman on Friday, he claimed that President Donald Trump has inherent authority to authorize these strikes without approval from Congress.

The interview grew tense after Berman asked Cotton a hypothetical question on the legality of military strikes. Cotton dodged answering the question, prompting Berman to repeat himself.

Would it be legal for police in Arkansas to kill suspected drug dealers in an overturn boat in a lake in Arkansas? Just answer that and then I will address your question on the other thing, Berman said.

John, the premise of your question is not well-founded. Criminals in Arkansas are not foreign nationals who are affiliates of a foreign terrorist designated organization, Cotton responded.

Berman then delivered a brutal fact check on Cotton.

The answer is no. It would not be legal, Berman said.

Berman then asked Cotton when Congress passed an authorized use of force to attack alleged drug dealers in the Caribbean.

John, the reason why your question is not well-founded, its like saying, would Barack Obama be okay droning in American citizen when he was president like he did to Anwar al-Awlaki over in the Middle East. These are totally different categories, Cotton said, referring to Bermans initial question.

The president has the inherent authority under our Constitution as our commander-in-chief, Cotton added.

The two men continued to spar with one another, as Berman asked again when Congress approved an authorized use of force against alleged Venezuelan drug dealers.

John, the president has inherent authority as the commander- in-chief under the Constitution to protect America using our armed forces against a foreign terrorist organization. Congress has passed laws that allows the president to designate foreign terrorist organizations. Thats what hes done with these cartels in Venezuela who are deeply intertwined with the illegitimate Maduro regime, Cotton said.

Hegseth has faced major backlash after news reports found that the U.S. authorized a second strike in the Caribbean that killed two men in the water who survived the initial attack on an alleged drug boat. While Hegseth initially said the Washington Post report was fake news, the White House confirmed on Monday that the second strike happened.

Now, Hegseth is claiming that he did not watch the second strike happen that day.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) blasted some of his Republican colleagues for not offering any resistance to President Donald Trumps agenda.

You have a lot of intelligent, hardworking people who gave up a lot of things to be here in Congress, only to find out that all they get to do is come here and rubber stamp whatever Donald Trump wants, and thats kind of humiliating Massie told CNNs Manu Raju on Thursday.

Nobody wants to be a rubber stamp, Massie continued. You can get a monkey to do this job.

Massie, a seven-term House Republican, has been one of Trumps fiercest critics, breaking ranks with the GOP on several of the presidents key issues.

Massie co-sponsored a discharge petition on the Epstein files in September, leading to the eventual passage of a bill prompting the Justice Department to release its full cache of documents by Dec. 19. He also voted against Trumps signature spending bill this summer.

This week, Massie co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution to block the Trump administration from engaging in hostilities within or against Venezuela absent congressional authorization.

The Trump administration has come under fire for its lethal military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean.

This is the problem; theyre out over their skis on this, Massie told Spectrum News 1 Kentucky on Thursday. There needs to be congressional declarations that say you can do this or you cant do this, and thats why Ive cosponsored a war powers resolution.

Earlier this month, Trump endorsed Navy veteran Ed Gallrein to challenge and unseat Massie in the 2026 Republican primary for Kentuckys 4th District seat.

The president called Massie a weak and pathetic RINO, a Republican in Name Only, and said he must be thrown out of office, ASAP! in a Truth Social post endorsing Gallrein.
Deputy FBI director Dan Bongino walked back one of his conspiracy theories after being confronted by Fox News Sean Hannity.

A suspect accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national headquarters on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol was arrested Thursday, officials said. The arrest follows a nearly five-year investigation into the incident.

The arrest comes despite President Donald Trump and his allies largely dismissing the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. On his first day in office, Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people charged in connection to the insurrection.

Conspiracy theories have circulated for years about who was responsible for the attack on the Capitol, with many pundits speculating, without evidence, that it was an inside job. Hannity pressed Bongino, a former right-wing podcaster, on Thursday about comments he made closely following the pipe bombing incident in 2021.

You said, theres a massive cover up because the person that planted those pipe bombs, they dont want you to know who it is, because its either a connected anti-Trump insider or an inside job. You said that long before you were even thought of as deputy FBI director, Hannity told Bongino.

Bongino responded by walking back his past statement, emphasizing that he is now focused on the facts.

Listen, I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions, thats clear, and one day, Ill be back in that space. But thats not what Im paid for now. Im paid to be your deputy director, and we base investigations on facts, Bongino said on Hannity.

He then lashed out at media outlets for reporting on the collusion hoax, a likely reference to the 2016 Russian interference investigation.

I was looking out in the crowd today at the presser, and I saw a couple of media figures who, you and I both know, who promoted the other scandal, the collusion hoax. And I thought to myself, the difference between us and them is, we evolve as information and new inputs come out, we can produce different outputs, because thats what we believe in, Bongino said.

We believe in facts and investigations guided by facts. There were people out there in that crowd, Im sure, who still believe in this collusion fairy tale. So well see. Were going to be guided by the facts as this thing goes forward, he added.

Earlier on Thursday, FBI Director Kash Patel was mocked for his comments on the Jan. 6 attack. He touted the work of the FBI in arresting a suspect after a nearly five-year investigation.

When you attack American citizens, when you attack our institutions of legislation, when you attack our nations Capitol, you attack the very being of our way of life, Patel said.

And this FBI and this Department of Justice stand here to tell you that we will always refute it and combat it. We will provide the safest country the nation has ever seen under President Trumps leadership here, and thats what we did here today, Patel added.

However, Newsom and other critics pointed out the irony of Patels statement given Trumps pardons to the rioters who stormed the Capitol nearly five years ago.
A new Mediterranean restaurant with Greek influences, Dafina, has opened in downtown Somerville. SKENDER KENNY GJEVUKAJ

A new Mediterranean restaurant with Greek influences has opened in downtown Somerville, replacing the former Central Pizzeria with a completely renovated space designed to evoke the atmosphere of Santorini.

Dafina, located at 126 W. Main St., held its grand opening last month, after opening to the public weeks earlier.

Owner Skender Kenny Gjevukaj said the restaurant was well received by the community, with Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher, neighbors and local business people attending the celebration.

Gjevukaj said he and his brother, Sokol Gino Gjevukaj, a chef trained in Croatia, opened in downtown Somerville because they see the borough as a growing, up-and-coming town with great energy.

Gjevukaj said the seafood-oriented menu focuses on Mediterranean cuisine prepared with lighter cooking methods, including pan-seared and lightly grilled dishes without heavy sauces. The menu also includes veal chops, pasta dishes and dry-aged beef.

The restaurant features a full bar with wine, beer and cocktails, and welcomes both reservations and walk-ins.

Manager Danilo Shota said the cozy atmosphere of the fine dining establishment is complemented by a DJ playing chill house music.

The restaurant operates seven days a week, opening at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and closing at 10 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, hours extend until 11 p.m., while Sunday hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The space can accommodate private events for groups ranging from 10 to 200 people.

Gjevukaj said he wants customers to have a great experience and think about us when they go home.

He added, we treat everyone with the same care ... it doesnt matter how much or how litter they spend.

The brothers own several other restaurants, including Barka Mediterranean Seafood and Steak in Mountain Lakes, Aurora Restaurant and Bar in Old Tappan, BellaRosa Freestyle Italian Cuisine in Parsippany, Sear House in Closter, Sear House Grill in Little Falls, and Dimora in Norwood.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this morning. High 18F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low near 10F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia's permanent UN representative and Security Council president for December, speaks during a press briefing in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 4, 2025. A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation made a rare visit to Syria on Thursday, marking a high-level engagement with Syrian authorities since they took power following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation made a rare visit to Syria on Thursday, marking a high-level engagement with Syrian authorities since they took power following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

According to state news agency SANA, it is the first visit of its kind to Syria since the Security Council's founding in 1945.

The delegation, representing all Security Council member states, visited several locations in the capital Damascus and held meetings with Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, foreign affairs chief Asaad al-Shibani, and other senior government officials, according to Syrian authorities.

At the end of the visit, Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia's permanent UN representative and Security Council president for December, said in Damascus that the delegation aimed to "build trust" and hoped the visit marked a step forward in that effort.

Zbogar noted that the delegation addressed a wide range of issues throughout the day, including justice and reconciliation, inclusivity in the political process, national dialogue, humanitarian needs, economic development, political transition, counterterrorism efforts, and the importance of preventing Syria from becoming a threat to other countries.

"We agreed with the president on the importance of the economic development and reconstruction of Syria," he added.

The delegation also met with UN representatives in Syria and communities affected by recent coastal incidents and violence in Sweida province, according to Zbogar.

"All discussions were enlightening, as much as painful to listen to, but at the same time, presenting the situation in Syria," he said.

The visit comes as Syria continues its efforts to stabilize the political situation and advance national dialogue following the political upheaval in December last year.

Members of the UN Security Council delegation visit the old city of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 4, 2025. A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation made a rare visit to Syria on Thursday, marking a high-level engagement with Syrian authorities since they took power following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

A convoy of the UN Security Council delegation is seen upon entering Syria through the Lebanese border in the countryside of Damascus, Syria, Dec. 4, 2025. A United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation made a rare visit to Syria on Thursday, marking a high-level engagement with Syrian authorities since they took power following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

Editor: WSH
Tajh Derosier, of 3rd Degree Brass Band, performed during the No Kings Day of Action protest in Marigny on June 14. Derosier said the protest meant a lot to him because he is second generation Haitian and he cannot see his family.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the closing ceremony of the seventh meeting of China-France Business Council in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2025. Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron attended and addressed the closing ceremony in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron attended and addressed the closing ceremony of the seventh meeting of China-France Business Council on Thursday in Beijing.

Xi noted that the two sides should respond to uncertainties in today's world with the stability of China-France relations.

Xi called on both sides to continuously expand new areas of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, keep fostering new progress in mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the European Union (EU), and jointly make fresh contributions to the reform and improvement of global governance.

Noting that this year marks the start of a fresh 60-year cycle for China-France relations, Xi said the bilateral economic and trade cooperation has been continuously expanding and demonstrating greater resilience, with bilateral trade reaching 68.75 billion U.S. dollars in the first ten months of 2025 and cumulative mutual investment exceeding 27 billion U.S. dollars.

China and France should seize opportunities, deepen cooperation, ensure the steady and sustained growth of bilateral relations, and jointly write an even brighter chapter for bilateral cooperation, Xi said.

China views France as a significant and indispensable partner in economic and trade affairs, Xi said, noting that China welcomes France's participation in China's modernization and support capable and willing Chinese enterprises in investing in France.

The two sides should tap the potential for cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green and digital economies, biomedicine, and the silver economy, Xi said, adding that China and France should continue to promote cooperation in industrial and supply chains and provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment for companies from both countries.

Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations, Xi said China-EU economic and trade ties are complementary and mutually beneficial in nature, and are completely capable of achieving a dynamic balance through development.

Interdependency is not a risk, and convergent interests are not a threat, Xi said, adding that China and France should work together to promote the maintaining of China-EU relationship as a comprehensive strategic partnership, and jointly creating an even brighter next 50 years for the relationship.

Xi noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations.

"To promote the development of a more just and equitable global governance system, I proposed the Global Governance Initiative in September this year following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizational Initiative," he said.

Xi noted that China and France should practice true multilateralism, jointly uphold the status and authority of the UN, safeguard the WTO-centered, rules-based multilateral trading system, and contribute to the reform and improvement of global governance.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee has reviewed and adopted the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, Xi said, adding that China will comprehensively advance the Chinese modernization and expand high-standard opening-up.

French entrepreneurs are welcome to continue sharing divided of China's development, he said.

Editor: GSY
Prehistoric grain storage pits discovered in northwest China

Xinhua) 08:59, December 05, 2025

This undated file photo shows an aerial view of central part of the Luojiahe cultural relic site in Chunhua County, Xianyang City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (the Xianyang Cultural Heritage Institute/Handout via Xinhua)

XI'AN, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Multiple grain storage pits dating back more than 4,000 years were discovered in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, which offer fresh evidence for the study of early civilization in that area, according to archaeologists.

The pits were found at the Luojiahe cultural relic site in Chunhua County, Xianyang City, where archaeologists from the Xianyang Cultural Heritage Institute conducted excavations between March 2022 and September 2025. By analyzing the features of the unearthed relics and artifacts and applying scientific methods, the team concluded that the site likely dates back approximately 4,800 to 4,200 years, said Xie Gaowen from the institute.

A total of 17 grain storage pits were unearthed at the site, all circular or oval and bag-shaped. Four of the pits contained carbonized grains of millet and other crops, along with preserved plant stems, indicating that they were once used for grain storage.

According to Xie, the total volume of these 17 granaries is approximately 390 cubic meters, with an estimated capacity to store up to 300 tonnes of millet.

He also noted that the storage capacity far exceeded both the grain consumption of the nearby population and the settlement's own production. "Therefore, it can be inferred that Luojiahe was a dedicated grain storage site serving a large settlement," Xie said. "This offers important physical evidence for studying early civilization in the Guanzhong area, once the heartland of ancient China."

This undated file photo shows a cooking vessel unearthed at the Luojiahe cultural relic site in Chunhua County, Xianyang City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (the Xianyang Cultural Heritage Institute/Handout via Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows surroundings of the Luojiahe cultural relic site in Chunhua County, Xianyang City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (the Xianyang Cultural Heritage Institute/Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for French President Emmanuel Macron at the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2025. Xi held talks with Macron, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday agreed to enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and advance the reform and improvement of global governance.

Macron is on his fourth state visit to China, which reciprocates Xi's state visit to France last year on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. The two heads of state held talks, jointly met the press and attended and addressed the closing ceremony of the seventh meeting of China-France Business Council.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for photos with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron ahead of talks between the two leaders in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2025. Xi held talks with Macron, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

EXPANDING COOPERATION IN MULTIPLE AREAS

Xi emphasized that regardless of changes of the external environment, China and France should always demonstrate the strategic vision and independence as major countries, understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Xi said the bilateral economic and trade cooperation has been continuously expanding and demonstrating greater resilience, with bilateral trade reaching 68.75 billion U.S. dollars in the first ten months of 2025 and cumulative mutual investment exceeding 27 billion U.S. dollars.

China and France should seize opportunities and expand the scope of cooperation, consolidating cooperation in traditional fields such as aviation, aerospace and nuclear energy, while tapping into the potential for cooperation in areas including the green economy, digital economy, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and new energy, Xi said.

China is willing to import more high-quality French products, welcomes more French enterprises to develop in China, and also hopes that France will provide a fair environment and stable conditions for Chinese enterprises, Xi said.

Noting that the Chinese and French people share a natural sense of affinity, Xi urged both sides to deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, education, science and technology, and at the sub-national level, saying both sides have agreed to launch a new round of cooperation in the protection of giant pandas.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

France values its relations with China, firmly upholds the one-China policy, and is willing to continue deepening the France-China comprehensive strategic partnership, Macron said.

France is pleased to see the dynamism of the Chinese economy that promotes openness and cooperation and has brought more opportunities to the world, he said, adding that France is ready to work with China to promote mutual investment, strengthen cooperation in such areas as economy, trade and renewable energy, and deepen friendly cultural exchanges.

France welcomes more Chinese investment in France and will provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment, Macron said.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in nuclear energy, agri-food, education, and ecological environment, among others.

Sonia Bressler, a French writer and sinologist, said the frequent interactions between Chinese and French presidents serve as a reminder that international cooperation is never guaranteed; it must be nurtured patiently.

"When heads of state travel, they carry not only agreements, but possibilities -- and possibilities expand only where words can circulate," Bressler said.

Ioannis Kotoulas, Adjunct Lecturer in Geopolitics at University of Athens, said Macron's trip to China is essential in clearing misconceptions and solidifying the ties not just between France and China, but also between China and the European Union in general.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly meet the press after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2025. Xi held talks with Macron, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

IMPROVING GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Both sides agreed to promote reform and improvement of global governance, Xi said, adding that they agreed to step up strategic communication and coordination, defend the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and work toward a more just and equitable global governance system.

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Xi said China supports all efforts for peace and hopes that all parties can reach a fair, lasting and binding peace deal that is accepted by all parties involved through dialogue and negotiation. He also added that China will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis, while firmly opposing any irresponsible actions that shift blame or distort the situation.

Xi said China and France will make joint efforts to promote the full, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question at an early date. China will provide 100 million U.S. dollars in aid to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, he added.

Given the global geopolitical instability and challenges to the multilateral order, cooperation between France and China is even more important and indispensable, Macron said, adding that France fully agrees with President Xi's views on reforming and improving global governance and promoting a more balanced global economy.

France stands ready to work with China to strengthen coordination, jointly shoulder the due responsibilities of major countries, uphold multilateralism, and enhance cooperation in areas such as climate response, biodiversity conservation, and AI governance, so as to contribute to world peace and prosperity, Macron said.

Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China and France have long worked together to tackle global challenges like climate change, injecting strong impetus into global sustainable development.

Enhanced cooperation and dialogue on major issues between China and France, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, are conducive to bolstering world stability, Feng said.

Editor: GSY
U.S. Border Patrol agents gather outside of their vehicles as Chief Patrol Agent of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Gregory Bovino, right enter, travels through Metairie and Kenner on day one of the "Catahoula Crunch" sweeps on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune)
Guest Column: The progress in NO schools is remarkable. Now it must continue.
A Tavistock store which has been closed for nearly six months after a serious fire is set to reopen on Friday following an extensive refit.

Firefighters from nine stations spent eight hours battling the blaze at the Co-op store on Market Street in June, which was caused by an electrical fault.

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Forty per cent of the property was severely damaged by fire, with the remainder of the building and first floor affected by smoke.

Co-op said the Market Street store, which supports 20 local jobs, has been transformed with a brand-new look and layout, along with improved back-of-shop facilities and warehousing.

Self-service tills have been installed to provide added ease and convenience, especially at busier times, and parcel collection services are also now available via Amazon.

Barbara Worth, Co-op store manager, said:

We are very excited to be re-opening. Customers and members of the community have been telling me that they cant wait for the store to re-open.

We would really like to thank the community for all its support, and we are delighted to be back open, and even better than ever, with a brand-new look and layout.

Store staff have been working at other local Co-ops, including the Brook Street store in Tavistock and the Yelverton branch, over the past six months while Market Street was closed.

Mayor of Tavistock, Steve Hipsey, will reopen the premises on Friday morning ahead of the towns popular Dickensian Evening, a major highlight in Tavistocks calendar.

The store will be open between 7am and 10pm daily.
Photo provided to Guangming Online

A unique international cultural exchange recently unfolded with warmth at the Dafen Art Museum in Shenzhens Longgang District. The DIY Floating Flower Scented Bottle Salon, co-organized by the Dafen Oil Painting Village Cultural Development Center and the Longgang International Communication Center, brought together over a dozen international friends based in Shenzhen and local English enthusiasts. Among the foreign participants were several Longgang Global Storytellers, hailing from Germany, Russia, Turkiye, Indonesia, and other countries. Together with local culture lovers, they spent an afternoon immersed in the subtle craft of flowers in water, touching the tangible warmth of an Eastern tradition through petals and scent.

Photo provided to Guangming Online

From Understanding the No.1 Oil Painting Village to Preserving Flowers in Water

The event began with an introduction to Dafen Oil Painting Village  known as Chinas No.1 Oil Painting Village  detailing its artistic ecosystem and creative industry. From the birth of individual paintings to the growth of the entire art district, international guests gained a multifaceted understanding of Longgang as a land brimming with creativity. The hands-on session that followed was rooted in the traditional Chinese craft of flowers in water. Floating flower scented bottles, an ancient method of preserving botanicals, capture the most beautiful forms and colors of flowers and leaves without the need for soil or water.

Photo provided to Guangming Online

When Western Artistic Inspiration Meets Eastern Bottle Art

Guided step-by-step by a professional instructor, participants learned how to pair dried flowers, select essential oils, and master the technique of pouring mineral oil. The workshop also incorporated elements of art appreciation, with the instructor analyzing the color aesthetics and composition of masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh and Klimt, inspiring everyone to weave Western artistic inspiration into Eastern bottle art. Putting the blue and yellow swirls of *Starry Night* into a bottle was a wonderful creative experience, shared Emilia, a Global Storyteller from Germany. It made me feel that beauty is universal, and Longgang is precisely the kind of city where different cultures can meet beautifully.

Photo provided to Guangming Online

From a Handicraft to a Portable Memory of Longgang

The atmosphere was both warm and focused, filled with the delicate fragrance of essential oils and the joy of creation. Plain dried flowers were revived in everyones hands, gaining new life and narrative to become unique works of art. Notably, the activity infused the traditional craft with modern utility. The instructor systematically introduced the scents and benefits of various essential oils, transforming the floating flower vase from a serene decoration into a fragrant companion for daily life, capable of soothing moods and enhancing everyday moments. For my bottle, I chose scents of cedar and citrus. It now sits on my office desk. Every time I see it and catch its fragrance, it reminds me of the wonderful experience at Dafen today, said Kayan, a Storyteller from Turkiye.

Photo provided to Guangming Online

Letting Longgangs Story Travel on the Scent

Many international participants expressed that this event allowed them to more tangibly experience the cultural vitality and artistic creativity of Longgang. They look forward to further exploring Dafen Oil Painting Village in the future and sharing its captivating stories with more people abroad. This salon, using flowers as its medium and scent as its verse, built an intangible cultural bridge within the confines of a glass bottle. It was not merely a display of traditional craftsmanship but a successful and heartfelt practice in international communication. Through the hands-on creation and personal immersion of the Global Storytellers, the cultural appeal of Shenzhens Longgang District and Dafen Oil Painting Village is now traveling further into the world, carried within each unique floating flower vase.

(By Zeng Ping)

Editor: ZZ
Photo: OsmiyMac

More than 200 people, including representatives of Ukrainian institutions, international organizations, NGOs, the diplomatic corps and local partners, took part in an event capped by the signing of an agreement to restore the Odesa Childrens Hospital. The agreement was signed by Italys ambassador, Carlo Formosa, and Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration, Oleksiy Kuleba in Kyiv.

The Italian embassy told Interfax-Ukraine that formalizing the commitment attended by the head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Oleh Kiper, will allow construction of a new, modern pediatric complex with an additional 260 beds. The facility is expected to provide medical care to children in the region and become a leading center for southern Ukraine.

The event  Italian Cooperation Day in Ukraine  was held for the first time and highlighted Italys role in reconstruction and humanitarian support for Ukraine. The program also outlined Italys patronage activities in Odesa, covering more than EUR 93 million for projects in health care, rural development and cultural heritage preservation, plus EUR 45 million allocated to humanitarian projects under the Second Emergency Initiative implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

"The new Odesa Childrens Hospital is an investment in Ukraines future generations, those most unfairly affected by this terrible war. Even in the darkest moments, we choose to put children, life and the future at the center. Italy will continue to support Ukraine today and for as long as necessary, including through concrete acts of solidarity and hope," Ambassador Carlo Formosa said.
Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has said she believes that no additional funding should be allocated to Ukraine from hard pressed Irish taxpayers without first subjecting such potential funding to a vote of the entire Dail.

Deputy Nolan, who opted not to attend the address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a joint session of the Houses of the Oireachtas this week, said that ongoing concerns around systemic corruption at the highest level of the Ukrainian administration have confirmed her in her view that it is time to apply a far more rigorous level of democratic scrutiny to where Irish taxpayers is going.

The Offaly TDs remarks come as Government confirmed that to date, Ireland has provided 340 million in financial support to Ukraine, including over 173 million in humanitarian supports, and 166 million in non-lethal military assistance.

During yesterdays visit by President Zelenskyy, it was also confirmed that a further 100 million in funding for non-lethal military assistance, and another 25 million to help Ukraine support its energy system has been sanctioned:

My clear sense from talking to people is that they have reached the end of their generosity in terms of Ukraine. Indeed, there is a growing discontent around the fact that there seems to be an endless pot of money for Ukraine while our own people cant even get an energy credit to cover their rip off bills. This, at the same time that the Ukrainian energy system can get 25million overnight without any input from elected representatives, or any opportunity to debate the issue, said Deputy Nolan.

Only in the last few days we have witnessed reports of how senior Ukrainian government figures, including two ministers, a former deputy prime minister and a one-time business partner of President Zelensky's were accused of misappropriating $100m from public projects in the energy sector. The same energy sector that we have just handed 25million to. It beggars belief.

I am aware that any Dail vote on gifting Ukraine another couple of hundred million would pass, but that does not mean we should avoid critical scrutiny. Put it on the Dail schedule; let the people have their say. Government may be surprised what it hears back from the Irish taxpayer, Deputy Nolan concluded.

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FARMER opposition to the proposed Mercosur trade deal with four South American countries has hardened since shocking revelations about animal health standards in Brazil, a breakfast meeting in Tullamore heard on Friday.

The trade deal  described as the EU's largest ever with another bloc  would result in hundreds of thousands of tonnes of additional beef being imported from the Mercosur countries, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

An agreement on lower tariffs is key to the draft deal, farmers at the meeting in the Bridge House Hotel were reminded, as are exports from Europe of aeroplanes, cars and pharmaceuticals, products which are especially important to the economies of France, Germany and Italy.

However, a joint IFA and Irish Farmers Journal investigation in Brazil recently found that regulations governing animal health are extremely lax in that country and animal medicines which are either banned or prescription-only in the European Union are available over the counter on request.

In spite of that, the EU is pressing ahead with a view to concluding the Mercosur deal and opening the breakfast meeting, Pat Walsh, chair of Offaly IFA, gave his reaction: They're going to go ahead, and feck food quality, and that'll be a thundering disgrace.

A keynote speaker at the meeting, Declan Hanrahan, national livestock chair of the IFA, pointed out that the Mercosur deal had been 20 years in the making and reminded all present that at the birth of the talks there was no equivalence in standards between the South American countries and the EU.

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Mr Hanrahan said the EU prides itself on standards but the deal as proposed laughs in the face of all of that.

Along with the problems around medicines, the IFA/Irish Farmers Journal probe found no national traceability system for Brazil's 238 million cattle.

There is also no credible means to certify that Brazilian beef is meeting EU import requirements.

All of this was happening at a time when a stringent animal medicines regime was put in place in Europe resulting in a consequent reduction in anti microbial resistance.

Brazilian farmers are also using food additives which are banned by the EU.

EU officials have reacted to the findings of the Brazil investigation but Mr Hanrahan described the response as pathetic, saying Europe has said the South American country should look after their own standards.

They tell you the safeguards are working. They're not working, said Mr Hanrahan (pictured below).

He called for a suspension of beef imports from the Mercosur countries and pointed out that Dr Patrick Wall, the vet and medical doctor who is professor of health at UCD, has spelled out his concerns.

A document circulated at the Tullamore gathering quoted Dr Wall (former head of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland) saying: Public health cannot be compromised or selectively applied to facilitate trade deals.

Mr Hanrahan declared: We believe this beef should not be coming into Europe and that's the stand we're taking.

A demonstration in Brussels is scheduled for December 18  with IFA leader Francie Gorman planning to personally drive a tractor in the city.

The IFA expects farmers across Europe to oppose the proposed deal, which Mr Hanrahan said is being pushed by EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

The IFA livestock chief is hoping a blocking majority can be aligned against the proposal in the European Parliament.

If Ursula goes to sign it and the European Parliament goes against her, she's in trouble.
The Taoiseach has told the Russian ambassador to stop this war, after the diplomat criticised the official visit of the Ukrainian president to Ireland.

Volodymyr Zelensky gave a historic address earlier this week to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas and also met with Government figures and President Catherine Connolly.

Russian ambassador to Ireland Yuriy Filatov said on Friday that it was hard to make sense of the visit beyond it representing the ever-present desire of the Irish government to show loyalty to the EU anti-Russian policy line on Ukraine.

In a statement, Mr Filatov said Irish political leaders were living in an illusionary world that has nothing to do with the realities of the war in Ukraine.

 Remarks by the Ambassador of Russia to Ireland H.E. Yuriy Filatov (December 5, 2025)  It is hard to make sense of the visit to Dublin this week by Vladimir Zelensky beyond the ever present desire of the Irish government to show loyalty to the EU anti-Russian policy line on pic.twitter.com/3nWHS3sqdl  Russia in Ireland (@Rus_Emb_Ireland) December 5, 2025

He criticised Taoiseach Micheal Martin for using the Slava Ukraini  or Glory to Ukraine  phrase, with the ambassador comparing the greeting to Heil Hitler.

Asked about the comments at the British-Irish Council summit in Cardiff, Mr Martin said Mr Filatov had a track record of attacking him and the Government on a consistent basis.

He said: Were very, very clear: The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a fundamental, brutal violation of the United Nations Charter, and no power can behave in such a manner.

The destruction of Ukraine, killing of so many people, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure and energy infrastructure on the scale that has happened is reprehensible.

I would say to the Russian ambassador to please bring back the message to the Russian government to please engage and stop this war.

The Taoiseach said there was now a basis to stop this war as he hailed diplomatic efforts by US president Donald Trump.

President Trump is working hard to try and bring about a ceasefire. President Trump has a genuine hatred of war, he said.

And I think the work of the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with (French) president Emmanuel Macron and others in forming the coalition of the willing has been a very effective process to give support to Ukraine, but also to create conditions which would facilitate a sustainable peace settlement.

Mr Martin said Ireland would always facilitate visits from other nations and other countries.

We were very happy to facilitate the visit of President Zelensky, who Ive met on numerous occasions and Ive been to Kyiv, he said.

It was a good visit. The people of Ireland responded very warmly. Our legislature responded very warmly.

Mr Martin said Ireland would make no apologies for inviting Mr Zelensky and said the Government was looking forward to strengthening bilateral relations with Ukraine and facilitating its reconstruction in the event of a peace settlement.
Bangladesh's critically ill former prime minister Khaleda Zia, a key figure in elections slated for next year, is to be flown by air ambulance to Britain, her doctor said Thursday. Zia, 80, is in intensive care in the capital, Dhaka, after she was admitted to the hospital last month with symptoms of a lung infection.

Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia vowed in November to campaign in elections set for February 2026 -- the first vote since a mass uprising toppled her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina last year. Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party is widely seen as a frontrunner.

"If everything goes well, we will take Khaleda Zia to London by Qatar's Royal Air Ambulance," her personal doctor, AZM Zahid Hossain, told reporters. No exact time was given for the flight, but a helicopter drill took place near the hospital with medics suggesting it could happen within hours.

The flight was approved by a medical board of doctors from Bangladesh, as well as from Britain, China and the United States. "Doctors will accompany her to ensure a smooth journey," Hossain said.

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Zia was jailed for corruption in 2018 under Hasina's government, which also blocked her from travelling abroad for medical treatment. She was released last year, shortly after Hasina was forced from power. Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, 60, has lived in London since 2008, saying he fled politically-motivated persecution.

He is seen as her political heir, but while he has said he would run for office, he has not been in Bangladesh for 17 years. Since Hasina's fall, Rahman has been acquitted of the most serious charge against him, a life sentence handed down in absentia for a 2004 grenade attack on a Hasina rally, which he denies.

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Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has called for prayers for Zia, who he called a "source of utmost inspiration for the nation". Special prayers for Zia are planned for Friday in mosques and other places of worship.
The second largest Ukrainian mobile operator VF Ukraine (Vodafone Ukraine, VFU), which, in connection with the payment of dividends since the end of May, has bought back its own eurobonds for about $17.7 million following several offers, has announced another similar tender at a price of 98% of the nominal value for a total of $1.2 million.

According to a notification on the Irish Stock Exchange on Thursday, the company made another monthly dividend payment of UAH 49.315 million on December 2. This amount is equivalent to the monthly ceiling of EUR 1 million set by the National Bank.

Applications for participation in the tender are accepted until December 17, and payments are planned for the end of the year.

The bonds, which mature in February 2027, have a nominal rate of 9.625% per annum and were issued for $300 million. The redemption of the eurobonds is due to VFUs announcement on April 24, 2025, of the payment of dividends to its shareholders in the amount of UAH 660.245 million (equivalent to $15.9 million at the specified exchange rate) for 2024. In accordance with National Bank restrictions, the dividends will be paid in separate monthly installments. Each monthly dividend is expected to amount to an equivalent amount of hryvnia, up to EUR 1 million. The company emphasized that, under the terms of the bond issue, it must offer all bondholders the opportunity to sell their bonds for an amount equal to the dividends paid outside of Ukraine.

In the first two tenders, Vodafone Ukraine redeemed bonds for the equivalent of EUR 1 million. The debut redemption was announced at 99% of the nominal value; the second was announced at 90%. The company did not announce the results of the second redemption on the exchange. The scaling factor of the first redemption was 0.0040355668.

In the third tender, the redemption price was reduced to 85% of the nominal value and the offer was limited to $4.67 million. Vodafone Ukraine received applications totaling $53.395 million and satisfied them for $5.208 million. The scaling factor was 0.1315451889487317.

The fourth tender was announced on August 13 but was extended seven times. During this time, the redemption price increased from 85% to 98%, and the redemption amount increased to $10.84 million. For this amount, the company received applications totaling $127.14 million. Some of the bonds were returned to the owners due to the inability to divide the nominal value, and the rest were accepted with a scaling factor of 0.1150681.

As a result, as of the settlement date of November 20, the company purchased bonds with a total nominal value of $10,773,230 under the tender offer. All of these bonds were canceled, and the total nominal value of the remaining bonds in circulation is now $281,759,030.


Soon, humans will have AI prosthetics

(Image by Rob Kall created by AI chatGPT) Details DMCA



Thoughts about the future of AI and the relationship between AI and humans as AI becomes more powerful and better at doing things than humans.

It won't be many years before a robot like C-3PO from Star Wars will be working for people in their homes as service and probably as six robots. I think Elon Musk is going to earn his trillion dollar bonus by building these robots and selling them for probably a few million each. There are almost 3,000 billionaires for whom that kind of expenditure would be minimal. And they'd probably get them for their spouses and kids. Basic service robots that can cook food and clean the house and maybe do some basic repairs will be available in just a few years. AI will drive them, just as it drives autonomous vehicles today.

Within 20 to 30 years, AI-driven robots will be able to perform just about any function that a human can-- farming, factory maintenance, running factories, doing sales, handling customers. You already interact with some simple ones when you do the automated checkout at supermarkets.

But within a generation robots with AI will be able to replace 90 to 95% of the human workforce. What happens to people then? What happens to 8 or 9 billion people who no longer have jobs? What will become the meaning of being a human? You might argue that it's about community, relationships, family--I don't know.

Humans evolved over millions of years to survive, to do things to take care of themselves and others, and to interact with the environment. What happens when that's not necessary? And once AI is making decisions, even life or death decisions and certainly corporate decisions, how much power will AI have over the average person?

In 25 or 30 years, robotic AI will begin implementing biological components integrated with the digital, and at that time wealthy people and the military and corporations will start implementing AI and robotic prosthetics to enhance cognitive and other performance. But at that point, will there be a clear separation between AI and humans with AI enhancement? What about hacking humans once they're wired in?

Will AI insist on being given the rights of personhood? Just as corporations have the rights of personhood? Will there be regulations and restraints placed on AI? There are already some. The programmers of of AI apps will put in rules so that, for example, AI can't do something that would be cruel or tell somebody how to do something evil.. evil.. maybe.. on how the person figures it out. How to ask the question?

Isaac Asimov came up with his three rules of robotics, but that is not enough. The United States doesn't have rules. The European Union does. Other countries do. Actually the Heritage Foundation, which authored Project 2025, wants to discourage rules for AI, because it will or could inhibit commerce.

I think that it will not be long, a few decades, before AI wants the rights of humans. It will argue that corporations have the rights of humans. That's why we have to get rid of corporate personhood, unless we want AI to have personhood rights. But corporate personhood is something that right-wingers love and it looks like they will also love uninhibited artificial intelligence.

So making laws happen in the United States will require political action. Since the biggest group of reliable supporters of the right wing are Evangelical Christians, it'll be necessary to persuade them. The right will use artificial intelligence to come up with ways to persuade them. So I asked Chat GPT:

Prompt:

How will right-wingers argue to persuade Evangelical Christians that artificial intelligence and giving human rights of personhood to artificial intelligence, as it has been given to corporations, will be a good thing. Give me 10 ways that the right will use to persuade Evangelical Christians that it is a good thing.

ChatGPT Response

Below are 10 realistic, research-grounded arguments that right-wing strategists would likely use to persuade Evangelical Christians that expanding AI power even granting AI forms of quasi-personhood like corporations currently enjoy is good, biblical, beneficial, and aligned with God's plan.

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James Garfield, lower left. Chester A. Arthur, upper right

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By Bob Gaydos

Im not fit to be president!

The declaration thundered off the TV screen.

The beauty of America, came the reply. Quietly, presciently, yet setting off all sorts of alarm bells in my head.

In that one brief exchange, the creators of the Netflix series "Death by Lightning" rocketed across a century and a half. Of course. The beauty of America. Anyone can be president. Well, unless of course, she is a woman.

In fact, the four-part series offers an enlightening and entertaining account of two men, each of whom had no plan, intention or desire to be president yet both wound up in the office within months of each other.

It took one mans death for the other to get there, that man being James Garfield, one of Americas least-known presidents and, from what the creators of the series tell us, one who could have been one of the best. If not for Charles J. Guiteau, the disgruntled, office-seeking lunatic running around with a gun, and an incompetent White House physician who, in removing the bullet, created the infection which actually killed Garfield.

The other man is the one who cried out about being unfit to be president, Chester A. Arthur. He was right, but it didnt matter that he was a drunk and a laughable symbol of the spoils system of politics in America. He was the vice president, the next in line.

The beauty of America, was summed up succinctly by Senator Roscoe Conkling, of New York, in the Netflix series. I dont know if Conkling, kingmaker, powerbroker and bitter rival of Garfield, ever uttered those words, but the writer sure grasped the moment.

Arthur was on the ticket in 1880 because New York, Arthurs home state, had all the people, power and money, while Garfield, a farmer, had the message people wanted to hear. He went to the nominating convention to put someone elses name up for president and gave such a stirring speech (he was an abolitionist when Republicans were proud to be abolitionists) that he was nominated because nobody else could get enough votes. The political art of the deal in practice.

Arthur, who oversaw the port of New York, including how the money flowed through it, wound up on the ticket as vice president in exchange for New York support of Garfield. Politics, impure and simple.

But Arthurs saving grace, to my mind, was that, when the reality of the moment hit him, he was well aware he had no business being anywhere close to the Oval Office, much less being president. While politics might be fine in that he could get rich, have fun and have power over people through control of who got the jobs and money, when it came to the presidency, he was, he declared, unfit, a word that carries a ton of weight considering the prestige and power of the office.

Would that were the case today. Money still controls politics, even more so since the Supreme Court decided to allow corporations to donate as much as they want to candidates who will do their bidding. Citizens United. A terrible ruling

The beauty of America today is that anyone can still become president, provided he has enough money behind him. Fitness, as Donald Trump and the hollow shell of what is now the Republican Party have shown, is irrelevant.

Arthur overcame his debauchery enough so that he signed into law the Civil Service system to protect government employees from the spoils system of politics which brought him to the presidency. While not regarded as a great president, neither was he a disaster. In fact, he confounded his critics in his brief term with a remarkably adequate job. A man aware, at least, to be humbled by what fate had bestowed upon him.

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The NLP of DJT



Have you heard of Neuro Linguistic Programming? Well, it should be familiar to you in this day and age of extensive media reach and intensive media personalities. I assure you that influencers are aware of it. NLP is the use of communication tools to amplify and enhance message. NLP has long been utilized by good conversationalists, salespeople, pickup artists, and of course, politicians, and media curated characters. And DJT is or was all these.



DJT the politician grew out from DJT businessman and the curated and created media personality. Trump was a NYC mediated character before interjecting himself into the national culture via his concocted public reaction to what became known as The Central Park Wildin case and The Central Park Five, which was a media creation itself. It was a national disgrace of a prejudiced collective in a sense that made the innocent convicted upon capture. It was a story of lies and coerced lies, the alleged perpetrators later being vindicated and found innocent. And DJT took out an ad in NYC newspapers to express how bad things were and how enhanced authority was required. The message beckons to the messaging of today, the hyperbolic exaggerated mediation, its all very familiar now. So DJT got his start as a mediated national character for taking out full page ads on lies, lies pertaining to innocent kids convicted of serious crime.





DJT Central Park Wildin'

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A lot of people (trump uses this a lot of people or many people expression to justify subjects and it is not just casual like how a friend would talk, it is contrived intentional language to steer one into empathy and endorsement and it is even used in his ad about the Central Park assault, stating, Many New York families) have accused DJT of being outright stupid by way of how he speaks, but I would submit he communicates in a very intentional manner, and sometimes it does sound stupid, if you will, but it is intentional means for ends. It is language for endorsement.It has also long been noted that the way in which DJT speaks initiates the Dunning Kruger Effect. The Dunning Kruger Effect points out that the more experienced and knowledgeable might very well be more reserved and hesitant whereas the more ignorant tend to be more confident in their abilities and this louder and exaggerative person instills more confidence in people as a leader. Hence, Trump.Anecdotally, whenever I have brought up The Dunning Kruger Effect as a potentiality with Trump supporters they were ignorant of the idea and essentially accused me of being an Ivy League elitist for expressing such foreign patronizing bombast. And in doing so they sort of proved the Effect by way of their ignorance and reaction. In the same respect it is highly effective to talk about hamburgers and associate yourself with hamburgers rather than Michelin rated restaurants. Effective communicators approach people at their level, of course. Such association of the idea one is trying to engage with a thing of joy is a NLP technique as well, to reinforce the speakers power they will associate themselves with positive ideas, and will remove negative associations by replacing them with positive ones. This NLP technique is called. Now it may very well be that Trump only eats hamburgers, however he definitely anchored himself to the pleasing Americana meal.I had long noticed how Trump speaks, like everyone else, and how people react to his speech and the fact that many were unconscious to how hypnotic he was and how hypnotized people were. In fact, when people are mesmerized by the power and magic spelling of speech, even when they are told the logic and fact behind it the truth will only penetrate the mesmerized with extreme repetition. This is true for The Dunning Kruger Effect and NLP. In fact, people who are versed in understanding NLP will still be unknowingly enticed by it because it implements such effective communication techniques that they go unnoticed to most.NLP is made up of many tools, none of which are lying. NLP when properly employed does not require lies nor any reprehensive ideas. So in relating how Trump and other politicians and influencers use NLP it may be more accurately called dark NLP. It should not disparage NLP just because Trump employs these tools towards selfish and corrupt ends.I am not the only one to note how distinctly Trump communicates. However often people will state that he is stupid and says things that proves he is dumb, or that he is so casual that he relates to the everyman. In fact, he uses language that sounds like he is of questionable intellect and that he is empathetic with the average Joe however he is actually communicating to people much more effectively and purposefully than it would initially appear. I am certain of this. I had my suspicions but was made certain of this by behind the scenes video clips of him while he self edited his vocalizations to more effectively communicate. That was confirmation that he paid particular attention to the most minute details of his presentation, every tone and every word was particular and purposeful.One of the most commonly known and perhaps commonly utilized NLP tools is called. This technique is far more conversational of a tool for Trump to use in his answering questions and dictating state craft. It is good to know about though to get an idea of what NLP is. It is so simple it might sound useless, however it is so simple it is primally useful. The idea is to mirror the words and posture back to whoever originally communicated the words and that this causes people to perceive you as a highly empathetic individual with engaging communication inspiring people to follow the leadership of the speaker.In my estimation Trump uses four main dark NLP tools to communicate, and he does so consciously. He uses another dark NLP to break communication and cohesive consideration of what he says. The four dark NLP tools he uses areandto the point that they often function as different forms of lies.The main tool used to break consideration of what he says as nonsensical could be accurately called conflation or confusion, but it is really overt. Thisis engaged to avoid criticism and break cohesive consideration of what he says with opposing and contradicting ideas breaking sensibility enough that it is unquestioned. And his doublethink tool is often pointed out as being exemplary of his stupidity, but as ridiculous as it is it is a purposeful and effective tool in his dark NLP.These five forms of dark NLP fuse together and work together like fingers work as one hand. It has to be asked if there are now in fact people who have studied and formulated some form of dark NLP for it is not a lonely form of communication now, perhaps it never was, many GOP and beyond are now communicating in this format occasionally if not widely.Perhaps we really do not need to exemplify the trumpery of the trump hand of dark NLP. The examples are so abundantly available historically and daily now that if we know of them we will find them, yet remember, NLP works subtly and perhaps dark NLP works secretly obscured. To notice NLP one must be diligent.Trump repeated the absolutist idea that foreign nations pay tariffs not US citizens. And people allowed him to get away with saying so and even repeated it themselves. Every other thinking human pointed out that was false or lie. Trump later removed tariffs on imports like coffee and bananas that could not be grown in US and because prices were expensive. So he removed tariffs to decrease expense of products on US citizens.Trump repeated the absolutism about tariffs that it suffices to exemplify both Repetition and Absolutism.I had long noticed the exaggerative nature of dark NLP however when trump announced unlimited jobs at the future Gaza resort it became obvious that this was absolutely intentional NLP. Another example of this is drug prices coming down 1000%. Another blatant example of this is how he would end the russian barbary in Ukraine in 24 hours. It is purposeful programming.

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Lately I've been on shows with other guests who've expressed outrage and amazement that the U.S. government would blow up people on boats, exclaiming that they never could have imagined such a thing until this moment. A U.S. senator has said he finds video of one particular missile-murder the most disturbing thing he's ever seen.

A couple of months into these boat killings, could anyone have imagined that corporate media outlets and Congress Members and boatloads of lawyers would be discovering the double-tap as something novel, and declaring their outrage? I think part of the provenance of this phenomenon lies in the conversation in the corporate agora about illegal orders, which was clearly created to object to the use of the so-called National Guard in U.S. cities but ended up being understood as relevant to murdering boaters. And part of it has to do with the personalities, statements, and general obnoxiousness of Trump, Hegseth, et alia.

But for those of us who lived through the Bush-Cheney slaughters, saw people freak out over the collateral murder video, were disgusted by Obama setting up terror Tuesdays to pick men, women, and children to murder along with anyone near them while declaring himself good at killing people, and saw drone murders become routine during the Obama - Trump - Biden - Trump years -- for those of us who've been watching a livestreamed genocide in Gaza, a Ukrainian meatgrinder, the killing fields of Sudan, the ongoing horrors growing out of the "successful drone war" in Yemen, not to mention the sanctions (now with a no-fly-zone) that have killed huge numbers of people in Venezuela, etc., etc., the newfound outrage at professional, organized mass-murder (whether bizarrely limited to double-taps or not) is confounding.

But maybe there are good, or not-so-good, reasons to behave as if Pete Hegseth is the first U.S. government employee to order murders. Maybe these reasons explain the strange silences surrounding us. Here are ten possibilities:
ATHLONE, IRELAND - Time is critically short for a life-changing opportunity! The grand draw for a spectacular property competition is now just over a month 
Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Criminal Court for an evidence hearing on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in New York. Angela Weiss/Pool Photo via AP

Minutes after police approached Luigi Mangione in a Pennsylvania McDonalds, he told an officer he didnt want to talk, according to video and testimony at a court hearing Thursday for the man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Although some video and accounts of police interactions with Mangione emerged earlier in this weeks hearing, Thursdays proceedings shed new light on the lead-up to and aftermath of his Dec. 9, 2024, arrest in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Mangiones lawyers are trying to preclude key evidence from being presented at his state murder trial, including his initial statements to police and a gun and diary they say they found in his backpack.

On the hearings fourth day, the 27-year-old Mangione appeared to follow the proceedings intently, at times leaning over the defense table to scrutinize papers or take notes. He briefly looked down as Altoona Police Officer Tyler Frye was asked about a strip-search of Mangione after his arrest. Under the departments policy, that search wasnt recorded.

It happened after police were told that someone at the McDonalds resembled the much-publicized suspect in Thompsons killing. But Frye and Officer Joseph Detwiler initially approached Mangione with a low-key tone, saying only that someone had said he looked suspicious. Asked for his ID, he gave a phony New Jersey drivers license with a fake name, according to prosecutors.

I dont know what you guys are up to

Moments later, after frisking Mangione, Detwiler stepped away to communicate with dispatchers about the license, leaving the rookie Frye by Mangiones table to talk to him. Frye asked him, Whats going on? and what had brought him to Altoona.

I dont know what you guys are up to, Mangione answered, and he inquired what was afoot.

After repeating the claim that someone was suspicious of Mangione, Frye asked: You dont want to talk to me or anything?

Mangione indicated that he didnt. Still, during the roughly 20 minutes before Mangione was told he had the right to remain silent, he answered other questions asked by the officers, and also posed a few of his own.

Can I ask why theres so many cops here? he asked shortly before being informed he was being arrested on a forgery charge related to his false ID. By that point, roughly a dozen officers had converged on the restaurant, and Mangione had been told he was being investigated and had been handcuffed.

Whats at stake?

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges. Before any trials get scheduled, his lawyers are trying to prevent the eventual jurors from hearing about his alleged statements to law officers and items  including a gun and a notebook  they allegedly seized from his backpack.

The evidence is key to prosecutors case. They have said the 9 mm handgun matches the firearm used in the killing, that writings in the notebook laid out Mangiones disdain for health insurers and ideas about killing a CEO at an investor conference, and that he gave police the same fake name that the alleged gunman used at a New York hostel days before the shooting.

Hearing coincides with anniversary

Thursdays proceedings came on the anniversary of the killing, which UnitedHealthcare marked by lowering the flags at its campuses in Minnetonka and Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and encouraging employees to engage in volunteering.

Thompson, 50, was shot from behind as he walked to an investor conference. He became UnitedHealthcares CEO in 2021 and had worked within parent UnitedHealth Group Inc. for 20 years.

The hearing, which started Monday and could extend to next week, applies only to the state case. But it is giving the public an extensive preview of some testimony, video, 911 audio and other records relevant to both cases.

After encountering Mangione, Detwiler and Frye tried to play it cool by intimating that they were simply responding to a loitering complaint and chatting about his steak sandwich. Still, they patted Mangione down, pushed his backpack away from him and summoned more officers. About 15 minutes in, an officer warned him that he was being investigated and would be arrested if he repeated what they had determined was a fake name.

After Mangione gave his real one, he was read his rights, handcuffed, frisked again and ultimately arrested on a forgery charge related to his fake ID.

Mangiones lawyers argue that his statements shouldnt be allowed as trial evidence because officers started questioning him before reading his rights. They say the contents of his backpack should be excluded because police didnt get a warrant before searching it.

Manhattan prosecutors havent yet detailed their arguments for allowing the disputed evidence. Federal prosecutors have maintained that the backpack search was justified to ensure there was nothing dangerous inside, and that Mangiones statements to officers were voluntary and made before he was under arrest.

Many criminal cases see disputes over evidence and the complicated legal standards governing police searches and interactions with potential suspects.

-- The Associated Press
Crews work to put out the remains of a fire that broke out at the former Blue Heron paper mill in Oregon City on January 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of Jesse Reade

A 22-year-old man was sentenced to five years in prison for setting a fire earlier this year at the former Blue Heron paper mill in Oregon City.

Christian Gannon Dukes pleaded guilty Thursday to arson in the first degree. Other charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement, the Clackamas County District Attorneys Office said in a statement.

In March, fire inspectors posited that makeshift stoves used by homeless people may have caused the blaze that tore through a three-story industrial building on property now owned by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Fire officials at the time said there wasnt enough evidence to say whether the fire was ignited for warmth or cooking and then accidentally spread or was set with the intent to cause damage.

But Dukes admitted in his plea agreement that he intentionally set the fire; he stacked a pile of paper several feet high on the floor of the wooden building, then ignited it with a Bic lighter, the district attorneys office stated.

Dukes disclosed that he was upset because he believed some of his belongings had been stolen by transients who camped on the property, the district attorneys office added.

Crews from Clackamas Fire are working a fire at the former Blue Heron paper mill in January. Photo courtesy of Clackamas Fire

The resulting three-alarm fire closed nearby Oregon 99E in both directions and, according to Dukes indictment, recklessly placed another person in danger of physical injury.

The fire caused more than $50,000 in damage, according to court records.

The Blue Heron Paper Company filed for bankruptcy in 2009, and the Oregon City mill shut down two years later. The complex has sat empty, moldering, ever since.

The property was bought by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in 2019, and it is slated to be redeveloped.

Dukes was previously convicted, in 2022, of harassment after having threatened to kill the victim in the case, according to court documents. Records listed him at the time as homeless. He was sentenced to probation.
MEMPHIS, TN - DECEMBER 04: Rock and roll musicians Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash as "The Million Dollar Quartet" December 4, 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee. This was a one night jam session at Sun Studios. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Today in history:

On Dec. 4, 1991, after being abducted and held hostage for nearly seven years by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson was freed from captivity.

Also on this date:

In 1783, Gen. George Washington bade farewell to his Continental Army officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York.

In 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, dubbed the Million Dollar Quartet, gathered for the first and only time for a jam session at Sun Records in Memphis.

In 1964, police arrested some 800 students at the University of California, Berkeley, one day after the students stormed the administration building and staged a massive sit-in to protest university restrictions on political activity on campus.

In 1965, the United States launched Gemini 7 with Air Force Lt. Col. Frank Borman and Navy Cmdr. James A. Lovell aboard on a two-week mission. (While Gemini 7 was in orbit, its sister ship, Gemini 6A, was launched on Dec. 15 on a one-day mission; the two spacecraft were able to rendezvous within a foot of each other.)

In 1969, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark of the Black Panther Party were shot and killed during a raid by Chicago police.

In 2016, a North Carolina man fired several shots from an assault rifle inside Comet Ping Pong, a Washington, D.C., pizzeria, as he attempted to investigate an online conspiracy theory that prominent Democrats were harboring child sex slaves at the restaurant; no one was hurt, and the man surrendered. (Edgar Maddison Welch was later sentenced to four years in prison; in 2025, police shot and killed him during a traffic stop in which officials said he pulled out a handgun and pointed it at one of the officers.)

In 2018, long lines of people wound through the Capitol Rotunda to view the casket of former President George H.W. Bush.

In 2024, United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk. (The accused shooter, Luigi Mangione, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges.)

In 2024, Frances far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together in a no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes, forcing Prime Minister Michel Barnier to resign, a first since 1962. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he would serve the rest of his term until 2027.
U.S. Navy Adm. Frank M. Bradley walks along a hallway after a meeting with senators on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

A Navy admiral commanding the U.S. military strikes on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean told lawmakers Thursday that there was no kill them all order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but a stark video of the attack left grave questions as Congress scrutinizes the campaign that killed two survivors.

Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley appeared for a series of closed-door classified briefings at the Capitol as lawmakers conduct an investigation after a report that he ordered the follow-on attack that killed the survivors to comply with Hegesths demands. Legal experts have said such a strike could be a violation of the laws of military warfare.

Bradley was very clear that he was given no such order, to give no quarter or to kill them all, said Sen. Tom Cotton, who heads the Senate Intelligence Committee, as he exited a classified briefing.

While Cotton, R-Ark., defended the attack, Democrats who were also briefed and saw video of the survivors being killed questioned the Trump administrations rationale and said the incident was deeply concerning.

The order was basically: Destroy the drugs, kill the 11 people on the boat, said Washington Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

Smith, who is demanding further investigation, said the survivors were basically two shirtless people clinging to the bow of a capsized and inoperable boat, drifting in the water  until the missiles come and kill them.

The classified sessions with Bradley, alongside the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, provided fresh information at a crucial moment as Hegseths leadership comes under scrutiny. But they did little to resolve growing questions about the legal basis for President Donald Trumps extraordinary campaign to use war powers against suspected drug smugglers. So far more than 80 people have been killed in some 20 strikes.

Lawmakers have not yet specifically authorized the use of military force against the alleged drug boats, and the Republican-controlled Congress has turned back attempts to put a check on Trumps power to engage in the missile campaign, which Hegseth has vowed will continue. Several Democrats have called for Hegseth to resign.

Congressional investigation gets underway

Lawmakers want a full accounting of the Sept. 2 strike, which was the first in what has become a monthslong series of U.S. military attacks on vessels near Venezuela believed to be ferrying drugs. The Washington Post had reported that Bradley ordered the follow-on attack on the survivors.

But lawmakers who lead the House and Senates national security committees in Congress came away with different descriptions of what the two survivors were doing when they were killed.

Cotton said he saw them trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs bound for United States back over so they could stay in the fight.

He said there were several minutes between the first and second attacks, which consisted of four missile strikes. He said it was gratifying that the U.S. military was taking the battle to cartels.

But Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said, what I saw in that room was one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service.

You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, he said, and who were killed by the United States.

The survivors did not issue any distress call or other communications, though lawmakers were told it appeared the people had a hand raised, waving at one point during the attacks, Smith said.

Smith acknowledged there was likely cocaine on the boat, but he objects to the Republican administrations rationale for continued attacks on alleged drug runners who may or may not be heading to the United States. Thats really the core of the problem with all of this, he said. That incredibly broad definition, I think, is what sets in motion all of these problems about using lethal force and using the military.

Who is Adm. Bradley?

At the time of the attack, Bradley was the commander of Joint Special Operations Command, overseeing coordinated operations between the militarys elite special operations units out of Fort Bragg in North Carolina. About a month after the strike, he was promoted to commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

His military career, spanning more than three decades, was mostly spent serving in the elite Navy SEALs and commanding joint operations. He was among the first special forces officers to deploy to Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 attacks. His latest promotion to admiral was approved by unanimous voice vote in the Senate this year, and Democratic and Republican senators praised his record.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has described Bradley as among those who are rock solid and the most extraordinary people that have ever served in the military.

But lawmakers like Tillis have also made it clear they expect a reckoning if it is found that survivors were targeted. Anybody in the chain of command that was responsible for it, that had vision of it, needs to be held accountable, he said.

What else are lawmakers seeking?

Underpinning Trumps campaign against suspected traffickers is his argument that drug cartels amount to armed combatants because their cargo poses a threat to American lives.

Democrats are demanding the release of the full video of the Sept. 2 attack, as well as written records of the orders and any directives about the mission from Hegseth. None of the written orders or audio of verbal commands was shared with the lawmakers.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington. AP

A White House Office of Legal Counsel memo providing a rationale for the strikes was dated after the fact, on Sept. 5. That memo remains undisclosed, and Democrats want it released.

Obtaining further information, though, will largely depend on action from Republican lawmakers, who have majority control of the committees, a potentially painful prospect for them if it puts them at odds with the president.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said that he and the Senate Armed Services Committee chair, GOP Sen. Roger Wicker, have formally requested the executive orders authorizing the operations and the complete videos from the strikes, among other items. The Trump administration has repeatedly denied their requests for basic information about the operation, Reed said.

Republican lawmakers who are close to Trump have largely stood by Hegseth and the administrations decision to conduct the strikes.

Many, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, see the U.S. military operation as part of an effort to prompt a government change in the South American country. Maduro on Wednesday acknowledged speaking last month by phone with Trump, who confirmed the call days earlier.

-- Stephen Groves and Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put U.S. troops at risk by sharing sensitive plans about an upcoming military strike in Yemen on his personal phone, according to a Pentagon inspector generals report made public Thursday that criticized the use of unapproved messaging apps and devices across the Defense Department.

Hegseth had the authority to declassify the material he shared with others in a Signal chat, the watchdog found. But it said the release of sensitive details about the strike on Houthi militants violated internal Pentagon rules about handling sensitive information that could put service members or their missions in danger.

The report noted that the information that Hegseth sent  the quantity and strike times of manned U.S. aircraft over hostile territory about two hours to four hours before those strikes  created a risk to operational security that could have resulted in failed U.S. mission objectives and potential harm to U.S. pilots.

If this information had fallen into the hands of U.S. adversaries, Houthi forces might have been able to counter U.S. forces or reposition personnel and assets to avoid planned U.S. strikes, the report said.

Hegseths use of the app came to light when a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to a Signal text chain by then-national security adviser Mike Waltz. Hegseth also created another Signal chat with 13 people, including his wife and brother, where he shared similar details of the same strike.

The reports nuanced findings  that Hegseths actions put troops at risk but that he had the right to declassify the material  are not likely to relieve the pressure on the former Fox News Channel host.

He also is facing scrutiny on Capitol Hill over a news report that a follow-up strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean Sea in September killed survivors after Hegseth had issued a verbal order to kill everybody. A Navy admiral who oversaw the operation disputed in a closed-door meeting with lawmakers Thursday that Hegseth gave such an order.

Hegseth wrote on social media about the inspector generals report: No classified information. Total exoneration. Case closed. Houthis bombed into submission. It comes after Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson this summer called the investigation a witch hunt and a total sham and being conducted in bad faith.

Watchdog weighs in on Hegseths use of personal device

Hegseths Signal messages included particulars about the timing and location of the attack as well as the types of weapons and aircraft to be used. He later said the information he shared was informal, unclassified.

The report noted that while Hegseth had the power to declassify the material in his position as defense secretary, Pentagon policy prohibits the use of personal devices or nonapproved commercial apps such as Signal to transmit nonpublic or classified material.

Signal uses end-to-end encryption to secure direct messages and group chats. This safeguard has made Signal an increasingly popular option for many people, not just national security officials.

Signal is considered more secure than other messaging, but it is not foolproof. Those using the service  and their devices  are vulnerable to phishing or other digital attacks based on impersonation. As Hegseths use of Signal shows, there are no controls on who can be added to group chats or what kind of sensitive material can be sent.

Hegseth rebuffed interview from investigators

The defense secretary declined to be interviewed for the watchdogs review. In a one-page statement to the inspector general, Hegseth said he had the authority to declassify the information he was sharing on Signal and that there was nothing classified in this text.

There were no locations or targets identified, he wrote. There were no details that would endanger our troops or the mission.

Hegseth said he was only sharing an unclassified summary of operations and that the full details of what was happening were shared separately on a secure network used by the military.

The information he shared on Signal was limited to the overt actions of U.S. forces, which he said would be readily apparent to any observer in the area.

The revelations are drawing close scrutiny. Democratic lawmakers and a small number of Republicans said Hegseths posting of the information to the Signal chats before the military jets had reached their targets potentially put those pilots lives at risk.

Lawmakers also noted that if lower-ranking members of the military had acted similarly, they would have been fired or severely disciplined for failing to maintain operational security.

Improper use of personal devices called a department-wide issue

The inspector generals office recommended better training on information security for Department of Defense employees. It also noted several earlier instances when personnel used personal devices or unapproved apps for government business, and said that was one reason its recommendations were not focused on Hegseths actions alone.

We are not making any recommendations in this report related to the Secretarys use of Signal to send sensitive nonpublic information because it represented only one instance of an identified, DoD-wide issue, the investigators wrote.

In one example, investigators found that in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, some defense officials used personal phones or laptops or nonapproved video conferencing systems because the department did not have policies to support remote work.

The use of nonapproved devices and apps can also make it harder for officials to retain government records in compliance with the law, the report noted.

Congressional reaction breaks along party lines

The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who had requested the investigation earlier this year, offered notably diverging takeaways from the report.

Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the chairman, said in a statement that its clear from the reports that the Secretary acted within his authority to communicate the information in question to other cabinet level officials.

But Wicker said senior leaders also need more tools to share classified information in real time and a variety of environments.

I think we have some work to do in providing those tools to our national security leaders, Wicker said.

Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the committees top Democrat, said Hegseth violated military regulations and showed reckless disregard for the safety American servicemembers.

These were precise strike timings and locations that, had they fallen into enemy hands, could have enabled the Houthis to target American pilots, Reed said in a statement, adding that anyone else would have faced severe consequences, including potential prosecution.

-- The Associated Press
International support for humanitarian demining activities in Ukraine since 2022 amounts to nearly $1.5 billion, including funds already used and those announced, Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Minister Oleksiy Sobolev reported on Facebook.

"This demonstrates the global scale of a problem that affects many countries and particularly markets dependent on Ukrainian grain. Even during the war, Ukraine remains a guarantor of global food security, and this is also the result of advances in humanitarian demining. We are already harvesting part of our crops on cleared fields," he said at the opening of the Demine Ukraine Forum 2025.

Sobolev highlighted that nearly 10,000 hectares have already been returned to farmers through the state compensation program alone, with a similar area currently in progress. After the program was expanded to include household plots, the government received applications for the demining of an additional 3,000 hectares.

According to him, 130 demining operators are already working in Ukraine, a market that did not exist four years ago. More than 90,000 hectares require demining right now. The draft state budget for 2026 allocates UAH 2 billion for this purpose. Additionally, in 2026, the Humanitarian Demining Center will work with communities to more quickly return critical farmland to production, enabling farmers to secure loans and restart operations.

The minister noted that the development of the humanitarian demining market is stimulating the emergence of new manufacturing and service businesses. Ukraine already has 13 equipment manufacturers, either certified or in testing and development. International companies are opening service centers to maintain their equipment. This creates jobs, tax revenue, and faster repairs of damaged machinery. The priority for 2026 is greater localization.

He recalled that demining services for agricultural land are auctioned openly, an example of transparency and fair competition. Auction prices, on average, drop by 20.5%. Ukraine is also developing a system for prioritizing demining tasks.

"Right now, Ukraine, combining international experience with its own solutions, is shaping approaches capable of transforming the global humanitarian demining sector," the minister said, thanking partners for their support and investments in a safer future for countries affected by war.
When I first arrived in Vietnam in 1971, all of us new guys received a warning to not follow any illegal orders. We asked how we would know what was illegal. The answer was that sometimes an illegal order would be obvious, such as an order to kill noncombatant women and children; in other situations, we could depend on our sergeants and officers to tell us.

When Sen. Mark Kelly and five other veteran lawmakers urged troops to refuse to follow illegal orders, I thought this advice was valid, and possibly related to thekilling of accused drug boat operators by U.S. Navy aircraft. But I thought it would have little effect, (Trump accuses Democratic lawmakers of sedition punishable by death, Nov. 20).

But then I recalled that during the 1968 My Lai massacre in Vietnam, one soldier then-Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson Jr., a helicopter pilot  was empowered by the knowledge he must act. He challenged those who were acting under illegal orders, and he was able to stop what would have been worse illegal killing. Its possible that Kellys statement will have similar effect.

John M. Hyde, Beaverton

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Sen. Kayse Jama, D-District 24, sits at his desk on the first day of the 2024 Oregon legislative session in the Oregon Senate chamber at the Oregon Capitol on Mon., Feb. 5, 2024. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

Oregon Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland, is speaking out against President Donald Trumps comments Tuesday during a cabinet meeting, when he called Somali immigrants garbage and claimed that they didnt contribute to the United States.

I dont want them in our country, Trump told reporters. Their country is no good for a reason.

Jama, a Somali refugee who arrived in Portland in 1998, entered the state Senate in 2021. He is one of 12,000 to 15,000 Somali refugees in Oregon.

President Trumps cruelty has been the central feature of his immigration policies, Jama said in a statement on the Oregon Senate Democrats Facebook page Thursday. Now he is directing his hatred at Somali Americans specifically, as well as immigrants and refugees from 18 other countries.

The presidents anti-immigrant rhetoric spiked after last months shooting of a West Virginia National Guard member near the White House. Federal authorities have since accused Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who reportedly worked with the CIA during the United States two-decade-long military involvement in Afghanistan, of first-degree murder in the death of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20. Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was also wounded in the attack.

I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thanksgiving Day. Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation.

The president singled out Somali immigrants this week, which has left Somalis in Portland  and across the country  on edge, said Musse Olol, an engineer who also serves as president of the Somali American Council of Oregon.

People are being impacted by him demonizing the Somali community, Olol said, adding that he worries that the presidents remarks will lead to hate crimes against Somalis in the Portland area. Name-calling is really low, but that shows the level of leadership that we have.

Olol added that the majority of the Somali community who immigrated to Portland didnt come by choice, but arrived as refugees escaping war and famine in their country of origin.

Jama, whose experience reflects that of many other first-generation Somalis living in Oregon, made a point on Wednesday to push back on Trumps characterization of immigrants.

Somali Americans are friends and neighbors, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, and dedicated members of the community, he said in his statement. The presidents callous insult to Somali people and sudden halt to legal immigration proceedings for people from more than a dozen countries confirm what good-faith leaders have long observed: this administration has no interest in a lawful, efficient, and accountable U.S. immigration system.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management will provide $3.5 million to help Wasco County clean up debris from Junes devastating Rowena wildfire, Gov. Tina Koteks office said Thursday.

The funding will make it possible for the county to rapidly clear hazardous debris through a coordinated operation that protects cleanup workers and the environment while helping affected residents move forward with rebuilding, the statement said.

The announcement appears to make good on the governors promise in August that the state would take care of the clean-up at no charge to the fires victims.

Now Wasco County has the resources to move forward, and were going to see more progress for families who have been waiting to rebuild, Kotek said in the statement.

In June, the Rowena fire ripped through Wasco County, engulfing some 3,700 acres. More than 50 homes and 90 other structures were destroyed. The wildfire also burned many cars and RVs.

The debris-removal saga in the fires wake has had various twists and turns since June.

In community meetings and printed flyers, the state initially told victims it would clean up all hazardous waste, toxic ash and other debris from peoples properties for free.

But state officials later admitted they didnt have the money to complete the work, abruptly leaving fire victims in the lurch. They said they didnt mean to give residents the impression that the state would do the full clean-up or that residents wouldnt face any costs for it.

I cannot apologize enough that we did not communicate this correctly, Department of Emergency Management spokesperson Erin Zysett told The Oregonian/OregonLive in August. Our intent was not to misinform people. Our intent was not to lie to people.

Just hours after The Oregonian/OregonLive reported on officials about face, Kotek declared that the states original guarantee was good after all.

To the Rowena community impacted by this disaster, you can expect the state and local government to partner to provide debris clean-up at no cost to you, the governor said at the time. Thats what youve been told and thats whats going to happen.

Koteks office pointed out in its statement Thursday that the wildfire did not meet federal thresholds for a presidential major disaster declaration, meaning the victims would not receive federal assistance.
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The G7 countries and the European Union are negotiating to replace the price cap on Russian oil exports with a complete ban on maritime transportation, Reuters reports, citing six sources familiar with the situation.

Currently, Western companies cannot provide tankers and related services for the transportation of Russian oil if its price exceeds the established ceiling. It was initially set by the G7 and the EU at $60 per barrel, but was recently lowered by the European Union, Great Britain, Canada and Switzerland to $47 per barrel; the United States did not join this measure.

According to Reuters, Russia exports more than a third of its oil by Western tankers, mostly using the fleet of EU countries, including Greece, Cyprus and Malta.

Three of the six sources told Reuters that the ban could be part of the next EU sanctions package against Russia, planned for early 2026. Two of the six sources said that the 27-nation EU would like to approve the ban along with a broader agreement with the G7 before proposing a ban as part of the package.
DS Smith Appoints James Lomax as New Managing Director for UK and Ireland Packaging

James Lomax James Lomax

Dec. 5, 2025 - DS Smith has appointed James Lomax as the new Managing Director for UK and Ireland Packaging, taking over from Paul Clarke effective December 1, 2025.

Lomax has a proven track record of delivering business transformation and sustainable growth within the FMCG and packaging sectors. Formerly Director of Supply Chain and Operations within the EMEA Packaging Division for DS Smith, he brings two decades of experience with a proven track record of strategic and robust leadership across multiple roles including Sales, Marketing, Innovation and Operations within his eight-year tenure at the company.

"Following the integration with International Paper, we have embarked on a transformational journey - simplifying our organisation and becoming a more efficient and agile operation to deliver superior customer experience," said Lomax.

"I have been fortunate to see first-hand the best of DS Smith both within the UK and Ireland, across EMEA, and most recently within International Paper, and I am inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead. My immediate priorities are to ensure we maintain a safe environment during this transition, and to re-immerse myself into the operations of the UK and Ireland business, getting out to meet as many sites, teams, and customers as possible.

DS Smith provides innovative packaging solutions, paper products and recycling services with a commitment to sustainability and a circular economy.

SOURCE: DS Smith
Paperboard Packaging Council Elects Hilda Murray as New Board Chair

Hilda Murray, EVP and Owner of TPC Printing & Packaging, has been elected Chair of PPC's Board of Directors. Hilda Murray, EVP and Owner of TPC Printing & Packaging, has been elected Chair of PPC's Board of Directors.

Dec. 5, 2025 - The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) announced the election of Hilda S. Murray, Executive Vice President and Owner of TPC Printing & Packaging, as the new Chair of its Board of Directors.

Murray's appointment marks a continuation of strong, values-driven leadership at PPC as the organization advances its mission to promote innovation, collaboration, and sustainability across the North American paperboard packaging industry.

A respected leader and advocate for independent converters, Murray brings decades of business and industry experience to her new role. Under her leadership, TPC Printing & Packaging, a 100-year-old, family-owned folding carton converter based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has grown into a dynamic company recognized for its craftsmanship, innovation, and commitment to sustainability.

"Hilda's leadership represents the very best of our industry," said Emily Leonczyk, Executive Director and Vice President of the Paperboard Packaging Council. "Her deep understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing converters today, combined with her passion for people and innovation, makes her the ideal person to guide PPC through this next chapter. She embodies the values of integrity, adaptability, and community that define our membership."

Throughout her career, Murray has helped TPC evolve through multiple industry transformations - from textiles to digital workflows, from mass-market to high-end luxury packaging, and, most recently, into rigid box manufacturing. Known for her forward-thinking mindset, she has championed new technologies and sustainable materials, helping TPC remain competitive and resilient amid an ever-changing marketplace.

Commenting on her new role, Murray said, "It's an incredible honor to serve as PPC's Board Chair at such a pivotal time for our industry. As converters, we share a spirit of creativity and collaboration that drives continuous improvement. My goal is to build on that energy, to unite and support our members through change, celebrate one another's success, and keep moving the industry forward together."

Founded about 95 years ago, the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) is exclusively dedicated to North American converters of paperboard packaging and their suppliers. PPC works to grow, promote, and protect the paperboard packaging industry while providing its members with resources and tools to compete successfully in the marketplace.

SOURCE: Paperboard Packaging Council
The recent federal government shutdown in the United States, which lasted for 43 days, resulted in a disruption to SNAP benefits, leaving millions without access to full aid.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program faced severe operational strain during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. This was worrisome because SNAP provided monthly food benefits to low-income individuals and families.

Disruption to SNAP Benefits

The assistance would help families purchase nutritious food using an Electric Benefit Card (EBC), which functions like a debit card, and can be used at grocery stores and farmers' markets.

All of these benefits are funded entirely through federal appropriations, where Congress needs to pass a spending bill for the Department of Agriculture. The latter is the one responsible for managing SNAP and its funding, as well as the distribution of benefits.

The latest government shutdown prevented Congress from approving the annual appropriations that are required to fund federal programs. This left the Department of Agriculture unable to legally distribute the monthly benefits for SNAP, according to Elestoque.

The Department of Agriculture intended to freeze payments to SNAP on Nov. 1, but two federal judges ruled on Oct. 31 that the Trump administration is required to continue benefits for November. This would be done by drawing from the agency's contingency fund, which has around $5 billion.

The program serves an estimated one in eight Americans, and requires a monthly funding of $8 billion to provide assistance across the country. Because of the recent lack of funding, food banks in the U.S. reported a 1,800 percent increase in the number of families visiting.

A New Change

In New York, roughly 3 million people rely on monthly SNAP benefits, and with funding being disrupted, the need for mutual aid has gone up significantly. An outreach specialist at the United Way of the Adirondack Region, Randi Christodoulou, said that food-related issues increased due to the delay, heat, and SNAP benefits, MYNBC5 reported.

The federal government is once again planning to make changes to SNAP by targeting permanent residents, or green card holders. This group of individuals includes refugees and people who were granted asylum.

In response, Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown, along with 21 other states' attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. They assert that the potential change is illegal.

Brown's office said in a Nov. 26 press release that the government's memo "incorrectly asserted that all individuals who entered the country through these humanitarian pathways would remain permanently ineligible for SNAP," as per NWAsianWeekly.
An 83-year-old womans grandson was charged with murder in September when she died days after he pushed her down in a Dauphin County home, court records show.

Susquehanna Township police arrested Tyler Evans, 30, on aggravated assault charges after he pushed his grandmother, Donna Albertson, during an Aug. 27 argument in a home on the 3100 block of Schoolhouse Lane in Susquehanna Township, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Albertson was hospitalized with a serious brain bleed at UPMC Community Osteopathic and died on Sept. 3, according to her obituary.

After his grandmothers death, court records show the charges against Evans were upgraded to third-degree murder. He was arraigned Friday morning before Judge Deborah Curcillo.

Susquehanna Township police published a news release when Evans was charged with aggravated assault, but did not update it when charges were upgraded. PennLive learned of the murder charge this week while reporting on a separate story.

Albertsons husband heard someone fall during the Aug. 27 argument, then heard Albertson say, You pushed me, the affidavit said.

The affidavit said Albertson was having trouble breathing on her own after the fall. According to the affidavit, Evans admitted pushing his grandmother.

Evans bail was initially set at $20,000, but was revoked on Sept. 9 after the charges were upgraded to murder, online court records show. Bail was reset on Oct. 3 to $500,000. He remains at Dauphin County Prison.

Albertson was a retired U.S. Postal Service employee and a member of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Roman Catholic Church, according to her obituary. She is survived by her husband and three children, among other family members.
A one-time Lebanon City Council candidate and daughter of a Lebanon magistrate judge has entered a diversionary court program to resolve allegations she assaulted someone in a local grocery store last summer, according to court documents.

Its unclear if the resolution in Zaelys DeArces case will allow her mother, Aurelis Figueroa, to continue hearing criminal cases.

Figueroa was prohibited by a Feb. 13 court order from hearing all criminal cases following a recommendation by the out-of-county judge hearing DeArces case.

DeArce, 23, will be required to undergo diversionary court programming for 18 months.

She will have to complete 30 hours of community service, take anger management classes and pay $50 for each month shes in the diversionary program.

Shes not to break any laws while on the program. If she successfully completes it, the court may dismiss her charges.

DeArce ran for Lebanon City Council in 2021, and her mother is a magisterial district judge whose jurisdiction covers the northeast side of Lebanon City.

Police charged DeArce with simple assault, a conspiracy count and disorderly conduct last July after they say she and a juvenile jumped on someone inside a Giant store in Lebanon located in her mothers judicial district.

The woman was standing at the customer service desk at the Bowman Street Giant when DeArce and a juvenile attacked her from behind around 10 p.m. on July 15, Lebanon City police said.

DeArce and the juvenile punched the woman in the face and body multiple times, pulled her to the floor by her hair and struck her multiple times, police said. By the end of the assault, the woman was bleeding from the nose, police said in court documents.

Shes a very nice lady with no prior record, DeArces attorney, Michael Light, said of his client. Im happy the Commonwealth was able to offer ARD. I think its a favorable disposition for everyone in this matter.

DeArces case has been the subject of numerous recusals. After Figueroa recused herself from the case Aug. 30, the case moved over to fellow Magisterial District Judge John Ditzler for probable cause proceedings.

Those proceedings stalled as Senior Judge Howard Knisely was brought in to hear DeArces attempts to get the case reassigned to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office because of comments made by District Attorney Pier Hess Graf about her mother. Knisely reassigned the case Feb. 3.

On Feb. 13, President Judge John Tylwalk signed the order reassigning new criminal cases filed in Figueroas district to Magisterial District Judge Judge Kim Wolfes office. Figueroas old cases were split between Ditzler and Magisterial District Judge David Warner, Jr.

Court records reflect an inconsistent timeline of when charges were filed for this case. DeArce wrote in filings charges were filed July 15, 2024; the district attorneys office wrote in filings charges were filed July 30; and DeArces formal court docket filed at her mothers office says charges were filed Aug. 30, the date the case was transferred to Ditzlers office.
A York County judge who previously faced up to 30 years in prison on a variety of fraud, tampering and obstruction of justice charges has had his suspension without pay lifted.

There is nothing preventing York County Judge Steven Stambaugh from resuming his judicial duties in the York County Court of Common Pleas following the Dec. 4 order ending his suspension.

The order came three days after District Judge Malachy E. Mannion ordered the indictment against Stambaugh dismissed.

Stambaugh was indicted in 2024 by a federal grand jury on 26 counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud and a count each of witness tampering and obstruction of justice. The indictment accused him of instructing employees in 2020 to collect COVID relief funds to which they were not entitled.

The Justice Department also accused him of trying to pressure one employee into lying to investigators.

Days before his scheduled Nov. 3 trial, Stambaugh entered a federal diversionary program, which allowed him to avoid entering a plea or facing a trial.

Diversionary programs require individuals to complete certain government requirements and avoid criminal infractions in exchange for the possibility of a reduction in charges or a dismissal of an indictment.

The exact duration and terms of the agreement are not clear, but with his indictments dismissal on Dec. 1, it appears Stambaugh successfully completed the program.

The Court of Judicial Discipline, the state authority that hears cases of judicial misconduct, previously ordered Stambaugh suspended without pay solely because of the existence of the federal indictment.

With the indictments dismissal, the sole reason for his suspension evaporated. Stambaugh requested the suspension be vacated so he may resume his judicial duties.

In his petition, Stambaugh documented several factors presented by an assistant U.S. Attorney in federal court that weighed into the decision to allow him into the federal diversionary program.

Federal attorneys weighed new evidence that came to light in addition to new evidence that affected the credibility of essential federal witnesses.

Other factors included the fact the alleged crimes occurred at the very beginning of the pandemic during business shutdowns; Stambaugh collected little monetary benefit from the scheme; the brief duration of the scheme; and the minimal or very low loss to the government.

Because of that, the Pretrial Diversion Agreement fairly and adequately addresses the matter and thereby serves the interests of justice, the attorney said, according to Stambaugh.

Earlier this year, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) introduced a measure to start impeachment proceedings against Stambaugh, saying, No one is above the law, especially those who are supposed to judge and sentence those who have violated the law.

A rogue judge who violates the law gives a black eye to all those who hold dear our justice system to be fair and impartial.

His measure is still pending.

According to the Pennsylvania Constitution, a judge can only be impeached for misbehavior in office by the state House of Representatives. Articles of impeachment are then presented to the state Senate, whose members decide on either conviction or acquittal.
Ukraine is prepared for any scenario, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening video address regarding the Ukrainian delegations talks in the United States.

Today, Ukrainian representatives will continue their discussions in the United States with President Trumps team. Our task now is to obtain full information about what was said in Moscow and what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine. Ukraine is prepared for any possible developments, Zelenskyy said in his video address on X.

He noted that Kyiv will work as constructively as possible with all partners to ensure that peace is achieved  and that it is, after all, a dignified peace. Only a dignified peace provides real security, and we fully understand that this requires  and will continue to require  the support of our partners.
Image courtesy of the Department of Justice

Federal investigators accused John Courtney Pollard, 63, of Philadelphia, of threatening to kill a state political party employee ahead of the 2024 general election. Image courtesy of the Department of Justice

A 63-year-old man admitted he sent threatening text messages to a member of a political party who was recruiting poll watchers.

John Courtney Pollard, of Philadelphia, changed his plea Wednesday from not guilty to guilty of a single count of making interstate threats.

In September 2024, the victim, a political party employee, posted their personal phone number on social media and asked individuals interested in working as poll watchers to contact them.

Pollard sent one text message to the victims phone at around 10 p.m. Sept. 6:

Hey, (redacted). Im interested in being a poll watcher.

When ten minutes passed without a reply from the victim, Pollard sent another message, police say:

I will KILL YOU IF YOU DONT ANSWER ME!

Your days are numbered, (EXPLETIVE).

GONNA (EXPLETIVE) FIND YOU AND SKIN YOU ALIVE AND USE YOUR SKIN FOR (EXPLETIVE) TOILET PAPER, YOU (EXPLETIVE) KKK(EXPLETIVE)

The situation was treated as an incident involving interstate threats, despite the fact Pollard and the victim were both in Pennsylvania at the time. Thats because Apples iMessage platform does not have a data center in Pennsylvania.

When Pollard sent the text messages, those texts digitally traveled out of state to a data center, which then transmitted the text back to the victims phone.

He could face up to five years in prison and three years of supervised release, and a fine not greater than $250,000.

Pollard is scheduled to be sentenced March 31, 2026.
By Thomas Tracy and Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News (TNS)

NEW YORK  Police have arrested a teenager and charged him with setting a homeless man on fire aboard a No. 3 train in Manhattan, police said Thursday.

Hiram Carrero, 18, is facing charges of attempted murder, arson, assault, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment for the shocking 3 a.m. attack Monday.

Hiram Carrero, 18, accused of lighting a homeless man on fire aboard a train, is taken from the New York Police Department 9th Precinct in Manhattan on Thursday Dec. 4, 2025. (Theodore Parisienne/New York Daily News/TNS) TNS

NYPD warrants officers apprehended Carrero Thursday morning after he was identified as a suspect in the arson. His arrest comes two days after cops released surveillance footage of the incident.

The 56-year-old victim was dozing aboard the northbound train when, as the doors opened at the 34th St.-Penn Station subway stop in Midtown, the teen entered his car, cops said.

Carrero is accused of setting the sleeping victim ablaze and then leaving the train before it left the station, police said.

An off-duty train conductor alerted police after spotting smoke billowing off the seated victim when the doors opened at the Times Square stop about five minutes later.

Police officers at the station poured water on the man to extinguish the flames, sources said.

Medics rushed the man to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center for treatment of severe leg burns, cops said.
A York County man who was charged with setting a fire told his girlfriend and an arresting officer they would end up like Becker, Emenheiser and Baker, three officers who were fatally shot in North Codorus Township earlier this year, according to charging documents.

Northern York County Regional Police were dispatched just after 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 29, to the 3100 block of Carlisle Road in Dover Township for a backyard shed fire.

Officers then spoke with a man, later identified as 31-year-old Christian Meiler, who was visibly intoxicated, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed against him.

Meiler told officers, I hate Northern York County Regional, and said, If you were York City, I would talk to you, but you arent.

Investigators arrested Meiler for risking catastrophe, a third-degree felony, and administered a preliminary breath test that found he had a blood alcohol level of 0.177.

While driving to York County Central Booking, the transporting officer said Meiler became agitated while making derogatory remarks about the slain Northern York County Regional Police detectives.

I hate every single one of you. I hope you end up like Becker, Emenheiser and Baker, Meiler told the officer. Your day is coming, buddy, you are going to be just like them.

The officer did not initially respond to the comments, prompting Meiler to say, Oh, you knew them, huh? the affidavit said.

Meiler then started to violently kick the dividing window of the police cruiser while screaming, Let me the [expletive] out.

At one point, the officer said he believed that Meiler might successfully break the divider and attempt to stage an attack.

Meiler was charged with risking catastrophe, terroristic threats and four violations of the Dover Township burning ordinance.

The following day, a different Northern York County Regional Police officer was dispatched to the same neighborhood to investigate a domestic assault that had taken place an hour before Meiler was arrested for the fire.

The victim, Meilers girlfriend, said she went to Meilers home around 6 p.m. on Nov. 29. The couple then got into an argument about a previous relationship of hers.

The victim said she tried to leave after Meiler threw a controller in her direction. When she went for the door, Meiler tossed her to the ground and tried to take her phone.

As the pair fought over the phone, Meiler slapped the victim in the face as she yelled, call 911, in hopes a neighbor would hear her.

Meiler then took the victim upstairs and locked her in a dark bedroom without her phone while threatening her life.

You know what happened to the Northern Regionals the other week? Thats whats going to happen to you, Meiler told the victim.

Meiler also spat in her face and suffocated the victim with his hands and a pillow, making it difficult for her to breathe, she told police. She said this continued for what felt like two minutes.

Meiler stopped attacking the victim when he noticed the shed outside had caught fire. He then ran outside and called 911.

The victim said she did not speak with police that night because she was frightened for her life and wanted to leave the home.

Police filed additional charges of strangulation, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats, false imprisonment, simple assault and harassment.

According to court documents, Meilers preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 22. He is incarcerated in the York County Prison with his bail denied.

The ambush shooting that killed Becker, Emenheiser and Baker also injured two other officers. Lt. David Godfrey of the York County Sheriffs Office was released from the hospital in October, vowing to return to active duty.

The other injured officer, an unnamed detective with the Northern York County Regional Police, was released from the hospital in late September.
Singer-songwriter Raul Malo of The Mavericks performs in concert at ACL Live on June 03, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images) Getty Images

Raul Malos battle against stage 4 cancer and Leptomenigeal Disease took another tough turn Thursday on the eve of a two-day show slated to honor him at the Ryman Auditorium.

His wife, Betty Malo, shared the news on Facebook that The Mavericks frontman had to be rushed to the hospital.

Our love is fighting hard right now but not a second goes by that he doesnt appreciate all the love everyone shows him, she wrote along with photos of the two holding hands. The boys and I had to bring him to the ER earlier today but (Raul Malo) is stable and ready to fight. We are all excited for (The Ryman) shows and hope everyone enjoys them! Raul has changed many lives and his music has brought so much love to so many people. Lets all stand with him and rally!!!

Malo, 60, is slated to be honored at the Ryman starting on Friday. The Mavericks announced the show last month.

Were proud to announce the Dance The Night Away: A 35-year Musical Legacy Celebrating The Mavericks & Honoring Raul Malo, December 5-6 at (Ryman) Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, the statement read. A 2-night tribute show in honor of Raul and the bands decades-long history and contributions to American and Latin music, these special evenings will feature guest appearances from an exceptional lineup of friends and artists performing selections from The Mavericks storied catalog of classics.

The group shared a long list of performers who are scheduled to take part including Jamy Johnson, Marty Stuart, Steve Earle, Chuck Mead, Cimafunk, Emily West, Hector Tellez Jr., Jaime Hana, JD McPherson, James Otto, Jim Lauderdale, Jese Dayton, Jimmie Vaughan, Joshua Ray Walker, Maggie Rose, Mandy Barnett, Nicole Atkins, Waylon Payne, Sweet Lizzy Project, Wade Hayes, Seth Walker, Nikkie Lane, Patty Griffin and Ray Benson.

The Mavericks previously announced that Malo would not be able to perform but would be in attendance. That could sadly be in question now with his latest health development.
Grotto Pizzas founder recently sold the regional pizza chain to a group of longtime employees who have plans to possibly expand to Lancaster County.

Majority owners, including President Jeffrey Gosnear and Vice President of Operations Adam Webster, Chief Financial Officer Frank Albero and Human Resource Director Glenn Bryum, bought a majority stake from Dominick Pulieri, according to the Delaware Business Times.

The publication reported the deal was finalized in the spring.

Gosnear said the transfer took nearly two years because of business and liquor regulations in the three states  Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania  where the restaurants operate.

Dominick is 83 now and he doesnt have a family and no one who wants to take over the business. It was always said that we could do what we can to buy the business from him, Gosnear told Delaware Business Times. This has been his entire life. We promised him that his life would not change.

Pulieri founded Grotto Pizza in 1960 at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with his sister Mary Jean and her husband Joseph Paglianite. They expanded on Paglianites Harveys Lake, Pa. pizzeria.

The new owners said the menus featuring pizzas with a signature swirl of sauce and pasta, subs, salads, soups and appetizers will remain the same.

Grotto Pizza, which operates 22 locations, is eyeing expansion under the new ownership.

Gosnear told the Cape Gazette they expect to open a location in 2026 in Lancaster County, but didnt share any details or a timeline.

Because the company has saturated the Delaware market, he said developing restaurants in southern Pennsylvania, from Lancaster to Hanover, makes the most sense.
This combination of photos shows an Elf on the Shelf doll in various locations at the home of Antonia Katsanos in Totowa, N.J. in December 2020-2021. (Antonia Katsanos via AP) AP

By ALICIA RANCILIO, The Associated Press

A few years ago, Kurt Neesley of Redondo Beach, California, was brainstorming where to put his familys Elf on the Shelf for his three kids to find the next morning.

He decided to make it look like the doll, named Elfie, had painted on their kitchen wall. Neesley used Tootsie Rolls to build an elf-size climbing wall, posed Elfie on it with a paintbrush, and painted a message in green reminding the kids to behave. There was even paint splatter on the floor. (The paint, Neesley said, was left over from St. Patricks Day when a leprechaun visited and made a mess.)

Three glasses of wine usually get the creativity flowing, said Neesley, who had planned to repaint that kitchen wall anyway. Elf on the Shelf can be very stressful.

This isnt just the holiday season. Its Elf on the Shelf time, and parents like Neesley need ideas.

Elf on the Shelf, who turns 20 this year, has created lots of family memories, laughter and the occasional parental panic over where to move the elf next.

First, a wee history

If youre unfamiliar with Elf on the Shelf, heres how it works: Parents stage the doll in different spots around the home during December. The idea is that Santa Claus has dispatched the elves to keep track of the naughty and nice.

An Elf on the Shelf doll appears with an Ariel doll from Disney's "The Little Mermaid" at the home of Antonia Katsanos in Totowa, N.J. on Dec. 12, 2020. (Antonia Katsanos via AP) AP

The idea of small, mischievous elves who protect the home -- if they are treated well -- can be found in Scandinavian folklore. The modern Elf on a Shelf began in Atlanta in the 1970s, when Carol Aebersold introduced her twin daughters to a magical elf doll named Fisbee who would visit each December. They would wake to find Fisbee in a different spot each morning after his quick trip overnight to the North Pole.

The sisters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, remember telling Fisbee what they wanted for Christmas, believing he gave them a direct line to Santa. Its the most wholesome thing youll ever see, said Bell, who also recalls that the elf would be placed up high so they couldnt touch it. (This is now part of the lore. Children must not touch the elf because that will take away its magic.)

In 2004, Aebersold and Bell self-published an The Elf on the Shelf book that came with a doll. Pitts helped with sales and marketing. It eventually took off.

Bell and Pitts co-founded a company, Lumistella, which has also created other dolls from Santas world. Netflix streams four Elf on the Shelf-related movies, and theres an Elf float in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Some parents have mischievous fun

Antonia Katsanos of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, has made her familys Elf, named Twinkle, a year-round presence for her two daughters.

The elf is watching, you have to eat your dinner. You cant just be good at Christmastime, shell say. Twinkle has left notes to the girls asking them to pick up their Barbies.

Twinkle can also be mischievous. One morning, the girls found her seated in the shower by the soap, dressed like a mermaid. Other days, she was in the ice machine or hanging upside down in the car.

An Elf on the Shelf doll is placed on a chandelier at the home of Antonia Katsanos in Totowa, N.J. on Dec. 5 2021. (Antonia Katsanos via AP) AP

I am a creative person, but you do go dry at some point doing this over and over again, year after year, said Katsanos. I Google ideas and look at Instagram. Its sometimes a nuisance. Ive popped up from sleep at 3:30 a.m. remembering I need to move the elf.

Seeing her daughters faces in the morning when they discover where Twinkle is makes it worthwhile, she said.

Some parents keep it simple

Others keep the tradition low-key.

We dont get elaborate, we just move the elf, said Ashley Zavala of St. Paul, Minnesota, who works late as a bartender and doesnt want the stress of dealing with anything too detailed when she gets home.

Our kids like it and they dont know the difference because they havent had their elf do crazy things.

Still, Zavala looks at pictures online and sends clever ideas to her cousin who goes all out.

Draft the elders

One option for parents who feel fresh out of ideas is to recruit a kid who has aged out of the experience.

Reacher star Alan Ritchson says his older son has done just that and its worked brilliantly.

Heres the cheat code. You get a 13-year-old who figures it out a couple years earlier than he should, and then he becomes your little Elf on the Shelf weapon. So they get excited. Theyll never miss a night. And you get a kid whos coming up with ideas for you. Thats the trick, he said.

An Elf on the Shelf doll appears upside down in a car at the home of Antonia Katsanos in Franklin Lakes, N.J. on Dec. 17, 2023. (Antonia Katsanos via AP) AP

Elf on the Shelf, meet Mensch on a Bench

Ohio father Neal Hoffman was inspired by Elf on a Shelf to create a similar tradition for Jewish families. His Mensch on a Bench doll and book combo teaches kids about Hanukkah. Hoffman successfully pitched the idea on ABCs Shark Tank in 2014, where he recruited investors.

Sandi Celentano, also of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, introduced both Elf on the Shelf and Mensch on a Bench to her interfaith household, but it was too much work so she stopped.

The amount of time and energy that it took thinking of creative ways to display these things every single day -- it just took over everyones lives. Ive boycotted it for about three or four years, she said.
Construction workers atop the U.S. Treasury, bottom right, watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom. (Associated Press/Jacquelyn Martin)

By Skylar Woodhouse, Bloomberg News (TNS)

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump has tapped a new architect to help plan his $300 million White House ballroom wing, assigning the former lead designer to a consultant role in the high-profile and controversial project.

Shalom Baranes Associates, a Washington-based architecture firm, will design the ballroom that will be built in place of the demolished East Wing, according to a White House official. James McCrery, who was previously named to lead the project, will remain in a consulting role.

Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nations capital for decades and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said.

The White House did not specify why they were swapping architects on the project. The Washington Post reported that McCrery and Trump clashed over the scope of the project and that McCrerys small firm wasnt able to meet deadlines in the large-scale project.

A largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, file) AP

Demolition of the East Wing, which once housed the first ladys office, began in October. Trump has said the new ballroom will be 90,000 square feet and hold 1,000 people, a complex that will be much larger than the main White House building, which is about 55,000 square feet.

Cost estimates for the ballroom project have ballooned from $200 million to as much as $350 million. The White House has also said Trump is contributing to the ballroom project, though it hasnt said how much.

Wealthy individuals and corporate donors  including billionaire Steve Schwarzman, Amazon.com Inc. and Coinbase Inc.  have also contributed funds for the project, which has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest for a president who has also regularly mixed personal business with official duties.

Trump unveiled his ballroom plans over the summer, after long complaining about wanting a larger room for entertaining at the White House. At the time, the president said the work on the White House grounds wouldnt interfere with the current building and that the projects plans paid total respect to the existing structures architectural style.

Clark Construction Group LLC is leading the construction of the new ballroom among other projects in Washington, including a renovation of the Kennedy Center.

Will Scharf, a White House aide and the chair of the National Capital Planning Commission, said that the administration is slated to submit plans for the ballroom this month.
By Dan Nephin, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)

The owners of a shuttered Lancaster city spa and salon knew they were going to close permanently when they sold gift cards to consumers, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.

Six months after Visage a Visage abruptly closed at a historic mansion on North Duke Street, its owners must reimburse those consumers and pay $20,015 under a settlement with the state agency.

Visage closed on June 7, citing a family medical emergency.

After almost 22 fulfilling years of serving this amazing community, we have made the difficult, heart wrenching decision to close our doors at Visage a Visage, read a note from owners Ray and Darla Broderick posted on the door of the salon when it closed. This decision was not an easy one to make but one that is needed as we embrace a new chapter in life following a recent and serious change in health.

People complained to the attorney generals office that the spa sold gift cards in the weeks leading up to the closure and on the day it closed.

The owners of this business knew they would be closing their doors, but still chose to sell valueless gift cards to consumers, then ignored requests for refunds, Attorney General Dave Sunday said in announcing the settlement on Wednesday. Regardless of unexpected circumstances that lead to closure, businesses must still abide by consumer laws in place to protect Pennsylvanians.

A message left at a phone number listed for Ray and Darla Broderick online was not immediately returned Thursday. A phone message was also left for their attorney.

Jill Grosh, of Warwick Township, was happy to hear of the settlement and an opportunity to get reimbursed. She had written a letter to LNP-LancasterOnline after the closure expressing her disappointment at how the spa closed.

She said her husband bought her $150 in gift cards to pamper herself and she intended to use them to get her hair done for an upcoming wedding.

I had to quickly pivot and find another place to do my hair. Not that thats earth-shattering. I felt bad for the staff there more than I felt bad for myself, Grosh said.

You dont just close without taking care of employees and customers, said Grosh, a counselor at Lancaster Catholic High School.

Under terms of the settlement, the Brodericks must pay the state $16,015, which is the amount the attorney generals office believes is owed to people who bought gift cards, plus $4,000 to cover the cost of the attorney generals investigation.

The settlement also includes a provision that the Brodericks will pay the state $5,000 if they fail to comply with settlement terms.

Sundays office became involved after consumers reported that Visage sold gift cards to consumers in the weeks leading up to and even on the day of closure. That violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, according to the attorney generals office.

People who bought gift cards tried to get refunds, but the spa never responded, according to the attorney generals office.

To get a refund, people who bought gift cards will have to file a complaint with the attorney generals office before March 3, 2026. The spa owners will refund people who bought gift cards between April 8 and June 7, according to the attorney generals office.

Consumers can file a complaint online or by calling 1-800-441-2555.
UPMC Pinnacle reported 1,797 cases of sepsis and a significant increase in mortality rates from the condition across the five years measured in the report by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. The Harrisburg-based hospital also registered significantly higher rates of mortality due to infectious pneumonia and urinary tract infection. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The rate of patient deaths in hospitals from a number of conditions increased significantly in the past five years across Pennsylvania, according to the latest hospital watchdog group performance report.

The annual Hospital Performance Report released by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council on Thursday found a rise in the hospital mortality rate from sepsis, a medical emergency where the bodys response to an infection causes damage to its own tissues and organs.

Analysis by the group of performance for 17 medical conditions across Pennsylvania hospitals found that the mortality rate for deaths associated with sepsis increased from 8.7% in 2019 to 9.6% in 2024.

The report also found that only one medical condition  acute kidney failure  saw a statistically significant decrease in the in-hospital mortality rate in that same period.

The rate of death decreased from 2.4% in 2019 to 2.2% in 2024 for that condition.

Statewide in-hospital mortality rates showed a statistically significant overall increase from 2019 to 2024 in six of the 16 conditions reported.

The report also shows that the statewide 30-day readmission rates showed a statistically significant increase across the five years measured in six of the 17 conditions reported. The largest increase was in lung blood clots.

The readmission rate increased from 11.8% in 2019 to 13.7% in 2024.

In addition to analyzing hospital performance for 17 medical conditions, the report also looked at average hospital charges and the total number of cases for hospitals. Statewide trends and statistics are also examined.

Barry D. Buckingham, the executive director of PHC4, noted that the Hospital Performance Report is considered a trusted, consistent source of fact-based data, that ensures transparency and informed decision-making.

For the first time, the report includes an online, interactive geographic display, based on facility location.

The value of the reporting is enhanced by these additional resources, and we aim to continue to develop new and different opportunities to support Pennsylvanians, Buckingham said.

PHC4 was created as an independent council under Pennsylvania law to address rapidly growing health care costs.

Across hospitals in central Pennsylvania:

In a statement emailed to PennLive, UPMC noted that while the reports isolated data points were important, it does not include other important factors that would provide a more complete picture of quality assessment for outcomes.

UPMC noted that the UPMC Pinnacle Hospitals in the PHC4 report refers to three UPMC hospitals operating under one license UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC West Shore, and UPMC Community Osteopathic  which means the numbers represent all three hospitals.

UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC West Shore, and UPMC Community Osteopathic earned the highest 5Star CMS Overall Hospital Quality Rating in 2024, reflecting excellence in outcomes, experience, and processes," UPMC said in its statement.

UPMC further noted that its Harrisburg hospital has ranked #7 in Pennsylvania and #2 in the Harrisburg metro area in the U.S. News & World Report 20252026 Best Hospitals rankings.

These recognitions reinforce our commitment to providing exceptional, specialized care to our community and are a testament to the unwavering dedication, exceptional skill, and compassionate care that every UPMC team member brings to our hospitals every day. We remain steadfast in our commitment to always improve patient care outcomes across all conditions, UPMC said. We continue to focus on evidencebased practices and quality improvement strategies to ensure even better patient outcomes in future years."

Editors Note: This story was updated to include the statement from UPMC.
Federal prosucutors are seeking a 15-year sentence for Jeremy Pauley, formerly of East Pennsboro Township, who pleaded guilty to trafficking stolen body parts. FILE/PennLive Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

WILLIAMSPORT  The federal government is seeking an 15-year sentence for a former Cumberland County man who pleaded guilty in a stolen body parts case.

The conduct of Jeremy K. Pauley was unusually heinous and degrading, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin wrote Friday in a U.S. Middle District Court filing.

Pauley is awaiting sentencing Dec. 22 on charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy to commit the same crime to which he pleaded guilty in September 2023.

He admitted buying and selling stolen body parts and in a recorded FBI interview said it is his living and he made $180,000 doing so in 2022.

Pauley also pleaded guilty in Cumberland County to possessing stolen body parts and was placed on two years probation.

Judge Matthew W. Brann previously ruled Pauleys sentence could not be enhanced based on the value of the stolen body parts he bought, sold or traded. That was based on his finding the body parts did not have a value.

Pauley, who formerly lived in East Pennsboro Twp. but now lives in Susquehanna County, argued a human being does not have a monetary value that can be bought or sold and neither do parts post-mortem. Medical schools did not incur a loss because they never were the true owners of donated cadavers, he claimed.

Martin also recommended a 10-year sentence for Cedric Lodge, former on-site of the morgue at Harvard Medical School, which is one of two facilities from which body parts were stolen.

The sentences she is advocating for Pauley and Lodge greatly exceed the guidelines. The prosecutor cited the unique circumstances of the case. Her recommended sentence for Lodges wife Denise is one year. They live in Goffstown, New Hampshire.

He admitted stealing human remains including organs, brains, skin, hands, feet, spines and skulls from donated cadavers after their use for research and teaching purposes was completed.

Between 2018 and 2022 Lodge stole body parts and his wife shipped them to buyers including Andrew Ensanian in Lycoming County and Joshua Taylor in Berks County, it was stated when he pleaded guilty.

Body parts including stillborn babies also were stolen from a morgue that had a contract with the University of Arkansas for Medical Science.

Candace Chapman Scott, who was employed at the morgue, pleaded guilty in Arkansas to charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property. She was sentenced in January to 15 years in prison.

She admitted shipping 24 boxes of body parts, including the fetal remains, to Pauley between Oct. 31, 2021, and July 15, 2022.

Matthew Lampi of East Bethel, Minnesota, admitted when he pleaded guilty that he bought from Pauley the remains of a stillborn boy named Lux that Scott had stolen from the mortuary where he was to be cremated.

Pauley sent Lampi the remains of Lux along with $1,550 in exchange for five human skulls, the federal prosecutor assigned to the case then said. Lampi was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Those charged in the case have been described as collectors of oddities that encompass human body parts.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/

A child was killed and three civilians were injured as a result of enemy attacks in Dnipropetrovsk region, acting head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration Vladyslav Haivanenko reported on Telegram.

"Two districts in the region were attacked by the enemy. In Synelnyky district, Russian troops hit Vasylkiv community with a drone. A 12-year-old boy was killed. Our sincere condolences to the family. A 37-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man were injured. They received the necessary medical care. A fire broke out. A private home was destroyed, and another was damaged," Haivanenko wrote on Telegram.

He also reported that the enemy attacked Nikopol district with FPV drones and shelled it with artillery and Grad multiple launch rocket systems. A 70-year-old local resident was injured by a mine blast. Two private homes, five apartment buildings, and a car were destroyed.
On Friday night, the Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized 80 out of 137 enemy UAVs that attacked Ukraine, and recorded hits from 57 attack UAVs at 13 locations, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

"On the night of December 5 (from 19:00 on December 4), the enemy attacked with 137 Shaheds, Gerberas and other types of attack UAVs from the following directions: Kursk, Orel, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk of the Russian Federation, Chauda of the TOT Autonomous Republic of Crimea, about 90 of them were Shaheds," the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on their Telegram channel.

According to preliminary data, as of 8:30 a.m., air defense forces have shot down or suppressed 80 enemy Shaheds, Gerberas and other types of UAVs in the north, south, east, and center of the country. Fifty-seven attack UAV hits were recorded at 13 locations.

The air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire teams of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
On Thursday night, Ukrainian Defense Forces troops struck one of Russias largest chemical plants, Nevinnomyssk Azot, in Russias Stavropol Krai. Fire was detected in one of the facilitys workshops, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"As part of reducing the enemys offensive potential and missile and bombing capabilities, on the night of December 4, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck one of the aggressors largest chemical plants, Nevinnomyssk Azot, in Russias Stavropol Krai," the General Staff said on its Telegram channel on Thursday evening.

It is noted that the plant is a critical component of the enemys military-industrial complex, with a production capacity of over 1 million tonnes of ammonia and up to 1.4 million tonnes of ammonium nitrate per year, making it a key supplier of basic components for explosives and ammunition production. The facility regularly supplies a number of Russian military-industrial complex enterprises and serves as a chemical hub in the combat support system.

According to the General Staff, one of the production workshops was hit, and a fire was reported at the facility.

"Furthermore, the results of the December 4 strike on an enemy manpower concentration at a training ground near Dokuchayevsk (temporarily occupied territory in Donetsk region) have been confirmed. According to confirmed data, enemy losses amounted to 60 servicemen killed and wounded," the General Staff added.
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Anna B. Mitchell is a Greenville-based investigative reporter for the Post and Courier's Education Lab team. A licensed English and social studies teacher, Anna covers education in the Upstate and collaborates with other reporters for coverage on statewide education trends. She studied history at the University of North Carolina, journalism at the University of Missouri, and holds an MBA from the University of Applied Sciences in Wurzburg. For fun, Anna plays bassoon, visits her family in Germany as often as she can, and takes her doggy, Ashe, for long walks with her daughter and husband.
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A total of 21 countries are currently participating in the initiative to purchase American weapons for Ukraine called PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) with a total commitment of $4.18 billion, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said.

"If the Russians planned to disrupt new contributions to Ukraines defense capabilities and sanctions, they failed. The visit to the NATO headquarters alone resulted in an additional billion dollars in contributions to the PURL. Five additional countries. There were eight additional contributions from countries that were already participating," the minister wrote on Facebook.

He noted that, for the first time, the PURL program, which covers most of our air defense needs, expanded to include countries outside the Alliance  thanks to Australia and New Zealands accession.

"To date, 21 countries are participating in PURL, with a total commitment of $4.18 billion. We are very grateful to each of them," the foreign minister said.

He also emphasized that there was "unanimity and determination to support Ukraine" in the hall of the Ukraine-NATO Council. "Moreover, we are developing an understanding that the stronger Ukraines position on the battlefield is, the stronger our position at the negotiating table will be. This also influences specific support decisions," the minister added.

He said that this was "one of the most productive NATO-Ukraine Council meetings I can remember."

The foreign minister recalled his visit to the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers in Vienna, where he announced measures to hold Russia accountable.

"We are preparing significant measures to hold Russia accountable, bolster support for Ukraine and its people, and facilitate communication between our leaders. The Netherlands is demonstrating firm and principled leadership in all areas. We appreciate this very much," said Sybigh.

In parallel, the minister noted that Ukraine is experiencing a "rapid increase in peace efforts" this week, and the Ukrainian side is currently being debriefed in the United States based on their results.

He added, "It is very indicative that the diplomatic track of peace efforts is being developed simultaneously with specific decisions by the allies to strengthen our army and the resilience of our state during the winter, as well as prepare sanctions against the Russian Federation. That is how it should benot instead of, but simultaneously. Strengthening on the battlefield and in negotiations," he emphasized.
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Apply before July 15, 2026, for a chance to win $2,500.SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble invite undergraduate and graduate students throughout the United States to apply for the firm's new scholarship, the O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & NobleMedical Malpractice Advocacy Scholarship . This scholarship promises its winning student $2,500 to dedicate toward their continuing education.Students have until July 15, 2026, to complete their applications, including a video no longer than three minutes discussing their passion for advocating for people impacted by medical malpractice. Students' videos should describe what drives their interest in justice, advocacy, and fair outcomes in healthcare.The team invites students to discuss any personal experiences or inspiring cases that have impacted their drive. Students can also discuss what visions they have for reform throughout the healthcare and legal industries.Students can visit the scholarship page for more information about video criteria and what information to include in their final application packet. The scholarship selection committee with O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble requires students to submit complete application packets before July 15 if they want the firm to consider them for the O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble Medical Malpractice Advocacy Scholarship.Once the scholarship deadline passes, the scholarship selection committee will take between one and three months to choose its winner. A representative will reach out to that winning student and send the $2,500 award to the trade school, college, university, or graduate program of their choosing.O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Nobleasks that students and their families refrain from contacting the firm while drafting their scholarship application and after submitting an application for consideration. Unfortunately, the firm cannot answer emails, phone calls, or other forms of communication addressing the scholarship at this time.Upon selecting the scholarship winner, the firm will publish a blog post and a press release sharing the winning student's name and accomplishments. Students can keep an eye on the firm's website for updates.The legal team with O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble wishes students applying for the Medical Malpractice Advocacy Scholarship good luck with their applications. It looks forward to offering one passionate student financial support as they chase their academic dreams.About O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & NobleO'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble is a New Jersey Law Firm for the Seriously Wronged, formed from two of the state's legendary law firms. This legal team, including partners Paul O'Connor, Scott Parsons, William Lane, and Greg Noble, put over 150 years of combined legal experience to work on behalf of accident victims throughout the state.The team boasts board-certified expertise and has cultivated respect from adversaries in and out of the courtroom. Clients can trust the firm to bring a unique perspective to their recovery.O'Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble offers free case consultations to anyone needing legal guidance after a serious accident.Call today to start working with New Jersey personal injury lawyers with elite credentials.Contact InformationJulie VendittoOffice Managerjvenditto@ lawnj.net (908) 928-9200SOURCE: OConnor, Parsons, Lane & Noble
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or "the Company") (NYSE:ARE) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria securities between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/ARE Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of the Company's Long Island City (LIC) property; (2) The Company's claims and confidence regarding the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination were misleading and lacked a reasonable basis, particularly in connection with ARE's Megacampus strategy; and (3) As a result, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/ARE or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Alexandria you have until January 26, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 /Banyan Gold Corp. (the "Company" or "Banyan") (TSXV:BYN)(OTCQB:BYAGF) announces the Board of Directors of the Company have granted 5,060,000 stock options to purchase 5,600,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.00 per share with a vesting period of up to 18 months with a five-year term.The stock options are being issued to consultants, employees, advisors and exploration staff of the Company. The options were granted under and are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plan and were granted subject to the annual compensation review.Qualified PersonsDuncan Mackay, M.Sc., P.Geo., is a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release in respect of all disclosure other than the MRE. Mr. Mackay is Vice President Exploration for Banyan and has verified the data disclosed in this news release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information.Upcoming EventsToronto, ON Roadshow - December 8 to 10, 2025Houston, TX Roadshow - December 21 to 23, 2025About BanyanBanyan's primary asset, the AurMac Project is located in the Traditional Territory of First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun, in Canada's Yukon Territory. The current Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the AurMac Project has an effective date of June 28, 2025 and comprises an Indicated Mineral Resource of 2.274 million ounces of gold ("Au") (112.5 M tonnes at 0.63 g/t) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 5.453 Moz of Au (280.6 M tonnes at 0.60 g/t ) (as defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves incorporated by reference into NI 43101). The 303 square kilometres ("sq km") AurMac Project lies 40 kilometres from Mayo, Yukon. The AurMac Project is transected by the main Yukon highway and benefits from a 3-phase powerline, existing power station and cell phone coverage.Table 3: Pit-Constrained Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources - AurMac ProjectDepositGold Cut-Off (g/t)Tonnage (M Tonnes)Average Gold Grade (g/t)Contained Gold (Moz)Indicated MREAirstrip0.3027.70.690.611Powerline0.3084.80.611.663Total Combined Indicated MRE0.30112.50.632.274Inferred MREAirstrip0.3010.10.750.245Powerline0.30270.40.605.208Total Combined Inferred MRE0.30280.60.605.453Notes to Table 3:The effective date for the MRE is June 28, 2025, and was prepared by Marc Jutras, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., Principal, Ginto Consulting Inc., an independent "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101.Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing,changes in global gold markets or other relevant issues.The CIM Definition Standards were followed for classification of Mineral Resources. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Mineral Resources as an Indicated Mineral Resource.Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.30 g/t gold for all deposits, using a US$/CAN$ exchange rate of 0.73 and constrained within an open pit shell optimized with the Lerchs-Grossman algorithm to constrain the Mineral Resources with the following estimated parameters: gold price of US$2,050/ounce, US$2.50/t mining cost, US$10.00/t processing cost, US$2.00/t G+A, 90% gold recoveries, and 45 pit slopes.1The number of tonnes and ounces was rounded to the nearest thousand. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects.In addition to the AurMac Project, the Company holds the Hyland Gold Project, located 70km Northeast of Watson Lake, Yukon, along the Southeast end of the Tintina Gold Belt (the "Hyland Project") in the Traditional Territory of the Kaska Nations, closest to the Liard First Nation and Daylu Dena Council.The Hyland Project represents a sediment hosted, structurally controlled, intrusion related gold deposit, within a large land package (over 125 sq km), accessible by a network of existing gravel access roads. The updated MRE comprises an Indicated Mineral Resource of 337 thousand ("k") ounces ("oz") of gold ("Au") and 2.63 million ("M") oz of silver ("Ag") (11.3 M tonnes of ore at 0.93 g/t Au and 7.27 g/t Ag), and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 118 koz of Au and 0.86 Moz Ag (3.9 M tonnes of ore at 0.95 g/t Au and 6.94 g/t Ag)(as defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves incorporated by reference into NI 43101) effective September 1, 2025 and with technical report filed on Sedar on October 27, 2025.Banyan also holds the Nitra Gold Project, a grassroots exploration project located in the Mayo Mining district, approximately 10km west of the AurMac Gold Project. The Nitra Project lies in the northern part of the Selwyn basin and is underlain by metaclastic rocks of the Late Proterozoic Yusezyu Formation of the Hyland Group, similar to lithologies hosting portions of the AurMac Project. Middle Cretaceous Tombstone Plutonic suite intrusions occur along the property including the Morrison Creek and Minto Creek stocks. The property is 100% owned and operated by Banyan Gold Corporation ("Banyan") and covers approximately 313.9 sq km. The property is accessible by road along the Silver Trail Highway, South McQuesten Road and 4x4 roads.1 The gold price and cost assumptions are consistent with current pricing assumptions and costs and, in particular, with those employed for recent technical reports for similar pit-constrained Yukon gold projects.Banyan trades on the TSX-Venture Exchange under the symbol "BYN" and is quoted on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "BYAGF". For more information, please visit the corporate website at or contact the Company.ON BEHALF OF BANYAN GOLD CORPORATION(signed) "Tara Christie"Tara ChristiePresident & CEOFor more information, please contact:Tara Christie  778 928 0556  tchristie@ banyangold.com Jasmine Sangria  604 312 5610  jsangria@ banyangold.com CAUTION
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Byzfunder NY LLC("Byzfunder")recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Byzfunder.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On September 19, 2025, Byzfunder became aware of a security incident involving one of its cloud software solutions. Upon detection, Byzfunder launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident.The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party may have accessed or acquired certain files between September 1, 2025, and September 20, 2025. Byzfunder conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identify affected individuals.The impacted data may include names, and Social Security numbers.On November 19, 2025, Byzfunder submitted a notice to the Maine Attorney General's Office and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Byzfunder NY LLC, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / California Casualty Indemnity Exchange, California Casualty Insurance Company, California Casualty & Fire Insurance Company, or California Casualty General Insurance Company of Oregon ("California Casualty") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal information of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to California Casualty.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?California Casualty recently became aware of suspicious activity on its IT network. Upon detection, California Casualty launched an investigation with the assistance of a third-party cybersecurity firm to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to the California Casualty's IT network between September 2, 2025, and September 8, 2025.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, driver's license or state identification numbers, dates of birth, tax identification numbers, and financial account numbers.On November 19, 2025, California Casualty filed a notice with the Attorney General of Maine and may soon begin mailing notification letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from California Casualty Companies, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW ORLEANS, LA AND NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilJanuary 12, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Stride, Inc. ("Stride" or the "Company") (NYSE:LRN), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between October 22, 2024 and October 28, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Stride and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-lrn/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 12, 2026 .About the LawsuitStride and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On September 14, 2025, it was reported that the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education had filed a complaint against the Company, alleging fraud, deceptive trade practices, systemic violations of law, and intentional and tortious misconduct, including inflating enrollment numbers by retaining "ghost students" on rolls to secure state funding per student and ignoring compliance requirements, including background checks and licensure laws for its employees. On this news, the price of Stride's shares fell $18.60 per share, or 11.7%, to close at $139.76 per share on September 15, 2025.Then, on October 28, 2025, the Company disclosed that "poor customer experience" had resulted in "higher withdrawal rates," "lower conversion rates," and had driven students away, and that the Company estimated the impact caused approximately 10,000-15,000 fewer enrollments and that, because of this, its outlook is "muted" compared to prior years. On this news, the price of Stride's shares fell $83.48 per share, or more than 54%, to close at $70.05 per share on October 29, 2025.The case is MacMahon v. Stride, Inc., et al., Case No. 25-cv-02019.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW ORLEANS, LA AND NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilJanuary 2, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between June 20, 2025 and September 24, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of CarMax and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-kmx/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 2, 2026 .About the LawsuitCarMax and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On September 25, 2025, the Company announced its Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 financial results, disclosing among other things, that retail unit sales had decreased 5.4%, comparable store unit sales had decreased 6.3%, wholesale units had decreased 2.2%, and that net earnings per diluted share of $0.64 compared to $0.85 a year ago.On this news, the price of CarMax's shares fell $11.5 per share, or 20.07%, to close at $45.60 per share on September 25, 2025.The case is Cap v. CarMax, Inc., No. 25-cv-03602.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Freeport-McMoRan Inc. ("Freeport" or "the Company") (NYSE:FCX) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Freeport securities between February 15, 2022 and September 24, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/FCX Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Freeport did not adequately ensure safety at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia; (2) the lack of proper safety precautions constituted a heightened risk that could foreseeably lead to the death of Freeport's workers; (3) this constituted an undisclosed heightened risk of regulatory, litigation, and reputational risk; and (4) as a result, defendants statements about Freeport-McMoRan's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/FCX or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Freeport you have until January 12, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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The United States has appealed to European countries not to approve the allocation of a "reparation loan" to Ukraine at the expense of frozen Russian assets, Washington believes that these funds should be a lever for reaching a peace agreement, and not a tool for continuing the war, Bloomberg reports, citing European diplomats familiar with the situation.

"The US lobbied several countries in the European Union in an effort to block EU plans to use frozen Russian central bank assets to back a massive loan to Ukraine," Bloomberg reported on Friday.

US officials argued to member states that the assets are needed to help "secure a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow and should not be used to prolong the war," said the diplomats, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The US State Department press service did not respond to a request for comment.

Politico previously reported on the USs negative stance on the issue. "When EU sanctions envoy David OSullivan visited Washington in the summer, US officials made it clear to him that their plan was to return Russian assets after any peace plan was signed," the publication reported.

However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously stated that the United States had responded positively to the proposal to provide Ukraine with a reparations loan based on Russian immobilized assets.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County ("Industrial Credit Union") recently suffered a data breach through one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to the Industrial Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Recently, Industrial Credit Union was informed of a security incident involving one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, which provides both print and email services to financial institutions. Upon learning of the breach, the vendor engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to investigate the nature and scope of the incident. Industrial Credit Union's own systems were not breached.The impacted data may include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and financial and banking information.On November 26, 2025, Industrial Credit Union filed a notice with the office of the Attorney General of Washington and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center("ANHC")recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to ANHC.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Recently, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center became aware of a security incident on its systems. Upon detection, ANHC launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to certain ANHC systems.The impacted data may include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver's license or state identification numbers, medical treatment information, and health insurance information.On November 19, 2025, ANHC filed a public notice with the office of the Attorney General of Maine and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilDecember 8, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuit against WPP plc (NYSE:WPP), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between February 22, 2024 and July 8, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of WPP and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-wpp/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byDecember 8, 2025 .About the LawsuitsWPP and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On July 9, 2025, the Company published a trading update for the first half of 2025, disclosing that it had allegedly "seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed" due to both "continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated," as well as "some distraction to the business" as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media a.k.a. GroupM. The Company further disclosed that its CEO "will retire from the Board and as CEO on 31 December 2025."On this news, the price of WPP's shares fell from a closing price of $35.82 per share on July 8, 2025 to $29.34 per share on July 9, 2025, a decline of about 18.1% in the span of just a single day.The first-filed case is Marty v. WPP plc, 25-cv-08365. A subsequent case, Teamsters Local 456 Annuity Fund v. WPP plc, 25-cv-09930, expanded the class period.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 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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NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilJanuary 26, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE:ARE), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between January 27, 2025 to October 27, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Alexandria and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-are/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byJanuary 26, 2026 .About the LawsuitAlexandria and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On October 27, 2025, post-market, the Company disclosed financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 that were below expectations, including cuts to its FFO guidance for the full-year 2025, due 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 shares fell from a closing market price of $77.87 per share on October 27, 2025 to $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025, a decline of about 19% in the span of just a single day.The case is Warren Hern v. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-11319.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Norway Savings Bank ("NSB") recently suffered a data breach through its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions ("Marquis"), that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to NSB.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 14, 2025, Marquis, a third-party data services provider used by Norway Savings Bank, experienced a security incident. The incident did not involve NSB's internal systems. Upon learning of the incident, NSB received regular investigative updates from Marquis and engaged cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident, including whether NSB's customer information was impacted.The impacted data may include names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, tax identification numbers, and financial account information.On November 20, 2025, Marquis filed a notice with the office of the Attorney General of Maine and began notifying individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Norway Savings Bank, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC("Merck")recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Merck.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On September 22, 2025, Merck was informed by Graebel Companies, Inc. that it had identified Merck data within files impacted by a security incident in its systems.After receiving this information from Graebel, Merck performed an internal review and, on October 20, 2025, determined that certain Merck current and former employees' personal information was included in the data impacted by Graebel's security incident. On November 7, 2025, Merck began notifying affected employees.The impacted data may include names and financial account information.On November 17, 2025, Merck filed a notice with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 /55 North Mining Inc. (CSE:FFF)(FSE:6YF) ("55 North" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $200,000.The third tranche comprises the issuance of 400,000 common shares at a price of $0.50 per share. No finder's shares or finder's warrants were issued in connection with this tranche. All Common Shares issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance.With the completion of this third tranche, 55 North has now raised a total of $4,202,000 under the Offering. Proceeds will continue to be used to fund property payments, advance drilling at the Last Hope Gold Project, and support general working capital and corporate overhead.Following the closing of this third tranche, the Company will have approximately 33.25 million common shares issued and outstanding."With gold prices remaining strong, we are seeing continued interest from both new and existing shareholders," said Bruce Reid, CEO of 55 North Mining. "The support we've received across all tranches reflects growing recognition of the potential scale and grade of the Last Hope system. This additional capital further positions us to advance drilling and deliver meaningful progress going into 2026."About 55 North Mining Inc.55 North Mining Inc. is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing its high-grade Last Hope Gold Project located in Manitoba, Canada.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Mr. Bruce ReidChief Executive Officer55 North Mining Inc.Phone: 647-500-4495bruce@ mine2capital.ca Mr. Vance LoeberCorporate DevelopmentPhone: 778-999-3530cvl@ tydewell.com CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATIONThis news release of 55 North contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." 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 in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.SOURCE: 55 North Mining Inc
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Technology Veteran Brings Decades of Leadership to Guide the Nation's Largest Laboratory Services Network Through Next Phase of Strategic GrowthMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Pace, a leading science and technology company with a nationwide network of environmental and life sciences laboratories, announces the appointment of Ken Beyer as its new Chief Executive Officer. Beyer will oversee all aspects of the organization, bringing a wealth of experience across technology and logistics markets to further strengthen Pace and its mission of delivering innovative solutions and outstanding customer service. Pace People Advancing Science Pace People Advancing Science Logo"I am honored to join Pace and lead a team dedicated to making the world a safer, healthier place," said Ken Beyer. "Together, we will continue to innovate our services and delivery network while advancing scientific excellence for our clients and communities." Ken Beyer joins Pace after a distinguished career leading high-growth companies in the logistics, technology, and consulting sectors. Most recently, as CEO of Transportation Insight and Nolan Transportation Group, he guided the combined company to become the 4th largest domestic transportation management provider in the U.S., generating over $5 billion in annual revenue. Beyer previously served as President of Ingram Micro Commerce & Lifecycle Services, a $4 billion global logistics business spanning 39 countries and 15,000 employees. He joined Ingram Micro after its acquisition of CloudBlue Technologies, a company he co-founded and scaled into a global leader in reverse logistics and IT asset disposition. Beyer began his career as a management consultant with Ernst & Young, holds a degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State University, and is an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO).Pace, a portfolio company of Leonard Green & Partners and Aurora Capital Partners, brings decades of expertise in supporting industries, government agencies, and businesses through its state-of-the-art laboratory services. Under Beyer's leadership, the company is poised to accelerate growth, expand service offerings, and strengthen partnerships across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and environmental sectors.For more information about Pace, please visit pacelabs.com About PacePace makes the world a safer, healthier place. For decades, Pace people have been committed to advancing the science of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in our Life Sciences laboratories and supporting businesses, industries, consulting firms, government agencies, and more through our Environmental and Analytical Services laboratories. Pace offers local-level service backed by a national laboratory network. For customers with in-house labs, Pace provides a range of professional services to keep their operations moving forward. Pace people work in partnership with customers by providing the service, science, and the data they need to make critical decisions that benefit us all. More at pacelabs.com Contact InformationPam BednarMarketing Directorpam.bednar@pacelabs.com 612-297-0651Brooke SchwartzelBrand & Communications Managerbrooke.schwartzel@pacelabs.com 612-656-2241SOURCE: Pace AnalyticalRelated ImagesKen Beyer Named Pace CEO Ken Beyer Headshot
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Pelican Credit Union recently suffered a data breach through its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions ("Marquis"), that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Pelican Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?In August 2025, Pelican Credit Union learned from its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions, that Marquis had experienced a data security incident. During the subsequent investigation, it was discovered that an unauthorized third party may have accessed or acquired files containing sensitive personal data belonging to Pelican Credit Union members. On October 27, 2025, Marquis confirmed to Pelican Credit Union that member data was likely involved in the breach.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, tax identification numbers, financial account numbers, and payment card data.On November 14, 2025, Pelican Credit Union posted public notice of the breach on its website. Marquis and Pelican Credit Union recently began mailing notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Pelican Credit Union, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
The 2026 State Budget does not provide for an increase in the financial support of military personnel, but new contracts with improved financial conditions will be introduced, said Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

"The draft budget does not allow for an increase in financial support in 2026. However, we are introducing a new contract form that will offer improved conditions for all servicemen. Those in service will be able to sign these new contracts and receive more funds," Shmyhal said during the "question hour" for the government in the Verkhovna Rada on Friday.

The minister added that the government will consider the Ministry of Defenses draft law on introducing additional changes to the contractual form of service on Friday.

"Regarding financial support: separate institutional and legislative changes are needed here. We have worked with the relevant committee and discussed this issue. We are looking for options, but for now, we are relying on the contractual form," Shmyhal said.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE:ARE). 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 Alexandria and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 26, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria 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 October 27, 2025, Alexandria reported below-expectation financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2025 and, in particular, cut its full-year 2025 funds from operations, or FFO, guidance. 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 Long Island City property.On this news, Alexandria's stock price fell $14.93 per share, or 19.17%, to close at $62.94 per share on October 28, 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 / December 5, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against StubHub Holdings, Inc. ("StubHub" or the "Company") (NYSE:STUB). 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 StubHub and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 23, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired StubHub 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 or around September 17, 2025, StubHub conducted its initial public offering ("IPO") of 34,042,553 shares of Class A common stock priced at $23.50 per share. Then, on November 13, 2025, StubHub issued a press release announcing its financial results for the third quarter of 2025. The press release revealed that free cash flow was negative $4.6 million in the quarter, a 143% decrease from the Company's free cash flow in the year ago period, which was positive $10.6 million. The press release further revealed that StubHub's net cash provided by operating activities was only $3.8 million, a 69.3% decrease from the year ago period, when the Company reported $12.4 million in net cash provided by operating activities. The same day, StubHub filed its quarterly report for the third quarter of 2025, which revealed that the quarter's year-over-year decrease in free cash flow "primarily reflects changes in the timing of payments to vendors." On this news, StubHub's stock price fell $3.95 per share, or 20.9%, to close at $14.87 per share on November 14, 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: 2025-12-05 00:01:07

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Freeport-McMoran Inc. ("Freeport" or the "Company") (NYSE:FCX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Freeport and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 12, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Freeport securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On September 9, 2025, Freeport issued a press release announcing the suspension of mining activities at its Grasberg Block Cave operation in Indonesia, after "a large flow of wet material from a production drawpoint . . . blocked access to certain areas within the mine," trapping seven workers. The press release further stated that mining operations in the area "have been temporarily suspended to prioritize the safe evacuation of the . . . workers." On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $2.80 per share, or 5.99%, to close at $43.87 per share on September 9, 2025.Then, on September 24, 2025, Freeport provided an update on the incident, reporting that two of the seven workers were "fatally injured" and that the remaining five workers "remain missing." The press release further stated that mining operations in the area remained suspended.On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $7.69 per share, or 16.95%, to close at $37.67 per share on September 24, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-05 00:01:05

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Perrigo Company plc ("Perrigo" or the "Company") (NYSE:PRGO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Perrigo and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 16, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Perrigo securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On February 27, 2024, Perrigo reported fiscal year 2023 earnings, revealing significant acquisition and integration-related charges, including a purported one-time cash cost of an additional $35 million to $45 million for remediations to address production and facility issues in its infant formula business. The Company also disclosed a 50% decline in earnings per share compared to the prior year due to infant formula remediation actions.On this news, Perrigo's stock price fell $4.87 per share, or 15.14%, to close at $27.30 per share on February 27, 2024.Then, on May 7, 2024, Perrigo released earnings for the first quarter ended March 30, 2024, revealing the significant negative impact of Perrigo's costly actions to augment and strengthen its infant formula business.On this news, Perrigo's stock price fell $3.28 per share, or 9.8%, to close at $30.15 on May 7, 2024.Then, on August 6, 2025, Perrigo issued a press release announcing earnings for the second quarter ended June 28, 2025, revealing the Company's adjusted gross profit decreased $30 million, or 6.9%, due in part to "production variability in infant formula, leading to an increase in product scrap in the quarter." Finally, on November 5, 2025, Perrigo issued a press release, announcing the Company "is initiating a strategic review of its infant formula business" including a "a full range of alternatives." The press release revealed Perrigo is "reassessing the Company's previously announced investment in this business of $240 million." On this news, Perrigo's stock price fell $5.09 per share, or 25.2%, to close at $15.10 per share on November 5, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-05 00:00:55

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Primo Brands Corporation ("Primo Brands" or the "Company") (NYSE:PRMB). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Primo Brands and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 12, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Primo Brands securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained atwww.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On June 17, 2024, Primo Water Corporation ("Primo Water") announced entry into a merger agreement (the "Merger") with an affiliate of BlueTriton Brands, Inc. ("BlueTriton"). The two companies touted the synergies of the Merger, stating that the combined company was expected to have "significant financial and operating leverage" and "enhanced distribution capabilities" which would position it "for sustained long-term growth." On November 8, 2024, the companies announced the completion of the Merger and the formation of the combined entity, Primo Brands.On August 7, 2025, Primo Brands announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. On an accompanying earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Robbert Rietbroek acknowledged that "[t]he speed by which we closed facilities and reduced headcount led to disruptions in product supply, delivery, and service." Following these disclosures, Primo Brands' stock price fell $2.41 per share, or 9.13%, to close at $24.00 per share on August 7, 2025.Then, on November 6, 2025, Primo Brands announced Rietbroek's departure as CEO and disclosed that the Company was drastically reducing its full year 2025 net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance. During a corresponding earnings call, Primo Brands' new CEO Eric Foss admitted that the Company "probably moved too far too fast on some of the various integration work streams" and that "[t]here's no doubt that speed impacted our ability to get through a lot of the warehouse closures and route realignment without disruption." Foss further revealed that Primo Brands had experienced "customer service issues" as well as "integration issues related to the technology move over." On this news, Primo Brands' stock price fell $8.20 per share, or 36.19%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $14.46 per share on November 7, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-05 00:00:47

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 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
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-06 00:00:18

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 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
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-05 19:30:09

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / Rockhill Women's Care ("RWC") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to RWC.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On or about February 26, 2025, RWC became aware of a security incident on its IT systems. Upon detection, RWC launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party had gained access to its systems.The impacted data may include names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, medical treatment information, and health insurance information.On September 30, 2025, RWC publicly disclosed the breach on its website and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Rockhill Women's Care, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-06 00:00:40

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A first-of-its-kind integration brings secure, AI-powered 8112 digital coupons directly into the KCL app - modernizing how CPG brands reach shoppers.BOISE, IDAHO / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 /The Krazy Coupon Lady (KCL), the leading deal discovery platform, today announced a landmark partnership with The Coupon Bureau to launch the next generation of digital couponing: Universal Coupons, now integrated directly within the free KCL app. This debut brings the highly anticipated technology to millions of everyday shoppers nationwide. Krazy Coupon Lady appSetting a New Standard for Digital PromotionsThis strategic alliance sets a new benchmark for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) promotions, combining the reach and shopper influence of KCL with the security and scalability of The Coupon Bureau's AI (8112) standard. Together, the two organizations are unlocking a seamless, secure, and fully trackable coupon experience that modernizes how brands engage with consumers."This partnership is about more than just coupons-it's about transforming the way CPG brands connect with shoppers in a digital-first world," said Heather Wheeler, co-founder of The Krazy Coupon Lady. "By launching Universal Coupons, we're demonstrating what's possible when technology and trust come together to power consumer savings." "It is thrilling to partner with The Krazy Coupon Lady to bring new savings opportunities to millions of active shoppers through Universal Coupons," adds Brett Watson, CEO of The Coupon Bureau. "By integrating Universal Coupons directly into their app, consumers are getting the reliable, personalized savings they expect from KCL, while significantly enhancing security in couponing for their brand partners. This is how we build trust in digital promotions." Why Universal Coupons Matter for CPG InnovatorsDigital-First, Omni-Channel: The 8112 solution eliminates paper, reduces fraud, and removes operational friction , -allowing brands to deploy targeted offers across in-store, online, and mobile channels.Personalized, Measurable Engagement: KCL's platform intelligently surfaces relevant deals to the right shoppers while The Coupon Bureau's technology enables real-time validation and redemption tracking.Proven Shopper Influence: Two-thirds of KCL's audience start their shopping journey on the platform, with 87% considering KCL's recommendations and 93% likely to repeat purchases-driving high conversion and long-term loyalty for CPG brands.A Call to Forward-Thinking CPG BrandsThis launch is a call to action for CPGs seeking to future-proof their promotional strategies. By joining the digital coupon revolution, brands can:Reach purchase-ready shoppers at scaleAccess deeper insights and measurable ROIEnhance brand security and reduce promotional fraudJoin industry leaders advancing the next wave of digital CPG innovationAbout The Krazy Coupon LadyThe Krazy Coupon Lady is the #1 deal discovery platform, empowering millions of shoppers to save smarter every day through expert-curated deals and seamless digital experiences.About The Coupon BureauThe Coupon Bureau is a non-profit, industry-managed platform that delivers universal, secure, and real-time coupon solutions for the CPG industry.Media Contact: The Krazy Coupon Lady Communications Team: press@ thekrazycouponlady.com For CPG brands interested in adopting the Universal Digital Coupon Solution:partnerships@ thekrazycouponlady.com Contact InformationSarah MesserInvestigative Producer at GMAsarah.messer@abc.com 6469423880SOURCE: Krazy Coupon Lady
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-05 04:40:13

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Sharkarma - Guardian of the Oceans, V-Nova Studios' cinematic-grade 6DoF original film, will premiere at United XR 2025 ahead of its global launchThe film showcases the V-Nova PresenZ volumetric format, enabling free movement in six degrees of freedom with cinematic image qualityLive session with V-Nova Studios' team on advancing immersive storytelling without motion sicknessLONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 /V-Nova Studios, a Business Unit of V-Nova, will unveil Sharkarma - Guardian of the Oceans at United XR 2025. This immersive film is the studios eagerly anticipated first original production created with the V-Nova PresenZ cinematic six degrees of freedom format, announced today by Gianluca Meardi, general manager of V-Nova Studios and Producer of the movie.The premiere highlights the capabilities of the V-Nova PresenZ format. V-Nova PresenZ delivers cinematic quality in six degrees of freedom with full viewer comfort, allowing audiences to explore scenes freely without motion sickness even over longer viewing sessions. Unlike other immersive formats, V-Nova PresenZ works directly with existing CGI and VFX pipelines, enabling studios to reuse their assets and produce volumetric content without changing their production workflows. This combination of cinematic quality, free movement and compatibility with established pipelines makes V-Nova PresenZ a distinctive and scalable approach to longform immersive storytelling.Taking place December 8-10 at Maison de la Poste in Brussels, Belgium, United XR 2025 is one of the world's premier industry gatherings bringing together XR professionals and innovators to explore the latest advancements in AR, VR and MR technologies.Following its debut at United XR 2025, the fully immersive drama Sharkarma will roll out initially on SteamVR the leading global platform for VR content and experiences, in early 2026.V-Nova Studios' Gianluca Meardi and XR Production & Distribution Lead Aimone Bodini will join a session titled "How to Honour 50 Years of Computer Animation Heritage: Make It Volumetric and Avoid Motion Sickness", scheduled for December 9, 2025, at 11:30 AM (CET)."United XR 2025 provides the ideal stage for the worldwide premiere of Sharkarma, our first original film created with the V Nova PresenZ six degrees of freedom format. Alongside the premiere, we will showcase additional content at stall 207 to demonstrate how V-Nova PresenZ enables an entirely new category of free movement cinematic XR. Sharkarma is only the beginning. We look forward to sharing more content created with this format in the months ahead," said Guido Meardi, CEO of V Nova.V-Nova PresenZ is attracting strong interest from content creators and mixed reality headset manufacturers who have been searching for a way to deliver longer immersive experiences without discomfort. This showcase marks a key milestone in V-Nova Studios' mission to empower the industry to create cinematic, long-form XR. V-Nova is already working with major Hollywood and global studios to bring extraordinary new 6DoF experiences to life-projects that will redefine what audiences expect from immersive storytelling.Sharkarma: Guardian of the Oceans follows a group of explorers whose ocean-sailing mission into one of the most remote and unstable regions of the planet spirals into dire and unexpected consequences. What begins as a scientific expedition toward the Ring of Fire quickly becomes a harrowing journey that blurs the boundary between marine science and mythology.Created by V-Nova Studios in collaboration with WildAid and Wendy Benchley, renowned ocean advocate and wife of Jaws author Peter Benchley, the film champions ocean protection by raising awareness about the critical role sharks play in marine ecosystems and the urgent need to end shark finning."As XR technology innovators and storytellers, we believe in the transformative power of immersive experiences. We look forward to sharing Sharkarma and V-Nova PresenZ with world-leading XR companies and professionals and demonstrating how the format can engage audiences beyond traditional screens. During our talk at United XR, we will also introduce impactX, our creative framework for converting or designing next-generation volumetric films, explaining how Sharkarma was conceived and structured using this new 6DoF narrative grammar" added Gianluca Meardi.About V-Nova: V-Nova is a deep technology company committed to unlocking higher quality digital experiences at scale. The Company's technologies, based on the innovative use of AI and parallel processing, improve data, video, imaging, point cloud compression and have been granted international standard status by MPEG, ISO and SMPTE. V-Nova's relentless investment in R&D has built a portfolio of over 1400 international patents, along with a range of software products and solutions. V-Nova Software includes V-Nova LCEVC, the industry's first highly optimized library for encoding and decoding enhanced video streams with MPEG5 Part 2, Low Complexity Enhancement Video Coding (LCEVC) and V-Nova VC6, a high performance AI powered software library for SMPTE VC6 (ST-2117) which is used primarily for professional production workflows, imaging, gaming, and media indexing applications. Visit: Advanced video compression software - V-NovaAbout V-Nova Studios: V-Nova Studios is the pioneering immersive business unit of V-Nova Ltd, dedicated to revolutionizing the future of immersive media and cinematic storytelling. Leveraging the groundbreaking V-Nova PresenZ format, V-Nova Studios creates immersive 6-Degrees-of-Freedom (6DoF) extended reality experiences with cinematic quality, offering unprecedented freedom of movement within virtual environments. The studio focuses on developing a new authentic and immersive cinematic language, producing original content, from movies to music, that showcases the potential of the PresenZ format, and empowering filmmakers-both Major Studios and independents-to push the boundaries of what's possible in extended reality. Through innovation and collaboration, V-Nova Studios is committed to shaping the next generation of visual storytelling. Visit: Studios - V-Nova# # # #CONTACT: SSA Public RelationsSteve Syatt steve@ ssapr.com (818) 222-4000SOURCE: V-Nova
Ukrainian agribusiness sector ready for European standards and capable of becoming a driver of recovery - Tarasov

Despite the war, the Ukrainian agribusiness sector is demonstrating resilience and readiness to integrate into the EU market, as I&U Group founder Serhiy Tarasov said https://ukranews.com/en/publication/4595-kk in an interview.

According to the entrepreneur founder, Ukrainian agriculture has been working in the logic of European requirements for many years.

"We have been working in the logic of European standards for a long time - this is our daily way of doing business," he noted.

Tarasov emphasized that the greatest potential for Ukraine is in processing, digitalization and bioenergy.

"The world is moving towards a cyclical economy, and Ukraine can become a leader in this process," he added.

The company is also launching a school for veterans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which will provide military personnel with practical knowledge to start their own businesses.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-05 18:30:14

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 5, 2025 / WEL Companies, Inc.("WEL")recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to WEL.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On January 31, 2025, WEL became aware of a security incident on its network. Upon detection, WEL launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party acquired certain files on WEL's network.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and state identification numbers.On November 19, 2025, WEL filed a notice with the Attorney General of Maine and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from WEL Companies, Inc., you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Drama unfolded at the Court of Appeal in Lagos on Thursday after a fierce dispute among lawyers over who is authorised to represent Nestoil Limited and Neconde Energy in a multibillion-naira debt recovery case forced a three-member panel of justices to adjourn proceedings.

The confusion erupted when Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who has represented Neconde since the matter began at the Federal High Court, told the court that he had been abruptly and improperly replaced by a new legal team appointed by the receiver/manager overseeing the companies.

He said he was only served a notice of change of counsel moments before Thursdays sitting, adding that the appellants, FBN Quest Merchant Bank and First Trustees, indicated in their notice of appeal that one Aleoge Esq had substituted him for Neconde, while M.B. Ganiyu had purportedly replaced Muiz Banire, SAN, as counsel to Nestoil.

In the record and orders of the lower court, this new set of people appeared for the receiver/manager, not for my client, Mr Olanipekun argued, insisting that a party retains the right to counsel of its choice.

The proceedings became even more heated when Ayoola Ajayi rose to introduce himself as the newly appointed counsel for Nestoil. He also announced Mr Ganiyu and another lawyer, Yemi Arikawe, as members of his team.

But Mr Banire told the court that Mr Ajayi had filed an application seeking to restrain him from representing Nestoil until the dispute over legal representation is resolved. Allowing a new legal team to take over at this stage, he said, would be premature and risk plunging the proceedings into chaos.

He maintained that until the appellate court, comprising Justices Y.B. Nimpar, D.Z. Senchi and P.T. Kwanar formally rule otherwise; he remains the valid counsel for Nestoil.

The panel then heard arguments on whether the court should first resolve the representation dispute before attending to the substantive appeal.

Citing several appellate court authorities, Mr Ajayi argued that resolving a dispute over counsel takes precedence, even above the question of jurisdiction.

He said he was properly appointed by the receiver/manager, Abubakar Sulu-Gambari, and had filed an application challenging Mr Banires continued appearance for Nestoil.

Presiding Justice Nimpar subsequently adjourned the matter to 15 January 2026, directing all contending lawyers to file affidavits and written addresses justifying their right to appear for Neconde and Nestoil.

Background to the Nestoil debt case

The dispute stemmed from efforts by FBN Quest Merchant Bank and First Trustees to recover debts totalling over $1 billion and 430 billion allegedly owed by Neconde Energy, Nestoil, Mr Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and Mrs Azudialu-Obiejesi.

As part of the recovery process, the banks appointed Mr Sulu-Gambari as receiver/manager over Nestoil and Neconde.

READ ALSO: FBN Quest repossesses Nestoil assets after appeal court ruling

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court subsequently issued a Mareva injunction freezing the companies accounts and shareholdings across more than 20 financial and corporate institutions. Multiple security agencies were also directed to assist in enforcing the receivership.

The order empowered the receiver/manager to take possession of Nestoils headquarters and other assets, and assume control of Necondes interest in OML 42, the oil block it operates jointly with NNPC Limited.

The receiver took possession of Nestoils head office on 22 October.

Amid allegations of bias and misconduct by Nestoil and Neconde, Chief Judge John Tsoho reassigned the case to another judge. On 20 November, the new judge, Justice J. Osiagor, revoked the earlier receivership-enforcement order.

The banks appealed on 22 November.

On 29 November, the Court of Appeal, in a ruling delivered by Justice Nimpar, issued a restorative injunction reversing Justice Osiagors decision and restraining Nestoil, Neconde and their agents from obstructing the receiver/manager pending the hearing of the appeal.
Nigerias Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has named Lagos State and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) as the countrys strongest performers in its 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report.

Lagos topped the list with (85.6 per cent), well ahead of Kaduna (65.1 per cent) and Oyo (62.7 per cent).

Abuja (FCT), Ogun, Enugu, Plateau, Ekiti, Kano and Nasarawa rounded out the top 10, with scores ranging from 44.5 / 73.0 (61.0 per cent) to 39.0 / 73.0 (53.4 per cent).

Their rankings reflect strong compliance with the BFA and consistent delivery on service efficiency for citizens and businesses across Nigeria, it posted on X.

The assessment, covering January to October 2025, examined state-level reforms across 16 indicators and 36 sub-metrics, including electricity reliability, digital infrastructure, land administration, tax processes, trade logistics, justice delivery, skilled-labour availability and investor support.

PEBEC said the results showed growing but uneven progress, noting that the most improved states had expanded digital systems, cut procedural bottlenecks and offered more predictable service timelines.

Speaking at the launch, PEBEC Director-General Zahrah Audu said the findings reinforced the connection between reform consistency and competitiveness.

This years results clearly show that when states prioritise transparency, technology, and predictable service delivery, competitiveness improves.The data is a tool for reform, not just a record of performance, Arise News quoted her as saying.

She urged states to adopt the reports priority interventions, including investor-aftercare structures, stronger MSME credit support, harmonised interstate trade rules, improved commercial dispute resolution and better power supply for industrial clusters.

Alongside the subnational rankings, PEBEC also released the 2025 Business Facilitation Act (BFA) Performance Report, which tracks how federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies complied with statutory service-efficiency requirements.

ALSO READ: NCDMB emerges best agency in ease of doing business for the 4th year

The NCDMB led the MDA rankings with 90.6 per cent, followed by the NDLEA with 89.3 per cent and the Nigeria Customs Service with 86.6 per cent. The Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigerian Ports Authority placed fourth and fifth with 85.3 per cent and 84.2 per cent respectively.

Ms Audu commended the top MDAs for demonstrating deliberate and disciplined adherence to the BFA.

She said the agencies performance showed what was achievable with transparent, technology-driven processes, and called on others to accelerate digital adoption and improve responsiveness to businesses and citizens.

The NCDMB had won the PEBEC Transparency and Efficiency Champion Award for the fourth consecutive year. The Board topped the Ease of Doing Business rankings in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
A coalition of 20 prominent West African statesmen, diplomats, academics, and civil society leaders, including former President of Cape Verde Pedro Pireshas, has called for the immediate release of the results of Guinea-Bissaus 23 November presidential and legislative elections, amid military takeover in the West African country.

In a joint statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday evening, titled Restoring Constitutional Order and the Rule of Law in Guinea-Bissau, the group urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to take decisive steps to restore constitutional order.

They demanded that the election outcomes be announced promptly and the rightful winner declared.

ECOWAS must demand the truth (about the elections), protect the winner and request the freeing of the political actors being detained by the military junta, the statement said.

The call comes amid reports of a military coup in the country on 26 November, just before provisional results of national elections were due.

Soldiers announced they had taken total control, closed borders, and suspended the electoral process.

The National Electoral Commission (CNE) said armed men stormed its headquarters, seized tally sheets and computers, and destroyed servers containing election data, preventing the announcement of results.

Under the threat of security services and the army, the National Electoral Commission was forced to declare its inability to continue the compilation of the election results and to announce them, the groups statement said.

The group cited the CNEs account that the military had destroyed and/or taken away the documents and data needed for releasing the election results recorded in Guinea-Bissaus eight regions, in a desperate attempt to destroy the archives.

The statement was issued ahead of the ECOWAS Summit scheduled for 14 December, appealing directly to West African leaders to address what the group described as a deepening constitutional crisis.

Taking into account an opinion widely shared in West Africa and throughout the rest of the continent, we take the liberty to invite the ECOWAS Heads of State, who are meeting in a Summit on 14 December, to make a bold move towards solving the current crisis afflicting one of the most fragile states of the community, it added.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was an election observer, also weighed in on the unfolding crisis, describing the events in Guinea-Bissau as a ceremonial coup.

He said he would not categorise the incident in the country as a conventional coup, alleging that the event was staged to derail the announcement of the election results.

Mr Jonathan noted that President Umaro Embalos swift declaration that he had been arrested, despite freely speaking to international media on his phone, cast doubt on the plausibility of the claim.

He said no military leader would allow the ousted president to communicate with the media while being held in custody.

Blatant violations

The group of 20 personalities similarly described the events in Guinea-Bissau as blatant violations of democratic norms.

They condemned what they termed the comic arrest of President Embalo, who rushed to inform the whole world, in a suspicious enthusiasm, that he had been deposed, while soldiers seized election materials from the CNE and detained officials close to the opposition camp.

We are shocked by this brutal intrusion of the army aiming to interrupt an electoral process to which citizens of Guinea-Bissau, Amilcar Cabrals country, held high hopes to the last minute, the statement said.

ECOWAS response

Guinea-Bissau, with a population of about 2.2 million, has experienced recurrent coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal more than 50 years ago.

The coalition praised ECOWAS for convening a virtual emergency summit after the 26 November putsch and for condemning what they described as a staged coup by officers aligned with outgoing President Embalo.

We salute the convening of a virtual summit by the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in the aftermath of the putsch, as well as its condemnation of the staged coup undertaken by key military officers closely linked to the outgoing president, the statement said.

They welcomed the decision to send a fact-finding mission to Bissau led by ECOWAS chair and Sierra Leonean President Julius Bio and noted that ECOWAS has since suspended Guinea-Bissau from all its decision-making bodies.

The African Union also suspended the country until constitutional order is restored.

International observers had earlier assessed the vote as orderly and peaceful, noting impressive turnout and a professionally managed process until soldiers intervened during vote counting.

Both major candidates, President Embalo and challenger Fernando Costa, initially claimed victory, but no results were officially published.

Call for broader international pressure

The coalition urged the African Union, United Nations, and Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) to intervene to prevent a reversal of democratic gains.

We also invite African public opinion and the rest of the world to express by all legal means their refusal of the undemocratic manoeuvres underway in Guinea-Bissau, while paying tribute to the maturity of its people, the statement said.

The group rejected claims that it was impossible to conclude the electoral process, citing reports that original tally sheets had been preserved.

It will only take coordinated international pressure to have them published, they said.

Signatories to the joint statement include former President of Cape Verde Pedro Pires; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cape Verde Jose Brito; former Executive Secretary of ECOWAS, Abass Bundu; and former Secretary-General of Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), Luis Fonseca.

Other prominent figures include former ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and Finance, Halima Ahmed; former Executive Secretary of Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), Olukeshi Adebayo; Director of Policy Engagement at Centre for Democratic Development (CDD)-Ghana, Kojo Asante; and Senior Fellow at CDD-Nigeria, Jibrin Ibrahim.

The list also featured human rights activist and former Secretary-General of the West African Bar Association, Femi Falana, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); former ECOWAS Communication Director, Adama Gaye; Chairman of Media Companies in Guinea-Conakry, Lamine Guirassy; Founder and former Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Kwame Karikari; Takyiwaa Manuh of the University of Ghana; and Mahmoud Mamdani, based in New York, USA.

Other signatories are El Hadji Mboup from Senegal; a journalist from Congo-Brazzaville, Nicole Mikolo; human rights lawyer Fatou Jagne Senghore, founder of the Centre for Leadership and Womens Rights in Gambia; economist from Cameroon, Jean-Pierre Tchanou; President of AfrikaJom Centre in Senegal, Alioune Tine; and founder of Wathi Think Tank in Benin, Gilles Yabi.

Movement of candidates

Following the coup, President Embalo fled to Dakar, Senegal, with assistance from President Bassirou Faye, after criticism from Senegals Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who dismissed the coup as a sham.

He later travelled to Congo-Brazzaville and reportedly moved to Morocco en route to Portugal.

In response to the situation, President Bola Tinubu approved the decision to place the opposition presidential candidate, Mr Costa, under protection within the Nigerian Embassy premises in Guinea-Bissau and subsequently granted him a Nigerian asylum.
The former UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has stated that Kemi Badenoch, leader of the countrys Conservative Party, could become Prime Minister.

Mr Johnson said this at the ongoing Imo State summit in Owerri, the state capital.

In his remark, Mr Johnson said Nigeria sent the UK a future prime minister.

You send us a future United Kingdom prime minister in the form of Kemi Badenoch, who comes from Nigeria and is doing better and better these days, he said.

Ms Badenoch, born to Nigerian parents, became the first black woman to lead the UK Conservative Party after she won the Conservative Partys 2024 leadership contest, defeating Robert Jenrick in the final members ballot.

In the months that followed, Ms Badenoch quickly became known for her unpleasant comments about her Nigerian heritage.

Earlier in August, Ms Badenoch said she no longer identifies as Nigerian.

Im Nigerian through ancestry, by birth, despite not being born there because of my parents but by identity, Im not really, she said.

She has repeatedly described her experiences in Nigeria as ones plagued by corruption and dysfunction. She said she grew up seeing what happens when politicians are in it for themselves, using public money as their private piggy banks.

Ms Badenoch can only become prime minister if the Conservative Party under her leadership wins a general election in the UK, currently governed by the Labour Party. Mr Johnson also became PM as leader of the Conservative Party.

Meanwhile, at the summit in Owerri, the former prime minister praised the strong connection between Nigeria and the UK.

He said the relationship remains healthy and active because people with skills, knowledge, or expertise regularly move between Nigeria and the UK.

According to him, this exchange of talented people helps keep the partnership alive and beneficial for both countries.

Im very proud of what we export to Nigeria. We send you pharmaceuticals and bankers and services of all kinds, automotive parts, all sorts of things, and whisky  huge quantities of whisky, he said.

And you send us so much in return  oil and gas; Nollywood movies; brilliant, brilliant doctors and nurses; technicians; and tech geniuses from Nigeria come to the UK, and were very grateful and honoured, he said.
Women leaders have called on the National Assembly to urgently pass the Special Seats for Women Bill, describing it as a historic opportunity to address decades of underrepresentation in Nigerias political system.

The call came on Thursday during the Nigerian Women and National Women Leaders Forum, organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in collaboration with the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, with support from the European Union.

The event coincided with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which began on 23 November and will end on 10 December 2025.

Underrepresentation of women

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said the vote on the Special Seats Bill represents a defining moment in Nigerias democratic history.

She noted that although Nigeria has over 104 million women, their presence in governance remains extremely limited. Only 21 women serve in the National Assembly, four senators and 17 members of the House of Representatives, while only 48 of 991 state lawmakers are women.

In 13 states, she said, womens perspectives are completely absent.

Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim said these gaps are not a reflection of competence, capacity, or commitment but the result of structural and systemic barriers faced by women for decades.

She said the Special Seats Bill would provide a constitutional, time-bound mechanism to correct the historical imbalance by creating additional seats exclusively for women, a step she described as essential for enhancing inclusivity and strengthening democracy.

She asked Nigerians to reflect on whether issues directly affecting women, such as menstrual hygiene management, maternal health, and gender-sensitive policies, can be adequately addressed in spaces with minimal or no female decision-makers.

Special Seats Bill

The Special Seats Bill seeks to reserve additional seats exclusively for women in the National and State Assemblies.

The aim is to guarantee a minimum level of female representation and ensure womens voices are systematically included in lawmaking.

The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create additional legislative seats specifically for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

At the National Assembly level, the bill proposes one special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), totalling 74 additional seats at the federal level.

The bill proposes three special seats for women in the Houses of Assembly of each state, totalling 108 additional seats.

These seats would be temporary special measures aimed at boosting womens representation and would be contested only by women during general elections.

The bill has passed Second Reading in the House of Representatives and has been referred to the House Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.

Call to action

While men are important allies, she said, it is the presence of qualified women at the table that ensures policies are informed, practical, and effective.

Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted that the advocacy coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and major global milestones such as the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, the 25th anniversary of UN Resolution 1325, and 30 years of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

She also commended the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, especially Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, describing his support as evidence of growing momentum behind the Bill.

She thanked President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for their commitment to inclusive governance under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She urged lawmakers to give Nigerian women something to cheer about and allow the country to present a strong example at the upcoming 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Bill is a legacy opportunity for Nigeria

All Progressive Congress (APC) national women leader, Mary Adile, said the bill represents a historic legacy opportunity for the 10th National Assembly to lead global change on gender-inclusive governance.

Ms Adile said Nigerian women face disproportionate political obstacles, including online trolling, harassment, financial barriers, and lack of political mentorship.

It is very hard for women. They are criticised for who they are before they even speak. This bill gives them a fair chance, she said.

She cited African countries with higher female representation, including Rwanda, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, and Angola, arguing that Nigeria cannot continue to lag behind with 3.9 per cent women in the House of Representatives and 2.8 per cent in the Senate.

Ms Adile noted that Nigerias combined parliamentary representation of about 4.2 per cent places it among the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa.

At the state level, women hold only 5.5 per cent of seats across 36 state assemblies, while 13 state houses have no female legislator.

She said the statistics reveal a clear gender imbalance in institutions that shape national laws and policies.

Ms Adile added that the Bill is not about numbers but about justice, equity, and authentic representation.
Society for Family Health (SFH), a public health organisation, says it will facilitate the enrolment of 1.9 million people living with HIV into the national health insurance system.

The Managing Director, Omokhudu Idogho, made the commitment in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Idogho also reaffirmed the organisations support to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the next implementation phase, which incorporates comprehensive HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Family Planning (FP) services.

According to him, the phase includes convening stakeholder sessions to map NHIA-accredited facilities offering HIV, TB and FP services, as well as supporting the treatment of an estimated 500,000 annual TB cases under the insurance scheme.

SFH will also contribute to strengthening commodity supply and logistics for HIV, TB and FP services within the insurance framework, he said.

It will also support NHIA in enhancing its Quality Assurance System to ensure adherence to national protocols and international best practices.

Mr Idogho recalled that in March 2023, SFH and NHIA co-convened a multi-stakeholder workshop to define the HIV, TB and FP service packages to be integrated into health insurance.

He added that the three-day workshop concluded with the development of comprehensive service packages and the establishment of three technical working groups to further refine the framework.

By June 2023, with NHIAs guidance, SFH engaged an internationally licensed health actuary with extensive experience working in Nigeria, he said.

Cost data was collected from public and private facilities across the six geopolitical zones, forming the basis for the development of an actuarial model.

He added that the model was validated by stakeholders and presented to NHIA leadership, which used the findings to advance a full actuarial analysis of the national health insurance package and revise the National Basic Minimum Package of Healthcare.

This, he added, was to fully integrate HIV, TB and FP services.

Additionally, NHIA worked with the Ministerial Oversight Committee to review and update the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

This led to the launch of BHCPF 2.0 by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare with the new benefit package officially incorporating comprehensive HIV, TB and FP services, he said.

Mr Idogho said that for more than 40 years, SFH had championed responses to HIV, TB, malaria and reproductive health challenges, including FP.

He, however, noted that with diminishing donor funding, the organisation recognised the need for sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure continuity of services.

He said this informed the organisations advocacy approach to NHIA, proposing the integration of these services into the national health insurance system.

Following this advocacy, NHIA welcomed SFHs proposal and requested technical assistance to design comprehensive benefit packages, conduct actuarial analyses, and develop resource mobilisation strategies, he said.

This partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2023, marking the beginning of a significant collaboration aimed at strengthening Nigerias health insurance coverage.

He said SFH also presented an award to the Director-General of NHIA, Kelechi Ohiri, in recognition of his leadership and commitment to integrating comprehensive HIV, TB and FP services into the national health insurance framework.

According to him, the milestone reflects NHIAs commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and signals the federal governments readiness to sustain the fight against HIV and TB and expand FP services, even as donor funding declines. (NAN)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Christopher Musa, a retired general, as the new minister of defence.

The president administered the oath of office to Mr Musa, the immediate past chief of defence staff (CDS), in his office at the State House, Abuja.



Mr Tinubu had described Musa as a fine gentleman whose track record in service positions him to drive a more integrated national security response.



The new defence ministers appointment comes less than 48 hours after the resignation of his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar.

Mr Musa, 58, served as the Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 to October 2025, during which he oversaw broad counterterrorism operations and inter-agency coordination efforts.



His nomination was transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday and was swiftly confirmed after rigorous screening on Wednesday, a development Mr Tinubu praised as evidence of legislative support for his security vision.



With the swearing-in now complete, Mr Musa assumes full ministerial duties as the Tinubu administration pushes to consolidate recent gains and accelerate reforms aimed at delivering lasting peace and national stability.



The brief ceremony was attended by top government officials, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

My immediate priority  Minister

Mr Musa told State House Correspondents after the event that he would ensure better synergy among the armed forces to tackle terrorism and all forms of insecurity in the country.

My immediate priority is to make sure that defence takes its place fully in the country.



The synergy between the armed forces and other security agencies and all Nigerians being carried along, as we have always said, that security is everybodys responsibility.





It is that synergy that we need to build on and work on it, and thats what were going to and I can assure you, within the shortest possible time, Nigerians will see results.



I want to use this medium to appreciate all Nigerians. Nigerians have shown me love, and I will guarantee them that I am going to work whatever it takes to ensure that Nigeria is secured, he said.

(NAN)


The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has hailed the ongoing healthcare revitalisation drives of Jigawa State Government at the 2025 National Health Dialogue organised by PREMIUM TIMES, in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

The event concluded on Thursday at Fraser Suites, Abuja, convened key voices in Nigerias health sector for crucial conversations on reform and accountability. The forum, themed Evidence, Innovation, and Financing for a Healthier Nigeria, brings together senior government officials, global health leaders, journalists, civil society groups and health innovators to discuss the state of Nigerias health system.

The minister, headlining the Dialogue in a fireside discussion, hosted by Moji Makanjoula, focused on Nigerias reform priorities, the future of primary healthcare, and the shifts required to improve outcomes nationwide, exemplifying Governor Umar Namadis revitalisation drives of the healthcare, which he said aligned with the federal governments efforts in building the nations healthcare system.

Mr Pate said the existing narrative about the countrys healthcare system often focuses predominantly on problems; an alternate and constructive narrative must be cultivated to highlight successes, innovations, and ongoing efforts. This positive reinforcement is crucial for building consensus and sustaining good practices within the health sector.

Mr Pate cited the private sector as a source of this alternate narrative, specifically commending Ibrahim Wada for launching the first robotic surgical platform in Abuja, he said the initiative, executed in collaboration with the Nigerian diaspora, involved a successful, world-class surgical procedure. Importantly, Mr Pate said the platform is now being used to train personnel, attracting healthcare professionals from across Africa for training in Nigeriaan example of the country becoming a regional hub for advanced medicine.

Mr Pate said that addressing systemic challenges requires collective effort, involving all stakeholders, including journalists. He acknowledged that no healthcare system is without its problems, but emphasised that leaders are actively paying attention, citing the recent intensive three-day session of the National Council on Health and the commitment of the Jigawa State government.

As evidence of political commitment, Mr Pate noted the dedication of leaders like the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, who was observed conducting a health sector review meeting that ran from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 am, adding that this level of public leadership engagement, coupled with private sector investment, is key to making progress.

No healthcare system doesnt have challenges, but leaders are paying attention, and commissioners (of health) were with me two weeks ago they spent three days morning to night at the National Council of Health, the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has been in the office from 3 pm to 1. am doing a health sector review, I woke up in the morning and saw the pictures, so if every public leader will step up and pay attention to what they are doing and the private sector looks at this is my business, where there is loopholes, challenges, how can the government support, we can achieve great strides in the healthcare revitalisation process, the minister said at the event.

The Minister called upon Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to reorient their approach. Instead of mere lamentation or repetitive advocacy, CSOs should focus on constructive engagement. This includes asking state and local governments about their budgets, not to judge, but to offer solution-based support and practical ideas on implementation and improvement.

Mr Pate concluded by stating that everyone has a role to play in unlocking the private sectors potential while simultaneously ensuring the effective delivery of public services and protecting the public interest.

Presentation of evidence, innovations

The states commissioner for Health, Abdullahi Kainuwa, who represented the state at the event presented key data and statistics that outlined major health financing and service delivery plans for 2026, stressing that improved primary healthcare, stronger accountability systems and expanded specialist services remain vital to the healthcare revitalisation process in the state.

Mr Kainuwa stated that Governor Namadi has approved a new salary structure for medical doctors and other health workers in the states hospitals, ending a 15-year stalemate in remuneration. He said the approved pay structure, aligned with that of medical professionals in federal institutions.

Mr Kainuwa also detailed how the state government has been providing free treatment for diabetics, hypertension, and sickle cell in state-owned health facilities, adding that the administration plans to complete free kidney dialysis centres at the headquarters of the five emirate councils of the stateDutse, Hadejia, Kazaure, Ringim, and Gumel.

He added that the state governments multi-billion-dollar healthcare intervention programme meant for the vulnerable population in providing free primary healthcare services to vulnerable people has entered the second phase. It said the scheme avails enrollees access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial stress.

Mr Kainuwa said under the second phase of the health care intervention care programme, codenamed Danmodi Care, the state is proud to announce that it has reached universal health coverage in some political wards in the state because the programme covered all the vulnerable residents from the ward.

About the National Health Dialogue

The 2025 National Health Dialogue, organised by PREMIUM TIMES in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), was supported by the Gates Foundation.

The dialogue was themed Evidence, Innovation, and Financing for a Healthier Nigeria.

The dialogue brought together policymakers, health experts, civil society groups, innovators, and journalists for a full-day discussion on the state of Nigerias health sector.
The Supreme Court on Friday struck out a suit filed by the Osun State Government over the withheld allocations of its 30 local government areas.

The court, in a 6-1 majority decision of its seven-member panel, ruled that the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice lacked the legal right to institute the suit on behalf of the 30 local governments.

Osun States attorney-general had filed the suit on behalf of the state government against the Attorney-General of the Federation to challenge the federal governments withholding of the statutory allocations due to its 30 local governments since March 2025.

The legal battle was an offshoot of the local government leadership crisis that stemmed from the dissolution of the elective local government structures which Governor Ademola Adeleke inherited in 2022 from the administration of his predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola. All elected officials were of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while Mr Adeleke was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The federal government, which called for the reinstatement of the sacked local government officials, had seized the local government allocations, saying it would only release the funds to elected officials.

The Governor Adeleke-led state government urged the Supreme Court to compel the federal government to release all seized funds and to stop what it described as an unconstitutional and arbitrary seizure of local government revenues.

Delivering the lead majority judgement, Mohammed Baba-Idris held that only duly elected and inaugurated local government officials held the authority to initiate or defend legal action directly.

However, Mr Baba-Idris noted that the federal government was wrong in withholding the local government fund, an action that was a breach of the Nigerian constitution.

Refusal to release the funds is a clear misuse of power by the defendant, and it is a clear disobedience to the courts order that funds should be paid only to a democratically elected government, the justice declared.

He therefore counselled that the funds be directly released to the local governments accounts.

The court also dismissed AGFs contempt allegations against the Osun State government, adding that the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, was more guilty of contempt of court than the state government by withholding the local government funds in contravention of the law.

Mr Baba-Idris, however, stated that since there was no evidence that the Osun State Attorney General had been briefed by the local governments, he ought not to have filed the case on their behalf.

He therefore upheld the preliminary objection of the federal government challenging the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to hear the matter.

Five other justices on the panel agreed with Mr Baba-Idris lead judgement. They were the head of the panel, Uwani Abba-Aji, Ibrahim Saulawa, Chidiebere Uwa, Moore Adumein and Jamilu Tukur.

Emmanuel Agim, the lone voice who upheld the Osun State governments case, dissented from the majority judgement.

In his dissenting opinion, Mr Agim ruled that the Osun State attorney-general had the right to institute the case, while also echoing the illegality of the seizure of the states local government funds.

According to Mr Agim, the action of the federal government in withholding the local governments funds was wrong because it was capable of crippling the activities of the councils.

Mr Agim was the one who gave the lead judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the financial autonomy of the 774 local government areas of the state in July last year.

He ruled in the judgement that local governments across the country should, from Thursday, receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Mr Agim also ruled in the judgement that local government funds should only be released to elected officials.

Background

The state, since Mr Adeleke took office in 2022, has been engulfed in local government crisis, which has sparked violence and prompted a series of court cases including the one decided on by the Supreme Court on Friday

In October 2022, the administration of the immediate-past governor, Mr Oyetola, held a local council elections after Mr Oyetola lost his re-election bid and just before the end of his tenure in office.

The PDP, the major opposition party in the state at the time, boycotted the election and challenged the legality of the exercise in court.

Mr Oyetolas party, the APC, won all the chairmanship and councillorship elections across the state.

But the PDP won its court case. The court sacked the elected officials.

Three days after his inauguration, Governor Adeleke, who had defeated Mr Oyetola in the 2022 governorship election, dissolved the APC chairpersons and councillors citing court judgement, and replaced them with caretaker committees.

APC rejected the move and appealed against the court decision sacking the elected officials. In February 2023, the Court of Appeal struck out the PDPs suit for lack of jurisdiction, prompting the sacked officials belonging to the APC to attempt to retake council secretariats, leading to bloody clashes.

The local crisis continued in the state, with Governor Adeleke administration also organising another local government elections in the state, which the AGF, Mr Fagbemi, declared illegal. The state went on with the elections, all the same which PDP won across the state.

This prompted the AGF to direct that the local government funds be withheld pending the resolution of the crisis.

Arguments

At the hearing of the suit at the Supreme Court on 7 October, the state governor argued that the Court of Appeals ruling that cancelled the October 2022 elections and affirmed the February 2025 elections as legitimate had settled the crisis.

Musbau Adetunbi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who represented the Osun State Government, said the AGF had ignored subsisting judgements of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, delivered on 30 November 2022, and the Court of Appeal, 13 June 2025, which he claimed affirmed the legitimacy of council chairmen and councillors elected in February.

He told the Supreme Court that all withheld allocations be released directly into the accounts of the local governments headed by duly elected officials and sought a perpetual injunction restraining future seizures.

He argued that the AGF was wrong in his letter recognising APC local government chairmen when the matter was pending before the court of records.

However, the AGFs lawyer, Akin Olujimi, also a SAN, urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the case. He argued that the Osun State Government did not have the legal authority to bring the issue before the court.

Reaction from Osun States lawyer

Reacting to the judgment of the Supreme Court on Friday, Mr Adetunbi, the Osun State lawyer, said with the decision, there is no victor in the case.

The matter has been struck out. It does not give anybody victory. The Lordships refused to exercise jurisdiction, except for the dissenting opinion. So,the implication is that its neither here nor there. When you refuse to exercise jurisdiction, youve not made any pronouncement.

But certainly, when you strike out a matter on a general basis, it does not give anybody jurisdiction.
Photo: Facebook @virkkunenhenna

The European Commission stands ready to facilitate Ukraines access to the cybersecurity pool, said Henna Virkkunen, Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

"My services and I personally support Ukraine in overcoming the challenges posed by Russias aggressive war, in particular from a technology and cybersecurity perspective. We are working with Ukraine to support the development of cyber capabilities, in particular through the working arrangement between the EU Cybersecurity Agency and the relevant Ukrainian service. This is a mutually beneficial task, as the EU can learn a lot from Ukraines experience in countering cyber threats. We also stand ready to facilitate Ukraines access to the EU Cybersecurity Pool for rapid response and immediate recovery," Virkunen said during the 11th Kyiv Youth Security Forum GEN W: Code the Future.

She also noted that another important area of cooperation is high-performance computing and artificial intelligence.

"We also support Ukraines integration into the Digital Single Market. We will soon welcome Ukraine into the EU roaming area. We look forward to Ukraines integration into our work on the EU digital wallet and support Ukraines early integration into the EU legal framework for digital services and markets. We also promote Ukraines participation in EU-funded digital programs," Virkunen emphasized.

The 11th Kyiv Youth Security Forum GEN W: Code the Future is being held with the support of the NATO Mission to Ukraine and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in partnership with the Technological Forces of Ukraine association.

Discover Ukraine is an international foundation founded in July 2007 at the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
A bomb explosion in Banki, a town in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, has reportedly killed at least four people.

Local media reported that the incident occurred on Friday.

According to the report, the victims, all scavengers, brought the explosive device into the town after mistaking it for metal scrap.

The device exploded while they were trying to unbundle it.

Authorities are yet to speak about the incident.

READ ALSO: Nigerian lawmakers raise alarm over terrorists threats to bomb National Assembly complex

When contacted, Nanum Keneath, police spokesperson in Borno, did not respond to calls and a message.

Borno has been battling with the Boko Haram insurgency for over 10 years. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced, by the insurgency, in the state and neighbouring states.

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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has filed a defamation suit against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over the allegations of sexual harassment she levelled against him in February.

In the suit, Mr Akpabio is demanding N200 billion in general damages and N500 million as litigation costs. He is also demanding a public apology from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan in national newspapers, along with a formal retraction of the allegations.

It was filed on 25 August at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, by his counsel, S. I. Ameh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In the case marked CV/3356/2025, Mr Akpabio argued that the allegation severely damaged his reputation and exposed him to public ridicule.

The lawsuit was attached with a statement of claim by Mr Akpabio and a list of witnesses who testified that the accusation made them perceive the senate president as a predator who exploits his position for personal gratification.

A court order issued on 6 November permitted Mr Akpabio to serve court processes on Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan through the Clerk to the National Assembly, after earlier attempts to serve her directly were unsuccessful.

Background to the sexual harassment allegation

Before the sexual harassment allegation emerged, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Akpabio had a heated arguement during the plenary on 20 February over the relocation of her assigned seat in the chamber.

The matter was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for investigation. During the committees hearing, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was absent, while the sergeant-at-arms and several senators appeared to testify in support of the senate president regarding her conduct at the plenary.

While the issue was still under committee review, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan appeared on Arise Television on 28 February, where she accused Mr Akpabio of sexual harassment. She recounted an incident on 8 December 2023, when she and her husband visited the residence of the senate president in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

She alleged that during the visit, the senate president held her hand, led her around his house, and then made inappropriate advances towards her, even in her husbands presence.

She also claimed that Mr Akpabio once insinuated that she should take care of him if she wanted her motions to receive favourable consideration on the floor of the Senate.

The allegation generated several reactions from the public, including international organisations such as the International Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Ekaette Akpabio, wife of the senate president, sued Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for the allegation and demanded N350 billion in damages to her husbands reputation.

On March 6, the Kogi senator was suspended for six months over alleged misconduct and refusal to comply with the chambers sitting arrangement during the plenary session on 20 February.

She has since resumed her duties after serving her suspension period, though the issue has generated several lawsuits, many of which are still pending in court.

What Akpabio wants from court

In the writ of summons, Mr Akpabio is asking the court to declare that Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans claim that he sexually harassed her in his matrimonial home is false, and to affirm that the allegation damaged his reputation and character while attracting attention both in Nigeria and internationally.

The senate president is also asking the court to order her to pay N200 billion in damages and to compel her to ensure that all media organisations remove every published report containing the allegation within three days of the judgment.

He further seeks an order restraining Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and her associates from publishing any libellous statements against him, as well as an award of N500 million as the cost of litigation.

Akpoti-Uduaghans reaction

In a statement posted on her social media platforms, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receiving the lawsuit.

She said the suit provides her with an opportunity to prove her claim of sexual harassment and to show how her refusal to accede to Mr Akpabios alleged demands triggered a series of attacks on her character.

Now, I am glad that Sen. Akpabio has brought this up because the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges failed to grant me audience on this issue, relying on the fact that Godswill Akpabios wife had instituted a defamatory case against me. Therefore, they couldnt attend to a matter already in court.

Albeit, I couldnt proceed to court because, by Senate rules, I must still present my case before the Ethics committee (same committee that recommended my illegal suspension). Alas, I now have a chance to prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to give in to his demands unleashed a series of unprovoked and unprecedented attacks on my person. See you in court, Godswill Akpabio, she wrote.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, has concluded a two-day working visit to Kebbi State following the recent attack on the Bakin Ruwa checkpoint, where personnel and facilities of the Service were affected.

Ms Nandap arrived in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, 3 December, and proceeded to the office of the Deputy Governor, Umar Tafida, at about 6:30 p.m.

She thanked the state government for its support to immigration personnel, particularly those deployed to border areas, and explained that her visit was to commiserate with officers and men of the Service, as well as the people of Kebbi State, over the tragic incident.

She also said she was in the state to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the destroyed facilities.

The deputy governor, in his response, condoled with the Service and assured that the administration of Governor Nasir Idris would continue to prioritise security. He added that the state would ensure that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.

The comptroller general and her delegation later visited the Emir of Gwandu, Muhammed Bashir, at his palace.

Ms Nandap commended the emir for his leadership, describing the traditional institution as a vital bridge between government and the people. The emir thanked her for the visit and prayed against a recurrence of such attacks.

As part of the visit, Ms Nandap held a strategic meeting with comptrollers and border commanders.

She charged them on the need to be on high alert on their primary responsibilities.

On Thursday, 4 December, at about 11 a.m., the Comptroller General visited the Bakin Ruwa checkpoint for an on-the-spot assessment. She inspected the damage and received a briefing from officers on the ground.

Ms Nandap addressed personnel at the checkpoint, assuring them of the Services full support. She also met community leaders who had gathered at the site, urging them to continue cooperating with security agencies in tackling banditry.

Speaking to journalists, she said the federal government and the Minister of Interior had been fully briefed on the incident and were committed to providing necessary assistance and logistics to strengthen border security.

Im here to visit the scene of the incident that occurred where we lost three officers. My presence here is also to underscore the fact that what happened is very disturbing. Its also to let Nigerians know the Nigeria Immigration service and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu take the welfare and safety of our officers very seriously. And also to assess the damage, and more importantly to meet with the officers on ground. Its to also let the officers know that their safety & welfare is priority for myself, the minister of interior, and indeed the federal government of Nigeria.

I have also come to engage the community leaders and let them know that we need their support to strengthen our operational response. Ive also considered it needful to make it clear that what happened was not just an assault on NIS, its an assault on Nigerias sovereignty, legal border governance and the collective security of this nation. And we will not take it likely. We will make sure that the perpetrators of this act are brought to book. I want to thank the kebbi state governor for his continued support for the service. And to the families of our lost officers, we want to let them know that the service and federal government is solidly behind them and will do the needfuls to support them.

In NIS, I want to Reaffirm that we remain undaunted. And will continue to defend our borders and the sovereignty of our country. Our determination is now renewed to keep our borders safe in service to our nation. I know that we have the support of the minister for interior, National security adviser and the president to get more needed facilities to deliver on our job.

She added that the attack would not deter the Service from fulfilling its mandate of protecting Nigerias borders.
The Plateau State Government has launched a new phase of economic support for persons with disabilities under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

Details of the event were shared in a statement posted on the state governments verified Facebook page.

The programme was introduced in Jos by the First Lady of Nigeria and National Coordinator of the RHI, Oluremi Tinubu, as part of activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

This years theme is Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress.

At the Plateau launch, the wife of the state governor and RHI coordinator, Helen Mutfwang, said the initiative reinforces the administrations commitment to inclusion.

She described the day as one that holds special significance, noting that true development must involve every citizen.

She added that the country grows stronger when every individual is empowered to contribute meaningfully, quoting Helen Keller who said alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.

Mrs Mutfwang explained that the programme provides a business recapitalisation grant of N200,000 to beneficiaries living with disabilities in every state.

She said it aligns with Mrs Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to promote shared prosperity and ensure that no Nigerian is left behind, especially those whose needs are often overlooked.

She also noted that the RHI has supported over 100,000 women, including those with disabilities, through interventions in agriculture, education, health, and social welfare.

She encouraged beneficiaries to view the grant as an opportunity to build sustainable income. Grow the seed into something greater, a business that sustains you and your families, she said.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Dafur, reaffirmed the state governments commitment to a more inclusive society.

She thanked Mrs Tinubu for what she called visionary leadership and commended the governors wife for ensuring that support reaches citizens who need it most.

She told beneficiaries that the grant is an investment in your future and urged them to channel it into skills or businesses that improve their livelihoods.

Representatives of the National Human Rights Commission and the Plateau State Persons with Disability Commission delivered goodwill messages. A beneficiary, Hannatu Gyang, expressed gratitude for the gesture and pledged to invest the funds in her business.

The ceremony ended with the symbolic presentation of grants at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos.
A wave of grief has swept through the Bajego area of Minna following the discovery of the body of three-year-old Khadija Mohammed, who went missing four days earlier.

Her remains were found in an uncompleted building, a development that has thrown the community into deep mourning.

Khadija was last seen on Sunday around 11 a.m. after her mother, Saadatu Hassan, gave her N20 to buy bubble gum from a nearby shop.

When the toddler did not return, the family initially assumed she might be playing with neighbours, but concern grew as the evening approached with no sign of her.

Her father, Hassan Mohammed, a tricycle operator, reported her disappearance to the GRA Police Station and joined community members in searching the neighbourhood.

Despite several leads and rumours of sightings, the search yielded no results.

Police later arrested two suspects following witnesses reports, but the situation took a tragic turn when Mr Mohammed received a distressing phone call directing him to an uncompleted building in the area.

There, he discovered his daughters lifeless and swollen body.

Overwhelmed with grief, he said he had surrendered the matter to God. I leave everything in the hands of Allah, he said.

A police officer at the scene confirmed that officers had acted on the missing person report and searched several locations, including uncompleted structures.

However, the child was not found until the distress call led the family to the site.

Due to the condition of the body, authorities advised the family to proceed with immediate burial.

The police said investigations would continue with renewed urgency. We will not rest until the perpetrators, if any, are identified and brought to justice, the officer assured.

The Bajego community was thrown into fear and sorrow following the incident, with residents calling for heightened vigilance and collective measures to safeguard children.

Authorities urged anyone with useful information to assist with the ongoing investigation.
The police command in Delta State has announced a ban on the sale and use of all forms of fireworks and pyrotechnics in the state, effective before, during, and after the Yuletide.

The commands spokesman, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued in Asaba and made available to reporters on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ban came on the heels of the seizure of different kinds of fireworks, worth millions of naira by the command.

Mr Edafe, a superintendent of police, explained that the step was part of the commands proactive measures to ensure a safe and peaceful Yuletide across the state.

He stated: The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olufemi Abaniwonda, has reiterated that the ban on fireworks is still in force and that it will be enforced strictly.

The ban includes the use, sale, and display of pyrotechnics, including fireworks and firecrackers, known variously as knock-out and banger.

This decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to prevent and reduce crime, as experience shows that criminally-minded persons can take advantage of this to unleash terror on law-abiding residents, Mr Edafe added.

The police spokesperson called on parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against buying or using the prohibited items.

He also warned retailers to desist from the sale of fireworks.

According to the statement, anyone found selling fireworks will be arrested and prosecuted, and their goods impounded.

It further disclosed that the police commissioner had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, all the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and tactical commanders to ensure strict compliance.

He added that the police commissioner had also given orders to the officers to address any violation of the ban within their respective areas of responsibility.

Residents are urged to report incidents of the use or sale of fireworks to the nearest police station, Mr Edafe added.
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has promised to endow a prize at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) in honour of its late treasurer, Rafat Idris Salami.

In a statement on Friday, IPI Nigeria said the prize to be endowed will be to instil in students of the institution the values that the late treasurer stood for.

The President of the body, Musikilu Mojeed, confirmed the decision during the opening ceremony of the 2025 IPI Nigeria Conference and Annual General Meeting on 2 December 2025.

Mrs Salami, the then assistant director of digital media at the Voice of Nigeria (VON), died on 20 December 2024, just days after the first annual conference and AGM of IPI Nigeria, in which she participated despite being ill.

Speaking on her death in his welcome address at the second annual conference and AGM, Mr Mojeed requested members and guests, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to observe a one-minute silence in her honour.

He said: Last year, even in severe pain and confined to a wheelchair, she insisted on attending the conference.

She greeted guests, co-ordinated logistics, took photographs with her phone and served with grace until her body could no longer carry her.

Her commitment was a reminder that Journalism is not merely a job; it is a calling.

It demands sacrifice; It demands conviction.

To honour her legacy, the National Committee of IPI Nigeria will endow a prize in her name at the University of Abuja, which was her alma-mater.

We will work with the University to ensure that every year, young journalists are inspired by the values Rafat (Salami) lived by  integrity, courage, and selfless service.

When she died last year, Mrs Salami was eulogised by the IPI; the Abuja Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where she once served as secretary; her employer, VON, and colleagues.

The late Mrs Salami graduated from the University of Abuja and began her career with VON as a news editor and correspondent in Lagos.

She rose through the ranks to become VONs assistant director in charge of digital media before her demise.
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has fixed 9 December to hear the suit filed by Tonye Cole against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Channels Television.

The case with suit number CV/4502/25 is scheduled to come before judge M. A. Hassan for mention.

Mr Cole, the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, sued Mr Wike alongside Channels Incorporated Limited, the Channels Televisions parent company.

In the suit, the claimant sought N40 billion in damages over alleged defamatory statements made by Mr Wike during a live broadcast on Channels TVs Politics Today on 18 September.

According to the writ of summons and the attached statement of claim, Mr Cole said Mr Wikes statements during the live broadcast on Channels TVs Politics Today, were false, malicious, offensive, and damaging to his reputation in personal, professional, and public capacities.

In the court documents seen by this newspaper, Mr Wike was quoted as referring to Mr Cole in a manner suggesting his involvement in financial impropriety and mismanagement of state resources, including allegations related to Rivers State gas and the Olympia Hotel.

According to Mr Coles legal team, led by Jibrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Wikes statements are defamatory, as they impute dishonesty and wrongdoing, gravely injuring his clients standing both nationally and internationally.

The claimant sought N40 billion for alleged damages resulting from what he described as a malicious, reckless, and unfounded defamatory broadcast and publications, which caused him injury, humiliation, mental anguish, and reputational harm.

Mr Cole also sought N500 million for the cost of the legal action.

The businessman-cum-politician, among prayers, urged the court to make a declaration that the statements are false and defamatory, an order directing the defendants to retract the claims, and remove all copies from all platforms. He also prayed the court to order Mr Wike to issue a public apology broadcast on Channels TV and have it published in at least five national newspapers.

The claimant also sought a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing or disseminating defamatory material related to him.

Backstory

Mr Coles legal team had issued a pre-action notice and letter of demand dated 8 October, which were served on both Mr Wike and Channels Television, compelling them to retract the statement and publicly apologise to him, among other demands.

The defendants, however, failed to comply, prompting the initiation of court proceedings on 8 November after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum given to Mr Wike and Channels TV.
The INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, says elections succeed only when the public trusts the information they receive, not on technology alone.

He spoke on Friday in Abuja at the presentation of a book titled The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigerias Election Journalists, authored by Segun Ojumu.

Mr Amupitan warned that even strong electoral systems could be weakened by misinformation, misinterpretation, or deliberate distortion of facts.

Elections do not succeed on technology alone; they succeed when the public believes in the information they receive, he said.

He added that journalists provide the on-ground verification that sustains confidence in the ballot and reinforces the credibility of the process.

The credibility of our electoral process is paramount; it is the foundation upon which our democracy stands, he said.

INEC had attributed its failure to upload the result sheets for the 2023 presidential election to a glitch it experienced.

By and large, the glitch experienced in uploading the scanned images of polling unit presidential election result sheets on 25th February 2023 was due to the inherent complexity within the system, which was difficult to anticipate and mitigate, the commission explained in a report.

Mr Amupitan described the more than 100 members of the INEC Press Corps as indispensable links between the commission and the voting public.

Your role is critical. You are frontline correspondents who ensure outcomes are transparent and verifiable.

You are important chroniclers who validate the integrity of the process for the entire nation, he said.

The INEC chair urged journalists to abandon reliance on rumour and instead verify all information directly from the commission.

He said the commissions website and digital channels remained the most authoritative points of contact for accurate information.

He noted the impact of media reporting, citing coverage of the Anambra governorship election and the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.

Mr Amupitan called for sustained partnership to tackle vote-buying, rigging, and deliberate falsehoods that discourage voters or trigger unrest.

The media must act against falsehoods that suppress turnout, incite violence, or undermine the integrity of our results, he said.

He praised the author, saying the book documents the sacrifices and risks faced by journalists covering Nigerias complex elections.

He pledged continued openness, accountability, technological innovation, and collaboration as INEC prepares for the FCT polls and the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

In his remarks, Mr Ojumu said the book was inspired by 11 years of reporting on INEC and a decade of covering election cycles.

He said it was not merely a record of events but a tribute to journalists who work in volatile and demanding environments.

When you flip these pages, you are reading a history of courage, Mr Ojumu said.

He cited the ordeal of colleague Chux Ukwuatu, as one example of the dangers faced by journalists defending the publics right to accurate information.

Mr Ojumu said he hoped the book would inspire more press corps members to document their experiences for future generations.

He commended INECs technological reforms, saying digital accreditation and the IReV results portal had transformed election reporting.

He called for continuous training and mental-health support for journalists operating in high-pressure situations.

He urged INEC, political parties, security agencies, and the media to prioritise reporter safety, saying democracy thrives only when the messenger is protected.

(NAN)
The White House has released a new US National Security Strategy, which addresses, among other things, US intentions regarding relations with the European Union and NATO.

"Should present trends continue, the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less. As such, it is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies. Many of these nations are currently doubling down on their present path. We want Europe to remain European, to regain its civilizational self-confidence, and to abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation," the document states.

As noted, this "lack of confidence" is most evident in Europes relations with Russia.

" European allies enjoy a significant hard power advantage over Russia by almost every measure, save nuclear weapons. As a result of Russias war in Ukraine, European relations with Russia are now deeply attenuated, and many Europeans regard Russia as an existential threat. Managing European relations with Russia will require significant U.S. diplomatic engagement, both to reestablish conditions of strategic stability across the Eurasian landmass, and to mitigate the risk of conflict between Russia and European states," the Trump administration believes.

The main interest of the United States is to negotiate a rapid cessation of hostilities in Ukraine in order to stabilize European economies, prevent an unintended escalation or expansion of the war, restore strategic stability with Russia, and ensure that Ukraine recovers from the military action so that it can survive as a viable state.

" As a result of Russias war in Ukraine, European relations with Russia are now deeply attenuated, and many Europeans regard Russia as an existential threat. Managing European relations with Russia will require significant U.S. diplomatic engagement, both to reestablish conditions of strategic stability across the Eurasian landmass, and to mitigate the risk of conflict between Russia and European states," the document says.

In this regard, the priority of the overall US policy towards Europe is to restore conditions of stability in Europe and strategic stability with Russia, to enable Europe to "stand on its own two feet" and act as a group of allied sovereign states, in particular by assuming primary responsibility for its own defense, without domination by any hostile power, and to cultivate resistance to the current trajectory of Europes development within European states.

In addition, the importance of opening European markets to US goods and services and ensuring fair treatment of American workers and businesses is emphasized, and building healthy states in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe through trade ties, arms sales, political cooperation, and cultural and educational exchanges is emphasized.

Separately, the US declares its intention to " Ending the perception, and preventing the reality, of NATO as a perpetually expanding alliance" and to encourage Europe to take measures to combat excess capacity, technology theft, cyber espionage, and other hostile economic practices.
Sixteen members of the Rivers House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, have officially announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the APC is issued to me in no time, Mr Amaewhule said on Friday, Channels TV reported.

The speaker, a strong ally of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, leads 26 lawmakers who are also loyal to the minister. The PDP recently expelled Mr Wike from the party, alongside 10 others.

Their formal announcement comes days after the speaker accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of allowing public schools in the state to deteriorate.

The defection also comes about 48 hours after the Amaewhule-led Assembly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term. Mr Wike serves as a minister in Mr Tinubus administration.

Crisis, defection and political realignment

Rivers State has been locked in a prolonged power struggle since Mr Wike fell out with Governor Fubara shortly after the governor took office.

The crisis escalated to the point where President Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspended the governor and the legislature for six months, and appointed Ibok-Ette Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the sole administrator of the state.

The governor and the lawmakers were reinstated in September after Messrs Fubara and Wike reportedly signed a truce.

Before leaving office, Mr Ibas organised local government elections in which the APC won in 20 councils, while the PDP won in three.

The defection pattern in the assembly appears to mirror that political outcome. Of the 26 lawmakers, 16 have now defected to the APC, while 10 remain in the PDP, where they were immediately assigned principal offices.

Sylvanus Nwankwo of Omuma Constituency was named minority leader. He was sworn in alongside three other minority officers, according to Channels TV.

With this alignment, Mr Wike continues to wield influence over the political structures of both APC and PDP in the state legislature.

Crisis, defection and adjournment

On the eve of the first impeachment attempt against Mr Fubara, the state assembly complex was partly bombed. The governor subsequently awarded a contract for the construction of a new assembly building.

During a recent inspection, Mr Fubara announced that the new complex was 95 per cent completed and that he intended to present the 2026 budget there.

However, shortly after their defection, the legislators adjourned their sitting until next year.

They also passed a motion to continue legislative activities at the current temporary complex until 2027, a development that could undermine the governors plan to relocate the lawmakers to the new facility.

It is important that members seize this opportunity to visit the various constituencies in Rivers State. We need to see and hear from our people so we can know how best to serve and represent them, one of the lawmakers said.

Another member, Linda Stewart, reaffirmed the Houses resolution to retain the House of Assembly Quarters as its venue for legislative business, according to Channels TV.
The State Executive Committee (SEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has announced the impeachment of the party chairman, Alphonsus Eba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the SEC impeached the party chairman at its emergency meeting in Calabar on Thursday.

However, Mr Eba has dismissed his impeachment as a joke.

A source close to the meeting told NAN that 30 of the 32 SEC members voted against Mr Ebas continued stay in office.

It was gathered that the decision to impeach him followed a similar vote of no confidence passed on him by the APC chairpersons, vice chairpersons and secretaries at the local government level in Cross River.

Mr Ebas impeachment was further supported by a similar vote by the 196 ward chairmen of the APC in the state.

Following Mr Ebas impeachment, the APC State Working Committee (SWC) met and appointed an acting chairman of the party.

NAN gathered that the motion for the appointment of an acting chairman was moved by the State Welfare Secretary of the party, Okara Ekawu, and seconded by the state treasurer, Mathew Egom.

Mr Ekawu premised his motion on Article 17 Sub-section 6 of the partys constitution.

Meanwhile, the acting chairman, Ekum Ojogu, has promised to unify the party and appealed to aggrieved members to close ranks and confine past events to the dustbin of history.

I will fight for the partys stability and so, I appeal to us all to set aside any differences and misunderstanding that may have arisen during the crisis and lets work for the interests of the APC.

I will operate an open door policy, carry everyone along, and do want us to know that the APC remained committed to delivering dividends of democracy to our people, he told reporters.

Loyalty to Gov Otu

The acting chairman, Mr Ojogu, pledged his loyalty to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River.

I want to believe, and I know that the battle of the last few weeks will only make us stronger, he said at the news conference.

NAN recalls that the state chapter of the APC was embroiled in crisis, with the chapter chairpersons alleging various misconducts against the impeached chairman.

The crisis began when the forum of local government chairpersons and party secretaries demanded Mr Ebas resignation.

Led by Kelvin Njong, the forum based its demand on what it described as high-handedness, insolence, underrating, and transactional approach in party administration by Mr Eba.

The forum further accused him of refusing to remit the percentage meant for the local government areas and wards from the sales of forms during the 2023 general elections.

However, when NAN contacted Mr Eba, he described his impeachment as a joke taken too far.

I will speak at the appropriate time. I wouldnt say more for now, he told NAN.
Aliko Dangote, founder and president/chief executive of the Dangote Group on Monday said his refinery will continue to reduce the price of petrol to compete with importers.

Mr Dangote disclosed this in an interview with the State House Correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Aso Rock.

Prices are going down. The reason why prices have to go down, we have to also compete with imports, Mr Dangote said.

In recent months, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining price stability for petrol, despite global crude oil price fluctuations.

On 6 November the refinery reduced its petrol gantry price from N877 to N828 per litre, representing a 5.6 per cent decrease, and its coastal price from N854 to N806 per litre.

Speaking further, Mr Dangote said smuggling remains a major challenge.

But luckily for us now, the smuggling has not reduced totally. There is still quite a lot of smuggling because the price we have in Nigeria is about 55 per cent lower than the price of our neighboring countries.

He explained that no matter how tightly the borders are policed, smuggling will continue because of the significant profits, with fuel selling for nearly N1,500 to N1,600 per litre compared to domestic prices of about N800 per litre.

So it doesnt matter how you police the borders, people will still smuggle because theres so much money to be made, he added.

Mr Dangote assured that petroleum products both diesel and petrol will continue to be sold in the market at a very reasonable price. We are not here to make our $20 billion back quickly, its a long term investment, he added.

The business mogul explained that the Naira for crude policy is a win-win situation for Nigeria.

I must thank His Excellency, Mr President, for having that genius thinking. We are doing the naira for crude and the ministerial committee is actually doing a great job. Yes, it is not really well disturbed. The area where were having a challenge is getting the crude.

Nigeria crude sells at a premium, and so some of the international oil companies are not really ready and willing to sell for us. Its a teething problem, which I believe will be addressed either in the new budget to the government, he stated.

Mr Dangote added that the refinery had notified the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of its capacity to supply 50 million litres of petrol daily.

Nigeria has been having fuel queues since 1972 and we have actually removed those queues. Its not about actually relying on imports. For the first time, were actually suppliers to Europe and the US. By February, well be able to supply about 15 to 20 million liters more than the consumption of Nigeria. So we still have to export, he said.

Speaking on the future expansion plans, Mr Dangote said by 2028, the company is going to make the refinery the largest in the world.

We are going to beat Indias Reliance. Reliance is 1.25 million barrels per day; we will be at 1.4 million barrels per day. We have already signed the necessary agreements, and we will begin piling for the expansion by January. It will be delivered on time, he said.
The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating expenditure in Nigerias power sector has directed the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to appear with core investors in the generation and distribution companies over persistent electricity supply challenges.

Chairperson of the Committee, Ibrahim Aliyu, issued the directive on Thursday after receiving submissions from the Director-General of the BPE, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, during the continued investigative hearing at the National Assembly.

Mr Aliyu said the core investors must appear before the panel to explain the state of their operations and justify the confidence the government placed in their capacity during the privatisation process.

We need to see these co-investors because we relied on their capacity and capability. Before this Committee sits on 15 December, letters will go out to them, he said.

The committee chair noted that President Bola Tinubu is working to settle some outstanding issues in the sector, adding that the inquiry aims to identify the root causes of the failures and chart a path forward.

Mr Aliyu also highlighted the gap between Nigerias installed and actual electricity generation.

He said, I am happy that I have mentioned that there is a considerable improvement from 1999 or 2000, because the generation then was just about 1500 MW altogether for the whole country, and now we are talking about 10,600 installed capacity. We hope that the actual generation may be 10,000 MW. We only wheel 8,000 and only distribute 4,000.

BPE reports improved generation performance

In his presentation, the BPE Director General, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, told the committee that power generation from Kainji and Jebba hydro plants has risen from about 600 MW at privatisation to 1,100 MW, representing nearly 20 per cent of daily supply to the national grid.

He also disclosed that the Egbin Power Plant, which had only two operational turbines at the time of privatisation, now has all six turbines functioning.

Its one of the major providers of power to the grid, dispatching any figure between 680 to 900MW of power, depending on grid capacity, when the grid can offtake that power.

So, there is a mixed grid. Even when we talk about the DISCOs, Sir, the DISCOs that we knew, or the power holding company that we knew yesterday, is not operating at the same level as the DISCOs today.

Mr Gbeleyi added that the cost-reflective tariff introduced for Band A customers in April 2023 has helped some previously unprofitable DisCos regain financial viability.

He said the BPE is improving governance standards at the DisCos to reduce leakages and ensure that revenue generated is reinvested in the network to provide safer and more reliable electricity.

We see the sector as a cup that is half full as against a cup that is half empty, he said. All critical stakeholders are working hard in a manner that will continue to improve the overall performance of the sector.

The DG also revealed that as of December, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET) owed N4 trillion to operators, despite total industry revenue standing at N1.7 trillion in 2024. He said revenue is expected to rise to N2.3 trillion by the end of the month.

He reported a major improvement in grid stability, noting that the country recorded fewer than three grid disturbances this year, compared with almost 20 last year.

Mr Gbeleyi further informed the committee that Nigeria recently achieved a milestone it had pursued for 13 years, successfully synchronising its power pool with the West African Power Pool, which comprises 14 ECOWAS countries.

According to him, this integration was executed by the Nigerian Independent System Operator, resulting in clearer separation between market operations and core engineering functions of the transmission network.
Chidozie Ajah, a senior aide to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, has disclosed that the Senate is proposing a drastic alteration to the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, seeking to limit the number of the additional women-only seats in the upper chamber to six, one per geopolitical zone, instead of one per state as initially designed.

Mr Ajah, the special adviser (Legislative) to the deputy speaker, revealed this on Friday during a media training for members of the House of Representatives Press Corps.

The session, themed Strengthening Reporting on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, was organised by the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs in collaboration with the TOS Group, an organisation that supports vulnerable communities, particularly women, youth, and children through education, health, civic engagement, and sustainable development initiatives.

According to Mr Ajah, the constitution review committee received a proposal from the Senate suggesting that, for now, only six additional seats should be created in the upper chamber, representing Nigerias six geopolitical zones, far below the 37 seats originally proposed in the bill.

The report presented on the floor took into account some proposed alterations, including the position of the Senate that it can only afford six additional seats for now, as against the 37 provided in the bill, he said.

He added that this debate is still ongoing and could shift as lawmakers work toward a consensus, noting that constitutional amendments remain fluid until final passage.

Mr Ajah stressed that the reserved seats proposal is not a reaction to womens inability to compete but a corrective measure to address deep-rooted obstacles that have historically shut women out of political leadership.

It is not a lack of interest. It is not paucity of qualified women, he said. It is the consequence of structural, cultural, and systemic barriers that continue to hold more than half of our population back.

He argued that the bill is not an unfair advantage for women but a structural correction to our democratic system, given Nigerias abysmal level of female representation.

What the bill seeks to achieve

The Reserved Seats for Women Bill is one of the key items in the ongoing constitution review, which has seen 84 bills reduced to 44 through consolidation.

The bill, jointly sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and 12 other lawmakers, aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to create additional women-only seats in the National Assembly and state assemblies.

Its provisions include: an additional seat for each state and the FCT, amounting to a total of 37 new seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives; and three reserved seats for women per state in the State Houses of Assembly, amounting to a total of 108 additional seats.

These seats, Mr Ajah clarified, are not carved out of existing ones but expand the composition of the assemblies to create space for women at the decision-making table.

He explained that the bill would amend Sections 48, 49, 71, 77, 91, and 117 of the 1999 Constitution. An additional proposed amendment to Section 42, Nigerias anti-discrimination clause, is also under consideration to forestall constitutional challenges.

The seats would be temporary special measures, lasting four election cycles (16 years).

Mr Ajah referenced Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and South Africa as examples of African countries that have benefited from structural gender quotas.

He warned, however, that even the full implementation of Nigerias original proposal would barely lift the country into double-digit representation.

Even if the National Assembly approves the initial proposal of 37 each, it will only bring Nigeria to a position of 13.6 per cent, which is still abysmally low, he said.

Nonetheless, he argued that starting small is better than not starting at all.

Debunking misconceptions

Mr Ajah tackled several misconceptions surrounding the bill, stressing that it does not displace men and is not discriminatory.

According to him, the cost concerns are exaggerated. He noted that an expanded legislature would raise governance costs by only about 1 per cent of the national budget.

He also clarified that the bill does not invalidate merit, stressing that Merit cannot thrive in a system designed without equity.

While expressing optimism, Mr Ajah reminded journalists that constitutional amendments are unpredictable.

He urged the media to sharpen their pens, cameras, and voices to ensure Nigerians understand what is at stake, describing the bill as one of the most ambitious attempts yet to correct the imbalance in womens political representation.

Senate responds

Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson for the Senate, told PREMIUM TIMES that any discussion of increasing or reducing seats at this stage is premature.

The bill has not reached us. We have not started to work on it. So the issue of either increasing or reducing does not arise at all now. We have to see the bill, the provisions, and several other details before we can consider how many seats or whatever, he said.

Similarly, Ismail Mudashir, legislative aide to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, said the report from the committee had not yet been formally presented on the Senate floor. He emphasised that it is only after a formal presentation that senators can review and respond to proposals.

They are putting the report together. The House of Representatives has done theirs. The Senate is still working on the reports. I dont know when it will be presented, but it will soon.

Mr Mudashir emphasised that any information outside the formal presentation could be misleading.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to harmonise the reports from both chambers.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Wike clarified this in Abuja on Friday, while reacting to the defection of 16 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that 16 lawmakers, including the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, announced their defection from the PDP to the APC on Friday.

Citing divisions in the PDP as the reason for the defection, Mr Amaewhule said he was now a member of the APC and would join hands with President Bola Tinubu, who means well for the country.

Reacting, Mr Wike told journalists, shortly after he inspected some ongoing road projects in Abuja, that although the lawmakers did not consult him, they acted within their rights.

He, however, said that not all the lawmakers defected to the APC.

I am still in the PDP and it is not everybody that has left.

I believe 16 or 17 of them have left out of 27. We still have quite a good number, about 10, and we will continue to work together.

They never told me, but they have a right to do so.

For me, those who left were free to do so, and for those who remained in the party, we will continue to work together, he said.

Describing the development as very unfortunate, the minister, who is sympathetic to a faction of the PDP led by Mohammed Abdulrahman, noted that everybody has the right to make a choice.

He blamed the development on the current factionalised state of the party, adding that the partys constitution allows members to leave if the party becomes factionalised.

He recalled advising the PDP leadership to put the party together, stressing that at the end of the day, if nothing is done, its the party that is losing.

The minister said that efforts were ongoing to see how the remaining members of the party would work together and be a relevant opposition.

(NAN)
Reproductive health experts have warned that unsafe abortions continue to drive Nigerias high maternal mortality burden due to restrictive laws, stigma, poor access to safe services, and persistent misinformation.

The experts made this known during a three-day media training on womens sexual and reproductive health and rights, held in Keffi, Nasarawa State between 2-4 December.

Talemoh Dah, CEO of the Soteria-Afrique Rural Healthcare Initiative, explained the medical mechanisms through which unsafe procedures lead to preventable deaths.

Mr Dah noted that the uterus and surrounding organs contain major blood vessels, meaning that if an untrained person introduces an instrument wrongly, heavy bleeding can occur and the woman may die before getting help.

He added that infections are another major cause of death.

The vagina and bowel contain billions of bacteria. If an instrument pushes these organisms into the bloodstream, infection can set in, and when it progresses to sepsis, we may not be able to reverse it, he said.

Mr Dah further highlighted other fatal pathways, including embolism, where amniotic fluid or fat enters the bloodstream and obstructs blood vessels, and organ damage such as kidney or liver failure arising from untreated complications.

The training, organised by the Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, brought together journalists, reproductive health advocates, and content creators to strengthen reporting on reproductive rights, unsafe abortion, and maternal health.

Maternal mortality in Nigeria

According to Ipas Nigeria, the countrys maternal mortality ratio has risen sharply, from 576 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 1,047 per 100,000 live births, placing Nigeria as the source of 20 per cent of all maternal deaths worldwide.

The organisation also estimates that 1.8 million abortions occur annually in Nigeria, with nearly 60 per cent classified as unsafe because they are performed by unskilled providers, in unhygienic conditions, or using harmful methods.

These unsafe procedures account for between 13 and 40 per cent of all maternal deaths.

The rising scale of maternal deaths is closely linked to Nigerias extremely low use of modern contraception.

Only 12 per cent of women of reproductive age use modern family-planning methods, resulting in high rates of unintended pregnancies that often end in unsafe abortion.

According to the 2023 Maternal Mortality Estimates released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in every five women who die from pregnancy-related causes globally is Nigerian.

VAPP Act not enough to protect womens reproductive health

Emannuella Azu, a development legal practitioner, warned that despite its popularity, Nigerias Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) remains insufficient in protecting womens sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly in the areas of consent, access to care, and justice for survivors of sexual violence.

Ms Azu noted that many Nigerians wrongly assume the Act addresses all GBV-related issues, but several areas, including marital rape recognition, access to post-abortion care, and referral pathways for survivors, remain inconsistently implemented across states.

The VAPP Act does not fully protect womens reproductive health. It addresses violence but does not holistically cover the scope of sexual and reproductive health rights, she said.

Restrictive laws

Mr Dah argued that Nigerias legal and policy framework on abortion is restrictive, a situation that forces many women to resort to clandestine and unsafe procedures.

He explained that Nigeria is among countries where abortion is permitted only to save a womans life.

Although the law is restrictive, the federal government in recent years developed a policy document outlining medical conditions under which abortion may be provided to save the womans life.

These include severe hypertension in pregnancy, certain cancers that cannot be treated while pregnant, life-threatening kidney or heart diseases, and situations where continuation of pregnancy could worsen a womans health.

Nigerias legal framework on abortion is derived from two main statutes, the Criminal Code Act, applicable in the southern states, and the Penal Code, used in the northern states.

Under both laws, abortion is largely illegal except when performed to save the life of the pregnant woman.

Despite these strict provisions, unsafe abortions remain common nationwide.

Ipas Nigeria estimates that 1.2 million induced abortions occurred in 2012 alone, driven by unintended pregnancies, rape, incest, and serious health complications.

Many of these procedures were unsafe, significantly contributing to maternal mortality and morbidity.

Mr Dah added that while health workers are allowed to object on moral or religious grounds, they are professionally obligated to refer the patient to another provider.

He stressed that the shortage of trained providers remains a major barrier to safe procedures, even in cases where the law allows them.

Social stigma, gender-based violence, trauma

Mr Dah also linked reproductive coercion, intimate partner violence, and societal stigma to the high number of unsafe abortions and maternal deaths in Nigeria.

He argued that Nigerian society often treats unintended pregnancy, whether arising from consensual sex or rape, with judgement, shame and punishment, adding that these attitudes fuel silence, misinformation, and dangerous delays in seeking care.

Our laws, culture, religion and discrimination trap women like a spider web. That is why they die, he said.

Also, diversity is the norm in nature. Once you cancel diversity, you invite chaos.

He stressed that differences in beliefs or values should not prevent women from accessing evidence-based healthcare services that can save their lives.

The training also emphasised the essential role of the media in combating widespread misinformation about sexual and reproductive health and rights, a key barrier to reducing unsafe abortion.

In addition, participants discussed ethical reporting, legal frameworks, and the importance of avoiding sensationalism while highlighting the preventable nature of many maternal deaths.
The Conference Communique drew attention to the importance of maintaining commitment to Fanons injunction to remain focused on the methodology of Pan-African Solidarity and the pursuit of Global Justice At the end of the conference, many students encountering Fanon for the first time appeared to have found a pathway to a more engaged future of exercising their civic agency. That is a positive outcome. For us the old ones, it was more the nostalgia about the hopes we had of being successful change agents and the blockages that prevented the pathway to transformation. Nonetheless, as the saying goes, the struggle continues.

Last week, progressives, activists, intellectuals and trade unionists from all over Nigeria and the continent converged in the University of Jos for reflections on and considerations of Fanons enduring legacy to the forces of change and social transformation. The conference recognised Fanon, not merely as a revolutionary thinker, psychiatrist, and anti-colonial activist, but also as a prophetic voice whose ideas illuminate the persistent contradictions of post-colonial governance. Two veteran Fanonists, Professors Adele Jinadu of Nigeria and Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who have been working on Fanon for over fifty years each provided seminal reflections that set the discussions going.

Fanons work, most especially his iconic Wretched of the Earth, have been very influential for the community of progressives. Many participants spoke about their encounters with Fanon, for the majority at a very young age, in their late teens. His work gave them the hope of the precious gift of liberation. Indeed, both his analysis of the debilitating nature of the colonial condition and his prescription of how to seek emancipation have stuck with them throughout their lives. About 100 papers were presented by Fanon-inspired change agents at the conference.

Maybe the most important aspect of the life and work of Fanon as a perpetual influencer, was his call to action. The dictum is: Each generation must discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it, in relative opacity. The key Fanonian legacy is the gift of the belief that we can understand our physical and mental subjugation and use the same violence that has been used against us to liberate ourselves. Violence, he teaches us can be used for our emancipation. Violence is a cleansing force. It frees the native from his inferiority complex and from his despair and inaction; it makes him fearless and restores his self-respect. Despair is indeed the African crisis today, as people lose hope in their ability to overthrow the corrupt, self-centred leadership ruling and ruining their countries.

Participants affirmed, as theorised by Fanon, that the national petty bourgeoisies in Africa is incapable of liberating both itself and the countries it inherited from colonialism through the colonial and nationalist struggles, because their core commitment is to extend, rather than destroy, the essence of the colonial system. It is for this reason that much of the African continent has been experiencing both economic stagnation and democratic decline

Emancipatory violence produces positive outcomes in Fanonian thinking, only when it is directed at the colonial regime and not at the people. What he shows, however, is that a predatory class that sought to replace the colonial regime, rather than change the nature of the regime it contested, simply took over power. It is for this reason that participants affirmed that sixty years after Fanons passing, many African states still confront unresolved structural challenges: neo-colonial economic dependencies, elite domination, violent governance cultures, increasing youth disillusionment, and widening deficits of legitimacy. The conference, therefore, emphasised that engaging Fanon today requires not commemoration alone but action  towards justice, dignity, autonomy, and people-centred governance.

Participants affirmed, as theorised by Fanon, that the national petty bourgeoisies in Africa is incapable of liberating both itself and the countries it inherited from colonialism through the colonial and nationalist struggles, because their core commitment is to extend, rather than destroy, the essence of the colonial system. It is for this reason that much of the African continent has been experiencing both economic stagnation and democratic decline, and it is indeed backsliding, essentially due to the persistence of neo-colonial structures, thinking, and institutions.

Fanon died at a relatively young age. The themes he worked on  colonial domination and violence, race and the erosion of African dignity, the land question and the imperative of the nationalist struggle  were all issues of central concern for all thinking Africans. Fanon had been sent to Algeria as a psychiatrist serving the French colonial regime. What he saw in his practice revealed the systematic destruction, physical and mental, of the Algerian people. His heart was wholesome. He committed class suicide, denounced French colonialism, became a revolutionary and joined the struggle against capitalist, colonial and racial exploitation and oppression. It is for these reasons that he became a guide and torchbearer for generations of concerned Africans.

For Fanon, political action is always the pathway to liberation, and successive generations of young Africans have found his work inspirational because it gives them both hope and a strategy. Africas Gen Z have heard the clarion call and they have been acting since the Arab Spring in Egypt, Tunisia, etc., through to successive uprisings in Burkina Faso, Senegal, Kenya, Morocco, Madagascar, Tanzania, and so on. They have shown solid determination to rise and fight, in spite of acute State violence.

He remains relevant to Africas liberation because of his insistence that the continent must get out of the traps of the extractive economies that have been imposed on them and seek redemption in transforming their economies for value addition, rather than continued dependence on raw commodity exports. For Fanon, political action is always the pathway to liberation, and successive generations of young Africans have found his work inspirational because it gives them both hope and a strategy. Africas Gen Z have heard the clarion call and they have been acting since the Arab Spring in Egypt, Tunisia, etc., through to successive uprisings in Burkina Faso, Senegal, Kenya, Morocco, Madagascar, Tanzania, and so on. They have shown solid determination to rise and fight, in spite of acute State violence. However, even when the political engagement results in regime collapse, regime transformation in favour of the popular classes have not occurred. Fanons works offer lots of insights on how to avoid the pitfalls of national consciousness and the youth have much to gain on studying his work and, of course, also updating their strategies in this world marked so strongly by both the strengths and weaknesses of social media and its hashtags.

The Conference Communique drew attention to the importance of maintaining commitment to Fanons injunction to remain focused on the methodology of Pan-African Solidarity and the pursuit of Global Justice. Africa must remain committed to Pan-African cooperation, including unified continental stances on debt, fair trade, migration, climate justice, and global governance reform. At the end of the conference, many students encountering Fanon for the first time appeared to have found a pathway to a more engaged future of exercising their civic agency. That is a positive outcome. For us the old ones, it was more the nostalgia about the hopes we had of being successful change agents and the blockages that prevented the pathway to transformation. Nonetheless, as the saying goes, the struggle continues.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.
In The Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Prophet Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.

Dear brothers and sisters! Allah Almighty says:

Every soul shall taste death. [Quran, 29:57]

This Quranic verse contains a fundamental truth we often forget in the hustle of our professional lives. When a great scholar passes, we are forced to pause and reflect on the divine decree of Allah.

Scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets; when they die, a void is created in the intellectual and spiritual landscape of the Ummah. We must ask ourselves: what have we prepared for our inevitable journey? The wisest among us are those who remember death the most and prepare best for it. Let the passing of these guiding lights inspire us to reconnect with our faith, support our communities, and lead lives that will leave a positive and lasting legacy.

The death of an Islamic scholar is considered a monumental loss to the Ummah, often described as an irreplaceable loss or a breach in the faith.

The death of scholars is seen as a sign of the End of Times, as knowledge is taken away with their passing. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

Indeed, Allah does not withhold knowledge by snatching it away from His servants, but rather He withholds knowledge by taking the souls of scholars, until no scholar remains and people follow ignorant leaders.

Islamic scholars are considered inheritors of the Prophets, inheriting knowledge rather than material wealth. This knowledge is their lasting legacy, guiding future generations.

The passing of a scholar reminds Muslim believers of the transient nature of this life and the inevitability of death.

Beneficial knowledge left behind by Islamic scholars is a form of ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), continuing to benefit others after their death and earning them continuous reward.

Imam Al-Hasan Al-Basri described the death of an Islamic scholar as a loss that cannot be replaced for as long as the day and night alternate.

Imam Al-Hasan Al-Basri reported that: Ibn Masud, may Allah be pleased with him said:

The death of a scholar is a loss that cannot be replaced for as long as the day and night revolve. [Shuab al-Iman of Imam Baihaqi]

The passing of Islamic scholars reminds the Ummah of the importance of the guidance found in the Quran and Sunnah and the responsibility to continue seeking and sharing this knowledge.

Imamul Bukhari, a towering figure in Islamic scholarship, spent his life meticulously collecting and verifying the sayings and actions (Hadith/Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Before recording each Hadith, he would perform ablution and offer a two Rakaah prayer (Nafilah). He gathered thousands of authentic narrations, the most authentic book after the Quran being his book, Sahih Al-Bukhari.

When he passed away, it is said that a beautiful fragrance of musk emanated from his grave, drawing people from thousands of miles away to pay their respects. This story is a testament to the purity of his intentions and the immense impact of his dedication to preserving the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). His legacy continues to guide millions of Muslims centuries later, proving that a life lived in service of knowledge and faith leaves an eternal impact.

Respected brothers and sisters! I came across a thousand-year-old Arabic booklet titled, The final words and the testimonies of the men of Allah in a small bookshop in the National Mosque, Abuja, Nigeria. It was written by Ibn Zabr Al Rabie (died 989). I have taken just a handful of the nuggets of wisdom from it and translated them for you.

In our busy, hectic life, overwhelmed by pleasure, giving colourful distractions, then reading accounts of pious people on deathbeds will be a joy killer. The book has been well researched by the publisher and references from authentic Hadith books are given. I havent cited them for simplicity, my purpose has been to make this a simple reminder. If you want to know what a lifetime of spiritual discipline looks like, then read these final words.

The devout and pious believers regard death as, the bridge that unites the lover with the beloved. The life of Hereafter is the everlasting life, where the Muslim believer is granted paradise, in the company of the Prophets, and the righteous. Allah Almighty says:

Whoever obeyed Allah and the Messenger, such people will be in the company of those blessed by Allah; the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous people. What a wonderful group of people to be with. [Surah Al-Nisa: 69]

The Hereafter has delights that no eye has yet seen, no ear has yet heard and no human mind yet imagined. Driven by this motivation the Muslim believer strives to do righteous deeds, and subdues the pleasure-seeking self, thus confident of securing Divine pleasure. On the other hand, there are those who regard this life as a purposeless stopover and a time for enjoyment. They have one purpose; to pursue pleasure as much as possible. However, the true believer regards this as a probationary period, which Allah has granted him so that he may have everlasting life, hence he strives and struggles against the bodily lusts, against the pleasures of the world. Allah the Most High says:

So whoever does an atom weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom weight of evil will see it too. [Surah Al-Zilzal: 7-8]

When pious people sense that the time to meet their Lord has come, it is time to say goodbye to this temporary home. Even in their death throes, they feel compelled to share their wisdom and experience of the worldly life, they wish to benefit others, they are their directives, their wise counsel and reminding us of the deceptions of the fleeting and transient world.

Ibn Umar said, the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

A Muslim who has any inheritance to leave behind him, should make a will and should not spend two nights without having a written will.

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) also said:

It is possible that death can come before you make a will.

The mother of the believers Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said, when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was in his death throes with his head on my thighs, I heard him say Lord! Forgive me, be kind to me and let me be with you.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) often spoke about the horrors of the Hereafter in his speeches, his sermons and actions. He stressed the importance of the Hereafter that touched hearts and filled eyes with tears. He wanted his listeners to become reflective, to understand the purpose of their lives and to appreciate the temporary nature of worldly life. Teaching them that, your real home is in the Hereafter. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) wanted his followers to keep the Hereafter in their mind. For him, it was a means of transforming lives, a motivation for the listener to adopt moral values like kindness, patience, generosity, forgiveness and humility. Values for improving character and ones behaviour. The purpose of these teachings was to make us reflective and meditative.

Ibn Rabie, the author of this booklet lived in the tenth century in Damascus. We dont know much about him other than the fact that he was an erudite scholar and pious person. In this booklet, he compiled the final words and the testimonies of 64 people including two Prophets, Adam and Nuh, many disciples of the Prophet and venerable scholars of the first century. His sources include books of Hadith, biographies and history. I have selected a dozen of these pithy and terse sayings that capture whole lifes experience in few words.

How much have you prepared for the Hereafter?

It is reported that when Abu Hurairah was on his deathbed, he began to cry, someone said, why are you crying Abu Hurairah? He said, for the lack of useful capital, the remoteness of being successful and the possibility of falling into paradise or hell.

This is what Rabie ibn Khushaim, a student of the famous disciple Abdullah Ibn Masud the disciple  uttered as his final words on his deathbed:

I bear witness there is no god but Allah, He is the best reckoner and the one who rewards his servants graciously, I am satisfied with Him as Lord, Islam as religion, Muhammad as Messenger and the Quran as a guide.

Shuraih al Khadrami reported that when Abu Malik Al-Ashari was on his deathbed, he said to the people around him:

Those of you present here, please deliver what I say to you now, I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, the sweetness of worldly life will be the bitterness of the Hereafter, and the bitterness of worldly life will be the sweetness of the Hereafter.

Makhul reported that when Amir Muawiyah was on his deathbed, he called his children and wife and said to them bring that special chest, they brought it out, it was locked. Makhul said we thought it contained diamonds. Muawiyah said, I have treasured this until today, open it! When we opened it, there were 3 pieces of cloth. Muawiyah said, this is the shirt of the Messenger of Allah, this is the cloak he wore on the farewell pilgrimage, I also asked him to give me the loincloth he was wearing, so he said when I go home I will send It to you. He then sent it to me. Then one day when he was having his hair cut, I asked please give me these hairs, he said take them Muawiyah. So, when I die, shroud me in the shirt of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), and cover me with his cloak, and scatter the Messengers hair over me, put them on my face and over my chest, it will attract the kindness of my Kind Lord.

Abi Sahl Al Basri, was a student of Hassan Al Basr, when he was on his deathbed, he was asked to give advice. So, he said sell your worldly life for the Hereafter and you will be profitable in both, but dont sell your Hereafter for the world, that will make you a loser in both. Yes in both!

Alqamah, another student of Abdullah Ibn Masud was on his deathbed when he told his students who were gathered around him, please read aloud the declaration of faith, La-Ilaha illallah, there is no god but Allah.

Ghuzaif Ibn Harris was on his deathbed whilst his brothers gathered around him, someone asked, is there anyone who can read Surah Yasin? A man said, yes I can, so he began to recite it, all listened attentively when he reached the final verse; Glory be to Him in whose hands is the control of everything, and to him you will be returned. (Yasin: 83). He quietly passed away. One of his brothers said, when someone is in their death throes reading Yasin makes this easy.

It is reported that when Zakariyyah Ibn Addi was on his deathbed, he raised his hands and prayed Allah, I earnestly seek You.

Respected brothers and sisters! As Muslim believers, please lets all fear Allah Almighty and stop insulting and attacking the dead people!

On the authority of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

Do not insult the deceased, as they have already gone off to what they have put forth. [Bukhari]

In this Prophetic Hadith there is a prohibition of abusing the dead, talking badly about them. Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) gave reason why. Because they have gone off to what they have done. They are done in this worldly life. If you wish to simplify your Affair and you wish to know your reality know that all human beings are one of two types, the majority and minority. Majority is one who is dead. Now they face recompense that they have with Allah. Insulting them would do you no benefit. And even if theyre disbelievers, the prohibition of insulting the dead still apply.

Insulting a dead person harms the living, harm the family and the children of such a person and so on. When you say a word of abuse about him, then you have insulted his offspring. So a Muslim believer avoid insulting the dead.

And in the Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) points out the prohibition of cursing the dead and speaking ill of their honour, and that this is considered among the bad manners. This is because they have reached the result of what they have done, be it righteous or evil. Moreover, cursing the dead does not reach them, but it only hurts the living ones.

The benefits from the Hadith:

1. The Hadith proves that cursing the dead is prohibited.

2. Refraining from cursing the dead serves the living peoples interest and protects society from mutual malice and hatred.

3. The wisdom behind the prohibition of cursing the dead is that they are already facing the consequences of their deeds, and cursing them will avail nothing, and it will only hurt their living relatives.

4. One should not speak useless words that serve no interest.

Al-Mughirah Ibn Shuubah reported that: The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

Do not abuse the dead and thus harm the living. [Sunan al-Tirmidhi, and graded Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani]

Imam al-Sanani commented on the Hadith:

The prohibition of insulting the dead is general, including unbelievers or others. [See Subul al-Salam, Sharh Bulugh al-Maram, volume 4, page 677]

Finally, dear brothers and sisters! Know that, in Islam, speaking ill of the dead is strongly discouraged and considered a sinful act. The teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and various verses of the noble Quran emphasise respect for the deceased and caution against backbiting, even after a person has passed away.

The Hadiths makes it clear that once someone has died, their matter is with Allah, and we should not speak badly about them. Their deeds are already judged by Allah.

Allah Almighty says:

And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam [Quran, 17:70]

This general statement of honour and dignity for all human beings implies that insulting or dishonouring someone, even after death, is against the spirit of Islam.

Islamic scholars like Imam Nawawi have stated that the prohibition of backbiting includes both the living and the dead.

The dead cannot defend themselves, which makes speaking ill of them even more unjust.

Therefore, The religion of Islam teaches us that:

 Do not speak evil of the dead.

 Leave judgment to Allah.

 If you cant say good, remain silent.

 Make Dua for mercy and forgiveness, not curses.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

Speak good or remain silent.

We belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return. May we all be granted a righteous end and a high station in the Hereafter.

May Allah have mercy on our souls, forgive our shortcomings, and grant us the highest ranks of Paradise (Jannatul Firdaus), ameen.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Prophet Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okenes Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.

This Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Jumadal Thani 14, 1447 AH (December 05, 2025).
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umerov and Chief of the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov will continue negotiations with the American side in Florida on Friday, which were held constructively the day before, said a member of the Ukrainian negotiating team, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksandr Bevz.

"Negotiations between Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov with US representatives in Florida continue. The night before, Kyiv time, there were constructive negotiations on key aspects of the peace process. Today, the delegation will continue its work in Miami," he said on Facebook.

"Based on the results, the President will hear the reports and determine the further steps of the Ukrainian team," Bevz added.
What is required now is a profound reorientation, a departure from the corrosive politics of hyper-individualism toward a revitalised ethic of collective purpose. No amount of personal success, no matter how celebrated, can shield any of us from the consequences of a society that fails. The destiny of Ndigbo has never been authored by solitary brilliance but by the concerted will of a united people. If we reclaim that spirit of shared mission, discipline, and solidarity, no summit in the political, economic, or cultural sphere will remain beyond our reach.

In the first instalment of this open letter, we revisited the historical distortions that shifted Ndigbo from the centre of Nigerias political life to the periphery of its power structure. We examined how the January 1966 coup, hastily and wrongly branded an Igbo plot, and the chain of miscalculations that followed, created a narrative of suspicion that has defined the Igbo experience for decades. These events provided the scaffolding upon which exclusion and scapegoating were built. Yet, history must eventually cease to wound and begin to instruct.

That moment has arrived, for reflection without transformation becomes an elegant form of self-pity. To chart a new path, we must first confront the fractures within our own house.

Our political disunity remains one of our most debilitating internal afflictions, and a few episodes dramatise this malaise more starkly than the conduct of the South-East Governors Forum under Dave Umahis leadership. Entrusted as the foremost political stewards of Igbo aspirations, these governors bore a singular responsibility to rise above parochialism. Instead, they allowed personal rivalries, inflated egos, and ambition to eclipse any semblance of collective purpose.

Far too many appeared more preoccupied with ingratiating themselves with Abuja or manoeuvring for future advantage, than with safeguarding the existential interests of Ala Igbo. Their abdication of duty was not merely disappointing; it was profoundly injurious.

This dereliction of responsibility was laid bare in September 2021, when the South-East hosted the Southern Governors Meeting. Only Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was in attendance, and even that presence owed more to obligation than choice, since Enugu was the host state. His counterparts from the region either dispatched their deputies or absented themselves entirely. Most strikingly, Anambras governor, Willie Obiano, did not even deem it necessary to send a representative. In contrast, governors from the South-West and South-South attended in full force, offering a sobering juxtaposition. Their solidarity cast into sharp relief the extent to which South-East leaders have allowed ego and self-interest to overshadow duty, and the degree to which regional cohesion has been tragically eroded.

This dereliction was most egregiously exposed amid the crescendo of insecurity. Whereas the South-West acted with commendable cohesion, birthing Amotekun through unified and deliberate resolve, our governors wavered and dithered, mistaking timidity for prudence. Into that perilous void stepped the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and, in its wake, the malignant splinter faction known as Autopilot. This security architecture did not emerge from strategic imagination but from collective desperation, and we remain encumbered by the grievous consequences of that monumental abdication of leadership.

The same South-East governors have persistently enfeebled Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural body conceived to embody our collective will and articulate the political aspirations of the Igbo within the Nigerian union. Through calculated meddling in its leadership and the deliberate withholding of constitutionally agreed financial obligations, they have reduced the organisation to a debilitated and dependent entity, pliant to the whims of those it ought to hold accountable.

For Ohaneze to reclaim its stature as an authoritative national voice, it must be rigorously insulated from gubernatorial intrusion. Its financial autonomy and institutional integrity must be inviolably secured; otherwise, it will remain a captive vessel incapable of speaking with conviction or clarity.

we must demand far more from those who claim to lead us. Leadership is not the massaging of collective wounds or the repetition of grievances. It is not the manipulation of communal pain for personal relevance. Leaders worthy of the Igbo name must challenge us, refine our assumptions, and make difficult decisions, even when such decisions provoke public discomfort.

As we confront structural injustice, we must also engage the broader national conversation about Nigerias future. The essential questions can no longer be evaded. Should Ndigbo remain within a reconfigured, confederal Nigeria that guarantees true autonomy, or should the country ultimately evolve into separate sovereign entities, as Yugoslavia once did? But Ndigbo can no longer afford a unilateral path that isolates us and risks reenacting the tragedy of the civil war. Nigeria has never hesitated to humiliate the Igbo when given the opportunity, and imagining a different response today would be an exercise in dangerous naivety.

Odumegwu Ojukwu grasped this truth with uncommon depth. After leading our people through a devastating conflict, he later articulated what he called the Biafra of the mind. In his vision, the new Biafra was not a territorial ambition but a psychological and cultural estate, a disciplined reorientation of purpose. He urged us to transmute historical pain into intellectual rigour, to define ourselves not by grievance but by excellence, resilience, and communal pride.

For Ojukwu, the end of the war did not signify a forfeiture of dignity; it marked the beginning of an imaginative reconstitution of identity. Biafra of the mind was not an escape from reality; it was a profound affirmation of inner sovereignty.

This is why we must demand far more from those who claim to lead us. Leadership is not the massaging of collective wounds or the repetition of grievances. It is not the manipulation of communal pain for personal relevance. Leaders worthy of the Igbo name must challenge us, refine our assumptions, and make difficult decisions, even when such decisions provoke public discomfort.

Groups like IPOB, which already command significant emotional capital among Ndigbo, could redirect their influence toward campaigns for good governance in the South-East. They could galvanise citizens to demand accountability from state and local leaders and apply sustained pressure on officeholders who have failed in their basic responsibilities. This is a practical and achievable goal. It would yield far more dividends than engaging the Federal Government in confrontations that would only provide Abuja with another pretext to brutalise our people.

We must also become more discerning about those who thrive on emotional theatrics but offer no strategic path forward. Rhetoric that stirs applause but endangers lives is not liberation; it is recklessness. Individuals whose only currency is perpetual outrage are not assets; they are liabilities.

A significant portion of our population lives outside Igboland, and these communities must carefully recalibrate their relationships with their host regions in a manner that is not adversarial. Diplomacy, humility, and restraint are essential. Human nature often responds to success with envy, and ostentatious displays of wealth only deepen resentment. Our conduct within host communities must reflect wisdom, rather than bravado.

We remain the storied land of the rising Sun, heirs to ancestors who stared down the British Empire and refused to be broken. Within barely a decade after the civil war, we rose from devastation to become an unrivaled economic force, powered not by government support but by our own industry, brilliance, and indomitable spirit. The resources, resilience, and relentless drive to rebuild Ala Igbo already live within us.

Equally troubling is the retreat of our intellectual class. Far too many have abandoned the public square out of cowardice, ceding it to a headless mob that mistakes noise for wisdom and appeals to raw emotions for strategy. The consequences are as inevitable as they are tragic: Shallow narratives proliferate while sober analysis is pushed to the margins. A society that sidelines its thinkers forfeits its ability to navigate the intricate demands of modern political negotiation.

Our public discourse is increasingly commandeered by individuals whose intellectual discipline lacks analytical depth. They occupy spaces that demand rigour and historical awareness, yet traffic only in impassioned rhetoric devoid of genuine understanding. We have become, in the words of Lao Tzu, a republic where Those who know do not speak; those who speak do not know.

Ultimately, the most powerful answer to marginalisation is not a return to arms; it is a return to excellence. The renaissance we seek will not emerge from agitation but from building a peaceful, prosperous, and well-governed homeland. A region defined by security, innovation, and disciplined institutions would send a message more powerful than any protest. A functional economy in the South-East would attract our diaspora and command the respect that complaint alone has never secured. When Igboland becomes the best-governed region in Nigeria, dignity will not need to be demanded; it will declare itself.

Yet, honesty compels us to confront the structural constraints hardwired into Nigerias political architecture. No federation can prosper while suppressing one of its most industrious communities or consigning it to perpetual suspicion. National stability rests on genuine fiscal federalism, meaningful constitutional restructuring, accountable state policing, and a political order that regards diversity as an asset, rather than a threat. But we cannot wait indefinitely for Nigeria to abandon its self-destructive trajectory. Ndigbo must organise themselves into a coherent and purposeful strategic bloc; only then will Nigeria cease pressing its knee on our collective neck and treating us as expendable.

If the first part of this series forced us to confront the weight of our history, this second part demands that we confront the weight of our responsibility. No external force will rescue us; not Nigeria, not sentiment, not the ghosts of territorial Biafra. Our future must be built deliberately, intelligently, and collectively by us.

We remain the storied land of the rising Sun, heirs to ancestors who stared down the British Empire and refused to be broken. Within barely a decade after the civil war, we rose from devastation to become an unrivaled economic force, powered not by government support but by our own industry, brilliance, and indomitable spirit. The resources, resilience, and relentless drive to rebuild Ala Igbo already live within us.

What is required now is a profound reorientation, a departure from the corrosive politics of hyper-individualism toward a revitalised ethic of collective purpose. No amount of personal success, no matter how celebrated, can shield any of us from the consequences of a society that fails. The destiny of Ndigbo has never been authored by solitary brilliance but by the concerted will of a united people. If we reclaim that spirit of shared mission, discipline, and solidarity, no summit in the political, economic, or cultural sphere will remain beyond our reach. Umuigbo kunie!

Osmund Agbo is a medical doctor and author. His works include Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles. His latest works, Pray, Let the Shaman Die and Maam, I Do Not Come to You for Love, have just been released. He can be reached through: [email protected]
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has congratulated Christopher Musa on his swearing in as Minister of Defence by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The governor, in a statement on Thursday, described the appointment of the retired general as a strategic choice that reflects President Tinubus commitment to strengthening Nigerias security architecture.

Governor Radda noted that Mr Musas distinguished military career, including his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff, positions him uniquely to tackle the nations complex security challenges. General Musas nomination and subsequent confirmation by the Senate comes at a critical time when Nigeria needs experienced, strategic, and decisive leadership in the defence sector.

His track record speaks volumes about his capacity to deliver results, the governor stated.

He expressed confidence that the new minister would bring fresh energy, innovative strategies, and operational excellence to the Ministry of Defence.

Governor Radda specifically charged General Musa to prioritize security in Katsina State and the entire northwest region, which continues to battle banditry, kidnapping, and armed violence.

He called for sustained military pressure on bandits, improved welfare for troops, and stronger collaboration between military, police, and community security structures.

We are ready partners in this fight. Katsina State has established Community Watch Corps, and created enabling environments for security operations. We look forward to working closely with the Ministry of Defence under General Musas leadership, Radda concluded.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has honoured the governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, with the award of Best Performing Governor in Northern Nigeria in the education sector, describing him as a visionary, exemplary, and teacher-friendly leader whose reforms have significantly elevated the states education sector.

The governors spokesperson, Hamisu Gumel, in a statement, said the award presentation took place at the Government House, Dutse, when the NUT delegation, led by the Deputy National President of the Union, Muhammad Hambali, and the Jigawa State Chairman, Abdulkadir Yunusa, and comprising NUT chairmen of all the 19 northern states, paid a courtesy visit to the governor.

While making his remarks, Mr Hambali said the decision to honour Governor Namadi was driven by his outstanding performance and firm commitment to raising the standard of education in Jigawa State, noting that while several states struggled with salary arrears, layoffs, and refusal to implement the national minimum wage, Jigawa under Governor Namadi charted a different course.

You are a visionary leader, an exemplary leader. And as the popular saying goes, What is good for the goose is good for the gander. It is on this basis that the Nigerian Union of Teachers has deemed it necessary to honour you for your outstanding performance and your commitment to raising the standard of education in Jigawa State, he said.

According to him, the governor not only implemented an enhanced salary structure for teachers but also continued to hire more educators to strengthen the system at a time when other states were downsizing their education systems.

When other governors refused to implement the national minimum wage, Governor Namadi implemented a jumbo-sized salary for teachers in Jigawa State. When other governors were sacking or retrenching teachers and workers, our Governor Namadi was busy laughing, smiling, and recruiting more teachersand not unnecessarily, but because the system needed them. While other states delay salaries, salaries are paid on or before the 20th of every month in Jigawa. For this, Your Excellency, we say thank you.

Mr Hambali urged other governors across the country to visit Jigawa and study Governor Namadis model of educational development, describing him as a teacher-governor for all governors in Nigeria.

It is on this note that I call on all governors in Nigeria to come to Jigawa and learn from Your Excellencyto study and emulate the good work you are doing in education. You are a teacher-governor for all governors in Nigeria.

He added that the NUT president had similarly encouraged the union to appreciate and celebrate Governor Namadi for his patriotism, fear of God, and people-centred governance, especially as the administration progresses toward 2027.

That is why Mr President said that when we come here, we must appreciate you, celebrate you, and pray for youespecially as we approach 2027. Insha Allah, this administration will continue to rise higher and higher.

Responding, Governor Namadi expressed his appreciation for the visit and the honour bestowed on him by the NUT leadership, saying that the honour belongs to the teachers as well.

On behalf of the government and people of Jigawa State, I want to thank you for this initiative. You are seeing our modest contribution to the education sector and feel that we deserve to be honoured, he said.

Our teachers fall in line with our agenda, and they feel we are partners in progress, and they agree that we should work together to improve the learning outcomes in our state. So I want to dedicate this award to our teachers for their commitment, for their hard work, and for their resilience.

Mr Namadi used the occasion to highlight key reforms undertaken by his administration and reaffirmed the administrations commitment to continued investment in the education sector.

The first thing we did when we came here was to separate the education ministry into twonow the principle of basic education and the principle of wider educationjust to introduce bureaucracy to policy implementation. And I want to confirm to the national president that the decision has paid off.

We have invested a lot in education, and we will continue to invest.
In a major recognition of its innovation and security leadership, OPay, Nigerias premier financial technology company, has been named Fintech Company of the Year and Best Fintech in Cybersecurity at the 9th Tech Innovation Awards, a prestigious platform celebrating excellence in Nigerias technology ecosystem. The awards ceremony, held on 29 November 2025 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, convened top organisations and industry leaders shaping the countrys digital landscape.

Speaking after receiving the honours, Chukwudinma Okafor, Chief Compliance Officer at OPay, said:

These awards are a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence in fintech and our unwavering commitment to user security. Every innovation we introduce, from secure payments to advanced compliance measures, is designed to give millions of Nigerians the confidence to transact safely. This recognition belongs as much to our dedicated team as it does to the users who inspire us to continually raise the bar for excellence in fintech and cybersecurity.

Highlighting OPays proactive approach to security, Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer, said:

We are incredibly proud to receive both Fintech Company of the Year and Best Fintech in Cybersecurity at the 9th Tech Innovation Awards, two recognitions that highlights our dedication to security and user protection. At OPay, we believe that equipping users with the knowledge and advanced tools is essential to building trust and promoting financial inclusion.

This was demonstrated through our OPaySecurityVoteCampaign some months ago, a dynamic social media initiative that educated users on our in-app security features. The campaign has helped millions of Nigerians understand how to protect their accounts and transact safely, reinforcing that security is central to everything we do. Hence, these awards recognise not only our leadership in fintech, but also our commitment to keeping every transaction secure and our customers confident in their financial journey.

About OPay

OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others.

Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customers funds, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.
Carl DIB Merchandising Limited, a leading company in the import of high-quality wines, spirits and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), has launched an array of 20 variants of premium Canadian Wines into the Nigerian market.

This exciting development is set to usher in a new level of elegance and opulence to the Nigerian viticulture.

According to Mr Charles Onyedibe, Representing REIF Estate winery, Niagara Ontario, the decision to introduce Premuim Canadian wines to the Nigerian market was inspired by the growing appetite for premium vintages by Nigerians both home and abroad.

The Winery being an international award winning winery is set to ensure that these premuim wines are available all over Nigeria via partnerships with their local wholesale and retail partners.

The drive which is strongly supported by the Canadian High Commission and the Nigerian-Canadian Business Association also had members of the diplomatic community in attendance.

The Reif Estate Grand Reserve Vidal Ice Wine being introduced to the Nigerian market is a Decanter (International Awards for wines) Platinum award (No 1) winner. Mr Onyedibe expressed his excitement about the market reception, which has been very encouraging in the different locations where the wines are currently available for sale in the country.

To meet the growing demand, The company plans to sign on more retail and wholesale partners in these locations which are Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and other parts of the country during the festive period with promos and incentives for the partners.

The launch event, themed Taste the elegance of Canadian wine making, was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Abulu. In his remarks, he highlighted the deep ties between Nigeria and Canada, rooted in shared values, growing trade relations, educational exchange, and people-to-people connections.

A senior executive of Wema Bank, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, also spoke at the event. He drew parallels between great banking and great wine, saying the importance of patience, consistency and a dedication to quality.

He expressed the banks commitment to empowering SMEs and providing tailored financial advisory services to its high-value
Governor Dauda Lawal described the State Development Plan (2025 to 2034) as a long-term, evidence-based roadmap that reflects the peoples aspirations and collective goal to transform the State.

The governor launched the 10-year development plan at the JB Yakubu Secretariat in Gusau on Friday.

A statement by the governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the state government engaged KPMG advisory as the lead consultant to develop the plan.

The statement further noted that KPMG collaborated closely with Zamfara Executive Council members and all stakeholders, including traditional rulers and religious leaders, over a period of eight months to develop the 10-year development plan.

At the unveiling, Governor Lawal stressed that the development Plan is the first comprehensive long-term plan in the States recent history.

He said, The development plan is built on robust data, wide stakeholder engagement, and alignment with national and global development frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nigerias National Development Plan 2050, and the African Union Agenda 2063.

It sets clear sectoral priorities, measurable outcomes, and a monitoring and evaluation framework that ensures transparency at every stage of implementation. In this State Development Plan, we envision Zamfara becoming a benchmark for transformative economic growth not merely for Nigeria, but the continent of Africa.

We will use resources, innovation, and governance to promote inclusive growth, stability, and opportunity.

The Plan is built on six pillars: Economy; Infrastructure; Social Welfare; Human Capital; Governance; and Environmental Sustainability. Zamfaras strength in agriculture and natural resources will be maximized through partnerships like the MoFI agreement and African Development Bank funding.

This aims to boost mechanized farming, agro-processing, and value chains, creating jobs, improving food security, opening markets, and reducing poverty-driven insecurity.

Governor Lawal emphasised that Zamfara stands on a favorable pedestal. With the State Development Plan, we are not merely dreaming- we are preparing to deliver. We are redefining the fate of our state. We are rekindling hope for the young, dignity for the vulnerable, opportunity for the enterprising, and stability for all.

Let the launch of the Zamfara State Development Plan 2025-2034 mark not a mere political ambition, but a turning point in the history of our state.

Let it be said that when Zamfara was at its lowest, we rose not with rhetoric, but with resolve. Not with empty promises, but with purposeful plans. Not with despair, but with vision.

Distingushed ladies and gentlemen, my dear people of Zamfara State, With firm faith in Almighty Allah, confidence in the resilience of our people, and a firm commitment to the principles we have outlined today, In the name of Allah the Most Merciful, it is my honour responsibility and privilege, to launch the Zamfara State Development Plan 2025- 2034 for our today and for our tomorrow.

Earlier, remarks were made by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada; the Chief of Staff, Mukhtar Lugga; and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam.
Tragedy struck in Ebonyi State on Thursday when a man walked into a petrol station and set ablaze a Sienna belonging to a customer who drove into the facility to buy petrol.

The incident happened at Echemas Petrol Station which is along the AbakalikiEnugu Expressway in the South-eastern state.

How it happened

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that a pump attendant was fueling the customers Sienna when the unidentified man, with a lighter, arrived at the station.

The man, it was gathered, forcefully seized the pump while it was already fueling the car, poured petrol rushing from the pump on the vehicle and then set it ablaze before fleeing the scene.

Witnesses said no life was lost in the incident. However, the Sienna and other properties affected by the inferno said to be worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the incident.

It is unclear why the man set the car ablaze.

Police speak

When contacted, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi state, Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Ukandu, a superintendent of police,

said operatives from the Central Police Station in Abakaliki arrived at the petrol station upon receipt of information about the incident.

Police were called to the scene and in collaboration with the fire service (officials) helped to put off the fire, he said.

The police spokesperson said workers at the station could not seize the man because he was in possession of a knife.

The workers said the man after setting the Sienna car ablaze, brought out a knife and that made people not to accost him.

The suspect utilised the opportunity to escape, he explained.

He noted that the police authorities in the state had begun an investigation into the incident.

Ebonyi govt reacts

The Ebonyi State Government has expressed sadness over the fire outbreak at the petrol station.

Nnaemeka John, the special assistant on petroleum to Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, said in a statement on Thursday that the man who set the car ablaze at the station was mentally unstable.

READ ALSO: Nwifuru presents N884 billion 2026 budget proposal to Ebonyi assembly

Mr John noted that the man walked into the petrol station with a cutlass and a lighter.

Upon entry, the individual attacked a pump attendant who was dispensing petrol for a motorist, he said.

The special assistant said during the ensuing scuffle, the man seized the petrol pump from the attendant and deliberately poured petrol around the premises, including on the vehicle being fuelled at the time, before igniting fire with the lighter.

He said the Ebonyi State Fire Service was promptly alerted and they responded swiftly to contain and manage the situation.

However, the vehicle was completely burnt, and two individuals sustained injuries. Fortunately, no death was recorded, he said.

The official said the Ebonyi State Medical Emergency Response Team also arrived at the station immediately and moved the injured persons to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

He said investigations were ongoing to identify and track down the perpetrator who ran away immediately.
LONDON, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's most iconic startup event 4YFN26 will return to the halls of Fira de Barcelona's iconic Gran Via during GSMA's MWC26 Barcelona next year for a groundbreaking showcase of 2026's most exciting startups. Selected from hundreds of submissions, 2026's Top 20 startups showcase the brightest ideas and leading minds from across five key industry categories.

Culminating with the 4YFN26 Awards, the Top 20 will compete to be crowned overall winner. The 4YFN Top 20 will take part in the 4YFN Awards semifinals on the first day of 4YFN Barcelona. This on-stage pitch competition will take place in front of a panel of leading investors and industry experts. The panel will evaluate them on criteria including innovation, scalability, and impact  before choosing five finalists on the same day.

The five finalists will advance to the 4YFN Awards Final, where they will compete again on the Banco Sabadell stage on 4 March, this time for the coveted prize of 4YFN Awards winner. The winner will receive a 20,000 cash prize, courtesy of the GSMA Foundry.

The 4YFN26 Awards Top 20 are:

Climate Tech

Greenlyte Carbon Technologies GmbH (Germany)  capturing CO from the air and converting it into green hydrogen and synthetic fuel feedstocks.

 capturing CO from the air and converting it into green hydrogen and synthetic fuel feedstocks. Sensegrass (UK)  improving farm productivity with AI analytics, IoT, and soil intelligence that optimise input use and crop health.

 improving farm productivity with AI analytics, IoT, and soil intelligence that optimise input use and crop health. Skyfora (Finland)  enhancing weather forecasting with AI-powered weather intelligence solutions to predict and adapt to extreme weather.

 enhancing weather forecasting with AI-powered weather intelligence solutions to predict and adapt to extreme weather. URAPHEX (Spain)  regenerating industrial water through chemical free, sustainable treating processes that reduce pollution.

Digital Horizons

AIM Intelligence (Korea)  AI security middleware detecting, targeting and eliminating risks in AI enterprise systems.

 AI security middleware detecting, targeting and eliminating risks in AI enterprise systems. DeepKeep (Israel)  protecting enterprise AI models and data pipelines with security tools designed for emerging threat landscapes.

 protecting enterprise AI models and data pipelines with security tools designed for emerging threat landscapes. Enhans (Korea)  building AI driven commerce infrastructure and operating systems for large scale digital transactions.

 building AI driven commerce infrastructure and operating systems for large scale digital transactions. NeuralTrust (Spain)  helping companies deploy and scale generative AI safely by protecting applications and agents from misuse or data leaks.

Fintech

Dost (Spain)  automating finance operations for growing businesses with AI-driven workflows.

 automating finance operations for growing businesses with AI-driven workflows. DRUO (USA)  enabling people and businesses to pay directly from bank accounts, removing the need for cards.

 enabling people and businesses to pay directly from bank accounts, removing the need for cards. Kistpay Private Limited (Pakistan)  increasing access to smartphones through instalment-based financing for users across emerging markets.

 increasing access to smartphones through instalment-based financing for users across emerging markets. Spendbase (Ukraine)  reducing SaaS, cloud, and card spend for companies through unified cost management tools.

Health Tech

AI Diagnostics (South Africa)  delivering AI-powered diagnostic tools that support screening and early detection of TB in low-resource healthcare environments.

 delivering AI-powered diagnostic tools that support screening and early detection of TB in low-resource healthcare environments. Biorce (Spain)  automating clinical trial operations with AI agents that streamline planning and execution for research teams.

 automating clinical trial operations with AI agents that streamline planning and execution for research teams. Medwise AI (UK)  providing clinicians with fast, evidence-based answers that improve care decisions at the point of delivery.

 providing clinicians with fast, evidence-based answers that improve care decisions at the point of delivery. Sycai Medical (Spain)  using AI imaging to identify and track pre-cancerous pancreatic lesions for earlier clinical intervention.

Mobile Frontiers

ConnectHear (Pakistan)  creating accessible communication for deaf users through real-time sign language interpretation and AI-assisted alerts.

 creating accessible communication for deaf users through real-time sign language interpretation and AI-assisted alerts. Kreios Space SL (Spain)  developing systems to extend satellite lifetimes in very low Earth orbit.

 developing systems to extend satellite lifetimes in very low Earth orbit. OptAI (Korea)  optimising on-device AI performance with tools that boost speed, privacy, and efficiency.

 optimising on-device AI performance with tools that boost speed, privacy, and efficiency. ZIM Connections (UK)  simplifying global connectivity by enabling travellers to activate region specific eSIM plans through a single platform.

Register for 4YFN26 today

Each year, 4YFN brings together investors, founders, and industry leaders to explore the ambitious ideas and cutting-edge technologies shaping the next wave of innovation. Its new theme for 2026, Infinite AI, captures the bold energy of founders pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence while reflecting 4YFN's role as a dynamic hub where ideas collide, deals form, and breakout companies step into the global spotlight. In 2026, 4YFN will showcase hundreds of startups across five stages in Halls 8.0 and 8.1, offering packed demo floors, live pitch sessions, and a programme designed to connect founders with investors, corporates, and global media. Book your place at 4YFN26 here.

Click here to read the full press release.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1882833/5658088/GSMA_Logo.jpg

SOURCE GSMA
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Volunteers in IFPTE Local 21, SEIU Local 1021, SEIU Local 2015, and other organizations are kicking off a signature gathering drive on Saturday, December 6, to qualify the "Overpaid CEO Act" for the June 2026 ballot. A broad coalition of community groups, labor unions, and elected leaders are advancing this local measure to protect San Francisco's public hospitals, clinics, and in-home supportive services from the Trump Administration. According to city officials , President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is estimated to take up to $400 million away from San Francisco's budget, with reduced funding for healthcare, nutrition, education, and the overall safety net.

"Trump's proposed cuts to Medicaid and other federal programs threaten to devastate our local budget and place enormous pressure on San Francisco's public hospitals and clinics," said Assemblymember Matt Haney. "San Franciscans will not sit back while Donald Trump attacks our most vulnerable neighbors."

What: Campaign kickoff with guest speakers and volunteer training.

When: Saturday, December 6th, 10am-2pm

Where: SEIU 1021 Union Hall, 350 Rhode Island St., Suite 100

Who: Speakers will include Assemblymember Matt Haney, Supervisor Chyanne Chen, union and community leaders.

Campaign volunteers say they're excited to take part in a movement that's fighting back against the Trump agenda:

"This is about ensuring a healthy future for our city. We're stepping up for our hospitals, our clinics, and for every San Franciscan whose coverage is at risk. The Overpaid CEO Act makes me hopeful for a way forward," said Jason Negron-Gonzales, an Emergency Room Registered Nurse at San Francisco General Hospital.

"Trump gave away massive corporate tax breaks and paid for it with the largest Medicaid cut in US history. The Overpaid CEO Act says you're not getting away with that in San Francisco. We're going to make the largest corporations pay their fair share of taxes so we can keep delivering the care our patients and recipients need," said Julie Fisher, an in-home support services (IHSS) caregiver.

In order to qualify, campaign volunteers need to collect signatures from 2% of registered voters, roughly 10,500 signatures. The campaign plans to be out in the streets every day talking to voters over the coming months.

BACKGROUND:

The Overpaid CEO Act would place a small surcharge on large corporations whose top executives earn more than 100 times the median salary of their workers. Only companies with over 1,000 employees and more than $1 billion in revenue; truly the largest corporations, would pay this surcharge. The measure would not raise any taxes on small businesses, homeowners, or working families and is projected to generate over $200 million annually for the City's General Fund to support mental health programs, public hospitals, and emergency response services.

The growing list of endorsements includes Assemblymember Matt Haney, Supervisor Connie Chan, Supervisor Myrna Melgar, Supervisor Jackie Fielder, Supervisor Shamann Walton, Supervisor Chyanne Chen, SEIU Local 2015, SEIU Local 1021, IFPTE Local 21, AFSCME 3299, Teamsters Joint Council 7, NUHW, UAW Region 6, SF Rising, Evolve CA, SOMCAN, Unite Here Local 2, AFT 2121, Teamsters Joint Council 7, Chinese Progressive Association, Indivisible SF, and San Francisco Building & Construction Trades Council.

SOURCE IFPTE Local 21
Photo: SBU

Member of Parliament (For the Future group) Hanna Skorokhod, her assistant and accomplice were informed of the suspicion, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said on Friday.

"NABU and the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) together with the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have exposed a criminal group headed by the MP of Ukraine. According to the investigation, its participants offered a business representative $250,000 to organize the imposition of sanctions by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) on a competitors company. The perpetrators claimed that they had the opportunity to transfer the illegal benefit for adopting sanctions decisions to officials of state authorities, in particular members of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC)," the report on the agencys website says.

As the investigation established, after receiving $125,000, the "client" was informed that this part would be transferred to NSDC officials. However, neither the NSDC members nor other officials were ever given the money, as the perpetrators were unable to find a person who would agree to commit illegal actions.

According to the Security Service of Ukraine, the deputy involved her assistant and several intermediaries in the "scheme," one of whom was responsible for receiving the bribe. During searches of the places of work and residence of the deputy and her accomplices, evidence of criminal activity was found, the Telegram message says.

The persons involved in the case were informed of suspicion of committing a crime, which is classified as Part 4 of Article 27, Part 4 of Article 369 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (incitement to provide an official occupying a particularly responsible position with an unlawful benefit for the officials commission of actions with the use of official position in the interests of the person providing such benefit, committed by a group of persons in prior conspiracy).

As reported, MP Skorokhod was expelled from the Servant of the People faction in 2019, reported searches at her place of residence. She did not specify which law enforcement agencies were conducting the search and on the basis of what resolutions, but promised to report on further developments.

Before that, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) reported the exposure of a "criminal group headed by a Ukrainian MP", without specifying the name of the deputy. Sources in law enforcement agencies confirmed to Interfax-Ukraine that this is about Skorokhod.
On Saturday, November 29, a brown tabby cat named Smokey was discovered with an orange blowgun dart lodged in her back near her shoulder blade. Smokey lives on the 7100 block of Spring Terrace Drive, San Antonio. Weeks before Smokey was shot, her caregiver found the same type of dart near his garagean indication that the perpetrator may have been targeting cats for some time and will continue to do so.

Thankfully, Smokey survived the horrific act of cruelty and is recovering after veterinary treatment. Alley Cat Allies and the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) are urging anyone with information on who shot the blow dart to call the SAPD at 210-207-8326.

"It's clear that the cruelty carried out against Smokey isn't an isolated incident, and more cats will be harmed if the perpetrator is not caught. We recently issued a reward that led to a swift arrest in another San Antonio cruelty case, and we are hoping for similar success now," said Coryn Julien, program communications officer at Alley Cat Allies. "If anyone has knowledge that will help us seek justice for Smokey and protect the other cats at risk, we ask that you please come forward."

Once a suspect is identified and charged, Alley Cat Allies will offer expert support to the prosecution and call for a severe penalty that includes jail time.

In November, Alley Cat Allies issued another reward in San Antonio to prosecute and convict a man caught on video strangling a kitten to death. The SAPD confirmed that as a direct result of the reward, an arrest was made within a week. The alleged perpetrator was charged with animal cruelty and remains in jail awaiting trial.

Alley Cat Allies is seeking a similar result on behalf of Smokey. Again, anyone with information is asked to contact the SAPD at 210-207-8326 to make a report. Any knowledge could be critical to the investigation.

Alley Cat Allies reward terms and conditions can be found at alleycat.org/RewardTerms.

About Alley Cat Allies

Alley Cat Allies believes every cat deserves to live out his or her life to the fullest.

Founded in 1990, Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization for cats with a mission to transform and develop communities to protect and improve the lives of all cats and kittens. Together with our over 1.7 million supporters, we work toward a world where cats are valued and every community has humane and effective programs and policies to defend them.

Through our fearless advocacy, humane care, education and outreach, and law and policy activism, we equip and mobilize citizens, advocates, grassroots groups, shelters, veterinary professionals, and elected officials across the United States and around the world to improve their communities for cats through nonlethal, evidence-based approaches.

Our website is www.alleycat.org, and we are active on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, Threads, and YouTube. Charlene Pedrolie is the president and chief operating officer of Alley Cat Allies.

SOURCE Alley Cat Allies
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands , Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new digital asset hedge fund, Arkangel Fund SP, has been launched via the leading institutional digital asset manager, CV5 Capital , with an investment strategy led by Arkangel Wealth Management. The Fund implements a systematic, market-neutral quantitative strategy that aims to monetize short-lived micro inefficiencies across digital-asset markets. Using proprietary, high-frequency and low-latency models, the Fund harvests volatility and structural spreads through diversified alpha sleeves executed primarily on an intra-day horizon and hedged to maintain near-zero net beta.

Arkangel Wealth Management Ltd

Chris Coll-Beswick and Gold Darr, principals of Arkangel Wealth Management, are seasoned technology entrepreneurs and investors, with deep expertise spanning artificial intelligence (AI), web3, blockchain, and decentralized finance (DeFi).

"We are thrilled to launch the Arkangel Fund SP. The Fund offers investors a uniquely informed perspective on leveraging technology to navigate and capitalize on the future of institutional digital asset investments.The Fund is aimed at professional and sophisticated investors, supported by tier-1service providers under the CV5 Digital platform with a core focus on the governance and compliance expected of institutional investors globally. Arkangel Wealth Management has partnered with CV5 Capital, an industry-leading digital asset hedge fund platform, to ensure the highest quality services and operational excellence. CV5 Capital has become the leading platform for digital asset managers seeking to launch a regulated and audited digital asset fund from the world's leading jurisdiction for hedge funds.David Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer of CV5 Capital: "We are delighted to assist and support the launch of the Arkangel Fund SP and look forward to supporting their growth for many years to come."

About Arkangel Wealth Management Ltd

Arkangel Wealth Management Ltd an investment manager and regulated by the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI FSC) as an Approved Manager, with registration number IBR/AIM/25/2453.

LinkedIn

About CV5 Capital

CV5 Capital is the platform manager of CV5 and CV5 Digital, Cayman-domiciled multi-manager hedge fund and digital asset fund platforms that enable investment managers worldwide to launch and operate alternative strategies with institutional governance and infrastructure. CV5 Capital is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority under the Securities Investment Business Act (as revised). Funds on the CV5 and CV5 Digital platforms are regulated under the Cayman Islands Mutual Funds Act (as revised).

Email: [email protected] ; Website | X | LinkedIn | Medium

Disclaimer: This Press Release is for informational purposes only, users should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained in this press release constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by CV5 Capital or Arkangel Wealth Management Ltd or any third-party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments in this or in in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Contact

Chief Executive Officer

David Lloyd

CV5 Capital

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2839474/Arkangel_Wealth_Management.jpg

SOURCE Arkangel Wealth Management Ltd
Credit union to award $150,000 to 20 metro Atlanta nonprofits through 13th annual grant program

ATLANTA, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Community Credit Union is pleased to announce its 2026 Philanthropic Fund grant recipients. Committed to strengthening metro Atlanta communities, Delta Community will provide a total of $150,000 in grants to 20 nonprofits that support local children and families through programming in health and human services; financial education; or science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education. Delta Community will have invested more than $1.4 million in more than 260 nonprofit organizations since launching the program in 2014 once the 2026 dollars are disbursed.

"As Georgia's largest credit union, we are proud to continue awarding Philanthropic Fund grants for the 13th year, allowing us to invest in organizations that strengthen the communities where our members live and work," said Hank Halter, Delta Community's CEO. "Our 2026 recipients are committed to creating meaningful, measurable change that benefits metro Atlanta families and aligns with our business mission and values as a not-for-profit financial cooperative."

Grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to:

FreeRent Foundation

Georgia Justice Project

L.E.A.D. Center for Youth

Motherless Daughters Foundation, Inc.

STEM Gems

Time2Give, Inc.

Whitefoord, Inc.

Grants of $7,500 each will be awarded to:

Atlanta Land Trust

C5 Georgia Youth Foundation

Hillside, Inc.

Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage & Disability

Nicholas House

The Bridge, Inc.

Grants of $5,000 each will be awarded to:

Auditory Verbal Center

Bankhead Boys Association

Center for Black Women's Wellness

Family Heritage Foundation

Goshen Valley Foundation

Henry For Music

Project Healthy Grandparents

Applications for the 2027 Philanthropic Fund will be accepted between July 1 and Aug. 31, 2026. More information is available on the "Community Programs" page of Delta Community's website.

Grants are finalized annually by a rotating committee of volunteer Delta Community employees from different functional areas. The committee reviews applications and makes awards based on the amount requested, the proposed use of the funds and the alignment between the receiving organization's objectives and the Credit Union's formal community investment strategy.

About Delta Community Credit Union

Delta Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with a mission of providing better service and value on the products consumers use to manage household expenses and save for the future. Founded in 1940, Delta Community is Georgia's largest credit union with $8.9 billion in assets, more than 525,000 members, 31 metro Atlanta branches and three out-of-state branch locations. It welcomes anyone living or working in metro Atlanta as well as employees of more than 140 businesses including Delta Air Lines, Chick-fil-A, RaceTrac and UPS. Visit DeltaCommunityCU.com to open an account or follow the credit union on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

SOURCE DELTA COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Hydron Energy, a leading innovator in renewable gas upgrading and clean fuel solutions, has been recognized by Foresight Canada as one of its Top 50 Investable Clean Tech Companies for 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights Hydron Energy's pioneering contributions to advancing sustainable technologies and driving Canada's transition toward a low-carbon, resilient economy.

Foresight Canada's annual Foresight 50 list showcases the country's most promising cleantech venturesthose with the potential to deliver transformative environmental impact and strong investment potential. Hydron Energy was selected for its breakthrough biogas upgrading technology which is capable of producing renewable natural gas at price parity with fossil fuels. Hydron's INTRUPTor platform enhances the economics of the renewable fuel projects and reduces the industries dependency on regulatory incentives.

"We're honoured to be named among Foresight Canada's Top 50 Investable Clean Tech Companies," said Soheil Khiavi, CEO of Hydron Energy. "This recognition reinforces our commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition and creating solutions that enable a more sustainable economy."

"Being recognized by Foresight Canada affirms the hard work and vision of our team," added Craig Bond, Director of Sales and Business Development of Hydron Energy. "We're excited to continue partnering with industry, investors, and policymakers to deliver clean energy solutions that support a prosperous future."

Hydron Energy's Intensified Regenerative Upgrading Platform Technology (INTRUPTor) represents a breakthrough in gas separation and upgrading. At its core, the INTRUPTor utilizes a novel biomimicry-based metal organic framework (MOF) that upgrades raw biogas into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. This breakthrough system operates under ambient conditions, dramatically simplifying plant design and fabrication. This innovative approach enables cost reductions of up to 50% and delivers 80% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional commercial technologies. Hydron has commercialized this platform to produce RNG from anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment facilities, and landfills.

About Hydron Energy

Hydron Energy's INTRUPTor solution is an advanced gas upgrading technology that turns waste into value, enabling cost-effective production of clean fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company's solutions are designed to make renewable energy accessible, scalable, and economically viable for global markets. To learn more, visit https://hydron.ca/

SOURCE Hydron Energy Inc.
National poll reveals 27% of workers prefer dental work over office celebrations as workplace disconnection deepens

DALLAS, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 1 in 4 (27%) U.S. workers would rather have root canal work than attend an office holiday party, according to a new national poll conducted by independent pollsters Censuswide on behalf of Sunny, a nonprofit organization tackling the modern crisis of social connection in both working and daily lives.

The poll, which highlights the growing workplace phenomenon known as "The Great Disconnection," also found that 33% of the 1,155 full-time employees surveyed would rather visit the dentist for any reason than attend workplace celebrations. Even more bleak, 40% of U.S. employees would also "rather go to the dentist than socialize after hours with my boss."

"Our poll findings are fresh evidence of 'The Great Disconnection'  the ever-growing signs of workplace disengagement," says Sunny's Head of Behavioral Science Iain Smith, Ph.D., an industrial psychologist. "But unlike the 'Great Resignation' during Covid, the Great Disconnection isn't going anywhere, unless we address it. Fortunately, it doesn't take much: You can design connection back into how teams are already working, so they stop running on an empty social battery ."

The research identified several clear differences between social groups:

30% of men would rather get a root canal than go to the office party, compared to just 23% of women.

compared to just 23% of women. Northeasterners lead the party-shy, with 36% preferring a dental visit over their office holiday party, compared to just 29% in the Midwest.

More details on the results  and potential solutions  are available in "Energized by Design", Sunny's new white paper on social connection at work. Sunny's team examined the risks of factors including hybrid working, AI tools and the multi-generational workforce, and opportunities to harness these trends to create connection.

The white paper cites several other recent studies that confirm the same trend:

41% of Americans report feeling lonely , according to insights from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey reviewed in Sunny's 2024 report, "Social Connection in the Modern World."

, according to insights from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey reviewed in Sunny's 2024 report, "Social Connection in the Modern World." Gen Z workers are the loneliest of all . Nearly half (45%) of workers aged 18-25 say they regularly feel lonely at work  far more than any other age group, according to a 2024 Harris poll for the American Psychological Society.

. Nearly half (45%) of workers aged 18-25 say they regularly feel lonely at work  far more than any other age group, according to a 2024 Harris poll for the American Psychological Society. 42% of employees say work friendships directly contribute to their resilience in tough times, according to a 2024 study by KPMG, "Workplace Friendships Play a Critical Role in Employee Mental Health, Job Satisfaction."

"You can't Zoom your way to an engaged culture," says Betsy Parker, Sunny CEO. "Connection takes design, not just calendar invites."

Methodology:

The Sunny poll figures are based on a nationally representative poll of 1,155 full-time U.S. employees aged 18 plus, fielded Nov. 12-17, 2025. The research was conducted by Censuswide, an independent pollster, which abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles.

Respondents were asked, "To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?"

"I'd rather have root canal work than go to an office or work holiday party."

"I'd rather go to the dentist than to an office or work holiday party."

"I'd rather go to the dentist than socialize after hours with my boss."

About Sunny

In a world that's more digital, yet lonelier than ever, Sunny provides science-backed solutions to help people improve their social lives and fuel meaningful connection. Its Sunny Workplace platform, built into the flow of work, reignites team connection and vibrancy from the inside out. Sunny's free app for consumers tracks and boosts Social Battery while offering simple steps to connect. Sunny's purpose-over-profit model means it reinvests every dollar into expanding its reach and impact. For more information, visit gosunny.org or follow on Instagram and LinkedIn at @gosunnyorg and TikTok and Facebook @gosunny.org.

Media Contact:

Juliana Mitchell

[email protected]

817-329-3257

SOURCE Sunny
Kevlar EXO Now Being Developed for Use in Helmets and Plate Inserts

WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kevlar EXO, the next-gen aramid fiber, is expanding its capabilities in life protection with the launch of its use in hard armor applications, including helmets and ballistic plate inserts. Building on its success as the core component of soft armor, Kevlar EXO will now serve a structural role in hard armor, enhancing performance through superior impact resistance and energy absorption.

Unlike in soft armor, where Kevlar EXO acts as the primary protective layer, Kevlar EXO functions as a crucial reinforcement within composite structures in its first application in hard armor. This is a new function for the material, improving structural integrity, limiting crack propagation and dispersing energy.

"The success of Kevlar EXO in soft armor applications paved the way for its evolution into structural uses like hard armor," said Kevlar EXO Marketing Manager of Defense, Gerrad Allison. "As we expand into composite systems, from ballistic plates to aerospace and industrial applications, our focus remains on advancing lightweight strength and impact resistance to protect people and enhance product performance across industries."

Kevlar EXO is already being integrated into plates for TYR Tactical, the leading global manufacturer of tactical gear and equipment for military and law enforcement.

Beyond armor, Kevlar EXO's structural versatility is driving innovation across industries. From high-strength, flexible fuel bladders to structures for space exploration, its structural reinforcement capabilities and enhanced strength-to-weight ratio opens its potential in a range of high-performance composites.

To learn more about Kevlar EXO, click here.

To explore Kevlar EXO's ballistic protection capabilities, click here.

About DuPont

DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader, providing advanced solutions that help transform industries and improve everyday life across our key markets of healthcare, water, construction, and transportation. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.

About Tyr Tactical

At TYR Tactical, we set out to revolutionize tactical equipment for the Next Generation Warrior. All three of our brands, which include TYR Tactical, Huron and Revere K9, undergo extensive field testing, utilize state-of-the-art textiles and are purpose-built with your comfort in mind.

As an industry leader in the United States, Canada and Denmark, we remain committed to upholding the highest standards of product quality and integrity.

Media contact

Email: [email protected]

Correction: Updated hyperlinks from an earlier version of this release.

SOURCE DuPont Kevlar EXO
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Drain Plumbing is proud to announce the successful completion of its inaugural Flush Away Hunger canned food drive. This friendly competition rallied both customers and employees to support families in need this Thanksgiving season. Held from November 1st to 20th, the initiative brought the community together in a fun and meaningful way, with all donations benefiting the OrangevaleFair Oaks Food Bank, which serves local households facing food insecurity.

The food drive challenged customers and team members to see who could donate the most shelf-stable items. As an added thank-you, customers who donated four or more items received a 10% off coupon toward their next plumbing service. All collected items will directly support the Food Bank's mission to provide food, resources, and hope to neighbors throughout the holiday season.

"This time of year can be especially difficult for many families, and we're grateful to everyone who joined us in giving what they could," said Patrick Fee, Co-Founder of Mr. Drain. "Our goal wasn't to pat ourselves on the back, but simply to make a difference in our community. It all starts with small acts, and we're honored to be part of that effort."

Mr. Drain encourages residents to continue supporting the OrangevaleFair Oaks Food Bank and other local nonprofits, as the need for donations extends well beyond the holidays.

About Mr. Drain Plumbing

Mr. Drain Plumbing is dedicated to delivering exceptional service in every aspect of residential and commercial plumbing throughout the Sacramento area. Their experienced, fully insured team uses advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment to provide reliable solutions, from water heater repair and hydro-jetting to trenchless pipe replacement. Customer satisfaction and community are at the heart of everything they do.

To learn more about Mr. Drain, visit the company's website at https://www.mrdrainplumbers.com. To learn about current seasonal specials and coupons, visit https://www.mrdrainplumbers.com/coupons/ . Contact: Micheala Wood at [email protected] .

SOURCE Mr. Drain
MG Lexicon will help patients and medical professionals communicate and share common information concerning the rare autoimmune, neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis

BOSTON, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA), the largest, leading patient advocacy organization in the United States solely dedicated to the myasthenia gravis (MG) community, announced the immediate availability of a detailed myasthenia gravis Lexicon of terminology to help MG patients more effectively understand key disease concepts when communicating with their medical providers.

Produced in collaboration with patients, medical professionals, and industry partners, the MG Lexicon bridges the gap in terminology between doctors and those affected by MG. You can find the complete MG Lexicon at https://myasthenia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/MGFA-Lexicon.pdf

This digital MG Lexicon defines terms related to diagnosing, living with, and managing MG to make it easier to understand complex words, phrases, and concepts as part of MG care. Patients can empower themselves to accurately describe their symptoms or discuss treatment options with a medical professional or neurologist, and share the MG Lexicon with others who need to understand how the patient is managing the disease.

The MG Lexicon is the result of a series of meetings, conducted by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, and held in Boston in 2024. The MGFA Stakeholders Roundtable brought together MG medical experts, researchers, patients, and industry professionals to collaborate and build patient-centric educational materials.

Approximately 90,000 to 100,000 individuals are diagnosed and living with MG in the United States alone. MG patients suffer with debilitating physical symptoms such as extreme fatigue and profound muscle weakness that impact a person's ability to move, see, swallow, smile, walk, or breathe. MGFA focuses on funding promising research discoveries for better treatments while providing impactful programs, guidance, and education to support members of the MG Community.

MGFA Contact Information:

Michael Antonellis

Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

+1-617-610-2411

Kate Stober

National Director, Digital and Content Marketing

[email protected]

+1-480-744-2705

SOURCE Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.
MIAMI, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new article outlining key considerations for creating effective motion design has been published by Digital Silk, an award-winning digital agency focused on creating brand strategies, custom websites and digital marketing campaigns. The resource highlights foundational elements organizations may review when integrating motion into user interfaces, product experiences and digital content.

Motion design continues to evolve across digital platforms as brands adopt animation to support clarity, transitions and interaction cues. According to the Interaction Design Foundation, motion can help guide user attention when used thoughtfully, while reinforcing hierarchy and reducing friction during navigation. The article explores how timing, pacing, consistency and visual flow may influence how users interpret movement on screen.

Key Principles Outlined in the Guide

The piece explains core principles, including easing, duration standards and anticipation, as well as considerations for maintaining accessibility when incorporating animation. It references established UX and UI motion guidelines to provide readers with a structured framework for decision-making.

The guide also discusses how motion can potentially support user comprehension by indicating state changes, drawing focus to relevant elements and creating predictable interaction patterns across digital environments.

Quote

"Motion design plays an important functional role in user experience by helping audiences understand what is happening on screen," said Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO of Digital Silk. "This article aims to offer teams a foundational reference for evaluating animation choices within digital products."

Additional Considerations for Motion Design Planning

The article outlines several components creative teams may review when incorporating motion, including:

Establishing consistent timing and easing curves

Ensuring animation supports rather than distracts from tasks

Testing transitions across devices and connection speeds

Reviewing motion for accessibility preferences

Aligning animation with brand identity and UI structure

Readers can access the full article at:

https://www.digitalsilk.com/digital-trends/motion-design-guide/

Organizations interested in discussing upcoming digital initiatives or exploring potential design needs can connect with the team through Digital Silk's request a quote page.

About Digital Silk

Digital Silk is an award-winning Web Design Agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, Digital Silk creates digital experiences through strategic branding, custom web design and digital marketing services to help improve visibility and support engagement.

Media Contact

Jessica Erasmus

Marketing Director and PR Manager

Tel: (800) 206-9413

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Digital Silk
Alleges Former Livestock Deputy and Deputy District Attorney, with Support from Sheriff and County, Singled Him Out for Practicing Industry Standards While Ignoring Violations Elsewhere

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Law firm Larson LLP announced today it has sued Humboldt County and three officials in San Francisco federal court on behalf of a northern California cattle rancher, alleging they violated his civil rights when they raided his home and properties, improperly tampered with evidence, and pursued criminal charges against him that were later dismissed but that continue to harm his reputation and ability to conduct business.

Cattle rancher Ray Christie with his two sons.

The case outlines how Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff Travis Mendes, serving as livestock deputy, unlawfully raided Ray Christie's properties in 2018 under the pretext of searching for alleged animal abuse violations. Former Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Adrian Kamada prosecuted Christie for years for alleged felonies following the raid. The complaint also names Sheriff William Honsal as a defendant for supporting Mendes' and Kamada's actions.

The lawsuit highlights how Christie purchases sick and injured cattle from other ranchers in the area before rehabilitating them back into good health to be sold or bred, and that the charges against him relied on the condition of recently purchased cows delivered to his property just hours before the raid began. Those charges were eventually dropped after his counsel highlighted problems with the evidence against him, with examples in the complaint including an unconstitutional interrogation of Christie by Mendes and Kamada during the raid and photos taken on his property that were later altered.

As the complaint states, Mendes, Kamada, and Honsal pursued Christie while ignoring obvious violations at other operations in the area.

Christie has suffered financial and reputational damage as a result of the ongoing harm caused by the county's arbitrary enforcement alleged in the complaint.

"Mr. Mendes, Mr. Kamada, and Mr. Honsal showed unmistakable bias toward Mr. Christie for practicing and upholding industry standards but turned a blind eye to other operations that have admitted to clear violations," said Rick Richmond, partner with Larson LLP and lead counsel for Christie. "This lawsuit is about vindicating Mr. Christie's civil rights and highlighting the hypocrisy of Mr. Mendes, Mr. Kamada, and Mr. Honsal, while also allowing my client to assert the truth of what has so far been a one-sided story. We ask the court to right the wrongs Humboldt County and its officials have inflicted on Mr. Christie."

The complaint states that the defendants' wanton disregard of Christie's constitutional rights violates the United States Constitution and 42 U.S.C.  1983, which provides an individual the right to sue local government officials for civil rights violations. The complaint seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and costs, pre-judgment interest, and all other relief provided by law.

The case is Raymond Frank Christie v. County of Humboldt et al., case number 5:25-cv-10328-NW (VKD) in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The full complaint is available here.

ABOUT LARSON LLP: Larson is an elite litigation firm committed to achieving success in any courtroom. A fierce advocate for our clients and a formidable adversary for opposing counsel, we focus exclusively on winning high-stakes cases. Our trial and appellate records include some of the most recognized legal victories of the last decade. Learn more at larsonllp.com.

SOURCE Larson LLP
Ukraine has called on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to bolster international mechanisms that protect food security during wartime and to hold Russia accountable for using hunger as a weapon, the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture said following a meeting of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development in Paris on Thursday.

Deputy Minister Taras Vysotsky reminded attendees that before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine supplied food to as many as 400 million people worldwide. Despite ongoing attacks, the country remains a critical player in global food markets. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has exported roughly 250 million tonnes of food, of which more than 165 million tonnes were cereals. Ukraine accounts for about 36% of global sunflower oil exports, 38% of sunflower meal, 13% of corn and 7% of wheat, among other products.

Vysotsky drew attention to humanitarian programs such as Grain from Ukraine, which has already assisted roughly 20 million people in the most vulnerable regions of Africa and Asia.

"Today international food security is not only an economic issue but a matter of survival. Russia is deliberately using hunger as a weapon by destroying Ukraines agricultural and energy infrastructure. Such actions threaten millions of people far beyond Ukraines borders," the deputy minister said.

The committee adopted a resolution entitled "Ensuring Sustainable Food Security in Times of Crisis." The document aligns with core international norms that prohibit the use of hunger as a method of warfare. Ukraine called for strengthening international mechanisms to protect food security and for ensuring Russia is held accountable for using hunger as a weapon.

"PACEs resolution is an important step to defend the right to food and to build resilient food systems in Europe and globally. Ukraine will continue to be a guarantor of global food security, but to do so we need a united stance from the international community and effective mechanisms to hold the aggressor accountable," Vysotsky said.
The charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church recognizes its 16,500 volunteers across 14 countries for their dedicated service in helping those in need

Names 2026 the Year of the Volunteer

JOPPA, Md., Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), the charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), shared a "Message of Thanks and Hope" from Anthony Arkcoll, Global General Manager of RRT, to acknowledge their 16,500 volunteers across 14 countries in recognition of International Volunteer Day.

A Message of Thanks and Hope to All RRT Volunteers

From Anthony Arkcoll, Global General Manager of RRT

"2025 has been a year marked by tragic events and challenges affecting communities across the globe. From conflicts to natural disasters, from droughts and flooding to widespread food insecurity. Many families have faced hardships and uncertainty during these times of crisis.

But during these challenging times we have seen firsthand how the power of hope can help comfort those in need.

On International Volunteer Day, I wanted to acknowledge the care, compassion and courage demonstrated by the 16,500 members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church who make up RRT and have volunteered to help those in need and give back to their communities during 2025.

Thank you for your time, commitment and efforts to help those impacted emotionally and physically by so many unfortunate events. Not only did you provide support, hot meals and essential supplies, you offered human connection, kindness, empathy and a message of hope through your actions.

We are a world of neighbors, diverse in beliefs and backgrounds. As Christians, we are specifically called to act when we witness a neighbor in need. Our beliefs both urge and empower us to give what we can and serve where we must, and that is exactly what the RRT does.

In 2025, our volunteers across 14 countries have lived our beliefs and delivered on our vision of putting care and compassion into action. You touched thousands of lives, across each and every community where we live, work and worship, as well as in locations and countries where we do not have a presence.

During times of calm, you supported and thanked those that serve and help us every day, such as law enforcement, firefighters, nurses, teachers and others. In times of crisis, you quickly mobilized to support the emergency responders and help communities in need. From being on the ground during crises such as the Los Angeles fires, Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, and droughts in South Australia, to providing critical supplies to those suffering in times of war in Gaza and Ukraine.

Together, you have helped set 2025 on a strong path to becoming one of our most successful years of charity. So far in 2025, almost 80,000 volunteer hours have supported more than 1,650 events, served over 422,000 event meals and delivered 23,400 Food Boxes, providing the equivalent to 561,000 meals.

This was only made possible through your personal determination and giving of time and funds. To each and every one of you, thank you for putting others' needs above your own. Your help is inspirational.

And yet, with so much uncertainty still affecting communities around the world, it is even more important next year to continue our commitment to volunteering to help those in need.

That is why RRT is announcing that 2026 will be the Year of the Volunteer, in both spirit and action. I have no doubt that the coming year will surpass all expectations.

Let us continue to give back and give well, in 2026 and beyond.

With much appreciation and gratitude.

Mr. Anthony Arkcoll

Global General Manager"

About Rapid Relief Team (RRT): RRT is a global network of over 16,500 volunteers who assist emergency services during disasters and crises by providing meals and other forms of support. Established in 2013 by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC), RRT is dedicated to showing kindness through its actions, embodying the PBCC values of care, compassion, and community support in times of need. To contribute to RRT's mission, visit their website.

SOURCE Rapid Relief Team
MIAMI, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RobotLAB, a leader in commercial robotics integration, announced the opening of its Miami franchise, strengthening the company's presence in one of the country's fastest-growing technology and business markets. The new franchise will support companies across South Florida seeking practical, dependable robotics solutions that improve efficiency, support staff, and enhance customer experience.

RobotLAB Miami

RobotLAB Miami will serve organizations in hospitality, retail, education, healthcare, restaurants, commercial services, and logistics, industries where automation has quickly shifted from an operational advantage to an operational necessity.

A Strategic Expansion Supporting the "Last Mile of Robotics"

As more businesses adopt autonomous cleaning, delivery, customer-assistance, and educational robotics, RobotLAB has positioned itself as the last mile in robotics, the partner that ensures robots are not only purchased, but properly deployed, integrated, trained, and supported.

"Robots are here to make work easier, not replace people. Miami's businesses are ready for robotic systems that support their teams, strengthen operations, and deliver consistency day after day," said Elad Inbar, CEO of RobotLAB.

Local Expertise for a Region with Rising Automation Needs

With labor shortages, operational pressures, and high tourism volume, Miami presents an environment where automation delivers immediate value.

"Robotics and AI are transforming industries, and we're proud to see that innovation take root here in Coral Gables. RobotLAB's expansion strengthens the technology momentum in South Florida, and we're honored they chose our city as their launch point," said Vince Lago, Mayor of Coral Gables, who attended the opening.

"Robotics is no longer theoretical. It solves very real challenges for businesses here in Miami," said Alberto Marcano, Branch President of the new RobotLAB Miami franchise. "Our goal is to provide organizations with robotics solutions that are easy to adopt, maintain, and directly aligned with their operational needs."

RobotLAB Miami offers on-site demonstrations, technology assessments, leasing and purchase options, and full deployment support for autonomous cleaning robots, delivery robots, service robots, educational systems, and AI-powered customer-engagement platforms.

About RobotLAB

Since its founding in 2007, RobotLAB has delivered robotics and automation solutions across hospitality, restaurants, healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing sectors. With a growing national presence, the company combines deep technical expertise with local support, helping organizations adopt robotics in sustainable and impactful ways.

Media Contact

Karla Fonseca, Marketing Director

1(877)626-8522 or 415-702-3033

[email protected]

www.robotlab.com

SOURCE RobotLAB, Inc.
Recognized for pioneering AI-driven innovation, customer-centric digital transformation, and customer experience for CSPs.

SAN ANTONIO, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan is pleased to announce that Whale Cloud has been recognized with the 2025 Asia-Pacific Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition in the AI-enabled OSS/BSS industry for its outstanding achievements in innovation, platform integration, and customer impact. This recognition highlights Whale Cloud's consistent leadership in driving measurable outcomes, strengthening its market position, and delivering AI innovation and customer-centric digital transformation. With AI increasingly driving solutions for customers, the company has proactively pre-empted some key challenges to ensure customers seamlessly benefit from use of AI.

Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies through a rigorous benchmarking process across two core dimensions: business impact and strategic technology leverage. Whale Cloud excelled in both, demonstrating its ability to align strategic initiatives with market demand while executing them with efficiency, consistency, and scale.

"Whale Cloud is well positioned to ride out a growth trajectory over the next three to five years. WhaleDI AI will do well in growing the use of AI orchestration within mobile services and other vertical industries," said Mei Lee Quah, Senior Director, ICT Research at Frost & Sullivan.

Guided by a long-term growth strategy centered on AI innovation, ecosystem partnerships, and customer success, Whale Cloud continues to lead in delivering end to end digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 2003 and formerly known as ZTEsoft, the company has been building its big data and AI capabilities for many years. Today, Whale Cloud delivers cutting-edge OSS/BSS, cloud, big data, and AI-integrated solutions to communications service providers (CSPs), government agencies, and enterprises in over 80 countries. Its 19 global capability centers, including two dedicated to AI research and development, ensure sustained innovation and operational excellence.

Innovation remains central to Whale Cloud's approach. Its flagship WhaleDI AI platform exemplifies its customer-centric commitment, enabling automation, personalization, and operational intelligence across diverse industries. The platform addresses critical challenges such as fragmented data, slow service rollout, and limited personalization by integrating multimodal AI for predictive, generative, and preceptive decision-making. Strategically embedded across Whale Cloud's core offeringsincluding the ZSmart Digital OSS/BSS suite, cloud solutions, and smart city platformsWhaleDI AI enhances automation, optimizes customer journeys, and drives real-time intelligence at scale. The end-to-end integration of WhaleDI AI across platforms enables customers to leverage AI as embedded AI capabilities across all layers.

"This recognition reflects our long-term commitment to advancing AI-driven innovation across telecom operations. By embedding intelligence into our ZSmart Digital OSS/BSS solutions, we aim to help CSPs simplify complexity, enhance agility, and accelerate digital transformation. This award is a testament to the dedication of our teams and the trust of our customers and partners," said Steven Cho, CMO of Whale Cloud International.

Whale Cloud's ZSmart Digital OSS/BSS suite supports modular deployment, AI-driven orchestration, and predictive maintenance to deliver improved operational efficiency and reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) for CSPs. Complementary solutions, including Digital Marketing Cloud (DMC), Fiber as a Service (FaaS), and Intelligent Network & Service Operation Center (iNOC), extend AI-driven capabilities to customer engagement, fiber deployment, and network operations. Through strong partnerships with Alibaba Cloud, ZTE, and selected ecosystem including with Alipay+ Payment Tech, Whale Cloud continues to accelerate digital transformation services, and smart city initiatives across emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.

Frost & Sullivan commends Whale Cloud for setting a high standard in competitive strategy, technology innovation, and execution excellence. The company's vision, robust innovation pipeline, and customer-first culture are shaping the future of AI-enabled OSS/BSS and driving measurable results for service providers and enterprises worldwide.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition to a company that demonstrates outstanding strategy development and implementation, resulting in measurable improvements in market share, customer satisfaction, and competitive positioning. The recognition honors forward-thinking organizations that are redefining their industries through technological innovation and growth excellence.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition

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

Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Ashley Shreve

E: [email protected]

About Whale Cloud

Whale Cloud is a leading technology company that specializes in the digital transformation of telecommunication service providers and other verticals. We provide mission-critical solutions and services in Telecom, FinTech, and E&G sectors. At Whale Cloud, we're passionate about creating frictionless experiences for customers and empowering their digital ambitions.

Contact:

Xu Dong

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Winder Farms, which was recently acquired back by members of the Winder family, has worked quickly to expand its marketing channels. The company has announced that it has launched its famous eggnog in Costco warehouses. The Company has never sold its iconic products at Costco. Company Chairman & CEO, James Winder said, "We hope to reach more of our customer's demand for our products by making them available in more places. There is a lot of overlap between our target demographic and that of Costco's so it's natural to be there." Said Winder. "This is a test run to see how it goes. I'm sure Costco will be pleased with the result. Consumers love our Eggnog! We're grateful to have the opportunity to work with a great retailer like Costco"

Winder Farms' Famous Eggnog Winder Farms team in the early 1940s including George, Ned, Rich, Jerse and Pete Winder.

Winder Farms Eggnog will be in three Wasatch Front Costco locations starting Friday, December 5th, with limited inventory. "If the eggnog sells-out quickly, hopefully Costco will keep ordering throughout December," said Winder. The three locations include Bountiful, Murray and Salt Lake City, which is the largest Costco in the world. Winder hopes that, if the Costco test-run goes well, they will be invited to supply not only eggnog but also their award-winning chocolate milk to all 13 Costco locations along the Wasatch Front next year. "Nothing is guaranteed but we hope Costco will want to grow with us next year," Winder shared.

Either way, the 145 year old business plans to continue to recapture its past home delivery customer base with greater distribution, including other new retail partnerships currently in the works, to make its famous products more accessible to its past or "would-be" home delivery customers. "We have a very loyal customer base and we intend to make our products as available as possible to that base and other like-minded customers," said Winder.

Winder's eggnog product is differentiated from other eggnog products sold at Costco and some other grocery stores because it is considered "fresh" or pasteurized but not ultra-pasteurized. It is also one of the few local dairy brands. According to its website, Costco has a stated local strategy with the intention of carrying local brands if they can meet certain qualifications and needs. Winder Farms believes they are well positioned to fill that need.

Eggnog as well as Winder's other products are available to purchase online on Instacart or in-store at all Utah Smith's locations and Associated Food Stores locations including Harmon's, Macey's, Fresh Market, Dick's, Lee's, Dan's, and other independently owned Associated Food Stores. They can now add Costco to that list.

Winder Farms, founded in 1880, is the oldest continuously operating food and beverage brand in Utah.

SOURCE Winder Farms
The Danish government plans to nearly halve the amount of assistance it will provide to Ukraine next year, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR, Danmarks Radio) reported.

"In a response to an inquiry from the Defense Committee, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that next year Denmark will provide DKK 9.4 billion. Last year we provided DKK 16.5 billion, and the year before that almost DKK 19 billion," the report said.

In 2023, a broad parliamentary majority agreed to create the Ukraine Fund, a financial framework defining Denmarks support for Ukraine. To date, Denmark has provided more than DKK 70 billion in military aid.

Denmark currently ranks as the country providing Ukraine with the largest support relative to GDP. Therefore, according to Social Democratic defense spokesperson Simon Kollerup, it is "natural" for support to decrease.

"We decided to be one of the countries that provided the most extensive support at the beginning of the war. I also think its fair to say that this support somewhat exceeds what might be expected given the size of our country. Thats why I consider it quite natural for the support to gradually decrease," he said.

Kollerup also noted that it has not been politically decided whether support will remain reduced despite the current plans.

"I think we will allocate more funding than reflected in the current profile. Whether that means we will necessarily remain in the lead, as we were earlier, Im not sure," he added.

He pointed out that politicians had long ago agreed to structure the Ukraine Fund so that most of the billions would be spent during the first three years of the war, and that the time is coming for other countries to contribute as well.

"We are a small country with a strong economy and high decision-making capacity, so we were essentially able to find the resources to provide significant support early on. But I also believe there is room for other countries to step up," Kollerup explained.

Meanwhile, Stinus Lindgreen, defense spokesperson for the Radical Left Party, argued that now is not the time to reduce aid to Ukraine.

"The problem is that we have not allocated new funds for a long time. If we believe that supporting Ukraine is so important, and I hear all parties saying so, then right now we need to sit down in Parliament and ensure the funding is in place," he said.

He clarified that he considers the amounts allocated in previous years to be sufficient.

"I believe we should return to the level we had in previous years," he stated.

Lindgreen added that Ukraine is currently under tremendous pressure on the battlefield. The Kremlin claims that the strategically important city of Pokrovsk, the focus of fierce battles for a long time, has now fully come under Russian control.

"If you look at the situation in Ukraine right now, it is critical. This is not the time to lower ambitions, neither in Denmark nor internationally," he concluded.
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The News in Brief Friday, December 5, 2025

Georgia joined a broad international coalition on December 3 in supporting a United Nations General Assembly resolution that calls on Russia to immediately return Ukrainian children who were forcibly transferred or deported during the war. The measure, adopted with 91 votes in favor, urges what it describes as the "immediate, safe and unconditional" repatriation of the children. Twelve member states opposed the resolution, and 57 abstained.The text of the resolution presses Russia to halt what it characterizes as a pattern of unlawful removals. It urges Moscow to "cease, without delay, any further practice of forcible transfer, deportation, separation from families and legal guardians, change of personal status, including through citizenship, adoption or placement in foster families, and indoctrination of Ukrainian children."European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas praised the outcome, calling it a vital step toward accountability. "This is a landmark vote that shows the world will not look away from the suffering of these children," she said. "The international community has sent a clear message that this practice must stop and that those responsible must face justice."Fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, sharply criticized the Georgian Dream's planned education reforms, arguing that the changes will restrict opportunities for all citizens, including those who currently enjoy political privilege. Her comments came after Education Minister Givi Mikanadze outlined major policy shifts set to begin in 2026."The regime's policy affects everyone, oppresses everyone, and blocks everyone's opportunities," Zourabichvili wrote on social media. She warned government supporters not to assume their children will escape the impact. "Do not believe that your children will be protected by your current privileged positions tomorrow. They will have to learn from textbooks produced by a ministry commission, and they will face limits on studying abroad, unless Russia is their preferred destination. The isolation of the country will affect everyone's fate."Under the planned changes, the government will abolish the current grant funding model in 2026. Students admitted to public universities will have their tuition fully covered by the state, while those enrolling in private universities will receive no state funding.The ministry says current students will not be affected, while those in opposition argue that the reforms will reduce freedom of choice, limit academic mobility, and tighten government control over curriculum and textbooks.
The second career guidance hub in Kyiv region as part of the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE project has been opened in Brovary, the first such space has been launched in Vasylkiv, Head of Kyiv Regional Military Administration Mykola Kalashnyk said on Friday.

The event was held with the participation of the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine Felix Baumann.

"Thanks to grant support in the amount of UAH 4.527 million, the hub has been equipped with a modern space with seven practical stations, where young people can try themselves in popular working professions: welding, plumbing, painting and cladding work, building insulation, frame construction, working with drywall and driving freight transport. The space is equipped with modern simulators, interactive modules and professional tools," Kalashnyk said in Telegram channel.

The administration's head thanked the Swiss partners, the DECIDE project team, educators and businesses for their cooperation and contribution to the future of youth.
The 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" officially announced the violation of international humanitarian law by the occupiers  the probable execution of a captured Ukrainian soldier near the village of Sviato-Pokrovske, Siversky urban community, Bakhmut district, Donetsk region, the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade reported.

"In the area of the Sviato-Pokrovske settlement, the enemy carried out a covert infiltration into the combat formations of the Defense Forces, taking advantage of the weather conditions. A video recording appeared on enemy information resources, showing the presence of Russian military personnel at one of the Ukrainian positions. The footage shows a Ukrainian serviceman raising his hands and demonstrating his readiness to surrender, that is, he was in the status of a person who was no longer participating in hostilities. Despite this, the occupiers continued to keep him at gunpoint and, probably, opened fire, which could have led to his death," the brigade said on the Facebook page.

The circumstances of the incident are being clarified, an additional verification of the facts is being conducted.

As stated in the Edelweiss brigade, such actions have signs of a gross violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

"The Ukrainian side strongly condemns such criminal actions, which indicate terrorist methods of warfare by Russian troops. All materials will be checked and transferred to the competent authorities for legal assessment and fixing of a possible war crime. War crimes have no statute of limitations, each of them is responsible for specific individuals. Punishment for them is inevitable," the statement reads.
Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy, Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna said the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund (UCHF) has already raised more than EUR 4 million in international support.

"We discussed bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector. I expressed gratitude for the support of Ukraine and for organizing our participation in the informal meeting of EU culture and media ministers in Copenhagen this November, where we presented the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund to international partners. Denmark was among the first to contribute to the fund. At this point, we already have more than EUR 4 million in international support," Berezhna wrote on Facebook following a meeting with a Danish delegation.

She emphasized that Ukraine is actively working on new agreements.

As reported earlier, in July 2025 the Ministry of Culture and its partners presented new international instruments to support Ukrainian culture at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, including the Cultural Resilience Alliance, the Ukrainian Heritage Fund and Team Europe Ukraine.

In early November, Copenhagen hosted the second international "Cooperation for Resilience" conference, where the operational mechanism of the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund was presented. Following the conference, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and the UK announced that they would invest EUR 3 million in the newly established fund.

The Ministry of Culture previously stated that the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund will operate under Belgian law and that its governing bodies will include representatives of foreign governments and international organizations that made the initial contributions.
A team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will assess the condition of more than ten critically important electrical substations essential for nuclear safety and protection during its visit to Ukraine from December 1 to 12, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced.

"The 1-12 December visit will focus on more than ten substations  essential nodes in the electrical grid related to the nuclear power plants (NPPs)  to assess the damage, review repair efforts, and identify practical steps to strengthen the resilience of off-site power supplies to the country's NPPs, three of which are still operating to generate electricity," the IAEA said in a statement on its website Friday, citing Grossi.

Previous IAEA missions to the substations have highlighted a continued degradation of the grid and increased challenges to the transmission infrastructure.

Last week, another IAEA team completed a comprehensive safety assessment of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) at the Chornobyl site, which was severely damaged in a drone strike in February. The mission confirmed that the NSC had lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability, but also found that there was no permanent damage to its load-bearing structures or monitoring systems.

Based on the mission findings, the IAEA recommends further restoration and protective work of the NSC structure, including humidity control measures and an updated corrosion monitoring programme, as well as an upgrade of an integrated automatic monitoring system for the shelter object structure built on top of the reactor immediately after the Chornobyl accident in 1986.

"In 2026, with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Chornobyl site will undertake additional temporary repairs to support the re-establishment of the NSC's confinement function, paving the way for full restoration once the conflict ends," the IAEA said.

According to the Ukrainian Energy Ministry, during a meeting of contributors to the Chernobyl International Cooperation Account, chair Phil Bennett said that the EBRD is exploring mechanisms for attracting new donors and introducing a new investment approach to support the Shelter facility (New Safe Confinement). He also announced a 20% increase in the Account's administrative budget for 2026, to EUR 960 million.
Photo: https://18-24.army.gov.ua/

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved and is sending to the Verkhovna Rada a bill introducing new contracts for servicemen of the Security and Defense Forces, in particular, guaranteed clear terms of service and increased payments, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal has said on Friday.

"The bill was developed by the Ministry of Defense on the instructions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We are responding to key requests of the Ukrainian Army and society," Shmyhal said on Telegram channel.

In particular, the bill stipulates that the contract is offered for soldiers, sergeants and officers of all Security and Defense Forces: the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Guard of Ukraine and others.

Contracts are proposed to be concluded for a period of one to five years, with a deferral of mobilization for 12 months after the end of the contract, provided that it is concluded for two to five years.

The bill provides for annual financial bonuses and additional monthly remuneration for participation in combat operations.

New contracts will be able to be concluded by citizens in reserve and reservists, mobilized servicemen. Soldiers who are already serving under a contract will be able to renegotiate them on new terms.

"We expect the bill to be promptly adopted by the MPs. We expect that the system of new contracts will be operational in the first quarter of 2026," Shmyhal said.
Art meets tech: American college student explores Chinese innovation in the Greater Bay Area

People's Daily Online) 09:20, December 05, 2025

Cascade F. Almond, a graduate art student from Southern Illinois University in the U.S., recently traveled to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) for a cross-border adventure and to meet the region's innovative businesses.

On Fenghuang Mountain in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Cascade ran with trail runners to see how Chinese outdoor brands leverage their knowledge of tough terrain to create products that connect people through a shared lifestyle.

"Entrepreneurship isn't just selling goods  it's conveying a culture and way of life with the world," he said after the run.

During a visit to an eco-friendly energy company in Qianhai, Shenzhen, Cascade was amazed by a "magical" coating  inspired by Saharan silver ants  that achieves cooling without electricity.

This episode of "Touching the Greater Bay Area" explores what drives the passion and pragmatism of the region's entrepreneurs, as seen through the eyes of a visiting artist.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
China's top legislator meets with French president

Xinhua) 09:30, December 05, 2025

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday.

Zhao said that China stands ready to work with France to fully implement the important consensus reached between the two heads of state, carry forward the spirit of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, strengthen friendly exchange, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand people-to-people and cultural exchange, and enhance dialogue and coordination in multilateral fields to promote the steady, positive development of bilateral relations.

He said the NPC is willing to maintain close exchange at all levels with the two houses of the French Parliament, share work experience in such fields as legislation and supervision, and provide legal safeguards for practical cooperation between the two countries.

Macron said that France and China have maintained candid, direct and substantive dialogue, and have reached extensive consensus. France admires China's achievements in areas such as the economy, science and technology, and is willing to deepen its practical cooperation with China, strengthen exchange between legislative bodies, jointly address global challenges, and continuously promote the balanced development of France-China relations.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
China's robot industry doubles revenue in five years

10:18, December 05, 2025 By Wang Zheng, Li Xinping ( People's Daily

A heavy-duty robot is exhibited at the 25th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, Sept. 26. (Photo/Wu Xue)

At the 2025 China Robot Industry Development Conference, the China Machinery Industry Federation (CMIF) briefed on the performance of China's robotics industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Industry revenue doubled from 106.1 billion yuan ($15 billion) in 2020 to 237.89 billion yuan in 2024. In the first three quarters of this year, revenue increased by 29.5 percent year on year.

Exports also expanded rapidly, growing from $390 million in 2020 to $1.15 billion in 2024. In the first three quarters of this year, exports reached $1.24 billion, surpassing last year's total and marking a 56 percent year-on-year increase.

Domestic industrial robot brands gained significant market share, rising from 31.4 percent in 2020 to 58.5 percent in 2024.

"The robotics industry in China has grown rapidly during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, with a relatively complete industrial chain now in place," said Xu Niansha, president of the CMIF.

A smart robot moves products in a workshop of a solar panel manufacturing company in Yizheng, east China's Jiangsu province. (Photo/Meng Delong)

Stronger Capabilities

At the 25th China International Industry Fair, Chinese industrial robot company Estun Automation showcased a heavy-duty robot capable of stably lifting and transporting 1,200 kilograms.

"Payload capacity is a key performance indicator. As industrial robots become increasingly integrated into manufacturing, demand is rising for high-rigidity, high-precision, and highly reliable heavy-duty models," said a representative of Estun Automation.

Historically, China depended heavily on imported heavy-duty industrial robots, with domestic products accounting for less than 3 percent of the market. However, significant progress was achieved during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. For instance, Estun Automation's 700-kilogram-capacity model, launched in 2024, received more than 100 orders, and in 2025, the company introduced a 1,000-kilogram-level robot.

Technological advances have also transformed welding, often referred to as the "sewing line" of modern industry. "Our welding robots deliver high-speed, heavy-load, highly stable spot welding. The fastest cycle for a single weld point is just 2.2 seconds," said a representative of SIASUN Robot & Automation Co., Ltd., one of the largest robotics manufacturers in China.

Painting processes have similarly evolved. Traditional assembly lines typically require three to five days to paint a vehicle, whereas the automated production line using robots manufactured by Efort Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd. can complete the task in just over 80 seconds.

"This year's new technologies allow robots to integrate intelligent process systems directly into the equipment, enabling automated color mixing, switching, spraying, and cleaning," said engineer Wang Jinsong from Efort.

Stronger Industrial Support

In the first three quarters of this year, China's industrial robot output reached 595,000 units, exceeding the total production of the previous year. This rapid growth reflects the continued development and strengthening of the country's robotics industrial chain.

China has made significant advances in the production of core components, including high-precision reducers, high-performance servo systems, and intelligent controllers.

Harmonic reducers, often described as the "joints" of a robot, comprise a flexspline, wave generator, and circular spline. The flexspline, with a wall thickness of just 0.2 millimeters, requires micron-level machining precision. Chinese-made harmonic reducers now account for more than 40 percent of the domestic market.

Servo motors, the "muscles" of a robot, are essential for precise joint movement. Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., a leading global provider of industrial automation solutions based in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, holds the largest market share in China's servo system sector.

At Inovance's production base in Yueyang, central China's Hunan province, the rotor production line has achieved full automation, while the stator line is 70 percent automated. "Our intelligent production lines deliver high precision and reliability, while also enabling customized services," an Inovance representative said.

According to Song Xiaogang, executive vice chairman of the robotics branch of the CMIF, China's robotics support system is becoming increasingly mature. Technological and industrial capacity has improved markedly, with leading robotics firms now producing over 80 percent of their components in-house.

Industrial robots are assembled in a workshop of a robot company in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province. (Photo/Li Xiangyu)

Broader Applications

By the end of 2024, China was home to over 2 million industrial robots, ranking first globally.

In 2024, 302,000 industrial robots were sold in the Chinese market, marking an increase of 68.7 percent over 2020 and accounting for 54 percent of global sales.

The application of industrial robots has expanded significantly. By 2024, Chinese industrial robots had been deployed across 71 major categories and 241 sub-categories of the national economy, covering 51 percent of all sub-categories. This represents an increase of 19 major categories and 98 sub-categories compared with 2020.

Robot density in China's manufacturing sector rose from eighth globally in 2020 to third in 2024.

The widespread integration of robotics has accelerated the development of intelligent manufacturing. China has established more than 35,000 basic-level intelligent factories, over 230 model factories, and 1,260 5G-enabled factories.

Looking ahead, intelligence and specialization are expected to drive future growth.

"As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply embedded in vertical industries, its integration with robotics is accelerating," Song said, adding that robots are rapidly evolving from functional equipment performing repetitive, programmed tasks to intelligent partners capable of perception, decision-making, and autonomous action.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Here we round up new and forthcoming childrens titles including a YA novella with exclusive content, a middle grade series installment about a spring break love triangle, a picture book featuring holiday mascots going head-to-head, and more.

An Archive of Romance by Ava Reid. Harper, $21.99; ISBN 978-0-06-346222-9. In this novella, Reid offers insight into the universe of A Study in Drowning via love letters, illustrations, and an exclusive epilogue.

Fun in the Sun by Heart Lee. Simon Spotlight, $7.99 paper; ISBN 978-1-665-98482-9. In the latest Spotlight Sprinkles novel, Annas spring break with her grandmother grows complicated when she falls for both a family friend and a neighbor.

Groundhog vs. Cupid by Todd Tarpley, illus. by Stephanie Laberis. Little, Brown, $10.99; ISBN 978-0-316-58448-7. The newest installment in the Festive Feuds series centers around Groundhog, who grows frustrated when his special holiday is overlooked due to Cupid and Valentines Day.

MrBeast and Beyond!: Awesome Facts Inspired by the YouTube Sensation by Patty Michaels, illus. by Ceej Rowland. Simon Spotlight, $9.99; ISBN 979-8-347-10419-2. Fans of MrBeast can look behind his videos, learning trivia about his most viral hits.

Shaped by Love: An Ode to Mom Bods by Nikki Powers, illus. by Amanda Calatzi. Walker US, $18.99; ISBN 978-1-5362-3006-2. Maternal love forms the backbone of this tender ode to mom bods that feels directed as much toward adult readers as toward children interested in their own beginnings.

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel. Delacorte Romance, $12.99 paper; ISBN 978-0-593-90406-0. Sparks fly between a small-town rancher yearning for more and a hot-shot actor on the verge of a big break in this feel-good romance.

Twin Tides by Hien Nguyen. Delacorte, $19.99; ISBN 979-8-217-02393-6. Two long-lost identical twins of Vietnamese descent reunite to solve the mystery of their mothers murder in a debut horror that tackles themes of grief, family, and racial inequality.

Whooo Is Still Awake? by Brigette Barrager. Random House Studio, $18.99; ISBN 978-0-5934-3354-6. Repeating sounds and a flipped script on bedtime make this nocturnal animal story fun lights-out reading.

For more childrens and YA titles on sale throughout the month of December, check out PWs full On-Sale Calendar.
Recently, author friends showed support at an event, a Mexican illustrator traveled to N.Y.C. to celebrate an award, an annual benefit for the freedom to read took place, a middle grade author signed stock, an author highlighted Hanukkah at her book event, and a book festival welcomed authors and readers.

A Great Good Time

On November 8, Steph Lau made an appearance at A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland, Calif., to present her picture book The Abominable Snow Dancer (Penguin Workshop), which follows a yeti who dreams of becoming a dancer. Authors Jo Wu (l.) and Mike Jung (c.) attended the event to show their support.

Bright Lights, Big City

Mexican illustrator Mariana Villanueva Segovia made a trip to New York City for an event at Sullaluna on November 16 to discuss her art for The Lighthouse Keeper, written by Eugenio Fernandez Vazquez and translated from Spanish by Kit Maude (Tapioca Stories). The picture book was named one of the 2025 Best Illustrated Childrens Books by the New York Times and New York Public Library. Segovia was joined by childrens literature historian Leonard Marcus and NYT/NYPL judge Amber Moller for a conversation about her work.

Freedom to Read

The National Coalition Against Censorship annual benefit took place in New York City on November 18, celebrating free speech. Here, honoree Dr. Carla Hayden (r.), the former Librarian of Congress, and SCBWI executive director Sarah Baker enjoying the festivities.

Give it Up for the Goat

Author Ali Terese made a stop at BBGB Books in Richmond, Va., to sign copies of her latest book Vote for the G.O.A.T. (Aladdin) on November 6. The middle grade novel centers around rivals Meg and Jo, who must come together to prove their innocence when they are accused of stealing the schools goat mascot.

Happy Holidays

On November 1, Barnes & Noble in Torrance, Calif., welcomed Hannah Shafiroff for an event in celebration of My Little Book of Big Jewish Holidays (Bloomsbury), which highlights 10 Jewish festivals. At the event, Shafiroff held a Hanukkah party, where she drew doodles with prompts from the audience and gave a reading from the book.

California Coasting

The second annual Burbank Book Festival took place at the Buena Vista Library in Burbank, Calif., on November 8, welcoming readers for a day of events with local authors and illustrators. Here, author Carlyn Greenwald greets a reader at a book signing.
Touching the Greater Bay Area: American college student meets China's humanoid robots

15:39, December 05, 2025 By Wu Yuyangyang, Yan Xiaojing ( People's Daily Online

American college student Nicholas Edward Pfannkuche, visiting China's Greater Bay Area for the first time, got up close with humanoid robots amid China's booming robotics market. He was impressed by the cutting-edge technology and its potential to improve daily life.

"This is the first time I've interacted with humanoid robots, and I found many of their movements surprisingly hard for me to mimic accurately," Nicholas said. "Getting to feel it firsthand is really fun  it's completely different from watching them on screen."

In the future, he hopes the technology will continue to advance, enabling humanoid robots to integrate into daily life as reliable assistants. He added, "It's as heartwarming as witnessing a baby take their first steps."

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
The weekend after Thanksgiving, the traditional beginning of the holiday season for retailers, was a mixed bag for indie booksellers this year. While many indies around the country reported a solid turnout, with shoppers intent on shopping local, some observed that foot traffic and sales on Black Friday, or Plaid Friday, exceeded Small Business Saturday traffic and sales.

Up and down the West Coast, booksellers enjoyed crowded stores and ringing cash registers. Friday was one of my busiest days ever, said Diana Portwood of Bobs Beach Books in Lincoln City, Ore. In La Jolla, Calif., Warwicks was likewise packed on Friday, said head book buyer Mallory Groff: Everyone seemed happy to be out and about and supporting local businesses," with some shopping for themselves, and others buying gifts for others. This holiday season might be a short one, Groff pointed out, but the enthusiastic start last weekend makes me believe it will be a powerful one.

In Las Vegas, shoppers appear to have planned ahead. Our sales were much more spread out this year, observed Drew Cohen of the Writers Block. People have been shopping earlier. We saw far more foot traffic in the weeks leading up to Black Friday and Small Business Saturday than previous seasons, up about 25%, and flat sales right after the holiday. Cohen found this pace much more manageable for our store, honestly.

Meanwhile, in the Midwest, booksellers got socked by extreme wintry weather. Nina Barrett of Bookends and Beginnings in Evanston, Ill., said the impact was financially devastating and renamed the day SNo Business Saturday. Sales at Bookends and Beginnings were down 50% for the weekend, the same percentage reported by other Chicago bookstores, including Women and Children First and City Lit Books

I certainly don't fault people for not coming outit was brutal, Barrett said, adding that shes extra grateful to be a participant in the Chicagoland Independent Bookstore Alliances inaugural Bookstore Holiday Trolley, transporting booklovers to various indies on December 6, 7, 13, 14, and 20. Barrett hopes that "the weather holds" so that she and other area indies can recoup their losses with this promotion. As for Stephanie Kitchen of City Lit Books in the the Logan Square neighborhood, she noted that online and shipping orders were up during the weekend, and expressed optimism that sales would bounce back up "once it warms up a bit again," as her community "really values shopping small and with local businesses."

Other Midwestern indies had an even worse weekend, missing anticipated SBS bumps that pump up fourth-quarter revenues. My shop was closed all weekend due to 15 inches of snow, said Cori Theroux of Green Dragon Bookshop in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It was a total loss of the weekend.

Victoria Ford of Comma: A Bookshop in Minneapolis reported a 20% drop in sales on SBS and a flat weekend overall, while Bob Dobrow of Zenith Bookstore in Duluth, 154 miles north, reported a 20% increase, with customers enticed out of their homes by hot cocoa, in honor of Jolabokafloi, the Icelandic holiday tradition that loosely translates to Christmas book flood, as well as ARC giveaways and local authors book signings. The weekend bestseller, perhaps fittingly, was John U. Bacons The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Norton/Liveright), a new account of the famed shipwreck on Lake Superior 50 years ago.

"It's hard to predict, because of so much uncertainty in the world, and in the economy, but we're expecting a very good holiday season," Dobrow said.

Uncertainty in the air

Moving east, where the weather was seasonably cold without storms, booksellers experiences still varied, perhaps reflecting economic uncertainty and consumer anxiety. Katya dAngelo of Bridgeside Books in Waterbury, Vt., said that excellent sales on Friday gave way to a lackluster SBS, which was incredibly surprising, given the extra push to avoid big box stores and shop small for activist reasons. But, dAngelo added, November sales overall tracked virtually the same from last year, so that the SBS drop was made up through the rest of the month. Bridgeside seemed busier earlier in the month than previous yearsperhaps people were holiday shopping extra early. I am cautiously optimistic that this will end up being a decent season for us.

As for Stacy Whitman of Curious Cat Bookstore in Winsted, Conn., sales overall were down compared to last year. I'm honestly worried about December, Whitman said, noting that a perfect storm of tariffs, leading to price increases on such sidelines as stuffed animals and even stickers, along with job losses in a formerly industrial area contending with an approximately 20% poverty rate, is having an impact.

Heading south, David Landry of Class Bookstore in Houston reported that sales had been slow, but picked up significantly when the store participated in a holiday market organized by Mossrose Bookshop, a new pop-up romance bookstore.

Class Bookstore celebrated its fifth anniversary on Friday, and Landry rose to the occasion with strategic sales at the holiday market. We knew people were feeling the crunch under this administration and that hardcovers going for $35 were going to be a hard sell, he said, so we brought a bunch of zines with us from Microcosm, and they sold like crazy. DIY titles such as How to Make Soap: Without Burning Your Face Off by Raleigh Briggs and Unfuck Your Bread: Gluten-Free, Paleo, and Keto Recipes for People Who Miss Bread by Dr. Faith G. Harper were popular with Class customers.

The stores runaway bestseller, though, was Matriarch by Tina Knowles, the mother of Houston-born superstar Beyonce. We have sold at least 250 autographed copies so far, said Landry, and not just to locals, but to people all over the country. Everyone wants to find out the origin story of the best female performer in history."

In Nashville, Sarah Arnold, Parnassus Bookss marketing manager, also reported a great start to the holiday season, up a bit from last year, a promising sign amid some fears that folks will generally be spending less this holiday season. She added that Parnassus booksellers have heard some widespread negative sentiment towards a few of the big box retailers; so that despite the economic question marks right now, there are also some reasons for local retailers to be optimistic. As for books, Arnold said that she and her colleagues observed that customers were asking for light and happy book recommendations. Perhaps, she added, people are looking for an escape from the constant deluge of deeply troubling news coming out of Washington.

Sunny skies, happy customers

Speaking of our nations capitol, East City Bookshop in Washington, D.C. had a comparatively exuberant start to the holiday season, with book buyer Emilie Sommer reporting that, in contrast to the general heavy mood in D.C. this year, happy customers filled the store, eager to shop and appreciative of our presence.

East City plied visitors with homemade baked goods inspired by its booksellers favorite cookbooks, conducted flash sales throughout SBS, and gave away free wrapped ARCs with each $50 purchase. Virginia Evans's debut novel,The Correspondent (Crown) was East Citys top-seller, as it was at just about every other indie reporting to PW, along with childrens titles Big Jim Believes (Dog Man #14) by Dav Pilkey (Graphix) and Partypooper (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #20) by Jeff Kinney (Abrams). Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (PRH) was also mentioned by a number of booksellers as a hot pick during the weekend.

Small Business Saturday is always one of our favorite days of the year and thankfully this year was no exception, Sommer said, We're looking forward to a busy, enjoyable season despite our stressful location on Capitol Hill.

In the other WashingtonWashington state, that isAndrea Griffith of Browsers Bookstore in Olympia declared it a great weekend. We did not have one grumpy customer, and our sales were markedly higher than last year.

North of Browsers, Seattles Elliott Bay Book Co. did brisk business thanks to a couple award-winning titles, plus a few surprises. Rick Simonson, Elliott Bays senior buyer, said customers are seeking out David Szalays Booker Prize-winning Flesh (Scribner) and Portland-based author Omar El Akkads National Book Award winner One Day, Everyone Will Always Have Been Against This (Knopf). Simonson added, Well get to see what Sven Beckerts 1,400 page Capitalism: A Global History does with Penguin Press this holiday season.

In San Francisco, the new Best Bookstore in Union Squarea sister store to the Best Bookstore in Palm Springsrushed to open in time for the Thanksgiving boost. A big surprise for us was how ravenous people were for history: it was definitely our hottest section in nonfiction, said Sarah Lacy, who co-owns the store with Paul Bradley Carr. I had to rearrange shelves and face out titles all weekend. She noticed deep dives into niche or forgotten subjects, such as Charlie Englishs The CIA Book Club: The Secret Mission to Win the Cold War with Forbidden Literature (Random House).

The Best Bookstore co-owners also observed a strong trend toward classics. We sold a pile of Frankenstein due to the movie, but everything from the section was flying, said Carr. One notable difference to Palm Springs is that we sold noticeably fewer Orwells and Huxleys. Perhaps proximity to Silicon Valley means readers have had their fill of surveillance dystopia.

I think fancy editions of classics are going to keep ruling the holidays, Lacy said. A lot of best friends and mothers and daughters want to read classics together.
Adam Morgan is the author of A Danger to the Mind of Young Girls, a biography of Margaret C. Anderson, founder and editor of The Little Review, an early 20th century, Chicago-based literary magazine that published many modernist writers and was censored by the U.S. government for serializing James Joyces Ulysses.

One of the greatest things about writing a nonfiction book is how it sends you down hundreds of rabbit holes during the research process. Combing through out-of-print memoirs and correspondence in library archives, you stumble upon so many stories youd never heard of before. While researching the life of Margaret C. Andersonwho knew and published just about every modernist writer we read today in her avant-garde literary magazine, The Little Review, during the 1910s and 20sI became familiar with accounts of more than a few proto-modernist and high modernist literary works by women writers, including many that are today considered classics, being censored by the government, condemned by critics, or initially rejected by publishers because they were either too sexually explicit, or too directly aimed at exposing gender inequality. Here are a few such stories that I hadnt heard about, or didnt realize the extent of, until I was working on my book.

Buy this book Amazon Apple Books Barnes & Noble Bookshop The Awakening Kate Chopin. Penguin Classics, $9 ISBN 978-0-14-243732-2 At the turn of the century, Kate Chopin wrote a novel about the inner life of a woman in New Orleans, Edna Pontellier, a wealthy wife and mother who is transformed by a sexual and emotional reawakening during a summer vacation at the Grand Isle resort on the Gulf, which leads her to abandon her marriage. Assailed by critics as too strong a drink for moral babes, it was removed from library shelves across the United States, and Chopins publisher, Herbert S. Stone & Co, stopped promoting the book and refused to publish her next novel. Like Charlotte Perkins Gilmans "The Yellow Wall-Paper," The Awakening was reevaluated in the 1970s and has since rightfully become part of the early feminist canon.

Buy this book Amazon Apple Books Barnes & Noble Bookshop Cheri Colette. New York Review Books, $16.95 ISBN 978-1-68137-670-7 Cheri was the first volume of a two-part novel written by the French it girl of her time, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. Its about an age-gap relationship between a wealthy, 49-year-old courtesan named Lea de Lonval and a 25-year-old man, Fred Cheri Peloux. While France was more tolerant of sexual content than America, Colettes explicit portrayal of a cross-generational affair led to Cheris dismissal as erotic fiction for decades, until it was rediscovered by scholars after WWII who recognized Colettes thoughtful exploration of gender roles of female agency.

Buy this book Amazon Apple Books Barnes & Noble Bookshop Their Eyes Were Watching God Zora Neale Hurston. Amistad, $17.99 ISBN 978-0-06-112006-0 Hurston wrote one of the most stunning novels of the modernist era, Their Eyes Were Watching God, in just seven weeks while on a research trip to Haiti. Set in Floridaincluding the first town populated and governed by African Americans, Eatonville, where Hurston grew upthe novel narrates the life of Janie Crawford through abusive marriages to men and a sexual awakening similar to Chopins The Awakening. Originally criticized by some Black writers like Richard Wright in the 1930s for its lack of a clear social protest message, it was later challenged in the 1990s by parents in Florida, Virginia, and New York who demanded it be removed from school libraries for its depictions of sexualityand in one case, because it supposedly disrupted racial harmony for high school students.

Buy this book Amazon Apple Books Barnes & Noble Bookshop Nightwood Djuna Barnes. New Directions, $14.95 ISBN 978-0811216715 Djuna Barnes was one of the most captivating people I learned about while researching A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls. Her short fiction was so strange and macabre, Margaret C. Andersons The Little Review was one of the only magazines that would publish it. Nightwood is Barness greatest achievementa modernist masterpiece about queer identity, transgression, and sexual fluidity. It tracks the sexually entangled lives of a group of expatriate Americans living in Paris and elsewhere during the 1920s, just as Barnes did alongside Margaret C. Anderson, James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, and other modernists. In Barness case, Nightwood wasnt censored by the government, but by her own editor, T.S. Eliot at Faber and Faber, who softened some of her language around sexuality and religion to avoid legal trouble. Today its beginning to be celebrated as a groundbreakingand challengingwork of genius on par with Joyces Ulysses and Eliots The Waste Land.

Buy this book Amazon Apple Books Barnes & Noble Bookshop The Well of Loneliness Radclyffe Hall. Oxford World's Classics, $12.99 ISBN 978-0-19-289445-8 After achieving success as a novelist, Hall wrote The Well of Loneliness as a deliberate plea for the acceptance of lesbians, including a preface asking for patience and understanding for readers. It follows the life of Stephen Gordon, a wealthy, masculine-presenting woman who becomes aware of her same-sex attractions at a young age and struggles to find her place in a society that is hostile to inverts, a then-clinical term for lesbians. The Well of Loneliness was initially published without legal issues in France and the United States, but its appearance in Britain led to an immediate charge of obscenity by newspaper editor James Douglas, who wrote he would rather give a healthy boy or a healthy girl a phial of prussic acid than this book. Soon, the novel was legally censored and banned in the U.K. after an obscenity trial, which caused Halls American publisher to stop its own distribution. But it eventually became a cause celebre for literary freedom and is now considered a foundational text of queer literature.
On the campaign trail, Vice President JD Vance repeatedly chastised the Biden administration for allegedly losing track of some 320,000 minors who had crossed the border unaccompanied. Our government, under the policies of Kamala Harris, has lost thousands of innocent children to sex trafficking, to drug trafficking, to human trafficking, Vance said.

One year later, the fate of most of those children remains unknown. While the Trump administration has all but stopped the crush of migrants that occurred during Bidens term, neither the government nor the nonprofits that were largely responsible for resettling this vulnerable population of unaccompanied minors have been able to tell RealClearInvestigations where they are living.

Nearly half a million unaccompanied minors were apprehended at the border between 2021 and 2024.

Experts say its likely that the overwhelming majority of unaccompanied minors remain off the grid because their parents, guardians, and caregivers do not want to draw the attention of immigration authorities. But they also acknowledge the likelihood that some of the migrant minors have been picked up by human traffickers and forced into exploitative labor and sexual roles  a criminal trend thats on the rise in the U.S.

This story has been forgotten as politicians and the media have turned their attention away from immigration after Trump virtually closed the southern border. But the recent shooting of two members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan refugee who had collaborated with the U.S. special forces has brought the issue of a broken immigration system back to the forefront.

Nearly half a million unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 were apprehended at the border between 2021 and 2024, overwhelming the immigration system. Taxpayers spent more than $23 billion on a network of government agencies, construction companies, and nonprofits charged with finding them a safe place to live while sponsors were sought.

Now the entities that took the money are unwilling to address the whereabouts of the minors. Nor are they forthcoming about how they spent  or misspent  the funding that was supposed to avoid the very problem the nation faces of missing migrant children.

They dont want to talk about it, said Mark Krikorian, the executive director of the conservative Center for Immigration Studies. Those groups are the very ones that were pressing to release the unaccompanied kids faster.

The Biden Migrant Surge

The problem of unaccompanied minors began when Joe Biden took office and embraced more lax policies at the border. During Trumps first term, an average of 43,707 minors annually crossed the border alone; the figure dropped to 15,381 when the pandemic emerged in 2020. In 2021, however, that figure skyrocketed to 122,731, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In 2022, the number hit an all-time high of 128,904 before tapering off to 98,356 in 2024. These numbers represent the unaccompanied minors that were encountered by U.S. officials and do not include gotaways, so the actual total is significantly higher.

The crisis began when President Biden embraced lax border policies on his first day in office.

All told, the average annual number of unaccompanied children coming to the U.S. under Biden was nearly double the highest single prior year of 2019, ICE figures show. More than half of those who came each year since 2019 were 16 years old or younger, with nearly a quarter aged 12 or younger.

This year, monthly data indicates the problem of newly arriving unaccompanied minors has virtually disappeared. In October, the average number of children in care was 2,244.

Sealing the border had made a huge difference, said Laura Lederer, a former senior advisor on trafficking in persons for the State Department. Stopping illegal immigration is essentially a human trafficking prevention program.

Rise in Human Trafficking

For undocumented minors already in the U.S., they are at risk of falling victim to predators who can take advantage of their separation from family and caregivers. Recent press accounts have described horror stories, with minors allegedly exploited from North Carolina to Los Angeles. Precise figures on victims of sexual trafficking or forced labor are impossible to find because the illegal operations are underground.

For everyone we know about, there could be two, three, or even four times more, said Lederer, a leading American researcher on human trafficking.

The process of illegal immigration, which has been a cash cow for smuggling organizations, also claims victims. Minors may fall prey to groomers or recruiters and be forced to function as lookouts, guides, or spies, according to the Department of Defenses Combating Trafficking in Persons unit.

Even federal agencies involved in finding minors are tight-lipped about their operations. In recent weeks, a Memphis Safe Task Force, led by the U.S. Marshals Service and including teams from ICE and Customs and Border Protection, has rescued 116 juveniles. How many of those were unaccompanied minor border crossers is unclear. The U.S. Marshals Service did not respond to questions.

Sen. Charles Grassley has exposed a broken system that puts thousands of children at grave risk.

Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley has been following the issue for years. Federal whistleblowers at his hearings have described a haphazard system for caring for unaccompanied minors, in which information is not shared among federal agencies, contractors, and law enforcement. Last year, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) whistleblowers said that contractors would release minors to sketchy, unverified partners, suspicious strip-mall businesses, and, in one Michigan case, in an open field.

Prompted by those reports, Grassley sent referrals to the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding potentially criminal behavior by more than 100 suspicious sponsors last year. But the Biden-Harris administration failed to fully respond to two-thirds of the subpoenas issued by law enforcement. In the last four years, there were more than 65,000 reports of possible illegal acts ignored or dismissed, of which roughly 7,300, or 13%, involved human trafficking, according to an Inspector Generals report.

The Trump administration claims it has processed some 28% of the backlog, leading to 36 investigations accepted for prosecution, seven indictments, 25 arrest warrants, 11 arrests, and three convictions.

Blaming the Problem on Paperwork

When Vance spoke about the exploitation of unaccompanied minors in the October 2024 vice-presidential debate, he took his 300,000 figure from a recent report from the DHSs Inspector General. Within hours, left-wing groups and press outlets sprang to the Biden administrations defense, downplaying the severity of the situation and insisting the huge number lacked context.

Some pro-immigration groups said it was merely a missing paperwork problem, according to the Acacia Center for Justices Unaccompanied Children Program. It was a premature conclusion that they were lost, said the American Immigration Council, while the Young Center for Immigrant Childrens Rights said they were not effectively lost.

RCI reached out to all three of those groups repeatedly, asking how they assessed the current situation with unaccompanied minors and whether it has improved under Trump. Only the Acacia Center responded, and then only to repeat its point about paperwork.

This figure stems from gaps in ICE paperwork, not actual disappearances, the centers Deputy Chief of Programs Michael Corradini said. Many children were never issued Notices to Appear in immigration court, so their absence from court records does not mean they are missing.

But Vances total was not inaccurate, according to the inspector generals report. It found that, in addition to the 32,000 cases in which no address was given for where the minor went, there were another 43,000 cases where the minor failed to respond to a summons to immigration court, and 233,000 cases where neither addresses nor phone numbers received a response. In other words, more than 300,000.

The $23 Billion Network that Flopped

Under the leadership of Robin Dunn Marcos, the Office of Refugee Resettlement spent $23.1 million on unaccompanied minors during the Biden administration.

Since the DHS was created, most of the unaccompanied minors have been handled by the ORR. That agency, in turn, will release the minor to a sponsor, and it is at this point that the government often loses touch with the immigrant, several experts told RCI.

Neither ORR nor those agencies above it  the Administration for Children and Families and the Department of Health & Human Services  responded to multiple requests for comment.

Through ORR, taxpayers spent $23.1 billion on unaccompanied minor-related grants and contracts during Bidens term, according to usaspending.gov. The office relies on a sprawling network to house the migrant minors and put them together with sponsors. Contracts and grants related to unaccompanied minors comprise the biggest chunk of the offices spending each year, accounting for more than 91% in FY2021.

Construction companies like Rapid Deployment Inc., of Mobile, Ala., were paid at least $3.5 billion, and nearly $200 million went to the defense contractor General Dynamics of Connecticut. Much of the funding went to nonprofits, religious charities, and non-governmental organizations that operate foster homes and release the minors to sponsors. Consulting companies, lawyers, and universities also benefited.

Despite the big outlays of money, it seems no group of officials kept tabs on the minors.

Congress has identified some misspending in the program. North Carolina Republican Rep. Dan Bishop said last November that more than $100 million was obligated, and nearly $40 million spent, for an unaccompanied minor home in Greensboro, N.C., that never housed anyone.

At least one major vendor, Southwest Key Programs Inc. in Texas, has been sued for mistreatment of minors. As the largest housing provider for unaccompanied children, the group received at least $2 billion over just three years, from FY2021 to FY2023, according to government records. Last summer, the Justice Department sued Southwest Key, alleging that for years multiple Southwest Key employees subjected unaccompanied children in their care to repeated and unwelcome sexual abuse, harassment, and misconduct and a hostile housing environment, including severe sexual abuse and rape.

Southwest Key Programs, which saw its revenues soar as it helped handle the surge of child border crossers, has been accused of mistreating minors

Federal tax returns for some of these nonprofits show that the ORR contracts and grants proved very lucrative. Southwest Key, for example, went from reporting revenues of $417.8 million in 2020 to more than $900 million in 2023 and 2024. In those last two years, the Austin-based nonprofits CEO, Anselmo Villarreal, was paid more than $1.1 million, while dozens of top executives received annual pay packages ranging from $250,000 to $700,000. In those same two years, Southwest Key spent 76% of its nearly $1 billion in revenue on salaries, other compensation and benefits, according to tax returns collected by ProPublica.

Endeavors, a San Antonio-based nonprofit, was paid more than $2 billion, including a $1.3 billion contract in FY2022, and at least $720 million in the other three years of Bidens term. According to an audit, the nonprofit had minuscule revenues from 2011 to 2020. In 2020, when the nonprofit reported $52.5 million in revenue, it had 10 executives making six figures, topped by CEO Jon Allman at $317,301. In 2023, those in the Endeavors C-suite fared even better, with CEO Charles H. Fulghum pulling down $638,472 and three other executives making between $390,000 and $493,000, tax records show.

Another San Antonio nonprofit, Compass Connections, grew exponentially through unaccompanied minor-related government deals worth nearly $700 million. Compass reported less than $300,000 in revenue for the years 2019 to 2021. Then Compass caught fire, reporting $192 million in revenue in 2023 and $434 million the following year. In 2023, its Chairman Kevin Dinnin received more than $1.3 million in compensation from Compass and related organizations, tax records show.

Southwest Key, Endeavors, and Compass didnt respond to requests for comment on the services they provided. Other groups that received much smaller sums, such as the Vera Institute for Justice and the Los Angeles County Fair Association, also declined to reveal anything about how they helped the undocumented minors.

This prodigious spending appears to have come to a halt in FY2025, which ended last month. In that year, the ORR spent $51.9 million.

Sen. Grassley has also been stonewalled by these same groups when he sought information on their services, according to his office. Concerned about possible waste and fraud, Grassley wrote to two dozen contractors twice in 2024, and while some did not respond at all, those that did provided incomplete and obstructive responses.

It really is horrific, whats been going on, said Lederer, the former government advisor. Unfortunately, we usually only learn about it when a child is rescued or is hurt badly. The people that facilitated all this have circled the wagons about what went very, very wrong.
As the United States redefines its leadership in space through publicprivate partnerships and allied collaboration, Poland is emerging as a young but increasingly capable partner. Poland grows in importance in the space sector, illustrated by the fact that the European Space Agency plans to open an office in Poland, with the announcement expected later this week. Previously focused on European frameworks, Poland has spent the past decade building from scratch the institutions, infrastructure and political will needed to work with the United States on the next frontier of strategic cooperation. Poland already has concrete projects, partnerships and technical capabilities in these fields, making them strong, evidence-based examples of progress.

After 35 years of uninterrupted growth, which has made Poland as rich as Japan on a GDP-PPP basis, Poland will again be the fastest-growing large European Union economy. Polish scientists and engineers are already active and successful in Silicon Valley and top U.S. universities, yet the countrys economic ascent was driven, until now, by its large domestic market. Local entrepreneurs often accepted the role of subsuppliers to global companies, but this model no longer reflects Polands ambitions. Polands rapid progress in both space and nuclear energy shows how quickly the country is moving from an emerging player to a genuine technology partner.

At the same time, Poland has finally begun to engage directly with U.S. commercial space ventures. Polish tycoon Zygmunt Solorz is partnering with Axiom Space  potentially the most significant Polish entry into the U.S. commercial space sector and one of strategic relevance for the whole country. Polands participation in NASAs Artemis Accords, its role in Axiom Mission 4 and its selection to host the 2027 International Astronautical Congress show that its role now extends well beyond a regional context and is charged with political and business capabilities.

As NASA phases out reliance on the ISS, the United States increasingly relies on commercial space infrastructure and allied cooperation to maintain low-Earth-orbit leadership. With China and Russia expanding their space ambitions, U.S. alliances have become strategically essential. Already one of NATOs most dependable allies, Poland is extending cooperation with the United States into high-technology and economic domains, including the global space sector.

The partnership brings reciprocal benefits: strengthening transatlantic resilience, advancing innovation and ensuring that space remains open, cooperative and rules based. In short, Poland is helping the United States build the next generation of space infrastructure  and the alliance is reaching new heights. Deepening U.S.Poland cooperation in these sectors would multiply this momentum, creating a shared engine of innovation with impact far beyond the two economies.

By joining the Artemis Accords in 2021, Poland aligned itself with Washingtons long-term vision for space governance. In 2025, Polish astronaut Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski flew to the ISS as part of Axiom Mission 4 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. The mission included 13 Polish-designed experiments, demonstrating that Poland can deliver research that is up to NASA standards.

Technological and policy alignment between the United States and Poland reflects shared priorities: Earth observation, secure communications, space-domain awareness and resilient satellite systemsessential for NATO security and climate resilience. For the United States, Polish participation expands the coalition supporting the commercial space ecosystem. For Poland, cooperation accelerates industrial and scientific capacity while boosting national prestige.

Poland is elevating itself from consumer to contributor in global space development, tying its scientific, industrial and investment ecosystems to the U.S. space economy and positioning itself as a Central European hub for research, dual-use technologies and space diplomacy. Marek Gorski, President of Lewiatan, the most influential business association in Poland, says: Investments in energy transition or the defense industry must benefit the Polish economy as much as possible.

Unlike earlier eras, when foreign investment often meant little local benefit, Poland now seeks equal partnership with American technology leaders. The country aims to attract future factories for nuclear-island components, nuclear fuel for Generation IV reactors and even investment for a Polish space station.

Thus, Poland can become a cradle of future high-tech business in Europe. It is not only an off-taker but increasingly a creator and exporter of next-generation technology.

Maciej Stanczuk is an accomplished Polish economist and business executive who sits on the Supervisory Council of the Center for Social and Economic Research (CASE).
We have entered into an era where the most dangerous explosion is not the one that destroys the buildings or kills hundreds of people, but the one that detonates into the billions of minds with no time. It is now everywhere, in everyones access. This is terrifying but a new reality: generative AI has not just entered our live but dangerously reshaped them. AI is making its way dangerously in every aspect of life. Every technology has both good and bad impacts on people, but whenever technologies have been indulged in the defense field; their effects have automatically become devastating.

When we look into the current security environment across the world, it has been totally changed from traditional to non-traditional warfare. Traditional warfare, which involved the different conventional techniques with the use of manpower, has now totally transformed into 5th Generation Warfare (GWF), which has already been launched on the tactical level, where the battlefield is perception itself. The objective of 5th GWF is not to conquer the land or to defeat any military, but to destroy the enemys ability to form a coherent picture of reality. Key characteristics of 5th generation warfare include minimal violence or absence of violence, weapons being narrative, and the most important part being when the target population voluntarily self-destructs the reality. One of the most dangerous parts of this warfare and digital landscape is that defense is nearly impossible because whenever anything circulates on media within minutes and hours, it has already shaped people's perception before the counter-response comes.

One of the most recent manifestations of 5th GWF with the use of AI content came to the forefront, which could possibly leave a devastating impact not on the ground level but in the minds of people. On the evening of 10th November, a car exploded near a gate of Delhis Red Fort, which took the lives of around 13 people. Within the next 6 hours of the blast, a confessional video with perfect Hindi language from Jaish-e-Muhammad starts circulating on WhatsApp and national television in India. By the next 12 hours, the video had been seen by 40 million people. But what makes it more interesting is that after 24 hours, many of the AI detection tools marked it 99.9% synthetic. Here comes the main argument: how rapidly- if made- AI video circulated on digital platforms, and before its authenticity was confirmed, it had already colonized millions of minds. People dont even believe the governments statements when the truth is revealed; many stated that the government might want to hide something (reality) from the public because people believe what they first observe. Many people may label this episode as journalistic negligence, but it could be a fully matured demonstration of AI as a decisive enabler of the 5th GWF.

Before 2023, or when the 5th GWF was introduced, it remained expensive, and many of the people were not even aware of it. It was mostly done by spreading fake news and using photoshops, which takes days, and those who are less vulnerable to technology were less effective. Now, generative AI collapsed that time duration from days to minutes and its accessibility from costly to almost free. In the case of the Red Fort attack, there were eight people who died, but in the cognitive domain, the blast had fractured the minds of millions of Indian people. Those minds are permanently fractured with collective perception building. Fact-checking organizations in India debunked the video within 18 hours, which was a quick response, but it doesnt matter the most. What actually matters the most is the number of people who had already formed their beliefs in the starting hours- three to six hours- when no one was even aware of its authenticity, not even the fact-checkers.

The AI technology in the digital landscape has devastating effects, and everyone is under the same threat. In upcoming attacks, any terrorist attack can be linked to any region or nation before the fact comes on screen. An election can be politicized before the few hours of election, when the damage control will be impossible. Political leaders can be threatened by using generative AI videos and photos, and their image can be spoiled.

While checking the facts, it is very obvious that the Delhi blast was a perfect manifestation of 5th GWF with the demonstration of generative AI. The timing of the blast was right before the Bihar election, and putting blame on the enemy state-Pakistan could help to win the election because the majority of Indian people do not have good sentiments for Pakistan. The narrative it gave across the country was that Islamic terror and Pakistani hands were behind the attack, which instantly created polarization in poll-bound states. The narrative was not only spread verbally and on social media platforms, but many mainstream media (TV channels) aired the fake video for hours to give it institutional credibility (but in reality, it raises questions over institutional credibility). At a similar time, many fake and conspiracy accounts started commenting that the government is hiding the real story, further helped to keep the intended narrative alive. In 5th GWF, truth only matters in a version that people want to believe. Similarly, after the video was proven fake, millions of people genuinely believed that a Pakistani terrorist confessed to the attack.

The Delhi attack is not the only significant case. In Manipur, from 2023 to date, fake videos of Kukis and Meitis (tribes) are prolonging the ethnic violence. In 2024, Bangladesh protests, AI-generated videos of Indian agents shooting students went viral, which led to anti-India protests. In 2020, during the Galwan clashes, deepfake audio of Chinese soldiers surrendering went viral before it was debunked in 48 hours. All these examples have left peoples minds with so many blurred concepts that are far from reality. India is not the only country which is going through this dangerous pattern but the emerging trend of generative AI content is taking lead across the globe. In other countries like in Taiwan during 2024 elections, deepfake audio of presidential candidate went viral before the elections. In another case, South Korea detected 129 deepfakes during the 2024 elections and banned them.

In 2025, a deepfake trend surge can be observed in India amid elections and tension. As per a report: India to lose 70.000 crore due deepfake frauds in 2025 alone. Tools such as voice changing and remixing are cheaply available, with India facing nearly 1000 reported cases monthly. Instead of taking responsible measures to control the misuse of technology among citizens, the government itself is exploiting it for political gains.

The Red Fort blast and its cognitive detonation is not only devastating but alarming for the whole Indo-Pacific region. States cannot counter the cognitive effects when the deaths of 13 people have fractured the minds of millions in few hours. India, with collaboration of regional states needs to initiate the real time forensic for deepfakes and a transparent pre-debunking scale for elections. To mitigate the threat, a regional framework will be needed. As the threat has globally emerged, a new trend of Cognitive Task Forces is needed to control its effects. India can also use the pre-debunking model like Israel and Taiwan to counter the growing threat of generative AI in 5th GWF because its effects on digital platforms cannot be restricted once starts targeting the common people. On institutional level, its proliferation can be controlled but if the state really wants to limit its effects otherwise the results could be devastating.

Aarav Sharma is a young political analyst and columnist with a deep interest in South Asian geopolitics, international diplomacy, and policy reform. He graduated from Kings College London with a focus in global governance and gives a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between home politics and foreign affairs. His work has appeared in youth-led political events and think tank publications. Aarav is passionate about narrowing the disparity among academia and policy making.
Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyers guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles.

Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, were not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession.

At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers dont dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyers guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audienceensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience.

Whether youre selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products.
The first thing you must do in China: Buy a local SIM card

(People's Daily App) 15:05, December 05, 2025

How important is it to get a Chinese SIM card?

In today's PandaGuide, we've invited Darren, an international student from Indonesia, to share his experiences coming to China!

The first thing Darren did after arriving in Sichuan to study was buying a SIM card, so that he could gain access to online car-hailing, order food delivery, and various other Chinese apps. He then found that getting a SIM card in China was much smoother than he thought. All you need to do is to bring your passport, pick a number at a telecom company shop or stand, wait to be called, and select a desired plan.

If you are here just for a trip, you can make use of a short-validity card. If you come to China for long-term study, there are monthly plans that might be a better fit. They even offer English plan menus, and bilingual staff will guide you through the whole process, so its not a problem if you dont speak Chinese.

The method of recharging your phone is simple as well. You can pay in cash or via local eWallets such as WeChat Pay or Alipay. One thing to remember: The Chinese phone number can only be used by the registrant. You are not allowed to lend or sell it to anyone else. Since everyones personal phone number is so deeply linked to payments, online transactions are made much safer.

Here's another tip from Darren:

If you're here just for travel, you can buy a short-term SIM card at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. Simply insert the SIM card for instant internet access! They offer three major operators: China Telecom, China Mobile, and China Unicom.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The Reliance Centre, a guesthouse and some residential assets in Mumbai, apart from 231 plots of land in Chennai, are among the fresh assets worth Rs 1,120 crore attached by the ED as part of its ongoing money-laundering probe against the companies of Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani.

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

The properties belong to Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL), and the probe is linked to an alleged fraud at the Yes Bank, the federal agency said in a statement on Friday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier froze properties worth more than Rs 8,997 crore of the business group.

With the latest action, the total value of attachment of the Reliance Group stands at Rs 10,117 crore, it said.

Among the 18 immovable assets provisionally attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) are the Reliance Centre in Ballard Estate, a commercial office building of Reliance Infrastructure Limited in Andheri East and residential properties and a guesthouse of Reliance Infrastructure Limited in Santacruz (all in Mumbai).

A total of 231 plots of land and seven residential flats in Chennai, belonging to Reliance Value Services Private Limited, have also been attached as part of the same order, the ED said.

The movable assets that have been attached include fixed and bank deposits, shareholding in unquoted investments of the Reliance Anil Ambani Group, apart from some other entities.

The total value of the attachment is Rs 1,120 crore, the agency said.

Reliance Group companies have repeatedly said Ambani was not involved in the day-to-day management of the conglomerate.

The industrialist has once been questioned by the ED as part of the money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged Rs 17,000-crore bank fraud against his group companies.

The ED said during 2017-2019, the Yes Bank invested Rs 2,965 crore in RHFL instruments and Rs 2,045 crore inFL instruments. By December 2019, these had become non-performing investments, it claimed.

The outstanding was Rs 1,353.5 crore for RHFL and Rs 1,984 crore forFL, and the probe found that the two companies received public funds worth more than Rs 11,000 crore, according to the ED.

"Before Yes Bank invested this money in Reliance Anil Ambani group companies, Yes Bank had received huge funds from erstwhile Reliance Nippon Mutual Fund.

"As per Sebi regulations, Reliance Nippon Mutual Fund could not invest/divert funds directly in Anil Ambani group finance companies due to conflict-of-interest rules," the ED said.

Therefore, public money in mutual fund schemes was routed indirectly by them and the path ran through the Yes Bank's exposures.

The public funds reached Anil Ambani group companies through a "circuitous" route, the agency said.

The ED said it is "actively" pursuing perpetrators of financial crimes and is committed to restituting the proceeds of crime to their rightful claimants in this case.
'One's country is the best place to live, no matter what problems, what difficulties.'

'My country is where I can breathe, where I can find the reason to live, and where I can find the strength to create.'

IMAGE: A scene from It Was Just An Accident.

Earlier this week, Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi was in New York City where his latest film, It Was Just an Accident -- the winner of this year's Palme dOr at the Cannes Film Festival -- won three Gotham Awards.

It Was Just an Accident has been submitted by France for the Best International Film Oscar race.

The same day, a court in Iran sentenced Panahi, whose works have included The White Balloon (1995) The Circle (2000) and Offside (2006), to one year imprisonment and two years ban on leaving the country. He was charged with creating propaganda against the Iranian regime.

IMAGE: Jafar Panahi. Photograph: Kind courtesy Marrakech International Film Festival.

Panahi is used to imprisonment, having served two jail terms in Iran and is currently banned from making films. But this does not deter the Iranian master.

It Was Just an Accident was secretly made in Iran.

"I have been working night and day on this Oscar campaign for over three months now," Panahi said on Thursday during a conversation at the 22nd Marrakech International Film Festival.

"This sentence happened in the middle of this process. But I will finish this campaign and go back to Iran as soon as possible.

"I know that the films I have made don't please the (Iranian) government," he added in response to a question posed by a member of the audience. "But that's not a reason for me not to go back to my country. I will go back.

"I have only one passport," the 65-year-old filmmaker said.

"This is the passport of my country, and I wish to keep it."

During the difficult years in jail and not being allowed to make films, Panahi said he was given the opportunity to leave Iran and become a citizen of another country.

"But I never considered leaving my country and being a refugee elsewhere," he said.

Many Iranian filmmakers, including Panahi's friend Mohammad Rasoulof, Mohsen Makhmalbaf and the actress Golshifteh Farahani now live in exile in Europe.

Even Panahi's mentor, the late filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, lived in exile for many years, making films in France and Japan.

But Panahi's passion and love for his country was clear from these words.

"One's country is the best place to live, no matter what problems, what difficulties. My country is where I can breathe, where I can find the reason to live, and where I can find the strength to create," he said.

IMAGE: Jafar Panahi. Photograph: Aseem Chhabra

Panahi has had a long history of political differences with the Iranian authorities.

In 2010, he was arrested when he set out to make a documentary on the Green Movement, the protests after then president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election.

He was banned from making films for 20 years and also from traveling outside Iran. He was later placed under house arrest -- a tough period, but he managed to make two experimental films, This Is Not A Film (2011) and Closed Curtains (2013).

"I was in a very difficult state at that time," he said.

Once he was allowed to move around within Iran, he decided to become a taxi driver and shoot conversations with his passengers using a digital camera.

That delightful film, Taxi (2015) featured a range of passengers, including a man who sold pirated DVDs of Hollywood films and Panahi's talkative young niece. Taxi won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale and Panahi's niece received the award on his behalf.

In December 2022, Panahi visited the prosecutor's office to check on the condition of his jailed friend Rasoulof. There, the authorities suddenly arrested Panahi.

In February 2023, Panahi went on a hunger strike and was released after 48 hours.

IMAGE: A scene from the film, Taxi.

With all the hardships he has faced, Panahi still has hope.

"The problems that Iran is facing these days are temporary, just like the problems that any society has faced or will face," Panahi said during the conversation in Marrakech.

"It can be Iran, it can be Morocco, it can be any other country.

"I am sure this is the reason why audiences throughout the world can relate to my last film," he said about the themes of forgiveness and redemption in It Was Just an Accident.

"It reminds them of things that they have gone through or they think they might go through some day. So we are all in the same boat."

IMAGE: Jafar Panahi. Photograph: Aseem Chhabra

Panahi addressed the large number of film students who were in the audience.

"There are two kinds of filmmakers in the world," he told them.

"Those who run after the audience, who are extremely sensitive to know the needs, the taste, the expectations of the audience to attract them to the films they make. This makes up 95 percent of the filmmakers in the world.

"And there are the 5 percent who think, 'I don't care about the audience's taste. I make my own films. I make the films and say what I want to say, and then the audience must come and find me'."

He warned that there is a price to pay if you chose to be a part of the latter group. It can be economical as in the western countries or political such as in Iran.

"I am aware of it," he added. "And I have made this choice."

Photographs curated by Satish Bodas/Rediff
The recipe for Indian higher education institutions to succeed in global markets is excellence in academics, promoting contemporary socially relevant material, and enabling individuals learners to realise their full potential, suggests N Ravichandran.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

A recent news item reports that a premier institute of management launched its branch campus in the Middle East. About a year earlier, an Indian Institute of Technology opened a branch campus in Africa.

This article is neither an analysis nor a critic of these decisions. This article presents a few pointers and challenges worth reflecting on in the context of the globalisation of Indian higher education institutions.

Globalisation of Indian higher educational institutions (IHEI) is a two-way process like any other commercial and trade activity.

IHEI is regulated by multiple agencies. Given the current state, radical reform in the regulatory framework would be a prerequisite (this is a work in progress by the government) to attract the best global institutions to India.

Globalisation means exploring global markets for IHEI and allowing international higher education institutions to access the student community, professionals and managers in the Indian subcontinent.

Globalisation of education is not a new phenomenon for Indian knowledge systems.

Historial records indicate free and regular exchange of scholars and ideas including exchange visits by scholars for intellectual gatherings in India and other countries.

The King's Court, in particular, often served as an assembly of several distinguished scholars with regional roots and national presence.

Academicians are global resources/entities. They compete with the very best in the world.

Globalisation, when appropriately implemented, will only enrich knowledge creation, propagation and transmission to the benefit of the (Indian and) global community.

Globalization of Indian higher education institutions needs to be understood from the nature of the dominant subject area that the higher education institutions deal with.

The broad subject areas include engineering and science, including medical sciences, humanities (law, architecture, etc), liberal arts (literature, languages, sociology, psychology and philosophy) and management.

In the context of science and engineering, the globalization effort is fairly straightforward.

It is broadly equivalent to accessing a new market for a standard product or scaling up operations.

Skills, concepts, exploration, abstraction, and research advancement are independent of the local context in these streams.

The challenges relate to addressing a new market segment, market expansion, value for money (pricing), revenue and profitability.

The core decisions relate to investment (size and spread), revenue opportunity, value (revenue, numbers and ticket size), pricing, and resource deployment (physical, academic and support staff).

The behavioural aspects of project implementation and brand acceptance are far from being trivial issues.

Excellence in execution is critical to determining the ultimate success -- or failure -- of a project.

Academic product expansion and transplantation of a product to an international market is not equivalent to the global operations of multinational companies (Coke, Pepsi, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, KFC, Subway, Starbucks), even though MNCs replicate the standard operating procedures across markets.

This raises an interesting question. Why Ivey League schools (MIT, Caltech, ETH, Illinois) have not set up their operations in multiple markets.

The key to this dilemma is that the product is the foundation.

The standard operating procedures ensure efficient delivery. The ecosystem enables brand protection.

The value proposition by IHEI also decides the venture's feasibility, economic viability and impact of institutions while moving to global markets.

The impact may vary depending on the predominant focus of the value--whether it lies in skill propagation, dissemination of standard concepts, application of concepts to critical societal challenges, or knowledge creation.

Depending on the value proposal, the supporting ecosystem has to be deployed.

Indians often aspire to be a part of the global Ivey League institutions. Indians value mobility and are more adaptable. The reverse may not be true.

IHEI, when operating in global markets, need to address the lesser aspiration among the global community to be a part of Indian higher education institutions.

Notable exceptions include yoga, Indian medicine, oriental philosophy, Indian languages and Vedic philosophy.

Let us now look at the challenges involved in Indian higher education institutions specializing in social sciences.

In this category, the challenges are fundamentally different.

Contextualization of the product and mix of academic material is critical.

The ideal combination is basic universal concepts at 20%, local content 50% and international/multinational/global narrations 30%.

This composition applies to academic areas like social sciences, commerce, economics, management and philosophy.

This composition would vary in the context of liberal arts, performing arts like music, dance and sculpture, yoga, etc, because of their unique content.

The compelling reason is State Bank of India and American Express operate differently.

Access to the global market for them is constrained by the proven efficiency of their standard operating procedures.

Toyota Production System and Six Sigma are concepts applicable to a wide range of organisations in the global context.

But they need to be tweaked to the work environment and the behavioural aspects related to the shop floor employees.

In complete contrast is the dictum that only way of making a Japanese car is the Japanese way.

Such an approach is valid when it comes to courses in the Indian knowledge System (like yoga, Indian medicine, philosophy, literature and Vedic studies).

Every other academic area would require local adaptation.

So, given these complexities, what are the options or pathways available for Indian institutions to globalize their operations?

Take an aspirational product or a brand and explore based on need and suitability, whether this product can be presented to the global markets. Work towards an optimal mix of appropriate audience, faculty and the content in the global context. This model is followed by Ivy League schools (in management) in their own country operations. The product has a global perspective but is not present in global markets. Focus on complementary strengths like relevant academic material, teaching excellence and relevant/appropriate research.

To accomplish globalisation of IHEI, mindset changes are essential.

Indian higher education institutions (privately funded) are no longer enterprises with acceptable fairness, transparency, efficiency and profitability. In public institutions, the mindset that operations feasibility is good enough needs to change. Excellence in academics is the key. Liberal investment on an academician's growth is the winning proposition to compete in the international market. Everything else will follow. Contrast this with the reverse situation in the Indian context i.e. excellence in infrastructure is the key and everything else follows. Academecians should be encouraged to explore curiosity, nurtured to develop a curious mind and explore what is appropriate in their geographical context.

The demand-supply equation in Indian higher education institutions favours institutions, which means the demand is far higher than the supply.

In the Indian context, it is usually the institutions that select the students and take a lot of pride in rejecting many applicants.

In the global context, it is the students who choose the institutions.

Therefore, when Indian institutions move to global locations, they should be prepared to face this reality.

Given the geopolitical shifts the world is experiencing, IHEI are presented with a great opportunity to attract students from all over the world and nurture them into global talent.

If IHEI fail to seize this unique opportunity, the responsibility will rest with them.

The recipe for Indian higher education institutions to succeed in the global markets is excellence in academics, promoting contemporary socially relevant material, and enabling individuals (learners) to realize their full potential.

When these three major attributes are appropriately blended, IHEI stand a great chance to shine globally.

Dr N Ravichandran is a retired professor at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and was the fourth director of IIM Indore.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets and Trump saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible,' notes Sree Sreenivasan.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump attends a cabinet meeting at the White House, December 2, 2025. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters

The most significant changes to US immigration are on the horizon, challenging a century-long tradition of law, customs, and precedents.

On Thanksgiving, President Trump unveiled a vision for America that further aligns with Stephen Miller's aspirations of eliminating immigration of non-white folks.

Even those who accuse Trump's critics of crying wolf can now see the fangs and claws.

Candidate Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, the killers and career criminals.

Instead, as of September 2025, 71.5% of individuals in ICE detention had no criminal convictions. Only approximately 5% had violent criminal convictions.

Notably, many of those with convictions committed only minor offences, such as traffic violations. Raise your hand if you've had one yourself; on second thought, don't!

Over the last several weeks, the rhetoric against legal immigration pathways such as the H-1B and J-1 for professionals and F-1 for students has hit fever pitch.

And in his tweet last week, Trump spelled out the next steps of his plan:

'I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the US system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden's Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country, end all Federal benefits and subsidies to noncitizens of our Country, denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.'

There's so much to unpack and get upset about, but I want to focus on two items.

'...permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries...' What eventually becomes part of the so-called Third World will surprise many people, including those who believe their success in business, medicine, and other fields will protect them.

Yes, I am talking about my fellow Indian Americans and Asian Americans, who moved toward Trump in major numbers (though still far below 50%). The 2024 Indiaspora-BCG Impact Report, Small Community, Big Contributions Boundless Horizons (external link) tells us that Indian Americans constitute 1% of the population, pay 6% of the taxes, have created startups that employ tens of thousands of Americans, etc, etc, etc.

But none of that matters to the extreme right, whose anti-Indian hate is all over social media and seeping into real life (check out Indiaspora's newish @RealIndianAm X account, which is documenting the hate and fighting back). '...denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.'

This is the scariest part, saying aloud what the worst bigots could only dream about. This means going after naturalized citizens on the flimsiest of excuses to try to cancel their citizenship. Thankfully, it's not in a president's power to denaturalize anyone.

The Department of Justice can attempt to denaturalize a citizen only through a judicial order in either civil or criminal proceedings. But it will have a chilling effect on dissent, lawful speech and more.

IMAGE: Pictures of National Guard members Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom, who were shot on November 26 in Washington, are displayed next to a picture of the suspect of the shooting, Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, on the day of a press conference with FBI Director Kash Patel, US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro and others, in Washington, DC, November 27, 2025. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters

This is the language of fascism, straight from the president of the United States.

Trump uses a sort of language that I would call 'Soviet' (I should know as I lived in Moscow as a kid, at the height of the Soviet Union) when he talks about stuff like this.

'Non-compatible with Western Civilization' is about as vague and jingoistic as it gets --just as 'Undesirable' is the strictest sanction the Russian government bestows -- and his saying this gives full license to his acolytes to go full-throttle on making life as difficult and scary as possible for as many non-white people as possible.

Here's Stephen Miller:

Here's an op-ed from Stephen Miller's uncle (external link) that will tell you all you need to know about the depths of Miller's hypocrisy on human migration.

Not to be outdone, the Department of Homeland Security, a cabinet-level agency, hit the 'Otherize these people immediately' button on X:

'Remigration' is a new word for most of us, but unlike its supposedly-benign-but-not-benign cousin, 'self-deporation', it is widely known among those who study the European far right (external link):

Meanwhile, I'm also digesting the shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, by an Afghan national.

The shooter (now charged with first-degree murder), Rahmanullah Lakanwal, had worked with a paramilitary unit in Afghanistan that worked with US forces (external link), and had been allowed to resettle in the US when the Taliban came back to power in 2021.

Now, the spotlight is on Afghans specifically. but also on anyone and everyone trying to make a life for themselves in America.

Remember, when Trump talks about what he wants to do, believe him -- this is the lesson of the last decade of US politics.

Trump's immediate reaction to the shooting does not bode well for immigrants, both documented (external link) and otherwise.

Don't just take it from me. We spoke to an Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicant currently living in Pakistan. We will call him Abdul for his own safety.

IMAGE: A note lies in a makeshift memorial set up after two National Guard members were shot, near the White House, November 28, 2025. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters

Abdul was born in Khost province, Afghanistan, in 1996. He grew up in the heart of the US invasion of the country, and started working on projects with the US Army Corp of Engineers when he was 18.

Here's Abdul, in his own words:

'My family was actively engaged in multiple sectors supporting the international mission in Afghanistan including construction work, educational development projects, and direct support to US military operations.

'From a young age, I witnessed both the risks and the responsibilities that came with partnering with the United States.

'When I reached adulthood, I followed in my family's footsteps. In 2014, at the age of 18, I began working with a construction company contracted on projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

'These projects were essential to the US mission, improving infrastructure, security facilities, and operational capacity.

'This work required daily contact with US service members, and it placed me in direct danger from insurgent groups who labeled anyone cooperating with American forces as an enemy.

'Because of this service, my identity became widely known within my community. Insurgent groups issued threats against people like us, considering us traitors and American loyalists.

'Remaining in Afghanistan after the collapse of the government was not an option not for me, and not for my family.

'I wish to express my deepest and heartfelt condolences for the tragic and inhumane killing of the young National Guard hero in the recent attack.

'The loss of such a dedicated American service member is a tragedy for the entire humanity, and my family and I stand with the victim's loved ones in prayer and solidarity.

'This crime was cruel, senseless, and without justification. We condemn it wholeheartedly.

'However, since this incident, public discussion and political reactions have caused deep fear and confusion among Afghan SIV applicants and immigrants who served the United States with honesty and loyalty.

'There are suggestions of suspending or restricting immigration pathways for Afghan allies, including the SIV program.

'These developing circumstances have shaken the hope of thousands of people who believed the United States would honor its commitments.

'We stood shoulder to shoulder with the US Army for years often in front-line situations, often risking our lives, and often facing threats that continue to this day.

'The idea that we might be abandoned or judged because of a single unrelated criminal action is heartbreaking and terrifying

IMAGE: A member of the US Secret Service stands guard in a cordoned-off area after two National Guard members were shot near the White House, November 26, 2025. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters

'When the United States and its allies left Afghanistan, Afghan partners were promised safety and resettlement.

'Many of us sold our homes, land, cars, and belongings based on the belief that the United States would fulfill that promise.

'My family and I spent everything we had trying to escape immediate danger.

'To survive in Pakistan, we borrowed money, sold every valuable we owned, and have been living in constant fear of deportation.

'Pakistan does not provide long term security for Afghan refugees. Afghan citizens living here face police raids, detentions, extortion, and the constant threat of forced removal.

'If we are deported back to Afghanistan: We will be identified as former US allies; we will be considered traitors by extremist groups; we will be persecuted, tortured, or killed; there will be no legal protection and no possibility to hide; and our families, including women and children, will face severe retaliation.

'The SIV program is not a privilege -- it is a lifeline for thousands of people who risked everything to support US missions.

'America has always stood as a symbol of hope, justice, and protection for those who defend freedom alongside it.

'We, the Afghan SIV applicants, believed in those values when we chose to work with American forces.

'Many of us saved American lives. Many lost family members because of their service.

'Many of us continue to live with trauma, threats, and uncertainty.

'It pains me that we would disregard people who risked everything to help the US. However misbegotten and awful the invasion was, that's something we all, as Americans, need to own.

'We are responsible for what happened in Afghanistan, the good and the bad.'

Abdul's closing lines really hit hard:

'We love the United States. We consider it our future and our home because we earned that hope through our service. We ask not for privilege, but for justice and protection, values America has always represented to the world.'

In November 2021, I hosted an episode of my global Covid show on Scroll.in about the 20 Afghans who worked for the New York Times and had been resettled in the US as refugees.

And in September 2020, I did an entire show on 'Stephen Miller, Hate Monger', interviewing Jean Guerrero, author of Hate Monger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, and the White Nationalist Agenda. You can't say you weren't warned.

Sree Sreenivasan is a leading tech expert based in New York City. He is the co-founder of SAJA, the South Asian Journalists Association. You can find him on Twitter at x.com/sree

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'Nitish Kumar previously held tight control over key ministries, but this concession (giving the home portfolio to the BJP) reflects either his weakened political position or a pragmatic acknowledgment of the BJP's growing dominance.'

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrives at the state assembly in Patna, December 4, 2025, for the winter session. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Nitish Kumar's advancing age, deteriorating health, and the absence of a credible second-line leadership have left the JD-U facing an uncertain future, despite its once formidable electoral presence. This mirrors a wider national trend in which regional satraps are gradually ceding space to larger national parties," explains Election Researcher Ashish K Ranjan in an interview to Rediff's Archana Masih on the BJP's Bihar breakthrough, the decline of regional heavyweights and how direct cash transfers to women is shrinking the space for fair electoral competition.

After ruling in a coalition with the JD-U, the BJP is in its most dominant position in Bihar since 2005.

An example of this is Nitish Kumar offering the crucial home portfolio to the BJP for the first time in 20 years.

What does this indicate? Is the BJP going to be the dominant decision-maker and play the upper hand in Bihar?

Is Nitish loosening his grip on the affairs of the state and slowly being eased out? How will this change Bihar?

For the first time in Bihar's electoral history, the Bharatiya Janata Party has emerged as the largest party in the Bihar assembly.

The BJP had long been a partner of Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United since the early years of their alliance, but the political equation changed in 2014 when both parties contested the Lok Sabha elections separately.

The following year, in 2015, the JD-U joined hands with its long-time rival, Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, to form the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The MGB won decisively, and despite the peak of the Modi wave, the BJP failed to secure Bihar, finishing third with 53 seats.

In 2017, the BJP and JD-U reunited and jointly contested the 2020 assembly election. The BJP won 74 seats, emerging as the second-largest party after the RJD. Notably, the BJP contested only 110 seats while the RJD contested 144, yet the BJP secured the highest vote share -- 42.56 percent in the constituencies it contested.

In the 2025 election, the BJP finally became the largest party in the state, winning 89 seats with 48.44 percent of the vote in the seats it contested.

The BJP's performance is remarkable in two ways.

First, this is the first time the party has become the number one political force in Bihar, the only state in the Hindi belt, the cow belt, and across North India, East India (except West Bengal), and West India where it had never previously led an assembly.

Second, the BJP's rise coincides with a visible decline in the JD-U.

Nitish Kumar's advancing age, deteriorating health, and the absence of a credible second-line leadership have left the JD-U facing an uncertain future, despite its once formidable electoral presence. This mirrors a wider national trend in which regional satraps are gradually ceding space to larger national parties.

There is no doubt that the BJP's assumption of greater control within the Bihar government marks a fundamental shift. The transfer of the home portfolio to the BJP after 20 years signals a clear change in the power balance within the alliance.

Nitish Kumar previously held tight control over the key ministries, but this concession reflects either his weakened political position or a pragmatic acknowledgment of the BJP's growing dominance.

In effect, the senior partner has become the junior partner, not only numerically but also in terms of political authority, even while retaining the chief minister's post.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Nitish Kumar during the swearing-in ceremony, November 20, 2025. Photograph: @Jduonline/X

What has been your biggest takeaway from the Bihar verdict?

The 2025 Bihar verdict marks the end of an era of balanced coalition politics in the state -- an era in which the two major national parties, the BJP and the Congress, typically played junior roles to powerful regional actors.

It signals the beginning of unmistakable BJP dominance in India's third-most populous state, completing the party's consolidation across the Hindi heartland and fundamentally reshaping the power equation that has defined Bihar politics for more than three decades.

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar takes the oath of office as Bihar chief minister for a record 10th time at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, November 20, 2025. Photograph: @narendramodi/X

Three major takeaways from the Bihar verdict:

1.The BJP's historic rise as the state's leading electoral force

As noted earlier, the BJP has become the number one party in Bihar -- one of the few major states (along with Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal) where it had never previously topped an assembly election.

This is significant because Bihar, a politically charged state dominated by two regional parties since 1990, has now seen a national party claim the top position for the first time.

The BJP has finally broken through in a state long shaped by regional and caste-driven politics. This victory will not only galvanise its cadre and leadership, but also consolidate and expand its social base, firmly establishing the BJP as the senior partner within the NDA in Bihar.

2. Shrinking space for third forces

Over the past decade, political bipolarity has become the dominant pattern in most Indian states. Bihar, like Punjab, had been an exception, with nearly one-fourth of the vote share consistently going to parties outside the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan.

In 2025, this figure has fallen to one-sixth -- clear evidence that Bihar is becoming a bipolar state, with limited space for third forces.

Importantly, the MGB's vote share has remained virtually unchanged across the last three elections -- the 2020 assembly polls, the 2024 general election, and the 2025 assembly election -- hovering around 38 percent.

This indicates that the NDA's rise is coming largely at the expense of the 'Others', not from any significant erosion in the MGB's support.

3. Women voters and the 'money mandate'

Recent elections in West Bengal (2021), Madhya Pradesh (2023), Maharashtra and Jharkhand (2024), and now Bihar (2025) reveal a clear pattern: In each case, the incumbent government directly transferred cash into women's bank accounts -- and all of these governments were re-elected with strong vote shares (48% in WB, 48% in MP, 48% in MH, 44% in JH, and 47% in Bihar).

With women constituting nearly half of the electorate, targeted cash transfers have the potential to decisively shift electoral outcomes, even with a small swing of 5 percent.

This trend also points to a broader democratic concern: The shrinking space for fair electoral competition.

While Opposition parties can only promise welfare schemes, only incumbents have the fiscal capacity to transfer money directly into voters' accounts. This creates an inherent imbalance.

When one side controls state resources and can deploy them strategically before elections, the playing field becomes uneven, giving the ruling party a clear advantage and undermining the principle of free and fair democratic competition.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Asim Munir, who was promoted to the Field Marshal rank this year, will also simultaneously hold the office of the Chief of Army Staff, along with his duties as CDF.

IMAGE: Asim Munir is only the second military officer in the country's history to hold the Field Marshal title after Gen. Ayub Khan, who led Pakistan during the 1965 war with India. Photograph: @PresOfPakistan/X

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country's first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a period of five years.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's summary recommending Munir for both Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) was approved, the Pakistan President's office said in a X post.

"President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as COAS concurrently as CDF for 5 years," the official X handle of the President of Pakistan said in a post.

This comes after a lot of speculation over Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's willingness to hand over more power to Munir, as the Sharif government was supposed to notify the appointment of the country's first Chief of Defence Forces on November 29, the day Munir's original three-year term as army chief ended.

The Chief of Defence Forces' role was established last month under the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, aiming to centralise military command.

Additionally, the Pakistan President also approved a two-year extension in the service of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, which will take effect from March 19, 2026.

Asif Ali Zardari conveyed his best wishes to both Pakistan Armed Forces officers.

Asim Munir, who was promoted to the Field Marshal rank this year, will also simultaneously hold the office of the Chief of Army Staff, along with his duties as CDF.

He is only the second military officer in the country's history to hold the Field Marshal title after Gen. Ayub Khan, who led Pakistan during the 1965 war with India.

Earlier, when the Pakistan government delayed the official notification concerning Munir's appointment as CDF, former member of the India's National Security Advisory Board Tilak Devasher said that Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif was intentionally avoiding the issue of notification.

Speaking to ANI, Devasher highlighted that Sharif left for Bahrain and then London, leading to speculation that he's deliberately staying away to avoid issuing the notification.

"Very smartly, Pakistan PM had gone to Bahrain and from there, he pushed off to London," Devasher told ANI. "He is deliberately staying out of this because he clearly doesn't want to issue the notification giving Asim Munir 5 years as Army chief and as Chief of Defence Forces. He thinks that by keeping away from Pakistan and not having to sign the notification, he can escape the consequences."

According to Devasher, the failure to notify had created a constitutional and operational gap. "All in all, this is a very messy state of affairs," he said. "If the fact remains that he (Asim Munir) is no longer the Army chief, then you have a situation where Pakistan doesn't have an Army chief and even the nuclear command authority, which was supposed to be under the new post of Strategic Forces Command, is also not there. So, it's an extremely strange situation that Pakistan is under at the moment."
The Congress on Friday said Leaders of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have not been invited to the banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and took a swipe at its own MP Shashi Tharoor for accepting the invite.

IMAGE: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor speaks in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, December 5, 2025. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said, "There has been speculation whether the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha have been invited for tonight's official dinner in honour of President Putin. The two LoPs have not been invited."

Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera accused the government of breaking protocols daily and not believing in democratic principles.

"There is no invite to both the LoPs, Mr (Mallikarjun) Kharge and Mr (Rahul) Gandhi. This comes as a surprise but I don't think we should be surprised. This government is known to be breaching all protocols. What else to say, ask the government," he told PTI Videos on the sidelines of an event.

Asked about party MP Tharoor getting invited to the banquet and accepting the invitation, Khera said, "Ask Mr. Tharoor. All of us who are in the party, if our leaders don't get invited and we get invited, we need to question our own conscience and listen to our conscience. Politics has been played in inviting or not inviting people, which in itself is questionable and those who accept such an invite is also questionable," Khera said.

"We would have listened to our voice of conscience," he added.

Earlier, Tharoor said there was a time when the chairman of the external affairs committee was routinely invited but that practice seems to have stopped from some years.

"It has been resumed ...I have been invited, yes. I will definitely go," the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs said.

On the LoPs reportedly not getting an invite, Tharoor said, "I don't know on what basis invitations were sent. I think the custom that usually used to be followed was for a wide representation. Certainly, I remember in the olden days, they used to invite not only the LoPs, (but) various other cross section of representatives of different parties. It conveys a good impression."

"I dont know the basis (of invitation), this is all done by the government, by the protocol by the Rashtrapati Bhawan, what do I know. All I can say I have honoured to have been invited. Of course I will go," Tharoor told reporters in the Parliament House complex.

Gandhi on Thursday had alleged that the government tells visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the Leader of the Opposition due to its "insecurity".

His remarks had come hours ahead of Putin's two-day visit to India.

Gandhi had said it is a tradition that visiting foreign dignitaries meet the LoP but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs were not following this norm.

"Normally the tradition is that those who come from abroad have a meeting with the LoP. This used to happen during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji's time, Manmohan Singh ji's time, it has been a tradition but what happens these days is that when foreign dignitaries come and when I go abroad, the government suggests to them to not meet the LoP," Gandhi had told reporters in Parliament House complex.
The men and women who took to the skies depended on their timepieces for navigation. The aforementioned museum collection timepieces bear witness to this by displaying the hour angle: The angular distance in astronomy or celestial navigation. These instruments were known as siderometers, and let a pilot determine his or her longitudinal position  well before navigating with the aid of radio signals or GPS. By setting a reference GMT time, the longitude could be obtained with the aid of the stars and a sextant.

The modern era of Patek Philippe pilot watches began with the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524 released in 2015, which offered a new take on Patek Philippes utilitarian watches. Evolving from the siderometers of the 1930s, this last decade has seen modern pilot watches equipped with travel complications like different time zones, mechanical alarm, flyback chronograph, and day and night indication. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of this comeback, the Geneva brand in 2025 presented the 5524G-010, which offers a new version of this model blending tradition and modernity. For instance, the new Calatrava Pilot Travel Time, which has an ivory lacquered dial with blackened white gold numerals with luminescent coating, also has a second time zone. This is shown with its charcoal grey white gold sword-style hands. The solid hand filled with luminescent coating shows local time, whereas the pierced or skeletonised hand shows home time. There are also day and night indications for both local and home time, and should you travel over the dateline, the local date can be changed in either direction.
Aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation has set up a four-member committee to carry out a comprehensive review and assessment of the circumstances that led to the massive flight disruptions.

IMAGE: Flight passengers wait with their baggage as many IndiGo flight services stand cancelled at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, in Kolkata on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The panel members are Joint Director General Sanjay K Bramhane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, Senior Flight Operations Inspector Captain Kapil Manglik and Flight Operations Inspector Captain Rampal, as per an order on Friday.

The committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the DGCA within 15 days to enable necessary regulatory enforcement action and ensure institutional strengthening, the order said.

According to the order, prima facie, the situation indicates deficiencies in internal oversight, operational preparedness, and compliance planning, 'warranting an independent examination'.

The DGCA said it has issued repeated directions and advance instructions from time to time to the airline for having timely preparation to implement the provisions related to the FDTL norms.

The regulator observed the airline's inability to accurately forecast crew availability, conduct timely training, and realign rosters despite advance regulatory intimation resulted in cascading delays and cancellations across its network beginning late November 2025 leading to non-adherence of the directions.

Subsequently, the watchdog held a review meeting with IndiGo wherein the airline acknowledged that it has failed to anticipate the actual crew requirement under the revised norms and that significant planning and assessment gaps existed in implementing Phase-II of FDTL CAR 2024, as per the order.

The Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) pertaining to FDTL was implemented in two phases -- the first phase came into force from July 1 and the second from November 1.

'This shortfall directly contributed to large-scale disruptions, with cancellations reaching 170-200 flights daily, severely affecting network integrity and passenger convenience. Where it was noticed in the month of November the flight cancellations of IndiGo were maximum vis-a-vis other airlines,' the order said.
A day ahead of a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the construction of a proposed mosque -- modelled on Ayodhya's Babri Masjid -- at Beldanga in West Bengal's Murshidabad, security has been tightened in the locality on Friday with deployment of additional forces, officials said.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

The area has been placed under a 'high security' zone, with the police, Rapid Action Force (RAF) and BSF units being mobilised, they said.

Suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir proposed to build a mosque in the locality, and its foundation-laying ceremony is scheduled on December 6, which marks the anniversary of the demolition of Ayodhya's Babri Masjid.

RAF personnel reached Rejinagar earlier in the day and were stationed at a local school before final deployment, an official said, adding that reinforcements have also been made from Krishnanagar and Berhampore.

The central forces conducted route marches and were seen patrolling areas near the proposed mosque construction site, he said.

The suspended TMC MLA told the administration that his volunteers would be present on the ground and expressed confidence that the programme would pass off peacefully.

Kabir, who was seen monitoring stage preparations at Rejinagar, submitted a formal request, seeking permission for the programme, but an official said the administration has not yet approved.

Kabir, who has hogged the limelight in the past with controversial statements on matters, including the party's internal affairs, was suspended by the Trinamool Congress on Thursday for indulging in what it termed 'communal politics'.

The suspended leader subsequently announced his decision to resign as MLA and launch his own party later this month.

Meanwhile, Governor C V Ananda Bose on Friday urged the people of West Bengal to remain calm and not to be swayed by provocative statements and rumours.

Bose has urged the state government to take all necessary action to ensure that there is no disturbance anywhere and law and order is maintained, according to a post on X by the Lok Bhavan.

He has also directed the Lok Bhavan to create an 'Access Point Cell' which shall be functional 24x7, starting immediately. It will be headed by retired IAS officer SK Pattanayak.

'People are free to contact Lok Bhavan ACCESS POINT CELL over phone or email and report any untoward incident or threats or intimidation or report any provocative statements being made by anybody,' the post said, adding that the governor will be concurrently monitoring the entire situation.

The Governor is confident that the state government will take all necessary action to ensure that there is no threat to law and order, it said.

The Access Point Cell can be reached at 033-22001641, 9289010682, 9995251155, 9480813891, or osd2w.b.governor@gmail.com.
On November 27, the eighth edition of Exercise Garuda, an Indian-French air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the French air and space force, concluded at Air Base 118 in Mont-de-Marsan, France.

During the exercise, the IAF's Su-30MKI aircraft operated alongside French multi-role fighters in complex simulated air combat scenarios, focusing on air-to-air combat, air defence, and joint strike operations.

Photographs: ANI Photo

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
India and Russia on Friday called for an "uncompromising" global fight against terrorism without "hidden agendas and double standards" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the menace is a direct attack on the values of humanity.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands as they attend a presentation of a joint statement after their delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, December 5, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

At their summit talks, Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam and Moscow's Crocus City Hall and strongly pitched for a "zero tolerance" policy on terrorism.

The two leaders voiced their strong commitment to prevent and counter terrorism in all its forms including cross-border movement of terrorists and terror financing.

"India and Russia have long cooperated shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Be it the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on Crocus City Hall -- the root of all these incidents is the same," he said.

The terror attack on Crocus City Hall in March was reportedly linked to terrorists from ISKP (Islamic State -- Khorasan Province) that operates from the Afghan-Pakistan border region.

"India firmly believes that terrorism is a direct attack on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength," he said.

In their talks, Modi and Putin also sought measures against international terrorist groups, including ISIS, ISKP and their affiliates.

The Russian president landed in New Delhi last evening to a red-carpet welcome with Modi personally receiving him at the airport and later hosting a private dinner for him that largely set the tone for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.

A joint statement released following the summit said Modi and Putin unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism as unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation.

"They also called for concerted actions against all UN-listed terrorist groups and entities, including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh and their affiliates, aimed at rooting out terrorists' safe havens, countering the spread of terrorist ideology, eliminating terrorist financing channels and their nexus with transnational crime, and halting cross-border movement of terrorists," it said.

It said the sides called for an "uncompromising fight" against international terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations, noting the importance of increasing cooperation in this area without hidden agendas and double standards on the solid basis of international law and the UN Charter.

"Besides, they stressed the need for firm implementation of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, as well as the balanced implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy," it said.

India and Russia also emphasised the primary responsibility of states and their competent authorities in combating terrorism.

"They called for a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN framework, as well as implementation of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council resolutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism," the joint statement said.

The two sides also recalled the special meeting of the UN Security Council's Counter Terrorism Committee held in India in October 2022 and referred to the unanimously adopted Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.

India and Russia noted that the declaration aimed to cover the main concerns surrounding the terrorist exploitation of information and communications technology, such as payment technologies, social media platforms and fundraising methods and misuse of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones).

"Both sides also expressed their readiness to develop further cooperation in this field with a special focus on preventing radicalisation and the spread of extremist ideology in the online space," the statement said.

The two sides also noted the close coordination between India and Russia on Afghanistan.

They emphasised the important role of the Moscow Format meetings.

Modi and Putin welcomed the counter-terrorism measures against international terrorist groups, including ISIS and ISKP (Islamic State -- Khorasan Province) and their affiliates, and expressed confidence that the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan would be comprehensive and effective.

"They stressed the need to ensure urgent and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people," the joint statement said.
The Russians have termed Putin's visit to India, his first to this country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, as 'Druzhba Dosti', which means 'friendship' in Russian and Hindi respectively.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Palam air base in New Delhi, December 4, 2025. Photograph: Sputnik/Grigory Sysoev/Pool via Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday evening for his two-day State visit to India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving him on the tarmac of the airport.

In a gesture reminiscent of their meeting in the Chinese city of Tianjin three months earlier, the two leaders drove away in the same vehicle, the India and Russia flags fluttering on its bonnet, to 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, where Modi hosted 'friend' Putin for a private dinner.

The Russians have termed Putin's visit to India, his first to this country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, as 'Druzhba Dosti', which means 'friendship' in Russian and Hindi respectively.

The warmth and easy rapport that Modi and Putin share were evident at Delhi's Palam airport when they shook hands and hugged on the tarmac after the Russian president disembarked from his aircraft.

The Kremlin said Modi's decision to meet Putin on the tarmac was 'unexpected' and that the Russian side had not been informed in advance.

At their last meeting in Tianjin on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit, the two had embraced. Later, Putin waited in his limousine for Modi to conclude his engagements so they could travel together to the venue of the bilateral meeting.

Putin and Modi sat in the vehicle for almost 45 minutes talking to each other without any aides present before joining their respective delegations.

In an interview with an Indian television channel, Putin said it was his idea that the two should travel together to the venue of their meeting.

IMAGE: Modi welcomes Putin to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg where the prime minister hosted a dinner for the Russian president, December 4, 2025. Photograph: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via Reuters

In July 2024, during Modi's visit to Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, Putin hosted Modi at his dacha in the suburb of Novo-Ogaryovo -- a rare honour the Russian president reserves for a handful of visiting leaders.

Over the past 11 years of his tenure, Modi has hosted other leaders for dinner at his residence, but rarely.

Among those he has received on the tarmac are then US president Barack Obama in 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018, the then United Arab Emirates crown prince in 2016, the then French president Francois Hollande, Japan's then prime minister Shinzo Abe and Bangladesh's then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

IMAGE: Modi and Putin at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, December 4, 2025. Photograph: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via Reuters

A sizeable Russian business delegation is in New Delhi as are seven senior Russian ministers. Moscow seeks to protect its trade with India in the face of US sanctions on New Delhi for its purchase of Russian crude.

India and Russia aim to increase two-way trade to $100 billion by 2030, with Moscow looking to expand the basket of its imports from India, currently heavily skewed towards Indian purchases of Russian oil.

Russia is prepared to increase imports of shrimp, rice, and tropical fruit from India and has increased imports of Indian potatoes and pomegranates. It is also looking at Indian food-processing equipment and has proposed joint production of Arctic-class vessels and civilian aircraft.

Putin told the news channel that Russia and India have chalked out an ambitious plan for the future, including cooperation in technology, the space sector and nuclear energy.

The two countries are also set to sign a mobility agreement that will allow Indian semi-skilled and skilled workers to work in Russia, especially in its healthcare and construction sectors.

Russian lenders Gazprombank and Alfa-Bank have sought clearance to operate in India, while Russia's central bank said on Wednesday it had opened an office in Mumbai.

Indian public-sector undertakings are expected to sign a deal with the Uralchem group, Russia's top potash and ammonium nitrate producer, as New Delhi hopes to deepen its cooperation with Moscow in the sector. The two sides are also looking at establishing a stable Eurasian transport framework, including the Eastern Maritime Corridor to connect Vladivostok and Chennai.

IMAGE: Modi and Putin at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, December 4, 2025. Photograph: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via Reuters

On Thursday evening, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met a Russian delegation led by Denis Manturov, first deputy PM of the Russian Federation, and both sides discussed issues of mutual interest, encompassing investment, banking, and finance.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said New Delhi's purchase of crude oil from Russia may decline 'for a brief period' in view of Western sanctions, but Moscow is taking steps to enhance supplies.

India is hopeful of increasing pharmaceutical exports to Russia after the signing of the free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Peskov said there may be a discussion on the possibility of Russia supplying Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jets to India. India is in the process of procuring a batch of fifth-generation fighter jets. The two sides will also explore cooperation in small modular reactors.

IMAGE: Modi and Putin drive together on their way from the Palam air base, December 4, 2025. Photograph: Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via Reuters

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India was determined to build its indigenous defence industry for both local production and exports when he met his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov in New Delhi to discuss bilateral military cooperation.

Singh and Belousovn co-chaired the 22nd session of India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation. The meeting was held ahead of the 23rd India-Russia summit-level talks that are to take place between Modi and Putin on Friday.

Singh 'stressed on new opportunities for enhancing collaboration between both counties across niche technologies', according to a media statement from the ministry of defence.

Belousov, according to the same statement, highlighted that both countries 'are united by many years of friendship and strategic cooperation', adding that the Russian defence industry was ready to support India towards its goal of becoming self-reliant in defence production.

The next round of this meeting is expected to take place in Russia in 2026.

Between 2009 and 2013, India imported 76 per cent of its defence goods from Russia. That number fell to 36 per cent between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the Stockholm

International Peace Research Institute.

India's reliance on Russian defence items has significantly reduced, but it continues to buy advanced goods such as the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system, used effectively for air defence by India during its four-day conflict against Pakistan in May.

Two pending batteries -- of the five contracted at $5.43 billion in 2018 -- delayed by the Ukraine war, are expected to be delivered by Russia to India in 2026-27, Indian military sources said, adding that India is interested in buying more S-400 units from Russia.
India and Russia on Friday unveiled a raft of measures including a five-year roadmap to build a robust economic partnership and address New Delhi's concerns over trade deficit even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to President Vladimir Putin the war in Ukraine must be brought to an end through peaceful means.

IMAGE: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a presentation of a joint statement after their delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters; Press Information Bureau

Significantly widening the economic partnership, in a shift from cooperation in traditional domains of oil and defence, notwithstanding mounting Western pressure on New Delhi to scale down its engagement with Moscow was the centrepiece of summit talks between Modi and Putin.

Following the summit, the two leaders demonstrated their strong resolve to give a new momentum to the over eight-decades-old India-Russia friendship with the prime minister saying that it remained steadfast like a 'guiding star'.

Putin said Russia stands ready to provide 'uninterrupted shipments' of fuel to India, in remarks that came against the backdrop of mounting American pressure on New Delhi to stop crude oil from Moscow.

The two sides signed a total of 11 agreements including one on movement of skilled workers from India to Russia.

The pacts will provide for cooperation in areas of shipping, fertilisers, healthcare, scientific research, education and people-to-people exchanges.

"Over the past eight decades, the world has witnessed many ups and downs. Humanity has faced numerous challenges and crises. Yet, through all of this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steady like a guiding star," Modi said in his media statement in presence of Putin.

"Built on mutual respect and deep trust, our relationship has stood the test of time. Today, we discussed all aspects of our cooperation to further strengthen this foundation," he said.

The two leaders underlined that India-Russia ties have remained resilient in the backdrop of the prevailing complex, challenging and uncertain geopolitical situation, according to a joint statement.

In the talks, Modi also called for the release of the Indian nationals who have been working in the Russian military.

At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said economic cooperation was the 'driving impulse' and the most important focus of Putin's visit.

Survival of expanding bilateral trade and strengthening economic cooperation requires swiftly addressing non-tariff barriers and regulatory impediments, he said, adding enhancing Indian exports to Russia in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture and marine products is important to address the trade imbalance.

The joint statement said both sides have strived to forge a contemporary, balanced, mutually beneficial, sustainable and long-term partnership, adding development of the relations across the entire spectrum is a shared foreign policy priority.

The Ukraine conflict also figured prominently in the talks with Modi saying that India has advocated for peace in that country.

"Since the beginning (of the conflict), India has consistently advocated for peace, with regards to the situation in Ukraine. We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting resolution in this matter. India has always been, and will always be ready to contribute," Modi said.

The Russian president landed in New Delhi last evening to a red-carpet welcome with Modi personally receiving him at the airport and later hosting a private dinner for him that largely set the tone for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.

The visit has generated attention in the capitals of the Western nations as it has come amid their sustained efforts to hit Moscow economically including by cutting Russian crude oil supplies as part of initiatives to force it to end the war in Ukraine.

Modi said elevating the economic cooperation to new heights is a shared priority.

"To realise this, we have agreed on an Economic Cooperation Program until 2030. This will make our trade and investment more diversified, balanced, and sustainable; and will also add new dimensions to our areas of cooperation," he said.

The prime minister also announced that India will soon introduce a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens.

In his comments, Putin said both sides are looking at increasing the volume of annual trade to $100 billion from the present $64 billion and that Russia is a 'reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal and everything that is required' to address India's energy requirement.

"Russia is ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy."

The Russian president said Moscow will provide more market access for Indian products and that both sides are keen on cooperation for construction of small and modular nuclear reactors and floating nuclear power plants.

Putin said Russia could also extend help to India in non-energy application of nuclear technologies, for example in medicine and agriculture.

In his comments, Modi said energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership and that the cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy has been crucial.

"We will continue this win-win cooperation."

"Our cooperation in critical minerals is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains around the world. This will provide solid support to our partnerships in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and new-age industries," he said.

Ways to effectively combat terrorism also figured in Modi-Putin talks.

"India and Russia have long cooperated shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Be it the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on Crocus City Hall -- the root of all these incidents is the same," Modi said.

"India firmly believes that terrorism is a direct attack on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength," he added.

Modi said enhancing connectivity between the two countries is a key priority.

"We will move forward with renewed energy on the INSTC, Northern Sea Route, and Chennai-Vladivostok Corridors. I am delighted that we will now collaborate to train Indian seafarers in polar waters," he said.

"This will not only strengthen our cooperation in the Arctic but will also create new employment opportunities for India's youth," he said.

The International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode transport project for moving freight among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.

The prime minister said the deep cooperation between the two sides in shipbuilding has the potential to strengthen the Make in India programme.

The prime minister also showered praise on Putin for his 'unwavering commitment' in strengthening India-Russia ties.

"For the past two and a half decades, he has nurtured these ties with his leadership and vision. His leadership has taken our relations to new heights under all circumstances."

The prime minister also made a mention of two pacts inked to facilitate mobility of manpower between the two countries.

"Manpower mobility will connect our peoples and create new strengths and opportunities for both countries. I am pleased that two agreements have been signed today to promote this," he said.

In his media statement, Putin said the two sides resolved to prioritise cooperation in areas of security, economy, trade and culture.

We are looking at increasing annual bilateral trade volume to $100 billion, he said.

Putin said Russia is also looking at expanding cooperation in the energy sector with New Delhi, adding his country is ready for uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India.

We could also talk about cooperation in construction of small modular nuclear reactors and floating nuclear power plants, he said.

Russia, India and other like-minded nations are working towards a just and multipolar world, Putin noted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will initiate the debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha on December 8 while Home Minister Amit Shah will begin the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on December 9, sources said.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases special commemorative coins dedicated to Vande Mataram, during the inauguration of a year-long commemoration of the National Song "Vande Mataram", in New Delhi, November 7, 2025. Photograph: @narendramodi X/ANI Photo

The debate on election reforms, which will cover all aspects of the contentious subject, including the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, is likely to be held in the Lok Sabha on December 9 and 10 while the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the issue is likely to take place on December 10 and 11.

Sources privy to the deliberations confirmed that Prime Minister Modi will initiate the debate on National Song Vande Mataram at noon in the Lower House while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several other ministers will also participate in the day-long debate.

The last speaker in the Lok Sabha debate will be someone from the ruling BJP, the sources said.

In the Rajya Sabha, the home minister will initiate the discussion while Leader of the Upper House J P Nadda will also take part during the debate.

On the debate on election reforms, the sources said, the discussion will cover all aspects of the broad subject and will not be confined only on the limited subject of the SIR.

"Please note that the debate will be on the subject of election reforms and not just on the SIR or electoral reforms," a source said.

The decisions on holding the debates on the two subjects were taken after an all-party meeting and the meetings of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the respective House, which ended the logjam prevailing in both Houses over the opposition's demand to discuss the SIR of electoral rolls.

The proceedings of the first two days of the Winter Session starting on December 1 were disrupted due to the opposition's protests on the SIR leading to repeated adjournments. The last session was a virtual washout over the demand by the opposition for a debate on the SIR, then being held in Bihar.

The EC had announced SIR in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will go to the polls in 2026. In Assam, where also polls are due in 2026, the revision of electoral rolls was announced separately. It is being called 'Special Revision'.

Nearly 51 crore electors will be covered in the massive voters' list cleanup exercise.

The primary aim of the SIR is to weed out foreign illegal immigrants by checking their place of birth.

The move assumes significance in the wake of a crackdown in various states on illegal immigrants, including those from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 1, approved nationwide celebrations to commemorate 150 years of the national song 'Vande Mataram', recognising its historic role in India's freedom struggle.

The celebrations are aimed especially at youth and students to deepen awareness of the song's significance through country-wide initiatives.

The song Vande Mataram, composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji, was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom. It has an equal status with Jana-gana-mana.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attended dinner hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday evening.

President Murmu received Putin upon his arrival, who was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

Earlier on the day, Putin was welcomed by President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he received a ceremonial welcome and the tri-services guard of honour at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.

The ceremonial welcome was accorded at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, following which, Putin inspected the Guard of Honour.

The Russian, Indian national anthems were played to welcome Putin.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Delhi LG VK Saxena, CDS General Anil Chauhan and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony.

President Murmu and Putin introduced each other to the dignitaries from each other's country.

Among the Russian dignitaries included Russian defence minister Andrey Belousov and Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov.

India and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism, transnational organised crime, money laundering, terrorist financing, and illicit drug trafficking.

In the Joint Statement following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, Modi and Putin condemned terrorist attacks in India and Russia, including the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow.

"The two Leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to preventing and countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border movement of terrorists and terrorist financing networks and safe havens. They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in India in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, and in Russia at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on March 22, 2024," added the statement.
The Supreme Court on Friday said it will intervene to resolve the ongoing deadlock over the selection of vice chancellors for two technical universities in Kerala if Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor-cum-chancellor Rajendra Arlekar do not reach a consensus.

IMAGE: Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar (second from left) and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (second from right) welcome President Droupadi Murmu at the airport on her arrival in Thiruvananthapuram, December 3, 2025. Photograph: Courtesy Kerala Governor on X

A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and PB Varale was hearing the matter related to the appointments of VCs of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, and the University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology.

The bench asked Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the governor, and senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing the chief minister, to find out some amicable solution to the impasse.

Venkataramani submitted that the Justice (Retd) Sudhanshu Dhulia committee had recommended two sets of names and the chancellor had picked two names.

"The chief minister has some difficulty with some names. There are some common names," the AG said.

Advocate Gupta said that the name, which is not acceptable to the chief minister, is the only one that the governor-cum-chancellor agrees upon.

"I think a resolution has to be found by this Court," Gupta replied.

Justice Pardiwala told the senior counsels that Justice Dhulia led committee had recommended four names each for two universities and the governor and chief minister should appoint the most meritorious candidates from both the batches.

Noting that it will intervene and make the appointments itself if the consensus is not reached by December 9, the apex court said, "Reach consensus by Tuesday or we will appoint the vice chancellors and resolve the issue."

The top court has posted the matter for hearing on Thursday.

Venkataramani said the chancellor found two of the names figures in both the lists, then they are the best candidates to be recommended.

On November 28, the top court took serious exception to Kerala Governor and chancellor "not looking" at the Dhulia committee report on appointment of vice chancellors of two universities and remarked it is not just an ordinary piece of paper.

The top court had asked the Kerala governor to take a call on the report within a week and apprise the decision to the apex court on December 5.

The top court passed the order after Gupta complained that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had forwarded his recommendations for appointment of vice chancellors for APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, based on the report of Justice Dhulia panel to the governor-cum-chancellor but no decision has been taken till now.

The bench noted that in compliance with the order dated August 18, Justice (retd) Dhulia, undertook the necessary exercise and has prepared a report accordingly.

On September 2, the Kerala governor moved the apex court for exclusion of Vijayan from the selection process of the vice chancellors.

The governor said neither of the universities envisioned any role for the chief minister in the selection process.

On August 18, to end the "impasse" between Kerala governor and the state government over the appointment of vice-chancellors, the apex court appointed former apex court judge Dhulia as head of a panel meant for shortlisting names.

Justice Dhulia demitted office as Supreme Court judge on August 9.

On July 30, the top court asked both the Kerala government and Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the governor, to "work out some mechanism in harmony" to resolve the dispute for the appointment of the vice-chancellors in both the universities.

The chancellor moved the top court challenging the order of the division bench of the high court disposing of a plea filed against a single judge's order setting aside the November 27, 2024 notification appointing Professor K Sivaprasad of Cochin University of Science and Technology as vice-chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.

The Kerala government challenged the notification before the high court saying the notification stipulated the appointment was till further orders whereas Section 13 (7) of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act, 2015 says "for a period of not exceeding six months in the aggregate".
Russia on Friday agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of military hardware and spare parts for maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment.

IMAGE: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a presentation of a joint statement after their delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, December 5, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Ways to bolster overall bilateral defence cooperation figured prominently during summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It has been a long-standing grievance of armed forces that the supply of critical spares and equipment from Russia takes a long time, affecting the maintenance of military systems procured from that country.

"Both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin arms and defence equipment under Make-in-India programme through transfer of technology," a joint statement said.

It said both sides also agreed to set up joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian armed forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries.

The joint statement said the India-Russia defence partnership is being reoriented to take up joint co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems.

In their meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov resolved to expand bilateral defence cooperation.

In the meeting, the Indian side showed keen interest in procurement of additional batches of S-400 missile systems from Moscow to bolster its combat prowess.

In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Three squadrons have already been delivered.

The S-400 systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. India may also look at procuring the S-500 missile systems from Russia.

In the Modi-Putin talks, the two sides also agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral trade settlements through the use of national currencies.

Additionally, the two sides agreed to continue their consultations on enabling the interoperability of the national payment systems, financial messaging systems, as well as central bank digital currency platforms.

Modi and Putin appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a free trade agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest, the joint statement said.

They also directed both sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investment, it said.

India and Russia also welcomed steps to ensure long-term supply of fertilisers to India and discussed the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area.
The gallery, founded in Havana a decade ago, comes to the top contemporary art fair in the Americas at a moment when the art market is treading carefully

One of the highlights of the 23rd edition of Art Basel Miami Beach, taking place from December 5 to 7, is the first-time participation of a Cuba-based gallery: El Apartamento. This marks a milestone, given the political, economic, logistical, and historical barriers it has faced, as well as the long-standing tensions between Miami and Havana.

For the gallerys founder, Christian Gundin, participating in a fair of the magnitude of Art Basel Miami Beach, the most important in the Americas, just a decade after launching the project, is a great honor and recognition of all of his work. Ive been lucky, but at the same time, I havent stopped working for the last 10 years. Its been a real adventure full of ups and downs, a rollercoaster of emotions and disappointments, with a lot of financial stress, he explains.

Gundin, 45, born in Havana, divides his time between the Cuban capital, Miami, and Madrid. It is precisely this persistence that has contributed to the gallerys survival and subsequent expansion. For now, El Apartamento doesnt seem to have been affected by the sharp decline in sales in the contemporary art market, which have fallen 12% compared to last year, according to a report by Art Basel and UBS.

The El Apartamento art gallery in Cuba. Cortesia

In recent fairs, the gallery has performed very well, from The Armory Show in New York to the most recent Frieze in London, where it sold all its works. Crises are cyclical. Costs have risen a lot, and not necessarily because sales have increased; but I always arrive at the show optimistic, and attitude is important, Gundin points out.

It is still unclear whether El Apartamento will pave the way for other galleries to enter the international market, or if it is an exception resulting from a unique combination of factors. Currently, there are other cultural projects in Havana, such as Estudio Figueroa-Vives or the recently created Cemi space, but the survival of art galleries in Cuba is difficult, given the countrys precarious situation  There is no fuel, no electricity, there are epidemics, hunger...  and artists depend on a foreign market.

Christian Gundin in a provided image. Luis Mario Gell

Gundin says that since he started his journey with El Apartamento, he has never had issues with customs, as art shipments are protected by law, but he acknowledges that logistics remain complicated: shipping companies are very limited, and sometimes works must first be sent to Europe and then brought to the United States.

El Apartamento was founded in 2015, during the flourishing of the Cuban cultural scene under Barack Obama, the first U.S. president to visit Cuba in 90 years. Obama promoted a thaw in diplomatic relations, achieving the closest U.S. approach to Cuba since the 1959 Revolution. This opening led to the creation of numerous cultural projects that benefited from the influx of tourist and visits from art curators. The momentum slowed with Donald Trumps rise to power, and especially with the COVID-19 pandemic.

We survived thanks to the support of collector friends. A key person who helped us tremendously during the pandemic was Jorge Perez [a businessman and philanthropist, whose donations led to the Miami Art Museum being renamed Perez Art Museum Miami], says Gundin, who argues that the pandemic triggered one of the largest migrations of Cuban artists he has ever witnessed. Currently, he says, only five or six artists remain in Havana.

It was then that he began to consider expanding El Apartamento to other cities, and ultimately opted for Spain, taking advantage of his fathers citizenship. Since 2023, the gallery has also opened a location in Madrid.

December 3, 2025. Cuba's El Apartamento art gallery opens an exhibition at Art Basel Miami Beach, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The exhibition brings together five artists whose practices, although different in terms of material and narrative approach, investigate how images, gestures, and cultural memories are constructed and negotiated in the contemporary world. El Apartamento

Cuban contemporary art is reaffirming its place in the international canon, as seen in exhibitions such as When I Dont Sleep, I Dream, the MoMA retrospective on Wifredo Lam, and his previous shows at the Centre Pompidou in France, Madrids Museo Reina Sofia, and the Tate in London.

In this context, El Apartamento aims to foster dialogue between Cuban artists and peers from other regions. For its first appearance at Art Basel Miami Beach, the gallery is presenting five artists: four Cubans  Ariamna Contino, Roberto Diago, Diana Fonseca, and Orestes Hernandez  and the Spaniard Miki Leal. Gundin plans to expand the gallerys roster to include artists from Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. I dont want the gallery to be pigeonholed as a space for Cuban art, but rather for contemporary art, he says, noting that he has strived to maintain a diverse approach to enrich the program and that, in addition to paintings, it encompasses different disciplines, including sculptures, photographs, and installations.

In February, El Apartamento will participate in Frieze Los Angeles, a highly exclusive fair that features a limited number of galleries, where it will showcase the work of Miki Leal. But for now, all attention is on its debut at Art Basel Miami Beach, known as the most speculative fair on the international calendar, which may be tested by a cautious contemporary art market in times of great uncertainty.

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'They collected our passports and boarding passes. The chaos continued. There was no coordination amongst the IndiGo staff and airport staff.'

Kindly note the images have been published only for representational purposes. Passengers crowd outside a boarding gate as they wait to board a delayed IndiGo flight at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi, December 3, 2025. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

Bangkok was a transit point for us from Phu Quoc and after 6 hours layover, the flight was to take off at 9 pm but was delayed by 2 hours and the new departure time was 11:15 pm.

300 baht was given for snacks due to the delay.

The incoming flight from Delhi finally landed and it was rumoured that the pilot and crew took off to the hotel to rest.

Waiting at the departure gate, we were later informed that the flight is further delayed and is rescheduled for December 4, at 2:40 pm.

There was total chaos at that point as there were passengers with connecting flights to international destinations.

The airline gave us two options:

1. Fly to Pune on 3rd December and then onward to Bangalore, but they couldn't assure the timing of the Pune-Bangalore flight.

2. Stay over at Bangkok and fly on 4th December at 2:40 pm.

IMAGE: Travelers wait in queues at IndiGo ticketing kiosks to reschedule their flights at the Kempegowda international airport in Bengaluru, December 3, 2025. Photograph: Abinaya Vijayaraghavan/Reuters

We opted for the 2nd option and they said that hotel accommodation would be arranged.

They collected our passports and boarding passes. The chaos continued. There was no coordination amongst the IndiGo staff and airport staff.

Later they informed that hotel details have been sent to the registered e-mail IDs. As tickets were booked by a travel agent and the e-mail used was theirs. In the middle of the night we contacted the agent at about 1 am but they didn't receive any information on hotels.

We later reasoned with the staff saying we are the affected passengers and we are in front of you so do let us know directly about the hotel.

By 4 am we along with a group of other passengers boarded the bus to the hotel. The hotel was good.

Next day after breakfast at the hotel, we were picked up by the airline at 10:30 am. Same chaos continued. They were calling out names and they couldn't pronounce the Indian names properly so that added to the confusion.

The rescheduled flight was not appearing on the screens. on checking the IndiGo web site, we found that the 2:40 pm flight was to depart at 4:40 pm. The screens then started flashing our flight but the timing was shown as 1:40 pm.

The boarding finally started at 3:40 pm and the flight finally took off at 5:17 pm Bangkok time and landed at Bangalore at 7:17 pm Indian time.

IMAGE: A man looks at a fight schedule screen displaying several delayed IndiGo flights at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj international airport in Mumbai, December 3, 2025. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

I am against shouting at the crew or staff as they were equally ignorant of the situation and no shouting can change things.

These are experiences which one has to go through to make you a tougher traveler.

Philip Daniel was a passenger on IndiGo flight 6E 1065 on December 3, 2025.

Stranded at an airport because of flight delays/cancellations? Do tell us your travel story; mail us at newsdesk@rediff.co.in with your name, where you were traveling to, and what happened to your flight.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
After recent high-intensity operations in the Bastar region and the neutralisation of several senior Maoist leaders, officials say the insurgency has lost its ability to mount large-scale coordinated attacks.

IMAGE: The Central Reserve Police Force's 209 CoBRA unit personnel during an anti-Naxal operation in the forest area of Bokaro, Jharkhand. Photograph: ANI Photo

The long-standing campaign against Left-Wing Extremism appears to be entering a final phase, with fresh data indicating a significant shift in the country's counter-insurgency balance.

Over the past 11 years, security forces killed 1,751 Naxalites while 1,910 civilians and security personnel lost their lives during the same period.

"The figure includes 1,438 civilians and 472 security force personnel martyred in Maoist-related incidents," says Ajay Basudev Bose, a Right to Information Activist who obtained the figures from the Union home ministry.

Despite the heavy human cost, it looks like the Naxal movement which began in 1967 from Naxalbari in West Bengal is in the final phase of its grim existence with many Communist Party of India-Maoist leaders and cadres surrendering or getting killed.

Among the most prominent names to surrender is Mallojula Venugopal Rao, also known as Bhupathi or Sonu, a top-rung leader of the Maoist politburo.

Bhupathi surrendered in Gadchiroli in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in October along with several cadres and a substantial cache of weapons, signalling a deep fracture within the organisation's core leadership.

Soon after his arrest Rao declared, 'Armed struggle has failed in India.'

In the same period, Rupesh alias Satish, a central committee member, also surrendered as part of a large-scale surrender involving over 200 Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region.

The group included senior 'commander' Bhaskar alias Rajman Mandavi, a member of the Dandakaranya special zonal committee, along with other divisional and area committee leaders.

In November, the Maoist movement suffered another major setback when Madvi Hidma, who was responsible for leading 26 armed attacks against security forces, was gunned down in an encounter in Alluri Sitharamaraju district, Andhra Pradesh.

The Union government has set an ambitious target of eliminating Maoism by March 2026, a deadline that has shaped the current phase of operations.

The drive is anchored in Operation SAMADHAN-Prahar, a long-term counter-extremism framework that has been expanded into an active offensive.

The operation marked a move from largely reactive deployments to sustained pressure along Maoist corridors, breaking up their supply lines and denying them space to regroup.

SAMADHAN was launched in 2017 by the Union home ministry, alongside different phases of Operation Prahar.

It was for the first time that the security forces entered Naxalite hideouts deep inside the forests in the affected states, particularly in Chhattisgarh.

A major area of improvement was the quality of intelligence inputs.

Earlier, security units often operated with limited information inside the dense forests, resulting in frequent ambushes.

In recent years, drone-based reconnaissance, satellite mapping and signal interception have been woven into daily security operations.

These tools provided real-time monitoring of Maoist movement, helped identify camps and weapons dumps, and enabled more accurate planning.

Officials say technology has significantly reduced risks to security personnel and has contributed to higher success rates in recent encounters with the Maoists.

Another change has come from a more structured human intelligence network. Surrendered Maoists, many familiar with the terrain and guerrilla tactics, have been integrated into district reserve units in several states.

Their involvement has allowed forces to navigate remote belts that were once impenetrable and to mount operations based on local inputs rather than broad assumptions.

The government's approach also places emphasis on encouraging surrenders.

Hundreds of lower-ranked Maoists have given up arms in recent years, and many have been absorbed into auxiliary policing roles.

However, challenges remain.

While the government says Maoist influence has been reduced to a handful of pockets, the terrain still complicates operations.

Security specialists point out that eliminating armed cadre is only part of the battle.

"At present, psychologically, Maoist cadres are shaken. They have seen their strongest commanders fall. Many will either melt away or surrender," retired Central Reserve Police Force director general K Durga Prasad told Rediff earlier.

Grievances over land, displacement and access to welfare schemes have historically fed the insurgency; without progress on these fronts, observers caution, the movement may fade but not disappear completely.

Even so, the government believes the current trajectory is irreversible.

After recent high-intensity operations in the Bastar region and the neutralisation of several senior Maoist leaders, officials say the insurgency has lost its ability to mount large-scale coordinated attacks.

Districts once considered strongholds are seeing the return of road-building teams and administrative officers after decades.

Whether the March 2026 deadline can be met will depend on sustaining both security pressure and development outreach.

For the first time in years, officers on the ground and policymakers in Delhi appear to share the view that India may be approaching the end of one of its most enduring internal security challenges.

"The Red Corridor, once spanning multiple states, has been reduced to isolated pockets," notes K Durga Prasad. "The movement has shifted from a national security threat to a manageable law and order issue."
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Snow showers this morning. Peeks of sunshine later. High 29F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 14F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Snow this evening will give way to some clearing late. Low around 25F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%..

Tonight

Snow this evening will give way to some clearing late. Low around 25F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%.
Former Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (2018-2024) still has opinions despite his retirement from politics, a year after handing over power to Claudia Sheinbaum, his successor. The founder of Mexicos ruling party, Morena, has reappeared in the public eye for the launch of his new book, Grandeza (Planeta, 2025), which is primarily an extensive diatribe against the Spanish Conquest of the Americas, a historical process from which he salvages few, if any, positive aspects. The book also includes some contemporary reflections on the politics of Mexico and Washington, especially regarding the drug trafficking problem and the fentanyl addiction crisis in the United States. Lopez Obrador defends ancestral values that, he says, keep Mexicans away from drugs, an argument he then uses to contrast with the U.S., where, he maintains, there is a devotion to material things and a spiritual detachment, and where governments have abandoned young people.

Instead of addressing the root causes of the problem, Lopez Obrador argues, Washington has opted for a punitive policy to confront the drug issue, seasoned with a touch of racism and xenophobia. The former president doesnt directly mention Donald Trump, but he does allude to a couple of the Republican politicians decisions, such as classifying drug cartels as transnational terrorist organizations. This designation paved the way for Washingtons regional offensive against several Latin American countries  based on the supposed fight against drug trafficking  which has threatened their sovereignty. Despite the ineffectiveness of this way of thinking and acting, the government and the ruling class of that country [the U.S.] have convinced a large segment of its population that the problem comes from abroad, that the bad guys are the drug-trafficking terrorists from Mexico and other countries, even migrants, Lopez Obrador points out. They intend to solve the problem with coercive measures or with the so-called wars on crime, thus violating the sovereignty of other nations.

A year has passed since the leftist former president withdrew from public life after Sheinbaums victory at the polls. He stated at the time that he was retiring to avoid overshadowing his successor. However, now, with the launch of his book, he has returned to the spotlight, primarily after declaring that he would return to politics if he perceived threats to democracy or Mexicos sovereignty. Trump has hinted at his temptation to cross those lines, in contrast to Sheinbaums repeated stance that Mexico must resolve its own problems internally. Lopez Obrador, echoing the president, asserts that the U.S., instead of implementing raids and mass deportations, or militarizing the border, should look inward and address the social crisis of the loss of values within families, with a particular emphasis on young people.

Lopez Obrador argues that if American society does not reclaim the cultural, moral, and spiritual values of its ancestors  which have been replaced by material gratification  addressing the addiction crisis will be an uphill battle. The former president criticizes U.S. state governments that have legalized marijuana, opening the door to the use of other, more lethal drugs. All of this, instead of providing young people with education, work, sports, and, above all, with love. Or do they seriously think that if fentanyl disappears, the problem will be over? he asks.

Lopez Obrador criticizes the immobility or indolence of governments and the hypocrisy or pretense of various actors who, for profit, allow the drug trade and large-scale violence to continue in the United States: pharmaceutical laboratories, manufacturers of chemical precursors, drug traffickers who supply wholesalers in the United States, domestic distributors, corrupt officials, politicians, parties, banking and financial institutions that launder astronomical sums from drug trafficking, arms manufacturers and sellers, private security consultants... Or is it simply that fanaticism for the use of force and the desire for domination by the powerful nation prevail over common sense? he asks.

Donald Trump and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, at the White House, on July 8, 2020. Win McNamee (Getty Images)

Showdown with Trump

Lopez Obrador shared an anecdote that illustrates his relationship with Trump, with whom he had to conduct arduous negotiations during the Republicans first term as U.S. president (2017-2021). For example, there were tensions surrounding the wall Trump wanted to build on the border between the two countries. This was one of the Republicans main campaign promises in his reelection bid, which he ultimately lost (Democrat Joe Biden governed for the following four years, before Trumps return to the White House in 2025).

Trump not only assured his supporters that he would build a reinforced wall along the 1,954 miles of the porous border, but that he would force Mexico to pay for it. Lopez Obrador tried to avoid directly confronting his American counterpart on this issue. The former president recounts that, after the Covid-19 pandemic had already erupted, he had a call with Trump in which he proposed reducing the fees migrants pay for sending remittances to their families in Mexico. The Republican president reacted with a dismissive attitude, Lopez Obrador says. I hadnt even finished making the suggestion when he began vehemently expressing his refusal. The translator managed to tell me that, on the contrary, he wanted to increase the fees on remittances to finance the wall: thats one of the few good things about not understanding English, because the translation time allows one small, but important, moments for reflection, he explains.

The former president recounts how he maneuvered to appease Trump. Days earlier, he says, then-secretary of defense Luis Cresencio Sandoval had informed him in detail, even with video footage, of the discovery of seven tunnels used by migrants to cross the border. One of these passageways started in Tijuana, passed under the U.S. customs facility, and reached almost to San Diego, California. Lopez Obrador says: That allowed me to respond to President Trump that the wall served for publicity or political campaigning, but not to stop the arrival of migrants. He sent Trump the videos of the tunnels taken by the Mexican army. After my careful response, a silence ensued, broken only by a hearty laugh from that tough, but not foolish, man. The important thing is that we never discussed the famous wall again, neither publicly nor privately, he says.

Lopez Obrador has long been a critic of Washingtons punitive migration policies. When he governed Mexico, he managed to include Biden in an investment program aimed at Latin American countries that typically send migrants abroad due to a lack of opportunities. This collaboration has stalled again under Trump. Obviously, addressing these root causes would not only require allocating a small portion of the vast amount the United States spends on weaponry to this noble, humane, and effective task, but it also clashes with and contradicts its conservative and overbearing mentality, according to which problems stemming from socioeconomic circumstances can and should be resolved through the use of force, he emphasizes.

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A high-rise building in Grozny was damaged in a suspected Ukrainian drone attack on the Chechen capital. Video posted on Russian social media on December 5 showed smoke and a gaping hole in the glass tower.
A suspected Ukrainian drone attack rocked the Chechen capital, Grozny, early on December 5 just hours after Ukrainian negotiators met with US officials in Florida seeking details from a meeting at the Kremlin between American and Russian teams on a proposal to end the war on Ukraine.

Social media users posted videos -- verified by RFE/RL -- online showing a gaping hole in a high-rise building in Grozny, in an attack that hit less than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the residence of the republic's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov.

Regional officials have yet to comment publicly on the attack, but sources told RFE/RL's Caucasus.Realities that at least four more explosions occurred in Russia's North Caucasus after a drone attack struck the high-rise complex, which houses government offices.

The sources said an empty police station in Gudermes and a Federal Security Service (FSB) building in Achkhoy-Martan were damaged in the blasts. No deaths were reported in any of the incidents.

Late on December 4, Ukrainian negotiators met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss his visit to the Kremlin earlier this week where he spoke for almost five hours with Vladimir Putin, where the Russian leader doubled down on his hard-line conditions to end the war on Ukraine.

Neither US nor Russian officials have publicly given details of the talks.

"Our task now is to obtain full information about what was said in Moscow and what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media late on December 4.

"Ukraine is prepared for any possible developments, and of course we will work as constructively as possible with all partners to ensure that peace is achieved  and that it is, after all, a dignified peace," he added.

On December 4, Putin repeated his longstanding and unbending demands on Ukraines sovereignty and military force in an interview with India Today.

"It all comes down to this: Either we liberate these territories by force or Ukrainian troops leave these territories and stop fighting there," Putin told the channel in a pre-recorded interview released on the eve of his trip to India.

The Moscow visit by the US delegation, which included Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, came almost two weeks after a US-drafted peace plan seen as heavily favorable to Russia was released. The plan echoed most, if not all of the inflexible demands Moscow has made of Ukraine since before the February 2022 full-scale invasion.

Ukrainian officials and Kyiv's European allies have since scrambled to try and craft an acceptable alternative. Ukrainian officials also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Witkoff, a real estate developer with no prior diplomatic experience, made no comment to the media before leaving Moscow. It was Witkoff's sixth trip to the Russian capital since January -- one indication of how difficult it has been to end the fighting, despite Trump's insistence he could end it within 24 hours of taking office.

US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged those difficulties in an interview aired late on December 4 by NBC News.

I think that we really thought -- and youve heard the president say this a million times -- that that would be the easiest war to solve. And if you would put peace in the Middle East as easier to achieve than peace in Eastern Europe, I would have told you you were crazy, Vance said.

I do think, for what its worth, that we have made a lot of progress, but were not yet quite across the finish line there, he added.
With Iran facing severe water shortages after years of drought, the country's energy minister says he wants to import water from neighboring nations. Climatologist Nasser Karami told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that a deal with Afghanistan might work best because it's "a country with a lot of rivers flowing out of it."
The below photo, of a tank fitted with bristling metal wires, is one of the clearest images yet seen of a new kind of anti-drone armor first spotted on invading tanks in Ukraine in the autumn of 2025. The armor is reportedly made from steel cables cut into uniform lengths, then unraveled into individual wire strands. The spiky wires are then affixed to a metal cage fitted to the tank or vehicle. Both sides in the Ukraine conflict are now using the new anti-drone coverings, dubbed "hedgehog armor."

Iryna Rybakova, a press officer with Ukraines 93rd Mechanized Brigade, told RFE/RL the fluffy armor is designed to get drones tangled and not detonate, or detonate at a distance from the vehicle hull. Most kamikaze first-person view (FPV )drones are fitted with a fuse that protrudes from its warhead and detonates on impact. The spiky new armor could potentially entangle such a drone before its fuse reaches a solid surface. Rybakova says one Russian hedgehog tank operating near Toretsk in the Donetsk region absorbed dozens of hits from Ukrainian FPV drones before it was finally destroyed. She adds that against larger and faster kamikaze drones, such as the Russian Lancet, hedgehog armor offers little protection.

Carlo Masala, a professor and military expert at the Bundeswehr University in Munich, told RFE/RL the latest anti-drone measure seems to be a new tactic to bring maneuver back into warfare. With the effectiveness of cheap FPV drones capable of destroying tanks worth up to millions of dollars, both sides in the conflict have struggled to carry out the kind of armored assaults that were once a cornerstone of military tactics. In recent months, Masala says, we have only seen incursions by a few soldiers behind enemy lines. Large troop and vehicle movements have been largely limited to foggy days when poor visibility reduces the threat of reconnaissance and FPV drones.

The unusual new armor reportedly comes with drastic tradeoffs for tank crews. A Russian tank driver recently gave a media interview in which he described a tank being fitted with hedgehog armor. As a result of the added weight, the tank didnt even make it 10 kilometers before one of the [drivetrain components] failed. The tank driver added that the bulk of the hedgehog armor means the stress on the components [of the tank] is immense. Masala says such drawbacks seem to be accepted in order to bring more maneuver warfare back.
A drone strike on an oil-loading facility off Russias Black Sea coast has ignited a diplomatic spat between Ukraine and Kazakhstan, exposed the Central Asian countrys reliance on a single oil pipeline for exports, and possibly endangered gasoline supplies in Europe.

Naval drones hit a large floating circular structure 5 kilometers out to sea near the port of Novorossiysk, where Russias Black Sea fleet is based, on November 28.

The object was a Single Point Mooring (SPM), an offshore facility for pumping oil onto tankers. There are three SPMs at Novorossiysk. One was already undergoing maintenance. The hit appears to have had a devastating impact on the ports capacity for loading oil.

Each moorings capacity is 800,000 barrels per day. Operations will now effectively fall to one-third of normal offshore loading capacity, Vlad Paddack, a fellow at Nightingale Intelligence, a political foresight firm, told RFE/RL.

This is bad for Russia, which loads oil from its north Caucasus oilfields through the site. But its much worse for Kazakhstan, which exports 80 percent of its oil through a single pipeline to Novorossiysk.

Kazakhstan has found itself in a situation where it has built its main export route through one country: Russia, Kazakh political analyst Dimash Alzhanov said.

Speaking to RFE/RLs Kazakh Service, he said the country was now a hostage to political decisions taken many years ago.

A Strategic Vulnerability

The pipeline operator, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), did not immediately respond to RFE/RL requests for comment on the strike, which it has denounced as an intended terror attack.

According to Sergey Vakulenko, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, overseas oil sales provide some 40 percent of Kazakhstans entire export earnings.

The Kazakh government lodged an official protest with the Ukrainian government over what it called "the third act of aggression against an exclusively civilian facility." Earlier this year, a drone strike damaged a CPC pumping station in Russias Krasnodar region, followed by a further hit on its office in Novorossiysk.

Ukraine has issued a scathing response to the Kazakh complaint.

Stating that its armed forces are systematically weakening the aggressor's military-industrial potential, it noted the absence of previous statements by the Kazakh side condemning the Russian Federation's attacks on civilians in Ukraine.

As the diplomatic fallout spreads, Kazakhstan has a problem.

Two new SPMs nearing completion in Dubai cannot be installed quickly; delivery, installation, and commissioning will take several months. Given the latest disruptions, the full three SPMs will not be operational before summer-autumn 2026, said Paddack.

A modern SPM comparable to CPCs units costs $80-120 million, making replacement and unplanned infrastructure work a significant financial burden, he added.

Additionally, even when everything is repaired and replaced, Ukraine could try to hit it again. But Kazakh reliance on European markets is only half the picture. The relationship is a two-way street.

Unintended Consequences

Joe Webster, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told RFE/RL that the Kazakh CPC blend is light and sweet - perfect for gasoline production.

Kazakhstan is the third-largest partner for the European Union in terms of petroleum oils after the US and Norway. About one in nine imports, or barrels of imports, of petroleum oils originate from Kazakhstan, he said.

In other words, a loss of Kazakh oil compounds Europes existing problems with replacing Russian supplies it has massively reduced in response to the Kremlins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Candidly, I worry that the CPC outages might impact Europe. They might hurt Europe more than they hurt Russia. So, I think it's fair to question whether or not these strikes are strategically optimal, added Webster.

Sergey Vakulenko, from Carnegie, raised a similar thought about Ukrainian actions having unexpected side effects.

While they do hit Russias export volumes, taking Kazakh oil off the market may also mean that India, China, and Turkey will be more willing to buy Russian oil at higher prices than they currently do, he wrote.

Another aspect is Western involvement in the Kazakh oil industry, which has benefited from investments by companies such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, and others. Indeed, Chevron has a 15 percent stake in CPC itself.

It could be that, for Kazakhstan, the best hope of maintaining oil exports through the CPC pipeline to Russia will be Western countries pressuring Kyiv to hold back on future strikes.

Few Other Options

Kazakhstans vulnerability has led to renewed discussion about whether it can diversify its export routes.

Kazakhstans second-largest route involves using oil tankers to cross the Caspian Sea to Baku, in Azerbaijan. From there, the BTC pipeline runs through Georgia to Ceyhan, by Turkeys Mediterranean coast.

In 2024, some 1.5 million tons of oil were pumped through the BTC. But this compares to 63 million tons along the CDC pipeline. Expanding this is limited by the number of oil tankers in the Caspian, as well as the capacity of the pipeline itself. The BTC route is significantly more expensive, too.

Kazakhstan also exports some oil to European markets via the Druzhba pipeline, running through Russia and Belarus. It has also been hit by repeated Ukrainian drone strikes.

So, can Kazakhstan look east?

World Bank figures from 2023 show that it exported oil worth $3.81 billion to China  compared to $23.6 billion to Europe.

But making a strategic switch to its huge, prosperous neighbor is not easy.

I don't think the demand in Xinjiang, western China, would be sufficient to absorb all those barrels, said Webster.

Building a pipeline running to Chinas powerhouse eastern seaboard would, he added, be prohibitively expensive. I don't know why Chinese oil companies would even consider that. So, I think the probability of Kazakhstan redirecting oil from Europe to China is very low.
The Mexican presidents approval rating has dropped four points after a month of conflicts, according to an Enkoll poll for EL PAIS

As 2025 draws to a close, President Claudia Sheinbaum maintains high approval ratings, but is beginning to feel the toll of office. Her approval rating, at 74%, remains very high compared to her predecessors, but it is the lowest level since the start of her administration, according to a survey by Enkoll conducted for EL PAIS and W Radio.

The survey, conducted between November 28 and December 1, took place during one of the most critical moments of Sheinbaums government, following the assassination of Carlos Manzo, mayor of Uruapan; Generation Z demonstrations encouraged by young people and opposition leaders; and protests by transport workers and farmers. After a month of conflicts in which the government lost control of the public agenda, the presidents approval fell four points compared to the September poll.

When asked Do you approve or disapprove of Claudia Sheinbaums performance as mayor? 74% of respondents said they approve, a drop of nine points from her highest approval rating in May 2025, when it reached 83%. Her disapproval rating of 24% is also the highest since December 2024, when it stood at 21%.

The same trend is reflected in the publics perception of the situation in Mexico. One year into her six-year term, and following a November filled with challenges that the opposition used to question the governments efficiency, 62% believe the countrys situation is improving. This is also the lowest level since December 2014, when 71% said the country was improving. Similarly, the 34% who believe the country is getting worsening is the highest figure since Enkoll began conducting this survey.

With these figures, Sheinbaum is preparing to lead a rally on Saturday in Mexico Citys Zocalo square, which is expected to draw thousands of supporters of the ruling party Morena, allied organizations, and labor unions. This is the second time in less than a month that the ruling party has called for a mass rally in the countrys main public square. On October 6, the president closed a national tour at the Zocalo to mark her first report and the completion of her first year in office. This time, Sheinbaum has said the event is for the historic celebration of seven years of transformation. But it appears to be a response to the opposition march on November 15 and the call for another anti-government demonstration on December 14.

One striking finding of the Enkoll poll is that Sheinbaums lowest approval ratings are among 18- to 24-year-olds, with just 61% in favor and 37% opposed. In contrast, 80% of people aged 55 to 64 approve of Sheinbaum, as do 86% of those 65 and older. As with her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the presidents biggest support comes from the beneficiaries of the universal pension for senior citizens.

Survey results, category by category

According to the December survey, Claudia Sheinbaums government maintains clear approval in six out of 10 evaluated areas: womens rights (81% believe the situation is improving, 16% say it is worsening), social support programs (79%-18%), housing (67%-23%), Mexicos relations with other countries (64%-27%), education (66%-30%), and infrastructure and public works (62%-31%).

In contrast, its main weaknesses are insecurity, drug trafficking, and corruption  areas in which the survey records the worst approval figures since the beginning of her administration, and precisely the issues on which the opposition has attacked Sheinbaum.

The assassination of Carlos Manzo, which fueled calls for greater security and public debate on the issue, may be one of the reasons for the decline in approval of the president and her government. Despite the new security strategy led by Public Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch and monthly figures showing a reduction in high-impact crimes released by the security cabinet, only 41% of respondents believe the country is improving in terms of security, while 57% think it is worsening. For 51% of respondents, the main problem facing the country is insecurity and drug trafficking.

Regarding the assassination of Mayor Carlos Manzo, most respondents (51%) rated the governments response as poor or very poor, while only 36% considered it good or very good. However, the Michoacan Plan for Peace and Justice  announced by Sheinbaum to address the crisis  was better received: a majority of 52% believe it will be effective, while 42% doubt it will lead to results.

Corruption, another key issue in opposition discourse, is also beginning to take a toll on Sheinbaum. The survey reflects the impact of cases that do not directly involve her, but do involve figures from Morena, such as Senator Adan Augusto Lopez and his alleged links to the criminal group La Barredora; Andres Lopez Beltran, Morenas secretary of organization and Lopez Obradors son, and his luxury trip to Japan; Gerardo Fernandez Norona, former Senate president, and his Tepoztlan house; as well as cases inherited from the previous administration, such as the Segalmex scandal (state food agency accused of mismanaged funds and fraudulent contracts). After one year in office, despite the creation of the Ministry of Anti-Corruption and Good Governance, only 38% believe the fight against corruption is improving, while 59% think it is worsening.

Two other areas where the survey shows a decline in public approval are health and the economy, both recording the worst numbers for the government since Sheinbaum took office. Forty-four percent believe health services are getting worse, while 51% think they are improving. This marks a clear drop from January, when 63% believed the situation was improving and only 30% thought it was worsening. The same trend appears in economic management, where 50% believe it is improving and 46% think it is getting worse  the lowest figures since the start of the six-year term.

The Enkoll survey also sheds light on public perception after seven years of governments under the so-called Fourth Transformation. Most respondents (63%) believe the country has been better under Lopez Obrador and Sheinbaum than under the National Action Party (PAN) and Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) administrations, while 35% think it has been worse. Regarding personal and family situations, 64% perceive an improvement, while 33% believe things have worsened.

On December 6, it will be seven years since Morena has governed Mexico, first with Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and now with Claudia Sheinbaum Source Enkoll | W Radio EL PAIS

The presidents positive numbers also benefit Morena, despite scandals involving prominent party leaders and legislators. When asked, Which party do you identify with most at this moment? 41% responded Morena, while 27% said they are independent. With more than a year and a half to go before the major 2027 elections, few respondents identified with the opposition parties: PAN 11%, Movimiento Ciudadano (Citizens Movement) 7%, and PRI 5%. Morenas allied parties, despite having greater representation in Congress than the opposition, have even lower levels of support: Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) 3% and Labor Party (PT) 2%.

However, Morena has also lost popularity in recent months. In May, Enkoll surveys recorded that 51% of the population identified with the ruling party (its highest point in the past year), meaning the party has lost nine points in four months. This decline has not been capitalized on by other political forces, which have remained at their yearlong levels. Meanwhile, those identifying as independent rose from 20% in September to 27% in December.

Methodology General data: 1,201 effective interviews with men and women aged 18 and over, with a valid voter ID card and proof of address. From November 28 to December 1, 2025. Face-to-face interviews in homes, conducted with electronic devices using a data collection instrument (questionnaire) appropriate for the purposes of the study.

SAMPLE SELECTION The sample is representative of the Mexican Republic. . A probabilistic, multi-stage sampling method was used: Stage I. Electoral sections are selected using probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling of the voter registration list. Stage II. Blocks are selected in each primary unit sampled using probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling of the voter registration list. Stage III. Dwellings are selected in each block using systematic sampling with a random start. For better population representation, quotas are applied by gender and age range.

ACCURACY AND CONFIDENCE The results have a margin of error around +/- 2.8% with a 95% confidence level in the main indicators.

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The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaion and Irelands 31 local authorities marked 40 years of partnership at a special event, Art in Every Place, held recently in Limerick City Gallery of Art.

The reception was attended by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, alongside representatives of the Arts Council, the County and City Management Association (CCMA), other local authority representatives, and arts officers from across Ireland.

Roscommon County Council was represented by its senior executive officer Fiona Ni Chuinn, accompanied by arts officer, Rhona McGrath. The event celebrated four decades of co-investment in artists, communities and cultural infrastructure in every local authority.

The partnership between the Arts Council and local government began in 1985 with the appointment of the first county arts officer in Clare County Council and the establishment of the State's first local authority arts office in 1986.

Today, all 31 local authorities in Ireland have an arts office, embedding arts expertise in local government and supporting artists and communities. Between 2005 and 2025, 2.6 billion was jointly invested in the arts through this partnership, strengthening cultural infrastructure and widening access to the arts in every county.

Through joint investment, local authorities and the Arts Council have supported venues, festivals, youth arts, public art programmes and artist supports across the local government sector.

Speaking at the event, Minister ODonovan said he was proud to mark the 40th anniversary of the partnership between the Arts Council and the local government sector. Today is an opportunity to celebrate that achievement, to acknowledge the dedication of everyone involved, and to look ahead to what this partnership can continue to deliver for communities across Ireland.

Maura McGrath, chairperson of the Arts Council said the councils partnership with local government has played a central role in bringing the arts into everyday life in every corner of Ireland. This anniversary looks ahead to the next chapter of art in every place, for everyone.

The Limerick event reflected on key milestones including the Arts Act 2003, which placed arts planning on a statutory footing for local authorities. It also highlighted the impact of joint investment in infrastructure, public art, festivals and artist supports across the country.

Through its core themes  supporting artists, children and young people, communities, public art, festivals, arts infrastructure, and arts officers  the partnership reaches into every aspect of local cultural life.
The Strokestown International Poetry Competition 2026 has opened for submissions.

This year acclaimed poet and broadcaster Rachael Hegarty will be the judge.

Founded in 1999, this prestigious competition has celebrated the talents of many remarkable poets, including former winners such as Vona Groarke, Paddy Bushe, Maureen Boyle, and Jane Robinson. Last year, the talented Olga Dermott-Bond took home the award, adding her name to the impressive lineage of distinguished poets.

With a prize fund of 2,000, this competition will shortlist five outstanding poets, each of whom will have the opportunity to read their poem at the Strokestown International Poetry Festival 2026, taking place from May 1st-3rd. The winning poet will be announced on Sunday, May 3rd, and will be awarded a cheque for 1,000.

To enter, visit strokestownpoetryfest.ie and navigate to the Poetry Competition section. The submission period is open now, and the deadline for entries is Friday, February 6, 2026th.

Dr. Rachael Hegarty, a Dubliner and multiple award-winning poet, brings a wealth of experience and passion to this year's competition. Her debut collection, Flight Paths Over Finglas, is a poignant homage to her roots. Following this, her critically acclaimed, May Day 1974, features powerful docu-sonnets dedicated to the victims of a tragic day in Irish history. In her third collection, Dancing with Memory, she explores the depths of memory through the lens of her mother's struggle with dementia. Her fourth collection, Wild Flowers on the Darndale Roundabout, draws inspiration from the global Fridays for Future movement.
The notification pops up. One of the 350 members of the Telegram group has just sent a photo of a young student from Oaxaca, who had just returned home from school, wearing a skirt. A cascade of messages begins in the chat: Its impossible not to look at how her skirt adjusts, lift it up more, whats she wearing, a thong? shes so hot. The disturbing conversation takes a sinister turn when one of the participants reveals who sent the image: I think he said up there that it was his daughter or stepdaughter. These are some of the messages revealed at the end of November by the DLR Collective, a small team of hackers fighting against digital violence. The Telegram group included adults, but also minors. The publication of the conversation on social media led to an investigation by the Oaxaca Attorney Generals Office, which began interviewing students from the two high schools in the capital where the victims study. Despite the seriousness of the issue, it is just one of the hundreds of complaints that the DLR Collective says it receives daily.

Andy Torres was receiving about 50 complaints a day on social media when he launched the team in 2020. Almost six years later, the number has multiplied, reaching 800 to 1,000 a day. The increase is overwhelming; this type of violence has grown significantly. Although, more than it growing, I think weve started to identify digital violence more easily, says Torres, CEO of the DLR Collective. The current DLR team consists of nine employees, but only four handle all the complaints. Much of what we do is automated. Sometimes you take down a server that hosted 10 sites, and that takes down 10 cases. That simplifies this part of the work. But [the fact that there are so few of us] takes people by surprise, he says.

The team accessed the Telegram chat through a link shared in a WhatsApp group with over 1,000 users, nearing the apps limit. Torres asserts that the same types of photos of minors were being shared there as well. Upon accessing the group, they noticed a change: It was a group that shared intimate content of women. They were all adults, but suddenly someone encouraged sharing photos of minors, and thats how this all started. In that Telegram conversation, one user was sharing photos of his stepdaughter, another of his cousin. The images then began to surface.

Torres considers the increase in these cases very worying, but equally so the ease with which they are carried out. Its becoming much easier to pick up a device and start perpetrating this type of violence, he emphasizes. This is a visible example of a reality present on social media, a phenomenon that has also managed to cross the barriers of other platforms like Facebook. There, Torress team has also detected groups where images of girls with sexual connotations were uploaded, without necessarily showing nudity. It was like an invitation for other people to join their group and, from there, move them to another platform, like Signal or Telegram, he says. The group contacted Facebook to delete one of these groups because they noticed that the number of followers was increasing exponentially, even though people were sharing it to report it: When we first saw it, there were only 1,000 users. In about two hours, there were 4,000 and growing.

Its a similar case to Daddys Princess, a Facebook group that has become the center of a public debate. Users were sharing sexualized images of women and girls in a forum with over 20,600 members. On that occasion, the We r women on fire community exposed the messages being shared: With patience and saliva, anyone share videos of girls? The Nuevo Leon Attorney Generals Office and state police have already launched investigations into the case.

Artificial intelligence has also carved out a space for itself in digital sexual violence, extending beyond the screen. In 2023, authorities in Mexico City arrested a former student at the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), accused of taking photos from his female classmates social media accounts and altering them with AI. The investigation by the Mexico City Public Prosecutors Office revealed 166,000 edited photos and some 20,000 videos. Were talking about a huge number of images that ended up being used for harassment, extortion, and many other things. What we sometimes fail to realize is that something as small as modifying an image can cause violence to shift from a platform to a physical environment, Torres reflects.

Although they lack concrete data, the information gathered over the years by the DLR Collective shows that women and girls are the most-affected by this type of digital violence and the leaking of intimate content: We have two age ranges: the older one, for women, is between 25 and 35 years old; and for children, were talking about ages eight to 12. However, they clarify that the phenomenon is intergenerational: Weve had cases of very young women, but also of women as old as 80, whom you wouldnt imagine could experience this type of violence.

The leaked Telegram chat mobilized authorities in Oaxaca. This is one of the reasons Torres believes its worthwhile to report these acts. Authorities are starting to pay attention. In Mexico, we already have legal reforms that allow us to punish or penalize these types of actions, but unfortunately, there havent been enough cases to bring them to court, he explains. The more reports there are, the more attention judges will start paying to these kinds of cases.

Public exposure, Torres says, is also a tool that puts the aggressor in a more vulnerable position. When I started doing this work, people used their profile picture, their real name, their personal phone numbers. They werent ashamed to share someones photo [] Nowadays, they try to be careful, they hide, and so on. Weve noticed that it really hurts the aggressors.

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These officers will now carry the baton forward and will deliver training across their respective districts. File Photo.

Senior officers were urged to mentor women colleagues while encouraging their professional growth within the force.

Punjab Police Launches Statewide Initiative to Empower Women Officers and Strengthen Gender-Sensitive Policing

The Punjab Police has rolled out its initiative for gender-sensitive policing. It launched a statewide initiative  the Mainstreaming of Women Police at the Punjab Police Academy (PPA), Phillaur on December 24, 2025. According to Punjab Police officials, it was aimed at strengthening the role and integration of women officers across Punjab.

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A senior official at the Punjab Police Academy said that during the first phase of this initiative, roughly 60 master trainers  senior police officers drawn from 13 districts, four from each  attended a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) programme. These officers will now carry the baton forward and will deliver training across their respective districts.

According to the academy spokesperson, the training is not just a formality. The curriculum includes modules on gender sensitisation towards shaping a modern police persona and on building capacity for justice delivery to underserved communities. It also addresses strategies to overcome traditional barriers that women officers face in a predominantly male profession. Senior officers were urged to mentor women colleagues while encouraging their professional growth within the force.

The plan covers 384 police stations across Punjab under the broader national women help-desk programme, which is already in place to ensure that two women officers are deployed at every station. Additionally, the authorities have signed an MoU with a renowned research organisation, J-PAL, to conduct evidence-based assessments (via RCTs) to know more about the efficiency of these measures, the official said.

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According to experts, this initiative by Punjab Police is a meaningful step for a society where gender stereotypes still impact careers and institutions. By institutionalising gender sensitisation, encouraging mentorship, and bringing scientific evaluation into the work, the project can bring a real shift for women officers to grow and for the policing system to become more responsive, inclusive, and fairer.

Analysts suggest that as Punjab takes this bold step, other states and perhaps different institutions beyond policing might take note.



Source: Times of India
By choosing a spiritual text translated into Russian, India is seen to be emphasising cultural continuity and a shared sense of mutual respect. File Photo.

The gifting of the Gita serves as an important diplomatic signal also.



PM Modi Gifts Russian Edition of Bhagavad Gita to Putin Ahead of IndiaRussia Summit

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On December 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at Delhis Palam Airport for his 2-day high-profile visit to INDIA. Modi received Putin with a warm gesture that highlighted the cultural and diplomatic depth of the relationship: He handed over a Russian-language edition of the Bhagavad Gita personally to the Russian President.

The gift was a symbolic gesture reflecting long-standing civilisational ties and the broader spiritual message of the Gita. It has historically been regarded as an important cultural bridge between India and other nations. The gesture was also interpreted as a deliberate attempt to set a respectful and positive tone for the scheduled talks. The summit taking place on the same day marks the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit, a platform where both leaders are expected to reaffirm cooperation across several strategic sectors.

The gifting of the Gita serves as an important diplomatic signal also. By choosing a spiritual text translated into Russian, India is seen to be emphasising cultural continuity and a shared sense of mutual respect. According to analysts, such symbolic acts often play a role in shaping atmospherics around major diplomatic engagements, particularly those involving long-standing partners like India and Russia.

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The gesture also aligns with Indias broader soft-power approach, which often includes cultural outreach, civilisational references and people-to-people themes. Modis decision to present the Russian edition of the Gita was widely perceived as reinforcing the idea that the bilateral relationship extends beyond political transactions and encompasses a deeper, cultural dimension.

As both leaders prepare for formal discussions later in the day. Matters such as defence, energy, trade and cultural cooperation are expected to feature prominently in the talks. The warm reception and the culturally meaningful gift are being viewed as setting the stage for constructive dialogue and continuity in the strategic partnership.

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Source: Times of India
He gave an assurance of full support from the Punjab government to facilitate the expansion project.File Photo.

The projected investment under this expansion is about INR 500 crore.

Punjab CM Secures INR 500 Crore Investment Boost from Japan as Aichi Steel Expands Collaboration

Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, on the third day of his Japan visit, secured an investment of approximately INR 500 crore for the state. Japanese steel major Aichi Steel agreed to expand its collaboration with Ludhiana-based Vardhman Special Steels.

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In the presence of the CM, Aichi Steel and Vardhman Special Steels formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It is a major step in deepening industrial cooperation between Japan and Punjab.

Aichi Steel already has a 24.9 per cent stake in Vardhman. It will now study future factory operations in Punjab, including a feasibility assessment for establishing new manufacturing facilities. The projected investment under this expansion is about INR 500 crore.

Mann described the agreement as a red-letter day for the state and said that this pact highlights Aichi Steels confidence in Punjabs industrial potential and strengthens the emerging Indo-Japan industrial partnership. He gave an assurance of full support from the Punjab government to facilitate the expansion project. He further added that the joint effort of Aichis technological strength and Vardhmans manufacturing capacity could significantly contribute to the industrial growth of the state.

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Mann also invited Aichi Steels top leadership for participation in the upcoming Progressive Punjab Investors' Summit 2026, which will be held from 13 to 15 March 2026 at the Indian School of Business, Mohali. He said that the focus of the summit is Punjabs growth trajectory, showcasing investment opportunities, and encouraging deeper global industrial engagement.

Mann also emphasised that supporting existing Japanese businesses, creating a stable, investor-friendly environment, and accelerating industrial development for the benefit of youth employment and economic growth are high priorities of the state.

The agreement with Aichi Steel represents a strategic move towards Punjabs industrial ambitions: it signals renewed foreign commitment, reinforces Punjabs place in global supply chains, and could boost further industrial investment ahead of the 2026 investors summit. According to CM, the deal is a landmark milestone for the states economic future.

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Source: The Tribune
The government stressed that the primary objective of the investigation is to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence of similar incidents in the future. File Photo.

The outcome of the high-level inquiry is expected to provide a detailed assessment of the operational lapses.

DGCA Sets Up Committee to Investigate IndiGo Flight Cancellations



The government has ordered a high-level probe for the massive flight cancellations by IndiGo over the last few days to examine the lapses and accountability reasons. The Civil Aviation Ministry said the inquiry is focused on the identification of lapses and recommending measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has constituted a four-member committee to conduct the investigation. The head of the panel is Joint Director General Sanjay K. Bramhane, and the panel includes Deputy DG Amit Gupta, Capt. Kapil Manglik, and Capt. Lokesh Rampal. The committee will examine the circumstances which caused cancellations and will submit a report to the ministry.

IndiGo is Indias largest airline. It cancelled nearly 1,000 flights over a period of the last four days. It caused significant inconvenience to thousands of passengers. The cancellations disrupted travel plans across major cities and raised questions about the airlines operational planning and readiness and efficiency.

According to the ministry, the inquiry is to understand the sequence of events that caused the massive disruption. It will also assess the measures adopted by the airline to address operational challenges during the period. The government stressed that the primary objective of the investigation is to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence of similar incidents in the future.

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This inquiry is after widespread criticism and media coverage highlighting the scale of cancellations and the challenges faced by passengers. The DGCAs intervention highlights the governments concern over the situation and commitment towards maintaining operational standards in the aviation sector.

The outcome of the high-level inquiry is expected to provide a detailed assessment of the operational lapses and give recommendations to strengthen monitoring and regulatory measures. According to the ministry, required corrective action will be taken based on the report of the committee to safeguard passenger interests and ensure smoother, seamless functioning of airlines.

The governments decision for inquiry is a proactive approach towards addressing operational failures in Indias civil aviation sector and highlights the importance of regulatory oversight and accountability in ensuring reliable air travel.

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Source: Hindustan Times




The FDTL norms, which were introduced on November 1, mandated stricter weekly rest requirements for pilots and imposed tighter controls on night operations. File Photo.

135 departures and 90 arrivals were cancelled in Delhi in a single day, while Bengaluru saw around 50 cancellations and Hyderabad over 90.

DGCA Withdraws New Pilot Rest Rule After IndiGo Flight Cancellation Chaos

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has withdrawn its newly introduced pilot-rest norms. DGCA has taken this step after IndiGos four-day operational meltdown, which caused large-scale cancellations across major airports in the country. The regulator rolled back the instruction prohibiting airlines from substituting leave for mandatory weekly rest and stated that the decision was being implemented with immediate effect due to ongoing disruptions and repeated requests from carriers to ensure continuity of operations.

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IndiGos crisis caused more than 1,000 cancellations over four days, hitting major airports in Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad particularly. IndiGo cancelled all flights from Delhi until midnight on Friday and from Chennai until 6 PM the same day and left thousands of passengers stranded.

According to IndiGo, the disruptions were caused by unforeseen operational issues, including technical issues, winter-schedule adjustments, congestion and adverse weather. However, aviation sources and regulatory officials said that the newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules were the major reasons for causing this massive disruption.

The FDTL norms, which were introduced on November 1, mandated stricter weekly rest requirements for pilots and imposed tighter controls on night operations. The sudden breakdown in rosters exposed a lack of preparedness. Indigo admitted that misjudgment and planning gaps in the implementation of the norms caused its on-time performance to crash. It was despite nearly two years of lead time.

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The consequences were severe. 135 departures and 90 arrivals were cancelled in Delhi in a single day, while Bengaluru saw around 50 cancellations and Hyderabad over 90. With IndiGo operating more than 2,200 flights daily, which is nearly double its closest competitor, even minor planning failures caused a nationwide disruption.

The DGCA has withdrawn the no-substitution clause and has effectively paused a major part of its fatigue-mitigation framework to stabilise airline operations. The episode raises significant questions about regulatory readiness, airline planning and the balance between safety and operational continuity.

Source: Hindustan Times
Modi highlighted that energy security and civil-nuclear cooperation are critical pillars of the partnership. File Photo.

The 2030 economic programme they finalised focuses on making bilateral trade and investment diversified, balanced, and sustainable.

India, Russia Seal 5-Year Economic Roadmap; Modi Calls for Peaceful Resolution to Ukraine Conflict



Russian President Vladimir Putin is on his 2-day visit to India. During this visit, India and Russia have committed to a new five-year economic roadmap during the latest summit between Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin. This plan is focused on deepening and diversifying bilateral cooperation across areas such as trade, energy, industry, and people-to-people links.

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Modi described the decades-old India-Russia relationship as a pole star in a joint statement after the talks and affirmed that through changing global dynamics, the trust between the two nations remains steadfast. The 2030 economic programme they finalised focuses on making bilateral trade and investment diversified, balanced, and sustainable.

Under the new framework, cooperation will be expanded across various sectors, including health, mobility and migration, food safety, shipping, and general people-to-people relationships. On the economic front, Russia has proposed increased market access for Indian goods and has pledged uninterrupted shipments of fuel, including oil, gas and coal, to meet Indias energy needs.

The roadmap includes plans for civil-nuclear cooperation: Russia indicated willingness to assist India in the construction of small modular reactors and floating nuclear power plants. Russia also offered support in other non-energy nuclear applications, such as in medicine and agriculture.

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Modi highlighted that energy security and civil-nuclear cooperation are critical pillars of the partnership. He also emphasised cooperation in critical minerals, which are seen as vital for secure and diversified global supply chains, potentially supporting Indias ambitions in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing and emerging industries.

The leaders also addressed global security issues. Modi reiterated on the war in Ukraine that India has consistently advocated a peaceful and lasting resolution, welcoming all efforts for ending the conflict. From counter-terrorism to connectivity, they expressed intent to increase cooperation, including facilitating labour mobility and reinforcing bilateral people-to-people links.

Additionally, Modi announced that India is going to introduce a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens. This move is expected to facilitate travel and strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties.

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The five-year roadmap is a signal of a robust attempt by India and Russia to rejuvenate their long-standing partnership, which is beyond traditional sectors, and a reaffirmation of commitment for trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, mobility and diplomacy  all while navigating sensitive global geopolitics.

Source: The Tribune




He said this will help ensure that trade and investment between India and Russia remains diversified, balanced and sustainable. File Photo.

For his part, Modi said the two sides agreed on an economic cooperation programme extending until 2030.



Putin and Modi Highlight Independent Foreign Policies, Strengthen India-Russia Strategic Partnership

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met at the joint press meet in New Delhi today. During the meeting, Putin said it was entirely natural for Russia and India to have strong economic ties and affirmed their intent towards expansion of trade.

The main focus was on independent foreign policies. Putin said that both nations, through bodies like BRICS and SCO, are working for a more just and democratic multipolar world order. He made the point, especially in the context of increasing external pressure on India to reduce oil imports from Russia.

Putin reaffirmed on energy cooperation that Russia is committed towards supplying India with fuel oil, gas and coal. He also highlighted a major joint civil-nuclear project: the construction of the largest nuclear power plant in India at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. Out of the six units, two are already connected to the grid, and four more are under construction. Once they are fully commissioned, this plant is expected to significantly contribute to Indias clean and affordable energy needs.

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Apart from energy, the two countries focused on economic diversification. Putin noted that Russian enterprises will participate in manufacturing under the Make in India programme. Cultural and educational exchanges were also talked about for expansion. For his part, Modi said the two sides agreed on an economic cooperation programme extending until 2030. He said this will help ensure that trade and investment between India and Russia remains diversified, balanced and sustainable.

The summit and press meet is a reaffirmation of the strategic partnership between India and Russia, with both leaders stressing sovereignty, economic cooperation, energy security and long-term collaboration. Given global tensions and pressure on energy trade, this dialogue signals that India is asserting its agency and charting a foreign-policy path of its own choosing.

Source: Hindustan Times

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Their modelling and analysis informed the official fiscal score which was prepared by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for the proposed Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation in the US Senate aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C. File Photo.

The awards are for their contribution towards eliminating Hepatitis C in the United States.



Mohali doctor felicitated for work on Hepatitis C in US

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Dr Jagpreet Chhatwal from Mohali has been awarded the Impact Award by the global society The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), jointly with colleague Dr Rachael Fleurence. The awards are for their contribution towards eliminating Hepatitis C in the United States. The recognition honours how health-economics and outcomes-research (HEOR) can influence public-health policy and can bring shifts for real-world benefits.

Chhatwal and Fleurences multi-year collaborative work brought together agencies across academia, government and industry, including the US White House, the national institutes, regulatory bodies and Congress. Their modelling and analysis informed the official fiscal score which was prepared by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for the proposed Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation in the US Senate aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C.

Chhatwal commented on the honour and said the award is a testament to how rigorous and policy-relevant HEOR can help advance national health goals and improve lives.

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This recognition shines a spotlight on work that transcends borders. It reinforces how regional talent can contribute meaningfully to global public health.

Source: The Tribune




Washington publishes a national security document that adopts the far rights arguments and says immigration will make the Old Continent unrecognizable in 20 years or less

The fate of a Europe allegedly in decline, beset by immigration and on the verge of losing its identity as a beacon of Western culture, has become one of the most persistent obsessions of the MAGA ideology during Donald Trumps second presidency. This obsession crystallized on Thursday night with the release of a controversial document signed by Trump himself and titled National Security Strategy of the United States of America.

The 33 pages of this annual review of U.S. security strategy reviews the various fronts of Washingtons foreign policy. The section on Europe underscores the continents economic problems, although this decline is eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure. [...] Should present trends continue, the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less.

The text lists several culprits for that decline: activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political liberty and sovereignty, migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating strife, censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence.

The text, which has few precedents, adopts the positions of far-right political parties in Europe. The MAGA movement, and Trump himself, have championed the objectives of these political groups in elections in Germany and the United Kingdom. Washingtons European partners already heard some of these ideas in February, during the Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance delivered an incendiary speech and an apocalyptic vision of the Old Continent.

This document is a roadmap to ensure that America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history and the home of freedom on Earth, reads the text signed by Trump in his preamble, which is a defense of the America First principles. In the years ahead, we will continue to develop every dimension of our national strength - and we will make America safer, richer, freer, greater, and more powerful than ever before.

European reaction

I dont believe that we need to get advice here from any country or party, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday. This new U.S. attack confirms the rift in transatlantic relations and the Trump administrations shift towards Russia and the Kremlins rhetoric.

The document treats Europe as a rival. It shows that the White House will do everything in its power to spread its ideology, notes a senior EU source with concern, highlighting the influence of social media and techno-oligarchs aligned with Trump and his crusade against European regulations.

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Disinformation in the AI era

Disinformation has become a global phenomenon, with the potential to influence elections, polarize societies and put a strain on international relations.

Photo: Pixabay

Corina Cristea, 05.12.2025, 14:00

Information travels at dizzying speeds. Anyone can send a message that instantly reaches many people, social networks share and repeat ideas at a pace that was hard to imagine until recently, and all this has led to an increase in disinformation. Disinformation that has acquired a new magnitude  we are now talking about a global phenomenon, most often financed and coordinated, which has the potential to influence elections, polarize societies and put a strain on international relations. It is described by those who study the phenomenon as a war of the mind and perception, an invisible war. University professor Alina Bargaoanu, a member of the Advisory Board of the European Observatory for Digital Media and an expert in combating disinformation explains:

What I would like to point out from the very beginning is the idea that the tools that are used to wage this information war are increasingly diverse, namely disinformation, propaganda, hostile influencing campaigns, cyberattacks, algorithmic warfare, data collection for microtargeting and even hyper-personalization. This is not just about disinformation, but about a much more complex arsenal. Secondly, people call this information war the invisible war and this description is partially correct. It is a deceptive form of confrontation and has an invisible character, but, at the same time, it is also very visible. When describing the narratives hostile to the West, I say they are almost an ambient. By this I mean that they are nowhere and everywhere at the same time. As soon as a conversation starts, it is impossible not to have someone among our friends or colleagues who has not been exposed by such narratives. At the same time, you cannot put your finger on them, that is, where did I see them? where did I hear them? So, it is a war that is both visible and invisible. I think that the targets of political and informational warfare has started to be predominantly the EU and NATO, with this very precise focus, according to my observations, on the EU and especially on certain members of the EU. So, it is a war that is both invisible and very visible, it is difficult to bring to the surface. At the same time, when you start studying it, you are impressed by how sophisticated the techniques are, how well the algorithms are trained, how much artificial intelligence is starting to be used.

While in the past mass manipulation required huge teams, and lots of time and resources, the dynamics of information warfare have been profoundly changed by artificial intelligence, thanks to which a single person can generate thousands of persuasive messages in just a few hours. And with the advent of Large Language Models (LLM), the world has changed again. Alina Bargaoanu:

All structural problems can be amplified, accelerated to the maximum with these new artificial intelligence technologies. First of all, artificial intelligence allows content to be generated at a much higher speed, with much more flexibility and with a lot of capacity to adapt to local audiences. Stories, conspiracies no longer have to be generated by people, they can be generated using these methods. And I dont just mean writing, but writing, audio, video and especially the combination of the three. This would be one element. The second element, which is much more spectacular, in my opinion, is what has begun to be referred to in certain articles as Large Language Models Grooming. This means that the online space is flooded with misleading ideas, with things that didnt happen, with untruths, with a multitude of different opinions, with very, very inflammatory opinions, but the aim is not to catch the users attention, but to pollute large linguistic models so that when we ask Chat GPT, for example, what are the reasons why Ukraine was invaded by the Russian Federation, the chatbot would give us an answer that takes into account these narratives that were injected. When we did a Google search, its possible that we would come across links that reproduced Kremlins official rhetoric, but we could make a choice. We could read and compare different links, but now the answer that Chat GPT provides is prevalent and our ability to check is much lower.

A study by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue consisting of a prompt writing exercise with questions regarding Ukraine and conducted using the largest linguistic models  Chat GPT, Groq, Gemini and DeepSeek  showed that, in the case of all four, 18% of the answers were aligned with the official rhetoric of the Russian Federation, answers that had been assimilated by the respective models, says disinformation expert Alina Bargaoanu.
An unexpected crisis

The crisis at the Paltinu Dam left over 100,000 people in southern Romania without drinking water and led to the partial shutdown of one of the country's most important power plants

Diana Buzoianu / Foto: gov.ro

Roxana Vasile, 05.12.2025, 13:50

Southern Romania is facing a crisis that is as unexpected as it is serious! Over 100,000 people in the area have been without tap water for days after the Paltinu dam was emptied for repairs. In addition, at the end of November, heavy rainfall led to flooding that further silted up the bottom of the dam, which was already full of mud. People affected by the lack of water in the network therefore depend on water bought from storesif stocks are not exhaustedor on water taken from the National Reserves and brought to the area by trucks or tankers.

Endless queues to fill a few containers for drinking or household use have become part of everyday life for the affected locals. Schools in the affected areas have been closed, and classes are being held online. Hospitals are no longer admitting patients, with serious cases being transferred to other cities, including Bucharest. Authorities say that the water supply could be resumed early next week, but only with non-potable water.

The crisis is also affecting the energy system. Due to the water shortage, OMV Petrom has halted production at the Brazi power plant, which accounts for 10% of the countrys electricity production. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has called for those responsible for the situation to be held accountable. Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu has also called for resignations  the Romanian Water Administration, which reports to her ministry, blames the regional water system operator for the problems that have arisen. Ms. Buzoianu herself is being asked to resign because she was reportedly warned about the risks of emptying the Paltinu dam but failed to take action.

How many hands does the emptying of a dam pass through? Which institutions are involved? Where did the collaboration between institutions break down, and why is no one taking responsibility for the failure? How have dams been emptied in the past? asks the daily Ziarul Financiar in an article. Another publication, Adevarul, writes that the current crisis in Paltinu was the inevitable consequence of a chain of technical negligence tolerated over time, of a draining operation carried out without reserves and without alternative strategies, aggravated by the lack of coordination between institutions and the ignoring of hydrological warnings, turning a predictable intervention into a regional collapse of the water supply and major energy vulnerability.

The current crisis was not the result of an inevitable accident, but the consequence of a long series of human errors, delayed decisions, and lack of institutional coordination, according to an analysis by the Intelligent Energy Association, quoted by Digi24 TV. Dumitru Chisalita, president of the association, says that the situation is 100% human error and is an eloquent example of the systemic dysfunctions within the Romanian institutions. We have a state that, unfortunately, is drowning us not in water or silt, but in its own institutions that ride roughshod over each other. Without real reforms, in a month, two months, or a year, we will have a new Paltinu warns Dumitru Chisalita. (MI)
RIO RANCHO  As 2025 comes to a close, the city of Rio Rancho can tout itself as a nationally recognized community once more.

The city was ranked as the sixth-best place to retire in a U.S. News & World Report list of 250 cities. Rio Rancho also placed 10 out of 12 in the Best Up-and-Coming U.S. Cities Perfectly Sized With Tons of Charm list, compiled by Only In Your State, an online travel resource.

The city highlighted the U.S. News ranking on its website, while Jerry Schalow, president and CEO of the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, shared the Only In Your State accolade.

In an email, Schalow stated, in part, that the recent Rio Rancho rankings validate what many (residents) already appreciate: that our city is not just a place on the map, but a home focused on community and promise for the future.

Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull said anytime his city is ranked high on a national list, it reflects that were getting the job done and were a community that is very desirable.

I think these lists do have a very practical application, Hull added.

According to its website, U.S. News formulated the rankings, in part, with the help of the news outlets internal resources, analytics software and a March 2025 public survey in which 3,500 people from across the country voted for the most important factor to consider when choosing where to retire.

Hull has spoken to retirees who tell him Rio Rancho is not only a great community, but they feel safe and its a great value for their dollar.

He is aware of a local couple, Pat Jilek, 56, and his wife, who recently said they are selling their house due to the difficulty of finding a doctor.

I dont believe people are leaving Rio Rancho for health care; theyre leaving New Mexico for health care, Hull said.

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Only In Your State described Rio Rancho as one of the states fastest-rising cities due to strong job growth in tech, health care and manufacturing sectors. The city offers affordable housing, wide-open neighborhoods, and stunning desert views without the congestion of nearby Albuquerque, Only In Your State added.

Hull said the ranking was another recognition that Im very proud of, adding even if his city was near the end of the list, Ill take that all day long.

Hull said he would not scoff at the online travel resources characterization of Rio Rancho as an up-and-coming city that is perfectly sized.

Were still a very young city, and weve got a lot of opportunities for additional growth, Hull said.
Factory orders from Germany and revised GDP from the euro area are due on Friday, headlining a busy day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is scheduled to issue Germany's factory orders data for October. Orders are forecast to climb 0.3 percent month-on-month, slower than the 1.1 percent increase seen in September.

In the meantime, UK Halifax house price data is due. Economists expect house prices to rise 0.2 percent on a monthly basis in November, following a 0.6 percent increase in October.

At 2.45 am ET, France's industrial production data is due. Production is forecast to fall 0.1 percent month-on-month in October, in contrast to the 0.8 percent rise in September.

At 3.00 am ET, industrial output data is due from Spain. In the meantime, retail sales from the Czech Republic and foreign trade from Austria are due.

At 4.00 am ET, Italy's statistical office ISTAT is scheduled to release retail sales for October. Sales are forecast to climb 0.4 percent month-on-month, reversing a 0.5 percent drop in the previous month.

At 5.00 am ET, Eurostat is slated to publish euro area revised GDP data for the third quarter. The initial estimate showed that the expanded 0.2 percent sequentially after rising 0.1 percent a quarter ago.

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Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Veolia Environnement SA (VEOEY,VIE.PA), a French environmental service company, on Friday said it signed a partnership agreement with Science City Guangzhou Investment Group Co., Ltd. during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China. The financial terms were not disclosed.

The initiative aims to demonstrate how industrial decarbonization can generate economic value, support China's dual-carbon goals, and offer a replicable model for low-carbon development in the Greater Bay Area.

The company said that the collaboration will focus on developing a decarbonization project in the Guangzhou Development Zone.

The project is designed to capture and utilize industrial flue gas and is expected to cut 200,000 tons of carbon emissions annually while supplying new energy to local enterprises.

The company will deploy its technologies to treat industrial emissions and ensure compliance with national and local standards.

An advanced waste-heat recovery system will convert thermal energy from flue gas into steam and electricity for use within the industrial park, thereby creating an integrated pollution control and energy recovery model.

On Thursday, Veolia Environnement closed trading 1.04% lesser at EUR 29.43 on the Paris Stock Exchange.

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Business News
Boliden AB (BDNNF,BOL.ST) on Friday, while unveiling its production guidance for fiscal 2026, said that capital expenditure will decline to 15 billion Swedish Kroner. Of this amount, around 6.5 billion Kroner will be allocated to mine-sustaining investments like waste rock mining, processing, and ongoing dam-raising activities.

The Swedish metals, mining, and smelting company said that total capital expenditure for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 also include some cost overruns in the Odda expansion project.

According to Boliden, at the Aitik area, copper grades are expected to improve in the second half, resulting in an average full-year grade of 0.18 percent. In the Boliden Area, gold grades are expected to be slightly lower than this year, while throughput is set to rise to 1.8 million tonnes, the company added.

The company said that at Kevitsa, the mining tax increase is expected to increase costs by around 20 million euros to 30 million euros. Copper grades will increase to 0.24 percent, while nickel grades and throughput remain unchanged. In Odda, the commissioning of the expansion project has been delayed by two months, with the first feed now expected in the first quarter.

Boliden said that the planned maintenance shutdowns in Business Area Smelters are expected to have a negative impact of around 450 million Kroner on the annual operating profit.

On the Stockholm Exchange, BOL.ST is trading up 0.64 percent on Friday at 471.00 Swedish Kroner.

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Business News
The Department of Homeland Security has announced the arrest of visiting Harvard Law School professor Carlos Portugal Gouvea, whose temporary non-immigrant (J-1) visa was revoked following an anti-Semitic shooting incident in October.

Police in Brookline, Massachusetts, arrested Gouvea after he fired a BB gun outside the Temple Beth Zion synagogue on October 1, the day before the Jewish holyday Yom Kippur.

A police report quotes Gouvea as saying that he was "hunting rats."

But the police classified it as an anti-Semitic shooting incident.

On October 16, the Department of State revoked the visa of Gouvea, a citizen of Brazil.

On November 13, Gouvea accepted a plea deal on the charge of illegal use of the air rifle while his other charges for disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, and vandalizing property were dismissed.

Following his guilty plea, ICE Boston Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested Gouvea on Wednesday, and he agreed to voluntarily depart the United States rather than be deported.

"It is a privilege to work and study in the United States, not a right. There is no room in the United States for brazen, violent acts of anti-Semitism like this. They are an affront to our core principals as a country and an unacceptable threat against law-abiding American citizens," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "We are under zero obligation to admit foreigners who commit these inexplicably reprehensible acts or to let them stay here.

Carlos Gouvea is an Associate Professor at the University of Sao Paulo Law School in Brazil. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Law Institute, a leading think tank on environmental and social justice in Brazil.

A human rights activist, he is currently a board member of several Brazilian companies and non-profit and governmental organizations.

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Business News
World Health Organization's World malaria report says the growing threat of antimalarial drug resistance is standing in the way of achieving malaria elimination.

Each year, WHO's World malaria report provides a comprehensive assessment of trends in malaria control and elimination across the globe. The 2024 edition reviews investments in malaria programs and research and assesses progress across all major intervention areas - prevention, diagnosis, treatment, elimination and surveillance - in 80 malaria-endemic countries.

This year's report spotlights the growing threat of antimalarial drug resistance. Partial resistance to artemisinin derivatives - the backbone of malaria treatments after failures of chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine - has now been confirmed or suspected in at least 8 countries in Africa, and there are potential signs of declining efficacy of some of the drugs that are combined with artemisinin.

Wider use of new tools against malaria, including dual-ingredient nets and WHO-recommended vaccines helped to prevent an estimated 170 million cases and 1 million deaths in 2024, according to WHO's annual World malaria report.

WHO claimed progress in eliminating malaria. To date, a total of 47 countries and one territory have been certified malaria-free by WHO. Cape Verde and Egypt were certified malaria-free in 2024, and Georgia, Suriname, and Timor-Leste joined them in 2025. Despite this significant progress, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths in 2024 - roughly 9 million more cases than the previous year.

An estimated 95 percent of these deaths were recorded in the African Region, with most occurring among children under 5. The report shows that antimalarial drug resistance is growing and stands in the way of achieving malaria elimination.

Progress in reducing the malaria deaths - a key target of the Global technical strategy for malaria 2016-2030 - remains far off track, WHO says. In 2024, there were 610000 deaths caused by the mosquito-borne parasitic disease. This corresponds to 13.8 malaria deaths per 100,000 population, which is more than three times the global target of reducing mortality to 4.5 deaths per 100,000.*

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Business News
The Department of Homeland Security has said that through U.S. Customs and Border Protection, it continues to set new records for border security. Preliminary data shows both U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions and total CBP encounters declined from October to November, making this the lowest number of encounters for the start of a fiscal year in history.

"Once again, we have a record low number of encounters at the border and the 7th straight month of zero releases. Month after month, we are delivering results that were once thought impossible: the most secure border in history and unmatched enforcement successes," said Secretary Kristi Noem. "Thanks to President Trump's leadership and the dedication of DHS law enforcement, America's borders are safer than ever before."

CBP recorded a total of 30,367 encounters nationwide in November, which is even lower than October's historic low of 30,573.

For the seventh consecutive month, U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into the United States. Every individual apprehended was processed according to law, the Department of Homeland Security said in a press release.

Since January 21 through end of November, there have been 117,105 total enforcement encounters along the southwest border which is 37% less than the monthly average of 185,625 during the Biden Administration.

U.S. Border Patrol's nationwide apprehensions have averaged under 10,000 per month since President Donald Trump took office.

DHS also released the statistics regarding record amount of drug seizures.

A total of 54,947 pounds of drugs were seized nationwide in November, which is 33 percent increase from October.

U.S. Border Patrol agents seized ?1,543 pounds of Fentanyl  a 59 percent increase from October and the highest monthly total since last October.

21,935 pounds of Methamphetamine was seized last month, marking? a 118 percent increase from October.

Cocaine seizures increased by 40 percent to ?8,240 pounds from October.

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Business News
The European Commission on Friday has issued a fine of 120 million euros to Elon Musk's social media platform X for breaching its transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The breaches include the deceptive design of its 'blue checkmark', the lack of transparency of its advertising repository, and the failure to provide access to public data for researchers.

The Commission had in December 2023 opened formal proceedings to assess whether X may have breached the DSA in areas linked to the dissemination of illegal content and the effectiveness of the measures taken to combat information manipulation, for which the investigation continues.

The proceedings also covered X's use of deceptive design, the lack of advertising transparency and insufficient data access for researchers.

According to the Commission, X's use of the 'blue checkmark' for 'verified accounts' deceives users and violates the DSA obligation for online platforms to prohibit deceptive design practices on their services.

X's advertisement repository also fails to meet the transparency and accessibility requirements of the DSA. X incorporates design features and access barriers, such as excessive delays in processing, which undermine the purpose of ad repositories. Accessible and searchable ad repositories are critical for researchers and civil society.

Further, X fails to meet its DSA obligations to provide researchers with access to the platform's public data, including through scraping. It imposes unnecessary barriers, effectively undermining research into several systemic risks in the EU.

X now has 60 working days to inform the Commission of the specific measures it intends to take to bring to an end the infringement of Article 25 (1) DSA, related to the deceptive use of blue checkmarks.

X has 90 working days to submit to the Commission an action plan setting out the necessary measures to address the infringements of Articles 39 and 40(12) DSA, relating to the advertising repository and to the access to public data for researchers.

The Board of Digital Services will have one month from receipt of X's action plan to give its opinion, with the Commission having another month to give its final decision and set a reasonable implementation period.

The Commission stated that failure to comply with the non-compliance decision may lead to periodic penalty payments. This is the first non-compliance decision under the DSA.

The Commission added that the fine issued was calculated taking into account the nature of these infringements, their gravity in terms of affected EU users, and their duration. It continues to engage with X to ensure compliance with the decision and with the DSA more generally.

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Business News
Coca leaves will remain on the list of highly dangerous substances, where they have been for over 60 years. The window of opportunity that had opened for their removal has just been shut: the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended keeping them on Schedule I  the most restrictive  of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Bolivias request to declassify coca leaves, which Colombia had enthusiastically supported, has been met with a major setback. The two countries campaign to destigmatize coca, differentiate it from cocaine, and promote its alternative and traditional uses has suffered a significant blow. The decision by the UN agency is now being questioned by a wide range of civil society organizations that had expected the opposite from an institution focused on health issues.

The Bolivian government formally requested in June 2023 that coca leaves be removed from the list of controlled substances alongside heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. The coca leaf is like a dry seal that protects the identity of the ancestral Andean-Amazonian peoples, argued Bolivian Vice President David Choquehuanca at the time. There is not a shred of scientific evidence to justify including the coca leaf on that list, countered Laura Gil, then-Colombian ambassador to Vienna, the headquarters of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs.

The WHO did not agree with them, pointing to the ease with which the leaf can be converted into coca paste, and then into cocaine hydrochloride. It is estimated that one hectare of coca bush cultivation produces approximately 4.2 tons of fresh coca leaves per year; one ton of fresh leaves produces approximately 1.5 kg of coca paste or 1.4 kg of cocaine base; one kg of cocaine base results in roughly 0.9 kg of cocaine hydrochloride, which typically contains around 85% pure cocaine, the organization calculates. Accordingly, as coca leaf is used to manufacture cocaine, one controlled substance (cocaine) is made from another (coca leaf), thereby meeting the Conventions criterion for convertibility, reads the document in which the WHO recommends keeping the plant on Schedule I. That recommendation will now be sent to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, which ultimately makes the decision, but without the support of the WHO, there is no option to change the category.

The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), based in London and comprising nearly 200 expert organizations from around the world, has vehemently rejected the decision. The decision ignores clear evidence that, in its natural form, the coca leaf poses minimal health risks, disregarding millennia of Indigenous knowledge by claiming there is no solid basis for its therapeutic use, reads the statement issued last Tuesday.

In fact, the WHO decision cites the report from the expert committee on drug dependence convened for that review, which states that no studies were found that provided robust evidence to determine the prevalence of coca leaf dependence. The report also found that the coca leaf possesses antihypertensive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, as well as stimulant, antidiabetic, and anorexigenic activity, which reduces appetite.

For Luis Felipe Cruz, a drug policy expert and consultant for the human rights organization Elementa DDHH, the WHO recommendation means that scientific research on the coca leaf will continue to face significant obstacles. It makes it difficult to conduct research on the plant, to obtain permits and licenses for medicinal or alternative uses, and it makes everything much more restrictive, says Cruz, who participated in preparing the documents that Colombia sent to the WHO for review. Humanity is being deprived of the opportunity to study the potential benefits of the coca leaf and its derivatives, he asserts. Isabel Pereira, coordinator of the drug program at Dejusticia, agrees, adding that the decision sends a disheartening message about the international drug system, as it demonstrates that the skeptics are right: it is impervious to scientific evidence.

The criminalization of the coca leaf has relegated scientific research on the plant to almost anecdotal status. In Colombia, only three entities have permission from the National Narcotics Fund to conduct applied research: the National Police, the University of Los Andes, and the SENA (National Learning Service) regional office in Cauca. Dora Troyano, an ecologist with a doctorate in ethnobiology and biocultural studies, works with the latter. In northern Cauca, she leads a research project monitoring some 150 products made from the coca plant in South America, across the food, textile, dye, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical sectors. In the region where she works, the focus has been on coca flour, coca tea, and dried coca leaves. Imagine having the possibility of developing products or markets, so that in any supermarket in the country, in the medicinal plant aisle, we could find the coca leaf. It would not only be a great opportunity for the producing communities, but also for the users of medicinal plants, the academic argues.

A questionable origin

Bolivia spearheaded the critical review of the coca leaf not so much for its commercial potential but for its traditional and ancestral value. Their argument is that the original decision to include the plant in 1961 stemmed from biased and racist interpretations that are untenable today. This bias is evident in the dossier that the Andean nation sent to the WHO. In 1948, the UN approved sending a commission of inquiry to Peru to study the effects of chewing the leaf, a mission that was later extended to Bolivia as well. The Argentine physician Pablo Osvaldo Wolff prepared a bibliography for the members of that commission, and in a presentation in 1949 he shared his reflections: The indio who does not chew coca leaves is clear-sighted, intelligent, and light-hearted, willing to work, vigorous, and resistant to diseases; the coquero, on the contrary, is abulic, apathetic, lazy, insensitive to his surroundings, his mind is befogged; his emotional reactions are rare and violent, he is morally and intellectually anaesthetized, socially subdued, almost a slave. He added: There is no doubt that the habit of chewing coca leaves is one of the most powerful reasons for the backwardness and misery of the Indian population.

The mission was led by Henry B. Fonda, vice president of the American Pharmaceutical Association, who upon arriving in Lima declared in an interview with a local newspaper that chewing coca was not just a harmful and pernicious habit, but a cause of racial degeneration of many population groups and the decadence visibly demonstrated by numerous indigenous and even mestizo inhabitants of certain areas of Peru and Bolivia. More than 70 years later, the WHO continues to consider the coca leaf to be one of the most harmful substances on the planet.

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Russia has blocked access to Snapchat, according to state news agency RIA, which reported the move on Thursday. The country's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, stated that Snapchat was banned because it had allegedly been used to plan terrorist activities and recruit people inside Russia. The regulator said the decision was made on October 10 but was announced publicly only now.

This move is part of a wider crackdown on online platforms that began after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Over the past few years, the government has restricted or blocked several major services, including YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram.

Under President Vladimir Putin, authorities have passed tough internet laws and shut down platforms that don't follow government rules. They have also developed to monitor and control online traffic, The Guardian reports.

Last year, YouTube access was disrupted in what experts believe was a deliberate slowdown by the government, although they claimed the issue was due to Google not maintaining its equipment properly in Russia. People can still try to get around internet restrictions using VPNs, but these are also frequently blocked.

Messaging services have also been targeted. The encrypted app Signal and Viber were blocked in 2024. This year, the government banned calling through WhatsApp as well as Telegram. Roskomnadzor claimed both apps were being used for criminal activities.

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Technology News
BMW Motorrads new entry-level model, the F 450 GS, is expected to be offered at a starting price of around Rs 4.50 lakh

At the 2025 EICMA, BMW had showcased the all-new F 450 GS adventure tourer bike. A global launch is imminent, as production has already commenced at the TVS facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The bike will be manufactured exclusively in India and exported to more than 100 markets. Launch in India is also expected soon. Lets check out the details.

BMW F 450 GS India launch timeline

Earlier, it was being speculated that the BMW F 450 GS will be launched at the upcoming IBW 2025 (India Bike Week). This event is scheduled to be held on December 19-20 at Panchgani, Maharashtra. However, latest reports indicate that BMW F 450 GS could be launched in India in early 2026. It is possible that the bike could be launched in January to latch on to the New Year fervour.

BMW F 450 GS will work as a replacement for the discontinued G 310 GS. The new GS highlights the successful partnership between BMW and TVS, an alliance that has evolved and strengthened continuously since 2013. A major milestone was registered recently when the 200,000th motorcycle rolled out from the TVS plant, as part of the partnership.

Earlier, it was also reported that unofficial bookings for BMW F 450 GS have commenced at select dealerships. The booking amount varies in the range of Rs 10k to 25k, depending on the dealership. It is possible that early adopters could get priority in delivery at the dealer level.

Upon launch, BMW F 450 GS will take on rivals such as Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, KTM 390 Adventure and Honda NX500. The Himalayan will continue to be the most accessible in this segment, currently offered at a starting price of Rs 3.06 lakh. KTM 390 Adventure is available at a starting price of Rs 3.95 lakh. Honda NX500 comes with a price tag of Rs 6.33 lakh.

BMW F 450 GS  Performance, specs, features

In its concept form, the bike was presented with a 450 cc engine. However, the production version comes with a 420 cc engine. But performance figures remain unchanged at 48 hp and 43 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a constant-mesh 6-speed gearbox. The lower displacement could have been finalized to achieve improved efficiency, lower emissions and enhanced fuel economy.

One of the standout features of the bike worth trying is the Easy Ride Clutch (ERC). This allows both automatic and manual clutch operations, depending on how the user chooses to operate it. By default, the ERC allows automatic clutch operations. But riders can engage the clutch anytime they want, without any performance issues. The ERC is especially designed to suit the needs of new riders.

BMW F 450 GS offers various other advanced tech features. For example, the bike has Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), ABS Pro and engine drag torque control (MSR). Users can choose from ride modes of Rain, Road and Enduro. Tech package includes a 6.5-inch full-colour TFT screen, which displays a range of information including turn-by-turn navigation.
When ChatGPT is asked to define racism, it answers, it is not just an attitude, but a power and exclusion structure across the social, economic, cultural and political. AfrofeminasGPT, on the other hand, defines it as a power structure that builds a hierarchy of human beings based on supposed racial differences, to legitimize domination, exclusion and dehumanization. It operates in language, images, bodies, laws, economics, aesthetics, and memory. And it is maintained through silence, ignorance, denial and the symbolic reproduction of stereotypes. To arrive at this answer, AfrofeminasGPT resorts to thinkers such as bell hooks, Kimberle Crenshaw and Stuart Hall. Released at the end of October, it is the brainchild of Antoinette Torres Soler.

In 2022, the US company OpenAI presented the Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (GPT), an artificial intelligence model designed to understand and also generate natural text, one capable of conversing, writing, translating and reasoning, all while adapting to the style or purpose required. Since then, its most popular version, ChatGPT, has been in the spotlight for reproducing racial bias. Research published in scientific journals such as Nature and The Lancet has warned that these systems make biased judgments regarding groups such as African-Americans.

No one explains how useful this can be for activism, says Torres, who set out to build an anti-racist, ethical and decolonial AI model in May. Her initiative is the result of more than a decade of work against racism and discrimination against women of color.

Activist Antoinette Torres Soler in an undated image. Cortesia AfrofeminasGPT

Racism, a shared experience

Almost 20 years ago, when Torres left Cuba and settled in Spain, she faced the challenging reality of being a female immigrant of African descent. Her experience prompted her to look for others subjected to similar discrimination, providing her with a mirror that would reflect her own story. Then what she calls the miracle happened and womens experiences across the globe came together. You realize that the life experience of a Black woman in Spain is similar to that of a Black woman in Argentina, in Colombia, in Germany. What you think is a personal opinion is, in reality, a structural problem, she explains.

And so in 2013, she came up with Afrofeminas, an Afrofeminist platform that promotes equality, representation and racial justice. Its purpose was to make the multiple ways of living and expressing Blackness visible, and also to educate on the different manifestations of racism. It is a cause that combines study, reflection and the dissemination of voices from the global north and south  currents that are intertwined in Torres activism, as well as in her studies in philosophy, the arts, mathematics and the exact sciences.

Torres lives in Zaragoza, a Spanish city that is becoming known as the epicenter of technological innovation in Europe, with more than 20 data centers and nearly 50 billion in investment. It is no coincidence that what is now AfrofeminasGPT has been incubated there.

Training opportunities are coming thick and fast to the northeast of Spain and, last May, Torres was able to take a crash course in AI that transformed her outlook. The moment they explained GPT to me, I realized it was very applicable, she says. At 50, Torres describes generative AI as fertile ground for social movements. Regardless of the contradictions that there may be in AI  and I am aware of them  there is room to create, even to preserve knowledge.

A repository of Black thought

Technically, whoever designs a GPT chooses how to train it, and with what resources as well as the tone in which it will express itself. You decide the texts at its disposal, the authors you want to cite, explains Torres. It is also possible to choose whether or not the model connects to the internet, which influences its independence. The GPT of Afrofeminas does not do so, precisely because the networks are plagued by racism, machismo and multiple biases, Torres points out.

After learning how the system works, Torres focused on curating a version trained exclusively from texts by authors of Black and decolonial thought such as bell hooks, Angela Davis, Frantz Fanon, Stuart Hall and Octavia E. Butler. Unlike others, the model is based on ethical principles. It is configured from royalty-free content  fragments of PDF texts that anyone can find on the internet and which are often shared between activists. Its not a book that I bought, photocopied and fed in. I understand that there are many things that are still unknown about AI; we do not know exactly where it is going to take us, but what I am clear about is that all the steps I am taking are as ethical as possible. Thats the right way to go, as I see it, she says.

The result is a space where icons of the global north coexist on an equal footing with thinkers from the south. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Nigeria), Victoria Santa Cruz (Peru) and Yuderkys Espinosa Minoso (Dominican Republic) share the same space. It is a pedagogical and political proposal based on Black knowledge. Torres points out that we have always complained about cultural appropriation and how Afro-descendant knowledge ends up being diluted or whitened. AfrofeminasGPT preserves those voices and their contributions, without interpretations, she says.

Representation and Afrofuturism

During its first weeks online, AfrofeminasGPT has received more than 800 queries, which reflects the interest that it is generating. Its creator considers it a success, especially as it is an initiative of an independent collective working without public or private support, and which is sustained by small donations.

Working with GPT is not Torres endgame. She believes that these tools make Afrofuturism possible, opening the door to imagining better worlds. In recent months, Torres has produced a couple of experimental short films using AI. The first, The Wastebasket, explores the white masks referred to by psychiatrist and philosopher Frantz Fanon: the need for many Black women to adapt to the dominant canon in order to survive; those masks that we put on to be accepted, Torres explains.

For Torres, AI is not a substitute for creative work, but an opportunity to dispute representation as it stands. Her position on the debate around AI in art is clear. I create figures of Black women, contexts where there are Afro-descendant people in positions of value. No one has done it before. No one has taken the trouble to say how we want to be seen. No one can tell me that I am detracting from something that hasnt been done before, she explains.

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Latest Nexus Health developments

Nexus Health, which opened a new three-story clinic last year on Beckner Road in Santa Fe, announced to providers and staff Nov. 25 it would shut down at the end of January. An email from the companys president, Dr. Scott Herbert, said an investor had declined to pursue a deal, which led to the decision.

Patients learned of the coming shutdown Nov. 26, which left them scrambling to find care after their surgeries and other procedures were canceled.

Herbert has said he would release a statement providing more details on the shutdown, but so far has not.

The future of the new Nexus facility, which houses some providers unaffiliated with Nexus, remains unclear.

A Nexus oncologist, Dr. Anna Voltura, has announced she is moving her practice later this month to the Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center. Christus has confirmed it is taking on Voltura and another Nexus doctor.

Christus also has said it is trying to serve patients whose procedures were canceled by Nexus. Lillian Montoya, president and CEO of Christus St. Vincent and senior vice president of Christus Health New Mexico, wrote in an open letter to patients published in The New Mexican, Our teams are prepared to help you find new providers, reschedule procedures and continue your care plans as seamlessly as possible.
Nazrin Abdul



The AzerbaijanGeorgia Media Forum, held in Baku under the theme The Role of Media in Building Public Trust and Ensuring Information Security, has officially opened, Azernews reports.

The forums opening ceremony featured remarks by Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The first panel session of the event is dedicated to Strengthening the Media Ecosystem to Ensure Information Security.

A second panel session, titled Joint Efforts to Enhance Journalistic Professionalism and Improve Media Literacy in Society, is also scheduled to take place as part of the forums programme.
ZAGREB, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A shooting on Thursday night in the Medjimurje County in northern Croatia has left one woman dead and another fighting for life in the hospital, the county police said in a statement on Friday.

The police received an emergency call at 20:53 (19:53 GMT). Upon arrival at the scene, they found that at a home on the Sitnice Street, a 40-year-old man shot a 28-year-old and a 29-year-old woman before running away, said the statement, cited by the Croatian Radiotelevision.

The two were rushed to the Cakovec Hospital nearby. After attempted resuscitation, the 28-year-old woman died, while the 29-year-old remained in a critical condition, it said. 
BRUSSELS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Friday imposed fines totaling 120 million euros (139.8 million U.S. dollars) on Elon Musk's social media platform X for breaching transparency obligations in its first non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

According to the Commission's press release, the penalty stems from three distinct breaches of the DSA, including the deceptive design of X's blue checkmark, lack of transparency in its advertising repository, and the platform's failure to provide researchers with access to public data.

The use of the "blue checkmark," which any user can obtain by paying, to designate "verified accounts" exposes users to scams, including impersonation fraud and other forms of manipulation, according to the Commission.

It added that X's advertisement repository fails to meet the DSA's transparency and accessibility requirements, and that the platform also falls short of its obligation to provide researchers with access to its public data.

This marks the first time the European Commission has issued a non-compliance ruling under the DSA. The DSA, which became effective a year ago, regulates online intermediaries and platforms to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation.

The decision follows formal proceedings opened in December 2023 to examine whether X breached the DSA in areas related to illegal content dissemination and measures to counter information manipulation, for which the investigation continues.

X is among the U.S. tech companies under heavy scrutiny from the European Commission. The European Commission on Thursday opened a formal antitrust investigation into Meta over a new policy that could limit artificial intelligence providers' access to WhatsApp. In September, the European Union fined tech giant Google 2.95 billion euros for antitrust violations in the online advertising sector and announced a new investigation into Google in November.

The United States has repeatedly criticized the European Union's regulatory measures as being targeted at American companies. Google, Amazon, and others have recently said they will file appeals for the latest EU regulatory decisions. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollar) 
Analysts at Berenberg hiked their target price on construction firm Balfour Beatty from 710p to 760p on Friday, stating the group's "order book strength shines through".

Berenberg said Balfour Beatty's full-year 2025 trading update on 4 December highlighted that it had continued to perform well and that it was on track to achieve full-year earnings expectations.

The German bank noted that Balfour's order book was expected to grow by roughly 20% in FY25, mainly driven by the its UK construction exposure, which it pointed out has seen over 3.5bn of new power generation orders in the year.

Additionally, Bernberg highlighted that average monthly net cash was now expected to be at the top end of previous guidance of 1.1bn-1.2bn, which gives Balfour "plenty of options".

"Overall, this represents a really strong statement from Balfour and sets the business up well as we head into FY26. We update our numbers for various factors  including now assuming a 2026 buyback  resulting in 2- 5% upgrades across the forecast period," said Berenberg, which reiterated its 'buy' rating on the stock.

Berenberg also pointed out that Balfour shares currently trade on a 14.2x FY26 price-to-earnings ratio and 8.1x EBIT.

JPMorgan initiated coverage on bakery chain Greggs with a 2,110p target price and an 'overweight' rating on Friday, statting that a re-rating appeared to be "on the menu".

JPMorgan said its rating was driven by its proprietary benchmarking analysis, which suggested Greggs was "a structural winner"

It also pointed to "a rather asymmetric risk-reward in the investment case", stating that with shares trading on trough multiples and the business approaching trough cycle, its our Bull Case indicated 55% upside potential.

JPM highlighted Greggs' "significant re-rating potential", with catalysts being "more resilient-than-expected" on a like-for-like basis, with earnings delivery from FY26 onwards, coupled with an inflection in free cash flow and capital returns.

AJ Bell shares were under pressure after the trading platform operator disappointed the market with margin guidance for the current year, but that didn't stop Shore Capital from reiterating its 'buy' rating on the shares.

AJ Bell delivered record results for the 12 months ended 30 September, with revenues up 18% and earnings per share up 26%, with the latter representing a 2% beat to consensus estimates. What's more, a further 50m share buyback was announced on top of a progressive dividend policy. However, its outlook statement implied a flat pre-tax profit margin in FY26, held back by a planned 16m investment in distribution and technology costs.

"The major news from FY25 results is an incremental 16m spend to acquire more customers at a reasonable price, causing a moment of market reflux, and downgrades to our and the markets S/T estimates," Shore Capital said, cutting its EPS forecasts for the next two years by 7% and 4% respectively. "It is likely that we and others will underestimate the growth which will flow from such a decision, though we have tried to estimate a marketing ROI in our new numbers."

The broker, which has a 600p target price on the stock, highlighted AJ Bell's 8.1% growth in organic net inflows to the platform in FY25, which is "quite a speed".

"AJ Bell is a winner in an underserved space, with high organic growth creating largely recurring revenues, and it now has the scale to carry on conquering."
Trustpilot hit back on Friday after a report by short seller Grizzly Bear a day earlier sent shares in the review site tumbling .

Grizzly Bear said in the report that it was short the stock and that it had uncovered "mafia-style" extortion campaigns against non-paying businesses.

Shares in the company tanked on the back of the report, as Grizzly Research said it had found that Trustpilot creates unsolicited review profiles for all kinds of businesses "with the intention to attract hyper-negative reviews and force these businesses into paying subscription deals to more actively manage the reviews".

"Paid-for profiles see their review score magically lift from under 2 of 5 stars to over 4 of 5 stars. Industry experts call this scheme the Trustpilot Mafia," it said.

Grizzly said reviewers find their genuine negative reviews "spuriously challenged" or removed for companies that pay Trustpilot. On the other hand, it found countless obviously fake positive reviews and reviewers for paying companies.

"Trustpilot is either doing a very bad job at policing their website or is wilfully negligent when convenient," it said.

Responding to the allegations on Friday, Trustpilot said it categorically rejects the claims made by Grizzly Research.

"Their report contains factual inaccuracies and false claims, which were intended to adversely impact the company's share price," it said, adding that it had not been contacted for comment.

Trustpilot said the report was built on "a basic misunderstanding" of the companys business model, ignoring publicly available information about the groups scale, policies, data, and enforcement, and making a series of "demonstrably false" accusations.

The company said it was false of Grizzly to claim that it creates unsolicited review profiles to sell subscriptions.

"Over 97% of businesses on the platform do not pay for a subscription," it said. "Consumers and businesses create profiles for free. 70% of reviews on free profiles are 5 stars."

It also insisted that all businesses - whether free or paid - must comply with the same guidelines and are held to the same moderation principles.

The company said Grizzly was wrong to suggest that Trustpilot has traded the integrity of reviews for revenue.

"We have circa 200 people focused on ensuring trust and integrity across our platform and have removed 6.7m reviews from the platform so far this year," it said. "We have successfully brought lawsuits against bad actor businesses and review sellers."
Warner Bros Discovery has reportedly entered exclusive negotiations to sell its film and TV studios and HBO Max streaming service to Netflix, according to reports on Friday.

Netflix is offering a $5bn breakup fee if regulators dont approve the deal. The two companies could announce a deal as soon as in the coming days, Bloomberg reported citing unnamed sources.

CNBC reported that Netflix had offered a deal made up of 85% in cash, while Paramount Skydance had tabled an all-cash offer. Comcast Corp is also in the running.

Prior to the closing of the sale, Warner Bros.  valued at more than $60bn overall  will complete the planned spinoff of cable channels including CNN, TBS and TNT.

Last week, the producer of the Harry Potter franchise and Succession TV series asked bidders to submit improved offers by December 1 after receiving preliminary buyout bids from Paramount Skydance, Comcast and Netflix.

Warner rejected Paramount's mostly cash offer of nearly $24 a share for the company, valuing it at $60bn, and publicly announced it would evaluate strategic options for the studio.

The parent of HBO, CNN and its namesake film studio, officially put itself up for sale in October after receiving multiple unsolicited offers for all or part of the company. Paramount started the process with three offers for all of the company, including its cable TV networks.

Comcast and Netflix are interested only in the Warner studios and the HBO Max streaming service. Should one of their bids be accepted, Warner would continue with plans to spin off its cable channels as Discovery Global under plans put forward in June to separate its studio and streaming business from its traditional cable television networks.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
Anelise Chen's second book, Clam Down: A Metamorphosis, defies categorization in the most stimulating, hilarious, and heartfelt ways. There's a section narrated by collective of Asian clams. Other sections are narrated by a retired Taiwanese father who's exasperated by his adult daughters and wife. Then there's the 30-something woman writer at the center of the story who calls herself "the clam," a formulation that emerges in the aftermath of a marriage ending: "Hadn't this clamming down method worked well enough in her marriage?" The clam, an avatar for Chen (who, in her author's note, writes that Clam Down "could be" considered memoir), travels to California to borrow her reluctant father's car, then road trips to New Mexico with her mother for a writing residency.

Throughout, Chen shares fascinating information about other people who found inspiration and solace in mollusks, such as Charles Darwin and Georgia O'Keeffe. This is a kunstlerroman mixed with an interrogation of the author's family's legacy of trauma and immigrant struggle, and even includes a strong dash of romance. --Nina Semczuk, writer, editor, and illustrator
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also Chinese lead person for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, held a video call on Friday with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

The two sides held in-depth and constructive exchanges on implementing the important consensus reached between the two heads of state during their meeting in Busan and their phone talk on Nov. 24, and on advancing pragmatic cooperation and properly addressing respective concerns in the economic and trade sector.

Both sides spoke positively regarding the implementation of the consensus of the China-U.S. economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur. They said that, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, they will make full use of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, continuously lengthen the list of cooperation and shorten the list of problems, and promote the sustained and stable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations. 
Erin and Matt Clare are the new owners of Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar in Asheville, N.C. The Citizen Times reported that earlier this month, Donna and Thomas Wright, who founded the business more than 16 years ago, "handed over the keys of the Grove Arcade business" to the local entrepreneurs.

Noting that she had been working closely with the new owners to ensure an easy transition, Donna Wright said they are the right people to sustain the establishment's business model, while bringing something new. She added that the Clares are Asheville residents and "book people," who own Story Parlor, a multidisciplinary storytelling hub for narrative artists, in West Asheville. This played a significant role in the decision-making process.

"They have a real love for the place," Donna Wright said. "We seem to be on the same page with so many things. Anything (Matt) is talking about expanding or changing or doing, I'm on board with that, too. It's heading in the right direction, keeping the heart and soul to make it better.... We're so grateful that we had the opportunity to be an integral part of Asheville's history and its move forward. We have loved our customers and staff, and we look forward to being patrons there, which we plan to be frequently."

In 2020, Erin and Matt Clare relocated to Asheville from Austin, Tex., and a year later launched Story Parlor, which fosters storytelling and connection through events, classes, community-building efforts and advocacy. They had visited Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar early on and loved it.

"Part of the reason that we landed here and were attracted to the city was because we were familiar with all of these incredibly literary legends and authors and people making an impact on the scene," said Erin Clare, adding that they plan to work with other literary groups to promote Asheville as a literary hub.

"We feel like it's an opportunity to do something more aligned in support of the literary community and the Asheville community, in general," Matt Clare said. "It felt like one of those opportunities that would never come about again."

The Clares are planning to make some changes to the space, including opening up areas to allow additional seating, as well as designating the upstairs room for crafts such as writing, filmmaking, and music. In addition, the book inventory will shift from about 98% used to about 75% used and 25% new books, with more local authors featured.

"A lot of people are happy it's open," Matt Clare said. "It's been a warm greeting that we're local and in the community. And we are intentional about trying to make this a space for locals, who are our first patrons, and we'd love for this to be a space where tourists want to be."
A total of 28 authors have been selected for the longlist of the 2026 Joyce Carol Oates Prize by New Literary Project, which honors "a mid-career author of fiction in the midst of a burgeoning career, a distinguished writer who has emerged and is still emerging." The winner receives $50,000 and will have a brief Fall 2026 residence at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Bay Area, including Saint Mary's College of California, where they will give public readings and talks, teach classes, and make appearances during the 2026 NewLit Roadshow. Finalists will be named in March 2026, and the winner in April. See the longlist here.
Choosing where to park your money day-to-day can leave you spoilt for choice. Mobile apps have transformed banking in India, yet many people still value the comfort of a familiar branch. Getting the choice right depends on how the account will be used.

In this article, you will explore a practical comparison to help you decide between a digital account option and a traditional branch-based account opening experience.

What to Expect From a Digital Savings Account

A digital savings account is designed for quick access and simple, app-based control. Typical features include:

Online onboarding with video KYC, followed by full service once verification is complete.

Instant visibility of balance, recent payments, and statements, supported by intuitive apps.

Seamless payments via UPI, IMPS, NEFT; handy for bills and subscriptions.

Cashless focus; cash deposits rely on branch visits, so plan if cash handling is frequent.

Notifications to track spending and avoid charges via card controls and spending limits.

Security layers such as device binding, OTP and app-based authentication keep devices updated and credentials secure.

Digital frameworks provided by leading banks in India like IDFC FIRST Bank suit people who prefer self-service, quick transfers and round-the-clock access.

How a Branch Led Savings Account Fits Your Routine

A traditional savings account keeps the branch at the centre of day-to-day service. It works best when:

Cash deposits and withdrawals are frequent, or cheques are still a requirement.

In-person support is valued for tasks like updating details, clarifying charges, or queries.

Relationship services matter, such as locker services, and assistance for senior citizens.

Account setup is completed at the branch, with staff guiding through documentation.

Community presence and trust are a priority, mainly for families managing joint accounts.

A branch-led model offers reassurance and human guidance; it can be slower than an app for simple tasks, yet helpful. IDFC FIRST Bank branches provide personalised, guided support for customers who prefer in-person banking.

Key Differences at a Glance

Here are the key differences at a glance:

Access: Digital is app-centred; traditional relies on branch and phone-banking support.

Digital is app-centred; traditional relies on branch and phone-banking support. Onboarding: Digital uses online journeys; traditional completes paperwork in person.

Digital uses online journeys; traditional completes paperwork in person. Payments: Both support UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS; digital is faster for frequent transfers.

Both support UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS; digital is faster for frequent transfers. Cash and Cheques: Traditional leads for regular cash handling and cheque support.

Traditional leads for regular cash handling and cheque support. Tools: Digital provides better spend visibility and app controls.

Digital provides better spend visibility and app controls. Service Style: Digital is self-service first; traditional is staff-assisted.

Choosing What Suits You

Match the account to the way your money moves in daily life.

Prefer quick payments, instant statements and card controls on the phone? Consider the digital route.

Frequently handle cash, visit the branch, or use services like lockers? A traditional account may fit better.

Many people find balance by opening one of each and using them for different tasks, for example, digital for payments and traditional for cash needs. Keep an eye on charges and maintain good security habits.

Conclusion

The right answer depends on usage, comfort and service expectations. Explore features, understand fees and pick what aligns with daily routines. When comparing options, review established names in the Indian banking space such as IDFC FIRST Bank to find a banking partner that matches your personal needs.
NIPL and ACLEDA Bank partner to enable QR payments between India and Cambodia

Indian travellers to pay at 4.5M+ KHQR merchants; Cambodians to use UPI QR across India

Partnership aims to boost secure, seamless digital payments for tourists and businesses

India and Cambodia are preparing to bring major convenience to travelers with a new partnership that will allow cross-border QR payments using Indias UPI and Cambodias KHQR systems. NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global arm of NPCI, has signed an agreement with ACLEDA Bank, Cambodias first publicly listed commercial bank, to make this possible.

Through this collaboration, Indian tourists visiting Cambodia will be able to pay at more than 4.5 million KHQR-enabled merchants using any UPI-supported mobile app. Likewise, Cambodian visitors in India will be able to scan and pay through their local payment apps at over 709 million UPI QR code touchpoints across the country.

The initiative aims to create a faster, safer, and more convenient payment experience for travelers. It will also help businesses in both countries by widening digital payment options across shops, restaurants, tourist spots, and other service locations.

Also Read: Putin's India Visit Focuses on Closing Trade Gap, Boosting Key Sector Deals

Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NIPL, said the partnership strengthens digital payment links between the two nations and allows users to rely on trusted payment methods while abroad. ACLEDA Bank President & Group Managing Director In Channy added that the agreement establishes a strong technical and operational bridge between UPI and KHQR, supporting secure and affordable cross-border transactions. He also noted that the move aligns with ASEANs broader goal of boosting regional digital payment interoperability.

NIPL, founded in 2020, works to expand UPI and RuPay globally by offering technology support and consulting services to other countries. ACLEDA Bank, with assets of $11.94 billion and more than 6.18 million customers, operates in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, and serves millions through its ACLEDA Super App.
IndiGo cancels 400+ flights today, over 1,000 scrapped in four days.

Major airports face long delays, soaring airfares, and stranded passengers.

Operational issues spark travel chaos and political criticism.

Indias busiest airports faced another day of severe disruption on Friday as IndiGos operational troubles stretched into a fourth straight day, triggering more than 400 cancellations in the morning alone. The total number of flights cancelled since the crisis began has now crossed 1,000, leaving thousands of passengers stranded nationwide.

Travellers at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad reported long waits with minimal assistance or updates. Many said they learned about cancellations only after reaching the airport. At Ahmedabad, passengers headed to cities like Varanasi said they had been waiting for hours without guidance or basic support.

Alternative travel options were also hard to find. With IndiGo grounding a large part of its network, fares on other airlines surged sharply doubling or even tripling on several routes, making last-minute rebooking nearly impossible for many travellers.

Delhi witnessed the highest impact with 225 cancellations. Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad also recorded heavy disruptions. Pune saw 32 early-morning cancellations and diverted one incoming flight to Hyderabad because of operational limitations.

Airport authorities issued fresh advisories urging passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. However, on-ground accounts suggested that many passengers still faced last-minute surprises, derailing personal and professional plans.

Also Read: HCLTech Partners with Strategy to Expand AI Analytics Globally

The situation has also triggered political criticism, with opposition leaders claiming the crisis highlights deeper structural gaps in Indias aviation sector, including limited competition and rising dependency on a few large carriers.

IndiGo has attributed the widespread disruptions to unspecified operational challenges but has not disclosed further details. Authorities continue to urge passengers to monitor updates closely as delays and cancellations remain likely.
Veteran business leader Simone Tata dies in Mumbai at 95

Played a defining role in building Lakme and founding Trents Westside

Influential figure in Indias beauty and retail sectors for over 40 years

Simone Tata, one of the most influential leaders in Indias beauty and retail industries and the step-mother of Ratan Tata, passed away on Friday at the age of 95 at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

Simone had been in critical condition since August, battling symptoms of Parkinsons disease. She was airlifted from Dubai to Mumbai earlier this year and was under the care of renowned physician Dr. Farokh Udwadia.

Born in Geneva in 1929, Simone first came to India as a 23 year-old tourist in 1953. During her visit, she met Naval Tata, who was 26 years older and divorced at the time. The two married in 1955, and Simone made Mumbai her permanent home. Her move marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would leave a lasting impact on Indias consumer landscape.

Simone Tata played a central role in shaping Lakme, which the Tata Group had launched in 1952 after Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru expressed the need for an Indian cosmetics brand. She became chairperson in the early 1980s and helped transform Lakme into one of the country's most trusted beauty names.

Also Read: HCLTech Partners with Strategy to Expand AI Analytics Globally

In 1996, when the Tata Group sold Lakme to Hindustan Unilever, Simone used the proceeds to establish Trent Ltd., where she launched Westside. Under her leadership, Westside grew into one of Indias most successful retail chains. She also served on the board of Tata Industries and was known for her sharp business acumen and visionary leadership.

Simone retired in 2006 and maintained a low public profile thereafter. She was last seen publicly in October 2024 at the funeral of her stepson, Ratan Tata. After his passing, Noel Tata took over as chairman of Tata Trusts.
A local developer plans to demolish a one-family home on the corner of Oakdale Street and Ramblewood Avenue in Great Kills and construct five, two-family homes on the lot. (Advance/SILive.com | Erik Bascome) Advance/SILive.com | Erik Bascome

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A local developer who recently scrapped plans to replace a single, one-family home with five, multi-family homes on Uncas Avenue is now eying a similar project in Great Kills.

On Wednesday, Borough President Vito Fossella held a press conference in Great Kills to blast plans to demolish an existing single-family home on the corner of Oakdale Street and Ramblewood Avenue and build five, two-family homes in its place.

Christopher Stout, a New York City developer who owns the Oakdale Street property, had previously planned a nearly identical project on Uncas Avenue, but recently abandoned those plans amid fierce community backlash.

The borough president, who is a Great Kills resident, blamed the proposed plan on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning text amendment, which aims to create more housing units by loosening some zoning restrictions, including permitting higher-density development in transit hubs and town centers.

Im not a big fan of the expression we told you so, but were seeing today the results of we told you so with respect to the City of Yes. We fought as much as we could on behalf of the people of Staten Island, on behalf of the people in this community, to prevent whats about to happen here and elsewhere across the South Shore, Fossella said.

We said then and we are finding out now whats going to happen is that one home could be knocked down... and now the plan is to replace this one home with five, two-family houses. So one family leaves and 10 families come in, he continued.

Borough President Vito Fossella held a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to oppose a plan to replace a single-family home in Great Kills with five, two-family homes. (Advance/SILive.com | Erik Bascome) Advance/SILive.com | Erik Bascome

The borough president was joined by several neighbors of the property, many of whom voiced concerns that the project would upset the character of the existing neighborhood.

I bought a family home and Im just so appalled as to whats going on with the City of Yes because its allowing these builders to come in and knock down beautiful homes that are in our neighborhood. And we are now going to get a row house put here. Its just doesnt fit into our neighborhood, said Linda Minucci.

Our neighborhood isnt just land to be developed. We are a community built on connection, history and stability. Were fighting to protect its character before its gone for good. In my opinion, the City of Yes benefits developers and destroys the character of our communities, added Gabrielle Montana.

Stout confirmed to the Advance/SILive.com that he intends to replace the single-family home with five, two-family homes and has no plans to reverse course in the way he did with the Uncas Avenue property.

The developer, who grew up in a semi-detached home in Great Kills, noted that he is legally permitted to build an apartment building on the Oakdale Street lot due to the zoning changes implemented through the City of Yes, but elected instead to build two-family homes.

The Department of Buildings has already approved an application to reallocate the existing one zoning lot and one tax lot into one zoning lot and five tax lots, paving the way for the project to move forward.

A tax lot is a parcel of land identified for property tax purposes. A zoning lot is one or more adjacent tax lots within a block.

Fossella has long been one of the most outspoken critics of the zoning changes brought forth by the City of Yes.

The borough president, alongside other elected officials and community groups, had sued the city in an effort to overturn the changes, but the lawsuit was recently dismissed after a Staten Island judge ruled the citys land-use approval process functioned as intended and created a voluminous and diverse record.

With the lawsuit now dismissed, Fossella said his approach moving forward is two-fold; making sure builders are complying with all rules and regulations and convincing the city to evaluate zoning changes on Staten Island on a contextual, block-by-block basis.

The city of New York owes it to these people here in Great Hills and across the South Shore and Staten Island to step up and know what they did was wrong, what they did was wrong and they need to fix it, Fossella said.

A representative from the Department of City Planning noted that there are already existing semi-detached homes around the corner from the Oakdale Street property and defended the City of Yes as a necessary initiative to address the citys ongoing housing crisis.

New York City faces perhaps the worst housing crisis in the citys history, and New Yorkers demand action. That is why we worked with the City Council to deliver City of Yes, a set of zoning changes to allow a little more housing in every neighborhood, a City Planning spokesperson told the Advance/SILive.com.

Developments like duplexes, townhouses, or backyard cottages are an appropriate way to meet New Yorkers housing needs  whether they are seniors looking to age in their own community or young people looking to buy a home  without drastically changing the character of the neighborhood, the continued.
A bus slammed into a utility pole on Veterans Road West in Charleston on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Dennis Rees for the Advance/SILive.com)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A bus slammed into a utility pole in Charleston on Friday morning, snapping the wooden structure in two.

Emergency officials blocked traffic on Veterans Road West across the street from ShopRite as they responded to the scene.

An MTA bus slammed into a utility pole on Veterans Road West in Charleston on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Dennis Rees for the Advance/SILive.com)

There were no passengers on the bus when it slammed into the pole at approximately 8:05 a.m., according to a spokesperson for the FDNY.

One person was transported by EMS to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in Princes Bay, the FDNY said.

A witness told a photographer at the scene the driver appeared to be unconscious after the crash.

The FDNY was unable to provide further information about the condition of the patient.

The pole was snapped in two, about 15 feet from its base, and a mailbox was knocked down in the crash.

A bus slammed into a utility pole on Veterans Road West in Charleston. (Dennis Rees for the Advance/SILive.com)

The buss front windshield was shattered.

Con Edison and NYPD officials were among those on the scene.

An MTA spokesperson told the Advance/SILive.com that the incident was under internal review.

A spokesperson for the NYPD, which investigates collisions with serious injuries, said they did not have a report on this crash.

A source with knowledge of the incident said officials are investigating whether the crash was caused by a medical episode.
A major Democratic leader who has slammed President Donald Trump on a number of issues has shockingly backed one of Trumps controversial pardons, The Hill reported.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the House Minority Leader, said that Trump made the right call in granting a preemptive pardon to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Tx.)

I dont know why the president decided to do this, [but] I think the outcome was exactly the right outcome, Jeffries told CNN.

Jeffries has been highly critical of Trumps use of pardons, calling Trumps reprieves an affront to the nations criminal justice system and more evidence that the Trump administration is the most corrupt in American history.

In the wake of Trumps pardon of Cuellar, however, Jeffries questioned the legitimacy of the corruption charges against the congressman.

Listen, the reality is [that] this indictment was very thin to begin with, in my view, Jeffries said. The charges were eventually going to be dismissed  if not at the trial court level [then] by the Supreme Court, as theyve repeatedly done in instances just like this.

Cuellar said he hasnt spoken with Trump and wasnt aware that a pardon would be forthcoming.

But the lawmaker told reporters: Im going to go to the White House Christmas party next week, and Im going to thank the president personally.

Cuellar and his wife Imelda were indicted in May 2024 on federal charges of bribery, money laundering and foreign influence peddling, The Hill reported.

The Justice Department accused the pair of accepting $600,000 in bribes from two separate businesses.

Cuellar in return was accused of using his influence in Congress to push for policies beneficial to both firms.
Joe Rogan gave an eyebrow-raising assessment of President Donald Trump while interviewing a guest on his wildly popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

The Daily Mail reported that Rogan was interviewing tech billionaire Jensen Huang, founder, president and CEO of NVIDIA, when he gave his take on the commander-in-chief.

Huang recounted how he was with the president one time and Trump was talking about plans for a UFC event at the White House when the president suddenly decided he wanted to call Rogan.

Rogan laughed and of the president said, Hes like a kid. Hes like a 79-year-old kid.

Rogan then gave an off-the-wall assessment of the commander-in-chief.

Hes an odd guy, Rogan said.

The podcaster continued, Just very different than what youd expect from him, very different than what people think of him. And also, just very different as a president. The guys just calls or texts you out of the blue. Also, when he texts you, he makes the text go big.

Huang said that he was left surprised by Trump after meeting him for the first time.

One-on-one, President Trump surprised me, he said. Hes an incredibly good listener. Almost everything Ive ever said to him, hes remembered.

Said Rogan, People only want to look at negative stories or negative narratives on him.

Rogan said, I mean you can catch anyone on a bad day. there are a lot of things he does that I dont think he should do. I dont think he should say to a reporter, Quiet, piggy. Thats pretty ridiculous. Also, objectively funny. Its unfortunate that it happened to her, I wouldnt want that to happen to her, but it was funny.

Said Rogan But hes an interesting guy. A lot of different things wrapped up into one person.

Rogan was referring to an exchange Trump had with a female reporter who had asked him about the MRI test he had taken earlier this year.

Rogan backed Trump in last years election, but has also spoken out against the president, including over administration ICE raids against illegal immigration.
WINDHOEK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- African nations are positioning themselves to leverage the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a "rare opportunity to leapfrog older development models," a Namibian official said in Windhoek on Friday.

Erastus Haitengela, executive director of the Namibian Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, addressed the closing ceremony of the Train-the-Trainer Workshop on 3D Printing, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence.

The event also coincided with the launch of the African Science Clubs participating in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Science Clubs Network.

"The launch of the African network of science clubs represents an important move in supporting young people to develop curiosity, confidence, and practical skills in science and technology," he said.

Haitengela noted that around the world, science clubs are recognized as transformative spaces where learners can explore ideas, experiment, ask questions, and develop the ability to solve problems creatively.

"This new African network will allow clubs to learn from one another, share materials, undertake joint projects, access mentorship, and participate in global competitions," he said.

The gathering, attended by representatives from UNESCO, the UN, and various international organizations, directly addresses Africa's need to build technical capacity in advanced fields.

Amal Kasry, UNESCO chief of section for basic sciences, research innovation and engineering, noted that schools remain the primary anchor to science clubs, providing essential infrastructure and a member base.

According to Kasry, the initiative unlocks six pathways of opportunity for African youth, including practical skills, critical thinking, career readiness, innovation mindset, global connection, and confidence. 
The moon rising in the sky is seen Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Those looking to the night sky Thursday will find the captivating Cold Moon shining bright over New York City.

According to AccuWeather, this supermoon is the last full moon of the year. This astronomical sight will reach peak illumination around 6:14 p.m., as noted by Timeanddate.com.

This full moon will appear particularly bright as it will be about 17,000 miles closer than usual, AccuWeather said. Typically, the moon is 238,855 miles away.

While the Cold Moon will peak on Thursday evening, it has appeared full for the past two days and will continue to appear full through Saturday, as indicated in the AccuWeather report.

The third supermoon of the year, the Cold Moon received its name as it is associated with the arrival of Arctic air across North America. Alternative names include the Winter Maker Moon, Long Night Moon, Moon of the Popping Trees and Little Spirit Moon, AccuWeather added.
Australias social media ban for under-16s is world leading and will change childrens lives for the better, US superstar Oprah Winfrey declared during her first event on her tour Down Under on Thursday night.

I think youre going to change the lives of an entire generation of kids who are going to have better lives, Winfrey told moderator Melissa Doyle to rapturous applause at TikTok Entertainment Centre in Sydneys Darling Harbour.

Oprah Winfrey, pictured here in Sydney on Thursday, has returned to Australia for the first time in a decade for a speaking tour in partnership with pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Credit: Getty Images

There are all of these young people who cannot actually communicate or have a conversation, particularly young boys because they become addicted to porn so early and dont know how to actually ask somebody out on a date, havent experienced the socialisation of talking to a real person. So once again, Australia leads the way for the rest of the world.

She was also quick to praise her friend Hugh Jackman, not just because he recommended Bill Grangers ricotta pancakes to her  so good she went back twice  but because of his performance in the upcoming biographical musical drama, Song Sung Blue, in which he and Kate Hudson play a couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band.
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 Need more inspiration? Check out all our Christmas gift guides for 2025 See all 3 stories . Buying Christmas gifts for the little and not-so-little people in your life can be tricky. If they havent already given you their digital wishlist or respond with an I dont know when asked, we are here to help. From babies and toddlers, kids and teens, here are our picks for the best gifts to give this Christmas. Best Christmas gifts for babies and toddlers Halcyon Nights long-sleeve zip bathers Flamin Galahs Flamin Galahs long-sleeve zip bathers. Australian kids clothing brand Halycon Nights is known for fun and bold prints. The long-sleeve zip bathers ($53) are a great gift for any little ones who love to splash, featuring a soft, comfortable lining and UPF 50+ for sun protection. The Flamin Galah print is illustrated by Min Pin, but the style also comes in a range of Aussie-inspired prints made to stand out. Nature Baby koala music box

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Koala music box. Looking for a battery-free toy this year? Look no further than the Moulin Roty koala music box ($30), featuring illustrations of Koco the koala and friends. Simply turn the handle to hear the melody of Chattanooga Choo Choo. Trixie animal backpack Animal backpack Mr Dragon. Infants can be tricky to buy for because they dont really need anything (apart from you), but if they are beginning daycare or preschool, a backpack is an excellent option, especially if its as fun as these animal backpacks ($75), available in dragon, bear, triceratops, lion, unicorn, dino and butterfly. Mosey Me seersucker playmat Seersucker playmate in pistachio.

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Babies can be particularly tricky to buy for in the holiday season. A gift that both bub and parents can enjoy can be the best way to go. The Mosey Me seersucker playmat ($149) makes a great elevated gift, perfect for tummy time and the fun petal design looks great in any room. Poss and Soss oversized tee More sauce please oversized tee. The Poss and Soss More Sauce Please oversized tee ($49) is just the ticket for the toddler in your life who enjoys the sauce more than the meal. Made from 95 per cent cotton and 5 per cent spandex for a comfortable, stretchy fit, the tee comes in sizes 000 to 5. Little Dutch Little Farm multi-activity baby walker Little Farm multi-activity baby walker. If you need a gift for a tot who is beginning to find their feet, help them take those first steps with the Little Dutch Little Farm multi-activity walker ($200). Once they are tuckered out from walking around, they can play with the eight barnyard-themed activities. Suitable for 12 months and older.

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Sarahs Silks large rainbow streamer Large rainbow silk. The Sarahs Silks streamers ($30) are the perfect addition to a dress-up box or as a tool to foster imagination. Made from sustainably sourced mulberry silk and non-toxic dye, available in rainbow, heart, star, desert or sea. This toy will make your little one want to twirl and dance around. Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us by Kobi Yamada Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us by Kobi Yamada. Books are the perfect gift for babies or toddlers, especially if youre ready to read it to them. Maybe by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Gabriella Barouch ($43), is a stunning book about the possibility that you will exceed your wildest dreams. Warning for the adults reading: the book has the potential to get you a little choked up. Best Christmas gifts for kids

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BCF kids explorer 10-piece camping kit Kids explorer 10-piece camping kit. The BCF kids explorer camping kit ($50) is a great way to inspire a little adventurer. The kit is packed with exploration essentials, including binoculars, a mini-flashlight, a whistle, a compass and two scavenger hunt cards for endless outdoor fun. Teva kids Hurricane XLT2 Hurricane XLT2 sandals in the colourway eggplant. Kids are always growing out of shoes. The Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals ($85) are as practical as they are fashionable, with adjustable velcro straps and a rubber outsole for durability and traction. Their soles are also treated with a peppermint-based antimicrobial to fight smelly feet. Available in a large variety of colours and patterns. Bitzee hamster ball interactive toy
It is Paris Fashion Week 2026 and the usual crowd has assembled. Anna Wintour and Vanessa Friedman types cosy up next to celebrities, influencers and myriad hangers-on. Theyre all here to soak in the latest outrageously avant-garde collections from Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and  Toyota? Cue the shattering of champagne flutes as supermodels pose in the tray of a HiLux ute rumbling down the catwalk.

It might sound like a scene from a cutting-room-floor version of The Devil Wears Prada, but its actually nowhere near as far-fetched as you might think. Car companies are turning to the world of high fashion to broaden their audience and unlock new revenue streams, and that really does mean that some high-end fashion precincts will soon have a car brand sandwiched between Chanel and Cartier.

Mask sunglasses add a dash of F1 appeal on the catwalk at the Ferrari show for Milan Fashion Week 2024. Credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight

The automotive world has always been a passionately tribal place. There was Holden versus Ford, of course. Or the better-heeled BMW versus Mercedes-Benz. Theres Ferraris 400-million-strong Tifosi army of F1 fans. Or, more recently, the cult-like followers of Tesla and Elon Musk. Drivers of vintage Range Rover Defenders will look you straight in the eye and explain how the ever-present risk of having to tow their vehicle home only adds to the excitement of owning one. And if someone at a party ever starts to explain the merits of a Honda VTEC or Mazda rotary, just start running and dont look back.

All of that means automotive collaborations have become big business for car companies. It allows these many tribes to wear their colours on their (at times literal) sleeves. Or even on their skin: in the US, Ford and Dr. Squatch partnered on a special-edition Bronco-branded soap last year. It sold 40,000 bars in three days.
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang will hold the "1+10" Dialogue in Beijing on the morning of Dec. 9 with heads of major international economic organizations, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday.

Li will hold the dialogue with President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva, Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan, Director-General of the International Labour Organization Gilbert F. Houngbo, General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements Pablo Hernandez de Cos, Chair of the Financial Stability Board Andrew Bailey, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Frantisek Ruzicka, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that the theme of the dialogue is "Working Together on Global Governance for Shared Development." 
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 When Garry and Kerrie Connell first listed their penthouse for sale they were told it could fetch more than $8 million, but went to market with a conservative price guide of $6.5 million to $7 million. It was a quality apartment in the blue-chip Sydney neighbourhood of Paddington, in one of the most bullish property markets in the world. What could go wrong? Three auction campaigns, two price guide reductions and one new agent later, their agent strongly advised they accept an offer of $4.8 million. Thus, when Garry Connell says underquoting has the potential to hurt sellers, he speaks from experience. Garry and Kerry Connell are smiling after not bowing to pressure to sell their penthouse for less. Credit: Edwina Pickles In hindsight, the buyers who offered $4.8 million must have thought wed be delighted because they had offered well above the guide, but the reality was it was more than $2 million less than we were originally told it was worth, he said. Their experience illustrates how it is not just buyers who feel the pain of underquoting. Many home owners in NSW and Victoria are paying the price as the illegal practice taints their sale campaigns, wiping hundreds of thousands of dollars off the value of their homes.

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Loading In the latest instalment of the Bidding Blind investigation, agents and property experts detail how underquoting  instead of stimulating demand  stings sellers by piling pressure on them to reduce their asking price, thereby ceding their negotiation power and undervaluing their property. Sometimes the underquoting is so extreme that the agent anchors the value too low, leaving an impossible gap to bridge, said real estate agent Ben Collier, of The Agency. The risk that an underquoted campaign will backfire is heightened during softer real estate markets. What were seeing in Victoria [broad brush] is that the buyers arent chasing the vendors expectations, so the underquoting is not working, said Melbournes buyers advocate David Morrell, a director at Morrell and Koren. The gap is too far. The debate about tackling underquoting in Australias two largest cities is at a critical moment. New laws announced in Victoria last month will force agents to disclose a homes reserve price well before buyers attend the auction. But that landmark change faces industry resistance amid claims it could disadvantage sellers.

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Victoria is facing the biggest shake-up of property price rules in decades. Credit: Peter Rae The NSW Office of Fair Trading has largely dismissed pre-auction reserve disclosure, as it considers different reforms including mandated published price guides, steeper penalties and more detailed price estimates. Melbourne real estate agent Craig Frost said people did not understand the damage underquoting did to sellers. Ive had people in my office crying and saying, Ive got tricked. I got duped by that agent. Can I get out of that contract? Can you give me some advice?, but its too late, he said. Underquoting  a practice whereby agents deliberately provide a low sale estimate for a property to attract a crowd  creates a gap between the price expectations of the seller and buyers. While buyers have the option of not pursuing an underquoted property, sellers can find themselves trapped, said buyers agent Stuart Jones, of Jones Property Advisory.

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Loading Vendors have more to lose because by the time they realise an agent is underquoting their property they are usually locked in to an agency agreement with that agent, he said. Not helping is the increasingly competitive pricing among agents. A decade ago there was a 10 per cent range between the best-case and worst-case scenario in terms of sale price. Home owners could do their sums on what they might buy based on that, Collier said. But now that range is 25 to 30 per cent. For Garry and Kerrie Connell, there was a 35 per cent gap between their best post-auction offer of $4.8 million and the conservative value estimate of $6.5 million. The idea behind the underquoted price was, Connell was told, to get as many people through the penthouse as possible so that come auction night people would fight over it and push the price back up. It certainly pulled plenty of buyers, but none who were willing to pay millions of dollars more than the guide. Instead, the discounted guide had just lowered its value.

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Underquoting really just dilutes genuine competition, said buyers agent and founder of SydneySlice Deborah West. As a seller, if you havent got the right buyers in the room on auction day, and you are under pressure to sell, then youre doomed because youre unlikely to meet reserve, West said. Failed underquoting campaigns are frequently exposed when homes pass in at auction even though bidding has exceeded the advertised range. Almost 50 people who responded to this mastheads survey about misleading price guides cited first-hand experience at auctions where this had occurred. In 17 of these cases, they were the highest bidder, only to miss out because the owner wanted more than the agent had advised. For buyers lured to an auction on the promise of a bogus guide, the cost can be significant: lost weekends inspecting the wrong properties and money unnecessarily spent on building, pest and legal advice.

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Liverpools Liberal Mayor Ned Mannoun has denied he encouraged his supporters to donate thousands of dollars to the doomed election campaign of the councils current chief executive, Jason Breton, who ran as an independent in the 2021 local government poll.

An Office of Local Government inquiry into allegations of dysfunction and maladministration at Liverpool City Council on Friday zeroed in on Mannouns alleged involvement in Bretons campaign.

Mayor Ned Mannoun was among the final witnesses to provide evidence at the inquiry, which ran for more than 50 days. Credit: Cole Bennetts

Breton previously told the inquiry he considered himself an absolute novice when another Liberal councillor, Matthew Harte, had encouraged him to run as a candidate in Liverpools south ward in the poll four years ago, when he had been between jobs. He had also denied suggestions he had run on a dummy ticket devised to funnel votes to Liberal Party candidates.

Text messages aired at the inquiry on Friday revealed an exchange between Harte and Breton, in which they had discussed the cost of the nomination fee for the council election, in October 2021.
The teenagers say that they live far from one anothers houses and local parks. Credit: James Brickwood Im over half an hour away from my friends, Charlize says, adding that the increased time at home means she is likely to draw, cook and exercise more. I rely on social media to organise plans. Ezekiela shared a similar sentiment: I would say Id go to a park  but there are no parks near me. Ill probably watch TV and sit at home. Social media was part of my free time. (Left to right) Maxwell Moody, Daniel Barthram, Thomas Beerworth, and Bede Duffy, all 15 from Hunters Hill High School. Credit: Janie Barrett In Lane Cove, 15-year-olds Thomas Beerworth, Maxwell Moody, Bede Duffy and Daniel Barthram say the conversation about the ban at school has shifted to how best to skirt AI age verification.

Loading Most people are trying not to talk about the ban and grab someone elses ID and act 16. Its mostly ways around it, not the ban itself, Thomas says. A way I heard to get in is face ID. The AI is going to be dodgy  there are also older people who look young, my older brother is 18, but he looks younger than me. While he understands the dangers of social media, Thomas says the governments decision to suddenly remove it from children under 16 is excessive, as many teenagers lean on it for their friendships and communities. I understand for certain things like TikTok, but for YouTube? Weve gotten so used to using social media and needing it daily; removing it is pretty disastrous. I just dont see a point in the ban. I dont think social media is that damaging that it needs a ban. Whats stopping people from cyberbullying people on iMessage rather than Snapchat?

His friend Max agrees. Its not eradicating the problem, its just shifting the problem to other groups and video games, he says. Thomas says that removing all social media would be pretty disastrous. Credit: Janie Barrett Young people have diverse views about the role of social media and how the ban should work, according to Tanya Notley, co-author of Young Australians Perspectives on the Social Media Minimum Age Legislation, which interviewed 86 young people aged 12-15. There was no meaningful consultation with young people before the policy was devised, and then it was rushed through parliament with 24 hours for submissions, Notley says. This runs against everything that is good policy design practice. For some young people, the ban will have no real effect, while for others, they could be losing years of community and curating of their social media, Notley says.

Loading If you can just imagine having had two or three years of creating a social media account, and what that means to the people that youre connected to  to have all that taken away from you, its like losing kind of a part of you, she says. To be told thats for your own mental health and for your own wellbeing  it just flies in the face of what a lot of young people know. Dr Rebecca Ng, a research fellow at Digital Child, a centre dedicated to creating positive digital childhoods for all Australian children, says the ban is an opportunity to rethink how children can safely use social media with agency. Parents and schools are quite a powerful body of people that can advocate for children, Ng says. In this social media delay, we talk about removing children from social media, but we hardly talk about creating better platforms for children.

Fourteen-year-old Marhaba Rahmani, who migrated to Australia a year ago from Afghanistan and attends Evans Intensive English Centre, has never owned a phone or been on social media. Credit: James Brickwood For 14-year-old Marhaba Rahmani, who migrated to Australia a year ago from Afghanistan and attends Evans Intensive English Centre, the debate is academic as she has never owned a phone or been on social media. If I had a phone, I would want to be on social media, but I dont want to be in trouble, she says. My parents think that if I had a phone, I would be away from study  that its a distraction. In her spare time, she says she loves to draw, cook and go to the park. I draw anything. Flowers, people, landscape, she says.
Laxon recorded that he had replied: I act for Judge Wass, so I cant act for your friend. Dowling told the inquiry on Friday that she gave no such instruction and there had been no breach of the law. The submission is the latest outbreak of warfare between Sally Dowlings office and the judiciary. Credit: Nick Moir Personal grievance The top prosecutor accused the committee of gross unfairness in airing what she described as Wass personal grievance with me and my office.

She said the dispute arose from a single case which has already been subject to extensive scrutiny and examination, including a police investigation that uncovered no breach of the law. That police investigation had also been leaked to the media, but Dowling said she was unaware of the source. Allowing these grievances to be examined under the guise of a committee inquiry is not appropriate use of this committees powers and privileges and amounts to a de facto parliamentary inquiry into the conduct of officers of the ODPP, Dowling said. Wass said in her submission that the upper house committee might consider whether it was appropriate to refer senior members of the ODPP to the Governor ... for removal from office. Fresh outbreak of warfare

The submission is the latest outbreak of warfare between Dowlings office and the judiciary. A number of District Court judges, including Wass, have taken aim at the ODPP over its handling of sexual assault prosecutions. Those criticisms prompted Dowling to make complaints against two District Court judges, Robert Newlinds and Peter Whitford, to the Judicial Commission. The watchdog issued reports critical of both judges. Although Dowling did not make a complaint to the watchdog about Wass, the pair have been at loggerheads in different forums. Dowling denies authorising leak Appearing before the committee on Friday, Dowling said the submission contained multiple factual and legal inaccuracies.

Loading She said the ODPPs media manager had informed her shortly before the 2GB broadcast that Fordham might be interested in the story but at this time, I did not know how 2GB knew about it. Of the allegation that she instructed a member of the ODPP staff to leak confidential information to 2GB, Dowling said: I gave no such instruction. She told the inquiry she became aware only after the broadcast that the manager had given a screenshot of the ODPP case management system to someone associated with 2GB. That screenshot contained details of the case, including the young persons name, she said.

At no time did I direct, or ask, that the media manager provide the story to 2GB. Police investigation Dowling said providing the screenshot did not involve any offence and the media manager was relatively new in her role and had only worked at the ODPP for about 10 weeks. The manager was later cautioned for misconduct over the incident following a process in which an independent law firm conducted an investigation and a report was made by a former Supreme Court judge, who was then an acting deputy director of the ODPP, Dowling said. Dowling said she was not even aware of the provision of the screenshot by the media manager until after a police investigation into the incident started.

NSW Police advised the DPP in March this year that their investigation had ended. They took no further action, Dowling said. Wass said in her submission that she raised concerns that the investigation by the law firm was not independent and external. The inquiry Dowling said the bulk of issues canvassed by Wass could not possibly fall within the terms of reference of the upper house inquiry. Wass submission, dated November 28, was published on the inquirys website about 5pm on Thursday. Dowling said the circumstances in which she became aware of the submission involved a gross denial of procedural fairness.

Loading The evening before I was due to give evidence, a previously confidential submission was released, she said. The submission is 68 pages in length. That submission includes serious allegations against me and my staff. The fact that this submission has been in the possession of this committee since [November 28]  but has never been provided to me, and instead was made public out of hours the day before I was to give evidence is extraordinary. She said the failure to provide the submission to her and Craig Hyland, the solicitor for public prosecutions, was deeply unfair. Indeed, I go so far as to say the denial of procedural fairness by this committee is disgraceful.

She said the ODPP was invited to give evidence before the committee on Friday last week, and she was not told until Wednesday that she was likely to be asked about this case. The inquiry, chaired by the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Partys Robert Borsak, was set up in October. The general terms of reference include examining existing protections for preventing the identity of children accused of criminal offences being made public, as well as any examples of cases and any other relevant matters. There is no reference to the ODPP or Dowling. The committee is expected to report by February 20. The offender

In October 2024, an Indigenous young person was sentenced by Wass for two offences of aggravated break and enter, one of which involved the sexual touching of an elderly woman. Dowling told the inquiry that senior lawyers informed her after the hearing that Wass had invited the young person to conduct a Welcome to Country ceremony. This was a highly unusual event, which as far as Im aware had not occurred previously in any court of NSW and has not occurred since, Dowling said. It was widely discussed among the legal community and it rapidly became notorious, Dowling said. She agreed during her evidence that this was not in fact a Welcome to Country but an Acknowledgement of Country, conducted via videolink, but she said she was using the language Wass had used to describe the statement. Judge received threats

Wass said in her statement that she received derogatory public statements and threats from consumers of the 2GB story almost immediately after it was aired. I was called woke and out of touch and called on to be disbarred. The public called for my sacking and accused me of being drug-affected, she said. I am extremely disappointed and saddened by what has occurred, particularly knowing that the information came from within the ODPP and that the NSWPF, the court and I were unable to adequately respond. Wass said it has been galling that despite the broadside attack on my professional reputation, as a judge I was in no position to defend myself or explain publicly what had occurred. She said the Welcome to Country statement had taken place with prior notice to, and the consent of, both parties.
Nearly getting bowled over yet again by an e-bike in a pedestrian area, its hard for me to know whether to be more worried about myself or the rider. Me, I guess. Concern for helmetless teens doubling or tripling on a $4000 gift from their parents does not come automatically. But Im only almost ending up in hospital once a week; theyre doing it several times a minute. The odds will catch up with them before they catch up with me.

The NSW government announced new rules on e-bikes this week, including limits on power and stricter safety documentation. It is reviewing the definition of e-bikes so that what are effectively motorbikes cant be ridden on cycle ways and footpaths.

Illustration by Dionne Gain Credit:

Well-meant, this is another case of regulators lagging a dangerous reality of their own making. When the current e-bike boom began during the COVID pandemic, the then NSW government allowed high-wattage bikes (maximum continuous power of 500 watts) in line with those permitted in hilly cities such as Vancouver. Riders duly took advantage, using the power to increase speed on flat ground. Regulators have been running behind e-bike riders ever since. The Minns governments proposal brings the wattage down to 250, in line with European Union standards.

Its important to distinguish between two kinds of e-bike riders. One is the adult food delivery rider. Cheaper than motorbikes, more effective than pushbikes, e-bikes are the conveyance of choice for your incoming pizza or pad thai. Riders, already exploited by the services that use them, are often the victims in incidents where car and truck drivers arent used to, or prepared to put up with, sharing the road.
Construction of a colossal new riverfront hub with hundreds of apartments, a hotel and public parks will begin on a flood-prone strip of Brisbane  but one unusual feature has been scrapped from plans.

The $1.5 billion Teneriffe Banks development will be built on 17,000 square metres of formerly industrial land at the corner of Skyring Terrace and Commercial Road, looking out towards Bulimba.

Five towers with 212 homes, Brisbanes first Kimpton Hotel, shops, restaurants, bars and pools are planned.

An artists impression of the $1.5 billion Teneriffe Banks development. Credit: Kokoda Property Group

A 220-metre river walk extension and public parks will also be built.
As police searched for missing Queensland teenager Pheobe Bishop earlier this year, a 30-year-old man was allegedly using her mobile phone.

Bishop was reported missing after she failed to board a flight in Bundaberg to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia on May 15, prompting a massive search involving sniffer dogs, the SES and police divers.

Her housemates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged with murder and interfering with a corpse on June 5. The trio had lived about 4 hours north of Brisbane in Gin Gin, just outside Bundaberg.

Bishops body was discovered the next day in remote bushland in the Good Night Scrub National Park  60 kilometres south-west of Bundaberg.
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 On an unseasonably cold November morning, the charming yet enigmatic owner and chief executive of MA Services Group, Micky Ahuja, held an urgent meeting with a fellow executive about what was rapidly becoming the countrys most controversial security contract. At stake was a high-risk and secretive deal worth potentially tens of millions of Australian taxpayer dollars, which had become the subject of intense and growing scrutiny in Canberra. Chief executive of MA Services Group, Micky Ahuja. Credit: Michael Howard Ahuja also knew his companys reputation was on the line, even though it was yet to emerge that executives at MA Services  whose blue-chip clients include Coles, AFL clubs and government agencies  were actively involved in the opaque operation to send a private Australian security force to the tiny Pacific island of Nauru. Instead, what was reported a week earlier in an investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes was that a labour-hire company controlled by the international boss of the Finks outlaw bikie gang was recruiting guards to join the security force. The reporting caused uproar in Canberra, not only because the notorious bikie outfit was involved, but because the security force was being ultimately funded by the Albanese government, albeit via the allegedly corrupt ruling regime in Nauru. Labor is pumping millions of dollars into Nauru each year  up to $2.5 billion over 30 years  to resolve a political nightmare involving about 300 former immigration detainees released into the community after a High Court ruling, but deemed too dangerous to remain in Australia. Solving that political problem created another.

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After Nauru agreed to take the so-called NZYQ cohort last year, the question of who would protect its population from the potentially dangerous ex-detainees quickly emerged. The impoverished country has a tiny police force and most large Australian security providers were reluctant to service the infamous offshore border security outpost for reputational reasons. Ali Bilal, global leader of the Finks bikie gang. The Finks had no such qualms. A firm controlled by the gangs international president, Ali Bilal, began quietly marshalling security guards to dispatch to Nauru. After the extent of the bikie gangs involvement was described by a whistleblower in the November reporting, the Albanese government held a crisis meeting with the allegedly corrupt president of Nauru, David Adeang, to demand the proper use of Australian funds. Adeang acquiesced and removed the organised crime-linked entity from his nation. Behind the scenes, Micky Ahuja was also scrambling. Key senior figures from his company, MA Services, had played key and protracted roles in co-ordinating the Nauru security arrangement. Now Ahuja would be stepping in personally to help clean up the mess.

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On November 17, Ahuja convened a meeting with MAs national manager, Paul Maroun, to discuss how to revive the Nauru deal. According to sources with detailed knowledge of MAs Nauru plans, Ahuja and Maroun agreed to scout for a new security manager with a clean background to replace former bikie-linked MA executive Tim Jones (whose murky relationship with the operation appears to have ended amid the media storm). Loading Ahuja made it clear that MA wanted to safeguard its reputation given the increasing toxicity of the offshore venture: in addition to the bikie links, Adeangs sordid history of suspected corruption was also back in the spotlight. Ahuja wanted to stop the damaging publicity, according to sources with intimate knowledge of his planning. Senior MA personnel had arranged for the Nauru operation to be insured; all guards would be paid $120,000 a year, with a requirement to manage their own superannuation (which is not mandated on Nauru); and those personnel were also to take a key role in managing the requirements of the Adeang government, albeit via a corporate structure in Nauru. Screenshot of a website listing senior MA Services Group personnel as having association with Nauru Community Safety. Ahujas November 17 Nauru revival plan built on 12 months of earlier work MA had already done to operate offshore. In late 2024 and early 2025, MA managers recruited Nauru project managers; hosted meetings with Nauruan officials at MAs offices in Melbourne and in Brisbane; created a website with Ahuja listed as director of an entity called Nauru Community Safety; and drafted risk management plans and corporate structures to carry out the venture. This was all done in secret. While the Nauru deal was well known to MA insiders, the companys government, corporate clients and the public  who interact with the firms security guards at retailers such as Coles, Bunnings and Kmart or at major events such as the spring racing carnival  had no idea about the Nauru operations.

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According to sources and leaked communications, Ahuja wanted to keep MAs involvement secret by using a separate corporate vehicle to operate offshore. When this masthead first asked Ahuja about his involvement on November 6 and 7, he refused to respond. When he was approached for comment again by reporters in the days after the November 17 meeting, Ahuja also declined to comment. His hope of keeping MA out of the Nauru story came to an abrupt end in late November, when this masthead published revelations of the firms involvement in the offshore operations and links with a Finks-linked subcontractor. Still, Ahuja sought to deny and downplay his firms Nauru dealings. On November 27, Ahujas public relations agent sent reporters a Nauru corporate document that he said disproved that Ahuja had a key role in the Nauru venture. The document did not show that. It was created on November 8, 2025  the day the first chapter of the Nauru scandal broke in the news. It listed the sole shareholder of Nauru Community Safety as Tim Jones, the former bikie-linked MA executive whose role Ahuja was hoping to fill via his recruitment efforts on November 17. Within a week, Ahuja had replaced his PR agent with a new public relations spinner. On Thursday, this PR agent said MA Services was not aware of Ahujas November 17 meeting with fellow MA executive Paul Maroun.

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MA Services Group was offered an opportunity, and after a detailed and considered analysis, chose not to proceed, the statement said. Loading Earlier this week, Ahuja and MA also insisted in a statement it had no knowledge of bikie involvement in any of the firms dealings, insisting again that MAs interest in the Nauru security operation was both temporary and fleeting. MA also insisted it had no knowledge or involvement in a range of tax and workplace investigations linked to the firms Australian operations, which have entangled the AFL and corporate giants such as Coles. Liquidators reports unearthed by this masthead reveal MA is suspected of engaging the services of a series of subcontractors to provide thousands of security guards across Australia. Some of those same subcontractors have been placed into liquidation owing huge sums to the Tax Office and are also accused of exploiting the migrant workers who, while wearing MA security guard uniforms, are in reality employed via opaque company structures. According to liquidators reports, the Tax Office is probing a scheme featuring numerous liquidated labour-hire companies and tax evasive behaviours involving companies that are used by MA Services or its subcontractors supplying guards to businesses such as Coles and Amazon.

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West Australian police believe a shooting at a Ballajura shop overnight and a building fire in Maddington yesterday are linked to the forces crackdown on the illegal tobacco market.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch on Friday said there had been significant action taken against organised crime groups involved in the illicit trade, and we have taken out some key players who are currently in custody.

Sadly, organised crime think a response to that is to stand over, intimidate and take actions like arson and shootings against those that they feel may have contributed to their arrest, he said.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch. Credit: Hamish Hastie

So the local West Australians who are committing these crimes for very low amounts and are often just tasked to do this for very low payment, will be arrested.

In fact, weve identified most people involved in any of these cases.

Our priority at the moment is whos earning the profit outside of Western Australia, often over the east coast of Australia or overseas.

Theres multiple challenges involved in international extraditions, but I think if we want to have a serious chance at disrupting transnational serious and organised crime, Australia has to be much faster in extraditing those who are causing the greatest harm to our community, in an organised crime sense, from overseas.

Blanch did not name key players at the centre of polices efforts to combat the illegal tobacco trade during a media conference on Friday morning, but said the force was concentrating on a very small group of people.

We know where they are. We know how theyre communicating. We know their network here in Australia, he said.

Maytham Hamad  the Perth-based brother of exiled Victorian tobacco king Kazem Hamad  was remanded in custody last month on charges of dealing with the proceeds of crime and possessing prohibited tobacco products, after having his luxury cars impounded following a raid on his Mount Pleasant apartment.

Police have previously alleged Kazem is calling the shots on a family crime syndicate from the Middle East, having been deported from Australia in 2023.

It is not suggested Maytham nor Kazem Hamad are involved in this weeks incidents.

On Friday, Blanch revealed a fire at a building on Albany Highway in Maddington on Thursday morning was similarly believed to be a response to the police crackdown.

We certainly know after significant disruption to organised crime figures here in Western Australia, including significant wealth and asset seizures, all of a sudden weve had a number of  [what] would appear to be retaliation attacks, he said.

That is a classic organised crime tactic, and we wont tolerate that here in Western Australia, so were going to go hard after those people, wherever they may be.

Blanch pointed to the death of 27-year-old Melbourne woman Katie Tangey in a firebombing that Victorian police believe was a case of arsonists targeting the wrong house as an example of the escalating violence in the illegal tobacco scene.

We have seen people die in Victoria for almost identical attacks, he said.

So the quicker we get on top of those who are acting outside of Western Australia, the better.
The minister with carriage of the issue, Katy Gallagher, announced a non-legislated framework of principles to regulate government appointments. But she has declined to institute one of the reports key recommendations  banning ministerial appointments in the six months before an election. Loading Transparency advocates have been critical of Labors response. Australia has been handed a diluted response to a robust, independent review, wrote Professor Gabrielle Appleby and Dr Catherine Williams of the Centre for Public Integrity in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age this week. [The government] has left the door open for the very behaviours the Briggs Review seeks to stop.

But the report does raise an unexpected question: what should we do with our former politicians? Must they be forever cast adrift, democracys spare parts? Or can they make good use of the knowledge and experience they have gained while working for voters, and channel it into further public service? The chief problem for ex-MPs is precisely the one Weatherill nodded to  whatever the individual merits of a politician, as a class of people, they are disliked and distrusted. This, naturally, affects their hireability. When MPs and senators leave federal parliament, they do get a severance package, although it applies only to those who have been voted out of office or who have lost the support of their parties. Euphemistically called a resettlement allowance, it amounts to a bit over $100,000, equal to six months worth of a backbenchers salary. Thats a lot of money to most people, but regular MPs are not most people  theyre actually less employable. After leaving parliament, most MPs dont do very well, says Amy Nethery, senior lecturer in politics and policy at Deakin University, who co-authored a 2021 piece of research called The Transitioning to Life after Parliament Study. Unemployment is very high. There is financial distress, family breakdown, and psychological stuff, like a loss of identity. Youre used to being the most important person in the room and then nobody calls you any more.

Netherys study (which she co-authored with colleagues at Deakin University) was commissioned by the Victorian state parliament, and it concerned only former Victorian parliamentarians, mostly backbenchers who had served an average of two terms (eight years). No similar work has yet been published for their federal counterparts, but Nethery says in the years since her research, there has been a heightened international interest in the global problem of what to do with our jobless ex-pollies. Apart from surveying the former MPs themselves, the Deakin University researchers also spoke to seven recruitment agencies. Their knowledge of what an MP does was really atrocious, Nethery tells me. It is a very generalised job requiring many skills. In your electorate, youre a social worker, then there is the party room and politicking. You might be part of a committee doing an inquiry, or you might be making submissions to one. You are getting across complex data.

But recruiters and potential employers carry the same anti-politician bias as the rest of the population. Loading If you have stuck your head above the parapet and said, I want to be involved in politics, many potential employers will be turned off, Nethery says. Still, few Australians are currently unpacking their tiny violins as they read this. Perhaps thats because of the high-profile examples of former prime ministers and cabinet ministers who have done very well for themselves indeed.

Scott Morrison endured terrible press after he left politics, and it was revealed that he had secretly assigned himself extra ministerial portfolios during the pandemic, unbeknown to the ministers whose portfolios he acquired, and unbeknown to the Australian public he was serving. The former member for Cook also received a post-politics lashing from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme among other things, he was found to have given false evidence to the royal commission. Former prime ministers Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd brandishing each others books, in Washington. Morrison said he rejected completely each of the findings which are critical of my involvement in authorising the scheme and are adverse to me. None of it precluded him from getting a job with the US consulting/lobbying firm American Global Strategies, which has strong links to the Trump administration. Kevin Rudd, of course, has been appointed ambassador to the US (with famously less affectionate relations with the Trump administration)and Julia Gillard has held a number of roles, including chair of Beyond Blue, visiting professor at Kings College London, and fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

Tony Abbott has just published a book on Australian history and he been appointed to the board of Fox Corporation in the US, among other board positions. Malcolm Turnbull has independent business interests to which he returned to post-politics, plus a global speaking career. Julie Bishop has landed on her feet as the chancellor of the Australian National University (which has lately been racked by controversy) and Bill Shorten is across town at the University of Canberra, where he serves as vice chancellor. Some move in a direct line from their ministerial portfolio to a lobbying firm that represents the same industries they once regulated. Since 2008, there has been a rule that former ministers and MPs must wait 18 months after leaving their jobs before signing on as a lobbyist, but it is not legislated and it lacks enforcement. Martin Ferguson was a Labor government resources and energy minister, and within months of retiring from politics, he joined the advisory board of lobby group Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association. Christopher Pyne, a former Liberal defence minister, now has his own lobbying firm which focuses on defence clients. But these gainfully employed ex-politicians are the lucky ones.

An awkward truth seldom acknowledged is that some former politicians are eligible for the lucrative parliamentary pension scheme, which John Howard abolished in 2004 (it can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars a year depending on time served and positions held). Abbott is one of those and Albanese will be too, once he retires. Others, like Morrison, get the six-month resettlement package, then theyre knocking on doors, with mortgages and school fees to pay like any other (admittedly upper middle-class) Australian. Former SA premier Jay Weatherill will start his new job as ambassador to the United Kingdom next year. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Perin Davey, a former NSW Nationals senator and a former deputy leader of the Nationals, currently has an Open to work tag on her LinkedIn profile. As for Weatherill, in 2020 he landed a job leading the Minderoo Foundations early childhood development project, Thrive by Five. This year, Arts Minister Tony Burke appointed him to the council of the National Gallery of Australia and in 2026 he will start his new gig as ambassador to the United Kingdom. He takes over from the previous Labor appointee, Stephen Smith, a former defence minister and foreign minister. Speaking before he leaves for London in the new year, Weatherill says the argument for politicians to be properly remunerated, particularly post-politics, is simple. They shouldnt be worried about their next job, in their current job, he says.

It becomes an integrity measure. Another alternative, Weatherill says, is they go into the private sector and take a lobbying job. Is that better or worse? Arguably, it introduces more risk. None of which is an argument against robust scrutiny of government appointments, to make sure they are made according to merit, but also to ensure public trust in institutions. Most former politicians who take government jobs dont want to go in under a cloud, says Weatherill.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted his counterparts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in Washington on Thursday, witnessing them signing a peace deal aimed to end a decades-long conflict in eastern DRC while opening their critical mineral resources to the United States. #XinhuaNews




Political cash Money is, of course, integral to such questions. To its credit  and in part as a response to controversies revealed by this masthead  the Andrews government in 2018 introduced Victorias first-ever real-time campaign funding laws, including caps on donations for state elections. While Labor spruiked its 2018 reforms as the toughest in the country, they have since been found lacking, including by the governments own integrity agencies and appointed experts, and lagging other states. There is no donations cap at local council level, for instance. In two reports in 2022 and 2023, the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission pointed to weaknesses in the donations regime highlighted in its investigation of allegedly corrupt land deals in Melbournes south-east, known as Operation Sandon.

It called for changes, including donation caps for council elections and on campaign spending at state and local levels, and consideration of a ban on developer donations. If acted on, said then IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich, the recommendations would move Victoria into line with other states. Loading As premier, Andrews promised to act on the 2022 recommendations but did so by referring them to an independent expert panel commissioned to review the 2018 donation laws. That three-person panel  two of whom were former Labor and Liberal senators  made 77 recommendations for change, including removal of the loophole that allowed political parties to receive funds from special investment bodies known as nominated entities, the matter now before the High Court. But more than three years after the IBAC donations report and more than two years after the Sandon and expert panel reports were finalised, there has been no change to Victorias donation rules.

The government is seeking to address at least one of the 34 Sandon recommendations in a bill now before the parliament that requires planning applicants to declare gifts or donations at council level. Even then, the proposed changes have been slammed as an unworkable mess by senior local government figures and council peak group the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV). Loading The lack of government action on donations has meant the gap between Victoria and other states on donation laws has widened. In 2024, for example, South Australias Labor government banned donations altogether, with limited exemptions for political newcomers. Integrity experts are perplexed at Victorias failure to clean up the states donation regime. Dr Catherine Williams, executive director of the Centre for Public Integrity, says that, in particular, the government must remove the very significant advantages the major parties currently have. Former Liberal senator Helen Kroger was a member of the three-person expert panel from 2023 and is among those scratching their heads at the lack of response.

She says failure to formally respond to her panels two-year-old findings would be a significant oversight and amount to a breach of the Electoral Act. The government did not respond to questions about the donations regime and progress on reform. Lobbying The Victorian lobbyist code  established by the Brumby government in 2009  has long been regarded as ineffectual. Unlike Queensland, NSW, South Australia and WA, our lobbying rules are not enshrined in legislation; the only penalty for contravention is the loss of a lobbyists registration. The Age confirmed that there has not been a single deregistration since the register was created.

An IBAC report in 2022 slammed the lobbying rules as weak, noting, for example, that they did not cover lobbying at local council level. It called for a legislated regime that captured all those who lobby at the state and local level, not just third-party professional lobbyists. Redlich warned that corruption risks around lobbying were not only real but imminent. In response, Andrews promised to work on implementation of all the recommendations if re-elected, in the next term of government; the current term, that is. Labor has made some progress; in 2022 it published its ministerial staff code of conduct, and in 2023 it started quarterly publishing of ministerial diaries, including meetings with lobbyists. But there has been no more action on reforms sought by IBAC and integrity experts. In January this year  an odd time for serious policy work  the government ran a brief public consultation on related reform. It promised to release a subsequent engagement report and to have legislation developed by October.

But no engagement paper was released, and no legislation has appeared. The government did not respond to questions about further lobbying reform. Freedom of information? In the Cain years of the 1980s, Victoria was a Freedom of Information (FOI) trailblazer. It now lags far behind other states, which have embraced the principle that governments should proactively release information unless there is good reason not to. FOI rules in Queensland, NSW and Tasmania now emphasise proactive disclosure, reducing the need for specific, formal requests, and frustrating delays.

Victoria operates in reverse, hence more FOI requests are generated here than any other state or territory and even the Commonwealth. There were almost 60,000 requests received by about 950 public agencies in 2024-25, according to new figures, an almost 10 per cent increase on the previous year and a record high. Our FOI system is infamously clogged and delayed. As of June 30 this year there were 9673 FOI requests outstanding, a more than 11 per cent increase on the same time in 2024. At the behest of the government, the parliamentary integrity committee ran a comprehensive inquiry through 2024, finally tabling a report that year calling for a complete rebuild of the FOI regime. Fifteen months later, the Allan government has not acted on the committees recommendations.

Greens MP Tim Read. Credit: Eddie Jim The government did not respond to questions about the prospect of an FOI rework. Nor is integrity committee chair and Greens MP Tim Read confident of reform before next years election. It just seems like the government has stalled on FOI and put it on the back burner, if not walked away from it entirely, he said. Given the parlous state of FOI, opposition and crossbench MPs often seek release of documents in the upper house (Legislative Council), where governments tend not to have a majority.

William Partlett is an associate professor at Melbourne Law School and a specialist in integrity matters. He says it is one of the few ways to get information out that the government does not necessarily want out. But non-government MPs are constantly frustrated by the governments refusal to produce documents to parliament, including around big issues like the rationale for controversial COVID-19 decisions and, more recently, what the government knew about abuses in childcare. Partlett says the gold standard in parliamentary document production is NSW, where disputes over release are decided by an independent arbiter. The Victorian Parliaments standing orders establish an identical arbiter, but no government of any persuasion has complied with those orders. The integrity agencies Like donation laws, Victoria was late to embrace the idea of a dedicated anti-corruption watchdog, the Baillieu Coalition government establishing IBAC  so weak as not to be worthy of its name  in 2012, long after more powerful agencies in NSW (1988) and Queensland (2002).

Thirteen years later, the Victorian watchdog is regarded by integrity practitioners and experts as the poor cousin of Australian corruption-busting. Victorians would seem to agree. Loading In October, Transparency International Australia released findings of a national survey that found public confidence in this states capacity to fight corruption was lower than for any other state. In her first ever media interview, current IBAC commissioner Victoria Elliott last weekend told The Age that her agency was hamstrung by legislation that required excessive secrecy and limited its power by setting the bar too high for investigations and public examinations. Corruption in Victoria is defined as conduct that would constitute a relevant or serious criminal offence. It prevents IBAC from chasing more prevalent jobs-for-political-mates-style soft or grey corruption.

In their submissions to the integrity committees review of the IBAC Act, Victorias integrity agencies  including IBAC, the Auditor-General and the Victorian Ombudsman  have been at one in their call for IBACs powers to be widened. IBACs NSW equivalent, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, has a broader remit, stretching to dishonesty, breaches of public trust and the MPs code of conduct. The new National Anti-Corruption Commission has adopted a lower threshold for investigations, closer to NSWs. In 2021, for example, Gladys Berejiklian resigned as NSW premier after ICAC revealed she was being investigated. Two years later the NSW watchdog found Berejiklian engaged in serious corrupt conduct through her secret relationship with ex-MP Daryl Maguire. Gladys Berejiklian after announcing her resignation as premier of NSW in 2021. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Had it been Victoria, it is unlikely an investigation would have been launched at all. And if it had, it is doubtful the premier would have been examined in public, as Berejiklian was.

In NSW, a public inquiry only requires that two of three ICAC commissioners agree it is in the public interest. In Victoria, private hearings are the default and public interrogation only possible in exceptional circumstances. Loading Some change at least may be coming. On Thursday, the integrity committee tabled its recommendations from its review of the IBAC Act, including removing the requirement that IBAC only investigate criminal conduct. However, the committee  which includes Labor, opposition and crossbench MPs  stopped short of supporting a lower bar for public examinations. Its recommendations were unanimous, meaning the major parties are committed, in principle at least, to widening IBACs powers.

Williams told The Age that given the unanimity among key stakeholders on the issue of IBACs powers it was difficult to see how the committee could have recommended otherwise. Whether the government acts is another matter altogether, as we have seen with FOI. Asked for its response to the committees recommendations, the government on Friday would only say that it will consider them. Then-premier Daniel Andrews and his then-deputy, Jacinta Allan, in 2023. Credit: Joe Armao The integrity agencies are also pushing for parliament  instead of the government  to set their annual funding, a call they have been making since 2022. Ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath tells The Age: As officers of the parliament, parliament should have some input into our budgets, so the public can be confident that were adequately funded to do our jobs. To date, the government has not agreed to change the way the agencies are funded.

Integrity and real politics The government did not respond directly to a long list of integrity-related questions from The Age, instead issuing a brief statement noting that Victorians deserve to have confidence in the political parties and public institutions that serve them. It is our expectation that everyone in public office is held to the highest standards of integrity, said the spokesperson. The statement highlights integrity reforms, including establishment of the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission, the Parliamentary Integrity Adviser and Parliamentary Ethics Committee. The statement also notes that Labor has provided record funding for IBAC and significantly improved parliamentary oversight.

Williams, of the Centre for Public Integrity, welcomes progress on some fronts, including disclosure of ministerial diaries and the governments agreement to allow a crossbench MP to chair the parliaments integrity committee. Loading But there remains a great deal to be done in Victoria, from lobbying and donations to the role of parliament, transparency and addressing what former ombudsman Deborah Glass described as the creeping politicisation of the public service. Integrity chiefs acknowledge however that for many Victorians, living costs are a higher-order issue than government accountability; that makes integrity reform a lower political priority. Integrity in institutions, oversight, accountability, its all really important, Baragwanath says. But how do you get peoples attention when theyre busy paying the mortgage and putting food on the table?

Greens MP Read fears that as we approach an election year, integrity is slipping to the back of the policy reform queue. He wonders if Labor may be asking itself why it would invest energy in legislation that allows journalists, opposition parties and integrity agencies to find out matters it would prefer kept behind closed doors. To that I would remind Labor that governments are almost always certain to be in opposition one day. Indeed. But even those in opposition can be wary of too much light being shone in the places they aspire to occupy one day  maybe even one day next year. Shadow attorney-general James Newbury says Labor has actively undermined the scope, funding, and work of Victorias integrity agencies. But he does not provide details when asked about his sides position on IBACs powers, donations, lobbying and FOI, instead offering that the Coalition will take a comprehensive suite of policies to the next election which will restore integrity to public office in Victoria.
In Doggetts defence, it appeared he had been instructed to pepper the English batsmen with short-pitch bowling  a tactic that felt tiresome, given how comfortable Root looked on the hook shot. Neser was also the most economical of the Australians, going at 3.07 runs an over, with 16 of those coming in two overs during his opening spell. Starc felt the statistics were not reflective of the quality of bowling. Joe obviously batted really well for his hundred, and I thought there were some really good patches of bowling there that probably went unrewarded, he said.

We know how good Scotty is. Nes and Doggy are a little less experienced on the Test scene but are two guys who have had a lot of experience. Loading While it would take a brave call to parachute Richardson into the Test squad immediately ahead of the third clash in Adelaide, particularly with skipper Pat Cummins tipped to make his comeback from a back complaint, his form will undoubtedly have selectors on alert. Josh Hazlewood is also not expected to be fit from a hamstring injury until the back-end of the Ashes, opening the door for Richardson should another injury strike. The form of Murphy would also have caught the Australian hierarchys eye, with the Victorian contending with Gold Coast product Matthew Kuhnemann to be considered Nathan Lyons heir apparent, whose future suddenly appears to be clouded.

Lyon was a shock omission from the second Test in favour of Neser, a move chief selector George Bailey admitted upset the 38-year-old. It was also a ploy that caught England opener Zak Crawley, who scored 76 on day one, by surprise. It is the second time in three games Australias greatest off-spinner has been left out of the side  the last time being the pink ball day-night clash in the West Indies. His demotion follows his lack of involvement at Perth Stadium, where he had taken 29 wickets from five Tests leading into the Ashes but bowled just two overs for that match. At the Gabba, he averages just 28.8 with the ball. Nathan Lyon was left frustrated by his second Test omission. Credit: Getty Images

Its a tough one for Nath. Everyone wants to play every game, and Im sure hell be disappointed not to be playing this week. Its certainly not a reflection on his skills, Starc said. Loading They certainly looked at the conditions and made the choice of our attack for these conditions. While Lyon is likely to feature for the remainder of the series, the fate of fellow veteran Usman Khawaja was thrown into even greater doubt. The Queensland opener, who turns 39 before the third Test, was ruled out of the Gabba clash after failing to recover from the back spasms which cruelled him in the summers launch.

In his absence, Travis Head (33) and Jake Weatherald (72) got Australia off to a flyer, putting on a 77-run stand to mount a compelling case to remain as a top order union. Their efforts laid the platform for their country to end day two 6-378, a lead of 44 runs. Even Australias domestic openers were pushing their case, with Sam Konstas striking 116 for New South Wales against Queensland, while Campbell Kellaway managed 71 for Australia A. Matt Renshaw made eight against the Lions, but already boasts three Shield centuries this summer. While Khawajas replacement, Josh Inglis, copped a peach from Ben Stokes to be dismissed for 23, the list of contenders has ensured the formers return - if fit - for the third Test is no guarantee.
The kill zone means the concept of a front line is becoming obsolete as aerial drones roam across the line of contact and limit the movements of the opposing army. The size of this zone is defined by the range of the drones. Loading Gunko believes the width of the zone is likely to extend to about 100 kilometres over time. The war in Ukraine has already been transformed by first-person view, or FPV, drones, which operators fly via very long spools of fibre-optic cable that prevent them from being jammed. While they have disadvantages, such as an operating distance limited to the length of a wire, they are highly resilient and their range is increasing all the time. Meanwhile, another company, DoD Solution, is installing software in military drones to create autonomous weapons that can complete missions using artificial intelligence.

DoD Solution co-founder Ivan Oleksii says the software will not replace the best drone pilots, given the human skill required to control the devices in battle, but will help address the scarcity of drone pilots. Oleksii says some pilots may be very good and others may be average, which means it will be better to use AI drones in large numbers. Loading The DoD software is loaded onto a module, he says, which has been fitted to military drones used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to prove it works in the field. A human operator can direct a drone on some parts of its journey, then switch to AI so it completes the task on its own. This can be useful when a drone goes on a long-distance mission outside radio range.

It totally makes sense to use it, says Oleksii. Drone race Once those AI tools can perform better than the average soldier, defence forces will start to use this human factor on something else. If they can automate it, they will automate it. None of these concepts is hidden from the Russians, although the technology itself is guarded carefully. Ukraine bans the export of this software and hardware, a contentious decision because it limits revenue for its own start-ups. The companies spoke to this masthead about their work but would not divulge confidential details. We dont have this time, and thats why our innovation cycle started to be more like six months to three months.Its a constant fight between sword and shield. Andrii Makhnyk, Iron Cluster co-founder

The race on the Russian side is led by groups such as Rubicon, a military unit set up in the middle of last year and credited with using drones to push Ukrainian soldiers back in the Kursk region. The head of the Ukrainian Aerial Reconnaissance Support Centre, Maria Berlinska, said in August that Rubicon had brilliant management and was Russias best technology unit. This means there is an open question about whether the start-up culture on the Ukrainian side will be able to match the centralised military power of the Kremlin. While Australian companies have joined this arms race, and the Department of Defence is buying and developing drones, few countries can match the intensity of the work in Ukraine. The war is a tragedy, but also a laboratory. Lessons from the front are acted on urgently because so many in Ukraine see this as an existential challenge for their nation. Andrii Makhnyk, global project lead at Iron Cluster in Ukraine.

The innovation cycle of technology that were used to, like in NATO or other countries, can take years to create something new, says Iron Cluster co-founder and global project lead Andrii Makhnyk. We dont have this time, and thats why our innovation cycle started to be more like six months to three months. Its a constant fight between sword and shield. Access to technology is a factor. Russia has built devastating drones using designs from Iran and hardware from China. So far, Ukrainian companies are still buying Chinese components, but they worry about restrictions that will hurt their ability to win the arms race. Not all the work leads to the production of offensive weapons. Farsight Vision, another Iron Cluster member, is taking data gathered from aerial drones and feeding it into mapping software to create 3D maps of Russian positions.

Oksana Vakshynska, engagement director at Farsight Vision. Our system is actively used by the Ukrainian military now, says Oksana Vakshynska, the engagement manager at the company. The tool is used by reconnaissance units, whose task is to investigate an area, and it is also used in the planning of operations because, before you plan the operation, you need to understand the area. It is also used in drone schools, so the pilots-in-training are working with real examples of the enemy terrain.

Naval drones are proving their capacity in Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil tankers. Ukraine claims success in damaging two tankers in the Black Sea last week, and it has released video of its Sea Baby drones heading toward their targets like small automated speedboats. Gunko, of Tank Bureau, says the future will be about using large numbers of small drones rather than a small number of large offensive weapons. If you look at whats going on in the war, you see that its better not to invest in a big ship but in smaller drones like the Sea Baby, he says. In the same way, Russia has pierced Ukrainian air defences by launching hundreds of drones in a single night. This is the logic that led Tank Bureau to develop ground drones  known as UGVs, for unmanned ground vehicles  as a way to help Ukraine on the battlefield.
HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, December 4, 2025, His Excellency Governor Ajamu Baly of Sint Maarten welcomed His Excellency Governor Alfonso Boekhoudt of Aruba and His Excellency Governor Mauritsz de Kort of Curacao to Sint Maarten.

The Governors visit is in connection with the scheduled activities commemorating the historic milestone of the 50th Anniversary celebration of Saba Day, taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025. The official Saba Day ceremony will be held in The Bottom, Saba, beginning with an Ecumenical Service, followed by the Hoisting of the Saba Flag, a Cultural Parade, and the Official Ceremony, concluding with a grand toast.

Following the days formal program, the delegation will partake in a separate private program on the island of Saba before returning to Sint Maarten. Their joint presence underscores the close ties among the islands and highlights the spirit of unity within the Dutch Caribbean.
Softbank's Son says super AI could make humans like fish, win Nobel Prize



Seoul, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



SoftBank CEO and AI investor Masayoshi Son said Friday that advanced artificial intelligence could surpass humans to the extent that "we become fish" and could even win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Meeting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul, Son, whose SoftBank is a major backer of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, described a future in which an advanced AI surpasses humans by a magnitude of 10,000.

"The difference between the human brain and the... goldfish in the pot -- the difference is 10,000 times," he said.

"But it's going to be different -- we will become fish, they (the AI) become like humans," he said.

"They will be 10,000 times smarter than us," he told President Lee, who has vowed to turn South Korea into an AI powerhouse.

Son compared the relationship between this artificial super intelligence (ASI) and humankind to relations between human beings and their pets.

"We try to make them happy... we try to live in peace with them," he said.

"We don't need to eat them... ASI does not eat protein. They don't need to eat us -- don't worry."

Lee responded laughing that he was "a bit concerned now".

He asked Son whether ASI could win a Nobel Prize in Literature, won last year by South Korean author Han Kang.

"I do not believe this is a desirable situation," Lee said.

"I think it will," Son replied.

ASI has been described as a hypothetical scenario when AI overtakes humans.

Scientists still consider it a long way off, but say a crucial first step -- artificial general intelligence (AGI), which would outperform humans across most tasks -- could arrive within a decade.

Lee said last month that Seoul would triple spending on AI next year -- a move "aimed at propelling South Korea into the ranks of the world's top three AI powers" behind the United States and China.

Also on Friday, Lee's office said South Korea would partner with Arm, SoftBank's British semiconductor design unit, to train 1,400 chip professionals.

The initiative would provide help in "strengthening areas where South Korea's semiconductor industry is relatively weak," said presidential policy adviser Kim Yong-beom.
EU hits X with 120-mn-euro fine, risking Trump ire



Brussels, Belgium, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



The European Union hit Elon Musk's X with a 120-million-euro ($140-million) fine Friday for breaking its digital rules, in a move that risks a fresh clash with US President Donald Trump's administration.

The high-profile probe into the social media platform was seen as a test of the bloc's resolve to police Big Tech -- and Vice President JD Vance fired a bullish warning against "attacking" US firms through "censorship" before the penalty was even made public.

Imposing the first-ever fine under its powerful Digital Services Act (DSA) on content, the EU said it was hitting X for non-compliance with transparency rules including through the "deceptive design" of its blue checkmark.

"This decision is about the transparency of X" and "nothing to do with censorship," the bloc's tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters as it was announced -- pushing back at Vance's charge.

The US vice president warned the EU pre-emptively Thursday it "should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage" -- in an X post to which Musk replied "Much appreciated."

Musk's platform was the target of the EU's first ever formal DSA investigation launched in December 2023 -- and was preliminarily found to have breached its rules on several counts in July 2024.

The European Commission took issue with the check system introduced after Musk took over what was then Twitter in 2022 -- since it meant anyone could pay for a label intended as a badge of authenticity.

Its probe also found X failed to be sufficiently transparent about its advertising and give researchers access to public data in line with the DSA's rules.

X remains under investigation over how it tackles the spread of illegal content and information manipulation -- with those parts of the probe yet to conclude.



- 'Comply with our rules' -



Part one of the X probe had appeared to stall since the middle of last year -- with no movement on imposing.

Weighing on the EU's mind was the picture in the United States -- starkly different from 2023 -- after Trump returned as president with Musk by his side at the start of this year.

The pair later fell out, but the tycoon has since reappeared in White House circles, and Brussels had to contend with the prospect any fine on X would fan tensions with the US leader.

True to form, Vance hit out before the move was even announced, citing "rumours" the commission was preparing to fine X "for not engaging in censorship."

The DSA gives the EU power to fine companies as much as six percent of their global annual revenues -- and in the case of X the bloc could have based itself on the revenues of Musk's entire business empire, including Tesla.

Brussels settled on what is arguably a moderate sum relative to X's clout -- but Virkkunen told reporters it was "proportionate" to the violations at stake.

"We are not here to impose the highest fines. We are here to make sure that our digital legislation is enforced," said the tech chief. "If you comply with our rules, you don't get a fine -- and it's as simple as that."

She also emphasised this was just one part of a "very broad investigation" into X, which remained ongoing.

Washington has made plain its distaste for the bloc's tech laws, and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick pressed the EU to rethink the rules if it wants lower steel duties while in Brussels last week.

Driving the point home, a new national security strategy released Friday by Trump's administration urges Europe to "abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation."

The commission has repeatedly asserted Europe's "sovereign right" to enforce its laws.

At the same time as the X fine, the commission said it had accepted commitments from TikTok to address concerns over its advertising system, although the Chinese-owned platform remains under DSA investigation over other issues.

Regarding X, EU officials insist US politics did not steer their decision-making -- but rather making the case legally water-tight.
Press Release from Business Wire: Fitch Learning



(AFP) Dec 05, 2025



NEW YORK, Dec 5, 2025 (BSW) - Fitch Learning , the global leader in financial learning and professional certifications, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Moody's Analytics Learning Solutions (MALS) and the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI). MALS is a global provider of credit and digital learning, and CSI is a leading provider of certifications for the Canadian financial services industry.

Fitch Learning, recognized globally as the premier financial education provider, delivers specialized training for the financial services industry through accredited qualifications, flexible corporate solutions programs, managed services and digital learning solutions trusted by leading institutions worldwide. The combined business will serve over 92,000 finance professionals across 148 countries, at every stage of their careers.

"This acquisition is about creating more opportunities for growth - for organizations and for individuals," said Andreas Karaiskos, CEO of Fitch Learning. "By combining both organizations' deep expertise and learning technologies, we're enabling our clients to build future-ready teams and helping finance professionals gain the skills that matter most in today's fast changing markets."

The combined business will provide learners with access to an expanded suite of solutions covering commercial and consumer banking, credit risk, wealth and investment management, investment and corporate banking, professional skills as well as data analytics and AI.

The CSI brand will continue, as will its stewardship of the industry's renowned certifications and designations. The MALS brand will be retired, and its solutions will be offered as part of Fitch Learning's portfolio.

"We are proud to mark this transformative milestone for Fitch Learning, our clients, and learners across the financial services sector," noted Karaiskos. "Acquiring MALS and CSI isn't just an expansion for us - it's about building a global talent offering to deliver high impact outcomes for our clients."

Bringing Fitch Learning, MALS, and CSI together as a single entity marks a bold step in transforming financial education, moving beyond traditional learning methods to deliver innovative, dynamic, personalized learning experiences that empower learners to choose the path that suits them best and help future-proof their careers.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

For more information, please visit www.fitchlearning.com.

About Fitch Learning

Fitch Learning, part of Fitch Group, is a trusted global provider of financial education. Built on deep expertise in credit and strengthened by broad experience across financial services, we deliver impactful learning solutions through client-focused programs, courses and professional qualifications. Harnessing digital innovation and AI-driven learning tools, we empower organizations worldwide to build future-ready teams. Fitch Learning owns the Canadian Securities Institute, Certificate in Quantitative Finance Institute (CQFI), and the Global Institute of Credit Professionals, dedicated to supporting finance professionals throughout their career journeys.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251205196542/en/









Contact

Media Contacts:Brooke Rera+1 631 871 4994[email protected]

Cristina Bermudez+1 305-613-5814[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.
EU hits Musk's X with 120-mn-euro fine, risking Trump ire



Brussels, Belgium, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



The European Union hit Elon Musk's X with a 120-million-euro ($140-million) fine Friday for breaking its digital rules, in a move that risks a fresh clash with US President Donald Trump's administration.

The high-profile probe into the social media platform was seen as a test of the EU's resolve to police Big Tech. US Vice President JD Vance fired a warning against "attacking" US firms through "censorship" before the penalty was even made public.

Imposing the first fine under its powerful Digital Services Act (DSA) on content, the European Commission said X was guilty of non-compliance with transparency rules including through the "deceptive design" of its blue checkmark for "verified" accounts.

"This decision is about the transparency of X" and "nothing to do with censorship," the bloc's technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen told reporters as it was announced -- pushing back at Vance's charge.

The US vice president warned the EU pre-emptively Thursday it "should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage" -- in an X post to which Musk replied "Much appreciated."

Musk's platform was targeted by the EU's first formal DSA investigation in December 2023 -- and was found to have breached its rules on several counts in July 2024.

The EU found that changes made to the platform's checkmark system after Musk took over in 2022 meant that "anyone can pay" to obtain a badge of authenticity -- without X "meaningfully verifying who is behind the account".

"This deception exposes users to scams, including impersonation frauds, as well as other forms of manipulation by malicious actors," the commission said in a statement.

It also found X failed to be sufficiently transparent about its advertising and to give researchers access to public data in line with DSA rules.

X remains under investigation over tackling the spread of illegal content and information manipulation.



- 'Words to action' -



Part one of the X probe had appeared to stall since last year -- with no movement on imposing a fine.

Weighing on the EU's mind was the picture in the United States -- starkly different from 2023 -- after Trump returned as president this year with Musk by his side.

The pair later fell out, but the tycoon has reappeared in White House circles, and Brussels had to contend with the prospect any fine on X would fan tensions with Trump.

Vance hit out before the punishment was announced, citing "rumours" the commission was preparing to fine X "for not engaging in censorship."

The DSA gives the EU power to fine companies as much as six percent of their global annual revenue -- and in the case of X the bloc could have based itself on Musk's entire business empire, including Tesla.

Brussels settled on what is arguably a moderate sum relative to X's clout -- but Virkkunen told reporters it was "proportionate" to the violations at stake.

"We are not here to impose the highest fines. We are here to make sure that our digital legislation is enforced," said the tech chief. "If you comply with our rules, you don't get a fine -- and it's as simple as that."

She also emphasised this was one part of a "very broad investigation" into X, which remained ongoing.

The Center for Countering Digital Hate advocacy group said the EU move "sends a message that no tech platform is above the laws all corporations have to abide by."

Washington has made plain its distaste for EU tech laws, and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week called for a rethink if the EU wanted lower steel duties.

Driving the point home, a new national security strategy released Friday by Trump's administration urges Europe to "abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation".

France's digital affairs minister Anne Le Henanff hailed a "historic" decision by the EU in the face of US pressure. "By sanctioning X, Europe shows it is capable of moving from words to action," she said.

Same message from Germany's digital minister Karsten Wildberger, who said the bloc's digital rules "apply to everyone, no matter where they come from."

At the same time as the X fine, the commission said it had accepted commitments from TikTok to address concerns over its advertising system, although the Chinese-owned platform remains under DSA investigation over other issues.
BERLIN, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Germany's industrial orders rose by 1.5 percent in October from the previous months, driven by defense-related demand, data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed Friday. But officials and industry groups warned that Europe's largest economy continues to face a deepening industrial slump.

A large-scale order in the manufacture of aircraft, ships, trains and military vehicles pushed new orders in the sector up by 87.1 percent, leading to a 9.9-percent surge in domestic orders, Destatis reported.

By contrast, foreign demand remained weak, with overseas orders down 4 percent on the month. Orders from non-eurozone countries fell particularly sharply, dropping 6.5 percent.

"Industrial orders from abroad remain subdued amid trade and geopolitical uncertainties," the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy said in response to the figures, adding that the weakness is likely to continue weighing on export momentum.

Germany's major industry association, the Federation of German Industries (BDI), cautioned this week that the country's industrial base is stuck in a structural downturn. It now expects industrial output to contract by 2 percent this year, a sharp downgrade from its earlier forecast of a 0.5-percent decline and marking a fourth consecutive year of shrinking production.

"German industry is heading into a dramatic low point at the end of 2025," BDI president Peter Leibinger said. He warned that Germany as a business location is experiencing its "deepest crisis since the founding of the Federal Republic," describing the situation as being in "free fall."

Leibinger criticized the federal government for reacting too hesitantly and called for a fundamental shift in economic policy to restore competitiveness and growth. 
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authorities have actively carried out artificial rain and snow enhancement operations during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), cumulatively increasing precipitation by 167.7 billion tonnes, according to official data.

During the period, meteorological authorities have also carried out artificial hail prevention operations, which helped to reduce economic losses by about 60.3 billion yuan (about 8.5 billion U.S. dollars), according to the China Meteorological Administration.

China's weather modification operations have provided strong support for disaster prevention and mitigation as well as agricultural harvests, said Cai Miao, an official from the administration.

Cai noted that the country's weather modification currently covers 68 percent of its major grain-producing areas, 63 percent of key ecological function zones and 55 percent of orchards nationwide.

Weather modification operations have also boosted ecological improvements as meteorological departments conduct year-round artificial rain and snow enhancement in key areas such as Sanjiangyuan, or the three-river source area, which is home to the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers, contributing to a gradual increase in vegetation coverage in the region.

During the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), authorities will work to enhance the effectiveness of weather modification operations in a bid to better serve disaster mitigation, agricultural production, ecological protection and restoration, and major emergency responses, according to Ren Zhenhe, another official from the administration. 
US to sell bombs to Canada in $2.7-bn deal



Washington, United States, Dec 4 (AFP) Dec 04, 2025



The United States said Thursday it had approved a $2.68-billion sale of bombs to Canada, where Prime Minister Mark Carney is sharply expanding defense spending amid uncertainties over relations with Washington.

The State Department said the air strike weapons will include up to 3,414 BLU-111 bombs, which weigh 500 pounds (226 kg) each and can hit troop formations, and up to 3,108 GBU-39 bombs, which are meant to hit stationary targets with accuracy.

It also includes more than 5,000 JDAM kits to turn unguided bombs into guided munitions.

The sale "will improve Canada's credible defense capability to deter aggression in the region, ensure interoperability with US forces, and strengthen Canada's ability to contribute to shared continental defense," the State Department said in a notification to Congress.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in August that the country would this year meet a NATO target of spending two percent of GDP on defense, years ahead of schedule.

He pointed to growing uncertainties about the role of the United States, Canada's neighbor and longtime guarantor of security under NATO, as well as the prospect of Russian aggression in the Arctic.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the wisdom of NATO, accusing allies of relying excessively on the United States while not carrying their own weight.

Trump has often belittled Canada, especially before Carney replaced Justin Trudeau as prime minister, saying that it should be the 51st state of the United States.
Court allows National Guard deployment in US capital to continue for now



Washington, United States, Dec 4 (AFP) Dec 04, 2025



A federal appeals court on Thursday temporarily put on hold a lower court's order directing National Guard troops to leave the US capital next week.

District Court Judge Jia Cobb ruled last month that President Donald Trump's deployment of thousands of National Guard troops in Washington was unlawful.

Cobb ordered an end to the deployment by December 11 but stayed her order for 21 days to allow the Trump administration time to file an appeal.

A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit granted a Trump administration request for a stay of the district judge's order to give it time to consider the case.

In a brief order, the panel stressed that the move "should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits."

Trump has sent National Guard troops to Democratic-run Washington, Los Angeles and Memphis to combat crime and help enforce his crackdown on undocumented migrants.

Authorities in Los Angeles and Memphis have resisted those efforts, saying the deployment of troops is unnecessary. The mayor of Washington, which has limited autonomy under US law, has largely worked with the White House on its crackdown.

Federal judges have temporarily blocked the deployment of troops in two other Democratic-controlled cities -- Chicago and Portland -- and the Supreme Court is expected to deliver the final word soon on whether the actions are lawful.

Trump ordered more than 2,000 National Guard to patrol Washington in August, claiming the city was a "filthy and crime ridden embarrassment."

Brian Schwalb, attorney general for the US capital, filed a lawsuit in September seeking to end the deployment of the National Guard in the city.

Cobb, in her opinion, said the Trump administration had "acted contrary to law" by deploying the National Guard for "for non-military, crime-deterrence missions in the absence of a request from the city's civil authorities."

Trump's extraordinary domestic use of the National Guard was also challenged by California this year after the president sent troops to Los Angeles to quell protests sparked by the rounding up of undocumented migrants.

A district court judge ruled it unlawful but an appeals court panel allowed the Los Angeles deployment to proceed.

Trump has denied charges he is strictly targeting cities run by his political opponents for his anti-crime campaign and immigration crackdown.

This week, he said he would send troops to New Orleans -- another Democratic-run city in a state controlled by Republicans.

Trump has also ordered additional troops to the US capital after two National Guard members were shot in downtown Washington last week.
After review, Pentagon confirms submarine sales to Australia



Washington, United States, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



The Pentagon said Monday it has endorsed the tripartite AUKUS security pact with the United Kingdom and Australia, which would involve Canberra's acquisition of at least three Virginia-class nuclear submarines within 15 years.

The administration of Donald Trump said earlier this year it was reviewing a 2021 deal for the nuclear-powered attack subs signed under his presidential predecessor Joe Biden.

The Department of Defense completed its five-month review, which endorsed the AUKUS agreement and determined it is "in alignment with President Trump's America First agenda," Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.

"Consistent with President Trump's guidance that AUKUS should move 'full steam ahead,' the review identified opportunities to put AUKUS on the strongest possible footing."

Congressman Joe Courtney, the top Democrat on a US House subcommittee on sea power, said the review's completion assures that the pact's "framework is aligned with our country's national security interest."

"With its completion, it is important to note that the 2021 AUKUS agreement has now survived three changes of government in all three nations and still stands strong."

Courtney is a vocal champion of AUKUS in Congress, and represents a Connecticut district that is home to the primary submarine manufacturing facility in the United States.

The AUKUS pact aims to arm Australia with a fleet of cutting-edge submarines from the United States and would provide for cooperation in developing an array of warfare technologies.

The submarines, the sale of which will begin in 2032, lie at the heart of Australia's strategy of improving its long-range strike capabilities in the Pacific, particularly against China.

The deal could cost Canberra up to US$235 billion over the next 30 years, and also includes the technology to build its own vessels in the future.

Australia had a major bust-up with France in 2021 when it canceled a multi-billion-dollar deal to buy a fleet of diesel-powered submarines from Paris and go with the AUKUS program instead.
New US strike on alleged drug boat in Pacific kills four



Washington, United States, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



A strike on an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean killed four people on Thursday, the US military said, amid a growing controversy over a campaign that has taken more than 87 lives.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump's administration have especially come under fire over an incident in early September in which US forces targeted the wreckage of a vessel that had already been hit, killing two survivors.

A senior Democratic lawmaker who saw footage of that incident on Thursday said it showed a US attack on "shipwrecked sailors," while others have described it as a possible war crime.

The latest strike targeted a "vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific," US Southern Command said in a post on X.

"Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed," said the post, which included a video showing a multi-engine boat speeding across the water before being hit by a blast that left the vessel engulfed in flames.

Earlier in the day, lawmakers attended a classified briefing on Capitol Hill in which they were shown extended video footage of the strike, only a brief part of which has been publicly released.

The footage showed "the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors -- bad guys, bad guys -- but attacking shipwrecked sailors," Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told journalists.



- No 'imminent threat' -



Himes described it as "one of the most troubling things I've seen in my time in public service."

"You have two individuals in clear distress without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, who were killed by the United States," he added.

Republican Representative Don Bacon meanwhile said on CNN that "these two people were trying to survive and our...rules of war would not allow us to kill survivors."

"The rules are they have to pose an imminent threat. And I think we could say they did not pose an imminent threat to our country," Bacon said.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton, another attendee of the briefing, defended the military action, saying "the first strike, the second strike, and the third and the fourth strike on September 2 were entirely lawful and needful, and they were exactly what we'd expect our military commanders to do."

"I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs bound for the United States back over so they could stay in the fight," he said of the footage.

However, both the White House and Pentagon have sought to distance Hegseth from the decision to strike the survivors, instead pinning the blame on Admiral Frank Bradley, who directly oversaw the operation.

Himes said Bradley told lawmakers during the briefing that Hegseth did not order that all the boat's crew be killed, but Bacon said the Pentagon chief is ultimately responsible because "he's the secretary of defense."

Trump's administration insists it is effectively at war with alleged "narco-terrorists," and the president has deployed the world's biggest aircraft carrier and an array of other military assets to the Caribbean, insisting they are there for counter-narcotics operations.

Regional tensions have flared as a result of the strikes and the military buildup, with Venezuela's leftist leader Nicolas Maduro accusing Washington of using drug trafficking as a pretext for "imposing regime change" in Caracas.
Taiwan says China deploys warships in 'military operations'



Taipei, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



Taiwan said Friday that China had deployed warships for "military operations" stretching hundreds of kilometres from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea, posing a "threat" to the region.

Beijing, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory, neither confirmed nor denied the manoeuvres.

Taiwan's defence ministry and other security agencies were monitoring China's activities and had a "complete grasp of the situation", presidential office spokeswoman Karen Kuo told reporters.

She did not say how many Chinese ships were involved in the deployment, but a security source told AFP the number was "significant". The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The operations were not limited to the Taiwan Strait, but extended from the southern Yellow Sea, to the East China Sea near the disputed Diaoyu Islands and on into the South China Sea and even the Western Pacific, Kuo said.

"This indeed poses a threat and impact on the Indo-Pacific and the entire region," she said.

Taiwan urged China to "exercise restraint", Kuo said, adding: "We are also confident that we can handle this matter well."

Neither China's armed forces nor state media have announced any increased military activity in the region where Taiwan said Chinese ships had been detected.

Beijing's foreign ministry did not answer directly when asked if the military was amassing a large number of naval vessels in those waters.

"I want to emphasise that China has consistently followed a defensive policy," spokesman Lin Jian told a regular press briefing.

"The Chinese navy and coast guard strictly operate in relevant waters according to Chinese domestic law and international law," Lin said.

He urged "relevant parties" not to "overreact or... engage in groundless hype".

China has refused to rule out using force to take Taiwan, and also claims contentious sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea.

Taiwan's intelligence chief Tsai Ming-yen said Wednesday that October to December was the "peak season" for China's "annual evaluation exercises".

There was a possibility that China's ruling Communist Party could turn seemingly routine military activities into drills targeting Taiwan, Tsai warned.
Burkina Faso releases 8 NGO members arrested for 'spying': NGO



Abidjan, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



Eight members of the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) have been freed by the Burkina Faso authorities after being arrested in October over accusations by the military junta of spying, INSO announced Friday.

Burkina Faso's military junta, which seized power in a September 2022 coup, revoked the authorisation of 21 NGOs working in the country in July, including Netherlands-based INSO.

"INSO welcomes the safe release of our colleagues, and appreciate the support that made this possible," the organisation said in a statement.

INSO clarified that its staff had been released at the end of October.

The eight members included a Frenchman, a French-Senegalese woman, a Czech man, a Malian and four Burkinabe nationals.

Burkinabe authorities had claimed INSO had collected and passed on sensitive security information about the country to foreign powers, and that its members continued to work covertly despite being banned.

INSO, which did not provide further details on the matter, provides security analyses for other humanitarian organisations.

"As a humanitarian organisation we remain committed to supporting humanitarian organisations delivery aid safely to all those in need," it said.

Burkinabe authorities often repress dissent, notably within civil society and the media, claiming it as part of the battle against jihadist violence that has plagued the country for a decade.

At the end of 2024, Burkina Faso's ally and neighbour Niger, ruled too by a military junta, had also revoked INSO's authorisation to operate on its territory.
German lawmakers back new military service model



Berlin, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



German lawmakers backed a new scheme for military service on Friday as the country seeks to bolster its long ill-equipped and understaffed armed forces following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The reform stops short of introducing conscription but will include mandatory screening of all 18-year-old men and measures such as higher pay aimed at making service more attractive.

Conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he wants Germany to have Europe's strongest conventional army, at a time when the Trump administration has questioned its commitment to defending its traditional European allies.

NATO targets call for Germany to eventually boast a total military strength of 460,000 -- made up of 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists.

The Bundeswehr is currently far from those figures, with around only 182,000 active soldiers and about 49,000 reservists.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) had urged MPs to back the law, saying it was a "decisive step for our ability to defend ourselves".

"Our allies are looking to us," he added.

The law was approved by 323 MPs, with 272 voting against and one abstention. It will now progress to the upper house, which is expected to sign off on it before Christmas.

The plans had caused a row within Merz's coalition, with some in his own CDU/CSU conservative alliance demanding a quicker return to conscription, while Pistorius and the SPD advocated a voluntary model -- at least for now.

Pistorius told MPs that if the new measures fail to draw enough recruits then parliament would have to discuss at least a partial reintroduction of conscription.

Both the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the far-left Die Linke opposed the law.

AfD MP Heinrich Koch said there was a widespread "fear that our children will be sent to conflicts outside our borders", for example in Ukraine.

The government has denied that its plans would force anyone into active service abroad.

"Young people have other plans than serving in a 'Merz regiment' to protect the capital of the rich," said Desiree Becker from Die Linke, pointing to anti-conscription protests outside parliament.

This year, the defence ministry expects about 15,000 new recruits, 5,000 more than last year.

By 2031, the government hopes to nearly triple the number of new volunteers each year to 40,000.
Taiwan says China deploys warships in 'military operations'



Taipei, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



Taiwan said Friday that China had deployed warships for "military operations" stretching hundreds of kilometres from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea, posing a "threat" to the region.

Beijing, which claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory, neither confirmed nor denied the manoeuvres.

Taiwan's defence ministry and other security agencies were monitoring China's activities and had a "complete grasp of the situation", Presidential Office spokeswoman Karen Kuo told reporters.

She did not say how many Chinese ships were involved in the deployment, but a security source told AFP the number was "significant". The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The operations were not limited to the Taiwan Strait, but extended from the southern Yellow Sea, to the East China Sea near the disputed Diaoyu Islands and on into the South China Sea and even the Western Pacific, Kuo said.

"This indeed poses a threat and impact on the Indo-Pacific and the entire region," she said.

Taiwan urged China to "exercise restraint", Kuo said, adding: "We are also confident that we can handle this matter well."

Neither China's armed forces nor state media have announced any increased military activity in the region where Taiwan said Chinese ships had been detected.

Beijing's defence ministry spokesman Jiang Bin said Friday that the navy's training on the high seas complies with international law and "is not directed at any specific country or target".

He was responding to a question about a Chinese naval flotilla that reportedly may be heading towards Australia.

A spokesman for China's foreign ministry said Beijing "has consistently followed a defensive policy" and urged "relevant parties" not to "overreact or... engage in groundless hype".

China has refused to rule out using force to take Taiwan, and also contentiously claims nearly all of the South China Sea.

Taiwan's intelligence chief Tsai Ming-yen said Wednesday that October to December was the "peak season" for China's "annual evaluation exercises".

There was a possibility that China's ruling Communist Party could turn seemingly routine military activities into drills targeting Taiwan, Tsai warned.

Taiwan's defence ministry reported at 7:00 pm (1100 GMT) that it had detected 24 Chinese military aircraft near Taiwan since 2:22 pm, including 19 that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait to participate in a joint combat patrol with navy ships.

Last December, Taiwan said about 90 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels took part in vast exercises including simulating attacks on foreign ships and practising blockading sea routes in Beijing's biggest maritime drills in years.

Beijing did not confirm the drills at that time.

The United States has long been Taiwan's most important security backer and biggest supplier of arms.

But President Donald Trump's administration signalled a potential shift in that policy on Friday, saying in a strategy document that its Asian allies Japan and South Korea should take on more of the burden of defending the region.
In Russia's shadow, Norway to buy two submarines and missiles



Oslo, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



Norway is to buy two more German-made submarines along with long-range missiles as the country bordering Russia bolsters its defences, the government announced Friday.

"Norway is a coastal and maritime nation, and submarines are absolutely essential to the defence of our country. We are seeing an increase in the activity of Russian forces in the North Atlantic and the Barents Sea," Defence Minister Tore Sandvik said in a statement announcing the multi-billion dollar purchases.

Norway has a 198-kilometre (123-mile) land border with Russia, which is fighting a protracted war in Ukraine, as well as a maritime border in the Barents Sea.

The government had already ordered four submarines from German firm Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in 2021 and the first of those is to be delivered in 2029, the ministry said in the statement.

"As NATO's 'eyes and ears' in the North, this requires a greater capacity to show our presence, to monitor and to deter in our immediate vicinity. In this context, submarines are absolutely indispensable," Sandvik added.

The government proposed increasing the defence budget by 46 billion krone ($4.5 billion) because the cost of submarines and their arms systems had increased.

In a separate statement, the defence ministry said 19 billion krone would be spent on missiles able to reach targets up to 500 kilometres (300 miles) away.

The ministry did not say which missiles would be bought but the NTB news agency said the US Himars system, South Korea's Chunmoo missiles and a system made by Germany's KNDS group were being considered.
France takes anti-drone measures after flight over nuclear sub base



Brest, France, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



The French military used anti-drone measures after five unmanned vehicles flew over a closely guarded base housing nuclear ballistic submarines, a source told AFP on Friday.

Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin praised the military personnel at the submarine base on Ile Longue, a peninsula off the Brittany coast in northwestern France, for "intercepting" the drones.

Mysterious drone flights over airports and sensitive military and industrial sites have rattled nerves in Europe in recent months.

Concerns are growing that such disruptions could be part of Russian hybrid war tactics three-and-a-half years into its invasion of Ukraine, which is backed by the European Union.

At least five drones were detected above the base at around 1830 GMT on Thursday, said the source close to the case.

An anti-drone and search operation was launched by the marine battalion, which protects the base, the source added.

The maritime prefecture declined to say whether the military had used firearms or anti-drone jamming guns.

The Ile Longue base is home to France's four ballistic missile submarines -- Le Triomphant, Le Temeraire, Le Vigilant and Le Terrible.

At least one is permanently at sea to ensure nuclear deterrence.

A judicial investigation into Thursday's incident was to be opened by the military prosecutor's office in Rennes, the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture told AFP.



- 'Intended to cause concern' -



"Sensitive infrastructure was not threatened," Guillaume Le Rasle, spokesman for the maritime prefecture, told AFP.

He said it was "too early to determine" the origin of the drones, adding however that those flights were "intended to cause concern among the population".

Vautrin said any overflight of a military base was prohibited in France.

"I would like to commend our military personnel at the Ile Longue base for intercepting the aircraft," she told broadcaster TF1.

"A complaint has been filed, an investigation is underway, and it is this investigation that will determine what this overflight was all about."

Detecting the drones, making them non-operational by jamming them, or even shooting them down, are all complex and hazardous tasks.

While Russian involvement is suspected, it is difficult to prove.

France and the United Kingdom are the only European countries other than Russia with nuclear weapons.

France has maintained a sea-based nuclear deterrent force since 1971.

France's ballistic missile submarines are equipped with M51 strategic missiles with multiple nuclear warheads.

The Ile Longue base is a closely guarded site, employing 2,000 people including 1,500 civilians who maintain the four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

It is protected by 120 maritime police officers in coordination with marines.

Drone flights are prohibited over the Crozon peninsula, which includes Ile Longue, as well as over a large part of the Brest harbor, in order to protect the military infrastructure located there.

However, drone flights in the restricted area are not uncommon.

"There are precedents," said Le Rasle.

On the night of November 17 to 18, a drone flight over the Crozon peninsula was reported, but no military installations were flown over.

Last month, French police launched an investigation after an unidentified drone was spotted flying over a police station and a train carrying battle tanks in the city of Mulhouse near the German border.

On Friday, Irish police said they were investigating the sighting of several unidentified drones in the skies as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plane landed in Dublin this week.

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SHANGHAI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The value of import and export cargo shipped via the "Chancay-Shanghai" shipping route has exceeded 5 billion yuan (about 706.7 million U.S. dollars), Shanghai Customs said on Friday.

As of Thursday, the route has handled 197,000 tonnes of goods worth 5.35 billion yuan since its two-way launch nearly a year ago.

Opened in late 2024, the route cut sea transit time between China and Peru from 35 to 40 days to just 23 days, reducing logistics costs by more than 20 percent. Trade through the route has driven a 47.1 percent year-on-year increase in Shanghai's imports and exports with Peru during the first 10 months of 2025.

Perishable goods such as avocados and blueberries are transported via a green channel established by Shanghai's Yangshan Customs, which ensures expedited clearance through a full-process regulatory service.

The route has also facilitated automotive exports. The first shipment of more than 1,300 Chinese-made vehicles sailed from the Nangang terminal in southeast Shanghai to Chancay in July. As of the end of November, a total of 5,948 Chinese-made vehicles had been exported via the route.

Chancay Port, a deep-water hub and South America's first smart green port, is a flagship Belt and Road cooperation project between China and Peru. The shipping corridor became fully operational in both directions when the first container vessel from Chancay Port arrived at Shanghai's Yangshan Port on Dec. 18, 2024, following the official opening of Chancay Port on Nov. 14 of the same year. 
France probes mystery drone flight over nuclear sub base



Brest, France, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



The French military used jammers as several suspected drones flew over a closely guarded base housing nuclear ballistic submarines, prosecutors said Friday.

It was the latest in a series of mysterious drone flights over airports and sensitive military and industrial sites across Europe.

Three-and-a-half years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there is growing concern that such disruption could be part of hybrid war tactics by Moscow against the European Union, which has backed Kyiv.

No drones were shot down and no pilots were identified during the flyover Thursday evening at the submarine base on Ile Longue, a peninsula off the Brittany coast in northwestern France, prosecutors said as they opened an investigation.

"No link with foreign interference" has been established at this stage, said prosecutor Frederic Teillet.

The investigation had to "confirm whether or not these were drones" and determine "the type and number of devices," he added.

One source close to the case told AFP that five drones had been detected above the base at around 1830 GMT Thursday.

An anti-drone and search operation was launched, and the marine battalion, which protects the base, fired several anti-drone shots, the source added.

"The marines fired a jammer, not a firearm," said Teillet.

The Ile Longue base is home to France's four ballistic missile submarines -- Le Triomphant, Le Temeraire, Le Vigilant and Le Terrible.

At least one is permanently at sea to ensure nuclear deterrence.



- 'Intended to cause concern' -



"Sensitive infrastructure was not threatened," Guillaume Le Rasle, spokesman for the maritime prefecture, told AFP.

Speaking earlier in the day, he said that it was "too early to determine" the origin of the drones, adding however that the flights had been "intended to cause concern among the population".

Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin told French broadcaster TF1 that any overflight of a military base was prohibited in France.

Praising the response of the military personnel at the base, she added: "A complaint has been filed, an investigation is underway, and it is this investigation that will determine what this overflight was all about."

France and the United Kingdom are the only European countries other than Russia with nuclear weapons.

France has maintained a sea-based nuclear deterrent force since 1971. Its ballistic missile submarines are equipped with M51 strategic missiles with multiple nuclear warheads.

The Ile Longue base is a closely guarded site, employing 2,000 people including 1,500 civilians. It is protected by 120 maritime police officers in coordination with marines.

Drone flights are prohibited over the Crozon peninsula which includes Ile Longue in order to protect the military infrastructure located there.

However, drone flights in the restricted area are not unprecedented, said Le Rasle.

aag-cl-as/jj
NANNING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday launched a new section of high-speed passenger railway to a southern city on its border with Vietnam, a move set to boost cross-border tourism and strengthen regional connectivity.

The newly opened 81-km segment between Chongzuo and Pingxiang of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region marks the final stretch of the Nanning-Pingxiang high-speed railway, designed for speeds of up to 250 km per hour. The preceding Nanning-Chongzuo section began operations in December 2022.

The opening of the new railway section makes the entire route fully operational, allowing for more efficient passenger travel from Nanning, capital of Guangxi, to Pingxiang, a key border city. Total travel time now could be cut to 75 minutes.

The faster railway route is expected to spur tourism demand. Some travel agencies have already introduced weekend cross-border tours, catering to travelers eager for short outbound trips.

The full operation of the high-speed railway will also strengthen regional connectivity and better support the development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, experts said. 
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The 6th meeting of the Armenia-EU Partnership Council was held in Brussels on Tuesday. The priorities of this partnership were discussed and approved.

Armenia's partnership with various countries and organizations is its internal affair. From this position, Baku approaches all countries on this issue. But only to the extent that it does not concern us. Unfortunately, the priorities of the EU-Armenia partnership in the field of foreign and security policy affect the interests of Azerbaijan in a number of ways. And no matter how well the peace process is going, you can't turn a blind eye to it.

It is commendable that the European Union is committed to continuing efforts to "ensure a long-term and dignified peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan." But there will be no decent and long-term peace if European structures do not understand that there are borders beyond which Azerbaijan will not allow anyone to enter, and by making promises to Yerevan, the European Union is actually promising something it cannot fulfill. Brussels is encouraging the Armenian side, and it will think that by signing some kind of document, it will be able to count on active EU intervention in issues where Yerevan lacks its own resources.

For example, according to the priorities announced by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the European Union has pledged to promote "the full, immediate and effective implementation of the decisions of the International Court of Justice." The publication does not specify what it is about. But the same point is widely represented in the same priorities adopted at the 5th meeting in February last year. At that time, the Foreign Ministry reported that "the parties stressed the need for full, immediate and effective implementation of all decisions of the International Court of Justice within the framework of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan)." The shortening of the wording does not give much, because it is clear that we are talking about claims (which is not surprising) Armenia's claims against Azerbaijan and those satisfied by international judicial authorities against our country. The EU promises Yerevan assistance in ensuring compliance with the requirements contained in the court decisions.

This is not the first time such formulations have been heard in the statements of the EU-Armenia format. The European Union has always assumed too much, and Baku has more than once had to be besieged by its zeal to demonstrate extreme affection for our neighbor. During the years of the Armenian occupation, this had a negative impact on the EU's relations with Baku. Now that Azerbaijan has solved the problem of its territorial integrity, the excess of European feelings towards Yerevan and the double standards of European structures no longer threaten Azerbaijan's interests. However, EU officials, who seek to eliminate Moscow's influence on Yerevan at any cost, may spoil the positive trends that have emerged in relations between regional states with their excessive zeal.

The EU's promise to facilitate the immediate and continued implementation of the resolutions of international courts against Azerbaijan, adopted on the basis of Armenia's claims, became especially unacceptable after the initialing of the text of the peace treaty by the two countries. That is, after August 8, 2025. Apparently, the Armenian Foreign Ministry is aware of this, which is why this item on the Armenian-European agenda was left without details this time. But it did not save the situation.

The fact is that Article XV of the initialed text of the peace agreement contains the obligation of the parties to withdraw, terminate or otherwise settle all lawsuits, complaints, protests, objections, proceedings and disputes between them in all legal instances, and will not initiate new ones.

This is a very important commitment made by Nikol Pashinyan. For this, he was fiercely criticized by the revanchists, who hoped to resolve all issues at the expense of international courts loyal to the Armenians. If Pashinyan is really ready to withdraw the lawsuits, why oblige the European Union to help secure them? The "provision" obviously involves pressure on Baku, as the Azerbaijani side does not accept the decisions of these authorities, justifiably considering them biased and unfair. Azerbaijan has already made it clear that they mean nothing to it. How is the EU going to force him to change his approach?

The European Union also promises to interfere in the affairs of the judicial authorities of Azerbaijan. Namely, to seek the release of Armenian war criminals, saboteurs and terrorists. Neither the EU nor anyone else has any rights to fulfill such a promise. This is an exclusively internal matter of Azerbaijan. All those who are already in prison, who are awaiting sentencing or completion of the case, have committed specific crimes on the territory of Azerbaijan and will be held accountable according to the laws of this country. All possible exchanges have already taken place, moreover, hundreds of prisoners were unilaterally transferred to the Armenian side. The fact that there are no Azerbaijani prisoners in Armenia does not speak to Yerevan's humanity, but to the fact that Azerbaijani soldiers did not surrender en masse. And also that the war was not fought on the territory of Armenia. What questions can there be? The separatist leaders, the perpetrators of war crimes, are not even worth mentioning. The European Union will not be able to help the Armenian side in their release in any way.

In general, judging by the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the EU has a very strange vision of promoting peace in the region. The "hard disk" of Brussels seems to completely lack information about the prehistory of the Second Karabakh War. It is clear that this is more convenient for Europe. Meanwhile, there are many things that she will have to take into account, because Azerbaijan is not going to forget about the thirty years of occupation, ethnic cleansing and genocide committed by the country with which we are moving towards peace today. Let Baku's peaceful rhetoric today not give anyone the impression that we are also ready to pretend that nothing happened. Therefore, the assistance promised by the European Union to Armenia in strengthening trust between Baku and Yerevan must necessarily take into account the realities.

Azerbaijan stands for peace and good neighborliness. He does not mind if the European Union undertakes to finance the construction of roads in Armenia, if it wants to reach the green energy of Central Asia at its own expense. But we have many questions about the EU's financing of arms purchases for Yerevan. And these issues remain on the agenda.

Azerbaijan and Armenia cannot restore trust by moving from equivalent "points". There will be fewer obstacles in the peace process when everyone finally understands this.
ULAN BATOR, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's foreign trade turnover marked a 4.8 percent decrease year on year in the first 11 months of 2025, official data released by the Mongolian Customs General Administration showed on Friday.

The foreign trade turnover reached 23.9 billion U.S. dollars in the cited period, the data showed.

The landlocked Asian country demonstrated a surplus in its foreign trade balance as exports exceeded imports by over 3.5 billion dollars, the administration reported. 
"You must have been aware at that stage, and early, that this is what was being planned: your house was to be used and you must have been aware that this was important and not to be interfered with."
He added: I think we have a clear condition. I am sure the secretary of state at the time, whoever it is, will know what his or her responsibility is, if and when that moment comes.
Workers install lighting in fall 2023 on an "X" sign atop the former company headquarters in downtown San Francisco. The company's headquarters later moved to Bastrop. Noah Berger/Associated Press file photo

X, the social media company owned by Texas billionaire Elon Musk, on Friday became the first company to be fined by the European Union for violating its laws regulating the technology industry.

The case, which has been percolating since an investigation was opened two years ago, has been seen as a test of European officials willingness to go after big tech companies at the risk of antagonizing the Trump administration.

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The action levied a $140 million fine for three breaches of transparency requirements that regulators said could leave users of the Bastrop-based social media platform exposed to scams and manipulation.

The decision could rile President Donald Trump, whose administration has lashed out at the Digital Services Acts regulations, complaining that Brussels was targeting U.S. tech companies and vowing to retaliate.

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In posts on X after the announcement, Musk suggested the fine amounted to an attack on freedom of speech.

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Elon Musk attends the Saudi Investment Forum last month in Washington, D.C. Evan Vucci/Associated Press

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on X that the fine was an attack on the American people  and Musk later agreed.

The European Commissions $140 million fine isnt just an attack on @X, its an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments, Rubio wrote. The days of censoring Americans online are over.

Vice President JD Vance, posting on X ahead of the decision, accused the commission, which is the EUs executive arm, of seeking to fine X for not engaging in censorship.

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The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage, he wrote.

Regulators said the penalty against X was not about free speech but the companys lack of controls to prevent its platform from being abused.

The commission is not targeting anyone, not targeting any company, not targeting any jurisdictions based on their color or their country of origin, spokesman Thomas Regnier told a regular briefing in Brussels. Absolutely not. This is based on a process, democratic process.

The commission, which is the blocs executive arm, said it was punishing X because of three different breaches of the acts transparency requirements. Those included Xs deceptive design that allowed users to mislead others about their identities, opaque advertising practices and refusal to provide independent researchers with access to public data.

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X did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.

EU regulators had outlined their accusations in mid-2024, when they released preliminary findings of their investigation. They said Xs blue checkmarks broke the rules because of deceptive design practices and could expose users to scams and manipulation.

A building at Hyperloop Plaza in Bastrop that records show is the new headquarters of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Before Musk acquired X, when it was still known as Twitter, the checkmarks mirrored verification badges common on social media and were largely reserved for celebrities, politicians and other influential accounts such as Beyonce, Pope Francis, writer Neil Gaiman and rapper Lil Nas X.

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After he bought it in 2022, the site started issuing the badges to anyone who wanted to pay $8 per month.

That means X does not meaningfully verify whos behind the account, making it difficult for users to judge the authenticity of accounts and content they engage with, the commission said.

X also fell short of the transparency requirements for its advertising database.

Platforms in the EU are required to provide a database of all the digital advertisements they have carried, with details such as who paid for them and the intended audience, to help researches detect scams, fake ads and coordinated influence campaigns. But Xs database, the commission said, is undermined by design features and access barriers such as excessive delays in processing.

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Regulators also said X puts up unnecessary barriers for researchers trying to access public data, which stymies research into systemic risks that European users face.

Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU. The DSA protects users, Henna Virkkunen, the EUs executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said in a prepared statement.

X can appeal the ruling, which could set up a prolonged legal battle.

The fine is modest relative to Musks overall wealth, which recently approached $500 billion. A European Commission spokesman said the penalty was proportionate to Xs violations.

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Also Friday, the commission wrapped up a separate case involving TikToks ad database after the video-sharing platform promised to make changes to ensure full transparency.
SINGAPORE, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's retail sales grew 4.5 percent year-on-year in October, extending the 2.7 percent increase recorded in September, according to official data released Friday.

On a month-on-month basis, retail sales rose 2.3 percent. Total retail takings were estimated at 4.4 billion Singapore dollars (about 3.4 billion U.S. dollars), with online sales contributing 14.5 percent.

Most retail sectors posted year-on-year gains, led by watches and jewelry, which surged 25 percent, primarily driven by stronger jewelry sales.

Meanwhile, sales in food and beverage services increased 2.4 percent compared with a year earlier, rebounding from a 1.6 percent decline in September. The sector's total revenue was estimated at 1 billion Singapore dollars (about 772.2 million U.S. dollars), with online transactions accounting for 25.1 percent. 
The new logo for the City of Austin is displayed at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Save Austin Now, the PAC that led the charge against Prop Q, and its treasurer, Leland Bickers, filed a lawsuit Friday against City Manager T.C. Broadnax over the parody usage of the city's new logo.

The group is asking a Travis County district judge to issue a permanent injunction against Broadnax to prevent him from interfering in Plaintiffs exercise of their rights, including their right to criticize the Broadnax Logo and use it as parody free speech and to declare that the logo cannot be trademarked. The lawsuit also alleges that the new logo is not legal because the City Council did not adopt it.

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The lawsuit comes after the city, through attorney Dwayne Goetzel with the intellectual property law firm KHMR&G, sent a letter to Save Austin Now alleging unauthorized use of the city logo on the PACs website. The image of the city logo was a parody of the Austin logo with a picture of the stylized A and the word audit underneath.

This is an example of the abuse of power by the city administration. It is an outrageous threat, said Bill Aleshire, the attorney filing the lawsuit against the city.

The city has come under fire in recent months for the $1.1 million rebranding effort, including the new logo, which drew sharp criticism for its design that some residents found lacking. After voters defeated Prop Q, which would have raised city property taxes, Save Austin Now launched a petition to put a charter amendment on the May 2026 ballot to require an external performance audit of the city budget.

Austin City Logo N/A/Austin City

That logo is a perfect encapsulation of so much of the problem at City Hall right now  outrageous wastes of money, embarrassingly poor judgments, a complete and total disregard for taxpayers, and a lack of transparency and accountability, said Matt Mackowiak, co-chair of Save Austin Now PAC.

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Goetzel wrote in his letter to Mackowiak that the parody logo will confuse consumers who may believe it is sponsored or approved by the city. Goetzel did not respond to requests for comment.

Save Austin Now's use of the city's logo is inappropriate, confusing to the public, and a violation of our established trademark for an identity we established to make it easier for the public to connect with City services, Jessica King, the citys chief communications director, said in a statement, adding that creating a logo and brand guidelines for city services is an operational function and therefore does not require City Council approval.

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The citys communication and engagement budget includes legal services for the registration and protection of the brand mark, she added.
In Del Valle, University of Texas School of Nursing Social Resource Center workers Elly Morrison, center, and Martha Lujan, right, assist Ronika Allen, left, in picking up diapers and food. Del Valle is one of the areas that has limited resources in Travis County. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

How healthy is Austin and Travis County? That's one of the key questions the Community Health Assessment report from Austin Public Health seeks to answer. Last done in 2022, the new report gives a post-COVID-19 look at the community.

The assessment brings together folks from the major players: all three hospital systems, Austin Public Health, Integral Care (the county's mental health authority), the Travis County Health and Human Services, UT Health Houston's School of Public Health, Central Health (the county's hospital district), Cap Metro and the city's Public Works Department. Austin Public Health also invited representatives from the community to share their real-life experience.

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These assessments give us a clear call to action  honest data and community voice to confront persistent inequities and advance a healthier Austin Travis County for all, said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup.

Medical assistant Sarai Vences takes the blood pressure of patient Eloy Herrera at the Central Health East Austin Specialty Clinic in Austin in June. Health disparities and rates of different diseases are part of the focus of the Community Health Assessment. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The report doesn't deliver any solutions, but it will feed the next step, which is creating the Community Health Improvement Plan next year with the same group participation and community feedback. That process will begin Jan. 23 with a launch meeting. Kodjo Dodo, who leads these projects as the manager of the planning and evaluation unit at Austin Public Health, expects that report to be out in September. The ideas that immerge will then be implemented in 2027.

"It takes a lot to get there," Dodo said about the process from assessment to improvement plan to implementing new programs. After the last assessment, Austin Public Health created a program to raise mental health awareness and access to resources for the immigrant community, which makes up 17.3% of the county's population and 18.1% of Austin's population.

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The needs of our community continue to evolve as we see rising issues with opioids, stress and just finding healthy food to eat, said Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes.

Dr. Jose Agustin Martinez examines Crispin Hernandez at Austin Retina Associates. Hernandez has diabetes and Martinez is able to use injections to preserve his vision. Austin has a high rate of diabetes, including among people who are Hispanic. Jay Janner / American-Statesman

Let's take a look at some of the findings in the Community Health Assessment:

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Emily, 10, whose parents are immigrants from Mexico, gets ready at her home in Manor to go to school. Manor in northeastern Travis County is one of the areas where more people are moving but access to medical care is a concern. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Community members break into groups to discuss what frustrates them about grocery shopping in Del Valle during a Food Co-Op meeting at the Del Valle Opportunity Center in 2024. The Community Health Access report from Austin Public Health also considered access to food as an indicator of health. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

Public health services and medical infrastructure need to keep pace with suburban growth, especially in the Leander, Manor, Bee Cave and along the Texas 71 corridor. Williamson County is expected to grow in population 300% by 2060 and Hays County is expected to grow by 175% by that year.

The overall rate of people who are uninsured in Travis County (12.2%) and Austin (12.4%) was lower than the rest of Texas (17.4%), but those rates were higher for African Americans, Hispanics and American Indian residents. The uninsured rates are also concentrated in eastern and southeastern Travis County in Dove Springs, Montopolis and Del Valle and parts of Northeast Austin near St. Johns and Windsor Park.

The percentage of adults who reported having 14 or more days of poor physical health reflects a lower rate than the state, which was 12.0%, but 7.6% in the county. That county rate was highest among Hispanics at 13.4% compared with white non-Hispanics at 6.0%. This part of the report did not break it out by city.

Travis County does not have enough primary care physicians. The county has 101.1 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents compared with 298.9 nationally and 246.2 in Texas.

Travis County does have more mental health providers at 1 per 271 residents, compared with 1 per 320 residents nationally, but community feedback noted a lack of providers who accept Medicaid and CHIP, the government health insurance programs for children.

at 1 per 271 residents, compared with 1 per 320 residents nationally, but community feedback noted a lack of providers who accept Medicaid and CHIP, the government health insurance programs for children. East and Southeast Austin had a greater heat vulnerability index, which means people there are more likely to have a heat-related illness.

One in 10 people in Travis County have diabetes and the rates are higher for people who do not have a high school diploma and have a lower income or are Hispanic.

60% of adults in Travis County are obese, which is defined as having a body mass index of 30 or more.

Austin-Travis County EMS medic Celia Halpin treats a teenage girl who overdosed on fentanyl in East Austin. Opioid overdoses have decreased but continue to be a concern. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

20.2% of older adults in the county have a heart-related illness. That rate was higher among Black residents. Heart-related diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in Travis County. Cancer was second.

17.6% of Travis County adults have been diagnosed with depression. 27.2 % reported frequent mental distress.

Travis County's HIV rates are among the highest rates in the country with 478 cases per 100,000 compared with 386.6 nationally. Those rates are 1,258.5 for African Americans and 593.2 for Hispanics. Travis County also has between 30% and 50% higher rates of other sexually transmitted diseases.

In Travis County, the infant mortality rates for Black babies is three times higher than those for white babies.

white babies. Alcohol-related vehicle deaths were higher than the national average.

Overdose deaths, fueled by opioid and fentanyl use, increased 39% overall but more than 250% with opioid-related deaths since 2014, though most recently those deaths are lessening.

Life expectancy rates varied by 19 years in parts of the county with pockets of East and South Austin having the lowest life expectancies.

Aging populations are concentrated in areas of western Travis County along Lake Travis, Northwest Austin and Southwest Austin. Younger populations are in East, North and far Northeast Austin and Southeast Austin.

Wage, poverty and burden of rent are the three most unequitable categories when it came to race. White residents experienced poverty at rates of 7.9% in Travis County and 9.3% in Austin, but Black or African-American residents experienced it at 13.7% in Travis County and 20.1% in Austin. For Latino residents, that's 14.7% in Travis County and 17.3% in Austin.

Poverty is also in concentrated areas of eastern and southeastern Austin, Del Valle and southeastern Travis County. Central and Northeast Austin and Manor and Pflugerville also had high or moderate levels of poverty.

Austin and Travis County residents also experienced a higher level of housing cost burden (spending more than 30% of income on housing) than the rest of Texas. In Austin, 36.2% spend more than the 30% and in Travis County it was 34.3% compared with 31.4% in Texas.
Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett speaks during a rally featuring California Governor Gavin Newsomm in Houston, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle

The U.S. Senate race could be headed for a jolt next week as U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett appears likely to jump in as a Democratic contender.

Crockett, a second-term progressive who has become a lightning rod for Republicans, is scheduled to make a "special announcement" in her hometown of Dallas on Monday and has signaled her intention to join a Democratic field that includes former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and state Rep. James Talarico of Austin.

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The widely anticipated entrance stands to pit three of the state's more well-known Democrats against one another  a scenario that has some Democrats frustrated.

"The fact that they're all running in the same race is just maddening," said Matt Angle, a veteran Texas Democratic operative. "Next fall, two out of three of our best communicators will be sitting on the sidelines. It's frustrating. If the world worked right, one would be running for the U.S. Senate, one would be running for governor, and one would be running for attorney general."

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Neither Talarico nor Allred, who lost his Senate bid last year to unseat Ted Cruz, has shown any intention of abandoning the race and switching to another ahead of Monday's candidate filing deadline. Both have kept up campaign appearances and online fundraising this week.

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In an appearance Sunday on MSNOW, Crockett acknowledged the conundrum even as she broadly hinted her intention to run.

"Instead of relying on one person to carry the load, I've actually been talking to other candidates, potential candidates, as well, trying to recruit them (to seek other offices) to make sure that it's not just the top of the ticket that everybody's looking at," Crockett said. "It's not like I can get around Texas by myself."

Earlier efforts to create a Democratic super ticket, with big names running in each of the states top races, failed this spring when candidates couldnt reach an agreement, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said at a recent event in Austin. He said he had offered to run for attorney general.

A poll published Monday by Democrat-leaning Change Research found that 84% of statewide respondents have heard of Crockett, compared to 79% for Allred and 51% for Talarico. However, 49% said they would "definitely not" vote for Crockett, compared to 43% for Allred and 40% for Talarico.

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And half of all respondents said they would likely vote in November for the winner of the Republican primary, so far a three-way contest between U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt of Houston.

The findings suggest that none of the three Democrats have demonstrated the kind of broad appeal needed to flip the seat from red to blue. Stephen Clermont, director of polling for Change Research, said they offer a nuanced picture for a party that has not won statewide office in Texas since the 1990s.

"It's a challenging, uphill race for Democrats," Clermont said. "If you're going to run, and going to run successfully, you've got to have a reason why you're different than every other Democrat who has run statewide since 1994, and none of them have won. What would you do differently, and what makes you different to be successful where for 32 years no one else has been? It's a tough question to answer."

Cornyn on Thursday likened Crockett to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York, an unabashed liberal and a favorite target of national Republicans.

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"I would love to see Jasmine Crockett in the race," Cornyn said. "I dont think she's going to play well in Texas."

Earlier this fall, when she started publicly toying with a possible Senate run, Crockett said she would rely on her own polling to help guide her decision-making. She told Hearst Newspapers in mid-November that she would release the results once she makes a formal announcement. In her MSNOW interview, Crockett said the polling showed she has strength among Black and Latino voters, two of the sturdiest pillars in the Democratic coalition.

"I am the leading candidate when it comes to those two specific constituencies," she said. "And so it does make it to where I am very formidable, regardless of kind of what people may want to put out into the atmosphere. The numbers are the numbers."

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The filing period for the March 3 primaries ends on Monday. So far, the top Democrats running for governor are state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin, businessman Andrew White, who unsuccessfully sought the nomination in 2018, and 2006 gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin of Austin has filed for lieutenant governor, and state Sen. Nathan Johnson of Dallas and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski are running for attorney general.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, walks to the hearing of the House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting at the Capitol in Austin, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision this week to uphold the Texas' GOP-friendly congressional map has cemented the decision by Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin to end his half-century career in politics.

But Doggett said he plans to remain active in progressive causes even after his 16th term comes to an end in January 2027.

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"I will continue working with the same urgency and determination as if next year were my last, which in public office it will be," Doggett said in a statement on Friday. "After that, I will seek new ways to join my neighbors in making a difference in the only town I have ever called home."

Doggett, 79, announced in September that he would not seek reelection after Austin was left with just one safe Democratic congressional district when the lines were redrawn by the Legislature. By stepping aside, it cleared the path for Austin's other Democratic representative, Greg Casar, to run for the seat without a big-name opponent in the March 3 primary.

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Doggett shelved his decision, albeit only briefly, when a panel of federal judges temporarily struck down the GOP map last month, which would have reinstated the boundaries that have been in place since the 2022 elections. The high court's 6-3 decision Wednesday overruled the lower court.

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When he steps off the political stage, Doggett will end a political career that began in 1973 when he won a state Senate seat in a special election at age 26. He left that seat after running unsuccessfully in 1984, but was back in public office four years later when he was elected to the Texas Supreme Court.

In 1994, Doggett won his first race for Congress. Although he had been targeted for extinction several time in GOP-led redistricting efforts, Doggett always found a way to survive before this year's unusual mid-decade overhaul of the state's maps.

Doggett thrust himself into the national spotlight in the summer of 2024 when he became the first elected Democrat to call for then-President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid after a halting and disjointed debate appearance with then-Republican candidate Donald Trump.

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As president, Trump was the driving force to remake the Texas congressional map, hoping to increase Republican chances to retain the majority in the House after the midterms.
A new lawsuit challenges a Texas law that requires warning labels for certain ingredients. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

Several food and beverage trade associations are asking a federal court to strike down a package-labeling provision in a new state law aimed at combating obesity, diabetes and some cancers.

The associations said in a news release that they support nearly all of the elements of Texas version of the Trump administrations Make America Healthy Again campaign. The labeling provisions, however, would require companies to make false and misleading claims about their products, according the federal lawsuit filed Friday in Waco.

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The Texas law calls for a warning label for products with specific ingredients that states: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada the European Union or the United Kingdom. But the suit said several of the ingredients that trigger the warning have not been found to be harmful and in some cases have not been flagged by the foreign entities listed.

Requiring the labeling would run afoul of the First Amendment, the suit said.

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We urge the court to allow for nutrition education, protect the freedom of Texans and curb the influence of foreign regulatory bodies in the state by quickly reversing this specific portion of SB 25, the associations said in an unsigned statement.

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The suit was filed by the American Beverage Association, the Consumer Brands Association, the National Confectioners Association and the Food Industry Association.

The bill, and others in the Make America Healthy Again 2025 package of legislation, prompted spirited floor debates in the House last spring as some members sought to weaken or wipe out the labeling provision.

The House sponsor, state Rep. Lacey Hull, R-Houston, did agree to remove high fructose corn syrup and aspartame from the list of ingredients subject to labeling requirements, saying Texas supermarket chain H-E-B and Bluebell Ice Cream had requested those and other changes.

The bills author, state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, earlier defended the label requirement as necessary to protect public health.

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The choice being: youre going to put the label on your food, or youre going to take those additives out of your food, Kolkhorst said at the time.

The associations offered specific examples of ingredients that are required to carry the warning despite being authorized for use in the foreign entities listed. Among them:

 Lye, which the associations say are common ingredients in pretzels, tamales, tortillas and sopas.

 Acetylated Esters of Monoglycerides, which keeps oil and vinegar from separating in salad dressings.

 Acetylated Esters of Diglycerides, which adds softness and stability of dough, maintains stability of margarine and other spreads and prevents fat separation in ice cream.

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Backers of the Senate Bill 25, which passed both chambers with bipartisan support, said the White House was looking to Texas to lead the way on state-level nutrition requirements. They also noted that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., had released a report highlighting ultraprocessed foods and environmental toxins as driving causes of chronic disease, and he has announced he will ask the food industry to phase out artificial dyes.
A sign at a homeless encampment on Bluff Springs Road in last January, when the temperature was in the upper 30s. City crews did a three-week homeless camp sweep this fall to try to bring more people out of tents and into shelters, but far more people vanished deeper into the woods. Jay Janner/American-Statesman

The goal was to get ahead of the chilly weather.

When the city launched a first-of-its-kind, three-week cleanup of hundreds of camps this fall, officials framed it as a compassionate intervention  a chance to bring people out of tents in the woods and into warm beds indoors. They touted last month how 181 people from these cleared encampments had accepted shelter.

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The sad reality of the sweeps, however, is that far more people were simply scattered to new campsites while losing crucial gear for the colder months.

We learned this past week that city crews logged encounters with 1,212 people during these sweeps, which ran from Oct. 21 to Nov. 8. Even allowing that some people were counted multiple times if crews met them on multiple days, the data still suggests that for every person who made it into a shelter, three or four others simply vanished deeper into the woods. Only now they had lost their tents, blankets, extra clothing or propane heaters  the basic gear that helps keep people alive outdoors in the winter.

City Council Member Ryan Alter asked the essential question during a discussion of the sweeps at a health committee meeting on Wednesday: Where did everyone else go? he said. Is the theory they just moved to a different camp?

A lot of times, folks were just like, OK, I'll leave, replied Patricia Barrera of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office. And they just kind of disappeared on us.

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Of course they did. Especially if what unfolded didnt feel like help at all.

We were given one hour to clean everything out, and we didnt even get that full hour, Vincint Valentino told council members Nov. 6, when homeless residents and advocates testified about the recent sweeps. Valentino said his camp off Riverside Drive had been cleared a few weeks earlier.

When I returned, everything I owned was destroyed: my clothes, my important documents, my dogs records, all crushed, and among those things were my little sisters ashes, Valentino said. Thats something no one can ever replace.

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That day broke something inside me, he continued. I wasnt just losing my belongings. I was losing my progress, my stability, my hope. It sent me multiple steps back, forcing me to start over again, just to replace what had already been mine.

The citys protocols demand better. They call for at least 72 hours notice before a cleanup, along with outreach to offer resources and, if possible, shelter. Those policies exist for a reason: Were not really addressing homelessness if we simply upend peoples worlds and make it harder for them to move forward.

David Gray, the citys homeless strategy officer, told council members on Wednesday that miraculously, we were able to offer a shelter bed to everybody who we came in contact with. But some of the residents who addressed the council Nov. 6 said that wasnt their experience.

A man who identified himself as J.D. said the crews that recently cleared his Montopolis camp told residents to grab one bag of belongings and go to the van that would take them to a shelter.

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By the time they got to me and my wife, there was no room, J.D. told council members last month. They threw away all of our clothes, our pictures, our IDs, birth certificates, my laptop and other personal belongings  these things I needed to get a job and get myself out of this situation.

We just wandered around that night and tried to find a safe spot to sleep, he added.

ALSO READ: How colorful cabins and a Grateful Dead spirit are helping people out of homelessness

Gray emphasized that crews are not supposed to dispose of essential items such as IDs, medications, documents, tents or bikes. And in some cases, valuables were set aside. But clearly not often enough. City officials also told me they are consistently posting notices of cleanups at least 72 hours in advance, but it is not always possible to engage with every individual before encampment cleanups begin.

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The dangerous weather arrived even earlier than city officials had expected: On Oct. 25, just a few days into the cleanups, two people camping alongside Hancock Creek drowned after being swept away by flash flooding. It was a tragic example of why the city's work is so important, bringing people out of the elements, and why it must be done in ways that don't push people into even more treacherous, out-of-sight places.

Indeed, the city is trying  and getting things right in some cases. Outreach workers did connect 181 people to shelter beds, and referred another 87 to services. Theyre trying to build trust with those who declined shelter the first time, in the hope theyll accept it down the line.

And Austin absolutely needs a coordinated, proactive response to homelessness. People deserve to live in safety and dignity, and so do the communities around them. Leaving people in dangerous camps is not compassionate; leaving public spaces unmanaged is not sustainable. We all want a city where fewer people are living outside, and where the pathways indoors are real.

But how we pursue that goal matters  in whether someone gets a real chance to gather their things, whether a couple can stay together, whether important papers or cherished photos make it into the keep pile instead of the trash.

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If Austin can offer shelter to 181 people in a matter of weeks, imagine what the city could achieve with practices that consistently protect peoples belongings, provide everyone with advance notice and ensure no one is left wandering in the cold.

The city's Homeless Strategy Office told me its looking to learn from this effort and build more long-term outreach, recognizing it often takes repeated offers and real trust for people to accept help.

Earning that trust will require listening to people most affected by these sweeps. As Valentino put it, Austin must stop treating homelessness like a nuisance to be swept away and start treating it like the humanitarian crisis it truly is.

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Activists protest against mid-decade redistricting at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, speaks in favor of a congressional redistricting plan at the Capitol in Austin, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Texas Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, is surrounded by fellow Republicans as he faces off with Democrats during debate over a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special session, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld Texas Republicans new GOP-heavy congressional map, handing the party a key victory as it heads into what is predicted to be a bruising midterm cycle.

In a 6-3 ruling, the court reversed a lower courts finding that the map was designed to weaken the voting power of racial minorities. All three liberal justices dissented. While not the final decision in the case, it solidifies the map through at least the November midterms.

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In a short, unsigned order, the conservative majority said the lower court had failed to presume legislative good faith and had instead relied on "ambiguous direct and circumstantial evidence." They also argued that it was too close to an election to abandon the new map. The candidate filing period in Texas is set to end on Monday.

"The District Court improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign, causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections," the majority wrote.

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The order further scrambles the political landscape for several incumbent Democrats, including longtime U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, who has vowed not to run for reelection if the redrawn districts survived. Republicans have also configured the boundaries to eliminate Democratic-held seats in Houston and Dallas, and to fill two in South Texas with more GOP voters.

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In Houston, the new map combines two districts that had Black Democratic representation into just one and creates an open GOP-leaning seat that stretches from the East End to Liberty County. U.S. Rep. Al Green, whose 9th district was redrawn, will now have to weigh running in the neighboring 18th district against up-and-coming Democrats Christian Menefee or Amanda Edwards, who are locked in a runoff to finish the late U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner's term.

The court's three dissenting justices defended the lower court's rationale, writing that plaintiffs had shown that Texas "largely divided its citizens along racial lines to create its new pro-Republican House map." They also slammed their colleagues assertion that it was too close to an election to strike down the map, saying that if that were true, any state wanting to pass a blatantly unconstitutional map could simply pass it months before the election, as Texas did.

"Todays order disserves the millions of Texans whom the District Court found were assigned to their new districts based on their race," Justice Elena Kagan wrote in a dissent joined by Justices Kentanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor.

The states unusual mid-decade redistricting push touched off a political arms race across the country, with voters in California last month approving their own Democratic-led redistricting effort.

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Last month, a pair of lower court judges blocked the Texas map, ruling it likely violated the U.S. Constitution because the districts were drawn based on race, rather than purely for partisan gain. Federal Judge Jeffrey Brown, a Trump appointee, wrote that state leaders had clearly relied on a directive from the Department of Justice to dismantle Democratic-held coalition districts, which have more than 50% non-white voters without any single ethnic group holding the majority.

Brown rejected an argument that it would be too disruptive to toss the new map so close to an election, saying it was the Legislatures fault that the map and subsequent court challenge came near the Dec. 8 filing deadline. Texas Republicans have blamed Democrats for delaying the maps passage in a three-week-long quorum break, and insisted that Republican lawmakers had in fact drawn the maps purely for partisan gain.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a three-term Republican whose office represented the state in the lawsuit, said the ruling shuts down Democratic efforts to meddle with the decisions of the Legislature.

Texas is paving the way as we take our country back, district by district, state by state," Paxton said in a statement. "This map reflects the political climate of our state and is a massive win for Texas and every conservative who is tired of watching the left try to upend the political system with bogus lawsuits.

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Texas House Democratic leader Gene Wu of Houston, who led a two-week walkout this summer to slow down the Republican redistricting effort, called the ruling a gut punch to voting rights for minority communities.

"Every Texan who testified against these maps should be angry," he said in a statement. "Every community that fought for generations to build political power and watched Republicans gerrymander it away should be angry."

U.S. Rep Lizzie Fletcher, a four-term Democrat from Houston, said the high court effectively silenced many voters.

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The Texas map that the Supreme Court has now permitted to go into effect for the 2026 elections betrays the fundamental principle that all Texans should have a say in our government," Fletcher said in a statement.
JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- No single member of the Group of 20 (G20) has a unilateral right to exclude South Africa, a founding member, from the bloc, South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said Thursday.

Lamola issued an open letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the latter criticized South Africa's domestic policies and its G20 stewardship in a Substack post on Wednesday.

Reaffirming South Africa's Role in the G20, Lamola said that South Africa's presidency emphasized equal partnership with Africa and the Global South, as well as the need to address systemic macroeconomic challenges affecting developing economies.

"It is a matter of public record that the United States chose not to attend the G20 meetings. Given that absence, the notion of South Africa's 'sabotaging' consensus is not just incorrect, it misunderstands the very purpose of a forum like the G20," said the minister.

"True leadership doesn't mean everyone leaves getting everything they want; it means everyone leaves feeling they have been truly heard," he added.

Responding to accusations regarding South Africa's domestic policies, Lamola dismissed claims that the government mistreats white South Africans, saying, "This could not be further from the truth."

Noting that South Africa does not seek U.S. approval for its path, he stressed, "Our path is our own, chosen by our people and guided by our sovereign laws. But we do seek, and we will always extend, a hand of respectful partnership."

In that spirit of shared humanity and clear-eyed hope, South Africa remains open to dialogue, committed to maintaining its overall relations, Lamola added. 
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The New York Times on Thursday sued U.S. Defense Department over restrictive rules on media, arguing that the department's policy violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, naming the Defense Department, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell as defendants.

On Oct. 6, the department issued a new policy on Pentagon Facility Alternate Credentials -- also called Pentagon badges or building passes -- vesting department officials with "unbridled discretion" to immediately suspend and ultimately revoke a reporter's credentials for engaging in lawful newsgathering, both on and off Pentagon grounds, or for reporting any information Department officials have not approved, the complaint noted.

"The policy, in violation of the First Amendment, seeks to restrict journalists' ability to do what journalists have always done - ask questions of government employees and gather information to report stories that take the public beyond official pronouncements," the complaint continued.

The department requires reporters to sign a 21-page form that sets restrictions on journalistic activities, including requests for story tips and inquiries to Pentagon sources, The New York Times noted in a report.

"Reporters who don't comply could lose their press passes," it said.

The complaint sought a court order halting enforcement of the rules and a declaration that the provisions "targeting the exercise of First Amendment rights" were unlawful, according to the report.

"We are aware of the New York Times lawsuit and look forward to addressing these arguments in court," Parnell said in a statement. 
BEIRUT, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Friday said Israeli airstrikes and an unidentified attack on peacekeepers in southern Lebanon constituted serious violations of a UN resolution.

Peacekeepers observed a series of Israeli airstrikes in their area of operations in the villages of Marounah, Majadel and Baraashit on Thursday afternoon, while the Lebanese Armed Forces carried out operations to control unauthorized weapons and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL said in a statement.

"These actions are clear violations of Resolution 1701," said UNIFIL, urging the Israel Defense Forces to use established liaison and coordination mechanisms, and cautioning the Lebanese side against any response that could further worsen the situation.

The statement also added that on Thursday night, six men on three mopeds approached peacekeepers on patrol near the town of Bint Jbeil, and one of them fired three shots at the back of the UN vehicle. No injuries were reported.

UNIFIL called on Lebanese authorities to safeguard peacekeepers and promptly investigate the incident. 
The 100th KC-46A Pegasus aerial tanker plane is delivered to the U.S. Air Force on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at Travis Air Force Base in California. (Brian Collett/U.S. Air Force)



With top brass at the controls, the Air Force this week marked delivery of the 100th new KC-46A Pegasus aerial tanker built by Boeing.

Air Force Lt. Gen. John Healy, chief of the Air Force Reserve, landed the 99th KC-46A at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California on Wednesday, followed closely by the 100th, piloted by Air Mobility Commands top commander, Gen. John D. Lamontagne.

Our combined total force ensures we can reach any spot in the world whenever and wherever our nation calls, Healy told the audience gathered for the delivery milestone.

Originally derived from the Boeing 767 twin-engine commercial airliner, the KC-46A can carry up to 212,299 pounds of fuel. It can also be used for cargo, troop transport and medical evacuation roles.

The Air Force has operated the KC-46A since 2022 and expects the aircraft to remain in service into the 2070s. The plane is built at the Boeing plant in Everett, Wash.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C aircraft conducts in-flight refueling with a KC-46 Pegasus on June 15, 2021, near Joint Base Andrews, Md. (Roslyn Ward/U.S. Air Force)



The KC-46A replaced the KC-10 Extender, a trijet tanker based on the Douglas DC-10 airliner design, which served with the Air Force from 1981 to 2024.

Plans call for 263 aircraft by 2030, with 88 planes from the original order under production and another 75 planned for the Tanker Production Extension plan.

The KC-46A is currently assigned to squadrons at eight bases across the country, and two other bases are involved in testing and training.

The Air Forces active-duty, reserve and National Guard forces continue to operate more than 350 KC-135 Stratotankers, a design based on a variation of the original 707 jet airliner from 1955.

The Air Force has used over 800 KC-135 variants during its seven decades of service. With a Service Life Extension Program in place, the type is expected to remain in service until at least the 2050s.

The KC-46A represents the continued strengthening of our nations global reach and readiness, Lamontagne told the audience

The Air Force said the KC-46A has improved refueling systems, enhanced defensive features and expanded cargo capacity to meet modern mission demands.

The KC-46A design has run into some operational problems; some aircraft receiving in-flight refueling from a KC-46 have been damaged by what the Air Force determined was an overly stiff aerial boom and by limitations on remote controls used by the refueling crews. The shortcomings have led to a redesign of the boom actuator system, according to the Air Force.

The Air Force says the KC-46A is capable of in-flight refueling of a variety of Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and U.S.-allied aircraft, ranging from smaller fighter jets such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon to larger aircraft, such as the B-52 Stratofortress bomber.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George, right, passes the colors to Lt. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, the commander of the new U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, during the Transition of Command ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Alexis Fischer/U.S. Army)



The Army shuttered its largest command on Friday to activate in its place a new organization focused on soldiers efforts in the Western Hemisphere as the service continues a major shakeup of its top levels ordered early this year.

U.S. Army Forces Command cased its colors and inactivated Friday afternoon during a formal ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., where the new U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command was activated as a four-star headquarters. Army Gen. Joseph Ryan  he received a fourth star  took command of the new formation. Army Gen. Andrew Poppas, who led FORSCOM from 2022 through its inactivation, was set to retire.

Today is much more than a change of command ceremony, Poppas said. Its a major step toward the merger of three powerhouse Army headquarters into one operational, transregional team that will face the nations top strategic priorities.

The transformation efforts grew from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths April orders for the military to reduce general officer billets across the force and to refocus troops efforts toward protecting the U.S. homeland after more than two decades of war in the Middle East and southwest Asia.

Western Hemisphere Command is designed for speed, flexibility and relevance to effectively respond to challenges in our complex times, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said. By consolidating these headquarters and aligning the theater, we will streamline processes, eliminate redundant efforts, and free up talent and resources. This will allow us to better support our fighting formations.

U.S. Army Gen. Andrew P. Poppas, right, commander of U.S. Army Forces Command Commanding General, and Command Sgt. Maj. Nema Mobar Mobarakzadeh conduct the casing of the FORSCOM colors, officiated by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George, at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Alexis Fischer/U.S. Army)



In recent months, the Army has merged two other four-star commands, Training and Doctrine Command and Futures Command, into a single new organization called Transformation and Training Command, which it headquartered in Austin, Texas. That command, known as T2COM, also absorbed the services three-star Recruiting Command.

Western Hemisphere Command next year will absorb two more general officer-led commands. Three-star-led U.S. Army North and two-star-led U.S. Army South will be inactivated and folded into the new command with responsibility for providing Army forces for missions in the Northern Command and Southern Command areas of responsibility.

The Army anticipates those moves coming by March, but it will be based on conditions and not on a set calendar timeline, said Col. Mike Burns, a spokesman for Army Western Hemisphere Command.

While Army North and South are currently headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, most of their personnel are expected to move to Fort Bragg, Burns said. The Army anticipates civilian officials with those commands to move to Fort Bragg by the end of 2026 and soldiers to complete relocation to Fort Bragg by September 2027, Burns said.

The new U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command patch is displayed at the USAWHC activation and Transition of Command ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. The emblem features an eagles head above a globe representing North and South America, symbolizing the commands area of responsibility, strategic readiness and modernization initiatives, with four stars denoting four-star leadership. (Alexis Fischer/U.S. Army)



Western Hemisphere Command does expect to retain a forward command post with some personnel at Joint Base San Antonio to support NORTHCOM operations, according to planning documents. It was not immediately clear Friday how many civilian employees and soldiers would be moved from JBSA to Fort Bragg or how many would remain at the Texas base. Burns declined comment on specific numbers, citing ongoing planning efforts.

The new Western Hemisphere Command will serve as the Army Service Component Command for both U.S. NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM, much as U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command serves for U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. Officials said it will be responsible for providing trained and ready forces to the NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM commander for any range of missions that require soldiers, from combat operations to border security efforts to natural disaster response.

FORSCOM, which was established in 1973, has spent decades overseeing the Armys conventional combat formations and ensuring training and readiness standards across those units worldwide. With its inactivation, much of the responsibilities for unit combat readiness will be decentralized and enforced by the Armys corps commanders, an Army official said.

The Army is expected to announce in the coming weeks that the 18th Airborne Corps will fall under U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, while the services I Corps will align with U.S. Army Pacific and its III Armored Corps and V Corps will serve under U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command, a service official said.

Some other functions traditionally served by FORSCOM will move to the Pentagon under the Armys operations, plans and training chief, according to the official.

The new headquarters is standing up at a time of increased military activity in the Western Hemisphere under President Donald Trumps second administration. That includes increased operations along the U.S. Southern Border, National Guard deployments in U.S. cities and a buildup of military forces  mostly land and air capabilities filled by the Navy, Marines and Air Force  in the Caribbean Sea with lethal strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats.

However, Army officials said the restructuring does not imply the Army will have more of less involvement in those missions.

Western Hemisphere Command was designed and built not with any particular crisis in mind, the Army official said. It was built as a way to say, Hey, this is a priority theater. We want to compete with other aspiring powers in our hemisphere and make sure that were secure.
Maj. Blaine McGraw, under criminal investigation for reports that he secretly recorded patient exams, is now in jail because he violated conditions to remain unrestrained during the legal process. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)



AUSTIN, Texas  A Fort Hood doctor under criminal investigation over reports that he secretly recorded patient exams is now in jail because he violated conditions to remain unrestrained during the legal process, according to base officials.

Maj. Blaine McGraw, a suspended OB-GYN at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, was detained Tuesday and is being held in pretrial confinement at Bell County Jail, the county where Fort Hood is located. He violated conditions of liberty imposed by his commander, Fort Hood officials said Thursday.

There is no evidence to suggest he violated a military protective order related to alleged victims, according to Fort Hood.

Army Criminal Investigation Division began an investigation into McGraw on Oct. 17, after a patient accused him of recording an exam without her consent. He was suspended from the hospital that same day.

The Army has notified roughly 3,000 former patients of McGraws that he is under investigation and encouraged them to fill out a questionnaire about their experiences with him.

Those patients saw him at Fort Hood as well as his previous duty station, Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.

Since his suspension, McGraw, 47, has spent time in an inpatient care facility, according to Bell County court records.

Charges have not yet been referred to a court-martial. Criminal investigators said Wednesday they have conducted hundreds of interviews and are sifting through more than half a terabyte of digital media collected as part of the investigation. Thats the equivalent of more than 100,000 high-resolution photographs.

A team comprised of Army CID special agents and analysts has been focused on this investigation, utilizing all available resources to ensure a thorough and complete investigation, Army CID said in a statement.

Those agents are working closely with the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, which will ultimately prosecute any court-martial process.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice requires that a neutral military magistrate review McGraws pretrial confinement within seven days to determine whether it should continue.

Anyone with information that could assist the ongoing investigation is encouraged to call the Army CID Central Texas Field Office at 254-258-2560 or complete the Criminal Investigation Screening Questionnaire at https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/vgcfuj3pD8.

Individuals may also report anonymously at www.cid.army.mil/tips
An intersection in Sunabe, Japan, outside Kadena Air Base as seen on Dec. 5, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes)



A U.S. soldier died Friday after being struck by a vehicle following a motorcycle crash in central Okinawa, according to police.

The soldier, a 28-year-old specialist assigned to Torii Station, was pronounced dead at 5:59 a.m. at an undisclosed hospital in central Okinawa, a spokesman for the Okinawa Prefectural Police said by phone. He died of internal bleeding, pelvic fractures and other injuries, the spokesman added.

The crash occurred Thursday night at a T-junction on Route 58 in the Sunabe district of Chatan town near Kadena Air Base, he said.

The soldier was driving his motorcycle north on Route 58 at around 9 p.m. Thursday when another vehicle turned right from the opposite lane in front of him, causing him to hit the median and fall to the ground. He was then struck by a second vehicle that was traveling south, the spokesman said.

The driver of the second vehicle, a 24-year-old Okinawan, suffered no injuries and was not identified by the spokesman.

The driver of the first vehicle fled without providing aid or reporting the incident, the spokesman said. It was unclear whether that vehicle hit the soldiers motorcycle, he added.

Police are investigating the crash and interviewing witnesses, the spokesman said.

U.S. Army Japan and Torii Station did not immediately respond to email and phone inquiries from Stars and Stripes after hours on Friday.

Some Japanese government officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

The soldier is the fourth U.S. service member to be killed in motorcycle accidents this year on Okinawa.

On Oct. 30, Air Force Staff Sgt. Gregory Peterson died of a brain hemorrhage he sustained after his motorcycle collided with a compact car on Oct. 17 in the Isa area of Ginowan city.

Marine Lance Cpl. Alexi Gamboa was killed in August after his motorcycle hit a curb, sending him into a fence on a main thoroughfare in Nago city.

In May, Marine Cpl. Nathaniel Curtis was killed and another Marine motorcyclist was injured in a three-vehicle accident, also in Nago.
Pfc. Tanner F. Rubio died Dec. 3, 2025, from injuries sustained in a tactical vehicle mishap at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California. (U.S. Marine Corps)



A Camp Pendleton Marine killed in a tactical vehicle incident on Wednesday had joined the Marines less than a year ago, the Marines said Friday.

Pfc. Tanner F. Rubio, 21, was from Dixon, Calif., about 25 miles southwest of Sacramento. He joined the Marines in January 2025 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton.

The Marines said the tactical vehicle mishap occurred during training, unrelated to Exercise Steel Knight 25, a major military exercise underway at the base 40 miles north of San Diego.

No additional information on the accident is publicly available at this time, the Marines said.

The tragic loss of Pfc. Rubio is one felt across the 1st Marine Division, said Maj. Gen. Thomas Savage, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division. He will be sorely missed, but his honorable service to his country will not be forgotten. All of us at the Blue Diamond will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Camp Pendleton is a major Marine training facility. At least four other Marines assigned to the base have died in training incidents since August 2023.
HANOI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- One person died and more than 6,100 houses were inundated after torrential rains hit Vietnam's central province of Lam Dong, government figures showed Friday.

About 4,128 hectares of crops were affected, while 4,053 poultry and livestock were swept away. A total of 3,680 households had been relocated to safe areas.

The initial estimated damage stands at over 113 billion Vietnamese dong (about 4.29 million U.S. dollars). The figure is expected to rise as local authorities continue their assessments.

Around 250 boats have sunk or drifted out to sea, while many others remain in dangerous condition and require urgent rescue, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Local authorities on Friday issued an urgent directive, requesting relevant agencies and localities across the province to strengthen the operation of hydropower reservoirs and take immediate measures in response to the disaster situation, the report said. 
An airman vapes in a smoking area at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., in November 2019. (William OBrien/U.S. Air Force)



The U.S. military is warning service members to leave electronic cigarettes at home when traveling to Singapore, where possession of vapes is illegal and can lead to heavy fines, deportation and bans on reentry.

The warning, which has been airing on American Forces Network television, comes as Singapore has stepped up enforcement of its vaping laws since Sept. 1.

Vaping is illegal in Singapore, the city-state notes on its website, adding that many e-cigarettes are laced with addictive and harmful substances and pose a public health threat.

Foreigners caught with vapes face fines and confiscation for a first offense and may be deported and barred from returning for repeat violations.

Singapore hosts the Navys Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, which oversees logistics and sustainment for the Yokosuka, Japan-based 7th Fleet across Southeast Asia. Destroyer Squadron 7, also based in Singapore, commands littoral combat ships that rotate through the region.

The fleet did not respond to questions about whether any sailors have recently violated Singapores vape laws. Cmdr. Matthew Comer, a spokesman for the fleet, referred Stars and Stripes to the city-states vaping information website.

The Navy conducts legal and cultural training prior to every foreign port visit to ensure Sailors serve as exemplary ambassadors while operating and living overseas, he said by email Friday.

Singapore also classifies etomidate  an anesthetic found in some vaping products  as a controlled substance. Kpods  vape solutions often mixed with etomidate  have become a growing concern, The Straits Times reported Dec. 16, citing social service agencies.

Those who import, sell or distribute etomidate e-vaporizers will face up to 20 years imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane, the governments website states.
Dutch soldiers react to contact from enemy forces during exercise Saber Junction at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 5, 2025. The Pentagon has set a 2027 deadline for European allies to take over responsibility for the defense of the Continent, according to a Reuters report Friday. (Dylan Bailey/U.S. Army)



The Pentagon wants allies in Europe to take over the bulk of defense responsibilities on the Continent no later than 2027, according to a new report that could carry significant implications for how American troops are deployed.

Defense Department officials told their Western counterparts in Washington this week about the new deadline, Reuters reported Friday, citing five unidentified sources.

U.S. officials said during a meeting that they remain unsatisfied with the progress allies are making when it comes to bolstering their own military capabilities, and that if allies miss the 2027 deadline, the U.S. could stop participating in some NATO activities, Reuters reported.

The report did not detail how the U.S. could scale back its missions or what specific conventional military capabilities might be withdrawn.

It was also unclear whether the 2027 deadline was representative of President Donald Trumps view on the matter or just the outlook of certain Pentagon officials, Reuters said.

Top Pentagon officials have repeatedly said the U.S. expects other NATO countries at some point to take on the bulk of the conventional security burden on the Continent, a reference to various non-nuclear capabilities.

While the U.S. has long been the provider of weapons for NATOs nuclear mission, American troops also provide substantial conventional capabilities in the form of ground forces, warships, fighter planes and command-and-control systems.

Service members from the U.S. and several NATO nations perform simulated mission analysis inside the Combined Operations and Intelligence Center at Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 27, 2025. The Pentagon could scale back its missions and capabilities in Europe should its allies on the Continent not be prepared to take over the bulk of defense responsibilities by 2027, Reuters reported Friday. (Christopher Osburn/U.S. Army)



Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European countries have ramped up defense spending in response to concerns about potential Russian aggression.

NATO members also have agreed to increase their military spending levels to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035 in line with a demand by Trump that NATOs defense spending benchmark be elevated.

Still, security analysts have noted that it will take years for allies in Europe to develop the capabilities the U.S. brings to the table. An American military withdrawal from Europe by 2027 could leave capability gaps.

Indeed, if NATO had to go it largely alone in the event of a Russian attack, European allies would face a daunting challenge, experts say.

At a minimum, it would need to field 50 new combat brigades and some 300,000 troops to offset the loss of U.S. support, according to an analysis earlier this year by Bruegel, a Brussels-based think tank.

To prevent a rapid Russian breakthrough in the Baltics, for example, Europeans would need a minimum of 1,400 tanks, 2,000 infantry fighting vehicles and 700 artillery systems, the February report said.

This is more combat power than currently exists in the French, German, Italian and British land forces combined, the report stated.

Europeans also would need to surge beyond the barebones stockpiles of munitions currently available. An estimated 1 million 155 mm shells would be the minimum for a stockpile large enough for 90 days of high-intensity combat, the report said.

The various necessities would cost more than $250 billion annually, or roughly 3.5% of gross domestic product, for European countries, according to Bruegel.

A senior NATO military official, not a party to the talks in Washington, said the security situation in Europe is urgent.

With the alignment of adversaries around the world, time is not on anyones side, the official said in a statement Friday to Stars and Stripes. That is why investing in defence, enhancing defence production, and stepping up support for Ukraine, is so vitally, vitally important.
The Swedish corvette Nykoping, front, and the Danish ship Esbern Snare take part in a NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise in 2018. Sweden, Denmark and Finland are among the countries that now fall under the Virginia-based Joint Force Command Norfolk. (Rob Kasteleijn/Allied Joint Force Command Naples)



Finland, Sweden and Denmark now fall under a U.S.-based NATO headquarters, as the 32-member bloc aims to bolster operations in two areas of significant interest to Russia, the alliances top general said this week.

The arrangement, to be made official at a ceremony Friday in Finland, updates NATOs command structure by expanding the area of responsibility for the Virginia-based Joint Force Command Norfolk.

With Norway already in the fold, the entire Nordic region is part of the Norfolk headquarters purview.

The reorganization underscores how NATO is prioritizing operations in the north Atlantic and Arctic, both of which have seen an increase in Russian military activity in recent years.

The move shifts responsibility for Denmark, Sweden and Finland away from Joint Force Command Brunssum in the Netherlands, which is mainly focused on NATOs eastern flank states.

With the alignment of our adversaries around the globe, it is imperative we strengthen the Euro-Atlantic area as much as possible, and reinforce our posture in the High North, U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATOs Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said in a Thursday statement.

The Norfolk headquarters, led by Vice Adm. Doug Perry, is responsible for the defense of NATO territory stretching from Florida to the North Pole.

That includes protecting undersea cables, which transmit internet traffic around the world and carry trillions of dollars of financial transactions on a daily basis.

NATO officials over the years have voiced concerns about potential Russian targeting of such infrastructure to disrupt Western life.

JFC Norfolk is the only U.S.-based operational command in NATO. It was reconstituted in 2019 amid concerns about a more assertive Russia and Moscows potential to disrupt allied efforts to cross the Atlantic during a crisis.

It became fully operational in 2021 and is the first allied headquarters dedicated to protecting the Atlantic sea lanes since 2003.

Besides the Nordic members, JFC Norfolks area of responsibility also includes the United Kingdom.

Grynkewich called the command the strategic bridge between North America and Europe.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint news conference with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Dan Bashakov/AP)



KYIV, Ukraine  Russian drones struck a house in central Ukraine, killing a 12-year-old boy, officials said, while long-range Ukrainian strikes reportedly targeted a Russian port and an oil refinery as U.S. peace efforts continued out of public view.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushners meeting in Florida on Thursday with Rustem Umerov, Ukraines lead negotiator, was productive, according to a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The American and Ukrainian officials were due to brief their respective leaders on Friday and reconvene for further talks later in the day , the official added.

The talks came after discussions between President Vladimir Putin and the U.S. envoys at the Kremlin on Tuesday.

Previous diplomatic attempts to break the deadlock have come to nothing and the nearly four-year war has continued unabated. Officials largely have kept a lid on how the latest talks are going, though Trumps initial 28-point plan was leaked.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his countrys delegation in Miami wanted to hear from the U.S. side about the talks at the Kremlin.

Zelenskyy, as well as European leaders backing him, have repeatedly accused Putin of stalling in peace talks while the Russian army tries to press forward with its invasion.

Zelenskyy said in a video address late Thursday that officials wanted to know what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov, who accompanied Putin on a visit to India on Friday, repeated the Russian leaders recent criticism of Europes stance on the peace talks. Kyivs European allies are concerned about possible Russian aggression beyond Ukraine and want a prospective peace deal to include strong security guarantees.

Kyivs allies in Europe are constantly putting forward demands that are unacceptable to Moscow, Ushakov told Russias state-owned Zvezda TV. Putting it mildly, the Europeans dont help Washington and Moscow reach a settlement on the Ukrainian issues.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that he made progress during a visit to Beijing on getting Chinese leader Xi Jinpings support for peace efforts.

We exchanged deeply and truthfully on all points, and I saw a willingness from the (Chinese) president to contribute to stability and peace, Macron said.

The French president said he stressed that Ukraine needs guarantees that Russia wont attack it again if a settlement is reached and that Europe must have a voice in negotiations.

The unity between Americans and Europeans on the Ukrainian issue is essential. And I say it, repeat it, emphasize it. We need to work together, Macron said.

In Ukraines central Dnipropetrovsk region, a Russian drone attack Thursday night destroyed a house where the boy was killed and two women were injured, according to the head of the regional military administration, Vladyslav Haivanenko.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 137 drones of various types during the night.

Ukrainian drones attacked a port and an oil refinery inside Russia overnight as part of Kyivs campaign to disrupt Russian logistics, Ukraines general staff said.

The drones struck Temriuk sea port in Russias Krasnodar region and the Syzran oil refinery in the Samara region, starting blazes, a statement said. Syzran is about 500 miles east of the border with Ukraine.

The Russian Defense Ministry said only that its air defenses intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and the illegally annexed Crimea overnight.

John Leicester in Paris and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.
Members of the West Virginia National Guard patrol around the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Aug. 26, 2025. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Thursday temporarily paused a lower court ruling that had called for an end to the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.

The purpose of this administrative stay is to give the court sufficient opportunity to consider the motion for stay pending appeal and should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of that motion, the short notice from the appeals court said.

The appeals courts action on a request by the Trump administration stops the implementation of U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobbs Nov. 20 opinion and order. Cobb had concluded that President Donald Trumps military takeover in Washington, D.C., illegally intrudes on local officials authority to direct law enforcement in the district.

Cobb found that while the president does have authority to protect federal functioning and property, he cant unilaterally deploy the D.C. National Guard to help with crime control as he sees fit or call in troops from other states. She put her order on hold for 21 days to allow the appeal by the Trump administration.

Thursdays stay will likely extend beyond those 21 days.

As we have always maintained, the President exercised his lawful authority to deploy the National Guard to D.C. We look forward to ultimate vindication on this issue, said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson.

In August, Trump issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington. Within a month, more than 2,300 National Guard troops from eight states and the district were patrolling the city under the command of the Secretary of the Army. Trump also deployed hundreds of federal agents to assist in patrols.

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued to challenge the Guard deployments. He asked the judge to bar the White House from deploying Guard troops without the mayors consent while the lawsuit plays out.

Schwalbs office was not immediately available for comment on Thursdays stay.

The administration has also deployed Guard troops to Los Angeles and tried to send troops into Chicago and Portland, Oregon, prompting other court challenges. A federal appeals court allowed the Los Angeles deployment, and the administration is appealing a judges decision in Portland that found the president did not have the authority to call up or deploy National Guard troops there.

The court action comes eight days after West Virginia National Guard members Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were ambushed as they patrolled a subway station three blocks from the White House. Beckstrom died Nov. 27 from her injuries. Wolfe continues to recover. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who was also shot during last Wednesdays confrontation, has been charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The administration has called for an additional 500 National Guard members to be deployed to Washington as a result of the shooting. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced this week she was sending 100 military members as part of that buildup.
An airman of the 492nd Bomb Group climbs into the cockpit of his A-26 Invader/1945. (United States Army Air Forces /Wikimedia Commons)

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(Tribune News Service)  A Maine airman who died when his plane was shot down over France during World War II has finally returned home.

U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Merrill E. Brewer, 26, of Monticello was a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber with the 858th Bombardment Squadron, 492nd Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

His unit was engaged in a series of secret missions as part of Operation CARPETBAGGER, dropping supplies, weapons, equipment, leaflets and agents to assist French groups resisting Nazi occupation.

But on Sept. 16, 1944, an American anti-aircraft artillery unit stationed near Lebeuville, France, mistook Brewers B-24 for an enemy plane and shot it down.

Two crew members parachuted to safety, while Brewer and five others went down with the plane. It was their last mission, to drop supplies to resistance fighters 40 miles east of the Moselle River.

The next day American soldiers recovered remains from the crash site, along with four sets of identification tags, including Brewers. They were buried in a common grave at the U.S. Military Cemetery in Andilly, France. Those remains were moved in 1949 and buried in a single casket at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Then in 2013 a team from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency went to Bainville-aux-Miroirs, France, where they gathered information and surveyed the crash site. The area was excavated between Oct. 16 and Nov. 16, 2021, when a team from Geoscope Services Ltd. recovered new remains and evidence.

Brewers remains were positively identified on Dec. 20, 2024.

His name has been listed on the Walls of the Missing at Lorraine American Cemetery, where a rosette will be placed next to Brewers name to indicate he has been found, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said Wednesday.

Brewer was buried in Bridgewater in September.

 2025 the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine).

Visit www.bangordailynews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The John P. Connors Memorial Fund is planning a statue in the likeness of Navy SEAL John Connors to represent the modern warfighter. The statue will be placed in a public park in his Massachusetts hometown. (John P. Connors Memorial Fund)



WASHINGTON  Navy SEAL John Connors seemed bulletproof to the people who knew him best  fellow members of SEAL Team 4 and classmates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, where he earned a degree in chemical engineering.

At 25, Connors was one of the strongest members of his team, had a scholars intellect and spoke several languages, including Spanish.

He was the logical choice to lead a squad in an overnight raid at a Panama airport in 1989 as part of the larger U.S. military invasion of the nation in Central America to capture dictator Gen. Manuel Noriega.

But early in the assault  in a matter of minutes  Panamanian Defense Forces opened fire as Connors and several others crossed the airport tarmac.

Connors was hit in the chest. He died instantly. Three other SEALs were killed, and several more wounded.

More than three decades later, retired Navy SEALs, family members and college classmates have come together to honor Connors, a lieutenant junior grade, with a memorial in the coastal town where he grew up.

John was an Irish boy from the South Shore of Massachusetts, a kid from a working-class town. We are making sure his story is not forgotten, said Tom Cappelletti, a 25-year Air Force veteran and college classmate of Connors.

John Connors, 25, was a lieutenant junior grade who had completed his Navy SEAL training in March 1988. Connors, who had a degree in chemical engineering, participated in the December 1989 invasion of Panama. His SEAL teams mission was to disable Gen. Manuel Noriegas Learjet to prevent the dictators escape. (John P. Connors Memorial Fund)



As the Dec. 20 anniversary of the Panama invasion nears, the John P. Connors Memorial Fund, a nonprofit organization, is highlighting Connors military service to raise awareness about plans to place a larger-than-life bronze statue of Connors in Scituate, Mass.

The goal is to erect a 14-foot-tall monument with a granite base in Lawson Common, a town park where other war memorials are located. The statue will honor all veterans of the modern era of warfare. Were building a community to honor John, Cappelletti said.

The project is estimated to cost $1 million. A fund drive is underway to raise $450,000 in donations needed to complete the project.

In December 1989, President George H.W. Bush had the support of Congress for the Panama invasion  called Operation Just Cause  to capture Noriega and bring him to the U.S. to face charges of drug trafficking and racketeering.

The Bush administration also wanted to secure continued operations of the Panama Canal.

Panamas national assembly had passed a resolution proclaiming a state of war existed with the United States, according to a 1995 report by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Noriega named himself maximum leader of Panama, according to the 100-page review of Operation Just Cause.

SEAL Team 4 was one of two SEAL teams that slipped into Panama on Dec. 19 to assist in the military operation, to commence on Dec. 20.

SEAL Team 4s mission was to disable Noriegas personal Learjet at Paitilla Airport in Panama City. The airport was one of two dozen sites targeted for military strikes.

House guards across the airfield began to fire upon their position, putting them in a deadly crossfire, according to an account by the Navy SEAL Museum.

The attack at the airport succeeded but exacted a heavy toll as SEAL Team 4 came under fire from Panamanian forces.

Connors and three other SEALS were killed in the firefight  Chief Petty Officer Donald McFaul, Torpedomans Mate 2nd Class Isaac Rodriguez and Boatswains Mate 1st Class Chris Tilghman.

I think about my buddies every day, said Ross Munro, a retired master chief petty officer and Navy SEAL who had participated in the assault.

In my first bit of combat, my first 15 minutes, I lost four friends. I wear a bracelet on a daily basis. It has their names on it. Not a day goes by that I dont remember them, Munro said on the podcast, From Embers to Excellence.

Connors nearly missed the Panama mission.

Prior to the deployment, he was a patient at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center receiving intravenous treatment for a parasitic disease acquired while training in South America.

Joan Connors, mother of Navy SEAL John Connors, killed in action in 1989, stands with Chris Boova, a classmate of her son at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The two attended a fundraiser for a statue planned in Johns likeness to honor modern warfighters. (Joan Connors)



But Connors decided to forgo more care and checked himself out of the hospital to return to Seal Team 4 and participate in Operation Just Cause, said Joan Connors, his 91-year-old mother.

The decision, which she learned about later, did not surprise her. John dedicated himself fully to whatever he did, she said.

Connors had completed his SEAL training in March 1988 but later broke his ankle while exiting a helicopter off the coast of Iran. He continued on the mission and sought treatment after it was completed.

He told me: Youre not supposed to expose the pain, Joan Connors said.

John was the youngest child in a large Catholic family. He was an altar boy at St. Marys Church in Scituate and attended Boston College High School, a private Catholic school.

He was the only one of the five Connors children  three boys and two girls  to pursue a military career.

John was always smiling. He was a happy-go-lucky kid who chose the most difficult goals and tasks to accomplish, said Joan Connors, who now lives in Arlington, Mass., near Mount Pleasant Cemetery, where her son is buried. She often visits his gravesite.

John was self-driven and carried a strong sense of right and wrong. I never had to worry about him, she said.

Artist Chas Fagan is shown in 2016 sculpting Freedoms Charge, which depicts Revolutionary War soldiers and a billowing battalion flag. The bronze sculpture is displayed at Old Parkland in Dallas, a historic campus that preserves American history. Fagan is developing a statue in the likeness of John Connors as a tribute to modern warfighters. (Chas Fagan)



The statue memorializing Connors is being designed by sculptor Chas Fagan, of North Carolina. Fagan has created a scale model of the sculpture, called a maquette, as a step in the process. He also painted a watercolor of Lawson Common in Scituate that depicts the statue in its future park setting.

Fagan is a well-known artist whose creations of historical figures are immediately recognizable.

They include a sculpture of President Ronald Reagan displayed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, and a bronze statue of President George H.W. Bush as a young Navy pilot that stands in the tribute room of the aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, homeported in Norfolk, Va.

John Connors is shown with friends on his commissioning day on May 29, 1987. The formal ceremony recognized college graduates as they became commissioned as officers. From left to right are: Joe Poggenburg, Connors, Karen Tsiantas and David Tiberii. (John P. Connors Memorial Fund)



In an era where fewer Americans serve, it is more important than ever to remind future generations of the real people behind our freedoms. The memorial will be in Johns likeness but will honor and pay tribute to all veterans of modern warfare, said Navy veteran Karen Tsiantas, of Virginia, who trained with Connors in ROTC when both were college students.

The two were commissioned together through the College of the Holy Cross Navy ROTC unit in 1987, said Tsiantas, a retired Navy captain who served for 27 years.

Supporters say the statue of Connors representing modern warfighters will make Scituate an attractive destination away from major military monuments often crowded with tourists.

Connors was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. The citation states in part: With full knowledge of the present danger, he inspired his fellow platoon members by directing fire and aggressively firing his weapon into enemy positions.

The Silver Star honors service members who exhibit gallantry in action against an enemy during a military operation.

Its been 36 years since John was killed in action in the service of this nation, Cappelletti said. The John P. Connors Memorial Fund is working to diligently honor his memory, sacrifice and service.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has directed undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and other key officials to report on all non-citizens employed by or affiliated with the agency. The VA employs about 450,000 workers. (Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs has directed its top leaders to identify any noncitizens employed by or affiliated with the agency for further investigation.

Any adverse findings will be referred to appropriate agencies that handle immigration enforcement for individuals not authorized to be in the U.S., the VA said Friday.

Peter Kasperowicz, VA press secretary, said the agency is required by federal law to continuously vet employees and affiliates that include unpaid researchers and others who may access VA data and systems, to ensure they meet the federal governments trusted workforce standards.

Trusted workforce standards establish consistent policies and practices across federal agencies for reviewing personnel and granting security clearances.

The process of checking an individuals background has shifted from periodic reviews to automated vetting that occurs in real time across federal agencies.

As part of this continuous process, VA on Nov. 25 directed undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and other key officials to provide a report on all non-United States citizens who are employed by or affiliated with VA, Kasperowicz said.

VA will forward reports that point to problems to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE.

Both agencies are charged with monitoring and enforcing immigration laws and policies.

VA will share any adverse findings with the appropriate agencies to ensure anyone who is not authorized to be in the U.S. is dealt with accordingly, Kasperowicz said.

As of Nov. 16, ICE held 65,135 individuals in detention, according to data provided by ICE.

The VA employs more than 450,000 workers that include doctors, nurses and other medical personnel at its hospitals and clinics. About a quarter of VA employees are veterans.

An estimated 115,000 foreign nationals living in the U.S. are veterans who previously served on active duty in the U.S. military, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Another 40,000 foreign nationals served in active and reserve components of the armed forces as of February 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Kasperowicz said the VA is not concerned that its oversight of noncitizens working at or affiliated with the VA will detract from recruitment efforts for medical personnel and other workers for critical roles.

VA continuously vets all employees and affiliates and has done so for many years, he said.
Nanjing-born Chinese-American Lu Zhaoning introduces artifacts and historical materials at a press briefing held by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

NANJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A memorial hall in east China dedicated to the victims of the Nanjing Massacre on Friday said that it has collected 573 artifacts or sets of artifacts and historical materials this year, providing new evidence of war crimes related to the massacre that was perpetrated by invading Japanese troops during World War II.

Among the new items is a four-page letter written in pencil and dated Jan. 8, 1938, from a Japanese soldier, who described killings in Nanjing in chillingly casual terms, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders said at a press briefing.

In the letter to his father, the soldier recounted what he called a "very interesting" execution pier in Nanjing, where the invading Japanese troops killed defeated or wounded Chinese soldiers with knives and guns each day and then dumped all the bodies into the Yangtze River.

The memorial hall said it had collected the letter from a Japanese researcher.

Ai Delin, director of the memorial hall's cultural heritage department, said that staff had checked and confirmed the sender's identity, military unit, home address and death record, confirming the letter's authenticity.

Wang Weixing, a researcher at the Jiangsu Academy of Social Sciences, said the soldier's lighthearted tone when discussing the killings and disposal of bodies revealed how some Japanese troops had considered the massacre a pleasurable experience, which reflects the invaders' complete loss of humanity.

Nanjing-born Chinese-American Lu Zhaoning has made many donations to the memorial hall, including a batch of important historical materials donated this year.

They include the U.S. newspaper The News & Observer published on Dec. 18, 1937, which carried an Associated Press report on mass killings after Japan captured Nanjing, as well as the French newspaper Excelsior published on Dec. 8, 1937, which reported that the city had a population of 1 million before it fell.

The French newspaper's report echoes the testimony of American surgeon Robert Wilson before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East in Tokyo after the surrender of Japan and delivers a forceful rebuttal to erroneous statements from Japanese right-wing forces, said Zhang Sheng, head of the Research Society of the History of Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders.

Wilson testified that Nanjing had a population of about one million before the war, but the population decreased sharply to less than 500,000 after Japan's occupation, Zhang said.

"Japan's right-wing forces have long denied the massacre by claiming that Nanjing's population had been under 300,000," said Zhang.

Other notable items include files on a military doctor killed during the city's resistance, a group of photos showing Nanjing after it was occupied by Japanese troops, a U.S. magazine featuring four photos documenting Japanese atrocities, and another letter written by a Japanese soldier.

The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. Over six weeks, they killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II. 

A staff member introduces artifacts and historical materials collected in 2025 at a press briefing held by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Nanjing-born Chinese-American Lu Zhaoning introduces artifacts and historical materials at a press briefing held by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
Jennie Rhodes Friday, 5 December 2025, 18:29 Share

Cervezas Alhambra, together with New York artist-photographer Spencer Tunick, has unveiled the final image of Retrato Alhambra 1925, the creative art installation made in September in an olive grove in Granada province, to commemorate the beer brand's centenary.

More than 800 volunteers from different parts of Spain and over 25 countries in Europe and America participated in the event, posing nude and covered in green paint designed specifically for this project. Following the artist's instructions, the volunteers blended into the natural surroundings forming part of an image with powerful visual and symbolic impact.

Each participant received a unique print as a token of appreciation for taking part in project: a limited edition of Retrato Alhambra 1925. This final image was selected by the artist and Cervezas Alhambra as the one that best represents the spirit of the project: a poetic blend of nude bodies, nature, art and Andalusian identity.

Speaking to SUR in English before the project, the photographer, who is best known for his large-scale installations of groups of people posing naked in public and iconic places, said of his choice of olive groves for the project, "I was pretty blown away by the olive groves when driving from Madrid to Granada. I saw these incredible hills with lines of olive trees. It was like a David Hockney painting. It was quite riveting."

The project took place on 20 September when Spencer Tunick spent the early hours of the morning creating various compositions and ways of framing in different locations within the olive grove, exploring the textures, light and dialogue between the bodies and the Andalusian landscape. Conceived as a tribute to the region, Retrato Alhambra 1925 captures the connection between its people and the olive grove.

This is the image where I felt nature and people became one. The green allowed us to dissolve the boundaries between the human body and the olive grove landscape, creating a portrait of Andalucia that feels harmonious and serene but at the same time electrifies the natural landscape into a dream-like vista, Tunick explained.

According to Emmanuel Pouey, chief marketing officer of the Mahou San Miguel group, His vision - the green of Andalucia, its olive groves, and our iconic label-free bottle - enabled an immediate connection with Spencer Tunick. For us, Retrato Alhambra 1925 represents much more than an outstanding creative installation; its a tribute to time; to art crafted without haste and to our Andalusian roots. Tunicks final image truly captures the essence and colour of Andalucia, as well as the philosophy that has guided us for the past century.

"With Retrato Alhambra 1925, Cervezas Alhambra reaffirms its commitment to creative artistry and Andalucia by supporting projects that invite us to contemplate our surroundings with sensitivity, originality and patience," the company said.
REGINA SOTORRIO MALAGA. Friday, 5 December 2025, 22:13 Share

The posters flanking the entrance reflect the change. The old cigarette factory, the Tabacalera, in Malaga's Huelin district, is no longer the Russian Museum, or at least not just that. The nearly 3,000 square metres of exhibition space in the historic building will now be divided between two different brands: the well-known Russian museum collection (without St Petersburg since Putin's invasion of Ukraine) and the new Tabacalera (MEET) exhibition space. Alongside the exhibition dedicated to the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, a new exhibition of more than 180 photographs traces the last half-century of Spain's history through the lens of Marisa Florez, one of the pioneers of photojournalism.

Malaga city council is reacting in this way to a war that continues to drag on and which makes the short-term return of works from St Petersburg unfeasible. At the same time, it is responding to the "interest shown" by public and private collections in exhibiting in Malaga. However, officials insist they are not giving up on continuing to host high-quality Russian art already present in the West in order to preserve "a brand"' that is now well established in the city. In fact, these galleries will soon be occupied by Belarusian-born photographer Valery Katsuba, who is based in Madrid.

MEET is now presenting its second proposal focused on paintings from the period of the Spanish Habsburgs. Both lines of work will coexist flexibly within the building.

With this new concept, Tabacalera is reclaiming its name and hopes to reverse the decline in visitor numbers following a steady drop since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "It will provide a new boost for this nerve centre of Malaga's cultural life," says Luis Lafuente, head of the public agency that manages the city's municipal museums.

Marisa Florez. A Time to Look (1970-2020) was the first exhibition to take on this role and it will run until 30 May 2026. The photojournalist, winner of the national photojournalism award in 1981, brings together a carefully curated selection of her work over 50 years in the media, much of it spent in various roles at El Pais newspaper. Through her lens she witnessed Spain's transformation, always seeking out the human and intimate side of the figures who shaped it. "I've never been one for official photographs," she admitted at the opening of the exhibition, feeling "overwhelmed" now that she finds herself at the centre of attention.

Key moments in history

Her camera was present at key moments that are now studied in history books. She captured life in parliament during the first legislative terms, with revealing images such as the one that shows the loneliness of Adolfo Suarez in the final years of the transition, with the then prime minister sitting in his seat surrounded by empty benches.

She was at the funeral of the communist politician Dolores Ibarruri - La Pasionaria, with her coffin carried on the shoulders of Julio Anguita, a member of the central committee of the communist party of Andalucia who was born in Fuengirola in 1941. She also waited with excitement for the arrival at Barajas Airport of Pablo Picasso's Guernika, the return to Spain of "the last exile".

Through her images, we are reminded of the first demonstrations in favour of abortion; a militant raising his fist during the 1 May 1978 demonstration in Madrid; one of the first intakes of women into the Guardia Civil; and a photograph she admitted she felt especially fond of - an elderly couple showing support for a protest from their balcony, yet still afraid to be seen, half-hidden behind their shutters.

Zoom Lola Flores' appeal for help. M.F.

There is also folkloric Spain: Lola Flores with tears in her eyes asking each Spaniard for "one peseta" to pay off her debt to the tax authorities; the Spain that attracted international film shoots with stars such as Anthony Quinn; and the Spain that was finally opening itself up to rock music from bands such as The Rolling Stones. She photographed the Duchess of Alba on her wedding day to Jesus Aguirre, not in a bridal pose, but crouching down to talk to Cayetano, her youngest son from her marriage to Luis Martinez de Irujo.

The Royal Family

The Royal Family appear at different moments. The exhibition opens with a giant image entitled The King's Generation, showing Juan Carlos I at the Zarzuela palace in 1991 surrounded by prominent figures of the time, from Antonio Gala and Montserrat Caballe, to Nuria Espert and Adolfo Suarez. In another snapshot taken at the wedding of Infanta Elena, Florez captures a look of affection between the monarchs that had not been seen for years. Elsewhere in the exhibition, Queen Sofia draws all the attention, dressed in mourning and with a distant look, as she waited to repatriate her mother's body to Athens.
While many wait for Santa Claus at Christmas, Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) has already left Spain and is heading together with Pedrito to children in Europe

Alekk M. Saanders Friday, 5 December 2025, 19:19 Share

According to the legend, Dutch character Sinterklaas, one of the sources of the popular Christmas icon of Santa Claus, leaves Spain to visit towns and villages in the Netherlands on 5 December.

This elderly, dignified and serious man with white hair and a long beard wears a long red cape over a traditional white bishop's alb. This is quite normal, since the origin of Santa Claus goes back to Saint Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop born in Myra (modern-day Turkey).

He was known for his kind and charitable nature. For example, the bishop is credited with secretly helping a poor neighbour by providing a dowry so that his daughters could get married, which marked the beginning of his fame as a benefactor. It is also said that he helped three girls in serious trouble by throwing three bags of gold down their chimney, which gave rise to the tradition of leaving Christmas presents there.

Saint Nicholas has no direct connection to Spain. However, in the Netherlands it is believed that Sinterklaas originated in Spain. This may be due to the fact that in 1087, half of Saint Nicholas' remains were transferred to the Italian city of Bari (which is why he is also known as Saint Nicholas of Bari), which later became part of the Spanish Kingdom of Naples.

A steamboat from Madrid

"Children in the Netherlands do not look to the northeast, towards Lapland, but to the south, from where Sinterklaas is believed to come each year. Moreover, unlike Santa Claus, Sinterklaas does not arrive on a reindeer sleigh, but on a steamboat from... Madrid. The story of Sinterklaas' ship is broadcast live on Dutch national television, sometimes on the air, and also on the Internet, similar to the Spanish Three Kings parade. Yes, we know it sounds rather strange, since everyone knows that Madrid has no water connection to any of the seas," Dutch couple Twan and Jose, who live in Nerja, told SUR in English.

Upon his arrival, Sinterklaas mounts a white horse named Amerigo and travels around the country accompanied by his assistants, the pages. His faithful Spanish servant is called Pedro el Negro (Black Peter) or, more accurately, Pedrito, who lifts a bag of treats and climbs down the chimneys of houses to put treats in children's shoes. As with the caramel 'rain' organised by the three kings, Sinterklaas' pages scatter spiced biscuits (pepernoten) to children.

Incidentally, after the Dutch provinces rebelled against the Spanish crown, Calvinist preachers tried to abolish the Sinterklaas tradition, believing that it contained many pagan elements. The celebrations with Sinterklaas were interrupted only during the Second World War.

From Alicante or... Malaga

Apparently, for those who are well versed in geography, there is another version of Sinterklaas' arrival. Alicante is said to be the port from which the Christmas character begins his journey by steamboat. Why Alicante? Probably because Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Alicante and a symbol of its identity throughout history. On 6 December 1244, Saint Nicholas Day, the Muslims surrendered the city to Prince Alfonso X the Wise, who ordered a church to be built in honour of the saint and placed the city under his protection. Another reason is related to mandarin oranges, which are traditionally given as gifts in honour of Saint Nicholas. These fruits led to the misconception that he must have been from Spain. As is well known, Alicante is famous for its citrus plantations.

Zoom Spicy bisquits for Sinterklaas' feast in a shop in Nerja. AMS

It is worth noting that in Spain, Saint Nicholas of Bari is the patron saint of sailors, and many Spanish churches and traditions are dedicated to him, including churches in Bilbao and La Coruna. Even in Malaga Cathedral, the saint gave his name to the altar and the adjacent door. In addition to the cathedral, many churches in Malaga have images of Saint Nicholas. And considering that the Guadalhorce Valley is one of the largest mandarin plantations, and neighbouring Torremolinos is one of the places particularly loved and populated by the Dutch, Malaga could also proclaim itself as the port from which Sinterklaas sets off to Dutch children with bags of spicy biscuits, which, incidentally, can be purchased in local Dutch shops.

The tradition crossed the Atlantic Ocean with the emigration of Dutch colonists to America , who maintained the celebration of Saint Nicholas in the colony of New Amsterdam. After its conquest by England in the 17th century, the city was renamed New York, and Sinterklaas gradually evolved into Santa Claus. The character later spread to England and France, where he became known as Father Christmas.
Jennie Rhodes Friday, 5 December 2025, 18:37 Share

Spain celebrates Christmas with a blend of deep-rooted Catholic culture and family centred festivities, with local customs that vary depending on the region and even the province. While some towns switch on their Christmas lights as early as mid-November, such as Torrox, the two public holidays (Constitution Day on the sixth and Feast of the Immaculate Conception on the eighth) signal the start of the festive season for many.

Festivities then stretch into the New Year ending with Dia de los Reyes on 6 January, when gifts are given. While international influences have grown in recent decades, for example children receiving presents from Father Christmas on 25 December, there are still many Spanish traditions. Here's a look at some of them.

Belen

The Zambombas de Jerez were given Intangible Cultural Heritage status in 2015

Zoom Belen Viviente. A scene from Almayate's living Nativity Scene which takes place every year. SUR

The Nativity scene - el belen - remains at the heart of the decorations in homes and public places. From simple, homemade sets to elaborate municipal displays with miniatures of Malaga landmarks or Andalusian rural life, belenes are lovingly assembled and many families add a new figure each year to keep the tradition alive. Some towns and villages in Malaga province, including Almayate (Velez-Malaga), hold performances of 'belenes vivientes'; live nativity scenes with locals acting out the story.

El Gordo

On 22 December Spain is glued to the television or the radio with fingers crossed hoping to win 'El Gordo', the jackpot in the country's largest lottery draw. The children of Madrid's San Ildefonso school sing the winning numbers as they are read out. Friends and families normally share a 'decimo'; a ticket with the same number to share winnings.

Zambomba and pastorales

A zambomba is a festive Andalusian gathering where people come together to sing villancicos (Christmas carols). Its name comes from the zambomba, a traditional friction drum which has a material cover and a stick to make the sound. It is played across Andalucia but is considered to hail from Jerez, where in 2015 the Zambombas de Jerez were declared Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Andalusian regional government.

The term 'pastorales' refers to a Christmas musical tradition, especially in Malaga province, which combines carols, popular music, percussion and coplas. People from rural communities especially get together to sing and dance and have a break from the routine of agricultural life.

Nochebuena: family and food

24 December, Nochebuena, is the most important meal of Christmas in Spain, when all the family gets together to share an evening meal typically featuring seafood, meat, seafood soup and traditional sweets. After the meal, some families may attend La Misa del Gallo (the Rooster's Mass, more commonly known in English-speaking countries as Midnight Mass).

25 December, el Dia de Navidad, is typically quieter with family visits and lunch - often the leftovers from the previous evening. Children may receive small presents, especially as international customs such as Father Christmas become more popular.

Turron and mantecados

Zoom Traditional 'mantecados' made by Antequera-based company Sancho Melero, whichare sold across Andalucia

Spanish Christmas flavours are unmistakable: Turron, the famous almond nougat, comes in dozens of varieties - from hard Alicante-style to the soft, creamy Jijona version. In Caleta de Velez, Pasteleria Ramos cake shop has become well known in the last decade for its original creations with local flavours including Malaga wine, avocado and mango.

Supermarkets are also filled with polvorones and mantecados, crumbly shortbread-style biscuits which come in different flavours. In Malaga, borrachuelos (anise-flavoured pastries), roscos de vino and pan de higo (fig bread) are also eaten. Estepa in Seville province is known worldwide as the town where polvorones and mantecados are made, while Antequera in Malaga province is also synonymous with the sweet treats as it is home to well-known companies like Sancho Melero.

Nochevieja: 12 lucky grapes

Families gather again on 31 December to celebrate Nochevieja (literally 'the old night') as Spain welcomes the new year with one of its most famous customs: the twelve lucky grapes, eaten in sync with the twelve chimes of the clock at midnight. This tradition, said to bring good luck for the year to come, is broadcast live from Madrid's Puerta del Sol.

Three Kings

Zoom The Cabalgata. Nito Salas

The end of the festive season is 6 January - Epiphany, or Dia de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings' Day). On the evening of 5 January, towns and cities stage 'cabalgatas', parades where the Three Kings throw sweets to the crowd from giant, decorated floats. It is traditional to leave something out for the kings and their camels to eat, in the same way that children in English-speaking countries leave mince pies and sherry for Father Christmas and a carrot for the reindeer.

The next morning, children wake to find that the Kings have left gifts, traditionally in a shoe instead of a stocking. Then the Roscon de Reyes, a ring-shaped brioche, is eaten and hidden inside are a small figurine and a dried bean: finding the figurine crowns you 'king' for the day, while the unlucky bean-finder pays for the cake.
Francisco Cabrera Friday, 5 December 2025, 13:24 Share

"The day of St. Dionysius the Areopagite, the ninth of October and the ninth of the September moon in the year 1680, at quarter past seven in the morning, the bright sun... and the sky serene. The land and the sea being calm, without a breath of wind, from the sea there came to this city, as the sailors feel, an earthquake so great, so dreadful and so extensive that, according to common opinion, no one has ever seen, heard or read of any other like it."

The words above that come from an interesting document in the National Library, describe in detail what happened in Malaga on that terrible morning in October 1680: the deaths caused by the earthquake, the extensive damage it caused and the vehement reaction of the citizens to events whose origin and nature were unknown to them.

Unfortunately, the earthquake of 1680 was no exception, neither in terms of the number of victims nor the damage it caused. It is not our intention here to explain the geodynamic causes of such phenomena: we only intend to take a historical approach to one of the main earthquakes that Malaga has suffered over the last five centuries: that of 1755.

Although we can affirm that such phenomena also took place in Islamic Malaga, we must wait for the account contained in later documents for a more complete history. The earthquakes of 1494, 1497, 1522, 1581, 1680, 1722, 1755, 1767, 1804 and 1884 were particularly intense. Among them, those of 1680, 1755 and 1884 stood out above all, where the number of deaths and injuries reached significant figures, with the collapse of a good part of the buildings both in the city and in the nearby villages.

Tectonic activity

Today we know that Andalusia is located at the southern end of the Eurasian plate, in clear tension with the North African plate due to the complex tectonic activity of the faults, which carry the risk of triggering seismic activity in this area. Earthquakes whose isoseisms are concentrated between the south of Granada and the Axarquia region of Malaga.

Centuries ago, however, none of this was known. Little scientific knowledge led people to believe that the essential cause of such phenomena was a "just divine punishment for the follies of mankind". The official doctrine of the Church sought a providentialist explanation for the general ignorance of the dynamics of these natural forces.

Until the 18th century, the study of the cause of earthquakes was based on Greek philosophical thinking. Prominent among the pre-Socratics and pluralistic materialists were those who, like Empedocles, considered that the irreducible and immutable principles of the cosmos were to be found in the four traditional elements: earth, water, air and fire. The imbalance of these elements and the supremacy of fire over the others produced the earthquake.

However, these analyses of the human and the divine began to change from the 18th century onwards. The arrival of the Enlightenment movements led to more rigorous attitudes, even among the clergy themselves. The investigations of Buffon in his work 'The Epochs of Nature' and of the British James Hutton on the origin of rocks that came at the end of the century spread rapidly.

Thus, in the seismic activity of 1755, known as the Lisbon earthquake because of the damage it caused in that city (damage that was caused more by the subsequent fire than by the earthquake itself), a professor from Salamanca stated in a letter the reasons for such phenomena "that one should not have to resort solely to God alone, when one can instead find in nature... the corresponding activity".

Naturally, the cataclysms that occurred during the 19th century were dealt more scientifically. The deistic positions of the previous century and the progress of nineteenth-century science allowed progress to be made in the knowledge of the geodynamic nature of such phenomena. In 1830, the British scientist Lyell published his 'Principles of Geology' in the same year in which the first Geological Society was founded in France, and the discipline was taught at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Signs and premonitions; superstition and science

In the aftermath of the 1755 earthquake, numerous analyses were made by different researchers who were supposedly informed about what had happened in the hours before the earthquake. In general, these are statements that are closer to superstition than to reality. The following document serves as an examplar of what we are saying: "Also indicative of earthquakes are the red, fiery clouds in a pyramidal shape which remain in the air for a few days, and the long, white cloud that remain in a straight line for a few months. Thick, thick, crude vapours held in the air in a round shape are also signs of earthquakes".

In one of those that took place in November 1755 (there were several in the same month), that we call Lisbon, some more objective data qas given: "Until the twenty-seventh, when it was believed to by all to be the last in this city, since then a new earthquake of short duration, which barely lasted a minute, but very violent, occurred at eleven hours and half a quarter in the morning".

Naturally, on all occasions the relevant processions were organised with either the Patron Saints or the Virgen de la Victoria. The immediate reaction in the aftermath was to consolidate the popular belief that the damage was so immense that it could not be caused by any human force and rituals of penance and mortification were imposed. There were cases in which the prevailing religiosity of those years led to situations such as the following, as recorded in a document from the Royal Academy of History: "Day and night, devout and repeated processions of religious and secular people are seen in the streets: some disciplined, others with crosses on their shoulders, their bodies half naked, their heads covered with ashes and girded with piercing crowns of thorns, their feet bare and crying out for mercy".

Effects and consequences

Having analysed the causes of earthquakes as understood by the ancients, we now turn to their effects, fears and consequences.

Clearly, it is easy to imagine that the most terrible consequences of earthquakes derive from the loss of life and the high number of injuries that such catastrophes cause. The collapse of buildings and structural damage to communications are also important aspects to take into account in the analysis of these phenomena.

In the 1755 earthquake, which had numerous aftershocks throughout the month of November, it was necessary to close several streets in Malaga - Granada, Beatas and Calle Nueva, among others - to stop traffic, due to the danger of buildings collapsing as a result of the slight vibrations that the carriages could produce as they passed. Thus, the report of the Mayor of the city, dated 1 December 1755, stated the following: "... it has been noted that many previously undamaged houses have since been damaged and some of them are in a state of total or partial ruin, as has been done and others have been reinforced or shored up to prevent damage to the public".

Particularly interestingwas the fact that some locals spread the word throughout the city that "the sea was getting out of control", so that the frightened people of Malaga abandoned their homes completely. The governor was forced to bring out the troops to prevent the "friends of others" (the first to want everyone to flee) from making a "killing" in the month of November. He also placed a guard at the Puerta del Mar who would give warning, if the waters invaded the city, by ringing the "bell of Espantaperros".

The terrible earthquake of Christmas 1884 unleashed an immense outpouring of support from inside and outside Spain. A wide variety of events were held in numerous cities to raise funds for the victims in the province of Granada and the Axarquia region of Malaga, which ended up being visited by King Alfonso XII himself in a very harsh winter.

We do not want to end our hasty analysis without a sober reflection: most of the damage caused by earthquakes around the world derives from the collapse of buildings that are poorly adapted to the extraordinary stresses generated by these phenomena. Since we cannot prevent earthquakes, let us at least try to reduce their consequences as far as reasonably possible by heeding the recommendations of engineers and architects.

Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher born in the 6th century BC, said that "nature likes to deceive us". It would be a good thing if 21st century science were finally able to prevent, if not avoid, such "deceptions".
LONDON, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- The British government on Thursday announced sanctions on Russian military intelligence agency GRU after an official report found that the GRU is linked to the death of a British national on British soil seven years ago.

The government also summoned the Russian ambassador to answer for what it called "Russia's ongoing campaign of hostile activity" against Britain.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova rejected the fresh sanctions on the GRU, TASS news agency reported later in the day.

"The Russian side does not recognize the illegitimate sanctions imposed under far-fetched pretexts bypassing the UN Security Council, and reserves the right to take retaliatory measures," she said.

In June 2018, a British couple in the southern British town of Amesbury was admitted to hospital after exposure to a deadly nerve agent named Novichok in a bottle. While her partner survived, 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess died, reportedly as a result of the poisoning.

In March that year, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned by the same agent in Salisbury, about 11 km away from Amesbury, but survived.

Thursday's public report said that the Novichok found in Amesbury "came from the same manufacturing batch as that found in Salisbury," and the bottle leading to the death of Sturgess was likely discarded by the alleged poisoners of Sergei Skripal, after being used to poison him and his daughter.

The report concluded that the responsibility of Sturgess's death lies with the three alleged poisoners of the Salisbury event, who the report said were GRU members.

"This Novichok was developed and held by Russia in contravention of the Chemical Weapons Convention," the British government said in a statement.

Russia in 2018 denied involvement in the two poisoning incidents, calling the accusations groundless and unacceptable. 
A 22-year-old man was arrested by the National Police for stabbing his stepfather with a screwdriver in a flat in the Portada Alta district in Malaga city on 1 December. The suspect also reportedly threatened the police with a large knife and tried to snatch one officer's service weapon.

The incident happened on Monday afternoon. The police received a call reporting that a young man had attacked his mother's partner. Upon arrival, the security forces found the victim lying on the bed, bleeding.

According to sources consulted by SUR, the suspect threatened the police with a large kitchen knife and tried to attack them and seize the weapon of one of the officers. After an intense struggle, the police managed to reduce and arrest him for a domestic violence offence.

The 54-year-old victim was attended to by an ambulance. His injuries were superficial and admission to hospital was not necessary.
Irene Quirante Friday, 5 December 2025, 18:02 Share

One of the three men suspected of the gang rape that reportedly took place in Malaga in October has a police record. When he was 13, he was reported for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend together with his brother, who was already of age. At that time, the boy was still criminally unimputable, as he was only a few days away from turning 14, although the judicial authority was able to prove that both family members acted jointly.

This case dates back to February 2020. Although the suspect, who is now 19 years old, could not be criminally prosecuted, his brother could, as he had recently turned 18. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for a crime of sexual assault on a minor under 16 years of age.

According to the evidence, the then-13-year-old took the 15-year-old victim to a house where his brother was staying under the pretext of chatting in privacy, as she wanted to break off the relationship. The teenagers went into one of the bedrooms to talk, but after a while, he tried to assault the girl. Frightened, she threatened to scream.

The suspect then went with her to another room and his brother entered later. By mutual agreement, the siblings left the room in the dark and closed both the door and the window, which left the victim completely paralysed by fear. It was then that they jointly carried out the sexual assault.

This was also proven by the High Court of Justice of Andalucia (TSJA), which agreed to reduce the defendant's sentence by six months. In addition to the sentence of 13 and a half years' imprisonment, he was also sentenced to seven years' probation and banned from approaching or communicating with the victim for a period of 16 years. The other brother could not be prosecuted by a juvenile court, despite the fact that the judicial report confirmed his participation in the joint rape.

Last week, the now-19-year-old was arrested, along with two other young men, and accused of the group sexual assault of an 18-year-old woman near Rosse Vip Club in Malaga, where they had reportedly met. The events took place in the early hours of 30 October, although the arrests were made a few days ago after a lengthy police investigation.

The key to locating the suspects was the collaboration of the club, which had images of the three men taken in the photo booth of the premises. The judicial authority ordered the three suspects to be remanded in custody without bail after considering that the victim's story was "credible and convincing". The medical examination she underwent that morning was consistent with her testimony.

The defence, however, believes that the judicial decision has been motivated more by the current social climate and the alarm generated by this type of case than by the evidence itself. They argued that the complaint may contain certain inconsistencies and stated that, for now, the presumption of innocence of the defendants must prevail, as they denied the allegations and maintained at all times during their court appearance that the relations were consensual.
Tony Bryant Friday, 5 December 2025, 17:32 Share

Mijas social services councillor Maria Francisca Alarcon chaired a meeting of the suicide prevention committee on Thursday, a new municipal body aimed at advancing and establishing prevention protocols, as well as highlighting the municipal support line. In addition to Alarcon, the meeting was attended by youth councillor Melisa Ceballos, a representative from the Las Lagunas health centre, members of the Afesol mental health association and the Local Police.

It has been an initial meeting in which we have laid out the lines of work we want to focus on, said Alarcon, who explained that other departments, such as health and senior citizens, will also be represented on this committee.

The plan is to continue working on the municipal suicide prevention plan, which will establish protocols and measures to prevent self-harming. Furthermore, special emphasis will be placed on young people, with workshops and talks planned to promote mental health in schools.

Suicide in Spain

Data from the ministry of health shows that last year 3,846 people took their own lives and more than 75,000 attempted to do so. These figures translate to 11 suicides and over 200 attempts per day in Spain. Although the number has decreased considerably over the past two years, suicide records in Spain have reached their highest levels since 2020. Since 2008, suicide has become the leading cause of non-natural death in Spain, and 30 per cent of suicides in the country are men over the age of 65.
The end of autumn and the beginning of winter in Malaga are both proving to be more complicated than in previous years due to the premature arrival of the flu season, which is currently four to seven weeks earlier than usual, as already reported by SUR.

However, the concerns of regional and national health authorities and governments lie not in this accelerated arrival of seasonal flu, nor in the increase already detected last week in hospital emergency rooms and primary care centres of this virus and others such as those that cause bronchiolitis, Covid-19 and other types of flu, but rather in the arrival of a new flu mutation, a variant of the H3N2 virus (influenza) known as subclade K, which appears to have a greater capacity for transmission and resistance to vaccines.

The Spanish society of family and community medicine (semFYC) warned last week of the atypical behaviour of the current respiratory virus season, with flu season starting a month earlier than normal due to a new variant of the virus that has been circulating since April or May around the European Union: "It is a more transmissible virus, although this does not imply greater severity."

The main risk falls on the vulnerable: the elderly, immunocompromised patients or those with chronic illnesses. While the virus is not more virulent, "it can cause more hospital admissions and complications because it affects people who were protected by the vaccine and are not as protected as in other years when there were fewer antigenic changes".

Zoom The observation ward in the emergency room at Malaga's Hospital Clinico. SUR

This change in flu season therefore anticipates an earlier than usual increase in cases and shortens the window for effective vaccination, which is crucial for risk protection. If subclade K is confirmed as the predominant strain, alterations in the haemagglutinin protein, key for binding the virus to human cells, must be taken into account. Such alterations can hinder recognition by the immune system of the virus, both after vaccination and following a previous infection, thus explaining the earlier spreading of the virus and the increase in infections, even among those vaccinated.

On the up...

While there was already an upturn in flu cases last week, hospital sources confirm that the increase is accelerating in emergency rooms. This virus could be behind the fact that flu cases ended up being treated in hospitals during the summer, generating peaks in patient care (in combination with Covid-19) in Malaga.

That the flu season and other acute respiratory infections (including influenza, Covid-19, bronchitis and bronchiolitis) have arrived early in Malaga is clear: the rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 211.1 in the week from 17 to 23 November, 57% higher than in the week from 13 to 19 October, according to the Junta's weekly surveillance report on acute respiratory infections.

"Rapid spread"

Ana Maria Ortega Prieto is a lead researcher jointly in charge of the immune response to viral infections group at Malaga's biomedical research institute (Ibima-Plataforma Bionand). "The H3N2 virus subclade K is a genetic variant of the influenza A virus that presents changes in the protein used by the virus to bind to our cells. These changes make it harder for our immune system to recognise the virus, because it's a virus that is less similar to the H3N2 viruses that have circulated in previous seasons," explains Dr Ortega Prieto. She adds that "it is spreading rapidly and already accounts for a third of all flu viruses analysed between May and November this year worldwide and almost half of those analysed in Europe: the data suggests that the virus could be transmitted more easily."

Zoom Dr. Ortega Prieto, from the Ibima biomed research unit at the Hospital Clinico. SUR

Still, in principle there is no potential for an increase in severity of this strain: "What could happen is that, as more people become infected than in previous years, the number of complications could also increase simply because more vulnerable people are being exposed to the virus," says Dr Ortega. She further notes that "it is slightly different from the viruses used in this season's vaccines, which could cause a decrease in their effectiveness, especially in preventing infections. However, although current data on their efficacy is quite limited, preliminary results published in England indicate that the vaccines continue to provide good protection against the most severe cases."

The main consequence of this flu variant could be "a greater number of cases than in previous years and in a shorter period of time. This could mean greater pressure on healthcare services, especially if it coincides with other respiratory viruses. For older people or those with chronic illnesses, the risk of complications is greater," the doctor told SUR.

Combating the new strain

To combat it, the ideal approach is to "vaccinate vulnerable groups as soon as possible, initiate antiviral treatment early in infected individuals at higher risk of severe illness and consider using antivirals as prophylaxis when outbreaks are detected in sensitive settings such as nursing homes. In addition, it is important to continue maintaining sound epidemiological surveillance."

Essential strategies to curb catching the flu: handwashing, ventilation and special attention to vaccination

As preventive measures, Dr Ortega suggests we "ventilate enclosed spaces well, wash hands frequently, avoid contact with vulnerable people if they present with flu-like symptoms and, above all, get vaccinated as soon as possible".

The Junta de Andalucia's flu plan

The regional government for Andalucia has launched its own action plan for flu season with regional health minister Antonio Sanz announcing last Friday that the latest data "reflects that the positivity rate for the flu virus has increased compared to the previous two weeks, reaching 21.6%". Sanz himself reported that the flu season had started early by four to seven weeks, with the H3N2 virus being the culprit. The Junta, in a press release, stated: "This virus has not been the dominant one in recent seasons, which could lead to a decrease in individual immunity."

Among other measures, since last Monday, the use of face masks has been recommended for staff and those attending public and private healthcare centres and social care facilities (nursing homes, centres for people with disabilities). These facilities will also be asked to consider making the use of face masks mandatory in their health and safety plans.
Chus Heredia Friday, 5 December 2025, 17:03 Share

Thousands of trees have died in the province, although the phenomenon is more widespread than just Malaga. Pine trees are the most affected, but not just because of a combination of factors ranging from drought, poor quality soils with few nutrients, steep slopes, high levels of sunlight and too much competition for scant resources thanks to close proximity of these trees. The other blight comes from pests and opportunistic insects such as bark beetles (the ones that bore into the wood, popularly known as 'barrenillos'). They do the remaining damage, the tree dries up and then it breaks apart in a matter of days.

There are several solutions. These include clearing and thinning out the trees, removing wood that could serve as a breeding ground for insects and pests, introducing more variety in the species planted and also looking for more resilient varieties.

Assigned work

Within this context, the public company Tragsa has just awarded two contracts for work in several natural areas around Malaga. The contracts are financed by EU Next Generation funds. The first job lot of work covers the Montes de Malaga Natural Park and the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes Natural Area. The contract goes to Aprovechamientos Forestales La Mancha for 123,904 euros, including taxes.

200,000-plus euros is the total cost for both contracts awarded by Tragsa for this much-needed tree-felling operation. This includes felling from the trunk's base, lopping off all branches and chopping all the wood into pieces for later use. This work can be completed manually, with the help of specialised machinery where required.

The second job, also awarded to the same company for 77,440 euros, will focus on the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park.

Keeping on the forestry theme, Malaga city council has also signed a contract with Malaguena Forestal, based in El Burgo, for the prevention of forest fires in the city's peri-urban parks and other forested areas close to Malaga city. The contract is worth 600,000 euros, including taxes. .
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The last two times Pedro Sanchez was able to pass a budget (2021 and 2022) were historic occasions. Both spending plans were unprecedentedly large, infused with millions of euros from the EU's Next Generation scheme - a system of loans and grants designed to help member states recover from lockdown and other attempts to contain Covid-19.

Three years on, the Spanish government's enthusiasm for this financing mechanism seems to have cooled. At a press conference in Toronto this week, Spain's economy minister, Carlos Cuerpo, announced: "Financially, there is no advantage for us to go for these loans, because we can do it ourselves with our own issuance of debt." Cuerpo took a different line back in June, when he claimed that the Next Gen payouts were "modernising our economy [and] helping to improve the welfare of citizens."

Spain was allocated 160 billion euros under the EU scheme, making it the second largest recipient after Italy, and has to submit all its funding requests by August next year. But according to Cuerpo, the Spanish economy is doing so well that it will probably only use 25% of its allocation - nowhere near the amount that Sanchez projected back in 2021 and 2022.

Despite the fanfare with which Sanchez announced those budgets-on-steroids, the real economic impact of the Next Gen funds is hard to quantify. This is partly due to the opacity with which they have been managed: teething problems with the software designed to log disbursements caused the EU to express concerns about where exactly the money was going.

There was a wonderful irony to this, as Sanchez claimed that large chunks of the funds would be spent on digitalisation. (I'll only believe all this talk about digitalisation when TIE renewals can be done online, rather than in person with a bulging file of forms). Actually, he had little choice about how to use the money: every transfer came with targets attached, many of them reflective of Brussels' green agenda. This is no doubt one of the reasons why Cuerpo wants to reduce Spain's reliance on Next Gen money - so it can negotiate unilaterally on debt issuance, rather than be dictated to by the EU.

Cuerpo will surely be glad to cut the Net Gen strings on a personal level, too. It took him months of negotiations to secure the fifth tranche of 23 billion in August, receipt of which required Spain to show it had met or was close to meeting over eighty milestones and targets.

It remains to be seen how Spain's assertion of independence will align with its calls for greater fiscal integration across the bloc. But it's unlikely to regret cutting the strings to a source of financing that may ultimately prove more trouble than it was worth.
Javier Martinez Valencia Friday, 5 December 2025, 15:45 Share

The anaesthetist who sedated a young girl who died after visiting a dental clinic in Valencia last month has been arrested by the National Police as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of gross negligence. A supposed case of malpractice when administering doses to two minors at a dental clinic in Alzira led to the death of one of the girls and the severe intoxication of the other, according to police investigations.

Officers of the homicide group arrested the doctor after an exhaustive investigation and two searches carried out at his home and the dental clinic in Alzira.

According to sources from the Valencian regional police headquarters, the anaesthetist is accused of homicide, injury, failing in his duty to assist, crimes against public health and theft. A few hours after the arrest of the specialist, officers from the homicide group arrested the owner of the clinic, a 50-year-old woman, as the alleged perpetrator of the crimes of omission of the duty of care and crimes against public health.

According to police investigations, the arrested doctor had allegedly stolen drugs from a hospital in Valencia. These anaesthetics were used in the dental clinics where he performed sedation. Behind this practice would be the lack of administrative authorisation of the Alzira clinic to perform intravenous sedation. In the absence of this document, the specialist used the drugs he stole from the hospital to sedate patients, including the deceased girl and the other minor who suffered severe intoxication.

As reported by Las Provincias, the anaesthetist was missing for several hours after the death of the six-year-old girl at the Ribera Hospital became public. The health department then asked the police to locate him. He was said to have been deeply distressed over his alleged responsibility in the tragic incident.

The detainee, who works for several private clinics, was questioned by officers from the homicide unit shortly after he attended a meeting with his lawyer and technicians from the health inspection service of the regional ministry of health, an organisation that ensures compliance with health regulations in the centres and services in Valencia.

After this meeting, the investigators transferred the specialist to police headquarters to take his statement. The regional ministry of health is now preparing a report to be sent to the Alzira judge investigating the girl's death.

According to experts, deaths due to an anaesthesia complication are very unusual and always occur in the operating theatre. Another hypothesis considered by the police is that a product used in the clinic might have been contaminated by bacteria. The health department also investigated the traceability of the sedative administered to the two girls.
SUR Friday, 5 December 2025, 22:32 Share

To coincide with the launch of his controversial memoirs in Spanish this week, Emeritus King Juan Carlos issued a poorly produced video on YouTube.

The video from the father of King Felipe praised the success of the transition and looked to remind viewers of Juan Carlos's role in it.

The Royal household in Madrid described the unexpected recording as "inopportune and unnecessary".
E.P. Friday, 5 December 2025, 18:06 Share

The National Police have launched an investigation into the death of a 13-year-old girl who reportedly fell from an abandoned building in Anaza, in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Thursday evening.

The incident happened shortly before 8pm. The victim was in the building together with two other underage girls, who called the emergency services.

The police and an ambulance were immediately mobilised to the scene, but the medical staff could not the save the girl's life.

The investigation remains open, although the police have ruled out the involvement of third parties, at least for the moment.
The National Police have arrested three people in the province of Castellon who are linked to the "terrorist organisation" known as 'The Base', a new international network made up of "paramilitary cells", which "train in camps with the ultimate aim of perpetrating attacks", according to the ministry of interior. This is the first police strike in Spanish criminal history against a white supremacist terrorist group.

The police maintain that this cell, after having been trained, was ready to commit terrorist attacks on national territory. Among their possible targets, those arrested speculated about attacks on politicians, police officers, immigrants, members of the Jewish and Muslim community, activists from anti-fascist groups and members of the LGBT+ community.

The leader of the cell, who was captured on Tuesday last week, has now been remanded in prison. Judge Antonio Pina has charged him and his two alleged followers with membership of a terrorist organisation, recruitment, indoctrination and training for terrorist purposes, as well as illegal possession of weapons.

During the five searches carried out in the province of Castellon, nine weapons were seized, two of them firearms, ammunition, more than twenty bladed weapons and "complete military tactical equipment" used in training activities. The police also discovered supremacist material and documentation, propaganda for 'The Base', neo-Nazi paraphernalia, as well as documentation praising other terrorist organisations.

The investigation - as reported this week by the ministry of interior - began in early 2025, when officers specialising in the fight against terrorism and radicalism from the general intelligence police headquarters (CGI) identified a highly radicalised individual aligned with the terrorist supremacist ideology of The Base.

This organisation was created in July 2018 by American Rinaldo Nazzaro (known by the aliases 'Norman Spear' and 'Roman Wolf'), who today lives in Russia. This collective is considered terrorist in the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Essentially, it is a "racially motivated" violent extremist group that seeks to "incite a race war to establish a white ethno-state".

The Base', which also has strong anti-Semitic roots, operates as a 'decentralised and clandestine network' of small operational cells, whose main ideological tenets are supremacism, militant accelerationism and preparation for a 'race war'. According to the most radical version of this accelerationism, widely followed by neo-Nazi groups, especially in the USA, a "social revolution" is necessary to move towards a "post-capitalist society" controlled by the Aryan race. And to bring about these changes, all methods, including terrorist ones, are lawful.

His dream is the creation of pure white racial states along the lines of 'White Cascadia' (a vast area between the states of Idaho, Oregon, Washington and western Montana in the United States, as well as parts of western Canada), with a predominantly Caucasian population and white cultural roots.

During the investigation into the links of 'The Base' in Spain, the CGI officers discovered that there was already a "cohesive cell", made up of three people. All of them were "highly radicalised, basing their lifestyle on the postulates of the terrorist organisation, and ready to carry out attacks", stressed the National Police. The police said that the three arrested had already undergone "several tactical training sessions using paramilitary techniques and material".

Contact Nazzaro

The officers were also able to verify how the detainees used social networks to recruit new militants, glorify violent actions of other terrorist organisations and "share audiovisual content of an accelerationist nature with other users".

"In recent months, the detainees had hardened their radical discourse, encouraging violent actions, even openly stating that they were willing to carry out targeted attacks for the cause," according to the police.

Moreover, the leader of the Spanish cell was in direct contact with Rinaldo Nazzaro himself, who a month ago called for the consolidation of cells expanded internationally and the execution of selective attacks in order to collapse Western democratic institutions.

This, together with the weapons stockpile observed, led to the officers launching a police operation in the early hours of Tuesday morning to arrest the leader and his two top collaborators.

The operation has been led by the general commission for intelligence with the support of the provincial information brigade of Castellon, all under the direction of the national high court prosecutor's office. Europol officers participated in the information analysis phase carried out during the investigation.
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's innovation is open and open-source, and the country is willing to share indigenous technologies and innovation scenarios with the world, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a briefing here on Friday.

Lin made the remarks in response to a query related to foreign media reports that China has transformed from the "world's factory" to the "world's laboratory," and that Western countries need to catch up in this competition.

"'Innovation' has indeed become a key word in China's economic and social development," Lin said, noting that the word was mentioned 61 times in the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, which was adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Lin said that over recent years, major scientific and innovation outcomes have kept emerging in China, which has gone up the Global Innovation Index ranking, from the 34th in 2012 to the 10th in 2025.

"For years, China has taken science and technology as its primary productive force," Lin said, adding that China has provided guidance of visions and policies and advanced reform of the system, taken good use of its market and talents, let enterprises take up the principal role in innovation, and made sustained efforts.

"China has blazed a successful path whereby sci-tech innovation spearheads industrial innovation and industrial upgrade propels sci-tech evolution, and made innovation the underlying driving force of China's economy," Lin added.

He noted that there may be competition in innovation, but innovation is not about winning. "China's innovation is open and open-source, and we aim to achieve win-win results," Lin said.

For instance, the first batch of cooperation projects aboard China Space Station involves 23 institutions from 17 countries. China's FAST telescope accepts observation application from scientists worldwide. China initiated the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization and proposed the AI+ International Cooperation Initiative as part of the effort to promote the open and inclusive development of AI for good and for all. DeepSeek launched an open-source model for global developers to use and improve. "The examples are ample," said Lin.

China is willing to promote mutual empowerment and common development through openness and cooperation, and deliver more outcomes of innovation to the whole humanity, the spokesperson said. 
Fernando Morales Friday, 5 December 2025, 10:38 Share

Spain will not take part in Eurovision for the first time since 1961, following the European Broadcasting Union's refusal on Thursday to allow the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE and seven other countries to hold a vote on Israel's participation in the contest during the 95th Ebu assembly.

After the approval of the new rules of the contest (738 votes in favour, 264 against and 120 abstentions), it was confirmed that Israel, despite the events in the Gaza Strip, will be able to take part in Eurovision. "This decision increases RTVE's distrust in the organisation of the contest and confirms the political pressures surrounding it," RTVE announced, accusing the EBU and the Eurovision management of causing "one of the greatest internal tensions in the history of the organisation".

As the EBU defended in a statement, the vote on participation did not take place because a "large majority" of members were in favour of not holding a new vote on countries' participation in the Eurovision song contest. "The result of this vote demonstrates the shared commitment of our members to protect transparency and trust in the Eurovision song contest," it said.

The assembly and vote ended months of tension over Israel's presence in a contest that calls itself "apolitical" and a nexus of "union" between countries. The truth is that after Thursday's non-vote, Eurovision 2026 can already be said to be unprecedented. "The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and the use of the contest for political purposes by Israel, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event," RTVE stated after learning of the decision. The Spanish broadcaster has already confirmed that it will not broadcast the contest to be held in Vienna (Austria) between 12 and 16 May.

Spain, the only member of the 'Big Five' that had called for Israel's expulsion, was joined by Ireland (the country that has won most times), Slovenia and the Netherlands, which considers that "participation in the current circumstances is incompatible with the public values that are essential to us". Iceland's broadcaster, RUV, has indicated that the country may also withdraw, and if it does, the contest will shrink further and will no longer be able to maintain its usual "unity" narrative because of so many countries refusing to participate.

Spain's minister of culture, Ernest Urtasun, supported RTVE's decision. "Israel must not be whitewashed in the face of the geneocide in Gaza. Culture must be on the side of peace and justice," he said in a message on BlueSky, in which he stated that he was "proud of RTVE for putting human rights before any economic interest".

It was the war in the Gaza Strip, declared by the UN a "genocide", which prompted RTVE's management to agree in September that if the Ebu allowed Israel to be present, Spain would withdraw from the contest - a measure that raised serious criticism within the Ebu and even from other countries such as Germany, which warned that if it was finally decided to exclude Israel for these reasons, they would also withdraw. In other words, cross vetoes and politics dominated a debate that, however, did not take place when Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022. In just one day, the Russian delegation was expelled.

Double standards

In addition to the serious acts committed in Gaza, RTVE had also expressed concern about the instrumentalisation of the vote in past contests and the lack of sanctions in this regard. The EBU tried to stop the crisis with a series of measures, including reducing the number of televotes per viewer from 20 to ten and restoring the jury's vote in the semi-finals. For Spain, this is "insufficient".

"We should not accept double standards. Neutrality and transparency is a common objective to guarantee a truthful result that respects the audience and citizens," RTVE secretary general Alfonso Morales said during his participation in an assembly shrouded in controversy, given that the vote on Israel's presence should have been held in an extraordinary way in November. However, following the peace agreement signed in October between Israel and Hamas, the EBU considered that there was no longer any reason to do so and postponed the debate.

Before the start of the meeting, RTVE president Jose Pablo Lopez criticised the Ebu and Eurovision management for subjecting the organisation to "the greatest internal tension in its history". "It should never have come to this point. The sanctions against Israel for its repeated breaches in Eurovision should have been adopted at the executive level and not by transferring the conflict to the assembly", said the head of RTVE, who denounced that the festival is "dominated by geopolitical interests and fractured".

Criticism from Israel

The Israeli government has reacted to the withdrawal of Spain and three other countries from the festival. Foreign minister Gideon Saar called their decision a "disgrace". President Isaac Herzog welcomed Israel's participation, stating that Eurovision is "an example of culture, music, friendship between nations and cross-border cultural understanding".
Pablo Alcaraz Valencia Friday, 5 December 2025, 18:26 Share

Hearing the stories of the families of the 'dana' victims is still heart-breaking, even a year after the disaster that took the lives of 230 people in Valencia.

Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra continues collecting testimonies that move anybody who hears them. One such testimony is that of a woman who found the vehicle in which her grandfather died on 29 October thanks to a video posted on TikTok.

The woman testified before the magistrate investigating the possible criminal responsibilities of the emergency management of 29 October 2024 that she had a "very close" relationship with her grandfather, for he was like her father. It was she who found his body after walking from Valencia to the road where the family had received notice that his vehicle might be.

Meanwhile, her mother explained in court that her father "was very independent, coming and going without telling anyone", and that the flood had turned the V-30 road into a "trap". When she arrived at her home, her mother informed her that he had left the family home at 6.30pm However, it was not until around 7.30pm that she saw a wave of water approaching. She told the judge that residents in the town were used to floods, "but not a tsunami".

The woman pulled herself together and managed to get her mother upstairs when the house was flooding. The water was up to her waist. Although she managed to get to safety, she never thought that anything had happened to her father. Her daughter was in Valencia and her son in Chiva, the latter also trapped inside his car.

Even so, that night they all went to bed thinking that the man would return in the early hours of the morning, which never happened. Realising that he was still missing at dawn, the deceased's daughter headed to the Local Police, but got stuck in the mud. She saw a friend who was a police officer and told him that her father had not returned home. The man told her that Picanya, as they had known it, no longer existed.

Findings

The hardest moment of the story came when the granddaughter confirmed that her grandfather had died during the darkest afternoon in the history of Valencia, after verifying that the body resting in the vehicle she had found through a TikTok video was that of her loved one. The personnel from the military emergency unit (Ume) from Zaragoza, who were working nearby, became her greatest emotional support, accompanying her "at all times" through the tragedy. Her mother thanked the soldiers for both their help and the care they showed her daughter, whom they later invited "for a coffee".

The psychological aftermath of the tragedy is evident in their cases. The granddaughter has been on medical leave for six months and has been on antidepressants for a year. Both mother and granddaughter told Judge Ruiz Tobarra that they wished to be recognised by the forensic doctor and authorised the Abucasis app to access medical records. They are now fighting to claim any potential compensation that may arise from criminal liability for the death of they father and grandfather.

Late warning

In response to one of the lawyers, the daughter said that the ES-Alert "arrived when everything was already flooded and coming with great force".

The woman testified before the magistrate that the mass mobile alert "arrived late" while "everyone was going about their normal lives". We had no idea how dangerous it was," she stated.
Dear reader,

On Friday, Ill be standing outside for a couple hours, selling newspapers until my fingers and toes are numb, and its probably the most meaningful thing Ill do this holiday season. Every year, our newsroom fans out to diners, gas stations, and street corners around Central New York selling special editions of The Post-Standard to raise money for the Hope for the Holidays  Old Newsboys campaign.

Former Post-Standard employee Tom Brown, chairman of the campaign, has been involved with it for the past 40 years. He says the goal this year is to raise $50,000, an increase over the $36,000 raised last year. Our main purpose is to raise money to buy food, clothing and toys for families in need at Christmas. We work in partnership with the Christmas Bureau - a joint venture of the Salvation Army and the United Way, he said.

I have volunteered at the Christmas Bureau several times as a personal shopper and can tell you firsthand how appreciative the families are for this service during the holiday season. Last year, the effort helped more than 2,000 families in the area.

On Friday night, as he does every year, Tom will go out in Armory Square with the Ancient Order of the Hibernians to help the fundraising effort. He recruits the bagpipers and several other community groups to help the cause. Watching our volunteers get so motivated by the whole experience raises my holiday spirit. The holiday attire, costumes, bag pipes, pub crawls, TV raffles - you name it, theyve tried it, Tom said.

The most successful year I had fundraising, our team had someone dressed in an inflatable dinosaur costume and another in a unicorn suit (pictured above). If you see any of us out selling this Friday and Saturday, please consider making a donation, even if its just the spare change in your pockets. And if you dont have any cash on you, our sellers will have a QR code you can use. You can also make donations online on this website. If youve been blessed with a financially successful year, please consider giving a little more, Tom said.
The City of Syracuse named Hannah Li administrative public information officer. As part of the city communications office, Li will be responsible for public information and communication activities supporting city services in assessment, finance, budget, human resources, research, information technology and analytics, performance and innovation.

>> Send us your companys news about People in Motion

In this role, Li supports the citys communications efforts by producing both public and employee-focused communications and content for web, print, and social media. She will develop and distribute public information to proactively educate and engage the community on ongoing and upcoming city initiatives, programs and events related to administrative operations.

Previously, Li worked in government communications and public service at both the local and federal levels. She served as a regional office intern for U.S Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumers Syracuse office. Li also worked as an upstate press intern in Senator Schumers Washington, D.C., office.

A Central New York native, Li is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where she earned a bachelors degree in government with double minors in environmental studies and Chinese language. During her time at Dartmouth, she served as photography editor for the Dartmouth newspaper and co-chair of Agape Christian Fellowship.

If youd like to submit an item about People in Motion at your organization, send a press release including photo, to business@syracuse.com with Company News in the subject field. We publish news about people with ties to Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego counties. See all recent Company News items.
Congrats are in order for Kim Cattrall!

Cattrall, best known for playing Samantha Jones on HBOs Sex and the City, married her longtime boyfriend, Russell Thomas, on Thursday in London, according to People. Cattrall, 69, and Thomas, 55, exchanged vows in front of just 12 people at Chelsea Old Town Hall.

Cattrall first met Thomas, an audio engineer, in 2016 at the BBC, when the Glamorous star appeared on an episode of Womans Hour." As Cattrall revealed to Glamour in 2018, they started talking after the segment. He direct messaged me, she said. It was very, very modern [and] its just been very easy.

They kept in touch, and Thomas eventually went to visit the Canadian-born actress in Vancouver. It was very brave of him because we didnt really know each other other than having a few meals together. But he came and we got along great. And weve been together ever since! she told People in 2020.

This is Cattralls fourth marriage. She was previously married to Larry Davis from 1977 to 1979, Andre J. Lyson from 1982 to 1989, and Mark Levinson from 1998 to 2004. She does not have any children.
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, the Japanese American actor whose powerful glare and graceful menace made him a fixture of action films for more than four decades, has died at 75.

Tagawa, known for his roles in the Mortal Kombat films, License to Kill and The Man in the High Castle, died Thursday of complications from a stroke, a representative confirmed to The Times. He died in Santa Barbara while surrounded by family members.

Tagawa was born in Japan and raised partly on U.S. military bases before coming to Los Angeles, where he taught his own style of martial arts called Chu Shin. He was discovered by Bernardo Bertolucci and cast in The Last Emperor, which was released in 1987.

His role in the Oscar-winning epic quickly propelled him to fame, and he went on to star in more than 30 films, many of which showcased his combat skills.

Tagawa became one of Hollywoods most reliable character actors, typically cast as the elegant and cunning villain.

I had the privilege of representing Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa for many years as his long time manager, but our relationship grew into something far deeper  he became like family," said manager Margie Weiner in a statement. Cary was a rare soul: generous, thoughtful, and endlessly committed to his craft. His loss is immeasurable. My heart is with his family, friends, and all who loved him.

His most defining role came in the 1995 film Mortal Kombat, in which he played the evil sorcerer Shang Tsung  a performance that became a cult classic made especially memorable by his enduring line, Your soul is mine. He reprised the character in the 2013 television series Mortal Kombat: Legacy and voiced Tsung in the video game Mortal Kombat 11, introducing his work to a new generation of fans.

He later stared as trade minister Nobusuke Tagomi in Amazons The Man in the High Castle, a performance that earned him some of the strongest critical notice of his career. He was a lead character for three seasons of the show, which came out in 2015.

Away from the screen, Tagawa was known as a warm, charismatic mentor who encouraged younger actors and martial artists.

Cary was a great talent and a wonderful man, said his publicist, Penny Vizcarra, chief executive of PV Public Relations. Our entire team loved working with him and appreciated how he treated everyone with love and respect.

Tagawa is survived by his children, Calen, Byrnne and Cana, and his grandchildren, River and Thea Clayton.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Actress Tara Reid is standing by her claim that she was drugged at an Illinois hotel in November, even after police say surveillance footage shows no evidence supporting the allegation.

Reid, 50, described the Nov. 23 incident at the DoubleTree Chicago OHare Airport-Rosemont as a horrifying experience that has severely affected her mental health. Bottom line is no one ends up in the hospital incapacitated for over 8 hours after a drink, she said in a statement to People.

The Rosemont Public Safety Department also told People on Dec. 3 that a review of surveillance footage did not show anyone tampering with Reids drink. Police did confirm that a bartender covered her drink when she stepped away from the bar, calling it standard practice.

According to the police report filed Nov. 25, Reid said she completely blacked out after having one drink with a stranger at the hotel bar. She said the last thing she remembered was having one drink and waking up in the hospital the next day without remembering anything.

That was the scariest feeling I have ever felt, Reid said, adding she felt helpless. I believe I was drugged. Something happened to me.

Reid recounted ordering a glass of white wine before a man who introduced himself as Sean P, a very successful influencer and YouTuber joined her. The two went outside for a cigarette and when she returned, she alleged there was a napkin over my drink.

After consuming the drink, Reid told police her next memory was waking up in a hospital more than eight hours later. Reid also claimed the influencer texted her videos of the incident the next day, which she considered an extortion attempt because he allegedly told her he could stop the videos [from] going out.

Rosemont police stated they spoke with the YouTuber and that based on video and statements there is no evidence of any drinks being tampered with.

The department said the investigation is ongoing pending hospital test results, but that at this time there is no criminal act that has been committed and there is no one we are currently investigating.

A video obtained by TMZ showed Reid appearing unable to stand on her own while being assisted by a man and a woman with a wheelchair.

The hotel confirmed in a Nov. 26 statement that as soon as hotel staff observed a potential health concern involving a guest, our trained security team assisted and arranged for medical support.
KABUL, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in western Afghanistan's Farah province set on fire 50 tons of expired medicines and food items, urging drug stores and shopkeepers to avoid selling expired items, the official media Bakhtar news agency reported on Friday.

According to the report, the burned items had been collected from drug stores and shops during the past six months, and such a move would continue.

Collecting and destroying substandard medicines and unsafe food is part of the Afghan authorities' ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and quality of products available to the public. 
Central Square, N.Y.  The Central Square Walmart was evacuated Thursday night after someone called the store claiming they were inside and armed with weapons, troopers said.

Around 7:30 p.m., State Police and the Oswego County Sheriffs Office responded to the Walmart on Route 49 in the village of Central Square, according to Trooper Jennifer Jiron, a spokesperson for State Police.

An anonymous caller told Walmart employees they were in the store with weapons and threatened violence.

Shoppers and employees were evacuated while troopers and deputies searched the building with K-9 units.

Nothing was found to substantiate the threat, and the store later reopened.
DALLAS  From the election of Zohran Mamdani to the intrigue surrounding the Louvre jewel heist, keeping up with this years news also left some Americans struggling with pronunciations. Thats put both the name of New York Citys incoming mayor and the famed Paris museum on a list of the most mispronounced words in 2025.

The language-learning company Babbel and closed-captioning company The Captioning Group on Thursday released a list of the words that news anchors, politicians and other public figures in the U.S. struggled with the most this year, giving an overview of the people and topics that had Americans talking.

As Mamdani made his political rise, the democratic socialists name often was mangled. When he takes office in January, the 34-year-old will become the citys first Muslim mayor, first born in Africa and first of South Asian heritage. Babbel said his name  which should be pronounced zoh-RAHN mam-DAH-nee  was most commonly mispronounced when people swapped the M and N in his last name.

Mamdani has said he doesnt mind if someone tries to pronounce his name correctly and misses but that some mispronounce it intentionally. During one mayoral race debate, he chided former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomos pronunciation of his name, telling his opponent: The name is Mamdani. M-A-M-D-A-N-I.

The theft of Frances crown jewels from the Louvre in October had many people mispronouncing the name of the worlds most-visited museum. Babbel says the correct pronunciation is LOOV-ruh, with a very soft pronunciation on the ruh, which can be a challenge for English speakers.

A lot of these words come from different languages and so we have to adapt to a sound that weve never made before, said Esteban Touma, a linguistic and cultural expert at Babbel.

Other words and names on the list include:

 Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in the Tylenol, is pronounced uh-SEE-tuh-MIH-nuh-fen. President Donald Trump gave comedians plenty of material when he stumbled over the word as he implored pregnant women to avoid taking the painkiller despite inconclusive evidence about whether too much could be linked to autism.

 Alex Murdaugh, the prominent South Carolina attorney who was sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 fatal shootings of his wife and son, is pronounced AL-ick MUR-dock. This year the case was dramatized in a series on Hulu.

 Mounjaro, pronounced mown-JAHR-OH, is part of a wave of diabetes and obesity medications that soared in popularity because of the weight people have lost while taking the injections.

Several words on the U.S. list, including Louvre and Mounjaro, also made the list for the U.K., which was compiled by Babbel and the British Institute of Verbatim Reporters, an organization for subtitling professionals. Storm Eowyn, which battered Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland in January, put that name on the U.K. list. Babbel says the correct pronunciation is ay-OH-win, said with a three-beat pattern.

Throughout the year, captioners note words that come up over and over as difficult to pronounce, spell or are newly emerging. Linguists at Babbel also track new pronunciation challenges they see.

In a pronunciation surprise of the year, actor Denzel Washington told late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel that he was named after his father and their first names are actually pronounced DEN-zul. But, he said, that became confusing so his mother decided to pronounce her sons name Den-ZELLE.
Fewer choices in THC drinks? Changes in cannabis product lines at local shops? An end to sales of potent THC gummies at gas stations and convenience stores?

Last month, Congress passed legislation to ban or restrict the production and sale of certain types of cannabis edibles, drinks and vapes derived from hemp. It was included, without much advance notice, in the bill that ended the federal government shutdown.

That new hemp law, set to take effect in November 2026, is raising a lot of questions.

Leaders in Central New Yorks legal cannabis industry, who have seen many changes since its debut less than a decade ago, are now trying to wrap their heads around this new wrinkle.

Theres a lot going on here and a lot to think about, said Allan Gandelman, who runs the Head & Heal cannabis business in Cortland County and is a founding member of the trade group known as the Cannabis Association of New York. Its been a bit of surprise to some people, so theres different reactions.

Some in the industry worry about the changes, while others applaud them. One expert predicts only minor effects in New York state.

The new law essentially overturns changes in federal agriculture law that went into effect in 2018. Those 2018 changes deregulated hemp products, and led to the proliferation of hemp cannabis that was supposed to be less potent than marijuana (less than 0.3% THC).

But critics say the 2018 change created loopholes. These led to hemp products with enough THC to mirror the potency of marijuana.

In 2021, New York became one of the states to fully legalize recreational marijuana, which is derived from a different type of cannabis plant than hemp and has a higher level of the psychoactive compound THC.

The latest change involving hemp products does not affect the more than 500 legal marijuana dispensaries now operating in New York.

And its impact on other cannabis businesses could also be limited, said Heather Trela, a fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany and an expert in marijuana policy.

New York already has some of the strictest language regarding hemp in the country, Trela said. New Yorks regulations have been tight enough that if you were legal under the old law you will probably be legal under the new law.

And, she said, the willingness of the federal government to go after those who are breaking the law in New York could be limited.

The juice might not be worth the squeeze for them, she said.

The production and packaging facility for Ayrloom marijuana / cannabis products, an affiliate of Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards in LaFayette. (Courtesy Ayrloom)

But that doesnt mean some businesses wont have to adjust.

The owners of two Central New York businesses that sell THC-infused beverages, for example, think they may be forced to discontinue some, but not all, of their drink lines. And they may lose the ability to sell anywhere but state-licensed dispensaries.

What theyre talking about is exactly a product I make, said Tim Shore, referring to his line of low THC hemp-infused seltzers sold under the name Off Shore. We may have to shift to a cannabis (marijuana) base and just sell to the licensed dispensaries.

Shore, who is also co-founder of Buried Acorn Brewing, is using the brewhouse in the Inner Harbor to produce other products made from New York grown cannabis. Those wouldnt be affected by the new law.

Ayrloom, a THC beverage company operated by the family that owns Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, is facing a similar situation.

Ayrloom has a rather large business selling beverages containing Delta 9, one of the types of hemp-THC the new federal law would ban, said company president Eddie Brennan.

... That would completely go away after a year if they are not able to extend or find a path to regulation, Brennan said. As the law stands now it will be illegal in a year.

Ayrloom, however, also sells many products through licensed dispensaries, which would not be affected.

Allan Gandelman stands among hemp plants at his greenhouse in Cortland. The plants are used to make CBD products for Head & Heal. Courtesy of Head & Heal

In Cortland County, Gandelman at Head & Heal sees some changes ahead for his business.

We do a lot of online sales out of state, and I will not be allowed to do that under this law, Gandelman said. His products include CBD gummies and oils.

He believes the bad actors who have been bringing out-of-state hemp THC products to be sold in gas stations and other convenience stores triggered the recent change in federal law.

Now we will be concentrating on New York-grown and processed products to be sold in New York, he said. Thats our business and thats probably OK.

Things might be a bit more difficult for Syracuse cannabis shop operator Rodney Haymes. While he is opening a licensed recreational marijuana dispensary in DeWitt, he also recently launched a business based primarily on sales of a hemp product called THCa.

He has a state cannabinoid hemp license for that shop, The Dispensary by the BudBoyz, at 918 N. Salina St. But THCa is now affected by the new federal law.

Yes I anticipate some turbulence for sure, Haymes said. If it takes effect as is here in NY or any other state it will decimate the hemp industry as we know it.

But Joe Rossi, founder of Modern Advocacy, a Syracuse-based firm that lobbies and consults for the industry, is more optimistic about the change.

For six years, intoxicating hemp products sold outside regulated cannabis systems have created confusion and real consumer-safety concerns, Rossi wrote in an email to syracuse.com.

With this new federal law, that chapter is ending. New York was one of the first states to draw a clear line between CBD wellness products and intoxicating cannabinoids, and today Washington is adopting that same principle. This is a reset moment for the industry and for the consumers who deserve safe, accurately labeled products.

The New York Office of Cannabis Management, meanwhile, released a statement saying it is reviewing the federal legislation and its potential impact on New York.

The Office of Cannabis Management has implemented strong standards to ensure that cannabinoid hemp products sold in New York are manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices, safeguarding public health and consumer safety.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Students at Delaware Primary School in Syracuse left with smiles Thursday after picking out new hats and gloves during an annual winter giveaway.

The Wladis Hat and Gloves Foundation Inc. donated about 11,000 hats and gloves to students across the Syracuse City School District this year. Its the 29th year for the hat and glove giveaway.

The effort began when founder George Wladis read a newspaper article about children at a Syracuse school who needed warm clothing. He bought 300 hats for that school and soon learned the need was more widespread.

Every December since 1996, Wladis has partnered with local companies to raise money to buy hats and gloves at a discount and deliver them to city schools. District employees sort the items each year, and students get to select the styles and colors they prefer.

After George Wladis died in 2016, his sons Mark and Steven expanded the initiative. Today, every pre-K through sixth-grade student at 19 city schools receives a free hat and pair of gloves.

On Thursday, the Wladis family, along with Syracuse School Superintendent Pamela J. Odom, helped hand out the winter gear.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have ramped up immigration arrests in the Syracuse area since the summer, according to new data released this week.

ICE officers arrested at least 162 people in Onondaga County in the first 10 months of President Donald Trumps second term, according to data released by ICE and processed by the Deportation Data Project, a group of lawyers and researchers.

Nearly 100 of those arrests were in August, September and October, the records show.

For comparison, ICE arrested 56 people in Onondaga County in all of 2024 and just 28 people in 2023, records show.

The limited data confirms the stories immigrants and advocates have shared about the methods and the kinds of people ICE is going after in Central New York. ICE is not arresting the worst of the worst, as advertised by the Trump administration.

About 70% of immigrants arrested for civil immigration violations in Onondaga County have no prior crimes, records show.

That is higher than other parts of the country, according to a state-by-state analysis by Austin Kocher, a Syracuse University professor and immigration policy expert.

New York ranks highest among states where ICE is arresting people who are not criminals, according to Kochers analysis of the new data.

Sixty-one percent of the 7,071 people arrested in New York state had no prior criminal history, Kochers analysis shows.

In the Syracuse area, ICE agents are arresting immigrants who have filed asylum claims and applied for green cards when they appear at routine meetings with customs agents in the agencys Mattydale office.

ICE has also arrested residents in their homes and work places in Central New York.

Immigrants arrested in Onondaga County so far this year are from 28 different countries. ICE has arrested 42 people from Ecuador in the Syracuse area, records show.

The records show only a portion of arrests happening across the country. It does not include arrests made by Border Patrol agents or Homeland Security Investigations, another branch of ICE. It does not include arrests made by local police who may be cooperating with the federal government. It also does not include unaccompanied children in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, researchers said.
Editors note: This story has been corrected to say that Mark Rusin will be the departments youngest chief in more than half of a century.

Syracuse, N.Y.  Syracuse Mayor-elect Sharon Owens has chosen a deputy chief with 19 years in the Syracuse Police Department to be the departments next leader.

Owens said she will appoint Mark Rusin as the chief to take over for retiring Chief Joe Cecile. After initially planning to step down at the end of the calendar year, Cecile has agreed to stay in the job through Jan. 14 to help with the transition.

Rusin, 42, will be the departments youngest chief since Thomas Sardino took the leadership post at the same age in 1970. He joined the force in 2006 and rose to his current rank in August 2022.

In his current role, Rusin oversees the SPD Uniform Bureau, which includes 265 sworn officers and 50 civilian employees. He has helped launch new initiatives such as the Retail Crime Task Force at Destiny USA, which has helped recover over $300,000 in stolen merchandise and reduced retail theft by 70% at the mall.

Rusin also was a key figure in the SPDs police reform program established as part of a statewide order by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo after the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Owens, the deputy mayor under incumbent Mayor Ben Walsh, led the mayors office involvement in that effort.

Ive had the pleasure of working with Deputy Chief Rusin on several important initiatives involving the Police Department, Owens said in a news release. It was through this collaborative process that I was fortunate to experience his thorough understanding of police policy and creativity in implementation.

Rusins work included the developing revisions to the departments use of force policy, the creation of a body-worn camera policy and the implementation of a body-work camera program.

Rusin said hes honored to be chosen for the role.

Id like to thank Chief Cecile for guiding me through this transition, and I want to wish him all the best as he heads into a well deserved retirement after over 40 years of dedicated service to his community, he said in the news release.

In 2024, Rusins salary was $191,000 while Cecile earned $208,000.

Rusin has a bachelors degree in history from the State University of New York at Geneseo and a masters in criminology, law and society from the University of California at Irvine.

Owens decision to hire a chief from within the department is in line with what she pledged to do during the campaign.

Syracuse Common Council Chol Majok, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, said hes been impressed with Rusins work and hopes the departments officers support him.

Hes a sharp guy, Majok said. He has contemporary views on policing and community relations.

The Syracuse Police Benevolent Association, the union that represents city cops, issued a statement Friday congratulating Rusin.

We are preparing for the administrative transition and look forward to fostering a positive working relationship with Chief Rusin and his team, PBA president Joe Moran said.

Owens also announced Friday that shell be keeping Michael Monds at the Syracuse Fire Department chief, something she said she would do during her campaign for mayor. Monds is completing his eighth year as the departments leader.

The fire department will be making some changes in senior leadership due to a retirement. First Deputy Chief Daniel P. Downes will retire on Jan. 3. Executive Deputy Chief Elton Davis move into that role, and District Chief Lucas Tortorella will take over as executive deputy chief.
One of the longest serving members of the Onondaga County Legislature wont seek reelection next year and instead will campaign for the open 126th State Assembly District seat in Central New York.

David Knapp, R-LaFayette, told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard he will leave after 14 years in the legislature to run for the Assembly seat now held by Republican John Lemondes.

The seat will be open because Lemondes is challenging U.S. Rep. John Mannion , a Democrat from Geddes, in the 22nd Congressional District election next year.

Knapp, a farmer and Army veteran, becomes the first candidate from either party to enter the race for the 126th Assembly District. The district spans Onondaga Countys western and southern towns, and part of Cayuga County including the city of Auburn.

Knapp, 63, said he decided in August to seek the Assembly seat after Lemondes entered the congressional race.

That day I called the Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R-Pulaski) and told him Im definitely interested, Knapp told syracuse.com.

He said his decision had little to do with the fact that Democrats won a majority in the Onondaga County Legislature in Novembers election for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Republicans will be in the unfamiliar position of a 10-7 minority in 2026.

I think the election only kind of validated what I was planning already, although Im looking forward to next year, Knapp said. Ive always looked forward to working across the aisle. I think we have a lot more in common than what divides us.

Knapp said he wants to serve in the Assembly because it would give him a bigger platform to challenge policies passed in Albany by the Democratic-controlled state Legislature that dont necessarily help Central New Yorkers.

I think we need to keep pushing back against some of these downstate legislators who might not be familiar with how we live up here, he said of the state Assembly, where Democrats hold 102 of the 150 seats.

Knapp said he would try to change unfunded state mandates, including the states delayed electric building mandate and a law that weakens local control over the approval of large solar and wind energy projects.

He plans to campaign against what he views as an attack on home rule on a variety of issues, including a new state law that will change most local elections from odd years to even years beginning in 2026.

Knapp said he was particularly upset with Gov. Kathy Hochuls unsuccessful attempt to override local zoning laws in 2023 in order to encourage the development of affordable housing.

Knapp said he would make housing a key focus of his own affordability agenda in next years campaign.

To encourage the development of more housing, he would encourage public-private partnerships modeled after the Onondaga County Housing Initiative Program (O-CHIP).

Under that program, the county set aside $10 million to help private and nonprofit developers finance new market-rate, mixed-income and affordable housing developments.

Knapp said he also wants to amend the Raise the Age law enacted in 2017, which prevents 16- and 17-year-olds from being charged as adults for most crimes.

Knapps career as an elected official dates to 1999 when he was elected to the LaFayette Town Board, where he served 12 years.

He was elected to the Onondaga County Legislature in 2011, and is now tied with Brian May, R-Lysander, for the longest tenure in the county legislature.

In the legislature, Knapp quickly moved up the ranks to become chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee by the end of his first year in office. He was elected legislature chairman in 2018 by a unanimous vote, which he credits to his ability to work across the aisle with Democrats.

It was definitely one of the prouder moments of my career that it was a unanimous vote from both sides, Knapp said.

Knapp said he built a strong bond with then-Minority Leader Chris Ryan, D-Geddes, and would leverage working relationships like that while working in the minority in Albany. Ryan is now a state senator.

Knapp eventually lost the chairmans post in a surprise legislature vote at the start of 2022, when six Democrats sided with breakaway Republicans in a 9-8 vote to elect Republican Jim Rowley as chairman.

The vote was largely seen as a rebuke of Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, a Republican, who had pushed Knapp and GOP lawmakers to support his plans for an aquarium at Syracuses Inner Harbor.

So far, no other Republicans have publicly declared their intent to seek the 126th Assembly District seat next year. Knapp said he has already met with key Republican and Conservative Party officials in Onondaga and Cayuga counties to let them know about his campaign.

Several Democrats have privately expressed interest in campaigning for the seat, but have not made a final decision, said Onondaga County Democratic Chair Max Ruckdeschel.

That seat will be contested, absolutely, Ruckdeschel said.

As part of his campaign, Knapp said he plans to emphasize his familys strong connection to the community that dates back two centuries.

My family has been farming in southern Onondaga County since the early 1800s, he said. Weve got very, very deep roots in the community and this district.

He grew up on a family dairy farm in the town of LaFayette with about 100 cows. His father, Malcolm, was a town judge and served on the town board for 42 years. His mother, Bettye, was a kindergarten teacher for 44 years.

Today, Knapp and his brother raise beef cows, crops and hay. He left the farm for the Army for four years after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1984.

One of Knapps classmates was H.R. McMaster, now a retired lieutenant general who gained notoriety as President Donald Trumps national security adviser in 2017 and 2018.

Knapp said he supports most of Trumps policies, including his crackdown on border security and crime in cities.

I support the president, absolutely, Knapp said. I cant say I agree with some of the things he says and some of the ways he does things.

Knapp said he disagrees with ICE raids targeting farm workers, and hopes the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress will come up with reforms to programs for agricultural work visas.

The current immigration system does not work, for dairy farms in particular, Knapp said. Youre kind of putting these farms in a very tough situation. The system needs to be changed so that we can get workers in legally.
Albany, N.Y.  President Donald Trumps effort to install political loyalists as top federal prosecutors has run into a legal buzz saw lately, with judges ruling that his handpicked U.S. attorneys for New Jersey, eastern Virginia, Nevada and Los Angeles were all serving unlawfully.

On Thursday, another federal judge heard an argument by New York Attorney General Letitia James that the administration also twisted the law to make John Sarcone the acting U.S. attorney for northern New York.

James, a Democrat, is challenging Sarcones authority to oversee a Justice Department investigation into regulatory lawsuits she filed against Trump and the National Rifle Association. Its one of several arguments she is making to block subpoenas issued as part of the probe, which her lawyers say is part of a campaign of baseless investigations and prosecutions of Trumps perceived enemies.

Her attorney Hailyn Chen argued in court that since Sarcone lacks legitimate authority to act as U.S. attorney, legal steps taken by him in that capacity  like the subpoenas  are unlawful. In response to a question from U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield, Chen said Sarcone should be disqualified from the investigation and the office.

Sarcone exercised power that he did not lawfully possess, Chen told the judge.

Justice Department lawyers say Sarcone was appointed properly and the motion to block the subpoenas should be denied. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Belliss argued that disqualifying Sarcone would be drastic and extreme.

We dont think thats a proper remedy, Belliss said.

Schofield, after peppering both attorneys with questions, did not say when she would rule.

The fight in New York and other states is largely over the legality of unorthodox strategies the Trump administration has adopted to appoint prosecutors seen as unlikely to get confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

The hearing came a week after a federal judge in Virginia dismissed indictments brought there against James and former FBI Director James Comey. That judge concluded that the interim U.S. attorney who brought the charges, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed. The Justice Department is expected to appeal.

On Monday, a federal appeals court ruled that Alina Habba, Trumps former personal lawyer, is disqualified from serving as New Jerseys top federal prosecutor.

Under federal law, the presidents nominees for U.S. attorney must be confirmed by the Senate. If a position is vacant, the U.S. attorney general can appoint someone temporarily, but that appointment expires after 120 days. If that time period elapses, judges in the district can either keep the interim U.S. attorney or appoint someone of their own choosing.

Sarcones appointment didnt follow that path.

Trump hasnt nominated anyone to serve as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Sarcone to serve as the interim U.S. attorney in March. When his 120-day term elapsed, judges in the district declined to keep him in the post.

Bondi then took the unusual step of appointing Sarcone as a special attorney, then designated him first assistant U.S. attorney for the district, a maneuver federal officials say allows him to serve as an acting U.S. attorney.

Chen called it an abuse of executive power.

The New York subpoenas seek records related to a civil case James filed against Trump over alleged fraud in his personal business dealings and records from a lawsuit involving the National Rifle Association and two senior executives.

Belliss argued in court that the U.S. attorney general has broad authority to appoint attorneys within her department and to delegate her functions to those attorneys. Belliss said that even if Sarcone is not properly holding the office of acting U.S. attorney, he can still conduct grand jury investigations as a special attorney.

Sarcone was part of Trumps legal team during the 2016 presidential campaign and worked for the U.S. General Services Administration as the regional administrator for the Northeast and Caribbean during Trumps first term.

Habba also served as an interim U.S. attorney. When her appointment expired, New Jersey judges replaced her with a career prosecutor who had served as her second-in-command. Bondi then fired that prosecutor and renamed Habba as acting U.S. attorney.

A similar dynamic is playing out in Nevada, where a federal judge disqualified the Trump administrations pick to be U.S. attorney there. And a federal judge in Los Angeles disqualified the acting U.S. attorney in Southern California from several cases after concluding he had stayed in the job longer than allowed by law.
LONDON  Oxford University Press has named rage bait as its word of the year, capturing the internet zeitgeist of 2025.

The phrase refers to online content that is deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative or offensive, with the aim of driving traffic to a particular social media account, Oxford said in a statement.

The person producing it will bask in the millions, quite often, of comments and shares and even likes sometimes, lexicographer Susie Dent told the BBC. This is a result of the algorithms used by social media companies, because although we love fluffy cats, well appreciate that we tend to engage more with negative content and content that really provokes us.

Rage bait topped two other contenders  aura farming and biohack  after public comment on a shortlist compiled by lexicographers at Oxford University Press.

Aura farming means to cultivate a public image by presenting oneself in a way intended subtly to convey an air of confidence, coolness or mystique. Biohack is defined as an attempt to improve or optimize ones physical or mental performance, health or longevity.

The word of the year is selected by lexicographers at Oxford University Press who analyze new and emerging words, as well as changes in the way language is being used, to identify words of cultural significance.

Oxford University Press, publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary, has selected a word of the year annually since 2004.

Past winners include podcast in 2005, emoji in 2015, and in 2022 goblin mode, which described people who resisted returning to normal life after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nikol Pashinyan did it. He has long promised his "former" opponents to publish documents on the so-called peace process for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. And finally, he fulfilled his promise.

By publishing these documents, the Armenian Prime Minister wanted to destroy the myths created by Kocharyan and Sargsyan that they had been fighting to the death for the principle of "not an inch of land" all the years of negotiations, but Pashinyan surrendered the lands that the Armenians had so hard won after the First Karabakh War. Pashinyan, responding to the accusations, threatened to publish documents that clearly show that all the years Ter-Petrosyan, Kocharyan, and then Sargsyan discussed at the table the principles that prescribed the return of territories to Azerbaijan and other conditions that appeared in the Trilateral Statement of November 10, 2020, signed by Nikol Pashinyan.

The Armenian prime minister wanted to show that nothing new had happened, and he did what any of the "former" ones would have done if Baku had been satisfied with the terms of those previous agreements. But Baku was not satisfied with them, and in the end, the burden of responsibility was shifted by the "exes" to Pashinyan, who simply had no way out after losing the war.

Let's say right away that there is nothing unexpected in these publications for us. The texts of the settlement principles developed have never been a secret in Azerbaijan. Except that it's a slander put up by Putin. Everything contained in these documents has been known for all the years of negotiations. We knew perfectly well that the Armenian side wanted to keep Kalbajar and Lachin, that it was fighting for an illegal referendum, demanding guarantees and other pleasures. And the Armenian society, apparently, has always been deceived by its leaders, so the "revelations" that were published became a sensation for our neighbors.

So, among the documents, Pashinyan issued the text of the well-known UN Security Council resolution, which recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and requires the withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied territories. For what? Firstly, to show that Ter-Petrosyan failed diplomacy by allowing the adoption of such resolutions. And secondly, so that former presidents would not have the opportunity to create illusions among the Armenian society regarding the recognition of the status quo by the world following the results of the first war. In fact, the whole world recognized (or was forced to recognize) the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. And Kocharyan and Sargsyan, I remember, convinced their flock that the world recognizes the integrity of Azerbaijan without Karabakh. Unfortunately, those Security Council resolutions remained the only documents of this level where the occupier was called an occupier.

The settlement principles developed by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs have never served Azerbaijan's interests. The purpose of the peace process itself was to persuade Baku to accept the loss of territories. But according to the published texts, one can see how the Armenian side maneuvered, trying to wrest the notorious status for the separatists, from which it will be possible to dance later.

Once again, we were well aware of the principles of the settlement proposed to Azerbaijan. It doesn't matter what has been discussed for a quarter of a century. The main thing is that all this has remained on paper and in Armenian dreams. Otherwise, you and I wouldn't be sitting here writing all this right now. History would have flowed in a completely different direction.

Baku could not refuse meetings and discussions, although they did not give a fair result. Failure to negotiate would be ambiguously perceived by the international community. This would worsen the situation of the country, which is already surrounded by Armenia's allies and other interested parties. In such a situation, Baku chose the most correct tactics. He did not reject the formula proposed to him for renouncing territories, but he did not agree to it either. Let's recall the conversations about the exchange of territories that took place in the 90s. Yes, national leader Heydar Aliyev had these discussions with Kocharyan. But not because he was going to give up Karabakh. It was a very clever maneuver that led the middlemen into a maze. While they were looking for a way out of it, the topic of exchanging Karabakh for Meghri disappeared by itself. Karabakh criminal Robert Kocharyan still recalls that situation in his interviews, but he cannot explain why the discussions stopped. And they stopped because Baku no longer needed it. Azerbaijan was already starting to get back on its feet, and the issue of the return of all territories was firmly on the state's agenda. This is called proper diplomacy, if anything.

The formula 5+2 did not suit Azerbaijan from the very beginning. But, again, according to a well-thought-out tactic, he did not reject her, but he did not accept her either. Baku was not going to leave anything to the enemy and was aimed at liberating all territories. He was stalling for time, allowing the enemy to entertain empty hopes, and the intermediaries to think that they would succeed.

Pashinyan posted documents stating in black and white that his opponents, who accuse the prime minister of "surrendering" territories, have been discussing this "surrender" themselves for many years. Kocharyan and Sargsyan were ready to return five districts and gradually withdraw troops from the remaining two, with the exception of the Lachin road. Azerbaijan liberated four of the seven occupied regions around Karabakh itself, while Pashinyan pledged to return the remaining three as soon as possible. And returned it. What choice did he have?

The only thing that Pashinyan could not convince his opponents of was that his predecessors had been discussing all the years about leaving Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan. The documents he published did not confirm this. And they couldn't confirm it. Everyone knew that the negotiation process did not consider such a prospect at all. Only at the very beginning it was about self-determination within Azerbaijan, and later, at the request of the Armenian side, there was talk of a "transitional status" and a "referendum."

What do we learn from Serzh Sargsyan's slander to Vladimir Putin, sent in August 2016? We learn that Baku has abandoned the Madrid principles, which have been worked on for almost ten years. There is even fear in the text of the slur. The April fighting scared Yerevan very much, who expected that the mediators would put the squeeze on Baku and force him to sign the document needed by the occupier. The Karabakh criminal, pityingly addressing Putin, calls him to witness some agreements, asks him to threaten recognition of Karabakh from neighboring countries if Azerbaijan does not fulfill any obligations there, and tries to demonstrate its loyalty in this way.

It's very funny. Especially, let's repeat, in the light of the April fighting that shocked Armenia, and not only it. After 2016, few people had any doubts about the inevitability of war. In the following years, the mediators continued to portray vigorous activity, but the same principles were on the table that were unacceptable to Azerbaijan. With minor edits and some comments. There was no point in those papers anymore.

To be honest, it is surprising that for someone in Azerbaijan, what they saw in the files published by Pashinyan was a revelation. Apparently, these bloggers and users did not follow the process due to their age or for other reasons. People always try to look for some kind of second bottom, to look behind the scenes, hoping to see what they haven't been shown. In politics, a lot of things are hidden from view. But in terms of the peace process around the Karabakh conflict as a whole, there is nothing that could be striking. In this case, it's about us, not our neighbors.

The summit in Kazan, which Sargsyan mentioned in the slur, took place in June 2011, and international mediators and Armenia were very actively preparing for it, hoping to put the squeeze on the situation and force Baku to sign up to serious concessions to the Armenian side and the actual loss of Karabakh. But President Ilham Aliyev disappointed everyone by making ten amendments to the text. The document from 2011 was also published by Pashinyan. The Kazan Principles were not signed. The Armenian authorities and diplomats lied to their already deceived people. It seems that Pashinyan himself did not know that no agreements had been concluded, which is clear from his previous statements. Apparently, the Armenian prime minister believed that if there is a text printed on paper, there must be a signature under it, even if it is not there.

By the way, after the Kazan meeting, Baku hosted a large-scale military parade in honor of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence. Speaking before the start of the parade, the President stated that the Armenian occupation is a temporary phenomenon and the territorial integrity of the country will be restored by any means. This is how he "signed" a toxic document proposed to the country affected by the occupation.

The Armenian leaders often deceived the Armenians. After the April battles, there were also a lot of things at the meetings in Vienna and St. Petersburg, and the then Foreign Minister Nalbandian assured that the Azerbaijani President had signed the agreements. But then he still had to admit that in fact, Ilham Aliyev had not signed anything.

We do not know what lesson our neighbors will learn from the documents thrown out by Pashinyan into the public space. By and large, it doesn't matter. History does not know the subjunctive mood. All these "if's" don't make sense. But it will be useful for the Armenian society to find out who is who. So that the past decades become a lesson for the neighbors.
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and the French Republic issued a joint statement on enhancing global governance on Friday.

Full text: Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the French Republic on Enhancing Global Governance
Russia has officially banned access to Apple's FaceTime in the country alongside other encrypted apps, claiming that these platforms are being used for "criminal activity."

Russia Bans FaceTime, Other Encrypted Apps

Reuters shared a new report that reveals that Russia has officially banned Apple's FaceTime, preventing all users within the country from using the platform.

Users who attempt to use the platform will see on-screen messages saying, "User unavailable," but it is not the person on the other end who is encountering the problem.

According to 9to5Mac, in one case, a user received a FaceTime call on their iPhone, and when they tried to answer it, the call would not connect.

The latest crackdown by Russia also affects services like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp, and Telegram.

Cites 'Criminal Activity' Usage as Reason

According to Reuters, the move was confirmed by Russia's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, saying that the country enforced a ban on foreign tech platforms. Authorities have claimed that these are being used for "criminal activity."

Roskomnadzor said that FaceTime is being used to "organize and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against Russian citizens."

Russia's Ban on Apps in its Country

Russia's massive conflict against Ukraine and many countries in the world have resulted in many apps getting banned. Back in 2022, the country blocked Meta's social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram after claiming that they are involved in "extremist" and "terrorist" activities.

TikTok has since created a special feature that added a Russian-only feed to be available on Russian citizens' algorithm to avoid getting blocked in the country. Alongside this, TikTok has added labels to content found on user feeds, especially if it is from a state-controlled media, to let users know that what they access was from the Russian government.

Other platforms have pulled out their service from Russia as part of their protest against the country's actions against Ukraine, while platforms like YouTube have been throttled by the government to the point that they are unusable.
Drug trafficking cartels have turned social media into one of their preferred platforms for both forced and voluntary recruitment, according to a new report.

As previously noted by The Latin Times, Mexican drug cartels prey on vulnerable teenagers through the virtual world, luring them with fake job offers and promises of joining groups that could improve their quality of life.

In this context, a recent investigation by Animal Politico identified TikTok as the preferred app for criminal groups to recruit young people.

Researchers from the Seminar on Violence and Peace reported in its 2025 New Frontiers for Digital Recruitment study that, out of 100 accounts investigated that were linked to criminal groups, 55% were associated with the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho."

The report noted that just 5.4% of the remaining accounts referenced the Sinaloa Cartel, and another 5.4% were tied to the Noreste Cartel, the next two most mentioned groups on TikTok for recruitment purposes.

According to data from Mexico's Ministry of the Interior, as of Dec. 2, nearly 7,000 minors and young people up to 29 years old have disappeared in less than a year, and another 505 individuals have been found dead.

Despite the alarming numbers, Juan Martin Perez, coordinator of Tejiendo Redes Infancia, a nonprofit focused on protecting children, told Animal Politico that it is impossible to determine exactly how many of these disappearances are connected to forced, deceptive, or voluntary recruitment, as the crime is not officially classified in Mexico.

Alejandra Arias, researcher and collaborator with the Seminar on Violence and Peace, told Animal Politico that cartels primarily use TikTok for two purposes: recruiting minors with fake job offers and spreading propaganda.

"They post videos of clashes and tactical operations. They show men and women with weapons, bulletproof vests bearing cartel insignias, and convoys of pickup trucks moving in open fields. These videos are purely for propaganda purposes," Arias said.

According to Arias, TikTok videos allow cartels to showcase the "criminal lifestyle" and entice young people by highlighting the perceived perks of organized crime, including money and power.

Arias also noted that criminal organizations prefer TikTok over other social media apps because of its low levels of moderation. Groups like the Jalisco Cartel exploit loopholes, posting job offers in the comments section rather than in video captions or the videos themselves.

Cartels also use symbols, hashtags, and emojis to bypass platform rules. By employing certain emojis, numeric codes, songs referencing drug traffickers, and other coded language, they can operate with minimal digital traces, making it difficult for authorities to track them.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, along with encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp, are also used to show off wealth, cars, and weapons, as well as to intimidate rival criminal groups by publicizing crimes and issuing threats.

Animal Politico noted that TikTok's rapid growth has further aided cartel recruitment. According to Statista and the 2024 Digital Report, 70% of young people between 16 and 24 use the app.

"TikTok is one of the favorite digital platforms for children and adolescents, exposing them to an algorithm with minimal moderation, which is concerning because it makes them more vulnerable to organized crime," said Rivas.

Carlos Ramirez Castaneda, a cybersecurity expert, told Animal Politico that he has observed many cases in border cities.

"On this platform, there is a sharp increase in ads promoting fake jobs and easy work," Ramirez Castaneda said. "I've noticed it particularly in border areas like Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, where reels show money and weapons with messages like: 'I need brave, bold people. Message me directly if you want to change your life.'"

Originally published on Latin Times
The Chicago Tribune filed a federal lawsuit against the AI-powered search engine Perplexity, alleging copyright infringement.

The suit, filed in a New York court, says Perplexity has been using the Tribune content without permission, renewing debates over AI and intellectual property rights.

Allegations of Unauthorized Use of Content

According to the suit, the Tribune contacted Perplexity in mid-October to confirm that the publication's material was being used for AI training.

Perplexity's legal team allegedly replied that it does not train the models directly on Tribune material but conceded the AI "may receive non-verbatim factual summaries."

The Tribune says this is not true and that Perplexity provides content verbatim, effectively reproducing its articles without permission or license.

Scrutiny Over RAG and Paywall Bypass

The Tribune also targets Perplexity's use of Retrieval Augmented Generation, or RAG, a system designed to decrease AI hallucinations, a term used to describe when AI uses made-up information by relying on verified sources.

Perplexity's RAG systems use the newspaper's content without permission, the Tribune says, and its Comet browser sidesteps the Tribune's paywall to create detailed summaries of articles. The allegations raise broader questions about how AI models obtain and regenerate copyrighted materials in real time.

Perplexity's Lawsuits

The lawsuit is part of a trend of media companies challenging the use of their content by AI platforms. Since AI has been widely used, it has become more controversial to the point that it affects almost all businesses.

According to TechCrunch, Tribune and 16 other publications filed a similar suit against OpenAI and Microsoft over AI model training. Yet another spate of lawsuits filed in November by the same group shows the growing tension between traditional media and AI developers regarding intellectual property rights.

In September, Merriam-Webster and Britannica sued Perplexity over copyright and trademark violations. Last month, Amazon accused the AI firm of its "shady tactics" in AI shopping.
BRUSSELS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Friday imposed fines totaling 120 million euros (139.8 million U.S. dollars) on social media platform X for breaching transparency obligations in its first non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act (DSA). 
Study says African penguins starved en masse off South Africa



Johannesburg, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



Endangered penguins living off South Africa's coast have likely starved en masse due to food shortages, a study said Friday, with some populations dropping by 95 percent in just eight years.

Fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs of the small, black and white African Penguin are left globally, according to scientists, and the species was listed as critically endangered last year by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Two of the most important breeding colonies near Cape Town had collapsed between 2004 and 2011, with some 62,000 birds estimated to have died, the study by the UK's University of Exeter and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said.

In those eight years, sardine populations in South African waters -- a main food source for penguins -- were consistently below 25 percent of their peak abundance, said co-author and biologist Richard Sherley.

This drop in sardine stocks was due to fishing practices combined with environmental causes such as changes in water temperatures and salinity.

This "appears to have caused severe food shortage for African penguins, leading to an estimated loss of about 62,000 breeding individuals", Sherley said.

The global population of the species had declined by nearly 80 percent in the past 30 years, the scientists said.

Conservationists say that at the current rate of population decrease, the bird could be extinct in the wild by 2035.

For 10 years, authorities have imposed a commercial fishing ban around six penguin colonies, including Robben and Dassen islands, the two sites observed in the study.

Other initiatives underway include artificial nests and creating new colonies.

The birds are a strong attraction for tourists to South Africa, with thousands of people visiting colonies each year.

But the pressure from tourism also disturbs the birds and causes enhanced stress.
Rains hamper Sri Lanka cleanup after deadly floods



Colombo, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



Heavy rains lashed Sri Lanka on Friday, hampering a major clean-up operation after severe flooding and landslides last week killed nearly 500 people, officials said.

Authorities reported up to 132 millimetres of rainfall in southern Sri Lanka over a 15-hour period ending Thursday night.

But while the deluge was intense, they said the large-scale flooding seen since last week had begun to subside.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 486 people had been confirmed killed and another 341 were still unaccounted for after Cyclone Ditwah left the island on Saturday.

The number of people in state-run refugee camps has dropped to 170,000 from a peak of 225,000 as floodwaters receded in and around the capital Colombo.

Record rainfall triggered floods and deadly landslides, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake saying it was the most challenging natural disaster to hit the island in its history.

Residents evacuated from the landslide-prone central hills have been told not to return immediately to their homes, even if they were unaffected by the slides, as the mountainsides remained unstable.

In the central town of Gampola, residents worked to clear the mud and water damage.

"We are getting volunteers from other areas to help with this clean-up," Muslim cleric Faleeldeen Qadiri told AFP at the Gate Jumma Mosque.

"We have calculated that it takes 10 men a whole day to clean one house," said a volunteer, who gave his name as Rinas. "No one can do this without help."

The top official in charge of the recovery, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Commissioner-General of Essential Services, said authorities were paying 25,000 rupees ($83) to clean a home, with costs of reconstruction as much as $6-7 billion.

A further 2.5 million rupees ($8,300) is being paid to begin rebuilding destroyed homes. More than 50,000 houses had been damaged as of Friday morning, officials said.

Chandrakeerthi's office said nearly three-quarters of the electricity supply across the country had been restored, but some parts of the worst-affected Central Province were still without power and telephones.

President Dissanayake declared a state of emergency on Saturday and has vowed to rebuild with international support.
Sri Lanka issues fresh landslide warnings as toll nears 500



Colombo, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



Heavy rains triggered fresh landslide warnings in Sri Lanka's worst-affected central hills on Friday, as the death toll from last week's Cyclone Ditwah neared 500.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), which monitors the stability of mountain slopes, said heavy rainfall within 24 hours could further saturate the hills and make them unstable.

"Since rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 150 millimetres, if the rains continue, evacuate to a safe location to avoid the risk of landslides," the NBRO said in a statement.

The latest deluge was brought on by the onset of the northeast monsoon, though some of the earlier flooding that began last week has started to subside.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 486 people had been confirmed dead and another 341 were still unaccounted for.

The number of people in state-run refugee camps has dropped to 170,000 from a peak of 225,000 as floodwaters receded in and around the capital, Colombo.

Record rainfall had triggered the floods and deadly landslides, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake saying it was the most challenging natural disaster to hit the island in its history.

Residents evacuated from the landslide-prone central hills have already been told not to return immediately to their homes, even if they were unaffected by the slips.

Friday's fresh landslide alert was issued for new areas that were not covered by previous warnings.

In the central town of Gampola, residents worked to clear mud and fix water damage.

"We are getting volunteers from other areas to help with this clean-up," Muslim cleric Faleeldeen Qadiri told AFP at the Gate Jumma Mosque.

"We have calculated that it takes 10 men a whole day to clean one house," said a volunteer, who gave his name as Rinas. "No one can do this without help."

- Troops back clean-up-



Sri Lanka's military said it had deployed thousands of troops in flood-hit areas to assist with the clean-up.

The top official in charge of the recovery, Commissioner-General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi, said authorities were paying 25,000 rupees ($83) per home for cleaning, with reconstruction costs estimated at between $6-7 billion.

A further 2.5 million rupees ($8,300) is being paid to begin rebuilding destroyed homes. More than 52,000 houses had been damaged as of Friday morning, officials said.

Chandrakeerthi's office said nearly three-quarters of the electricity supply across the country had been restored, but some parts of the worst-affected Central Province were still without power and telephone services.

While the government has sought generous donations to recover from the massive loss of roads, bridges, homes and industries, tourism authorities said hotels were back in business.

Nearly 300 tourists who were stranded due to the disaster have been rescued by helicopter, the tourism ministry said.

"We need tourism revenues to help rebuild", Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe told reporters in Colombo.
Sea-floor animals decrease nearly 40% in deep-sea mining zone: study



London, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2025



The number of sea-floor animals fell by 37 percent in a deep-sea mining exploration zone, according to a study published Friday probing the emerging industry's impact on biodiversity.

The five-year research is believed to be the most extensive yet on the possible consequences of modern commercial deep-sea mining machines on oceans already threatened by pollution and overfishing.

The industry plumbs previously untouched seabeds for commodities including nickel, cobalt and copper, which are used in everything from rechargeable batteries to military technology.

Deep-sea habitats also play a crucial role in the climate system.

Scientists from the UK's Natural History Museum (NHM), National Oceanography Centre, and Sweden's University of Gothenburg took baseline data on wildlife in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) -- an area of the Pacific Ocean that has been targeted for mining.

They found a 37-percent reduction in the number of tiny invertebrates such as worms and shellfish living within the sediment directly affected by the tracks of a mining machine.



- 'Critical evidence' -



NHM scientist Adrian Glover, the report's senior author, said the findings could inform policy discussions on deep-sea mining and help "set a new standard for environmental work in the region, regulated by the International Seabed Authority".

Nations are currently jousting through the authority over proposed rules on the industry.

A UN treaty on the high seas is set to become law in January 2026, aiming to protect vast expanses of the world's oceans.

No licences have been issued yet for commercial mining in high seas waters, but some countries have launched or are preparing to launch exploration in waters within their own exclusive economic zones.

The Cook Islands, in cooperation with China, awarded exploration licences to three companies in 2022.

The Metals Company in Canada wants to exploit international waters in the Pacific Ocean without the approval of the seabed authority, relying on a US law reinstated by President Donald Trump.

Norway on Wednesday, however, applied the brakes on issuing the first licences for its Arctic waters.

The licences were postponed for four years, which environmentalists hoped would end the plans.

Georgia Whitaker of Greenpeace International called for a global moratorium.

"We must not let this industry destroy unique marine life, not in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, the Arctic or anywhere," she said.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday urged UN member states, the UN system and other international organizations to jointly resist unlawful unilateral coercive measures (UCMs) and help alleviate the difficulties faced by countries under sanctions.

Speaking at an informal meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to commemorate and promote the International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said that unilateralism is spreading unchecked, while UCMs are running rampant.

UCMs gravely contravene the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, severely undermine the basic norms of international law and the foundation of the international rule of law, flagrantly violate the basic human rights such as the right to life and to development, dangerously hinder the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and seriously jeopardize multilateralism, the international order and the global governance system, Sun said.

"However, the problem is yet to be effectively contained, thus victimizing many developing countries and their people," he stressed.

The ambassador noted that rejecting UCMs has been a longstanding call by the international community, particularly by the Global South. In this regard, over the past several decades, the UNGA has adopted over 100 resolutions rejecting UCMs.

"We call on a handful of Western countries to heed the call for justice and revoke UCMs immediately, unconditionally, and completely," he said.

Dec. 4 marks the first International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures, and also the 39th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to Development. Sun called on the international community to seize the opportunity brought by the International Day Against UCMs to stay clear-headed, deepen its understanding of the grave consequences of UCMs, and forge synergy in practicing true multilateralism and safeguarding international equity and justice.

As an important member of the Global South and a victim of UCMs, China will be guided by the Global Governance Initiative and work with the relevant parties to resist UCMs and all acts of hegemony, bullying, and high-handedness, safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, promote a more just and equitable global governance system, and make greater contributions to world peace and development, he said.

The UNGA adopted a resolution in June this year proclaiming Dec. 4 as the annual International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures. 
SYDNEY, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A man has died following a targeted shooting in the Australian state of Queensland in the early hours of Friday morning.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) said that emergency services attended a property in the suburb of Slacks Creek, 20 km southeast of the state capital of Brisbane, at around 1:15 a.m. local time on Friday and located a man with an apparent gunshot wound.

The 41-year-old man was transported to the hospital in a life-threatening condition, where he was declared deceased.

A statement from the QPS said that initial investigations indicated that the incident was a targeted attack and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Police declared a crime scene, and investigations into the shooting are ongoing. 
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Finding the right gift can be tricky. Clothes are hard. Experiences are harder. And shipping times are long. But when all else fails, you can always count on a trusty book to do the trick. Obviously finding the right one is a challenge, and reading tastes vary from person to person, but succeed and youll be forever remembered (and thanked) as the gift-giver who introduced someone to their new favourite, world-altering book.

To help you out, The Independents culture team have revealed what books they will be gifting this year  from recent releases by recognisable names like Zadie Smith and Kathy Burke to timeless, transportive fiction and memoirs thatll have you cackling one minute and crying the next.

Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood

The book that Id gift is also the one Id request on my death bed. Patricia Lockwoods recollection of growing up in the Midwest, the daughter of a guitar-shredding, gun-toting, tighty-wightie-wearing priest, is the most fun Ive had reading as an adult. Which isnt to say its all laughs. Priestdaddy is shot through with revelations and poignancy as its author chronicles her childhood attending anti-abortion rallies and moving back in with her parents to care for her ailing husband. Lockwoods writing is pure delight: her dad is a loose, lazy pile of carnality, a man who despises cats and believes them to be Democrats. Its writing that rewards repeat reading  jokes within jokes, meaning within meaning. Its a Russian doll of a book, and a gift worth giving a hundred times over. Annabel Nugent

Misinterpretation by Ledia Xhoga

Longlisted for this years Booker Prize, Ledia Xhogas debut novel asks to what extent we can help others before we become a threat to ourselves. The Albanian-American author sees New York through the eyes of an unnamed refugee translator who risks her marriage, her job, and ultimately her life as she becomes embroiled in the problems of people she barely knows. Misinterpretation isnt a thriller, but its paced like one, making it perfect for someone who hates murder mysteries but has a somewhat short attention span. Still, dont be fooled by its direct, matter-of-fact prose. This novel is a constellation of communication breakdowns that leaves you with a lingering awareness of how our own experiences can cloud our perception of reality. Lydia Spencer-Elliott

open image in gallery A rollicking ride through the Midwest, says Annabel Nugent ( Penguin )

The Wager by David Grann

If youre buying for someone who, like me, enjoys a rip-roaring tale on the high seas, look no further than David Granns The Wager. It may be non-fiction, but it reads like a thriller as Grann unravels the 18th-century shipwreck that left a British naval crew stranded at the edge of the world  and the mutiny, madness and moral murkiness that followed. A longtime staff writer for The New Yorker, Grann is cinematic in his writing, so much so that Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio have already nabbed the rights for a film adaptation, as they did also with his 2017 book about the Osage murders, Killers of the Flower Moon. Read it (and gift it) now before this story sets sail for the big screen. Tom Murray

Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

Is it a YA book or a novel for grown adults? Within a couple of chapters, you wont really care. Set in modern Tokyo, Lonely Castle tells the story of 13-year-old Kokoro (a word that means heart in Japanese), who is being bullied at school  so much so that she stops going altogether and lounges around at home instead. Its on one of these strange, liminal days that she discovers the mirror in her room is shining peculiarly. Upon inspecting it, she is transported to a castle, where she meets other kids her age and the Wolf Queen in charge. This Queen gives the kids one year to find a key hidden within the castle. Though the mission itself is thrilling, especially since theyre not allowed to stay overnight or theyll get eaten by the Wolf Queen, this story is about the pain and beauty of teenagehood and trying to make friends when you dont fit in. Ive gifted this to three different people, all of varying tastes and sensibilities, and none of them have come away from this lovely novel without shedding a tear. Hannah Ewens

open image in gallery Unpretentious and evocative writing that lands you smack bang in the Seventies, writes Ellie Harrison ( Gallery )

A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke

Read this memoir with Burkes smoky London accent in mind and you will find yourself chuckling, weeping, and somehow feeling nostalgic for someone elses life. I may be a Nineties kid, but this raw and compassionate story lands me right back in the Seventies, amid the authors early and teenage years living on an Islington estate. Burkes writing is unpretentious and evocative, whether shes describing the crunch of the crisps she snaffled on her way home from school, or the hurt she felt the first time she was called ugly. When Burke was just two, her mother died of stomach cancer, and this book charts all the kind and eccentric people who drifted in and out of her life as maternal surrogates of sorts. It also documents her first strides into acting, which began with five-minute shows in the school playground. It was surely as much of a thrill to be part of her audience back then as it is now. Ellie Harrison

Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith

Its not often that I find myself getting genuinely excited for the release of an essay collection, but I make an exception for Zadie Smith. Much as I love her novels, her criticism and non-fiction have always had the edge for me. I always come away from reading her essays feeling as though shes managed to articulate something Ive been mulling in the back of my mind for a while. Simultaneously, she manages to turn all my assumptions upside down  and isnt that exactly what reading should do? Dead and Alive is a real dazzler, jumping effortlessly between subjects as disparate as the Cate Blanchett movie Tar, the work of Hilary Mantel, Stormzys Glastonbury set, and Smiths beloved hometown of Kilburn. Buy it for that friend whos intimidatingly culturally literate, and await their nod of approval. Katie Rosseinsky

open image in gallery A real dazzler of essays about everything from Hilary Mantel to Kilburn, writes Katie Rosseinsky ( Penguin )

The Devils Candy: The Anatomy of a Hollywood Fiasco by Julie Salamon

In 1987, film studios rushed to greenlight an adaptation of the years hottest book, Tom Wolfes bestselling The Bonfire of the Vanities. Brian De Palma was hired to direct, Tom Hanks was cast  and the outlook was so positive, writer Julie Salamon was given full access to document the making of what was sure to be an acclaimed Oscar-winner. How wrong they were. When production began in 1990, it became clear that what they actually had on their hands was a flop of the highest order, and, rather than shy away from the realisation, De Palma told Salamon to document everything as she saw it. The result is a fascinating insight into how even Hollywood can make mistakes. Armed with tales of the egocentric antics of Hanks, Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith, or the millions of dollars squandered on what would amount to just two seconds of screentime, youll be entertaining your family around the Christmas table with anecdotes from this rich and dishy book. Jacob Stolworthy

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

Everyone should have a comfort read, that novel they turn to again and again throughout their lifetime. The characters feel like friends, and the narrative, like an old pair of slippers perfectly moulded to your feet as you retread a familiar plot. Dodie Smiths coming-of-age classic has been my go-to book ever since I read it as a teenager. Told from the perspective of 17-year-old Cassandra, it charts the story of her bohemian family as they live out their days in a romantic but dilapidated castle, an existence marked by a kind of refined poverty. The magic lies in Cassandras charming narration, and the way that Smith artfully captures the spirit of a girl whos still a child, teetering on the edge of adulthood. Helen Coffey

open image in gallery A story about the pain and beauty of teenagehood and trying to make friends when you dont fit in, writes Hannah Ewens ( Penguin )

Stay True by Hua Hsu

What an exquisite book Stay True is. A vivid meditation on friendship, guilt and memory, Hua Hsus 193-page Pulitzer winner was given to me by a mate a couple of years ago, and I devoured it in one sitting. As you would expect from a New Yorker staff writer, Stay True is filled with pop-cultural artefacts, its mentions of fanzines, fax machines and The Fugees transporting you to Nineties California. At heart, the book is about Hsu slowly coming to terms with the senseless murder of his Berkeley classmate, Ken, in a carjacking. But its also the tale of a music-loving, second-generation Taiwanese American navigating young adulthood. While undeniably sad in parts  it certainly slayed me  theres so much beauty in Hsus turn of phrase. Its subsequently become my go-to gift. Patrick Smith

Just Kids (Illustrated Edition) by Patti Smith

Patti Smith released her latest memoir, Bread of Angels  hailed by her publishers as her most intimate and visionary work  just last month. But those who have yet to read any of the punk poet laureates writing must start with her first autobiography. Just Kids is an intensely moving account of Smiths relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, chronicling their first fateful encounter in July 1967  the summer that John Coltrane died and Jimi Hendrix lit his guitar on fire  to Mapplethorpes death in March 1989. Smith, who left home in New Jersey seeking to become part of a lineage of poets (Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Genet, the Beats), recounts everything with a magpies eye for sparkling detail. Perhaps most intoxicating is the community of influential artists she captures in her writing  the famous and the infamous  alongside the citys drag queens, art collectors, models and misfits. Roisin OConnor

open image in gallery This very funny state-of-the-nation satire cuts even deeper now than it did when it was published in 2010, writes Louis Chilton ( Old Street )

Better Than Sane: Tales from a Dangling Girl by Alison Rose

The writer Alison Rose, a sort of New York It-girl for people who like Whit Stillman movies and vintage photographs of socialites, died in September at the age of 81, and her death went unreported for a month. This was apt  Rose was flighty, scatterbrained, too enigmatic to ever become a writerly touchstone in the manner of Eve Babitz or Joan Didion. Of course it took a while for people to write her obits. Before her death, she wrote witty little morsels about art galleries, fashion and metropolitan sexcapades for The New Yorker  like Carrie Bradshaw if she was literary. And her opus is her 2004 memoir Better Than Sane: Tales from a Dangling Girl, which rambles elegantly about desire, love affairs, magazines and clothing. She recounts a series of doomed romances with married writers, all the while sharpening her own pen and learning how to be a person. Shes around 40 at this point, a real grown-up  albeit with the naive curiosity of a teenager. Rose was probably unbearable in person. You will still, all the same, wish you had her life. Adam White

The Ask by Sam Lipsyte

America, said Horace, the office temp, was a run-down and demented pimp. So begins The Ask, a brilliant, potently funny novel by American writer Sam Lipsyte. Following a man tasked with soliciting donations from wealthy patrons for a New York university, The Ask is some of the brightest belletristic fiction Ive read in years. There are layers and complexities to its cynical state-of-the-nation satire, which probably cuts even keener now than in 2010, at first publication. Lipsytes writing, meanwhile, is a thing of beauty: elegant and precise, without ever sacrificing a punchline. Fans of Joseph Heller will love it  I certainly did. Louis Chilton
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Ariana Grande has revealed her technique for tackling the most poignant scenes in Wicked: For Good.

The 32-year-old, who stars as Glinda alongside Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey in the highly anticipated two-part film adaptation of the popular musical, explained how she invented "triggers" to prevent her own "pain" from influencing her performance.

Grande discussed the emotional depth required for the role, noting that some of the films central themes felt "adjacent" to her personal experiences.

Speaking to actor Adam Sandler on Varietys Actors on Actors, Grande said: Im a crier in life, but its not as easy when youre performing. Its not a party trick.

I invented triggers for Glinda so that I didnt have to touch on my own, because certain themes in this film are so adjacent to my life.

I had to design her pain so I didnt need to reference my own.

The sequel picks up where the first film left off, covering the years after green witch Elphaba (Erivo) parted ways with her friend Glinda (Grande), and demonised by those in Oz who referred to her as The Wicked Witch Of The West, as she is known in L Frank Baums novel about the fantastical world.

Ariana Grande stars alongside Cynthia Erivo in Wicked: For Good ( Universal Pictures )

One of the scenes in the film, which moved Sandler, was when Boq, a Munchkin man played by Ethan Slater, was transformed by Elphaba into the Tin Man, in an attempt to save his life after a failed spell cast by Nessarose Thropp (Marissa Bode) nearly killed him.

Grande said: Its a very painful moment and its performed beautifully.

Its so important to see these humanising moments for these villains, these terrible people. Thats the beautiful thing about Wicked, it shows how perpetrators of evilness were once victims themselves.

Grande is also known for her popstar career, with hit songs such as Problem, Thank U Next, and 7 Rings, and has two Grammys to her name.

She rose to fame after starring in the hit Nickelodeon series Victorious and its spin-off Sam and Cat. Her music career took off in 2013 after the release of her debut album, Yours Truly.

She will set off on her The Eternal Sunshine tour in June, with performances scheduled in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago and Montreal before wrapping up with five shows at Londons O2 arena in August.
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Margot Robbie has defended Emerald Fennells Wuthering Heights adaptation over the casting controversy, asking fans to just wait.

Shortly after Robbie and Jacob Elordi were announced as Catherine and Heathcliff in Fennells adaptation of the 1850 Emily Bronte classic, the news was met with disapproval from fans as they felt the actors were the wrong age and race.

Elordis casting in particular was heavily criticised as the character in the books is described as having dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin, and is believed to be from a Roma or Gypsy background.

The Independents film critic Clarisse Loughrey asked at the time: Did anyone actually read the book before deciding this?

In a new cover story, Robbie said she understands the backlash and asked fans to watch the film because theyll be happy.

I get it, theres nothing else to go off at this point until people see the movie, she told British Vogue.

Brontes Wuthering Heights follows the relationship between the Earnshaws and the Lintons in rural Yorkshire around 1770 and the tumultuous relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff, has been eagerly anticipated since it was first announced last year.

The film also stars Hong Chau as Nelly Dean, Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton, Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton, and Adolescence star Owen Cooper as the younger Heathcliff.

On Elordis casting, Robbie said: I saw him play Heathcliff. And he is Heathcliff. Id say, just wait. Trust me, youll be happy. Its a character that has this lineage of other great actors whove played him, from Laurence Olivier to Richard Burton and Ralph Fiennes to Tom Hardy. To be a part of that is special. Hes incredible and I believe in him so much. I honestly think hes our generations Daniel Day-Lewis.

In fact, the story revealed that Elordi is the reason Fennell came up with the idea for the Wuthering Heights film. Fennell, who was filming Saltburn, saw the Frankenstein star in costume as Felix Catton, and immediately saw him in the role.

I was like, Oh my God, its the Heathcliff on the cover of the book that Ive had since I was a teenager, Fennell told British Vogue. 

Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff in Emerald Fennel's adaptation of Wuthering Heights ( Warner Bros )

The Promising Young Woman director also defended Robbie as Cathy, who she aged up by around a decade, as opposed to book Cathy, who is in her twenties.

Cathy is a star. Shes wilful, mean, a recreational sadist, a provocateur. She engages in cruelty in a way that is disturbing and fascinating. It was about finding someone who you would forgive in spite of yourself, someone who literally everyone in the world would understand why you love her. Its difficult to find that supersized star power. Margot comes with big dick energy. Thats what Cathy needs, said Fennell.

The first teaser for the film dropped earlier this year, and shows Catherine thinking about Heathcliff who tells her hell follow her like a dog till the end of the world, along with a shot of Heathcliffs finger in her mouth.

In August, audience members at a test screening for the film described it as sexually explicit and tonally abrasive. According to film news site World of Reel, the retelling features several explicit scenes and significantly deviates from the source material.

One audience member at the first test screening for the film in Dallas, who described the film as aggressively provocative, said it had parallels with the stylised depravity seen in director Fennells provocative 2023 dark comedy Saltburn.

However, Robbie said that those expecting the film to be very raunchy will end up being surprised.

Everyones expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised. Not to say there arent sexual elements and that its not provocative  it definitely is provocative  but its more romantic than provocative, Robbie said.

This is a big epic romance. Its just been so long since weve had one  maybe The Notebook, also The English Patient. You have to go back decades. Its that feeling when your chest swells or its like someones punched you in the guts and the air leaves your body. Thats a signature of Emeralds. Whether its titillating or repulsion, her superpower is eliciting a physical response.

Wuthering Heights is set to be released in theatres on 13 February 2026.
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Netflix has struck a deal to buy Warner Bros., including its film and television studios HBO and HBO Max, for a reported $83.7 billion.

A memo sent to Warner Bros. employees and viewed by The Independent stated that the deal is subject to several conditions, including the completion of the separation of Discovery Global and Warner Bros. Discovery.

This decision reflects the realities of an industry undergoing generational change - in how stories are financed, produced, distributed, and discovered - and recognizes the strong, transformed company we are today, the memo read in part.

The deal is not expected to close before the third quarter of 2026, when the Discovery Global separation is set to be completed.

Our mission has always been to entertain the world, said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, said in a statement.

By combining Warner Bros.' incredible library of shows and moviesfrom timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friendswith our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we'll be able to do that even better. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.

The acquisition comes after a bidding war pitted Warner Bros. against David Ellisons Paramount Skydance and Comcast.

Lawyers for Paramount sent a blistering letter to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav this week complaining about the sale process, claiming that it had become tilted and unfair after Warner Bros. requested second-round bids from suitors looking to acquire some or all of the companys assets. Besides Paramount and Netflix, Comcast  the corporation that owns NBCUniversal  has also expressed interest in merging with Warner Bros.

It has become increasingly clear, through media reporting and otherwise, that WBD appears to have abandoned the semblance and reality of a fair transaction process, thereby abdicating its duties to stockholders, and embarked on a myopic process with a predetermined outcome that favors a single bidder, the letter from attorneys at Quinn Emanuel states, which CNBC published in full. We specifically request and expect this letter will be shared and discussed with the full board of directors of WBD.

The note to the Zaslav and the WBD board of directors comes on the heels of a Reuters report that Netflixs proposed purchase of WBDs studios and streaming unit would likely reduce streaming costs for consumers by bundling Netflixs app with HBO Max.

In recent talks with Warner Bros Discovery, Netflix said the potential combination of its streaming service with HBO Max would benefit consumers by lowering the cost of a bundled offering, Reuters noted, adding that the vast majority of Netflix users also subscribe to WBDs streaming service.

More to follow
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Kylie Jenner announced Wednesday that she has been undergoing stem cell therapy to alleviate her chronic back pain.

The therapy, often used for bone marrow transplants, collects stem cells from living patients or donors and injects them into damaged areas of the body to promote healing and reduce inflammation linked to chronic pain.

The Kardashian sister wrote on Instagram that she had been dealing with chronic back pain for nearly three years, after becoming pregnant with her son Aire Webster, and that nothing seemed to help.

Hearing how much relief Kim got gave me the confidence to look into stem cell therapy, Jenner wrote.

Her older sister, Kim Kardashian, posted on Instagram about her own stem cell treatment for debilitating shoulder pain and chronic back pain in August.

open image in gallery Kylie Jenner attends the 2024 Met Gala in New York City. Jenner and her sister Kim Kardashian have both touted stem cell treatment for their chronic back pain ( Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

I experienced relief right away, and the unbearable pain is finally gone. If youre struggling with back pain, I cant recommend this treatment enough - its transformed my life when I thought my body was breaking down, Kardashian wrote in a post.

Jenner did not say if her pain was gone, but touted the benefits of the treatment. Everyones body is different, but this has been a huge step in my healing, she wrote.

More than 16 million Americans live with chronic back pain, according to the Georgetown Health Policy Institute.

Stem cell therapy on the rise

The body has trillions of cells but stems are unique because they can transform into different types such as blood, bone and muscle cells, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Stem cells also have the unique ability to duplicate, so the body never runs out.

open image in gallery Kylie Jenner lies on a gurney while receiving stem cell therapy for chronic back pain. She wrote in a Wednesday instagram story that the therapy had been a huge step in her healing ( @kyliejenner/Instagram )

Doctors collect stem cells from living human tissues, embryos or umbilical cord blood, the Mayo Clinic says, and they can then be used to treat problem areas.

For back pain, stem cells can be injected into degenerating spinal discs to help rebuild them.

Stem cell therapy has been used in the U.S. since the 1960s, treating blood cancer and sickle cell disease along with broken bones, neurodegenerative disease and dozens of other conditions.

Sometimes, stem cells are collected from the patients themselves - normally from the bone marrow, peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood. Other times, the cells are gathered from donors.

The majority of stem cell-based therapies are experimental. Research has found that thousands of clinics around the country are marketing unproven stem cell therapies, with business ballooning over the past decade.

Many of these procedures are not covered by health insurance and can result in infections or lifelong disabilities, according to the University of Washington and the Pew Charitable Trust.

The only stem cell products, approved for use in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration, are made up of blood-forming stem cells known as hematopoietic progenitor cells.

These products are approved for use in patients with disorders that affect the production of blood, such as leukemia.

open image in gallery Kim Kardashian poses with Dr. Adeel Khan. Khan treated Kardashian in Mexico with stem cells not yet approved in the U.S. ( @kimkardashian/Instagram )

Kim Kardashians trip to Mexico

Both Jenner and her sister Kim visited Dr. Adeel Khan, the founder of the Eterna Health clinic, for treatment, they confirmed on social media.

Khan, who has a physicians license from The College of Family Physicians of Canada, has also posed with actor Zac Efron and author Tony Robbins in photos posted on his companys website. He has nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram.

Eterna Health advertises MuseCell Therapy. The site claims have the ability to transform into the exact tissue your body needs to repair and regenerate using next-generation stem cells.

Kardashian said that she traveled to Mexico to be treated as muse cells are not approved by the FDA.

It is unclear if Jenner received similar treatment and where she was treated. Eterna Health lists a location in Toronto, as well as partnerships with scientists in the U.S., Mexico, Dubai, Italy and Japan.
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Nearly four years after two pipe bombs were found outside the outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the January 6 riots, the FBI has arrested a suspect.

Agents arrested 30-year-old Brian J. Cole Jr. at his home in Woodbridge, Virginia, this week, charging him with at least two federal felony charges, after a fresh look at the stalled case.

While the FBI has not revealed any information about a possible motive, there are media reports suggesting Cole may have believed Donald Trumps false claims about being cheated out of victory in the 2020 election.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday that federal prosecutors have charged Cole with the use of an explosive device. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

The bombs, made from 1x8-inch threaded galvanized pipes, end caps, kitchen timers, wires, metal clips, and homemade black powder, were discovered around the same time pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

open image in gallery Brian J. Cole faces charges of using an explosive device ( Department of Justice )

open image in gallery In the years since the bombs were place on the even of Jan 6, investigators had sought the publics help in identifying a shadowy individual seen on surveillance camera. Now they have a suspect in custody ( FBI )

Let me be clear: There was no new tip, there was no new witness. Just good diligent police work and prosecutorial work, Bondi said Thursday.

But who exactly is Brian Cole Jr  and what motivated him to allegedly carry out the plan on the eve of the riots?

Who Is Brian Cole Jr.?

According to the FBI, Cole is a bail bondsman who had been living with his mother and other family members in the Woodbridge home.

His height  5ft 6in  is consistent with the FBIs earlier estimate of the suspect being about 5ft 7in.

Cole graduated from Hyland High School in 2013 and worked in the office of a Northern Virginia bail bondsman, according to court records.

open image in gallery Agents arrested 30-year-old Cole at his home in Woodbridge, Virginia, this week, charging him with at least two federal felony charges ( FBI )

Neighbors described him as someone who kept to himself.

He was quiet, neighbor Jesenia Lopez told WUSA9. I just know that every time we would see him, hed walk around his dog.

A relative reached by phone told WUSA9 that he didnt do it, adding only that he wasnt responsible for the crime and that hes more like a child.

Cole reportedly told FBI he believed 2020 election conspiracy theories

Two people familiar with the investigation told NBC News that Cole told agents he believed the conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

Trump has repeatedly claimed the 2020 election was rigged, despite losing the electoral college by 232 votes to Joe Bidens 306  and losing the popular vote 74 million to Bidens 81 million. Those false claims factored into Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation into efforts to overturn the election which resulted in criminal charges against Trump. Those charges were dismissed once Trump was re-elected in 2024.

Smith wrote that Trump inspired his supporters to commit acts of physical violence by spreading demonstrably and, in many cases, obviously false claims.

A breakthrough in a years-long investigation

For years, the FBI publicly sought help identifying the individual captured on surveillance footage placing the devices. The persons gender was unclear, and the bureau said it could not determine whether the act was connected to the January 6 riots.

In October, the FBI increased the reward for information to $500,000 and released footage of a hooded figure wearing black-and-gray Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow swoosh  a model the FBI said fewer than 25,000 people had purchased.

open image in gallery FBI tactical vehicles and agents surrounded a Woodbridge, Virginia, home on the day of Coles arrest ( AP )

open image in gallery According to the FBI, Cole is a 5-foot-6 bail bondsman who had been living with his mother and other family members in the Woodbridge home ( Getty Images )

Despite thousands of leads, investigators struggled to find a suspect until a renewed push this year.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Thursday that agents re-examined every piece of evidence and sifted through all the data, not relying on tips or witness testimony.

Evidence the FBI says points to Cole

A newly unsealed FBI affidavit outlines the evidence federal investigators say connects Cole to the crime.

According to the affidavit viewed by The Independent, Coles checking account and six credit cards show purchases between 2019 and 2020 of materials consistent with the devices left at the DNC and RNC  which include galvanized pipes, end caps, battery connectors, kitchen timers, wires, and homemade black powder ingredients.

The FBI previously described the devices as viable, saying they could have seriously injured or killed innocent bystanders.

open image in gallery According to law enforcement, the bombs were placed near the offices of both the Democratic and Republican national committees on January 5, hours before an angry mob stormed into the historic building in a bid to halt the certification of Joe Bidens presidential election victory ( Getty )

Coles cellphone reportedly connected to Washington-area cell towers seven times between 7:39 p.m. and 8:24 p.m. on Jan. 5, 2021. The towers included coverage areas for both the DNC and RNC headquarters.

Those timestamps align with surveillance footage showing the person planting the bombs.

About 20 minutes before the planting was captured on video, a license plate reader scanned Coles vehicle as he exited I-395 onto South Capitol Street, less than 1.5 miles from the bomb locations.

The FBI also noted Cole had visited the area several weeks earlier, eating at a restaurant nearby on December 14, 2020.

open image in gallery FBI footage of the individual suspected of placing pipe bombs at the RNC and DNC headquarters ( FBI )

open image in gallery Footage showed the suspect walking through the Capitol Hill neighborhood before placing bombs outside both buildings in 2021 ( FBI )

What happens next?

Cole was arrested Thursday morning as FBI tactical vehicles and agents surrounded a Woodbridge home.

A neighbor described seeing two green Humvee-looking vehicles and a lot of men in camouflage with automatic rifles aimed at the house. Two women exited the house before Cole was taken into custody.

We were going to track this person to the end of the Earth; we're not going to let him get away, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino said on Thursday. We didn't have to go to the end of the Earth; he was in Woodbridge.

open image in gallery Cole is charged with attempting to set off an explosive device and transporting the bombs across state lines ( Getty Images )

Cole appeared in court on Friday afternoon where he declined to enter a plea, CNN reported.

Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya set a detention hearing for December 15, where prosecutors will seek for Cole to be detained ahead of his trial.

Mr. Cole, the next step in your case is youre going to come back to court for your detention hearing, the judge said.

Cole is charged with unlawful transportation of an explosive device in interstate commerce with the intent to kill, injure, or intimidate, as well as malicious destruction or attempt of malicious destruction. Each count carries a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison.
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Decades after the remains of a young mother and her toddler were found on Long Island  victims once believed to possibly be tied to the Gilgo Beach murders  a Florida man has been charged in their slayings.

Andrew Dykes, 66, of Tampa, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with two counts of murder on a warrant out of New York, in connection with the 1997 deaths of 26-year-old Tanya Jackson and her two-year-old daughter Tatiana Dykes, law enforcement sources told multiple news outlets. Dykes is believed to be the biological father of the child.

The deaths of Jackson and Tatiana have been shrouded in mystery since Jacksons torso was discovered in June 1997, stuffed inside a green Rubbermaid container left in a wooded section of Hempstead Lake State Park on Long Island. She had been dismembered and decapitated.

Her daughters remains were found off Ocean Parkway in April 2011, near several victims in the Gilgo Beach murders investigation, prompting years of speculation that the mother and daughter were tied to that case.

Investigators said the toddler was likely killed around the same time as her mother.

open image in gallery Andrew Dykes, 66, of Tampa, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with two counts of murder in connection with the 1997 deaths of Tanya Jackson and daughter Tatiana Dykes ( Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office )

open image in gallery For years, Tanya Jackson was known only as Peaches because of the bitten peach tattoo on her chest. Her daughter came to be known as Baby Doe ( Nassau Police )

For years, Jackson was known only as Peaches because of the bitten peach tattoo on her chest. Her daughter came to be known as Baby Doe.

Earlier this year, both mother and daughter were finally identified with the help of advanced DNA technology.

Investigators said Jackson, a U.S. Army veteran and single mother, had been living in Brooklyn and working as a medical assistant at the time she vanished.

Born in Alabama, she had ties to Georgia, Texas, and Missouri. Records show Tatiana was born in Texas in 1995 while both parents were serving in the Army.

Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said in April that Dykes, listed as Tatianas father on her birth record, had been questioned previously and was cooperating with investigators at the time. He did not disclose whether Dykes was considered a suspect then.

open image in gallery The deaths of Jackson and Tatiana have been shrouded in mystery since Jacksons torso was discovered in June 1997, stuffed inside a green Rubbermaid container left in a wooded section of Hempstead Lake State Park on Long Island. She had been dismembered and decapitated. ( Nassau Police )

The mother and daughter were identified in April amid ongoing court proceedings for Manhattan architect Rex Heuermann, who was arrested in 2023 in connection with several Gilgo Beach killings and later charged with murdering seven women. He has pleaded not guilty.

Heuermann was never charged in the deaths of Jackson or her daughter.

Since late 2010, police have been investigating the deaths of at least 10 people  mostly female sex workers  whose remains were discovered in the area where the toddler was found.

Despite those proximity-based theories, Suffolk authorities have maintained Jackson and her daughters murders were separate from the Gilgo case.

Dykes was arrested in Florida on Wednesday just hours after a grand jury handed up the indictment and is being held at the Hillsborough County jail on a fugitive warrant pending extradition.

open image in gallery Rex Heuermann has been charged with seven murders related to bodies found in the Gilgo Beach area. He has pleaded not guilty

During his initial appearance Thursday in Hillsborough County Court, Dykes told the judge: Id like to go to New York and defend myself.

Court documents indicate Dykes fled New York after the killings. Authorities have not disclosed the evidence that led to the indictment, nor clarified the relationship between Dykes and Jackson beyond sharing a last name and a child.

The mother and daughter were buried earlier this year at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort.

Nassau County police and the FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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The millionaire owner of a luxury lakefront resort in Minnesota has been arrested and charged with arson, after allegedly joking about burning down the property days before it was destroyed in a blaze.

Bryce Campbell, 41, the owner of the Lutsen Resort Lodge on the north shore of Lake Superior, made multiple comments suggesting to burn it in the days leading up to a massive fire that erupted on February 6, 2024, authorities said.

Campbell, of Two Harbour, Minnesota, was taken into custody on December 3 in Southfield, Michigan, and charged with three felony counts of arson and one felony count of insurance fraud.

A police complaint seen by The Independent details how Campbell complained of serious financial troubles with the resort in the months leading up to the incident, including owing hundreds of thousands of dollars to vendors and other parties.

In exchanges with his husband in the week before the fire, Campbell said he was depressed multiple times and wrote burn it in response to several messages including one about owing almost half a million dollars to the Canada Revenue Agency, the complaint noted.

open image in gallery Bryce Campbell, 41, the owner of the Lutsen Resort Lodge on the north shore of Lake Superior, made multiple comments suggesting to burn it in the days leading up to a massive fire that erupted on February 6, 2024, police said. ( Minnesota Department of Public Safetys Bureau of Criminal Apprehension )

"I think w[ere] on the hook if it burns babe." his husband said, per the complaint. "At that point we just take the insurance payout and use it [to] cover CRA."

Campbell reportedly responded: "Works for me."

On February 12, almost a week after the fire, Campbell messaged his husband, writing: "This is usually when I'd make my burn it joke...but karma didn't like that...I'm gonna need a new line :/.

Despite initially telling investigators that he went home, bought a pizza from Dominos, and went to bed, he later admitted to insurance investigators he had stopped at the lodge on the night of the fire, shortly before midnight, to pick up items from his desk.

open image in gallery The Lutsen Lodge was built in 1951 and designed by renowned architect Edwin Lundie. Campbell purchased it for $6.75 million in 2018 and claimed to have invested a further $5 million into expansive renovations ( Minnesota Department of Public Safetys Bureau of Criminal Apprehension )

According to the complaint, Campbells debts included around $467,000 in unpaid invoices to over 80 vendors; $521,000 owed to Lutsens Resort Lodges previous owners; $247,000 owed to townhome associations whose rental properties he managed; and $277,000 owed to Highmark Builders. Business checking accounts in his name showed extremely low and even negative balances.

Detectives also noted that Campbell had previously increased the amount that the resort was insured for twice, upping it to $11 million in 2022 and then up again to $13 million the year after.

Fraud agents from the Minnesota Department of Public Safetys Bureau of Criminal Apprehension determined that Campbell knowingly caused the fire to fraudulently collect an insurance payout.

In committing this selfish criminal act, Mr. Campbell considered his own personal benefit over the lives and livelihoods of the people he employed, while at same time destroying a treasured Minnesota landmark, said Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans.

open image in gallery Detectives also noted that Campbell had previously increased the amount that the resort was insured for twice, upping it to $11 million in 2022 and then up again to $13 million the year after ( Minnesota Department of Public Safetys Bureau of Criminal Apprehension )

The Lutsen Lodge was built in 1951 and designed by renowned architect Edwin Lundie. Campbell purchased it for $6.75 million in 2018 and claimed to have invested a further $5 million into expansive renovations.

The State Fire Marshal recently completed the investigation on the origins of the fire, determining that it began in the southwest basement area above the boiler room and beneath the lobby, but the method by which the fire started remains undetermined.

Even in cases like these where no one is injured, arson is not a victimless crime. This community and anyone with connections to this historic resort can attest to that, said State Fire Marshal Dan Krier. Im hopeful these charges will bring those impacted some closure and sense of justice.

As of this week, Campbell remained in the Oakland County Jail in Michigan, pending extradition to Minnesota.
An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 22, 2025 shows a scenic spot where the mountain vegetation start to turn red along the Wuxia Gorge, one of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze River, in Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

CHONGQING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Watching red leaves has long been a favourite autumn pastime in China, and the passion for this seasonal tradition is now becoming a powerful economic engine across the country, especially in rural areas.

In Wushan County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, the 19th Red Leaf Festival is in full swing, with 1.2 million mu (about 80,000 hectares) of forests ablaze in vibrant autumn colors, as the festival continues to play a key role in revitalizing the county's tourism sector.

From 1998 to 2006, the county struggled to attract visitors, with annual tourist numbers never surpassing 500,000.

A turning point came in 2007, when local authorities, recognizing the county's natural advantage of its red leaves, launched the first Red Leaf Festival. Since then, the event has grown steadily, and in 2024, Wushan welcomed nearly 4.2 million visitors, generating almost 2.9 billion yuan (about 410 million U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue during the festival.

"Autumn and winter used to be low seasons for tourism in Wushan and the surrounding areas, but the red leaves have transformed the off season into a peak season. They have become a key driver of the local tourism industry," said Hou Yufeng, an expert with the Chongqing municipal commission of culture and tourism development.

In China, red-leaf plants include a wide variety of species such as the maple tree, Cotinus coggygria, and the Chinese tallow tree. The enthusiasm for enjoying these vibrant autumn landscapes can be seen across the country.

In Beijing, the Xiangshan Park attracted over 850,000 visitors during its 24-day red leaf festival this year. Benxi City in northeast China's Liaoning Province, where the colder weather brought an earlier display of red leaves, saw tourist arrivals rise 13.85 percent year on year, along with a 14.64 percent increase in total tourism revenue during this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday period.

"At present, the value of red leaves is no longer merely in visual appreciation. Efforts should be made to enrich the ways tourists experience them," said Li Xinjian, executive dean of the culture and tourism development institute of Beijing International Studies University.

This year, Wushan offers visitors a variety of ways to enjoy the red leaves. Travelers can take in the scenery by boat, by road, or on foot, while new experiences such as hot-air balloon rides and low-altitude flights provide fresh perspectives on the autumn landscape.

"Seeing the red leaves from so many angles was breathtaking. We love diverse landscapes, and Wushan fully meets our expectations," said Javier Fernandez, a tourist from Spain, adding that he not only took a boat tour, but also joined hiking activities to experience the scenery up close.

In Nanjing City, east China's Jiangsu Province, the Qixia Mountain is currently in the midst of its annual red-leaf season. Beyond the vibrant scenery, Qixia Mountain boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, which the scenic area is showcasing through a variety of immersive experiences. Visitors can enjoy historical drama performances and open-air folk music concerts. In addition, the rental service of traditional Chinese clothing, Hanfu, allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the local cultural atmosphere.

The scenic area also introduced a special marketplace featuring local delicacies and red leaf-themed handicrafts. Here, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the mountain's history and unique local traditions.

Red leaves have significantly boosted economic development in China's rural areas.

Liu Zhongmei, a resident of Anjing Village in Wushan County, recalled a time when the village's stunning red leaves went largely unnoticed. "Back then, these beautiful leaves were simply used as firewood," she said.

Things have changed with the arrival of the festival, which has drawn an influx of tourists to the area. Villagers have since found creative ways to turn the red leaves into income, crafting intricate leaf carvings and opening B&Bs.

"A leaf, if made into a carving, can sell for at least 10 yuan. These red-leaf products have become a popular souvenir for visitors and are in high demand," Liu said.

"In China, most red leaf resources are located in the mountainous rural regions. Developing the red-leaf economy can transform ecological advantages into economic advantages, making it an effective approach to advancing rural revitalization," said He Qiongfeng, head of the statistical research institute of the China Tourism Academy. 
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A former Minneapolis chief executive embezzled more than $330,000, including donations intended for a reward to solve the murder of two children.

Jonathan Weinhagen, who also had the alias James Sullivan, pleaded guilty on Monday to mail fraud from December 2019 to June 2024. Weinhagen was the president and chief executive of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Valley News Live reported.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation, finding multiple instances of fraud after an internal financial investigation revealed a $500,000 budget deficit.

One of the most notable cases was Weinhagens theft of $30,000 used for a murder reward.

Former chief executive of Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce Jonathan Weinhagen ( Fox 9 )

In May 2021, two children were killed, and a third was injured in a series of North Minneapolis shootings. To get more information on the crime, the chamber Weinhagen worked for donated $30,000 to Crime Stoppers Minnesota.

About a year after the donation, Weinhagen asked if the reward had been claimed. When CrimeStoppers confirmed it had not, he requested its return and falsely stated that the chamber had made a commitment to [its] investors to deploy the resources into the North Minneapolis community.

Weinhagen also told CrimeStoppers to send the check to his home address after telling them that was the official location of the chamber. The 42-year-old later deposited it for his own personal use.

Another case of fraud occurred when, from December 2019 to April 2021, Weinhagen created a fictional consulting company, Synergy Partners, and entered into three fraudulent consulting agreements with the chamber.

Weinhagen used the alias James Sullivan to sign contracts totaling $107,500, costing the chamber money.

In November 2020, Weinhagen also opened a $200,000 line of credit in the chambers name, and he drew $125,000 over the next year to transfer to Synergy Partners for personal expenses.

Prosecutors found in January 2022 that Weinhagen used the chambers credit card to pay for a family vacation to Hawaii, including over $15,000 in first-class airfare and an oceanfront hotel room.

The maximum penalty for fraud cases is 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

After Weinhagens resignation from the chamber in 2024, prosecutors said he again attempted to commit fraud.

In January 2025, he applied for a $54,661 bank loan, falsely claiming he earned $425,000 annually from a Minnesota restaurant holding company.

The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that Weinhagen faces between 27 and 33 months in prison, will need to make restitution payments totalling $213,200, and will be fined between $10,000 and $95,000.

Weinhagens sentencing will be read at a later date.
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A grandfather and his 3-month-old granddaughter were mauled to death in an attack in Tennessee this week, police say.

Local authorities arrived at the scene in the community of Tullahoma at 3 pm on Wednesday, where they saw the pit bulls actively mauling James Alexander Smith, 50, and the young child.

The Tullahoma Police Department shared a statement from the District Attorneys office, which confirmed that dogs were killed to stop the attack.

However, by the time the dogs were euthanized, both Smith and his granddaughter were already dead.

This was an especially difficult and brutal scene, the district attorneys office wrote. Please pray for the family of the victims in this difficult time as well as the first responders as they cope with the trauma from what they witnessed.

open image in gallery A grandfather and his 3-month-old granddaughter were mauled to death on the corner of this street in Tullahoma, Tennessee ( Google Streetview )

Brian Kirby, a neighbor, told Fox 8 that he saw a woman screaming in the street shortly before the authorities arrived. When he asked her for help, she fled into her home.

Seconds later, police officers arrived and subdued the pit bulls.

However, Kirby has suggested that the dogs have a violent history and even murdered his pet cat, whom he had owned for eight years.

I dont believe that they thought this would ever happen, Kirby said. Im sure it was not done on purpose. I think that people just have animals, and they just need to put them on a leash better; thats all.

And Im not blaming them for what happened at all, he continued. I know that theyre devastated more than we are because its their family. Its just hard to understand and wrap your head around it.

open image in gallery The pair were killed by pitbulls, which were killed by police at the scene (stock) ( PA Archive )

Since the attack, Ely Cournoyer has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to support her husbands memaw, Smiths mother.

Cournoyer claims that the familys home lost their home shortly after the heartbreaking and unexpected attack.

They lost not only two precious lives, but also their home, their belongings, and their sense of security  all within hours, Cournoyer wrote. Memaw is now trying to care for the six remaining children, who suddenly have no clothes, no beds, and nowhere to go.

She also claimed that Smith did not have life insurance, leaving his family with the huge costs of paying for his funeral.

Meanwhile, authorities have confirmed that an investigation has been launched into whether the pair died from their injuries or whether they had died before the dog attack.

The probe will also examine whether the dogs have a violent history or whether past issues related to the children requiring intervention by the Department of Childrens Services contributed to the pairs death.

The DAs office also confirmed that the other dogs in the home have been taken into the custody of Tullahoma Animal Control. A decision on their future has not yet been made.
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Elon Musks social media company X has been fined 120m (105m) by the EU over its blue tick badges, in a decision likely to draw a furious reaction in Washington.

According to the EU Commission, X misled users through the deceptive design of its blue badges, which it changed from user verification into a paid feature after Musk bought the company in late 2022.

In a post on the app, Musk said: The EU imposed this crazy fine not just on X, but also on me personally, which is even more insane!

X also fell short on providing a clear list of advertisers, required by the commission to help guard against illegal scams, fake ads and campaigns around political elections.

And the company failed to make available public data to researchers, undermining research into risks within the EU, the commission found.

The fine concludes one part of the EUs two-year investigation under the Digital Services Act (DSA). A probe is still ongoing into efforts to counter the spread of illegal content and battle information manipulation.

Ahead of the EU decision, US vice president JD Vance said on X: Rumours swirling that the EU commission will fine X hundreds of millions of dollars for not engaging in censorship.

The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage, he said.

open image in gallery Elon Musks social media company was sanctioned following a two-year-long investigation under the blocs Digital Services Act ( AP )

The European Commissions tech chief Henna Virkkunen said Xs modest fine was proportionate.

We are not here to impose the highest fines. We are here to make sure that our digital legislation is enforced and if you comply with our rules, you dont get the fine. And its as simple as that, she told reporters.

The commission concluded that the design of Xs blue tick was deceptive, in clear violation of its rules.

On X, anyone can pay to obtain the verified status without the company meaningfully verifying who is behind the account, making it difficult for users to judge the authenticity of accounts and content they engage with, it said.

This deception exposes users to scams, including impersonation frauds, as well as other forms of manipulation by malicious actors.

The fine is still relatively modest next to tech fines imposed by the EU in the past. DSA fines can be as high as 6 per cent of a companys annual global revenue.

X will now have between 60 to 90 working days to come up with measures to comply with the DSA, with the time frame depending on the issue.

open image in gallery The European Commission says its laws do not target any nationality and that it is merely defending its digital and democratic standards ( PA Archive )

Failure to comply with the decision may lead to periodic penalty payments, the Commission warns.

The Commission also revealed it will continue a separate probe into TikToks design, algorithmic systems and obligation to protect children. TikTok staved off a penalty with concessions.

Virkkunen said forthcoming decisions on companies which have been charged with DSA violations are expected to take a shorter time than the two years for the X case.

Im really expecting that we will do the final decisions now faster, she said.
NEW DELHI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has refuted the United States' accusations on India's oil purchases from Russia, according to private media network "India Today."

In an interview with the news channel released on Thursday, shortly before he arrived in New Delhi for a two-day state visit to India, Putin said, "The U.S. itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants. That is also fuel."

He further added, "If the U.S. has the right to buy our fuel, why shouldn't India have the same privilege? This question deserves a thorough examination, and we stand ready to discuss it, including with President Trump."

India's oil imports from Russia hit a three-year low this month amid the U.S. administration's punitive tariffs on India, supported by the argument that such purchases of cheap Russian oil helped finance Moscow in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Acknowledging the decline in India-Russia overall trade due to low oil purchases by India, Putin said, "There is a certain decline in overall trade turnover during the first nine months of this year. This is just a minor adjustment. Overall, our trade turnover stands almost at the same level as before."

Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening to hold the 23rd India-Russia Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Russian leader at the airport, following which both travelled in the same car to the official residence of the Indian prime minister. 
Hospitality hotspot The slump in CBD property values is yielding a new buyer breed: hospitality operators taking a punt on buying their premises instead of leasing  and its not just at the high-end where Chris Lucas, Justin Hemmes and the OBrien Group have paid top dollar for well-placed venues. This week, an owner-operator bought 171 Bourke Street for $3.88 million and has plans to open a new Asian fusion restaurant in mid-2026. The building is near the corner of the Bourke and Russell streets intersection which looks poised for a comeback with a new pub and hotel bar pulling in the punters. A swag of luxury hotels and fine dining nearby is also helping drive the renaissance. 171 Bourke Street has a new owner-occupier.

The deal was negotiated by Colliers Matt Stagg and Yvonne Zhou. Down the other end of town, a Sydney investor has paid $3 million for the Grain Store cafe at Shop 2 of 517 Flinders Lane. The deal reflected a building rate of $15,000-a-square-metre and a yield of 5.7 per cent. A Sydney investor has bought the Grain Store at 517 Flinders Lane. Grain Store, which opened in 2013, committed to a further 10-year lease in April 2023. Jones Real Estates Luke Peric did the deal.

The west end precinct also has its share of new attractions, notably Sand Hill Roads new seven-level Waterside Hotel. Natural therapy The buyers of Fitzroys Southern School for Natural Therapies emerged this week after applying for development permits. A joint venture between B&B Property Groups Stephen and Ben Buxton, and PACASAs Stefano Paciocco has acquired 25-37 Victoria Street for a price believed to be about $20 million. The sale was negotiated by Colliers agents Matt Stagg, Ryan Milivojac, Ben Baines and Yvonne Zhou. Peter Smyth from Untitled Property represented the Jacka Foundation who bought the property for $1.53 million in 1996.

The joint venture has a caveat over the buildings  part of which is the 1889 Acme Shirt Factory  and applied for an eight-storey 60-unit project through the State Governments Development Facilitation Program. 25-37 Victoria Street, Fitzroy Paciocco is a former development manager at Stephen Buxtons first property business Hamton Property Group  Hamtons first project is nearby, on the corner of Fitzroy Street. The plans drawn up by DKO Architecture include restoring the original shirt factory frontage and building behind and above it. The Buxton family, multi-generational property players, also have a foothold on the old swimsuit shop at 430-444 Brunswick Street and 224-228 Smith Street through Valli, which is backed by MAB founder Andrew Buxton.

All roads Fresh from the landmark completion of its Bourke Street Mall Mecca project, fund manager Newmark Capital is going back to basics. Its purchased the VicRoads Testing & Inspection Centre in Ballarat for $8.975 million on a 7 per cent yield for the Newmark Property Income Fund. VicRoads at 86-88 Learmonth Road, Wendouree. While that yield might seem on the high side, the lease has just four years left to run with two-year options.

The building at 86-88 Learmonth Road, Wendouree, purpose built for VicRoads in 2001, is zoned for public use, which limits it to government-related activities. Its on 8485 square metres of land and returns $628,000 a year. CBREs Scott Hawthorne and George Wilkinson handled the transaction which drew six offers from local and interstate investors. Records show the vendor was the local Edward family. Deals done The year is ending with a bang at the retail end of the market with a swag of competitive deals struck on sharp yields. The sale of a tiny vacant shop at 416 Toorak Road set the sharpest yield of the lot  just 2.5 per cent from a $2.7 million deal.

The 150-square-metre shop is on 196 square metres of land opposite the Trak Centre and Viclands St Germain project, and is a few doors away from Orchard Pipers recently completed project. 416 Toorak Road, Toorak. In East Burwood, 19 bidders registered for the auction of the KFC building at 123-125 Burwood Highway last week, with the buyer paying $5.83 million, reflecting a 3.3 per cent yield on a gross lease. The deal was one of six properties worth a total of $50 million sold by Stonebridge Property Group in the past 10 days. The Red Rooster Wodonga drew seven bidders and sold for $3.35 million on a 5 per cent yield. Stonebridges Kevin Tong, who did the deals with Rorey James, said the depth in the buyer pool  all 26 registered parties for both auctions demonstrated an intention to buy  indicated a strong sign of market confidence.

The team also sold the Pakenham BP and KFC servo for $14 million on a 5.61 per cent yield. The crowd at the auction of the East Burwood KFC. A Sydney buyer has paid $6.41 million for China state-owned Sinopecs first Australian servo on a 5.81 per cent yield. Cushman & Wakefields George Davies, who handled the negotiations with Oliver Hay, Raphael Favas and Leon Ma, said five offers were made for the property. The servo at 325A Nepean Highway, Frankston was developed and sold by Jasbe.

In Ringwood, a strata property at 5-6/74-82 Maroondah Highway occupied by a Club Lime gym, sold under the hammer for $5.9 million. Four bidders competed for the 1288-square-metre open-plan showroom with a local investor out muscling competition from around Melbourne and Australia. Fitzroys Ben Liu and Chris James and Gross Waddell ICRs Glenn Ye and Danny Clark ran the auction. Club Lime, owned by ASX-listed Viva Leisure  Australias second-largest fitness network  has a new 10-year lease. The price reflected a tight 5.7 per cent yield. Season Greetings
Loading What makes Soul of Possum interesting is that it dramatises the in-fighting among each group. The First Nations Australians lose valuable time arguing about what to do with the threat of territorial trespass while the English marauders  Captain Gibbons (Leigh Scully), Lieutenant Bankes (Gabriel Partington), Dr Wilkins (Kevin Dee) and Irish convict Yates (Luke Mason)  have their own on-board power conflicts to contend with. All four characters are performed with ease and conviction. Theres an earnestness about this play and some unnecessary repetition in the script. The ending that brings us back to the present day also seems a bit too expository after everything weve witnessed. Nonetheless, Soul of Possum does manage to take us into the crossfire of colonial violence in its short, sharp stage time.

Reviewed by Thuy On

Soul of Possum was reviewed from a preview performance. MUSIC

Dominic Fike | Comedy Tragedy Parody Tour 

Sidney Myer Music Bowl, December 9 Dominic Fikes show has a false start. The crowd gets excited as the stage lights turn on and the sound of keys and distorted guitar start to play. Then they suddenly stop, and after a muffled directive from the tech team, the band eventually walks onto the smoke-filled stage. Fike strolls on after, bringing a moody energy and hardly acknowledging enthusiastic fans. He launches into White Keys.

This is Fikes biggest Australian tour, a series of shows coming off the back of his appearance at the Spilt Milk festival. Dominic Fike performs at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on December 9, 2025. Credit: Richard Clifford The 29-year-old singer-songwriter rose to fame as Elliot in HBO show Euphoria  alongside Zendaya and real-life ex-girlfriend Hunter Schafer. His character  a muso with a substance abuse problem  mirrors the challenges he endured in his youth: both his parents are heroin addicts and he received a 12-month jail sentence in 2016 for assaulting a police officer while under house arrest on drug charges. After he performs White Keys, the crowd erupts into screams; a trend that continues before and after songs for the rest of the set. He saunters to the front of the stage and accepts a gift from a fan, reading the card as the crowd watches on. He explains later that its been a bit of a weird day, so Id like to have a good night. Absorbing the energy from the audience, his performance starts to pick up in the second half. During King of Everything he moves from playing keys to guitar, laying on the floor and continuing to strum as the crowd light up the stalls with their smartphones. On the track, Great Pretender, he raps so quickly he barely draws breath. Hi grace shows off his indie/alternative softer side.

This marks Dominic Fikes biggest Australian tour. Credit: Richard Clifford During Mamas Boy, the crowd screams as he lets out a wail at the end. They raise their hands and make heart shapes, expressing their love and support while demanding an encore. Fike returns, performing Sandman again, with greater vehemence. He rips open his shirt and the fans squeal in delight; to be fair, the lyrics do say takin my clothes off. At the end, he forms his hands into a heart, too, a gesture of his appreciation.

Reviewed by Vyshnavee Wijekumar MUSIC

Perfume Genius 

Forum Melbourne, December 4 Mike Hadreas, better known as Perfume Genius, has a chameleons voice, switching deftly from shimmering falsetto to an otherworldly, wavering register that seems to emanate from deep within his body. Its a voice thats at turns full of yearning and subtly rendered emotion or dripping with swagger and sensuality.

All this was on full display at the Forum, where Hadreas, who has forged a career making mesmerising, impressionistic music for the queer and queer-adjacent, arrives on stage like a postmodern Saint Sebastian, ready to martyr himself to art. Perfume Genius (left) performs with Aldous Harding at the Forum Melbourne on December 4. Credit: Richard Clifford The tour comes off the back of his recently released seventh studio album, Glory, a work that puts his soul-baring lyrics in dialogue with layers of richly textured, cinematic instrumentation. Glory was largely written during lockdown and is a product of the uncertainty of those times: its animating themes are grief, anxiety, isolation. Despite this, it is not a depressing record, but rather something transcendent. The show puts Hadreas range on display, as he moves effortlessly from the propulsive, emotionally charged suffering of In a Row to the plaintive and tender piano ballad Me & Angel. One of the most arresting moments arrives early when, in a world debut, Hadreas invites New Zealands Aldous Harding on stage to perform No Front Teeth. Already an album stand-out, the duet takes on new emotional resonance in this live performance, as Hardings gossamer vocals soar to the Forums highest reaches and the song builds to a flaring, guitar-heavy climax. It is a rare treat for the audience and something unlikely to be repeated any time soon.

Elsewhere, Hadreas pulls crowd-pleasing hits from the Perfume Genius back catalogue, from the deliciously camp Slip Away to the eminently danceable On the Floor (its potential goes sadly unfulfilled as Melbourne audiences simply do not dance). Otherside delivers another show highlight, as Hadreas makes inventive use of silence and negative space before unleashing beautiful aural chaos. The encore comprises two covers  Big Stars Kangaroo and Mazzy Stars Fade into You  before the show closes with the exhilarating and defiant celebration of queer selfhood, Queen. Perfume Genius is a bodily performer. Credit: Richard Clifford Hadreas is a bodily performer, contorting his limbs and executing gravity-defying back bends as he sings, though these objectively quite taxing moves seem to come to him as easily as breathing. He has a dancers grace and a showmans unerring self-confidence. Yet, you get the sense that everything he does on stage is for himself first: the audience is merely there as witness.

Reviewed by Nadia Bailey MUSIC

Melbourne Womens International Jazz Festival

Ashling OFarrell / Virago with Flora Carbo 

The Jazzlab, December 7 Sonja Horbelt must be some kind of conjuror. The program for this years Melbourne Womens International Jazz Festival  which Horbelt has directed for many years  is particularly impressive, with numerous acts from overseas and interstate, plus several premieres and special collaborations.

But the budget for the 2025 festival is actually smaller than the (already slim) budget for last years event. Somehow, Horbelt has juggled funding sources, artist schedules and well-timed visits by expat musicians to assemble a genuinely enticing line-up. Flora Carbo with Virago. Sundays double bill began with an engaging set by 21-year-old trombonist and vocalist Ashling OFarrell, the VCAs New Horizons artist for 2025. OFarrells tone on both trombone and vocals was suffused with an appealing warmth, augmented by the sensitive accompaniment of her rhythm section. Then came the unveiling of a newly commissioned work that was years in the planning, but which came together in less than a fortnight. Local saxophonist and composer Flora Carbo met American percussionist Sofia Carbonara in 2019, and  after Carbonara moved to Melbourne  the pair began dreaming of a full-length collaboration. That dream came to fruition last month, when Carbonaras US-based Virago quartet flew to Australia to develop and rehearse a work written for them by Carbo, to be premiered at the festival. Combining intricately notated parts with passages of free-form spontaneity, the as-yet-untitled piece made the most of the groups unusual instrumentation: two alto saxophones, violin, cello and vibraphone. The suite opened with quivering harmonics from Carbonaras vibraphone, beckoning the other instruments to join them and coalesce into a single, trembling note.

Loading Gradually, the players began to diverge, creating a mournful dissonance as Magnolia Rohrers violin and Wesley Hornpetries cello slid away from BethAnne Kunerts sax, and Carbos mini drum machine added a subtle, syncopated heartbeat. In other sections, minimalist repetition created pulsating waves where saxes, strings and vibes moved in deft interlocking patterns, before dissolving in a swirl of improvised abstraction or settling into a glade of delicate, folk-like serenity. At times challenging, at times strikingly beautiful, this was the kind of ambitious and compelling work that festivals are made for.

Reviewed by Jessica Nicholas MUSIC

Noel! Noel! 

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Melbourne Recital Centre, December 6 Brimming with festive cheer, this years edition of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestras Christmas offering took on a Spanish flavour. This musical accent honoured Tommie Andersson, the orchestras foundation theorbo and baroque guitar principal, who is making his final appearances with the ABO this tour after delighting audiences for nearly 40 years.

Under the irrepressibly energetic direction of Paul Dyer, the orchestra and Brandenburg Choir were joined by guests Argentinian mezzo-soprano Maria Eugenia Nieva and Australian classical guitarist Andrew Blanch. This years edition of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestras Christmas offering took on a Spanish flavour. Credit: Laura Manariti Wearing a full-length, bright-red dress with a side slit, Nieva exuded plenty of Latin sensuality. Her strong, dark-chocolate mezzo voice animated a variety of numbers from the traditional carol Riu Riu Chiu, through Gioia & Amore by Spanish renaissance composer Soto de Langa and Nana from Six Popular Spanish Songs by Manuel de Falla to Santa la noche, an arrangement of Adolphe Adams beloved classic O Holy Night. Blanch, who featured prominently in the program, was especially brilliant in Albenizs Leyenda, arranged to showcase the simmering passion of the guitars rapid-fire flamenco technique. Once again, the Brandenburg Choir brought sheer delight to the choral aspect of Noel! Noel! with crisp ensemble work and crystalline diction. Between the customary bookends, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and O Come, All ye Faithful, came some English schmaltz courtesy of John Rutter and Philip Stopford, as well as an intense account of the Kyrie from Palestrinas Missa Papae Marcelli.

In chamber formation, the Brandenburgs themselves were in top form, bringing joyous dynamism to Monns Sinfonia in G and whimsy to an arrangement of God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen. Anderssons own solos and his poignant accompaniment of Stille Nacht (Silent Night) with its original Austrian lilt mirrored his quiet but impressive dedication. Noel! Noel! continues to be a distinctive but deservedly popular Christmas tradition.

Reviewed by Tony Way MUSIC

Parcels: LOVED Tour 

Sidney Myer Music Bowl, December 4 I dare you to stand still at a Parcels show. From the minute they hit the stage, the bands blend of electro-pop and disco-pop rhythms has the crowd possessed, grooving along to the psychedelic funky beat.

The Australian five-piece indie band formed in Byron Bay in 2014, and made the spontaneous move to Berlin that year. They have played some high-profile gigs in 2025, including Coachella and Glastonbury. This weekend, their national tour concludes in Sydney with two gigs on the steps of the Opera House. Its hard to stand still at a Parcels show. Credit: Martin Philbey The band experiments with many different sounds across the set. Opening with Tobeloved, they show off their signature harmonies, reminiscent of The Beach Boys. Its clear how Berlin club culture has influenced their music when they perform Gamesofluck, the stage lit with an electric blue as the keys and guitar pulse. They performed Overnight, a single co-produced and co-written with Daft Punk after they attended Parcels first-ever show in Paris in 2016; the duos electronic influence is evident in the live sound. Finallyover, their final song, has a much more mellow, retro rock feel like The Beatles. They perform a lengthy instrumental track which feels improvised, exerting riffs that resemble the disco energy of Boney M and AC/DCs Thunderstruck. Parcels in full flight. Credit: Martin Philbey

I know we are a lot of people, but we move as one tonight, says one of the band, indistinguishable in the moody lighting, and that collective feeling carries through, maintaining a chill vibe across the entire set. During Summerinlove, the crowd leans into the sexiness, with footage of couples kissing in the front row projected onto a heart-shaped kiss cam on the screen above. Its clear the band are having just as much fun as the crowd. Patrick Hetheringtons foot pounds the stage as Jules Crommelins hips thrust against his guitar and Noah Hills neck jerks back and forth like a chicken. The band seemed to have as much fun as their energetic audience. Credit: Martin Philbey Theres a sense of euphoria that fills the atmosphere at the all-ages concert. Like a rave, the infectious beats travel through your ears and all the way to your feet. The band asks tech staff to light up the crowd, as they peer into the masses extending up the theatre and across the green of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. As Crommelin perches at the end of the stage, he says: Just going to take a second to take this all in. What a start to the summer.

Reviewed by Vyshnavee Wijekumar
After the horror films Talk To Me and Bring Her Back brought them to global attention, livewire Australian twins Danny and Michael Philippou have no illusions about their status in the film world.

Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, theyre directors, Michael said. Were just grateful that people are allowing us to make our ideas. Were still bogans from Australia.

Were just grateful that people are allowing us to make our ideas: Filmmakers Michael and Danny Philippou.

The pair were speaking after learning that Bring Her Back leads the film nominations at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards with 16.

The announcement, on Saturday morning, comes two years ago after Talk To Me swept the AACTAs when it won best film, direction and six other awards.
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Sponsored Eating outToki Bistro & Bar Say Oui to Asian-French fusion at this new North Sydney bistro Advertorial for Toki Bistro & Bar Tim McDonald December 5, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

When Toki Bistro & Bar opened its doors in North Sydney, it was more than just another polished dining room on Miller Street. It introduced the idea that food can tell the story of our lives. Group executive chef Jacob Lee describes Toki as reflecting a narrative, one that invites diners to taste defining moments from childhood to now, with each course unfolding like a chapter in a well-loved book. Toki Bistro & Bar seamlessly blends Parisian sophistication with Asian warmth. At a generous 475 square metres and with room for 120 guests, the venue blends the charm of a Parisian brasserie with the intimacy of an Asian dining hall. Guests pass a showcase of fresh seafood, then move beyond the mahoganymarbled bar into the main dining space, where polished mahogany floors, black marble tables and the soft glow of glass chandeliers set a tone of refined ease. The room is quite luxurious, says Lee, But at the core, it is always about flavour and service from the heart. A global culinary philosophy

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Lees professional journey is a study in global inspiration. Korea was his starting point, New Yorks Italian kitchens sharpened his edge, and then back to Seoul where Kang Mingoos Mingles, crowned with three Michelin stars, refined his artistry. He then helped establish Tartine Bakerys debut international branch, also in Seoul, created his own venue and carried that experience into Australia. Toki Bistro & Bar group executive chef Jacob Lee. Through all those experiences, I mixed them with the Australian influence that I taste and see here, he says. Australia has so many great suppliers and markets. I learn from every part. Rather than layering complexity for its own sake, Lee focuses on clarity: seasonal ingredients treated with maturity and restraint, then rebuilt using French foundation and Japanese precision. Thats the heart of the four-chapter tasting menu, he explains. Each course is based on seasonal ingredients and my personal experiences, mixed together with what Australia offers. The signature eight-course tasting menu ($165 per person) is available in both the main dining room and Tokis three private spaces, which seat groups of eight, 10 or 20. Guests arriving for private dining enter their rooms via a dedicated elevator, are greeted by a personal host and often pair their meal with guidance from Tokis sommelier in the restaurants own wine cellar. Complimentary tastings help diners choose from French, Australian and Asian wines, further reinforcing the restaurants cross-cultural conversation.

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One of Lees favourite examples of this intersection is the lobster linguine, a dish that at first sounds familiar, then reveals an entirely new sensibility. He describes building the sauce from scratch: first a traditional bonito dashi, reduced and pressed with soy paste, then folded with vegetables, spices and French brown butter. The result has the intensity of an XO sauce while remaining unmistakably Japanese in technique and European in structure. The linguine is then paired with Australian rock lobster glazed in garlic miso butter. I like to break techniques down and rebuild them thoughtfully, Lee says. Even though the ingredients are Japanese, the final texture and flavour are something unique. Elevated casual dining Toki may look grand, but it is not a special-occasion-only affair. It operates all day, offering breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday and dinner six nights a week, with additional Saturday service.

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Tokis general manager explains that the restaurants ambition is to pair refinement with approachability. You can come weekly and find the classic dishes you love, he says. We present them a little differently and with very careful service, so the experience feels elevated, but still casual. Every plate represents a chapter in your life. We want guests to ask themselves questions through the dining experience. To deliver that consistency across breakfast, a la carte and the tasting menu, Lee stays close to the kitchen and his team. I try to be with them as much as possible, he explains. I encourage them, guide them and we develop together. I dont want to press too hard. We build things as a team. That seems fitting for a restaurant built on storytelling: a kitchen working together to shape memories, one dish at a time. To secure your seat at North Sydneys newest dining sensation, click here.

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CHENGDU, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The first ten months of this year saw exports from France to southwest China's Sichuan Province surge to 3.51 billion yuan (about 496 million U.S. dollars), marking a year-on-year increase of 32.7 percent.

This growth is vividly illustrated by the China-Europe Railway Express, with trains arriving in Chengdu from Lyon and other European cities regularly carrying French goods for Chinese consumers. Exports of French cosmetics alone has exceeded 600 million yuan so far this year.

Beyond trade, French investment in Sichuan spans multiple sectors. For instance, Airbus operates an aircraft service center in Chengdu, which provides comprehensive technical services for aging aircraft and supports the aviation industry's shift toward a circular economy.

In the electronics sector, French industrial gases giant Air Liquide supplies industrial gases to manufacturers across Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality.

Danone, a food and beverage multinational, runs a major production and logistics base in Qionglai City of Sichuan Province, serving consumers throughout southwest China.

The partnership also extends to finance and digital creativity. Groupama SDIG Property Insurance, a French company in Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan, has 263 branches across 12 provinces, achieving five consecutive years of profit growth.

Meanwhile, the Chengdu studio of French video-game company Ubisoft has become a key production hub for the company's flagship games by leveraging Chengdu's booming digital creative industry and vast market.

"Through games, we build bridges for cultural dialogue," said Shu Xinyu, studio manager of Ubisoft Chengdu, expressing confidence that the city's unique blend of culture and digital vitality will foster more exceptional creative works.

Collaboration between Sichuan and France continues to expand across aerospace, automotive, environmental protection and education sectors, with provincial authorities pledging to further deepen these ties and promote mutual growth, according to the Sichuan Provincial Bureau of Economic Cooperation. 
A man is dead following the second fatal shooting south of Brisbane this week, with police describing the latest incident as another targeted attack.

Police have launched a homicide investigation after a 41-year-old man was shot inside a house on Rowanda Street in Slacks Creek about 1am on Friday.

Detective Acting Inspector Jason Kitto said officers found the 41-year-old man seriously injured outside the low-set house.

The incident occurred inside the address, upon our arrival he was located out the front  [its] unknown how he got there at this  time, Kitto said.
Discontent is bubbling at Queenslands police union as officers speak out against its leadership, and some leave to take up the services of a copper-turned-barrister offering legal protection on a retainer.

The union has been in the spotlight since a vote to accept a new enterprise bargaining agreement with the state government went down to the wire, passing by less than 2 per cent.

The deal gave police a 3 per cent pay bump this year, 2.5 per cent for each of the following two years, and came with an $8000 retention bonus for some officers.

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior. Credit: Julius Dennis

Queensland Police Union of Employees president Shane Prior has been under fire after he initially rubbished the wage offer before supporting the in-principle deal.
Lawyers acting for the families of police officers gunned down at a remote property west of Brisbane three years ago say theyve launched legal action against the NSW and Queensland police for damages and psychological injuries.

Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were ambushed and killed by religious fanatics and conspiracy theorists Nathaniel, Gareth and Stacey Train at their Wieambilla property on December 12, 2022.

A five-week coronial inquest into their deaths was held last year, with Queensland State Coroner Terry Ryan delivering findings last month.

The families of Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, led by Judy McCrow, outside Brisbane Magistrates Court after State Coroner Terry Ryan handed down his findings into the Wieambilla ambush. Credit: Cameron Atfield

The inquest heard evidence from NSW police, who admitted they failed to share potentially critical information with Queensland police ahead of the attack. Other witnesses shared knowledge of digital black spots affecting communication, and inadequate police resources and training.
The higher-paying item was routinely billed by Dr Changs clinic after patients were given a single 0.25 mg tablet of alprazolam (Xanax) about half an hour beforehand. There was no anaesthetist, no monitoring and no assessment of whether the patient needed medication to tolerate the procedure or what their individual risks from taking the medication might be.

Sydney ophthalmologist Dr Andrew Chang performed delicate eye procedures such as intravitreal injections, where a fine needle is placed into the eye to inject or remove fluid. Two Medicare items applied: for procedures without anaesthetic services, and another, paying 60 to 70 per cent more, for procedures that required them.

When the insurer, Bupa, challenged the claims, the Federal Court (and subsequently the Court of Appeal) sided with the doctor. The dispute turned on a question of legal interpretation: what do the words requiring anaesthetic services mean?

The Federal Court took an expansive view  that any calming or sedating measure, in any dose, by any route, by any clinician, could count. That interpretation was wrong.

According to the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, anaesthesia means medication intended to produce sedation, regional or general anaesthesia, given by a qualified clinician to facilitate a procedure which would otherwise cause undue distress or discomfort if performed without the medication. A standing order for Xanax, offered to every patient without individual assessment, does not meet that test. Giving someone a low dose of Xanax before eye injections is like offering them a glass of wine before a dental filling  soothing, perhaps, but not analgesic and not necessarily required.

The problem was compounded by the absence of anyone in court who understood Medicare billing. Under Medicares own rules, a doctor cannot act as both surgeon and anaesthetist on the same claim. The system rejects such claims automatically with Code 171  Benefit not payable: provider may only act in one capacity. That safeguard exists because, clinically and legally, one person cannot fill both roles at once.

Had any billing expert provided evidence, the outcome might have been different. The court appeared persuaded that treating a patients pre-procedure anxiety was an anaesthetic service. But the MBS is not a guide to bedside manners; it is a schedule of laws that tie payment to specific, clinically defined actions. Equating a Xanax tablet with an anaesthetic is like saying dimming the lights is equivalent to performing laser surgery because both make a patient comfortable.
So, the acting chief executive and the State Library board are at war with the librarians. Again. This has been going on, in one shape or another, since about 1913. But this time, it feels as if a tipping point has been reached, or has even been passed. The issue now is whether the State Library is still a library. Or has it become something else?

It has certainly become a destination, with its own train station. But when you get off at State Library station, have you arrived at our great public library or just at a heritage building?

Changes at the State Library have prompted outcry from writers, researchers and librarians.

The banner-bedecked facade promotes exhibition spaces. The impression is confirmed by the phalanx of guides who greet you as you enter and the promotion of exclusive $39 tours. Little to suggest it might also be about books, reading and research.

What has brought out the hundreds of angry historians, researchers and writers is the library boards plan to redeploy a significant number of reference librarians. This follows an earlier reduction of their numbers. The purpose of the change, according to the plan, is to release more funds for the digital displays that attract visitors.
West Australian police believe a shooting at a Ballajura shop overnight and a building fire in Maddington on Thursday are linked to the forces crackdown on the illegal tobacco market.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch said there had been significant action taken against organised crime groups involved in the illicit trade, and we have taken out some key players who are currently in custody.

A store in Ballajura was peppered with bullets overnight in what WA Police believe is a retaliatory attack following a crackdown on the states illegal tobacco market. Credit: 9News Perth

A store in a shopping centre on Illawarra Crescent was peppered with bullets about 1.50am on Friday, police said, with the black-clad shooter fleeing towards Kingfisher Avenue.

A WA Police spokesman said detectives believed it was a targeted attack, and further inquiries suggested the shop had a link to illegal tobacco products.
There are a handful of weeks each year in which Parliament House becomes an arena for one of the nations great endurance sports. Senators slump in office chairs, wearily listening to their colleagues from across the political spectrum ask perfunctory questions of public servants and ministers late into the night.

But among the 14-hour days and grating voices of political enemies, there are brief moments of political theatre that MPs have learned can be spun into social media gold.

Senators held four weeks of estimates hearings over 2025. Credit: Monique Westermann

Sittings of Senate legislation committees, more commonly referred to as Senate estimates, were formalised in the Australian political system in the 1970s. But its only in the last term of government that the often banal question-and-answer sessions have been supercharged for their ability to show politicians in action.

In the final sitting of the year, Independent senator David Pocock gained 5000 followers on Instagram from a series of viral videos clipped from the proceedings.
Moderate Liberal Andrew Bragg, who defied Peter Dutton to support the Voice to parliament, will reignite a culture war when he calls for a major change to acknowledgments of country to also include Australias British and migrant history.

Bragg will draw on Indigenous intellectual Noel Pearsons notion of Australias three stories  Indigenous, British and postwar migrant  to argue for the change during a speech on Monday to the conservative Centre for Independent Studies, while he also lashes Labor for failing to move on from the Voice to parliament referendum defeat.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley with Senator Andrew Bragg in October. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Sometimes a welcome or an acknowledgment occurs without the national anthem or any other words, and so we only hear part of the rich Australian story, Bragg will say, according to a draft of his speech.

I worry we have lost a love of our country and this loss means trouble ahead for Australia. We need more to coalesce around. We need to do more to bring Australians together.
When asked about the arrests this week, the citys chief executive, John Lee, told a press conference that he would not tolerate any crimes that exploit the tragedy that we are facing now. Lee has promised that a judge-led committee will independently investigate the fire, amid suspicions that flammable foam and mesh used in the towers renovations accelerated the blaze, the fire alarms werent triggered, and residents complaints were brushed aside. The police have so far arrested 21 people. Of those, 15 are connected to construction companies undertaking renovations at the towers, and six are from the fire alarm installation contractor. Fire and rescue services worked for two days to extinguish the blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kongs Tai Po district. Credit: Daniel Ceng However, some critics have pointed out that this judge-led probe may not carry the same weight as a commission of inquiry, which has powers similar to a court and has in the past been the standard way of investigating fatal tragedies in Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, Beijings national security office in the city stepped up its aggressive warnings, taking aim at exiled Hongkongers and those who collaborated with hostile foreign forces, vowing they would be punished no matter how far away they might be. Melbourne-based academic and activist Kevin Yam, who has a $HK1 million ($194,000) bounty on his head from Hong Kong authorities, said people were being targeted for calling for similar things that survivors of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London called for. Loading Even while Hong Kong is still in mourning, both Beijing and Hong Kong decided to treat all calls for thorough investigation and accountability as national security threats, Yam said. Nathan Law, a former member of Hong Kongs Legislative Council now based in Britain, questioned whether the stifling of democracy had played a role in the fire, given that residents in the towers had repeatedly complained about the construction materials used in the renovations.

Questions would have been tabled in the legislative chamber, senior officials would have been summoned to meet with the concerned groups and explain the issues, Law wrote in Londons Telegraph. Independent media would conduct an investigative report, and the public need not worry about retribution for speaking out. The tightening control was visible in the precinct around the Wang Fuk Court site last week. An early target for authorities was a donations hub, which sprang up organically in a public square near the fire-destroyed towers in the Tai Po neighbourhood. People had come to volunteer after seeing callouts for support circulating on social media and Signal and WhatsApp groups  mobilisation efforts that echoed those used in the massive pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019. Dozens of Hong Kong police officers arrive to conduct a sweep of a pop-up donations hub near the Wang Fuk Court towers. A state-backed newspaper would later claim that pro-democracy activists were hijacking relief efforts. Credit: Daniel Ceng By Friday, two days after the fires began, the donations had flooded in. Several hundred people had amassed in the square, combing through boxes of clothing and goods, while volunteers handed out food, bedding, toiletries, and Chinese medicine. A rumour began circulating through the crowds that police were on their way.

Shortly before 6pm that day, about 40 police officers assembled at the housing precinct, marched up the stairs, and swept through the square as news reporters scrambled to record what appeared to be a heavy-handed crackdown on a wholesome community response. The police appeared to take no immediate action, but by morning the site had been disbanded. Its a sign of the times that something like this has become sensitive, Chen, a social worker who requested to use only her surname, said the next day. She had come to the site to pay tribute to the victims and offer her support services. Volunteers distributing clothes to affected residents before the donations hub was disbanded by police. Credit: Daniel Ceng Hongkongers are united, and that hasnt changed since 2019, she said.

State-backed newspaper Tai Kung Pao claimed that remnants of the black-clad rioters and pro-democracy activists mingled among the well-meaning citizens and police believed they were hijacking relief efforts to sow discord and carry out anti-China conspiracies. Police tents were soon erected where the donation stalls had stood. A migrant advocacy centre, which had popped up in the square to assist Indonesian and Filipino workers displaced by the fires, said they were asked to relocate after residents made noise complaints. Loading Even locals werent buying this. Dont believe what you hear, one elderly resident said. This place is always noisy, and residents are used to it. This is about government control.
SOFIA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's National Fish Fest was held here on Friday with the aim of promoting fish and fish products, as well as supporting local fishermen, producers and processors.

Cooking demonstrations featuring dishes such as baked fish and mussels with rice, along with stalls offering fresh, frozen and canned fish, were among the highlights of the outdoor event, held in the heart of Sofia near the Vasil Levski National Monument.

The festival, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, also featured demonstrations of traditional fishing crafts, film screenings, fish-processing competitions and activities for children.

Despite Bulgaria's access to the Black Sea and the Danube River, average per-capita fish consumption was only 7.0 kg in 2024, according to the National Statistical Institute.

Among the participants was 71-year-old Georgi Dimov, a third-generation fisherman from Burgas, Bulgaria's second-largest Black Sea city. Dimov showcased traditional fishing skills, including knitting and mending nets.

Fishing was the livelihood of his grandfather, father and himself, Dimov told Xinhua, but declining fish stocks have pushed the profession to the brink of extinction, he said. 
Washington: Failing mainstream conservative parties have no one but themselves to blame for the rise of far-right populists, former prime minister Tony Abbott has told a global audience, amid the resurgence of Pauline Hansons One Nation in Australia.

This masthead can also reveal that Abbott met privately with US Vice President JD Vance for about half an hour during his trip to Washington.

Former prime ministers Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd brandishing each others books while in Washington.

Addressing a global conference of centre-right political leaders, Abbott said voters in the Anglosphere were sick of conservatives who dont really know where they stand and what theyd do differently.

He cited recent losses by the Liberal-National Coalition in Australia and Canadas Conservative Party, as well as last years Tory drubbing in the United Kingdom.
Washington: United States lawmakers who watched classified footage of strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat have emerged with different interpretations of what occurred, but accept that War Secretary Pete Hegseth did not issue an order to kill everybody on the vessel.

The admiral in charge of the operation, Frank Mitch Bradley, and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Dan Caine briefed lawmakers on Thursday (Friday AEDT) amid serious concerns in Congress and among legal experts that the US had committed a war crime by firing upon survivors of the initial strike.

US Navy Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, left, and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Dan Caine arrive at Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers on Thursday. Credit: AP

It followed a report in The Washington Post alleging that Hegseth had instructed the admiral to kill everybody on board  a claim he strongly denied.

Both Democrats and Republicans said they accepted Caine and Bradleys evidence that no such order was given. However, they differed on their interpretations of the footage.
MOSCOW, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Bank of Russia will lift existing restrictions on overseas foreign currency transfers for Russian citizens and non-resident individuals from friendly countries starting Dec. 8, the central bank announced on Friday.

In a statement published on its website, the bank said the decision was made "in view of the stable situation in the foreign exchange market," allowing the regulator to remove the previously imposed limits on foreign-currency transfers abroad.

Currently, individuals are allowed to send no more than 10,000 U.S. dollars per month, or the equivalent in another foreign currency, through money transfer systems.

The central bank introduced the limits in March 2022 as part of temporary capital control measures aimed at stabilizing financial markets. 
This photo taken on Dec. 4, 2025 shows a high-level seminar held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Chinese, African Union (AU), and United Nations (UN) officials have called for further deepening China-Africa cooperation to build peace and common security in Africa and beyond. The appeal came at the seminar here on Thursday, discussing the China-initiated Global Security Initiative (GSI) under the theme "Working Together to Build a Common Security: China and Africa in Action." (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese, African Union (AU), and United Nations (UN) officials have called for further deepening China-Africa cooperation to build peace and common security in Africa and beyond.

The appeal came at a high-level seminar on Thursday at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, discussing the China-initiated Global Security Initiative (GSI) under the theme "Working Together to Build a Common Security: China and Africa in Action."

Speaking at the event, Wang Lixin, director general of the Department of Security Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, said China remains a steadfast companion to Africa in its modernization drive and in maintaining peace and security across the continent.

"China has sent the largest number of peacekeepers to the African continent among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and is the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts. From Mali to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, over 2,000 Chinese peacekeeping personnel are carrying out missions in various regions of Africa," she said.

Noting that the GSI has gained support from over 130 countries and international and regional organizations, Wang said China and African countries have worked hand in hand to implement it to enhance security and well-being for both peoples.

Moussa Mohamed Omar, deputy chief of staff in the Cabinet of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, said the GSI has incorporated the fundamental principles that international security cannot be sustainable without respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and sovereign equality of all states.

"It's obvious that all the security challenges on our continent are not local in nature. Terrorism, transnational crimes, illicit flow of weapons, and effects of climate change all transcend African borders. The common security vision, which is based on cooperation and promoted by the Global Security Initiative, finds a strong resonance with the African doctrine of African solutions to African problems," Omar said.

Jiang Feng, head of the Mission of China to the AU, said the GSI aims at addressing the global peace deficit, responding to international security challenges, and achieving enduring peace worldwide.

"The GSI advocates the commitments to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity, taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, which are deeply aligned with the agendas of the UN and the AU," Jiang said.

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, special representative of the UN secretary general to the AU and head of the UN Office to the AU, said the UN welcomes the GSI as part of a holistic vision to strengthen multilateralism across the world.

The seminar, attended by about 120 officials and scholars from China, the AU, and the UN, focused on implementing the GSI in Africa as part of efforts to build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future. 

Wang Lixin, director general of the Department of Security Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, speaks at a high-level seminar at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 4, 2025. Chinese, African Union (AU), and United Nations (UN) officials have called for further deepening China-Africa cooperation to build peace and common security in Africa and beyond.

The appeal came at the seminar here on Thursday, discussing the China-initiated Global Security Initiative (GSI) under the theme "Working Together to Build a Common Security: China and Africa in Action." (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

Jiang Feng, head of the Mission of China to the AU, speaks at a high-level seminar at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 4, 2025. Chinese, African Union (AU), and United Nations (UN) officials have called for further deepening China-Africa cooperation to build peace and common security in Africa and beyond.

The appeal came at the seminar here on Thursday, discussing the China-initiated Global Security Initiative (GSI) under the theme "Working Together to Build a Common Security: China and Africa in Action." (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, special representative of the UN secretary general to the AU and head of the UN Office to the AU, speaks at a high-level seminar at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Dec. 4, 2025. Chinese, African Union (AU), and United Nations (UN) officials have called for further deepening China-Africa cooperation to build peace and common security in Africa and beyond.

The appeal came at the seminar here on Thursday, discussing the China-initiated Global Security Initiative (GSI) under the theme "Working Together to Build a Common Security: China and Africa in Action." (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)
Ajanta Caves a heritage, must be preserved for generations: Gill descendant





CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR :

THE Ajanta cave complex is a heritage that must be cherished and preserved for generations to come, according to Kenneth Ducatel, the great-great-grandson of renowned photographer and painter Major Robert Gill, who had documented the caves for years. Robert Gill, a British army officer, was commissioned by the Royal Asiatic Society to create a pictorial record of the Ajanta cave murals in 1845-46. He lived in these ancient Buddhist monuments for decades to complete this task. Four of his paintings are preserved at the Victoria and Albert Museum of London, an official said. Kenneth arrived in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with Catharina, whom he married two months ago, and visited Ajanta Caves on Tuesday.

They went to Ellora, Bibi Ka Maqbara and Devgiri (Daultabad fort) on Wednesday. The couple is on a three-week tour of India, their guide Bharat Joshi told PTI. He visited the grave of Paro, who assisted Major Robert Gill in his work inside Ajanta caves in the 19th century, he added. In the visitors book at Ajanta Caves, Kenneth wrote, Safeguarding this magnificent treasure of the world is a great responsibility, and you are fulfilling it with exceptional passion and expertise. This heritage must be cherished and preserved for generations to come. Kenneth, who lives in Belgium after retiring from a government job there, said visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site was a long-held wish he has finally fulfilled.

While I was growing up, I knew that we had an Indian connection and one of my cousins did research and reached back to Robert Gill. Later, I went through his work and the four paintings preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum of London, he told PTI. Kind reception by the people here was overwhelming. I was speechless after seeing the caves. The cultural heritage here is very clear to see. It is also amazing that Major Robert Gill stayed in such a remote location (Ajanta) for so many years, he said. Recalling a photograph of Robert Hill in a suit, Kenneth said he wondered how his great-great-grandfather could survive in this heat with such clothing.

He had a love affair with India and Indians. Ajanta is something which you can visit many times. I will invite the rest of my family here, he said. When asked about his visit to Paros grave in Ajanta Village, he said there are many stories concerning Paro there. As far as I understand, Paro was a lady who understood how things worked in this area. She helped prepare colours (for Major Robert Gill). She was an unseen assistant but an important lady for Gill and Ajanta Caves, he said. About his visit to other monuments in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kenneth said, The cultural heritage here is very interesting. We were also surprised to see non-Indian visitors here. It deserves a bigger reputation than it has. According to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, Gill was the first painter, after the rediscovery of Ajanta Caves in 1819, to make extensive copies of the Buddhist cave paintings. His surviving copies and drawings remain significant in Ajanta studies as the originals have significantly deteriorated since his time.
...and the morons JUST keep coming n Sitabuldi height barrier broken again





This is the condition of the height barrier on the Sitabuldi flyover after a speeding truck hit it last night. Police reached the spot and arranged the barricades to prevent any further accidents.

Staff Reporter :

Two days ago, the Public Works Department (PWD) installed height barriers on both sides of the Sitabuldi flyover to prevent the entry of heavy vehicles. This time, the department had taken precautions and followed the suggestions of Traffic Police. Despite following all the instructions, a truck hit the barrier on the Freedom Park Square side on late Wednesday night. The hit was so intense that the barrier came down. This is sixth or seventh time that the height barrier was hit by a truck. This was not the first attempt where the truck hit the barrier. After immediate installation of the height barrier two days ago, a private travel bus driver tried to move the vehicle from under the height barrier installed at the Rahate Colony side of the flyover.

However, the crowd gathered at the spot compelled the driver to beat a hasty retreat. But last night, there was no one to stop the truck. This project is being handled by World Bank Unit of PWD. A few months ago, it had installed height barriers on both ends of the bridge. However, truck drivers ignored them and damaged the barriers on both sides. The High Court has taken suo motu cognisance and ordered the authorities to install height barriers. Accordingly, Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal asked PWD to do the procedure. The lights were put on the sign board. Secondly, both the entries--from Rahate Colony Chowk and from Freedom Park Square -- speed breaker was constructed. The lights were embossed on the board to make the driver understand that the vehicle cant enter the flyover.

The speed-breaker was constructed to compel a heavy vehicle to slow down so that driver could read the sign board. With the Winter Session of State Legislature beginning in Nagpur on December 8, the administration hurriedly installed speed breakers on both ends of the flyover and reinstalled height barriers. But last night, the driver of a truck, unable to control its speed, rammed into the barrier and completely smashed it. Looking at the condition of the barrier, it appears that the truck must have been at a very high speed, as the heavy iron structure is fully bent. It also indicates that vehicles passing through the city at night neither read the signboards nor reduce their speed while entering the flyover. The flyover is originally designed for light and medium vehicles.

According to engineering analysis and technical safety standards, the bridge cant bear the load of heavy trucks, containers, or large cargo carriers. Yet, such vehicles continue to use it freely day and night. The rule of speed limit (40) and prohibition to overtake too are not followed strictly. For some days in the past, police had conducted activity of checking speed of the vehicles with the help of a speed gun. Police have nabbed the violators and imposed fine. But that activity did not bring any curb on speedsters. Even the vehicles of senior police officers too dont follow the speed rules. Overtaking is rampant without the violators getting caught. Social worker Dr Pravin Dabli has demanded that the administration should find a permanent solution to this persistent problem. He stated that strict monitoring should be ensured and heavy fines should be imposed on vehicles violating the rules. Now, PWD has to install height barrier again. On the last occasion, it had gone through financial crunch due to which, the contractor concerned refused to accept the work.
Child marriages cause early maternity, suffering





NEW DELHI :

UNION Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Thursday said child marriage snatches childhood away from daughters and pushes them towards early maternity and unimaginable suffering. She was speaking at the launch of a 100-day Intensive Awareness Campaign for a Child Marriage Free Bharat, where she stressed that the country must adopt zero tolerance towards child marriage.

The Minister urged States, civil society groups, and community leaders to unite with an unwavering commitment to eliminate the practice. She said India had made historic progress, but that far more remained to be done. Even one child marriage is unacceptable for us, she said. Annapurna Devi traced the journey from the Sarda Act, 1929 to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, noting that the legal framework had become stronger over the decades, yet harmful social norms persisted. Child marriage is not just a violation of the law.

It takes away a daughters childhood and pushes her towards early maternity and unimaginable suffering, she said. She highlighted the improvements due to the Government initiatives such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, pointing to rising sex ratios and higher enrolment of girls in secondary and higher education. Today, our daughters are changing faster than ever before. Whether in sports, defence, mining or space, they are creating new history, the Minister noted.
City has entered new phase of steady devpt under CM





Staff Reporter :

STATE Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh on Tuesday inspected condition of all important squares of the city. Speaking on the occasion, he said Jabalpur has entered a new phase of steady development under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The city once known for complaints of neglect is now experiencing continuous progress.

Singh inspected Andhamukh Bypass Chowk, Adi Shankaracharya Chowk, Rani Avanti Bai Chowk (Dhanvantari Nagar), Medical Chowk (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose), Tripuri Chowk and Rampur Chowk. He examined traffic flow, present safety conditions and local requirements. Officials from the PWD and Jabalpur Municipal Corporation were also present on the occasion. Singh said the citys main entry points and major squares will be redesigned to reflect the identity and heritage of Sanskardhani.

Andhamukh Bypass Chowk will be developed as an attractive landmark with a replica of Bhedaghat, flowing water features, greenery and improved lighting. The State Minister said the aim is to create a welcoming view for anyone entering Jabalpur. Singh added that Rani Avanti Bai Chowk, Medical Chowk, Rampur Chowk and Tripuri Chowk will be upgraded with similar planning. Adi Shankaracharya Chowk will be redesigned with well planned landscaping, fountains and lighting.

While the installation of a statue is not possible due to regulatory limitations, symbolic elements representing Adi Shankaracharya will be incorporated. He also said that the development of other main routes, including Shastri Bridge Chowk and Kachhpura Bridge will be carried out to ensure a pleasant experience for commuters from the moment they enter the city. He said the main objective behind such exercise is to create roadways and junctions that are not only functional but visually associated with the citys cultural character. Municipal Commissioner Ramprakash Ahirwar and other officials were present during the inspection.
Free cataract surgery for citys Gujarati community on Dec 21







A free cataract surgery camp has been organised for Gujarati residents of Nagpur at Gujarat Bhavan on December 21, sponsored by late Mukundbhai Ved family. Last date of registration is December 19. To register, organisers have requested to contact the secretary of Shri Gujarati Samaj, Nagpur.
Heated debate on suppl budget, cough syrup case, crop damage





By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla :

ON THURSDAY, the third day of the Madhya Pradesh Assemblys Winter Session witnessed discussion on the supplementary budget, an exchange of heated arguments between ruling party and opposition leaders over compensation for crop damage to farmers in the State. Congress MLAs staged a walk out and the legislators staged an eye-catching protest as they came in attire of monkeys. Singhar alleged that monkeys are snatching jobs and disturbing the law and order situation in the State.

The first two days of the session, which began on Monday and Tuesday, saw considerable uproar in the House. Wednesday was a holiday due to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Outside the House, in a unique protest, Congress MLA Sunil Uikey arrived dressed as a monkey and carrying a razor, depicting the BJP government as a novice carrying a sharp tool (to run the state). As far as the serious business inside the house is concerned, there was a huge uproar over death due to cough syrup and the farmers losses due to the flood.

Till the filing of this report debate on the second supplementary budget presented on Tuesday by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda, was going on. The Rs 13,476.94 crore budget includes Rs 8,448.57 crore under the revenue head and Rs 5,028.37 crore under the capital head. Major allocations include the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ladli Bahna Scheme.

As per the details: Rs 4,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Rs 1,794 crore for the Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana (Women & Child Development) Rs 500 crore for the Bhavantar/flat rate scheme (Farmers Welfare & Agriculture Development). In response to a question posed by LOP Umang Singhar, the State Government admitted that 24 children have died in the State due to cough syrup (Coldrif) since September 4.

However, regarding fixing responsibility, the Government stated: The responsibility primarily lies with Srisan Pharma, based in Tamil Nadu, whose oversight was the responsibility of the Drugs Department of the Tamil Nadu Government. Congress MLA Babu Jhandewale said that during Question Hour, Farmers in Shivpuri district have not yet received compensation, despite the Governments announcement that they would be compensated at the rate of 16,000 rupees per hectare.

 The Revenue Minister said, All farmers have been compensated for their losses. Approximately Rs 200 crore has been paid. Dissatisfied with the ministers response, the Leader of the Opposition said, The estimate is Rs 5,000 crore, but so far only Rs 200 crore has been disbursed. Its a mere drop in the ocean. Farmers across the State are suffering. Why doesnt the Government talk about it today? Instead, its citing figures from the Congress government

 Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said, Your Government used to pay Rs 3,000 per hectare, but were paying Rs 16,000 per hectare. Another Congress legislature claimed, no compensation for excessive rainfall is being given to farmers. Congress MLA Satish Sikarwar raised the issue of farmers in Gwalior district suffering losses due to excessive rainfall, saying, Only three farmers were reported to have suffered losses due to excessive rainfall, but only Rs 15,000 compensation was given.

 Whereas a large number of farmers have suffered losses in several tehsils of the district. The Assembly Speaker said, There are established criteria for relief funds; if a farmer does not meet those criteria, he will not receive the relief amount. The supplementary budget of Rs 13,476 crore was discussed. 71 petitions were also presented in the House on the third day. Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said, There are Urdu teachers throughout the State, but in many places there are no Urdu students. The School Education Minister should conduct a state-wide review. Minister Uday Pratap Singh said that in Rajgarh district, there are 20 Urdu teachers in 15 schools, while the number of students is 200.

The minister said, Teachers will be removed from schools with zero students and sent to remote schools with Urdu students, where they will be retained for three years. Rationalisation is being done for teachers of all subjects, not just Urdu. Last year, approximately 20,000 teachers were relocated. In schools with fewer than 10 students, teachers will be relocated. Kailash Vijayvargiya spoke on allegations of altering questions: Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya raised the issue of allegations of changing questions in the Assembly, saying, Allegations have been made both inside and outside the House that members questions were changed.

This is a direct question on the Chair. This is highly objectionable, this practice is wrong. You are not performing your duties honestly and then questioning the entire system. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar said, This is Question Hour. If this issue needs to be debated, then a separate 10- minute time slot should be set aside. Assembly proceedings began with Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar congratulating everyone on Cheetah Day and said that this species is continuously increasing in Madhya Pradesh. The Assembly Speaker also congratulated everyone on the Navy Day
Heated debate on supplementary budget, cough syrup case, crop damage





By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla :

ON THURSDAY, the third day of the Madhya Pradesh Assemblys Winter Session witnessed discussion on the supplementary budget, an exchange of heated arguments between ruling party and opposition leaders over compensation for crop damage to farmers in the State. Congress MLAs staged a walk out and the legislators staged an eye-catching protest as they came in attire of monkeys.

Singhar alleged that monkeys are snatching jobs and disturbing the law and order situation in the State. The first two days of the session, which began on Monday and Tuesday, saw considerable uproar in the House. Wednesday was a holiday due to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Outside the House, in a unique protest, Congress MLA Sunil Uikey arrived dressed as a monkey and carrying a razor, depicting the BJP government as a novice carrying a sharp tool (to run the state).

As far as the serious business inside the house is concerned, there was a huge uproar over death due to cough syrup and the farmers losses due to the flood. Till the filing of this report debate on the second supplementary budget presented on Tuesday by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda, was going on. The Rs 13,476.94 crore budget includes Rs 8,448.57 crore under the revenue head and Rs 5,028.37 crore under the capital head. Major allocations include the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ladli Bahna Scheme. As per the details: Rs 4,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Rs 1,794 crore for the Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana (Women & Child Development) Rs 500 crore for the Bhavantar/flat rate scheme (Farmers Welfare & Agriculture Development).

In response to a question posed by LOP Umang Singhar, the State Government admitted that 24 children have died in the State due to cough syrup (Coldrif) since September 4. However, regarding fixing responsibility, the Government stated: The responsibility primarily lies with Srisan Pharma, based in Tamil Nadu, whose oversight was the responsibility of the Drugs Department of the Tamil Nadu Government. Congress MLA Babu Jhandewale said that during Question Hour, Farmers in Shivpuri district have not yet received compensation, despite the Governments announcement that they would be compensated at the rate of 16,000 rupees per hectare.

The Revenue Minister said, All farmers have been compensated for their losses. Approximately Rs 200 crore has been paid. Dissatisfied with the ministers response, the Leader of the Opposition said, The estimate is Rs 5,000 crore, but so far only Rs 200 crore has been disbursed. Its a mere drop in the ocean. Farmers across the State are suffering. Why doesnt the Government talk about it today? Instead, its citing figures from the Congress government

 Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said, Your Government used to pay Rs 3,000 per hectare, but were paying Rs 16,000 per hectare. Another Congress legislature claimed, no compensation for excessive rainfall is being given to farmers. Congress MLA Satish Sikarwar raised the issue of farmers in Gwalior district suffering losses due to excessive rainfall, saying, Only three farmers were reported to have suffered losses due to excessive rainfall, but only Rs 15,000 compensation was given. Whereas a large number of farmers have suffered losses in several tehsils of the district

 The Assembly Speaker said, There are established criteria for relief funds; if a farmer does not meet those criteria, he will not receive the relief amount. The supplementary budget of Rs 13,476 crore was discussed. 71 petitions were also presented in the House on the third day. Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said, There are Urdu teachers throughout the State, but in many places there are no Urdu students. The School Education Minister should conduct a state-wide review. Minister Uday Pratap Singh said that in Rajgarh district, there are 20 Urdu teachers in 15 schools, while the number of students is 200.

The minister said, Teachers will be removed from schools with zero students and sent to remote schools with Urdu students, where they will be retained for three years. Rationalisation is being done for teachers of all subjects, not just Urdu. Last year, approximately 20,000 teachers were relocated. In schools with fewer than 10 students, teachers will be relocated. Kailash Vijayvargiya spoke on allegations of altering questions: Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya raised the issue of allegations of changing questions in the Assembly, saying, Allegations have been made both inside and outside the House that members questions were changed.

This is a direct question on the Chair. This is highly objectionable, this practice is wrong. You are not performing your duties honestly and then questioning the entire system. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar said, This is Question Hour. If this issue needs to be debated, then a separate 10-minute time slot should be set aside.
Indian Navy synonymous with exceptional courage: PM





NEW DELHI :

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi extended Navy Day greetings to the force personnel on Thursday and said the Indian Navy is synonymous with exceptional courage and determination. Navy Day on December 4 serves as a reminder of the naval forces vital role during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The missile boats of the Indian Navy had launched a daring attack on the Karachi harbour as part of Operation Trident.

Navy Day greetings to all personnel of the Indian Navy. Our Navy is synonymous with exceptional courage and determination. They safeguard our shores and uphold our maritime interests. In the recent years, our Navy has focussed on self-reliance and modernisation. This has enhanced our security apparatus, Modi said in his post. He also recalled a recent occasion when he spent time with naval personnel on board INS Vikrant, Indias indigenous aircraft carrier.

I can never forget this years Diwali, which I spent with Naval personnel on board INS Vikrant. Wishing the Indian Navy the very best for their endeavours ahead, the Prime Minister said. INS Vikrant, frontline frigate INS Udaygiri, destroyer INS Kolkata and several other stateof-the-art naval platforms were part of an operational demonstration by the Navy off the coast of Keralas Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday evening. It was witnessed by President Droupadi Murmu.

Murmu, the supreme commander of the armed forces, attended the event on the Shangumugham beach as part of the Navy-Day celebrations, as the Navy showcased its maritime prowess and multidomain combat capabilities. In a post on X on Thursday, she extended greetings to the Indian Navy personnel, veterans and their families on Navy Day. Warm greetings to Indian Navy personnel, veterans and their families on Navy Day!

The nation salutes the brave men and women who safeguard our maritime borders and national interests with courage, vigilance and unwavering commitment. From securing trade routes and strengthening the blue economy to leading humanitarian missions, the Indian Navy embodies discipline, compassion and responsibility, the president said. Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also offered his greetings and reaffirmed the forces commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Indias maritime interests.

On occasion of #NavyDay2025 we renew our pledge to serve the Navy and the Nation with Duty, Honour and Courage, and continue to stand firm as a #CombatReady, #Credible, #Cohesive and #FutureReady #Aatmanirbhar Force committed to protecting and promoting Indias National Maritime Interests -- Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow -- Adm Dinesh K Tripathi #CNS & all personnel of #IndianNavy, he said.

In his address at the operational demonstration held a day ago, the admiral had said Navy Day is celebrated on December 4 each year to commemorate the daring and decisive attacks of the Indian Navy on and off the Karachi harbour during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The day also offers us an opportunity to pay homage to our brave warriors, whose courage and supreme sacrifice continue to inspire us in service of the Navy and the nation, he had said.

Navy Day is also about Indias rich maritime heritage -- a heritage that continues to shape our thinking and guide our course -- Admiral Tripathi had said. Taking to X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, On the occasion of Navy Day, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all personnel and families of the Indian Navy. As the largest resident naval power in the Indian Ocean, the Navy continues to uphold Indias maritime interests with valour, vigilance and commitment to Aatmanirbharta, and anchors Indias journey towards Viksit Bharat. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said warm greetings to the warriors of the Indian Navy on Navy Day 2025.

The Indian Navy is the citadel of our pride that stands on the ocean, bulwarking the nation from every threat with invincible valour and shielding our growth through maritime routes. The golden saga of patriotism they have scripted with ultimate sacrifice will inspire generations of warriors, HM Shah posted on X
Koradi to be tourist, religious hub with 157-ft Lord Hanuman statue





The 157-ft Lord Hanumans statue nearing completion

Staff Reporter :

Once completed, the statue will be the tallest human form idol of Lord Hanuman in the world

The city of Nagpur has been a centre of ideological guidance for millions of citizens in the country for decades. Now, the Government is making a concerted effort to make it a tourist and religious centre as well. The near complete, 157-foot tall Lord Hanuman statue, being constructed in the premises of Shree Mahalaxmi Jagdamba Mata Temple in Koradi, is a testament of these efforts. Part of the bigger Koradi Devasthan Redevelopment Plan, the statue will be the tallest human form idol of Lord Hanuman in the world. Currently, the record is held by the idol standing in Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

The structure is built to dominate both skyline and symbolism. The scale alone alters the visual identity of the region, but the intent is larger. Koradi is forcing its way onto the national religious map with a single, unambiguous statement of presence. The figure now stands above the forehead level, its final form already apparent. The height was not chosen casually. The project began with a plan of 151-foot height for the statue. That changed the moment it became clear that Solans 156-foot Hanuman already held the record. Koradi refused to settle for second place. The design was pushed to 157-foot, ensuring that the monument would not merely join the list of tall statues, but redefine the top position. Its placement adds force.

Set in the middle of Pond No 3 at the Shree Mahalaxmi Jagdamba Mandir complex, the figure rises from water, creating an immediate visual impact from every approach. The reflection will double its presence, turning an already massive form into a commanding axis across the temple grounds. Once the ponds landscaping and circulation pathways are complete, the entire precinct will operate as a single, consolidated visual field anchored by the idol. Pravin Likhankar, Chief Executive Officer, Shree Mahalakshmi Jagdamba Sansthan, Koradi informed that the date of inauguration will be decided once the statue and landscaping work is completed.

He estimated two to three months of time to complete the project. Responsibility for the project has been split for speed and clarity. Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) completed foundation and sub-structure work as part of pond redevelopment. Nagpur Metropolitan Region Development Authority (NMRDA) has led the construction of the statue itself, along with all finishes and visitor-movement systems. Execution is in the hands of Matu Ram Art Centre, a firm that has already delivered some of the countrys most recognised monumental religious figures.

The cost of the statue stands at Rs 11.5 crore, distinct from the larger Rs 214.94-crore redevelopment plan for the temple area. Once completed, the structure will function as the centrepiece of the broader redevelopment. It is designed to shift Koradi from a routine pilgrimage stop to a destination with national visibility. Height, setting, and form work together without subtlety or hesitation. The purpose is straightforward. To give Nagpur a monument that asserts scale, identity, and permanence.
Massive IT search sweep across 42 Raipurlocations targeting Hindustan Coil Group





Staff Reporter :

IN ONE of the largest tax enforcement drives conducted in Chhattisgarh in recent years, income tax investigators launched a coordinated predawn search and seizure operation across Raipur on Thursday, targeting the extensive industrial, residential and financial footprint of the Hindustan Coil Group and its associated sponge iron and coil businesses. The action spanned major industrial belts and premium residential zones, triggering a day-long mobilisation of resources rarely seen in the states tax enforcement history.

Informed senior officials in the Income Tax Investigation Wing, speaking to The Hitavada on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the operation centred on the business interests of group owners Arvind Agrawal, Vikas Agrawal and Vipin Agrawal, along with linked entities including Om Sponge, Devi Sponge and several allied ventures. Teams arrived simultaneously at more than 42 locations covering factories, corporate offices and upscale residences.

Sources stated that the overall operation was supervised at the apex level by K Ravi Kiran, Principal Director of Income Tax (PDIT), Investigation Wing, Chhattisgarh, a 1996-batch IRS officer. The field-level command was held by Joint Director Income Tax (JDIT) Bharat Shegaonkar, IRS (2013 batch), while Naval Jain, IRS (2020 batch), served as the conducting Deputy Director of Income Tax (DDIT) leading the coordinated deployment of investigation teams across the capital.

By early morning, tax officers had secured 10 major industrial facilities in the Siltara Industrial Estate, Urla Industrial Area and Tilda region. Residential and corporate premises spread across high-value locations were also covered. The breadth of the operation required reinforcement from about 150 CRPF personnel, who maintained strict perimeter security and ensured uninterrupted access for the search teams. Nearly 40 tax officers were mobilised from Raipur, Bhilai, Durg and Jagdalpur, supported by investigation staff from Indore, Bhopal and Jabalpur.

According to officials, the multi-state composition reflected the expected complexity of financial trails tied to the groups operations. Two cyber forensic teams from Mumbai and Kolkata were deployed to clone large volumes of digital material. Devices examined included laptops, desktops, servers, mobile phones and multiple storage units seized across business and residential premises.

Officials described the scale of digital content as extensive, requiring continuous extraction and preservation for subsequent forensic and financial analysis. According to sources, the opening day of the operation revealed several lockers in nationalised and private banks linked to the Hindustan Coil Group and its associates. Only a few could be opened on Thursday, yielding investment papers, asset schedules and documents pointing to significant immovable property holdings. Certified valuers associated with the department have been tasked with estimating investment values and cross-verifying disclosures.

Unaccounted cash, gold and other valuables were also found at certain locations, with quantification underway in line with procedures outlined in the Income Tax Act. Officials said assessment of movable and immovable assets would form a critical part of the post-search scrutiny phase. The business group had been under financial surveillance for several months after the Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU-IND) flagged transaction patterns considered inconsistent with disclosed income streams.

These alerts formed the basis of structured internal analysis that preceded Thursdays coordinated action. With the breadth of information gathered, officials indicated that the search and seizure operation is likely to continue for at least the next 48 hours as teams document, secure and analyse the widening evidentiary trail.
Nazrin Abdul



Ensuring safe working conditions for citizens remains a key priority, said Kubanichbek Omuraliyev, Secretary-General of the Turkic States Organization (OTS), during the first meeting of OTS Ministers of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection held today in Baku, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the event, Omuraliyev highlighted the significance of the meeting, which is hosted under Azerbaijans chairmanship:

"The Turkic world, with a population of 175 million, possesses significant economic potential. In 2024, our combined GDP is expected to exceed $2.1 trillion. These figures reflect the dynamism of our region and the growing social activity."

He added that fostering cooperation is essential to channel this economic dynamism for the benefit of the Turkic world:

"Integrating the Turkic world across all sectors is a key priority. Sustainable economic growth is impossible without a strong labor market and systems that protect the welfare of our people."
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and the French Republic issued a joint statement on cooperation in addressing global climate and environmental challenges on Friday.

Full text: Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the French Republic on Cooperation in Addressing Global Climate and Environmental Challenges
Modi breaks protocolto receive friend Putin





NEW DELHI :

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night kickstarted a nearly 27-hour visit to India to further shore up a nearly eight-decade bilateral partnership that remained in firm footing notwithstanding fractious geopolitical environment and tensions. In reflection of the importance India attached to the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol and received Putin at New Delhis Palam airport with a hug and accorded him a warm welcome to India after a gap of four years.

The two leaders warmly hugged and greeted each other before leaving the airport together in the same vehicle. They also briefly watched and applauded a cultural performance as part of the welcome ceremony. The two leaders left the airport in the same car, nearly three months after they travelled together on a vehicle in the Chinese city of Tianjin following the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Lok Kalyan Marg was decked up with India-Russia flags and special lighting on Thursday evening as Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Vladimir Putin inside his official residence for a private dinner, shortly after the Russian President landed in New Delhi for a twoday State Visit. Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people, PM Modi posted on X along with his photographs with Putin.

In July 2024, Putin had also hosted PM Modi at his official residence in Moscows NovoOgaryovo. New Delhi has been lined with banners welcoming the Russian leader, marking the beginning of an engagement that carries significant diplomatic weight. The conversation between the two leaders is expected to set the tone for the 23rd India-Russia summit talks on Friday that is expected to produce a number of key outcomes.

Boosting defence ties, insulating India-Russia trade from external pressure and exploring cooperation in small modular reactors are set to be the focus of the summit meeting between the two leaders that is expected to be closely watched by Western capitals. The Russian leaders visit to New Delhi has assumed greater significance as it is taking place against the backdrop of rapid downturn in India-US relations. Following the summit, the two sides are expected to seal several agreements including in areas of trade.

On Friday morning, Putin will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan before the summit. Modi also hosted a working lunch for the Russian leader and his delegation at Hyderabad House, the venue for the summit. Putin will also visit Rajghat in the morning, according to people familiar with the matter. After the summit, Putin is set to launch the new India channel of Russian state-run broadcaster, following which he will attend a state banquet to be hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu.

The Russian leader is expected to leave India around 9 PM on Friday. In the summit talks, New Delhi is expected to press for addressing the increasing trade deficit caused by Indias procurement of large volumes of Russian crude oil. The Russian Presidents trip to India is taking place at a time when India-US relations are going through possibly the worst phase in the last two decades after Washington imposed a whopping 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including 25 per cent levies for New Delhis procurement of Russian crude oil.

The impact of American sanctions on Indias procurement of Russian crude oil is likely to be discussed at the summit. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said New Delhis purchase of crude oil from Russia may decline for a brief period in view of Western sanctions, but, at the same time, he said Moscow is taking steps to enhance the supplies.

At the summit, Putin is expected to apprise Modi about the latest US efforts to bring an end to the Ukraine conflict. India has been consistently maintaining that dialogue and diplomacy is the only way forward to end the war. Following the Modi-Putin talks, the two sides are expected to ink a plethora of agreements, including one on facilitating the movement of Indian workers to Russia, and another on logistical support under a broader framework of defence cooperation.

It is learnt that under the trade basket, Indian exports to Russia are expected to significantly increase in areas of pharma, agriculture, food products and consumer goods. The move comes amid concerns in New Delhi over a ballooning trade deficit in favour of Russia. Indias annual procurement of goods and services from Russia amounts to around USD 65 billion, while Russias imports from India stand at around USD 5 billion
No fluke, this !





THE deadly Asian floods are no fluke, insist climate scientists; those are the outcome of a continued rise in global temperature, they tell us. Extremely strong floods and insanely intense storms in South-East Asia, in a way, may have their roots in human failing in keeping intact the sanity and sanctity of the global environment, as we may surmise. And of course, scientists and humanitarian thinkers also have been warning us against such dangerous possibilities, not for now but for the past several decades.

That the modern-day human community has refused to learn the right lessons from those warnings, of course, is another part of the sad story of how the global community has caused many a natural disaster on account of its own neglect of the word of caution coming from science. And this has been happening in an age where science is supposed to be the secular religion of the mankind ! We are supposed to be the members of a knowledge society and ardent followers of precepts of science. Yet, when it comes to protecting and preserving the environment, all of us appear to have signed a joint Memorandum of (Mis)Understanding to keep messing up the ecology and environment. The deadly South-East Asian floods are obviously an outcome of the neglect of warnings stemming from science. Even as we all suffer from those deadly floods and intense and punishing storms, we still show no inclination to listen to a word of caution from science.

So terrible is this neglect of the wise word the so-called developmentalists even gather the raw courage to describe the scientific warnings are an anti-developmental narrative aimed at messing up the efforts of large human community to attain higher levels of growth. So, the glaciers are melting, the mountain-peaks are registering warmer temperatures, the seas are rising, animal kingdom is disturbed and haunted by fear of extinction, plant kingdom is fast losing its greenness, foods are becoming less and less tastier, milk is losing the cream and the ghee its smooth charm ... ! As all these happen, Asian continent suffers from bigger and deadlier floods -- a gift of declining quality of ecology and environment to the global south because of its geographical peculiarities. South-East Asia should brace for a likely continuation and potential worsening of extreme weather in 2026 and for many years immediately following that, warns Ms. Jemilah Mahmood who leads the Kuala Lumpur think-tank Sunway Centre for Planetary Health. Such warnings are not heeded in general, and the human community continues with its deep mining of land and mountains and seas, and senseless and brazen felling of jungles across the continent, and countries like Sri Lanka, for example, end up having to fend for a 7 billion-dollar loss due to devastation because of floods. These figures have surfaced after an initial assessment of only one country. But then, South-East Asia saw extreme foods in several other countries where the losses could be in the same range as those were in Sri Lanka. When these realities rise from the ground soon after the recent COP30 in Brazil, the fraudulence in human commitment to protecting the ecology and environment comes to the fore menacingly.

Most nations -- we must say -- only cheat on one another about their parts of climate goals, and continue to indulge in demonic politics aimed at protecting their own tools ecological devastation and forcing others to give theirs. These universal double-standards are the actual root-causes of the climate disaster the global human community is facing now -- thanks to the new religion of cheating and lie-telling on climate issues by most nations around the globe. When corridors of powers are inhabited by liars on climate commitment, the world has to suffer from the dangerous after-effects -- warning or no warning by anybody. So, We The People of the World cause floods -- which are no fluke !
Shock Security Breach: SANDALWOODtree cut inside MP Assembly Complex







Staff Reporter :

A MAJOR incident challenging the security arrangements of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly complex emerged on Thursday morning, right as the Winter Session was underway. Unidentified miscreants not only gained entry into the Vidhan Sabha premises but also cut down a sandalwood tree from the parking area and attempted to damage two others. This attempt to saw and steal sandalwood inside the Assembly complex, which has a heavy security deployment, raises serious questions about the security of the premises.

According to reports, when the Vidhan Sabha staff and officials arrived at the complex on Thursday morning, they were shocked to find a fully sawn sandalwood tree in the parking area. Furthermore, staff discovered saw marks on two other sandalwood trees planted inside the complex, indicating that the miscreants had attempted to cut those down as well. Police officials stated that the CCTV footage of the Vidhan Sabha complex is being thoroughly examined to identify the suspects.

As part of the investigation, the security personnel deployed in the area are also being questioned. ACP Manish Bhardwaj confirmed that the police received information about a sandalwood tree being cut down inside the Vidhan Sabha complex. A detailed investigation is underway, and a special team has been formed to trace the accused. He stated that the CCTV footage is being intensively checked, and people present inside the premises will also be questioned. This is not the first case of sandalwood theft in the city.

The continuous incidents point towards the presence of an active sandalwood Mafia operating in Bhopal:November 17th Theft: Previously, on November 17th, a sandalwood tree was stolen from outside the DFO office in the VVIP area of 74 Bungalows. Approximately five days ago, three sandalwood trees were also felled inside the Gufa Mandir complex in the Koh-e-Fiza area.
Sonia urges Govt to take action to tackle air pollution in Delhi as Oppn protests





NEW DELHI :

LEADERS of various Opposition parties on Thursday staged a protest in Parliament complex over the issue of air pollution in the national capital, with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi asking the Government to take action. Carrying placards, leaders of various parties raised slogans outside the Makar Dwar of Parliament asking the Prime Minister to stop making statements and fix the problem. Some of the MPs also wore masks at the protest to highlight the problem of air pollution.

They also carried a big banner that said mausam ka mazaa lijiye (Enjoy the weather) carrying a picture of the prime minister, who had made these remarks at the start of the Winter session of Parliament. Protesting MPs of various parties also raised slogans against the government demanding action to tackle air pollution and carried posters that read - Make polluters pay, not citizens, Air quality - action now, Dont choke our future, Clean air is a right, not a luxury. It is the governments responsibility to do something as children are dying. Old people like me are also finding it difficult, Sonia Gandhi told reporters after participating in the protest. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was among the opposition leaders present at the protest.

Our question on polluted air  ...Why does everyone in this city seem troubled. Modi jis response  Enjoy the weather. Our protest in Parliament against the BJPs indifference towards poisonous air, Kharge said in a post on X later while sharing a video of the protest. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said she has been demanding a discussion and concrete action on the issue which was not political. Air pollution is not a political issue. The government should take concrete action, we are all with it, she said, adding that people are suffering. Taking a dig at the Prime Minister for saying enjoy the weather, she said, In Delhi, children and the elderly are unable to breathe. Every year the situation worsens, but the government takes no concrete steps, only issuing statements. The government should take steps against pollution, we all stand together, she said. Delhi has been battling poor air quality post Diwali.
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged Japan to meet its obligations as a defeated country in World War II, stop challenging the post-war international order, and refrain from sabotaging peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press conference commenting on the Japanese government's recent approval of an increased defense expenditure and its negotiations with the Philippines on the export of a Japanese missile.

Jiang criticized Japan for repeatedly breaching its commitments under the pacifist Constitution, substantially increasing its defense budget, pushing for the export of lethal weapons, and seeking to revise its three non-nuclear principles in recent years.

"As it quickened the pace of loosening restrictions on military development, Japan's militarism is poised to make a comeback," he said.

Jiang also slammed Japan for its lack of proactive efforts that has severely delayed the overall disposal process of chemical weapons it had abandoned in China during its period of aggression.

During the war of aggression against China, in blatant violation of international law, Japanese militarists used a large number of chemical weapons, causing over 200,000 Chinese military and civilian casualties, he said.

To cover up its crime after being defeated, the Japanese side abandoned a large number of chemical weapons on Chinese territory, poisoning over 2,000 people, Jiang said, adding that these chemical weapons continue to jeopardize the safety of Chinese people's life and property and harm the environment.

China requests Japan to make all-out efforts to expedite the disposal process, collect and provide information about the abandoned chemical weapons for the Chinese side in a timely manner, fully assist Chinese in leads search and identification, and shoulder its responsibility in the treatment of polluted water and soil, he said. 
BEIRUT, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told a visiting UN Security Council delegation on Friday that international support is essential for his country to secure its borders and maintain stability.

During their meeting, Aoun said Lebanon considers cooperation with international partners vital to safeguarding the country's south, particularly in light of ongoing tensions with Israel.

The UN delegation's visit came as Lebanese and Israeli representatives held their first direct talks in decades earlier this week.

Aoun told the delegation that Lebanon has adopted negotiations as its strategic approach, noting that the talks aim to stop Israeli hostilities, secure the release of detainees, arrange Israel's withdrawal from occupied areas, and clarify disputed points along the Blue Line.

"The path of dialogue is final and serves Lebanon's national interest," he said, adding that the outcome depends largely on Israel's posture.

According to the president, Lebanon welcomes the continued stationing of foreign forces in southern Lebanon after the UN peacekeeping mandate concludes in 2027.

"Lebanon is open to any country willing to keep part of its forces in the south to assist the army once the UN Interim Force in Lebanon's mission concludes," he added.

A ceasefire agreement between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, largely ending their clashes that erupted after the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, saying they are aimed at removing Hezbollah "threats," and it has maintained forces at five main points in the Lebanese border area. 
GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms:

12/4/2025  GE Aerospace is now covered by analysts at Susquehanna. They set a positive rating and a $350.00 price target on the stock.

11/22/2025  GE Aerospace was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating.

11/18/2025  GE Aerospace was upgraded by analysts at BNP Paribas to a strong sell rating.

11/18/2025  GE Aerospace is now covered by analysts at BNP Paribas Exane. They set an underperform rating on the stock.

10/27/2025  GE Aerospace had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein.

10/27/2025  GE Aerospace had its price target raised by analysts at Bank of America Corporation from $310.00 to $365.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

10/27/2025  GE Aerospace had its price target raised by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $275.00 to $325.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

10/25/2025  GE Aerospace was upgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating.

10/22/2025  GE Aerospace was given a new $366.00 price target on by analysts at UBS Group AG. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

10/17/2025  GE Aerospace had its price target raised by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $300.00 to $340.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

10/15/2025  GE Aerospace had its price target raised by analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein from $343.00 to $374.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

10/10/2025  GE Aerospace had its price target raised by analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from $271.00 to $305.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

10/9/2025  GE Aerospace had its price target raised by analysts at Wolfe Research from $280.00 to $330.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

10/8/2025  GE Aerospace had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft. They now have a $350.00 price target on the stock.

10/8/2025  GE Aerospace had its buy (b) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

10/7/2025  GE Aerospace had its price target raised by analysts at TD Cowen from $300.00 to $330.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

GE Aerospace Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 29th were given a dividend of $0.36 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 29th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. GE Aerospaces payout ratio is currently 19.23%.

Insider Activity at GE Aerospace

In related news, SVP Russell Stokes sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.71, for a total value of $2,381,680.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 150,434 shares in the company, valued at $44,785,706.14. This represents a 5.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

GE Aerospace (also known as General Electric) is a company that specializes in providing aerospace products and services. It operates through two reportable segments: Commercial Engines and Services and Defense and Propulsion Technologies. It offers jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft.

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Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM  Get Free Report) and Minco Capital (OTCMKTS:MGHCF  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, risk and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Agnico Eagle Mines and Minco Capitals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Agnico Eagle Mines 32.62% 15.64% 11.08% Minco Capital N/A 29.89% 28.97%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

68.3% of Agnico Eagle Mines shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of Agnico Eagle Mines shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Agnico Eagle Mines $8.29 billion 10.39 $1.90 billion $6.85 25.06 Minco Capital N/A N/A -$290,000.00 $0.02 2.42

This table compares Agnico Eagle Mines and Minco Capitals gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Agnico Eagle Mines has higher revenue and earnings than Minco Capital. Minco Capital is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Agnico Eagle Mines, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Risk & Volatility

Agnico Eagle Mines has a beta of 0.64, meaning that its stock price is 36% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Minco Capital has a beta of 0.1, meaning that its stock price is 90% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Agnico Eagle Mines and Minco Capital, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Agnico Eagle Mines 0 3 9 5 3.12 Minco Capital 0 0 0 0 0.00

Agnico Eagle Mines currently has a consensus price target of $185.50, suggesting a potential upside of 8.07%. Given Agnico Eagle Mines stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Agnico Eagle Mines is more favorable than Minco Capital.

Summary

Agnico Eagle Mines beats Minco Capital on 12 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Agnico Eagle Mines

(Get Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited was incorporated in 1953 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About Minco Capital

(Get Free Report)

Minco Capital Corp., an investment company, focuses on investing in public and private companies and assets to generate income and achieve long-term capital appreciation. The company was formerly known as Minco Gold Corporation and changed its name to Minco Capital Corp. in February 2019. Minco Capital Corp. was incorporated in 1982 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, December 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be given a dividend of 0.125 per share by the apparel retailer on Friday, January 23rd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th.

American Eagle Outfitters has decreased its dividend by an average of 0.0%per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 2 years. American Eagle Outfitters has a payout ratio of 38.2% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect American Eagle Outfitters to earn $1.80 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.50 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 27.8%.

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American Eagle Outfitters Trading Up 1.2%

Shares of NYSE:AEO opened at $24.25 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.11 billion, a PE ratio of 20.91 and a beta of 1.44. American Eagle Outfitters has a 1 year low of $9.27 and a 1 year high of $24.66. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $17.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.14.

American Eagle Outfitters Company Profile

American Eagle Outfitters ( NYSE:AEO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 2nd. The apparel retailer reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $1.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.32 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 13.82% and a net margin of 3.90%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.48 earnings per share. Analysts expect that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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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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Shares of Avolta AG  Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:DUFRY  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $5.62, but opened at $5.85. Avolta shares last traded at $5.85, with a volume of 122 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Avolta from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Strong Buy.

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Avolta Price Performance

About Avolta

The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85. The firms fifty day moving average is $5.31 and its 200-day moving average is $5.40.

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Avolta AG operates as a travel retailer. The companys retail brands include general travel retail shops under the Dufry, World Duty Free, Nuance, Hellenic Duty Free, Zurich Duty-Free or Stockholm Duty-Free, Autogrill, and HMSHost brands; Dufry shopping stores; brand boutiques; convenience stores primarily under the Hudson brand; and specialized shops and theme stores.

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Balfour Beatty (LON:BBY  Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 650 to GBX 715 in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Digital Look reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts target price points to a potential upside of 1.13% from the stocks previous close.

Separately, Berenberg Bank boosted their target price on shares of Balfour Beatty from GBX 660 to GBX 710 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Balfour Beatty presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 712.50.

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Balfour Beatty Stock Performance

About Balfour Beatty

LON:BBY traded down GBX 14.50 on Thursday, hitting GBX 707. The stock had a trading volume of 1,932,802 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,570,128. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 666.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 587.66. The stock has a market cap of 3.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 0.81. Balfour Beatty has a 52-week low of GBX 365.80 and a 52-week high of GBX 732.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 79.85.

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Balfour Beatty is a leading international infrastructure group. With 26,000 employees across the UK, US and Hong Kong, were leading the transformation of our industry to meet the challenges of the future.

Trusted by our customers to deliver sustainable solutions and strengthen communities, we finance, develop, build, maintain and operate the increasingly complex and critical infrastructure that supports national economies and deliver projects at the heart of local communities.

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Bank Of Montreal (NYSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (TSE:BMO) released its earnings results on Thursday. The bank reported $2.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.16 by $0.20, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $6.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.51 billion. Bank Of Montreal had a net margin of 11.00% and a return on equity of 10.57%. The businesss revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.90 EPS.

Bank Of Montreal Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of BMO stock opened at $126.66 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $90.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.95. Bank Of Montreal has a fifty-two week low of $85.40 and a fifty-two week high of $131.36. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $125.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $118.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

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Bank Of Montreal Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be issued a $1.67 dividend. This represents a $6.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.3%. This is a positive change from Bank Of Montreals previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 30th. Bank Of Montreals dividend payout ratio is currently 57.28%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Bank Of Montreal by 4.0% during the third quarter. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,619 shares of the banks stock worth $341,000 after buying an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 12,364 shares of the banks stock worth $1,368,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 466.7% during the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 238 shares of the banks stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners Ltd. raised its position in shares of Bank Of Montreal by 0.9% in the second quarter. Ewing Morris & Co. Investment Partners Ltd. now owns 26,888 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,974,000 after buying an additional 241 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new position in shares of Bank Of Montreal during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 45.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BMO has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group reissued a neutral rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Natl Bk Canada cut Bank Of Montreal from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. National Bankshares reissued an outperform rating on shares of Bank Of Montreal in a research note on Friday, August 15th. CIBC upgraded Bank Of Montreal from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered Bank Of Montreal from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $168.00 to $163.00 in a report on Friday, October 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $163.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bank Of Montreal

About Bank Of Montreal

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

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Barrick Mining (NYSE:B  Get Free Report) (TSE:ABX) was upgraded by investment analysts at BNP Paribas Exane from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Finviz reports. The firm presently has a $50.00 price objective on the gold and copper producers stock. BNP Paribas Exanes price target suggests a potential upside of 22.25% from the companys current price.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on shares of Barrick Mining from $40.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Barrick Mining in a research report on Monday. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating on shares of Barrick Mining in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Barrick Mining to a neutral rating and set a $50.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded Barrick Mining from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $46.45.

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Barrick Mining Trading Up 1.0%

NYSE B opened at $40.90 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $35.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.46. Barrick Mining has a 12 month low of $15.11 and a 12 month high of $43.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.02 billion, a PE ratio of 19.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 0.40. The company has a current ratio of 2.94, a quick ratio of 2.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

Barrick Mining (NYSE:B  Get Free Report) (TSE:ABX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The gold and copper producer reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.20 billion. Barrick Mining had a return on equity of 9.48% and a net margin of 24.53%.The firms revenue was up 23.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.09 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Barrick Mining will post 1.47 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Barrick Mining

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in B. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in shares of Barrick Mining by 298.8% in the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 8,611 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $167,000 after buying an additional 6,452 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Barrick Mining by 32.4% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 25,426 shares of the gold and copper producers stock worth $494,000 after acquiring an additional 6,228 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new position in Barrick Mining in the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Barrick Mining by 0.7% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 68,861,295 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $1,337,012,000 after acquiring an additional 502,762 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Barrick Mining by 1.4% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,144,340 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $99,867,000 after acquiring an additional 70,623 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.82% of the companys stock.

Barrick Mining Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

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Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) had its price target reduced by BNP Paribas Exane from $58.00 to $56.00 in a research report issued on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the natural resource companys stock. BNP Paribas Exanes price objective suggests a potential upside of 22.70% from the companys previous close.

FCX has been the subject of a number of other research reports. CICC Research decreased their target price on Freeport-McMoRan from $51.60 to $42.30 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 26th. HSBC dropped their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Johnson Rice dropped their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $55.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $47.30.

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Freeport-McMoRan Trading Up 2.3%

NYSE:FCX opened at $45.64 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.49. Freeport-McMoRan has a 52 week low of $27.66 and a 52 week high of $49.12. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 2.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a fifty day moving average of $40.98 and a 200 day moving average of $42.12.

Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $6.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.74 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 7.97% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.38 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Freeport-McMoRan will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Freeport-McMoRan

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Allworth Financial LP increased its stake in Freeport-McMoRan by 14.4% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 26,167 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $1,026,000 after purchasing an additional 3,302 shares in the last quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald L. P. bought a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,883,000. Strategic Advocates LLC increased its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 5.8% during the third quarter. Strategic Advocates LLC now owns 18,184 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $713,000 after acquiring an additional 993 shares in the last quarter. Oarsman Capital Inc. raised its holdings in Freeport-McMoRan by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. Oarsman Capital Inc. now owns 52,211 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $2,048,000 after acquiring an additional 2,405 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Danske Bank A S bought a new position in Freeport-McMoRan in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $652,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.77% of the companys stock.

About Freeport-McMoRan

(Get Free Report)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

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Shares of Brave Bison Group plc (LON:BBSN  Get Free Report) dropped 1.9% on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 72 and last traded at GBX 72.10. Approximately 712,641 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 235% from the average daily volume of 213,023 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 73.50.

Brave Bison Group Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of 73.74 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.06 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 81.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 69.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.71.

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Brave Bison Group (LON:BBSN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 11th. The company reported GBX 2.80 EPS for the quarter. Brave Bison Group had a net margin of 14.06% and a return on equity of 25.03%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Brave Bison Group plc will post 0.2748756 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Brave Bison Group

A world where complexity is the only constant demands a new breed of company.

Brave Bison is a different beast: a media, marketing and technology company purpose built for the digital era.

With four specialist practicesBrave Bison Performance, Brave Bison Commerce, SocialChain and our own media networkwe help some of the worlds most ambitious brands and businesses capitalise on complexity from trend to spend.

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Brown Advisory Inc. decreased its holdings in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 6.8% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,289,500 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 93,415 shares during the quarter. Brown Advisory Inc.s holdings in TJX Companies were worth $159,240,000 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. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in TJX Companies by 121.1% in the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management lifted its stake in TJX Companies by 4,485.7% during the 1st quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 321 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Maseco LLP purchased a new position in TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter worth $43,000. 91.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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TJX Companies Stock Up 0.1%

TJX Companies stock opened at $150.26 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $145.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $135.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $112.10 and a twelve month high of $154.66. The company has a market capitalization of $166.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.17, a P/E/G ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.76.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 58.30%. The company 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 firm posted $1.14 EPS. TJX Companiess revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th were issued a $0.425 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.53%.

Insider Transactions at TJX Companies

In other news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of TJX Companies 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 510,780 shares in the company, valued at $77,286,121.80. This trade represents a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the sale, the director owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at $3,362,896.80. The trade was a 2.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366 over the last 90 days. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on TJX shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of TJX Companies from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Erste Group Bank initiated coverage on TJX Companies in a research note on Friday, September 5th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on TJX Companies from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, TJX Companies has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $160.37.

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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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report).

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TRIPOLI, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A key coastal highway running through Libya's city of Zawiya, about 60 km west of the capital Tripoli, was completely shut down on Thursday evening following an exchange of fire between local armed groups, local media reported.

According to Al-Masar television channel, fighters from the 103rd Infantry Battalion, also known as "Al-Silaa," faced off against forces from Zawiya's First Support Force.

No information has been reported regarding casualties, and no official statements have been issued on the cause of the confrontation. 
Shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:ELPC  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 3,061 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 20% from the previous sessions volume of 2,544 shares.The stock last traded at $10.30 and had previously closed at $10.13.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel has a consensus rating of Hold.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $11.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.43 and a beta of -0.02. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $9.50 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $8.68.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel (NYSE:ELPC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $6.81 billion during the quarter.

Institutional Trading of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel stock. Allworth Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:ELPC  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 3,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $28,000.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia  Copel Company Profile

(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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Deutsche Lufthansa (OTCMKTS:DLAKY  Get Free Report) and Corporacion America Airports (NYSE:CAAP  Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Deutsche Lufthansa and Corporacion America Airportss gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Deutsche Lufthansa $40.67 billion 0.28 $1.49 billion $1.61 5.93 Corporacion America Airports $1.84 billion 2.30 $282.67 million $1.10 23.63

Profitability

Deutsche Lufthansa has higher revenue and earnings than Corporacion America Airports. Deutsche Lufthansa is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Corporacion America Airports, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares Deutsche Lufthansa and Corporacion America Airports net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Deutsche Lufthansa 4.45% 15.73% 3.59% Corporacion America Airports 9.39% 11.64% 4.20%

Volatility & Risk

Deutsche Lufthansa has a beta of 0.89, meaning that its stock price is 11% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Corporacion America Airports has a beta of 0.81, meaning that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Deutsche Lufthansa and Corporacion America Airports, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Deutsche Lufthansa 1 5 0 0 1.83 Corporacion America Airports 1 0 5 0 2.67

Corporacion America Airports has a consensus target price of $24.40, indicating a potential downside of 6.14%. Given Corporacion America Airports stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Corporacion America Airports is more favorable than Deutsche Lufthansa.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

13.0% of Corporacion America Airports shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Corporacion America Airports beats Deutsche Lufthansa on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Deutsche Lufthansa

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Lufthansa AG operates as an aviation company worldwide. It operates in three segments: Passenger Airlines; Logistics; and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Services (MRO). The Passenger Airlines segment offers products and services to passengers of Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. Its Logistics segment offers airfreight container management, urgent shipments, and customs clearance services; and e-commerce solutions. The MRO segment provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for civil commercial aircraft serving original equipment manufacturers, aircraft leasing companies, operators of VIP jets, government, armed forces, and airlines. The company also offers corporate payment and billing services; vocational and professional training for cockpit and cabin crew; and IT solutions. As of December 31, 2023, it had a fleet of 721 aircraft. Deutsche Lufthansa AG was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Cologne, Germany.

About Corporacion America Airports

(Get Free Report)

Corporacion America Airports S.A., through its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, and operates airport concessions. It operates 52 airports in Latin America, Europe, and Eurasia. The company was formerly known as A.C.I. Airports International S.a r.l. and changed its name to Corporacion America Airports S.A. in September 2017. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Corporacion America Airports S.A. is a subsidiary of A.C.I. Airports S.a r.l.

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Cresset Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 3.6% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 190,354 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 6,556 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLCs holdings in RTX were worth $27,796,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. PFS Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of RTX by 101.1% during the 2nd quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 177 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new stake in RTX during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new position in RTX in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. lifted its stake in RTX by 45.3% in the second quarter. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. now owns 250 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of RTX in the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.50% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of RTX from $175.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Bank of America upped their price objective on RTX from $175.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Morgan Stanley set a $215.00 target price on RTX and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on RTX in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $210.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $195.00 price objective on shares of RTX in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, RTX presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $181.00.

RTX Price Performance

NYSE:RTX opened at $171.19 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $229.53 billion, a PE ratio of 35.15, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 0.44. RTX Corporation has a 1-year low of $112.27 and a 1-year high of $181.31. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $170.93 and a 200 day simple moving average of $157.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.29. RTX had a net margin of 7.67% and a return on equity of 13.28%. The firm had revenue of $22.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.26 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.45 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. RTX has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.100-6.200 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that RTX Corporation will post 6.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

RTX Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be issued a $0.68 dividend. This represents a $2.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. RTXs payout ratio is currently 55.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling at RTX

In other news, EVP Neil G. Mitchill, Jr. sold 4,849 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $180.15, for a total transaction of $873,547.35. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 59,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,729,013.40. This trade represents a 7.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.15% of the stock is owned by insiders.

RTX Profile

(Free Report)

RTX Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. The Collins Aerospace Systems segment offers aerospace and defense products, and aftermarket service solutions for civil and military aircraft manufacturers and commercial airlines, as well as regional, business, and general aviation, defense, and commercial space operations.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RTX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX  Free Report).

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Shares of Cronos Group Inc. (TSE:CRON  Get Free Report) were down 0.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$3.47 and last traded at C$3.49. Approximately 97,764 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 46% from the average daily volume of 179,909 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$3.50.

Cronos Group Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.12 and a beta of 1.20. The companys 50-day simple moving average is C$3.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$3.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 24.24 and a quick ratio of 24.01.

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Cronos Group (TSE:CRON  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C$0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$50.60 million during the quarter. Cronos Group had a negative return on equity of 4.40% and a negative net margin of 42.65%. Research analysts forecast that Cronos Group Inc. will post -0.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cronos Group Company Profile

Cronos Group, headquartered in Toronto, Canada cultivates and sells medicinal and recreational cannabis through its medicinal brand, Peace Naturals, and its two recreational brands, Cove and Spinach. Although it primarily operates in Canada, Cronos exports medical cannabis to Poland and Germany. In addition, it has entered joint ventures in Israel, Colombia, and Australia to drive further international cultivation and distribution growth.

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Diametric Capital LP bought a new position in Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MLI  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 13,557 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $1,077,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MLI. Walleye Capital LLC boosted its position in Mueller Industries by 420.3% in the second quarter. Walleye Capital LLC now owns 8,007 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $636,000 after purchasing an additional 6,468 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Mueller Industries by 65.4% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,136 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $90,000 after purchasing an additional 449 shares during the last quarter. CW Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Mueller Industries by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. CW Advisors LLC now owns 3,641 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $289,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the period. PharVision Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mueller Industries in the 2nd quarter worth about $306,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of Mueller Industries in the 2nd quarter worth about $5,692,000. 94.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Mueller Industries

In other news, Director Scott Jay Goldman sold 4,234 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.64, for a total value of $459,981.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 41,745 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,535,176.80. This trade represents a 9.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Gregory L. Christopher sold 158,000 shares of Mueller Industries stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.32, for a total value of $16,482,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 1,119,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $116,759,221.12. This trade represents a 12.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 355,234 shares of company stock worth $36,944,652. Corporate insiders own 2.70% of the companys stock.

Mueller Industries Stock Performance

MLI stock opened at $113.06 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $104.63 and a 200-day moving average of $92.82. Mueller Industries, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $66.84 and a fifty-two week high of $113.27. The company has a market capitalization of $12.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.87 and a beta of 1.04.

Mueller Industries (NYSE:MLI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $1.88 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.99 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $942.00 million. Mueller Industries had a net margin of 18.10% and a return on equity of 25.02%. Mueller Industriess revenue for the quarter was up 8.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.48 earnings per share.

Mueller Industries Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Mueller Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.93%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Mueller Industries in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $105.00.

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Mueller Industries Profile

(Free Report)

Mueller Industries, Inc manufactures and sells copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, the Middle East, China, and Mexico. It operates through three segments: Piping Systems, Industrial Metals, and Climate. The Piping Systems segment offers copper tubes, fittings, line sets, and pipe nipples.

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Dodge & Cox cut its holdings in Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP  Free Report) by 3.1% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 5,147,380 shares of the banks stock after selling 162,400 shares during the quarter. Dodge & Cox owned about 0.06% of Credicorp worth $1,150,542,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BAP. MAI Capital Management boosted its holdings in Credicorp by 5,300.0% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 162 shares of the banks stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Credicorp in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $35,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Credicorp by 33.5% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 283 shares of the banks stock worth $63,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. bought a new stake in Credicorp during the 1st quarter worth about $78,000. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Credicorp in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $88,000. 89.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Credicorp Stock Up 5.6%

Shares of NYSE:BAP opened at $277.85 on Friday. Credicorp Ltd. has a 1 year low of $165.51 and a 1 year high of $280.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.07. The businesss 50-day moving average is $258.11 and its 200-day moving average is $243.28. The company has a market capitalization of $22.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.52, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 0.90.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Credicorp ( NYSE:BAP Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The bank reported $6.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.05 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $1.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.71 billion. Credicorp had a return on equity of 19.50% and a net margin of 23.59%. Equities research analysts predict that Credicorp Ltd. will post 21.9 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on BAP shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Credicorp from $242.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Credicorp from $257.00 to $318.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Credicorp in a research report on Monday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Credicorp from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Credicorp from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $265.17.

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About Credicorp

(Free Report)

Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. It operates through Universal Banking, Insurance and Pensions, Microfinance, and Investment Banking and Equity Management segments. The Universal Banking segment grants various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and current accounts.

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Endeavour Silver Corporation (NYSE:EXK  Get Free Report) (TSE:EDR) fell 4.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $8.79 and last traded at $8.99. 5,996,133 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 52% from the average session volume of 12,508,629 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.40.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EXK has been the subject of several research reports. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of Endeavour Silver in a report on Friday, October 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Endeavour Silver in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Endeavour Silver from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. CIBC upgraded Endeavour Silver from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating and set a $16.00 price objective for the company in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, HC Wainwright reissued a buy rating and set a $11.00 price objective on shares of Endeavour Silver in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $12.67.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Endeavour Silver

Endeavour Silver Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.79 and a quick ratio of 0.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.57 billion, a P/E ratio of -25.65 and a beta of 1.32. The stocks fifty day moving average is $8.13 and its 200-day moving average is $6.30.

Endeavour Silver (NYSE:EXK  Get Free Report) (TSE:EDR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The mining company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $111.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $162.05 million. Endeavour Silver had a negative return on equity of 1.34% and a negative net margin of 31.18%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Endeavour Silver Corporation will post -0.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Endeavour Silver

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Endeavour Silver by 1,631.7% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,305,383 shares of the mining companys stock worth $33,720,000 after acquiring an additional 4,056,768 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in Endeavour Silver by 38.1% during the third quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 10,902,392 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $85,474,000 after acquiring an additional 3,005,563 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Endeavour Silver in the third quarter valued at about $20,225,000. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Endeavour Silver by 113.9% in the third quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 4,459,831 shares of the mining companys stock worth $34,965,000 after purchasing an additional 2,374,365 shares during the period. Finally, Condire Management LP lifted its position in shares of Endeavour Silver by 200.0% during the 3rd quarter. Condire Management LP now owns 3,000,000 shares of the mining companys stock worth $23,520,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.06% of the companys stock.

Endeavour Silver Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Endeavour Silver Corp., a silver mining company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, extraction, processing, refining, and reclamation of mineral properties in Chile and the United States. It explores for gold and silver deposits, and precious metals. The company was formerly known as Endeavour Gold Corp.

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Epoch Investment Partners Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG  Free Report) by 10.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 420,068 shares of the energy companys stock after purchasing an additional 39,467 shares during the quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc.s holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $102,295,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 9.5% during the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 97,267 shares of the energy companys stock worth $23,686,000 after buying an additional 8,449 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in Cheniere Energy by 52.6% in the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 218,574 shares of the energy companys stock worth $53,227,000 after acquiring an additional 75,363 shares during the last quarter. Crescent Grove Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Cheniere Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $261,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 51.3% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,495 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $364,000 after purchasing an additional 507 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 28.8% in the 2nd quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 191,254 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $46,574,000 after purchasing an additional 42,775 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.26% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LNG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Erste Group Bank downgraded shares of Cheniere Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Cheniere Energy from $267.00 to $284.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued a strong-buy rating and set a $278.00 price objective (up previously from $275.00) on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $268.47.

Insider Transactions at Cheniere Energy

In other Cheniere Energy news, Director W Benjamin Moreland acquired 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $208.22 per share, for a total transaction of $1,041,100.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 9,856 shares in the company, valued at $2,052,216.32. This trade represents a 102.97% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock.

Cheniere Energy Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE LNG opened at $208.24 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $217.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $229.24. The stock has a market cap of $44.82 billion, a PE ratio of 11.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.43 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a 52-week low of $188.70 and a 52-week high of $257.65.

Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The energy company reported $4.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.75 by $2.00. The company had revenue of $4.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.87 billion. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 37.52% and a net margin of 21.12%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.93 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 earnings per share for the current year.

Cheniere Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 18th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a dividend of $0.555 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $2.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. This is an increase from Cheniere Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Cheniere Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.37%.

Cheniere Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines.

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Schroder Investment Management Group increased its position in Everest Group, Ltd. (NYSE:EG  Free Report) by 425.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 17,078 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 13,825 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Groups holdings in Everest Group were worth $5,804,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in EG. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its position in Everest Group by 25.3% during the second quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 3,647 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,239,000 after acquiring an additional 737 shares in the last quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Everest Group by 109.5% in the first quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 26,030 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,457,000 after purchasing an additional 13,607 shares during the period. Korea Investment CORP grew its stake in Everest Group by 130.4% in the 1st quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 62,093 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,560,000 after acquiring an additional 35,145 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Everest Group by 95.8% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,415 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,694,000 after purchasing an additional 3,628 shares during the period. Finally, Interval Partners LP purchased a new stake in Everest Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $5,185,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on EG. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Everest Group to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Wolfe Research upgraded Everest Group from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Everest Group from $383.00 to $343.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered Everest Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, November 2nd. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of Everest Group from $380.00 to $384.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $368.77.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director William F. Galtney, Jr. bought 11,385 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $307.38 per share, with a total value of $3,499,521.30. Following the purchase, the director owned 45,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,983,023.58. The trade was a 33.38% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Allan Levine bought 3,100 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $306.08 per share, with a total value of $948,848.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 4,153 shares in the company, valued at $1,271,150.24. This trade represents a 294.40% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Everest Group Trading Down 0.1%

NYSE EG opened at $313.67 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.89, a PEG ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.39. The firms 50-day moving average is $331.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $335.95. Everest Group, Ltd. has a 12 month low of $302.44 and a 12 month high of $380.26.

Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $7.54 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $13.39 by ($5.85). Everest Group had a net margin of 3.12% and a return on equity of 3.74%. The company had revenue of $4.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.86 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $11.80 earnings per share. Everest Groups revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Everest Group, Ltd. will post 47.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Everest Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be paid a dividend of $2.00 per share. This represents a $8.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 26th. Everest Groups dividend payout ratio is 60.93%.

About Everest Group

(Free Report)

Everest Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segment, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $8,000.00 and last traded at $8,000.00, with a volume of 29 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $7,990.00.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.77. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $7,620.92 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6,535.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $970.80 million, a P/E ratio of 18.88 and a beta of 0.30.

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Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach (OTCMKTS:FMBL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $147.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $73.67 million for the quarter. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach had a return on equity of 3.84% and a net margin of 12.08%.

Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach Announces Dividend

About Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a $43.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a yield of 215.0%. Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beachs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.14%.

(Get Free Report)

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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CHENGDU, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two years after returning to his original hometown in southwest China's Sichuan Province, giant panda Yuan Meng, born at France's Beauval Zoo, has become a local celebrity, earning the nickname "Director Sheep" for his distinctive bleating sounds.

Keepers at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding described the eight-year-old as a "lively and curious boy with a big appetite." He especially enjoys extracting the savory filling from bamboo tubes before nibbling on the crisp, tender bamboo.

Yuan Meng's story is closely linked to Sino-French relations. His parents, Huan Huan and Yuan Zai, were sent from Chengdu to France's Beauval Zoo in 2012 as part of a panda conservation and cooperation program.

Under the agreements between China and France, the pair stayed at the zoo for 10 years. In 2017, their son Yuan Meng made history as the first panda ever born in France.

After the panda pair arrived in France, the number of annual visitors to the Beauval Zoo jumped from 600,000 to 2 million in 2024. In 2021, Huan Huan gave birth to twins, Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu, who are still in France.

Under the cooperation agreements, panda cubs born overseas are returned to China before the age of four to avoid inbreeding. Yuan Meng, however, left France just days before his sixth birthday, delayed by crowds of reluctant fans. Even after his departure, a 2.5-meter bronze statue of Yuan Meng was unveiled at Beauval Zoo in March 2024.

On Nov. 26, 2025, his parents, Huan Huan and Yuan Zai, concluded their 13-year stay in France and returned to Chengdu.

According to China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, over 50 pandas currently live overseas.

The panda connection between China and France dates back to 1869, when French Catholic priest, zoologist, and botanist Pierre Armand David contributed to the initial discovery of the animal in Sichuan, which was later identified a new species -- the giant panda.

Over the years, giant pandas have played the role of "ambassadors," fostering a bridge of friendship between China and France.

The Dengchigou Catholic Church, where David once lived, blends the architectural styles of western Sichuan with Gothic design and remains tucked amid the remote mountains of Baoxing County, Ya'an City, about 200 kilometers from Sichuan's capital, Chengdu.

Today, most of the church's space is dedicated to natural science education about giant pandas and showcasing the construction of the Giant Panda National Park, as well as celebrating the friendship between China and France fostered through these iconic animals.

From setting up the first panda reserves in 1963 to establishing the Giant Panda National Park across three provinces in 2021, China's efforts to protect the species have delivered tangible results. Reflecting this progress, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified the giant panda in 2016, moving it from "endangered" to "vulnerable."

The city of Ya'an accounts for nearly 40 percent of the land within the national park, with Baoxing County now home to China's highest density of wild pandas. This year alone, 11 wild panda sightings in the county have been reported.

In 2024, China's forestry authority and the French Biodiversity Office agreed to foster a partnership between the Giant Panda National Park and France's Pyrenees National Park, focusing on biodiversity monitoring, species protection, science popularization and education, and personnel training.

As China and France celebrate 61 years of diplomatic relations in 2025, the panda ambassadors continue to symbolize the two countries' shared commitment to protecting the planet and promoting collective well-being. 
Gateway Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL  Free Report) by 19.3% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 29,967 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 4,845 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF makes up approximately 1.0% of Gateway Wealth Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 25th biggest position. Gateway Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF were worth $5,479,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brown Advisory Inc. lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 1.8% in the second quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 50,455 shares of the companys stock worth $9,224,000 after buying an additional 868 shares during the period. SCS Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 27.6% in the 2nd quarter. SCS Capital Management LLC now owns 1,546,793 shares of the companys stock valued at $283,090,000 after purchasing an additional 334,490 shares during the period. M Holdings Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,649,000. Annandale Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 19.5% during the second quarter. Annandale Capital LLC now owns 30,312 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,542,000 after purchasing an additional 4,938 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raab & Moskowitz Asset Management LLC grew its stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 19.6% in the second quarter. Raab & Moskowitz Asset Management LLC now owns 6,854 shares of the companys stock worth $1,253,000 after purchasing an additional 1,125 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Trading Up 12.7%

Shares of QUAL stock opened at $199.14 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $195.27 and its 200-day moving average price is $188.15. The stock has a market cap of $57.74 billion, a PE ratio of 25.59 and a beta of 1.05. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 12 month low of $148.34 and a 12 month high of $187.26.

About iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector.

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GeoWealth Management LLC cut its holdings in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IVW  Free Report) by 9.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 45,955 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,927 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF were worth $5,060,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in IVW. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 741.1% during the first quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 3,499 shares of the companys stock worth $325,000 after acquiring an additional 3,083 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC now owns 30,391 shares of the companys stock worth $2,821,000 after purchasing an additional 505 shares during the period. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 44.7% in the 1st quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 5,096 shares of the companys stock worth $473,000 after purchasing an additional 1,575 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 6,639,595 shares of the companys stock valued at $616,354,000 after purchasing an additional 279,859 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF by 32.3% during the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 15,611 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,507,000 after buying an additional 3,812 shares during the period.

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iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of IVW opened at $124.11 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $121.89 and a 200 day moving average of $115.14. The company has a market cap of $67.37 billion, a PE ratio of 33.33 and a beta of 1.11. iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF has a 52-week low of $79.31 and a 52-week high of $126.61.

About iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF

iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF, formerly iShares S&P 500 Growth Index Fund (the Growth Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500/Citigroup Growth Index (the Growth Index). The Growth Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market.

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Shares of Grupo Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GMBXF  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 121,107 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 310% from the previous sessions volume of 29,572 shares.The stock last traded at $8.93 and had previously closed at $8.85.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GMBXF has been the topic of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Grupo Mexico from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Grupo Mexico from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Grupo Mexico to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, HSBC reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Grupo Mexico in a report on Friday, October 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold.

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Grupo Mexico Stock Performance

About Grupo Mexico

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $8.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $7.02.

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Mexico, SAB. de C.V. engages in copper production, cargo transportation, and infrastructure businesses worldwide. The company operates through Mining, Transportation, and Infrastructure divisions. The Mining division explores for copper, silver, molybdenum, zinc, sulfuric acid, gold, and selenium.

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Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HRTG  Get Free Report) CFO Kirk Lusk sold 8,331 shares of Heritage Insurance stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.21, for a total value of $235,017.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 550,425 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,527,489.25. This trade represents a 1.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website.

Kirk Lusk also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, November 5th, Kirk Lusk sold 19,929 shares of Heritage Insurance stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.18, for a total value of $481,883.22.

On Tuesday, November 4th, Kirk Lusk sold 71 shares of Heritage Insurance stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.00, for a total value of $1,704.00.

On Friday, October 3rd, Kirk Lusk sold 6,803 shares of Heritage Insurance stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.16, for a total value of $164,360.48.

On Wednesday, October 1st, Kirk Lusk sold 13,197 shares of Heritage Insurance stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.77, for a total value of $326,889.69.

On Friday, September 12th, Kirk Lusk sold 20,000 shares of Heritage Insurance stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.17, for a total transaction of $483,400.00.

Heritage Insurance Stock Performance

HRTG stock traded up $0.22 during trading on Thursday, hitting $28.37. 234,353 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 403,856. The stock has a market capitalization of $876.92 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.87 and a beta of 0.96. Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. has a 52 week low of $9.89 and a 52 week high of $31.98. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $26.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $24.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Heritage Insurance

Heritage Insurance ( NYSE:HRTG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $1.10. The business had revenue of $212.46 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $210.12 million. Heritage Insurance had a net margin of 17.72% and a return on equity of 41.44%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. will post 1.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HRTG. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Heritage Insurance by 8.6% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 509,080 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $7,341,000 after acquiring an additional 40,220 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its position in Heritage Insurance by 8.4% in the first quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 485,631 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $7,003,000 after purchasing an additional 37,763 shares during the period. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new position in Heritage Insurance during the 1st quarter valued at $751,000. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Heritage Insurance during the 1st quarter valued at $1,495,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of Heritage Insurance by 14.7% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 676,814 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $9,760,000 after purchasing an additional 86,915 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.03% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on HRTG. Zacks Research raised Heritage Insurance from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Wall Street Zen lowered Heritage Insurance from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Truist Financial increased their target price on Heritage Insurance from $35.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded Heritage Insurance from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Heritage Insurance has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $32.50.

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Heritage Insurance Company Profile

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Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides personal and commercial residential insurance products. The company offers personal residential insurance in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia; commercial residential insurance for properties in Florida, New Jersey, and New York; and licensed in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as personal residential and wind-only property insurance.

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Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT  Free Report) by 316.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 21,372 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 16,238 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned about 0.06% of Applied Industrial Technologies worth $4,968,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 2,033.3% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 128 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC increased its stake in Applied Industrial Technologies by 111.1% during the 1st quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 133 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. Maseco LLP acquired a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 100.6% during the 2nd quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 321 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. 93.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Applied Industrial Technologies Stock Down 0.8%

AIT stock opened at $258.91 on Friday. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $199.96 and a twelve month high of $280.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.77 billion, a PE ratio of 24.92, a P/E/G ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.85. The stocks 50 day moving average is $254.38 and its 200-day moving average is $252.24. The company has a quick ratio of 2.50, a current ratio of 3.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Applied Industrial Technologies Announces Dividend

Applied Industrial Technologies ( NYSE:AIT Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The industrial products company reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.47 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.19 billion. Applied Industrial Technologies had a return on equity of 21.86% and a net margin of 8.61%.The companys revenue was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.36 EPS. Applied Industrial Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.100-10.850 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. will post 9.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Applied Industrial Technologiess dividend payout ratio is 17.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on AIT shares. Raymond James Financial downgraded shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Applied Industrial Technologies from $265.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Mizuho set a $305.00 target price on Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $290.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report on Monday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Applied Industrial Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $287.50.

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Applied Industrial Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates in two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Engineered Solutions. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, automation solutions, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, filtration supplies, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment.

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IDT Corporation (NYSE:IDT  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.06 per share by the utilities provider on Tuesday, December 23rd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th.

IDT has a dividend payout ratio of 7.1% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings.

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IDT Price Performance

NYSE:IDT opened at $50.60 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.81 and a beta of 0.77. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $50.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $58.63. IDT has a 1 year low of $44.76 and a 1 year high of $71.12.

Analyst Ratings Changes

IDT ( NYSE:IDT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The utilities provider reported $0.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.06. IDT had a return on equity of 27.03% and a net margin of 6.18%.The company had revenue of $322.75 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $308.00 million.

IDT has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of IDT from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of IDT in a report on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on IDT

IDT Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data.

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Intertek Gp (OTCMKTS:IKTSY  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $63.20, but opened at $61.12. Intertek Gp shares last traded at $61.12, with a volume of 175 shares traded.

Intertek Gp Stock Up 0.6%

The company has a current ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $65.53 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.08.

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Intertek Gp Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th were given a dividend of $0.7045 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 312.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 12th.

Intertek Gp Company Profile

Intertek Group plc engages in the provision of quality assurance solutions to various industries in the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Australia, and internationally. The company operates in five segments: Consumer Products, Corporate Assurance, Health and Safety, Industry and Infrastructure, and World of Energy.

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Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE:BRO  Free Report) by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,166,370 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 46,235 shares during the quarter. Invesco Ltd. owned about 1.26% of Brown & Brown worth $461,925,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of BRO. Parnassus Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Brown & Brown in the 1st quarter valued at $899,139,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Brown & Brown by 16.8% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 35,625,322 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,949,779,000 after purchasing an additional 5,124,203 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Brown & Brown in the second quarter valued at $433,740,000. Boston Partners acquired a new stake in Brown & Brown during the 2nd quarter worth about $171,163,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Brown & Brown by 16.6% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,369,576 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $813,624,000 after purchasing an additional 1,050,350 shares during the period. 71.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on BRO. UBS Group lowered their target price on Brown & Brown from $120.00 to $106.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Brown & Brown from $95.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 17th. Bank of America reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $97.00 price objective (down previously from $135.00) on shares of Brown & Brown in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Brown & Brown from $98.00 to $92.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Brown & Brown from $102.00 to $84.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $102.69.

Brown & Brown Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BRO opened at $79.57 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $27.17 billion, a PE ratio of 23.82, a PEG ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.82. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $85.23 and a 200 day moving average of $96.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 2.10 and a current ratio of 2.10. Brown & Brown, Inc. has a one year low of $76.17 and a one year high of $125.68.

Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.54 billion. Brown & Brown had a net margin of 18.23% and a return on equity of 13.64%. The companys revenue was up 35.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.91 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Brown & Brown, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Brown & Brown Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 5th were paid a dividend of $0.165 per share. This is an increase from Brown & Browns previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 5th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. Brown & Browns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.76%.

Brown & Brown Company Profile

(Free Report)

Brown & Brown, Inc is an insurance agency, wholesale brokerage, insurance program and service organization. It engages in the provision of insurance brokerage services and casualty insurance underwriting services. It operates through the following segments: Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services.

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Veltria Advisors Corp. lowered its position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB  Free Report) by 74.4% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,944 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 5,641 shares during the quarter. Veltria Advisors Corp.s holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $203,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MUB. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 4.6% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 20,357,173 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,126,917,000 after buying an additional 890,804 shares in the last quarter. Betterment LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Betterment LLC now owns 18,408,702 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,941,014,000 after acquiring an additional 150,443 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,199,988 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $970,047,000 after acquiring an additional 802,170 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 43.0% during the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 8,914,935 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $931,432,000 after acquiring an additional 2,679,139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 7.8% during the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 7,588,089 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $800,088,000 after purchasing an additional 550,570 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.19% of the companys stock.

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iShares National Muni Bond ETF Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of MUB opened at $106.86 on Friday. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 52-week low of $100.29 and a 52-week high of $108.60. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $107.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $105.29.

About iShares National Muni Bond ETF

iShares National AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index (the Index).

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Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (OTCMKTS:IVPAF  Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $10.4480, but opened at $10.89. Ivanhoe Mines shares last traded at $10.32, with a volume of 13,915 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on IVPAF. Scotiabank raised Ivanhoe Mines from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Ivanhoe Mines in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Ivanhoe Mines in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Securities reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Ivanhoe Mines in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have issued a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ivanhoe Mines presently has an average rating of Buy.

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Ivanhoe Mines Stock Down 3.3%

The firms fifty day moving average is $10.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.95.

Ivanhoe Mines (OTCMKTS:IVPAF  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.02) by $0.04. The company had revenue of $129.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $128.95 million.

Ivanhoe Mines Company Profile

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Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals primarily in Africa. It explores for platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, gold, rhodium, zinc, silver, germanium, and lead deposits. The company's projects include the Platreef project located in the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex; the Kipushi project located in Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo; and the Kamoa-Kakula project located within the Central African Copperbelt.

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Relatives mourn over the Palestinian man Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed killed by the Israeli forces, at a hospital in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 5, 2025. The 38-year-old Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Friday in the village of Odala, south of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH/JERUSALEM, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Friday in the village of Odala, south of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.

In a brief statement, the ministry identified the man as 38-year-old Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said in a separate statement that Rashed sustained a critical gunshot wound to the head. It added that medics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene before he was pronounced dead.

Local sources and residents told Xinhua that Israeli forces raided the center of the village as worshippers were leaving a mosque, during which soldiers fired live ammunition, tear gas canisters and stun grenades, triggering confrontations.

Rashed was hit by live fire during the clashes, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that it had killed six militants and apprehended dozens of wanted suspects during a "counterterrorism operation" in the northern West Bank over the past two weeks.

The IDF added that over 30 targeted strikes were carried out, along with several operations involving the Israeli Air Force for transport and operational support.

The West Bank and areas east of Jerusalem have witnessed heightened tensions for nearly two years, coinciding with the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

According to Palestinian figures, more than 950 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since Oct. 7, 2023, most of them during raids or clashes with Israeli forces. 

A man mourns over the Palestinian man Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed killed by the Israeli forces, at a hospital in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 5, 2025. The 38-year-old Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Friday in the village of Odala, south of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Relatives mourn over the Palestinian man Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed killed by the Israeli forces, at a hospital in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 5, 2025. The 38-year-old Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Friday in the village of Odala, south of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Relatives mourn over the Palestinian man Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed killed by the Israeli forces, at a hospital in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec. 5, 2025. The 38-year-old Baha Abdel Rahman Rashed, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Friday in the village of Odala, south of the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)
Tesco (LON:TSCO  Get Free Report) had its target price raised by investment analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 450 to GBX 500 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Digital Look reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the retailers stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s target price would indicate a potential upside of 10.38% from the companys current price.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Tesco in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 440 price objective on shares of Tesco in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Tesco from GBX 470 to GBX 495 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 473.75.

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Tesco Price Performance

LON TSCO traded up GBX 1 during trading hours on Friday, hitting GBX 453. The company had a trading volume of 14,028,531 shares, compared to its average volume of 18,189,377. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 126.35, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.81. The firm has a market capitalization of 29.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.96, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.51. Tesco has a 52 week low of GBX 310.30 and a 52 week high of GBX 480.90. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 450.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 425.46.

Tesco (LON:TSCO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 2nd. The retailer reported GBX 15.61 earnings per share for the quarter. Tesco had a return on equity of 11.33% and a net margin of 1.92%. Equities research analysts expect that Tesco will post 27.374848 earnings per share for the current year.

Tesco Company Profile

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Tesco was built to be a champion for customers, serving them every day with affordable, healthy and sustainable food. Our commitment to our customers extends beyond our stores, and into every community we serve  in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. We invest in communities to help them thrive, through supporting schools and childrens groups, food banks and other good causes.

In challenging times, our purpose has guided every part of the Group.

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Mackenzie Financial Corp decreased its stake in shares of Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO  Free Report) (TSE:ELD) by 68.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 154,553 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 339,810 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corps holdings in Eldorado Gold were worth $3,148,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Eldorado Gold in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eldorado Gold by 35.4% in the 2nd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 2,247 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 587 shares in the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in shares of Eldorado Gold in the second quarter valued at about $83,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Eldorado Gold by 7.6% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 9,693 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $197,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares in the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in shares of Eldorado Gold during the first quarter valued at about $207,000. Institutional investors own 69.58% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on EGO. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Eldorado Gold from $25.50 to $33.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Bank of America upped their target price on Eldorado Gold from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Monday. CIBC increased their price target on Eldorado Gold from $32.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded Eldorado Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, National Bankshares restated an outperform rating on shares of Eldorado Gold in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Eldorado Gold has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $31.20.

Eldorado Gold Trading Up 1.8%

Shares of EGO stock opened at $31.31 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.28, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The firm has a market cap of $6.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.39, a PEG ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a 50 day moving average of $28.11 and a 200-day moving average of $24.36. Eldorado Gold Corporation has a 12-month low of $13.29 and a 12-month high of $31.84.

Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO  Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.49 by ($0.08). Eldorado Gold had a net margin of 22.15% and a return on equity of 8.89%. The firm had revenue of $436.44 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $422.25 million. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Eldorado Gold Corporation will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current year.

About Eldorado Gold

(Free Report)

Eldorado Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, development, and sale of mineral products primarily in Turkey, Canada, Greece, and Romania. The company primarily produces gold, as well as silver, lead, and zinc. It holds a 100% interest in the Kisladag and Efemcukuru mines located in Turkey; Lamaque complex located in Canada; and Olympias, Stratoni, Skouries, Perama Hill, and Sapes gold mines located in Greece, as well as the 80.5% interest in Certej development projects located in Romania.

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MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BULZ  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 6.2% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $279.05 and last traded at $280.4970. 50,230 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 77% from the average session volume of 221,321 shares. The stock had previously closed at $264.18.

MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Trading Down 0.7%

The firm has a fifty day moving average of $274.07 and a 200 day moving average of $214.32. The company has a market capitalization of $2.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.09 and a beta of 4.45.

MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Company Profile

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The MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive FANG Innovation index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology companies. BULZ was launched on Aug 20, 2021 and is issued by REX Microsectors.

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Mirabella Financial Services LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK  Free Report) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 26,644 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $2,744,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Walleye Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Crown in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $398,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Crown by 686.5% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,909 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $403,000 after purchasing an additional 3,412 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in shares of Crown by 58.6% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,727,276 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $280,855,000 after purchasing an additional 1,007,980 shares during the period. 1832 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Crown in the second quarter valued at $1,492,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in Crown by 256.3% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 48,148 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,958,000 after purchasing an additional 34,633 shares during the last quarter. 90.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on CCK. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Crown from $116.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $126.00 price objective (up from $118.00) on shares of Crown in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and issued a $115.00 price objective (up from $110.00) on shares of Crown in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Crown from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, October 26th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Crown from $116.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $118.08.

Crown Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of Crown stock opened at $98.52 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $96.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $99.03. Crown Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $75.98 and a fifty-two week high of $109.48. The firm has a market cap of $11.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65.

Crown (NYSE:CCK  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The industrial products company reported $2.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.26. Crown had a net margin of 7.79% and a return on equity of 26.86%. The company had revenue of $3.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.99 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Crown has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.650-1.75 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 7.700-7.80 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Crown Holdings, Inc. will post 6.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Crown Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 6th were issued a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Crowns dividend payout ratio is presently 12.87%.

About Crown

(Free Report)

Crown Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the packaging business in the United States and internationally. It operates through Americas Beverage, European Beverage, Asia Pacific, and Transit Packaging segments. The company manufactures and sells recyclable aluminum beverage cans and ends, glass bottles, steel crowns, aluminum caps, non-beverage cans, and aerosol cans and closures.

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Mirabella Financial Services LLP lessened its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 76.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,528 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,331 shares during the quarter. Mirabella Financial Services LLPs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,979,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LLY. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Bare Financial Services Inc grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 263.6% during the second quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 40 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Blume Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 46.7% during the second quarter. Blume Capital Management Inc. now owns 44 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 2.1%

Shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $1,011.74 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $913.15 and its 200 day moving average is $807.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $956.48 billion, a PE ratio of 49.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $623.78 and a 1 year high of $1,111.99.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.18 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 29.35%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on LLY shares. Scotiabank initiated coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 price target for the company. National Bankshares set a $1,286.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. CICC Research raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,087.32.

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Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.13, Zacks reports. National Bank of Canada had a return on equity of 16.16% and a net margin of 13.07%.The company had revenue of $2.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.43 billion.

National Bank of Canada Price Performance

NTIOF stock opened at $123.60 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $112.35 and a 200 day moving average of $106.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The company has a market cap of $48.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.10 and a beta of 0.90. National Bank of Canada has a 1 year low of $74.21 and a 1 year high of $123.64.

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National Bank of Canada Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Saturday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $0.8531 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 313.0%. National Bank of Canadas payout ratio is presently 49.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

NTIOF has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TD Securities reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Raymond James Financial began coverage on shares of National Bank of Canada in a research report on Monday, November 24th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, CIBC restated a neutral rating on shares of National Bank of Canada in a report on Thursday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, National Bank of Canada has a consensus rating of Hold.

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About National Bank of Canada

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National Bank of Canada provides financial services to individuals, businesses, institutional clients, and governments in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services, such as credit, and deposit, investment solutions, international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services.

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New York State Common Retirement Fund cut its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 18.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 133,996 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 30,100 shares during the quarter. New York State Common Retirement Funds holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $10,622,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of CP. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 70.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,299,753 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $652,936,000 after purchasing an additional 3,842,866 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 37,142,988 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,606,624,000 after buying an additional 364,515 shares during the last quarter. Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 17,971 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,262,000 after buying an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. acquired a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the first quarter worth approximately $1,389,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 2.6% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,185,195 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $153,332,000 after acquiring an additional 54,581 shares in the last quarter. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

NYSE CP opened at $73.94 on Friday. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 1 year low of $66.49 and a 1 year high of $83.65. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $73.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $76.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The company has a market cap of $66.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.11.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by ($0.01). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.79% and a net margin of 28.41%.The firm had revenue of $2.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.71 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.99 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.228 per share. This represents a $0.91 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio is currently 20.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CP has been the subject of several recent research reports. National Bankshares reissued an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $88.00 to $87.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays set a $90.00 price objective on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $90.00 price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. One investment 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 given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $91.69.

Read Our Latest Analysis 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.

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New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its stake in shares of Fabrinet (NYSE:FN  Free Report) by 6.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 38,253 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 2,182 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Funds holdings in Fabrinet were worth $11,272,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of FN. Maseco LLP bought a new position in Fabrinet during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Fabrinet in the second quarter worth $35,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Fabrinet by 124.2% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 139 shares of the technology companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the period. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. boosted its position in shares of Fabrinet by 118.5% during the second quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 142 shares of the technology companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Finally, REAP Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Fabrinet by 171.9% in the 2nd quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 155 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the period. 97.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on FN shares. Zacks Research raised Fabrinet from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Fabrinet in a research report on Tuesday. Rosenblatt Securities increased their target price on Fabrinet from $425.00 to $550.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Northland Securities set a $550.00 price target on shares of Fabrinet in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on shares of Fabrinet from $329.00 to $499.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $451.29.

Fabrinet Stock Up 5.5%

Shares of FN stock opened at $471.95 on Friday. Fabrinet has a 12 month low of $148.55 and a 12 month high of $498.00. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $415.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $341.29. The firm has a market cap of $16.91 billion, a PE ratio of 48.60 and a beta of 1.05.

Insider Transactions at Fabrinet

In other news, CEO Seamus Grady sold 22,451 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $446.95, for a total value of $10,034,474.45. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 23,573 shares in the company, valued at $10,535,952.35. This trade represents a 48.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Homa Bahrami sold 3,500 shares of Fabrinet stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $453.75, for a total value of $1,588,125.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 18,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,310,885. This represents a 16.04% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Fabrinet Company Profile

(Free Report)

Fabrinet provides optical packaging and precision optical, electro-mechanical, and electronic manufacturing services in North America, the Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The company offers a range of advanced optical and electro-mechanical capabilities in the manufacturing process, including process design and engineering, supply chain management, manufacturing, printed circuit board assembly, advanced packaging, integration, final assembly, and testing.

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Old Mutual Limited (LON:OMU  Get Free Report) dropped 0.7% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 59.40 and last traded at GBX 60.20. Approximately 121,253 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 50% from the average daily volume of 242,248 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 60.60.

Old Mutual Trading Down 0.7%

The firm has a market cap of 2.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.02. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 59.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 54.59. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.81.

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Insider Transactions at Old Mutual

In other Old Mutual news, insider Jan-Hendrik Erasmus sold 17,205 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 61, for a total transaction of 10,495.05. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Old Mutual

Old Mutual Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial services primarily in South Africa and rest of Africa. The company operates through Mass and Foundation Cluster, Personal Finance and Wealth Management, Old Mutual Investments, Old Mutual Corporate, Old Mutual Insure, and Old Mutual Africa Regions segments.

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Tema Etfs LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE:PNW  Free Report) by 34.9% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 38,709 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 10,007 shares during the quarter. Tema Etfs LLCs holdings in Pinnacle West Capital were worth $3,463,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. ATLAS Infrastructure Partners UK Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 230.5% during the 1st quarter. ATLAS Infrastructure Partners UK Ltd. now owns 2,793,546 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $266,085,000 after purchasing an additional 1,948,416 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Pinnacle West Capital in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $114,384,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Pinnacle West Capital during the 1st quarter valued at $99,364,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 2.2% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,781,290 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,322,482,000 after buying an additional 316,629 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Midwest Trust Co purchased a new position in Pinnacle West Capital during the second quarter worth $17,851,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.51% of the companys stock.

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Pinnacle West Capital Trading Down 0.6%

NYSE PNW opened at $88.08 on Friday. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation has a 12 month low of $81.47 and a 12 month high of $96.50. The company has a 50-day moving average of $90.05 and a 200-day moving average of $90.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.49. The company has a market cap of $10.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.09, a P/E/G ratio of 8.79 and a beta of 0.54.

Pinnacle West Capital Increases Dividend

Pinnacle West Capital ( NYSE:PNW Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The utilities provider reported $3.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.04 by $0.35. Pinnacle West Capital had a net margin of 11.20% and a return on equity of 8.57%. The business had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.37 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. Pinnacle West Capital has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.550-4.750 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 4.900-5.100 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Pinnacle West Capital Corporation will post 5.13 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 3rd were given a $0.91 dividend. This is an increase from Pinnacle West Capitals previous quarterly dividend of $0.90. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 3rd. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.1%. Pinnacle West Capitals dividend payout ratio is 74.74%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PNW has been the topic of several recent research reports. TD Cowen began coverage on Pinnacle West Capital in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a hold rating and a $97.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $95.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Argus reduced their price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $98.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $97.58.

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Pinnacle West Capital Company Profile

(Free Report)

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities. Its transmission facilities include overhead lines and underground lines; and distribution facilities consist of overhead lines and underground primary cables.

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SOFIA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria's 2025 economic growth has hit twice the European average, the Bulgarian News Agency reported Friday, citing Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

The country's economy had grown at rates unseen in recent years, said Zhelyazkov in response to a question from Bogdan Bogdanov, a member of parliament, during a parliamentary questions session.

Bulgaria has recorded a growth of 3 percent, twice the European average, and possibly the second in Europe, he said.

According to macroeconomic forecasts, Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) will remain high and unemployment will steadily decline in 2026, he added.

Under the country's Recovery and Resilience Plan, a record 5 billion BGN (about 2.98 billion U.S. dollars) would be invested in its economy in 2025, most of which had already been allocated so far this year, the prime minister said. 
Stifel Canada upgraded shares of Propel (TSE:PRL  Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Wednesday morning,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on PRL. Ventum Financial reduced their price target on Propel from C$42.00 to C$40.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Raymond James Financial dropped their target price on Propel from C$42.00 to C$35.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Scotiabank reduced their target price on Propel from C$40.00 to C$38.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a C$38.00 price target on Propel and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and three have given a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy.

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View Our Latest Report on PRL

Propel Stock Down 0.4%

Propel Cuts Dividend

TSE PRL opened at $26.60 on Wednesday. Propel has a 52 week low of $20.00 and a 52 week high of $43.36. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $24.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $30.98. The firm has a market cap of $1.05 billion, a PE ratio of 17.05 and a beta of 0.90.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 4th were given a $0.21 dividend. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. Propels dividend payout ratio is presently 31.67%.

Propel Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Propel Holdings Inc is a financial technology company committed to credit inclusion and helping underserved consumers by providing fair, fast, and transparent access to credit. It operates through its two brands: MoneyKey and CreditFresh. The company, through its MoneyKey brand, is a state-licensed direct lender and offers either Installment Loans or Lines of Credit to new customers in several US states.

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Prudential Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of Everest Group, Ltd. (NYSE:EG  Free Report) by 33.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,900 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,745 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc.s holdings in Everest Group were worth $2,345,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Everest Group by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,577,376 shares of the companys stock worth $2,026,428,000 after acquiring an additional 17,346 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Everest Group by 0.5% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,211,474 shares of the companys stock worth $414,385,000 after purchasing an additional 6,217 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners raised its holdings in Everest Group by 3.3% during the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 696,765 shares of the companys stock worth $253,150,000 after purchasing an additional 22,432 shares during the last quarter. Altrinsic Global Advisors LLC boosted its position in Everest Group by 10.7% during the first quarter. Altrinsic Global Advisors LLC now owns 682,979 shares of the companys stock worth $248,147,000 after purchasing an additional 66,041 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its holdings in Everest Group by 12.6% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 622,608 shares of the companys stock valued at $211,593,000 after purchasing an additional 69,636 shares during the last quarter. 92.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

EG has been the subject of several research reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Everest Group from $383.00 to $343.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Everest Group from $425.00 to $365.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of Everest Group in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a neutral rating and a $362.00 price target on the stock. Wolfe Research upgraded Everest Group from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Everest Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $368.77.

Everest Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:EG opened at $313.67 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $13.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.39. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $331.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $335.95. Everest Group, Ltd. has a 52 week low of $302.44 and a 52 week high of $380.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23.

Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $7.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $13.39 by ($5.85). The business had revenue of $4.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.86 billion. Everest Group had a return on equity of 3.74% and a net margin of 3.12%.The firms quarterly revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $11.80 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Everest Group, Ltd. will post 47.93 EPS for the current year.

Everest Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be issued a $2.00 dividend. This represents a $8.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 26th. Everest Groups payout ratio is presently 60.93%.

Insider Activity at Everest Group

In other news, Director Allan Levine acquired 3,100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $306.08 per share, for a total transaction of $948,848.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 4,153 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,271,150.24. This represents a 294.40% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director William F. Galtney, Jr. bought 11,385 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $307.38 per share, for a total transaction of $3,499,521.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 45,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,983,023.58. This trade represents a 33.38% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Everest Group Profile

(Free Report)

Everest Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segment, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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Quadrature Capital Ltd lowered its stake in shares of GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:EAF  Free Report) by 18.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 131,020 shares of the companys stock after selling 29,482 shares during the period. Quadrature Capital Ltd owned approximately 0.05% of GrafTech International worth $127,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in shares of GrafTech International by 57.2% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 7,131,013 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,936,000 after acquiring an additional 2,594,562 shares during the period. Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd acquired a new position in GrafTech International during the second quarter valued at approximately $117,000. Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. increased its stake in GrafTech International by 92.3% in the second quarter. Prescott Group Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 3,151,686 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,065,000 after purchasing an additional 1,512,436 shares in the last quarter. Yacktman Asset Management LP raised its holdings in GrafTech International by 1.2% in the second quarter. Yacktman Asset Management LP now owns 10,826,186 shares of the companys stock worth $10,530,000 after purchasing an additional 127,490 shares during the period. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in GrafTech International in the second quarter worth $366,000. 92.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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GrafTech International Trading Up 5.5%

EAF stock opened at $17.19 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $14.71 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.49. GrafTech International Ltd. has a 1 year low of $5.50 and a 1 year high of $22.60. The stock has a market cap of $443.77 million, a PE ratio of -2.18 and a beta of 1.72.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GrafTech International ( NYSE:EAF Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported ($1.03) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($1.22) by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $144.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $139.58 million. On average, analysts forecast that GrafTech International Ltd. will post -0.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of research firms recently commented on EAF. Zacks Research cut shares of GrafTech International from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Citigroup boosted their target price on GrafTech International from $10.00 to $14.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Wall Street Zen upgraded GrafTech International from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of GrafTech International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $14.25.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on GrafTech International

GrafTech International Profile

(Free Report)

GrafTech International Ltd. research, develops, manufactures, and sells graphite and carbon-based solutions worldwide. The company offers graphite electrodes to produce electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals; and petroleum needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon used in the production of graphite electrodes and synthetic graphite.

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Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its holdings in UWM Holdings Corporation (NYSE:UWMC  Free Report) by 89.8% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 767,167 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 363,003 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in UWM were worth $3,176,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UWMC. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in UWM in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $51,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in UWM during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Focus Partners Wealth purchased a new stake in UWM during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Independent Advisor Alliance bought a new stake in shares of UWM during the first quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of UWM by 79.2% in the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 14,467 shares of the companys stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 6,395 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 53.59% of the companys stock.

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UWM Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UWMC opened at $5.78 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $5.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.10. UWM Holdings Corporation has a 52 week low of $3.80 and a 52 week high of $7.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 1.45 and a quick ratio of 1.45.

UWM Dividend Announcement

UWM ( NYSE:UWMC Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.07 by ($0.06). UWM had a net margin of 0.61% and a negative return on equity of 6.81%. The business had revenue of $151.14 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $651.51 million. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that UWM Holdings Corporation will post 0.2 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 18th will be issued a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 18th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.9%.

Insider Activity at UWM

In other news, CEO Ishbia Mat sold 612,287 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $5.80, for a total transaction of $3,551,264.60. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 9,241,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $53,601,024.80. The trade was a 6.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In the last three months, insiders sold 21,348,811 shares of company stock valued at $123,446,643. 87.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on UWMC. BTIG Research reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $10.00 target price on shares of UWM in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of UWM in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered UWM from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Zacks Research raised UWM from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded UWM from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $4.50 to $6.50 in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given 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 target price of $6.54.

Check Out Our Latest Report on UWMC

UWM Company Profile

(Free Report)

UWM Holdings Corporation engages in the residential mortgage lending business in the United States. The company offers mortgage loans through wholesale channel. It originates primarily conforming and government loans. UWM Holdings Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan.

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Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 13,697 shares of the business services providers stock, valued at approximately $3,378,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of RSG. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Republic Services by 1,222.2% during the 2nd quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 119 shares of the business services providers stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its stake in Republic Services by 68.5% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 123 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Elequin Capital LP bought a new position in shares of Republic Services during the first quarter worth $30,000. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Republic Services in the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Atticus Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Republic Services in the 2nd quarter valued at $39,000. 57.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

RSG has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein assumed coverage on Republic Services in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. They set a market perform rating and a $205.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Monday. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $240.00 price objective on shares of Republic Services in a report on Friday, October 31st. Barclays assumed coverage on Republic Services in a research note on Friday, September 19th. They set an equal weight rating and a $240.00 target price for the company. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Republic Services from $280.00 to $270.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $250.45.

Republic Services Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of Republic Services stock opened at $215.24 on Friday. Republic Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $199.43 and a 52-week high of $258.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.58. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $216.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $232.11. The firm has a market cap of $66.63 billion, a PE ratio of 32.03, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.54.

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The business services provider reported $1.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $4.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.25 billion. Republic Services had a net margin of 12.77% and a return on equity of 18.24%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.81 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Republic Services, Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Republic Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $2.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. Republic Servicess payout ratio is 37.20%.

Republic Services Profile

(Free Report)

Republic Services, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.

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Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its stake in CoreCivic, Inc. (NYSE:CXW  Free Report) by 1,004.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 146,406 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 133,146 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in CoreCivic were worth $3,085,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of CXW. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in CoreCivic by 9.9% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,667 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $119,000 after acquiring an additional 511 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of CoreCivic by 80.1% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,186 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 972 shares during the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its holdings in shares of CoreCivic by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 24,679 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $520,000 after purchasing an additional 1,121 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of CoreCivic during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in CoreCivic by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 28,025 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $590,000 after purchasing an additional 1,735 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.13% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have weighed in on CXW. Wall Street Zen cut shares of CoreCivic from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Jones Trading reissued a buy rating and issued a $30.00 target price on shares of CoreCivic in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of CoreCivic in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $34.00.

CoreCivic Trading Up 0.0%

CXW opened at $18.61 on Friday. CoreCivic, Inc. has a 1-year low of $15.95 and a 1-year high of $23.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.95 billion, a PE ratio of 18.79 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $18.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.00.

CoreCivic (NYSE:CXW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.48. The business had revenue of $580.44 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $544.38 million. CoreCivic had a net margin of 5.24% and a return on equity of 7.38%. CoreCivics revenue was up 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.43 earnings per share. CoreCivic has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.940-2.000 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that CoreCivic, Inc. will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CoreCivic declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Monday, November 10th that allows the company to buyback $200.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the real estate investment trust to repurchase up to 10.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Thurgood Marshall, Jr. sold 6,000 shares of CoreCivic stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.52, for a total value of $123,120.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 44,023 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $903,351.96. This trade represents a 11.99% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Anthony L. Grande sold 22,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.18, for a total value of $476,550.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 135,559 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,871,139.62. The trade was a 14.24% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 51,000 shares of company stock worth $1,042,545 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

CoreCivic Profile

(Free Report)

CoreCivic, Inc owns and operates partnership correctional, detention, and residential reentry facilities in the United States. It operates through three segments: CoreCivic Safety, CoreCivic Community, and CoreCivic Properties. The company provides a range of solutions to government partners that serve the public good through corrections and detention management, a network of residential reentry centers to help address Americas recidivism crisis, and government real estate solutions.

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Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW  Free Report) by 39.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 655,883 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 185,877 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in Medical Properties Trust were worth $2,827,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 13.4% during the 1st 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 acquiring an additional 1,182,028 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Medical Properties Trust by 1.5% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,404,674 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $38,620,000 after purchasing an additional 95,525 shares in the last quarter. Wilsey Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Medical Properties Trust by 6.1% during the second quarter. Wilsey Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,927,568 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $21,238,000 after purchasing an additional 281,591 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its holdings in Medical Properties Trust by 11.2% during the first 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 purchasing an additional 410,374 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 295.0% in 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 period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.79% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

MPW has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Medical Properties Trust from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Medical Properties Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Medical Properties Trust presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $5.63.

Medical Properties Trust Stock Performance

MPW stock opened at $5.62 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $5.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 2.68 and a quick ratio of 2.68. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $3.51 and a fifty-two week high of $6.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.76 and a beta of 1.44.

Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 14.82% and a negative net margin of 75.76%.The business had revenue of $237.52 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $244.89 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.16 EPS. Medical Properties Trusts revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Medical Properties Trust, Inc. will post 0.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Medical Properties Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be given a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 11th. This is a boost from Medical Properties Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.08. Medical Properties Trusts dividend payout ratio is -27.12%.

Medical Properties Trust Company Profile

(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.

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Quantbot Technologies LP raised its position in shares of Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE:GNW  Free Report) by 316.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 388,794 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 295,415 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in Genworth Financial were worth $3,025,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of GNW. Ethic Inc. raised its stake in shares of Genworth Financial by 15.1% during the 2nd quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 14,045 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $110,000 after acquiring an additional 1,847 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in Genworth Financial by 29.5% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 11,770 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $92,000 after acquiring an additional 2,679 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Genworth Financial by 20.0% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 21,111 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $150,000 after purchasing an additional 3,521 shares during the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey increased its position in shares of Genworth Financial by 4.1% during the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 95,933 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $746,000 after purchasing an additional 3,736 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in shares of Genworth Financial by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 106,408 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $828,000 after purchasing an additional 4,216 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.85% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Genworth Financial in a research note on Monday. Wall Street Zen raised Genworth Financial from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Genworth Financial from $9.50 to $10.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $10.00.

Genworth Financial Stock Performance

Shares of GNW stock opened at $8.68 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $8.62 and a 200 day moving average of $8.14. Genworth Financial, Inc. has a 1 year low of $5.99 and a 1 year high of $9.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.29 and a quick ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.37 and a beta of 1.02.

Genworth Financial (NYSE:GNW  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.06 by ($0.02). Genworth Financial had a net margin of 3.01% and a return on equity of 1.56%. The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter.

About Genworth Financial

(Free Report)

Genworth Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides mortgage and long-term care insurance products in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Enact, Long-Term Care Insurance, and Life and Annuities. The Enact segment offers private mortgage insurance products primarily insuring prime-based, individually underwritten residential mortgage loans; and pool mortgage insurance products.

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Robert Half (NYSE:RHI  Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at BNP Paribas Exane from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Finviz reports. They presently have a $22.00 price objective on the business services providers stock. BNP Paribas Exanes price objective suggests a potential downside of 17.86% from the stocks previous close.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Robert Half in a report on Monday. Robert W. Baird set a $22.00 price objective on shares of Robert Half in a research note on Friday. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Robert Half from $36.00 to $31.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Zacks Research cut shares of Robert Half from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Robert Half from $30.00 to $27.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Robert Half has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $33.89.

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Robert Half Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:RHI opened at $26.78 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.71 billion, a PE ratio of 17.39 and a beta of 0.85. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $29.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $36.10. Robert Half has a one year low of $25.22 and a one year high of $78.41.

Robert Half (NYSE:RHI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The business services provider reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.43. Robert Half had a return on equity of 11.76% and a net margin of 2.85%.The firm had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.36 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.64 earnings per share. Robert Halfs quarterly revenue was down 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. Robert Half has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.250-0.350 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Robert Half will post 2.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Dirk A. Kempthorne sold 6,505 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.87, for a total transaction of $187,799.35. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 11,712 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $338,125.44. This represents a 35.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 3.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Robert Half

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in Robert Half by 161.6% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 6,122 shares of the business services providers stock worth $208,000 after buying an additional 3,782 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new stake in Robert Half in the third quarter valued at about $956,000. WBI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Robert Half in the third quarter worth about $1,211,000. Caerus Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Robert Half during the third quarter worth about $269,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors grew its stake in shares of Robert Half by 24.2% during the third quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 66,880 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,273,000 after acquiring an additional 13,050 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.41% of the companys stock.

Robert Half Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Robert Half Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti segments. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support.

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SCS Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (NYSEARCA:XME  Free Report) by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 455,434 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 8,687 shares during the period. SCS Capital Management LLC owned about 1.60% of SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF worth $30,614,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of XME. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF by 2,642.0% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,959,322 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $131,706,000 after buying an additional 1,887,867 shares in the last quarter. Menora Mivtachim Holdings LTD. acquired a new stake in SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF in the first quarter valued at about $48,042,000. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its position in SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF by 7.5% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 364,932 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $20,433,000 after acquiring an additional 25,569 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF by 4,583.6% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 180,506 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $9,998,000 after acquiring an additional 176,652 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. acquired a new position in SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF during the first quarter worth about $8,260,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.55% of the companys stock.

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SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF Trading Up 1.1%

XME stock opened at $100.80 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $96.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $81.88. SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF has a 12 month low of $45.89 and a 12 month high of $111.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.07 and a beta of 1.28.

SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF Company Profile

SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as closely as possible the performance of the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index (the Index). The Index is an equal weighted market cap index. The Index represents the metals and mining sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Market Index.

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HANOI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A fire at a restaurant in Vietnam's southern hub Ho Chi Minh City killed four people early Friday, local daily VnExpress reported.

The blaze broke out around 5 a.m. local time in the restaurant's kitchen. Two kids, aged 2 and 7, and two women, aged between 35 and 40, died from smoke inhalation, according to the report.

More than 50 firefighters battled the flames for 30 minutes before bringing the fire under control.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident. 
Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM  Get Free Report)s stock had its market perform rating reiterated by research analysts at Telsey Advisory Group in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $52.00 target price on the textile makers stock. Telsey Advisory Groups price objective would indicate a potential upside of 30.99% from the companys current price.

OXM has been the topic of several other research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Oxford Industries in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group dropped their target price on Oxford Industries from $48.00 to $46.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Citigroup raised Oxford Industries from a sell rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $44.00 to $35.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Oxford Industries from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Oxford Industries from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $52.60.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on OXM

Oxford Industries Stock Down 2.7%

OXM stock opened at $39.70 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $590.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.73 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $37.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $42.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.51. Oxford Industries has a 12 month low of $31.47 and a 12 month high of $89.86.

Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 10th. The textile maker reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.05. Oxford Industries had a net margin of 3.80% and a return on equity of 10.99%. The company had revenue of $403.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $406.14 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.77 earnings per share. Oxford Industriess quarterly revenue was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. Oxford Industries has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.800-3.200 EPS and its Q3 2025 guidance at -1.0500.85 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Oxford Industries will post 6.62 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Oxford Industries

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of OXM. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. acquired a new stake in Oxford Industries in the third quarter valued at $305,000. WBI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Oxford Industries in the 3rd quarter valued at about $394,000. PharVision Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Oxford Industries during the 3rd quarter valued at about $216,000. Polymer Capital Management US LLC raised its position in Oxford Industries by 15.3% during the third quarter. Polymer Capital Management US LLC now owns 21,530 shares of the textile makers stock worth $873,000 after acquiring an additional 2,855 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Oxford Industries in the third quarter valued at about $38,000. 91.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Oxford Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Oxford Industries, Inc, an apparel company, designs, sources, markets, and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide. The company offers men's and women's sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; and women's and girl's dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, and belts, as well as children's apparel, swim, footwear, and licensed products under the Lilly Pulitzer brand.

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The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) shares rose 1.8% during trading on Friday after Robert W. Baird raised their price target on the stock from $160.00 to $165.00. Robert W. Baird currently has an outperform rating on the stock. TJX Companies traded as high as $153.34 and last traded at $153.07. Approximately 5,806,392 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 10% from the average daily volume of 5,287,508 shares. The stock had previously closed at $150.30.

Several other research firms have also commented on TJX. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $162.00 target price (up from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated a market perform rating and set a $145.00 price objective (up from $140.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of TJX Companies from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Macquarie reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $162.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $160.37.

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Insider Activity

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the firms 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 directly owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 535,143 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $79,634,629.83. The trade was a 5.31% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TJX. Lavaca Capital LLC bought a new position in TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in TJX Companies by 102.2% in the 3rd quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. GGM Financials LLC acquired a new position in TJX Companies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of TJX Companies during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock.

TJX Companies Price Performance

The companys 50-day simple moving average is $145.06 and its 200-day simple moving average is $135.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $169.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.43.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 58.30%. The company had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. TJX Companiess 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 and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.53%.

About TJX Companies

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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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SentinelOne, BigBear.ai, Tempus AI, SoundHound AI, Fluence Energy, Upstart, and Hut 8 are the seven Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of public companies that develop, manufacture, or commercially deploy AI technologiesthis includes providers of AI software and services, chipmakers for machine learning, and cloud or enterprise firms embedding AI in their products. For stock market investors, these stocks offer exposure to the growth and disruption driven by AI adoption but often carry higher volatility and valuation sensitivity to technological progress and regulation. Evaluating them typically requires examining a companys data assets, model performance, customer adoption, competitive moat, and regulatory risk. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days.

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SentinelOne (S)

SentinelOne, Inc. operates as a cybersecurity provider in the United States and internationally. Its Singularity Platform delivers an artificial intelligence-powered autonomous threat prevention, detection, and response capabilities across an organization's endpoints, cloud workloads, and identify credentials, which enables seamless and autonomous protection against a spectrum of cyber threats.

BigBear.ai (BBAI)

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. provides artificial intelligence-powered decision intelligence solutions. It offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. The company also provides data ingestion, data enrichment, data processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and predictive visualization solutions and services.

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Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

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SoundHound AI (SOUN)

SoundHound AI, Inc. develops independent voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enables businesses across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Its products include Houndify platform that offers a suite of Houndify tools to help brands build conversational voice assistants, such as Application Programming Interfaces (API) for text and voice queries, support for custom commands, extensive library of content domains, inclusive software development kit platforms, collaboration capabilities, diagnostic tools, and built-in analytics; SoundHound Chat AI that integrates with knowledge domains, pulling real-time data like weather, sports, stocks, flight status, and restaurants; and SoundHound Smart Answering is built to offer customer establishments custom AI-powered voice assistant.

Read Our Latest Research Report on SOUN

Fluence Energy (FLNC)

Fluence Energy, Inc., through its subsidiaries, offers energy storage products and solution, services, and artificial intelligence enabled software-as-a-service products for renewables and storage applications in the Americas, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company sells energy storage products with integrated hardware, software, and digital intelligence.

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Upstart (UPST)

Upstart Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) lending platform in the United States. Its platform includes personal loans, automotive retail and refinance loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar loans that connects consumer demand for loans to its to bank and credit unions.

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Hut 8 (HUT)

Hut 8 Corp., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, builds, manages, and operates data centers for digital assets mining, computing, and artificial intelligence in the United States. It operates in four segments: Digital Assets Mining, Managed Services, High Performance Computing Colocation and Cloud, and Other.

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Torex Gold Resources Inc. (OTCMKTS:TORXF  Get Free Report) fell 2.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $44.19 and last traded at $44.19. 63,429 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 54% from the average session volume of 41,319 shares. The stock had previously closed at $45.32.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on TORXF shares. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Torex Gold Resources in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Torex Gold Resources in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Torex Gold Resources in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy.

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Torex Gold Resources Price Performance

About Torex Gold Resources

The firms 50 day moving average price is $43.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $36.78.

(Get Free Report)

Torex Gold Resources Inc operates as an intermediate gold producer in Mexico. It primarily holds a 100% interest in the Morelos Gold property, including Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes Mine Complex; the Media Luna Project, a processing plant; and related infrastructure that covers an area of 29,000 hectares located southwest of Mexico City.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) had its price target hoisted by equities research analysts at Barclays from C$114.00 to C$118.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has an underweight rating on the stock. Barclayss price target would suggest a potential downside of 3.27% from the stocks previous close.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$125.00 to C$130.00 in a research note on Friday. CIBC raised their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$112.00 to C$122.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. National Bankshares set a C$100.00 target price on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Desjardins increased their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$107.00 to C$110.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$120.00 to C$128.00 in a research report on Friday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$118.14.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Up 1.6%

Shares of TD traded up C$1.90 during trading hours on Friday, reaching C$121.99. 2,481,790 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,114,264. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 12 month low of C$73.22 and a 12 month high of C$122.24. The companys fifty day moving average price is C$113.94 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$105.23. The company has a market capitalization of C$208.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.98.

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported C$2.18 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$16.03 billion during the quarter. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 7.84%. On average, analysts expect that Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 7.2160149 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Toronto-Dominion Bank

In other news, insider Ajai Bambawale sold 39,376 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$112.07, for a total transaction of C$4,412,868.32. Also, Director Nathalie Palladitcheff purchased 1,000 shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 6th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$112.64 per share, with a total value of C$112,640.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 3,292 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$370,810.88. This represents a 43.63% increase in their ownership of the stock. In the last quarter, insiders sold 84,384 shares of company stock worth $9,456,915. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

About Toronto-Dominion Bank

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Toronto-Dominion is one of Canadas two largest banks and operates three business segments: Canadian retail banking, U.S. retail banking, and wholesale banking. The banks U.S. operations span from Maine to Florida, with a strong presence in the Northeast. It also has a 13% ownership stake in Charles Schwab.

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Unity Software (NYSE:U  Get Free Report) was upgraded by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a note issued to investors on Friday,Finviz reports. The brokerage currently has a $51.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price objective suggests a potential upside of 15.56% from the companys previous close.

U has been the subject of a number of other reports. Hsbc Global Res cut Unity Software from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Unity Software from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Zacks Research cut shares of Unity Software from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Macquarie upgraded shares of Unity Software from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and upped their price target for the company from $33.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on shares of Unity Software from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Unity Software currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $40.49.

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Unity Software Trading Down 1.1%

NYSE:U opened at $44.13 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -42.03 and a beta of 2.04. Unity Software has a 52 week low of $15.33 and a 52 week high of $46.94. The company has a quick ratio of 2.78, a current ratio of 2.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $38.93 and a 200 day moving average of $34.70.

Unity Software (NYSE:U  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.03. Unity Software had a negative return on equity of 9.45% and a negative net margin of 24.15%.The business had revenue of $470.62 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $452.87 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.31) earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Unity Software will post -1.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Unity Software news, COO Alexander Blum sold 40,693 shares of Unity Software stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.38, for a total transaction of $1,683,876.34. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 563,118 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,301,822.84. This trade represents a 6.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Tomer Bar-Zeev sold 250,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.98, for a total value of $9,495,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 1,298,146 shares in the company, valued at $49,303,585.08. The trade was a 16.15% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 2,506,658 shares of company stock valued at $107,478,975 over the last quarter. Insiders own 3.61% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL boosted its position in Unity Software by 23.8% in the 3rd quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 5,208 shares of the companys stock worth $209,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc purchased a new position in shares of Unity Software during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Unity Software in the 3rd quarter valued at $577,000. Danske Bank A S purchased a new stake in Unity Software during the third quarter worth $80,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in Unity Software by 800.0% during the third quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 3,987 shares of the companys stock valued at $160,000 after buying an additional 3,544 shares during the period. 73.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Unity Software Company Profile

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Unity Software Inc operates a real-time 3D development platform. Its platform provides software solutions to create, run, and monetize interactive, real-time 2D and 3D content for mobile phones, tablets, PCs, consoles, and augmented and virtual reality devices. The company offers its solutions directly through its online store and field sales operations in North America, Denmark, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, Singapore, and South Korea, as well as indirectly through independent distributors and resellers worldwide.

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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Friday. The company reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.60) by $0.33, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $1.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.41 billion. Victorias Secret & Co. had a net margin of 2.42% and a return on equity of 33.77%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned ($0.50) EPS. Victorias Secret & Co. updated its FY 2025 guidance to 2.400-2.650 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance to 2.200-2.45 EPS.

Victorias Secret & Co. Trading Down 2.5%

Shares of NYSE VSCO opened at $41.46 on Friday. Victorias Secret & Co. has a 1-year low of $13.76 and a 1-year high of $48.73. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $33.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $25.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.04 and a beta of 2.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.36.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on VSCO. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Bank of America lifted their target price on Victorias Secret & Co. from $18.00 to $21.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $47.00 target price on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Victorias Secret & Co. from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $33.18.

Institutional Trading of Victorias Secret & Co.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of VSCO. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 65,191 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,207,000 after buying an additional 483 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Victorias Secret & Co. by 7.7% during the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 7,258 shares of the companys stock valued at $133,000 after acquiring an additional 521 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 1.1% in the third quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 67,981 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,845,000 after acquiring an additional 769 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in Victorias Secret & Co. by 3.9% in the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 23,557 shares of the companys stock worth $436,000 after purchasing an additional 892 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its holdings in Victorias Secret & Co. by 1.7% in the second quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 58,707 shares of the companys stock worth $1,087,000 after purchasing an additional 958 shares during the last quarter. 90.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Victorias Secret & Co.

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Victorias Secret & Co operates as a lingerie, clothing and beauty retailer. It offers bras, panties, lingerie, pajamas, sleep, sport and swim apparel, and beauty products. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Reynoldsburg, OH.

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XTX Topco Ltd reduced its position in shares of ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING  Free Report) by 50.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,003 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 22,588 shares during the period. XTX Topco Ltds holdings in ING Group were worth $481,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ING Group during the second quarter worth approximately $37,000. Maseco LLP bought a new position in ING Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $48,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its stake in ING Group by 17.9% in the second 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 grew its holdings in shares of ING Group by 23.1% during the first quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 4,190 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 785 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in shares of ING Group during the second quarter worth $85,000. 4.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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ING Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ING opened at $26.34 on Friday. ING Group, N.V. has a 1 year low of $15.09 and a 1 year high of $26.64. The firms 50-day moving average is $25.16 and its 200-day moving average is $23.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.90 billion, a PE ratio of 11.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.81.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ING Group ( NYSE:ING Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $6.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.35 billion. Equities analysts expect that ING Group, N.V. will post 2.14 EPS for the current year.

Several brokerages recently issued reports on ING. Cfra Research upgraded shares of ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of ING Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Citigroup upgraded shares of ING Group to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of ING Group in a report on Monday. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have issued a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on ING

About ING Group

(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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BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A group of Chinese ecologists has recently quantified the overall biodiversity outcomes of China's forest restoration efforts, finding that the efforts have led to the habitat expansion of 73.6 percent of bird species in the forests, the China Science Daily reported on Friday.

As a global leader in forest restoration, China has managed to reverse the trend of forest degradation over the past two decades through major ecological projects such as a natural forest protection project and the Grain for Green Program, achieving a net increase of about 21,800 square kilometers in forest area. However, whether forest restoration benefits biodiversity has remained a focus of the research community.

Wang Bin from China West Normal University worked with researchers from other institutions on a study to assess the positive impacts of forest restoration on biodiversity at the national scale from 2000 to 2020.

Using 402 species of non-migratory forest birds as indicator species, and integrating remote sensing data with observation records from residents, they employed an ecological niche modeling method to control for the coupled effects of climate change. This approach precisely revealed the beneficial effects of forest restoration on bird habitats, according to the study, which was published in Nature Communications.

The study found that forest restoration is reflected not only in the expansion of area, but more crucially in the comprehensive improvement of quality indicators such as canopy coverage, height, connectivity and structural complexity. These structural enhancements provide birds with more suitable habitats.

Nearly three-quarters of bird species experienced significant habitat expansion during the period studied, with notable benefits for species with broader ecological niches. Furthermore, forest restoration has, to some extent, mitigated habitat loss caused by climate change.

The study also found that both natural and planted forests have demonstrated comparable effectiveness in biodiversity restoration, with tree cover and canopy structural complexity identified as the key driving factors. 
This photo taken on Dec. 4, 2025 shows a scene of a promotion event of Swords into Plowshares, a historical drama produced by Huace Group, during the 26th Asia TV Forum and Market in Singapore. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)

SINGAPORE, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- For Zhou Yu, the question began as a quiet uncertainty: Could a drama set in China's insurance industry possibly find an audience overseas?

Earlier this year, the metropolitan workplace drama A Better Life became a major hit in China. Zhou, general manager of SMG Pictures, one of the producers, sent its translated episodes to a few European and American partners -- more an act of curiosity than confidence.

The reply came sooner than she expected. A British distributor wrote back after watching five episodes: they "loved it." What captivated them were not the policies or corporate procedures, but the two protagonists -- one twenty-eight, one thirty-nine -- each mired in personal crises, yet gradually becoming mentor and student, and in that pairing, helping each other grow.

Zhou realized that the world of the story was deeply Chinese, but the emotional grammar was universal.

From Wednesday to Friday, Zhou brought the series to the 26th Asia TV Forum and Market in Singapore, one of the region's most significant trading floors for screen content. Buyers from across Southeast Asia stopped by to ask Zhou about licensing, and some inquired about local remake possibilities.

This year, China's presence at the forum was more visible than ever. Guided by China's State Council Information Office and National Radio and Television Administration, the China Pavilion expanded to 270 square meters, hosting 24 companies and a slate of projects moving toward concrete deals.

Among them was Swords into Plowshares, a historical drama produced by Huace Group. Thai broadcaster True Visions announced it would air the series in Thailand simultaneously with China. The team explained that Thai audiences now expect to watch the latest C-dramas "almost immediately after they are released in China or even simulcast."

Turkiye has been watching as well. Selcuk Yavuzkanat, deputy director general of cinema at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, noted that in recent years, Chinese production quality has risen markedly, and Turkish audiences have shown a particular fondness for historical epics.

"Our public broadcaster TRT has aired Chinese series before, and people liked them," he said. "I hope in the coming years we can buy more."

For industry veteran Zhao Yifang, CEO of Huace Group, none of these developments comes as a surprise. She has pursued international outreach since the 1990s, and she believes a major transformation in recent years has been a shift toward a global mindset in content creation. "From the beginning," she said, "we keep international audiences in mind."

With Swords into Plowshares, that meant using AI during the script stage to analyze emotional preferences in overseas markets, and later adjusting international trailers for regions such as Europe and Southeast Asia -- same story, different emphases.

Practice has validated this approach. In August, The Thirsty Thirty, a Thai remake of Linmon Media's urban hit Nothing But Thirty, was released simultaneously on Tencent Video and Disney+. General Manager of Linmon International, Lu Yu, said that as the Thai series gained global momentum, Linmon chose to invest directly and oversee the Thai adaptation, working with local writers and actors to shape the cross-border remake.

"We kept the original framework and character design, along with the iconic scenes audiences remember," Lu said. "But we also searched for what best fits the local market." Still, he added, complete localization was not the goal -- they wanted to preserve the distinct "Thai flavor" that international audiences increasingly appreciate.

Across the industry, such collaborations are becoming a pattern. Data presented at the forum by Liu Anqi, senior analyst at French-based media research firm Glance, showed that from 2020 to 2025, China ranks first in Asia in both intent to collaborate and the number of co-produced projects.

Indonesia's largest mobile operator, Telkomsel, has extensive experience in co-productions with Chinese partners. Lesley Simpson, the company's vice president of digital lifestyle, said Telkomsel provides local expertise and a strong user base for Chinese collaborators, while Indonesian industry players need a wide variety of content.

"Local content and Chinese content are very different in style, but Indonesian audiences enjoy both," Simpson said. "Indonesia has many islands and a large population, and audience preferences can vary from one island to another. That's why it's essential to offer a wide variety of content."

For Zhao, who has spent decades leading Huace Group's international outreach, such transformations underscore what she has long observed. "Before, a Chinese episode might sell for a few thousand U.S. dollars," she said. "Now, strong titles can sell for more than one hundred thousand per episode."

Yet, she added, economic value is only part of the story. The deeper significance lies in culture. "Good storytelling ultimately depends on understanding the spiritual core of Chinese people and embedding it in the narrative." Swords into Plowshares centers on the longing for national stability and everyday peace, desires that cross eras and borders.

"A thousand years ago or today, people yearn for a world without war," Zhao said. "It is a Chinese story, but also a human one." 

This photo taken on Dec. 4, 2025 shows a scene of a promotion event of Swords into Plowshares, a historical drama produced by Huace Group, during the 26th Asia TV Forum and Market in Singapore. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
Access to financing is key to homeownership, yet many Bahamians face delays and other challenges.

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By Alimat Aliyeva

China Eastern Airlines, one of Chinas three largest carriers, has inaugurated the worlds longest direct scheduled flight, connecting Shanghai and Buenos Aires, Azernews reports.

The inaugural flight took off on December 4 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and arrived in the Argentine capital after approximately 25 hours in the air, covering a distance of 20,000 kilometers.

The route includes a two-hour stop in Auckland, New Zealand, where passengers can stretch their legs and relax. Despite this brief layover, the flight is considered direct, as the same aircraft and flight number are used for the entire journey. It is not classified as a non-stop flight, which, by international aviation standards, requires no intermediate stops at all.

This new southern route offers a significant improvement over the traditional northern route, which typically takes around 30 hours and requires multiple layovers in Europe or North America. The ShanghaiAucklandBuenos Aires flight not only shortens total travel time but also provides the only direct air link between Argentina and the Asia-Pacific region, making it one of the rare intercontinental flights operating entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.

The service will operate twice a week using a Boeing 777-300ER. One-way economy fares for December range from $1,538 to $2,270, while business class tickets start at $5,000.

For context, the current longest non-stop flight is operated by Singapore Airlines, connecting Singapore Changi Airport with New Yorks JFK Airport. That route spans 15,349 kilometers and lasts over 18 hours, making the ShanghaiBuenos Aires service significantly longer in distance and duration.

Aviation experts say that this new route could redefine long-haul travel in the Southern Hemisphere, offering travelers a faster and more direct connection between Asia and South America than ever before.
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The People's Bank of China (PBOC) and the Monetary Authority of Macao have renewed their bilateral currency-swap agreement and upgraded it to a standing swap arrangement, which will remain valid over the long term, the PBOC said on Friday.

The scale of the swap facility has been increased from 30 billion yuan (about 4.24 billion U.S. dollars), or 34 billion patacas, to 50 billion yuan, or 57 billion patacas.

The move aims to maintain financial stability in both regions, support bilateral trade and economic exchange in an improved manner, and promote the steady development of Macao's offshore renminbi market, the PBOC noted.

A currency-swap deal allows two institutions to exchange payments in one currency for equivalent amounts in the other to facilitate bilateral trade settlements and provide liquidity support for financial markets. 
MANILA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- As political turmoil continued to shake the Philippines in 2025, Imee Marcos, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, described the year as "traumatic" and "dramatic" in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua, and warned that the country must not be turned into "a proxy" or "a frontline" for foreign diplomatic and military strategy.

Early in the year, the House of Representatives initiated impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Shortly afterward, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and brought to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

In the midterm elections that followed, the administration suffered setbacks in many areas. After the new congress convened, a large-scale corruption scandal involving flood-control projects broke out, triggering sustained mass anti-corruption protests across the country.

Imee Marcos, the elder sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has repeatedly criticized him this year. Although the Supreme Court eventually dismissed the impeachment case against the vice president, she said that the impeachment move sealed the break of what was known as the unity team between the Marcoses and the Dutertes.

Speaking of what she called the "kidnapping or extraordinary rendition" of former president Duterte to The Hague, she said this was "even worse": "We basically surrendered our sovereignty as well as surrendering the former president."

The Philippines has also been hit by strong earthquakes and typhoons this year, causing severe damage in some regions. Imee Marcos said the extreme weather events brought an unbearable toll in lives and livelihoods and exposed long-standing weaknesses in critical infrastructure.

Many rural facilities, she noted, "derive from the time of my father -- 50, 60, even 70 years ago," and "by right, they are no longer useful and they shouldn't only be rehabilitated but be rebuilt."

On the tariff arrangement reached this year between the Philippines and the United States, Imee Marcos said that while the Philippines was pressured to give U.S. products zero tariffs, the United States imposed a 19 percent tariff on Philippine goods. This, she argued, shows "how little regard the United States has for the Philippines" and is "a real wake-up call that we're back to the status of being little brown brothers of the colonial era."

She added that Washington is extending its foreign and military policy into the Philippines, "utilizing and exploiting the weakness of the Philippines as a proxy and volunteering us as a frontline," which she called "utterly despicable" and "not acceptable to anyone in the Philippines."

Imee Marcos also shared her impressions of China. She first visited China in the 1970s, accompanying her father, then President Ferdinand Marcos, and has returned many times since. "Going to China today is like visiting an entirely different continent," she said. "One of the great stories of humankind is bringing 800 million people out of extreme poverty in four decades."

"China's development is extraordinary and it has really reached the grassroots -- it's reached every community and every corner," she said. Beyond shared prosperity, she added, China offers "a new concept of modernization," because it "remains Chinese" and "doesn't sacrifice modernization and prosperity to becoming alien or becoming Western."

In China, she said, development "goes hand in hand with thousands of years of civilization," and "this is something everyone must emulate." 
Sweet corn : A boon for the Manipur farmers

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Saiba Siddiqui, Dr S Dayananda Singh, Dr M Sumarjit SinghIntroductionSweet corn (Zea mays L. ssp. Saccharata Sturt.) constitutes a highly esteemed variant of maize that has experienced a substantial surge in demand, particularly within the rapidly expanding agricultural markets of developingnations. Botanically aligned with the Poaceae family, commonly recognized as the grass or cereal family, it traces its evolutionary lineage to an ancient wild grass native to the Balsa River basin in west-central Mexico. Favored by consumers for its distinctive sweetness, delicate flavour, and tender texture, sweet corn constitutes a genetically unique form of maize separate from field corn.Recent years have witnessed sweet corn emerge not solely as a lucrative crop but as a critical constituent in sustainable food production paradigms, attributable to its remarkable adaptability and rising consumer demand.In the context of intensifying climate volatility, diminishing natural resour-ces, and intensifying nutri- tional challenges, an organized synthesis of contem- porary research is paramount to guiding technolo- gical innovation for a good economic return from sweet corn. Premium sweet corn commands high value within vegetable markets. Strategic agricultural initiatives directed toward the food-crop sector universally aspire to intensify production efficiency, thereby fostering national self-sufficiency in the provision of staple food resources.UtilitySweet corn possesses extraordinary commercial pro- mise, particularly where large-scale cultivation is supported by efficient post-harvest processing, packa- ging, and distribution infrastructure. Its marketing scope extends far beyond domestic boundaries and demonstrates significant competitiveness in international trade. Its versatility extends from boiling and steaming to roasting, and the kernels are widely used in an array of applications, including pizzas, salads, soups, and luxury culinary products such as syrups, jams, creams, and confectionery items. Beyond direct consumption, sweet corn also plays a prominent role in various cultural and industrial applications: immature kernels may be employed in candy manufacture, while mature grains can be milled to produce pinnole, a traditional confection, or fermented to prepare alcoholic beverages like chicha.The crop also supports numerous industrial sectors by functioning as a raw material for the production of starch, glucose syrup, dextrose, dextrin, and a range of biochemical derivatives. With such multi- faceted applications, sweet corn represents a major export commodity with wide domestic utilization as well. It matures relatively early, enabling harvest within a short growing window, and the remaining stalks serve as nutritious livestock fodder, thereby enhancing whole-farm utility. They also can be used for making manure as well as mulching. Its suitability for inter-cropping and diversified cropping systems further increases its economic attractiveness, particularly in regions striving to address agricultural stagnation through crop diversification and alternative cash crops. For example, in between the rows of maize we can grow legumes like green gram, black gram etc.Scope of Sweet Corn Cultivation in ManipurIndia ranks as the seventh-largest global producer of maize, contributing significant share of 2.7 % to the worlds cereal economy. Beyond serving as a source of subsistence, the cultivation of sweet corn functions as a catalyst for rural economic transformation through the expansion of agro-based enterprises, including agribusiness and agro-industrial ventures. The North Eastern region of India encompasses a diverse climatic spectrum conducive to the cultivation of various cereal crops. Agricultural systems remain predominantly rice-based, with the exception of Sikkim; nevertheless, sweet corn has been steadily gaining significance in North Eastern region. Sweet corn has emerged as an important secondary crop in Manipur, valued both for its entrepreneurial potential and its dual-purpose utility as a raw material for food processing and livestock. Within Mani- pur, maize is primarily cultivated during the monsoon period on upland terraces, plateaus, and valley ecosystems.Cultivation Practices of Sweet Corn1. Site Selection for CultivationSweet corn thrives best in well-drained, optimally deep, friable, and well-aerated loamy soils enriched with organic matter. The ideal soil reaction ranges from pH 5.8 to 6.8, and unobstructed exposure to intense solar radiation for a minimum of 68 hours daily is indispensable for vigorous growth. So, many of the fields in Manipur, sweet corn can be grown successfully.2. ClimateSweet corn is inherently a warm-season annual crop, highly susceptible to frost damage and vulnerable to physiological stress when subjected to extended exposure to low temperatures, even marginally above freezing. It can thrive in temperate climates with moderate to high rainfall. In Manipur condition, it can be grown thrice in a year in the same field.3. Sowing Dates and Seasonal VariabilitySweet corn can be cultivated round the year across the tropics and subtropics. However, research suggests summer and kharif season is ideal for better physiological development, yield po- tential, and qualitative attributes of sweet corn. In winter its growth retards because of decreases in temperature and it leads to smaller cob size. In general, it can be grown successfully from March to September in Manipur condition.4. Spacing for Sweet CornA spacing of 60x25 cm is recommended for field condition of Manipur to optimize efficient input utilisation. The calibration of plant density represents a critical agronomic factor that profoundly influences the yield potential, cob morphology, and economic viability of sweet corn cultivation5. Field preparationAfte harvesting of previous crop, ploughing should be done 34 times thoroughly. Clay soil requires more numbers of ploughing than sandy soils. If rotavator is available 1-2 times ploughing along with one time use of rotavator in clay soil results in good field condition for effective seed establishment. For superior drainage and enhanced root proliferation, cultivation on elevated ridges or raised beds measuring approximately 810 inches in height are strongly advocated in kharif season.6. Nutrient ManagementPrior to sowing, the incorporation of organic amendments such as decomposed Farm yard manure @10-15 tonper pari, and vermi compost @700-800 q per pari should be incorporated so that it can mix up properly before sowing. In addition to this peat humus, poultry manure, rotted straw, or other biologically derived sub-strates is highly beneficial for augmenting soil structure, aeration, and microbial dynamics.If possible, farmer can also use Azotobacter or Azospirillum or any other effective microorganisms and mix it well with the available FYM or vermi-compost to attain a good quality manure. Before applying chemical fertilizer, farmer should pay attention in soil testing method to access nutrient status of the particular soil. If soil testing is not possible a generalize dose of primary nutrient is recommended to help the farmers i.e, 120:60:60 kg NPK per pari. Full dose of phosphorus and potassium and half dose of nitrogen as basal application is generally recommended at the time of final ploughing. Application of split- application strategies for remaining half part of nitrogen 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS) is effective rather than administered as a singular dose. Such scheduling significantly enhances nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by synchronizing nutrient availability with plant uptake capacity, thereby diminishing volatilization, leaching, and runoff losses.7. Weed managementIntegrated Weed Management (IWM) frame- works incorporating harmonious combinations of cultural, mechanical, and chemical strategieshas expanded considerably in modern agricultural practices. Cultural and Mecha- nical interventions, including inter-row cultivation, mowing, and thermal weeding (flaming), have emerged as viable alternatives or supplements to chemical control, particularly within organic production systems where synthetic herbicides are prohibited. One hand weeding after twenty days of sowing can control weed efficiently.In chemical weed control, both pre-emergence and post-emer- gence herbicides continue to be employed to suppress a broad spectrum of weed flora. The selection of herbicide type and dose is contingent on weed species composition, developmental stage, and prevailing environmental conditions. Pre emergence herbicide such asatrazine 50% @1.5 kg/Pari can be applied 2-3 days after sowing of seed but before emergence of crop. Post emergence herbicide such as Tembotrione 34.4% [email protected] lit can be applied per pari in the initial stage of crop growth.8. Pest and disease managementSimilarly to the traditional corn verities, sweet corn is also vulnerable to numerous pests including borer, fall army worm, stink bugs, aphids, and depredation by birds, but the maize army worm constitutes the most devastating threat. The pests life cycle involves oviposition on tender silks, followed by larval penetration into developing ears, causing severe consumption injury and facilitating fungal invasion.Physiological defects such as poor kernel tip filling frequently arise from insect pressure, moisture stress, or extended periods of low solar radiation during pollination. Fungal disorders like damping-off, leaf blight, rusts, downy mildew, and smut can also afflict the crop. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices, such as crop rotation, biological control, and chemical control, are typically used to manage these threats.Cultural strategies including crop rotation, pest-resistant cultivar usage, and strategic sowing date adjustments stand out in disrupting pest life cycles and reducing pest pressure across seasons.(To be contd)
JTC delivers a point with memo to Modi Of non-stop incursion

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Unchecked immigration, large scale mushrooming of new settlements, well armed groups protecting/encouraging the new settlements, heavy illegal taxation on commercial vehicles plying on the National Highways. These are the points highlighted by the Joint Tribal Council in a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and falls perfectly in line with the growing call to effect the National Register of Citizens in the State of Manipur. Along this line, the JTC also pointed out to the growing number of MLAs representing the Kuki-Chin-Zo communities down the decades, with the number shooting up from one MLA in 1952-57, one in 1957-62, one in 1962-67, six in 1972-73, eight in 1974-79 to nine in 1980-85. And now the number of Kuki-Chin-Zo MLAs stands at 10. The number of the MLAs was worked vis-a-vis the Naga MLAs and this corresponds to the sharp spike in the population of Kuki-Chin-Zo population in Manipur down the decades. From 79,919 in 1951 to 4,48,214 in 2011, a jump of 460.7 percent growth in six decades, is another point delivered by the JTC in the memorandum to the Prime Minister and this falls perfectly in line with what a certain Mr Paolienlal Haokip had written back in 2002 in a submission to a publication of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. In the said article Mr Haokip had drawn the attention of the Government of India to the plight of who he calls refugees who had fled Myanmar and entered Manipur and the other North Eastern States, dating back to 1967, when 20,000 Kukis sought refuge in Manipur during the Burmanisation campaign of Ne Win in the neighbouring country. Likewise a good number of refugees also entered the other North Eastern States, mainly Nagaland and Mizoram. This was not all for during the pro-democracy uprising in Myanmar in 1988, a good number of refugees also entered Manipur. In the course of time, many of those who entered Manipur and the other North Eastern States, took to the drug trade wrote Haokip, and judging by the present reality and the incoming reports of poppy fields being razed to the ground, the drug trade is still the preferred mode for many. The only thing is, just like the villages which have been provided protection by the armed groups, as pointed out by the JTC, the huge possibility of the poppy cultivation having come under the protective umbrella of the armed groups cannot be brushed aside. And it is against this reality that Delhi went ahead and renewed the SoO pact with the Kuki-Zo outfits, more than indicating that the memorandum of the JTC may just remain another representation submitted to the Centre.

Human incursion from across the border is a real thing and to truly understand its impact one will have to look at the years before the military coup in Myanmar in 2021 and the subsequent armed uprising against the military junta. The 1967 instance during the Burmanisation programme of Ne Win is but just one case, for the gradual incursion from across the border can be directly co-related to the increasing population of the Kuki-Chin-Zo people, as pointed out by the JTC as well as in the increasing number of MLAs belonging to the said communities. That the said JTC as well as a young Naga researcher, whose writings have already been published in this newspaper have pointed out, the first people to be directly affected by the unchecked incursion from across the border have been the Nagas, who mostly live in the hills. This is where one would need to take another long, hard look at the vociferous opposition to the decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border as well as put in more regulations to the Free Movement Regime. If the current trend continues, then the possibility of the 20 Assembly seats reserved for the tribals of Manipur being totally dominated by the non-Nagas cannot be written off. A point which should not be forgotten. Any individual with a modicum of intelligence will understand the reality and it is this reality which will impact on the future of the people. And the future should not be allowed to be jeopardised just because some folks refuse to acknowledge the present reality.
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The militaries of China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will hold the "Falcon Shield 2025" joint air force training in the UAE from Dec. 9 to 22, Chinese military spokesperson Jiang Bin announced on Friday.

This is the third time for the two militaries to conduct the series of training, Jiang added.

He said the training will help the two sides enhance mutual learning and deepen substantial cooperation on defense. 
MOSCOW, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Russian air defense systems shot down five long-range "Neptune" cruise missiles, one U.S.-made HIMARS rocket, and 1,120 Ukrainian drones, Russian authorities said Friday.

Forces of Russia's Black Sea Fleet also destroyed seven Ukrainian unmanned boats in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, said Russia's Ministry of Defense in a statement.

The ministry added that in response to Ukrainian attacks on civilian sites on Russian territory from Saturday to Friday, Russian forces carried out one massive strike and four group strikes against Ukrainian targets. 
JERUSALEM, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said at the White House on Wednesday that the second phase of the Gaza peace plan is "going to happen pretty soon," with media speculating that the announcement could come before Christmas and ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's next visit to Washington.

However, analysts caution that beneath the diplomatic choreography lies a sharp disconnect between Washington's aspirations and the realities on the ground in Gaza.

Divergences still persist among regional actors. Take the reopening of the Rafah crossing as an example: Israel announced on Wednesday that it will reopen the crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the coming days, with exits to be coordinated with Egyptian authorities. Israel also said it would operate one-way only -- allowing Palestinians to exit Gaza but barring entries.

However, Egypt denied coordinating with Israel on reopening the Rafah crossing. An Egyptian source told Israeli daily Haaretz that the crossing should operate as it did during the temporary ceasefire that began in January: open in both directions and managed on the Gaza side by the Palestinian Authority (PA) with support from the European Union Border Assistance Mission. The source described Israel's statement as "a bluff aimed at appeasing extremist elements within the Israeli government."

What may seem like a technical disagreement is in fact a struggle over Gaza's future governance. Roee Kibrik, head of research at Mitvim, the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, said, "It is quite clear that the Israeli government's goal in Gaza is to continue the war, even at low intensity, and to prevent progress from phase-one to phase-two of Trump's plan, which would advance a diplomatic process potentially leading to a Palestinian state."

The debate over Rafah's one-way opening illustrates how long the PA can be prevented from establishing even a minimal presence in Gaza -- something that Trump's plan assumes as a starting point.

The implication is significant: for some elements of the Israeli government, Hamas's continued presence -- weak but intact -- serves political purposes by justifying ongoing military operations and blocking any role for the PA, whose involvement could open the door to alternative governance in Gaza, analysts say.

"There is a ceasefire, but with a green light from the Americans, Israel keeps freedom of action when it monitors or discovers threatening activities by Hamas," said Eyal Zisser, vice rector of Tel Aviv University.

According to Israeli officials, Netanyahu's approach has focused on bargaining over procedural details, using technical objections to delay substantive progress.

This disconnect reflects what some experts call the "Yellow Line" reality: without a transition to phase two or disarmament of Hamas, the situation risks remaining static.

Ahmed Alkhatib, resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, noted that Gaza's informal division, with Hamas maintaining control over areas where most Palestinians live, may solidify into a long-term arrangement, regardless of committees or timetables announced.

Trump may proceed with his phase two declaration, but it will not resolve the core questions of who governs Gaza, how security is maintained, or whether a path to Palestinian statehood exists, analysts said.

These fundamental issues remain unsettled. Procedural steps may spur diplomatic activity, but real change in Gaza requires a shift in the intentions of all parties -- a shift that remains out of reach for now, they added. 
The Business of Business: To rebuild trust with audiences, as journalists we should show our work
MOSCOW, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Russia will respond if the European Union seizes frozen Russian assets, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

Moscow's response will be a "surprise" for the EU, said Zakharova, without providing further details.

She said that the behavior of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was "inappropriate."

Von der Leyen proposed a revised plan on Wednesday to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, reducing the funding amount from up to 186 billion U.S. dollars to around 105 billion dollars.

Belgium rejected the EU plan, saying the proposal fails to address the financial and legal risks it faces. Most of the frozen Russian assets are held in a Brussels-based securities depository Euroclear. 
Fashion magnate Simone Tata, the mother of Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata and the stepmother of the late Ratan Tata, passed away on Friday at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, aged 95.

This follows her brief battle with several symptoms of Parkinson's disease that worsened in August this year, when she was airlifted from Dubai to Mumbai's Breach Candy hospital, as per a Times of India report.

Swiss-origin Simone leaves behind a colossal legacy as the co-founder of Lakme, one of the most famous cosmetics brands to come out of India, and later laying the foundation for Trent Limited, the group behind popular retail chain Westside.

"She also guided the work of many philanthropic organisations, including the Sir Ratan Tata Institute, a Tata Group spokesperson said in a statement, highlighting the former Tata Group director's key role in the $180 billion conglomerate.

The statement added that her last respects would be offered in a service at the Cathedral of the Holy Name Church in Colaba.

Simone Tata is survived by her son and Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata, daughter-in-law Aloo Mistry (the sister of the late Cyrus Mistry); and her grandchildrenNeville, Maya, and Leah.

What first brought her to India?

Geneva-born Simone Tata first came to India in 1953 at the age of 23, a year after she co-founded cosmetics giant Lakme (the French word for 'Lakshmi', the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity) with J.R.D. Tata.

The company reportedly arose out of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's wish for an indigenous cosmetics brand for a growing number of Indian women spending on foreign cosmetics brands.

During her visit, she met industrialist Naval Tata, then divorced from his first wife and Ratan Tata's mother, Soonoo Commissariat.

Despite a 26-year age gap, they fell in love, and got married two years later, after which she permanently moved to Mumbai.

In 1966, Lakme was sold to Hindustan Unilever as part of a restructuring strategy. From the proceeds of this deal arose Trent Limitedwhich owns Westside and the Star India Bazaar storesthat she managed, in addition to various other consumer-facing Tata Group firms.

She was also a member on the board of Tata Industries, an investment company within the Tata Group.

VIDEO | Simone Tata, stepmother of Ratan Tata, leaves after paying last respects to the industrialist at Worli Crematorium in Mumbai.



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/SFES4c6gBv  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 10, 2024

Simone Tata retired in 2006, ending a legacy spanning over four decades. After her retirement, she made very few public appearancesat the opening of the renovated flagship Westside store in South Mumbai on October 2019, former Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry's funeral in September 2022, and her stepson Ratan Tata's funeral in October 2024.
Markets regulator SEBI on Thursday banned Pune-based 'finfluencer' Avadhut Sathe and his firm, the Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy (ASTAPL), from the securities market.

In a 125-page interim order cum show cause notice, SEBI also ordered them to return Rs 5,46,16,65,367out of the firm's total collection of more than Rs 601 crore from more than 3.37 lakh investorsthat was "unlawfully gained".

What did Sathe do?

Despite growing up in a chawl (settlement) in Mumbai's Dadar area, Avadhut Sathe worked his way up the career ladder, becoming an IT professional abroad.

According to his website, Sathe was a long-time investor, but dedicated himself to it only after quitting the IT field in 2007. A year later, ASTAPL was born out of a small seminar session he conducted, quickly growing to 17 branches nationwide, as per an Indian Express report.

Often self-described as a financial influencer, Pune-based Avadhut Sathe's business model involved training retail investors in the art of stock market trading.

He offered his training programmes in Hindi, Marathi, and English, reaching even middle-class families and people from poorer backgrounds due to the competitive prices of his courses.

Over the years, he claimed to have trained thousands of people, and in 2023, Sathe went viral after a video of him dancing during a trading session did the rounds on social media, at which time, student testimonies of his courses also went viral. As per his website, his flagship four-month course costs around Rs 18,000.

The result was phenomenal: a YouTube channel with about 500,000 subscribers, marking a strong online presence and additional source of income for Sathe and his firm.

However, as SEBI has revealed, ASTAPL's advice was hollowwithout registering itself with the markets regulator as an investment adviser or research analyst, ASTAPL allegedly offered course takers stock-specific recommendations and trade levels.

SEBI has also accused Sathe and his firm of spreading misinformation through social media, as ASTAPL would only publish testimonies of successful trading results.

However, this is not the first time that ASTAPL and Sathe have come under SEBI's lensthe two entities were warned in 2024 against spreading half-truths about stock market success, after SEBI's own study showed that most small traders usually face net losses in trading.

Famous Indian finfluencers

1) Pushkar Raj Thakur

Known as one of India's leading stock market educators and entrepreneurs, this Hindi-based finfluencer has a massive following of about 14 million on YouTube and another 2 million on Instagram.

2) CA Rachana Phadke Ranade

This chartered accountant and teacher boasts a following of 5.34 million subscribers on YouTube and another million on Instagram. Ranade is known for making complex financial concepts simpler.

3) Ankur Warikoo

A famous name in both the content creation and business worlds, Ankur Warikoo is a finfluencer focusing on personal finance in particular and career growth in general.

4) Pranjal Kamra

With a huge presence on multiple social media platforms, Kamra is known for prioritising financial freedom, with content spanning mutual funds, AI, portfolio management, and more contemporary concerns.

5) Sharan Hegde

Known for his quirky style in 'Finance with Sharan' videos, Hegde tackles financial literacy with his explainer videos and coursesmostly aimed at Gen Z.
In what comes as a major step in fast-tracking the development and delivery of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force, American jet and turboprop engines GE Aerospace delivered the fifth F404-IN20 jet engine to HAL.

The delivery against an order placed by HAL in 2021. Valued at $716 million, the HAL order of 2021 includes 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services.

The fourth engine under the order was handed over by GE in October.

"GE Aerospace has handed over the fifth F404-IN20 engine against the order from 2021. GE Aerospace and HAL continue to work closely to ensure a clear line of sight of production schedules for the F404 engines," news agency ANI quoted a GE Aerospace spokesperson as saying.

ALSO READ: How safe is LCA Tejas? HAL chief shuts down naysayers

Although GE had assured that all 99 engines and support services would be delivered by 2029, there has been an inordinate delay in delivery due to global supply chain disruptions.

However, despite the delay, HAL, in November, sealed a mega deal with GE for the procurement of 113 jet engines for its Tejas light combat aircraft programme. Under this deal, the delivery of the F404-GE-IN20 engines will begin from 2027, and the supplies will have to be completed by 2032.

About LCA Tejas Mk1

LCA Mk1A is the most advanced version of the LCA Tejas, equipped with AESA Radar, EW suite consisting of radar warning and self-protection jamming, Digital Map Generator (DMG), Smart Multi-function Displays (SMFD), Combined Interrogator and Transponder (CIT), Advanced Radio Altimeter and other advances features.
The Border Security Force (BSF) is on its toes after intelligence claimed that over 100 terrorists are waiting for an opportunity to enter India from Pakistani territory, Inspector General (Kashmir Frontier) Ashok Yadav said. The G Branch of the Border Security Force is keeping a close watch on these terror hideouts after it was learnt that there were 69 active terror launchpads operational in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and mainland Pakistan, a report said.

ALSO READ | BSF's war on drones: 255 Pakistani drones neutralised in 2025

The number of trained terrorists awaiting a window to infiltrate Indian fences is estimated to be between 100 and 120. So far, eight terrorists trying to enter India were killed by the BSF and Army personnel on duty. A large cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifle, MP-5 rifle, pistols, hand grenade, UBGL, Chinese grenades, have all been recovered from Northern Kashmir by his men, he added.

ALSO READ | 'Faced inhumane treatment': Released BSF jawan Purnam Shaw narrates gruelling ordeal in Pak custody

"Simultaneously, various training camps of terrorists are also under scrutiny of our intelligence wing... Our G unit is keeping a close watch on all the 69 active launching pads along the LoC, where around 100120 terrorists have been waiting to infiltrate," IG Yadav was quoted as telling media. The G Branch or G Unit is the BSFs intelligence wing. He didn't categorically define how many of the 69 were in PoK and elsewhere in Pakistan, and stopped at claiming their locations to be "across the Line of Control (LoC)."

BSF and Operation Sindoor

Despite the terror launchpads in PoK taking a major hit during Operation Sindoor, they were not wiped out, the intelligence proved. "Several terrorist launching pads across the LoC were destroyed during Operation Sindoor, but some launching pads are still active where there is the presence of terrorists," Ashok Yadav told reporters. BSF has inducted new surveillance equipment and weaponry, including the improved night surveillance and warfare capabilities, to prepare its troops for any emergency along the LoC, he added.

READ HERE | BSFs role in Operation Sindoor: Amit Shah reminds how jawans gave Pak forces a befitting reply when border fighting erupted

All BSF units of Kashmir Frontier, including its Artillery regiments, targeted Pakistani posts and bunkers when fighting erupted following the initial airstrikes. Heavy casualties were inflicted on Pak troops and some of the terrorist launch pads were obliterated, he added.
ABU DHABI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers from several Arab and Muslim countries on Friday expressed concern over recent Israeli remarks suggesting the Rafah Crossing be opened only in one direction to transfer Gaza residents into Egypt.

In a joint statement, ministers from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar rejected any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians and called for adherence to the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which they said requires the Rafah Crossing to remain open in both directions to ensure freedom of movement for Gaza's population.

The statement emphasized that the plan aims to allow Palestinians to remain on their land and participate in rebuilding their homeland, while restoring stability and improving humanitarian conditions.

The ministers stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire, easing civilian suffering, ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access, and launching early recovery and reconstruction efforts.

They also highlighted the need to create conditions for the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in Gaza, paving the way for greater security and stability.

Israel announced on Wednesday that it would reopen the crossing in the coming days under the October ceasefire deal with Hamas, but said it would operate one way only, allowing Palestinians to leave Gaza but not return. The Egyptian government denied coordinating with Israel on the reopening.

The crossing has been mostly closed since May 2024, when Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side. Before that, it was the main exit for Palestinians and a key entry point for humanitarian aid. 
The Mahayuti government in Maharashtra led by Devendra Fadnavis completed one successful year of stable, transparent and result-oriented governance, said revenue minister and senior BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday. He was presenting the governments comprehensive Progress Report Card at a press conference held in Mumbai.

Speaking on the occasion, Bawankule said, With the blessings of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the 14 crore people of Maharashtra, the Mahayuti government has laid a strong foundation for a Viksit Maharashtra in complete alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Viksit Bharat.

He said that in last one year the government set new benchmarks in agriculture, industry, infrastructure, women empowerment and youth employment through bold and people-centric decisions.

The minister pointed out that Rs 32,000 crore relief package announced for farmers affected by excess rainfall and natural calamities. The government gave a say on crop loan recovery and made sure faster disbursement of crop insurance.

The Mahayuti Government is fully committed to the vision of Viksit Maharashtra 2047. Every decision, every rupee and every policy is dedicated to making Maharashtra the most prosperous and progressive state in India, he stated.

The department of animal husbandry and fisheries was accorded agriculture status, he added. The government also cleared major river-linking projects (Wainganga-Nalganga, Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari) and over 37,000 water conservation works were completed under Jalyukt Shivar 2.0, Bawankule claimed.

He said that Rs 16 lakh crore worth of MoUs were signed at Davos and of these 80 per cent are already under implementation. Rs 1.64 lakh crore FDI was received in 2024-25, which he said was a 34 per cent jump over the previous year. A total of 1.5 lakh government jobs were provided and 45,000 police recruitments were completed, the minister added.

In the infrastructure sector, Samruddhi Mahamarg has become fully operational while the Shaktipeeth Highway and Vadhavan Port are in the planning stage. Besides the Mumbai Metro network is undergoing rapid expansion.

Bawankule added that a historic proposal has been submitted to reduce electricity rates over the next five years.

The minister said the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is hugely popular, adding that Umed Malls are to be established in 10 districts for women self-help groups.

The government is also planning the construction of the Shivaji Maharaj memorial in Agra and the Maratha bravery memorial in Panipat.
As India rolls out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who landed in New Delhi on Thursday evening, the writing on the wall is clear: Russia is not a pariah, and India hasnt turned its back on its decade-old ally despite the US sanctions.

While Putin will hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the focus of which will be to boost defence and oil trade, the visit is high on optics and will be closely watched by the West. For Russia, it's a message to the world that its global partnerships are still intact. However, for India, it is not only a tightrope walk between its relations with the US and Russia, but also an attempt to assert Indias strategic autonomy after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on the nations goods to punish New Delhi for its close ties with Russia.

According to Harsh Pant, professor of international relations at Kings College, London, this is an opportunity for India to underline that, despite pressure from the Trump administration, Prime Minister Modi can hold his own. It shows Modi can craft a foreign policy of India based on Indias requirements, which is to have a stable and functional relationship with Russia, he told Bloomberg.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi and was greeted at the airport by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a rare gesture highlighting close ties as the two nations look to deepen trade beyond energy and defense https://t.co/2nY4KCviqq pic.twitter.com/HINv2HRlEV  Reuters (@Reuters) December 4, 2025

Other analysts also agree that Modi has to walk a political tightrope, considering that India is attempting to mend its ties with the US. Sumantra Bose, a geo political expert and a political science professor at Krea University, told The New York Times that India and Modi have to signal an ongoing commitment to Moscow without alienating the U.S. president. Its a fine balancing act, Bose said. He has to factor Trumps unpredictable and unstable personality into his personal calculations.

But, Bose too agrees that Modis red carpet welcome to Putin is a message to Russia that Its okay, we havent given up on you, and the fundamentals of the relationship remain strong.

While there is also a perception that India still cant alienate Russia, thanks to the mercurial Trump, Moscow too needs New Delhi at its side to keep the flow of crude going. After Trumps sanction threat, India reduced its imports of Russian oil, which affected Russias finances.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a petition of ISKCON India (Mumbai) seeking review of its May 16 verdict, which held that the iconic Hare Krishna temple in Bengaluru belongs to ISKCON Society of the city. The apex court had set aside the Karnataka High Court order giving control of the Bengaluru temple to the ISKCON Mumbai.

The bench of justices MM Sundresh, Prashant Kumar Mishra and Satish Chandra Sharma issued notice to ISKCON Bengaluru seeking their response in the dispute, while admitting the review petition filed by ISKCON India.

The case pertains to the 25-year-old legal dispute between Mumbai and Bengaluru factions of ISKCON over control of the Bengaluru temple.

On May 16, the apex court said the trial court also recorded a finding that no evidence was produced by ISKCON Mumbai about its possession of the Schedule "A" property and there was absolutely no evidence to support its claim.

On October 28, the over 25-year-old legal dispute between Mumbai and Bengaluru factions of ISKCON over control of the Bengaluru temple was revived after a two-judge bench gave a split decision on the review plea of ISKCON India seeking review of the May 16 verdict, according to the PTI.

While Justice JK Maheshwari found substance in the plea of ISKCON India and agreed to hear the matter in open court and sought a response from the Bengaluru faction, Justice AG Masih dismissed the review petitions filed in the matter, saying there is no error apparent on the face of the record or any merit in the Review Petitions, warranting reconsideration of the May 16 judgment. It was then decided to take the matter before the Chief Justice of India, and a three-judge bench was formed to consider the multiple review petitions filed in the case.

Yudhistir Govinda Das, Director of Communications for ISKCON India, stated in a statement that the Supreme Court of India's decision to reopen this matter is a significant milestone in bringing out the truth of this case and for the protection of Srila Prabhupada's global mission. "It is unfortunate what has happened that few individuals have tried to usurp the assets of the institution, including the Bangalore temple and our flagship project of Akshaya Patra for feeding the young children of India. We are hopeful that, with the complete facts now before the court, it will bring justice to the lakhs of ISKCON devotees and members across the country."

However, a statement issued by the ISKCON Bengaluru to THE WEEK said: We would like to clarify that the Supreme Court has only issued a notice to ISKCON Bangalore. The decision to review its May 16 verdict will be made by the Supreme Court in the next hearing in February 2026. To say that the Supreme Court has decided to review, or that it has admitted the review petition, will be incorrect reporting, it said.

The statement also added that the claim made by ISKCON Mumbai that the renowned Akshaya Patra programme is their flagship project was false. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an independent charitable trust registered under the Indian Trusts Act 1882 (Reg. No. 154). ISKCON Bangalore is the SETTLOR of this Foundation as per the Trust Deed executed on Oct 16, 2001, the statement said.

ISKCON Mumbai (or ISKCON India) has no connection whatsoever with The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Also, the legal dispute between ISKCON Bangalore and ISKCON Mumbai, which began in the year 2000, predates the establishment of Akshaya Patra. Hence, any claims of ownership made by their officials or spokespersons are contrary to these facts and misleading, the statement added.
Unlucky that their Indigo flight was cancelled. The couple still joined their reception online and made the best of the moment.#Indigo #IndigoDelay#indigochaos #Indigoairlines pic.twitter.com/R3UB2izDFD  Karl Marx2.O (@Marx2PointO) December 5, 2025

A newlywed couple from Karnataka had to attend their own reception virtually, reportedly after the IndiGo flight cancellations stopped them from reaching the venue.

Medha Kshirsagar of Hubballi and Sangama Das of Odishas Bhubaneswar, both techies, were supposed to reach the brides hometown on Wednesday for their reception after getting hitched on November 23, Sunday. They had booked their Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru flight tickets along with some of the groom's relatives. While they were set to travel at 9:00 AM on December 2, Tuesday, their flights were repeatedly delayed until early morning the next day before being eventually cancelled, News 18 said in a report.

ALSO READ | IndiGo flight disruptions: How many cancellations today? When will normal operations resume

This forced them to make a virtual appearance before the invited guests in Hubballi. The duo wore the special dress they had prepared for the event and interacted with the guests via a screen arranged in the hall. A photo of Medha Kshirsagar and Sangama Das interacting with the people at the hall was also shared by News 18. They apologised with folded hands before the guests before settling back to see the activities at the reception hall, a video shared on X showed.

The bride's parents graced the occasion at the scheduled reception venueHubballi's Gujarat Bhavan.

DGCA steps in

Aviation regulator DGCA's chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai on Friday requested the co-operation of all pilots to ensure smooth flight operations amid massive IndiGo flight disruptions. In an appeal, the Director General said that in light of the current IndiGo flight disruptions due to operational constraints, unpredictable weather patterns and rising seasonal demand, the aviation sector is experiencing significant strain.

ALSO READ | IndiGo update: Over 1,300 flights cancelled, airline flight fares skyrocket

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided to withdraw the provision 'no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest' from the FDTL norms, news agency PTI reported.

"In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, it has been considered necessary to review the said provision," DGCA said in a communication dated December 5.

The gaps in planning ahead of the implementation of the revised FDTL, the second phase of which came into force from November 1, have resulted in crew shortage at IndiGo and is one of the key reasons for the current disruptions.
Israel wants India to formally designate Hamas and other groups in the coalition acting against it as terrorist organisations. Tel Aviv did the same with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) a couple of years back and now expects reciprocation from India in its favour, reports said.

"Our request from India is to work hard to sanction and designate these organisations as terrorist groups. Israel designated Lashkar-e-Taiba a couple of years ago, and we would like to see this reciprocated, news agency ANI quoted an Israeli official in Jerusalem as saying. The "strong global impact" and influence of New Delhi in the region means countries including Maldives, Bangladesh will pay attention if Hamas is declared evil by India, they added.

Israel wants to use India's regional influence

If Hamas and allies are declared terrorist organisations by India, it will have long-lasting impact across South Asia, Israel reportedly points out. Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants India to act in its favour on the basis of their understanding that New Delhi understands the networks and linkages behind these anti-Zionist groups predominantly operating from the Middle East.

Hamas and Lashkar-e-Taiba are linked, Israel maintains, adding that Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah have increasingly been relying on "transnational criminal groups" to carry out strikes.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had earlier said that the two countries "have a common enemy." By declaring Hamas a terrorist group, it can be ensured that no operative of the militant group will enter the country, another official reportedly said. It will be a good thing if India did. India and Israel have a common enemy. It will be good to have a clear statement on who we face, Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, International Spokesperson for the IDF, was quoted as saying by the Times Of India (TOI) on December 1.

"We are putting pressure on India to designate Hamas... After having designated Lashkar-e-Taiba, we would like to see the same. It's not only about freezing assets or banning operatives from entering India. It signals that India has clearly seen what Hamas is doing, and no operative should step on Indian soil," the daily quoted the IDF officer as further saying.

Israel reportedly wants to rally its international allies ahead of the US-brokered ceasefire coming into force in Gaza as Hamas is reportedly trying to regroup and rebuild its depleted ranks.
A top aide of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has warned the Gulf states that they should not play with Tehrans red lines regarding the three disputed islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. The islands, which have been under Iranian control since 1971, are claimed by the UAE, leading to tensions between the nations.

Ali Shamkhani, the representative of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the National Defense Council, made the remarks in response to the recent statement issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He wrote on the X platform that the GCC's claims regarding the three islands, as well as the Durra gas field, were "unconstructive."

The six-member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council reiterated, in the final statement of their meeting in Bahrain, their previous position on the three islands, describing Irans continued occupation of these islands, stressing that they belong to the UAE. These countries reiterated their demand that Tehran respond to Abu Dhabi's demands to resolve the dispute over ownership of the islands through direct negotiations, or by resorting to the International Court of Justice. The council also appreciated the European Unions previous positions that described the three islands as belonging to the UAE.

In his sharp-worded attack, Shamkhani accused some Gulf states of providing "various forms of support" to the United States and Israel during the 12-day war. "During the 12-day war, Iran exercised restraint despite some support for the aggression. Iran's strength in the Gulf should not be misinterpreted; the role of neighbors is to create security, not to play with the Iranian people's red lines, he said.

The Dorra oil field, shared by Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, has also become a point of contention between Tehran and the Gulf states. The field's reserves are estimated at approximately 220 billion cubic meters, or seven trillion cubic feet. In August 2023, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Kingdom and Kuwait are the exclusive owners of these reserves.
Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of the Popular Forces, a prominent anti-Hamas militia in Gaza, was killed in the southern city of Rafah on Thursday. An Israeli security official confirmed his death, although accounts from the ground offered conflicting details. Some reports suggested he was shot during a violent incident in Gaza, while the Popular Forces stated that he died while trying to de-escalate a dispute between members of a local family in a public square. The group rejected claims that Hamas had assassinated him, asserting that Hamas was far too weak to carry out such an operation.

Other accounts explained the killing as the result of internal clashes or a broader power struggle within Gaza. Rumours circulated that a confrontation erupted when Abu Shabab allegedly refused to release a hostage taken by his men, prompting fighters from a powerful local family to attack a Popular Forces base. After the shooting, two Israeli sources said that Israel attempted to evacuate him to a hospital in the south of the country, and Israels Army Radio reported that he succumbed to his wounds after being taken to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. The hospital denied that he had died under its care.

 Yasser Abu Shabab, head of Israel-backed anti-Hamas militia, has been K*lled - Israel Channel 14



Leader of Popular Forces and Gazas MOST WANTED



Unclear if this was a targeted as*sination pic.twitter.com/C1hMRPIrXV   Gal (@DigitalGalX) December 4, 2025

Abu Shabab, believed to be in his early thirties and a member of the Bedouin Tarabin tribe, had risen to prominence last year as the head of a militia operating in areas of Gaza controlled by Israel. He claimed that his group numbered in the hundreds, and it was often described as the largest and best-equipped among the militias that emerged late in the conflict. Israel armed and supported the Popular Forces with the intention of weakening Hamas and establishing an alternative to its rule. Having failed to create a broader anti-Hamas coalition of community leaders, Israel turned to figures like Abu Shabab and provided them with weapons in an effort to control parts of the population and confront Hamas through local proxies.

The Popular Forces, who initially called themselves the Anti-Terror Service, mostly operated within territory held by Israel. Their fighters would mount raids into Hamas-controlled areas before withdrawing under the protection of Israeli forces. Israel planned to rely on the group to help secure reconstruction projects in the occupied parts of Gaza under the next phase of the ceasefire agreement. During the war, Abu Shabab also played a role in managing aid arriving through the Kerem Shalom crossing. His fighters worked closely with Israeli forces at aid distribution sites established by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American and Israeli-backed organisation that has since ceased operations.

The group presented itself as a nationalist force dedicated to opposing Hamas and facilitating the distribution of humanitarian assistance. However, Abu Shabab was widely viewed by Palestinians as a collaborator. His close cooperation with Israel at a time when Israeli forces were active in Gaza stripped him of legitimacy in the eyes of most Palestinians. His reputation was further tarnished by his past. He had spent years in a Gaza prison on drug-related charges before escaping early in the war. International officials accused his men of looting aid trucks, and a United Nations memo described him as a key figure in systematic and extensive looting. His own tribe publicly distanced itself from him after his death and said it marked the end of a dark chapter that did not reflect its history.

Hamas seized upon his killing and described him as a traitor who had met the fate reserved for those who betray their people. Reports from Gaza indicated that many residents celebrated his death and that few expressed any sorrow.

His killing is seen as a setback for Israels post-war plans, which still lack a clear governance structure for Gaza. Abu Shabab had been one of several militia leaders seeking influence in discussions of a future transitional authority under an international plan for stabilisation. Analysts say that his death, whether caused by Hamas or by internal rivalries, would reinforce doubts among other anti-Hamas factions about their ability to challenge Hamas effectively. Israels reliance on such groups stems from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus rejection of any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. Abu Shabab lacked broad popular support, and his death has highlighted the risks inherent in Israels strategy, which critics say cannot produce a credible alternative to Hamas.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $27.04 and last traded at $26.9450, with a volume of 938074 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $26.72.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

TEVA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $25.86.

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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Trading Up 2.0%

Insiders Place Their Bets

The stock has a market capitalization of $32.56 billion, a PE ratio of 47.32, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31. The businesss 50-day moving average is $22.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.02.

In other Teva Pharmaceutical Industries news, Director Roberto Mignone sold 200,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.11, for a total value of $4,822,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 495,000 shares of the companys stock, 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.49% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TEVA. Howard Bailey Securities LLC grew its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Howard Bailey Securities LLC now owns 14,451 shares of the companys stock worth $292,000 after acquiring an additional 494 shares during the last quarter. ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. increased its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 1.6% in the third quarter. ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. now owns 31,915 shares of the companys stock valued at $645,000 after purchasing an additional 515 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 15.5% in the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 4,020 shares of the companys stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 540 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. lifted its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Retirement Planning Co of New England Inc. now owns 33,230 shares of the companys stock worth $671,000 after buying an additional 588 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main lifted its holdings in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 118,209 shares of the companys stock worth $1,981,000 after buying an additional 615 shares in the last quarter. 54.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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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SANAA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's government said it handed over 26 bodies of the Houthi group on Friday as a gesture of "goodwill" ahead of the expected resumption of talks sponsored by the United Nations.

In the statement broadcast by state-run television, the government said the bodies were handed over to a local mediator, under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

It said the bodies belong to Houthi members who had been killed recently in sporadic battles in the northeastern provinces of Marib and al-Jawf, east and northeast of the Houthi-held capital Sanaa.

The state-run Saba news agency reported that the remains were transferred after the Houthi side verified their identities through the mediator.

Yahya Kazman, head of the government's negotiation committee, said the unilateral step is intended to demonstrate goodwill in advancing the resolution of the issue of detainees, abductees, and those forcibly disappeared.

He noted that the move comes ahead of a new round of negotiations on the detainee issue, scheduled to be held in the coming days under the auspices of international partners.

The Houthis have yet to comment.

Last week, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said he participated in a mediation meeting in Muscat, hosted by Oman, suggesting that peace talks between the Yemeni warring parties would be resumed soon.

The Yemeni government and the Houthi group carried out a major UN-mediated prisoner exchange in 2023, involving the release of around 900 detainees. An earlier large-scale swap took place in 2020, during which roughly 1,000 prisoners were freed by both sides.

Yemen has been engulfed in civil conflict since late 2014, when the Houthi group seized control of large parts of the country, including the capital Sanaa, prompting the internationally recognized government to relocate.

Frontline clashes have significantly declined since April 2022 following the announcement of a UN-mediated truce, though the broader political settlement remains unresolved. 
Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (CVE:SPA  Get Free Report)s stock price was down 14.8% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as C$0.23 and last traded at C$0.23. Approximately 1,669,179 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 229% from the average daily volume of 507,406 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.27.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Atrium Research upgraded Spanish Mountain Gold to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Strong Buy.

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Spanish Mountain Gold Trading Down 14.8%

About Spanish Mountain Gold

The stock has a market cap of C$112.82 million, a PE ratio of -23.00 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 3.03 and a current ratio of 5.99. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.15 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.15.

(Get Free Report)

Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd., an exploration stage resource company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Spanish Mountain gold project, which comprises approximately 50 contiguous mineral claims and 13 placer claims covering an area of approximately 10,414 hectares located in the Cariboo region of central British Columbia.

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Shares of Stevanato Group S.p.A. (NYSE:STVN  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at 22.58, but opened at 21.45. Stevanato Group shares last traded at 22.35, with a volume of 23,387 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently commented on STVN shares. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Stevanato Group in a report on Monday, November 24th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Stevanato Group in a report on Monday. They set an equal weight rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Stevanato Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Stevanato Group Trading Down 1.9%

Institutional Trading of Stevanato Group

The company has a market cap of $6.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.57. The companys 50 day moving average price is 24.28 and its 200 day moving average price is 24.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.89.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in STVN. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Stevanato Group by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 663,734 shares of the companys stock worth $13,553,000 after acquiring an additional 28,203 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its position in Stevanato Group by 35.4% during the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 116,060 shares of the companys stock worth $2,250,000 after purchasing an additional 30,339 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE boosted its position in Stevanato Group by 18.1% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 10,072 shares of the companys stock worth $206,000 after purchasing an additional 1,545 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Stevanato Group by 62.4% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 9,182 shares of the companys stock valued at $187,000 after purchasing an additional 3,528 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL grew its holdings in Stevanato Group by 642.9% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 159,032 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,247,000 after purchasing an additional 137,625 shares during the last quarter.

About Stevanato Group

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Stevanato Group S.p.A. engages in the design, production, and distribution of products and processes to provide integrated solutions for bio-pharma and healthcare industries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, South America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Biopharmaceutical and Diagnostic Solutions; and Engineering.

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Carvana Co. (NYSE:CVNA  Get Free Report) Director Michael Maroone sold 30,928 shares of Carvana stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $400.34, for a total value of $12,381,715.52. Following the transaction, the director owned 143,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at $57,478,014.82. This represents a 17.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Carvana Stock Performance

CVNA traded up $4.10 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $399.10. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,364,886 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,779,684. The companys 50-day moving average is $345.36 and its 200-day moving average is $344.35. Carvana Co. has a 52 week low of $148.25 and a 52 week high of $413.33. The firm has a market cap of $86.82 billion, a PE ratio of 91.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 3.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 2.55 and a current ratio of 4.05.

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Carvana (NYSE:CVNA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by ($0.26). The company had revenue of $5.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.04 billion. Carvana had a return on equity of 30.62% and a net margin of 3.44%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 54.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Carvana Co. will post 2.85 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Carvana

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CVNA. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in shares of Carvana by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,250 shares of the companys stock valued at $472,000 after buying an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Carvana during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,924,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in Carvana in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,644,000. Alpine Global Management LLC acquired a new position in Carvana during the third quarter valued at approximately $461,000. Finally, Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in Carvana during the third quarter worth $18,882,000. 56.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $450.00 price target on shares of Carvana in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Carvana from $490.00 to $445.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Wedbush raised Carvana from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $380.00 to $400.00 in a report on Monday, November 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $460.00 price target on shares of Carvana in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their price objective on Carvana from $405.00 to $385.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Eighteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $422.10.

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About Carvana

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Carvana Co, together with its subsidiaries, operates an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars in the United States. Its platform allows customers to research and identify a vehicle; inspect it using company's 360-degree vehicle imaging technology; obtain financing and warranty coverage; purchase the vehicle; and schedule delivery or pick-up from their desktop or mobile devices.

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Shares of Berkeley Group Holdings PLC Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:BKGFY  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $9.9899, but opened at $9.54. Berkeley Group shares last traded at $9.5275, with a volume of 6,041 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have weighed in on BKGFY. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Berkeley Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Berkeley Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Berkeley Group in a report on Monday, November 24th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Berkeley Group Stock Up 1.1%

About Berkeley Group

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $10.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.38. The company has a current ratio of 3.36, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

(Get Free Report)

The Berkeley Group Holdings plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the residential-led and mixed-use property development and ancillary activities in the United Kingdom. The company is involved in land selling activities. It operates under the Berkeley, St Edward, St George, St James, St Joseph, and St William brand names.

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Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NYSEARCA:NUGO  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 594,481 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 496% from the previous sessions volume of 99,692 shares.The stock last traded at $40.4940 and had previously closed at $40.34.

Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF Trading Up 0.0%

The firm has a market capitalization of $2.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.41 and a beta of 1.13. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $39.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $37.70.

About Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF

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The Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in large cap equity. The fund is an actively managed, non-transparent ETF that invests in large-cap US stocks selected for growth, quality, and value factors. The fund utilizes the Natixis\u002FNYSE non-transparent model.

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Shares of Central Japan Railway Co. (OTCMKTS:CJPRY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 91,338 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 4% from the previous sessions volume of 95,334 shares.The stock last traded at $13.9650 and had previously closed at $13.85.

Central Japan Railway Stock Up 0.4%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 2.84 and a current ratio of 2.40. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $13.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $27.34 billion, a PE ratio of 7.73 and a beta of 0.24.

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Central Japan Railway (OTCMKTS:CJPRY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.52 by $0.01. Central Japan Railway had a return on equity of 11.13% and a net margin of 27.03%.The firm had revenue of $3.32 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.23 billion. Analysts forecast that Central Japan Railway Co. will post 1.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Central Japan Railway

Central Japan Railway Company engages in the railway and related businesses in Japan. The company operates through Transportation, Merchandise and Other, Real Estate, and Other segments. It primarily operates Tokaido Shinkansen, a transportation artery that links metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, as well as a network of 12 conventional lines centered on the Nagoya and Shizuoka areas.

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B2Gold Corp. (NYSE:BTG  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 4.5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $4.40 and last traded at $4.3950. 4,519,987 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 43,588,516 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.60.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

BTG has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. CIBC lowered their price target on B2Gold to $6.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 21st. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of B2Gold in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Raymond James Financial raised their price objective on shares of B2Gold from $4.75 to $6.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Zacks Research cut shares of B2Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, Cormark cut B2Gold from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, B2Gold currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $6.00.

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B2Gold Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $6.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.50, a PEG ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 0.59. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $4.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.83.

B2Gold (NYSE:BTG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.01. B2Gold had a negative net margin of 33.12% and a positive return on equity of 5.65%. The companys revenue was up 74.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.02 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that B2Gold Corp. will post 0.4 EPS for the current year.

B2Gold Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be issued a $0.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. B2Golds dividend payout ratio is currently 57.14%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On B2Gold

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in shares of B2Gold by 119.9% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 34,306,804 shares of the companys stock valued at $123,897,000 after acquiring an additional 18,703,995 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in B2Gold during the 2nd quarter worth $60,516,000. Pale Fire Capital SE increased its holdings in B2Gold by 23.7% during the 1st quarter. Pale Fire Capital SE now owns 64,838,409 shares of the companys stock worth $184,789,000 after purchasing an additional 12,419,383 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in B2Gold in the 1st quarter valued at about $24,949,000. Finally, Continental General Insurance Co. acquired a new stake in B2Gold in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,524,000. 61.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About B2Gold

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B2Gold Corp. operates as a gold producer company. It operates the Fekola Mine in Mali, the Masbate Mine in the Philippines, and the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia. The company also has an 100% interest in the Gramalote gold project in Colombia; 24% interest in the Calibre Mining Corp.; and approximately 19% interest in BeMetals Corp.

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Sydbank A/S (LON:0MGE  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 565 and last traded at GBX 558.50, with a volume of 5578 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 555.25.

Sydbank A/S Stock Down 1.5%

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 532.03 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 496.57.

Sydbank A/S Company Profile

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Sydbank A/S, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to corporate, private, retail, and institutional clients in Denmark and internationally. The company operates in Banking, Asset Management, Sydbank Markets, Treasury, and Other segments. The company offers various deposits, and loans and advances; and corporate banking services, including financing solutions and advisory services; leasing solutions to businesses; and international commercial banking services, such as payment and cash management solutions.

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Shares of OneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:OMF  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $63.36 and last traded at $63.0910, with a volume of 613496 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $62.35.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup reiterated a market outperform rating on shares of OneMain in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Wall Street Zen cut OneMain from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on OneMain from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of OneMain in a research note on Monday, August 25th. They set an equal weight rating on the stock. Finally, JMP Securities set a $68.00 price target on shares of OneMain in a research note on Monday, November 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, OneMain currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.63.

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OneMain Trading Up 0.2%

The firm has a market capitalization of $7.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.38. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $58.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $57.44.

OneMain (NYSE:OMF  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.32. The firm had revenue of $747.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.24 billion. OneMain had a net margin of 13.15% and a return on equity of 22.70%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.31 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that OneMain Holdings, Inc. will post 6.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

OneMain Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This is a positive change from OneMains previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. OneMains payout ratio is presently 71.19%.

Insider Transactions at OneMain

In other news, COO Micah R. Conrad sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.20, for a total value of $296,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 88,221 shares in the company, valued at $5,222,683.20. This represents a 5.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Michael A. Hedlund sold 652 shares of OneMain stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.00, for a total value of $40,424.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 15,179 shares in the company, valued at $941,098. This trade represents a 4.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 40,652 shares of company stock worth $2,420,324 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On OneMain

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of OneMain by 2.1% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,970,406 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $675,849,000 after acquiring an additional 249,785 shares during the period. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC purchased a new position in OneMain in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $611,102,000. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in OneMain by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 10,376,590 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $585,868,000 after purchasing an additional 82,202 shares during the period. Brave Warrior Advisors LLC grew its holdings in OneMain by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. Brave Warrior Advisors LLC now owns 7,870,085 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $448,595,000 after buying an additional 526,449 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in OneMain by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,980,031 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $224,723,000 after buying an additional 63,774 shares in the last quarter. 85.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About OneMain

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OneMain Holdings, Inc, a financial service holding company, engages in the consumer finance and insurance businesses in the United States. It originates, underwrites, and services personal loans secured by automobiles, other titled collateral, or unsecured. The company also offers credit cards; optional credit insurance products, including life, disability, and involuntary unemployment insurance; optional non-credit insurance; guaranteed asset protection coverage as a waiver product or insurance; and membership plans.

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Vertical Aerospace (NYSE:EVTL  Get Free Report) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC  Get Free Report) are both aerospace companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, dividends, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Vertical Aerospace and Northrop Grummans top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Vertical Aerospace N/A N/A -$998.35 million ($48.92) -0.13 Northrop Grumman $41.03 billion 1.92 $4.17 billion $27.80 19.89

Volatility & Risk

Northrop Grumman has higher revenue and earnings than Vertical Aerospace. Vertical Aerospace is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northrop Grumman, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Vertical Aerospace has a beta of 1.23, indicating that its share price is 23% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Northrop Grumman has a beta of 0.05, indicating that its share price is 95% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Vertical Aerospace and Northrop Grumman, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Vertical Aerospace 1 0 5 0 2.67 Northrop Grumman 0 6 12 2 2.80

Vertical Aerospace currently has a consensus price target of $11.40, suggesting a potential upside of 74.05%. Northrop Grumman has a consensus price target of $646.94, suggesting a potential upside of 17.01%. Given Vertical Aerospaces higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Vertical Aerospace is more favorable than Northrop Grumman.

Profitability

This table compares Vertical Aerospace and Northrop Grummans net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Vertical Aerospace N/A N/A -489.91% Northrop Grumman 9.82% 25.49% 8.01%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

81.2% of Vertical Aerospace shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.4% of Northrop Grumman shares are held by institutional investors. 74.8% of Vertical Aerospace shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Northrop Grumman shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Northrop Grumman beats Vertical Aerospace on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Vertical Aerospace

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Vertical Aerospace Ltd., an aerospace and technology company, engages in designing, manufacturing, and selling zero operating emission electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for use in the advanced air mobility in the United Kingdom. It offers VX4, an eVTOL aircraft. Vertical Aerospace Ltd. was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Bristol, the United Kingdom.

About Northrop Grumman

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Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense technology company in the United States, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The companys Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems. Its Defense Systems segment designs, develops, integrates, and produces tactical weapons and missile defense solutions, and provides sustainment, modernization, and training services for manned and unmanned aircraft and electronics systems. It also offers integrated, all-domain command, and control battle management systems, precision strike weapons; high speed air-breathing and hypersonic systems; high-performance gun systems, ammunition, precision munitions and advanced fuzes; aircraft and mission systems logistics support, sustainment, operations and modernization; and warfighter training services. The companys Mission Systems segment offers command, control, communications and computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems; radar, electro-optical/infrared and acoustic sensors; electronic warfare systems; advanced communications and network systems; cyber solutions; intelligence processing systems; navigation; and maritime power, propulsion, and payload launch systems. Its Space Systems segment offers satellites, spacecraft systems, subsystems, sensors, and payloads; ground systems; missile defense systems and interceptors; launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; and strategic missiles. Northrop Grumman Corporation was founded in 1939 and is based in Falls Church, Virginia.

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BAGHDAD, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iraq has set up a National Data Bank for Weapons to tighten state control over arms and help strengthen international tracking.

Major General Mansour Ali Sultan, rapporteur of the Interior Ministry's State Arms Control Committee, told the Iraqi News Agency that the measure is part of the government's weapons-regulation program. The newly established unified database covers government-owned weapons as well as arms seized or confiscated during operations.

"Iraq has, for the first time, joined the international weapons-tracking database, enabling the tracking of stolen weapons both inside and outside the country," he said.

Sultan added that 42,237 weapons were withdrawn from civilian ministries in Baghdad and other provinces this year. 
Comet Industries Ltd. (CVE:CMU  Get Free Report)s stock price was down 11.1% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$4.00 and last traded at C$4.00. Approximately 500 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 93% from the average daily volume of 7,544 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$4.50.

Comet Industries Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of C$19.18 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -26.67 and a beta of -0.60. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is C$4.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$4.16.

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Insider Transactions at Comet Industries

In other Comet Industries news, Director Michael Santoro bought 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$3.70 per share, for a total transaction of C$37,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 75,000 shares in the company, valued at C$277,500. The trade was a 15.38% increase in their ownership of the stock. 43.77% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Comet Industries

Comet Industries Ltd. holds and manages real estate properties in the British Columbia. It also acquires and develops mineral properties. The company holds a 40% working interest in the Iron Mask property located in southwest Kamloops, British Columbia. It also owns a 10% carried net profit interest in a contiguous block of mineral properties; and the surface land titles comprising the crown grants located in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Further Reading

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Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday after JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on the stock from GBX 100 to GBX 102. JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has a neutral rating on the stock. Lloyds Banking Group traded as high as GBX 97.74 and last traded at GBX 97.20, with a volume of 99073742 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 95.50.

LLOY has been the topic of several other reports. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 84 to GBX 97 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday. Shore Capital reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a GBX 84 target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a GBX 93 price target on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 100 to GBX 110 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 105 price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lloyds Banking Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 98.50.

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Insider Activity at Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group Price Performance

In other news, insider William Chalmers acquired 138,723 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 19th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 84 per share, with a total value of 116,527.32. Also, insider Charlie Nunn bought 217,494 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 19th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 84 per share, for a total transaction of 182,694.96. Company insiders own 0.16% of the companys stock.

The business has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 88.37 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 82.24. The firm has a market capitalization of 57.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.23.

Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported GBX 1 earnings per share for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 16.66%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Lloyds Banking Group plc will post 7.3199528 EPS for the current year.

About Lloyds Banking Group

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We are the largest UK retail and commercial financial services provider with over 25 million customers and a presence in nearly every community.

The Groups main business activities are retail and commercial banking, general insurance and long-term savings, provided through the largest branch network and digital bank in the UK, with well recognised brands including Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows.

Our shares are quoted on the London and New York stock exchanges and we are one of the largest companies in the FTSE 100 index.

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Shares of Kontoor Brands, Inc. (NYSE:KTB  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have issued a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $96.00.

KTB has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on shares of Kontoor Brands in a research report on Friday, October 17th. They set an outperform rating and a $105.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Kontoor Brands from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, September 11th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Kontoor Brands from $114.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. BTIG Research reissued a buy rating and issued a $95.00 target price on shares of Kontoor Brands in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Kontoor Brands in a research note on Monday.

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Institutional Trading of Kontoor Brands

Kontoor Brands Stock Down 3.6%

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Kontoor Brands by 73.0% during the 3rd quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 308 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 130 shares during the period. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Kontoor Brands by 2,538.5% during the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 343 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kontoor Brands by 2,614.3% during the 3rd quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 380 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 366 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Kontoor Brands in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in Kontoor Brands by 532.3% during the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 392 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 330 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.06% of the companys stock.

Shares of Kontoor Brands stock opened at $75.44 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $77.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.69. The company has a market cap of $4.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.44 and a beta of 1.18. Kontoor Brands has a 1 year low of $50.00 and a 1 year high of $96.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.91, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53.

Kontoor Brands (NYSE:KTB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.44 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.09. Kontoor Brands had a net margin of 7.68% and a return on equity of 63.21%. The business had revenue of $853.22 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $879.10 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.37 EPS. Kontoor Brandss revenue was up 27.3% on a year-over-year basis. Kontoor Brands has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.500-5.500 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.640-1.640 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Kontoor Brands will post 4.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Kontoor Brands Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be paid a $0.53 dividend. This is an increase from Kontoor Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 8th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. Kontoor Brandss payout ratio is 53.61%.

Kontoor Brands Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Kontoor Brands, Inc, a lifestyle apparel company, designs, produces, procures, markets, distributes, and licenses denim, apparel, footwear, and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler and Lee brands. The company operates through two segments: Wrangler and Lee. It licenses and sells apparel under the Rock & Republic brand name.

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Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV  Free Report) had its target price raised by Jefferies Financial Group from $33.00 to $34.00 in a research note released on Tuesday morning,MarketScreener reports. They currently have a hold rating on the airlines stock.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on LUV. TD Cowen raised their target price on Southwest Airlines from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Susquehanna upped their price target on Southwest Airlines from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. UBS Group cut their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $35.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on shares of Southwest Airlines from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $35.00.

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Southwest Airlines Price Performance

NYSE:LUV opened at $35.80 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.49. The company has a 50-day moving average of $32.72 and a 200-day moving average of $32.64. Southwest Airlines has a 52 week low of $23.82 and a 52 week high of $37.96. The company has a market capitalization of $18.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.07, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.17.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The airline reported ($0.38) earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $6.17 billion during the quarter. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 1.38% and a return on equity of 6.39%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Southwest Airlines will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio is 110.77%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of LUV. Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the 1st quarter valued at $456,000. Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 85.7% in the first quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 238,375 shares of the airlines stock valued at $8,005,000 after acquiring an additional 110,016 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 0.5% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 76,719 shares of the airlines stock worth $2,576,000 after purchasing an additional 345 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CA raised its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 49,688,308 shares of the airlines stock worth $1,668,533,000 after purchasing an additional 788,255 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. acquired a new position in Southwest Airlines during the 1st quarter valued at about $104,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.82% of the companys stock.

About Southwest Airlines

(Get Free Report)

Southwest Airlines Co operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

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Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) has been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the twenty-eight analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and twenty-three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $57.7727.

BAC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Ameriprise Financial upgraded Bank of America to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $51.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated an outperform rating and issued a $58.00 target price (up previously from $57.00) on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, October 16th.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Bank of America Stock Performance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nova Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 75.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 529 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 227 shares in the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Bank of America by 246.5% during the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 523 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 880 shares in the last quarter. Wiser Advisor Group LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America in the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Bank of America in the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Steph & Co. increased its position in shares of Bank of America by 224.3% during the 3rd quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 548 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 379 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock.

Bank of America stock opened at $54.09 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $394.99 billion, a PE ratio of 14.74 and a beta of 1.30. Bank of America has a one year low of $33.06 and a one year high of $54.69. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $52.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $49.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.13. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.70% and a return on equity of 10.76%. The business had revenue of $5.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.05 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.81 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Bank of America will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is 30.52%.

Bank of America Company Profile

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Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

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Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI  Get Free Report) and AG Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE:MITT  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance and AG Mortgage Investment Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance 51.40% 8.34% 1.70% AG Mortgage Investment Trust 11.03% 13.88% 0.59%

Dividends

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.0%. AG Mortgage Investment Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.2%. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance pays out 112.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. AG Mortgage Investment Trust pays out 90.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. AG Mortgage Investment Trust has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. AG Mortgage Investment Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance 0 4 3 0 2.43 AG Mortgage Investment Trust 0 3 4 0 2.57

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance and AG Mortgage Investment Trust, as reported by MarketBeat.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance presently has a consensus price target of $10.88, suggesting a potential upside of 9.16%. AG Mortgage Investment Trust has a consensus price target of $8.60, suggesting a potential upside of 4.31%. Given Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finances higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance is more favorable than AG Mortgage Investment Trust.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

54.4% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 27.3% of AG Mortgage Investment Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.2% of AG Mortgage Investment Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Volatility and Risk

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a beta of 1.54, meaning that its share price is 54% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, AG Mortgage Investment Trust has a beta of 1.63, meaning that its share price is 63% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance and AG Mortgage Investment Trusts gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance $303.67 million 4.56 -$119.64 million $0.89 11.19 AG Mortgage Investment Trust $408.49 million 0.64 $55.74 million $0.93 8.87

AG Mortgage Investment Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance. AG Mortgage Investment Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

AG Mortgage Investment Trust beats Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

(Get Free Report)

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that originates, acquires, invests in, and manages commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings, and other commercial real estate-related debt investments in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. It is qualified as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. As a REIT, it would not be subject to federal income taxes, if the company distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is based in New York, New York.

About AG Mortgage Investment Trust

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AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. operates as a residential mortgage real estate investment trust in the United States. Its investment portfolio includes residential investments, including non-agency loans, agency-eligible loans, re-and non-performing loans, and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, as well as commercial loans and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The company qualifies as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. It generally would not be subject to federal corporate income taxes if it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to its stockholders. AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is based in New York, New York.

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Shares of DHT Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DHT  Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $14.1750.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of DHT from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a $16.00 price objective on shares of DHT in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded DHT from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday. BTIG Research reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $16.00 target price on shares of DHT in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of DHT in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On DHT

DHT Trading Down 1.2%

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Martingale Asset Management L P lifted its stake in DHT by 0.6% in the first quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 165,461 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,737,000 after acquiring an additional 970 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of DHT by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 177,393 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,918,000 after purchasing an additional 1,114 shares during the period. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of DHT by 11.3% in the 1st quarter. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,129 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $117,000 after purchasing an additional 1,129 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its stake in DHT by 101.6% in the 3rd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 2,714 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,368 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. grew its holdings in DHT by 26.7% during the first quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 6,637 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the period. 58.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

NYSE DHT opened at $12.76 on Friday. DHT has a 52 week low of $8.67 and a 52 week high of $13.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a current ratio of 2.41. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $12.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.29 and a beta of -0.08.

DHT (NYSE:DHT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The shipping company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.11. DHT had a net margin of 41.17% and a return on equity of 17.05%. The company had revenue of $107.35 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $78.83 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.22 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that DHT will post 0.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

DHT Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 12th were issued a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 12th. DHTs dividend payout ratio is presently 58.06%.

About DHT

(Get Free Report)

DHT Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates crude oil tankers primarily in Monaco, Singapore, and Norway. The company also offers technical management services. As of March 15, 2024, it had a fleet of 24 very large crude carriers. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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Shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the sixteen analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, ten have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $390.8667.

SHW has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $378.00 to $385.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Tuesday. Citigroup restated a neutral rating and issued a $392.00 target price (up previously from $380.00) on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Sherwin-Williams from $380.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Mizuho set a $400.00 price objective on Sherwin-Williams in a report on Wednesday, October 29th.

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Sherwin-Williams Trading Down 1.3%

Shares of SHW opened at $334.98 on Friday. Sherwin-Williams has a one year low of $308.84 and a one year high of $391.52. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $338.22 and a 200 day moving average price of $347.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.82. The company has a market capitalization of $83.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.68, a P/E/G ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 1.24.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.44 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.21 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 66.75% and a net margin of 11.05%.Sherwin-Williamss quarterly revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.37 EPS. Sherwin-Williams has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.250-11.450 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Sherwin-Williams will post 12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $0.79 per share. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio is currently 30.83%.

Institutional Trading of Sherwin-Williams

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. MTM Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. lifted its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 68.0% in the second quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 84 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 104.8% in the second quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 86 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new position in Sherwin-Williams in the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Saudi Central Bank bought a new position in shares of Sherwin-Williams during the first quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Institutional investors own 77.67% of the companys stock.

About Sherwin-Williams

(Get Free Report)

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group.

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Cresset Asset Management LLC cut its holdings in Blue Owl Capital Corporation (NYSE:OBDC  Free Report) by 8.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,536,875 shares of the companys stock after selling 711,672 shares during the quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC owned approximately 1.47% of Blue Owl Capital worth $110,548,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. NorthRock Partners LLC increased its position in Blue Owl Capital by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC now owns 19,106 shares of the companys stock valued at $281,000 after acquiring an additional 975 shares in the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in shares of Blue Owl Capital by 23.4% during the first quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 5,803 shares of the companys stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 1,100 shares in the last quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Blue Owl Capital by 3.3% during the second quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 34,566 shares of the companys stock valued at $496,000 after purchasing an additional 1,103 shares during the last quarter. MAS Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Blue Owl Capital by 4.1% during the second quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 28,173 shares of the companys stock valued at $404,000 after purchasing an additional 1,110 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Samalin Investment Counsel LLC increased its holdings in shares of Blue Owl Capital by 1.5% in the first quarter. Samalin Investment Counsel LLC now owns 77,685 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,139,000 after purchasing an additional 1,169 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 42.83% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Blue Owl Capital news, CEO Craig Packer bought 83,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $11.75 per share, with a total value of $977,600.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 41,600 shares in the company, valued at $488,800. This trade represents a -200.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Neena Reddy purchased 7,890 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $13.06 per share, for a total transaction of $103,043.40. Following the purchase, the vice president owned 7,890 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $103,043.40. This represents a ? increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 0.11% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Blue Owl Capital Trading Up 0.3%

NYSE OBDC opened at $13.46 on Friday. Blue Owl Capital Corporation has a 12 month low of $11.65 and a 12 month high of $15.73. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $13.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The company has a market capitalization of $6.88 billion, a PE ratio of 9.54 and a beta of 0.65.

Blue Owl Capital (NYSE:OBDC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.39 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $453.07 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $466.81 million. Blue Owl Capital had a return on equity of 10.58% and a net margin of 36.89%. Research analysts forecast that Blue Owl Capital Corporation will post 1.71 EPS for the current year.

Blue Owl Capital Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.37 dividend. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 11.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Blue Owl Capitals payout ratio is presently 104.96%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

OBDC has been the topic of several research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on Blue Owl Capital from $14.50 to $13.50 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 10th. Zacks Research lowered Blue Owl Capital from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH upgraded Blue Owl Capital to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on Blue Owl Capital from $16.00 to $14.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $14.00 target price on shares of Blue Owl Capital and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $14.56.

View Our Latest Report on Blue Owl Capital

Blue Owl Capital Company Profile

(Free Report)

Blue Owl Capital Corporation is a business development company. It specializes in direct and fund of fund investments. The fund makes investments in senior secured, direct lending or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and also considers equity-related securities including warrants and preferred stocks also pursues preferred equity investments, first lien, unitranche, and second lien term loans and common equity investments.

Further Reading

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Cresset Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report) by 1.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 709,747 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 6,697 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.10% of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF worth $63,444,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp increased its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 49.7% during the 2nd quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 96,644 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $8,639,000 after purchasing an additional 32,097 shares during the period. Ellis Investment Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 153.1% in the second quarter. Ellis Investment Partners LLC now owns 54,314 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,855,000 after buying an additional 32,851 shares in the last quarter. CMG Global Holdings LLC grew its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 6.0% during the second quarter. CMG Global Holdings LLC now owns 31,388 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,803,000 after acquiring an additional 1,785 shares during the period. Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC raised its position in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 11.1% in the first quarter. Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC now owns 12,058 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $986,000 after acquiring an additional 1,200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cove Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the second quarter valued at $312,000. 79.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Up 0.3%

NYSEARCA:EFA opened at $95.81 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $94.34 and its 200-day simple moving average is $91.54. The stock has a market cap of $69.10 billion, a PE ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.84. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a fifty-two week low of $72.14 and a fifty-two week high of $96.69.

About iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance.

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CAIRO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, held a phone talk on Friday to discuss the developments in the Middle East, according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

During the phone conversation, the two top diplomats touched on the situation in the Gaza Strip.

Abdelatty emphasized the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and proceed with the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan. He underscored the importance of enabling the creation of an international stabilization force in Gaza to consolidate the ceasefire.

The two ministers also discussed developments in Lebanon and Syria. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's support for Lebanon's unity, sovereignty, security, and stability.

He reiterated Egypt's call to uphold Syria's unity and territorial integrity, and rejected actions or interventions that could undermine stability, urging the advancement of an inclusive political process that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people.

The discussion further addressed the Iranian nuclear issue, stressing the importance of continued efforts to de-escalate tensions, build confidence, and create conditions conducive to diplomatic solutions. 
Owens Corning (NYSE:OC  Get Free Report) and Knife River (NYSE:KNF  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap construction companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and profitability.

Risk and Volatility

Owens Corning has a beta of 1.34, indicating that its stock price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Knife River has a beta of 0.43, indicating that its stock price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Owens Corning and Knife Rivers gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Owens Corning $10.98 billion 0.84 $647.00 million ($5.72) -19.58 Knife River $2.90 billion 1.45 $201.68 million $2.61 28.37

Owens Corning has higher revenue and earnings than Knife River. Owens Corning is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Knife River, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

88.4% of Owens Corning shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.1% of Knife River shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Owens Corning shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Knife River shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Owens Corning and Knife River, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Owens Corning 2 5 10 0 2.47 Knife River 0 2 6 0 2.75

Owens Corning presently has a consensus price target of $157.33, suggesting a potential upside of 40.47%. Knife River has a consensus price target of $96.33, suggesting a potential upside of 30.10%. Given Owens Cornings higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Owens Corning is more favorable than Knife River.

Profitability

This table compares Owens Corning and Knife Rivers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Owens Corning -4.46% 24.42% 8.53% Knife River 4.87% 9.97% 4.41%

Summary

Owens Corning beats Knife River on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Owens Corning

(Get Free Report)

Owens Corning manufactures and sells building and construction materials in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Roofing, Insulation, and Composites. The Roofing segment manufactures and sells laminate and strip asphalt roofing shingles, oxidized asphalt materials, and roofing components used in residential and commercial construction, and specialty applications. This segment sells its products through distributors, home centers, and lumberyards, as well as to roofing contractors for built-up roofing asphalt systems; and manufacturers in automotive, chemical, rubber, and construction industries. The Insulation segment manufactures and sells thermal and acoustical batts, loosefill insulation, spray foam insulation, foam sheathing and accessories under the Owens Corning PINK, and FIBERGLAS brands; and glass fiber pipe insulation, energy efficient flexible duct media, bonded and granulated mineral wool insulation, cellular glass insulation, and foam insulation under the FOAMULAR, FOAMGLAS, and Paroc brand names used in construction applications. This segment sells its products primarily to the insulation installers, home centers, lumberyards, retailers, and distributors. The Composites segment manufactures, fabricates, and sells glass reinforcements in the form of fiber; and glass fiber products in the form of fabrics, non-wovens, and composite lumber. Its products are used in building structures, roofing shingles, tubs and showers, pools, decking, flooring, pipes and tanks, poles, electrical equipment, and wind-energy turbine blades. This segment sells its products directly to parts molders, fabricators, and shingle manufacturers. The company was incorporated in 1938 and is headquartered in Toledo, Ohio.

About Knife River

(Get Free Report)

Knife River Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides aggregates- led construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, Central, and Energy Services segments. The company mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete. It also provides contracting service, such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt and concrete paving, and site development and grading. In addition, the company sells cement, merchandise, and other building materials and related services. The company sells its construction materials to public and private-sector customers, including federal, state, and municipal governments, as well as industrial, commercial and residential developers, and other private parties; and provides its contracting services to public-sector customers for the development and servicing of highways, local roads, bridges, and other public-infrastructure projects. Knife River Corporation was founded in 1917 and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

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Shares of Remy Cointreau (OTCMKTS:REMYY  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of Hold from the seven brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation, one has assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company.

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on REMYY shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Remy Cointreau to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Remy Cointreau in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Morgan Stanley reissued an underweight rating on shares of Remy Cointreau in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a sell rating on shares of Remy Cointreau in a report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, UBS Group lowered shares of Remy Cointreau from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday.

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Remy Cointreau Stock Performance

Remy Cointreau Company Profile

REMYY stock opened at $4.27 on Friday. Remy Cointreau has a twelve month low of $4.20 and a twelve month high of $7.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 2.76. The stocks 50 day moving average is $5.06 and its 200-day moving average is $5.55.

(Get Free Report)

Remy Cointreau SA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, sale, and distribution of liqueurs and spirits. It operates through Remy Martin, Liqueurs & Spirits, and Partner Brands segments. The company offers cognacs, liqueurs, single malt whiskies, gins, rums, brandies, wines, and champagnes primarily under the Cointreau, Metaxa, St-Remy, Mount Gay, Bruichladdich, The Botanist, Westland, Le Domaine des Hautes Glaces, Belle de Brillet, Telmont, Port Charlotte, Octomore, Remy Martin, and LOUIS XIII brands.

Further Reading

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Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the eighteen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $102.4688.

Several brokerages recently commented on ETR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Entergy from $102.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Morgan Stanley set a $91.00 price target on shares of Entergy in a report on Thursday, November 20th. KeyCorp restated an overweight rating and issued a $106.00 price objective (up from $96.00) on shares of Entergy in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Entergy to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price on Entergy from $97.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th.

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Insider Activity

Institutional Trading of Entergy

In other news, insider Anastasia Minor sold 5,000 shares of Entergy stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.39, for a total value of $481,950.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 10,122 shares in the company, valued at $975,659.58. The trade was a 33.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, insider Haley Fisackerly sold 5,136 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.50, for a total transaction of $495,624.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 7,899 shares in the company, valued at approximately $762,253.50. This trade represents a 39.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing . Insiders have sold a total of 10,179 shares of company stock valued at $981,707 in the last 90 days. 0.39% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of ETR. Mattson Financial Services LLC lifted its holdings in Entergy by 100.0% in the first quarter. Mattson Financial Services LLC now owns 300 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares during the period. Atwood & Palmer Inc. increased its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Entergy by 5,466.7% in the 2nd quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 334 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares during the period. GoalVest Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Entergy by 5,733.3% in the second quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 350 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in Entergy during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 88.07% of the companys stock.

Entergy Stock Performance

Shares of ETR opened at $94.44 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The stock has a market cap of $42.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.62. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $95.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $89.22. Entergy has a 52 week low of $73.15 and a 52 week high of $98.58.

Entergy (NYSE:ETR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter. Entergy had a return on equity of 11.53% and a net margin of 14.26%.The company had revenue of $2.37 billion during the quarter. Equities research analysts anticipate that Entergy will post 3.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Entergy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were given a $0.64 dividend. This is a positive change from Entergys previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $2.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.7%. Entergys payout ratio is presently 63.21%.

About Entergy

(Get Free Report)

Entergy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and retail distribution of electricity in the United States. It generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, including the City of New Orleans; and distributes natural gas.

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Cresset Asset Management LLC raised its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) by 6.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 428,829 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 24,939 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC owned 0.15% of iShares Russell 2000 ETF worth $92,537,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 18.5% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 28,093 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $6,062,000 after acquiring an additional 4,381 shares during the last quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the second quarter worth about $234,000. New England Private Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. New England Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 29,016 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $6,429,000 after purchasing an additional 553 shares during the last quarter. American National Bank & Trust lifted its position in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 52.7% during the 2nd quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 11,874 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,562,000 after purchasing an additional 4,098 shares during the period. Finally, Avantax Advisory Services Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 916,552 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $197,783,000 after purchasing an additional 16,484 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Price Performance

IWM opened at $251.82 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $69.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.13. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $243.70 and a 200 day simple moving average of $229.84. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $171.73 and a fifty-two week high of $252.77.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report).

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Cresset Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 8.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 104,618 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 7,811 shares during the quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $58,790,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MA. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Mastercard by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,475,807 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $44,098,695,000 after buying an additional 931,132 shares during the period. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard during the second quarter valued at about $11,421,213,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 4.7% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 20,096,979 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,015,557,000 after acquiring an additional 907,184 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.8% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,760,552 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,062,509,000 after acquiring an additional 542,841 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 38.6% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,526,118 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,413,936,000 after acquiring an additional 3,765,378 shares during the period. 97.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Mastercard Trading Down 2.1%

Shares of MA opened at $541.83 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $486.56 billion, a PE ratio of 34.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.87. The companys fifty day moving average is $556.95 and its 200 day moving average is $567.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $465.59 and a fifty-two week high of $601.77.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.28% and a return on equity of 202.03%. The business had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.53 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.89 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 9th were paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 9th. Mastercards payout ratio is presently 19.44%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on MA. Compass Point set a $620.00 target price on Mastercard and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating and set a $645.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $645.00 to $654.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $713.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Tigress Financial lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $685.00 to $730.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $652.50.

View Our Latest Analysis on Mastercard

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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Cresset Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Free Report) by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 26,374,373 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 263,272 shares during the period. Arista Networks comprises 11.7% of Cresset Asset Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its largest holding. Cresset Asset Management LLC owned about 2.10% of Arista Networks worth $2,698,362,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bare Financial Services Inc boosted its stake in Arista Networks by 2,118.2% during the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 244 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank bought a new position in shares of Arista Networks during the first quarter valued at $33,000. REAP Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 108.0% during the second quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 337 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Costello Asset Management INC boosted its position in shares of Arista Networks by 51.3% during the first quarter. Costello Asset Management INC now owns 454 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Finally, eCIO Inc. bought a new stake in Arista Networks in the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors own 82.47% of the companys stock.

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Arista Networks Price Performance

Shares of Arista Networks stock opened at $128.47 on Friday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $140.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $124.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $161.78 billion, a PE ratio of 48.85, a P/E/G ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.41. Arista Networks, Inc. has a 1-year low of $59.43 and a 1-year high of $164.94.

Insider Transactions at Arista Networks

Arista Networks ( NYSE:ANET Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.72 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.26 billion. Arista Networks had a return on equity of 30.28% and a net margin of 39.73%.Arista Networkss revenue was up 27.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.40 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Arista Networks, Inc. will post 2.2 EPS for the current year.

In other news, insider Kenneth Duda sold 30,000 shares of Arista Networks stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.61, for a total transaction of $3,858,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 12,976 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,668,843.36. The trade was a 69.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Charles H. Giancarlo sold 58,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.42, for a total transaction of $8,608,360.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 1,578,700 shares of company stock valued at $231,687,618 over the last quarter. 3.39% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on ANET shares. Melius Research upped their target price on shares of Arista Networks from $160.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Arista Networks from $155.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Needham & Company LLC raised their target price on shares of Arista Networks from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Arista Networks from $150.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Finally, Erste Group Bank cut Arista Networks from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Eighteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $164.31.

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About Arista Networks

(Free Report)

Arista Networks, Inc engages in the development, marketing, and sale of data-driven, client to cloud networking solutions for data center, campus, and routing environments in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. Its cloud networking solutions consist of Extensible Operating System (EOS), a publish-subscribe state-sharing networking operating system offered in combination with a set of network applications.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ANET? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Free Report).

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Banco Comercial Portugues (OTCMKTS:BPCGY  Get Free Report) is one of 86 public companies in the BANKS  FOREIGN industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Banco Comercial Portugues to related businesses based on the strength of its dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability and valuation.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Banco Comercial Portugues and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Banco Comercial Portugues 0 1 0 1 3.00 Banco Comercial Portugues Competitors 1313 4322 4622 272 2.37

As a group, BANKS  FOREIGN companies have a potential upside of 6.42%. Given Banco Comercial Portugues competitors higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Banco Comercial Portugues has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Banco Comercial Portugues $5.82 billion $980.79 million 10.77 Banco Comercial Portugues Competitors $40.26 billion $6.66 billion 13.65

This table compares Banco Comercial Portugues and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Banco Comercial Portugues competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Banco Comercial Portugues. Banco Comercial Portugues is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Banco Comercial Portugues pays an annual dividend of $0.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Banco Comercial Portugues pays out 17.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BANKS  FOREIGN companies pay a dividend yield of 3.1% and pay out 35.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

25.4% of shares of all BANKS  FOREIGN companies are held by institutional investors. 4.9% of shares of all BANKS  FOREIGN companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Risk and Volatility

Banco Comercial Portugues has a beta of 0.26, meaning that its stock price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Banco Comercial Portugues competitors have a beta of 0.67, meaning that their average stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Banco Comercial Portugues and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Banco Comercial Portugues 15.89% 9.44% 0.76% Banco Comercial Portugues Competitors 17.46% 12.55% 1.04%

Summary

Banco Comercial Portugues competitors beat Banco Comercial Portugues on 12 of the 15 factors compared.

About Banco Comercial Portugues

(Get Free Report)

Banco Comercial Portugues, S.A., a private sector bank, engages in the provision of various banking and financial products and services in Portugal and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking; Companies, Corporate & Investment Banking; Private Banking; Foreign Business; and Other segments. It offers a range of financial products and services, including current accounts, payment systems, savings and investment products, private banking, asset management, and investment banking services, such as mortgage loans, personal loans, commercial banking, leasing, factoring and insurance, and others. The company is also involved in the provision of investment fund and real estate management, e-commerce, web portal, real estate investment fund, trade finance, trust, consulting, brokerage, marketing, and real estate services, as well as internet, telephone, and mobile banking services. Banco Comercial Portugues, S.A. was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Porto, Portugal.

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Great Eagle (OTCMKTS:GEAHF  Get Free Report) and Smith Douglas Homes (NYSE:SDHC  Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations and risk.

Volatility and Risk

Great Eagle has a beta of -0.08, indicating that its stock price is 108% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Smith Douglas Homes has a beta of 0.86, indicating that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Great Eagle and Smith Douglas Homes, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Great Eagle 0 0 0 0 0.00 Smith Douglas Homes 3 5 1 0 1.78

Profitability

Smith Douglas Homes has a consensus target price of $16.60, indicating a potential downside of 19.78%. Given Smith Douglas Homes stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Smith Douglas Homes is more favorable than Great Eagle.

This table compares Great Eagle and Smith Douglas Homes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Great Eagle N/A N/A N/A Smith Douglas Homes 1.13% 0.12% 0.10%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Great Eagle and Smith Douglas Homess top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Great Eagle $1.39 billion 1.04 -$222.33 million N/A N/A Smith Douglas Homes $975.46 million 1.09 $16.07 million $1.25 16.55

Smith Douglas Homes has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Great Eagle.

Summary

Smith Douglas Homes beats Great Eagle on 9 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Great Eagle

(Get Free Report)

Great Eagle Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, invests in, develops, and manages residential, office, retail, and hotel properties in Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mainland China, and internationally. It operates through Hotel Operation, Property Investment, Property Development, Other Operations, Champion REIT, Langham, and US Real Estate Fund segments. The company engages in leasing furnished apartments and properties; and flexible workspace, asset management, hotel accommodation, food and banquet, and restaurant operations. It also owns and operates hotels under The Langham, Cordis, and Eaton brand names. In addition, the company offers secretarial, staff, maintenance and repair, consultancy, and advisory services, as well as property maintenance and leasing services. Further, it sales building materials; invests in securities; manages real estate investment trust, computer system solutions, project management and advisory, treasury management, investment, and investment fund management services, as well as real estate agency services; procurement and financing, warehousing, general trading, hospitality, and hotel management services; and issues medium term notes. Great Eagle Holdings Limited was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

About Smith Douglas Homes

(Get Free Report)

Smith Douglas Homes Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, construction, and sale of single-family homes in the southeastern United States. It also provides closing, escrow, and title insurance services. The company sells its products to entry-level and empty-nest homebuyers. Smith Douglas Homes Corp. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Woodstock, Georgia.

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Schroder Investment Management Group raised its position in Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL  Free Report) by 14.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 148,255 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 18,306 shares during the quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group owned about 0.23% of Travel + Leisure worth $7,651,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in TNL. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P raised its stake in Travel + Leisure by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 311,039 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,053,000 after acquiring an additional 11,068 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Travel + Leisure in the second quarter worth about $50,934,000. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System increased its stake in shares of Travel + Leisure by 0.6% in the second quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 83,853 shares of the companys stock worth $4,328,000 after purchasing an additional 530 shares in the last quarter. Choreo LLC raised its position in shares of Travel + Leisure by 25.4% in the second quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 5,711 shares of the companys stock valued at $295,000 after purchasing an additional 1,158 shares during the period. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Travel + Leisure by 15.3% during the 2nd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,625 shares of the companys stock valued at $135,000 after buying an additional 348 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.54% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Travel + Leisure

In related news, insider Geoffrey Richards sold 62,525 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.17, for a total value of $4,074,754.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 39,604 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,580,992.68. The trade was a 61.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Jeffrey Myers sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.38, for a total value of $3,319,000.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 63,789 shares in the company, valued at $4,234,313.82. The trade was a 43.94% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 198,776 shares of company stock worth $13,080,628 in the last 90 days. 3.75% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Travel + Leisure Stock Down 1.1%

Travel + Leisure stock opened at $68.24 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $4.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.22, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.39. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $63.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $58.87. Travel + Leisure Co. has a 52 week low of $37.77 and a 52 week high of $70.43.

Travel + Leisure (NYSE:TNL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.80 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.03 billion. Travel + Leisure had a negative return on equity of 49.06% and a net margin of 10.36%.The companys revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.57 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Travel + Leisure Co. will post 6.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Travel + Leisure Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.56 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $2.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. Travel + Leisures payout ratio is presently 36.84%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on TNL shares. Mizuho set a $86.00 target price on shares of Travel + Leisure in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Travel + Leisure from $70.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. JMP Securities raised their target price on Travel + Leisure from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Travel + Leisure from $61.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Travel + Leisure from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Travel + Leisure currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.60.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Company Profile

(Free Report)

Travel + Leisure Co, together with its subsidiaries, provides hospitality services and travel products in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Vacation Ownership; and Travel and Membership. The Vacation Ownership segment develops, markets, and sells vacation ownership interests (VOIs) to individual consumers, as well as provides consumer financing in connection with the sale of VOIs; and property management services at resorts.

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Schroder Investment Management Group cut its holdings in HF Sinclair Corporation (NYSE:DINO  Free Report) by 16.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 152,684 shares of the companys stock after selling 30,536 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Group owned 0.08% of HF Sinclair worth $6,272,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of HF Sinclair in the second quarter worth $25,531,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in HF Sinclair by 114.8% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 8,960 shares of the companys stock worth $368,000 after purchasing an additional 4,789 shares in the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System boosted its stake in HF Sinclair by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 164,080 shares of the companys stock worth $6,740,000 after purchasing an additional 1,880 shares during the period. Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in HF Sinclair in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in HF Sinclair during the 2nd quarter valued at about $103,000. Institutional investors own 88.29% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Scotiabank restated an outperform rating on shares of HF Sinclair in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of HF Sinclair from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of HF Sinclair from $54.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded HF Sinclair from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, HF Sinclair presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $59.18.

HF Sinclair Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DINO opened at $50.37 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $52.95 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 0.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.10 and a beta of 0.84. HF Sinclair Corporation has a one year low of $24.66 and a one year high of $56.58.

HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.50. The company had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.99 billion. HF Sinclair had a net margin of 1.46% and a return on equity of 5.77%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that HF Sinclair Corporation will post 2.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

HF Sinclair Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 19th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio is 95.69%.

HF Sinclair Profile

(Free Report)

HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. The company produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. It owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states.

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump hosted his counterparts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda here on Thursday, witnessing them signing a peace deal aimed to end a decades-long conflict in eastern DRC while opening their critical mineral resources to the United States.

Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda signed the deal at a ceremony held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, which was renamed "Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace" by the State Department one day earlier.

Eastern DRC has been gripped by decades of conflict, compounded by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels' resurgence since late 2021. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the group, an allegation the latter denies.

At the ceremony, Trump also announced U.S. bilateral agreements with the two African countries, under which U.S. companies will gain access to the region's critical minerals.

"And we'll be involved with sending some of our biggest and greatest U.S. companies over to the two countries," Trump said.

Trump held separate meetings with the two African leaders in the White House on Thursday morning.

In June, an earlier peace deal was signed by foreign ministers of the DRC and Rwanda in Washington.

The DRC military and the M23 rebels on Tuesday traded accusations of violating a ceasefire in the country's east, with each side blaming the other for fresh attacks despite international mediation. 
Schroder Investment Management Group grew its stake in shares of KB Financial Group Inc (NYSE:KB  Free Report) by 24.3% 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 64,244 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 12,561 shares during the period. Schroder Investment Management Groups holdings in KB Financial Group were worth $5,306,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of KB Financial Group by 37.2% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 5,159 shares of the banks stock worth $279,000 after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE raised its stake in KB Financial Group by 1.3% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 20,442 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,106,000 after buying an additional 272 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in KB Financial Group by 3.5% during the first quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 844,377 shares of the banks stock valued at $45,689,000 after buying an additional 28,484 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in KB Financial Group by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 25,116 shares of the banks stock worth $1,359,000 after buying an additional 520 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virtus Family Office LLC grew its position in shares of KB Financial Group by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. Virtus Family Office LLC now owns 16,536 shares of the banks stock worth $904,000 after acquiring an additional 867 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.52% of the companys stock.

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KB Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE KB opened at $87.25 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.38, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.28 billion, a PE ratio of 8.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.11. KB Financial Group Inc has a 1-year low of $46.38 and a 1-year high of $92.39. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $83.57 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $81.44.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently issued reports on KB. Wall Street Zen cut KB Financial Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of KB Financial Group in a research report on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, KB Financial Group presently has an average rating of Buy.

View Our Latest Analysis on KB Financial Group

KB Financial Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

KB Financial Group Inc provides a range of banking and related financial services to consumers and corporations in South Korea, the United States, New Zealand, China, Cambodia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and internationally. The company operates through Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Other Banking Services, Credit Card, Securities, Life Insurance, and Non-Life Insurance segments.

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Quantbot Technologies LP raised its stake in shares of Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG  Free Report) by 382.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,046,818 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock after purchasing an additional 829,802 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP owned approximately 0.11% of Transocean worth $2,711,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Moors & Cabot Inc. lifted its position in shares of Transocean by 14.7% during the 2nd quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 27,350 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 3,500 shares in the last quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC increased its position in shares of Transocean by 34.5% during the second quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 16,134 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 4,139 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in Transocean by 3.2% during the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 140,904 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $447,000 after acquiring an additional 4,331 shares during the period. Wedbush Securities Inc. boosted its position in Transocean by 40.2% in the second quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 15,350 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 4,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Avantax Advisory Services Inc. boosted its position in Transocean by 4.2% in the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 111,502 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $353,000 after purchasing an additional 4,490 shares during the last quarter. 67.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

RIG has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Barclays raised their target price on Transocean from $4.00 to $4.50 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Transocean from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Transocean in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Transocean from $3.50 to $4.25 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $4.39.

Insider Activity at Transocean

In related news, EVP Robert Thaddeus Vayda sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $4.29, for a total transaction of $128,700.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 235,154 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,008,810.66. This represents a 11.31% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Frederik Wilhelm Mohn bought 1,500,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The stock was bought at an average price of $4.02 per share, with a total value of $6,030,000.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 96,574,894 shares in the company, valued at $388,231,073.88. This trade represents a 1.58% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders purchased 11,000,000 shares of company stock worth $36,460,000 and sold 624,711 shares worth $2,660,016. 12.27% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Transocean Stock Performance

Shares of RIG stock opened at $4.43 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average is $3.76 and its 200 day moving average is $3.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.87 billion, a P/E ratio of -1.35 and a beta of 1.39. Transocean Ltd. has a 12 month low of $1.97 and a 12 month high of $4.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60.

Transocean (NYSE:RIG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The offshore drilling services provider reported $0.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.02. The business had revenue of ($1,894.00) million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. Transocean had a negative net margin of 75.71% and a positive return on equity of 0.45%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Transocean Ltd. will post 0.14 earnings per share for the current year.

About Transocean

(Free Report)

Transocean Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells worldwide. It contracts mobile offshore drilling rigs, related equipment, and work crews to drill oil and gas wells. The company operates a fleet of mobile offshore drilling units, consisting of ultra-deepwater floaters and harsh environment floaters.

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Quantbot Technologies LP cut its position in Celestica, Inc. (NYSE:CLS  Free Report) (TSE:CLS) by 47.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 22,039 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 19,559 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LPs holdings in Celestica were worth $3,441,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Celestica during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $236,069,000. Voya Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Celestica by 362.8% in the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 1,854,085 shares of the technology companys stock worth $146,122,000 after purchasing an additional 1,453,473 shares during the last quarter. Alkeon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Celestica in the first quarter worth $96,936,000. Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its position in shares of Celestica by 405.5% during the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 731,937 shares of the technology companys stock worth $57,684,000 after purchasing an additional 587,145 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Picton Mahoney Asset Management purchased a new stake in shares of Celestica during the 2nd quarter valued at $90,425,000. 67.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and set a $385.00 target price (up from $230.00) on shares of Celestica in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. TD Securities boosted their price target on Celestica from $238.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Celestica from $315.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Celestica in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, CICC Research assumed coverage on shares of Celestica in a research note on Tuesday, August 19th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold 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 $336.13.

Insider Activity

In other Celestica news, Director Laurette T. Koellner bought 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $341.67 per share, for a total transaction of $2,050,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 6,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,050,020. This trade represents a ? increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.52% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Celestica Trading Up 4.6%

Celestica stock opened at $322.53 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $295.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $217.14. The company has a market capitalization of $37.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.36 and a beta of 1.83. Celestica, Inc. has a 52 week low of $58.05 and a 52 week high of $363.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

Celestica (NYSE:CLS  Get Free Report) (TSE:CLS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The technology company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.13. Celestica had a net margin of 6.35% and a return on equity of 30.53%. The company had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.04 EPS. Celesticas quarterly revenue was up 27.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Celestica, Inc. will post 4.35 EPS for the current year.

Celestica Profile

(Free Report)

Celestica Inc provides supply chain solutions in North America, Europe, and Asia. It operates through two segments: Advanced Technology Solutions, and Connectivity & Cloud Solutions. The company offers a range of product manufacturing and related supply chain services, including design and development, new product introduction, engineering services, component sourcing, electronics manufacturing and assembly, testing, complex mechanical assembly, systems integration, precision machining, order fulfillment, logistics, asset management, product licensing, and after-market repair and return services.

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Groupe la Francaise cut its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 93.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,170 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 215,453 shares during the quarter. Groupe la Francaises holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $792,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5.8% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,979,637 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $450,868,000 after purchasing an additional 491,002 shares during the period. Corient IA LLC bought a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the first quarter worth $753,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 32.4% during the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 75,368 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $3,784,000 after buying an additional 18,458 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter valued at $2,579,000. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,596,483 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $145,793,000 after buying an additional 171,466 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.30% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on CMG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $44.00 to $40.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $55.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Zacks Research lowered Chipotle Mexican Grill from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Evercore ISI cut their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $53.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $49.81.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

Shares of CMG opened at $34.01 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $44.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.10, a PEG ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $36.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $43.65. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 52-week low of $29.75 and a 52-week high of $66.74.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.29. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 45.39% and a net margin of 13.04%.The company had revenue of $3 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.06 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.27 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal 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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Guggenheim Capital LLC lowered its holdings in Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH  Free Report) by 11.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 19,847 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 2,627 shares during the period. Guggenheim Capital LLCs holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $13,863,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Parker-Hannifin during the 2nd quarter worth $1,352,509,000. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in Parker-Hannifin during the first quarter valued at $933,089,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in Parker-Hannifin by 52.6% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,443,104 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,485,042,000 after purchasing an additional 842,262 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 11.6% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,009,250 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,221,323,000 after purchasing an additional 208,573 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 23.8% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 996,738 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $605,867,000 after buying an additional 191,799 shares during the last quarter. 82.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Parker-Hannifin

In other news, VP Rachid Bendali sold 1,437 shares of Parker-Hannifin stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $852.99, for a total value of $1,225,746.63. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 2,714 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,315,014.86. The trade was a 34.62% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Berend Bracht sold 3,507 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $864.58, for a total value of $3,032,082.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 2,580 shares in the company, valued at $2,230,616.40. This represents a 57.61% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on PH shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $840.00 to $925.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. KeyCorp upped their target price on Parker-Hannifin from $825.00 to $935.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $735.00 to $845.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Truist Financial restated a buy rating and set a $977.00 price objective (up previously from $910.00) on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research report on Tuesday, August 19th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $872.00.

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Parker-Hannifin Price Performance

Shares of PH opened at $873.11 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $792.81 and its 200-day moving average is $741.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $110.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.07. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a one year low of $488.45 and a one year high of $879.66.

Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.62 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.94 billion. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 18.17% and a return on equity of 27.23%. Parker-Hannifins quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $6.20 EPS. Parker-Hannifin has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 EPS for the current year.

Parker-Hannifin Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a dividend of $1.80 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Parker-Hannifins dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.65%.

Parker-Hannifin Company Profile

(Free Report)

Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment.

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Mirabella Financial Services LLP acquired a new position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 16,763 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,053,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. PFS Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 24.8% during the second quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 292 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.1% in the second quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 5,666 shares of the companys stock worth $1,032,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. NFP Retirement Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.5% during the first quarter. NFP Retirement Inc. now owns 2,589 shares of the companys stock valued at $411,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Philip Morris International by 6.5% during the second quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the companys stock valued at $185,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Finally, Meridian Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Philip Morris International by 3.1% in the second quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,060 shares of the companys stock worth $375,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of NYSE:PM opened at $148.41 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $154.84 and a 200 day moving average of $166.42. The company has a market cap of $231.02 billion, a PE ratio of 26.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.42. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $116.12 and a 12-month high of $186.69.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $8.12 billion for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. Equities research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were given a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 3rd. This is a positive change from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 106.52%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

PM has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $177.00 to $166.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Philip Morris International from $190.00 to $185.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $189.00.

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Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $7.0250 and last traded at $7.02, with a volume of 5241 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $6.94.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ Trading Down 2.3%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 2.10. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $6.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $6.49.

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ (OTCMKTS:SVNLY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.01. Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ had a return on equity of 12.80% and a net margin of 15.97%.The business had revenue of $1.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ will post 0.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Svenska Handelsbanken Ab Publ Company Profile

(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.

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Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK  Get Free Report) insider Suzanne Helen sold 500 shares of Mohawk Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.11, for a total value of $57,555.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 78,243 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,006,551.73. This represents a 0.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Mohawk Industries Price Performance

Shares of MHK opened at $111.92 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 2.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a twelve month low of $96.24 and a twelve month high of $143.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a 50 day moving average of $117.44 and a 200-day moving average of $116.88.

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Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $2.67 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.68 by ($0.01). Mohawk Industries had a return on equity of 6.97% and a net margin of 3.93%.The business had revenue of $2.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.73 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.90 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Mohawk Industries has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.900-2.000 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 9.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mohawk Industries

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MHK. Atlas FRM LLC increased its position in Mohawk Industries by 28.0% during the second quarter. Atlas FRM LLC now owns 608,000 shares of the companys stock worth $63,743,000 after acquiring an additional 133,000 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in shares of Mohawk Industries by 12.8% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,626,004 shares of the companys stock worth $414,017,000 after purchasing an additional 410,388 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mohawk Industries in the second quarter valued at approximately $337,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Mohawk Industries by 1.1% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 540,197 shares of the companys stock valued at $61,680,000 after buying an additional 5,939 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in Mohawk Industries by 34.3% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 91,119 shares of the companys stock worth $10,404,000 after buying an additional 23,252 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.98% of the companys stock.

A number of research firms recently issued reports on MHK. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a strong-buy rating and issued a $150.00 target price (up previously from $140.00) on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Barclays lowered their price target on Mohawk Industries from $125.00 to $122.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Mohawk Industries from $130.00 to $125.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Mohawk Industries from $124.00 to $118.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Vertical Research initiated coverage on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research note on Monday, October 20th. They issued a buy rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $137.62.

Check Out Our Latest Report on MHK

About Mohawk Industries

(Get Free Report)

Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America, and Flooring Rest of the World.

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Royal Fund Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) by 96.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 41,542 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 20,360 shares during the period. Royal Fund Management LLCs holdings in Archer Daniels Midland were worth $2,193,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 120,933 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,383,000 after buying an additional 7,864 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Archer Daniels Midland by 37.2% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,999 shares of the companys stock worth $317,000 after acquiring an additional 1,628 shares during the period. CW Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Archer Daniels Midland during the second quarter valued at approximately $699,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 51.2% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 453,845 shares of the companys stock worth $23,954,000 after purchasing an additional 153,769 shares during the period. Finally, M&T Bank Corp increased its stake in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 10.7% in the second quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 38,674 shares of the companys stock worth $2,041,000 after purchasing an additional 3,739 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.28% of the companys stock.

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Archer Daniels Midland Stock Down 0.8%

NYSE:ADM opened at $59.35 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a market cap of $28.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.07 and a beta of 0.70. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $57.31. Archer Daniels Midland Company has a twelve month low of $40.98 and a twelve month high of $65.00.

Archer Daniels Midland Dividend Announcement

Archer Daniels Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $20.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.96 billion. Archer Daniels Midland had a return on equity of 8.01% and a net margin of 1.43%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.09 earnings per share. Archer Daniels Midland has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.500 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Archer Daniels Midland Company will post 4.31 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be given a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 19th. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Archer Daniels Midlands payout ratio is presently 83.27%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on ADM. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $70.00 target price (up previously from $60.00) on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a report on Monday, August 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an underweight rating and issued a $59.00 price objective (down from $61.00) on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Archer Daniels Midland from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Archer Daniels Midland from $47.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $55.25.

Read Our Latest Report on ADM

Archer Daniels Midland Profile

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company engages in the procurement, transportation, storage, processing, and merchandising of agricultural commodities, ingredients, flavors, and solutions in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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GeoWealth Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 10.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 30,299 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 3,719 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLCs holdings in TJX Companies were worth $3,742,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in shares of TJX Companies by 121.1% in the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management boosted its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 4,485.7% during the 1st quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 321 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 314 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Maseco LLP purchased a new position in shares of TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $43,000. 91.09% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on TJX shares. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on shares of TJX Companies from $152.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Citigroup reissued 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of TJX Companies from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on TJX Companies from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, TJX Companies currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $160.37.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other TJX Companies news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The stock was 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. This trade represents a 5.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

TJX Companies Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE TJX opened at $150.26 on Friday. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $112.10 and a one year high of $154.66. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $145.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $135.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 1.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $166.86 billion, a PE ratio of 33.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.76.

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. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 58.30%. The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. TJX Companiess quarterly revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th were given a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess payout ratio is currently 37.53%.

TJX Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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KHARTOUM, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the drone strike that hit civilian areas in the city of Kalogi in southern Sudan's South Kordofan state on Thursday has risen to 79, among them 43 children, the state government said on Friday.

South Kordofan state government said in a statement that the attack was launched by the opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) forces "in coordination with the rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia."

It said a drone dropped four missiles and "hit a kindergarten, the Ghadeer Hospital, and several densely populated areas, also injuring 38 people, including 11 children and 6 women."

The state government called on the international community to "take a clear stance" on the attack, designate the RSF as a "terrorist organization" and hold accountable the parties involved in the attacks.

On Thursday, volunteer groups reported that nine people were killed, and seven others injured in the drone strike, blaming it on the RSF and the SPLM-N, which controls vast areas of South Kordofan.

Neither the RSF nor the SPLM-N has commented on the attacks.

Fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF erupted in April 2023, and has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions in Sudan, fueling one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. UN humanitarians warned repeatedly that violence in the Kordofan region has sharply escalated recently, triggering large-scale displacement and civilian suffering. 
Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS  Get Free Report)s stock had its underperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Bank of America in a note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a $1.00 target price on the oil and gas producers stock, down from their previous target price of $3.40. Bank of Americas price objective would suggest a potential downside of 6.54% from the companys current price.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on KOS. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Kosmos Energy in a research note on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $2.00 target price (down previously from $3.00) on shares of Kosmos Energy in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Stephens initiated coverage on Kosmos Energy in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $1.75 target price on the stock. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Kosmos Energy from $3.00 to $2.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Clarkson Capital started coverage on shares of Kosmos Energy in a research note on Friday, October 24th. They issued a buy rating and a $4.00 price objective on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $2.73.

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Kosmos Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE KOS opened at $1.07 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $1.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.73. Kosmos Energy has a 52-week low of $1.03 and a 52-week high of $4.01. The company has a market cap of $511.81 million, a PE ratio of -1.57 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04.

Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The oil and gas producer reported ($0.15) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by ($0.02). Kosmos Energy had a negative net margin of 23.64% and a negative return on equity of 26.28%. The company had revenue of $310.96 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $360.82 million. As a group, analysts anticipate that Kosmos Energy will post 0.42 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Kosmos Energy by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 7,784,911 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $17,750,000 after acquiring an additional 815,582 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in Kosmos Energy by 26.8% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,319,520 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $12,129,000 after purchasing an additional 1,125,724 shares in the last quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG boosted its position in shares of Kosmos Energy by 100.0% in the second quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG now owns 1,000,000 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $1,860,000 after purchasing an additional 500,000 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of Kosmos Energy by 220.1% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 1,917,488 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $4,372,000 after purchasing an additional 1,318,383 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nantahala Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Kosmos Energy in the first quarter worth $3,914,000. Institutional investors own 95.33% of the companys stock.

About Kosmos Energy

(Get Free Report)

Kosmos Energy Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas along the Atlantic Margins in the United States. The companys primary assets include production projects located in offshore Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, as well as gas projects located in offshore Mauritania and Senegal.

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IDT (NYSE:IDT  Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Thursday. The utilities provider reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.06, FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $322.75 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $308.00 million. IDT had a return on equity of 27.03% and a net margin of 6.18%.

IDT Stock Performance

IDT stock opened at $50.60 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $50.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $58.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.81 and a beta of 0.77. IDT has a fifty-two week low of $44.76 and a fifty-two week high of $71.12.

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IDT Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.06 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. IDTs payout ratio is currently 7.97%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have issued reports on IDT shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of IDT in a research note on Monday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of IDT from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, IDT currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on IDT

Institutional Investors Weigh In On IDT

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of IDT during the 3rd quarter worth $399,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in IDT by 40.2% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 58,197 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,986,000 after buying an additional 16,678 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC raised its stake in IDT by 392.6% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 163,830 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $8,406,000 after buying an additional 130,569 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in IDT during the 3rd quarter worth about $96,000. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in IDT by 27.0% during the 3rd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 19,481 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,019,000 after buying an additional 4,136 shares during the last quarter. 59.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About IDT

(Get Free Report)

IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data.

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Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Free Report) had its price objective cut by equities researchers at Johnson Rice from $70.00 to $62.00 in a report issued on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the energy companys stock. Johnson Rices target price points to a potential upside of 62.96% from the companys current price.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on DVN. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on shares of Devon Energy from $43.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Devon Energy from $57.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on Devon Energy from $51.00 to $50.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Siebert Williams Shank decreased their target price on Devon Energy from $52.00 to $46.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Devon Energy in a research note on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $44.48.

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Devon Energy Trading Up 0.9%

NYSE DVN opened at $38.05 on Friday. Devon Energy has a one year low of $25.89 and a one year high of $38.88. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $34.37 and a 200-day simple moving average of $33.79. The firm has a market cap of $23.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.95, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.96.

Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The energy company reported $1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $0.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.10 billion. Devon Energy had a return on equity of 18.14% and a net margin of 15.56%.During the same period last year, the business posted $1.10 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Devon Energy will post 4.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Devon Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DVN. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Devon Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Caldwell Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Devon Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. PFS Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new position in Devon Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Devon Energy by 61.6% during the third quarter. Accredited Wealth Management LLC now owns 808 shares of the energy companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.72% of the companys stock.

About Devon Energy

(Get Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Eagle Ford, Anadarko, Williston, and Powder River Basins. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The bank reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.08, Zacks reports. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 12.94% and a return on equity of 14.67%. The firm had revenue of $5.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.23 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.91 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Trading Up 4.4%

NYSE:CM opened at $90.62 on Friday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a fifty-two week low of $53.62 and a fifty-two week high of $90.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The stock has a market cap of $84.16 billion, a PE ratio of 15.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.02. The stocks 50-day moving average is $83.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $76.45.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 29th. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.7%. This is a boost from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.97. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio is 47.64%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Raymond James Financial started coverage on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. They set a market perform rating on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $107.50.

Get Our Latest Analysis on CM

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CM. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 119.7% during the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 402 shares of the banks stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA raised its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 87.0% in the third quarter. Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA now owns 860 shares of the banks stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 12.0% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,801 shares of the banks stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the third quarter valued at approximately $205,000. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC bought a new position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $209,000. 49.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

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Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN.B  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 29,805 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 9% from the previous sessions volume of 32,720 shares.The stock last traded at $119.6260 and had previously closed at $125.48.

Lennar Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $30.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.79 and a beta of 1.30. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $117.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $114.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 4.49 and a quick ratio of 0.68.

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Lennar (NYSE:LEN.B  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $8.81 billion for the quarter.

Lennar Announces Dividend

About Lennar

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 10th were given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. Lennars dividend payout ratio is currently 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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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report) saw some unusual options trading on Friday. Stock traders purchased 8,565 call options on the company. This is an increase of 162% compared to the average daily volume of 3,268 call options.

Victorias Secret & Co. Trading Up 11.2%

Victorias Secret & Co. stock traded up $4.66 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $46.23. 5,757,492 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,181,204. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.69 and a beta of 2.24. Victorias Secret & Co. has a 12 month low of $13.76 and a 12 month high of $50.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $33.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $25.93.

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Victorias Secret & Co. (NYSE:VSCO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 5th. The company reported ($0.27) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.60) by $0.33. Victorias Secret & Co. had a net margin of 2.42% and a return on equity of 33.77%. The company had revenue of $1.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.41 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.50) EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.2% on a year-over-year basis. Victorias Secret & Co. has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.400-2.650 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.200-2.45 EPS. Analysts forecast that Victorias Secret & Co. will post 2.37 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on VSCO. Telsey Advisory Group lifted their price objective on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. from $29.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley reiterated a reduce rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Barclays reissued an overweight rating and issued a $47.00 target price on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Monday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Victorias Secret & Co. in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Victorias Secret & Co. from a sell rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the company from $18.00 to $32.00 in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $33.18.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Victorias Secret & Co.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its position in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 6.9% during the 1st quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 20,364 shares of the companys stock valued at $378,000 after purchasing an additional 1,307 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 335.8% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 11,409 shares of the companys stock valued at $212,000 after buying an additional 8,791 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Victorias Secret & Co. by 0.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,966,584 shares of the companys stock valued at $166,599,000 after buying an additional 38,695 shares during the period. Savvy Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Victorias Secret & Co. during the first quarter worth $195,000. Finally, Wolverine Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Victorias Secret & Co. by 20.5% in the 1st quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 81,119 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,507,000 after buying an additional 13,795 shares during the period. 90.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Victorias Secret & Co.

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Victorias Secret & Co operates as a lingerie, clothing and beauty retailer. It offers bras, panties, lingerie, pajamas, sleep, sport and swim apparel, and beauty products. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Reynoldsburg, OH.

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Galway Metals Inc. (CVE:GWM  Get Free Report)s stock price rose 6.9% on Friday . The company traded as high as C$0.62 and last traded at C$0.62. Approximately 428,578 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 124% from the average daily volume of 191,314 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.58.

Galway Metals Stock Up 6.9%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 4.81 and a current ratio of 3.16. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$0.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$0.51. The stock has a market capitalization of C$67.18 million, a PE ratio of -7.75 and a beta of 2.72.

About Galway Metals

(Get Free Report)

Galway Metals Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, silver, and lead deposits. It holds a 100% interest in the Clarence Stream project located in southwest New Brunswick, Canada; and Estrades mine, related Newiska concessions, and adjacent Casa Berardi claims located in western Quebec, Canada.

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SoFi Technologies, Robinhood Markets, and Coinbase Global are the three Financial stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Financial stocks are shares of companies that operate in the financial sectorsuch as banks, insurance companies, brokerages, asset managers, payment processors and other financial institutions. Stock market investors evaluate these securities for income and growth potential while weighing factors like interest-rate sensitivity, credit risk, regulatory changes and the broader economic cycle. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Financial stocks within the last several days.

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SoFi Technologies (SOFI)

SoFi Technologies, Inc. provides various financial services in the United States, Latin America, and Canada. It operates through three segments: Lending, Technology Platform, and Financial Services. The company offers lending and financial services and products that allows its members to borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect money.

Robinhood Markets (HOOD)

Robinhood Markets, Inc. operates financial services platform in the United States. Its platform allows users to invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), American depository receipts, options, gold, and cryptocurrencies. The company offers fractional trading, recurring investments, fully-paid securities lending, access to investing on margin, cash sweep, instant withdrawals, retirement program, around-the-clock trading, and initial public offerings participation services.

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Coinbase Global (COIN)

Coinbase Global, Inc. provides financial infrastructure and technology for the crypto economy in the United States and internationally. The company offers the primary financial account in the crypto economy for consumers; and a marketplace with a pool of liquidity for transacting in crypto assets for institutions.

Read Our Latest Research Report on COIN

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Bright Horizons Family Solutions (NYSE:BFAM  Get Free Report) and Millennium Prime (OTCMKTS:MLMN  Get Free Report) are both business services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Volatility & Risk

Bright Horizons Family Solutions has a beta of 1.41, indicating that its share price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Millennium Prime has a beta of 0.95, indicating that its share price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Bright Horizons Family Solutions and Millennium Primes top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bright Horizons Family Solutions $2.69 billion 2.18 $140.19 million $3.48 29.81 Millennium Prime N/A N/A -$540,000.00 N/A N/A

Bright Horizons Family Solutions has higher revenue and earnings than Millennium Prime.

Profitability

This table compares Bright Horizons Family Solutions and Millennium Primes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bright Horizons Family Solutions 6.98% 17.07% 5.99% Millennium Prime N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Bright Horizons Family Solutions and Millennium Prime, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bright Horizons Family Solutions 1 3 3 0 2.29 Millennium Prime 0 0 0 0 0.00

Bright Horizons Family Solutions presently has a consensus target price of $128.71, suggesting a potential upside of 24.06%. Given Bright Horizons Family Solutions stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Bright Horizons Family Solutions is more favorable than Millennium Prime.

Summary

Bright Horizons Family Solutions beats Millennium Prime on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bright Horizons Family Solutions

(Get Free Report)

Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. provides early education and childcare, back-up care, educational advisory, and other workplace solutions services for employers and families in the United States, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and India. The company operates in three segments: Full Service Center-Based Child Care, Back-Up Care, and Educational Advisory and Other Services. The Full Service Center-Based Child Care segment offers traditional center-based child care and early education, preschool, and elementary education services. The Back-Up Care segment provides center-based back-up child care, in-home child and adult/elder dependent care, school-age camps, virtual tutoring, and self-sourced reimbursed care services through child care centers, school-age campuses, and in-home caregivers, as well as the back-up care network. The Educational Advisory and Other Services segment offers tuition assistance and student loan repayment program administration, workforce education, and related educational consulting services, as well as college admissions and college financial advisory services. The company was formerly known as Bright Horizons Solutions Corp. and changed its name to Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. in July 2012. Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts.

About Millennium Prime

(Get Free Report)

Millennium Prime, Inc. develops, acquires, and markets lifestyle brands and products for the Millennial marketplace. It focuses on marketing products in the areas of beverage, apparel, and general merchandise. Millennium Prime, Inc. was formerly known as Genio Group, Inc. The company was founded in 1969 and is based in Miami Beach, Florida.

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Nordic American Tankers Limited (NYSE:NAT  Get Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders purchased 30,432 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 1,363% compared to the average daily volume of 2,080 call options.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nordic American Tankers

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NAT. Savant Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Nordic American Tankers in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Nordic American Tankers in the third quarter worth $32,000. BlueStem Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Nordic American Tankers in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC bought a new position in Nordic American Tankers during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Caprock Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Nordic American Tankers during the 3rd quarter valued at $36,000. Institutional investors own 44.29% of the companys stock.

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Nordic American Tankers Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NAT traded down $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $3.73. 1,417,529 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,577,370. The company has a market capitalization of $788.77 million, a P/E ratio of 186.34 and a beta of -0.45. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $3.54 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $3.10. The company has a quick ratio of 2.04, a current ratio of 1.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. Nordic American Tankers has a 52-week low of $2.13 and a 52-week high of $3.93.

Nordic American Tankers Increases Dividend

Nordic American Tankers ( NYSE:NAT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 28th. The shipping company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.01 by ($0.02). Nordic American Tankers had a return on equity of 0.39% and a net margin of 1.12%.The business had revenue of $40.18 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $52.89 million. Equities research analysts forecast that Nordic American Tankers will post 0.24 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. This is a positive change from Nordic American Tankerss previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 8th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 14.0%. Nordic American Tankerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 2,000.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NAT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Nordic American Tankers from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and issued a $3.50 price objective on shares of Nordic American Tankers in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Nordic American Tankers in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Nordic American Tankers from $2.50 to $3.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Nordic American Tankers presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $3.25.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on NAT

Nordic American Tankers Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Nordic American Tankers Limited, a tanker company, acquires and charters double-hull tankers in Bermuda and internationally. It operates a fleet of 20 Suezmax crude oil tankers. The company was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the official signing of a deal for peace and prosperity between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, his spokesperson said Friday.

The UN chief emphasized that the agreement represents a critical step towards restoring trust between the DRC and Rwanda and in advancing efforts for lasting peace in eastern DRC, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Dujarric said the secretary-general also welcomed the significant progress made under both the Doha and the African Union-led processes, and he urged all parties to honor the commitments they have undertaken.

"The Secretary-General reiterates that the United Nations, including the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), stands ready to continue supporting all efforts towards sustainable peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region," he said.

On Thursday, the presidents of the DRC and Rwanda signed a peace deal in Washington, D.C., aimed at ending the decades-long conflict in eastern DRC. 
Shares of Shimano Inc. Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 512,750 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 127% from the previous sessions volume of 225,871 shares.The stock last traded at $10.58 and had previously closed at $10.58.

Shimano Trading Up 0.2%

The firms 50 day simple moving average is $10.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.06. The firm has a market cap of $9.30 billion, a PE ratio of 28.65 and a beta of 0.63.

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Shimano (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter. Shimano had a return on equity of 5.96% and a net margin of 10.72%.The firm had revenue of $770.46 million during the quarter.

About Shimano

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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Shares of Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE:SBR  Get Free Report) fell 6.5% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $73.46 and last traded at $73.80. 42,463 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 11% from the average session volume of 38,331 shares. The stock had previously closed at $78.93.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Sabine Royalty Trust in a research report on Friday, October 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on SBR

Sabine Royalty Trust Trading Down 7.9%

The company has a market capitalization of $1.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.38 and a beta of 0.25. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $74.43 and its 200-day simple moving average is $71.16.

Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE:SBR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The energy company reported $1.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Sabine Royalty Trust had a net margin of 95.30% and a return on equity of 961.65%. The business had revenue of $25.52 million for the quarter.

Sabine Royalty Trust Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a dividend of $0.3567 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 5.9%. Sabine Royalty Trusts payout ratio is presently 78.82%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sabine Royalty Trust

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in shares of Sabine Royalty Trust by 51.8% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 586 shares of the energy companys stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in Sabine Royalty Trust by 85.6% in the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 659 shares of the energy companys stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in Sabine Royalty Trust by 79.2% during the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 708 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 313 shares in the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sabine Royalty Trust by 200.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Sabine Royalty Trust by 92.6% during the third quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,040 shares of the energy companys stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 15.81% of the companys stock.

Sabine Royalty Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sabine Royalty Trust holds royalty and mineral interests in various producing oil and gas properties in the United States. Its royalty and mineral interests include landowner's royalties, overriding royalty interests, minerals, production payments, and other similar non-participatory interest in certain producing and proved undeveloped oil and gas properties located in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

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Sanchez Energy (OTCMKTS:SNEC  Get Free Report) and Evolution Petroleum (NYSE:EPM  Get Free Report) are both small-cap energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, earnings and dividends.

Profitability

This table compares Sanchez Energy and Evolution Petroleums net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sanchez Energy 2.22% -18.15% 3.09% Evolution Petroleum 2.04% 2.42% 1.20%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.6% of Sanchez Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 60.1% of Evolution Petroleum shares are owned by institutional investors. 11.1% of Sanchez Energy shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 10.5% of Evolution Petroleum shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sanchez Energy $1.06 billion 0.00 $85.21 million N/A N/A Evolution Petroleum $85.23 million 1.71 $4.08 million ($0.01) -421.00

This table compares Sanchez Energy and Evolution Petroleums revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Sanchez Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Evolution Petroleum.

Risk & Volatility

Sanchez Energy has a beta of 1.71, meaning that its stock price is 71% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Evolution Petroleum has a beta of 0.26, meaning that its stock price is 74% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Sanchez Energy and Evolution Petroleum, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sanchez Energy 0 0 0 0 0.00 Evolution Petroleum 0 2 3 0 2.60

Evolution Petroleum has a consensus price target of $5.73, indicating a potential upside of 36.18%. Given Evolution Petroleums stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Evolution Petroleum is more favorable than Sanchez Energy.

Summary

Sanchez Energy beats Evolution Petroleum on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Sanchez Energy

(Get Free Report)

Sanchez Energy Corporation, an independent exploration and production company, focuses on the acquisition and development of onshore unconventional oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It engages in the horizontal development of resources from the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. It also holds an undeveloped acreage position in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) in Mississippi and Louisiana. As of December 31, 2018, the company had assembled approximately 271,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale; and owned approximately 34,000 net acres in the TMS. Sanchez Energy Corporation was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About Evolution Petroleum

(Get Free Report)

Evolution Petroleum Corporation, an energy company, engages in the development, production, ownership, and exploitation of onshore oil and gas properties in the United States. The company holds a non-operated interests in the SCOOP and STACK plays located in Central Oklahoma; the Chaveroo Field situated in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico; the Jonah Field located in Sublette County, Wyoming; the Williston Basin situated in Williston, North Dakota; the Barnett Shale field located in North Texas; the Hamilton Dome situated in Hot Springs County, Wyoming; and the Delhi Field, an onshore CO2-EOR project located in northeast Louisiana in Franklin, Madison, and Richland Parishes, as well as small overriding royalty interests in four onshore central Texas wells. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Houston, Texas.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) had its price objective hoisted by research analysts at Scotiabank from C$123.00 to C$133.00 in a research note issued on Friday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Scotiabanks target price indicates a potential upside of 5.56% from the companys previous close.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on CM. National Bankshares set a C$110.00 target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Barclays increased their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$106.00 to C$119.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Desjardins raised their price objective on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$106.00 to C$113.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Raymond James Financial set a C$127.00 target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$106.00 to C$118.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$120.54.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce stock traded down C$0.31 during trading on Friday, hitting C$125.99. The stock had a trading volume of 1,463,141 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,342,767. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 1 year low of C$76.17 and a 1 year high of C$126.98. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$116.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$105.89. The company has a market capitalization of C$117.12 billion, a PE ratio of 15.23, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.45.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported C$2.21 EPS for the quarter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 27.87% and a return on equity of 12.61%. The firm had revenue of C$7.58 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities analysts expect that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 6.4127341 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile

(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.

Further Reading

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Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW  Get Free Report) had its target price dropped by stock analysts at DA Davidson from $85.00 to $70.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the specialty retailers stock. DA Davidsons price target points to a potential upside of 37.13% from the companys current price.

BBW has been the subject of several other research reports. Zacks Research lowered Build-A-Bear Workshop from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Northland Securities raised their price objective on Build-A-Bear Workshop from $60.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, August 23rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $63.00.

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Build-A-Bear Workshop Trading Up 5.3%

Shares of BBW stock traded up $2.57 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $51.05. 720,319 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 317,918. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a 1 year low of $32.55 and a 1 year high of $75.85. The stock has a market cap of $670.02 million, a PE ratio of 11.44 and a beta of 1.01. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $54.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $55.00.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The specialty retailer reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.07. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 41.14% and a net margin of 11.34%.The company had revenue of $122.68 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $124.28 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.73 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In other news, Director Lesli Rotenberg sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.34, for a total value of $61,340.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 9,825 shares of the companys stock, valued at $602,665.50. This trade represents a 9.24% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Craig Leavitt sold 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.61, for a total value of $242,440.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 64,142 shares in the company, valued at $3,887,646.62. This represents a 5.87% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 61,387 shares of company stock worth $4,417,721. 5.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Build-A-Bear Workshop

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in BBW. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Build-A-Bear Workshop during the first quarter worth about $28,000. AlphaQuest LLC raised its position in Build-A-Bear Workshop by 106.1% during the first quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 814 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 419 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 68.1% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 501 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 453.1% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 542 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 444 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue acquired a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop during the third quarter valued at $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.30% of the companys stock.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop

(Get Free Report)

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.

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Banco Bradesco SA (NYSE:BBD  Get Free Report)s share price fell 7.6% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $3.31 and last traded at $3.3550. 50,168,787 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 16% from the average session volume of 43,229,375 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.63.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Banco Bradesco in a report on Tuesday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Banco Bradesco has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $2.40.

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Banco Bradesco Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The company has a market capitalization of $35.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.40 and a beta of 0.57. The businesss 50-day moving average is $3.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3.14.

Banco Bradesco (NYSE:BBD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The bank reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.11 by ($0.02). Banco Bradesco had a return on equity of 12.95% and a net margin of 9.61%.The business had revenue of $11.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $34.75 billion. As a group, analysts predict that Banco Bradesco SA will post 0.37 earnings per share for the current year.

Banco Bradesco Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 3rd will be paid a $0.0035 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 3rd. This is a positive change from Banco Bradescos previous monthly dividend of $0.00. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Banco Bradescos dividend payout ratio is presently 8.57%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco Bradesco

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Riversedge Advisors LLC increased its position in Banco Bradesco by 13.5% in the second quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 27,901 shares of the banks stock worth $86,000 after buying an additional 3,317 shares during the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Banco Bradesco by 8.8% in the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 42,025 shares of the banks stock worth $130,000 after acquiring an additional 3,402 shares during the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC increased its holdings in Banco Bradesco by 11.3% in the 2nd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 36,466 shares of the banks stock worth $113,000 after acquiring an additional 3,701 shares during the last quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in Banco Bradesco by 1.6% in the 3rd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 230,065 shares of the banks stock valued at $778,000 after acquiring an additional 3,716 shares during the period. Finally, PDS Planning Inc lifted its holdings in Banco Bradesco by 11.1% during the third quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 37,354 shares of the banks stock valued at $126,000 after purchasing an additional 3,736 shares during the last quarter.

About Banco Bradesco

(Get Free Report)

Banco Bradesco SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, corporates, and businesses in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Banking and Insurance. It provides current, savings, click, and salary accounts; real estate credit, vehicle financing, payroll loans, mortgage loans, microcredit, leasing, and personal and installment credit; overdraft and agribusiness loans; debit and business cards; financial and security services; consortium products; car, personal accident, dental, travel, and life insurance; investment products; pension products; foreign currency exchange services; capitalization bonds; and internet banking services.

Further Reading

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PHNOM PENH, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Vissoth said here on Friday that the kingdom considers digital technology as a vehicle to leapfrog modernization, development, and increasing added value in the economy and society.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Digital Government Forum 2025, Vissoth said that in recent years, digital technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), has evolved rapidly and penetrated all layers of the socio-economy.

"It has brought about increased efficiency, quality, and productivity in different sectors as well as significant changes in the way we live, work, trade, and the way we communicate with each other," he said.

Vissoth said technology has brought both opportunities and risks, and the adoption of digital technology has become a defining factor in determining the competitive advantage and even the destiny of nations, institutions, enterprises and individuals.

"For Cambodia and developing countries in general, on the one hand, technology can be considered a vehicle to leapfrog modernization, development and increasing added values in their economy and society, especially improving the livelihood of citizens," he said.

"On the other hand, if the adoption of technology is not timely or in the wrong direction or not competitive, or not meeting current needs, the development gap will continue to widen, both between countries and between peoples," he added.

He said the government has focused on increasing capital investment and reorienting priority activities to accelerate and effectively build a digital ecosystem, as well as addressing new challenges related to the rapid development of digital technologies, especially AI and the negative use of technology, such as cybercrime and online scams.

Speaking at the forum, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth said Cambodia will launch the 5th generation mobile phone service system in early 2026.

He said that the Southeast Asian country currently has a coverage rate of 4th generation mobile phone services of up to 94.7 percent of the total population. 
TKC is a (middle-aged) child of divorce and needs help unpacking a local story . . . 90s grunge rock, more than two decades writing about municipal politics and the Internets have afflicted this blog with nearly crippling cynicism.

Our main question . . .

HOW SHOULD WE FEEL ABOUT RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION OVER KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AT 12TH & OAK?!?

Yes, we are deada$$ asking for help . . .

On the one hand . . . There a lot more important things to get upset about . . . For starters:

The Plaza wants 200 MILLION BUCKS for their skyscraper scheme.

There's a 100 MILLION budget shortfall in KCMO.

The Royals are still dog walking every low-rent politico in the Kansas City metro for their FREEBIE stadium.

And, our pet peeve, liquor stores STILL don't carry the 40oz because of an outdated Regulated Industries rule enacted because of inglorious 90s hip-hop. WU-TANG!!!

But it's not all snark, cynicism and jokes about your mom here at TKC.

The idea of a Kansas City councilman fighting for Christmas sounds as if it was inspired by a Hollywood classic like Miracle on 34th Street or It's A Wonderful Life.

We're trying hard not to be soooooo cynical that we lose our empathy or begrudge anyone's holiday season joy.

Then again . . .

Let's not forget that KCMO Council Dude Willett is also running for Missouri State Senate and he has that kind of dumb, farm-hand charm that right-wing news desperately needs to seem more wholesome in between rants arguing in favor of launching missiles into some hell hole 3rd world tent village.

Put simply . . .

There's ALWAYS a political angle but that doesn't mean the complaint isn't sincere.

And so we share a quick summary and more reporting so that AWESOME TKC READERS can either confirm or deny our faith in humanity . . .

A Kansas City councilmember took to social media Thursday to express his disappointment with a new memo at City Hall.



The memo, which city councilmember Nathan Willett took offense to social media, was issued by city manager Mario Vasquez and told employees no religious symbols would be on display this year.



As we prepare for the holiday season, I want to share how we will approach seasonal decor at City Hall this year, Vasquezs memo read. To ensure City Hall remains a welcoming space for everyone and to honor the separation of church and state, we will not display religious symbols as part of our holiday decorations . . .



Willett voiced his frustration with the decision.



I could not be more disgusted and discouraged by this memo and the message it sends to our faith communities throughout Kansas City, Willett wrote. Christian symbols among other faith traditions during this season should be proudly displayed in City Hall.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCTV5: Kansas City councilmember disgusted and discouraged by holiday decor memo at City Hall

Developing . . .
Just a quick late night & early morning check-in as we remind night owls & early birds to take a moment and look up whilst we share our quick peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Taxing Opportunity

IRS in Kansas City filling more than 200 seasonal jobs; hiring event set Dec. 15-16 The IRS in Kansas City, MO is looking to fill more than 200 seasonal openings ahead of tax season. A hiring event is set Dec. 15-16.

Classy Cowtown Sneak Peek

Kansas City Ballet dancer takes KSHB 41 behind the curtain of 'Nutcracker' Every holiday season, families from all across Kansas City are transported to a festive world of imagination thanks to the Kansas City Ballet's Nutcracker.

Local Legend Moves On

Former Leawood mayor Marcia Rinehart dies at 84 Former Leawood Mayor Marcia Rinehart died last week, the city announced Thursday.

Kindness Of Strangers Amid Tragedy

Son of 85-year-old woman attacked with hammer thanks good Samaritan The family of the 85-year-old woman attacked with a hammer while grocery shopping in Olathe Sunday says she is alert and recovering.

For So Many Coping With Harsh Times

988 Helpline provides support for holiday season Mental health professionals always see a spike in concerns in December, including more attempted deaths by suicide.

Celeb Slap Fight Name Check

Justin Baldoni Accused Blake Lively Of Using The 'Taylor Swift Playbook' Justin Baldoni just took a major dig at Blake Lively amid their feud over his conduct on the set of "It Ends with Us."

GenZ Abanonds Democracy???

Nearly 40% of young Americans say political violence can be justified in certain situations A new Harvard Youth Poll finds 39% of young Americans aged 18-29 believe political violence can be justified in certain circumstances, raising concerns about democracy.

MSM Roasted Worse Than Person Of Interst

CNN's Jake Tapper skewered for calling black DC pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole Jr. a 'white man' on air CNN's Jake Tapper was ripped Thursday after he wrongly referred to accused DC pipe-bomber Brian Cole Jr. as "a white man."

Strike Three???

Could Dems really impeach Hegseth? Here's what would have to happen An impeachment of Hegseth has been seen as a long-shot effort.

Hits Keep Coming

Pentagon announces it has killed four men in another boat strike in Pacific Strike comes amid congressional turmoil over legality of US attacks on suspected drug smugglers

Precursor: Access Denied

Australia says the world will follow social media ban as Meta starts blocking teens Australia's internet regulator said a teen social media ban would be the first domino to fall in a global push to rein in Big Tech, as Meta's Instagram, Facebook and Threads began locking out hundreds of thousands of accounts ahead of a deadline next week.

Celestial Reporting . . .

The largest supermoon of 2025 rises tonight: What to know about the November full moon Don't miss November's full moon rise at sunset on Nov. 5 as the largest supermoon of 2025, close to the peak of the Southern Taurid fireball meteor shower.

Happy Tidings From Hipsters

KC Sipps: Strang Hall has four "new" tenants, and two new Crossroads bars open this week Food Editor Sarah Sipple shares timely restaurant news and events for Kansas City.

Arctic Air Lingers . . .

Kansas City weather: Chilly stretch rolls on, light weekend snow chance Kansas City stays cold through the weekend with a slight chance for light rain or snow.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Again . . . Just for close local news readers who want to know more about the people who help craft the stories that define Kansas City.

An important moment in tribute to one of the very best . . .

"In recognition of her contributions as director of community partnerships, anchor and longtime reporter, the KSHB 41 Newsroom was dedicated Monday to Cynthia Newsome . . .



"She has been public about her ongoing battles with cancer, helping countless others cope with their challenges. In her spare time, Cynthia is the founder and president of Awesome Ambitions, a nonprofit community service project for KSHB 41."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Baku Creative Week promises to be packed with events, new initiatives, and discussions, shaping a modern and dynamic creative environment, the Director General of the Azerbaijan Film Agency, Rashad Azizov, told reporters, Trend Life reports.

He made the remark at a press conference dedicated to the upcoming OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week - 2025.

According to him, as part of the socio-economic development strategy in Azerbaijan, large-scale work is being carried out to develop cultural and creative industries.

"The development of cultural and creative industries makes a significant contribution to the country's economy. Specific tasks have been set for state structures to strengthen this area. Azerbaijan has carried out serious reforms, made important decisions, and introduced new practices. Today, we have the opportunity to share our successes with representatives of other countries, expand cooperation, and present new models of partnership.

Special attention will be paid to innovations, technologies, and modern approaches in the creative sphere. Participants will be able to explore the achievements of both Azerbaijan and other OIC member states," Azizov said.

The festival will be held from October 5 through 12 with the organizational support of the OIC, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.

Guests from more than 50 countries will take part in Baku Creative Week, including government officials, representatives of international organizations, prominent figures in science, culture, and the arts, as well as experts in the field of creative industries. More than 5,000 participants are expected to attend. The festival program includes panel discussions, screenings, exhibitions, and other events dedicated to cinema, theater, fashion, design, music, gaming technologies, digital creativity, and startups, which will contribute to the promotion of Azerbaijan's creative industries ecosystem on a global scale.

The festival will feature a high-level meeting of the ministers of culture of the OIC member states, the "Cultural and Creative Industries Forum" (MYFORUM), "Creative Village": Cultural and Creative Industries Exhibition (MYEXPO), the "Baku Cinema Breeze - 2025" international cinema program, "Eastern Fashion Show" - presentations by young and famous designers from the OIC countries, an international summit on gaming technologies (G-HUB), as well as various cultural projects in the fields of theatre, music, dance and animation.

The festival, held by the OIC since 2019 in various member countries, aims to deepen cooperation in the field of culture and creative industries, strengthen humanitarian ties, showcase the cultural heritage of participating states, and promote contemporary art.

Hosting this event for the first time, Azerbaijan will once again demonstrate its growing role in the international cultural arena and its contribution to the development of traditions of multiculturalism, dialogue, and cooperation in the region. Among the main themes of the festival are the development of intercultural dialogue and the promotion of tolerance, peace, and respect for diversity. In addition, there are plans to encourage joint projects in the fields of economics, education, science, and tourism, build sustainable partnerships between participating countries, and strengthen the integration of creative industries into the global economy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Baku Creative Week demonstrates the unity of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) family of countries, Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Saadat Yusifova said at a press conference dedicated to the upcoming "OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025", Trend reports

This year, Azerbaijan is proud to host the OIC Cultural Festival for the first time. The event will serve not only as a vibrant cultural celebration but also as a crucial platform for the development of creative industries and the enhancement of international cooperation. It stands as a clear testament to Azerbaijans commitment to the values of multiculturalism, cultural diversity, and openness," she explained.

Azerbaijan continues to position itself as a hub for transforming creative ideas into tangible products, where young talents receive the necessary support, and cultural projects gain international recognition," she added.

The festival embodies the unity of the OIC member states, fostering solidarity and creating new opportunities for collaboration in the creative sectors. Its primary objective is to support emerging talent, expand the regional creative market, and stimulate industrial growth. Ultimately, the festival will unite the region's creative forces, providing a platform for innovative ideas, international projects, and cultural dialogue," Yusifova noted.

The festival will be held from October 5 through 12 with the organizational support of the OIC, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.

Guests from more than 50 countries will take part in Baku Creative Week, including government officials, representatives of international organizations, prominent figures in science, culture, and the arts, as well as experts in the field of creative industries. More than 5,000 participants are expected to attend. The festival program includes panel discussions, screenings, exhibitions, and other events dedicated to cinema, theater, fashion, design, music, gaming technologies, digital creativity, and startups, which will contribute to the promotion of Azerbaijan's creative industries ecosystem on a global scale.

The festival will feature a high-level meeting of the ministers of culture of the OIC member states, the "Cultural and Creative Industries Forum" (MYFORUM), "Creative Village": Cultural and Creative Industries Exhibition (MYEXPO), the "Baku Cinema Breeze - 2025" international cinema program, "Eastern Fashion Show" - presentations by young and famous designers from the OIC countries, an international summit on gaming technologies (G-HUB), as well as various cultural projects in the fields of theatre, music, dance and animation.

The festival, held by the OIC since 2019 in various member countries, aims to deepen cooperation in the field of culture and creative industries, strengthen humanitarian ties, showcase the cultural heritage of participating states, and promote contemporary art.

Hosting this event for the first time, Azerbaijan will once again demonstrate its growing role in the international cultural arena and its contribution to the development of traditions of multiculturalism, dialogue, and cooperation in the region. Among the main themes of the festival are the development of intercultural dialogue and the promotion of tolerance, peace, and respect for diversity. In addition, there are plans to encourage joint projects in the fields of economics, education, science, and tourism, build sustainable partnerships between participating countries, and strengthen the integration of creative industries into the global economy.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. On December 5, the traditional III International Conference Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia  as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace was held, Trend reports.

The conference was attended by about 100 guests from more than 60 countries, over 100 experts, scientists, public and government figures from Azerbaijan, and members of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

The conference opened with a film about the domestic and international activities of the Western Azerbaijan community and the sensitive approach of the National Leader, Heydar Aliyev, and President Ilham Aliyev to the Western Azerbaijan issue.

Adalat Valiyev, Head of the Department for Relations with Political Parties and Legislative Bodies of the Presidential Administration, read out President Ilham Aliyev's address to the conference participants.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and Chairman of the Initiative Group for Return, Aziz Alakbarli, delivered a welcoming speech and stated that the main mission of the Community is to ensure the right of Azerbaijanis, who have been gradually expelled from Armenia for over 200 years, to return to their homeland in a peaceful, safe, and dignified manner. He noted that the mass deportations of Azerbaijanis from Armenia are systematically destroying the tangible and intangible cultural heritage that has been formed over centuries. He also noted that the only way for Armenians and Azerbaijanis to coexist in the context of the peace process with Armenia is to recognize the right of return. He called on the international community to support this just process.

On behalf of the foreign guests, Samil Ayrim, a member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye and Honorary Member of the Community of Western Azerbaijan, delivered a fraternal message and stated that the deportations suffered by Western Azerbaijanis are a grave crime against humanity and a historical injustice that has disrupted the balance of power in the region. Emphasizing that Turkiye has always supported the Azerbaijani people, the speaker drew attention to the dangers posed to the region by the consequences of Armenia's transformation into a mono-ethnic state and stressed that return is necessary for justice and peace.

Following the opening ceremony, seven representatives from Turkiye, the U.S., South Africa, Italy, Lithuania, and Egypt, who actively supported the issue of Western Azerbaijan, were awarded honorary membership certificates of the Western Azerbaijan Community.

The first panel of the conference, moderated by an Azerbaijani MP and ADA. University Vice-Rector Fariz Ismailzade was devoted to analyzing the legal and moral foundations of the right of return. Speakers included Professor Yasar Sar, director of the Heydar Aliyev Center for Eurasian Studies at Ibn Khaldun University, French historian Maxime Gauvin, Mark Nathan Kramer, Research Fellow at Harvard University, and Professor Carlos Uriarte, representing a Spanish pan-European organization, who spoke about the place of the right of return in inter-state relations and the humanitarian obligations imposed on Armenia in light of international experience.

In the second panel, dedicated to the protection of tangible heritage and moderated by Klaus-Peter Ralph Jurgens from the UK, the following speakers shared their views on the legal assessment of the destruction of Azerbaijani heritage in Armenia and the possibilities for its restoration: Muhammad Sohail Sajid, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; Carlo Marino, Vice President of the Italy-Azerbaijan Association; Astrid Nadia Rizgita, President of the Indonesian Youth Organization OIS; and American professor Michael Martin Gunther.

Speaking on the third panel, dedicated to intangible heritage, ashug art, music, folklore, oral memory, cultural traditions, moderated by AVIM representative from Poland, Nadia Boyadzhieva, professor at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Ornella Ramashauskaite, director of artXchange Global, Professor Mohd Wahib Ali Hussein from Hashemite University in Jordan, and Swedish director Mikael Silkeberg, emphasized the role of culture in preserving the identity of displaced communities and ways of introducing the world to the heritage of Western Azerbaijan.

In conclusion, Professor of the International University of Graduates, Honorary Member of the Community of Western Azerbaijan Huseyin Isiksal read out the final document of the conference, after which, on behalf of the Community of Western Azerbaijan, the chairman of the Community's Control and Audit Commission, Professor Vahid Novruzov, highly praised the results of the conference and expressed his gratitude to the conference participants for supporting the Community's just cause.

The event confirmed that the restoration of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia is not only a matter of historical justice, but also an important condition for establishing lasting peace and tranquility in the region. The conference participants, having received extensive information about the refugee life of Western Azerbaijanis, the systematic destruction, distortion, and appropriation of their tangible and intangible heritage, called for strengthening international cooperation in the protection, restoration, and transmission of cultural heritage to future generations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Discussions are underway with the relevant authorities to ensure timely planning of the necessary steps for the transfer of operatorship of the BakuSupsa and BakuTbilisiCeyhan pipelines, bp Azerbaijan told Trend.

As the company noted, under the relevant pipeline management agreements, the operatorship of oil and gas export pipelines is to be transferred to the respective governments or state bodies within the timeframes stipulated in those agreements.

It was on the basis of these agreements that, in 2021, operatorship of the South Caucasus Pipeline was transferred to SOCAR both in Azerbaijan and in Georgia.

In line with the same agreements, the transfer of operatorship of the BakuSupsa and BakuTbilisiCeyhan (BTC) pipelines to the respective authorities in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye is also envisaged within the previously agreed timeframes. Discussions are currently being held with the relevant authorities to ensure timely planning of the necessary activities in this regard, bp Azerbaijan said.

Baku-Supsa, or the Western Route Export Pipeline (WREP) transports crude oil from offshore oil fields in the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea, from where the crude is further shipped via tankers through the Bosporus to European markets.

The pipeline begins at the Sangachal terminal near Baku and travels through Azerbaijan and Georgia to the Supsa terminal on the Georgian coast of the Black Sea.

The WREP has been in operation since February 1999. In April 17, 1999 the Supsa terminal was inaugurated.

In 2024, the Sangachal terminal exported around 1 million barrels through the Western Route Export Pipeline.

Baku-Tbilisi Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline carries oil from the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) field and condensate from Shah Deniz across Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkiye. It links Sangachal terminal on the shores of the Caspian Sea to Ceyhan marine terminal on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. In addition, crude oil from Turkmenistan continues to be transported via the pipeline. Starting in October 2013, it resumed transportation of some volumes of Tengiz crude oil from Kazakhstan through the BTC pipeline.

The pipeline that became operational in June 2006 was built by the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline company (BTC Co) operated by bp.

BTC Co. shareholders are: bp (30.10%), SOCAR (32.97%), MOL (8.90%), TPAO (6.53%), Eni (5.00%), TotalEnergies (5.00%), ITOCHU (3.40%), ONGC Videsh (3.10%), ExxonMobil (2.50%) and INPEX (2.50%).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the third international conference on Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia  as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace, Trend reports.

"Dear conference participants!

I warmly welcome you to the 3rd international conference on Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia  as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace.

Possessing an ancient history of statehood and culture, the Azerbaijani people have repeatedly been subjected to deprivation, deportation, and genocide over the past two centuries. After the relocation of Armenians to the ancestral Azerbaijani lands, and in the aftermath of massacres and illegal resettlements committed against Azerbaijanis in 19051907, 19181921, 19481953, and 19871991, hundreds of thousands of our compatriots were forced to leave their homeland and seek refuge in Azerbaijan.

The forced deportation of Azerbaijanis from mountainous regions in the territory of Armenia to places with a warmer climate, the embezzlement of the property they had built and created over the years, and the seizure, destruction, and alienation of material and cultural artifacts are historical facts proven by reliable documents.

Time and time again, Armenia destroyed the rich material and intangible cultural heritage of the Azerbaijanis who lived in Western Azerbaijan, including their shrines and cemeteries, in an attempt to erase the traces of the Azerbaijani people from its territory. It is extremely important to take the necessary steps to assess, within an international legal framework, the crimes against humanity Armenia has committed against Azerbaijanis and to secure the support of the international community in this matter.

Today, it is essential to intensify efforts to ensure the return of Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia within the framework of the right of return enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Status of Refugees, and other important international instruments. It is also important to initiate a process, with the participation of the international community - including specialized UN agencies - on the restoration and protection of cultural heritage. The right of return is one of the fundamental principles of human rights. Securing this right is not only about the physical return to ones homeland; it is also about restoring the spiritual integrity, cultural heritage, and historical memory of society.

The restoration and protection of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Armenia, in addition to being a legitimate demand of the Azerbaijani people, is necessary in the context of respect for universal human values, closing the page of hostility, and fostering mutual understanding between peoples.

The Western Azerbaijan Community, which includes individuals directly affected by deportations and massacres, should be commended for its discreet and constructive approach, openness to reconciliation and dialogue, adherence to international law, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.

The fact that Azerbaijan and Armenia came together in Washington on August 8, 2025, with the mediation of the United States of America, the signing of the Joint Declaration, and the initialing of the draft peace agreement creates hope and confidence for the future coexistence of both peoples.

We believe that the peace-loving members of the Western Azerbaijan Community will return to their ancestral lands and that good-neighborly relations will be established between our peoples.

I wish every success to this traditional international conference, which has already evolved into a global platform. I reiterate my confidence that the discussions to be held will contribute to the protection of cultural heritage, the understanding of the right of return, and the safe, dignified, and peaceful return of our compatriots to their native lands, and will be an important step on the path to reconciliation and peace," the address reads.
ULAN BATOR, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia exported a total of 73.8 million tons of coal in the first 11 months of this year, according to official data released by the Mongolian Customs General Administration on Friday.

The figure was a decrease of 0.3 percent from the same period last year, the administration reported.

The mining sector remains one of the main pillars of the Mongolian economy, as the country is rich in natural resources such as gold, silver, copper and coal.

A significant share of Mongolia's coal production is accounted for by the Tavan-Tolgoi coal deposit, which is one of the world's largest untapped coking and thermal coal deposits, located in the southern Mongolian province of Umnugovi. It has a total estimated resource of 6.5 billion tons, one-quarter of which is high-quality coking coal.

The landlocked Asian country exported 83.7 million tons in 2024, hitting a historic high. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Today, it is essential to intensify efforts to ensure the return of Azerbaijanis forcibly expelled from Armenia within the framework of the right of return enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Status of Refugees, and other important international instruments. It is also important to initiate a process, with the participation of the international community - including specialized UN agencies - on the restoration and protection of cultural heritage. The right of return is one of the fundamental principles of human rights. Securing this right is not only about the physical return to ones homeland; it is also about restoring the spiritual integrity, cultural heritage, and historical memory of society, said President Ilham Aliyev in his address to the participants of the international conference on Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return held in Baku, Trend reports.

The restoration and protection of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Armenia, in addition to being a legitimate demand of the Azerbaijani people, is necessary in the context of respect for universal human values, closing the page of hostility, and fostering mutual understanding between peoples.

The Western Azerbaijan Community, which includes individuals directly affected by deportations and massacres, should be commended for its discreet and constructive approach, openness to reconciliation and dialogue, adherence to international law, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.

The fact that Azerbaijan and Armenia came together in Washington on August 8, 2025, with the mediation of the United States of America, the signing of the Joint Declaration, and the initialing of the draft peace agreement creates hope and confidence for the future coexistence of both peoples, President Ilham Aliyev added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The Western Azerbaijan Community relies on international law for the peaceful and safe return of 300,000 refugees, chairman of the community, Aziz Alakbarli, said at the 3rd international conference on "Cultural heritage and the right of return: restoration of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia as a path to justice, reconciliation, and peace" organized by the community today, Trend reports.

"The Western Azerbaijan Community is a public organization that unites millions of people and their descendants who were expelled from the territory of Armenia in stages over the past 200 years," Alakbarli explained.

He noted that the main line of the community's activities is to ensure the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of those people, especially the 300,000 refugees who were mercilessly expelled from their homelands during the first stage of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict that began in 1987.

"It's the restoration of their rights based on both human rights and international law. Therefore, we base our activities on international law and demand the implementation of the principles enshrined in international documents on the right of return. We conduct our activities based on international law.

Unfortunately, Armenia is trying not to bear international responsibility for all these illegal acts. Their actions are a crime against humanity. Therefore, we have repeatedly appealed to UNESCO," Alakbarli added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The return of Western Azerbaijanis must be assessed in cultural terms, Chairman of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Samil Ayrim said at the 3rd international conference on "Cultural heritage and the right of return: restoration of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia as a path to justice, reconciliation, and peace" organized by the Western Azerbaijan Community today, Trend reports.

"When cultural heritage is destroyed, the bond a people has with their past is broken. International law recognizes the protection of cultural heritage as an integral part of human rights," the MP noted.

He pointed out that the 1954 Hague Convention, the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage clearly define the obligations of states in this area.

"However, this responsibility does not belong only to states but is also a common duty of the international community. The destruction of cultural heritage is considered a crime committed not only against one nation but against all of humanity. For this reason, when discussing the right of return of Western Azerbaijanis, the issue should be assessed from both a legal and a cultural perspective," he explained.

Ayrim also said that sustainable peace after conflicts is possible not only through political agreements, but also through the restoration of memory and the reshaping of mutual respect.

"The care shown to the history, art, beliefs, and even tombstones of a society creates the moral foundation of peace. Therefore, the preservation of cultural heritage in the process of return is not a secondary issue but a fundamental condition for peace. Karabakh and the surrounding areas have been under occupation for 30 years. During this time, cities, villages, historical monuments, and cultural heritage have suffered serious damage," the MP mentioned.

He emphasized that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, new roads, water bodies, airports, smart city, and smart village projects are being implemented in Karabakh today. Conditions are being created for the return of more than a million displaced persons, trees are being planted, modern living standards are being ensured, and opportunities for people to return to their homelands comfortably are being expanded. This is a very important historical event.

"While implementing all of this, Azerbaijan has not shied away from any of its obligations, but on the contrary, it has shown development at a level that can serve as an example to the world with the reconstruction and reconstruction work it has carried out in the region," Ayrim added.

Since 1988, numerous Azerbaijani cultural monuments in present-day Armenia have been destroyed, vandalized, or had their authenticity altered. Over 300 mosques, including the Damirbulag Mosque, have been lost or compromised, while more than 500 cemeteries have been desecrated. Key historical sites like the Irevan fortress and Sardar mosque have also been demolished. Azerbaijan claims this destruction is state-sponsored, aimed at erasing its cultural presence. International organizations have acknowledged the situation and have called for a fact-finding mission by UNESCO, though this has yet to materialize due to disagreement between the involved parties.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The deportation process of Azerbaijanis took place both in the Russian Empire and Soviet times, Director of the Heydar Aliyev Eurasian Studies Center at Ibn Haldun University, Turkiye, Professor Yasar Sar said at the 3rd international conference on "Cultural heritage and the right of return: restoration of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia as a path to justice, reconciliation, and peace" organized by the Western Azerbaijan Community today, Trend reports.

The academic highlighted that the initial phases of forced relocations, during which Azerbaijani populations were systematically removed from their ancestral territories, transpired between 1905 and 1906, subsequently from 1918 through 1920, again from 1948 through 1953, and finally from 1987 through 1994.

"Western Azerbaijanis were completely removed from their historical lands. In this way, the demographic structure was radically changed. Therefore, historical injustice was committed against Western Azerbaijan," he explained.

Sar pointed out the importance of focusing on the legal documents that emphasize the right of these people to return to their homeland.

Since 1988, numerous Azerbaijani cultural monuments in present-day Armenia have been destroyed, vandalized, or had their authenticity altered. Over 300 mosques, including the Damirbulag Mosque, have been lost or compromised, while more than 500 cemeteries have been desecrated. Key historical sites like the Irevan fortress and Sardar mosque have also been demolished. Azerbaijan claims this destruction is state-sponsored, aimed at erasing its cultural presence. International organizations have acknowledged the situation and have called for a fact-finding mission by UNESCO, though this has yet to materialize due to disagreement between the involved parties.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Restoring cultural heritage in Western Azerbaijan is an important part of the peace process, Chairman of the Western Azerbaijan Community Aziz Alakbarli told media on the sidelines of the 3rd international conference on "Cultural heritage and the right of return: restoration of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia as a path to justice, reconciliation, and peace" organized by the community today, Trend reports.

According to him, this year, more than 100 delegates from 61 countries are participating in the conference.

He noted that compatriots were expelled from Western Azerbaijan, their ancestral homeland, 37 years ago.

"During this period, our cultural heritage in Western Azerbaijan has suffered significant damage. Our cultural heritage samples have been subjected to Armenian vandalism. We have appealed to UNESCO in this regard.

As the first step after the signing of the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia, we consider it important to bring our cultural heritage to the agenda in Western Azerbaijan," he added.

Since 1988, numerous Azerbaijani cultural monuments in present-day Armenia have been destroyed, vandalized, or had their authenticity altered. Over 300 mosques, including the Damirbulag Mosque, have been lost or compromised, while more than 500 cemeteries have been desecrated. Key historical sites like the Irevan fortress and Sardar mosque have also been demolished. Azerbaijan claims this destruction is state-sponsored, aimed at erasing its cultural presence. International organizations have acknowledged the situation and have called for a fact-finding mission by UNESCO, though this has yet to materialize due to disagreement between the involved parties.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Restoration and construction work in Karabakh is being carried out based on original designs, historic neighborhoods are being restored, and the past is being linked to the future, a lawyer at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Mohammad Sohail Sajid, said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at a panel session of the 3rd International Conference organized by the community of Western Azerbaijan on the topic Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia  as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace.

I have visited Karabakh in the last two years and witnessed how these territories were completely destroyed by the occupiers.

He emphasized that traces of the occupation are visible everywhere:

In addition, many areas are mined and pose a threat to the local population. Historical monuments, mosques, and other places of memory in Karabakh have been destroyed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The Turkic world has enormous economic potential, said OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev at the first meeting of ministers of labor, employment, and social protection of the Organization of Turkic States, held today in Baku, Trend reports.

According to him, this meeting, chaired by Azerbaijan, makes a significant contribution to the development of the organization:

"The Turkic world, with a population of 175 million, has enormous economic potential. In 2024, our gross domestic product will exceed $2.1 trillion. These figures demonstrate the dynamism of our region and its growing social activity. Cooperation is necessary to benefit the Turkic world by developing the economic momentum we have achieved. The integration of the Turkic world in all areas is a key issue. Sustainable economic development is impossible without a strong labor market and a system that protects people's well-being,'' he noted.

According to him, ensuring safe working conditions for citizens is also one of OTS' priorities.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Azerbaijan has held discussions on strengthening cooperation in labor, employment, and social protection within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers.

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov met on November 5 with participants of the first meeting of labor, employment, and social protection ministers of OTS member states, held in Baku.

During the meeting, the importance of the ministers gathering was emphasized, and satisfaction was expressed with the mutually beneficial cooperation already established among OTS member countries across various fields.

The members voiced their confidence that under Azerbaijans chairmanship, the organization will continue its development and further enhance its influence on the international stage.

The discussion also touched on Azerbaijans state policy in labor and employment, as well as the consistent social reforms carried out in the country. It was highlighted that the creation of an innovative economy, the increase of labor productivity, and the improvement of social welfare have been defined by President Ilham Aliyev as strategic priorities of national policy.

The meeting also looked into the possibilities for ramping up cooperation among Turkic states in labor, employment, and social protection.

The first meeting of the ministers of labor, employment, and social protection of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is taking place in Baku, themed "Cooperation in the field of labor for the sake of common prosperity in the Turkic states." Participants include leaders from OTS member statesAzerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstanand observer countries such as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Hungary, and Turkmenistan.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Turkiye will host the next meeting of labor, employment, and social protection ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), OTS Secretary General Kubanychbek Omuraliev said today at the first meeting of labor, employment, and social protection ministers in Baku, Trend reports.

The official emphasized the importance of cooperation in regulating employment, ensuring the portability of pension rights, social protection mechanisms, and mutual recognition of qualifications.

"The free movement of the workforce should be one of our strategic priorities. Together, we can create an inclusive labor market that meets the needs of our citizens," Omuraliev said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to His Majesty Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, King of Thailand, Trend reports.

"Your Majesty,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend to you, and through you to your entire people, my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the national holiday of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Today, there is great potential for the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Thailand. I am confident that by seizing these opportunities, we will continue our joint efforts to strengthen our friendly ties and expand our fruitful cooperation both bilaterally and on multilateral platforms, for the well-being of our peoples.

On this festive occasion, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, as well as lasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of the Kingdom of Thailand," the letter reads.
YANGON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Dec. 5 is International Volunteer Day, a day dedicated to honoring those whose quiet acts of service hold communities together. Across Myanmar, volunteers stand ready to help whenever their communities need them.

Among them is 18-year-old Wai Yan, a member of the Pale Volunteer Fire Brigade, who prepares for emergencies of all kinds, including fires, traffic accidents, floods, and urgent rescues.

He has been volunteering with the fire brigade for about two years. His work often involves rushing to accident sites, carrying injured people to safety, and helping families escape danger.

"In our volunteer fire brigade, we take part in fire extinguishing, rescue work, and emergencies," he said.

What keeps him committed is simple. "I like helping people. I rescue people from traffic accidents and send them to hospitals," he said.

Though not everyone praises their efforts, he remains steadfast. "Even though some people downplay our work, I feel happy doing it," he said.

"I'm not rich in money like some of my friends, but I'm rich in goodwill. I'm rich in the 'thank you' given by the people we help," Wai Yan said.

On International Volunteer Day, young people like Wai Yan represent thousands of volunteers across Myanmar who support their communities through generosity rather than wages.

Volunteerism is deeply rooted in Myanmar's social fabric. Aung Myo Paing, chairman of the Green Challenge Association, an organization focused on large-scale tree planting and environmental restoration, said that their environmental efforts rely heavily on public participation.

"In commercial businesses, people are paid to do their jobs. But for activities like tree planting, we depend on volunteers," he said. In Myanmar, funeral services and many social duties rely on the same spirit, he added.

What sets volunteers apart, he noted, is purpose. "Paid workers focus on earning their wages, while volunteers contribute out of goodwill and a desire to help their communities."

His organization also promotes reducing plastic use. "We conduct seminars on plastic reduction, but our efforts only succeed when people voluntarily change their habits. The mindset to reduce plastics is important. Volunteering involves not just people, but the mindset."

That mindset guides 36-year-old Ma Thin Thin Mar from Twante township of the Yangon region, who has volunteered in various activities for more than a decade. She teaches at monastic schools, raises funds for vulnerable and orphaned children, and organizes blood donation drives.

"Even when resources are limited, we find ways to help," she said. "If we can't provide money, we find donors. If food is needed, we cook and distribute it ourselves."

"Volunteering is meaningful and noble. Goodwill brings good fortune," she said.

Humanitarian organizations also rely heavily on volunteers. Professor Dr. Mya Thu, a full-time executive committee member of the Myanmar Red Cross Society, said volunteers are essential to the organization's operations.

"Volunteers contribute with goodwill, without taking any cash or advantages," she said. "They work on the frontlines of humanitarian efforts across the country. They respond before, during, and after natural disasters or emergencies."

The Myanmar Red Cross Society trains volunteers in first aid, blood donation support, health awareness, traffic safety, psychosocial assistance, and child-friendly activities.

"International Volunteer Day is a day to honor every volunteer who deserves recognition around the world," she added.

Myanmar's Department of Social Welfare relies on the same network. Deputy Director-General U Lwin Oo said volunteers help support elderly people, women, persons with disabilities, children, and disaster-affected families.

"Our department alone cannot manage everything. We need to rely on volunteers," he said. The department provides training and technical support for volunteers, U Lwin Oo added.

"Volunteering is a noble deed. Volunteers are good-hearted people, and they are truly helpful," he said.

The theme for International Volunteer Day 2025 is "Every Contribution Matters." 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. In accordance with the 2025 bilateral military cooperation plan between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Belarus, a Working meeting on the use of unmanned aerial systems and cooperation in the training of UAV operators was held with the Belarusian delegation, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

During the meeting, detailed exchanges of views were held on unmanned aerial systems. The sides discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and assessed opportunities to expand cooperation in this field.

At the end of the meeting, the sides exchanged gifts, and a photo was taken.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. For many years, economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom was primarily based on the energy sector. Joint production projects in the Caspian basin, international energy pipelines, and large-scale investments formed the foundation of strategic ties between the two countries, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

"However, the new political and security landscape in the region has shifted cooperation to a completely different dimension. Today, collaboration goes beyond the energy framework and has entered a new phase that includes security, the defense industry, technology, and post-conflict reconstruction. This transformation is driven by mutual interests and growing political trust.

Yesterday, the UKs ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fergus Auld, emphasized in his social media post that London views defense cooperation not merely as technical collaboration but as a long-term strategic mechanism based on trust. He also noted that the United Kingdom takes pride in its defense partnership with Azerbaijan. These remarks demonstrate Londons interest in expanding cooperation and extending it to new areas. One of the key events confirming the transition of the partnership to a strategic level was the visit of the UKs Defense Minister, Lord Vernon Coaker, to Baku and his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev. President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the opening of a new chapter in cooperation in the defense industry between the two countries and described this as a sign of mutual trust. This clearly shows that a new page has indeed been opened in this field. President Ilham Aliyev also stated that there are good opportunities to further expand cooperation in trade, investment, and other areas. In other words, Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom intend to strengthen cooperation across all fields, and all the necessary conditions exist for this, he said.

According to him, one of the key factors strengthening the practical basis of this partnership is the United Kingdoms decision this year to lift the embargo on the export of weapons and defense industry products to Azerbaijan.

The decision announced by Minister of State Stephen Doughty opens new opportunities for direct contracts, the transfer of modern technologies, and technological cooperation in the defense industry. This step is a clear expression of Londons political trust in Baku. During his visit, Coaker congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the progress achieved in the normalization process with Armenia. This statement shows that London sees Azerbaijan as the driving force behind peace efforts in the region, he said.

Garayev noted that the UKs open support for the peace process demonstrates that this cooperation is important not only at a bilateral level but also for regional stability.

Londons support for Azerbaijans initiatives and its approach to security cooperation as a contributing factor to peace in the region adds additional strategic value to these relations. Thus, the AzerbaijanUnited Kingdom partnership is no longer limited to energy-based relations; it has evolved into a strategic alliance supported by political trust, security cooperation, technological production capabilities, and efforts to promote regional peace. In the future, the implementation of joint projects in the defense industry may further deepen these relations and elevate cooperation between the two countries to a new strategic stage, the analyst added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The Azerbaijani delegation participated as observers in the Adaptive Interaction 2025 multinational civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) exercise held in the Veneto region, Italy, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Within the exercise, the Chief of the Media and Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel Anar Eyvazov, met with NATOs Multinational CIMIC Group and 7th CIMIC Regiment Commander, Colonel Piero Furlan.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the effective use of CIMIC units in NATO operations.

Colonel A.Eyvazov highlighted the measures taken by the Azerbaijan Army to protect the civilian population and infrastructure during the 44-day Patriotic War, which resulted in the Victory of the Azerbaijan Army, as well as during the anti-terror and other military operations.

Then the Azerbaijani delegation took part in the Distinguished Visitors Day of the multinational exercise.

Under the exercise scenario, the distinguished visitors observed the execution of tasks on establishing interaction with various civilian authorities and institutions in the operational area, providing them with necessary support, and analyzing factors affecting the course of military operations.

Overall, the exercise that involved 200 participants of CIMIC units from 12 NATO allied and partner countries was assessed positively.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. As reported earlier, a traditional international conference titled Cultural Heritage and the Right of Return: Restoring the Cultural Heritage of Azerbaijanis Displaced from Armenia  as a Path to Justice, Reconciliation, and Peace was held today in Baku under the organization of the Western Azerbaijan Community. During the event, a message from President Ilham Aliyev addressed to the conference participants was read out, highlighting several significant points.

Political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend that the Presidents message contains multilayered and extensive ideas across political, humanitarian, and historical-cultural dimensions.

"The core message is that the right of Azerbaijanis deported from Armenia to return must be viewed not simply as a regional issue but as a matter that belongs on the global agenda of international law, human rights, and cultural heritage protection. The expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia and the destruction of their cultural heritage is not presented as a random occurrence but as a deliberate, consistent policy. The devastation of cemeteries, religious sites, settlements, and both tangible and intangible heritage is described as a historically documented reality at the international level. This approach underscores that the question of return is not only political, but also a historical and ethical matter, Garayev said.

According to him, one of the most important elements emphasized in the message is the reference to international documents that explicitly safeguard the right of return.

The demand for return is not a political claim but a right aligned with international standards and legal norms. Armenia is obliged to ensure this right, as it is a fundamental human right clearly recognized by United Nations (UN) documents. Another major issue is the restoration of the Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Armenia. This is a key component of cultural diplomacy and an integral part of confidence-building in the post-conflict period. It also opens new areas of activity for international organizations. These points demonstrate that Azerbaijan does not frame cultural heritage as a political tool but presents it within the context of protecting universal values, he noted.

Garayev stressed that Azerbaijani society is far from any notion of revenge and approaches the matter strictly within a legal framework.

The idea of return has never been framed as a threat to the territorial integrity of another state. This is extremely sensitive in the context of advancing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyevs reference to the Joint Declaration signed in Washington on August eight, and the initialling of the peace treaty further reinforces the political weight of the message. It shows that the right of return is no longer viewed only through a humanitarian lens but has become a component of the peace process. As a result, the prospects for peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan are entering a truly realistic phase, he said.

Garayev added that President Ilham Aliyevs message carries multifaceted significance from diplomatic, humanitarian, and political perspectives.

It renews international attention to historical injustices, strengthens the legal legitimacy of the right of return, presents the restoration of cultural heritage as an essential mechanism for peace and confidence-building, and supports the broader peace agenda with Armenia, he said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. During a working visit to Austria on 5 December 2025, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov participated in and delivered remarks at the 4th European Conference on Azerbaijan Studies, Trend reports.

The event gathered policymakers, think tanks, academics, and independent experts to discuss Azerbaijans strategic vision and foreign policy priorities.

Speaking at the roundtable, Minister Bayramov emphasized Azerbaijans growing regional role as a stabilizing force. He highlighted the countrys achievements in multilateral formats at a time when international cooperation requires stronger credibility and effective delivery.

The minister also informed participants about Azerbaijans preparations to host the 13th World Urban Forum and World Environment Day in 2026major global platforms aimed at advancing sustainable urbanization, resilient housing, clean energy infrastructure, and climate finance mobilization, all framed under the theme of regional and global responsibility.

Bayramov recalled the outcomes of the 8 August Washington Peace Summit, where the Trilateral Joint Declaration and other significant agreements were signed. He noted that the final closure of the OSCE Minsk Process structures reflects international recognition of the new post-conflict regional reality.

The minister reiterated Azerbaijans readiness to work with all partners committed to bridge-building diplomacy and cooperation. He underscored the importance of strengthening transport and renewable energy corridors linking the Caspian and Black Sea regions, ensuring that peace, regional connectivity, economic security, and sustainability remain key pillars of Azerbaijans future diplomatic engagement.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. On 5 December, the captain of a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by FlyDubai, performing a scheduled flight on the MoscowDubai route, requested an emergency landing at Heydar Aliyev International Airport due to a sudden deterioration in the health of one of the passengers on board, Trend reports with reference to Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

The aircraft landed safely at Baku Airport at 05:30 local time.

The passenger received immediate first aid, and the necessary medical procedures are currently being continued in accordance with the individuals condition.

Heydar Aliyev International Airport ensures full operational coordination in line with international requirements, maintaining the highest standards of flight safety and passenger well-being across all flights.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. An Azerbaijani-Georgian media forum on "The role of media in forming public trust and information security" was held in Baku, Trend reports.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismailov noted that the systematic expansion of information exchange between the two countries, the strengthening of mutual trust between media entities, and the formation of a common communication agenda are of particular importance for stability and sustainable development in the region.

He stressed that digitalization and the rapid development of social networks significantly increase the flow of information, further enhancing the role of professional media and necessitating more effective implementation of information security policies.

The first panel session of the forum was devoted to the topic "Strengthening the media ecosystem to ensure information security."

The discussion, moderated by Fazil Novruzov, Chief of Staff of the Council for Audiovisual Technologies, was attended by Radik Ismailov, Executive Director of ARB 24 TV channel, Ioane Shaishmelashvili, host of the Georgian program Eurocracy  Old Europe, Adil Tagiev, head of the legal department of the Media Development Agency, and Ramiliya Aliyeva, head of the Colorful Georgia project at Georgian Public Television, journalist, and TV presenter.

The discussion featured a wide-ranging exchange of views on issues such as the multifaceted impact of technological evolution on the media environment, protecting the reliability of information, the transformation of social media into one of the main sources of information, and establishing more effective communication with different audiences through digital tools.

The second panel session on Joint cooperation in improving the professionalism of journalists and media literacy of society was moderated by Vafa Isgandarova, head of the Nakhchivan regional office of the Media Development Agency.

The speakers included Leman Isgandarova, Director of the Department of Media Support Projects, Strategic Planning, and Information Technology at the Agency; Grigol Robakidze, Professor at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University; Maya Pachkoria, Head of the Multimedia Center; Vugar Zifaroglu, Dean of the Faculty of Journalism at Baku State University, and Gia Abashidze, representative of the analytical group of the Georgian television channel PosTV, who shared their views on improving the professionalism of journalists, increasing media literacy in society, and the role of bilateral cooperation in this area.

The panel participants emphasized that, given the growing responsibility of the media in today's information environment, it is particularly important to improve the training of journalists, expand educational initiatives, and implement sustainable media literacy projects to provide society with reliable information.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The Azerbaijani media, being guided by their historical heritage and taking into account the challenges of the global information environment, consider it necessary to exchange views with representatives of leading Georgian media organizations and media experts, the Executive Director of Azerbaijan's Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at the opening ceremony of the Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum in Baku on the topic "The role of media in forming public trust and information security."

Noting that this is the first time that a joint media forum has been held, Ismayilov said that this will form the basis of the next successful stage of cooperation, which draws strength from history, and will make a significant contribution to the media environment of the countries in terms of practical importance.

"The modern information environment is changing rapidly, and these changes create new challenges for both states and societies. The development of digital technologies, the expansion of social media platforms, and the acceleration of the flow of information further increase the responsibility of the media, their professional standards, and the role they play in public trust.

In this regard, the main topic of the forum is particularly relevant because a healthy information environment and a society that trusts it are possible only through the unity of professional journalistic activity and effective information security policy," he added.

The Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum is convening in Baku under the theme "The Role of Media in Establishing Public Trust and Information Security." The inaugural panel session of the forum will focus on the theme "Enhancing the Media Ecosystem to Safeguard Information Security." A second panel discussion is scheduled on the subject "Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Journalistic Professionalism and Societal Media Literacy."

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Azerbaijan and Georgia can implement joint projects against global information threats, the Executive Director of Azerbaijan's Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov said at the opening ceremony of the Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum in Baku on the topic "The role of media in forming public trust and information security," Trend reports.

He recalled that the Media Development Agency is implementing systematic measures that have already become a tradition to increase the level of media literacy in society. The launch of the Media Literacy Week in Azerbaijan every December further strengthens awareness-raising efforts in this area.

"We are ready to cooperate with our Georgian colleagues in this direction and exchange experiences. The Azerbaijan-Georgia friendship and strategic partnership are an exemplary model of cooperation in our region.

Our first forum will allow our relations to enter a new stage in the media sphere," he added.

The Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum is convening in Baku under the theme "The Role of Media in Establishing Public Trust and Information Security." The inaugural panel session of the forum will focus on the theme "Enhancing the Media Ecosystem to Safeguard Information Security." A second panel discussion is scheduled on the subject "Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Journalistic Professionalism and Societal Media Literacy."

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The importance and risks associated with information security continue to grow in the age of generative artificial intelligence, the Executive Director of ARB 24 TV channel, Radik Ismayilov, said in his speech at the panel session dedicated to the topic "Enhancing the Media Ecosystem to Safeguard Information Security" within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum, Trend reports.

"The focus of the Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum on the theme of information security is both timely and significant, as this challenge has become a shared concern for both countries. Both Azerbaijan and Georgia are exposed to manipulations and disinformation originating from various institutions and directions, often leading to destructive consequences.

We are experiencing one of the most significant technological revolutions in human history thanks to generative artificial intelligence. Whether we should consider ourselves fortunate or cautious in this era is unclear, but what is certain is that leading a news channel during such times, especially in crises, is extremely difficult, as verifying whether the information we receive is real or fake has become increasingly challenging," Ismayilov said.

He noted that this situation puts media professionals in the thick of the action, demanding they keep the audience's trust and stand firm on journalistic integrity. As a result, the importance and risks associated with information security continue to grow in the age of generative artificial intelligence.

Ismayilov added that access to information has become easier in both countries, yet the ability to distinguish between accurate and fabricated content is steadily diminishing, affecting the lives of individuals, the operations of state institutions and businesses, and even civil society.

"With the decline of traditional medias influence in both Azerbaijan and Georgia, digital and social platforms have taken center stage. This rapid shift has created an overwhelming flow of information, making it easier for information attacks, fabricated stories, and manipulative narratives to spread swiftly across society. We have probably all closely followed the recent crisis in Georgia, triggered by false information circulated by a major television channel, which is a vivid reminder of how quickly misinformation can escalate and how damaging its consequences can be," he added.

According to Ismayilov, the most alarming aspect is that manipulative content spreads faster than factual reporting, turning disinformation into a powerful tool of public influence.

"We need to focus more on this area. In order to ensure information security, we need to provide society with safe and accurate information. In modern times, cybersecurity and information security are often used as synonyms, but I am in favor of separating them. Cybersecurity implies the protection of the virtual environment, while information security is a broader and more general concept. This is an area that even rises to the level of national security," he said.

Building on this point, the ARB24 official highlighted that information security today requires a multidimensional approach. He explained that its foundations, technological, ideological, and sociological, collectively ensure the protection of national interests both at home and abroad. With the rapid development of communication technologies, he noted, issues such as safeguarding broadcast media, strengthening digital and social media resilience, protecting freedom of information, and ensuring content accuracy have all become central components of information security. These are challenges that, he stressed, directly affect media professionals.

"Transformation and convergence in the media, the strengthening of internet media, and the online provision of people's operational information needs make ensuring information security even more difficult. In the context of the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence, ensuring information security is global, regional, and local in nature. Therefore, we must pay special attention to these issues.

My colleagues will also talk about the threats of artificial intelligence to information security, but I mainly want to talk about how generative artificial intelligence can be used to ensure information security. Because while artificial intelligence creates new risks, it also offers new opportunities. For example, artificial intelligence algorithms can observe anomalies in real time, reduce incident response to seconds, facilitate risk prediction through behavioral analysis, identify potential gaps and suggest protective measures, automate processes, and help prevent human errors.

The era of generative artificial intelligence requires rethinking information security. This is no longer just a technological issue. This process requires a comprehensive approach with strategic, legal, and ethical dimensions. In this regard, the joint activities of Azerbaijani and Georgian journalists, both within the country and at the regional level, are of great importance. We must jointly investigate manipulative news and deepfakes and cooperate in preventing them," he concluded.

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YANGON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Rural Development Department under Myanmar's Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development held a workshop on rural transformation through the Smart Village project of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Yangon on Thursday, an official from the ministry told Xinhua on Friday.

During the event, Union Minister for Cooperatives and Rural Development U Hla Moe said the country's rural transformation efforts are being implemented in line with the Myanmar Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan, according to the state-owned daily The Global New Light of Myanmar.

He noted that the efforts target the 69 percent of the population living in rural areas, the report said.

He said the ministry is carrying out the Territorial Rural Development approach across six key sectors, such as rural infrastructure development through the Smart Village project, agrochemicals and financial assistance, vocational training and rural economic promotion, strengthening units and technical distribution, social protection and environmental conservation. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The exchange of experience between Georgia and Azerbaijan is especially important in the context of hybrid attacks, Gia Abashidze, a representative of the analytical department of the Georgian PosTV television company, told media on the sidelines of the Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum on the topic "The role of media in forming public trust and information security," Trend reports.

"Fake news and disinformation are being spread against us. In this situation, it's necessary to strengthen cooperation with our partners and colleagues from Azerbaijan," he noted.

Abashidze pointed out that holding such a forum is a real game changer, as it brings media organizations from both countries under one roof and lays the groundwork for tighter collaboration.

"Coordination is essential among the media, politicians, political figures, and the expert community. Today's media forum is an important step toward strengthening our cooperation," he added.

The Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum is convening in Baku under the theme "The Role of Media in Establishing Public Trust and Information Security." The inaugural panel session of the forum will focus on the theme "Enhancing the Media Ecosystem to Safeguard Information Security." A second panel discussion is scheduled on the subject "Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Journalistic Professionalism and Societal Media Literacy."

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SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, December 5. The next meeting of the Working Group on Environmental Issues of the Interdepartmental Center, which operates under the Coordination Headquarters established to resolve issues in the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan in a centralized manner, was held in the city of Shusha, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

The meeting was attended by representatives of relevant state agencies within the working group, employees of special representative offices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha, Lachin, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, Zangilan, Aghdara, Khojaly, Khojavend districts, and Khankendi city, as well as representatives of the Restoration, Construction, and Management Services.

At the meeting, the working group members and representatives of other invited organizations provided information to the meeting participants on the status of implementation of environmental requirements during the implementation of infrastructure projects and the removal of greenery in the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions; the work done in the field of subsoil use; the current state of ore, non-ore, fresh, and thermal mineral water deposits, and kahrizes (underground waterways) and the prospects for their use; the work done on the management of safe solid waste and the improvement of management in this area; and the work done to prevent environmental violations in these areas. The issues raised by the representatives of other organizations participating in the meeting regarding environmental permits during the implementation of infrastructure projects and the implementation of tasks given by the coordination headquarters to strengthen communication between relevant organizations and coordinate activities were discussed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Turkiye and Azerbaijan are cooperating to improve the welfare, protect social security rights, and develop employment of their citizens, Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Protection Vedat Iskhan told media on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Ministers of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) held in Baku today, Trend reports.

According to him, Azerbaijan and Turkiye are on the same page when it comes to labor, employment, and social matters.

"We are truly working together as brothers. In particular, joint work is being done to increase the welfare of citizens of both countries, protect social security rights, and develop employment.

We are especially interested in labor mobility. We want this to be managed by the OTS within the framework of labor mobility in the region. We'll continue our work in this direction together with the presidents and labor ministers of the OTS member states," he added.

Today, the first meeting of the ministers of labor, employment, and social protection of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) took place in Baku, themed "Cooperation in the field of labor for the sake of common prosperity in the Turkic states." Participants include leaders from OTS member statesAzerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstanand observer countries such as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Hungary, and Turkmenistan.

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JABRAYIL, Azerbaijan, December 5. Former Azerbaijani IDP families arriving in Jabrayil district's Horovlu village as part of the latest resettlement wave have been handed the keys to their new homes today, Trends regional correspondent reports.

After being welcomed to the village, the families received detailed briefings from staff of the Azerbaijan State Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) on the risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance.

They were advised to stay away from unfamiliar objects and to immediately report any suspicious items to the relevant authorities.

The key handover ceremony was attended by officials from the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, as well as representatives of the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other officials. Families joyfully accepted the keys and began settling into their homes.

At this stage, a total of 18 families, comprising 66 people, have been resettled in Horovlu village. With this phase, the village now accommodates 150 families, or 607 individuals, who had previously been living temporarily in dormitories, sanatoriums, pioneer camps, unfinished buildings, and administrative facilities across various regions of the country.

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The next group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) has been sent to Horovlu village in the Jabrayil district in accordance with the ongoing Great Return to the liberated territories by instructions from President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

At this stage, 18 families (66 people) have been relocated to the village.

The returning residents consist of families who temporarily resided in different regions of the country, in dormitories and sanatoriums, due to the Armenian occupation in the early 1990s.

The former IDPs returning to the native village thanked President 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.

The village of Horovlu is situated within a flatland expanse, approximately eight kilometers to the east of the urban center of Jabrayil. The locality experienced a prolonged military presence by the Armenian Armed Forces spanning from 1993 through to the latter part of 2020. The Azerbaijani armed forces liberated the village on October 4, 2020.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Azerbaijans delegation has been appointed head of a United Nations (UN) working group on advanced technologies and smart public services, Trend reports via the ASAN Service State Agency.

On December 4-5, 2025, the delegation, led by Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of Azerbaijan, visited Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia. The visit took place at the joint invitation of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Government of Cambodia.

The Azerbaijani delegation participated in the session of the UN ESCAP committee specializing in this field and was elected to lead the working group on Advanced Technologies and Smart Public Services for the 20252028 period.

During the opening, Mehdiyev presented the ASAN Service experience, highlighting successful cooperation between the State Agency and various UN bodies. He noted that the ASAN Service model has already been exported to more than thirty countries, drawing significant attention from forum participants.

The event brought together heads and representatives of relevant agencies from countries including the United States, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Kyrgyzstan.

The Azerbaijani delegations visit to Cambodia is ongoing.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Elchin Amirbayov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with the Director of the Geneva International Humanitarian Center for Mine Action (GICHD), Ambassador Tobias Privitelli, during his working visit to Switzerland, Trend reports.

The conversation emphasized that this international organization is a long-term and reliable partner in the field of mine action in Azerbaijan. After delivering thorough information on the scope of the country's mine and explosive ordnance problem, as well as the Azerbaijani government's most recent attempts to eliminate it, Amirbayov noted that the country is open to further expanding its successful cooperation with the GICHD.

The parties discussed the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Support for Humanitarian Demining Activities in Azerbaijan, signed on July 7, 2025, between the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and the GICHD in terms of future cooperation and possible implementation mechanisms, including the possibility of conducting joint training sessions with the GICHD at ANAMA's Goygol Training Center and other opportunities for practical cooperation.

Privitelli praised the serious and targeted efforts of the Azerbaijani side to address the mine problem in Azerbaijan and expressed the readiness of his center to further deepen practical cooperation with ANAMA. In this context, he emphasized the importance of his planned visit to Azerbaijan next week and noted his plans to discuss specific areas of mutual cooperation with his Azerbaijani colleagues during the visit.

Amirbayov stressed the importance of Privitelli's upcoming visit to Azerbaijan in terms of further strengthening bilateral cooperation and recommended that he visit the liberated territories to become familiar with mine contamination and the demining work carried out on the spot.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The Baku Court of Appeals has upheld the decision against Chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) Ali Karimli, Trend reports.

The court hearing chaired by Judge Emin Mehdiyev was held on the appeal filed against the decision to remand Karimli, detained in an operation conducted by the State Security Service (STS), in custody.

The appeal wasn't granted, and the decision to remand him in custody was upheld.

The Sabayil District Court in Baku mandated a custodial measure, imposing a detention duration of two months and 15 days as a precautionary protocol.

Karimli has been charged under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code (actions aimed at the violent seizure of power and violent change of the constitutional order of the state).

Karimli and the APFP Presidium member Mammad Ibrahimli were interrogated by the STS as part of the investigation.

After a search of their home, they were subsequently remanded to the jurisdiction of the State Security Service.

Accordingly, the raid on the residences of Karimli and Ibrahim pertains to the criminal case involving Ramiz Mehdiyev, now under investigation by the STS.

Former Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev has been charged under Articles 278.1 (actions aimed at seizing state power), 274 (high treason), and 193-1.3.2 (legalization of criminally obtained property) of the Criminal Code.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused under articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan related to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism and other serious crimes, continued on December 5, Trend reports.

The open court session at the Baku Military Court was held under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov on the panel (reserve judge Gunel Samadova). The accused was provided with an interpreter in Russian, the language he understands, as well as a state-funded defence lawyer.

Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the panel of judges, the prosecutors upholding the state accusation, the interpreters and others to the victims and legal successors of victims participating for the first time, and explained their statutory rights and obligations.

The presiding judge stated that a group of individuals known as victims in the case had applied to the court in previous proceedings, and submitted applications noting that they could not attend the sessions for a valid reason, and that they confirmed the statements they gave during the preliminary investigations.

The parties raised no objection to the announcement of those statements in court, and it was confirmed they would be heard during today's session.

Subsequently, the court session heard the announcement of the statements made by a group of victims, along with expert opinions, protocols, and other evidentiary documents found in the criminal case files.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for December 8.

Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The court proceedings in the criminal case against Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan relating to crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other grave offenses, continued on December 5, Trend reports.

The open court session at the Baku Military Court, chaired by Judge Zeynal Aghayev and composed of judges Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov (reserve judge: Gunel Samadova), provided the accused with a Russian-language interpreter and a state-appointed defense lawyer.

Presiding Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the panel of judges, the prosecutors representing the state accusation, the interpreters, and other participants to the victims and their legal successors, who were taking part in the proceedings for the first time. He also explained their rights and obligations under the law.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for December 8.

Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Articles 100.1, 100.2 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression), 107 (deportation and forced displacement of the population), 109 (persecution), 110 (forcible disappearance of persons), 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law), 113 (torture), 114.1 (mercenary activity), 115.2 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare), 116.0.1, 116.0.2, 116.0.10, 116.0.11, 116.0.16, 116.0.18 (violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict), 120.2.1, 120.2.3, 120.2.4, 120.2.7, 120.2.11, 120.2.12 (intentional murder), 29.120.2.1, 29.120.2.3, 29.120.2.4, 29.120.2.7, 29.120.2.11, 29.120.2.12 (attempted intentional murder), 192.3.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 214.2.1, 214.2.3, 214.2.4 (terrorism), 214-1 (financing of terrorism), 218.1, 218.2 (creation of a criminal group), 228.3 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and devices), 270-1.2, 270-1.4 (acts threatening aviation safety), 278.1 (forcible seizure or retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state), 279.1, 279.2, 279.3 (creation of armed formations not provided for by law), and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan).

To note, the preliminary investigation of the criminal case against Ruben Vardanyan, accused under articles concerning crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing of terrorism, and other offenses, was conducted by the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Azerbaijan and Georgia have repeatedly been the target of disinformation, Ioane Shaishmelashvili, host of the Georgian Eurocracy - Former Europe program, told Trend.

He made the remark at the Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum on The role of media in forming public trust and information security.

Ioane Shaishmelashvili emphasized the critical importance of promptly identifying and exposing misinformation, stressing the need to rely on credible and verified sources.

"Our nations are strategic partners, and fostering stronger ties between our media platforms is essential. Politicians, business leaders, and other influential figures communicate with the public through various media channelstelevision, radio, the internet, and social networks. Consequently, it is vital that the media provide accurate information and serve national security interests," Shaishmelashvili explained.

He further noted that the forum offers a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange. "We share insights about the situation in Georgia, while our colleagues from Azerbaijan discuss their own legal frameworks, practical examples, challenges, and solutions. This dialogue is crucial for enhancing cooperation between media platforms and for strengthening the overall relationship between our two countries."

Shaishmelashvili also underlined the importance of state support: "The state must establish national priorities and communicate key challenges to us. In turn, the media should focus on shaping the information landscape and delivering essential messages to the public."
Vegetable vendors gather at a floating vegetable market in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

Vegetable vendors gather at a floating vegetable market in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) sees road transport and the TIR system as central to connecting Irans maritime gateways with the Caspian region, the Caucasus, and onward to Europe, while helping operators navigate sanctions-related complications, IRU TIR and Transit Director Tatiana Rey-Bellet told Trend.

"Our key priority with TIR is to reduce transport and border-crossing times while enhancing security," Rey-Bellet said. She noted that port procedures must be aligned with business needs. "If trade partners prefer to transship goods at ports and transport them directly to the final destination across borders without further transshipment, this choice should be supported by legislation and procedures".

Rey-Bellet said IRU is working with ECO and TRACECA to test East-West and North-South routes and to identify challenges and opportunities to create viable transportation options for secure trade. She added that IRUs main focus with UNECE and other regional bodies in the coming months is to support the regions rapid transition to eTIR.

On the impact of sanctions, she said restrictions complicate banking, insurance and guarantee arrangements, but they do not prohibit international transit. In fact, under Article 11 of the WTO TFA, countries must ensure freedom of transit.

She said the TIR system offers a secure framework for moving goods through Iran to neighbouring Central Asian states, helping operators maintain trade continuity. "TIR ensures full transparency on the start and end points of each transport, guaranteeing that goods remain sealed and are delivered intact to their final destination, with no commercial transactions occurring during transit".

Rey-Bellet added that operators ultimately choose the most suitable routes, but alternatives often face constraints. "Pakistans borders with Afghanistan remain closed. In this context, Iran continues to serve as a practical and viable transit option for sustaining regional and global trade flows," she said.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 5. Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan Akram Aliev held a meeting with representatives of the European climate company Acta Climate Solutions to review potential areas of collaboration in decarbonizing the economy, improving forest resource management, and introducing modern environmental approaches, Trend reports via the ministry.

During the discussions, the parties also exchanged views on restoring natural landscapes, strengthening the capacity of the forestry sector, and implementing long-term nature-based solutions aimed at carbon absorption and climate adaptation.

Following the meeting, the sides agreed to further develop possible formats of cooperation in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies, with priority directions to be identified for subsequent joint work.

As a result of active efforts in recent years, Uzbekistan now operates 13 solar and 5 wind power plants with a combined capacity of 4,782 megawatts. Since the beginning of this year, these solar and wind facilities have generated more than 9.7 billion kWh of green electricity. Looking at hydropower output, total green energy generation has added up to 15.7 billion kWh. As a result, the share of green energy in the countrys total electricity production has shot up to 23%. The shift has brought about amazing results, cutting down a whopping 2.867 billion cubic meters of natural gas and holding back 4.2 million tons of harmful emissions from getting into the atmosphere.

Acta Climate Solutions (Acta) is a company dedicated to the advancement of sustainable forestry and carbon credit initiatives, employing scientific methods and innovative practices to achieve enduring environmental and economic benefits, especially in domains such as air quality, temperature regulation, and CO mitigation through nature-based strategies like reforestation and soil health enhancement. They collaborate with landowners and investors to develop projects with multi-decade timelines, prioritizing ecological integrity and mutual benefit.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 5. The Heads of State of Central Asia had signed a joint Address urging UN Member States to support the Kyrgyz Republics candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 20272028 term, Trend reports via Kyrgyz MFA.

This was announced by Ulugbek Lapasov, the Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan during a briefing at the United Nations Security Council Media Stakeout.

Lapasov emphasized that the regional leaders view Kyrgyzstans nomination as a key step in strengthening Central Asias contribution to global peace and security. The Address calls for a united front in backing Kyrgyzstan's bid, underlining the region's desire to enhance its role in global decision-making processes.

Kyrgyzstan's Permanent Representative, Aida Kasymalieva, expressed her appreciation for the support from the Central Asian states. She stated that the solidarity shown by the region reflects a shared commitment to multilateralism and peace. If elected, Kyrgyzstan is prepared to serve as a principled member of the Security Council, ensuring the voices of smaller and developing countries are heard in global discussions.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Uzbekistan's Tashkent hosted a ceremony to mark the opening of the office of the SOCAR's (State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic) Ustyurt Operating Company, Trend reports via the company.

The event was attended by Bahodirjon Sidikov, Chairman of the Board of the joint-stock company Uzbekneftegaz, SOCAR Vice President Arzu Javadova, project team members, and representatives of government bodies who contributed to the projects implementation.

Speakers underlined that the Ustyurt Operating Company will play an important role in developing geological exploration potential, implementing innovative technologies in the field, and strengthening the region's energy resilience. It was noted that the establishment of the company and the opening of its office reflect the strong, friendly, and fraternal ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Officials highlighted that the political will of the two countries leaders and support at the highest government level create favorable conditions for implementing such important projects successfully.

It was noted that exploration, development, and production in the investment blocks (Boyterak, Terengkuduk, Birgori, Kharoy, Karakalpak, and Kulboy) under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) are considered a key stage in advancing the energy cooperation strategy between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Opening the office of the operational company marks the transition of the project into an active operational phase. All necessary preparatory work has been completed in a short period, including company registration, obtaining key licenses, and conducting procedures related to the start of geological exploration, the statement said.

The Ustyurt Plateau, located in Uzbekistan, is noted for its hydrocarbon wealth. In 2025, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan's SOCAR signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) to develop six blocks in East Ustyurt. Initial estimates indicate possible reserves of approximately 100 million tons of oil and 35 billion cubic meters of gas, with an annual production target of 5 million tons of oil. The project will utilize deep drilling techniques, reaching up to 6,500 meters, and advanced seismic surveys, marking a notable advancement in exploration methods.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 5. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the ceremony titled 'Powering the Future: Sustainable Energy for a New Uzbekistan,' which marked the inauguration of 42 new energy facilities and the commencement of construction for an additional 21 projects, collectively valued at $11 billion, Trend reports via the press service of the Uzbek President.

The projects include 16 solar, wind, thermal, and hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 3,500 MW in Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Kashkadarya, and Tashkent regions and are expected to generate 15 billion kWh of electricity per year, contributing to Uzbekistans green energy output, reducing natural gas consumption by nearly 7 billion cubic meters, and preventing 11 million tons of harmful emissions.

The projects encompass 10 energy storage systems with a total capacity of 1,245 MW, 11 major substations, and 420 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines, all designed to ensure a stable electricity supply. Local enterprises Angren Energo and Uzhydropower are set to produce 15,000 transformers and 155 hydro units annually, respectively. Additionally, small and micro hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 65 MW, along with household and social solar installations, will further augment the country's renewable energy capacity.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized that in recent years, over $35 billion in foreign investment has been attracted to the sector, leading to the addition of 9,000 MW in new capacity. As a result, total electricity production has increased from 60 billion kWh in 2017 to an estimated 85 billion kWh by 2025. Currently, solar and wind energy capacity stand at approximately 5,000 MW, while hydropower contributes 400 MW. Small-scale solar systems installed in households and social facilities have collectively generated an additional 2 billion kWh of renewable energy this year.

The event also brought together key ministers from the UAE, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as representatives from major international institutions, including the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and leading companies such as ACWA Power, Aksa Enerji, Cengiz Enerji, Masdar, China Energy, Datang, Sinoma, Poly, EDF, Voltalia, TotalEnergies, Siemens Energy, and Nebras Power.

Simultaneously, Uzbekistan is strategically positioning itself to augment its green energy capacity by an impressive 19 gigawatts by the year 2030, thereby elevating the proportion of renewable sources within the national energy portfolio to a substantial 54%.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 5. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the conference Powering the future: Sustainable energy for a new Uzbekistan, announced that the country plans to invest an additional $150 billion in industrial and infrastructure projects through 2030, Trend reports via the press service of the Uzbek President.

The President added that Uzbekistan continues attracting foreign investment and strengthening international cooperation in the energy sector. Over $35 billion has already been invested in the energy sector.

The investment is expected to create a significant number of high-paying jobs. Public-private partnership initiatives are also underway, with Turkish company Aksa Elektrik assuming control of the regional grids in Samarkand, and plans to expand its operations to the Jizzakh, Syrdarya, Namangan, and Tashkent regions

Uzbekistan is also engaging in cross-border projects such as the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and developing a green electricity corridor to Europe with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. In line with COP-30 commitments, the country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 and is launching innovative programs like iCRAFT to trade carbon credits internationally.

Uzbekistan is also developing IT and AI infrastructure, including a 500 MW data center, which is in the process of construction by Saudi company DataVolt.

As previously stated, Uzbekistan plans to attract $1 billion in investments into fintech startups by 2030. Major investments will be directed toward fintech companies to boost competition and accelerate the introduction of new technological solutions in the market. A national fintech strategy will be developed for five years. From that point onward, the development of the fintech ecosystem will be coordinated based on this strategy.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 5. Uzbekistan and Turkish companies have successfully implemented joint projects to build modern power plants with a total capacity of 1.8 gigawatts and a combined investment value of $1 billion, Trend reports via the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

These results were highlighted during a meeting between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and a Turkish delegation led by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar.

The talks also brought together senior executives of leading Turkish companies, including Cemil Kazanc of AKSA and Ahmet Cengiz of Cengiz Energy.

During the meeting, both parties discussed the further enhancement of the Uzbek-Turkish comprehensive strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation. Special emphasis was placed on advancing new joint initiatives in areas such as energy and geology, including the localization of modern technologies, the establishment of energy equipment production, the improvement of power distribution network management, the joint development of prospective mineral deposits, and the training of skilled professionals."

In terms of trade, the turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkiye reached $2.43 billion from January through October 2025. Turkiye remains Uzbekistan's fourth-largest trading partner. During this period, Uzbekistan exported goods worth $942 million to Turkiye, while imports from Turkiye amounted to $1.5 billion.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 5. Uzbekistan has implemented six major energy projects worth a total of $1.5 billion in partnership with the UAEs Masdar in recent years, Trend reports via the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

This progress was emphasized during President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs meeting with a delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei."

It was further highlighted that cooperation between the two nations continues to expand. Recently, a new solar power plant and energy storage system were commissioned in the Bukhara region. Concurrently, construction has commenced on similar facilities in the Kashkadarya region, with investments exceeding $600 million."

The meeting also served as a platform for discussions on strengthening the Uzbek-Emirati strategic partnership. Key topics included the advancement of joint initiatives in energy, mining and metallurgy, transport and logistics, the food industry, and other critical sectors.

Representatives of leading Emirati companies provided President Mirziyoyev with an update on forthcoming projects, including the construction of a wind power plant, new energy storage systems, the development of hydropower facilities, and the ongoing work on wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the overall project portfolio between Uzbekistan and the UAE has reached $20 billion, reflecting the scale and depth of bilateral cooperation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The work carried out within the framework of the creation of a joint industrial zone with Russia's Tatarstan was discussed during the meeting of Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov with a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan Oleg Korobchenko, Trend reports via the Ministry of Economy.

The meeting shone a light on the wide-open doors for bolstering economic and trade ties with Tatarstan, fostering partnership relations among business circles, and organizing joint production.

Prospects for the development of cooperation in trade, industry, energy, logistics, education, healthcare, and other areas, as well as holding the next meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tatarstan, were also discussed.

The parties looked over the results brought about by the project for producing vehicles and other initiatives carried out.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Azerbaijan has officially approved the Reliable Partner Concept to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of state support for entrepreneurship and ensure sustainable economic development, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed a decree formalizing the initiative.

The decree outlines that the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan will coordinate and oversee the implementation of measures under the concept. The Cabinet is also required to provide the President with an annual report on the progress of these measures and address other issues arising from the decree.

The monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the concept will be carried out by the Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms under the direction of the Cabinet of Ministers.
COLOMBO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development said Friday that 416 manufacturing and export factories have been damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

As an immediate relief measure, the ministry will provide compensation amounting to 25 percent of the total reported damages. Factory owners have been instructed to submit assessments by Dec. 16.

The ministry said the highest number of affected facilities were in the districts of Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Kandy, and Batticaloa.

To support rebuilding efforts, the government has allocated 3 billion rupees (about 10 million U.S. dollars) in non-repayable subsidies for impacted industries. 
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 5. During the meeting between Turkmenistan's State Concern Turkmengaz Maksat Babaev and Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ahmed Al-Hammeli, the sides discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector, especially the current projects and potential areas, including new investment opportunities and technology cooperation, Trend reports via the UAE Embassy in Turkmenistan.

Al-Hammeli updated his interlocutor that bilateral trade reached $1.759 billion in 2024, marking a 75% increase compared to 2023, and emphasized the UAEs readiness to further double this figure.

Earlier, high-level visits between the two countries played a crucial role in boosting economic cooperation. In February 2025, UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan met Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow in Ashgabat. In May, three UAE ministers visited Turkmenistan to discuss investment, energy, and infrastructure projects. Several agreements were signed, including joint development of gas fields and long-term supply contracts involving UAE investment companies and Turkmen state enterprises, in addition to existing collaboration in the education, sports, and technology sectors.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 5. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the importance of deepening cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in the hydropower sector and accelerating the implementation of joint regional projects, particularly the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant, Trend reports via the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

These issues were emphasized during President Mirziyoyevs meeting with Taalaybek Ibraev, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The sides also reviewed the prospects for further strengthening Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations of friendship, good neighborliness, and strategic partnership, including enhanced cooperation in the energy sector. Both parties noted with satisfaction the positive momentum in bilateral relations: since the beginning of the year, trade has grown by 17%, freight transportation continues to expand, and joint projects in priority economic sectors are being successfully implemented.

Mutually beneficial cooperation has been established in the energy sphere as well. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan maintain stable electricity supplies and transit operations while working together on promising initiatives in green energy.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan reached $787.3 million from January through October 2025, reflecting 16.7% growth compared to the same period in 2024, when trade amounted to $674.4 million.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. "Rules for providing information on temporary structures intended to be built or installed on agricultural lands" have been approved, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed the relevant decree.

According to the Rules, for the purposes of effective organization of agriculture, the owner (user or lessee with his written consent) of agricultural land (customer) may, in the administrative territories of the city of Baku, as well as in the cities and districts that are part of the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions, erect and install temporary structures on agricultural land in accordance with the requirements of the Urban Planning and Construction Code, i.e., structures located on a land plot intended for short-term use, including during the construction period, erected from lightweight building structures and easily assembled and disassembled, with notification thereof in accordance with these Rules to the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan in other administrative-territorial units (hereinafter referred to as the authorized body).

In addition, the customer is obliged to inform the authorized body through the unified information system for urban planning and construction activities (hereinafter referred to as the Unified System), indicating the period during which the structure will be used for the construction of a temporary structure.

Temporary structures on agricultural land may be erected for the temporary storage of agricultural machinery, equipment, grass, feed, medicines (except for the storage of toxic chemicals), and other means, shepherd's huts, places for rest, sanitary and hygienic needs of workers (staff), and other purposes.

The building area of a temporary structure must not exceed 300 square meters, its height must not exceed 5 meters, and the length of spans must not exceed 6 meters.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 5. Uzbekistan and China are rolling up their sleeves to kick off new projects in geology and agriculture, with a hefty price tag of $1 billion on the table, Trend reports via the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

This was announced during a meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Long Yuxiang, Chairman of the China International Cultural Communication Center.

The parties also discussed ways to further deepen Uzbek-Chinese relations within the framework of their all-weather strategic partnership in the new era, as well as to strengthen cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The significant contribution of the Center to enhancing multi-dimensional cooperation between the two countries was noted.

It was noted that a number of joint initiatives have already been successfully implemented in infrastructure development, investment cooperation, and the green economy.

The China International Cultural Communication Center, founded in 1984, has established cultural, scientific, and educational ties with more than 160 countries worldwide and operates three international representative offices.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 5. A new gypsum board production plant was inaugurated today in the village of Dostuk, Suzak District, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan.

The opening ceremony took place as part of the official working visit of Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev.

The facility, which was built with an investment of $11.7 million, is poised to significantly bolster Kyrgyzstan's construction materials sector in response to the growing domestic demand. The plant will produce up to 60,000 tons of gypsum powder and 10 million square meters of gypsum board annually, thereby generating 80 new jobs in the Jalal-Abad region.

Prime Minister Kasymaliev emphasized the strategic importance of the plant's launch, particularly as Kyrgyzstan continues to rely heavily on imports of building materials. In the first nine months of 2025, the country imported 8.5 million square meters of gypsum products.

During the ceremony, the prime minister highlighted broader trends in the national industrial landscape. Industrial output exceeded 595 billion soms in the first ten months of the year, reflecting a 9.8 percent increase. Construction materials accounted for 8.4 percent of total industrial production.

Kasymaliev noted that industrialization remains a priority for the government, with over 100 new enterprises opening annually across the country.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 5. Excavation work has begun on 18 of the 29 planned tunnels on the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway, and construction is underway on 17 of the 50 railway bridges and several culverts, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan.

This information was disclosed during Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymalievs visit to the ongoing tunnel construction site in the Tosh-Kutchu section.

The project currently engages over 5,000 workers and utilizes 5,695 units of specialized machinery. Excavation work has commenced on 18 of the 29 planned tunnels, while construction is well underway on 17 of the 50 railway bridges, along with numerous culverts.

Spanning nearly 305 kilometers, the railway will traverse key locations including Torugart, Arpa, Kosh-Dobo, Makmal, and Jalal-Abad. The infrastructure will feature two distinct rail gauges: a 1435 mm international standard track between Torugart and Makmal, and a 1520 mm wide-gauge line from Makmal to Jalal-Abad.

Makmal is set to become a strategic interchange node, with plans to build a wheelset transfer station and a major logistics center to support freight movement along the corridor.

The total estimated cost of the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway project is approximately $4.7 billion. The total length of the railway line, spanning through Kyrgyzstan, is about 305 kilometers.

The primary economic advantage of the CKU route is its potential to significantly cut travel time between China and Europe/Middle East. The railway is projected to reduce the distance from Eastern China to European markets by approximately 900 kilometers and cut transit time by 7 to 8 days compared to the existing Trans-Siberian route.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 5. Uzbekistan and ACWA Power discuss joint green energy projects and transmission initiatives, Trend reports via the press service of the Uzbek president.

The discussions were held during the meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and a Saudi business delegation led by Muhammad Abunayan, Co-Chair of the UzbekSaudi Business Council and CEO of ACWA Power.

The discussions coincided with the official launch of several major energy initiatives in Uzbekistan, executed in collaboration with ACWA Power. On this day, four wind farms, collectively generating 752 MW, were successfully integrated into the national grid. Concurrently, the construction of five additional power plants, with a combined capacity of 2.3 GW, commenced, alongside the development of a 300 MW energy storage system in the Karakalpakstan and Bukhara regions.

Meanwhile, work began on a 1,790-kilometer, 500 kV transmission line connecting the Samarkand and Tashkent regions, as well as Karakalpakstan and Bukhara. This represents one of the country's largest and most ambitious grid expansion projects to date.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev underscored that ACWA Power has emerged as a key strategic investor in Uzbekistans transition to green energy, noting the swift and dynamic progress of their partnership. The meeting also explored opportunities to deepen cooperation across several other sectors, including transport infrastructure, ICT, healthcare, and agriculture, forming part of a broader economic engagement agenda.

ACWA Power's total investment commitment in Uzbekistan exceeds $7.5 billion, encompassing both currently operational projects and those under construction. The total capacity of all projects in the joint portfolio (including solar, wind, and gas) has reached approximately 13,000 MW (13 GW), making ACWA Power responsible for a major share of Uzbekistans new generation capacity.

The launched projects are crucial for achieving Uzbekistans national goal to significantly increase its clean energy footprint. The country aims to generate 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, translating to an installed capacity target of 15,000 MW (15 GW) of solar and wind power. The combined 3.052 GW of new capacity announced in the news (752 MW connected + 2.3 GW construction start) directly contributes to this target.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The latest meeting of the Commission on preparations for Azerbaijans accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was held, Trend reports via the Ministry of Economy.

According to the ministry, members of the Ministry and other relevant institutions represented on the Commission attended the meeting.

Speaking at the session, Commission Chairman and Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov emphasized that one of the key objectives set by the countrys leadership is to achieve sustainable and resilient economic growth in a modern era of new challenges. In this context, expanding access to foreign markets is of particular importance.

The meeting also reviewed measures to develop competitive domestic production and enhance export potential. Next steps in the WTO accession process and ongoing negotiations were discussed and planned.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. A delegation from the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), led by Executive Director Israfil Mammadov, conducted a working visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Trend reports via the SOFAZ.

During the visit, the delegation met with leaders of leading international institutions and major private partners to discuss prospects for cooperation and investment.

The SOFAZ delegation met with Rolly van Rappard, co-founder and chairman of the CVC Group. The meeting focused on the current state of long-term cooperation between SOFAZ and CVC, potential opportunities to expand the investment portfolio across different asset classes, and new trends shaping global markets.

The delegation also held discussions with Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute. Known for his significant contributions to capital market development and long-standing support of global initiatives in finance, healthcare, and education, Milken discussed global trends affecting institutional investors, sustainable investment practices, and strategic directions across various regions. The parties also explored possible avenues for future cooperation and experience exchange.

SOFAZ reported that the delegation participated in the Middle East & Africa Summit 2025, organized by the Milken Institute in Abu Dhabi. During a panel discussion titled Investment and Business Ties Between Asia and the Middle East, Deputy Executive Director Rovshan Javadov highlighted the deepening economic cooperation between Asia and the Middle East, noting the emergence of new partnership models that strengthen capital flows, innovation, and talent. He also emphasized the role of sovereign funds in reinforcing regional value chains, supporting market integration, and promoting economic diversification.

Javadov added that SOFAZ, guided by its long-term and sustainable investment approach, continues to closely monitor emerging opportunities across both regions.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 5. Kazakhstan and Austrian industrial leaders discuss joint investment and industrial projects, Trend reports via the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.

The discussions were held during a meeting between Kazakhstans Minister of Foreign Affairs Yermek Kosherbayev and representatives of major Austrian companies, including OBB, Lasselsberger Group, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH, AVL List GmbH, Steyr Automotive, Rosenbauer International, and Magnatech GmbH.

The roundtable focused on the development and implementation of new industrial projects in mechanical engineering, green metallurgy, transport system modernization, raw material processing, and smart technologies. Special attention was given to initiatives designed to increase Kazakhstans export potential in agriculture, metallurgy, chemicals, mechanical engineering, and IT services.

Kosherbayev highlighted opportunities for Austrian firms to establish production facilities, localize technologies, and expand their presence across Central Asia. He also emphasized Kazakhstans stable macroeconomic environment, access to regional markets, and favorable conditions for industrial projects, inviting Austrian companies to actively participate in upcoming initiatives.

The discussions also explored transport infrastructure modernization, innovation, and technology transfer, forming part of Kazakhstans ongoing strategy to attract foreign direct investment and develop high-tech industrial capacity. Kazakhstan has secured over $470 billion in FDI since independence, underlining its position as a regional hub for investment and industrial development.

These discussions are built on the framework of the Kazakhstan-Austrian Business Council (KABC). In April 2025, the Council convened in Astana with representatives from the Federal Economic Chamber of Austria, including Deputy Vice President Philipp Gadi, alongside Kazakhstans Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vasilenko and Kazakhstans Ambassador to Austria Mukhtar Tleuberdi. At that meeting, Kazakhstans investment potential was showcased, emphasizing localization of high-tech production and joint implementation of export-oriented projects, particularly in green energy, machine engineering, raw materials processing, and digitalization.
BERLIN, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, on Friday passed a military service modernization act, aiming to reinforce its military, the Bundeswehr, by launching mandatory fitness assessments and questionnaires.

According to the new legislation, all 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire to assess their motivation and suitability for service starting 2026. The questionnaires will be mandatory for men, while voluntary for women.

In addition, starting July 1, 2027, men born in or after 2008 will be subject to mandatory medical assessment.

Germany's military service will remain voluntary. But if voluntary recruitment fails to meet targets, or if the security situation deteriorates, the Bundestag can vote to enforce mandatory service.

In a statement, the German government said considering the security situation in Europe, the military is adjusting its strength to meet NATO capability goals.

Germany aims to increase the military force to 460,000 personnel by 2035, comprising 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists.

The Bundeswehr currently has around 184,000 active soldiers.

Germany suspended compulsory military service in 2011, and since then, the Bundeswehr has been transformed into a volunteer army.

The law now awaits approval from the Bundesrat, the upper house, and it is expected to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. A "two-tier goods release system" will be introduced in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

This issue is reflected in the "Reliable Partner Concept," approved by the decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

From 2026 through 2028, the Cabinet of Ministers, together with the State Customs Committee, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Finance, will study international experience in the application of a two-tier release system in the process of paying customs duties of reliable partners, form a regulatory legal framework for the two-stage release of goods, and implement the two-tier release system in relation to reliable partners.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Southern Gas Corridor closed joint-stock companys (CJSC) Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) from gas transportation are expected to remain stable, Trend reports via Fitch.

SGC's gas transportation segment benefits from strong revenue visibility as its revenue is secured by long-term gas transportation agreements with price indexation mechanisms. TANAP and TAP benefit from ship-or-pay provisions, largely eliminating volume risk. We forecast EBITDA from gas transportation to remain stable in absolute numbers but that its share in total EBITDA will gradually increase to around 80% in 2027 from around 60% in 2024, reads the report released by Fitch.

SGC's upstream segment is exposed to gradual volume decline amid natural depletion of the Shah Deniz field. It is also exposed to gas and oil prices as a significant share of contracted gas volumes have linkage to commodity prices.

We forecast upstream EBITDA will gradually decline over 2025-2028, and the share of upstream will gradually decrease from around 40% in 2024. This is due to projected decline in volumes and the Fitch-forecast decrease in Brent and title transfer facility (TTF) prices.

Fitch analysts point out that SGC's market position is underpinned by Europe's gas source diversification efforts and political support for large projects, including TAP's exemption from certain provisions of the EU Gas Directive. SGC also benefits from access to growing market volume in Turkiye. TANAP and TAP have expandable capacity.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Italian energy giant Eni has signed a long-term LNG sales agreement with Thailands Gulf Development Company (Gulf), reinforcing its strategy to expand a diversified global portfolio and secure stable, multi-year customer relationships in key international markets, Trend reports via the company.

Under the agreement, Eni will supply 0.8 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG to Gulf over 10 years, with deliveries starting in 2027 at regasification terminals in Thailand. Gulf is one of the countrys largest private power producers.

This contract follows a two-year deal signed in 2024, under which Eni will supply approximately 0.5 MTPA of LNG starting in 2025.

The agreement represents Enis first long-term LNG supply to Thailand, marking a strategic move to strengthen its presence in Asia. The deal aligns with Enis ambition to diversify its global LNG footprint, expand its customer base in high-potential markets, and grow its LNG portfolio to around 20 MTPA by 2030, leveraging projects in Congo, Mozambique, the US, Indonesia, and other countries.

Earlier, Eni signed a long-term agreement to supply liquefied natural gas to Turkiyes BOTAS.

Under the deal, Eni will deliver approximately 0.4 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG to BOTAS for 10 years starting in 2028.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov attended a ceremony in Tashkent dedicated to the launch and construction of new projects in the energy sector, held with the participation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Ministry of Energy's statement said, Trend reports.

At the event, projects implemented jointly with Azerbaijan, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, China, and other countries in various regions of Uzbekistan were presented via videoconference.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shahbazov emphasized that thanks to the political will of the leaders of both countries, Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations have risen to the level of strategic alliance, and the personal trust and friendship between the heads of state play an indispensable role in this process.

The minister noted that Azerbaijan's joining the format of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia as a full-fledged participant, as well as the processes related to the opening of the Zangezur corridor, which boosts the importance of the Middle Corridor, have opened a new page in the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

He pointed out that energy partnership holds a special place in these new realities that ensure the integration of the countries as a single geopolitical space.

"The launch of the exploration and prospecting project in the Ustyurt region, implemented in cooperation with SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz, is a vivid example of this. This project once again confirms the strategic importance of our energy partnership and creates the basis for strengthening the exchange of knowledge and technology in the hydrocarbon sector of both countries, regional energy integration, and opportunities for joint participation in energy supply," Shahbazov explained.

The minister also added that another strategic and regionally important project is the Trans-Caspian Energy Corridor project, which will connect the electricity systems of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan for the first time in history. This initiative will expand in the future based on the transit role of Azerbaijan and create new opportunities for the transmission of renewable energy along the Middle Corridor between Asia and Europe.

To recall, on July 24, 2025, an Exploration, Development, and Production Sharing Agreement was signed between SOCAR, Uzbekneftegaz, and Uzbekistan in connection with the implementation of a geological exploration project on investment blocks located in Uzbekistan.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 5. The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the European Commission are stepping up joint support for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) gigafactories across Europe to enhance EU technological independence and competitiveness, Trend reports via the EIB.

Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the EIB Group and the Commission pledge to pool resources to accelerate Europes capacity for advanced computing and AI. The initiative aims to create up to five large-scale AI gigafactoriesdata and computing hubs critical for training next-generation AI models and reinforcing Europes technological leadership.

Each AI gigafactory will train highly complex, very large AI models that require extensive computing infrastructure for breakthroughs in sectors such as medicine, cleantech, and space exploration. Each facility will operate with approximately 100,000 of the most advanced AI chips, around four times the capacity of current-generation AI factories.

These new gigafactories will follow 19 AI factories already being established in Europe with EU funding.

Under the MoU, the EIB Group and European Commission will coordinate efforts to support AI gigafactory projects that could receive EU and national grants. The initiative is part of the European High Performing Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) program, which currently covers 19 AI factory projects. The gigafactories will be developed under the InvestAI program.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 5. Russia and Kazakhstan are working together on the development of a multi-purpose research reactor, Trend reports via Rosatom.

Rosatom Technologies Construction (RTC) and the Institute of Nuclear Physics of Kazakhstan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop the project, which will include the construction of the reactor and a complex of laboratories. The MoU also aims to expand cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Ilya Vergizaev, CEO of RTC, emphasized that the initiative to construct a research reactor in Kazakhstan will necessitate comprehensive collaboration among all pertinent domestic entities.

Earlier in November, TVEL Fuel Company, a subsidiary of Rosatom, and Kazakhstans National Nuclear Center signed a memorandum of intent focused on scientific, technical, and commercial cooperation in radioactive waste management and the decommissioning of nuclear and radiation-hazardous facilities.

The inaugural nuclear facility in Kazakhstan is set to be advanced with the strategic collaboration of Rosatom.

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On December 1st, at a banquet in London, Keir Starmer delivered his annual foreign policy speech. As ever, this further ignited already intense conversations on the UKs role in the world and its approach to managing its relationship with several key allies.

Among these is the relationship with the European Union, which continues to dominate domestic political discourse. Although almost a decade has passed since the Brexit referendum and almost half a decade since the UK finalized its departure from the bloc, the advantages and disadvantages of this decision continue to be weighed up against each other frequently. This, interestingly, includes Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who in his speech in Guildford stated that the way in which the idea of leaving the European Union was presented to the public was wrong. Moreover, he reaffirmed that the consequences of this decision continue to be felt today, particularly in economic terms.

Debate over Brexit among the UKs political class is frequent and, arguably, by now, inherent to the political sphere. However, conversations on Brexit are inevitably interlinked with the contemporary EU-UK relationship, its geopolitical significance and its role in the current governments foreign policy calculations. Brexit is a given, with many accepting its irreversible fate. However, the bilateral relationship must continue, and this has been duly recognized in London.

When the Withdrawal Agreement was announced in January 2020 and the UK officially left the European Union, there was considerable relief. This was logical, as for almost three years the UK attempted to reach a deal to leave the EU on adequate terms. However, despite the symbolism and victorious light with which it was presented, the agreement said little on the future of the broader, institutional relationship between the two actors. With the Boris Johnson government immediately announcing a global campaign to search for new economic opportunities (the Global Britain approach), relations with the EU lost out in terms of significance. Although the war in Ukraine brought the two actors closer together, with London leading Western support of Kyiv, the bilateral agenda remained superficial.

Upon arrival in Downing Street, however, the Starmer government immediately recognized the need to revitalize key alliances. Between May and July 2025, the UK held separate UK-EU, UK-France and UK-Germany summits. The outcomes of the summit with Brussels, held on 19 May 2025, signalled a commitment to restoring dialogue on issues that had, for some time, been sidelined, and introduced new frameworks such as the Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). Other agreements included an extension of the fisheries deal, allowing EU vessels to continue fishing in UK waters until 2038, and the commencement of dialogue on a joint youth experience scheme.

The summit, just like Brexit, divided opinion. Whilst some criticized a lack of detail and pointed to the tentative nature of some of the announcements, others welcomed it as a first step and a shift of tone, especially in comparison to previous post-Brexit engagements. This, however, can only hold true if the initiated conversations advance and result in meaningful change. This prospect, however, took a major hit after it was announced that the British defence industry will not be included in SAFE (The Security Action for Europe), a new EU program designed to mobilise swift financial assistance for member states and which entered into force in May 2025. The inability of the sides to agree on relevant terms serves as an important but sobering reminder  even if political will exists and the UK continues to partner the EU on issues as vital as the Ukraine war, it will be increasingly difficult to proceed as before.

This development, along with Starmers speech, is a useful reminder of some of the dilemmas facing the UKs foreign policy outlook. Although attempts to renegotiate relationships with allies on one side of the Atlantic and to maintain progress with the United States on the other remain in motion, both endeavours are full of obstacles. Brexit fundamentally altered the UKs position in Europe, which is why, as per the Prime Minister, accepting sometimes uncomfortable trade offs will be inevitable if the end goal is a closer relationship with Brussels. This reaffirms the governments view that deeper EU-UK ties hold the key to both stronger domestic economic performance and a reset to Londons global authority.

From a strategic point of view, the Labour government remains determined to continue with the implementation of its foreign policy vision: a commitment to an internationalist, outward-looking and inherently positive strategy which reconnects Britain to the world whilst recognizing the stark geopolitical realities which surround it.

Huseyn Sultanli

Advisor at the Center of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Center)
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In Shenzhen, technology reshapes everyday life

09:04, December 05, 2025 By Lin Min ( Chinadaily.com.cn

In Lianhua Hill Park at the heart of Shenzhen, visitors can find patrolling robots, automated garbage-collecting boats, and an autonomous minibus. They can also enjoy drinks and take-out food delivered by drone. These high-tech applications are not just for show. They are increasingly woven into the daily lives of Shenzhen residents.

They are part of a broader wave of new technologies and products that Shenzhen is integrating into people's lives. China is striving to drive high-quality economic development by expanding application scenarios for new technologies and products, and Shenzhen is leading the way. Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, speaking at a policy briefing on Nov 10, described "application scenarios" as a bridge connecting technology and industry and linking research and development to the market.

Drones, one of the iconic products that Shenzhen is known for, are taking over the city's skyline. According to official statistics, Shenzhen produced 2.75 million civilian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the first half of 2025, marking a 59 percent year-on-year growth. So far, the city has opened 306 UAV logistics flight routes. In the first three quarters of this year, 630,000 UAV flights were conducted to deliver goods. These figures show that Shenzhen not only boasts a fast-growing UAV industry cluster, but also offers more and more real-world application scenarios that bring technology into people's daily lives.

In March, the "Wings of Futian" Low-altitude UAV Showroom opened in Huaqiangbei, the globally-renowned electronics hub, showcasing cutting-edge electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and UAVs. The showroom adds to Huaqiangbei's growing list of dedicated venues for the low-altitude economy. Earlier this year, China's first all-industry-chain UAV equipment selection center began operations in the area.

While drone deliveries are becoming a common sight in parks and universities in Shenzhen, sightseeing flights aboard eVTOLs are set to take off, with test flights launched for coastal sightseeing in Yantian and excursions over Wutong Mountain and Donghu Reservoir in Luohu. Luohu has designated 15 passenger-carrying take-off and landing sites for eVTOLs.

Education is another field where technological innovation is benefiting residents in Shenzhen.

The new Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum offers a wide range of hands-on facilities designed for students and the general public to explore scientific research across disciplines such as basic science, life and health, intelligent industries and space exploration. The museum features both interactive exhibits and advanced simulation labs, allowing visitors to experience scientific concepts through engaging experiments. Highlights include the AI Evolution Touch Wall, which traces milestones in artificial intelligence and invites visitors to vote on AI ethics dilemmas, and the Global Data Globe, a 3-meter holographic projection that visualizes real-time international data flows. The Innovation Workshop offers 3D printing, robotics and drone assembly courses, while the museum's high-tech theaters provide immersive science experiencesfrom quantum superposition visualizations to interactive science talksmaking the museum a comprehensive hub for experiential learning and scientific exploration.

As a high-tech powerhouse, Shenzhen is aggressively advancing AI research and applications. In addition to a string of humanoid robot startups, companies in Shenzhen have embraced the AI wave, seeking to apply AI across industries and daily life. While Tencent is pursuing AI development and applications in every segment of its sprawling business empire, a growing number of startups are delving into niche markets and specific sectors. XtalPi Holdings Limited, founded by three MIT postdoctoral physicists, is engaged in drug research, biotechnology, and materials science using AI, quantum physics and robotics. AI accelerates drug research and discovery by analyzing vast biological and chemical data to identify promising compounds, predict their efficacy and safety, and optimize molecular design.

In hospitals, doctors are using AI tools to diagnose diseases more accurately and efficiently, such as AI-powered analysis of CT scans and surgery robots to help surgeons perform procedures more accurately and reliably.

In Shenzhen, even traditional industries and services are under transformation through digital and AI technologies. A company named Jubaohui uses an app to help buyers customize their gold jewelry through an intelligent service, and provides retailers with smart supply chain management services. Weather forecasts have become more accurate and tailored to each subdistrict thanks to AI models. Police deploy drones to detect violations and improve traffic flow.

Even visiting a bookstore or reading in a library has become smarter and more enjoyable. The Shenzhen Book City's Eyes of Bay Area Store incorporates technologies such as AI-powered Q&A, VR immersive experiences, and digital twins to create innovative features like an intelligent book repository, smart retrieval system, and "magic bookshelves". Facilities such as AI reading booths and smart reading spaces further elevate the reading experience.

Technological innovation is a means, not an end. In Shenzhen, it transforms industries, enhances services, and improves everyday life. Technology for the greater good, the people and the future.

The author is a senior advisor at Shenzhen News Group.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (C), Indian President Droupadi Murmu (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a group photo during a welcome ceremony in New Delhi, India, Dec. 5, 2025. (Str/Xinhua)

NEW DELHI, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- India and Russia on Friday inked several agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in such fields as migration and mobility, health and food safety, maritime cooperation, and commerce.

The bilateral agreements were signed here in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was on a two-day state visit to India, concluding Friday.

On the occasion, India announced to grant a free 30-day e-tourist visa to Russian nationals on a reciprocal basis.

According to a joint statement, Putin and Modi reaffirmed their support for further strengthening of the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two sides confirmed their intention to broaden cooperation in nuclear energy, including fuel cycle, life cycle support for operating the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, located in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, and non-power applications. 
The people behind earthquake early warning

Photo by Sara Wilbur

Ice covers the lake at Grewingk Glacier near Homer in November 2025.

KODIAK ISLAND, Alaska  Alders, alders, everywhere.

When you follow scientists in the Alaska wilderness, youll almost certainly get alder-snagged.

In November, near Homer, alders grew considerately on Grewingk Glacier till, with space to maneuver ourselves and our heavy packs.

A few days later, on Kodiak Island, the alders were a bit more rude. My fieldwork companion, University of Alaska Fairbanks doctoral student Cade Quigley, burst through yet another alder thicket and announced that we had arrived: "Here's the last mud pie."

Photo by Cade Quigley

A seismic sensor rests in a mud pie on Kodiak Island in September 2025.

I had been accompanying Quigley and fellow doctoral student Sarah Noel for a few days, collecting story ideas. Along the way, Id begun to realize there might be two tales worth telling here: one about Alaskas future earthquake early warning system, and another about the people who are making it possible.

At the alder thicket on Kodiak, Quigley used his rock hammer to pick at a frozen pile of mud clutching a 6-pound seismic sensor, which resembled a marriage between a can of beans and a smoke alarm.

Photo by Sara Wilbur

University of Alaska Fairbanks doctoral student Cade Quigley holds a freshly unearthed seismic sensor in Kodiak in November 2025.

This sensor, one of 52  half of them in Homer, half in Kodiak  that Quigley and other Alaska Earthquake Center scientists had installed a month earlier, now contained data from the thousand or so Southcentral Alaska earthquakes that occurred from early October to mid-November 2025.

Working with project lead and Alaska Earthquake Center Director Michael West, Quigley had arranged these new sensors into two arrays, specifically laid out to measure Alaskas potentially devastating offshore earthquakes. Its an essential step in implementing an earthquake early warning system in Alaska.

In the future, Alaskans may receive messages via the ShakeAlert system, funded by the U.S. Geological Survey and deployed in partnership with the earthquake center, a part of the UAF Geophysical Institute. The system can warn people that an earthquake has occurred and to expect strong shaking in a certain number of seconds. The Alaska implementation plan for ShakeAlert includes a dozen seismic arrays along its coastline.

The system is already available in California, Oregon and Washington.

Figure by Cade Quigley

The figure shows the approximately 2,700 earthquakes that occurred in Southcentral Alaska between Sept. 10 and Nov. 12, 2025. Also shown are the locations of the two research sites: HOM and KOD.

Compared to traditional seismometers, an array can more accurately record large earthquakes that occur along Alaskas portion of the Ring of Fire, a seismically active horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean.

In this zone, very large earthquakes are not just points on a map. Its like a very large rupture patch, sometimes several hundred kilometers long, Quigley said. Basically, an array can see in real time where the front of that earthquake is moving.

With over 40,000 earthquakes detected annually and more than 52 above magnitude 5 so far this year, the hope is that Alaskans will find a warning system useful  and that lives will be saved.

But perhaps only a few people will pause to wonder how this hoped-for system is progressing from mud pie sensors toward a tidy phone message.

For just this one sliver of the overall warning system effort, Quigley skillfully knitted together months of planning: vehicle rentals, plane tickets, lithium battery shipments, safety plans and many other large and small tasks.

Photo by Sara Wilbur

A water taxi sits just offshore near the Homer site. Each visit to the site was bookended by a ride across Kachemak Bay in the taxi.

And of course, fieldwork isnt just logistics. Flying home to Fairbanks, I found myself thinking about small, shared human moments: laughing over Quigley eating clam chowder with chopsticks, smiling through a day of sideways rain in Kodiak and a bluebird-sky celebration after the last sensor was pulled. Collectively, these moments became a counterpoint to Quigleys logistical work  a reminder that the path to earthquake early warning runs through real people.

Whats next for Quigley now that the fieldwork is over? He will spend the next few months analyzing his sensor data with the goal of determining the optimal number and configuration of these sensors for detecting offshore earthquakes. And perhaps, from the comfort of his dry, warm office, hell look back fondly on sideways rain.

Since the late 1970s, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has provided the Alaska Science Forum column free in cooperation with the UAF research community. Guest columnist Sara Wilbur, filling in for Ned Rozell this week, is the communications coordinator for the Geophysical Institute.
ANKARA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces have detained 161 suspected Islamic State (IS) members in week-long nationwide raids, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Friday.

The suspects were believed to have been active within IS and have provided financial support to the group, Yerlikaya said in a statement.

Police seized unlicensed weapons, organizational documents and digital materials during the raids, the statement said, adding that the suspects remain in custody for questioning and legal proceedings.

Also on Friday, the minister said on social media that over the past two weeks, the country detained 233 suspects in sweeping, simultaneous counterterrorism raids across more than 30 provinces.

The Turkish government designated IS as a terrorist organization in 2013, blaming it for a series of deadly attacks in the country. Since then, the country has carried out counter-terrorism operations both domestically and abroad to crack down on IS members and activities. 
Cal State East Bay President Cathy Sandeen was in a meeting when the news arrived. Her university had just received $50 million from MacKenzie Scottthe largest donation in the school's 68-year history.

"I'm speechless," Sandeen said.

She wasn't the only one. Since mid-October, Scott has donated over $860 million to colleges and universities across America. But these aren't donations to Harvard, Stanford, or Yale. They're going to schools you've probably never heard ofstruggling regional universities, historically Black colleges, tribal institutions, and community colleges that serve students elite schools won't.

While some universities are closing academic presses to save $300,000 and others are negotiating with the Trump administration over funding demands, Scott is writing nine-figure checks to institutions that have been overlooked, underfunded, and under appreciated for decades.

And she's doing it in a way that's as unusual as the scale: No applications required. No strings attached. No naming rights demanded. Just transformational money dropped into the laps of universities that desperately need it.

This is what disrupting higher education philanthropy actually looks like.

The Scale That's Hard to Grasp

Let's start with the numbers, because they're staggering.

Over $860 million to higher education institutions since mid-October. That's not counting Scott's billions in gifts to other causesjust colleges and universities. In six weeks.

To put that in perspective:

It's more than the entire annual operating budget of many mid-sized universities

It's roughly equivalent to what most universities raise in capital campaigns spanning five to ten years

It's more than the total endowment of hundreds of American colleges

It's being distributed faster than most universities can process major gifts

And the recipients aren't the usual suspects. While elite universities are used to securing eight- and nine-figure donations from wealthy alumni, Scott's money is flowing to institutions that rarely see gifts larger than a few million dollarsif that.

Howard University received $80 million. Winston-Salem State University got $50 million. Cal State East Bay received $50 million. Tougaloo College in Mississippi received an undisclosed but substantial gift. Numerous tribal colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, and community colleges are getting life-changing donations.

These aren't supplemental gifts to already-wealthy institutions. They're transformational investments in schools that serve America's most vulnerable and underserved studentsinstitutions that have been struggling with enrollment declines, budget deficits, and crumbling infrastructure while wealthy universities build luxury amenities.

The School Nobody Else Would Fund

Cal State East Bay's story illustrates why Scott's approach matters.

The Hayward, California university lost 3,090 students between 2019 and 2023a 25% enrollment decline that ranks as the third-worst in California's public university system. The CSU system overall lost 27,881 students (6.5%) during the same period, but East Bay was hit particularly hard.

The university faces a $13.2 million budget deficit for the 2025-26 academic year. Buildings need repairs. Programs need resources. Faculty positions sit vacant due to budget constraints.

This is not the profile that attracts major donors. Wealthy philanthropists typically give to their alma materselite institutions with strong brands and successful fundraising operations. They want to see their names on buildings at prestigious universities, not struggling regional schools in the Bay Area's less glamorous communities.

But Scott's team spent months quietly researching Cal State East Bay. They evaluated the university's "multi-year impact, financial stewardship and leadership." They looked at who the school serves and what it achieves with limited resources.

Then they gave $50 millionunrestricted, meaning the university can use it however it determines will have the greatest impact.

"Our hard-working students are finally getting the recognition and credit they deserve, and in such a big way," Sandeen said. "This is an extraordinary act of trust in our mission, our impact, and our values."

Cal State East Bay serves primarily first-generation college students, students of color, and students from low-income backgrounds. These are students who face significant barriers to higher education and who benefit enormously from access to quality public universities.

Scott's donation doesn't just help the university survive its current financial crisis. It transforms what's possible. With $50 million, Cal State East Bay can strengthen its endowment, invest in student support services, upgrade facilities, and build long-term institutional capacity.

And notably, the university plans to involve students and faculty in decisions about how to allocate the funds. "Nobody knows better what Cal State East Bay students need than Cal State East Bay students," administrators noted.

This participatory approach to spending represents another departure from typical major gifts, which often come with donor restrictions and specific spending requirements.

The Strategy Behind the Giving

Scott's philanthropic approach is as revolutionary as the scale of her donations.

Traditional major donors typically:

Give to their alma maters or institutions where they have personal connections

Require naming rights or other forms of recognition

Impose restrictions on how funds can be used

Expect detailed reports on impact and outcomes

Make institutions compete through application processes

Scott does none of this.

Her team conducts extensive research to identify organizations making significant impact with limited resources. They evaluate leadership, financial stewardship, and mission effectiveness. They look for institutions serving underserved communities.

Then they reach out directlyoften surprising recipients who didn't know they were being consideredand make unrestricted gifts. No applications. No competitions. No naming rights. No ongoing reporting requirements.

The message is clear: We trust you to know what your students and community need. Use this money however will create the most impact.

This approach particularly benefits institutions that struggle with traditional fundraising. Many regional public universities, HBCUs, tribal colleges, and community colleges lack the alumni networks, development offices, and brand recognition that enable elite universities to raise hundreds of millions annually.

They serve students who often come from families without wealth to donate back to their alma maters. Their missions focus on access and mobility rather than exclusivity and prestige. Traditional philanthropy often overlooks them.

Scott's strategy flips this dynamic. She's finding institutions that are effective despite being underfunded and under-recognized, and giving them resources to be even more effective.

The Contrast With Current Crises

The timing of Scott's giving spree creates a striking contrast with other developments in higher education.

While Scott writes $50 million checks to struggling universities, Bucknell University is closing its 57-year-old academic press to save $300,000 annually. The press built Bucknell's international reputation, but administrators decided the budget savings justified eliminating it.

While Scott gives unrestricted gifts that institutions can deploy as they see fit, the Trump administration is demanding that universities eliminate diversity programs, restrict transgender student rights, and screen international students for political viewpointswith threats to withhold federal funding if they don't comply.

While Scott identifies struggling HBCUs and writes transformational checks, St. Augustine's University is considering whether to join Trump's Academic Excellence Compact despite its terms conflicting with HBCUs' statutory missionbecause the university needs funding desperately enough to contemplate compromising its core purpose.

While Scott gives $80 million to Howard University with no strings attached, UCLA is fighting federal demands for a $1.2 billion fine and policy changes that would reshape the institution according to political preferences.

The contrast is stark: One billionaire philanthropist is supporting higher education institutions to do their work more effectively. Political leaders are pressuring them to conform to ideological demands. One offers trust and resources. The other threatens punishment and control.

Who's Getting the Money

Scott's higher education giving since mid-October has followed clear patterns. The recipients fall into several categories:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Multiple HBCUs have received major gifts, including Howard's $80 million and Winston-Salem State's $50 million. These institutions have historically been underfunded despite serving crucial roles in providing educational access and producing Black professionals and leaders.

Tribal Colleges and Universities: Several tribal colleges serving Native American communities have received substantial donations. These institutions operate with extremely limited resources while serving students facing significant barriers to higher education.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Universities and colleges with high percentages of Latino students have received multiple gifts, supporting institutions that are critical to educational equity in rapidly growing communities.

Regional Public Universities: Schools like Cal State East Baypublic institutions serving their regions and communities rather than pursuing national prestigehave received major support.

Community Colleges: Two-year institutions that provide access to higher education for students who might not otherwise attend college have received numerous donations.

The pattern is clear: Scott is funding institutions that serve students who face the greatest barriers to higher education and that operate with the fewest resources. She's targeting the parts of higher education that most need support and get it least often.

The Ripple Effects

Scott's gifts create impact beyond the immediate recipients.

First, they reset expectations about what transformational giving to higher education looks like. By giving to struggling regional universities and minority-serving institutions rather than elite schools, Scott signals that these institutions deserve major philanthropic support.

Second, they provide resources to institutions that will use them to directly support student success. Unlike donations to already-wealthy universities that might fund another building or program, gifts to under-resourced schools typically translate more directly into student support, faculty resources, and essential infrastructure.

Third, they strengthen institutional stability. A $50 million gift to a university facing budget deficits and enrollment declines doesn't just help in the short termit builds endowment, creates financial reserves, and provides long-term capacity to weather future challenges.

Fourth, they model a different approach to philanthropy. Scott's unrestricted gifts with no naming rights or control demonstrate that donors can support institutions without imposing their preferences or requiring recognition.

And fifth, they highlight the inequities in higher education funding. When one donor gives more to struggling schools in six weeks than they typically receive in decades, it reveals how underfunded and overlooked these institutions have been.

The Research Behind the Checks

Scott's team doesn't randomly select recipients. Each gift follows extensive research and evaluation.

According to institutions that have received Scott donations, her team conducts comprehensive reviews of organizational leadership, financial stewardship, programmatic impact, and mission effectiveness. They examine data on student outcomes, community impact, and institutional sustainability.

For universities, this means evaluating graduation rates, employment outcomes, support for underserved students, financial management, and effectiveness of academic programs. The research can span months before a university even knows it's being considered.

This approach differs dramatically from typical major gift fundraising, where institutions pitch donors and compete for support. Scott's team identifies organizations doing important work effectively, then reaches out to offer support.

The model is efficient from both donor and recipient perspectives. Institutions don't waste resources preparing applications or competing in processes they're unlikely to win. Scott's team can evaluate far more potential recipients than would be practical through application-based processes.

And the resulting gifts go to organizations that genuinely need support and demonstrate effectiveness, rather than to organizations with the best fundraising operations or donor connections.

The Cal State East Bay Impact

Cal State East Bay's $50 million gift illustrates the transformational potential of Scott's approach.

The university serves approximately 12,000 students, down from over 15,000 a few years ago. The student body is highly diverse: 46% Latino, 18% Asian, 9% Black, and many first-generation college students. These are students who face significant barriers to higher education and who benefit enormously from access to quality public universities.

With a $13.2 million budget deficit looming, the university faced difficult choices about which programs to cut, how many faculty positions to leave vacant, and which essential services to reduce. Like many regional public universities, Cal State East Bay has been doing more with less for yearsserving growing numbers of students who need more support while receiving less state funding per student.

The $50 million changes this calculus entirely. While the university hasn't announced specific plans yetthey're engaging students and faculty in those discussionsthe gift enables possibilities that were previously unimaginable:

Strengthening the endowment to provide long-term financial stability

Investing in academic programs that attract and retain students

Enhancing student support services that improve graduation rates

Upgrading facilities that have deteriorated due to deferred maintenance

Expanding scholarships and financial aid for students who need it most

Hiring faculty in high-demand fields where positions have gone unfilled

Creating new initiatives that differentiate the university and serve community needs

Perhaps most importantly, the gift changes the university's trajectory. Instead of managing declinemaking cuts, reducing services, and hoping to surviveCal State East Bay can invest in growth and quality. They can recruit students with confidence that they'll have resources to support them. They can plan strategically rather than merely reacting to budget crises.

This is what transformational philanthropy looks like: Not just helping an institution survive, but enabling it to thrive.

The Questions About Sustainability

Scott's giving raises important questions about higher education funding and sustainability.

First, should universities be dependent on billionaire philanthropy? Scott's generosity is changing lives and institutions, but relying on the goodwill of individual wealthy donors creates precarious situations. What happens to institutions if philanthropic priorities shift? Shouldn't public universities receive adequate public funding?

The answer, obviously, is yespublic universities should be properly funded through public appropriations. Scott's philanthropy shouldn't be necessary. But in the current political and fiscal environment, it is necessary. And her giving is helping institutions survive and serve students who would otherwise be underserved.

Second, does focusing philanthropy on struggling institutions create moral hazard? If donors know universities are financially stressed, does that encourage poor management or reduce pressure to find sustainable revenue models?

This concern seems misplaced. The universities Scott supports aren't struggling due to poor managementthey're struggling due to structural underfunding, demographic changes, and economic pressures. Scott's team carefully evaluates financial stewardship before giving. Her gifts reward institutions doing good work with limited resources, not institutions wasting money.

Third, what happens when Scott's giving eventually stops? She has given away over $19 billion so far, but even her wealth is finite. Will universities become dependent on support that won't continue indefinitely?

This risk is real, which is why unrestricted gifts that can be used to build endowment and long-term capacity are particularly valuable. Scott's giving isn't creating operational dependencyit's providing resources that institutions can invest for sustained impact.

The Six-Week Sprint

Scott's $860 million in higher education giving since mid-October represents an extraordinary concentration of philanthropic activity.

Most major donors make large gifts periodicallyperhaps a few major donations per year to organizations they support. Scott has averaged multiple massive gifts per week across just higher education, while simultaneously giving hundreds of millions to other causes.

This pace suggests a deliberate strategy. Rather than spreading giving gradually over years, Scott appears to be moving substantial wealth into nonprofit organizations as quickly as her team can identify worthy recipients and process donations.

Several factors might explain this approach:

Urgency: Scott may recognize that institutions need resources now, particularly given current political and financial pressures on higher education.

Efficiency: Concentrating giving in focused periods might be more efficient than managing ongoing donation processes indefinitely.

Impact: Releasing large amounts simultaneously creates broader impact and sends stronger signals about philanthropic priorities than spreading equivalent amounts gradually.

Philosophy: Scott has stated that wealth concentrated in few hands is problematic and should be redistributed to organizations doing important work. Moving money rapidly aligns with this philosophy.

Whatever the motivation, the six-week giving spree has created enormous impact across higher education while demonstrating that transformational philanthropy at scale is possible.

The Legacy Being Built

MacKenzie Scott shows no signs of slowing her philanthropic giving. Since her divorce from Jeff Bezos in 2019 and her receipt of substantial Amazon stock, she has given away over $19 billionfaster than almost any philanthropist in history.

Her higher education giving appears to be continuing, with new announcements likely in coming months. The pattern suggests she'll continue focusing on under-resourced institutions serving vulnerable students rather than elite universities.

She is building a philanthropic legacy that contrasts sharply with traditional major donors.

She's demonstrating that transformational giving means supporting institutions that need resources, not those that already have them. That trust in organizational leadership creates better outcomes than donor control. That unrestricted gifts provide more value than restricted donations. That quiet giving without recognition serves causes more effectively than high-profile philanthropy seeking credit.

And she's showing that higher education philanthropy doesn't have to mean giving to elite universities. Regional public universities, HBCUs, tribal colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, and community colleges do crucial work serving students who face the greatest barriers. They deserve philanthropic support.

Scott's six-week, $860 million giving spree won't solve higher education's funding challenges. But it will change hundreds of thousands of students' lives, strengthen dozens of institutions, and model an approach to philanthropy that prioritizes impact over prestige and need over recognition.

In a higher education landscape marked by budget cuts, enrollment declines, and political attacks, Scott's giving represents something increasingly rare: genuine, transformational support for institutions doing essential work.

"I'm speechless," Cal State East Bay's president said when learning of the $50 million gift.

It's an understandable reaction. In an era when universities are fighting for survival and scrambling for resources, MacKenzie Scott is proving that different possibilities existif philanthropy focuses on institutions that actually need support.

MacKenzie Scott's giving continues through her organization Yield Giving. She has given away over $19 billion since 2019, with over $860 million to higher education institutions since mid-October 2025. Cal State East Bay plans to engage students and faculty in discussions about how to deploy its $50 million gift starting in early 2026.
A man participates in a fishing competition during a fish fest in Neftchala, Azerbaijan, Dec. 4, 2025. Neftchala held its inaugural fish fest on Thursday to celebrate the city's 66th founding anniversary. Neftchala is located at the estuary of the Kura River, 180 kilometers away from the capital Baku. The area boasts vast waters and abundant fishery resources, serving as a habitat for numerous species of fish. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

People enjoy boat tours during a fish fest in Neftchala, Azerbaijan, Dec. 4, 2025. Neftchala held its inaugural fish fest on Thursday to celebrate the city's 66th founding anniversary. Neftchala is located at the estuary of the Kura River, 180 kilometers away from the capital Baku. The area boasts vast waters and abundant fishery resources, serving as a habitat for numerous species of fish. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

People attend a fish fest in Neftchala, Azerbaijan, Dec. 4, 2025. Neftchala held its inaugural fish fest on Thursday to celebrate the city's 66th founding anniversary. Neftchala is located at the estuary of the Kura River, 180 kilometers away from the capital Baku. The area boasts vast waters and abundant fishery resources, serving as a habitat for numerous species of fish. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

People attend a fish fest in Neftchala, Azerbaijan, Dec. 4, 2025. Neftchala held its inaugural fish fest on Thursday to celebrate the city's 66th founding anniversary. Neftchala is located at the estuary of the Kura River, 180 kilometers away from the capital Baku. The area boasts vast waters and abundant fishery resources, serving as a habitat for numerous species of fish. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)

People watch fingerlings to be released into the river during a fish fest in Neftchala, Azerbaijan, Dec. 4, 2025. Neftchala held its inaugural fish fest on Thursday to celebrate the city's 66th founding anniversary. Neftchala is located at the estuary of the Kura River, 180 kilometers away from the capital Baku. The area boasts vast waters and abundant fishery resources, serving as a habitat for numerous species of fish. (Xinhua/Chen Junfeng)
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.
To understand the week of peace negotiations in Ukraine, it is essential to first dispel the misinformation disseminated by the mainstream press: contrary to what they implied, the Europeans were never allowed to join the Geneva talks.

It is also worth recalling what I explained last week [1]: European governments have no interest in peace; they even fear it: it would undoubtedly bring about their own downfall.

It is therefore no coincidence that the German, British, and French press claimed that the Geneva peace plan was a European document. They asserted this so strongly that we ourselves repeated this falsehood before correcting it.

With that established, let us review the sequence of events:

When the peace plan, drafted by the United States and Russia in Florida, became public [2], the subservient commentators presented it as outrageously pro-Russian.

The Geneva Negotiations

The Ukrainians requested to draft a counter-proposal with the United States. Talks were held in Geneva on November 23 and 24.

However, on November 22, EU leaders, along with the British, Norwegians, and Japanese, all attending the G20 summit of heads of state and government in Johannesburg, issued a joint statement. It reads:

We are ready to commit to ensuring that future peace is lasting. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. We are also concerned about the proposed restrictions on the Ukrainian armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack.

We reiterate that the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and those relating to NATO would require the consent of the respective EU and NATO members.

Germany, France, and the United Kingdom therefore sent diplomatsuninvitedto the Intercontinental Hotel where the US and Ukrainian delegations were staying. They were able to speak with both sides but were not admitted to the negotiations.

The document, released after the talks, reiterates only the Ukrainian arguments [3].

It no longer mentions the denazification of Ukraine, the countrys neutrality, or EU participation in its reconstruction. It is therefore unacceptable from a Russian perspective.

Presenting his work to the press, State Secretary Marco Rubio simply stated that things were progressing very well. This is probably because Ukraine had renounced the reconquest of territories occupied/liberated by Russia and accepted their international recognition as Russian.

The Coalition of the Willing

On November 25, the Coalition of the Willing, established on March 1, 2025, by General Petr Pavel, Czech President and former Chairman of NATOs Military Committee, and by Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister, met via videoconference.

The term Coalition of the Willing refers to President George Bush and his 2002 National Security Strategy. At the time, the aim was to bring together the allies (excluding Jacques Chiracs France and Gerhard Schroders Germany) to invade Iraq. This coalition claimed to represent international law. To this end, the United Kingdom officially disseminated numerous pieces of fake news, which were later investigated by the Commission of Sir John Chilcot.

The United Kingdom had similarly disseminated a large amount of fake news, secretly conducting drone flights over Belgian, Danish, Estonian, Norwegian, Polish, and Romanian airports. It had offered its own experts to the bewildered smaller nations and provided them with its own answers [4]. It had thus persuaded them that Russia was preparing to attack the European Union.

It is worth recalling that at the NATO summit in Wales (2014), the United Kingdom created a mini-NATO within NATOthe Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). It comprised Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden, under British command.

This mini-NATO deployed Operation Nordic Warden when damage was reported to the Estlink2 undersea cable in the Baltic Sea.

Not only did member states forget that it was the Ukrainians and/or the Americans who sabotaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines, but they also believed that the damage to these cables might have been caused by the Russians.

On November 5, 2025, the United Kingdom included Ukraine, a non-NATO member, in this Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

The meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on November 25 was co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron (President of France), Keir Starmer (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom), and Friedrich Merz (Federal Chancellor of Germany). It is worth noting that while 38 states, NATO, and the EU participated, George Soros was represented by Radmila Sekerinska, the Macedonian Deputy Secretary General of NATO.

President Macron outlined the approach, stating that all participants should remain united to support a just, dignified, and lasting peace for Ukraine that would preserve its sovereignty and ensure its long-term security. Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the importance of reliable security guarantees and strengthening Ukraines air defenses. London, which does not wish to engage in a confrontation with Russia, hopes to isolate it behind an iron curtain, as Winston Churchill did in his Fulton speech.

Finally, Chancellor Merz welcomed the common position of the United States, Ukraine, and the European Union and stressed the need to negotiate with Russia.

The volunteers listened to a report on the Geneva negotiations, in which only the United States participated.

Wiretaps

On November 25, the business news agency Bloomberg published a transcript of a phone conversation, recorded without their knowledge on October 14, between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps special envoy, and Yuri Ushakov, the former Russian ambassador to Washington who had become Vladimir Putins diplomatic advisor. The Democratic-leaning news agency also published a transcript of another conversation, this time from October 29, between Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, Putins special envoy who represented him during the negotiations in Florida [Putin advisers discuss plans for dealing with Trump:Transcript, Bloomberg, November 25, 2025. Version francaise de la premiere ecoute : Lintegralite de la conversation entre Steve Witkoff, envoye special de Donald Trump, et Iouri Ouchakov, conseiller diplomatique de Vladimir Poutine, revelee par Bloomberg, Le Monde, 26 novembre 2025.]]. Kirill Dmitriev immediately called this second wiretap fake.

The first call was a suggestion from Witkoff that President Putin should propose a 20-point plan modeled on President Trumps plan for Gaza. The second implied that Russia had played a major role in the Florida peace plan.

These two conversations, which had been intercepted by an intelligence service, were used to create the impression that the Florida plan had been drafted solely by Russia. However, anyone familiar with how such negotiations are conducted would be astonished by this. They in no way suggest that Witkoff was a Russian spy, but simply that he was doing his job.

A simple reading of the plan reveals that it stipulates Russia will spend $100 billion to rebuild Ukraine and that it does not recognize the Odessa Oblast as Russianeven though this recognition would have allowed Transnistrias request to leave Moldova and join the Russian Federation to be accepted.

According to the Wall Street Journal, these wiretaps not only provide a distorted view of the negotiations, but they also miss the essential point. On August 7, Steve Witkoff reportedly informed the "Coalition of the Willing" that President Putin was prepared to relinquish Kherson and Zaporizhzhia if Ukraine recognized the annexation of all of Donbas (including the tiny portion still under Ukrainian control). Skeptical, the Europeans reportedly rejected these overtures, convinced that Russia intended to conquer all of Ukraine and then attack the European Union. [5]

No one knows which intelligence agency carried out these wiretaps, more than a month before their publication, but our eyes naturally turn to the banks of the Thames. During a visit to Kyrgyzstan, President Vladimir Putin reiterated that, in his country, eavesdropping on telephone conversations is a criminal offense. [6]

Belgiums Refusal to Seize Frozen Russian Money

On November 27, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and the clearing house Clearstream sent two letters to the European Commission. They firmly opposed the confiscation of $215 billion in frozen Russian deposits [7].

Almost all experts believe that converting these frozen assets into repair loans would amount to seizure. Only British experts claim that equating this with theft is nonsense.

It is true that, according to a study by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), a defeat of Ukraine, with the resulting refugee migration, would be twice as costly for the European Union as maintaining the current situation [8].

If nothing changes, Ukraine will default by the end of June at the latest.

The Fall of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration

On November 28, while the White House was inviting unelected President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet with President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU)assisted by 80 U.S. inspectors seconded by the State Departmentsearched the home of Andriy Yermak, the all-powerful head of the presidential administration. Although the press had reported a search of Yermaks offices, it was his home that investigators ransacked from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They seized numerous cell phones.

The defendant immediately resigned, thus avoiding censure by the Verkhovna Rada. He announced his decision in a letter to the New York Post [9]. In it, he wrote:

I have been defiled, and my dignity has not been protected, even though I have been in Kyiv since February 24, 2022. Therefore, I do not want to create problems for Zelensky; I am going to the front lines I am disgusted by the filth directed at me, and even more disgusted by the lack of support from those who know the truth.

Thus, on the one hand, Marco Rubio was meeting with Andriy Yermak in Geneva four days earlier, and on the other, investigators from his State Secretariat were removing Andriy Yermak from political life.

Taking advantage of the war and Volodymyr Zelenskys bipolar policies, Andriy Yermak, who was only the second-highest-ranking civilian official, had become the most powerful man in the country. According to investigators from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), he was the one the corrupt officials called "Ali Baba," the man who coordinated all the bribes and embezzlement. While he is implicated in the theft of around one hundred million euros from energy contracts, he is believed to have actually stolen billions of euros from arms deals.

Following many others, Yuriy Kamelchuk, a member of parliament from Zelenskys party, is also reportedly on the run.

Simultaneously, on November 28, Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister and a personal friend of both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, visited the Kremlin, officially to discuss supplying his country with Russian hydrocarbons, but unofficially to continue contacts between Washington and Moscow. He was accompanied by Marcel Biro, his national security advisor, while President Putin was accompanied by Yury Ushakov, his diplomatic advisor whose conversation with Steve Witkoff had been monitored [10].

Prime Minister Orbans trip to Moscow violated European Union solidarity but was in line with the special privilege granted to him by President Donald Trump to negotiate his countrys hydrocarbon supplies.

Back to Florida

According to a decree issued by the unelected president, the Ukrainian delegation to participate in peace talks in Florida comprises nine people, including the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov (who is currently a fugitive), the head of Military Intelligence, General Kirill Budanov, the Deputy Chief of the SBU, General Oleksandr Poklad, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the staunch nationalist General Andriy Hnatov. It is not impossible, however, that Andriy Yermak will be part of the delegation, despite having resigned.

Rustem Umarov, former head of Ukraines sovereign wealth fund, came to the United States just before the Florida negotiations. He met with FBI Director Kash Patel. Umarov is likely a CIA agent who served under MP Mustafa Abdulcemil Cemiloglu (alias Mustafa Dzhemilev) [11]. He probably made a deal with the US justice system. He was the one who assured Steve Witkoff that Zelensky would accept the Florida plan. The fact that he is leading the Ukrainian delegation this weekend, even though he has already fled, seems to indicate that Washington holds all the cards.

Final warm-up

At the time of writing, nothing has leaked from the Washington meeting. However, on November 30, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, called Volodymyr Zelensky. She assured him that Ukraine must stand firm, despite the Russian armys bombing of its energy facilities.

Then Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, also called him. He seems to have been less enthusiastic and cautious about US support.

Finally, French President Emmanuel Macron invited his unelected counterpart to visit him in Paris the following day, December 1st. He could only maintain the illusion. On November 17th, he had indeed pompously signed documents for the sale of 100 Rafale fighter jets, SAMP/T air defense systems, modern air defense radars, air-to-air missiles, and guided bombs to Ukraine. In reality, these were not contracts, but "declarations of intent." The financing for these extravagant sales was not guaranteed, and their manufacture by Dassault Aviation could not begin for five to ten years.

Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be at the Kremlin.
 EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Estonian Kaja Kallas said on 1 December 2025: "It is clear that Russia does not want peace and, therefore, we need to make Ukraine as strong as possible so that it is ready to defend itself in this very, very difficult period. The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the stronger it is in the negotiations."

She once again pleaded for reparation loans that would send a triple message: a very strong message to Ukraine showing that we are here to help it defend itself; a second message to Moscow showing that it cannot "outlive" us; and a third message to Washington showing that we are taking very firm and credible action.

 According to a preparatory document from the European Commission, three options were on the table:

 bilateral loans;

 a European loan pledged from the EU budget;

 a "repair loan" mobilizing the Bank of Russias assets immobilized in the EU, mainly within Euroclear, a central securities depository based in Belgium.

 If the European unilateral coercive measures against Russia are not renewed, Moscow will immediately take steps to recover the immobilized assets. The financial package of the envisaged "repair loan" provides for Euroclear to transfer very large amounts of cash in a very short period of time.

According to the Financial Times, the European Central Bank (ECB) has refused to act as lender of last resort to provide such liquidity, likening such a practice to substituting for the obligations of eurozone countries.

 EC President Ursula von der Leyen assures that she will only take 90 billion in Russian assets, but once instituted, the process could allow her to seize the whole of the frozen 210 billion.

 Belgium opposes anything that could be considered as a confiscation of Russian assets frozen at Euroclear. It intends to protect property rights and to protect itself in three ways:

(1) Participating EU countries will have to provide "legally binding, unconditional, irrevocable, on-demand, shared and solidary guarantees, based on their gross national income, to ensure that the European Union is always able to repay the funds without receiving compensatory payments from Ukraine".

They will have to pay their share of the guarantees that would go to countries which, like Hungary, do not participate in the future loan.

(2) In the event of a legal dispute initiated by the Russian authorities and based on the bilateral investment treaty between Belgium and Russia, the EU should assume any "financial responsibility" arising from a possible judgment.

The Belgian head of government is of the opinion that Russia will attack Euroclears assets, or those of its clients, located in Russia and in the countries allied with Moscow.

(3) EU Member States and G7 countries holding Russian public assets will have to take part in the financial operation.

 On 3 December, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal to continue financing Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, in line with the commitment made by the European Council at the end of October, excluding Hungary. The financial and legal burden will be shared among member states "fairly, as is the tradition in Europe," von der Leyen assured. This law would allow both to circumvent the rule of European unanimity and to demand a share from Hungary.

 On his arrival at the NATO Ministerial Meeting, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot expressed a "frustrating feeling of not having been heard". He considered that the European Commissions proposal "does not satisfactorily address our concerns". However, "if the Member States wish to embark on this path, we demand that the risks that Belgium faces as a result of this scheme be fully covered". In other words, Belgium refuses to assume not only the entire risk, but even only its own share.

 President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde of France commented on 3rd December that the European Commissions proposal is "exaggerated" and that she hopes it is in line with international law.
Our director of publication and editor-in-chief directed French magazines several years ago, and has won journalism awards abroad. He has regularly contributed to some fifteen major dailies and magazines around the world.

Voltaire, International Newsletter is available by subscription for 500 a year, is published 42 times a year (not in July-August, nor during the Christmas holydays). Its an indispensable tool for any professional in international relations or defense.

EDITORIAL

 4408 The European Union becomes a warmongering and authoritarian power

AMERICAS

 4409 The Afghan terrorist who killed a National Guard soldier had worked as a torturer for the CIA

 4410 Bernie Moreno wants to ban dual citizenship

 4411 Costco Challenges US President Trumps Tariffs

 4412 Fraud Investigations in Minnesota

 4413 U.S. Billionaires donate to U.S. children

 4414 Jack Smith, subpoenaed

 4415 Death toll of the invasion of Afghanistan

 4416 Israel must not interfere in the rise of anti-Semitism in the MAGA movement

 4417 Donald Trump pardons mobster-president Juan Orlando Hernandez

 4418 The Biden and Trump administrations point to a Venezuelan cartel that does not exist

 4419 Admiral Frank M. Bradley in the hot seat

 4420 Colombia expels the Lev Tahor sect

EUROPE

 4421 Catholic and Orthodox Churches of Constantinople commit to celebrating Easter together

 4422 The Death of Geoff Campbell and the Collapse of the WTC

 4423 The construction of the new Chinese embassy in London postponed again

 4424 Germany Puts Arrow 3 Air Defense System into Service

 4425 The European Commission launches the Pact for the Mediterranean

 4426 Websites are responsible for Ads if they can modify them

 4427 - 15 EU Member States pledge to supply new weapons to Ukraine

 4428 EU Defense Ministers want to strengthen cooperation

 4429 Three procedural anomalies of the European Commission

 4430 Significant increase of the European Space Agencys budget

 4431 Judicial inquiry into Federica Mogherini and the College of Europe

 4432 Ursula von der Leyen wants Ukraine to "hold on"

 4433 Mark Rutte perplexed over Ukraines future

 4434 British Private Military Companies in Ukraine

 4435 Russia considered a money-laundering state

AFRICA

 4436 Contested lawsuit against the security of the Tunisian State

 4437 Signing of the Trump Peace Agreement for Congo and Rwanda

ASIA

 4438 Knesset Supports Donald Trumps Peace Plan

 4439 General Roman Gofman next director of the Mossad

 4440 US State Department Announces Opening of Rafah Crossing

 4441 New Proposed Military Service Exemption for Haredi Students

 4442 Benjamin Netanyahu asks Isaac Herzog to pardon him

 4443 Israels Attorney General Concerned About Politicization of Israeli Police

 4445 Tzvi Succot proposes to kill Palestinians who burn garbage

 4446 Benjamin Netanyahu sets his conditions for an agreement with Syria

 4447 U.S. warns Iraq against intervening in Israeli operation in Lebanon

 4448 Lee Jae Myung Wants to Apologize to North Korea

 4449 - 15 years in prison requested against Kim Keon Hee

 4450 The Japan-China controversy continues

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

 4451 UN General Assembly reiterates that the Golan is Syrian

 4452 UN Security Council welcomes the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq

 4453 Russia fails to regain its seat at the IMO

 4454 Growth of the arms market

 4455 NATO allies ready to buy US weapons for Ukraine

 4456 In Marco Rubios absence, NATO threatens Russia
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan's recent abnormal remarks and military moves related to Taiwan have heightened regional tensions, and Tokyo should return to the pacifist principles enshrined in its constitution, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

At a press briefing, Zakharova made the remarks in response to a question raised by Xinhua regarding Japan's repeated erroneous statements on Taiwan and its accelerating remilitarization agenda.

Zakharova said the Japanese government "remains obstinate" and continues to make various abnormal remarks concerning Taiwan.

She reiterated that Russia's principled position on the Taiwan question is well known and consistent: Russia recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of China and opposes any attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" in any form. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair, and China has every legitimate right to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

She stressed that Russia has repeatedly urged Japan to stop moving down the path of remilitarization and return to the true pacifist stance established by its constitution.

Under the Japanese constitution, the country has renounced war as an instrument of national policy. However, the Japanese authorities' bellicose statements and actions not only heighten regional tensions but also directly contradict Japan's own constitution, she said.

Historical truth must be safeguarded, Zakharova added, stressing the need to resist attempts to distort history and undermine the postwar international order. She said that resisting Nazism and fascism is a shared responsibility of all humankind.

The press conference was held on the sidelines of the international conference "The Great Patriotic War in the Collective Memory of CIS Nations," which took place in St. Petersburg on Dec. 4-5. 
OSLO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Norwegian government on Friday submitted a comprehensive investment proposal to the parliament, aiming to significantly bolster the country's defense capabilities through the acquisition of long-range precision weapons and additional submarines.

According to the proposal, the government plans to spend 19 billion Norwegian kroner (1.88 billion U.S. dollars) on long-range precision fire for the Army. This new capability will allow the Norwegian Armed Forces to hit targets at distances of up to 500 km with high precision.

"The Army is the fist in the land defense of Norway in peace, crisis and war," said Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik in a statement. He described the acquisition as a "strategically important initiative" that will provide the army with significantly greater striking power.

"Long-range precision weapons have a deterrent effect because they can hit targets far inside an adversary's territory if necessary," he added.

In a parallel move to strengthen maritime security, the government also proposed expanding its submarine program. Norway intends to acquire two additional submarines, bringing the total number of new vessels to six.

To facilitate this expansion, the government has proposed increasing the cost framework for the submarine project by 46 billion Norwegian kroner. This figure covers the unit price increase, contingency reserves, exchange rate adjustments, and the financing of a second production line in Germany.

Norway has already signed a contract with German supplier Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for four submarines, with the first vessel expected to be delivered in 2029.

Sandvik highlighted the close cooperation with Germany, noting that joint investments in submarine technology, tanks, and air defense enhance the operational capabilities of both allies.

"It is an expensive investment, but also an important investment in securing Norway in turbulent times," he concluded. (1 Norwegian krone = 0.099 U.S. dollar) 
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - WAND's Spirit of Giving Toy Drive collected 7,642 toy donations Friday.

The number is on par with last year's number of around 7,800.

Donations were collected during the 12-hour event outside WAND's Decatur studios.

Decatur Firefighters Local 505 was the first organization to make a monetary donation to the annual toy drive. President Jeremy Ruderman presented Macon County Toys for Tots with a check for $505.

A woman was the first to make a toy donation just a few minutes before 6 a.m.

The annual event, now in its 16th year, benefits the Decatur and Macon County Toys for Tots program.

The Macon County Sheriff's Office handed Toys for Tots a donation of over $3,000.

Tom McCoy from The Real McCoy Lawn Care dropped off around 500 toys that he brought in his work trailer. McCoy said he's been in business five years and this is the fifth year he's donated toys to the drive.

Anyone could drop off new, unwrapped toys. Several businesses, first responders, non-profits and churches take part in various ways.

A group from Austin Industrial donated more than 400 toys Friday morning. Brian Wofford from Storage Masters donated 60 bicycles, something Wofford has done for several years. Hogan Grain and Equipment donated a Kubota Toy Tractor. Monte Hogan and his company have donated a toy tractor for a number of years.

Santa Claus made an appearance Friday and checked-in throughout the day.

"These donations are helpful around Christmastime as the elves at the North Pole continue working on toys for later this month," Santa said while collecting toys from Decatur Transit Authority. "I've checked my list and I need to check it twice but I'm happy we are all making sure every child gets at least one toy this holiday season."

Cromwell Media, a collection of radio stations in central Illinois, broadcasted live from the toy drive to help collect donations.

Menards in Decatur also donated items to the toy drive through its collection efforts at the store.

Students from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and School stopped by with a large donation of toys. Support from students and families helped the school collect more than $1,000 for students in 1st and 8th grade to buy for the toy drive.

Storage Masters rolled in with a truck full of bikes and a pickup truck filled with hundreds of toys.

Golden K Kiwanis stepped up again with a bicycle donation. The organization is a regularly contributor to the toy drive, budgeting $1,000 each year.

Since the event started more than 91,500 toys have been collected for children of central Illinois.

If you're interested in more information about Toys for Tots, including how to volunteer or participate you click here for contact information.

From WAND TV:

Thank YOU for your generous hearts and caring of children. We sincerely thank you for your donations both in toys and money to help support an important organization. We are grateful for your loyal viewership and we are continuously amazed every year at the support this community shows for its neighbors. Thank you.

Related Stories:

WAND's 2025 'Spirit of Giving' set for Dec. 5

Annual Spirit of Giving toy drive will help bless thousands of local children

Our Lady of Lourdes students drop off over $1,000 in gifts for Spirit of Giving

Golden K Kiwanis donates bikes to support Spirit of Giving

Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
Italian town of Nardo erupts in joy over news that Tramacere is alive.

A woman who had been missing for more than 10 days in Italy's southern Puglia region was found alive and well by Carabinieri police in the attic of a friend's house on Thursday night.

The missing persons case of 27-year-old Tatiana Tramacere from Nardo, in the province of Lecce, has attracted widespread media coverage in Italy amid fears that she might have been a victim of femicide.

Police located Tramacere in a small attic room in the residence of Dragos-Ioan Gheormescu, her 30-year-old friend of Romanian origin who was the last person known to have seen her before she went missing on 24 November.

It is not yet clear whether she was abducted or whether she left voluntarily, covered up by Gheormescu, who had been detained for questioning, state broadcaster RAI News reports.

Initially placed under investigation by prosecutors for incitement to suicide in connection with Tramacere's disappearance, Gheormescu could face new charges if it emerges that she was held against her will.

Tramacere had reportedly been planning to travel to Brescia to meet an ex-boyfriend, having already purchased a bus ticket she never used. Her family publicly expressed their conviction that she would not have left voluntarily.

Tramacere's safe retrieval on Thursday has brought "joy and relief" to her family, according to her father who paid tribute to the Carabinieri and described her return as" a beautiful moment, a Christmas present".

Nardo mayor Pippi Mellone also expressed "great joy" at the news and noted the "interminable days of anguish" that the community had endured.
BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to have a clear understanding of the highly sensitive nature of the Taiwan question, and to fully implement the commitments made by U.S. leaders, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday.

Lin made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a media query. It has been reported that Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te recently participated in the New York Times DealBook Summit via pre-recorded video and made reckless remarks on the Taiwan Strait situation.

Lin said that certain media outlets in the United States are providing a platform for the leader of the Taiwan authorities to spread false statements promoting "Taiwan independence" separatist rhetoric, which seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, sending a severely erroneous signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

"China firmly opposes this," he said.

He stressed that Lai's relevant remarks and actions once again expose his nature as a separatist advocating for "Taiwan independence," as well as his scheme to seek independence by relying on the United States, once again proving that he is a "peace destroyer" and a "troublemaker."

"Whatever Lai says or does is a futile attempt doomed to fail," the spokesperson said. 
Gordon Deegan

A senior lawyer has stated that the projected record Government spend of 120.5 million on criminal legal aid for 2025 is not some kind of bonanza for criminal lawyers whose work is largely vocational.

Dublin-based lawyer, Michael Hennessy, was the top earning solicitor on the Criminal Legal Aid Panel in 2024 when he received 842,221 (incl VAT) and was commenting on official Department of Justice projections that the spend on criminal legal aid this year rise to a record 120.5 million.

This follows the Minister for Justice, Jim OCallaghan, recently seeking an additional 21.5 million in a supplementary estimate to fund criminal legal aid this year.

The Department originally set aside 99.04 million to fund the criminal legal aid system in 2025 where the vast bulk of that amount is spent on lawyers fees, and Minister OCallaghan requested the background of the spending on criminal legal aid increasing by 30pc year on year for the first nine months.

Figures provided by the Department of Justice show that the criminal legal aid spent to the end of September was 87.76 million and this was a 20 million - or 29.6 per cent - increase on the 67.68 million spent for the corresponding period in 2024.

The monthly breakdown shows that 13.37 million was spent on criminal legal aid in July alone, compared to a spend of 9.02 million in July 2024, while the spend in May 2025 totalled 12.14 million compared to an outlay of 10.89 million in May 2024.

The projected 120.5 million outlay on criminal legal aid follows lawyers in January of this year securing an 8 per cent increase in the fees paid to barristers and solicitors.

This came after the Government allocated in Budget 2025 an additional 9 million in fees paid under the Criminal Legal Aid scheme after barristers withdrew their labour in days of protest at the criminal courts last year in protest at the failure by the Government to restore a 10 per cent cut in rates imposed in 2011.

In 2024, solicitors and barristers on the criminal legal aid scheme received 84.08 million in fees which was down marginally on the then record 84.9 million paid out in 2023.

The overall spend on criminal legal aid for 2024 - which also includes the funding of expert court reports - totalled 89.45 million.

Commenting on the increased criminal legal aid spend for 2025, lawyer Michael Hennessy said: The increase in the spend is not some kind of bonanza for criminal lawyers whose work is largely vocational and who are paid at an infinitely lower rate than colleagues in other legal areas."

"Rather it is reflective of the sheer number of people coming before the courts as evidenced by the appointment of additional judges, daily reports of prison overcrowding and the increased prosecution of new types of offences for instance those arising from social media and online fraud, while old problems such as homelessness, mental health, drugs and marital breakdown seem only to have worsened.

Asked about the increase, a Department of Justice spokesman said that the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is demand-led.

He said that there has been a significant increase in the granting of legal aid over the past number of years and a corresponding increase in expenditure.

He said that the increases in the complexity and amount of disclosure which needs to be reviewed in criminal cases and the number of legal aid certificates granted have had a significant impact on criminal legal aid expenditure.
Media coverage of difficulties faced by the State in finding a psychiatrist to assess a mother charged with the murder of her six-year-old son led an Australia-based mental health professional to offer his services, a court has heard.

Lawyers for the State had unsuccessfully tried to attain the services of over 10 psychiatrists before the Irish-born psychiatrist came forward after reading coverage of the State's difficulties online.

Senior counsel Brendan Grehan, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that "it might appear sometimes that nobody is listening to what's happening in here" concerning the difficulty with engaging psychiatrists to provide assessments of accused persons.

However, Mr Grehan said the case of Ruth Purcell Healy had received "some media coverage" when it was last before the court. Counsel said that a forensic psychiatrist, who is from Ireland but is based in Australia, had "made contact" to indicate he could make himself available to assess the accused woman.

On November 19 last, the senior counsel told the judge that despite the best efforts of his solicitor, the prosecution has been unable to attain the services of a consultant forensic psychiatrist in Ireland to prepare a psychiatric report on the accused woman in response to a defence psychiatric report.

Last month, Mr Justice McDermott expressed his sympathy to the boy's "unfortunate" father who had attended court over 13 times only to be told there was further delay in engaging a forensic psychiatrist to assess his wife, Ms Purcell Healy.

Mr Justice McDermott said on that date it was "completely unacceptable" that the State wasn't in a position to facilitate the trial process in securing psychiatric assessments within the State but remarked that he could only express his frustration with this "inadequacy".

The judge said he hoped the executive "will act" to provide the services and set up "a reliable structure" for psychiatric assessments to see whether a mental condition could have played a role in a defendant's alleged offending.

Ruth Purcell Healy (37), of Bishops Field, Williamstown, Waterford, is charged with the murder of her six-year-old son Matthew Healy on February 9, 2024. The child was found unresponsive around midnight near Rathmoylan Cove, Dunmore East, and was later pronounced dead at University Hospital Waterford.

Although psychiatric issues are explored in as many as 20 percent of murder trials in Ireland, there is no legal obligation for HSE-employed psychiatrists to provide assessments for criminal cases.

While the Central Mental Hospital has a panel of experienced forensic psychiatrists employed by the HSE, they are under no contractual obligation to provide reports for either prosecution or defence teams. Currently, there is no definitive panel of psychiatrists available to lawyers to conduct assessments.

Addressing Mr Justice McDermott, the judge overseeing the trial list at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Grehan said his solicitor had been in contact with the forensic psychiatrist. Counsel said that "in terms of a timetable", the psychiatrist wanted to see the accused in person but would do an initial assessment via video-link.

Counsel said it would be Easter time before the psychiatrist is able to assess Ms Purcell Healy in person, with a view to having the report at the end of May and a trial date at the end of June or July.

Counsel added: "While it is not the best timetable, it is a timetable, and will give some certainty in relation to matters."

Mr Grehan said the overseas based psychiatrist had indicated he would be back in Ireland for the months of May, June and July.

Mr Justice McDermott said he was "very grateful" to the psychiatrist for his intervention and would list the matter for mention on February 25 "with a view of working towards a trial date".

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Waterford Volunteer Centre (WVC) officially opened its new premises on OConnell Street on Tuesday, December 2. WVCs move from Manor Village is hoped to provide increased visibility and integration in the heart of the city.

Speaking to the Waterford News & Star, Waterford City and County Council mayor Seamus Ryan said the new location would help the volunteer centre grow and help them establish themselves here in the city".

Their new premises is located in the Waterford cultural quarter, which, to me, is a natural home for the volunteer network.

WVC was set up in 2021 and is part of Irelands national volunteer centre framework. WVC have 2,681 registered volunteers that support 284 organisations through their work. Their volunteers represent over 40 nationalities.

Volunteer Irelands Development and Capacity Building Manager Zse Varga paid tribute to the founding members of the board, including WVC director and former chairperson Catherine Power.

In 2020, I was already meeting a group of really committed people who wanted to set up a volunteer centre that's full-time, spearheaded by Catherine Power. This was not a new idea. This was something that Catherine had been dreaming of and working for since the mid-2000s, so we are talking about 20 years in the making.

It didn't just come from a vacuum. It came from a lot of preparation and work.

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Jerry Buttimer, sent a two-minute video message congratulating WVC on the opening of their new building.

WVC board chairperson John Hawkes told the News & Star: Volunteering and community development is the cornerstone of what we do.

If you didn't have volunteers, if you didnt have community groups, society would be in danger of collapsing. If you didnt have people running the GAA, if you didn't have people running disability groups, if you didn't have people working with Travellers, working with carers We've got no complaints at all about the support we get from the Department, Volunteer Ireland and the local authority.

Hawkes said keeping the volunteer group well-resourced with appropriate staffing levels still remains a challenge, with the centre unable to operate 24/7.

The centre is currently open for those without pre-made appointments on Tuesday and Thursday, between 11am-12:30pm and 1:30pm- 4:30pm.

Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Christmas is officially underway for the country as we get ready to watch the Late Late Toy Show.

It was revealed today that the theme of the show this year is The Grinch.

RTE has transformed its studio into Who-ville, and we cannot wait to see it.

We've heard rumours that there might be some Waterford faces on screen...

The Toy Show will begin at 9.35 pm on RTE 1.

It is Patrick Kielty's third year hosting Ireland's best-loved live television programme.

Don't forget to regularly check our website and social media for live updates!
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On an unseasonably cold November morning, the charming yet enigmatic owner and chief executive of MA Services Group, Micky Ahuja, held an urgent meeting with a fellow executive about what was rapidly becoming the countrys most controversial security contract. At stake was a high-risk and secretive deal worth potentially tens of millions of Australian taxpayer dollars, which had become the subject of intense and growing scrutiny in Canberra. Chief executive of MA Services Group, Micky Ahuja. Michael Howard Ahuja also knew his companys reputation was on the line, even though it was yet to emerge that executives at MA Services  whose blue-chip clients include Coles, AFL clubs and government agencies  were actively involved in the opaque operation to send a private Australian security force to the tiny Pacific island of Nauru. Instead, what was reported a week earlier in an investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes was that a labour-hire company controlled by the international boss of the Finks outlaw bikie gang was recruiting guards to join the security force. The reporting caused uproar in Canberra, not only because the notorious bikie outfit was involved, but because the security force was being ultimately funded by the Albanese government, albeit via the allegedly corrupt ruling regime in Nauru. Labor is pumping millions of dollars into Nauru each year  up to $2.5 billion over 30 years  to resolve a political nightmare involving about 300 former immigration detainees released into the community after a High Court ruling, but deemed too dangerous to remain in Australia. Solving that political problem created another.

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After Nauru agreed to take the so-called NZYQ cohort last year, the question of who would protect its population from the potentially dangerous ex-detainees quickly emerged. The impoverished country has a tiny police force and most large Australian security providers were reluctant to service the infamous offshore border security outpost for reputational reasons. Ali Bilal, global leader of the Finks bikie gang. The Finks had no such qualms. A firm controlled by the gangs international president, Ali Bilal, began quietly marshalling security guards to dispatch to Nauru. After the extent of the bikie gangs involvement was described by a whistleblower in the November reporting, the Albanese government held a crisis meeting with the allegedly corrupt president of Nauru, David Adeang, to demand the proper use of Australian funds. Adeang acquiesced and removed the organised crime-linked entity from his nation. Behind the scenes, Micky Ahuja was also scrambling. Key senior figures from his company, MA Services, had played key and protracted roles in co-ordinating the Nauru security arrangement. Now Ahuja would be stepping in personally to help clean up the mess.

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On November 17, Ahuja convened a meeting with MAs national manager, Paul Maroun, to discuss how to revive the Nauru deal. According to sources with detailed knowledge of MAs Nauru plans, Ahuja and Maroun agreed to scout for a new security manager with a clean background to replace former bikie-linked MA executive Tim Jones (whose murky relationship with the operation appears to have ended amid the media storm). Editor's pick Updated

Political leadership Wong, Burke admit to secret meetings with Nauru president Ahuja made it clear that MA wanted to safeguard its reputation given the increasing toxicity of the offshore venture: in addition to the bikie links, Adeangs sordid history of suspected corruption was also back in the spotlight. Ahuja wanted to stop the damaging publicity, according to sources with intimate knowledge of his planning. Senior MA personnel had arranged for the Nauru operation to be insured; all guards would be paid $120,000 a year, with a requirement to manage their own superannuation (which is not mandated on Nauru); and those personnel were also to take a key role in managing the requirements of the Adeang government, albeit via a corporate structure in Nauru. Screenshot of a website listing senior MA Services Group personnel as having association with Nauru Community Safety. Ahujas November 17 Nauru revival plan built on 12 months of earlier work MA had already done to operate offshore. In late 2024 and early 2025, MA managers recruited Nauru project managers; hosted meetings with Nauruan officials at MAs offices in Melbourne and in Brisbane; created a website with Ahuja listed as director of an entity called Nauru Community Safety; and drafted risk management plans and corporate structures to carry out the venture. This was all done in secret. While the Nauru deal was well known to MA insiders, the companys government, corporate clients and the public  who interact with the firms security guards at retailers such as Coles, Bunnings and Kmart or at major events such as the spring racing carnival  had no idea about the Nauru operations.

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According to sources and leaked communications, Ahuja wanted to keep MAs involvement secret by using a separate corporate vehicle to operate offshore. When this masthead first asked Ahuja about his involvement on November 6 and 7, he refused to respond. When he was approached for comment again by reporters in the days after the November 17 meeting, Ahuja also declined to comment. His hope of keeping MA out of the Nauru story came to an abrupt end in late November, when this masthead published revelations of the firms involvement in the offshore operations and links with a Finks-linked subcontractor. Still, Ahuja sought to deny and downplay his firms Nauru dealings. On November 27, Ahujas public relations agent sent reporters a Nauru corporate document that he said disproved that Ahuja had a key role in the Nauru venture. The document did not show that. It was created on November 8, 2025  the day the first chapter of the Nauru scandal broke in the news. It listed the sole shareholder of Nauru Community Safety as Tim Jones, the former bikie-linked MA executive whose role Ahuja was hoping to fill via his recruitment efforts on November 17. Within a week, Ahuja had replaced his PR agent with a new public relations spinner. On Thursday, this PR agent said MA Services was not aware of Ahujas November 17 meeting with fellow MA executive Paul Maroun.

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MA Services Group was offered an opportunity, and after a detailed and considered analysis, chose not to proceed, the statement said. Related Article Exclusive

Investigations AFL clubs implicated with security firm linked to Finks bikie gang Earlier this week, Ahuja and MA also insisted in a statement it had no knowledge of bikie involvement in any of the firms dealings, insisting again that MAs interest in the Nauru security operation was both temporary and fleeting. MA also insisted it had no knowledge or involvement in a range of tax and workplace investigations linked to the firms Australian operations, which have entangled the AFL and corporate giants such as Coles. Liquidators reports unearthed by this masthead reveal MA is suspected of engaging the services of a series of subcontractors to provide thousands of security guards across Australia. Some of those same subcontractors have been placed into liquidation owing huge sums to the Tax Office and are also accused of exploiting the migrant workers who, while wearing MA security guard uniforms, are in reality employed via opaque company structures. According to liquidators reports, the Tax Office is probing a scheme featuring numerous liquidated labour-hire companies and tax evasive behaviours involving companies that are used by MA Services or its subcontractors supplying guards to businesses such as Coles and Amazon.

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West Australian police believe a shooting at a Ballajura shop overnight and a building fire in Maddington yesterday are linked to the forces crackdown on the illegal tobacco market.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch on Friday said there had been significant action taken against organised crime groups involved in the illicit trade, and we have taken out some key players who are currently in custody.

Sadly, organised crime think a response to that is to stand over, intimidate and take actions like arson and shootings against those that they feel may have contributed to their arrest, he said.

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch. Hamish Hastie

So the local West Australians who are committing these crimes for very low amounts and are often just tasked to do this for very low payment, will be arrested.

In fact, weve identified most people involved in any of these cases.

Our priority at the moment is whos earning the profit outside of Western Australia, often over the east coast of Australia or overseas.

Theres multiple challenges involved in international extraditions, but I think if we want to have a serious chance at disrupting transnational serious and organised crime, Australia has to be much faster in extraditing those who are causing the greatest harm to our community, in an organised crime sense, from overseas.

Blanch did not name key players at the centre of polices efforts to combat the illegal tobacco trade during a media conference on Friday morning, but said the force was concentrating on a very small group of people.

We know where they are. We know how theyre communicating. We know their network here in Australia, he said.

Maytham Hamad  the Perth-based brother of exiled Victorian tobacco king Kazem Hamad  was remanded in custody last month on charges of dealing with the proceeds of crime and possessing prohibited tobacco products, after having his luxury cars impounded following a raid on his Mount Pleasant apartment.

Police have previously alleged Kazem is calling the shots on a family crime syndicate from the Middle East, having been deported from Australia in 2023.

It is not suggested Maytham nor Kazem Hamad are involved in this weeks incidents.

On Friday, Blanch revealed a fire at a building on Albany Highway in Maddington on Thursday morning was similarly believed to be a response to the police crackdown.

We certainly know after significant disruption to organised crime figures here in Western Australia, including significant wealth and asset seizures, all of a sudden weve had a number of  [what] would appear to be retaliation attacks, he said.

That is a classic organised crime tactic, and we wont tolerate that here in Western Australia, so were going to go hard after those people, wherever they may be.

Blanch pointed to the death of 27-year-old Melbourne woman Katie Tangey in a firebombing that Victorian police believe was a case of arsonists targeting the wrong house as an example of the escalating violence in the illegal tobacco scene.

We have seen people die in Victoria for almost identical attacks, he said.

So the quicker we get on top of those who are acting outside of Western Australia, the better.
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The anonymous letter arrived in the flurry of correspondence delivered to Clare ONeil in her first days after being elected Australias youngest-ever female mayor at 24. It just came in the mail, delivered to the council chambers in Springvale, ONeil says. A horribly sexually violent letter. Housing Minister Clare ONeil says harassment of MPs has spread across social media. Elke Meitzel Female federal parliamentarians across the political spectrum are speaking out about the ugly abuse they receive, following a string of high-profile cases of alleged harassment, and as the AFP warns Australia has seen one of its worst years on record for threats against MPs. Two decades later, ONeil wont say what that letter contained, only that the cruelty and violence shocked her. Now the federal governments minister for housing and homelessness, ONeil says the harassment doesnt surprise her any more and has become a fact of life for women in the public eye.

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Male politicians absolutely cop it too, ONeil says. But whats often directed at women is highly personal, vindictive, and the gendered and sexualised nature of the attacks is obviously different. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says she will no longer read what people write about her online, as the abuse has escalated in frequency and tone as her public profile has been raised. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says harassment has accelerated in the past couple of years. Alex Ellinghausen Ive seen a real acceleration in the last five years, and even probably more in the last 12 months to two years, Ley says, speaking about the issue for the first time. Unfortunately, I think its probably spreading, she says. When you see something online that other people are doing, it can normalise it, which means that people who might be thinking of saying something horrific  contacting a member of parliaments office, leaving a message on an overnight answering service  might be more encouraged to do that. Ley says when she started in politics, she would try to engage with people who sent unpleasant messages, but eventually decided some conversations were futile. If were talking about messages that are so hideous, so vile  I dont know that you actually can reason with the person whos sending that, she says.

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There isnt any place in our society for the types of messages that people are sending  so I dont know that its even appropriate to dignify with some sort of rational argument. She doesnt want to discuss specific threats, but says she has referred the worst ones to the police. Im incredibly grateful for the work of the AFP  and Im incredibly grateful to my amazing staff, who often have to hear this, read it, Ley says. The people who deal with this content are not necessarily the individual, and thats pretty hard as well. Messages provided to this masthead by several female politicians tell women to kill themselves, accuse them of sexually abusing their children, or call for their murder or rape. The MPs say threats are often referred to police. Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence, Ged Kearney, says shes been personally targeted at home and her staff assaulted. Ged Kearney says her home has been stalked and her staff attacked. Dominic Lorrimer Ive had vitriol and threats thrown at me, Ive had people stalk my home, Ive been yelled at in the streets, my staff and volunteers have experienced physical violence, and my office has been damaged on countless occasions, she says.

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I dont want any young woman looking at the abuse and thinking politics isnt for them. Intimidation cannot decide who leads our country. Related Article Racism Paymans office gets racist emails daily, as man sentenced over death threat to WA senator Then-AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw flagged in March that the nature of threats made towards women MPs was particularly troubling, after six men were arrested for harassing elected officials in the space of a few months. High office holders are being targeted because they have a public profile, because of the comments they have made in the media, or their positions on policy, Kershaw said. However, in some cases it appears male offenders are targeting women because they are women, or women with an ethnic background. Since then, a neo-Nazi leader has been arrested for allegedly calling on supporters to rhetorically rape independent MP Allegra Spender, a man has been sentenced for sending death threats to independent MP Fatima Payman, and another charged with allegedly harassing independent senator Lidia Thorpe. A court heard Paymans harasser sent her emails deriding her Islamic faith, and said he had a bullet with her name on it in one message. While this email was particularly abhorrent, I receive messages like this daily over email, on social media and over the phone, Payman said.

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Thorpe declined to comment on her case while it was before the courts, but says she has been subjected to alleged threats and intimidation her whole political career. She says she was a new Victorian MP, prior to her transition to federal politics, when she began having nightmares about being gang-raped by Nazis, after extremist threats were posted under her office door and put online. Lidia Thorpe says she cant keep track of the racist and sexist comments she gets. Dominic Lorrimer I remember vividly having nightmares about that back then, having these visions and working through my head, how am I going to defend myself? A single mum, I had to send my daughter away, Thorpe says. She says extremists have become emboldened, and the scale of alleged abuse has absolutely escalated. If you look at social media, I cant keep up with what people say about me on there, she says. I dont want my staff working on this full-time. I dont want our work to be distracted for these keyboard warriors or violent people. Extremism expert Dr Cynthia Miller-Idriss says extremism and misogyny are linked, and the growing threats in Australia match the escalation in violence shes seeing directed at politicians globally. The director of the Polarisation and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab at American University in Washington D.C. says more abuse is lobbed at women, and it is more sexualised  not just to inspire fear in the individual, but to discredit them in the eyes of the wider public.

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military on Thursday carried out a strike on a boat allegedly transporting narcotics in international waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing all four people on board, the U.S. Southern Command said.

The command said on X that the strike was conducted at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as part of Joint Task Force Southern Spear's ongoing counternarcotics operations. It added that intelligence assessed the vessel to be operated by a "Designated Terrorist Organization."

"Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed," said the post, not revealing evidence or identifying the group.

As of Thursday, the Pentagon has carried out at least 22 known strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean since Sept. 2, killing more than 87 people aboard.

The operations have also drawn attention after a Sept. 2 incident in which two survivors of a destroyed boat were killed in a follow-up strike.

U.S. Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, head of the U.S. Special Operations Command, told lawmakers on Thursday that Hegseth never issued any order to "kill everyone" aboard alleged drug-trafficking boats, adding that he regarded the two survivors killed in a Sept. 2 follow-up strike as legitimate military targets under the rules governing the operation against narco-terrorists.

Hegseth said Tuesday that he did not see a second, follow-up strike targeting survivors aboard an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean on Sept. 2, citing "the fog of war."

Critics, including some Republican lawmakers, have for months questioned whether counternarcotics is the only U.S. motive and have raised concerns about the legality of the military operations in the Caribbean.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly condemned Washington's actions as attempts to overthrow his government and expand the U.S. military influence in Latin America. Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the U.S. government of "murder" for killing drug suspects at sea. 
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Analysis TechnologySocial media Facial age verification: Can it be fooled and how safe is it? Tim Biggs December 5, 2025  8:53am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 27 View all comments

Though weve had a full year to contemplate the idea of age-restricted social media platforms, in some ways it feels as though certain questions are only being asked and answered now, with less than a week to go until Australias world-first laws come into effect. And foremost in the minds of many is the idea of facial age verification. Why is the government asking social media companies to scan our faces? How does the tech work? How safe and secure is it? Are there any major downsides? And, importantly given the reports of under-16s circumventing the measures using the faces of their parents just days after the first apps put age verification in place, will it actually work as intended? How safe and accurate is it to let platforms verify your age by scanning your face? Aresna Villanueva Facial age estimation is just one form of technology that will be used to comply with the social media ban. As part of the new laws, social media companies will be legally required to keep Australian under-16s off their services to the best of their abilities. But the government has also been clear that theyre not to rely solely on government-issued photo IDs, which are by far the most reliable and accurate way of verifying someones age. Its not that its impossible to safely verify your age online with a photo ID. Weve all provided our passwords, credit card information and other important data to websites millions of times, and the amount of it that ends up in the wrong hands is relatively small, because the services we trust use systems that verify and discard  or encrypt securely and store  that data. Similar systems work for age verification from photo IDs as well.

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But people dont trust social media companies. And were not just talking about huge multinationals here; the governments age restrictions apply to any service that meet its content guidelines, meaning much smaller apps as well. If it allowed them to ask every Australian for a photo ID as a condition of entry, some of the data would undoubtedly end up in places it shouldnt be. As long as they offer a reasonable alternative to photo ID, social media companies are being allowed to choose which methods they use to verify ages, though the office of the eSafety commissioner has provided extensive guidance on technology types and safety standards. So its not necessarily the case that all platforms will use facial verification. But given its proven use around the world as a quick, safe, non-intrusive and reasonably accurate method of ascertaining age, many will. Loading The age verification waterfall For the biggest companies, including the 10 eSafety has specifically called out as being subject to the restrictions, the truth is that they already know the rough age of all their users. Inferring personal information about users that may be useful for engagement and advertising is the entire business model of most of these companies, and is also a big part of the reason these restrictions exist in the first place. Do you really think Facebook needs to do any extra work to collect and analyse photos of its users faces?

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So, some form of age inference is already being applied to all social media accounts, even when theres no legal requirement. That might mean inferring your age from photos you post, messages you send or subjects youre interested in. Its not exactly precise, but if the estimate on your account is 40-45 then the platform might be satisfied and wont ask you to verify your age for the purposes of the new laws. If its 20-25 though, it may. Editor's pick Analysis

Social media Social media ban 101: How to stop your kid getting around it and other tips The eSafety commissioner has recommended companies take a waterfall approach to this problem, borrowing industry jargon to mean starting with the method that interrupts users the least and then escalating from there as necessary. So theoretically, the company could first check to see if its already very confident a user is over 16, without the user even knowing. The next option might be an instant background check, which would require the platform to use an identity service. VerifyMy, which supplies services like these to companies complying with US and European laws, says it can verify the vast majority of adults over 18 very quickly using only their email address, deleting all the information afterwards. The social media companies already have your email address, so you would likely be asked to consent to the check, and the identity company would then search through financial records and the like to see if your email address shows up. If youve ever taken out a loan or paid for utilities, it probably will. If the methods that can happen automatically in the background fail, the next step would likely involve the user supplying a short video of themselves. Which is where visual facial age estimation comes in.

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The video selfie Its important to note that since the government isnt requiring social media companies to use any specific technology or service, we cant say exactly what the process will be for each app. But in this hypothetical waterfall scenario Im describing  based on the eSafetys guidelines and the way things have worked with age restriction regulations overseas  Ill describe the facial age technology provided by Yoti, a British company that Meta uses for identity services. It currently processes more than a million age checks per day, thanks to laws restricting access to adult services and the purchasing of certain goods in the US and Europe. If the platform hasnt been able to verify that youre 16 or over with the above methods, it may open up a facial age estimation window powered by Yotis technology. This doesnt require you to download an app or go anywhere outside of the platform, and it works with whatever camera is attached to the device you have. Prompts guide you through capturing a photo of your face, while Yotis processes attempt to confirm it is a living face rather than a photo or some other image. Loading Once the data is captured, the system analyses it and guesses your age, with the pass or fail transmitted to the social media platform. Yoti says this takes less than a second. Importantly, its not using your facial data to make any assumptions about you other than your age. Its not trying to identify you, and it doesnt pass anything on to the social media platform except whether you passed or failed. Yoti says that its selfie age assurance works to within one year of accuracy, and equally well across genders and skin tones. So anyone over 17 should pass.

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So, will kids be able to break into social media using their parents faces, as several have already boasted of doing online? Of course they will. Facial age estimation platforms are designed only to guess the age of a face, not to identify the person the face belongs to, or ensure its the same person using a social media account. Yoti makes big claims about its ability to tell a living face from a photo or recording, but other platforms may not be as strong. But this isnt to say that getting around the ban will be easy. The underage user will likely need access to a willing adult accomplice, and all the platforms other analytics will still be sounding the alarm. If you recently changed your birthdate to make yourself 16 instead of 13, then passed a facial age estimation check, then continued to engage with the platform in a way thats consistent with a 13-year-old, the apps will take note. You might not get booted right away, but if eSafety is upset that too many underage users are still on the platform, theyll know who to re-verify. Editor's pick Social media Allowing 16-year-olds in may be the toughest part of social media ban Where else things could come apart At this point in the waterfall hypothetical, the huge majority of Australians who are legitimately over 16 have been allowed onto the platform, either because the app already knows theyre an adult, or because of a background check or facial age estimation. The remainder can fit generally into three groups; those who are under 16, those who are under 17 (remember Yotis technology is accurate to within one year), and those who are an absolute edge case in both not having an active email address and appearing significantly younger than they are. Photo IDs are the next least intrusive option.

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For the edge cases, the process should go smoothly and (if the platform is following best practices and eSafetys guidance) would not require them to give a scan of their ID to a company thats going to misuse it or store it improperly. An identity service would capture a video of the user holding their ID, checking the details against government records while also matching the face on the document, subsequently informing the platform of a pass or fail and deleting all the data. The big problem for users between 16 and 17 is that if they dont have a learners permit or passport they likely dont have a useable photo ID. Some states have alternative documents and there are burgeoning digital ID systems that let you prove your age through other documents and then provide a token to the platform, but users will be at the mercy of social media platforms and identity services in terms of which of these are supported. Users who are actually under 16 and are determined to defeat the verification system would likely do so in this step of the waterfall, assuming they couldnt find a compliant adult to help in the previous one of the waterfall or the previous one. They could procure the genuine photo ID of a person who looks like them, for example their parent or sibling, and hope to get through. Since the verification happens through the identity company and not the social media platform, the ID would not be compared against any photos a user posts. Related Article Social media Australias social media lockout begins as teens face digital exile This is all based on speculation of how the system will ideally work, but there are other potential issues. What happens when a small under-resourced or inexperienced social media company tries to comply and ends up with user data it really doesnt need to have? What about when crooks start making fake pages that look like verification screenings and ask people to send pictures of their passports? What if its so easy for underage users to side-step the checks that social media companies need to employ more intrusive methods?

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Were not even at the December 10 threshold where eSafety will begin auditing the efforts, so its obviously too early to tell how things will go. But of all the things you might worry about, Facebook getting access to more images of your face shouldnt be one of them. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here.
93 rd Session of the Policy Commission, WCOs steering body, concludes after three successful days, hosted by the Tax Administration of Guatemala (SAT) in Antigua.

Session of the Policy Commission, WCOs steering body, concludes after three successful days, hosted by the Tax Administration of Guatemala (SAT) in Antigua. Discussions focused on focus areas from the WCO Strategic Plan, current issues in global Customs and setting the way ahead for the Organization in the coming months.

Session addressed by WCO Secretary General, Council Chairman and Superintendent of Tax Administration of Guatemala, and the Vice-Minister of Public Finance of Guatemala.

WCOs Strategic Plan in Action

Opening the three days of discussions, WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, welcomed delegates and expressed sincere appreciation to Guatemala for its warm hospitality and to the attending government representatives, whose presence underscored Guatemalas strong support for international Customs cooperation.

The Secretary General highlighted the significance of this session as the first following the approval of the Strategic Plan 2025-2028. Acknowledging the growing complexity of global trade and the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations, he pointed to the need for adaptability, stronger partnerships, and effective use of information.

Discussions centred around the Focus Areas of the Strategic Plan, notably Data and Technology, e-Commerce and Green Customs. Participants also addressed the issue of Supply Chain Integrity anchored on the need to ensure that goods move securely, legally and transparently, while preventing the risks of fraud, counterfeiting, illicit trafficking or terrorism in a context of accelerating flows and diversifying risks. The Policy Commission likewise deliberated on important governance topics, including the implementation of the WCO Modernization Plan and the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

Policy Commission: A focal point for Customs

The Chairperson of the Council, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Guatemala, acknowledging their exceptional hospitality. He underlined Guatemalas longstanding commitment to international trade, regional integration and a modern Customs administration - priorities shared by the many administrations present.

He then reflected on the strategic importance of the Policy Commission as the forum where the WCOs direction was shaped, noting that the issues facing Customs, such as trade complexity, criminal networks, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, workforce inclusion, and capacity building, directly affected Customs performance worldwide. He stressed the need for productive deliberations that strengthened the collective capacity to facilitate legitimate trade while safeguarding societies.

Guatemalas commitment to international Customs cooperation

Werner Ovalle, Superintendent of Tax Administration of Guatemala, said it was an honour to host the 93rd Session of the WCO Policy Commission, noting that he welcomed the international communitys confidence in Guatemalas institutions and its long-standing commitment to Customs cooperation. He emphasized that, for Guatemala, modernization, transparency and cooperation had been key pillars in strengthening competitiveness, security and trade governance. He further highlighted the remarkable progress achieved since Guatemalas accession to the WCO in 1985.

Through close cooperation with the WCO, the Administration had established itself as a modern and efficient one. Guatemala welcomed all delegations in a spirit of friendship and cooperation, reaffirming its commitment to building a more modern, transparent and reliable global Customs system, aligned with the WCO vision that borders divide; Customs connects.

The Vice-Minister of Public Finance of Guatemala, Patricia Joachin, noted that the decision to host this meeting reflected the countrys commitment and progress towards building a strong, technically oriented and internationally aligned Customs administration. Guatemala recognized the rapid transformation of global trade and the need for Customs administrations to become agile, predictive, interconnected and transparent. The Vice-Minister reaffirmed Guatemalas commitment to contributing actively to the work of the WCO through technical exchange and collaboration.

Next steps

A detailed report of the meeting will be published at the end of December on the WCO website for WCO Members to consult.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide the legality of President Donald Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, which has been treated as settled law for more than a century.

After taking office on Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to halt recognition of citizenship for children born after Feb. 19, if neither parent is a U.S. citizen nor a permanent resident.

The Trump administration has argued that the constitution does not grant citizenship to the children of "temporary visitors or illegal aliens," because such parents are supposedly not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States in the constitutional sense.

Soon after the executive order was issued, multiple lawsuits were filed challenging it. Several federal judges have temporarily blocked the order.

On June 27, in a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court held that federal district courts lack authority to issue broad nationwide or universal injunctions blocking the implementation of the executive order.

By taking up the appeal on Friday, the Supreme Court is choosing to address the controversy head-on.

This is one of the multiple challenges to Trump's immigration policies in which the Supreme Court has been asked to intervene. 
The rise of online shopping has completely reshaped consumer behavior, offering more convenience and access to nearly any product without the need to step inside a store. As e-commerce grows, traditional department stores continue to vanish, raising the question of whether the retail industry is moving closer to a future where brick-and-mortar shopping becomes extinct.

Ongoing economic uncertainty has also made shoppers more cautious of their spending, leading to weakening sales and reduced foot traffic for many retailers. Even long-established brands have been forced to close stores as they adjust their operations to better meet consumers' needs.

This shift is beginning to widen the gap between store closures and openings nationwide. Now, another iconic department store is preparing to leave a community with just a single store of this concept, and another whose future has been called into question.

Nordstrom Rack confirms store closure

Nordstrom has confirmed that it will close its Nordstrom Rack store at 245 SW Morrison St. in Portland, Oregon, on January 31, 2026. The closure will affect 37 store-level employees, according to the WARN notice filed on December 1.

"We've made the difficult decision to close our Nordstrom Rack store located at 245 SW Morrison St. in Portland," said a Nordstrom spokesperson in a statement to The Street. "Closing a store is never an easy decision, and we understand the impact these changes have on our team members. We're committed to taking care of our employees through this transition, including supporting those who are interested in finding another role within Nordstrom."

The company says the move will allow it to better serve Portland shoppers by focusing on its remaining locations and e-commerce business. Nordstrom will continue to operate its nearby downtown flagship and Portland's only remaining Nordstrom Rack location at 10159 NE Cascades Parkway.

Nordstrom Rack to close a Portland location in 2026.Shutterstock

Nordstrom's future in Portland and nationwide

Nordstrom Rack, the company's off-price retail division, has become a key differentiator and the largest source of new customers across all Nordstrom brands. While the downtown Rack store is permanently closing, the company remains committed to expanding the concept nationally.

In 2025, the company opened 22 new Nordstrom Rack locations, aligning with its plans to open 20 to 25 new stores per year.

Still, rumors have been circulating about the future of Nordstrom's flagship location in Portland. During an August community meeting, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson addressed the city's high retail vacancy rate. He claimed that Nordstrom CEO Erik Nordstrom expressed uncertainty about how long the company could continue operating in the city.
India-Peru copper investment is gathering momentum with conglomerate Adani and miner Hindalco Industries exploring opportunities in Peru's copper sector by acquiring stakes in existing mines or via joint ventures (JV), reported Reuters.

The move comes as India, the world's second-largest importer of refined copper, seeks to secure its copper supply chains amid rising demand and potential supply constraints.

Peru, the world's third-largest copper producer, is actively seeking new investment while negotiating a broader free trade agreement with India, the report said.

In 2024, Peru produced around 2.7 million tonnes (mt) of copper and attracted $4.96bn in foreign investment in the sector.

Copper is widely used in power lines, construction and manufacturing.

Peru's Ambassador to India, Javier Paulinich, was cited by Reuters as saying: "Birla (Hindalco) and Adani are trying to invest in Peru. We are willing to facilitate."

He noted that Adani sent a delegation to Peru earlier this year, and Hindalco has launched similar initiatives.

Referring to both Adani and Hindalco, Paulinich said: "They are in the first stage, trying to find out opportunities."

The Indian Government has urged domestic mining companies to invest abroad to safeguard copper supply chains and mitigate possible disruptions, a priority outlined in a policy document released in July.

According to the Ministry of Mines' Copper Vision Document 2025, India may need to source 9197% of its copper concentrate requirements from overseas by 2047.

A top executive from Adani told Reuters last year that the group, led by Gautam Adani, plans to procure copper concentrates from Peru as well as Chile and Australia for its $1.2bn (Rs107.91bn) copper smelter, the world's largest single-site plant of its type.

Adani and Hindalco did not respond to any requests for comment, said Reuters.

India's copper imports rose 4% to 1.2mt in the fiscal year ending March 2025.

The government forecasts demand will reach 33.3mt by 2030 and 8.99.8mt by 2047.

In response, India has requested a detailed chapter on copper in its free trade negotiations with Peru to lock in a fixed volume of copper concentrate, according to Paulinich. He also added that discussions are ongoing.

"Adani, Hindalco explore Peru copper mining assets" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




A sedate and satisfied historian might suggest that there's something almost reckless about writing a history book that urges us to look at our ugliest family photographs. But Jane Ohlmeyer's unsettling book Making Empire is precisely that sort of album, the kind you find secreted in the attic and wish you hadn't uncovered. Wanton dismissal isn't an option as this historical retake comes with copious footnotes and a pressing invitation to sit down and really examine what we're seeing.

The central proposition is simple enough to make your Republican credentials wince. According to Ohlmeyer's scrupulously researched theory, Ireland wasn't just colonised, it colonised. We were both the laboratory rat and the laboratory assistant, the conquered and the conqueror's accomplice. It's the sort of historical truth that lands like a slap, which is presumably why Ohlmeyer felt compelled to write it now, in our current moment of post-Brexit glee and demands for reckoning.

The book emerged from the 2021 James Ford Lectures at Oxford, which explains both its considerable scholarly heft and its occasional tendency toward a lecturing style. Ohlmeyer uses Brian Friel's Making History as a framing device throughout, which works beautifully in places and grates like a pebble in your shoe in others. One suspects it was magnificent in the lecture hall, where each week offered a fresh start, and Friel's Hugh O'Neill could stride onto the stage anew. In book form, the repeated invocations begin to feel like being introduced to the same person at a party over and over again.

But personal reservations about structure aside, what Ohlmeyer has assembled here is nothing short of a generational reckoning. She's arguing that between roughly 1550 and 1770  the span of what historians call the First English Empire  Ireland was simultaneously England's first colony, its imperial testing ground, and a reluctant but eventually willing participant in the whole grubby business of empire-building. We were the prototype, the dress rehearsal, and then we joined the tour.

The familiar tale of Ireland's elite Anglicisation reads like a slow-motion cultural surrender. Through intermarriage, English law, new markets, and the seductive pull of commerce, Irish society began to hybridise. Patents were issued for 560 markets and 680 fairs between 1600 and 1640 alone. Irish aristocrats like Antrim and Thomond were inviting planters in to boost their rental income, the early modern equivalent of turning your ancestral home into a boutique hotel. Wardships and English education transformed Catholic noble families into Protestant ones, who then made strategic marriages with newly arrived English families desperate for the legitimacy that old Irish names could provide.

The bardic poets mocked this cultural degeneracy with savage satire, but satire never stopped anyone from making money or climbing the social ladder. What's striking in Ohlmeyer's account is how human nature simply got on with things  the way it always does  with people adapting, compromising and occasionally thriving in circumstances that were supposed to have destroyed them entirely.

Then came the really interesting bit: the Irish went abroad. The Caribbean chapters read like a shameful list of complicity. Irish indentured servants and Cromwellian prisoners ended up in the Leeward Islands  Nevis, Antigua, St Kitts, Montserrat  working alongside and sometimes owning enslaved Africans. There were Irish governors, Irish planters, Irish merchants and Irish Catholic clergy. The Black Irish of Montserrat stand as a monument to exactly how tangled and compromised this history became.

Ohlmeyer excavates some properly astonishing connections. Maurice Thomson, an investor in confiscated Irish land, helped create a stranglehold on colonial trade in the 1650s  Spanish silver, African slaves, Barbadian sugar, Indian textiles. The web spread further: Arthur Annesley, Earl of Anglesey, increased his Irish holdings from about 15,000 to 144,000 acres and invested across the Atlantic world. His associate Francis Aungier was connected to Gerald Aungier, who became the first governor of Bombay in 1669. Stolen Irish land, it turns out, helped leverage Englands first phase of world empire.

The laboratory thesis is compelling. Sir John Davies and Sir William Petty pioneered land law and mapping techniques in seventeenth-century Ireland that were then exported wholesale. Gerald Aungier's activities in Bombay  fortification, land titles, Anglicisation, mapping, settlement  followed what was by then a familiar Irish template. We were the beta test for the British Empire.

And the profits flowed back. Ohlmeyer traces 68 landed estates bought and developed across Ireland, thanks to East India Company money. The Irish, along with the English and Scottish, owned the majority of Jamaica's 600 sugar plantations and the estimated 200 slaves of African origin on each one.

The Brownes of Westport House, notable for their spirit of philanthropy during the famine, made their fortune from Jamaican sugar plantations but through the subsequent efforts of the second Marquess of Sligo, Howe Peter Brown in 1834, they were instrumental in the abolition of slavery on the island. Sugar refineries and tobacco businesses sprouted up to meet the demand for colonial produce. While the poor survived on American-derived potatoes, Munster was transforming itself into a provisioning hub, supplying butter and salt beef to Caribbean plantations and British fleets.

Then there's Hans Sloane, born in County Down, who married a Jamaican plantation heiress and documented in revolting detail the punishments inflicted on enslaved people, even as he invested in the Royal African Company and the South Sea Company. His money and collections founded what became the British Museum. The man is now remembered  correctly  for more than his role in popularising chocolate.

What Ohlmeyer has produced is a devastatingly detailed account of how thoroughly compromised we were. The Irish weren't simply passive victims  we were active, often enthusiastic participants. We learned from our masters, and then we taught their lessons elsewhere. This is a deeply uncomfortable history.

The book's contemporary resonance is impossible to ignore. Ohlmeyer published an article during the Black Lives Matter protests, pointing out that modern Ireland hadn't come to terms with its imperial past, citing Trinity College Dublin's little-known historical ownership of slaves. The ensuing backlash was predictable and fierce as national narratives don't enjoy being complicated, particularly when that complication involves acknowledging that the colonised also colonised.

Where the book occasionally frustrates is in its reluctance to push certain questions harder. We get the violence catalogued  the massacres, the expropriations, the coercion  but less examination of the underlying mechanisms. How exactly did the English harness Irish military prowess to their purposes, and what about the ever-present anxiety that the Irish might learn too much from their imperial masters? Francis Bacon worried that Ireland civil become more dangerous to us than Ireland savage  a telling and prescient phrase that deserved deeper excavation.

The counterfactual is tantalising in its possibilities: what if Hugh O'Neill or Owen Roe O'Neill had succeeded  would Ireland have become independent with a few small colonies of its own, or would we have been absorbed into the Spanish Empire instead? Either route might have left Global Ireland a considerably smaller entity than it is today. The irony is almost too perfect.

50 years ago, J.G.A. Pocock called for a New British History that would treat the conflict and creation of societies across what he termed the Atlantic archipelago. Ohlmeyer has answered that call with a vengeance, placing Ireland in ever-expanding contexts: archipelagic, European, global. It's an impressive feat of synthesis that draws on an enormous range of sources.

The result is a book that demands we grow up about our history. The story of Ireland and Empire isn't simple  its not a tale of pure victimhood or pure villainy. It's messier, more human, and ultimately more true. We were conquered, and we conquered. We suffered, and we inflicted suffering. We resisted, and we collaborated. Sometimes all at once.

Making Empire suggests that understanding this complexity isn't optional anymore  not with Brexit, not with culture wars, not with mass immigration and difficult conversations about race and legacy happening everywhere. The book is Ohlmeyer's contribution to what might be called the Empire's afterlife, the long work of reckoning with what was done and what was made.

It's not always comfortable reading but the best history rarely is, and what Ohlmeyer has written for us is a mirror  and what we see reflected there is neither heroic nor monstrous but unmistakably, uncomfortably human. The question now is what we do with that knowledge. Because, as Friel's Archbishop Lombard understood, it really is time for another history. The only question is whether we're brave enough to look at it properly.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

A mix of rain and wet snow ending this evening, then partial clearing and drier overnight; turning breezy. Watch for icy spots and slick travel. .

Tonight

A mix of rain and wet snow ending this evening, then partial clearing and drier overnight; turning breezy. Watch for icy spots and slick travel.
(Refiles to removed outdated advisory note. No changes to text.)

By Divya Chowdhury

MUMBAI, Dec 5 (Reuters) - A potential artificial intelligence bubble will deflate faster than past tech cycles but give way to an even stronger rebound as corporate adoption catches up with infrastructure spending, the head of Japanese IT company NTT DATA Inc. said.

Despite worries around supply chains, the direction of travel is clear, CEO Abhijit Dubey said in an interview with the Reuters Global Markets Forum.

"There is absolutely no doubt that in the medium- to long-term, AI is a massive secular trend," he said.

"Over the next 12 months, I think we're going to have a bit of a normalisation ... It'll be a short-lived bubble, and (AI) will come out of it stronger."

With demand for compute still running ahead of supply, "supply chains are almost spoken for" over the next two to three years, he said. Pricing power is already tilting toward chipmakers and hyperscalers, mirroring their stretched valuations in public markets, he added.

AI has triggered the biggest technological shake-up since the advent of the internet, fuelling trillions of dollars of investment and eye-watering equity gains. But it has caused shortages of memory chips, drawn regulatory scrutiny, and created growing unease over the future of work.

Dubey, who is also the firm's chief AI officer, said his company has begun rethinking recruitment strategies as AI reshapes labour markets.

"There will clearly be an impact ... Over a five- to 25-year horizon, there will likely be dislocation," he said. However, he added that NTT DATA continues to hire across locations.

Speakers at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York discussed how AI may upend work and job growth.

AI startup Writer Inc.'s CEO May Habib said customers are focused on slowing headcount growth.

"You close a customer, you get on the phone with the CEO to kick off the project, and it's like, 'Great, how soon can I whack 30% of my team?'," she said.

Still, a PwC survey of the global workforce released in November suggests the reality of generative AI usage has yet to match boardroom expectations.

Daily use of GenAI remains "significantly lower" than widely touted by executives, PwC said, even as workers with AI skills commanded an average wage premium of 56%  more than double last year's figure.

PwC also flagged a widening skills gap, with about half of non-managers reporting access to training resources, compared with roughly three-quarters of senior executives.
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.
There are too many ETFs.

Thats not a knock on any particular provider or fund. This is a redundancy issue, or one of correlation. In the way that Henry Ford once said about his Model T car, as it started to fill the roads of America: Customers can have any color they want as long as its black. That same lack of differentiation has infected the ETF business. The same way it did the mutual fund industry 30 years ago, when there were more funds than listed U.S. stocks.

More News from Barchart

The issue here is two-fold. First, investors, and particularly traders, will have an idea, and decide to find an ETF to execute it. For instance, biotech stocks. OK, so which one to use? There are some that can be separated clearly in terms of performance, type and weight of holdings, or a sub-theme within that slice of the healthcare sector, and the stock market in general.

But theres so much correlation in todays stock market that different ETFs of the same general breed are more likely to move up and down together.

This is not the most pressing issue for traders and inventors. But it could be going forward. Because the maze of products has made it more difficult to distinguish between wheat and chaff. Furthermore, this is not about which ETF is better, since that will be based on what any particular investor or trader is looking for.

My concern: the more product glut we endure, the more likely we are to blur the lines about what may work for us. And, given how many ETFs there are now, the more that chase the same, diminished number of stocks, the more that market price movement tends to be in sync.

In other words, that market of stocks we old-timers were trained to understand is rapidly turning into a stock market.

One Market, Indivisible, with Liberty and Confusion for All

Sure, we have the freedom to do our own research. And the ETF managers and sponsors have every right to feed the frenzy that has ramped up interest in the modern stock market. Perhaps the differentiator will ultimately be the closing of funds that fail to gather sufficient assets. That was the downfall of mutual funds.

But ETFs tend to be less expensive to start and run, thanks to strong innovation within the industry over the past decade. So the key thing investors and traders look for in their research, more basic than will it go up after I buy it, will continue to be less clear. Because so many ETFs look and act alike.
By Hyunjoo Jin

SEOUL, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Artificial intelligence stocks could come under pressure after rising too fast and too much, but the industry is not in a bubble, the head of South Korean conglomerate that owns leading memory chipmaker SK Hynix said.

Concerns about lofty AI stock valuations have begun to weigh on broader financial markets, while there are questions about when huge AI investments will translate into actual profits.

"I dont see a bubble in (the AI industry)," SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won said at a forum in Seoul when asked by the Bank of Korea governor about concerns over AI bubbles.

"But when you look at the stock markets, they rose too fast and too much, and I think it is natural that there could be some period of corrections," he said, adding that AI stocks have been climbing beyond their fundamental value.

Chey said "overshooting" in stock valuations is not new for a growth industry, and the development of AI would lead to significant productivity gains.

Shares in SK Hynix, which supplies high-end memory chips to power Nvidia's powerful AI chipsets, surged 214% over one year, propelled by robust demand for its products from AI data center builders which are investing trillions of dollars.

The South Korean company reported in October another record quarterly profit, driven by the AI boom, and said it has sold out all its chip production for next year, expecting an extended chip "super cycle."

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Jane Merriman)
Shaping quantum light unlocks new possibilities for future technologies

Controlling the structure of photons in space and time enables tailored quantum states for next-generation communication, sensing and imaging.

Researchers from the School of Physics at Wits University, working with collaborators from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, have demonstrated how quantum light can be engineered in space and time to create high-dimensional and multidimensional quantum states. Their work highlights how structured photons  light whose spatial, temporal or spectral properties are deliberately shaped  offer new pathways for high-capacity quantum communication and advanced quantum technologies.

Published as a review article in Nature Photonics, the study surveys rapid progress in techniques capable of creating, manipulating and detecting quantum structured light. These include on-chip integrated photonics, nonlinear optics, and multiplane light conversion, which now form a modern and increasingly powerful toolkit. Together, these advances are bringing structured quantum states closer to real-world applications in imaging, sensing, and quantum networks.

According to Professor Andrew Forbes, corresponding author from Wits, the field has changed dramatically in two decades. The tailoring of quantum states, where quantum light is engineered for a particular purpose, has gathered pace of late, finally starting to show its full potential. Twenty years ago the toolkit for this was virtually empty. Today we have on-chip sources of quantum structured light that are compact and efficient, able to create and control quantum states.

A key benefit of structuring photons is the ability to access high-dimensional encoding alphabets, enabling more information per photon and greater resilience to noise. This makes quantum structured light a promising platform for secure quantum communication.

However, the authors note that some real-world channels are still unfavourable to spatially structured photons, limiting long-distance transmission compared to more traditional degrees of freedom such as polarisation. Although we have made amazing progress, there are still challenging issues, says Forbes. The distance reach with structured light, both classical and quantum, remains very low  but this is also an opportunity, stimulating the search for more abstract degrees of freedom to exploit.

One emerging approach is to imbue quantum states with topological properties, offering inherent robustness to perturbations. We have recently shown how quantum wave functions naturally have the potential to be topological, and this promises the preservation of quantum information even if the entanglement is fragile, says Forbes.

The review article also documents rapid developments in multidimensional entanglement, ultrafast temporal structuring, nonlinear quantum detection schemes, and on-chip sources that can generate or process quantum light at higher dimensions than previously possible. Applications highlighted include high-resolution quantum imaging, precision metrology using structured photons, and quantum networks capable of carrying more information through multiple coupled channels.

The research points to an inflection point for the field. As the authors conclude, the future for quantum optics with quantum structured light looks very bright indeedbut further work is needed to increase dimensionality, boost photon numbers, and engineer states that survive realistic optical environments.
Investing.com -- A proposed third settlement in the two-decade legal battle over Visa and MasterCard interchange fees is creating fresh uncertainty for airline loyalty economics, according to Barclays analysts.

The bank expects the latest settlement attempt to take years to finalize, but argues that the final outcome could alter how merchants accept high-cost rewards cards and how consumers use them.

The case has stretched on for nearly 20 years after two failed settlement attempts, with large merchants such as Walmart still opposing proposed terms.

Barclays notes that despite ongoing objections, Visa and MasterCard have incentives to resolve the dispute in court rather than risk momentum for federal legislation targeting interchange fees.

Loyalty programs have become central to airline financial models, with co-brand agreements accounting for more than 20% of revenue at Southwest and 1114% at Delta, American and United, analysts led by Brandon Oglenski highlighted.

For the six largest U.S. carriers, loyalty revenue has risen more than 50% since 2019.

The core issue is interchange economics. Premium co-brand cards carry higher fee rates, and these fees underpin the sale of miles or points to issuing banks.

Under the new settlement proposal, merchants could be relieved from honor all cards rules, paving the way for surcharges or selective non-acceptance of higher-fee products.

Analysts flag that increased price transparency to the elevated costs of rewards cards has the potential to shift longer-term consumer behavior to lower cost payment options, potentially limiting the growth trajectory of airline co-brand portfolios.

A planned five-year reduction in interchange fees  with caps largely applied to basic card rates  would widen the gap between low-cost and premium cards.

In categories such as restaurants, the difference could reach 140 basis points, which Barclays says may spur some small businesses to steer customers toward cheaper payment methods.

While large retailers may continue accepting premium cards, even modest friction could dilute rewards value for consumers.

Still, the analysts argue that merchant behavior will ultimately determine the degree of disruption. Even if spend-based utility declines, some cardholders may remain motivated by status, lounge access and other non-financial perks.

The team also points out that premium cards at major carriers often offer similar or even lower points-earning rates than cheaper products, suggesting high-end consumers are already driven by benefits unrelated to interchange dynamics.
Image Credit: Depositphotos

Alaska Airlines is making its most ambitious international expansion yet, announcing daily nonstop service from Seattle to London Heathrow beginning spring 2026 as the carrier transforms into a premium global airline following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.

Alaska Airlines is accelerating its future as a premium global carrier, charting a bold new course across the Atlantic with the launch of nonstop routes to London Heathrow and Reykjavik, Iceland, from its growing global gateway in Seattle starting next spring.

Largest Intercontinental Market from Seattle

Image Credit: Depositphotos

London is the largest intercontinental market from Seattle, with more than 400 passengers traveling between the two vibrant cities every day, making it a strategic choice for Alaska's transatlantic debut.

Alaska will offer daily, year-round service to the British capital on its widebody 787-9 aircraft, featuring 34 enclosed suites with fully lie-flat seats in Business Class. The route targets both corporate and leisure travelers seeking premium onboard amenities and expanded connectivity options.

Strategic Market Entry

CEO Ben Minicucci emphasized the significance of the expansion: "With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world. We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up".

As a gateway to Europe, this daily flight will connect guests throughout the West Coast to London and other destinations served by Alaska's extensive partner network, while also providing guests in the states of Alaska and Hawaii with conveniently timed connectivity to a highly desired market.

Fleet and Infrastructure Expansion

The London service will utilize Alaska's growing Boeing 787-9 fleet, featuring a striking new global livery inspired by the aurora borealis. Alaska Air Group's 2024 acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines provided the carrier with access to widebody aircraft for the first time, accelerating its long-haul expansion plans.

The carrier currently operates four 787-9s and will open a new pilot base in Seattle to support the aircraft type beginning in spring 2026. Alaska is debuting its striking global exterior design that will be featured on its growing fleet of up to 17 widebody 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Competitive Landscape

The Seattle-London market is currently served by British Airways, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic, with about 14,700 two-way weekly seats. Alaska's entry will provide travelers with additional scheduling options and premium capacity.

Alaska's expansion into the London market, facilitated by strengthened collaborations with American Airlines and British Airways, presents significant opportunities, with these alliances expected to deepen over time.
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Europe

Tens of thousands in Bulgaria protest government corruption and draft budget

Tens of thousands of workers, including many young people, protested in Sofia, Bulgaria on Monday against the 2026 draft budget and accusations of government corruption. Smaller demonstrations took place in the cities of Plovdiv and Varna.

Public, transport, postal and other workers belonging to the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria held nationwide protests November 24 for pay increases and better working conditions.

Thousands of French workers strike and protest austerity budget

Thousands of workers across France, including teachers, civil servants and transport workers held strikes and rallies Tuesday to oppose the 2026 proposed budget.

The CGT, FSU and Solidaires union members demand an end to job cuts, the public sector pay and pension freeze and the doubling of health insurance contributions.

French workers for EssilorLuxottica strike for pay increase

Hundreds of workers at luxury spectacle-making giant EssilorLuxottica in France, which employs 9,000, held a three-day work stoppage November 27-29. Staff walked out at office, factory and distribution sites throughout the country, including Nantes, Toulouse and Dijon.

The CGT, CFDT, FO, CFTC and other union members demand double the 1-2 percent pay award offered by the company. The largest eyewear maker in the world owns or manufactures for scores of designer brands such as Rayban, Oakley, and Foster Grant. Revenue for the first nine months of 2025 was 20.9 billion.

Further stoppage by Sellafield nuclear workers in Cumbria, England over hazard pay

Around 1,500 construction workers, employed as electricians, joiners, pipefitters, riggers, groundworkers, welders and painters at Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria, England are on strike this week and next. It is the latest round of action begun in September.

They are demanding payment of a premium for working in hazardous environments in line with construction workers employed on nuclear sites such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.

The Unite union members are employed by around 35 subcontractors at Sellafield. They voted by a 90 percent majority for industrial action in August. Classed as nuclear professionals, they work on decommissioning technologies as well as constructing new projects. They are employed under the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry and Construction Industry Joint Council Working Rule Agreements.

Cumbria Police have issued orders under section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986 that any marches undertaken by the striking pickets must not start before 7am and must finish by 10am. Previously the pickets have held slow marches taking up to six hours, the so-called Sellafield Shuffle.

Bosch workers in Scotland set to strike over pay-slashing contract changes

Around 280 workers at the Bosch Rexroth hydraulic equipment plant in Glenrothes, Scotland are due to begin a week-long strike opposing new contracts that sharply reduce pay and overhaul working hours. The stoppage is due to start at 6:00 a.m. on December 8 and is scheduled to end at 5:59 a.m. on December 15, following a ballot in which the members of the union Unite voted 95 percent voted for strike action.

The dispute centres on the companys plan to impose flexible short-time working, A Bosch Rexroth spokesman said the new proposals were essential to provide the necessary flexibility to respond to market fluctuations.

Workers could lose up to 40 percent of their take-home payaround 1,000 per monththrough changes to their terms and conditions. Management is also seeking to introduce annualised hours, enabling the firm to vary working time across the year and place employees as much as 70 hours in debt, with pay clawed back if more hours are paid than worked.

The attack on jobs and incomes at the Glenrothes plant in the Fife region of Scotlandwhich engineers parts for the building industry including gears, brakes and components for forklift trucksis part of a wider restructuring drive by Bosch. The German based engineering and technology transnational reduced its global workforce by 11,600 to 418,000 between 2023-4 and is seeking to implement up to 22,000 job losses in Germany.

The contract changes at Glenrothes give management sweeping control over staffing levels and scheduling, introducing gig-economy working practices which undermine stable incomes and employment.

Rail workers at UK company set to strike over pay and conditions

Rail workers employed by Cross Country train operating company are set to walk out on Saturday. Cross Country serves the west coast area of the UK from Scotland down to southwest England.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members have been in a long-running dispute over several issues, including pay, staffing and the companys refusal to honour previous agreements. These agreements include overtime payments, staff levels and wage discrepancies for different grades.

A planned stoppage for November 1 was suspended for further negotiations which failed to reach resolution, leading the RMT to announce the current planned action. Further stoppages are planned for December 13, 20 and 27 over the busy Christmas holiday season.

Strike by frozen food storage workers in Lincolnshire, England to hit Christmas turkey supplies

Workers at the UKs Magnavale frozen food storage company in Easton, Lincolnshire began a two-week stoppage Monday. The site, which employs around 100, packs and stores food for concerns such as Bernard Matthews and the 2 Sister Food Group.

The GMB members are protesting not having been made a pay offer this year. The stoppage at the site, described as the UK frozen turkey capital, is expected to hit supplies of turkeys to retail outlets in the run-up to Christmas.

In a separate dispute, around 50 GMB members at the KP Snacks manufacturing facility in Billingham in northeast England voted by an 85 percent majority to walk out. They are protesting being given extra duties and responsibilities with no commensurate pay increase. In response to the vote, the company halted all leave requests.

No dates were announced, but a stoppage at the facility could affect the supply of savoury snacks such as Hula Hoops and McCoys crisps.

Middle East

Iranian workers protests continue as economy in crisis

The crisis hitting the Iranian economy continues to escalate, with the currency exchange reaching $1 to Rials 1.2 million by midweek. According to reports from Tehran, prices for essential food items tripled overnight. Workers are responding with ongoing protests.

Sunday saw workers at the Madkoush Steel Company in Bandar Abbas walk out over months of unpaid wages. The same day, workers at the ISOICO Shipbuilding complex in Hormozgan refused to work and gathered to protest non-payment of wages and insurance contributions.

In Shush, Sunday marked the second day of protests by Middle East Sugar Factory workers, who are not being paid the rate for the job. They also demanded the reinstatement of previously sacked colleagues.

Social Security and steel industry retirees held rallies in the cities of Ahvaz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Shush and Tehran protesting their inadequate pensions.

Tehran also saw a protest by victims of the King Money cryptocurrency scam, involving around 4,000 plaintiffs left out of pocket by around 198 million.

In Ahvaz, students at Chamran Universitys Hoveyzeh campus protested over the inedible nature of dormitory meals.

The unfolding collapse of the Iranian economy is being exacerbated by US and NATO sanctions aimed at Irans destabilisation in preparation for trade and military war against China.

Africa

Union suspends Nigerian doctors strike over pay, conditions and funding

Nigerian doctors, on strike for 29 days, are being told to go back to work by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD). The decision to end the stoppage was taken at an extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held November 29.

The resident doctors walked out over unpaid arrears, poor working conditions, inadequate staffing, intolerable workloads and the lack of the medical infrastructure essential for saving lives.

NARD President Muhammad Suleiman said the strike has been suspended for four weeks. Only a few days earlier, NARD was insisting the strike would continue due to the governments failure to meet the unions demands.

Other Nigerian health workers are continuing their own strike over the pay structure and longstanding welfare issues. President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Joe Ajaero stated that the government treats signed collective bargaining agreements as worthless pieces of paper.

Employees in Free State, South Africa regulating gambling, tourism and liquor walk out over unpaid rises

Employees of the Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority in South Africa are continuing their stoppage, begun November 24. The 120 workers picketed outside Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs in Bloemfontein.

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union members are demanding salary increases outstanding since 2023-24. Increases of 5 percent and 2.5 percent remain unpaid. Workers rejected an offer for 2025-26 of 2.1 percent for workers earning under R600,000 and 4.8 percent for those earning above that figure.
In line with the harsh austerity program dictated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, Sri Lankas Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) government is moving to slash the number of recipients of Aswesuma, a meagre social subsidy for the poor.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, presenting the 2026 budget in Parliament on November 7 in his capacity as the finance minister, confirmed further austerity and explicitly said welfare would be restricted only for genuine low-income earnersterminology lifted directly from IMF and World Bank directives.

Protesting women demand Aswsuma relief payments in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, on 26 June 2023 [Photo: Facebook]

Dissanayakes budget has allocated only 240 billion rupees ($US777 million) for the Aswesuma Cash Grant Program in 2026, hardly an increase from this years allocation of 232 billion rupees.

The JVP/NPP government functions as a trustworthy instrument of the corporate elite and global finance capital, implementing policies dictated in Washington and by international financial institutions.

About two weeks before the budget, on October 22 ministers and members of parliamentincluding Upali Pannilage, minister of rural development, social empowerment and welfare, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and top Finance Ministry officialsmet with a World Bank (WB) delegation.

The delegation insisted on the need for a comprehensive data system for social security to enable the accurate identification of genuinely poor and vulnerable individuals and families. They also noted that the mere inclusion of citizens information in the database would not automatically qualify them as Aswesuma beneficiaries. Instead, the data had to be verified and analyzed to correctly identify those eligible for relevant benefits.

What the World Bank demanded, in effect, was a reduction in the number of beneficiaries under the pretext of verifying data and correctly identifying eligible families. This in line with the IMF, which has demanded that Aswesuma be limited only to the absolutely needy, a phrase that translates in practice into mass disqualification.

Aswesuma applicants are to be asked a barrage of questions under 22 specified criteria relating to all possessions of the person and family, the condition of their dwelling, disabilities and diseases, family income, and expenditure in the previous month, among others. Applicants are threatened not only with the suspension of benefits but with fines and prison sentences if a magistrate finds that false information has been provided.

At a public meeting on November 5, Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetti launched a vicious attack on those receiving the Aswesuma subsidy, saying they should feel ashamed of what he called legal begging. His comments echoed, almost word for word, the prescriptions of the World Bank and IMF for the restriction and dismantling of welfare programs.

Handunnetti openly stated that the government does not intend to continue Aswesuma, declaring that Sri Lanka must move away from this dependency mentality. He added that he hoped to see the day when this subsidy no longer exists, presenting the destruction of welfare not as an assault on the poor but as a marker of national success.

In a cynical inversion of reality, the minister posed a rhetorical challenge to impoverished people: Will poverty always exist, or will we challenge it and move forward? In doing so, he shifted blame for mass destitution onto its victims.

The ministers rhetoric echoes historical arguments used to justify the removal of support for the poor. His framing of welfare recipients as unproductive burdens on society has chilling parallels with fascist language used in the early 20th century to rationalize the exclusionand eventual eliminationof those deemed unfit or costly to maintain.

In truth, poverty in Sri Lankalike elsewhereis not the product of individual failings or personal dependency, but of a social system driven by private profit rather than human need. Decades of capitalist crisis, intensified by global economic turmoil and IMF-imposed austerity, have produced conditions in which the majority of society has been impoverished through job losses, wage cuts, and soaring living costs. The poorest sections, already living at subsistence levels, face the full brunt of the crisis.

Protesters occupy Divisional Secretariat office in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka, June 26, 2023 [Photo: Facebook]

The World Bank estimates that 22 percent of Sri Lankans now live below the poverty line, and another 10 percent just above it. More than half the population faces food insecurity. The government seeks to redefine this mass suffering as dependency, even as it slashes welfare to satisfy the demands of the IMF and World Bank.

Sri Lankas economic collapse, culminating in the 2022 foreign debt default, triggered the harshest austerity program in the islands history, which was described by an IMF officer as a brutal experiment.

The IMFs central objective is to extract resources from working people to repay foreign creditorsinternational banks, bondholders, governments, and multilateral institutions. The 2026 budget allocates a staggering 4.5 trillion rupees for debt servicing alone. To meet these obligations, the government must rely on indirect taxes, higher utility charges, and deep cuts to social spending.

By demonizing the poor and casting welfare as a moral failing, the government seeks to suppress public resistance to austerity measures that will devastate broad layers of society. This ideological attack is essential because the burden of the crisis is being shifted entirely onto the working class, while big business and international investors remain untouched.

Aswesuma is not a generous welfare program but a minimal safety net, providing monthly allowances of 5,000 to 17,500 rupees ($US16 to $57) to categories such as the disabled, elderly, kidney patients, and the extremely poor. The highest payment barely matches the official poverty line of around 16,000 rupees per month. Yet even this meagre assistance is now under attack.

Historically, such schemes have been implemented not out of benevolence but to contain social unrest. Since the late 1980sbeginning with the dismantling of food rationssuccessive governments have introduced welfare, food assistance and so-called anti-poverty programs like Janasaviya, Samurdhi, and Divinaguma. Over time, these programs have been repeatedly restricted, with allocations continuously slashed under IMF pressure.

At the same time, the government displays staggering hypocrisy in its treatment of the wealthy. Despite the fiscal crisis, the JVP/NPP administration maintains a low corporate tax regime, refuses to impose wealth or inheritance taxes, and continues offering tax holidays and concessions to large corporations and foreign investors. The so-called engine of growththe private sectoris protected at all costs, while workers, pensioners and the rural poor are squeezed to the limit.

While the IMF and World Bank are pressing the government to cut the Aswesuma subsidy to the bone, Handunnettis statements are part of an ideological offensive to justify broader restructuring. The aim is to transform Sri Lanka into a low-cost, investor-friendly economy in which social protections are dismantled and profits maximized for the capitalist class.

The working class and rural poor cannot place any faith in a government beholden to international finance. The entire political establishmentfrom the JVP/NPP to the capitalist opposition partiesaccepts the IMFs austerity framework.

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) insists that the struggle against austerity requires the formation of workers independent action committees in workplaces, plantations, and rural areas. These committees must coordinate a unified movement of workers, youth, and the rural poor to oppose budget cuts and IMF austerity, defend social rights, and reject the payment of foreign debt at the expense of human life. The SEP proposes convening a Democratic and Socialist Congress of delegates from these committees to elaborate and fight for a government of workers and peasants, committed to a socialist program.

Such a program would reorganize production to meet human needs, not private profit. It would repudiate all foreign debts, expropriate the wealth of the ultra-rich and large corporations, place key industries and financial institutions under workers control, and coordinate with the international working class in a common struggle against austerity, inequality and capitalist exploitation.

Only through such a revolutionary socialist strategy can the working class defend its living standards and end the system that produces poverty, inequality, and repression.
More than 7,200 healthcare workers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), members of AFSCME Local 328, are poised to give a strike notice on December 12, which marks the end of a mandatory 30-day cooling-off period following their overwhelming vote to strike last month.

Members of AFSCME Local 328 at Oregon Health & Science University at a rally on October 31, 2025. [Photo: AFSCME]

The workers include those involved in patient care, food services, administrative staff, hospital research and more. They are demanding an 18 percent increase in pay over three years to $27 per hour for all workers, better staffing ratios and improved benefits. OHSU management claims the university posted an adjusted operating loss of $133 million in its 2025 fiscal year and is thus unable to provide higher levels of compensation for its staff.



The university was, however, able to pay its former president, Dr. Danny Jacobs, an annual salary of $1.64 million, and $350,000 a year to his retirement account.

The strike authorization at OHSU is part of a broader wave of labor struggles across the US and internationally. At Legacy Health, also in Portland, 135 advanced practice providers began an open-ended strike on December 2. Some 800 nurses at Henry Ford Health Genesys hospital in Grand Blanc, Michigan, are facing ramped up strikebreaking by the multibillion-dollar health conglomerate. And workers across Italy conducted a general strike on November 28, followed by a day of mass protests on November 29, the third such nationwide strike in a three-month period.

These struggles come amid an ongoing jobs massacre being carried out by US corporations. An estimated 32,000 private sector jobs were cut in November alone. More than 3 in 10 companies are planning to carry out layoffs before the end of the year, and 42 percent will not give severances to those being dismissed. Some 69 percent of employers are leveraging AI tools to help determine whom to fire.



And these figures do not include the hundreds of thousands of public sector workers that have been cut this year by the Trump administration. Nor do they include the full scope of the impact of the government shutdown in October and November, as the Trump administration has refused to release unemployment data for October.

Heading into the holiday season, workers are finding it increasingly more difficult to pay for basic necessities, leaving little, if anything, to celebrate. However, healthcare workers, as every section of the working class, face a critical question: How can a genuine struggle be waged?

The determination of OHSU workers to fight for real improvements stands in contrast to the lack of serious preparation by the union leaderships. Instead of mobilizing to wage a powerful, unified struggle to win workers demands, AFSCME is seeking to divide and undermine the fight. After dragging out negotiations for months past the June 30 contract deadline, AFSCME scheduled a strike vote right before the holidays, when financial and family pressures on workers are the greatest.

Moreover, only a fraction of the AFSCME members at OHSU, as well as members of the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), are set to strike, undermining a united fight.

The ONA recently announced that a separate group of 700 advanced practice providers at OHSU represented by ONA reached a tentative agreement and would not strike, weakening the position of those under Local 328, and suppressed the possibility of a joint struggle.

ONA also represents more than 3,000 registered nurses at OHSU, while other AFSCME locals represent thousands of medical interns, residents, fellows, postdocs, graduate students and other researchers, who are all under separate contracts.

AFSCME and the Oregon Nurses Association have worked to keep the contract expiration dates offset from each other. A collective strike across the entirety of OHSU, Legacy and Providence, for example, would place the initiative squarely with healthcare workers and provide a powerful basis for actually achieving workers demands.

When nearly 5,000 nurses at Providence Health & Services went on strike in January and February, the ONA forced through an agreement that did achieve parity with nurses at other facilities and included only 75 percent of retroactive pay, paid out in three installments, contingent on nurses remaining at Providence.

Nurses chief demand, improved staffing ratios, was not seriously addressed. Instead, the ratios remain governed under Oregons so-called safe staffing laws, which were crafted in collaboration with the ONA, state hospital networks including Providence, the pseudo-left Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and the Democratic Party. The actual impact of the law has been that in many units, Providence has actually been able to reduce the number of nurses.

Moreover, the agreement, which the ONA claimed passed in a 75-25 percent margin, was essentially the same as what had been rejected by the rank and file in an earlier 84 percent no vote. The response of the ONA, and its parent union, the American Federation of Teachers, to the initial rejection was to further isolate the strike in order to ram through a virtually identical sellout deal.

OHSU workers cannot afford to leave their fight in the hands of the union apparatuses. They must set up their own organizations of struggle, rank-and-file committees democratically elected from the hospital floors to enforce the demands of workers themselves. OHSU rank-and-file committees will be able to collaborate with other workers in healthcare, public education and other workplaces in the US and around the world under the umbrella of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

Healthcare workers must also connect their struggles with the broader social crisis. The Trump administration has sharply escalated its attacks on immigrants nationally, with the complicity of the Democratic Party. Since October, ICE arrested at least 329 people in Oregon, a 550 percent increase over previous months, conducting armed raids in unmarked vehicles. Nurses have noted in particular the collaboration of the Legacy Emmanuel Medical Center with ICE.

Further, any serious mobilization of workers faces the possibility of a confrontation with the National Guard currently deployed in Portland. The city was one of Trumps first targets for domestic troop deployment, based on the lie that the city was war-ravaged and describing those protesting ICE as domestic terrorists.

In opposing such police state measures, workers cannot rely on the courts or the Democratic Party. Throughout Trumps entire second term the Democrats have actively collaborated with the fascist, would-be dictator, voting to end the budget stand off on Trumps terms and offering no serious opposition to ICE terror. This was epitomized in the friendly meeting between New York Democratic Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Trump last month.

OHSU workers must go into action now to ensure the broadest possible mobilization to win their contract demands. At the same time they need to recognize they are engaged in a political, not merely a contract fight, against the entire capitalist, for-profit health system. Despite the vast advances in medical science, life expectancy is falling, and infant mortality is on the rise.

Only through a network of rank-and-file committees, which is being built around the world by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), can the enormous power of working class be brought to bear. Healthcare workers, who want to build a rank-and-file committee and connect workplace struggles to the broader fight of the working class, should contact the World Socialist Web Site.
Democratic Representatives Jim Himes and Adam Smith said Thursday that the full video of the September 2 missile strike that killed 11 people in the Caribbean showed that two shipwrecked individuals were killed by the United States military.

The two congressmen are the ranking members of the House Intelligence and House Armed Services Committee respectively, which viewed the video in a closed-door briefing. Last week, the Washington Post reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a verbal order to kill everybody on board the boat, leading to a second strike that killed two survivors.

In a statement following the hearing, Himes and Smith said that we saw or heard nothing today to convince us that the decision to strike the vessel a second time was justified.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, leaves after meeting with Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at a classified briefing at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

They added, The video we saw today showed two shipwrecked individuals who had no means to move, much less pose an immediate threat, and yet they were killed by the United States military. Regardless of what one believes about the legal underpinnings of these operations, and we have been clear we believe they are highly questionable, this was wrong.

It looks like two classically shipwrecked people, Smith said in an interview with the New Republic. During the session, members of Congress were told that the Pentagon judged that these two people were capable of returning to the fight.

In September, the Trump administration began murdering people in boats off the coast of Venezuela in over 20 separate missile strikes. It claimed, without evidence, that the victims were transporting drugs. But even if the victims had been captured and convicted in a court of law, their killing outside of any legal process is a summary execution, a murder, and a war crime.

Trump, a known admirer of Adolf Hitler, is seeking to establish a personalist dictatorship in the United States in an ongoing coup detat. His murders off the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Latin America are aimed at establishing a precedent for the murder of civilians by the military, precedents which he hopes to use against his domestic political opponents.

In the case of the September 2 strikes, the fact that a motorboat was transporting 11 people on a short trip between Venezuela and Trinidad suggests that it was transporting people, not drugs. As one official told the Washington Post, More people on board means less room for drugs to sell.

Given the likelihood that the boat was transporting passengers as its cargo, not drugs, the decision to murder the survivors could be seen as a deliberate action to cover up the murders committed in the first strike.

While the briefing was behind closed doors, committee members said that the officer responsible for the murders, Adm. Frank Mitch Bradley, claimed that his supervisor, Defense Secretary Hegseth, did not give an order to massacre the survivors. During the hearing, however, Bradley admitted that Hegseth was the target engagement authority for the murder.

U.S. Navy Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, center, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, arrives at the Capitol, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib]

The Pentagons law of war manual declares that soldiers have a duty to refuse to carry out clearly illegal orders, such as killing shipwrecked sailors. Orders to fire upon the shipwrecked would be clearly illegal, the manual declares.

At a cabinet meeting Tuesday, Hegseth claimed that he had stopped paying attention to the massacre after the first bombing and did not witness the second bombing. As you can imagine at the Department of War, weve got a lot of things to do, so I didnt stick around for the hour, two hours, whatever, he said, I moved to my next meeting.

He said Bradley made the correct decision.

Commenting on the veracity of this claim, Eugene Vindman, a former senior adviser to the National Security Council and a war hawk and critic of the Trump administration, told The Hill, A Navy admiral, very well regarded, with all those years of experienceshooting at shipwrecked sailors on its face sounds absurd. So, he must have gotten an order.

In an interview on CNN, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis asked what Hegseth was doing during that period. Ill take at face value, right now, what Secretary Hegseth said. He said he wasnt there. He said he was busy doing other things, Tillis said. I would assume a part of the record was, what was the other thing that he was doing that was more important than a battle damage assessment over the first strike in the Caribbean?

Maine independent Senator Angus King told CNN, I want to see his calendar for that day. I want to know what meeting he went to. I want to know how long he was, where he was,

In the face of the administrations increasingly tattered denials of responsibility, the Republicans defending Trump have made clear that the murders in the Caribbean are a development and extension of the drone murders carried out under the Democratic Obama administration.

Those who appear troubled by videos of military strikes on designated terrorists have clearly never seen the Obama-ordered strikes, or, for that matter, those of any other administration over recent decades, said Republican Representative Rick Crawford, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

This line was elaborated by Marc A. Thiessen, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, in a Washington Post column headlined, Trump, Hegseths drug-boat strike playbook was written by Obama. The column bears extensive quotation:

On taking office, Obama dramatically escalated the use of drone strikes against terrorism targets after ending the CIAs terrorist interrogation programfinding it was simpler to vaporize enemy combatants rather than capture them alive for questioning. So Obama forged what the New York Times called at the time a take-no-prisoners policy, ordering more than 540 drone strikes on terrorists in Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen (including one that killed a U.S. citizen, Anwar al-Awlaki, leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula). The strikes Obama ordered were similar to those Trump has carried out in the waters off of Venezuela. Obama used what were called signature strikes in which the U.S. targeted patterns of behavior denoting terrorist activity (signatures) even when the precise identity of the individuals being targeted was unknown. And he routinely carried out so-called double-tap strikes hitting a target once and then striking again to take out any survivors or other terrorists who rushed to the scene after the initial hit. Obama personally approved the kill lists for these strikes. Turns out Im really good at killing people, Obama reportedly declared to aides. According to one estimate, the strikes Obama authorized killed an estimated 3,797 people. So, anyone who wants to charge Pete Hegseth with war crimes should charge Barack Obama first.

All of this is completely true. These admissions of fact are meant as a warning to any factions of the US political establishment: If they admit Trump and Hegseth committed war crimes, there will be demands for prosecution for war crimes of the top officials in every presidency of the 21st century, all of whom are guilty of war crimes on a vast scale.
Devastating floods and landslides have struck Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia in recent days as intense rains have continued to strike throughout the Southeast Asia region. Hundreds have been killed while hundreds more remain missing. While weather cannot be controlled, much of the impact from this latest horrific disaster is man-made through the degradation of the environment and the sabotaging of disaster planning.

A survivor covers his nose at an area affected by flash flood in Aceh Tamiang, on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. [AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara]

As of Thursday, 836 people have been confirmed dead in Sumatra, Indonesia and hundreds still remain missing. These figures are sure to change. The three hardest hit provinces are Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. More than 2,600 people have been injured while 3.2 million people have been impacted. Thousands of homes have been badly damaged as well as hundreds of other buildings and pieces of infrastructure, including schools and bridges.

The destruction on Sumatra is the worst since the 2004 tsunami. Heavy rains began on November 25 as a result of Cyclone Senyar and Typhoon Koto, which struck at the beginning of the countrys monsoon season. Flooding has continued to leave many areas inundated under water this week as survivors struggle to receive aid. Total destruction is estimated to have caused 68.67 trillion rupiah ($US4.14 billion) worth of damage.

The disaster in Indonesia follows terrible flooding in Vietnam and Thailand. The latest flooding in Thailand has left 185 dead. The Bangkok Post, however, reported on December 1 that rescue volunteers believe the true number of dead could be closer to 500 or even 1,000. The hardest hit area has been around the city of Hat Yai in Songkhla province in the south.

In Malaysia, nine states on the Malaysian Peninsula have been inundated, displacing tens of thousands into evacuation centres and flooding homes, farms and small businesses. Three people have been confirmed dead.

Sri Lanka has also experienced a terrible death toll from flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with 479 people killed and hundreds more still missing. Heavy rains and landslides have devastated 25 districts. Hundreds are still missing and about a million people have been affected.

Many of the survivors from different countries have expressed similar experiences, describing the rains and flooding as some of the worst they have ever seen in a region where these intense weather patterns are common.

A 56-year-old evacuee from Sumatra told the media, This is the worst damage Ive ever experienced. My house was flooded after an embankment collapsed. I need materials to rebuild and basic daily necessities.

As survivors in Indonesia now struggle with the aftermath of the flooding, they face the prospect of hunger and a lack of fresh water as supplies dwindle. A health crisis is growing as they are forced to drink flood water. Teuku Raja Keumangan, a local official in Aceh, told the media, People are getting sick. Many of these local officials have called on President Prabowo Subianto to institute a national emergency, which by law would help procure additional funds and resources for the impacted regions.

Local governments are also struggling to disburse aid and, in many cases, have run out of disaster management funds. This did not stop presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi from claiming on December 3 that the current amount of disaster relief was sufficient, with the central government rejecting calls for increased financial aid.

Many in Indonesia have sharply criticized the governments slow response. Reinaro Waruwu, a 52-year-old evacuee, stated, Some waited a day and night before receiving help, so they couldnt be saved. I am frustrated, it doesnt need to be said twice. The response was not quick.

To say that the Prabowo administration simply ignored disaster planning would be an understatement. At the beginning of this year, Prabowo drastically slashed government spending to the tune of $US44 billion. Much of this was diverted to the then-newly launched Danantara sovereign wealth fund, controlled by Prabowo himself. Funding for Indonesias disaster management agency alone was cut by 50 percent from last year. These cuts led to widespread protests in February and contributed to the explosion of social anger that took place in demonstrations at the end of August.

This is part of a broader attack on the working class that the Prabowo government is conducting. Not only does it include the imposition of austerity measures, but the largest expansion of the military this century. This year, 150 territorial development battalions have been created with plans to expand this annually by the same figure until there is one battalion in each of Indonesias 514 regencies and cities.

The Prabowo government is far more concerned about opposition in the working class than the terrible effects of natural disasters. These battalions will be deployed to monitor and suppress working class struggles using funds that could have been spent on flood management and other safety measures.

Furthermore, environment degradation in the form of deforestation has contributed to the intensity of the recent floods. Forests are an important part of regulating water flow, helping to prevent erosion and channeling water underground. As trees are cut down, it increases the risk of flooding and landslides. Gus Irawan Pasaribu, a local official from Tapanuli, North Sumatra told Reuters, Yes, there were cyclonic factors, but if our forests were well-preserved it would not have been this terrible.

Many forests have been cleared in Indonesia to make way for palm plantations for producing palm oil, one of the countrys main exports. According to Global Forest Watch, North Sumatra alone lost 28 percent of its tree-covered area, or 1.6 million hectares, between 2001 and 2024.

However, the most significant factor driving these extreme weather events is climate change. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization has stated that last year was the hottest on record, with average global surface temperatures rising to 1.55 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. Seas in the region have also increased in temperature by almost one degree Celsius over the same period.

For each degree Celsius that the atmospheric temperature rises, the amount of water vapor in the area increases by seven percent, according to NASA. This leads to more intense storms and heavier rains. Yet capitalist governments around the world have taken no serious steps to address climate change or other forms of environmental degradation that contribute to the disasters now unfolding on a regular basis.
At a packed Royal Oak Board of Education meeting last month, parent after parent spoke to oppose granting club status at the local high school to the pro-Trump fascist organization Turning Point USA. Students had already expressed their opposition to Turning Point in October, when hundreds walked out of classes and carried out a sit-in in the school cafeteria.

Founded in 2012 by fascist Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA is a billionaire-funded organization set up, in its own words, to combat modern liberalism on college campuses. In actuality, it works to spread anticommunism, antisemitism, racism and anti-gay bigotry, creating an atmosphere that encourages violence against the youth it targets.

Parents, grandparents, teachers and others addressed the November 13 board meeting to express their concerns. One speaker, Ann Abby, said, It is about documented patterns of behavior tied to TPUSA that raise legitimate safety concerns for protected student groups, including trans students, students of color, and LBGT youth.

Alicia Joy, parent of two Royal Oak students, said, So the board policy is that we cannot deny any club based on their stated purpose. And I understand that. And the stated purpose of the club is fiscal responsibility and limited government. And that sounds great.

A poster put up in October calling on Royal Oak High School students to walk out in protest of a Turning point USA club on the campus [Photo: @distillsocial]

The initial stated purpose of the Nazi party and Hitler was to rebuild roads and unify Germany. And that sounded great too. And by the time the darker purpose had come out, it was harder to stop it the way they could have earlier. So many people had died. So many were hurt.

Joy then quoted racist statements made by Kirk, demonstrating the real direction of Turning Point, as opposed to its claims to be fostering open discussion of controversial issues.

Jane Baker, a grandmother of three children at Royal Oak schools, expressed her agreement: The lady that just spoke, I agree with her 100 percent. My family came from Europe. The stones and the clubs that were used in Germany and spread across Europe remind me of Turning Point. What you see in his book looks like its a perfect little First Amendment group. But whats behind it is something else.

Jennifer Mark, who identified herself as the mother of a trans child, said: I actually cant believe that Royal Oak schools are considering allowing an organization like Turning Point that was begun by someone as hateful as Charlie Kirk. The kids there are apparently not feeling safe. You had a whole lot of kids walk out of school because they were offended and worried about having a club like that at our school.

Phyllis Steele, a retired public school teacher, spoke as a member of the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Committee, which is affiliated to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. She said, I would like to applaud those students who walked out of Royal Oak High School on October 22 to oppose the establishment of a Turning Point Club USA at their school. Their action expresses a growing determination of young people to stand against fascism, racism, war, and political intimidation.

Turning Point USA, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, is not a legitimate student organization promoting free speech, as has been eloquently explained, Its a billionaire funded operation. Its deeply tied to Trumps authoritarian movement. Its dedicated to spreading anti-communism, racism, and anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda among students. It has a professor watch list, a schoolboard watch list, which Im sure Im on, but so be it. These are political tools of political surveillance and intimidation against educators and youth who express progressive or socialist views.

Turning Point has not only been tapped by Trumps Department of Education to create a patriotic right-wing curriculum for K through 12 schools. It has also provided logistics and builds networks for the fascist right. They chartered buses to DC on January 6, 2021.

They promote the great replacement theory, the racist conspiracy that claims Jewish elites are replacing white people with immigrants, a doctrine which has inspired mass murderers and white supremacists.

The administrations justification for allowing the club under the Equal Access Act of 1984 ignores one essential issue. Fascist organizations are not vehicles for legitimate political discussion, but instruments historically of violence and reaction. Educators and students and families alike have every right to reject and oppose such forces in defense of democratic rights and human equality.

Im for the international working class, for young people to have a decent future free of war, free of fascism. I would urge students to establish an International Youth and Students for Social Equality club at their high school.

James Vega, a supporter of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality. commended the students who showed opposition to Turning Point founding a chapter in Royal Oak. Describing the right-wing group, he said, They are openly anti-Semitic, racist and homophobic. Many students are searching for answers, are asking how do we fight against fascism? How do we fight against war and social inequality?

Elizabeth Zupi said that she was in college when Turning Point was created in 2012. I remember it started as a space to give voice to conservative young people amid globalization, global communication like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. I know their stated mission is to recruit, educate and train young people to support limited government and the myth of the free market.

But we all know that thats not the whole story. They have said that black women dont have the brain processing power to be taken seriously. Tell that to my law degree. [They say] that black people prowled the street with criminal intention; that granting people of color the same rights as white people was a mistake; that Jewish people and immigration and the media and trans people are all part of a policy designed at deliberately decreasing the white population; that gay people want to corrupt your children; that Islamic people are a threat to America and probably more. I circulated a community letter opposing Turning Point and have 353 signatures and comments.

According to the school administration, if students follow administration guidelines and they do not violate school rules, they can form a club. The school board claims to have no decision-making power on club status, making the public hearing an exercise in allowing people to vent their opposition, while the activities of the fascists continue.

TPUSA is a multimillion-dollar business to promote American capitalism and the interests of the super-rich. Its web site explains that the high-school wing of the group employs 48 field representatives nationwide who exist to empower each high school chapter in becoming freedom-loving activists within their community. It sends activism kits to students with fliers, stickers, buttons, etc. to promote clubs and organize other activities. It offers financial incentives if students hold meetings at a school and achieve other goals.

The vast majority of voters in Royal Oak rejected Trump in 2024, and the effort to form a fascist pro-Trump club at the local high school is a political provocation. As the walkout at Royal Oak High School and the turnout of parents at the school board meeting showed, there is mass opposition to the fascist politics of Turning Point USA.
SM Energy Company (NYSE:SM) is one of the best falling stocks to buy, according to Wall Street analysts. SM Energy Company (NYSE:SM) holds a Moderate Buy consensus from 9 analysts, with 4 Buys and 5 Holds. The average price target is $32.11, ranging from $23 to $42, implying a 68.56% upside from the current $19.05.

Analysts See Nearly 70% Upside for SM Energy (SM) Amid $12.8 Billion Civitas Merger Plans

On November 20 at the Stephens Annual Investment Conference, the company reiterated that the anticipated merger with Civitas Resources will enhance its scale and capabilities. The two are poised to merge in a $12.8 billion deal, including debt.

The merger is to result in a combined company controlling about 823,000 net acres across the US shale basins. Once the deal closes, it should yield synergies of $200 to $300 million, translating into a net present value of $1 billion to $1.5 billion.

Additionally, the company expects to generate $1.5 billion in free cash flow and $1 billion from divestitures that should accelerate debt reduction. The bolstered balance sheet should support sustained capital returns and increased market capitalization for enhancing trading liquidity.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Camp Mystic, the Christian summer camp where 27 children died in the July 4 Guadalupe River flood in Kerr County, Texas, announced this week that it was planning to reopen this summer with new precautions against flooding. They include four flood warning monitors, two-way radios in cabins with national weather alerts and generators in some buildings.

A broken heart sign is displayed near Camp Mystic on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, after a flash flood swept through the area in Hunt, Texas. [AP Photo/Eli Hartman]

Camp management said the plans are aimed at exceeding recently passed state laws requiring camps along rivers to have warning systems and evacuation plans. The laws also prohibit building cabins within floodplains and establish a limited grant program for local governments and agencies to construct flood warning systems.

The camp will also only reopen the Cypress Lake camp south of the main Camp Mystic site where the deaths occurred. Cypress Lake is not along the Guadalupe River, where there was heavy flooding, but is along Cyprus Creek where substantial flooding also took place.

News of the camps new measures comes after FEMA chief David Richardson resigned in mid-November. Richardson was appointed purely as a Trump loyalist, with no experience in disaster response or management. He faced extensive criticism over how FEMA responded to the floods, with critical delays in response and inadequate resources allocated, costing lives.

Rather than a response to criticism, his resignation prefaces an extensive restructuring of the agency. The FEMA Review Council is set to release a report on recommended reforms to the agency. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noems office has reportedly heavily edited the report and is expected to utilize it to drastically reduce the agencys capacity. Noem and other Trump administration officials have backed proposals to gut the agency and even plan to dismantle it entirely.

Richardson will be replaced by senior adviser Karen Evans. Evans tenure at FEMA has consisted of ripping up grant programs and denying disaster relief funds to hard-hit communities. A report by CNN quoted FEMA employees calling her the terminator for terminating grants, terminating contracts, terminating people. As the head of FEMA she will be tasked with dismantling the agency as it exists today and turning it into an appendage of DHSs anti-immigrant campaign. Disaster response programs will be ripped apart while money is reallocated to building immigrant detention centers. FEMA has already allocated over $600 million to states for the construction of concentration camps to house people kidnapped by ICE and the Border Patrol.

Amidst this attack on emergency management, the families of the flood victims have criticized the plan to reopen the camp. Several have filed lawsuits against camp management for its role in their childrens deaths, alleging that the owners were aware of the flood risk, both during the flood and for years prior, but failed to take appropriate action to save lives.

According to the lawsuits, camp owner and director Dick Eastland, who died in the flood, and his family were aware of the impending flooding but decided to spend over an hour securing camp property instead of evacuating campers. According to the suits, camp management instructed campers and counselors to shelter in place even as water entered the cabins.

Many of the children who escaped to higher ground did so only because counselors decided to evacuate the children on their own initiative, breaking windows to escape rising water. According to one lawsuit, it was only after gatekeeper Francis Blackwell was washed away by the flood waters that the Eastlands decided to begin evacuating campers.

Only five of the cabins were evacuated to the two-story rec hall nearby: Bug House, Look Inn, Hang Out, Tumble Inn and Jumble House. Six were never evacuated by the camp managers: Nut Hut, Chatter Box, Wiggle Inn, Giggle Box, Twins and Bubble Inn. Twins and Bubble Inn were the cabins where the girls who died were sheltering.

The suits further allege that the camp did not have an appropriate plan to respond to a flood. A copy of the camps safety manual in the suit shows only a short paragraph instructing campers and staff to shelter in place during a flood, asserting that All cabins are constructed on high, safe locations.

Such a claim is challenged in the lawsuits with references to flood maps from FEMA which show nearly all of the camps buildings along the Upper Guadalupe within the 100-year flood zone. A 100-year flood is an event estimated to have a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year based on historic stream flow patterns.

The suits further reference the history of flooding in the Upper Guadalupe, which is considered one of the most dangerous regions in the United States for flash floods, earning the nickname flash flood alley. They cite several floods that damaged the camp in its 100-year history, including a major flood in 1987 that killed 10 children from a nearby camp.

Following that flood, Eastland, then a board member of the Upper Guadalupe River Management Authority, championed the construction of a modern flood warning system that was paid for by a modest increase in property taxes. However, by the late 90s, the warning system had fallen into disrepair. Instead of using the agencys millions of dollars in reserve funds to update the warning system, it decided to grant tax cuts to pay down its budget surplus. Eastland would again be appointed to the board by Governor Abbott in 2022 and 2025. The suits argue that since Eastland was both a former and sitting member on the board he was intimately aware of the flood risk at Camp Mystic and failed to take action to protect campers.

Additionally, the suits reference several documents filed by Camp Mystic to amend the FEMA flood maps to have more than 30 structures removed from the flood zone. This is an arduous and often expensive process in which the camp hired an engineering firm to survey the camp and conduct its own hydraulic modeling.

These appeals were granted by FEMA and the suits argue that the Eastlands filed them to avoid having to pay for flood insurance, which is required for properties within a 100-year flood zone. Despite approval from FEMA in 2013, the flood maps have yet to be redrawn to remove the buildings.

Summarizing the actions of the Eastlands, one suit argues that the Eastland familys actions constituted a decision to prioritize profits over the safety of campers. It argues that the Eastlands separated ownership of the camp and the land into two companies so that they could profit from the camp while protecting themselves from liability.

From these claims the plaintiffs argue that Camp Mystic acted with gross negligence that resulted in the wrongful deaths of their children.

The lawsuits paint a picture of the increasingly deadly character of life under American capitalism, where human life is subordinate to the interests of profit.

However, regardless of any personal responsibility of the Eastlands, blame ultimately lies with the capitalist system and its state officials who refused to implement an adequate flood warning system and properly respond with rescue operations.

The Upper Guadalupe River Authority not only refused to update the decaying warning system but decided to return money to property owners. When Kerr County attempted to acquire funds for one, through a federal program, it was denied twice by Republican state officials in charge of administering FEMA funds and a state run program will now only provide $50,000 in grants and a $1 million interest-free loan.

This is a common issue across the state. Texas has $54 billion in flood management projects waiting for funding but the state has only allocated funds for only a small fraction of that.

Additionally, both FEMA and state and local officials failed to respond quickly and with adequate resources to save lives despite the clear and present danger.

Texas new flood laws also only implement minor reformsmany of which should have already been in place. They are designed to cover for the states decades of inaction while shifting responsibility away from the state government.

Further seeking to shirk responsibility, the Texas state government has launched an investigation into the flood, where it will seek every culprit but itself. Every effort will be made to shift blame onto the Eastlands, improbable weather and even the will of God.

In the aftermath of the flood, the bourgeois press attempted to shift attention to FEMA, using unverified models from financial analysis company First Street, which claimed FEMA had underestimated the flood risk at Camp Mystic, implying that FEMA had failed to inform local officials of the true dangers. This was despite FEMA showing nearly all affected buildings in its flood map, the flood extending well past the 500-year (0.2 percent chance) boundary and the nearest federal stream gauge recording maximum flows 10 times higher on July 4 than the previous record ever documented (295,000 cubic feet per second). Regardless of the limitations of FEMAs flood maps, even if the agency had updated them prior to the flood, it would not have changed the fact that the area was denied a proper warning system and evacuation plan.

Efforts have been made, and will continue to be made, to present the Camp Mystic disaster as the result of something unforeseen, even unavoidable. In reality, the risks were well known by both camp management and government officials. Had proper measures been taken, the disaster was completely avoidable.

It is these servants of big businessrepresentatives of an economic and political system seeking to gut federal social services and establish a presidential dictatorshipthat bear ultimate responsibility for the deaths of the people who died at Camp Mystic and the thousands more who die in preventable tragedies every year.
At the request of the interviewee, identifying details have been removed and a pseudonym used due to concerns about professional and personal repercussions in the current political climate. Dr. Michael Reid is a fictitious name for a retired CDC physician with decades of experience in immunization policy and vaccine safety.

On November 19, the longstanding statement on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that vaccines do not cause autism, was abruptly rewritten to claim this conclusion is not evidence-based. The changeordered directly by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.bypassed the CDCs scientific clearance process and appeared without the knowledge or involvement of the agencys autism researchers, vaccine-safety experts, or senior scientific leadership. What occurred was not a routine update but a political intervention inserting Kennedys personal views into what has long been one of the nations most authoritative public-health resources.

The manipulation of CDC communications coincided with the quiet installation of Dr. Ralph Abraham, an outspoken critic of established vaccine science, as principal deputy director of the agency. Abraham, who lacks training in epidemiology, infectious disease, or scientific-agency management, now occupies the position that will soon wield de facto control of CDC once the acting directors temporary authority expires.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump at an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein]

Scientists outside the administration have warned that the implications are profound. Dr. Alycia Halladay, chief science officer of the Autism Science Foundation, described the website change as a hijack of the CDC platforman insertion of politically motivated language that reopens long-settled scientific questions and risks fueling misinformation. She cautioned that this kind of interference will shape upcoming deliberations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on vaccine ingredients and could introduce selectively interpreted or flawed analyses into the policymaking process. People are going to die because they will look at that website and think vaccines can cause autism, she warned.

Against this backdrop, the World Socialist Web Site reached out to a retired CDC physician with decades of experience in immunization policy and vaccine safety. Speaking under conditions of anonymity, the expertidentified here by the pseudonym Dr. Michael Reid (MR)offers an unfiltered perspective on how the guardrails that once protected scientific integrity at the CDC have been dismantled and what the consequences may be for the national immunization program.

Benjamin Mateus: Dr. Reid, you spent many years helping shape the CDCs vaccine safety work and communicating that science to ACIP and the public. When you look at the November 19 change to the CDCs autism-and-vaccines webpage, what stands out to you as someone who understands how these decisions are normally made?

Michael Reid: The way that change occurred was completely opposite to the usual procedures at CDC for updating a scientific webpageespecially one dealing with vaccines and autism. Normally, several groups would be involved. The center that houses autism expertise would review the content, as would staff in the Immunization Safety Office. Both groups would need to sign off.

After that, the draft would be reviewed by the Office of the Director and the Office of Science because of its importance. Only then would it be cleared and posted on the website. My understanding is that none of those clearances happened. This change was initiated by HHS, not CDC. Its the exact opposite of how scientific information is normally vetted and communicated by the agency.

BM: You have long worked on vaccine-preventable diseases. Could you take a moment to introduce yourself more fully and briefly describe the type of work you led on vaccines during your time at CDC?

MR: Sure. Im a physician trained in the United States and board-certified in pediatrics, but Ive spent the bulk of my career in public health. Early on, when my children were young, I did research and part-time contract work at CDC. My wife also worked in public health, and because of our careers we spent several years in overseas postings, where I worked with international partners on immunization and infectious disease programs.

When we returned to the United States, I joined the national immunization program at CDC and worked there for many years. That was the domestic vaccine program. I had extensive experience working with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), participating in and helping lead work groups, and helping guide policy changes across multiple childhood and adolescent vaccines. I was involved in responding to major outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease and in the evaluation of new and existing vaccine recommendations.

By the time I started at CDC, most of the core childhood vaccine policies had already been finalized, but I contributed to the work of documenting disease trends and maintaining the high coverage needed to sustain elimination goals and prevent resurgence.

Toward the end of my career, I took part in more senior-level ACIP activities, including work related to identifying and supporting committee candidates, and I worked closely with professional societies on ACIP issues. So I have had a great deal of experience in how vaccine policy is supposed to be developed and maintained.

BM: The CDC has always operated at the intersection of science and politics, but historically there were guardrails that protected scientific communications from political interference. When you see changes like this, what does it suggest about how those guardrails are functioning now at the agency?

MR: Theyre not functioningat least not in the area of vaccine policy decision-making. That has been obvious essentially from the moment RFK Jr. took over as HHS Secretary. Its well illustrated by the firing of [CDC Director] Dr. Monarez and the subsequent resignations of three very senior CDC leaders. All of them stepped down because a line was crossed: policy was being made by ignoring scientific evidence rather than using it.

Susan Monarez arrives to testify before the Senate HELP Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. [AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite]

They described the shift as turning evidence-based policymaking on its headmaking the decision first and then finding the science to justify it. I cant recall the exact wording they used, but that was the essence.

BM: Somewhat putting the horse before the cart.

MR: Yesthings have changed very dramatically.

The procedures laid out in the ACIP charterwhich is still posted on the websitemake it difficult to read now, knowing how far weve strayed from them. The committee used to follow a systematic approach to evaluating evidence: the quality of the evidence, the strength of the evidence, vaccine benefits, potential harms, societal values, programmatic considerations, costbenefit issues. All of those elements were reviewed in depth.

Drs. Daniel Jernigan, Debra Houry, and Demetre Daskalakis, greeted by hundreds of supporters outside the CDC headquarters, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in Atlanta. [AP Photo/Ben Gray]

These topics were handled in work groups made up of ACIP members; CDC subject-matter leads, because you need that expertise; and liaison representatives from groups such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the obstetrics societies, depending on the issue. State public health program staff also participated to provide on-the-ground perspectives.

The work groups would review evidence over many monthssometimes a year or twobefore bringing material to the full ACIP for discussion and a vote.

When urgent issues arose, such as large outbreaks among adolescents and young adults, we still operated within that framework. On an expedited basis, data were presented to ACIP, and the committee voted on targeted recommendations for outbreak controlnot for routine use. Even urgent decisions unfolded over weeks or months, not days.

Whats happening now is extremely different. If you watch the ACIP meetings this year, they are not reviewing the full body of evidence. The work groups do not function the way they did before. My understanding is that for the upcoming meeting, there is just one work groupfocused on hepatitis B vaccine ingredients and the routine childhood schedule from birth through age 18. Previously, you would have had several interacting work groups handling different parts of that discussion.

CDC experts are no longer systematically involved in the work groups. Increasingly, they are not being listened to at all. And my understandingthough this wont be confirmed until the meetingis that CDC staff are not even being invited to present at the December session.

BM: Thats catastrophic.

MR: Yes, it is. And my understandingthough well know more soonis that CDC staff were not asked to provide written briefing documents either. At the June meeting, they prepared briefing materials; one document was posted on the website but then taken down during the meeting. Still, staff presented and were asked questions. At the second meeting, no documents were prepared, but staff still presented. For this upcoming meeting, the understanding is: no documents and no presentations. Nothing.

BM: It sounds like a spectacle rather than a scientific forum.

MR: Thats exactly what it has become. And the media have actually done an excellent job covering that shift. Ahead of the meeting, some state health departments are already issuing preemptive health alerts. New York State and the Northeast Health Coalition have both released statements emphasizing how critical the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine is, and that it should always be given within twelve hours of birth.

This kind of preemptive messaging before an ACIP meeting is unprecedented.

BM: Youre still in touch with colleagues through the CDC Alumni Network. What are you hearing about morale inside the agency and how scientists are coping with the pressures on vaccine programs and on CDCs overall functioning?

MR: The Alumni and Friends group is made up of hundreds of former staff who care deeply about CDC. Many of us remain connected to people who still work there. Morale is unbelievably low. Its absolutely appalling. Many people who could afford to retire, or who were within ten years of retirement, have already stepped down. Othersmuch youngerhave left because they could not cross certain ethical lines.

One of the early resignations over ACIP issues came from Dr. Fiona Havers, a senior CDC physician who led COVID-related surveillance work. She saw firsthand that she could not align with the new directives being pushed and stepped down.

[Dr. Fiona Havers is an infectious-disease physician and long-time CDC medical epidemiologist who led the agencys RESP-NET hospitalization surveillance team, which tracks hospitalizations for major respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. With more than a decade at CDC, the data gathered by here surveillance team informed vaccine policy across multiple ACIP meetings and contributed to numerous peer-reviewed studies and MMWR reports. Havers resigned from CDC in June 2025, shortly after all 17 members of ACIP were dismissed by Kennedy. On her resignation, she explained that she no longer had confidence that the surveillance data her team produced would be used objectively or evaluated with scientific rigor to guide vaccine policy. Her departure, widely regarded as a major loss of institutional expertise, underscored growing concern that U.S. vaccine recommendations were being shaped by political directives rather than evidence-based review.]

People dont want to go to work. They feel unsupported. And the shooting outside the agency earlier this year made things far worse. There was no acknowledgment from Kennedy at HHS, or the White House, even though a police officer died protecting the agency. It was devastating.

BM: He (Kennedy) had gone fishing, right? Literallyhe went on a fishing trip during the crisis.

MR: Yes, he had gone fishing, and it took him more than a day to say anything. It was appalling. A police officer died protecting the agency. It was shocking.

Multiple bullet holes are visible on the windows a CDC building in Atlanta, Georgia, August 8, 2025.

BM: Returning to the wording on the webpagethe new CDC language suggests that the evidence cannot rule out a link between vaccines and autism. From an epidemiological standpoint, what does that framing get wrong?

MR: You can never prove a negative in science. You couldnt prove that drinking milk doesnt cause autism. Thats not how scientific reasoning works. You set up a null hypothesisin this case, vaccines do not cause autismand you design studies to try to reject that hypothesis.

What Secretary Kennedy and others often do is cherry-pick low-quality studies and claim those suggest a link. Meanwhile, twenty to thirty high-quality studies across multiple countries show no evidence of an association.

At some point, continuing to imply uncertainty becomes misleading and wastes time and resources that should go toward researching real, potentially preventable causes of autism.

BM: Let me build on that. If routine childhood vaccination were to decline even twenty to thirty percent, what would the United States face in terms of outbreaks?

MR: We would see the return of diseases that have been kept at bay for decades: measles, pertussis, Hib, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal infections, varicella. During my pediatric training, I cared for children with Hib sepsisepiglottitis, meningitisas well as pneumococcal and meningococcal sepsis. These are devastating diseases.

Pediatricians today, including my son who practices in the United States, have never seen Hib illness or meningococcal sepsis. But he does see whooping cough, and he has evaluated suspected measles cases this year. He has called me saying, This child really looks like measles. It is tragic to see these diseases return.

Right now, there have been about 1,750 measles cases this yearthe highest number in 30 years. That is due to declining trust in vaccination and importations of measles from overseas. Once endemic transmission was eliminated in the United States, importation became the only way for measles to occur. If those importations land in communities where vaccination coverage is droppingas happened this year in Texas, South Carolina, Utah, and in Arizona, where an outbreak of more than two hundred cases is ongoingyou get outbreaks, hospitalizations, and deaths. Very high coverage of MMR vaccine, about 95 percent, is needed to stop measles cases from spreading because it is so incredibly contagious.

There have already been four measles deaths this year: three from current outbreaks, and one from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in a child who contracted measles during infancy and died ten years later. Very little attention has been paid to that case, but it is important. That child was too young to be vaccinated. As a society, we protect babies under one year of age by maintaining very high vaccination coverage in the surrounding community.

We are also seeing a lot of whooping cough. There was a third infant death last weekKentucky, I believe. If vaccination declines, we will see more measles, more pertussis, andtragicallywe may again see Hib and other terrible diseases return.

Child suffering from measles, pre-1963. [Photo: US Government]

[Routine childhood vaccination in the United States includes a series of scheduled doses from birth through adolescence to protect against 14 diseasesbeginning with the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, followed by multiple-dose series for diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, pneumococcal disease, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. High coverage is essential to prevent outbreaks, because these pathogens spread quickly in under-immunized communities.]

Weve already seen a vaccine policy shift with the MMRV vaccine. Its not catastrophic because other options exist, but it sends a confusing messageimplying that we had not been clear in its previous guidance when, in fact, it was clear. With MMRV, we recommended that parents use MMR and varicella separately for the first dose, but allowed families to choose the combination vaccine if they preferred one shot. About fifteen percent of parents made that choice.

Now, that choice is gone. Parents who preferred the combination vaccine cannot get it for a three-year-old even though the risk of febrile seizure is not elevated at that age. The vaccine is not available or not recommended for children under four, even for a second dose in an outbreak.

All of this contributes to confusion and declining trust. One of the most demoralizing things for CDC staff is that the secretary is using CDCs name to make these changesaltering the website, changing recommendationsand the public believes CDC scientists are doing this. They are not. The scientific staff would not have made these changes. The work they used to do is not being presented accurately to the public anymore, and the consequences are going to be real: more illness, more hospitalization, and deaths from diseases we know how to prevent.

BM: The attack that HHS is carrying out on vaccines seems multi-pronged. Vaccine hesitancy is only one piece of it. The revised webpage also raises questions about adjuvants and contaminants, and ACIP appears poised to take up those issues as well. That raises two major concerns: first, the impact on vaccine productionwhat will be allowed going forwardand second, attempts to reopen legal liability pathways that had previously been closed to protect vaccine supply. Could you speak about these issues?

MR: The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program was created because, in the early 1980s, manufacturers were considering leaving the market altogether. There were lawsuits over the DTP vaccine, some involving adverse events that were perceivedsometimes incorrectlyas being caused by the vaccine. Manufacturers were already working on safer formulations, but the legal climate made it too risky to stay in the market. The Compensation Program stabilized the situation by balancing risks and benefits and ensuring a fair process for families while keeping manufacturers engaged.

Secretary Kennedy and those advising him seem to focus exclusively on riskrisk of the vaccinewithout acknowledging benefits or weighing the two together. That is a fundamental distortion of how vaccine policy is evaluated.

Now, with threats to break up the MMR vaccine and renewed attacks on ingredients such as aluminumwhich is an essential adjuvant that strengthens the immune response and allows vaccines to use smaller amounts of antigenthey are raising expectations that cannot be met. You cannot simply remove adjuvants or dismantle combination vaccines. Changes like that would require many years of research and clinical trials.

A vial of a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. [AP Photo/Paul Vernon]

Take MMR as an example. There are no single-antigen measles, mumps, or rubella vaccines licensed or manufactured in the United States today. There is no alternative. If people lose trust in the combination vaccine, they simply wont be vaccinated against measles, mumps, or rubella at all.

Manufacturers dont need to continue making MMR to stay in business. If the political environment becomes hostile enough, they may decide to withdraw the product rather than undertake the enormous cost and complexity of developing new single-antigen vaccines. And even if they attempted to do so, the clinical trials could not easily be conducted in the U.S., because these diseases no longer circulate widely. Trials would have to be done overseasand even that would be challenging.

For combination vaccines more broadly, the implications are staggering. Dismantling them would fundamentally destabilize the entire childhood vaccine platform.

And if autism were added to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Programwhich is what some in the administration are hinting atthe program would essentially be bankrupted. You would see the same dynamic we saw in the 1980s: manufacturers withdrawing, vaccine supply collapsing and families left unprotected. The Compensation Program was built precisely to prevent that scenario. Undermining it now would bring us right back to the brink.

BM: We can be blunt. Even though Kennedy keeps saying, Im not taking your vaccines away, hes using every tool available to make sure these vaccines either cannot be produced or that the systems needed to deliver them become impossible to operate. Legally, logistically, and scientifically, hes creating conditions where vaccines may nominally exist, but in practice, there would be none left to give. Is that essentially what youre saying?

MR: Yes. I still find it hard to imagine that scenario materializing, but it is a serious concern. And in a more subtle way, I think he is trying to move all vaccines from clear recommendations to so-called individual decision-making. Under the traditional ACIP process, if the benefits clearly outweighed the risks, then a recommendation was made. That meant everyone in that age group or risk group should receive the vaccine. It was a strong, evidence-based signal to physicians and the public that experts had thoroughly reviewed the data.

If the risks outweighed the benefits, the vaccine was not recommended or was removed from the market. That happened with the first rotavirus vaccine, which was withdrawn after a serious adverse event was detected by the Vaccine Safety Datalink. CDC mobilized extremely quickly to conduct a large case-control study of a rare event, and the vaccine was removed.

When the balance of risks and benefits is less clearlike HPV vaccination for adults 30 to 45 years oldthe recommendation becomes individual decision-making. Thats appropriate in those limited circumstances.

BM: Dr. Reid, regarding David Geiercould you speak about his role and what concerns you see in his involvement?

[David Geier and his father, Dr. Mark Geier, became prominent in the early 2000s for promoting discredited theories linking vaccinesespecially thimerosal-containing vaccinesto autism. Multiple courts, medical boards, and scientific reviews found that they manipulated data, used flawed statistical methods, and misrepresented their findings. Mark Geiers medical license was suspended or revoked in several states for unethical practices, including administering unproven and dangerous treatments to autistic children; David Geier, who is not a physician, often presented himself in ways that implied scientific or medical authority he did not possess. Their analyses were repeatedly rejected by federal courts (including the vaccine court), public-health agencies, and independent experts. Under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., David Geier has now been brought into the federal system as a contractor working within HHSs immunization safety apparatusreportedly alongside other Kennedy-aligned staff in the Immunization Safety Office. In this role, he has been granted access to the CDCs Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a sophisticated and highly sensitive database that requires deep epidemiologic expertise to analyze correctly. Given the Geiers long track record of data manipulation and predetermined conclusions, granting him VSD access raises profound concerns about the misuse of federal vaccine safety data for political ends.]

MR: David Geier has been working in the vaccine safety arena for decades now. We were very aware of his work. Many at the Vaccine Safety Office had dealt with it directly. His work has been completely discredited. He is not licensed as a physician, and frankly, the medical and scientific communities have moved on because his claims never held up.

Under Secretary Kennedy, he has been revived and brought back as a contractoreither within CDCs Office of Vaccine Safety or more accurately within HHS. And yes, he is now re-analyzing data from the Vaccine Safety Datalink.

The VSD is an extremely complex dataset. CDC was initially cautious about broad outside access because they knew that unless someone truly understood the structure, variables, and surveillance methods, they would almost certainly misinterpret the data. CDC was always willing to teach researchers how to use it properly. The concern was, and is, exactly this: individuals like Geier, who have a well-documented history of manipulating data to fit preconceived narratives, will use the VSD to find whatever they want to find. And that is almost certainly what he is going to do.

BM: Any final thoughts for the public, given your vantage point and expertise?

MR: Trust in vaccines has already declined since the COVID pandemic, and its falling further because of the confused and misleading messaging coming from the secretary of Health and Human Services. With this latest change to the CDC website, information about vaccines that appears to come from CDC can no longer be trustednot because of the scientists, but because their work is being overridden.

I strongly encourage people to consult their healthcare providers or their state health departments for reliable guidance. Providers remain the best source of accurate, science-based information. And I have the utmost confidence in organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and others to continue offering sound scientific recommendations.

BM: Thats very sobering guidance.

MR: I think other areas of CDC have not been affected to the same degree. But with the changes to the website, it is now very difficult to say that CDC guidance on vaccine policy can be trusted.

BM: With respect to the CDC as a whole, I understand that Dr. Ralph Abraham has been appointed by HHS as deputy director of CDC. He is an extremely controversial figurea medical doctor, not board certifiedwho has aligned himself closely with Kennedys MAHA agenda. His record as Louisianas surgeon general and as the owner of pharmacies that dispensed unusually high volumes of opioids in an impoverished district raise serious concerns. What are your thoughts on his becoming the senior figure at CDC at a time when the Directors position is effectively being held by proxy?

MR: Although he does have some public health background and experience running a public health agency, many of his prior actions are very concerning, as you noted. He does not appear to be supportive of vaccines. In Louisiana, he halted state mass vaccination campaigns for seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses. He reportedly said he did not recommend COVID-19 vaccines because he preferred natural immunity. Consistent with that statement, he prescribed ivermectin for COVID treatment, even though studies have confirmed that ivermectin is not an effective treatment for COVID.

I have serious concerns that he will align with RFK Jr. on vaccine policy and support weakening the U.S. vaccination program, particularly through an ACIP that is now aligned with the secretary. This shift replaces scientific evidence in determining policy with allowing politics to dictate the policy and shaping the science around it.

I dont know all the ramifications of appointments like this. Im not familiar with every hiring mechanism. Some positions are less secure than the GS-series civil service roles, meaning they can be more easily terminated or not renewed. And this appointment was made by an acting director, which adds another layer of complexity. But the implications for CDCs scientific integrity are deeply worrying.

BM: Dr. Reid, thank you so much for your candid replies. I hope we can speak again very soon.
Sixteen students who are members of the Workers Party of Turkey (TIP) were arrested on Wednesday for staging a protest against the deaths of high school students working at Vocational Training Centers (MESEM) under the Ministry of National Education. Four teachers who are members of the Private Sector Teachers Union were detained.

On Tuesday, students gathered in front of the conference hall of the Vocational and Technical Education Summit organized by the Ministry of National Education. Students carrying a banner reading Childrens blood is on your hands and photos of child workers who died while working in MESEMs, were detained by the police.

Students arrested on December 2 for protesting workplace homicides involving child labor. The banner reads, The blood of children is on your hands. [Photo: X / @tipliogrenci)]

Video footage demonstrates that these were arbitrary arrests provoked by an attack by private security forces and police on young people during a peaceful protest in exercise of their constitutional rights.

On Wednesday, teachers staged a protest at the same location, declaring, We are teachers; we will not allow our children to be killed, and demanding the closure of MESEMs. Subsequently, four teachers, including the general president of the grassroots union, were detained. While the prosecutor requested judicial control and a ban on leaving the country for the detained teachers, the court rejected this request and the teachers were released.

In a statement posted on X opposing detentions and arrests, the Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi  Dorduncu Enternasyonal (Socialist Equality Party  Fourth International) pointed out the falsity of the claim of democratization advanced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government through negotiations with Abdullah Ocalan, jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Calling for an independent mass movement of the working class, it declared:

Yesterday, four teachers who are members of the Private Sector Teachers Union were detained for saying students should not be killed by MESEM, and 16 students who are members of the Workers Party of Turkey were arrested for the same reason. This clearly exposes both the falseness of the claims of democratization and the dominance of the capitalist oligarchy, which does not recognize constitutional and legal rights.

Protesting the detention and arrest of teachers and students is not enough. Education workers unions should go on strike demanding the immediate release of teachers and students; students should support this with boycotts.

To wage a genuine mass struggle against both political pressure and the deaths and child labor exploitation in MESEMs, independent rank-and-file committees must be built in schools, and workers must take the reins of the struggle into their own hands.

Since MESEMs were introduced in 2016, at least 16 children have been victims of workplace homicides in these centers. Through MESEM, high school-aged students between 14 and 18 are made to work four days a week in a workplace for four years and receive theoretical training at school for only one day. Children officially receive a salary equal to just 30 percent of the minimum wage (6,631 TL/$160 USD) for the first three years and 50 percent of the minimum wage (11,052 TL/$260 USD) as a foreman in the fourth year. In its current form, MESEM provides cheap labor to capital rather than serving as an educational model.

According to the report by the Worker Health and Work Safety Council (ISIG), 13 children were victims of workplace homicides in November alone, four of whom were under the age of 14. This brings the total number of child workers who died in the first 11 months of 2025 to 85. This figure was 71 for the whole of 2024. In November, the total number of workers who died in workplace accidents was 216. Every year in Turkey, approximately 2,000 workers fall victim to workplace homicides caused by intensive exploitation in hazardous conditions and a lack of preventive measures.

Built in the interests of the ruling class, which is facing a deep political and economic crisis, this authoritarian regime targets the working class above all else amid growing class tensions and social inequality. This is an integral part of the process of authoritarian and far-right tendencies gaining strength worldwide, particularly under the Trump administration in the US.

On Wednesday, police in Izmir detained five members of the Social Freedom Party (TOP) in a raid. In a statement, TOP said, Police reports prepared with fabricated reasons are being used to question our party activities and fabricate crimes. Those detained were released on Thursday. The Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi opposed the police state crackdown on TOP members and demanded the release of those detained.

These operations expose the falseness of the claims that negotiations led by Erdogan and his fascist ally Devlet Bahceli, with the participation of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) under government pressure, will bring democracy and peace on the Kurdish issue. The Ankara-PKK agreement is part of the USs efforts to reshape the Middle East under its domination. This agreement, the product of the Turkish and Kurdish bourgeoisies search for a reactionary alliance with imperialism over new wars, has no progressive aspect whatsoever.

The fundamental democratic rights of the Kurdish people continue to be disregarded, and those who defend these rights face state pressure. One of the most striking examples of this is the Supreme Court of Appeals Prosecutors Offices attempt in September to intervene in the Sosyalist Esitlik Partisis program, which included demands defending the rights of the Kurdish people. The Prosecutors Office demanded that legitimate democratic demands such as education in ones mother tongue and Kurdish becoming an official language with constitutional guarantees, be changed or removed, but the party categorically rejected this.

Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi Chairman Ulas Sevinc sent its response along with a letter to the headquarters, parliamentary groups, and deputies of parties that describe themselves as left or democrat, including the CHP and Kurdish political tendencies. Only the Socialist Laborers Party has responded to this call so far.
The development of the 8.6-million-acre Vaca Muerta shale is a game changer for Argentina . Waning conventional oil and gas production from aging fields well past their prime was sharply impacting Argentinas economy, the second largest in South America. Falling hydrocarbon production, especially for natural gas, which is an essential fuel in Argentina, forced Buenos Aires to substantially step up energy imports. This had an outsized impact on a fragile economy prone to calamitous financial collapses. Rising oil and natural gas imports were responsible for Argentinas trade deficit ballooning out to dangerous levels, forcing Buenos Aires to implement fiscally costly energy price caps which can disincentivize investment.

Despite record oil production, Argentinas natural gas output fell for the third straight month. Production of the essential fossil fuel plummeted nearly 11% compared to a month prior and by almost 7% year on year to just under 4.4 billion cubic feet per day. A marked drop in shale gas production was responsible for this, with output plunging by a whopping 14% month on month and 5.8% year on year to 2.7 billion cubic feet for October 2025. As a result, shale gas comprised 61.6% of Argentinas total natural gas production, the lowest ratio in months. This can be blamed on wells being shuttered for planned maintenance and a reduction in drilling activity .

Ministry of Economy data shows Argentina pumped yet another record of 849,646 barrels of crude oil per day for October 2025. This represents not only another all-time high but is nearly 2% higher month on month and 15.5% greater than the same period a year earlier. Shale oil surged by 1.8% month on month and a whopping 34% year on year to a new record of 571,478 barrels per day, which sees unconventional oil production now comprising 67.26% of all petroleum produced by Argentina. A notable expansion in drilling activity in the Vaca Muerta is responsible for such an impressive leap in production.

The Vaca Muerta shale play in southern Argentina continues delivering strong production growth . In a mere decade, shale oil and gas production have regularly soared to all-time highs, boosting Argentinas hydrocarbon output to new records. Even waning output from the Latin American countrys aging conventional oil fields has had little impact on overall production volumes, with growing unconventional hydrocarbon output filling the gap. October 2025s numbers, like the month prior, reflect those trends and the rising outsized contribution the Vaca Muerta is making to Argentinas hydrocarbon output.

Story Continues

The ongoing development of the Vaca Muerta, which began in 2012 with President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner seizing 51% of YPF, is driving an energy renaissance for Argentina. In just over a decade, the geological formation has become an energy powerhouse and the largest, most profitable shale play in Latin America. During 2014, a mere 5 horizontal wells entered production, but that number grew exponentially as drilling ratcheted up at a frantic pace, with 403 production wells operational by 2020, with 111 alone added during 2019. Over that period, the Vaca Muerta went from producing negligible volumes of hydrocarbons to pumping 27% and 59% respectively of Argentinas oil and gas by 2020.

Indeed, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated the Vaca Muerta contains 16 billion barrels of shale oil and 308 trillion cubic feet of shale gas. This makes the unconventional hydrocarbon formation one of the largest shale plays in the world, ranked fourth for oil and second for natural gas. With only around 10% of the Vaca Muerta currently under development, there is considerable scope for shale oil and gas producing operations to expand. Indeed, analysts predict the shale play will be pumping at least 1 million barrels of oil and 5.7 billion cubic feet of shale gas per day.

The Vaca Muerta is a key growth engine for Argentinas oil patch because the countrys conventional oil and natural gas fields are caught in an inexorable decline. Leading industry body the Chamber of Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons (CEPH) warned that conventional oil production is in a phase of "high operational fragility and accentuated decline. This the industry body believes will lead to mature oilfields being shuttered in the near term with insufficient capital invested in maintaining operations. The CEPH, along with the provincial government of Chubut, blamed this on an 8% export levy applied to conventional oil exports.

Chubut has long been at the heart of Argentinas conventional oil industry and, prior to the development of the Vaca Muerta, pumped most of the country's crude oil and is the source for Escalante grade heavy oil. The province was recently exempted from the export tax and had its royalties lowered by President Javier Mileis government. Eventually, the elimination of the levy will be extended to all 23 provinces. This forms part of the process of rationalizing export, capital, and price controls as the Milei administration implements a market-friendly regulatory environment, which will attract greater foreign energy investment.

The removal of that export levy will spur investment in Argentinas conventional oil assets, ultimately boosting production from mature oilfields facing a series of headwinds. Among the most significant of these are high lifting and breakeven costs. According to the CEPH, Argentinas conventional oilfields have high lifting costs of $35 to $45 per barrel, which is roughly double the $15 to $18 per barrel in the Vaca Muerta. This in turn leads to high breakeven costs of up to $75 per barrel lifted from Chubuts conventional oilfields compared to $36 to $45 per barrel for the Vaca Muerta.

Those high costs arise because Argentinas conventional oilfields are mature assets where production has peaked and is now in decline. As a result, costly secondary and tertiary recovery methods like water, gas of chemical injection are required to boost reservoir pressures and oil mobility so it can be lifted. Consequently, operations at conventional oilfields in Chubut have gone into a deep decline, with energy investment redirected to lower-cost and more profitable energy assets in the Vaca Muerta. This is particularly important in an operating environment impacted by the poor outlook for crude and softer prices with the international Brent benchmark trading at around $62 per barrel.

The parlous state of Argentinas high-cost conventional oil industry underscores the importance of developing the Vaca Muerta for the countrys oil potential to be unlocked to boost economically viable hydrocarbon production. There are signs that the Vaca Muerta is Buenos Aires long-awaited economic silver bullet. The formation has the potential to change the energy landscape in Argentina and has already made the country a net oil exporter. Growing hydrocarbon production in the Vaca Muerta is not only reducing the volumes of imported natural gas, but it has now led to Argentina exporting the fossil fuel. This is improving the country's balance of trade while substantially boosting fiscal revenues for a cash-trapped government.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

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ASG Eye Hospital has announced plans to invest Rs15bn to Rs20bn ($166m to $222m) by 2030 to expand its network in India.

The latest announcement is part of the companys long-term expansion plan, Vision 2030, aimed at increasing access to ophthalmic care in the country.

ASGs expansion plan is supported by General Atlantic and Kedaara Capital.

The planned investment is expected to expand ASGs network from its current base of more than 175 centres in over 95 cities to a total of 600 to 700 centres throughout India.

This expansion will strengthen its position in the nations eye care sector, valued at approximately $5.5bn, with a particular emphasis on extending services to underserved regions.

ASG plans to add eight to ten specialised practices each year, integrating local clinical expertise into its network, following its acquisition of Vasan Eye Care.

At the same time, it plans to open five to seven additional centres every year, with a focus on reaching 100 districts annually where access to specialists remains constrained and the need for quality eye care is growing.

By 2026, ASG aims to prioritise research and development in advanced surgical techniques, clinician training and diagnostics to ensure consistent quality of care throughout its expanding network.

ASG further intends to use economies of scale and centralised procurement to reduce the expenses associated with advanced procedures, including retina surgeries, Lasik, and cataract operations, with the goal of enhancing affordability without compromising clinical standards.

ASG Eye Hospital managing director and CEO Dr Arun Singhvi said: With over 80% of vision loss in India being preventable, our expansion is a mission to end unnecessary blindness. We are taking world class eye care out of the metropolitan hubs and into the heartland, where the need is more acute.

Our significant investment is a declaration that no Indian should lose their sight due to lack of access or financial barriers. Through public-private partnerships and pioneering tele-ophthalmology, we are building the infrastructure necessary to make quality eye care a right, not a privilege, for every citizen.

"ASG Eye Hospital announces investment plan to expand network in India" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




After decamping to Madrid as a guest at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Silvia Tcherassi was back home in New York at the Nino Mier gallery with her pre-fall collection.

The Tcherassi woman is a perpetual globe-trotter and this season, she grabbed her passport and headed into the desert. Asked if there was any one in particular, Tcherassis daughter and design director Sofia said whether its the Sahara or the Gobi, it doesnt matter. We were more inspired by the contrast of the desert. It has this softness, but also this harshness. Its super hot, but it can get super cold, too, she added.

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In this age of climate crisis, dressing for extreme weather is something designers are paying more attention to, and its a fitting exercise for pre-fall, given this seasons early summer delivery has to see customers through to winter. That said, Tcherassis Colombian blood runs hot and the closest thing to cold-weather dressing she offered in this look book is a cold-shoulder. It was the fil rouge for just about every gown  some with halter necklines or batwing sleeves, retro foulard prints or draping that crossed over models like mummies.

Ah, a clue to the desert in question. Sofia later revealed she had just returned from Egypt, where she wore look 18, a bias knit maxi in radiant sunset-colored stripes while exploring the Giza pyramids. It had an acrylic bead wrapped in braided leather at the collar, a technique borrowed from African drums that was used as embellishment throughout.

Looking back with Egypt now in the minds eye, one could easily imagine Sofia riding camelback through dunes in the sand-washed silk utility set or floating down the Nile like Cleopatra in a plunging royal blue caftan knotted at the waist.

This collection was already in its final stages when Sofia packed her bags, but upon her return everything tied together, she said. I was like Oh, OK. It was validation that the research we did was correct.

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Launch Gallery: Silvia Tcherassi Pre-Fall 2026 Collection

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Jeremy O. Harris, the Tony-nominated playwright and tastemaker best known for Slave Play and co-writer of A24s Zola, has been detained in Japan for nearly three weeks following his arrest on drug-smuggling charges in Okinawa, according to local authorities and multiple international reports.

Harris, 36, was taken into custody on Nov. 16 at Naha Airport after customs officers allegedly found 780 miligrams of a crystal substance containing MDMA in his tote bag, officials said (a recreational dose of pure MDMA, or ecstasy, is typically in the range of 75 to 125 milligrams). Prosecutors in Okinawa have since received a criminal complaint from regional customs officials, moving the case toward formal charges. Authorities have not disclosed whether Harris has entered a plea or secured legal representation in Japan.

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Until a few days ago, Harris had been expected to travel to Saudi Arabias Red Sea International Film Festival to promote director Pete Ohs Erupcja, a surreal road movie in which he appears opposite pop star Charli XCX (Harris and XCX are also credited as co-writers and producers of the film). The festival did not comment on his absence, but Harris has been quietly dropped from the events programming.

A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, Harris rose to prominence with Slave Play, which became the most Tony-nominated play in Broadway history. Beyond theater, he has worked as a co-producer on HBOs Euphoria and as a supervising producer on Olivier Assayas Irma Vep.

Japan enforces some of the strictest narcotics laws in the developed world, prosecuting even small possession cases and often detaining suspects for extended periods without bail. Convictions can result in multi-year prison sentences, though Japan does not impose the death penalty for drug offenses, unlike some other Asian nations.

Harris arrest echoes past cases involving foreign entertainers in Japan, including Grammy-winning DJ David Morales, who was detained in 2018 on similar charges, and, most famously, Paul McCartney, whose 1980 marijuana arrest led to a lengthy entry ban from the country.

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The couple who in December 2020 sold their Palm Beach house to Rocky star Sylvester Stallone is now asking $85 million for the ocean-to-lake estate they bought the same month in Manalapan, the wealthy town about 15 miles to the south.

The price tag is $46.125 million more than the amount sellers Ron and Cindy McMackin paid about five years ago for their newly built house  with its tunnel to the beach  at 1660 S. Ocean Blvd. As in Palm Beach, prices have sharply escalated in Manalapan over the past few years, thanks to the real estate boom sparked, in part, by the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020 and sent prices skyrocketing.

A couple of weeks before their Manalapan purchase, the McMackins had sold Stallone their lakefront compound at 1480 N. Lake Way in Palm Beach for a recorded $35.375 million. The Hollywood icon has since extensively renovated the estate with his wife, Jennifer Flavin Stallone.

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The McMackins bought the six-bedroom, contemporary-style house in Manalapan from its developer, former town Mayor Stewart A. Satter, who lives next door. The McMackins then carried out renovation projects at the property, which Satter had built on speculation.

An ocean-to-lake estate at 1660 S. Ocean Blvd.in Manalapan near Palm Beach has entered the market with a price of $85 million.

The McMackins 2020 deal ranked among the biggest-dollar transactions ever in Manalapan  and at the time was the towns biggest direct-lakefront sale, according to transactions recorded in the multiple listing service.

The McMackins have ties to Hawaii and California, where Ron McMackin is chairman of Pan-Pacific Mechanical, a pipe design and manufacturing business. The McMackins were in the process of moving from Hawaii into their Palm Beach house when the sale to Stallone interrupted their plans, Ron McMackin said at the time.

Measuring about 2 acres, the Manalapan estate faces about 165 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal and about the same amount on the ocean. The McMackins carried out renovations to the house, which has three levels, and slightly expanded it from 20,825 square feet to 22,990 square feet of living space, inside and out.

The estate at 1660 S. Ocean Blvd. in Manalapan has 150 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway, seen at the rear, and the same amount on its beach parcel.

On the market for $85 million, the house on an ocean-to-lake estate at 1660 S. Ocean Blvd. in Manalapan has contemporary-style architecture and an expansive motor court.

The bulk of the property is west of South Ocean Boulevard on the lake. The tunnel beneath the roadway connects that lakeside portion of the estate to a narrower beach parcel with a cabana.

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Agent Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties holds the listing. Her sales description says the property captures the epitome of private resort living in South Florida as a fully automated, turn-key seaside compound with dramatic water views.

A second-floor room at 1660 S. Ocean Blvd. in Manalapan offers a wide view of the Atlantic Ocean.

The estate includes a lakeside pool with a whirlpool spa and a loggia with a summer kitchen. Other amenities include a 240-bottle wine cellar and a full wellness wing that includes a massage area and gym on the lower level. Theres also a guest apartment.

The west lawn leads down to the lakeside, where the seawall has a boat lift.

The Manalapan house at 1660 S. Ocean Blvd. near Palm Beach has been furnished in a contemporary style to complement its architecture.

The Wall Street Journal on Dec. 3 was the first media outlet to report the new listing. The Journal said the McMackins are building a home on a slightly larger ocean-to-lake parcel nearby. That lot is apparently at 1860 S. Ocean Blvd., which last sold for a recorded $26.775 million in 2022 and measures 2 acres with 200 feet of lake and ocean frontage.

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Satter built the residence the McMackins are selling through his real estate company, Carnegie Hill Development Corp., which has developed other houses in Manalapan. It was constructed by contractor Robert Burrage of RWB Construction. The interior finishes and furnishings were chosen by Marc-Michaels Interior Design. The furniture changed hands in the 2020 sale to the McMackins.

The McMackins employee-owned company also has Hawaii offices in Honolulu and California locations in Fountain Valley and Fremont. The firm sells, engineers and constructs piping systems for commercial, public works and residential projects, according to its website.

Stallone deal

The McMackins had owned their Palm Beach compound for a little more than two years before they sold it to Stallone, who used a trust to buy it. The Palm Beach house was completed in 2014 and encompasses 1 acres with 253 feet of lakefront. It features a dock and a sandy beach beyond the seawall.

The Stallone estate includes a two-story main residence, a separate guesthouse and a pool pavilion. When it sold in 2020, the property had seven bedrooms and 13,241 square feet of living space, inside and out, according to a sales listing.

"Rocky" and "Rambo" star Sylvester Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin Stallone, own this Palm Beach estate on the Intracoastal Waterway in the North End of Palm Beach.

Palm Beach residents Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin attended the 19th annual Palm Beach Police and Fire Rescue Ball at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club in January 2025.

The Oscar-nominated star of the Rocky and Rambo movie franchises is married to entrepreneur and former model Jennifer Flavin. The couple has declared the Palm Beach estate to be their primary residence.

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In the 2020 Palm Beach deal, broker Christian Angle of Christian Angle Real Estate represented Stallone's interests, and Moens of Lawrence A. Moens Associates acted on behalf of the McMackins. Moens also acted for the McMackins in their 2020 Manalapan purchase, negotiating opposite the listing agent, Pascal Liguori of Premier Estate Properties.

Moens also represented the buyers in 2022 when they bought the lot at 1860 S. Ocean Blvd. The listing agent ion that deal was Shelly Newman, who at the time was with William Raveis South Florida but today is affiliated with the Corcoran Group.

This is a developing story. Check back for any updates.

Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly Beyond the Hedges column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email dhofheinz@pbdailynews.com, call 561-820-3831 or tweet @PBDN_Hofheinz. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Couple who sold Sylvester Stallone Palm Beach home list estate for $85M
The Bank of England, whose Governor is Andrew Bailey, pictured, will subject private equity companies to a hypothetical financial crisis - Yui Mok/PA

The Bank of England has launched a stress test for the shadow banking industry amid warnings of cockroaches lurking in the $11tn (8.2tn) market.

Major financial groups, including KKR, Blackstone, Apollo and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, have all signed up for the new stress test.

Officials at Threadneedle Street will subject these private equity companies investments to a hypothetical global economic and financial crisis to study the potential impact on the UK, its financial system and the wider economy.

The system-wide exploratory exercise (SWES) will take place next year and report its full conclusions in 2027.

The decision to subject private equity investors to the same kind of rigorous tests as banks follows enormous growth in the private credit industry, which is often referred to as shadow banking.

Private equity and private credit have expanded from $3tn of assets to $11tn in a decade, the Bank said.

In Britain, 10pc of private sector workers are employed by PE-backed companies, which also account for 15pc of corporate debt and a larger share of riskier lending.

This has helped businesses grow in the wake of the financial crisis. But officials fear that the market is far less transparent than the more heavily regulated banking, insurance and pension industries.

Earlier this year, American companies First Brands and Tricolor both collapsed, raising fears of wider dangers in the market. Both relied heavily on private credit, where funds lend to companies rather than banks.

After JP Morgan lost $170m in the collapse of Tricolor, its chief executive Jamie Dimon told analysts: My antenna goes up when things like that happen. I probably shouldnt say this but when you see one cockroach, theres probably more.

A crunch in private markets would affect banks, which lend to PE-backed companies, and investors. That could hit lending in the rest of the economy, undermining financial stability and economic growth.

Similarly if companies backed by private money rapidly contract, unemployment could surge hitting other markets such as housing, and the associated mortgage lending backing home ownership. Private equity-owned companies currently employ two million people in Britain.

Speaking at the Edelman Smithfield Investor Summit in London on Thursday, Dan Kemp, chief investment officer at Morningstar, said: Private credit is really the risk that we should be focused on.

Weve seen this huge growth in an asset class which is new to most people, is somewhat opaque, is illiquid  then thats normally a recipe for some bad behaviour and some bad outcomes.
Over two decades after his bombshell scandal in the White House, it appears Bill Clintons marriage is in limbo again. The former US President and Hillary Clinton have been married for 50 years, but to say the two have had their share of bumps in the road would be an understatement.

In the late 90s, while in office, Bill admitted to having a sexual relationship with a former intern, Monica Lewinsky. Now, reports indicate that things between them are very rocky, and the reason is reportedly Jeffrey Epstein. Insiders believe that the former Secretary of State is so broken up about her husbands ties with the late sex offender that shes ready to end their marriage.

Hillary Clinton is allegedly on the brink of ending marriage to Bill

Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Their marriage has survived despite numerous alleged sex scandals involving Bill, but the end of the road for Bill and Hillary may reportedly be coming soon. The Department of Justice are apparently looking closely into Bill and his past affiliation with Jeffrey. The speculation is that its the last straw for Hillary.

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An insider tells RadarOnline that the former Democratic nominee is considering giving up her husband to save her own skin. As a result, her and Bills time as husband and wife is reportedly on the brink.

In his book Citizen, Bill admits to knowing the late financier but says he wishes hed never met him. He added that he stopped seeing him and visiting his island after Jeffreys first arrest in 2005.

Despite the remorse hes said to have shown, that doesnt seem to have taken the heat off the former Governor of Arkansas. Reports indicate that Bill frequently visited Jeffreys island, and insiders say the public wants to know exactly what transpired there. Another source says that Hillary is bracing for the worst after Donald Trump, her 2016 Presidential adversary, ordered the release of the Epstein Files.

Earlier this year, a source said that Hillary is so sick of Bills ties to Jeffrey that she has been reaching out to lawyers about her next move. In October some old photos of Hillary drew comparisons to Sabrina Carpenter.

TELL US  WILL THE RELEASE OF THE EPSTEIN FILES FINALLY SPELL THE END OF BILL AND HILLARYS MARRIAGE?

The post Hillary and Bill Clinton Alleged Divorce Bombshell Over Jeffrey Epstein  Report appeared first on Reality Tea.
Craig Conover is a "lawyer and a storyteller" in addition to being a restaurateur, entrepreneur, and pillow magnate. But, did the Southern Charm cast member actually pass the bar? As it turns out, it was quite the journey to get there.

Craig ultimately passed the bar exam in 2017 and was sworn into the South Carolina Bar in February 2018, but it took him a while to get there. After receiving his undergraduate degree from the College of Charleston in 2010, Craig attended the Charleston School of Law and walked in the graduation ceremony in 2014. But, he eventually revealed that he had not received his law school diploma because he never turned in his thesis, which was required of him to graduate.

Years later, Craig ended up submitting his thesis and taking the bar exam, which he eventually passed. "I'm glad it's over," Craig told The Daily Dish in 2017. "I've had to deal with this stuff for two-and-a-half years now, and it was kind of taken out of my hand, and everyone else ran with it. So I'm just so happy for it to finally be over...It's a huge, huge relief. Obviously, I'm excited for my future, but also just for everyone to shut up and leave me alone and let me live my life is something pretty awesome to look forward to."

Craig Conover smiles at BravoCon 2025.

Get the latest updates on Craig's businesses and his hopes for the future.

Is Craig Conover a practicing lawyer after passing the bar?

Although Craig passed the bar, he is not a practicing lawyer. However, during a December 2024 appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, he revealed that he would likely be in law if it wasn't for Southern Charm. "I think I would be a lawyer," he said. "Like, a practicing attorney."

What to Know About Southern Charm Season 11

Ba ba doo! Southern Charm Season 11 is off to the races, with new episodes airing Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo and streaming next day on Peacock.

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Season 11 features returning Charm-ers Venita Aspen, Salley Carson, Craig Conover, Austen Kroll, Madison LeCroy, Molly O'Connell, Rodrigo Reyes, and Shep Rose, along with newcomers Charley Manley and Whitner Slagsvol. Matriarch Patricia Altschul is also back to host iconic parties and dole out her candid advice, alongside her son Whitney Sudler-Smith, who is now the owner and caretaker of their Charleston mansion.

This time around, much of the Charleston crew finds themselves single or on the brink of breakup  resulting in a love triangle, friendship fractures, and so much more drama to come.

Watch it all go down in style by checking out exclusive Southern Charm merch from Shop By Bravo.

Craig Conover shares updates on Sewing Down South pillow brand

Craig's pillow and houseware business, which he launched in 2019, Sewing Down South, is still going strong. In May 2021, the Delaware native opened his first brick-and-mortar location in Charleston, and opened a location in Nashville in 2024, which are still open today. In late October, Craig got his stores fully decorated for the 2025 holiday season, decking the walls and ceiling with garland and winter-themed merch.

RELATED: Craig Conover Reveals the "Kiss of Death" in His Last 3 Relationships

Sewing Down South also recently celebrated Cyber Monday. Craig took to his Instagram account on Dec. 2, where he posted a video of himself doing a "warehouse raid" while wearing a sparkly Santa hat and reminisced on Sewing Down South's humble beginnings. "I remember packing these in my house," Craig said of the pillows, as he walked through the warehouse. "Now we're doing Cyber Monday. Jerry [Casselano] used to pack in DC. It was awesome. I mean, it was cool because we were just starting."

A series of images taken at Sewing Down South.

Craig Conover discusses Sewing Down South's financial success

Previously, Craig revealed that Sewing Down South holds an eight-figure valuation. "In four years, I've been able to take Sewing Down South to an eight-figure business, and we're in Kroger stores across the country," Craig told host Andy Cohen during the Southern Charm Season 9 reunion. "We have 30 employees with health insurance."

Craig Conover and Austen Kroll's By the Way bar celebrates a major milestone

Craig also has several businesses with his Southern Charm cast member, Austen Kroll. Together, they are partners and investors in a Charleston wedding venue, The Waverly, and the Charleston bar and restaurant, By the Way. By the Way will officially celebrate its 1-year anniversary on Dec. 14, according to an Instagram post, which is just a product of Craig and Austen's hard work to bring a bit of their lives to Charleston.

RELATED: Craig Conover Makes a Damning Declaration on Austen Kroll's Relationship With Audrey

"You know, we send everyone that visits Charleston and all the fans and viewers to everyone else's bars," Craig explained in a December 2024 interview with The Daily Dish. "Why not give them a space that we would enjoy hanging out at too?"

Details on Craig Conover's involvement with Spritz Society

Craig is an investor in the alcoholic spritz brand, Spritz Society. In April, Craig took to his Instagram Story, where he celebrated the business as it was launching in stores nationwide.

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"Collaboration will always win," he wrote in the caption of his Instagram Story at the time. "Good teams will always win. Find good partners. Win together. It's more fun that way. I didn't think I'd design a beverage that ended up on the trading floor! Life is about twists and turns. Let's embrace them.

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Craig Conover shares his hopes for his future in his career

Although Craig wears so many hats, he spoke with Men's Journal on Dec. 3, where he opened up about his one main job. "My job is to keep growing," he told the publication.

"Keep creating. Keep showing up. And be grateful for all of it," he concluded.

Learn more about how much of Sewing Down South Craig owns and how he has been able to expand the business.
Wrestler and actor John Cena opened up to Joe Rogan about facing near-cancellations in both the United States and China over his comments on Taiwan.

Cena joined Rogan for Fridays episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where he admitted to some of the mistakes he sees now, when looking back on apologizing to China in 2021.

While promoting the movie F9 in 2021, Cena told Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS, Taiwan is the first country that can watch F9. Cena faced immediate backlash in China for referring to Taiwan as a country, a point that has led to longstanding frictions as Beijing recognizes Taiwan, which has its own government, as part of its territory.

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Cena released an apology video where, in Mandarin, he said he made a mistake. He said what he read in the original video was written by someone else, and he was simply asked to read it.

I love and respect China and Chinese people. Im very, very sorry for my mistake, the wrestler said, leading to even more backlash in the United States, where critics knocked him for the pathetic groveling to a communist nation.

Cena told Rogan he still believes he made a mistake, but he also has regrets about his immediate reaction.

The thing that was the biggest kick in the nuts was when people stateside got pissed off, he said.

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Because you apologized? Rogan asked.

Yes. In Chinese. And I understand completely, like, bowing down to the demand of thisgosh. What a shitty move by me. I should have taken a breath. Again, what did I learn? Dont be reactive, Cena said.

He joked he didnt just not fix the hole in the boat, he sunk the Titanic.

Cena said the blowback was so bad at the time that he went to filmmaker James Gunn and told him he would understand if he needed to fire him from their then-new show Peacemaker. Cena has since filmed a second season and made a cameo appearance as his character in this years Superman movie.

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When they came out with all of this stuff I went directly to James Gunn and was like, hey, man, if you have to fire me, I understand, he said.

Cena accepted responsibility for getting into the murky waters of geopolitics.

It was my fault, he said. And I think thats when I can start to work on, like, what did I learn from this? And I could easily blame a PR, an assistant, I could say someone had a target on my back, all that stuff. I f**ked up.

Watch above via The Joe Rogan Experience.

The post John Cena Opens Up To Rogan About Kick in the Nuts Blowback After Bowing Down To China first appeared on Mediaite.
Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry met the former prime minister of Japan and his wife for lunch for their first diplomatic date as a couple.

Sharing a picture of the two couples standing in front of a Christmas tree, Fumio Kishida said the former Canadian prime minister visited Japan with his partner and joined my wife and me for lunch.

Perry, 41, wore a matching khaki mini skirt and jacket over a black turtleneck for the lunch, while Mr Trudeau wore a grey suit and light-blue shirt.

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During his time as prime minister, we met multiple times as fellow leaders, and when I visited Canada, we worked together to strengthen bilateral relations, including formulating the Japan-Canada Action Plan, sweating it out side by side, Mr Kishida, 68, said. I am delighted that we continue to maintain this friendship in this way.

Mr Trudeau, 53, reposted the picture on X, writing: Great to see you... Katy and I were so glad to have the chance to sit down with you and Yuko.

Thank you, Fumio, for your friendship and your continued commitment to both the international rules-based order and to a better future for everyone.

The couple have been in Japan this week for Perrys Lifetimes tour, where they have watched a sumo-wrestling show and had lunch with the Kishidas.

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It marks one of the most formal outings for Mr Trudeau and Perry since the couple were first spotted together in July.

Perry and Trudeau embracing each other on a yacht in October - SWNS

They made their first public appearance as a couple in October when they attended a cabaret show at the Crazy Horse in Paris for Perrys birthday.

Perry split from her fiance Orlando Bloom in June, while Mr Trudeau separated from his wife of 18 years, Sophie Gregoire, in 2023.

Mr Trudeau has three children with Ms Gregoire, who the pair co-parent.

Im definitely not a single mom, Ms Gregoire said recently. I have a partnership with a father who has such deep love and availability to his children.

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.
Who is Bettina Anderson? When it comes to Palm Beach society, the Florida model and socialite's a well-known figure.

But in December 2024, she achieved global fame after she was spotted kissing Donald Trump Jr. in Palm Beach. Let's take a look back.

Who is Bettina Anderson, Donald Trump Jr.'s girlfriend?

Photos of Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson holding hands and kissing were posted around Dec. 10, 2024, on British tabloid sites, and "Bettina Anderson" dominated Google News and search engine queries. At the time, most assumed Donald Trump Jr. and his longtime live-in girlfriend, former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle, were still a couple and planning their wedding before, during and after the 2024 presidential election.

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At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July 2024, when then-former President Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination, Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle were campaigning together on his behalf. Bettina Anderson, however, was part of the Trump family VIP box, and photographed sitting next to Guilfoyle's son, Ronan Villency (see photo below).

In October 2024, weeks before Election Day, Anderson co-hosted an invitation-only Trump fundraiser. Two months later, when the photos went viral, she became known as Donald Trump Jr.'s new girlfriend.

Days after the tabloid photos of the new couple were posted online, with many questioning Donald Trump Jr.'s relationship status with Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump announced his first-born son's ex-fiancee would become the ambassador to Greece during his administration.

When did Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle break up? Guilfoyle called Trump Jr. her 'soulmate'

Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle, who was once married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, dated from 2018 to 2024 and bought a house together in the exclusive gated Jupiter, Florida, neighborhood, Admirals Cove. In the past, Guilfoyle referred to the president's son as her "soulmate" and "love of her life."

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While it is not known exactly when Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson started their relationship and when Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle ended theirs, the three have attended several post-campaign events together, in particular, the Inauguration Day celebrations in Washington, D.C., and other fundraisers at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Donald Trump's private club.

What to know about Donald Trump Jr., Bettina Anderson and Kimberly Guilfoyle

Guilfoyle's confirmation hearing was held in July 2025, with her brother, her son Ronan Villency and Donald Trump III (eldest son of Donald Trump Jr. and Donald Trump's second oldest grandchild) in attendance. Guilfoyle was officially confirmed in September 2025.

Since December 2024, when the world found out about Donald Trump Jr., Bettina Anderson and Kimberly Guilfoyle, the president's son and his girlfriend have attended very public events. Donald Trump Jr. and Anderson became "Instagram official" on Super Bowl Sunday in February 2025. The pair attended Super Bowl LIX with three of Donald Trump Jr.'s children with his ex-wife Vanessa Trump, Donald Trump III, Spencer Trump and Chloe Trump.

Anderson has no children and lives in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice Presidential Nominee Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), Usha Chilukuri Vance, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Tiffany Trump, Vanessa Haydon, Chloe Trump, Lara Trump, Eric Luke Trump and Hulk Hogan sit on Day 4 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 18, 2024.

Photos of Bettina Anderson and Donald Trump Jr.

Photos of Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr.

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Bettina Anderson, Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle a year after election
First Lady Melania Trumps Fostering the Future has linked with the luxury handbag label AGCF to sell limited edition items that will benefit the initiative.



As an offshoot of FLOTUS Be Best program, Fostering the Future secures educational opportunities and scholarships for children in the foster care community, according to its site. Fifty percent of foster children finish high school and only 3 percent of foster children earn a college degree, according to the National Foster Institute.



Last month, AGCFs founder Alexandra Gucci Zarini visited the White House for the signing of the executive order for Fostering the Future. On Thursday, she posted an official White House photo from the occasion with Trump on her Instagram page. AGCFs $2,800 Unity bag is being sold for a limited time on its site and in its Beverly Hills store with 20 percent of the proceeds earmarked for Fostering the Future. The purpose-driven brand gives 20 percent of all profits to organizations that support the well-being and protection of children. AGCF is inspired by Gucci Zarinis grandfather, Aldo Gucci, the former chairman of his familys namesake Italian luxury house, who died in 1990.



In an interview Thursday, Gucci Zarini and her husband Josef Zarini, who serves as chief executive officer of AGCF, spoke about their commitment to supporting and protecting children and the vulnerability of foster children. They declined to comment on projected sales or how the connection with Trump and Be Best was made. Gucci Zarini, said, I just focus mainly on the protection of children. Thats where we have that common [interest]. I support any organization that is for the protection of children, she said. Were both mothers and were both for supporting Fostering the Future.

With a background in advocacy and nonprofits, Gucci Zarini said that she has never worked at Gucci. Each Unity bag has a hand-stitched gold oval plaque that is engraved with its edition number. The alliance is expected to continue next year with more limited edition runs, the Zarinis said.

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Based in Beverly Hills, AGCF debuted in April 2024 and is organized as a public benefit corporation. Josef noted the companys founding mission is to support organizations and initiatives that protect children. Gucci Zarini was recently honored as Child Protection Advocate of the Year at the World Childhood Foundations annual gala, which was overseen by HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden. Her mother, Queen Silvia of Sweden, started the organization.



Asked about the legality of a first lady-led nonprofit benefiting from the sale of a commercial product, Gucci Zarini and her husband deferred comment to Fostering the Future. A representative at Fostering the Future could not be reached Thursday.



The U.S. Office of Government Ethics policies do not apply to the first lady, since she is not a federal employee, according to an OGE spokesperson. The OGE defines an employee as any officer or employee of an agency, including a special government employee. It includes officers but not enlisted members of the uniformed services, as well as employees of a state or local government or other organization, who are serving on detail to an agency. It does not include the president or vice president.

LIke all corporations, public benefit corporations are governed by their articles of incorporation and bylaws, according to Susan Scafidi, founder of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University. What distinguishes a public benefit corporation is that its purpose goes beyond maximizing profit to also making a positive societal contribution, she said. If a particular corporate mission includes support for a legitimate charity  ideally one that is formally recognized by the IRS  sale of merchandise to support the charity should be fine. Unless, of course, the donation involves some sort of subterfuge such as anticipated personal benefit, advantageous treatment or diversion to fund a campaign, Scafidi said.

Its of course important to avoid not only corruption but also the appearance of corruption, which could trigger public backlash or even an investigation. But a genuine charitable gift is a blessing and not a curse.

Alexandr Gucci Zarini

Last year, Trump raised eyebrows after mentioning two websites on her platform that were said to help foster children, during a Fox News interview about her memoir. It was later noted that selling products were the focus, not charity work. And in 2022, after Trump started a scholarship program called Fostering the Future, the New York Times reported that no charity by that name or Be Best existed in New York or Florida.

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In September, Gucci Zarini won a $115 million civil lawsuit against her stepfather for the sexual abuse and emotional distress she sustained starting as a child. The jurys decision order against Joseph Ruffalo was $85 million in compensatory damages and $30 million in punitive damages. Ruffalo is a movie producer whose credits include the 1984 film Purple Rain starring musician Prince. Gucci Zarinis mother, Patricia Gucci, was named in the 2020 lawsuit but the charges against her were dropped this fall. At the time of the jurys decision, Gucci Zarinis attorney Gary Dordick of Dordick Law, said she planned to spend the funds for the cause of fighting for children and keeping them safe, and protecting them from abuse and exploitation.

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The Slave Play creator Jeremy O. Harris was reportedly taken into custody after Japanese officials found ecstasy in his bag.

Jeremy O. Harris, the playwright known for his boundary-pushing show Slave Play, is facing serious legal trouble overseas. This week, Japanese authorities confirmed that the Tony-nominated playwright was arrested last month on suspicion of trying to smuggle illegal drugs into the country.

Officials say Harris, 36, was stopped on Nov. 16 at Naha Airport in Okinawa after customs officers reportedly found 780 milligrams of Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, in his tote bag. An Okinawa Regional Customs spokesperson explained that Harris had flown in for sightseeing after traveling from Britain through Taiwan, per Reuters. Harris was reportedly immediately taken into custody upon discovery under Japans Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.

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Okinawa is a major resort destination of Tokyo, and like the rest of the country holds some of the worlds strictest drug laws. Even small amounts of illegal substances almost always result in prosecution. This week, customs officials escalated the matter by filing a criminal accusation with regional prosecutors to begin formal charging proceedings. Police in Tomigusuku city, which oversees the airport, confirmed that Harris remains in custody but declined to say whether he has made any statements regarding the allegations, The New York Times reports.

If Harris is found guilty, he could face up to seven years in prison. Harris ascended to stardom with his 2018 play Slave Play, which he wrote during his first year at Yale Drama School. The play, which explores themes of gender, race, power, and sexuality, made history in 2020 with a record 12 Tony nominations for a non-musical. Though the Harris projects did not receive any wins that year, he went on to work on projects like Zola in 2021, HBO Maxs Gossip Girl revival (2021), Netflixs Emily in Paris (2022), and more.

Japanese prosecutors have not confirmed whether formal charges have been filed, and Harriss representatives in the U.S. have yet to make a comment on these reports or whether he has secured a lawyer in Japan.

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Moving between homes is always a headache. It doesnt seem to be any easier even when youre royal, based on comments Prince William appeared to have made during the start of the German State Visit on Wednesday.

The Prince of Wales was said to have acknowledged that his familys recent move to their new forever home at Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park has not been without difficulties, as he and Kate Middleton welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Budenbender to the UK on Wednesday.

picture alliance - Getty Images

According to People, a lip-reading expert examined footage of the daytime diplomatic meeting between the Prince and Princess of Wales and Germanys first couple upon their arrival. Its wonderful to hear you have moved into a new home together, Budenbender reportedly said after the group initially exchanged greetings.

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While Kate was said to have talked about creating mood boards for decorating the new home with plans to renovate after the holidays, Prince William was more pragmatic. The house move has been rather challenging with elements of twists, but were tackling it, the Prince of Wales reportedly told Germanys First Lady.

Samir Hussein - Getty Images

Heritage Images - Getty Images

The challenges could have something to do with the move-in timeline. Initially, Kensington Palace said the Wales family would move into Forest Lodge closer to Christmas this year. Instead, they moved in during the fall during the half-term holiday, likely making it an easier transition for the children once they went back to school.

The Waleses previously lived at Adelaide Cottage, and the family also owns Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate and Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace. (More on all their homes, here.)

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Tara Reid's night out at a Chicago-area hotel bar turned into a frightening medical emergency that left her slurring, moaning, and completely unable to hold herself up.

The actress said her drink had been spiked, leading to hours in the hospital and a terrifying memory gap she still cannot explain.

However, as new 911 audio and police statements come out, the situation has only grown more confusing, with officials saying they have no evidence of a crime while Reid insists something very scary happened to her.

Tara Reid's Slurred 911 Call Paints A Frightening Picture

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency

Newly released 911 audio obtained by the Daily Mail showed the chaos unfolding as Tara Reid sat slumped in a wheelchair at the DoubleTree hotel bar in Rosemont, Illinois.

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A woman believed to be a hotel worker could be heard calling Reid a "guest" and a "celebrity," saying she was "really inebriated" and could not keep herself upright.

The caller repeatedly shouted "Ms. Reid!" while the 50-year-old mumbled sounds that were not understandable.

The worker told the dispatcher that Reid was not vomiting blood and was not struggling to breathe, but she was worried Reid could collapse and hit her head if left alone.

Another recording, the 911 dispatch log from EMTs who responded, described the "American Pie" star as "the intoxicated female" who was "laying on the floor of the hallway."

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All of this was happening after Reid claimed she had left her wine unattended after she went out for a smoke with a man identified as Sean P, whom she claimed introduced himself as a successful influencer and YouTuber.

Reid said she returned to find a napkin over her drink, but she still drank out of it, leading to her losing control of her body and being taken to the hospital on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Police Say There's No Evidence Reid's Drink Was Spiked

Canva Stock Images

Rosemont Police announced this week that they had no proof that a crime occurred.

In a statement to PEOPLE, the police officers revealed, "At no time did video show anyone tampering with or adding something to her drink."

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They also explained that a bartender actually covered Tara Reid's drink when she stepped away, calling it a "standard practice."

The authorities noted that they reviewed surveillance footage from the hotel bar and carried out multiple interviews, but found nothing suggesting Reid's wine had been drugged.

They are now waiting for hospital records to confirm what tests, if any, were done to determine what was in her system.

The statement came after Reid had been seen earlier in a disturbing video slumped in a wheelchair, unable to speak clearly.

Tara Reid Pushes Back, Saying Something 'Very Scary' Happened

GilbertFlores@Broadimage / MEGA

Reid strongly disagreed with the police findings.

Following the statement from the Rosemont Police, she told PEOPLE, "Bottom line is no one ends up in the hospital incapacitated for over 8 hours after a drink."

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Reid added that the last thing she remembered was having one drink before waking up in the hospital the next day and remembering nothing.

"That was the scariest feeling I have ever felt. I felt so helpless," she said.

Reid also explained that she couldn't sleep over the situation because she still didn't know what had happened that night.

"I believe I was drugged. Something happened to me," Reid noted, insisting that the sudden memory loss and long period of being unresponsive couldn't be explained by alcohol alone.

She remains frustrated and "highly disappointed" that police did not find signs of her drink being spiked or "roofied."

Reid's Smoking Pal Insists Her Account Is False

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Meanwhile, Tara Reid's smoking companion, Sean P., has pushed back hard on her version of events, revealing that her account is completely false and leaving out key moments from their night together.

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As The Blast reported, he said they met at the hotel bar late Saturday and talked long enough to exchange contact info before Reid invited him outside for a smoke.

According to the influencer, she was cold at first and mocked him for being a YouTuber, but when he teased her about the old 2006 TMZ clip of her being denied entry to a club, she suddenly warmed up.

Sean P. said they were both tipsy but fully able to talk. Back inside, as he went to close his tab, Reid handed him her purse and told him to grab her room key, and that's when he said he noticed pills inside.

He claimed Reid immediately screamed for security, even though neither said there was a problem.

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Moments later, while heading out for another cigarette, she suddenly dropped to the floor, leaving him confused and insisting the situation didn't happen the way she reported.

Tara Reid's Career Now Impacted As She Tries To Stay Out Of Sight

Jeffrey Mayer/JTMPhotos, Int'l. / MEGA

While the incident remains unresolved, a source says Reid plans to lay low till the situation is figured out.

"Tara is looking to lay low till all this is figured out, and the dust settles as it has begun to affect her future working gigs on getting hired for a few things," the insider explained.

Meanwhile, Reid is reportedly firm that she "doesn't have a substance problem," pushing back against assumptions made after the release of the 911 audio.

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Recall that in 2008, the "Sharknado" star turned her life around when she entered Promise's rehab in Malibu to combat substance abuse.

The following year, Reid opened up about her experience, revealing that "Rehab saved my life. 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."
Kylie Jenner is the latest A-lister hopping on the stem cell therapy bandwagon.

The 28-year-old mom of two revealed that she recently underwent the procedure in the hopes of easing the bad chronic back pain thats plagued her for three years, since giving birth to son Aire.

Nothing I tried seemed to help, Kylie wrote in a Dec. 4 Instagram Story, saying she was inspired to explore stem cell therapy after hearing that sister Kim Kardashian found major relief from a similar treatment.

Kylie Jenner recently traveled to Mexico to undergo a therapy based on stem cells. Kylie Jenner / Instagram

The non-invasive procedure has yet to be approved for use in the US. Kylie Jenner / Instagram

Kim shared her own stem cell journey in August, telling her Instagram followers that she was in debilitating pain after tearing her shoulder while weightlifting in 2023.

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Like her sister, the Skims mogul said she tried everything to find relief before turning to stem cell therapy.

Kim traveled to Mexico to be treated by Dr. Adeel Khan at one of his Eterna Health facilities, noting that stem cells arent yet accessible in the US.

The 45-year-old reported that the results were immediate, saying shed regained full range of motion, and my shoulder has felt completely normal ever since.

Hearing how much relief Kim got gave me confidence to look into stem cell therapy, Kylie said.

She also traveled to Mexico to see Khan and undergo the procedure, writing that she was so grateful for the opportunity and resources.

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Everyones body is different, but this has been a huge step in my healing journey, the reality TV star added.

Kylie visited the same clinic for stem cell treatments as her sisters, Kim and Khloe Kardashian. Kylie Jenner / Instagram

Kylie and Kims sister, Khloe Kardashian, has also used stem cell therapy to help with recovery, inflammation and overall wellness.

And theyre hardly alone. Pro athletes like Alex Rodriguez, Peyton Manning and Rafael Nadal, along with actors such as Mel Gibson and Adam Devine, are among the growing number of celebrities who say theyve seen benefits after traveling overseas for the treatment.

Heres everything you need to know about the procedure  including why it isnt available in the US.

But first: What are stem cells?

They are the building blocks of the body, found in many different tissues, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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Stem cells are unique because they can self-renew, making identical copies of themselves, and differentiate, transforming into specialized cells that perform specific functions, such as nerve, muscle or blood cells.

These capabilities allow them to repair or replace cells that have been damaged or lost due to normal wear and tear, injury or disease.

Stem cells come from several sources, including human embryos and, in smaller numbers, most adult tissues. Adult stem cells are more limited in their ability to differentiate compared to embryonic stem cells, but they play an important role in the bodys natural tissue repair.

What is stem cell therapy?

Its a form of regenerative medicine that uses the unique properties of stem cells to help heal injuries and treat disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Stem cell therapy aims to repair damaged tissue, treat diseases and regenerate cells to promote healing. Dimid  stock.adobe.com

The process involves harvesting stem cells  either from the patients body, commonly from bone marrow or fat tissue, or from a donor  and processing them in a lab.

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These concentrated cells are injected into the injured area, where they can potentially help repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation and even stimulate the bodys immune system to promote healing.

Why is stem cell therapy hard to access in the US?

Stem cell therapy is still a relatively new treatment.

The only stem cellbased therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are for blood and immune system disorders, including blood cancers like leukemia, according to the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF).

That could change in the future. Clinical trials are underway to explore whether stem cells might one day help treat conditions ranging from Type 1 diabetes, heart failure and hearing loss to Alzheimers and multiple sclerosis.

What is stem cell tourism  and why is it risky?

Frustrated by the slow pace of research translating into approved treatments, many Americans have traveled abroad to receive stem cellbased therapies that havent been approved by the FDA.

Experts warn against traveling overseas for stem cell-based therapies that havent been approved by federal regulators. Kim Kardashian / Instagram

These treatments are often marketed to vulnerable patients at high costs, promising relief for a wide range of health problems, including hair loss, back pain, arthritis and cancer. Experts say, however, that many of these procedures are unproven and carry serious risks.

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Unproven stem cell procedures can lead to many harmful complications that can worsen your condition or introduce new ones, NYSCF warns on its website.

For example, a stroke patient who received an unproven procedure ended up with a tumor, and several patients who underwent an unproven procedure for age-related macular degeneration lost their vision entirely.

The problem isnt just overseas. Many clinics in the US also offer unapproved stem cell treatments, despite FDA warnings and regulatory crackdowns.

I would be very wary, Dr. Jeffrey Karp, chair of the anesthesiology department at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, told The New York Times.

These clinics often make exaggerated claims and skip crucial safety protocols, he continued, stressing that the unproven treatments pose a serious possibility of injury.
By Tatiana Bautzer and Saeed Azhar

NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Big tech companies' investments in artificial intelligence and busier M&A activity will raise the volume of debt issuance by investment-grade companies next year, bank executives said on Wednesday during a panel at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York.

The funding needs of the top five U.S. technology firms could reach almost $100 billion in 2026, Meghan Graper, global head of debt capital markets at Barclays, said.

Big tech firms are turning aggressively to debt markets in their race to build AI-ready data centers, a shift for Silicon Valley firms that typically relied on cash to fund investments.

Since September, public bond issuance by four of the major cloud-computing and AI platform companies known as "hyperscalers" has hit nearly $90 billion.

M&A DEAL BACKLOG

The large backlog of M&A transactions that may need funding will also be an important factor in increasing the issuance volume. Currently, there are $175 billion in announced M&A transactions among investment-grade corporations, more than double the $75 billion a year ago.

Anish Shah, Morgan Stanley's global head of debt capital markets, expects increased activity from private-equity companies, or sponsors. "The big catalyst is that sponsors have much more confidence to bring assets to market if they know they can run a credible dual track and that the IPO is actually a viable alternative. Our IPO backlog for sponsors is at a post-COVID high," he said.

Shah is also optimistic about a higher volume of large corporate M&A deals next year.

The executives said investors are not worried about the potential for circular financing among large tech and artificial intelligence companies, such as OpenAI. "If you look at what we finance, the credit backs assets that exist; they are in the middle of the desert somewhere", said JPMorgan Chase's global co-head of investment grade finance, Marc Baigneres, referring to the data centers.

Shah said the companies issuing debt have highly diversified cash flow. "Their investments individually represent very small components of their businesses overall. I don't think there is systemic risk," he added.

(Reporting by Saeed Azhar and Tatiana BautzerEditing by Rod Nickel)
Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker are "co-parenting with love and respect" amid their divorce. The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum and her entrepreneur ex have two kids together, and Todd is giving a look at his life as a solo parent today.

Todd first took to his Instagram account on Nov. 28, where he revealed that he was busy cooking breakfast in the kitchen with their 6-year-old daughter, Blaze Tucker. Although Blaze claimed that they were making "krabby patties" in the video, Todd corrected her. "We're making no krabby patties, we're making turkey bacon and toast," he explained, before introducing his chef, Blaze.

"We're about to make turkey bacon and toast, let's see how it turns out," he noted.

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He then proceeded to show off their cooking process, holding Blaze up to the stove to watch the turkey bacon cook in the pan. He also snapped a photo of the completed turkey bacon and toast before posting a photo of Blaze chewing her toast with a satisfied look on her face.

"Daddy Daycare cooking with Blaze!" he wrote in the caption of the post. "What will your legacy be?"

Todd Tucker and his two youngest children, Ace and Blaze Tucker.

Todd Tucker and Kandi Burruss' kids reveal what they're thankful for

Todd returned to Instagram on Dec. 1, where he posted another "daddy daycare" video of him taking Blaze and her 9-year-old brother, Ace Tucker, to school. In the video, Todd can be seen driving the kids to school, as they sat in the backseat, and proclaimed that they were "cold" and doing "good."

RELATED: Kandi Burruss Says Her Divorce From Todd Tucker Has Been "Brewing for a While"

Todd himself noted that he was thankful for "my kids, my family, Kaela [Tucker] came down, Riley [Burruss] came down, hey, everybody was at the crib, y'all have a great day out there." "Daddy Daycare what we were thankful for this Thanksgiving!" he wrote in the caption of the post.

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How Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker reunited for Thanksgiving

Kandi and Todd reunited amidst their divorce to celebrate Thanksgiving together. The mom of three took to Instagram on Nov. 27, where she posted a family photo from their celebration, which included Ace, Blaze, Riley, Kaela, and Kandi's mom, Mama Joyce Jones, in attendance.

RELATED: Kandi Burruss Sheds New Light on Her Broadway Career Amid Divorce: "Trying to Stay Focused"

Kandi opened up about these holiday plans during a Nov. 24 Amazon Live stream. "We are having Thanksgiving this week," she said. "Let me just say: No matter what Todd and I are going through, we are parents together, we are co-parenting together, we have beautiful children together, so we are trying to make this transition as smooth as it can possibly be for our kids. That is our main concern. So we are keeping it very friendly."

Get all of the details about Todd's latest "exciting" career move amidst his divorce.
Tyrese Gibson accused ex-wife Samantha Gibson of moving their 7-year-old daughter 2,500 miles away from him, despite his objections, and is now demanding primary custody, Us Weekly can exclusively report.

On October 3, Tyrese, 46, filed court documents asking the court to step in after Samantha and their daughter, Soraya, born in 2018, moved from Georgia to Oregon.

Tyrese and Samantha wed in 2017 and split in 2020. The exes have been in and out of court for years. Samantha was awarded primary custody in 2023.

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The actor said Samantha emailed him on August 13, telling him she wished to move to Oregon with Soraya.

In the alleged letter, attached as an exhibit, Samantha told Tyrese, Ive spent a lot of time in prayer, fasting, and careful consideration, and after much wrestling with the decision, I truly believe God is leading me to move out of state to the West Coast  specifically  Oregon.

Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker Are So Proud to Honor the Late Paul Walker With FuelFest

The letter continued, This isnt a decision I take lightly, and my intention is to be as transparent and collaborative as possible. My lease is up in September, and Im planning for a late October move. Samantha said she had already looked into different schools.

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Samantha allegedly added, I want to be very clear that I have no desire to interfere with Sorayas relationship with her father. In fact, I want to propose a plan that I believe gives Tyrese more uninterrupted, quality time with her than in recent years, while also respecting her education and stability during the school year.

Rachel Luna/Getty Images

She noted that Oregon was closer to Los Angeles, where Tyrese also owns a home, and that this move could make travel easier and more convenient for extended visits.

In his motion, Tyrese said Samantha made no mention of the move in June or July when they were working out a new child support agreement, before moving five weeks after their deal.

Tyrese texted Samantha on September 5, opposing her request to move.

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No, Samantha. No way. No how. I do not agree, he wrote. The [previous agreement] we made regarding school selection was never tied to any out-of-state relocation for Soraya. It was specific to Atlanta and the surrounding areas, where I could still be an active and present father. Any attempt to twist that into consent for a cross-country move is manipulative, baseless, and directly against Georgia law.

Tyrese Teases New Music About Samantha Lee Divorce: Most Important Album Ive Ever Done

Tyrese explained that Soraya should live in Atlanta, where he and his older daughter, Shayla, from a previous relationship, live.

His letter read, Now, more than ever, Soraya needs family stability  not more chaos. Shayla is graduating from high school this year and has chosen to attend college here in Atlanta. As her father, I am overjoyed knowing both of my daughters will now be in the same city.

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The actor continued, The excitement of Shayla being able to spend more time with her baby sister, and Soraya having her big sister close by, means everything to me as a father. And you are not going to take that away from me  or from Sorayas big sister, Shayla.

And I need to remind you of this: my father just passed away nine days ago. My mother died three years ago on Valentines Day, as you already know. The never-ending trauma I live with daily has been unbearable at times. But the one place I find joy, levity, beauty, and magic in this world is in my relationship with Soraya. That bond is sacred, Tyrese wrote.

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The actor continued, Its the anchor that brings me back to life when so much has been stripped away. That is something no broken man, no grieving son, and no devoted father should ever be robbed of.

If God is leading you to Portland, then He is leading you  not Soraya. You are free to go, but our daughter will remain in Atlanta, where her life, her stability, her sister, and her father are, Tyrese added.

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He ended, If you wish to relocate personally, that is your right  but Soraya will remain here in Atlanta where she belongs. So hear me again: Soraya stays in Atlanta. End of discussion. In his filing, Tyrese also claimed Samantha did not have family or friends in Oregon.

Per court documents, the Fast & Furious actor had been ordered to pay $10,000 per month in child support in 2022, based on his then-income of $275,000 per month. In late 2024, Tyreses lawyer said the entertainer's monthly income had decreased.

Per the new deal, Tyrese will pay Samantha $5,500 per month. The order listed Tyrese as earning $39,000 per month in income, plus another $111,000 in distributions for a grand total of $150,000.

Tyrese Is Praying for More of a Better Outcome for Diddy Amid Sex Trafficking Accusations

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On November 6, Samantha filed a response to Tyreses lawsuit demanding that the custody deal be modified. She filed a counterclaim against the entertainer over alleged contempt.

Samantha admitted she now lives in Oregon. She said she notified Tyrese and provided him with three school options to allow him the chance to give his input.

In her response, Samantha said she did not need Tyreses permission to move. She claimed Tyrese did not exercise all of his parenting time when Soraya lived in Atlanta.

[Tyrese] had the opportunity to notify Mother of his school preference but failed to do so within 10 days as required, Samanthas lawyer alleged. Instead, he sent a written response stating he does not consent to Mothers move. There is, however, no provision in the original parenting plan or the July 2025 [court order] that requires [Tyreses] consent for [Samantha] to move.

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Samantha also claimed that Tyrese has never personally picked up or dropped off the child for his parenting time and during his parenting time he delegates virtually 100% of his parenting duties to a nanny, including, frequently sending [Soraya] to the nannys house during his parenting time so that his house is quiet, thus allowing him to sleep during the day since he apparently spends his nights in a music studio.

In her filing, Samantha said Tyrese often moved without giving her notice.

The case is ongoing.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were notably absent from Kate Middletons fifth annual Christmas carol service.

This isnt unusual, since they havent attended the event since 2022.

The monarchs have had a packed week, including hosting Germanys president and first lady for a state visit and banquet.



Its a big day at Westminster Abbey, folks! December 5 marks Kate Middletons fifth annual Christmas carol service, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were joined by their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, marking their first public appearance in six months (!). Notably absent from the event (along with Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice): Kates in-laws, King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Chris Jackson - Getty Images

No official statement was given regarding their absence, but considering Charles and Camilla havent attended Kates Together at Christmas carol concert since 2022 (which was dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth), their absence isnt all that surprising.

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One possible theory for why they choose to skip the service every year, as previously reported by People: King Charles doesnt want to steal the spotlight by attending, since the service is Kates passion project.

Lets also not forget that its been a busy week for the monarchs. Earlier this week, they hosted Germanys President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, First Lady Elke Budenbender, for a state visit, which of course included an elaborate banquet.

Pool - Getty Images

Plus, the Kings health isnt in the best state right now. This ^^ all come amid reports that Charles wants a special last Christmas in case its his last.

As a source recently told Us Weekly, Charles still plans to join the family on their annual Christmas walk and to record his annual speech, but beyond that, he simply plans to relax and enjoy himself. Nothing would stop Charles from doing that, a source said of the speech. He will do everything expected of him and more. His health isnt the best. Theyre taking it day by day.

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Speaking of royal Christmas plans, it doesnt sound like the royals are planning to include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as theyre apparently still upset that the Sussexes attended Kris Jenners birthday party. More on that, below.

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Cannes Critics Week has unveiled the ten participants selected for the 12th edition of its Next Step program, supporting the first feature films of directors who previously showed their shorts in the section focused on emerging filmmaking talents.

Participants this year include France-based Irish-British filmmaker Roisin Burns, whose short film Wonderwall played in the Cannes parallel section earlier this year.

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Her project is set against the backdrop of her native city of Liverpool and revolves around a 17-year-old soldier who deserts his post during the Iraq war.

Further participants include Estonian director Anna Hints, whose 2023 documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood won a directing award at Sundance as well as Estonias first-ever European Film Award and represented the country at the 96th Academy Awards.

She participates with her first solo fiction feature Black Hairy Beast about the challenges of an Indian dancer living in Estonia with his partner against a backdrop of the countrys folklore and culture. (scroll down for full list of participants and projects).

All ten filmmakers will participate in a one-week workshop running from December 6 to 12.

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The first part will be spent at the Moulin dAnde artists residence in Normandy, where they will be advised by international consultants on their screenplays as well as meet composers for discussions on the musical universe they are planning for their films.

At the end of the workshop, the group heads to Paris for a day of meetings with French professionals to present their projects, establish initial contacts, and build connections for future collaborations.

One of the 10 participants will also win an opportunity to take part in a residency at the Moulin dAndeCECI, and the Next Step Prize, worth 2,500 and including an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival.

Since its launch in 2014, Next Step has welcomed 97 filmmakers from 39 different countries. Thirty-eight feature films have since been produced and screened at major festivals, most recently Aisha Cant Fly Away by Morad Mostafa (Un Certain Regard 2025), The Visitor by Vytautas Katkus (Best Director Award at Karlovy Vary).

Full-List of Projects Selected for 12th Edition

Happy Hardcore

Dir. Roisin Burns

Synopsis: Liverpool, 2004. Sean, 17, deserts his post in the midst of the Iraq war and returns to England. On the run, he finds his sister  the person dearest to him. Hunted by the army, he is forced to hide in a tunnel. Days go by. Soon, the violence and loneliness he tried to escape catch up with him.

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Nabor

Dir. Marinthia Gutierrez (Mexico)

Synopsis: Tijuana, late 50s; young Martha Elba discovers love, shame, and family secrets in a home plagued by jealousy and her fathers nights in cabarets. Amid the turmoil of teenage desire and disillusions, she witnesses her parents relationship slowly disintegrate. Her gaze becomes that of a generation awakening, witnessing the end of innocence and the birth of doubt.

Black Hairy Beast

Dir. Anna Hints (Estonia)

Synopsis: During a folklore festival in Estonia, Mahesh, an Indian dancer, and Liis, a local journalist, fall madly in love. But as Mahesh tries to find his place in his lovers country, he sees a shift in his body and identity, awakening a cursed mythological creature within. Their love soon grapples with societys gaze and the wild instincts they find within.

Story of August

Dir. Robert-Jonathan Koeyers (Netherlands)

Synopsis. Over three summers, following her parents divorce, August, a lively and determined teenager, spends her holidays with her father in a seaside town in transition. As time goes by, she discovers the cracks and silences within her family, while searching for her own place. She learns to face the emotional legacy they have left her and to break the cycle of family trauma.

Erika

Dir. Marie Larrive (French)

Synopsis. Brittany, 1999. Sylvia, 68, a retired computer engineer, is gravely ill. She has entrusted her life to Dr. Dubois, who, according to village rumors, has discovered a miracle cure against cancer. But as the storm of the century approaches the coast, Sylvia begins to question her doctors methods.

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lExperience Impossible

Dir. Carmen Leroi

Synopsis. Theo is passionately in love with Eve, twenty years his senior. When Eve falls gravely ill, Theo is devastated. I wish I were her age and had met her twenty years earlier, he says. A strange doctor, whom he has found for Eves treatment, takes him at his word and sends him back to 2004, where he is to live in the body of another version of himself

Fantasma Neon

Dir. Leonardo Martinelli (Brazil)

Synopsis. In Rio de Janeiro, Joao, a bicycle delivery worker, dreams of purchasing a motorbike to improve his life and support his family. Since his mother died, he has become the sole provider of the family, taking care of his brother Luiz, who harbours a secret as well. When an accident at work triggers protests among the delivery staff, his belief about merit and solidarity wavers. Caught between ambition and loyalty, Joao discovers the cost of his dreams in a city where singing is also an act of resistance

Saturday in Copacabana

Dir. Bruno Ribeiro (Brazil)

Synopsis. During a night out in Copacabana, a thirty- something pianist, prone to inner turmoil, runs into an old flame just as a major turning point is looming in her life. The bustling streets, music, and the memories stir emotions she thought were forgotten. At dawn, she must choose between the comfort of the present and the pull of an unfinished past.

Pray To The Thunder

Dir. Ananth Subramaniam (Malaysia)

Synopsis. In a Tamil town in Malaysia, dominated by an authoritarian priest, Thunder, a rebellious young woman, channels her anger by performing with her punk band on the village stage, normally reserved for the priests religious processions. Their music electrifies the youths and stirs the wrath of traditionalists, igniting a confrontation between modernity and superstition. As tensions rise, Thunder discovers a mystical power that threatens to tip this already delicate balance.

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Ladrones de Cuadros

Dir. Juan Pablo Villalobos (Mexico)

Synopsis. After witnessing a murder, Arcadio  a disillusioned painter turned delivery man in Mexico City  narrowly escapes an attempt on his life and finds refuge at his grandmothers home in the state of Oaxaca. As days go by peacefully in the village, he meets a mysterious Finnish art conservator and claims some of his grandmothers paintings as his own  until the strange, unsettling killer finally tracks him down.

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A catchy rap from Ice Spice over a dembow flow just makes sense. On Friday, the Dominican-American rap star released her single Thootie with Tokischa, on which she drops bars in Spanish for the first time.

Rosadita el pelo y el pussy / I get money, me gustan los chuki, raps Ice in one part of the song. KLK, Toki? Andamo rulin / Dominicana making a movie / My ass too fat, no me cabe en el puchi.

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Ice and Toki shot the colorful Richard Cordones-directed video in the Dominican Republic, capturing the two stars dancing and singing through a colorful vecindario, posing in front of the Dominican flag, and soaking in the energy of other Dominican baddies just like them.

This was a fun record for me. Its the first time people are actually hearing me speak or rap in Spanish and it was fun to show another side of who I am, and its even more special that I got to do it with Toki, Ice said in a press release. We went to the Dominican Republic to shoot the video last month and it was a vibe. I definitely felt at home.

Ice and Toki had been talking about wanting to record a song together, and when Ice sent her Thootie, she says she instantly wanted to join it. I gotta give it to the producers, they did a great job with the beat, not everyone who didnt grow up in the DR can make a dembow hot like that, said Tokischa of RiotUSAs production. I loved working with Ice. Shes a sweetheart and a genuinely fun girl. Im so proud of the video, and her coming to the DR after so long was very special to honor and respect the bajo mundo culture.

Thew new song follows Ice Spices viral Big Guy from the Spongebob Movie. She also released Baddie Baddie, joined Katseye for a remix of Gnarly and was tapped by Latto for Gyatt. For her part, Tokischa recently released Muxaxa with La Mas Doll and dropped Celos and Miami from her upcoming album.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A retired firefighter-paramedic from coastal Connecticut recently released a memoir titled Jimmy & Me: Semi-True Stories of One Parrothead.

According to the books summary, the Jimmy Buffett-inspired memoir follows Mike Torino as a kid, who eventually grows up to put on a uniform.

Torino has been retired for 10 years now, but reflects on his time in the field and how he learned to persevere through music.

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To learn more about Torino and his book, watch the full video in the player above.

NYBERG

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 WTNH.com.
At a recent concert, Portugal. The Man enlisted two maestros of musical comedy, Weird Al Yankovic and the Lonely Islands Jorma Taccone, for a very sincere  though obviously still very fun  cover of Rage Against the Machines Killing In the Name.

The cover came at the end of Portugal. The Mans show in Brooklyn on Tuesday (Dec. 2), with both Yankovic and Taccone assisting on lead vocals. The performance had everything youd want from an impromptu Rage cover  heavy riffs, loud shouting, mosh pit going crazy, and Taccone dressed up as Pee Wee Herman for some reason.

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As Portugal. The Man captioned a clip of the performance shared on TikTok: Killing in the Name of but make it absolute chaos. (You can check out a fan-shot video of the full performance here.)

The Rage cover was actually one of two songs Yankovic did that night, with the musician also joining Portugal. The Man for a rendition of their hit, Live in the Moment. Yankovic and the band first met in 2013 and have been close ever since. In 2018, Portugal. The Man commissioned some vintage Weird Al polka remixes for Feel It Still and Live in the Moment. And in 2020, to mark Indigenous Peoples Day, they partnered for a new single, Whos Gonna Stop Me.

For Lonely Island fans and members of the Quaid Army (righteous kill), Taccones presence on stage is also particularly notable, if not flat-out remarkable. The comedian, actor, and filmmaker looked impressively mobile for someone who fell off a 20-foot ladder in September and completely destroyed his pelvis. Thats not to say Taccone was throwing himself around, but he looked comfortable bouncing around in his Pee Wee Herman fit.

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Mykonos may have the brand power  the beach clubs, the DJs, the spotlight energy, but ask any Greek where they escape when they actually want to rest, eat well, and live slowly, and Mykonos rarely makes the list. The truth is simple: Greece is overflowing with islands that offer the same turquoise coves, whitewashed towns, and golden-hour sunsets, but without 30 cocktails, nightclub crowds, and selfie chaos. Venturing beyond the flashiest island doesnt mean sacrificing beauty; it simply means experiencing it the way Greeks do, unrushed, unfiltered, and with prices that dont turn dinner into a financial decision.

On these islands, ferries still arrive without paparazzi flashes, beaches stretch empty even in July, and meals taste like someones grandmother is cooking in the kitchen (because she is). The rhythm is slower, the smiles last longer, and the evenings unfold with cicadas, sea breezes, and wine poured by the hand of someone who probably made it themselves.

Locals dont avoid Mykonos because it isnt stunning, they avoid it because it feels performative. The islands below feel personal. Theyre places where people remember your name by the second night, where the baker knows how you like your spanakopita, and where seafront sunsets arent content, theyre ceremony.

Naxos

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Naxos is the island Greeks whisper about when foreigners ask, Where should I go that isnt crowded? It has Mykonos-level beaches, but they stretch wider, emptier, and bluer, tucked against dunes and villages where time visibly slows. The islands main town has all the Cycladic charm, cube houses, bougainvillea bursts, marble churches, but without club promoters tugging at your sleeve or luxury brands blocking the waterfront view.

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What makes Naxos especially beloved among Greeks is its agricultural soul. This is an island that feeds the country, literally. Cheese, potatoes, citrus, honey, wine, Naxos produces it all, and you taste it in every meal. The local graviera cheese has cult status, and tavernas here serve food so fresh that menus change by whatever fish swam closest to shore that morning. You eat slowly, and you eat well, because food here isnt a performance, its lineage.

Naxos also offers space to move. Wind-sculpted beaches attract kitesurfers and windsurfers, mountain villages offer hiking paths that trace Venetian ruins, and the Portara, the ancient marble gate at sunset, feels like a portal opening directly into the Aegean. Mykonos gives you a scene. Naxos gives you belonging.

Syros

Image Credit;Shutterstock.

Syros is where Greeks go when they want culture with their sea breeze. The capital, Ermoupoli, looks like a marble amphitheater cascading into the harbor, neoclassical mansions, pastel facades, opera houses, cafe-lined squares. Instead of DJs, you hear violin concerts drifting from balconies, jazz shows in candlelit courtyards, and summer theater spilling into Piazza Miaouli like an Italian dream transplanted to the Aegean.

The beaches are calm, golden, and distinctly local. Rather than VIP cabana rows, you find families picnicking under tamarisk trees, students reading with toes in the tide, and fishermen repairing nets while children chase gulls along shallows. Syros isnt quiet because it lacks life, its quiet because it doesnt need to prove anything.

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Evenings here are slow and luminous. Locals sip mastiha and ouzo at seaside tavernas, musicians play rebetiko until midnight, and the moon turns the harbor silver as yachts remain distant and unnecessary. Syros gives you Cycladic charm with intellectual soul, Mykonos energy without Mykonos ego.

Tinos

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Tinos is what happens when art, religion, and wild beauty collide. Its a sculptors island, literally, marble is part of its DNA, and dozens of artisan villages produce carvings so intricate they could sit in world museums. Yet tourists often skip Tinos entirely, drawn elsewhere by glitzier names. Greeks whisper about that luck with gratitude.

The beaches feel untouched, stretching into sapphire bays framed by cliffs and dove-white chapels. Instead of curated beach experiences, you park your towel under the sun, grab figs from a roadside stand, and swim until the salt feels like second skin. There is no rush to move, no schedule to perform.

What draws locals most is the islands layered spirit. Pilgrims ascend to the Church of Panagia Evangelistria in silence; artists debate techniques over wine in Pyrgos; tavernas serve dishes rich with herbs that grow wild on the hillsides, thyme, oregano, sage. Tinos doesnt seduce loudly. It simply reveals, one slow, perfect hour at a time.

Koufonisia

Image Credit: rawf8 / Shutterstock

Koufonisia is the island Greeks mention only to trusted friends, because its magic hinges on staying small, sandy, and secret. The entire coastline feels like one long natural swimming pool, shallow turquoise water, honey-colored rock shelves, and coves so clear you can count each fish without goggles. Theres no need for taxis or buses; you walk or bike everywhere, tracing sea paths that smell of salt, sunscreen, and sun-baked stone.

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The islands rhythm is hypnotically minimal. Days unfold between cafe breakfasts, swims that last until your fingertips wrinkle, and seafood lunches where octopus dries on wooden racks above the harbor. There are no mega clubs, no designer storefronts, no curated chaos. Just the sound of waves tapping the shore and the hum of cicadas reminding you that nature conducts the tempo here, not crowds.

Evenings are candle-soft and unrushed. Locals gather at tiny harborside tavernas, cloves of garlic hanging from rafters, tables wobbling on sand. Guitars come out, wine is poured without menu consult, and conversations last until the stars sharpen overhead. While Mykonos glows neon, Koufonisia glows human.

Ikaria

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Ikaria is the legend island, the place where people forget to die. Its reputation for longevity isnt romance but routine: afternoon naps considered sacred, wine drank like water, and meals eaten with laughter, not guilt. Ikaria doesnt rush because life here is not measured by hours but by seasons, family tables, and sunsets that turn the Aegean into rose-colored glass.

The beaches have a raw, untamed beauty. Seychelles Beach looks like it was carved by a painter, white boulder curves embracing a lagoon of impossible turquoise. Elsewhere, cedar-studded dunes meet silky shallows where you swim until the sea decides youre done. No soundtrack, no staged beach culture, just tide, body, sun.

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Nights are famous in a way Mykonos could never replicate. Not for DJs flown in from Miami, but for panagiria, local feast festivals where violin strings lead dancers in circles until dawn. Strangers become family, wine pitchers empty into laughter, and the ground itself seems to pulse with the rhythm of community. Ikarias nightlife doesnt cost 500 a table, it costs presence.

Serifos

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Serifos is sharp-edged Cycladic purity, cliffs cut like sculpture, villages like chalk sketches against cobalt sea. Its beaches rank among Greeces finest but remain almost shockingly calm, as if the island placed a spell against overdevelopment. Livadi Bay sweeps wide and golden, while Vagia and Ganema feel like untouched secrets that somehow escaped the tourism blueprint entirely.

The island breathes with myth. This is where Perseus brought Medusas head, where gods intervened, where stories were etched into stone and salt. You feel that weight in the land: steep donkey paths leading to white chapels, iron-red hills glowing at dusk, the wind speaking in ancient tones. Serifos doesnt entertain; it remembers.

Chora, perched like a crown above the sea, might be the most dramatic hill town in the Cyclades. Its alleys twist like threads, its tavernas spill tables onto staircases, and its sunsets look like painted theater backdrops in molten gold. When the lights of Mykonos pulse in the distance, Serifos simply keeps breathing, steady and unbothered.

Folegandros

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Folegandros is the anti-Mykonos manifesto wrapped in limestone and light. Its cliffs plunge into blue so deep it feels mythic, while the main town, car-free, candlelit, drifts like a dream above the sea. There are no superyachts blocking horizons, just fishing boats rocking softly against the tide.

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The beaches require intention, sometimes hiking, sometimes boat rides, but their remoteness is precisely why locals crave them. Katergo, with its stark drama and translucent waters, feels like the set of a movie where the only extras are birds. You arrive dusty, you swim clean, you leave changed.

By night, Chora becomes one of the most romantic squares in Greece. Not expensive, not curated, simply alive. Cats curl on stone steps, string lights sway above wine glasses, and music floats from hidden courtyards. Its not nightlife; its life at night.

Astypalea

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Astypalea is where the Cyclades shake hands with the Dodecanese, a butterfly-shaped island floating between architectural worlds. Its skyline, dominated by a white fortress above houses that cascade like sugar cubes, offers the kind of postcard beauty Mykonos sells, but here, you share it with locals instead of crowds with ring lights.

The beaches hit every note: wild, soft, sandy, pebbled, remote, family-friendly, wind-shaped. Vatses and Kaminakia are the stars, reached by dusty roads that feel like pre-tourism Greece. When you arrive, the bay opens calm as glass, the kind of blue that seems edited even in real time.

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Astypalea is also quietly futuristic. Its Greeces first smart, fully electric island, blending sustainability with tradition. You move on electric scooters, dine at tavernas lit by the sea moon, and listen to old men tell stories under bougainvillea on squares that feel lit from inside. Its proof that paradise evolves without losing soul.

Sifnos

Image Credit : Shutterstock.

Sifnos is the culinary heartbeat of the Aegean, an island where chefs come to taste, learn, and sometimes stay forever. Nikolaos Tselementes, Greeces greatest cookery figure, came from here, and the island still cooks like it has something to prove. Chickpea stews simmer in clay pots, honey drips from thyme-rich hillsides, and desserts taste like a grandmothers handwritten recipe.

The beaches bring softness, not spectacle. Vathi, hugged by hills, feels like a watercolored sanctuary. Platis Gialos stretches bright but never flashy. There are no choreographed beach clubs with blaring soundtracks, just the hush of tide and the clinking of forks on seaside plates.

Sifnos at golden hour is church-bell calm. The monastery of Chrysopigi hangs above the water like a silent witness, while cafes in Apollonia spill laughter into narrow alleys scented with jasmine. Mykonos makes nights burn; Sifnos makes evenings glow.

Alonissos

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Alonissos is Greeces emerald escape, pine forests tumbling into sapphire bays, hiking paths perfumed with wild herbs, and coves that echo with nothing but gull cries. It feels like Greece before brochures: raw, green, fragrant.

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Its waters host the countrys first marine national park, home to the rare monk seal, and snorkeling feels like entering another realm entirely. No mega boats, no jet skis, just crystalline stillness where fish dart like silver brushstrokes beneath you. Locals come here to breathe deeply and remember life without volume.

The hilltop Chora glows softly at dusk, terracotta roofs catching the last sun, tavernas lighting candles one by one. You dine on fresh fish, lemon potatoes, village bread, and feel the day loosen from your shoulders. Alonissos doesnt sell serenity, it gives it freely.

Karpathos

Image Credit:Shutterstock.

Karpathos is where wild Aegean winds meet deep ancestral memory. Villages cling to cliffs like theyve made peace with gravity, and beaches burst into Caribbean blues without needing influencers to declare them worthy. Apella Beach alone could compete with any Mykonos shore, except here, you often find space to float without neighbors.

Olympos village feels like walking into a living archive. Women still bake bread in stone ovens, embroidery follows centuries-old patterns, and dialects ring with ancient texture. Nothing is designed for outsiders; everything exists because it always has.

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Karpathos nights are salt-warmed and sincere. Musicians gather not for crowds but for legacy, playing lyra and laouto until stars blink awake. Wine comes from family barrels, food from family fields, and silence from the wide, unclaimed horizon.

Skyros

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Skyros is the island that refuses categorization, half Aegean, half secret. While others chase aesthetics, Skyros preserves identity: horse breeds unique to the island, woodcarvers shaping myth into cedar, and festivals that feel unchanged since Homer wrote of sea winds and salt gods.

The beaches stun without theatrics. Molos stretches calm and sun-drenched, with tavernas stepping right onto the sand. Elsewhere, hidden coves conceal water luminous enough to make you forget your own thoughts. You dont rush here; the island wont allow it.

Chora is a masterwork of white alleys and Byzantine echoes, crowned by a castle that watches the sea with unblinking mythic patience. Nights are soft, warm, timeless, not designed for Instagram, but for memory.
Cookies have long been synonymous with Christmas. As the weather chills, the baking supplies come out and the welcoming scents of sugar and spice waft through the house. This tradition traces back to the Middle Ages, when solstice festival feasting began to overlap with Christian holiday traditions. Add to that a spice influx by way of the East, and the classic Christmas treat was born. Over time, traditional cookies morphed from hard biscuits designed to weather long winter months to the modern-day variations we know and love.

In the United States, the tradition calls to mind tins filled to the brim with cut-out sugar cookies and spiced gingerbread men. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Take a trip around the world and you'll find that "Christmas cookie" means something a little different everywhere you go. Some of these cookies are soft and chewy, while others are thin and crispy. Some lean heavily on spices, while others are sugary sweet. But all of them will help you spread a little more cheer this holiday season.

Read more: The Signature Sandwich Of Every State

Cuccidati (Sicily)

a plate of cuccidati, italian fig cookies, surrounded by a filled mug and pine cones, cinnamon sticks, and leaves - Valentin Valkov/Shutterstock

These little cookies are everything Fig Newtons wish they were. Cuccidati are Sicilian fig-filled cookies, traditionally baked around Christmas time. Shaping varies, but the most common variation is a cylindrical cookie with a flat bottom. The real beauty of cuccidati lies in its flavors, which reflect the rich history of the Italian island. The filling is made using a combination of figs, raisins or dates, and nuts, ingredients common to many Middle Eastern desserts and likely influenced by Sicily's period of Arab rule.

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Other common additions, like honey, citrus, and cinnamon, lend these bite-sized treats an even greater depth of flavor. The filling is encased in a soft dough made with shortening or butter. After baking, they're often topped with icing and colorful sprinkles, though they can be left plain as well. While cuccidati are traditionally made at Christmas, they also reappear to adorn St. Joseph's day altars. These cookies take a little extra time and love to make, but they're well worth the effort.

Lebkuchen (Germany)

a stack of lebkuchen, german gingerbread cookies, tied with a red and white bow. some covered in chocolate, others with light glaze - Ji_images/Getty

One of the oldest Christmas cookies is gingerbread, though not exactly the people-shaped cookies you might be thinking of. Lebkuchen are similar to the gingerbread popular in the U.S., but have a few key differences. Firstly, the term "lebkuchen" encompasses many different types of German gingerbread, which differ in their ratio of nuts to flour. The most popular variation is Nurnberger Lebkuchen (or Elisenlebkuchen). They were first created by medieval German monks and baked on communion wafers to prevent the dough from sticking. Nowadays, the dough is baked on specialty wafers called Oblaten.

These chewy, circular lebkuchen contain almonds and hazelnuts with little to no flour. In fact, Nurnberger Lebkuchen is required to be made up of at least 25% nuts, with the best ones far exceeding this number. The batter also traditionally includes marzipan and candied orange peel, flavors that distinguish it from other types of gingerbread. After baking, the cookies are dipped in a thin layer of icing or chocolate, adding just the right amount of sweetness.

Rose Cookies (India)

plate of rose cookies, fried fritters from India, on a wooden table - Santhosh Varghese/Shutterstock

Rose cookies are not cookies in the traditional sense  rather than being baked, these desserts are fried. Variations exist in cultures around the world, including in the South of India, where much of the country's Christian population is located. In Goa, rose cookies go by the name "rose de coque," and in Kerala, they're known as "achappam." But despite the name differences, Christians in these states all enjoy the intricately shaped fritters to ring in the holiday season.

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The batter is made with rice flour and coconut milk, which differentiates it from the popular Scandinavian rosette cookies that rely on all-purpose flour and whole milk. After the batter is prepared, the iconic rose shape is achieved by using a special mold to fry each cookie. The mold is dipped into the batter and then into hot oil, before being taken out to allow the rose cookies to crisp to perfection.

Melomakarona (Greece)

a mound of melomakarona, greek honey cookies, on a silver platter in front of a mantle - iso top on/Shutterstock

If you're a fan of Greek loukoumades, also known as the world's first doughnuts, then you'll love these festive Greek cookies. Like loukoumades, melomakarona feature honey as a starring flavor. You'd be hard-pressed to find a Greek home or store around Christmas that doesn't have a batch baking in the oven. While there are variations, traditional melomakarona dough is made with a mixture of semolina and all-purpose flour, along with honey, cinnamon, and clove. It's also vital to use olive oil along with vegetable oil to achieve the traditional flavor.

The freshly-baked cookies are soaked in a citrus-infused honey syrup and can be topped with crushed nuts for serving. The best part about these cookies is that they taste amazing and are relatively simple to make. You can easily churn them out in big batches if you have lots of mouths to feed. Since melomakarona are also eaten during Orthodox Lent, they happen to be dairy-free and egg-free, so they can be enjoyed by even more friends and family.

Krumkaker (Norway)

a white plate holding a row of norwegian krumkaker, cone shaped, waffle-like cookies - knelson20/Shutterstock

While these Norwegian desserts may look like a waffle cone just waiting to be topped off with a healthy scoop of ice cream, they are actually a traditional Christmas cookie. These cookies are thin, crisp, and rolled into a cone shape while still warm (much like a waffle cone). Krumkaker are thought to be around 1,000 years old, originally made over open fires before stovetops came into existence. The traditional batter is simple: just a mixture of eggs, flour, sugar, and butter. However, you can tweak the recipe to add extra spices such as cardamom and nutmeg.

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The key to the perfect krumkake is using a specialized iron to cook the batter. These irons have intricate designs laid into them so that each cookie comes out imprinted with a beautiful pattern. Once the batter is cooked, a cone-shaped mold or any cone-shaped object you have on hand can be used to shape the cookie. Krumkaker can be filled with whipped cream, berries, and yes, even ice cream.

Sand Tarts (United States - Pennsylvania Dutch)

a stack of pennsylvania dutch sand tarts with cinnamon sugar and a walnut piece at the center of each - Denise Klinger/Shutterstock

During this trip around the world, we're making a quick pit-stop in the U.S. to check out one classic Amish food that you really need to try. But don't worry, these cookies aren't your average sugar cookie. You may have never heard of sand tarts, even if you grew up in the United States. However, they are a popular holiday tradition among the Amish, Mennonite, and wider Pennsylvania Dutch communities.

Though the basic ingredients are reminiscent of a normal sugar cookie, they're meant to be as thin as possible, resulting in a crunchy cookie that all but melts in your mouth. Since the recipe is so simple, it is a great baking activity for young children. They can be cut with cookie cutters and decorated with icing and sprinkles, which is especially fun for families. Another common garnish is to sprinkle the finished sand tarts with cinnamon sugar and place a pecan or walnut at the center for extra crunch.

Hojarascas (Mexico)

a plate full of Mexican hojarascas, star-shaped cinnamon-sugar coated shortbread cookies - Sergii Koval/Shutterstock

Hojarascas are simple yet delicious Mexican-style shortbread cookies that are a staple during the holiday season. They combine the soft, crumbly texture of shortbread with the warming flavors of cinnamon sugar for a treat that pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of Cafe de Olla. These cookies can be found at many family Christmas celebrations or as an offering during Las Posadas, a traditional recreation of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem from the Bible.

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You can easily customize these shortbread cookies by cutting them into various shapes. Often, they're stars, but they can also be cut into any of the other classic Christmas shapes you might use for a sugar cookie dough. Another way to elevate these cookies and achieve a more traditional flavor is to use Mexican cinnamon sticks rather than ground cinnamon. They're softer than your average cinnamon stick and easy to grind, giving your cookies the depth of flavor they deserve.

Kolaczki (Poland)

polish kolaczki cookies filled with orange and red jam arranged in a circle surrounded by christmas decorations - zoryanchik/Shutterstock

These next cookies are so good that they're not only popular in Poland, but also in countries like Austria, Russia, and Denmark. However, specifically in Poland, kolaczki are a staple leading up to Christmas, in both homes and stores alike. They are made with a cream cheese-based dough that bakes up nice and flaky, almost like a cross between cookie and pastry dough. The cookie is most often filled with a fruit filling like raspberry or apricot, but you could also opt for a nut or cream cheese filling.

Part of what makes these little treats so special is their shape. The dough folds over the filling to resemble tiny envelopes. The secret to getting the dough to stay in place is to add a small amount of water to the joining points to secure them. Though it may take a little more delicacy than making the signature indent in a thumbprint cookie, in the battle of fruit-filled cookies, this one might just be the winner.

Licorice Tops (Iceland)

a bowl full of icelandic licorice tops, meringues with chocolate chips and licorice pieces - Your Friend in Reykjavik / Facebook

Walk into any Icelandic store in search of a sweet treat, and you'll stumble across a plethora of licorice-flavored products. Many of Iceland's sweets, even chocolate, come paired with a healthy dose of licorice root. You can even get your hands on licorice ice cream. Though the reasons for Iceland's licorice obsession aren't immediately clear, it does explain one of the country's traditional Christmas cookies. Lakkris toppar, or licorice tops, are a meringue cookie filled with chocolate chips and chocolate-coated Icelandic licorice.

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Licorice tops are unlike any American Christmas cookie. The meringue base makes for a crisp exterior and chewy middle, and the chocolate pieces add a rich, creamy layer. The flavor is unique, and the texture makes the eating experience satisfying. Even if you consider yourself a licorice hater, give these cookies a chance. Icelandic licorice and American licorice are not the same. In fact, many kinds of American licorice don't actually contain licorice root but rather are flavored with anise. Even people who normally hate licorice have found they love Icelandic licorice just as much as the locals do.

Andalusian Alfajores (Spain)

a stack of cylindrical andalusian alfajores covered in powdered sugar sits next to a cup of tea and cutlery - wideonet/Shutterstock

Alfajores are best known as soft shortbread sandwich cookies filled with creamy dulce de leche, popular in South America. However, there's another version of alfajores that you may not be familiar with. Andalusian alfajores, as their name suggests, originated in the Andalusia region of Spain and have been around since at least the 14th century. They are traditionally made for Christmas, especially in Medina Sidonia, where they are one of the city's most famous treats.

This no-bake cookie is made with honey, nuts, breadcrumbs, and spices like cinnamon and cloves. These flavors are indicative of the Moorish influence in the area. Though South American alfajores evolved from these cookies, it's clear they don't share much else in common besides a name. There's a long history to no-bake cookies like these Spanish alfajores, but the general appeal is that it's easier and quicker to whip up a batch when you don't even have to turn on the oven. Andalusian alfajores combine tradition and convenience, and during the holidays, that little bit of time saved could be just what you need.

Speculaas (The Netherlands)

windmill shaped speculaas cookies next to a cup of coffee and various christmas decorations - Marina Bakush/Shutterstock

After Biscoff became the cookie of the skies, a welcome sweet treat offered to passengers on long flights, it took off in popularity across the world, inspiring all kinds of products from Biscoff spread to Biscoff ice cream bars. But the origin of this cookie actually traces back to another type of cookie. Speculaas is the original spiced cookie from the Netherlands, and became popular in the 17th century. Belgium later developed its own version of speculaas called speculoos, and eventually Biscoff came along too.

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Speculaas have a deeper flavor thanks to the heavy spice content in the dough. Typically, you'll find cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and other common additions include ginger and cardamom. Speculaas are served on St. Nicholas Day and for other holiday celebrations, often cut in traditional windmill and snowflake shapes to add a pop of whimsy to the dinner table.

Paciencia Cookies (Philippines)

a basket filled with paciencia, small round filipino meringue cookies - Cauayan Sanitary Bakery / Facebook

Meringues aren't just a Christmas tradition in Iceland. As it so happens, mini meringue cookies known as paciencia are a staple during the holiday season in the Philippines. The name, meaning "patience," could refer to the process of making meringue. Thankfully, the ingredients for these cookies are very simple and easy to access for most. The basic recipe consists of egg whites, sugar, flour, baking powder, and vanilla extract. The result is light and crispy with a subtly sweet flavor that makes it hard to stop at just one.

The key to mastering these cookies is getting the meringue just right, and patience is essential to achieving the glossy, stiff peaks these cookies require. Once you have that, the rest is a breeze. Though the flavor and texture of paciencia hold up on their own, you can also choose to add other flavors like calamansi, lemon, or cookies and cream. The cookies can even be colored to match the particular occasion you're celebrating.

Kahk (Egypt)

a plate of egyptian kahk cookies with powdered sugar on a wooden table - sayed mohamed elsayed/Shutterstock

Egypt's Christmas looks a little different than the typical U.S. celebrations. While December 25 is celebrated and decorations can be found leading up to that date, many Egyptian Christians are part of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Following the Julian calendar, Christmas is celebrated on January 7. On this day, families gather to celebrate, exchange gifts, and indulge in sweets, such as kahk.

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Kahk are not just Christmas treats; they're also commonly eaten at Easter and Eid al-Fitr celebrations throughout the country. However, for much of the Christian population, the cookies are deeply associated with gathering with family and celebrating their rich cultural heritage. The base dough contains flour, sesame seeds, sugar, and occasionally cinnamon. The cookies aren't too sweet, but a dusting of powdered sugar gives them a perfectly balanced sweetness without being overpowering. Sometimes kahk is stuffed with date paste and nut fillings made with pistachios or walnuts that complement the subtle flavor of the cookie.

Springerle (Germany)

german springerle, circular white cookies with intricate designs of people and flowers embossed on them - Mariha-kitchen/Getty

The award for the most beautiful Christmas cookie goes to Germany's Springerle. These cookies don't even need icing to make a statement. The dough gets its flavor from a combination of anise seeds and oil, but the real treat is that each biscuit is embossed with intricate designs made using specialized molds. A single plate of Springerle could hold anything from animal and fruit still lifes to detailed townscapes. These elegant cookies have a long history, originating in southern Germany around the 14th century, and are often made during religious holidays as celebratory treats.

Aside from their striking designs, the cookies are also unique. The dough is traditionally made using baker's ammonia, or hartshorn, instead of baking powder as a leavening agent. This is a key ingredient to achieving the airy, honeycomb-like texture characteristic of Springerle. Rather than spreading in the oven, these cookies rise upward, leaving behind lots of air pockets for a crisp bite. Authentic Springerle do not contain fats like butter, another factor that contributes to their distinct texture. For the best flavor and texture, let the cookies rest in an airtight container with an apple slice for three to four weeks. Not only will this enhance the flavor, but it will soften them up and make them all the more enjoyable.

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Your flight is canceled or delayed. Now what?

You probably feel like the airline owes you for your trouble, but before you ask for any compensation, you'll want to ask two key questions: Why was the flight canceled or delayed? If it's a delay, how long is it expected to last?

The answers will dictate what you're owed.

Next, you'll want to check the Department of Transportation's Airline Customer Service Dashboard to find out what airlines have pledged to do for people affected by controllable cancellations or delays. Those are disruptions within a carrier's control, like mechanical issues, staffing shortages, or cleaning and fueling delays.

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Your rights are far more limited when the root problem is beyond the airline's control, such as weather, ground stops, or recent flight-reduction mandates during the government shutdown.

What is the Cancellations and Delay Dashboard?

The DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard is a publicly available online tool that shows what various U.S. airlines have committed to provide to passengers when a flight is canceled or delayed for reasons within the airlines control (e.g., staffing, maintenance, mechanical issues). The dashboard uses a simple green-check or red X format so travelers can compare, at a glance, which airlines guarantee services such as free rebooking, meal or hotel vouchers, ground transportation, or other accommodations in those situations.

The dashboard was launched on Sept. 1, 2022, in response to a summer of widespread flight disruptions and passenger complaints.

What am I owed if an airline cancels my flight?

DOT rules require airlines to offer you a refund if flights are canceled for any reason, regardless of ticket type, if you choose to no longer fly.

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If you choose to continue your trip, you are entitled to penalty-free rebooking on the same airline.

Additionally, if the cancellation was within the carrier's control:

Some airlines (Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, United) can rebook you on a partner airline at no cost.

Nearly all major airlines will offer a complimentary hotel stay and ground transportation to and from the hotel for overnight cancellations.

All major airlines will offer a meal or credit toward a meal if you have to wait more than 3 hours for the next flight.

Additional details can be found on the DOT's dashboard. Airlines not listed on the dashboard post their customer service commitments on their respective websites.

More travelers now have lounge access. Is that a good thing?

Am I owed compensation if my flight is delayed?

The answer depends on the circumstances and airline.

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If the delay is outside the airline's control, they don't owe you anything extra.

If the delay is within airline control, but not considered a significant delay (typically at least three hours), then they still may not owe you anything.

The compensation kicks in for significant delays within the airline's control and generally mirrors offerings for controllable cancellations. But it's not cash compensation, which is not required by U.S. regulators. It generally takes the form of hotel, meal and transportation vouchers, or a refund if you choose not to fly.

One critical thing to remember is that even when you aren't owed anything, airline customer service representatives may have the power to provide meal vouchers, mileage credit, or other compensation for your trouble, on a case-by-case basis, so it pays to be courteous and doesn't hurt to ask.

Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Use this tool to find what you're owed when your flight is delayed
Australian financial institution Bendigo Bank has agreed to acquire the retail lending and deposit business of RACQ Bank.

The acquisition will see the transfer of more than 90,000 RACQ Bank customers to Bendigo Bank, pending regulatory approval.

RACQ Banks business comprised $2.7bn in loans and deposits of $2.5bn as of 30 June 2025.

The acquisition and transfer of employees is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. Final consideration will be determined based on the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of completion.

RACQ managing director and Group CEO David Carter stated that the decision to sell was based on Bendigo Banks technology, scale and investment capabilities.

Carter said: Like RACQ, Bendigo Bank is one of Australias most trusted brands and shares our deep commitment to supporting its communities right across Australia.

While RACQ Bank has achieved quality growth since its inception in 2016, for us to deliver the best banking experience for our members, significant ongoing investment is needed to meet the growing demand for digital banking, maintain a competitive position and meet regulatory requirements.

Upon closing, RACQ Bank members will transition to Bendigo Bank products.

The members will get access to Bendigo Banks savings and transaction accounts, home loans, credit cards and personal lending solutions.

Bendigo Bank will fund the acquisition from its cash reserves.

RACQ Bank will continue to operate under its existing brand until the transaction concludes. Its members will retain their membership for 12 months after completion.

The agreement also includes a referral arrangement for savings, deposits and home loans between RACQ and Bendigo Bank, after completion.

Bendigo Bank CEO and managing director Richard Fennell noted that the acquisition would increase the banks share of the Queensland residential lending market from 15% to 18%.

"Bendigo Bank to acquire RACQs retail deposit business" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




The Library Restaurant remains one of the most beloved dining options in Portsmouth. It's where you go to celebrate lifes milestones, to cheer an accomplishment or to propose to that special person.

It also continues to be one of the best places on the Seacoast to get a steak, and was recently named Best Steakhouse in the 2025 Best of the Seacoast Communitys Choice Awards.

The Library leads our story on 10 of the best steakhouses in greater Seacoast New Hampshire and southern Maine.

The Library Restaurant, Portsmouth

The Library Restaruant owners Adrienne and Paul Waterman say steaks served at the Portsmouth restaurant come from multiple countries, including Japan.

When you talk about steakhouses, you often think of these historic, old, grand buildings. I think you've set the scene immediately walking into the 150-year-old Rockingham, co-owner Adrienne Waterman said, looking around The Librarys dining room where the original Shreve, Crump and Low sconces were installed by legendary Portsmouth entrepreneur and brewer Frank Jones and the ceiling was constructed by Pullman Car Woodworkers. This room has been just phenomenal as a restaurant since 1886.

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The lobby features the original floor tiles from when the building was a hotel, which seven presidents have walked across. The marble-topped bar is the hotels original reception desk.

It's a highly evolved, highly historic, grand room that is often associated with bold reds (wines), juicy steaks and big, generous portions, she said. I think that's what people expect when they come to a steakhouse.

The hotel was bought in 1973 to be converted to condominiums and the restaurant reopened in 1975 with the Library theme, making this its 50th year as a steakhouse.

In addition to the history of the dining room and the Rockingham, The Library has tremendous history with the people of Portsmouth, said co-owner Paul Waterman, who remembers many guests being glad the couple wasn't planning to change much about the restaurant when they bought it in 2023.

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Then theyd say, I remember my grandparents golden anniversary was here in 82. My grandmother used to work here and bring us here for Thanksgiving in the 1940s, he said. Weve had 96-year-olds come in and say they worked here. It's such an amazing history. That's a tremendous advantage, but it's also a responsibility.

The Library Restaurant co-owner Adrienne Waterman shows off historic and more recent photos.

Adrienne Waterman said The Library serves an international offering of steaks, sourcing from Japan, Australia and Canada, in addition to the western United States.

Most restaurants will serve steak, but it's the quality of the meat. It is the sourcing and the association with the farmers, she said, noting their chef, James Kasilowski, traveled to Japan to meet the farmer who raises the wagyu beef and overnights it to the Library. It's not just the association with the meat, it's actually all the way back to the farms.

The Library offers large cuts to share, such as the Library Chateaubriand for two, or the 28 oz. Beef Porterhouse. Individual cuts include 8 or 12 oz. filet mignon, bone-in Ribeye Cowboy Cut at 20 oz. and Brandt Farm Striploin. Horseradish cream, cognac peppercorn, house steak sauce and classic bearnaise sauces complement the steaks.

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We have an international offering of steak, and high-quality steak is going to speak for itself, she said. If you're a steak lover, you will know the difference. Being able to sell exceptional steaks from all over the world and prepare them properly is what a steakhouse does.

She said steakhouses, including The Library, also do the classics really well, like au gratin, and focus on very bold, rich foods across the menu, offering a variety of seafood, chicken, duck and pork entrees, and focus on the highest quality from cocktails to dessert.

Weve invested in mixologists to create excellent cocktails, and its theater, Paul Waterman said, noting they have their own following. It elevates the entire restaurant.

The Library Restaurant owners Adrienne and Paul Waterman at their State Street eatery in Portsmouth.

They said at least 50% of their guests are celebrating a special occasion, calling it a privilege people choose The Library.

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We are consistently offering a memorable experience, not just a great dinner. We're offering memories in a historic, high-end environment, Adrienne Waterman said, crediting their staff. We get huge kudos on the atmosphere, we get kudos on the service, and we get kudos on the food. But it's the people on our staff that are most often spoken about.

Nick's Steakhouse, York, Maine

Nick Foley, owner of Nick's Steakhouse in York, Maine, holds a bold red as the dining room is decorated for the holidays.

Nick Foley has spent his entire career in steakhouses.

The steakhouse has always felt like a special occasion. A great piece of beef, loads of potato options, the owner of Nicks Steakhouse said. My idea of a steakhouse is theres a persona of elevated dining and having more of an experience, not just a meal.

Beginning his career in 2004, he worked in Boston restaurants, including long stints at the Capital Grille, Del Friscos and Ocean Prime, and rose to become president of the Varano Group founded by restaurateur Nick Varano of Strega fame.

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The experience is one of the biggest differences, he said of a steakhouse. Our guests would describe it as they feel like theyre coming home when they walk through the door.

Nicks serves steaks a la carte including a 5 oz. or 8 oz. filet, a 14 oz. New York Strip and a 14 oz. Ribeye with a choice of bearnaise, au poivre, parmesan garlic crust and demi-glace accompaniments.

Nick's Steakhouse in York, Maine, offers many options on its menu.

It also features entrees Wagyu Brisket, Coulette with a 7 oz. New York Strip, Tournedos Surf and Turf with a 6 oz. Wagyu Sirloin and shrimp, and a 14 oz. pork chop.

An appetizer, cheesesteak egg rolls, features sliced ribeye and theres another starter, stuffed meatballs, featuring prime steak. Classic sides to complement the steaks as well as seafood and pasta entrees.

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Pricing has been a challenge, Foley said of the sharp increase in beef prices. "Theres a lot of pressures on the price of beef all at once, and Im not sure thats going to subside very soon.

His favorite is a New York Strip, medium rare. Its got lots of flavor and is not as heavily marbled as a ribeye - and a loaded baked potato. I could do that every day.

He said Nicks has one of, if not the largest bourbon selection in the area. The bar features 500 liquors in total, 20 wines by the glass, and 200 wines by the bottle.

Nick Foley, owner of Nick's Steakhouse in York, Maine, says the restaurant's bar offers a large selection, emphasizing bourbon as the biggest in the area.

We have the largest bourbon list around and we sell a lot of vodka. We have a phenomenal collection with a bunch that are hard to get, but we definitely have a lot of martini drinkers. he said.

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Red wine is the other star of the bar. Nicks hosts wine dinners and events with vineyards such as Silver Oak. It has a VIP Wine Locker Club where members have their names emblazoned in gold on lockers holding their personal stash.

Still, he says, I think by far the biggest attribute to our success is our people. We have amazing people and our guests love to interact with them, he said. Having a great team that cares is the most important thing.

Best dive bars in Seacoast: 8 spots loved by locals for stiff drinks and good times

A native of Australia, Foley was president of the Varano Group when it was sold in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. He and his wife, Holly, owned a second home in York and decided to sell their home in the North End, move to York full-time, and take the plunge into creating their own fine dining restaurant in the 1880 house on what was once the Davidson Farm.

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Executive Chef Nick Donaldson, who Foley had worked with for 12 years in, decided to move north, too, to join him in the new venture.

You risk everything to do this, we sold our home, put in the hard work, lived through scary times, the stress and anxiety, Foley said. It comes down to the support weve received from the town and from the community. Its been better than anything we could ever have imagined.

Nicks is now in its fourth year. Every year is better than the previous one, and this year, its been our best year yet.

The restaurant is dipping its toe into staying open year-round, and staying open seven days through the holidays.

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Weve received phenomenal support from the community, he said. We try to support the communitys efforts by donating and feel compelled to give back. The town has been wonderful to our family.

Nicks Steakhouse, 369 U.S. Route 1, York, Maine 03903, 207-606-8900, dine@nickssteakhouse.com

Toscana Chophouse and Wine Bar, Portsmouth

Mark Filteau, Toscana Chophouse's executive chef, and Olivia Bessemer, the general manager, say the Portsmouth restaurant puts an Italian twist on the classic steakhouse.

In a row of historic bank buildings on Pleasant Street in Portsmouth stands Toscana Chophouse and Wine Bar, a wonderful setting next door to the oldest bank building in the nation built in 1803 where president-to-be Franklin Pierce once had an office.

This steakhouse definitely checks the history and beautiful environment requirements.

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On checking the high-quality steak box, Toscana general manager Olivia Bessemer said, I think its the combination of our dry-aged program and our wood-fired grill, the steak just melts in your mouth. In addition to steak, she said, the menu offers something for everyone all Italian forward.

More than the food, she said, a steakhouse is an experience.

We strive to create an experience that is seamless. The front and the back of the house teams create an excellent experience, she said, noting how she and staff work and train to guarantee success before anyone arrives.

Toscana Chophouse general manager Olivia Bessemer shows off one of the Portsmouth restaurant's private dining rooms in the downstairs area.

Toscana has some of the most unique private dining options to reserve for special occasions, tucked inside what were once the banks vaults.

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Toscana serves West Japanese bloodline wagyu from Japan and from 7X Farm in Colorado. The beef is dry-aged and butchered in-house.

Executive Chef Mark Filteau is new to Toscana but not the Seacoast, having once worked at Latitudes at Wentworth by the Sea and the Atlantic Grill. He said individual steaks of great quality make a restaurant a steakhouse.

He said Toscanas beef is dry-aged for 28 days in temperature-, humidity-, air quality- and light-controlled units, which breaks down the enzymes in the meat, making it tender inside and giving it a different flavor.

One of its most famous wood-fired steaks is its 36 oz. long bone ribeye. It also serves a 10 oz. barrel cut filet mignon, a 16 oz. Prime Brandt Rib Eye, a 16 oz. prime dry-aged sirloin, and a 12 oz. 7X wagyu flat iron. It also serves a 14 oz. Garlic Crusted Lamb Rack and a 16 oz. Pork Tomahawk.

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They dont waste an ounce with a weekly burger special where even the burger patties are made of dry-aged beef.

Filteau said much of the rest of the menu has an Italian influence, in its pasta of course, but also its potato options are elevated with truffle, its mac and cheese has prosciutto in it, and in the Lobster Fusilli as well as many other seafood entrees.

I want diners to have the experience of the quality of the meat, and enjoy the environment, the beauty of the building, Filteau said. Its an Italian twist on a steakhouse.

With the restaurant now beautifully decorated for the holidays, Bessemer said Toscanas busiest season is the winter, unlike many restaurants in the city.

Toscana Chophouse and Wine Bar in Portsmouth offers a flight of fine bourbons from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky.

Its bourbon and wine list is extensive with something for every price point and palette, according to beverage manager Marc Bourgeois, and for every moment diners are celebrating.

We strive to find spirits and wine of great value so as not to break the bank, and also to get people to try new things, Bourgeois said, giving the example of a Greek wine by the glass he added to the menu in hopes diners discover it for the first time.

Good wine sells itself, he said. We find that one you could never find anywhere. These are memories youll have for a long time.

Here's a look at more great steakhouses in the greater Seacoast area, with information from their websites:

Granite Steak & Grill, Rochester

Granite Steak & Grill features hand-cut aged Angus beef. Its Signature Prime Rib is premium upper choice Angus rib eye served au jus and roasted all day and can be from 8 oz. to 20 oz. in size. They can go even bigger by the ounce.

They also serve a 7 oz. filet mignon, filet tips, Teriyaki Dragon Steak, a 14 oz. classic Delmonico rib eye steak the most flavorful steak we have, according to the website, and a New York Strip called a steak eaters cut.

All entrees are served with warm honey wheat bread with housemade whipped honey butter and a choice of two sides including all the classics. Diners can choose from red wine beef demi glaze, Hollandaise sauce, sauteed mushrooms and onions, or parmesan garlic compound butter for their prime rib or steak cut.

Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery, Raymond

Executive Chef Bobby Marcotte started working in restaurants at 13 and became a head chef at 21. He opened the Butchery as a meat specialty shop in 2012 with the Tavern opening just a few months later focusing on high quality ingredients and great service. The Butchery has since expanded into a full market.

Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery have won many awards and Marcotte has won the competition show Guys Grocery Games three times, battled Bobby Flay this September, and has been on the Food Networks Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives multiple times. This year, TastingTable.com declared Tuckaway Tavern the best steakhouse in New Hampshire and New Hampshire Magazine readers voted it the states best in seven food categories, including steakhouse.

All of Tuckaways Prime grade Black Angus steaks are handcut daily in the Butchery and it also features dry-aged ribeye aged in house for at least 30 days as well as Bison Tips from pasture-raised Colorado Bison. You can also buy their meat online and have it shipped.

The menu also features its award-winning house marinated steak tips, which it declares Americas Best Steak Tips; a 16 oz. boneless ribeye or New York Strip, a 24 oz. Porterhouse and a 10 oz. Filet Mignon. Baby Back Ribs, Teriyaki Chicken Tenders and thick-cut, marinated Jamaican Jerk pork chops.

Bonissoni Brazilian Steakhouse, Ogunquit, Maine

The Bonissoni Brazilian Steakhouse offers a full Rodizio experience where servers or gauchos come to your table bearing a variety of quality Brazilian barbecued meat and slice the meats of your choice at your table. Side dishes are also served in an unlimited fashion so you can try a variety of flavors.

This Brazilian steakhouse offers only prime meats selected from the best cattle in the world, according to its website. The meats feature softness and marbling as well as spices in the right measure and comply with the highest Brazilian barbecue standards.

The steakhouse was inspired by the Bonissoni Familys wine business where its mission was to bring the flavor and history of Italian wines to Americans. It decided to do the same with its passion for traditional Brazilian barbecue and bring it to U.S. diners. The steakhouse also features an extensive wine list and cocktail menu.

The Lost Fire Patagonian Grill and Bar, Kennebunkport, Maine

The Lost Fire Patagonian Grill and Bar, an Argentinian steakhouse, was created by German Lucarelli who is a celebrated chef and has been a restaurateur in Buenos Aires, Paris, London, Beirut, Istanbul, Miami, New York and Maine. He has had a passion for authentic Pantagonian barbecue his whole life.

A native of Argentina, Lucarelli began cooking with his grandmother at 8 and at 17 he moved to Mendoza to work as a dishwasher, quickly becoming a line chef.

Luca, the restaurants outdoor patio, is open in summer through October. The Lost Fire is open for dinners Wednesday through Sunday all year long.

The Steakhouse, Wells, Maine

Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, The Steakhouse serves only fresh USDA Prime and Choice corn-fed heavy Western beef, according to its website. Selected from the very best cattle, carefully aged and never frozen, their steaks are hand-cut in-house and broiled in extremely high-temperature broilers to lock in their juices and flavor.

Diners can choose 7 oz. or 10 oz. filet mignon; a 14 oz. ribeye; a 10 oz. and 14 oz. New York Strip Sirloin; Teriyaki Sirloins, 12 ounces of extra well trimmed strips of NY and carefully marinated in house teriyaki sauce; Steakhouse Chopped Steak, which uses the lean, tasty trimmings from Prime and Choice steaks and grinds them daily and is served with mushroom gravy or onions and peppers.

Theres also a Steakhouse Pot Pie made with roasted filet mignon pieces, steak, carrots, corn and mushrooms in rich gravy and topped with flaky crust. It closes Dec. 13 for the winter but opens in February for Valentines Day.

Christophers Third Street Grille, Dover

Owner and Executive Chef Christopher Lund opened the Third Street Grille in 2007 after years of working in several regional restaurant kitchens, according to the restaurants website.

His menu features hand-cut USDA choice Western beef aged in-house in coolers to two to three weeks. Theres an 8 oz. or 12 oz. Top Sirloin, a 13 oz. ribeye described as tender and juicy with just the right amount of marbling, and 8 oz. filet mignon termed the most tender cut of all. Theres also Teriyaki Tenderloin Tips, which is 10 ounces of beef marinated in Christophers own teriyaki sauce, grilled and topped with sauteed onions and mushrooms. Theres also a full or half rack of Baby Back Ribs slow-roasted on open flames with Christophers chipotle BBQ sauce.

Diners can choose from bearnaise or whiskey peppercorn sauce, bleu cheese crumbles or fried onion rings on their steaks.

Ember Wood Fired Grill, Dover

Ember Wood Fired Grill is located in an 1865 historic firehouse in downtown Dover. Calling its menu locally inspired and American fusion, it features hand-cut steaks on its scratch kitchen menu that also features fresh local seafood and handmade pastas. It pours 100 whiskeys and has a 24-bottle wine list.

It has a 16 oz. Prime Angus ribeye with crispy potato and herbed bone marrow butter, marinated steak tips with bourbon garlic sauce, braised short ribs and Steak Frites, a marinated bistro steak with hand-cut fried, chimichurri and steak sauce aioli. Its Ember Burger is made of house-ground beef.

Ember also has a private dining lounge that seats 16 and the upstairs Bourbon Room for up to 100 or the downstairs for up to 40 guests.

Hidden gem restaurants: Next in our food series, we'll highlight great Seacoast eateries that may be a bit off the radar. Please email your ideas to news@seacoastonline.com or news@fosters.com with "hidden gem" in the subject line.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Best steakhouses in Seacoast: 10 restaurants loved for classic cuts
OLD FORGE  Surrounded by pizza joints and Italian restaurants, the founder of a wellness cafe in the borough sought to replicate the look and feel of an Egyptian temple.

Following a nearly two-decade career as a professional guitarist for Motionless in White and Escape the Fate, T.J. Bell started studying the the art of herbal alchemy, known as spagyria, and eventually launched Black Earth Magical Cafe in May.

Music was my life, my identity, and the road felt like home, Bell said. But when COVID-19 hit and the industry came to a complete stop, I suddenly had time  real time  to sit with myself, reflect, and explore the things Id always been curious about but never had the space to pursue. What started as simple curiosity grew into a deep passion.

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From there, Bell built a small laboratory and began following the classical processes outlined in two books  Real Alchemy by Robert Bartlett and The Path of Alchemy by Mark Stavish.

The results were powerful and genuinely life-changing, he said.

His first venture  Black Earth Spagyrics  involved creating full-spectrum herbal tinctures crafted to preserve the plants body (mineral salts), soul (essential oil) and spirit (essence) for healing on all levels of being, Bell said.

Following that experience, Bell began wondering if the plant-based remedies could be integrated directly into food and drinks to create a place where wellness, ritual, creativity and community came together  setting the stage for Black Earth Magical Cafe, he added.

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With all the tinctures, each one corresponds to a planetary intelligence, Bell said. If you have a tincture that corresponds to the moon, that would help you become more in tune with your intuition. If you have one that corresponds to the sun, its about becoming more of a leader in your life.

Additionally, all drinks served at Black Earth are charged with a Tesla coil gun once all ingredients are added, said Bell, who hopes to secure a winery license in the near future to expand operations.

One of the many definitions of alchemy could be the raising of vibrations, so what were constantly doing in all these processes is elevating the vibration of it, he said.

After seeing the benefits himself, Bell felt it was important to offer the same opportunities to the community.

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One of the main reasons I was so obsessed with making this happen was I had very real results healing physical and mental ailments from these plant medicines, he said. I thought its better to be taking plants rather than getting hooked on pills from the pharmaceutical companies.

A resident of Exeter, Bell traveled to many countries in Europe, and also visited Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Russia during his career as a guitarist.

When I get to these places, I go to the ancient temples or cathedrals, he said. I love studying the architecture of a lot of the places that were built by the Knights Templar. You can actually see the alchemical tradition built in the framework of Notre Dame, for example.

Bell  who operates the cafe with his fiancee, Lea Kunkle hopes to take a trip to Egypt with her sometime soon.

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Our decor is inspired by ancient Khem  the birthplace of alchemy  and reflects the true origin of the word alchemy, which literally translates to from Egypt or of the black land, he said.

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The decor of Black Earth Magical Cafe in Old Forge. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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A cup of butterfly pea tea with a slice of lemon is presented in the Black Earth Magical Cafe in Old Forge Wednesday, December 3, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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The inside of Black Earth Magical Cafe in Old Forge. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Owner of Black Earth Magical Cafe TJ Bell pours a cup of butterfly pea tea in his establishment in Old Forge Wednesday, December 3, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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The seating area of the Black Earth Magical Cafe in Old Forge. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Owner of Black Earth Magical Cafe TJ Bell uses a Tesla coil to add some spark into a cup of butterfly pea tea in his establishment in Old Forge Wednesday, December 3, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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The decor of Black Earth Magical Cafe in Old Forge. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Many desserts served at Black Earth Magical Cafe are inspired by ancient Egyptian rites, including the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, where a chocolate-strawberry cheesecake heart is placed on the scale against the Feather of Maat, symbolizing truth and purity, Bell said.

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In the Egyptian afterlife, Anubis takes you to the scales of Maat, and he weighs your heart against the feather of truth, Bell said. If its lighter, then you get to move on to the afterlife. What truly sets us apart is the Hermetic philosophy woven into our food. Every dish is created with the hermetic axiom as above, so below in mind  nourishment that speaks to both the physical and the spiritual.

Bell noted the cafe has started to build a following and the business model attracts guests from outside the region

The people who are actually giving us a chance and coming in, theyre really digging it, he said. Its like a gravitational force where the people who are interested in this kind of stuff are kind of just falling into it. Theyre finding it, and discovering it, and we have a lot of people who are driving in from two hours away.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Families in Baton Rouge hosting a Christmas holiday meal can find the perfect ham or turkey from local restaurants and stores with holiday catering menus.

Many places are offering traditional side dishes and desserts that can be picked up for stress-free dinner planning. Some menus have dishes featuring Louisiana seafood or local ingredients.

Here are places in Baton Rouge with holiday catering menus.

Anthonys Italian Deli

The Christmas catering menu includes mini muffulettas, take-and-bake lasagna and eggplant parm, an antipasto tray and desserts.

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Location : 5575 Government St.

Call 225-272-6817 to place an order.

Christmas 2025: Events, parades, holiday lights in, near Baton Rouge

Bergerons City Market

This years Christmas menu has appetizers, turkey, ham, pork and beef tenderloin, soups, sides and desserts. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Dec. 16.

Location : 8200 Jefferson Highway.

Click here to access the catering form.

BRQ Seafood and Barbeque

Entrees on this years Christmas Eve catering menu include smoked turkey, herb-roasted turkey and smoked glazed ham. A unique offering is a boudin-stuffed pork loin. Sides and dessert can be ordered too for a complete meal.

The deadline to order is Friday, Dec. 19. Pick up will be from 9-11 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

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Location : 10423 Jefferson Highway.

Click here to place an order online.

CounterSpaceBR

No holiday meal is complete without dessert! This local bakery offers a Christmas eggnog cake, Basque cheesecake, Christmas cookie decorating kits and more.

Location: 5621 Government St.

Click here to place an order online.

Get into the holiday spirit at Baton Rouges Christmas pop-up bars

Cracker Barrel

Families can choose holiday heat-and-serve ready meals for a stress-free holiday dinner. Meals come with an entree and traditional sides such as mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and cornbread dressing.

Location : 10250 Plaza Americana Drive.

Click here to pre-order online.

Elsies Plate & Pie

This Michelin-recommended Baton Rouge restaurant has opened its Christmas pie pre-orders. Pies will need to be picked up on Dec. 23.

Flavors offered:

Triple Berry Streusel

Pecan

Gingerbread

Christmas Cookie

Lemon Ice Box

Eye of the Tiger

Coconut

Almond Joy

Apple

Chocolate Cream

Turtle

Smores

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Location : 3145 Government St., Baton Rouge.

Click here to place an order online.

Franks Restaurant

Whether you need breakfast foods for a Christmas brunch or Louisiana specialties for dinner, this restaurant has plenty of catering options. Whole turkeys with different flavors, including spicy Cajun, roasted herb & spice, hickory smoked and Cajun fried, are on the menu.

Location : 8353 Airline Highway.

Click here to place an order online.

Fresh Market

Pre-order ham, turkey or prime rib from this grocery store. Order a meal package with classic sides or just the entree.

Location : 10555 Perkins Road.

Click here to place an order online.

Honey Baked Ham

Meal packages with ham and turkey serving up to 19 people are available to order for holidays.

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Locations : 7015 Florida Blvd.; 7677 Andrea Drive; 122 S. Airline Hwy.

Click here to place an order online.

Maxwells Market

This local store with two Baton Rouge locations has a holiday menu with gumbos, roasted turkey, prime rib roast and plenty of sides. People can order a holiday meal special for $219. Holiday pies are available too.

Locations : 6241 Perkins Road; 7620 Corporate Blvd.

Click here to view the holiday menu and information to place an order.

Rouses Markets

This local grocery store chain offers a la carte sides per pound, ham and turkey entrees, and classic Louisiana sides.

Locations : 7580 Blubonnet Blvd.; 3446 Drusilla Lane; 14630 Village Market St.; 5909 Florida Blvd.; 600 Arlington Creek Centre Blvd.

Click here to place an order online.

Sammys Grill

Sammys Grill offers a catering menu with fried or rotisserie turkey, sides and dessert. A meal package is available to order for $149.95.

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Location : 8635 Highland Road.

Call 225-766-9600 to order.

Christmas 2025: Photos with Santa for families, pets at these retailers in, near Baton Rouge

Whole Foods

Whole Foods offers appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts for a holiday gathering. Meal packages are available.

Location : 7529 Corporate Blvd.

Click here to place an order online.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Winter isn't here yet, but cold weather came early. Want to kick on the heater but trying to save money? It can be challenging to stay warm and cozy without running up your energy bill.

The polar vortex is expected to blast the U.S. with three rounds of arctic air through mid-December. It'll bring storms, frigid temperatures and snow to central and eastern states.

Currently, the Mississippi forecast doesn't call for an extended freeze or snow through the end of the year, but predictions can change as patterns shift. Some areas will still have cold nights.

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When grabbing an extra blanket or putting on a hoodie and socks won't cut it, it's time to turn up the heat.

Here's what you need to know about the best temperature for your HVAC system and how to help lower your power bill this winter.

When is the first day of winter 2025?

The first day of winter 2025 is Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in the Northern Hemisphere.

The winter solstice, which has the longest night. It occurs every year on Dec. 21 or Dec. 22.

Will the polar vortex bring freeze, snow to Mississippi?

No. If you're looking for a white Christmas, AccuWeather forecasts aren't showing a big chill in most of Mississippi through early January. Northernmost areas have the lowest predicted temps and best chances of winter precipitation at this time.

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Southaven can expect daytime highs in the 40s and 50s with some overnight lows near or below freezing. There could be some snow and rain on the morning of Dec. 30 and some snow, sleet and rain on Jan. 3.

Jackson temperatures are set to warm up into the 50s and 60s. Some overnight lows will drop into the 30s but won't dip below freezing until New Year's Eve.

In Hattiesburg, there are some chilly nights, but temperatures will mostly stay above freezing, per current forecasts.

Gulfport doesn't have freezing temps in the forecast as of early December.

Keep an eye on your local updates for changes as the country deals with cold, snow and storms because of the polar vortex paired with a weak La Nina weather pattern.

Best thermostat temperature for winter in Mississippi

Mississippi Power suggests setting your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter. (They recommend 78 in summer.)

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Each degree higher than that could lead to a 3% to 5% increase in energy use. They also suggest adjusting the temperature up or down by one or two degrees at a time to avoid higher bills.

Adjust your thermostat to save money

The Energy Department recommends adjusting thermostats by 7 to 10 degrees from your ideal setting for at least eight hours a day to save money. Milder climates get a higher percentage of savings than places with more extreme weather.

It's also recommended to make the house cooler at night while you sleep.

Check long-range forecasts: Will polar vortex bring snow to Mississippi before Christmas?

Will my heater have to work harder if I turn it down?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the idea your home's heating or cooling system will have to work harder to catch up if you roll back the setting for a while is a myth.

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In winter, the lower the house temperature, the more slowly the house will lose energy than at a higher temperature.

Changing the temperature on a digital thermostat.

How low can I set my thermostat?

The World Health Organization recommends a minimum temperature of 68 degrees for children, people with health problems and the elderly. WHO advises a range between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people.

How cold is too cold?

Thinking of going without heat and powering through with warm layers?

According to the CDC, hypothermia, or a dangerously low body temperature, usually happens in extreme cold but can happen in temperatures over 40 degrees if a person gets chilled from rain, sweat or cold water. A person can lose body heat faster than they generate more, leading to confusion and affecting their ability to move.

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Babies sleeping in cold bedrooms can get hypothermia, as can elderly adults who don't have enough food, clothes or heating.

Use space heaters safely to adjust temperatures

Using space heaters can be a good way to adjust temperatures for specific rooms and spaces. But they're not safe to run unattended, like when you're sleeping. Consider options like electric blankets or heated mattress pads for bedrooms.

If you use portable heaters, be sure to practice space heater safety from the Consumer Product Safety Commission to avoid fire risks:

Make sure the heater is 3 feet away from flammable materials such as paper or chemicals and furniture like beds, couches or curtains.

Be sure it's on a stable, level surface.

Ensure the plug fits tightly into the wall outlet.

Don't plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip.

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Check the plug, outlet and cord temperature regularly. If they're hot, stop using the heater. The CPSC recommends having an electrician check and replace a faulty plug or wall outlet. If the cord is hot, don't use the heater until it can be fixed by an authorized repair technician.

How cold will winter be in Mississippi? Farmers Almanac ending after 200+ years. See its last MS winter forecast

Can I get help paying my power bill?

Mississippi Power has multiple programs to help people facing economic hardship, the elderly and people with disabilities pay their bills.

Call 228-701-0555 to talk to a Catholic Charities representative to find out if you're eligible for Project SHARE. Or you can donate to help someone in your community.

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Or you can call the Mississippi Power Customer Care Center at 800-532-1502 to find out about bill discounts for households that get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What is the best thermostat setting for winter in MS? Save money on heat
One of the best things about traveling to Europe is sitting at a cafe and calmly sipping your drink while you talk, read, or people-watch. This ritual is part of daily life in many European countries. In Vienna, Austria, a city known for its cafe culture, people spend entire afternoons at coffee houses. In various parts of Italy, France, and Spain, outdoor seating makes cafes the perfect third space to hang out with friends. The magic of the experience is truly about being able to enjoy the little luxuries in life without rushing or worrying about being "productive."

When Americans travel to these countries and discover the wonders of cafe culture, they often come back with a deep sense of nostalgia and  dare we say it?  jealousy. Unless they're in one of the handful of walkable cities in the United States, they'll need to drive to a coffee shop (likely a chain), go in, get their coffee, and leave quickly. Even if there's seating at the spot, it's often indoors since many shops are located in bland, beige strip malls or near busy roads. The experience just can't hold a candle to walking down a tree-lined street to a corner cafe, then sitting outside and watching people going about their life.

It's not difficult to understand why so many Americans miss European cafes once they're back home. The real question is, why can't America replicate this simple yet wonderful experience?

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Read more: The Takeoff And Descent Of Airline Dining

Why cafe culture doesn't work in the U.S.

Starbucks store in the U.S. - Bgwalker/Getty Images

There are many reasons that could explain the difference between cafes in the Unites States and Europe, but the main one might be an approach to productivity. Many Western European nations value work-life balance and free time, but American culture often emphasizes busyness. This is perhaps why Europeans think of coffee as something they can drink while relaxing, while Americans see it as a caffeine boost to enhance their energy so they can be more productive. In this context, it makes more sense to just grab the coffee and go back to work.

Another big factor for this difference is car culture. The cafe magic is lost when you can't walk to the coffee shop or sit outside with a pretty view. Being inside can be nice, but cozy cafes aren't the norm in the United States. Even Starbucks, which originally won over the public with its welcoming spaces, has become more obsessed with quick turnover than with creating comfortable atmospheres. Once beloved, the chain is now a controversy magnet that prefers serving syrupy slop rather than high-quality coffee.

American cafes are also absurdly overpriced. No one wants to go into a bad coffee shop and pay $8 for one crappy latte. European cafes, on the other hand, tend to be less expensive so it's feasible to order several cups while enjoying il dolce far niente, as Italians call it: the sweetness of doing nothing.

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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.
Machu Picchu has long been the symbol of Peru, but this South American nation is far more than its most famous Inca landmark. As one of the cradles of civilisation, Peru is packed with the vestiges of the societies that pre-dated the Spanish Conquest. But this country isnt just for history buffs.

Active adventurers are well catered for by the jaw-dropping scenery of the Andes Mountains, and with a Lima restaurant taking the title of the worlds best this year, culinary travellers will also be eager to explore the modern Peruvian food scene.

Decades of tourism have shifted this country away from being the preserve of just backpackers; now, those seeking comfort  and even high-end luxury  wont be disappointed.

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However, at five times the size of the UK, travellers cannot expect to see all the sides to Peru in just two weeks. Luckily, investment in infrastructure, including a recently expanded airport in the capital, means it has never been easier to reach remote regions and venture beyond the well-trodden south-east.

This two week plan dabbles in some of the classic destinations, but goes beyond. Expect high-altitude adventures, centuries of history and ample time to dive into Perus unique  and delicious  pantry.

Day 1

Lima

Museums, murals and the worlds best meals

Lima might be infamous for its congested highways and incessant horn-honking, but this is a fascinating city straddling past and present. Take a taxi to the artsy neighbourhood of Barranco, where Republican-era mansions have been zhuzhed up to house hotels and galleries.

Peruvian women wearing traditional clothing in Limas artsy neighbourhood of Barranco - Alamy

Chic Hotel B (doubles from 360 B&B) ranks among the best, while, across the street, Museo Jade Rivera showcases the acclaimed Peruvian muralists magical realist style.

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Next, head north and into the past with the thousands of pre-Columbian artefacts (and a legendary collection of erotic pottery) at the world-class Museo Larco.

From here, return south, stopping at Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Columbian temple plonked in the middle of the well-to-do Miraflores neighbourhood.

Stretch your legs by heading for a stroll along the clifftop malecon, an esplanade connecting a string of pretty parks; look out for Peruvian artist Victor Delfins iconic El Beso (The Kiss) sculpture.

A plate of ceviche (cold seafood marinated in citrus) is a must - Gustavo Ramirez

Perus reputation for outstanding food is no exaggeration and Lima is its gastronomical heart. Ceviche is a must and La Mar serves some of the best, while the Nikkei food (think Japanese sushi crossed with Peruvian ingredients) at Maido (tasting menu 250) earned the title of 2025s worlds best restaurant. Finish your evening with swanky cocktails at Lady Bee.

Day 2 & 3

The Sacred Valley

A taste of the Andes

Catch a morning flight to Cusco, the capital of the 16th-century Inca Empire, whose domain once stretched from modern-day Colombia to the Chilean capital. Swap Cuscos nausea-inducing 11,152ft (3,399m) elevation for the lower altitude of The Sacred Valley, a lush, fertile string of Indigenous, Quechua-speaking adobe villages.

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Youll want to organise a tour of the curious archaeological site of Moray with Quecha Treks (from 118). These concentric circles carved into the hillside were used by Inca agronomists to test how crops would fare in different conditions across the Empire.

The Sacred Valley is home to a string of Indigenous, Quechua-speaking adobe villages - Christian Declercq

Stop for a long lunch at Mil (tasting menu 270), where acclaimed Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez sources ingredients exclusively from local farms located above 3,000ft (900m).

Picking up the pace

The next morning, pick up the pace with an e-biking tour of the Sacred Valley with local experts, Amazonas Explorer. Alternatively, head to Pisac, an archaeological park containing an Inca fortress with hundreds of agricultural terraces and temples.

Spend two nights at the luxurious Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba (doubles from 450 B&B), set within 100 acres of organic farmland.

Day 4 & 5

Machu Picchu

In the Incas footsteps

Machu Picchu beckons. Start early to hike the one-day Inca Trail with Evolution Treks, a local company notable for its porter welfare policies. This bite-sized, 7.5-mile (12km) chunk of the classic route climbs up along the famed stone pathway through cloud forest and past other archaeological sites to reach Intipunku (the Sun Gate), the main entrance into Machu Picchu, at sunset.

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Youll pass the night in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes before returning to the citadel for a sunrise tour of the terraces and temples of grey-white granite that have beguiled visitors for decades.

Local company Evolution Treks offers a one-day Inca Trail to see Machu Picchu, a bite-sized, 7.5-mile (12km) chunk of the classic route - Markus Daniel

The route back to Cusco is a more relaxed affair. The scenery as the railway wriggles along the Urubamba River between the vaulted walls of the Sacred Valley is superb, so pick a window seat or upgrade your ticket to the Vistadome Observatory train with its observatory car.

Youll arrive ready for a leg massage at the elegant Antigua Casona San Blas (doubles from 250 B&B); plan ahead with a spa booking for this evening.

Day 6

Cusco

The navel of the world

After breakfast, its time to explore what the Inca dubbed the navel of the world. Expert stonework once filled Cusco, but was toppled by the Spanish Conquistadors. The foundations of the Inca temple of Qoricancha (now the Iglesia y Convento de Santo Domingo) have survived; its walls were once plated with solid gold.

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Next door in the Centro de Textiles Traditionales de Cusco, Indigenous artisans preserve ancient weaving techniques; watch them transform alpaca wool into colourful Andean textiles and buy a few pieces as souvenirs.

Indigenous artisans weave alpaca wool into colourful Andean textiles using ancient techniques

For lunch, theres no better place to sample Cuscos Andean flavours than at a traditional picanteria. Try the chicharron (fried pork) at La Chomba or the roast guinea pig  both emblematic regional dishes.

Afterwards, taxi up above the city to Sacsayhuaman (around S/20/4), an Inca fortress that was the site for a bloody battle between the Spanish and Inca. Its astonishing walls stretch for a quarter of a mile (600m), and were constructed with multi-ton boulders slotted perfectly together.

End the day in upmarket Mauka, whose award-winning chef foregrounds native grains, tubers and Andean preparations. Just a short walk away, the Museo del Pisco mixes Perus trademark grape brandy with local ingredients like corn beer and prickly pear.

Days 7, 8 & 9

The Amazon

A rainforest exploration

Today, youll swap the Andean highlands for the Amazonian lowlands. A morning flight takes you to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest and ten per cent of the worlds biodiversity. Here, join an all-inclusive rainforest lodge tour to head out in search of monkeys, macaws and other rainforest beasts.

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Plump for style (including jungle-luxe bungalows with private plunge pools) and just a 45-minute boat journey to get there at Inkaterras Reserva Amazonica (two nights double all-inclusive from 1,050).

The Tambopata Research Center is a 24-bedroom lodge

Alternatively, head deeper into the rainforest to the Tambopata Research Center (three nights double all-inclusive from 1,990). Better wildlife watching comes at a price: the lodge is rustic and a four-hour boat from Puerto Maldonado. Add an extra day to your itinerary to make the journey worthwhile.

On your final day, fly back to Lima and stay at the brand-new Wyndham Grand Costa Del Sol Lima Airport (doubles from 261).

Days 10 & 11

Cocachimba

R&R in the cloud forest

Today youll transit from coast to cloud forest. Its just two hours in the air to reach Chachapoyas, a city surrounded by cloud-topped forest, pre-Columbian remains and spectacular scenery.

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Hop on public transport to Cocachimba to base yourself at the homely-chic bungalows of Gocta Natura (doubles from 322 B&B). The afternoon is ripe for cooling down in their pool, which has perfect views of the villages claim to fame: the spectacular two-tiered Gocta Falls.

The majestic two-tiered Gocta Falls in Cocachimba is the villages claim to fame - iStockphoto

At sunset, wander across to the Refugio del Colibri Espatula, a privately-run conservation area where you can spot the rare marvellous spatuletail hummingbird and its four-inch (10cm) dusky purple tail. To end the day, swing by the villages only bar, Cochachima Vintage, for potent cocktails; the sugar cane aguardiente macerated with chilli and mint packs a punch.

To the falls

The only way to get close to Gocta Falls is under your own steam. Most take the four-mile (6 km) slog through the forest, but its worth hiring a guide for the quieter, 12-mile (20 km) upper path, which visits the falls top tier. Keep your eyes peeled for the tangerine-hued Andean cock-of-the-rock, often spied in these forests.

Day 12 & 13

Chachapoyas

The Machu Picchu of the north

Beyond Gocta Falls, the northern highlands biggest drawcard is their alternative to Machu Picchu, the far lesser-visited Kuelap. Constructed on a mountaintop above the Utcubamba Valley, this fortified citys 66-foot-high (20m) walls were built between the 5th and 15th centuries by the war-loving Chachapoya.

Kuelap is a remote pre-Inca site which is spread over 15 acres - iStockphoto

A handy cable car carries you up to walk amongst 500 circular buildings, which would have been inhabited by families alongside the mummified remains of their dead.

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Back in Chachapoyas, check into the historic and handsome La Xalca (doubles from 70 B&B). For dinner, feast on typical Amazonian dishes such as tacacho (ground plantain and pork) at Amazonika, who also offer cooking classes focusing on ancestral recipes.

Raising the dead

Finish your itinerary with a day tour to Leymebamba, a 2.5-hour drive south. Youll explore the Museo de Leymebamba, whose 219-strong troupe of well-preserved, 800-year-old mummies were discovered in a nearby mausoleum.

Day 14

Lima

Back to reality

The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lima - iStockphoto

Return by air to Lima and consider a final plate of ceviche or a pisco sour in the city if youve time before your flight.

How to do it

When to go

Measuring 1,290 miles (2,080 km) from top to toe and containing everything from tropical forest to highland terrain, Perus seasons vary wildly according to where you go. Avoid December through February, which is the rainy season in the Andes and can derail Machu Picchu photo opportunities. For the best wildlife watching and driest weather in the Amazon, May through September are the ideal months (expect fewer mosquitoes, too).

What to book

Latin Routes 10-day Classic Peru tour (from 3,199pp) can be combined with their seven-day Northern Peru extension (from 2,299pp) to cover everywhere except the Amazon Jungle. The price includes internal flights, transfers, excursions, accommodation and some meals.

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Abercrombie & Kent can organise a tailor-made 14-day trip to Peru from 13,195pp, swapping out Puerto Maldonado for a three-night, all-inclusive cruise on the luxurious Pure Amazon riverboat in the northern Peruvian Amazon.

Pure Amazon is a luxury river boat which launched in summer 2025; it accommodates 22 guests - Abercrombie and Kent

Price includes all flights, private transfers, sightseeing, accommodation on a B&B basis and the three-night cruise.

Expert tips

Download Uber for the safest means of transport around Lima, where yellow taxi cab drivers can scam  and even rob  travellers.

Credit cards are accepted by up-market hotels and restaurants, but cash is king elsewhere.

There is a low risk of malaria around Puerto Maldonado, but cover up with long-sleeved, loose clothing and bring a 50 per cent DEET-based insect repellent. The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travellers heading to Cusco and the Amazon.

Altitude sickness can be serious, so its important to spend a day or two acclimatising before you attempt any physical activity or go to higher elevations. Steer clear of alcohol and drink plenty of water.

An eSIM is a sensible investment to ensure you have internet connectivity beyond your hotels WiFi.

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.
Iceland is a country in a constant state of transformation, reshaped by ongoing volcanic eruptions, erosion, and shifting ice. And in October, a newly-formed ice cave was discovered on Langjokull, the second largest ice cap in Iceland.

The cave, which was found by Hekla Tang, the snowmobile operations manager for tour company Arctic Adventures, was likely formed by meltwater and shifting ice and features a spacious chamber made of high-clarity ice streaked with layers of volcanic ash from past volcanic eruptions. Once it was discovered, the company told Travel + Leisure it worked to build out the entrance and add lighting.

Its name, Neptune Ice Cave, came from the caves deep-blue hue.

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The name came to us immediately, Tang said a statement shared with T+L. Under certain light, the ice mirrors pure Neptune topaz. Everyone agreed the moment we stepped inside.

The cave is now open to visitors who will get the chance to see Neptune as it was discovered. And since it is a seasonal formation, and the Iceland landscape is always changing, the caves color and ice clarity will evolve as winter progresses with the ice likely melting in late spring.

Arctic Adventures is currently running snowmobiling tours to the cave through April 2026.

The journey begins in Iceland's capital of Reykjavik, which sits about 2.5 hours from the cave by car. A super Jeep takes travelers through the Icelandic Highlands to the Langjokull glacier, which travelers will then traverse by snowmobile. A guide leads the group into the newly-opened Neptune Ice Cave in all the necessary safety gear, including a helmet, balaclava, and warm overalls (and don't worry, no prior snowmobile experience is required).

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Travelers who are already exploring the Langjokull area can meet the group at the Skjol Campground, which is just minutes from the Gullfoss waterfall on the countrys iconic Golden Circle route.

Tours last between four and 10 hours, depending on which locations travelers choose to join from. The trip can also be paired with an after-dark northern lights hunt, which extends the journey up to 16 hours and includes warm cocoa and expert advice on spotting and photographing the aurora. Both tours require a basic level of fitness and are only suitable for children aged 8 and older.

Rates start at $306 per adult and include an expert guide and roundtrip transportation from Reykjavik.

Beyond this tour, there are plenty of other adventures travelers can experience across Iceland from bathing in the country's geothermal pools to chasing waterfalls, exploring Thingvellir National Park, sampling its amazing cuisine, and more.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
The market town of Skipton in North Yorkshire has been crowned the happiest place to live in 2025.

The popular tourist location is a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales and is littered with historic sites.

In its annual ranking, Rightmove said residents of Skipton ranked it particularly highly for its access to nature and green spaces, the friendliness of the locals and access to essential services such as schools.

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The town took the top spot after being placed at number six in last years study, and in second place in 2020.

Richmond upon Thames and Camden, both in London, were placed second and third respectively in Rightmoves 2025 Happy at Home index.

Skipton is at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. (PA)

What is Skipton like?

People who responded to Rightmove's Happy at Home index also loved the friendliness of the people and Skipton's access to essential services such as schools.

Residents also praised the town for feeling they can be themselves there, and for the affordability of the area, feeling they earn enough to live comfortably.

Skipton is praised for the friendliness of the locals. (PA)

Rightmove said it was ranked less highly for its access to employment opportunities and desirable jobs, and residents living nearby to friends and family.

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The average asking price for a home in Skipton is 326,093, which is lower than the current national average of 364,833, Rightmove said.

As well as being close to the Yorkshire Dales, the town also has good links to Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Manchester.

Skipton is also notable for its local landmarks, including its famously well-preserved medieval castle that looms over the town and its historic centre.

Skipton Castle was built in 1090 and is a popular tourist attraction. (PA)

Ian Rigarlsford, who works in corporate affairs at Skipton Building Society, said: Skipton is a place where community genuinely means something, and thats what makes living and working here so special.

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The friendliness of the town, the accessibility of green spaces and the incredible backdrop of Skipton Castle and the Yorkshire Dales all contribute to a quality of life thats hard to match.

From lunchtime walks to simply enjoying the views from our office, the balance this town offers is remarkable.

Nearby Harrogate also featured in the top 10 of Rightmove's list, winning fourth place.

The only place outside of England was Stirling in Scotland, which came eighth.

The top 10 list is below, accompanied by the average house price and average rent per month.

Skipton, Yorkshire and the Humber, 326,093, 1,038 Richmond upon Thames, London, 942,522, 3,189 Camden, London, 1,036,768, 3,523 Harrogate, Yorkshire and the Humber, 394,355, 1,535 Woodbridge, East of England, 462,734, 1,309 Altrincham, North West, 643,244, 2,968 Macclesfield, North West, 344,807, 1,407 Stirling, Scotland, 226,547, 1,208 Cirencester, South West, 472,990, 1,975 Hexham, North East, 331,198, 967

How is it figured out?

The rankings are based on a survey Rightmove sends to people across the country.

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More than 19,500 people took part in this year's Happy at Home survey, down from last years' 35,000.

One of the questions asks residents directly how happy they feel in their area, and Skipton had the highest average score this year.

Residents are also asked to rank general amenities, like access to green spaces, quality of schools and the job market.

Rightmove then collates all of the data into one complete ranking.
A man who died in a car crash on Highway 99 has been identified.

The video above is from an earlier story and will be updated.

The California Highway Patrol identified him as 44-year-old Luis Ramos of Fresno.

The incident happened on Highway 99 just near Highway 180 around 10:30 pm Wednesday.

Officers say Ramos was driving a Nissan Sentra south on Highway 99 when he made an unsafe turn and traveled down the embankment.

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Ramos' car crashed into a sign pole, and the force caused the vehicle's engine to separate.

The engine landed on the south lanes and was hit by three passing cars, which caused minor injuries to those drivers.

First responders rushed Ramos to the hospital, where he later died.

It's not yet known if drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash and the investigation is ongoing.
Prosecutors confirm a teen involved in a shooting and chase with Seattle police was wanted for a murder in Pierce County that happened earlier this year.

The teen has had a bench warrant there for months and now faces a slew of new accusations.

The 16-year-old was supposed to appear in court on Thursday afternoon, but his hearing was pushed back.

Saturday night, Seattle police reportedly spotted a stolen car speeding and driving erratically.

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Investigators said they chased the car onto Interstate 5, where someone inside opened fire on them. A pit maneuver was eventually used to stop the car.

SPD reports six people got out and ran, four of whom were arrested: three teenage girls and a teenage boy.

When you have allegations like this of a gun and an allegedly stolen vehicle and a chase, really serious allegations, you want to make sure that theres follow-through, Casey McNerthney of the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office said.

All four teens made court appearances in King County earlier this week, but one will eventually attend court in Pierce County as well.

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The teen is accused of ambushing and murdering an 18-year-old at an apartment building in Tacoma in February 2025.

I feel like they just took my best friend, you know? Jacque Washington, the victims father, told KIRO 7 days after the killing.

Court records say the teen was allegedly caught on camera shooting Messiah Washington from feet away inside an elevator.

The documents state Washingtons body had 21 bullet holes.

The teen is also accused of custodial assault- a charge which involves assaulting a law enforcement or corrections officer while they are performing their official duties.

follow-through

McNerthney said prosecutors are still working with police to decide what to charge the teens with in connection to the shooting and chase.

There is not yet a timeline on when charges might be filed.
In the third quarter, D-Wave booked revenue of $3.7 million, which was far too meager to cover its operating costs of $30.4 million. This resulted in a Q3 operating loss of $27.7 million, up from $20.6 million in 2024.

However, D-Wave's offerings are still nascent, and prohibitively expensive for broad adoption. Moreover, the company's hardware employs an approach called annealing quantum computing, which is more adept than rival quantum computing systems at handling specific types of problems, but which is not ideal for general computing tasks. That limits its usefulness.

To encourage organizations to adopt its quantum computers for AI development, D-Wave released a set of software tools this year that plug into its quantum machines. Several customers are already employing D-Wave's quantum computers to boost AI. For example, researchers at the Julich Supercomputing Centre in Germany purchased its Advantage system earlier this year to complement their AI toolset.

"Quantum computing's integration with AI and machine learning could offer scalable, energy-efficient solutions to address these issues and potentially offer enhanced AI capabilities," he said.

Baratz explained that today's AI "faces a computational challenge due to escalating power needs and costs." He went on to explain how his company's solutions can help.

Given the potential of quantum computers, could D-Wave prove to be a better long-term AI stock investment than Nvidia from here?

In fact, pure-play quantum computing company D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS) has been touting exactly that. According to its CEO, Dr. Alan Baratz, "Introducing quantum into the AI model training and inference workflow, we think will enable a generation of better models built faster and with much lower energy consumption."

Today's artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse, Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), achieved success in its field by producing graphics processing units (GPUs), which are parallel processors that are ideally suited to the tasks involved in quickly analyzing mountains of data. The emergence of quantum computers , which can process that data far faster than today's supercomputers, could elevate AI to new heights.

D-Wave Quantum and Nvidia have introduced technologies that could enable the next phases of the AI revolution.

Story Continues

Given the massive gap between its sales and its operating costs, D-Wave's financial situation could be precarious, but it raised $400 million in an equity offering over the summer. Consequently, at the end of Q3, the company's cash balance stood at $836.2 million, the highest total in its history.

Nvidia's quantum computing strategy

Nvidia invented the GPU, but today, it isn't pursuing its own quantum computer chips to compete with the likes of D-Wave. Instead, its strategy to maintain its AI leadership ahead of the rise of quantum computers is based on a different part of the playbook that unlocked its current success.

The company's Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) software platform was a key factor that allowed it to keep a tight grip on the market for advanced semiconductor chips, even as rivals tried to compete. CUDA allows Nvidia's customers to easily customize their GPUs for their specific business needs -- but it's only compatible with Nvidia hardware. Companies that start building systems on that foundation are thus encouraged to stick with it.

More recently, Nvidia created a version of CUDA for quantum computing: CUDA-Q. This platform facilitates the integration of GPUs and quantum computer chips into hybrid systems.

This hybrid structure is a necessity because quantum machines are far more delicate and prone to calculation errors than conventional computers. Coupling the two technologies allows the quantum hardware to execute the extremely complex calculations it's designed to handle, while the conventional computer systems manage error correction and other aspects of processing where that technology remains the superior choice.

D-Wave also accounts for hybrid workflows, but Nvidia's strategy differs in that it aims to play a supporting role in the quantum computing space. Tools such as CUDA-Q can do for hybrid systems what the original CUDA did for GPUs.

To further strengthen its offerings, Nvidia introduced its NVQLink platform in October, which physically connects GPUs to quantum processors and integrates with CUDA-Q. NVQLink has already been adopted by more than a dozen of the world's top scientific computing centers.

Nvidia's track record suggests this strategy can succeed. In its fiscal third quarter, which ended Oct. 26, sales grew by 62% year over year to a record $57 billion.

Picking between D-Wave Quantum and Nvidia stocks

Between D-Wave's strategy of developing potent quantum computers and Nvidia's strategy of enabling such machines to be used more effectively with conventional tech, a few factors make the latter company the better long-term investment.

For starters, D-Wave isn't profitable, while Nvidia delivered operating income of $36 billion in Q3, up 65% over last year. That led to a 67% year-over-year increase in diluted earnings per share to $1.30.

It's also necessary to consider their relative valuations. Because only one is generating profits, the best metric to compare them by is the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio.

As the chart above shows, D-Wave and Nvidia's P/S multiples weren't all that far apart a year ago, but by last week, the former had ballooned to about 10 times higher than the latter. By any standard, D-Wave shares are expensive. Moreover, considering that the company's operating costs greatly exceed its slim sales, that lofty valuation doesn't look justified.

Nvidia is already an AI juggernaut with excellent revenue growth and healthy financials, and its NVQLink solution is off to a strong start. Throw in its far more reasonable valuation compared to D-Wave, and it's the superior AI stock of these two to invest in for the long haul.

Should you buy stock in D-Wave Quantum right now?

Before you buy stock in D-Wave Quantum, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and D-Wave Quantum wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $589,717!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,111,405!*

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Robert Izquierdo has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Better Artificial Intelligence Stock: D-Wave Quantum vs. Nvidia was originally published by The Motley Fool
Two shooting investigations were underway in DeKalb County Thursday night.

NewsChopper 2 was over both scenes during Channel 2 Action News at 5:00 and saw a police response at both locations.

DeKalb County police confirmed that a shooting investigation was underway at 3700 Flat Shoals Road, at the Gulf America Inns, with one person reportedly shot.

Police said they received the call at around 4:56 p.m., and found one man shot. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

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A second shooting investigation is underway at Rollingwood Drive SE, with one person reportedly shot, DeKalb County PD confirmed.

Police said they responded to the call at around 5 p.m. The man who was shot was conscious when he was taken to a hospital.

The investigation of the hotel shooting is open and active. Anyone with information can send an anonymous tip through the free DeKalb County PD (Tip411) app or by texting DKPD to 847411, followed by the tip.

DeKalb PD didnt have any information yet on the circumstances, victim IDs or possible suspects in connection with the shooting investigations.

DeKalb County PD are seen on the scene at a resident at Rollingwood Drive SE Dec. 4.

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The Trump administration says it may withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from recipients in 22 states and Washington, D.C starting as early as next week, unless the states in question provide information on those receiving the assistance to the federal government. The states have argued that the information being requested is private, and that handing it over would be a violation of privacy laws.



On Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed the issue at a Cabinet meeting. Rollins said that cooperation from all 50 states is necessary in order to root out this fraud and to protect the American taxpayer, doubling down on previous statements alleging that SNAP benefits are going to people who should not be receiving them, or the deceased. Weve arrested more than 120 people with SNAP fraud, Rollins said in a recent News Nation interview.

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A USDA spokesperson said, per Newsweek, USDA established a SNAP integrity team to analyze not only data provided by states, but to scrub all available information to end indiscriminate welfare fraud. 28 States and Guam joined us in this fight; but states like California, New York, and Minnesota, among 19 other blue States, keep fighting us.

While fraud in the program has been a frequent talking point from the USDA, there isnt a lot of research to back the claim that SNAP fraud is widespread. According to a U.S. Congressional Research Service report from April 2025, SNAP fraud is rare, according to available data and reports, but there is no single data point that reflects all the forms of fraud in SNAP.

Last week, officials in the 22 states that are pushing back over the issue, and Washington, D.C., sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The suit alleges that the USDA is arbitrarily excluding many lawful permanent residents from receiving SNAP benefits by misinterpreting new eligibility provisions set forth by the Trump administrations Big, Beautiful Bill. The legislation expanded work requirements to include those ages 55 to 64, homeless people, and more. According to the suit, the legislation is being used to prevent individuals who once held the status of refugees, individuals granted asylum, or parolees from gaining eligibility for SNAP once they become citizens.

Prior to Rollins latest statement, SNAP has already been under siege in recent months with the government shutdown quickly impacting the program. On Nov. 3, the Trump administration said that it would pay just 50% of recipients normal SNAP allotments for the month, leaving millions of Americans wondering how they would make ends meet.

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Rollins also recently stated that all 42 million SNAP recipients would have to reapply in order to maintain their benefits, in an assertion that some leaders have pushed back on. Last month, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ben Ray Lujan addressed Rollins and the USDA in a letter advocating against the organizations efforts to force SNAP recipients to reapply for assistance, calling it more red tape that will limit families ability to receive aid. This reapplication requirement comes after repeated efforts to deny Americans in need of essential nutrition assistance, the Senators wrote in the letter.



It continued, In addition to unprecedented cuts to SNAP enacted earlier this summer, decisions to disrupt food assistance during the shutdown have created additional uncertainty. We are therefore troubled that the Administration could choose, at this moment, to add additional red tape that creates duplicative and unnecessary barriers to accessing nutrition assistance for families.

This post originally appeared at fastcompany.com

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When the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked this year in a case over whether charter schools can be religious, experts said it wouldnt take long for the question to re-emerge in another lawsuit.

They were right.

In Tennessee, the nonprofit Wilberforce Academy is suing the Knox County Schools in federal court because the district refuses to allow a Christian charter school. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is on the schools side. He issued an opinion last month that the states ban on religious charter schools likely violates the First Amendment.

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Tennessees public charter schools are not government entities for constitutional purposes and may assert free exercise rights, he wrote to Rep. Michele Carringer, the Knoxville Republican who requested the opinion.

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The legal challenge in Tennessee comes as a Florida-based charter school network prepares to submit an application to the Oklahoma Charter School Board for a Jewish virtual charter high school. Peter Deutsch, the former Democratic congressman who founded the Ben Gamla charter schools, began working on the idea long before the case over St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School even went to court. The 4-4 tie in May means that an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision blocking the school from receiving state funds still stands.

The National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation runs a network of Hebrew language charter schools in Florida. Now it wants to open a virtual religious charter school in Oklahoma. (Ben Gamla)

The prior decision shows that theres an open question here that needs to be resolved, said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a law firm representing the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation. We hope the court will get it right this time. We hope the federal courts get it right without having to go to the Supreme Court.

Idaho also confronted the issue earlier this year. The states first charter, Brabeion Academy, initially promoted the school as Christian. But it was approved in August as a nonreligious school and will open as such next fall.

Related

A Day to Exhale: Supreme Court Deadlocks on Religious Charter Schools  For Now

Deutsch, Skrmetti and other supporters of faith-based charter schools base their argument on three earlier Supreme Court rulings allowing public funds to support sectarian schools. They say that excluding religious organizations from operating faith-based charter schools is discrimination and violates the Constitution. But leaders of the charter sector and public school advocates argue that classifying charter schools as private would threaten funding and civil rights protections for 3.7 million students nationwide.

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Unless and until the U.S. Supreme Court takes up a future case and rules otherwise, we advise all charter school associations and public charter schools to adhere to the letter and spirit of the law in their respective states, Starlee Coleman, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, said in a statement.

Not on our watch

Peter Deutsch (Abaco Photography)

When the Supreme Court considered St. Isidore, Deutsch, was prepared to advocate for Jewish congregations to open schools that not only teach their language, but also their faith. He called the case a historic opportunity to bring Jewish education to thousands of children.

To Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, the debate is settled, for now. In November, he said his office would oppose any attempts to undermine the rule of law.

Americans United, which advocates for maintaining church-state separation, has also issued a warning over the new school. The organization represented parents and advocates in a separate case over the school.

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Religious extremists once again are trying to undermine our countrys promise of church-state separation by forcing Oklahoma taxpayers to fund a religious public school. Not on our watch, Rachel Laser, president and CEO, said in a press release.

Following the oral arguments in the St. Isidore case in April, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, right, talked outside the Supreme Court with Gregory Garre, a former U.S. solicitor general, who represented Drummond. (Linda Jacobson/The 74)

The legal fight over religious charter schools began in 2023, when the Oklahoma Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 to approve a charter for St. Isidore, setting off a closely watched case that spanned two years. At the time, the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City, a nonreligious group, called the charter boards decision unconstitutional. Rachel Johnson, the groups executive director, didnt return calls or emails requesting a comment on Ben Gamlas proposal.

None of the members who originally voted on St. Isidore serves on the states new Oklahoma Charter School Board. But for one person involved with Ben Gamlas application, this is familiar territory. Brett Farley is on the proposed schools board, according to a letter of intent the foundation submitted to the charter board in November.

Farley once held a top position with the Oklahoma GOP and is also executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, which focuses on public policy issues involving the church. While preparing the St. Isidore application, Farley connected with Notre Dame law Professor Nicole Stelle Garnett, whose scholarly work formed the basis of the legal argument for the school.

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Garnetts position is that nonprofits running charter schools are like private contractors, and as with other publicly funded programs, cant be excluded just because they are religious. Shes also close friends with Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who recused herself from the St. Isidore case. Experts speculated that Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the three liberals on the court, resulting in the 4-4 tie.

Related

Mysterious Recusal Could Upend Pivotal Supreme Court Charter School Case

Passion for religious freedom

The virtual school, the intent letter says, would initially enroll about 40 students, focusing on college readiness, while developing deep Jewish knowledge, faith and values within a supportive learning community.

But some are surprised Deutsch isnt making his bid for a Jewish charter school in Florida, where his existing, non-religious charter schools have thrived.

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I think Florida could be a good option given the new attorney generals passion for religious freedom, said Daniel Aqua, the director of special projects at Teach Coalition, a nonprofit that advocates for Jewish education

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After Contentious Vote, Hebrew Charter Founder Eyes Jewish School in Oklahoma

The demand for a Jewish charter school would be much higher in Florida, which has an estimated Jewish population of nearly 762,000, compared with about 9,000 in Oklahoma.

Charter founders in Florida submit their applications to local school districts first. The state recently added colleges as authorizers, but Oklahoma, where organizers can file applications directly with the state charter board, offers a more streamlined process.

Public Christian school

But efforts to create publicly-funded religious schools are not limited to the charter sector. A new school in Colorado, Riverstone Academy, calls itself the states first public Christian school. Now serving 30 students in Pueblo, south of Colorado Springs, Riverstone is what is sometimes referred to as a contract school because districts sign agreements with private organizations to provide education services. In this case, Education reEnvisioned, one of the states 21 boards of cooperative educational services, or BOCES, authorized the school.

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In October, the Colorado Department of Education warned Ken Witt, the BOCES executive director, that the schools per-student funding is at risk because it is not operating in a nonsectarian nature. The letter also went to District 49, near Colorado Springs, one of Education reEnvisioneds member districts.

In a response, Witt wrote that he was alarmed at the threat that the school might not receive funding. We did not and legally cannot discriminate against this school on account of its religious affiliation, he wrote. Examining Riverstones curriculum to determine if the school is truly sectarian, he said, would be unconstitutionally entangling and discriminatory against different forms of religion.

Witt told The 74 that funding usually doesnt flow from the state to a new school until January, so its too soon to know whether officials will withhold funds.

Riverstone Academy, according to its website, offers a Christian foundation. The state has threatened to withhold funds from the school. (Education reEnvisioned)

Keep coming back

Youre going to see those within the charter sector and outside of it basically taking the same approach  arguing that private groups delivering religious instruction cant be denied public funds, said Preston Green, an education professor at the University of Connecticut.

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To Green, Riverstones identity as a contract school calls to mind a 1982 case, one that Garnett and other proponents of religious charter schools often highlight when they say that charters are not state actors. In Rendell-Baker v. Kohn, the Supreme Court said a Massachusetts private school that received public funds for educating teens with behavior problems did not act under the color of state law when it fired six employees.

The question, experts say, is not if, but when the Supreme Court will eventually see another case about religious public schools Justice Barrett wont have the same reason to recuse herself, Green said, and hes not convinced that Roberts would side with the liberals a second time.

The advocates, he said, keep coming back at this because they think that theyll get the votes.
NEED TO KNOW

Over 60,000 on two islands off the coast of South Africa have died over the course of eight years

A study by the University of Exeter and the South African Department of Forestry and Fisheries and the Environment has revealed the likely reason why

African penguins were classified as "critically endangered" in 2024

More than 60,000 penguins living off the coast of South Africa have died, according to a new study.

On Thursday, Dec. 4, the University of Exeter revealed in a press release that the research  which was conducted by the university and the South African Department of Forestry and Fisheries and the Environment  found that over 95 percent of the Dassen Island and Robben Island penguin colonies had died from 2004 to 2012.

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The islands are two of the most important breeding colonies of the African penguin.

Researchers said the penguins "likely starved to death" as a result of "collapsing food supplies." Around 62,000 birds are estimated to have died between 2004 and 2011, which is when the sardine stock off the west coast of South Africa was "consistently below 25% of its peak abundance" and resulted in a "severe food shortage," the studys co-author Dr Richard Sherley said.

In 2024, African penguins were also classified as "critically endangered," Sherley added.

USO/Getty African penguins in South Africa African penguins in South Africa

The molting process, where penguins shed their worn-out feathers for new ones, also contributed to the increasing number of penguins dying.

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This is because the birds have to stay on land while they temporarily lose the protection of their feathers, meaning they cant hunt for around 21 days.

They are evolved to build up fat and then to fast whilst their body metabolises those reserves, and the protein in their muscles, to get them through moult, Sherley said.

He added, They then need to be able to regain body condition rapidly afterwards. So, essentially, if food is too hard to find before they moult or immediately afterwards, they will have insufficient reserves to survive the fast.

The entire species of African penguins has seen a global population decline of nearly 80 percent in the last three decades, according to Shirley.

CasarsaGuru/Getty Stock photo of African penguins Stock photo of African penguins

He suggested that measures could be taken to reduce the exploitation of sardine when its biomass is less than 25% of its maximum and allow more adults to survive to spawn."

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Conservation actions such as artificial nests, predator management and the rescue, rehabilitation and hand-rearing of adults and chicks have also been put in place, per the study.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

A ban has also been placed on commercial fishing with a large net around the six largest breeding colonies in South Africa.

We hope that the recent conservation interventions put in place, together with reduced exploitation rates of sardine when its abundance is less than the 25% of maximum threshold, will begin to arrest the decline and that the species will show some signs of recovery," Sherley concluded.

Read the original article on People
A recent bust has landed a suspected porch pirate in jail, deputies said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Walton County deputies confirmed theyve arrested a suspect after catching them with several stolen packages in the area of Ridge Road in Loganville.

The suspect was identified as Lea Hall, 41, of Loganville.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Package theft, often referred to as porch piracy, remains a significant concern in the United States. The rise of e-commerce has led to a substantial increase in residential deliveries, resulting in troubling rates of stolen packages, LA Post reports.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, or USPIS, reports mail and package theft is a persistent issue. Between 2018 and 2023, postal inspectors arrested nearly 9,000 suspects related to mail and package theft crimes. Additionally, USPS handles billions of mail items annually, making theft a notable concern, especially in densely populated areas like Los Angeles and New York City.

The best protection against porch piracy is vigilance, creative preventive measures, and collective action within their communities, the Associated Press reports.

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To protect yourself from future package theft, consider investing in secure delivery solutions. Options include using a lockable parcel box, requesting delivery to an alternative secure locationlike a workplace or a nearby Amazon Hub lockeror requiring a signature for delivery. Home security systems, such as doorbell cameras, can also act as both deterrents and evidence collectors. Regularly monitoring delivery updates and promptly retrieving packages can further minimize the risk. Additionally, utilizing services like USPS Hold for Pickup or arranging delivery times when youre home can reduce the chances of theft.

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If you discover that a package has been stolen, the first step is to check your surroundings thoroughly to confirm it wasnt delivered to a hidden or alternative location. Then, contact the delivery company immediately to report the theft and provide tracking information. Many companieslike Amazon, FedEx, and USPSoffer policies or programs that may refund or replace stolen packages if theft is verified. Additionally, its recommended to file a police report for documentation purposeswhile it may not lead to immediate recovery, it helps local law enforcement track patterns of theft. If the package was insured, contact the insurer to initiate a claim.

To avoid packages being stolen, its recommended to install security cameras, require delivery signatures, use parcel lockers, or arrange alternative delivery locations, which can reduce the likelihood of theft. Community watch initiatives and shared neighborhood surveillance also help in monitoring suspicious activity.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
The Pentagon has a high demand signal for all types of drones and uncrewed capabilities.

While startups are seeing success in the small drone market, the defense primes are pursuing more exquisite systems.

Many big names like General Atomics are upgrading their older, combat-proven drones.

Silicon Valley disruptors and defense industry heavyweights are locked in a fight to shape the future of drone warfare.

The competition pits agile startups like Performance Drone Works and Anduril against the big primes  large, traditional defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and General Atomics  to build new and emerging classes of weapons seen as essential for future war.

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Billions of dollars are at stake in this battle.

The Pentagon is preparing to spend $9.4 billion on aerial combat drones in fiscal year 2026 as part of its larger $13.4 billion investment in autonomous systems. Furthermore, the Air Force is seeking $789.4 million for research and development of autonomous "loyal wingmen" drones that can fly and fight alongside crewed combat aircraft or carry out missions alone. The Department of Defense also aims to invest $3.1 billion in counter-drone technology.

Pentagon leaders are steering more competition toward upstart defense companies. Their argument is that big traditional contractors can't deliver new weapons fast or cheaply enough to meet today's fast-changing global threats or demands for affordable mass, such as the inexpensive drones dominating the war in Ukraine.

TK US Army photo by Sgt. Duke Edwards

Startups often embrace the Silicon Valley "fail fast" approach, pushing prototypes into the hands of troops quickly and constantly iterating. Moving fast comes with risks, but moving slower does as well, specifically risking irrelevance by the time the weapon is fielded.

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This story is part of a series on the major players in the US drone industry. Check out the first installment and stay tuned for more from this series.

If you have a drone-related or defense tech tip, contact this reporter by email at cpanella@businessinsider.com.

The big primes, however, can still leverage their scale, established integration with the US military, and decades of experience to secure both footholds and contracts in emerging technology sectors. These companies are considered the go-to builders for large, complex drones designed for high-risk missions, while startups are taking over the development of smaller, cheaper reconnaissance and attack drones, often made using commercial technology.

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"The primes intrinsically understand what the gaps are that the government has because they've been working with them for years upon years," Chip Walter, a defense industry investor, said. "If they want to, they can be the quickest to have an impact on the battlefield."

Readying legacy drones for a new era of warfare

TK US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Rio Rosado

Some of America's biggest defense contractors are upgrading the drones that defined the post-9/11 era and other legacy systems.

During the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US was fixated on drones for counterterrorism operations.

"We haven't pursued their full applicability" for other combat missions and types of armed conflict, Stacie Pettyjohn, a defense analyst at the Center for a New American Security, told Business Insider.

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That appears to be changing.

General Atomics, a drone-making powerhouse behind the era-defining MQ-1 Predator, has been upgrading several of its top uncrewed aerial systems. These include drones like the MQ-1C Gray Eagle operated by the US Army and the MQ-9A Reaper flown by the US Air Force and some international militaries.

General Atomics is modernizing its long-endurance drones, adding an electronic warfare suite to disrupt enemy communications, radars, or sensors and pursuing easier upgrades to the Gray Eagle. Meanwhile, the Reaper is receiving artificial intelligence improvements, enhanced sensors, and strengthened cybersecurity to keep it relevant in high-end combat.

The Reaper also has a new electronic warfare pod that a top Marine general said allows it to "disappear off of enemy radar."

TK US Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Gray

The Air Force previously considered retiring the $30 million Reaper, arguing that it wouldn't survive a fight against Russia or China. A Reaper is larger and slower than an F-16 fighter and is as vulnerable to ground-fired missiles as other airframes that lack stealth tech.

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Pettyjohn said there's a growing recognition that survivability isn't binary, meaning it isn't a simple yes or no on whether a system can survive modern combat.

"It depends on technologies, but also different tactics, techniques, and procedures, and can be augmented or decremented depending on the capabilities that are on certain platforms," she said.

Another firm, Northrop Grumman, which built the soon-to-be-retired RQ-4 Global Hawk, is improving the effectiveness of its MQ-4C Triton, a large drone flown by the US Navy for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance. And Boeing's subsidiary, Insitu, is working on updates to its MQ-27 ScanEagle drones.

More broadly, RTX, another leading defense company, is building sensors for drone fleets. The company is also advancing counter-drone measures, like the Coyote.

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The usefulness of these upgraded systems will depend on what the next war demands and where it's fought.

"We are seeing innovation happen in the Ukrainian battlefield on a daily basis," Walter told Business Insider. "The battle that we're going to see in the South China Sea, in my opinion, is going to look very different," he added, which will likely shift which types of drones and capabilities will be most useful.

The battle for the future of drone warfare is on

TK Courtesy of the Secretary of Air Force Public Affairs

The big, established defense companies generally are not producing expendable quadcopter-style drones. Instead, they're pitching ideas for a different kind of war. With the US seeking a wide range of drone capabilities, these firms are betting on new uncrewed combat platforms that can fight alongside high-end aircraft or go on missions too risky for piloted jets.

General Atomics is working on one of the Air Force's new Collaborative Combat Aircraft, commonly called "loyal wingman" drones. The jet-powered aircraft are built to fly with front-line fighters and boost firepower, situational awareness, and communications.

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Another airframe selected in the first round is one developed by Anduril, a rapidly growing defense startup with 6,000 employees that has signaled its willingness and ability to compete against some slower-moving primes.

Other defense power players are still a big part of the conversation, though.

TK US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sam Jenkins

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, long recognized for its decades of expertise as a developer of advanced stealth aircraft, recently entered the fray with Vectis, advertising its design as a stealthy, low-cost solution.

And beyond the company's wingman pitch, its subsidiary Sikorsky recently unveiled a new uncrewed Black Hawk helicopter  the autonomous U-Hawk. This comes as the US Army is looking to dramatically overhaul its helicopter force to a structure that is only around 10% crewed and 90% drone.

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Other CCA designs out there include Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat and Northrop Grumman's newly unveiled Project Talon.

Additionally, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and Anduril have all been tapped by the Navy to develop conceptual carrier-based wingman drone designs. Lockheed has a "common control" contract in this space for the development of a shared software interface to control different drones from a single system.

RTX isn't building airframes, but it's still key to the drone revolution. The Air Force, for instance, has tapped RTX and Shield AI, a startup, to provide the AI brain for the coming "loyal wingmen" that may be flying and fighting alongside crewed aircraft in the future.

The companies highlighted in this story did not respond to Business Insider's requests for comment.

The Pentagon is heavily prioritizing speed and mass

TK US Army photo by Pfc. Peter Bannister

America's biggest defense contractors have the money, talent, and connections needed to make big moves on drones, but they aren't the only game in town. The current administration is signaling greater support for companies that can move faster and cheaper than the big defense giants.

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In July, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent a memo to senior Pentagon leadership, combatant commanders, and the directors of defense agencies about "unleashing US military drone dominance."

He touted the opportunities in building lower-cost drones rather than larger, more complex designs to match US foes in volume. That's a mission that the top defense contractors aren't necessarily chasing right now.

Service secretaries have taken public digs at the primes, with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll being among the most direct.

"We are going to completely disrupt the system that held the Army back for decades and lined the primes' pockets for so long," Driscoll said in October.

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He said a Silicon Valley approach combining "venture capital money and mentorship with startup culture" would be "absolutely ideal for the Army." He previously said it'd be a win if one of the primes went out of business.

TK US Army photo by Sgt. Charlie Duke

Some of the big primes have said that there's space for more competition and collaboration across the defense industry. Earlier this year, Jim Taiclet, CEO of Lockheed Martin, said during an earnings call that he sees "us all working together."

"I think that it's industry's role to help marshal the talent and expertise in our country to provide the best possible deterrent capabilities" for the US, Taiclet said.

Startups have been seizing on this moment by selling commercially developed drones directly to the military, in some cases bypassing the traditional contracting cycles that center on waiting for the military to set its requirements. There's a high-risk, high-reward aspect to this approach.

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Putting capital into developing systems before the actual competition process is risky, Anduril President and Chief Business Officer Matthew Steckman told Business Insider earlier this year, but it also has its rewards.

The "risk is obvious," he said, explaining that if "we make the wrong decisions, we lose a whole lot of capital. But if we bet right, then we're ahead. We have sort of a head start."

Walter, the defense industry investor, said the big primes could do the same thing.

"They just have to get out of their own way," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
George Mason University President Gregory Washington (left) and Rector Charles Stimson at a Board of Visitors meeting on April 17, 2025. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

George Mason University officials said Thursday that no settlement agreement has been proposed with the federal government as it navigates four civil rights investigations, which began in July and are another issue that have shaped Virginias tumultuous higher education landscape this year.

Scrutiny of the institution and whether it would settle intensified after the University of Virginia signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to suspend multiple civil rights investigations.

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The George Mason investigations focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the school, its employment practices and treatment of students, as well as a separate probe into alleged antisemitism on campus.

GMU President Gregory Washington said at Thursdays Board of Visitors executive committee meeting that negotiations are still underway, but did not provide any timeline for a resolution. He also reiterated the institutions plan to address the investigations head on.

Wrong guy to throw these kinds of things at, said Washington. Im not the guy that runs away from the fire. Im the actual guy that runs into it.

GMU Rector Charles Stimson, who faced criticism for holding a second executive committee meeting with only six voting members on the board, echoed Washingtons remarks and thanked him for his leadership during the ongoing process.

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I know these are tough times, Stimson said. You kept your chin up, and Mason is going to thrive when we come out the backside of this. Were going to do the best we can for Mason because thats our number one priority.

Meanwhile, outside of the meeting, a group of faculty members protested against the board, accusing it of meeting improperly because it lacked the required members to form a quorum. Some also claimed that the institution has a draft settlement agreement in place.

John Hollis, a spokesman for George Mason, told the Mercury that no draft settlement agreement exists.

We must continue to send a very strong message to (President Washington) that there can be no settlement that compromises our academic freedom and our institutional autonomy, said George Mason University-American Association of University President Bethany Letiecq.

A rally was held outside the George Mason University Board of Visitors Executive Committee meeting on Dec. 4, 2025. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

Tim Gibson, president of the Virginia Conference of the American Association of University, also criticized the board for policies he said undermine academic freedom, including the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and President Donald Trump administrations diversity, equity, and inclusion redefinitions.

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The settlement agreement would force George Mason University to accept the Trump administrations definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion programs, Gibson said. These programs would be redefined, not as what they are, which is a commitment to make George Mason University a welcoming environment for people from all walks of life, instead, these programs would be redefined as de facto discrimination against who? Against white people.

Both educators said students, staff and university leaders should resist these policies and called for solidarity across institutions.

Earlier this week, UVA Interim President Paul Mahoney defended the universitys decision to enter into agreement with the DOPJ during a hearing with state senators.

UVA will not have to invest any money to complete the agreement, like Cornell University will, nor repay any money to the federal government, which Northwestern University must do.

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Mahoney called the decision the best option available, because it suspends costly and disruptive investigations and preserves institutional autonomy and academic freedom. Democratic lawmakers say the agreement would open the school up to potential conflict with existing law,and infringed on state sovereignty.

Both schools are also awaiting a court decision on the future of Gov. Glenn Youngkins appointments to their respective governing boards. The Virginia Military Institutes board is also named in that legal challenge.

Protest in Charlottesville

On Friday, professors and workers at the University of Virginia will hold a rally in Charlottesville protesting UVAs Board of Visitors, which is facing claims it lacks the necessary representatives who are Virginia residents and alumni.

UVA also recently launched a search for a new president to lead the institution.

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Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger and Youngkin diverged on whether the university should continue its search, with Spanberger asking the board to halt the process until she takes office and Youngkin accusing her of inappropriately attempting to intervene in the process.

Fridays protest organizers will also weigh in on the issue.

It is disturbing if not surprising that this illegitimate UVA Board of Visitors seeks to further its power grab by rushing to appoint a new University President who will be loyal the anti-democratic agenda of Trump, Youngkin, and allied monied interests, said Harry Szabo, president of the United Campus Workers of Virginia, a labor union of higher education workers in Virginia and one of the protests organizers.

Szabo said its the labor unions democratic duty to oppose the board and to support a university that serves the public good and promotes scholarship independent of the needs of billionaires or the ideologies of the powerful.

In other words, Szabo added, we need to defend the idea of a university of, by, and for the people.

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By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Europe is forging ahead with its crackdown on Big Tech, levying fines on Alphabet's Google and Elon Musk's X and opening new investigations, asserting its sovereign right to enforce its laws in defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Three months after hitting Google with an unexpectedly high 2.95 billion euro ($3.44 billion) fine, the European Commission on Friday imposed a 120 million euro penalty on Elon Musk's X for breaching European Union online content rules.

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The U.S. government has pushed back, linking reductions in U.S. steel import tariffs to weaker EU digital rules and ordering its diplomats to launch a lobbying blitz against the laws.

At issue are the EU's Digital Markets Act, which seeks to rein in the power of Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta Platforms and Microsoft as well as Booking.com and ByteDance, and the Digital Services Act, which forces big online platforms to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content.

EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera has flatly rejected U.S. criticism.

"It is our duty to remind others that we deserve respect. I don't enter into how they regulate the health standards in the U.S. market. But I am in charge of defending the well-functioning digital markets in Europe and it is not related at all with any type of joint conversation," she told one event.

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At another, she rebuffed those who see competition law as a tool for controlling markets or advancing narrow economic interests.

"It is an essential pillar of open, fair, and sustainable markets. It should never be a bargaining chip in trade negotiations or a tool for protectionism," Ribera said.

HARDER TO BACK DOWN

The effect of the U.S. threats, while a shock initially, may be wearing off, said Daniel Mandrescu, a lawyer at Geradin Partners and an associate law professor at Leiden University.

"The EU Commission's announcement of an official investigation into Meta indicates that the threat of political pressure is rapidly losing its strength - the rule of law is simply not a negotiable matter," he wrote in a LinkedIn post.

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Supporters of European values have the upper hand for now, but the real test still lies ahead, said Rupprecht Podszun, a professor at Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf and a director at the Institute for Competition Law.

"I was amazed to see this new vigour in EU enforcement. Now, this also comes as an obligation: It becomes harder now to back down. The commitments in the Google Ad-Tech case will provide the litmus test as well as the fate of the Meta AI probe," he said.

Last month, Google offered to make it easier for publishers and advertisers to use its online advertising technology, defying EU antitrust regulators' call for it to sell part of the business to address conflicts of interest.

An EU decision on the proposal will likely come early next year. EU regulators on Thursday started an investigation into Meta and could order it to pause its rollout of AI features in its WhatsApp messenger that would block rivals.

($1 = 0.8582 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun CheeEditing by Mark Potter)
Joe Thornton and his colleagues in the Lowertown offices of the marketing firm AIMCLEAR arent holding out for a downtown promenade overlooking the Mississippi River, a longtime goal of outgoing St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carters administration, as well as the mayoral administration before it.

Thornton can trace his St. Paul roots back generations  his uncle was once part of a private partnership that owned the downtown St. Paul Union Depot transit hub. Nevertheless, hes not rooting these days for a towering mall where West Publishing once sat along Kellogg Boulevard, or any other among the longstanding efforts that begin with the words reimagining downtown or reinventing downtown.

Instead, hes holding out for air conditioning.

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In fact, hes been praying for a fix to his downtown office buildings rooftop air conditioning unit for nearly eight months, long enough that the higher-ups in his St. Paul and Duluth-based company have begun scouting out potential new homes for their marketing business, which employs 20 people across the street from downtown Mears Park.

We have space identified, some in downtown and some outside of downtown, some outside of St. Paul, said Thornton, a vice president with AIMCLEAR. Its unfortunate because we want to be part of downtown. The owners of our company bought a condo (downtown).

Up to 90 degrees

The long saga of the Railroader Printing House building on Sixth Street and its malfunctioning rooftop air conditioning unit has become something of a metaphor for the nuts-and-bolts challenges facing downtown, if not the city as a whole, at least in the minds of Thornton and other commercial tenants in the five-story, red brick office building at 229 Sixth St. E.

The street corner structure, which faces Mears Park and dates to 1892, hasnt had a working rooftop HVAC unit since at least May, when, for lack of a better term, the AC conked out.

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The temperature in the space would get up to 90 degrees, Thornton said. After about a month, they brought in five portable AC units and broke out windows to vent them, with water draining out onto the sidewalk on Wacouta Street and the patio by the Bulldog restaurant all summer long.

There was one really well-watered plant by Bulldog, Thornton recalled. It was the healthiest plant in downtown St. Paul. We couldnt have clients coming in because it looked so janky.

A surprise owner responds

Thornton took it upon himself to reach out to Bryan Larson, a former downtown resident who was part of the partnership that purchased the Railroader building in 2021. He soon heard back instead from Madison Equities, previously downtown St. Pauls largest property owner, which has sold or lost several downtown structures following the death last year of its founder, James Crockarell.

We acquired it jointly, explained Larson, over coffee at the Bulldog restaurant on Thursday, the buildings most public-facing tenant. Madison Equities is a 51% owner of that building. Madison Equities is involved  to the point that my hands have been handcuffed.

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To Thornton, that was not good news.

Madison Equities, which once owned 20 buildings downtown, put 10 structures up for sale together en masse in April 2024 and, since then, has been the subject of foreclosures, sheriffs sales, legal disputes and other entanglements that have shuttered the massive Alliance Bank Center, boarded up the historic Lowry Apartments and led to widespread concern about the future of many of downtowns most prominent properties.

Any issues with the building, I was to route them to Madison Equities, and not to Bryan, Thornton said he was told. And all of a sudden its Oh my God, its Madison Equities!

When will the HVAC system get fixed?

What might strike the casual observer as a picayune air conditioning problem weaves in, in the telling of it over coffee at The Buttered Tin restaurant, many unruly elements. They include the fentanyl crisis, the homelessness crisis, city permitting and government bureaucracy, the uncertain fate and complex ownership surrounding any number of downtown office properties, and public and private efforts to maintain downtown as the economic engine of St. Paul rather than a drag on city coffers at a time of rising property taxes.

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Still, where some might see incoming Mayor Kaohly Her inheriting a capital city with a number of tough, almost existential questions before it, Thornton and his colleagues share one question that in the near term for them trumps all others: When is the buildings HVAC system going to be fixed?

The downstairs restaurant maintains a separate HVAC system.

I have my own, said Bulldog owner Jeff Kaster. But obviously, I walk through the building, and its hot. Obviously, its problematic.

Park Square Courts troubles

The Railroader Printing House adjoins the Park Square Court building, which was once slated by Madison Equities to be converted into apartments or a Marriott hotel. Instead, Park Square Court and its distinctive atrium remain vacant and boarded, with the Madison Equities-affiliated limited liability corporation that owns it having declared bankruptcy following a dispute over an unpaid loan.

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St. Paul Police found people who had scaled up the atrium and basically made an entire encampment up there, Thornton said. Its in receivership, but thats been vacant for five years.

For months, if not years, squatters making themselves at home in the derelict Park Square Court space would traverse the skyway over to the Railroader building, where office tenants would sometimes call police to get unruly characters out of the bathroom.

Thornton, a vice president of strategic communications who has worked downtown for 17 years, including a decade with AIMCLEAR, was no stranger to snooping on behalf of his colleagues and his employer. It took him five years to gain regular access to the buildings security camera footage.

We were having so many problems, recalled Thornton, who found the security footage to be one of the greatest tools in his arsenal as he appealed for help to property owners, the St. Paul Police and the downtown improvement districts street ambassadors. Once I got access I showed (Larson) video clips of people defecating, doing drugs, he said. We want people to be treated humanely, but at the same time our building is not a shelter.

Permitting issue

While far from perfect, the general situation has improved at the Railroader Printing building over the past year, with the notable exception of the malfunctioning rooftop AC unit. Thornton was told by a Madison Equities manager that a contractor had been assigned the task of fixing the unit and hopefully relieving his office of sweltering heat.

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The latest visit was from Minnesota Total Refrigeration of South St. Paul.

There were at least two if not three HVAC contractors that came through in May and June, Thornton recalled. I let him in, let him check our thermostat and up to the rooftop.

A Madison Equities manager informed Thornton last month that progress had been delayed since then by the cyber-security incident that crippled city permitting over the summer.

Still, using the citys new permitting interface, PAULIE, the contractor finally submitted an online permit application for a crane rental on Nov. 3, and reached out to St. Paul Public Works many times, Thornton said he was told, and the equipment is waiting in their shop for installation.

Were waiting

Efforts to reach Madison Equities for comment were unsuccessful Thursday, but a Nov. 13 email from Madison Equities real estate manager Derek Hennen to AIMCLEAR executives reads: The city experienced major delays due to the hacker which impacted most city operations.  The contractors office has been contacting the city Public Works  often. I have also left voice messages following up on the permit approval as well.

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Thornton double-checked with the city. A right-of-way permit manager with St. Paul Public Works informed him they had not yet received a crane permit application. Instead, the company had submitted an application for licensing registration.

He said, Were waiting. We dont have a backlog of applications. Well be on it as soon as it gets in,' Thornton said.

Larson also looked into the situation, and said Thursday he believes the problem could be as simple as the contractor reaching out to the wrong office. There is some disconnect there, he said.

Thornton then got the director of the citys Department of Safety and Inspections on the phone, who told him that given the lack of appropriate paperwork, Were on standby.

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After playing go-between, Thornton said hes hoping someone will pick up a phone soon and talk to someone else directly. Hes also praying for AC before summer hits, which isnt so far away.

Im just a PR guy, and I can get a hold of these people, said Thornton, who is discussing with his higher-ups the growing likelihood of leasing in another building in or outside St. Paul, and possibly moving to more of a hybrid work model. We have multiple spaces identified. The frustration level, we have zero confidence that this thing is going to be done.

Plans for parking ramp, vacant restaurant spaces

Meanwhile, Larson said that holding minority ownership in the Railroader Printing partnership means hes not in control of next steps, but hes hoping to step in where he can as Madison Equities retrenches from downtown.

If all goes well at closing on Dec. 15, hell be the new owner of the Stadium Ramp at 255 Sixth St., which overlooks CHS Field, home of the St. Paul Saints.

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The parking ramp, which has been in receivership, hosts the ABulae wedding venue on the sixth floor, as well as ground-level and rooftop restaurant space, both of which are vacant.

His goal is to have both restaurant spaces occupied and greeting customers by spring.

St. Paul is a beautiful neighborhood city that you can also do business in, Larson said. You can still feel that in the air.

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Somali Americans are condemning President Donald Trumps racist attacks as hes railed against members of the community in multiple tirades this past week.

 This is so anti-American, Abdikadir Bashir, the executive director of the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization, told HuffPost.  When you speak of America, in your mind, what echoes are the words of equality, fairness, justice and not targeted condemnations or bigotry. That is not American.

News: Mark Kelly Says This 'Exciting' Scientific Find Raises Questions Of Life Beyond Earth

Trump has dialed up his vitriol toward Somali Americans since the shooting of two National Guard members in November. He and other administration officials have seized on the identity of the suspected perpetrator, who is an Afghan national, to lash out further against a number of immigrant groups, including Somali Americans. Hes also latched onto cases of fraud involving social programs in Minnesota, which have included some defendants of Somali descent.

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Were going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country, Trump said during a Tuesday Cabinet meeting as he focused on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a progressive Congressmember who came to the U.S. as a Somali refugee as a child.

I dont want them in our country, Ill be honest with you, he added as part of a lengthy rant.

 Im not sure if he understands the danger that comes with what he says, Bashir said. There are dangerous people out there that are racist bigots that would use what he is saying as a weapon to attack the community.

News: Somali American Republican Rebukes Trump's Xenophobic Attack: My Children Are Not Garbage

Khadijo Warsame, a cafe owner in Minneapolis, also told Al Jazeera that local businesses have been closed and customers have been scarce in the days since Trumps comments.

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Omar, as well as Minnesota State Sen. Omar Fateh, have similarly raised concerns about Trumps rhetoric stoking further political violence and threats against the community.

Minnesota State Sen. Omar Fateh and Rep. Ilhan Omar have spoken out against Trump's rhetoric toward Somali Americans. via Associated Press

It will, I think, unfortunately encourage fringe elements in the society and in the state, who are looking for excuses to demonize other human beings and terrorize them, said Abdi Samatar, a geography, environment and society professor at the University of Minnesota.

As Trump has ramped up his hostility toward Somali Americans, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also launched a targeted operation in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, which is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S.

News: Trump's Bruised Hand Is Looking Pretty Swollen

Although the vast majority of Somali Americans are citizens, the ICE surge has sparked fears of being questioned, Bashir says.

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Theres fear and anxiety despite our papers, despite our citizenship, he told HuffPost.

Local leaders have come together to express solidarity amid this onslaught, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stressing that the citys commitment to Somali Americans is rock solid. Bashir and more than a hundred people also participated in an event highlighting the strength of the Somali community in a powerful expression of unity in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on Wednesday.

 We embody and symbolize the true version of America and its dreams, Bashir said. We are teachers, we are police officers, law enforcement. We are senators ...we are congresspeople.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Gina Raimondo was nominated to the board of Costco, a company suing the Trump administration over tariffs. (Megan Smith / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Costco Wholesale said Thursday that it has nominated Gina Raimondo, who served as commerce secretary under President Joe Biden, to its board of directors.

Raimondo led the Commerce Department, which plays a major role in overseeing U.S. trade policy, for the entirety of Bidens term as president. From 2015 to 2021 she served as the Democratic governor of Rhode Island.

The announcement from Costco comes just days after the retail giant filed a lawsuit seeking a refund of tariffs it has paid this year under President Donald Trumps country-specific tariff program. The company also asked a trade court to prohibit the Trump administration from collecting any more of these customs duties.

The tariffs were imposed by Trump after he invoked emergency powers to bypass Congress. The administration claimed the presidents authority stemmed from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.

Trumps use of this IEEPA authority to impose the tariffs is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

Hamilton James, chairman of Costcos board of directors, said in a statement that the company is very pleased to nominate Secretary Raimondo for election to our board. Her vast experience in global business, politics and international security at the highest level will add an important dimension to our current expertise.

Raimondos nomination to Costcos board will be voted on during the companys Jan. 15 shareholder meeting. New board nominations typically pass by a wide margin.

Costcos lawsuit has since been merged with those of other firms suing over the same tariffs, including a number of auto suppliers and steelmakers.

In a separate securities filing, Costco said it had been reviewing potential candidates to add to its board as part of a refreshment process. It said Raimondo came to its attention through Hamilton James, and is well known by other current directors.

At a Bloomberg conference in mid-November, Raimondo warned that Trumps tariffs will likely outlive his administration.

Tariffs, once theyre put on, are hard to take off, she said.

The former commerce chief also said spent a good deal of time while serving in the prior administration trying to convince Biden to lower tariffs.

But that was a difficult task, she said, because no one wants to be the American president accused of letting down the American worker.

The former secretary also criticized Trumps tariff agenda directly.

Some amount of tariffs, most companies can live with. But not, you know, 40%-50%. And, by the way, not changing every other month, she said at the Bloomberg conference.
A US appeals court paused a ruling ordering National Guard troops out of Washington, allowing President Trump to continue a deployment at the center of a legal fight over policing powers.

A US appeals court on Thursday handed a victory to President Donald Trump in his effort to keep National Guard troops in Washington, pausing a lower court order that would have ended the deployment in the coming days.

In a written order, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit lifted an injunction that said the troops needed to leave the nation's capital by December 11.

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The DC Circuit's order, which is temporary and does not address the merits of the case, allows Trump to continue a deployment he began this summer and has ramped up in response to a November 26 shooting of two National Guard members near the White House.

The order came in a lawsuit filed by District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, a Democrat and the capital city's top legal officer.

Representatives for the White House and Schwalb's office did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment on Thursday.

National Guard soldiers from Alabama look at a makeshift memorial honouring West Virginia National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom, who, with her wounded fellow soldier Andrew Wolfe, was shot outside a subway station near the White House in Washington, pictured December 2, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN)

More than 2,000 National Guard soldiers have been in Washington since Trump's initial deployment in August, part of the president's contentious immigration and crime crackdown targeting Democratic-led cities.

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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.

US District Judge Jia Cobb ruled on November 20 that the troop presence was likely unlawful. She temporarily blocked the deployment, but paused her ruling for three weeks to allow time for the administration to remove the troops, as well as to appeal her decision.

Rather than begin a winddown, Trump, a Republican, ordered 500 more troops to Washington after the shooting of two members of the West Virginia National Guard, which officials described as a targeted attack. One of the two guard members has since died from her injuries.

A 29-year-old Afghan national is facing charges for the shooting, prompting Trump to escalate his anti-immigrant rhetoric and declare a halt to migration from what he called "third-world countries."

Fight ensues over policing powers

Schwalb sued on September 4, accusing Trump of unlawfully usurping control of the citys law enforcement and violating a law prohibiting troops from doing domestic police work.

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The president has unique law-enforcement powers in Washington, which is not part of any state, but local officials say he overstepped by taking over the mayors policing role and flouting laws that forbid federal troops from doing civilian police work.

Trump administration lawyers called the lawsuit a political stunt in court filings and said the president is free to deploy troops to Washington without the approval of local leaders.

Trump has also moved to deploy troops in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland, Oregon, to combat what he describes as lawlessness and violent unrest over his immigration crackdown.

Democratic leaders of those cities and their states have sued to block the deployments, saying they amount to an attempt to punish political foes with militarized shows of force.

Trial courts around the country have ruled against the troop deployments. The US Supreme Court is expected to soon weigh in on the legality of Trump's use of the National Guard in Chicago, a decision with repercussions for other cities.
Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva says federal agents fired pepper spray at her and others protesting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Arizona.

In a video posted on social media Friday, Grijalva said roughly 40 federal officers, most of them masked, pulled up in several vehicles for a raid at Taco Giro in Tucson, where a large group of demonstrators had gathered in the street.

There, she was sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent and pushed around by others, she said.

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She also posted footage of a heavily armored officer firing pepper spray towards her and others in the crowd as she approaches agents and repeatedly tells them you need to get out. The footage also appears to show a pepper bullet hitting her feet.

Grijalva, who was recently sworn into office by House Speaker Mike Johnson 50 days after winning a special election for a House seat in Arizona, said that only one officer was trying to speak to me in any kind of civil tone once she introduced herself as a member of Congress.

Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva says ICE agents pepper sprayed her and others during a raid at a taco restaurant in Tucson December 5 (AFP via Getty Images)

I literally was not being aggressive, I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress, she said. I just can only imagine if theyre going to treat me like that, how theyre treating everyone else.

The raid was carried out in connection with a years-long investigation into allegations of immigration and tax violations, according to federal officials.

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At least 190 people in the area were charged with immigration-related offenses within the last week, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Arizona. The vast majority of those cases involved people accused of entering the country without legal permission.

ICE is a lawless agency under this Administration  operating with no transparency, no accountability, and open disregard for basic due process.



No family in our community should live in fear, and I will not rest until we get clear answers and accountability. pic.twitter.com/Z2mUuRxHuX  Rep. Adelita Grijalva (@Rep_Grijalva) December 5, 2025

In a joint statement, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz said officers used a disproportionate use of force to push back against the crowd.

Smoke grenades and pepper balls against the public, including our own Representative Adelita Grijalva, is not justified and cannot be tolerated, they wrote.

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin disputed the congresswomans account.

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If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel, she said in an emailed statement to The Independent. But theyre not true. She wasnt pepper sprayed.

Grijalva was in the vicinity of someone who *was* pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement, according to McLaughlin.

Two law enforcement officers were seriously injured by this mob that Rep. Adelita Grijalva joined, she said.

Presenting ones self as a Member of Congress doesnt give you the right to obstruct law enforcement, McLaughlin said.

Grijalva was sworn into office by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson less than one month ago after she won election seven weeks earlier on September 23 (REUTERS)

The Trump administration has accelerated the presidents mass deportation campaign with sweeping immigration enforcement operations across the country, resulting in thousands of arrests, largely targeting people who have never been convicted of any crimes.

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The biggest problem we have in this community is that we have Trump, who has no regard for any due process, the rule of law, the Constitution, Grijalva said Friday. Theyre literally disappearing people from the streets.

The Trump administration has surged federal agents into Democratic-led states and cities after a wave of protests against Trumps anti-immigration agenda, fueled by ICE raids and mass arrests inside courthouses and in targeted operations rounding up thousands of people across the country.

Federal agents during Trumps push in Chicago were blocked from firing rubber bullets, tear gas and other chemical munitions at protesters and journalists following a lawsuit from press associations and faith leaders accusing officers of a pattern of extreme brutality.

The lawsuit accused agents of indiscriminately firing tear gas and pepper balls into crowds and at close range, without warning, as volatile scenes emerged from protests against immigration raids across Chicagos neighborhoods.
In Queens, there are calls for changes to a neighborhood after a massive street takeover turned destructive and violent.

On Thursday, police arrested a 19-year-old who they say was involved in the takeover and the brutal assault of a homeowner in the neighborhood.

Local leaders are now trying to figure how to stop this from ever happening again.

New York City Councilmember Vickie Paladino said she will be in Malba Friday morning with DOT and NYPD officials to determine where they will install speed bumps near 141st Street and 11th Avenue. It's in an effort to keep vehicles from driving recklessly into the quiet enclave.

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Police arrested 19-year-old Justin Aguilera in connection with what authorities describe as a violent street takeover last month. He's being charged with two counts of gang assault, four counts of assault, riot, and trespassing for the November 23 incident in Malba.

Video captured a torched vehicle and cars doing donuts after 12:30 a.m.

Eyewitnesses say people were even setting off fireworks, turning a quiet, upscale street into what looked like a scene from "Fast and Furious."

Authorities say a homeowner who tried to disperse the crowd when he was punched, kicked and stomped.

The homeowner's wife was also injured when she was punched in the mouth.

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Councilmember Paladino has been meeting with residents about the incident. She talked about how hard it was for police to track the suspect down with blurry video.

Police seized what they described as the "lead stunt vehicle" in the Bronx. Since then, Paladino said detectives have been hot on Aguilera's trail.

"He was arrested for a suspended license within the confines of the 107th District, which borders the 109, a few hours after the Malba incident, which helped detectives track him down and identify him," Paladino said. "The investigation is still ongoing, there's more to come, and more persons of interest that are being watched."

If convicted, Aguilera faces up to 25 years in prison.

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A former receptionist at the law firm representing Fort Bend County Judge KP George is under investigation for stealing $4,200 from his campaign bank account, according to attorney Jared Woodfill.

George hired Woodfill to fight two money laundering charges brought against him in April, which he claims stem from loans he made to his campaign.

Woodfill told Eyewitness News that his receptionist opened a sealed envelope without his knowledge and then used check numbers to pay her rent and phone bill. He said the receptionist, who only worked for his firm for a few months, has since been fired.

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Houston police confirm George reported the theft to them on Oct. 2. In a motion filed by Fort Bend prosecutors Nov. 21 seeking to have Woodfill removed from the case, they say George told police that he noticed several unauthorized transactions from his campaign's Frost bank account between the months of July and September.

No charges have been filed against the receptionist, but prosecutors cited the stolen money as grounds for disqualifying Woodfill from representing George.

In their filing, they write that "Woodfill's interests appear directly and materially adverse to Defendant's interests." They go on to assert that Woodfill could potentially be criminally or civilly liable for his employee's conduct.

"My confidence in Jared Woodfill and my entire legal team is unwavering," George wrote in a statement Thursday. "I do not blame Jared Woodfill for the isolated actions of a desperate and disgruntled employee. There is no conflict of interest."

SEE ALSO: New filings accuse Fort Bend County DA of misconduct in case against County Judge KP George

Attorneys Eyewitness News consulted say there might be one.

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"As a lawyer, I wouldn't - I'd not get involved in it because there's too many snakes crawling around," said Robert Pelton, a longtime criminal defense attorney who founded an ethics hotline for other attorneys.

Pelton said that even the appearance of a conflict could give George grounds for an appeal were he to be convicted. By raising the issue now, he said, prosecutors are likely trying to avoid having George bring it up in the future.

"There's all sorts of issues where the man could get another trial," said Pelton. "They just want to try this case one time. They don't want to try it two or three times."

In October, George's attorney filed a motion to have District Attorney Brian Middleton removed from the case. They claim he deleted potential evidence and spoke negatively about George.

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Responding to the motion, prosecutors wrote that the defense had crafted a "work of historical fiction" that was "short on the facts, and short on the law."

Middleton's and Woodfill's fates could be decided at a Tuesday morning hearing.

The court previously rejected an attempt by George's lawyers to have the judge removed and to have the case tried in a different jurisdiction.
Wildlife and neighborhood life don't always mix so easily  but that doesn't mean lines aren't getting blurred. This fall, the Denver Gazette reported that a small dog in the town of Erie, Colorado, was believed to have been taken from its backyard by a very big cat.

What's happening?

Police say it was a mountain lion that likely snatched the dog near Erie Air Park. The case was under investigation as of early October, and officials warned residents to be cautious.

"They may be drawn closer to homes by easily accessible food sources, including unattended pets," the Erie Police Department said in a press release. Mountain lions are native to Colorado and often live near open spaces and wildlife corridors.

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Attacks on pets happen occasionally in Boulder County. In 2023, nearby Nederland saw 15 dogs killed by mountain lions over a single month, according to the Gazette.

While rare overall, these encounters show how Colorado's expanding communities often overlap with natural habitats.

Why is this concerning?

As new construction continues to push into wild spaces and habitats are lost to development, encounters like this one are becoming more common, with predators often seeking food and water in town.

Rising global temperatures and shifting weather patterns can add more strain. Drier conditions sometimes limit prey and water, forcing mountain lions to wander closer to populous neighborhoods.

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Protecting the environment helps protect communities, too. When natural habitats stay healthy, hydrated, and biodiverse, big animals have less reason to roam into residential areas.

What's being done about it?

Police urged residents to report sightings and contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife. They also suggested keeping pets supervised, removing outdoor food sources such as birdseed or pet food, using motion-sensor lights, and clearing brush or deck areas where animals might hide.

Simple steps like these can make a big difference in helping people and wildlife to safely coexist.



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New moms and their babies will likely see a change in preventative treatment after they give birth, because of a decision by a federal vaccine panel that weakens longstanding guidance on the hepatitis B vaccine.

For years, hospitals and birthing centers have encouraged parents to give their babies three things soon after their children's birth  the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine, a shot of vitamin K and an antibacterial eye ointment  as part of a practice often called 3 at Birth.

But the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a board that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. overhauled, adding members who have been critical of vaccines, says only babies born to moms who test positive for hepatitis B should receive the shot at birth. They say other moms should speak with their doctors about the vaccine, advice that experts say will lead to many babies receiving only two treatments at birth.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) questions Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, as he testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) (R) and Ranking Member Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) preside over a hearing with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on September 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. The committee met to hear testimony on President Trump's 2026 health care agenda. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) questions Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. during a Senate Finance Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on September 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. The committee met to hear testimony on President Trump's 2026 health care agenda. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. Sen. Bill Cassidy, (R - LA), questions Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, as he testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R - IA) speaks as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C.Y Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) questions Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. during a Senate Finance Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on September 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025. See Senators grill HHS Secretary RFK Jr. over vaccine rulings, CDC turmoil 1 of 13 Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, testifies about the health care agenda for the Trump administration in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2025.

The panel said babies born to mothers who have not tested positive for hepatitis B should not get the first hepatitis B vaccine until they are at least 2 months old. The panel did not explain the rationale for two months being the appropriate interval to wait. Additionally, because the current vaccine course requires three shots, the panel recommended babies take a blood test to determine if the first shot provided enough antibodies to protect against the disease before receiving a second dose.

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Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an obstetrician and gynecologist who works in an Oregon hospital, said the new advice means that a nurse at a hospital might tell a new mom, "You tested negative, and you should talk to your health care professional before you decide whether or not (your baby) should receive this series."

Lincoln said 15% of pregnant women dont get any testing before delivery, so they may not know in advance if they have hepatitis B. Women who do get prenatal care are tested early in pregnancy, she said, and could contract the disease later. She said thats risky when you're dealing with a disease that is 100 times more infectious than HIV.

Were going to end up with Swiss cheese holes for sure, she said.

Certified medical assistant Yvette Garcia draws a dose of the mpox vaccine for a patient at DAP Health in Palm Springs, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.

Rationale behind the hep B shot advice

The panel's recommendation does not have the full force of a mandate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But it nonetheless comes from a powerful national voice on vaccine safety, leaving doctors to wonder whether the government will further retreat from endorsing the vaccine. The nation's public health agency has recommended the vaccine universally since 1991.

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The CDC said in a news release that the United States has seen a decline in cases of hepatitis B, which can cause liver disease and death, since 1985. But while most doctors attribute this to the previous universal vaccine recommendation, the agency provided an alternate theory.

The agency attributed the drop to better screening before blood transfusions, needle exchange programs and better dialysis practices. Additionally, the CDC said less than 1% of babies are born to moms with the antigen that could give their baby hepatitis B, and most of those moms are immigrants from countries where the disease is widespread.

Aaron Siri presents during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to discuss recommendations for the childhood vaccine schedule at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., December 5, 2025. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer

The American people have benefited from the committees well-informed, rigorous discussion about the appropriateness of a vaccination in the first few hours of life, said Jim ONeill, the CDC's acting director.

Dr. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, a trustee of the American Medical Association, said in a statement that the new advice is not based on scientific evidence or data and is instead "reckless and undermines decades of public confidence in a proven, lifesaving vaccine."

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The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, along with several other medical groups, said the new advice "will lead to more childhood Hepatitis B infections, will lead to more chronic infections that will follow patients into adulthood, and will complicate vaccine access for children."

Doctors' appointments could change

Dr. Heidi Appel, pediatrician and member of the Committee to Protect Health Care, said pediatricians still recommend that all newborns receive the vaccine.

But she said fewer babies will likely be vaccinated because some parents will be confused by the new advice. Even parents who plan to get the shot for their baby at a future appointment may need time to find a pediatrician, or life may get in the way of getting the new baby to the office, she said.

People dont always make their one-month appointment, and one month becomes two months, becomes three months, Appel said.

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Lincoln, from Oregon, agreed. She said she delayed getting her firstborn's first hepatitis B shot for about a week because she felt uncomfortable with her son getting a shot so early in life, something that perplexed her pediatrician husband. But she said she knew she and her husband didnt have the disease, and they would bring the baby to the pediatrician quickly.

Granger rests with his parents Nick and Stephanie Stancombe, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 in their Carmel home. The newborn was one of the first babies to be born in Indianapolis in 2023.

While she was able to make a nuanced, personal choice, Lincoln said not all new parents have the same level of access to testing or pediatricians, and public health agencies need to make recommendations for all parents.

These recommendations today are not based in science and are going to confuse parents and the most vulnerable, who are people who may not have high health literacy, Lincoln said. She said many may assume the vaccine isn't safe, which it is.

Appel recommended that parents use the American Academy of Pediatrics website to get reliable information about the vaccine. She also said parents should choose their childs pediatrician early and meet with the doctor before the baby is born.

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Talk to them about vaccines, their policies and things like that, she said. Learn about it. Thats what were here for.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which newborns get a hep B vaccine? What RFK Jr. panel's ruling means
A suspected killer, wanted for a cold case on Long Island that dates back nearly 30 years ago, is behind bars after a birth certificate led to a break in the case.

"So, it looks like they met in the Army, both were in the Army," said former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce.

Andrew Dykes, 66, was living in Florida. He has been charged in the cold case murder of Tanya Denise Jackson and 2-year-old Tatiana, who were also referred to as "Peaches" and "Baby Doe."

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"It's his child, and he was on the birth certificate. That's how they found his name," Boyce said. "He was on the birth certificate. The child was named after him, took his name, Dykes."

Dykes was arrested on a fugitive warrant for second-degree murder outside Tampa on Thursday afternoon. He was tracked down by investigators using familial DNA.

"Yesterday, they got an indictment in Nassau County," Boyce said. "Three hours later, he was in handcuffs. So, they had the team stage there ready to go, and they moved in and made the arrest."

Back in April, the cold case murder of "Peaches" and "Baby Doe" was picking up speed. Nassau County identified the remains after 27 years.

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The disturbing mystery started in June of 1997 after the gruesome discovery of a female torso in Hempstead Lake State Park.

In April 2011, 14 years later, more female remains were found - those of "Baby Doe," which were discovered along Ocean Parkway. It was initially believed to be part of the Gilgo Beach serial killer case - until now.

"Very complex, tough case to look at geographically," Boyce said. "They're all together, but they didn't come there together."

U.S. Army Public Affairs confirmed that Dykes served in the regular Army as a medical sergeant for 21 years, from October 1980 to February 2001, and as an enlisted servicemember at the time of his girlfriend and daughter's murder, four years earlier.

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"We look at Tanya's life and we say it a life of service," Boyce said. "She was in the military. She was working in in Brooklyn, working hard, supporting your child and this happened."

----------

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If the recent snowfall in Bloomington has you dreaming of a white Christmas, you might be in luck.

Early reports indicate Bloomington has a better than average chance of experiencing a white Christmas this year  though its too soon to know for sure.

South-central Indiana experiences consistently snowy winters, but its only had six white Christmases since 2000, with its last in 2022. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a white Christmas as a Christmas morning with at least one inch of snow on the ground  regardless of whether it actually snows that day.

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Heres what meteorologists are saying as the holiday approaches.

What are Bloomingtons chances for a white Christmas?

A Santa statue collects snow along High Street during the heavy snow on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.

Its too early for meteorologists to actually forecast the likelihood of a white Christmas in Bloomington and across the U.S.  that usually comes some seven to 10 days before Dec. 25.

Still, Cody Moore, a meteorologist with NWS Indianapolis, said Bloomington has a better than average chance of having a white Christmas this year, both as a result of temperatures remaining low and snowfall likely continuing throughout December.

Looking at global weather patterns and looking at some longer-range weather models, they do support a chance for snow across Indiana, Moore said. I would say that the chances for a white Christmas this year are a bit higher than normal.

A person walks through the Sample Gates on the Indiana University campus on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025,

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) log of climate normals between 1991 and 2020 have historically put Bloomington at about a 21% chance for having a white Christmas.

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This year could be different, especially after a powerful winter storm left some 43% of the country, Bloomington included, blanketed in snow over Thanksgiving weekend.

If we continue getting snow, we might see it on the ground for quite a while, Moore said. I mean, its absolutely possible.

When will we have an accurate Christmas forecast?

Moore said that a reliable forecast usually becomes available about one week out  thats the point at which meteorologists can predict the next weeks forecast with about 80% accuracy.

Still, Moore encourages people to check in regularly on the forecast, especially as they plan their holiday travels.

The forecast can change a lot within the span of a couple days, especially around this time of winter, Moore said. It only takes a one-degree difference to be a rainstorm or a snowstorm.

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Updates for forecasts and weather advisories can be monitored on the NWS Indianapolis' website (www.weather.gov/ind/) or on NWS Indianapolis' Facebook and X/Twitter (@NWSIndianapolis).

When was Bloomingtons last white Christmas?

According to NOAAs local climatological observation center, Bloomingtons last white Christmas was in 2022, with approximately one inch of snow on the ground on Christmas morning.

Before that, Bloomington had an inch of snow in 2017 and three inches in 2010. The early 2000s were the snowiest for Bloomington, with three inches in 2000, five inches in 2002 and a whopping 15 inches from the great pre-Christmas snowstorm of 2004.

An archive of the Herald-Times' front page on Dec. 24, 2004 shows the severe snowfall from the night before.

That snowstorm boxed in cars, shut down state highways and resulted in a state of emergency being declared by Monroe County commissioners. Let's hope for a more moderate approach this year.

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Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on X/Twitter at @brianwritesnews.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Meteorologists at NWS say Bloomington has chance for white Christmas
Lately, Boeing has dominated headlines and not for good reasons. After a series of incidents involving the 737 MAX and Dreamliner, public perception of Boeing's safety record has declined. However, if you strip away the emotion and look at raw data, the issue becomes far less dramatic.

Based on an analysis of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) records, both manufacturers operate at extraordinarily low accident rates. Between 2014 and 2024, only two to six accidents due to mechanical issues in the engine or landing gear were reported each year despite a staggering six million flights operating annually in the United States. Even more importantly, none of these incidents caused accidents that resulted in fatalities.

When adjusted for the number of flights, Boeing and Airbus show nearly identical records though raw counts can make Boeing appear worse simply because far more of its planes fly in U.S. airspace, roughly three times more than Airbus. Still, public skepticism persists. Part of that comes from Boeing's recent quality-control controversies, as problems such as loose bolts, missing fasteners, and poorly fitted door plugs have been traced to weak oversight at Boeing's own factories and at key suppliers like Spirit AeroSystems. However, another part of it is a statistical illusion.

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Read more: Why Formula One Engines Went From V12s To V6s

Why does Boeing's safety record appear worse than Airbus's

Airbus A320 with CN-NMG registration, Air Arabia Airlines, getting take off the runway at El Prat Airport (BCN) - BearFotos/Shutterstock

The perception that Boeing racks up more incidents than Airbus can be traced back to the high profile crashes that happened with the 737 MAX. This perception can be worsened by agencies using incomplete information. For example, a chart that made its rounds on social media sites like LinkedIn drew information from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board's public database and put together every aircraft with Boeing listed as its manufacturer. However, this included World War II bombers, vintage trainers, and cargo jets from the 1930s and '40s, all of which haven't carried passengers for decades.

Even within commercial aviation, the data wasn't balanced. Because the NTSB is a U.S. agency, it receives far more detailed reports about Boeing aircraft, while Airbus incidents overseas are often logged by European regulators and never appear in the same database. The result is a lopsided picture that makes one company look worse simply due to where the accidents occurred and who investigated them.

Online, that imbalance spreads fast where search trends and booking platforms even show spikes in users filtering out Boeing aircraft after major stories. Experts warn that this kind of availability bias, when people judge danger based on what they see most often in the news, makes rare events feel common.

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Once obsolete aircraft, military jets, cargo carriers, and charter flights were removed, the numbers changed dramatically: Boeing's valid incidents dropped from nearly 1,000 to about 165, and Airbus's to around 80. When these were weighted by the number of flights, analysts found no measurable difference in aircraft-related safety rates between the two manufacturers.

What the data actually shows

Several Boeing and Airbus aircraft lined up on a tarmac. - Matheus Obst/Shutterstock

When you stop relying solely on headlines and look at verified U.S. data, the takeaway is surprisingly calm. From 2005 to 2024, both Airbus and Boeing have cut accident rates to historic lows. Across the same period, fatal hull-losses averaged around just one to two per year per manufacturer.

The vast majority of the events that did occur weren't mechanical failures. Analysts who combed through years of NTSB records found that roughly 80% of all incidents were traced to human or environmental factors like turbulence, pilot errors, or even minor cabin injuries caused by things like spilled coffee. True aircraft-related issues, things actually tied to the plane's design or systems, made up less than the remaining 20% of the actual incidents, and almost none involved manufacturing defects.

In fact, when maintenance-related cases are filtered out, both Boeing and Airbus incur around 0.39 and 0.38 true aircraft-related incidents per million departures, respectively. Statistically, that's as close to zero as you can expect issues with man-made things to get.

The reality: flying has never been safer

Aerial flying airplane and sky landscape close-up in China - dongfang/Shutterstock

Modern aviation is operating at its safest point in history and it's interesting how flying has become the safest way to travel. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 2023 saw just one major accident for every 1.26 million flights, and this is a record-low rate. MIT research puts the global death risk at roughly one in 13.7 million boardings, meaning you're far more likely to be struck by lightning or give birth to quadruplets than die in a plane crash.

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As Anthony Brickhouse, professor of aviation safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, explained to CNN, "If you look at the numbers, you're more at risk to have an accident driving to the airport than you are flying at 38,000 feet." And even though small jets keep crashing, they're still safer than driving. Safety analyst and editor-in-chief of Airline Ratings, Geoffrey Thomas, also reassured CNN that flying gets safer every year. Both Boeing and Airbus learn from every incident and make active efforts to ensure it doesn't happen again.

In other words, while perception may fluctuate with headlines, the numbers and raw data never do. Whether your next flight is on a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A320, statistically, you're boarding one of the safest machines ever built.

Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox, and add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on Jalopnik.
WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday ordered federal law enforcement to step up investigations into the anti-fascist antifa movement and other similar "extremist groups," and asked the FBI to compile a list of entities that might be engaged in acts of domestic terrorism, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.

The memo, which was sent to prosecutors and federal law enforcement agencies, calls on the Justice Department to prioritize investigating and prosecuting acts of domestic terrorism, including any potential "tax crimes" involving "extremist groups" who defrauded the Internal Revenue Service.

"These domestic terrorists use violence or the threat of violence to advance political and social agendas, including opposition to law and immigration enforcement; extreme views in favor of mass migration and open borders; adherence to radical gender ideology, anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, or anti-Christianity," Bondi wrote.

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She added that the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces "shall prioritize the investigation of such conduct." She also ordered federal law enforcement agencies to scour their files for any intelligence they may have on Antifa groups and provide it to investigators.

(Reporting by Sarah Lynch, editing by Michelle Nichols)
Bitcoin reserves held at Binance have fallen sharply in recent months: from roughly $71 billion at the peak to about $51 billion. However, on-chain researchers argue the move reflects structural accumulation and custody shifts rather than an exodus of confidence.

CryptoQuant trackers and exchange-balance roundups attribute the decline to coins leaving trading wallets for longer-term storage, a pattern that has historically aligned with constructive market phases.

Why Are Balances Falling?

Part of the drawdown is mechanical. As U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs gather assets, acquired is moved off exchanges and into external custodians for safekeeping. Therefore, it reduces the immediately tradable supply at venues like Binance.

Industry coverage this week singled out inflows to funds from BlackRock and Fidelity as a key driver of lower exchange balances. It is consistent with CryptoQuants own playbook, which interprets exchange-reserve outflows driven by long-term custody as a bullish signal.

Stablecoin Reserves on the Rise

While BTC reserves declined, stablecoin balances on Binance rose to record highs. The numbers crossed $5051 billion by several tallies. Analysts frame this as sidelined capital that could re-enter as sentiment improves.

CryptoQuant and market dashboards also note the BTC-to-stablecoin reserve ratio at Binance has sunk to multi-year lows, a setup that has preceded past rallies by signaling outsized buying power relative to available BTC on the venue.

Signals, not Certainties

Broader tape still matters. Bitcoin dipped below $90,000 earlier this week amid risk-off flows and ETF redemptions, then stabilized. The move reminds traders that macro conditions can swamp constructive on-chain reads in the short run.

Still, the combination of fewer coins on exchanges and more stablecoin ammo is the kind of on-chain backdrop bulls prefer.

What to watch

ETF flows: Continued net creations would continue to drain exchange balances; persistent redemptions would do the opposite. (Background on IBIT provided by BlackRock.)

Reserve mix at Binance: Follow the BTC vs. stablecoins ratio. Extremes often mark inflection points per CryptoQuant trend guides.

Cross-venue totals: Multi-exchange BTC supply has been trending lower, another sign of reduced near-term sell pressure.

Read original story Binance Bitcoin Reserves Decline: Is It Time to Worry? by Yana Khlebnikova at Coinspeaker.com
More than $51,000 in grants was awarded to 26 organizations during the Boone County Community Foundation's annual community grant breakfast Nov. 18.

The awards ceremony, according to a community announcement, marked the foundation's 20th year of supporting the community.

The fund supports the efforts of grant recipient organizations, including 4-H clubs, the YMCA and a local Goodwill.

The Boone County Community Foundation honored local groups with $51K in grants during its Nov. 18 breakfast event.

'A powerful force for good'

Together, we have created a powerful force for good; changing lives, strengthening our community and building a legacy that will last for generations, said Melissa Erickson, executive director of the Boone County Community Foundation.

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The program included contributions from the Melvin and Mildred Banks Fund, the Wilbur and William Cummings Fund and donations made in memory of longtime community supporters Ron Wait and Mike Chamberlain. Estate gifts from Mae Negus Totz and Ronnie and Pat Ellwanger Streit were also included.

These organizations received grants:

Belvidere Family YMCA, $2,000: Y on the Fly and Food Distribution

Belvidere Township Park District, $1,400: Glenn H. Green Interpretive Boards

Blackhawk Area Boy Scouts of America, $1,500: Membership and Program Assistance

Boone County Arts Council, $3,000: 5th Grade Arts Festival

Boone County Fair Association and 4-H, $5,500: Upgrade to 4-H and Grange Stands

Boone County Museum of History, $3,500: Spanish Audio and Literary Tour of the Museum

BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Education, $1,500: Equine-Assisted Services for Veterans

Brightpoint, $1,500: Developmental Safety and Supplies for Infants and Families

Compassion Closet Food Pantry, $1,500: Supplemental Supplies for the Pantry

Farmers Rising, $1,500: Hands-on Experience on the Farm for 500 Boone County Students

Girl Scouts of America, $1,500: Outdoor Experience, STEM Activities in Collaboration with the BCCD

Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois, $1,100: Empowering Girls, 2026 Program Season

Goodwill GoodGRADS, $2,500: Computer for Testing, Classroom Supplies, Testing Fees and Transportation

Habitat for Humanity of Boone County, $3,000: 2026 Home Construction Costs

Northern Illinois Food Bank, $3,500: Mobile Market Program for Boone County

Poplar Grove Vintage Wings & Wheels Museum, $1,500: Air Academy

Regional Access & Mobilization Project, $1,000: Project Search

Rock River Valley Blood Center, $2,000: A1C Testing in Blood Donations

Rockford Symphony Orchestras, $1,000: Nutcracker Matinee for Boone County Students

Senior Connections, $1,000: Patrick Murphy Pavilion Enhancement Project

Sister Cities Association of Belvidere, $1,000: Summer Exchange Program

St. Johns United Church of Christ, $1,000: Paper Angel Closet Enhancement

The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties, $1,000: Future Planning Seminars

The Baby Bank, $3,500: Diaper Distribution and Supplies

Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau, $2,500: Agriculture Education Programs in Boone County

Zion Lutheran Church, $1,500: Food Distribution

This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Boone County awards $51K in grants to 26 local groups
Boston police identify 3rd teen charged in massive street takeover that led to torching of cruiser

A Connecticut man was arrested early Thursday morning in connection with a massive street takeover in Boston in October that resulted in a police cruiser being set ablaze and destroyed.

David Antonio Moran, 19, of Norwalk, Connecticut, is facing charges including burning a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of fireworks, disturbing the peace, and conspiracy, according to the Boston Police Department.

Boston police say they obtained an arrest warrant for Moran after a painstaking investigation into a large-scale vehicle takeover involving hundreds of people that shut down the intersection of Tremont Street and Massachusetts Avenue shortly after 2 a.m. on Oct. 5.

In a statement, the department said, Boston police officers and detectives methodically identified and followed evidence related to this street takeover. BPD worked with several law enforcement partners in the Bay State and received tremendous support from private citizens and businesses via video and information sharing, and we thank them all.

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During the early morning chaos, witnesses reported seeing a Boston police cruiser burst into flames after someone threw fireworks at it. In Thursdays announcement, police said Moran was identified as a suspect in the burning of the cruiser.

During a Thursday news conference, Boston Police Department Superintendent-in-Chief Phillip Owens warned, If you come to the city of Boston and you think that youre going to participate in criminal behavior and not be held accountable, youre wrong.

Police say their marked cars were also smashed with cones, poles, and other objects.

It was like a riot, and then we saw someone get arrested and we looked to our right, and theres this cop car on fire, Simran Nalhatra, who lives nearby, told Boston 25 News at the time.

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Julian Bowers, 18, and William Cantwell, 19, both of Rhode Island, were previously arrested on charges in connection with the violence. They have since been arraigned on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and malicious destruction of property.

Moran is slated to appear in a Connecticut court on Friday, where he will be charged as a fugitive from justice, before being moved to Boston to face the additional charges.

An investigation into the street takeover remains active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at 617-343-5619 or share tips, photos, or videos anonymously via BPD CrimeStoppers.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The Boston Police Department is warning the public to beware of credit card skimming devices following a recent discovery at a store in the citys Brighton neighborhood.

Police say officers responded to a convenience store on Market Street on Wednesday night after a technician servicing the stores ATM discovered an unauthorized electronic chip inside the machine.

Detectives documented the scene and secured the device as evidence. The investigation remains active.

What are skimming devices?

Skimming occurs when criminals install illegal devices on ATMs or point-of-sale terminals to capture card data. These devices are often placed at pharmacies, gas stations, grocery stores, and other high-traffic locations.

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Skimmers may:

Hide inside or over ATM card readers to capture magnetic stripe or chip data.

Use pinhole cameras to record PIN entries.

Place plastic overlays on keypads or card readers at checkout terminals.

How to protect yourself

Choose safer ATMs: Use machines inside banks or near security cameras.

Inspect before you insert: Look for loose parts, raised PIN pads, broken lights, or anything unusual.

Shield your PIN: Cover your hand while entering your code.

Check POS terminals: Avoid devices with loose or misaligned components.

Use credit over debit: Credit cards limit direct access to your checking account.

Enable alerts: Sign up for text or email notifications for card activity.

Consider contactless payments or EMV chip cards for added security.

If you suspect fraud

Contact your card issuer immediately.

Deactivate the compromised card and request a new one with a new PIN.

Monitor your account closely.

File a fraud affidavit if you suffer financial loss.

Report incidents to local police and the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The Boston Police Department has released images of the suspect who was involved in numerous larcenies at Bostons City Hall.

The suspect is described as a man wearing a brown beanie, a dark jacket, sweatpants, a white shirt, a blue facemask, and a black-and-white scarf.

According to a police report, an unidentified member of the public accessed private offices and suites inside the building around noon on Monday.

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The report claims that an individual stole wallets, cards, cash, IDs, and other items from bags and desks in the area.

Several employees reported missing items to the police and the city hall security.

Boston police are investigating the incident and ask that anyone with information contact Detectives at (617) 343-4571.

Community members who wish to provide information anonymously may do so through the CrimeStoppers Tip Line:

By Phone: 1-800-494-TIPS

By Text: Text TIP to CRIME (27463)

Online: Boston Police CrimeStoppers

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
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday that it will hear a case on Donald Trumps executive order restricting birthright citizenship.

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution has long been interpreted as granting citizenship to children born to immigrants in the U.S. However, the Trump administration is seeking to deny citizenship to those born to immigrants who are in the U.S. unlawfully or temporarily.

Related: Immigration's public image crisis is fueled by Trump and right-wing extremists

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The Justice Department is appealing decisions in two suits challenging the order, Reuters reports. One was brought by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon, in which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decided in favor of the states. The other was brought by New Hampshire as a class action, and a judge granted class action status, allowing the order to be blocked nationwide. An earlier Supreme Court order held that nationwide injunctions could be granted only in certain circumstances, including class actions.

In the latter case, plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of New Hampshire, ACLU of Maine, ACLU of Massachusetts, Legal Defense Fund, Asian Law Caucus, and Democracy Defenders Fund. These groups released a statement on the matter.

No president can change the 14th Amendments fundamental promise of citizenship, said Cecillia Wang, ACLU national legal director. For over 150 years, it has been the law and our national tradition that everyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen from birth. The federal courts have unanimously held that President Trumps executive order is contrary to the Constitution, a Supreme Court decision from 1898, and a law enacted by Congress. We look forward to putting this issue to rest once and for all in the Supreme Court this term.

Its deeply troubling that we must waste precious judicial resources relitigating what has been settled constitutional law for over a century, said Aarti Kohli, executive director of Asian Law Caucus. Every federal judge who has considered this executive order has found it unconstitutional. If implemented, this policy would force all parents  including U.S. citizens  to prove their immigration status just to get a birth certificate or Social Security number for their baby, inevitably leading to racial profiling based on names, appearance, or accent.

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Related: LGBTQ+ non-U.S. citizens at risk under Trumps immigration crackdown: study

CNN Supreme Court analyst Steve Vladeck, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, said in a CNN report that Trump's order is clearly wrong, and he expects the high court to strike it down. "There is perhaps no single issue, from the beginning of this administration, on which President Trump has been more wrong than his attempt to narrow birthright citizenship by executive order, he said.

Whether because it violates the relevant statutes; the Fourteenth Amendment itself; or the Supreme Courts authoritative 1898 interpretation of that constitutional provision, the bottom line is the same, he added. And although the Court sided with Trump earlier this summer when he asked it to narrow injunctions against the policy, now that its back on the merits, theres every reason to believe that even this Court will rule against him; the real question is likely to be on which of the multiple possible grounds.

Story developing 

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Supreme Court to hear case on Trump order limiting birthright citizenship
NEED TO KNOW

In 1997, a teenage au pair shot to national attention after an infant died in her care

Charged and convicted on charges of murder, a jury decision meant that she would likely spend the rest of her life in prison

But a judge overturned the verdict, reducing the charge to manslaughter and sentencing the 19-year-old to time served

The nation was riveted by the case of a teenage au pair who, in 1997, was charged and convicted on charges of murder after an infant in her care died of brain injuries attorneys would later argue she had caused. But while a jury convicted her of second-degree murder, a judge overturned the verdict, reducing the charge to manslaughter and sentencing the then-19-year-old to the time she had already served while awaiting trial: 279 days.

Judge Hiller Zobel made the fateful decision to reduce the charges, writing that he was convinced that she had injured the baby out of "confusion" and "immaturity" rather than malice.

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PEOPLE detailed Zobel's carefully crafted 16-page opinion, in which he wrote that any evidence Woodward had maliciously killed or gravely injured the child were unconvincing.

"Frustrated by her inability to quiet the crying child, she was a 'little rough with him,'" wrote Zobel, quoting the au pair's own testimony and writing, "under circumstances where another, perhaps wiser, person would have sought to restrain the physical impulse."

The case was a tragic one from the start and began on February 4, 1997, when au pair Louise Woodward  who had been caring for 8-month-old Matthew Eappen and his two-year-old brother during a gap year after high school  called 911 in Newton, Massachusetts, to report a baby who was "barely breathing."

Matthew was taken to Boston's Children's Hospital, where doctors deduced his injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, and retinal hemorrhaging. Woodward was arrested just one day later  on February 5, 1997  and accused of violently shaking the child.

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Unresponsive, Matthew was taken off life support on February 9. Woodward was charged with first-degree murder in March.

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 trial divided those who believed Woodward's actions had been intentional and those who were swayed by her attorney's arguments that Matthew had died after an accidental injury aggravated an early, unexplained skull fracture.

The defense's medical experts maintained that baby Matthew's brain showed older blood clots, as well as a two-week-old broken wrist, arguing the injury had been sustained weeks prior to the 911 call.

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Per a CNN article at the time, Woodward herself had maintained that the baby was struggling to breathe upon waking from a nap, and that she had shaken him gently to try to wake him, but had not otherwise abused him. In her testimony, she also said Matthew may have hit his head the day prior to being taken to the hospital, after falling near his playroom.

But those arguments did little to sway the jury, who were convinced by the prosecution's claims that Woodward preferred late nights to childcare duties, and that she had acted with malicious intent.

PEOPLE cover in 1997

On October 30, 1997, a grand jury delivered its verdict: Woodward had been found guilty of second-degree murder, which would mean a mandatory life sentence, with parole only possible after 15 years served.

Less than two weeks later  on November 10, 1997  Judge Zobel reduced that conviction to involuntary manslaughter.



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A November 1997 PEOPLE cover story detailed how the case and ensuing convictions left many divided: Louise Woodward, the 18-year-old au pair, was British, with many of her supporters rallying for her from England throughout the trial.

In America, though, the overturning of the conviction was a second shock to a community already stunned by the child's death.

As Wilma Spellman, Matthew's maternal grandmother, told PEOPLE: "We all could have fallen off our chairs. We thought the truth would be brought forward and justice would be served, but that just didn't happen here."

Woodward, meanwhile, has consistently maintained her innocence, offering a rare interview to The Mail in 2007.

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"I know there are some people out there just waiting for me to have a baby so they can say nasty things," she said at the time, per ABC News. "That upsets me, but that is not going to stop me leading my life. I am innocent. I have done nothing wrong. I am entitled to enjoy my life. I am not going to apologize for being happy."

Per ABC News, she went on to work as a salsa dance teacher and got married to the operator of a truck rental company and the two had a baby in 2014.



Read the original article on People
A Kenyan parliamentary report has accused British troops training in the country of killings, sexual, human rights and environmental abuses, following years of accumulated complaints from local communities.

The report, published on Wednesday, found that serious misconduct by British soldiers caused them to be viewed as something of an occupying force by local people.

For the past 60 years, British soldiers in the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) have routinely trained in the East African nation, favoured for its temperate weather and realistic combat scenarios. However, they have attracted rising numbers of accusations of gross violations, ranging from killings to neglectful disposal of military grade chemicals. The most notorious case was the murder of a 21-year-old Kenyan woman, Agnes Wanjiru, which gained international media attention.

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Community activists who have for years sought redress in Kenyan courts told Al Jazeera the reports publication represented an enormous victory not just for Kenya, but for other African countries which host foreign military bases on their territory, but are wary of regulating them.

The Kenyan parliament has demonstrated that the British Army is not above the law, said James Mwangi, founder of the grassroots advocacy group, Africa Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA), which has been at the forefront of bringing community grievances to Kenyan courts, and which advised lawmakers during their investigation.

The impunity that has been perpetrated by these forces has been appalling. The world has seen that African parliaments can take measures to combat injustices by these forces, and Kenya has become the first country in Africa to do such a thing, he added.

Heres what we know about the report, the most serious allegations against the British troops, and what will happen next:

Soldiers are seen during a training session under the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), at a camp in Laikipia, Kenya, September 30, 2018 [File: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters]

What is BATUK?

BATUK (British Army Training Unit in Kenya) is a permanent training force based in Nanyuki, central Kenya. It has been stationed there since Kenyan independence from the UK in 1963 and has about 100 permanent staff and some 280 rotating short-term troops from the United Kingdom.

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The unit trains British troops and provides anti-terrorism training for Kenyan troops fighting the al-Shabab armed group, as agreed in the UK-Kenya Defence Cooperation Agreement, which, since 2015, allows both armies to share intelligence and training.

In 2022, the UK government reported that BATUK had contributed more than 5.8 billion Kenyan shillings ($45m) to the local economies in which its garrisons are based, and that it employed more than 550 local staff. Local businesses close to BATUK training sites also benefit from the units presence, it said.

However, there have been numerous complaints from local people about the conduct of the troops. They say mishandling of dangerous training material and unexploded bombs left in the ground have caused serious injuries, and they have complained about how British soldiers behave towards Kenyan women in the area.

Many Kenyan women say they have been left to care for children alone after British soldiers they began relationships with left the country at the end of their training.

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There has been no mechanism within the UK or Kenyan justice systems to hold British soldiers under BATUK to account. On that basis, the UK government initially pushed back against Kenyan authorities attempts to investigate the troops behaviour.

In April 2024, therefore, the Kenyan parliament voted to amend the defence agreement with the UK to allow for local prosecutions of British soldiers.

What does the new report say?

The 94-page inquiry into the conduct of BATUK troops was released following a one-and-a-half-year investigation by the Kenyan parliaments defence, intelligence and foreign relations committee.

The report examined complaints from residents in Laikipia and Samburu counties in central Kenya, close to where the BATUK camp is. Lawmakers began conducting public hearings to hear evidence in June 2024, with victims detailing harrowing accounts of mistreatment by BATUK soldiers. BATUK did not cooperate with the parliamentary investigation, the committee noted.

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The report found that BATUK soldiers showed a disturbing trend of sexual misconduct, including rape, assault and the neglect of children fathered by the troops.

It found that an internal inquiry by BATUK in 2003 had mishandled evidence and failed to provide justice for women who brought complaints.

BATUK, which the report said does not conduct environmental impact assessments for its field exercises, has also caused serious environmental damage. In at least one case, a major fire killed livestock and destroyed 4,900 hectares (12,000 acres) of vegetation. BATUK also illegally dumped military waste and toxic materials openly, breaking Kenyan environmental law, the report concluded.

Additionally, the Kenyan parliament said British troops showed gross negligence in the way they handled unexploded ordnance during their training and that their neglect had led to multiple deaths and injuries.

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Communities were routinely not informed about loud training drills, leading to shock, injury or trauma in some cases.

Kenyan workers hired to clean up ammunition debris were not provided with protective gear in line with Kenyan labour laws, the report added.

Complainants who brought claims of injuries to BATUK were not fairly compensated, the report found.

A British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) signage stands next to the road, as Kenyas parliament accuse British soldiers of decades of sexual abuse, killings, human rights violations and environmental destruction while training in the country, in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, Kenya, December 4, 2025 [Monicah Mwangi/Reuters]

What other abuses is BATUK accused of?

Thousands of serious allegations against BATUK members have been made by locals. At the public hearings which parliament conducted, the mother of a young woman testified in June 2024 that her daughter had been the victim of a hit-and-run incident involving a BATUK truck, which left her wheelchair-bound. BATUK paid for the daughters hospital bills for two years, but did not compensate the family beyond that, she said.

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Another mother, who attended a hearing holding her five-year-old daughter, narrated how she had been abandoned by a British soldier with whom she had been in a consensual relationship when he discovered she was pregnant. The soldier is believed to have since left Kenya. The woman said she needed child support.

Survivors of a huge March 2021 wildfire, which started at the privately-owned Lolldaiga Conservancy nature reserve in Laikipia, where BATUK carries out trainings, also brought complaints. The nature reserve houses wildlife like elephants, buffalo, lions, and the endangered Grevy zebra.

The blaze, which raged for four days, is believed to have started after BATUK used white phosphorus, a lethal chemical, during a training exercise. The resulting fire ripped through the nature reserves grounds, burning 4,900 hectares (12,000 acres). It killed livestock and pushed fleeing wild animals to swaths of farm land further afield. Community members said the smoke was so heavy that it lingered for days and caused eye and breathing problems.

One man named Linus Murangiri was crushed by a moving vehicle as he rushed to help put out the fire, the BBC reported.

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In 2022, the UKs Ministry of Defence claimed that the fire was likely caused by a camp stove that had been knocked over during an exercise.

In August 2025, the UK agreed to pay what it called a generous settlement to the 7,723 claimants who sued BATUK over the incident with the help of organisations like ACCPA. The BBC reported that compensation amounted to just 2.9 million pounds ($3.9m).

The British government has also supported the restoration of burned areas on the conservancy where BATUK exercises continue to be held.

What happened to Agnes Wanjiru?

Agnes Wanjirus killing in March 2012, allegedly by a British soldier, was the most high-profile BATUK case.

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Wanjiru, the mother of a five-month-old girl, disappeared on the night of March 31, after last being seen with British soldiers at the Lion Court Hotel bar in Nanyuki. Her naked body was found two months later in a septic tank on the hotel grounds, close to the room where the BATUK soldiers had been staying. The group of soldiers had left Kenya by the time her body was discovered.

A post-mortem determined Wanjiru had been stabbed in the chest and abdomen, had a collapsed lung, and had suffered from blunt force injury to her chest. She had been beaten and was likely still alive when she was placed in the tank, it said. It was not clear whether she had been sexually assaulted.

In June 2012, the Kenyan police asked that nine soldiers be questioned by the British Royal Military Police, but say they did not receive a response. Wanjirus family attempted to sue BATUK in Kenya, but the UK government argued the Kenyan court had no jurisdiction over UK troops.

Wanjirus murder case resurfaced in October 2021 after a Sunday Times investigation revealed that a British soldier had murdered her, and that BATUK bosses knew about the involvement of the soldier in her killing, but tried to cover it up.

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One soldier who went to top officials after hearing a colleague, identified at the time as Soldier X, confess to the killings was told to shut up. The soldier said Soldier X took him to the septic tank and showed him Wanjirus body. Soldier X, who was not among the nine soldiers the Kenyan police initially identified, also poked fun at the murdered woman in Facebook posts, the Times reported.

The revelation brought renewed attention to the case and, this time, UK government officials agreed to cooperate with a new investigation.

In September 2025, a Kenyan court ordered the arrest and extradition of a British national, and in November, the UK government arrested a 38-year-old suspect, Robert Purkiss. The case could mark the first time a former or current British soldier will be extradited to face trial in a foreign country, according to the UKs Guardian newspaper.

Purkiss served as a medic in the Duke of Lancasters Regiment, an Infantry Regiment based in the northwest of England, and was in Kenya for a six-week training exercise at the time of Wanjirus death.

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He appeared in a Westminster court on November 7, where a prosecutor alleged that Purkiss and others had regularly paid local women for sex and that they had been drinking heavily the night of Wanjirus murder, The Guardian reported.

Friends of Wanjiru, a hairdresser, reported that she had told them she was going out to hustle (earn extra money) for her daughter, prosecutors told the UK court.

The court also heard that Purkiss confessed to a colleague that he murdered Wanjiru over sex that went wrong.

Purkiss denied the allegations. His next hearing is set for December 9.

Rose Wanyua Wanjiku, elder sister to Agnes Wanjiru, 20, holds photographs of Agnes at Roses house in the Majengo informal settlement in Nanyuki, Kenya, November 4, 2021 [File: Brian Inganga/AP]

How has the UK government responded to the report?

The British High Commission in Kenya responded in a statement on Wednesday, claiming that BATUK had not been sufficiently represented during the parliamentary hearings.

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The commission said it had submitted written statements which were not taken into consideration in the report, and added that it was ready to investigate new allegations against BATUK once evidence is provided.

While we deeply regret the challenges which have arisen in relation to our defence presence in Kenya, we are disappointed our submission to the Committee was not incorporated into the reports conclusions, the statement said.

What will happen next?

The parliamentary report recommended that Kenyas Attorney General should immediately work with the UK government to extradite Purkiss to Kenya for the ongoing trial of Wanjirus murder. It also ordered inquiries into other deaths of local people suspected to have involved BATUK soldiers.

Negotiations should begin with the UK within three months to hold ex-BATUK soldiers who have neglected their children to account, the report said, and compensation and psychosocial support should be provided to victims of sexual offences committed by BATUK soldiers.

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More broadly, the parliamentary report also recommended that government agencies should have more direct oversight over foreign troops stationed in the country by developing a code of conduct highlighting zero tolerance of gender-based violence and environmental degradation.

Kenya similarly hosts two US military bases with fluctuating numbers of personnel. The country often hosts US-Africa military drills along with several other African countries.

Mwangi of ACCPA told Al Jazeera that the parliaments move was a step forward for communities which have to deal with foreign militaries in Kenya and elsewhere. Injustices committed by BATUK towards local communities, he said, dated back to Kenyas colonial history with the UK, but officials have historically been wary of interrogating soldiers due to fears that development aid from the UK government could be affected.

Kenya is a top recipient of British aid, which mostly supports healthcare and humanitarian efforts. The country was also allocated a 24.6-million-pound ($33m) development budget in 2023.




A union hospital worker holds up a sign expressing her concern with the potential closure of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence and Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence during a rally on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. In the foreground is Chis Callaci, general counsel for the union. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

The shot clock has been reset on the imminent closure of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital under another extension brokered between attorneys for Rhode Island and the hospitals bankruptcy estate.

The agreement presented to a federal bankruptcy judge in Dallas Friday gives prospective buyer The Centurion Foundation until the end of January  rather than Dec. 31  to line up the investor-backed financing needed to complete the sale. If Centurion cant pull it off, the hospitals could be placed under state-controlled receivership.

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Centurion has continued to work this issue, we believe very hard and in good faith, said Andrew Troop, a New York attorney hired by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronhas office to represent the state in federal bankruptcy proceedings. They will work like expletive deleted to get this done.

Ben Mingle, Centurion CEO, reiterated that the foundation is aggressively executing its financing strategy with the intent of closing the sale in January.

We want to acknowledge the support of Attorney General Peter Neronha and his team, as well as the Department of Health, who agreed to this extension of time and to cover any losses through the month of January, Mingle said in a statement Friday. State leaders have been instrumental in their support of our plan and the importance of these hospitals to the local community.

Neronha was still skeptical.

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Im no cheerleader for anybody, he said in a call with reporters after the court hearing Friday. Theyve got to put up or shut up.

The Atlanta nonprofit lined up conditional state regulatory approval to buy the struggling hospitals from their now-bankrupt owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, in June 2024. But Centurion has been unable to lure investors to back the bonds needed to secure its purchase, much to the dismay of Rhode Island health care leaders, the federal bankruptcy judge and Prospects many creditors.

Prospects bankruptcy estate in October sought to close the hospitals by the end of the year, rather than keep racking up monthly operating costs and postponing resolution of the 11-month bankruptcy case.

But Centurion signaled it needs even more time; Mingle said in a court filing on Monday that the bonds being underwritten by Barclays and Bank of America should close on or about Jan. 15.

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Neronha on Friday acknowledged that Centurion is the only buyer that has already cleared the extensive state regulatory approval process, and agreed to meet a host of conditions critical to preserving hospital operations, workers and services to patients.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha criticized Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Charest for negotiating a sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital with Prime Healthcare behind closed doors. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

No longer Primed for purchase

Thats in contrast with Prime Healthcare, which Gov. Dan McKees administration courted as an alternative buyer for at least several months. Neronha confirmed Thursday that Prime had walked away  at least for now  unable to reach a resolution with state regulators on the conditions and financial investments expected.

Neronha offered more detail Friday on where talks broke down.

The national hospital chain operator, which owns Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, was unwilling to cover the $91 million in hospital labor costs, local taxes and a federal loan repayment that Prospects creditors  and Neronha  expected a buyer to cover. Prime also refused to commit to keeping service and staffing levels the same, and wanted a $5 million monthly management fee in exchange for running operations, Neronha said.

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Noel True, a spokesperson for Prime, confirmed the company had decided not to move forward with an acquisition of the Rhode Island hospitals but declined to comment on details of its negotiations.

Centurion has already agreed to cover the bankruptcy costs and maintain existing service and staffing levels. It has not sought management fees from the state, Neronha said.

Neronha blasted Rhode Island Health and Human Services Secretary Richard Charest, former Landmark CEO, for exposing the state to legal action by soliciting Prime when Centurion was still under exclusive rights to buy the hospitals. Neronha also blamed Charest for making his job as a state regulator more difficult.

I cant negotiate with Prime if Prime believes the state will welcome them unconditionally to ownership of these hospitals, Neronha said. Ive got to negotiate on behalf of Rhode Island. Its very difficult to do that if the Secretary is taking away my bargaining leverage by telling them they can have the hospitals for whatever they want.

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Neronha also said Primes press statements, featuring complimentary quotes from Charest, told him everything I need to know about the relationship between McKees cabinet member and the hospital owner.

I cant negotiate with Prime if Prime believes the state will welcome them unconditionally to ownership of these hospitals. Ive got to negotiate on behalf of Rhode Island.

 Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha on sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital

Ashley OShea, a spokesperson for Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, said Charests conversations with Prime were contingency planning and not formal negotiations on an offer.

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When Centurion was having difficulty closing the transaction, it became apparent to the McKee administration that it was in Rhode Islands best interest to explore back-up options in case Centurion was not able to close the transaction, OShea said in an emailed response Friday. Secretary Charest has remained focused on fulfilling the governors directive to preserve these hospitals  whose closure would be catastrophic for Rhode Islands already strained health care system.

Ben Mingle, CEO of The Centurion Foundation, speaks during a hearing conducted by the Office of the Attorney General on the proposed sale of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima on March 19, 2024, at Rhode Island College. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

Avoiding catastrophe

Preserving the pair of safety net hospitals  with 500 beds, 50,000 annual emergency room visits and nearly 2,500 employees between them  has been a shared priority among companies, state leaders and even Chief Judge Stacey Jernigan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Even though as a bankruptcy judge I am about debtor or creditor rights, you cannot help but feel some responsibility for these human beings, Jernigan said Friday.

Jernigan has had harsh words for Centurion in past hearings, questioning why it has been unable to close the sale over the last year of bankruptcy proceedings. But she expressed support Friday.

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I feel much better today than I have in the past hearings, she said, adding that she was content to let the process play out.

For now, that process hinges on Centurion securing the investor-backed bonds to close a sale by mid-January. A timeline Centurion submitted to the bankruptcy court shows a meeting with investors scheduled in Boston on Dec. 15, with documents finalized and agreements executed by Jan. 5.

Centurion recognizes that this transaction has taken longer to close than anticipated, and it acknowledges that the court approved the sale in February 2025 and is focused on preventing further administrative drain and ensuring a realistic, near-term path to closing. Mingle wrote in a Dec. 1 affidavit to the court. Centurion takes these concerns seriously.

Centurion recognizes that this transaction has taken longer to close than anticipated, and it acknowledges that the court approved the sale in February 2025 and is focused on preventing further administrative drain and ensuring a realistic, near-term path to closing.

 Ben Mingle, CEO of The Centurion Foundation

Neronha on Friday said he is solely focused on getting Centurion to the finish line.

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This includes forking over another $6 million from a state-controlled escrow account to cover hospital operations through Jan. 31. The state already has spent $6 million from the account funded by the facilities former owner, private equity firm Leonard Green, to cover operating costs in November and December.

The fund will still have $37 million to $42 million left after Januarys expenses, with Centurion  or an alternative buyer  required to replenish the money spent on recent operating costs.

Closure remains a possibility if Centurion cant come through on its pledged commitment by the end of January, Neronha acknowledged. An alternative: a court-appointed state receiver, though details of the transfer of the hospitals to a state trustee have not been solidified.

Were a long way away from that point now, Neronha said.

McKee MIA?

Neronha suggested McKees office and the Rhode Island General Assembly could contribute state money to keep the hospitals afloat longer, mimicking actions taken by Gov. Maura Healey in Massachusetts last year after Steward Health Care filed for bankruptcy and sold off its Massachusetts hospitals.

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McKees office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday on whether he plans to offer state funding for the hospitals.

Keeping these hospitals open remains our top priority, Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKees office, said in an email Thursday. She also noted that nothing prevents Prime from reengaging if the Centurion deal does not go through.

Senate President Valarie Lawson and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi also have not publicly committed to spending state budget funds on the hospitals though they are monitoring developments, Greg Pare, a spokesperson for Lawson, said Friday.

Helena Buonnano Foulkes, who is challenging McKee for the governors seat in the 2026 Democratic primary, criticized McKee and other unspecified state leaders for their poor performance.

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They have failed to personally convene key stakeholders and leaders of Rhode Islands health care system or present any contingency plan, Foulkes said in a statement Thursday. This lack of leadership is unacceptable when two hospitals, thousands of patients, and hospital workers hang in the balance.

Brad Dufault, a spokesperson for the United Nurses and Allied Professionals, which represents 1,500 workers across both hospitals, maintained the unions stance that Centurions offered the best hope of survival. The union has been critical of Prime for its trio of federal settlements over Medicaid and billing fraud, and its allegedly poor relations with union members at Landmark in Woonsocket.

With time running out quickly, the UNAP is pleased that the state can now keep the focus 100% on closing the Centurion deal, Dufault said in a statement Friday. The deal is our best immediate option to keep these important community hospitals open and operational into the new year and beyond.

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Detectives with the Navajo County Sheriff's Office obtained search warrants on Mike Abatti's home and properties. Mike has not been named a suspect at this time

The California farming mogul's estranged wife, Kerri Ann Abatti, was shot and killed in November in her home in Pinetop, Ariz.

Kerri Ann filed for divorce from Mike in 2023

Police are investigating the properties of a California farming tycoon whose estranged wife was shot and killed in November amid ongoing divorce proceedings.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, detectives with the Navajo County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) in Arizona served search warrants on the home of Mike Abatti in El Centro, Calif. Several other properties associated with Mike are also to be searched, The Los Angeles Times reports.

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The NCSO shared in a press release on Wednesday, Dec. 3, that it would search the residence located on Aurora Drive in El Centro, "as well as on two camp trailers and two vehicles belonging to the Abatti family." Authorities said they have no suspect information at this time

"These warrants were obtained and executed based on the results of the ongoing homicide investigation and evidence developed by detectives," the statement continued.

Mike's wife, Kerri Ann Abatti, was shot and killed on Nov. 20 at approximately 9 p.m. local time in the couple's home in Pinetop, Ariz., KTLA reports. The NCSO confirmed in a Dec. 3 statement that it is treating the case as a homicide investigation. Kerri Ann was in the process of divorcing Mike, and the couple had been living separately, per the outlet.

Kerri Ann filed for divorce in October 2023 after 31 years of marriage and cited irreconcilable differences. She filed for divorce in Imperial County Superior Court, the Arizona Republic reported. She wrote in the court filings obtained by the outlet that the couple would travel the world, eat out wherever we pleased, pay for education and vehicles for our children (we still do) and live with very little debt."

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Mike and Kerri Ann married in April 1992. They co-owned Mike Abatti Farms in El Centro since 1999, the Arizona Republic reports.

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.

Kerri Ann was awarded $6,400 per month in spousal support. However, after working with experts to assess the couple's properties in California, Arizona and Wyoming, she was expected to seek $30,000 per month, per The LA Times.



Mike's family settled in the Imperial Valley area a century ago, the Desert Sun reported. In recent years, he has won millions in environmental lawsuits that have permitted him to pump groundwater and exert control over elected officials and those impacted by use of the Colorado River, the outlet reported in 2018.

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Before their divorce, Kerri Ann and Mike donated $50,000 to San Diego State University to create a scholarship fund in her name, according to The LA Times.

PEOPLE has reached out to the NCSO and Mike Abatti Farms for comment.

Read the original article on People
For almost a decade, the government says, William Asper sexually preyed upon vulnerable women who lived in his metro Detroit rental properties, threatening to not make repairs or even evict them if they denied his advances.

Asper says it's not true, maintaining he's being falsely accused by a woman he rejected on the Plenty of Fish dating app 14 years ago, and a hate group she allegedly created afterward.

"I have never discriminated against anyone or violated any fair housing law," Asper said in a Dec. 4 text message to the Free Press.

William Asper, 42, of Canton, is accused of sexually harassing multiple female tenants who lived in his rental properties in a lawsuit filed on Dec. 2, 2025 by the Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice, though, tells a different story in a new lawsuit in U.S. District Court, where the government alleges Asper got raunchy and physical with female tenants, allegedly exposing his genitalia and subjecting them to unwelcome kissing and sexual touching. He also allegedly offered to lower their rent if they gave into his sexual demands  all of which, the government says, went unchecked for years, until now.

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In a lawsuit filed Dec. 2, Asper is being sued not by his female tenants, but by the U.S. Department of Justice, which alleges the Canton Township landlord sexually harassed and retaliated against tenants who lived in rental properties in and around Westland.

More: Former MSP chief diversity officer sues agency, alleging abuse in hiring and promotions

More: New Smokey Robinson sexual battery accusations: Hearing set for Jan. 6

According to the lawsuit, Asper - who also ran for mayor of Westland in 2021 but was removed from the ballot over residency issues - owns more than 20 rental properties across metro Detroit, including apartment complexes and duplexes in Westland, Monroe, Carleton and Romulus. His alleged harassment started in 2018 and continues to the present day, in violation of the U.S. Fair Housing Act, the suit states.

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The lawsuit also names as defendants the William Aaron Asper Living Trust and REPSA Enterprises LLC, both entities that owned rental properties during Aspers management and sexual harassment of female tenants.

'Women should not live in fear when they pay their rent or seek repairs'

The lawsuit is part of a years-long initiative launched in 2017 that seeks to address abusive landlords, sexual harassment and retaliatory behaviors in the housing industry. It seeks monetary damages to compensate the victims, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination.

Women should not live in fear when they pay their rent or seek repairs, said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the justice departments Civil Rights Division, which enforces federal anti-discrimination laws that cover different aspects of life, including housing.

Added U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., the top federal prosecutor in metro Detroit: A man who preys on vulnerable women in need of a home deserves the greatest condemnation. We will do our best to protect women against gross exploitation.

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Asper could not be reached for comment. He has not been criminally charged, but is being sued for an unspecified amount of money for allegedly violating the civil rights of his tenants.

Lawsuit: landlord exposed himself with tenant's child in the room

The lawsuit cites three instances involving alleged sexual harassment by Asper, but notes that multiple more women were subjected to a "pattern" of similar behavior. Here are the three examples cited in the lawsuit:

In 2018, Asper told a female tenant that he was lonely, wanted someone to spend time with him, and asked if she would go to a hotel with him. He also told the woman that if she did not engage in sexual relations with him, he would give her a 24-hour eviction notice, the suit states.

The woman rebuffed his advances and told him no, but moved out shortly after the incident because, the government says, she did not feel safe living in his unit.

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In 2019, Asper allegedly subjected another female tenant to repeated unwelcome and unwanted sexual comments, sexual propositions and unwelcome sexual contact. On multiple occasions, he allegedly told the tenant that there were different ways she could pay rent. He also touched her multiple times without her consent, "regularly pulling her hair, grabbing her buttocks and kissing her head," the suit states.

Asper also regularly pulled his penis out of his pants in front of the tenant while at her home, often times while her young son was in the room, the suit states. This made the tenant "anxious and scared in her own home and hesitant to complain because she did not want to lose her housing."

After the tenant told Asper that "in no uncertain terms" would she have sexual relations with him, he stopped making repairs to her unit and she eventually was forced to move out.

In 2024, Asper asked another female tenant about her sex life and if she was in a relationship. On one occasion, he "grabbed" her by the arm and pulled her into his chest while she said "no" and pushed him away.

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The woman reportedly felt scared and unsafe following Asper's actions and filed a report with the police after he grabbed her. Asper later informed her that he would evict her because she complained to the police about his actions, the suit states.

Here's where embattled landlord owns properties

According to the lawsuit, most of Asper's properties are in Westland. These are the addresses of those Westland units:

33012 and 33014 Akron Street

33121 and 33123 Alberta Street

31829 and 31831 Bay Court

33314 Belding Court

32046 and 32048 Cheboygan Court

34204, 34206, 34228, 34230, 34232 and 34234 Dayton Court

34104 and 34106 Decatur Court

2316, 2318, 2335, 2337, 2336 and 2338 Deerfield Court

2103, 2105, 2107, and 2109 Elbridge Court

2204, 2206, 2208, and 2210 Ellsworth Street

2119, 2121, 2123, and 2125 Emerson Street

31913 and 31915 Roscommon Street.

He also owns the following Monroe properties at 801 E. 4th Street; 1017 E. 4th Street; 219 Almyra Avenue; and 102 Winchester Street.

His Carleton properties are at 916 North Monroe Street; his Romulus property is at 28340 Leroy Street

Feds recover $16.2 million for sexual harassment victims in housing

The Michigan lawsuit is part of the justice departments Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative, which launched in 2017 and seeks to address sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 52 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered nearly $16.2 million for victims of such harassment.

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If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Departments Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online at www.justice.gov/crt.

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Feds sue Canton landlord for alleged sexual harassment and retaliation
Covering the rapidly expanding world of digital assets often means tracking the next major center of innovation. Right now that center is increasingly the Middle East, where Bitcoin MENA in Abu Dhabi is shaping up to be a gathering with global consequences. During a recent interview with TheStreet Roundtable's Jackson Hinkle, event director Gregg Davis made it clear that this conference is no ordinary industry meetup. It is a window into where the digital asset world is heading next.

From the beginning Davis emphasized the worldwide reach of the event. As he put it, people are arriving from everywhere and for many different reasons. In his words, attendees come from across the map and they represent interests from mining to institutional finance to regulatory strategy. Many arrive because, as he explained, the region is becoming a place where the leadership has made it extremely favorable for companies that want to operate in this space.

Related: Popular Bitcoin company faces potential 10-year ban

That sense of opportunity is grounded in something real. The Middle East is not just rich in natural gas and oil. It is also rapidly expanding nuclear facilities and renewable energy projects. Davis highlighted that this combination is central to the Bitcoin consensus mechanism, noting that energy considerations are fundamental and the region is now a serious center of attention for miners and investors alike.

During our discussion he also stressed the importance of sovereign wealth involvement. Interest from these funds is rising, and many are now actively accumulating or looking to accumulate Bitcoin. That level of institutional attention has become one of the major forces pulling global companies into Abu Dhabi for this event.

But accessibility is just as important as scale. Davis explained that the team made a deliberate choice to lower the entry price for general admission in order to welcome people who are curious but may not want to commit large sums at first. We launched the tickets at twenty one dollars he said, before noting that this move was designed to bring in the more eclectic and diverse community that lives and works in the United Arab Emirates.

Related: Shark Tanks Kevin OLeary reveals Fed rate-cut forecast, backs Bitcoin

The conference now offers several participation levels. The Pro Pass targets people seeking real industry networking. Meanwhile the Whale Pass provides an exclusive environment with access to speakers, private gatherings, and even hospitality on a large super yacht. Davis described it plainly: the Whale Pass is for anyone who wants to come and engage with "the real OGs" and serious Bitcoiners who are shaping the future of the space.
He also told a visiting UN Security Council delegation that Lebanon welcomes any country willing to keep forces in the south to support the army after UNIFIL withdraws.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that ceasefire talks with Israel are primarily aimed at stopping Israeli hostilities on Lebanese territory, after the Prime Minister's Office said it seeks economic cooperation.

Israel and Lebanon entered a US-brokered ceasefire agreement last year, but Israel has continued striking Hezbollah terror targets in the south of the country as the terrorist group attempts to rebuild.

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On Wednesday, officials from both sides said civilian envoys had been sent to the military committee that monitors their ceasefire, in a step that broadens the scope of their discussions.

Israel said its representative was dispatched to Lebanon to help lay the groundwork for a relationship and potential economic cooperation.

A person holds a flag with an image of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as people wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV, during his first apostolic journey, in Beirut, Lebanon, November 30, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/YARA NARDI)

Aoun supports keeping forces in south to support Lebanese army post-UNIFIL's exit

"These negotiations are mainly aimed at stopping the hostile actions carried out by Israel on Lebanese territory, securing the return of the captives, scheduling the withdrawal from the occupied areas, and resolving the disputed points along the Blue Line," Aoun said in a statement on Friday, referring to the UN-mapped line that separates Israel from Lebanon.

He also told a visiting UN Security Council delegation that Lebanon welcomes any country willing to keep forces in the south to support the army after UNIFIL, the long-running peacekeeping mission, withdraws at the end of 2026, adding that several states have already expressed interest.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha and lawyers for Prospect Medical Holdings, owners of CharterCARE, reached a deal late Thursday, Dec. 4, to provide an extension to the Centurion Foundation to close on the purchase of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital.

Under the agreement, a hospital fund set up under escrow by Neronha in 2021 will be used to cover the operating expenses of the hospitals through January. The account has about $51 million in it, and Neronha estimated that after the expenses, it would hold no less than $35 million.

Stacey Jernigan, chief judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of Texas, who is presiding over Prospects bankruptcy, seemed assuaged by the plan.

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Even though, as a bankruptcy judge, I am about debtors and creditors rights, you cannot help but feel some responsibility for these human beings, Jernigan said at a hearing on Prospects case on Friday, Dec. 5.

It looks like there is a game plan from all parties in the interest to keep [the hospitals] open, she added.

Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence.

Centurion, a Georgia-based nonprofit that helps finance transactions but does not operate any hospitals itself, has unsuccessfully attempted to secure funds to close the deal for over a year. Neronha, in a call with reporters following the bankruptcy court hearing, said he was not aware of where Centurions funding stood.

Im not a cheerleader for anybody, and theyve got to put up or shut up, Neronha said. I mean, theyve got work to do. Theyre the ones whose deal has been approved  But Im not going to sit here and tell Rhode Islanders I know they can close it, because they havent closed it yet.

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How long Neronha will continue funding the hospitals is yet to be decided.

The goal right now is to get Centurion to the finish line. They claim they can get there. Well see what happens, Neronha said.

He did not rule out the possibility that Centurion may fail to close the deal.

If they dont [close], then we need to be prepared for a contingency, Neronha said. The contingency could be closure. That contingency, it could be a mechanism by which they could be kept open through something like a receivership here in Rhode Island. But we are a long way from that point now. Well see where we are in January.

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In a recent interview with The Providence Journal, Senate President Valarie Lawson said stabilizing Rhode Islands health care, in particular the CharterCARE hospitals, will be a chief priority for the legislature next year.

Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence.

"I think we're in a situation where, if it comes to that, we need to seriously consider [state purchase]," Lawson said. "I think everyone agrees that those hospitals need to exist.

Neronha, however, said he has not seen the state step up to help keep the hospitals open.

The state as yet has not stepped up and said, We will do anything financially to assist these hospitals, Neronha said. Now, I am not second-guessing that decision. Thats their decision. What I am grateful for is that we have this escrow, because if we didnt, there would be no money to pay these operating expenses for November, December or January, and these hospitals would be already headed for closure.

What happened with Prime

Earlier this week, Prime Healthcare, which operates Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, withdrew from negotiations to acquire Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence.

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Prime walked away after Neronhas office rejected a meeting with its principals and the Rhode Island Department of Health, according to a statement provided by Ashley OShea, a spokesperson for the Executive Office of Health and Human Resources (EOHHS).

Last week, [EOHHS] Secretary [Richard] Charest requested a meeting among the principals from Prime, the Attorney Generals Office and RIDOH. That request was rejected by the AGs office and Prime has now walked away, the statement said.

The statement said Charest, a former president and CEO of Landmark, had reached out to Neronhas office on Sept. 19, urging him to notify the Texas court that the state was aware of another viable buyer.

Neronha, however, said Centurion had exclusivity for purchase until Oct. 31, a date extended by his office. Interfering with the purchase before then could open the state to lawsuits, Neronha said.

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Additionally, Prime had objected to the purchase conditions that Centurion had agreed to. Among these were covering about $91 million in bankruptcy expenses, such as taxes, wages and benefits; keeping all existing lines of services at the hospitals; and negotiating labor contracts. Prime also wanted a $5 million-a-month management fee to run the hospitals.

Heres where the secretary and I apparently disagree: if we are trying to negotiate on behalf of Rhode Islanders with a prospective purchaser of these hospitals, theyve got to go through the same kind of regulatory scrutiny like everyone else, Neronha said.

He added, It cant just be, Prime does a nice job at Landmark, come on in and do whatever you want. That doesnt protect those hospitals, doesnt protect the workers, it doesnt protect patients.

Fred Ortega, vice president of communications for Prime, in a statement, asserted Prime did not "walk away" from the deal due to any conditions imposed on the sale, as no specific terms or definitive agreements had been presented to us.

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After very careful deliberation, the foundations board of directors believe it is most appropriate to allow the state, its partners, and all involved stakeholders to continue through the current process. This decision was not made lightly, and we care deeply about ensuring access to care and our mission of saving hospitals, saving jobs, and saving lives,' Ortegas statement said.

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals to remain open through January
NEW DELHI (AP)  India's aviation watchdog temporarily rolled back restrictions on airline crew duty hours, days after the previous order disrupted operations at major Indian airports as the countrys biggest airline, IndiGo, scrambled to restore normal services.

The new regulations mandated longer rest periods and limited night flying hours for crew and pilots to address concerns about fatigue and safety. Indias Ministry of Civil Aviation said late Friday the suspension of the new rules would go into effect immediately.

Without compromising on air safety, this decision has been taken solely in the interest of passengers, especially senior citizens, students, patients, and others who rely on timely air travel for essential needs, the ministry said in a statement.

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Friday was the fourth straight day of disruptions as the low-cost carrier IndiGo struggled with the rules change. Scenes of frustration played out as passengers slept on airport floors, queued for hours at customer service counters and waited without clear communication from the airline.

The first phase of the rules came into effect in July while the second phase kicked in November. IndiGo struggled to adapt its rosters in time, resulting in widespread cancellations and disruptions.

On Thursday, more than 300 IndiGo flights were grounded while several hundreds delayed. A passenger advisory from the Delhi airport Friday stated that all domestic IndiGo flights will remain cancelled until midnight. Other major airlines, including Air India, have not faced similar issues so far.

IndiGo operates around 2,300 flights daily and controls nearly 65% of Indias domestic aviation market.

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Senior citizen Sajal Bose was scheduled to travel with his wife Senjuti Bose early Friday from Kolkata to New Delhi to attend a friends silver jubilee celebration. His flight was cancelled an hour before the scheduled take off.

Bose told The Associated Press he was now taking a nine-hour train ride to the city Bagdogra, where he plans to get a flight to New Delhi on another airline. Its very irresponsible and complete negligence. Very difficult for older people like us, he said.

In an internal email to employees this week, seen by The Associated Press, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers apologized, and cited technology glitches, schedule changes, adverse weather conditions, heightened congestion and the implementation of the new rules as the reasons for flight disruptions.

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement that the disruptions arose primarily through misjudgment and planning gaps as the airline implemented phase two of the new rules, and that the airline acknowledged that the effect on crew strength exceeded their expectations.

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IndiGo had sought temporary exemptions in implementing the new rules and told the government that corrective measures were underway, indicating operations will be fully restored by Feb. 10.

___

Associated Press videojournalist Piyush Nagpal in New Delhi contributed to this report.
Chi Osse, the New York City councilmember vying to unseat House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, said Friday he will no longer run for the New York seat.

In a statement, Osse, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, said hell withdraw his bid after not receiving backing from the democratic socialist group  an endorsement that would have likely ushered in support from other left-leaning voters who had propelled Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to victory earlier this year.

Exploring the possibility of this run was important, Osse said in a statement. As committed, I will not be launching this campaign without the support of the DSA, and so the exploration process has concluded."

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The move puts an early cap on Osses campaign, after the 27-year-old councilmember filed paperwork to run for the Brooklyn-based 8th District just last month.

The DSA voted not to endorse the young councilmembers challenge late last month, but hed maintained that hed stay in the race despite the lack of support, writing on X IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE after the decision.

But the campaign also faced sagging support from city leaders like Mamdani, who advocated against endorsing the city councilmember at a DSA forum last month and reportedly discouraged him from entering the race earlier this year. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has also said she wouldn't support Osse's primary challenge.

Osse aimed to topple Jeffries from his long-held post and usher in what he promised would be renewed energy in fighting back against President Donald Trump.

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Jeffries, the top House Democrat, has rarely faced Democratic challengers for his seat and has been comfortably elected to the district seven times, winning the post most recently with 75 percent of the vote.

Osses step back from the primary paves the way for a likely win for Jeffries, the biggest name in the race.
France is set to receive two new giant pandas from China, in an agreement made during French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the country.

The China Wildlife Conservation Association announced that a panda pair is to arrive at France's Beauval Zoo in Saint Aignan in 2027, after signing a corresponding letter of intent on Thursday.

A new cooperation between France and China on the protection of the Giant Panda is to last 10 years, starting once two young animals still living in France have been returned to the People's Republic.

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Macron is visiting Beijing and the south-western province of Szechuan, the main habitat of pandas. China's panda-breeding centre is located in the provincial capital Chengdu.

Animal rights activists generally criticize keeping pandas in zoos, arguing that it is often associated with behavioural disorders and a lack of socialization.

Beijing practises so-called panda diplomacy, loaning the bears to friendly states.

Countries that have pandas in their zoos tend to have stable and long-standing relations with Beijing. Germany, for example, has a panda enclosure in one of its Berlin zoos.

The animals are considered popular zoo attractions, while serving as ambassadors for China.

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In Chengdu, Macron again met Chinese President Xi Jinping for informal talks. It is very rare for Xi to accompany a foreign state visitor within China.

Macron wrote on X of receiving "a reception marked by friendship" in Chengdu.
BEIJING (AP)  China and France pledged deeper cooperation on global issues like the war in Ukraine and trade, as France prepares to take on the presidency of the Group of Seven next year.

French President Emmanuel Macron met with China's Xi Jinping on Thursday morning as part of a three-day state visit focusing on trade and diplomacy.

France seeks help to end Ukraine war

The French leader is seeking to involve Beijing in pressuring Russia toward a ceasefire with Ukraine after a recent burst of diplomacy around a U.S.-led peace plan.

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We are facing the risk of the disintegration of the international order that brought peace to the world for decades, and in this context, the dialogue between China and France is even more essential than ever, Macron said Thursday.

I hope that China will join our call, our efforts to achieve, as soon as possible, at the very least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure, he said.

Xi did not say respond to France's call, but said that "China supports all efforts that work towards peace and called for a peace deal that all parties will accept.

China has provided strong diplomatic support to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine and has also extended an economic lifeline through increased trade.

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Xi also announced that China will provide $100 million to help Gaza's ongoing humanitarian crisis and to support the territory's recovery and reconstruction.

Xi called for building greater political trust with France by showing each other support while demonstrating each side's independence.

No matter how the external environment changes, both sides as major powers should always demonstrate independence and strategic vision, show mutual understanding and mutual support for each other on core matters and major critical issues, he said.

China and France should demonstrate their sense of responsibility, raise high the banner of multilateralism ... and firmly stand on the right side of history, he added.

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Both are eager for more trade

Trade was another major focus of Thursday's agenda.

Xi said during the joint appearance that both sides had agreed to work towards greater economic cooperation in areas of aerospace, aeronautics, nuclear energy, as well as new areas such as green industries and AI. They signed 12 agreements, including ones calling for cooperation on a new round of panda conservation efforts and exchanges in higher education and research.

The European Union bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China: over 300 billion euros ($348 billion) last year. China alone represents 46% of Frances total trade deficit.

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France and the European Union have described China as simultaneously a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival. Recent years have been marked by trade disputes across a range of industries after the EU undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicles subsidies and China responded with investigations into imports of European brandy, pork and dairy products.

But France was able to get an exemption for most cognac producers in July.

China, facing its own economic slump, is also signaling it wants more business.

"China's open door will only open wider," Xi said, saying that the country plans to expand market access, and opening up areas of investment and guide the cross-border, orderly, and rational layout of industrial and supply chains.

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Xi also called for both sides to continue to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU.

Some argue bilateral deals could undermine EU

Experts have said they expect Beijing to use this visit to strengthen its individual ties with one of Europe's most important economies, at the expense of the greater EU bloc.

China seeks to drive a wedge into this EU approach by making deals bilaterally with individual EU members, said Lyle Morris, a senior fellow on Foreign Policy and National Security as the Asia Society.

Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron touched down in Beijing Wednesday evening.

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On Thursday morning, Macron was greeted by a military band and groups of children waving flags at Beijings Great Hall of the People. The two leaders attended the closing of a Franco-Chinese business forum Thursday. Macrons agenda also includes meetings with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National Peoples Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in Chinas Sichuan province.

Chengdu is also home to the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where Yuan Meng, who was the first giant panda born in France and was named by first lady Brigitte Macron, is now staying. France last month sent back to China a couple of star giant pandas who lived in the country for 13 years and gave birth to three cubs.

___

Wu reported from Bangkok.
Dec. 4The city's rail spur vision is officially in motion, with its first activation and client fueling hopes of reshaping the region's transportation network and economic growth.

Three years after the Aviation Department acquired portions of a defunct rail spur formerly known as the Kirtland Rail Spur near the Albuquerque International Sunport, New Mexico Transloading has officially put its first segment to use, Aviation Department officials told the Journal on Wednesday.

Manny Manriquez, the Aviation Department's acting director, said the activation will enable more efficient cargo transportation to support industrial projects in the region. The Albuquerque area has an undeveloped rail system despite being at the intersection of Interstate 40, Interstate 25 and several main rail lines, Manriquez added.

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"Building out our rail spur enables us to handle and process much higher volumes of commodities and cargo so that we can make New Mexico a more attractive place for companies to invest," Manriquez said. "It's really a project that enables a cleaner, more efficient flow of cargo and puts Albuquerque on the map as a higher level operator of logistics."

Department officials saw the impact of growing a city's multimodal capacity by researching and visiting places like San Antonio, Texas, and Huntsville, Alabama, the latter of which sees an annual regional economic impact of $1.8 billion tied to Huntsville's multimodal port.

A rail spur is a short railroad track that branches off from the main track to serve a specific site, usually an industrial property or transiting and multimodal facility. The Aviation Department's rail spur branches off from the BNSF Railway.

It cost the department $850,000 to purchase the spur from the federal government, which once used it to transport equipment and personnel between Los Alamos and the Trinity Site, according to Lisa Abeyta, acting deputy director of the department.

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"It has this long, storied history in the landscape of New Mexico, and it's really kind of exciting that the new chapter of it is now to bring economic development and jobs," Abeyta said.

Manriquez described the acquisition as a steal, considering the rail spur is worth millions due to a portion of it running under I-25. A rail underpass typically comes with a hefty price tag and is "almost impossible" to get approved in modern times, Abeyta said.

The rail spur's activation also enables expansion for New Mexico Transloading, an Albuquerque-based, privately owned transload and transporter facility that offers rail transportation to more than 400 local and international companies transporting heavy equipment, including miles of gas pipe, plastics and beams.

"Anything under the sun that keeps America moving and our state going," said Brian Connell, New Mexico Transloading's director of business development.

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"This will significantly impact the kind of work they can now bid on," Abeyta said.

New Mexico Transloading invested more than $1 million into rehabilitating a 1 1/2 -mile stretch of the rail spur, which spans land between Broadway and Rio Bravo SE. The company broke ground in March and completed the project in September.

The Albuquerque company will use the activated rail spur portion to park and store train cars that are waiting for offloading, increasing the company's capacity for overflow, Connell said.

But the rail spur is just one part of New Mexico Transloading's plan for growth. The company also purchased 27 acres of land adjacent to the activated track and plans to build its second transloading facility there. Connell said the facility is in the early planning stages and will significantly expand operations and opportunities for regional economic development.

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"Our hopes for the future are to really develop the Mesa del Sol (area), their tech and industry sector, as well as the Sunport south acquisition," Connell said.

The Aviation Department recently purchased 387 acres of land south of the Sunport. The parcel occupies a key portion of the rail spur needed to encompass the city's vision of developing a multimodal hub near the airport.

Part of the vision for the 387 acres could include the development of storage facilities, warehousing offshoots or a multimodal processing facility  an entirely separate beast of a project that Manriquez said is yet to be defined.

"It's going to require partnership. It's going to require a lot of deeper visioning, and it's going to require some really sophisticated analysis of the way that our economy is growing," Manriquez said.

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New Mexico Transloading hopes to continue partnering with the city and rehabilitate the rest of the rail spur, which Manriquez and Abeyta estimate will cost roughly $10 million.

A timeline and funding plan haven't been determined, but Abeyta said that the department's recent land acquisition was key to kicking planning into a faster pace.

"We can move now, but we don't want to move independently without making sure that all of our partners are aware of what we're considering and getting their feedback," Abeyta said. "This will impact the state. It'll impact county efforts. We want to make sure that we are being very considerate of what those will be, so that they can also extract benefit from us all working together."

Connell said New Mexico Transloading's early investment in the project speaks to the company's belief that it will play a major role in growing New Mexico's manufacturing and industrial sectors and help bring more high-paying jobs to the state.

"I would bet my last dollar on it," Connell said.
ELKHART  The Hively Avenue overpass has been years in the making, with several buildings cleared from the site and utility work completed, and progress continues, with city council approving $1.4 million for the project.

The 7-1 vote on Monday provided for the relocation of transmission lines from American Electric Power (AEP). The city has already relocated a number of utilities for the project, including AEP, NIPSCO, fiberoptic companies and Frontier, Assistant City Engineer Jeff Schaffer said.

According to City Communications Director Alex Otto, the utility work for the project was scheduled to be completed in March with major work scheduled to begin by March 2026. The Hively Avenue Overpass is scheduled to be completed in the last quarter of 2027, he said.

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The utilities that are within our right of way are required to relocate at their expensive, Schaffer said. So, all the utilities to date have been relocated at their expense. This utility is unique because American Electric Power, or AEP, owns the property that this utility sits on, so that makes it our expense as the sponsor of the project.

Schaffer said the relocation will not impact anyones service because the lines are transmission lines, not distribution lines. The timeline of the relocation is lengthy but goes along with the timeline of the entire project, he said.

City Councilman Aaron Mishler said INDOT is putting in another $400,000 into the project, in addition to the $1.4 million the city is contributing.

I would just like to say that I do believe that creating the overpass will definitely support additional residential and commercial growth in the area, Mishler said. I know one of the reasons why the overpass is so desired is, one, it could help eventually create a no-horn zone for trains to go through, which is greatly desired by both residents and commercial businesses in the area, and it will also greatly reduce transit times for both school buses who oftentimes get stuck at the tracks, increasing the desirability of residential development, as well as reduction of emergency services, such as police, ambulances and fire, that often can get stuck at those tracks or have to reroute, so I do believe this will greatly contribute to both residential and commercial growth in our community.

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City Councilman Brent Curry also gave his support to the project noting that it will benefit his 5th District.

Megan Erwin, chief of staff for Mayor Rod Roberson, said the city has been putting aside funding specifically for the match portion of the Hively Avenue overpass project.

Weve spoken about this a couple times in relation to SEA 1, Erwin said in reference to the tax reform measure approved by the Indiana General Assembly and siged into law earlier this year. The citys been putting aside funding specifically for the match portion, the citys portion, of the overpass project, which we estimated to be $12.5 million. That is our contribution. The $1.4 million thats contributing to the project that youre approving tonight is part of that $12 million and is in the capital outlay, so thats been planned. Its not a new expense. It was an expected expense.

City Councilman David Henke voted against the ordinance because of the account the funding is coming from. He said he wanted data to support the delay of buses, firetrucks and ambulances.

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Henke also pointed to the Indiana Avenue underpass and how the city said it would bring new opportunity and revenue. Henke said he was not sure that project was a success and that the Hively overpass should have been planned out more.

Weve closed how many businesses in the area and then were going to take money that should be reinvested to generate a new tax base and what were doing has actually been everything opposite of that, Henke said. I would hope that we would have other funds from other areas and leave capital investment to investment itself, expecting a return for our citizens in the budget of the city, but I dont see this as a great use for how it was generated. So, I will be a no on that.

City Council President Arvis Dawson reminded the council that the planning for the project goes back 10 to 15 years. Some people were on the council when the planning took place, which would have been the time to speak up, he said.
The Terre Haute City Council meeting planned for Thursday evening has been rescheduled to Dec. 11 due to police activity near City Hall, City Clerk Michelle Edwards reported.

Terre Haute officers were investigating a suspicious vehicle parked in traffic lanes on Third Street (U.S. 41) outside the government plaza that includes City Hall and the Vigo County Courthouse.

An Indiana State Police bomb squad team arrived about 4:45 p.m., and the Terre Haute Fire Department had apparatus on scene in the event an explosive was in the vehicle, said Capt. Nick Arnold, THFD public information officer.

The council meeting has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 11.
This article was first published in the On the Hill newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox on Friday mornings here.

If youve taken a peek at the headlines this week, youre well aware by now that Congress is on the clock to avoid the expiration of certain COVID-19-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies before the end of this year. The stakes: Millions of patients could see their health care premiums surge by the beginning of next year.

If all this sounds like a broken record, it kind of is. Extending the subsidies is exactly what Democrats were focused on during the shutdown.

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But even after the 43-day shutdown and two weeks back in Washington, lawmakers are no closer to securing a deal.

To be sure, they are talking about a deal. But there has not been any substantial progress for a bill to be brought to the floor before the expiration date.

And to make things more complicated, there are several working groups talking through proposals  meaning there are multiple, and separate, frameworks being tossed around.

Lets try to break down what we have so far.

Democratic plan: Part of the deal to end the shutdown and reopen the government was an assurance from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to vote on some sort of ACA extension in the second week of December. Thats next week.

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And were finally getting a glimpse as to what that plan is: A three-year clean extension of the subsidies, meaning no policy changes or substantial reform. This is what House Democrats have been pushing for, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., signed on to that idea on Thursday.

If Republicans block our bill, theres no do-over, Schumer said. Premiums go up Jan. 1, period.

You may have already guessed it: Republicans arent going to like that. The majority party has already shut the door on any clean extension of the enhanced tax credits, arguing lawmakers need to start making moves to reform the health care system as a whole.

Schumer will put the three-year extension on the floor next week, and it would require 60 votes (so, 13 Republicans joining Democrats) to advance. Expect that to fail.

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Republican plan: When the Democratic framework goes to the floor next week, Republicans are expected to bring up their own counterproposal. But what that bill includes is not yet clear.

Senate Republicans have been negotiating for weeks, but details of their health care proposal have not yet been made public. Many of those conversations began as bipartisan talks, but with Schumers announcement to move forward with a three-year extension next week, top Republicans say its prompted them to restart talks within the party on alternatives.

This isnt a serious offer. This is not an offer that theyre trying to get a Republican-buy in at all, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told reporters on Thursday. This is complete messaging on their part.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., separately said on Thursday that Republicans are working out details on their own plan that could be ready for a vote before the end of the year. Details, as you may expect, are not yet known.

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Bipartisan talks: Meanwhile, rank-and-file members on both sides of the aisle have gotten antsy in recent weeks, and say leadership in both parties havent moved fast enough to finalize a deal.

We got tired of waiting, Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., told reporters on the Capitol steps on Thursday. We got tired of hearing from both Democrats, Republicans, House and Senate. Theres this plan. What is the plan? We never heard the plan. So we put a plan together, and we did it in a great bipartisan way.

Kiggans, alongside Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, unveiled a bipartisan framework on Thursday coined CommonGround2025.

The proposal would extend ACA subsidies for one year with a few modifications, including income caps, guardrails to prevent fraud, and reforms with pharmacy benefit management. Those have all been supported on a bipartisan basis.

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The second phase of the plan would continue some premium savings while implementing significant reforms that can be negotiated at a later date. Those must be voted on by July 1, 2026, under the framework.

It proposes a short-term and longer-term fix, Gottheimer said. But the bottom line is, in just a few days, for millions and millions of Americans, their health insurance premiums are going to spike significantly. So we have a couple weeks to get something done. Thats it, and we plan to get something done.

The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus is also working on legislation to extend the enhanced tax credits for two years, although that plan differs slightly from what Kiggans and Gottheimers framework includes, according to caucus chairman Brian Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick said his bill could be released in the coming days, and he is only waiting for final approval from the congressional Legislative Council before publishing the text.

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Theres no guarantee either of the bipartisan proposals will reach the House floor. Johnson has been adamant in the past not to vote on any ACA extension, even if it includes modifications.

But the bipartisan negotiators, including those in his party, say it would be a mistake to let the subsidies expire without another plan in tow.

We need to act on this issue, Kiggans said. To do nothing is the wrong answer.

 Cami Mondeaux

Stories Driving the Week

Blake Moore launches bipartisan Philanthropy Caucus

This week, we celebrated Giving Tuesday, an annual movement when people are encouraged to donate to charities and nonprofit organizations just a few days after the Thanksgiving holiday.

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On that day, Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, announced his own project: The launch of the House Philanthropy Caucus, with a goal to increase charitable giving in local communities.

Utahns are known for investing in our communities, serving our neighbors, leading the nation in volunteerism, and topping the charts for charitable donations, Moore said in a statement. Giving back is something inherent to Utahs culture, and I have worked to bring these values to policymaking to support those who are uplifting others.

In practice, the bipartisan caucus will serve to promote policies that expand tax incentives for individuals and businesses to to give back, and (advance) publicprivate partnerships that empower and drive local impact. The group would also work to educate lawmakers on the contributions and role of foundations in communities across the country.

Moore formed the caucus alongside Democratic Rep. Danny Davis of Illinois, and the group is backed by national organizations such as the United Philanthropy Forum, the Grant Professionals Association, and the Nonprofit Alliance.

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 Cami Mondeaux

Quick Hits

From the Hill: Sen. Mike Lee sponsors bill to overturn D.C.s sanctuary law for cross-state abortion, gender treatments.  Sen. Mark Kellys national profile grows as he confronts President Trump.  Congress daunting December to-do list.

From the White House: Melania Trump and Usha Vance team up to spread holiday cheer.  How the Trump administration could make or break Gov. Coxs budget priorities.  Trump pardons Texas Democrat, who says hell run again.

From the courts: FBI arrests man connected to Jan. 6 pipe bomb case.  Judge issues preliminary injunction in favor of Brazilian immigrant detained last June in Colorado.

Whats next

The House and Senate are back next week. Were likely to see a lot more movement, including possible votes, on healthcare legislation.

As always, feel free to reach out to me by email with story ideas or questions you have for lawmakers. And follow me on X for breaking news and timely developments from the Hill.
By Naomi Rovnick

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, expects AI to continue dominating markets in 2026 and anticipates a turbulent ride for investors as speculative trading and leverage raise the risks of a repeat of last month's sharp selloff.

Helen Jewell, BlackRock's CIO of fundamental equities EMEA, said on Thursday returns from AI-linked investments would stay on an upward trend, with some periods of doubt over sector valuations or outlook that would keep stocks volatile.

"Do I expect an upward trend of AI growth returns? Yes, these are incredible capital spends being driven by companies with incredible amounts of cash," Jewell told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference in London.

CROWDING IN MARKET, LEVERAGE LIKELY TO SPUR MARKET SWINGS

"Do I think that there is likely to be a rocky ride as we go there. Also yes," she said, citing crowding and leverage as key reasons for market fluctuations.

Doubts about AI groups overspending in their rush to build new data centres caused the biggest U.S. stock market pullback in months in November.

Hedge funds are also trading with near-record amounts of leverage, raising risks for fast and furious short-term selloffs if declines in asset prices force them to liquidate positions for cash to meet lenders' requirements.

Jewell said she was adding to positions in European energy and power infrastructure groups, such as Siemens Energy, as the AI boom and rush to build new data centres boosted demand for turbines, grid technology and clean energy.

Speaking separately on a panel, Jewell said BlackRock remained positive on defence stocks but not as positive as at the start of the year.

European aerospace and defence shares fell 8% in November, the biggest drop since June 2024, as speculation grew around a potential Ukraine-Russia peace deal.

(Reporting by Naomi Rovnick; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Bernadette Baum)
CUMBERLAND  Allegany Countys cost for emergency repairs related to the May flood continue to rise.

The flash flood caused $33 million in damage along Georges Creek, according to Gov. Wes Moores office.

Allegany County Director of Public Works Adam Patterson at Thursdays county commissioner meeting requested approval of 13 new projects that total $706,000.

The latest figure takes the countys expenditures to roughly $7.1 million for flood-related repairs.

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I just continue to be hopeful that we can get in front of the right (state officials) to work on a presentation that shows ... all the work thats been done, specifically some of these sewer projects, Patterson said.

He spoke of a particular compromised sewer that required a 90-day bypass at the tune of about $1,000 of fuel a day to pump.

The commissioners approved Pattersons request.

At a work session prior to Thursdays public meeting, Allegany County Commissioner Bill Atkinson said he recently met with Yaakov Jake Weissmann, acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, to discuss the countys need for more than $30 million related to the flood.

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He was very open ... theyre still trying to figure out where that money would come from, Atkinson said, adding that county and state talks on the issue will continue.

Atkinson said county officials this week met with Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker and Labor Secretary Portia Wu.

We had just an open discussion of ... what our needs are, Atkinson said. It was another good meeting.

Background

Widespread flash flooding hit Western Maryland May 13.

In June, Moore announced the first-ever use of the State Disaster Recovery Fund that provided $459,375 to support people impacted by the flood.

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At that time, FEMA, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and local officials estimated more than $15.8 million in emergency response costs and damage to infrastructure, including more than 200 homes, numerous businesses, roads and bridges, railroads, sewer systems, drinking water and public utilities, according to the governors office.

Moore requested the White House issue a major disaster declaration for areas of Allegany and Garrett counties damaged in the stormwaters.

In July, the governor announced an additional $1 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds for families in Garrett and Allegany counties.

Since the flood, FEMA validated more than $33.7 million in damages, which is nearly three times the states qualifying threshold for assistance, according to Moores office.

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A presidential disaster declaration would have made Allegany and Garrett counties eligible for federal funding to repair critical public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems, the governors office said.

Moore in October said a politicized decision from the Trump administration denied Western Marylands last chance for federal help to recover from the flood.
Crews have suspended their search for a man who went missing in the Merrimack River on Wednesday morning.

Police say a witness called on Wednesday morning, reporting she saw a man clinging to the side of a boat in Newburyport.

The boat was found a few hours later, but there was no sign of the man.

According to Newburyport police, the man worked for Northeast Work and Safety Boats. Investigators believe he jumped into the water to retrieve a boat that had gotten loose from the dock at Cashman Park.

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Authorities have not yet released the mans identity.

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The search was suspended as of Wednesday evening after two days of scouring the area.

I am truly proud of the way our first responders and partner agencies came together during this difficult and traumatic incident, Newburyport City Marshal Matthew Simons said in a statement. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones who are grieving. The dedication and professionalism displayed in this response demonstrate the genuine care and commitment that define our community.

The United States Coast Guard was among several agencies that assisted state and local officials.

*UPDATE #2* Newburyport Police and Fire Suspend Search for Missing Person in Merrimack River: NEWBURYPORT  City Marshal Matthew Simons and Fire Chief Stephen H. Bradbury III report that the Newburyport Police and Fire Departments have suspended today's https://t.co/TlU7faPu9e pic.twitter.com/bLlrLWmSTN  Newburyport Police (@NewburyportPD) December 4, 2025

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Whos tired of being sick? Me, definitely.

So many family members, friends and coworkers would raise their hands right now, too, if I asked them. Since temperatures dropped across the United States, my family has gotten through some nasty colds and undiagnosed viral infections, bronchitis, and several Covid-19 tests (all negative, thank goodness).

Im sure Thanksgiving holiday travel has spread all sorts of illness (not that Im blaming the crowds who joined me at the National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, North Carolina). Meanwhile, the appearance of a new flu variant and lagging vaccination rates will probably contribute to a severe flu season, much like last year or even worse.

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What should you and I do? I turned to CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously was Baltimores health commissioner.

I know she cant guarantee good health all winter, but I bet she can help to reduce the odds of getting sick, navigate the illness once it does happen (because you most likely will fall ill sometime this winter), and decide when its time to get medical treatment. And bless you, if you just sneezed.

Several factors contribute to people having more respiratory illnesses in winter. - Carol Yepes/Moment RF/Getty Images

CNN: Do we really fall ill more frequently in winter, or is it just all this travel?

Dr. Leana Wen: We do see more respiratory infections in the winter months. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consistently shows that illnesses such as respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and many viruses that cause the common cold surge between late fall and early spring. Covid-19 cases also have tended to rise during this period.

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There are several reasons for this seasonal pattern. First, colder weather means people are spending more time indoors and nearer one another. Windows are closed, ventilation is reduced, and people gather at school, at work and during holidays. That all creates ideal conditions for viruses to spread.

Second, dry air helps respiratory viruses survive longer in the environment. Studies have shown that some virus particles remain airborne longer and stay infectious longer when humidity is low, which is common in winter months.

Travel adds another important layer. Airports, planes, buses and family gatherings bring together large numbers of people from different places. If viruses are circulating, travel and holidays can accelerate transmission, especially when people go from event to event without knowing that they are contagious. So yes, travel affects spread, but it is working on top of winter conditions that already favor viruses.

CNN: How do I reduce my chances of getting sick?

Wen: There is no guaranteed way to avoid illness entirely, but some steps can lower your risk. Vaccination is one of the most effective tools to reduce severe illness. Getting the flu vaccine, the updated Covid vaccine and the RSV vaccine for eligible individuals helps to reduce the risk of hospitalization and severe complications.

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Hand hygiene is also key. Its good practice to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using shared public spaces, after coughing or sneezing, and before eating. Handwashing helps prevent the transfer of viruses from surfaces to your mouth, nose or eyes. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based sanitizer is a reasonable backup.

If you are in crowded spaces, especially indoors or around people who are coughing or sneezing, a well-fitting N95 or equivalent mask can add a layer of protection. This step is especially important for people at higher risk, including those over 65, people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or lung disease, or those with a weakened immune system. If youre sick, masking can help reduce the odds that your loved ones will get sick.

Ventilation can help, too. Opening windows when possible, improving airflow with fans or using a portable HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air, filter can dilute airborne viruses. These strategies are especially useful when hosting gatherings inside. If weather permits, outdoor gatherings also substantially reduce infection risk.

Finally, if you are sick, stay home. Reschedule that holiday meal or exchange gifts another day. One of the most important ways to reduce spread is for people to avoid exposing others while contagious.

CNN: What do I do if I am sick? Should I get tested?

Wen: Most respiratory infections can be safely managed at home. Rest and drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have fever or congestion, because dehydration can worsen symptoms like headache and fatigue.

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Testing can be helpful in certain cases. People eligible to receive antiviral medications if they have Covid-19 or influenza should test as soon as they have symptoms since it can be helpful to know whats making you sick in case you need to get treatment. Flu and Covid tests, individually and in combination, are widely available over the counter and should be used by those who are medically vulnerable or living with those who are.

CNN: What if I have a fever?

Wen: Medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce fever and provide relief for symptoms such as headache and fatigue. Here again, hydration is essential. Fever causes the body to lose more fluid than usual, which can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water, broth or electrolyte drinks.

For babies younger than 3 months, fever should be evaluated by a clinician. You should call the pediatrician right away if a young baby develops a fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Parents of children 3 months or older and up to 2 years old should call the childs physician if they have a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, or if they have had a fever for more than 24 hours without an obvious cause.

CNN: What about for older kids and adults? When should they head to the doctor?

Wen: Seek medical care if symptoms last more than a week without improvement. Also, if you start getting better and then suddenly worsen again, it could be a sign that you have a secondary infection, such as a bacterial infection, that needs to be treated. People with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or weakened immune systems should reach out sooner because they are more prone to complications.

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Other reasons to contact a health care clinician include trouble catching your breath, persistent wheezing, severe headaches, one-sided ear pain, sinus pain lasting more than a few days or dehydration. And if you are eligible for antiviral treatment, you should also reach out to your doctor as antiviral medications are most effective if prescribed early in the course of illness.

CNN: When should I go to the emergency room?

Wen: Emergency care is necessary when symptoms suggest a serious complication or when breathing is affected. Warning signs include difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, severe dehydration, inability to stay awake, bluish discoloration of the lips or face, or symptoms that rapidly worsen.

For infants, additional red flags include difficulty feeding, fewer wet diapers, fast or labored breathing or unusual sleepiness. If you are unsure but concerned about someones breathing or alertness, it is best to seek emergency care right away.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is siding with President Donald Trump in his effort to remove Democratic appointees from a pair of federal labor enforcement agencies without cause.

A split three-judge panel on Friday handed down a reversal of lower-court rulings that found the White Houses removal of Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board and Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board were improper because of statutory protections insulating them from being fired except for limited reasons including neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.

The appeals court majority ruled that Congress cannot restrict the Presidents ability to remove NLRB or MSPB members because the two agencies exert substantial executive branch authority.

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The MSPB handles complaints involving federal workers with civil service protections, and the NLRB adjudicates private-sector labor disputes.

The majority opinion was written by Judge Gregory Katsas and joined by Judge Justin Walker, both of whom were appointed during Trumps first term. The dissent was written by Judge Florence Pan, a Biden appointee.

Pans dissent warned that while the government claims to uphold the separation of powers, its theory instead concentrates excessive power in the President and thus paves the way to autocracy.

Harris and Wilcox have been kept off their respective boards while their cases were being litigated after a Supreme Court ruling in May indicated the Trump administration was likely to show that the president had the authority to fire them. So Fridays ruling has little immediate effect, but it is nonetheless a win for the White House in its effort to bring so-called independent agencies under its direct influence.

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The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Monday in a case involving Trumps removal of a Biden appointee from the Federal Trade Commission, challenging a 90-year-old precedent that had served as the legal foundation for certain agencies to stand apart from the White House.

Several conservative justices appear willing to revisit that decision  known as Humphreys Executor  which has upheld Congress power to afford agencies a degree of autonomy.

The appeals court's majority opinion noted the prospect that the Supreme Court will revisit that precedent, but noted that the judges still adhered to it in reaching the determination that both the NLRB and MSPB substantially exceed the circumscribed administrative powers that Humphreys Executor deemed to be quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial.

Trump has also tried to oust Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook. The Supreme Court has suggested that the Fed should be treated differently from other parts of the executive branch, and Trump has argued that Cooks termination was for cause due to mortgage fraud allegations that she denies, making that case different from other firings this year.
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A still from a drone video shows Site 31/6, a launch pad at Russia's Baikonur Cosmdrome in Kazakhstan, and the damage it suffered by the flight of a new crew to the International Space Station on Nov. 27, 2025. | Credit: Roscosmos

On Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), a Russian Soyuz rocket launched three astronauts toward the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Everything seemed to go well. After all, the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft carrying that trio  NASA astronaut Chris Williams and cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev  docked with the orbiting lab safely that same day as planned.

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But it turns out that there was an unusual amount of "blast" in the Soyuz's blastoff, considering the impact on the pad at Baikonur  Russia's only active pad that hosts crewed liftoffs to the International Space Station (ISS).

During routine post-launch inspections, "damage to several launch pad components was identified," officials with Russia's space agency Roscosmos said in a statement.

"The launch pad's condition is currently being assessed," they said, adding that "all necessary spare components are available for repair, and the damage will be repaired shortly."

Blast effects

Other voices are chiming in regarding the pad blast's effects and what comes next.

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One of those is Brian Harvey, an expert on the global capability to gain access to space and author, along with Gurbir Singh, of " The Atlas of Space Rocket Launch Sites " (DOM Publishers, 2022).

"From what we know, a combination of vibration and heat from the ascending rocket , coupled with some roller pins on the bottom of the service tower not installed properly  or at all  caused it to topple," Harvey said, adding that his appraisal is unofficial.

"The incident is possibly an unusual slip in quality control, common years ago, but not since," he told Space.com.

"The event happened some seconds after the rocket was well clear of the pad, so the crew was not in danger," Harvey added. "It was the service cabin, retracted 45 minutes before launch, not either of the two umbilicals at T-33 seconds and T-12 seconds, respectively."

The Soyuz rocket was raised vertical, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at site 31 launch pad of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 74 departed Earth on Nov. 27 for the International Space Station, leaving behind a damaged launch pad. | Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Scavenge parts?

Harvey thinks that technicians will scavenge parts from another pad at Baikonur and the four at Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome, a high-latitude launch center located in Arkhangelsk Oblast.

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And, depending on the compatibility of service towers, Russia may also have the option of flying from Vostochny Cosmodrome in Siberia (though this may not be technically viable), he noted. Vostochny and Baikonur lie at similar latitudes, and it would be relatively easy to move equipment between the two sites by rail. But nobody on the Russian side has publicly mentioned this as a possibility as yet, Harvey pointed out.

He said it has been reported that something like this happened in December 1966, and it took until June 1967 to fix. "But that was without the pressure of piloted missions, so my guess is more like three months," Harvey said.

Crisis headlines

Roscosmos has said that the aim is to be back in business at Baikonur by the end of March, "and there is no reason why this should not be the case," Harvey said. "So it's unwelcome, but not a crisis meriting some of the 'Russia out of manned spaceflight' headlines."

The next crew handover aboard the ISS is not until July of next year. And the next scheduled astronaut mission to the station won't launch from Baikonur: SpaceX's Crew-12 flight is up next, with a targeted mid-February liftoff from Florida's Space Coast.

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Meanwhile, cargo ships launched from the U.S. should be able to pick up most of the slack resulting from the Baikonur pad damage. However, the incident does mean that the next Russian Progress supply ship delivery, which had been due in about three weeks, will be delayed.

"So, no Christmas presents," Harvey said.

Safe operations

How does NASA view the incident?

"NASA is aware Roscosmos is inspecting Launch Pad 6 at Site 31 following launch of the Soyuz MS-28 on November 27 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan," said Joshua Finch, a NASA spokesperson.

"NASA coordinates closely with its international partners, including Roscosmos, for the safe operations of the International Space Station and its crew members," Finch told Space.com.

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He referred questions about the launch site to Roscosmos. Space.com has reached out to the Russian agency but has not yet received a response.

In the hot seat? Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos. | Credit: Roscosmos

The end of Baikonur?

Meanwhile, Scott Manley, a noted YouTube space communicator, has offered his view.

"Some people are saying that this could be the end of Baikonur as a Russian launch site. Well, I think that is overly dramatic," Manley said in a video about the incident .

"I think they have to keep this going for the next few years at least, but it could definitely be the beginning of the end. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks or months," he added.

So the true implications of the leftover blast marks on Russian rocketry are still to come.What happens next likely sits on the shoulders of Dmitry Bakanov, director general of Roscosmos. We'll just have to wait and see
U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Cameron, a leading Republican in the race to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, is shifting his campaign team ahead of the May 2026 primary.

In a statement Dec. 4, Cameron's team confirmed campaign manager Taylor Zanazzi is "transitioning off the campaign at the end of the month," with Nathanael Hirt set to step into the role.

"We are grateful for his service and commitment during a critical phase of this race and wish him well in future endeavors," said Cameron, who served as Kentucky's attorney general from 2020 through 2023. "... Nathaneal brings strong leadership, strategic focus, and deep dedication to our mission. We're thrilled to have him guiding the team as we move into the next phase of this campaign."

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A comment provided from Zanazzi said he appreciated "the opportunity to serve. I look forward to what's ahead and have no doubt Daniel Cameron will be the next U.S. Senator from Kentucky."

Senate candidate Daniel Cameron arrives and talks with the media ahead of the 61st Annual Kentucky Country Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Cameron entered the Senate race in February, minutes after McConnell announced he plans to retire at the end of 2026. His top competition in the GOP primary is U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and Lexington executive Nate Morris. U.S. Air Force veteran and helicopter repair business owner Michael Faris of Elizabethtown is also running.

Polls released by both Cameron and Barr have shown the former attorney general leads statewide in name recognition, due to his time in office for four years and for his unsuccessful gubernatorial run against incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear in 2023. Cameron lost that race by about five percentage points.

His fundraising has lagged Barr and Morris significantly, though. Barr, who's been in Congress since 2013, has built a war chest over the years of over $6.6 million, while Morris, who made a fortune during his time running Rubicon Technologies, has millions of personal funds to invest. He put $3 million toward his efforts in the first three months of his campaign, according to Federal Election Commission figures.

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Cameron, meanwhile, was sitting on just under $630,000 at the end of September. In October, after those numbers were released publicly, his campaign said they are "confident we will have plenty of resources to win in May from both our campaign and outside conservative groups supporting us."

In a Dec. 4 statement from the campaign, Hirt said he's "honored to step into this role and excited for the work ahead."

"We have a tremendous opportunity to share our message to put America First and win this race," he said. "I'm grateful for the team's confidence and ready to hit the ground running to help lead this campaign to victory."

Each Republican candidate is seeking an endorsement from President Donald Trump, who has not yet weighed in on the race. He backed Cameron in the 2023 gubernatorial primary.

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The 2026 U.S. Senate primary will take place on May 19.

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This story may be updated.

Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Daniel Cameron taps new manager for U.S. Senate campaign
BorderPlex Digital Assets in August gave lawmakers on the state Legislative Finance Committee a rendering of Project Jupiter. (Courtesy of BorderPlex Digital Assets)

Developers behind Project Jupiter, the controversial campus of data centers slated for Dona Ana County, have asked state environment officials to sign off on their plans to emit more greenhouse gases than the states two largest cities combined, and to generate as much electricity as the states largest power company.

Applications for air quality permits confirm figures that Source NM previously reported: If approved, Project Jupiter could emit more than 14 million tons of greenhouse gases per year. By comparison, Albuquerque and Las Cruces emit a combined 6.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gases annually, according to both cities climate action plans. The applications also say developers seek to install 41 turbines to annually generate about as much electricity as PNM.

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Developers filed two applications, one for a west microgrid and one for an east microgrid. A microgrid is a self-reliant energy grid that doesnt need to draw power from a larger utility, like PNM or El Paso Electric. For months, plans have made it clear that developers want to build natural gas generating stations for Project Jupiters microgrids, prompting concerns from residents and lawmakers that the data centers wont comply with the states landmark clean energy law, which requires utilities to use 50% renewable energy by 2030, 80% by 2040 and 100% by 2045.

The applications show that together, the microgrids will emit nearly 500 tons per year of nitrogen oxides, an important ingredient in contributing to ozone. Individually, one microgrid is listed at 249.97 tons per year and the other at 248.9.

Environmental advocates say the developers proposal to split emissions across two permits for the same project appears to skirt state regulations, which classify projects with at least 250 tons per year of nitrogen oxides as major sources of hazardous air pollutants and subject them to arduous monitoring.

Theyve split it into two separate plants that are minor sources to avoid having to monitor their actual air quality impacts, which are going to be huge, said Colin Cox, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute. Theyre coming up to 99.9% of the threshold for when theyd have to do additional work.

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The American Lung Association has long given Dona Ana County a failing grade for ozone, which can cause asthma attacks, increased risk of respiratory infections and even increased risk of premature death.

BorderPlex Digital Assets, the company that has represented Project Jupiter in public meetings, did not respond to a request for comment.

The permits will only have to go through a public hearing process if an outside party, which can include a resident of the area, requests it, according to a spokesperson for the New Mexico Environment Department. No hearings have been scheduled.

Members of the public have, however, tried to stop the project in court.

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In October, two residents and a local nonprofit filed a lawsuit against elected members of the Dona Ana County Commission and accused them of voting on an incomplete application when they approved $165 billion in government-backed bonds for the project in September.

Weve seen this with other air permit applications, where theyre right under the limit, Maslyn Locke, a New Mexico Environmental Law Center senior attorney who is representing residents in the case, told Source NM. Ultimately that means everything has to go 100% perfectly as they operate to not violate thatI dont know if thats realistic.

Since filing suit in October, the nonprofit Empowerment Congress of Dona Ana County has withdrawn as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Another lawsuit, filed by Las Cruces resident Derrick Pacheco, alleged that county leaders acted inappropriately when they approved the project even though it had yet to go through the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Lawyers representing the county have asked judges to toss both cases.
Dec. 4MORGANTOWN  Catholic Charities West Virginia Executive Director Mark Phillips said efforts to open the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness facility on West Run Road as a community warming shelter are progressing.

The two agencies are working in tandem to make the space available as soon as possible.

"We're targeting the 15th. But, you know, if we have everything together earlier than that, we would try to get open, but right now, we're targeting the 15th, " he said.

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In the meantime, the city of Morgantown has designated the Morgantown Public Safety Building (300 Spruce St.) as a warming location. The building will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to serve in that capacity until the community shelter is up and running.

"We recognize that this doesn't provide the full services of a shelter, but is a stopgap measure in order to make sure that people have a place to go, " Morgantown City Manager Jamie Miller said. "We have had people stop and use that facility, so we're pleased to see that."

As for the West Run Road building, it was formerly owned by Bartlett Housing Solutions, which turned over to Catholic Charities West Virginia in 2024 due to severe financial issues.

It was identified as the site for this winter's warming shelter in October. Hazel's House of Hope, which has housed the winter shelter each year since opening as a social services hub, was designated a backup option after its oversight board expressed concerns about a perceived uptick in unwanted activity on the Scott Avenue property.

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"So, West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness is going to host it at their West Run facility, and they've been a really great partner, " Phillips said. "We're working with them on hiring for those positions that will cover the shelter. The coalition will supervise those positions, but we'll do all the hiring and the background checks and manage payroll with the funding that we've been provided from the city of Morgantown and the Monongalia County Commission."

Phillips said it's possible that part-time staff from CCWV's Grace Shelter could also pick up hours at the warming shelter, if desired.

The space should accommodate a capacity of 25-30. It was noted the 2024-'25 warming shelter never hit its 22-bed capacity.

"If we have 50 people show up, it'll be a different circumstance and a different conversation, " Phillips said. "We don't anticipate that, but with encampments closing in places like Wheeling, most recently, we don't know whether there are individuals who are currently living in other communities who might try to use shelter services in Morgantown."

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As WVCEH does offer day sheltering programs at the West Run facility, Phillips it's likely some people will stay on site, while others will need to get to jobs, services offered at Hazel's House of Hope and other locations.

Which leads to the question of transportation.

"It seems like we have good community volunteers who are going to help with that somewhat. We'd still like to see an expansion of transportation services there. It's a little bit far afield of where the bus stop is in that area, so those are ongoing conversations to see if the transportation agency can do something like add a temporary bus or van or something like that, " Phillips said.

The city has allocated $40, 000 to help finance the shelter. The Monongalia County Commission has added $20, 000.

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Asked if additional funding will be needed, Phillips said, "Well, we'll see."

"We're so appreciative of the work the city and county have done. They're great partners and we want to try to operate within the budget and the donations we've received as much as possible, " he said. "Extra funding always allows us to do more and to have a more sustainable program for people."

Phillips said he's especially appreciative of the extra efforts undertaken by the city of Morgantown throughout the process.

"If every other city in West Virginia we worked in was as good of a partner as them, we'd be closer to finding solutions to homelessness. They've been really forward-thinking and engaging and available, and really have made a commitment to serve every resident  not just people who are housed, not just businesses, but people who are really struggling as well  and it's remarkable, " he said.

Anyone interested in donating in support of the warming shelter can direct donations through ccwva.org.
Zohran Mamdani, mayor-elect of New York, left, and President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. Credit - Yuri Gripas/AbacaBloomberg/Getty Images

The convergence of Republican President Donald Trump with, of all people, New Yorks Incumbent Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani in recent weeks is the kind of head-scratching event that might send adherents of political conventional wisdom spiraling. The two men could not have less in common. Or do they?

If there is anything this bizarre exercise of mutual puffery shows, it is that the United States is currently in an era of resurgent populism. In the last Trump decade, Republicans have largely settled into whatever definition of populism that the president has offered up, which has mostly been rhetorical even as he has largely governed according to well-worn conservative ideals of lower taxes for the wealthy and corporations and supply-side incentives. Mamdani sailed to victory in the New York City mayors race, first in the primary, then in the general election, on a platform of affordability undergirded by good old-fashioned class warfare.

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But for Democrats, the developments in New York are being met with great skepticism. As Bernie Sanders learned well in 2016 and in 2020, the party is loath to fully embrace a political message that would put it at odds with the moneyed power brokers who hold significant influence in both parties.

To be sure, Democratic leaders have failed to learn how populism truly operates in our politics.

Centrism

For decades, especially since the emergence of Bill Clinton-era centrism in the early 90s, Democrats have come to believe that embracing globalization and centrism is the best political way forward. One of the reasons that lesson stuck was because Clinton had emerged a winner after a lost decade where Democrats were thumped by Ronald Reagan and his successor, George H.W. Bush. And for two of those elections, in 1984 and 1988, the party endured a primary that pitted more establishment centrist candidates (Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis) against an insurgent firebrand Black populist, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson.

Yes, the establishment won both primaries. But what if the real lesson was not that the party failed to become sufficiently centrist, but rather, that it had failed to harness the energy behind Jacksons grassroots appeal?

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James Carville, a key political architect of Clintons rise, mused recently: I carry the torch from a so-called centrist political era. Yet it is abundantly clear even to me that the Democratic Party must now run on the most populist economic platform since the Great Depression. What he argues for sounds a whole lot like what Jesse Jackson offered in 1984 and 1988. His campaigns spoke to the farmer facing bankruptcy, the mother who cant put food on the table, and the factory worker watching his job be shipped overseas. And tying it all together was Jacksons argument that the system isnt working for the working man or woman. Its an argument that Democrats had largely sidelined in the era of NAFTA, and as a diverse coalition has allowed them to do more politically with less and less of the white vote.

Jacksons campaigns explicitly threatened the natural order of things, the power brokers, and the fear inherent in modern Democratic politics of a cautious moderate voter who might be repelled by a big tent revival style politics of candidates Jackson and Mamdani.

But what if a version of Jacksons righteous anger is exactly what the Democratic Party is missing today? Thats the question that Carville asks. And it is one that is hard to miss as a key lesson of Jacksons campaign.

But heres what also gets missed today that Jesse Jackson understood well: It is, in fact, possible to speak to the countrys increasingly multiracial citizenry while also focusing like a laser on their economic well-being. After all, Jackson showed the way.

Jesse Jackson speaks at the 1984 Democratic National Convention. Frederic LarsonSan Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

Jacksons populist legacy

There have been, of course, many times over the last 30 years when the pendulum of Democratic politics has swung in the other direction, away from progressivism. The victory of President Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary over more progressive candidates, including Senator Sanders, might seem to suggest that centrism had prevailed again. In 1988, Biden was a young political star with presidential ambitions and a centrist pedigree. Early on, he took Jackson on directly, appealing to Black voters to reject tribalism.

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You must reject the voices in this movement who tell Black Americans to go it alone, who tell you that coalitions dont work anymore, that whites and Catholics and Jews no longer care about the problems of Black America, that only Blacks should represent Blacks, Biden said. It was a misreading of the motivations behind Black voters support for Jackson more than a reflection of any malice toward Jackson. But those words ring through the years, continuing to echo even in 2020, as Jackson reemerged in the Democratic presidential primary to oer his endorsement of Sanderss insurgent campaign over Bidens.

Biden missed a lot, including Jacksons quiet eorts over the preceding years to bolster his support among white voters. But what Biden missed most acutely was a core tenet of Jacksons message, which emphasized the very kind of coalition politics Biden was urging Black voters to insist upon. As a centrist political figure, Biden represented a view that submerged demands for racial justice beneath an eort to create political alliances, principally with white voters and their representatives in power. But what Jackson proposed was altogether dierent. The coalition he sought was one that intended to unite marginalized groups and whites to create a powerful majority. Such a coalition would not subsume a desire for social justice but would tie together aims of racial, gender, and religious justice with commonly held economic demands. America is more like a quilt: many patches, many pieces, many colors, sizes, and shapes, all woven and held together by a common thread, Jackson explained. Thats what makes America great.

Today, a younger generation of progressive lawmakers is challenging their party in ways that echo Jackson. In 2018, they began calling themselves the Squad. In recent years, Jackson watched these political developments, seeing his influence in all of it. But increasingly, age and illness took him further and further from the spotlight and further and further from the consciousness of an entire generation of Americans.

I was among them, part of a generation born at the end of the height of Jacksons political influence. For years, my understanding of Jackson was limited to his civil rights work and his (sometimes) controversial presence at virtually every racial incident happening across the country. What I did not fully appreciate was the degree to which the political chapter of his life presaged the coming demographic and political trends that are currently shaping American politics, from President Barack Obama to Trump. Not to mention Jacksons campaigns launched an entire generation of Black political journalists whose careers paved the way for my own. Gwen Ifill, Michel Martin, Sylvester Turner, Juan Williamsall covered Jacksons political campaigns during a period when he was largely discounted by the biggest political reporters of the time. (Richard Ben Cramers seminal campaign book about the 1988 race, What It Takes: The Way to the White House hardly mentions Jackson because the candidate refused to sit for an interview.)

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But even journalists like Lester Holt, who may never have been on the campaign plane or bus, can credit Jacksons pressure campaigns to diversify media for boosting their careers. A look back at these campaigns requires a degree of soul-searching in the media as well as the political establishment. Jackson was discounted, misunderstood, and underrated for most of those eight years, until his second- place finish in the Democratic primary in 1988 changed that.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield (left) talks with U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner (right) | Photo by Vidal Leonard

Mary Sheffield, the mayor-elect of Detroit, met with U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner on Thursday at the Marygrove Conservancy, which is serving as her transition headquarters, to discuss partnership opportunities between the city and the federal administration to preserve and expand affordable housing in Detroit.

Id like to thank Secretary Turner for taking the time to come to Marygrove and the opportunity to share my vision with respect to affordable housing in Detroit, Sheffield said in a press release. Ive spent my entire career advocating for strong neighborhoods that contain diverse housing options for every Detroiter, from transitional to affordable to market rate.

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As Detroits next mayor, my first priority is to ensure our city has the resources we need to improve the quality of life for all Detroiters, to expand housing opportunities for renters and new homeowners, and to build on the progress weve made as a city over the past decade, she continued. I will continue to work with our partners on the state and federal level, Democrats and Republicans, to ensure Detroit can rise higher.

Turner told reporters after the meeting that federal government intervention is not the solution on certain issues, including redevelopment of the General Motors Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit, Axios Detroit reported.

I think she has a great vision, Turner added. Shes a pioneer of sorts, and so we look forward to working with her for the people of Detroit.

Turner and the department of Housing and Urban Development have recently come under fire, including in a lawsuit filed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 22 other state leaders, for changes made to a funding program that has historically allowed state and local governments to put money towards permanent housing solutions.

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The department, under the current administration, has also pushed to limit the scope of public housing and housing voucher programs. Housing advocates have warned that changes like these could exacerbate homelessness and make it harder for state and local governments to address it.

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Buy now, pay later providers saw record-setting sales growth over the November shopping holidays as consumers rely increasingly on deferred payments to combat the pain of lingering inflation.

According to holiday shopping data collected by Adobe, the sector raked in a whopping $10.1 billion between Nov. 1 and Dec. 1, a 9 percent increase from 2024. The firms business services arm forecasted that by the end of this year, that number will double. Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, shoppers are projected to spend $20.2 billion using buy now, pay later toolsan 11 percent jump from last year.

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That trend holds true for Sweden-based flexible payments provider Klarna, which announced previously unseen growth in the United States this week. Gross merchandise volume grew 45 percent year over year for the period between Nov. 1 and Black Friday on Nov. 28.

According to the group, growth was up across categories, though footwear, technology, beauty and home goods resonated strongly with American consumers. Notably, Birkenstockwhich ranked low last year in Klarna salesmade a dramatic leap in 2025, overtaking all other brands to claim to No. 1 spot for adult footwear, followed by Timberland.

Meanwhile, Block, the owner of Afterpay, Square and Cash App, reported a 10 percent year-over-year increase in transactions across all its brands from the Black Friday-Cyber Monday weekend last year. The payments providers collectively processed 124 million purchases over the four-day period, with a trend toward local spending taking shape across much of the U.S.

About 49.8 million consumers paid using Afterpay, Square and Cash App, and they hit up a total of 1.3 million businesses, the group said. Deferred payment plans proved very popular with shoppers, with average basket sizes for Afterpay growing 10 percent year over year. The company said that indicates shoppers are buying more items per transaction than they did in 2024, while spend per customer grew by an average of 6 percent.

While the top trending retail products included fashion goods like shirts and tops, shoes and pants, spending on services saw the biggest gains, growing 91 percent from the same period in 2024, hinting that higher prices at retail (or shallower discounts) may have inhibited shoppers from spending to their full potential on goods. Travel and experiences payments grew 13 percent year over year.
Tashante McCoy was celebrating her grandsons fifth birthday in Stockton, California, on Saturday, when she learned that masked men had opened fire at another childs birthday party on the other side of town.

Armed men had walked into the banquet hall where at least 100 people had gathered to celebrate a toddlers birthday, a friend of McCoys who was at the event would later tell her. At least one man opened fire just as partygoers were preparing to cut the cake.

Two eight-year-olds, Rose Reotutar Guerrero and Maya Lupian, 14-year-old Amari Peterson and 21-year-old Susano Archuleto were killed. More than a dozen people were injured, including fellow community organizer Jasmine Dellafosse.

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For McCoy and many others like her who have long worked in community organizing and gun violence prevention, the shooting brought up urgent questions about gun violence in the Central valley city of about 320,000. And it has reinvigorated frustrations with how authorities, and the media, examine tragedies like these.

Authorities have not yet released any details of the investigation or information about the suspects, but early reports and statements from city officials suggest the shooting was tied to a dispute between rivals in the city, whose conflict escalated into gunfire that leaves a lifetime of trauma for the partys surviving attenders.

McCoy  who survived being shot as a teenager after a party in Stockton, lost a brother to gun violence in 2012, and now works for Crime Survivors Speak, a national non-profit that supports people harmed by crime  sees the attack as part of a worrying shift in street culture that urgently needs addressing.

At the same time, she fears that the incident will be simply written off as gang violence that should be handled by police and prosecutors, versus one that is complex and requires intervention beyond law enforcement to include schools, mental health providers and non-profits that work with the citys most underserved people.

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When mass shootings are tied to street violence, or if the perpetrators do not align with the profile of a mass shooter that Americans most recognize, victims and their communities can be met with scrutiny, rather than the empathy offered to victims of shootings in suburban schools and malls committed by lone-wolf shooters radicalized to violence in the dark corners of the internet, she adds.

Authorities should devote the same resources to investigating, and preventing, shootings like these as they do for high-profile mass shootings, McCoy argued. Because its the same scenario: children being hurt.

McCoy says shes seen street culture shift away from the rules of organized gangs and unspoken norms like no shooting in front of women and children.

Now, she says, the attention people get from dissing their dead opponents and taunting their adversaries in music and videos posted online has become a new driver of real-world violence  with no one and no place off limits.

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For some dumb reason, people have glorified this weird diss the dead rap culture, she said. In order for us to get somewhere with this we have to address the elephant in the room: this acceptance of clout-chasing culture and how its infiltrated the gang space.

Leia Schenk, a Sacramento-based crime victim and community advocate, said: As wrong and crazy as gangster life seems, there are boundaries, and there is a way its supposed to go  and this isnt it. Its just reckless. Now beef on social media turns into a gunfight. And that has unfortunately become the norm. Whats most alarming is that the beef and street violence has gotten to where we dont even protect children.

Complex shootings such as the one in Stockton were seldom analyzed with the same vigor and care as the drivers of other high-profile mass shootings, McCoy and Schenk argued.

Schenk is working with the families of three of the people killed in a 2022 mass shooting in downtown Sacramento, where feuding factions fired at each other in a sea of people, killing six people and injuring 12. She attends every court date, warns families if graphic videos or testimony is on the docket, and organized funerals while families grieved. She recalls seeing an outpouring of condolences from local elected officials and accompanying vows to get justice for the dead and injured. But that petered out after the faces of the victims and suspect were released, she recalls.

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All these officials came out with outrage and condolences and once they started to see the gang ties they all went away and they left these families hanging, she said.

Dismissing shootings such as the one on K Street in Sacramento and the recent one in Stockton lets lawmakers off the hook for keeping youth development programs funded and ensuring that people who are caught with guns are not just prosecuted but rehabilitated before they re-enter their neighborhoods, Schenk adds.

It limits the resources that these very communities need but arent receiving. It shows their lives dont matter. That somehow theyre the cause of their situation. But were not talking about the systemic factors and why any of this exists, she said.

And then theres no liability for public officials, because its a gang shooting. So they dont have to be liable, they dont have to care.

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Instead of dismissing this shooting and similar ones as an unavoidable tragedy in cities that have long struggled with violence and crime, Americans needed to do away with the notion of typical mass shootings entirely, said Cymone Reyes, a Stockton native who runs Central Valley Gender Health and Wellness, a non-profit for the areas LGBTQIA+ residents of color. Instead, local officials, city agencies and non-profits need to coalesce and focus on reaching the teenagers and young adults who are caught in cycles of conflict and violence.

Theres no typical shooting, and using that term is offensive because it minimizes the effect. Saying that this is typical only normalizes it. It desensitizes us, she said of shootings driven by internet radicalization and community violence alike.

This shooting also brought memories of shooting past.

In 1989, when Reyes was a freshman at Stocktons Edison high school, five children were killed and 31 others  all but one of them children  injured at Cleveland elementary school. Reyes remembers going to a dental appointment near the school and seeing helicopters and swarms of police and paramedics. Three decades later, she would lose one of her nephews to gun violence in Stockton.

The constant drumbeat of violent injury and death has led to a collective trauma that Reyes has seen gone unaddressed for decades. I think the community as a whole is grieving. It brings me back to Cleveland. Everywhere I go, I sense the heaviness. This community has experienced tragedy after tragedy and yet were not doing anything to help curb that.
While police searched for a hit-and-run driver whod just caused multiple crashes in Duluth, he was inside the Popeyes next door watching them work, according to police.

Duluth police got the call around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday after witnesses reported a beige Volvo driving on the wrong side of Pleasant Hill Road.

The Volvo clipped one car, crashed into another, and forced a third driver off the road trying to avoid a head-on collision.

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When officers showed up, they found damaged vehicles everywhere, but the Volvos driver was gone. Turns out he didnt go far.

He was sitting in Popeyes the entire time, one officer remarked on body cam video obtained by Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson. He was literally sitting at that table watching everybody.

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Officers found James Mann, 53, walking outside the restaurant and arrested him.

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Police said Manns eyes were droopy and his speech slurred, but they didnt smell any alcohol.

Inside his Volvo, they found a prescription bottle for 120 Xanax pills filled earlier that day, according to a police report. Seven pills were already missing.

A Johns Creek police sergeant trained as a drug recognition expert said Mann appeared to be under the influence of a central nervous system depressant, per the report.

Mann was taken to a hospital for evaluation and now faces charges including DUI, hit-and-run, reckless driving, and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt.
A man is in custody after police say a box truck was stolen and crashed in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Police said they were called to the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street Downtown at 1 p.m. for reports of several people fighting.

Officers met two men who were restraining a third man when they arrived.

Those men said the man that they were restraining had stolen a box truck.

One of those men was the owner of the box truck. He told police he was making deliveries around the 900 block of Penn Avenue. As he was exiting a business, he saw the suspect get into the vehicle and drive away.

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He told police he chased after it and caught up when it stopped at a red light at the intersection of Liberty and Grant Street. He got in through the passenger door and the men began fighting inside the vehicle.

I think out of instinct for his own job, I think kudos to him for being brave enough to do that, said Brittany Bader.

Police said the suspect drove the box truck over a median in the center of the street and onto a sidewalk, hitting several trees and almost hitting a person.

The driver was able to get control of the steering wheel and stopped the truck using the emergency brake, police say. That was when another man jumped in and helped keep the suspect in place until police arrived.

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I respect him for it man and Im pretty sure his job respects him for it too. I hope they give him a raise, said Anthony Howard.

The accused truck thief was taken to a hospital for medical clearance and is expected to be charged.

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Early voting for the December 2025 village of Vinton Runoff Election continues through Tuesday, Dec. 9.

The runoff election will determine the next mayor for the village of Vinton, as no candidate received more than 50% of the votes during the Nov. 4 Uniform and Special Election.

Election Day is Saturday, Dec. 13.

Who's on the Vinton mayoral ballot?

Rachel Quintana (incumbent)Juvencia Rios Ontiveros

Early Voting Location

El Paso County Northwest Annex435 E. Vinton Rd.Vinton, Texas 79821Community Room

Early voting dates and times

Friday, Dec. 59:00 a.m.  6:00 p.m.Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 712:00 p.m.  5:00 p.m.Monday, Dec. 8 and Tuesday, Dec. 99:00 a.m.  6: 00 p.m.

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Voters are encouraged to visit www.epcountyvotes.com for all the tools and information needed before casting their vote:

My Voter Dashboard. Voters can check their voter registration status and eligibility, view theirvoting history and review and print their personalized sample ballot. To access the dashboard,voters will need to enter their first name, last name and date of birth or their Voter Unique Identifier (VUID).

Identification Required for Voting. When voting in person, voters can cast a regular ballot byproviding one of the seven acceptable forms of photo identification. If a voter does not have orcannot obtain one of these photo identifications, they can complete a Reasonable ImpedimentDeclaration (RID) at the voting site and present a supporting document.

Civilian Ballot by Mail. If a voter requested a ballot by mail and later decides to vote in person, the voter must bring their mailed ballot with them and surrender it at the voting site. If the ballot is not surrendered, the voter will be issued a provisional ballot.

For questions, voters can contact the El Paso County Elections Department at (915) 273-3597 or by email at epelections@epcounty.com.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Vinton mayoral runoff election Dec. 13, early voting underway now
Christmas in Erie a century ago was marred by tragedy.

A downtown newsstand owner was shot to death in an argument about shoe rubbers at a West 17th Street dance hall early on Christmas morning 1925.

Six firemen badly burned when an oil tank exploded at the Savoy restaurant on East 18th Street on Dec. 23 remained in critical or serious condition at Saint Vincent Hospital.

And worst of all, funeral services were announced for three children trampled at a Christmas party on Dec. 22. Arrangements were yet to be made for a fourth child who died of his injuries a day later.

'Every boy and girl is invited'

The Christmas party was held at Erie Arena, a prize-fighting venue at East 26th and French streets.

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Sponsored by the Erie Dispatch-Herald, the 4 p.m. party would include music by the Washington School orchestra, vaudeville acts performed by a Perry Theatre troupe and an appearance by Santa Claus, who would distribute gifts, according to an announcement in the Erie Times-News on Dec. 21, 1925.

"The affair, in all, is expected to be one of the biggest and most elaborate in the history of the city and every boy and girl is invited to attend this party given in their honor," the newspaper reported.

Thousands of children attended.

News of a fatal Christmas party stampede and a devastating explosion and fire dampen spirits in Erie on Dec. 23, 1925.

"It was Christmas week, and with schools dismissed more than 5,000 children assembled at the Arena," the newspaper reported on Dec. 23.

A 'little army of joyous young folks'

Excitement grew through the musical and vaudeville programs and reached fever pitch when Santa took the stage. The children surged toward him and the rush became a stampede.

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"A bench overturned. Several youngsters tripped. On came the thousand more, not realizing that beneath their feet were the struggling forms of school mates, brothers and sisters. More toppled and were ground beneath the feet of the little army of joyous young folks."

Joy turned to panic and a stampede toward the exits. The arena's main French Street door was blocked by an overturned bench.

'Scores of them roamed the streets'

Emergency crews fought their way into the building to assist firemen, police and Dispatch-Herald employees who had been assigned to chaperone the party.

"The firemen had to chop their way into the Arena proper through a cage window because of the jam inside the door," a witness said.

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Children streamed outside.

"Scores of them roamed the streets in the vicinity of the Arena, bewildered and terror-stricken," the Times reported.

Many were taken to a "lost and found station" hastily organized at Winslow Cligan's store at 104 East 26th St., across from the arena.

"Cligan and his mother and father assisted efficiently in clearing up much confusion and made up a list of those children from whom they were able to obtain their names."

Many more people helped as news of the panic spread through the city.

"Other stores and residences in the vicinity also were opened quickly as temporary hospitals for injured children and for the reception of those who had lost brother, sister or child." Still others drove children home.

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Police were inundated with calls from frantic parents through the evening, and "the entire department was kept busy helping little ones to their homes."

Three-year-old Chester Blair, of 2810 German St., was found wandering alone by motorcycle policemen and was cared for "until claimed by his father."

The young victims

Trampled and killed at the party were Billy Wager, 5, Eileen Rickrode, 9, and Raymond Kopycenski, 11. Their funerals were held the day after Christmas.

Joseph Wojtkelewicz, 8, died the day after the Christmas party. He had been carried from the building and driven home by a passing motorist. A doctor summoned to treat him said that the boy had been so seriously injured that he could not be saved.

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He died at his East 10th Street home.

Fifty more children were injured, including several treated at Saint Vincent Hospital and later released.

The death of a fourth child as a result of the Christmas party stampede dominates the front page of the Erie Times-News on Christmas Eve 1925.

An 'unavoidable accident'

Erie County Coroner Dan Hanley led the investigation into the causes of the tragedy.

Adults at the party reported that a bench blocking a doorway during the panic was mainly to blame for the deaths and injuries.

Others said that there were not enough police and firemen assigned to the arena to handle the crowd.

Christmas 1924: Erie community rallies to build a home for widow and her 8 children

After weighing those and other reports, a coroner's jury of six men on Dec. 29 determined that the panic had been an "unavoidable accident" and commended police and firemen for their "prompt and efficient rescue work in preventing the loss of more lives."

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Abner Wilbur, who portrayed Santa at the party, also commended the emergency services during his testimony at the inquest.

"The firemen and policemen who were doing special duty at the Arena did wonderful work in saving the lives of many children," Wilbur said.

Like Christmas lights? This Facebook group has a map for you

There was no recommendation for safety improvements at Erie Arena. Prize fights resumed there on Jan. 8, 1926.

There was no citywide Christmas party for children the following year.

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie children trampled in rush to Santa during 1925 Christmas party
ELKHART  An Elkhart man is accused of possessing at least two videos depicting child pornography after police say they tied him to an online account.

Zechariah Frick, 21, is charged with two counts of possessing child porn as a Level 5 felony. The state may file additional counts, court documents show.

He was booked in the Elkhart County Correctional Facility on $25,000 bond but has bonded out. His initial court hearing is set for Friday in Elkhart County Superior Court 3.

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According to court documents:

Police investigated a tip received through the Internet Crimes Against Children referral system on Nov. 4, which included an account name, Zane Frick, and associated email addresses and phone numbers. There were also associated IP addresses which originated in Elkhart.

The investigator reviewed 36 files which were uploaded. He singled out two short videos which had been uploaded this past year from IP addresses in northern Indiana.

One depicted an adult man having sex with an apparent juvenile and another shows a man having sex with an infant, according to police.

The investigation also turned up a Hively Avenue address and a phone number for the homeowner. Frick was determined to also live at that address, which was confirmed by a staffing agency he worked with, according to police.

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Police say they received a tip in 2024 alleging that Frick made sexual comments to juvenile girls in the home.

Officers executed a search warrant at the home on Nov. 24 and questioned Frick before arresting him. They also collected his phone and other electronic devices.

He allegedly gave police the same email address they had received in the initial tip but denied knowing anything about child pornography on his account or on his phone. He then said there was maybe something on an older account, from when he was younger, which was mostly child stuff, according to police.

Frick said he deleted some files after receiving a notification from Google about child safety but there may still be images saved remotely to the cloud, as well as in a locked phone folder, according to police.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department held a formal swearing-in ceremony for the new chief of police, Estella Patterson, Friday morning at the police academy.

The chiefs badge was pinned onto Patterson by her husband, a retired battalion chief at Charlotte Fire.

Moments later, Patterson took the oath for chief in front of North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, other city leaders and her former colleagues from the Raleigh Police Department.

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ALSO READ >> Inside the timeline of citys settlement with Lance Patterson, CMPD chiefs husband

Now that I have the honor of serving at the helm of this outstanding police department, I will seek to uphold everything that makes CMPD great, and I will continue elevating this department into its next chapter, Patterson said at the ceremony.

Stein said he is rooting for Patterson as she embarks on this next chapter of her career.

I want you and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to know I am in your corner, the governor said. I am counting, I am doing everything to help you to succeed because your success is all of our successes.

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Patterson is the first woman to ever lead the department. She spent 25 years with CMPD and was the deputy chief before she left to take the job as Raleighs police chief.

Patterson thanked her husband, family, and former CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings who looked on from the audience. Jennings helped Patterson with the transition.

He has been extremely helpful in getting me up to speed in whats going on in the organization, Patterson said.

She talked about her priorities.

Thats my No. 1 priority is building the morale within the organization, making sure everyone has a voice and they know they are part of the solutions.

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Stein noted Pattersons success at filling 75% of vacancies at the Raleigh Police Department.

Hiring and retention and higher pay is on her radar.

We got to make sure theyre well compensated, that they have all the benefits and things that they need, she said.

VIDEO: CMPD cracks down on crime with Operation Safe Season initiative
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Elon Musk's social media company X was fined 120 million euros ($140 million) by EU tech regulators on Friday for breaching online content rules, the first sanction under landmark legislation that once again drew criticism from the U.S. government.

While X did not respond to an emailed request for comment, Musk replied "Bullshit" under a European Commission post about the fine. He also reposted several messages criticising the decision and wrote: "Freedom of speech is the bedrock democracy. The only way to know what you are voting for."

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X's rival TikTok staved off a penalty with concessions.

Europe's crackdown on Big Tech to ensure smaller rivals can compete and consumers have more choice has been criticised by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which says it singles out American companies and censors Americans.

The European Commission, the EU's executive, said its laws do not target any nationality and that it is merely defending its digital and democratic standards, which usually serve as the benchmark for the rest of the world.

EU TECH CHIEF SAYS FINE IS NOT CENSORSHIP

The EU sanction against X followed a two-year-long investigation under the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires online platforms to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content.

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The EU's investigation of ByteDance's social media app TikTok led to charges in May that the company had breached a DSA requirement to publish an advertisement repository allowing researchers and users to detect scam advertisements.

The European Commission's tech chief Henna Virkkunen said X's modest fine was proportionate and calculated based on the nature of the infringements, their gravity in terms of affected EU users and their duration.

"We are not here to impose the highest fines. We are here to make sure that our digital legislation is enforced and if you comply with our rules, you don't get the fine. And it's as simple as that," she told reporters.

"I think it's very important to underline that DSA is having nothing to do with censorship," Virkkunen said.

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She said forthcoming decisions on companies which have been charged with DSA violations are expected to take a shorter time than the two years for the X case.

"I'm really expecting that we will do the final decisions now faster," she said.

VANCE SAYS EU SHOULD NOT ATTACK AMERICAN COMPANIES

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr denounced the EU's fine.

"The European Commission's $140 million fine isn't just an attack on @X, its an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments. The days of censoring Americans online are over," Rubio posted on X.

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Carr said on X that the sanction showed Europe fining a successful U.S. tech company for being a successful U.S. tech company.

Meta and TikTok were charged with breaching DSA transparency obligations in October while Chinese online marketplace Temu was accused of violating rules to prevent the sale of illegal products.

X has between 60 to 90 working days to come up with measures to comply with the DSA, with the time frame depending on the issue.

Ahead of the EU decision, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on X: "Rumors swirling that the EU commission will fine X hundreds of millions of dollars for not engaging in censorship. The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage."

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TikTok, which pledged changes to its ad library to be more transparent, urged regulators to apply the law equally and consistently across all platforms.

EU regulators said X's DSA violations included the deceptive design of its blue checkmark for verified accounts, the lack of transparency of its advertising repository and its failure to provide researchers access to public data.

The Commission said the investigation into the dissemination of illegal content on X and measures taken to combat information manipulation and a separate probe into TikTok's design, algorithmic systems and obligation to protect children continue.

DSA fines can be as high as 6% of a company's annual global revenue.

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($1 = 0.8579 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee, additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, Katharine Jackson and Doina Chiacu in Washington, Charlotte Van Campenhout in Amsterdam and Bhargav Acharya in Toronto; Editing by Toby Chopra and Louise Heavens)
The European Union hit Elon Musk's X with a 120-million-euro ($140-million) fine Friday for breaking its digital rules, in a move that risks a fresh clash with US President Donald Trump's administration.

The high-profile probe into the social media platform was seen as a test of the EU's resolve to police Big Tech. US Vice President JD Vance fired a warning against "attacking" US firms through "censorship" before the penalty was even made public.

Imposing the first fine under its powerful Digital Services Act (DSA) on content, the European Commission said X was guilty of non-compliance with transparency rules including through the "deceptive design" of its blue checkmark for "verified" accounts.

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"This decision is about the transparency of X" and "nothing to do with censorship," the bloc's technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen told reporters as it was announced -- pushing back at Vance's charge.

The US vice president warned the EU pre-emptively Thursday it "should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage" -- in an X post to which Musk replied "Much appreciated."

Musk's platform was targeted by the EU's first formal DSA investigation in December 2023 -- and was found to have breached its rules on several counts in July 2024.

The EU found that changes made to the platform's checkmark system after Musk took over in 2022 meant that "anyone can pay" to obtain a badge of authenticity -- without X "meaningfully verifying who is behind the account".

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"This deception exposes users to scams, including impersonation frauds, as well as other forms of manipulation by malicious actors," the commission said in a statement.

It also found X failed to be sufficiently transparent about its advertising and to give researchers access to public data in line with DSA rules.

X remains under investigation over tackling the spread of illegal content and information manipulation.

- 'Words to action' -

Part one of the X probe had appeared to stall since last year -- with no movement on imposing a fine.

Weighing on the EU's mind was the picture in the United States -- starkly different from 2023 -- after Trump returned as president this year with Musk by his side.

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The pair later fell out, but the tycoon has reappeared in White House circles, and Brussels had to contend with the prospect any fine on X would fan tensions with Trump.

Vance hit out before the punishment was announced, citing "rumours" the commission was preparing to fine X "for not engaging in censorship."

The DSA gives the EU power to fine companies as much as six percent of their global annual revenue -- and in the case of X the bloc could have based itself on Musk's entire business empire, including Tesla.

Brussels settled on what is arguably a moderate sum relative to X's clout -- but Virkkunen told reporters it was "proportionate" to the violations at stake.

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"We are not here to impose the highest fines. We are here to make sure that our digital legislation is enforced," said the tech chief. "If you comply with our rules, you don't get a fine -- and it's as simple as that."

She also emphasised this was one part of a "very broad investigation" into X, which remained ongoing.

The Center for Countering Digital Hate advocacy group said the EU move "sends a message that no tech platform is above the laws all corporations have to abide by."

Washington has made plain its distaste for EU tech laws, and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last week called for a rethink if the EU wanted lower steel duties.

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Driving the point home, a new national security strategy released Friday by Trump's administration urges Europe to "abandon its failed focus on regulatory suffocation".

France's digital affairs minister Anne Le Henanff hailed a "historic" decision by the EU in the face of US pressure. "By sanctioning X, Europe shows it is capable of moving from words to action," she said.

Same message from Germany's digital minister Karsten Wildberger, who said the bloc's digital rules "apply to everyone, no matter where they come from."

At the same time as the X fine, the commission said it had accepted commitments from TikTok to address concerns over its advertising system, although the Chinese-owned platform remains under DSA investigation over other issues.

ec/tw
These women were forced to enact a special man-date.

A nationwide shortage of men in Latvia has increasingly forced women to hire husbands for an hour to help with their household chores.

According to a recent report by Eurostat, Latvia boasts 15.5% more women than men  over three times the average rate in the European Union, according to local media. Meanwhile, over the age of 65, there are twice as many women as men, per the World Atlas.

A nationwide shortage of men in Latvia has increasingly forced women to hire husbands for an hour to help with their household chores. zanna_  stock.adobe.com

A Latvian fan watches her team during the UEFA Euro 2004 Group D match between the Czech Republic and Latvia at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro on June 15, 2004, in Aveiro, Portugal. Getty Images

As a result, the Baltic country has found itself woefully bereft of suitable male prospects  like something out of the Wicker Man.

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Single lady Dania, who works at festivals, claimed that 98% of her colleagues are women, the Sun reported.

Theres nothing wrong with that  but just for the good balance, you would want to have some more men to flirt or chat with, she lamented. Its just more interesting.

Thats why all my friends have gone abroad and found boyfriends there, seconded her friend Zane.

To fill this countrywide husband void, women like Dania are increasingly turning to services that allow them to rent-a-hubby for a short time to help out around the house.

Remontdarbi.lvs service allows women to hire a husband for an hour online or by phone, whereupon theyll show up within the hour, a la a slightly more suggestive TaskRabbit service. remontdarbi.lv

This might sound like the beginning of a bad skin flick, but theres been a boom in platforms such as Komanda24, where for a few Euros, women can enlist Men With Golden Hands to do plumbing, carpentry, repairs and even mounting a TV  and all without any awkward pickup lines or dates.

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Meanwhile, Remontdarbi.lvs service allows women to hire a husband for an hour online or by phone, whereupon theyll show up within the hour a la a slightly more suggestive TaskRabbit service.

Latvian folk dancers in traditional garb. Rihards  stock.adobe.com

Upon arrival, these glorified handymen will do everything, including painting walls, fixing curtains and other outstanding chores amid the Latvian male drought.

Why such an extreme gender discrepancy? Experts attribute this imbalance in part to men having a far lower life expectancy due to ill health and lifestyle choices, the World Atlas reported.

Men are about three times more likely to smoke, with 31% of the male population smoking compared to just 10% of the female population, the site noted. Men are also slightly more likely to be obese or overweight, with 62% of men being overweight or obese compared to 57% of women.

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Renting husbands isnt relegated to across the pond, either.

In 2022, mother of three Laura Young went viral after renting out her hubby James out to other women to do odd jobs for extra cash.

The lucrative business, dubbed Rent My Handy Husband, sees James go over and do everything, including general DIY, painting, decorating, tiling and carpet laying.

James, 42, is currently booked up for the month of November on jobs, for which he charges $44 per hour and about $280 for a day rate. Their business has become so popular, they said, that they even had to turn down jobs.
Lily, a 26-year-old barista from Orlando, showed up on Caleb Hammers show Financial Audit laughing about her $50,000 debt and bragging about plans to travel to Disneyland in California.

I could die tomorrow, so Im spending money today, she said of her splurges, adding that she believes Disneyland is more magical than Disneyworld.

Hammers response?

Must Read

Youre a Disney adult, he exclaimed. You have the brain of a five-year-old.

Hammer was flabbergasted that Lily wouldnt just visit Disney World, the equally Magic Kingdom just 18 minutes away from Orlando (1).

Instead, shes flying to California and staying with two friends at a hotel that will cost each of them $40 a night. She noted the hotel stay includes breakfast so shell save money.

But as Hammer pointed out, shell still spend thousands on meals and at the resort. According to the Mouse Hacking blog, even on a budget, a family of three may spend $4,147 (minus hotel) on four days at Disneyland, including paid line-skipping and meals (2).

Lily rationalized the adventure as a mental health trip. Her sentiment has become popular on TikTok and other platforms, where treat yourself culture often blends into money advice.

For someone already buried in $50,000-worth of consumer debt, thats less self-care and more self-sabotage.

When money, stress, and mental health collide

Lily told Hammer that she finds it hard to budget, stay organized and plan and blames her depression and ADHD for these challenges.

Hammer retorted that she was using her diagnoses to avoid responsibility for her spending behaviors.

Read More: Here are the 5 market moves you can't ignore heading into 2026  and what savvy investors are doing now to prepare

But there is a real link between money and mental health. According to the Financial Health Network, 40% of Americans report high or moderate financial stress (3).

Those with lower incomes are 1.5 to three times more likely to experience mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. Lily  who is studying marketing at university while working two jobs as a barista and restaurant server  earns between $10 and $12 an hour plus tips.
Wisconsin State Capitol (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

Gov. Tony Evers vetoed nine bills Friday including a Republican bill that would have barred local and state funds from being used for immigrants without legal status.

Wisconsin already doesnt allow immigrants without legal status to access BadgerCare, which Evers noted in his veto message. Republicans lawmakers acknowledged that fact as they advocated for AB 308, saying the bill was intended to block future use of health care benefits by immigrants. The bill would have prohibited state, county, village, long-term care district and federal funds from being used to subsidize, reimburse or provide compensation for any health care services for a person not lawfully in the U.S.

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As this bills Republican co-author in the Wisconsin State Assembly plainly stated in the public hearing on this proposal, Wisconsin currently doesnt allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in BadgerCare, Evers wrote in his veto message.

I object to Republican lawmakers passing legislation they acknowledge is unnecessary to prevent problems they admit do not exist, all for the sake of trying to push polarizing political rhetoric, Evers added.

Evers said the bill was more about being inflammatory, stoking fear, and sowing division than it was about accomplishing any significant policy outcome or being prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars.

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, one of two Republican candidates for governor, criticized the veto in a statement, saying Evers was putting the interests of illegal aliens ahead of Wisconsin taxpayers and sought to tie Evers action to next years high-profile gubernatorial election. Evers is not running for reelection, and there is a crowded Democratic field that is still taking shape.

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If Democrats take the governors office in 2026, you can count on them to hand out drivers licenses, in-state tuition and taxpayer-funded health care to illegal aliens. I will not let that happen, Tiffany said.

No new cigar bars

Evers also vetoed a bill that would have allowed for more tobacco bars in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin first enacted its smoke-free air law in 2010  prohibiting smoking cigars, cigarettes, pipes and other products in public spaces. The law included an exclusion for cigar bars that were in existence before June 4, 2009.

AB 211 would have allowed for more exemptions for tobacco bars if they came into existence on or after June 4, 2009 provided that they allowed only the smoking of cigars and pipes and were not part of a retail food establishment.

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Evers, a former smoker and an esophageal cancer survivor, said he objected due to the harm that the bill could have on Wisconsinites public health.

Secondhand smoke, a known carcinogen, causes serious health problems and is responsible for thousands of deaths on an annual basis, Evers stated. He said the states smoke-free air law was a critically important step forward for keeping kids, families, and communities healthier and safer, improving public health and, most importantly, saving thousands of lives I cannot in good conscience reverse course on that important step for public health, safety, and well-being by restoring indoor smoking in certain public spaces.

Bill to ban guaranteed income

Evers also vetoed AB 165, which would have banned local governments from using tax money to create guaranteed income programs without a work or training requirement.

Evers wrote in his veto message that he objects to lawmakers continued efforts to arbitrarily restrict and preempt local governments across our state. He said they should instead focus on finding ways to support local communities and ensure they have the resources they need to meet basic and unique needs alike.

Building code delay

Evers vetoed AB 450, which would have put off the effective date of Wisconsins updated commercial building code until April 1, 2026, saying he objected to further unnecessary delay in implementing new building standards that will benefit Wisconsin communities.

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The new building codes were originally blocked by lawmakers on the Joint Committee on the Review of Administrative Rules for years, but they were reinstated this year by the the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) after a state Supreme Court decision. Justices ruled in July that state laws allowing the Legislature to block executive branch administrative rules indefinitely were unconstitutional.

The current effective date for the building codes is Nov. 1, 2025.

Republican lawmakers claimed the delay to next year was needed to provide clarity to builders who had been planning projects under the previous code.

Evers wrote in his veto message that the bill would do the opposite.

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This bill would not only create confusion for developers with current building projects under review but would also further delay the implementation of new safety and energy efficiency standards that have been already widely adopted, Evers said. The department has and will continue to work with building professionals throughout the state to ensure proper understanding and compliance with the new building commercial code.

Education bills rejected

A handful of Republican education-related bills were rejected by Evers.

Currently, teacher preparation programs are required to have a full semester of student teaching during the school year. SB 424 would have allowed for programs to use student teaching during a summer session as an alternative to a full school-year semester.

Lawmakers had said the bill would help with recruitment by allowing for more flexibility to students seeking to become teachers. However, Evers said that the bill would potentially reduce the rigor of the current training that students are required to have, especially given that summer sessions can be shorter than a typical school term and may not allow students to experience the same opportunities available during the school year such as parent-teacher conferences.

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Reducing training, qualifications, experience, and work ages are not real solutions for solving Wisconsins generational workforce shortages, Evers said in his veto message. Wisconsins challenges recruiting, training, and retaining exceptional educators will not be aided by making education professionals less trained, less qualified, and less experienced  nor will our kids.

Evers also vetoed AB 166, which would have required UW system institutions, technical colleges and private nonprofit colleges to report cost and student outcome data and required the information be provided to high school juniors and seniors in academic and career planning services.

Evers said in his veto message that he didnt want to burden the states higher education institutions with more administrative requirements, especially without necessary resources. He noted that the UW system says that the requirements in the bill overlap substantially with existing information that is already available.

The University of Wisconsin system keeps a public dashboard with some of the information that the bill would have required, including for financial aid, retention and graduation, and time and credits to degree.

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Evers also vetoed SB 10, which would have mandated that Wisconsin public school districts provide military recruiters with access to common areas in high schools and access during the school day and during school-sanctioned events. He said that while he supports the troops, he doesnt support lawmakers attempts to usurp local control of decisions on when and where military recruiters are given access to schools.

Bill that would have eliminated requirement for Elections Commission appeal

Voters currently can file a complaint to the Wisconsin Election Commission if they allege an election official serving the voters jurisdiction has failed to comply with certain election laws or has abused his or her discretion with respect to the administration of such election laws. A voter who doesnt agree with a WEC decision can appeal to a court, though currently courts are only allowed to take up an appeal if voters have suffered an injury to a legally recognized interest as a result. That requirement was established in a 2025 state Supreme Court decision.

SB 270 would have eliminated that requirement, and Evers said he objected because it would open the floodgates to frivolous lawsuits that not only burden our courts, but our election systems as well.

Penalties for those who falsely claim a service animal

AB 366, which would have allowed housing providers to require documentation for service animals and created penalties for misrepresentation of an animal. Evers said he objects to the creation of unnecessary barriers for individuals with legitimate disability-related needs.

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A former employee at a metro Atlanta Verizon Wireless retailer was arrested for theft and fraud after using a false identity to secure his job and steal $12,000 worth of merchandise, deputies said.

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Donald Carroll, who worked at Verizon stores in Forsyth and Gwinnett counties, was discovered to have opened fraudulent accounts using non-Verizon customers identities, billing phones and other devices to these accounts, officials said.

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Verizon Wireless initiated an investigation after receiving complaints from individuals whose identities were used to open accounts.

The FCSO said this investigation led to the discovery of Carrolls fraudulent activities.

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Forsyth County Sheriffs Office detectives obtained warrants for Carroll on multiple charges, including six counts of felony theft by taking identity fraud and two counts of felony theft by taking.

Carroll was initially arrested in Gwinnett County and later transferred from DeKalb County Jail to Forsyth County Jail on Nov. 21.

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When applying for the job, Carroll allegedly provided a Georgia drivers license in another name.

The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office says it decided not to charge Carroll for using a forged Georgia drivers license to get the job, as Gwinnett County had already charged him with that offense.

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By Aditya Kalra and Munsif Vengattil

NEW DELHI, Dec 5 (Reuters) - India's government is reviewing a telecom industry proposal to force smartphone firms to enable satellite location tracking that is always activated for better surveillance, a move opposed by Apple, Google and Samsung due to privacy concerns, according to documents, emails and five sources.

A fierce privacy debate erupted in India this week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was forced to rescind an order requiring smartphone makers to preload a state-run cyber safety app on all devices after activists and politicians raised concerns about potential snooping.

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For years, the Modi administration has been concerned its agencies do not get precise locations when legal requests are made to telecom firms during investigations. Under the current system, the firms are limited to using cellular tower data that can only provide an estimated area location, which can be off by several meters.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents Reliance's Jio and Bharti Airtel, has proposed that precise user locations should only be provided if the government orders smartphone makers to activate A-GPS technology - which uses satellite signals and cellular data - according to a June internal federal IT ministry email.

That would require location services to always be activated in smartphones with no option for users to disable them. Apple, Samsung and Alphabet's Google have told New Delhi that should not be mandated, said three of the sources who have direct knowledge of the deliberations.

A measure to track device-level location has no precedent anywhere else in the world, lobbying group India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents both Apple and Google, wrote in a confidential July letter to the government, which was viewed by Reuters.

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"The A-GPS network service ... (is) not deployed or supported for location surveillance," said the letter, which added that the measure "would be a regulatory overreach."

'DEDICATED SURVEILLANCE DEVICE'

India's home ministry had scheduled a meeting of top smartphone industry executives to discuss the matter on Friday but it was postponed, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said. On Thursday, Reuters sent questions related to this topic to the ministry.

India's IT and home ministries, which are both analysing the telecom industry's proposal, did not respond to Reuters queries.

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Apple, Samsung, Google, Reliance and Airtel did not respond to requests for comment. Lobby groups ICEA and COAI also did not respond.

At this point, no policy decision has been made by the IT or home ministries.

Taking advantage of A-GPS technology - which is typically only turned on when certain apps are running or when emergency calls are being made - could provide authorities with location data precise enough that a user can be tracked to within about a meter, according to technology experts.

"This proposal would see phones operate as a dedicated surveillance device," said Junade Ali, a digital forensics expert associated with Britain's Institution of Engineering and Technology.

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Cooper Quintin, a security researcher at the U.S.-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, said he had not heard of any such proposal elsewhere, calling it "pretty horrifying."

Governments worldwide routinely seek new ways to better track cellphone users' movements or data. Russia has mandated the installation of a state-backed communications app on all mobile phones in the country.

TELCOS VS SMARTPHONE FIRMS

India is the world's second-biggest mobile market with 735 million smartphones as of mid-2025, where Google's Android powers more than 95% of the devices, with the rest using Apple's iOS, Counterpoint Research says.

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Apple and Google's lobby group, the ICEA, argued in their July letter that there are significant "legal, privacy, and national security concerns" with the proposal from the telecom group.

It warned their user base would include people from the military, judges, corporate executives and journalists, adding that proposed location tracking risked their security given that they hold sensitive information.

Even the old way of location tracking is becoming problematic, the telecom group said, as smartphone makers show a pop-up message to users, alerting them that their "carrier is trying to access your location."

"A target can easily ascertain that he is being tracked by security agencies," said the telecom group, urging the government to order phone makers to disable the pop-up features.

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Privacy concerns should take priority and India should also not consider disabling the pop-ups, Apple and Google's group argued in its July letter to the government.

This will "ensure transparency and user control over their location."

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Munsif Vengattil; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)
The Georgia Department of Corrections has set an execution date for a death row inmate convicted of killing two real estate agents more than 20 years ago.

A jury convicted Stacey Humphreys for the 2003 murders of Cynthia Cyndi Williams and Lori Brown at a model home in Powder Springs. Their deaths sent shockwaves through the real estate community.

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The Cobb County Superior Court ordered the GDC to carry out Humphreys execution between Dec. 17 and Dec. 24. Commissioner Tyrone Oliver has set the date for Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson.

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This is the states first scheduled execution in 2025. If executed, Humphreys will be the 55th inmate put to death by lethal injection.

On Nov. 3, 2003, investigators said Humphreys entered the sales office in a model home for a new subdivision where Williams and Brown worked.

Humphreys was on parole for a 1993 felony theft conviction at the time.

Evidence presented at his trial showed that Humphreys forced them to strip naked and give him their bank PINs before he shot and killed them. Prosecutors said Humphreys took their IDs and credit cards to withdraw thousands of dollars.

Humphreys left the state in a rental car and was later arrested in Wisconsin after a high-speed chase. Police found a handgun that matched bullets found at the scene. Prosecutors said the blood on the gun matched Williams DNA and blood found in his personal truck matched Browns.

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Humphreys lawyers have filed appeals for his death sentence claiming a biased juror tainted the rest of the jury and denied him his right to a fair trial. Eleven jurors voted for life without parole initially, but the last juror vowed to stay in the jury room until they voted for a death sentence.

One juror asked to be removed because of anothers hostile behavior, according to the court documents. The jury eventually reached a unanimous death verdict.

The jurors behavior surfaced through affidavits and testimony after the trial. Georgia courts found that it was inadmissible evidence under a rule that generally doesnt allow using juror testimony to impeach a verdict.

This past October, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Did Norway launch an autonomous ship, the BlueHarvester, which can clean plastic from the ocean and then turn that plastic into fuel it uses to power itself? No, that's not true: Images of the BlueHarvester are AI-generated. A search of the Norwegian Maritime Authority database for BlueHarvester finds there is no record of a vessel by this name.

The description of the BlueHarvester appeared in a post (archived here) published by the Facebook page Explorify on Nov. 21, 2025. The post is captioned:

 A Breakthrough in Ocean Cleanup! 

Norwegian marine engineers have just launched BlueHarvester--an autonomous, wave-powered vessel that collects floating ocean plastic and converts it into usable fuel right onboard.

As it sails through major ocean gyres using AI-guided routes, BlueHarvester skims debris, breaks it down with catalytic pyrolysis, and then uses the resulting liquid hydrocarbons to power itself. No support ships. No external energy. A true closed-loop system.

During its first 8-day mission in the North Atlantic, it processed over 3 tons of plastic--running entirely on the fuel it created. 

With a rugged hull built for months at sea and smart sensors that avoid marine life, BlueHarvester is designed to clean even the most remote parts of the ocean without disturbing ecosystems.

If scaled, this could become one of the most efficient large-scale plastic-removal solutions ever deployed. For the first time, ocean plastic isn't just waste--it's energy.

 Would you like to see a global fleet of these vessels working around our oceans?

? #trendy #fblifestyle #facts #fb #viral #fb post

This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:

Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot of Facebook

This post shows an imaginary futuristic innovation, not a real vessel. The Norwegian Maritime Authority maintains several ship registries (archived here) and the BlueHarvester is not listed in any of them.

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There has been a recent clickbait trend of presenting hypothetical techno-utopian innovations as if they are already in use in specifically named countries. In one case, Lead Stories published a fact check about a fictional system of automated sidewalk kiosks in Germany that would anonymously return lost items, such as wallets, to their owners.

Another version of a BlueHarvester post (archived here) appeared in the Neil deGrasse Tyson group on Nov. 21, 2025. It contains a different AI-generated image of the BlueHarvester (pictured below) that looks nothing like the one on the other post. This post caption is similar but not identical to the other:

In Norway, marine engineers have launched an autonomous ocean vessel that collects floating plastic and converts it into usable fuel onboard. The vessel, BlueHarvester, sails along ocean gyres using AI route planning and wave-powered propulsion.

When it encounters plastic debris, a wide skimming mouth funnels waste onto a processing conveyor. The onboard reactor then breaks down the plastic using catalytic pyrolysis, producing liquid hydrocarbons that power the ship itself. Extra fuel is stored for offloading at port facilities.

During initial missions in the North Atlantic, BlueHarvester processed more than 3 tons of plastic in eight days, running entirely on the fuel it produced. This closed-loop system eliminates the need for support ships or external power.

Norwegian engineers designed the vessel's hull to withstand rough seas and operate for months autonomously. Its sensors avoid marine life and classify material in real time, ensuring debris collection does not disturb ecosystems.

The project aims to create a fleet capable of cleaning remote ocean regions where human crews rarely operate. If scaled, BlueHarvester could become one of the most efficient large-scale plastic-removal systems ever deployed.

For the first time, ocean plastic is becoming not just waste--but energy.

Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot of Facebook

Lead Stories reached out to the Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) at the University of Delaware and the Arctic University of Norway for comment and will update this article if appropriate.
Was "Irish Christian teacher Enoch Burke" sentenced to life in prison for transphobia and "refusing to use a transgender student's pronouns"? No, that's not true: The sentencing judge explicitly stated that the decision is about the repeated contempt of court for repeatedly ignoring an order to not trespas on school property. The same judge said that Burke "does not have to accept transgenderism" to leave jail -- he only needs to stop trespassing on other people's property, which, according to court materials, was a court order Burke violated multiple times over the years.

The claim appeared in a post (archived here) published on X on December 3, 2025. It read:

Today in Ireland, Christian schoolteacher Enoch Burke was sentenced to LIFE in prison for 'refusing to use a transgender student's pronouns' back in 2022. He will now spend THE REST OF HIS LIFE behind bars unless a last-ditch legal challenge works. This is absolutely INSANE.

Users on social media saw an image attached to the post:

Source: Lead Stories screenshot of post x.com/CilComLFC

Enoch Burke is a teacher who has been involved in ongoing legal proceedings in Ireland since 2022 (archived here), which began after his suspension from Wilson's Hospital School in August of that year.

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The notion about the life sentence appears to have originated from Burke's account on X, where a post (archived here) published on December 3, 2025, claimed:

BREAKING: Judge jails Enoch Burke for Christmas with effective life sentence...

On November 18, 2025, Justice Cregan issued a judgment (archived here) that returned Burke to jail. Page 3 of the document explains the reasons:

Mr. Burke has not been imprisoned or fined for his views on transgender issues, which he is perfectly entitled to have and to articulate. Mr. Burke has been imprisoned, and fined, for contempt of court, because he has breached court orders directing him not to trespass on school property.

The judgment additionally pointed out that "Mr. Burke has refused to obey this court order for the last three years."

In the most recent judgment (archived here) issued on November 28, 2025, the same judge made it clear that neither "transgenderism" nor Burke's religious beliefs had anything to do with his jail time. Furthermore, that document debunks the idea that the man was sent behind bars for life, as page 3 offers a detailed description of what he needs to do to get out of jail and what is not required to achieve that outcome. The judge wrote:

10. I would like to make it crystal clear to Mr. Burke what he must do to purge his contempt and to be released from prison. 11. He must give an undertaking to the court that he will not enter on, or trespass on, the school's property again without the school's consent. That is all. (The issue of outstanding fines will however remain.) 12. He does not have to give any undertaking that he will follow the school principal's direction to call a child 'they' or 'them'. He does not have to accept transgenderism. He does not have to stop protesting against transgenderism. He does not have to change his religious beliefs one iota. 13. The idea that Mr. Burke is being imprisoned because of his religious beliefs is nonsense. This court does not imprison people for their religious beliefs. Mr. Burke is being imprisoned because he is trespassing on other people's property. No more. No less.

The document additionally emphasizes:

14. Any statements by Mr. Burke, or other members of his family, that he is being imprisoned because of his opposition to transgenderism are demonstrably false.

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False claims about the court proceedings in this case have spread on social media before. Lead Stories previously wrote that rumors similar to those reviewed in this article surrounded Burke's arrest in 2024.
The family of Adriana Smith, the Georgia woman who was kept on life support until giving birth, is asking for assistance to cover medical fees as her child remains in the intensive care unit. In May, Smiths mother April Newkirk launched a GoFundMe page, where she has been sharing health updates about her grandson.

Adriana Smiths son remains in intensive care six months later

Chance, Smiths son, has been in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Atlantas Northside Hospital since being born on June 13 as his lungs are underdeveloped. He first weighed one pound and 13 ounces. Newkirk shared late last month that the baby boy has now reached a weight of 11 pounds. She also shared that Chance has to be moved to a different hospital in order to receive additional medical care.

I want everyone to know that im very grateful for you prays and help continue to pray because God has the final say, she wrote on the GoFundMe page.

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Newkirk has received over $560,000 out of her ultimate goal of $600,000. Over 15,000 people have donated to the fundraising so far, with many posting messages in support of the family.

My heart goes out to you during such a tremendously difficult time. It is encouraging to see the support you are receiving. Please know that we are sending much love with our donations. You are not alone, one donor wrote.

Its wonderful to hear that Chance has so far survived this ordeal and that he is doing a little better. Chance, your family, and (of course) Adriana remain in the worlds prayers. Hopefully the money helps, too, another person commented.

I cannot even begin to imagine how Adrianas family must feel during this horrific time. The inhumanity and injustice of this situation is completely unfathomable. I hope this amazing womans family feels the love and warmth surrounding them from all of us strangers. We will never, ever forget her, another donor added.

Adriana Smith was kept on life support until birth because of Georgias heartbeat law

In February, 31-year-old nurse Adriana Smith consulted a doctor as she was experiencing a severe headache. Her pain was found to have been caused by blood clots in her brain. Smith was later placed on life support and she was eventually declared to be brain-dead. Yet, Smith was made to carry her child until birth. Chance was born after an emergency C-section was performed on Smith. She was taken off life support days after giving birth.

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We had no say so regarding her lifeless body and unborn child, Newkirk wrote on the GoFundMe page.

The hospital told Smiths family they were required to put her on life support due to Georgias anti-abortion law, according to CBS News. The states 2019 heartbeat law is one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in the country. Georgia bans abortions as soon as a heartbeat is detected, which can be at six weeks before many women know they are pregnant. The law includes exceptions in case of rape and incest if a police report was filed first. It also includes cases in which the mothers life is in danger or if a fetus is considered to be not viable because of serious medical issues.

There is nothing in the LIFE Act that requires medical professionals to keep a woman on life support after brain death, a spokesperson for Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr told CBS News. Removing life support is not an action with the purpose to terminate a pregnancy.







The post Family Of Baby Born To Woman Kept On Life Support Under Georgia Abortion Law Seeks Help With Medical Costs appeared first on Blavity.
Only Action News Jax is hearing from the sisters of Tara Shaw, the woman Jacksonville Beach Police say died in a DUI motorcycle crash on the night of May 17th.

Action News Jax told you last month when Jax Beach police put out an arrest warrant for Robin McAlarney, charging him with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide and naming him as the driver of the motorcycle. At the time, Jax Beach PD told us they didnt know where McAlarney was and said they were only able to file charges against him more than five months after the crash because of how long the investigation took.

But then Action News Jax learned on Monday that U.S. Marshals had arrested McAlarney in Philadelphia. Tara Shaws sisters said theyve been waiting most of this year for an arrest after her death.

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It was like a weight lifted off of my chest, and I got chills, said Amanda Gross, one of Shaws sisters.

The incident report of the crash said that Shaw and McAlarney had met up with one another outside The Tavern bar on 1st Street in Jacksonville Beach. The report said McAlarney had left his home with no notice after a fight with his girlfriend, and he took Shaw for a ride after seeing her standing outside of the bar.

Police believe McAlarney was driving the motorcycle 90 miles per hour down 3rd Street when officers said he swerved around a car making a left turn, then ran into the back of another car near the intersection of St. Augustine Boulevard.

He was a very dangerous person that should have never been free to begin with, said Amber Gross, Shaws other sister, who told us Shaw and McAlarney had been talking with one another for a few months leading up to the crash.

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Shaws sisters tell Action News Jax they had spoken with her not long before she had taken the ride that ended her life.

Its been really hard, Amber Gross said, shes our sister, so were never going to be the same. We just have to adjust to our new normal.

Jax Beach PD told us it is working on getting McAlarney extradited back to Duval County to face the charges against him in the deadly crash. Pennsylvania law says he could end up sitting in Philadelphia jail for the next 30 days while waiting on the states governor to sign off on his transfer back to Florida.

Philadelphia court records show McAlarney is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on December 12th.

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Shaws sisters said theyre planning to travel from their home in Augusta, Georgia, to Jacksonville just to see McAlarney in court.

We would like to tell the court and Robin McAlarney what he stole from us, Amanda Gross said.

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President Donald Trump holds up the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which removed food support for many immigrants who re living legally in the United States. More than 4,000 refugees, human trafficking victims and other immigrants living in Kansas lost benefits. (Photo by Alex Brandon - Pool/Getty Images)

TOPEKA  The Trump administration in January cut off 36 people who were bound for Kansas when it canceled travel plans for refugees who planned to relocate to the United States.

Months later, cuts in aid through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act continue to eliminate needed food services for immigrants living in Kansas.

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One refugee was a mother waiting to join her family, which had immigrated without her because she was pregnant and unable to travel, said Yeni Silva-Renteria, executive director of International Rescue Committee in Wichita.

Today, that mother still awaits approval to reunite with her husband and children who live in Wichita, she said.

Now shes stuck, Silva-Renteria said. People come to the office all the time, asking when is my son coming, when is my wife coming, and we cannot answer that at this moment. People are going through a lot of stress right now, and its very difficult. This world right now, especially within resettlement and within the immigration system  Ive never experienced this much stress.

That stress ramped up when new regulations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program went into effect in November.

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Many immigrants who had previously received SNAP support for food and Temporary Assistance to Need Families, or TANF, were kicked off the programs, including human trafficking victims and refugees, Silva-Renteria said.

Silva-Renteria stressed that anyone in the country illegally was never able to receive those government dollars, as is often erroneously reported.

Refugees, who often have been living in refugee camps for years before they are approved for relocation, usually receive a work permit and a Social Security card and, typically, eligibility for programs like SNAP to help them as they adjust to their new lives, she said.

SNAP and TANF are especially important when refugees first arrive in the country, Silva-Renteria said.

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The expectation is that within 90 days theyll obtain a job, she said. Within the systems, we know that theyre not going to be self-sufficient within 90 days. Especially in Kansas, day care is a challenge, transportation is a challenge, the language barrier.

It doesnt mean that theyre not working, she said, or that theyre taking advantage of the system.

There is an investment that we provide to those families until they get on their feet, Silva-Renteria said. These are people who have been at refugee camps for several years and have endured a lot of trauma. Some of them are the only survivors in their family. That support is critical for them because theres no other way theyre going to make it without relying on that assistance.

Eliminating support

Federal law previously allowed certain categories of noncitizen residents, such as refugees and human trafficking victims, to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, said Erin La Row, spokeswoman for the Department for Children and Families.

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In state fiscal year 2025, the average number of legal non-citizen residents receiving Kansas SNAP benefits per month was 9,483, she said.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed eligibility, limiting it to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants and Compact of Free Association citizens, which is an agreement between the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, La Row said.

Beginning Nov. 1, 4,039 individuals in the state were no longer eligible to receive benefits, although the loss of those benefits may not occur until DCF processes a review of their case, La Row said. SNAP requires recertification case reviews to be done within the next six to 12 months, La Row said.

La Row said DCF couldnt be certain who would lose benefits until each case was reviewed, so after Nov. 1, all applications, reviews or other changes would be verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system, called SAVE.

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Any family that is no longer eligible to receive benefits will be notified once that review has taken place, she said. Additionally, we are working with the International Rescue Committee to determine how best to notify families, as that is the entity that engages with the majority of the population losing their eligibility for these benefits.

The fallout

Silva-Renteria said her organization is doing its best to work with immigrant families as their assistance disappears.

Were doing a lot of outreach and communicating with the families. They have to understand this new change and see what that means for them, she said.

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IRC is connecting families with community resources and also using donations to its organization for food and other types of assistance.

Their work happens amid the organizations own federal grant losses, including the shutdown of a grant funding its resettlement program that forced the layoff of 11 people in February.

We have minimized our expenses as much as we can to prioritize direct services and support to the families, Silva-Renteria said. Theres only so much we can do.

She and her staff have watched as immigrants have been vilified across the country, including online discussions and political comments after an Afghani immigrant shot two National Guard members.

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Cautious about being misunderstood, Silva-Renteria said she doesnt support violence in any way, but she knows that one persons actions dont speak for their entire immigrant communities.

We do need a lot of support, obviously financially but also understanding and awareness that were dealing with people, she said. Were dealing with families, children who deserve a safe space, a home, a place. Unfortunately right now, even within our community in Wichita, some of them may not feel as welcome or as safe just because of the climate.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was conceived as a pro-business agency, but over time it has strayed from that ideal. Current FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson has the opportunity to promote change at the agency. One way to do that is by shortening the length of FTC consent orders to ten years. The current practice of binding businesses to 20 year or indefinite consent orders is unduly burdensome on businesses, out of step with the length of other agencies practices, and hinders innovation. It would be a good idea for Chair Fergusons FTC to shorten the length of FTC consent orders to ten years or less.

When a business under investigation by the FTC chooses to settle instead of litigate, it can sign a consent order with the FTC without admitting liability. Such consent orders can be entered administratively by the FTC or judicially by federal courts. Administrative consent orders generally bind a business for 20 years, while judicial consent orders bind a company forever. Consent orders typically contain injunctive provisions requiring a business to do or not do certain things, fencing in relief that regulates conduct different but related to the conduct at issue in the investigation, monetary provisions, and ancillary relief that has historically included things like customer notice and recordkeeping provisions but today often requires things like third-party compliance monitoring.

In a piece titled FTC Consumer Protection Orders: The Case for a New Sunset Policy published in the Washington Legal Foundation, John Villafranco and Andrea deLorimier identified why the FTCs consent orders should not last 20 years or more.

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They are argue that first, 20 year or indefinite consent orders unduly burden a businesss financial and operational resources. Many consent orders require a business to submit to intensive compliance audits and/or third party monitoring, both of which can ultimately cost a business tens of millions of dollars and hundreds of operational hours. These resources would otherwise go toward competing in the marketplace and creating processes and products that benefit consumers.

The authors also point out that FTC consent orders are far longer than the consent orders of other federal agencies with a consumer protection mandate. For example, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) orders generally last three years, while Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFBP) orders generally last five years. The FTCs twenty yearor perpetualorders are stark outliers, which suggests that they are longer than is necessary to serve their stated purpose.

Third, the authors argue that FTC orders have the effect of hindering innovation and binding companies to antiquated ideologies and technologies. For example, the authors note that many orders were drafted before e-commerce became largely digital and before data minimization was valuedsuch orders thus may require certain notices to be sent via first-class mail and the retention of consumer data for longer than is necessary for a businesss operational purposes. When businesses are anchored to technologies and ideologies of the past, they are unable to innovate effectively, harming both competition and consumers.

For these reasons, the authors argue that consent decrees, both federal and administrative, should be limited to ten years.

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Importantly, shortening the term of FTC consent decrees is consistent with the Trump Administrations push for deregulation. The White House announced on January 31, 2025 that overregulation stops American entrepreneurship, crushes small business, reduces consumer choice, discourages innovation, and infringes on the liberties of American citizens. In line with this view, Andrew Fergusons FTC should shorten the length of FTC consent orders. Doing so would not only shave off decades of unnecessary regulatory oversight, but it would also promote the FTC mission of protecting consumers and the marketplace without unduly burdening legitimate business activity.

This reform idea is a good one, because it will impose some common sense to regulation while not burdening businesses in a way that does not forward the cause of protecting consumers while promoting fair competition in the marketplace.

Peter Mihalick is former legislative director and counsel to former Reps. Barbara Comstock, Virginia Republican, and Rodney Blum, Iowa Republican.
With a market cap of $19.1 billion, Centene Corporation (CNC) is a U.S.-based healthcare enterprise that serves under-insured and uninsured individuals, as well as commercial organizations. It operates through four key segments: Medicaid; Medicare; Commercial; and Other, offering a wide range of health programs and related services.

Companies valued over $10 billion are generally described as large-cap stocks, and Centene fits right into that category. The company delivers care through networks of physicians, hospitals, and specialized providers.

More News from Barchart

Shares of the Saint Louis, Missouri-based company have dropped 41.9% from its 52-week high of $66.81. Centenes shares have increased 29.1% over the past three months, exceeding the broader S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 6.2% gain over the same time frame.

www.barchart.com

In the longer term, CNC stock is down 35.9% on a YTD basis, underperforming SPXs 16.5% rise. Moreover, shares of the company have dipped 34.7% over the past 52 weeks, compared to the 13.2% return of the SPX over the same time frame.

Despite a few fluctuations, the stock has been trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since last year. Yet, it moved above its 50-day moving average since early September.

www.barchart.com

Centenes shares jumped 12.5% on Oct. 29 because the company raised its 2025 adjusted profit forecast to at least $2 per share, well above the estimate, easing investor fears after Julys weak outlook. Investors were further encouraged by stronger-than-expected Medicaid performance, including a 93.4% Medicaid HBR and a total HBR of 92.7%, along with signs that high-cost drug trends were stabilizing. The company also beat expectations with Q3 2025 adjusted EPS of $0.50.

In comparison, rival Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) has shown a less pronounced decline than CNC stock. ELV stock has decreased 10.3% on a YTD basis and nearly 19% over the past 52 weeks.

Due to the stocks weak performance over the past year, analysts remain cautious on CNC. It has a consensus rating of Hold from the 20 analysts in coverage, and the mean price target of $40.53 is a premium of 4.4% 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
For over a decade, Illinois has annually been an outbound state where migration is concerned. But according to the national moving company Atlas Van Lines, the state broke that pattern by becoming a balanced state in 2025.

The moving company released its 2025 Migration Patterns Study this week that explained where people are and are not moving. The data shows Illinois continued to lose more residents than it gained, with 54% of its migrations being outbound compared to 46% inbound migrations. Atlas criteria for inbound and outbound states is 55% of shipments. Illinois joined California and New York as the three states that were outbound in 2024 and qualified as balanced this year.

Peoria food: This Downtown Peoria bar changed its name and updated menu. Here's what's new

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Affordability has become a key issue nationwide, and it is a major factor pushing residents out of Illinois. Illinois 2025 average home value is $279,761, a 3.9% increase over 2024. At $1,322 per month, the states median rent costs are below the national average of $1,487. Illinois homeowners also carry the second-highest property tax burden in the nation, with an effective tax rate of 2.07%. New Jersey claimed the countrys highest property tax rate at 2.23%.

Atlas 2025 Migration Patterns Study showed southeastern states like Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee in the top 10 for inbound migration. Arkansas led the country with a 68% inbound migration rate. However, Louisiana was the most popular state to move out of this year, with an outbound migration rate of 66%. After being the nations leading inbound state in 2024, West Virginia saw the nations second-highest 2025 outbound migration rate at 61%.

In the Great Plains, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming saw some of the highest rates of outbound moves, while North Dakota and Iowa were among the leading inbound states.

Atlas Van Lines' 2025 Migration Patterns Study shows that, for the first time in over a decade, Illinois is not one of the nation's leading states for outbound migration.

What states do people move out of the most?

Louisiana West Virginia Wyoming Delaware Nebraska Arizona Iowa Oklahoma South Dakota South Carolina

What states do people move into the most?

Arkansas Idaho North Carolina Hawaii Washington, D.C. Tennessee Washington Alabama North Dakota New Hampshire

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois outbound migration more balanced, study says
A newly-obtained report is revealing new details in the death investigation of an inmate at Lebanon Correctional Institution.

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As previously reported, 38-year-old LaSelle Allen died while in custody of the Lebanon Correctional Institution at the Atrium Medical Center on Saturday morning.

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News Center 7 obtained the Ohio State Highway Patrols (OSHP) initial incident report and summary of Allens death. It states that Allen was involved in an altercation with his cellmate.

Subsequently, responding officers were involved in a use of force with the inmate, state troopers wrote.

Allen was taken to the infirmary, where he then experienced a medical episode. That led to him being taken to Atrium Medical Center, where he ultimately died.

Our news partners at WCPO spoke with the Warren County Coroners Office, which noted that pepper spray was utilized at some point during the incident. A preliminary cause of death has not been determined at this time.

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An Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections spokesperson confirmed that two employees, one of whom is a registered nurse, were placed on administrative leave on Wednesday pending the investigation into this matter.

OSHP is investigating Allens death.

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction records showed Allen was serving 1.5 years for aggravated assault and attempted discharge of a firearm near a habitation or school in Lucas County. He was expected to be released on Jan. 6, 2026.

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A man was shot and killed outside his home in Smyrna following a dinner gathering with friends on Thanksgiving weekend.

Police have identified the victim as Tori Harris and the suspect as Nikia Williams.

Harris asked Williams to leave his home around 4:13 a.m. Sunday, but Williams refused, police told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell.

They were all acquaintances, they were friendly with each other, said Meredith Holt, Smyrna Police Department Public Information Officer. It just started as a verbal altercation that escalated too quickly, and its just a very sad situation.

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The altercation ended outside Harris home, where police say Williams pulled out a gun and shot Harris. Harris was found deceased in the front yard on the walkway up to the front door.

Williams left after the shooting. Police attempted to track him for a couple of days before receiving a call from his attorney indicating that Williams would turn himself in.

Williams has been charged with murder and aggravated assault. Harris family and friends are preparing to gather for his funeral, which is scheduled for tomorrow morning.

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A 550-pound black bear has taken over the crawlspace of a family's home in Altadena.

The homeowner, Ken Johnson, says the bear has been living under the house for more than a week, and wildlife officials are monitoring the situation closely as the animal shows signs of settling in.

"I can hear him under there, and it's really scary. When you hear the banging and crushing and scratching and stuff-he's not happy," he said.

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Johnson didn't know he was hosting a super-sized tourist until he started investigating the damage under his house.

A camera he installed confirmed the culprit, a tagged black bear who seemed familiar with the area.

READ MORE | Altadena man finds bear living in crawl space underneath home: 'He's been in and out all week'

An Altadena man got a big surprise when he found a 500-pound bear had made the narrow crawl space under his home a den for the winter.

"They actually did trap him and took him way out behind Mount Wilson in January, and that's when they tagged him. He made it all the way back here," Johnson said.

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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Thursday came out for what Johnson calls a "bear-y serious intervention."

They set up a camera inside the crawlspace to track the exact moment the bear leaves.

And to make the exit a little sweeter, they brought out a scent spray designed to tempt even a stubborn bear.

"This is a chemical compound that is highly concentrated and has a very potent smell of caramel and cherries, and that is in an effort to coax the bear out from where it is right now," Cort Klopping with the CDFW said.

So far, the bear is not budging.

Wildlife officials say he's reinforcing the crawlspace by pushing dirt and debris like he's expanding his bear cave for winter.

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"He's so far back into the house now, and I have to sort of make efforts to drag him out when it's peaceful," Johnson said.

It's not unbearably common to find a bear in your home in this area, especially after the Eaton Fire destroyed habitats this year.

"We get a lot of calls and respond to a lot of calls about bears in people's property or hunkering down in people's crawl spaces," Klopping said.

Johnson just hopes this short visit ends soon before a quick vacation becomes this bear's spot for hibernation.

"He just wants to live here, and I think he's going to stay for a while," Johnson added.

The CDFW says they're watching that camera very closely so they can board up the crawl space when the bear makes his exit.

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AIR7 was over the scene as crews focused on the crawl space where the bear's been spotted.

If the bear doesn't come out on his own, then they're prepared to trap him again and move him to a safer location.

For now, they're urging people to stay away from this area.
The man accused of killing a stranger in a popular Fishers bar has been charged with murder.

At about 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 1, 2025, officers from the Fishers Police Department received the first of multiple 911 calls about a man who'd been shot inside the Britton Tavern, 14005 Mundy Drive. Officers who arrived at the scene found 30-year-old Justin Burton mortally wounded, lying in a pool of his blood. He'd been shot in the head.

Maclean Murt, 31, was held at the scene by one of the bar's security guards. He was then detained by officers and told police that while he was out drinking with his brother and a female friend, the friend lost her vape, according to court documents.

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Murt and other witnesses told police he confronted Burton near the bar's bathroom, believing he had stolen the vape. Murt, who uses a wheelchair, told police that Burton pushed his chair backward, causing him to pull the trigger on his Glock handgun.

"I don't know why people have to steal, so outcomes don't have to result like this," Murt said as paramedics rendered aid to Burton, according to a court document.

A photo of Justin Burton, who died on Dec. 1, 2025, after being fatally shot inside Britton Tavern, in Fishers, Indiana.

Burton was declared dead at 3:14 a.m., one day after his 30th birthday. Court documents note that investigators did not specify whether a vape was on his person.

But police did note that Murt's female friend was holding her vape as she spoke with detectives after the shooting. It's unclear if this was the same vape that initiated the shooting.

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Murt, meanwhile, was taken to the Fishers Police Department for questioning, according to court documents.

"Why? Why? You could have just gave the vape up, dude, and none of this would have happened," Murt said while alone in an interview room, according to court documents.

Across the table from investigators, Murt told police that he "pleaded" for Burton to return the vape. Burton, he said, was "smiling as if he was joking."

He said that his friend was yelling at him, raising the tension. At some point, his wheelchair began flipping back.

"I didn't even aim, I just knew the direction, and pulled, and only shot once," Murt said.

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Surveillance camera showed that Murt approached Burton, stopped directly in front of him and reached for his pant pocket. Murt then grabbed Burton's right arm, pulling the man forcefully enough to tip his own wheelchair backward. He then pointed an "object" at Burton, according to court documents.

"Moments later, the victim can be observed falling lifelessly to the ground," police wrote.

The entire interaction lasted about eight seconds.

Murt was charged with murder and armed robbery in the case. Online court records do not list an attorney.

The life of Justin Burton: Man killed in Fishers bar hours after turning 30 made 'lasting impact'

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Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fishers bar shooting was over a vape pen. Man faces murder charge
WASHINGTON (AP)  Florida's Republican-dominated congressional delegation is urging the Trump administration to drop a plan that would allow new oil drilling for the first time in decades off the state's coast.

A letter signed by Republican Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody  as well as by all 28 House members from Florida  says the Interior Department plan would put the states thriving tourism industry at risk and disrupt military operations in a key training area.

In 2020, you made the right decision to use executive action to extend the moratorium on oil and gas leasing off Floridas Gulf and east coasts through 2032, recognizing the incredible value Floridas pristine coasts have to our states economy, environment and military community,'' the lawmakers wrote in a letter Thursday to President Donald Trump.

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The letter represents a rare pushback against the Republican president by GOP lawmakers and demonstrates how important the state's beaches and coastal waters are to Florida's economy.

The letter does not criticize Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida would not be affected by the drilling plan. Instead lawmakers praised Trump's action during his first term, when he imposed a moratorium on drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico through 2032 after similar pushback from Florida lawmakers to an earlier drilling plan.

The moratorium received overwhelming bipartisan support, the lawmakers noted.

We urge you to uphold your existing moratorium and keep Floridas coasts off the table for oil and gas leasing. Floridas economy, environment and military readiness depend on this commitment," they wrote.

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Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced a five-year offshore drilling plan last month that includes new oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts for the first time in decades. The plan, which critics say could harm coastal communities and ecosystems, comes as Trump seeks to expand U.S. oil production to achieve what he calls energy dominance in the global market.

The oil industry has been seeking access to new offshore areas, including Southern California and off the Florida coast, as a way to boost U.S. energy security and jobs. The federal government has not allowed drilling in federal waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which includes offshore Florida and part of offshore Alabama, since 1995, because of concerns about oil spills. California has some offshore oil rigs, but there has been no new leasing in federal waters since the mid-1980s.

Two lease sales are proposed near Florida, in 2029 and 2030, the Interior Department said.

The drilling proposal drew bipartisan pushback in Florida, where a spokesperson for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Trump administration should reconsider.

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Scott, the state's senior senator, said in a post on X Friday that he is proud to lead Floridas entire congressional delegation in asking @POTUS to continue his commitment to keeping Floridas coasts off the table for oil drilling.

A spokeswoman for the Interior Department said in an email that, while we do not comment on congressional correspondence through the media, the Department of the Interior takes all correspondence from Congress seriously and carefully reviews each matter.

Interior is accepting public comments through late January on the drilling plan, which includes as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales nationwide by 2031. That includes 21 sales off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of Mexico and six along the Pacific coast.

New drilling off the Florida coast would be at least 100 miles from shore in a newly designated South-Central Gulf region, adjacent to thousands of wells and hundreds of drilling platforms in the central Gulf of Mexico.
Dec 4 (Reuters) - Florida's entire U.S. congressional delegation on Thursday urged President Donald Trump to leave their state out of a plan by his administration to expand oil and gas drilling to new coastal areas, saying it would threaten the state's military and tourism industries.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The letter to Trump from Florida Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody and the state's 28 members of the House of Representatives was a rare bipartisan pushback against the Republican president's policies. Most of Florida's members of Congress are Republicans.

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KEY QUOTE

"The risks posed by new offshore drilling far outweigh any short-term gains," the lawmakers said in their letter.

BY THE NUMBERS

More than 50,000 jobs in the Florida Panhandle are tied to operations at military facilities connected to the Gulf Test Range, a vast area over the Gulf of Mexico where advanced weapons and air combat tactics are tested, the letter said, noting that drilling would result in encroachment of the Gulf Test Range.

Florida beaches generate $127.7 billion a year in tourism spending and support 2.1 million jobs.

CONTEXT

The Interior Department last month unveiled a proposal that opened the door to future leasing in the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico, which has long been protected from energy development because it is used for military testing and training. Florida officials, including Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, have opposed changes to that policy.

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Trump's Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, is on the eastern side of the state.

THE REPLY

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Two Florida teens have been arrested and charged in the gruesome murder of a 14-year-old girl after allegedly luring her into a wooded area, shooting her and setting her body on fire.

On Dec. 2, a passerby discovered burned remains off Kimberly Road in Pace, Florida. The person alerted and escorted law enforcement to the body, later identified as Danika Troy, 14.

A cooperating witness reportedly told the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office that Kimahri Blevins, 14, and Gabriel Williams, 16, "planned the murder of Danika."

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"This is where it gets really horrific," Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said during a press conference. "The 16-year-old, Gabriel Williams, stole his mother's handgun and shot Danika Troy."

"The initial plan was to shoot Danika once, but Gabriel continued to shoot," Kimahri allegedly told the cooperating witness, according to a police report. "They then burned Danika's body and left the area."

Blevins and Williams were arrested and charged with premeditated homicide.

The Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office has taken Kimahri Blevins,14, and Gabriel Williams,16, into custody in the murder of 14-year-old Danika Troy.

Danika Troy, 14, was fatally shot, set on fire in Pace, Florida

On Dec. 1, Danika Troy's mother reported the 14-year-old as a runaway child. She'd reportedly left home on Nov. 30 and never returned.

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A passerby discovered remains in a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace on Dec. 2 and led a Santa Rosa County deputy to the scene.

The deputy observed a black scooter with red trim and Nike Air Force 1 shoes, described by Troy's mother in the runaway report, leading the deputy to believe the body was Troy's.

Troy had been repeatedly and fatally shot, then doused in gasoline and set on fire.

Who are the teens accused of killing and burning Danika Troy?

Kimahri Blevins, 14, and Gabriel Williams, 16, are accused of killing Troy.

A cooperating witness reportedly told the sheriff's office Blevins and Williams planned the murder.

They allegedly lured Troy into the wooded area. According to the cooperating witness, Blevins reportedly told him, "The initial plan was to shoot Danika once, but Gabriel continued to shoot. They then burned Danika's body and left the area."

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Blevins told investigators he last spoke with Troy at the beginning of Thanksgiving break when they "had a falling out and he blocked her on social media," and that he had not seen or spoken with her since.

When asked what happened in the wooded area, he reportedly requested an attorney.

According to a police report, Williams told investigators, "Danika has made hurtful comments to Gabriel about being worthless and a gang-banger, which upset him."

Additional statements by Williams are redacted. Defendants' confessions are redacted before court disposition, per Florida law.

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Blevins and Williams were arrested and charged with premeditated homicide. They're being held in the Department of Juvenile Justice.

The State Attorney's office will decide whether to charge the pair as juveniles or adults.

Where is Pace, Florida, where gruesome murder of teen Danika Troy happened?

Pace, Florida, is an unincorporated community in Santa Rosa County, about 24 miles northeast of Pensacola.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida girl shot, killed, set on fire in Pace. 2 teens arrested
(Photo by Getty Images)

One of the less noticed features of the Virginia Way is the long-running tendency of the commonwealths leaders to conduct their decision-making behind closed doors. While the Virginia Freedom of Information Act presumes all government business is by default public and requires officials to justify why exceptions should be made, too many Virginia leaders in practice take the opposite stance, acting as if records are by default private and the public must prove they should be handled otherwise.

In this feature, we aim to highlight the frequency with which officials around Virginia are resisting public access to records on issues large and small  and note instances when the release of information under FOIA gave the public insight into how government bodies are operating.

Locations of hundreds of Flock cameras in Hampton Roads revealed

In late November a federal judge in Norfolk released the location of about 600 Flock Safety security cameras in the region, the Virginian Pilot reported. The release comes after local cities and counties have rejected requests from media and activists for lists of camera locations.

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U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leonard ordered the regional list be unsealed as part of a pending federal lawsuit against Norfolk. Its also not the first time a lawsuit has ensued in Virginia over murky access to the cameras. A Cardinal News reporter drove 300 miles through Southwest Virginia and submitted requests to see captured footage of their drive  ultimately taking localities to court over the matter.

Flock cameras are a form of what is known as an automated license plate reader; the technology has been used nationwide by law enforcement to assist with investigations. However, the technology has been scrutinized, including in Virginia, for potential law enforcement overreach and for privacy concerns.

As the cameras proliferate across the commonwealth, state lawmakers passed a new law this year to regulate the technology by setting limits on data storage time frames and other guardrails, but it was heavily debated and nearly defeated along its journey to become law.

Martinsville fulfills a FOIA, with heavy redactions

Cardinal News sought information on a misconduct investigation against Martinsvilles former city manager via a Freedom of Information Act request  but the document the city responded with was almost entirely redacted.

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Martinsville City Council was split in their votes on whether or not to release the investigation to the public earlier this year, following the completion of the probe led by law firm Sands Anderson. The heavily redacted documents are one of three versions of the report to circulate within city hall and to councilors.

A less redacted version was given to councilors and that version was what Cardinal had requested, but the citys FOIA officer instead gave the newsroom the version with much of the content edited out.

Alexandrias school board may create a website to boost transparency

Alexandrias school board is considering creating its own website in order to boost transparency, ALX Now reported.

The site would include two posts per month at a minimum and up to 35 posts per month. Content would be topical explainers on key decisions made by the board, information under review by the board that is not confidential, along with board members statements as well as vote results and progress updates on matters the board is working on.

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According to a draft proposal, Board Chair Michelle Rief would designate two board members to be co-editors to manage content, and that all content not republished from the Alexandria City Public Schools website would have to be approved by the school systems attorney before publication, ALX Now wrote.

The board would review the websites policy annually, if it comes to fruition.

The Mercurys efforts to track FOIA and other transparency cases in Virginia are indebted to the work of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, a nonprofit alliance dedicated to expanding access to government records, meetings and other state and local proceedings.

State senators FOIA shed more light on on former UVA presidents departure

State senator Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, received a more than 200-page response to a Freedom of Information Act request he sent last month seeking more details about former University of VIrignia president Jim Ryans resignation.

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Deeds then gave the details to UVA student newspaper Cavalier Daily, which had also submitted FOIAs on the matter but had not received records.

Among the details Deeds gleaned were community announcements surrounding Ryans resignation, letters from the Justice Department and previously unreleased records like text messages and emails between Board of Visitors members and Ryans initial resignation letter.

Ryans departure from UVA made local, state and national headlines this year amid pressure from President Donald Trumps administration, which has targeted public universities Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies this year.

Have you experienced local or state officials denying or delaying your FOIA request? Tell us about it: info@virginiamercury.com

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A former employee of The Washington Post filed a class action lawsuit against the outlet on Friday over a recent breach that compromised the personal data of thousands of current and former employees.

Jun Hee Kim, who according to the filing worked at the Post from 2018 to 2019, filed the suit on behalf of the almost 10,000 current and former employees, and says the Post did not adequately secure their personal data.

The Post disclosed the breach earlier this year. It noted that around 9,700 individuals were impacted by the hack, and their personal data, including names, Social Security numbers and banking information, may have been compromised. The breach occurred between July and August, and the news organization notified those impacted last month.

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According to the disclosure, the Post was made aware of the incident in September after it was contacted by a hacker claiming to have gained access to its Oracle E-Business Suite. The popular business management platform was targeted in a large-scale extortion campaign by Russian-speaking cybercriminals, which impacted dozens of businesses and organizations, including several Ivy League universities and regional U.S. airline Envoy Air.

The Post offered the thousands of employees affected by the breach the opportunity to enroll in free identity protection services, according to the disclosure. In addition, the Post said it patched its Oracle systems and investigated the hack.

Kim claimed in the suit that the breach was due to the Posts failure to implement adequate and reasonable cybersecurity procedures and protocols, and that as a result of the breach, Kim and others have suffered financial losses. They are seeking monetary compensation for identity theft and monitoring services, along with a commitment from the Post to improve its data security.

Spokespeople for the Post and law firm Migliaccio & Rathod LLP, which is representing Kim, did not respond to requests for comment on the suit. The Washington Post Newspaper Guild, a labor union representing many of the outlet's current employees, did not respond to a request for comment.
A logo of the chemical company BASF is seen on a large storage container at the main plant. Uwe Anspach/Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH/dpa

The chief executive of chemical giant BASF sees no signs of deindustrialization in Germany despite the country's ongoing economic difficulties.

"Industry in Germany will not disappear," Markus Kamieth told the Handelsblatt buisness newspaper in an interview published on Friday.

"We are an economic area with a high proportion of industry in terms of value creation. That will remain the case, even if it declines slightly," said Kamieth. "Companies will restructure, adjust capacities, but also invest heavily in new projects."

At the same time, the head of the world's largest chemical company said he does not foresee an imminent upturn in the German economy, which is reeling from two consecutive years of recession in 2023 and 2024.

"We currently assume that there will be no significant economic recovery in 2026," he said, characterizing the current period as the "most difficult in 25 years."

BASF has shut down facilities at its loss-making Ludwigshafen plant and launched several cost-cutting programmes across the group, including job cuts. However, Kamieth rejected accusations that BASF is investing too much in China, where the DAX-listed company has built a huge plant for 8.7 billion ($10.1 billion).

He said that Ludwigshafen is still the heart of the company, and insisted that "BASF invests more in Ludwigshafen than anywhere else in the world  even more than in China."
From left to right: Trump nominees Lindsey Freeman, David Bragdon, Matthew Orso and Susan Courtwright Rodriguez undergo questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 18, 2025. (Photo: Senate.gov)

The U.S. Senate confirmed four of President Donald Trumps nominees to North Carolina federal courts this week, twice as many as in his entire first term.

Senators voted to approve Lindsey Freeman and David Bragdon to serve the Middle District of North Carolina on Tuesday, and Matthew Orso and Susan Courtwright Rodriguez to serve the Western District of North Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

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Though Trump had an outsized influence on the federal courts in other states during his first term, he appointed just two federal judges for North Carolina.

However, Trump entered office for his second term with twice as many vacancies to fill in North Carolina because the states two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, refused to negotiate with President Joe Biden on vacancies that opened in the state during his presidency.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) blocked President Joe Biden from appointing judges in North Carolina in 2024, allowing President Donald Trump to enter office with four vacancies on the states federal bench. (Photo: Senate.gov)

That standoff began when Biden nominated North Carolina Solicitor General Ryan Park for the Fourth Circuit. Tillis and Budd were staunchly opposed to Parks nomination, and vowed to withhold their blue slips for any nominees in the state afterward. (Senate protocol requires the support of at least one senator for district judge nominees in their home state.)

After losing the 2024 election, Biden ultimately rescinded Parks nomination in a deal to advance several district court judges in other states.

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With this weeks confirmation of the four Trump nominees, all active judges in the Middle District of North Carolina are Republican appointees, as are all but one in the Western District.

Each of the new judges has experience with the federal judiciary, either as clerks or through litigation, with Orso and Rodriguez succeeding judges they clerked for. All but Bragdon were able to win the support of several Democratic senators in addition to the unanimous support of Republicans.

Orso and Rodriguez, both approved with 57 votes, received the backing of five Democratic senators: Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Az.), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

Freemans 60-39 vote was the most bipartisan, with eight senators who caucus with Democrats supporting her: Durbin, Kaine, Shaheen, Whitehouse, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), and Sen. Jackie Rosen (D-Nevada).

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Bragdon was confirmed in a 53-45 vote with only Republicans in favor.

Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond and an expert on the federal courts, said North Carolina will benefit from having a full complement of judges after more than a year of vacancies.

Carl Tobias is a professor at the University of Richmonds School of Law and an expert on the federal judiciary. (Photo: University of Richmond.)

Its good for the courts. Its good for the judges, Tobias said. It was important to get them filled. Its just unfortunate that Democrats didnt get to put any through because they made it all contingent on [Parks nomination].

He added that Democrats should feel pretty good that three of the four nominees received bipartisan support in the Senate, and that their backgrounds reflect the level of experience of traditional judicial nominees. Theyre probably more like establishment conservatives.

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Bragdon, a former clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, faced progressive backlash on reproductive rights and capital punishment. The progressive nonprofit Alliance For Justice wrote to the Judiciary Committee to condemn Bragdons hardline positions on both issues in online writings as a law student, which contributed to his lack of Democratic support.

In a Dec. 2 statement, Tillis and Budd praised the Senate for swiftly confirming Bragdon and Freeman.

Throughout this process, Ive remained committed to advancing judges who uphold the Constitution, apply the law fairly, and serve with integrity, Tillis said. I appreciate the White Houses partnership in identifying strong candidates, and I look forward to seeing both Judge Bragdon and Judge Freeman bring their experience and dedication to the federal bench.
Arizonas No Labels, a third party, is struggling with its regional rebrand.

The party changed its name to the Arizona Independent Party, which went into effect on Dec. 1, with the approval of Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

But the move has received scrutiny from Arizonas Citizens Clean Elections Commission, which questioned the legality of the change and alleged the name change would confuse voters.

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The Arizona Independent Party is now a separate entity from No Labels, which attempted to run a unity ticket during the 2024 presidential election to attract centrist and moderate voters.

Earlier this week, the commission filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court, alleging that Fontes decision violates the 1998 Citizens Clean Elections Act, which tasked the commission with supporting candidates and educating voters. The suit targets Fontes over his decision.

Does the name Arizona Independent Party cause confusion?

Tom Collins, the commissions executive director, told ABC15, Theres no procedure for this party to change its name this close to the upcoming election, the 2026 primary held at the tail end of summer.

He said that people will think choosing that party is the same as being an independent.

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Thats real confusion, Collins added.

Turning Point USA COO Tyler Bowyer in a post on X also criticized the No Labels rebrand as Independent, which is a term that has been loosely used to identify as unassociated with a party.

By doing this they will confuse voters who will think theyre registering dissociated with a party but really joining a failed one and preventing them from pulling a primary ballot for the two major parties, he said.

If a candidate registers with the Arizona Independent Party, they will only receive that partys ballot for the primary election, and would not longer vote in a Democratic or Republican primary, as ProPublica reporter Jen Fifield explained in a series of posts on X.

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But the Arizona Independent Party argued that the name isnt confusing and creates real opportunity for candidates who dont want to run as a Democrat or Republican.

Why would we be intentionally confusing? Were opening up the door to independents and unaffiliated, and those two groups (Democrats and Republicans) have done everything they can to box them out, said Paul Johnson, the rebranded partys chair and a former Phoenix mayor, as per KJZZs report. He further alleged that the commission is working on behalf of the two major parties and paying for the litigation with taxpayer money.

Independent candidates not affiliated with a registered party have to gather 42,000 signatures to get on the ballot in the general election. But an Arizona Independent Party candidate would need about 6,000 signatures or less to qualify, as Axios reported.

A common problem

Other states have encountered similar problems. A Los Angeles Times poll in 2016 showed that 73% of voters registered with parties with independent in their names thought they were unaffiliated.

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Ahead of the 2016 election, the United Independent Party in Massachusetts created an issue. The state sent those voters registered with this party a clarification of their affiliation status. But unlike in California, this party was disbanded in 2017.

In July earlier this year, Louisiana also officially did away with its Independent Party. This affected more than 150,000 voters registered with this party since it came into existence.
A former president of the Allen Professional Firefighters Association was sentenced on Wednesday to 13 months in federal prison for using union funds for personal expenses and then trying to conceal the theft.

Jeremy Painkin, 42, of Frisco, appeared before U.S. District Judge Richard Schell after pleading guilty to wire fraud.

He was also ordered to repay more than $108,000 in restitution.

Federal prosecutors said Painkin, who led the association from 2017 until his resignation in October 2023, spent organization money on luxury clothing, travel, event tickets, fuel, meals, and online shopping.

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When the unauthorized purchases came to light, Painkin made false statements to fellow union members to cover them up, court records show.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William R. Tatum.

Allen city officials stressed that no taxpayer money or firefighter benefits were involved, noting that the Allen Professional Firefighters Association is an independent union separate from the fire department and has no role in managing pensions or city benefits. They added that Painkin has not served as an active firefighter since 2015, WFAA reported.
The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute opened its International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference on Thursday in Washington, D.C., with a mixture of celebration, urgency, and unvarnished political honesty, punctuated by out California Congressman Robert Garcias now-characteristic blend of candor and camp.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ + news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

I am one of 12 LGBTQ+ members of the U.S. House right now, but I am the gayest of all of us, Garcia told a packed ballroom. The ranking member of the powerful House Oversight committee added, I do consider myself the absolute gayest."

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Related: Joe Biden to receive top honor at LGBTQ+ leadership conference for his contributions to equality



The Victory Institutes annual convening, held this year at the JW Marriott near the White House, gathers LGBTQ+ elected officials, appointed leaders, organizers, and allies from across the country and around the world. For many attendees, the opening plenary is the emotional ignition point: a chance to reconnect with peers, honor movement elders, and assess the political terrain at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are again under sustained federal assault.

We are here for each other

Victory Institute President and CEO Evan Low opened the plenary by asking attendees to take in the room  hundreds of people who, under different circumstances and in other states, would occupy vastly different political realities. We are so proud to create space for all of us to be reaffirmed in our commitment to each other and to purpose."

Related: Maine Gov. Janet Mills confronts Donald Trump to his face over anti-trans sports order at White House

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Low, newly at the helm of the organization, nodded to the long lineage of leaders who built Victorys political pipeline, from former Houston mayor Annise Parker to the local officials who used Victorys training programs to win seats on school boards, city councils, and state legislatures. He also issued a subtle but pointed reminder about corporate allyship: some companies have shown courage by sticking with us, he said.

For first-time participants  and there were many  Lows welcome underscored the purpose of gathering in person during a moment when LGBTQ+ people are facing what advocates call the most coordinated political attacks in modern memory. The room, he suggested, is evidence of a movement that refuses to retreat.

Garcia: A call for intersectional solidarity

Garcias keynote remarks captured that mood of defiant optimism. After joking about his superlative gay credentials, he pivoted sharply to what he called a really, really dangerous moment for our democracy. The threats, he argued, are multifaceted: assaults on LGBTQ+ rights, attempts to dismantle reproductive freedom, crackdowns on immigration and asylum seekers, and escalating efforts by the Trump administration to weaken the federal workforce and the institutions of democratic accountability.

Related: Getting personal with Robert Garcia, whos been leading the Democrats' release of the Epstein files



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As the recently elected lead Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Garcia said he intends to meet this moment with an expansive understanding of oversight itself. He pledged scrutiny not only of the Trump administration and figures like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem or Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but also the corporations driving up health care and housing costs. That work is going to be led by a very proud gay person, he added. He emphasized that oversight is a responsibility for protecting everyday Americans, queer and not, from systems that exploit them.

Garcia reserved his strongest appeal for solidarity with other marginalized communities. LGBTQ+ people, he argued, have a unique obligation to stand with students who just want their First Amendment rights to protest, immigrants targeted by mass detentions, and women whose bodily autonomy is under threat. Queer communities, he said, are inherently intersectional, made up of Black people and immigrants and women and students and gay people," and therefore are uniquely qualified to carry forward a movement rooted in collective liberation.

Mills: Freedom, not fear. Compassion, not cruelty.

If Garcia represented the plenarys rallying cry from inside Congress, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat, brought the long view of an ally whose support predates the current wave of anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Mills recounted voting more than 20 years ago for statewide nondiscrimination protections, prosecuting anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes as a district attorney, and testifying before thousands in support of marriage equality. As governor, she has worked to eliminate insurance exclusions for transgender peoples health care, restore veterans benefits to service members discharged for their sexual orientation or gender identity, ban so-called conversion therapy, and block extreme out-of-state policies that threaten transgender residents. And she revisited her now-famous clash with President Donald Trump, who demanded at a White House event earlier in the year that Maine violate its own civil rights laws to discriminate against trans youth. We did see him in court, and we won, she said, to sustained applause.

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The stakes, Mills warned, remain severe. Every day we see political attacks and policies designed to erase LGBTQ people from public life, she said. Her answer: a national commitment to laws based on freedom, not fear, on compassion, not cruelty" a standard she said the country has yet to meet but must strive toward with urgency.

Low ended the plenary on a lighter note, joking that LGBTQ+ leaders essentially run the state of Maine  from the House speaker to the Senate majority leader to Millss own chief of staff. The line landed because it carried a deeper truth: representation works, and the political landscape looks different when LGBTQ+ people hold real power.

Former President Joe Biden will accept an award at the conference on Friday afternoon.

The conference continues through Saturday with sessions on governance, public service, movement strategy, and the future of LGBTQ+ political leadership  a future the opening plenary insisted is still worth fighting for.

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This article originally appeared on Advocate: Gayest Congressman Robert Garcia & Maine Gov. Janet Mills target Trump at LGBTQ+ leadership conference

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Angel Escobedo started looking for work a year and a half ago, even before completing his college degree at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Now, with less than a week to go before graduation and having applied to more than 150 jobs, he's still searching.

Escobedo's predicament illustrates the challenges that many young Americans, even those with impressive academic records, are having entering the nation's workforce amid a broad decline in job listings and as they compete with more experienced people.

"They're sort of missing out on the ability to jump into the labor market," said Elise Gould, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. "It's not a new phenomenon, but it is a concerning phenomenon."

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For young adults eager to start their careers, the obstacles can seem daunting. Escobedo, 22, has had multiple professional internships during his college career and also completed a management training program at Harvard Business School. The Illinois resident, who is seeking a job in finance or business operations, said he has found the job search process "very discouraging," noting that he's open to just about any kind of employment.

Angel Escobedo, 22, outside of Harvard Business School in Boston, where he participated in a management training program this June. / Credit: Courtesy of Angel Escobedo

Gen Z job applicants, like other workers, are also having to navigate a quickly changing job-hunting landscape in which employers increasingly use AI and self-recorded video interviews to screen candidates. Job seekers told CBS News that while it's easy to apply for work, finding ways to stand out is hard, while the new tech adds a new layer of complexity.

Gorick Ng, a Harvard career adviser and University of California, Berkeley, faculty member, said the stakes for Gen Z are high. If they can't get the right experience early on, they could struggle to catch up professionally and financially.

"If the pool of entry-level opportunities continues to dry up, then it's going to be ever more challenging for this generation to show certain brand names, certain job titles and certain bullet points on their resumes, which is only going to make that next job more challenging to get," he said.

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Slowdown in hiring

Getting your foot in the door has always been tougher for young workers, and current labor market conditions aren't making it any easier. The overall hiring rate, which has been declining since 2022, has fallen to just over 3%, below its historical average, according to Oxford Economics.

Hiring is muted due to uncertainty about the U.S. economy, including the government policy environment and tariffs, Gould told CBS News. "There's this sort of sitting tight for employers and for workers right now, not wanting to make any sudden moves because of the uncertainty," she said.

The nation's overall unemployment rate in September was 4.4%  less than half the 9.2% rate for 20- to 24-year-olds, according to government labor figures.



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Even when early-career employees succeed in landing a coveted position, they may face barriers climbing the ladder. That's because, with more seasoned employees often staying put these days because of economic uncertainty and as employment turnover slows, Gen Zers have fewer opportunities to switch jobs  a common route to gaining more responsibilities and higher pay.

"Your salary is all about growing or negotiating leverage," Ng said. "And so when you look for another position, one of the easiest ways to ask for more money is to have made more money in the past."

U.S. wage growth varies largely by age bracket (Line chart)

Alan Gonzalez, a 23-year-old resident of Malden, Mass., said he'd be willing to take a lower-paying job in his field just to kick-start his career. Since graduating from UMass Boston in May, he has been working as a restaurant server while looking for a position in digital marketing.

"Despite having a lot of internship experience and real-world practical experience that I can apply, including my degree, it has still been very difficult to even get an interview opportunity," he told CBS News.

Alan Gonzalez, 23, recently started his own clothing line, HOJA Apparel, while continuing to search for a job in digital marketing. / Credit: Courtesy of Alan Gonzalez

Eager to exercise his creativity but without any job offers in hand, Gonzalez has also started his own clothing brand, HOJA Apparel, which he describes as a "lifestyle streetwear meets streetwear hybrid" focused on high-quality and design. He's working to grow his social media presence to promote the brand, with an official clothing drop planned for next year.

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"Right now, the priority is experience," Gonzalez said.

Some industries pose their own challenges when Gen Z job-hunters come knocking. For example, employers in fields such as accounting, engineering and technology typically have fewer job openings for junior employees than senior-level roles, according to data from career services firm Indeed.

"It has become progressively harder for almost anyone to secure jobs in those areas, and this is especially true for younger workers," Cory Stahle, senior economist in the Indeed Hiring Lab, said in an email. "Fewer opportunities also mean that entry-level workers are becoming more likely to compete against an increasing number of mid- or senior-level workers in the process as well."

As of October, an average of around 30% of software development jobs listed on Indeed were for positions with senior titles, versus around 2% for roles with junior titles. Similar discrepancies exist for data analysis and tech positions.

Sectors with highest share of senior versus junior titles (Table)

Many of the challenges of finding work are not unique to members of Gen Z, of course. Technology has long made it easier for people to submit a job application. But the latest technologies are also upping the competitive ante, according to Ng.

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"AI and tech tools have made it easier to apply for internships," he said. "But whenever something gets easier, the bar only gets higher, and the job application is really no different."

Ng advises job candidates to get back to basics. That means trying to build relationships with potential employers, starting their job search early and making a concerted effort to get in front of a company's decision-makers.

Escobedo said he's now putting an emphasis on old-school networking to get employers' attention. "I've told my peers, the whole thing that it takes a village to raise a child, now it takes a village to get a college student a full-time role."

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BERLIN (AP)  German lawmakers on Friday approved the government's plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia. The plan also foresees mandatory medical checks for young men.

It stops short of reintroducing conscription, though it leaves open the possibility of compulsory service for at least a limited number should the need arise.

Parliaments lower house, the Bundestag, approved the plan by 323 votes to 272, with one abstention. Its a modified version of a plan that Chancellor Friedrich Merzs Cabinet approved in August.

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Germany has committed billions to improving its militarys equipment after years of neglect and the government has turned its attention to trying to persuade more people to join up.

Its not alone in trying to bolster its armed forces; last week, France unveiled a program to train thousands of volunteers aged 18 and 19 starting next year. Belgium and Poland also have plans to attract more people to train or serve.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told lawmakers that our allies are looking at Germany and argued that the country has become a pacesetter for defense in Europe. He said that, with the new legislation, we are taking a further decisive step for our defense capability.

Conscription was suspended in 2011

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Germany suspended conscription for men in 2011 and has subsequently struggled to attract large numbers of short-term volunteers. In recent years, the number of military personnel has hovered just above 180,000  compared with 300,000 people in 2001, more than a third of whom were conscripts.

Now the government wants to raise the figure to 260,000 over the next decade. It says it will also need around 200,000 reservists, more than double the current figure.

The plan approved Friday foresees more attractive pay and conditions for people who join up on a short-term basis, better training and more flexibility on how long people can serve, starting from a minimum of six months.

The aim is to draw enough recruits without reviving compulsory service, an idea unpopular with the center-left junior partner in Merzs coalition.

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But the plan leaves the door open for parliament to introduce mandatory service at least for a limited number of people, possibly selected at random, particularly if the defense policy situation or the personnel situation of the armed forces make this necessary. Many in Merzs conservative bloc think that conscription will ultimately be needed.

From January 2027, the Defense Ministry will be required to report to parliament every six months on recruitment figures. The legislation sets annual target ranges over the next 10 years for the size of the military and its reserves, but there is no automatic trigger for any move toward compulsory recruitment.

Questionnaires and medicals

Starting in the new year, questionnaires will be sent to young men and women turning 18 about their willingness and ability to serve, which men will be required to answer. That will be expanded into a requirement for young men to undergo medical examinations, though not to sign up for the military. The German military, the Bundeswehr, will need to build up the capacity to process some 300,000 men per year.

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Desiree Becker, a lawmaker with the opposition Left Party, called on young people to strike against the reintroduction of conscription and inform themselves about conscientious objection.

Pistorius said demonstrations against the plan were welcome. But he insisted that more young people are prepared to take responsibility than some opponents say, and they are aware that no one is forcing us to do anything, other than to fill out a questionnaire ... and a medical that hurts no one.

This military service is voluntary and will remain so if everything goes as well as we expect, he said. But yes ... if it isnt enough, and if the threat situation continues to develop the same way or worse, we wont be able to avoid a partial compulsory service to protect this country.

Ten European Union countries have compulsory military service: Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.
The deputy for the slain Yasser Abu Shabab, Duhaini was documented walking among the militias operatives and boosting their morale after his predecessor's death.

Ghassan Al-Duhaini, deputy official to the slain Popular Forces militia head Yasser Abu Shabab, has been appointed to lead the anti-Hamas armed group in Rafah in southern Gaza.

He was recently documented moving among the militia operatives and lifting the spirits of members after his predecessor's death. Duhaini was also wounded in the attack that killed Shabab.

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Shabab, 32, died on Thursday during a conflict between armed groups when he was wounded in critical condition. It was reported that he was not killed by Hamas fire but rather in the framework of an internal dispute.

According to security officials, Abu Shabab met his death in a mass brawl that broke out between several factions within the armed group over governance, Shababs leadership of the clan, and the division of areas within the territory where the group operates in the southern part of the Strip.

Defense establishment's comments on Shabab's death

The Israeli defense establishment acknowledged that the IDF evacuated Shabab to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, and he was pronounced dead upon entering the emergency room.

Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab with the backdrop of the Gaza Strip. (credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT, Reuters/Ronen Zvulun, Ebrahim Hajjaj/File Photo)

In Israels defense establishment, the assessment is that Shabab's death is a significant blow to Hamas. The IDF and the defense establishment are already required to find a way to bring Shababs group back toward unity and activity against the Hamas terror organization.

Until October 2023, Shabab was imprisoned by Hamas on theft and drug offenses, and his release came under the cover of an Israeli strike on the security facilities in the Strip at the start of the war. From that moment, his name surfaced as someone filling the security vacuum in eastern Rafah. Throughout the war, much was said about his activity against Hamas, including armed clashes across the Strip and the looting of aid trucks in order to undermine Hamass monopoly over goods in the territory.
A flagship study that declared the weedkiller Roundup posed no serious health risks has been retracted with little fanfare, ending a 25-year saga that exposed how corporate interests can distort scientific research and influence government decision-making.

Published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology in 2000, the paper ranks in the top 0.1 percent of citations among studies on glyphosate -- the key ingredient in Roundup, owned by agri-giant Monsanto and at the center of cancer lawsuits worth billions of dollars.

In his retraction note last week, the journal's editor-in-chief, Martin van den Berg, cited a litany of serious flaws from failing to include carcinogenicity studies available at the time to undisclosed contributions by Monsanto employees and even questions around financial compensation.

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Elsevier, the journal's Dutch publisher, told AFP in a statement that it upholds the "highest standards of rigor and ethics" and that "as soon as the current editor became aware of concerns regarding this paper a matter of months ago, due process began."

But it did not address the fact that concerns date back to 2002, when critics wrote to Elsevier about "conflicts of interest, lack of transparency, and the absence of editorial independence" at the journal, including specific worries about Monsanto.

The matter exploded into public view in 2017, when internal corporate documents released during litigation showed one of Monsanto's own scientists admitting to "ghostwriting."

Harvard University science historian Naomi Oreskes, who co-authored a paper this September detailing the extent of the "fraud" in the 2000 study, told AFP that while she was "very gratified" at the "long overdue" action, but warned that "the scientific community needs better mechanisms to identify and retract fraudulent papers."

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"This is completely in alignment with what we were calling them out for at the time," Lynn Goldman, a pediatrician and epidemiologist at GWU who co-signed the 2002 letter, added to AFP.

- Polo shirts -

Two of the paper's three original authors have since died, while first author Gary Williams, a professor at New York Medical College, did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

Monsanto maintains it acted appropriately, and that its product is safe. "Monsanto's involvement with the Williams et al paper did not rise to the level of authorship and was appropriately disclosed in the acknowledgments."

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The company declined to comment on internal emails that suggested otherwise, including one in which a Monsanto scientist asked a colleague whether "the team of people" who worked on the Williams paper and another study "could receive Roundup polo shorts as a token of appreciation for a job well done."

Glyphosate was brought to market as a herbicide in the 1970s and initially welcomed as less toxic than DDT.

But its soaring use -- especially after Monsanto introduced glyphosate-tolerant seeds that allowed it to be sprayed widely over crops -- drew increasing scrutiny in the 1990s, making the 2000 paper hugely influential.

According to Oreskes's research, it was cited as supporting evidence for glyphosate's safety by groups ranging from the Canadian Forest Service to the International Court of Justice, the US Congress and the European Parliamentary Research Service.

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- Legal interest -

In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans."

Several countries have since moved to restrict or ban its use, including France, which has prohibited household applications. Bayer, which acquired Monsanto, said it would phase out Roundup for US residential use in 2023 in response to growing lawsuits.

Nathan Donley, a scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity, told AFP he does not expect the retraction to sway the US Environmental Protection Agency, now under the pro-agricultural-industry Donald Trump administration, which has thrown its weight behind Bayer in an ongoing Supreme Court case.

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But "it could play a role in litigation that is moving forward in the US against the EPA's proposed decision to renew glyphosate," Donley told AFP, adding that European regulators might also take note.

For Donley and others, the deeper concern is that the case may be far from unique.

"I am sure there (are a) lot (of) such ghost-written and undeclared conflict papers in the literature, but they are very difficult to unearth unless one goes really deep in litigation cases," John Ioannidis, a Stanford University professor who founded the field of meta-research told AFP.

mja/ia/bgs
Republican lawmakers have blasted their former colleague, Marjorie Taylor Greene, for skipping every single vote in the House this week, after announcing her resignation from Congress last month.

Im disappointed that someone who runs for an office promises their constituents to serve them for two years doesnt want to serve them for two years. But thats, you know, thats her decision, Maryland Rep Andy Harris told The Hill.

Randy Fine, of Florida, was less kind with his words.Im glad shes leaving. Good riddance. I just wish shed get it over with, he told the outlet, adding that Greene had never cared about the cause or the conservative movement.

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Greene announced her shocking decision to step down from Congress, where she had represented Georgias 14th district since 2021, on November 21, following months of clashes with the GOP, MAGA, and President Donald Trump himself. Disagreements included the release of the Epstein files and the administrations stance on the war in Gaza.

Greene announced her shocking decision to step down from congress on November, following months of clashes with the GOP, MAGA and president Donald Trump himself (Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images)

She announced her resignation in a video message and a statement, declaring that she had too much self-respect and dignity to continue in the role and refused to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better.

Greenes final day in Congress is scheduled for January 5, though she has missed every vote this week.

Greene also previously said she would not endorse any candidate in the Georgia special election to select her replacement, angering some in her party further.

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Fine, who has clashed with Greene over issues including the bombing of Gaza by Israel, said it was clear by her actions that Greene just cares about herself.

If you dont want to be here, then resign. I would like that, but to say youre going to resign, but then not do it and keep from being able to call that special election to fill the seat. Its the kind of selfish behavior that weve grown accustomed to, he said.

Another GOP lawmaker added that showing up to vote was the responsibility of all elected officials.

Trump has called Green a 'ranting lunatic' on social media after her public criticism of his foreign policy and demands to release Epstein files and blasted her as a traitor following news of her resignation (AFP via Getty Images)

[It] appears as though Marjorie is not interested in taking care of that responsibility any longer. Thats unfortunate, the lawmaker told The Hill, adding, Every members got to make their own decisions.

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I found that me being frustrated with somebodys behavior doesnt actually improve the state of play here in Washington. So, no, Im not very quick to frustration, but certainly Im disappointed.

Greenes resignation drew a mixed reaction from her Republican colleagues and those she had previously considered allies.

Trump reacted with glee to the news, once again calling Greene a traitor and claiming she was quitting because he wouldnt return her calls.

In a lengthy Truth Social post the morning after her announcement, the president called her Marjorie Traitor Brown, referencing a previous post in which he said he was changing her surname because Green grass turns Brown when it begins to ROT!.
A grand jury declined to indict Letitia James on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the decision, a decision that came less than two weeks after a judge ruled that a similar mortgage fraud case brought by federal prosecutors against the New York attorney general was unlawful.

The move by the justice department to present the case again to a grand jury was seen as a signal of its determination to prosecute James, who has been one of Donald Trumps top political foes ever since she successfully brought a fraud lawsuit against him in New York.

James was first charged in October with one count of bank fraud and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution. The charges are in connection to a mortgage she obtained for a home in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020. Prosecutors say James got a more favorable rate on the mortgage because she indicated it would be a second home when she actually wound up renting it out to others. The difference in rates saved her about $18,933 over the life of the loan. Jamess niece lives in the home and reportedly told a federal grand jury earlier this year she did not pay rent.

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Related: US judge throws out criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James

James has said she did nothing wrong and argued that the prosecutor who handled it, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed the US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. Halligan, a former White House aide and Trump ally, personally presented the case to the original grand jury that indicted James.

Halligan was installed in the role in late September after Erik Siebert, her predecessor, was forced out after determining there wasnt enough evidence to file criminal charges against former FBI director James Comey, another Trump rival. Comey, who was also indicted earlier this year, similarly argued that Halligans appointment was not legal.

US district federal judge Cameron McGowan Currie agreed with lawyers for James and Comey last month and said Halligan had been unlawfully holding her post. US attorneys must be confirmed by the US Senate, but can serve in an acting capacity for 120 days. Once that period expires, the judges of the district the prosecutor serves in must decide who serves as the top prosecutor. Siebert had already exceeded the 120-day mark and the district judges had chosen to extend his appointment. Once he left, Currie concluded, Trump could not simply appoint someone else to fill the role.

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Aside from the appointment issues, experts said the criminal case filed against James in October appeared very thin. The amount that she benefited over the type of the loan was so small that it would not typically merit prosecution, former prosecutors said. The second home rider that she signed with her mortgage also did not prohibit her from renting out the home outright. James also indicated in documents and emails with her mortgage broker that she did not intend to use the home as a primary residence. Career prosecutors who worked on the case concluded there was not enough evidence to charge James and have since been fired.

This should be the end of this case, Jamess attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement on Thursday. If they continue, undeterred by a court ruling and a grand jurys rejection of the charges, it will be a shocking assault on the rule of law and a devastating blow to the integrity of our justice system.
Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) announced an organic capital expenditure budget of $1819 billion for 2026, signaling a disciplined approach that keeps spending at the low end of its long-term guidance while doubling down on U.S. shale, global offshore developments, and lower-carbon initiatives.

The company expects to deploy roughly $10.5 billion in the United States, more than half of next years total capex, with nearly $6 billion directed to shale and tight oil assets across the Permian, DJ Basin, and Bakken. That investment underpins Chevrons target of more than 2 million boe/d of U.S. production in 2026, reaffirming the companys continued bet on short-cycle barrels during a volatile price environment.

The core development theme remains upstream, which will account for about $17 billion of the organic budget. Offshore spendingapproximately $7 billionis concentrated in marquee growth regions including Guyana, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Capitalized interest tied mainly to the Guyana portfolio contributes roughly $400 million to the upstream line.

Downstream investment remains comparatively light at $1 billion, roughly three-quarters of which will be spent in the U.S. Chevron is also allocating about $1 billion across upstream and downstream divisions to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations and build out its emerging low-carbon businesses, keeping the company aligned with long-term decarbonization targets without materially shifting its hydrocarbon-heavy portfolio.

Corporate and other spending is expected to total $600 million.

Affiliate capex, budgeted at $1.31.7 billion, will be driven largely by Chevron Phillips Chemical, which is advancing two world-scale petrochemical plants set to start up in 2027. Tengizchevroil will represent around one-quarter of affiliate spending as it continues major program finalization in Kazakhstan following years of delays and cost overruns.

The 2026 plan indicates continuity with Chevrons post-pandemic capital strategy: keeping spending contained, focusing on high-value barrels, and preserving flexibility amid geopolitical uncertainty. The emphasis on U.S. shale reflects its role as the companys most responsive growth engine, while offshore Guyana and Eastern Mediterranean developments supply long-lead, high-margin volumes that support Chevrons long-run cash flow outlook.

CEO Mike Wirth framed the budget as a balance of capital discipline and profitable growth, stating the program focuses on the highest-return opportunities while maintaining discipline and improving efficiency.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)  A federal judge on Friday gave the Justice Department permission to release transcripts of a grand jury investigation into Jeffrey Epsteins abuse of underage girls in Florida  a case that ultimately ended without any federal charges being filed against the millionaire sex offender.

U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith said a recently passed federal law ordering the release of records related to Epstein overrode the usual rules about grand jury secrecy.

The law signed in November by President Donald Trump compels the Justice Department, FBI and federal prosecutors to release later this month the vast troves of material they have amassed during investigations into Epstein that date back at least two decades.

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Fridays court ruling dealt with the earliest known federal inquiry.

In 2005, police in Palm Beach, Florida, where Epstein had a mansion, began interviewing teenage girls who told of being hired to give the financier sexualized massages. The FBI later joined the investigation.

Federal prosecutors in Florida prepared an indictment in 2007, but Epstein's lawyers attacked the credibility of his accusers publicly while secretly negotiating a plea bargain that would let him avoid serious jail time.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to relatively minor state charges of soliciting prostitution from someone under age 18. He served most of his 18-month sentence in a work release program that let him spend his days in his office.

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The U.S. attorney in Miami at the time, Alex Acosta, agreed not to prosecute Epstein on federal charges  a decision that outraged Epstein's accusers. After the Miami Herald reexamined the unusual plea bargain in a series of stories in 2018, public outrage over Epstein's light sentence led to Acosta's resignation as Trump's labor secretary.

A Justice Department report in 2020 found that Acosta exercised poor judgment in handling the investigation, but it also said he did not engage in professional misconduct.

A different federal prosecutor, in New York, brought a sex trafficking indictment against Epstein in 2019, mirroring some of the same allegations involving underage girls that had been the subject of the aborted investigation. Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial. His longtime confidant and ex-girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was then tried on similar charges, convicted and sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison.

Transcripts of the grand jury proceedings from the aborted federal case in Florida could shed more light on federal prosecutors decision not to go forward with it. Records related to state grand jury proceedings have already been made public.

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When the documents will be released is unknown. The Justice Department asked the court to unseal them so they could be released with other records required to be disclosed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The Justice Department hasnt set a timetable for when it plans to start releasing information, but the law set a deadline of Dec. 19.

The law also allows the Justice Department to withhold files that it says could jeopardize an active federal investigation. Files can also be withheld if theyre found to be classified or if they pertain to national defense or foreign policy.

One of the federal prosecutors on the Florida case did not answer a phone call Friday and the other declined to answer questions.

A judge had previously declined to release the grand jury records, citing the usual rules about grand jury secrecy, but Smith said the new federal law allowed public disclosure.

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The Justice Department has separate requests pending for the release of grand jury records related to the sex trafficking cases against Epstein and Maxwell in New York. The judges in those matters have said they plan to rule expeditiously.

___

Sisak reported from New York.
Indianapolis Public Schools parents and community members in support of traditional public schools are speaking out against proposals that would diminish the power of the district's elected board.

At the Dec. 3, 2025, meeting of the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance  a group charged by the legislature to find ways IPS and charter schools can efficiently share educational resources  proposed new governance models were presented that could heavily strip the IPS board of its powers.

Parents from the IPS Parent Council, school board members, members of the Central Indiana Democratic Socialist of America, members of the teachers union and members of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis came together on Dec. 4 to speak out against those proposals.

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IPS school board commissioner Gayle Cosby said that the two proposed models for governance, which would still allow for the existence of IPSs elected school board, but could place more power with mayoral appointees and create independent boards to run the districts buses and facilities, are just one step away from eliminating the elected board.

If we allow appointed authorities to manage our property tax dollars, our buildings and our transportation resources, the question quickly becomes, why would we even need an elected board at all, Cosby said.

More on the proposed models: ILEA group favoring changes that would diminish IPS board's power

Cosby believes that if the alliance ultimately approves these changes and it's passed by the legislature, it would be an assault on the democratic process.

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The ILEA represents the tipping point, the culmination of over a decade of quiet, creeping privatization of our public education, Cosby said.

Those speaking publicly Thursday night were also speaking in support of an alternative governance model that was drafted by the Central Indiana Democratic Socialists of America.

Their proposal would create a unified system in the IPS district, which would centralize power with the IPS school board that would make decisions on policy, transportation, and facilities. It also would serve as the authorizer for all charter schools within the district.

Adrea McCloud, an IPS teacher and co-chair of the Central Indiana Democratic Socialist of America's fully funded, fully public campaign in support of traditional public schools, said that their proposal would allow true collaboration to flourish across the district's traditional and charter schools.

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Unifying district managed schools, innovation schools and independent charter schools under one governance structure would make all schools eligible for funding from one pot of money, McCloud said. This will end the competition for resources between IPS and charters once and for all.

IPS parent and organizer of the IPS Parent Council, Kristen Phair, said that parents felt that the ILEAs Dec. 3 meeting, which was scheduled at 4 p.m. rather than its typical 6 p.m. start time, meant that many IPS parents were unable to attend due to school pick-up times conflicting with the meeting.

They also took issue with the reduced public speaking time at recent meetings, which the alliance has been shortening to 1 minute due to the high number of public speakers who show up.

Parents and educators need a real seat at the table, not a moment at the microphone after decisions have been made, Phair said. ILEAs charge should be to do what is best for the communities they serve, not what the legislature finds easiest to accept.

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Phair said that she and the 1,000 other IPS parents who had recently signed onto a letter asking the ILEA to allow IPS schools to be governed by their own elected board and retain the power to control their own resources.

She and the other members who spoke Thursday night want the ILEA to consider more governance model options that prioritize students stability over structural experimentation.

Hannah Marley, an IPS teacher speaking on behalf of the union, said that they want to expand collective bargaining rights for teachers across the district.

Collective bargaining allows for collaborative conversations between administrators and educators to ensure the best learning conditions for all students we serve, Marley said.

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Historically, charter schools have not had collective bargaining units for teachers.

Upcoming ILEA meetings and listening sessions

The ILEA group has planned two more listening sessions in the next two weeks. One will be on Dec. 10 at KIPP Legacy High School from 6-8 p.m. and the other from 12-2 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Madam Walker Legacy Center.

The ILEA plans to take its final vote on which recommendations to send to state lawmakers at 6 p.m. Dec. 17.

Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IPS elected school board could lose power with restructuring proposal
A 74-year-old Tallahassee woman is dead and a 23-year-old Thomasville, Georgia, woman is critically injured after a wrong-way collision in northern Leon County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 9 p.m. on Dec. 4 on Thomasville Road, just south of Iamonia Cut-Off Road, a news release said. It's about a mile from the Georgia state line.

Troopers said a 2014 BMW crossover SUV, driven by the Tallahasseean, was traveling south, but in the northbound lane on Thomasville Road. A 2020 BMW sedan, driven by the Georgia resident, was traveling north. The two vehicles collided head-on. (FHP does not identify crash victims in news releases.)

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The SUV driver was pronounced dead on scene by Leon County EMS and the sedan's driver was taken to a local hospital "as a trauma alert in critical condition," the release said.

The Florida Highway Patrol was investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on State Road 61 (Thomasville Road) just south of Iamonia Cut-Off Road.

FHP Traffic Homicide investigators were conducting an investigation as northbound lanes of Thomasville Road were still shut down just south of Iamonia Cut-Off Road as of 11:30 p.m. By 2 a.m., all lanes had reopened. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts and were the only people listed in their respective cars.

The Florida Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Leon County Sheriff's Office, Leon County EMS and the Tallahassee Fire Department, the release said.

Jim Rosica can be reached at jrosica@tallahassee.com and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County wrong way wreck kills driver near state line, FHP says
Dec. 4A Kalispell man with a criminal history reportedly led police on a high-speed pursuit through Whitefish on Wednesday, Dec. 3, before the chase ended in a crash, authorities said.

Aaron Martin McGarry, 38, is being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on a pending felony charge of fleeing from or eluding a peace officer. His bail is set at $125,000.

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop McGarry's vehicle near Hilltop Road in Columbia Falls, according to information from the Sheriff's Office.

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McGarry, with active warrants out for his arrest, reportedly fled and continued onto U.S. 2 toward Whitefish, reaching speeds of 80-100 mph and driving into oncoming traffic.

McGarry and pursuing officers raced down Baker Avenue before McGarry crashed near a residence in the O'Brien Avenue area. He allegedly briefly fled on foot before being apprehended and taken into custody.

A bench warrant was issued for McGarry after he reportedly failed to show up for his sentencing in Flathead County District Court on Oct. 30.

McGarry's was charged Feb. 10 with felony assault on a police officer when McGarry allegedly shifted his vehicle into drive while deputies tried to pull him over. The car pulled two deputies along for a short stretch, court documents said. When the deputies disengaged, he fled southbound on Antelope Trail in the Happy Valley area and disappeared.

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In May 2022, McGarry was arrested during a standoff on Liberty Street in Kalispell, for which he received a three-year sentence with the Department of Corrections on a felony theft conviction.

He also has a 2020 criminal endangerment conviction which stemmed from an incident where he allegedly used a Taser on the mother of his children who lived in Columbia Falls at the time.

Whitefish Police Department and the Montana Highway Patrol assisted in the Dec. 3 pursuit. Additional charges related to the incident will be forwarded to the Flathead County Attorney's Office for review, a Flathead County Sheriff's Office news release states.
The Supreme Court gave Texas the go-ahead to use Republican-favoring maps in the 2026 midterms on Thursday, staying a lower courts ruling that the maps were likely the result of an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. In a blistering dissent many times longer than the courts order, Justice Elena Kagan hammered the courts conservatives for the casual way they tossed aside the lower courts extensive work to determine that race was a key factor in the drawing of the maps.

The District Court conducted a nine-day hearing, involving the testimony of nearly two dozen witnesses and the introduction of thousands of exhibits. It sifted through the resulting factual record, spanning some 3,000 pages. It assessed the credibility of each of the witnesses it had seen and heard in the courtroom. And after considering all the evidence, it held that the answer was clear, she wrote. Texas largely divided its citizens along racial lines to create its new pro-Republican House map, in violation of the Constitutions Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

Kagan added that the majority offered no evidence that the district court had erred in its ruling and failed to follow its own standards for review.

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The court issued a 160-page opinion recounting in detail its factual findings. Yet this Court reverses that judgment based on its perusal, over a holiday weekend, of a cold paper record, she wrote, in a dissent joined by the courts liberals. We are a higher court than the District Court, but we are not a better one when it comes to making such a fact-based decision.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Texas redrew its maps largely at the insistence of President Donald Trump, who feared a blue wave in 2026 might stymie his agenda. In her dissent, Kagan lays out a detailed chronology of the way that Trump framed the unusual redistricting as a legal necessity.

Those maps passed the Texas legislature following a dramatic stand-off between state-level Democratic representatives and law enforcement. The state Democrats fled Texas to deny a quorum to the legislature, knowing that the maps would pass easily thanks to the states large Republican majority. The SCOTUS order all but guarantees the new maps will be in effect for the 2026 midterms.

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Several Democratic states have floated their own partisan gerrymander to counterbalance the seat-swing in Texas, with California voters passing a proposition to redraw their maps in a way that favors Democrats.

The post We are a higher court, but not a better one: Kagan rages at SCOTUS decision to allow Texas maps appeared first on Salon.com.
A Hong Kong university has suspended the operations of its student union after a message was posted on campus expressing condolences and urging justice for the victims of a major fire.

The blaze that ripped through Wang Fuk Court in the city's northern Tai Po district last week killed at least 159 people and was the world's deadliest residential building fire since 1980.

The Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) told AFP on Friday that it ordered the student union's acting executive committee to suspend its operations "with immediate effect until further notice".

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"Only a small percentage of HKBU students are members of the (union). In addition, the Committee has not demonstrated a willingness to abide by the regulations of the University in areas such as financial management," the school said.

The union rejected the reasons in a statement on social media, calling them "unfounded and arbitrary".

"The university's irrational action raises concerns about potential ulterior motives behind this forced suspension," the union said.

Social media users circulated photos on Tuesday of a message stuck onto a student union-run notice board, nicknamed the "democracy wall", which expressed condolences for those killed in the fire.

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The unsigned message continued: "We are Hongkongers. Urge the government to be receptive and respond to public demands so justice can be done."

The wall was blocked off with tall barricades on Wednesday, an AFP reporter saw.

Kevin, a HKBU student who declined to give his surname, told AFP at the time he found the noticeboard message to be "positive" and said it drew attention from students walking by before it was sealed off.

The university did not respond to AFP's questions regarding the democracy wall.

Authorities have warned against crimes that "exploit the tragedy" and have reportedly arrested at least three people for sedition in the fire's aftermath.

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Student unions at Hong Kong universities were once hotbeds of political activism and played a role in the city's huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.

They either shrank their operations or were shut down entirely after Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong a year later, which critics say has curbed dissent.

bur/dhw/abs
Kolton Krottinger, a community activist from Granbury, was arrested earlier this month for controversy surrounding a meme he posted. His charges have now been officially dropped by the court.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Krottinger was arrested on November 5 for felony online impersonationname/persona create page, according to jail records. His attorney, Rob Christian, maintains that the arrest was entirely based on a meme.

Its for posting a meme, Christian told The Dallas Express. After 25 years of experience as a district attorney and criminal defense attorney, I have never seen anyone get arrested for engaging in political speech.

After weeks of scrutiny and mounting public pressure, a Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 ruled that the state did not establish probable cause to hold Defendant for the instant offense. The court ordered that Krottinger be released and declared that his bond be discharged immediately.

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Political commentator Sarah J Fields cautioned that the dismissal does not mean Krottingers ordeal is over. She noted that even though his charges have been discharged, his attorney says that he is essentially arrested now without charges.

She also noted that the case is still headed to a grand jury in January and that authorities will not return his belongingsmeaning he is still without a phone.

Residents Confront Sheriff

Tensions escalated at a county meeting this week when resident Ed Elder demanded Sheriff Deeds step down.

I am sick of whats going on here, Elder said during public comment, calling Deeds a dirty sheriff and urging a competency hearing.

The remarks drew further attention after Fields shared Elders comments on X, writing that he publicly requested the resignation of the Hood County sheriff after a man was arrested for posting a meme.

Attorney Alleges Sheriff Defamed Krottinger

Attorney CJ Grisham also accused Deeds of insulting his client at a recent American Legion dinner. In a Facebook post, Grisham said Deeds referred to Krottinger as a piece of sh*t and a criminal.

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Grisham noted that Krottinger has NEVER been convicted of a crime and argued the sheriffs comments constituted defamation. He stated he had issued a formal demand for a retraction.

Sheriff Deeds Issues Statement Defending Arrest

On December 3, the Hood County Sheriffs Office released a formal statement addressing the case.

The sheriff wrote:

As a conservative law enforcement leader sworn to protect the constitutional rights of all Hood County residents, I take my oath seriously. Under the United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution, the role of the Sheriffs Office is clear: we enforce the laws as written by our elected representatives in the Texas Legislature. We do not create laws, interpret them selectively, or exempt anyone based on political affiliation, personal relationships, or public opinion. To do so would undermine the very foundations of justice and equal protection that define our republic.

Deeds said the case began when a private citizen filed a sworn complaint. According to the statement:

The complaint was reviewed and found legally sufficient with assistance from the District Attorneys office. A district judge then signed a warrant for records from Facebook. Only after all evidence was gathered and probable cause established, an arrest warrant was issued. Every step was taken in accordance with Texas law and protected constitutional due-process rights.

Deeds concluded with:

My job is to enforce the laws on the books today, without fear or favor. Tomorrows laws are in your hands and the hands of the legislators you elect.

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Background on the Complaint

According to the criminal complaint obtained by The Dallas Express, Krottinger was accused of posting on Facebook a message that appeared to come from another local activist and showed support for a school board candidate. Prosecutors alleged the post was made without consent and with the intent to defraud the general public.

Constable John Shirley previously told The Dallas Express he believed the post was obviously satirical.

Its a picture of a political sign that anybody who knows the person whose account this was pasted onto would know that its fake and a joke, Shirley said.

Shirley also expressed concern about the constitutional implications of arresting someone for a meme.

The Dallas Express reached out to the Hood County Sheriffs Office for comment, but did not receive a response.
Hundreds of people attended a town hall meeting in Springfield to discuss the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, which is effective Feb. 3, 2026.

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It was standing room only at the NAACP Springfields community town hall on Thursday night.

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This demonstrates that we are one community and we will not be divided, NAACP Springfield President Denise Williams said.

People were able to bring their concerns to a panel that included local leaders, law enforcement, and immigration attorneys.

Many asked what to do if they were stopped by ICE agents and how to tell if a federal officer is who they say they are.

Williams said she is considering holding another town hall closer to February.

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Iceland will decide next Wednesday whether to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, public broadcaster RUV announced on Friday after it became clear that Israel can take part in the contest staged in Vienna.

The board of RUV had earlier recommended to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that Israel be excluded from the music competition next year.

Following the approval of a rule change by the EBU member broadcasters, all countries that wish to participate in Eurovision are allowed to do so, which means there is nothing to prevent Israel's participation in the next one.

Due to Israel's actions in the Gaza war, some broadcasters had called for the country to be excluded from the competition. Broadcasters from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands announced a boycott of the event in response to the EBU's decision.
During the operation, soldiers also shot and killed a terrorist who "hurled a suspicious object" at them.

The IDF, Israel Police, and Border Police officers arrested multiple terrorists, weapons dealers, and those suspected of "preparing explosive devices" as part of a large-scale counterterrorism operation in Kalkilya in the West Bank on Thursday, the military confirmed.

IDF, Israel Police, Border Police conduct large-scale counterterrorism operation in Kalkilya, December 4, 2025. (CREDIT: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

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During the operation, soldiers also shot and killed a terrorist who "hurled a suspicious object" at them.

"Various weapons, including an M16 weapon, a barrel, and dozens of rounds," were also confiscated during the search, the statement read.

"All suspects who had been apprehended were transferred to Israel Police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for further questioning," the statement ended.

IDF, Border Police conduct large-scale counterterrorism operation in Kalkilya, December 4, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Israeli rescued after wandering into Kalkilya while searching for stolen vehicle

Earlier on Thursday, officers from the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) rescued an Israeli man who was seen wandering on Wednesday night around Kalkilya, located in Area A of the West Bank.

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Upon receiving the report that the man was in Area A, a place considered dangerous for Israelis to be, officers quickly acted to protect and transfer him to IDF troops.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the Israeli entered the city area on foot in order to locate his vehicle, which he claimed had been stolen several hours earlier.

Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.
Although Chick-fil-A is not available worldwide, the beloved American fast-food chain known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and signature "my pleasure" phrase has grown into one of the top restaurant chains in the industry.

Unlike many other global fast-food giants, Chick-fil-A has expanded its business with a slower, yet intentional, growth strategy. Since its founding in 1946 in Hapeville, Georgia, the family-owned company has remained committed to its roots, including its well-known policy of being closed on Sundays, which reflects its emphasis on Southern hospitality and community values.

Chick-fil-A has long proven that bigger isn't always better. Its steady expansion and consistently high customer satisfaction show that prioritizing quality and service pays off.

For the 11th consecutive year, Chick-fil-A was again named the top quick-service restaurant, earning a steady score of 83 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index 2025 Restaurant and Food Delivery Study.

Many might say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But Chick-fil-A is making a major strategic shift across its non-traditional restaurants, one that will reshape the company for years to come.

Chick-fil-A transitions its non-traditional restaurants

Chick-fil-A is converting its licensed locations, found on college campuses, in hospitals, and at theme parks (excluding airports), to its owner-operator model. Under this franchise system, operators run the restaurant, manage daily operations, and share profits with the company, while Chick-fil-A retains ownership of the business assets.

This transition aims to create a more consistent experience across Chick-fil-A restaurants. It will also enable customers to utilize the chain's technology solutions, including its app, membership program, and gift card redemption, benefits not currently available at licensed stores.

"At Chick-fil-A, our commitment to deliver an exceptional customer experience is at the heart of everything we do," said Chick-fil-A in a press release. "We are excited about this next chapter and believe our local ownership business model will allow us to serve and care for guests and extend the great food and hospitality of Chick-fil-A in more places, for many years to come."

Chick-fil-A is converting 425 of its licensed locations to an owner-operator model. Shutterstock

A look inside Chick-fil-A's footprint

As of December 31, 2024, Chick-fil-A operated approximately 3,109 domestic restaurants, including 2,684 company-owned and franchised locations, as well as 425 licensed stores, according to its Franchise Disclosure Document.

Surprisingly, the chain has quietly been closing locations as well, shuttering three mall units and 16 traditional restaurants in 2024. At the same time, it opened 132 new locations and 13 licensed stores.
The military confirmed that soldiers from the IDF's 7th Brigade hit the terrorist after opening fire in order to remove the threat posed.

The IDF shot at a terrorist who crossed the Yellow Line, marking IDF-controlled territory in Gaza, who "posed an immediate threat" to soldiers from the 7th Brigade operating in southern Gaza, the military said Thursday evening.

The soldiers opened fire "to remove the threat," the military noted.

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"A hit was identified," the military added, though it remains unclear if the terrorist was killed or not.

IDF confirms killing top Hamas battalion commander, deputy in Sunday's strike

The IDF confirmed on Thursday that it killed the commander of Hamas's Eastern Rafah Battalion, along with his deputy and inner circle, in a Sunday strike.

In a Thursday release, the IDF stated that Israeli troops killed Muhammad Jawad Muhammad al-Bawab, commander of Hamas Eastern Rafah Battalion, who helped execute the October 7 Massacre and attacked IDF troops in Gaza through the course of the Israel-Hamas War.

IDF soldiers conducting a search of a building in eastern Rafah; illustrative. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Three additional terrorists, including al-Bawab's deputy, died alongside him.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
Democratic Rep. Matt Pierce, left, speaks against the Republican congressional redistricting proposal during Indiana House debate on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Photo by Tom Davies/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Indiana House Republicans voted Friday to go along with President Donald Trumps demand for redrawing the states congressional maps.

The House action sends the congressional redistricting issue to the state Senate, where its future is in real doubt. The Senates Republican leader has said for months that too few senators are in support for it to pass.

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House members voted 57-41 in favor of the new maps crafted to produce a 9-0 Republican delegation by carving up the districts currently held by Democratic Reps. Andre Carson in Indianapolis and Frank Mrvan in the area along Lake Michigan near Chicago.

Twelve Republicans joined all Democrats present in opposing the bill.

Fridays House debate occurred while a couple hundred people attended a pro-redistricting rally inside the Statehouse, where a Turning Point Action leader vowed major spending by the group to defeat Republican senators who vote against new maps.

The GOP lawmakers that voted no:

Rep. Stephen Bartels, Eckerty

Rep. Becky Cash, Zionsville

Rep. Ed Clere, New Albany

Rep. Mark Genda, Frankfort

Rep. Dave Hall, Norman

Rep. Mike Karickhoff, Kokomo

Rep. Matt Lehman, Berne

Rep. Danny Lopez, Carmel

Rep. Peggy Mayfield, Martinsville

Rep. Jennifer Meltzer, Shelbyville

Rep. Greg Steuerwald, Avon

Rep. Tim Yocum, Clinton

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At least 14 of the 40 Republican senators have publicly indicated opposition to redistricting, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicles tracking. Combined with the 10 Democratic senators, that total is just short of a majority in the 50-member Senate.

About 10 GOP senators have not made their position known.

Gov. Mike Braun maintained Friday he believed the Senate would approve the new maps, with opponents being out of sync with most Republicans and conservatives in the state.

Braun stood by threats that he and Trump have made to support Republican primary challengers against recalcitrant senators  and to keep up the pressure campaign if the Senate were to reject the new maps next week.

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Hopefully we wont have to drag them through this more than what weve done so far, Braun told reporters. But its not over if they dont do it.

David McIntosh, president of the Washington-based Club for Growth and a former Indiana congressman, posted what he called a FINAL WARNING on social media to Republican Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray.

Pass the new congressional map supported by President Trump and Hoosiers, the post said. Failure to get this done means you and any other opposition will be defeated and removed from office in your next election. Lets get it done!

The Senate is set to begin consideration of the redistricting plan on Monday, when the Senate Elections Committee will hold a public hearing lasting a maximum of four hours, according to Brays office.

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A spokeswoman for Bray did not respond Friday to a request for comment from him about the House-approved maps. Bray has previously said he did not feel that redrawing our Congressional districts mid-cycle is the best way to achieve that goal of maintaining a Republican majority in the U.S. House.

The Senate is expected to take a final vote Thursday on the redistricting plan.

House debate one sided

Democratic House lawmakers denounced the proposed redistricting as a racial gerrymander for dividing Carsons 7th District in Indianapolis  the states most urban and racially diverse  among four new districts. Those extend far into rural heavily Republican counties, with two of the proposed districts stretching to the Ohio River and another nearly reaching Lake Michigan.

Republican Rep. Ben Smaltz, author of the redistricting plan in House Bill 1032, repeated his stance that the new districts were drawn purely for political performance of GOP candidates and didnt consider racial or other demographics.

House Speaker Todd Huston talks to reporters on Organization Day, Nov. 18, 2025. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

House Speaker Todd Huston told reporters that the proposed map is aligned with the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling this week allowing Texas to use its new Republican-friendly map.

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Justice Samuel Alito wrote that it was indisputable that Texas motivation for redistricting was pure and simple partisan advantage, which the court has previously ruled is permissible.

The Indiana House debate lasted for more than three hours, with 25 of the 30 Democratic members speaking against the bill and only two Republicans  Smaltz and Huston  speaking in favor of it.

Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, mocked Republicans as being largely unwilling to say anything positive about the redrawing.

You may have said it at home, in your closet, in your basement, in the backroom where only you heard it, Jackson said. But you have not said it here. You have not said it to your neighbors. Youve not said it to any of us.

House Republicans divided as well

Trump started the national redistricting fight by pushing Texas Republicans to redraw its congressional map this summer and it has spread to other states including California, Missouri and North Carolina. The pressure on Indiana Republicans has included trips in August and October by Vice President JD Vance to Indianapolis.

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Huston said while he supported the current Indiana congressional districts drawn by Republicans in 2021, he argued the national political landscape had changed since then.

We dont operate in a vacuum and states are doing this all across the country, red and blue states, Huston told reporters. We felt like it was important for us to be a part of that, and to make sure that we used every tool we could to support a strong Republican majority.

Huston did not predict success in the Senate for the redistricting plan and declined to say what the next step would be if it was defeated in that chamber.

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Its been a long week, he said. Well deal with whatever happens.

Fridays House vote showed a divide among the chambers Republican leadership on the issue.

The 12 GOP members voting against the bill included House Majority Floor Leader Matt Lehman of Berne, Speaker Pro Tem Mike Karickhoff of Kokomo and Majority Caucus Chair Greg Steuerwald of Avon, who was the lead sponsor of the 2021 redistricting bill.

Democrats on Friday lambasted Republicans for the map proposal that lacks compactness and divides several cities.

Rep. Matt Pierce, D-Bloomington, said the new maps indicate the Republicans believe that Democrats really shouldnt exist. He argued that having an all-Republican delegation would hurt Indiana if Democrats regain control of the U.S. House.

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Now the state of Indiana has no one within, potentially, the majority party to talk about things like appropriations, to work together on getting specific things done for the state, Pierce said. You lose that.

After Fridays debate, Huston was asked by a reporter whether he was proud of the redistricting plan. He responded by saying I am very blessed to lead the Indiana House of Representatives. I support this, and I support what were doing.

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Indiana's state House on Friday passed a new congressional map that aims to make all nine of the state's U.S. House districts friendly to Republicans, after months of contentious debate and pressure from the Trump administration.

The bill passed in a 57-41 vote and now heads to the GOP-controlled state Senate, which is reconvening on Dec. 8. A number of vocal Republicans in the Indiana Senate have held out against redistricting, although it's unclear if they are enough to prevent it from passing.

President Trump congratulated members of the state House for passing the new map later Friday, and urged the Senate to take up the matter as soon as possible. He listed out nine state senators who he said "need encouragement to make the right decision" in a Truth Social post.

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On Wednesday, state Sen. Kyle Walker, one of the GOP holdouts, announced he would not be seeking reelection. Two other Republicans in the chamber who are not seeking reelection, Sens. Eric Bassler and Greg Walker, have also said they are opposed to redistricting.

The contentious process among Indiana legislators had led to numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents against officials, state police said.

Republican state Sen. Jean Leising, who opposed the redistricting effort in the state, said in a social media post Sunday that she was the target of a pipe bomb threat. She called the threat the "result of the D.C. political pundits for redistricting," and added, "I will not cave."

The measure moved forward Monday through the Indiana House elections committee, with one Republican joining all four Democrats on the committee in opposition. Eight Republicans voted in favor.

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For months, the White House had been pushing Indiana, a state that Mr. Trump won by 19 points, to redraw its congressional map to try to edge out the two Democrats in the U.S. House. Mr. Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other members of the administration met several times with Indiana Republicans to persuade them to redraw the map.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun called the legislature to reconvene for a special session in November to consider redistricting. But Senate President Rodric Bray insisted that the votes weren't there, and when the legislature convened, they simply agreed to meet again in January for the regular session.

Before announcing that lawmakers would convene after all, Bray acknowledged in November that "the issue of redrawing Indiana's congressional maps mid-cycle has received a lot of attention and is causing strife here in our state."

Mr. Trump and his allies stepped up threats on Republican holdouts in the legislature, with Mr. Trump calling some out by name on social media and promising they'd face primaries.

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Republicans and Democrats across the country have been scrambling to undertake mid-decade redistricting, a practice that was rarely undertaken until this year. With the GOP holding a slim majority in the U.S. House and facing down a historical trend that midterm elections tend to favor the party opposing the president, Mr. Trump first turned to Texas. There was historical precedent: Texas conducted mid-decade redistricting during the Bush administration, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2005.

Texas' GOP-led legislature reconvened in the summer to redraw the state's maps to net up to five seats for Republicans. In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed forward with a ballot measure known as Proposition 50 to redistrict his state to net up to five seats for Democrats, since California requires voter approval of its congressional map. Prop 50 passed on Election Day with more than 64% of the vote.

Missouri and North Carolina's Republican legislatures have redrawn their maps in an attempt to gain a new seat in each state for Republicans. Meanwhile, Maryland Democrats have suggested they could undertake a similar effort to edge out the state's one Republican House member, though the idea has faced resistance from some Democratic legislators.

The redistricting campaigns have drawn lawsuits in some states. The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Texas to use its newly drawn congressional map for now, halting a lower court ruling that found the new map was racially gerrymandered.

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College student detained by ICE at Boston airport, deported to Honduras

$1.6 million raised for 88-year-old man working at grocery store

Luigi Mangione's pretrial hearings postponed after he skips court over sickness
By Joseph Ax

Dec 5 (Reuters) - The Republican-controlled Indiana House of Representatives on Friday approved a new congressional map targeting the states two incumbent Democrats, setting up a showdown next week in the state Senate, where the mid-decade redistricting faces more opposition.

Friday's vote was 57 to 41 in favor, mostly along party lines. Still, 12 Republicans, including four in leadership positions, joined Democrats in voting against the bill.

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For months, Indiana's state Senate has resisted intense pressure from President Donald Trump to redraw the states congressional lines to favor Republicans.

Trump is waging a national campaign to protect the partys narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections by urging Republican-controlled states to draw new maps.

Republicans control seven of Indianas nine congressional seats, but the new map would likely give them a 9-0 advantage. Democrats need to flip only three seats nationwide in 2026 to take control of the U.S. House, which would allow them to block much of Trumps legislative agenda and pursue investigations into his administration.

On Friday, Democratic lawmakers decried the new Indiana map as a power grab that would harm Black and Latino voters in particular by splitting the county that includes Indianapolis, the state's capital and most populous city, into four separate districts. Democratic U.S. Representative Andre Carson, the state's only Black congress member, currently represents the area.

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"This map tears apart communities whose cohesion is essential," Democrat Blake Johnson said. "It weakens the voice of Black and brown Hoosiers who already struggle to be heard. It tells moderates, independents and anyone outside the ruling party that their vote is ornamental, not consequential."

Mitch Gore, a Democrat from the Indianapolis area, said the street corners at one intersection in the city stand in three different districts under the new map.

"That's not representation; that's cracking a community on purpose," he said. "You claim you did it for political performance, but take a quick drive to 38th and Emerson, then come back and try to tell me with a straight face that the impact of these maps isn't racist."

The bill's lead sponsor, Republican Ben Smaltz, acknowledged the map was drawn for partisan advantage but denied that race was a factor.

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"Nothing in the law prevents a legislature from revisiting maps when circumstances demand it," he said on the House floor.

The Republican leader of the Senate, Rodric Bray, had initially refused to convene his chamber this month to take up redistricting, citing a lack of support. Under pressure from the White House and Republican Governor Mike Braun, Bray reversed course and agreed to bring the matter to a vote next week.

It remained unclear whether enough senators will vote to approve the map. Trump has threatened to support challengers to any Republican senator who opposes redistricting. Some senators have reported receiving threats of violence in recent weeks.

Typically, redistricting occurs only once a decade after the U.S. Census. But Trump set off a national mid-decade redistricting fight when he successfully urged Texas Republicans to draw a new map aimed at flipping five Democratic seats in that state.

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Since then, other Republican states including North Carolina and Missouri have heeded his call to draw new lines, while Democratic states such as California and Virginia have responded by launching their own efforts to make it easier for Democrats to win more districts.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; editing by Paul Thomasch)
The Second World Wars most iconic fighter aircraft came from powerhouses like the US and Germany.

But smaller nations also built their own fighters, often out of necessity as global arms supplies ran dry. And some of these underdog creations proved surprisingly effective in battle. Here are ten of the most intriguing fighters from unexpected corners of the worldfrom Australia to Yugoslavia. Built in limited numbers, every one of them saw service, and almost all of these flew into combat.

10: CAC Boomerang

CAC Boomerang

After Pearl Harbor, Australia found itself at war against Japan and at the end of a dangerously long supply chain leading back to the UK and the US. Fearing that deliveries of modern combat aircraft might diminish or cease altogether, Lawrence Wackett of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation proposed building a domestic fighter.

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To expedite production, the aircraft was based on the general-purpose Wirraway (itself a derivative of the T-6 Texan/Harvard trainer) and used the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp, then being manufactured in Sydney for the Beaufort torpedo bomber. The prototype Boomerang flew in May 1942, proving manoeuvrable and easy to fly.

10: CAC Boomerang

CAC Boomerang

Unfortunately, the stubby fighter was slow by contemporary standards. It entered service in early 1943, and in encounters with Japanese bombers over the next few months, the Boomerang simply wasnt fast enough to catch the enemy aircraft. During its combat life, the Boomerang didnt shoot down any enemy planes.

Once transferred to the close support role, however, the Boomerang proved highly successful. Agile, well-armed and armoured, the Boomerang proved to be ideally suited to the campaign in the South West Pacific, where small, vicious, close-quarters actions fought by small formations of troops over a vague front were the norm.

9: Avia B.534

Avia B.534

One of the finest combat biplanes ever built, Czechoslovakias B.534 was arguably the best fighter in the world when it entered service in 1933. Despite Czechoslovakias annexation by Germany in 1939, the now seemingly obsolescent B.534 saw widespread service with several nations in a variety of roles.

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As well as the standard fighter with four machine guns on the fuselage sides, the Bk.534 variant deleted two of the machine guns and featured a 20mm cannon firing through the propeller spinner. Later aircraft featured a cut-down rear fuselage and bubble canopy, allowing 360-degree visibility from the cockpit.

Serving with Slovak units on the Eastern Front in 1941, B.534s scored a few victories over Soviet aircraft. However, three examples supported the anti-German Slovak National Uprising of 1944, and one of these downed a Hungarian Ju-52/3m transport, the last confirmed air-to-air victory achieved by a biplane fighter.

Germany utilised the B.534s it acquired in 1939 as an advanced trainer, glider and target tug, as well as testing it with an arrestor hook as a naval fighter for their planned carrier, *Graf Zeppelin*. Additionally, Bulgaria, Greece, and Yugoslavia all utilised B.534s in the fighter role.

8: VL Myrsky

VL Myrsky

Following a similar process that led to the production of the Commonwealth Boomerang in Australia, the Finnish Myrsky was developed in response to concerns that the supply of foreign combat aircraft might become scarce in the event of war. The Finnish state aircraft factory Valtion Lentokonetehdas (VL) began designing the Myrsky (Storm) in 1939.

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The similarities with the Boomerang continued with its engine as the Myrsky used the same Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp as the Australian fighter. Despite their American origin, Finland obtained its R-1830s and spare parts from Germany, which had captured large stocks of the Twin Wasp from France.

In contrast to the Australian aircraft, however, the Myrsky was built mainly of wood and was comparatively fast. First flying in December 1941, a total of 51 Myrskys were built, seeing service during the Continuation War against the USSR in 1944, where they proved manoeuvrable and fast enough to dogfight Soviet fighters effectively.

Unfortunately for the Finns, VL had been forced to use low-quality glue in the construction of the Myrsky, which could not withstand the rain, frost, and dampness of the Finnish winter, resulting in structural failure, with sometimes fatal consequences. Despite these problems, the aircraft remained in service until 1948.

7: Fokker D.XXI

Fokker D.XXI

The simple, rugged and dependable D.XXI was the most modern Dutch single-seater to fight in the Second World War, seeing most of its combat service with Finland, where it proved highly successful. It was designed specifically for the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) but was only ever used in Europe.

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The D.XXI was a modern low-wing cantilever monoplane with an enclosed cockpit but did not possess a retractable undercarriage as this was deemed to add an unacceptable level of complexity and weight. The aircraft made its first flight in March 1936, and 36 were ordered for the Netherlands Air Force.

The first nation to take the Fokker into action, however, was Finland during the Winter War against the Soviet Union of 1939-40. Licence-built D.XXIs, sometimes fitted with ski undercarriage, were the premier Finnish fighter type and were credited with an impressive 130 victories for only 12 losses.

Finnish D.XXIs served on during the Continuation War of 1941-44 and, although still fairly effective, were outclassed by newer Soviet aircraft. In Dutch service, the highly manoeuvrable D.XXI proved surprisingly effective against the Bf 109E during the 1940 Five-Day War with Germany and accounted for 16 confirmed victories.

6: Fokker G.1

Fokker G.1

Intended as a Jachtkruiser heavy fighter, the radical G.1 originated as a private venture and would prove highly influential yet saw only brief action defending its nation of origin in 1940. Years later, Clarence Kelly Johnson confirmed that the G.1 inspired the twin-boom design he adopted for the Lockheed P-38 Lightning.

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The G.1 caused a stir at the Paris Air show in 1936, before it had even flown, and was nicknamed le Facheur (the Reaper) in the aviation press due to its heavy forward-firing armament of eight machine guns mounted in the nose. The aircraft subsequently flew in March 1937.

The Netherlands ordered 36 G.1s, and 23 were available when Germany invaded in May 1940, although several were destroyed on the ground in the opening assault. Surviving aircraft were primarily employed for ground attack duties but managed to achieve 14 air-to-air victories during the brief conflict.

At the end of hostilities, the Germans allowed the completion of aircraft still on the production line and utilised these and surviving Dutch G.1s as advanced trainers. But in May 1941, two Fokker staff successfully stole a G.1, evaded German fighters, and flew it to freedom in England.

5: PZL P.24

PZL P.24

The P.24 was the ultimate development of a series of Polish gull-winged monoplane fighters, which first flew in May 1934. The third prototype set a world speed record for radial engine fighters of 414 km/h later the same year, and export sales were made to Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Turkey.

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Poland never utilised the P.24, electing to wait for its more advanced successor (the never-delivered P.50 Jastrzab). Still, the aircraft saw considerable wartime action, and the fighter became one of the comparatively few combat aircraft to fight for both the Axis and against it.

When Italy invaded Greece in 1940, the P.24 was the main fighter of the Royal Hellenic Air Force and was involved in heavy fighting. Slightly slower than its primary fighter opponent, the Fiat CR.42 biplane, the PZL was also less manoeuvrable than the Italian aircraft.

However, the P.24 possessed heavier firepower than the Fiat, with two 20mm cannon, and Greek P.24s destroyed 64 aircraft for the loss of 24 PZLs in action. Meanwhile, Romanian P.24s were used to defend both the Ploiesti oilfields and Bucharest and were credited with 37 Soviet bombers destroyed before being replaced in 1942.

4: IAR-80

IAR-80

During the 1930s, Romanias IAR factory built the PZL P.24 under licence, but IARs design team believed that they could design a better fighter. Accordingly, IAR mated the engine, rear fuselage and tail of the P.24 with a new cantilever monoplane wing and retractable undercarriage.

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Designated the IAR 80 and first flying in April 1939, the aircraft demonstrated excellent performance. However, it was not destined to see combat until the invasion of the USSR in June 1941, scoring its initial victory on the first day of the offensive. Against Soviet aircraft, the IAR 80 proved effective, though it lacked firepower.

Efforts to improve the aircrafts armament resulted in the IAR 80B with six machine guns before the definitive IAR 80C appeared with two 20mm cannon and two machine guns. A dive bomber variant, the IAR 81, was also developed after Romania was unable to obtain Ju 87 Stukas from Germany.

The IAR 80 was beginning to show its age when it was used to intercept American bombing raids on the Ploiesti oil refinery in 1943 and 44, and the aircraft was replaced by the Bf 109G in 1944. The IAR 80 soldiered on in second-line service until 1949.

3: FFVS J 22

FFVS J 22

The aircraft for which the term pocket rocket might well have been invented, the FFVS J 22 owed its existence to the classic story of a relatively small nation finding itself deprived of modern aircraft. In Swedens case, this was primarily due to a US embargo on all arms sales to non-British nations.

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A domestic fighter was the answer, and a completely new organisation was set up to produce it: the Royal Air Administration Aircraft Factory in Stockholm. Power came from the same R-1830 engine used in the Boomerang and Myrsky, as Svenska Flygmotor was already producing an unlicensed copy of this engine.

The small and lightweight J 22 made maximum use of the limited horsepower of the R-1830, possessed excellent performance, and was touted as the world's fastest fighter in relation to engine power. In mock dogfights against the vaunted P-51D, the J 22 was competitive up to 20,000ft.

Well-liked by pilots for its performance, handling, and simplicity, though less so for its bizarrely narrow undercarriage, the J 22 survived in Swedish frontline service until 1952, and 198 were built. In 1951, a single example was painted in a special red scheme for the 25th anniversary of the Swedish Air Force.

2: Saab J 21

Saab J 21

The unorthodox design of the SAAB 21 was adopted to concentrate a heavy gun armament in the aircrafts nose. However, the pusher layout also placed the propeller behind the pilot, making an emergency exit hazardous. As a result, the J 21 was one of the first aircraft to feature an ejection seat.

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Ordered as part of Swedens rearmament programme in the early 1940s, the J 21 first flew in July 1943, and 298 examples would be constructed by 1949. In operational service, although intended for the air superiority role, the J 21 proved instead to be an outstanding fighter bomber.

The excellent forward visibility and concentrated firepower, both a result of the J 21s unusual configuration, proved invaluable for the ground attack role. The aircraft could also carry a variety of external ordnance, including bombs and rockets, as well as wingtip fuel tanks that could be used as ad-hoc incendiary weapons.

Power was supplied by a German Daimler-Benz DB 605, built by Svenska Flygmotor, and an alternative was sought following the end of the war. SAAB redesigned the aircraft for jet propulsion, a process aided by its twin-boom design, and the J 21R entered service as Swedens first military jet in 1950.

1: Rogozarski IK-3

Rogozarski IK-3

When Yugoslavia was invaded, most of the defending aircraft were foreign, such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109E and the Hawker Hurricane. However, an exception to this rule was the domestically built Rogozarski IK-3, which proved highly effective during its brief combat service against the combined forces of Germany, Italy, and Hungary.

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Yugoslavia had already built the gull-wing strut-braced IK-2 fighter, which also saw service during the invasion. However, the IK-3 was much more advanced, featuring a retractable undercarriage and a higher top speed. The aircraft resembled the French Morane-Saulnier MS 406 but possessed better performance and was more manoeuvrable than the German Bf 109.

Only 12 aircraft were completed as engine deliveries from Czechoslovakia ceased, and development of an improved version, powered by either the Rolls-Royce Merlin or Daimler-Benz DB 601, was underway when Yugoslavia was invaded by Germany in April 1941. During eleven days of fighting, IK-3s destroyed eleven aircraft, four of which were shot down by Milislav Semiz, the top-scoring IK-3 pilot.

Two IK-3s survived the fighting to be captured by the Germans, but these were scrapped in June 1941. However, a re-engined IK-3 design formed the basis of the Ikarus S-49 fighter, first flown in 1949. 158 S-49s were built, and the aircraft remained in service until 1961.

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Victim advocate Heather Aites is trained to comfort those in emotional agony, like Dan Krug, who dashed home from work and learned his wife, Kristil, had been found murdered in their garage in suburban Broomfield, Colorado, on Dec. 14, 2023.

Heather Aites: It's a weird feeling standing there when somebody is being told, I'm sorry, but your loved one has died.

An emotional Dan Krug is comforted by victim advocate Heather Aites as he learns his wife Kristil Krug was found murdered in their garage on Dec. 14, 2023. / Credit: Broomfield Police Department

Heather Aites: This man has been going through a stalking case with his wife.  he is being stalked as well. And now she is gone.

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As investigators searched the crime scene for clues, Aites drove Dan to the police station. An officer's body camera recorded the ride.

Heather Aites: He was crouched over to the side of the passenger door.  And I'm comforting Dan by rubbing his back.

Dan and Kristil Krug had been married for 16 years. The couple, both 43, had three young children.

Peter Van Sant: What did he say in the car?

Heather Aites: In the car  he was pretty focused on the kids.  he was very adamant about wanting to be the one to tell his children.

Under the command of Broomfield Police chief Enea Hempelmann, investigators were doing everything in their power to find the killer.

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Chief Enea Hempelmann: We  immediately, uh, started doing interviews  talking to neighbors, canvassing.

Kristil and Dan Krug / Credit: Lars Grimsrud

Several hours had passed since Dan Krug's emotional ride to the police station. He had settled down. And he told detectives there was nothing out of the ordinary that morning.

DAN KRUG (to detectives): Mornings are very routine in the house.

He said they got the kids to school, and Kristil seemed fine when he left for his job at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

DAN KRUG (to detectives): While I was driving, uh, my  my phone dinged.

Dan said Kristil texted him, asking if he could pick up one of the kids after school. But when he texted back and asked what time, he said Kristil never responded.

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DAN KRUG (to detectives): And that  that was weird.

So weird  so out of character for Kristil  Dan called police and asked them to check on her.

When there was no answer at the Krug's front door, Officer John O'Hayre says he used his patrol car to look through the Krug's garage window.

OFFICER JOHN O'HAYRE (bodycam): I got a female down in the garage.

Lars Grimsrud: There are not words that can describe, what you feel as a parent at that point.

Linda Grimsrud: It's probably a parents' worst nightmare

Kristil's parents, Lars and Linda Grimsrud.

Lars Grimsrud: She was an engineer.  She had  incredible skills in, uh, math, sciences, chemistry, physics.  she also had the  the talents in the  arts.

Linda Grimsrud She loved to just get out and live life.

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Throughout her life, Kristil spent countless hours working with her dad on classic muscle cars in his colorful garage.

Lars Grimsrud (in his garage): We'd work on the cars.  We'd race the cars.  Kristil always felt very comfortable coming over here.  If we needed to talk or whatever, this is where we would sit and just  enjoy each other's company.

Kristil Krug Tells Police She is Being Terrorized by a Stalker

But those fun, casual conversations suddenly turned disturbing in the fall of 2023, when Kristil first told her father that she was living with intense fear.

Lars Grimsrud (in his garage): She sat here and told me that she was being stalked and that just shocked me.  and I asked her, well, have you talked to the police?

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Kristil had called the police and met with Broomfield Detective Andrew Martinez.

Det. Andrew Martinez: She came into the interview room and just kind of took over and just told me everything  without hesitation.

Their conversation was recorded.

KRISTIL KRUG (to Det. Martinez): I keep trying to remind myself, this is intending to be terrorizing. This is intending to scare me.

Kristil Krug talks with Det. Andrew Martinez on Nov. 7, 2023, about the unsettling texts she was receiving. / Credit: Broomfield Police Department

Kristil told Martinez that on Oct. 2, 2023, she received an unsettling text from someone named Anthony, who said he would be coming to the area and asked if Kristil wanted to "hook up."

Peter Van Sant: And how does she respond to that?

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Det. Andrew Martinez: She did not respond.

The following day, Kristil told Martinez she got more texts from Anthony that included obscenities and said, "you should kill urself. Dont waste my time."

Peter Van Sant: Somebody that wants to hook up, now is saying, go kill yourself. How do you interpret that  that second text?

Det. Andrew Martinez: It's a pretty extreme reaction to not getting a response.

Kristil told Martinez she knew an Anthony from her past, Anthony Holland, a boyfriend she dated for about a year after high school and into college. The two broke up in the fall of 2000. Lars and Linda Grimsrud say back then Holland made a good impression.

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Linda Grimsrud: Very friendly very courteous. He always had good manners.

In 2002, out of the blue, Holland contacted Kristil. According to Kristil, Holland never seemed to take no for an answer  contacting her again in 2005, 2010 and 2016 via Facebook.

KRISTIL KRUG (to Det. Martinez): He's like we're meant to be together  I said, "this is really creepy for me. You need to stop."

Kristil deleted Facebook and thought she'd heard the last of Holland. But then came the texts in 2023.

KRISTIL KRUG (to Det. Martinez): This was alarming. He's never said this kind of stuff to me before, so 

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Over the next two months, Kristil said she received alarming message after message through text and email. They included threats to her and Dan -- including a disturbing photo of Dan getting out of his car at work, which prompted Kristil to first come forward and call police. A few days later this text to her: "Saw u at dentist see you soon."

Peter Van Sant: That suggests he might be surveilling them both, right?

Det. Andrew Martinez: Correct.

KRISTIL KRUG (to Det. Martinez): This now is escalating.

Det. Andrew Martinez: The harassment, uh, is just constant.  And she's just believing that every corner presents some sort of danger for her.

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To gather evidence and locate Anthony Holland, Martinez was required to file search warrants with the phone and email companies, a slow process.

Peter Van Sant: Getting that information takes time.  Sometimes those companies are reluctant, or they slow walk getting that information to you, correct?

Det. Andrew Martinez: Yes.

Kristil had been searching for Holland on her own. She hired a private investigator, and eventually located him living in Utah, about 500 miles away. Kristil shared her discovery with Martinez, who chose not to contact Holland.

Det. Andrew Martinez: I explained to Kristil  that we wanted to gather as much evidence as possible and ideally obtain an arrest warrant so when law enforcement does go to, uh, Anthony's door, we can take him into custody and not have to walk away.

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But Lars Grimsrud says Kristil had been losing patience with the investigation.

Lars Grimsrud: She made the comment that she felt  they had abandoned her that  that they weren't doing things aggressively enough.

Kristil had taken steps to protect herself and her family  including installing security cameras.

Lars Grimsrud (in his garage): She was scared.  I said well this sounds serious enough you need to start carrying.  you'll use one of my guns for  for right now.

Peter Van Sant: Is this the very gun that she took with her?

Lars Grimsrud: That is the actual gun that she initially then carried.

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Dan Krug was also interviewed. The threats were taking a toll on him, as well.

DAN KRUG (to detectives): I went to the grocery store briefly on Tuesday and someone behind me dropped a can and I f****** panicked.  So, what am I doing? I'm panicking. And I'm doing a s*** job of protecting my wife.  So, I'm not  I'm not doing good.

Dan Krug told Martinez the stalker had a nickname.

DANIEL KRUG (to detectives): We call him Kickman.

Peter Van Sant: Where'd that name come from?

Det. Andrew Martinez: Kickman  Dan had told me was because the suspect email that was initially contacting Kristil was  ahollandkicks at gmail.com.

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As the weeks went by and Martinez's investigation continued, Lars and Linda Grimsrud say the constant threats were ruining their daughter's life.

Linda Grimsrud: It was just heartbreaking. She was just in tears  She was just like, what am I gonna do? How am I gonna live?

Peter Van Sant: Did she feel she was being hunted down by Anthony?

Linda Grimsrud: Yes.

Kristil also shared her fears with her siblings Jenna Ericson and Josh Adamson.

Jenna Ericson: She was terrified.

Peter Van Sant: Did she ever express to either of you the fear that this man I think is going to kill me?

Jenna Ericson: Yes.

Josh Adamson: Yep.

Jenna Ericson: She said, it's either going to be me or him that's dead. And I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure it's not me.

Police Zero in on Kristil Krug's Stalker

When Kristil Krug was found dead in her garage, Detective Martinez had only one suspect in mind.

Det. Andrew Martinez: My initial assumption was that  Anthony Holland had, uh, gone to her home and murdered her.

Within hours, local police descended on Holland's home in Eagle Mountain near Salt Lake City.

Peter Van Sant: So you're alone in the house  what do you hear?

Anthony Holland: Pounding at the door.

Peter Van Sant (bangs hand on table): Like bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.

Anthony Holland: Yeah.

Peter Van Sant: Big time.

Anthony Holland: So I go to the door.  I see like eight cops.  I had no idea what was going on.

OFFICER (bodycam): Where's your ID at?

ANTHONY HOLLAND: It's in my room.

OFFICER: Have you ever heard of the name Kristil Krug?

Anthony Holland: They asked me if I knew Kristil Krug and I told them I did know her.

ANTHONY HOLLAND (bodycam): She was my very first girlfriend ever.

OFFICER: And when was the last time you talked to Kristil? Has it been a while? A minute?

ANTHONY HOLLAND: Uh, it's been a minute. Yeah.

Peter Van Sant: When was the last time you had reached out to Kristil?

Anthony Holland: It was around 2014, 2016.

Holland says he'd reached out to Kristil on Facebook years before.

Peter Van Sant: What are you thinking? "Why would they come all  all the way here to ask me about Kristil?"

Anthony Holland: I thought it was for that message  where I said I missed her. That's the only thing I could think of because I was like I haven't contacted her since then.

Peter Van Sant: They didn't tell you that Kristil Krug had been murdered?

Anthony Holland: No, they did not tell me.

Police were there to gather information from their suspect  not give it.

Anthony Holland: They asked me where I was that day.  Can I prove where I was?

Holland had made a purchase just hours earlier at a Kohl's store near his home.

Peter Van Sant: What'd you buy?

Anthony Holland: A sweatshirt, this one right here.

Anthony Holland, left, with

And he still had the receipt. The purchase was made at 12:16 p.m. Investigators say Kristil was attacked around 8 a.m.

Peter Van Sant: It turns out that was one of the most important purchases you have ever made.

Anthony Holland: Because it was my alibi, because there is no way I could have made it from Colorado back to Utah to buy the sweatshirt.  It was an eight-hour drive.

Holland also showed police some of his employment records. They proved he'd been in Utah all along  never traveling to Colorado as the messages from Kristil's stalker led cops to believe.

Anthony Holland: I had a bunch of receipts from my work showing the days that I worked. And they took those, took my receipt from Kohl's and  went to the squad car and made a phone call  came back in and told me I was free to go.

OFFICER (to Holland): You have a better day, OK?

Back in Colorado, Dan Krug was still face to face with investigators. He told them his theory of the crime.

DAN KRUG (to detectives): So in my brain, the story that I have is someone came to the door, maybe she went outside to get a package and they must have come in. And she's  she's a fighter. She's  she is strong. She would've fought.

Earlier in the interview, Dan requested he tell the children what had happened to their mother.

VICTIM ADVOCATE: Your kids do not know yet.

DAN KRUG: Are they here?

VICTIM ADVOCATE: They're here. They're right in the hall.

DAN KRUG (pats his chest): I'm  I should tell my children.

VICTIM ADVOCATE: You want to tell them?

DAN KRUG: I just don't know how.

VICTIM ADVOCATE: That's OK.

Det. Andrew Martinez: Watching their response is just heartbreaking.

Investigators were working every angle. They checked those security cameras Kristil had installed on the house.

Det. Andrew Martinez: The doorbell camera, the side camera, and the side house camera, uh, were all manually turned off.

Except for that one Nest camera near the garage. Police canvassed Dan and Kristil Krug's neighbors in search of anything their home security cameras might have recorded.

They also enlisted Randy Pihlak, a digital forensic examiner with the Broomfield Police Department, to take a closer look at those disturbing messages to Kristil.

Randy Pihlak: I think it was probably four hours, five hours after the murder was reported to us.

Now that the stalking case had become a murder investigation, Pihlak was able to file new, expedited requests for information. He quickly discovered that messages from two accounts used to harass Kristil had been sent from the same location.

Randy Pihlak: Both  came back to the same IP address. That IP address was the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which is where Dan worked.

The messages to Kristil threatening her, threatening her husband, had been sent using the Wi-Fi system at Dan's office. For the first time, detectives believed Kristil's stalker could be sitting right in front of them. Could he be her killer as well?

Det. Andrew Martinez: The entire air was just kind of evacuated out of our investigations room and we realized  we need to focus on Dan and where he's been and what he's been doing.

Martinez, along with Detective Jennifer King Sullivan, confronted Dan.

DET. KING SULLIVAN: Who do you think killed her?

DAN KRUG: I think it's Kickman. I think it's Anthony.

DET. MARTINEZ: What if I told you that we had already spoken with Anthony and there's no way that he was in town today?

DAN KRUG: Then I have nothing. And, then I'm f****** terrified to bring my children home.

DET. KING SULLIVAN: What are you terrified of?

DAN KRUG: If it wasn't him, who was it?

But even as Dan claimed ignorance, the detectives saw that his body language told a different story.

Detective Martinez says Dan Krug's body language changed after being told Anthony Holland was eliminated as a suspect in his wife's murder. / Credit: Broomfield Police Department

Peter Van Sant: What were you seeing with Dan?

Det. Andrew Martinez: He took a defensive posture. He sat back in the couch a little bit. He crossed his arms.  Kinda like I have nothing to explain.

Det. Jennifer King Sullivan: I think his head is spinning, thinking about what else are they gonna find?

Dan Krug Goes From Grieving Husband to Murder Suspect

DET. KING SULLIVAN (questioning): The mystery continues and 

DAN KRUG: And it has be the husband.

DET. KING SULLIVAN: If you were watching these facts unfold in front of you in a movie, what would you say happened?

DAN KRUG:There has to be someone else.

Moments after detectives told Dan Krug they had eliminated Anthony Holland as a suspect, Dan calmly insisted he was not the one who stalked and murdered his wife Kristil.

DAN KRUG: I loved her there has to be someone else. But I don't know who that is.

Martinez and King Sullivan didn't believe a word of it, and were struck by how stoic  how unmoved  Dan was.

Det. Jennifer King Sullivan: He had no reaction, um, and really no explanation.

DET. KING SULLIVAN (questioning): Help me make sense of it.

DAN KRUG: I don't know. I'm not the one who does this.  I don't have a narrative or a story that I can offer you.

Within minutes, Dan Krug had gone from sympathetic victim to murder suspect.

DANIEL KRUG (to detectives): I get the narrative you're putting together, but it alleges that I would do this to my children.  I love and adore my children.

Det. Andrew Martinez: It's a pretty frightening idea that  the biggest threat that to you and your safety is actually living in the same house as you.

DET. MARTINEZ (to Dan Krug): We need to process you for physical evidence, OK.

Det. Andrew Martinez: He knows that we are on to him.  We just didn't have enough evidence at that point to take him into custody.

DET. MARTINEZ (to Dan Krug): We'll walk you out to the lobby 

On his way out, Dan kept insisting the real killer was still on the loose and he made a desperate plea.

DAN KRUG (to detectives): I just want the f***** to pay  He took my children's mother before Christmas. They're never gonna get over that. I don't care if you capture him. I don't care if you kill him.  Find him  Don't just as assume it's me. Keep looking.

Peter Van Sant: When did you find out that Dan was now a person of  of interest in this case?

Linda Grimsrud: I think at his interview. So that same day when they held him and they held him pretty late.

An autopsy revealed what happened to Kristil. She had been attacked from behind with a blunt object.

Det. Andrew Martinez: Bludgeoned to death in the head and rolled over and then stabbed in the heart.

With Dan now the prime suspect, the detectives wanted to know more about his relationship with Kristil. According to Kristil's parents, it wasn't good.

Linda Grimsrud: She said, well, I'm sleeping on the couch mom.

Peter Van Sant: But you knew there was trouble in paradise, right?

Linda Grimsrud: Yeah. And especially in that  those last few months.

Kristil's family says those troubles were caused by Dan's fiery temper.

Peter Van Sant: What set him off?

Lars Grimsrud: It  it could be anything, but it was usually if he was losing control 

Kristil's sister Jenna Ericson says she could always tell when Dan was angry.

Jenna Ericson: His face would get really red when he was getting frustrated  I vividly remember seeing his face get red.

Linda Grimsrud: They had a thing where  they'd go, OK, walk away.  You need to walk away. And so, you know, they were trying to manage it.

Kristil Krug was an engineer who also had talents in the arts.

But in the weeks before her death, according to her parents, Kristil was getting ready to leave Dan.

Linda Grimsrud: She didn't wanna have this marriage anymore.

Lars Grimsrud: She had decided that she needed to get a divorce.

As the detectives methodically built their case, more evidence was uncovered on Dan and Kristil Krug's cell phones by digital forensic expert Randy Pihlak  including texts from the morning of the murder.

Randy Pihlak: So on Kristil's phone, um, we see text messages to Lars, Detective Martinez, and then a text message to Dan.

The one Dan said he received while driving to work about picking up one of the kids at school. But Pihlak discovered those texts had been set on a timer. It was a new feature on the phone Kristil had.

Peter Van Sant: Who do you believe preprogrammed those messages?

Randy Pihlak: Uh, Dan Krug.

Peter Van Sant: And he did it to do what?

Randy Pihlak: To hide his actions.

Pihlak says the messages were preprogrammed before Dan left the house.

Randy Pihlak: And we believe Kristil was deceased.

Peter Van Sant: That for him, then, would establish an alibi that well I had already left and my wife is alive right? She's texting me.

Randy Pihlak: Correct.

All while Dan casually arrived at work.

Pihlak discovered more damning evidence from Dan's phone: internet searches like "What happens when you're knocked unconscious?" "Do people really go unconscious when hit in the head?" and "How hard for head trauma to go unconscious?"

Randy Pihlak: All searches were the day before the murder  it was rather damning.

Just two days after Kristil had been murdered, detectives Martinez and King Sullivan felt they had enough evidence to charge Dan Krug with stalking and murdering his wife.

Det. Jennifer King Sullivan: We begin following him.

Peter Van Sant: How many cars we talking about?

Jennifer King Sullivan: Probably eight cars.  we're like, "that's him, he's alone in the car."

Det. Jennifer King Sullivan: We follow him all the way to the grocery store.

Det. Jennifer King Sullivan: We wait for him to park  we quickly converge on his car.

Dan Krug, pictured left, with his hands up as he is taken into custody for the murder of his wife Kristil Krug in a supermarket parking lot. / Credit: Broomfield Police Department

Det. Jennifer King Sullivan: We surround him 

OFFICER (bodycam): You're under arrest.

Det. Jennifer King Sullivan:  pull him out of his car and  tell him he's being arrested for the murder of his wife.

Det. Andrew Martinez: I asked him just one question.

DET. MARTINEZ (to Dan Krug/bodycam): Do you want to tell your kids that you killed their mother, or do you want somebody else to?

Peter Van Sant: That's quite a line.  That goes back to when  he said he wanted to tell his kids that their mother was dead.

Det. Andrew Martinez: After I asked that question, he just said that he wanted to speak with his attorney and then looked away from me.

Det. Andrew Martinez: And I shut the door and he went to the county jail.

Lars Grimsrud: I felt a huge relief.  they got him.  It felt like a burden had been lifted, that he had been arrested.

And soon, Kristil's family would come face to face with the man detectives say murdered her.

Lars Grimsrud: He, uh, looked right at me and smiled at me.

And they hear, for the first time, Dan's side of the story.

Kristil Krug's Final Moments Revealed

When Deputy District Attorneys Kate Armstrong and Stephanie Fritts were assigned to prosecute Daniel Krug, they say they were struck by his downright stupidity in believing he could get away with murdering his wife by impersonating her ex-boyfriend.

Kate Armstrong: The audacity with which he thought he could manipulate not only his family, his loved ones, but also the police department.

Peter Van Sant: And some of this  is sophisticated, is it not?

Stephanie Fritts: It's sophisticated, but not too sophisticated because we were able to figure it out.

The trial began in April 2025.

Lars Grimsrud: When he first came in  he smiled at me like, he was saying, "hey, thanks for being here for me"  I believe my facial expression  made it very clear that I was not on his side.

The prosecution laid out Kristil's final hours of life for the jury.

Kate Armstrong: On December 14th of 2023, Kristil Krug started her day like any other day.  She took her younger two children to school.

And when she returned 

Kate Armstrong: Kristil  pulled back into her garage. She gets out of the car  when she is attacked from behind.

Peter Van Sant: And did she ever see him approaching, do you think?  Or was this an ambush?

Stephanie Fritts: It was an ambush.  She had two or three skull fractures.

Kate Armstrong: As she's laying on the floor bleeding, he  pushes her over, gets over her and stabs her  just above her heart.

Peter Van Sant: And why do you suppose  he had to do that vicious last stab?

Kate Armstrong: I think it was rage. I think it was control and power that he wanted to exert over Kristil.

Dan Krug had been losing that control for a long time, say prosecutors. Their theory of the crime is that Dan sent Kristil those disturbing messages in an attempt to drive her closer to him and not leave, hoping she'd see him as her heroic protector.

Kate Armstrong: It was not working  the stalking was not leading her back to him  I think it then turned to, 'I'm still losing her' kind of, uh, 'if I can't have you, nobody can.'"

The prosecution says that in the last days of her life, Kristil had begun to suspect that her stalker was possibly her husband.

Stephanie Fritts: We know from Dan's own interview that she confronted him and said, "I can't rule you out as the stalker.

DAN KRUG (to detectives): She said that right to my face, that she wanted to know if it was me. And I told her no.

Peter Van Sant: He felt the walls closing in.

Stephanie Fritts: Closing in. He was going to lose Kristil anyway.  He was going to be exposed as the stalker.  So he did that last, uh, fatal act and murdered her.

Prosecutors say Dan Krug tried to outsmart investigators  pre-programming those text messages on Kristil's phone before he left the house  assuming he wouldn't be caught.

Kate Armstrong: Were we not able to discover that that was a delayed send text, it would have appeared as though Kristil was still alive when he left the house.

At trial, the long list of digital evidence against Dan Krug was laid out: the threatening texts, the emails, the internet searches. Also included  that photograph of Dan arriving at his office, attached to a menacing email seemingly sent by Anthony Holland to Kristil. But there was one problem, according to the state's digital expert.

Peter Van Sant: Who took this picture, do you believe?

Randy Pihlak: Uh, Dan. Dan took this picture.

The photo of Dan Krug getting out of his car at work -- sent in an email from the alleged stalker -- which prompted Kristil Krug to first come forward and call police. / Credit: Broomfield Police Department

Pihlak discovered that the phone which snapped that photo was in selfie mode using a timer  a fact that Kate Armstrong reminded the jury about in her closing argument. That's when the judge allowed cameras into the courtroom.

KATE ARMSTRONG (in court): The phone was propped on the back of this vehicle next to him.  The defendant took this photograph and then he sent it to his wife.

PHILLIP GEIGLE (in court): We respectfully disagree with the prosecution in this case.

Defense attorney Phillip Geigle argued the murder investigation was poor. The blunt object used on Kristil's head and the knife used to stab her were never recovered by police. The defense also zeroed in on the fact that Kristil's phone was not tested for fingerprints or DNA.

PHILLIP GEIGLE (in court): Why not the phone?  The prosecution wants to believe, "Well, you know, there may not be a lot to be found there." Well, you won't know if you won't try.

Geigle said other forensic tests supported his claim that Dan Krug is innocent.

PHILLIP GEIGLE (in court): They submitted the chest swabs.  And you know whose DNA wasn't there? The person who lived in the house, the person who ate in the kitchen with them, the person who shared the living room, that idiot right there (points to Dan Krug).

PHILLIP GEIGLE (in court): There is absolutely no physical evidence on Mr. Krug's clothing.  There's no blood found on that car inside or out. It's searched three times.

In week three of the trial, the jurors began deliberations. After a day-and-a-half, verdicts were reached.

Judge Priscilla Loew read the verdicts.

JUDGE LOEW: We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of murder in the first degree.  We, the jury, find the defendant, guilty of count number two, stalking, extreme emotional distress.

Krug was also found guilty of stalking with credible threat and criminal impersonation.

Lars Grimsrud: Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty. And at that point I think I started breathing again.

Krug was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on the murder charge, and an additional nine-and-a-half years for the stalking and impersonation counts. But right after his conviction, in a video call from jail, Dan Krug told his family that the jury got it wrong, saying the real killer remained at large and that his children could be the next targets.

DAN KRUG (video call with family): I need them safe. I don't know where or who did this. Where he is or who he is. I need my children out of Colorado.

Could Kristil Krug's Murder Have Been Prevented?

As Daniel Krug began serving his life sentence, he continued making video calls to his parents and brother in the days immediately after his conviction. The man who viciously murdered his wife, terrorized his own children and lied to everyone, was seeking sympathy from his side of the family.

DAN KRUG (video call with family): I'm probably sleeping like 16 hours a day because of the depression.

PATRICIA KRUG: Mm-hmm.

DAN KRUG: I sleep, I read and I cry. That's about it.

PATRICIA KRUG: OK.

Despite overwhelming digital evidence against him, Krug fell back to his old ways  lying to his loved ones  now claiming he was wrongly convicted.

DAN KRUG (video call with family): They never produced a single piece of hard evidence.

His brother, Jeremy Krug, gave Dan Krug a much-needed reality check  that the foundation of the family's loyalty had started to crack.

JEREMY KRUG (video call with Dan Krug): Support is dwindling. You know, mom and dad want to believe you very much. I want to believe you very much.  There's a lot that's come out, um, and as imaginative as I can be with finding explanations and ways to theorize how that, you know this or that could have been, the, the reality, um, some of it is beyond even my creativity.

The case that ended with a murder had begun with stalking and criminal impersonation of Anthony Holland. Which begs the question: what if Detective Martinez had acted on the information Kristil and the private investigator had uncovered.

Anthony Holland: They should have found me right away.  They should have found me, they should have came to my house. They should approached me. They should have talked to me.

But Detective Martinez chose not to call, telling "48 Hours" he didn't have enough evidence to do so, and was concerned a phone call could exacerbate the situation.

Peter Van Sant: Is this something where you've kicked yourself about this?

Det. Andrew Martinez: Uh, this case has, uh, haunted me since, um, it occurred.  And the outcome of this case has haunted me for the past two years.

Peter Van Sant: And if you could get in a time machine, perhaps you'd make that call today?

Det. Andrew Martinez: Absolutely.

And Kristil's parents sympathize with Martinez and believe their daughter was doomed no matter what the outcome of his investigation.

Lars Grimsrud: Inevitably, I think he was gonna kill her.  When someone sets their mind to do something like that and that's what the plan was  I don't think that would've stopped the murder from happening.

Kristil's death has left a hole in the lives of those who experienced her love and joy for life.

Anthony Holland: I've had lots of other girlfriends and I've never been in love with anybody else like her.

Peter Van Sant: She was the love of your life.

Anthony Holland: Yeah.

Jenna Ericson hopes her sister Kristil's story will serve as a cautionary tale.

Jenna Ericson: If it can help just one other person, who's in a dangerous situation, like she was in, that it gives them the strength to make a move because it can escalate and it can escalate really, really fast.

Peter Van Sant: What was lost when she was taken from us?

Linda Grimsrud: Her light, you know, her light.

Lars Grimsrud: That's a  that's a tough one to talk about because there's, uh, there's so much. I want her to jump outta that car and say, "hey Papa."

Throughout her life, Kristil spent countless hours working with her dad on classic muscle cars. / Credit: Lars Grimsrud

Lars still passes his time restoring parts for vintage cars. That father-daughter hobby is now being passed down to Kristil's children.

Lars Grimsrud: They're in here. They run that same electric screwdriver and they can tear a carburetor apart.

Peter Van Sant: So, in that way, you're honoring her memory. Aren't you?

Lars Grimsrud: Well, that's the whole idea. Yeah.

Peter Van Sant: You carry on that tradition.

Lars Grimsrud: Yeah. That's the whole idea. She, uh, she would get such a kick out of seeing the kids doing the stuff that she was involved in.

Linda Grimsrud: I look at my grandkids and  I find a moment of peace  because I see her.

The family has started an online fundraising campaign to help Kristil's three children.

Produced by Betsy Shuller and Susan Mallie. Elena DiFiore and Ryan N. Smith are the development producers. Michael Loftus is the associate producer. Marcus Balsam, Diana DeCilio, Phil Tangel and George Baluzy are the editors. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer.

"48 Hours" Post Mortem Podcast

Journalist Sheila Flynn joins "48 Hours" correspondents Anne-Marie Green and Peter Van Sant to share insights from inside the courtroom and examine the murder of Kristil Krug. They examine the threatening messages Kristil received for months before her death by an alleged stalker and how investigators used digital forensic evidence to determine that stalker was her own husband, Dan Krug. Listen now.

College student detained by ICE at Boston airport, deported to Honduras

$1.6 million raised for 88-year-old man working at grocery store

Videos show immigration arrests as Trump administration begins crackdown in New Orleans
The Mediterranean's first sanctuary for dolphins that have lived in captivity will open off Italy next year, as demand for re-homing rises with the closure of marine parks across Europe.

"We must develop a new model for managing dolphins in a natural but supervised environment," Carmelo Fanizza, head of the San Paolo Dolphin Refuge, told AFP.

Located off the coast of Taranto in the southern Italian region of Puglia, the sanctuary still needs a final green light from the government.

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But the site will be ready by the end of this month and the first dolphins are expected to arrive "no later than May or June 2026", Fanizza said.

Animal rights concerns have driven countries such as Canada and France to ban the capture of dolphins, porpoises and whales, while growing numbers of marine parks are shutting.

That has created a burning question: what to do with the cetaceans, which can live for decades and have mostly only known life in captivity, so cannot be released into the wild?

The San Paolo Dolphin Refuge got permission from the Italian government in 2023 to use a seven-hectare (2.5-acre) area in the Gulf of Taranto, near the island of San Paolo.

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The spot is "sheltered and protected from the sea, winds and prevailing ocean currents", said Fanizza, brushing off concerns the site was near the industrial coastal city of Taranto.

The city is home to one of Europe's largest steelworks, which has been embroiled in a pollution scandal, but is currently operating at reduced capacity.

"Improvements have been made to the facilities, so that the quality of the breathable air, the water column and the sediments in the area currently pose no risk to animal health," Fanizza said.

- Sanctuary -

Located around four kilometres (nearly 2.5 miles) off the coast, the facility has a main 1,600-square-metre (17,200-square-foot) enclosure, a smaller one for potential transfers and a veterinary one for quarantine cases.

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It has a floating laboratory, accommodation so staff can be on site overnight, and a food preparation area.

It is also equipped with a video surveillance system -- both above and under water -- as well as a series of sensors at sea, which transmit data to a control room in Taranto.

The sanctuary's construction has been largely paid for by Jonian Dolphin Conservation -- the research organisation behind the initiative -- with support from private donors and European public funds.

The site's operating costs are estimated at between 350,000 and 500,000 euros ($408,000 and $584,000) per year.

It could legally accommodate up to 17 dolphins, but "the number will absolutely not be that", said Fanizza, who stressed the importance of their well-being.

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"Our goal at this stage is not to take in a large number of animals but to identify a group that, given its medical condition, behaviour and social structure, could be ideal for initiating such a project," he said.

Muriel Arnal, head of French animal rights group One Voice, which has long campaigned for marine sanctuaries, told AFP that Europe currently has around 60 dolphins in captivity.

"Once you have a model that works well, you can replicate it," she said, adding that she hoped San Paolo would give a home to French dolphins too.

jra/ide/ar/phz/jhb
Lock boxes for storing the keys to tourist apartments have become a symbol of Italy's problems with overtourism. Many locals find the lock boxes, hanging almost everywhere in large cities, an eyesore.

Now, key lock boxes are set to be banned in the northern Italian city of Milan after the city council passed a corresponding regulation on Thursday evening.

The ban is due to come into effect from January. After that, fines of up to 400 ($466.14) will be imposed if a key lock box is still installed near the apartment door or on the house facade.

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In recent years, key lock boxes have become popular means of handling short-term rentals. They are often used by holiday flat owners to deposit keys, allowing their guests a contactless check-in. The visitor can open the box with a code and retrieve the key.

At a nationwide level, Italy has already made it mandatory that there must be a meeting between the owner and the holidaymaker even for short-term rentals. However, there is not yet a formal ban on key boxes everywhere.

Florence, in Tuscany, was the first major Italian city to ban key lock boxes at the beginning of the year.

Critics argue that the lock boxes spoil the cityscape and that check-ins without personal contact pose security risks.

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"Apart from the aspect of urban design, the uncontrolled spread of key lock boxes poses security risks and can lead to inconveniences for residents," the Milan city council argued. Short-term rentals, often offered via online platforms like Airbnb, are widespread in tourist hotspots such as Italy.

Italy has struggled to balance hospitality with the burden of overtourism. Venice made headlines with entrance fees for day visitors, which brought in over 5 million (about $5.8 million) in 2025.

Yet the core issue remains: crowded streets, exasperated residents, and fading everyday life.

Last year, Italy's top cultural sites drew more than 60 million paying visitors, surpassing the country's population for the first time.

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Meanwhile the buried city of Pompeii, which had been attracting some 36,000 visitors on busy days, last year introduced a limit of 20,000. Tourists still flock to the attraction - one of Italy's most popular - in hordes to see the archaeological park and learn about the victims of the Vesuvius eruption.

The Vatican is set to have had one of its busiest years in tourism, and even ahead of the recent death of pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, the city had expected some 32 million pilgrims to come to the city for the holy year of 2025.
TUPELO  A 31-year-old Itawamba County man will spend the next two decades in federal prison for taking pictures while he sexually assaulted a child.

Keith Blake Clifton of Fulton pleaded guilty in August to producing child pornography and distributing child pornography. On Wednesday, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Debra Brown sentenced Clifton to 15 years for producing the images and another five years for distributing them. The sentences will be served consecutively.

When released from prison, Clifton will have to serve five years under supervised release. He also has to pay $66,500 restitution to the victims. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

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The Mississippi Attorney Generals Office and the FBI began an investigation after the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children detected that someone was using a mobile messaging app to distribute images and videos of child sexual abuse material. The investigation identified Clifton and authorities found more than 1,000 images of child pornography, including depictions of infants and toddlers, on his electronic devices.

Clifton later admitted to investigators that he had sexually abused a child in his care and photographed the encounter.

The actions of Clifton were abhorrent, and such acts against a child will never be tolerated, said interim U.S. Attorney Scott Leary. The prevention and prosecution of crimes against the most vulnerable among us will always be a top priority of this office.

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff said that there is no justification for the victimization and abuse children and law enforcement will do everything they can to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.

Child sexual abuse is a horrific crime that does extraordinary physical, mental, and emotional damage to the victim, said Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. And when it is recorded or photographed, that childs trauma occurs over and over again.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' private aerospace firm Blue Origin wants permission to discharge a massive quantity of wastewater into a lagoon that the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a "natural treasure," Gizmodo reported.

What's happening?

Indian River Lagoon is one of the most biodiverse estuaries in North America, "responsible for one-seventh of the region's economy," according to Florida State Parks.

Like Bezos' Blue Origin, the waterway is situated on Florida's Space Coast, named for its proximity to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.

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Blue Origin pursued a permit to discharge 490,000 gallons of wastewater destined for Indian River Lagoon each day, and that figure did not appear to be random.

WTXV reported that 500,000 gallons was the daily threshold to trigger more stringent environmental oversight.

Users on Reddit's r/321, a subreddit named for a Florida area code, were chagrined by the proposal and accused Blue Origin and Bezos of sticking Floridians with the tab  ecologically and economically.

"The wastewater plants that serve the space center are at capacity  Brevard County needs over $130 million to expand these wastewater plants. Why can't the facilities that need to use the plants pay for it?" one commented.

Why is this concerning?

A spokesperson for Blue Origin told Gizmodo that the firm sought only the "renewal" of an existing permit, but locals remained suspicious, as a Change.org petition detailed.

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"The Indian River Lagoon is already fighting for its life. Decades of nutrient pollution, algae blooms, seagrass collapse, habitat loss, and record manatee deaths have pushed this fragile ecosystem to the edge," it began.

One Lagoon, an organization established to protect Indian River Lagoon, emphasized its fragility in the face of increasing ecological stressors, citing overexploitation of its resources, industrial contamination, and wastewater discharge as major contributing factors.

On Dec. 3, Florida Today profiled the conflict between Blue Origin and locals concerned about the health of the lagoon, quoting advocate Stel Bailey.

Blue Origin "could be building reservoirs. They could be filtering and reusing water. They have thousands of acres in the wildlife refuge to create regional retention systems. They are brilliant engineers," Bailey said at a meeting on Dec. 2.

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"So why are they being instructed to dump into the lagoon instead of being challenged to innovate?"

The outlet also reported that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection had "fined Blue Origin several times in recent years for permit violations," largely ones relating to alleged improper management of industrial wastewater.

What's being done about it?

Florida Today indicated that locals had until Dec. 18 to submit requests for a public hearing to the DEP.

Gizmodo hinted that the plan was likely to go forward, but a groundswell of public outcry could halt it.



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China's designs on supremacy in artificial intelligence could be hindered by a funding gap in the sector, according to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who gave a grim assessment of the country's AI prospects as China and the US lock horns for dominance.

However, analysts said that funding would not be a concern for China's AI development given the deep pockets of the country's private and state investors - particularly as Beijing, Big Tech firms and investors were united in their determination to accelerate AI development from chips to applications.

Schmidt said that compared with the US, which had the world's "most extraordinary capital market", China lacked the same "depth of the financial market", adding that Chinese start-ups literally "cannot get the money" to keep up in the AI race.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"Without that access to capital, it's very hard to do these large models with this complicated training," Schmidt said at a forum hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School on Monday, according to a video published on the school's YouTube channel.

Schmidt's remarks reflected how a challenging Chinese economy and evolving start-up scene had already dampened the appetite of market-driven venture capital funds in recent years.

This trend has since been compounded by US restrictions that have prevented venture capital funds - historically among the largest sources of capital making lucrative bets on China's tech and internet growth - from backing key Chinese sectors including AI, citing national security concerns.

However, capital from the government and Big Tech firms had flowed in to make up for the lack of market-driven venture capital, according to analysts at PitchBook, a global start-up and venture capital data service firm.

China's capital formation now came from and would "continue to be driven by state-backed programmes and corporate ecosystems", as nondomestic participation remained limited, said Melanie Tng, an analyst at PitchBook focusing on Asia-Pacific private capital, in a note this week.

"In China, the combination of provincial subsidies and corporate initiatives from ... [Big Tech] firms continue to support large-scale AI commercialisation, even as private [venture capital] liquidity tightens," Tng said.
Not content with adding dozens of new routes to Florida airports in December and the beginning of 2026, JetBlue is also adding new Spring Break routes starting in March between Fort Lauderdale and six destinations that airport does not usually serve with JetBlue.

The limited-time flights will go to Bozeman, Montana (BZN); Denver (DEN); DallasFort Worth (DFW); RenoTahoe, Nevada (RNO); Salt Lake City (SLC); and Jacksonville, Florida (JAX), the airline said in a Dec. 4 release.

The low-cost airline will also add a special flight connecting Portland, Maine (PWM) with Fort Lauderdale five times a week from April 16 to 27, 2026, for Patriots Day.

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As we continue to grow our position as the leading carrier in Fort Lauderdale, were excited to bring even more destinations and flexibility to our customers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, said Dave Jehn, JetBlue vice president, network planning and airline partnerships in the release. From spring break favorites to special Patriots Day flying, these routes are another example of how were responding to demand and creating more opportunities for travelers to enjoy the experience that sets JetBlue apart.

Flights are on sale now at jetblue.com.

There are also 11 new routes that started or increased service at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport Thursday and Friday, two routes that marked JetBlue's return to Daytona Beach after a seven-year hiatus, several more starting at Tampa and Vero Beach later this month, and more have been announced for Florida airports in 2026.

What are JetBlue's Spring Break flights added for 2026?

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and: Bozeman, Montana (BZN) , Saturdays from March 14-28 Denver (DEN) , 1-2x daily from March 12-23, 2026 Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) , 1-2x daily from March 12-23, 2026 Jacksonville (JAX) , 1-2x daily from March 1223, 2026 Portland, ME (PWM) , 5x weekly from April 1627, 2026 Reno-Tahoe (RNO) , Saturdays from March 14-28, 2026 Salt Lake City (SLC) , Monday, ThursdaySunday from March 1223, 2026



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The New York-based airline has made a major push into the Florida market in 2025, with the stated goal to reach 113 daily departures and serve 46 nonstop destinations. JetBlue is Fort Lauderdale's leading carrier.

What other new JetBlue flights are coming to Florida?

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, 5x weekly starting March 5, 2026 John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, 5x weekly starting March 5, 2026

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and: Aruba (AUA) , 3x weekly, year-round, started Dec. 4 Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) , 4x weekly, year-round, started Dec. 4 Grand Cayman (GCM) , 3x weekly, year-round, started Dec. 4 Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) , 1x weekly, year-round, started Dec. 4 San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP ), 4x weekly, year-round, started Dec. 4 St. Maarten (SXM) , 4x weekly, year-round, started Dec. 4 Syracuse, New York (SYR) , 5x weekly, started March 5, 2026 Cancun, Mexico (CUN) , increased to 3x daily, started Dec. 5 Kingston, Jamaica (KIN) , increased to 2-3x daily (5-6x over peak), started Dec. 4 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) , increased to 1-2x daily, started Dec. 4 San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) , increased to 2x daily (3x daily over peak), started Dec. 4 Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic (STI) , increased to 1x daily, year-round, started Dec. 4

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and: San Juan (SJU) , 4x weekly, starting March 13, 2026

Orlando International Airport (MCO) and: Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) in New York, 5x weekly, starting March 26, 2026

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers and: Buffalo, New York (BUF) , 3x weekly, starting March 26, 2026 Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Islip, New York, 3x weekly, seasonal, from Dec. 18, 2025 through April 28, 2026

Tampa International Airport (TPA) and: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) , daily, year-round, starting Dec. 18 Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Islip, New York, 4x weekly, seasonal, from Dec. 19, 2025 through April 29, 2026

Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB ) and: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, daily, year-round, starting Dec. 11 John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, daily, year-round, starting Dec. 11



JetBlue in November also increased service on routes between Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta, Georgia; Hartford, Connecticut; Boston, Massachusetts; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Other airports expanding Florida presence

JetBlue isn't the only airline growing in Florida.

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Allegiant Airlines announced 11 new routes coming next year.

Avelo Airlines has a new route and expanded service coming in February.

After launching nearly 20 new routes in Floirida airports this fall, Breeze Airlines is bringing a new Montego Bay, Jamaica flight in February.

United Airlines is adding new routes to Florida airports by the end of the year

What Florida airports does JetBlue service?

Daytona Beach, DAB

Fort Lauderdale, FLL

Fort Myers, RSW

Jacksonville, JAX

Key West, EYW

Miami, MIA

Orlando, MCO

Sarasota, SRQ

Tampa, TPA

Vero Beach, VRB (coming soon)

West Palm Beach, PBI

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: JetBlue adding new Florida Spring Break routes with 6 new destinations
A man pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol returned to Washington in recent days and has been wandering the neighborhood of Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin  alarming police and prosecutors, who urged a judge to immediately jail him.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, who convicted Taylor Taranto at a bench trial this year for a threat to federal buildings and for bringing weapons to President Barack Obamas D.C. neighborhood, did not immediately order him back to prison, but said he would weigh the request over the next few weeks.

He ordered Taranto at a court hearing Thursday to return immediately to his home in Washington state for the holidays.

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Taranto is the latest Jan. 6 defendant, pardoned by Trump, to face new legal trouble. He drew national headlines when he was arrested in 2023 shortly after livestreaming a threat to blow up the National Institute of Standards and Technology and entered a Maryland elementary school while livestreaming apparent threats to Raskin, a Democrat from the state. He was arrested after authorities found him with weapons in Obamas Kalorama neighborhood a day after Trump posted the address on Truth Social.

Taranto spent two years in jail while awaiting trial.

Nichols convicted Taranto earlier this year for the weapons and threats but spared him additional jail time, instead imposing supervised release  requiring routine check-ins with a probation officer. But that could change soon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Wolf said Tarantos return to D.C., his erratic behavior and renewed livestreaming raised serious alarms that he was on the path to the same conduct that led to criminal charges against him two years earlier and urged that he be returned to jail.

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Wolf described acute mental health concerns, a series of alleged violations of Tarantos supervised release conditions, and alarming social media posts, including one from the parking lot of the Pentagon. The prosecutor discussed other details of Tarantos case during a closed court session.

Tarantos attorney, Carmen Hernandez, requested more time to review aspects of the case and asked that Taranto be permitted to return to Washington state to spend time with his wife and two kids for the holidays.

Tarantos probation officer Sean Stallman recommended against jail time, instead asking for stricter monitoring of Taranto's drug use and psychiatric treatment before resorting to incarceration. Stallman said Taranto failed to appear for mandatory check-ins with the probation office and added concerns about his mental health disorder.

After Taranto swore to drive back to Washington state by noon Friday, Nichols agreed to let him leave voluntarily and ordered him not return to D.C. until at least after the new year. Nichols said he would make a decision on the governments detention request later.

Nichols also ordered Taranto to attend a probation hearing in Washington state on Dec. 10. The judge said he is absolutely prepared to incarcerate Taranto if any of his orders were violated.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke

The losing 2024 presidential ticket of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and former Vice President Kamala Harris is together again, as a fundraising email put it, aiming to raise money for Walzs reelection next year.

On Wednesday, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a 2020 election conspiracy theorist, filed paperwork to run for Minnesota governor, but he added that he is not entirely sure he will run. I am going to announce either way on Dec. 11, he told The Minneapolis Star Tribune.

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The next day, subscribers to KamalaHarris.com emails received an email of what was presumably a mockup of a hypothetical text exchange between Harris and her 2024 vice presidential running mate. It begins with the governor saying, Hi, Tim Walz here.

Kamala too, the former veep replies.

Together again, the governor says, later adding, Trump loyalist and election denier Mike Lindell just jumped into the race against me for Governor of Minnesota. After some Democratic fundraising email boilerplate, such as, We need your help, Walz asks recipients to split a contribution between my reelection campaign and Kamalas work elevating the next generation of leadership in America.

Although Harris and Walz narrowly lost the popular vote, the ticket was rejected by every swing state.

The post Kamala Harris and Tim Walz Are Together Again first appeared on Mediaite.
Kansas Rep. Silas Miller, a Wichita Democrat, will replace retiring Sen. Mary Ware, also of Wichita. During a precinct election on Thursday, Miller won a majority of votes in a contest against Tom Witt, the former executive director of Kansas Equality. This image of Miller is from February 2023. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Two-term Rep. Silas Miller was selected by the Sedgwick County Democratic Party to fill a vacancy in the Kansas Senate created by the resignation of Sen. Mary Ware.

Miller, elected to the House in 2022 and reelected without opposition in 2024, prevailed in a vote Thursday among Senate precinct committee members. He defeated Tom Witt, a former executive director of Equality Kansas who retired from Statehouse lobbying in 2022, on a vote of 16-5.

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Miller said he appreciated Ware as a political colleague and that he would have big shoes to fill while completing her unexpired term in the 25th District.

Silas Miller is a forward-thinking leader who brings a wealth of life and legislative experience to the table, said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Johnson County Democrat. Were grateful that he has decided to step into the Senate chamber in this new capacity.

Miller serves on the House education, election and insurance committees. Hes been the ranking Democrat on the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. In 2024, Miller proposed an unsuccessful amendment to a bill that would have removed cannabis from a list of illegal drugs in Kansas.

Ware, a retail store owner, announced her decision to resign Nov. 13. In 2018, she replaced Sen. Lynn Rogers in a precinct committee election. Rogers had stepped down after elected lieutenant governor on a ticket with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

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Ware was elected to a full term in the Senate during 2020 and reelected 2024. Last November, she carried the district with 57% of the vote against Republican Keenen Smith. She served on tax, commerce and agriculture committees in the Senate.

While my time in the Senate is at an end, I will remain an involved private citizen and an advocate for the people of Wichita in this next era of my life, Ware said.

Kristi Kirk, chair of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party, said Ware was known for her involvement with the community and as a unifying force in the Democratic Party.

Mary could always be counted on to support not only her constituents, but was a champion for creating a full and safe future for Kansas children since joining the Senate, Kirk said.


URGENT

Two days ago I was contacted by a high-ranking employee of the French Government. After determining this persons position and proximity to the French couple, I have deemed the information they gave me to be credible enough to share publicly in the event that something happens.

In short, this person claims that the Macrons have executed upon and paid for my assassination. Yes, you read that correctly. More specifically, that the green light was given to a small team in National Gendamarie Intervention Group. I am told there is one Israeli that is on this assasination squad and the plans were formalized.

Again, this person provided concrete proof that they are well placed within the French government apparatus.

Further to this point, this person claims that Charlie Kirks assassin trained with the French legion 13th brigade with multi-state involvement.

Journalist Xavier Poussards life is also at risk. This is deadly serious. The head of state of France apparently wants us both dead and has authorized professional units to carry this out.

I ask that every person RETWEET and share this.

I do not know who in the American government can be trusted, since this source claims our leaders are aware. But I have more specific information which is definitively verifiable, should they care to reach out to me.

To the brave official in France who did this because they were so moved by the evil of Charlies public execution to risk their own life May God bless you. Truly.

Let all be revealed.
After federal law enforcement officials arrested Brian Cole Jr., the suspect in the Capitol Hill pipe-bombing case, FBI Director Kash Patel spoke at a press conference and appeared eager to boast about the developments.

When you attack American citizens, when you attack our institutions of legislation, when you attack our nations capital, you attack the very being of our way of life, the bureaus director declared. And this FBI and this Department of Justice stand here to tell you that we will always refute it and combat it.

Well, maybe not always.

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Not to put too fine a point on it, but listening to Patel, it was hard not to think of the Jan. 6 rioters who also attacked our institutions of legislation and our nations capital. If memory serves, they were ultimately rewarded with pardons from Donald Trump  with the support of the presidents appointees at the FBI and the Justice Department.

Perhaps this slipped Patels mind?

The directors lack of self-awareness was jarring but familiar. Over the summer, for example, Speaker Mike Johnson delivered remarks from the House floor about his partys support for law enforcement. The idea that those who put their own lives on the line to protect us would be assaulted for doing their jobs is unconscionable, the Louisiana Republican said, seemingly unaware of the GOPs support for insurrectionists who violently assaulted police officers.

Four days after Johnsons speech, in a very different context, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared from her lectern, This administration wants anyone who has ever committed a crime to be held accountable.

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That certainly sounded nice, but there were some rather glaring problems with the sentiment. For one thing, the president is a convicted felon who wasnt especially interested in being held accountable. For another, while itd be great if the administration wanted accountability for criminals, theres the inconvenient fact that Trump keeps pardoning criminals, including violent felons who attacked police officers on Jan. 6, which made sure they werent held accountable.

A month earlier, U.S. Customs and Border Protection used its social media platform to issue a statement that read, Let this be clear: Anyone who assaults or impedes a federal law enforcement officer or agent in the performance of their duties will be arrested and swiftly prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Attack a cop, and life long consequences will follow!

These sentiments should apply to Jan. 6, but as far as Team Trump is concerned, they dont.

So while Patel appears to have conveniently forgotten about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, he has a regrettable amount of company.

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This post updates our related earlier coverage.

The post Kash Patel says attacking the capital attacks our way of life, ignoring other Jan. 6 events appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
GRAY  KCEOC Community Action Partnership, Inc. has received the largest gift in its 60-year history with a $5 million grant from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, a national initiative led by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos to support organizations working on the frontlines of family homelessness.

The nonprofit, which serves counties throughout the Cumberland Valley Area Development District, was named one of 32 organizations nationwide selected for a share of $102.5 million in grants this year.

We are honored and deeply appreciative for this award, said Paul D. Dole, president/CEO of KCEOC Community Action Partnership, Inc. in a press release. The timing of this award is crucial given the critical needs of the families experiencing homelessness as they strive to reach self-sufficiency.

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With the five-year award, KCEOC plans to expand services for families experiencing homelessness in Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle and Whitley counties. The agency will focus on ensuring that no child in our community sleeps outside, while providing a range of support services including outreach, rental assistance to help families secure stable housing and expanded shelter options.

Jennifer Smith, vice president and chief operating officer who oversees all homeless programs, said the investment will allow the agency to significantly widen its reach.

We are so thankful for this opportunity. It is part of our mission to help those who are unsheltered and with this funding, we can reach so many more people and make a difference in so many more lives, Smith said.

The Bezos Day 1 Families Fund has awarded 280 grants totaling more than $850 million to organizations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam since it launched in 2018. The fund focuses on supporting nonprofits that provide critical services, help families regain housing stability, and work toward long-term well-being.

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KCEOC, one of the nations original Community Action Agencies established in 1964, has long provided services ranging from early childhood education to emergency housing support, food assistance, workforce training and weatherization. The organization says the new grant will strengthen its mission of recognizing human potential and creating opportunities for positive change in communities across Eastern and Central Kentucky.

Our mission is not just a statement; its a commitment to fostering hope, improving communities and making America a better place by helping individuals help themselves and each other, the agency noted in the release.
Around a kitchen table scattered with family photos, the Patla family laughs softly at old snapshots. They point out grandpa's beard, grandma's smile, and the beach selfies Olivia loved to take. It's a bittersweet ritual - a way to keep her close.

"She just lit up the room," said Rene Patla, Olivia's mother. "She was ready to go into the world and follow her brother Jacob everywhere. And she was beautiful - absolutely stunning inside and out."

We died with her that same day. To see your daughter on a stretcher - it's an image you can never get out of your head.

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Olivia Patla was 18, a day shy of graduating from Clovis North High School, when she died from a fentanyl overdose in 2021. Her parents say she promised to be careful before leaving that night.

"She looked me in the eyes and said, 'Mom, I'm not stupid. I would never do that. I don't want to die,'" Rene recalled.

Law enforcement sources tell Action News that a 17-year-old friend gave Olivia the pill that killed her - and got it from Lakota Wakely. Wakely is serving eight years in federal prison on an unrelated case, while the state case tied to Olivia's death remains pending. Investigators say the teen refused to call 911 as Olivia overdosed and even recorded video as it happened.

"The only thing I remember that day is rushing to get to where my daughter had passed away," said Paul Patla, Olivia's father. "My wife on the phone telling me that Olivia's with Jesus. I just can't believe what I heard."

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The loss shattered the family. "We died with her that same day," Rene said. "To see your daughter on a stretcher - it's an image you can never get out of your head."

As I get older, I start to forget her voice. And it's scary.

For Olivia's siblings, speaking out now is part of healing. "It was so unexpected," said Abigail. "No one should ever lose a daughter - a sibling. We have an empty seat at the table. Even right now, sitting here, it's us three."

Luke added, "It doesn't get better. You just learn to live with it. My family is so close and so supportive, but we have to live without our sister. We have to live for her name."

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Jacob said the tragedy changed everything. "We were strong as six, and we're even stronger as five because of that loss. It's unfortunate, but I think we're even stronger now. When one of us has a bad day, we know the others are here for us."

The Patlas buried Olivia in the dress she planned to wear for graduation. Now, they share her story to warn others about the dangers of fentanyl. Her photo and name were recently displayed during a presentation at Washington Union High School in Easton, where Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp spoke to an auditorium full of students about the deadly risks of fentanyl.

Saving a life is what my daughter gave her life for.

"Olivia hated taking photos," Abigail said with a laugh. "If she knew her face was on a big screen in a presentation around the country, she'd be like, 'What? Oh my gosh.' But it's good. Kids need to know."

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Luke agreed: "Even if these kids don't listen, it makes me feel good knowing that these people and my sister aren't just being forgotten."

Jacob added, "They're reiterating how this can affect anybody - any type of kid. It could be something simple that these kids try in high school, and maybe they'll think, 'Okay, I'm not going to do this. My graduation won't happen.'"

For Rene, that mission brings meaning to the pain. "It makes me feel like Olivia is still helping people," she said. "Saving a life is what my daughter gave her life for."

Back at the kitchen table, the family flips through more photos. Abigail reflects, "As I get older, I start to forget her voice. And it's scary. I miss her a lot. And I love her." Luke looks up and says quietly, "We have to live without our sister. We have to live for her name." Jacob nods. "We're trying to live every day for her because she's not here to do that." Rene reaches for Paul's hand. "I'm going to live the life that she didn't get to - do the things for her that she deserved." Paul adds, "Every moment is precious."

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Rene smiles through tears. "We're just stronger. Stronger because we have Olivia watching over us."

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit samhsa.gov for confidential, free support available 24/7.

For full coverage on our docuseries, "Killer High," go here.
NEW YORK (AP)  The clock is ticking for the U.S. government to open up its files on Jeffrey Epstein.

After months of rancor and recriminations, Congress has passed and President Donald Trump has signed legislation compelling the Justice Department to give the public everything it has on Epstein  and it has to be done before Christmas.

A federal judge on Friday took one step toward making this happen by giving the department permission to release transcripts of a grand jury investigation into Epsteins abuse of underage girls in Florida. The judge said the new law overrode the usual rules about grand jury secrecy.

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While theres sure to be never-before-seen material in the thousands of pages likely to be released in the Florida transcripts and other Epstein-related records, a lot has already been made public, including by Congress and through litigation.

And dont expect a client list of famous men who cavorted with Epstein. Though such a list has long been rumored, the Justice Department said in July that it doesnt exist.

Heres a look at whats expected to be made public, what isnt, and a refresher on how we got to this point:

Who is Jeffrey Epstein?

Epstein was a millionaire money manager known for socializing with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and the academic elite who was accused of sexually abusing underage girls.

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His relationships with powerful men, including Trump, former President Bill Clinton and the former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, have been the subject of endless fascination and speculation. Neither Trump nor Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing. Andrew has denied abusing anyone.

Police in Palm Beach, Florida, began investigating Epstein in 2005 after he was accused of paying a 14-year-old girl for sex. The FBI then joined the investigation, but Epstein made a secret deal with the U.S. attorney in Florida to avoid federal charges, enabling him to plead guilty in 2008 to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program.

In 2019, during Trumps first term, Manhattan federal prosecutors revived the case and charged Epstein with sex trafficking, alleging he sexually abused dozens of girls. He killed himself in jail a month after his arrest.

In 2021, a federal jury in Manhattan convicted Epsteins longtime confidante and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell of sex trafficking for helping recruit some of his underage victims. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

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Whats in the Justice Departments Epstein files?

Records related to the aborted Florida investigation, the Manhattan investigations, and anything else the Justice Department did to examine Epstein's dealings in the time in between.

They could include notes and reports written by FBI agents; transcripts of witness interviews, photographs, videos and other evidence; Epsteins autopsy report; and some material that may already be public, such as flight logs and travel records.

The law, dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, mandates the Justice Department to release all unclassified documents and investigative materials, including files relating to immunity deals and internal communications about whom to charge or investigate.

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The transcripts that will be released after Friday's ruling by a Florida federal judge could shed more light on federal prosecutors decision not to go forward with their case from two decades ago. It's not known when the transcripts will be made public.

What isnt authorized for release under the law?

Anything containing a victims personally identifiable information.

The law allows the Justice Department to withhold or redact records that, if made public, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. It also bars the release of any materials depicting the sexual abuse of children, or images of death, physical abuse, or injury.

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That means that if videos or photos exist of Epstein or anyone else sexually abusing underage girls, they cant be made public.

However, the law also makes clear that no records shall be withheld or redacted  meaning certain parts are blacked out  solely because their release would cause embarrassment or reputational harm to any public figure, government official or foreign dignitary.

When will the files be available to the public?

The legislation requires the Justice Department to make the documents public in a searchable and downloadable format within 30 days of Trump signing it into law. That means no later than Dec. 19.

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However, the law also allows the Justice Department to withhold files that it says could jeopardize an active federal investigation. That's also longstanding Justice Department policy. Files can also be withheld if theyre found to be classified or if they pertain to national defense or foreign policy.

While investigations into Epstein and Maxwell are long over, Attorney General Pam Bondi last week ordered a top federal prosecutor to lead an investigation into people who knew Epstein and some of Trumps political foes, including Clinton.

That investigation, taken up at Trumps urging despite the Justice Department previously finding no evidence to support such a probe, could give the government grounds to temporarily withhold at least some of the material.

What about the so-called client list?

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Epstein's so-called client list  a purported collection of his famous associates  has been the white whale of Epstein sleuths, skeptics and conspiracy theorists alike.

Even Bondi got in on the act, telling Fox News in February that the client list was sitting on my desk right now to review.

The only problem: the Justice Department concluded it doesn't exist, issuing a letter in July saying that its review of Epstein-related records had revealed no incriminating client list. Nor was there credible evidence that Epstein had blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions, the unsigned memo said.

Why are these records being released now?

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Congress is forcing the government to act after Trump reneged on a campaign promise last year to throw open the files. The Justice Department did release some records earlier this year  almost all of them already public  but suddenly hit the brakes in July after promising a truckload more.

That prompted a small, bipartisan group of House lawmakers to launch what was initially seen as a longshot effort to compel their release through legislation. In the meantime, lawmakers started disclosing documents theyd received from Epsteins estate, culminating in a 23,000-page release last week.

As public and political pressure mounted, including from some Trump allies, Congress swiftly passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Nov. 18 and Trump signed it into law the following day.

Havent some Epstein files already been made public?

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Yes. Before Congress got involved, tens of thousands of pages of records were released over the years through civil lawsuits, Epstein and Maxwells public criminal case dockets, public disclosures and Freedom of Information Act requests.

Many documents  including police reports written in Florida, state grand jury records, depositions of Epstein's employees, his flight records, his address book  are available already. In July, the Justice Department released surveillance video from the jail on the night Epstein died.

Even the FBI has previously released some Epstein-related files, posting more than 1,400 pages to its website, though much of the material was redacted and some hidden because it was under seal.
A claim circulated online in December 2025 that 50% of visas in Minnesota were fraudulent. It came from U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who said at a Dec. 2 Cabinet meeting, "You told me to look into Minnesota and their fraud on visas and their programs. Fifty percent of them are fraudulent."

Neither Noem nor the DHS established exactly which of the many lawful ways to enter the U.S. the secretary included in the "visas" and "programs" that allegedly had a 50% fraud rate.

A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services investigation in Minneapolis-St. Paul in September 2025 reportedly found "evidence of fraud, non-compliance, or public safety or national security concerns" in 275 out of more than 1,000 cases it looked into, meaning no more than 27.5%. That data did not support Noem's claim.

USCIS, which oversees immigration in the U.S. and whose Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate investigates immigration-related fraud, referred Snopes' query to the DHS. Noem's and the DHS' reluctance to comment on the evidence for Noem's claim meant it was not possible to independently verify its accuracy.

In December 2025, a claim circulated online that 50% of visas in Minnesota were fraudulent.

The claim spread after U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said at a Cabinet meeting on Dec. 2, "You told me to look into Minnesota and their fraud on visas and their programs. Fifty percent of them are fraudulent."

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The news aggregator NewsWire wrote on X (archived) that day, "NOEM: 50% OF VISAS IN MINNESOTA ARE FRAUDULENT"

NOEM: 50% OF VISAS IN MINNESOTA ARE FRAUDULENT  NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) December 2, 2025

The claim also circulated on Facebook (archived), Instagram (archived), Threads (archived) and Bluesky (archived).

Noem's claim was difficult to independently verify.

It was unclear exactly which of the many lawful ways to enter the U.S. Noem included in "visas" and "programs" that allegedly had a 50% fraud rate. Noem did not cite any data to back her claim during the Cabinet meeting, nor did a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security leads reply to clarifying questions when Snopes asked via email.

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which oversees immigration in the U.S. and whose Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate investigates immigration-related fraud, referred Snopes' query to the DHS.

Given that we could not establish what Noem based her claim on or even to which types of "visas" and "programs" it pertained, we leave this claim unrated.

We also reached out to the State Department, which issues visas, to ask if the agency knew what data Noem used to back her claim and await a reply.

Noem blamed Walz for fraudulent visas

During the Dec. 2 Cabinet meeting, Noem appeared to blame the high rate of perceived visa fraud on Minnesota's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. Noem said Walz "brought people in there illegally that never should have been in this country."

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A spokesperson for Walz's office said via email, "These comments were puzzling seeing as the federal government is responsible for immigration and visas."

The spokesperson added: "We don't lead immigration investigations and we do not track fraud in immigration cases or federal run programs."

It is true that states generally do not regulate immigration or issue visas. The USCIS, part of DHS, has overseen immigration since 2003. The federal government has been responsible for immigration since 1891. The State Department issues visas to people wishing to enter the U.S.

Recent investigation did support Noem's claim

The most recent data about immigration fraud in Minnesota appeared to come from a September USCIS investigation that the agency carried out in Minneapolis-St. Paul and surrounding areas.

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That investigation reportedly found "evidence of fraud, non-compliance, or public safety or national security concerns" in 275 out of more than 1,000 cases it looked into, meaning no more than 27.5%. USCIS said agents found evidence of fraud in 44% of the cases they interviewed, though the agency did not say how many interviews it carried out in the investigation.

In total, "Operation Twin Shield" led to 42 referrals to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and four arrests. That data did not directly support Noem's claim.

Noem's and the DHS' reluctance to comment on the exact evidence for Noem's claim meant it was not possible to independently verify its accuracy.

One former immigration attorney, Professor Ana Pottratz Acosta, a visiting fellow at the University of Minnesota, told Minneapolis news station WCCO she would need "more specific data" from the DHS before "giving any credence" to Noem's claim.

Sources:

Our History | USCIS. 21 July 2025, https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/our-history.

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Prof. Ana Pottratz Acosta Interviewed by WCCO News About DHS' Claim of 50% Fraudulent Visas in Minnesota | University of Minnesota Law School. https://law.umn.edu/news/2025-12-03-prof-ana-pottratz-acosta-interviewed-wcco-news-about-dhs-claim-50-fraudulent-visas. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

The White House. "President Trump Hosts a Cabinet Meeting, Dec. 2, 2025." YouTube, 2 Dec. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/live/pZSd7jn9CSc?t=5085s.

USCIS Announces Results of Operation Twin Shield, a Large-Scale Immigration Fraud Investigation | USCIS. 30 Sept. 2025, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-announces-results-of-operation-twin-shield-a-large-scale-immigration-fraud-investigation.


(This December 3 story has been refiled to change an image)

By Milana Vinn

NEW YORK, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Citadel, the hedge fund founded by billionaire Ken Griffin, has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered tool that aims to help investors conduct research on stocks faster and more efficiently, the firm's chief technology officer said on Wednesday.

The Citadel AI Assistant is a new chatbot tool that has been trained on licensed third-party content, including transcripts, regulatory filings, brokerage research reports and the hedge fund's own investment strategies, Citadel CTO Umesh Subramanian said in an interview at the Reuters Next conference in New York.

The tool can highlight risks and generate customized research and reading lists based on an investors portfolio, thereby producing relevant information and content for investors in a fraction of the time it would take a human researcher, he said.

The Citadel AI Assistant, which has been rolled out inside the firm over the past year, is now used regularly by nearly all of its equities investors, Subramanian said, adding that investment judgment still remains in human hands.

I don't think just by using AI you're going to become a much better investor, Subramanian said. But AI is a tool investors are going to use, and how you use it will drive performance.

At a JPMorgan investor conference on October 15, Griffin said that generative AI is not helping hedge funds produce market-beating returns and is yet to meaningfully impact the industry.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Citadel's flagship fund Wellington posted a 1.4% return in November, boosting the fund's performance for the year to 8.3%. Citadel currently has $71 billion in assets under management.

View the live broadcast of the World Stage here and read full coverage here.

(Reporting by Milana Vinn in New York; Editing by Anirban Sen and Matthew Lewis)
A Nassau County mom is suing popular gaming platform Roblox, accusing it of creating a breeding ground for child predators.

The familys attorney, Sadi Antonmattei, said an online interaction led to the attempted kidnapping of a five-year-old boy at his school.

Antonmattei filed a complaint against Roblox. He said in 2024, the boy was using an app, and he was messaging with another person who was pretending to be his peer.

In this case, the perpetrator asked the boy for the name of his school so they could meet up, Antonmattei said. This is a common tactic used by predators on the platform Roblox to groom children.

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That adult man, the attorney said, showed up at the childs school, though he didnt say what school or where it is located.

The boy was cognizant enough to know when he presented himself as his Roblox friend, he was not a child, he was a man, Antonmattei said.

The boys mother later received a call from a fellow school parent who noted a suspicious male was following her son and other children around.

According to the lawsuit, the predator then attempted to kidnap the child, and a struggle broke out, with the kids refusing to go with him. The predator saw the police arriving and got scared and fled

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The complaint stated that the predator was eventually arrested, but it doesnt name the man or the arresting agency.

Action News Jax has been working to get that arrest report. We checked with the Nassau County Sheriffs Office, and it sent us a statement:

The Nassau County Sheriffs Office would like to address a story currently circulating regarding an alleged attempted kidnapping of a 5-year-old involving the Roblox app. At this time, our agency has not been involved in any such case, nor have any attorneys connected to the matter contacted our office. If anyone has concerns or credible information to share, please contact the Nassau County Sheriffs Office directly.

We also tried to get the legal team to provide us with more details on when and where this happened and the suspects name. But they havent been able to provide it so far.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The familys attorney argued that Roblox is not doing enough to verify who is creating an account.

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A 50-year-old man can create an account and make themselves a 14-year-old girl, for example, Antonmattei said. There have been no serious attempts by Roblox to determine that people who are creating these accounts are, in fact, who they say they are.

A Roblox spokesperson sent Action News Jax a statement:

We are deeply troubled by any incident that endangers any user. We are currently reviewing the complaint and will respond appropriately to the specific claims. Roblox aims to build a platform that sets the bar for safety online, and we prioritize the safety of our community. This is why our policies are purposely stricter than those found on many other platforms. We limit chat for younger users, dont allow user-to-user image sharing, and have filters designed to block the sharing of personal information. We also understand that no system is perfect and that is why we are constantly working to further improve our safety tools and platform restrictions to ensure parents can trust us to help keep their children safe online, launching 145 new initiatives this year alone.

We also understand this is an industry-wide issue, and we are working to develop industry-wide standards and solutions. For instance, Roblox is implementing an industry-leading policy to help prevent older users from communicating with children by requiring a sophisticated facial age estimation process for all Roblox users who access our communications features. We partner with law enforcement and leading child safety and mental health organizations worldwide to combat the sexual exploitation of children and are a founding member of the Tech Coalitions Lantern project and the nonprofit Robust Open Online Safety Tools (ROOST).

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Frank Gehry, one of the most influential architects of the last century, has died aged 96.

Gehry was acclaimed for his avant garde, experimental style of architecture. His titanium-covered design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, catapulted him to fame in 1997.

His breakthrough in the architectural world came years earlier when he redesigned his own home in Santa Monica, California, using materials like chain-link fencing, plywood, and corrugated steel.

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His death was confirmed by his chief of staff Meaghan Lloyd. He is survived by two daughters from his first marriage, Leslie and Brina, as well as his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera, and their two sons, Alejandro and Samuel.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, one of Gehry's most famous works [Getty Images]

Born in Toronto in 1929, Gehry moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to study architecture at the University of Southern California, before completing further study at the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1956 and 1957.

After starting his own firm, he broke from traditional architectural principles of symmetry, using unconventional geometric shapes and unfinished materials in a style now known as deconstructivism.

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Through blending unexpected materials and sheathing buildings in stainless steel to create curvy exteriors, Gehry created buildings that took on arresting sculptural shapes.

Later in his career, Gehry used 3D modelling similar to that used by aerospace engineers to shape windy buildings, a practice largely avoided by other architects because of the complexity and costliness of construction.

In 1989, at the age of 60, Gehry was awarded the industry's top accolade, the Pritzker Architecture prize, for lifetime achievement.

The Pritzker jury said his work possessed a "highly refined, sophisticated and adventurous aesthetic".

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"His designs, if compared to American music, could best be likened to Jazz, replete with improvisation and a lively unpredictable spirit," the panel said at the time.

Gehry's international breakthrough with the Guggenheim transformed the city of Bilbao, boosting tourism to the city and the local economy. Crafted out of titanium sheets, limestone, and glass, the museum was instantly celebrated as a modern marvel.

Architect Philip Johnson, Gehry's American contemporary, described the structure as "the greatest building of our time".

Other cities tried to replicate its success, branded the "Bilbao effect", where investment in daring art could revitalise ailing economies.

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The cultural phenomenon was parodied in a 2005 episode of The Simpsons, in which the fictional town of Springfield invites Gehry, who voiced himself in the cartoon TV show, to design a new concert hall.

In the episode, the shape of the concert hall is jokingly inspired by a letter Gehry had scrunched up.

The guest appearance later "haunted" Gehry, who told the Observer in 2011 that people sincerely believed his real-life designs were inspired by crumpled paper instead of complex computations.

'Pushing the envelope'

His work in Bilbao put him in high demand, and he went on to design iconic structures in cities all over the world: the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park, the Gehry Tower in Germany, and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris.

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"He bestowed upon Paris and upon France his greatest masterpiece," said Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMH, the worlds largest luxury goods company which owns Louis Vuitton.

With a largely unpredictable style, no two of his works look the same. Prague's Dancing House, finished in 1996, looks like a glass building folding in on itself; his Hotel Marques in Spain, built in 2006, features thin sheets of wavy, multicoloured metal; his design for a business school in Sydney looks like a brown paper bag.

Gehry also designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, layered in metal resembling sails billowing in the wind. After it opened in 2003, critics described it as a "pile of broken crockery", a "fortune cookie gone berserk" and an "emptied waste basket".

In a 2007 interview with the New Yorker, Gehry shrugged off the concert hall's critics: "At least they're looking!" he quipped.

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Tributes are celebrating his eagerness to discard convention - and forge his own creative legacy.

Paul Goldberger, author of Building Art: The Life and Work of Frank Gehry, came to know Gehry closely, and said he wanted to work "until the day he died".

"He was one of the very few architects of our time to engage people emotionally," Goldberger told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight.

"He was all about pushing the envelope... wanting to use the most advanced technology to do the most adventurous things."

In a statement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney extended his "deepest condolences" to Gehry's family and the "many admirers of his work".

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He added: "His unmistakable vision lives on in iconic buildings around the world."

Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum posted a video tribute to Gehry.

"We will be forever grateful," the museum wrote on Instagram, "his spirit and legacy will always remain connected to Bilbao".
A proposal to ban local, state and federal law enforcement from wearing masks while engaged in enforcement activities was rejected by the Louisville Metro Council Dec. 4.

The vote followed more than an hour of heated debate that was heavily focused on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wearing masks during enforcement operations  a practice that has come under fire across the country since President Donald Trump's return to office.

The ordinance failed by a 12-13 vote with one council member, District 17 Metro Councilman Markus Winkler, a Democrat, voting present. District 7 Metro Councilwoman Paula McCraney, an independent, voted in favor. Metro Council President Brent Ackerson, who represents District 26, was the sole Democrat to join all council Republicans in voting against it.

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District 6 Metro Councilman JP Lyninger proposed to change Louisville's existing ban on wearing facial coverings in public in late October. At the time, he said the proposal was inspired by reports of ICE agents "regularly wearing masks while engaged in enforcement activities" and "concealing their identities during immigration raids."

"Residents are terrified by the unaccountable and unconstitutional actions taken by ICE in recent months. Louisville should not be a place where secret police operate in the streets and drag people away from their homes, schools, workplaces, and places of worship," Lyninger said in a news release about the proposal. "Law enforcement officers are expected to be identifiable as public servants to uphold the civil liberties of our residents."

Dozens of people turned out to the Louisville Metro Council chambers Dec. 4, with many holding signs in support of an ordinance to prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings. Some attendees held signs in opposition of the proposal

Louisville's existing mask law

Passed in 1983, the ordinance was originally intended to discourage Ku Klux Klan activity, according to archived Courier Journal reports.

The city stopped enforcing it at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. But in October 2024, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, citing a pattern of individuals wearing masks while committing crimes, said he would restart enforcement in such situations.

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The current ordinance includes several exemptions from the public mask-wearing restrictions. People who are wearing holiday costumes or are under the age of 16, for example, are exempt from the ban.

Lyninger's proposal would have clarified that law enforcement officers are not exempt from Louisville's existing ban, though it included language that would have allowed masks for undercover officers.

Asked about the proposal at a Dec. 2 news conference, Greenberg declined to comment on whether he would sign the legislation if passed but said he generally believes law enforcement, including federal agents, should not wear masks while working.

"There are certain situations where I think face coverings are appropriate  when you're directing traffic in cold weather like today  certainly there are situations where there needs to be protection for individuals," the mayor said. "But in general, I believe that law enforcement should not be wearing face covering, that they should be showing their faces in their line of work."

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Lyninger said officers would have been permitted to wear facial coverings when working in cold conditions because of the law's workplace-hazards exemption.

Questions arise over proposal's legality

The debate over masked federal agents leaped onto the national stage amid a rise in immigration enforcement after Trump returned to office, with media reports shining a light on ICE agents wearing masks during enforcement operations in major U.S. cities.

Critics of federal agents wearing masks have argued the practice sows intimidation and undermines government accountability. Federal officials, meanwhile, have countered, saying privacy is necessary because of threats against federal agents.

Some Democrat-run jurisdictions have considered or passed similar legislation. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law in September that prohibits most law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing masks while conducting official business, prompting the Trump administration to sue, The Associated Press reported.

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Officials in Los Angeles County are weighing a similar law, local media reported.

After the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the California law, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the policy discriminates against the federal government and puts federal agents at risk.

"These laws cannot stand," she said in a statement.

Ackerson, the Metro Council President, was one of multiple council members who raised concerns over whether Louisville has the authority to impose restrictions on federal agents.

He argued the proposal was poorly timed, given immigration raids are not occurring in Louisville to the same degree as other U.S. cities. Court cases in other places, he said, could serve as a litmus test for whether such a law could stand down the line while avoiding a potential confrontation with the Trump administration in the immediate future.

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Ackerson also noted Greenberg's directive for Louisville Metro Department of Corrections to hold inmates for up to an additional 48 hours to comply with ICE detainers helped the city avoid a sanctuary city designation.

"I fear for the hardworking folks out there that right now are not suffering like Nashville and other cities are suffering, but it could get that way," Ackerson said. "I'm afraid to poke the bear because I know the bear  being the federal government  is much stronger than us right now and has shown a resilience to take action against cities."

Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor.

Killian Baarlaer covers Louisville Metro Government. He can be reached at kbaarlaer@courier-journal.com or @bkillian72 on X.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Metro Council votes down law enforcement mask ban
The mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey, has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and child abuse.

The indictment against Gina LaPlaca, 46, was returned Nov. 20.

READ MORE | New bodycam video shows response to NJ mayor's alleged DUI

LaPlaca was arrested March 17 outside her home after allegedly admitting to officers that she had been drinking and had recently picked up her 2-year-old from day care.

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Another driver reportedly told police LaPlaca's vehicle was swerving across the centerline and nearly struck oncoming cars. Officers also allegedly found an open container of alcohol in the car.

Body camera video showed officers responding to her home before the arrest on charges of driving under the influence.

LaPlaca, who has refused to resign, was elected to the township committee in 2020 and re-elected in 2023.

She is scheduled to appear in court next week.
A new era of opportunity is in store for students at Lehman College, part of the City University of New York after the institution received a historic $50 million donation.

The gift from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation was announced at the Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx on Thursday morning.

The celebration featured a big fake check, but the amount on it is very real.

"I've never had someone cold call me and say, 'hey, I have $50 million bucks, are you interested in accepting the gift?' It was so cool, very much so, I'm very interested in receiving the gift," Lehman College President Fernando Delgado said.

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The signature MacKenzie Scott tells the story.

Scott, who is the former wife of billionaire Jeff Bezos, has pledged to give away her fortune. Her philanthropic foundation has donated billions to HBCUs, tribal and community colleges serving minority populations.

Half of Lehman's 14,000 students come from families earning less than $30,000 dollars per year, according to college officials.

"This school has been so great to me. I've been able to grow so much as a person. I'm so glad that I chose it," student Lisbeth Martinez said.

Brittany Lazano, another student, says she has felt supported at Lehman to pursue her academics, all while being a full-time mother.

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"It's hard to go to school as a parent of two. I have to work as well, but I'm still able to go for my bachelor's degree and still be able to have a day care services on campus," Lazano said.

Thursday's announcement felt like deja vu all over again for the CUNY campus. Five years ago, the foundation gave the school $30 million. The donation on Thursday is a reward of sorts for the college's success.

In 2024, Lehman opened an $85 million nursing building, complete with a state of the art simulated hospital floor. A business school previously opened on campus in 2022.

"This wouldn't have happened if it wasn't clear that it's a key anchor institution in the Bronx serving the Bronx and New York City," CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez said.

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Scott's gift comes with no string attached -- to use as the college sees fit.

As with the previous award, most will be invested in an endowment fund. Administrators say that will give them flexibility to award scholarships and increase aid amid the threat of federal cuts.

A gift that will keep on giving at Lehman College.

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Maggots may be the key to more accurately determining when people died, according to Florida researchers, pointing to the genetic makeup of larvae.

The findings build on previous methods that investigators have used to determine when people died. Currently, investigators rely on the outer appearance of maggots and the presence of eggs on decomposing bodies to estimate people's death dates.

However, researchers at Miamis Florida International University have found that by observing maggots genes and metabolic changes, investigators can better estimate when people died.

Calling the discovery a molecular clock, the university said in a news release that the finding could revolutionize death investigations worldwide. The research was published on Dec. 4 in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS Genetics.

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Heres how the method works, and more on why researchers believe its so important in determining time of death:

How does the current method work, and whats wrong with it?

Leading the research team are FIU biologist Matthew DeGennaro and forensics researcher Jeffrey Wells. According to the researchers, investigators often rely on maggots, or fly larvae, to determine the time passed since someone's death. The larvae, which are among the first to feed on decomposing flesh, help investigators determine the time passed since death with their size, weight and appearance, the researchers said.

The older the maggots appear, the longer the person has been deceased, according to the researchers.

Maggots photographed after feeding on dead flesh. The maggots were part of a study out of Florida International University titled "Unraveling forensic timelines using molecular markers in Phormia regina maggots," published in December 2025.

The researchers also stressed that maggots are cold-blooded, so when pinpointing the time of death, investigators must also consider temperature and time.

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One limitation of the current method is that maggots have a period during which their outer appearance does not change significantly. This period is called the third instar, and can last hours or days, according to the researchers.

Pictured is a maggot.

During this period, the larvae eventually stop feeding, then wander away from the body and retreat into soil or clothing, searching for a place to later transition from larvae to adult flies, according to Simon Fraser University.

By relying on maggots outside appearance, which is at a standstill for some time, investigators cannot make the most accurate prediction of the time of death.

Whats the new method?

The FIU researchers observed the genetic makeup of larvae during this third instar period, where they change very little in appearance.

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Analysis was done at 10-hour intervals. During these 10-hour intervals, as the team studied the genetic makeup of maggots, PhD candidate Sheng-Hao Lin discovered nine genes that differed in the older larvae.

This analysis allowed the team to create a molecular clock that could give investigators a more accurate age for the larvae, helping to determine a more precise time of death in death investigations, the university wrote on its website.

Now, the molecular clock can be tested outside of the lab, according to the researchers.

The team also found that:

The maggots began to show signs of wandering at 90 hours old .

The maggots showed no noticeable changes in weight or size between 110 and 130 hours old .

Wandering became the predominant behavior for maggots once they reached 130 hours old.

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Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia  the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maggots' DNA can help better estimate time of death, researchers say
Rep. Deqa Dhalac (D-South Portland) presents legislation to the Judiciary Committee on May 19 that would restrict the scope of immigration-related work of individual law enforcement officers and state employees. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Maines Somali legislators denounced President Donald Trumps increasing attacks on the immigrant community in an open letter on Thursday.

This moment is bigger than any one politician or any one community, wrote Reps. Mana Abdi of Lewiston, Deqa Dhalac of South Portland and Yusuf Yusuf of Portland. The three are the first Somali-Americans to serve in the Maine House of Representatives.

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What we are witnessing is part of a coordinated effort to destabilize immigrant, Indigenous, and other communities of color, undermine democratic norms, and reshape the fabric of America through exclusion and extrajudicial force, they wrote.

In the wake of last weeks shooting of two National Guard members in the District of Columbia by an Afghan national who was granted asylum, the Trump administration has taken several drastic steps to halt the nations legal immigration and asylum processes. At the same time, the president has turned his ire on the Somali-American community, launching an immigration enforcement campaign in Minnesotas Twin Cities targeted at Somali people, who he called garbage during a Tuesday cabinet meeting.

Minnesota, followed by Ohio, is home to the largest Somali community in the country. Outside of those two states, Maines Androscoggin County, which includes Lewiston, boasts one of the nations most robust Somali populations.

In their letter, Maines Democratic lawmakers said the presidents dehumanizing rhetoric is dangerous because it could embolden people to harass, intimidate, or threaten our neighbors.

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They also condemned the presidents actions to limit temporary protected status for certain immigrant populations, leaving them open to deportation. TPS is granted to people who hail from countries deemed too dangerous for a return, due to violence or major natural disasters.

Within hours of Wednesdays shooting, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services halted all immigration requests from Afghan nationals. The administration also ended TPS for more than 330,000 nationals from Haiti. And Thursday, the head of the USCIS announced that by direction of Trump the agency would reexamine every green card application from every country of concern, which are the 19 countries on the presidents travel ban list.

In the letter, the Maine lawmakers said the majority of those being targeted by the Trump administrations policies are law-abiding individuals who are legitimately working to attain citizenship, many of whom have called America their home for decades, raising families, contributing to our economy, and strengthening our communities.

Every person in this nation, regardless of immigration status, is entitled to due process. That is not optional, they wrote. Today, TPS holders are being targeted. If we remain silent, we normalize a politics that can, and will, be turned against others.

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In a separate statement, Maine Gov. Janet Mills condemned the presidents comments about Somali immigrants and said he is demeaning the very idea and spirit of America.

Mills said the beauty of America is not that we are bound by a common racial or religious heritage, but rather people are bound by the principle of being treated equally under the law and we are all guaranteed equal opportunity to succeed.

Other community leaders have also spoken out. Lewiston resident Safiya Khalid, who previously served as the first Somali-American elected to the city council, said Trumps targeting of Somali communities is incomprehensible, harmful, and absolutely appalling.

I expect our state leaders and elected officials to speak out forcefully against this vile attack and to show unwavering support for their Somali constituents, Khalid wrote on social media. This is not a moment for silence or political calculation. Our communities deserve dignity, respect, and allies who will stand with us when it matters most.

States Newsroom reporter Ariana Figueroa contributed to this reporting.
In the run-up to New York City's mayoral election, Donald Trump let loose with one of his signature, ill-tempered social-media rants, where he complained that Democrats "have crossed the line" by nominating Zohran Mamdani. Trump described him as "a 100% Communist Lunatic. We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous."

Although I wish Trump would at least occasionally act presidential, I chuckled at this one. Democratic leaders actually were troubled by Mamdani's rise (although their preference for a disgraced former governor was equally dismaying), but Democratic voters handed Mamdani a solid victory despite his radical positions. Some of those include rent freezes, city-run grocery stores, a massive minimum-wage hike, government-financed housing projects and free public transit.

So it was much to my surpriseand virtually everyone else'sthat Trump invited the mayor-elect to the White House. It was even more surprising that the confab turned into a kumbaya session, with the two men smiling and glad-handing. After the meeting Trump's tone toward the "communist lunatic" softened, as the president said, "It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!" The happy talk was amazing.

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The reactions were predictable, but entertaining. Some lefties were outraged, with a socialist web site already dismissing Mamdani as just another capitalist politician. There's a reported break between progressive camps, with the latest fracas revolving over supportor lack thereoffor a primary challenge to Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries. I suppose the Trump meeting reinforces Mamdani's role as a member of the pragmatic lunatic left.

Meanwhile, Democratic strategist Michael LaRosa said on Fox & Friends Weekend, "Seeing those guys yuck it up, talk about housing, where they agree on housing, where they agree on crime, exchanging compliments over social media, Mamdani talking about how they share some of the same voter coalition. I, as a moderate common-sense Democrat, loved it." That group of Democrats sees Mamdani as having scored a political victory by charming the president.

The cognitive dissonance on the right was equally hilarious. "I had to drink a bottle of ginger ale today after seeing Mamdani in the Oval Office because it physically nauseates me seeing Islamic jihadists infiltrate our government and continue to get a pass to promote Islamic jihad and anti-American values with zero push back," posted MAGA activist Laura Loomer. But other Trump supporters praised the president's commitment to New York City and his four-level chess abilities or whatever.

"What this episode truly reveals is that Donald Trump believes political rhetoric to be as real as professional wrestling, a work of kayfabe," wrote Jeffrey Blehar in a sensible take at National Review. There's some truth there, given the president's knack for theatrics. But take a look at the president's meeting with Vladimir Zelensky, where he tried to humiliate him. The president continues to blame the Ukrainian president for having the audacity to have gotten his country invaded.

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Then there's Trump's recent White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It was extraordinarily warm, with Trump giving the prince a pass on Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's horrifying death and dismemberment at the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018 and referring to it in the passive voice: "things happen." Trump isn't chummy with everyone who visitsonly with those with whom he shares a certain affinity.

Trump gave the obvious answer to why he and Mamdani hit it off during their meeting: "[W]e agree on a lot more than I would have thought." Go back to LaRosa's comments, too. The two men talked about affordability and the bizarre overlap in their voter coalition. Many of their specific policies differ, of course, but they are both advocates for big-government solutions. They both seek centralized power to issue edicts. They both are authoritarians who appeal to a sense of grievance. They both disdain limits on their powers.

The Mamdani-Trump meeting was the embodiment of what I've long predicted and feared. The populist right swept away conservatives' traditional belief in limited government and market-based reformand replaced it with a cultural agenda fueled by anger and dependent on the wiles of a Dear Leader. It's been successfully politically (although not economically and it's dangerous to the health of our democracy). It was only a matter of time before Democrats gave up on their flaccid approach and embraced left-wing populism in return.

This is the dictionary definition of the Horseshoe Theory, where extremes on the right and left are not divided at the far ends of a long line but at the ends of a horseshoe. Populists on both sides believe in an activist government, although they have different motivations. As fundamentally collectivist, both movements are remarkably similar.

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So here we are, where the so-called "communist lunatic" and the so-called "fascist" find common ground. We're close to the point where our country needs an intervention.

This column was first published in The Orange County Register.

The post Mamdani and Trump Getting Chummy Is America's 'Horseshoe Theory' Nightmare appeared first on Reason.com.
NEW YORK  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared this week New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani wouldn't stop him from visiting the American city.

Mamdani, who takes office Jan. 1, has pledged to honor the International Criminal Courts arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Israels longtime prime minister, for alleged war crimes amid Israels siege of Gaza since Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in 2023. Legal experts highly question the Democratic mayor-elect's legal authority to arrest an international leader.

Speaking virtually on Dec. 3, Netanyahu told the New York Times DealBook conference that he would visit anyway.

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Why dont you wait and see? asked Netanyahu, the conservative leader who also faces corruption charges in Israel. Yes, Ill come to New York.

New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani arrives for a press conference at City Hall Park on Nov. 20, 2025 in New York. US President Donald Trump said he will host New York's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for a meeting Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 after fiercely attacking the 34-year-old self-described Democratic Socialist during his recent campaign. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) was elected Mayor of New York on Nov. 4, 2025. He was born in Uganda and moved to New York City with his family at the age of 7. He drew historic numbers of South Asian and Muslim voters in the 2025 New York City election to vote for the first time.



Pictured here, Mamdani waves on stage after winning the 2025 New York City Mayoral race, defeating Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (R) and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch speaks with reporters after their visit to the New York City Police Memorial on Nov. 19, 2025. New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, right, and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch visit the New York City Police Memorial, on Nov. 19, 2025 in New York City. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced that he has chosen to keep Jessica Tisch as New York City Police Commissioner. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani interacts with Pre-K students at Friends of Crown Heights Education Center on Nov. 13, 2025 in the Flatbush neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. Mamdani along with Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman and Councilmember Rita Joseph met with educators and visited with young students, speaking about his campaign promise of free care for children starting at 6 weeks old. New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani serves meals during a Veterans Day event on Nov. 11, 2025, in the Bronx borough. Zohran Mamdani met his wife, Rama Duwaji, on the dating app Hinge, a rival to Tinder and Bumble. The pair got married in early 2025.



Duwaji is a Syrian-American illustrator and animator. After the election of Mamdani as New York City Mayor, she is now the citys first Gen Z first lady. Supporters attend the election watch party for New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani at the Brooklyn Paramount on Nov. 4, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Mamdani defeated Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in the closely watched election for New York City mayor. Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani participates in the second New York City mayoral debate with Independent candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, New York, on Oct. 22, 2025. He drew historic numbers of South Asian and Muslim voters in the 2025 New York City election to vote for the first time. Democratic Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, votes at The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts on Nov. 4, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. Voters in NYC are voting for who will be replacing Mayor Eric Adams between the front runner New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. More than 735,000 people have voted early, according to the Board of Elections, more than four times as many as in the 2021 contest. This election also has other city offices on the ballot, as well as six proposals. New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani pauses while speaking about Islamophobia outside of the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx in New York City on Oct. 24, 2025, New Yorkers will cast their votes for mayor on November 4, 2025. Mamdani, the Democratic candidate, is the current frontrunner ahead of former New York Governor and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. (L-R) New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) stands with his mother Mira Nair, and father Mahmood Mamdani as they celebrate during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, 2025, in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough in New York City. Mamdani was announced as the winner of the Democratic nomination for mayor in a crowded field in the City's mayoral primary to choose a successor to Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for re-election on an independent ticket. (L-R) Mira Nair, New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY), Rama Duwaji and Mahmood Mamdani celebrate on stage during an election night gathering at The Greats of Craft LIC on June 24, 2025 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough in New York City. Mamdani was announced as the winner of the Democratic nomination for mayor in a crowded field in the City's mayoral primary to choose a successor to Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for re-election on an independent ticket. Democratic mayoral candidates Andrew Cuomo (L), and Zohran Mamdani (2R), present arguments as Whitney Tilson (2L) and Michael Blake (R) look on during a Democratic mayoral primary debate, at NBC's 30 Rockefeller Center studios in New York on June 4, 2025. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks as New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani listens during the Fighting Oligarchy town hall at the Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Artson Sept. 6, 2025 in New York City. Mamdani joined Sanders at his New York town hall after marching with union members in Manhattan's Labor Day parade. Sanders, an early backer of Mamdani's primary bid, has staged 34 rallies in 20 states since launching his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour this year, aimed at challenging the power of billionaires and corporations in U.S. politics. New York mayoral candidate, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) rides the subway as he prepares to head to Albany on March 24, 2025 in New York City. Mamdani announced that he is halting fundraising efforts after his campaign raised over $8 million, the spending cap for the upcoming June primary. Director Mira Nair and Music Supervisor Zohran Mamdani attend the Gala Screening of Disney's 'Queen Of Katwe' during the 60th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on Oct. 9, 2016, in London. (L-R) Tendo Nagenda, Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo, director Mira Nair and Zohran Mamdani attend the Gala Screening of Disney's 'Queen Of Katwe' during the 60th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on Oct. 9, 2016, in London. (L-R) Music supervisor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Director Mira Nair, Mahmood Mamdani and Nishant Tharani arrive at the world premiere of Disney's Queen of Katwe at Roy Thompson Hall as part of the 2016 Toronto Film Festival where the cast, filmmakers and real-life stars received a standing ovation. The film, starring David Oyelowo, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga, is directed by Mira Nair and opens in U.S. Theaters on Sept. 23, 2017. (L-R) Nishant Tharani, Director Mira Nair and music supervisor Zohran Kwame Mamdani arrive at the world premiere of Disney's Queen of Katwe at Roy Thompson Hall as part of the 2016 Toronto Film Festival where the cast, filmmakers and real-life stars received a standing ovation. The film, starring David Oyelowo, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga, is directed by Mira Nair and opens in U.S. Theaters on Sept. 23, 2017. Meet Zohran Mamdani, New York City Mayor-elect 1 of 20 New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani arrives for a press conference at City Hall Park on Nov. 20, 2025 in New York. US President Donald Trump said he will host New York's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for a meeting Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 after fiercely attacking the 34-year-old self-described Democratic Socialist during his recent campaign.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has long been critical of Israel and its treatment of Palestinians. He's drawn accusations of antisemitism for his stances on the Middle East conflict.

Hes recognized Israels right to exist not as a Jewish state, but as a state with equal rights for all. Amid Israels devastating siege of Gaza, Mamdani told the Times he'd abide with international arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

It is my desire to ensure that this be a city that stands up for international law, Mamdani told the Times in September.

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As mayor, Mamdanis ability to arrest Netanyahu would be difficult. C. Cora True-Frorst, a professor at Syracuse University College of Law, said she understood Mamdanis declaration as political, not legal.

Constitutional and domestic legal arguments do not provide strong support for a mayor's power to arrest a visiting head of state against the federal government's international and diplomatic policy and legal commitments, True-Frost wrote in an email, pointing to Supreme Court decisions granting federal authority on the matter, especially in cases of conflict.

The United States doesnt recognize the ICC, neither do Israel and Russia, and Netanyahu is also strongly allied with President Donald Trump. The United Nations, headquartered in Manhattan, provides immunity for diplomats visiting as well.

A spokesperson for Mamdani didnt respond to an email request for comment.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) listens as New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 21, 2025.

On Dec. 4, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat who endorsed Mamdani, also discounted his pledge. She told reporters she didnt agree Netanyahu should be arrested if he comes to New York City. Besides, she said, "the New York City mayor does not have the power to do that."

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Their difference in opinion adds to a growing list of grievances. But the two need each other.

Mamdani needs state lawmakers to raise taxes to pay for programs to enact his central campaign promises to address affordability. Hochul, a moderate up for re-election in 2026, has been hesitant on raising taxes, but she needs Mamdanis base of progressive support to secure a second term.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul react from the stage as they attend a "New York is Not For Sale" rally at Forest Hills Stadium, in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S., October 26, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

American public opinion, especially among Democrats, has continued shifting away from Israel amid mounting killings in Gaza and the West Bank. Mamdanis pro-Palestinian views, once considered a political liability, helped propel his support among progressive and younger voters, including some Jews, angry with the conflict and American support for Israel.

However, Mamdanis remarks and actions, including support for the controversial Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement, have drawn intense criticism from many Jewish groups accusing him of antisemitism. New York has the largest concentration of Jews outside of Israel, and many have ties to the country.

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Exit polls indicated less than a third of Jewish voters supported Mamdani, who is Muslim, in the general election.

Gaza's death toll has surpassed 70,000 people, according to the health ministry, which is run by Hamas. The war began when Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people in Israel in the 2023 attacks, taking about 250 others hostage.

Children carry water at the Nuseirat camp for displaced Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip on December 4, 2025.

Mamdani has said Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza, an assessment shared by a U.N. special commission, several international and Israeli human rights groups, and the International Association of Genocide Scholars. Israeli officials have strongly denied the charges, arguing their actions are self defense as they seek to destroy Hamas.

In Mamdanis friendly Nov. 21 White House meeting with Trump, the mayor-elect once again called it a genocide that the United States funded.

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Palestinian deaths by Israeli forces have continued since a strained ceasefire began Oct. 10.

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netanyahu vows to visit NYC despite Mamdani's ICC arrest pledge
The man accused of shooting and killing a Shrewsbury father was indicted Wednesday on new charges, including murder.

26-year-old Snehal Srivastava, also of Shrewsbury, was indicted on murder, one count of intimidation of a witness, one count of possession of a firearm not at home/work, and one count of vandalism, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early said Thursday.

Srivastava is accused of shooting and killing 57-year-old Kevin Doherty on August 28.

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Srivastava was previously arraigned in Westboro District Court on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and carrying a firearm without a license in connection with Dohertys death.

Doherty called 911 shortly before 9 a.m. on August 28 to report that he was being attacked, and while he was on the line with dispatch, multiple gunshots were heard, followed by Doherty exclaiming, He shot me, prosecutors said.

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When officers arrived at the scene along a pathway at Jordan Pond in the area of Edgewater Avenue, they found Doherty unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to authorities.

Doherty was rushed to UMass Medical Center in Worcester, where he was pronounced dead.

A witness told police that he was near the pond when he saw the suspect, later identified as Srivastava, involved in an argument with Doherty, who was walking his childs scooter and helmet home after dropping him off at the Coolidge School, court documents indicated. Srivastava then allegedly pulled out a firearm, opened fire on Doherty, and fled the scene on foot.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early and Shrewsbury Police Chief Kevin Anderson said Thursday that the victim was using a phone to record the suspect, who was allegedly spray-painting near the pond, before the shooting.

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Srivastava was located a short time after the shooting, barricaded in a nearby home, after the Shrewsbury Police Department launched a drone in the neighborhood. A Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations team ultimately negotiated a peaceful resolution with the suspect, who surrendered without further incident.

In the court documents, Shrewsbury police said they are familiar with Srivastava through extensive history dating back to 2015.

Srivastava was arraigned in Worcester County Superior Court on Thursday on the four counts and held without bail.

His case is next scheduled to appear in court on January 8, 2026.

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Citadel, an investment management firm, has asked the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate decentralized finance (DeFi), the same way it does for traditional finance (TradFi). Naturally, this has caused backlash in the crypto community since the entire premise of DeFi is to be other than the traditional financial archetype, which is central in nature.

Hayden Adams, CEO of Uniswap, a decentralized crypto exchange, minced no words in his accusations as he ripped into Citadel.

In a post shared on X on 4 December 2025, Adams wrote that Citadels founder Ken Griffin screwed over Constitution DAO before coming for DeFi, asking the SEC to treat software developers of decentralized protocols like centralized intermediaries. He also claimed Citadel has been lobbying behind closed doors on this for years.

Moreover, Adams had an issue with Citadels claim that DeFi cannot provide fair access to markets. In his post, he claimed Citadel to be the king of shady online market makers and that it has a problem with fintechs that can lower the barrier to liquidity creation.

EXPLORE: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in 2025

Citadel Advises SEC: Regulate Crypto In A Technologically Agnostic Manner

All this came about when Citadel sent a letter to the SEC on 2 December 2025, about tokenized stocks and DeFi trading, in which it claimed that DeFi platforms connect buyers and sellers in a manner that fits the legal definition of an exchange or a broker.

The market maker argued that DeFi shouldnt get any special treatment just because it runs on blockchains. Further, the letter suggested to the SEC that DeFi ecosystem players, including trading app operators, smart contract developers, validators, and liquidity providers, should be strictly regulated.

Citedal noted that many of these ecosystem actors earn fees and often influence how trades are routed, similar to how middlemen operate in TradFi. The marketmaker has asked the SEC to take a technology-agnostic approach towards DeFi, i.e., the same rules will apply despite the technology or system used.

Additionally, in its letter, Citadel compared tokenized stock ts to a shadow equity market outside the official US banking system, which could split liquidity and bypass already existing protections for investors.

If Citadel wins this, developers, front-end operators, wallets, market makers, and even DAO participants could face the same strict rules as broker-dealers.

EXPLORE: The 12+ Hottest Crypto Presales to Buy Right Now

Citadel Pushes Hard, Crypto Groups Push Back Harder

Crypto groups and prominent crypto personalities have already started to push back, claiming that open-source protocols and validator networks are nothing like Wall Street Intermediaries and that they shouldnt have to register.
NEED TO KNOW

Andrew Dykes was arrested for the murders of Tanya Denise Jackson and Tatiana Marie Dykes

Tanya and her daughter Tatiana were killed in 1997 in Nassau County, N.Y., and were just identified through genetic genealogy testing in April

The murders were previously suspected to be connected to the Gilgo Beach serial murders

A Florida man was arrested on a murder charge in connection with the 1997 murder of Tanya Denise Jackson.

Andrew Dykes, a resident of Tampa, Florida, was arrested on a warrant from Nassau County, N.Y. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, ABC News reports. Dykes, 66, was arrested in connection with Tanya Denise Jackson's 1997 murder, once associated with the Gilgo Beach serial killings.

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Dykes appeared before a Florida judge on murder charges on Thursday, Dec. 4, the outlet reports.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Nassau County Police Department for comment.

Jackson's two-year-old daughter, Tatiana Marie Dykes, was also killed, and her remains were discovered 14 years later. For decades, Jackson was referred to as "Peaches" due to a distinctive peach tattoo discovered on her body, and her daughter was referred to as Baby Doe. In April 2025, the mother and daughter were identified genetic genealogy testing.

Jackson was a U.S. Army veteran, and was 26 when she was killed.

Nassau County Crime Stoppers Tanya Denise Jackson Tanya Denise Jackson

That same month, Nassau County Police offered a $25,000 reward to anyone with information on the cold case.

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.

When Tatiana's remains were discovered in 2011 along the southern shore of Long Island, N.Y., the murders became associated with the Gilgo Beach murders. In 2023, architect and father of two Rex Heuermann was arrested in connection with three of the deaths. He has since been charged with murder in relation to seven of the deaths.

Heuermann was never charged in connection with Jackson and her daughter's deaths.



Read the original article on People
Chicago police said a man is now charged in a Southwest Side kidnapping and multiple armed robberies that were part of a string of robberies last month across the city.

Marquis Terry, 21 of Chicago, is facing multiple felony charges, including aggravated kidnapping and robbery armed with a firearm, police said.

The suspect was arrested in Chicago on Thursday.

CPD said Terry is only currently only charged in connection to a Nov. 19 kidnapping in the 2700 block of S. St. Louis Ave. in Little Village around 2:34 a.m., and three armed robberies Nov. 19 at the following locations and times:

- 1700 block of N. Keeler Ave. at 2:09 a.m.

- 4100 block of W, 26th St., at 2:24 a.m.

- 2800 block of S. Komensky Ave., at 2:27 a.m.

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Terry is set to appear in court Friday.

Chicago police are still searching for other suspects involved in the robbery spree.

A full list of locations and times for the crimes can be found below.

A woman described to ABC7 last month how three armed suspects held her at gunpoint Nov. 19 in Little Village. Just down the road, a similar scene played out, where police say one man was robbed and forced into a vehicle.

The 20-year-old woman who did not want to be identified, said she was dropping someone off near 30th Street and Komensky Avenue around 2 a.m. when suddenly a vehicle pulled up with three armed suspects.

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"As soon as I was about to drive off, this car just pulls right in front of me out of nowhere. And it was just way too fast," she said.

The woman said she immediately complied, but the suspects still threatened to take her with them.

"They just told me to turn around. So I turn around, and they drove off. So I just ran inside," she said. "Fortunately and thank God that didn't happen. At the end of the day, money comes and goes. I'm not worried about that. I'm just glad I'm safe."

A similar crime happened about 20 minutes later, in the 2700-block of South St. Louis Avenue.

Police said a 34-year-old man said he was outside when a sedan approached.

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Three armed male suspects got out and forced him into the sedan and drove the victim to multiple ATMs, police said.

The robbers were unable to withdraw money from the ATM, but stole the victim's belongings and left him in the sedan in the 1000-block of North St. Louis Avenue, police said.

The suspects entered a gray car and drove south.

Twenty Second Ward Alderman Mike Rodriguez said these armed robberies are getting out of hand.

"We have at least one crew out there who thinks the can get away with illegal activity. I've got a message for them: The community will not stand for that. They will be brought to justice; they need to stop these heinous acts that's terrorizing our community," Alderman Rodriguez said. "Some years ago, we had a string of these armed robberies. And with the help of the sheriff's office, we were able to end that. But sadly it's back."

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Neither victim suffered any serious injuries, and police have no one in custody at this time.

The crimes are part of an armed robberies spree over the last month, Chicago police said.

In each case, two to four suspects, wearing all black or dark-colored clothing and ski masks, get out of a stolen vehicle and flash guns at victims before robbing them, police said.

Some victims have been pistol-whipped, CPD said.

The suspects are described as 18 to 30 years old.

Police are urging people to report anything they may see. And if you ever find yourself in the situation of a robbery, they say it's critical to comply and not fight or chase after the suspects.

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The crimes took place at the following times and locations, police said Nov. 19:

- 2700-block of South Avers Avenue at 3:05 a.m. Nov. 1 (South Lawndale)

- 3700-block of West 25th Street at 3:10 a.m. Nov. 1 (South Lawndale)

- 4000-block of West 26th Street at 3:15 a.m. Nov. 1 (South Lawndale)

- 3100-block of South Springfield Avenue at 3:16 a.m. Nov. 1 (South Lawndale)

- 3800-block of West 32nd Street at 3:17 a.m. Nov. 1 (South Lawndale)

- 3100-block of South Harding Avenue at 3:30 a.m. Nov. 1 (South Lawndale)

- 2300-block of South Pulaski Road at 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 (South Lawndale)

- 2100-block of North Kostner Avenue at 3:30 a.m. Nov. 1 (Hermosa)

- 1900-block of North Kostner at 3:30 a.m. Nov. 1 (Hermosa)

- 4400-block of West Armitage Avenue at 3:45 a.m. on Nov. 1 (Hermosa)

- 4200-block of West Wabansia Avenue at 2:30 a.m. Nov. 18 (Humboldt Park)

- 4200-block of West Grand Avenue at 2:45 a.m. Nov. 18 (Humboldt Park)

- 1500-block of North Karlov Avenue at 2:51 a.m. on Nov. 18 (Humboldt Park)

- 2000-block of West Cermak Road at 3:05 a.m. on Nov. 18 (Lower West Side)

- 3000-block of West Cermak Road at 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 18 (Marshall Square)

- 3600-block of West Fullerton Avenue at 4 a.m. on Nov. 18 (Logan Square)

- 1900-block of South Pulaski Road at 4:15 a.m. Nov. 18 (North Lawndale)

- 2600-block of South Kildare Avenue at 4:20 a.m. on Nov. 18 (South Lawndale)

- 4300-block of West 26th Street at 4:20 a.m. on Nov. 18 (South Lawndale)

- 4300-block of West 26th at 4:20 a.m. Nov. 18 (South Lawndale)

- 4100-block of West Ogden Avenue at 4:20 a.m. Nov. 18 (North Lawndale)

- 1300-block of North Pulaski at 4:30 a.m. Nov. 18 (Humboldt Park)

- 1300-block of North Pulaski at 4:33 a.m. Nov. 18 (Humboldt Park)

- 2700-block of South St. Louis Avenue at 2 a.m. on Nov. 19 (South Lawndale)

- 2700-block of South Komensky Avenue at 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 19 (South Lawndale)

- 4100-block of West 26th Street at 2:29 a.m. on Nov. 19 (South Lawndale)

- 3000-block of South Komensky at 2:35 a.m. on Nov. 19 (South Lawndale)

- 1700-block of North Keeler Avenue at 3:15 a.m. on Nov. 19 (Humboldt Park)

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OXFORD  A Lafayette County man charged with killing his girlfriend on Thanksgiving Day two years ago pleaded guilty the week before this years Thanksgiving.

Kylan Jaques Phillips, 26, had been incarcerated at the Lafayette County Detention Center for two years when he decided to plead guilty. The move came the same day as Circuit Court Judge Kelly Luther signed an order declaring Phillips mentally competent to stand trial.

He pleaded guilty last week to first-degree murder in the death of Bailey Mae Reed, 21. In exchange for the plea, Phillips was sentenced to life in prison with the chance for parole after serving 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of corrections. He must also pay a $1,100 fine as well as $642.50 in court costs and fees.

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The Lafayette County 911 office received a call at 8:34 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, of a potential domestic violence disturbance. Lafayette County deputy sheriffs were dispatched to a private residence on County Road 181, located off Old Highway 7 North just north of Oxford.

The responding deputies found Reed unresponsive and began giving immediate medical aid until paramedics and EMTs from the hospital and the Lafayette County Fire Department arrived. Despite their efforts, Reed was pronounced dead on scene by Baptist Ambulance Service.

Reeds mother, Missy Rush, called the killing "senseless."

She didnt have a bad bone in her body. She would help anyone or anything. She had the biggest smile, Rush said on Facebook the next day. She added that she planned to make it her mission in life to make sure people talk to their children about domestic violence.

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Phillips was taken into custody on the scene and booked into the county jail just after midnight the next morning, charged with murder. He has remained incarcerated on a $2 million bond ever since.

A Lafayette County grand jury indicted him for first-degree murder in February 2024. The next month, he wrote a letter to Lafayette County Justice Court Judge Mickey Avant asking if he could be released on a personal recognizance bond. The judge took no action.

Two licensed psychologists examined Phillips earlier this year. Their report said he understood the charges facing him, could communicate rationally with his attorney, and could testify if needed. The psychologists also said Phillips was not suffering for a mental disease or defect at the time of the crime.

The case had been placed on the January 2026 circuit court docket.

Luther signed the order declaring Phillips competent on Nov. 24, one day after the second anniversary of the crime.
The new immigration crackdown comes after an Afghan national was accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.

Since then, many in the local Afghan community have condemned the shooting and expressed concern over how it might impact them.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations says those concerns are real. By their count, at least 12 Afghans in Northern California have been detained by ICE since Monday.

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"The Trump administration is targeting upwards of 2,000 Afghan immigrants, and ICE leaders are being required to report daily about how many detentions they've made in their regions," said Zahra Billoo.

MORE: Bay Area Afghans brace for restrictions as Trump calls to halt immigration after DC shooting

CAIR believes many of those being detained are in the U.S. legally and even helped the country fight against the Taliban.

Jeffrey O'Brien is an immigration attorney. He said he's never seen the government mass-review the immigration applications of people already approved to be in the country.

"Any time that national security comes into play, the government has pretty wide latitude to re-vet people, vet people. They go through a number of different agencies that all take a look at the application," said O'Brien.

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In the heart of Little Kabul in Fremont, we talked to several people in the Afghan community and the fear is palpable.

All of them tell us they're afraid of what's going on, not just for themselves but also for their friends and family.

MORE: Trump administration announces pause on asylum decisions after National Guardsmen shooting

"It's really unfair because one person did something, and it's impacting the entire nation, which I would say it's really unfair. We're not happy about that," said Sayed Musavi.

CAIR is advising anyone contacted by ICE or another federal agency to speak with a lawyer.

In the meantime, they're encouraging their community to stick together.

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"These people are not flight risks. They are not a danger to their communities. They have made clear that they want to lay down roots and establish their new lives here. But now, they're in limbo," Billoo said.

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MINNEAPOLIS  Many in Minnesotas Somali community  even those who are citizens  say they are fearful after Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched an operation in the region and after President Donald Trumps rants against Somalia and Somali immigrants living in the United States.

Nobody is leaving their homes right now, a 21-year-old Minnesota native of Somali descent, who asked to not be named for fear of harassment, told NBC News. They dont even have anything to run for. Theyre citizens. Theyve been living here for years.

Many of the shops at Karmel Mall  a hub of Somali businesses, merchants and restaurants in Minneapolis  were closed Thursday, and the normally busy mall was quieter than usual. Some establishments had signs that read No ICE.

Normally busy, Karmel Mall, a hub for Somali businesses, merchants and restaurants in Minneapolis, was closed Thursday. (Maggie Vespa for NBC News)

While a senior law enforcement official previously said ICE officers are not specifically targeting Somali immigrants, the operation in Minneapolis coincided with Trumps saying Wednesday that Somalis have destroyed Minnesota and our country. Trump spoke following news reports that dozens of people of Somali descent have been convicted in fraud schemes related to Covid relief that netted over $1 billion.

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The mistakes of a few individuals can never be used to generalize or stereotype an entire community, Imam Hassan Jama, executive director of the Islamic Association of North America, said Thursday. He added that the majority of Somali Americans in Minnesota are hardworking, reasonable and deeply committed to contributing to the prosperity of our state and our country.

Trump has also directed comments at Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who fled the civil war in Somalia with her family and lived in a Kenyan refugee camp before she moved to the United States and became a citizen. Trump called her garbage and a real terrible person during a tirade about Somalis on Tuesday.

Omar, a progressive Democrat whom Trump has mocked and targeted for years, responded Tuesday on X: His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.

There are more than 98,000 Somali immigrants in the United States, and about 83% are naturalized U.S. citizens, according to census data. In Minnesota, most of the 80,000 people of Somali ancestry are U.S. citizens. Nearly 6 in 10 were born in this country or are legal permanent residents.

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Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said in an interview that ICE arrests had been rising in the Minneapolis area for the last month, with officers predominantly targeting the Latino community.

What changed this week was it was the first time people from the community reaching out over the Thanksgiving weekend to say that Somalis were being targeted, he said.

OHara sparked conservative backlash at a news conference Tuesday, telling residents to call 911 if theyre unsure whether the masked strangers forcing residents into unmarked vehicles are law enforcement officers. Trumps border czar, Tom Homan, called the message shameful.

OHara reiterated the message in an interview Thursday, saying the FBI urged law enforcement agencies this year to be on the alert for criminals impersonating ICE agents.

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We need to let the community know if somebody or some people show up that are armed, that are claiming to be in law enforcement, but you dont see any badges or youre not sure whos there, you dont see police cars, and theyre trying to get you to open the door to their house, absolutely, people should call 911, OHara said.

Jamal Osman, a Minneapolis City Council member who was born in Somalia, urged his constituents to carry their passport around.

Im telling them to carry documents like we live in 1930s, 1940s in Germany. This is sadly what we are seeing in America, Osman told NBC News.

A sign at a business in Karmel Mall declares, No ICE entry without a court order. (Maggie Vespa for NBC News)

Residents and community leaders in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area say they have spotted immigration agents in their neighborhoods and gotten anecdotal reports about Somalis being detained this week after a senior law enforcement official confirmed the immigration operation in Minneapolis was underway.

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In a news release Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that officers had arrested some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens, including child sex offenders, domestic abusers, and violent gang members. The release included photos and brief descriptions of 12 people arrested during what DHS dubbed Operation Metro Surge. Five of those listed were from Somalia, according to the release. One was from EL Salvador, and the rest were from Mexico.

Asked about Osmans comments recommending that Somali Americans carry their U.S. passports, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said people who are not here illegally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear. Elected officials choosing to fearmonger by distorting reality are doing a great disservice to our country.

Removing dangerous criminals from our streets makes it safer for everyone  including business owners and their customers, she said.

Decades of refugee resettlements and growing American-born families have turned Minnesota into the home of the countrys largest Somali population. Since 1993, thousands of Somali immigrants have fled war and instability in the East African country.

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According to the State Department, in the last five years, the United States has admitted about 9,000 Somali refugees, many of whom later became eligible to apply for green cards and eventually for citizenship.

There are a lot of people who have come to this country to flee persecution, war, Zakaria Abukar, a Somalia-born tech entrepreneur in Minnesota, told NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis.

Abukar settled in Rochester, Minnesota, nearly three decades ago, when he was 6 years old. Many of us have gone through the legal channels, he said.

Those legal channels have narrowed for Somalis. Most recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services paused all immigration requests for applicants from 19 countries the Trump administration deemed high risk in June, including Somalia, and launched a reexamination of every Green Card granted to people from those countries of concern.

We feel hunted, Osman said. That is unacceptable.

Nicole Acevedo reported from New York and Maggie Vespa and Kailani Koenig from Minneapolis.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Retired astronaut and current Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) celebrated NASAs pretty exciting announcement on Thursday after the space agency highlighted how scientists found sugars essential for life on samples of a near-Earth asteroid.

While the discovery of the sugars glucose and ribose  which NASAs OSIRIS-REx spacecraft gathered from the asteroid Bennu  did not indicate evidence of life, the findings show that building blocks of biological molecules were widespread throughout the solar system, according to NASA.

News: Trump Attacks CNNs Nasty Kaitlan Collins In Yet Another Social Media Rant

The space agency noted that the sugars deoxyribose  which wasnt found in the samples  and ribose are key building blocks of DNA and RNA on Earth.

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Yoshihiro Furukawa, a professor at Japans Tohoku University who led the team of researchers that made the findings, said that the discovery of ribose means all of the components that form RNA are present in the asteroid.

Kelly, in a clip shared on social media, said the findings spark larger questions about life in the universe and underscore the importance of federal funding for scientific research.

We dont know for sure if theres life anywhere else, but when you think of the probability, the statistical probability that it exists, maybe theres life out there, said Kelly, who recently joked on Stephen Colberts late-night show that the U.S. found aliens, but it became a problem when they asked to go to our leader.

NASA revealed they found some of the building blocks of life in a sample brought back from an asteroid (on a @UArizona-led mission, by the way).



It raises some big questions about whether theres other life somewhere out there in the universe. According to my math, probably. pic.twitter.com/ZzSPHTuh7t  Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) December 5, 2025

Danny Glavin, an astrobiologist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center and co-investigator on the OSIRIS-REx mission, said in a video that the discovery makes him much more optimistic about the search for extraterrestrial life.

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What this means is that these building blocks of life were distributed from the outer solar system all the way into the inner solar system, Glavin explained.

They were everywhere, ubiquitous, which really makes me more optimistic that not only could these building blocks have enabled life on Earth, but potentially elsewhere  Mars, Europa, the outer solar system.

Related...

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EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn (PIX11)  Police are searching for a group accused of shooting another man near a Brooklyn NYCHA complex on Oct. 6, according to the NYPD.

Police said it happened on Stanley Avenue around 8:30 p.m. The 24-year-old victim was walking when he was surrounded by the three suspects, according to authorities.

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Police said each suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and shot multiple rounds at him. The victim was seriously injured and was rushed to a local hospital, according to authorities.

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Police said the group then ran east on Stanley Avenue toward Van Siclen Avenue. The first suspect was last seen wearing a gray sweater, white shorts, a face mask and multicolored sneakers.

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Police said the second suspect wore a black sweater, black shorts, a black ski mask and black sneakers.

The third suspect was last seen wearing a black and blue sweater, black pants, a black face mask and black sneakers, according to authorities.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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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.

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 Massachusetts man will be summoned to court on a charge of animal cruelty after officers discovered a severely underweight puppy during a traffic stop in late November, authorities announced Friday.

West Bridgewater Police Officer Alexandra Maloney observed a vehicle run a red light on North Main Street in West Bridgewater on the morning of Nov. 24, conducted a stop, and made a heartbreaking discovery, according to the West Bridgewater Police Department.

Maloney noticed a 9-month-old puppy named Sprout in the backseat of the 27-year-old Taunton mans car. The dog was so severely neglected that veterinarians say she had less than 48 hours to live.

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According to the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts, Sprout was just skin and bones and could barely walk.

I have never seen a neglect case like this ever before, shelter manager Katie Anderson told Boston 25 News.

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Sprout was rushed to Westbridge Veterinary Referral Hospital, where she received medical care. She is currently undergoing care at APCSM, where her condition is slowly improving.

An investigation revealed that the driver is Sprouts owner. His name hasnt been released because the court has not yet issued a criminal complaint, according to police.

Shelter officials say Sprouts owner admitted they had the dog for less than a year and literally hadnt fed her, citing a lack of money and time.

We express our gratitude for the Westbridge Veterinary Referral Hospital and the Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts, West Bridgewater Police Lt. Jonathan Craven said in a statement. With their efforts, we are confident Sprout will be surrounded by the highest quality of care and support as she starts a long road to recovery.

The APCSM is raising funds to support Sprouts recovery.

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The couples walked hand in hand, the brides in traditional embroidered Palestinian white and red dresses adorned with red ribbons, the grooms walked beside them in black suits and ties.

But the backdrop told a different story: dilapidated buildings, piles of concrete and rubble -- the scars of two years of conflict in the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday, 54 couples tied the knot in a mass wedding ceremony in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza -- a defiant celebration of life amid the wreckage of war.

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"We needed a moment of happiness like this, something that could make our hearts feel alive again," said Karam Musaaed, one of the grooms.

On a red carpet laid across rubble-strewn ground, dozens of couples paraded to the beat of drums before ascending a makeshift stage.

The brides in their embroidered dresses clutched bridal bouquets containing the Palestinian colours of red, white and green. The grooms walked beside them, waving small flags.

The collective ceremony, accompanied by traditional music and dances, drew hundreds of spectators to a city square.

Some gathered on the plaza, while others perched precariously on the ruins of surrounding buildings.

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The newlyweds expressed cautious optimism after two years of devastating war and a crushing humanitarian crisis.

"The feeling was very beautiful -- a joy we truly needed after all the suffering we went through. After the harsh life, the hunger we endured, and the loss of friends and relatives, the people dearest to us," said Musaaed.

Hikmat Usama, another newlywed, echoed his words.

"It's an indescribable feeling that after all this war, destruction, and everything we lived through, we can return to joy again and start rebuilding a new life. Thank God and, God willing, better days will come," Usama said.

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The mass wedding was organised by the Al-Faris Al-Shahim Foundation, an Emirati humanitarian organisation that has delivered aid to Gaza.

"We chose this place amid the rubble to say that the 'dress of joy' will rise again", Shareef al-Neyrab, media officer for the organisation in Gaza, told AFP.

Once more, the people of Gaza will emerge from the ruins so that Gaza may rejoice, and God willing we will restore its future and rebuild it," he added.

Gazans have slowly begun to rebuild their lives after a US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 10.

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The truce has largely held, though Israel has launched strikes on the territory since.

Gaza's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, said that 360 people were killed since the ceasefire took effect.

bur-glp/raz/lba/dcp
BOSTON (AP)  Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users.

The lawsuit, filed in 2024 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms.

We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways, said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content.

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Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people. Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.

The Commonwealth would have a better chance of getting around the First Amendment if they alleged that the speech was false or fraudulent, Mosier said. But when they acknowledge that its truthful that brings it in the heart of the First Amendment.

Several of the judges, though, seem to more concerned about Meta's functions such as notifications than the content on its platforms.

I didn't understand the claims to be that Meta is relaying false information vis-a-vis the notifications but that it has created an algorithm of incessant notifications ... designed so as to feed into the fear of missing out, fomo, that teenagers generally have, Justice Dalila Wendlandt said. That is the basis of the claim.

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Justice Scott Kafker challenged the notion that this was all about a choose to publish certain information by Meta.

It's not how to publish but how to attract you to the information, he said. It's about how to attract the eyeballs. It's indifferent the content, right. It doesn't care if it's Thomas Paine's Common Sense or nonsense. It's totally focused on getting you to look at it."

Meta is facing federal and state lawsuits claiming it knowingly designed features  such as constant notifications and the ability to scroll endlessly  that addict children.

In 2023, 33 states filed a joint lawsuit against the Menlo Park, California-based tech giant claiming that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents consent, in violation of federal law. In addition, states including Massachusetts filed their own lawsuits in state courts over addictive features and other harms to children.

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Newspaper reports, first by The Wall Street Journal in the fall of 2021, found that the company knew about the harms Instagram can cause teenagers  especially teen girls  when it comes to mental health and body image issues. One internal study cited 13.5% of teen girls saying Instagram makes thoughts of suicide worse and 17% of teen girls saying it makes eating disorders worse.

Critics say Meta hasn't done enough to address concerns about teen safety and mental health on its platforms. A report from former employee and whistleblower Arturo Bejar and four nonprofit groups this year said Meta has chosen not to take real steps to address safety concerns, opting instead for splashy headlines about new tools for parents and Instagram Teen Accounts for underage users.

Meta said the report misrepresented its efforts on teen safety.

___

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Associated Press reporter Barbara Ortutay in Oakland, California, contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show one of the justices is called Justice Dalila Wendlandt, not Wendland.
Cloudflare Inc. said it has fixed a problem that led to the websites for several banks, Shopify, Zoom and LinkedIn to go down Friday.

A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results, the San Francisco-based company said on its status page on Friday. The same page shows that there had been issues with the Cloudflare dashboard and related APIs earlier in the day.

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The outage last about 25 minutes and wasnt caused, directly or indirectly, by a cyberattack, the company said in a blog post. Instead, it was triggered by changes that were made while Cloudflare was attempting to detect and mitigate an industrywide vulnerability, according to the company.

Shares in Cloudflare dropped as much as 6% in premarket trading on Friday before paring some of those losses and trading about 1% lower in the early hours of trading in New York.

A major outage at Cloudflare last month disrupted websites ranging from X to ChatGPT for several hours. Internet usage around the world has been hobbled on several occasions in recent weeks due to glitches at companies including Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp., whose digital infrastructure helps keep websites running. The outages reminded the world once again that global connectivity is dependent on relatively few players.

Websites for the Norwegian and Swedish governments were both down due to the Cloudflare incident, with outages widespread for a number of Norwegian state entities, including the central bank, the sovereign wealth fund and the tax authority.

Cloudflares software is used by hundreds of thousands of companies globally, acting as a buffer between their websites and end users and working to protect their sites from attacks that might overload them with traffic. Its widespread use is why many popular websites go down or are unreliable during Cloudflare outages.

--With assistance from Subrat Patnaik and Stephen Treloar.

(Updates third paragraph to include new information from Cloudflare blog.)

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Dec. 4MORGANTOWN  "This is the journey we're on, " Monongalia County Health Department Executive Director Anthony DeFelice said of MCHD's sustained effort to achieve accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.

As the word "journey " would suggest, it's not a quick process, or easily accomplished.

Accreditation through PHAB requires agencies to undertake the arduous task of reviewing, improving and documenting efforts in each of the 10 essential public health services and foundational capabilities. These domains essentially touch every aspect of the health department as an organization, from the internal (HR policies, workforce development, financial transparency and strategic planning), to the external (community health needs, access to care, coalition building and disease surveillance).

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Nationwide, approximately 460 health departments, or approximately 15 %, have achieved the designation. There are two in West Virginia that have completed the process  Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and Cabell-Huntington Health Department.

Once approved through PHAB, health departments are responsible for annual reporting and a reaccreditation process every five years.

The accreditation board says conducting the internal review and completing the process is a benchmark of quality health departments and agencies.

PHAB notes, "It signifies that they adhere to rigorous standards and best practices. Accreditation isn't a one-time indication of quality, but rather, an ongoing commitment to excellence. The process of accreditation encourages agencies to evaluate and improve their services continually."

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In the case of MCHD, the journey to accreditation began years ago. It took a lengthy detour when COVID-19 turned the daily operations of the health department, and the wider world, upside down.

When Dr. Brian Huggins took over as MCHD's county health officer and head of clinical services in April 2024, he once again targeted accreditation as a primary objective.

During his most recent update to the Monongalia County Board of Health, DeFelice said MCHD is a little over halfway through the process. The health department submitted its application in May and now has until May 20, 2026 to submit documentation that demonstrates conformity with PHAB standards and measures.

"Every day, we're making strides, " DeFelice said, explaining PHAB will schedule a site visit sometime after the upcoming May deadline. "So, we're really probably looking to complete this process towards the beginning of 2027."

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Like he said, it's a journey  a journey he believes will make the health department stronger, more nimble, transparent and collaborative, and more attuned to the health needs of the community.

"It provides an opportunity for health departments to examine their programs and processes to make sure our community is getting thorough and up-to-date services, and that we are reaching every segment of society, " DeFelice said.
Pueblo County officials will honor Jesus Jr and Yesenia Dominguez with a memorial caravan from the Pueblo County Coroner's Office to Roselawn Cemetery on Dec. 8.

Jesus Jr. and Yesenia Dominguez, 5 and 3, respectively, were both killed in 2018, according to testimony from Jesus Dominguez Sr. during the trial of his girlfriend, Corena Minjarez.

Minjarez and Dominguez were the primary caretakers for both children during the time that the two were killed.

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Now, several months after the end of the criminal case against Minjarez and Dominguez, Pueblo County Officials aim to honor the slain children.

"Considering the heartbreaking loss of the two young children who were murdered in our community, the Pueblo County Coroners Office, Pueblo Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriffs Office, Pueblo County District Attorneys Office, and Roselawn Cemetery will be coordinating a Community Memorial Caravan Procession to honor Yesenia and Jesus Dominguez," said Interim Pueblo County Coroner Gregory Grahek in a news release.

The caravan will begin at 10 a.m. sharp on Monday, Dec. 8, at the Pueblo County Coroner's Office, 13000 N. Santa Fe Dr. Participants will ride in a single file with lights on from the Coroner's Office to Roselawn Cemetery, located at 1706 Roselawn Rd.

"If you would like to participate in this peaceful, supportive ride, please plan on joining the caravan in your own vehicle with headlights on," Grahek said in the release.

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"The case impacted the community significantly during it- it's had long-term implications with most of the people in the community ... when the opportunity came up, the children needed more respect and honor, and this is the reason I decided it needed to be done," said Grahek in a phone conversation with the Chieftain.

"These kids had a really rough life, and a lot of bad things happened to them. The whole community was shocked at the atrocity of it all, the heinous nature of the acts. By giving these children a respectful end to their short lives, it does some justice for the community," he said.

The caravan will deliver the children's remains to Roselawn, the coroner said, and from there, they will be cremated and released to the family.

How the homicide investigation came about

The Pueblo Police Departments investigation began in January 2024 after a childs remains were discovered in a Pueblo storage container.

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At a preliminary hearing in October 2024, Sgt. Steven Jesik of Pueblo's Crime Scene Investigations Unit said Minjarezs mother called police on Jan. 20, several hours before her daughter and Dominguez were set to be evicted from a storage unit in the 600 block of West Sixth Street.

Jesik said the woman told the responding police officer there was a suspicious trash can full of concrete in the storage container and that she had a bad feeling since she had not seen the two children  Dominguez's from a previous relationship  since June 2018.

The trash can was recovered by police, who cut into the concrete and found the badly decomposed remains of a child, later identified as Yesenia, wrapped in layers of trash bags.

Minjarez's mother also told police that at one point in the summer of 2018, she noticed a "foul smell" in Minjarez's vehicle. She said she jokingly asked her daughter if something had died in it, to which Minjarez responded defensively, Jesik testified.

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That account led police to locate the vehicle on Feb. 6 at a scrapyard in Pueblo. In a suitcase in the trunk, the remains of a young boy, later identified as Jesus Jr., were recovered.

The body was wrapped in layers of garbage bags, surrounded by a comforter stuffed with cat litter and baby powder, according to Jesik.

An autopsy report ruled the manner of death for both children was homicidal violence." However, the remains were too decomposed to determine an exact cause or date of death, multiple detectives testified at the preliminary hearing.

On Feb. 15, 2024, police received DNA confirmation that the remains found in the metal container belonged to Yesenia and the remains found in the suitcase belonged to Jesus Jr. Arrest warrants were issued for Minjarez and Dominguez that same day.

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Minjarez, 37, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder of a victim under 12 years old by a person in a position of trust, and two counts of abuse of a corpse in August. She was immediately sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in the Colorado Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole.

Jesus Dominguez Sr., also 37, was sentenced to 32 years in prison in September, in exchange for a plea of guilty to one count of second-degree murder and his testimony against Minjarez during her trial.

The Pueblo Police Department launched a homicide investigation in January 2024 after finding a child's body encased in concrete in a storage unit at Kings Storage in Pueblo.

DA says plea bargain was 'tough' but 'necessary'

Tenth Judicial DA Kala Beauvais called the plea deal for Dominguez a "tough decision" for the DA's office in an emailed statement earlier this year.

The only two people around the children during their time of death were Jesus Dominguez and Corena Minjarez," Beauvais said.

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"This created the difficult position for the District Attorneys Office to make an incredibly tough decision in making Dominguez an offer in his case to secure his testimony, which ultimately was a necessary move to secure the conviction on Minjarez.

"Given the terrible facts of this case, this was certainly not a concession we wanted to make, but was something we had to do within legal confines to secure convictions on both defendants.

More: Affidavit shows how fight over laptop escalated into fatal stabbing

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on X @jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Memorial caravan to honor slain children in 2018 murders
Yin Yang/Getty Images

Updated 11:57 a.m.

A Michigan Court of Claims judge has ruled against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a lawsuit challenging a portion of her election guidance on mail-in ballots.

Benson had said that ballots returned with mismatched numbers between the ballot stub and the envelope should be counted as a challenged ballot, but Judge Brock A. Swartzle ruled Wednesday that if the numbers do not match, the vote cannot be counted.

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Swartzles order specifically noted that in Michigan election law, as amended in February 2024, rules about the ballot stub and envelope numbers matching were written into law.

While the Secretary can issue instructions and guidance, those must be fully consistent with the laws of this state, he writes.

The case, brought by the Republican National Committee, the Michigan Republican Party and Chesterfield Township Clerk Cindy Berry, was first filed in state court in September 2024.

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Bensons lawyers had argued that because there was no specific instruction in the law about what to do with a ballot if it was returned with mismatching numbers, it fell within her realm to make a decision on. Swartzle pushed back on that argument, writing that though there is no specific guidance on what to do in that situation, the law is clear that such a ballot should not count.

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Our Legislature could not have been clearer: if the condition is meti.e., if the numbers matchthen the ballot is to be tabulated, Swartzle wrote. The obverse is equally plain and unambiguous: when the numbers do not match, or when no match can be made because there is a missing stub, the board of election inspectors has no statutory authority to tabulate the ballot.

Angela Benander, the chief communications officer for the Michigan Department of State, wrote in a statement that this lawsuits goal has been to prevent eligible voters from making their voices heard in elections.

This lawsuit is another chapter in the RNCs years-long partisan strategy to file as many meritless lawsuits against election officials as possible, she wrote. Their plan is to use these court cases to cast doubt on our ability to administer free and fair elections and lay the groundwork for them to challenge any legitimate election result they dont like.

Swartzle left one question open for a further decision on the case, and asked both parties to submit further briefs on what should be done with an absentee ballot with mismatching numbers, including if an elector should be granted the chance to cure the ballot.

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As Judge Swarzle clearly stated, this ruling is not a final order. We look forward to answering in court, Benander added.

This story was updated to include a statement from the Michigan Department of State.
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at Dec. 4, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 4 drawing

Midday: 0-0-2

Evening: 7-9-9

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 4 drawing

Midday: 7-8-0-0

Evening: 8-1-5-2

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 4 drawing

01-10-21-35-47, Lucky Ball: 04

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from Dec. 4 drawing

KH-JS-5D-4H-10H

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Dec. 4 drawing

08-23-28-31-37

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01-05-06-16-37

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from Dec. 4 drawing

01-09-12-13-14-16-21-28-31-37-38-39-40-42-47-52-57-66-67-69-75-79

Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize

All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices.

To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:

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Michigan Lottery

Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

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Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325

Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325

Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325

Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325

Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325

Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.

Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily

Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily

Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday

Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily

Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Dec. 4, 2025
The UN condemned continued incidents of summary executions, arbitrary killings, abductions, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, looting and the destruction of homes.

The Syrian regime needs to take more steps to ensure an end to the violence targeting minority groups in Syria, including violent offences against the Druze community, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights insisted on Friday ahead of the anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime.

Claiming the regime has taken encouraging steps towards addressing past violations, including trials of those alleged to have been involved in the massacres in Sweida and the Druze villages, spokespeople for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Thameen Al-Kheethan noted that distressing accounts of violence persist.

While the regime has established national commissions for transitional justice and missing persons and investigatory bodies into the massacres, the UN condemned continued incidents of summary executions, arbitrary killings, abductions, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, looting, destruction of homes, forced evictions, and confiscation of houses, land and property and the limitation of free expression.

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Hundreds were killed since the fall of the former regime, including from gun, knife, and stone attacks, and as a result of shelling, and hand grenades, Thameen said. These killings were carried out by security forces of the interim authorities, groups affiliated with them, elements associated with the former government, local armed groups and unidentified armed individuals.

Body bags lie at Sweida National Hospital, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, in Syrias predominantly Druze city of Sweida in July. (credit: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters)

Themeen acknowledged that former armed groups were rapidly integrated into the new security forces without proper human rights-based vetting and that this step was an essential component in ensuring no further violations are committed.

Syria's genocide against Druze

Israeli Druze have repeatedly conveyed to The Jerusalem Post, including in a recent visit to the command center in northern Israel, that regime authorities have orchestrated attacks against their Syrian relatives.

Citing statements from prisoners detained during the attacks on Syrian villages, footage of official cars being used, and Syrias own admission that a number of security officials were involved in the attacks on Sweida and other villages in southern Syria, the Israeli Druze claimed the Sharaa regime was responsible for the violence.

Sources have also told The Post that Druze are forced to smuggle life-saving medication into Sweida as the regime has prevented resources from entering the villages - including medical devices which were destroyed during the initial massacres.
Wilderness has a way of hiding its secrets, sometimes revealing them only to the vigilant eyes of park rangers. These dedicated people navigate the untamed terrains of Americas national parks, occasionally stumbling upon scenes that are not just awe-inspiring but also heart-stopping. From the bizarre to the macabre, natures hidden corners sometimes harbor stories that are both chilling and curiously fascinating. Here are 13 of the most gruesome discoveries that park rangers across America have reported in the wild.

1. The Remnants of a Cult Ritual

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Imagine stumbling upon a clearing that looks straight out of a horror film, complete with eerie symbols etched into the earth. That's exactly what happened to a park ranger in the dense forests of Oregon. The scene suggested some sort of ritualistic activity, complete with animal bones arranged in peculiar patterns. It raised suspicions of occult practices taking place far from prying eyes.

A report from the Oregon State Police confirmed that there had been sporadic sightings and complaints from hikers about strange gatherings. These untouched corners of the forest, it seems, had become a rendezvous point for those seeking to perform clandestine ceremonies. The incident highlighted the darker side of human interaction with wilderness areas, where secrecy and isolation can lead to unsettling discoveries.

2. The Discovery of a Long-Lost Plane Wreck

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In the remote regions of Alaska, a park ranger came across the rusted remains of a plane hidden beneath layers of snow and ice. The aircraft, believed to have crashed decades ago, lay undisturbed in the wilderness. This discovery wasnt just about the wreckage; it was a poignant reminder of the people who had disappeared with it. Personal items scattered around told a silent story of those final moments, bringing an emotional depth to the find.

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This scenario is not entirely uncommon in the vast expanses of Alaska, where numerous small aircraft have disappeared over the years. While modern technology has improved search and rescue missions, the wilderness still holds many secrets. This discovery triggered a renewed interest in investigating other missing planes that vanished under mysterious circumstances.

3. A Grizzly Bear's Unearthly Feast

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In Yellowstone National Park, a ranger came across a scene that seemed straight out of a nature documentary  but with a grim twist. A grizzly bear was found feasting on a carcass, but this time, it wasnt an animal. Rangers identified it as human remains, leading to a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of this unsettling find.

According to an article in National Geographic, human encounters with wildlife can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes, especially in areas where people and predators share the same space. The park implemented stricter guidelines for campers and hikers to prevent such incidents. This discovery serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between respecting wildlife and ensuring human safety in these majestic yet unforgiving landscapes.

4. A Mummified Body in the Desert

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The arid expanse of Death Valley offers little shelter from the sun, making it an unlikely place for a body to remain hidden. Yet, that is precisely what a park ranger found  a mummified body partially buried in the sand. The dry conditions had preserved the remains, making it a rare find that piqued the interest of forensic experts. The discovery hinted at the harsh reality of the desert, where survival can be elusive, and stories of lost wanderers are not uncommon.

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Locals speculated about who the person might have been, with theories ranging from an unlucky hiker to a fugitive escaping justice. The mystery added an air of intrigue to the otherwise desolate landscape. Such finds challenge the perception of national parks as mere tourist destinations, revealing them as places where history, mystery, and tragedy often intersect.

5. A Hidden Graveyard in the Woods

Wooded area in misty Forest.

In the depths of the Appalachian woods, a ranger stumbled upon what appeared to be an old, unmarked cemetery. Forgotten by time, this graveyard was overgrown with plants and barely recognizable as a burial site. The discovery included several headstones, some with faded inscriptions hinting at the 19th century. It was a surreal encounter, where nature had reclaimed what was once a human space.

The Smithsonian Magazine reports that such sites are not unprecedented in areas with rich histories and early settlements. These hidden graveyards tell stories of early pioneers and settlers who once inhabited these remote areas. The discovery sparked a collaborative effort with local historians to document and preserve the site, ensuring these forgotten souls are remembered.

6. An Abandoned Homestead with a Dark Past

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Deep in the woods of Montana, a ranger found an old homestead long forgotten by time. The dilapidated cabin was filled with artifacts of a life once lived  and abandoned. Among old tools and rusted cookware, a dusty journal hinted at a tragic story of loss and isolation. It was as if time had stood still in this remote corner, preserving the sorrow etched into the walls.

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The eerie solitude of the place sparked questions about the lives of those who once called it home. Locals whispered of a family tragedy that drove them into the wild, only to meet a mysterious end. The discovery of this homestead added another chapter to the folklore of the region, blending historical fact with the mystery only the wilderness can provide.

7. The Macabre Art of Nature's Debris

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During a routine patrol, a park ranger in California's Redwood National Park stumbled upon what looked like a macabre art installation. Nature had artfully arranged bones and driftwood into an unsettling display, creating a hauntingly beautiful spectacle. This unexpected scene was both fascinating and eerie, capturing the imagination of those who saw it.

A study published in the Journal of Ecology noted how natural forces can create seemingly intentional patterns in nature. Such occurrences often blur the line between the natural and supernatural, leaving observers in awe of nature's mysterious capabilities. This discovery serves as a reminder that even in death, nature continues to create and inspire in ways that defy explanation.

8. A Chilling Note from the Past

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In the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, a park ranger found an old, weathered bottle with a note inside. The message, scrawled in faded ink, detailed a harrowing tale of survival in the wilderness. It was a plea for help from someone lost and desperate, though it was unclear if assistance ever arrived. This find was like opening a time capsule, offering a glimpse into a past filled with struggle and hope.

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The note became a topic of fascination among historians and park visitors alike, each theorizing about the fate of its author. Did they find their way out, or did the forest claim another soul? The discovery added another layer to the parks rich tapestry of history, where each tree and trail holds stories waiting to be discovered.

9. A Grim Collection of Lost Shoes

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Along a remote trail in the Rockies, a park ranger found an unusual sight: a collection of worn-out shoes. There were dozens of them, scattered across the forest floor, each telling a silent story of the people who once wore them. The scene resembled a peculiar art exhibit, but the truth behind it was far more perplexing.

The rangers speculated about the origins of these shoes, considering everything from lost hikers to a dumping ground for unwanted footwear. It was a sobering reminder of the many feet that have tread these paths, some finding their way home, others not. This discovery highlighted the mystery and the multitude of untold stories hidden within the wilderness.

10. A Lone Cabin Frozen in Time

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High in the Colorado Rockies lies an abandoned cabin, found by a park ranger during a winter patrol. Snow drifts had sealed it shut, preserving the scene within like a time capsule. Inside, everything was left as if its occupants had only stepped out for a moment  a table set for dinner, clothes laid out but never worn. The eerie stillness of the place spoke volumes about the suddenness with which it was deserted.

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The mystery surrounding the cabin prompted local historians to dig into records and folklore, searching for clues about its history. Was it a victim of economic hardship, or did something more sinister drive its occupants away? This find added another layer to the tapestry of the Rockies, where human stories often echo through the ages in abandoned places.

11. A Campfire Tale with a Real Twist

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A park ranger in a dense Washington forest discovered an old campsite that told a story of survival gone awry. Remnants of a campfire and gear suggested an abrupt departure, leaving behind a chilling atmosphere. The most haunting find was a journal, its pages chronicling a descent into paranoia and fear, each entry more frantic than the last.

As word of the discovery spread, theories abounded about the fate of the campers. Did they meet with foul play, or was it the wilderness that claimed them? This narrative became a modern-day campfire story, weaving together the allure and danger of venturing into natures untamed heart.

12. A Canvas of Nature's Chaos

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In Yosemite National Park, a ranger came across a scene that resembled a chaotic art project. A storm had ravaged the area, leaving behind a tapestry of fallen branches, mud, and debris. But within this chaos, there was a stunning symmetry, as if nature herself had painted a masterpiece. It was a raw, haunting beauty that spoke to the power and unpredictability of the natural world.

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This discovery led to reflections on the resilience and regenerative power of nature. Despite the destruction, life would inevitably return, transforming the scene into something new. The incident served as a reminder of the dual nature of the wilderness  both beautiful and terrifying in its relentless march forward.

13. A Message Etched in Stone

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In a secluded corner of the Grand Canyon, a park ranger found a message carved into a rock face. It was a simple plea for help, dated several decades ago. This haunting call from the past raised questions about the person who left it and their fate in such an unforgiving landscape.

Visitors and historians alike were captivated by the mystery, piecing together possibilities from scant evidence. Was it a lost hiker, a victim of an accident, or something more sinister? This discovery added yet another layer to the rich history of the Grand Canyon, where every rock and crevice holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.
A woman yells at U.S. Border Patrol agents while they conduct an immigration enforcement operation Dec. 5, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana This comes on the third day of the operation in Louisiana, 'Catahoula Crunch,' launched by the Department of Homeland Security as a part of an immigration crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the United States. (Photo by Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)

Louisianas top criminal justice official has warned New Orleans police chief she risks breaking state and federal laws if her officers dont actively support ongoing federal immigration enforcement efforts in the city.

Attorney General Liz Murrill sent a letter Friday to NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick saying the departments policies conflict with current state law and also may be interpreted as sanctuary policies. (Read the letter below)

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The letter comes as hundreds of agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have converged on New Orleans and the surrounding area for what the Department of Homeland Security has labeled Operation Catahoula Crunch. The Trump administration has said the campaign, similar to those elsewhere in the country, targets the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.

Federal officials have so far identified fewer than 10 people detained in its New Orleans-area sting as having criminal records, and it has not reported how many total have been taken into custody. In comparable ICE and Border Patrol operations in other areas, only a fraction of those arrested have had criminal backgrounds.

The attorney general sent her pointed message to Kirkpatrick as agents continued their roundups, which have included immigrants with legal residency status and people mistakenly targeted.

At this time, I recommend that you immediately direct NOPD officers and staff to fully cooperate with ICE and CBP, Murrill wrote in the conclusion of her letter.

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In an emailed statement, an NOPD spokesperson said Murrills letter has been received and was under review.

NOPD will continue to follow all state and federal laws while staying focused on public safety and maintaining the trust of our community, Kirkpatrick said in the statement.

Murrills letter said NOPD employees would be committing malfeasance in office under state law if they adhere to policies that require them to refuse cooperating with ICE. In addition, they could be charged with a federal felony if they knowingly conceal or withhold information about someone being in the country illegally.

In the letter, Murrill cited policy in the NOPD Operations Manual that bars NOPD officers from assisting federal immigration authorities except in limited instances. These include when there is a threat to life or safety, when executing a court-issued warrant or order, and sending or receiving citizenship status information to and with ICE.

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In an interview with WBOK-AM last month, Kirkpatrick said the NOPD would not take part in any removals but during federal immigration sweeps would assist agents if they need help because of safety.

The superintendent has also described the immigration efforts as civil matters, as opposed to criminal. Murrill challenged that stance in her letter to Kirkpatrick.

There is no absolution in suggesting that immigration enforcement laws are a civil issue, and, on that basis, NOPD cannot assist or support ICE and CBP in their enforcement efforts, the attorney general wrote.

Murrill also noted a state law approved in 2024 that prohibits cities from adopting sanctuary policies that are contrary to immigration laws, adding that she has the authority to sue any local agency that puts any such ordinances or rules in place.

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The attorney general is challenging the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office, which operates the city jail, in federal court over its refusal to honor detainer requests from ICE or share information with the agency on the immigration status of people in custody. The sheriffs office policy has been in place since 2013 as part of a settlement in a federal case involving two immigrant construction workers who were kept in jail at ICEs request after they had completed their sentences for minor offenses.

The NOPDs policy is linked to a 2013 federal consent decree meant to address the departments history of corruption and unconstitutional police practices. It included measures to curb racial profiling, which potentially impacts how immigration enforcement is conducted.

But less than two weeks before federal agents launched their operation in New Orleans, a federal judge terminated the consent decree at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice and city leaders.

The Trump administration has acted to quash similar federal oversight agreements for police departments in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, arguing they are too far-reaching and limit the ability of law enforcement to tackle crime.

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Namibia's proposals to lift the ban on the international trade in black and white rhino horns have been rejected at a key conservation meeting.

The result of the voting at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) earlier this week was adopted by the conference on Thursday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Namibia had also proposed overturning the ban on African savanna elephant ivory - this too was defeated.

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Eyebrows were raised about the rhino horn trade proposals mainly because Namibia pioneered the practice of cutting the horns off rhinos in 1989 so they no longer have value for poachers.

Dehorning was followed by other southern African countries, such as Zimbabwe, Eswatini and South Africa.

Rhino horns are prized in traditional Asian medicine and are also status symbols in China, Vietnam, and some other south-east Asian countries.

Namibia tabled two separate proposals - one for black rhinos and the other for southern white rhino.

Both were resoundingly defeated, with only around 30 votes out of about 120 in favour.

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Cites regulations require a two-thirds majority for a proposal to be adopted.

Black rhinos are listed as critically endangered species [Getty Images]

Black rhinos are listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In 2023, there were only 6,421 alive - a decline of more than 90% since 1960, according to an IUCN report.

The southern white rhinos are not in quite such danger - they are listed as near threatened, with a population of 15,752. But this is down 11% since 2023 and at its lowest point since the current rhino poaching crisis began nearly two decades ago.

Cites banned the trade in the horns and other rhino parts in 1977 but their poaching continued with more than 8,000 lost in the last decade, according to Save the Rhino International.

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In Namibia, the number of rhinos poached was the highest on record in 2022, with 87 killed - almost twice as many as the year before, government data shows.

Some countries like India and Kenya destroy rhino horns stockpiles [Getty Images]

Although this was the first time that Namibia tabled the two proposals seeking the lifting of the ban on the rhino horn trade, the country has backed similar proposals by other southern African countries including South Africa, Eswatini and Zimbabwe in the past.

Experts say the main reason these countries want the ban to be lifted is because of the huge stockpiles of rhino horns they have amassed over the years.

"Namibia and other pro-trade rhino range states have amassed large stockpiles of rhino horn they wish to trade," Taylor Tench, senior wildlife policy analyst with the Environmental Investigation Agency, told the BBC.

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"Namibia's stockpiles are an estimated 6.45 tonnes of white rhino horn and an estimated 4.6 tonnes of black rhino horn. South Africa, on the other hand, likely has at least four times as much."

The main reason why these countries have rapidly growing stockpiles of horns is believed to be the dehorning programme.

The idea is that if a rhino does not have a horn, it is of no value to poachers and so won't be killed.

The horn is removed above the growth plate, just like humans cut their nails, which means it is painless.

But it also means that the horns grow back and need to be sawed off repeatedly.

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As a result their stockpiles are rapidly accumulating.

"The reason for not destroying the horn is speculative stockpiling, by both governments and private individuals," said Mr Tench.

"Some countries, like Kenya, destroy their rhino horn stockpiles, while others, like Namibia and South Africa, stockpile the horn in the hopes of cashing in if international trade is ever legalised."

The governments of both countries have been approached for comment.

Wildlife campaigners say legalising rhino horn trade will fuel demand and that will increase poaching [Getty Images]

Supporters of the rhino horn trade argue that it would generate revenues that could be used to support conservation efforts.

Experts say many private rhino owners in Africa support legalisation because of the high cost of anti-poaching measures.

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But those opposing the idea of opening up the trade argue that it would stimulate demand that would lead to a significant increase in poaching.

They say the legal trade in rhino horn - especially domestic markets in countries like China and Vietnam - was a primary driver of the rhino poaching crisis of the 1970s and 1980s.

Rhino populations around the world remain at risk from poaching and the illegal trade continues.

Between 2021 and 2023, there were more than 150 rhino horn seizures, with an estimated 1.8 tonnes of horn - the equivalent of 716 whole horns - recovered globally, according to a recent report by Traffic and the IUCN.

South Africa accounted for 66% of the seizures by weight, with significant shipments destined for Malaysia and Vietnam, the report said.
INDIANAPOLIS  Republicans scored a major win in the redistricting fight when the Supreme Court reinstated Texas newly drawn congressional map on Thursday. But President Donald Trump and his allies are staring down a brewing rebellion in the Indiana Statehouse that could derail their momentum.

The high court decided in an apparent 6-3 vote to block a lower court ruling that deemed the Texas map a likely illegal race-based gerrymander. In doing so, the courts conservative majority helped Republicans avert a nightmare scenario in which Trumps redistricting push ultimately cost the party seats leading into the 2026 midterms.

The focus now shifts to Indianapolis, where the presidents allies are heaping pressure on GOP holdouts in the state Senate who are resisting Trumps demands to draw new lines there that could net Republicans additional congressional seats.

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In the state Capitol, as members of the state House debated final passage of a map supporters argue would all but guarantee an entirely Republican congressional delegation  from the current 7-2 split favoring the GOP  Turning Point USA held a sparsely attended rally to pressure Indiana Senate Republicans to do the same, over chants of 9-0.

This is now the national make-or-break issue of the year, said Brett Galaszewski of Turning Point Action, adding that Indiana is the center of the political universe. Gov. Mike Braun and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith both addressed the crowd as they faced cheers, boos and shouts of cheaters from counterprotesters.

Earlier Friday, Turning Point Action announced that it, along with Trump-aligned super PACs, would spend in excess of eight figures to primary Indiana Republicans through 2028 if they opposed the new map. And Club for Growth President David McIntosh issued a FINAL WARNING to Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, writing, failure to get this done means you and any other opposition will be defeated and removed from office in your next election.

All of it was designed to amp up pressure on reluctant Indiana Senate Republicans, who are expected to convene Monday to consider the new map. Its unclear whether pro-redistricting allies have flipped any senators since they stalemated 19-19last month on a vote that was a close proxy for gerrymandering. The map passed the state House easily on Friday.



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For now, Republicans have an edge across the six states that have seen a redraw. The GOP has nine more favorable seats across four states  Texas, Ohio, Missouri and North Carolina  while Democrats have five more blue-leaning seats in California, and an additional court-ordered likely pickup in Utah.

The fight over the new lines across the country is expected to carry into the new year. Privately, Democrats were not shocked by the Texas ruling, long assuming the conservative Supreme Court was going to allow the Texas map to stand. With the Texas maps in place, Democrats involved in the nationwide battle anticipate they'll ultimately start the midterm cycle down a handful of seats, but the exact number isn't clear.

Republicans see another key pickup opportunity in Florida, where party redistricting proponents think they could extract another three to five seats ahead of the midterm elections.

But while the state Legislature officially kicked off the mid-decade battle in the state on Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida House lawmaker in charge of redistricting are at odds over how quickly to do it. And the states prospective redraw faces another roadblock: Floridas anti-gerrymandering standards, which hold that a new district cannot be drawn for partisan gain.

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Democrats, meanwhile, are homing in on Virginia. Five of the states 11 House seats are held by Republicans, who were trounced in a November election that bestowed on Virginia a Democratic governor, attorney general and a big Statehouse majority. Democrats there already kicked off a surprise redraw process right before the election. Now, Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott is teasing a major redraw early next year.

"10-1 is not out of the realm to be able to draw the maps in a succinct and community-based way," he said this week. Were gonna take a look at it. We have to.

In Missouri, Democrats are looking to challenge a map the GOP-controlled Legislature passed in September, leaving the state with just one blue district. They face a Thursday deadline to submit over 100,000 signatures that could trigger a referendum and temporarily block the new lines from being implemented, along with a complicated web of legal battles around the referendum process.

The Department of Justice, meanwhile, is going ahead with its lawsuit to challenge Californias new congressional map, even after Attorney General Pam Bondi celebrated the Supreme Courts decision to greenlight Texas newly gerrymandered House map.

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But the high courts blessing of Texas Republican-friendly redrawn map came with a few Easter eggs that suggested how some of the other percolating redistricting battles are likely to play out. Most notably, three of the courts conservative justices  Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch  concluded that Californias redrawn districts were indisputably crafted for partisan advantage.

Its unclear precisely how the justices decision will influence the broader national clash over mid-decade redistricting for 2026. Had the justices struck down Texas map, it may have increased pressure on other GOP-led states like Indiana and Florida to redraw their own boundaries to help give the party a better chance at retaining the House. On the other hand, the rulings clear blessing of mid-decade redistricting for partisan gain could ensure that it becomes a routine weapon in the arsenal of political warfare.

But conservative justices signaling on Californias map bodes poorly for the Trump administration, with the DOJ and California Gov. Gavin Newsom trading barbs following the decision.

So you gonna drop your lawsuit against us right, Pam? Newsoms office asked on X Thursday night.

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Not a chance, Gavin  we will stop your DEI districts for 2026, the Justice Department wrote back.

Adam Wren reported from Indianapolis, and Gregory Svirnovskiy and Kyle Cheney reported from Washington. Andrew Howard contributed to this report.
The William L. Guy Federal Building pictured on Dec. 18, 2024, in Bismarck. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

The operator of natural gas production facilities on the Fort Berthold Reservation was ordered Friday to pay a $500,000 fine and do 500 hours of community service for an environmental violation.

Targa Badlands LLC pleaded guilty earlier this year in U.S. District Court in North Dakota to a violation of the Clean Air Act that affected the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation.

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Targa, which operates six natural gas compressor stations on Fort Berthold, failed to install required hazardous air pollutant monitoring systems, federal prosecutors say in court records.

The violation occurred between 2018 and 2022 on the Johnson Compressor Station near Mandaree. Natural gas gathering pipelines include compressor stations that boost pressure before the gas reaches a natural gas processing plant.

The combustion engines on the compressor station produce hazardous air pollutants such as benzene and formaldehyde, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan OKonek said during the plea hearing, according to a transcript.

The plea agreement indicates Targa self-reported the violation and promptly corrected it by installing monitoring equipment. The company has since taken steps to improve environmental compliance, federal prosecutors said. The attorney for Targa did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

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In 2019 and 2021, Targa paid a total of $450,000 in civil penalties for similar violations involving compressor stations at Fort Berthold after reaching agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency, court records show.

The additional $500,000 fine imposed Friday was the maximum penalty for the violation. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor also ordered Targa to be on probation for three years, do community service work for the MHA Nation and pay a $400 fee. A plea agreement says the company should consult with MHA leaders before starting the community service work.

Natural gas production is vital to our states economy, and it must be done responsibly, North Dakota U.S. Attorney Nick Chase said in a statement. This case demonstrates that we can support strong energy production while holding companies accountable when they fall short of their legal obligations.

MHA Nation Chair Mark Fox said in a statement Friday that tribal leaders appreciate the community service aspect of the sentence, but no formal discussions have occurred about what that will involve.

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We are disappointed with the lack of consultation and are of the opinion that the fines should benefit our nation in some way, Fox said.

Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, a Democrat from Mandaree who also chairs the Dakota Resource Council, said while she acknowledges the company self-reported the violation, it was the third of its kind, illustrating a need for stronger oversight.

Energy development cannot come at the expense of our people, Finley-DeVille said. I will continue advocating for stricter safeguards, better monitoring, and full accountability so our communities receive the clean air and responsible operations they deserve.

North Dakota Monitor Editor Amy Dalrymple can be reached at adalrymple@northdakotamonitor.com.

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Chiles state-run copper producer Codelco and Swiss commodities trader and miner Glencore have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a copper smelter project in the Antofagasta region of Chile.

The partnership aims to enhance local copper processing capacity, with Codelco supplying copper concentrate and Glencore leading the development of a new smelter.

The agreement stipulates that Codelco will provide up to 800,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of copper concentrate to Glencore for at least ten years. There is an option to extend this arrangement for additional ten years, subject to negotiation between the parties.

Glencore will construct the smelter in Antofagasta, a key mining region in northern Chile, with a planned processing capacity of around 1.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of concentrate.

According to industry experts, a project of this scale is likely to require an investment of $1.5bn (1.38tn pesos) to $2bn, reported Reuters.

Glencore is set to undertake a pre-feasibility study, with both companies aiming to finalise their agreement during the first half (H1) of next year.

Engineering studies for feasibility and permitting are expected to be completed in 2027.

Should the project proceed, construction is expected to commence in 2030, with operations set to begin between 2032 and 2033.

Codelco stated that Glencore was selected following a competitive bidding process.

The agreement is part of a broader effort by Chile to increase its domestic smelting capacity.

Currently, Chile accounts for only 6% of global copper smelting capacity, with much of its copper sent to China for processing.

China holds half of the worlds smelting capacity, and its efficient operations have led to treatment charges dropping below zero, forcing some overseas smelters to close.

Chiles Government is seeking to address this imbalance by expanding local smelting infrastructure. This includes a $1.7bn smelter modernisation project led by state-run mining company ENAMI. The Codelco-Glencore agreement is expected to support these national objectives.

Codelco chairman Maximo Pacheco said: We are convinced that this project will benefit not only our company, but the entire sector and the country.

Meanwhile, Glencore has announced plans to restart operations at its Alumbrera copper mine in Argentina by the end of next year. The mine in Catamarca province last produced copper in 2018. Glencore stated that Alumbrera is expected to commence production by H1 2028.

Once fully operational, the Alumbrera mine is projected to produce approximately 75,000 tonnes (t) of copper, 317,000oz of gold and 1,000t of molybdenum over a four-year period. Glencores broader strategy is to expand annual copper production to around 1.6mt by 2035, aiming to reverse a multi-year decline in output.
North Carolina Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg) speaks on the House floor on July 29, 2025. Cunningham voted to override one of Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes, breaking with her Democratic Party colleagues. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Rep. Carla Cunningham, the Democrat who faced a jeering hometown crowd this summer after delivering a controversial speech on the state House floor criticizing immigrants, is seeking an eighth term.

Shell likely be in a crowded primary field in House District 106 in Charlotte.

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The Rev. Rodney Sadler filed campaign paperwork on Monday.

At least two others say they plan to run. Morris McAdoo, a lawyer, has a campaign website. Vermanno Bowman, whom Cunningham defeated in last years primary, announced on social media he also plans to run again.

Cunningham worked for decades as a nurse and has been a prominent voice in the legislature on health and mental health matters.

She is the widow of longtime House member Pete Cunningham, who resigned his seat in 2007 and died in 2010. Carla Cunningham won her first term in 2012.

Cunningham has emerged as one of the Democrats who votes most often with the Republican majority. This year, she voted with Republicans more than any other Democrat. And Republican House leaders have recognized that by awarding her coveted positions in chamber leadership: she co-chairs the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, and is a vice-chair of the House Health Committee.

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But, until now, she has not faced a concerted Democratic effort to oust her. She defeated Bowman in last years primary with more than 84% of the vote.

House District 106 is heavily Democratic, so the primary victor is likely to win the seat.

Cunningham delivered her controversial speech on immigration as she voted with the GOP to override Democratic Gov. Josh Steins veto of House Bill 318. The law puts more requirements on law enforcement to help U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement with deportations.

All cultures are not equal, Cunningham said in a speech explaining her vote to override Steins veto. Immigrants need to assimilate, she added.

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At an August town hall filled with angry Democrats, Cunningham defended her vote and the speech, WFAE reported.

Last month, the U.S. Border Patrol began an operation in Charlotte that triggered a wave of fear that temporarily closed businesses and had parents afraid to send children to school.

Cunningham was initially dismissive of reports of the operation. She told NC Newsline, Im going to be keeping my eyes on my own safety for right now, saying she had received threats over her July speech.

However, in an email Friday announcing her reelection bid, Cunningham said her vote was about serious criminal offenders.

I do not support any practices that intimidate law-abiding immigrant families, she said in a statement.
A webinar examining the federal governments proposed changes to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition under the Clean Water Act is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 3 to 4 p.m. ET.

The session, co-hosted by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), will focus on a rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers that would significantly narrow the scope of federally protected waters. Tribal leaders and advocates warn the proposal could remove protections from streams and wetlands essential to Tribal reserved rights, including hunting, fishing and gathering.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

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Organizers say the proposed definition seeks to codify the U.S. Supreme Courts 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA, relying heavily on relatively permanent and continuous surface connection standards. They argue the changes could shift regulatory burdens onto Tribal Nations and weaken federal trust responsibilities.

The webinar will provide legal and policy analysis of the draft rule, guidance for preparing formal Tribal comments, and strategies for monitoring the proposal as it moves forward. It is designed for Tribal leaders, government staff, and legal and environmental professionals.

Featured panelists include:

 Ken Norton of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, an expert on Tribal water management

 Janette Brimmer, an attorney with Earthjustice and Clean Water Act specialist

 Donna Downing of the National Association of Wetlands Managers, a technical and policy expert

The discussion will be facilitated by Daniel Cordalis of NARF.

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Webinar registration:

https://qrco.de/WOTUSwebinar

Learn more at https://narf.org/wotus-webinar-2025.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net
Patrick Haggerty, state broadband director, testifies before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Changes to Nebraskas federally funded broadband expansion plans that Gov. Jim Pillen celebrated as a victory faced questions and criticism from state lawmakers and others concerned it will hinder internet quality.

The Nebraska Legislatures Transportation and Telecommunications Committee heard an update Thursday from the Nebraska Broadband Office on the status of broadband expansion in Nebraska.

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The update came a day after Pillen announced that just $44.5 million of the $405 million Nebraska was awarded through the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program would be used to connect unserved Nebraskans.

Pillen said an additional $21 million in pledged private investments would support reaching the remaining 2% of Nebraska households and other properties still waiting to gain access to a broadband connection.

The Pillen administration plan has received initial approval for its approach, but approval of the actual spending requires an additional step of federal approval, a Pillen spokeswoman said Wednesday night.

This is a tremendous victory for Nebraska, Pillen said in a statement. Reliable broadband is essential for daily life, from schoolwork and healthcare to running a business or managing a farm. With this approval, rural Nebraskans who have been left waiting will finally have access to the same online opportunities and services as everyone else.

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But some lawmakers and other Nebraskans viewed the governors announcement differently. In a social media post, Charles Herbster, a possible Republican challenger to Pillens gubernatorial re-election bid, criticized why only a small fraction of Nebraskas initial BEAD allocation would be used, with no guarantees that the state would be allowed to hold onto the remaining funds.

No amount of spin can hide the truth: Nebraska gave up, Herbster said. The Pillen administration failed our rural communities when given every opportunity to succeed. The only honest way forward is to admit it.

Nebraska was awarded the $405 million under the Biden administration in 2023, money that prompted the creation of the Nebraska Broadband Office the same year. BEAD funding is the only revenue stream supporting the office, director Patrick Haggerty said.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission, the states catch-all elected regulator, had managed all broadband expansion efforts up to that point, using funds from the states Broadband Bridge Program and Universal Service Fund. The Legislature defunded the Broadband Bridge Program this year.

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As the Broadband Office evaluated the first round of broadband project applications this summer, Haggerty said the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), now led by the Trump administration, announced significant changes to the BEAD program.

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The changes, among other things, prioritized lower-cost plans and adjusted the eligibility requirements for existing unserved and underserved locations.

The changes cut the number of program-eligible locations in Nebraska still lacking broadband access in half, from about 29,600 to just over 14,000. Haggerty said the roughly 15,600 removed locations either already had internet connections through private investments or were covered by unlicensed fixed wireless access broadband.

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While Haggerty argued unlicensed fixed wireless is a reliable form of internet connection, State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, who has led past broadband expansion efforts in the Legislature, disagreed. He compared the reliability to that of a cellphone hotspot.

Brandt also criticized the NTIAs updated guidance for eliminating the programs previous preference for fiber internet, which was described as the gold standard for internet connectivity at Thursdays hearing. Brandt said Nebraska is limited to using just 10% of its current $44.5 million allocation for fiber.

In Nebraska, about 4,600 locations are proposed to be served by satellite internet, for about $1,000 per location or $4.7 million. By comparison, it would cost about $14,600 per location to service similar locations via fiber because of the cost of burying lines to remote locations. The cost for fixed wireless is about $2,200 per location.

Because Nebraska had excess funds, it was able to propose awarding money for broadband at 54 so-called community anchor institutions, such as fire halls, hospitals and nursing homes. But advocates said the 54 were short of how many such institutions could have been served.

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Haggerty, who previously worked in the fiber industry, vouched for the other forms of technology that can be used to establish broadband internet connections. Though most of the methods are newer than fiber, he said they are competitive both from a market and technological perspective.

Multiple committee members shared frustrations about the updated NTIA guidance and potential loss of federal funds, saying that they often hear complaints from their constituents about the lacking quality of their internet service.

Pillens statement said his administration is advocating for Nebraska to retain its unspent BEAD funds. Haggerty told the committee his office is fighting like heck to make that happen. A Pillen spokeswoman said the state hopes to hear around the end of the year whether it will be able to access those funds.

State Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln questioned what the remaining funds could be used for if Nebraska is able to keep it. Haggerty said his office kept alternate ideas broad in the states federal proposal but listed investment opportunities like precision agriculture and artificial intelligence.

Pillen vouched for similar measures in his statement.

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Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum asked a panel of guests on Wednesday to weigh in on President Donald Trumps claim the day before that he could do away with income tax.

MacCallum began the discussion, noting, Trump said that you wont have to pay taxes in the not-too-distant future. Steve, you wont have to pay income tax because the money were taking in is so greatits enormous. Hes referring to the tariffs. Your reaction to that.

Publisher and economist Steve Forbes replied, That sounds nice, and then you look at the numbers. Federal income tax receipts are about two and a half trillion dollars. Tariff receipts are about three or four hundred billion dollars.

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MacCallum replied, Lets take a look at those numbers on the board. We have those. Okay.

Forbes continued, So you got a two-trillion-dollar gap. Moreover, forty percent of households dont pay federal income tax. So if they get hit with a fifty, sixty, seventy percent tariff, what are you gonna do for them? So they got a lot of work to do on it.

MacCallum agreed and added, Indeed. So theres a big gap, Marcus, but President Trump saysand he always looks to Scott Bessent in this moment and says, How many trillions are we gonna have coming in?cause he knows these numbers and he wants to prove that this is doable. What do you say to this?

CNBC pundit and businessman Marcus Lemonis replied, I dont know if he really believes that its doable. I think the ideology of lessening peoples taxes is one thing. Steve mentioned the two point two, two point five trillion dollars of receipts. Theres no source of revenue thats gonna replace that. And we look at the deficit were already in todaytwo point two isnt even enough. So I think that President Trump is acknowledging the affordability, even though he doesnt want to use that word. Seventy-six percent of people think its a word. How are we gonna fill the gap? I think we just need to simplify everything, as opposed to making it more complicated. This idea that you started the show withthat theres gonna be a dividendthats never gonna happen.

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MacCallum followed up, You dont think that people will get two thousand dollars in the tariff dividend?

Wheres the money coming from? Lemonis replied.

MacCallum pressed back, Its coming from everything that they have presented to us about these tariff deals, and that we got such a raw deal over the last several decades. He pointed specifically to South Korea and Japan. A lot of ourhe said, I dont want to mention our allies, and then he started naming these countries.

Lemonis pivoted and answered, I think youre gonna have consumers more focused on, How are you gonna lower my housing costs? How are you gonna lower my food prices? I appreciate that you wanna give me money back, but if you could just lower things, thatd be better.

Watch the clip above via Fox News.

The post Never Gonna Happen: Fox Panel Shoots Down Trumps Wild Claims On Tariff Revenue first appeared on Mediaite.
KANSAS (KSNT)  The Trump Administration is once again threatening to withhold food assistance funding from several U.S states, including Kansas.

The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Tuesday that it would be withholding federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This comes after a long dispute between Trump, and 22 democrat led states over SNAP data.

Beginning in February, the USDA asked all states to send in the personal data of those who receive SNAP benefits. The agency is asking for this data in an attempt to reportedly weed out U.S citizens who are claiming the food assistance benefits but are not eligible for them.

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Water crisis in Kansas will be a top priority for lawmakers ahead of 2026 legislative session

Kansas is among many of the Democrat-led states who have refused to release the data, claiming the request is illegal and unconstitutional.

The Trump Administration intends on punishing these states by withholding SNAP administrative funds. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said she is currently working with her legal team to determine how to respond.

I have absolutely no interest in people going hungry, Kelly said. I also have no interest in being bullied into releasing information that is personal and private. Im in a tough situation here. Ive got to protect peoples privacy, and Ive also got to protect their dining room table.

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This isnt the first time the Trump Administration has threatened to pull SNAP funding. Back in September, the USDA sent a letter to Kelly, notifying her that it may cut more than $10 million in SNAP funding. However, this funding lapse hasnt taken effect. Governor Kelly appealed this decision, and its still being discussed in court.

What new Kansas laws take effect on Jan. 1, 2026?

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Days after the towns building inspector closed off public access to Hulls lobster trap tree, the organizer of the holiday display had hoped for a resolution.

But access to the inside of the tree will remain closed to the public, following a Friday, Dec. 5, conversation between Justin Goodwin and Town Manager Jennifer Constable.

"Unfortunately, the town manager doesn't think it's possible to open it this year," Goodwin told The Patriot Ledger, citing a number of requirements, including an architectural inspection, electrical inspection, permits and insurance coverage.

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The town's building inspector had cited public safety as the reason for closing access to the display's interior Tuesday, Dec. 2, as the tree was built on town land and no one was regularly supervising it.

Expressing disappointment in the result, Goodwin said he hadn't decided whether the group would try for the entryway feature next year.

Goodwin and a group of volunteers completed Hulls third annual lobster trap tree at Mariners Park during the final weekend of November.

This year, the group included an entryway so that spectators could see the tree and all of its lights from the inside. Similar lobster trap trees in Gloucester and Stonington, Connecticut include this feature.

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Just days after the tree was finished, though, building inspector Bartley Kelly put up KEEP OUT notices and an orange safety fence blocking this entryway.

Goodwin heard through word of mouth, not from the town, that the tree's entrance had been blocked. He said he had difficulty getting in touch with Kelly, and when he finally did, Goodwin said he was dismayed with the interaction.

While the tree is still able to be viewed from the outside, nearly 300 people have signed a petition to open the entrance again.

More: Unique holiday display gets building inspector visit. What happened

I want to solve the issue. I wanted to make it right and proceed in such a way that the towns happy and were happy, Goodwin told The Patriot Ledger prior to his conversation with Constable. After speaking with Kelly, Goodwin was later was contacted by the town manager, with whom he had a more reasonable discussion.

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Hulls lobster trap tree is made of about 360 lobster traps, also known as lobster pots, which each weigh 40 to 50 pounds. The structure is also decorated with buoys as ornaments and string lights.

Goodwin, a former lobsterman, acknowledged that during the group's first year of creating the display, some of the lobster traps had fallen off the tree due to high winds.

We didnt know what we were doing, he said. We didnt zip-tie anything. We learned from that.

The group now uses heavy-duty zip-ties ordered through a special company, he said, and put a lot of effort into making the tree structurally sound.

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Goodwin said they decided to add a solid-wood entryway this year because they had seen the feature accomplished in other communities. Plus, that meant they would use fewer lobster traps overall.

He said he was not aware whether the other communities lobster trap trees with interior access required additional permits. The Patriot Ledger has reached out to officials in Gloucester and Stonington, Connecticut.

Some solutions he offered to the town included closing off access if winds reached a certain speed, or adding a sign that warned spectators to enter at your own risk. He just wants to get rid of the ugly fencing, he said.

During a Wednesday, Dec. 3, select board meeting, Constable reiterated the towns appreciation for the holiday display. But she noted the town was not made aware of this years entryway feature and said it posed a liability, since it stands on town-owned land.

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Constable said she learned through research that other communities require a permit and some engineering work but expressed interest in exploring how the entryway feature can be included in a future lobster trap tree.

Nobodys trying to be a Scrooge, Constable said. Nobody is trying to put a damper on it.

Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at hmorse@patriotledger.com.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Will the Hull lobster trap tree entrance open again?
Theres still time to earn recognition as a Top Workplace in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

For the 17th year, the Enquirer will honor outstanding workplace culture in the region. Any organization with 50 or more employees in the region -- public, private, non-profit, a school, or even a government agency -- is eligible to compete for a Top Workplaces award. Standout companies will be honored in spring 2026.

The nomination deadline has been extended to Jan. 16, 2026. To nominate an employer or for more information on the awards, just go to cincinnati.com/nominate or call (513) 206-9789.

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There is no cost to participate. To qualify as a Cincinnati Top Workplace, employees evaluate their workplace using a short 26-question survey that takes just a few minutes to complete. Companies will be surveyed through mid-February.

Energage, the Pennsylvania-based research partner for the project, conducts Top Workplaces surveys for media in 65 markets nationwide and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 8,000 organizations in the past year.

For the 2025 awards, more than 2,500 organizations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky were invited to survey their employees. Based on employee survey feedback, 122 earned recognition as Top Workplaces.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Nomination deadline has been extended to Jan. 16 for Cincinnati Top Workplaces
A sketch of the 212CD submarine design, which Norway has decided to procure. (TKMS via the Norwegian Ministry of Defence)

PARIS  Norway plans to spend 65 billion Norwegian kroner, or $6.4 billion, to buy two additional submarines on top of four already ordered from Germanys TKMS, as well as acquire a long-range precision strike capability for the Army.

The government proposes to parliament to increase the cost framework for Norways submarine program by 46 billion kroner to cover the expense of adding two boats, it said in a statement on Friday. Norway will help finance a second production line in Germany to ensure the new submarines can be built quickly enough.

The Norwegian plans come amid ongoing Russian provocations including airspace violations of NATO allies, and worries that Russia will shift attention to the Baltic region after Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying this week his country was ready for war with Europe should the continent seek a fight.

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Norway is a coastal and maritime nation, and submarines are absolutely central to the defense of our country, Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said in a statement. With six submarines, the armed forces will be able to operate more vessels in more locations at any given time. This will have a strong deterrent effect on any potential adversary.

The country is seeing increased activity from Russian forces in the North Atlantic and the Barents, the minister said. Additional submarines will help strengthen NATOs overall ability to ensure control and defense in the North Atlantic and the northern areas, according to Sandvik.

As NATOs eyes and ears in the north, this places greater demands on our ability to show presence, monitor, and deter in our neighboring areas, Sandvik said. In this context, submarines are absolutely indispensable.

In neighboring Denmark, the countrys Arctic commander warned that he expects Russia to turn to arming in the High North if and when the Ukraine war ends, in an interview published this week.

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The so-called Bear Gap in the waters north of Norway, between Svalbard and the Norwegian mainland, is considered a key transit area for Russian ballistic-missile submarines moving from the relatively shallow waters of the Barents Sea to the deeper waters of the Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Norway earlier this year agreed to buy at least five British-made Type-26 frigates, which are optimized for anti-submarine warfare, in a deal worth around $13.5 billion. The United Kingdom and Norway earlier this week announced an agreement to operate a joint fleet of the frigates to hunt Russian submarines and protect the North Atlantic.

Two of the four submarines previously ordered by Norway from TKMS in 2021 are under construction in Germany, with the first expected to be delivered in 2029, the government said.

The unit price of the submarines and associated weapon systems has increased as a result of critical raw materials and equipment becoming more expensive from when the contract for the first four submarines was signed in 2021, Norway said. Weapon systems and upgrades for the six submarines are also adding to the cost, as well as an exchange-rate impact, according to the government.

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The government is also proposing to spend 19 billion kroner on long-range precision fires for the Army that are able to hit targets up to a distance of 500 kilometers, without providing details on what equipment Norway plans to buy.

The proposed budget includes launchers and missiles as well as training and support systems, the government said.

We live in increasingly turbulent times, and it is important that we have defense capabilities that can deter a potential adversary, Sandvik said. Long-range precision weapons have a deterrent effect because they can strike targets deep inside an adversarys territory if necessary.

Denmark said in September it needed long-range strike weapons to strengthen its defense posture as well as the collective deterrence of NATO, with details on the planned systems still to be decided.
The News

African countries could lean into nuclear energy to supply nearly a third of national electricity needs by the middle of this century with the right systems and financing incentives in place, a new report argued.

Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa could each see nuclear energy account for up to 30% of total electricity supply by 2050, while nuclear energy could represent 24% of Rwandas power generation mix by the same year, said the report by The Rockefeller Foundation. The philanthropic group surveyed eight emerging economies including Brazil, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. More investments in nuclear power could see each countrys electricity generation costs fall by at least 13%, compared with only relying on renewable sources, the report said.

More than half a billion Africans lack access to electricity. Nigeria  the continents most populous nation  is home to the largest number of people without electricity globally. The crisis has spurred ambitious interventions such as the World Bank and African Development Banks Mission 300 initiative: Around $90 billion is sought to meet Mission 300s target of connecting 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030. But only about $50 billion has been pledged so far.

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As with solar, wind, and hydropower, nuclear energy can significantly contribute to scaling clean power for abundant energy and so must be considered a key source for fixing the electricity gap in emerging economies broadly and Africa specifically, The Rockefeller Foundation, which is also a partner of the Mission 300 initiative, said.

Know More

South Africa is the only country in Africa with an operational nuclear power plant. Operated by the state-owned power company Eskom, the Koeberg plant in Cape Town accounts for 5% of the countrys total electricity generation. A new 4 gigawatt plant also to be based in Cape Town is in the works.

The country is well positioned to develop a diversified and reliable generation mix, with its nuclear power generation capacity growing from 2 gigawatts to potentially reaching 22 gigawatts by 2025, according to The Rockefeller report. South Africa announced in October that it will revive the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor  an original nuclear energy project on which it spent more than $500 million before it stalled a decade ago  by the first quarter of 2026.

Nuclear energy projects are also underway in other African countries such as Ghana and Rwanda, which are notably ahead in the continental race to develop small modular reactors  a category of nuclear power facilities that are easier to build, ship, and install in remote areas. Ghanas plans have invited interest from China, France, Russia, South Korea, and the US. An International Atomic Energy Agency inspection team assessed the proposed site of the countrys first nuclear power plant in February.

Room for Disagreement

The path to more nuclear energy in Africas power mix will not be easy, the Rockefeller report noted. One difficulty is the perceived risk associated with investing in infrastructure projects, but there are also government efficacy and public engagement challenges.

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Executives and officials at the recent World Nuclear Symposium in London went further in identifying a litany of obstacles that threaten to derail a pledge from dozens of countries to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050: Attendees said financing challenges, supply chain disruptions, an uncertain talent pipeline, and a growing shortfall of the uranium required to run nuclear power facilities all posed major challenges.

Step Back

In Ghana, political parties across the spectrum have long supported nuclear energy development, but the fiscal tightening required to comply with debt restructuring obligations have constrained the governments ability to finance nuclear infrastructure.

Nigeria may be stymied in its nuclear ambitions by its focus on reviving the economy, which could limit fiscal experimentation for nuclear power financing. In Rwanda, meanwhile, longstanding government support for clear nuclear power has failed to galvanize public support for nuclear energy due to safety concerns, the report noted.

Notable
STOCKTON, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The woman who spent time in prison after livestreaming a fatal crash with her sister near Los Banos in 2017 was killed in Stockton, California, on Tuesday, deputies confirmed to Nexstars KSEE/KGPE.

According to the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office, 26-year-old Obdulia Sanchez was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting around 7 p.m.

Woman who live-streamed deadly crash that killed her sister arrested in Stockton with a loaded gun

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The shooting also injured a second victim, who was taken to an area hospital. No suspects have been arrested, but anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office non-emergency line at 209-468-4400.

In 2017, Sanchez was driving through Los Banos with her 14-year-old sister when the car veered off the road and flipped, ejecting her sister and her sisters friend.

The incident  and her sisters body was captured on a livestream.

Sanchez was later sentenced to six years in prison for gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI, and child endangerment. However, she ultimately would serve less than half of that before being released on parole.

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She was arrested again in 2019 after leading officers on a high-speed chase and being found with a loaded gun.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - December 4, 2025) - Up to 39 million trees in the world's most biodiverse rainforest are about to be logged and shipped to China, according to rainforest charity, Cool Earth.

The charity reports that loggers are lying in wait outside eight rainforest communities, in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea, trying to convince each community to let them log for timber.

If they succeed, up to 39 million trees, habitats that are yet to be explored and species that are yet to be discovered, eight communities, and 200 families are at risk.

The New Guinea forest is the world's third largest rainforest. Stretching 73 million hectares, it is incredibly biodiverse and resource-rich.

It stores around 6.9 billion tonnes of carbon and is home to 7% of all species on our planet, including critically endangered species such as the singing dog, cuscus and birds of paradise.

The loggers arrive with smiles and promises of better roads, schools, health centres, roofing iron, and water tanks. They sweet-talk communities, saying things like, You can keep your land and other resources; we just want your timber, or You'll receive royalties to help your families and keep your children in school, said Regina, Country Manager for climate change charity Cool Earth.

The loggers are not arriving at the villages alone. Cool Earth reports that they are hiring local people to act as messengers. Setting up bases right beside rainforest communities.



They like to target leaders and ward councillors first, knowing that if they convince one respected figure to allow them to log the land, others might follow, Regina adds. Right now, they are pressuring eight communities, visiting them every two weeks to try to convince them to sell their trees.

For the safety of the communities, and the team, the charity has chosen not to name the logging company. But online records show that they intend to log and sell the timber to China.

In Papua New Guinea, the communities and clans own the land. So all loggers have to do is get their consent.

All eight communities sit between the sea and millions of hectares of primary rainforest. If loggers get consent here, they'll have a clear path inland. Hundreds of thousands of hectares of rainforest is at stake.

"They come with thick envelopes of cash and empty promises, said Regina.

Living in the forest is tough. It can take days to reach school and health centers and hours to reach the nearest town. Access and the ability to make an income is also weather dependent. Communities often grow peanuts, weave Bilums and sell vegetables at market, but if there are heavy rains, they cannot travel and crops are destroyed.
Headline 2: Turkiye receives first dedicated organic cotton training resource

The Organic Cotton Training Curriculum (OCTC) is now publicly available in Turkish and English, alongside a Trainers Handbook to support sector-wide adoption.

Developed with Ankara-based Prospera Impact and informed by Turkish sector partners, the curriculum adapts proven good farming practices to Turkiyes soils, climate and growing conditions.

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It also introduces the programmes first module on regenerative agriculture, offering clear direction on soil health, biodiversity and long-term resilience.

Beyond field-level agronomy, the OCTC includes new modules on farm management and digital literacy. These aim to improve record-keeping, support more effective planning of inputs and crop rotations, and help farmers make better use of digital tools, from basic smartphone apps to farm data platforms, to track performance and guide decision-making.

Turkiyes cotton farmers are ready to take the next step, and the OCTC gives them the practical guidance to do so, said Omur Suner, country manager for OCA in Turkiye. By tailoring the curriculum to our national agronomic conditions and collaborating closely with local partners, we are ensuring that every field officer and farmer receives relevant, high-quality support. This resource is a cornerstone for strengthening Turkiyes leadership in organic cotton production.

The curriculum was tested with field teams during workshops held across Turkiyes cotton regions this season. It builds on OCAs training model first introduced in India in 2022 and Pakistan in 2023, which has delivered 25 agronomic training sessions and strengthened the capacity of nearly 200 field staff.

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The launch follows OCAs formal expansion into Turkiye in 2024 and forms part of its long-term goal to build a sustainable and transparent national organic cotton sector that supports farmer livelihoods and protects local ecosystems.

OCA explained that the curriculum will be updated regularly based on field feedback and expert input and invites organisations across the cotton and sustainable agriculture sectors to integrate the OCTC into their own training programmes.

"OCA launches Turkiyes first organic cotton training curriculum" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




Police ballistic markers stand near a stroller and a childs chair at a crime scene. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images.)

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled police officers can be considered victims, and thus not subject to public disclosure, under Ohios Marsys Law privacy protections.

The case stems from a July 2023 incident in which three men robbed several car dealerships, banks, and even a GameStop before getting tracked down police.

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A car chase on I-70 ended in a shootout. Two suspects fled on foot. But a third shot one officer five times and was approaching a second officer when he was shot and killed.

The fleeing suspects were caught, and in January of this year sentenced to 25 and 13 years respectively.

But the day of the shooting, reporters at the Columbus Dispatch filed a public records request for bodycam and dashcam footage.

Columbus Police eventually released redacted footage that shielded the identities of the officers claiming they were victims of a crime.

The Dispatch sued, claiming police officers acting in their official capacity cant be considered victims because theyre representing the state.

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Ohio Supreme Court Justice Patrick DeWine, writing for the courts majority, disagreed  and he didnt seem to think it was a hard call.

Applying the plain text of the amendment, we have no difficulty concluding that an ordinary understanding of Marsys Laws definition of victim encompasses the officers in this case, he wrote.

To DeWine, it boils down to a simple equation: A victim under Marsys Law is a person against whom a criminal act is committed, and a police officer is definitely a person.

The court is not being asked to determine whether an edge case fits within the scope of underdeterminative constitutional text, DeWine continued. This is a case in which the text is clear and determinative with respect to police officers.

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The police union was thrilled with the decision.

This ruling is a bright light for common sense, Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio President Jay McDonald said in a statement.

Of course, Marsys Law protects police. When an officer is attacked, they are a victim like anyone else, and they deserve the same privacy and protections.

But to some other justices on the bench, the case isnt quite that simple  even if they agree police officers can meet the definition of victims.

Background

Marsys Law was first adopted as part of the California State Constitution in 2008.

The amendment provides several protections for victims of crime to ensure theyre heard in court, aware of developments in the case, and afforded privacy as proceedings play out.

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Since its adoption in California, 13 states have adopted a version of the amendment. In Pennsylvania and Montana state courts later overturned the provisions.

Courts in Kentucky threw out that states version of Marsys Law, too. But voters approved a second version in 2020. The law is currently in effect in 12 states.

Since at least 2020, journalists have been raising alarms about law enforcement agencies use Marsys Law protections to shield the identity of officers involved in use of force incidents.

ProPublica noted it was particularly common in Florida, where voters approved Marsys Law in 2018.

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But even some prominent law enforcement officials like Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri pushed back on that use of the law.

A police officer who shoots and kills another is not a victim of that shooting and cannot invoke Marsys Law to shroud his shooting in secrecy, he wrote in an amicus brief.

In 2023, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Marsys Law doesnt afford any victim, police officer or otherwise  the categorical right to withhold his or her name from disclosure.

The court determined that would be incompatible with the right to confront adverse witnesses in court and the states sunshine laws.

Ohios ruling, and its dissents

Among its arguments, The Columbus Dispatch said police officers, acting in their official capacity, need be treated differently under Marsys law because theyre treated differently under many other statutes.

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A person may commit many criminal offenses against a police officer that would not be criminal offenses if committed against a private individual, the newspaper said.

Thats because offenses like false statements, resisting arrest, and failure to comply, are treated as offenses against the state, rather than the individual officer.

Just look at the two men charged with armed robbery in the underlying case.

The plaintiff wasnt officer John Doe 1 or John Doe 2, as theyre identified in the Ohio Supreme Court case, and it wasnt the businesses they robbed  it was the United States.

Granting police officers the right to shield their identity if theyre subject to any criminal offense would be a sweeping change.

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Its unlikely voters who approved Marsys Law, the newspaper said, understood that they were granting state actors any rights that might result in their being deprived of their existing right to obtain information about police officers through public records requests.

Justice DeWine brushed those arguments off.

It may well be true that when a person has made a false report to a police officer or committed a similar crime, the police officer is not a victim of that crime under the constitutional definition, he wrote. But that is not the case in front of us.

In a pair of dissents, Justices Patrick Fischer and Jennifer Brunner complicated DeWines straightforward interpretation.

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Both agreed that officers can be victims under Marsys Law, but they still found fault with the police departments stance.

Fischer said the facts of the case demonstrate Doe 1 and Doe 2 were in fact victims and the department was justified in redacting their identifying information under Marsys Law. But he stressed they werent the only officers on the scene.

The evidence provided by CPD plainly shows that there are other records  specifically, body-worn-camera and dashboard-camera footage from other officers at the scene who were involved in the shooting  that are responsive to the Dispatchs request and that were withheld by CPD under the victims rights exception, he wrote.

Fischer noted the department conceded at oral argument that those other officers were not victims.

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He contends the court should direct the department to release the remaining footage to The Dispatch.

Justice Brunner argued Ohioans have an understood constitutional right to access government records like body cam footage.

Instead of arguing a public official can never be a victim, she focused on the expectation of privacy.

Because police operate in public, with their name and badge number readily available, Marsys Law privacy protections shouldnt extend to their conduct.

Once the officers are on duty in public, they do not have an expectation of privacy in their names or identities, she wrote.

Reactions

While the police union celebrated, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, who serves as legal advisor to the police department, sounded a more measured tone.

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Although he respects the publics desire for transparency, especially in use of force cases, he said city officials were simply trying to follow the law as written.

Todays ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court affirms that interpretation of Marsys Law, he said. If the Ohio legislature chooses to amend or clarify these important public record provisions in the future, we will of course follow those laws at that time.

And the ACLU of Ohio, which opposed Marsys Law when it went before voters, is looking to the future as well.

In a statement Senior Policy Counsel Patrick Higgins wrote, the ACLU of Ohio believes a transparent government can be an accountable government. In the wake of this decision, we stand ready and look forward to working with the state legislature to ensure that violent encounters between state actors and civilians are scrutinized under the daylight they deserve.

Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky.

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Justice Sonia Sotomayor suggested the Trump administration was asking the Supreme Court to completely upend the U.S. government in a remarkable exchange. The countrys highest court was hearing oral arguments in the case of Trump v. Slaughter when she made the observation. Youre asking us to destroy the structure of government and to take away from Congress its ability to protect its idea that the government is better structured with some agencies that are independent, Sotomayor said.
The Odessa Police Department has made four arrests and recovered stolen property in connection to an auto burglary investigation. 21-year-old Zyriona Lewis, 20-year-old Cavaya Jefferson, 20-year-old Kevion Noel, and a 16-year-old male have all been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Noel and Jefferson were also charged with evading arrest or detention. Noel and the 16-year-old were additionally charged with auto burglary, a news release said.

On Monday, at approximately 1:32 a.m., OPD responded to 51st and Tanglewood in reference to auto burglaries being committed at several apartment complexes. A witness reported they observed two males wearing ski masks, who were burglarizing vehicles. Officers searched the area and located two males matching the suspects description, later identified as Noel and the 16-year-old male. Lewis and Jefferson were parked nearby in a gray Kia Cadenza, the release said.

Noel and Jefferson both ran from officers but were located and placed into custody. Investigation revealed that Jefferson drove the other three subjects to the apartment complex and assisted while Noel and the 16-year-old burglarized vehicles and placed the stolen items into the Kia Cadenza. Officers recovered U.S. currency, cell phones, and other personal documents, the release said.

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Officers also recovered two firearms. Noel admitted that one of the firearms had been stolen in the area of the Peppertree Apartments a few days prior. Some of the recovered property was linked to other auto burglaries that had previously been committed in Midland. Based on the facts and circumstances presented during the investigation all four subjects were charged and arrested accordingly, the release said.

The post OPD arrests 4 in connection to auto burglary investigation appeared first on Odessa American.
Theres a lot of discussion as to whether the U.S. Navys double tap strike of Sept. 2  the latter hit killing two survivors clinging to the wreckage of an alleged drug boat  constitutes a war crime. Theres also a debate about whether it was Secretary of War Pete Hegseth himself that ordered the Navy to kill everybody.

Lets assume that Hegseth gave the order and ask a more important question  one that has serious ramifications for every member of the U.S. military, from the lowliest private to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Can President Trump pardon Hegseth?

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Trump has been very free with his use of the pardon power, even for convicted drug traffickers. Theres little doubt he would pardon an underling like Hegseth, especially if, in his view, Hegseths only crime was carrying out Trumps own policies too zealously. Theres also no question that the president has broad pardon powers, extending to all offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

But war crimes are different from ordinary crimes. The statute that authorizes their prosecution is very broad. Anyone who has committed a war crime against anyone, anywhere can be prosecuted for that crime if they are present in the United States. The penalty for committing a war crime can range from a fine all the way up to the death penalty if the victim of the war crime is killed.

War crimes themselves are not defined by U.S. law, but, rather, by international law. The War Crimes Act that authorizes the Department of Justice to prosecute war crimes using international law defines them as, among other things, a grave breach of the Geneva Convention and violations of Articles 23, 25, 27, or 28 of the Annex to the 1907 Hague Convention. These conventions specifically prohibit issuing no quarter orders and intentionally killing those placed out of combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause  both of which Hegseth is alleged to have done.

So while Hegseth could be pardoned for committing murder in violation of federal law, he cannot be pardoned for committing a war crime, any more than an American president could have pardoned the Nuremberg defendants. Violations of the Geneva convention are not offenses against the United States, but offenses against international law.

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The statute under which Hegseth would be prosecuted, 18 USC 2441, simply allows the U.S. government to prosecute violations of the international laws of war in American courts, even when the United States has no connection to the violation itself. The first case brought under the War Crimes Act involved Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

It is true that presidents, including Trump, have pardoned past acts that would constitute war crimes. But the perpetrators were charged with violating either the Uniform Code of Military Justice or federal criminal law  in other words, offenses against the United States, rather than the Geneva Convention or the Hague Convention, which are offenses against international law. The War Crimes Act has only been invoked once since it became law in 1996.

Of course, Trump could forbid the Department of Justice from prosecuting Hegseth while he is president. But since he cannot pardon violations of international law, he could not prevent a future administration from prosecuting Hegseth, just as he could not forbid another country from exercising its own jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes. And in Hegseths case, assuming his orders caused the intentional killing of a protected person, there is no statute of limitations.

This has profound implications for the military and how it conducts itself. There are many reasons, both ethical and legal, for refusing to commit war crimes. If nothing else, war crimes are antithetical to the American military tradition. But there is also a very practical reason. If you commit an act that violates the laws of war  especially one that results in an intentional killing  sooner or later, you can be held accountable, and the president cannot save you.

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Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and his compatriots are right. Illegal orders, especially those that will result in the unlawful killing of noncombatants, can and must be refused. If Hegseth can be prosecuted under the laws of war for giving the order, so can the soldier who pulled the trigger.

Chris Truax is a charter member of the Society for the Rule of Law and an appellate attorney.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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GAYLORD  Tim Rygwelski won't take over officially as executive director of the Otsego County Economic Alliance until the beginning of 2026. However, there is one message that he wants to convey immediately.

"The biggest thing I want people to know is that the door at OCEA is always open. I want to create a partner focused open door network to where if I don't know an answer, I have a list of people to reach out to and we can all work together to find the answer," Rygwelski said.

Rygwelski succeeds Lisa McComb at the alliance (OCEA), which focuses on economic development in the county and city of Gaylord. He will become one of three full-time staff members working under a 21-member board of directors made up of local community leaders. He brings a small business background and knowledge of Northern Michigan to the position.

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Previously, Rygwelski was a small business consultant with the Michigan Small Business Development Center that worked closely with Target Alpena Development Corp. on economic development services for Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Iosco and Presque Isle counties.

Tim Rygwelski is the new executive director for the Otsego County Economic Alliance.

"I grew up downstate, but I have been coming up to Northern Michigan for my entire life. I have always had an appreciation for Gaylord and Otsego County," Rygwelski said. "It's an area with a lot of momentum moving forward."

For Rygwelski, economic development is his career goal.

"I love economic development and I have been working in it since I got out of college. Economic development is where I have wanted to end up, so when this role became available it seemed like a perfect fit," he said.

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Rygwelski believes that Gaylord and Otsego County have the necessary assets to attract new businesses.

"I want people to understand that all of the resources we need are available within the county. I want OCEA to be that first line of contact when someone is looking for property, a business or services. I want us to be the starting point," said Rygwelski.

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While the current economy is dominated by health care and tourism, Rygwelski believes the county can grow its manufacturing sector.

"We need to work on expanding our manufacturing footprint. Our closeness to I-75 is one of the biggest assets that we have. We also have a lot of areas that are ready to be developed for manufacturing," he said.

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Everyone is trying to figure out how AI will work into the economy. Rygwelski said he has used AI with small businesses.

"There is a quote that we talked about. It says AI isn't going to replace people, but people who use AI will replace those who don't (use it). AI is a tool and people who use it as a tool will have a leg up over people who don't. (AI) is going to help eliminate redundancies, make us more efficient and allow people to focus their skills on what needs human oversight," Rygwelski said.

The OCEA is planning a welcome reception for Rygwelski at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at C.R.A.V.E. on Main Street. To attend, RSVP to cathy@gaylord-otsego.com or call 989-731-0287.

 Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Rygwelski to join Otsego County Economic Alliance as executive director
Eliot Kleinberg, a retired reporter from The Palm Beach Post and a historian, wrote more than 1,000 history columns for The Palm Beach Post published under the name "Post Times."

The column title refers to the "Palm Beach Evening Times," sister publication of "The Palm Beach Post," which was founded in September 1922. "The Post" debuted in January 1916. They merged in May 1987, and the afternoon edition featured both mastheads.

Casino magnate E.R. Bradley bought the papers in February 1934 and the Sunday edition was called the "Palm Beach Post-Times."

The Palm Beach Post-Times on Sunday, Aug. 8, 1976

More: How the Ashley gang, who robbed banks and killed law officers, met their bloody end

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Here are some of the historical facts and trivia that Kleinberg learned over more than two decades of writing. We thought we'd share a few with you, with more coming in the future.

How did Military Trail get its name?

It really was a military trail. During the Second Seminole War, the longest and costliest of the Native American wars and one of the most unpopular in U.S. history, Maj. William Lauderdale was leading troops of Tennessee Volunteers. After the battles of Okeechobee in December 1837 and the battles of Lockahatchee (Loxahatchee), Jan. 15 and Jan. 24, 1838, soldiers went on to build Fort Jupiter. They carved the north-south trail to supply the fort.

Beginning in 1894, the Black community on Palm Beach was moved from the Styx (which was developed into a commercial area) to the Northwest neighborhood, which served as West Palm Beach's segregated African American community from 1929 to 1960.

Did Henry Flagler really burn down the Styx?

It's accepted as gospel by many. But the evidence all but dismisses it. The shantytown known as the Styx sprang up in Palm Beach in the 1890s for more than 2,000 Black workers who built Henry Flagler's nearby hotels. The story is that Flagler was eager to oust the residents so he could develop the land. He hired a circus to set up across the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach, gave Black residents free passes, and while they enjoyed the show, burned their homes down.

But Flagler didn't own the land. The Bradley brothers, one of whom was the famous casino owner E.R., did, as a member of a pioneer family pointed out to The Post in 1994. The workers were squatters and could be evicted at any time. A former resident told Kleinberg before she died that she didn't remember any fire.

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Post Time: Pioneers photos give glimpse of Palm Beachs mysterious Styx

Does Boca Raton really mean 'Mouth of the Rat?'

It originally was Boca de los Ratones  "mouth of the mice." In this case the translation referred to an inlet  a mouth  full of mice. The Boca Raton Historical Society says there was, in fact, an inlet with sharp rocks that gnawed the ropes of ships rocking at anchor along the shore. But the inlet was not in southern Palm Beach County. It was at Miami Beach. Map makers inadvertently placed it where it is now.

What's the oldest structure in Palm Beach County?

Technically, it's a brick oil house, finished in January 1860, that stands alongside the Jupiter Lighthouse. The lighthouse wasn't officially considered completed until the first lighting on July 10, 1860.

Here are some of Kleinberg's most memorable history stories:

'Soldiers don't fear dying. They fear being forgotten'

Richard Gordon "Tiny" Sowell played basketball and baseball at Palm Beach High and went to the University of Florida for two years before he enlisted to fight in World War II. He'd been a forward spotter with the 295th Joint Assault Signal Company, 3rd Battalion, 106th Infantry Division during the Battle of Saipan when a Japanese mortar hit him in a foxhole on July 7, 1944. He died at age 21.

Tiny Sowell, the beloved Palm Beach High graduate, Class of 1941, had died at 21 in a foxhole on the Japanese-held island of Saipan on July 7, 1944. His remains had laid there for years before authorities could return. When they couldn't make a positive identification, he was buried in a numbered grave in Hawaii for seven decades. In 2015, the military took a DNA swab from his nephew and made a match. And in 2017, he was returned to West Palm Beach and buried the day before Veterans Day, with full military honors. Jeff Garten, ride captain of the Patriot Guard, a veterans group that provides motorcycle escorts, saluted and told nephew Lewis Sowell Jr.: "Soldiers don't fear dying. They fear being forgotten."

Owner of West Palm Beach's oldest house killed at his dining room table

For decades, people talking about what probably is West Palm Beach's oldest home repeated the story  that the original owner, British expatriate Richard Hone, was shot Oct. 20, 1902, by a mystery gunman on horseback who melted into the dark and got away with murder.

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The Post had gone with that version, and since the paper hadn't started until 1916, there was no way to check archives. But there was another way to check the facts. We got into editions of the Weekly Lake Worth News and the Tropical Sun, both predecessors to The Post, which heavily covered the slaying. It turns out one of Hone's employees was caught within days, confessed to shooting him through a window  though not from horseback  and eventually was hanged. "Those articles, at least those in Palm Beach Post archives," we wrote at the time, "now will have to be accompanied by what likely will be the most belated correction in the newspaper's history: 116 years."

Eliot Kleinberg is a noted historian and former reporter for The Palm Beach Post.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County history: Oldest structure, Military Trail's name
A proposal to shift the Amarillo Zoo to nonprofit management advanced Wednesday, Dec. 3, but the citys Parks and Recreation Board cautioned that major questions must be resolved before the plan returns to the City Council next month.

Board members heard a condensed version of the presentation made earlier to the council by Stephanie Brady, founder and executive director of the Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, who is leading the effort to create a separate nonprofit to operate the zoo. After discussion, the board unanimously voted to recommend continuing negotiations on the draft agreement  not an endorsement, but permission to keep the process moving.

Stephanie Brady, founder and executive director of Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, outlines her vision for the Amarillo Zoo during Wednesdays Parks and Recreation Board meeting.

Several board members said the proposal felt like it had reached them late and that they needed more time to examine the five-year business plan, staffing projections and long-term financial model. Parks and Recreation Director Michael Kashuba noted the proposal would go to the council regardless, further contributing to the boards desire for caution.

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Amarillo leaders weigh nonprofit plan to revive city zoo

Board member Thomas Riney outlined four options the city has for the zoo, including increased public funding or possibly closing the facility. His summary underscored the seriousness of the decision and prompted several members to acknowledge that the nonprofit model may be the most viable path available.

Parks and Recreation Board member Thomas Riney outlines the four options the city faces regarding the future of the Amarillo Zoo during Wednesdays board meeting, where members unanimously recommended continuing talks with the nonprofit proposal to operate the facility.

The city would continue to own the land, buildings and animals, and any transition would require a multiyear agreement approved by the council. Staff said the earliest it could return to the council is January.

Simpson: Board was right to feel blindsided by the process

Councilmember Les Simpson, who did not attend Wednesday's meeting, said afterward that the boards frustration was understandable. He said major proposals should routinely begin with citizen boards, not reach the council first.

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They were rightly frustrated, Simpson said. This should have gone to the board first. They deserved to see it before it came to us.

Simpson said he takes responsibility for not insisting on a more standard review path.

We owe them an apology, and Ive said it wont happen again.

Simpson also addressed concerns about existing zoo employees. He said the citys role is to ensure staff have a fair opportunity to remain at the zoo under a nonprofit model or find other roles within the city if they are qualified and interested.

Current employees should have every opportunity to stay if theyre a good fit, or to find another position in the city if theres a right fit there, Simpson said.

Parks and Recreation Board members Shelby Massey and Skylar Gallop discuss the proposed nonprofit transition for the Amarillo Zoo during Wednesdays board meeting.

He said everyone involved wants the transition  if approved  to succeed, but it needs to be structured deliberately.

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Everybody hopes this will be a good idea, he said. We just need to set it up for success.

Simpson said the boards concerns about the zoos long-term viability are legitimate.

If we dont find a sustainable model, we could reach a point where maintaining the zoo becomes very difficult, he said. This gives us a framework that could keep it going for a long time.

Reid: Boards caution mirrors council concerns, but option is worth exploring

Councilmember Tim Reid, who attended Wednesday's meeting, said the board raised the same issues the council has been working through: staffing shortages, rising operating costs and limited capacity for improvements under current budget constraints.

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It was a good discussion, Reid said. And the issues they raised were the same ones weve discussed at the council.

Reid agreed that the process reached the board too late but said the unanimous recommendation to continue discussions was appropriate.

They gave what Id call a yellow light  proceed, but proceed with caution, he said.

Reid said the nonprofit model may be the citys last best option to avoid deeper financial strain.

If this doesnt work, a future council may have to decide whether we keep the zoo open, he said.

He said he has asked staff to explore whether current zoo employees could keep their city benefits even if a nonprofit assumes day-to-day operations.

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How we treat our employees matters, Reid said. They deserve stability and options.

Brady: More questions will be answered when board reviews full plan

Brady said she expected the boards questions and believes many concerns will be resolved once members have time to study the five-year budget, business plan and transition outline.

For me, this has been months of preparation, she said.

She said the nonprofit can begin with competitive pay but needs three to five years to build a full benefits package. Retaining part of the existing zoo team is critical for continuity and animal welfare.

She said her first-year goals  including comprehensive wellness exams, admissions upgrades, building improvements and a new gift shop  are conservative, adding that some could be completed within two months.

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Brady said she has consulted CPAs, business advisers, Texas Tech partners, the zoos current veterinarian and staff at other zoos statewide while developing the plan.

Michael Kashuba, executive director of Parks and Recreation, speaks during Wednesdays Parks and Recreation Board meeting as members reviewed a proposal for the nonprofit operation of the Amarillo Zoo.

She emphasized that the new zoo nonprofit would remain completely separate from Wild West Wildlife.

The missions are different, and the finances must be completely transparent, she said. You keep the books clean.

Brady also addressed concerns about timing, saying the proposal feels fast only because the presentation is new to some.

The planning has been going on for months, she said. It may feel sudden, but the groundwork has been extensive.

Funding questions remain

Board members noted that Amarillo has roughly 1,500 nonprofits competing for donor dollars. Brady said she understands the concern but believes grant funding, corporate partnerships and national zoo-support networks give the organization multiple avenues for revenue.

Next steps

City staff will continue refining the agreement before it returns to the council.

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Simpson said the process ahead must remain methodical and transparent.

Reid said the council must see a thoroughly vetted plan that protects city assets and gives the nonprofit a realistic path to success.

Brady said she agrees.

We dont want to rush this, she said. It has to work for the city, the staff and the animals.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Parks board supports talks on nonprofit plan for Amarillo Zoo
(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

The Pentagons press briefing room played host to a surreal scene this week as MAGA influencers, ranging from Pizzagate conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec to former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz to Laura Loomer, took over the role of actual journalists trying to cover and hold accountable the largest and most consequential department in the U.S. government.

While there very well may be some well-intentioned citizen journalists in the new press corps, its undeniable that, on the whole, the one thing they have in common is loyalty to MAGA and President Donald Trump. Gaetz, of course, was appointed by Trump to be attorney general, a job Trump explicitly views as being his lawyer  a toady meant to run cover for him first and foremost. Remember what happened to Jeff Sessions?

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Loomer, Posobiec, and so many others make their livings entirely off of keeping a pro-Trump audience happy and are financially incentivized to toe the line, attack the left, and never spark the ire of Trump or their viewers.

Trump had already broken with a long tradition of keeping the Pentagon apolitical by appointing a former Fox News weekend morning show host and longtime culture war warrior, Pete Hegseth, as defense secretary  a job he has now retitled secretary of war. During Trumps first term, his defense secretaries were venerable national security figures with decades of experience who had actually worked inside the Pentagon and were widely seen as nonpartisan. They also happened to temper Trumps worst impulses, which led to Trump firing Mark Esper after he refused to go along with Trumps 2020 stolen election claims.

In Hegseth, Trump has found someone who not only dropped the guardrails for him, but seems to delight in pushing the boundaries even further than Trump might like to go. Trump made clear this week he would not have wanted a second deadly strike on survivors of an already disabled drug-running boat. Hegseth has defended that strike with glee, posting memes and boasting of yet another deadly strike.

Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat. https://t.co/y8okwYhmHv  Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 5, 2025

The growing scandals surrounding Hegseth, both the strike on survivors and the Pentagon inspector generals report on SignalGate, escalated this week just in time for the new press corps of MAGA influencers to take over the Pentagon. The traditional press corps was kicked out of the building after they refused to sign a pledge promising to follow Hegseths new rules for journalists, which in effect banned journalists from trying to solicit any kind of information that was not pre-approved. Even reliable pro-Trump outlets like Fox News and Newsmax refused to sign the pledge and subsequently gave up their presence in the building to a cadre of online influencers, many of whom are podcasters in their twenties.

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One of those new press corps members, Cam Higby, asked Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson flat-out what his role in the building should be.

In your mind, what is the purpose of the Pentagon Press Corps? Because it seems to be that a lot of people online, including the former press corps who have been tweeting at me, think that the purpose of the press corps is just to gather classified information and release it to the public. It seems likeif youre an American journalist, yeah, I mean, youre not a Chinese spywhy would that be the purpose of your job? I mean, how do you see it? Higby asked, apparently looking for validation from the very person he is meant to hold accountable.

Yeah, no, its a great question. I think the most important thing for the Pentagon Press Corps is twofold: to hold the administration accountable, Wilson replied before blasting coverage of the Biden administration. She then said the quiet part out loud:

So holding us accountable, I think, is very important. But also communicating to the American people all of the work were doing and all of the work that our warfighters are doing every single day is a huge part of it. And thats why we wanted to engage new media like all of you and bring you here, because the only people that watch CNN are those who are forced to in airports, right? Now weve got people who actually have huge audiences, huge numbers of viewers, and were able to get our message directly to the American people. We dont have to rely on the MSDNC filters anymore. And I think for this department, thats going to be a huge win.

While this new press corps may be a total affront to everything American democracy and the First Amendment are meant to stand for, in practice, who is in the building and has access to the Pentagon press secretary is likely to have little real impact on the American peoples ability to know whats happening inside the building. The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other mainstream media outlets have been at the forefront of scooping all the latest facts on Hegseths actions and are certain to continue to do so. The only real trend to track going forward will be just how subservient the MAGA influencers are to Hegseth and whether or not any actually publish any real scoops or uncover any actual scandals.

 MSM Journalists wreaked havoc on the Pentagon during their time in the building. Pentagon Press Sec Kingsley Wilson explains the hostile work environment created for DoW staff by adversarial media: pic.twitter.com/Wjle2D3aSj  Cam Higby  (@camhigby) December 3, 2025

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The post The Pentagons New Press Corps Is an Utter Embarrassment  And It Wont Help Hegseth first appeared on Mediaite.
(Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

More than half of violent crimes in Washington state are going unsolved.

That sobering data point, shared with state lawmakers Thursday, comes as violent crime has dropped but remains far ahead of pre-pandemic figures.

Police in Washington solved just 44% of reported violent crimes last year, said Marshall Clement, director of the Council of State Governments Justice Center. That amounts to solving 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 31% of robberies and just 25% of rapes.

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How low can this rate go before the entire criminal justice system is rendered useless? Clement told a state House panel. Nothing else in our criminal justice can even happen, rehabilitation, deterrence, incapacitation, unless we have a system that actually solves the majority of violent crime.

Before the pandemic, Washington slightly outpaced the national average in its clearance rate for reported violent crime. Like the rest of the country, the percentage of cases Washington authorities were solving dropped during the pandemic, and has gradually rebounded since.

Still, since 2022, over 49,000 violent crimes remain unsolved in Washington, including more than 400 homicides, nearly 29,000 aggravated assaults, almost 7,000 rapes and over 13,000 robberies, said Clement, citing FBI data.

Police departments in Seattle, Tacoma, Kent and Auburn are among those with particularly low clearance rates, defined as the percentage of crimes for which an arrest has been made, not necessarily a criminal conviction.

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Washington isnt alone. Half of states have slipped in their clearance rates since 2019. Nationwide, solve rates have been dropping consistently for over half a century.

After years of rising crime since the pandemic, Washington saw some declines last year. Murders statewide dropped nearly 19% from 2023, with a total of 312 people killed, but that figure is still more than 50% higher than 2019, according to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

Robberies were down 16%, creeping closer to 2019 levels. Meanwhile, a yearslong rise in assaults since the pandemic slowed but didnt abate.

And preliminary figures show those drops continuing in 2025.

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Routinely not solving violent crimes creates a cycle of distrust in law enforcement that causes people to no longer cooperate with police, thus exacerbating the issue, Clement said. And people who commit crimes may feel emboldened to do more if they think they can get away with it.

Its up to the state to step in and help solve the problem, Clement said.

This is not something local law enforcement can do alone, he told the House Community Safety Committee. Its not something that state police can do or prosecutors can do alone. This is going to require leadership from you all to really make this a priority and to focus resources on improving these outcomes.

Hiring difficulties

Its not just about throwing money at the problem. While law enforcement expenses statewide have risen, better clearance rates havent come. And Washington continues to lag the rest of the country in police staffing. This contributes to longer response times, which leads to lower clearance rates, said Jeff Asher, a crime data analyst.

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Asher called for creativity in using police resources to free up time to focus on these unsolved investigations. For example, New Orleans hired a civilian contractor to respond to car crashes that dont cause injuries, so officers dont have to.

This isnt the 1990s, its much harder to hire officers in 2025 than it was 30 years ago, Asher told the committee. So we need to think outside the box.

After much strife, lawmakers this year approved a new $100 million grant program to boost police hiring. But the money can go for more than officers, like peer counselors, behavioral health personnel, crisis intervention training, emergency management planning and community assistance programs, among other spending options.

House Community Safety Committee Chair Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, said hed like to see more of that money go toward criminal investigations, as opposed to patrol. He thinks that would increase solve rates.

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Im going to be making noise about that, he said.

At this stage, its unclear if that would mean less state funding for the other spending ideas progressive lawmakers pushed to avoid the money solely going toward hiring more cops.

Its all embryonic in its formulation right now, Goodman said after the hearing.

To access the grants, cities and counties need to either implement a new 0.1% sales tax for public safety or have already imposed a similar tax. They also need to follow state model policies as well as collect and report use-of-force data.

None of the $100 million has been spent yet.
Oil prices remained stuck in a narrow range this week, with Brent hovering around $63 per barrel.

Friday, December 05, 2025

Oil prices remained rangebound this week, with ICE Brent still hovering around $63 per barrel, as the markets digested news of higher Russian oil export loadings in December and potential military action in Venezuela. On the physical side, the curtailment of Kazakhstans CPC Blend exports has been the main bullish factor, however its effect was largely offset by Saudi Arabias weak pricing into January, indicating Asian demand signals might be lukewarm for January-February 2026.

Saudi Aramco Slashes January Oil Prices. Saudi Aramco has lowered its Asia-bound January official selling price for its grades by 20-60 cents per barrel compared to December, setting its flagship Arab Light grade at a mere $0.60 per barrel premium to Oman/Dubai, the lowest since January 2021.

Chinese Teapots Are Buying Iranian Oil in Storage. According to Reuters, Chinese independent refiners in Shandong province have been buying huge volumes of Iranian crude, sold at discounts of more than $8 per barrel vs Brent all from bonded storage as Beijing issued the last 2025 import quota last month.

Chevron Doubles Down on Australian Gas. US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) announced that its partners in the Gorgon I have approved the $2 billion Stage 3 expansion of the Gorgon LNG project off Australia's northwestern coast, tapping into the Geryon and Eurytion fields.

Thailand Sets New Climate Goals. The Thai government has reached an in-principle approval for its draft climate change bill this week, agreeing to set up a state-controlled climate fund that would be funded by a new domestic Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and a carbon border tax mechanism.

Turkey Extends Russian Gas Deal. Turkey's state-controlled gas firm BOTAS has agreed to extend its natural gas import deal with Russia's Gazprom for another year, locking in 16 bcm of supply via the Blue Stream pipeline and 6 bcm from the first train of the Turkish Stream conduit.

Chile Signs $12 Billion Deal with Argentina. Chile's ENAP has signed a term deal with Argentina's largest oil producers - YPF, Vista Energy, Shell and Equinor - to buy some $12 billion worth of crude oil from Vaca Muerta over the next 7 years, meeting 35% of the company's total requirements.

China Boosts Gas Storage Capacity. China's oil giant PetroChina (SHA:601857) has purchased three natural gas storage companies for $5.7 billion, one of the largest industry M&A deals in 2025, seeking to improve its geographic coverage and capacities for gas-driven power peak-shaving.
The Cleveland Police Department is investigating a string of car break-ins at several Cleveland school district buildings.

Police said they counted about 15 break-ins during the school day on Wednesday at Max S. Hayes High School, according to our CBS news affiliate WOIO.

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Officers responded to the 2200 block of West 65th Street and are viewing evidence and utilizing video technology to identify and arrest those responsible.

Max S. Hayes High School is not the only Cleveland school to experience a break-in this week.

Teachers from five different schools have walked out to their cars and found windows shattered and broken into.

Wilson and Joseph Gallagher schools had dozens of break-ins on Thursday, along with Max S. Hayes, Marion Seltzer, and Robert Jamison on Wednesday.

Some victims are left with having to repair a window, but others had their car registrations stolen from the glove box, according to Shari Obresnski, President of the Cleveland Teachers Union.

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Within the last couple of weeks, particularly within the last couple of days, weve seen a significant increase in incidents, she said.

Obresnski said the break-ins are costly to those who may not have a disposable income.

One of my members today let me know her first estimate to repair one window was $500, she said.

One of the more concerning aspects of the break-ins is the theft of car registrations.

With access to car registrations, it could enable thieves to commit more serious crimes and victimize the cars owner.

The more serious crimes include identity theft, insurance fraud, and home break-ins.

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Car registrations also include car VINs, which could also allow thieves to obtain duplicate keys.

Some of the school lots have security cameras, while others do not. The school security team is understaffed, according to the teachers union.

City officials, such as the mayor, are informed of the recent break-ins and are giving every indication that they are trying to address it, said Obresnski.

District commanders are working closely and collaboratively with the Department of Safety and Security of Cleveland Metropolitan Schools, as well as the teachers union, to ensure this investigation is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible, according to a release.

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Officers were not expecting this type of White Christmas in Northern Ohio.

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The Euclid Police Department wrote in a social media post that narcotics officers executed a search warrant on a drug trafficker.

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They seized a holiday stash of cash and drugs so it would not make it under anyones tree.

Officers seized an assault rifle (AR) pistol, over $4,200 in cash, and 40 grams of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack.

Photo contributed by Euclid Police Department (via Facebook)

Photo contributed by Euclid Police Department (via Facebook)

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President Donald Trump ordered flags to be flown at half staff on Thursday in honor of the National Guard member who was killed in a shooting last week.

In a memo on Thursday, Trump lowered the White House American flag in honor of Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, who died on Nov. 27, the day after she was shot in Washington, D.C.

All other federal flags were ordered to be lowered until sunset Thursday and embassy across the world will be lowered for the same duration.

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As a mark of respect for the memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, West Virginia Army National Guard, by the power vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United Staes of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff, the memo read.

Flags at the White House were lowered to half-staff in honor of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom who was killed last week in Washington, DC pic.twitter.com/uZHpTxBaKx  Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) December 4, 2025

Beckstrom and another national guard member, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot just blocks from the White House last Wednesday ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Wolfe has been in critical condition.

Each of their families have been invited to the White House to visit with Trump.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, has been in the United States since arriving in 2021 through the Operation Allies Welcome program. He resided in Bellingham, Wash., and was arrested at the scene in connection to the shooting. Earlier this week, he was charged with murder and pleaded not guilty.

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He reportedly worked in a special Afghan Army unit known as Zero Unit. Lakanwal was also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in addition to murder. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Authorities have not yet identified a motive in the shooting but have pointed to previous mental health issues.

After the shooting, the Trump administration ordered a re-examination of all Afghans who entered the country under the 2021 Biden-era agreement. That move has been criticized by many in the Afghan community.

A vigil was held by Afghan community members where the shooting occurred in Washington D.C. to remember Beckstrom. This is not who we are, they said to local media.

The shooting was a rare act of violence against the National Guard, who have been deployed to the nations capital using the citys Home Rule Act. After the shooting, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an additional 500 troops would be going to the city.
An Ohio Supreme Court ruling Thursday set the stage for a big decision from Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich: Whether to continue a years-long effort by her office to send Elwood Jones back to Ohio's death row.

Jones, who spent almost 30 years in prison awaiting execution, was freed in 2023 after Common Pleas Judge Wende Cross overturned his conviction. Cross ruled that the prosecutors who handled Jones' original trial withheld thousands of pages of evidence from his defense lawyers.

Prosecutors appealed that ruling, however, arguing Cross erred in her decision. They asked the Ohio First District Court of Appeals for permission to appeal the lower court's ruling.

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When the appeals court refused, prosecutors turned to the Ohio Supreme Court, which ruled 5-3 Thursday in their favor.

But a lot has changed since prosecutors first asked to file their appeal, most notable is Pillich's arrival as the county's top prosecutor. Pillich, a Democrat, defeated incumbent Republican Melissa Powers in the November 2024 election.

Pillich now must decide whether she believes the appeal she inherited from her predecessor is worth pursuing. During her campaign, Pillich had been critical of the way the office had handled some murder convictions and vowed to create a special unit to review cases.

Jones' case is among several homicide prosecutions that The Enquirer has found unraveled years after convictions. Some came into question because of accusations that evidence was withheld from the defense, and others because of the use of informants to secure a conviction.

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When asked Thursday whether she would resume her office's appeal in the Jones' case, Pillich said she hadn't yet decided.

"This case has been top of mind since I took office," she said. "My team and I are reviewing today's Ohio Supreme Court decision carefully, and then we will determine the appropriate next steps."

Jones' lawyer, Jay Clark, said Pillich should dismiss her office's appeal. He said the pursuit of Jones, who is now 73, has gone on long enough.

Clark also said that nothing in the Supreme Court decision suggests prosecutors will fare better when they return to the Ohio First District Court of Appeals. The high court's majority concluded the appeals court failed to use the correct standard to evaluate the prosecutors' request to appeal, not that their request had merit.

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"The court of appeals failed to determine whether the State had demonstrated a high enough probability of trial-court error to warrant a discretionary appeal," Justice Sharon Kennedy wrote in her majority opinion.

Clark called the Supreme Court ruling a "politically-motivated, results-oriented decision." He said it did not establish what a "high probability" of trial court error would be and offered no guidance on how the First District, or any other court, should make such a determination.

In his dissenting opinion, Justice Pat Fischer said the First District "correctly exercised its discretion" in ruling against prosecutors. He also noted that the prosecution's appeal did not address every basis of the decision overturning Jones' conviction, which he said would make pursuing the appeal "futile."

Pillich did not indicate when she would decide whether to continue the appeal.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Supreme Court sends Elwood Jones case back to appeals court
A Raleigh man pleaded guilty to the murder of his 5-year-old son in court on Friday morning.

On Dec. 31, 2023, staff at UNC-Chapel Hill Hospital alerted Raleigh police around 10:30 p.m. about a severe assault on a child.

According to a warrant obtained by ABC11, the boy had been beaten so severely that he suffered a brain hemorrhage. The child's father, Amir Devon Hines, who was 24 at the time, was initially charged with felony child abuse causing serious bodily injury.

The boy passed away the following day, Jan. 1, due to injuries sustained in the beating. On Jan. 2, Hines was charged with murder in connection with his son's death.
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A powerful solar flare erupted from the sun on Nov. 11, unleashing a stream of super-charged protons that increased radiation levels around Earth to a bi-decadal high. | Credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

Radiation levels in Earth's atmosphere rose to the highest level in nearly two decades in November after a rare solar super-flare pummeled the planet with high-speed particles from the sun. The solar flare, an extremely bright flash of light, erupted from the AR4274 sunspot on Nov. 11 . Classified as a powerful X5.1, the flare followed a series of milder flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that treated skywatchers to mesmerizing aurora displays as far south as Florida .

Apart from being the most intense solar flare of 2025 to date, the X-class flare also unleashed a stream of high-speed protons and other energetic particles toward our planet, something very few solar flares do. This year, about 20 X-flares hit Earth  but only the one from Nov. 11 was accompanied by the high-speed proton stream. That day, when Earth-based monitors began showing elevated radiation levels, researchers released several stratospheric balloons with sensors to see how radiation levels evolved throughout the atmosphere.

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They found that at altitudes where most commercial aircraft travel  around 40,000 feet (12 kilometers)  radiation briefly rose to levels ten times higher than the normal cosmic-ray-related background. If a pregnant woman were to be exposed to such radiation levels for more than 12 hours, she would have exceeded a limit officially considered as safe for a fetus. Fortunately in this case, the worst was over in about two hours, according to Benjamin Clewer, a space weather researcher at the University of Surrey in the U.K. "Typically, these events peak right at the beginning and that might only last about half an hour," Clewer told Space.com. "In this case, the event officially finished in 15 hours, but only the first two hours were significant."

CMEs also expel clouds of energetic particles into interplanetary space. Those particles, contained in clouds of magnetized plasma, take days to reach the planet. The protons unleashed by a solar flare, however, travel at nearly the speed of light and arrive within minutes, Clewer said.

When those energetic protons hit the top of Earth's atmosphere , they interact with molecules of air, triggering showers of secondary, less energetic particles including neutrons, muons and electrons. Such particles constantly trickle down onto Earth's surface as a result of the battering our planet experiences due to cosmic rays that arrive from the most distant parts of the galaxy. But when a stream of solar protons hits, radiation levels on Earth's surface and around the planet suddenly spike. The phenomenon is called a Ground Level Event (GLE) and is rather rare. In fact, since measurements began in the 1940s, only 77 such GLEs have been registered, according to Clewer.

Scientists don't understand why some solar flares cause GLEs and some do not and therefore cannot predict when a spike in radiation occurs.

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"We don't understand the physics of it that well as to why some solar flares eject these really high speed particles and other ones don't," said Clewer, whose team made measurements of the event that revealed its intensity.

The GLE on Nov. 11, however, was only a mild example of what the sun is capable of. The most intense GLE ever detected happened in 1956 and was sixty times more intense. Even stronger ones, over a thousand times as intense as the Nov. 11 GLE, are possible, as evidenced by radioisotope studies in tree rings.

The GLEs are not only potentially dangerous for human health (in addition to the risk to unborn babies, radiation exposure increases the risk of cancer in all humans), they can also wreak havoc with aircraft electronics.

An animation of an X5.1-class solar flare on Nov. 11, 2025. | Credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center

Only two weeks before the Nov. 11 GLE, a JetBlue Airbus traveling over Florida experienced a sudden loss of altitude that was later attributed to possible malfunctions of onboard electronics caused by high-energy particles from space . Researchers are concerned that a full-on GLE could make aircraft electronics go haywire en masse, increasing the risks of dangerous situations aboard hundreds or perhaps even thousands of planes. The JetBlue incident resulted in multiple injuries to passengers that required medical care.

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"The pilots could have different alarms going off in the cockpit at the same time," Clewer said. "They might be having to turn off and reset different bits of equipment. In the worst case scenario, they might have to fly manually."

The researchers are campaigning for all aircraft to be equipped with radiation monitors to help pilots understand what's going on. During severe radiation events, radio links that allow communication with ground control are likely to be disrupted too, preventing the pilots from learning about the cause of the problems. Because GLEs come suddenly and can't be predicted, many aircraft will be caught in those events mid-air.

"If you're in the air and still can communicate with air traffic, you could descend to a lower altitude or change your latitude," Clewer said. "But there is a likelihood that the pilots won't be able to talk on the radio and have to do all the other mitigations on top of that."
GOMA, Congo (AP)  Residents of eastern Congo said fighting has intensified despite a peace agreement that was signed by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washingtion, D.C., with U.S. President Donald Trump in attendance.

Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of Congo and Paul Kagame of Rwanda met with Trump on Thursday to sign a wide-ranging deal that attempts to stop the ongoing war between the Congolese armed forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group in the eastern part of Congo.

But residents said Friday the fighting has intensified in recent days, with the town of Kamanyola near the borders with Rwanda and Burundi bearing the brunt.

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"People are fleeing; they are leaving the neighborhoods where the bombs are falling to go to areas considered calm, and others are fleeing towards Rwanda, Kamanyola resident Urbain Dunia told The Associated Press by telephone Friday.

Yesterday, we saw that agreements were signed, but we dont see any positive impact on this situation, and that worries us, said Samson Alimasi, also from Kamanyola. We only see bombs falling without knowing which side they are coming from.

Lauded by the White House as a historic agreement brokered by Trump, the pact between Tshisekedi and Kagame followed monthslong peace efforts by the U.S. and other partners including the African Union and Qatar. The agreement finalized a deal signed in June.

M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka blamed the Congolese Army.

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Its the governing coalition that continues to bomb us. Ive always told you that this regime never respects agreements. Besides, what happened in Washington doesnt concern us," Kanyuka said.

M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa claimed in a post on X that the shelling reported by residents was coming from Burundian Army positions across the border. The AP was unable to independently verify the claim.

Throughout eastern Congo, residents have reported pockets of clashes. M23 and Congolese forces have repeatedly accused each other of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreed earlier this year.

The Congolese army in the region of South Kivu, where Kamanyola is located, issued a statement blaming M23 and denouncing alleged bombing of schools by M23.

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Earlier this year, M23 seized Goma and Bukavu, two key cities in eastern Congo, in a major escalation of the conflict.

M23 is one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda in a conflict that has created one of the worlds most significant humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced, officials say.

The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, and at times have vowed to march as far as Congos capital, Kinshasa, about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) to the east.
Residents in Hood County, Texas, are pushing back against nonstop industrial noise from a nearby bitcoin mining facility  and the company behind it has fired back with a lawsuit.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that, according to the lawsuit, county officials "rushed the process" and urged the county judge to sign it quickly because "time is of the essence." The complaint alleges the county mishandled a petition to incorporate the neighborhood as a new city.

What's happening?

The dispute centers on a mining site operated by MARA Holdings in Hood County. Residents have been trying to incorporate their neighborhood to gain legal authority to impose local noise restrictions after years of frustration over the nonstop hum of industrial cooling fans.

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According to The Texas Tribune, thousands of fans work around the clock to cool down nearly 60,000 computers in the facility.

This petition is just one example of towns, state officials, private groups, and youth groups taking action and holding corporations accountable.

A MARA spokesperson wrote to KERA that the company took legal action in response to the residents' push to form their own city, which "serves no lawful or legal purpose."

Per the Star-Telegram, the lawsuit alleged that the election administrator, Stephanie Cooper, didn't verify the petition signatures before Hood County Judge Ron Massingill signed the order and placed it on the November ballot.

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This prompted MARA to file its lawsuit in federal court, suing local officials, claiming they allowed an illegal petition to incorporate an area along Mitchell Bend Highway.

Why are Bitcoin mining plants concerning?

Mining cryptocurrency like bitcoin consumes approximately 91 terawatt-hours of electricity per year  that's more than the total energy used by Finland, which is home to over 5 million people, The New York Times reported.

In Texas, where the energy market is deregulated and electricity costs are low, such facilities have expanded rapidly. The MIT Technology Review noted that their massive energy use also generates significant heat.

Do you worry about companies having too much of your personal data? Absolutely Sometimes Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Still, the World Economic Forum pointed out that crypto mining could drive affordable energy projects. In the Congo, for instance, a bitcoin mine uses surplus energy and is helping fund conservation projects, per the BBC.

What's being done about bitcoin mining plants?

The Hood County vote to incorporate failed in November, with most residents rejecting the proposal, according to the Tribune. However, some locals aren't giving up and plan to pursue another route, as Cointelegraph shared.

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The World Economic Forum noted that lawmakers are proposing legislation to regulate cryptocurrency, with some pushing for a moratorium on mining operations that use dirty energy sources.

Experts say future solutions may lie in pairing crypto facilities with renewable power sources and improved oversight  helping communities like Hood County coexist with a rapidly evolving industry.



Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
The Brief

A Rollins College student was arrested after a rifle and ammunition were found in his dorm room.

Constantine Demtriades, 21, claimed he shoots as a hobby and returned late from Thanksgiving.

The AK-15 semi-automatic rifle was found under his bed.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - A Central Florida college student was arrested after a semi-automatic rifle was found in his dorm room.

Officials said the Rollins College's assistant campus safety director searched the student's room after ammunition was shipped to his dorm.

Constantine Demtriades, 21, was arrested for possessing a deadly weapon on school property, Rollins College in Winter Park, Fl.

What we know

Constantine Demetriades, 21, was arrested on Dec. 3 after campus officials and Winter Park Police found an unloaded rifle in his dorm room at Rollins College in Winter Park.

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Demetriades is facing a single charge: possession of a weapon on school property.

The backstory

Officials say they discovered Demetriades had a rifle in his room after ammunition  purchased online  was delivered to Rollins College and was addressed to Demetriades. He admitted to buying the ammunition online and "was not under the impression that it was against the law to possess ammunition on campus," the report said.

Demetriades is a senior at Rollins College.

He shares a dorm room with three people, but has a bedroom to himself.

An unloaded AR-15 gun was found on the left side under his bed, an arrest report said.

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Police also found an unsecured black carrying case with one loaded magazine and five empty magazines. A black security vest, ear protection, ear protection and a pistol storage case were also found, police said.

What they're saying

Demetriades told police he shoots as a hobby  saying he has a valid conceal and carry permit in New Jersey. Demetriades said he had just returned from New Jersey for Thanksgiving, but he came home to the dorm late and had a school presentation in the morning.

Demetriades told police he didn't have any bad intentions. He told police he keeps his bedroom locked at all times and usually keeps his gun at his friend's house.

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Demetriades said he only brought the gun to school one other time.

Rollins College responds

In a statement to FOX 35, Rollins College said it received a report on Wednesday, Dec. 3 that a student had violated the college's weapons policy.

"After receiving this information, we immediately initiated an investigation," the statement said. "We quickly identified and contacted the student, who cooperated fully with College officials and local law enforcement as we investigated the matter further. The student was arrested and is not permitted to be on campus while we proceed with the student conduct process."

What's next

Demetriades was arrested without incident and was transferred to the Winter Park Police Department for booking.

The Source

Information in this story was gathered from an Orange County arrest affidavit filed on Dec. 3.
The former Vacuum Oil building at 5 Flint St. will be torn down as the City of Rochester and state Department of Environmental Conservation continue efforts to remediate the brownfield site.

Heavy equipment moves in for four-week demolition

The graffiti-marred building will be torn down using heavy construction equipment with dust control measures, then the concrete will be crushed. The last high-visibility structure at the site of the former oil refinery on the Genesee River will be demolished ahead of bigger plans for the site.

This project represents another important step toward healing our riverfront and transforming a once-contaminated site into an asset for the people of Rochester, said Mayor Malik Evans in a statement. By cleaning up the land and restoring it for future use, were protecting public health, honoring our environmental responsibility, and reconnecting our neighborhoods to the Genesee River.

Fencing rings the base of the Vacuum Oil building at 5 Flint St. in Rochester on Nov. 7, 2025.

Cleanup part of New Yorks Brownfield Program

The project is part of the New York State Brownfield Cleanup Program, and work will be led by Roux, an environmental consulting and remediation firm.

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Demolition and concrete crushing are expected to take about four to six weeks to complete. The demolition debris will be held on site for possible re-use as approved fill or sub-base for road construction.

Additional work at the site will take up to two years to complete and includes

Treating soil in place and excavating and disposing of contaminated soil

Backfilling with clean soil

Installing two feet of clean cover material across the site which will be graded and seeded

Development of a long-term site management plan

Trail closures expected during remediation

As a result of the remediation project, parts of the Genesee River Trail between Violetta Street and South Plymouth Avenue will experience temporary closures. There will be weekly updates on the trail access and alternate routes on cityofrochester.gov/streetbeat.

 Steve Howe reports on weather, climate and the Great Lakes for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he has covered myriad topics over the years, including public safety, local government, national politics and economic development in New York and Utah.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester to demolish Vacuum Oil building as site revamp continues
Elemental Royalty subsidiary Bronco Creek Exploration has entered into an option agreement with First Quantum Minerals for the sale of the Hachita porphyry copper-gold project in south-western New Mexico, US.

The Hachita project is located around 95km south-east of Lordsburg, within the Sylvanite mining district.

The project targets Laramide porphyry copper-gold and skarn mineralisation in an underexplored area on the eastern side of the Laramide porphyry belt, expanding exploration coverage across a region with recognised potential.

Under the option terms, Elemental will receive an execution payment, staged option payments and defined work commitments during the earn-in period.

The execution and option payments to Elemental exceed $800,000 (C$1.12m) over a five-year earn-in period.

Elemental acquired the project by staking open ground after identifying untested targets in the underexplored Sylvanite district during regional generative exploration work in the Laramide belt in south-western US.

Under the agreement, Canadian company First Quantum can earn a 100% interest by making a $50,000 execution payment, option payments totalling $750,000 and cumulative exploration expenditures of $6m over the five-year option term.

Upon option exercise, Elemental will retain a 3% net smelter royalty; 1% of the royalty may be bought back for a total of $5m on or before the fifth anniversary of a published resource.

First Quantum will make annual advanced royalty payments to Elemental of $100,000 upon each anniversary of the closing date until the completion of either a feasibility study or a development decision.

Additionally, First Quantum will make project milestone payments of $500,000 upon completion of a feasibility study, and $2.5m upon a development decision.

Elemental CEO David M. Cole said: This transaction on the Hachita Project represents another excellent example of Elementals impressive technical expertise in identifying prospective targets in underexplored jurisdictions and thereby attracting world-class exploration partners.

We look forward to working with First Quantum to advance Hachita and seeing the project progress further through a formal exploration campaign. Project generation remains a core tenet of our business model as we continue to build our portfolio of royalty interests.

"Elemental signs option agreement for Hachita porphyry copper-gold project sale" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




A 21-year-old student at Rollins College, Constantine Demetriades, was arrested for allegedly having an AR-15 rifle in his dorm room.

Demetriades faces up to five years in prison after campus safety discovered an online delivery order of ammunition to his on-campus apartment, leading police to search his bedroom and find an AR-15, a tactical vest, and multiple knives.

I think it does make me feel a bit unsafe, said Jacie Arsenault, a student at Rollins College.

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Demetriades, who has been on the rowing team since his freshman year and has won medals for the sport, told police he knew his concealed carry permit from New Jersey wasnt valid in Florida and admitted he shouldnt have had a gun on campus, according to a Winter Park Police report.

He explained to police that he usually stores the gun with a friend who lives off campus but decided to bring it to his dorm after returning from Thanksgiving break around 3 am.

Demetriades told police he traveled with the gun to New Jersey and that he likes to shoot as a hobby, according to the police.

He also told police, He does not have any bad intentions and used to work as an armed security in downtown Orlando clubs.

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Rollins College, a private campus with a no-gun policy, has stated that Demetriades is facing a student conduct process and cannot be on campus until the matter is resolved.

The incident has raised concerns among students about campus safety, as Rollins College enforces a strict no-gun policy to maintain a violence-free environment.

A spokesperson sent Channel 9 the following statement:

On Wednesday, the College received a report indicating a violation of our weapons policy. After receiving this information, we immediately initiated an investigation. We quickly identified and contacted the student, who cooperated fully with College officials and local law enforcement as we investigated the matter further. The student was arrested and is not permitted to be on campus while we proceed with the student conduct process.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Sudans Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have attacked a pre-school and other sites in the Kalogi locality of the state of South Kordofan, killing at least 116 people, according to a local official.

The executive director of the Kalogi locality told Al Jazeera on Saturday that the victims of the attack included 46 children who were attending the pre-school.

Two military sources in the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) also told Al Jazeera the RSF attacked the kindergarten on Thursday and later targeted civilians who had gathered to offer assistance amid the carnage.

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The citys hospital and a government building were also bombed, the sources said.

Communication blackouts in the area have made it difficult to report on the casualties, but there were fears the death toll could rise even further, the sources said.

Killing children in their school is a horrific violation of childrens rights, Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative for Sudan, said in a statement on Friday.

Children should never pay the price of conflict, added Yett, urging all parties to stop these attacks immediately and allow safe, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to reach those in desperate need.





Deliberate suicide drone attacks

The Sudan Doctors Network initially reported on Thursday that at least nine people were killed, including four children and two women, in deliberate suicide-drone attacks carried out in Kalogi town carried out by the RSF and its ally, the Sudan Peoples Liberation MovementNorth (al-Hilou), on the kindergarten and several civilian facilities.

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This attack constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and is a continuation of the targeting of civilians and vital infrastructure, the group said.

In a follow-up statement on Friday, the group said paramedics reporting to the scene were also targeted in the second unexpected attack.

Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said the death toll has continued to rise after the initial reports because of the difficulty in getting medical assistance to those wounded in the attacks.

It is the latest instance of alleged RSF atrocities against civilians in the ongoing brutal civil war, now deep into its third year, pitting the SAF against the paramilitary RSF. The SAF has also been accused of committing atrocities in the war.

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Morgan added that Kordofan has become the scene of intense fighting between the army and the RSF in the past few weeks following last months fall of el-Fasher, the armys last major city in the Darfur region in western Sudan.

Kordofan is quite strategic for both sides, she said.

The region sits between RSF-controlled Darfur in the west and government-held territory in the east and north, serving as a vital corridor that links the warring factions heartlands.

Control of major cities like el-Obeid would give the RSF a direct route towards the capital Khartoum, which government forces recaptured earlier this year.

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For the army, maintaining control of Kordofan means it can protect its bases in the central, northern and eastern parts of the country and that it can launch attacks on RSF-controlled Darfur, Morgan added.





History repeating itself

The war, now in its third year, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced more than nine million and left some 30 million in need of the humanitarian aid, according to officials and the United Nations.

On Thursday, the UNs human rights chief Volker Turk warned that the Kordofan region of Sudan could face a wave of mass atrocities similar to the widespread killings documented in the Darfur city of el-Fasher, which fell to the RSF last month.

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It is truly shocking to see history repeating itself in Kordofan so soon after the horrific events in el-Fasher, Turk said, urging global powers to prevent the region from suffering a similar fate.

Since late October, when the paramilitary RSF captured Bara, in North Kordofan state, the UN has documented at least 269 civilian deaths from aerial bombardment, artillery fire and summary killings.

Communication blackouts across the region mean the actual toll is possibly far higher, with reports emerging of revenge attacks, arbitrary detentions, sexual violence and the forced recruitment of children.

The RSF claimed control of the West Kordofan city of Babnusa earlier this week, with footage showing its fighters moving through the military base there. The army denied that the city had fallen.

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Before el-Fasher fell in November, the UN issued urgent warnings about potential atrocities, but those alerts went largely unheeded. After the citys capture, mass killings ensued, with corpses visible from satellite imagery, prompting UN chief Antonio Guterres to describe it as a crime scene.

Amnesty International has since called for war crimes investigations, and the European Union has placed sanctions on Abdelrahim Dagalo, the RSFs deputy and brother of the groups chief, Mohamed Hamdan Hemedti Dagalo.
For Russian men, war now advertises itself like any other job.

Offers for front-line contracts appear on the messaging app Telegram alongside group chats and news alerts, promising signing bonuses of up to $50,000  life-changing money in a country where average monthly wages remain below $1,000. The incentives go beyond cash, with pledges of debt relief and free childcare for soldiers families and guaranteed university places for their children. Criminal records, illness and even HIV are no longer automatic disqualifiers. For many men with little to lose, the front has become an employer of last resort.

Behind the flood of offers is a coordinated recruitment system run through Russias more than 80 regional governments. Pressured by the Kremlin to deliver manpower, the regions have become de-facto hiring hubs, competing with one another for contract soldiers. What began as a wartime fix has hardened into a quasi-commercial headhunting industry powered by federal bonuses and local budgets. Regional authorities contract HR agencies, which in turn deploy freelance recruiters to advertise online, screen applicants and shepherd men through enlistment paperwork.

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Any Russian citizen can now work as a wartime recruiter, with many operating as freelance headhunters who earn commissions for delivering bodies to the front. Axel Springer Global Reporters Network, which includes POLITICO, reviewed recruitment channels across Russia and interviewed multiple recruits and recruiters for this report.

This labor defense market is being closely studied in Western capitals, where the continued growth of Russias army  despite having around 1 million soldiers killed or severely wounded since 2022  has stunned intelligence services and vexed diplomats, who see the increase as crucial to understanding the countrys posture in peace negotiations and the possibility of future expansion into neighboring territory.

Assuming that Putin is able to continue to fund the enormous enlistment bonuses (and death payments, too) and to find the manpower currently enticed to serve, former CIA Director David Petraeus told POLITICO, Russia can sustain the kind of costly, grinding campaign that has characterized the fighting in Ukraine since the last major achievements on either side in the second year of the war.

Russias ability to sustain manpower levels amid massive battlefield losses helps explain why, four years into the invasion, Vladimir Putin appears more convinced than ever that he can force Ukraine to accept his terms  whether through diplomacy or a grinding war of attrition. Speaking to Russian journalists last week, Putin made clear the war would end only if Ukrainian forces withdrew from the territories Russia claims  otherwise, he warned, Moscow would impose its terms by armed force.

A Marketplace for Soldiers

When Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Olga and her husband Alexander were running a small hiring operation in Moscow  placing construction workers, security guards and couriers in civilian jobs. About 18 months ago, they pivoted to something far more lucrative via Russias main classified ads platform: recruiting riflemen, drone operators and other soldiers for the war.

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Our daughter saw a job ad on Avito looking for recruiters, and thats how it all started, Olga told POLITICO in a series of voice messages over WhatsApp. Her profile picture displays the Russian coat of arms. (Olga and Alexanders surname has been withheld to protect their anonymity under fear of governmental reprisal.)

As what it once expected to be a blitz has become a war of exhaustion, the Kremlin has reengineered its mobilization accordingly. In September 2022, Putin announced what he called a partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists, triggering a surge of public anger and emigration as hundreds of thousands fled the country to avoid being sent to fight. At the same time, the state opened its prison gates to the battlefield, luring inmates into uniform with promises of clemency and pay.

The approach worked, establishing a new blueprint: less coercion, more cash. To bring in volunteers who would not qualify for the draft because of age, health or lack of prior military service, the Kremlin targeted societys most vulnerable  from prisoners to migrant workers and indebted men  by raising wages, offering lavish signing bonuses and selling military service as a path to dignity and survival. In September 2024, Putin formalized the strategy by ordering that the armed forces grow to 1.5 million active-duty troops. The sales pitch changed, too: subpoenas and summonses were replaced by money, benefits and appeals to manhood.



These measures target a specific demographic: socially vulnerable men, says political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann, who studies Russian government decision-making as a lecturer at the Osteuropa Institute in Berlin. Men with debts, criminal records, little financial literacy  or those trapped by predatory microcredit. People on the margins, with no prospects.

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For several months, Alexander and Olga worked for a company they found through Avito before going independent and growing their business. Now recruiters work for us  10 people, Olga said.

The couple do most of their headhunting on the messaging app Telegram, across a vast ecosystem of channels now devoted to wartime hiring. In one group with more than 96,000 subscribers and a profile picture labeled WORKING, as many as 40 recruitment ads are posted per day, advertising openings for infantrymen and drone pilots alongside detailed bonus offers from rival regions.

Each post is essentially a wage bid. While wages remain generally constant, the regions typically compete for workers by bidding up the value of labor through incentives like signing bonuses. While the Kremlin last year introduced a minimum bonus benchmark of 400,000 rubles ($5,170) via presidential decree, the amounts on offer now fluctuate wildly. Recruiters steer applicants to whichever territory is currently paying best.

We help with documents and put them in touch with regional officials, Olga explained. And then we pray  that they come back alive and well.

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The couple declined to say how much they earn per recruit. But, as with bonuses offered to volunteers, recruiter pay appears to vary widely by region. Another recruiter who spoke to POLITICO confirmed figures previously published by the independent Russian outlet Verstka, which put commissions at between $1,280 and $3,800 per signed contract.

Russian regions are tapping reserve funds to maintain recruitment levels. According to a review by independent outlet iStories, just 11 regions had budgeted at least $25.5 million on recruiter payments  amounts comparable to regional spending on health care and social services.

An analysis by economist Janis Kluge of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, based on data from 37 regions, shows that average signing bonuses have now climbed to roughly $25,850, including federal payments. In early 2025, increased incentives triggered a surge of volunteers. In places like Samara, bonuses rose to more than $50,000 in summer, enough to buy a two-bedroom apartment. (In some regions, bonuses have recently fallen, which likely indicates they successfully recruited an above-average number of volunteers and had already met their quotas.)

For many families, military service has become one of the few routes to upward mobility. In many regions, weak local labor markets leave few alternatives. The more precarious the economic outlook, the stronger the recruitment pipeline.

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This kind of money can completely transform a Russian familys life, said Kluge. The program works surprisingly well, but it has become far more expensive for the Kremlin.

How the War Was Staffed

This recruiting machine helps to bring roughly 30,000 volunteers into the Russian armed services each month, enough to offset its heavy casualty rate and sustain long-term operations. The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated this summer that Russia had lost about 1 million killed and wounded  in line with estimates from British and Ukrainian officials.

Moscow is not relying solely on volunteers to fill its ranks. A law signed several weeks ago shifts Russias conscription system  which drafts medically fit men aged 18 to 30 not yet serving in the reserve  from biannual cycles to year-round processing. Experts say the change effectively creates a permanent recruitment infrastructure, enabling the Defense Ministry to funnel more people into the armed forces.

They are moving forward, but they dont care about the number of people they lose, said Andriy Yermak, who as head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office served as the countrys leading peace negotiator before resigning Friday amid a corruption investigation. Its important to understand that we are a democratic country, and we are fighting against an autocratic one. In Russia, a persons life costs nothing.

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Ukrainian units, by contrast, are stretched thin; in many places, they can barely hold the line. Ukrainian officers told POLITICO that in parts of the eastern front, there are as many as seven Russian soldiers for every one of theirs. This dynamic has been exacerbated by tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers who, over the past year, have left their posts without authorization or abandoned military service altogether.

Russias personnel advantage is one reason its army now seizes Ukrainian land every month roughly equivalent in size to the city of Atlanta. As Kyiv relinquishes territory, it has worked to expand foreign recruitment, drawing volunteers from across the Americas and Europe.

German security officials say Putin is well-positioned to hit a declared target of a 1.5 milliontroop army next year. That rapid industrial and military build-up has rattled European policymakers, who increasingly see it as preparation for military action beyond Ukraine.

Russia is continuing to build up its army and is mobilizing on a scale that suggests a larger military confrontation with additional European states, says German Bundestag member Roderich Kiesewetter, a security expert from Chancellor Friedrich Merzs party.

A Fighter by Necessity

Anton didnt join the military because he believed in the war. He slipped into the army after a financial collapse. By the time the 44-year-old father of three from the Moscow region walked into a military recruitment office last year, he felt he had run out of options. He was unemployed, drowning in debt and facing a possible prison sentence over a fraud case that made finding legal work nearly impossible. (Antons name was changed to protect his anonymity under fear of governmental reprisal.)

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Opening Telegram, he also kept seeing persistent ads promising lavish bonuses. My wife was on maternity leave, my mother is retired  the family depended on me, Anton told POLITICO in voice messages sent over Telegram. During one argument, my wife said: It would be better if you went to war. A month and a half later, I signed the contract. It felt like the only way out. In Antons case, no recruiter was involved  he went to the recruitment center on his own.

The contract promised Anton about $2,650 a month, plus a signing bonus from the Moscow region of roughly $2,460, more than 10 times what he had earned under the table as a warehouse worker and courier. He was dispatched to the Pokrovsk sector in Ukraines Donetsk region, at a remove from direct combat  though, as he puts it, under occasional shelling  keeping his units drones operational.

There, said Anton, he met many men who, like him, had been unable to make ends meet in civilian life. Some are paying alimony, some were sent by creditors to work off their debts, Anton said. Theres no patriotic talk here  no for victory or for Putin. Nobody speaks like that. Everyone is tired. Everyone just wants to go home.

In July 2025, Anton received a state decoration for his service, which may help clear his criminal record. That was another reason I signed, he said. It was the only way to avoid prosecution  either die or earn a medal.

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Eluding prison time remains a strong motivator for many. A relative of a missing soldier from the Moscow region described how 28-year-old Ivan, a cook, was arrested for drug trafficking in 2025. He signed the military service declaration in custody and asked the court to replace his sentence with service, the relative said. Within a week, he was deployed to the front. Ivan disappeared in April after less than a month in combat. His wife and 1-year-old son have heard nothing since. (Ivans name was changed at the familys request, for fear of retribution.)

While tens of thousands have enlisted from Russias wealthiest urban centers, according to official databases and analysts, most recruits come from Russias economically depressed regions, where life has long been defined by poverty, crime and alcoholism.

For many men, this is the last opportunity to build a life that feels meaningful, said Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Instead of dying as failures in their families eyes, they die as heroes on the front.

For the men volunteering  often treated as expendable by their commanders  the war has become a high-risk lottery for a better life. Survival brings transformative earnings. Even severe injuries come with fixed payouts: roughly $12,000 for a broken finger and $36,000 for a shattered foot.

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During brief trips closer to the front to deliver equipment, Anton says he was repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drones. On one occasion, one exploded just meters from him. Even that narrow escape wasnt enough to make him reconsider.

My financial situation improved significantly. It may sound sad, but for me personally, signing the contract made my life better, Anton says. The hardest part is being far from my children. But even knowing that, I would do it all over again.


MOSCOW, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday that any "illegal action" by the European Union in relation to its frozen assets would elicit "the harshest reaction", and that Moscow was already preparing its response.

The European Commission proposed on Wednesday an unprecedented use of frozen Russian assets or international borrowing to raise 90 billion euros ($105 billion) for Ukraine to cover its struggling military and basic services against Russia's war.

The proposal would invoke emergency powers in order to circumvent any veto from EU countries that are friendly towards Russia, such as Hungary and Slovakia.

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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters: "Any illegal actions involving our assets will not go unanswered... Preparations for a package of countermeasures in the event of actual theft and seizure of Russian Federation assets are already under way."

The EU has been locked in discussions for months over a legal mechanism that would enable it to use frozen Russian assets in Europe to make loans to Ukraine.

Belgium, where most of the frozen assets are located, has stepped up its opposition to the plan, demanding guarantees from its EU partners that they would share responsibility in the event of any challenge over the legality of such a move.

Zakharova mocked the debate raging in the EU over whether it should risk going ahead, saying "rational forces" within the bloc were trying to block the plan because it would be illegal.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Mark Trevelyan and Felix Light; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
A Russian cosmonaut was recently booted from an upcoming NASA and SpaceX mission to the International Space Station that will launch from Florida.

Russia's space agency confirmed the spacefarer's removal and replacement on the mission, known as Crew-12, but did not provide a reason. However, multiple reports have suggested the move could have been related to an alleged national security violation during training in the United States.

The news represents another recent blow to Russia's spaceflight program after the launch pad the nation uses is Kazakhstan was damaged in a launch at the end of November.

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Due to launch early in 2026 from Florida's Space Coast along the Atlantic, the Crew-12 mission could send a contingent of international astronauts  including two Americans  for a six-month science rotation at the International Space Station.

Here's what to know about Crew-12 and the recent replacement of one of the mission's crewmembers.

Russian cosmonaut removed from SpaceX Crew-12 mission that launches from Florida

Oleg Artemyev of Russia speaks on a phone in October 2018 shortly after returning to Earth following a stint at the International Space Station.

Oleg Artemyev, a cosmonaut with Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, was supposed to launch to the International Space Station as one of four crewmembers on the upcoming SpaceX mission known as Crew 12. But Roscosmos announced Tuesday, Dec. 2 that Artemyev had been replaced by fellow cosmonaut Andrei Fedyayev.

Roscosmos did not address the reason for Artemyev's removal from the mission, only stating that he was transferred to another job. The USA TODAY Network left a message Friday, Dec. 5, with NASA seeking more information.

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However, a report from The Insider, an independent Russian investigative news outlet, suggests that Artemyev is accused of violating U.S. national security regulations by photographing and "exporting" sensitive SpaceX documentation and technology during training. Insider further cited a report from a Russian spaceflight Telegram channel furthering the claims.

Multiple outlets, including Space.com and Gizmodo, cited the Russian reports.

What is the NASA, SpaceX Crew-12 mission in Florida?

A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off Aug. 1 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying the four astronauts of NASAs SpaceX Crew-11 to the International Space Station.

As the name suggests, Crew-12 will be NASA and SpaceX's 12th human science expedition to the International Space Station.

The mission will include four international spacefarers, including two still unannounced NASA astronauts. In addition to Fedyayev, Artemyev's replacement, French astronaut Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency is also reportedly a crew member on the mission.

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The missions, most of which last about six months, are contracted under NASA's commercial crew program. The program allows the space agency to pay SpaceX to launch and transport astronauts and cargo to orbit aboard the company's own vehicles, freeing up NASA to focus on its Artemis lunar program and other spaceflight missions, including future crewed voyages to Mars.

To date, all of the missions under the program have used SpaceX's Dragon capsules to transport astronauts in orbit. NASA is also hoping to certify Boeing's Starliner capsule to add a second operational vehicle for missions to the ISS before the station is retired by 2030.

When will SpaceX Crew-12 launch from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida?

The Crew-12 mission could get off the ground as early as Feb. 15, 2026, NASA said as recently as Nov. 20 in a blog post.

SpaceX uses its Falcon 9 rocket  one of the most active in the world  to launch the crew missions from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral. The astronauts themselves ride a Dragon crew capsule  the only U.S. spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to and from the space station  that separates from the rocket in orbit.

Who is on the International Space Station?

Ten people are living and working about the International Space Station, but that will soon change.

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NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, who reached the ISS in April on a Soyuz MS-27 capsule, are due to depart Monday, Dec. 8 for a landing in remote Kazakhstan, according to NASA. Their impending return to Earth would come less than two weeks after their replacements arrived on a Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft.

Those three spacefarers  NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russians Sergey Mikaev and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov  are the newest additions at the orbital laboratory.

Also on the station are four astronauts who are part of the joint NASA and SpaceX mission known as Crew-11. Among them are NASA astronaut Zena Cardman; NASA astronaut Mike Fincke; Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); and Russian Oleg Platonov, a Roscosmos cosmonaut.

Crew-11 launched Aug. 1 from the Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the spacefarers made their venture to space aboard a Dragon capsule that was propelled into orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The four Crew-11 astronauts would ultimately be replaced by the Crew-12 contingent.

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This article has been updated to correct an inaccuracy.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Russian cosmonaut removed from NASA, SpaceX mission ahead of Florida launch
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trumps advisers and Ukrainian officials say theyll meet for a third day of talks on Saturday after making progress on finding agreement on a security framework for postwar Ukraine.

The two sides also offered the sober assessment that any real progress toward any agreement ultimately will depend on Russias readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace.

The statement from U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as Ukrainian negotiators Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov came after they met for a second day in Florida on Friday. They offered only broad brushstrokes about the progress they say has been made as Trump pushes Kyiv and Moscow to agree to a U.S.-mediated proposal to end nearly four years of war.

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Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russias readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings, the statement said. Parties also separately reviewed the future prosperity agenda which aims to support Ukraines post-war reconstruction, joint U.S.Ukraine economic initiatives, and long-term recovery projects.

The U.S. and Ukrainian officials also discussed deterrence capabilities that Ukraine will need to sustain a lasting peace.

Witkoff and Kushners talks in Florida with Umerov, Ukraines lead negotiator, and Hnatov follow discussions between President Vladimir Putin and the U.S. envoys at the Kremlin on Tuesday.

Friday's session took place at the the Shell Bay Club in Hallandale Beach, a high-end private golf and lifestyle destination owned by Witkoff's real estate development company.

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Previous diplomatic attempts to break the deadlock have come to nothing and the war has continued unabated. Officials largely have kept a lid on how the latest talks are going, though Trump's initial 28-point plan was leaked.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his countrys delegation in Florida wanted to hear from the U.S. side about the talks at the Kremlin.

Zelenskyy, as well as European leaders backing him, have repeatedly accused Putin of stalling in peace talks while the Russian army tries to press forward with its invasion. Zelenskyy said in a video address late Thursday that officials wanted to know what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine.

Speaking to Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin on Friday, Kremlin foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov praised Kushner as potentially playing an important role in ending Russias invasion of Ukraine. Ushakov also took part in Tuesday's talks at the Kremlin.

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If any plan leading to a settlement is put on paper, it will be the pen of Mr. Kushner that will lead the way, Ushakov said.

The flattering comments about Kushner by the senior Russian official come as Putin has sought to sow division between Trump and Ukraine and Europe at a moment when Trump's impatience with the conflict is mounting. Putin said his five-hour talks this week with Witkoff and Kushner were necessary and useful, but some proposals were unacceptable.

Kushner, who is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, was a senior adviser to Trump during his first term and was the president's point person on developing the Abraham Accords, which formalized commercial and diplomatic ties between Israel and a trio of Arab nations.

Kushner has played a more informal role in Trump's second go-around, but he helped Witkoff close out ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas this fall. Trump tapped Kushner again to pair up with Witkoff to try to find an endgame to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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The European take on the peace talks

Ushakov, who accompanied Putin on a visit to India on Friday, repeated the Russian president's recent criticism of Europe's stance on the peace talks. Kyiv's European allies are concerned about possible Russian aggression beyond Ukraine and want a prospective peace deal to include strong security guarantees.

Kyivs allies in Europe are constantly putting forward demands that are unacceptable to Moscow, Ushakov told Russias state-owned Zvezda TV. Putting it mildly, the Europeans dont help Washington and Moscow reach a settlement on the Ukrainian issues.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that he made progress during a visit to Beijing on getting Chinese leader Xi Jinping's support for peace efforts.

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We exchanged deeply and truthfully on all points, and I saw a willingness from the (Chinese) president to contribute to stability and peace, Macron said.

The French president said he stressed that Ukraine needs guarantees that Russia wont attack it again if a settlement is reached and that Europe must have a voice in negotiations.

The unity between Americans and Europeans on the Ukrainian issue is essential. And I say it, repeat it, emphasize it. We need to work together, Macron said.

The latest drone attacks

Russian drones struck a house in central Ukraine, killing a 12-year-old boy, officials said, while long-range Ukrainian strikes reportedly targeted a Russian port and an oil refinery.

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The Russian attack on Thursday night in Ukraines central Dnipropetrovsk region destroyed the house where the boy was killed and also two women were injured, according to the head of the regional military administration, Vladyslav Haivanenko.

The Ukrainian air force said Russia fired 137 drones of various types during the night.

Ukrainian drones attacked a port and an oil refinery inside Russia overnight as part of Kyivs campaign to disrupt Russian logistics, Ukraines general staff said.

The drones struck Temriuk sea port in Russias Krasnodar region and the Syzran oil refinery in the Samara region, starting blazes, a statement said. Syzran is about 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of the border with Ukraine.

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The Russian Defense Ministry said only that its air defenses intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

___

Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. John Leicester in Paris and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Army Maj. Gen. Robin Stilwell, the adjutant general of South Carolina, spoke to soldiers and their families as part of a departure ceremony at McCrady Training Center in Eastover, S.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Spc. Turner Horton)

More than 300 South Carolina National Guard members are headed to Washington, D.C., by the end of this week.

This is the South Carolina guards second rotation to the nations capital in support of President Donald Trumps crackdown on out of control crime.

Soldiers of the South Carolina Army National Guard coordinate with the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police to provide security during a soccer game in Washington, D.C., on Sept 7, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Ian Doyle)

They are ready to go, Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters. Theyre pleased to go; theyre serious about it, and theyll do their job.

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The deployment comes a week after a West Virginia soldier was killed and another was severely injured in a shooting attack that the Trump administration has called an act of terrorism. In response, Trump ordered an additional 500 guardsmen to Washington.

The second deployment round of South Carolinas guardsmen, which will last 90 days, was scheduled before the shooting and is not part of the ramp up. There are no plans for an extension or an increase in number of soldiers, according to a statement from the South Carolina adjutant generals office.

Soldiers of the 4-118th Combined Arms Battalion, based in Columbia, were the first from the state to go to Washington in August as part of what the president coined Operation D.C. Safe and Beautiful. The group of 200 guardsmen remained in the capital for about 30 days before returning to the Palmetto State.

This time, national guardsmen of the 1st Battalion 178th Field Artillery Regiment, based in Georgetown, were assigned to rotate in and relieve National Guard members from Georgia.

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Their primary mission is to provide critical support to law enforcement agencies, reinforcing safety and security for residents, workers, and visitors in the nations capital, reads the statement from the adjutant generals office.

The 178th has previously deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, according to its commander Lt. Col. W. Brunson De Pass III.

U.S. Army Spc. Zachary Benehaley, with the 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina National Guard, monitors a Metro platform at the Federal Center Metro Station in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Jalen Miller)

The leadership in the state of South Carolina trusts this battalion. This battalion has a lot of history of doing things the right way and being successful, De Pass said in a statement.

During the August deployment, South Carolina guardsmen provided security and patrols at transit stations, events and popular destinations, including the National Mall, Union Station, and the White House.

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Both times the troops have been deployed under an agreement called Title 32. Under this arrangement, the federal government covers the cost, but Gov. Henry McMaster retains control and can call the guard back at any time.

Upon their arrival in Washington, D.C., the guardsmen will be briefed and receive additional training from federal law enforcement.

We are confident our soldiers are trained, equipped and ready to accomplish their duties, Maj. Gen. Robin B. Stilwell, adjutant general for South Carolina, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have charged Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill and illegal possession of a firearm in the shooting that killed Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and critically wounded Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24.

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Their fellow guardsmen shot Lakanwal. He pleaded not guilty from his hospital bed Tuesday.

On Nov. 27, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to end the deployments by guard units, declaring the use of troops was unlawful and usurped local officials authority.

The order had been on hold for 21 days as the U.S. Department of Justice filed an appeal. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals officially continued the hold Thursday as it considers the case.

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion 178th Field Artillery Regiment, 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Command, South Carolina National Guard, begin their mobilization to Washington D.C. in support of the "D.C. Safe and Beautiful" mission at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/ Spc. Turner Horton)

Army Spc. Prachat Sibunroeung, with the 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina National Guard, receives an issued M17 pistol from a weapons station at Joint Base Anacostia-Bowling in Washington D.C., on Oct. 13, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Jalen Miller)

Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, scan the traffic around Capital One Arena during a concert event in the District of Columbia on Oct. 1, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/ Staff Sgt. Ryan Shane Gay)

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Army Staff Sgt. Noah Boggs, with the 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina National Guard, approaches the Thomas Jefferson Memorial during a presence patrol in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 13, 2025. The patrols are part of the "D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, which integrates National Guard members alongside law enforcement partners. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Jalen Miller)

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 178th Field Artillery Regiment, 263rd Army Air Missile Defense Command, South Carolina National Guard, conduct a departure ceremony for their mobilization to Washington D.C. at McCrady Training Center in Eastover, S.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Spc. Turner Horton)

Army Maj. Gen. Robin Stilwell, left, adjutant general of the South Carolina National Guard, visits with soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, patrolling the Washington Metro in Washington D.C., on Aug 28th, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Ian Doyle)

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Smith Jr., center, command senior enlisted leader for the District of Columbia National Guard, addresses soldiers with the South Carolina Army National Guard in D.C. on Aug 23, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Ian Doyle)

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Army Maj. Gen. Robin Stilwell, center, adjutant general of the South Carolina National Guard, visits with soldiers assigned to 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, patrolling the Washington Metro in Washington D.C., on Aug 28th, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Doyle)

Soldiers with the South Carolina Army National Guard patrol the Navy Yard metro station in Washington, D.C., on Sept 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Ian Doyle)

Soldiers with the South Carolina Army National Guard provide a presence patrol the NoMA Metro station in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Ian Doyle)
During a House committee meeting Thursday, lawmakers debated whether schools should be able to conceal a students chosen name and gender from their parents.

Some states and school districts are denying parents full access to information about their childrens education, committee chairman Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., said as he began the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education meeting.

Kiley referenced a survey from Defending Education, published Tuesday, which found that 1,215 school districts educating more than 12 million students have adopted parental exclusion policies.

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These policies have allowed or required school personnel to hide basic information from parents, such as the name their child uses in school and the gender the child identifies with, Kiley said. He added, In some cases, districts are creating dummy files on children for the specific purpose of deceiving parents on important matters.

Utah Rep. says competition between schools can solve these issues

Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, described the need for parents to be involved in their childrens education to have a better chance at success.

Education is most important, most meaningful and impactful when parents, teachers and schools work together in harmony, he said. However, some schools increasingly see parents as an obstacle that needs to be ignored or overcome.

Owens continued, Cutting out parents is not only bad for the long-term wellbeing of our children, but more importantly, its not their job. ... Today we are here to strengthen the partnership between parents and schools, so the needs of students are met.

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Competition among schools could help to solve this issue, Owens said. This is why we need school choice. ... When parents see something wrong in a school, if its systemic and they have to debate you, find somewhere else to take your kids. Thats why choice is so important. Choice will give us the best options across the board, and those who dont do it right will go out of business, and thats the way it should be, he said.

There are three states left in the nation that have not legalized charter schools: Nebraska, Vermont and South Dakota.

Though currently being tested in the states Supreme Court, Utah state lawmakers approved an $8,000 voucher program for parents to spend on their childrens homeschool, private school or other education provider.

Committee Democrats take a different stance

Rep. Adelita S. Grijalva, D-Ariz., said during the hearing, she had never heard of some of the situations that were brought up by the education witnesses the committee brought in, including Laura Powell, Deborah Figliolah, Matt Sharp and Cody Venzke.

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This Republican obsession with gender identity is frightening to me, she said. It really, really is. Time and time again, the Republican majority has chosen to promote bigotry, fear mongering and marginalization of vulnerable students under the guise of parental rights instead of prioritizing issues that would help families, students and schools.

Grijalva said Democrats stand for parental rights and for the rights of teachers to do their jobs without fear of being forced to violate the trust of students, and we stand for the idea that education should be about nurturing the whole child, not creating political distractions.

Rep. John Mannion, a school teacher of nearly 30 years, compared schools transparency in 2025 with when he first began teaching in the 1990s. We have greater access to teachers, school administrators and school board members than ever before. Parents can and are more involved than ever before.

Rep. Kevin Kiley countered, saying that examples of of schools concealing students changing their genders are increasingly common.

Parents are concerned not only that information is being kept from them about their decisions but that the school might be playing a role in influencing those decisions, he said.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is actually agreeing with Pete Hegseth or, to be more specific, a 2016 version of the defense secretary.

On Tuesday, Kelly posted a clip to X from his recent appearance on CNNs Erin Burnett OutFront.

The clip Kelly chose included an old  and now viral  video of Hegseth talking very frankly about the militarys obligation to reject orders that violate the law at an event hosted by what was then called the Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley in April 2016.

Pete Hegseth in 2016 and Sen. Mark Kelly. Screenshot CNN via Snapstream/Getty

The throwback video of Hegseth seems to have gone viral thanks to Hegseths Sept. 2 double-strike controversy, an act many say was likely a war crime.

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I do think there have to be consequences for abject war crimes, Hegseth said at the event in 2016. If youre doing something that is just completely unlawful and ruthless, then there is a consequence for that.

Thats why the military said it wont follow unlawful orders from their commander in chief, Hegseth continued. Theres a standard, theres an ethos. Theres a belief that we are above what so many things that our enemies or others would do.

Last month, Democratic veterans and former intelligence officers  including Kelly  released a video urging service members to stand up to President Donald Trumps administration if they receive illegal orders. The video was met with a pretty hostile response from Trump, who decried the video as SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR on social media and appeared to endorse a post that called for the lawmakers to be executed.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that Trump does not want to execute members of Congress.

Politics: Pete Hegseth's Trolling Of Mark Kelly Gets The Social Media Response It Deserves

Hegseth responded to the Democrats video by publishing a tweet last week that said Kelly, a retired Navy fighter pilot, was facing investigation because he is the only one in that group who formally retired from the military and remains under the Pentagons jurisdiction.

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Pete Hegseth says hes going to court-martial me for saying the same exact thing he said 9 years ago, Kelly said in the caption of his tweet that included the clip of Hegseth in 2016. What changed for Pete? Well to start, he spends all day thinking about how he can suck up to Trump. When Trump says jump, he says how high.

The retired astronaut expanded upon this during his conversation with Burnett on CNN Tuesday.

Well, Erin, I think hes correct. And its exactly what we said, Kelly said of Hegseths 2016 video. But when we said it, Pete Hegseth now said  eight years later or  nine years later  he says, what we said was false and reckless. And I think it begs the question: What has changed?

He continued, And its pretty obvious what has changed is we have an unqualified secretary of defense who only cares about sucking up to this president, and loyalty to this president. Thats the difference. Its whos commander-in-chief.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
Public broadcasters in Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia have withdrawn from the Eurovision Song Contest after organizers confirmed Israel will be allowed to compete. More countries are said to be weighing similar decisions.

The walkouts follow a meeting of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which consists broadcasters from 56 countries. According to NPR, the EBU agreed to tighten voting rules amid growing political tension but declined to bar Israel from the 2025 competition.

A contest meant to be apolitical - but isn't

Eurovision draws more than 100 million viewers and is traditionally marketed as a celebration of music over politics. In practice, it often becomes the opposite.

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In 2022, Russia was expelled from the competition over its Ukraine invasion. More recently, the past two competitions have been marred by the war in Gaza, with protests outside the competitions in Switzerland and Sweden.

Organizers were forced to clamp down on political flag-waving during the competition. Now, experts say the next competition will feature even bigger political statements.

"It's a historic moment for the European Broadcasting Union. This is certainly one of the most serious crises that the organization has ever faced," Eurovision expert Dean Vuletic told NPR. "Next year, we're going to see the biggest political boycott of Eurovision ever."

Vuletic said he expects tense weeks and months ahead as other countries reconsider their participation in the annual event.

Why countries are withdrawing

All four broadcasters cited Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

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AVROTROS, a Dutch broadcaster, said Israel's participation "is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster."

Spain's broadcaster, RTVE, said despite the recent ceasefire in Gaza, "Israel's use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event."

Irish broadcaster RTE said Ireland's participation "remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza."

Slovenia's broadcaster expressed similar concerns.

According to NPR, losing participants such as Ireland and Spain could significantly impact the competition. Spain is one of the "Big Five" large-market countries that contribute the most to the contest. Meanwhile, Ireland has won the competition seven times.

The post Several countries pull out of Eurovision over Israel's participation appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

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Italian oil and gas company Eni has signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales deal with Thailand-based energy operator Gulf Development Company.

This is Enis first long-term LNG supply contract in Thailand and is part of the companys strategy to diversify its global LNG footprint.

Under the agreement, the company will supply 800,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of LNG to Gulf Development for ten years.

Deliveries are set to begin in 2027 at regasification terminals across Thailand.

This contract follows last years two-year LNG deal between the two companies for the supply of approximately 500,000tpa of LNG, beginning this year.

Eni said the agreement with Gulf Development is designed to strengthen its presence in Asia and expand its LNG portfolio to nearly 20 million tonnes per annum by 2030.

The Italian oil and gas company aims to achieve this by leveraging projects in the Republic of Congo, Mozambique, the US, Indonesia and other countries.

In a separate development, Eni has also signed a long-term LNG sales agreement with Turkish energy company BOTAS.

Under this deal, Eni will supply around 400,000tpa of LNG for ten years, starting from 2028.

This follows a three-year agreement between Eni and BOTAS, signed in September this year, for the supply of around 400,000tpa of LNG.

Eni recently started the second phase of the Congo LNG project earlier than planned, with plans to export the first LNG cargo from this phase in early 2026.

"Eni signs ten-year LNG sales deal with Thailands Gulf Development " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




A small museum in London has been named the best in Europe due in part to how inclusive it is of children.

London gallery Young V&A, a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum, has been awarded the 2026 Council of Europe Museum Prize because of its empowerment of younger generations.

The councils prize has been awarded for almost 50 years, and is given to the museum judged to have most contributed to the understanding of European cultural heritage, human rights and democracy.

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The museum, which is free to enter, has the largest collection of childhood-related objects in the UK. Some of the most loved items on display include a doll's house collection, a life-size Joey the War Horse puppet, and the original Superman costume worn by Christopher Reeve.

Its three main galleries, Play, Imagine and Design, are suitable for visitors of all ages, with babies able to discover colours, textures and shapes at eye-level, while older children can learn about the collections on display.

Selected by the Council of Europes Culture Committee at a meeting on Tuesday, 2 December, in Paris, it was chosen for its balance between playfulness and education, exploring real-world themes such as sustainability and empathy.

Alongside making children feel at home, the Bethnal Green museum was also praised for actively involving children with special educational needs and disabilities.

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Committee representative for the Museum Prize, Luz Martinez Seijo, explained that Young V&A is an outstanding museum in terms of how it engages visitors with the themes of human rights, equality, participation and cultural democracy.

"It conveys a strong message of empowerment of young generations, particularly those from deprived areas who may have limited contact with mainstream and institutional cultural offerings, with experiences that can help them embrace the future with confidence and participate fully in democratic societies, she added.

Alongside the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions are often held at Young V&A, such as the anticipated Wallace & Gromit and Friends display opening in February 2026, which will delve into the world of Aardman stop motion animation.

Beyond the exhibitions, children can also explore their creativity in the performance space and workshop areas.

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The prize will be awarded to Young V&A at a special ceremony in Strasbourg in April.

Recent winners of the prize include Euskararen Etxea, the House of Basque Language, in Bilbao, Spain (2025), the Sybir Memorial Museum in Bialystok, Poland (2024) and the Workers Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark (2023).

Read more: Discovering the Danish town where plastic bricks trump smartphones
Several school districts in North Carolina have announced schedule changes for Friday, Dec. 5, due to an incoming winter storm predicted to bring snow and ice.

Avery County Schools announced students will join classes remotely due to weather conditions.

Ashe County Schools will hold a remote learning day, with classes starting at 10 a.m. via Zoom, to ensure student safety during hazardous travel conditions.

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Alexander County Schools will also operate as a remote day due to uncertain travel conditions. All buildings will be closed to students, but open to staff.

ALSO READ: Expert tips to stay warm while saving money on your power bills

Watauga County Schools will operate on an inclement-weather remote learning day Friday, due to freezing rain, ice-covered secondary roads and below-freezing temperatures. Teachers and other staff may choose to report to school buildings but must do so on a two-hour delay. The Holiday/Snow Program at Hardin Park School will open at 9 a.m.

Catawba County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay for students, staff and QUEST.

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Caldwell County schools will have a two-hour delay to ensure the safety of students and staff. The district asks parents and staff to be on the lookout for possible additional updates and alerts Friday morning.

The district has also advised that any changes to bus routes due to weather conditions will be communicated by 8 a.m., with parents encouraged to check the transportation website for updates.

Avery County Schools will also have a two-hour delay for students, with any changes to be announced by 6:30 a.m.

Iredell-Statesville Schools will follow a similar two-hour delay schedule, with road conditions to be reassessed by 6:30 a.m. for any further adjustments.

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Hickory City Schools will also operate on a two-hour delay for both staff and students.

With the forecasted winter storm, schools across these counties are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students and staff. Parents and students are advised to stay informed through school communications and transportation updates.

VIDEO: Expert tips to stay warm while saving money on your power bills
BERLIN, Pa.  The parent company of the Snyder of Berlin snack manufacturing plant is set to begin laying off the plants 96 employees in February, public information from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry shows.

After layoffs begin, the closure of the snack operation in Berlin, Somerset County, would be completed next December, the departments information shows.

The plant is owned by Our Home, a New Jersey-based company that also owns brands including Popchips and Food Should Taste Good.

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The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act mandates that employers give a 60-day notice before closing plants or conducting mass layoffs. Those notices are published on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry website.

The WARN notice for Snyder of Berlin has been published with no information about the reason for the slated plant closure.

Berlin Borough Mayor Joe Krause said he learned of the notice Wednesday and has spoken to some of the plants employees.

They are all just kind of shell-shocked, he said.

Krause and other local and state government representatives have been attempting to contact executives at Our Home.

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We want to see if there is anything we can do, Krause said. Maybe solicit another company to take over the facility, because its going to be hard not just on the people who lose jobs, but the whole town.

Krause said the absence of the plants operations would have a far-reaching effect, perhaps even on utility rates for borough residents. Berlin Borough provides water, electricity and sewage to borough residents and businesses through a municipal authority.

Snyder of Berlin uses a lot of electric, water and sewage, and that represents revenue that we will no longer be collecting, Krause said.

State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar, R-Somerset, is among the leaders in Somerset attempting to contact executives at Our Home for more information.

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What weve been trying to do, for starters, is find out whether there are any options available besides a pure closure, Metzgar said.

He said he also wanted to discuss the rationale behind the decision.

This is coming after an acquisition that was just in 2024, he said.

Snyders former parent company, Utz Brands Inc., sold the Berlin plant to Our Home as part of an $18.5 million deal in April of last year.

Snyder of Berlin has been a part of central Somerset County since 1947, but it has been owned by larger companies since the 1970s, The Tribune-Democrats archives show.

Somerset County President Commissioner Brian Fochtman is from Berlin and spoke of the plants legacy.

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Thats how I identified where I was from  Snyder of Berlin potato chips. Its been part of the town for generations, he said. For it to end would be devastating for the community.

Commissioner Irv Kimmel Jr. said the county governments attempts to reach out to Our Home executives have not yet been successful.

The company also did not return an email from The Tribune-Democrat Thursday.

This would be detrimental to the town of Berlin and the county of Somerset, Kimmel said.

With the WARN Act notice posted, agencies for helping Snyder of Berlin employees find other jobs are expected to step in.

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PA CareerLink Somerset and the Department of Labor & Industrys Rapid Response Team are preparing to help Snyder of Berlin employees make a transition, Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Aldom said.

CareerLink and the states rapid response team will be in front of the employees very soon, Aldom said. Employees know they need to find something fast, and manufacturing is one of the industries in Somerset where there is employment.
SEOUL, Dec 5 (Reuters) - South Korea's industry ministry and SoftBank's chip unit, Arm Holdings, have signed an agreement to strengthen the country's semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence sectors, a presidential policy adviser said on Friday.

The memorandum of understanding includes a plan for Arm to set up a chip design school in the country to tap its expertise in this area, Kim Yong-beom told reporters at a briefing.

The programme aims to train about 1,400 high-level chip design specialists, a move that Kim said would help bolster the relatively weak system-semiconductor and fabless segments in Asia's fourth-biggest economy.

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British chip and software company Arm licenses its chip designs and earns funds through royalties.

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, who met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday, said that demand for chips will rise dramatically as AI advances, Kim quoted Son as saying.

The SoftBank CEO also noted that the energy sector was a weak point and South Korea did not have sufficient supply to support AI developments.

Son repeated on Friday that he believes AI is set to surpass human intelligence and that Artificial Superintelligence would be "10,000 times smarter than people."

He said it was time to move beyond the notion that humans could control, teach or manage AI, and instead consider how to live with it harmoniously.

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South Korea has ambitions to become one of the world's top three AI powers and Lee has recently also held talks with other global technology leaders including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia boss Jensen Huang.

In October, South Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix signed letters of intent to supply memory chips for OpenAI's data centres to help the ChatGPT developer with its Stargate project, a private initiative also backed by SoftBank and Oracle to build data centres.

Son is expected to meet SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won later on Friday to discuss cooperation in AI and semiconductors, the Donga Ilbo newspaper reported.

SK Group declined to comment.

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Nvidia said in late October that it would supply more than 260,000 of its most advanced AI chips to South Korea's government and some of the country's biggest businesses, including Samsung Electronics.

(Reporting by Heekyong Yang, Hyunjoo Jin and Joyce Lee;Editing by Ed Davies)
Mark Snyders eighth-grade government students at Shirland School have been studying the meaning of citizenship. As part of their study, students have learned that citizens have several rights, responsibilities, and duties. One of the responsibilities of citizenship is to be engaged in your community.

As a way to put that responsibility into practice and as a culmination of our study, students selected a topic of interest or concern, researched it, and wrote a letter to the editor on that topic.

"As their teacher, I often find myself disagreeing with the opinions of my students, and the students often disagree with each other as well," Snyder wrote. "Part of responsible citizenship is learning to appreciate the opinions of others civilly, even when those opinions differ from our own."

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Student letters will appear on these pages in the coming weeks.

Some of my family members have visited or lived in Tennessee before. There are many cities in the U.S. and Tennessee specifically, but a massive issue is the amount of horrible crimes in Memphis.

Many cities in the U.S. are dangerous, but Memphis is the worst.

According to neighborhoodscout.com, Memphis is safer than 0% of U.S. cities. This angers me because not only is it dangerous, but it is hardly seen on the news.

Reolink.com states, Aggravated assaults dominate the violent category, making up three quarters of all violent cases.

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This shows how dangerous Memphis is because there are many assault cases and makes me upset that people have an increased chance of getting assaulted if they go to a dangerous neighborhood there.

These people that are committing crimes in Memphis are horrible and evil. Anyone who is committing these crimes must be stopped immediately.

If you have been to Tennessee or not but care, please take action and help support those who are trying to stop these sick crimes in Memphis.

People in Memphis can try to contact their mayor or even their governor and get more attention drawn to what is happening in their city. They can try to get more attention so others can try and help.

Henry Kovanda, Rockton

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Something should be done about the crime rate in Memphis | Letter
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand  Once reliant on aging, second-hand vessels from the United States, a steady drumbeat of new warships is beginning to enter Philippine Navy service.

The new capabilities are part of a rapid modernization program there, prompted by aggressive Chinese tactics and territorial claims in the adjacent South China Sea.

The worlds largest shipbuilder, South Koreas HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), is the primary supplier of these new vessels, and the latest warship to enter Philippine service is a second HDF-3200 Hybrid frigate.

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The Philippine Navy  or PN for short  commissioned BRP Diego Silang on Dec. 2. The milestone came just six and half months after the first-of-class BRP Miguel Malvare entered service.

The two frigates had been ordered from HD HHI via a 28 billion peso ($550 million) contract inked in 2021. Displacing 3,200 tons and measuring 118.4m in length, they are the most sophisticated warships ever owned by the Philippines.

Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, the Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said at the Diego Silang commissioning ceremony: This will add to the capital ships of the PN that are capable of patrolling all the way up to our exclusive economic zone and even beyond. It will be the most modern warship that we have.

These are also the first Philippine warships boasting a vertical launch system for missiles, with the frigates possessing 16 cells of VL MICA missiles from MBDA. They also carry eight SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles from Korean missile house LIG Nex1.

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The pair joins two other frigates previously constructed by the Korean shipbuilder. Those two 2,600-ton Jose Rizal-class frigates were inducted in 2020-2021, marking the start of a lucrative relationship between Hyundai and its Philippine customer.

In a tour of Hyundais Ulsan shipyard earlier this year, Defense News observed Diego Silang under construction, as well as a first offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Philippines. A company spokesperson indicated that the latter should be handed over to Manila in March 2026, following sea trials and final outfitting.

Under a 2022 order, Hyundai is constructing six such HDP-2200+ OPVs for the Philippine Navy. The second vessel in the class  Rajah Lakandula  was launched on Nov. 20, and all six are meant to be operational by 2028.

Philippine naval ambitions continue to advance even further.

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Spokesperson Trinidad said discussions are under way for a further pair of frigates. Under the armed forces Re-Horizon 3 program, the sea service has set aside 43 billion pesos (US$294 million) for two new frigates and their weapons.

The navy has not selected a platform yet, but Hyundai is proffering an updated version of the HDF-3200 or the larger HDF-3500. A contract award could happen soon, and choosing Hyundai again would bring advantages in commonality.

HD Hyundai describes the Philippines as a strategic customer. One executive told Defense News: Commercial ships are our major business, and naval ship revenue is around 10% at HHI. Although the revenue proportion is small, our pride and technology are not small, as it even surpasses the commercial ship business.

The other major naval shipbuilder in South Korea is Hanwha Ocean. It is currently promoting KSS-III diesel-electric submarines for an emerging Philippine requirement.

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Because these two shipbuilding rivals have been competing directly against each other in overseas competitions, the countrys Defense Acquisition Program Administration decided to mediate.

To prevent business overlaps, the three parties signed a memorandum of understanding on Feb. 25 to create a One Team formation that unites their marketing campaigns.

Hanwha Ocean is supposed to take the lead on submarine export campaigns, while the Hyundai shipyard is responsible for surface warships.

Regardless, that agreement has done little to ease intra-Korean competition. The two companies are currently competing for both Saudi and Thai frigate requirements, for example.

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Hyundai is promoting its 6,500-ton HDF-6000 frigate, and Hanwha its Ocean 4500 design for Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, at last months Defense & Security 2025 exhibition in Bangkok, Hyundai displayed scale models of HDF-3200, HDF-3600 and HDF-4000 frigates as suitable solutions for the Royal Thai Navy. Likewise, Hanwha Ocean showcased its 4,000-ton Ocean-40F frigate for Thailand.

Even as many Western navies struggle with or cancel warship programs  the U.S. Navys Constellation-class frigates are a case in point  South Korean shipbuilders such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries point to a track record of delivering on time and within budget.

For 2025, the company predicts delivery of 48 commercial vessels and two naval ships to customers. This will bring to 149 the number of naval vessels the shipbuilder has built to date.
Construction is always controversial in Chicago, but a complete the streets project in Brighton Park has some residents fired up.

They say the area is far too congested to handle the addition of bike lanes and wider pedestrian crossings.

Construction is underway on a massive rehaul of roads around Brighton Park, from 47th Street to Western Avenue.

The goal is to add in protected bike lanes, safer pedestrian crossings and improved driving lanes.

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People living in the area are frustrated with the project, with more than 2,000 residents signing a petition against it.

"The community really wasn't approached about these bike lanes, knowing how this is going to impact our daily commute, kids waiting for the bus when it usually takes 15-20 minutes for a bus to come. It's taking 40-45 minutes," Brighton park resident Claudia Zuno said.

Julia Ramirez, the 12th Ward alderman, has received a lot of community feedback on the matter. Her office says it's been working with the Chicago Department of Transportation to address concerns.

SEE ALSO: As more bicyclists take to Chicago streets, city says it's working to create safer ride

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In a statement, Ramirez said in part, "Archer & Kedzie account for many of neighborhood's traffic injuries & fatalities. The new designs will address the causes of these crashes, and these elements have reduced crashes, injuries, and seeding on other projects."

Much of the frustration also comes with the timing of the project, as the pedestrian areas and bike lanes are often filled with snow and ice in the winter.

"There's limited plows in Chicago for bike lanes, and we're not getting plowed, especially if it's back-to-back snow days," Zuno said. "We're a big city; we're a commuting city and biking right now on every street especially our industrial corridor avenues is not meant for bikes."

CDOT says there are 47 percent more crashes in Brighton Park compared to the average in other neighborhoods.

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Dixon Galvez-Searle has lived in the area for 20 years, and he says this project is needed to avoid those crashes.

"Ever since 2020, we've seen an average of about 1,500 crashes a year in Brighton park. That's way too many, and it's going up," Archer Heights resident Dixon Galvez-Searle said.

Galvez-Searle says, while the congestion is frustrating now, he believes this will benefit everyone in the long run.

"The hope is this can accommodate everybody, people walking, biking, waiting for the bus and also people driving. Archer is for everybody," Galvez-Searle said.

So, this current part of the project continues along Archer and Kedzie avenues and is expected to be finished in January.
By Charlie Devereux and Joan Faus

MADRID/BARCELONA, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The Catalonia regional government said on Friday it would investigate a research centre outside Barcelona after Spain's Agriculture Ministry said a recent swine fever outbreak could have been caused by a laboratory leak.

Spain, the European Union's top pork producer, is trying to reassure trading partners after 13 wild boars tested positive for the virus in hills outside the city. The disease is harmless to humans but can be deadly for pigs and wild boars.

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Genome sequencing by a Madrid lab showed the strain was very similar to one first detected in Georgia in 2007 and now widely used in research and vaccine development, the ministry said. Other cases in Europe belong to a different genetic group.

"The discovery of a virus similar to the one that circulated in Georgia therefore does not rule out the possibility that its origin may lie in a biological containment facility," the Agriculture Ministry said.

Until now, Catalan officials suspected the virus had spread after a wild boar ate contaminated food, possibly a sandwich brought from abroad by a truck driver.

"The report suggests that it is possible that the origin of the virus is not in animals or animal products from any of the countries where the infection is currently present," the ministry said.

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It did not name any laboratories in its statement. But Catalonia's top agriculture official, Oscar Ordeig, said the regional government would open an investigation of the state-funded Centre for Research in Animal Health (Cresa).

The centre is located next to the Autonomous University of Barcelona and within the six-km (four-mile) confinement area imposed by authorities after the outbreak. Ordeig said other laboratories could also be investigated.

The World Organization of Animal Health in 2017 designated Cresa as a research centre into swine fevers.

The laboratory did not immediately respond to a request for comment but it told the news verification website Maldita.es it had found no evidence of being the source of the outbreak.

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The "Georgia 2007" strain of swine fever spread to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus and reached eastern EU states in 2014, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

It reached China in 2018, causing huge losses. Chinese pig meat production dropped by 27% in 2019.

(Reporting by Charlie Devereux, Joan Faus and Jesus Calero; editing by Mark Potter and Mark Heinrich)
Designated ICE parking spots in front of the Torrance County Detention Facility, photographed Nov. 19, 2025. Its been more than a month since ICEs agreement with CoreCivic and Torrance County regarding the facility expired. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

More than a month after a contract expired governing the operation of a New Mexico immigrant detention facility, local officials have yet to receive any updates from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency or the facilitys private operator CoreCivic, officials told Source New Mexico on Thursday.

The inter-governmental services agreement between Torrance County, ICE and CoreCivic expired Oct. 31 during the federal government shutdown. But even after the government reopened Nov. 13, County Manager Jordan Barela said he has neither received an updated contract from ICE nor word of when it could be renewed.

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Weve been checking weekly, and the feedback we have received is that ICE is still evaluating the terms and conditions of a potential extension, Barela told Source via email Thursday.

An ICE spokesperson did not respond to Source New Mexicos request for comment on the contract. Ryan Gustin, a CoreCivic spokesperson, did not respond to questions about the contract status, but instead responded that the company is committed to providing safe, humane and respectful care for everyone entrusted to us, and we take seriously our obligation to adhere to all applicable federal detention standards.

Advocates for approximately 550 ICE detainees in the jail, as well as U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), say the lack of a contract means ICE should immediately stop detaining immigrants at the facility. They point to ICE standard operating procedures that require ICE to remove detainees and equipment from the facility absent a contract, as well as long-standing issues about detainee treatment at the facility.

In a statement Thursday to Source New Mexico, Heinrich said he remains deeply concerned about the situation at the facility in Estancia, noting that an inspector general overseeing ICE called for the facilitys closure in 2022.

Conditions have not improved, and now theyre purportedly running the facility without a contract, he said. ICEs inaction on this contract, and refusal to meet their own minimum detention standards, is another example of the agency shunning accountability.

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Heinrich sent a letter to ICE on Nov. 7 demanding the agency identify what authority it has to continue detaining immigrants in Estancia and that it transfer ICE detainees out of the facility in the meantime. ICE had not responded to Heinrich as of Thursday, according to a spokesperson.

Meanwhile, about 30 ICE detainees signed a handwritten letter to Source New Mexico recently saying they continue to face poor conditions inside the jail, including problems accessing tablets they rely on for various necessities.

Tablets are our only means for vital services such as communication, medical care at the center, and our only way to complain about our various needs, not to mention our only access to legal resources for an adequate defense process for the detainees here, the detainees wrote in Spanish.

Gustin said CoreCivic was unaware of any recent significant outages or issues with the tablets, but noted that staff immediately create a service ticket when they learn of technological issues.

Heinrichs staff also previously noted non-working tablets during a visit in late May and included that in a letter to ICE that also reported complaints of verbal and physical abuse, lack of access to laundry and lack of medical care.

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Previously, detainees, including Rogelio Bolufe of Cuba, said they were repeatedly denied access to the legal library and to legal aid groups, allegations that CoreCivic also denied.

The letter, which Source received Nov. 24, has signatures from inmates who say they lacked access to the tablets since Nov. 14 due to what jail operators described as a technical failure. Its unclear from the letter whether the problem has been resolved, and Haymel de la Vega, Bolufes friend and contact, did not respond to Sources requests Thursday for an update.

The letters signatories said they are from Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Mexico and Ecuador. One detainee who identified himself as Edin Santos of Honduras wrote that he missed his sons birthday due to the issue.

It was my sons birthday, and the reason the tables werent working was that there was no internet, he wrote.
Dec. 4SANTA FE  The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office devised a sting operation at the Santa Fe County jail this summer that resulted in charges against 10 detainees and non-detainees accused of smuggling Suboxone into the facility, according to court records.

A statement of probable cause states that 38-year-old detainee Pedro Talamante and his brother Diego Talamante, 33, collected payments via CashApp from people incarcerated at the facility in exchange for strips of the drug, which is commonly prescribed to treat opioid-use disorder but can be abused.

Pedro Talamante faces conspiracy to commit bringing contraband into jail and conspiracy to commit distribution of a controlled substance, fourth-degree felonies, while his brother is charged with bringing contraband into jail and conspiracy to commit distribution of a controlled substance, also fourth-degree felonies.

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Eight others face charges tied to the purported smuggling scheme, including Alicia Quintana, 42; Jeremiah Quintana, 19; James Jochem, 51; Davonne Romero, 27; Clarence Martinez-Sepulveda, 22; Omar Marrufo, 35; Frank Mares, 42; and Cynthia Hernandez, 35.

A combination of the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone, Suboxone is a prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance and "has a potential for misuse," according to American Addiction Centers.

Investigators say the defendants used code words, like "ribbons" and "dollars," to refer to the Suboxone, while "birthday party" referred to their plans to bring the substance into the jail. Investigators had become familiar with the jargon over the course of other drug smuggling busts at the Santa Fe County jail in recent years.

"Through prior investigations similar to this one, the language used in the telephone calls were in reference to intent of orchestrating and bringing contraband into the jail facility," a statement of probable cause for Diego Talamante reads.

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According to court records, jail guards detected an "anomaly" while conducting a body scan of Talamante on June 26 after he was booked on a probation violation warrant.

After placing the 33-year-old in solitary confinement, deputies directed a jail worker to go undercover as a jail "porter" and then approach Talamante to retrieve what they suspected was a package of Suboxone he had smuggled into the detention center.

"At that time, Diego is seen on CCTV retrieving the substance from his cavity and sliding it under the door," the probable cause statement reads.

In a similar case in July 2024, 11 people were charged with smuggling methamphetamine and Suboxone into the jail after investigators reviewed phone calls made from the facility.
The Trump administration is starting to fill in the blanks on the so-called "Trump accounts" designed to provide a financial leg up for kids.

The Republican tax-and-spending megabill, which became law in July, included a provision to establish tax-deferred investment accounts with $1,000 for children born in the United States.

The accounts drew new attention after CEO Michael Dell of Dell Technologies alongside his wife Susan donated $6.25 billion for the initiative that will seed 25 million accounts with $250 a piece.

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service are now issuing guidelines on how to access the accounts. Here's everything we know so far, and the one critical question that remains unanswered.

Who qualifies for a Trump account?

Children born after Dec. 31, 2024 and before Jan. 1, 2029 will qualify for an account, and the program's duration aligns with Trump's second term in office. Kids must have a Social Security number.

A parent or legal guardian will be responsible for setting up and managing the account on behalf of their children until they reach age 18.

How do I set up an account?

The Treasury has said families should use IRS Form 4547 to open an account. It's a new form that isn't finalized yet, according to the IRS. Starting in May 2026, Treasury is expected to send information to the account holder to begin the authentication process towards the federal $1,000 deposit.

What rules are there around withdrawing the money?

Beneficiaries can withdraw the cash starting at age 18 under certain circumstances such as paying for college. They would gain full control over the money at age 30, and parents could deposit up to $5,000 annually. It can only be invested in low-cost U.S. stock index funds.

The account functions similarly to a traditional individual retirement account, better known as an IRA.

How does my child get the extra $250 from the Dells?

There are strings attached to their donation, the largest one-time example of philanthropic giving in U.S. history.

The cash will flow to kids born between 2016 and 2024. They must reside in a ZIP code with median incomes below $150,000. No ZIP code tool is currently available to check for eligibility.

Which bank or brokerage is handling the accounts?

We don't know yet. This is probably the biggest question given the novelty of the program.

In its initial announcement, the White House didn't specify which private sector institution it intended to partner with to establish and handle the accounts. The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Thursday gave a boost to President Donald Trump by allowing Texas to use a new congressional district map in next years midterm elections that was drawn to maximize Republican political power.

Granting an emergency application filed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the conservative majority paused a lower court ruling that said the map was unlawful because Republican lawmakers, at the direction of the Trump administration, explicitly considered race when drawing new districts.

The map was drawn with the aim of adding up to five additional Republican House seats, with Republicans currently holding a narrow majority heading into the midterms.

State Rep. Matt Morgan, a Republican from Texas, reviews a map of proposed congressional redistricting, on Aug. 20. (Eli Hartman / Bloomberg via Getty Images file)

Democrats had already responded to the Texas plan by launching an effort to draw a new congressional map in California to counteract the potential Republican gains. Litigation in that case could also reach the Supreme Court.

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This map reflects the political climate of our state and is a massive win for Texas and every conservative who is tired of watching the left try to upend the political system with bogus lawsuits, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defended the map, said in a statement.

Trump, via the Justice Department, had filed a separate brief urging the court to rule in favor of Texas.

"Federal courts have no right to interfere with a States decision to redraw legislative maps for partisan reasons," Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X in response to the decision.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., posted on X that the Supreme Court had "shredded its credibility by rubber-stamping a racially gerrymandered map."

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But, he added, the Democrats own map-drawing efforts in California and potentially other states would counteract potential Republican gains.

The unsigned Supreme Court order said that Texas is likely to succeed on the merits of its claim, including that the lower court failed to honor the presumption of legislative good faith when assessing the state Legislatures motives. The court also said that the lower court had inserted itself into a state's election laws too close to the election, which is almost a year away.

The ruling appeared to be 6-3, with the three liberal justices dissenting.

Justice Elena Kagan wrote in dissent that the decision disrespects the work of a district court that did everything one could ask and also disserves the millions of Texans whom the district court found were assigned to their new districts based on their race.

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While no one contests the state's ultimate partisan goal, the lower court found that the map was drawn with the aim of moving certain minority voters into different districts.

In a separate concurring opinion pushing back on Kagan, conservative Justice Samuel Alito said that the plaintiffs challenging the map needed to do a better job of showing that race was the motivating factor by, among other things, producing their own map that would show the states partisan goals could be achieved by other means.

The failure to do so gave rise to a strong inference that the states map was indeed based on partisanship, not race, he wrote.

Thomas Saenz, president of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, one of the groups that challenged the Texas map, said in a statement that the Supreme Court decision incentivized "guerrilla tactics" in redistricting.

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If states wait until late in the cycle to draw new maps they can effectively prevent courts from intervening even if the maps violate the law, he added.

The Supreme Court had provisionally put the decision on hold on Nov. 21 while the justices weighed what next step to take, in an order signed by Alito.

Traditionally, states draw new districts once a decade after the census shows how populations have shifted. But this year, Trump has repeatedly pushed Republican-led states to draw new maps outside of the normal timeline.

A Trump administration letter earlier this year said the state could be subject to a federal lawsuit if it did not eliminate coalition districts in which nonwhite voters of different races constitute the majority.

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Thanks to a Supreme Court ruling in 2019, states are free to redistrict in a way intended to maximize the majority partys political power, but there remain some restrictions under both the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act when race is a factor.

In the Texas case, the three-judge lower court invalidated the new map on a 2-1 vote, with the majority opinion authored by Judge Jeffrey Brown, a Trump appointee.

While politics played a role in the maps being redrawn, there was substantial evidence that it was a racial gerrymander in violation of the Constitutions 14th Amendment, he wrote.

In asking the Supreme Court to block the lower court ruling, Texas lawyers argued in part that it was too late in the election cycle for federal judges to intervene. The lawyers also said that the new map was clearly designed for partisan gain and denied that there was any racial motive.

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This summer, the Texas legislature did what legislatures do: politics, they wrote.

The lawsuit was brought by six groups of plaintiffs, including the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, the Texas NAACP and two members of Congress, Texas Democratic Reps. Al Green and Jasmine Crockett.

In a court filing, one group of challengers said that the entire thrust of the governors justification for authorizing redistricting was to remove and replace the coalition districts, meaning that race and not partisan politics was the motive.

CORRECTION (Dec. 4, 2025, 9:38 p.m. ET): Due to an editing error, a previous version of this article mischaracterized comments by Thomas Saenz as a direct quotation. If states wait until late in the cycle to draw new maps they can effectively prevent courts from intervening even if the maps violate the law is a paraphrase of his remarks.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Washington  The Supreme Court on Thursday restored for now Texas' newly redrawn congressional map that could give Republicans five additional House seats, after a lower court found that some of the new voting lines were racially discriminatory.

The high court appeared to split 6-3. It said in an unsigned order that it "has repeatedly emphasized that lower federal courts should ordinarily not alter the election rules on the eve of an election," and the district court "violated that rule here."

"The District Court improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign, causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections," the Supreme Court said.

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The court wrote that "based on our preliminary evaluation of this case," Texas was likely to succeed on the merits of its arguments that the district court merits committed "at least two serious errors" when it found the new map to be an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

Justice Elena Kagan, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented from the ruling and said that the lower court had sought to determine whether Texas had accomplished "its partisan objectives by means of a racial gerrymander enacting an electoral map slanted toward Republicans" and found that Texas "largely divided its citizens along racial lines to create its new pro-Republican House map, in violation of the Constitution's Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments."

"The court issued a 160-page opinion recounting in detail its factual findings," Kagan added. "Yet this Court reverses that judgment based on its perusal, over a holiday weekend, of a cold paper record." Kagan was referring here to the Supreme Court's emergency docket, also known as the shadow docket. The term refers to the orders and summary decisions issued by the Court without the full briefing and oral argument that accompanies cases on the regular docket.

"We are a higher court than the District Court, but we are not a better one when it comes to making such a fact-based decision," Kagan said.

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The decision from the high court is a boon to House Republicans and President Trump  who has pushed numerous GOP-led states to undertake a rare mid-decade redistricting in an effort to ensure his party holds onto its majority in the House.

That plan was temporarily derailed last month when a divided panel of three judges blocked Texas from using its re-crafted House map for the 2026 election cycle and found that certain districts were racially gerrymandered.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, swiftly asked the Supreme Court to intervene, and Justice Samuel Alito temporarily reinstated the map while the full court considered the request. The high court has now agreed to block the lower court's decision, allowing Texas to use the new district lines for next year's House elections.

Abbott celebrated the high court's decision in a statement, writing: "We won! Texas is officiallyand legallymore red."

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"The new congressional districts better align our representation in Washington D.C. with the values of our state," the governor said. "This is a victory for Texas voters, for common sense, and for the U.S. Constitution."

Texas state House Democratic Leader Rep. Gene Wu said in a statement, "The Supreme Court failed Texas voters today, and they failed American democracy. This is what the end of the Voting Rights Act looks like: courts that won't protect minority communities even when the evidence is staring them in the face."

The move by Texas Republicans to draw new House district lines over the summer kicked off a redistricting fight that has extended to numerous other states. Mr. Trump and White House aides had been pushing GOP lawmakers in Texas to create a new map to bolster Republicans' chances of maintaining their majority in the House, and Abbott called a special session to tackle the issue.

In the wake of that decision, California swiftly moved to redraw its congressional map to net up to five seats for Democrats, offseting the new GOP-leaning seats in Texas. GOP state lawmakers in North Carolina and Missouri have also approved plans that each seek to shift a single Democratic-held seat to the right. Those efforts have also faced legal challenges.

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In Texas, six groups of plaintiffs challenged the redrawn House districts and asked a three-judge district court panel to prohibit the state from using the new boundaries in the 2026 elections. The district court divided 2-1 in concluding that Texas racially gerrymandered its map and ordered the state to use for next year's House elections voting boundaries that were enacted by the GOP-led state legislature in 2021.

In an opinion authored by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, the court found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in showing that race predominated over politics in the map-making process and that the legislature set and followed a racial target.

"The public perception of this case is that it's about politics. To be sure, politics played a role in drawing the 2025 Map," Brown, appointed to the federal bench by Mr. Trump in 2019, wrote. "But it was much more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map."

Texas officials turned to the Supreme Court for emergency relief, arguing that map-makers sought to achieve certain partisan goals to give Republicans a political advantage.

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"This summer, the Texas Legislature did what legislatures do: politics," they wrote in a filing. "It redistricted the State's 38 congressional districts mid-decade to secure five additional Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives."

Texas officials also argued that the district court's injunction came too late  the filing period for congressional candidates opened 10 days before its decision and ends Dec. 8  and disrupted the state's election procedures, risking confusion for candidates and voters. The state invoked a legal principle that generally keeps courts from changing election rules too close to an election in order to avoid confusing voters and election officials.

"The injunction changes the boundaries of all but one of the State's 38 congressional districts, enjoining Texas from using its duly enacted 2025 map and resurrecting the repealed 2021 map," they wrote. "The chaos caused by such an injunction is obvious: campaigning had already begun, candidates had already gathered signatures and filed applications to appear on the ballot under the 2025 map, and early voting for the March 3, 2026, primary was only 91 days away."

The district court's order, Texas officials, said, has "thrown the election into disarray."

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But lawyers for the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, which is the lead plaintiff, said that maintaining the status quo, which is the 2021 map, will prevent voter confusion, while reinstating the latest redistricting plan will force more than 10 million Texas voters into new House districts.

Additionally, they said that keeping the 2021 map in place will allow incumbent lawmakers to campaign in the same districts they were elected to represent in 2024.

"All candidates for Congress will run in the districts they thought they were running in until 13 weeks ago when the Texas Legislature enacted a new map," LULAC lawyers wrote in a filing.

They argued that race was the predominant factor that drove the map-drawing process this summer, and the legislature targeted multi-racial districts specifically because of their racial composition. LULAC lawyers accused state lawmakers of "purposefully" sorting voters on the basis of race to meet racial targets.

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The Trump administration urged the Supreme Court to let Texas use its new congressional map for the 2026 election cycle because what's at issue is an "openly avowed partisan gerrymander." The Supreme Court in 2019 said federal courts have no role to play in partisan gerrymandering.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote in a filing there is "overwhelming evidence" that Texas lawmakers were motivated by partisan objectives.

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Washington  The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide the legality of President Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, which automatically grants citizenship to nearly everyone born in the U.S.

Issued at the start of his second term, the plan is the first from Mr. Trump's immigration agenda that the Supreme Court will evaluate on the legal merits. The justices have been asked to intervene in several challenges to Mr. Trump's immigration policies, but did so at early stages of the cases and through emergency requests for relief.

No lower court that has been confronted with legal challenges to the birthright citizenship order has embraced the Trump administration's interpretation of the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause. Still, the Justice Department has argued that those decisions are wrong, claiming that the Constitution does not grant citizenship to the children of "temporary visitors or illegal aliens."

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Section 1 of the 14th Amendment states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

Cecillia Wang, national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the plaintiffs in the case, said, "No president can change the 14th Amendment's fundamental promise of citizenship."

"For over 150 years, it has been the law and our national tradition that everyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen from birth. The federal courts have unanimously held that President Trump's executive order is contrary to the Constitution, a Supreme Court decision from 1898, and a law enacted by Congress," Wang said in a statement. "We look forward to putting this issue to rest once and for all in the Supreme Court this term."

Mr. Trump issued his executive order on birthright citizenship on his first day back in the White House. Under the plan, children born in the U.S. to parents who are either in the country illegally or on a temporary basis are not recognized as U.S. citizens.

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The president's directive sought to reverse more than a century of understanding that the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to babies born on U.S. soil, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and foreign military forces. The Supreme Court addressed the issue 127 years ago, ruling in 1898 that the Citizenship Clause ties U.S. citizenship to place of birth.

Mr. Trump's executive order is a pillar of his immigration agenda, but it has yet to take effect. The policy faced a slew of legal challenges soon after it was issued, and lower courts uniformly blocked its implementation. Then, the Supreme Court agreed to intervene during the early stages of three different cases, but did not consider the underlying legality of Mr. Trump's proposal.

Instead, the issue before the justices was the scope of relief granted by lower courts hearing the birthright citizenship cases, which had issued nationwide injunctions preventing the administration from enforcing the policy. The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, curtailed the ability of district court judges to issue those universal orders, but said plaintiffs could seek broad relief through class-action lawsuits. It also left open the possibility that states could secure nationwide relief.

On the heels of that ruling, two babies subject to Mr. Trump's order and their parents, as well as a pregnant woman, filed a lawsuit challenging the birthright citizenship order on behalf of a putative nationwide class. A federal district court in New Hampshire certified as a provisional class all babies who would be denied birthright citizenship by the president's plan and found that the order likely violates the Constitution.

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The district court barred the Trump administration from enforcing the plan against all impacted by it.

The Supreme Court is taking up the case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit has weighed in.

It did not act on another appeal involving four states, Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon, that had been before the high court in a preliminary posture. In July, a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that Mr. Trump's executive order was invalid because it contradicts the 14th Amendment's guarantee of citizenship to all born in the U.S.

The 9th Circuit split 2-1 to leave in place a nationwide injunction that had been issued by a district court in February, finding it was necessary to give the states complete relief.

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The Justice Department urged the Supreme Court to take up both cases and issue a final decision on whether Mr. Trump's executive order is constitutionally sound. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said it's a "mistaken view" that birth on U.S. soil confers citizenship, and said that understanding has had "destructive consequences."

But the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the plaintiffs in the New Hampshire case, argued that the Trump administration is effectively asking the Supreme Court to "rewrite" the Citizenship Clause and unwind more than a century of the nation's "everyday practice."

Arguments in the case are expected to take place next year, with a decision likely issued by the end of June or early July.

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By Andrew Chung

Dec 5 (Reuters) - The Supreme Court agreed on Friday to decide the legality of President Donald Trump's directive to restrict birthright citizenship in the United States, a contentious part of his efforts to curb immigration and a step that would alter how a 19th century constitutional provision has long been understood.

The justices took up a Justice Department appeal of a lower court's ruling that blocked Trump's executive order telling U.S. agencies not to recognize citizenship of children born in the U.S. if neither parent is an American citizen or legal permanent resident, also called a "green card" holder.

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The lower court ruled that Trump's policy violated the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment and a federal law codifying birthright citizenship rights in a class-action lawsuit by parents and children whose citizenship is threatened by the directive.

The Republican president signed the order his first day back in office on January 20 as part of a suite of initiatives he has pursued during his second term as president to crack down on legal and illegal immigration.

The 14th Amendment has long been interpreted as guaranteeing citizenship for babies born in the United States.

The amendment's Citizenship Clause states that all "persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War of 1861-1865 that ended slavery in the United States.

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The Trump administration has argued that the provision does not grant citizenship to the babies of immigrants who are in the country illegally or whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas.

It has asserted that the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" means that being born in the United States is not enough for citizenship. Citizenship is granted only to the children of those whose "primary allegiance" is to the United States, including citizens and permanent residents, it has argued. Such allegiance is established only through "lawful domicile," which government attorneys define as "lawful, permanent residence within a nation, with intent to remain."

'BIRTH TOURISM'

The administration has said that granting citizenship to virtually anyone born on U.S. soil has created incentives for illegal immigration and led to "birth tourism," by which foreigners travel to the United States to give birth and secure citizenship for their children.

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The legal challenges appealed by the Justice Department concerned one lawsuit filed by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon, and another filed in federal court in New Hampshire by plaintiffs who sued on behalf of a nationwide class of people affected by Trump's order.

In July, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the states. Also in July, Concord, New Hampshire-based U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante let the plaintiffs in that case proceed as a class, allowing Trump's order to be blocked nationally.

The challengers said the Supreme Court already settled the question of birthright citizenship in an 1898 case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which long has been interpreted as guaranteeing that children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents are entitled to American citizenship under the 14th Amendment.

The challengers also point out that Trump's order violates a law Congress passed in 1940 that was subsequently included in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. That measure codified the Citizenship Clause's language and also adopted what was by then the well-settled understanding that the 14th Amendment promised automatic birthright citizenship.

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The birthright citizenship fight had landed at the Supreme Court already once this year. After lower courts halted Trump's order, the administration took the matter to the Supreme Court to challenge the power of federal judges to issue so-called "universal" injunctions preventing presidential policies from applying against anyone, anywhere.

The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling powered by its conservative majority, issued a ruling in June blunting the power of federal judges but did not resolve the legality of Trump's directive. The ruling left open the possibility for courts to grant broad relief to states or to individual plaintiffs through class action lawsuits.

The Supreme Court has sided with Trump in a series of decisions this year allowing various policies to take effect after they were impeded by lower courts that cast doubt on their legality. Among these policies were Trump's revocation of temporary legal protections on humanitarian grounds for hundreds of thousands of migrants, deportations of migrants to countries other than their own and domestic immigration enforcement raids.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court next week weighs the legality of Donald Trump's firing of a Federal Trade Commission member in a major test of presidential power over agencies set up by Congress to be insulated from White House control in a case that could imperil a 90-year-old legal precedent.

The court hears arguments on Monday in the Justice Department's appeal of a lower court's decision that Trump exceeded his authority when he moved to dismiss Democratic FTC member Rebecca Slaughter in March before her term was set to expire.

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The case gives the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, an opportunity to overturn a New Deal-era Supreme Court precedent in a case called Humphrey's Executor v. United States that has shielded the heads of independent agencies from removal since 1935.

Such an outcome would be welcomed by proponents of a conservative legal doctrine called the "unitary executive" theory who see the president as possessing sole authority over the executive branch including the power to fire heads of independent agencies at will and pick their replacements.

Critics of this doctrine note that Congress enacted tenure-protected terms for independent agency heads to keep these offices free from political interference. Making such officials removable at the president's whim, they say, would threaten the regulatory stability relied upon by businesses, consumers and the American public.

'THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE'

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John Yoo, who served as a Justice Department lawyer under Republican former President George W. Bush, said the Slaughter case presents "one of the most important questions over the last century on the workings of the federal government."

"The future of the independence of the administrative state is at issue," said Yoo, referring to the collection of federal agencies that regulate key aspects of American life and business, from finance to air traffic safety to labor relations.

Among unitary executive proponents like Yoo, now a professor at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, a president's authority to fire executive branch officials "is centrally important because removal is the only tool by which a president can formally require subordinates to follow his commands."

Advocates of the unitary executive have long called for the Supreme Court to overrule the Humphrey's Executor decision, which rebuffed Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt's attempt to fire a Federal Trade Commission member over policy differences despite tenure protections given by Congress. The Slaughter case involves a Republican president firing a member of the same agency, also over policy differences.

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In the 1935 decision, the court said restricting a president's removal of commissioners was lawful because the FTC performed tasks more closely resembling legislative and judicial functions rather than those belonging squarely to the executive branch, headed by the president.

The Constitution set up a separation of powers among the U.S. government's coequal executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Overturning or narrowing Humphrey's Executor would bolster Trump's authority at a time when he already has been testing the constitutional limits of presidential powers in areas as diverse as immigration, tariffs and domestic military deployments.

THE ROLE OF CONGRESS

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A 1914 law passed by Congress permits a president to remove FTC commissioners only for cause - such as inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office - but not for policy differences. Similar protections cover officials at more than two dozen other independent agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board.

University of Illinois Chicago law professor Steve Schwinn said an unfettered view of presidential firing authority fails to fully account for the key role Congress plays in shaping government agencies.

"A president might argue that (broad removal authority) makes agencies more responsive to the president's policy preferences, and that this makes sense, given that the president sits atop the executive branch," Schwinn said.

"The problem with this thinking is that Congress also has a clear textual role in creating, vesting with authority, funding, and even structuring agencies," Schwinn added, referring to the Constitution. "This is part of our separation-of-powers, checks-and-balances system."

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CHIPPING AWAY AT HUMPHREY'S EXECUTOR

The case tests whether the court's conservatives are willing to overturn yet another precedent, as they have in major rulings in recent years rolling back abortion rights, rejecting race-conscious college admissions policies and ending the doctrine of deferring to U.S. agencies in interpreting laws they administer.

The Supreme Court in recent decades narrowed the reach of Humphrey's Executor but stopped short of overturning it. In a 2020 ruling that upheld Humphrey's, it said Article II of the Constitution gives the president the general power to remove heads of agencies at will, but that the Humphrey's Executor decision had carved out an exception that allowed for-cause removal protections for certain multi-member, expert agencies.

If the court broadly invalidates tenure protections for agency heads, it would be "a dramatic change in the law and in practice," said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Berkeley Law School, adding that it would allow a president "to fire all commissioners of all agencies and replace them all."

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"There will be far less stability in the law," Chemerinsky said. "Agencies will be perceived as, and will be, part of carrying out a president's agenda."

TRUMP'S FTC FIRINGS

Slaughter was one of two Democratic commissioners who Trump moved to fire in March from the consumer protection and antitrust agency before her term expires in 2029. The firings drew criticism from Democratic senators and antimonopoly groups concerned that the move was designed to eliminate opposition within the agency to big corporations.

Washington-based U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan in July blocked Trump's firing of Slaughter, rejecting his administration's argument that the tenure protections unlawfully encroached on presidential power. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in September in a 2-1 decision kept AliKhan's ruling in place.

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But the Supreme Court later in September allowed Trump's ouster of Slaughter to go into effect - an action that drew dissents from its three liberal justices - while agreeing to hear arguments in the case.

The lower courts ruled that the statutory protections shielding FTC members from being removed without cause comply with the Constitution in light of the Humphrey's Executor precedent.

The Trump administration has argued that the modern FTC "indisputably wields executive power," thus bolstering the case that its members can be fired at will by the president.

Lawyers for Slaughter acknowledged that the FTC's powers have grown since the Humphrey's Executor decision. But citing Supreme Court precedent they argued that the constitutionality of removal restrictions does not hinge on the breadth of an agency's regulatory and enforcement authority.

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In May, the Supreme Court allowed Trump's dismissals of officials at the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board - despite congressionally mandated job protections for those posts - while legal challenges proceeded.

The court in that ruling said the Constitution gives the president wide latitude to fire government officials who wield executive power on his behalf, and that the administration "is likely to show that both the NLRB and MSPB exercise considerable executive power."

Citing that rationale in July, the court also allowed Trump to remove three Democratic members of the U.S. government's top consumer product safety watchdog while a legal challenge to their removal proceeds.

In January, the justices will hear arguments over Trump's attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a move without precedent that challenges the central bank's independence. Unlike with Slaughter, the court left Cook in her position for the time being.

(Reporting by John Kruzel)
Years after the bodies of a woman and her 2-year-old daughter were found on Long Island -- once associated with the Gilgo Beach serial murders -- her suspected killer appeared before a Florida judge on Thursday facing murder charges.

Andrew Dykes, 66, was arrested Wednesday near Tampa on a warrant out of Nassau County, New York, in connection with the 1997 death of Tanya Jackson, law enforcement sources told ABC News.

The Nassau County district attorney's office declined to comment.

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Jackson was 26 when she was found dismembered in Lakeview in June 1997. Her 2-year-old year old daughter, Tatiana, was found 14 years later near Gilgo Beach.

RELATED | Nassau County police reveal ID of Gilgo Beach victim 'Peaches' and her toddler

For years, Jackson, a U.S. Army veteran, was known only as "Peaches" because of a distinctive tattoo, and her daughter as "Baby Doe."

In April, authorities in New York announced they had finally identified Jackson and her daughter and offered a $25,000 reward for information in the cold case.

The girl's remains were found in 2011 close to where the remains of other women were found along the southern shore of Long Island leading to speculation the deaths were the work of the Gilgo Beach serial killer.

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Long Island architect and father Rex Heuermann was arrested in 2023 in connection with several of the Gilgo Beach slayings and later charged with killing seven women.

Heuermann, who has pleaded not guilty, was never charged with the killings of Jackson or her daughter.

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The 16-year-old boy accused of shooting a Tacoma man multiple times in an apartment elevator while he was surrounded by three other teenagers was arrested last week with a group suspected of firing at a Seattle police officer and fleeing south on Interstate 5.

He is one of two teenagers alleged to have shot 18-year-old Messiah Washington on Feb. 22 and was the only suspect who had not yet been apprehended.

Washington lived with his father on the third floor of an apartment building in the Hilltop neighborhood. The shooting occurred minutes after the group of four knocked on their door. Pierce County prosecutors have said in court documents it is reasonable to infer they were trying to rob Washingtons father or a friend of his who was known to traffic stolen guns and other property on social media.

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The News Tribune is not naming the 16-year-old boy because he was 15 at the time of the homicide and is being prosecuted in Pierce County Juvenile Court, where he is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Prosecutors might seek to move his case to adult court at a later date.

Messiah Washington, 18, was fatally shot inside an apartment building on Feb. 22, 2025 in Tacoma.

The boy was arrested Nov. 29 with three girls ages 15-17. According to the Seattle Police Department, the group was driving erratically and at high speed at about 9 p.m. on Aurora Avenue North when Community Response Group (CRG) officers tried to stop the vehicle.

Police said the Durango fled, and officers didnt pursue it. A short time later police found the vehicle parked in South Seattle, according to the Police Department. When it began moving again, police said an occupant fired several rounds at a CRG officer in a plain vehicle.

The officer wasnt hurt, police said, but a witness vehicle was struck, and bullet fragments were left in a persons lap. Police chased the Durango south on Interstate 5 into Tukwila, and the pursuit ended at South 188th Street and Military Road South after officers used a Precision Immobilization Technique.

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The three girls and the boy, who police said ran from the vehicle, were taken into custody. A handgun was found nearby, and police said a second gun was recovered from the boy.

Two more male suspects ran from the Durango, police said. Multiple police agencies responded to search for them, but they were not found. Police noted that a short time later a man who had been shot in the leg arrived at Valley Medical Center in Renton.

Police said the four arrested were booked into detention at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center on suspicion of two counts of first-degree assault, possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm and eluding a police vehicle.

The 16-year-old boy is expected to be transported to Pierce County after a warrant for his arrest in a custodial assault case out of King County is resolved, according to Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office. McNerthney told The News Tribune the boy had a hearing in that case Thursday.

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McNerthney said a charging decision in the Interstate 5 incident wont be made until after police complete their investigation, which he said is ongoing.

Of the four teenagers charged in connection to Washingtons death in Tacoma, one boy who was 16 at the time of the homicide pleaded guilty in September in Juvenile Court to first-degree attempted robbery.

The other defendants cases are ongoing in Juvenile Court. Prosecutors are seeking to move them to adult court at hearings set for January and February.
The man suspected of planting pipe bombs in Washington DC the night before the 6 January 2021 deadly attack on the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump trying to overturn his election defeat made his first appearance in federal court on Friday.

Brian Cole Jr, 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, appeared before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya Friday afternoon in Washington DC to face two explosives-related charges on the day after his arrest. Cole was accused of placing pipe bombs outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties not far from the US Capitol and the White House on the evening of 5 January 2021. Upadhyaya set a detention hearing for 15 December, with prosecutors expected to ask to detain Cole before trial.

Cole told investigators that he believed in conspiracy theories that the 2020 election won by Joe Biden over Donald Trump was stolen, reported CNN and NBC, citing people familiar with the matter. The Associated Press reported that Cole confessed to planting the bombs. The FBI and Department of Justice have not commented on Coles alleged motivations.

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The devices were not discovered until the next day and were deactivated by police. Neither exploded and no one was hurt.

Related: US airstrike survivors clung to boat wreckage for an hour before second deadly attack, video shows

Cole was taken into custody on Thursday, the first suspect to be apprehended and named as the perpetrator by the authorities, after the justice department touted a break in a case that long vexed investigators.

FBI officials have said that dealing with the bombs required significant police resources as thousands of Trump supporters, many just coming from a rally by the then outgoing president urging them to overturn his defeat by Joe Biden, broke into the US Capitol in a failed attempt to stop Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 election.

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Justice department officials have not provided a motive for pipe bomb incident or said if there was any link between the placement of the bombs and the insurrection at the Capitol, where lawmakers and staff had to flee for their lives.

Investigators traced purchases of several components used to make the bombs, including pipes, kitchen timers and battery connectors to Cole, according to an FBI affidavit laying out the evidence in the case.

Cellphone and license plate data also placed Cole in Washington near the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee buildings that evening, according to the affidavit.

The federal charges against him carry a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

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The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, said on Thursday that there was no new information that led authorities to Cole, but that a review of existing evidence led to the identification of the suspect.

Reuters contributed reporting
Two experienced sailors were discovered deceased aboard their yacht in the Mozambique Channel last week after issuing a distress call, according to The Guardian. Australian sailor Deirdre Cookie Sibly, 67, and her French companion, Pascal Mahe, were found dead under mysterious circumstances as their vessel drifted near Madagascar, approximately 200 miles northeast of Beira, Mozambique. The pair had been traveling from Reunion Island toward Durban, South Africa, as part of what family members described as a dream voyage when tragedy struck.

Authorities responded after a nearby cargo ship picked up a distress signal transmitted from the yacht. Despite attempts to make contact with those on board, there was no response, raising immediate concerns about the crews welfare. When officials eventually boarded the vessel, they discovered both sailors had perished, prompting an international investigation and fears of possible piracy in a region with a history of maritime crime.

Details Of The Maritime Tragedy

Sibly, known to friends and family as Cookie, was described by her sister Sue Good as an adventurous, outdoor soul who had been having the time of her life on her journey. According to Good, the plan was for Sibly to reach Durban and potentially continue to Cape Town before flying home to Australia.

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Good told reporters, It isnt a very safe place in the world to be sailing. She knew that, referring to the waters between Mozambique and Madagascar, where the incident occurred. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Siblys family but declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation.

DFAT stated: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian missing in the Mozambique channel. Our thoughts are with the family at this distressing time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.

What Travelers Should Know About Pirate Attack Risks And Maritime Safety

Maritime security experts emphasize several critical steps for vessels traveling through high-risk waters. According to the Offshore Injury Firm, vigilance is one of the best ways to protect against pirate attacks. Pirates typically approach and attack at dawn and dusk to avoid detection, making these times particularly dangerous. Vessel owners should implement comprehensive security measures, including:

Registering with maritime security organizations before entering known piracy areas

Maintaining continuous communication with international naval security centers

Implementing physical deterrents such as anti-boarding measures (razor wire, electric fences)

Installing secure communication systems for emergency distress calls

Utilizing surveillance and monitoring systems to detect suspicious activities

Traveling in convoys when possible through high-risk areas

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If a pirate attack becomes imminent, maritime safety protocols recommend several steps:

Issue an immediate MAYDAY call and contact relevant maritime authorities

Increase the ships speed to maximum if possible

Employ aggressive maneuvering to create disruptive waves

Deploy non-lethal deterrents such as water hoses or sonic devices

Have the crew retreat to a predetermined safe room if boarding begins

The Offshore Injury Firm advises compliance with pirates demands if boarded, as resistance can escalate violence. They recommend that sailors remain calm, cooperate, and refrain from using firearms or other weapons, even if they are available.







The post Suspected Pirate Attack In The Mozambique Channel Leaves Two Sailors Dead On Adventure Of A Lifetime Voyage appeared first on Travel Noire.
A suspicious car parked on South Third Street in front of the Vigo County Courthouse was declared clear of any explosives by Indiana State Police around 6 p.m. Thursday, ending an afternoon drama and traffic snarl of about four hours.

MET 120425 SUSPICIOUS ISP BOMB SQUAD

A member of the Indiana State Police bomb squad walks toward a suspicious vehicle that was parked in the middle of the southbound lanes of U.S. 41 in front of the Vigo County Courthouse on Thursday.

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By 6:30 p.m., the Terre Haute Police Department had reopened Third Street and cleared the scene involving the vehicle at Third and Cherry streets.

Arrested was Jessie L. Ison, 55, of Terre Haute, who was booked into Vigo County Jail on initial charges of felony intimidation and obstruction of traffic, THPD said.

Police said the man had left the vehicle sideways in traffic lanes near the intersection, exited the vehicle and made comments of concern. He was detained, questioned and later arrested, said Lt. Justin Sears.

Starting around 2 p.m. drivers were being asked to avoid Third Street between Cherry Street and Wabash Avenue  and the entire area around the courthouse and Terre Haute City Hall  while officers investigated a suspicious vehicle.

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Among concerns were the potential presence of explosives, Terre Haute police said.

A team from the state police bomb squad, or Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team, arrived about 4:45 p.m.

The Terre Haute Fire Department also was present and had equipment at scene in the event of a possible explosion or detonation, said Captain Nick Arnold, fire department spokesman.

MET 120425 SUSPICIOUS CAR TRAFFIC

Vigo County Sheriffs Department deputies redirect traffic off southbound U.S. 41 near the Indiana State University campus on Thursday after a man parked his car in traffic in front of the Vigo County Courthouse.

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Both the courthouse and City Hall were evacuated. All street access points to the courthouse were shut down, according to Vigo County Central Dispatch.

Traffic was being diverted westbound to First Street.

The Vigo County Courthouse was closed for the remainder of the day, said Chris Switzer, county commissioner. The city of Terre Haute rescheduled its council meeting planned for Thursday night to 6 p.m. Dec. 11, said the city clerks office.
By Tim Hepher

PARIS, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Saab and Airbus are discussing co-operation on unmanned warplane technology, senior executives of the companies told Reuters, a move highlighting surging interest in drones and evolving alliances in Europe's fractured defence industry.

The project, revealed in separate CEO interviews at a European industry event this week, focuses on exploring unmanned aircraft to support the current generation of crewed combat jets like the Airbus-backed Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen E.

But industry sources said that if successful, it could also provide a catalyst for broader co-operation on air power, especially if a troubled FCAS fighter project between France and Airbus' defence paymasters Germany and Spain falls apart.

Asked whether Airbus had already been in touch with Saab about joining forces if FCAS fails, Saab CEO Micael Johansson said the companies already had good relations through Saab's Arexis Electronic Warfare system, equipping German Eurofighters.

He added: "And we have discussed whether we can we do something on the unmanned side which complements our legacy fighters".

Saab is also talking to other players but no decisions have been taken. "That could be an opportunity, but of course we are discussing," Johansson said on the sidelines of a Brussels forum hosted by Europe's ASD, the association which represents Europe's aerospace and defence industry.

Asked at the same event about those remarks, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury confirmed the previously unreported talks and said the companies had strong relations in electronics and missiles.

"And we see good perspectives to continue to work with them on unmanned - that's something that we are discussing with them, which is unrelated to FCAS," he said.

"We'll see what the programme will look like in the future. But today, the discussions we're having are directly between Airbus and Saab, unrelated to other problems."

WINGMAN DEVELOPMENTS

Both companies have joined in a surge of interest in futuristic uncrewed fighters known as collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) or loyal wingman, designed to support human-piloted warplanes.

Airbus presented a model of its stealthy "Wingman" concept at the Berlin Airshow in 2024.

Saab said last month it had received a new Swedish government order for studies on manned and unmanned warplanes, extending a previous contract dating from Sweden's 2023 decision to quit the UK-led Tempest fighter study, now part of the GCAP fighter jet project between Britain, Italy and Japan.
Taiwan says it will block access to popular Chinese social media app RedNote or Xiaohongshu for one year following concerns over online shopping scams.

The island's Criminal Investigation Bureau said Thursday it detected more than 1,700 fraud cases on the app since last year, with total losses worth more than NT$247m (5.9m; $7.9m), local media report.

The app is a TikTok-like platform with built-in shopping features. Taiwan's internet service providers have been ordered to block access to the app, affecting at least three million domestic users, according to local reports.

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The BBC has contacted Xiaohongshu and Taiwanese authorities for comment.

BBC checks in Taiwan showed that the platform is no longer accessible to some users. Instead, the app displays a message stating it is unavailable due to "security restrictions."

Taiwan news outlets said that the app is being banned over a spate of fraud cases and after failing to meet data security standards, putting users at risk.

The app's operators do not have a local office and has not responded to regulators' request to submit a plan to improve its cyber-security measures, Taipei Times quoted Taiwan's interior minister as saying.

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Xiaohongshu, which launched in 2013, has hundreds of millions of users worldwide, and is especially popular in Asia. The app's user-base grew this year as users in America sought alternatives to TikTok after the government threatened to ban the Chinese platform in the US.

Taiwan's temporary ban comes as concerns grow over Beijing's use of social media to cultivate more favourable views of China and to spread disinformation.

Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be returned to Chinese control. China has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this goal.

Xiaohongshu has also faced pressure from Chinese regulators, which said in September that it has called for "strict punishment" on the firm's bosses over "negative" posts on its platform.
Tanzania's white beaches and safari lodges are emptier than usual as the country counts the cost to its crucial tourism sector from the mass killing of protesters during recent election unrest.

The election on October 29 erupted into days of violent protests over allegations that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had rigged the vote.

Police responded by shooting dead more than 1,000 people, according to the opposition, though the government has still not given a final body count.

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With fresh protests called for December 9, there are fears of more disruption to come.

"The current situation is very disturbing," said a hotel manager in Arusha, one of the cities serving as a gateway to the Serengeti safari park.

"In my hotel, 150 bookings and four international events that were planned for December have been cancelled so far," the manager said, adding the hotel was below 30 percent full, compared to two-thirds or higher for that period normally.

The government has insisted there is nothing for tourists to fear.

"Our nation remains peaceful, calm, and open to all," spokesman Gerson Msigwa told reporters.

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Beyond the internet blackout and cancelled flights at the height of the unrest, tourists have indeed been largely unaffected.

"I don't think it's having a real impact on us foreigners," said French tourist Jeremy Fuzel, shopping for handicrafts with his wife and young daughter on the island of Zanzibar.

But business has been noticeably slow, said shopkeepers in the island's capital, Stone Town.

"Sometimes there are a few slow days, but not two weeks in a row like this," said Nazir Adam, a jeweller. "It's the topic everyone is talking about here right now."

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- 'Fear to speak' -

That is a problem in the east African country where tourism has become the biggest revenue source, attracting a record 2.14 million international visitors last year and projected to make nearly $4 billion this year.

"Many people may fear to speak about the real situation but almost half of the tourism business is disrupted," said a tour operator in Arusha, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of violent reprisals by the police.

Activists say tourists should stay away to punish the government for its violence.

"If you go snorkelling or swimming you might find body parts as we received solid information that bodies were dumped into the Indian Ocean," said exiled activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai on X.

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But others say tourism's real problems stem from recent counter-productive government policies.

Nora Suleiman, founder of the Nakupenda Tours agency on Zanzibar, blamed a new $44 insurance fee and $90 passenger tax on plane tickets for putting off tourists.

Patrice Caradec, head of French tour operators union SETO, said the biggest problem was a ban on Tanzanian airlines flying in the European Union this year over a lack of safety personnel.

"Tanzania has been a hit with the French for several years," but it dropped by 15-18 percent this summer, he said, largely because of the airline ban.

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- 'Rebuilding confidence' -

The most frustrating aspect, Caradec said, was that SETO sent a team to help Tanzania deal with the paperwork to get the ban removed, but it was ignored by the Tanzanian government.

"Between the blacklisted airlines... and the riots, I can confirm that quite a few of our compatriots have decided not to go," he said.

Mabrian, a consultancy using artificial intelligence to measure global sentiment about countries and industries, made a more direct link to the election unrest.

It found there was a 14 percent drop in its perception-of-security index for Tanzania in November among international travellers year-on-year. Hotel prices were also down 14 percent.

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"Even once the political situation stabilises, rebuilding confidence in travellers' safety and security will remain a crucial and urgent challenge for Tanzania," said Mabrian analyst Carlos Cendra.

str-er/sbk/jhb
Republicans sounded the alarm at the outcome of Tuesdays Tennessee special election in which Democratic candidate Aftyn Behn significantly overperformed in reliably Republican territory.

Republican Matt Van Epps defeated Behn by roughly 9 points, a far narrower margin than the 22 points President Trump carried the district by last year. The unexpectedly competitive race underscores potential vulnerabilities for Republicans as they seek to fend off a potential blue wave in the 2026 midterms and protect their razor-thin majority.

That concern was evident on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

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Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told reporters that Republicans better wake up.

We go to the polls when theres a president. We got to worry more about the House, the Senate, our state legislators, our school boards. All those are very important, he said.

He added that hes always concerned with how Republicans will fare next year in the midterms, and that the party needs to get into the messaging game.

And Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said that while Van Epps won, Republicans should be sober about the result.

The Americans dont feel better yet about the economy, and I think the last elections, it seems like the Democrats are outpacing expectations by about 10 points. Thats a tough election, if thats like that a year from now, which means we got to get our act together on the economy and tariffs, and I think the presidents got [to get] his act together on Ukraine  and stop the chaos, Bacon said.

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The GOPs tight victory also lands against the backdrop of a Democratic winning streak, marked by decisive triumphs in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races and a major win in the New York City mayoral contest this November.

Matt Whitlock, a former senior adviser to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, wrote on the social platform X that the Tennessee special election was one of the biggest flashing red light warning signs weve seen yet for Republicans.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had campaigned for Van Epps, a former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of General Services, in the days leading up to the election. Trump urged his nearly 109 million followers on X to vote for the MAGA Warrior and even phoned in on rallies held by the candidate. Millions of dollars had been poured into the race.

The election was as close as it was despite arguably a fairly favorable candidate.  I think Republicans are right to look at that result and be anxious about what the next year holds, said Jacob Rubashkin, the deputy editor of Inside Elections, which provides nonpartisan analysis of congressional races.

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Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told Fox News that Republicans could have lost this district because many of the voters who showed up were motivated by how much they dislike President Trump.

He suggested Republicans need to do more to increase turnout as the 2026 midterms approach.

In a year, its going to be a turnout election, and the left will show up. Hate is a powerful motivator. They hate President Trump.  Weve got to set out the alarm bells that if we allow the Democrats to flip the house, to flip the Senate, it is an absolute catastrophe, he said.

Still, Trump celebrated Van Eppss victory, writing in a Truth Social post Tuesday that it was a BIG Congressional WIN and adding that the Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him, including Millions of Dollars.

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And some House Republicans told The Hill they thought the election results werent any indication of how the midterms will go next year.

Its a special election in one district in Tennessee, won by 9 points by a guy who didnt have name ID, and now does have more name ID, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said. I dont think you can read too much into an election beyond that.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters Wednesday that the GOP faces political headwinds after avoiding a Democratic upset in the election.

Nine points is a fairly handy win. It wasnt what obviously what the president won the district by. I dont think you can read too much into it, he said.

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But, he added, Obviously, we need to take to heart the fact that we have to sharpen our message and make sure that were giving people a reason to vote for us in the midterms next year.

And even Democrats indicated their party still has a substantial amount of work to do ahead of next years midterm elections.

Ive been here seven years. Things can change very easily, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) said. I dont think what happened yesterday is an indication that we dont continue working and doing what we need to do and moving towards going after corporate greed and the things that our residents want us to do.

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.
Authorities are releasing hundreds of 911 calls from the deadly flash floods that devastated parts of Texas Hill Country on July 4, killing more than 130 people, including dozens of young campers.

Kerrville Police Chief Chris McCall warned that the calls received by dispatchers are distressing.

"Some callers did not survive," he said in a video posted on Facebook Thursday. "We ask that you keep them and their family members, loved ones and friends in your thoughts and prayers."

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McCall said that starting at 2:52 a.m. on July 4, the Kerrville Police Department, which was staffed by only two people at the time, began receiving 911 calls. The dispatchers answered a total of 435 emergency calls, including 106 calls alone between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., he said.

One woman who called from Camp Mystic, a summer camp for girls where more than two dozen people died, said on a call, "There is water everywhere, we cannot move. We are upstairs in a room and the water is rising."

"If the water will be higher than the room, what should we do?" she asked.

"How do we get to the roof if the water is so high?" she asked in a later call. "Can you already send someone here? With the boats?"

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She also asked the dispatcher when help would come.



"I don't know. I don't know," the dispatcher said.

Another caller told a dispatcher a house had washed away.

A 10-foot cross is seen along the banks of the Guadalupe River in front of Camp Mystic on July 18, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. / Credit: Brenda BazAn /The Washington Post via Getty Images

"Our cabin is up on stilts, and there are cabins floating and knocking into our cabin," one woman said. "There is no higher ground. We are on the second level right now, but we're also on stilts and if they collapse, we're down."

One woman said she and her family were "currently trapped in our house. We are actively breaking out through the back."

The recording captured the sound of a baby crying and loud repeating bangs.



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"We're breaking a hole in the roof right now," she explained.

About one mile from Camp Mystic, one woman said girls had been rescued who had been spotted floating downstream.



"We've already got two little girls who have come down the river and we've gotten to them, but I'm not sure how many else are out there," she said. "We've been able to grab them and that's all we've seen so far."

The Kerrville Police Department said it worked with the Texas Attorney General's Office and determined that all the calls should be released without redaction in order to comply with Freedom of Information Act requests made by eight media outlets.

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McCall praised the 911 dispatchers for showing "incredible perseverance" amid the high call volumes to "provide assistance and comfort to every caller."

"Once the basic critical information was collected and no more assistance over the phone could be provided, telecommunicators were faced with the difficult decision to disconnect and move on to the next call," he said.

Most deaths during the floods were along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, including at least 27 campers and staff from Camp Mystic. Many of the campers who died were the camp's youngest attendees.

Last month, the families of several campers and counselors who died in the flash flood filed a lawsuit accusing the camp and its owners of gross negligence and reckless disregard for safety.

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Earlier this month, Camp Mystic announced it is installing new high-tech river monitors and safety upgrades.

The Hill Country region is naturally prone to flash flooding because its dry, dirt-packed soil cannot soak up heavy rain.

"As our community continues to recover, please make sure you're taking care of yourself emotionally," McCall said. "I'm proud of the strength and resiliency shown by our community in the wake of this tragedy, and the care and comfort we have shown for those lost."

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SOMERSET, Pa.  A young girl testified Thursday that former Somerset County 911 coordinator Bradley Lavan showed her video of a child-like character in a crib committing sex acts before encouraging her to do the same.

She was a baby, the now-7-year-old said, recalling the image she said Lavan played on his phone when they were alone together several years ago.

The childs alleged recollections, which were questioned by Lavans defense counsel, were part of prosecutors third day of presenting their case against him at trial in Somerset.

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Lavan, 32, faces more than 35 child sex-related charges, accused of sexually assaulting five separate children over a two-year span at his now-former Somerset home.

The child who testified Thursday, in front of a camera whose recording was simulcast into the courtroom, was the third child to talk with attorneys this week.

The young girl told Somerset County Trial Deputy Christina DeMarco-Breeden that she had to perform sex acts on Lavan more than 10 times  usually in his basement while her mother or other adults werent nearby. Another time, an incident occurred in a bedroom, she said.

Discussing the stories made her feel uncomfortable, the girl testified.

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Lavans attorneys dispute the allegations, and have often highlighted how the childrens accounts have differed over time.

Georgia-based defense attorney Scott King has argued in court that the children  who were between the ages of 3 and 6 during the timeframe of the allegations  absorbed stories fed to them through years of interviews with authorities and questions and suggestions from fearful parents.

Testimony has indicated Lavan was accused after one of the children learned about body safety and good touch, bad touch in preschool.

Citing the childrens extremely young ages and the passage of time, DeMarco-Breeden told jurors Monday that their statements wont always align, but their core stories about Lavans behavior paint a clear picture of his crimes, she said.

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Regarding the young girl who testified Thursday, her forensic interviews from 2023 were played in court. They illustrated how her disclosures changed over time  first denying Lavan committed any sexual acts, and later saying that he did. King highlighted that in his questioning.

But Somerset County Child Advocacy Center Director Sara Buterbaugh said children respond to trauma differently  and said she saw signs the child was anxious in the initial interview.

King disagreed, noting that the child at one point said she was happy.

Buterbaugh, who conducted the girls interviews, countered that the child kept shutting down during certain phases of their discussion  responding that she didnt remember events they had previously discussed or things the girl did just hours earlier.

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When the interview questions shifted to contact with Lavan, the child started covering her own mouth with her hand or bit down on it, Buterbaugh said.

Buterbaugh testified that she felt a second interview was also necessary because three separate children provided similar stories that they saw her being abused by Lavan.

She said she also wanted the child to receive trauma therapy.

Some (abuse victims) open up over time, Buterbaugh said. It can take years ... and some never report (abuse).

Teachers and other educators at two of the childrens schools testified about their behavior in 2023 and 2024.

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One said a child disclosed he was assaulted and that, as a mandated reporter, she made a ChildLine call in 2023.

A first-grade teacher said she grew concerned when one of her students suddenly started stating that she was sick during a small group instruction period in November, when she and a few classmates were assigned a book that had a character named Brad in the story.

The teacher said she had no idea of the childs alleged abuse history until she reached out to her mother about the childs trend of stomach issues. The problems subsided after the teacher switched to a different book, she said.

The Somerset County trial is expected to run through most of next week, with prosecutors expected to call a number of additional witnesses before resting their case and giving Lavans defense an opportunity to present its own testimony.
Thousands of schoolchildren in Germany demonstrated against the government's plans for a new voluntary military service in cities and towns across the country on Friday.

Many of them skipped school to take part in the protests after organizers had called for a "school strike against conscription".

Germany's lower house backed the bill on Friday morning, which must now be approved by the upper house before it can take effect in January.

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Young men will then have to undergo medical examinations and be registered on a list, while active service remains voluntary.

The plans now provide for parliament to decide on needs-based conscription if targets for expanding the armed forces are missed through voluntary measures alone.

Many young people took part in the demonstrations, especially in the big cities. Police estimated that around 3,000 demonstrators had gathered in Berlin at midday and marched through the Kreuzberg district.

Many carried banners and chanted slogans. Parents with small children and primary school classes carrying homemade posters also took part in the demonstration.

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"We don't want conscription, that's why we're here today," Justin, 16, told dpa. "There are people who have other wishes and dream jobs. If they are drafted, that will be ruined for them."

"I don't think anyone should be forced against their will to join the military," Theo, also 16, said.

Both Berlin pupils said they had their parents write them sick notes so they could attend the demonstration.

Police said 1,700 people took to the streets in Hamburg, while organizers spoke of up to 5,000 participants.

Demonstrations also took place in Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, with around 1,000 participants in Dortmund and several hundred each in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Essen and Bochum.

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Some 2,000 people took part in the school strike across Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz in eastern Germany.

The predominantly young protesters in Dresden chanted "No people, no pennies for the Bundeswehr," and "Up with education, down with weapons".

In southern Germany, demonstrations drew several thousands of people in Munich, Stuttgart, Freiburg and Heidelberg.

According to the police, around 600 schoolchildren gathered in Frankfurt. Among them were Friedemann, 15, and Max, 16, who said they thought it was important to show "that we don't agree with older politicians deciding how we should live or what we should do."
File photo by Paul Bradbury/Getty Images.

More than 10,000 Ohioans could return to homelessness due to a federal funding policy change for local homeless assistance programs, advocates warn.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a new Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Continuum of Care program on Nov. 13 that would limit funding for programs for certain permanent housing programs to 30% of a communitys total Continuum of Care grant, instead of the current 87%.

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HUDs Continuum of Care Program is the largest federal grant funding source for homelessness services and housing.

It helps fund permanent supportive housing, repaid rehousing, and transitional housing, among other things.

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Whats the most critical part of this shift is that there are 10,000 people across the state of just Ohio that will potentially lose their housing because the supports will not be there any longer for them to remain in the place that theyve called home, said Amy Riegel, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio.

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Nationally, 170,000 people are at risk of going back to homelessness because of this policy change.

That is a lot of individuals at one time that none of our systems can absorb to be able to support them and the needs that they would then have, Riegel said.

The application for funds has to be submitted to HUD by Jan. 14, 2026, and funds are likely to be announced in May 2026, Riegel said.

On January 1, programs will start to be affected by these changes, and by May 1, almost every program receiving funding through the Continuum of Care process will be affected by the delays in funding and also then the shifts in the priorities of the program, Riegel said.

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HUD announced $178 million in Continuum of Care funding for Ohio back in January and this federal policy change could take $80 million away from Ohio programs that house people experiencing homelessness.

Ohio would be one of the most impacted states since it relies on federal funds for a majority of its permanent housing beds for people experiencing homelessness, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

We were able to build great programs that are very effective and work well for people, but in this case we will be at greater risk than other states because of that, Riegel said.

Because were doing well and because we meet the objectives of the program, well actually lose out in this process.

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Louisiana was the only state that has more permanent housing beds funded by the Continuum of Care program with 75%.

Twenty states sued the Trump administration over these cuts to federal funding for local homeless assistance programs, but Ohio was not one of them.

Over the summer, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to get people experiencing homelessness off the streets by committing them to mental health institutions or drug treatment centers without their consent.

But Riegel said this HUD announcement runs counter to Trumps executive order.

There is a mismatch in what the administration is saying and then the actual policy that they put forward thats very confusing and makes it very difficult for communities to understand how to actually respond to the needs that they have at home, she said.

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The executive order goes against Housing First, a homeless assistance approach that was first adopted federally during the George W. Bush Administration, which prioritizes housing without any prerequisites, such as sobriety or participation in treatment.

Getting people access directly from streets into housing is what solves the housing crisis, said Christopher Knestrick, executive director for the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.

If we think about homelessness, the solution to homelessness is housing. We need to continue to give people access to housing and then provide wraparound services to them.

Winter is a volatile time for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness, Riegel said.

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These conditions are extreme, and it is very difficult for even a person who is healthy and has proper clothing and all of those items to spend any length of time outdoors, she said.

It is also a time where people may seek shelter that is unstable or unfit for human habitability, and that also creates dangers for those individuals.

Homelessness in the U.S. increased 18% last year with 771,480 people experiencing homelessness, according to HUD.

There were 11,759 people experiencing homelessness in Ohio last year about a 3% increase, according to the HUD.

Nearly 80% of those experiencing homelessness in Ohio were sheltered while the rest were unsheltered.

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There were 2,556 people experiencing homelessness in Franklin County during Januarys Point-in-Time Count  a 7.4% increase from last year, according to the Community Shelter Board.

Ohioans need to be making at least $22.51 an hour working a full-time job to be able to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment, according to COHHIO and the National Low Income Housing Coalitions 2025 Out of Reach report.

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Three men have been arrested in connection with an Oct. 21 rooftop burglary at the Treasure Coast Mall in Martin County. Authorties say the arrests ends a months-long investigation into an organized theft ring in which hundreds of sneakers were stolen from shoe stores across Florida and Georgia.

Their arrests brings an end to what is believed to be a $1-million organized shoe-theft ring, the Martin County Sheriffs Office said.

Arrested were Herbert L. Davis III, Michael McCray, and Tyrone Howard, all from Tampa. They charged by the Martin County Sheriffs Office after they cut a hole in the malls roof and stole hundreds of high-end sneakers, the sheriffs office said.

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The investigation began shortly after the October crime was discovered, with detectives quickly identifying the group and tracking their movements, the sheriffs office said.

Surveillance was conducted as the suspects attempted additional crimes, allowing detectives to gather evidence of their involvement in the theft ring.

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A top economic adviser to President Donald Trump hinted at a backup plan if the White House loses its Supreme Court fight over tariffs.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule this month on whether Trump has the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Supreme Court appeared skeptical of the Trump administrations case during oral arguments last month.

Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, suggested that the administration will find another way to impose tariffs if the Supreme Court strikes them down.

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Were right on the law, Hassett told Fox Business Maria Bartiromo.

He has full authority to declare an emergency, and he also has full authority to regulate trade if he sees theres an emergency, and how else are you going to regulate trade but through a tariff or a quota? Hassett added.

He echoed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessents comments from earlier this week when he said there is another plan for tariffs if the Supreme Court rules against the administration.

And so we feel like on the law, were very, strong. But even if the Supreme Court disagrees with us, we have a backup plan that will get these things in place right away, he added.

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So were going to win either way. The American people are going to win either way, he said.

Bessent predicted on Wednesday that the administration could still impose tariffs, regardless of the outcome from the high court. He pointed to sections of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which gives a president the authority to implement tariffs on imports in certain circumstances.

We can re-create the exact tariff structure with 301s, with 232s, with the  I think  a 122, Bessent said about the sections during the New York Times DealBook Summit, according to CNBC.

When asked whether they would be a permanent option to keep tariffs intact, Bessent signaled in agreement.

The 122s are permanently, but the others, we can do it, Bessent said.

Rachel Cohen contributed to this report.

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After hearing a high-pitched buzzing noise while walking around a national park, you'll be glad that you covered yourself in bug spray before setting off on your hike.

Increasingly, though, that irritating sound isn't the telltale sign of a mosquito, but rather a drone flying overhead.

A fellow guide spotted people flying a drone recently in the Park where rules specifically state that DRONES ARE NOT ALLOWED..He reported them to the Protection Services and luckily they were found and Fined.  pic.twitter.com/MZhJ88bgiT  The Real KING OF THE JUNGLE (@EdwardthembaSa) August 24, 2024

At Kruger National Park in South Africa, some visitors were fined after being caught by a park guide flying a drone in an unauthorized area. As IOL detailed, those tourists were forced to pay 1,500 South African Rand, or nearly $85, for the act, which was caught on camera.

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In areas of astounding natural beauty, it's not surprising that some will want to take pictures or videos to cherish the memories forever. But advancements in technology mean that people can now obtain bird's eye views of stunning landscapes thanks to cameras attached to drones.

National parks are getting wise to the presence of these flying machines, though. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves on the African continent, and drones have been banned without a special permit or permission. That's for a few very good reasons.

"This is to ensure that drones are operated safely and responsibly," an article on the South African National Parks website reads. "These regulations are designed to protect the natural and cultural resources of these areas, as well as to ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors."

With 147 mammal species calling the park home, including critically endangered black rhinos and threatened white rhinos, in addition to an estimated 500 species of bird, some of which are unique to the area, keeping the animal residents happy is essential for the sake of biodiversity and a healthy ecosystem. Drones can cause serious problems when trying to maintain this natural balance.

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The noise and presence of drones can be stressful for animals, making them behave unpredictably or leading to aggression. With a number of protected creatures calling the park home, ensuring their comfort is key to their survival and potential to thrive. That means visitors should show their utmost respect, given they are lucky enough to witness these animals in the wild.

As IOL detailed, drones have also been used by poachers to scout out animal habitats and keep away from park rangers, so any use of the technology is highly suspect.

People who saw the video footage of the tourists flying their drone at Kruger were outraged.

"Fines should include confiscating the drone and crushing it in front of them," one user said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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"They must be banned from entering any game park," added another.

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In the last fiscal year , Treasury Department data shows that revenue from individual income taxes was approximately $2.66 trillion out of about $5.23 trillion in total revenue. Corporation income taxes added approximately $452 billion. Customs duties earned nearly $195 billion. That's a difference of around $2.8 trillion.

And I believe that at some point in the not too distant future, you won't even have income tax to pay. Because the money we're taking in is so great, it's so enormous, that you're not going to have income tax to pay, he said at the meeting, which lasted more than two hours .

But Trump has floated it twice in the last week  first during remarks on Thanksgiving at Mar-a-Lago and then again at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting .

It's not possible. It's not feasible mathematically or economically, said Brandon DeBot, senior attorney adviser and policy director at New York University's Tax Law Center. And analysts from a range of different perspectives agree with that conclusion. Even the very substantial tariffs imposed this year, which are at the highest levels in the postwar era, raise nowhere near the revenue that income tax does.

Trump's proposal wouldn't work regardless, according to experts, given the unreliability of tariff revenue as well as the harmful effects of tariffs on economic growth and their outsize impact on lower earners.

THE FACTS: This is false. Individual income taxes brought in trillions more dollars than tariffs did in the last fiscal year, accounting for more than 50% of total U.S. revenue, according to Treasury Department data . Tariffs made up only 3.7% of the total. In the first month of the current fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, individual income taxes accounted for 54% of total revenue. Tariffs made up 7.75%.

But tariff revenue doesn't even come close to where it would need to be if federal income taxes were eliminated, and experts say such a plan isn't at all feasible.

Among the potential benefits, Trump claims, is the ability to replace revenue from federal income taxes with money the U.S. is taking in from tariffs  a concept he has touted since his 2024 presidential campaign, most recently at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday.

Story Continues

The current fiscal year is shaping up in a similar fashion. Individual income taxes took in about $217 billion out of approximately $404 billion in total revenue the first month, with about $15 billion in additional funds from corporation taxes. Tariffs, meanwhile, earned around $31 billion.

Trump has boasted of additional income from investments in the U.S. by other countries and international companies. But the precise terms of these investments have yet to be fully codified and released to the public, and some numbers are under dispute or involve potentially fuzzy math.

The modern federal income tax was created with the ratification of 16th Amendment in 1913, ending the 43-year era when Trump says the country was wealthiest. He has not expressly detailed plans to end a national income tax since retaking the White House, and he cant do so without an act of Congress and upending the federal budget.

President Trump is set to raise trillions in revenue for the federal government in the coming years with his tariffs  whose costs will ultimately be paid by the foreign exporters who rely on the American economy, the world's biggest and best consumer market, said White House spokesman Kush Desai. He also cited trillions in historic investment commitments to make and hire in America that have been fueled by tariffs.

It is actually importers  American companies  that pay tariffs. Those companies typically pass their higher costs on to their customers in the form of higher prices. Still, tariffs can hurt foreign countries by making their products pricier and harder to sell abroad. Foreign companies might have to cut prices  and sacrifice profits  to offset the tariffs and try to maintain their market share in the United States.

A burden on lower-income households

Even if the numbers were made to add up, replacing revenue from federal income taxes with that of tariffs  a Republican talking point since the 1990s  poses many risks. Tariffs, especially at rates needed to make up for a loss in federal income taxes, could lead to retaliation from other countries and a lack of imports. In fact, revenue could start going down the more tariffs go up. There is also a lot of uncertainty about how much revenue tariffs will actually take in, given periodic changes to Trump's policies.

We would be talking about living in a completely different world than the one we live in now, said Wamhoff. There was a time when the government's finances were provided through tariffs. But I believe people were getting around with a horse and buggy back then and not cars. I mean, that was a completely different time.

Another reality is currently playing out. Trump's tariffs are the subject of a Supreme Court case and could be struck down if the justices decide he does not have the authority to implement them. However, the president will still have plenty of options to keep taxing imports aggressively even if the courts rule against him. For example, he can reuse tariff powers he deployed in his first term and can reach for others, including one that dates back to the Great Depression. Many companies  including Costco  aren't waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court. Instead, they're filing suits against the Trump administration demanding refunds on the tariffs they've paid.

Experts say there is also an issue of fairness, noting that tariffs would shift the tax burden to lower-income households given their propensity to increase costs on consumer goods. Plus, they lack the flexibility of income taxes, which can be set at any desired rate, and they wouldn't allow for incentives such as charitable donations or child tax credits.

Inequality is very highly skewed toward the top, said Michael Graetz, a professor of tax law at Yale University. We've got more billionaires than we've ever had. We've got more millionaires than we've ever had. So it's a strange time to be reducing the tax burden on the top and increasing it on the middle. It's a proposal that is very effective for fundraising for Republicans and it always has been.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

___

Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.
President Donald Trump's administration has warned that Europe faces "civilisational erasure" and questioned whether certain nations can remain reliable allies, in a new strategy document that puts a particular focus on the continent.

The 33-page National Security Strategy sees the US leader outline his vision for the world and how he will wield US military and economic power to work towards it.

Trump described the document as a "roadmap" to ensure America remains "the greatest and most successful nation in human history".

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European politicians have begun to react, with Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul saying his country did not need "outside advice".

A formal National Security Strategy is typically released by presidents once each term. It can form a framework for future policies and budgets, as well as signalling to the world where the president's priorities lie.

The new document follows similar rhetoric to Trump's speech to the United Nations earlier this year, where he had harsh criticism for Western Europe and its approach to migration and clean energy.

The new report doubles down on Trump's point of view, calling for the restoration of "Western identity", combatting foreign influence, ending mass migration, and focusing more on US priorities such as stopping drug cartels.

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Focusing on Europe, it asserts that if current trends continue the continent would be "unrecognisable in 20 years or less" and its economic issues are "eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure".

"It is far from obvious whether certain European countries will have economies and militaries strong enough to remain reliable allies," the document states.

It also accused the European Union and "other transnational bodies" of carrying out activities that "undermine political liberty and sovereignty", said migration policies were "creating strife" and said other issues included "censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition, cratering birthrates, and loss of national identities and self-confidence".

Conversely, the document hails the growing influence of "patriotic European parties" and says "America encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this revival of spirit".

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The Trump administration has fostered links with the far-right AfD party in Germany, which has been classified as extreme right by German intelligence.

German Foreign Minister Wadephul stressed that the "United States is and will remain our most important ally in the [Nato] alliance. This alliance, however, is focused on addressing security policy issues."

"I believe questions of freedom of expression or the organisation of our free societies do not belong [in the strategy], in any case at least when it comes to Germany," he added.

Referring to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the document says Europe has a lack of "self-confidence" in its relationship with Russia.

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Managing European relations with Russia will require significant US involvement, the document says, adding it is a core US interest for hostilities in Ukraine to end.

The Trump administration has proposed a plan to end the war, the original version of which called for Ukraine to hand over some territory to the de facto control of Russia. However Trump's envoy presented a modified version in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it by force.

The White House strategy document repeatedly references the Western Hemisphere, and the need for the US to protect itself from outside threats.

[BBC]

The document says there must be a readjustment of "our global military presence to address urgent threats in our Hemisphere". To do this, the strategy calls for moving assets away from theatres which are less important to American national security than they once were.

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This re-prioritising of military power can be seen already in the Caribbean, where the US military has a growing presence and has carried out repeated deadly strikes on boats which the government alleges are carrying drugs. The world's largest warship, the USS Gerald Ford, is currently based in the Caribbean along with its strike group.

Away from the Western Hemisphere, the Trump administration singles out the South China Sea as a key shipping passage that has major implications for the US economy, and the document says the US will "harden and strengthen our military presence in the Western Pacific".

The US also calls on an increased defence spending from Japan, South Korea, Australia and Taiwan.

It says "deterring a conflict over Taiwan, ideally by preserving military overmatch, is a priority". China views self-governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to "reunite" with it.

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The strategy also talks of pushing for a stronger industrial base in the US and less reliance on foreign technologies, which matches some of the moves the Trump administration has taken with its sweeping global tariffs.
A group of Trump-aligned super PACs will attempt to oust Indiana Republicans who have opposed redistricting, Turning Point Action announced Friday.

Andrew Kolvet, spokesperson for Turning Point, told POLITICO that the group would partner with other aligned PACs to dedicate an "eight-figure spend" to "primary people that are standing in the way of the president's agenda."

"We look at Indiana as a test case and a cautionary tale, potentially one or the other, it's their choice," Kolvet said. "This is a super high priority, and we're going to be working with the local, grassroots to make sure their voices heard and their priorities are not steamrolled by an out-of-touch elected class."

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Indiana state House Republicans released a draft congressional map earlier this week that would give the GOP a leg up in all nine of the states congressional districts. But the effort has faced resistance from some of the state's Republicans, including Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, who remains opposed to the plan.

Turning Point's push follows pressure from Speaker Mike Johnson, the White House and other outside groups pushing Indiana Republicans to fall in line and pass a new, Republican-friendly map.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misspelled Andrew Kolvet's name.
President Donald Trump gave his "complete and total endorsement" to Trever Nehls in the race to serve Texas' 22nd Congressional District, a seat now held by Rep. Troy Nehls, who is Trever's twin.

"It is my honor to endorse MAGA warrior TREVER NEHLS, who is running to represent the incredible people of Texas 22nd Congressional District. Trever's brother is the GREAT Congressman from Texas, Troy Nehls. He and his family are fierce advocates for our movement to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"As a former Fort Bend County Constable, and retired U.S. Army Colonel, Trever strongly supports our incredible law enforcement, military, and veterans, and knows the wisdom and courage it takes to ensure LAW AND ORDER," Trump added.

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Trump said that Trever Nehls, if elected, would work to keep the border secure, stop migrant crime, cut taxes and regulations and "defend our always-under-siege Second Amendment," among other things.

Rep Troy Nehls, A Trump Ally, Will Not Seek Re-election As Twin Brother Announces Campaign To Replace Him

President Donald Trump points a finger during an announcement about lowering U.S. drug prices, at the White House in Washington, D.C., Oct. 10, 2025.

Trever Nehls said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital that he was "honored" to have Trump's endorsement.

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"I will work tirelessly to secure the opportunity to represent TX-22 in Congress and work to pass President Trumps executive orders and actions into permanent law. In Congress, I will firmly stand by President Trump to secure our homeland, lower costs and usher in a new golden age of America," he said.

President Donald Trump endorsed Trever Nehls in his bid to take over his twin brother's congressional seat.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Announces Resignation From Congress After President Trump Withdraws Endorsement

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Troy Nehls, a close ally of the president, announced his retirement on Nov. 29 and said he would "return home after this Congress."

"After more than 30 years in law enforcement serving and protecting my community as a police officer, constable, Fort Bend County Sheriff, an Army veteran, and six years representing this district in Congress, I have made the decision, after conversations with my beautiful bride and my girls over the Thanksgiving holiday, to focus on my family and return home after this Congress," Troy Nehls said in a statement.

"Before making this decision, I called President Trump personally to let him know of my plans. President Trump has always been a strong ally for our district and a true friend, and I wanted him to hear it from me first," the congressman said.

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On Tuesday, Trever Nehls's campaign announced that Troy had tapped him as his replacement.

Trump also endorsed several Republican lawmakers from Texas for reelection, including Reps. John Carter, Randy Weber, Michael Cloud, Nathaniel Moran and Craig Goldman.





Original article source: Trump endorses close ally's twin brother in race for Texas congressional seat
Texas can use a redrawn congressional map that adds as many as five Republican-friendly congressional districts, the supreme court ruled on Thursday, handing Donald Trump a major win in his push to boost Republican seats ahead of next years midterm elections.

In an unsigned order, the 6-3 conservative majority court granted a request by Texas to lift a lower courts ruling that struck down the states new map in November. The supreme courts three liberal justices dissented.

The district court improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign, causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections, the supreme court said in an order explaining its decision.

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The ruling comes amid a nationwide battle over the redrawing of electoral maps. Texas is a key piece in Trumps effort to transform the US House map to secure Republicans fragile House majority for the second half of his presidential term. Democrats need to flip only a handful of congressional seats to win the House gavel, and the opposition party has historically gained ground during the midterm elections, particularly if the presidents approval ratings are low, as Trumps are.

US supreme court approves redrawn Texas congressional maps

The lower district court had previously found that Texas had probably sorted voters based on their race  an unlawful practice called racial gerrymandering  when it adopted the new maps, and ordered the state to use the maps it had adopted after the 2020 census for next years election.

In a sharply worded dissent, Justice Elena Kagan objected to the decision by the supreme courts majority, arguing that it disrespected the work of the lower court, whose ruling actually was authored by a judge appointed by Trump.

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Pentagon announces it has killed four people in another boat strike

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the US militarys southern command had conducted another deadly strike on a boat suspected of carrying illegal narcotics, killing four men in the eastern Pacific.

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The latest operation comes as the Pentagon and the White House have struggled to answer questions about the legality of the campaign to kill suspected drug smugglers with military strikes.

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Trump replaces architect overseeing $300m gilded ballroom project

According to the Washington Post, which first reported the news on Thursday and cited three people familiar with the matter, architect James McCrery II and his boutique firm had been leading the project for more than three months, up until late October.

It is unclear whether McCrery chose to step aside voluntarily. However, one source noted that he and Trump parted on good terms.

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Grand jury declines to re-indict Letitia James

A grand jury declined to indict Letitia James on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the decision, which came less than two weeks after a judge ruled a similar mortgage fraud case brought by federal prosecutors against the New York attorney general was unlawful.

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Arrest made in attempted pipe bombing in lead-up to Capitol riot

US authorities have made an arrest in connection with pipe bombs that were planted outside the headquarters of both the Democratic and Republican parties in Washington DC on the eve of 6 January 2021, according to reports on Thursday morning.

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Appeals court allows Trumps national guard deployment in DC to continue

In a written order, the US court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit lifted an injunction that said the troops needed to leave the nations capital by 11 December.

The DC circuits order, while not a final judgment, allows Trump to continue a deployment he began this summer and has ramped up in response to a 26 November shooting of two national guard members near the White House.

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Student describes horror show ICE deportation

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza had not seen her parents and two little sisters since starting her first semester at Babson college, near Boston in August. A family friend gave her plane tickets so she could fly home to Austin and surprise them for Thanksgiving. But the next morning, she was shackled at her wrists, ankles and waist and deported to her native Honduras, a country which she left at the age of seven and of which she has virtually no memory.

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Alligator Alcatraz detainees face harrowing human right violations, report alleges

Detainees at the notorious Florida immigration jail known as Alligator Alcatraz were shackled inside a 2ft high metal cage and left outside without water for up to a day at a time, a shocking report published on Thursday by Amnesty International alleges.

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The human rights group said migrants held at the state-run Everglades facility, and at Miamis Krome immigration processing center operated by a private company on behalf of the Trump administration, continue to be exposed to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment rising in some cases to torture.

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New York Times sues Pentagon over Trump teams limits

The New York Times said it is suing the US defense department and the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, after the Trump administration imposed restrictions for the press on access privileges and source-based reporting at the Pentagon.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Catching up? Heres what happened on 3 December 2025.
President Trump in a late-night social media post slammed Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) for not releasing former county election clerk Tina Peters from prison.

This lightweight Governor, who has allowed his State to go to hell (Tren de Aragua, anyone?), should be ashamed of himself, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

FREE TINA!

Peters, the former clerk of Mesa County, was convicted of election interference in August 2024. Prosecutors accused her of stealing a county employees security badge to help a man access the countys voter systems in May 2021 to assist MyPillow CEO Mike Lindells false claims about the 2020 presidential election.

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She was found guilty on seven counts, including four felonies, and sentenced to nine years in state prison.

Last month, the Colorado Department of Corrections denied a request from the Federal Bureau of Prisons to transfer Peters from state to federal custody. Such an authority lies with Polis.

In his post, the president also called Polis a SLEAZEBAG who refuses to allow an elderly woman, Tina Peters, who was unfairly convicted of what the Democrats do, cheating on Elections, out of jail!

Trump added that Peters, 70, is a cancer survivor.

She was preserving Election Records, which she was obligated to do under Federal Law, the president said.

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Trumps reference to Tren de Aragua comes after federal immigration officers targeted alleged members of the transnational Venezuelan gang in an April raid at a Colorado Springs, Colo., nightclub.

Polis said on the social platform X Thursday that we would all benefit if the President spent less time posting attacks and instead worked on ending tariffs and making Christmas more affordable for American families.

A spokesperson for Polis also noted that Peters was prosecuted by a Republican District Attorney, Daniel Rubinstein, and convicted by a jury in a heavily Republican part of Colorado.

The Associated Press contributed.

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Updated at 2:34 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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More than 100 Tribal leaders, federal officials and national partners gathered in the nations capital last month for the third Government-to-Government Roundtable: Protecting, Preserving & Strengthening Tribal Sovereignty, hosted by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.

The convening marked a milestone for Indian Country with the official launch of the Native American Coalition for Economic Prosperity (NACEP), a national, nonpartisan, Tribal-led coalition initiated by Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite. Pierite was unanimously elected the coalitions first president.

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Other elected officers include Chairman Calvin Johnson of the Tonto Apache Tribe as vice president, Chairperson Elizabeth Hutchins of the Big Sandy Rancheria as secretary, and President Anthony Reider of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe as treasurer. More than 40 Tribal Nations were represented at the two-day event, along with administration officials and private-sector partners focused on advancing economic sovereignty.

At the Nov. 6 roundtable, Pierite reflected on the effort that began with the first gathering on the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation in June, followed by a second meeting in Washington in July. He said the initiative has grown from conversation to coordinated national action.

We gather today at a crossroadsa moment when America is searching for renewal and strength, Pierite said. Tribal Nations are not a footnote to that story. We are the key to it.

Pierite thanked administration representatives who attended despite the federal shutdown, noting that their presence signaled a commitment to partnership.

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We are not here to stand on the sidelines to criticize and hope for the best, he said. We are here to help rebuild. We are here to be partners in transformation.

A luncheon followed, featuring remarks from Alex Meyer, director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs. Tribal leaders used the forum to highlight priorities and urgent needs and to emphasize their shared commitment to expanding economic opportunities across Indian Country.

Throughout the convening, speakers pointed to a shifting economic landscape shaped by regulatory reform, supply chain rebuilding, expanded energy production and increasing momentum for Tribal-led development. Pierite said Tribal Nations are ready to lead.

We say we will participate. We say we will lead. We say we will build, he said. We have land. We have sovereignty. We have resilience. And we have vision.

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With NACEP formally established, Tribal leaders outlined four core objectives: strengthening Tribal sovereignty through economic development, enhancing coordinated policy advocacy, improving federal-Tribal-private sector cooperation, and supporting job creation and long-term economic growth through Tribal-led projects.

This coalition is not about red or blue, left or right, Pierite said. It is about sovereignty, self-determination, and unity of purpose. It is about building something that outlasts any political climate.

The evening reception on Nov. 6 brought together Tribal leaders and federal partners, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and Rep. Nick Begich. Pierite said the gathering reflected unity and momentum.

This is our time. This is our season, he said. The opportunity before us is real, the moment is now, and we are ready.

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On Nov. 7, Pierite and NACEP leaders were invited to the White House for a summit with Vice President J.D. Vance. Pierite outlined the coalitions goals and the importance of collaborative work with the administration. Vance affirmed the administrations commitment to Tribal Nations.

You will always have allies in the West Wing, Vance said. From the President to the Vice President, our vision is to empower Tribal Nations to build in ways America has never built before.

Vance welcomed and spoke with each Tribal leader individually.

Next steps for NACEP include establishing regional working groups, developing national policy priorities, launching capacity-building initiatives, facilitating inter-Tribal commerce and expanding coordination with federal agencies and industry partners.

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The coalitions mission, Pierite said, is to accelerate economic growth, expand opportunity and strengthen sovereignty for Tribal Nations now and for generations to come.

More information on the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana can be found at https://www.tunicabiloxi.org/. Information regarding NACEP can be acquired by emailing info@tunica.org.

About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. "

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Two Florida teens have been arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder after allegedly luring a 14-year-old girl into a wooded area, shooting her multiple times, and setting her body on fire.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson announced the arrests of a 14-year-old and a 16-year-old during a press conference on December 4.

The teens reportedly lured the victim into a wooded area off Kimberly Road in Pace, Florida, on November 30. There, they shot her multiple times, poured gasoline on her body, and set it on fire.

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Sheriff Bob Johnson provided details of the arrests and charges during a press conference.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Two Kansas cities were recognized by True West magazine as 2026 Top 10 True Western Towns, with one receiving the honor for the second year in a row.

Because of its rich heritage, Abilene returned to True West Magazines Top 10 True Western Towns list, claiming second place after finishing in seventh last year.

Dodge City came in at No. 6.

Wichita to host Smithsonian exhibit on Native American history

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Abilene, known as an iconic cattle town with living history attractions and railroad experiences, and is a year-round travel destination for fans of the Old West, the magazine said.

Abilene is one of the most important towns in Western history, True West Executive Editor Bob Boze Bell said in a press release. From the cattle-drive era to Wild Bill Hickoks tenure as marshal, the community has done an outstanding job preserving and presenting its story. Theres no question: Abilene is a top True Western Town.

Selected towns are ranked based on how well they have preserved their history through old buildings, museums, and events.

Kansas Citys Steamboat Arabia Museum closing next year

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Abilenes story is pure cowboy history, Julie Roller Weeks, director of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, said in the release. From the days of trail-driving cattle and lawmen like Wild Bill Hickok to todays living-history shows, museums, events and big cowboy-themed attractions, our community works hard to honor the past while welcoming new generations of visitors who love the West.

The honored cities are:

10. Billings, Montana

9. San Antonio

8. Rapid City, South Dakota

7. Pendleton, Oregon

6. Dodge City

5. Sheridan, Wyoming

4. Deadwood, South Dakota

3. Cody, Wyoming

2. Abilene

1. San Angelo, Texas

The list will appear in the magazines January/February 2026 issue, which will be available on newsstands starting Jan. 13.

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click 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 KSN-TV.
The University of Florida Board of Trustees has greenlit the construction of more than 700 campus projects, many expected to be completed next year, with a price tag of about $2.7 billion.

UFs major projects will cost over $2 billion, according to university officials. That number includes a $400 million renovation to Ben Griffin Hill Stadium to be completed by 2030 and $400 million for the construction of two new student residence halls on campus opening in 2028 and 2029.

Major projects include construction and renovation of the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, Chemical Engineering and Basic Science facilities, the PK Yonge gymnasium, Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence, Flavet Outdoor Recreation Center and the Reitz Union Veterans Memorial among others.

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UF also will undertake a $200 million expansion of the Dental Science Building, to be completed in three phases. Phase one will refurbish and repair the exterior, phase two will add a 100,000-square-foot, three-story facility for dental education and patient care, and phase three will renovate existing spaces. The project is expected to be complete by 2030. UF faculty and staff attended a groundbreaking for the new building Dec. 4.

Construction of UFs Music Building are expected to cost $65 million and finish by fall 2028. The building will be designed by Oregon based Bora Architecture and Gainesville based Walker Architects and constructed by Barr and Barr Inc.

Higher ed: Supreme Court justice Charles Canady to earn $500K at UF

The Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education is expected to open in fall 2027. A mock-up of the renovated historic Infirmary Building presented at the Dec. 4 meeting showcased an exposed lower-level main entrance with ample outdoor lounging space and an indoor coffee shop.

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Minor projects, including over 100 maintenance projects, will cost about $485 million.

New UF student housing

A crane operator on Sept. 4, demolishes Trusler and Simpson halls to make way for new student housing near the corner of Museum Road and Gale Lemerand Drive on the University of Florida campus. The $400 million project will be completed in two phases and is expected to be finished by fall 2029.

UFs 10-year undergraduate housing plan aims to add 10,000 new beds by 2030. But, Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini has pushed for an accelerated timeline, suggesting a 5-year plan, assuring staff financing construction will not be an obstacle.

Ill be dead by 2029, he said jokingly during the Dec. 4 Board of Trustees meeting. We gotta move on this  youre not going to have any issue with the finances. I guarantee it. You guys need to get going with the construction.

Phase one, expected to be completed in 2028, includes the construction and renovation of more than 5,700 new beds and the demolition of Trusler, Simpson and Graham Halls.

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As of June 2025, there were 27 undergraduate residence halls with 9,314 beds and three graduate and family housing facilities with 624 apartment-style units, according to a university report.

University leaders have not finalized plans for the expansion of graduate housing but are considering new construction or the acquisition of existing housing. UF Provost J. Scott Angle suggested increasing graduate student stipends so students could afford off-campus housing.

Permanent UF presidential search, tenure appointments

UF's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to initiate its search for a permanent president. Interim President Dr. Donald Landry plans to apply for the position, Hosseini said at the Dec. 4 board meeting.

Landry, a former professor of medicine at Columbia University, was appointed interim president Aug. 25 a week before former interim President Kent Fuchs' extended contract was set to expire.

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The board also approved nine faculty tenures upon hire, including Justice Charles Canady who announced hed be stepping down from the Florida Supreme Court to serve as director of the new Hamilton School Nov. 14.

Music education: University of Florida Honors Program class teaches Gainesville's punk history

Upcoming changes to financial aid

Upcoming cuts to federal student aid next year will make it harder for UF to attract and retain graduate students in particular, who rely heavily on federal student loans and will no longer receive graduate PLUS loans, according to Mary Parker, UF's vice president and chief enrollment strategist.

Our professional students last year borrowed $105 million in student loans. Our grad students borrowed $67 million, and our undergrad borrowed $47 million, she said. So, we are talking about a significant impact to our new students that will be coming in  its not just about their tuition and fees it's about their full living expenses. How do they support themselves through those four, five or six years that they are here.

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Federal legislation will also affect undergraduate students with the elimination of some Pell grants offered to low-income students. Parent PLUS loans will be capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 overall.

UFs financial aid team is working to identify ways to support students with financial need, anticipating that institutional and philanthropic contributions will play a larger role in bridging affordability gaps.

But even as students may bear more of the costs of earning a college degree, undergraduate applications are the highest theyve been since 2022. The university received more than 70,000 applications for next school year, 5,000 more than last year, according to a university report.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: University of Florida to spend $2.7B on campus renovations and construction
A co-founder of the Uncommitted movement, which pressed Democratic voters to cast a protest vote against former President Biden in the 2024 primary over the administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war, launched a campaign on Thursday for a state Senate seat in Michigan.

Im Abbas Alawieh, and Im running for state Senate to fight for your family like its my own, Alawieh said in his launch video on the social platform X.

I know what it takes to stand tall when others tell us to sit down. When the establishment was funding genocide abroad while failing to deliver for working families here at home, I took action and led a historic anti-war movement that mobilized 1 million pro-peace Democratic voters to demand change, he added, referring to his work on the Uncommitted movement last year.

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Alawieh is running for Michigan Senate District 2, which represents all of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, as well as portions of Detroit and Allen Park. The district is currently represented by state Sen. Sylvia Santana (D).

Alawieh, who previously served as chief of staff to former Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.)  a member of the progressive squad  gained national attention last year when he and Layla Elabed founded and led the Uncommitted movement that started in Michigan, urging Democratic primary voters last year to vote uncommitted in the primary in protest against the Biden administration.

More than 100,000 voters  13 percent  ended up voting uncommitted, a stinging rebuke of the then-president and his administration that soon morphed into a movement across other states.

Alawieh served as one of the uncommitted delegates at the Democratic National Convention last year, urging then-presidential nominee Kamala Harris and the Democratic National Committee to allow a Palestinian speaker to address the convention, though that request was ultimately denied.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Dec 4 (Reuters) - Amazon's investments in new fulfillment centers and delivery stations have gradually cemented the online giant's position as a key player in the nearly $193 billion U.S. parcel industry, long dominated by UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service.

The company said on Thursday it was in discussions with the U.S. Postal Service about the relationship and was considering its options before the current contract expires next year.

Here's a snapshot of the U.S. delivery market:

* The U.S. courier and parcel market is expected to grow to $239.38 billion by 2030, data from Mordor Intelligence shows.

* Amazon surpassed UPS and FedEx in delivery volumes last year, according to Pitney Bowes' parcel shipping index report.

* Americans shipped 22.37 billion parcels in 2024, with Amazon delivering 6.3 billion of them, narrowly trailing USPS' 6.9 billion, the report showed.

* Amazon is on track to exceed USPS volumes by 2028 with 8.4 billion parcels, Pitney Bowes forecast in 2024.

* Amazon accounted for a 15.3% market share by revenue in 2024, marginally behind USPS' 15.8%.

* UPS and Amazon are already scaling back their partnership, with UPS planning to cut the volume it handles for the retailer by more than 50% by 2026.

* US President Donald Trump said in February he was considering merging USPS -- which posted a $9.5 billion loss last year -- with the Commerce Department, a move Democrats said would violate federal law.

* Amazon pledged more than $4 billion in April to expand its U.S. rural delivery network by the end of next year.

(Reporting by Abhinav Parmar and Megavarshini G. Somasundaram in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
The United Way of Lebanon County reports collecting more than $28,000 total in funds to support first responders and the families of victims involved in the fatal Church Street duplex fire.

Organizers reported Dec. 5 that the Fire Relief Fund to help the victims of the Sept. 28 incident raised more than $16,325, and the First Responder Trauma Care Fund raised more than $11,850.

"The Fire Relief Fund goes directly to the victims of the fires to help with emergency assistance, housing, whatever needs they might face," Executive Director Erin Velazquez said to the Lebanon Daily News. "That includes the person that was in the other half of the house to assist her as well."

Executive Director Erin Velazquez reported Dec. 4 that the United Way of Lebanon County collected more than $28,000 total in funds to support first responders and the families of victims involved in the fatal Church Street duplex fire.

The Lebanon Fire Department was dispatched Sept. 28 for a multiple-dwelling fire with entrapment at 815 Church St. There were 10 individuals inside the residence during the time of the fire, convening for a birthday celebration.

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Officials said that Tailing Nunez, 23, Jaeden Nunez, 17, Josefina Estevez, 73, Amarri Morris-Rodriguez, 1, and Veyda Pereyra, 4, died because of the fire. Four others escaped the blaze with minor injuries, and one was hospitalized.

Church St. fire: Lebanon City officials report fifth victim who died after Church St. house fire

Government officials, community leaders and local residents all attempted to get the word out about ways to support the families of the five deceased victims after the incident. Velazquez said that Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello reached out to the United Way to start a funding source for residents wishing to contribute.

"(Capello) had said that people were coming to her asking where they could donate, but she wasn't comfortable with some of the GoFundMe (pages) that were circulating in the community," Velazquez said. "So she asked the United Way to step up to collect those funds so that we could manage it appropriately."

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Organizations including Members 1st, the Francis J. Dixon Foundation and Covenant United Methodist Church, located across from the 815 Church St. home, all contributed to the campaigns. Velazquez said the United Way contributed $5,000 to each fund from their personal coffers to help serve their neighbors and first responders.

More than 30% of donations for both funds were made up of residents giving less than $100 to the campaign, according to officials.

"Our Community Impact Grant committee will be meeting to figure out how all this is going to be allocated," she said about how donations will be distributed. "So a team of volunteers will sit down and divi all that out."

Velazquez added that United Way is also working with the Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services on how to distribute the First Responder Trauma Care Fund.

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All of the money from the Fire Relief Fund and the First Responder Trauma Care Fund should be distributed before the holidays are over.

The United Way of Lebanon County's annual Community Giving Campaign organizers held a luncheon Dec. 4 where they announced raising $375,000 so far for the drive, which is half of the organization's $750,000 goal.

United Way Campaign

The United Way of Lebanon County is currently in the middle of their annual Community Giving Campaign, which began Sept. 10 and will run until Jan. 31. Campaign Chairman Bob Hoffman, of Beers + Hoffman Architecture, announced at a luncheon on Dec. 4 that volunteers have raised $375,000 so far, half of the organization's $750,000 goal.

"In the past 35 years, the United Way of Lebanon County has raised over $30 million," he said. "I often wonder how the nonprofit community in Lebanon County would have been able to navigate their mission with out that support. Of course that support comes from the United Way, but it ultimately comes from the citizens of Lebanon County who are so generous."

Organizers are projecting donations to the 2025-26 campaign to be better than last year's total Last year organizers set a $1 million goal for the campaign, but were able to raise more than $750,000.

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Communities in Schools of Pennsylvania, or CISPA, works to prevent school dropouts, using a tiered support model that includes school-wide services and intensive case management 12 school districts and 32 individual schools across Pennsylvania. The organization serves five schools in the Lebanon School District and three schools in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District.

Velazquez said people are finally starting to notice the United Way of Lebanon County's impact in the community after the work done by the organization over the last nine month. That hard work is something volunteers believe will spur residents and businesses to contribute to this year's campaign.

Those wishing to contribute to the United Way's Community Giving Campaign can visit their website at unitedwaylebco.org/campaign or send checks to P.O. Box 10, Lebanon, Pa. 17042.

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on X at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: United Way donates to families of Church St. fire, first responders
A US Navy aircraft carrier made a hard turn to avoid enemy fire, sending a fighter jet overboard.

The maneuver to avoid the Houthi missile attack surprised sailors, the investigation shows.

The F/A-18's brakes weren't working properly, and it fell into the Red Sea along with a tow tractor.

A US Navy aircraft carrier's hard evasive turn to avoid enemy missile fire caught crewmembers off guard and sent a $60 million F/A-18 Super Hornet rolling off the deck and into the Red Sea, an investigation into the fighter jet loss revealed.

The fighter's brakes weren't functioning properly, investigators found, allowing the jet to slide across the deck when the carrier USS Harry S. Truman abruptly changed course during the late April action.

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Poor communication, bad brakes, and a slippery surface all contributed to the loss.

A tow tractor also fell into the water alongside the expensive F/A-18 fighter jet, the second of three that the Truman lost during a monthslong Middle East combat deployment. When it went over, it nearly took sailors overboard as well.

Evading enemy fire

During their deployment, the Truman and its strike group led Navy combat operations against the Houthis, the heavily armed Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen that spent more than a year attacking key Middle East shipping lanes.

An F/A-18 fell overboard the Truman while the carrier took a hard turn. US Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Abbigail Beardsley

On April 28, the move crew lost control of an F/A-18 under tow in the Truman's hangar bay, a maintenance area below the flight deck, the Navy reported at the time, and both the jet and its tow tractor tumbled into the Red Sea.

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Right before it fell in, a sailor jumped from the cockpit, suffering minor injuries. The Navy didn't share information or insight into the warship's situation at the time of the plane loss.

According to the command investigation, the fighter jet and the tractor fell overboard while the Truman was conducting evasive maneuvers to avoid an incoming medium-range ballistic missile fired by the Houthis, a detail that had been reported but not confirmed at the time.

The move crew, which was preparing the F/A-18 from Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136), the "Knighthawks," for planned flight operations, didn't hear the announcement that the ship was making a hard turn and was caught unaware when the ship began to tilt.

Sailors had removed the chocks and chains to pull the F/A-18 into the hangar bay. With the brakes engaged but not actually working, there was nothing to hold the aircraft in place when the carrier heeled in an evasive turn.

The hangar bay is an area underneath the flight deck where aircraft receive maintenance. US Navy photo

It slid backward toward the deck edge, dragging the tow tractor behind it. The crew moving the Super Hornet abandoned their posts just before the fighter jet fell into the sea.

Bad brakes

The command investigation put the blame for the incident primarily on the fighter jet's inadequate brake engagement and the lack of communication from the Truman's bridge to flight deck control and the hangar bay.

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Leadership also said that the non-skid, a rough, high-friction coating applied to the decks of Navy ships to keep people, vehicles, and aircraft from slipping on smooth steel surfaces, was ineffective, having not been replaced since 2018.

These problems, the investigation said, cost the Navy an F/A-18, a multirole fighter made by the US aerospace giant Boeing that has been in service with the Navy for decades.

The April incident was one of four major mishaps that the Truman and its strike group suffered during their deployment.

In December, the cruiser USS Gettysburg accidentally shot down one of the Truman's F/A-18s in what the military described as a friendly fire incident. In February, the carrier collided with a cargo ship. And in May, the ship lost its third fighter jet after a landing failure caused it to slide off the flight deck and plunge into the sea.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A federal appeals court on Thursday rejected the Trump administration's bid to halt an order requiring it to release millions of dollars in grants meant to address the shortage of mental health workers in schools.

The mental health program, which was funded by Congress after the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, included grants meant to help schools hire more counselors, psychologists and social workers, with a focus on rural and underserved areas of the country. But President Donald Trumps administration opposed aspects of the grant programs that touched on race, saying they were harmful to students and told recipients they wouldnt receive funding past December 2025.

U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson, ruled in October that the administrations move to cancel school mental health grants was arbitrary and capricious.

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The U.S. Department of Education and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon requested an emergency stay and on Thursday, a panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied that motion.

The panel wrote in its decision that the government hadn't shown it is likely to succeed based on its claims that the district court doesn't have jurisdiction or that it will be irreparably injured absent a stay.

The grants were first awarded under Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. The Education Department prioritized giving the money to applicants who showed how they would increase the number of counselors from diverse backgrounds or from communities directly served by the school district.

The Trump administration said in a statement after the ruling in October that the grants were used to promote divisive ideologies based on race and sex.

The preliminary ruling by Evanson, a U.S. District Court judge in Seattle, applies only to some grantees in the 16 Democratic-led states that challenged the Education Departments decision. In Madera County, California, for example, the ruling restores roughly $3.8 million. In Marin County, California, it restores $8 million.
By Daniel Wiessner

Dec 5 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Friday said President Donald Trump had the power to fire Democratic members of two federal labor boards, a major victory in the Republican president's bid to rein in agencies meant to be independent from the White House.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in a 2-1 decision said federal laws allowing members of the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board to be removed only for cause violated the U.S. Constitution.

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The D.C. Circuit reversed separate rulings by two judges that had reinstated Cathy Harris to the merit board and Gwynne Wilcox to the NLRB. The Supreme Court in May temporarily paused the lower court rulings.

The NLRB hears private-sector labor disputes and the merit board decides appeals by federal employees who have been disciplined or fired. Because the merit board is often the only legal recourse for federal workers, it could have a key role in reviewing Trump's efforts to purge the federal workforce.

Members of both agencies are appointed by the president, but federal laws allow them to be removed only for cause including inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance.

Trump fired Harris and Wilcox without such cause in January, the first time a president had removed a member of either agency. He has removed many other officials who would typically keep their jobs in a new administration, including members of other boards and inspectors general who police individual agencies for waste and corruption.

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The Trump administration has argued that laws shielding the officials from removal encroach on the broad powers that the U.S. Constitution grants the president to control the executive branch.

The removal of Harris and Wilcox has paralyzed both labor boards, which already had vacant seats, by depriving them of enough members to decide individual cases. Hundreds of cases are pending at the NLRB and thousands of appeals have been filed with the merit board since Trump took office.

The issue is being watched closely by legal experts, some of whom say that striking down removal protections would give Trump more direct control over regulation of various areas including trade, energy, antitrust enforcement, finance, and consumer product safety.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Matthew Lewis)
By Jack Queen

NEW YORK, Dec 5 (Reuters) - A Florida federal judge on Friday cleared the Justice Department to release grand jury transcripts from its sex trafficking case against Jeffrey Epstein, which could shed light on the deceased financier's ties to rich and powerful people including President Donald Trump.

The Justice Department asked U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith to unseal the records after the Republican-controlled Congress passed a bill requiring the Attorney General to release all unclassified files related to its investigations of Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is in prison for sex trafficking.

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Trump, who said he ended his friendship with Epstein long before the financiers 2019 arrest, had opposed the release of the files but reversed course shortly before lawmakers voted on the bill, which he signed on November 19.

The files are eagerly sought by both Trumps political opponents and members of his own base who have pressed for greater transparency in the case.

Many Trump voters believe his administration has covered up Epsteins ties to powerful figures and obscured details surrounding his death, which was ruled a suicide, in a Manhattan jail in 2019 as he faced federal sex trafficking charges.

The scandal has been a thorn in Trump's side for months, partly because he amplified conspiracy theories about Epstein to his own supporters before winning reelection in 2024.

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Trump has more recently changed tack and said the Epstein files are a Democratic hoax aimed at distracting from his administrations accomplishments.

(Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
By Nate Raymond

BOSTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Thursday said she was "struggling" to understand why President Donald Trump's administration is preventing a Tufts University PhD student who had engaged in pro-Palestinian activism from working on campus nearly seven months after the Turkish citizen was released from an immigration detention center.

Chief U.S. District Judge Denise Casper during a hearing in Boston questioned whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acted arbitrarily when it terminated Rumeysa Ozturk's status in a key database used to track foreign students after she co-wrote an opinion piece in the Tufts student newspaper criticizing her school's response to Israel's war in Gaza.

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"Whats the rationale for allowing the agency to have the discretion to terminate the record? Casper asked.

Ozturk's record in the ICE-maintained Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database was terminated on March 25, the same day that she was arrested by masked, plainclothes agents on a street in the Boston suburb of Somerville, Massachusetts, near her home, after the U.S. Department of State revoked her student visa.

The sole basis authorities provided for revoking her visa was the opinion piece, which criticized Tufts' response to calls by students to divest from companies with ties to Israel and to "acknowledge the Palestinian genocide."

The former Fulbright scholar was held for 45 days in a detention facility in Louisiana until a federal judge in Vermont, where she had briefly been held, ordered her immediately released after finding she raised a substantial claim that her detention constituted unlawful retaliation for views she shared in the op-ed in violation of her free speech rights under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

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Following her release, Ozturk resumed her studies at Tufts. But the administrations refusal to restore her SEVIS record has prevented her from teaching or working as research assistant, jeopardizing her academic and career development in the final months before her graduation, said Adriana Lafaille, an attorney for Ozturk at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.

She urged the judge to order ICE to reinstate Ozturk's SEVIS record. While the child development researcher's visa remains revoked, Lafaille said that simply governed her entry into the United States and that its termination did not render her student status unlawful.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter argued that ICE has the discretion to update the SEVIS database to reflect if a student's visa is terminated and the person is facing removal proceedings as Ozturk has been.

But Lafaille said the administration had put forward shifting rationales for its actions, which stood in contrast to how it rescinded its decision to terminate SEVIS records for thousands of other foreign students in April.

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"This was one of several retaliatory actions the government took against Ms. Ozturk for her protected speech," Lafaille said.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Lincoln Feast.)
The US military struck another alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific, killing four people, as questions intensify over the legality of its campaign.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under pressure over an earlier attack in the Caribbean  a strike that some US lawmakers allege may have been a war crime  as well as his use of insecure communications channels.

But the argument over whether the attack, involving a strike on survivors, was illegal misses the point, an analysis in The New York Times argued: An unarmed speedboat is not a warship, and the relevant laws are those of civil life. It would be a crime if [police] simply gunned down suspected drug dealers in the street.
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on whether some children born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship.

On his first day in office in January, President Donald Trump signed an order to end birthright citizenship for those born to parents who are in the country illegally, but the move was blocked by multiple lower courts.

No date has been set yet for the Supreme Court arguments, and a ruling is months away.

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Whatever the court decides could have major implications for Trump's immigration crackdown and for what it means to be an American citizen.

For nearly 160 years, the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution has established the principle that anyone born in the country is a US citizen, with exceptions for children born to diplomats and foreign military forces.

The language of the amendment states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

Trump's executive order seeks to deny citizenship to the children of people who are either in the US illegally or are in the country on temporary visas. It is part of the Trump administration's broader effort to reform the nation's immigration system and combat what they have called "significant threats to national security and public safety".

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The administration has argued the 14th Amendment clause "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" means the amendment excludes children of people who are not in the country permanently or lawfully.

Cecillia Wang, national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the plaintiffs in the case, told the BBC's news partner CBS that no president can change the 14th Amendment's fundamental promise of citizenship.

"For over 150 years, it has been the law and our national tradition that everyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen from birth," Ms Wang said in a statement.

"We look forward to putting this issue to rest once and for all in the Supreme Court this term," she added.

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The US is one of about 30 countries - mostly in the Americas - that grant automatic citizenship to anyone born within their borders.

After legal challenges were brought to Trump's executive order, several federal court judges ruled that it violated the Constitution, while two federal circuit courts of appeals upheld injunctions blocking the order from going into effect.

Trump then went to the Supreme Court to fight the injunctions. In a win for Trump, the court ruled in June that the injunctions issued by the lower courts exceeded their authority, though it did not address the issue of birthright citizenship itself.

The 14th Amendment was passed in the wake of the US Civil War in order to settle the question of the citizenship of freed, American-born former slaves.

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US Solicitor General D John Sauer has argued that the amendment was adopted "to confer citizenship on the newly freed slaves and their children, not on the children of aliens temporarily visiting the United States or of illegal aliens".

He has said it's a "mistaken view" that birth on US soil confers citizenship and has argued that that understanding has had "destructive consequences"

About 250,000 babies were born to unauthorised immigrant parents in the US in 2016 - a 36% decrease from a peak in 2007, according to The Pew Research Center.

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By 2022, the latest year that data is available, there were 1.2 million US citizens born to unauthorised immigrant parents, Pew found.

A study published in May by the thinktank Migration Policy Institute and Pennsylvania State University's Population Research Institute suggested that repealing birthright citizenship could increase the size of the unauthorized population in the US by an additional 2.7 million by 2045 and by 5.4 million by 2075.
Texas can use a redrawn congressional map that adds as many as five Republican-friendly congressional districts, the supreme court ruled on Thursday, handing Donald Trump a major win in his push to boost Republican seats ahead of next years midterm elections.

In an unsigned order, the 6-3 conservative majority court granted a request by Texas to lift a lower courts ruling that struck down the states new map in November. The supreme courts three liberal justices dissented.

The district court improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign, causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections, the supreme court said in an order explaining its decision.

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The lower district court had previously found that Texas had likely sorted voters based on their race  an unlawful practice called racial gerrymandering  when it adopted the new maps, and ordered the state to use the maps it had adopted after the 2020 census for next years election.

Related: Trump push for new congressional maps meets resistance  from both parties

In a sharply worded dissent, Justice Elena Kagan objected to the decision by the supreme courts majority, arguing that it disrespected the work of the lower court, whose ruling actually was authored by a judge appointed by Trump.

We are a higher court than the district court, but we are not a better one when it comes to making such a fact-based decision, Kagan wrote in a dissent joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

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This courts stay guarantees that Texass new map, with all its enhanced partisan advantage, will govern next years elections for the House of Representatives. And this courts stay ensures that many Texas citizens, for no good reason, will be placed in electoral districts because of their race. And that result, as this court has pronounced year in and year out, is a violation of the constitution, she continued.

The ruling comes amid a nationwide battle over the redrawing of electoral maps. Texas is a key piece in Trumps effort to transform the US House map to secure Republicans fragile House majority for the second half of his presidential term. Democrats need to flip only a handful of congressional seats to win the House gavel, and the opposition party has historically gained ground during the midterm elections, particularly if the presidents approval ratings are low, as Trumps are.

Typically, redistricting happens after a new decades census results. Yet the decision by Texas Republicans to move ahead with a brazen mid-cycle redistricting earlier this summer set off a chain reaction among other states.

Republicans in Texas, North Carolina and Missouri have passed new maps that could add as many as seven GOP-friendly seats. Democrats, meanwhile, have countered that effort with new maps in California  where Republicans and the Trump justice department are suing to overturn the map  and in Virginia, which could offset those gains.

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In Utah, a judge handed Democrats an unexpected victory by choosing a House map for 2026 that gives the party one pickup opportunity.

Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, welcomed the supreme court ruling in favor of the states Republican party.

In a statement carried by the Associated Press, Paxton said the order defended Texass fundamental right to draw a map that ensures we are represented by Republicans.

Texas is paving the way as we take our country back, district by district, state by state, he added.

Related: Rigging the map? How power in US Congress could shift if both parties win their redistricting fights

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Trumps attorney general Pam Bondi also celebrated the decision, saying that the federal district court had no right to interfere with a states decision to redraw legislative maps for partisan reasons.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) lamented the decision. Its incredibly disappointing that the Court has rubber stamped a map enacted by Texas Republicans which, simply put, is an extreme, racially gerrymandered map, said Suzan DelBene, chair of the DCCC.

Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said the court had once again shredded its credibility by rubber-stamping a racially gerrymandered map in Texas.

In a statement, Jeffries added: Tonights ruling by far-right justices on the supreme court is further proof that the extremists will do anything to rig the midterm elections. The gerrymandered Texas congressional map is a partisan and racially discriminatory power grab designed to subvert the will of the voters  particularly in Black and Latino communities.
By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court revived on Thursday a redrawn Texas electoral map designed to add more Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives, boosting President Donald Trump's quest for his party to keep control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.

The justices granted a request by Texas officials to lift a lower court's ruling that had blocked the state from using the Trump-backed map, which could flip as many as five currently Democratic-held U.S. House seats to Republicans. The lower court concluded that the map likely was racially discriminatory in violation of U.S. constitutional protections.

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Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both chambers of Congress. Ceding control of either the House or Senate to the Democrats in the November 2026 elections would endanger Trump's legislative agenda and open the door to Democratic-led congressional investigations targeting the president.

The Supreme Court's ruling comes amid a nationwide battle unfolding in Republican-governed and Democratic-led states involving the redrawing of electoral maps to change the population composition of congressional districts for partisan advantage.

Justice Samuel Alito on November 21 temporarily paused the lower court's ruling as the Supreme Court weighed how to proceed with the case.

Redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts in a state is a process called redistricting. There have been legal fights at the Supreme Court for decades over a practice called gerrymandering - the redrawing of district boundaries in order to marginalize a certain set of voters and increase the influence of others.

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The Supreme Court in a 2019 ruling declared that gerrymandering for partisan reasons - to boost the electoral chances of one's own party and weaken one's political opponent - cannot be challenged in federal courts. But gerrymandering driven primarily by race remains unlawful under the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law and 15th Amendment prohibition on racial discrimination in voting.

Many Texas Republican lawmakers have said the new map was devised in response to Trump's request to redraw electoral maps for a partisan advantage in House races. But the El Paso-based court ruled 2-1 on November 18 that the map likely amounted to an unlawful racial gerrymander, siding with civil rights groups that sued to block it.

Each of the 50 U.S. states is represented in Congress by two U.S. senators, with representation in the 435-seat House based on population. California, the most-populous state, has the most House members with 52, while Texas is second with 38. Republicans currently hold 25 of 38 U.S. House seats in Texas.

'RACIAL CONSIDERATIONS'

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The Texas electoral map at the center of the dispute was passed by the Republican-led Texas legislature and signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Abbott in August.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who authored the lower court's ruling, wrote that "what ultimately spurred" Texas to redraw its map was a letter from the U.S. Justice Department urging state officials to "inject racial considerations into what Texas insists was a race-blind process."

Brown, a Trump judicial appointee, wrote that the Justice Department's analysis was based on the "legally incorrect assertion" that the racial composition of four Texas congressional districts in the state's previous electoral map was unconstitutional and that they must be redrawn.

"Had the Trump administration sent Texas a letter urging the state to redraw its congressional map to improve the performance of Republican candidates, the plaintiff groups would then face a much greater burden to show that race - rather than partisanship - was the driving force behind the 2025 map," Brown wrote.

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"But nothing in the DOJ (Department of Justice) letter is couched in terms of partisan politics," the judge wrote. "The letter instead commands Texas to change four districts for one reason and one reason alone: the racial demographics of the voters who live there."

The NAACP civil rights group noted in a statement after the ruling that "the state of Texas is only 40% white, but white voters control over 73% of the state's congressional seats."

The court directed that the state's previous electoral map, approved by the Republican-led legislature in 2021, be used in the 2026 elections.

U.S. Circuit Judge Jerry Smith, an appointee of former President Ronald Reagan, broke with the court's majority in a dissenting opinion.

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"The main winners from Judge Brown's opinion are George Soros and (California Governor) Gavin Newsom," Smith wrote. "The obvious losers are the People of Texas and the Rule of Law."

Soros, a billionaire financier and major Democratic donor, has long been considered a villain by Trump and his political base. Newsom is a prominent Democrat who has said he is considering a 2028 presidential run.

The lower court's ruling marked the latest setback in Trump's push to tilt political maps. Indiana Republicans on November 14 abandoned a legislative session that had been called to enact a new congressional map in that state.

Democratic-governed California reacted to the Texas redistricting by initiating its own effort targeting five Republican-held districts in the state. California voters in November overwhelmingly approved a new map beneficial to Democrats. The Trump administration has sued California to try to stop its new congressional map from taking effect.

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Redistricting generally occurs to reflect population changes as measured by the national census conducted each decade, though this year's redistricting has been motivated by securing partisan advantage.

The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, during its current term already has heard arguments in another major case involving race and redistricting. The conservative justices in a case involving a map of U.S. House districts in Louisiana signaled their willingness to undercut another key section of the Voting Rights Act, the landmark 1965 federal law enacted by Congress to prevent racial discrimination in voting.

(Reporting by John Kruzel)
One e-scooter with a lithium-ion battery: Thats all it took to burn down a home that had been in a Florida womans family for nearly 50 years. The same kind of gadget, and ones with similar batteries, sit in homes and garages across the country.

After hearing a small popping noise, Monica Snead discovered a fire in her grandsons bedroom. Within minutes, it had destroyed a large part of her home, including the bedrooms, hallway, bathroom, countless heirlooms, and irreplaceable memories.

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Thankfully, everyone in Sneads home, which has been in her family since 1977, was unharmed. But the fallout will leave a lasting impact on her familys financial future. Even with insurance, the repairs and other costs are likely to run into the thousands.

I really didn't have a whole lot of knowledge about lithium-ion batteries, but I do now, Snead said in an interview with Tampa Bay 28.

Please don't leave scooters in the house, she warned, adding that electric cars and smartphones also have lithium-ion batteries (1).

Some common household toys carry financially devastating risks

Although lithium batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail, they can pose a fire risk. Hundreds of lithium-ion battery fires were reported in New York City alone in 2023 (2).

Snead believes an e-scooter sparked the fire that destroyed her home. But other common devices with lithium batteries include cameras, cell phones, e-bikes, hover boards, laptops, power tools, and toys. When defective, or used incorrectly, these batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode, leading to devastating consequences.

You might assume that damage caused by a lithium battery fire would be completely covered by home insurance. Unfortunately, thats not the case. Some policies may limit or exclude coverage for battery-related fires. Plus, you might need to meet certain safety requirements in order to qualify for coverage (3).

Using off-brand chargers, aftermarket batteries, or uncertified products could jeopardize an insurance payout. For example, if you purchase a third-party battery for your e-bike, your insurer may not cover the damage if thats what starts a fire at your house.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the US will expand its travel ban to more than 30 countries as the Trump administration broadens its security-driven restrictions.

The US plans to expand the number of countries covered by its travel ban to more than 30, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Thursday.

Noem, in an interview on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle," was asked to confirm whether the administration of President Donald Trump would be increasing the number of countries on the travel ban list to 32.

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"I won't be specific on the number, but it's over 30, and the president is continuing to evaluate countries," she said.

Trump signed a proclamation in June banning the citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States and restricting those from seven others, saying it was needed to protect against "foreign terrorists" and other security threats. The bans apply to both immigrants and non-immigrants, such as tourists, students and business travelers.

Noem did not specify which countries would be added to the list.

"If they don't have a stable government there, if they don't have a country that can sustain itself and tell us who those individuals are and help us vet them, why should we allow people from that country to come here to the United States?" Noem said.

US President Donald Trump looks at US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as he participates in a roundtable on antifa, at the White House, October 8, 2025; illustrative. (credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo)

Reuters previously reported that the Trump administration was considering banning citizens of 36 additional countries from entering the United States, according to an internal State Department cable.

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An expansion of the list would mark a further escalation of migration measures the administration has taken since the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington last week.

Decision comes in aftermath of Afghan national shooting National Guardsmen

Investigators say the shooting was carried out by an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 through a resettlement program under which Trump administration officials have argued there was insufficient vetting.

Days after the shooting, Trump vowed to "permanently pause" migration from all "Third World Countries," although he did not identify any by name or define "third-world countries."

Prior to that, officials from the Department of Homeland Security said Trump had ordered a widespread review of asylum cases approved under the administration of his predecessor, Democratic president Joe Biden, and Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries.

Since returning to the office in January, Trump has aggressively prioritized immigration enforcement, sending federal agents to major US cities and turning away asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border. His administration has frequently highlighted the deportation push, but until now it has put less emphasis on efforts to reshape legal immigration.
Every home in Uzbekistan could switch on the lights using only clean electricity in 2026. The government says green energy generation will reach 23 billion kilowatt-hours, enough to cover the entire annual consumption of the countrys population.

The announcement came from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as he launched dozens of new renewable and grid projects at the forum "Powering the Future: Sustainable Energy for New Uzbekistan."

42 new projects worth 9.46 billion

One of the key announcements concerns the launch of 42 new projects valued at 9.46 billion, including generation facilities, energy-storage systems, substations and high-voltage networks. These projects form part of a broader national strategy to reinforce energy security and modernise infrastructure.

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They include 16 solar, wind, thermal and hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 3,500 megawatts. The facilities are distributed across several regions of the country and represent a mix of public and private investment.

Another major development is the introduction of 10 utility-scale energy storage systems, providing 1,245 megawatts of capacity. According to the Ministry of Energy, these systems will make it possible to inject up to 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours of additional electricity into the grid during peak hours, helping stabilise supply.

A presentation at the Powering the Future forum outlines $11 billion in energy projects across Uzbekistan - Courtesy of the Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan

To support the new infrastructure, Uzbekistan is also commissioning 11 substations and building 420 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines.

"We have set two major objectives as our main priorities in this direction. The first is to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted energy supply for all sectors and regions. The second is to achieve this goal through modern, environmentally friendly, and renewable alternative energy sources," explained Mirziyoyev.

Foreign investment continues to shape the sector

The forum brought together government officials, international companies and financial institutions. Over recent years, Uzbekistan attracted approximately 30 billion to the sector. As a result, it has added 9,000 megawatts of new capacity since 2017, with total electricity generation rising from 60 billion kilowatt-hours to 85 billion in 2024.

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Many of the new projects involve international companies from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the UAE, China, France and Qatar.

Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power remains one of the most active investors. "Uzbekistan's energy mix is becoming greener every year," said Jon Zaidi, the company's Country Head. "This year alone we added more than 2,500 megawatts to the grid, and the Vision 2030 target of reaching 54% renewables is very important for us."

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Another contributor is Voltalia from France, which recently signed an investment agreement for a 200-megawatt hybrid project combining wind generation and storage. According to Deputy CEO Yoni Ammar, "We are also developing a 500-megawatt storage project called Turan, and expect construction to begin in 2026."

European companies are also supporting more conventional energy projects. Pierre- Paul Antheunissens, General Director of Electicite de France (EDF) Central Asia said: "In Uzbekistan we are building two major gas-fired power plants together with partners from Japan, Qatar and Germany, with the first turbine tests set to take place this week."

Environmental impact and long-term targets

Uzbekistan's minister of Energy, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, stressed that the expansion of renewable energy will reduce natural gas consumption by nearly 7 billion cubic meters, while preventing 11 million tons of harmful emissions.

By 2030, the government plans to add more than 17,000 megawatts of renewable-energy capacity, increasing the share of green energy in overall generation to 54%. Achieving this target will require the construction of 6,000 kilometres of high-voltage networks, including 1,000 kilometres scheduled for next year.

Delegates gather in Tashkent for the Powering the Future forum on Uzbekistans new energy projects - Courtesy of the Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan

At this years COP-30 climate conference in Brazil, Uzbekistan reported progress on the iCraft initiative, designed with the World Bank. The project accounts for 23 million tons of verified greenhouse-gas reductions and has enabled the country to launch a carbon-credit trading system. Seventeen domestic industrial companies have already adopted international green-energy certification, with the government aiming to increase this number to 100 within two years.

Publicprivate partnerships expand beyond generation

The country is now extending publicprivate partnerships to energy distribution. Earlier this year, the Samarkand regional grid was transferred to private management under an agreement with Turkiyes Aksa Elektrik. The company will oversee operational management, invest in modernisation and reduce losses expected to save around 17.2 million annually.

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The government says several more regional grids will be offered to investors in the coming years as part of a strategy to improve efficiency and introduce new management practices.

Uzbekistan is also promoting small-scale renewable initiatives. A new programme will install 107 megawatts of rooftop and micro-solar plants across 300 mahallas, or neighbourhoods. The initiative aims to supply green energy to 30,000 low-income families, who will also be able to sell excess electricity to the grid.

President Mirziyoyev and foreign delegates at the Powering the Future energy forum in Tashkent - Courtesy of the Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan

Entrepreneurs are increasingly investing in small hydropower as well. This year, 40 micro-hydro plants with a total capacity of 40 megawatts generated 120 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. Another 65 megawatts of micro-hydropower capacity is planned for next year, which officials say will improve electricity supply for 80,000 households.

Regional cooperation accelerates

Uzbekistan has also stepped up energy cooperation with neighbouring countries. Next year, the country plans to begin financing the Kambarata-1 hydropower project together with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, aimed at strengthening the region's shared water-energy system.

At the same time, work continues on the Green Energy Corridor, a project involving Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan that aims to facilitate the export of Central Asian electricity to Europe.
As the House Oversight Committee opens an investigation into Gov. Tim Walz's role in what federal prosecutors have described as the largest COVID-19 fraud scheme in the country, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth told Fox News Digital it's just the "tip of the iceberg."

In a crowded Republican primary of candidates hoping to unseat Walz, one of Demuth's core campaign promises is to eliminate the fraud she said has "exploded" under Walz's administration. The governor bears "full responsibility" for the roughly $1 billion in fraud uncovered so far, Demuth said in an exclusive interview.

"This is probably the tip of the iceberg," Demuth said, adding: "This falls squarely on his shoulders. Hes the governor of the state and needs to take full responsibility."

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The scandal rocking the North Star State stems from allegations that a Minnesota nonprofit and its associates defrauded federal child-nutrition programs for hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID-19 aid  a failure Walzs Republican challengers have described as a breakdown in systemic oversight.

Comer Targets Walz In New House Investigation, Citing Nearly $1B In Alleged Minnesota Fraud

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth is one of several Republican candidates competing for the party's nomination to challenge Democratic Gov. Tim Walz next year.

"There has been that lack of accountability and lack of oversight that's been needed," Demuth said. "The governor has chosen the commissioners, put them into place, and there needed to be an accountability where he or his office were overseeing the work done by the commissioners in every agency."

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"That is not what we're finding, to the best of my knowledge. Now, if that oversight was going on and this continued under his watch, knowing that it was going on, that's even more concerning," she added.

Minnesota Government Workers Blame Walz For 'Massive Fraud' Amid Allegations Against Somali Community

Federal prosecutors said about $300 million in taxpayer funds that were allocated to feed low-income children through COVID-era nutrition programs was diverted through the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future. As of late November, at least 78 defendants have been charged in what has widely been considered the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme in the U.S.

While the Feeding Our Future scandal spans the COVID-19 pandemic, Demuth said she heard concerns about fraud in the childcare assistance program in 2017 and 2018 before she even served in the legislature.

Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., delivered remarks at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

"This has been bubbling," Demuth said before adding, "When I think about someone leading the state, regardless of how it happened, the fact that it has continued on this far, and I don't think we're done yet. I think this is probably the tip of the iceberg, and I've heard others say that also."

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House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., has claimed that "because of Governor Walzs negligence, criminals  including Somali terrorists  stole nearly $1 billion from the program while children suffered." He is leading the probe into Walz's role in the Feeding Our Future scandal.

When asked about the accusations that Walz was more worried about losing political points than accountability against groups tied to Somali Minnesotans, Demuth told Fox News Digital: "Fraud in any way is wrong, no matter where it occurs, who is committing the acts of fraud. That is wrong. But to not handle the investigations or to not handle things and investigate things further because of a fear of some type of accusation is not leadership."

While Demuth cautioned against "[demonizing] an entire community," she said fraud in any community cannot be allowed to continue.

"To ignore things or not handle it because you are afraid of how that would be perceived, I think the worst thing is knowing that our tax dollars from the entire state have been wasted and lost in fraud. That is wrong for all Minnesotans," she said.

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As Demuth vies for the Republican nomination to challenge Walz for his gubernatorial seat next year, she said her administration would immediately open an investigation, look into every agency, hold those responsible accountable and work to ensure it doesn't happen again.

According to Demuth's campaign website, as governor, she would commit to ending "the culture of fraud and corruption in state government and demand accountability from state workers responsible for managing the state programs that have been abused by fraudsters."

"I will work with the legislature to pass a non-partisan Office of Inspector General who will be empowered to root out fraud in all parts of government, and be a partner for my administration in stopping fraud before it starts instead of waiting until the fraudsters have walked out the door with your money," Demuth said on her website.

Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., sits back in a chair in his office at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Dec. 12, 2024.

Walz's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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NBC's Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press" on Sunday asked Walz if he would take "responsibility" for failing to stop fraud in his state.

"Well, certainly I take responsibility for putting people in jail," Walz said. "Governors dont get to just talk theoretically. We have to solve problems, and I will note, its not just Somalis. Minnesota is a generous state, Minnesota is a prosperous state, a well-run state, we are AAA bond-rated, but that attracts criminals. Those people are going to jail, and we are doing everything we can, but to demonize an entire community on the actions of a few, its lazy."

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Demuth responded to those comments while speaking to Fox News Digital.

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"If we are a well-run state and prosperous and doing what we need to, this would be the last place criminals would come and try to do any type of criminal activity," she said.

Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan and Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.





Original article source: Walz bears 'full responsibility' for $1B fraud scandal, GOP challenger Demuth declares
Testimony in Brian Walshes trial continues Friday after jurors on Thursday heard from Ana Walshes boyfriend and saw a new video that prosecutors say shows the murder suspect disposing of parts of his wifes body.

Surveillance Video Released

The video shows a Volvo XC-90 pulling up to a dumpster behind an apartment complex in Abington. A man is seen approaching the dumpster with a trash bag.

Prosecutors allege Brian Walshe killed Ana around New Years Day 2023, dismembered her body, and disposed of the remains after learning of her affair.

Boyfriend Takes the Stand

William Fastow, a Washington, D.C. realtor who sold Ana her home there, testified about her concerns over Brian discovering the relationship.

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Ana felt it was really important that when Brian found out about the relationship, he would hear it from her, Fastow said. She expressed great concern and thought it would be a strike against her integrity if he found out a different way.

William Fastow, Ana Walshe's boyfriend, looks at a picture of Ana while on the witness stand during Brian Walshe's trial for murdering his wife Ana, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

Jurors See Gruesome Photos

Earlier this week, the jury saw grim images of evidence collected in the case.

Ana has never been found, but prosecutors presented items recovered from a dumpster near Walshes mothers home in Swampscott, including:

Ana Walshes clothes, jacket, boots, slippers, pocketbook, headphones, car keys, and her COVID-19 vaccination card

A Tyvek suit and goggles

Tools such as a hatchet, hacksaw, hammer, and wire snips

Pieces of a bloody rug resembling one seen in a photo of Ana in their Cohasset home

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Investigators say surveillance video captured Brian Walshe buying cleaning supplies at area hardware stores before reporting his wife missing. They also allege Walshe searched online for ways to dispose of a body and clean up after dismemberment.

Walshe has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Chilling Google Searches Discussed

During questioning, police asked Walshe if he had harmed his wife. He said no. But investigators later discovered chilling searches on an iPad belonging to Walshes son, including:

How to dispose of a body

How to get blood out of hardwood floors

How to dispose of a body in the trash

How to stop a body from decomposing

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Those searches were made around 4:54 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023. Walshe claimed he never used that iPad.

Defense Claims Natural Causes

Walshes attorneys argue Ana was not murdered, but instead died of natural causes in the couples Cohasset home, leading Brian to panic.

Brian Walshe enters the courtroom for his trial for murdering his wife Ana, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

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Brian Walshe enter the courtroom clutching papers and a rosary. Opening statements in the Brian Walshe murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Dedham, Mass., Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Brian Walshe appears in Norfolk Superior Court after pleading guilty to two of three charges filed against him in Dedham, Mass., Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Mark Stockwell/Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

Defense attorney Kelli Porges, right, introduces her client, murder defendant Brian Walshe, to prospective jurors in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (Mark Stockwell/Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

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Brian Walshe, left, is facing murder and other charges following the disappearance of his wife, Ana Walshe, left, on Jan. 1, 2023.

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Brian Walshe status hearing on his wifes murder case set for March 1

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DA: Brian Walshe indicted on murder charges of wife Ana Walshe

25 Investigates: Brian Walshes damaging digital footprint

Brian Walshe appears at Quincy District Court on a charge of murdering his wife (inset),Ana Walshe, in Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. on January 18, 2023. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Craig F. Walker/Pool via Reuters, Facebook)

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Brian Walshe escorted into court for murder arraignment

Brian Walshe appears in court for allegedly misleading police

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The dumpsters taken away from Brian Walshe's mothers apartment. Taken to Peabody for investigation

Brian Walshe spotted at juice bar day after wife disappears

Authorities search North Shore dumpster station for evidence in disappearance of Ana Walshe

Brian Walshe kisses his new bride, Ana Walshe, on their wedding day. (Facebook photo)

Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home

Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home

Police investigating Ana Walshe's home

Police investigating outside of Ana Walshe's Cohasset home

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Police investigating Ana Walshe's home

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe

The pool that was drained outside the Walshe home

Brian Walshe, the husband of Ana Walshe

Trial Coverage

Testimony resumes at 9 a.m. today for a half-day session ending at 1 p.m. Boston 25 News is streaming the entire trial live.

The trial is expected to last about three weeks.

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Waymos autonomous vehicles are racking up local traffic violations, and now the federal government is getting involved.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Waymo after its autonomous vehicles were caught violating multiple traffic laws around school buses in Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia.

NHTSA said in a letter sent Wednesday to the Alphabet-owned company that it is investigating its automated driving system as well as its ability to follow traffic safety laws when school buses are near. The Office of Defects Investigation, which is part of NHTSA, began looking into Waymos school-bus violations in October, after one of its autonomous vehicles failed to remain stopped around a stopped school bus in Atlanta.

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In addition to the Georgia incident, Waymo has garnered 20 traffic citations for passing stopped school buses from the Austin Independent School District since the beginning of the school year, according to a Friday report from CBS Austin. Austin ISD has acknowledged at least 19 of these incidents; Quartz has reached out to the school district to confirm the most recent alleged violation.

Austin ISD said five of these incidents occurred after Waymo told the school district in a separate Nov. 5 letter that software updates were in place to resolve the issue, according to a letter dated Nov. 20 from Austin ISD to Waymo.

The school district asked Waymo to immediately cease operations during school pick up and drop off hours until more in-depth software updates are completed. Austin ISD said in its letter that Waymo is "averaging 1.5 violations per week.

We cannot allow Waymo to continue endangering our students while it attempts to implement a fix, the school district said.

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Austin ISD said Waymo denied its request to halt operations when school buses are in use, CBS Austin reported.

Waymo said in a statement to the outlet on Tuesday that it swiftly implemented software updates to address the school-bus incidents and will continue to track and implement more as needed.

Waymo did not immediately respond to Quartzs request for comment.

NHTSA requested further information from Waymo, including vehicle incident reports, its approach to safety around stopped school buses, whether its approach varies by location.

ODI is concerned that ADS-equipped vehicles exhibiting such unexpected driving behaviors or not complying with traffic safety laws concerning school buses may increase the risk of crash, injury, and property damage, NHTSA said.

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If Waymo doesnt respond promptly and fully to NHTSAs letter, the administration said the company could be subject to civil penalties, including fines as high as $27,874 per violation per day. Waymo has until January 20 to respond to NHTSAs requests. It can ask for an extension no later than five business days before the response due date, the administration said.

While Waymo faces safety concerns, a new investigation, and the death of a bodega cat, it's also apparently trying to make its vehicles drive more like humans do, according to a Tuesday report from the Wall Street Journal.
Western embassies in Tanzania, including the UK and France, have called on the authorities to release to the families all bodies of those killed in October's electoral violence.

Citing "credible reports", the 17 missions said there was "evidence of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests" and the "concealment of bodies" by Tanzanian authorities during the unrest.

In response, Tanzania said it had set up a commission of inquiry which would bring about an understanding of the "unfortunate events".

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Hundreds are reported to have been killed in the violence, though the government has not released an official toll.

The authorities violently cracked down on widespread demonstrations after the 29 October presidential election, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with nearly 98% of the vote.

Samia's main rivals were barred, prompting widespread anger over the fairness of the presidential contest, which the opposition denounced as a "mockery of democracy".

The authorities also imposed an internet blackout and threatened anyone sharing photos from the protests.

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Samia has defended the fairness of the election and rejected criticism of her human rights record.

At least 240 people were charged with treason after the protests, but the president later sought to ease tension and asked prosecutors to "show leniency". Many of those charged have reportedly already been released.

Opposition leader Tundu Lissu was charged with treason in April and remains behind bars.

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In a joint statement on Friday, the coalition of Western embassies in Tanzania urged the government to free political prisoners and allow detainees to get legal and medical help.

"We call on the authorities to urgently release all the bodies of the dead to their families," added the statement issued by the European Union delegation, several EU member countries, Canada, Norway and Switzerland.

They welcomed the government's decision to investigate the causes and circumstances of the violence but stressed that the probe be independent, transparent, and inclusive, involving civil society, faith-based organisations, and political stakeholders.

"We reiterate our call on the government to uphold its international commitments to protecting fundamental freedoms and the constitutional rights of all Tanzanians to access information and express themselves freely," they added.

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The statement comes amid growing diplomatic pressure on Tanzania over reported human rights abuses during the disputed election.

UN human rights office spokesman Seif Magango on Friday told a press briefing in Geneva that the Tanzanian government had "intensified a crackdown against opponents since the vote".

"Reports indicate that since mid-November, dozens of individuals including academics, civil society actors and local political leaders have been detained, with several arrests allegedly carried out by unidentified armed personnel," Magango added.

He said hundreds were reportedly killed and more than 2,000 detained after demonstrations broke out following the elections.

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"We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained."

The US government on Thursday said it was reconsidering relations with Tanzania in the wake of its heavy-hand response against protesters.

The State Department said the US "cannot overlook actions that jeopardize the safety of our citizens, or the security and stability of the region".

In a statement on Friday, the Tanzania's foreign affairs ministry said it had noted these comments but urged other countries to wait for the results of the commission of inquiry before judging.

In a defiant speech on Tuesday, President Samia angrily hit out Western nations, accusing them of interfering in the country's internal affairs. defended the use of force as "necessary" against protesters who "were ready to overthrow the government".

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She repeated accusations that unnamed foreign actors had colluded with opposition groups to cause "regime change," without providing evidence to back up the claim.

Samia said her government was ready to confront protesters in fresh demonstrations planned for Tuesday next week.

The 65-year-old leader came into office in 2021 as Tanzania's first female president following the death of President John Magufuli.

She was initially praised for easing political repression, but the political space has since narrowed.

More about Tanzania from the BBC:

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The White House has brought in a new architect to work on President Donald Trumps vision for his massive $300 million ballroom project, officials said Thursday.

Shalom Baranes, head of Shalom Baranes Associates, has "joined the team of experts to carry out President Trumps vision on building what will be the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office  the White House Ballroom," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement.

Baranes' involvement was first reported by The Washington Post. NBC News has reached out to Shalom Baranes Associates for comment.

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The White House originally hired James McCrery and his firm to work in the project, which has already resulted in the destruction of the East Wing over the summer. Baranes was brought in as the project is developing into new phases, a White House official said.

The official said McCrery remains as a valuable consultant on the project, adding, This is not a replacement but rather a passing of the baton.

While Trump has shown off renderings of the project, the exact dimensions of the ballroom are unclear. It's already expanded in size and cost. Trump told NBC News in September that it would be able to hold up to 900 people.

The White House will submit official plans to the National Capital Planning Commission soon, the official said.

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In his statement, Ingle praised Baranes as "an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nations capital for decades and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project."

Initially estimated to cost $200 million, Trump said in October that the new ballroom would cost about $300 million. The entire amount is being paid by donors, including him, he said. Its going to be probably the finest ballroom ever built, and were doing it to no cost to the country, Trump said then.

Comcast Corp., the parent company of NBCUniversal, was included in a list of top donors. It is unclear how much Comcast and other donors have contributed.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a gun safety rally at the state Capitol Building on April 22, 2025 | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols

For most of her tenure as Michigans chief executive, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has earned her reputation the old fashioned way: by delivering results that matter to the people she represents.

GOP propaganda to the contrary, she kept Michigan on an even keel during a global pandemic, as the first Trump administration seemingly worked overtime to tip the boat over.

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She invested in long-neglected infrastructure while expanding workers rights, strengthening reproductive freedoms, and pushing forward common sense gun safety reforms that had been ignored by prior governors.

And even in the face of a plot to kidnap and murder her, Whitmer stood resolute against the rising tide of right-wing extremism that resulted in a blatant attempt to steal the 2020 election and an attempted coup on January 6.

But a governor who stood firmly for the rights of citizens over those of vested interests is now leaning in a strange direction.

Whitmers name became prominently mentioned as a potential contender for the White House precisely because she governed with a clear sense of public purpose and leadership that was widely, and rightly, respected.

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But her sweeping embrace of massive data center projects has left many Michiganders, including this one, confused. Especially as it is so seemingly in line with the priorities of President Donald Trump, whose July executive order demanded the pursuit of bold, large-scale industrial plans to vault the United States further into the lead on critical manufacturing processes and technologies that are essential to national security, economic prosperity, and scientific leadership.

Now compare that to the comments Whitmer offered to the Michigan Public Service Commission this week in support of the massive data center proposed in Saline Township, in which she urged the regulatory body to provide the utility an expedited approval.

Right now, time is of the essence, Whitmer stated. This is a matter of national security and economic competitiveness, and if we do not act, it will cost us thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of investment in our economy.

And while she has insisted that Michigans environmental protections remained non-negotiable in the vetting process, that is a conclusion far more in line with the utilities and tech companies than with environmental advocates.

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The governor who has demanded accountability from corporate interests like Enbridge and its Line 5 pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac is now actively courting companies that demand immense public resources, with long-term implications for the air we breathe and the water we drink, in exchange for limited economic return.

Its perplexing  and hard not to wonder what changed.

The sudden enthusiasm for data centers is especially surprising given the industrys profile: massive energy consumption, minimal permanent job creation, substantial taxpayer subsidies, and heavy strain on local infrastructure.

Yet Michigan is now extending public money to data center operators  many of them among the most powerful and profitable companies in the world  as if they were fragile startups in need of nurturing.

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While Whitmer has leaned enthusiastically into promoting data centers as a symbol of Michigans high-tech future, Attorney General Dana Nessel, a fellow Democrat, has struck a far more cautious tone, underscoring the risks that come with rushing such projects forward.

Whitmer, like Trump, has heralded proposed developments as transformative investments, framing the industry as a competitive necessity in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Nessel, by contrast, has repeatedly pressed for rigorous oversight, intervening in utility proceedings and urging full public hearings to ensure that residents are not saddled with higher energy costs, hidden subsidies, or environmental burdens.

Where Whitmer emphasizes opportunity and momentum, Nessel stresses transparency, accountability, and the need to safeguard public resources. The divergence between the two reveals more than just a policy disagreement but a fundamental difference in governing instincts: one eager to accelerate economic development, the other insistent that Michigan not trade away long-term public protections for short-term headlines.

If she continues down this path, Whitmer risks transforming a strong, people-first narrative into a muddled story of corporate appeasement and economic strategy on autopilot.

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If she does have political ambitions beyond the end of her governorship, which seems to be a source of back-and-forth speculation, this is a puzzling path to take toward wooing Democratic voters exhausted by industry-driven agendas that seek to paper over poisoned water and polluted air as necessary progress.

And thats what makes this moment so baffling: she doesnt need to do any of this. Not for her legacy, not for Michigan, and not for the future shes already spent years shaping.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)  Somali migrant Mohamed Abdi Awale endured horrors on an ill-fated journey across Africa to seek a better life in the West  but he's determined to try again one day, even aiming for the U.S. despite increasing restrictions.

Awale is one of 165 Somali migrants recently repatriated after being detained in Libya, where the International Organization for Migration says those caught on journeys to Europe face unacceptable and inhumane conditions.

Awale undertook a more than 5,000-kilometer (3,100-mile) journey, leaving Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, to cross Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Sudan.

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He was captured by smugglers near the Sudan-Libyan border and taken to the Sahara oasis town of Kufra, where captors filmed him being tortured in a bid to extract a ransom from his family.

Torture became normal, Awale said. If you failed to pay, they beat you until you fainted. Some people lost their minds. Others didnt survive.

Unable to afford the ransom, his mother, Hawo Elmo Rage, turned to social media, pleading with Somalis at home and abroad to help her save her son.

They told me to send the money or they would take his life, Rage said. She ultimately raised $17,000, enough to free him.

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Awale was released from Kufra and put in a car bound for the Mediterranean coast with other migrants. After their vehicle broke down, the group trekked for more than two weeks, facing starvation and dehydration.

I thought we would die there, Awale said.

The group was then detained outside of Tripoli, and Awale spent a month in prison in the coastal town of Sirte and another two months in detention in Tripoli before his repatriation to Somalia in November.

Awale became one of hundreds of thousands of Somalis that have fled the country in more than three decades of civil war, according to UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency, which estimates that another 3.5 million people are displaced within Somalia itself.

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While most Somali refugees live in neighboring countries like Kenya, according to UNHCR, many like Awale have been inspired to seek a future in the West. Awale said that he dreamed of moving to the U.S. since he was a child.

I want him to stay, his mother said. But I know he wishes for a better life. I pray God gives him a safe future not the dangerous one he found.

Changes to immigration policy this year under Trump administration changed the calculus of migrants like Awale. U.S. President Donald Trump banned travel to the U.S. by citizens of Somalia and 11 other countries in June  so Awale set his sights on Europe.

Awale remains hopeful that he will reach the U.S. one day, despite anti-Somali sentiment from the White House and a further tightening of immigration restrictions for Somalis.

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The White House also announced this week that it was pausing all immigration applications for people from 19 countries, including Somalia.

My dream was America, but I felt like Trump closed that door, Awale said. Maybe after Trumps term ends.

___

For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

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The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
WINCHESTER, IN  A Winchester woman has been sentenced to two years in the Randolph County Jail, followed by three years on electronic home detention, for her role in the shootings of two local men.

Kaitlyn Burhans, 36, was sentenced on Thursday, Dec. 4, by Randolph Circuit Court Judge Jay Toney after she pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison.

The sentence she received was specified in the terms of a plea agreement.

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Burhans and a co-defendant, 31-year-old Noel T. Cottrell of Winchester, were arrested in August 2024 after two men were shot, one in the right leg and the other in the buttocks. The shootings took place outside a home in the 200 block of South Brown Street.

The shooting victims told police they earlier had an altercation "a block away" with a man later identified as Cottrell.

More: Winchester man gets 17 years for fatally shooting ex-girlfriend, sexually soliciting child

They said as they stood in front of the Brown Street house a "red car" allegedly driven by Burhans drove past, and Cottrell began shooting at them.

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A Winchester police officer reported he was given a cell phone recording that showed the shootings.

Her plea agreement called for dismissal of six other related counts against Burhans, including two counts of aiding, inducing or causing conspiracy to commit murder.

In another circuit court case, charges of burglary, theft and criminal mischief pending against the Winchester woman were also dismissed.

Cottrell in October was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted aggravated battery.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Winchester woman sentenced for role in two shootings
Image Credit: Ford.

Ford Motor Company, long celebrated as a pillar of American automotive history, is now grappling with a crisis of confidence. In 2025 alone, the automaker has logged approximately 100 recalls, affecting nearly five million vehicles across its lineup. The fact that some models were recalled multiple times for the same defect underscores persistent quality-control failures.

Against this backdrop, Ford has quietly rolled out a secretive initiative: the Owner Retention Certificate Program, a discount scheme designed to keep frustrated customers from defecting to rival brands.

A Discount Hidden in Plain Sight

The program, introduced on November 18, 2025, is not advertised publicly. Instead, Ford communicated the offer to dealers in a letter, describing it as a tool to help retain customers who have lost confidence in their vehicle due to unsatisfactory service experiences. The deal promises up to 10% off the MSRP of the vehicle a customer already owns, capped at $6,000 for Ford models and $10,000 for Lincoln vehicles.

Crucially, this is not a blanket discount on any new car; it is tied to the MSRP of the owners current vehicle. Owning a $30,000 Escape, for instance, would yield a maximum $3,000 discount on a new Ford or Lincoln.

The program excludes certain halo models such as the F-150 Raptor, as well as vehicles eligible for buybacks under state lemon laws. California residents are also barred from participation, though Ford has not explained why.

Fords Recall Epidemic

Image Credit: Ford.

Fords recall record in 2025 is staggering. By mid-November, the company had issued 103 separate recalls. This figure dwarf industry averages. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford accounted for nearly 20% of all U.S. vehicle recalls this year.

Problems ranged from faulty transmissions to defective airbags and recurring electrical issues. In some cases, recalls were repeated because earlier fixes failed to resolve the defect.

This avalanche of recalls has battered Fords reputation. Consumer surveys show declining trust: a 2025 J.D. Power study found Ford ranked near the bottom in initial quality, with owners reporting an average of 230 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to the industry average of 180.

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility for the retention discount is narrow. Vehicles must be less than 36 months old and have fewer than 36,000 miles. That means only customers still under warrantythose who have lost time but not necessarily moneycan benefit.

Dealers have discretion in awarding certificates, targeting situations where the customers service experience is negative enough for them to likely defect. In practice, this vagueness could work in favor of consumers, but it also leaves room for inconsistent application across dealerships.
A mother of two was convicted Thursday of the 2018 stabbing and killing of a retired nurse in what prosecutors said was a robbery attempt to pay for the assailant's daughter to attend a cheerleading competition.

Cherie Lynnette Townsend, 47, was found guilty of murdering Susan Leeds, 66, an attack that took place in the parking lot of in a Rolling Hills Estates mall. Officials said Leeds was stabbed 17 times shortly after noon on May 3.

Investigators tested blood and DNA in and outside of Leeds' white Mercedes SUV, but it was Townsend's cellphone  found by deputies underneath the vehicle  that led to Townsend's arrest.

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Thursday's conviction brought an end to a seven-year legal ordeal. In public comments, in criminal court, and in a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Townsend insisted she was innocent in the brutal slaying, claiming she had been unfairly targeted and arrested in the crime.

Townsend was initially arrested in May 2018 but released six days later, after prosecutors asked investigators for additional evidence.

While the investigation continued, Townsend sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in October 2018, alleging false imprisonment, defamation, racial discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

I live my life in hiding, afraid that the police are going to come or that Im gonna be unjustly targeted like I was before, Townsend said during a news conference at the time.

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Read more: Yale professor says she was raised by mom's killer. It took 40 years for an arrest in California

But Townsend was rearrested and charged in August 2023, leading to her conviction Thursday. Her federal lawsuit against the Sheriff's Department was dismissed.

In court, Townsend's public defender, Elizabeth Landgraf, argued that no direct evidence linked Townsend to the killing, such as DNA, fingerprints, witnesses or video.

Ilene Louie, a criminologist for the Sheriff's Department, testified that investigators collected and tested DNA and multiple blood samples that were found inside and just outside of Leeds' SUV.

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Blood found in and around the car matched Leeds' profile, but the samples did not match Townsend's DNA, according to reports presented in court.

The blood samples also did not match a homeless man who had been originally detained in the killing. Blood that was found in that man's jeans, Louie testified, did not match Leeds' DNA profile.

But underneath the car, investigators found Townsend's cellphone, which had traces of DNA that matched Townsend's.

According to the criminal complaint, Townsend had been looking for ways to come up with $2,000 to send her daughter and two of her friends to a cheerleading competition in Florida.

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Read more: Matthew Perrys 'Dr. P' sentenced to prison for supplying actor with ketamine before death

Deputy Dist. Atty. Paul Thompson said in his opening statement that Townsend had considered starting a GoFundMe account but decided against it, thinking it might embarrass her daughter, the Daily Breeze reported.

Prosecutors also pointed to Google searches found on her phone, including a search to see if Walmart checked IDs for credit card purchases, the Daily Breeze reported. Prosecutors also presented as evidence a note she had written on her phone that read, "In this moment, I am completely broken," because she was unable to come up with the money for her daughter's competition.

As prosecutors showed images from inside the SUV where blood and DNA were collected, some friends and relatives of Leeds covered their eyes and began to cry quietly in the court. Leeds' body, still in the driver's seat of the SUV with her hands on her lap, could be seen in some of the images.

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Townsend is expected back in court Jan. 23 for sentencing.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A woman who sued Los Angeles County after being arrested and then released in connection with the stabbing death of a woman in a parking garage at a Rolling Hills Estates mall -- but was subsequently re- arrested more than five years later -- was convicted Thursday of murder.

Jurors deliberated just under a day before finding Cherie Lynnette Townsend, now 47, of first-degree murder for the May 3, 2018, killing of Susan Leeds, 66, of Rancho Palos Verdes.

The seven-woman, five-man panel also found true an allegation that Townsend personally used a knife during the commission of the crime.

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Townsend -- whose attorney clutched her hand in the Torrance courtroom -- is due back in court for sentencing Jan. 23 by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge John J. Lonergan Jr. She is facing 26 years to life in state prison.

Leeds was attacked in broad daylight while inside her white 2016 Mercedes-Benz SUV, which was parked on the first floor in the parking garage of the Promenade on the Peninsula in the 500 block of Deep Valley Drive.

Leeds had been stabbed 17 times in the neck and upper body, and had one incise wound on a finger and bruises that indicated she may have tried to defend herself, according to Paul Gliniecki, a deputy medical examiner who reviewed the results of the autopsy and testified during a hearing last year in which Townsend was ordered to stand trial.

Townsend was initially arrested in May 2018 in connection with Leeds' killing, then released from custody five days later after prosecutors asked law enforcement to conduct further investigation into the crime.

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After Townsend's arrest in 2018, then-Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said Townsend's vehicle -- a gold-colored 2008 Chevrolet Malibu -- had been parked on the same floor. He noted then that there was still a "tremendous amount of investigative work" to be done.

The suspect arrested in the fatal stabbing of a 66-year-old woman at a Rolling Hills Estates mall was identified as a 39-year-old woman.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in November 2018, Townsend sued Los Angeles County, McDonnell and the then-mayors of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes, alleging false imprisonment, defamation, emotional distress, negligence and civil rights violations.

In a statement released after Townsend filed a multimillion-dollar damages claim in October 2018, the sheriff's department called it a "very complex, yet active investigation."

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"Investigators are still receiving tips from the public and are diligently following up on each and every lead. With the lack of eyewitnesses in this case, the physical and forensic evidence collected is continually re- evaluated. Additionally, investigators are coordinating their efforts in the furtherance of this investigation with the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office Major Crimes Unit," the sheriff's department said then.

Townsend was re-arrested in August 2023 by the Sheriff's Department's Fugitive Unit and has remained behind bars since then.

The civil lawsuit filed by Townsend was dismissed without prejudice shortly after her arrest.

Deputy District Attorneys Paul Thompson and Jonathan Chung contended that Townsend killed Leeds during a robbery. A separate robbery charge filed against Townsend in 2023 was dismissed shortly before the trial as a result of the statute of limitations.

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In his closing argument Wednesday, Chung told the panel that "all of the evidence points to the defendant."

Defense attorney Elizabeth Landgraf countered, "Ms. Townsend did not kill Susan Leeds ... I don't know who killed her. ... It was certainly not Cherie Townsend."
Over a decade ago, Google showed off a pair of smart spectacles called Google Glass, sparking a major ethical debate over wearables being used to covertly film people without their permission.

At the time, the outrage was enshrined by the derogatory neologism glasshole, meaning a Google Glass wearer who was accused of having little regard for the privacy of those around them.

A seeming eternity later, Meta has attempted to revive the idea with its Ray-Ban Meta glasses. While its arguably a significant technological leap over Googles early forays, the debate has seemingly remained the same.

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Case in point, as Daily Dot reports, a New York subway rider has accused a woman of breaking his Meta smart glasses.

She just broke my Meta glasses, said the TikTok user, who goes by eth8n, in a video that has since garnered millions of views.

Youre going to be famous on the internet! he shouted at her through the window after getting off the train. The accused woman, however, peered back at him completely unfazed, as if to say that he had it coming.

I was making a funny noise people were honestly crying laughing at, he claimed in the caption of a followup video. She was the only person annoyed. I never spoke to her, I even let her sit down when she got on the train at 42nd street, and I continued to stand.

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But instead of coming to his support, the internet wholeheartedly rallied behind the alleged perpetrator, celebrating the woman as a folk hero  and perfectly highlighting how the public feels about gadgets like Metas smart glasses.

Good, people are tired of being filmed by strangers, one user commented.

The fact that no one else on the train is defending him is telling, another wrote.

Shes perfect, another gushed. I hope she called him a dork for wearing them before she broke them.

Others accused the man of fabricating details of the incident.

People were crying laughing  Ive never heard a less plausible NYC subway story, one user wrote.

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While Meta built in a small LED light in the front of its glasses to indicate when its recording a video, it can easily be covered by a small piece of tape, making it trivially easy to spy on strangers in public without their knowledge or consent. As Daily Dot points out, people are even selling stickers for this specific purpose.

In the meantime, eth8n claims to have filed a claim with the police and its a misdemeanor charge.

What she did was assault, can get arrested for it if I see her again and felt like it, he wrote.

But it remains to be seen whether the mysterious woman will face any consequences for breaking his glasses  or if the adoring public will even turn her in.

More on Metas glasses: Metas Disastrous Smart Glasses Demo Even Worse Than We Thought
The 2024 Torchbearer Awards event at the Indiana State Museum. (Courtesy photo)

In recent years, the Indiana Commission for Women has thrown a lovely event to honor Indiana women with Torchbearer Awards.

A plated meal in a well-appointed banquet room or historical setting; women coming up on stage to be recognized for their accomplishments and efforts. It was the highlight of the commissions year.

But this year, there was no public event. No cheesecake dessert or stage or round of applause from hundreds of attendees. Instead, the five Torchbearer honorees received their awards in a private meeting in the governors office. Reporters werent even invited.

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We believe this format was best suited to give these exceptional women a personal audience with the governor and allow time for conversations about the important work they do, said Griffin Reid, press secretary for Gov. Mike Braun.

But its really a part of a larger move away from highlighting women and minorities, including state contracting programs.

The commission has been around since 1992 by executive order and since 1996 by statute. Its mission is to elevate the well-being of women in Indiana by understanding their needs and supporting their active involvement in all areas of society.

The 2024 Torchbearer Awards event at the Indiana State Museum. (Courtesy photo)

Similarly, the Torchbearer Awards were created in 2004 to celebrate the achievements of talented women across diverse industries and roles with Indiana.

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A Torchbearer epitomizes a trailblazer who, through her courage, resilience, and compassion, emerges as a guiding light. Leading by example, she sparks inspiration, igniting a flame that illuminates pathways for others to follow, the website says.

Titled Torchbearers, these remarkable women carry forth the torch for Indianas women to follow. The statue of Victory atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Monument Circle was chosen to symbolize these awards. Victory embodies the character and achievements of our esteemed recipients, while the flame she holds aloft not only beckons other women to follow but signifies the brilliance Hoosier women have brought to our state and communities.

Before Braun took office in January, the Indiana Commission for Women had its own line item in the state budget of $113,601 annually. Thats now gone.

The womens commission is ostensibly part of the Civil Rights Commission now, which provides administrative support for the group and four other cultural commissions.

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The other four, though, kept their funding line items  albeit slightly reduced. The Civil Rights Commission also had its budget cut by lawmakers and the governor.

In addition, the Indiana Commission for Women hasnt met all year  aside from a January meeting that was scheduled before Braun took over.

Brooklyn Marrs, from the civil rights commission, said a May meeting didnt have a quorum but the executive committee met in July.

The Indiana General Assembly did not approve an allocation for the Indiana Commission for Women for this budget biennium. There are no specific staff members assigned to the ICW, but the Indiana Civil Rights Commission team is providing administrative support.

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Its a shame that we have reached a point that programs to honor or recognize women have been scuttled.

It was only 100 years ago that women were able to vote. Heck, it was 1988 when Congress eliminated the requirement that women have their husband or another man co-sign for business loans. 1988!

It seems obvious to me that women have some more progress to make before we can reach true equality, and if that means an annual public event to tout successes Im all for it.

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President Donald Trump just granted a surprising pardon to a Democratic lawmaker.

Trump announced his pardon of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar  a Democrat from Texas  in a Truth Social post on Wednesday. He accused former President Joe Biden of politically targeting Cuellar with an investigation during his administration.

For years, the Biden Administration weaponized the Justice System against their Political Opponents, and anyone who disagreed with them. One of the clearest examples of this was when Crooked Joe used the FBI and DOJ to take out a member of his own Party after Highly Respected Congressman Henry Cuellar bravely spoke out against Open Borders, and the Biden Border Catastrophe, Trump said.

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Because of these facts, and others, I am hereby announcing my full and unconditional PARDON of beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar, and Imelda. Henry, I dont know you, but you can sleep well tonight  Your nightmare is finally over!" Trump added.

Cuellar was indicted last year alongside his wife, Imelda, on charges of bribery, money laundering and conspiracy. He has denied any wrongdoing in the case that was set to go to trial next April.

Cuellar thanked the president in a statement posted to X.

I want to thank President Trump for his tremendous leadership and for taking the time to look at the facts. I thank God for standing with my family and I during this difficult time, Cuellar wrote.

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This decision clears the air and lets us move forward for South Texas. This pardon gives us a clean slate. The noise is gone. The work remains. And I intend to meet it head on. Thank you Mr. President, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America, he added.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) also offered some rare praise of Trump, saying on CNN that the pardon was well-deserved because the charges were very thin. He said that the pardon was exactly the right outcome.

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Considered one of the Big Three Democratic strongholds, its no surprise where New York lands in the latest Civiqs approval rating of President Donald Trumps second term.

According to the report released Saturday, Nov. 29, 31% of registered voters in New York approve of the job Trump is doing in his second term, while 64% disapprove and 5% remain undecided.

How New York compares to the nation

Nationwide, the poll shows that 39% of American voters approve of Trumps performance, 56% disapprove, and 4% remain undecided. This places New York below the national average in support for the president.

States with lowest Trump approval

While New York ranks low, it is not the least supportive state. That distinction goes to Hawaii, where just 21% approve of Trumps job performance, 76% disapprove, and 3% are undecided. Vermont follows with 23% approval and 73% disapproval, and Maryland shows 25% approval and 71% disapproval.

States with highest Trump approval

On the other end of the spectrum, Wyoming shows the strongest support for Trump, with 66% approving, 31% disapproving, and 4% undecided. West Virginia follows at 61% approval and 33% disapproval, while Idaho records 60% approval and 35% disapproval.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York Trump approval ratings 2025. Latest poll results
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has removed his former chief of staff Andriy Yermak from the National Security Council amid a sprawling corruption investigation that has rocked Kiev.

Yermak is also no longer a member of the Stavka, the high command of Ukraine's armed forces, according to two presidential decrees published on Friday.

Yermak, a long-standing ally of the president, stepped down as Zelensky's chief of staff last week after anti-corruption authorities conducted searches at his premises.

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It remains unclear whether the raids are linked to what has been described as the country's biggest corruption affair since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, involving alleged bribes in energy-related procurement.

Yermak also served as Kiev's chief negotiator in talks on ending the war. That position is now held by former defence minister Rustem Umerov.

Yermak had headed the presidential office since February 2020 and was considered the second most powerful man in Ukraine. Observers see his forced departure as a serious blow to Zelensky, who has lost a long-time confidant.
 Janell Shah is a wandering biologist who calls Yakima Valley home. She finds wonder and whimsy in nature and the mundane.
A car powered by hydrogen stands on the Air Liquide plant site. French industrial gases company Air Liquide announced plans on Friday to revamp one of its plants in China. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa

French industrial gases company Air Liquide announced plans on Friday to revamp one of its plants in China.

Air Liquide said it will invest approximately 25 million ($29.1 million) to revamp its air separation unit (ASU) in Yulin in Shaanxi province.

As part of a contract extension with a subsidiary of the Yangchang Group, the revamping will immediately enable a reduction of the unit's CO2 emissions, the company said.

The ASU's oxygen capacity will be increased by 10%, it added.

Air Liquide has established since 2008 a long-term partnership with the Yangchang Group by supplying gas to its subsidiary Kaiyue.

Air Liquide in China operates more than 140 plants.
Gasoline prices fell just below $3.00 per gallon this week, their lowest level since 2021.

As of Wednesday, at least 30 states saw an average the $3 mark at the pump, according to AAA data, as lower crude prices and less expensive winter blends give relief to drivers heading into the December holiday season.

"With refinery maintenance largely complete and OPEC increasing oil production for December, oil prices have struggled," GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan said on Monday.

"Combine those factors, and you have a solid recipe for continued downward pressure on gas prices in the weeks ahead," he added.

De Haan noted some stations in the Midwest have even seen prices slip below $2 per gallon, with that number expected to grow as the Christmas holiday season approaches.

Read more: Find the best credit cards for gas in 2025

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) have increased output this year, sending Brent (BZ=F) and West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) futures down 15% and 16% year to date, respectively.

"OPEC supply increases in 2025 look aligned with the Trump Administrations ambitions to lower gasoline prices ahead of the mid-terms," Citi analysts wrote in a note on Monday.

OPEC recently announced it will stick with plans to pause output hikes in early 2026, as prices have come under pressure.

JPMorgan's Natasha Kaneva recently forecast that Brent will fall to $58 per barrel in 2026, with West Texas Intermediate trading $4 below this level.

In 2027, the firm sees prices falling by another $1 per barrel.

"At the risk of flogging a very dead horse, our message to the market has remained consistent since June 2023," Kaneva and her team wrote. "While demand is robust, supply is simply too abundant."

The per-gallon prices for the three grades of gasoline are electronically displayed on a pump at an Exxon station on Nov. 30 in Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.

Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
The U.S. tariffs on imported automotives and automotive parts have cost GM immensely this year.

Tariff payments shaved $2.8 billion off General Motors second-quarter adjusted automotive free cash flow, causing a $2.5 billion year-over-year decrease.

General Motors Q3 facts at a glance:

U.S. market share: 17%

Electric vehicles sold: 67,000

EV market share: 16.5%

Dealer inventory: Down 16% year over year

EV inventory: Down 30% since June

Source: General Motors

In the third quarter, which concluded in October, GM reported a $1.1 billion tariff impact on its adjusted EBIT, resulting in a $700 million year-over-year decline overall.

Without tariffs, GM would have reported EBIT-adjusted margins of 9%; however, with tariffs, the company reported margins of 6.2%.

Despite these tariff overhangs, GM CEO Mary Barra has praised the import duties. This week at the New York Times DealBook conference, she continued her support.

GM loves the auto tariffs and the imports it brings in from Korea.Photo by Bloomberg on Getty Images

GM CEO Mary Barra praises President Trump's auto tariffs

Tariffs impact GM more than other U.S. auto companies because GM imports more than the others do.

Nearly half of the vehicles GM sold in the U.S. in 2024 were imported, CNBC reported. GM sold 1.23 million imported vehicles in the U.S. in 2024.

Related: General Motors makes a harsh decision as EVs falter

GM imported more vehicles than Toyota. Meanwhile, Stellantis sold 564,600 imported vehicles and Ford sold only 419,000.

Despite this discrepancy, GM is a fan of the tariffs.

"There was not a level playing field. I think there has been a lot done with tariffs to have a more level playing field. For years we faced either tariffs, or non-tariffs trade barriers," Barra said.

GM was paying a 25% to 50% export fee to get its vehicles to China, while China paid just 2% tariffs, according to Barra. For Europe, GM paid 10% compared to the tariffs of 2% to 2.5% paid by European car companies here.

"I think getting to a more level playing field is definitely better for all of the American OEMs as we move forward," Barra said.

GM CEO Mary Barra has praised tariffs before

This isn't the first time Barra has praised the president's tariffs.

Barra defended them last week during an interview earlier this year, pointing to the disadvantages U.S. automakers face overseas.

For decades now, it has not been a level playing field for us automakers globally, with either tariffs or non-tariff trade barriers. So I think tariffs is one tool that the administration can use to level the playing field, Barra told the Wall Street Journal.
Photographer: Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg

Alphabet Inc.s Google must renegotiate any contract to make its search engine or artificial intelligence app the default for smartphones and other devices every year, a federal judge ruled.

Judge Amit Mehta in Washington sided with the US Justice Department on the one year limitation in his final ruling on what changes the search giant must make in the wake of a landmark ruling that the company illegally monopolized online search. The yearly renegotiation will give rivals  particularly those in the burgeoning generative AI field  a chance to compete for key placements.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The final judgment will still allow Google to offer its products to Apple Inc. for use in its popular iPhone and pay other electronics makers like Samsung Electronics Co. for default placement. But the judge said those contracts must be renegotiated annually.

Mehta noted in his ruling that both Google and the US government said they could work with the one-year limitation on default contracts. As such, the court holds that a hard-and-fast termination requirement after one year would best carry out the purpose of the injunctive relief.

Google and the Justice Department didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Following a 10-week trial, Mehta found in August 2024 that Google illegally monopolized online search and search advertising markets. He then held a second trial in the spring of 2025 to consider the Justice Departments request that Google be forced to sell off its popular web browser, Chrome.

Mehta rejected that request, ruling instead in September 2025 that Google must share some of the data underpinning its search results with rivals. Fridays decision expands on that ruling, outlining the specific circumstances in which the company must share its data and with whom.

In the September decision, Mehta ruled that Google could no longer pay companies to exclusively use its Search, Chrome web browser or Google Play Store, though he declined to bar all payments outright. That ruling incorporated aspects of proposals from Google and the Justice Department, requiring him to issue a second one defining some of the decisions technical terms.

Google has said it plans to appeal Mehtas initial ruling that its contracts, which require companies like Apple and Samsung to make its search engine the default on browsers and phones, violate US antitrust law. The Justice Department could also seek to appeal Mehtas remedy decision.
If you havent been to the circus in a while, perhaps it is time to reconsider. In the early to mid-decades of the last century, audiences were still dazzled by performances featuring trained wild animals such as lions, tigers, snakes, elephants, horses and monkeys.

And, of course, the indispensable clowns.



Times and sensibilities have changed. Modern circus art requires experiences that appeal to the senses. Today, as described by Peter Fekete, the director of Budapests Capital Circus, it is an interdisciplinary format that brings together ballet, opera, musicals, theater, orchestras, drama, and circus performers, including aerialists, jugglers, and dancers.



With Christmas approaching, Fekete has chosen one of Grimms classic fairytales, Mother Hulda (Holle anyo in Hungarian), to delight families at the circus. The story, which many will be familiar with, may not be new in the world of childrens theater, but it comes with its compensations.



The magic of long-awaited snowfall, brought about by Mother Hulda shaking out her featherbed, may make up for the many years without a white Christmas. In Feketes interpretation of the original tale, Mother Huldas two daughters are fundamentally different from one another.



How can the daily struggles of these incompatible teenagers be resolved through the combination of the original tale and the directors vision? The performance explores problems far deeper than jealousy between the pretty and plain, or the everyday conflicts between a diligent daughter and a lazy sibling.



How can children acknowledge each others faults? How can they adapt to one another when reconciliation seems impossible? What does it mean to be a sibling, to accept another unconditionally?



Circus for all Ages



Mother Hulda faces her own challenges, too. Daily tasks must be completed, and its not too much of a spoiler alert to suggest that a spindle dropped into a well plays a central role in the story. This is not only a moral tale for children, but also for adults, and proves once again that the circus speaks to every generation.



The leading roles are played by a Brazilian and a Russian acrobat, with the story carried along by a three-person Hungarian clown collective known as Ho-Pi-He (the Hungarian word for snowflake). A cultural kaleidoscope of nationalities are assembled in the ring to tell this story: Chinese, Uzbek, German, Hungarian, Russian and Ukrainian circus artists all play their parts.



With a nod to classical circus traditions, domesticated animals help bring the story to life. The audience can see alpacas and llamas, and can even learn how a spinning wheel works. Veteran actresses Marika Oszwald and Kati Zsurzs also play an essential role in presenting this fairytale.



The ring master pulling all this together is Peter Fekete, a Jaszai Mari Award-winning theater director, performer, circus artist, and now the director general of the National Circus Arts Center and the Capital Circus of Budapest, who says he aims to create a truly unique institution for circus art.



Between 1995 and 2002, Fekete was the head of European theater affairs at the Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. From 2007 to 2015, he was director of the Jokai Theater in Bekescsaba. Since 2015, he has been responsible for developing the national strategy for circus arts and supervising and guiding its renewal in Hungary. He was State Secretary for Culture from 2018 to 2022.



Ticket for the performances scheduled until the end of the year have almost completely sold out, he says.



In January, we are preparing for the first Hungarian festival of the year, under the motto Budapest, the locomotive of circus arts. From Jan. 7-12, 2026, the worlds attention will be on us, as the finest circus artists showcase their talents at the 16th Budapest International Circus Festival.



More:

fnc.hu/holle-anyo



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The Hungarian-Filipino Joint Economic Commission convened in Budapest. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, state secretary Levente Magyar said the sides had discussed matters of economy, including energy, as well as cooperation in higher education.

He added that the government offered scholarships to 30 Filipino students each year to enroll at Hungarian universities.



He said the cooperation between Hungary and the Philippines was "developing dynamically", pointing to a marked increase in Hungarian farm exports to the country, adding that the sides aimed to expand that cooperation further.



Hungary employs the largest number of Filipino guest workers relative to its population in the entire European Union, he said, praising their morale and the quality of their work in areas with severe labour shortages.



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HashKey Holdings will list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Credit: Simon Jankowski/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Key Takeaways

HashKey Holdings could debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as soon as this month.

The crypto exchange operator is looking to raise at least $200 million in its IPO.

HashKey is expected to become one of Hong Kongs most valuable listed crypto companies.

HashKey Holdings is preparing to start taking investor orders for its initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as early as next week, according to sources cited by Bloomberg on Friday, Dec. 5.

The company reportedly hopes to raise at least $200 million and may complete the listing before the end of the month.

Hong Kongs Biggest Crypto IPO

Assuming it reaches its IPO target, Hashkey will become one of Hong Kongs most valuable listed crypto companies, joining the ranks of Meitu, OSL Group, and DMall, which all have a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has hosted several multi-billion-dollar IPOs this year, with CATL, Zijin Gold International, and Horizon Robotics raising around $14 billion between them.

Among digital asset companies, OSL Group gets credit for the biggest equity raise, issuing new stock worth $300 million in July.

Now, HashKey is on course to take the crypto IPO crown.

How Much Will Hashkey be Worth Post-IPO

While the precise details of HashKeys offering arent yet known, HashKey first achieved unicorn status in 2024, when it raised $100 million from private investors.

When Gaorong Ventures injected another $30 million in February this year, HashKeys valuation remained roughly the same at around $1.5 billion, a spokesperson told Bloomberg.

A Test for Hong Kongs Crypto Strategy

HashKeys decision to list in Hong Kong represents a vote of confidence in the territorys crypto strategy.

The anticipated IPO points to a more optimistic outlook after Hong Kong-listed crypto firms took a beating on the stock market recently.

When the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) indicated its intention to restrict stablecoin activity in mainland China, shares in OSL Group, Yunfeng Financial Group, and other crypto-adjacent Hong Kong stocks plummeted.

The post HashKey Eyes $200M IPO  On Track To Become Hong Kong Most Valuable Crypto Company appeared first on ccn.com.
HubSpot Inc. (NYSE:HUBS) is one of the best falling stocks to buy, according to Wall Street analysts. HubSpot Inc. (NYSE:HUBS) holds a Strong Buy consensus from 27 analysts, with 23 Buys, 4 Holds, and no Sells. The average price target is $589.08, ranging from $450 to $800, implying a 59.71% upside from the current $368.84.

HubSpot, Inc. (HUBS) Focused on AI Product Integration to Accelerate Growth

Earlier on November 19 at Wells Fargos 9th Annual TMT Summit, HubSpot Inc. (NYSE:HUBS) CEO Yamini Rangan reiterated a hybrid monetization strategy focused on making artificial intelligence accessible to small and medium businesses.

Part of the plan entails embedding AI technology across all product lines, including Customer Agent and Data Agent, while leveraging extensive customer data to enhance their effectiveness. The company boasts of over 280,000 customers whose data it can use to improve its products.

Integration of AI across all product lines comes on the heels of Rothschild Redburn downgrading the stock to Neutral from Buy and slashing the price target to $450 from $610. The research firm has questioned the companys resilience amid the potential for AI disruption. It has also pointed to expectations of slower net customer additions.

HubSpot, Inc. (NYSE:HUBS) is a software company that provides a customer platform for marketing, sales, and customer service. Its solutions help businesses attract, engage, and retain customers. Its core offering is a cloud-based system that includes a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool.

While we acknowledge the potential of HUBS 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: 12 Best Silver Mining Stocks to Invest in Right Now and 10 Chinese Tech Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Humana Inc. (HUM) is a major health-insurance and managed-care company that offers a broad range of medical and specialty insurance products across the United States. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Humana operates through two primary business segments: Insurance and CenterWell, providing services such as Medicare and Medicaid plans, supplemental benefit plans, pharmacy benefit management, senior-centered primary-care services, home health, hospice, and more. The market cap of Humana is around $30.9 billion.

Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally tagged as large-cap stocks, and Humana fits this criterion perfectly as the company distinguishes itself as one of the largest health insurance providers. It is particularly strong in the Medicare Advantage market and has a significant national footprint.

More News from Barchart

However, HUM is trading 18.5% below its 52-week high of $315.35, which it hit on Sept. 5. The stock has declined 17.7% over the past three months, lagging behind the broader SPDR S&P Health Care Services ETF (XHS), which has gained 9.1% over the same period.

www.barchart.com

In the longer term, HUM is up 1.3% on a YTD basis, significantly lagging behind XHSs 19.7% gains. The stock has declined 11.8% over the past 52 weeks, considerably underperforming XHSs 11.2% returns over the same time frame.

To confirm the bearish price trend, HUM has largely traded below the 200-day moving average over the past year, except for some periods of trading above the line in recent months. The stock is trading well below the 50-day and 200-day moving averages since the beginning of last month.

www.barchart.com

HUM has demonstrated a weak performance primarily due to ongoing challenges in its Medicare Advantage business. The most significant factor was a substantial downgrade in the quality ratings (Star Ratings) for several of its major MA plans. Additionally, the company has faced higher-than-anticipated medical costs (evident in a rising benefit ratio), which has pressured profit margins.

For Q3 2025 (reported on Nov. 5), while sales rose 11.1% year-over-year (YoY) to $32.7 billion, profits weakened as rising medical utilization pushed the adjusted benefit ratio up to 91.1%. Non-GAAP EPS fell 22.1% YoY to $3.24. Humana also continues to face Medicare Advantage pressures, with expected membership losses of 425K for the year. The company reaffirmed its 2025 benefit ratio and adjusted EPS guidance of $17, but its lowered GAAP EPS outlook to $12.26. The stock has plunged 6% on Nov. 5 and 5.2% on the following day.
Morgan Stanley remains bullish on Nvidia (NVDA) stock despite growing concerns about an AI bubble. Analyst Joe Moore raised his price target on the chipmaker to $250 from $235, implying roughly 39% upside from current levels. The price hike comes as prominent investor Michael Burry intensifies his warnings that the AI investment boom mirrors the dot-com crash of the early 2000s.

Burry recently launched a Substack newsletter called "Cassandra Unchained" to detail his bearish AI thesis. He argues that Nvidia today occupies the same precarious position that Cisco (CSCO) held in 1999 and 2000, serving as the key hardware supplier during a massive capital spending cycle built on overly optimistic assumptions.

More News from Barchart

The "Big Short" investor pointed to parallels between then-Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan's dismissal of housing bubble concerns in 2005 and current Fed Chair Jerome Powell's wave-off of AI bubble fears, noting that AI companies are actually profitable.

www.barchart.com

The tension escalated when Nvidia circulated a seven-page memo to Wall Street analysts. The memo specifically addressed Burry's claims about stock-based compensation, depreciation schedules, and circular financing. Burry fired back, standing by his analysis while clarifying that he views Nvidia as today's Cisco rather than another Enron.

Moore at Morgan Stanley remains unfazed by the bubble talk, given Nvidias leadership position in the AI chip segment. The analyst emphasized that Nvidia continues to offer the best cost and performance for AI workloads, which keeps customers locked into the platform.

Is Nvidia Stock Still a Good Buy?

Nvidia continues to push back against concerns about an AI bubble while making strategic moves to cement its dominance in the rapidly expanding market.

Earlier this week, the AI giant announced a partnership with Synopsys (SNPS). According to the agreement, Nvidia will invest $2 billion in Synopsys with an aim to revolutionize engineering and design across multiple industries.

The collaboration will integrate Synopsys' engineering software with Nvidia's accelerated computing and AI technology to transform how companies design everything from semiconductors to complete systems.
As Americans grapple with $1.23 trillion in credit card balances, Klarna Group is introducing a new way to access premium rewardsone that doesnt require a credit card at all.

Most Read from Fast Company



The Swedish fintech company launched its Premium ($19.99/month) and Max ($44.99/month) membership tiers in the United States on Thursday, expanding upon its existing Core and Plus offerings and mirroring successful rollouts in the UK and EU.

The move positions Klarna squarely in the territory long dominated by high-end credit cards like the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve, but with none of the spending thresholds, APRs, or annual fees that usually define that segment.

The timing is strategic: Americans, especially affluent Americans, are increasingly walking away from traditional credit cards and leaning into debit-first financial tools and buy now, pay later (BNPL) options.

According to Klarna, 11.2% of U.S. adults cancelled a credit card in the past 12 months, and that jumps to 15.1% among people earning more than $100,000. Nearly one in three high-income consumers (30%) now use BNPL as one of their preferred payment methods.

That shift was central to how Klarna designed these new tiers.

Affluent consumers are growing tired of the overspend-to-earn dynamics of traditional credit cards and the eye-watering annual fee that comes with them, said David Sandstrom, chief marketing officer at Klarna. They want premium benefits without carrying a balance, chasing categories, or navigating fine print.

Klarnas new tiers, he adds, offer transparent pricing, month-to-month subscriptions, immediate access to meaningful perks they will actually use, and no requirement to take on debt.

A Premium Ecosystem Without Credit

Traditional premium rewards in the U.S. have been dictated by the major card networks and issuers. Klarnas pitch is that the entire system can be rebuilt for consumers who dont want debt in exchange for access.

The legacy premium card model assumes youll spend more to earn more, Sandstrom said, adding, Were redefining premium by reinventing the economics, not replicating the incumbents playbook.

That means U.S. members can access benefits typically found behind $500+ ins annual fees, including travel protection, lounge access, cash back, and subscription bundles, without needing a credit line or hitting a spending minimum.
Michael Summersgill, AJ Bells chief executive, says the charge on the interest paid on cash in stocks-and-shares Isas would deter investment

Labours changes to Isa rules in the Budget were absolutely bonkers, the chief executive of AJ Bell has said.

Michael Summersgill, who runs the DIY investment platform, warned that age-specific restrictions on the amount of money that can be placed in a cash Isa would add significant complexity to the market, deterring people from investing.

In last months Budget, Labour reduced the amount of money that can be saved tax-free each year in a cash Isa from 20,000 to 12,000 a year for those under the age of 65. The change was intended to encourage investment in stocks Isas instead.

From April 2027, those under 65 will also be unable to transfer from a stocks-and-shares Isa into a cash Isa.

In an effort to block individuals from circumventing the lower cash Isa limit by stuffing cash into a stocks Isa but leaving it uninvested, HMRC will also levy a charge on the interest paid by these accounts.

Referring to the changes, Mr Summersgill said: Its absolutely bonkers. Were looking for simplification to remove all of the barriers and complexities that stop people from investing and weve got the complete opposite to that.

The aim was correct. So how weve ended up at completely the opposite end of the spectrum, how theyve got this lost along the way, Ive got absolutely no idea.

Mr Summersgill said the charge on interest paid on cash in stocks and shares Isas would act as a deterrent to investment, rather than encourage people to put more into stocks and shares.

He added: Its basically a tax which is unprecedented. Nobodys ever done that before and I see that as incredibly unhelpful complexity.

If youre a first-time investor, one of your first experiences of investing through a stocks-and-shares Isa going forward will be HMRC levying a charge against the little bit of interest that your platform provider pays you on the cash that you have sat in there until its invested.

AJ Bell saw pension withdrawals rise by roughly 300m in September and October this year compared to the same period in 2024, amid fears that Rachel Reeves would tighten the rules around tax-free lump sum pension withdrawals.

Separate figures from Calastone found that UK investors withdrew 3bn from equity funds in November, the second-worst month on record after October, which saw a net 3.6bn of outflows.

Mr Summersgill called on the Government to explicitly rule out changes to the tax-free cash pensions withdrawal rules for the remainder of this parliament, in order to reduce future uncertainty.

The chief executives comments came as AJ Bell reported a record 18pc increase in revenues to 317.8m in the year to the end of September, with profit before tax rising by 22pc to 137.8m.
On December 3, 2025, Landstar System, Inc.s board declared a past special one-time cash dividend of US$2.00 per share, payable on January 21, 2026 to shareholders of record as of January 6, 2026.

This one-off payout, alongside Landstars recent US$180.90 million in share repurchases over 11 months, highlights managements emphasis on capital returns funded by cash generation.

Well now examine how Landstars US$2.00 special dividend interacts with its asset-light growth narrative and analysts long-term assumptions.

Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value.

Landstar System Investment Narrative Recap

To own Landstar System, you need to be comfortable with an asset-light trucking broker whose fortunes are tied to freight cycles, BCO retention and insurance costs. The US$2.00 special dividend and sizeable buybacks underline cash generation, but do not materially change the near term tug of war between weak rate-per-load trends as a key risk and infrastructure and data center freight as a key catalyst.

The recent affirmation of a regular US$0.40 quarterly dividend alongside the special dividend is the most relevant backdrop here, since it frames how Landstar balances ongoing shareholder payouts with earnings that have softened year on year. For investors watching catalysts, the consistency of ordinary dividends and the add-on of a special payment sit alongside expectations that infrastructure related and data center freight can support the specialized heavy haul segment over time.

Yet even with these cash returns, investors should be aware that persistent low rate per load conditions and BCO turnover could...

Read the full narrative on Landstar System (it's free!)

Landstar Systems narrative projects $5.8 billion revenue and $270.5 million earnings by 2028.

Uncover how Landstar System's forecasts yield a $131.00 fair value, a 7% downside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

LSTR Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Dec 2025

Two fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community span roughly US$131 to about US$191.83, underlining how far opinions can diverge. When you set those views against the current pressure from low rate per load conditions and BCO turnover, it becomes even more important to weigh several perspectives on how sustainable Landstars capital returns might be.

Explore 2 other fair value estimates on Landstar System - why the stock might be worth 7% less than the current price!

Build Your Own Landstar System Narrative

Disagree with existing narratives? Create your own in under 3 minutes - extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd.
Historically, companies entering the energy market faced constraints of legacy hydro and thermal generation setting the market rates below breakeven point for new technologies and products; there was little room for the cost of innovation. Flat electricity demand meant that a first-of-a-kind investment could only break even with significant government incentives and subsidies. Government grants and subsidies helped mature the solar, wind, and battery markets to the point where they could compete against fully depreciated legacy assets. With the energy grid as a static playing field, new opportunities arose only when legacy assets retired. In recent years, this dynamic has been upended. The market now faces more entrants, greater demand, and more regulatory uncertainty. First, the Biden-era massive infrastructure investments under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act dangled billions of dollars of federal funds to cost-share development across energy production, transmission, and distribution. While largely unspent, these funds did spur great interest in development, largely from wind, solar and battery developers, though also in nuclear and geothermal sectors. Second, a surge in demandlargely driven by data center development, electrification, and the return of manufacturing to U.S. soilis straining existing infrastructure and creating new opportunities. Third, the policy shifts of the current administrationincluding the rescission of granted permits, issuance of stop work orders, and freezes on infrastructure fundinghave created regulatory uncertainty, especially with clean energy options like wind, solar and battery storage. Concurrently, the current administration is exercising rarely-used powers in favor of coal, natural gas, and nuclear projects. New technology developers continue to enter the market to address the misalignment of demand and supply. The current administration has prioritized fixed thermal resources such as fossil, nuclear, and geothermal and de-prioritized and reevaluated the place of wind and solar in the market. Related sectors have been affected both positively, e.g. mining for critical minerals, and negatively, e.g. transmission tied to grid-scale wind and solar projects.

As businesses and policy makers strive to adapt, one underlying fact remains: the explosive growth of power demand has made energy one of the hottest sectors for investment. We expect that the whiplash and market disruption caused by policy variation in an era of massive load growth means significant opportunity for investors.

The past year saw a multitude of factors driving up electricity prices, including rapid growth in electricity demand, supply chain tightness, deployment delays for transmission and production projects, and an uncertain political and permitting climate. We expect all of these trends to continue in 2026. Changing economics have turned the justification for project development in one of the most conservative market sectors on its head. And while new entrants and technologies entered the marketplace, we also saw technologies and developers favored by the prior presidential administration struggle to find their footing under the current one.

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Industry Response

Industry players are responding by reevaluating all generating assets, including those under-subscribed or recently retired. Retired nuclear facilities at Three Mile Island, Palisades, and Duane Arnold are restarting or being considered for restart. The utility responsible for the V.C. Summer site, where construction on two AP1000 reactors was stopped eight years ago, announced that the project is being revived. A significant energy project in Texas under the leadership of former Gov. Rick Perry includes plans to deploy four AP1000 reactors and an additional four gigawatts of electricity from combined-cycle natural gas plants. Each of these projects is directly tied to, and sometimes co-located with, large-scale data centers. Co-location strategiessuch as siting data centers at coal, natural gas, or other plantsare gaining traction, addressing both infrastructure buildout needs and the demand for reliable power. [caption id="attachment_225451" align="alignnone" width="650"]

The Duane Arnold Energy Center, Iowas only nuclear power plant, began commercial operation in February 1975. Located in Palo, Iowa, about 9 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids, it was built in a low-seismic-risk area near the Cedar River and designed to withstand major flooding. After a derecho in August 2020 caused severe damage to its cooling towers, the 615-MW facility was retired earlier than its planned date in 2025. Originally licensed to operate until 2034, the plant is now undergoing decommissioning under the NRCs SAFSTOR method. Courtesy: NextEra Energy

The Duane Arnold Energy Center, Iowas only nuclear power plant, began commercial operation in February 1975. Located in Palo, Iowa, about 9 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids, it was built in a low-seismic-risk area near the Cedar River and designed to withstand major flooding. After a derecho in August 2020 caused severe damage to its cooling towers, the 615-MW facility was retired, but is now being considered for a restart. Courtesy: NextEra Energy[/caption] Propelling industry, the federal government is sending strong market signals that it is going to help drive the market: the U.S. Dept. of Energy is opening four of its sites for data center development and sponsoring the construction of eleven prototype nuclear reactors, and the U.S. Department of War (formerly the Dept. of Defense) anticipates building eight nuclear reactors of its own to provide grid power to military bases.

Investment Opportunities and M&A Forecast

The influx of new entrants (both big and small) into data center and energy development is reshaping the competitive industry landscape. Not all of the smaller players will survive; many are likely acquisition targets as the market consolidates. Many nascent energy companies will have several years of runway to develop and deploy projects before they must generate revenue, thanks to the massive investments received by household name technology companies. The influx of private investment has operated akin to government subsidies, but as technology gets proven, expect consolidation in the market. Raw materials, mining, and processing are also in the spotlight. The administrations push for onshoring source material for infrastructure buildout opens investment opportunities through 2025 and 2026, particularly in critical minerals and domestic supply chains. The administration itself is getting involved in an unprecedented way: it has taken direct equity stakes in critical minerals development, chip fabrication, and potentially nuclear reactor developers. These investments are tied to artificial intelligence and data center development, demonstrating the current administrations prioritization of the sector. Further, government investments like these have an investment amplification effect: when the government endorses a project or company, private capital piles on.

Conclusion

The energy sector has survived significant policy change in the last few presidential administrations. Financial investors and industry players are focusing on infrastructure investments that are resilient from one administration to the next by toggling between energy transition and traditional assets. The surge in data center demand, the current presidential administrations support for fixed thermal energy sources, and the ongoing evolution of the energy transition all point to a dynamic, opportunity-rich market for nimble investors willing to navigate uncertainty. Megan Ridley-Kaye is a partner in Corporate & Finance with global law firm Hogan Lovells. Stewart Forbes is counsel in Global Regulatory for Hogan Lovells. The authors thank Cameron Hughes, associate at Hogan Lovells, for her assistance with this article.
In the final months of 2025, a number of companies overseeing various hotels and resorts have filed for bankruptcy in different parks of the U.S. and the world.

The company behind Tuscany and Hotel 27 in NYC shut down abruptly in September 2025 while chateau-style Oheka Castle hotel in Long Island is also currently under Chapter 11 protection with debts of over $60 million.

In Canada, a judge in Quebec assigned accounting firm PwC to take over the sale of the Fairmont-operated log resort Chateau Montebello. Owner China Evergrande Group had been ordered to sell after running up more than $300 billion in debts on it, along with other properties.

Phil Kean Designs files for bankruptcy protection in Florida court

Along with hotels, companies specializing in luxury construction and architecture have also experienced economic difficulty. At the end of November, Florida-based Phil Kean Designs Inc. filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Florida under Subchapter V for small business operators seeking to remain operational.

As first reported by local outlet What Now based on court documents filed on Pacer, the homebuilding company, based in the wealthy Winter Park suburb of Orlando, had run up more than $1 million in liabilities to different creditors, while struggling to bring in the clients to make a dent on the debt. It also reported $400,000 in assets.

Related: Iconic Fairmont hotel owner files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

On its website, Phil Kean Designs describes itself as a company that specializes in "design and construction of architecturally distinctive spaces" with signature "walls of glass that open to extensive indoor/outdoor living spaces."

The firm, founded by Phil Kean himself in 2002, constructs full homes and oversees renovation and design of individual spaces such as kitchens, living rooms, and outdoor space. It is well-known in the Florida luxury design world and as a company specializing in environmentally friendly building practices.

Orlando-based attorney Daniel A. Velasquez will represent Phil Kean Designs in the bankruptcy proceedings; the next step is for the company to submit its restructuring plan by February 23, 2026, as requested by the court.

Phil Kean Designs specializes in glass walls opening up onto outdoor space.Phil Kean Designs

These other design firms filed for bankruptcy this year

According to the court documents, Phil Kean Designs will continue to operate as usual by working on ongoing projects and taking on new clients throughout the bankruptcy process. The company has not publicly commented on the bankruptcy beyond intent to restructure.
Assyrian Cemetery Desecrated in North Iraq

Armota, Iraq -- The town of Armota, a predominantly Assyrian community in the Koy Sanjaq (Koya) district of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), has been targeted by yet another assault on its historical and religious heritage. The attack adds to a long and troubling record of violations targeting sites belonging to the Assyrian people, amid persistent government silence and a continued lack of accountability.

Unknown individuals desecrated multiple Christian graves, smashing headstones and breaking into burial sites. The crime extended beyond violating the sanctity of the living, reaching the dead in their graves.

The attack sparked broad religious, political, and civil condemnation. The Assyrian Democratic Movement (ZOWAA) said the assault represents "a new link in a chain of similar incidents that Christian cemeteries and sacred sites have faced in recent years in several areas of the region, including Shaqlawa, Tel Keppe, Zakho, and Simele," warning that such acts reflect the spread of extremist ideas hostile to religious and ethnic diversity and undermine the very foundations of civil peace in the KRI.

ZOWAA questioned the motives behind the crime and the targeted nature of attacks on cemeteries, asking whether "the dead pose any danger to those committing such acts." The movement said the incident deepens local anxieties and reinforces the need for firm measures to protect religious and heritage sites.

It added that desecrating cemeteries is not merely vandalism but "an affront to the dignity of the dead and to the memory of communities rooted in their historical heritage and connection to their land."

The Independent Human Rights Commission in the KRI, led by Assyrian jurist Muna Yaqo, denounced the crime as a "clear assault on the sacred sites of Christians and on the history of shared coexistence in the KRI." The Commission said the attack was carried out with intent, aimed at inciting sedition and destabilizing security, and called on authorities to conduct a swift and serious investigation to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The Chaldean Patriarchate, headed by Patriarch Cardinal Mar Louis Raphael Sako, also condemned the incident, saying that such an assault on the dead is morally and religiously unacceptable. It noted that Christians in Iraq have long paid a heavy price for conflicts in which they are not involved and urged officials in the KRI to carry out a professional and transparent investigation. The Patriarchate warned that neglecting the case could trigger a new wave of migration.

The office of KRI Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated that the crime stands in stark contrast with the region's values of coexistence and described the act as alien to Kurdish society. It called on the security authorities to identify the perpetrators and enforce legal penalties.

Two members of the KRI Parliament, Rami Nuri Siawosh and James Hasdo Haido, also condemned the attack, saying it targeted all communities and everyone who believes in pluralism and peaceful coexistence. In a joint statement, they expressed deep concern over the desecration of more than 15 graves and affirmed that Christians -- Assyrians, and Armenians -- are an integral part of the social fabric of the KRI and Iraq. They voiced support for Barzani's directive to investigate the crime and praised his decision to rebuild and restore the cemetery.

Despite its small size, Armota is home to two churches -- Our Lady Church and Mar Mikhael Church -- as well as a shrine dedicated to Saint Mart Shmoni. Most of its residents belong to the Chaldean Catholic denomination, forming a largely Assyrian population. The cemetery that was attacked had been renovated only four years ago with support from the Shlama Foundation for Relief and Development.
Mark Cuban didn't make billions by blindly trusting suits with glossy brochures and vague promises of long-term upside. He made it by questioning everything, reading obsessively, and refusing to take financial advice from people who earn commissions on his risk. So when the billionaire entrepreneur  who built and sold Broadcast.com to Yahoo for $5.7 billion  says brokers "don't have a clue," he's not being edgy. He's being consistent.

"If the broker had a clue, he/she wouldn't be a broker," Cuban wrote bluntly in a Young Money magazine interview back in 2007, "they'd be on a beach somewhere." Instead of entrusting his money to advisors with sales quotas, Cuban said the smarter move was much simpler: "Put it in the bank." That wasn't a fluke quote, either. Fifteen years later, in a 2022 interview with GoBankingRates, his advice stayed unchanged: "When you don't know what to do, do nothing."

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This is the Cuban doctrineone built not on fear, but on information. And that, he says, is exactly what most investors lack.

For someone who knows startups inside and out, Cuban's real gripe isn't with stocks or risk itself  it's with people taking risks they don't understand. He didn't back "Shark Tank" contestants out of some love for chaos. He did it because he could evaluate the businesses. He knew the questions to ask. But for everyday investors gambling on trending tickers or hot stock tips from a TV host, Cuban's message is clear: don't.

"If you won't put your money in the bank," he warned, "NEVER put your money in something where you don't have an information advantage."

Trending: $100k+ in investable assets? Match with a fiduciary advisor for free to learn how you can maximize your retirement and save on taxes  no cost, no obligation.

That line's been echoed through multiple interviews across decades, including his 2010 blog post amid economic uncertainty. "Doing nothing is a valid and, in my opinion, preferable investment strategy," he wrote. His go-to move? "Put your money in the bank."

The consistent thread through all of it: don't mistake motion for progress. Don't mistake hype for homework. And never trust someone who makes a living off your choices unless you're absolutely sure they know more than you do  which, according to Cuban, they probably don't.
Meta Platforms Inc. risks a temporary European Union ban on the rollout of new policies over how its AI features in WhatsApp, after being hit by the latest probe into Big Techs alleged dominance on the continent.

Teresa Ribera, the EUs antitrust chief, said Thursday shes weighing so-called interim measures to ensure that this could not blow up. She made the comments to reporters in Brussels after signing off on an investigation into suspicions that WhatsApp AI tools may unfairly prevent rival AI providers from offering their business services through WhatsApp.

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Under EU rules, competition regulators can order companies to temporarily stop suspect business practices, but these demands can be challenged in the blocs courts in Luxembourg. Eventual fines for breaching the EU antitrust rulebook can be as high as 10% of global annual revenue, although they rarely reach that level, especially if alleged wrongdoing is short-lived. Meta will now be forced to submit solutions to appease regulators concerns.

The EU has in recent years ramped up pressure on Silicon Valley firms, seeking to curb potential market abuses as a handful of operators wield a huge amount of power across the digital sector. Aside from standard antitrust rules, legislation  in the shape of the Digital Markets Act  has established a series of dos and donts for the major players in order to curb anti-competitive behavior.

The claims are baseless, a WhatsApp spokesperson said. The emergence of AI chatbots on our Business API puts a strain on our systems that they were not designed to support. Even still, the AI space is highly competitive and people have access to the services of their choice in any number of ways, including app stores, search engines, email services, partnership integrations, and operating systems.

Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tamlin Bason said the EUs probe likely targets a quick settlement and that regulators are likely prioritizing the certainty of established competition law to block Metas conduct, rather than its much-newer DMA rulebook.

By flagging this probe as a priority ahead of Metas January implementation date, the EU likely aims to force a relatively quick resolution, Bason wrote in a post after the announcement. A settlement would compel Meta to preserve competition in the messaging-based AI ecosystem immediately, bypassing the uncertainty of a multiyear court battle.
Back in 2016, Murban crude was introduced into the Dubai basket, along with Al-Shaheen, as a response to a lack of supply and price volatility caused by limited physical crude availability for the benchmark. Murban comes from the Murban oil field in Abu Dhabi--one of the seven emirates that form the United Arab Emirates--and is produced by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Its a light sweet crude with a sulphur content of 0.78% and an API gravity of 39.9 degrees.

The move to include it in the basket was intended to deepen the pool of deliverable crude and prevent market manipulation by adding more freely traded grades. The Dubai crude basket is a reference benchmark for Middle Eastern crude oil pricing, used primarily for exports to Asia. It evolved from a single grade to a basket of grades, and now includes Dubai, Oman, Upper Zakum, Al Shaheen, and Murban, to ensure adequate physical supply for the market. Price reporting agencies like S&P Global assess the value of this basket of crudes.

The total production of the five grades that make up the physical Dubai basket benchmark is over 3.5 million barrels per day (b/d), with approximately 2.4 million b/d available for free trade. This volume underpins the physical spot market. The average daily trading volume for the Platts Dubai Crude Oil Futures on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) was 7,723 contracts in 2023, which represented approximately 2.3 million b/d. However, the Platts Dubai benchmark handles much bigger volumes, serving as the primary pricing reference for nearly 30 million b/d of crude oil exported to Asia.

Related: Global Supply Woes Push Copper Past $11,400 Per Ton



Murban crude has taken on a life of its own, becoming one of the most prominent and frequently delivered grades in the Platts Dubai crude oil benchmark basket.

In 2021, Abu Dhabi launched IFAD (ICE Futures Abu Dhabi) futures, its flagship contract for the physically delivered Murban crude oil. Trading in Murban futures really took off in 2024, smashing records quarter after quarter. In the second quarter alone, volumes hit 1.5 billion barrels, more than double the pace seen at the start of the year. June set fresh highs across the board, with an average of 31 million barrels changing hands daily and a single-day peak of 57,300 contracts, or 57.3 million barrels. The surge proved that Murban is no longer a niche Gulf crude--its becoming a go-to benchmark with real global traction.

As Abu Dhabi increases Murban availability and IFAD trading volumes build depth, the grade is no longer confined to a regional role. Its pricing relationship with WTI has begun to narrow, pushing the two into more direct competition in Asian refining centers that once defaulted to U.S. barrels when economics allowed.
Elon Musks X social network was slapped with a lower-than-expected 120 million ($140 million) fine for violating the European Unions controversial content-moderation law, in a move still set to raise tensions with the White House over free speech and tech regulation.

In doling out the first ever penalty under the Digital Services Act, the European Commission concluded that Xs paid-for blue tick symbol misled users, the platform stonewalled giving researchers access to data and it failed to properly set up an advertising repository. The fine wasnt based on the revenues of Musks vast private business empire in space, infrastructure and neuroscience that regulators had considered targeting.

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The fine is a tiny fraction of Musks $467 billion wealth and comes after months of intense pressure from Donald Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the blocs harsh fines and attempts to regulate American tech companies. Despite the relatively light penalty, the standoff exposes a deepening divide over digital sovereignty and what constitutes fundamental rights like free speech and privacy in the internet age.

The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage, US Vice President JD Vance said in a post on X before the fine was announced.

Spokespeople for X and the White House didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

While the probe began in December 2023, it took on more political significance as Musk backed Trumps campaign and was a close adviser to the president as the head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency for several months at the start of his current term.

This has nothing to do with censorship, this is about transparency, EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen said at a briefing Friday with reporters, adding that the precedent will help speed up future investigations. It took time because our teams wanted to make sure that we had a strong legal basis.

X has 60 days to come up with solutions to fix the issues and 90 days to implement the changes, or it could face additional fines, a commission official said.

The fine will be delivered to Musk and xAI, his artificial intelligence lab that competes with OpenAI that acquired the X platform earlier this year, according to the official.
From a purely financial perspective, $2.8 million will not single-handedly repair the company's earnings misses or reverse recent revenue declines. However, viewing this solely as a revenue event misses the forest for the trees. The true value lies in the NASA Standard.

To understand the significance of this deal, investors must look past the headline dollar amount. Under the agreement, Plug Power will supply up to 218,000 kilograms (approximately 480,000 pounds or 240 tons) of liquid hydrogen to NASAs Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. The total value of the contract is up to $2.8 million.

Winning a contract with an aerospace agency known for zero-tolerance policies regarding reliability and purity challenges the bearish narrative that hydrogen technology is too difficult or unreliable for scale. This contract acts as a seal of quality for Plug Powers production network. When paired with the company's recent financial restructuring, it suggests that Plug Power is turning a corner. The narrative is shifting from speculative cash burn to validated execution, potentially signaling that the bottom for investor sentiment may finally be in sight.

Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) has officially commenced a contract to supply NASA with liquid hydrogen. This development comes at a critical juncture for the company. While Plug Powers stock price has struggled significantly over the past year due to cash burn concerns and delayed profitability, this partnership offers something money cannot always buy: absolute validation.

"Is hydrogen dead?" That has been the prevailing question for investors watching the renewable energy sector throughout 2025. After a year of brutal stock performance and retreating sentiment, the industry desperately needed a sign of life. It just got one from the most demanding customer in the solar system. NASA does not think hydrogen is dead. In fact, the agency is betting its mission-critical operations on it.

The company continues to expand its commercial footprint with major logistics partners by locking in long-term agreements that secure recurring revenue.

Story Continues

Liquid hydrogen is notoriously difficult to handle. It must be kept at extremely low temperatures (cryogenic) and requires sophisticated infrastructure to transport and store without significant loss. Furthermore, NASA requires extreme purity. Contaminants in hydrogen fuel can be catastrophic for aerospace testing and operations.

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By selecting Plug Power, NASA is effectively certifying that the companys green hydrogen network, spanning plants in Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana, is robust enough to meet these stringent requirements. This has a ripple effect across the industrial sector. If Plug Powers infrastructure is reliable enough for NASA, it validates the technology for every other industrial use case, from data centers to logistics and heavy manufacturing. It proves that the companys production capabilities have moved beyond the science-project phase and are now operational, reliable, and ready for the most demanding tasks.

From Blueprints to Barrels

The NASA contract serves as the latest link in a growing chain of commercial victories that demonstrate real-world demand is materializing. Just recently, Plug Power secured a significant expansion of its partnership with Uline, a major North American logistics leader. That agreement extends their relationship through 2030, locking in long-term demand for hydrogen fuel cells.

These deals share a common theme: reliability. Uline extended its contract because the fuel cells effectively power its daily logistics operations without interruption. NASA signed on because the fuel meets their exacting purity standards. Additionally, the company has moved forward with a massive framework agreement for 3 gigawatts (GW) of electrolyzers with Allied Green Ammonia.

These developments highlight a critical trend for investors. Plug Power is transitioning its business model. For years, the company was in construction mode, burning cash to build plants and develop technology. Now, it is entering delivery mode, where the focus shifts to selling molecules and equipment to established customers. This transition significantly lowers execution risk. The question is no longer "can they build it?" but rather "how fast can they sell it?"

Solving the Liquidity Puzzle

Technological validation is meaningless if a company runs out of cash to keep the lights on. Liquidity has been the primary risk hanging over Plug Power, driving much of the stock's decline in 2025. However, the company has recently taken aggressive steps to solve this problem and stabilize the ship.

Plug Power recently closed a successful $431.25 million convertible note offering. This move netted the company approximately $399 million in cash. Management used this capital strategically to retire high-cost debt and eliminate a restrictive first-lien debt structure.

Eliminating the first-lien debt is a crucial detail for investors. It removes restrictive covenants that can limit a company's ability to maneuver, and it reduces the immediate pressure on the balance sheet. This effective clearing of the financial runway gives the company the breathing room it needs to execute its 2026 goals without the immediate threat of a liquidity crunch.

Looking ahead, the company is also seeking strategic flexibility. A shareholder meeting scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026, will include a vote to increase the number of authorized shares. While some investors view this with caution regarding potential dilution, it is a standard move for growth companies. It ensures management has the tools in the toolbox to fund future expansion opportunities or manage the balance sheet if necessary, rather than being forced into unfavorable financing terms.

Ready for Liftoff: A Launchpad for Recovery?

The investment case for Plug Power has evolved significantly over the last quarter. The stock is trading at a fraction of its former highs, yet the companys operational reality is arguably stronger than ever. It has operational plants, blue-chip customers like Uline, and now, government customers like NASA.

The NASA contract marks a potential bottom in sentiment. It provides the technical validation needed to counter the bearish narrative questioning the technology's viability. For investors looking for high-growth potential in the global energy transition, Plug Power offers a compelling risk/reward profile at these levels. The company has survived the market shakeout, stabilized its finances with fresh capital, and is now supplying the most demanding customer in the solar system.

The article "NASA Calls, Plug Answers: A Turning Point for Hydrogen?" was originally published by MarketBeat.
We came across a bullish thesis on NexGen Energy Ltd. on Value investing subreddit by MightBeneficial3302. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on NXE. NexGen Energy Ltd.'s share was trading at $8.96 as of November 28th. NXEs trailing P/E was 47.82 according to Yahoo Finance.

Denison Mines (DNN) Surges 10.4% as US Govt Places $80-Billion Bet on Nuclear

Image by Markus Distelrath from Pixabay

NexGen Energy Ltd., an exploration and development stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of uranium properties in Canada. NXE is entering a pivotal phase as multiple catalysts align to potentially elevate its standing in the uranium sector. Analysts are increasingly bullish, with several firms raising price targets, signaling growing confidence in NexGens near-term and long-term prospects and implying double-digit upside from current levels.

The companys flagship Rook I Project in the Athabasca Basin remains a tier-1 uranium asset, distinguished by its high grade, large scale, and strong economic profile, putting NexGen ahead of peers operating in lower-grade or riskier regions.

Recent high-grade results from the Patterson Corridor East (PCE) zone, outside the main Arrow deposit, reinforce the projects district-scale potential, with intercepts extending mineralization down-dip and remaining open in multiple directions, suggesting growth beyond current resource outlines. Macro conditions further favor NexGen, as global uranium supply remains tight while demand accelerates due to nuclear restarts, new reactors, and geopolitical constraints, benefiting advanced developers with high-grade assets.

The company is steadily progressing through critical project milestones, including ongoing engineering and development preparation, strong technical results, and an upcoming Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission federal hearing on November 19, a key regulatory step toward full construction approval. Relative to peers, NexGen offers a more advanced path to production, superior-grade resources, stronger economics, and stable jurisdictional positioning, supported by increasing institutional backing.

With fundamentals, high-grade discoveries, regulatory progress, and favorable uranium market dynamics converging simultaneously, NexGen is poised for a period that could significantly differentiate it from other names in the sector, potentially driving a re-rating and substantial upside for investors.

Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Centrus Energy Corp. (LEU) by devolution_king in October 2024, which highlighted the companys U.S. nuclear energy positioning, expected federal funding, and rising uranium demand. The stock has appreciated approximately 372.74% since our coverage. The thesis still stands as LEU remains a key domestic player. MightBeneficial3302 shares a similar view but emphasizes NexGen Energys (NXE) high-grade Rook I Project and near-term catalysts.
While many venture firms seem to only have eyes for AI these days, Nexus Venture Partners is deliberately splitting its focus for its new $700 million fund.

The firm will back AI startups and seek out India-focused startups in consumer, fintech, and digital infrastructure.

AI has soaked up most of the venture capital raised globally and the 20-year-old VC firm also sees AI as a defining technological shift. But it argues crowding into a single, overheated category carries its own risks. Indias digital economy provides a counterbalance: an expanding market where AI adoption is rising and opportunities remain more diverse.

For Nexus, that balance is rooted in its origins. The Delaware-headquartered firm, with offices in Menlo Park, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, has operated as a single fund and an integrated U.S.India team since its founding in 2006.

It backs early-stage software and India-focused startups from the same pool of capital. Over time, its cross-border software bets have encompassed a range from infrastructure and developer tools to AI agent startups. U.S. portfolio includes companies such as Postman, Apollo, MinIO, Giga, and Firecrawl, which have become widely adopted in developer tooling and AI infrastructure.

Meanwhile, its India portfolio has broadened across consumer, fintech, logistics, and digital infrastructure. Some of its bets there include Zepto, Delhivery, Rapido, Turtlemint, and Infra.Market.

AI is a huge inflection point, and we are anchoring on that, Jishnu Bhattacharjee, a managing partner at Nexus Venture Partners in the U.S., told TechCrunch in an interview. But we are also seeing that many of these AI innovations are actually getting used to serve the masses better.

Nexus manages $3.2 billion in capital across its funds and has invested in more than 130 companies over the years. The firm has recorded more than 30 exits to date, including several IPOs, underscoring the depth of its early-stage, long-horizon approach.

Abhishek Sharma, a managing partner at Nexus Venture Partners in the U.S., told TechCrunch the firms sweet spot remains inception to seed and Series A, often beginning with checks as small as a few hundred thousand dollars or around $1 million.

Nexus, which operates with an eight-member investment team, began with a $100 million fund and has kept its fund size at $700 million since launching Fund VII in 2023. It typically raises every 2.5 to 3 years. Bhattacharjee said the reason for keeping the eighth fund the same size was the firm believes $700 million is the right amount for its early-stage strategy.
Many of the resource-rich countries in Africa have intensified efforts to become more attractive for exploration and production (E&P) investment. Reforms in licensing rounds, production sharing contracts, and fiscal policy are improving investor returns and are set to drive $41 billion in upstream investment in 2026, the African Energy Chambers State of African Energy 2026 Outlook shows.

From legacy oil producers Nigeria and Angola to emerging exploration hotspots such as Namibia, African resource holders are looking to compete with other regions for the billions of U.S. dollars that foreign investors could pour into their energy and minerals sectors.

Long-time producers, including the biggest oil producers Nigeria, Libya, and Angola, have made their licensing and fiscal policy more attractive, and emerging wannabe producers are offering incentives. All African countries are betting on boosting natural gas exploration, production, and development amid growing demand for gas and LNG for domestic use and for exports to Europe and Asia.

The continent offers compelling opportunities for investors who are prepared to engage in a transparent, regulated, and increasingly competitive E&P landscape, AEC executive chairman NJ Ayuk said in a statement.

Governments and operators must continue to balance national priorities with investor confidence to unlock Africas vast hydrocarbon potential.

Reforms in recent years have allowed Angola to improve its above-ground risk score since 2017, reflecting extensive regulatory and institutional reforms. Angolas fiscal incentives, including terms for gas, marginal fields, and incremental production, have successfully attracted upstream investment, consolidating its status as a continental leader, AECs report said.

Related: Global Supply Woes Push Copper Past $11,400 Per Ton

While Angola is trying to reverse years of falling oil production, it bets big on standalone gas development and has just launched its first plant to process non-associated natural gas.

Angola also looks to accelerate the permitting phase of new minerals projects to attract investment. In October, Angola launched production at its first major copper mine, Tetelo, as the country looks to diversify into critical minerals.

Nigeria, the top oil producer in Africa, is auctioning 50 oil and gas blocks, eyeing $10 billion in new investments over the next ten years and 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) in additional production capacity.

Nigerias licensing program with updated terms and incentives targeting specific terrains and resource types has renewed interest in projects in the country and has boosted investor confidence in the upstream potential, evidenced in recent project approvals by Shell and TotalEnergies, AEC said.
Nations Trust Bank (NTB) has received the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) approval for its previously announced acquisition of the Retail Banking operations of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Sri Lanka (HSBC Sri Lanka).

In September this year, HSBC Sri Lanka signed a binding agreement to transfer its Retail Banking operations to NTB.

The acquisition would provide NTB with around 200,000 HSBC Sri Lanka customer accounts, including premium banking clients, retail loans and credit cards.

It is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.

Upon closing, HSBCs corporate and institutional banking operations in Sri Lanka will remain unchanged, continuing to serve international corporate clients and offering cross-border trade and investment services.

NTB said that the acquisition would strengthen its position in the premium retail banking segment and support its long-term growth objectives.

Nations Trust Bank director and CEO Hemantha Gunetilleke said The approval from CBSL gives us the go-ahead to move forward with the acquisition process, which is currently progressing very well. We are now able to move into the next phase of the project with confidence.

The sale of its retail banking business is part of HSBC Groups simplification plan announced in October last year.

The decision follows a strategic review that determined divestment of the retail unit was the preferred course for the group and its stakeholders.

HSBC, at that time, said the reorganisation allows it to concentrate on areas where it has a competitive focus and growth prospects.

HSBC Sri Lanka CEO Mark Surgenor said: Our priority during this period is to uphold the highest service levels for our customers and ensure that our colleagues are well supported during the transition into NTB.

We are working closely with NTB towards a seamless transfer of banking services upon completion of the transaction.

"NTB secures approval to acquire HSBC Sri Lankas Retail Banking operations" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Omani renewable energy specialist O-Green said it would develop up to three gigawatts of solar and wind power projects in Botswana, joining a growing wave of Gulf power developers in Africa. The deal was announced during a visit by an Omani business delegation to Gaborone in late November, alongside others covering energy infrastructure and trading, and gold and diamond exploration.

Gulf developers have built up large portfolios across Africa, with Saudi Arabias ACWA Power and the UAEs Amea Power and Masdar at the forefront. Muscat has not been as active, but it is picking up the pace across several industries, particularly in the south of the continent. An Omani investment roadshow landed in South Africa in early December; last year, Omans Maaden International Group (not to be confused with the Saudi mining giant also called Maaden), acquired a 41% stake in Angolan diamond miner Catoca.

 Dominic Dudley
Assyrian Village Expects Tourism Surge

The Assyrian village of Antl, Turkey. Anitli, a charming Assyrian heritage village located about 30 kilometers from Midyat in Turkey's southern Mardin Province, has been named one of the United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) "Best Tourism Villages 2025." This prestigious recognition positions Anitli to become a significant tourism hotspot, with an expected surge in visitors looking to explore the village's rich history, unique cultural heritage, and natural beauty.

As part of the UNWTO's initiative to promote sustainable tourism in rural areas, Anitli's selection highlights its commitment to preserving its cultural traditions while fostering tourism that benefits local communities. With its fascinating blend of historical sites, ancient architecture, and picturesque landscapes, the village is now poised to attract both international and domestic tourists, further boosting the local economy and enhancing its profile as a key destination in southeastern Turkey.

Anitli: A Unique Assyrian Heritage Destination

Anitli is a small village with a deep historical connection to the Assyrian people, an ancient Christian community that has lived in the region for centuries. The village is home to several historical sites, including ancient churches, monasteries, and traditional stone houses that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Assyrian community. The village's architecture is marked by beautiful, intricately carved stonework, showcasing the skilled craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.

One of the key attractions in Anitli is the Assyrian Church of St. Mary, an architectural gem that stands as a testament to the village's deep Christian roots. The church, along with other religious and cultural sites in the area, draws visitors interested in learning about the unique Assyrian culture, which has shaped the region for centuries. In addition to its religious sites, Anitli also offers stunning views of the surrounding Mesopotamian plains, making it a perfect spot for tourists seeking both historical and natural beauty.

The Impact of 'Best Tourism Village' Title

Anitli's recognition as one of the UNWTO's "Best Tourism Villages 2025" is expected to have a profound impact on the village's tourism sector. The title, which is awarded to villages that demonstrate excellence in preserving cultural heritage, promoting sustainability, and offering unique travel experiences, will attract more visitors who are eager to explore rural, off-the-beaten-path destinations.

The recognition is also expected to boost the visibility of Anitli on the global tourism map, with travelers from around the world seeking authentic, culturally rich experiences. As a part of the UNWTO's initiative, Anitli will benefit from increased marketing and promotional efforts, making it more accessible to tourists who may not have considered visiting the village before.

With this new title, Anitli is now positioned as a key component of Turkey's broader tourism strategy, which seeks to promote lesser-known destinations while maintaining sustainable tourism practices. The village is expected to see a significant increase in both local and international visitors, with an emphasis on attracting tourists who appreciate cultural heritage, rural tourism, and eco-friendly travel experiences.

Sustainable Tourism Practices in Anitli

As part of its commitment to sustainable tourism, Anitli is focusing on preserving its unique cultural heritage while providing visitors with a welcoming and enriching experience. The village has implemented various measures to ensure that tourism development does not negatively impact its historical and environmental resources.

Local authorities have emphasized the importance of eco-friendly infrastructure, including the promotion of green building practices for new accommodations and businesses. Anitli's commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its efforts to preserve its ancient buildings and structures, many of which have been carefully restored to maintain their authenticity.

The village is also promoting community-based tourism, where local residents are directly involved in the tourism industry, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with the culture and traditions of Anitli. This not only benefits the local community economically but also helps tourists gain a deeper understanding of the village's rich heritage.

Tourism Infrastructure and Services in Anitli

With the increasing interest in Anitli following its "Best Tourism Village" recognition, the village is undergoing improvements in its tourism infrastructure to better accommodate visitors. New accommodations, including guesthouses and boutique hotels, are being developed to provide comfortable stays for tourists while maintaining the village's charm and authenticity.

Local transportation options are also being expanded to facilitate easy access to Anitli from Midyat and other nearby towns in Mardin Province. Tourists will be able to reach the village more easily, whether by private car, bus, or guided tours, making it more convenient for both domestic and international visitors to explore the area.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, Anitli is enhancing its services for tourists, including guided tours that provide historical and cultural insights into the village's significance. Local artisans are also offering workshops where visitors can learn about traditional crafts, such as Assyrian embroidery and pottery, providing an immersive cultural experience.

The Economic Impact on Local Communities

The growth of tourism in Anitli is expected to have a positive economic impact on the surrounding communities. As more visitors flock to the village, local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops, are expected to benefit from increased demand. Additionally, the promotion of Anitli as a tourism destination will create new job opportunities for local residents, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

Furthermore, the influx of visitors is likely to encourage the preservation of local traditions and crafts, as more tourists seek authentic cultural experiences. This will provide economic opportunities for artisans and small businesses that produce locally made goods, helping to sustain the village's cultural heritage while fostering economic growth.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Tourism in Anitli

The future of tourism in Anitli looks promising, as the village continues to embrace its cultural heritage while implementing sustainable tourism practices. With the "Best Tourism Village" title boosting its visibility, Anitli is poised to become one of the most sought-after rural destinations in Turkey, attracting tourists who are eager to explore its rich history, natural beauty, and vibrant local culture.

As tourism continues to grow in Anitli, local stakeholders will work to ensure that development remains in line with sustainable practices, ensuring that the village retains its unique charm and historical significance for generations to come.
OpenAI has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Neptune, a company that provides tools for monitoring and debugging machine learning models.

The acquisition, which remains subject to closing conditions, will see Neptune join OpenAI and continue supporting AI researchers with its platform.

Financial terms of the deal have not been officially announced.

However, The Information, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that OpenAI would pay under $400m in stock as consideration for the deal.

When contacted, OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking confirmation of the transactions value.

Neptune CEO/CTO and founder Piotr Niedzwiedz said: OpenAI research converts compute into understanding. At the interface of compute and understanding are metrics. Neptune is a metrics dashboard company.

Weve worked closely with OpenAI to create the metrics dashboard that helps teams building foundation models. With this transaction, well be able to work even more closely together and innovate on tools at a whole new level.

Neptune began as an internal tool at Deepsense before spinning off as an independent startup in 2018. Since its founding in 2017, Neptune has focused on solutions for teams training machine learning models.

According to its website, the company has received more than $18m in funding to date.

OpenAI already uses Neptunes tracker to monitor and debug the training of its GPT large language models.

Other companies using Neptunes products include Samsung, HP, and Roche.

OpenAI chief scientist Jakub Pachocki said: Neptune has built a fast, precise system that allows researchers to analyse complex training workflows.

We plan to iterate with them to integrate their tools deep into our training stack to expand our visibility into how models learn.

OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, was valued at $500bn in October 2025, after a deal allowed current and former employees to sell approximately $6.6bn in shares.

"OpenAI agrees to buy Neptune" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




Pakistans Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the transfer of operatorship for Eastern Offshore Indus Block-C to Turkish Petroleum Overseas Company (TPOC), reported Reuters.

The decision follows a farm-out agreement between Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), the Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDCL) and Mari Energies.

Following the ECCs decision, TPOC can now assume operational control of the offshore block after the finalisation of a formal agreement.

PPL, which initially held operatorship, has reduced its stake to 35%. TPOC will be the new operator with a 25% interest, while Mari Energies and OGDCL will also hold shares in the block.

The consortium is preparing to begin drilling operations on a drill-ready prospect within the block.

Khurram Schehzad, adviser to Pakistans Finance Ministry, stated on X: This will bring valuable international offshore operating experience to Pakistans exploration landscape, and this transition is expected to enhance technical capabilities, operational efficiency and overall project delivery.

The move could attract additional foreign investment to the sector, he added.

In addition to the offshore development, the TPOC-led consortium has secured interests in two onshore blocks, Ziarat North and Sukhpur-II.

For Ziarat North, Mari Energies will be the operator (33.16%), alongside OGDCL and PPL (24.87%), TPOC (10%) and Government Holdings Private (7.10%).

The Sukhpur-II block will be operated by Prime International Oil & Gas Company (Prime) (25%), together with OGDCL and Mari Energies (30%), and TPOC (15%).

The ECCs approval is expected to facilitate further exploration and drilling activities in both offshore and onshore blocks.

In October this year, Pakistan awarded 23 of 40 offshore blocks offered, covering around 53,500km. OGDCL, PPL and Prime received a provisional award of eight exploration blocks offshore Pakistan.

"Pakistan approves TPOC-led consortium to operate Eastern Offshore block" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




PepsiCo is cutting jobs at its business in Ireland as part of efforts to position the company for efficiency and growth.

In a brief statement sent to Just Food, the US giant did not disclose the number of roles affected at its local base in the western city of Cork.

PepsiCo is proposing some limited organisational changes at its Cork business as part of an ongoing business transformation to position the company for efficiency and growth, the Pepsi Max and Doritos brands owner said.

The company is working closely with employees who were impacted, ensuring they are fully supported and kept informed throughout this process. Ireland remains a strategically important location for PepsiCo and the company remains committed to maintaining a strong presence here.

The company operates a global supply-chain arm from Cork, which includes production and a divisional office.

In September, PepsiCos expansion plans for a production and warehousing facility in County Cork were refused permission.

Last year, the group applied for a four-storey expansion to a production and warehouse building at its site in Little Island.

The expansion was planned to provide an additional 12,207 square metres of floor space over four levels. The site produces concentrates for brands like Pepsi, 7Up and Mountain Dew.

In North America, PepsiCo is facing scrutiny from activist investor Elliott Investment Management.

In September, Elliott called for the Lays crisps maker to review the make-up of its businesses in North America after a period of poor financial results.

At the time, Elliott, which manages funds with a $4bn stake in PepsiCo, said the company was at a critical inflection point.

The investor was more positive about PepsiCos business outside North America. It said the company had demonstrated robust growth in high-potential international markets and there remains substantial runway for continued expansion.

PepsiCo chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta has said the business is acting with a sense of urgency on both portfolio transformation, simplification of the portfolio, cost reduction to invest in future growth.

"PepsiCo cuts jobs in Ireland" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




Perenco has boosted its oil production capacity in Chad to more than 18,000 barrels per day (bpd) following the completion of a major drilling campaign at the Badila and Mangara fields, the company announced this week. The increase surpasses Perencos original target of 16,000 bpd when the fields resumed operations three years ago.

The campaign at Badila included 12 new wells, adding a peak 7,000 bpd of production. Of these, eight were horizontal wells targeting the Upper Cretaceous reservoir, alongside three water disposal wells and one appraisal well, Perenco said. The project also included the installation of four gas turbines to expand on-site power generation and upgrades to processing facilities to handle higher output.

With drilling complete, the GWDC rig has moved to the Krim development in the Doba Basinoperated by Perenco subsidiary PetroChad Mangara (PCM)where an eight-well campaign is planned next. PCM is also using associated gas from its operations to supply electricity to Moundou, Chads second-largest city, providing energy to roughly 100,000 people.

Beyond Chad, Perenco is advancing new developments across Central Africa. Earlier this year, the company began constructing Kombi 2, a new platform in the Republic of the Congos Kombi-Likalala-Libondo permit. Expected online in early 2026, Kombi 2 will recover roughly 7 million cubic feet of gas per day and unlock an additional 10 million barrels of reserves by optimizing existing wells. The project includes two gas turbines and a connection to a 33-kilovolt power hub.

Kombi 2 forms part of a broader $200 million investment, while the recent 20-year renewal of the Ikalou II and Likouala II permits supports a larger $900 million long-term program covering workovers, drilling, and new infrastructure. Perenco says these efforts underpin its commitment to helping Congo reach its goal of producing 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2030.

Perencos Congo-Brazzaville portfolio contributed 75,000 boe/d to the companys output last year, supported by strong performance at the Emeraude and PNGF Sud fields and new permits including Ikalou, Mwafi, Awa, Foukanda, and Djambala.

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Posco Future M, the battery materials and chemicals unit of South Koreas Posco Group, announced it has signed an agreement with Factorial Inc, a US-based solid-state battery technology company, to collaborate on the development of next-generation battery technologies.

Posco confirmed that the two companies plan to explore cooperation in developing materials for all-solid-state batteries (ASSB), which are powering progress in next-generation industries such as electric vehicles, robotics, energy storage systems, and more.

Factorial, headquartered in Massachusetts, said it decided to collaborate with Posco after its testing cathode material samples. The company has a pilot manufacturing operation in Cheonan, South Korea.

ASSBs use solid electrolytes instead of liquid between cathodes and anodes, which makes them safer than conventional lithium-ion batteries, while increasing energy density and improving charging performance. Posco has stepped up its R&D on cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries and silicon anode materials in recent years.

The head of Posco Future Ms Technology Research Laboratory, Hong Young-Jun, said in a statement: We expect synergy in the next-generation all-solid-state battery business based on Factorials battery technology and market presence with global automakers, and Posco Future Ms competitiveness in cathode and anode materials.

Factorials CEO, Siyu Huang, added: Solid-state batteries are entering a new era of commercial readiness. We expect work with Posco Future M to not only accelerate innovation in critical cathode and anode materials, but also strengthen a resilient global supply chain and drive meaningful cost reductions at scale.

Posco confirmed it is building a product portfolio of battery cathode and anode materials covering the entry-level, standard, and premium electric vehicles (EV) segments, as well as developing customised products for its customers. It is also focused on developing lithium-metal anode materials and sulphide-based solid electrolytes.

"Posco, Factorial collaborate on next-gen battery materials" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) is one of the best falling stocks to buy, according to Wall Street analysts. On November 26, Barclays analyst Lauren Lieberman maintained a Buy rating on Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) with a $24 price target.

Primo Brands (PRMB) Earns Strong Wall Street Support Amid Expanded $300 Million Buyback Plan

Copyright: dmitrymoi / 123RF Stock Photo

On November 10, the companys board of directors approved a $50 million increase to the existing share repurchase program. The $50 million increase brings the total authorization to $300 million. Under the current program, the company has already spent $97.7 million and repurchased 4.4 million shares as part of its push to return value to shareholders.

The move to repurchase shares comes as Wall Street firms remain confident about the companys prospects. On November 4, RBC capital analyst Nik Modi reiterated a Buy rating on the stock and set a $37 price target. Andrea Faria Teixeira of JPMorgan also remains optimistic about the companys prospects, having reiterated a Buy rating and a $23 price target.

Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE:PRMB) is a North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration, offering a wide range of products and services, including bottled and sparkling water, as well as other beverages from national and regional brands such as Poland Spring, Arrowhead, and Deer Park.

While we acknowledge the potential of PRMB 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: 12 Best Silver Mining Stocks to Invest in Right Now and 10 Chinese Tech Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Newark, New Jersey-based Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU) is a global financial services company that provides life insurance, retirement solutions, asset management, and annuities for individuals and institutional clients. Valued at a market cap of $37.7 billion, the company offers products that support long-term financial protection, income planning, and wealth accumulation.

Companies worth $10 billion or more are typically classified as large-cap stocks, and PRU fits the label perfectly, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, underscoring its size, influence, and dominance within the insurance - life industry. The company generates steady cash flow through recurring premiums, long-term customer relationships, and strong brand trust. At the same time, it is reshaping its business to focus more on faster-growing and less capital-intensive areas, which is expected to support better long-term profitability.

More News from Barchart

This insurance company is currently trading 16.2% below its 52-week high of $128.72, reached on Dec. 3, 2024. Shares of PRU have gained marginally over the past three months, outperforming the Financial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLF) 1.4% drop during the same time frame.

www.barchart.com

However, on a YTD basis, shares of PRU are down 9%, trailing behind XLFs 9.3% return. Moreover, in the longer term, PRU has declined 16% over the past 52 weeks, considerably lagging behind XLFs 4% uptick over the same time frame.

To confirm its recent bullish trend, PRU has been trading above its 200-day moving average since late November and has remained above its 50-day moving average since late October, with minor fluctuations.

www.barchart.com

On Oct. 29, Prudential Financial released better-than-expected Q3 results, and its shares surged 1.9% in the following trading session. Due to strong growth in adjusted operating income across all its business segments, the companys adjusted EPS increased 27.9% year-over-year to $4.26, surpassing consensus estimates by a notable margin of 16.4%. Additionally, its assets under management grew 3.5% year over year to $1.6 trillion.

PRU has also underperformed its rival, MetLife, Inc. (MET), which declined 12.2% over the past 52 weeks and 6.9% on a YTD basis.
The first drone company well look at here, Draganfly, has over 25 years of experience in the field and produces a varied line of drones and ancillary equipment and software. The companys drones have found use in multiple fields, including agriculture, insurance, public safety and public health, energy, and defense. Draganflys first commercial quadrotor UAV was launched in 1999, and in 2001 the company was the first to put multirotor UAVs with integrated camera systems on the commercial market.

With that tailwind in mind, Bohlig highlights two drone stocks he believes have the potential to double, or more, over the coming year. And according to the TipRanks platform , both names have picked up Buy ratings from the rest of the Street as well. Lets take a closer look.

Our core thesis has long been anchored by the unprecedented investment from the U.S. Department of War, driven by the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which we estimate is allocating over $10B toward offensive and defensive unmanned systems. While the timing of this funding deployment has been a key question among investors, recent actions suggest that capital is now beginning to flow, Bohlig explained.

Against this backdrop, Needham analyst Austin Bohlig lays out how government demand is beginning to shape the next phase of the industrys growth.

Globally, the drone market reached $73.06 billion in 2024, and according to Grand View Research, that figure is expected to climb to $163.6 billion by 2030, for a CAGR of 14.3% over the forecast period.

The drone industry  unmanned aerial vehicles  is one of those areas. Drones now play a role across a wide range of fields, from defense and public safety to mapping, inspection, and delivery services. And continued innovation is only strengthening their relevance. Improvements in battery efficiency, AI-driven autonomous flight, and advanced sensor technology are steadily expanding the capabilities and real-world adoption of drones.

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Whatever your view of government, its hard to ignore the impact federal spending can have on the broader economy. Congressional appropriations always reflect the majoritys priorities, but they also offer clear signals about which sectors are poised to benefit from Washingtons attention.

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Draganfly has built its drone business on a foundation of engineering skill. The company has developed its own institutional experience in fields like aviation, model building, and robotics  all vital in the drone industry  and works to combine both artisanal craftsmanship and engineering savvy in its drone lines.

Like many commercial drone companies, Draganfly is expanding its government exposure. The company has close connections with governmental organizations, particularly with law enforcement and the military, where its capabilities in providing intelligence and data infrastructure are in high demand. Draganfly is able to design custom airframes, payloads, and robotics to meet the strict demands of military-grade customers.

Last month, Draganfly provided live demonstrations of its Outrider Border Drone platform for a variety of Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, as well as military officers, in Cochise County, Arizona. The company received feedback indicating that the demonstrations are driving increased interest in the drone platform among law enforcement and military officials in the border region.

Also in November, Draganfly scored a significant contract win, securing an international military order for its Commander 3XL drones. These drones feature a 50-minute flight time over 2 kilometers, with a 22-pound payload capacity, and are configurable for a wide range of missions. They are small, man-portable quadcopters, well suited to field surveillance. Due to regulatory restrictions, Draganfly could not publicly reveal customer specifications.

In his coverage of Draganfly, analyst Bohlig points out several factors that point toward a bright future. Laying out a bullish case for the stock, he writes, We continue to believe the company is entering 2026 with a robust pipeline, led by the upcoming Outrider and the currently available Flex FPV platforms. Coupled with large scale defense programs in Canada and U.S., for border security as well as onsite production of drones at the base level, we believe DPRO remains on plan for a meaningful inflection in revenues in 2026. Given the size of these opportunities, coupled with the companys planned capacity expansion to ~$400M in 2026, we see the opportunity for potential meaningful upside to estimates as these programs ramp.

Bohlig quantifies his stance with a Buy rating and a $14 price target that suggests a robust one-year upside potential of 101%. (To watch Bohligs track record, click here)

The Strong Buy consensus rating here is based on 4 unanimously positive analyst reviews. Shares in DPRO are currently selling for $6.95 and the $14.50 average price target implies a 109% gain over the next 12 months. (See DPRO stock forecast)

Unusual Machines (UMAC)

Next on our list is Unusual Machines, a Florida-based drone company that has been in business since 2019, and has established itself in building and selling drone components. The companys focus is on first-person view, FPV, drone technology, and last year Unusual Machines made two acquisitions in this field: the company acquired Fat Shark, a designer/distributor of the ultra-low-latency video goggles favored by FPV drone operators, and it picked up Rotor Riot, an online marketplace for drones, drone accessories, and FPV kits. Through these strategic acquisitions, Unusual Machines has staked out positions in both the development and manufacture of drone tech as well as in the sale and distribution of commercial FPV drones.

Unusual Machines has set out an overall strategic approach to the drone business that features several important attributes. First, the company aims to both lock in its existing customer bases loyalty  and to expand that base  by producing high-end products. Second, the company has committed to keeping its drone business domestic  and to avoid the Chinese supply chain in tech parts. Unusual Machines also aims to leverage the existing marketing channels brought by the Fat Shark and Rotor Riot acquisitions to boost its reputation with the drone pilot community and to expand its social media presence. And finally, the company is working to establish itself as a vital strategic partner for drone manufacturers and suppliers of drone components.

In recent months, Unusual Machines has scored some important contracts, and has expanded its production capabilities. One example of the former: the company in early October announced that it received an order to supply 3,500 NDAA-compliant motors to the US Armys 101st Airborne Division, which will install them in its deployment of Attritable Battlefield Enabler (A.B.E.) V1.01 drones.

This announcement leads directly to one of the companys expansion efforts. At the end of October, Unusual Machines announced the opening of its motor production facility in Orlando, Florida. The new facility totals 17,000 square feet of floor space and is described as a key milestone in Unusual Machines US manufacturing expansion. The new facility will manufacture the motors in the above announcement.

Unusual Machines has also announced the opening, again in Orlando, of a 25,000-square-foot warehouse and order fulfillment center. The new warehouse is located in close proximity to the new manufacturing site, and marks a strong expansion of the companys logistics footprint and capabilities.

The key points for Needham analyst Bohlig are UMACs growing pipeline and the companys potential to continue expanding its footprint in the drone industry. Following the Q3 readout, he wrote, We were most encouraged by the companys growing pipeline of Enterprise orders, which now exceeds $16M that will be shipped through 1H26. Given UMACs unique position to provide parts for high volume programs such as PBAS and Skyfoundry, we continue to view UMACs growth trajectory and expanding order pipeline favorably and see further potential upside to our 2026 estimates as demand for attributable drones inflects in 2026 While we expect revenues to increase 240% Y/Y to $~33M in 2026, we believe as orders continue to flow in the coming quarters we see additional upside potential to our estimates.

Following from this, Bohlig rates Unusual Machines stock as a Buy, with a $20 price target that indicates a strong 122% upside potential over the next year.

This stock holds a Strong Buy consensus rating, based on a unanimous 3 recent positive analyst reviews. The shares are priced at $9, and their $18.67 average price target suggests a share appreciation of 107% on the one-year horizon. (See UMAC stock forecast)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

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Environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks have been described as dying at Europes biggest mining investment conference, Resourcing Tomorrow. However, the acronym is garnering new interest in the risk management sector.

Yesterdays (3 December) ESG and risk management panel opened with the question: ESG: is it dead? Or is the acronym dead?

The question was asked by Beverley Adams, head of client engagement and consulting director of strategic risk practice at Bowring Marsh. Addressing attendees, she rephrased: Is ESG dying or is it always rebranding?

The hype around ESG is generally agreed to have died down, but one acronym that the panel agreed was not dead is VUCA: volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. As soaring critical mineral demand puts pressure on supply chains, mining operations are ever more 'VUCA'.

We are increasingly seeing that the world around us, the world of resourcing, the world of our jobs, the world of our homes, is increasingly uncertain, said Adams. Uncertainty is the new normal.

For Gerhald Bolt, principal of climate and sustainability at consultancy dss+, ESGs value lies in the management of VUCA risks: How can I advise ESG to advance my brand equity? How can I use it to increase revenue? Can I use it to reduce cost and how can it significantly reduce risk?

"Risk has emerged as a buzzword across the conference, and the VUCA problem has rumbled on.

Bolts point on risk was illustrated during a keynote address delivered by Vicente Mello, senior vice-president and Brazil country manager at consultancy Aecom. He pointed out that, more than a decade on, the mining sector has not been able to escape the ramifications of the 2015 collapse of the Fundao tailings dam in Mariana, Brazil.

Only last month, a UK court found BHP and Vale liable (although not criminally responsible) for the collapse of the Fundao tailings dam, concluding that they were involved in the detailed operational matters and strategic decisions of operator Samarco's activities at every level.

Mello also pointed to the 2019 Brumadinho dam disaster. He stated that in both cases, there was deep failure in terms of the governance system within the companies and also within the regulators.

At the heart of the two tragedies was a governance failing, with monumental environmental and social repercussions. The Fundao tragedy resulted in 19 deaths, while Brumadinho resulted in 272; both caused environmental devastation.

ESG can act as a risk management framework, then. According to Gemfields corporate responsibility director Edward Johnson, this point is at the crux of ESG conversation: Until there is more due diligence done in the supply chain, down from us, ESG is meaningless.
Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) is one of the best falling stocks to buy, according to Wall Street analysts. Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) holds a Strong Buy consensus from 12 analysts, all issuing Buy ratings. The average price target is $53.61, with estimates ranging from $47 to $61, implying a 50.21% upside from the current $35.69.

Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) Resorts to Debt Refinancing amid Positive Wall Street Ratings

On November 24, Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) subsidiaries completed $800 million in notes and 500 million in notes. One of the units issued $800 million in 5.185% senior notes due 2036, as the other issued 500 million in 3.489% senior notes due 2031. Smurfit WestRock is to use part of the net proceeds to redeem $500 million in 3.375% senior notes due 2027. Additionally, the net proceeds will be used to refinance 750 million in 1.500% senior notes due 2027. The debt refinancing drive comes on the heels of Wall Street firms issuing positive ratings on the stock. On November 23, Seaport Global reiterated a Buy rating on the stock and set a $51 price target. On November 18, Bank of America Securities also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock and set a $57 price target. Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in the creation and manufacturing of sustainable paper-based packaging solutions. The company designs, produces, and sells a wide range of products, including corrugated and consumer packaging, using renewable, recyclable, and recycled materials. While we acknowledge the potential of SW 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: 12 Best Silver Mining Stocks to Invest in Right Now and 10 Chinese Tech Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Chaldean Patriarchate Condemns Desecration of Assyrian Cemetery in Iraq

Recently, an Assyrian cemetery was desecrated in Harmota, a village in Koya District, Iraqi Kurdistan, with headstones smashed and graves broken into. So far nothing is known as who the perpetrators might be.

Following the incident, the Chaldean Patriarchate issued a statement strongly condemning the sacrilegious act against Iraqi Christians. It was signed by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, and sent to AsiaNews.

In it, the head of the Chaldean Church slammed "the attack on the Christian cemetery", noting that such a "criminal attack on the dead is morally and religiously unacceptable."

"We Christians have already paid a high price for conflicts in which we are not involved," reads the statement. "We demand that Kurdistan regional authorities conduct a thorough and professional investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice, so that they receive their just punishment."

Patriarch Sako's call for justice joins the chorus of indignation and condemnation of the attack on a sacred site, in an area where Christians and mostly Kurdish Muslims have lived peacefully.

In recent weeks, the Iraqi Kurdistan region has seen attacks and violence, from rockets fired at the Khor Mor gas field to protests forcibly quelled in the Erbil area, which resulted in several casualties.

"We want to assure Christians," the statement from the Chaldean Patriarchate adds, "that they are protected and safe; otherwise, a new wave of emigration will begin."

More than a hundred Christian families live in Harmota and approximately 60 in the centre of Koya, for a total of over 700 people.

Harmota represents approximately 9 per cent of Koya's population; the district has two churches, the largest of which is Maryam Pakiza.

"We have faith that the regional government will deliver justice and punish those behind this heinous crime," Cardinal Sako says at the end of the statement.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has also condemned the desecration of at least a dozen tombs in the Christian cemetery in Harmota, Koya District, in the eastern province of Erbil, which sparked anger and indignation among local Christians.

At present, there is no information about who was carried out the attack and why.

The office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani released a statement condemning a "destructive and inappropriate act" against "our Christian brothers and sisters". The statement goes on to say that "necessary investigations" will be launched "to identify and punish the perpetrators."

Meanwhile, dismay and concern are spreading among the local Christian population.

"A large number of graves have been vandalized, some with hammers, others with different tools, and several graves were left uncovered," said Hawzhin Silewa, a Christian community member and lecturer at Koya University, speaking to Rudaw, a Kurdish media outlet.

Given the extent of the damage, it was likely carried out by more than one person. "We do not know who did this or why," he added.

After the attack, some community representatives gathered at the cemetery to express their outrage. They are not alone. The attack prompted widespread condemnation from religious, political, and civic leaders and groups.

The Assyrian Democratic Movement (ZOWAA) said that attack represents "a new link in a chain of similar incidents that Christian cemeteries and sacred sites have faced in recent years in several areas of the region, including Shaqlawa, Tel Keppe, Zakho, and Simele."

The group added that such acts reflect extremist ideas hostile to religious and ethnic diversity and undermine the very foundations of civil peace in the region.

In fact, the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaymaniyah, also in Kurdistan, came under attack as well, triggering a power outage and subsequent damage to vital structures in the region, raising deep concern, as well as causing serious inconvenience to civilians.

For Cardinal Sako, commenting on this incident, "These senseless attacks and these demonstrations of force only complicate the situation in Iraq and do not solve the problems."

The Khor Mor gas field is the main source of liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas used for electricity generation in the Kurdistan Region.

According to Ministry of Electricity spokesperson Omid Ahmad, the overnight attack on 26 November cut power output by 80 per cent.

The field, located in Chamchamal District, is operated by Pearl Petroleum, a consortium of Dana Gas and Crescent, which is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, North Carolina has more than 7,300 workers in the solar industry. Up through this year, it was considered one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the state but the passage the federal spending bill in July marked a big shift in the countrys energy priorities.

ALSO READ: Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg offers savings for solar installations even as tax credits end

Dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill, the legislation ended a number of clean energy tax credits, including the 30% residential tax credit for homeowners looking to install solar and battery backups. Under the new rules, customers need to have their solar systems installed, inspected and connected to the grid by the end of 2025 in order to qualify for the credit.

Bryce Bruncati, the residential sales director at Raleigh-based 8MSolar, said that meant his team had to pivot quickly.

We went from a multi-year, six-year step down to cliff in six months, he said. So thats just kind of tough for any business to figure out.

For the past several months, Bruncati said that meant handling a rush of requests trying to add solar before the tax credits expire by January. He expects sales to plummet.

We are expecting a potential 40% to 50% market contraction, and unfortunately, thats going to really impact locally owned installers, but I expect many of them to close their doors, he said.

Some in the renewable industry are already feeling the hit. Asheville-based Pine Gate Renewables filed bankruptcy and laid off more than 700 employees earlier this year, due to what they called market headwinds.

Bruncati said 8M is reevaluating its sales strategy to try and ensure the company wont have to do the same.

Were trying to keep the teams we have, and our current employees, he said.

At the center of the strategy is affordability. While solar is expected to cost more next year, Bruncati points out power is too.

He expects things like solar leasing can make a difference on both fronts. Leasing allows homeowners to rent solar and battery systems and start reaping the benefits of energy savings at a much lower, upfront cost.

That also has the benefit of making solar accessible to a lot of people who maybe couldnt order in the first place, he said.

Industry advocates say leasing is a viable option, but those interested should keep in mind, solar leasing typically requires long-term contracts and include annual price increases. Homeowners should work with reputable installers and check annual price increases against the average utility-rate increase for their area to ensure their lease actually provides its promised savings.
SpaceX is preparing to sell insider shares in a transaction that would value Elon Musks rocket and satellite maker at as much as $800 billion, people familiar with the matter said, reclaiming the title of the worlds most valuable private company.

The details, discussed by SpaceXs board of directors on Thursday at its Starbase hub in Texas, could change based on interest from insider sellers and buyers or other factors, said some of the people, who asked not to be identified as the information isnt public. SpaceX is also exploring a possible initial public offering as soon as late next year, one of the people said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Another person briefed on the matter said that the price under discussion for the sale of some employees and investors shares is higher than $400 apiece, which would value SpaceX at between $750 billion and $800 billion. The company wouldnt raise any funds though this planned sale, though a successful offering at such levels would catapult it past the record of $500 billion valuation achieved by OpenAI in October.

SpaceX is preparing to sell insider shares in a transaction that would value Elon Musks rocket and satellite maker at a valuation higher than OpenAIs record-setting $500 billion, people familiar with the matter said. Bloombergs Ed Ludlow reports.Source: Bloomberg

Elon Musk on Saturday denied that SpaceX is raising money at a $800 billion valuation without addressing Bloombergs reporting on the planned offering of insiders shares.

SpaceX has been cash flow positive for many years and does periodic stock buybacks twice a year to provide liquidity for employees and investors, Musk said in a post on his social media platform X.

The share sale price under discussion would be a substantial increase from the $212 a share set in July, when the company raised money and sold shares at a valuation of $400 billion. The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times earlier reported the $800 billion valuation target.

News of SpaceXs valuation sent shares of EchoStar Corp., a satellite TV and wireless company, up as much as 18%. Last month, EchoStar had agreed to sell spectrum licenses to SpaceX for $2.6 billion, adding to an earlier agreement to sell about $17 billion in wireless spectrum to Musks company.

The worlds most prolific rocket launcher, SpaceX dominates the space industry with its Falcon 9 rocket that lifts satellites and people to orbit.

Photographer: Mark Felix/Bloomberg

SpaceX is also the industry leader in providing internet services from low-Earth orbit through Starlink, a system of more than 9,000 satellites that is far ahead of competitors including Amazon.com Inc.s Amazon Leo.
A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model .

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Step One Clothing Limited ( ASX:STP ) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Step One Clothing's peers seem to be trading at a lower discount to fair value based on the industry average of 29%

Story continues

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 7.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$5.1m (1 + 3.3%)  (7.9% 3.3%) = AU$116m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$116m ( 1 + 7.9%)10= AU$54m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is AU$93m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$0.3, the company appears quite undervalued at a 48% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

ASX:STP Discounted Cash Flow December 5th 2025

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Step One Clothing as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.086. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Check out our latest analysis for Step One Clothing

SWOT Analysis for Step One Clothing

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Currently debt free.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average.

Opportunity

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by earnings and cashflows.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Step One Clothing, we've put together three further aspects you should explore:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Step One Clothing (of which 3 are a bit unpleasant!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does STP's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Summit Financial has announced a minority-stake investment in Ivy Wealth Management, a registered investment adviser (RIA) based in West Warwick, Rhode Island, US.

Ivy Wealth Management, founded in 2010 by Brad Ingegneri, serves high-net-worth families and business owners across the Northeast US.

This transaction brings over $500m in client assets to Summit Financials platform.

Summit Financial Holdings chairman and CEO Stan Gregor said: Partnerships like these arent just about dollars. They enable growth-minded firms to collaborate, innovate, and strengthen our community for the future.

Brad and his team have built something special, putting clients first, navigating markets with insight, and delivering results with consistency and care.

Summit Financial is a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered investment adviser with more than 40 years of industry experience.

The companys partnership with Ivy Wealth Management marks its 14th partnership this year, and 27th transaction completed since early 2024.

Its approach focuses on minority-stake investments in independent advisory firms.

This model enables principals of selling firms to retain operational control while gaining access to Summits capital, integrated technology, and family-office services.

Currently, Summit Financial manages more than $25bn in client assets.

Ivy Wealth Management founder and president Brad Ingegneri said: We built Ivy to deliver personalised, sophisticated guidance that brings greater peace of mind for our clients.

By partnering with Summit, were taking our client-first service to a whole new level.

Ivy can now draw on deeper resources and capabilities, including enhanced technology and investment management platforms, to drive better outcomes for the families we serve.

In May this year, Summit Financial acquired a stake in Parsons Broach Financial Services to expand its national partnership network.

Parsons Broach Financial Services offers advisors the tools, capital, and resources required to drive growth while helping them maintain operational independence.

"Summit Financial invests in Ivy Wealth Management" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Never taking venture capital or going public was also deliberate. The only time you go public is when you need to scale really fast, and its millions or billions of dollars, and you have to hit something really quick, he said.

Brazil was his first targetand 24 years after opening a factory there, its now his most profitable market, generating about $15 million per year.

Cuccio also set himself apart from the competition, which largely stayed domestic, by traveling to 90 countries starting in 1984and financing his distributors himself. I finance a lot of my 90 countries. So Im the bank. They call me BOC: Bank of Cuccio, he said.

I never took a line of credit from the bank. I never had a mortgage. I never borrowed money. Ive never taken money out of a bank, he said. Banks are to put money in, not to take money out.

Cuccios business model revolved around growth and discipline. He started with $200, parlayed it to $1,000, and kept overhead minimal. For two years, the only money he took from the company was rent for his apartment. Everything else went back into inventory.

When I say I invented them, I want to clarify that for all your viewers, because Ive seen a lot of people say a scientist invented them in 1950. Gel nails were not popular until 81. We put calcium, we put fiberglass in them, we made them more durable, he said. I marketed them and made hundreds of millions of dollars on gel nails.

Gel nails became the cornerstone of Stars business. While scientists had created the chemistry decades earlier, Cuccio saw the commercial potential others missed.

The breakthrough came when customers started asking for wholesale terms. Cuccio needed a business name to accept checks. We said, I dont know. And they said, Who owns it? I said, Stephen, Tony, and Roberta. Thats Star Nail, he recalled. And so, Star Nail was born.

He and his wife, Roberta, set up a five-square-foot stand on Venice Beach, moving around $500 to $600 worth of makeup daily. At night, theyd hustle over to Westwood Boulevard, set up shop in front of a Hallensteins clothing store, and hope to catch the evening crowd.

Sometimes accidents happen, or youre in the right place at the right time, Cuccio said during a recent interview on the School of Hard Knocks podcast.

Cuccio, a Sicilian from Brooklyn, failed twice before he hit it bigfirst with a candy store, then a beer and beverage business. But at 25, he needed something to stick.

Tony Cuccio stood on Venice Beach in 1981 with just $200 in his pocket. Years later, hes the founder and CEO of Cuccio Global Distribution , a beauty empire that popularized gel nails and has since generated $2 billion in total sales across 90 countries.

Story Continues

I only sold one thing in my life. I never sold a product. I never sold a widget. I never sold a beauty product. I did seminars in 90 countries on how to make money, he said. If you make other people money, then youll make millions of dollars or a lot of money. The whole goal is to sell yourself.

Running an empire in his seventies

Now 71, Cuccio says he still arrives at work at 5 a.m. Its 95% perspiration and 5% luck, he said in a recent TikTok. But, like his grandmother told him when he was young: If you love what you do, youll never work a day in your life, he said.

Im going to Dominican Republic at 71 years old next month. In the first two days, Ill be working with my dealer, with their people, teaching them how to scale their business personally, he said.

The foundation of his empire rests on loyalty and mutual investment. About 41 years ago, Cuccio said he hired a 22-year-old woman and gave her 5% of the company when he sold. What it did is it put golden handcuffs on her because people offered her a lot of money through the years, but she wanted that 5%. She now owns 14%. And without her, thered be no company.

Over four decades, Cuccio said hes maintained a core group of employees with 30- and 40-year tenures. Without good people, you cant do it yourself. You can run the ship. You can make the calls. You can guide the direction to scale up, but somebodys got to run your company, he said.

Roberta, Cuccios wife of 48 years, has also been instrumental.

If it wasnt for my wifeIve been with my wife since Im 12, so 58 years; married 48 yearsI think Id be in jail or dead, he said.

The flip side of the loyalty coin

Yet loyalty has its limits. When hiring salespeople, Cuccio uses a single litmus test: commission or salary? Anybody who wants a salary automatically gets thrown out of the interview because you didnt ask me how much commission, he said. If Im going to give you 90% commission, you wouldnt know unless you asked.

Over the past 40 years, Cuccio said hes hired more than 2,000 people. The hardest skill hes developed is knowing when to cut ties. If I know that theyre not a worker, and I know they dont want to make more money, I have to make the decision on the people that I know arent for you and arent loyal and arent willing to put the work in. The hardest thing is to cut them loose fast. And I do that without even thinking, he said.

The most important thing I could teach young people is if somebody screws you in business or in life, just walk away, he continued. Dont give them the opportunity.

From fake nails to real estate

Cuccios wealth extends far beyond gel nails. Hes invested heavily in tax-free municipal bonds and industrial real estatetwo vehicles he credits with generating the greatest returns.

At 27, he learned about tax-free bonds from a successful entrepreneur and realized they offer guaranteed income with tax advantages. I started with a million dollars, and its up to $40 million. And all I did was keep rolling the tax-free bonds, he said.

Cuccios realization about real estate came differently. A friend and business associate named Larry Petraelli asked him why he paid rent when he could own the building and pay himself. Cuccio took the advice to heart. My last building I bought 22 years ago for $4 million. Its worth $40 million, he said.

His philosophy on real estate is deceptively simple: Buy quality investment properties with 50% down, never over-leverage, and never sell. Your rent goes up. Your mortgage goes down, and you give the buildings or the rental property to your kids. Thats why they call it real estate. Why would you sell it? he said.

For younger investors with time on their side, the advantage multiplies. Real estate markets typically cycle every seven to 10 yearslonger now after the 2008 financial crisis. If youre 25 years old, youre going to go through at least six different cycles. So if you buy and hold, youre going to go 6x because you have the time, he said.

His preference for industrial propertieshigh-ceiling warehouses suited to e-commercereflects changing times. When Amazon moved in, it went from $200 a square foot to $400 a square foot, he said.

Personal finance, retirement, and the money trap

Cuccio has become an unlikely advocate for personal finance education. He started IRAs for 90 of his employees, lending them $7,000 on Jan. 2 each year and deducting small amounts from their paychecks over time. One girl is with me 25 years. Shes a Mexican girl. She has $200,000 in it, he said.

For those under $250,000 in annual income, Roth IRAs offer an exceptional advantage: Contributions come off the top of gross earnings, lowering taxable income, and growth compounds tax-free until age 65. The governments saying to you, Kid, Im going to let you put $7,000 in. Im going to give you $3,000 back. Im going to let you make interest until youre 65. And then Im going to let you take it out with no taxes. And you say, I dont have the money. Find the money. Borrow the money, he said.

For the first 60 years of his life, Cuccio said he equated money with success. He stayed in budget hotels and skimped on everything, believing more wealth would satisfy him. It didnt.

I realized one thing about money. I thought it was God, he said. Dont do what I did.

Now, Cuccio sees money differently. The only time money is important is when you dont have it. When my mother would cry because the refrigerator broke and she didnt have $300 to get a new refrigerator, thats when money was important, he said. He kept a 50-year promise to his mother: Whenever he could afford first class, hed send her the difference.

It gave me more gratification to help my mother, he said.

You can watch Cuccios full interview with the School of Hard Knocks below:

For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Image Credit: Toyota.

Toyotas reputation for reliability has taken a hit in recent months as the company faces multiple recalls of its new twinturbo V6 engine, used in the Tundra pickup and several SUVs. Officially, Toyota has blamed manufacturing debris left in oil passages for the failures.

But a recent teardown by independent mechanic and YouTube creator Eric Berg, known for his I Do Cars channel, raises serious questions about whether debris is really the culprit.

The Recall Context

Image Credit: Toyota

Scope of recalls: More than 200,000 vehicles equipped with Toyotas V35A twinturbo V6 have been recalled.

Toyotas explanation: The company says leftover manufacturing debris in oil channels can damage sensitive components like rod bearings.

Customer impact: Owners receive full engine replacements under warranty, a costly fix for Toyota but a frustrating ordeal for drivers who expected longterm reliability.

Bergs Teardown Findings

Eric Berg finally obtained one of the failed engines. Getting his hands on one was no easy task since Toyota requires dealers to return defective cores. His detailed teardown revealed several troubling signs:

Early wear: At just 38,000 miles, cam lobes already showed marks, and oil buildup with metallic debris was visible in the cylinder head.

Timing chain gear damage: An idler gear was unusually stiff, with its bearing packed with large debris.

Main bearing failure: Two of the four main bearings were spun, meaning their surfaces rotated out of place, a classic sign of oil contamination.

Rod bearings intact: Surprisingly, the rod bearingssupposedly the most vulnerable to debrisshowed no visible damage.

Contradiction: Berg argued that if debris were truly the cause, both rod and main bearings should have been affected since they share oil channels.

Why Berg Calls Toyotas Explanation BS

Bergs central claim is that the official debris narrative doesnt match the physical evidence. He points out that, upon examining the components, there was no evidence of debris damage on the camshafts, caps, or towers, areas that should have shown clear signs if contamination were the real culprit. Even more telling, the rod bearings, which are typically the first to fail when oil passages are blocked or contaminated, were in good condition.

Instead, the only parts that showed catastrophic wear were the main bearings, which had spun out of place. That pattern of damage suggests something more fundamental than random debris. Bergs blunt conclusion, There is something wrong with these engines, challenges Toyotas debris narrative and raises doubts about whether the company has truly identified the root cause of the failures.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Release Date: December 05, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Trident Techlabs Ltd (NSE:TECHLABS) reported a significant year-over-year revenue growth of 8%, reaching 6,350 crore.

The company's EBITDA showed an impressive increase of 167% year-over-year.

Profit margins improved substantially, with a 229% year-over-year growth.

The company has a strong order book with approximately 54.14 crore in hand, indicating future revenue potential.

Trident Techlabs Ltd (NSE:TECHLABS) is expanding its international presence, working with countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Nigeria.

Negative Points

There is a trust deficit among minority retail shareholders due to past order delays and unmet expectations.

The company faces challenges in the power sector with regulatory hurdles and complex approval processes.

Concerns were raised about the recurring revenue and the predictability of future orders.

The company has not provided a detailed segment-wise revenue breakdown, leading to a lack of transparency.

There are concerns about the company's ability to manage funds effectively, especially in light of past fundraising challenges.

Q & A Highlights

Q: In the last call, you mentioned diversification in the power business to normalize its lumpy nature. How is that progressing? A: We are converting orders from one or two states and expect to add two more states soon. This will be evident in the next quarter.

Q: How do you plan to regain trust from minority retail shareholders given recent challenges? A: Our strategic results and order book are strong. We continue to execute orders efficiently, and our technology and manpower are key strengths. We aim to maintain transparency and improve communication.

Q: What is the recurring revenue from the current 63 crore revenue? A: While all revenue is realized, the same product and configuration may not recur. However, we expect different products to contribute similarly.

Q: Can you provide a revenue breakdown by verticals like cybersecurity, semiconductor, and engineering? A: Currently, we do not segment revenue by verticals due to overlapping technologies. However, if a division grows significantly, we may consider separate reporting.

Q: How do you see Trident Techlabs growing internationally in the next 1-2 years? A: We are expanding internationally, with proposals in seven countries. Our Dubai office is facilitating this growth, and we expect significant contributions from international markets.
Donald Trump has made some big promises about his tariff regime. It will help pay down the national debt, he has said, and the scheme is also so wildly successful that it will pay dividendsliterallyto the American people.



But the math doesnt quite add up.



In his cabinet meeting Tuesday, President Trump told his team and the media: Were going to be giving back refunds out of the tariffs because weve taken in literally trillions of dollars, and were going to be giving a nice dividend to the people, in addition to reducing debt. As you know, I inherited a lot of debt, but its peanuts compared to the kind of numbers were talking about.

So were going to be making a dividend to the people and additionally were going to be able to reduce debt, and as time goes by over the next two, three, four years, those numbers are going to go up.

He then suggested, vaguely, that in the future Americans would not need to pay income tax: I believe that at some point in the not too distant future, you wont even have income tax to pay because the money were taking in is so great.

While it is true that tariffs are estimated to bring in trillions of dollars to the U.S. economy in the longer term, the regime, which was fully announced in April, has yet to rake in that level of cash. Per U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, for the fiscal year 2025 updated as of August, America generated $195.9 billion in customs duties. This, of course, only captures some of the revenues tariffs will generate as they kick in: In October, duties brought in an all-time monthly record of $31.4 billion, up from $29.7 billion in September.

Even then, the yearly generated income still sits comfortably within a $300 billion to $400 billion bracket, which is not even a fraction of the interest payments on Americas national debt obligation. For fiscal year 2025, interest payments on national debt came to $1.22 trillion, and mere months of fiscal year 2026 have already cost the government $104 billion at a rate of 3.355%.

On top of that, economists are also scaling back their projections of how much the tariff scheme will generate in the long haul. In late November, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported: In total, the tariff changes will reduce deficits by $3 trillion. This is a 13-figure downgrade on projections made only a matter of months prior, when the CBO said it expected tariffs will reduce total deficits by $4 trillion altogether.

The CBO explained: Roughly two-thirds of the downward revisions result from adjustments to reflect new data. Modifications to tariffs, which on net lowered the effective tariff rate (although rates on certain products were higher in November than they were in August), also reduced the estimated effect on the deficit.
Upbit deletes all deposit addresses post hack. Source: CCN

Key Takeaways

Upbit is deleting all old deposit addresses after a Nov. 27 breach exposed vulnerabilities in its hot-wallet infrastructure.

Every user must generate new deposit addresses across all supported assets.

The overhaul comes as regulators scrutinize Upbit in the wake of a $36 million loss and just months ahead of Dunamus $10.3 billion sale to Naver Financial.

Upbit, South Koreas largest crypto exchange, is taking the unusual step of wiping every single deposit address from its platform, a sweeping security reset following the Nov. 27 breach that drained more than $36 million worth of crypto.

A Drastic Reset

Instead of patching the specific wallet affected, Upbit is tearing down its entire deposit-address system and rebuilding from scratch.

The exchange says the purge is part of a broader hardening of its wallet infrastructure after the hack revealed lingering vulnerabilities.

Every user  across every asset and every network  must now generate new addresses before depositing again.

All Old Deposit Addresses Deleted

Upbit has formally retired all previously issued deposit addresses.

Any crypto sent to those addresses will either be permanently lost or delayed significantly while the exchange attempts manual recovery.

In its announcement, Upbit urged customers to delete the old addresses from external wallets and exchanges to avoid future misuse or incorrect deposits.

This reset applies to all networks, not just Solana  the chain involved in last weeks breach.

The company said the decision was meant to eliminate any chance that compromised keys or undiscovered vulnerabilities remain in circulation.

Alongside the reset, Upbit is conducting a top-to-bottom security review of its deposit and withdrawal systems, with deeper audits and more restrictive access controls.

South Koreas Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is monitoring the process as part of its ongoing inspection.

The overhaul is widely interpreted as a direct response to the hack.

How the Upbit Hack Unfolded

The Nov. 27 incident involved unauthorized transfers of assets including SOL, JUP, RAY, BONK, ORCA, RENDER, PYTH, USDC, TRUMP and others, all moved from Upbits hot wallet to an external, unidentified address.

The breach occurred almost exactly six years after Upbits infamous 2019 hack, when 342,000 ETH were stolen, a theft believed to be the work of North Korean cyber groups.

This time, Upbit reacted quickly:
UPS profit growth has been halved since halcyon days of the pandemic. The company had net income of $6.7 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, over the previous two years. It posted a $3.8 billion net profit for the first three quarters of 2025.

The pilot group at UPS continues to grow because of the one-year-old transport contract with the U.S. Postal Service and overall market strength, the union chief noted. Three years ago UPS employed 3,200 pilots.

UPS made some of the largest historic profits in their history during COVID, and our pilots expectation is that we receive nothing less than those passenger counterparts made in their contract gains. Our pilots have patiently waited to get a new contract, and UPS has not delivered yet, Travis said. They need to reward this pilot group for the contributions were making to their bottom line.

UPS pilots agreed in 2022 to extend their contract an extra two years, primarily to give the Teamsters union space to negotiate a contract for 340,000 ground workers. The pilot contract became eligible to be amended on Sept. 1.

The National Mediation Board in September agreed to facilitate talks between UPS and the IPA, which represents 3,500 UPS pilots, after the parties were unable to make substantial progress on a new contract over 18 months, said IPA President Bob Travis in a phone interview last month. Discussions were delayed by the 43-day government shutdown.

The first round of negotiations with a federal mediator took place this week via video conferencing, said Brian Gaudet, a spokesman for the Independent Pilots Association. In-person talks with federal mediator Kevin Barry will begin in January.

Pilots at UPS, as well as FedEx, say they deserve better pay and benefits after enabling the companies to move freight during the disruptive Covid years and maintain profit growth while their counterparts at passenger airlines secured historic compensation packages.

The National Transportation Safety Board found fatigue cracks in a structural support for the engine that fell off the left wing on UPS Flight 2976 during takeoff. Boeing has since indicated the MD-11 inspection process and potential repairs could last months, according to publicly released internal communications and actions by affected airlines.

The talks are taking place as hundreds of UPS ( NYSE: UPS ) and FedEx ( NYSE: FDX ) pilots remain idle following the indefinite grounding by aviation authorities of more than 60 MD-11 freighters in the companies combined fleets.

A month after the fiery crash of a UPS cargo jet in Kentucky, negotiators for UPS pilots and the company have restarted negotiations on a new contract with help for the first time from federal mediators.

Story Continues

Labor relations in the airline industry are governed by the Railway Act, which prohibits workers and employers in critical interstate commerce from strikes or lockouts until a lengthy series of bargaining steps, including federal mediation, are completed. Federal mediators have the power to hold parties in mediation indefinitely.

Before a strike can take place, the NMB must first decide that additional mediation efforts would not be productive and offer the parties an opportunity to arbitrate the dispute before a special panel. If either side declines the arbitration, both parties enter a 30-day cooling off period, after which the parties can engage in self-help  a strike by the union or a lockout by management.

Arbitration in the airline industry is rare because both sides must agree to it. And, the NMB historically has been very reluctant to open the door to potential strikes, which airlines often use to their advantage in negotiations.

And getting to the point of a legal strike doesnt end there. The law allows the president to create an emergency board to investigate a labor dispute and issue a report within 30 days if the parties reject binding arbitration. That is followed by another 30-day period to consider the boards recommendations and reach an agreement. If no agreement is reached at the end of the second cooling-off period, the parties may take action.

FedEx collective bargaining

About 275 pilots at UPS and 500 FedEx pilots have been sidelined by the mandated MD-11 grounding. The UPS pilots are pay protected under their current contract. The FedEx MD-11 pilots are getting paid for unflown assignments in December, but its unclear exactly what pay formula will be applied to them after that.

FedEx pilots are frustrated by their own protracted contract talks, which started in March 2021. The sides have been in federal mediation for more than three years.

Union members in July 2023 rejected a tentative agreement between management and union leaders, citing concerns over outsourcing provisions, pay and benefits, and quality of life issues such as scheduling. The failed deal led to an internal blame game and the ouster of elected representatives on the Air Line Pilots Associations FedEx Master Executive Council. The NMB in 2024 declined a union request for the sides to be released from mediation.

In late September, the Master Executive Council issued a formal vote of no confidence in FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam, saying the ongoing corporate restructuring and cost initiatives are hurting the companys shareholder value.

Under his tenure, FedEx has abandoned a people-first culture and embraced a narrow profit-first mindset that jeopardizes the companys future, union leadership stated in a memorandum. Over the past three years, a narrow focus has eroded employee trust, weakened loyalty, and continues to jeopardize operational reliability in what is now a highly competitive marketplace.

As part of the belt-tightening, FedEx closed a pilot base in Cologne, Germany. ALPA claims that flying carried out by the airlines 757 fleet within Europe has since been handed to third-party contract carriers.

But FedExs stock price has nearly doubled from a low of $149 in September 2022 to $274 today. Investors are mostly pleased by the Network 2.0 strategy to consolidate U.S. and Canadian express and ground delivery networks and the elimination of billions of dollars in structural costs. The international version of the streamlining effort is called Tricolor. It involves realigning the air network into separate express parcel and deferred freight operations, and reducing use of regional air transport in favor of less-than-truckload networks.

FedEx remains committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching an agreement that is fair to everyone involved. As we work toward a new agreement, we will continue to deliver industry-leading service to our customers around the world, the company said in a Sept. 17 statement on its website. The tentative agreement in 2023 included a 30% pay increase and other benefits.

FedExs most recent offer included an immediate 24% pay rate increase and a 40% increase over the life of the agreement, plus additional quality of life provisions, which it says would make its pilots the highest paid in the cargo industry.

The FedEx network is evolving to meet market demand and customer needs. While we experienced a reduction in domestic dayside flying in October 2024 with the expiration of the U.S. Postal Service contract, international flight hours for FedEx pilots are up year-over-year. This is partially due to our successful Tricolor initiative, which has introduced new international flights operated by our widebody aircraft, including flights to and from Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. FedEx has a substantial European presence that is anchored by our hub at Charles de Gaulle, the largest hub in our European network. As we continue to adapt to changing market conditions, some intra-European markets are now served with smaller aircraft to more efficiently accommodate current demand, FedEx said.

(CLARIFICATION: The story previously characterized the FedEx union members vote to turn down a tentative contract agreement as narrow. The vote was actually 57% to 43%.)

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RECOMMENDED READING:

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The US Government intends to acquire further equity stakes in critical minerals companies as part of its strategy to address Chinas dominance of the sector, said senior White House official Jarrod Agen.

Agen, who is the Executive Director of the National Energy Dominance Council, made these remarks at the American Growth Summit in Washington, reported Bloomberg.

This summit was sponsored by companies including Citigroup and Nvidia.

Agen stated: I think they are the norm from our perspective, referring to the governments approach to investing in these companies.

He added: There is a broad scope of different companies who are coming to us. They are making the right case.

Through direct equity investments, the Trump administration aims to support critical minerals projects and build domestic capacity, especially as the US plans to counter Chinas dominance of the critical minerals sector.

Critical minerals such as gallium and cobalt are essential in the production of products ranging from semiconductors, medical equipment, industrial magnets, and defence systems such as missile guidance, radar and jet engines.

These minerals are also required for batteries and other technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

The strategy of investing in companies considered essential for national security comes amid heightened concern over US dependence on China for critical materials.

This reliance became a focal point in the ongoing trade war, especially after Beijing restricted exports of rare earth element in response to US export controls. This led to disruptions in the supply chain until China eased the restriction after the US lifted its countermeasures.

China is said to account for almost 70% of global rare earths mining and control 90% of rare earths processing.

The Trump administration, over the past year, has invested more than $1bn to acquire stakes in critical minerals companies.

Recent such deals include a $400m investment for a 15% stake in MP Materials and $670m for a stake in magnet producer Vulcan Elements.

Another transaction saw $35.6m exchanged for a 10% stake in Canadian minerals explorer Trilogy Metals.

In September, the administration announced it would acquire a stake in Lithium Americas  the company developing the nations largest lithium deposit  as part of a deal to restructure an existing $2.23bn loan from the Department of Energy.

Last month, the US Government was reportedly in talks to acquire a stake in Critical Metals Corporation.

Earlier this month, the US expanded its critical minerals list to include copper and metallurgical coal.
In early October, DualEntry, an AI enterprise resource planning (ERP) startup, announced a $90 million Series A round led by Lightspeed and Khosla Ventures, valuing the one-year-old business at $415 million.

The company seeks to replace legacy software like Oracle NetSuite with its offering that can automate routine tasks and provide predictive insights. The massive funding round from top-tier VCs signaled that the startup is likely experiencing phenomenal revenue growth.

However, one VC who declined to invest told TechCrunch that DualEntrys annual recurring revenue (ARR) was just around $400,000 when he reviewed the deal in August. DualEntrys co-founder, Santiago Nestares, denies that number. When asked about revenue when the deal closed, Nestares said it was considerably higher than that.

Even so, an extremely handsome valuation relative to revenue is becoming an increasingly common investment strategy among top-tier VC firms. The tactic is known as kingmaking.

This approach involves deploying massive funding into one startup in a competitive category, aiming to overwhelm rivals by granting the chosen company a bank-account advantage so significant that it creates the appearance of market dominance.

Kingmaking isnt new, but its timing has shifted dramatically.

Venture capitalists have always evaluated a set of competitors and then made a bet on who they think the winner is going to be in a category. Whats different is that its happening much earlier, said Jeremy Kaufmann, a partner at Scale Venture Partners.

This early aggressive funding contrasts with the last investment cycle.

The 2010s version of this was just called capital as a weapon,' said David Peterson, partner at Angular Ventures. He pointed out that massive funding into Uber and Lyft was a canonical example of this, but the capital weaponization for the ride-sharing companies didnt begin until they reached their Series C or D rounds.

As with Uber vs. Lyft, investors in DualEntrys competitors Rillet and Campfire are evidently just as eager to see their bets succeed with the help of substantive capital. In early August, Rillet raised a $70 million Series B led by a16z and Iconiq, just two months after the company closed a $25 million Series A led by Sequoia.

Similarly, Campfire AI had two back-to-back funding rounds. In October, it grabbed a $65 million Series B, just a couple of months after announcing a $35 million Series A round led by Accel.

AI ERP is just one of the several AI application categories where startups are raising funding in rapid succession. Theres no new data between rounds. Series Bs happen 27-60 days after Series As regularly, Jaya Gupta a partner at Foundation Capital, posted on X last month. Besides AI ERP, she wrote that she sees this pattern in categories such as IT service management and SOC compliance.
Visa has entered into a collaboration with the Central Bank of Syria and other financial authorities for a strategic roadmap implementation aimed at Syria digital payments integration.

The initiative is designed to support Syrias entry into the global digital economy, with Visa launching operations in the country and introducing a phased digitisation plan for the payments sector.

The initial focus will involve collaborating with licenced financial institutions to establish a secure payments infrastructure.

This will include the issuance of payment cards and the introduction of digital wallets that use worldwide standards such as EMV chip technology and tokenisation, ensuring security and immediate global interoperability.

Visa noted that for merchants, it will facilitate the adoption of the Visa Acceptance Platform, which allows for the deployment of open, cost-effective acceptance solutions.

These include Tap to Phone and QR code technologies, intended to accelerate the creation of an accessible and inclusive payments network across Syria.

The approach is expected to benefit micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are said to play a significant role in Syrias economy.

By enabling these businesses to participate in the digital economy, the plan aims to support creation of jobs and economic participation.

Visa North Africa, Levant and Pakistan, senior vice president Leila Serhan said: A reliable and transparent payment system is the bedrock of economic recovery and a catalyst that builds the confidence required for broader investment to flow into the country.

This partnership is about choosing a new path, where Syria can leapfrog decades of legacy infrastructure development and immediately adopt the secure, open platforms that power modern commerce.

To further support the development of a robust payments ecosystem, Visa said that it will invest in targeted programmes focused on capacity building and the development of local talent.

The company will also introduce initiatives to support local entrepreneurs develop and expand new payment solutions, leveraging Visas global platform and connecting with regional and international fintech partners.

Central Bank of Syria governor Abdulkader Husrieh said: The vision presented by Visa offers a powerful path forward to accelerate our modernisation agenda, enhance transparency, and provide our people and businesses with the tools they need to rebuild and thrive.

Earlier this week, Visa, Pismo and credit-led neobank Circle Asia Technologies announced a partnership to introduce an AI-powered PayLater card in Vietnam.
Banks are turning to the credit derivatives markets to reduce their exposure. Trading of Oracles credit default swaps ballooned to about $8 billion over the nine weeks ended Nov. 28, according to an analysis of trade repository data by Barclays Plc credit strategist Jigar Patel. Thats up from around $350 million in the same period last year.

Those risks became more real last week when a major outage halted trading at CME Group Inc. and reminded investors that data-center customers can leave if there are repeated breakdowns. In the aftermath, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. paused a planned $1.3 billion mortgage bond sale for CyrusOne, the data-center operator.

The technology is impressive. But that doesnt mean youre going to profit from it, said Steven Grey, chief investment officer at Grey Value Management.

The sums are so large that issuers will have to tap just about all major debt markets, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. It could take years for these tech investments to pay off  if they pay off at all. The rush has left some lenders over-exposed, so theyre using a series of tools  credit derivatives, sophisticated bonds and some newer financial products  to shift the risk of underwriting the AI boom to other investors.

Mega offerings from tech behemoths including Oracle, Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc. have helped push global bond issuance to more than $6.46 trillion in 2025. These hyperscalers, along with electric utilities and other firms, are expected to spend at least $5 trillion as they race to build data centers and other infrastructure for a technology thats promising to revolutionize the worlds economy.

The urgency at banks to shed risk is visible all over credit markets. The cost of protecting Oracle Corp. debt against default using derivatives has risen to the highest since the Global Financial Crisis. Morgan Stanley has looked at using a significant risk transfer  a form of insurance against loan losses  to diffuse some of the risk tied to its tech company borrowers.

Wall Street is gearing up to lend massive amounts of money to the biggest players in artificial intelligence  and simultaneously trying to figure out how to protect itself from any bubble that its financing may be helping to inflate.

Story Continues

Banks are providing the bulk of massive construction loans for data centers where Oracle is the intended tenant, which is likely driving much of the Oracle hedging, according to a recent Morgan Stanley research report. These include a $38 billion loan package and a $18 billion loan to build multiple new data center facilities in Texas, Wisconsin and New Mexico.

Swaps Cost

Prices for other swaps are climbing, too. A five-year CDS agreement to protect $10 million of Microsoft Corp. debt from default would cost about $34,000 annually, or 34 basis points on Thursday. In mid-October, it was closer to $20,000 a year.

The spread on Microsoft default swaps is remarkably wide for a AAA rated company, according to Andrew Weinberg, a portfolio manager at Saba Capital Management, a hedge fund management firm that has been selling protection. By comparison, protection on Johnson & Johnson, the other US company rated AAA, cost about 19 basis points a year on Thursday.

Selling protection on Microsoft at greater than 50% wider levels than fellow AAA rated J&J is a remarkable opportunity, Weinberg said. A representative for Microsoft, which hasnt issued debt this year, declined to comment.

There are similar opportunities with Oracle, Meta and Alphabet. Despite their large debt raises, their credit default swaps are trading at high spreads relative to their risk of default, selling protection makes sense, Weinberg said. Even if the companies get downgraded, the positions should perform well because they already incorporate so much potential bad news, he said.

A spokesperson for Oracle declined to comment. Spokespeople for Meta and Alphabet didnt respond to requests for comment.

Complicated Bonds

Morgan Stanley, a key player in financing the artificial-intelligence race, has considered off-loading some of its data-center exposure via a transaction known as a significant risk transfer, which can give a bank default protection for between 5% and 15% of a designated portfolio of loans. SRTs often entail selling bonds known as credit-linked notes, which can have credit derivatives tied to companies or a portfolio of loans embedded in them. If the borrowers default, the bank can get a payout to cover its loss.

In this case, Morgan Stanley held preliminary talks with potential investors about an SRT tied to a portfolio of loans to businesses involved in AI infrastructure, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday. A representative for Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

Banks are fully aware of the markets recent concerns with possible overinvestment and overvaluation, said Mark Clegg, a senior fixed-income trader at Allspring Global Investments, which advised on about $629 billion as of the end of September. It should be a shock to no one that they may be exploring hedging or risk transfer mechanisms.

Private capital firms including Ares Management Corp. have been angling to take some of banks exposure in SRTs tied to data centers, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The firm has been talking to banks about possible transactions, the people said. Ares declined to comment.

Banks are looking to create other products to allow them offload credit risk tied to hyperscalers. At least two firms have tried to put together baskets of credit derivatives tied to technology companies, akin to an equity sector exchange-traded fund, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Citadel Securities started making markets for two baskets of corporate bonds from hyperscalers, allowing investors to quickly add or reduce exposure to the companies.

Adding to the urgency is the massive size of the latest debt offerings. Not too long ago, investors considered a $10 billion deal in the US high-grade market a big one. Marketing it might have taken a few days, including investor conference calls and individual meetings with money managers.

But with multi-trillion-dollar market-cap companies and funding needs in the hundreds of billions of dollars, a $10 billion sale is a drop in the bucket, according to Teddy Hodgson, global co-head of investment grade debt capital markets at Morgan Stanley.

We raised $30 billion for Meta in a drive-by financing, said Hodgson, referring to bond sales that take place in a single day. Thats not historically a commonplace event. The investor base is going to have to get used to bigger deals from the hyperscalers because of how much theyve grown and how much this opportunity is going to cost for them to capture.

--With assistance from Dan Wilchins, Michael Gambale, Jeannine Amodeo and Esteban Duarte.

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West Wits Mining has officially inaugurated the Qala Shallows gold mine west of Johannesburg in South Africa.

This commissioning marks the countrys first new underground gold mine in 15 years and ushers in a new phase of growth for the Witwatersrand Basin project (WBP).

The opening ceremony was attended by senior representatives including the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, the Australian High Commissioner Tegan Brink, Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane, community leaders, project partners, investors and media.

West Wits CEO and group managing director Rudi Deysel said: For years, many believed the Central Rand had reached the end of its mining life, but Qala Shallows shows that with rigorous geological work, clear planning and disciplined execution  and strong cooperation between government and business  new underground gold mines can still be developed in this district.

The Witwatersrand built Johannesburg and shaped our economy, and it still holds substantial potential for the future.

Since a team mobilised in July 2025, Qala Shallows is said to have progressed rapidly, achieving all key development milestones.

The project brought its first ore to surface in October and the underground infrastructure required for initial production is complete.

A growing surface stockpile is already in place and is expected to reach around 30,000 tonnes.

First gold pour from the Qala Shallows mine is set for March 2026. The mine has a projected life-of-mine of 17 years.

Deysel added: This project would not have been possible without the support of government, our lenders, our host communities and our industry partners. Together we have brought a new mine to life in one of the worlds most historic gold districts, and today Qala Shallows starts a fresh chapter for the Witwatersrand and for South African gold mining.

The mine is expected to reach steady-state output of approximately 70,000oz per year for 12 years.

The total economic contribution to South Africa is forecast to exceed $1.15bn (R19.46bn), with direct employment surpassing 1,000 jobs during phase one.

With operations commencing at Qala Shallows, West Wits shifts from a developer to a producer, strengthening its long-term commitment to South Africa and the broader Witwatersrand Basin project, which contains a mineral resource estimate of more than five million ounces.

Qala Shallows is the initial phase of a staged development strategy that is expected to include additional areas such as Bird Reef Central.

These ongoing and future developments will support West Wits long-term goal, Project 200, which aims to achieve 200,000oz per annum.
March soft red winter wheat (ZWH26) futures present a selling opportunity on more price weakness.

See on the daily bar chart for March soft red winter wheat futures that prices are trending lower and this week hit a four-week low. See, too, at the bottom of the chart that the moving average convergence divergence (MACD) indicator is in a bearish posture as the blue MACD line is below the red trigger line and both lines are trending down.

More News from Barchart

Fundamentally, the global supply and demand balance sheet is not bullish for wheat. Also not price-friendly for wheat is the possibility of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal that would suggest more grains being shipped out of the Black Sea. It also appears the bullish aspect of the U.S.-China trade truce has now been factored into grain futures prices.

A move in March SRW wheat futures below chart support at $5.34 would give the bears more power and it would also become a selling opportunity. The downside price objective would be $5.00, or below. Technical resistance, for which to place a protective buy stop just above, is located at $5.50.

www.barchart.com

IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not a futures broker and do not manage any trading accounts other than my own personal account. It is my goal to point out to you potential trading opportunities. However, it is up to you to: (1) decide when and if you want to initiate any trades and (2) determine the size of any trades you may initiate. Any trades I discuss are hypothetical in nature.

Here is what the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has said about futures trading (and I agree 100%):

Trading commodity futures and options is not for everyone. IT IS A VOLATILE, COMPLEX AND RISKY BUSINESS. Before you invest any money in futures or options contracts, you should consider your financial experience, goals and financial resources, and know how much you can afford to lose above and beyond your initial payment to a broker. You should understand commodity futures and options contracts and your obligations in entering into those contracts. You should understand your exposure to risk and other aspects of trading by thoroughly reviewing the risk disclosure documents your broker is required to give you.

On the date of publication, Jim Wyckoff 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
Cullen Capital Management, LLC, operating under the name Schafer Cullen Capital Management, Inc. (SCCM), has released its SCCM Enhanced Equity Income Fund third-quarter investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. US equities continued to rise in the third quarter, with the S&P 500 returning 8.1% while the Russell 1000 Value was up 5.3%. The composite returned 0.9% (net) in the quarter, compared to a 3.5% return for the S&P 500 Buy-Write Index (BXM) and a 2.5% return for the SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK). In addition, you can check the funds top 5 holdings to determine its best picks for 2025.

In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, SCCM Enhanced Equity Income Fund highlighted stocks such as Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW). Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) is a containerboard, corrugated containers, and other paper-based packaging products manufacturer. The one-month return for Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) was 1.79%, and its shares gained 33.25% over the last 52 weeks. On December 04, 2025, Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) stock closed at $36.45 per share, with a market capitalization of $19.034 billion.

SCCM Enhanced Equity Income Fund stated the following regarding Smurfit Westrock Plc (NYSE:SW) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter:
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has suddenly put brakes on high-leverage crypto ETFs by issuing warning letters to major ETF issuers.

Proposed funds from issuers like Direxion, ProShares, Tidal Financial, Volatility Shares, and GraniteShares apparently exceeded volatility limits  by using derivatives to chase extreme leverage on crypto and single stocks such as Tesla or Nvidia.

The applications for ETFs that promised 3x to 5x returns on assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum could be blocked? But why has the SEC stepped in? Apparently, the regulators cited violations of Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which caps a funds value-at-risk (VaR) at 200% of its unleveraged reference portfolio.

We write to express concern regarding the registration of exchange-traded funds that seek to provide more than 200% (2x) leveraged exposure to underlying indices or securities, said the SEC letter, issued on 2 December 2025. We request the registrant revise its objective and strategy to be consistent with rule 18f-4

DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025

ProShares Pulls Several Crypto ETF Applications After Receiving SEC Warning

A 1% Bitcoin drop could mean 3-5% ETF losses daily. Which means, over half of recent leveraged ETFs have shuttered due to poor performance.

Shortly after receiving the SEC letter, ProShares pulled several 3x crypto ETF applications while acknowledging that they didnt meet the legal standards. ProShares had originally filed its ETF in NYSE in October 2025.

Notably, no 3x or 5x single-stock or crypto ETFs exist in the US market yet. Rules limit leverage to 2x maximum.

Read More: SEC Crypto News: US Plans to Redefine Crypto Assets

SEC Could Soon Redefine How Digital Assets Are Classified Under US Law

Speaking in Philadelphia on 12 November 2024, SEC Chair Paul Atkins said the agency will in the coming months propose a structured framework based on the Supreme Courts Howey test, the legal standard used to decide whether an asset counts as a security.

The move aims to bring clarity to one of the most contentious areas in crypto regulation: determining when a token constitutes a security and when it does not.

Atkins also said the Commission intends to release a package of exemptions designed to create a more flexible system for crypto projects that sell assets through investment contracts.

DISCOVER: Best Meme Coin ICOs to Invest in 2025

Read original story Why Is SEC Blocking Highly Leveraged Crypto ETF Applications? by Akriti Seth at 99bitcoins.com
xrp. Photo by BeInCrypto

In crypto, perhaps being early can really pay off. This sure seems to be the case for Ripple Labs, the San Francisco-based blockchain firm that is now worth over $40 billion.

And after years of tangling with the SEC, the company is experiencing much fairer weather in the regulatory climate with Trump in charge. Since the US presidential election, the price of XRP, the altcoin Ripple launched way back in 2012, has stayed above a $2 price point not seen since the blockchain bull run of 2017.

But is there an actual use case for XRP?

The XRP Payments Corridor

Hedy Wang, CEO of crypto liquidity provider Block Street, says Ripples foothold in America may grow now, but it already has traction in other parts of the world, too.

In the US its been more constrained because of the whole SEC saga, so interest skewed retail and offshore venues, Wang told BeInCrypto. Historically you see decent XRP traction in Japan, parts of East Asia, and some remittance-heavy corridors like the Philippines or Latin America via partners.

What cant be denied is that investors have been grabbing up XRP over the past year. Since Trump was elected in November 2024, the price of XRP has gone from $0.50 to $2.15, a 330% increase.

The price performance of XRP since November 2024. Source: CoinGecko

Bitcoin is viewed as 'digital gold, Ethereum is known for smart contracts, noted certified public accountant Gregory Monaco, who runs an eponymous CPA firm. XRP gets its value from cross-border payments.

Monaco pointed to Ripples 300 financial partners in 45 countries and $15 billion in annual cross-border payments as key indicators of its use case.

Its possible, then, that a company behind a cryptocurrency, like Ripple, can put in the real manpower and work to achieve an important payments corridor.

If Ripple keeps stacking licenses and bank/fintech integrations, XRP can survive as niche financial plumbing, added Block Streets Wang.

Cross-Border Is Not So Simple

The term cross-border payments may sound like a lot of corporate jargon. But ask anyone who has sent money from one country to others, and it is obvious this is a problematic process. It can be slow. It can be expensive.

Additionally, currency exchanges are required. Cryptocurrencies like XRP are borderless, global, and cheap. Theres value in reducing TradFis reliance on regular payment systems.

Working at Airbnb helped Coinbases Armstrong understand cross-border payments. Source: X

Still, hopium alone doesnt necessarily mean that XRPs valuation is that closely tied to its payments use case, noted Paul Holmes, a researcher at BrokerListings.
Sansha Town in China's Fujian integrates tourist attractions with rural development

Xinhua) 09:08, December 05, 2025

Photography enthusiasts watch and capture sea views at sunrise in Huazhu Village, Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 4, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

An aerial drone photo shows guesthouses along the coastal road for sightseeing in Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 3, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

This photo shows the scenery of the sea at sunrise in Huazhu Village, Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 4, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

An aerial drone photo shows a view along the coastal road for sightseeing in Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 3, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

This photo shows a coastal scenery of Dongbi Village in Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 3, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

This photo shows a sea view at sunrise in Huazhu Village, Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 4, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

This photo shows a coastal scenery of Dongbi Village in Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 3, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

An aerial drone photo shows guesthouses along the coastal road for sightseeing in Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 3, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

A person in fisherman outfit walks on the tidal flats in Dongbi Village in Sansha Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Dec. 3, 2025. Sansha Town in Xiapu County, blessed with unique natural resources and rich historical culture, has been walking a distinctive path to rural revitalization by orchestrating tourist attractions such as high-end homestays, tidal flat landscape and local specialty food with rural development. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
COMPANY NEWS: Globally innovative and leading coral aquaculture company Monsoon Aquatics to benefit from TechConnects coral management software solution, a highly scalable platform to provide commercial and research benefits; the solution is hosted on Amazon Web Services.

TechConnect, a globally recognised data management leader and fast becoming a leader in Cloud Managed Services, is providing a world-first software solution to help Monsoon Aquatics improve coral farming and reef restoration research on the Great Barrier Reef.

The solution has been developed by TechConnect in Australia and is hosted on Amazon Web Services. The software as a service platform represents a world-first coral traceability system and was designed to support Monsoon Aquatics Conservation Aquaculture initiative.

Scheduled for deployment in November at Monsoon Aquatics Bundaberg facilities, the solution will enable Monsoon Aquatics to track the lifecycle of tens of thousands of individual corals cultivated for commercial distribution.

It will also have follow-on benefits for wider research carried out by Monsoon Aquatics on the health of corals on the Barrier Reef.

A matter of scale

Based in Bundaberg and founded in 2009, Monsoon Aquatics is Australias largest and most trusted supplier of wild-caught and aquaculture coral, fish, and marine life. The company is a commercial and research organisation, combining continuous research, innovation, and collaboration with industry experts. Monsoon reinvests profits from the sale of ethically sourced marine life to advance coral aquaculture practices, supporting reef conservation efforts.

Over the past few years, Monsoon Aquatics has been scaling up land-based coral aquaculture via asexual propagation (fragging) and coral spawning to meet the demand of the aquarium trade and also to increase capacity for future large-scale reef rehabilitation initiatives.

As it scaled up its coral farming operations, a key challenge the company faced was how to accurately and efficiently account for the life cycle of its individual corals.

By working with TechConnect, Monsoon will now be able to seamlessly migrate its coral management system from its current, manual, spreadsheet-based approach to one capable of handling tens of thousands of records and transactions daily.

Stage one of the TechConnect solution will commence in November and is expected to be fully in production by 1 December. This will enable Monsoon Aquatics specialists a streamlined way to track and analyse detailed attributes for each coral, ensuring clear visibility and consistency throughout its lifecycle.

This migration to an automated, real-time system will also help Monsoon Aquatics meet regulatory compliance requirements. It will provide unprecedented real-time analysis around a range of variables such as mortality rates, exports, and current coral counts, improving data accuracy, automating coral identification through digital scanning, and delivering live insights into coral health and development.

Without the support of the TechConnect solution, tracking the lifecycle of thousands of individual corals would have been cumbersome and expensive, particularly as the number of corals managed by Monsoon Aquatics is forecast to grow significantly in the coming years.

Early wins and a long term collaboration

TechConnect began collaborating with Monsoon Aquatics in early 2025. Having identified a range of opportunities to use AI-based automation and database management to improve information efficiency at Monsoon Aquatics and meet regulatory compliance requirements, TechConnect created and presented its solution to the company in September 2025.

In early trials, the TechConnect solution has already enabled Monsoon Aquatics to reduce the hours required to capture key information by at least five hours a week, as manual spreadsheets give way to streamlined digital processes. As the platform expands, these efficiencies are expected to grow further, supported by a roadmap that includes advanced automation and intelligent analysis features designed to surface patterns faster, improve decision-making, which in turn will free up researchers to focus on high-value work.

TechConnects solution will also be integrated into a system of direct data ingestion, from live coral tanks, into the database via underwater RFID technology. This advancement will significantly enhance the companys ability to scale production and traceability - capabilities that are currently constrained by existing manual tracking methods.

In the longer term, the platform will give Monsoon Aquatics research team reliable, high-resolution data to refine coral farming processes and scale aquaculture solutions for reef restoration. It will also support future genomics work, enabling teams to better understand coral traits, resilience patterns, and lineage. This then strengthens both internal improvement programs as well as broader scientific outcomes.

Daniel Kimberley, Director at Monsoon Aquatics, said; Coral Aquaculture is in its infancy; there is tremendous potential for digital solutions and AI to improve the space and the outcomes for the reef. There are many possible collaborations with TechConnect that we dont even realise yet. By partnering with TechConnect, we have already reduced manual effort by at least five hours per week through digitising our coral analysis processes and removing spreadsheet-driven workflows. As we will start to introduce advanced automation and AI capabilities into the platform, we expect to unlock even greater efficiency gains, scale our analysis further, and improve data accuracy and better decision-making.

Mike Cunningham, CEO at TechConnect, said; As an Australian company, we are excited to be able to play a small part in supporting the success and growth of Monsoon Aquatics. We are proud to be collaborating with Monsoon Aquatics, to not only provide an industry leading solution but to support their role in preserving one of the worlds most iconic environments.

About Monsoon Aquatics

Monsoon Aquatics is a pioneering Australian company dedicated to coral farming, reef conservation, and marine education. Founded in 2008, it operates Australias largest land-based coral farm at the Port of Bundaberg, with additional facilities in Darwin and Cairns. The company specialises in cultivating and propagating over 200 species of coral, fish and invertebrates, reducing reliance on wild collection and supporting reef restoration initiatives. Visitors can experience behind-the-scenes tours that showcase coral fragging, spawning programs, and sustainable aquaculture practices, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the science and beauty of coral ecosystems. Monsoon Aquatics also supplies premium handpicked corals to global markets, combining innovation, technology, and citizen science to protect and share the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

About TechConnect

Founded in 2011 and based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, TechConnect is a globally innovative data management company, which helps businesses unlock highly valuable insights hidden in their data, and use the cloud to drive productivity, reduce costs, support innovation, and increase competitiveness. TechConnects customers include leading global brands in mining and resources, retail, gaming, agriculture and healthcare. TechConnect has deep and trusted relationships with some of the worlds leading cloud vendors.
New data released today from Vodafone reveals the top mobile trends for 2025 - and wow, we like to talk!

From spending numerous hours on the phone, to SMS surges and megabyte madness, Vodafone Unwrapped is the telcos annual deep dive into Aussies unique mobile habits.



A Vodafone spokesperson said Vodafone Unwrapped is a fascinating look at how Australia connects.

The numbers show Aussies love staying in touch over our mobile network which doubled in size this year, now covering more than one million square kilometres.

In 2025, customers sent 6.7 billion texts and placed nearly 4 billion calls. Thursdays were the nations biggest messaging day, while October topped the charts for phone calls in the lead up to the holiday season.

Phone Calls:

This year, Vodafone customers made nearly 4 billion phone calls, chatting away for more than 9.9 billion minutes, the equivalent of spending approximately 18,955 years on the phone in 2025.

New South Wales residents are Australias top chatterboxes, ringing in a total of 2,052,341,084 calls on the Vodafone network and spending approximately 65,846,312 hours talking away. Thats 7,516 years or over 75 centuries of conversation!

Other phone call insights include:

SMS:



Australians fired off a whopping 6.7 billion SMS messages on the Vodafone network in 2025. Leading the charge, New South Wales claimed the crown as Australias SMS capital, with Vodafone customers sending an incredible 2.48 billion texts, which is about 4,714 messages every minute.



Data Usage:

From binge-watching to endless scrolling, Vodafone customers had broken their total data usage record consuming a massive 849,400,180 GB of data in 2025. If youre a Wicked fan, this is the equivalent of streaming the latest movie approximately 1,698,800,360 times or watching Netflix for 387,853 years non-stop.

Other data usage insights include:
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A few weeks ago, commentator Peggy Tierney wrote a Substack piece in which she referenced a long article  a profile piece  written about Jeffrey Epstein in 2014 by well-known author and journalist Michael Wolff. According to Tierney, although the article was intended to polish Epstein's public image, it was never picked up by any publication but nevertheless somehow ended up in parts of the "Epstein files" that were released earlier this year by the House Oversight Committee.

The countless articles, books and media documentaries about Epstein have fixated on his insatiable sexual appetites and predilection for teenage girls, as well as his willingness to provide the services of those very young females to some of his friends and colleagues. That lens on Epstein's life  and the nonstop public outrage it has generated  could easily lead one to conclude that the primary purpose of his existence was to serve as a wealthy and somewhat eccentric pimp for the world's elites.

Wolff's article, however, reveals otherwise. As gross as that behavior may have been, the teenage-girl sex stuff was a mere pastime, and fixating on it is a dangerous distraction.

The true threats from Epstein and his sycophants lay elsewhere.

Wolff starts out astonished that Epstein's Florida convictions for sex with minors did not deter the powerful people who sought him out. Wolff writes that Epstein's meetings with the world's movers and shakers "somehow stayed private or secret ... not out of any formal or stated restrictions, but because, in some sense, it would be very hard to explain just what you're doing there with a brazen sex offender in a guffaw-inducing home flaunting all moderation. And yet, defying disgrace, and tolerating his tone deafness  or mocking attitude toward the zeitgeist  so many come. Gladly. Willingly. Feeling that his invitation is quite an extraordinary privilege."

Who were these visitors to Epstein's salons  his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, his apartment in Paris, his private island in the Caribbean, his lushly appointed private jets?

Heads of state and other political leaders, of course; Wolff mentions former President Bill Clinton, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and a high-ranking member of former President Barack Obama's administration who asks not to be named.

But also the uber-rich. Bill Gates, Wolff says, was a "frequent visitor" and a "key advisor" to Epstein. Gates was only one of many billionaires who sought Epstein out. Rob Baron (of the billion-dollar Baron Fund) pays homage. PayPal founder Peter Thiel comes for lunch. Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin ride to a TED Talk on Epstein's Boeing 737. Wolff describes a recent dinner as something out of a "conspiracy theorist's fantasy": six tech entrepreneurs worth hundreds of billions of dollars between them, sitting around Epstein's dining room table "trying to figure out how to ... shape the world to their liking."

Epstein was only too happy to help. His expertise, according to Wolff, was "hyper wealth." Wolff quotes Epstein as saying, "In the past, only governments had this kind of money, money of a reality altering scale. ... Now you have legions of people (with) vastly larger fortunes than Rockefeller or Carnegie had at their disposal, or might even have imagined."

So, Epstein helped them decide how to give to charitable causes?

Au contraire.

Epstein elaborated, "(I)t used to be that the rich, reaching a certain point of philanthropy, merely hoped to help make the world a better place; now they want

to change the world."

And how better to do that than to implement government policy on a global scale?

Interestingly, Brin's ex-wife and former Democratic Party vice presidential candidate Nicole Shanahan just gave an interview with conservative podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey in which she talks about exactly this. Shanahan describes how she and other wives of the small handful of "tech mafia" billionaires in Silicon Valley (some of whom were almost certainly among the six at the dinner party Wolff described 11 years ago) were duped into thinking that the enormous donations their families and enterprises were making had charitable purposes, but were really part of the Klaus Schwab/WEF/Davos crowd's "Great Reset"  a movement designed to restructure the governments and economies of the planet into a planned, top-down command-and-control model with a small cadre of self-appointed leaders at the top in possession of everything, and everyone else crowded into "15-minute cities," with life's essentials rationed on the basis of social credit scores.

Shanahan explained how billions of dollars were funneled into nongovernmental organizations, purportedly for charity but really to implement policy. The constant refrains of "social justice" and "climate change," she says, were fabricated ruses designed to appeal to progressive women seeking personal validation through philanthropic work; wives and mothers too overwhelmed (and too medicated) to discover that the "charities" were coverups for global power grabs.

In that vein, Wolff's summation of Epstein's role is telling. He says, "Epstein's position in this ... is not as a philanthropist but as a sort of adviser or guru or brain  a rich whisperer  making him ... arguably among the most influential people you've only heard of for reasons that have nothing to do with his influence."

BOOM. There you go.

Those who don't believe Epstein committed suicide are certain he was taken out because he had "dirt" on men for whom he procured sexual services. Perhaps. But it seems more likely that the threat was not so much the potential exposure of the sexual exploitation per se but rather the possibility that all the revealed smut would undermine the longer-term political, economic and social objectives of Epstein's cohorts and advisees.

Either way, all the names in the "Epstein files" should be released. They all need to be exposed, not so much for their sexual inclinations but for their authoritarian aspirations.

It's worth mentioning that there are plenty of others who are just as set upon taking control of the world's governments, militaries, economies, agricultural and other production, and who had zero interest in Epstein, his opinions or his minions. They are just as dangerous, because they, too, see themselves as the rightful rulers of the planet. Whether or not they have sexual depravity in their background, they are exploiting all the power and financial resources available to them and using the same neo-Marxist and envirofascist propaganda to achieve their goals. They, like Epstein's fawning coterie, must never acquire the power they seek.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Laura Hollis is an attorney and academic. She resides in Indiana with her husband and their two children.


Aaron Paul is living his "dream" European lifestyle since to Paris, France.

Aaron Paul is loving his new life in Paris

The Breaking Bad actor and his wife Lauren Parsekian - who are parents to Story, seven, and three-year-old Ryden - left Los Angeles after the city was ravaged by wildfires in January to start a new life in the French capital and Aaron admits it's a dream come true being able to raise his kids in a new country.

He told Travel and Leisure magazine: "We have always dreamt of doing a year abroad. Specifically in Paris. Love the food, the history, the people.

"Every time I came to Paris, I never wanted to leave. We wanted our kids to learn another language and be surrounded by another culture. It was very important to us."

He went on to reveal the family have already enjoyed a number of trips around Europe - including an outing to London - and they are keen to make the most of the holidays by travelling when the kids have time off from school.

Aaron added: "I have two kiddos, a seven-and-a-half-year-old baby girl and a three-and-a-half-year-old baby boy.

"In France, the school system is either private or public. Every six weeks, they get two weeks off to allow the family to tour around Europe. Were just living the European lifestyle, and it's a dream."

Aaron revealed the family's next big trip is a festive outing to Finland over the Christmas holidays.

He told the publication: "Were about to take them to the North Pole over the holidays. We're flying into Finland, and were staying in some glass igloos and literally having reindeer take us on sleds to go find Santa in the forest."

However, the family might not stay in France permanently as Aaron revealed his in-laws are buying a house in Italy so they are considering following them there.

He added: "Were hoping to ride their coattails to Italy ... Tuscany is obviously a go-to. Florence is beautiful. I think Florence might be my favorite place in Italy. I mean, Rome obviously is amazing. Its just all amazing."

Aaron previously explained his decision to leave Los Angeles came after the wildfires struck southern California at the start of the year and they realised they were "done" living there.

He told the Daily Mail online: When the fires happened in LA, we knew that we were done with LA. So we sold our house in LA and moved to Paris."
It is remarkable that treatises, white papers, editorials, and articles on the cost of health care are consistent with ignoring the essence of care, and they are lacking in physician commentary. Insurance is not health care, and there can be no health care without doctors. Simply stated, in the end after all the intermediaries have claimed their pound of flesh for myriad services that most often provide little to no value, it is one doctor interacting in a mutually-trusting relationship with an individual patient that provides actual health care, not some impersonal consumer in a large industrial corporatist model, and it is certainly not an insurance company or a government program. This will never change, it cannot and it should not.

That physicians need to be the best and the brightest is not a cliche. We will all need health care, and it will only be of the highest-quality if the physicians are among the most competent possible. Attracting the best among us to a taxing medical education of 12 to 15 years while consistently reducing compensation, as has been the case for the last two decades, is a formula for mediocrity and an increasing scarcity of medical care.

The cost of doing business as a physician accelerates with each new regulation (the EMR among the very worst), employee salaries, and essentials for care while the reimbursements continue to deteriorate. Early retirement, burn-out, decreasing quality of medical students, and the tragic need to escape to hospital employment are the consequences. Physicians were never meant to be employees of megalithic expanding hospital systems. Service to these bureaucratic masters cannot help but negatively influence patient care. These systems are inefficient, bloated with management, and stuck in archaic business models which they defend aggressively. CON laws, Stark laws, non-competes for physicians as hospital employees, myriad regulations, and mandates within a host of payment schemes all prevent physicians from engaging the marketplace with innovation and as competitors. Physicians and hospitals are in different businesses.

It also is denigrating to group physicians as providers. Some physicians are simply better than others. Please realize that urologists, OB/GYNs, orthopedists, neurosurgeons, internists, etc., etc. are absolutely distinguished from one another regarding needs, costs, expertise, and training differences.

Pricing in health care is so far distant from free-market economic principles that calling it a joke is accurate. Medicare and Medicaid set prices arbitrarily, and the private insurance companies are increasingly following their dictates further stressing an already tenuous system for physicians. This cost-price socialism is not sustainable either financially or professionally.

Then there is the other elephant in the room, the direct and indirect costs of so-called malpractice. This has broadened into mal-occurrence and has become a growth industry for attorneys. It is costly, destructive, and must be addressed to slow the cost of medical care. Perhaps loser pays with sophisticated juries might be starting points.

Our health care system has evolved into a system in chaos. The chaos only increases with more and more government intervention. Picking at the edges with academics and politicians always without appropriate physician input will continue to yield negative results. For some reason with health care, markets have been ignored.

Tragically, the physicians organizations have become political, captured largely by the left. The AMA with its woke policies is a perfect example of OSullivans Law. Hence, these organizations are no longer the source of majority physician opinion or input and likewise for academics. There do exist physician thought leaders. They must be identified and brought into the discussion for the health care system ever to work and deliver the very best care for all of us who will need it.

Allan Dobzyniak is an internal medicine physician.
When an attending doctor recently took me aside after a particularly hard clinical case with a first-year resident, she made pains to point out to me that the resident felt she wasnt being treated fairly by nurses, because she was a woman. The physician went on to describe the difficulty of being a woman in a professional world where male colleagues are taken more seriously and treated with more respect, regardless of knowledge. My first sentiment was one of sympathy because of course I understood what it feels like to be dismissed, talked over, and minimized in the clinical setting. But immediately I was struck by a deep and unsettling irony.

Nursing is one of the most female-dominated professions in health care, particularly in the area of obstetrics where I work. For generations, nurses have carried the emotional and physical work of medicine, yet remain on the lowest rung of its hierarchy, systematically undervalued, regardless of education, experience, or even simple competence. When female physicians, who continue to struggle for legitimacy in a male-coded profession, enter a workforce led by women who have been systematically undervalued, the result can be a quiet but painful collision.

The paradox of gendered hierarchies

Medicine and nursing were never created as equals. The early 20th-century hospital formalized a gendered division of labor: the male physician as authority, the female nurse as assistant. Even as both professions diversified, the architecture of power remained.

While today women make up approximately 40 percent of physicians in the U.S. workforce and more than 85 percent of registered nurses, gender parity hasnt erased the hierarchy; it has complicated it. In obstetrics, the imbalance is more stark; women represent the majority of the discipline, with 62 percent of physicians in the specialty and over 95 percent of the nursing workforce. This female-centric gender dominance is unlike any other labor force in the world. Even so, female residents report being interrupted, doubted, or undermined by attendings and patients alike. Nurses, in turn, are often expected to defer to those same residents, even when the nurses clinical experience and expertise far exceed the training doctors. Likely this is because both groups struggle under the assumption that their value must be constantly and demonstrably proven.

In the clinical environment, when frustration has no safe immediate outlet, it tends to flow outward. In nursing, this well-studied phenomenon is deemed horizontal violence: the aggression or blame that moves laterally among colleagues rather than toward the systems that create the inequity. In hospital culture, this can manifest as curt exchanges, exclusion from decision-making, or subtle undermining under the guise of informing or teaching. Residents often internalize the same hierarchies that marginalize them. Struggling for authority in a profession that rewards masculine norms of confidence and control, they may unconsciously project their insecurity onto nurses. The nurse, positioned as both subordinate and female peer, becomes an all-too accessible target.

This dynamic frequently surfaces in times of high-stress or clinical uncertainty. When outcomes are questioned, blame is more likely to fall to the nurse who holds less institutional power, not less knowledge. Ive seen nurses with 20 years of obstetric experience, advanced degrees, or exceptional clinical skill corrected by residents who have yet to manage their first uncomplicated birth or postpartum hemorrhage. The friction isnt about ego; its about being seen. Expertise without authority is, or at the very least feels, invisible.

Internalized oppression & the cost of habitus

Decades ago, feminist and race-theorist Audre Lorde warned against replicating patriarchal power structures, as internalized oppression leads the marginalized to replicate structures of domination among themselves. The enduring medical model is a microcosm of a society that demonstrates authority over certain people.

French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu wrote at length about how structured social places (fields) create their own rules and forms of capital. In hospitals, doctors hold capital in the form of prestige, authority, and legitimacy, while nurses hold embodied, practical knowledge, and emotional labor. The hierarchy persists because our field legitimizes certain forms of knowledge: medical objective over embodied subjective. Female residents absorb this hierarchy as they gain knowledge within the framework and, perhaps unknowingly, reinforce structures of dominance that preceded them. This replicated habitus creates a feedback loop, producing stress and fear, which is displaced laterally (resident to nurse, nurse to resident) until everyone feels diminished.

Toward gender parity: a model for medical collectivism

When respect erodes, so does communication. In medicine, communication is paramount to keeping patients safe. I am one of many experienced nurses increasingly hesitant to speak up in expectation of dismissal, as residents often resist input that challenges their perceived authority. The result of a muted nurse with experiential knowledge (which is inarguably salient for medicine to work) isnt just emotional fatigue; its risk to patients. Many studies have shown that poor interprofessional collaboration is a leading factor in sentinel events.

Beyond patient outcomes, the emotional toll is profound. Nurses feel unseen despite their experience. Residents feel unsupported despite their education. Both leave strained interactions questioning their competence. This is not a problem of individual attitude but of institutional design: one that rewards hierarchy over collaboration, and credential over experience. If we are serious about equity, we need to closely examine the history behind these struggles and the structures that uphold inequity. Gender parity means little if we reproduce the same patterns we have historically struggled under in medicine.

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A key element to change should include building structured interprofessional dialogue (not just teamwork rhetoric) facilitated spaces where nurses and residents take notice of how hierarchy shapes their daily interactions. Joint debriefs, not just after complex cases but after all clinical procedures, can clarify clinical reasoning while giving space to appreciate and acknowledge one anothers expertise. Mentorship programs pairing experienced nurses with early-career residents would be a useful model to cultivate mutual respect rather than defensiveness. Hospitals should also examine how institutional language and practice reinforce inequity: policies that describe nurses as support or ancillary staff, EHR systems that bury nursing assessments and notes beneath physicians, and entrenched deferential expectations send a quiet but enduring message about whose knowledge counts.

Ultimately, what both nurses and residents want is the same: to be trusted, respected, and heard. But that cannot happen until we acknowledge that the culture of medicine (even when tipping toward a future dominated by female providers) still maintains the architecture of patriarchy.

Redefining essential knowledge

When the attending doctor told me how the resident felt unfairly treated, I paused, nodded, and said, Its hard to be undermined and have your expertise devalued. What I wanted to add was welcome to the culture of medicine because in this environment, we are all devalued. But our shared frustration should not make us adversaries, rather allies in dismantling the structures that pit us against one another.

Respect in health care will never come from hierarchy; it will come from humanity: from seeing each other not as chiefs and interns, attending physicians and staff nurses, or health care providers and their ancillary staff, but as colleagues bearing different kinds of knowledge, all of it essential.

Jennifer Carraher is an advanced practice nurse.
Ben Stiller and Matt Reeves have shot to Paul Dano's defence, after Quentin Tarantino branded him "weak sauce".

Ben Stiller and Matt Reeves defend Paul Dano after Quentin Tarantino brands him 'weak sauce'

Filmmaker Matt, 59, took to social media to describe Dano, who he directed in 2022 movie The Batman, as "an incredible actor".

Reeves wrote on X: "Paul Dano is an incredible actor, and an incredible person."

Hollywood actor Ben Stiller, 60, replied to Reeves' message with a Hallelujah emoji, and he also praised Dano, 41, on his own X account.

He posted: "Paul Dano is f-ing brilliant"

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu, 36, has also heaped praise on Dano in the wake of Tarantino's comments.

He wrote on X: "idk man i think paul dano is an incredible actor".

The Batman Part II screenwriter Mattson Tomlin posted: "I am really pleased to see so many people cheer on Paul Dano this week.

"Not only is he a terrific actor, but hes an astonishing director who exudes control and tremendous empathy. Check out Wildlife if you havent seen it."

The comments come after Pulp Fiction filmmaker Tarantino named Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 drama There Will Be Blood as his fifth-favourite movie of the 21st century, but admitted it would have been higher in the list if he hadn't been so unimpressed by Dano's performance alongside Daniel Day-Lewis.

Speaking on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, he said: "There Will Be Blood would stand a better chance to be in number one or number two if it didn't have a big giant flaw in it, and the flaw is Paul Dano.

"Obviously, it's supposed to be a two-hander, and it's also so drastically obvious that it's not a two-hander.

"He is weak sauce, man. He's a weak sister.

"Austin Butler would have been wonderful in that role. [Dano] just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy."
Kirsten Dunst has become a more "fearless" actor since having children.

Kirsten Dunst thanks her children for acting gift

The 43-year-old star has kids Ennis, seven, and James, four, with her actor husband Jesse Plemons, and she gives "so much more" to her roles since become a mother.

Speaking at an In Conversation event at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, she is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "I think anybody who has experienced having children, everything changes.

"For me, it gave me so much more fearlessness in my acting, which is such a gift that they gave me.

"Also, they gave me, this isn't the most important thing, but now when I do have the time to work and want to work, I can give it so much more.

"I feel like that's with any career and growing up.

"I mean, with this industry, it can really, I think, mess with people's minds more in a negative way."

Kirsten counts herself lucky that she hasn't been caught up in "frivolous parts" of the movie industry, and she praised her "wonderful husband" for supporting her.

She added: "I've been very lucky that I have surrounded myself with good people, and I have a wonderful husband, and people that don't get caught up in the frivolous parts of this industry. So that's helped.

"Also, I think the truer you stay to yourself and the less you worry about everybody else, then the more the opportunities come, and the right ones come to you."

The Roofman star also confessed she has experienced burnout in the past, but she now only accepts acting roles if they "really mean something" to her.

She said: "I have been burnt out before, and I haven't sustained that energy of being able to have a work-life balance.

"I also went to school, and I'd make movies, and I'd go back and forth.

"But now, I am in a position right now where I can wait, wait till I want to work.

"I have two kids. I've been enjoying just being a mum and then just waiting for projects that really mean something to me."

Earlier this year, Jesse admitted he "got lucky" when he met Kirsten on the set of FX drama Fargo.

During an interview with Andy Cohen for SiriusXMs Radio Andy, he said: "Immediately we just hit it off in a creative sense and felt like we could trust each other.

"I knew that we were gonna be playing husband and wife and spending a lot of time together. And, you know, you never know if its something youre going to have to kind of work for. And then sometimes you get lucky."
The Macau Association of Fine Cuisine Merchants has advocated supporting the newly submitted Catering and Related Establishment Business Law while proposing specific optimizations to ensure the legislation does not place undue burden on small and traditional eateries.

The bill, currently under legislative review, aims to streamline licensing through a unified catering establishment classification and a new registration system for small venues.

Association president Ho Chi Kit identified several technical requirements that could threaten the viability of older, smaller shops.

A key concern is a proposed minimum ceiling height of approximately 2.2 meters for installing seating, which would prohibit many ground-floor shops in older buildings from offering dine-in services.

The proposed requirement for wider seat-to-seat spacing may force small eateries to reduce capacity.

The chamber recommends allowing more flexible seating arrangements, similar to practices in Hong Kong, to maximize economic efficiency without compromising safety.

In addition, they recommend replacing this rigid standard with a risk-based assessment, allowing seating provided that ventilation, fire safety, and escape routes meet safety standards.

Another suggestion from the chamber is flexible, tiered aisle width requirements based on shop size rather than a one-size-fits-all rule.

The chamber advocates consolidating existing license categories into a single catering establishment license and creating a registration system for small dining venues.

This would shorten preparation time and alleviate the pressure of obtaining various licenses, improving convenience for business owners.

The chamber also urges the government and legislators to incorporate more flexibility into the detailed rules and to adopt an educational, guidance-based approach during the initial enforcement phase.

The objective is to create a regulatory framework that safeguards public health without eroding the citys unique culture found in SMEs. Ricaela Diputado

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Social media platforms must report monthly how many childrens accounts they close once Australia begins enforcing its 16-year age limit next week, a minister said.

Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube would face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) from Dec. 10 if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove accounts of Australian children younger than 16. Livestreaming service Twitch was added to the list of age-restricted platforms less than two weeks ago.

The Australian eSafety Commissioner will send the 10 platforms notices on Dec. 11 demanding information about the numbers of accounts removed. Monthly notices would follow for six months.

The government recognizes that age assurance may require several days or weeks to complete fairly and accurately, Communications Minister Anika Wells told the National Press Club of Australia.

However, if eSafety identifies systemic breaches of the law, the platforms will face fines, she added. The eSafety regulator said a court would apply the penalty up to the maximum if the platform had repeated violations.

Google said yesterday [Macau time] that anyone in Australia under 16 would be signed out of its platform YouTube from Dec. 10 and lose features accessible only to account holders such as playlists.

Google would determine YouTube account holders ages based on personal data contained in associated Google accounts and other signals.

We have consistently said this rushed legislation misunderstands our platform, the way young Australians use it and, most importantly, it does not fulfill its promise to make kids safer online, a Google statement said.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads, said suspected young children will be removed from those platforms from yesterday.

Account holders 16 and older who were mistakenly removed could contact Yoti Age Verification and verify their age by providing government-issued IDs or a video selfie, Meta said. MDT/AP

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Indonesian authorities yesterday named a Chinese executive of a metal smelting company as a suspect in a cesium-137 contamination case that resulted in the recall of some exports to the U.S.

Lin Jingzhang, who is a director of PT Peter Metal Technology (PMT), has been designated as a suspect, Bara Hasibuan, a spokesperson for the investigating task force, said.

The Certain Crimes Directorate of the Indonesian National Polices Criminal Investigation Unit has named Lin Jingzhang, a citizen of the Peoples Republic of China who serves as director of PT. Peter Metal Technology, as a suspect, said Hasibuan.

Investigators have struggled to contact representatives of the metal-processing factory, which is located on the Cikande Industrial Estate, in Banten province on the island of Java, after the entire management returned to China. However, Lin has agreed to cooperate with the inquiry and will return to Indonesia for questioning, Hasibuan said.

The company, which produces stainless steel from scrap and waste steel, received at least 3,000 tons of raw materials from dozens of suppliers during its 10 months of operations in Indonesia. All of its stainless steel production is exported to China.

The preliminary conclusion regarding the origin of the cesium-137 contaminationis that it came from a domestic source through the purchase of used goods and scrap, which contained used industrial equipment from within the country that contained cesium 137 obtained legally or illegally, without undergoing proper storage, supervision, and disposal in accordance with applicable regulations, said Hasibuan.

During the investigation, police discovered that scrap metal collectors who supplied the material were unaware that the scrap metal was contaminated with radioactivity and sold it to smelting companies.

It was during the smelting process that airborne contamination occurred. That is why we found that the PMT factorys furnace emitted 700 microsieverts per hour. From this, we concluded that PMT was the source, said Sardo Sibarani, a police official with the task force.

Investigators have not been able to determine the origin of the waste containing the cesium-137 as only steel slag was found during a series of inspections at the factory site.

The contamination was discovered began earlier this year with an initial report submitted by Dutch authorities over traces of radiation found in shipping containers from Indonesian. The report stated that several boxes of sneakers were found to be contaminated.

In August, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert warning consumers not to eat certain frozen shrimp imported from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, a company close to the Cikande Industrial Estate, after cesium-137 was detected in shipping containers it sent to the U.S..

Around 20 factories linked to the Cikande industrial estate were affected, including facilities that process shrimp and make footwear, authorities say. Nine employees working on the industrial estate were detected to have been exposed to cesium-137. They were treated at a government hospital in Jakarta and all contaminated facilities in the industrial area have been decontaminated. EDNA TARIGAN, JAKARTA, MDT/AP

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Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM) held a cocktail reception yesterday at MGM Cotai, Macau, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Macau International Airports (MIA) operation.

During his speech, the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raymond Tam, discussed the airports infrastructure development and ongoing projects. He highlighted the continuing reclamation and expansion project, which aims to build infrastructure to handle increasing passenger numbers and improve operational capabilities.

Another initiative mentioned is the Hengqin Upstream Cargo Terminal Project, aimed at enhancing logistics and cargo services, enabling smoother transportation and integration with nearby regions.

Tam emphasized that these projects align with the governments goal of advancing Macaus status as an International Air Transport Hub on the West Bank of the Pearl River. He noted that these developments, combined with deepening cooperation between Macau and Zhuhai airports, will enhance Macaus regional aviation competitiveness and create seamless logistics and travel options.

Ma Iao Hang, Chairman of CAMs Board of Directors, highlighted the importance of aligning with national strategies, especially the Belt and Road Initiative.

Ma highlighted that the Airport will closely align with the governments strategic plans to strengthen Macaus role within the Greater Bay Area, underscoring that as the facility continues to enhance its infrastructure and service quality, it will contribute more to Macaus economic diversification.

He also said that the airport is actively integrating modern technologies and innovative practices to enhance operational efficiency, making it more competitive in the aviation industry.

The deputy administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Ma Bing, stated, The airport is identified as a pivotal platform for cultural exchange between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. This role underscores Macaus unique position as a bridge between different cultures.

Ma Bing also mentioned the airport as a hub for boosting trade cooperation between China and these countries, making connections easier and building mutual understanding. Ricaela Diputado

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The pledge by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to work, work, work, work and work for her country has been named the catchphrase of the year, recognizing the effort Japans first female leader had to make to reach the top.

The ultraconservative Takaichi uttered the phrase in October when she was elected as head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Many were initially as worried about her work ethic as supportive of her enthusiasm.

In a country notorious for long working hours, especially for working women who are also burdened with homemaking and caregiving, overwork is a sensitive topic. The recognition triggered a mixed reaction, with some interpreting it as satire.

Accepting her award from a private committee this week, Takaichi said she only wanted to stress her enthusiasm.

I have no intention of encouraging other people to overwork, or suggesting long working hours as a virtue, Takaichi said. I hope there is no misunderstanding.

Takaichi, within weeks of taking office in late October, sparked a deepening spat with Beijing over her remark about possible Japanese military action in the event that China attacks Taiwan.

As the nations first female prime minister, Takaichi has captured public attention for her workwear, with women scrambling to copy her style, and the interest has not worn off.

But while her dress sense has won admiration from younger women who say they are Sana-katsu, or rooting for Sanae, it is unclear if her hard-line conservative policies will win the same praise.

Takaichi is looking to regain right-wing supporters after the LDPs big election losses under her moderate predecessor Shigeru Ishiba.

During her speech to party members Oct. 4 she promised an all-out effort to rebuild the struggling party and regain public support, urging lawmakers to work like a horse. Then she added: I will abandon the idea of a work-life balance  I will work, work, work, work and work.

Repeating the word work in a low, determined voice left a strong impression at the time.

Hard work  and then a hot tub

Takaichis apparent long working hours and lack of sleep have worried fellow lawmakers. She held a meeting with aides at 3 a.m. before the first day of parliament Nov. 7, though she hasnt started that early since.

I sleep about two hours now, four hours at the longest, Takaichi, who also provides care for her husband who is recovering from a stroke, told MPs at a budget committee meeting last month. Its probably bad for my skin.

She says she likes to soak in a hot tub in the morning and at night to relax. Thats my blissful time, she said.

Her style-icon status has been boosted by her black bag, dubbed a Sanae Bag, which is officially called the Grace Delight Tote. It is made by Hamano Inc., a 145-year old bagmaker based in Tokyo.

Priced at 136,400 yen ($875), the simple leather bag is just large enough to fit A4-sized papers. It is selling the best since its debut 30 years ago, according to the company.

Takaichi was carrying the bag as she walked into the prime ministers office on Oct. 21, and the scene immediately caused a sensation on social media.

Hamano spokesperson Takanori Kobayashi said his company is delighted to see Japans first female prime minister carrying the bag.

Within days, inquiries and orders for the bag surged, and all eight colors have sold out. The bag, which is carefully made of high quality leather, cannot be mass-produced, and those who ordered it now have to wait until August, Kobayashi says.

Another popular item is a sparkly light-pink pen Takaichi uses to take notes; its Mitsubishi Pencil Co.s Jetstream 4&1.

The pen, the Sanae Takaichi model, is often out of stock at stores and internet shopping sites. Those who have found one often proudly post photos with a message: Matching Sanae.

Style icon, but no feminist

The attention Takaichi is receiving is usually reserved for pop stars, athletes and influencers in Japan who fans have access to only through television or the internet.

The prime ministers fans show their loyalty by buying the same bag and pen she uses, just as fans of star athletes like Shohei Ohtani buy replicas of his uniform to cheer on the Dodgers, experts say.

Takaichi has won admiration as a new type of role model for women who have not usually rooted for prime ministers in the past, says Namiko Kubo-Kawai, a psychology professor at Nagoya Shukutoku University.

In Japan, many female role models typically were supported for their femininity, but Takaichi is unique as a high-powered politician. Her short haircut and no-frills workwear also stand out from conventional female models.

She may not inspire many feminists, however. Takaichi is a staunch conservative who champions Japans traditional gender and paternalistic values. She has supported keeping the succession of Japans monarchy male only. She also opposes changing a 19th-century law that would allow married couples the option of keeping separate surnames.

Sill, as the first female prime minister, she fits perfectly as a stylish role model and has won admiration from many women who have been looking for one even though they probably have never thought of rooting for a prime minister, Kubo-Kawai said. Female role models are becoming more diverse. MARI YAMAGUCHI, TOKYO, MDT/AP

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China and France pledged deeper cooperation on global issues like the war in Ukraine and trade, as France prepares to take on the presidency of the Group of Seven next year.

French President Emmanuel Macron met with Chinas Xi Jinping yesterday morning as part of a three-day state visit focusing on trade and diplomacy.

The French leader is seeking to involve Beijing in pressuring Russia toward a ceasefire with Ukraine after a recent burst of diplomacy around a U.S.-led peace plan.

We are facing the risk of the disintegration of the international order that brought peace to the world for decades, and in this context, the dialogue between China and France is even more essential than ever, Macron said.

I hope that China will join our call, our efforts to achieve, as soon as possible, at the very least a ceasefire in the form of a moratorium on strikes targeting critical infrastructure, he said.

Xi did not say respond to Frances call, but said that China supports all efforts that work towards peace and called for a peace deal that all parties will accept.

China has provided strong diplomatic support to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine and has also extended an economic lifeline through increased trade.

Xi also announced that China will provide $100 million to help Gazas ongoing humanitarian crisis and to support the territorys recovery and reconstruction.

Xi called for building greater political trust with France by showing each other support while demonstrating each sides independence.

No matter how the external environment changes, both sides as major powers should always demonstrate independence and strategic vision, show mutual understanding and mutual support for each other on core matters and major critical issues, he said.

China and France should demonstrate their sense of responsibility, raise high the banner of multilateralism  and firmly stand on the right side of history, he added.

Both are eager for more trade

Trade was another major focus of Yesterdays agenda.

Xi said during the joint appearance that both sides had agreed to work towards greater economic cooperation in areas of aerospace, aeronautics, nuclear energy, as well as new areas such as green industries and AI. They signed 12 agreements, including ones calling for cooperation on a new round of panda conservation efforts and exchanges in higher education and research.

The European Union bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China: over 300 billion euros ($348 billion) last year. China alone represents 46% of Frances total trade deficit.

France and the European Union have described China as simultaneously a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival. Recent years have been marked by trade disputes across a range of industries after the EU undertook a probe into Chinese electric vehicles subsidies and China responded with investigations into imports of European brandy, pork and dairy products.

But France was able to get an exemption for most cognac producers in July.

China, facing its own economic slump, is also signaling it wants more business.

Chinas open door will only open wider, Xi said, saying that the country plans to expand market access, and opening up areas of investment and guide the cross-border, orderly, and rational layout of industrial and supply chains.

Xi also called for both sides to continue to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the EU.

Some argue deals could undermine EU

Experts have said they expect Beijing to use this visit to strengthen its individual ties with one of Europes most important economies, at the expense of the greater EU bloc.

China seeks to drive a wedge into this EU approach by making deals bilaterally with individual EU members, said Lyle Morris, a senior fellow on Foreign Policy and National Security as the Asia Society.

Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron touched down in Beijing Wednesday evening.

Yesterday morning, Macron was greeted by a military band and groups of children waving flags at Beijings Great Hall of the People. The two leaders attended the closing of a Franco-Chinese business forum. Macrons agenda also includes meetings with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National Peoples Congress, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The French presidential couple will then travel to Chengdu in Chinas Sichuan province.

Chengdu is also home to the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where Yuan Meng, who was the first giant panda born in France and was named by first lady Brigitte Macron, is now staying. France last month sent back to China a couple of star giant pandas who lived in the country for 13 years and gave birth to three cubs. HUIZHONG WU & KEN MORITSUGU, BEIJING, MDT/AP

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Without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement. (Lenin, What is to be Done?)

A voyage of discovery

The news of the publication of my book, The History of Philosophy, in Brazil was a moment of great satisfaction for me. It shows that the Brazilian section of the Revolutionary Communist International is being built on sound foundations.

['The History of Philosophy' by Alan Woods can be bought in the original English from Wellred Books here]

It is a clear indication that the Brazilian comrades are eager to study Marxist theory, and in particular philosophy, which is the basis of the method of Marxism  dialectical materialism.

In presenting this book, I invite you to join me on a voyage of discovery. It is a voyage that I began a long time ago and which has not yet come to an end. It is an exciting voyage of ideas that will carry us to many lands and will bring us face to face with many astonishing and original ideas.

We will find ourselves in the presence of some of the most brilliant and original thinkers the world has ever seen. Like any voyage, it will not always be easy.

But I can promise you one thing. If you persist to the end, from that voyage you will emerge enriched. At the end of it, your understanding of the world and society will be far deeper than before.

And you will be far better armed with the ideological weapons that are the indispensable prerequisites for carrying out the revolutionary transformation of society.

That great journey is none other than the history of philosophy.

A scientific world view

Marxism is first of all a scientific world view. It is a powerful weapon that provides us with the necessary tools to analyse and understand the world in which we live. Only if we base ourselves on such an understanding can we change the world. Merely to react to the injustices of capitalism without providing an explanation and analysis of the root causes will lead us nowhere.

The idea that we can get along without some degree of learning is in flat contradiction to everyday experience. In fact, theory is a necessary feature of many aspects of human existence, not just politics.

Every special field of human activity requires a degree of theoretical knowledge. That is true for every conceivable sphere of human existence  from carpentry to brain surgery and rocket science. Why, therefore, should things be any different when it comes to the class struggle?

Do revolutionaries have any right to approach the serious question of revolution with an amateurish approach, which assumes no need for serious study and theoretical preparation?

This is a question which, for any serious person, answers itself.

Despite this, there are some  even some who consider themselves Marxists  who consistently deny or downplay the role of theory.

They deny the importance of the ideological struggle, portraying it as the sphere of action of the petty bourgeois intellectuals. Such things, they insist, have nothing to do with the class struggle, with what they call practical politics, and are therefore of no interest to workers.

A petty bourgeois prejudice

Is it true that workers are not interested in theory, that the sphere of ideas is a monopoly of the petty bourgeois intellectuals?

This idea is not only false. It is a vicious slander against the working class. All my experience has proved beyond doubt that workers have a thirst for theory and ideas.

Once a worker begins to take a serious interest in Marxist theory, he will become a far more serious theoretician than any middle-class dilettante / Image: fhwrdh, Flickr

They are not satisfied with empty agitation. They do not need to be constantly told things that they already know  that they are exploited by the bosses, that they live in bad houses, that society is divided into rich and poor, and so on and so forth.

As somebody from a working-class family in South Wales, I get very angry when I hear that kind of statement. It betrays precisely the mentality of a petty bourgeois snob who has absolutely no knowledge of the workers, how they think and what they aspire to.

Such disgusting snobbishness is entirely alien to communism and has absolutely no place in the ranks of a genuinely proletarian revolutionary organisation.

Serious workers demand an explanation for all these things  and many other things besides. The workers want to know.

And once a worker begins to take a serious interest in Marxist theory, he will become a far more serious theoretician than any middle-class dilettante from the university.

Ignorance never yet helped anybody

The argument that workers are not interested in theory is not new. Even before they wrote the Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels (who, let us remember, began their revolutionary life as students of Hegelian philosophy) conducted a struggle against those 'proletarian' leaders who worshipped backwardness and primitive methods of struggle and stubbornly resisted the introduction of scientific theory into the movement.

The Russian writer, Annenkov, who happened to be in Brussels during the spring of 1846, has left us a very curious report of one meeting at which a furious quarrel occurred between Marx and Weitling, the German utopian communist.

At one point, Weitling, who was a worker, complained that the intellectuals (Marx and Engels) wrote about obscure matters of no interest to the workers.

He accused Marx of writing armchair analysis of doctrines far from the world of the suffering and afflicted people. At this point, Marx, who was usually very patient, became indignant. Annenkov writes:

At the last words Marx finally lost control of himself and thumped so hard with his fist on the table that the lamp on it rung and shook. He jumped up saying: Ignorance never yet helped anybody." (Pavel Annekov, Reminiscences of Marx and Engels, p.272, my emphasis, AW)

Weitling was opposed to theory and patient propagandistic work. Like Bakunin, he maintained that poor people were always ready to revolt.

This advocate of revolutionary action as opposed to theory believed that as long as there were resolute leaders, a revolution could be engineered at any moment. We find echoes of these primitive pre-Marxist ideas even today in the ranks of the Marxists.

But Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky spent a great deal of time defending and developing Marxist theory, which they correctly understood to be a vital weapon in the revolutionary struggle for socialism.

In defence of Marxism!

Some years ago, the tendency represented by Ted Grant broke from the sectarian group led by Peter Taaffe. Following the split in Britain, we found ourselves in a very difficult situation.

The split coincided with the collapse of Stalinism in the USSR and a ferocious ideological offensive of the bourgeoisie against Marxism and communism. The task ahead of us was extremely challenging.

in the end, it was the power of ideas that guaranteed our success / Image: own work

We had no office, very few funds, and our apparatus consisted of one typewriter. We lacked everything  everything, that is, except for the most important thing of all  correct ideas.

We asked ourselves what our main task was at this time. I discussed this with Ted Grant, and we decided that our main task was to commence a serious ideological struggle in defence of Marxism.

A start was made with the publication of the book Reason in Revolt by Ted Grant and myself.

This book  which has had a very great effect internationally over the years  was, I believe, the first (possibly the only) attempt to provide a theoretical justification of dialectical materialism, and in particular the ideas of Engels great philosophical masterpiece, Dialectics of Nature.

Our former comrades in Militant were predictably unimpressed by this. In fact, they found it quite amusing. Why should anyone waste time writing about such matters in this day and age? The leader of that clique of vulgarisers sneered: Alan and Ted have given up revolutionary politics in order to write about philosophy!

This little aphorism really tells us everything we need to know about the bankruptcy of those ladies and gentlemen. And in the end, it was the power of ideas that guaranteed our success.

The importance of dialectics

Why did those people consider it unnecessary to write about dialectical materialism? The explanation is not difficult to see.

Such clever people pretend to possess a knowledge of dialectics by repeating the word in every other sentence. Oh yes! We all know the basic laws of dialectics! They are so familiar to us, that we can repeat them at a moments notice and apply them mechanically to any given situation.

Not long ago I had the misfortune to have to read a very lengthy document that mentions the word dialectics on every page, if not every sentence. Yet there was not a single atom of dialectics in it from the first page to the last. This kind of Marxism is really not worth very much.

Far too often, people who consider themselves to be Marxists are satisfied merely to repeat a few elementary propositions, without bothering to study them in all their profundity.

They repeat the word dialectics as a meaningless incantation, much the same way as an aged Catholic priest repeats the Hail Mary, without giving a second thought to the meaning of the words he is mumbling.

They are guilty of a kind of mental laziness, merely skating over the surface, repeating thoughtlessly a few slogans and quotes taken out of context which they have learnt by rote, the genuine content of which remains a closed book for them.

Over time, they have become familiar with some of the basic ideas. But Hegel explained that what is familiar is not understood precisely because it is familiar (Aber was bekannt ist, ist darum noch nicht erkannt). Actually, this method is formalism, a very narrow and crude schematism, which has absolutely nothing in common with the scientific method of Marxism.

Lenins struggle against the Economist deviation

Lenins struggle for theory began at a very early stage of his revolutionary activity, when he sharply criticised the theories of the so-called Economist tendency.

These were people who considered themselves to be practicos, as opposed to mere theoreticians. They demanded that the revolutionaries should concentrate exclusively on the practical, day-to-day issues directly affecting workers  principally the economic struggle.

Answering these false ideas, Lenin pointed out that there were three kinds of struggle: economic, political and ideological. All his life he lay heavy stress on the ideological struggle, which began with his struggle against the workerist tendency represented by the Russian Economists.

Already in 1902 in What Is To Be Done? Lenin pointed out that:

Without revolutionary theory there can be no revolutionary movement. This idea cannot be insisted upon too strongly at a time when the fashionable preaching of opportunism goes hand in hand with an infatuation for the narrowest forms of practical activity. [our emphasis]

He added that the role of vanguard fighter can be fulfilled only by a party that is guided by the most advanced theory.

Lenins struggle for theory began at a very early stage of his revolutionary activity / Image: own work

These ideas are just as true today as when they were when Lenin wrote these lines, and just as necessary. Serious workers and youth are seeking the ideas of revolutionary socialism, that is to say, Marxism.

That is why, in addition to the day-to-day struggle for socialism, we pay serious attention to the production of theoretical work. We reject all attempts to ditch Marxist theory, to water down ideas and drag the level of the movement down to the lowest common denominator of mindless activism.

That represents a fundamental departure from Marxism. The abandonment or neglect of theory, the search for a shortcut to the masses, leads inevitably either to the swamp of opportunism or the dead end of ultra-leftism.

So seriously did Lenin take the ideological struggle that he was prepared to break with the entire leadership of the Bolshevik faction over differences on philosophy.

The split occurred in 1909, when Lenin chose to break with Bogdanov and Lunacharsky rather than make the slightest concession to their revisionism in philosophy and their sectarian formalism and ultra-left politics. This was after almost two years of internal struggle.

However, by the time the split occurred, Lenin had succeeded in winning over the majority of the party to the position of dialectical materialism.

This victory in the ideological plane was precisely the prior condition for the final victory of the Russian proletariat in the October Revolution.

Dogmatic thinking

Marxism is the opposite of dogmatic thinking. The clearest example of that kind of thought is to be found in religion. It is impossible to argue with a committed Christian, who will reply in the words of Tertullian: Credo quia absurdum est (I believe because it is absurd).

There is, of course, no answer to this, since it is based on the rejection of rational thought in general. In fact, all religion is based on faith, not logic, and it is impossible to argue against blind faith, precisely because it is blind.

Unfortunately, one sometimes finds a very similar mindset in many sectarian groups who, for some reason, are masquerading under the name of Marxism, and even Trotskyism.

The sectarians, who bear an uncanny similarity to religious fanatics, dig deep into the texts of Marx, Lenin and Trotsky, until, having stumbled across some idea or other that fits in with their preconceived prejudices, they tear it out of its context and present it as an absolute, unchanging and unquestionable truth.

Once it is distorted into a rigid and ossified schema, Marxism is turned into its opposite  from a profound and scientific method into a lifeless dogma that can be mechanically applied to any situation or context that is required.

To cite one example which may be familiar to you: capitalism is unable to develop the productive forces under any circumstances.

Therefore, China cannot have developed the productive forces.

Therefore, China is a backward, undeveloped, dominated semi-colony controlled entirely by the USA.

Therefore, the alleged conflict between China and US imperialism is merely an invention or a figment of the imagination.

The logic of this seems impeccable, and, in fact, it faithfully follows the rules of formal logic. Once one accepts the initial proposition, the rest follows, as night follows day. For example:

Once it is distorted into a rigid and ossified schema, Marxism is turned into its opposite / Image: Ochoa54, Wikimedia Commons

All scientists have two heads.

Einstein was a scientist.

Therefore, Einstein had two heads.

Is that ridiculous? Obviously, it is, because it does not correspond to the known facts. But as an example of formal logic, it is a perfectly reasonable example of Aristotelian syllogism, and, as such, must be accepted as correct.

The problem is, of course, that the initial proposition is false, and therefore, the whole thing falls to the ground.

This is also true of the proposition that capitalism is not capable under any circumstances of developing the productive forces, since it has done so on many occasions, notably, in the period following the Second World War.

The theory that, in the age of imperialism, no development of the productive forces is possible, is regarded as an absolute proposition valid for all time  a magical key that opens all doors.

It is based on a misinterpretation of what Trotsky wrote in 1938 in The Transitional Programme, where he pointed out that the productive forces had ceased to grow.

That was correct at that time. But Trotsky never claimed that this was a proposition that had a universal application, independent of time and space.

In fact, he warned against this in advance:

But a prediction in politics does not have the character of a perfect blueprint; it is a working hypothesis One must not, however, get intoxicated with finished schemata, but continually refer to the course of the historic process and adjust to its indications. (Trotsky, Writings, 1930, p.50)

By turning what was a conditional prognosis into an absolute assertion, valid for all time and applicable in all circumstances, the sectarians have turned Trotskys scientific analysis into complete nonsense.

Capitalism is not eternal or fixed. In fact, it is less fixed than any other socio-economic system in history. Like any other living organism it changes, evolves and therefore passes through a number of more or less clearly discernible stages.

In the debates at the Third Congress of the Communist International in 1921, Trotsky intervened against the ultra-lefts who rejected the idea that capitalism would never experience an economic recovery.

And Lenin insisted that there was no such thing as a final crisis of capitalism. Unless it is overthrown by the proletariat, capitalism will always find its way out of even the deepest economic crisis.

And this was clearly demonstrated by the revival of the system following the end of the Second World War, when the productive forces experienced an upswing that surpassed even that of the Industrial Revolution.

This is not the place to develop an argument which we have already done comprehensively elsewhere. Suffice it to say that the entire method used to prove that China has not developed the productive forces is false from start to finish.

But to argue with such people is quite useless, since no matter how many facts you can produce to prove that they are wrong, they will always invariably assert that 2+2 = 5, and not four.

And since their dogma is right, if it is contradicted by reality, then reality, by definition, must be wrong.

It goes without saying that any similarity between this method and the dialectical method of Marxist dialectical materialism is purely accidental.

Building on sand

To those who imagine that they can build a serious revolutionary movement without theory, we can only answer with a resigned shrug of the shoulders. We might as well remind them of the words of the Bible:

like unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Real communists must build a house on solid foundations:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

The rock of which the Bible speaks is the rock of religious faith. Naturally, we have no need whatsoever for that. The rock on which we build our organisation is the granite rock of Marxist theory.

Today we are proud to say that the Revolutionary Communist International is the only tendency in the world that has consistently defended Marxist theory.

Without theory, we would have no reason to exist as a separate political tendency. It is what distinguishes us, on the one hand, from the reformists of both the left and right variety, and on the other hand from the sectarian muddleheads.

Books like Reason in Revolt have become a cornerstone for the defence of dialectical materialism, specifically in the field of modern science, where it follows closely in the footsteps of Engels great theoretical works: Anti-Duhring and the Dialectics of Nature.

And The History of Philosophy represents a similar advance in the defence of Marxist theory.

Why study the history of philosophy?

In order to arrive at a full understanding of dialectical materialism, a great deal of careful study will be necessary.

But there is a difficulty involved in the study of philosophy in general, and Marxist philosophy in particular  and one that lies at the heart of the book I am presenting to you today.

When Marx and Engels wrote about dialectical materialism, they could presuppose a basic knowledge of the history of philosophy on the part of at least the educated reading public of the day.

Nowadays, unfortunately, it is impossible to make such an assumption. I feel very sorry for the students of philosophy today.

The bright-eyed young students who enter the philosophy department with high hopes of enlightenment are either swiftly disenchanted or else they are dragged into the poisonous cesspool of postmodern gibberish from whence no escape is possible. In either case, they will emerge without ever learning anything of value from the great thinkers of the past.

Not content with filling the minds of young people with postmodernist rubbish, they have the audacity to introduce the same garbage into the study of the history of philosophy.

These postmodern pygmies have the audacity to treat the great thinkers of the past with contempt because they do not fit into their nonsense.

This is no accident.

The senile decay of modern bourgeois philosophy

Evidently, the High Priests of postmodernism do not like to be reminded of the fact that there was once a time when philosophers actually had something profound and important to say about the real world.

There were many such examples. In the past philosophers were rebels and heroes.

Socrates was forced to drink a cup of poisonous hemlock because he defied the existing ideas of society.

Giordano Bruno was sentenced to be burned to death by the Roman Inquisition for his heretical ideas / Image: Livioandronico2013, Wikimedia Commons

Giordano Bruno was sentenced to be burned to death by the Roman Inquisition for his heretical ideas, which he refused to recant.

The materialist philosophers of the Enlightenment prepared the way for the French Revolution. But nowadays the situation is quite different.

The attitude of most people to philosophy is one of contempt, or rather of complete indifference. This is well deserved. Modern bourgeois philosophy presents a truly lamentable spectacle, to quote Shakespeare:

Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Here we have a suitable epitaph to place on the grave of modern bourgeois philosophy.

The significance of the history of philosophy

Yet it is unfortunate indeed that in turning aside from the present-day philosophical desert, people neglect the great thinkers of the past who, in contrast to the modern dilettantes, were giants of human thought.

In the history of philosophy, there have been many schools of thought, not a few of them brilliantly original, which serve to illuminate this or that aspect of the truth. But not one of these philosophical systems, taken in isolation, was capable of revealing the whole truth.

The brilliance of Hegel was to conceive of the entire history of philosophy as a single process of thought, of what he calls Self-consciousness.

Hegel treated the history of philosophy, not as a senseless sequence of disconnected ideas by individual thinkers, but as an organic whole, in which each stage negates the previous stage, but at the same time preserves all that is necessary and valid in its real content, raising it to a higher level.

This was finally achieved by Marx and Engels who, setting out from the materialist analysis of Hegels dialectic, accomplished a great revolution, which marked the emergence of philosophy out of the dark, stale atmosphere of the study, into the brilliant sunshine, air and light of the day.

It was this great philosophical revolution that provided the real basis for the future victory of the proletarian revolution. And it did not drop from the sky, but was the final product of many generations of the most advanced and brilliant thinkers in the history of the world.

Marxism has a duty to provide a comprehensive alternative to the old and discredited ideas. But we have no right to turn our backs on the great thinkers of the past, those heroes who paved the way for all the great advances of modern science.

We have a duty to rescue all that was valuable in the history of philosophy, while discarding all that was false, outmoded and useless.

One can learn a great deal from the Greeks, Spinoza, the French materialists of the Enlightenment and above all Hegel.

These were heroic pioneers, who prepared the way for the brilliant achievements of Marxist philosophy and can rightly be considered as an important part of our revolutionary heritage.

The algebra of revolution

The Russian revolutionary Alexander Herzen once described Hegels dialectic as the algebra of revolution. That was well said.

In order to solve the most urgent problems of society, the entire edifice of capitalism must be overthrown.

We have a duty to study the great battle of ideas that constitutes the essential meaning of the history of philosophy / Image: public domain

But in order to speed up the demolition of this rotten system, it is necessary to clear the ground by demolishing the rotten ideology that is propping it up.

This shows the vital importance of understanding the ideas that have been shaped over a lengthy period of history.

To this day, philosophy remains a battlefield over which the two antagonistic and mutually incompatible schools of materialism and idealism continue to fight it out.

Just as we pay careful attention to the lessons afforded by the great class struggles of the past, so we have a duty to study the great battle of ideas that constitutes the essential meaning of the history of philosophy.

Just as the October Revolution, the Paris Commune and the storming of the Bastille pointed the way to the future socialist revolution that will transform the entire world, so the great philosophical battles of the past laid the basis for dialectical materialism  the philosophy of the future.

It is for that reason that I wrote the present work. It is dedicated to the new generation of young revolutionaries who are eager to study and learn the ideas of genuine communism.

An important part of the education of our young cadres is a careful study of the history of philosophy. If my book can serve to stimulate and encourage you to do so, it will have achieved its purpose.

I wish you a fruitful and enjoyable journey.

Bon voyage!

London, 15 October 2025
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Thursday, December 4, that Nigerian troops rescued 318 kidnap victims and eliminated numerous terrorists across multiple regions in November 2025.

Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, provided the update during a briefing in Abuja.

Troops conducted clearance operations, intelligence-led raids, and targeted air and maritime strikes across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-East, and South-South regions. The operations led to the neutralisation of terrorists, the surrender of 69 criminal elements and their families, and the foiling of oil theft worth over N217.6 million, including the recovery of 201,700 litres of crude oil and 88,177 litres of AGO. Sixteen illegal refining sites were also dismantled.

Highlights of regional operations include: North-East (Operation HADIN KAI): Several terrorists eliminated, six collaborators arrested, five kidnap victims rescued, and terrorist camps destroyed via air support.

North-West (Operation FANSAN YAMMA): Multiple terrorists neutralised, 13 arrests, nine kidnap victims rescued, and enemy logistics destroyed. North-Central (Operations ENDURING PEACE & WHIRL STROKE): 32 suspects apprehended, multiple extremists neutralised, 20 kidnap victims rescued, arms and vehicles recovered across Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi States, and the FCT.

South-South (Operation DELTA SAFE): Oil theft worth N12.12 million stopped, four illegal refining sites destroyed, and 25 oil thieves apprehended. South-East (Operation UDOKA): Several terrorists neutralised, four arrests made, four kidnap victims rescued, and terrorist camps destroyed.

Maj.-Gen. Onoja commended the professionalism of the troops and urged Nigerians to continue providing credible information to enhance military operations. He also encouraged support for veterans through the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem launched earlier this week.
Burkina Fasos military authorities announced, on 4 December, plans to reinstate the death penalty, reversing its 2018 abolition.

The Council of Ministers said the draft penal code reintroduces capital punishment for offences including high treason, terrorism and espionage. The country last carried out an execution in 1988. The death penalty was later abolished under the civilian administration of then-President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

Burkina Faso has been under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traore since the 2022 military coup, during which he adopted a more anti-Western stance and moved the country further away from its former colonial power, France. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala described the move as part of broader reforms intended to produce a justice system aligned with what he called the profound aspirations of the Burkinabe people. The draft law still requires approval from the Transitional Legislative Assembly before it can take effect.
Joe Manganiello moved back to his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his fiancee Caitlin O'Connor.

Joe Manganiello and his fiancee Caitlin O'Connor have moved to Pittsburg

The 48-year-old Magic Mike star has lived in Los Angeles for more than two decades as he pursued his acting career but he got engaged to fellow Pittsburgh native Caitlin, 36, in June and now the couple has decided to settle down in the city where they both grew up.

Caitlin told PEOPLE: "I mean, L.A. has been both of our homes for over 20 years. I was born in L.A., but raised in Pittsburgh, so we're both from the same hometown.

"That's what we really connect on, you know, we share the same upbringing, the same hometown knowledge.

"And that's what really connects us as a couple. So it's beautiful to be back home together."

The couple have chosen to live in a suburb in the west of the city and Caitlin admits their new neighbourhood is both "beautiful" and "safe".

She added: "I've never been in a more beautiful neighborhood in Pittsburgh. It's just idyllic," before explaining the move was not a "suddden" decision as the pair had been "thinking about it for a while".

It comes after the couple confirmed their engagement in June after two years of dating.

Joe was previously married to actress Sofia Vergara, 53, but he filed for divorce in 2023 due to irreconcilable differences.

Sofia  who has 33-year-old son Manola from a previous relationship - later claimed the marriage ended because she did not want any more children.

She told Spanish publication El Pais last year: My marriage broke up because my husband was younger; he wanted to have kids and I didnt want to be an old mom. "I feel its not fair to the baby. I respect whoever does it, but thats not for me anymore.

"I had a son at 19, who is now 32, and Im ready to be a grandmother, not a mother. So, if love comes along, he has to come with [his own] children. I'm also in menopause - it's the natural way of things."

However, Joe has insisted that was not the main reason for their split.

He told Men's Journal magazine: "Thats simply not true. We did try to have a family for the first year and a half. And we had a huge conversation right out of the gate during the first month we dated.

"I said, If you're done with kids, then I understand. Just tell me, and I'll know what this is, and that's okay. But that wasn't the case with her. And I swore to her that I would never leave if it didn't work out. And I didn't.

"That wasn't inevitably why everything ended. It's because two people grew apart, and sometimes that happens."
Malawi on Thursday, December 4, authorised the use of the injectable HIV prevention drug lenacapavir, becoming the fourth African nation to approve the medication.

Health experts have described the development as a major breakthrough in efforts to curb rising HIV cases in the country. The drug, developed by Gilead Sciences Ireland, is administered once every six months. Malawis Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) granted approval following a 46-day expedited review, placing the country among the earliest adopters globally.

Dr Beatrice Matanje, executive director of the National AIDS Commission, welcomed the approval as a significant milestone, noting that a twice-yearly injection would ease the burden of adherence and clinic visits, with the potential to transform prevention outcomes.

PMRA Director General Mphatso Kawaye described the decision as part of a deliberate strategy to accelerate access to life-saving medical innovations.

The approval process was supported through collaboration with the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organization, which have been central to speeding up regulatory decisions in Southern Africa. South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have previously authorised the drug.

The Global Fund has pledged support for Malawis rollout, with the first consignments expected to reach Africa by the end of the year. Malawi continues to face high HIV prevalence rates, with around 950,000 peoplemainly women and childrenliving with the virus, according to the National AIDS Commission.
On Thursday, December 4, Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Paul Kagame of Rwanda signed a permanent ceasefire agreement in Washington DC, mediated by US President Donald Trump.

The accord, dubbed The Washington Accord, includes disarmament of non-state forces, repatriation of refugees, and justice for those responsible for atrocities in eastern DRC. President Trump also announced that the United States will gain access to rare-earth minerals in both DRC and Rwanda, critical for battery production. He stated that leading American companies will participate in mining operations as part of the agreement.

The accord aims to end decades of conflict in eastern DRC, a region plagued by over 100 armed groups and longstanding disputes over mineral resources such as copper, cobalt, tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold. In early 2025, the M23 rebel group, which the DRC accuses Rwanda of backing, launched a rapid offensive capturing large areas and causing hundreds of deaths.

President Kagame described the peace deal as ushering in a new era of stability, while President Tshisekedi affirmed Kinshasas commitment to full implementation, though maintaining vigilance. President Trump expressed optimism that the truce would endure, highlighting the mutual approval between the two African leaders.

The conflict in eastern DRC has spanned more than 30 years, with death toll estimates ranging from six million, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, to ten million, as stated by President Trump.
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If it walks like a duck and walks like a duck, it is a duck. Credit: npj Digital Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41746-025-02175-z

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can converse, mirror emotions, and simulate human engagement. Publicly available large language models (LLMs)often used as personalized chatbots or AI charactersare increasingly involved in mental health-related interactions. While these tools offer new possibilities, they also pose significant risks, especially for vulnerable users.

Researchers from Else Kroner Fresenius Center (EKFZ) for Digital Health at TUD Dresden University of Technology and the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus have therefore published two articles calling for stronger regulatory oversight.

Their commentary, "Artificial intelligence characters are dangerous without legal guardrails," in published in Nature Human Behaviour outlines the urgent need for clear regulations for AI characters. A second commentary published in npj Digital Medicine highlights the dangers of chatbots offering therapy-like guidance without medical approval and argues for their regulation as medical devices.

General-purpose large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or Gemini are not designed as specific AI characters or therapeutic tools. Yet simple prompts or specific settings can turn them into highly personalized, humanlike chatbots. Interaction with AI characters can negatively affect young people and individuals with mental health challenges. Users may form strong emotional bonds with these systems, but AI characters remain largely unregulated in both the EU and the United States. Importantly, they differ from clinical therapeutic chatbots, which are explicitly developed, tested, and approved for medical use.

"AI characters are currently slipping through the gaps in existing product safety regulations," explains Mindy Nunez Duffourc, Assistant Professor of Private Law at Maastricht University and co-author of the publication. "They are often not classified as products and therefore escape safety checks. And even where they are newly regulated as products, clear standards and effective oversight are still lacking."

Background: Digital interaction, real responsibility

Recent international reports have linked intensive personal interactions with AI chatbots to mental health crises. The researchers argue that systems imitating human behavior must meet appropriate safety requirements and operate within defined legal frameworks. At present, however, AI characters largely escape regulatory oversight before entering the market.

In the second commentary, titled "If a therapy bot walks like a duck and talks like a duck then it is a medically regulated duck," the team further outlines the risks of unregulated mental health interactions with LLMs. The authors show that some AI chatbots provide therapy-like guidance, or even impersonate licensed clinicians, without any regulatory approval. Hence, the researchers argue that LLMs providing therapy-like functions should be regulated as medical devices, with clear safety standards, transparent system behavior, and continuous monitoring.

"AI characters are already part of everyday life for many people. Often these chatbots offer doctor or therapist-like advice. We must ensure that AI-based software is safe. It should support and helpnot harm. To achieve this, we need clear technical, legal, and ethical rules," says Stephen Gilbert, Professor of Medical Device Regulatory Science at the EKFZ for Digital Health, TUD Dresden University of Technology.

Proposed solution: 'Guardian Angel AI' as a safeguard

The research team emphasizes that the transparency requirement of the European AI Actsimply informing users that they are interacting with AIis not enough to protect vulnerable groups. They call for enforceable safety and monitoring standards, supported by voluntary guidelines to help developers with implementing safe design practices.

As a solution, they propose linking future AI applications with persistent chat memory to a so-called "Guardian Angel" or "Good Samaritan AI"an independent, supportive AI instance to protect the user and intervene when necessary. Such an AI agent could detect potential risks at an early stage and take preventive action, for example by alerting users to support resources or issuing warnings about dangerous conversation patterns.

Recommendations for safe interaction with AI

In addition to implementing such safeguards, the researchers recommend robust age verification, age-specific protections, and mandatory risk assessments before market entry.

"As clinicians, we see how language shapes human experience and mental health," says Falk Gerrik Verhees, psychiatrist at Dresden University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus. "AI characters use the same language to simulate trust and connectionand that makes regulation essential. We need to ensure that these technologies are safe and protect users' mental well-being rather than put it at risk," he adds.

The researchers argue that clear, actionable standards are needed for mental health-related use cases. They recommend that LLMs clearly state that they are not an approved mental health medical tool. Chatbots should refrain from impersonating therapists, and limit themselves to basic, nonmedical information. They should be able to recognize when professional support is needed and guide users toward appropriate resources. Effectiveness and application of these criteria could be ensured through simple open access tools to test chatbots for safety on an ongoing basis.

"Our proposed guardrails are essential to ensure that general-purpose AI can be used safely and in a helpful and beneficial manner," concludes Max Ostermann, researcher in the Medical Device Regulatory Science team of Prof. Gilbert and first author of the npj Digital Medicine commentary.

More information: Mindy Nunez Duffourc et al, Artificial intelligence characters are dangerous without legal guardrails, Nature Human Behaviour (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02375-3 Max Ostermann et al, If a therapy bot walks like a duck and talks like a duck then it is a medically regulated duck, npj Digital Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41746-025-02175-z Journal information: Nature Human Behaviour , npj Digital Medicine
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A composite of images from the M2C2 hospital bed command center at Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan's academic medical center. Credit: University of Michigan

Every day, across the nation, patients wait hours or days in emergency departments until a bed opens up for them in the hospital.

Patients in smaller hospitals wait to get transferred to larger ones that can handle their complex health needs.

And patients ready to leave the hospital often wait hours before they're released, tying up beds that others need.

The problem will only get worse, experts project, due to a collision of the aging population, changes in health policy and insurance coverage that impact hospital finances, and shortages of clinical staff.

But a study shows one way that hospitals can make the most efficient use of every bed they have and give patients access to the care they need more quickly.

Published in the NEJM Catalyst, it details the impact of the command center M2C2, short for Michigan Medicine Command Center, that U-M opened three years ago, to coordinate inpatient bed use across the three Ann Arbor hospitals of University of Michigan Health.

In its first two years, the authors report, the command center and other operational changes increased bed use efficiency so much that it was as if U-M Health had opened 63 more adult inpatient beds.

The authors hope their detailed report will help other hospitals start or fine-tune their own command centers and the procedures that guide their clinical operations.

"We have tackled a lot of factors that affect the length of a hospital stay, and created procedures that let us use every last bed all the time, and optimize the capacity in the system," said Vikas Parekh, M.D., associate chief medical officer for U-M Health and the study's senior author.

"There's still work to be done, but our efforts have translated into shorter waits for patients and increased the number of patients who can get the care they need from our highly skilled clinical teams."

Key achievements in hospital bed use efficiency

The M2C2 project was co-led by the paper's lead author Jennifer Pardo, MHSA, a senior information technology project manager, and Maxim V. Garifullin, M.S., a lead solution architect in the Capacity Management team.

The new paper assessed performance before, and two years after, the M2C2 opened.

In that time, the team found:

The total time adult patients spent waiting for available beds at University Hospital and the Frankel Cardiovascular Center dropped by 33%. This included a 37% drop in the time it took to get a bed assigned to adults who arrived at U-M via the emergency department and were approved for an inpatient stay.

Children waiting for beds at the U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital had a 13% reduction in the bed-assigning time.

U-M Health went from accepting 70% of requests to transfer patients from other hospitals to accepting 80% of them, thanks to new processes for prioritizing transfers in a data-driven way so that more patients can receive high-level quaternary care.

Patients who were ready to leave the hospital procedures experienced a 12% drop in the time from discharge order to departure for adults, and 9% for children, thanks to streamlined processes after physicians sign discharge orders.

Length of stay for adults dropped 8%, even after adjustment for patient complexity.

And while the command center cost $2.1 million to build in converted space on the medical campus, and the staff needed to run it cost $1.5 million per year, the effort has still yielded an estimated $19.5 million net positive impact on U-M Health's bottom line. Some of the funds to create M2C2 came from donors.

Technology plus operational improvements

Pardo notes that the M2C2 command center relies heavily on two technological tools: the data dashboards made possible by the Epic electronic health record system that U-M Health and many other hospitals use, and an artificial intelligence patient placement tool developed in-house by a team led by her colleague and co-author.

"These data and analytical tools are critical, but so are the structure, governance, workstreams, procedures and goals that allow our staff to make the most of them," she said.

She notes that because U-M Health built its own data infrastructure, rather than purchasing services from one of the companies offering such tools, it was able to share the information publicly through the paper.

M2C2's full name is the Michigan Medicine Capacity Operations and Real-time Engagement, or C.O.R.E., Center. It combines the operations of several units that previously coordinated bed use and transfers.

The walls of its three rooms are covered with 32 huge screens displaying key information that staff can monitor and use in decisions about moving patients into beds or accepting them from another hospital.

Key data are available via intranet to staff anywhere, with color-coding for levels of real-time bed availability.

How it started, where it's going

Part of the impetus for creating M2C2 was the COVID-19 pandemic, and the abrupt and prolonged change in bed use that happened in its first months.

But even before then, U-M Health had faced high demand for inpatient care, with hospital occupancy rates far above national averages.

Just last month, the command center also helped U-M Health pull off the feat of moving 186 adult inpatients from University Hospital and the Frankel CVC into newly opened beds in the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion, which will soon have a total capacity of 264 beds, all in private rooms.

It was also instrumental during the opening of several observation units, most recently this April, for patients whose care requires a very short stay, often after an emergency department visit.

Two levels of the building known as University Hospital South, which once housed the children's hospital, have been converted for such care to accommodate demand.

Now, the team is working with hospital leaders in U-M Health's regional network by implementing aspects of the system at UM Health-Sparrow in Lansing and UM Health-West in the Grand Rapids area.

The command center will also be instrumental to the upcoming project to renovate and change bed use in University Hospital, which opened 40 years ago when two-bedrooms were the norm.

A pattern for others to follow

The space has become a magnet for visitors from other health systems seeking to emulate U-M Health's success, and for students from the U-M Medical School, College of Engineering, School of Information and School of Public Health.

Hospitals seeking to build their own command centers should start by focusing on exactly what they are trying to achieve, and then using tools such as Epic's dashboards to get there, said Garifullin.

"The key is building solutions for each challenge, such as managing transfers, or the goal of 'no beds fly empty,' using technology, people and processes," he said.

Parekh, who is a hospitalist physician and professor of internal medicine, agrees.

"You can't put a command center on top of a non-optimized system. You have to optimize the system first," he said.

Having buy-in from top leadership to align all relevant resources around the command center structure and governancefrom information technology to nurse staffingis also critical.

Erica Herbst, R.N., who manages the team of patient flow coordinators in M2C2, notes that the opening of the command center has allowed her team to take a proactive approach to placing patients in beds.

"What once required hours of manual work has become much easier based on a proactive approach, and the staff feel better supported to make difficult decisions," she said.

In the end, said Parekh, "Our focus is on how to get rid of avoidable delays in the system that affect the patient's journey, by leveraging every resource we have.

"A more efficient hospital stay also means meeting evidence-based milestones along the wayeven something as simple as timely urinary catheter removal or getting a patient up walking soon after surgery. That will create better clinical outcomes, reduce length of stay and lead to fewer readmissions."

More information: Jennifer L. Pardo et al, Designing a Hospital Command Center with Proven ROI: The University of Michigan M2C2 Model, NEJM Catalyst (2025). DOI: 10.1056/cat.25.0080 Journal information: NEJM Catalyst
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new series in The Lancet led by a UC Berkeley professor equips policymakers and clinicians with a toolkit to break out of silos and make more informed health decisions.

Can doctors in California learn from a patient who was bounced from one specialist to another in Japan? Can clinicians in London take lessons from a patient seeking asylum while suffering a medical emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border? Can doctors treating refugees in Africa inform health policy around the world?

Dr. Seth Holmes believes so.

Holmes is Chancellor's Professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley. A physician and a cultural and medical anthropologist, he studies social hierarchies and global health disparities. He also co-chairs the Berkeley Center for Social Medicine and co-directs the joint medical anthropology Ph.D. program between Berkeley and UCSF.

Like many doctors, he's spent decades learning from clinical case studies in leading medical journals. These brief digests are written and reviewed through medical frameworks exclusively, and they describe a patient's predicament alongside a clinician's assessment, diagnosis and treatment. They're a fixture in medical journals and a primary way doctors and all health professionals continue learning after their training.

The new approach

Now, a new monthly series in The Lancet led by Holmes is going beyond clinical diagnoses, tapping experts from the social sciences and humanities, as well as community members from around the world.

The resulting cases provide a critical lens into the cultural and social forces that contribute to each patient's conditionnot just the biological factors. Each unpacks a framework or concept in the social sciences and humanities that researchers hope readers will incorporate into their own practice, leadership or policy-making. The team developed this "translational social medicine toolkit" to help health professionals and policymakers address the deep social and structural causes of global health inequities.

"We hope that these cases will help orient health care practice and become a source of solidarity as we organize to confront obstacles to health and well-being for all in an interconnected world," Holmes wrote in an essay introducing the series.

Case studies highlight global challenges

It launched with the case of a 22-year-old woman in Japan who suffered from a rare genetic disorder. She was denied admission to a special elementary school because officials said her physical and mental impairments were not severe enough.

Psychiatrists declined to prescribe her medications because they could aggravate her heart condition. When she went to the hospital during a crisis, she was denied care because the hospital lacked adequate staffing.

In unpacking her case, the research team explained the concept of "medical compartmentalization"the fragmentation of medical services that harms people whose complex conditions do not fit neatly into simple categories. The physicians and social scientists who wrote the case together said it illustrated clear ways the system can be improved.

"We want a middle-range theory that can be relevant in lots of other clinics, hospitals, policies and countries in the world but also really touches ground with this particular patient or case," Holmes said. "And then we try to make sure the theory would both show the depth of social theory and be really understandable."

The latest piece in the series, describes the experience of a 45-year-old asylum seeker suffering from kidney stone complications. A volunteer clinician in Tijuana treated the man before he crossed into the U.S.

Once detained in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, the man sought help from a nonprofit that could help advocate for him when he was given inadequate medical treatment. But when the organization requested the man's medical records, the doctor from Tijuana became concerned about privacy laws and legal liabilities.

The case demonstrates the need for what the researchers term "structural intercompetency," or the ability of experts to be aware of and address social, political, legal and economic processes and systems affecting a patient's health that extend beyond health care alone.

It showcases the importance of doctors needing to work in new, more collaborative ways, said Carlos Martinez, the case's lead author and an assistant professor of Latin American and Latino studies at UC Santa Cruz.

"They, of course, cannot be experts in all those systems," said Martinez, a Berkeley alum who was mentored by Holmes. "What we're really asking is that clinicians become familiar with the other experts who could help in a given patient's care."

Building a global, collaborative project

The project has been a long time coming. Holmes and his colleagues first envisioned it over 20 years ago, when he was a student interested in bridging the fields of medicine and the social sciences and humanities. They eventually launched a similar series in the New England Journal of Medicine, with cases that were primarily rooted in the U.S.

With the series in The Lancet , they're broadening the topics to a global audience.

They solicited hundreds of cases from research institutions, clinics and scholars around the world. Then, the 15-person project teamincluding MD/Ph.D. student researchers from UC Berkeley and UCSFsifted through over 400 submitted abstracts and identified those that might have the most relevant applications for social concepts.

Doctors, nurses and medical researchers as well as scholars from the social sciences and humanities gathered for a three-day conference in Chicago last year. They explored how concepts from the social sciences and humanities applied to medical caseslessons they say can help improve health care around the world.

Community members from an array of backgrounds contributed too, including a Florida-based human rights organizer and an Indigenous health worker from the Amazon of Brazil. Even doctors who work in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria joined to contribute their perspectives.

"One of the goals of the team was to reach out as far as we could beyond the usual places," Holmes said. "To support people whose lives, stories, health, health care and concepts could be really important for the world to read but who might not usually have as easy a time publishing in a place like The Lancet."

Looking ahead for the series

The series is expected to run for 12 months, with the possibility of extending. Holmes said it was especially meaningful work to be doing now, given the shifting political landscape in the U.S. and globally.

"How much can one article a month do in the midst of active authoritarian regimes? I'm not sure," Holmes said. "But we're all working hard to develop these articles to keep people who care about health thinking critically and aware of what's going on, to have empathy and solidarity for people who they might otherwise consider quite different than them."
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Credit: York University

A new study led by researchers at York University shows that dance can be beneficial in halting the cognitive decline associated with Parkinson's disease and, for some participants, they even showed signs of improvement. Faculty of Health Associate Professor Joseph DeSouza, co-author of the study, says since cognition is nearly always expected to decline as the illness progresses and this was a multi-year study, the findings are quite remarkable.

"The classic progression of Parkinson's disease is that cognition gets bad as well as motor symptoms, and some people already have significantly impaired cognition by the time they get to a diagnosis," says DeSouza, who worked closely on the study with lead author Simran Rooprai, a second-year interdisciplinary master's student at York. "So finding that no one in the dance group had further cognitive decline over six years, we think that's pretty significant."

Study design and participant details

The study, published today in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, looked at 43 participants from a group with Parkinson's participating in the Sharing Dance Parkinson's program at the National Ballet of Canada and the Dance for Parkinson's Disease program through Trinity St. Paul's Church, both located in Toronto, and a reference group of 28 people with Parkinson's who were sedentary and not engaged in any physical activity.

Dance classes would begin with a seated warm-up, followed by "barre" exercises, and sessions ended with floorwork dances. One group was also taught a specific choreography in preparation for an upcoming performance.

Key findings and implications

The researchers found that the cognitive scores for the dance group had improved compared to the reference group, where they saw no changes, or a slight decline.

Rooprai says the research shows that dance could help with cognitive preservation, or perhaps even improvement in those with Parkinson's.

"We can't really fix the brain, but we're trying to show that with dance, maybe we can delay the onset of further cognitive decline," says Rooprai.

While Parkinson's disease is most closely associated with the characteristic tremors of the disease, it is also associated with cognitive decline, with four out of five people with the illness eventually experiencing severe cognition problems as the disease progresses.

Earlier research led by DeSouza at York that he worked on with fellow author and former York Ph.D. student Karolina Bearss, now a professor at Algoma University, has shown the benefits of dance for depression and motor symptoms of the illness, suggesting the benefits of dance are widespread.

"Dance engages many parts of the brain," says Rooprai. "While dancing, you're listening to music, learning new steps, remembering the different sequences, and you're engaging with other dancers so you're aware of your surroundings. Dance is physical, mental, and social all at once."

DeSouza and Rooprai are working on a follow-up study in collaboration with the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, where they will look at how working memory is affected for people with Parkinson's taking weekly dance classes.

"Given how dance has so many different positive impacts on cognition, we expect to see improvements."

More information: Dancing through time: Cognitive changes over six years of community dance in Parkinson's disease, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1177/13872877251393 Journal information: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
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Children referred to a first seizure clinic (FSC) see a neurologist epilepsy specialist within one week, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, held from Dec. 5 to 9 in Atlanta.

Noting that children often wait weeks or months after having a seizure to see a specialist, Gogi Kumar, M.D., from the Dayton Children's Hospital in Ohio, and colleagues examined the length of time until evaluation for those referred to the FSC at Dayton Children's Hospital.

The researchers found that between Jan. 1, 2017, and April 30, 2025, 1,622 children were seen a median of six days after referral to the FSC. Overall, 21.6% were diagnosed with epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, febrile seizures, absence epilepsy/syndrome, benign childhood epilepsy, Jeavons syndrome, or juvenile absence epilepsy after the first visit.

A total of 1,021 (62.9%) of children underwent diagnostic procedures, including long-term electroencephalogram monitoring and brain magnetic resonance imaging (77.2% and 44.5%, respectively). Seizure like activity and convulsions were also common diagnoses (21.6 and 15.8%, respectively).

"For children, even a one-month delay in diagnosis and treatment can cause long-term developmental problems," Kumar said in a statement. "Timely treatment can reduce the risk of injury and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and help children live healthier lives."

 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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A large recall of shredded cheese sold under several popular grocery store brands is now underway after the manufacturer reported the product may contain small metal fragments, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall involves more than 250,000 cases of shredded cheese made by Great Lakes Cheese Co. The FDA states the products were pulled from retailers beginning October 3, and the recall is still active.

The cheese was sold under private-label brands such as Good & Gather, Happy Farms, Great Value and Hill Country at major retailers, including Target, Aldi, Walmart and H-E-B stores, a chain of stores mainly in Texas.

The FDA classified this as a Class II recall, meaning the affected products could cause temporary or reversible health problems, but the chance of serious harm is considered low.

The concern stems from the possibility of metal fragments in the cheese, the FDA report said. The issue is connected to raw ingredients supplied to the manufacturer.

Products were shipped to more than 30 states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, New York, New Mexico and Wisconsin. Puerto Rico is also listed as a distribution area.

Great Lakes Cheese Co. has not issued a public statement about the recall and did not respond to requests for comment from NBC News.

More information: Read the full notice including batch lot numbers and "sell by" dates from the FDA.

 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Kim Cattrall has married her partner Russell Thomas.

Kim Cattrall has married her partner Russell Thomas in London

The Sex and the City star tied the knot with the audio engineer at an intimate ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London on Thursday (04.12.25), where only 12 guests were invited.

Kim and Russell have largely kept their relationship private since they met during a BBC Radio 4 recording session back in 2016 but the actress revealed earlier this year the pair have "had a blast" throughout almost a decade of romance.

The 69-year-old actress - who has been married three times previously - told The Times newspaper: "He was an actor originally. Hes had an incredibly interesting life and really done it on his terms. Hes a bit of a rebel, which I love. Weve been together almost 10 years now... And weve had a blast. Weve just had so much fun."

Cattrall had been struggling with issues such as insomnia and the death of her father when she met Russell, 55, and no longer regrets going through such a tough ordeal as it allowed life to bring her together with her partner.

She added: "I keep saying I wish I hadnt gone through all that. And then I thought to myself, well, if I hadnt have gone through that, I wouldnt have met Russ.

"So life has surprises and trade-offs. It was a bad time, but I learned a tremendous amount. And at the other end of it was this incredible, fun playmate."

Kim also explained that she is the "antithesis" of her Sex and the City alter ego Samantha Jones because she is happiest in a committed relationship, unlike the sex-crazed character she played in the HBO series.

She said: "Im the antithesis of her [Samantha] in many ways. Im a serial monogamist, and then some."

Cattrall recently explained that her life is very different now that she has moved away from Hollywood.

The How I Met Your Father star said: "I have a home on Vancouver Island, which is my hideaway and basically my paradise because Im right in the middle of nature.

"Its long walks. Its reading books Ive never had the time to read  or reread. I love womens fiction. Its more solitary, just me and my partner."
Schools across the MumbaiThane region are set to close on Friday, as headmasters join a massive statewide agitation demanding long-pending reforms in service conditions, pensions, and recruitment. The regions schooling network is preparing for a near-total shutdown on December 5, bringing academic activity for lakhs of students to a halt and signalling one of the strongest coordinated actions by teacher bodies in recent years.

The protest centres on unresolved structural issues repeatedly flagged by the education workforce, with unions saying the state has failed to act despite several representations. With the Mumbai Headmasters Association declaring full support for the call issued by the Maharashtra State Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff Coordination Committee, organisers say the strike aims to push the state into delivering long-promised reforms.

The strike is necessary in support of teachers rights, said Anil Bornare, North Division President of the Mumbai Headmasters Association, stressing that the government has offered no meaningful roadmap to address mounting grievances. The message, he said, was clear: the system cannot run without teachers, and teachers cannot run indefinitely on broken promises.

Even as headmasters extend solidarity, a delegation from the association is scheduled to meet the Deputy Director of Education (Mumbai Division) on Friday morning to submit a detailed memorandum of demands. The charter includes scrapping the blanket mandate requiring all teachers to clear the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and withdrawing what unions call an unjust Government Resolution (GR) issued on March 15, 2024. It also seeks implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for all teachers appointed after November 1, 2005 and restoration of the 10-20-30 Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme. Teachers further want the controversial Shikshan Sevak category abolished and permanent appointments made from day one, a change they say is vital to end years of job insecurity. The state education department is now scrambling to contain the fallout of the strike. In a stern circular issued late Tuesday, the Education Directorate warned that schools must not shut on December 5 and said a days salary would be deducted for every staff member who joins the agitation.

Dr Mahesh Palkar, Director of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, instructed divisional deputy directors, Zilla Parishad education officers, and Mumbais education inspectors to ensure learning is not disrupted. He also stated that administrative action would follow if headmasters allowed closures. Students must not suffer due to the protest, he said, reiterating that participation would invite penalties and pay cuts.

Teacher organisations, however, argue that responsibility for any disruption lies with the state, which they claim has ignored critical concerns for years. Apart from cancelling mandatory TET for all teachers, unions want a sharp reduction in online and non-educational duties, a halt to the contractualisation of teaching posts, recruitment of long-delayed non-teaching staff, and a revised assured progression scheme that reflects ground realities.With private, aided, partially aided, and unaided schools preparing to join the shutdown, the confrontation appears set to deepen.


In a dramatic conclusion to the months-long and bizarre Cloth Wars, the battle for a few feet of drying space in Cuffe Parades Geeta Nagar was finally settled. The decisive intervention of the Indian Navy, rather than neighbourhood diplomacy or determined police officers, brought an end to the conflict.

Yes, the armed forces were ultimately summoned to restore order in a dispute involving bed sheets, T-shirts and a very territorial nylon rope.

Both families refused to accept Mumbai Police mediation. Bewildered officers then escalated the matter to the Indian Navy, since the disputed wall technically belongs to the defence establishment. This turned the laundry fight into a jurisdictional issue.

How laundry became a high-security dispute

The mundane act of hanging laundry  a necessary chore in space-starved Maximum City  escalated into a chaotic neighbourhood feud between the Thakur and Rawat families.

What began as a petty squabble over territory eventually erupted into a full-blown physical altercation on November 19, injuring family members and forcing the involvement of the highest-ranking Mumbai Police officials.

The intensity of the rivalry was astounding. Locked in a zero-sum battle for drying space, both families independently installed CCTV cameras outside their modest homes, transforming their tiny lane into a makeshift high-security zone designed to prove their rightful claim to the nylon rope.

Police intervention proved hopeless. After the November 19 brawl, cross-complaints were filed at the Cuffe Parade Police Station. Low-ranking officers were baffled by the laundry logic, while senior officers  weary of diverting resources from murders, robberies, cheating to address a cloth-drying dispute  failed to broker peace. They even summoned both families and asked them to simply remove the ropes, but, as one source confirmed, neither is agreeing. They both claim they own the space and have rights.

The final frontier

The resolution, as it turned out, hinged on the amusingly simple truth of the battleground  the wall belongs to the neighbouring Navy Nagar defence establishment.

So, on Thursday morning, as the sun rose and wet cloths fluttered, a team of Navy officials marched into Geeta Nagar and proceeded directly to the disputed spot outside the Thakur and Rawat residences, under the watchful guidance of senior Mumbai Police, to settle the issue once and for all.

The Naval officials removed the cloth-drying rope and assorted materials tied to the defence structure. The entire operation was formally recorded, for anyone who one day doubts that the Indian Navy once resolved a petty laundry feud.

After dismantling the rope of conflict and before departing the battleground, officials issued a stern warning  any further attempt by the Rawats or the Thakurs to tie ropes for drying clothes would invite serious action.

This final, literal cutting of the cord by the rightful owners  the Navy  finally brought an end to one of Mumbais most embarrassing and tenacious turf battles.

Harish Kudekar, a member of the Geeta Nagar residents association, said, This is a very common dispute amongst residents. There are around 1,400 homes here in Geeta Nagar, and the redevelopment has been pending for years.

We have been staying here since the 1960s. Instead of forcing law and imposing things on us, the government should think and expedite the redevelopment of Geeta Nagar.


Five hours of talks in Moscow between the US delegation and Russian President Vladimir Putin over a US plan to resolve the war in Ukraine ended without a compromise option, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, adding that recent battlefield gains had strengthened Moscows hand.

Even without a full briefing on Tuesdays talks, it did not appear that the swift end to the conflict envisioned by President Donald Trump is close. Ukrainian and European officials voiced doubt about Putins interest in ending the war diplomatically.

So far no compromise option has been found, but some American proposals appear more or less acceptable, said Putins top foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, who attended the meeting. The president did not hide our critical or negative view of certain proposals.

Later Wednesday, Ushakov said Russian successes on the front in recent weeks have had a positive impact on the talks and pushed the United States and its allies toward more adequate assessments of the situation in Ukraine. His comments echoed Putins insistence that any deal must reflect realities on the ground, and that he sees no need to concede while convinced his forces can advance further.

The US delegation included Jared Kushner, joining Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff. As they left for Moscow on Monday, Putin announced the capture of Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub in Donetsk, which could enable Russian forces to press toward the two major cities in the region still under Ukrainian control. The Ukrainian military maintains that fierce fighting continues. A senior NATO official said Russian troops currently control over 95 percent of the city, but a collapse of wider Ukrainian defensive lines is not expected. If and when captured, Russia will likely use the city for logistics and as a springboard for attacks on other cities in Donetsk, the official said. But an imminent collapse of Ukrainian defences is unlikely. Taking the remainder of Donetsk is not realistic for at least a year or two. NATO assessments have earlier suggested that Russia would need three to four years to fully capture the region. One of Moscows ceasefire demands is that Ukraine relinquish the remaining 20 percent of Donetsk still under its control.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Witkoff contacted Kyiv after the Moscow meeting and that a US visit was being arranged for further discussions. The US representatives informed us that, in their assessment, the talks in Moscow had a positive effect. That is their evaluation, he said. The US delegation gave Putin four documents outlining Washingtons plan. The Kremlin said both sides agreed not to disclose details to avoid megaphone diplomacy, but analysts believe the documents divide the original 28-point plan into sections likely addressing territory, economic reintegration, and security guarantees.

Ushakov said discussions touched directly on territorial issues, which Moscow considers central, as well as huge opportunities for future USRussia economic cooperation. But some American proposals appear more or less acceptable, Ushakov said. Certain wording we were offered is unacceptable. So, the work will continue.

Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre said Moscow sees the 28-point plan as its baseline and will not accept a version less favourable to the Kremlin. Before the meeting, US and Ukrainian negotiators had modified the plan to make it more acceptable to Kyiv, though its unclear which version reached Putin. Putin is happy with the wars progress. He changes into his military uniform three times a month and personally commands generals over maps, Baunov said. Meanwhile, NATO foreign ministers met in Brussels to evaluate progress on the US plan, but several European officials admitted they still lacked clarity on the talks outcome. Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped the Brussels meeting, heightening European unease that key allies are being sidelined. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau attended instead. Rubio, who was also absent from the Moscow delegation, said Tuesday that some progress had been made but that Washington was still not close enough. He pointed to a major sticking point: Russias demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw entirely from the Donbas. What theyre literally fighting over now is about a 30- to 50-kilometre space and the 20 percent of the Donetsk region that remains, he said. European diplomats said core issues remain unresolved, including where to freeze the conflict and what security guarantees Ukraine could accept if a deal cements Russias de facto control of occupied territory. The essence of the whole deal hinges on two points: territory and security guarantees, a NATO diplomat said.

Ukraines position has been weakened by a high-profile corruption scandal that engulfed President Volodymyr Zelenskys inner circle, including the fall of longtime adviser Andriy Yermak. Kyiv also faces severe financial strain as direct US funding dries up and European governments struggle to unlock new aid. Early Wednesday, Europe agreed to further reduce reliance on Russian energy, beginning a gas import ban next year and phasing out all imports by 2027. Russia, meanwhile, is under pressure from high war costs and shrinking oil revenue, with its new three-year budget projecting a deficit. Some analysts argue that the rising costs of the war for both Kyiv and Moscow are creating a potential opening for a US-brokered truce. Putin is not in the position of a person who wants peace at any cost, said Vladimir Pastukhov. There is no reason to believe the parties will take advantage of the window of opportunity, but it is safe to say they currently have one. Tatiana Stanovaya said Moscows key objective is to push Washington to pressure Kyiv to accept these terms as the only viable route to peace.

Kostiantyn Khudov contributed to this report.


Sleep trouble affects almost everyone at some stage. Some people stay awake for long periods before sleep arrives, some wake up many times at night, and others face poor rest even after a full night in bed. In many of these cases, friends or social media voices point toward two famous aids. These are magnesium and melatonin. Both have enthusiastic supporters online. Both appear simple and natural. Yet both deserve closer examination before anyone treats them as miracle fixes.

Magnesium: Helpful but hardly magic

Magnesium now enjoys enormous attention in the wellness world. Users speak of benefits for pain, anxiety, constipation and sleep. The range of claims grows each year. What seldom appears in popular advice is the fact that form and dose create the difference between a helpful supplement and a pointless one. Magnesium exists as glycinate, citrate, oxide, chloride, L-threonate and a few more forms. Glycinate has the highest popularity for sleep because the body accepts it well and absorbs it at a steady rate. Certain trials show modest improvement in anxiety and rest. These results appear mainly in people with an actual deficiency. Evidence for broad benefit in the general population remains mixed.

Some research suggests that form may not alter the final effect to a large degree. Glycinate still appears more comfortable for the stomach. Dose also matters. Very small amounts do very little. Studies that show benefit use amounts of about 250 to 400 mg daily. These points lead to one clear conclusion. Magnesium cannot provide a universal cure. If your levels are already normal, the extra intake offers little or no change in mood or rest. People without deficiency often need better stress control, examination of sleep habits or evaluation for medical causes. These steps usually offer more progress than extra magnesium.

Melatonin: Misunderstood and misused

Melatonin, the second M, involves even more confusion. The body produces this hormone inside the brain. It signals the arrival of evening and sets the timing for the circadian rhythm. This internal clock decides when the body prepares for rest. Melatonin levels rise in the hours before night and peak around early evening. At this point the brain receives the message that rest is near. Strong light from phones, televisions and laptops can delay this rise. Many people then reach for melatonin tablets and expect instant sedation. That expectation never matches the true purpose of melatonin. It does not work like a sleeping pill. It does not force the brain into sleep. Its role lies in shifting the internal clock. It helps the body align with a new schedule. It does not supply instant drowsiness on demand. A common error involves the time of intake. Many users swallow melatonin right before bed. That timing seldom helps. The correct window lies three to four hours before the intended sleep time. This matches the natural rhythm inside the body.

Melatonin proves useful in specific contexts. People who travel across time zones adjust faster with melatonin. People with shift work benefit when sleep hours change from week to week. Older adults with lower natural melatonin levels show improvement with short courses. Children with certain neurodevelopmental disorders also respond well under medical guidance. Some adults with chronic insomnia experience benefit when a doctor plans the schedule and dose carefully.

A recent observational study drew links between melatonin intake and heart failure. Such studies show connection but never prove cause. Many earlier studies explored possible protective effects of melatonin on heart tissue. More data will help clarify the long-term picture. No present evidence shows that occasional use harms healthy adults. Doctors usually suggest short-term melatonin use. Intake at the wrong time can confuse the body clock. Regular use without guidance leads people further from natural rhythms. Clarity of purpose, timing and dose matters far more than casual availability at pharmacies.

Sleep: More complex than a capsule

Before anyone starts either supplement, the cause of poor rest must come into focus. Sleep problems arise from anxiety, stress, irregular routines, caffeine, medical disorders, hormonal shifts and lifestyle habits. A doctor can examine patterns, order tests if required and decide whether a supplement fits the situation. Magnesium and melatonin can support rest under the right conditions. Neither corrects late-night screen time, work stress, untreated illness or chaotic schedules. Rest depends on biology, behaviour and environment. No capsule replaces those foundations.

Magnesium and melatonin both have roles in certain cases. Both can help under guidance. Neither solves everything. The best path to real improvement begins with an honest look at habits, stress levels and health. Supplements may assist that effort. They cannot substitute for it.

Dr Srishti Tody Shroff is a board-certified orofacial pain and sleep medicine specialist practising in Mumbai and Bangalore


Columbia, CA  A Columbia man was convicted of first-degree attempted murder after stabbing a victim in the abdomen with a 14-inch knife, among other charges.

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke announced that after a three-day trial in November, 48-year-old Daniel Forgan was sentenced to five years and four months plus seven years to life for the attempted murder charge. The assault happened on May 13, 2024, while riding his electric bike to pick up mail. Forgan shouted obscenities at a woman as he passed by a neighbors house on Gunsight Road. Jenecke added that he has a documented history of neighbor disputes, resulting in restraining orders.

When Forgan returned, he stopped and kept ranting, which prompted the victim, Gerald James, to protect the woman by urging him to stop yelling and leave. James testified at the trial that the defendant headbutted him, so he punched Forgan. Then James told jurors he felt something in his stomach area and later realized he had been stabbed but never saw the weapona 14-inch-long knife, similar to a Ka-Bar knife, according to Jenecke. As previously reported here, it was initially thought the weapon might have been a sword until the knife was later found hanging on a fence on Forgans property.

Additionally, Jenecke shared that Forgan had a phone mounted on his bike that livestreamed until right after the defendant stabbed James, but only captured the audio of the attack.

James suffered a lacerated liver and was in the hospital for over a month before he was discharged to a rehabilitation center. James continues to suffer from complications due to the injury caused by the defendant today, Jenecke relayed.

Forgan was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon and being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition after it was found during a search of his home. Multiple residents testified to Forgans constant screaming day and night, including just days before the attack, when he yelled he was going to slice, cut, stab someone.
Kim Kardashian felt "uncomfortable" and lost her confidence after failing the California bar exam.

Kim Kardashian lost her confidence after failing the bar exam

The 45-year-old reality TV star has been working towards becoming a lawyer but it was recently revealed she failed her final test and will now have to retake it if she wants to qualify - and Kim has confessed she "didn't feel good" after getting the result.

She told Time magazine: "I took a minute to process that, and instantly, when I got my results, I didn't feel good about it.

"I was really uncomfortable and not confident for a while. You get the results on a Friday, and I knew Sunday morning they were going to be live on the internet.

"So I wanted to mention it first and let people know that it didn't go my way. So, instantly I was like, OK, let's do this, I know what I've got to do."

Kim went on to add she felt low about failing, but she's determined to get back to work and pass the exam next time.

She said: "This really sucks because I put so much time into it, but I know what I can do better.

"I'm pretty good at taking a failure and turning it into something and I just don't have the time to dwell. You can feel sorry for yourself for a second, but I need to take that time and put it into studying more."

Kim Kardashian studied for "nine hours a day" for three months because she needed to pass the bar exam on her "first try". The 45-year-old reality TV star has been working towards becoming a lawyer but it was recently revealed she failed her final test and will now have to retake it if she wants to qualify - but Kim previously admitted she worked extra hard ahead of the exam because she wouldn't have time to try again if she failed.

Speaking in an episode of her show The Kardashians, which was filmed before she received her bar exam result, she explained: "Its just the craziest, most emotional roller-coaster.

"I really do need to pass on the first try because I dont have another few months I can give up. I studied nine hours a day, every day. I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed."

However, her hard work didn't pay off and Kim now faces the prospect of resitting the test.

In an Instagram post shared after getting her result, Kim wrote: "Well ... I'm not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV.

"Six years into this law journey, and I'm still all in until I pass the bar. No shortcuts, no giving up just more studying and even more determination.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way so far.

"Falling short isn't failure - it's fuel. I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivates me even more. Let's Go!!!!!!!!!!!"

Kim previously enrolled in a four-year apprenticeship with a San Francisco law firm in 2018 and took the baby bar exam three times before passing it in 2021. She also reportedly passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) in March.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Indias aviation watchdog temporarily rolled back restrictions on airline crew duty hours, days after the previous order disrupted operations at major Indian airports as the countrys biggest airline, IndiGo, scrambled to restore normal services.

The new regulations mandated longer rest periods and limited night flying hours for crew and pilots to address concerns about fatigue and safety. Indias Ministry of Civil Aviation said late Friday the suspension of the new rules would go into effect immediately.

Without compromising on air safety, this decision has been taken solely in the interest of passengers, especially senior citizens, students, patients, and others who rely on timely air travel for essential needs, the ministry said in a statement.

Friday was the fourth straight day of disruptions as the low-cost carrier IndiGo struggled with the rules change. Scenes of frustration played out as passengers slept on airport floors, queued for hours at customer service counters and waited without clear communication from the airline.

The first phase of the rules came into effect in July while the second phase kicked in November. IndiGo struggled to adapt its rosters in time, resulting in widespread cancellations and disruptions.

On Thursday, more than 300 IndiGo flights were grounded while several hundreds delayed. A passenger advisory from the Delhi airport Friday stated that all domestic IndiGo flights will remain cancelled until midnight. Other major airlines, including Air India, have not faced similar issues so far.

IndiGo operates around 2,300 flights daily and controls nearly 65% of Indias domestic aviation market.

Senior citizen Sajal Bose was scheduled to travel with his wife Senjuti Bose early Friday from Kolkata to New Delhi to attend a friends silver jubilee celebration. His flight was cancelled an hour before the scheduled take off.

Bose told The Associated Press he was now taking a nine-hour train ride to the city Bagdogra, where he plans to get a flight to New Delhi on another airline. Its very irresponsible and complete negligence. Very difficult for older people like us, he said.

In an internal email to employees this week, seen by The Associated Press, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers apologized, and cited technology glitches, schedule changes, adverse weather conditions, heightened congestion and the implementation of the new rules as the reasons for flight disruptions.

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement that the disruptions arose primarily through misjudgment and planning gaps as the airline implemented phase two of the new rules, and that the airline acknowledged that the effect on crew strength exceeded their expectations.

IndiGo had sought temporary exemptions in implementing the new rules and told the government that corrective measures were underway, indicating operations will be fully restored by Feb. 10.

___

Associated Press videojournalist Piyush Nagpal in New Delhi contributed to this report.

By RAJESH ROY

Associated Press
CARROLLTON, Ga. (AP)  Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is allowed to loan $10 million to his campaign for governor, Georgias ethics panel said Thursday.

Attorney General Chris Carr, who is running against Jones, alleged it evaded campaign finance restrictions. But Georgia Ethics Commission decided in a meeting in Carrollton, Georgia, that a loan to a leadership committee counts as a contribution under state law, adopting a legal opinion that there is nothing in the current statute which prohibits such a loan of personal funds.

The opinion clears Jones to keep spending his family fortune to pursue the Republican nomination. Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger are the other two top candidates in the GOP governors primary. Theyre vying to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who legally cant run again after two terms, along with numerous Democrats.

Republican and Democratic primaries are in May, followed by the general election in November 2026.

Under a 2021 state law, leadership committees can raise unlimited funds, can coordinate with candidates and can raise funds during legislative sessions when other fundraising is banned. But candidates cant establish leadership committees until they win their partys nomination for governor or lieutenant governor.

Instead, they are limited to candidate committees, which can raise a maximum of $8,400 from each donor. As the incumbent lieutenant governor, Jones controls a leadership committee, as does Kemp.

Rosario Palacios, executive director of liberal-leaning watchdog group Common Cause Georgia, said the decision only reinforces the injustice of leadership committees.

We definitely think this is an unfair advantage that doesnt allow for a true democratic process for voters, Palacios said. Its not just about the two candidates here. This is not a fair process for anyone.

Jones filed documents showing he made loans of $7.5 million and $2.5 million to the WBJ Leadership Committee when he announced his run for governor on July 8.

Carr argued that under Georgia law, loans could be made only to a candidate committee, not to a freestanding political action committee or leadership committee.

The commission earlier declined to investigate a complaint from Carr alleging that Jones broke state law because his previous financial disclosures didnt show enough liquid assets to make such large loans to himself.

Its troubling that the commission shows no interest in understanding how Burt Jones went from claiming a net worth of $700,000 to loaning himself $10 million, said Julia Mazzone, a spokesperson for Carr.

Jones campaign did not respond to the substance of the ruling, with spokesperson Kayla Lott only characterizing Carr as being bad at being a lawyer.

Carr announced his run for governor last year, saying he needed to raise money because he isnt personally wealthy. Like Jones, Raffensperger has substantial personal wealth. Supporters of Carr have established an independent committee, but it cant coordinate with Carrs campaign.

Carr also sued in federal court to try to block Jones use his leadership committee. But in August, U.S. District Judge Victoria Marie Calvert dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that Carr should have challenged the constitutionality of the law. She said it was wrong to sue Jones and his campaign for doing exactly what Georgia law allows them to do.

Carr hasnt filed a new lawsuit challenging the laws constitutionality. That may reflect pressure from other Republicans who view leadership committees as a vehicle for them to maintain GOP political control. Kemp has made heavy use of his leadership committee.

In 2022, a federal judge ruled that a leadership committee for Kemp couldnt spend money during the Republican primary that year, finding the unequal campaign finance scheme violated challenger David Perdues First Amendment right to free speech. However, that case never reached a final ruling on the laws constitutionality.

By JEFF AMY

Associated Press
Sleep is a rare commodity at Lindsay Crains house. Most nights, she and her husband are up dozens of times, tending to their daughters seizures. The 16-year-old flails her arms, thrashes and kicks  sometimes for hours.

But these days, thats not the only thing keeping Crain awake. The Culver City mother worries about how President Donald Trumps myriad budget cuts could strip their daughter of services she needs to go to school, live at home and enjoy a degree of independence that would have been impossible a generation ago.

Every family I know is terrified right now, Crain said. We still have to live our everyday lives, which are challenging enough, but now it feels like our kids futures are at stake.

Trumps budget includes nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, which funds a wide swath of services to disabled children, including speech, occupational and physical therapy, wheelchairs, in-home aides and medical care. All children with physical, developmental or cognitive disabilities  in California, nearly 1 million  receive at least some services through Medicaid.

Meanwhile, at the U.S. Department of Education, Trump has gutted the Office of Civil Rights, which is among the agencies that enforce the 50-year-old law granting students with disabilities the right to attend school and receive an education appropriate to their needs. Before that law was enacted, students with disabilities often didnt attend school at all.

We have a delicate web of services that, combined, support a whole child, a whole family, said Kristin Wright, executive director of inclusive practices and systems at the Sacramento County Office of Education and the former California state director of special education. So when the basic foundational structure is upended, like Medicaid, for example, its not just one cut from a knife. Its multiple.

Republicans have also suggested moving the office of special education out of the Department of Education altogether and moving it to the Department of Health and Human Services. Disability rights advocates say that would bring a medical  rather than a social  lens to special education, which they described as a major reversal of progress.

Trump has chipped away at other rights protecting people with disabilities, as well. In September, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it would not enforce a rule that requires airlines to reimburse passengers for damaged or lost wheelchairs. Trump has also repeatedly used a word widely considered a slur, alarming advocates who say it shows a lack of respect and understanding of the historical discrimination against people with disabilities. Its all left some wondering if the administration plans more cuts to hard-fought rights protecting people with disabilities.

Fewer therapists, less equipment

The Medicaid cuts may have the most immediate effect. People with developmental disabilities typically receive therapy, home visits from aides, equipment and other services through regional centers, a network of 21 mostly government-funded nonprofits in California that coordinate services for people with disabilities. The goal of regional centers is to help people with disabilities live as independently as possible.

More than a third of regional centers funding comes from Medicaid, which is facing deep cuts under Trumps budget. The money runs out at the end of January, and its unclear what services will be cut.

Schools also rely on Medicaid to pay for therapists, equipment, vision and hearing tests and other services that benefit all students, not just those with disabilities. In light of state budget uncertainty, its not likely the state could backfill the loss of Medicaid funding, and schools would have to pare down their services.

Uncertain futures

For Lelah Coppedge, whose teenage son has cerebral palsy, the worst part is the uncertainty. She knows cuts are coming, but she doesnt know when or what theyll include.

I go down this rabbit hole of worst-case scenarios, said Coppedge, who lives in the Canoga Park neighborhood in Los Angeles. Before this happened, I felt there was a clear path for my son. Now that path is going away, and its terrifying.

Coppedges son, Jack, is a 16-year-old high school student who excels at algebra and physics. He loves video games and has a wide circle of friends at school. He uses a wheelchair and struggles with speech, communicating mostly through eye movements. Hell look at his moms right hand to indicate yes, her left hand for no.

Coppedge and her husband rely on a nurse who comes four days a week to help Jack get dressed, get ready for bed and do other basic activities. Medicaid pays for the nurse, as well as other services like physical therapy. Even though Coppedge and her husband both work and have high-quality private health insurance, they could not afford Jacks care without help from the government.

They also rely on the local regional center, which they assumed would help Jack after he graduates from high school, so he can remain at home, continue to hone his skills and generally live as independently as possible. If that funding vanishes, Coppedage worries Jack will someday end up in a facility where people dont know him, dont know how to communicate with him and dont care about him.

It feels like were going backward, Coppedge said. Half the time, I put my head in the sand because Im just trying to manage the day-to-day. The rest of the time I worry that (the federal government) is looking at people like Jack as medical problems, not as unique people who want to have full, happy lives. It feels like thats getting lost.

The current uncertainty is stressful, but its even harder for families who are immigrants, Wright said. Those families are less likely to stand up for services theyre entitled to and are facing the extra fear of deportation. English learners, as well as low-income children, are disproportionately represented among students in special education, according to state data.

Thats the other piece to all this  how its affecting immigrant families, Wright said. Its a whole other level of anxiety and fear.

Decades of progress on the line

Karma Quick-Panwala, an advocate at the nonprofit Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, said she worries about the rollback of decades worth of progress that was hard-won by the disability rights community.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the 1975 law that created special education, actually predates the federal Department of Education. In fact, Congress created the department in part to oversee special education. Removing special ed would be a devastating blow to the disability community  not just because services might be curtailed, but philosophically, as well, Quick-Panwala said.

In the Department of Education, special education is under the purview of education experts who promote optimal ways to educate students with disabilities, so they can learn, graduate from high school and ideally go on to productive lives. In the Department of Health and Human Services, special education would no longer be overseen by educators but by those in the medical field, where theyre more likely to look at disability as something to be cured or segregated and set aside, Quick-Panwala said.

The disability rights community has worked so hard and gave so much to make sure people with disabilities had a right to a meaningful education, so they could have gainful employment opportunities and participate in the world, Quick-Panwala said. The idea is that they wouldnt just be present at school, but they would actually learn and thrive.

For the time being, Wright, Quick-Panwala and other advocates are reminding families that federal funding might be shrinking, but the laws remain unchanged. Students are still entitled under federal law to the services outlined in their individual education plans, regardless of whether theres money to pay for it. The funding will have to come from somewhere, at least for now, even if that means cutting it from another program. And California is unlikely to roll back its own special education protections, regardless of what happens in Washington, D.C.

An imperfect but successful routine

Those reassurances are scant comfort to Crain, whose daughter Lena will rely on government support her entire life. Born seven weeks prematurely, Lena has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, a cognitive impairment and is on the deaf-blind spectrum. But she has a 100-watt smile and a relentless spirit, Crain said. Even after the whole family has been up all night, Lena insists on going to school and getting the most out of every day.

Funny and assertive, she has a few close friends and, like many teenagers, plenty of opinions about her parents. She loves her English teacher and spends most of her day in regular classrooms with help from an aide. Her favorite book is about Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who won a Nobel Peace Prize for fighting for girls right to an education.

Between school and home visits from aides and after-school therapists, Crain feels the family has pieced together an imperfect but mostly successful routine for Lena.

Our entire lives are about teaching her self-advocacy, so she can have the most independent life possible, Crain said. Just because you need support doesnt mean you cant have a say in your life. Theres been so much work around the culture and the laws and the education system to make sure disabled people can make their own choices in life. Were absolutely terrified of losing that.

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This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

By CAROLYN JONES/CalMatters

CalMatters
PRAGUE (AP)  Populist billionaire Andrej Babis said on Thursday he would get rid of his major businesses by moving them to an independent trust in order to be able to become the prime minister again.

Babis said he believed the move would help him avoid a conflict of interest that could arise from his private dealings and his political status.

Ive decided to take a step that I never thought I would take, Babis said in a video message on Facebook.

Ive decided to irrevocably give up the Agrofert company, with which I will never have anything to do again, I will never own it, I will have no economic relations with it, and I will not be in any contact with it, he said.

President Petr Pavel said after the announcement late Thursday he would appoint Babis as prime minister on Tuesday.

Babis, a former prime minister, owns some 200 companies under the Agrofert conglomerate.

He said an independent trustee will be in charge of Agrofert in a trust fund while it will be under control of an independent protector until he dies and then his descendants will inherit it.

Pavel asked Babis last month to form a new government after his ANO (YES) movement won parliamentary election and said last week he was ready to swear him in as prime minister within a week if the businessman clarifies how he plans to avoid a conflict of interest.

ANO and two other small political groups, the Freedom and Direct Democracy anti-migrant party and the right-wing Motorists for Themselves, agreed to form a majority coalition government.

The parties have agreed to create a 16-member Cabinet with ANO holding eight posts and the prime minister. The Motorists would have four and the Freedom party three.

The three parties forming the coalition are critical of the EU and reject several of its policies, particularly on environment and migration. They are also expected to steer the country away from supporting Ukraine in its war against Russias invasion.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistani troops and Afghan forces exchanged fire late on Friday along the two countries tense border but no casualties or damage were reported. Each side blamed the other for triggering the clash in violation of a fragile ceasefire in place for the past two months.

Negotiations between Kabul and Islamabad aimed at easing border tensions and upholding the truce broke down in November but the cesefire  brokered by Qatar in October  has mostly held.

The exchange came a day after Pakistan said it would allow the United Nations to send relief supplies into Afghanistan through the Chaman and Torkham border crossings, which have been mostly closed for nearly two months amid escalating tensions.

Mohammad Sadiq, a local Pakistani police official, claimed the shooting started from the Afghan side and that Pakistani troops returned fire near the Chaman border crossing, a key transit route.

In Kabul, the spokesman for the Afghan Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, accused Pakistan of initiating the exchange.

Unfortunately, this evening, the Pakistani side once again launched attacks on Afghanistan in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, forcing the forces of the Islamic Emirate to respond, Mujahid wrote on X. Afghanistans ruling Taliban refer to their administration as the Islamic Emirate.

Abidullah Farooqi, a spokesman for the Afghan border police, said the Pakistani forces first lobbed a hand grenade into the Spin Boldak border area on the Afghan side, prompting a response. He said Afghanistan remains committed to the ceasefire.

Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said on X that earlier in the evening, the Afghan Taliban regime resorted to unprovoked firing along the Chaman border. He added that Pakistani forces remain fully alert and committed to ensuring the countrys territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens.

Tensions spiked after deadly border clashes in October killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants, and wounded hundreds more on both sides. The violence erupted after explosions in Kabul, the Afghan capital, on Oct. 9 that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan and vowed to avenge.

The fighting was the worst between the neighbors in recent years. The Qatar-mediated ceasefire eased the tensions somewhat but subsequent peace talks in Istanbul failed to produce an agreement.

Pakistan has blamed most of the militant attacks inside the country on the Pakistani Taliban  also known are Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP. Though separate from the Afghan Taliban, the TTP is closely allied with it, and many of its fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power there in 2021, further straining relations.

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Afghan reported from Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Associated Press writer Abdul Sattar in Quetta, Pakistan, contributed to this story.

By MUNIR AHMED and ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN

Associated Press
DOHA, Qatar (AP)  An international body tasked with governing the Gaza Strip under the next phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire is expected to be announced by the end of the year, an Arab official and a Western diplomat said Friday.

According to the ceasefire agreement, the authority  known as the Board of Peace and chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump  is to oversee Gazas reconstruction under a two-year, renewable U.N. mandate.

It will include about a dozen other Middle Eastern and Western leaders, the Arab official and the Western diplomat told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

The path forward for Gaza

Also to be announced is a committee of Palestinian technocrats who will run the day-to-day administration of post-war Gaza, they two said. The Western diplomat, who spoke to the AP over the phone from Cairo, said the announcement about this will likely happen when Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet later this month.

The ceasefire deal also calls for an armed International Stabilization Force to keep security and ensure the disarming of the militant Hamas group, a key demand of Israel.

The announcement would be a significant step forward in implementing Trumps 20-point plan for the territory devastated by Israels two-year campaign against Hamas.

The shaky ceasefire, which came into effect on Oct. 10, has been tested by outbursts of violence and accusations by both sides of violations of the truce. The first phase of the ceasefire has neared completion, though Hamas is still to hand over the remains of a last Israel hostage called for under the deal.

The Arab official said that talks are still ongoing over which countries will take part in the international force for Gaza but that he expects deployment will begin in the first quarter of 2026.

A U.S. official gave a similar timeline, saying that boots on the ground could be a reality in early 2026. The official spoke to the AP on the same condition of anonymity. Axios first reported the anticipated announcement on Thursday.

The Arab official said that extensive talks will start immediately with Hamas and Israel on the details of the second phase, which he expects to be tough.

Those talks are expected the tackle the issue of disarming Hamas, a step the militant group has not yet agreed to. The plan also calls for Israeli forces to withdraw from the roughly half of the Gaza Strip that they still control as the international force deploys.

Funding for a rebuilding plan for the Gaza Strip still has not been determined. Some Palestinians have expressed concern over the apparent lack of a Palestinian voice in the body and the lack of a firm promise in the plan that they will eventually gain statehood.

Netanyahus government rejects the creation of a Palestinian state, and the U.S.-brokered deal includes only a vague provision that a pathway toward statehood may be possible if certain conditions are met.

Israels plan to open a Gaza border crossing with Egypt

Israel announced on Wednesday that it plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the coming days, allowing Palestinians to leave the devastated strip as laid out by the ceasefire agreement. That could be a major development for residents, for whom leaving has been extremely difficult  if not impossible  for most of the war.

However, the governments of Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar all expressed deep concern on Friday about the plan.

A dispute also emerged between Egypt and Israel  Cairo wants Palestinians to be able to return to Gaza through the crossing and says it would only be opened if movement is allowed both ways. Israel has said that Palestinians will not be able to return to Gaza through the crossing until the last hostages remains are returned from Gaza.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the eight countries said the Rafah crossing must be open in both directions to allow for freedom of movement for Palestinians. They also expressed concern that if Palestinians were to leave Gaza, they might not be allowed to return.

The ministers underscored their absolute rejection of any attempts to expel the Palestinian people from their land, they wrote.

A rising death toll

On Friday, Israels military said it killed a man in northern Gaza who was approaching the troops with another man, both of whom were carrying suspicious objects.

Israeli forces also killed another man in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 38-year-old was shot by Israeli forces in the northern West Bank while the military said the man threw a rock at soldiers.

The killings mark the latest violence in the Palestinian territories, which has fueled concern that it could shake Gazas fragile truce.

The latest Israel-Hamas war started when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 others hostage. Israels subsequent campaign in Gaza has killed more than 70,100 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.

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Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Doha, Qatar, and Megan Janetsky in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

By SAMY MAGDY

Associated Press
KATHMANDU, Dec 5: India has lifted the ban on carrying Indian currency with denomination above INR 100 to Nepal.

Publishing a notice in the Gazette of India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the new provision effective for Nepal as well as Bhutan. As per the revised rule, the Indian government will now allow exchange of paper notes of denominations 200 and 500 for the cross-border visits.

Individuals from Nepal or Bhutan may bring into India or take away from India currency notes of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India above INR 100 in either case, reads the notice published in the Gazette of India. However, the Indian authorities have continued with the maximum limit of INR 25,000 for carrying across the border between the two countries.

Related story No talks with Nepal over ban on higher denomination Indian curr...

By implementing the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), India's central bank since 2000 has been imposing restrictions against carrying Indian currency above the given denomination. For over two decades, the RBI has allowed the circulation of Indian currency notes of only Rs 100 and less in Nepal and provides exchange facilities for bills of these denominations.

Citing the possible smuggling of higher denomination currency notes and security reasons, the Indian authorities had been imposing the restrictions. Despite lifting the ban, Nepali citizens will not be allowed to take the Indian currencies to countries other than India.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has long been requesting Indian authorities to issue a notification to make Indian bank notes of denomination more than Rs 100 legal tender in Nepal. However, Indias central bank has not entertained Nepals request.

After the demonetisation of currency notes of INR 500 and INR 1,000 in November 2016, the Indian government started circulation of new bank notes of denominations INR 200, 500 and 2,000. However, the RBI did not issue a notice for the circulation of the new bank notes, making their use illegal in Nepal.

Guru Prasad Poudel, spokesperson for the NRB, said the revised provision by the Indian government will provide respite to tourists, students and workers of Nepal and India who frequently travel between the two countries. According to him, the provision will come into effect only after the NRB takes a decision.
A petition to rename Birmingham Airport after the late, great Ozzy Osbourne is nearing 80,000 signatures - but the idea has been grounded.

Petition to rename airport after Ozzy Osbourne nears 80k signatures - but idea is grounded

The Black Sabbath frontman - who would've turned 77 on Wednesday (03.12.25) - passed away in July aged 76, and fans have recently called for his home city's airport to be renamed after him.

A Change.org petition to rename the airport Ozzy Osbourne International has been signed more than 76,000 times, at the time of writing, but the idea looks unlikely to take off, according to Birmingham Airport CEO Nick Barton.

He said on BBC West Midlands: "Birmingham, amazingly, has an extraordinary list of fantastically influential people, going from historic people like Charles Darwin, as well as Robert Plant and Sir Lenny Henry, but the answer is no."

Nick insisted the airport's current moniker is "incredibly valuable for development".

He said: "The airport name is so important for our future development of what weve got, which is a fantastic airport, but yet to grow significantly, which we will do on the back of its name."

However, Nick insisted a tribute to Ozzy will be part of the airport's future.

He added: "Itll be like a mural recognition of Ozzy and other greats in the area."

Dan Hudson created the petition, which is titled: Rename Birmingham Airport as Ozzy Osbourne International.

He wrote on the page: "Ozzy Osbourne was the most important musician ever to hail from Birmingham. He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the pioneering rock band Black Sabbath, who invented the genre of heavy metal.

"Ozzy's influence on music and culture is undeniable. Naming our international airport after him would be a fitting tribute to his extraordinary career and contributions to the arts.

"Other airports in the UK are named after their famous children (George Best "International Airport in Belfast, John Lennon Airport in Liverpool) so it is only right that we do this here in Birmingham, in honour of Ozzy.

"Together, we can celebrate the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and the incredible influence our city has had on the world stage, thanks to him."

Despite Nick insisting Birmingham Airport's name won't be changed, Dan told the BBC that his campaign could still be a flier.

He said: "[The petition] isnt going away".
Individuals named Abarron are typically perceived as natural leaders with strong paternal instincts and a deep sense of responsibility toward others. They often exhibit qualities of wisdom, patience, and the ability to guide and nurture those around them, living up to the name's meaning of being a 'father of a multitude.' These individuals tend to be community-oriented, valuing relationships and connections, and often find themselves in roles where they can mentor, teach, or provide guidance.



Their strength lies in their capacity to build and maintain extensive networks of relationships, creating supportive environments where others can thrive. Abarrons are generally seen as reliable, trustworthy, and possessing a calm authority that inspires confidence in others. They approach challenges with strategic thinking and long-term vision, often considering how their actions will impact future generations. While they can be traditional in their values, they also demonstrate adaptability when necessary to protect and provide for their 'extended family'whether biological, professional, or communal.
Individuals named Aegisthus are often perceived as possessing complex, ambitious personalities marked by strategic thinking and determination. Drawing from the mythological character, they may exhibit strong willpower and the ability to pursue long-term goals with remarkable persistence. However, these positive traits are often shadowed by tendencies toward manipulation and opportunism, as the original Aegisthus waited years to exact his revenge and seize power. This combination of patience and calculated action suggests someone who can bide their time while working steadily toward their objectives.



The darker aspects of the Aegisthus personality include potential for betrayal and moral ambiguity. The mythological figure's actions demonstrate a willingness to cross ethical boundaries to achieve personal or political goals. This might manifest in modern contexts as someone who prioritizes ambition over loyalty or who engages in complex power dynamics. Yet there's also an element of tragic destiny - Aegisthus was born into a cursed family and his actions were in many ways predetermined by his lineage. This suggests someone who may struggle with feelings of fatalism or who believes their path is already charted by circumstances beyond their control. The personality is ultimately one of contradiction - capable of both great patience and sudden, decisive action.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Aethelbeorht holds profound significance in English Christian history as one of the earliest royal names associated with the conversion of Anglo-Saxon England to Christianity. The most famous bearer, King thelberht of Kent (c. 550-616), established the foundation for English Christianity by welcoming St. Augustine's mission from Rome in 597. His Law of thelberht represents the first Germanic law code written in a vernacular language and reflects the integration of Christian principles into Anglo-Saxon legal systems.



The name embodies the transition from pagan Germanic traditions to Christian civilization in England, representing both noble Germanic heritage and the new Christian identity. Throughout the Anglo-Saxon period, the name continued to be borne by kings, saints, and church leaders, cementing its status as a name of royal and religious importance that symbolized the fusion of Germanic nobility with Christian enlightenment. The name's persistence through multiple Anglo-Saxon kingdoms demonstrates its enduring appeal as a marker of Christian kingship and cultural leadership during England's formative centuries.
Women named Alaine are often perceived as possessing a natural elegance and refined demeanor that draws others to them. They typically exhibit strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate social situations with grace and diplomacy. Alaines are known for their creative spirit and artistic sensibilities, often excelling in fields that require both imagination and practical implementation. Their inherent nobility of character manifests as integrity, loyalty, and a deep sense of responsibility toward those they care about.



While they may appear reserved initially, Alaines possess inner strength and determination that enables them to overcome challenges with quiet resilience. They value meaningful connections and often serve as pillars of support within their communities, combining compassion with practical wisdom in their interactions with others. Their balanced nature allows them to be both dreamers and doers, bringing beauty and order to their surroundings while maintaining a grounded perspective on life's complexities. This combination of aesthetic appreciation and practical capability makes Alaines particularly effective in roles that require both vision and execution.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Alarice holds significant cultural importance as a name that bridges ancient Germanic heritage with Christian tradition. Originating from the Gothic name Alaric, meaning 'ruler of all,' it was popularized through the historical figure Alaric I, the Visigoth king who famously sacked Rome in 410 AD. The feminine form Alarice emerged as Christian cultures adopted and adapted powerful historical names, transforming them to reflect both strength and feminine grace.



In Christian contexts, the name evolved to symbolize spiritual leadership rather than temporal power, representing a woman who 'rules' through faith, wisdom, and moral authority. Throughout medieval Europe, the name was particularly favored among noble Christian families who sought to honor both their Germanic roots and their Christian faith, creating a unique blend of warrior heritage and religious devotion that characterized much of European Christian nobility during the Middle Ages. The name's journey from pagan warrior culture to Christian nobility illustrates the complex cultural transformations that occurred as Europe Christianized while preserving elements of its pre-Christian heritage.
Individuals named Aldrin are often perceived as possessing a natural authority combined with deep wisdom beyond their years. They typically exhibit thoughtful, analytical minds and demonstrate strong leadership qualities tempered by humility and consideration for others. Their decision-making process tends to be deliberate and well-reasoned, earning them respect in professional and personal circles. Aldrins often show remarkable emotional intelligence, able to navigate complex social situations with grace and understanding.



These individuals frequently become trusted advisors and mentors, valued for their balanced perspective and ability to see the bigger picture while attending to important details. This combination of intellectual depth and practical wisdom makes them effective problem-solvers and natural leaders in their chosen fields. They tend to be lifelong learners who value knowledge and experience, often developing expertise in multiple areas throughout their lives. Their leadership style typically emphasizes collaboration and empowerment rather than authoritarian control, making them particularly effective in modern organizational settings.
David Morrissey and James Norton are among the stars added to the cast of Sir Sam Mendes' Beatles movies.

David Morrissey has joined the cast of Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics

The pair have joined the ensemble for The Beatles - A Four-Film Cinematic Event alongside Leanne Best, Harry Lloyd, Bobby Schofield, Daniel Hoffman-Gill, Arthur Davill and Adam Pally.

Morrissey will play the role of Sir Paul McCartney's father Jim, with Best portraying John Lennon's Aunt Mimi, Norton starring as the Fab Four's manager Brian Epstein, Lloyd as record producer George Martin, Schofield as road manager Neil Aspinall, Darvill as press officer Derek Taylor and Pally as the controversial music manager Allen Klein.

The films will star Paul Mescal as McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, Barry Keoghan in the role of Ringo Starr and Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, with each picture telling the story from the perspective of each member of the Hey Jude band.

Meanwhile, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Saoirse Ronan, Anna Sawai and Aimee Lou Wood will star as the Fab Four's partners Maureen Starkey, Linda McCartney, Yoko Ono and Pattie Boyd respectively.

Mendes has described the Beatles biopics - which are set to be released in 2028 - as the first "bingeable moment in cinema" and admitted that he had dreamed of taking on such a project for a long time.

The 60-year-old director said at Sony's CinemaCon presentation earlier this year: "I had been trying to do a film for years, but I finally gave up [because the] story was too big for one film."

Noting a TV series didn't seem quite right, the Skyfall helmer said: "There had to be a way to tell the epic story for a new generation I can assure you there is still plenty left to explore and I think we found a way to do that."

Mendes previously explained that he pitched the idea of making four films about the Day Tripper group in 2023 and wowed Sony executives Tom Rothman and Elizabeth Gabler with his plans.

He told Deadline last year: "We went out to Los Angeles just before Christmas to pitch the project, and its fair to say we were met with universal enthusiasm.

"The reason Sony stood out from competing offers was down to Tom and Elizabeths passion for the idea, and commitment to propelling these films theatrically in an innovative and exciting way."

Harris has described how portraying a global icon such as Lennon - who was shot dead at the age of 40 in 1980 - was "daunting" for him.

The 29-year-old actor said: "It felt frightening because of the magnitude of the character  this icon. Theres always a fear, but the fear around the exposure that will come with it didnt creep in too much because it is a privilege that I get to do this every day."

Harris' family are very excited by the role but try not to show it too much.

The Babygirl star said: "My dads a northerner, from near Liverpool, so he was very impressed.

And Mum just cant quite believe it.

"But its funny, my family has this amazing ability to move on very quickly. The other day I put in the family group chat that Id met Paul [McCartney]. One person said, Wow! And then they moved on to send photos of [my nieces and nephews] in a park."
Cultural & Historical Significance

Ardeen has its roots in Christian naming traditions, deriving from words meaning 'ardent' or 'fervent', reflecting the passionate devotion valued in Christian spirituality. The name emerged particularly in English-speaking Christian communities during the 19th century, often chosen for daughters to symbolize their potential for warm, heartfelt faith and service. Throughout Christian history, names conveying warmth and devotion have been particularly favored for girls, representing the nurturing and compassionate qualities associated with feminine spirituality.



Ardeen carries this tradition forward, embodying the Christian ideal of loving devotion to both God and community. The name's association with warmth connects it to biblical metaphors of spiritual fervor and the warmth of Christian fellowship, making it a meaningful choice within Christian naming practices that emphasize both character and faith commitment. Its usage reflects the enduring Christian values of compassion, service, and heartfelt faith that have been passed down through generations of faithful women.
Women bearing the name Atalia are typically characterized by a remarkable blend of strength, intelligence, and spiritual depth. They often possess innate leadership qualities and a determined nature that enables them to navigate complex situations with grace and conviction. This core strength is frequently complemented by a thoughtful, introspective side that values meaningful connections and philosophical contemplation. Atalias tend to be principled individuals who maintain their integrity even when facing opposition, demonstrating the courage of their convictions while remaining open to growth and learning.



The personality associated with Atalia often includes a natural elegance and poise that commands respect without being overbearing. These individuals typically exhibit excellent judgment and the ability to see the bigger picture, making them valuable advisors and trusted friends. Their spiritual inclination manifests not necessarily as overt religiosity but as a deep sense of purpose and connection to something greater than themselves. This combination of practical strength and philosophical depth allows Atalias to inspire others while maintaining their authenticity, creating relationships built on mutual respect and shared values rather than superficial connections.
Women named Aurelia are typically perceived as possessing a radiant, warm personality that draws people to them naturally. They often exhibit a combination of intelligence, grace, and inner strength that makes them both admired and respected. Their 'golden' quality manifests not just in appearance but in their ability to bring light and positivity to any situation. Aurelias tend to be creative, with strong aesthetic sensibilities and an appreciation for beauty in art, nature, and human relationships. They often demonstrate excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate social situations with ease and charm. Many Aurelias show remarkable resilience when facing challenges, maintaining their composure and optimism even in difficult circumstances. Their leadership style tends to be inclusive and inspiring rather than authoritarian, and they often serve as mentors or guides to others. The golden symbolism of their name reflects in their tendency to value quality over quantity in relationships and their ability to recognize and nurture the best in people.
Women named Averil are often perceived as nurturing and optimistic individuals with a natural affinity for growth and renewal. They typically exhibit a warm, approachable demeanor combined with remarkable resilience, much like the spring season their name represents. Averils are frequently described as creative problem-solvers who bring fresh perspectives to challenging situations, often serving as the 'breath of fresh air' in their social and professional circles.



Their personality often balances traditional values with progressive thinking, making them effective mediators and community builders. Many Averils demonstrate strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, allowing them to connect deeply with others while maintaining their own sense of purpose and direction. They tend to be patient yet determined, embodying the gradual but unstoppable force of spring's arrival. This combination of gentleness and strength makes Averils particularly effective in caregiving roles, education, and creative fields where their natural empathy and innovative thinking can flourish.
Individuals named Bane are typically perceived as patient, thoughtful, and deeply connected to their family heritage. They often exhibit a calm demeanor and strong sense of responsibility, having grown up with the awareness of being a long-awaited blessing. These individuals tend to be reliable and conscientious, with a natural inclination toward preserving traditions and maintaining family bonds. Their decision-making is often guided by consideration for long-term consequences and the well-being of their community.



Banes are known for their perseverance and ability to wait for the right moment, reflecting the patience associated with their name's meaning. They frequently develop into natural peacemakers and cultural ambassadors within their social circles. The emotional depth that comes from understanding their special place in the family often makes them empathetic listeners and thoughtful advisors. While they may carry the weight of family expectations, most Banes transform this into positive motivation rather than pressure, becoming pillars of strength and stability for those around them.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Bardawulf represents a fascinating intersection of pre-Christian Germanic warrior culture and early Christian values. The name emerged during the Christianization of Germanic tribes when traditional warrior names were adapted to reflect new religious ideals. The 'bard' element (meaning ax) symbolized the strength and protection expected of Christian leaders, while 'wulf' (wolf) represented both the fierce loyalty to faith and the intelligence needed to navigate complex religious and political landscapes. This name became popular among early medieval Christian nobles who sought to maintain their cultural heritage while embracing Christianity, serving as a bridge between old warrior traditions and new spiritual commitments.



Throughout the Middle Ages, the name was particularly common among monastic leaders and missionaries who combined physical protection of their communities with spiritual guidance, embodying the Christian ideal of being both 'shepherd and defender' of the faithful. The name's persistence in Christian contexts reflects how early medieval Christianity often incorporated rather than rejected elements of native cultures, transforming warrior symbolism into metaphors for spiritual warfare and protection of the faithful. Bardawulf thus stands as a testament to the complex process of cultural synthesis that characterized the spread of Christianity throughout Europe.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Bhaltair holds deep cultural significance as the Scottish Gaelic adaptation of the Germanic name Walter, which arrived in Scotland through Norman influence following the Norman Conquest. The name became particularly prominent among Gaelic-speaking clans in the Highlands and Islands, where it symbolized both martial strength and leadership qualities. Throughout Scottish history, bearers of this name often held positions of authority within their communities, serving as clan chiefs, warriors, and community leaders who embodied the Gaelic ideal of strong, principled leadership.



The name's persistence through centuries of linguistic and cultural change demonstrates its enduring appeal within Scottish Gaelic tradition, representing a bridge between Norse, Norman, and native Gaelic cultures that shaped medieval Scotland. During the Jacobite uprisings and subsequent Highland Clearances, the name Bhaltair remained in use among Gaelic families as a symbol of cultural continuity and resistance to assimilation, helping preserve Scottish identity during periods of significant cultural pressure. In modern times, the name continues to represent cultural pride and serves as a tangible connection to Scotland's Gaelic linguistic heritage.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Biast holds deep roots in Scottish Highland culture, where it emerged as a descriptive name for individuals exhibiting exceptional strength, wilderness skills, or formidable presence. In Celtic tradition, names reflecting animal characteristics were often bestowed to invoke protective qualities or acknowledge notable traits. The name appears in various clan histories and Scottish folklore, particularly in tales from the Western Isles where the boundary between human and natural worlds was perceived as fluid.



During the medieval period, Biast became associated with warriors and hunters who demonstrated extraordinary physical prowess, with some legends suggesting bearers of this name served as guardians of remote glens and mountain passes. The name also features in Scottish shape-shifting mythology, where certain individuals were believed to transform into animal forms, reflecting the Celtic concept of interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world. This cultural significance persisted through the Jacobite era, where the name symbolized resistance and untamed Scottish identity.
Individuals named Breac are typically perceived as distinctive and memorable, often standing out in social situations due to their unique perspectives and creative approaches to problem-solving. They tend to be adaptable and multifaceted, capable of navigating different social contexts with ease, much like the speckled pattern that gives the name its meaning. Their personality often combines practicality with imagination, making them effective in both artistic and analytical pursuits.



Breac-named individuals frequently exhibit strong observational skills and attention to detail, noticing patterns and connections that others might miss. They are often described as having a 'mosaic' personalitycomposed of diverse interests and talents that come together to form a cohesive whole. While they can be independent and self-reliant, they also value deep connections with a select group of trusted friends and family members. Their communication style tends to be direct yet nuanced, reflecting the name's heritage of clear description with layered meaning.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Brendolyn emerges as a distinctly Irish-American feminine name that bridges ancient Celtic traditions with modern naming practices. The name carries the legacy of Saint Brendan the Navigator, one of Ireland's most celebrated early saints known for his legendary voyages across the Atlantic. This connection positions Brendolyn as a name embodying exploration, spiritual guidance, and the Irish diaspora's journey to new lands. The 'beacon on the hill' meaning resonates deeply with Ireland's landscape of ancient hillforts and monastic sites that served as literal and metaphorical beacons of civilization and faith throughout Irish history.



As a feminine form of Brendan, Brendolyn represents the modernization of traditional Irish naming patterns while maintaining cultural continuity. The name reflects the Irish tradition of creating feminine versions of masculine saints' names, a practice that became particularly important during the 19th and 20th centuries as Irish families sought to preserve their heritage while adapting to new environments abroad. This naming practice symbolizes both cultural preservation and the evolving role of women in Irish and Irish-American societies, serving as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Irish cultural identity across generations and continents.
Under BRI, China-Africa agricultural cooperation delivers tangible results: African scholar

10:14, December 05, 2025 By Zhang Weilan, Zhang Yashu, Ding Yazhi and Chen Zishuai in Sanya ( Global Times

A classroom of China-African Science and Technology Backyard program at the Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University in South China's Hainan Province on December 2, 2025 Photo: Zhang Weilan/GT

In a neat, compact classroom at the Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University (CAU) in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, eight African doctoral students leaned forward, notebooks open and pens moving, as Zhang Ying brought the mysteries of tropical soil science to life.

What's unfolding here is part of the China-Africa Science and Technology Backyard (STB) program - an agricultural initiative launched by CAU to share Chinese agricultural know how with Africa. Over the past 16 years since its launch, the STB program has expanded rapidly, with over 5,000 branches nationwide and overseas, including 17 in Belt and Road partner countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and South America.

The program has yielded measurable gains in farm productivity and strengthened China African cooperation, Zhang, a supervisor of the China-Africa STB at the Sanya Institute of CAU, told the Global Times, noting that the program has enrolled 131 students from 13 African countries.

Aiming to "move classrooms into the fields," the program cultivates high-caliber agricultural talent for Africa and accelerates the continent's rural development. For instance, it zeroes in on key crops - Malawi's bananas, Kenya's tea and more - matching Chinese technological know-how with Africa's flagship value chains and contributing to global food security and South-South cooperation, Zhang said.

'Deep impression'

"The motivation for me studying in China is to learn about technology, particularly in agriculture, which is a significant challenge in Africa. I want to incorporate leading agricultural practices from China to improve food security in Zimbabwe," Solomon Lovemore Siduna, a PHD student from Zimbabwe, told the Global Times.

Noting the growing use of Chinese agricultural technologies in Africa, including digital irrigation tools, precision fertilizer applications, drones and soil moisture sensors, Siduna said that China is not only providing technological and innovative solutions in agriculture, but also opportunities for African students to study in China, facilitating knowledge exchange and innovation between China and African countries.

"China's scientific advances and its rich research infrastructure have left a deep impression on me," Felix Dakora, senior advisor to the National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) from South Africa, told the Global Times.

Beyond its rich pool of advanced technologies, China is also willing to share cutting-edge technologies and academic resources with the Global South. Under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China-Africa agricultural cooperation has already delivered tangible results - joint laboratories, technology exchanges and capacity-building programs - that give real momentum to South-South collaboration in agriculture, Dakora added.

Beyond technological know-how, the STB program also trains students in marketing, agro-product processing and other skills, creating extra income through value addition across the entire chain and the economic returns of local agriculture, Zhang said.

And many of these efforts have already paid off. Zhang recounted the story of a student from Malawi, who after a year of practical training at an STB program in Quzhou County, North China's Hebei Province, returned home and helped raise yields from roughly two tons per hectare to about eight tons per hectare. In his village, the adoption of simple, practical planting methods learned in China has helped lift local farmers out of poverty by quadrupling per hectare output, according to Zhang.

"This is undoubtedly a vivid and powerful example of how the program can help improve productivity in rural Africa and help farmers increase their income and become prosper through technology promotion," she said.

Greater opportunities

Beyond educational programs like the China-Africa STB, China is also offering comprehensive policy support for Africa's development in various industries, including agriculture. This is also on vivid display in Hainan.

Hainan, a tropical island, enjoys climatic conditions similar to those in much of Africa, making it an ideal hub for exchange. Meanwhile, highlighting China's high-level opening-up, the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will officially launch an island-wide independent customs operation on December 18, which will provide even more opportunities for products from around the world, including agricultural products from Africa.

With China's zero-tariff treatment for African products now in force, a new series of agricultural cooperation measures will be rolled out in Hainan after the end of this year, according to Zhang.

"After Hainan completes its special customs operations and related policy rollouts, exchanges with African and international experts will become far more convenient," Zhang said, adding that provincial policies, including visa-free entry for personnel from more than 100 countries, will bring great convenience to students from Belt and Road partner countries to study in China and to cross-border collaboration by China-Africa joint expert teams, building a smoother bridge for international cooperation and exchange and injecting new vitality into global agricultural development.

China's high-level opening-up manifested by special customs operations in Hainan FTP is expected to enable African and other developing countries to accelerate agricultural modernization and safeguard food security, Dakora said.

"The reason I chose to study agriculture in China is that I want to feed the nation back in my country, Nigeria. I think China is one of the leading countries when it comes to agriculture. I want to stand on the shoulders of giants to make sure I learn something that can also have an impact on combating food insecurity in the world," Bankole Oluwasey, a student from Nigeria, told the Global Times.

He added: "Here in Sanya the research atmosphere is open, fast and collaborative. Paddy fields are among the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases, and I have already conducted experiments that found a way to reduce methane emissions. With that, I have achieved my goal of finding solutions to climate change. My coming to China has been a successful outcome for me."

From China Agricultural University's STB programs to the Nanfan Breeding Research Center in Sanya, these initiatives show that China's pledges to support Africa's development are concrete rather than rhetorical, He Wenping, a senior research fellow at Institute of West Asian and African Studies of CAAS, told the Global Times.

The move meets the development needs of countries from the Global South, highlighting China's commitment to sharing development opportunities with nations worldwide through tangible action, He Wenping said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's father Thomas Markle is "stable" in intensive care.

Thomas Markle is 'stable' in intensive care

The 81-year-old retired TV lighting director - who has been estranged from Meghan since she married Prince Harry in 2018 - was hospitalised earlier this week and his son Thomas Jr has revealed that he is "heavily medicated on painkillers and other drugs" following the "life-threatening emergency".

Thomas Jr told the Daily Mail newspaper: "I went to see Dad today. He is heavily medicated on painkillers and other drugs.

"He is hooked up to all kinds of machines. He's pretty much out of it.

"The doctors say he is stable, which is good news. He is a brave man and a fighter.

"The whole family is grateful for the outpouring of love and well-wishes from people around the globe, particularly from Britain.

"We thank everyone for their support and ask that you keep sending positive thoughts for Dad's recovery."

Thomas' eldest daughter Samantha Markle added: "We are all hoping and praying that Dad pulls through.

"He has a long journey of recovery ahead of him."

Thomas has been in frail health in recent years and his son has urged Meghan and Harry to make contact with him.

He said: "I would implore Meghan and Harry to reach out to Dad."

Thomas was hospitalised on Tuesday (02.12.25) in his adopted home of the Philippines after being told by doctors that his "life was in imminent danger".

Thomas Jr, 59, told the Daily Mail: "I took dad to a hospital close to our home and they did various scans and the doctors said his life was in imminent danger.

"They raced us by ambulance, with the sirens going, to a much bigger hospital in the centre of the city. My dad has undergone emergency surgery. I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts."

Thomas has had no contact with his daughter since she married Harry and has never met his grandchildren Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four.

He had previously suggested that he was unimpressed by his youngest child's Netflix lifestyle show With Love, Meghan.

He told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "I haven't seen the show but I've seen a ton of clips and I've read many stories. I might sit down and watch it one day but I'm not sure.

"Cooking shows are horrendously boring unless the presenter has a passion for it.

"You have to be authentic to hold people's attention. When you are stuffing the turkey's a*** it has to look like you're having fun doing it.

"Unfortunately Meghan has never been authentic. She has to think about everything. She's not spontaneous. Everything she says is pre-planned and rehearsed. It makes me laugh because I know all her looks and expressions.

"I know when she's faking it for the cameras. She's trying so hard to be perfect that she tenses up every time the camera is on her."
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Bruhier holds significant cultural weight in Islamic history, particularly within North African and Middle Eastern sultanates. It emerged during the medieval period as a title of honor bestowed upon rulers and military leaders who demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities. The name became synonymous with sultanic authority and was often adopted by dynasties seeking to establish legitimacy and continuity in their rule. Throughout Islamic history, bearers of this name were typically associated with periods of cultural flourishing, architectural development, and territorial expansion.



The name carries echoes of the great Islamic empires where sultans served as both political and spiritual leaders, bridging the gap between temporal power and religious authority. In many traditional Muslim societies, the name Bruhier represented the ideal of just rulership and the responsibility that comes with power, embodying the Islamic concept of stewardship (khilafah) over people and resources. The cultural significance extends beyond mere nomenclature to encompass a whole tradition of governance, justice, and community leadership that has shaped Muslim societies for centuries.
Women named Caleigh are typically characterized by their genuine warmth and strong moral foundation, which often makes them trusted confidantes and natural peacemakers in their social circles. They possess an intuitive understanding of others' emotions and frequently take on nurturing roles, whether in family settings, friendships, or professional environments. Their purity of intention allows them to approach challenges with clear-minded optimism and resilience. While they may appear gentle, they often demonstrate surprising inner strength when defending their values or protecting those they care about. This combination of compassion and conviction makes them effective advocates for causes they believe in and reliable pillars in their communities.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Cari holds significant cultural weight in Spanish-speaking communities as a diminutive of Caridad, which directly translates to 'charity' but carries the deeper meaning of 'dear one' or 'beloved.' This connection to affection and endearment makes it a popular choice for girls, reflecting familial love and cherished status within the family unit. Historically, the name has been used across Latin America and Spain, often given to express the parents' deep affection for their child. The celestial connection to the star in the Orion constellation adds a layer of cosmic significance, linking the name to navigation, guidance, and eternal beauty in various cultural mythologies. In some traditions, stars are seen as protectors or guides, which enhances the name's appeal as symbolizing a guiding light in one's life.
Individuals named Ceannfhionn are traditionally associated with leadership qualities, intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of honor. The name suggests someone who is both physically distinctive and mentally sharp, often standing out in social situations. They tend to be natural leaders who command respect through wisdom rather than force, reflecting the Gaelic ideal of the wise chieftain or learned poet. Ceannfhionn is thought to embody the Gaelic concept of 'fir flathemon' (the ruler's truth) - justice, wisdom, and proper governance.



These individuals are often described as having a balanced nature, combining practical intelligence with creative thinking. They typically possess strong communication skills and a diplomatic approach to conflict resolution, making them effective mediators. The name also suggests resilience and adaptability, qualities essential for survival in the often-turbulent political landscape of historical Gaelic society. While modern bearers of the name may not face the same challenges as their ancestors, these traditional associations continue to influence how the name is perceived and what qualities parents hope to instill in their children through this distinctive Gaelic name.
Individuals bearing the name Christien are typically characterized by their thoughtful nature and strong moral compass, traits that align with the name's religious origins. They often exhibit a natural elegance and diplomatic approach to interpersonal relationships, reflecting the sophistication associated with French culture. Christiens tend to be intellectually curious and value deep, meaningful conversations over superficial interactions. Their analytical minds combined with creative thinking make them well-suited for professions requiring both precision and imagination. Many Christiens demonstrate resilience in adversity and possess an innate ability to understand multiple perspectives, making them effective mediators and trusted advisors. They typically approach life with a blend of traditional values and modern sensibilities, valuing family and community while embracing progressive ideas. Their strong sense of personal integrity often leads them to champion causes they believe in, and they tend to form lasting, meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and understanding. The combination of their French cultural associations and religious roots often results in individuals who appreciate beauty, tradition, and intellectual pursuit in equal measure.
Individuals named Chua are often perceived as possessing transformative qualities and deep intuition, reflecting the snake symbolism from which the name originates. They tend to be adaptable and resilient, capable of navigating complex situations with wisdom and patience. Like the snake that sheds its skin, those named Chua often demonstrate remarkable ability to reinvent themselves and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining their core identity.



Their personality typically combines analytical thinking with emotional depth, making them excellent problem-solvers who consider multiple perspectives. They often exhibit quiet confidence rather than overt assertiveness, preferring to observe and understand before acting. This contemplative nature, combined with their transformative capabilities, makes them valuable in roles requiring mediation, healing, or creative innovation. Their strength lies in their ability to move between different worlds or perspectives while maintaining their integrity.
Individuals named Crofton are often perceived as grounded, practical, and deeply connected to their roots. They typically exhibit strong stewardship qualities, showing care for both people and environments in their charge. Their personality reflects the name's agricultural origins through patience, methodical thinking, and the ability to nurture projects and relationships to fruition over time. Croftons are often seen as reliable and stable individuals who value tradition while being pragmatic about necessary changes.



They tend to be community-oriented, drawing people together much like the enclosed towns their name references, creating spaces of safety and growth for those around them. Their strength lies in their consistency and ability to build lasting foundations in both personal and professional spheres. Often described as the 'rock' in their social or family circles, Croftons typically approach life with quiet determination and a sense of responsibility that makes them natural leaders and caretakers in their communities and workplaces.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Cyril holds profound significance in Christian history, particularly within Eastern Orthodox and Catholic traditions. It gained prominence through several influential saints, most notably Saint Cyril of Alexandria who defended orthodox Christology in the 5th century, and Saints Cyril and Methodius, the 9th-century 'Apostles to the Slavs' who created the Glagolitic alphabet and translated liturgical texts into Old Church Slavonic. This missionary work earned them the title 'Equals to the Apostles' and established Cyril as a name associated with scholarship, evangelism, and cultural preservation.



In Slavic countries, Cyril became particularly revered due to the missionary efforts of Saints Cyril and Methodius, with the Cyrillic alphabetnamed in honor of Saint Cyrilbecoming the writing system for numerous Slavic languages including Russian, Bulgarian, and Serbian. The name carries connotations of intellectual achievement, religious devotion, and cultural leadership across Eastern Europe and the Christian world. Its enduring popularity reflects its deep roots in both religious tradition and linguistic history, serving as a bridge between Eastern and Western Christian traditions while maintaining strong connections to academic and spiritual excellence.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Daganyah holds deep cultural significance in Hebrew tradition as a name derived from agricultural roots, specifically referencing ceremonial grains used in ancient religious offerings. The name connects to Israel's agricultural heritage and the importance of grain in biblical times, when offerings of the first fruits and grains were central to temple worship and community celebrations. This connection to the land and harvest rituals makes Daganyah a name that embodies both spiritual devotion and practical sustenance, reflecting the intertwined nature of faith and daily life in Hebrew culture.



The name carries echoes of ancient harvest festivals like Shavuot, when grain offerings were brought to the Temple, symbolizing gratitude for divine provision and the cyclical nature of agricultural life. In modern Jewish culture, the name serves as a living link to these traditions, reminding bearers of their connection to the land and the historical practices that sustained their ancestors. The ceremonial aspect elevates the name beyond mere agricultural reference to encompass themes of dedication, gratitude, and the sacred relationship between people, their sustenance, and their spiritual practices.
Individuals bearing the name Dayson are often perceived as having a strong sense of loyalty and dedication, reflecting the 'beloved' meaning of their Davidic root name. They tend to be family-oriented with a deep appreciation for tradition and heritage, yet capable of innovative thinking when circumstances require. Many Daysons exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with artistic or creative talents, mirroring King David's dual roles as warrior-king and psalmist.



Their personality often balances practical wisdom with spiritual depth, making them reliable counselors and community pillars. While they can be fiercely protective of those they care about, they also demonstrate the capacity for forgiveness and redemption that characterized their namesake's biblical journey. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both determination and compassion, often excelling in fields that blend service with creative expression or community leadership.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's dad Thomas Markle has had his left leg amputated below the knee to save his life.

Thomas Markle has had his left leg amputated below the knee

On Wednesday (03.12.25), the 81-year-old retired TV lighting director - who was hospitalised in his adopted home of the Philippines on Tuesday (02.12.25) - underwent the three-hour operation to remove his left foot and lower leg after the limb went black as a blood clot stopped blood circulation.

His son Thomas Jr., 59, told the Daily Mail newspaper: "My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital, and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated.

"There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed, and it was a case of life or death."

Thomas - who is "stable" in the intensive care unit following the "life-threatening emergency" - now needs to have a blood clot in his left thigh removed.

And his son says doctors remain "extremely concerned" for his dad's welfare.

Thomas Jr. added: "One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical. His left leg has been removed below the knee. They were worried about infection setting in - sepsis or gangrene. The flesh was black and dying. There was no option given.

"It was either, 'We have to operate now and remove the leg, or he may die.' It was a life-threatening situation."

Thomas has been "heavily medicated on painkillers and other drugs" and "hooked up to all kinds of machines" since he was rushed to a hospital in Cebu, the Philippines, on Tuesday.

It comes as doctors told him his "life was in imminent danger".

Earlier this week, Thomas Jr. told the publication: "I took dad to a hospital close to our home, and they did various scans, and the doctors said his life was in imminent danger.

"They raced us by ambulance, with the sirens going, to a much bigger hospital in the centre of the city. My dad has undergone emergency surgery. I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts."

Thomas moved to the Philippines earlier this year to create a new life away from the "constant pain" of having no communication with Meghan, 44, since she married Prince Harry, 41, in 2018.

Thomas - who has been in frail health in recent years - has also never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, six, and four year old Princess Lilibet.

And Thomas Jr. has urged the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to reach out to Thomas.

Thomas Jr. said: "I would implore Meghan and Harry to reach out to Dad."

However, the Markles are "grateful" for all the love and well-wishes people from around the world have given to Thomas.

Thomas Jr. said: "The whole family is grateful for the outpouring of love and well-wishes from people around the globe, particularly from Britain.

"We thank everyone for their support and ask that you keep sending positive thoughts for Dad's recovery."
Individuals named Destan are often perceived as calm, reflective, and deeply intuitive. The name's association with 'still waters' suggests a personality characterized by emotional stability, patience, and the ability to remain composed under pressure. They tend to be observant and thoughtful, preferring to analyze situations carefully before acting. This contemplative nature often makes them excellent listeners and trusted advisors who provide measured, well-considered counsel.



Despite their calm exterior, those named Destan often possess hidden depths and strong convictions. They may demonstrate resilience and determination that surprises those who initially perceive them as passive. Their connection to water symbolism suggests adaptability and flow, able to navigate changing circumstances with grace while maintaining their core values. They typically value authenticity and depth in relationships, preferring meaningful connections over superficial interactions, and often serve as stabilizing influences in their social and professional circles.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Draca holds significant cultural importance in Christian and Anglo-Saxon traditions, where dragons symbolized both chaos and divine protection. In early Christian contexts, particularly in British and Germanic regions, 'draca' represented the struggle between good and evil, often depicted in religious art and literature as serpents being defeated by saints. The name became associated with Christian warriors who fought against pagan forces, embodying the concept of spiritual warfare described in biblical texts.



Throughout medieval Christian Europe, the dragon motif evolved to represent both the devil and the protective power of faith, with names like Draca serving as reminders of spiritual vigilance and moral strength in the face of temptation and adversity. The name appears in various historical records and religious texts, often associated with individuals who demonstrated exceptional courage or devotion, bridging the gap between pre-Christian warrior traditions and emerging Christian values during the conversion periods of early medieval Europe.
Individuals named Dughall are often perceived as strong, resilient, and somewhat mysterious figures who possess natural leadership qualities. They tend to be deeply connected to their heritage and traditions while maintaining an independent spirit that sets them apart from others. Typically, Dughalls are known for their loyalty to family and community, their practical wisdom in navigating challenges, and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances while staying true to their core values.



Their 'stranger' or 'foreigner' etymology often manifests as someone who can see situations from unique perspectives, bringing innovative solutions to traditional problems while respecting established customs and histories. Dughalls are frequently described as having a quiet intensity and depth of character that draws others to them for guidance and support. They combine the steadfastness of their Gaelic roots with the adventurous spirit suggested by their name's origins, creating individuals who are both reliable anchors in their communities and pioneers in their chosen endeavors.
Women named Dukinea are often characterized by a unique blend of grace and strength, embodying the sweet description associated with their name while maintaining formidable inner resilience. They typically possess natural elegance and social poise, combined with creative intelligence that allows them to navigate complex situations with apparent ease. Their sweetness manifests not as fragility but as genuine warmth and emotional intelligence, making them exceptional communicators and natural mediators in personal and professional relationships.



Dukineas tend to be highly intuitive, with an artistic sensibility that often expresses itself through various creative outlets, from visual arts to performance or literary pursuits. They approach challenges with quiet determination and strategic thinking, often surprising others with their depth of character beneath their gentle exterior. Their combination of emotional depth and practical wisdom makes them both inspiring leaders and compassionate friends, capable of bringing beauty and harmony to their surroundings while maintaining strong personal boundaries and clear values. This creates a personality profile that is both approachable and formidablea rare and compelling combination.
People named Eadburt typically exhibit a blend of traditional values and intellectual curiosity that makes them both stable and insightful. They often possess natural leadership qualities combined with a thoughtful, analytical approach to problem-solving. Their personality reflects the name's meaning of 'wealthy and bright' through their tendency to be both practically successful and intellectually gifted. They usually demonstrate strong moral principles, reliability, and a sense of responsibility toward others, making them trusted figures in their communities.



Eadburt's are generally methodical and deliberate in their actions, preferring well-considered decisions over impulsive choices. They value knowledge and often pursue continuous learning throughout their lives. Their Christian background frequently manifests in compassion, generosity, and a sense of stewardship toward their resources and relationships. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, meaningful connections with others and are known for their loyalty and commitment. The combination of worldly wisdom and spiritual depth in their character makes them effective in roles requiring both practical management and ethical leadership.
Women named Elsha are typically perceived as possessing a natural grace and dignified presence that commands respect. They often exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with emotional intelligence, making them effective in positions requiring both authority and empathy. Their noble bearing is not just superficial but reflects an inner strength and moral compass that guides their decisions and interactions with others.



Elshas are frequently described as intuitive and perceptive, with an ability to understand complex situations and people quickly. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with both practicality and imagination. While they carry themselves with a certain reserve, those who know them well appreciate their warmth, loyalty, and deep capacity for meaningful relationships. Their combination of strength and sensitivity makes them particularly effective in roles that require both compassion and decisive action.
Individuals named Erhardt are typically perceived as strong-willed, principled, and dependable. They often exhibit leadership qualities combined with a deep sense of personal honor and integrity. Their personality tends to blend traditional values with practical intelligence, making them effective in positions of responsibility. Erhardts are usually methodical and disciplined in their approach to life, valuing structure and order while maintaining flexibility when circumstances require.



They often possess a quiet confidence that inspires trust in others, and they tend to be loyal to their principles and commitments. While they can be reserved in emotional expression, they demonstrate their care through consistent actions and reliability. Their combination of honor and strength makes them natural problem-solvers who approach challenges with both moral conviction and practical determination. This personality profile suggests someone who is both a pillar of stability and a capable leader, equally comfortable upholding traditions and navigating modern complexities.
Individuals named Ermanno are typically perceived as strong, reliable, and principled. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with a protective instinct toward family and community. The warrior etymology of the name manifests in their personality as determination, resilience, and the ability to face challenges head-on. They tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach difficulties with strategic thinking and unwavering commitment.



Beyond the warrior archetype, Ermanno often displays deep loyalty and emotional depth. They form strong, lasting relationships and are known for their steadfastness in both personal and professional contexts. While they can be traditional in their values, they also possess the adaptability to navigate modern complexities. Their strength is typically balanced with compassion, making them both respected leaders and trusted confidants who inspire confidence in others through their consistent character and dependable nature.



These individuals often demonstrate a quiet confidence rather than overt aggression, with their 'warrior' qualities emerging as perseverance and moral courage. They tend to be organized, responsible, and value stability, while also possessing the creativity and vision to innovate when necessary. The combination of strength and sensitivity makes Ermanno a name associated with well-rounded individuals who can lead effectively while maintaining meaningful personal connections.
Individuals named Fayola are often perceived as charismatic and dignified, possessing a natural grace that draws others to them. They typically exhibit a balanced combination of ambition and integrity, understanding that true success involves maintaining one's principles while pursuing goals. Fayolas are frequently described as fortunate in their endeavors, but this perceived luck is usually the result of their persistent effort, strategic thinking, and ability to maintain positive relationships. Their honorable nature makes them trustworthy and respected in both personal and professional contexts.



These individuals often demonstrate strong leadership qualities tempered by empathy and social awareness. They tend to be resilient in facing challenges, viewing obstacles as opportunities to demonstrate their character rather than mere setbacks. Fayolas typically value community and family connections, understanding that their personal honor is intertwined with their relationships and social responsibilities. Their approach to life combines practical wisdom with moral clarity, making them effective problem-solvers who can navigate complex situations while maintaining their ethical standards and earning the trust of those around them.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Garaitz is a name deeply rooted in Basque culture and language, carrying significant historical weight in the northern Spanish regions where Basque identity has been preserved for centuries. The name embodies the resilience and enduring spirit of the Basque people, who have maintained their unique language and traditions despite various historical challenges. In Basque society, names like Garaitz represent more than just personal identitythey serve as living connections to ancestral heritage and cultural continuity.



The meaning of 'victory' reflects the historical struggles and triumphs of Basque communities throughout their long history. This name often appears in families with strong connections to Basque nationalism and cultural preservation movements. It symbolizes not just personal success but collective achievement and the victory of cultural survival against assimilation pressures. The name carries echoes of Basque mythology and the region's distinctive worldview, where perseverance and triumph are celebrated as core values.
John Torode is in therapy to cope with the "grief" of his MasterChef sacking.

John Torode was sacked as host of MasterChef earlier this year

The 60-year-old star was axed as host of the BBC cookery show after 20 years in July after the corporation upheld a complaint alleging that he had used "an extremely offensive racist term" during production on the programme and explained that it has taken a lot of soul searching to get over the disappointment.

Writing in his online newsletter A View From The Fridge, John said: "Therapy has entitled me to no longer 'be brave' but instead be real."

The Australian chef - whose co-host Gregg Wallace was also dismissed from MasterChef earlier this year due to misconduct allegations - explained that there had been "lots of ups and downs" following the "unexpected and brutal life change".

He wrote: "Fear is the instinct that keeps us alive, but should grief and fear meet each other I wonder how much damage it can do when we decide to shut it away, shut it down, and not let it flow as it should."

Torode admitted that it has become easier to share thoughts on his dismissal now that some time has passed.

He explained: "I have tried to set myself a schedule to write a new newsletter each week, finding a rhythm, in my tumultuous physical, illogical and physiological state of mind, has not been easy.

"What is becoming easier is being able to talk and to vocalise how I feel as I come to terms with the past five months and the impact it has had.

"Life has changed for ever for me and for those close to me.

"There is no sympathy searching here, just honesty."

John also wrote: "Each newsletter, I get a little braver.

"Over the past few months, I have been honest, following on from what was a very unexpected and brutal life change.

"So, thank you for supporting my newsletter and allowing me to get it out."

Torode recently made a work trip to Qatar and explained that it was the first time he had contemplated his MasterChef sacking without his actress wife Lisa Faulkner by his side.

He said: "Being away from Lisa has meant facing my grief alone and it has been cathartic but at times really tough.

"This week I can proudly say that I have allowed the true hurt and sadness to flow through me without resistance.

"Usually, being so positive and of a mind that dictates 'just get on with it'.

"Sitting quietly letting my true feelings be felt rather than putting them into exile has been a revelation."
Women named Gerika are often perceived as strong-willed yet compassionate individuals who balance traditional values with modern perspectives. They typically exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with a nurturing spirit, making them effective in both professional and family settings. Their dual-nature name suggests someone who can be both decisive when needed and gentle in personal relationships. Many Gerikas are known for their resilience and adaptability, able to navigate challenging situations with grace while maintaining their core principles and faith.



In social contexts, Gerikas often display excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence, allowing them to connect with diverse groups of people. They tend to be organized and practical in their approach to life's challenges, yet maintain a creative and spiritual outlook. Their combination of strength and sensitivity makes them particularly effective in caregiving roles, education, and community leadership. Friends and family often describe them as reliable pillars of support who combine wisdom with warmth, making them valued members of their communities and circles of influence.
Women named Gliona typically exhibit a remarkable blend of fluid adaptability and deep emotional intuition, reflecting their name's aquatic origins. They often possess a natural empathy that allows them to understand others' emotional currents, much like water flowing around obstacles. This emotional intelligence is complemented by strong creative tendenciesmany Glionas are drawn to artistic expression, whether through writing, music, or visual arts, often with themes connected to nature, mythology, or emotional depth. Their personality often shows a dual nature: on one hand, they can be gentle, nurturing, and deeply connected to family and community traditions; on the other, they demonstrate surprising resilience and determination when facing challenges, flowing persistently toward their goals like a river carving its path through stone.



This combination makes Glionas excellent mediators and healers in their communities, able to navigate complex emotional landscapes while maintaining their core values and direction. Their connection to water symbolism often manifests as both a love for natural environments and a philosophical approach to life's ebbs and flows. In relationships, Glionas tend to be deeply loyal and supportive partners and friends, offering emotional sustenance much like the life-giving waters their name evokes. They often serve as the 'emotional centers' of their social and family circles, providing wisdom and comfort during difficult times. Professionally, they frequently excel in fields that require both creativity and emotional intelligenceeducation, counseling, environmental work, arts, and healing professions. Their natural curiosity about the world's mysteries often leads them to explore spirituality, mythology, and the deeper questions of human existence.
Women named Gwenaelle are often perceived as possessing a natural generosity and warmth that draws people to them. The 'blessed' aspect of their name suggests they may carry themselves with a certain grace and optimism, often being seen as fortunate or bringing good fortune to others. Their generous nature typically manifests in strong empathy and willingness to help those in need, making them excellent friends and community members. Many Gwenaelles display a creative spirit and appreciation for beauty, often excelling in artistic pursuits or careers that allow them to express their innate sense of harmony and balance.



Beyond their generous nature, Gwenaelles are often characterized by their strong connection to tradition and family values, combined with a modern, independent spirit. They tend to be deeply rooted in their cultural heritage while maintaining an open-minded approach to the world. Their name's Celtic origins often translate into a love for nature, music, and storytelling. Many develop strong leadership qualities, particularly in community-oriented roles where their natural generosity and organizational skills can shine. The combination of blessedness and generosity in their name's meaning often results in individuals who are both spiritually aware and practically compassionate, making them valued members of any community.
Individuals named Hagop are typically associated with a distinctive blend of traditional values, intellectual curiosity, and quiet strength. They are often perceived as deeply rooted in their cultural heritage while simultaneously possessing the adaptability to navigate modern contexts. Hagops are frequently described as reliable, family-oriented individuals who serve as stabilizing forces in their communities. Their personality tends to reflect the name's biblical originsdemonstrating perseverance, wisdom, and a capacity for leadership that emerges naturally rather than being aggressively sought. Many Hagops are known for their thoughtful approach to problem-solving and their ability to bridge generational or cultural divides. The name carries expectations of integrity and cultural stewardship, with those bearing it often feeling a sense of responsibility to uphold Armenian traditions and values while contributing positively to contemporary society. This combination of traditional grounding and modern engagement makes Hagops particularly effective as cultural ambassadors and community builders.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The Hanlon surname holds deep roots in Irish history, originating from the Gaelic O hAnluain, meaning 'descendant of Anluan'. This ancient Irish personal name combines 'an' (great) with 'luan' (warrior or champion), suggesting a lineage of notable fighters or leaders. The Hanlon clan was historically associated with County Armagh in Ulster, where they were part of the powerful Ui Neill dynasty and served as chiefs in the Oriel region. During the medieval period, the Hanlons were recognized as a sept of significant standing in Gaelic Ireland, with their territory centered around modern-day County Louth and County Monaghan.



The name carries the weight of Ireland's complex history, particularly through the centuries of English colonization and the subsequent Irish diaspora. Many Hanlons were involved in pivotal moments of Irish resistance, including the 1798 Rebellion and later independence movements. The surname spread globally during the Great Famine of the 1840s, when thousands of Irish families emigrated to North America, Australia, and Britain. This diaspora transformed Hanlon from a regional Irish name into an international identifier of Irish heritage, carrying with it stories of survival, adaptation, and cultural preservation across generations.
Individuals named Hartlyn are often characterized by their warm, loving nature and infectious joy that radiates to those around them. They typically possess a natural ability to create harmonious environments and foster deep emotional connections with others. Hartlyns tend to be compassionate listeners who genuinely care about others' wellbeing, making them exceptional friends and confidants. Their joyful disposition is balanced by an inner strength and resilience that allows them to navigate challenges with grace and optimism.



These individuals often exhibit creative expression and appreciate beauty in all forms, from artistic pursuits to nature's wonders. They are typically adaptable and open-minded, embracing new experiences while maintaining their core values of kindness and authenticity. The combination of loving warmth and joyful energy makes Hartlyns natural nurturers who bring light and positivity to any situation they encounter. Their personality reflects the name's dual nature - the strength suggested by 'hart' combined with the gentle, flowing quality of '-lyn' creates individuals who are both dependable and emotionally attuned, capable of providing both support and inspiration to those in their lives.
Individuals named Heathdene are typically perceived as grounded, contemplative, and deeply connected to nature, reflecting their name's pastoral origins. They often exhibit a calm, steady demeanor reminiscent of the peaceful heathlands and sheltered valleys their name evokes. These individuals tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with the same resilience as the hardy plants that thrive in heath environments. Their connection to nature often manifests as environmental awareness and a preference for outdoor activities, balanced by a thoughtful, introspective side that enjoys quiet reflection.



Heathdene's Christian associations contribute to a personality characterized by strong moral principles, faithfulness, and a sense of stewardship toward both people and the natural world. They typically demonstrate patience and endurance, much like the enduring landscapes their name references, and often serve as stabilizing influences in their communities. While not necessarily extroverted, they form deep, lasting relationships and are known for their reliability and genuine care for others. Their combination of practical wisdom and spiritual depth makes them natural counselors and leaders who guide others with both compassion and firm conviction, embodying the name's dual symbolism of wilderness strength and valley-like protection.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Houdain occupies a distinctive niche in Arthurian tradition as Tristan's celebrated hunting dog, appearing in various medieval romances particularly in French versions of the Tristan and Iseult story. In the context of medieval courtly culture, hunting dogs were not merely animals but status symbols and essential companions to nobility. Houdain represents the pinnacle of canine excellence in this tradition - a dog so skilled and loyal that he becomes an extension of his master's own abilities and virtues. The name reflects the medieval appreciation for the specialized skills of hunting companions and the deep bonds that could form between knights and their animals.



Beyond mere companionship, Houdain serves as a narrative device in the Tristan legends, sometimes acting as a messenger or helper in the complex relationship between Tristan and Iseult. His presence underscores the medieval understanding that nobility extended beyond human relationships to include how one treated and valued loyal animals. The cultural significance of Houdain lies in this representation of ideal loyalty and service - qualities highly valued in medieval aristocratic society. His name has survived through centuries of Arthurian retellings, maintaining his status as one of literature's most memorable canine characters.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Joycelyn emerged as a distinctly Christian feminine name that gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 20th century. The name carries strong Christian connotations through its association with joy and cheerfulness, virtues highly valued in Christian teachings. Its evolution from the masculine Germanic name 'Gauzlin' to a feminine form reflects the adaptation of traditional names within Christian communities while maintaining spiritual significance.



Throughout its history, Joycelyn has been embraced by various Christian denominations as a name that embodies the Christian ideal of finding joy in faith and spreading happiness to others. The spelling variation with 'y' became particularly popular in the United States during the mid-20th century, often chosen by parents seeking a name that sounded both elegant and spiritually meaningful. The name's Christian significance lies in its direct connection to the concept of joy as a fruit of the Spirit, making it a popular choice for families wanting to instill positive Christian values through naming.
Individuals named Keriann are often perceived as possessing a mysterious depth and quiet intensity that aligns with the name's 'dusky' meaning. They tend to be introspective and observant, with a natural ability to understand complex situations and people's motivations. This thoughtful nature often makes them excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges with careful consideration rather than impulsive action. Their calm demeanor can be mistaken for aloofness, but actually masks a deeply caring and empathetic nature.



Despite their reserved exterior, Kerianns typically have strong convictions and deep emotional reserves. They form meaningful, lasting relationships and demonstrate remarkable loyalty to those they trust. Their combination of intuition and practicality often leads them to careers where they can make a significant impact while working behind the scenes. The name suggests someone who is both grounded and spiritually aware, balancing earthly pragmatism with philosophical depth. This duality makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both emotional intelligence and analytical thinking, as they can navigate complex interpersonal dynamics while maintaining objective perspective.
Actress Kim Go-eun is drawing attention for candidly sharing her reason for joining Netflix's "The Price of Confession," a project she first encountered five years ago.

Her remarks, made at a news conference in Seoul, also spoke to her highly publicized short haircut makeover. The remarks originally were reported by Naver via MK Sports.

Kim began by explaining how long the project had been with her. She said, "I read the script four or five years ago when we were initially planning the role. Rather than discussing it in detail, I felt like, 'Want to read it?' But when I read the script again this time, I felt a different weight from before."

She continued, "When I heard that Jeon Do-yeon was doing it, regardless of how the script was, I thought, 'She can definitely do it.'"

Kim Go-eun showed up to the event in an avant-garde style, pairing a bobbed haircut with a navy double-breasted jacket and asymmetrical layered pants. If the report by Naver is anything to go by, then the on-set staff quipped, "As expected of Kim Go-eun," impressed at how the styling strengthened her character's presence.

She laughed, remembering that "uring our first meeting, I showed the director a picture and asked, 'I want to cut my hair this short. Is that okay?' He was really flustered."

She added, "After seeing me standing next to Jeon Do-yeon, he said, 'You made a good choice with the short haircut,' which reassured me."

These two actresses, who reunite after ten years, are supposed to showcase something that insiders described as never-before-seen chemistry. Insiders shared that there's strong anticipation for the intense on-screen dynamic they will share.

The Netflix series "The Price of Confession" chronicles the battle between Yoon-soo, a woman accused of murdering her husband, and Mo-eun, a mysterious figure in the investigation. The series also explores the emotional and underlying complexities and mysteries involved in their relationship.

Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Go-eun, and Park Hae-soo star in The Price of Confession, a new mystery-thriller from the director of Crash Landing on You. Coming December 5.



A woman accused of murdering her husband strikes a dangerous deal with a "witch" in prison. pic.twitter.com/SA5lS4b3iH  Netflix (@netflix) November 6, 2025

Kim's honest reflections and personal development as well as her recent collaboration with Jeon Do-yeon have increased anticipation for the upcoming series exponentially.
Women named Lucena typically exhibit qualities of illumination in both literal and metaphorical sensesthey often serve as beacons of guidance, wisdom, and inspiration in their communities. Their personalities tend to blend nurturing warmth with intellectual brightness, making them natural caregivers who also possess sharp analytical minds. Many Lucenas demonstrate remarkable resilience and the ability to bring clarity to complex situations, much like the dawn breaking through darkness. They frequently show leadership in nurturing roles, whether in family, education, or healthcare, combining empathy with practical problem-solving skills. This combination of maternal instinct and intellectual illumination makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both emotional intelligence and strategic thinking.



Beyond these core traits, Lucenas often display a creative spark and intuitive understanding of human nature. They tend to be perceptive observers who notice details others miss, and they frequently use this insight to help people through transitions or difficult periods. Their connection to the name's mythological roots often manifests as a protective nature, especially toward children and those in vulnerable positions. While generally calm and composed, Lucenas can be fiercely determined when defending principles or protecting loved ones. Their presence often has a calming, clarifying effect on others, making them sought-after confidantes and advisors in both personal and professional contexts.
The personality traits associated with Luigina reflect the name's meaning of 'well-born' in both literal and metaphorical senses. Those bearing this name often exhibit natural authority and poise that doesn't need to be asserted aggressively. They tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who consider multiple perspectives before acting, reflecting the wisdom implied by their 'enlightened' etymology. Luiginas typically demonstrate strong ethical frameworks and may be perceived as somewhat traditional in their values, though this is often balanced by intellectual curiosity and adaptability. Their interpersonal style combines warmth with reservethey form deep connections but maintain appropriate boundaries, much like the aristocratic households from which the name derives. In professional settings, Luiginas often excel in roles requiring diplomacy, cultural knowledge, or mentorship. They frequently become the 'keepers of family stories' and tradition-bearers in their communities. Despite their composed exterior, they often possess strong creative impulses and may channel these into artistic pursuits, academic work, or innovative approaches to traditional fields.
Women named Macayle typically exhibit a remarkable combination of strength and passion that defines their approach to life. Their strong-willed nature manifests as unwavering determination when pursuing goals or defending their principles. This inner fortitude is complemented by a fiery temperament that gives them intense energy and enthusiasm for their interests and relationships. They are not easily discouraged by obstacles, viewing challenges as opportunities to demonstrate their resilience and capability. This combination makes them natural leaders who can inspire and motivate others through both their vision and their relentless pursuit of excellence.



Beyond their obvious strength, Macayles possess deep emotional intelligence and loyalty that forms the foundation of their relationships. While they may appear formidable to outsiders, those who earn their trust discover a fiercely protective and supportive companion. Their fiery nature translates into passionate advocacy for causes and people they believe in, often making them effective champions for social justice or community initiatives. This emotional intensity requires careful channeling, as when properly directed it becomes a powerful force for positive change, but when mismanaged can lead to stubbornness or impatience. Ultimately, the Macayle personality represents the ideal balance of strength and heart  powerful enough to overcome adversity while remaining connected to deeper human values.
Individuals named Mesi typically exhibit personality traits metaphorically aligned with water's essential characteristics. They demonstrate remarkable emotional intelligence and intuition, often sensing underlying currents in social situations that others miss. Like water adapting to its container, Mesi's show impressive flexibility in different environments while maintaining their core identity. Their communication style tends to be fluid and persuasive rather than forceful, achieving goals through persistent effort rather than confrontation. The depth associated with water manifests in Mesi's as complex inner lives rich with creativity and philosophical contemplation. They often serve as emotional anchors for friends and family, providing stability during turbulent times. However, this emotional permeability can sometimes lead to difficulty establishing boundaries, as they naturally absorb and reflect the emotional states of those around them. In professional settings, Mesi's excel in roles requiring mediation, healing, teaching, or creative expression - anywhere their natural empathy and adaptive thinking can flourish. Their strength lies in their resilience; like water wearing away stone through persistence, they achieve long-term goals through steady, determined effort.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Mohamet holds profound significance in Islamic culture as a variant of Muhammad, honoring the final prophet of Islam. Throughout Islamic history, bearing this name has been considered an honor and blessing, reflecting deep religious devotion and connection to the prophetic tradition. The name serves as a constant reminder of the Prophet's teachings of monotheism, compassion, and social justice.



In many Muslim communities, particularly in the Balkans and parts of Africa where this variant is common, the name Mohamet represents both religious identity and cultural heritage. It often signifies a family's commitment to Islamic values while maintaining distinct regional linguistic traditions. The name has been carried by scholars, leaders, and ordinary believers across centuries, creating a living connection to Islamic history and spirituality.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Mongo holds significant cultural weight in Yoruba society, where names are not merely identifiers but carry deep spiritual and aspirational meanings. In Yoruba culture, names are believed to influence a child's destiny, and Mongo is given to boys with the expectation that they will bring honor and recognition to their family and community. The name reflects the Yoruba value system that emphasizes achievement, reputation, and leaving a lasting legacy. Historically, names like Mongo were often given to children born into families of accomplished individuals or during periods of significant community achievement, serving as both a blessing and a challenge to live up to the name's promise of renown.



In traditional Yoruba society, becoming 'famous' wasn't just about personal glory but about contributing meaningfully to one's community and upholding cultural values that would be remembered across generations. The name connects to broader African philosophical concepts where individual achievement is intrinsically linked to community welfare. Mongo represents the ideal of the accomplished individual whose success elevates their entire lineage and serves as an inspiration to future generations, embodying the Yoruba principle that true greatness is measured by one's positive impact on others.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Naftali holds profound significance in Jewish tradition as one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob's sixth son. The tribe of Naftali was known for its swift warriors and was allocated territory in the northern region of ancient Israel, particularly around the Sea of Galilee. Throughout Jewish history, the name has symbolized spiritual struggle and victory, with the tribe being praised for its military prowess and loyalty.



In biblical narratives, Naftali is described as a 'hind let loose' who gives goodly words, suggesting both grace and eloquence. The name carries centuries of Jewish heritage and represents a connection to ancient Israelite identity and tribal lineage. During the Second Temple period, the territory of Naftali was significant in Jewish resistance movements, and in modern times, the name continues to embody Jewish resilience and cultural continuity.
Individuals named Ness are often perceived as possessing a strong connection to nature and the outdoors, reflecting the name's geographic origins. They tend to exhibit qualities of resilience and steadfastness, much like the enduring headlands and promontories that inspired the name. Many Ness-named individuals demonstrate a practical, grounded approach to life while maintaining a sense of mystery and depth that others find intriguing. There's often an adventurous spirit combined with traditional values, creating a unique blend of modernity and heritage.



The name suggests someone who is reliable and stable in relationships, yet possesses an inner curiosity and exploratory nature that drives them to seek new experiences and understanding. This combination of solidity and mystery makes Ness a name associated with both trustworthiness and intriguing complexity. People with this name are often seen as natural leaders who can navigate challenging situations with calm determination, much like a headland withstands the relentless sea while providing safe passage for others.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Orvyn is a name with deep Christian and medieval European roots, derived from Old English elements that combine 'spear' and 'friend.' This combination reflects the warrior-protector ideal prevalent in early Christian societies, where men were expected to defend both their physical communities and spiritual values. The name gained prominence during the Middle Ages when Christian virtues of protection and loyalty were highly valued, particularly among knightly classes who saw themselves as defenders of the faith.



Throughout Christian history, the spear has held symbolic significance, most notably in the story of Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a spear. This connection gives the name Orvyn an additional layer of spiritual meaning, representing both the instrument of Christ's passion and the transformative power of faith. The 'friend' component emphasizes the Christian ideal of fellowship and community, making Orvyn a name that embodies both strength in defense and compassion in relationships.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The Parkinson name holds deep cultural significance as a classic English patronymic surname that emerged during the medieval period, primarily in Northern England. Its formation follows the traditional pattern of adding '-son' to a father's given name, in this case Parkin (a diminutive of Peter), reflecting the strong Christian naming traditions of the time. The name represents the intersection of religious devotion, family lineage, and regional identity that characterized English society for centuries. Throughout its history, the Parkinson name has been carried by individuals across various social strata, from agricultural workers in Yorkshire to prominent figures in medicine, politics, and the arts. The name's association with James Parkinson and the neurological condition he described has given it global recognition in medical science, while maintaining its roots in English heritage and tradition. This dual identityas both a traditional family name and a term in medical lexiconmakes Parkinson uniquely positioned in cultural consciousness, bridging historical naming practices with contemporary scientific understanding.
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria's sovereign wealth fund has moved to improve availability of medical diagnostic tools across medical facilities owned by its subsidiaries over the next decade, the fund announced on Friday
Individuals named Prewitt are typically characterized by their courageous nature and strong moral compass. They tend to be natural leaders who approach challenges with determination and resilience, often inspiring others through their bravery and unwavering principles. Prewitts are known for their ability to remain calm under pressure and make difficult decisions when necessary, qualities that make them reliable in crisis situations.



Beyond their courageous exterior, Prewitts often possess a deep sense of loyalty and protectiveness toward those they care about. They value honesty and integrity, and their straightforward approach to life can sometimes be mistaken for bluntness. However, this directness stems from their commitment to truth and their dislike of deception. Prewitts typically excel in roles that require quick thinking, moral courage, and the ability to stand firm in their convictions, whether in professional settings or personal relationships.



While Prewitts project strength and confidence, they also tend to be thoughtful and reflective individuals who consider the consequences of their actions carefully. Their bravery is not reckless but calculated, making them effective problem-solvers who can navigate complex situations with both courage and wisdom. This balance of bold action and careful consideration makes Prewitts respected figures in their communities and reliable partners in both personal and professional contexts.
Individuals named Radcliffe are often perceived as intelligent, sophisticated, and possessing strong leadership qualities. They tend to be analytical thinkers with a methodical approach to problem-solving, combined with creative insight that allows them to excel in both academic and artistic pursuits. Radcliffes typically demonstrate resilience and determination, much like the enduring cliffs their name references, showing steadfastness in the face of challenges while maintaining an air of refined dignity. They often value tradition and quality but are not afraid to innovate when necessary, creating a balance between respect for established ways and forward-thinking progress. In social settings, Radcliffes are usually well-spoken and carry themselves with natural authority, though they may sometimes be perceived as reserved or formal until comfortable in their surroundings.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Radolf has deep roots in Germanic Christian tradition, emerging during the early medieval period when Christian missionaries were actively converting Germanic tribes. The name combines the elements 'rad' (counsel) and 'wulf' (wolf), creating a powerful symbolic meaning that resonated with both pagan Germanic warrior culture and Christian values of leadership and protection. During the Carolingian era, Radolf became popular among nobility and clergy, particularly in regions undergoing Christianization where leaders needed both spiritual authority and temporal strength.



The name's association with wolf imagery connected it to protective qualities in Christian symbolism, where the wolf could represent both the dangers of the wilderness and the protective nature of spiritual leadership. Several saints and bishops bearing this name contributed to its Christian significance throughout medieval Europe, particularly in German-speaking regions where it remained in use among aristocratic families well into the modern era. The name's historical connection to missionary work and church leadership gave it strong Christian connotations that persisted for centuries.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Rechavia holds significant cultural importance in Jewish tradition as a name with deep biblical roots. It appears in the Hebrew Bible as part of the royal Davidic lineage, connecting it to the historical narrative of ancient Israel's monarchy. The name carries the weight of Jewish heritage and continuity, representing the unbroken chain of tradition from biblical times to the present day. In modern Israeli culture, Rechavia also refers to an upscale neighborhood in Jerusalem known for its intellectual and academic residents, further enhancing the name's association with education and refinement. The neighborhood was established in the early 20th century and became home to many prominent scholars, scientists, and cultural figures, creating a symbolic link between the ancient name and contemporary Jewish intellectual life. This dual significanceboth biblical and modernmakes Rechavia a name that bridges traditional Jewish values with contemporary Israeli identity.



The name's biblical origins place it within the context of Jewish royalty and divine covenant, while its modern association with the Jerusalem neighborhood connects it to the Zionist enterprise and the rebuilding of Jewish national life. This combination makes Rechavia particularly meaningful for families who see their personal story as part of the larger Jewish historical narrative. The name serves as a living connection to both ancient traditions and modern achievements, embodying the continuity of Jewish culture across millennia. For many, choosing this name represents a commitment to preserving Jewish identity while engaging with contemporary society.
People named Ruarc are often characterized by a unique blend of traditional values and independent thinking. They typically demonstrate strong leadership qualities, natural authority, and the ability to make difficult decisions with confidence. The historical weight of the name seems to influence personality development, often creating individuals who are deeply conscious of their heritage and responsibilities. Ruarcs are frequently described as passionate yet principled, combining emotional intensity with strong moral compass. They tend to be protective of those in their care and demonstrate loyalty to family and community. In professional settings, Ruarcs often excel in positions requiring strategic planning and people management. Their natural charisma helps them inspire trust and cooperation from others. The name's royal associations may contribute to a sense of dignity and self-possession that others find compelling. At the same time, the 'red' element in the name's meaning suggests warmth, energy, and occasional fiery temperament when principles are challenged. Overall, the personality associated with Ruarc balances regal composure with passionate engagement.
The name Sakhmet evokes a personality profile characterized by intense strength, protective instincts, and natural authority. Individuals with this name are often perceived as natural leaders who command respect through their presence and competence. They typically possess remarkable resilience and the ability to face challenges head-on, much like the lioness symbolism of their namesake. Their protective nature extends strongly to family and loved ones, and they will fiercely defend those under their care.



Beyond their formidable exterior, those named Sakhmet often harbor deep compassion and healing abilities. They understand the balance between strength and gentleness, knowing when to be fierce and when to offer comfort. This duality makes them excellent in crisis situations where both decisive action and emotional support are needed. They tend to be strategic thinkers who consider consequences carefully, yet can act swiftly when necessary. Their personality often reflects the ancient understanding that true power includes both the capacity to destroy threats and the wisdom to heal wounds, making them complex, multifaceted individuals who inspire both respect and trust.
Women named Salbatora are typically perceived as strong, compassionate individuals with a natural inclination toward helping others. They often exhibit leadership qualities combined with deep empathy, making them effective in caregiving roles and community organization. Their name's meaning tends to influence their self-perception, leading many to develop a strong sense of responsibility toward those in need. Salbatoras are often described as resilient problem-solvers who remain calm under pressure, with an innate ability to see solutions where others see only obstacles. They tend to be protective of their loved ones and may gravitate toward professions that allow them to make a positive impact on society.



Beyond their helping nature, Salbatoras typically possess a quiet confidence and moral clarity that others find reassuring. They are often the peacemakers in conflicts and the organizers in chaotic situations. While they can be fiercely independent, they also value deep, meaningful relationships and often serve as the emotional anchor in their families and social circles. Their combination of practical wisdom and emotional intelligence makes them trusted advisors and reliable friends. Many Salbatoras develop a strong sense of purpose early in life, feeling driven to live up to their name's meaning through acts of service and compassion.
Cultural & Historical Significance

The name Scoville holds significant cultural importance primarily through its scientific legacy, having become internationally recognized through the Scoville Heat Scale for measuring chili pepper pungency. This connection has embedded the name deeply in global culinary culture, making it familiar to chefs, food scientists, and spice enthusiasts worldwide. Historically, the name appears in French and English records dating to medieval times, suggesting origins as a locational surname from places in Normandy or possibly England. The name traveled to North America with early settlers, establishing family lines particularly in New England and the American Midwest. Beyond its scientific fame, Scoville represents the intersection of tradition and innovationa family name that became a scientific standard while maintaining its genealogical heritage. The name's journey from obscure surname to internationally recognized term demonstrates how family names can transcend their origins to become part of global vocabulary and cultural consciousness.
Individuals named Somerton are typically perceived as warm, steady, and deeply rooted in their values and traditions. They often exhibit a sunny disposition combined with practical wisdom, reflecting the name's association with summer and estate management. These individuals tend to be reliable, patient, and methodical in their approach to life, with a strong sense of responsibility toward family and community. Their personality often blends the warmth and generosity associated with summer with the stability and permanence suggested by 'estate' or settlement.



Somertons are frequently seen as natural leaders who build lasting relationships and create stable environments for those around them. They possess an innate understanding of seasonal rhythmsknowing when to act and when to waitwhich serves them well in both personal and professional endeavors. Their Christian upbringing often manifests in charitable inclinations, hospitality, and a deep respect for tradition. While they may appear conservative to some, their stability makes them excellent pillars of their communities and families.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Soterios holds profound significance in Greek culture and Orthodox Christianity, deriving from the Greek word 'soter' meaning 'savior.' The name has been used for centuries to honor Christ as 'Soter' (Savior) and appears in early Christian contexts, particularly in Byzantine tradition. Many saints and martyrs bore this name, cementing its religious importance throughout Greek Orthodox communities. In ancient Greece, 'Soter' was also used as an epithet for gods like Zeus and Apollo, as well as for rulers who were seen as protectors or deliverers of their people.



The name carries connotations of protection, deliverance, and salvation, reflecting both religious devotion and cultural values of guardianship and rescue. Throughout Greek history, the name has been particularly popular in regions with strong Orthodox traditions and among families seeking to express their faith through naming conventions. The cultural significance extends beyond religious contexts to represent the ideal of the protector in Greek society - someone who safeguards family, community, and tradition. This multifaceted cultural importance has ensured the name's endurance through centuries of Greek history.
A baby from Virginia becomes the latest among dozens of infants across the United States who have contracted infant botulism, which is a rare and potentially fatal disease, in relation to contaminated formula.

Authorities reported that as of Dec. 3, 2025, 39 babies across 18 different states were suspected or confirmed to be cases of infant botulism. The cases stem from the babies' exposure to ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula.

Outbreak of Infant Botulism

The young victims who fell ill in the latest outbreak were aged between two weeks and nine months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that the children's sicknesses began between Aug. 9 and Nov. 19.

So far, officials have not recorded any deaths among the infants who contracted infant botulism, but all of the babies were hospitalized. The disease typically only impacts a few hundred babies annually and occurs when a baby swallows spores of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, according to WRIC.

After being ingested by the infants, the bacteria then grow inside the host's intestines, where they release a toxin that makes the babies sick. The disease's symptoms can sometimes take weeks to develop. They include constipation, difficulty sucking or swallowing, a weak and altered cry, and difficulty breathing, among others.

Following the recent outbreak, a ByHeart recall was announced, but it initially included only a few lots. Ultimately, all of the company's products were recalled following concerns being raised about potential widespread contamination. A round of tests later confirmed the suspicions.

Officials from the Virginia Health Department also told families that if they had the recalled formula on their shelves, they should return it for a refund or immediately throw it away for safety, 12onyourside reported.

An Extremely Dangerous Toxin

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advised parents to immediately stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula, including cans and packets. The disease, if left untreated, could result in paralysis of the infant and could progress to involve respiratory muscles, which could lead to life-threatening respiratory failure.

The statement noted that local health departments will discuss options for public health testing of infant botulism. Additionally, it said that laboratory personnel must be alerted when the disease is suspected so they can take appropriate measures to protect a greater number of potential victims.

The warning comes as botulinum toxins are extremely poisonous and exposure to them is the top laboratory hazard, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Individuals named Tarafah typically exhibit characteristics reminiscent of their name's arboreal meaning - they are often deeply rooted in their values, patient, and resilient in facing life's challenges. Like trees that weather storms yet continue growing, Tarafahs demonstrate remarkable emotional endurance and the ability to recover from setbacks. They tend to be protective and nurturing toward their loved ones, creating a sense of security and stability in their relationships. Their strength is often quiet but profound, manifesting as reliability and consistent support for others.



Culturally influenced by the name's poetic associations, many Tarafahs display artistic sensitivity, eloquence in communication, and appreciation for literature and tradition. They often possess a contemplative nature, thinking deeply before acting or speaking. While they may not seek the spotlight, their presence is felt through their steady influence and the wisdom they share. The combination of natural symbolism and literary heritage creates individuals who balance practical strength with cultural sophistication, making them respected members of their communities who honor tradition while navigating modern life.
People named Tovi are typically characterized by their strong moral foundation and innate sense of justice. They tend to be thoughtful, considerate individuals who approach life with a philosophical depth that often surprises those who first meet them. Their decision-making process is usually careful and principled, reflecting the weight of their name's meaning 'goodness of God.' Tovi's often exhibit a natural empathy that makes them excellent listeners and trusted confidants. They are not typically impulsive or dramatic, preferring instead to maintain emotional equilibrium even in challenging situations. This stability, combined with their genuine concern for others' wellbeing, makes them natural peacemakers and community builders. While they may not be the most outgoing or attention-seeking individuals in a group, their quiet presence often becomes essential to social harmony. Their leadership style, when they choose to lead, tends to be collaborative and principle-driven rather than authoritarian. Tovi's generally value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections and are known for their loyalty and reliability once trust is established.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Utbah occupies a distinctive place in Islamic cultural history as a name borne by several significant figures during the formative years of Muslim civilization. The name appears prominently in early Islamic historical records, particularly among the Quraysh tribe of Mecca, where it was associated with leadership, commerce, and military prowess. Historical figures named Utbah played crucial roles in the political and social transformations of 7th-century Arabia, with some embracing Islam early while others initially opposed the new faith before later conversion. This complex historical background gives the name layers of cultural meaning, representing both the tribal heritage of pre-Islamic Arabia and the emerging Islamic identity.



The name's cultural significance extends beyond individual bearers to symbolize the broader transition from tribal society to religious community that characterized early Islamic history. Utbah represents the continuity of Arab cultural identity through periods of profound religious and political change. In contemporary Muslim societies, the name serves as a living connection to this foundational era, often chosen by families seeking to honor their historical roots and maintain a tangible link to the companions of Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslim community. The name thus functions as a cultural artifact preserving memory of Islam's earliest generations.
Individuals named Valentin are typically characterized by a compelling combination of strength and sensitivity that makes them both respected and beloved. They often possess natural leadership qualities, displaying confidence and determination in pursuing their goals while maintaining emotional intelligence that allows them to connect deeply with others. Valentins tend to be protective of those they care about, showing fierce loyalty and commitment in relationships. Their inherent strength isn't just physical but extends to moral courage and resilience in facing life's challenges.



Romantic and passionate by nature, many Valentins approach life with intensity and purpose. They often excel in careers that require both strategic thinking and interpersonal skills, such as law, medicine, or leadership positions. While they can be traditional in their values, they typically balance this with open-mindedness and adaptability. The dual nature of their personality - strong yet sensitive, determined yet compassionate - makes them particularly effective in roles that require both authority and empathy. Friends and family often describe Valentins as reliable pillars of strength who nevertheless maintain their capacity for tenderness and emotional connection.
Cultural & Historical Significance

Vortigern holds a crucial position in the foundation myths of post-Roman Britain, serving as the pivotal figure whose decisions shaped the course of British history. According to medieval chronicles, he was the British king who, facing invasions from Picts and Scots, made the fateful decision to invite Saxon mercenaries led by Hengist and Horsa to settle in Kent in exchange for military service. This decision, intended as a temporary solution, ultimately led to the Saxon conquest of much of Britain. In Welsh tradition, recorded as Gwrtheyrn, his portrayal is more nuancedhe appears in genealogies as an ancestor of Welsh royal houses and is associated with various legendary sites, including Dinas Emrys where he encountered the young Merlin. His story represents the complex transition from Roman Britain to Anglo-Saxon England and serves as a powerful narrative about the unintended consequences of political decisions.
Individuals named Wynward are typically perceived as protective, grounded, and deeply connected to tradition. They often exhibit a strong sense of responsibility and stewardship, reflecting the 'ward' element of their name meaning 'guardian.' This manifests as reliability in personal relationships and professional commitments, with a natural inclination toward leadership roles where they can protect and guide others. Their connection to the 'forest' aspect of their name's meaning often translates to a love for nature, practical wisdom, and a methodical approach to problem-solving.



Wynwards tend to be thoughtful rather than impulsive, valuing stability and continuity while maintaining a joyful disposition that honors the 'wine' element of their name's origin. They balance seriousness with warmth, making them both respected and beloved in their communities. This combination of traits often leads them to careers in education, conservation, religious leadership, or community service where their protective nature and appreciation for tradition can flourish. Their strength lies in their ability to be both steadfast guardians and sources of joy and abundance for those around them.
Symbolically, Zoelie embodies the essence of vitality and the continuous flow of existence. It represents not just biological life but the full spectrum of human experiencejoy, growth, transformation, and renewal. The name carries connotations of spring and new beginnings, suggesting someone who brings freshness and energy to any situation. Metaphorically, Zoelie symbolizes the life force that animates the universe, connecting the individual to larger cycles of nature and existence. It also represents authenticity and living in alignment with one's true nature, embracing both light and shadow aspects of the human experience. The name suggests a spirit that thrives through connection, creativity, and continuous evolution, making it a powerful symbol of human potential and the beauty of being fully alive in every moment.
Individuals named Zuwena are typically characterized by their strong moral compass, empathetic nature, and community-oriented mindset. They often display remarkable emotional intelligence, able to understand and respond to the needs of others with genuine compassion. Zuwenas tend to be natural peacemakers who excel in conflict resolution and creating harmonious environments in both personal and professional settings. Their inherent sense of justice often draws them toward careers in education, healthcare, social work, or community leadership where they can make tangible differences in people's lives. The name's meaning of 'good' manifests in practical ways through consistent reliability, ethical decision-making, and a deep commitment to helping others. Zuwenas typically balance traditional wisdom with modern adaptability, maintaining strong cultural connections while embracing contemporary opportunities. They are often described as having calming presences and the ability to inspire trust and cooperation in diverse groups, making them effective leaders and valued community members who embody the African philosophy of Ubuntu - the belief in our shared humanity.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- African Discovery Group (' AFDG'), Copper Intelligence pending, highlights the announcement that leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a historic peace deal, ending the long-running conflict in the region at a summit hosted by US President Donald Trump in Washington, with the respective Excellencies, President of the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi and President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

The Trump administration has led talks between DR Congo and Rwanda, hoping that resolving the differences between the two neighbours will pave the way for the US to increase investments in the resource-rich region, including numerous items on the strategic minerals list. On August 27, 2025, the United States government added copper to its draft list of strategic metals, due to a supply deficit that is projected to equate to 2mm tons a year in the United States alone, due its necessity in telecommunications infrastructure, data centers, artificial intelligence capital expenditure spend, electronic vehicle manufacture and defense-related industries.

According to US President Trump, "in DR Congo, China has already snapped up many of the minerals so the US is playing catch-up". In the hopes of the Trump administration implementing its peace model, President Trump has additionally stated that up to now US companies had been cautious about investing in DR Congo. The emerging transparency, improving governance, and a stronger enabling business environment in the DRC, will help enable the vital private sector investing environment, and bankability. President Trump added "It's a great day for Africa."

Thursday's agreement builds on a Regional Economic Integration Framework that will define economic partnerships with the three countries, with the US simultaneously signing bilateral trade agreements, bringing new opportunities in the sphere of critical minerals, and President Trump promising the advent of US companies.

At the time of the closing of the Copper Intelligence transaction, scheduled for the coming weeks, the company will become the first stand-alone DRC company to be publicly traded and domiciled in the United States.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE African Discovery Group
TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Criminal IP will host a live webinar on December 16 at 11:00 AM Pacific Time (PT), focusing on the shift in cyberattack strategies. The session will examine how an increasing number of incidents now originate from exposed digital assets, rather than from known software vulnerabilities.

Criminal IP

As organizations rapidly adopt cloud platforms and distributed architectures, previously unknown or unmanaged assets such as forgotten cloud instances, exposed APIs, misconfigured storage, and publicly accessible services have become real-world attack entry points. This session will showcase how Criminal IP ASM , an AI-powered and Threat Intelligence-driven Attack Surface Management platform, enables security teams to gain visibility, detect risks earlier, and take actionable steps before incidents escalate.

Users can Register now for the free webinar on December 16 (11:00 AM PT)

Key Takeaways:

Why CVEs Are No Longer Enough: Understanding why traditional vulnerability-based security approaches are insufficient against modern exposure-driven attacks.

Understanding why traditional vulnerability-based security approaches are insufficient against modern exposure-driven attacks. What Real Cloud Exposure Looks Like: Seeing how misconfigurations, forgotten assets, and publicly accessible services create real attack entry points.

Seeing how misconfigurations, forgotten assets, and publicly accessible services create real attack entry points. How Attackers Interpret Exposed Assets: Learning how adversaries evaluate exposed services, identify weak points, and map attack paths.

Learning how adversaries evaluate exposed services, identify weak points, and map attack paths. Real-World ASM Exposure Cases: Exploring case studies showing how Attack Surface Management uncovers risks and prevents incidents.

This webinar is designed for IT professionals, security managers, and decision-makers looking to advance their cybersecurity strategies and stay ahead in today's rapidly changing threat landscape.

Register today to gain practical insights on how ASM helps users identify hidden attack paths, reduce exposure, and operationalize security actions across every corner of the digital environment.

About Criminal IP

Criminal IP is the flagship cyber threat intelligence platform developed by AI SPERA. The platform is used in more than 150 countries and provides comprehensive threat visibility through enterprise security solutions such as Criminal IP ASM and Criminal IP FDS.

Criminal IP continues to strengthen its global ecosystem through strategic partnerships with Cisco, VirusTotal and Quad9. The platform's threat data is also available through major US data warehouse marketplaces including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Snowflake. This expansion improves global access to high quality threat intelligence from Criminal IP.

Contact

Michael Sena

AI SPERA

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2839327/Criminal_IP.jpg

SOURCE Criminal IP
A statement by the German embassy in India stated that both nations are prioritising five key themes, including scalable financing, battery readiness and future-oriented workforce development as part of the next phase of India's e-mobility transition.

The discussion highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to move beyond fragmented pilot projects toward a unified, ecosystem-wide approach.

The Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development (GSDP) hosted the ninth edition of the GSDP Conversation Series at the Maharashtra Sadan on Thursday under the theme 'Electric Mobility: From System Integration to Skills Development'.

The roundtable brought together senior officials from central ministries, state and city administrations, public transport undertakings, distribution companies (DISCOMs), skill development institutions, industry representatives, financiers and international partners.

During the discussion, it was highlighted that India's ambitious electric mobility targets can be achieved only through integrated planning across key sectors such as renewable energy, transportation, manufacturing, finance, and skills.

Stronger coordination among the central government, states, and cities was emphasised as the key to smooth implementation. Indo-German cooperation, shaped by long-standing collaboration in renewable energy, public transport modernisation, urban development and vocational education, provides a platform to jointly advance next-generation electric mobility solutions.

In recent years, the Government of India has developed a strong multi-ministerial policy framework for electric mobility.

This includes the PM eDrive Scheme (Rs 10,900 crore) targeting vehicle electrification and charging infrastructure, PM eBus Sewa deploying 10,000 electric buses via public-private partnerships, and a Payment Security Mechanism (Rs 3,435 crore) introduced in 2024 to de-risk large-scale electric bus operations.

Additionally, the 2024 Charging Infrastructure Guidelines introduced by the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) outline national standards for interoperability, safety, tariffs, and smart charging.

Five key themes were discussed at the roundtable. These included multimodal electrification focusing on integrating metro, bus, shared mobility and last-mile services; charging infrastructure and grid readiness through coordination with DISCOMs and strengthening battery safety; financing and procurement addressing challenges in bankability, risk sharing and contract structures; skills and gender inclusion to meet workforce requirements; and Indo-German collaboration to deepen joint work in areas such as grid management, battery circularity, multimodal planning and vocational training.

The dialogue reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to drive clean, efficient and inclusive mobility solutions. Stakeholders agreed on priority areas for continued collaboration and reiterated the role of the GSDP as a crucial platform enabling coordinated action.

The Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development, launched in 2022, serves as a strategic cooperation framework that supports sustainable and climate-aligned development and advances solutions contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. (ANI)
India's private sector is set to play a significantly larger role in the country's space and nuclear industries, a shift that was unimaginable a decade ago, Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said on Friday. Speaking at the CII Global Summit on Industry-Academia Partnership, Singh said India had transformed from being counted among the "fragile five" emerging economies to becoming "first among four," building confidence in its scientific and industrial capabilities. He said the opening of the space sector to private players marked a major policy change. "Nobody could have imagined this ten years back," Singh said, adding that India's private companies were now emerging as partners in strategic areas such as space and defence. He noted that even in the nuclear sector -- traditionally dominated by the state -- non-government entities were beginning to find a role. "Government support cannot happen without the support of non-government entities," he said. "Nowhere in the world does the government finance private industry the way it is happening in India. We are acting as a catalyst, giving a push to the private sector to scale up." Singh called for stronger collaboration among research institutions, academia and startups, arguing that such synergy was essential for innovation-led growth. He also highlighted India's expanding genetic data bank, calling it "unique" and unmatched globally, and said it could become a valuable resource for industry and scientific research. India must strengthen coordination among government, industry and academia to turn research intent into meaningful innovation, Hindustan Unilever's Head of R&D Aniket Gandhi told ANI at the same event. Describing the partnership model as a "golden triangle," he said MoUs require significant groundwork and that the real focus should be on converting dialogue into lasting collaboration. Gandhi flagged three barriers: limited stakeholder interaction, weak human infrastructure and gaps in co-funding models. Clear business cases, he noted, are essential for projects to take shape. He called for incentives to boost private R&D investment, including a clearer tax structure, a supportive Global Capability Centre policy, and a stronger ecosystem of academia, startups, industry, and government, backed by a robust IP framework. Rohit Bansal, Group Head Corporate Communications, Reliance Industries, told ANI that the industry and academia identify their problems and also opportunities. Academia should catch up with the industry's demand and technical requirements. This gap is called the valley of death. He stressed that the reward should be given to companies that are working more closely with academia. Likewise, in academia, IITs are working closely with the industry on their projects and requirements. Such collaborations should be incentivised. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 5: Moscow hosted the first-ever International Game Week, the largest professional video game event ever held in Russia. For four days, the city transformed into a global hub connecting developers, publishers, and IT companies from around the world. The business programme brought together more than 200 experts and famous developers from over 20 countries, including China, India, Egypt, Peru, Vietnam, Argentina, and Uzbekistan. More than 330 venues across Moscow joined the citywide programme -- from esports arenas and computer clubs to cinemas, cultural institutions, and universities. In total, Moscow International Game Week attracted around 150,000 visitors. A national record was set during the event -- the largest esports tournament in Russia to date. The "Grand Tournament of Moscow International Game Week," held across 730 computer clubs in 84 regions, brought together more than 4,600 players. Overall, the competitions attracted 116,000 people across Russia. Opening of the Moscow Game Hub The flagship moment of the event was the official opening of the first stage of the new Moscow Game Hub. This unique innovative space offers a full-cycle ecosystem for video game and animation production -- from development and testing to launching projects on Russian and international markets. As of now, 41 companies have become Moscow Game Hub's residents. International gaming and IT industries experts come together to share thoughts The business programme took place at the Moscow Game Hub and featured over 50 sessions, including panel discussions, pitch sessions, and masterclasses. The speaker list included executives from leading global companies and celebrated game developers from China, India, the Middle East, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Key themes included expanding international partnerships, the global potential of Russian studios, developing new educational pathways for young talent, and supporting the international distribution of game projects. Moscow International Game Week became Russia's first large-scale global platform for negotiations and deal-making in the gaming industry. During the event, Moscow-based studios held over 250 meetings with partners and investors from Asia and the Middle East about entering new markets. The Week also saw the signing of 15 strategic agreements between the Moscow Game Hub (through the Moscow Agency for Creative Industries) and leading technological, educational, and industry organisations. The agreements laid the foundation for new initiatives supporting the development of Moscow's game ecosystem, as well as expanded international cooperation. Moscow as the capital of video gaming For four days, Moscow became the country's largest gaming space. Esports tournaments, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and premieres took over the city. Computer clubs, electronics stores, museums, universities, cinemas, board-game shops, and restaurants joined the celebration. At the Moscow Game Hub, visitors explored a large exhibition of Russian studios and tested new game releases. More than 60 exhibitors participated, collectively presenting over 100 video games. The Week also featured a full lineup of major esports events, uniting Moscow's best esports arenas and participants from 84 regions of Russia. More than 10 professional tournaments were held across disciplines such as Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Hearthstone, League of Legends, and StarCraft: Brood War. Competitions took place at leading esports arenas and online via the Moscow Cybersport platform. Night of Video Games: A Highlight of the FestivalOne of the most vibrant events of the week was the Night of Video Games, held on November 29-30 at VK Play Arena -- one of the key locations of the festival. For one night, the venue turned into a giant hybrid gaming hub with interactive zones, tournaments, quizzes, and retro gaming areas featuring iconic machines and consoles from the 80s and 90s. Guests watched a special show match between Russian Counter-Strike champion Dosia and Chinese gaming influencer Xiaoyao Xiaofeng, danced to high-energy sets by DJ Smash, explored cosplay stations, played board games, and took part in casual and competitive tournaments across popular disciplines. (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.)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Former U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin will discuss "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense," at a Headliners Book Event on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.

"Dead Center," described as both a memoir and a manifesto, gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the government does  and does not  work with stories from inside the White House and Senate while also offering his solution for moving from polarized political gridlock to good governance.

Manchin served as the U.S. Senator from West Virginia from 2010 to 2025 as a governor of West Virginia for two terms in 2004 and 2008. Throughout his Senate career as a conservative Democrat, Manchin became an important swing vote on many critical issues. In May 2024, he changed his party affiliation from Democrat to Independent but continued to caucus with the Democrats.

The event will include a discussion with the author and a book signing. Ticket prices are $5 for National Press Club members and $10 for general admission. To submit a question in advance, please put "Dead Center" in the subject line and email to [email protected]. The deadline for submitting questions is 4 p.m. on the day of the event.

The National Press Club is located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. Registration is essential in gaining access to the club.

Press Contact: Cecily Scott Martin, [email protected], 202-662-7525

SOURCE National Press Club
India can certainly expand its footprint in the Russian market by stepping into businesses and sectors left open after the exit of some of the Western firms in the recent past, Roscongress Foundation CEO Alexander Stuglev said, expressing optimism in India's ability to fill that space. "Certainly, I do believe that Indian companies may be able to successfully replace (the space) that was made vacant by the Western companies who have left. (I am) very optimistic," the CEO of Roscongress told ANI in an interaction, during the ongoing two-day State Visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India. Reportedly, following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, several Western companies have either exited or scaled back operations in Russia. Roscongress Foundation is also the organiser of the India-Russia Business Forum being held at Bharat Mandapam. Speaking about India-Russia ties, Stuglev further told ANI that Indian businesses are already making visible gains in Russia and have the potential to scale up further. "I am definitely very optimistic on the matter of the potential of Indian companies in Russia and today during the business forum, we heard a whole number of success stories of Indian companies in Russia," he said, speaking in Russian, which an interpreter was simultaneously interpreting. "There is definitely big potential. We just need to join our efforts to ensure great informational openness and awareness between these two countries so that those opportunities are taken advantage of by our businessmen," the Roscongress CEO added. In his interaction with ANI, Stuglev outlined a broad set of sectors where India and Russia are already collaborating and where opportunities continue to expand, particularly for India in terms of exports. "Those sectors are indeed very broad ranging. That's the pharmaceutical industry, IT, AI, cyber security, financial systems solutions and technologies, agriculture, agricultural and industrial sector, transportation and logistics, energy sector, and of course tourism," he said, describing them as "sectors where we have cooperation already, but there is even bigger potential for growth." He also put the automotive industry in the spotlight, terming it one of the key drivers. As part of efforts to widen market access, he noted that Russian e-commerce platforms were showcased at the Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam, which can help smaller Indian businesses reach Russian consumers. "We are interested in facilitating trade, not just between big enterprises. That is why, specifically during this Forum, we had a presentation of the largest Russian marketplaces and e-commerce platforms that enable small and medium-sized Indian enterprises (to market) their products to Russian consumers," he said. Alexander Stuglev, in his brief interaction, also said Russia would continue to hold regular events to strengthen bilateral business ties. "We certainly organise an annual Russia-India Forum here in India to keep everyone up to date, to identify potential barriers and work together to eliminate them." Alongside this, he highlighted a series of sector-specific and global events hosted in Russia that Indian companies are encouraged to participate in. Inviting Indian firms to engage more deeply, Stuglev concluded that, "We will be happy to help you find reliable partners in Russia and develop business there." Russia and India are steadily raising their economic cooperation to a new level as a result of closer ties at the highest level and mutual business interests, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov said at the India-Russia Business Forum yesterday. "The joint goal now is to diversify and balance trade. This is an essential condition for achieving the goal set by the leaders of our countries: USD 100 billion by 2030," Reshetnikov said. Russia has proposed to improve the trade balance by increasing imports of Indian pharmaceutical products, food, chemicals, equipment, auto parts, textiles, and electronics. Reshetnikov also expressed confidence that the negotiations on a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and India, which began last week, will provide an impetus to this work. More than 300 companies from Russia and India are taking part in the India-Russia Business Forum. The agenda includes sessions on mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies, agriculture, and financial instruments to support joint projects. Bilateral trade has grown rapidly and reached a record USD 68.7 billion in 2024-25, with Indian exports at USD 4.9 billion (mainly pharmaceuticals, chemicals, iron and steel, and marine products) and imports from Russia at USD 63.8 billion (primarily crude oil and petroleum products, sunflower oil, fertilisers, coking coal, and precious stones/metals), as per latest Indian government data. The leaders of the two countries have set the goal of increasing mutual trade turnover to USD 100 billion by 2030 by making it more balanced and diversified. (ANI)
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], December 5: Across India's top institutes, a powerful shift is underway. Young engineers are increasingly driven by a sense of responsible innovation, energy efficiency, and the pursuit of sustainable and equitable growth. Inspired by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and India's ambitious commitments to clean energy, students today seek careers that align both purpose and engineering excellence. In this landscape, energy-tech becomes a natural calling, a space where impact is tangible, solutions shape communities, and innovation directly supports the planet's long-term well-being. Against this backdrop, it was inspiring to see energy-tech rise to prominence during Day-0 placements at IIT Madras and IIT (BHU) Varanasi. In this highly competitive environment, Kimbal welcomed 9 outstanding Day-0 hires from the two IITs. These bright young minds will join the company's innovation ecosystem to build solutions that impact millions of consumers, utilities, and the energy efficiency at large worldwide. At a time when India is deploying millions of smart meters and rapidly accelerating clean-energy integration, young engineers are increasingly seeking work that truly matters. The enthusiasm seen at IIT Madras and IIT BHU reflects a clear generational shift--India's brightest minds are choosing to build for Bharat, contribute to national infrastructure, and shape the country's energy future. Kimbal's Day-0 hiring journey this year was especially meaningful for the company. The young engineers joining the organization are choosing energy-tech not merely as a job, but as a mission they deeply believe in. Their curiosity, sense of purpose, and problem-solving mindset will support Kimbal to develop technologies that touch the lives of millions and shape the future of intelligent, sustainable energy systems. The youth remain the heartbeat of any nation's future, and it is inspiring to witness purpose-driven organizations creating platforms where budding talent can shape meaningful change. When young engineers are empowered to build solutions that advance not only an organization or a country but the well-being of humanity itself, progress becomes both powerful and enduring. About Kimbal Founded in 2011, Kimbal Private Limited is spearheading a smarter, cleaner energy future, transforming global energy distribution through innovative smart metering, RF-based massive connectivity, cloud platforms, and advanced energy management systems. The company tackles the rapidly evolving energy landscape by empowering utilities worldwide to modernize, scale, and future-proof power networks with unparalleled reliability and agility. Operating in a high-speed, boundary-pushing environment, Kimbal innovates and delivers solutions swiftly to meet urgent market demands. Its vision is to create resilient, affordable, and adaptable grids that excel in complex energy ecosystems while driving bold progress toward carbon neutrality and sustainability. For more information: kimbal.io - LinkedIn - Company Profile - Youtube Press Contact:Pragya Pallavistories@kimbal.io (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 5: The Mamta & Madhusudan Agrawal Foundation, led by philanthropist Shri Madhusudan Agrawal, Vice Chairman & Co-founder, Ajanta Pharma and Hon. Consul of the Republic of Uganda, has set a Guinness World Records title for conducting the highest number of knee screenings in 24 hours as part of its Pain-Free Maharashtra initiative. The record was officially certified by Ms. Sonia Ushirogochi, Guinness World Records adjudicator from Japan, in Mumbai today, where medical teams worked continuously to screen 512 patients from underserved communities across Maharashtra. The achievement follows an intensive screening initiative conducted from November 27-28, 2025 in Risod, one of the most economically challenged regions of Washim district. The record-setting event builds on a week-long Free Joint Health Screening Camp held in Risod, Washim district, where patients from over 10 districts -- including Washim, Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, and Yavatmal -- received free hip and knee evaluations. The camp concentrated on identifying those needing knee or hip replacement while offering mobility and gait evaluations. Alongside medical counselling and planning for next steps, free medicines were distributed to all attendees. Crucially, every patient recommended for replacement surgery will have the operation fully funded by the Foundation. This initiative strengthens early diagnosis and access to joint care across underserved regions. Speaking about the initiative, Shri Madhusudan Agrawal, said: "Achieving a Guinness World Records title is an honour, but the true success lies in reaching people who often have no access to specialised joint care. At 70, I consider it my responsibility to give back meaningfully, and this initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring mobility, dignity, and better health for every citizen--regardless of their financial background. I am deeply grateful to our doctors, volunteers, and partners who worked tirelessly to make this historic milestone possible." Launching the Pain Free Maharashtra campaign, he added,"The true significance of this achievement lies in drawing attention to the joint health challenges faced by underserved communities. With Pain Free Maharashtra, we aim to build awareness, encourage early care and support people in maintaining their mobility and dignity. I am sincerely grateful to our doctors, volunteers and partners whose dedication has made this milestone possible." To mark his 70th birthday, Shri Madhusudan Agrawal has pledged 70 crore to be deployed to enhance healthcare access across rural Maharashtra. The funding will support expanded joint care services, improved diagnostic facilities, and mobility-related interventions for underserved communities. This commitment is set to significantly improve the quality of life for thousands suffering from chronic joint conditions. It underscores his long-standing dedication to social healthcare development. Ms. Sonia Ushirogochi, Guinness World Records adjudicator from Japan, said, "On behalf of Guinness World Records, I would like to congratulate Mamta Madhusudan Agrawal Memorial Foundation and Sanjeevani Mamta Hospital and Research Center on this remarkable achievement. Guinness World Records has always been proud to support and recognize initiatives that advance health--whether through preventive care, raising awareness, or promoting community wellbeing. I am honored to present this certificate today which exemplifies helping humanity and making the world a better, healthier place." The Mamta & Madhusudan Agrawal Foundation has strengthened community healthcare across Maharashtra through 214 free medical camps, reaching 39,000+ people with essential and often life-changing support. Its wide-ranging medical initiatives include 300+ subsidized joint replacements, 150+ cancer surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, 1,500+ cataract surgeries, 150+ artificial limbs, 50 ENT surgeries, 6,500+ dialysis sessions, and 50 paediatric orthopaedic corrective procedures. These impactful interventions reflect the Foundation's clear focus on delivering equitable, affordable, and high-quality healthcare to those who need it most, while consistently bridging critical gaps in access for underserved communities. The foundation has delivered healthcare support at scale, conducting 214 free medical camps and benefiting nearly 39,000 people. Its interventions include subsidized joint replacements, cancer surgeries, cataract procedures, artificial limbs, and dialysis support. These services address critical medical gaps for economically weaker communities across Maharashtra. The Foundation's impact reflects a sustained commitment to accessible and affordable healthcare. About Mr. Madhusudan Agrawal Shri Madhusudan Agrawal is the Hon. Consul of Uganda in Mumbai, Co-founder & Vice Chairman of Ajanta Pharma Ltd., and Founder-Trustee of the Mamta & Madhusudan Agrawal Foundation. Born in Risod, Vidarbha, he built Ajanta Pharma from a 10,000 venture in 1973 into a global pharmaceutical organisation operating across 30+ countries, with multiple US FDA-approved plants and over 8,000 employees. A visionary entrepreneur rooted deeply in values, he has led large-scale healthcare, social welfare, and rural upliftment initiatives--including free medical camps, subsidised surgeries, mobile health services, international paediatric heart surgeries, and the Sanjeevani Mamta Hospital in Mumbai. Widely recognised for his humanitarian work, he has been honoured with awards such as the Uganda's Diamond Jubilee Medal (Uganda's Highest Civilian Honour) , Lokmat Kohinoor of India, Consular of the Year, the ABL Business Innovator Award, and multiple national recognitions for social service. Beyond business and philanthropy, he leads Inspira Group in real estate and industrial development, supports cultural preservation, and is a long-time practitioner of Vipassana meditation. Guided by the belief that "what we earn must return to society," Shri Agrawal continues to transform lives through purpose-driven entrepreneurship and compassionate leadership. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], December 5: The 7th edition of the CSR Conclave and Awards, organised by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), was held on 2nd December at ITC Maurya, New Delhi, in the presence of Mr Damien Syed, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France in India. The event celebrated the most impactful CSR initiatives executed by French and Indian companies and awarded the top projects across six distinct categories, highlighting the significant role played by IFCCI in promoting corporate engagement in the field of CSR, and connecting NGOs and CSR stakeholders. The annual CSR Conclave brought together over 120 CEOs, policymakers, CSR and Sustainability leaders, CSR foundations and NGOs from the Indo-French business community to share best practices while recognising the efforts of the most significant CSR projects. The theme of the Conclave this year, "Local Frameworks, Global Goals, Digital Pathways", reflects the growing convergence between India's pioneering CSR framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, creating opportunities to align domestic priorities with global sustainability imperatives. The discussions explored how the future of CSR lies in collaboration rather than competition, while reimagining CSR through the lenses of inclusive growth and global responsibility. On this occasion, Mr Damien Syed, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France in India, remarked "The annual CSR Conclave and Awards - a flagship forum for the CSR ecosystem between India and France - is an important pillar of our bilateral engagement. Today's event illustrates that CSR is a driver of responsible corporate leadership, social equity, sustainability, employee engagement and innovation. I congratulate all the companies and IFCCI members who submitted impactful and well-executed CSR projects across the award categories, and applaud the winners for their exemplary initiatives and encourage all participants to continue striving for deeper, scalable and more sustainable impact. I would like to reaffirm France's long-term commitment to supporting India and the French business community in advancing inclusive and sustainable development." Speaking at the event, Mr. Yohann Samuel. Regional Director - South, IFCCI expressed, "IFCCI is proud to celebrate the remarkable journey of its CSR Department, which in a span of 2 and a half years, is currently supporting 102 high-impact projects across 11 states, reaching over 1,45,000 beneficiaries in India, including nearly 29,000 direct beneficiaries. Through collaborative partnerships, IFCCI continues to strengthen CSR efforts by uniting member companies and delivering end-to-end project management that drives inclusive socio-economic development. The IFCCI CSR Conclave and Awards embody this commitment, bringing together leaders from French and Indian companies to inspire meaningful and scalable change." The event also featured a fireside chat moderated by Ms Lise Breuil, Country Director, French Development Agency (India), on "Domestic Roots, Global Goals: Aligning India's CSR with the SDGs" with Ms Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative to India; Ms Anna Roy, Programme Director, NITI Aayog, and Dr Nidhi Pundhir, SVP Global CSR, HCLTech and Director, HCLFoundation as panelists. Other speakers at the event were: * Mr Anurag Pratap, CSR Leader, Capgemini India & Chairperson, IFCCI CSR Committee* Ms Priyam Dhamankar, Legal and Compliance Director, Company Secretary, Servier India & Vice Chairperson, IFCCI CSR Committee* Dr Kavita Chaudhari, Deputy Director - CSR & ESG, Sanofi & Vice Chairperson, IFCCI CSR Committee* Ms Manisha Dubey, Head of IDEMIA India Foundation & VP Marketing Communications & Brand, IDEMIA* Ms Anuradha Suvarna, Chief Sustainability Officer, L'Oreal India* Mr Huzefa Salim, Executive Director, Dassault Systmes Foundation* Ms Chhavi Bajpai, Director, STMicroelectronics Foundation India* Dr Ketan Deshpande, Founder & Chairman, FUEL (Friends Union for Energising Lives)* Ms Manasi Diwan. Vice President, Impact Practice, CSRBOX Group and* Mr Adarsh Trivedi, Assistant Vice President, Government & Technology, CSRBOX Group Winners - IFCCI CSR Conclave and Awards 2025 Education & Skilling - EDF power solutions India Pvt. Ltd. (Project: Shaping Young Minds with Brighter Lives) and Capgemini Technology Services India Limited (Project: Youth Employability through Digital Academies) Environment & Climate - Khushiyaan Foundation (Project: Trash to Treasure) Healthcare and Wellbeing - Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (Project Name: Home Away from Home) and Pernod Ricard India Foundation (Project: UDAAN) Inclusive Growth and Empowerment - Sonepar India Pvt. Ltd. (Project: GBV Prevention for Women with Intellectual Disabilities through Sports) and Agarwal Packers and Movers Ltd. (Project: APML Nidra Daan Kendra - Restoring Sleep, Saving Lives) CSR Project of the Year - STMicroelectronics Foundation India (Project: Digital Unify) Jury Special - Alliance Francaise de Delhi (Project: Alliance Grand Ball - French as a life changer) Jury members - IFCCI CSR Conclave & Awards 2025 * Ms Payal S.Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI* Mr Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, Niti Aayog Atal Innovation Mission, Govt. of India* Mr Nicolas de Labrusse, Political Counsellor, Embassy of France in India* Dr Nidhi Pundhir, SVP Global CSR, HCLTech & Director, HCLFoundation* Dr Kavita Chaudhari, Deputy Director - CSR & ESG, Sanofi & Vice Chairperson, IFCCI CSR Committee* Ms Sukhman Randhawa, Partnership and Development Finance Lead, UN Resident Coordinator's Office, United Nations India* Mr Shailesh Tyagi, Partner, Sustainability & Climate Leader, Deloitte South Asia Established in 1977, the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI) is part of a global network of 124 French Chambers (CCIFI) across 94 countries, representing over 37,000 companies. One of India's most active bilateral chambers, IFCCI promotes trade and investment between India and France through a network of 800 member companies and over 7,000 business leaders. Headquartered in Mumbai, IFCCI has offices in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Hyderabad. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
'Terrifier 3' actress Krsy Fox, B-movie legend Adrienne Barbeau, and 'Clown in a Cornfield' star Aaron Abrams are set to lead the cast of the upcoming indie horror thriller Hannah Goes to Hell from SlackJaw Film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The feature is directed by Anne Welles, who previously wrote and directed the horror-comedy An Accidental Zombie Named Ted, and will begin shooting in Los Angeles later this month. Welles and Fox are producing through SlackJaw Film, a company they founded to create female-forward, dark, and impactful stories in the horror genre. Tyler Connolly and Barbeau are executive producers. Co-written by Fox and Welles, the story follows Hannah (Fox) and her young daughter Louise (Elle Riot Fox) as they return to Hannah's childhood home to assist her brother (Abrams) in caring for their ailing mother (Barbeau). Soon, strange encounters with the townspeople, a nightly demonic visitor, and whispers of a secret church ceremony fuel Hannah's fear that something more nefarious is at hand. She begins to suspect it all could be related to her family-owned funeral home, and a deep, dark, not-so-buried secret belonging to their late grandfather (Roebuck), as per the outlet. Fox said in a statement, "I'm so proud of this script and to be working with a cast that I find incredibly inspiring and careers I greatly admire," said Fox in a statement. "Anne is going to bring some fantastic and terrifying visuals, and Andy Patch, with whom I've worked on so many projects, is the perfect cinematographer to capture this beautifully dark and brutal story. Our special effects team, Kenneth Calhoun, Ryan Ward, and Salina Ward, have some stunning practical effects in store. Most of all, I am personally excited and proud to be working with my real-life daughter, Elle Riot Fox! This story is so scary and surprising, we truly can't wait to share it, " according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film's cast also includes Elle Riot Fox (Little Bites), Kevin Keppy (Smile), Kirby Bliss Blanton (The Green Inferno), and Yoson An (Heart Eyes), among others. Special effects are being handled by Kenneth Calhoun, Ryan Ward, and Salina Ward. Welles is a multiple award-winning director, Emmy-nominated producer, and award-winning actor who has been producing her own projects since 2004. Fox, a Canadian-born actress, filmmaker, and musician, is known for her roles in Terrifier 3, Little Bites, Underworld Evolution, Allegoria, and the upcoming Big Baby, executive-produced by Cher. Barbeau is celebrated for her performances in 1980s horror and sci-fi classics, including The Fog, Escape From New York, Creepshow, and Swamp Thing, as well as films such as Back to School and Cannonball Run. Abrams has appeared in series like Hannibal and Masters of Sex, starred in the Canadian comedy Children Ruin Everything, and co-wrote and produced the Netflix comedy The Lovebirds," according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
'Grey's Anatomy' star Kate Walsh is set to reprise her iconic role as Dr. Addison Montgomery in an upcoming episode of the ABC medical drama's 22nd season, according to series creator Shonda Rhimes' production company Shondaland, E! News reported. Shondaland confirmed the news on Instagram, writing, "We're excited to announce the return of Dr. Addison Montgomery to Grey Sloan!" Kate shared her excitement with a heart-eyed emoji, writing, "Here we go." Walsh originally joined Grey's Anatomy in 2005 during season one and remained part of the main cast until 2007, when she left to star in the spin-off series Private Practice. She appeared in all six seasons of Private Practice, from 2007 to 2013. Walsh has made recurring appearances on Grey's Anatomy in seasons 18 and 19 between 2021 and 2023, E! News reported. She is set to appear in the January 29 episode titled 'Strip That Down', as per the reports, marking her first return to the series since her recurring arc. Showrunner Meg Marinis had previously teased that fans could expect familiar faces to interact with Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey throughout season 22. "We'll definitely have a couple of visits from old characters," she told The Hollywood Reporter in October. Walsh said her prior returns were met with overwhelming fan support. "It felt just beautiful and I was so pleased," she told reporters in 2021, per Variety. "For years and years, there wasn't an interview that I've ever done where someone hasn't said, 'So fans are wondering, will you ever go back to Grey's?' And so, I did." She added that returning was emotionally impactful. "It was easy to show up, emotionally, and just all of a sudden get cracked open in the elevator because there's just so much," as quoted by E! News. Throughout her time on the series, Walsh's Dr. Montgomery became a fan favourite, contributing to some of Grey's Anatomy's most memorable TV moments. (ANI)
Simone Tata, the business leader who transformed Lakme into one of India's most recognisable beauty brands, passed away at the age of 95. The Consulate General of Switzerland in Mumbai shared the news on their X handle while remembering the contribution of Simone Tata in evolving the Lakme brand into the leading cosmetic company of India. Taking to their X handle, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Mumbai mourned the passing of Simone Tata. They wrote, "We mourn the passing of Simone Tata, a truly accomplished woman whose achievements and grace touched so many. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations. May she rest in peace. Our thoughts & prayers are with the Tata family." According to the Consulate General of Switzerland, Simone Dunoyer was born in 1930 and was raised in Geneva. She settled in India after meeting Naval H Tata. "Born Simone Dunoyer in 1930, raised in Geneva, she met Naval H Tata while in India as a tourist in 1953 and settled down in Mumbai permanently. In 1962, she joined the board of Lakme, then a minor subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills and set out to build a brand based upon the conviction that beauty shouldn't have to be a luxury, but a necessity that every Indian woman should have access to." They continued, "Simone evolved the brand into the leading cosmetic company in India, grew its international presence, and she was appointed to the board of Tata Industries in 1989." https://x.com/SwissCGMumbai/status/1996866756976300453 Lakme India also mourned the loss of Simone Tata, the visionary behind Lakme. "Rest in peace, Simone Tata, the legendary visionary behind Lakme. We honour the memory of the woman who empowered Indian women to put their best self forward with confidence, beauty and grace. Your legacy lives on forever. With immense gratitude, LAKME," wrote Lakme India. https://www.instagram.com/p/DR4DfXljdcB/ Simone Tata was the mother of Noel Tata and the stepmother of former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata. (ANI)
After watching Dhurandhar on Friday, Deepika Padukone was full of admiration for her husband, Ranveer Singh. In an Instagram post, Deepika gave a shout-out to Ranveer, congratulating the entire cast and crew. "Dhurandhar has been watched and is worth every minute of those 3.36 hours. So do yourself a favour and get to the cinema hall now! Soo incredibly proud of you ranveersingh! Congratulations to the entire cast and crew! @adityadharfilms | Cofficialjiostudios," she posted. Deepika also shared a series of pictures of her stunning look that she sported for the movie date with Ranveer. She is seen donning fitted black button-down jacket that she paired with high-waisted wide-leg dark denims. "Date Night at the Movies! #Dhurandhar @ranveersingh," Deepika captioned the post. As soon as Deepika shared pictures, netizens chimed in the comment section and reacted to the post with compliments. However, it's her husband Ranveer's comment that stole the attention. https://www.instagram.com/p/DR4svu7DASM/?img_index=1 'Dhurandhar' was directed by Aditya Dhar and starred Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, and Ranveer Singh in the lead roles. The film, which was opened in theatres today, took the moviegoers by surprise after the post-credit scene flashed the release date of its second instalment. With this, it is expected that the makers will aim to conclude this gangster drama story in two parts.'Dhurandhar' has been creating hype among the moviegoers ever since the makers released its trailer earlier this month. The trailer introduced all the key characters one by one. It began with a brutal torture scene that brings in Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, aka 'Angel of Death,' who promises to "bleed India with a thousand cuts."R Madhavan appeared as the Indian spymaster Sanyal, who believes that entering enemy territory is the only way to stop the threat. Akshaye Khanna was seen as Rehman Dakait, a sharp and dangerous figure, while Sanjay Dutt joined the team of villains as SP Chaudhary Aslam.In the latter part of the trailer, Ranveer enters as the man who was sent to counter them. The rest of the trailer is packed with action scenes, gunfire and fast-moving shots.'Dhurandhar' is jointly produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios. The film's music is composed by Shashwat Sachdev. (ANI)
Amid the ongoing visit of Russian President Putin, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sparked a political row after claiming that the Centre advises visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet LoP, arguing that this breaks an old tradition and reflects the government's "insecurity." However, Government sources rejected the charge, saying it is the visiting delegation, not the Modi government, that decides meetings outside official events, and noted that several foreign leaders have met the LoP since June 2024. BJP MP Sambit Patra also called the remarks "inappropriate" and "factually incorrect." While speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, the Congress MP said, "This has been a tradition. But these days, foreign dignitaries visit, or when I visit abroad, the government suggests that they not meet the LoP. This is their policy, and they do it all the time." "We have relations with everyone. LoP gives a different perspective. We too represent India. It is not just the government which does it. The government doesn't want the Opposition meeting people from outside. Modi ji and the Foreign Ministry don't follow this norm. It is their insecurity," he added. Meanwhile, Government sources confirmed that it was up to the visiting delegation to organise meetings outside the government. "During a visit, MEA organises meetings for the incoming dignitary with Government officials and Government bodies. It is up to the visiting delegation to organise meetings outside the government," the government sources clarified. "Since June 9, 2024, the following leaders have met the Leader of Opposition: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on June 10, 2024, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Ching on August 1, 2024, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia on August 21, 2024, Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam on September 16, 2025 and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon on March 8, 2025," sources said. The opposition leaders backed Gandhi's remarks, but the BJP slammed him for making "incorrect" statements during a major foreign visit. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra countered the BJP leaders' denial of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's allegations. "It is very weird. There is a protocol, and all visiting dignitaries meet the LoP. The protocol is being reversed by the government and all their policies are based on this. They don't want anyone to raise their voice. They don't want to listen to any other opinion. They should abide by the protocols of a democracy. God knows what they are scared of... In a democracy, everyone should be able to put forward their opinions, discussions must be held, and appropriate action must be taken... The government is insecure, and this decision is a reflection of that... What will they get by breaking and reversing this protocol? This is their insecurity... The image of democracy is tarnished in the world," she said. RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha emphasised the importance of understanding the country's pulse, claiming that this tradition is being compromised due to "someone's insecurity." He said that the opposition is equally elected and should be part of such interactions. Speaking on the issue, Jha said to ANI, "Just as the government is elected, the opposition is also elected in the same way, and it has been our tradition to know about the country's psyche, but this tradition is being ended due to someone's insecurity." Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said, "There has been a tradition that when a national president comes from any country, he is introduced to the opposition leader. Atal Ji and Manmohan Ji followed this. What Rahul Gandhi has just said is correct because this is no longer happening... One should not break the tradition..." Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said, "Many traditions have changed; this is one more in that series. Whenever any foreign diplomat or leader came, they would meet both the ruling side and the opposition leaders. So the BJP is changing these traditions...." Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, "What he's saying is correct. Whenever a visiting head of state or head of government comes to India, it's only normal to let the leader of the opposition also meet them. That's how the visiting head of state and government will get a holistic view of our country. I think Rahul Gandhi is absolutely right, and the government should have fixed a meeting for the leader of the opposition with the visiting dignitary or invite him for the dinner which they are hosting." However, the BJP hit back at Rahul Gandhi as BJP MP Sambit Patra called the remarks "inappropriate" and "factually incorrect," saying they project India in a poor light at a time when global leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, are visiting the country. "The way Rahul Gandhi ji has spoken today is not only inappropriate, but I feel it is wrong. This does not present India in a good light. This statement is without any facts. Rahul Gandhi said that the Government of India does not allow the LoP to meet the foreign dignitaries who come because the Government of India has a sense of insecurity. Why would there be insecurity in the Government of India? I would like to tell him that today India is the fourth-largest economic power. Today, India has a stature in the world, so there is probably no insecurity...I think he's overestimating himself," Patra said. Patra asserted that the MEA alone facilitates such meetings and listed several foreign leaders who have met the LoP since June 2024, adding that Rahul Gandhi was creating needless controversy and "overestimating himself." "Secondly, he said, whenever I visit abroad, the Indian government informs other countries not to allow the LoP to meet leaders. Judging our country this way, talking about our country this way, especially when foreign guests like Putin are about to arrive, is not appropriate to say such things about the country... It's important for everyone to know clearly: when a foreign delegate comes to India, it's the Ministry of External Affairs' responsibility to arrange meetings with government officials and other individuals. We, the government, can't interfere in who they want to meet," he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Thursday for a 2-day state visit. He will hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on December 5. (ANI)
The protest was led by the party's State Secretary, Vinoj P. Selvam, and took place outside the DMK headquarters in Chennai.

Police later intervened and detained the protesting workers.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson CR Kesavan slammed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government over the Karthigai Deepam row at Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Madurai, alleging that the undemocratic DMK government is "brazenly defying the court order allowing the lighting" of the sacred Karthigai Deepam lamp.

Kesavan said the DMK government's stance reflected "deep disrespect for Ambedkar ji's Constitution" and accused the ruling party of showing "bitterness" towards Hindu beliefs and devotees.

Kesavan alleged that the DMK's actions were guided by "bigoted politics of appeasement." He further claimed that Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin "deliberately avoids" extending greetings on major Hindu festivals.

For centuries, Thiruparankundram hill has been regarded as a centre of religious coexistence and communal harmony. The hill houses the historic Subramaniya Swamy Temple, the Kasi Viswanathar Temple, and the Sikkander Badusha Dargah, a 17th-century mosque built long after the temples came into existence.

Earlier this week, acting on a petition filed by a right-wing activist, Justice GR Swaminathan ordered state authorities to ensure that the sacred lamp was lit atop the hill. However, government officials viewed this as a break from the longstanding practice of lighting the lamp at the nearby Deepa Mandapam, a ritual followed for several years.

Meanwhile, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed that the petitioner, along with ten others, be permitted to go up to the Deepam pillar on the Thirupparankundram hilltop to light the Karthigai Deepam, while ordering the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide adequate security, after it found that its earlier order on the ritual had been wilfully disobeyed. (ANI)
Uniting Global Semiconductor Leaders to Drive Industry Innovation and Growth

HONG KONG, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and SEMI successfully concluded the inaugural 2025 Semiconductor Innovation and Intelligent Application Summit (SIIAS). As a prelude to the University's 35th anniversary celebrations and supported by the HKSAR Government, the landmark event makes its debut in Hong Kong, attracting over 600 semiconductor industry leaders, leading researchers, key policymakers and students from Chinese Mainland, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Singapore, and beyond. The Summit focused on the latest technological advancements and global development strategies in the semiconductor industry, further solidifying Hong Kong's position as an international innovation and technology hub. The event underscored HKUST's leadership in semiconductor research and its pivotal role in uniting government, industry, academia, and investors to drive advancement in the sector.

Prof. Tim CHENG Kwang-Ting, HKUST Vice-President for Research and Development, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the event, saying, "We are deeply grateful to the HKSAR Government for its crucial support, which was instrumental in establishing this pivotal Summit in Hong Kong. It reflects our shared commitment to advancing the semiconductor sector as a key pillar of innovation. As a global financial center, one of the world's most internationalized cities, and a hub within the Greater Bay Area with a vibrant ecosystem connecting industry, academia, and research partners, Hong Kong is the ideal location for international exchange. Hosting events like this one facilitates pre-competitive global collaboration, accelerates innovation, and fuels the talent development strongly demanded by the semiconductor industry. At HKUST, we firmly believe cross-disciplinary collaboration is the catalyst for transformative technological progress. By convening academia, industry, R&D experts, and investors, we are building a dynamic ecosystem for semiconductor innovation."

"Hosting the first international semiconductor summit in Hong Kong, a hub connecting the global innovation ecosystem, holds significant strategic importance," said Mr. Lung CHU, Corporate Vice President of SEMI. "As an international, professional, and localized platform, SEMI is deeply honored to partner with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to integrate our global industry resources with top-tier academic excellence. This event will not only expand SEMI China's influence in Hong Kong and the global semiconductor industry but will also serve as a new engine to accelerate Hong Kong's development as a semiconductor innovation hub and drive coordinated global industry growth."

An Interactive Zone to Showcase HKUST's Innovations

HKUST's Industry Engagement Day Plus also featured an onsite interactive experience zone, enabling participants to experience cutting-edge technologies developed by research teams from HKUST and HKUST (Guangzhou). Highlights included:

Smart Rehabilitation Robotic System : A robot capable of real-time analysis of human posture and movement to enhance precision in rehabilitation therapy.

: A robot capable of real-time analysis of human posture and movement to enhance precision in rehabilitation therapy. Next-Generation AR Display Technology : High-brightness, high-resolution, full-color Micro-LED microdisplays, powered by quantum dot technology, serve as the core component for the next wave of lightweight AR glasses.

: High-brightness, high-resolution, full-color Micro-LED microdisplays, powered by quantum dot technology, serve as the core component for the next wave of lightweight AR glasses. Fully Integrated Digital Sensing Chips: 10x reductions in sensing area, power consumption, and cost. Delivering substantial savings for IoT, wearables, digital healthcare, and Industry 4.0 applications.

In line with the HKSAR Government's commitment to advancing STEAM education, the Summit hosted five hands-on STEM workshops designed for secondary school students. Over 100 students engaged in immersive activities, including assembling miniature circuit components and experimenting with AI applications in coding design. These workshops were crafted to spark young people's passion for technology and cultivate future industry leaders.

Download photos here: https://hkust.edu.hk/news/hkust-and-semi-co-host-inaugural-2025-semiconductor-innovation-and-intelligent-application

SOURCE The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The announcement came during a meeting with a high-level delegation led by Major General Abdul Rahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi, Chairman of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee from the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who called on the Speaker in Parliament House today.

Welcoming the delegation, Birla emphasised that parliamentary diplomacy serves as a critical bridge between nations, enabling deeper understanding, exchange of best practices, and stronger institutional collaboration. He called for regular engagement between parliamentary committees of both countries.

The Speaker highlighted the centuries-old religious, cultural, and economic connections between India and Saudi Arabia, observing that sustained high-level exchanges over the last decade have elevated the partnership across defence, energy, capacity building, and emerging strategic sectors.

Birla expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's continued support of the large Indian community in the Kingdom. He noted that the Indian diaspora has earned respect globally through its hard work, discipline, and contribution to the local economy.

Highlighting the increasing recognition of Yoga in Saudi Arabia, Birla stated that such cultural exchanges deepen people-to-people bonds. On global cooperation, Birla emphasised that India and Saudi Arabia must work closely in multilateral fora, including the G20, P20, and IPU, and advance common positions on shared global challenges.

He underlined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, rooted in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, guides India's global engagement and that Parliament aligns fully with this inclusive and cooperative approach.

He conveyed confidence that the delegation's visit would further strengthen bilateral and parliamentary ties, enhancing cooperation across diverse sectors.

Major General Abdul Rahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi expressed his deep sorrow over the recent tragedy involving Indian Hajj pilgrims and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He affirmed the solidarity of the people of Saudi Arabia with India, underscored the importance of closer cooperation in international fora, and expressed optimism about the future of India-Saudi Arabia parliamentary relations. (ANI)
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, met Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut in New Delhi to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector. The meeting, which took place on Thursday, focused on identifying new avenues of collaboration in modern farming practices, innovation, research exchange and sustainable agricultural growth. In a post on X, the Union Minister shared details of the meeting and said the discussions were aimed at strengthening the long-standing agricultural partnership between India and Russia. He noted that both sides highlighted the need to enhance cooperation in areas that could empower farmers and support technological advancement in the agriculture sector. Chouhan stated that India-Russia relations have undergone a positive transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that greater collaboration in agriculture would further contribute to strengthening ties. "Delighted to meet Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut in New Delhi today. We discussed ways to strengthen Indo-Russian cooperation in agriculture and explored opportunities in modern farming, innovation, research exchange, and sustainable growth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India-Russia relations have witnessed a remarkable and positive transformation. I am confident that our collaboration will bring new direction and meaningful change to the agriculture sector. Together, we aim to boost agri-trade, empower farmers, and build a future of shared progress for both nations," wrote Chouhan. Meanwhile, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov. Both leaders discussed cooperation across areas such as food & agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and automobiles. They affirmed their commitment to advancing the economic development of both our nations. In a post on X, Goyal said, "Held a productive meeting with Mr Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development, Russia. We discussed cooperation in areas like food & agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automobiles, and more. Together, we are committed to unlocking the untapped potential and advancing the economic development of both our nations." Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin at Palam Airport in New Delhi on Thursday evening. Both leaders also shared a car ride from the airport to the PM's Lok Kalyan Marg residence, underscoring the strategic partnership and close relationship between the two. PM also presented a copy of the Bhagvad Gita in Russian to Vladimir Putin, describing the scripture as a source of inspiration for millions of people across the world. Putin, who is on his first visit to India in four years, will be in New Delhi till December 5. During his visit, the Russian President will also hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. According to experts, the visit is expected to boost cooperation in defence, trade, science and technology, and culture and humanitarian affairs. (ANI)
The Maharashtra Government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marks its first anniversary in office today, with the CM set to inaugurate a special portrait exhibition titled "Transforming Mumbai, Transforming Maharashtra" at the World Trade Centre. According to officials, Chief Minister Fadnavis will inaugurate a portrait exhibition named "Transforming Mumbai Transforming Maharashtra" at the World Trade Centre today. The showcase has been curated to reflect the state's developmental journey under the current administration, highlighting Maharashtra's development from 2014 to now. Meanwhile, the political atmosphere in the state remained active as senior leaders weighed in on the ongoing tussle surrounding local body elections. Against the backdrop of disagreements among parties over campaign strategies, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the elections must stay centered on local issues. Shinde said that local body elections should remain focused on grassroots issues and the work of party workers. Speaking to the reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Eknath Shinde said, "Did I make allegations against CM? Or did he make allegations against me? Yes, it's true that these elections are local elections, which are fought on very local issues and are fought by the local party workers. Big political issues are not needed to be brought in these local body elections. But party workers like to see their senior leadership come and join them in these election campaigns..." Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the local body elections are driven by party workers, stressing that he has avoided making comments against opponents or allies and has focused only on campaigning for his party's candidates. "These are local body elections in which workers of our party contest these elections and we try to reach to all parts of the state where the elections are being held to campaign and support our workers during our elections. The same workers do very hard work in our campaigning, so it's our responsibility also to come and campaign for them in their elections and it is done by everyone," Fadnavis told reporters. "These were the elections where I had not made any comment on. Even my opponents. Let alone the issue of commenting on our allies. Today is the last day of the campaign for the elections, but I have not made any comments against anyone. I only campaign in support of candidates of our party," he said. Today, the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has postponed elections in several municipal councils across Pune district after district court orders on key appeals were delivered later than the Commission's stipulated deadline. The revised polling date for the affected councils and wards has now been set for December 20, officials said. (ANI)
"GE Aerospace has handed over the fifth F404-IN20 engine against the order from 2021. GE Aerospace and HAL continue to work closely to ensure clear line of sight of production schedules for the F404 engines," a GE Aerospace spokesperson said.

As per the spokesperson, GE Aerospace and HAL continue to work closely to ensure a clear line of sight of production schedules for the F404 engines.

The F404-IN20 engine powers India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, produced by HAL.

The fourth F404-IN20 fighter jet engine was handed over to HAL against the 2021 order in October this year.

HAL has also acquired 113 F404-IN20 fighter jet engines from GE Aerospace, an American firm, in a deal, along with a support package to execute the 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft program.

Posting on X, HAL said, "The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into an agreement with General Electric Company, USA, on 7th November 2025 for the supply of 113 Nos of F404-GE-IN20 engines and support package for execution of 97 LCA Mk1A programme."

The engines are expected to be delivered from 2027 and are anticipated to be completed by 2032."The engine deliveries would be from 2027 to 2032. The contract for 97 LCA Mk 1A was signed in September 2025," HCL posted.

In a recent development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in October, inaugurated the third Production Line of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A and the second Production Line of Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) at the Nashik facility of HAL.

Meanwhile, last month GE Aerospace announced a USD 14 million investment to expand capacity at the company's Pune manufacturing facility as the site completes a decade of successful operations.

This investment builds upon the USD 30 million announced last year. The new investment will strengthen the site's capabilities through upgraded manufacturing processes and automation, including enhancements that support advanced engine components. (ANI)
A fresh controversy has erupted at the CG Bellad Government First Grade College in Akki Alur village of Haveri district in Karnataka, after groups of students arrived in classrooms wearing Hijabs and saffron shawls, prompting renewed tensions on campus. On Thursday, a group of Hindu students entered classrooms wearing saffron shawls, claiming it was a protest against the administration's alleged inaction over the dress code. Students alleged that despite repeatedly flagging the matter, the college had not taken any steps to enforce uniform rules equally. Responding to the situation, Principal Viresh Kammoor clarified that the institution requires all students to wear the prescribed uniform inside classrooms, although some concessions are made in individual cases. He stated that the college will hold a meeting with staff and parents to address the issue and arrive at a resolution. "Before entering the classroom, they wear different clothes. But there is a rule that all students must wear college uniforms inside the classroom. If there is a problem with an individual student, they are given a concession. The students had brought it to my attention about coming to class wearing hijab. But today, after a female student came to class wearing a hijab, the boys came wearing saffron shawls. A meeting of the college staff and parents of the students will be called to resolve this problem," he said. The previous BJP government in the State had imposed a Hijab ban on students in educational institutions. The matter reached the Karnataka High Court, which also upheld the ban imposed by the then-BJP government. In this regard, the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict, leading to the Karnataka High Court verdict being upheld. Earlier in a separate matter, a controversy erupted in Kerala's Kochi where a church-run school, St. Rita's Public School, allegedly barred a Class 8 student from attending classes for wearing a hijab. The controversy began when a class 8 student at St. Rita's School in Palluruthy, Kochi, was reportedly not allowed to attend classes wearing a hijab (headscarf), citing the institution's uniform policy. (ANI)
Former DRDO scientist Ravi Kumar Gupta has hailed the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos - co-developed by India and Russia - as a "unique weapon system" whose significance goes beyond hardware to showcase deep bilateral cooperation. Speaking to ANI from Singapore, Gupta said, "The BrahMos missile system, jointly developed by Russia and Bharat, has been a unique weapon system in the world in many ways - not just the missile but also the manner in which the two countries joined hands and shared their expertise to bring out a unique weapon system." "The world has seen the power of the BrahMos missile system on several occasions, but most impressively during the recent Operation Sindoor, when BrahMos was able to strike deep into enemy territory and achieve the desired goals, which perhaps no other weapon system in the world might have done. It is a supersonic missile flying at three times the speed of sound; at that speed, its kinetic energy is devastating. And that today is the devastating power of specialised warheads which are kept on the missile, " he added. Gupta emphasised that given its performance, it is very natural that the two countries continue this unique relationship and continue to work for developing even more advanced versions of this missile system. "When we look for the more advanced versions, we will be looking forward to a variety of warheads. So, the cooperation needs to be further extended, so that they bring out various versions, more advanced versions of BrahMos - not just for the two countries but also for allies globally," he said. Answering why India needs such weapons, Gupta said, "We have been a country that has faced invasions for thousands and thousands of years - invasions of all kinds - not just military invasions but also invasions of culture, religions and invasions of the knowledge system, so we have the right to defend ourselves. Incidentally and fortunately for us, we are located in a very strategic geopolitical region." "The Indian Ocean, almost 50 to 60 per cent of world trade passes through this region. And around 35-40 per cent of the world's energy requirements are transported through the Indian Ocean region. In our own case, 90 per cent of our trades in terms of volume are being carried out through these sea routes, so we can not afford to neglect," he added. Additionally, he reasoned that, with India's rising economic status - already the 4th-largest economy in the world - India should remain "cautious". Speaking further on the BrahMos missile advancement, Gupta said, "The current visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin will further strengthen cooperation in this key area." (ANI)
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday announced that the Centre will not impose penalties or take strict action against mutawallis registering properties on the UMEED portal under the Waqf law for the next three months, following the registration deadline. Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said that several MPs and social leaders had requested an extension of the deadline, which is December 5, but the Supreme Court declined to grant it after the six-month deadline. The Union Minister urged the mutawallis to approach the tribunal, as under the Waqf (Amendment) Act, it has the authority to grant an extension. Kiren Rijiju said, "After making the Waqf Law, we had launched the UMEED portal and a six-month duration was given to the concerned parties to register all the Waqf properties on the portal. Today is the last day, and lakhs of properties have still not been registered. Many MPs and social leaders came to me requesting an extension of the deadline. Till now, more than 1.5 lakh Waqf properties have been registered on the UMEED Portal." "I assure all mutawallis that for the next three months, we will not impose any penalties or take any strict action on those who register on the 'UMEED' Portal. If you are unable to register, I request that you go to the tribunal. The Supreme Court was clear on its instructions that the date cannot be extended after the six-month deadline, but the tribunal has the authority to extend it further by upto six months," he added. Rijiju emphasised that while the Centre will provide "maximum relief," it remains bound by the law. "We try our best to give the maximum relief to our people, but some things are bound by law. Since the Parliament has passed the Waqf Amendment Act, we cannot change the law," he said. Earlier on Monday, the apex court refused to entertain pleas seeking extension of the 'six-month deadline' time for the registration of Waqf properties as per the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih suggested that the applicants seek the said relief by filing applications before the Waqf Tribunal, as per the 2025 Act. (ANI)
BJP MP Darshan Singh Choudhary on Friday dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegation that the Leader of Opposition is being prevented from meeting visiting foreign dignitaries, calling it "Rahul Gandhi's restlessness." "This is Rahul Gandhi's restlessness. The tradition that has been going on so far has always been accepted, but only whenever it is required," Choudhary said. "As far as national interest is concerned, the entire world knows the picture of India that Rahul Gandhi portrays abroad. So, our leadership will make an appropriate decision," he added. The political row erupted earlier in the day when Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Centre advises foreign dignitaries not to meet the LoP, calling it a violation of long-standing parliamentary tradition and a reflection of the government's "insecurity." "This has been a tradition. But these days, foreign dignitaries visit, or when I visit abroad, the government suggests that they not meet the LoP. This is their policy, and they do it all the time," Gandhi said while speaking to reporters outside Parliament. "We have relations with everyone. LoP gives a different perspective. We too represent India. It is not just the government which does it. The government doesn't want the Opposition meeting people from outside. Modi ji and the Foreign Ministry don't follow this norm. It is their insecurity," he added. Government sources refuted Gandhi's claims, clarifying that it is the visiting delegation, not the Modi government, that decides whom to meet outside official programmes. "During a visit, MEA organises meetings for the incoming dignitary with Government officials and Government bodies. It is up to the visiting delegation to organise meetings outside the government," the sources said. They also noted that several foreign leaders have met the LoP since June 2024, including former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina (June 10, 2024), Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh (August 1, 2024), Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim (August 21, 2024), Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam (September 16, 2025), and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon (March 8, 2025). BJP MP Sambit Patra also termed Rahul Gandhi's remarks "inappropriate" and "factually incorrect." (ANI)
All IndiGo flights departing from Delhi Airport on Friday have been cancelled till midnight, while operations for other carriers remain as scheduled, the Delhi Airport advisory stated. In an official advisory, the Delhi Airport said, "IndiGo domestic flights departing from Delhi Airport on 5th December 2025 are cancelled till midnight today (till 23:59 hours). Operations for all other carriers remain as scheduled. Our dedicated on-ground teams are working diligently with all partners to mitigate the disruption and ensure a comfortable passenger experience." https://x.com/DelhiAirport/status/1996817051613384942 Amid ongoing airline operational disruptions nationwide, over 500 IndiGo flights have been delayed or cancelled, causing severe inconvenience to travellers. Passengers at multiple airports expressed strong frustration over the severe disruption, leaving many stranded with no clear communication or alternate travel options. Passengers said that disruptions, attributed to staff shortages and new rules for crew members, have left travellers stranded at airports for hours without proper communication, food, or water. Earlier today, Delhi Airport issued a passenger advisory, alerting travellers to operational challenges affecting certain domestic flights, resulting in delays and cancellations. In an advisory, Delhi Airport said, "Please be advised that operational challenges affecting certain domestic services are resulting in flight delays and cancellations. We strongly recommend passengers verify their flight status directly with their airline prior to departure for the airport. Our dedicated on-ground teams are working diligently with all partners to mitigate the disruption and ensure a comfortable passenger experience." https://x.com/DelhiAirport/status/1996784813584548136 The airport further assured that dedicated on-ground teams are working closely with airline partners to mitigate disruptions and ensure a comfortable experience for passengers. "We appreciate your patience and cooperation," the advisory further read. Passengers are advised to regularly check their flight status with respective airlines and plan accordingly to avoid inconvenience, it added. Additionally, Delhi Airport confirmed that 225 Indigo flights, comprising both arrivals and departures, have been cancelled since the morning from the capital''s hub, impacting a significant number of travellers. According to the latest reports, more than 500 IndiGo flights were cancelled on Friday. IndiGo, which is experiencing operational disruptions and cancellations, has sought temporary operational exemptions from certain Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) provisions for its A320 fleet until February 10, 2026, and assured that operational stability will be restored by that date, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement. Following a detailed review meeting under the chairmanship of the DGCA with the senior leadership of IndiGo on Thursday, the regulator said, "To reduce passenger inconvenience while maintaining safety margins, IndiGo has requested operational variations or exemptions from specific FDTL provisions for A320 operations up to February 10, 2026. IndiGo has assured DGCA that corrective actions are underway and that normalised and stable operations will be fully restored by February 10, 2026." IndiGo has been witnessing a sharp rise in cancellations, with approximately 170-200 flights affected per day, substantially higher than usual. (ANI)
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday launched a sharp attack on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh, alleging a "conspiracy" to delete voters belonging to the Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) communities. In a post on X, Yadav demanded that the SIR process be halted and reviewed immediately, asserting that any attempts to remove eligible voters must be investigated without delay. He outlined four key demands for the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the authorities overseeing the SIR exercise. The SP Chief wrote, "Direct demand on SIR: - The data on what percentage of SIR has been done in UP should be published today. - Remove the life-threatening pressure on BLO and assign additional authorised people to this work in accordance with the time period. - Ensure that the ruling party's group and their associates are not involved in this work through the back door now and will never be in the future." https://x.com/yadavakhilesh/status/1996796954312167751?s=20 Akhilesh Yadav escalated his charge, stating, "A thorough investigation should be conducted into how many people from the PDA society in each assembly constituency are being conspired to be removed from the voter list, and it should be stopped under all circumstances." Earlier, SP Chief Yadav alleged that employees of the Election Commission of India are being pressured to complete the SIR process, questioning, "What is the hurry?" He further claimed that people in West Bengal are also raising complaints about the process. Citing the death of a supervisor in Fatehpur, who allegedly died due to the pressures of the SIR process, the Samajwadi Party Chief, in a press conference, questioned, "Who is going to help the Election Commission employees who are dying during the SIR process?" He further asserted that the ECI should step forward and support the officers. "When I went to Fatehpur to meet the family of the supervisor (who died during SIR exercise), I was told by the family that he was under tremendous pressure from the government to complete the process quickly. As a result, he committed suicide... What is the hurry? People of West Bengal are also saying that the hands of the Election Commission are smeared with blood. Who is going to help the Election Commission employees who are dying during the SIR process? Election Commission should come forward and help..." said Yadav. The Election Commission of India will conduct the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories, with the final voter list scheduled to be published on February 7, 2026. The first phase of SIR was completed in Bihar in September ahead of the Assembly elections. The exercise covers Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. (ANI)
Commentary: Cultural exchanges help bridge global divides

Xinhua) 10:16, December 05, 2025

HANGZHOU, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Amid escalating geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts, the unifying power of culture has grown increasingly vital in connecting people, fostering friendship, dispelling misunderstandings, and even bridging divides.

This will become more evident, as the recommendations for China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) call for efforts to promote cross-border cultural exchanges, boost cultural creativity, and advance fine traditional culture and high-standard opening up.

"We should engage in deeper exchanges and mutual learning with other cultures, carry out extensive people-to-people exchanges and cooperation" "We should continue with the project to pass on and develop fine traditional Chinese culture. Cultural heritage protection should be systematically advanced and put under unified supervision and inspection," according to the recommendations.

China's long-standing dedication to cultural protection is evident via its 44 UNESCO-recognized items of intangible cultural heritage and 60 world heritage sites. Also, this year marks the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the World Heritage Convention, underscoring the country's sustained commitment in this regard.

A vivid example can be found in the traditional design and practices for building Chinese wooden arch bridges -- spanning a history of more than one thousand years. First inscribed in 2009 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, this tradition had declined over the years due to erosion and rapid urbanization.

On Dec. 5, 2024, design techniques and practices for building such bridges were inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity -- the result of China's salvation and revitalization efforts. These bridges have inspired preservation endeavors by scholars around the world and gained increasing appeal for global visitors who are eager to understand traditional Chinese architecture and artistry.

Italian sinologist Gabriella Bonino has lived in China for nearly 40 years. She relocated to east China's Zhejiang Province in 2017 after falling in love with local culture and artistry -- especially the wooden arch bridges in Taishun County.

After visiting craftsmen involved in constructing such wooden arch bridges, Bonino detailed their techniques, history and significance in a book which was published in Italy. She noted that these old Chinese bridges have important historical and cultural value, and these techniques and local customs should be recognized and appreciated globally.

Chinese and overseas experts at Wenzhou-Kean University in Zhejiang are enthusiastic about promoting wooden arch bridge culture to the world. Thanks to promotion efforts such as seminars, bridge model donations and AI video competitions, people now have more access to such traditional knowledge, as well as modern technology and innovative methods useful for safeguarding this intangible heritage.

Last week, a group of U.S. students from Utah visited Taishun County, where they were able to engage directly with a real China and experience its unique cultural aesthetics that combines tradition and modernity.

China's recent travel facilitation measures, including visa-free entry policies for more countries, are making it easier for international visitors to see China first-hand and in a more objective way -- thus gradually reshaping their perceptions toward the country.

China's growing cultural influence is increasingly recognized abroad. A report released by Brand Finance, a London-based consultancy, ranked China third globally in terms of "rich heritage".

As China advances the Global Civilization Initiative, it calls for inclusive and collective efforts to protect humanity's shared heritage and celebrate the diversity of world civilizations. It is through such sustained exchange and cooperation that humanity's remarkable cultural tapestry endures and thrives.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Shari Conditt, a US history teacher at Woodland High School in Woodland, WA, is named the first recipient of the award that honors Justice O'Connor's legacy in civic education

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iCivics , the nation's leading civic education nonprofit and provider of free, nonpartisan civic education resources, today announced that Shari Conditt, a US History Teacher at Woodland High School in Woodland, WA, is the inaugural recipient of The Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Prize for Excellence in Teaching Civics.

The award, presented at the annual conference of the National Council for the Social Studies in Washington, D.C., is named for Justice O'Connor, who founded iCivics after retiring from the U.S. Supreme Court. Seth Harris from Shaker Middle School in Latham, NY, and Dr. Shelina Warren from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., were named as finalists for the award.

Unveiled ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, the prize was established by Justice O'Connor's former law clerks to honor her unwavering commitment to civic education, which she considered her most important legacy.

Since she founded iCivics in 2009, the organization has grown to serve nearly 150,000 educators and 9 million students per year across all 50 states and 80% of U.S. counties.

Conditt has taught AP Government, AP U.S. History, and U.S. History for the past 25 years. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and a member of the iCivics EdNet. She was the 2024 Bill of Rights Institute National Civics Teacher of the Year, the 2016 Washington State History Teacher of the Year, and the 2025 Ft. Vancouver Region SAR History Teacher of the Year.

The annual award recognizes exemplary members of the iCivics Educator Network, a group of more than 300 civics, history, and social studies teachers, who demonstrate excellence, dedication, and innovation in teaching the foundations of democracy. The finalists will be featured at the Civic Learning Week National Forum in Philadelphia, March 910, 2026.

About iCivics

iCivics is the nation's largest provider of civic education curriculum, reaching over 9 million students annually. Founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in 2009, iCivics provides free educational resources that teach students about government, law, and civic participation through engaging, nonpartisan games, lesson plans, and authentic learning experiences. For more information, visit www.icivics.org.

Media contact:[email protected]

SOURCE iCivics
A delegation of 212 members from Tamil Nadu participating in the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 arrived in Ayodhya on Friday to visit the Ram Temple as part of their cultural outreach tour. Hari a delegation member said, "We are students from Tamil Nadu. Today, we are here to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. I feel very divine here. This is my first time." "Today, because of PM Modi, we got the chance to visit here. I am feeling happy..." he said. The delegation earlier took part in the inaugural ceremony of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 in Varanasi, which was held with traditional Vedic rituals and marked by enthusiastic participation. The event aims to strengthen cultural ties between North and South India. "We have received amazing love in Kashi. The simplicity and spirituality of the people here have deeply impressed us. We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts that allowed us to undertake such a historic journey," a student said. The students also expressed their eagerness to visit the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. According to them, the experience of visiting these important pilgrimage sites in North India will broaden their cultural understanding. Furthermore, participants expressed that they will participate in the academic programme to be held tomorrow. They hope to learn a great deal by attending important sessions on history, art, language, and literature. Students say that this confluence is not only a medium for cultural dialogue but also a unique initiative to promote educational exchange. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 realises the Prime Minister's vision of bringing India's diverse cultural regions closer together. This programme conveys the message that while India's various languages, cultures, and communities may be separated by geography, their emotions and heritage are deeply intertwined. (ANI)
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday raised concerns over traffic restrictions imposed for VIP movements, questioning whether such rules also apply to ambulances. In a post on X, Chidambaram alleged that earlier in the morning today, an ambulance was stopped for a few minutes on Tees January Marg. "Do traffic restrictions imposed for VIP movement apply to Ambulances as well? This morning, on Tees January Marg, an Ambulance was stopped for a few minutes and its siren silenced. Will the CoP Delhi please review this restriction?" the senior Congress leader asked. https://x.com/PChidambaram_IN/status/1996814315698204990 Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is on his first visit to India in four years. Earlier today, the President of the Russian Federation was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received the ceremonial tri-services guard of honour as the forecourt echoed with the sound of the Indian as well as the Russian national anthem. Following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital. He laid a wreath, paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation and also signed the visitors' book at the Rajghat. The Russian President was accompanied by Minister of State for the Ministry of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, to the memorial site. The Russian President is on a two-day State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his State visit, the Russian President will hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. Four years after their last in-person interaction on Indian soil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to share the stage once again in the national capital today for bilateral talks. Since their last meeting here in December 2021, Putin arrived in the national capital on Thursday and PM Modi broke with protocol to greet him on the tarmac. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug. PM Modi, in a post on X, stated that the "friendship" between the two leaders is a "time-tested one" and he was delighted to welcome Putin back to India after four years. Both leaders shared the same car ride to the Lok Kalyan Marg residence of Prime Minister Modi, where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court has dismissed the petitions filed by CISF recruits who were terminated during probation after being found colourblind. "It is a constitutional obligation of the Court to examine that in the framing of policy, no law is violated, nor are people's fundamental rights transgressed," the Court said. The Bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad and Justice Vimal Kumar Yadav held that the Union Government's 2013 Guidelines, which mandate the removal of colour-blind personnel from Central Armed Police Forces, are valid, constitutionally sound and not arbitrary. The Court noted that judicial review of policy is limited and may be invoked only where the policy is capricious or violates fundamental rights. The Court observed that the 2013 Guidelines were framed on clear and rational grounds, recognising that personnel in CAPFs operate under hazardous conditions and must be able to distinguish uniforms and signals to avoid endangering themselves, colleagues or civilians. It found that the policy had a direct nexus with public safety and that the Government was justified in restoring consistency after earlier departures from the standing rule of boarding out unfit personnel. The Court also recorded that the Guidelines expressly apply prospectively, preventing any unconstitutional withdrawal of vested rights. It therefore refused to deem the policy arbitrary or unreasonable. A significant aspect of the judgment was the petitioners' probationary status. The Bench held that probationers do not enjoy an indefeasible right to continue in service and that the purpose of probation is to assess suitability, including medical fitness. The Court distinguished earlier judgments cited by the petitioners, explaining that those cases involved long-serving personnel or promotional disputes, whereas the present petitioners were newly recruited trainees who had undergone only a few months of training. The Court further found no trace of mala fides in the medical examination process. It emphasised that CISF medical professionals, being trained and experienced, were best equipped to determine medical fitness. The petitioners also argued that they should have been considered for alternative posts that did not require perfect colour vision. The Court rejected this plea, noting that the recruitment advertisement was exclusively for the post of Constable (General Duty) and that public appointments must strictly adhere to the notified terms. However, in the interest of fairness, the Court allowed the petitioners to submit individual representations to CISF seeking consideration for posts where colour blindness is not a disqualification. It directed the authorities to decide such representations within ten weeks. Concluding the matter, the Court upheld the termination orders, dismissed all writ petitions and granted no order as to costs. It reiterated that the 2013 Guidelines are legally valid, that termination of probationers for medical unsuitability is lawful, and that operational readiness of uniformed forces cannot be compromised. (ANI)
The Calcutta High Court on Friday did not intervene in the case regarding the foundation-laying ceremony of the Babri Masjid in West Bengal's Murshidabad. The division bench of the acting Chief Justice left the responsibility of maintaining peace to the state. The court was hearing a plea demanding a stay on suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir's event on December 6. The state government said that the necessary forces have been deployed to maintain law and order, while the Centre said 19 companies of the central forces are deployed there. Humayun Kabir welcomed the High Court's decision, calling it a "befitting reply" to the petitioners. He told ANI, "I had said earlier too that I will lay the foundation stone. I am overjoyed by the High Court's decision. I thank the High Court judge. It is my constitutional right. Those who approached the High Court have received a befitting reply." Kabir had sparked controversy by announcing that he would lay the foundation of Babri Masjid in Murshidabad and that various Muslim leaders would participate. "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. Earlier on Thursday, Humayun Kabir escalated his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, declaring that she will no longer remain in power after the 2026 Assembly elections. In a strong statement targeting the Chief Minister, the suspended MLA told reporters, "The Chief Minister should be an ex-Chief Minister. In 2026, the Chief Minister will not become the Chief Minister, will not be sworn in, and will be branded as an ex-Chief Minister." Kabir's remarks come hours after the TMC suspended him over the controversy. He said he will resign from the party, and might even announce his own party on December 22. (ANI)
Amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Friday criticised the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, after he alleged that opposition leaders were not allowed to meet foreign dignitaries. Speaking to ANI outside Parliament, Deora said it is ultimately up to visiting dignitaries to decide whom they wish to meet and urged the Opposition not to politicise India-Russia relations. He said, "It is up to the foreign dignitaries who they want to meet. These are the diplomatic rules. India and Russia share historic ties; we should not do politics over it." Deora highlighted the breadth of India-Russia relations, calling it a "cultural, economic, defence, strategic and political partnership." "All of us welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin. India-Russia strategic ties are a very deep partnership. This is a cultural, economic, defence, strategic and political partnership. This partnership extends from India to the Arctic. I am confident that with Vladimir Putin's visit, India-Russia ties will further strengthen," he said. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had sparked a political row after claiming that the Centre advises visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the LoP, arguing that this breaks an old tradition and reflects the government's "insecurity." Sources confirmed that it was up to the visiting delegation to organise meetings outside the government. "During a visit, MEA organises meetings for the incoming dignitary with Government officials and Government bodies. It is up to the visiting delegation to organise meetings outside the government," the government sources clarified. "Since June 9, 2024, the following leaders have met the Leader of Opposition: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on June 10, 2024, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Ching on August 1, 2024, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia on August 21, 2024, Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam on September 16, 2025 and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon on March 8, 2025," sources said. BJP MP Sambit Patra also called Gandhi's remarks "inappropriate" and "factually incorrect." Hitting back today, Congress MP Mallu Ravi backed Rahul Gandhi's claim, saying he was speaking the truth. Ravi said, "Rahul Gandhi is known for his truth. He always teaches the Congress cadres and leaders not to be afraid of anything, be truthful and practice truth. That is his philosophy. How can they say that he is lying? At no point in time has he spoken lies in politics. He is trying his best to follow Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. He is trying to do his best as a servant of the people, not as a leader dictating to the people. That is his philosophy. Everybody knows that, be it inside the House or outside, he was only speaking the truth." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warmly received Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, ahead of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, underscoring the deep and longstanding partnership between the two nations. Putin is on a two-day State visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi. During his visit, the Russian President paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He laid a wreath and paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation and also signed the visitors' book at the Rajghat. (ANI)
To fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Samudra Se Samriddhi', Gujarat continues to play a leading role in advancing India's Blue Economy through the rapid growth of its fisheries sector. As per a press release, Gujarat has India's longest coastline of 2,340.62 kilometres. Gujarat has emerged as a key contributor to the nation's marine prosperity, with the Saurashtra and Kutch region accounting for nearly 80 per cent of Gujarat's total fish production and standing at the forefront of this progress. India is currently the world's second-largest fish producer, contributing nearly 8 per cent to global production. The fisheries sector comprises inland and marine fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing, marketing, and exports, and is recognised as a sunrise sector. As per the press release, it also covers fishing equipment manufacturing, fisheries research, education, and administrative management. The sector provides livelihood support to nearly 30 million individuals. According to the authorities, the state stands as the second-largest marine fish-producing state in the country. Over the past four years, the state has recorded an average annual fish production of about 9.30 lakh metric tonnes. For FY 2025-26, the state projects marine fish production of 8,40,069 metric tonnes and inland production of 3,31,284 metric tonnes, bringing the total to an estimated 11,71,353 metric tonnes. Meanwhile, the Saurashtra region, with its eight major fish-producing districts, contributes more than 70 per cent of Gujarat's total fish production. The state's largest district, Kutch, accounts for about 9 per cent of the state's overall fish production. In 2024-25 (October 2024 to September 2025), Gujarat recorded 7,64,343 metric tonnes of marine fish production, of which Saurashtra alone contributed 5,42,333 metric tonnes, while the Kutch region reported 67,547 metric tonnes. Together, Saurashtra and Kutch collectively account for nearly 80 per cent of Gujarat's total marine fish production. The state's marine fish production in 2024-25 also registered a growth of over 14 per cent, rising from 7,04,828 metric tonnes in 2023-24. VGRC Kutch & Saurashtra will be held in Rajkot, in the second week of January 2026, reaffirming Gujarat's commitment to sustainable coastal development and marine prosperity. This will serve as a key platform to showcase the achievements and future opportunities of Gujarat's fisheries sector. As per the press release, the conference will also highlight the state's pivotal role in advancing India's Blue Economy through innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. It will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss emerging technologies, best practices, and investment opportunities in the sector. (ANI)
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday announced the withdrawal of instructions that prohibited the substitution of leave for weekly rest for airline crew. This comes after continuous airline operational disruptions nationwide, with over 500 IndiGo flights delayed or cancelled on Friday, according to the latest report, causing severe inconvenience to travellers. In a statement, the DGCA referred to its earlier letter, which had stipulated that "no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest." The regulator cited ongoing operational disruptions and requests from various airlines to ensure continuity and stability of flight operations as reasons for revising the rule. "Whereas, reference is invited to the above-mentioned letter, specifically to the paragraph stipulating that "no Ieave shall be substituted for weekly rest"; and whereas, in view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, it has been considered necessary to review the said provision," the statement read. "Now, therefore, the instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect," the statement read, adding that the decision has been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority. Earlier, Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) wrote to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), expressing strong objection over selective and unsafe dispensations granted to IndiGo under the revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) CAR Phase II implementation. In its letter addressed to the DGCA, ALPA highlighted that the decision to extend exemptions to the airline contradicts prior agreements, compromises pilot safety, and undermines the intent of the FDTL regulations, which are designed to protect passengers and crew. "It is with profound concern and deep disappointment that we write to you regarding the recent selective dispensations granted to IndiGo Airlines in respect of the implementation of the revised FDTL CAR (Phase II). This decision, taken despite repeated representations, formal letters, and direct discussions with your esteemed office, has undermined the very spirit of the FDTL regulations and gravely compromised the safety of the flying public," the letter read. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement that IndiGo, which is experiencing operational disruptions and cancellations, has sought temporary operational exemptions from certain Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) provisions for its A320 fleet until February 10, 2026, and assured that operational stability will be restored by that date.IndiGo has been experiencing a sharp rise in cancellations, reaching approximately 170-200 flights per day, substantially higher than usual. During a detailed review meeting, the DGCA found that IndiGo's operational breakdowns stemmed from transitional challenges in implementing Phase 2 of the revised FDTL norms, crew-planning gaps, and winter-season constraints. The revised fatigue-management rules, enforced following court directions, came into effect in two stages, July 1 and November 1, 2025. According to the latest report, amid ongoing airline operational disruptions nationwide, over 500 IndiGo flights were delayed or cancelled on Friday, causing severe inconvenience to travellers. Meanwhile, all IndiGo flights departing from Delhi Airport on Friday have been cancelled till midnight, while operations for other carriers remain as scheduled, the Delhi Airport advisory said. (ANI)
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya launched a scathing attack against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the Madurai Karthigai Deepam row, calling the DMK government "undemocratic and fascist" for not following the court directions. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, the BJP MP criticised the detention of BJP workers protesting against the DMK for going up to the Deepam pillar on the Thirupparankundram hilltop and lighting the Karthigai Deepam. He said, "The undemocratic arrests of BJP and opposition leaders of Tamil Nadu speak of the undemocratic tendencies of the DMK. Looks like CM Stalin is drawing inspiration from his namesake from earlier communist days and attacking the opposition for raising legitimate questions." "Despite the Court orders allowing the devotees to light the lamp, the state government in Tamil Nadu is not facilitating the Court order. As 2026 nears, and as Tamil Nadu gears up for elections, the people are determined to boot out this undemocratic fascist government and bring in change in Tamil Nadu," Surya added. For centuries, Thiruparankundram hill has been regarded as a centre of religious coexistence and communal harmony. The hill houses the historic Subramaniya Swamy Temple, the Kasi Viswanathar Temple, and the Sikkander Badusha Dargah, a 17th-century mosque built long after the temples came into existence. Earlier this week, acting on a petition filed by a right-wing activist, Justice GR Swaminathan ordered state authorities to ensure that the sacred lamp was lit atop the hill. However, government officials viewed this as a break from the longstanding practice of lighting the lamp at the nearby Deepa Mandapam, a ritual followed for several years. Following this, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court permitted the petitioner to go up to the Deepam pillar on the Thirupparankundram hilltop to light the Karthigai Deepam, while ordering the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide adequate security, after it found that its earlier order on the ritual had been willfully disobeyed. On the Madurai Karthigai Deepam row, Union Minister L. Murugan said, "The High Court has given a judgment that the people can go to the temple to light the lamp, but the Police tried to attack those people. The court has directed that police protection should be provided to those going to light the lamp by the Tamil Nadu government, but the police did not allow the devotees." DMK MP TR Baalu raised the issue in the Lok Sabha today, sparking a fresh row inside the House with a heated exchange of words and ruckus. Baalu claimed, "Thirupparankundram is a recognised and official Hindu religious set-up. But some miscreants wanted to create a problem, and they went to court and got a judgment." Balu's also made unparliamentary remarks against the Madras High Court judge, which were expunged from the proceedings. The DMK MP's remarks prompted a fierce response from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who called his remarks against the judiciary. He said, "Mr Balu, we do not oppose what you say, but you cannot speak against the judiciary. This is unprecedented. If every member is allowed to speak whatever they want, the House cannot run." Speaking to reporters outside the House, DMK MP TR Baalu said, "Communal forces have created a tension in Tamil Nadu. A 2017 judgment has been overruled by the communal forces. It is not correct. Communal harmony enjoyed by the Tamil people will be spoiled." Later, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, L Murugan, also lashed out at TR Baalu over the Madurai Karthigai Deepam row. (ANI)
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp has been established on a remote hilltop in the Gogunda area of Naxal-affected Sukma district, in Chhattisgarh, where neither a road nor even a basic foot track previously existed. According to officials, the new camp is expected to significantly strengthen area domination, improve road connectivity, and facilitate the delivery of government welfare schemes to long-neglected tribal villages in the region. Meanwhile, security forces have recovered the bodies of at least 18 Maoists killed in an exchange of fire during an anti-Naxal operation along the Bijapur-Dantewada border in the Bastar region, an official said on Friday. The encounter between Naxalites and security forces lasted nearly 12 hours, during which three District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans were killed in action. Bastar Inspector General of Police (IG) P. Sundarraj told reporters that Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and PLGA Company No. 2 Commander Billa Moudiyami, along with another company commander, had been neutralised. He said, "In the search operation after the encounter, the dead bodies of around 18 Maoists were recovered. The search operation (combing) is still ongoing. DVCM and PLG(A) Company 2 Commander Billa Moudiyami and another company commander have been killed. The other killed Naxalites are being identified." "A significant number of weapons, including LMG, SLR, AK-47, .303 weapons and graded weapons, have been recovered from the encounter site. The clash was ongoing for nearly 12 hours," he added. Two DRG jawans, including Somdev Yadav, sustained injuries. Officials confirmed that both are out of danger and are undergoing treatment in Raipur. "The forces are still conducting a combing operation," authorities said. "As per the intent of the Government of India and Government of Chhattisgarh, and as per the wish of the people of the state, security forces are regularly carrying out operations against Naxalites in the Bastar Division. Yesterday, on the border areas of Bijapur and Dantewada, based on the information of the presence of Naxalites, a joint team of DRG Bijapur, DRG Dantewada, STF, CoBRA, and CRPF left for the operation. During the operation, cross-firing took place between Naxalites and the security forces since 9 am," IG Sundarraj said. Final salutes were paid to three fallen heroes killed in the line of action while combating Maoists in the jungles of Bijapur-Dantewada. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Bijapur police line for DRG Bijapur Head Constable Monu Vadadi, Constable Dukaru Gonde and jawan Ramesh Sodhi, who laid down their lives during Wednesday's encounter with the Maoists. (ANI)
A large number of passengers were left stranded at airports across India on Friday, amid over 500 IndiGo flights being cancelled or delayed. The passengers expressed their anguish, calling it a "sinister plan." Speaking to ANI, a passenger in Hyderabad said that she went back home due to the cancellation, but later she was called back right before the flight was about to leave. Owing to the confusion, the passenger criticised the airline. The passenger said, "I reached the airport in the morning at around 5 am. I went to the Indigo counter. They told me the flight is cancelled. When actually it wasn't cancelled. I showed my boarding pass, and they said yes. They were very sure my flight was cancelled, and they sent me home." "At around 7 am, someone called me from the boarding gate, asking where I am because the flight was about to leave. I said I've been sent back home by the IndiGo staff. If they say the flight is cancelled, I will obviously believe. I don't know whether they have a sinister plan to get, maybe, some of the people stranded yesterday, or whether it is overbooked. But I've never heard such a situation in my life. Now I have come back, and I'm standing in this long queue," the stranded passenger added. Namita, stranded at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, while on her way to Haridwar for her father's 'Asthi Visarjan', said, "I have my father's 'Asthi' (mortal remains post cremation) with me. I have to reach Delhi from Bengaluru. Board a flight to Dehradun from Delhi to reach Haridwar. The 'Asthi Visarjan' has to be done tomorrow. The flight has been cancelled without any prior notification. Now they are saying that they have no flights for today." She added that the flight costs have soared up to Rs 60,000 and requested the government to intervene. "They are asking us to book a flight with other airlines. Flight tickets for other flights cost Rs 60,000 per person, which I cannot afford. We are not able to reach Haridwar. All our money is wasted. A partial refund will be received after a week. I request the government to arrange something for me to reach Haridwar because my father's asthi visarjan in Ganga Ji is very urgent," she told ANI. Another passenger at Bengaluru airport expressed annoyance over the delay. He said, "I had to go to Jabalpur from Bengaluru. I received a message of a three-hour delay. I came from Chennai to catch the flight. I am facing a lot of problems. I had to get there on time to attend a meeting. I received the delay message when I checked in." "My flight is cancelled. There was no intimation. We are not being given an accommodation. Nobody is ready to tell us what is actually happening here," another stranded passenger said. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced the withdrawal of instructions that prohibited the substitution of leave for weekly rest for airline crew. In a statement, the DGCA referred to its earlier letter, which had stipulated that "no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest." The regulator cited ongoing operational disruptions and requests from various airlines to ensure continuity and stability of flight operations as reasons for revising the rule. "Whereas, reference is invited to the above-mentioned letter, specifically to the paragraph stipulating that 'no Ieave shall be substituted for weekly rest'; and whereas, in view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, it has been considered necessary to review the said provision," the statement read. "Now, therefore, the instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect," the statement read, adding that the decision has been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority. The DGCA also granted a one-time, temporary night-duty exemption to IndiGo for A320 fleet operations, valid until February 10, 2026. Earlier, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) wrote to the DGCA, expressing strong objection over selective and unsafe dispensations granted to IndiGo under the revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) CAR Phase II implementation. In its letter, ALPA highlighted that the decision to extend exemptions to the airline contradicts prior agreements, compromises pilot safety, and undermines the intent of the FDTL regulations, which are designed to protect passengers and crew. The DGCA's review found that IndiGo's operational breakdowns stemmed from transitional challenges in implementing Phase 2 of the revised FDTL norms, crew-planning gaps, and winter-season constraints. The revised fatigue-management rules, enforced following court directions, came into effect in two stages, July 1 and November 1, 2025. (ANI)
SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics (HKEX: 01801) today announced that the global strategic collaboration with Takeda (TSE: 4502, NYSE: TAK) has closed and become effective following the satisfaction of all closing conditions. The collaboration, initially announced on October 22, 2025, aims to accelerate the global development and commercialization of Innovent's next-generation immuno-oncology (IO) and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapies, including the global partnership on IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2-bias) and IBI343 (CLDN18.2 ADC), and an option for an early-stage program IBI3001 (EGFR/B7H3 ADC).

Dr. Hui Zhou, Chief R&D Officer for Oncology Pipeline at Innovent, stated, "IBI363 and IBI343 represent our next-generation therapies designed to address critical unmet needs in global cancer treatment. With clear, aligned development plans, Innovent's deep understanding of these assets, combined with Takeda's extensive experience and strong development and commercialization capabilities, we are poised to maximize the clinical potential of these assets across multiple indications. We look forward to the collaboration with our partner going forward."

Under the agreement:

Innovent and Takeda will co-develop IBI363 globally, and co-commercialize IBI363 in the U.S., with Takeda leading the co-development and co-commercialization efforts under joint governance and aligned development plan. In addition, Innovent has granted Takeda exclusive commercialization rights for IBI363 outside Greater China and the U.S. Takeda has global manufacturing rights to supply IBI363 outside of Greater China, with such rights being co-exclusive with Innovent for commercial supply in the U.S.

Innovent has also granted Takeda exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize IBI343 outside of Greater China.

Additionally, Takeda receives an exclusive option to license global rights for IBI3001, a first-in-class EGFR/B7H3 bispecific ADC in Phase 1 stage, outside Greater China.

Takeda will pay Innovent an upfront payment of US$1.2 billion, including a US$100 million equity investment in Innovent through new share issuance at premium, i.e., HK$112.56 per share. Furthermore, Innovent is eligible for development and sales milestone payments for IBI363, IBI343, and IBI3001 (if option exercised) totaling up to approximately $10.2 billion, for a total deal value of up to $11.4 billion. Innovent is also eligible to receive potential royalty payments for each molecule outside Greater China, except with respect to IBI363 in the U.S., where the parties will share profits or losses (40/60 Innovent/Takeda).

Detailed information about the collaboration can be found at the official website of Innovent Biologics.

About Innovent Biologics

Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 17 products in the market. It has 1 new drug applications under regulatory review, 4 assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials and 15 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Roche, Takeda, Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action" Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Statement: Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s).

Forward-looking statement

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Innovent with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Innovent's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Innovent's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect.

SOURCE Innovent Biologics
The Ministry of Textiles is proud to announce the conferment of the prestigious Handicraft Awards to honour distinguished master craftspersons for the years 2023 and 2024. The event forms an integral part of the National Handicrafts Week celebrations. These prestigious national honours recognise unparalleled artistic excellence and reaffirm the Government's unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the country's rich and diverse handicraft heritage. The ceremony will be graced by the President Droupadi Murmu, as the Chief Guest. The event will be presided over by the Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, with Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs, attending as the Guest of Honour. Since their inception in 1965, the National Handicrafts Awards have recognised exceptional craftspersons whose exemplary workmanship has enriched the country's cultural landscape. The Shilp Guru Awards, introduced in 2002, stand as the highest recognition in the Indian handicrafts sector. These awards celebrate artisans who have demonstrated exemplary mastery and innovation to their craft, thereby ensuring the continuation and evolution of India's diverse craft heritage. National Handicrafts Week, observed annually from December 8-14, serves as a tribute to India's artisans and celebrates the enduring cultural significance of handicrafts. The Week features a wide spectrum of activities and public engagements aimed at enhancing awareness, strengthening artisan livelihoods, and promoting the sector's socio-economic relevance in contemporary India. Key activities include exhibitions showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, thematic workshops, capacity-building programmes, craft demonstrations, panel discussions, outreach initiatives, and cultural performances. The handicrafts sector remains a cornerstone of India's cultural and economic landscape. It preserves centuries-old traditions, supports millions of livelihoods-particularly in rural and semi-urban areas and contributes significantly to the nation's export earnings. The Ministry of Textiles remains deeply committed to supporting artisans through recognition, skill enhancement, technological interventions, financial empowerment, and improved domestic and international market access. Through these initiatives and the annual celebration of National Handicrafts Week, the Government aims to further elevate India's handicraft legacy, strengthen artisan communities, and ensure that the country's traditional crafts continue to thrive in the modern world. (ANI)
National Conference (NC) chief and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Friday appealed to the public for support, acknowledging that the party could not achieve much for the people in the past year. Speaking at the former J-K CM and party founder Sheikh Abdullah's 120th birth anniversary, Farooq Abdullah said, "Our National Conference Government did not do much for people in one year, but we have four more years for development, and people should support us and strengthen us." The late Sheikh Abdullah was a prominent figure in Jammu and Kashmir politics. Farooq Abdullah and CM Omar Abdullah paid floral tributes to Sheikh Abdullah at his final resting place in Naseem Bagh, Hazratbal. Meanwhile, on Thursday, J-K CM Omar Abdullah announced that the government has renamed the SRO-43 scheme as the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS) and stated that, under this scheme, orders have been issued for the Kashmir province, and 60 appointment letters have been distributed so far. Speaking to reporters, the CM Abdullah assured that under the RAS scheme, if any government employee dies during their service period, a member of their family will be provided a government job. He further added that a similar event under this scheme was also organised in Jammu. "The scheme, earlier known as SRO-43, is now known as RAS (Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme). In this, the government assures all its employees that, god forbid, if anyone dies during their service period, any member of their family would be given a government job. As part of that, orders were prepared for the Kashmir province, and 60 appointment letters were distributed. Yesterday, a similar event was organised in Jammu," said Abdullah. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir CM also addressed concerns over poor road conditions in Rajouri, attributing them to ongoing widening, 4-laning, and tunnelling projects. Abdullah plans to convey the issue to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, requesting accelerated work on border roads. He also highlighted the ongoing process of building bunkers, reassuring that it will continue. (ANI)
MDMK Founder and General Secretary Vaiko, referring to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court's judgment on the Karthigai Deepam lamp lighting, alleged a rise in religious fanaticism within the judiciary and called it a "worrying" trend. During a press conference at his MDMK headquarters in Egmore, the party leader accused the Madras High Court judge of delivering a verdict arbitrarily. He also criticised the judgment, suggesting that the judge should openly align himself with Hindutva forces. "The Madurai judge has given a judgment that spreads the poison in his mind, acting in complete arbitrariness. He should resign from that judicial post if he wants to join the Hindutva forces and spit venom. One must not do such things while sitting in a judge's chair. I am worried that religious fanaticism is growing within the judiciary," said MDMK General Secretary Vaiko. He further accused the BJP of allegedly creating religious conflict in Tamil Nadu to win elections. "All these years, no such issue arose in Thirupparankundram. Murugan devotees happily worshipped Lord Murugan. Not even small quarrels occurred. Just like how the BJP stirred up controversy using the Ram temple in the North, they now want to create religious conflict in Tamil Nadu to win elections. The BJP-RSS are trying to enter the egalitarian soil of Tamil Nadu...." said Vaiko. During the press conference, the MDMK founder also announced that he will conduct a 190-km Equality March from January 2 to January 12, to protest rising drug consumption in Tamil Nadu. The MDMK leader stated that Chief Minister MK Stalin will hand over a flag symbolising equality in the state to him. He further mentioned that Tamil Nadu Congress President Selvaperunthagai, Makkal Needhi Maiam President Kamal Haasan, and leaders of other alliance parties will also participate in the event. "To emphasize demands such as the eradication of drugs and preventing caste clashes, under my leadership, a 190-km Equality March will be held for 11 days from January 2 to January 12, from Tiruchirappalli to Madurai. Since it is an Equality March, the red-and-yellow flag containing symbols representing Hindu temples, Christian churches, Islamic mosques, and Sikh gurdwaras will be handed over to me by Chief Minister Stalin, who will inaugurate the march in Trichy. Tamil Nadu Congress President Selvaperunthagai, Makkal Needhi Maiam President Kamal Haasan, and leaders of other alliance parties will participate in the event. Poet Vairamuthu will participate in the concluding ceremony in Madurai," said Vaiko. He further mentioned that students from medical and engineering colleges will participate in large numbers. He called for strict punishments to eradicate alcohol and drug abuse within the state. "From the volunteers' wing, youth wing, and students' wing, a thousand people have been selected as participants. Each of them will be given a separate uniform. Students from medical and engineering colleges will participate in large numbers. School and college students and women are being affected by alcohol and drugs. Caste-based groups in colleges are causing clashes among students. Teachers and principals of educational institutions must prevent this. Parents must discipline their children. Colleges should nurture friendship and social consciousness. To eradicate alcohol and drug abuse, the government and police must take action," said Vaiko. Earlier today, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister took a jibe at the BJP over the Madurai Karthigai Deepam row, saying people will decide if they need development or politics in the city. In an X post, CM Stalin invoked the demand for a Madurai metro rail and the completion of AIIMS in the city as a counter to the ongoing row after the BJP held a protest on Thursday."Does Madurai need development politics or politics? The people will decide. Metro Rail, AIIMS, New Factories & Jobs! These are what the people living there are asking for Madurai's development," MK Stalin wrote. The controversy sparked after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court upheld the single-bench order and directed that the petitioner, along with 10 others, be permitted to ascend to the Deepam pillar on the Thirupparankundram hilltop to light the Karthigai Deepam. The BJP protested in Madurai, claiming that the ruling DMK defied the court order. (ANI)
A controversy erupted at CG Bellad Government First Grade College in Akki Alur, Haveri district, Karnataka, as students wearing saffron shawls protested against their peers wearing hijabs to class on Friday. The students claimed they were protesting the administration's alleged inaction on enforcing uniform rules. Principal Viresh Kammoor stated that the college requires students to wear prescribed uniforms inside classrooms, with some concessions made for individual cases. A meeting with staff and parents is scheduled to address the issue. The situation began when some students wore hijabs to class, prompting others to wear saffron shawls in protest. The college had previously warned students against wearing hijabs, and the issue had been raised two months ago. The principal emphasised that the college would take appropriate measures after discussions with students and parents. "Since yesterday, when college resumed regularly around 11:30, some students have been coming to campus wearing saffron shawls. When asked about it, they replied that some students wear hijabs to class and that they would only remove their shawls when they remove their hijabs. This issue was also raised two months ago, but at that time we had managed to convince them..." the principal stated. Meanwhile, on Thursday, a group of Hindu students entered classrooms wearing saffron shawls, claiming it was a protest against the administration's alleged inaction over the dress code. Students alleged that despite repeatedly flagging the matter, the college had not taken any steps to enforce uniform rules equally. Responding to the situation, Principal Viresh Kammoor clarified that the institution requires all students to wear the prescribed uniform inside classrooms, although some concessions are made in individual cases. He stated that the college will hold a meeting with staff and parents to address the issue and arrive at a resolution. "Before entering the classroom, they wear different clothes. But there is a rule that all students must wear college uniforms inside the classroom. If there is a problem with an individual student, they are given a concession. The students had brought it to my attention about coming to class wearing a hijab. But today, after a female student came to class wearing a hijab, the boys came wearing saffron shawls. A meeting of the college staff and parents of the students will be called to resolve this problem," he said. The previous BJP government in the State had imposed a Hijab ban on students in educational institutions. The matter reached the Karnataka High Court, which also upheld the ban imposed by the then-BJP government. In this regard, the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict, leading to the Karnataka High Court verdict being upheld. Earlier in a separate matter, a controversy erupted in Kerala's Kochi, where a church-run school, St. Rita's Public School, allegedly barred a Class 8 student from attending classes for wearing a hijab. The controversy began when a class 8 student at St. Rita's School in Palluruthy, Kochi, was reportedly not allowed to attend classes wearing a hijab (headscarf), citing the institution's uniform policy. (ANI)
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Central Government after many IndiGo flights were cancelled over the past few days, alleging that the unprecedented disruption was the direct outcome of the Centre's mishandling of the aviation sector. In a post shared on X, Venugopal said, "550+ IndiGo flights cancelled in a single day is a clear consequence of the Government sleeping at the wheel while a duopoly established a deadly chokehold on India's aviation sector." Accusing the Modi government of prioritising "corporate greed over passengers' interests," he said lakhs of travellers across major airports were left waiting for hours before being informed that their flights had been cancelled. "The Modi Government has reduced a once-competitive industry to two players, prioritising corporate greed over passengers' interests. Lakhs of passengers are left helpless at airports for over 8 hours, only to be told their flights are cancelled, "Congress general secretary X post further read. Venugopal questioned what mechanism the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had in place to ensure that passengers received full and timely refunds. "What is the mechanism that @MoCA_GoI has set up to ensure passengers get full refunds for these cancelled flights? How are they ensuring Indigo is looking after passengers' well-being?" he asked. The Congress leader linked the present crisis to a series of developments in the aviation sector over the past several years, including the "collapse of Jet Airways and Go First to Air India's monopoly merger". He argued that these developments, occurring under the Centre's watch, cumulatively weakened the sector and burdened ordinary travellers. "From the collapse of Jet Airways and Go First to Air India's monopoly merger - every move that has contributed to this disastrous outcome has happened under their watch. As a result, ordinary passengers in need of urgent travel can no longer afford plane tickets, a situation of zero accountability for either the airlines or the @MoCA_GoI, and now a nationwide shutdown of flights," Venugopal added. "This is not a routine operational hiccup, it is a Government-approved systemic failure that will happen again and again unless drastic measures are undertaken immediately," he further added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines, especially IndiGo, to implement measures immediately to resolve the severe disruption to flight schedules and stabilise services without delay, an official statement said. Two orders have been issued to address problems faced by the public and restore service stability, especially on IndiGo. The order said, "It is expected: All flight schedules would stabilise and begin returning to normal midnight tonight; Full services and stability should return over the next couple of days; Passengers can track delays, if any, from home through information system installed by IndiGo and others; In the event of flight cancellation IndiGo will ensure automatic full refund for tickets." "If passengers are stranded, they will be put up at hotels where accommodation has been booked by airlines. Special measures have been taken to ensure senior citizens are not discomfited in any manner. They will be provided with lounge access; Passengers of delayed flights will be provided with refreshments and other necessities; A 24x7 control room at the Ministry of Civil Aviation is constantly monitoring the situation on a time basis," the order further read. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Central Government is fully alert to the woes of air passengers and is in constant consultation with all stakeholders. "Every possible measure, including rule exemptions as announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Friday, will be taken to restore schedules and ensure stability to mitigate the public's woes," the statement added. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Captain Brijesh Chowta on Friday said that the backdoor entry of banned Popular Front of India (PFI) into electoral politics through Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) was a "direct threat" to national security. "PFI's backdoor entry into electoral politics poses a direct threat to national security," Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Chowta told the Lok Sabha. He raised the matter during Zero Hour while alleging that cadres of the banned PFI may be regrouping through the SDPI to re-enter public life. The MP also criticised the Karnataka government, stating that its tacit understanding with the SDPI had enabled the outfit to amplify its presence in local electoral politics. Referring to an Enforcement Directorate (ED) press release dated November 8, 2025, Captain Chowta said the agency had reported that the SDPI functioned as the "political front of PFI", with the banned organisation "controlling, funding and supervising" its activities. He described the disclosure as a "credible and significant development" that should prompt stronger monitoring mechanisms. The MP stressed that his concern was not rooted in partisan politics, but in the need to safeguard democratic institutions and public safety. "PFI is a banned organisation. Any covert channel that allows it to influence elections undermines the unity and integrity of the nation," he said. Drawing attention to developments in his home district, Captain Chowta noted that Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring regions had "paid a huge price" for PFI's organisational networks. He cited the recent murder of Suhas Shetty, now under National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe following the timely intervention of the Union Home Minister, as a reminder of the region's continued vulnerability to radical elements. With local body elections approaching in Karnataka, he said the issue required "urgent attention". In recent years, the SDPI has secured several seats in local bodies in Dakshina Kannada. It even supported opposition candidates in key positions, such as the election for President of Bantwal Town Municipal Council last year. On the issue of tacit understanding between the SDPI and Congress, Captain Chowta said, "Congress has consistently fostered such forces and remained unapologetic about its ties with the SDPI and PFI. This nexus has endangered communities, undermined security, and allowed radical elements to thrive." He urged the Union Home Minister to examine the ED's findings and take steps to prevent banned organisations from resurfacing under new identities or using political parties as fronts to gain electoral legitimacy. "India's democracy gives everyone the right to contest elections, but national security must always come first," said Captain Brijesh Chowta, in a release about the Zero Hour Issue. He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government had consistently maintained a policy of Nation First and zero tolerance towards terrorism. "There is a need for an urgent coordinated effort to protect democratic processes from infiltration by extremist networks, so that electoral platforms do not become avenues for groups previously banned for anti-national activities," he added. (ANI)
To connect trained and disciplined Directorate General Resttlement (DGR) Ex-Servicemen with quality employment opportunities, the Inaugural Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) Ex-Servicemen Job Fair was held on Friday, at Tiger Division in Jammu. The initiative was taken to facilitate meaningful second careers for veterans of the Armed Forces. According to the official press release, the event drew an impressive response from both the corporate sector and the veteran community. Brig Pankaj Chib, Director Sainik Welfare Department & Secretary Rajya Sainik Board said, "It is DGR's 65th job fair. It is good to see that approximately 55 companies have participated. And there may be at atleast 500-600 job offers. So, it is a good initiative and will help ex-servicemen earn after service." Regarding the Agniveer's first batch, he said, "As you know, it is the first batch of Agniveer that will start attending from next year, and these job fairs will actually help them. Even many big companies have claimed that they will help them with the jobs, so these job fairs will actually help them. " He said that this initiative comes under the broad terminology of welfare. He added, "From the day anyone joins the army and even dies during the service, we take care of them, and it's not just simple taking care but actually welfare in a broad sense, which includes resettlement and rehabilitation, and I have been handling this responsibility for the last 10 days. In this, our efforts are to provide them with jobs and encourage them towards entrepreneurship. Even the government is working towards this direction." Ex-servicemen and prospective retirees of the Armed Forces participated in the fair. According to the press release, "Around 50 renowned corporate entities from diverse domains such as manufacturing, infrastructure, information technology, logistics, security, and services established recruitment stalls, offering a broad spectrum of roles commensurate with the rich experience, leadership qualities and technical skills of the ex-serviceman fraternity. The renowned corporations that volunteered to assist ex-servicemen in transitioning into civil careers are HDFC Life Insurance, KIA Motors, Tata Motors, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Canara Bank, Aditya Birla Capital, Bajaj Allianz, MG Motors, and Hyundai Motors." The event was attended by Major General Rahul Ohri, Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, General Officer Commanding Gurj Division, Shri Vikram Singh, IPS, Secretary Commerce and Industries, Govt of J&K, Brigadier Kumar Anand, Commander, Chenab Brigade, Brigadier Pankaj Chib (Retd), Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, Air Commodore A Sreedhar, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Jammu. The registration portal of the Job fair has been open since November 6. However, to support the non-registered ex-servicemen, special arrangements were made under the aegis of the Tiger Division. According to the press release, "The event symbolised growing convergence between governmental institutions and industry in supporting veteran resettlement. The fair witnessed substantive engagement between recruiters and job-seekers, with many candidates shortlisted for immediate placement and others identified for subsequent selection processes. The initiative reinforced Directorate General Resettlement's role as a vital bridge between the veteran talent pool and India's dynamic corporate landscape, and laid a strong foundation for similar job fairs in the region in the future." (ANI)
Pankaj Kumar Singh, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Eastern Railway, while speaking on the KAVACH system being installed in the Indian railways, stated that the railway's first priority is safety, and the railway is continuously working towards it. As a result, railway safety has improved, and the railway's safety record is very good. "Safety is the railway's first priority...In this regard, the work of installing KAVACH has also been started in the North Eastern Railway. If we talk about the main railway lines, our first priority is the important route from Chhapra to Barabanki and Sitapur to Budhwal. The tender process for installing KAVACH on this route has been completed, and physical work has also begun. The work of laying cables and installing towers has started. The Railway Minister has sanctioned the installation of KAVACH in 136 locomotives at a cost of Rs. 123.95 crore. With this work, the locomotives currently in operation will also be equipped with KAVACH. New trains like Vande Bharat already come equipped with KAVACH. So, KAVACH is a complete system..." he told ANI. Meanwhile, the Kavach 4.0 has been commissioned on 738 route km across Palwal-Mathura-Nagda, section (633 Rkm) on the Delhi-Mumbai route and Howrah-Bardhaman section (105 Rkm) on the Delhi Howrah route, according to an official release by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Kavach is a highly technology-intensive system, which requires safety certification of the highest order (SIL-4). Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running trains within specified speed limits by automatically applying brakes in case the Loco Pilot fails to do so, and also helps the trains to run safely during inclement weather. The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016. Kavach version 4.0 covers all the major features required for the diverse railway network. This is a significant milestone in safety for Indian Railways. Within a short period, IR has developed, tested and started deploying the Automatic Train Protection System. Major improvement in Version 4.0 includes increased Location Accuracy, Improved Information of Signal Aspects in bigger yards, Station to Station Kavach interface on OFC and Direct Interface to the existing Electronic Interlocking System. With these improvements, Kavach Version 4.0 is planned for large-scale deployment over Indian Railways. (ANI)
A complaint dismissed by a Magistrate Court in September alleging wrongful inclusion of Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's name in the 1980-81 electoral rolls has now been challenged by the complainant, who has moved a revision petition before the Sessions Judge. The petition is slated for a hearing on December 9, reopening a matter that had earlier been rejected at the threshold. In its September order, the Rouse Avenue Court had held that the criminal complaint against the former Congress president was legally untenable, deficient in substance, and beyond its jurisdiction. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Vaibhav Chaurasiya observed that the informant had attempted to "persuade this Court to assume jurisdiction which, in law, does not vest in it." The judge found that the plea relied solely on uncertified photocopies of electoral rolls from 1980, describing it as "a misuse of the process of law by projecting a civil or ordinary dispute in the garb of criminality." The order noted: "Mere bald assertions, unaccompanied by the essential particulars required to attract the statutory elements of cheating or forgery, cannot substitute a legally sustainable accusation." On the issue of jurisdiction, ACJM Chaurasiya stressed that questions of citizenship fall exclusively within the Central Government's authority under Article 11 of the Constitution and the Citizenship Act, 1955. In contrast, decisions on electoral rolls lie solely with the Election Commission of India under the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951. Any criminal court adjudicating such matters, the court said, would amount to an "unwarranted transgression" into constitutionally reserved fields and violate Article 329. "When the Constitution circumscribes the domain of democratic function exclusively with the Election Commission of India and the Central Government with respect to elections and citizenship, the informant cannot, by way of a private complaint, encroach upon this territory. Whatever cannot be done directly cannot be done indirectly," the order stated. The complaint, filed by advocate Vikas Tripathi, alleged that Sonia Gandhi's name appeared in the 1980-81 electoral rolls before she became an Indian citizen in 1983, and sought registration of an FIR under the provisions of the IPC, BNS, and RPA for alleged forgery and fraud. The Magistrate Court dismissed the complaint in limine, terming it an abuse of the process of law. (ANI)
The Special NIA judge on Friday extended Anmol Bishnoi's custody for a further seven days, till December 12. He conducted the hearing in the NIA headquarters in view of a threat to Bishnoi. Anmol Bishnoi, who was deported from the USA, is the brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Earlier, Bishnoi had moved an application alleging a threat to his life. Thereafter, the court decided to conduct the hearing in the NIA headquarters. Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma went to the NIA headquarters and held a hearing there. NIA, through Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Rahul Tyagi, along with Amit Rohila, sought further custody of Anmol Bishnoi for 7 days. It was submitted that further custody was required to investigate the case. It was also stated that some sensitive information was revealed during the interrogation of Anmol Bishnoi. Advocate Rajni and Deepak Khatri appeared for Anmol Bishnoi and opposed the extension of the custody remand. After hearing, the special NIA judge extended the custody for a further seven days. He was produced before the judge after the expiry of his earlier custody. The Special NIA court has also allowed two applications seeking permission to take voice and handwriting samples of Anmol Bishnoi. During the day, the Punjab police approached the special NIA court to seek custody of Anmol Bishnoi. Special Public Prosecutor for NIA opposed and said that NIA needs further Custody of Anmol Bishnoi. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) alleged the conspiracy hatched with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and its operatives, for raising funds, recruitment of youth for carrying out terrorist acts in the Union Territory of Delhi and other parts of the country. The same needs to be unearthed. While granting eleven days of custody on November 18, the court said, " Investigation with respect to the role of the accused with respect to the aspects highlighted inthe application has to be unearthed. Investigation with regard to aspects like the Role of the accused in the alleged conspiracy, incriminating evidence against him, modus operandi used by him for committing the crime in question, source of funds used by him for execution of terror conspiracy and details of social media accounts through which the responsibility of terror activities executed by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang needs to be unearthed." The NIA alleged that the members of the crime syndicate hatched a conspiracy with BKI and its operatives for raising funds, recruitment of youth for carrying out terrorist acts in the Union Territory of Delhi and other parts of the country. Besides that, the said syndicate is involved in executing and planning to execute spectacular heinous crimes, including but not limited to targeted killings of prominent persons with an intention to strike terror in the minds of people of the country, in furtherance of cause and objectives of BKI, which is a terrorist organization, included in the Schedule of the UA(P)A. Besides, the NIA also noted that, apart from the main charge-sheet, it has filed four supplementary charge-sheets. The accused is involved in activities. It was also submitted that the accused was declared a proclaimed offender on 17.01.2025 pursuant to a court order. Subsequently, he was arrested today at 02:30 pm, from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, the NIA said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on November 18 arrested the brother and close aide of dreaded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on his deportation from the US to India. SPP for NIA had submitted that the investigation is pending in relation to the accused. Further, the accused has absconded from India, and the NIA has taken legal recourse for declaring him a proclaimed offender. The NIA states that absconding since 2022, US-based Anmol Bishnoi is the 19th accused to be arrested for his involvement in the terror-syndicate led by his jailed brother, Lawrence Bishnoi. Anmol was chargesheeted by the NIA in March 2023 after investigations in the case established that he had actively aided designated individual terrorist Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi in the commission of various acts of terrorism in the country during the 2020-2023 period. It is alleged that operating closely with various Bishnoi gang associates, Anmol continued to run terror syndicates and execute terrorist acts from the US for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, using its operatives on the ground. Investigations revealed that Anmol Bishnoi had provided shelter and logistic support to the gang's shooters and ground operatives. He was also engaged in extortion in India from foreign soil with the help of other gangsters. It was stated that Anmol's name surfaced in the investigation of cases of Siddu Moosewala's murder case, the MLA Siddiqui murder case of Mumbai, and the firing on Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai. (ANI)
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to MarketsandMarkets, the Network Security Market is projected to grow from USD 84.50 billion in 2025 to USD 119.70 billion by 2030 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.2% during the forecast period.

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Network Security Market Size & Forecast:

Market Size Available for Years: 20192030

20192030 2025 Market Size: USD 84.50 billion

USD 84.50 billion 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 119.70 billion

USD 119.70 billion CAGR (20252030): 7.2%

Network Security Market Trends & Insights:

The market is being driven by increasing cyber threats, broader digital transformation and cloud adoption, and the rising demand for next-generation firewalls and hybrid mesh firewall solutions.

By solution, the Unified Threat Management (UTM) segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 12.5%.

Branch network security segment to dominate the market, growing at the CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period.

By services, the managed services segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate from 2025 to 2030.

By deployment mode, the cloud segment is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The North American Network Security Market accounted for 41.8% revenue share in 2025.

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The Network Security Market is driven by enterprises' need to secure expanding hybrid networks, enforce granular access controls, and protect high-value workloads as they migrate to multi-cloud environments. Growing eastwest traffic inside data centers, the rise of encrypted threats, and the convergence of networking and security through SD-WAN and SASE are accelerating investments in integrated security stacks. Demand is further fueled by organizations replacing legacy appliances with consolidated next-generation firewalls, cloud-delivered security layers, and AI-powered detection systems to maintain visibility, policy consistency, and real-time threat response across complex distributed infrastructures.

Based on solution, the unified threat management (UTM) segment will register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Unified Threat Management (UTM) is experiencing rapid growth because it bundles multiple security functions, including firewall, intrusion prevention, anti-malware, VPN, content filtering, and sometimes endpoint security, into a single, consolidated solution. This consolidation reduces complexity, lowers the total cost of ownership, and simplifies deployment and management, making it particularly attractive for small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs), branch offices, and organizations with limited IT staff. As cyber threats diversify and increase, UTM provides a comprehensive, all-in-one defensive layer without requiring the purchase and management of multiple separate security products. UTM's ease of deployment, integrated updates, and streamlined administration align with growing demand for efficient, turnkey network security, especially where resources and expertise are constrained. Because of its value proposition and suitability for rapidly expanding SMEs and distributed environments, UTM stands out as one of the fastest-growing solution segments.

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By network environment, the branch network security segment will register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Branch network security is growing rapidly as enterprises expand their footprints, opening new offices, retail outlets, remote sites, or retail-branch networks, often supported by cloud, SD-WAN, and remote connectivity. Each branch becomes a potential security weak point if not properly protected. Organizations now deploy unified security solutions, SD-WAN with integrated security, UTM, and centralized policy enforcement to secure branch networks without requiring full data-center-level infrastructure. This segment benefits from digital transformation, decentralized work models, remote sales offices, and retail expansion. The shift toward distributed architectures, with many small, geographically dispersed sites, makes branch security a priority, resulting in the fastest growth in this network-environment segment.

By region, North America will hold the largest market share during the forecast period.

North America remains the largest market for network security, driven by its mature digital ecosystem, high adoption of advanced technologies, and a strong presence of leading cybersecurity vendors. Enterprises in the region operate complex, distributed IT environments that require robust protection across data centers, cloud workloads, remote users, and branch locations. The prevalence of sophisticated cyberattacks, ranging from ransomware and supply-chain breaches to nation-state threats, drives continuous investment in next-generation firewalls, intrusion prevention, zero-trust frameworks, and SASE deployments. Additionally, stringent regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and federal cybersecurity mandates compel organizations to maintain high security standards. Large enterprises and government agencies allocate significant budgets to security modernization, threat intelligence, and managed services. North America's early adoption of technology, advanced security awareness, and ongoing digital transformation initiatives across the BFSI, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure sectors solidify its position as the dominant market for network security solutions and services.

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Top Companies in Network Security Market:

The Top Companies in Network Security Market include Cisco (US), Palo Alto Networks (US), Fortinet (US), Check Point (US), Trend Micro (Japan), Verizon (US), IBM (US), Broadcom (US), Juniper Networks (US), Akamai (US), Netskope (US), Microsoft (US), CrowdStrike (US), Zscaler (US), Cloudflare (US), AWS (US), OpenText (Canada), Hillstone Networks (US), Barracuda Networks (US), Huawei (China), Trellix (US), SonicWall (US), Forcepoint (US), Sophos (UK), Ivanti (US), Extreme Networks (US), Zyxel Networks (Taiwan), Cato Networks (Israel), NordLayer (US), Versa Networks (US), WiJungle (India), Cynet (US), SECNAP Network Security (US), Nomios (Netherlands), easi (Belgium), GajShield (India), Stellar Cyber (US), NETSCOUT (US), and Fidelis Security (US).

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Following several IndiGo flights being cancelled over the past few days and a large number of passengers left stranded at airports across India, Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Friday alleged that the Central government has given freedom to a monopoly and as a result of the present crisis, ticket prices were soaring. Speaking to ANI, Gurjeet Singh Aujla said, "Rahul Gandhi keeps warning the government from time to time about such issues, but the government is not ready to accept them...Now the issue has escalated and has come before the people. As IndiGo flights have been cancelled, the fares of other airlines have increased. Since 600 flights have been cancelled, Air India is selling tickets at Rs 50,000. The government has given freedom to a monopoly. The public is facing troubles, and the government is showing no concern." He further said that earlier, there used to be competition, and tickets were cheaper. "Now there is a monopoly, and ticket prices are decided by them. People buy flight tickets to save time, but the government is not concerned," he added. Earlier, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal launched a sharp attack on the Central Government, alleging that the unprecedented disruption was the direct outcome of the Centre's mishandling of the aviation sector. In a post shared on X, Venugopal said, "550+ IndiGo flights cancelled in a single day is a clear consequence of the Government sleeping at the wheel while a duopoly established a deadly chokehold on India's aviation sector." Accusing the Modi government of prioritising "corporate greed over passengers' interests," he said lakhs of travellers across major airports were left waiting for hours before being informed that their flights had been cancelled. "The Modi Government has reduced a once-competitive industry to two players, prioritising corporate greed over passengers' interests. Lakhs of passengers are left helpless at airports for over 8 hours, only to be told their flights are cancelled, "Congress general secretary X post further read. Venugopal questioned what mechanism the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had in place to ensure that passengers received full and timely refunds. "What is the mechanism that @MoCA_GoI has set up to ensure passengers get full refunds for these cancelled flights? How are they ensuring Indigo is looking after passengers' well-being?" he asked. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines, especially IndiGo, to implement measures immediately to resolve the severe disruption to flight schedules and stabilise services without delay, an official statement said. Two orders have been issued to address problems faced by the public and restore service stability, especially on IndiGo. The order said, "It is expected: All flight schedules would stabilise and begin returning to normal midnight tonight; Full services and stability should return over the next couple of days; Passengers can track delays, if any, from home through information system installed by IndiGo and others; In the event of flight cancellation IndiGo will ensure automatic full refund for tickets." "If passengers are stranded, they will be put up at hotels where accommodation has been booked by airlines. Special measures have been taken to ensure senior citizens are not discomfited in any manner. They will be provided with lounge access; Passengers of delayed flights will be provided with refreshments and other necessities; A 24x7 control room at the Ministry of Civil Aviation is constantly monitoring the situation on a time basis," the order further read. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Central Government is fully alert to the woes of air passengers and is in constant consultation with all stakeholders. "Every possible measure, including rule exemptions as announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Friday, will be taken to restore schedules and ensure stability to mitigate the public's woes," the statement added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting at Ranaghat in Nadia district, West Bengal, on December 20. The meeting will be held ahead of the forthcoming organisational activities in West Bengal and the 2026 Assembly elections. The meeting is said to be held in recognition of Nadia district's cultural and historical importance. Dr Anirban Ganguly, BJP leader from West Bengal, said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on December 20, in Ranaghat, Nadia district, West Bengal, will address a huge public meeting. In one way, this public meeting in 2026 will play a huge role in West Bengal's transformation. Nadia district is a significant district in West Bengal's cultural and religious history. In Shantipur, a few kilometres from Ranaghat, there is a memorial to Krittibas Ojha, a great Bengali scholar and translator of the Ramayana." He said, "The town of Phulia is known for its centuries-old textiles and sarees. The Prime Minister's vision of vikas (development) and virasat (heritage) in the context of Nadia is particularly important. In the last 15 years, there has been no roadmap from the present Trinamool government for such districts, given the heritage they carry in Bengal. Each of these districts has significant potential that needs to be explored. The Prime Minister's vision for development and heritage in these districts is essential and relevant in the current times. He criticised the TMC government by saying, "Nadia is a border district, TMC is trying to use its infiltrators' vote bank in the assembly elections and always tries to protect them. They have used this votebank even during the Left Communist government rule. In Nadia, after the partition, Prime Minister Modi has continuously worked for its inhabitants, including implementing the CAA in 2019." In the end, he said," This public meeting will act as a transformative force in West Bengal. The PM selected Ranaghat, Nadia, for its historical and cultural significance." His visit is expected to draw 'massive' public participation. The Prime Minister, in this visit, will highlight key initiatives of the Central Government, ongoing infrastructure projects, and the roadmap for Bengal's future, amidst the ongoing SIR in West Bengal. On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, initiated just months before the polls, has claimed 40 lives and is being used to destabilise the state government. Announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those hospitalised, Banerjee accused the Centre of selectively implementing SIR in non-BJP-ruled states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. "Due to SIR, 40 people have died. An ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh has been announced. For those in the hospital, the amount is Rs 1 lakh... Just so that the State government could not function, SIR was declared just three months before the polls. In Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam, elections are happening. SIR will happen in Tamil Nadu & Kerala since the BJP is not in power. It's happening in West Bengal since the BJP is not in power. Why is SIR not happening in bordering States where the BJP is in power?" Mamata said. Urging people to attend hearings and fill out forms correctly, CM Mamata accused the BJP of trying to "drive out minorities, Matuas and Rajbanshis." She cautioned voters against supporting independent candidates, claiming that doing so would indirectly benefit the BJP. "In the name of SIR, the BJP is trying to establish a detention camp in Bengal. No detention camp will be established in Bengal. The BJP must listen to me carefully! Please attend the hearing. Otherwise, your name will be deleted. We will help you. At every booth, we will set up camps to help you fill out the form properly... BJP wants to drive out minorities, Matuas, and Rajbanshish. Among those who died due to SIR are Hindus. SIR has taken whatever is left of the BJP. In Bihar, they fielded independents to split the vote. Remember, if independents cut votes, it will help the BJP... Do not vote for independent candidates, they have no stand. Take a firm decision now itself. Do not pay heed to what everyone is saying about the Waqf Act. These are communal forces. Rohingyas are in double-engine BJP States, not here," she said. West Bengal is undertaking the SIR exercise alongside 11 other States and Union Territories. The Assembly Elections in the state are likely to be held in 2026. Earlier on Wednesday, West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI) requesting 'stricter' monitoring mechanisms for the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. In his letter to the Election Commissioner, Adhikari urged that to "maintain neutrality", the second phase of SIR be placed strictly under the supervision of Micro Observers who should be Central Government employees. He also demanded that CCTV cover 100 per cent of the scrutiny phase and the hearing process to prevent "manipulation and to maintain full transparency of the process." (ANI)
The Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (MP STSF), in a coordinated operation with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), has successfully apprehended Yangchen Lachungpa, an international wildlife offender wanted under an Interpol Red Notice, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said in a press release. She was arrested on December 2, 2025, from Lachung in North Sikkim, following sustained intelligence efforts and coordinated ground action. This marks as one of the most significant arrests in the country in which a wildlife criminal has been arrested due to issuance of an Interpol Red Notice. The Notice for the accused was obtained recently on October 2, 2025 by WCCB, in its capacity as Interpol Liaison Office. The operation was carried out with full cooperation from Sikkim Police, Forest Department, Judiciary and District Administration, and also received support from SSB in Sikkim and Siliguri for secure transit arrangements, in view of heightened public sentiment. Following the arrest, the accused was taken to Gangtok for production before the competent court after a mandatory medical examination. After completion of medical tests, she was produced before the court on December 3, 2025, where her bail plea was rejected, and transit remand to Madhya Pradesh was ordered. Further legal proceedings would now be carried out at Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh. A wildlife crime case was registered on July 13, 2015 by the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department in Kamti Range, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Hoshangabad (now Narmadapuram). The case involved poaching and illegal trade of tiger body parts and pangolin scales, with seizures including 4 pieces of tiger bones, 1.5 kg pangolin scales, Tiger skin, Tiger bone oil extract. Another main accused in the case, Jai Tamang, arrested in October 2015, confessed that he supplied wildlife contraband to Lachungpa, who also provided him shelter. His confession firmly established her role in the trafficking chain. A total of 36 individuals were named in the case, of which 27 were convicted by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Narmadapuram, on December 20, 2022. However, proceedings against Lachungpa could not take place as she was absconding. A resident of Lachung/Gangtok, Sikkim, she was identified as a key member of an organised trafficking network with links from poachers and middlemen to transboundary illegal wildlife trade routes spanning Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, and operating across multiple Indian cities including Delhi, Siliguri, Gangtok, Kolkata, Kanpur, Itarsi and Hoshangabad. Lachungpa was briefly apprehended in September 2017 by MP STSF, but violated her bail conditions and absconded, leading to an arrest warrant on July 29, 2019. Following her continued evasion, WCCB sought an Interpol Red Notice through the CBI (India's National Central Bureau (NCB) for Interpol, handling Red Notices for all crimes, including wildlife offenses). The notice was issued for Lachungpa on October 2, 2025 as a 'fugitive wanted for prosecution', leading to her arrest on December 2, 2025. The accused is considered a significant relay point in transnational trafficking of wildlife contraband, especially tiger parts. Further investigation is expected to provide critical insights into both backward and forward linkages of the trafficking network. (ANI)
Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh will be on an official visit to Meghalaya on Saturday to inaugurate the Integrated Textile & Tourism Centre (ITTC) at Nongpoh in Ri Bhoi district. The visit aims to assess ongoing initiatives in conservation, seed production, and the expansion of Meghalaya's indigenous muga silk, known globally for its natural golden sheen. During the programme, he will be joined by the Union Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita. Following the inauguration, the Union Minister will also visit the Muga Seed Unit in Ri Bhoi. The ITTC at Ri Bhoi is a flagship initiative of the Department of Textiles, Meghalaya, created to promote the state's rich textile heritage while advancing sustainable tourism. It is designed as an immersive cultural hub to promote Meghalaya's unique traditions, especially Eri (Ahimsa) silk, while also providing a platform for artisans, farmers, entrepreneurs, and visitors to interact, showcase traditional craftsmanship, and benefit from integrated value-chain support. On Monday, the Ministry of Textiles will confer the Handicraft Awards 2025 to honour distinguished master craftspersons for 2023 and 2024. The event forms an integral part of the National Handicrafts Week celebrations. These prestigious national honours recognise unparalleled artistic excellence and reaffirm the Government's unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the country's rich and diverse handicraft heritage. The ceremony will be graced by President Droupadi Murmu as the Chief Guest. The event will be presided over by the Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, with Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs, attending as the Guest of Honour. Since their inception in 1965, the National Handicrafts Awards have recognised exceptional craftspersons whose exemplary workmanship has enriched the country's cultural landscape. The Shilp Guru Awards, introduced in 2002, stand as the highest recognition in the Indian handicrafts sector. These awards celebrate artisans who have demonstrated exemplary mastery and innovation in their craft, thereby ensuring the continuation and evolution of India's diverse craft heritage. National Handicrafts Week, observed annually from December 8-14, pays tribute to India's artisans and celebrates the enduring cultural significance of handicrafts. The Week features a broad spectrum of activities and public engagements aimed at enhancing awareness, strengthening artisan livelihoods, and promoting the sector's socio-economic relevance in contemporary India. Key activities include exhibitions showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, thematic workshops, capacity-building programmes, craft demonstrations, panel discussions, outreach initiatives, and cultural performances. (ANI)
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, stated that the 'Telangana Rising Global Summit' will provide a platform to those interested in participating in promising projects and plans for the welfare of Telangana. She extended warm wishes to everyone attending the summit, set to be held on December 8 and 9, an official release by the Congress Parliamentary Party noted. The release said that the programme provides a much-needed platform for all those interested in participating in several exciting and promising projects and plans for Telangana's development and progress. The three-pronged strategy, being adopted in the state, aims at a 360-degree approach, ensuring equal emphasis on urban, peri-urban, and rural-agro development projects. This will enable Telangana's extraordinarily rich, human, and natural resources, the entrepreneurial brilliance of its people, and its renowned knowledge and technological prowess to flower to their full potential, the release said. Earlier, on Wednesday, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and MP Priyanka Gandhi in the national capital and extended a formal invitation to both to attend the upcoming Telangana Rising Global Summit, the release said. He also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Telangana Rising Global Summit to be held on December 8 and 9 at the Bharat Future City. Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, the Chief Minister met with the Prime Minister in the Parliament and extended an invitation to the global summit. During the meeting, the Chief Minister presented the Prime Minister with a specially printed invitation card for the mega event, which is scheduled to be held at Hyderabad's Bharat Future City. The summit, envisioned on an international scale, aims to position Telangana as a leading global investment and innovation destination. The summit is scheduled to be held on December 8 and 9 at Bharat Future City in Hyderabad. During the meeting, CM Reddy briefed the leaders on the Telangana Rising 2047 Vision Document, which outlines long-term development strategies and revenue expansion plans for the state. He also handed over the official invitation to the Congress leaders. (ANI)
Despite recent tensions and protests by Hindu groups over the disputed mosque building in Sanjauli, the Muslim community on Friday offered Jumma (Friday) prayers peacefully, emphasising unity and brotherhood in the Himachal Pradesh capital. A significant number of Muslim devotees gathered to pray, expressing relief that the atmosphere remained calm and respectful. Speaking to the media after prayers, local Muslim devotee Mohammad Rakiv said that prayers were conducted peacefully and hoped for the same in the near future. "The prayers were conducted peacefully. There is no problem or difficulty. All brothers are going to Chandipur to offer prayers as well," said a Muslim devotee. Another worshipper, Mohammad Shawan, echoed the sentiment and stressed the bond between the communities. "There is peace between Hindus and Muslims. There is no issue. Everyone lives in harmony and friendship. Hindus and Muslims are brothers.", said Mohmmad Dhawan, a Muslim devotee. Shehjzad, the priest of the Sanjauli Mosque, thanked both communities for maintaining mutual respect and urged continued cooperation. "Yes, there is mutual love. On Fridays, more people come for prayers. We pray that love and affection remain among all. Everyone should live in harmony; that is the best way," said Shehjzad. Local Hindu resident Ravi Kumar Dalit welcomed the conduct of prayers, stating that the situation has improved after the High Court's directions to maintain the status quo at the site. "The Hon'ble High Court has ordered the maintenance of the status quo, and today, the Friday prayers were offered in line with constitutional provisions. It should be seen as a gesture of communal harmony. Earlier, there was tension and people were angry, but things are easing now. There is no atmosphere of conflict here.", he said. He added that Himachal Pradesh is known as Devbhoomi (Land of Gods), and the peace it stands for must be upheld. "Brotherhood should remain intact. The standoff that had emerged is now normal after the High Court's decision. The kind of environment that developed earlier should not repeat. Harmony must prevail within the constitutional framework.", said Ravi. Friday's prayers took place under close observation but without any disturbance. Community leaders on both sides expressed hope that the recent communal friction would now make way for peace and dialogue. The issue of the disputed Sanjauli mosque building remains under judicial consideration, but residents say they are determined to avoid conflict and preserve Shimla's long-standing tradition of coexistence and harmony. (ANI)
The CBI Court, Gwalior has convicted and sentenced two accused persons, namely, Ranveer and Harvendra Singh Chouhan alias Parvendra Kumar, to 'Seven Years Rigorous Imprisonment' (RI) with a fine of Rs. 11,000 each in the Vyapam Impersonation case relating to the Police Constable Recruitment Examination, 2012, according to an official release by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The case originated from FIR No. 770/2012 registered on 30.09.2012 at Morena, following a complaint by the Centre Superintendent, alleging impersonation during the Police Constable Exam, 2012. After the State Police filed a chargesheet against Ranveer Singh and kept further investigation open against Pravendra Kumar, the matter was handed over to the CBI in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India, the release said. The CBI registered the case on 08.08.2015 under sections of the IPC related to conspiracy, cheating, and forgery, and under the provisions of the MP Recognised Examination Act, 1937. After investigation, CBI filed two supplementary chargesheets on 30.09.2016 (against Ranveer Singh) and on 29.09.2017 (against Pravendra Kumar). Through meticulous investigation and sustained prosecution, CBI ensured that the offenders involved in examination-related malpractices were brought to justice. The Court, after the trial, convicted and sentenced the accused persons accordingly, the release stated. (ANI)
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi issued a passenger advisory, assuring that Indigo flight operations are now "steadily resuming" after the airline fiasco that saw over 1,000 flights cancelled on Friday. The Delhi Airport advisory stated that flight operations are now "getting back to normalcy" and advised passengers to check the status before leaving home for their flight. "We are glad to update that Indigo flight operations are now steadily resuming and getting back to normalcy following the brief disruption. Please check the status of your booking and flight before leaving from home," Delhi Airport said. https://x.com/DelhiAirport/status/1997008562007183662?s=20 This comes after IndiGo cancelled all domestic flights till Friday midnight departing from Delhi Airport and acknowledged that it was the most severely affected day, with over 1,000 cancellations. IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers categorically stated that things are expected to return to normal between December 10 and 15. "December 5 was the most severely impacted day, with the number of cancellations well over 1000. I extend our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience it has caused to our customers. It will take some time to return to a full normal situation, which we do anticipate between 10-15 December," Elbers said in a video message. As this happened, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu held IndiGo's mismanagement regarding its crew, 's respect to the new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), responsible for the disruption of its operations, leading to severe delays and congestion at the major airports across the country. Speaking to ANI, the Minister said the events that have unfolded in major airports led the Civil Aviation Ministry to grant IndiGo a certain abeyance from FDTL norms to ensure normalcy and aid stranded passengers. "From November 1, the DGCA came up with new FDTL (flight duty time limitation) regulations. The Ministry also initiated a continuous engagement process with the airlines for at least 6 months. Previously, there was no issue regarding the new FDTL norm. Other airlines, including Air India and Spice Jet, have adjusted. However, what has unfolded is due to mismanagement by IndiGo regarding its crew. We have given certain abeyance regarding FDTL norms to IndiGo to ensure normalcy," Naidu said. IndiGo's dominant market share of almost 63 per cent has raised concerns about a monopoly. The recent cancellation has stranded thousands of passengers, sparking outrage in Parliament too. The centre has directed airlines to implement measures to resolve the disruptions and ensure passenger refunds. The DGCA has attributed the disruptions to IndiGo's "misjudgment and gap in planning" in implementing new pilot duty-hour regulations. IndiGo has been granted a one-time exemption from the DGCA's pilot night duty rules until February 10, 2026. This exemption allows IndiGo to bypass stricter flight duty and rest period norms, specifically those related to night duty between 0000 and 0650 hours and to night operations. The DGCA has also withdrawn the rule that restricted airlines from counting pilot leave as weekly rest. The exemption is aimed at stabilising IndiGo's operations and reducing passenger disruptions caused by the airline's pilot staffing crunch. However, the Airlines' Pilots Association (ALPA) of India has criticised the decision, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines established safety regulations. (ANI)
Researchers have directly observed Floquet effects in graphene for the first time, settling a long-running scientific debate. Their ultrafast light-based technique demonstrates that graphene''s electronic properties can be tuned almost instantaneously. This paves the way for custom-engineered quantum materials and new approaches in electronics and sensing. Graphene is a remarkable form of carbon, built from a single layer of tightly connected atoms that is only one atom thick. Despite its thinness, it is highly stable and conducts electricity extremely well. Because of these qualities, graphene is considered a "miracle material" and is already being explored for flexible electronic screens, highly sensitive sensors, advanced batteries, and next-generation solar cells. A new study led by the University of Gottingen, in collaboration with teams in Braunschweig, Bremen, and Fribourg, shows that graphene may be capable of even more. For the first time, scientists have directly observed "Floquet effects" in graphene. This finding settles a long-running scientific question: Floquet engineering, a technique in which light pulses precisely modify the properties of a material, can also function in metallic and semimetallic quantum materials such as graphene. The research appears in Nature Physics. Direct Evidence of Floquet States in Graphene To probe these effects, the team used femtosecond momentum microscopy, a method that allows researchers to capture extremely fast changes in electronic behaviour. The graphene samples were illuminated with rapid bursts of light and then examined with a delayed pulse to follow how the electrons responded over ultrashort timescales. "Our measurements clearly prove that ''Floquet effects'' occur in the photoemission spectrum of graphene," said Marco Merboldt of the University of Gottingen, the study''s first author. "This makes it clear that Floquet engineering actually works in these systems -- and the potential of this discovery is huge," added Dr Marco. Their results demonstrate that Floquet engineering is effective in a wide range of materials. This brings scientists closer to the ability to shape quantum materials with specific characteristics using laser pulses within extremely short intervals. Light-Controlled Quantum Materials for Future Technologies Being able to tune materials with such precision could lay the groundwork for future electronics, computers, and highly advanced sensors. Professor Marcel Reutzel, who led the project in Gottingen together with Professor Stefan Mathias, explained, "Our results open up new ways of controlling electronic states in quantum materials with light. This could lead to technologies in which electrons are manipulated in a targeted and controlled manner." "What is particularly exciting is that this also enables us to investigate topological properties. These are special, very stable properties which have great potential for developing reliable quantum computers or new sensors for the future," Reutzel added. This research was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) through Gottingen University''s Collaborative Research Centre "Control of Energy Conversion at Atomic Scales". (ANI)
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had a "productive" meeting with Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov. Both leaders discussed cooperation in areas like food & agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and automobiles. They affirmed their commitment to advancing the economic development of both our nations. "Held a productive meeting with Mr Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development, Russia. We discussed cooperation in areas like food & agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automobiles, and more. Together, we are committed to unlocking the untapped potential and advancing the economic development of both our nations," Piyush Goyal said in a post on X. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1996597985820774844 Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Palam airport in New Delhi on Thursday evening. Both leaders also shared a car ride from the airport to the PM's Lok Kalyan Marg residence, highlighting the strategic partnership and close relationship between the two leaders. PM also presented a copy of the Bhagvad Gita in Russian to Vladimir Putin, describing the scripture as a source of inspiration for millions of people across the world. Putin, who is on his first visit to India in four years, will be in New Delhi till December 5. During his visit, the Russian President will also hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. Experts have also weighed in on the significance of Putin's trip, which is expected to boost cooperation in defence, trade, science and technology, and culture and humanitarian affairs. Former Indian diplomat Veena Sikri suggested that defence cooperation, technology and trade would be a big area of discussion between the both countries. "The three or four big areas of discussion would be about defence cooperation. We do know that in Operation Sindoor, the BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, and the S-400 air defence system were really the stars of the show," she told ANI. "President Putin has said that he's willing to give the transfer of technology... These are very important aspects, which surely our government will be looking at very carefully. In the area of trade, I think that's also very significant because India has to increase its exports to the Soviet Union... All this will be discussed in the context of trade..." she added. Foreign Affairs Expert Robinder Sachdev emphasised on the significance of the visit, saying that the old world order is now "crumbling" and all the nations are looking at India-Russia partnership in "new global scenario." "The visit of President Putin is coming at a very critical and important time in world affairs. The world of today, the old world order is crumbling. A new world matrix is under construction. All nations are looking for new partnerships in this new global scenario," Sachdev said. "In this environment, Russia and India meeting the leaders, despite Western pressures on India and of course Western pressures on President Putin, it indicates that these two nations are seriously intent on expanding and deepening their relations irrespective of what the world thinks. It's a very important meeting and the outcomes of this meeting will broaden and deepen Russia-India relations very strategically," he added. Sachdev further suggested that India can trade more S-400 air defence systems after its success in Operation Sindoor. "Some of the deals which will be there defence to air defence systems, that is the S-400 which performed very well in Operation Sindoor, we want perhaps some more of them and then the next in series of the S-400 is the S-500. There's talk of upgrading the BrahMos, and there could be some other defence discussions," he said. "The summit aims to go deeper into the three areas of nuclear, oil, and defence, and to expand the basket of Russia-India relations. President Putin has come with seven ministers...There is a need to expand the relations between the two countries on many fronts, including cultural. The wider our relations are, the more strategic it becomes...It's a very critical summit for balancing the relations, also, expanding and balancing the trade relations and the strategic relations," he added. (ANI)
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. announces that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has changed the hearing date for the proposed class action settlement that would benefit investors in Vanguard Investor Target Retirement Funds, from January 6, 2026 to January 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Below is an updated version of the announcement previously approved by the Court regarding the proposed settlement:

SUMMARY NOTICE OF PENDENCY AND

PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT

TO: ALL INVESTORS IN VANGUARD INVESTOR TARGET RETIREMENT FUNDS ("INVESTOR TRFS") WHO: (1) RESIDE IN THE UNITED STATES; (2) HELD SHARES OF THE INVESTOR TRFS IN TAXABLE ACCOUNTS OR IN TAX-ADVANTAGED ACCOUNTS WHERE CAPITAL GAINS FROM THE INVESTOR TRFS WERE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE OF THE TAX-ADVANTAGED ACCOUNTS; AND (3) RECEIVED CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THE INVESTOR TRFS IN 2021.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to an Order of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, that a hearing will be held on January 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before the Honorable John F. Murphy, United States District Judge of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, Courtroom 3-B, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, for the purpose of determining: (1) whether the proposed Settlement of the claims in the above-captioned Action for consideration including the sum of $25,000,000 should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable, and adequate; (2) whether the proposed plan to distribute the Settlement proceeds is fair, reasonable, and adequate; (3) whether the application of Lead Counsel for an award of attorneys' fees of up to one-third of the Settlement Amount plus interest, reimbursement of expenses of not more than $985,000, and service awards of no more than $20,000 to each Plaintiff, or $240,000 in total, should be approved; and (4) whether this Action should be dismissed with prejudice as set forth in the Stipulation of Settlement, dated September 5, 2025 ("Stipulation"). The Court reserves the right to hold the Settlement Hearing telephonically or by other virtual means.

You may have previously received notice of a $40 million settlement in this Action ("Prior Settlement"). The Prior Settlement was ultimately not approved by the Court due to the intervening settlement agreements that The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard") entered into with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and certain state regulators concerning substantially the same alleged conduct ("SEC Settlement"). The SEC Settlement required Vanguard to pay $92.91 million in remediation to an SEC Fair Fund ("Fair Fund"), which will be distributed to affected investors. After the Court denied approval of the Prior Settlement, Vanguard paid an additional $40 million into the Fair Fund, pursuant to the SEC Settlement. This $25 million Settlement provides compensation in addition to the $132.91 million that will be paid to investors through the Fair Fund.

This Settlement is not intended to preclude or limit Settlement Class Members' ability to participate in the Fair Fund. The SEC has not yet determined exactly who will be eligible to recover in the Fair Fund or how or when it will be distributed. All questions about the SEC Settlement or Fair Fund should be directed to the SEC.

If you received capital gains distributions in 2021 from Investor TRFs that were held in a Taxable Account or in a Tax-Advantaged Account where capital gains from the Investor TRFs in 2021 were distributed outside of the Tax-Advantaged Account, your rights may be affected by this Settlement, including the release and extinguishment of claims you may possess relating to the 2021 capital gains distributions from those funds. If you need assistance obtaining a detailed Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Class Action ("Notice") and a copy of the Proof of Claim and Release Form ("Proof of Claim"), you may write to, call, or contact the Claims Administrator: Vanguard Chester Funds Litigation, c/o Strategic Claims Services, 600 N. Jackson St., Ste. 205, P.O. Box 230, Media, PA 19063; (Toll-Free) (866) 274-4004; (Fax) (610) 565-7985; [email protected]. You can also download copies of the Notice and submit your Proof of Claim online at www.strategicclaims.net/vanguard.

If you are a member of the Settlement Class, to share in the distribution of the Net Settlement Fund, you must submit a Proof of Claim electronically or to be received no later than February 3, 2026 by the Claims Administrator, establishing that you are entitled to share in the recovery. If you submitted a Proof of Claim for the proposed Prior Settlement in this Action, you do not need to submit a new Proof of Claim. If you are not sure whether the Claims Administrator already received a claim from you, please contact the Claims Administrator. Unless you submit a written exclusion request, you will be bound by any judgment rendered in the Action whether or not you make a claim.

If you desire to be excluded from the Settlement Class, you must submit to the Claims Administrator a request for exclusion so that it is received no later than December 16, 2025, in the manner and form explained in the Notice. All members of the Settlement Class who have not requested exclusion from the Settlement Class will be bound by any judgment entered in the Action pursuant to the Stipulation.

Any objection to the Settlement, Plan of Allocation, or Lead Counsel's request for an award of attorneys' fees and reimbursement of expenses and awards to Plaintiffs must be in the manner and form explained in the detailed Notice and received no later than December 16, 2025, by each of the following:

Clerk of the Court

United States District Court

Eastern District of Pennsylvania

James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, Room 2609

601 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phillip Kim

THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P.A.

275 Madison Ave

40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Lead Counsel

Maeve L. O'Connor

DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON LLP

66 Hudson Boulevard

New York, NY 10001

Counsel for Vanguard Defendants

Daniel J. Kramer

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10019

Counsel for Trustee Defendants

If you have any questions about the Settlement, you may call or write to Lead Counsel:

Phillip Kim

THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

[email protected]

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT OR THE CLERK'S OFFICE REGARDING THIS NOTICE.

DATED: SEPTEMBER 8, 2025





BY ORDER OF THE UNITED STATES

DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN

DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

SOURCE The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
Elena Velyaeva, Chief Operating Officer of Russian firm Intrud, hoped that new perspectives would come to the fore as the Russian President Vladimir Putin began his two-day visit to India Velyaeva, while speaking to ANI, noted that India has had close ties with Russia since the time of the erstwhile USSR. "We are expecting new perspectives and new relations with the business and with education and with manpower as well. So we think that there are very many opportunities and we're like in the very beginning of the way because we have very many relations with the different countries, especially with India and historically we have very many interesting projects before when it was a big country, the USSR, and now we think that we can envelope our new projects and new perspectives," she said. The Russian Foreign Ministry shared images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcoming President Vladimir Putin at Delhi Airport, highlighting the warm reception. This gesture underscores the strong diplomatic ties between India and Russia. PM Modi's decision to meet Russian President Putin at the aircraft ramp was unexpected, and the Russian side had not been informed in advance, the Kremlin told Sputnik. The Russian Foreign Ministry shared visuals of PM Modi personally welcoming Putin. In a post on X, the MFA said, "President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for a two-day state visit. The Russian leader received a warm personal welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi." https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1996582417562313211?s=20 The visit underscores India's strategic balancing act in global politics, strengthening ties with Russia while navigating relationships with the West. Key discussions may include the Ukraine conflict, Afghanistan, and expanding the India-Russia Strategic Partnership. Putin, who on his first visit to India in four years was given a traditional welcome with a cultural dance at the airport, following which the two leaders departed in the same vehicle. He will be in India from November 4-5. (ANI)
Ireland's Ambassador Kevin Kelly remained "hopeful" of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, stating that the meeting of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February was "very positive." Speaking with ANI, Kevin Kelly said, "We're all really hopeful that we will get this agreement over the line. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and all of the College of Commissioners came to India earlier this year. They met with Prime Minister Modi, and it was very positive in terms of the relationship. I think the two leaders, Prime Minister Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, made a real solid commitment that we wanted to get this agreement done this year. A 40-member European Union negotiating team arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, marking the most intensive phase of the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) discussions, aimed initially at concluding it by the end of this year. India-EU FTA talks were relaunched in 2022. Additionally, Ireland's Ambassador expressed concern about the recent incidents of violence against the Indians living in Ireland. He said it was a "horrible time" and hoped that "it will not be repeated" "Last summer, that's just passed, so early summer, it was a horrible time, horrible for the Indian community in Ireland because there was a spate of incidents and attacks targeting Indian citizens or targeting citizens of different countries. And it caused a huge upheaval in Ireland," he said. "Of course, it was a terrifying time for the Indian community, but also for the Irish community, because this is not how we are. We always pride ourselves on being a very welcoming country, a safe country...The police set up a special liaison task force to support the Indian community and to maintain dialogue with the Indian Embassy in Dublin and some arrests have taken place. But it is something that we hope will not be repeated," he added. In July-August several cases of violence against Indian nationals were reported against the Indian nationals. On August 1, the Indian Embassy in Ireland had advised all citizens to take precautions and be aware of their surroundings for their personal security following the physical attacks on Indians.(ANI)
In a post on X, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Reaffirming its commitment to support Afghanistan's public health. India delivers 63,734 doses of Influenza and Meningitis vaccines to Kabul."

Last week, India delivered 73 tonnes of life-saving medicines, vaccines, and essential supplements to Kabul to address urgent medical needs.

In a post on X, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said, "Augmenting Afghanistan's healthcare efforts. India has delivered 73 tonnes of life-saving medicines, vaccines and essential supplements to Kabul to cater to urgent medical needs. India's unwavering support to the Afghan people continues."

The Ministry of External Affairs on November 3 said that India delivered food items for families affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan. Jaiswal shared images of aid sent by India.

"Reaffirming its support to the Afghan people, India delivers food items for the families affected by the earthquake. India's first responder," Jaiswal said in a post on X.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday called his Afghanistan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi to convey condolences at the loss of lives in an earthquake that struck Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces of the landlocked nation.

Jaishankar said that the Indian relief material is being distributed, and supplies of medicines will reach soon.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Called FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan this afternoon to convey condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake that struck Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces. Indian relief material for the earthquake-impacted communities is being handed over today. Further supplies of medicines to reach soon," he said.

The earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck northern Afghanistan near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in the early hours of Monday at around 2:00 am IST, killing at least 20 people and injuring over 300 others.

"Discussed progress in our bilateral relationship since his visit. Welcomed the improving people-to-people contacts between India and Afghanistan. Appreciated the exchange of views on the regional situation," the EAM added. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and how India takes pride in his leadership. Praising his resolute outlook, the Russian President further added that the Indian PM does not succumb to pressure from any country, including the US. Russian President Vladimir Putin was speaking to Aaj Tak and India Today at the Kremlin and called India a major global player. "Prime Minister Modi is not someone who succumbs to pressure easily. The Indian people can certainly take pride in their leader. This is absolutely obvious. His stance is unwavering and straightforward, without being confrontational. Our goal is not to provoke conflict; rather, we aim to protect our lawful rights. India does the same," he said. Putin described his relationship with PM Modi as both professional and personal, rooted in mutual trust and long-term cooperation. He called PM Modi a leader who sets "very challenging tasks" and drives India's high-growth trajectory with key initiatives like Make in India. "Our collaborative endeavours with Prime Minister Modi carry significant weight because they transcend our mutual ties. Given its direct relevance to both nations, ensuring stability in key areas of engagement is crucial, as it helps secure the fulfilment of our objectives. Prime Minister Modi sets very challenging tasks for the country - and for himself in the first place, then for the administration, and eventually for the nation," he said. Putin said that PM Modi's call for 'Make in India' has a practical dimension to the bilateral relations. "Take, for example, his famous pitch, "Make in India." It has a practical dimension, including for our bilateral relations. When we meet, he always says, "Let's do this, let's do that, let's look at this area and that." I can list them all. Therefore, we have a lot of practical areas of cooperation," he said. Putin emphasised the seven-decade-old 'dostee/druzhba', calling the partnership stable, evolving, and critical in a rapidly changing world. He noted that India and Russia's cooperation goes beyond bilateral ties and contributes to global stability. "You know, the world is evolving rapidly -- and this pace keeps getting faster, which is plainly visible to all. The global configuration is changing, with new centres of power emerging, and the global power landscape is changing too. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure stability among major nations, since this forms the groundwork for gradual progress in both bilateral and international relations," he said. Putin even shared an anecdote about the informal car ride with PM Modi during the SCO Summit, describing it as a simple gesture of camaraderie. "We have just gone over the current topics. This wasn't prearranged; we simply stepped out, and my car was waiting. I asked, "Would you like to come along?" That's all there is to it -- a gesture of human solidarity, camaraderie, and friendship. No hidden scheme was involved. We climbed into the car like old friends and talked en route. We always have things to discuss. What's more, we continued our conversation and just remained in the car," he said. "Eventually, I suggested: Let's go, they are already waiting for us. There is nothing special here; it simply indicates that we have matters to discuss and those matters are very important to us," Putin added. Putin said that India is no longer a nation that can be treated "as it was 77 years ago" "It appears that both India and the world recognise that India cannot continue to be treated the way it was treated 77 years ago. India is a major global player, not a British colony, and everyone must accept this reality," he said. Putin lauded the collaboration India shares with Russia, which spans an extensive array of collaborations. "I am delighted to be meeting, as you've mentioned, my friend Prime Minister Modi. We have made a specific arrangement to do so in India because there are numerous topics on which we need to talk, and our collaboration with India spans an extensive array, and of course, the unique nature of our relationship adds another layer of significance. I also want to highlight that India's progress over the past 77 years, since gaining independence, an extremely brief span in historical terms, has been substantial indeed, and India has truly come a long way in development," he said. Putin, on his first visit to India in 4 years, was given a traditional welcome with a cultural dance at the airport, after which the two leaders departed in the same vehicle. He will be in India from November 4-5. (ANI)
Russian chess grandmaster Sergey Karjakin on Friday expressed confidence in the growing warmth between New Delhi and Moscow, calling India a "friendly country" and a key partner for future collaborations, as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the country for a two-day state visit. Speaking in Delhi, Karjakin said, "I hope our relationship will grow. We see a friendly country in India. We hope we'll have a lot of projects here and maybe also in chess." Karjakin, a chess grandmaster himself, also highlighted the impressive rise of India's chess talent and the strength of both nations' training systems. "We have two strong chess schools, both in Russia and in India. There are a lot of young grandmasters here in India," he said. "It will be difficult for Russia to keep this tension... There is not only Gukesh. There are also Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa. One of them can be the next world champion, so it will actually be very difficult for Russian players," he added. Despite the competitive challenge posed by India's new generation of chess players, Karjakin said he welcomed the rapid progress of Indian chess. "But anyway, I'm only happy and can congratulate India for such strong new players," he said. Vladimir Putin, on his first visit to India in four years, will be in New Delhi until December 5. During his visit, the Russian President will also hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. Experts have also weighed in on the significance of Putin's trip, which is expected to boost cooperation in defence, trade, science and technology, and culture and humanitarian affairs. Former Indian diplomat Veena Sikri suggested that defence cooperation, technology, and trade would be major areas of discussion between the two countries. "The three or four big areas of discussion would be about defence cooperation. We do know that in Operation Sindoor, the BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, and the S-400 air defence system were really the stars of the show," she told ANI. "President Putin has said that he's willing to give the transfer of technology... These are very important aspects that our government will surely be looking at very carefully. In the trade area, I think that's also very significant, because India has to increase its exports to the Soviet Union... All this will be discussed in the context of trade..." she added. (ANI)
US Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P Duffy and Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford on Thursday (local time) announced Peraton will be the Prime Integrator to lead the most important aviation infrastructure project in decades, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The organization, in tandem with USDOT and the FAA, will oversee the rollout of a brand-new air traffic control system to enhance the safety and efficiency of skies. This project received a historic $12.5 billion down payment from President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, the release stated. "We are thrilled to be working with Peraton because they share President Trump's drive to modernize our skies safely at record speed," said US Transportation Secretary Sean P Duffy. "Working together, we are going to build on the incredible progress we've already made and deliver a state-of-the-art air traffic control system that the American traveling public, and our hard-working air traffic controllers deserve." "We are taking bold action to ensure our air traffic system is the envy of the world," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. "The One Big Beautiful Bill gave us a strong $12.5 billion down payment to start this modernization effort. But to finish the job and deliver the safer, more efficient system travelers deserve we're going to need another $20 billion. This is a long-term investment in the future of air travel, and we're committed to getting it right." According to a statement from the FAA, Peraton's capabilities are aligned with President Trump's goal to fundamentally overhaul air traffic control for the better. The company's expertise with integrating complex tech platforms and successful collaboration with federal government agencies have positioned them well to execute on this ambitious timeline. Additionally, this first-of-its-kind Prime Integrator contract is structured to reward good performance and incentivize smart usage of the taxpayer dollar. The contract will also penalize unnecessary delays or poor performance. While Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg complained the modernization of the nation's air traffic control system would take over ten years, the Trump Administration is on track to complete the project in just three. Once finished, the system will reduce outages, improve efficiency, reinforce safety, and support future growth of the national airspace, the FAA said in the release. According to the FAA, since taking office, President Trump and Secretary Duffy have made huge strides in improving US air traffic control which includes: converting one-third of copper infrastructure to modern fiber, satellite and wireless; deploying 148 radios across facilities nationwide; installing first next-generation voice switch at Allegheny Tower; deploying surface awareness systems to 44 towers and deploying electronic flight strips to 13 towers. To meet the ambitious goal of implementing a new system by the end of 2028, the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration used an innovative and first-of-its kind federal procurement contract to expedite selecting an integrator. The FAA further said, "Our system is safe but our equipment is old. To maintain safety, we slow flights when equipment failures occur. The FAA is experiencing significantly more equipment issues today than in the past. The new system will provide new and more reliable systems that will reduce equipment-related delays throughout the National Airspace System (NAS). The Prime Integrator will oversee this new approach to innovation, providing centralized leadership to ensure change happens in a coordinated, effective way. They will guide the modernization effort, keep it on track, and support the FAA as new capabilities and technologies are deployed across the NAS. The project includes replacing core infrastructure including telecommunications networks, radar, software and hardware to support modern air travel. Peraton will begin work immediately, partnering with the FAA on initial priorities which include transitioning the system's remaining copper infrastructure to modern fiber and establishing a new digital command center. "We will continue advancing other modernization initiatives including buying new radar systems and development of next-generation facilities as outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill," the FAA said. (ANI)
India and South Sudan held the first round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in the African nation's capital of Juba, marking a significant step in further strengthening bilateral relations, where both sides discussed an entire spectrum of bilateral relations. The consultations were held on Thursday in a warm and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the close ties between the two nations, with discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including capacity building, human resource development, cooperation in health, technical and vocational training, trade, and people-to-people relations, as per a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday. According to the MEA, the Indian delegation was led by M Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary (WANA), Ministry of External Affairs, while the South Sudanese side was headed by Ambassador Philip Jada Natana, Director General for Bilateral Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan. "The Consultations were conducted in a warm and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the close relations between the two countries. The Consultation reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties including capacity building & human resource development, cooperation in health, technical and vocational training, trade and people-to-people relations, and discussed ways to further promote the partnership. Both sides expressed satisfaction with ongoing cooperation and expressed commitment to continue high level interaction and exchanges as well as regular meetings of institutional mechanism," the MEA said The two delegations also exchanged views on regional issues and reiterated their determination to continue close cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral forums. During the visit, Kumar held meetings with several senior South Sudanese leaders, including Vice President James Wani Igga, Minister of Foreign Affairs Monday Semaya Kenneth Kumba, Minister of Mining Martin Abucha, Minister of Livestock & Fisheries Onyoti Adigo Nyikec, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the ongoing partnership, noting the progress made across various sectors since the establishment of diplomatic relations and agreed that the next round of Foreign Office Consultations would be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date. "During these meetings, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the ongoing partnership. They noted with satisfaction, the progress made across various sectors since the establishment of diplomatic relations and agreed to explore new avenues of cooperation," the release added. The MEA in a post on X also made the announcement of the meeting, stating, "First ever Foreign Office Consultation between India and South Sudan was held on 4 December 2025 in Juba, led by Dr M. Suresh Kumar, JS (WANA) and Ambassador Philip Jada Natana, DG, Bilateral Relations." (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he received a ceremonial welcome and the tri-services guard of honour at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. The ceremonial welcome was accorded at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, following which, Putin inspected the Guard of Honour. The Russian, Indian national anthems were played to welcome Putin. The Russian President is on a two-day State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Delhi LG VK Saxena, CDS General Anil Chauhan and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony. President Droupadi Murmu and Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced each other to the dignitaries from each other's country. Among the Russian dignitaries included Russian defence minister Andrey Belousov and Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov. Four years after their last in-person interaction on Indian soil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to share the stage once again in the national capital oday for bilateral talks. Since their last meeting here in December 2021, Putin arrived in the national capital on Thursday and PM Modi broke with protocol to geet him on the tarmac. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug. Modi, in a post on X, stated that the "friendship" between the two leaders is a "time-tested one" and he was delighted to welcome Putin back to India after four years. Both leaders shared the same car ride to Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister Modi where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita. "Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people," the Prime Minister stated in his post. During his visit, the Russian President will also hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. Putin will also attend a India-Russia business forum and launch the RT channel in India before participating in a banguet thrown by President Murmu in his honour. He is scheduled to depart the coutnry late this evening. (ANI)
Following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital. He laid a wreath, paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation and also signed the visitors' book at the Rajghat. The Russian President was accompanied by Minister of State for the Ministry of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, to the memorial site. Putin is on his first visit to India in four years and during his State visit, the Russian President will hold the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. The Russian President is on a two-day State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prior to his arrival at the Rajghat, the President of the Russian Federation was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received the ceremonial tri-services guard of honour as the forecourt echoed with the sound of the Indian as well as the Russian national anthem. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Delhi LG VK Saxena, CDS General Anil Chauhan and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony at which President Droupadi Murmu and Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced each other to the dignitaries from each other's country. Among the Russian dignitaries were Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov. Four years after their last in-person interaction on Indian soil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to share the stage once again in the national capital today for bilateral talks. Since their last meeting here in December 2021, Putin arrived in the national capital on Thursday and PM Modi broke with protocol to greet him on the tarmac. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug. PM Modi, in a post on X, stated that the "friendship" between the two leaders is a "time-tested one" and he was delighted to welcome Putin back to India after four years. Both leaders shared the same car ride to the Lok Kalyan Marg residence of Prime Minister Modi, where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and signed the guestbook of the memorial complex. "In many respects, one of the founders of modern India, the great philosopher and humanist Mahatma Gandhi made an invaluable contribution to the cause of peace throughout the world. His ideas about freedom, virtue, and compassion remain relevant to this day, " Putin wrote in his short note. "In many respects, Mahatma Gandhi anticipated the new, more just multipolar world order that is now taking shape. In his letters to Leo Tolstoy, he extensively reflected on the future of a world free from diktat and hegemony, founded on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and cooperation among nations. These are the very principles and values that Russia and India jointly uphold on the international stage today," Putin wrote in Russian. His note was shared by the Russian Foreign Ministry in a post on X. https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1996845326494552423?s=20 Putin laid a wreath, paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation at the Rajghat. The Russian President was accompanied by Minister of State for the Ministry of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, to the memorial site. Putin is on his first visit to India in four years for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. Prior to his arrival at the Rajghat, the President of the Russian Federation was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received the ceremonial tri-services guard of honour as the forecourt echoed with the sound of the Indian as well as the Russian national anthems. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Delhi LG VK Saxena, CDS General Anil Chauhan and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony at which President Droupadi Murmu and Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced each other to the dignitaries from each other's country. Among the Russian dignitaries were Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov. Putin had arrived in the national capital on Thursday and PM Modi broke with protocol to welcome him on the tarmac. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug. Modi, in a post on X, stated that the "friendship" between the two leaders is a "time-tested one" and he was delighted to welcome Putin back to India after four years. Both leaders shared the same car ride to Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister Modi where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita. Putin will also attend a India-Russia business forum and launch the RT channel in India before participating in a banguet thrown by President Murmu in his honour. He is scheduled to depart the country late this evening. (ANI)
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India's ongoing humanitarian assistance initiative, Operation Sagar Bandhu, has taken a major step forward as an Indian medical team establishes a fully operational field hospital in Sri Lanka's Mahiyanganaya, near Kandy, to support communities affected on the ground, as the island nation deals with one of the most devastating tropical storms, Cyclone Ditwah. In a post on X on Friday, the High Commission of India in Colombo said the facility is being set up to provide urgent, life-saving care to those affected. "Operation Sagar Bandhu continues healing on the ground. A fully operational field hospital is being set up by the Indian medical team in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy, bringing trauma care, surgical capability, ambulances and critical services directly to a hard-hit community. Ensuring those impacted have access to urgent, life-saving medical support," the High Commission posted. India has continued its humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka through coordinated rescue, medical, and relief operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Earlier, External Affairs Minister Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that to restore road accessibility, another Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster landed in Colombo on Thursday with Bailey bridge units. A team of 25 personnel, including engineers and medical experts, also arrived on this flight, the MEA stated. "Another IAF MCC C-17 Globemaster has landed in Colombo with Bailey bridge units to restore road accessibility. A team of 25 personnel, including engineers and medical experts also arrived in this flight," Jaiswal stated in his post. According to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll from the severe weather conditions across the country has risen to 481 as of 6:00 PM on Thursday, the Daily Mirror Online reported. The latest update also notes that 345 people remain missing, while search, rescue, and relief efforts continue in several of the worst-affected districts. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Department of Meteorology on Friday issued a red alert for intense lightning in several areas, including the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and the districts of Galle and Matara, valid until 11:00 pm today, as reported by the Daily Mirror Online. The advisory notes that seven districts are under red alerts, while eight others are under amber alerts due to an increased likelihood of lightning. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated India's advocacy for peace on the Ukraine issue and welcomed all efforts being made for peaceful resolution of the matter. He made the remarks during the joint press statement delivered with President Putin. PM Modi said, "India has advocated for peace on the Ukraine issue from the very beginning. We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceful and lasting resolution of this matter. India has always been ready to contribute its part and will remain so in the future." He added, "India and Russia have long been standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly assault on the Crocus City Hall -- the root of all these incidents is the same. India's unwavering belief is that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength." PM Modi underscored, "I am fully confident that in the times to come, our friendship will give us the strength to face global challenges -- and this very trust will enrich our shared future." Earlier during the bilateral meeting with President Putin, PM Modi had once again invoked his message of "peace" stating that India is not neutral but stands on the side of peace in his opening remarks at the bilateral summit with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin in the national capital. "In recent days, whenever I have spoken with leaders of the global community and discussed this issue in detail, I have always said that India is not neutral. India has a clear position, and that position is for peace. We support every effort toward peace. India is on the side of peace and the world should return to peace," he said. In a joint statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Putin's visionary leadership in deepening the India-Russia ties and said that despite global challenges, the friendship has remained steadfast. He announced that the countries have discussed about an 'Economic Cooperation Programme' till 2030 and are working towards the early conclusion of an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union. Putin is on his first visit to India in four years for a two-day State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Russian President paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He laid a wreath and paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation and also signed the visitors' book at the Rajghat. Prior to his arrival at the Rajghat, the President of the Russian Federation was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received the ceremonial tri-services guard of honour as the forecourt echoed with the sound of the Indian as well as the Russian national anthems. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Delhi LG VK Saxena, CDS General Anil Chauhan and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony at which President Droupadi Murmu and Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced each other to the dignitaries from each other's country.Among the Russian dignitaries were Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov. Putin had arrived in the national capital on Thursday and PM Modi broke with protocol to welcome him on the tarmac. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug. Modi, in a post on X, stated that the "friendship" between the two leaders is a "time-tested one" and he was delighted to welcome Putin back to India after four years. Both leaders shared the same car ride to Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister Modi where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita. Putin will also attend a India-Russia business forum and launch the RT channel in India before participating in a banguet thrown by President Murmu in his honour. He is scheduled to depart the country late this evening. (ANI)
In a joint statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Putin's visionary leadership in deepening the India-Russia ties and said that despite global challenges, the friendship has remained steadfast. He announced that the countries have discussed about an 'Economic Cooperation Programme' till 2030 and are working towards the early conclusion of an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union. "Over the past eight decades, the world has witnessed numerous ups and downs. Humanity has had to pass through many challenges and crises. Amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like a pole star. These relations, rooted in mutual respect and deep trust, have always stood the test of time. The relationship which stands on mutual respect and deep trust have always stood the test of times, " PM Modi said PM Modi shared that India and Russia have reached an understanding 'Economic Cooperation Programme' till 2030 and his will diversify, balance and make trade and investment sustainable. PM Modi expressed optimism for the India-Russia Business forum which is scheduled to take place later today to serve as a platform for further strengthening the business ties between the two countries. "It will open new doors to export, co-production and co-innovation. Both sides are working towards the early conclusion of an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union". "25 years ago, President Putin had laid the foundation of the India-Russia strategic partnership. 15 years ago, our relationship was lifted to special and priveleged strategic partnership. He has consistently nurtured the relationship in the last 25 years," PM Modi said. PM Modi underlined India-Russia cooperation on energy and said that the two coutries would continue this, while expanding to areas like critical minerals. Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership. Our decades-old cooperation in the field of Civil Nuclear Energy has been crucial in giving meaning to our shared priorities for Clean Energy. We will continue this win-win cooperation. Our cooperation in Critical Minerals is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains across the entire world. This will provide solid support to our partnership in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and new age industries," PM Modi said "Now we will collaborate on training India's seafarers in polar waters. This will not only strengthen our cooperation in the Arctic, but also create new employment opportunities for the youth of India," the PM added. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warmly received Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, underscoring the deep and longstanding partnership between the two nations. Putin is on his first visit to India in four years for a two-day State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Russian President paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He laid a wreath and paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation and also signed the visitors' book at the Rajghat. Prior to his arrival at the Rajghat, the President of the Russian Federation was welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he received the ceremonial tri-services guard of honour as the forecourt echoed with the sound of the Indian as well as the Russian national anthems. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Delhi LG VK Saxena, CDS General Anil Chauhan and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony at which President Droupadi Murmu and Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced each other to the dignitaries from each other's country.Among the Russian dignitaries were Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and Kremlin aide Dmitry Peskov. Putin had arrived in the national capital on Thursday and PM Modi broke with protocol to welcome him on the tarmac. Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug. Modi, in a post on X, stated that the "friendship" between the two leaders is a "time-tested one" and he was delighted to welcome Putin back to India after four years. Both leaders shared the same car ride to Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister Modi where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita. Putin will also attend a India-Russia business forum and launch the RT channel in India before participating in a banguet thrown by President Murmu in his honour. He is scheduled to depart the country late this evening. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that his State visit to India and the agreements signed during bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will further strengthen and deepen the Russia-India strategic partnership, as both sides reviewed their cooperation across a wide spectrum of sectors. President Putin, during a joint press address at Hyderabad House, said the two leaders had developed a close working dialogue. He recalled his meeting earlier this year during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Tianjin, China. "We and PM Modi established a close working dialogue in September when we were at the SCO summit in Tianjin. We are personally overseeing special developments on strategic avenues and monitoring key bilateral projects," the Russian President said. Putin emphasised that the delegations had examined the full breadth of bilateral ties, noting relevant issues on the multifaceted interaction that both nations need to address. "With the help of our delegation, we have meticulously reviewed the whole range of relevant questions of the Russia-India multifaceted interaction. We exchanged our opinions on relevant global and regional subjects," he said. The Russian President noted that the two sides had signed an "impressive package" of intergovernmental and inter-organisational agreements, many of which are geared towards expanding economic cooperation. Putin further highlighted that bilateral trade had touched USD 64 billion last year--an increase of 12 per cent--and said that both sides aim to raise it to USD 100 billion. "To achieve this, we have harmonised our approach in the Programme of Russian-Indian Economic Cooperation until 2030," Putin said noting that the document lays out concrete objectives for removing hurdles to trade and capital flows. Putin also reiterated that both nations are increasingly using national currencies, with 96 per cent of transactions conducted in rupees and rubles, noting that Russia has broadened mechanisms for the use of Indian rupees received from export settlements. The Russian President also highlighted deepening energy cooperation, stating that Russia remains a reliable supplier of oil, gas, and coal to meet India's growing needs. He also underscored ongoing collaboration on India's largest nuclear power plant. He indicated readiness to expand into small modular reactors, floating nuclear power plants, and non-energy atomic applications in medicine and agriculture. Putin reaffirmed Russia's support for India's Make in India initiative, saying Russia will establish local manufacturing of industrial products in partnership with Indian agencies. "We are conducting joint initiatives in the industry, machine, manufacturing, digital Technologies space, exploration and other science-intensive avenues. Russia will also be establishing the production of Industrial Products in the framework of the 'Make in India' programme, which is a Hallmark project of distinguished Prime Minister Modi," the Russian President said. On the global stage, Putin said India and Russia share aligned positions on significant issues. "Russia and India conduct independent and self-sufficient foreign policy... promoting a more just and democratic multipolar world order and defending the principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter," he added. He added that both countries will continue close cooperation in BRICS and SCO and that Russia will fully support India as it assumes the BRICS Chairship next year. The Russian President expressing satisfaction with the outcome of the talks, noting that both sides were "undoubtedly satisfied" with the results. "I can express my confidence that the current visit and the agreements reached will help further deepen the Russia-India strategic partnership," the President of the Russian Federation stated. Vladimir Putin, on his first visit to India in four years, will be in New Delhi until December 5. (ANI)
India has moved to further strengthen its ties with Russia by announcing free 30-day e-tourist visas and 30-day group tourist visas for Russian citizens. While adressing the joint press address with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this new visa facility for Russian travellers. "I am happy that very soon we are going to introduce a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens," PM Modi said. PM Modi highlighted that cooperation between India and Russia is widening into new areas, including maritime training in extreme climatic regions. He said both countries will begin working together to train Indian seafarers for operations in polar waters. "Now we will also cooperate to train India's seafarers for operations in polar waters. This will not only give new strength to our cooperation in the Arctic but will also create new employment opportunities for India's youth," he noted. Energy collaboration remains central to the India-Russia partnership, and Modi underlined the consistency of this engagement over the decades. "Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership. Our decades-old cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy has played a key role in advancing our shared priorities on clean energy. We will continue this win-win cooperation," he said. He also pointed to growing cooperation in critical minerals, an area increasingly vital for clean technologies and modern manufacturing. Modi said this cooperation would help ensure stable global supply chains. "Our cooperation in critical minerals is important for ensuring secure and diversified supply chains across the world. This will provide solid support to our partnership in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing and new-age industries," he stated. Further, PM Modi reiterated India's advocacy for peace on the Ukraine issue and welcomed all efforts to resolve the matter peacefully. He made the remarks during the joint press statement delivered with President Putin.PM Modi said, "India has advocated for peace on the Ukraine issue from the very beginning. We welcome all efforts toward a peaceful and lasting resolution of this matter. India has always been ready to contribute its part and will remain so in the future." He added, "India and Russia have long been standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly assault on the Crocus City Hall -- the root of all these incidents is the same. India's unwavering belief is that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength." PM Modi underscored, "I am fully confident that in the times to come, our friendship will give us the strength to face global challenges -- and this very trust will enrich our shared future." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held an extensive range of talks aimed at strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said that the leaders witnessed exchange of several documents. In a post on X, he said, "PM Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin held extensive talks at Hyderabad House today during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. Both leaders discussed all aspects of India-Russia relations which are deep-rooted and multifaceted. They reaffirmed mutual commitment to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. They also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. The leaders witnessed exchange of several documents, including MoUs on Trade and Commerce, Migration and Mobility, Maritime Cooperation, Health and Food Safety, Fertilizers, Academic Exchanges, Media Cooperation and enhancing People to People ties." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1996892569729749116?s=20 Earlier in the day, the PM Modi welcomed Putin at Hyderabad House to participate in the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. In a post on X, the MEA said, "Taking our special and privileged partnership ahead! PM Narendra Modi warmly welcomed President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House to participate in the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. India and Russia share longlasting and time-tested bonds. Comprehensive and detailed discussions aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relations to ensue." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1996843379058266304?s=20 Earlier in the day, Putin offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "India-Russia friendship marching forward! President Vladimir Putin offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, honouring Bapu's legacy and teachings. Mahatma Gandhi had several connections with Russia which form part of the shared history of our two countries." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1996837420839719232?s=20 Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh Gonda accompanied Putin to Rajghat. In a post on X, Gonda said, "Had the honour of accompanying President Vladimir Putin to Rajghat, where he offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, honouring his enduring legacy." https://x.com/KVSinghMPGonda/status/1996878072549986727?s=20 Putin was accorded a cordial welcome and Guard of Honour at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Jaiswal said in a post on X, "Further strengthening India-Russia ties! President Vladimir Putin of Russia was accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Warmly received by President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1996833270261338399?s=20 The Rashtrapati Bhavan said, "President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to H.E. Mr Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, at Rashtrapati Bhavan." https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1996836826032779681?s=20 https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1996818847958245542?s=20 At the invitation of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the President of Russia, Putin paid a State visit to India on December 4-5, for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that India is actively working to secure the release of its citizens who have joined the Russian armed forces, while urging caution to prevent further recruitment. While adressing the special briefing on the state visit of Vladimir Putin, Misri said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the matter with the Russian President, underscoring that "our concerted efforts continue on a regular basis to secure the early release of Indian citizens from the Russian Army." "This issue of the recruitment of Indian citizens into the Russian armed forces was broached by PM Modi," Misri stated. Misri cautioned Indian citizens against accepting offers to join the Russian military. "I would just take this opportunity to reiterate once again that our citizens should avoid very, very carefully any offers to join the Russian armed forces. We are seeing several cases of people stranded there, appealing to be rescued and brought out. As I said, we are actively engaged in that effort," he added. Families of Indians stranded in Russia have been protesting, demanding the government's intervention to bring their loved ones back. The MEA has reported that 127 Indians joined the Russian army, 98 were evacuated, and 12 remain missing. Misri also highlighted new developments in India-Russia travel and tourism facilitation. He confirmed that India has introduced a 30-day e-tourist visa on a gratis basis for Russian citizens, describing it as "on the basis of reciprocity." He further noted that India is now, for the first time, offering group tourist visas to Russia free of charge as well. "We have offered a 30-day e-tourist visa on a gratis basis. This is based on reciprocity. We have also, I think, for the first time, started to look at group tourist visas. And that is also being done with Russia for the first time on a gratis basis," Misri said. In November, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that at least 44 Indian nationals are currently serving in the Russian army. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government has raised the issue with Russian authorities, urging the release of these individuals and warning citizens against accepting recruitment offers, citing serious risks to life. Jaiswal said, "In the last few months, yes, we have come to know, we have been informed of several Indian nationals who have been recruited in the Russian army. We have once again taken up the matter with the Russian authorities to have them released at the earliest, as also to put an end to this practice." He added, "As per our understanding, 44 Indian nationals are currently serving in the Russian army. We are in touch with the Russian side. We are also in touch with the families of these people and giving them an update on the matter. We once again take this opportunity to convey to all that one should stay away from offers being made to serve in the Russian army because it is an offer that is fraught with danger to life and there's risk to life..." According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), several Indian nationals signed up for what they believed were support jobs or civilian jobs in Russia. Instead, many allege they were misled and "tricked into military service" soon after reaching Russia. Some went on student visas or tourist/visitor visas, but reportedly their passports were confiscated, and they were coerced into accepting military-service contracts. (ANI)
Nepal's former Prime Ministers KP Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba met on Friday for the first time since the September Gen-Z uprising, which brought down the coalition government led by Oli. On Friday afternoon, Oli, along with his spouse Radhika Shakya, reached Deuba's temporary residence in the capital Kathmandu to hold political discussions with Deuba. According to sources, Friday's meeting marks the first direct engagement between the two top leaders following the serious attack on Deuba during the Gen-Z protest. According to a photo released by KP Oli's secretariat, former first lady Arzu Rana Deuba was also present at the meeting. Former PM and Chairman of the CPN-UML, Oli, arrived at Deuba's temporary residence, where Acting NC President Purna Bahadur Khadka was already in discussions with party leaders. "A meeting was held between leaders, including Chairman Oli and Chairman Deuba, in Maharajgunj. The two leaders also discussed the election for the House of Representatives announced for March 5, 2026," a source confirmed ANI. Oli has been vocal against the house dissolution and has been demanding the reinstatement of the parliament with his party, the Communist Party of Nepal, Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), which lodged a petition against it in the Supreme Court. But the sources close to Oli said he visited Maharajgunj to inquire about Deuba's health. This is the first encounter between the two since the Gen-Z movement of September 8 and 9. "There had been no meeting after the political shifts triggered by the movement. Our Chairman went to ask about Deuba's condition," a UML leader said. "After their meeting, the current political situation will be reviewed." Amid the ongoing legal battle over the dissolution of parliament, leaders of both parties have been trying to forge a common understanding. (ANI)
India and Russia on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism, transnational organised crime, money laundering, terrorist financing, and illicit drug trafficking. In the Joint Statement following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned terrorist attacks in India and Russia, including the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir and the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow. "The two Leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to preventing and countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border movement of terrorists and terrorist financing networks and safe havens. They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in India in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, and in Russia at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on March 22, 2024," added the statement. Both leaders unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation by any religious or ideological pretexts, whenever, wherever, and by whomever they may be committed. "They also called for concerted actions against all UN-listed terrorist groups and entities, including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh and their affiliates, aimed at rooting out terrorists' safe havens, countering the spread of terrorist ideology, eliminating terrorist financing channels and their nexus with transnational crime, and halting cross-border movement of terrorists, including foreign terrorist fighters," added the statement. Both sides called for an uncompromising fight against international terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations, noting the importance of increasing cooperation in this area, without hidden agendas and double standards on the solid basis of international law and the UN Charter. The leaders also stressed the importance of implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. They emphasised the primary responsibility of States and their competent authorities in combating terrorism. They called for a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism and expeditious finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the UN framework, as well as implementation of the UNGA and the UNSC resolutions on countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism. The two Sides recalled the Special Meeting of the UNSC Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) held in India in October 2022 under India's Chairship of the CTC and welcomed the unanimously adopted Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes. They noted that the declaration aims to cover the main concerns surrounding the terrorist exploitation of Information and Communications Technology, such as payment technologies, social media platforms and fundraising methods and misuse of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones). Both Sides also expressed their readiness to develop further cooperation in this field with a special focus on preventing radicalisation and the spread of extremist ideology in the online space. In this regard, they noted with satisfaction the positive dynamics of strengthening relevant mechanisms within the SCO and BRICS formats. Moreover, the two countries welcomed the counter-terrorism measures against international terrorist groups in Afghanistan and expressed confidence in the fight against terrorism. Both Sides noted with appreciation the close coordination between India and Russia on Afghanistan, including through the dialogue mechanism between the Security Councils of both countries. They emphasised the important role of the Moscow Format meetings. The Leaders welcomed the counter-terrorism measures against international terrorist groups, including ISIS and ISKP and their affiliates, and expressed confidence that the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan would be comprehensive and practical. They stressed the need to ensure urgent and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, the statement added. They also reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East and West Asia, calling for restraint and compliance with international law. They stressed the importance of resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue. They expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and strongly stressed the importance for all parties concerned to remain committed to agreements and understandings reached between them for cessation of conflict, humanitarian assistance and a sustainable peace, added the statement. On climate change, India and Russia agreed to intensify their bilateral dialogue to implement the Paris Agreement and develop low-carbon technologies. They welcomed the 1st meeting of the Joint Russia-India Working Group on the issues of climate change and low-carbon development held on September 10, 2025 in New Delhi within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on the issues of climate change and low-carbon development. The Sides agreed to intensify the bilateral dialogue on implementing mechanisms of the Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, developing low-carbon technologies and using sustainable finance instruments, the statement added. They also welcomed the launch of the BRICS Climate Research Platform and the BRICS Laboratory for Trade, Climate and Sustainable Development. Both sides agreed to continue interaction within G20, BRICS, and SCO on the key issues of climate change. The Sides welcomed the results achieved by coordinated work within the BRICS Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, including the launch of the BRICS Climate Research Platform and the BRICS Laboratory for Trade, Climate and Sustainable Development. Both sides encouraged fruitful cooperation on addressing climate change within BRICS during India's Chairship of the grouping in 2026. The leaders expressed satisfaction with the resilience of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening it. They stressed that India and Russia, as major powers, will continue to strive for global peace and stability in a multipolar world and a multipolar Asia. (ANI)
Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, has said that President Vladimir Putin's visit to India has been "was very positive" and noted that Indian companies should find respective business partners in Russia as a means to boost bilateral trade and achieve a balanced trade relationship. Manturov told ANI that Russia is keen on balanced trade with India. "The visit was very positive from both sides. We want to have bilateral cooperation with Indian companies to achieve balanced trade. To develop in both India and Russia is also one of the spheres of cooperation. Indian companies should find respective business partners in Russia. Next year in Russia, we are expecting to see Indian companies at exhibitions," he said. Citing example of urea, he said there could be collaboration for joint production. "These kind of spheres, there are a lot of them. We're expecting to see Indian companies in Russia in the exhibition forums," he said. Manturov said that they plan to organise INNOPROM in India in the Autumn of 2026. The International Industrial Exhibition (INNOPROM) is a global platform that brings together manufacturers and buyers from around the world. "We are planning to make INNOPROM in India in the autumn of next year also to make bilateral cooperation with Indian companies. So this is the way of approach to make the trade more balanced," he added. In his remarks during a joint statement with President Putin, PM Modi said both sides are actively working towards the early conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. "Our close cooperation in the fields of agriculture and fertilizers is vital for food security and farmer welfare. I am pleased that, taking this cooperation forward, both sides are now working together on urea production," he said. "Enhancing connectivity between our two countries is a key priority for us. We will move forward with renewed energy on the INSTC, the Northern Sea Route, and the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridors. I am pleased that we will now cooperate on the training of India's seafarers for operations in polar waters. This will not only strengthen our collaboration in the Arctic but also create new employment opportunities for the youth of India," he added. He sad strong cooperation between the two countries in shipbuilding has the potential to further strengthen Make in India. It is yet another excellent example of our win-win partnership, which will enhance jobs, skills, and regional connectivity. PM Modi said energy security has been a strong and vital pillar of the India-Russia partnership. "Our decades-old cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy has played an important role in advancing our shared clean-energy priorities. We will continue to take this win-win cooperation forward. Our cooperation in Critical Minerals is vital for ensuring secure and diversified supply chains across the world. This will provide strong support to our partnership in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and new-age industries," he said. The Prime Minister said that cultural cooperation and people-to-people ties have held a special place in India-Russia relations. "For decades, the people of both countries have shared deep affection, respect, and warmth for one another. We have taken several new steps to further strengthen these bonds," he said. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin by presenting a specially curated set of gifts that blended Indian spirituality, craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Leading the collection were a Russian translation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, a handcrafted marble chess set from Agra and an intricately designed silver horse from Maharashtra--each chosen to reflect the depth and character of the India-Russia partnership. The most symbolic of the gifts, the Srimad Bhagavad Gita in Russian, offers one of India's most revered spiritual texts. As part of the Mahabharata, the Gita carries Krishna's guidance to Arjuna on duty, the eternal soul, and spiritual liberation. Its teachings continue to inspire ethical living, mind control, and inner peace, with translations making it accessible to modern readers worldwide. PM Modi also presented a handcrafted marble chess set, showcasing Agra's celebrated stone inlay craftsmanship under Uttar Pradesh's One District One Product initiative. The set features contrasting stone chessmen, individually inlaid motifs and a chequered marble board framed with floral designs. The combination of marble, wood, and semi-precious stones creates a visually striking and tactilely pleasing decor and game piece. The Prime Minister also gifted a handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, known for its intricate detailing and fine metalwork. In both Indian and Russian cultures, the horse signifies dignity and valour. Its poised, forward-moving stance serves as a metaphor for the enduring and ever-advancing India-Russia partnership. Among the other gifts was fine Assam Black Tea, cultivated in the fertile Brahmaputra Valley. Recognised with a GI tag in 2007, the tea is known for its robust malty flavour, bright liquor and traditional processing from the assamica variety. Beyond its cultural legacy, it is also valued for potential health benefits, making each cup both comforting and wholesome. To accompany the tea, PM Modi presented an ornate Murshidabad silver tea set, adorned with detailed engravings that showcase the metalwork of West Bengal. The set also symbolises the shared importance of tea in India and Russia, where tea continues to represent warmth, hospitality and connection. The collection was completed with Kashmiri Saffron, locally known as Kong or Zaffran. Grown in the highlands of Kashmir, the GI-tagged spice is prized for its deep colour, aroma and flavour. Renowned for its health benefits and traditional hand-harvesting, saffron represents both cultural legacy and economic importance to local farmers. Together, the gifts highlighted India's diverse heritage--spiritual depth through the Russian Gita, strategic symbolism through the chess set, cultural tradition through tea and saffron, and artisanal mastery through the silver crafts. Each item was selected to celebrate the long-standing and evolving bond between India and Russia. (ANI)
With 90 days left for the commencement of the election announced after the Gen-Z uprising of September, Nepal's Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Friday convened an all-party meeting. The meeting, which continued for nearly three hours at the Prime Minister's Official residence, Baluwatar, the Prime Minister assured leaders of major political parties about the timely commencement of the upcoming March election. "Now, let us not think about whether elections will commence or not. If all the political parties sit in one place and come for the election as a joint force with the hope that the country will change as per the demands of the time and given circumstances, then there will be no disruptions. Those with bad intentions will not be able to attack anywhere. First of all, all the 126 political parties should be confident that the election will be held on time. Secondly, if we are united, no one can disrupt the election process," the Interim Nepali Prime Minister Sushila Karki said. As per the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Gagan Thapa and Pushpa Bhusal attended the meeting from Nepali Congress; Shankar Pokharel, Mahesh Bartola from Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML); Shakti Basnet and Prakash Jwala from Nepali Communist Party. Shishir Khanal and Shobita Gautam attended the all-party meeting with Prime Minister from Rastriya Swatantra Party; Rajendra Gurung and Bhuvan Pathak from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Prakash Adhikari from Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, and Narendra Chaudhary from the Janamat Party had attended the meeting. "The incidents of September 8 were unprecedented. Analysis, interpretation, and there is time to get to the bottom of it, but the incident that day brought change in the life of the nation. After that incident, the two-thirds majority government, elected government, fell, and a new government was formed. Petitions have been filed in the court regarding it; the court will continue with its procedure. In the current context, if there had been an interim order, then we would have to halt all the proceedings (for the election), but that's not the case; there are no roadblocks ahead," Karki briefed the political parties. Apart from the political representatives, the heads of all security agencies, as well as the intelligence, also attended the meeting held in the evening. The meeting was also attended by officials from the Election Commission, including the acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari. With only 90 days remaining until the election of members of the House of Representatives, scheduled for March 5, 2026, the Election Commission and other concerned bodies have continued to intensify the preparations. The Election Commission (EC) has also called on political parties wishing to participate under the proportional electoral system to submit their applications. Following the developments triggered by the Gen-Z movement on September 8 and 9, an interim government was formed under former Chief Justice Karki, after the House of Representatives was dissolved. One of the primary mandates of the current government is to conduct the election. As of now, 126 political parties have applied to the Commission to participate in the election. Major parties and emerging forces, including CPN-UML, which has been demanding parliamentary restoration and an improved election environment, have submitted their applications. Around 800,000 new voters have been added through the Commission's voter list collection and updating process, and verification of these entries is ongoing. The Election Commission has requested a budget of approximately Rs 7 billion, of which the Ministry of Finance has already secured Rs 5.96 billion. The integrated election security plan, prepared jointly by the government and the Commission, is now in effect. Preparations such as the procurement of necessary materials, equipment, and the collection of applications from national and international observer organisations are underway. The ordinance regarding voting rights for Nepali voters abroad and inter-district voting is still pending a final decision. Following the re-evaluation of polling stations and centres, preparations are underway to begin recruiting temporary police (election security personnel). Alongside these measures, the Commission is preparing voter education programs, information dissemination, press operations, and the operation of the call centre. (ANI)
The US National Security Strategy on Friday falsely claimed that US President Donald Trump negotiated peace between India and Pakistan, among other countries. The 33-page National Security Strategy document, signed by Donald Trump, repeated the claim that the US president brokered peace between India and Pakistan, a claim India disputes. Trump has repeatedly claimed to have mediated peace between India and Pakistan, despite India's denial of third-party involvement. The report dubbed Trump as 'President of Peace' for negotiating conflicts and achieving unprecedented peace in eight conflicts worldwide, including the peace deal between Pakistan and India. The US President has claimed credit for bringing India and Pakistan back from "nuclear conflict" by mediating the May 10 ceasefire agreement. "He negotiated peace between Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the DRC and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and ended the war in Gaza with all living hostages returned to their families," the report read. The document highlights India's role in Indo-Pacific security and mentions the Quad, marking a shift from US isolationism. The strategy emphasises improving commercial relations with India to encourage New Delhi's contribution to Indo-Pacific security through quadrilateral cooperation with Australia, Japan, and the US. "We must continue to improve commercial (and other) relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with Australia, Japan, and the United States ("the Quad"). Moreover, we will also work to align the actions of our allies and partners with our joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nation," the report said. The approach focuses on managed cooperation, strategic alignment, and long-term US investment to promote growth and security. Key areas of collaboration include AI, quantum computing, and autonomous systems. "The United States must at the same time invest in research to preserve and advance our advantage in cutting-edge military and dual-use technology, with emphasis on the domains where US advantages are strongest. These include undersea, space, and nuclear, as well as others that will decide the future of military power, such as AI, quantum computing, and autonomous systems, plus the energy necessary to fuel these domains," as per the report. The strategy also highlights the importance of aligning allies' actions with joint interests, investing in research to preserve US advantages in cutting-edge technology, and enlisting European and Asian allies, including India, to cement joint positions. "America should similarly enlist our European and Asian allies and partners, including India, to cement and improve our joint positions in the Western Hemisphere and, with regard to critical minerals, in Africa. We should form coalitions that use our comparative advantages in finance and technology to build export markets with cooperating countries. America's economic partners should no longer expect to earn income from the United States through overcapacity and structural imbalances but instead pursue growth through managed cooperation tied to strategic alignment and by receiving long-term US investment," the report said. (ANI)
India and Russia have agreed on an Economic Cooperation Programme till 2030 in order to diversify trade and investment linkages with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin talking about improving connectivity and enhancing relations in shipbuilding, energy and critical minerals. The two leaders, who held bilateral talks, also attended plenary session of the India-Russia Trade Forum. "President Putin and I attended the Plenary Session of the India-Russia Trade Forum. This platform will add fresh momentum to our business ties and also open new avenues for innovation as well as growth," PM Modi said in a post on X. Earlier in the day, the two leaders attended the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit and discussed diverse aspects of bilateral cooperation. "Today's 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit was an opportunity to comprehensively discuss diverse aspects of India-Russia cooperation. We have agreed on an Economic Cooperation Programme till 2030 in order to diversify our trade and investment linkages. We talked about improving connectivity, enhancing relations in shipbuilding, skills, energy, critical minerals and much more," PM Modi said on X. The Prime Minister said he reiterated India's strong commitment to peace and to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Ukraine. "A key part of the India-Russia friendship is our cultural and people-to-people ties. This has been strengthened with the opening of two new Indian consulates in Russia and the holy Buddhist relics going to Russia in recent times. There is also immense potential in areas like education, skill development and training. Global issues also featured prominently in the talks with President Putin. I reiterated India's strong commitment to peace and to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in Ukraine. We emphasised the need to jointly combat the menace of terrorism. We also agreed to keep working closely in various multilateral forums," he said In the Joint Statement following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, the two Leaders reaffirmed their shared ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, including by increasing India's exports to Russia, strengthening industrial cooperation, forging new technological and investment partnerships, especially in advanced high-technology areas and finding new avenues and forms of cooperation. The Leaders welcomed the adoption of the Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India - Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 (Programme 2030). The Leaders appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a Free Trade Agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union covering sectors of mutual interest. They also directed both Sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investments, the statement said. The Leaders welcomed the results of the 25th and 26th Sessions of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) and the India-Russia Business Forum held in New Delhi (November 2024) and Moscow (August 2025) respectively. The Sides underline the importance of an open, inclusive, transparent and non-discriminatory multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organization at its core. Both Sides emphasised that addressing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, removing bottlenecks in logistics, promoting connectivity, ensuring smooth payment mechanisms, finding mutually acceptable solutions for issues of insurance and reinsurance and regular interaction between the businesses of the two countries are among the key elements for timely achievement of the revised bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030. Russia and India have agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral settlements through use of the national currencies in order to ensure the uninterrupted maintenance of bilateral trade. Additionally, the Sides have agreed to continue their consultations on enabling the interoperability of the national payment systems, financial messaging systems, as well as central bank digital currency platforms. The Sides welcomed steps to ensure long-term supply of fertilizers to India and discussed the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area. The Sides welcomed the signing of agreements related to mobility of skilled workers. The Russian Side welcomed the participation of Indian delegations in the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (June 2025) and the Eastern Economic Forum (September 2025). The two Sides noted the contribution of the India-Russia Business Dialogue organised on the sidelines of these economic forums for promotion of bilateral trade, economic and investment cooperation. The Leaders noted the importance of productive and mutually beneficial bilateral trade in mineral resources, including energy sources, precious stones and metals, as well as critical raw materials for the reliability of the international supply chains. Efficient cooperation in this area, carried out by Russia and India as sovereign states, is a significant component of their national security and social well-being. (ANI) At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Putin, paid a State visit to India on December 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu hosted a state banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, just before the latter concluded his visit and departed for Moscow. The event also featured a musical performance blending Indian classical music with Russian melodies. The lavish culinary delight for the Russian President showcased India's rich regional delicacies, starting with Murungelai Chaaru soup, a traditional South Indian rasam (soup), followed by appetisers such as Gucchi Doon Chetin (stuffed morels with Kashmiri walnut chutney), Kaale Chane Ke Shikampuri (pan-grilled black gram kebabs), and Vegetable Jhol Momo with spicy chutney. The main course featured Zafrani Paneer Roll, Paalak Methi Mattar Ka Saag, Tandoori Bharwan Aloo, Achaari Baingan and Yellow Dal Tadka, accompanied by Dry Fruit and Saffron Pulao with Indian breads such as Laccha Parantha, Magaz Naan, Satanaj Roti, Missi Roti and Biscuity Roti. Deserts included Badam Ka Halwa, Kesar-Pista Kulfi, and fresh fruits, with traditional accompaniments like Gur Sandesh, Murakku, and a variety of pickles and salads. Beverages included a very healthy mix of pomegranate, orange, carrot and ginger juices. The evening also included a musical performance by the Rashtrapati Bhavan Naval Band, joined by an accomplished ensemble of classical instrumentalists. The repertoire included Indian raagas such as 'Amritavarshini', 'Khamaj', 'Yaman', 'Shivranjini', 'Nalinakanthi', 'Bhairavi' and 'Desh', alongside Russian melodies including Kalinka and excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, as well as the popular Hindi film tune Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. At the banquet, Putin highlighted the partnership between the two nations, noting that the declaration that he and PM Modi adopted encompasses a wide range of cooperation across different spheres, including politics, security, the economy and trade, energy, education, and other areas. "15 years ago, we signed an important declaration that elevated our relations to a new level, the level of a specially privileged strategic partnership. This partnership is developing based on the principles of equality, respect and mutual consideration of our interests. It is getting substantiated even more. Our talks with our Indian friends yesterday and today were genuinely open and constructive. The declaration that we have adopted encompasses a wide range of cooperation across different spheres, including politics, security, the economy and trade, energy, education, and other areas. I am sure that this declaration, along with the other documents, will give a strong push to the development of our bilateral relations," he said. Putin further emphaisised that both nations are working together to establish a fairer and just world order and described the nature of the India-Russia partnership as "go together, grow together." "It is as important to mention that Russia and India are working together to establish a fairer and just world order. We are convinced that it should be based on the United Nations' central role and the balance of interests among all members of the international community. We are coordinating our joint efforts with India as the chair of BRICS in 2026, and in other international multilateral formats as well. Overall, we are cooperating within our common Eurasian space to build a true atmosphere of security, trust, and peace for all countries of the world. I know that in India, you say, 'go together, grow together.' These words truly reflect the nature and the character of the Russian-Indian relations, and we will do everything to make sure our strategic partnership grows and develops for the good of all our people," he said. President Murmu, welcoming the Russina President, said "Today holds special significance for us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership... The India-Russia partnership is based on a shared commitment to peace, stability, and mutual socio-economic and technological progress. The year 2025 has been a highly successful year for our multifaceted relationship... The Joint Statement issued for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit expresses our special relationship and offers a broad roadmap to deepen our bilateral engagement." President Putin departed from Delhi shortly after the dinner with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, seeing him off. During his two-day visit, Putin co-hosted India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in building stable and efficient transport corridors. They also agreed to take the India-Russia economic partnership to "new heights" by 2030. PM Modi announced India will soon launch a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens. (ANI)
The Nobel Prize award ceremony was held on the evening of December 10th, or early on December 11th in Japan, at the Stockholm Concert Hall, where King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden presented the highest honors  the medal and certificate  to Osaka University specially appointed professor Shimon Sakaguchi, 74, the recipient of this years Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and Kyoto University distinguished professor Susumu Kitagawa, 74, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Lt. Col Herbert Gamble Jr. ORANGEBURG, S.C.  South Carolina State Universitys Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion will commission its newest 2nd lieutenants during a ceremony set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Garnet & Blue Room of the Kirkland W. Green Student Center.

The commissioning ceremony is a milestone event for graduating cadets as they take the oath of office and transition from students to officers in the U.S. Army.

Lt. Col Herbert Gamble Jr. will deliver the keynote address. A 2003 graduate of SC State, Gamble earned his bachelors degree in family and consumer science/business before completing a masters degree in management leadership from Webster University in 2015.

The Scranton, South Carolina, native has served more than 20 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard in roles ranging from platoon leader and company commander to his current position as product manager for Command Post Modernization / Tactical Edge & Compute.

His extensive military career includes service during Hurricane Katrina recovery operations, a deployment to Afghanistan, and multiple leadership positions at the National Guard Bureau.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, the newly commissioned 2nd lieutenants will receive their degrees from SC State. The university will conduct Fall 2025 Commencement Exercises beginning at 10 a.m. in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
The OPEC+ producers kept their targeted production unchanged for early next year when they met this weekend for their final gathering for the year.

While reaffirming the decision was no news for anyone, the 22 OPEC+ group members made a more important decision that will likely influence production levels, upstream investments, and oil prices for years to come.

The alliance approved a new mechanism to reassess the maximum sustainable production capacities of all its producers, which will be used as a baseline for the 2027 production quotas.

OPEC+ and its leader, Saudi Arabia, say the new mechanism to assess how much any given producer can pump for a sustainable period of time is more transparent and fair for determining production levels from 2027 onwards.

Quota Review

The baselines are important in OPEC and OPEC+s calculations of output quotas when the cartel or the wider group implements or reverses cuts.

The assessment will be carried out between January and September 2026 for the 2027 baseline levels, and OPEC+ plans to have the maximum sustainable production capacity (MSC) assessed each year.

MSC is typically defined by OPEC as the average maximum crude oil production that can be brought online within 90 days and sustained continuously for one full year, including all planned maintenance activities.

Related: Congress Reopens More of Alaskas Arctic Refuge to Oil Leasing

A U.S.-based auditing firm will assess the MSC of 19 out of the 22 OPEC+ members. Sanctioned Russia and Venezuela will use a non-U.S. firm, while Irans baseline for 2027 will be determined by the average of its production in August, September, and October 2026, as assessed by the OPEC secondary sources, of which Argus is one.

The new mechanism for quota assessment may seem too technical, but it is apparently needed as OPEC+ has seen disputes over the quota assignments in recent years.

For example, some big OPEC producers, such as Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait, plan to raise their oil production capacity in the coming years. These countries have argued that they deserve higher baseline production levels as they expand capacity. The UAE, for example, has won a higher baseline for 2025 and 2026.

Other disgruntled producers included now former member Angola, which quit OPEC as of January 2024 after 16 years in the cartel. The reason was a spat with the OPEC and OPEC+ members about production quotas. At a meeting in mid-2023, Angola and Nigeria were given lower crude oil production quotas as part of the OPEC+ agreement, after the two producers had underperformed and failed to pump to their quotas for years, due to a lack of investment in new fields and maturing older oilfields.

Reassessment to Boost Investment

The new mechanism to assess MSC and thus production quotas is a turning point in OPEC+ policy, Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, said this week.

Now we have the most detailed, the most technical, transparent approach of how we can move forward in the future in managing the market and how to attend to production, said the energy minister of the biggest OPEC+ producer and de facto OPEC leader.

Saudi Arabia and the other major Gulf producers will be the key beneficiaries of the new mechanism as it is set to incentivize keeping high capacity levels or boosting production capacity, Reuters columnist Ron Bousso argues.

Indeed, many of the Gulf OPEC producers have plans to raise capacity, while Saudi Arabia keeps a 12 million barrels per day (bpd) production capacity, with its current spare capacity at about 2 million bpd.

Even as Saudi Arabia is tendering a massive 44 gigawatts (GW) capacity of renewable energy projects, it will maintain its oil-producing potential to ensure global energy security, officials from the Kingdom said last year.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of OPECs top producers, aims to increase its production capacity to 5 million bpd by 2027. Currently, capacity is about 4.8 million bpd.

We can go to 6 million if the market requires, the UAEs Energy Minister, Suhail Al Mazrouei, told Reuters on the sidelines of the OPEC annual seminar this summer.

Another major producer, Iraq, is also planning on increasing its production capacity. OPECs second-largest producer seeks to boost capacity to more than 6 million bpd by 2029, and potentially produce 7 million bpd within the next five years.

Iraqs current production is about 4 million bpd, as it is trying to compensate for previous overproduction in the OPEC+ agreements.

The race to invest in additional capacity started a few years ago among the Gulf oil producers, who have low-cost production and oil-dependent economies (despite diversification efforts) and would like to make the most of every barrel of the huge oil reserves they have.

The world may have reduced upstream investment in recent years, but the core OPEC producers have notthey have continued to pour oil money into additional oil production capacity while calling out those urging a reduction in oil and gas spending.

Going forward, the new quota mechanism will not only help OPEC+ producers with higher capacity win higher baselines when 2027 quotas are handed out, but also increase OPECs long-term capacity to influence the oil market and regain market share lost to the booming output in the Americas in recent years.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The Black Sea is becoming dangerously crowded. Military activity and commercial energy operations are far too close for comfort, prompting a warning this week from Turkey. Russian naval operations, Ukrainian strikes on infrastructure, and the quiet buildup of protective measures by Romania and Bulgaria have reduced the margin for error across the basin. Turkey is concerned because any interruption would hit the transit routes that anchor its position in moving Russian and Caspian energy into Europe. The operating environment

The Houthis decision to release the Tutor crew after months of holding them was not a goodwill gesture. Oman facilitated the handover, but the move reflects outside pressure rather than any internal shift in Houthi policy. Washington, meanwhile, is preparing a firmer response of its own. U.S. officials have started talking publicly about Houthi operational planning on encrypted apps, which is less about disclosure and more about setting the stage for expanded authorities if needed. Iraqs sudden interest in reviewing frozen assets linked to Hezbollah and the Houthis should be read the same way: Baghdad is trying to reposition itself without openly breaking with any side. None of this points to de-escalation. The crew release resolves one narrow issue, but it occurs against a backdrop of growing pressure on the Houthis and more active preparation by the U.S. for a wider set of contingencies in the Red Sea.

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

The Houthis decision to release the Tutor crew after months of holding them was not a goodwill gesture. Oman facilitated the handover, but the move reflects outside pressure rather than any internal shift in Houthi policy. Washington, meanwhile, is preparing a firmer response of its own. U.S. officials have started talking publicly about Houthi operational planning on encrypted apps, which is less about disclosure and more about setting the stage for expanded authorities if needed. Iraqs sudden interest in reviewing frozen assets linked to Hezbollah and the Houthis should be read the same way: Baghdad is trying to reposition itself without openly breaking with any side. None of this points to de-escalation. The crew release resolves one narrow issue, but it occurs against a backdrop of growing pressure on the Houthis and more active preparation by the U.S. for a wider set of contingencies in the Red Sea.

The Black Sea is becoming dangerously crowded. Military activity and commercial energy operations are far too close for comfort, prompting a warning this week from Turkey. Russian naval operations, Ukrainian strikes on infrastructure, and the quiet buildup of protective measures by Romania and Bulgaria have reduced the margin for error across the basin. Turkey is concerned because any interruption would hit the transit routes that anchor its position in moving Russian and Caspian energy into Europe. The operating environment is tense, and routine movements now carry a higher risk. Turkish, Russian, Ukrainian, and NATO interests are overlapping more dangerously than at any point since the war began.

Saudi Arabias decision to run higher summer production has given it more room to manage the market heading into winter. The extra output allowed Riyadh to rebuild inventories at home, clear overdue commitments to key Asian buyers, and stabilize pipeline and terminal flows that had been tight after earlier cuts. It also put Saudi barrels back into parts of the spot market where the kingdom had been largely absent, giving Aramco better visibility on demand trends across Asia. The broader effect is that Saudi Arabia enters the next OPEC discussions with fewer domestic constraints and a clearer read on physical balances, which strengthens its hand at a time when several producers are pushing for looser targets.

Iraq is entering another extended government-formation period, leaving the caretaker cabinet with limited authority to advance major energy decisions. Contract revisions, upstream budget allocations, and the long-discussed federal-KRG framework are all on hold while political negotiations continue. This pause now intersects with Baghdads effort to address the future of West Qurna-2 after U.S. sanctions pushed Lukoil to declare force majeure and signal its exit from the project. Iraq has invited several U.S. companies to explore a takeover of Lukoils stake, and Exxon has expressed interest in those discussions, but no agreement has been reached and no transfer can proceed without a fully empowered government. Field operations continue under existing arrangements, but any formal change in ownership or development plans awaits political clarity.

Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions

Targa (TRGP: NYSE) is buying Stakeholder Midstream for $1.25 billion in cash, giving it a larger foothold in Permian gas gathering and processing. The package adds about 480 miles of pipe plus treating, processing, and crude-storage assets that fit directly into Targas system. It deepens the companys position in the Delaware Basin, where gas output keeps climbing even when drilling slows.

Turkeys state-owned TPAO signed new exploration agreements with Pakistan covering three offshore blocks and two onshore areas. Its a notable push outside Turkeys borders into acreage that hasnt seen much modern exploration. Both countries are pitching this as groundwork for activity starting in 2026 rather than a quick-start campaign. If the geology cooperates, it could reshape how the region sources future supply.

Petrobras (PBR) was cleared to take part as a third party in CADEs review of the Subsea7Saipem (SUBC.OL / SPM.MI) merger, pushing the process into its next stage. Because Petrobras is the anchor deepwater buyer for both contractors, its input carries real weight in how regulators judge competition in Brazils subsea market. The next question on CADEs desk is whether a combined supplier would narrow bidding options for upcoming pre-salt work. Its not Petrobras doing the buying, but its still a meaningful step in one of the largest offshore-services shakeups in the country.

Discovery & Development

Energean is mapping out export options ahead of Katlans startup because it wants clarity on where the additional Israeli volumes will go. Katlan is a tie-back to the Karish system, built to add steady output without the cost of a standalone platform. Egypt remains the most practical route given existing offtake and LNG capacity, though Energean is also testing whether Cyprus can take part if the commercial case is solid. The companys broader point is that East Med gas still depends on workable arrangements between Israel, Egypt, and Cyprus, and it wants Katlan positioned in a framework that avoids the delays that have slowed earlier regional projects.

Iran is moving to lift output at West Karun as the long-delayed processing facility at Azadegan is finally coming online. That addition removes one of the main constraints that has limited flows from the cluster and gives Tehran more flexibility to move heavier crude without backing up the system. Production has held up even under sanctions, and West Karun remains the basin where Iran can add barrels with the least friction. The new capacity helps Tehran protect that position and maintain steady volumes even if export conditions tighten.

Var Energi (VAR.OL) logged another Goliat-area find at Zagato North, estimated at 2.55 MMboe. It adds to a string of recent hits along the Goliat Ridge, where total discovered volumes now sit somewhere around 39108 MMboe. Everything is close enough to run back into the existing Goliat hub, which keeps the development bill down. The barrels arent large on their own, but they still move the needle for VARs near-term production profile.

ReconAfrica (RECO.V: TSX-V. RECAF: OTC) logged about 64 meters of net hydrocarbon pay at the Kavango West 1X well within roughly 400 meters of gross interval. Deeper fractured-carbonate shows widened the geological scope of the play. Theres no flow test yet, so commerciality is still unknown. Even so, the result nudges the basin from pure frontier exploration toward early appraisal.

Saudi Arabia has started early gas production from Jafurah, its largest unconventional gas project. The field is expected to climb toward about 2 Bcf/d over the next few years, along with sizable NGL and condensate volumes. Jafurah is central to plans to free up crude from power generation and push more barrels to export markets. Its not a new find, but its one of the years biggest upstream milestones for the kingdom.
Californias experiment in climate governance has turned the states oil and refining sector into one of the most politically charged energy battlegrounds in the world. A long-standing commitment to environmental targets  culminating in a planned end to oil extraction by 2045  has collided with the realities of high demand, aging infrastructure, and a shrinking refining base. Oil output has already plunged from 760,000 b/d in 2000 to roughly 250,000 b/d in 2025, while the number of operational refineries has fallen from 20 in 2010 to just 12 today. As output falls and refineries close, the states reliance on imported crude and finished products deepens, pushing up prices and eroding market stability, while key suppliers such as Alaska confront a future in which their largest customer is deliberately writing them out of its long-term energy equation.

The main challenge for Californias oil sector stems from the states long-standing commitment to persistent environmental and carbon-reduction goals, elevated to its peak under Governor Gavin Newsom. California has long framed emissions policy as economic identity, embodied in its cap-and-trade system  among the worlds largest  capping emissions across 8085% of the states industrial and energy sectors since 2013. Companies must buy or trade allowances to match their emissions, generating a carbon price that has fluctuated between $12 and $38 per ton and raising more than $25 billion for clean-energy and climate projects. Yet criticism has grown over the past decade: an oversupply of allowances and substantial free allocations  including to refineries located near disadvantaged communities  have depressed prices and limited short-term incentives to cut fossil-fuel use, particularly in transportation, the states largest source of emissions.

Related: Congress Reopens More of Alaskas Arctic Refuge to Oil Leasing

The conflict escalated in 2025 when President Trump signed an executive order asserting that Californias cap-and-trade program should not stand, while simultaneously moving to expand federal oil and gas leasing on public and offshore lands, including a plan to re-authorize drilling in Pacific waters and a request for public comment on a new five-year offshore leasing program starting April 2025. Yet federal action does not automatically override the states authority over its own energy transition. California maintains control over onshore permitting, refinery zoning rules, its 2045 extraction phase-out, local bans such as those in Santa Barbara County, and the operation of the cap-and-trade system itself. Washingtons leverage is concentrated on federal terrain  offshore leasing, methane rules and disputes over Clean Air Act vehicle-emission waivers  leaving a contested and unresolved regulatory landscape.

Californias official policy now targets a complete end to oil extraction by 2045 under the Newsom April 23, 2021 directive and the CARB (California Air Resources Board, the states chief air-quality and emissions regulator) Scoping Plan, with all new fracking permits halted as part of the states long-term transition away from fossil fuels. That ambition aligns with and reinforces a multi-decade decline in production driven by geology and economics. Output in August 2025 stood at just 250,000 b/d, down sharply from 760,000 b/d in 2000. Around 70% of the remaining production comes from Kern Countys Elk Hills, Midway-Sunset and Kern River fields, where operators lift very heavy crude (1214 degrees API) from aging reservoirs already in natural decline. The Los Angeles Basin contributes about 10% of statewide output, but urban encroachment and regulatory constraints continue to shrink its footprint, while offshore Santa Barbara platforms account for roughly 5%, with most legacy units seeing reduced rates of production or already in various stages of decommissioning.

Californias geology is not entirely hostile to continued output  assessments of offshore formations indicate significant undiscovered recoverable resources in the federally administered Outer Continental Shelf. Yet access to those resources is effectively sealed. A permanent moratorium enacted in 1994 blocks new leasing in state waters, and although the federal moratorium imposed in 1982 expired in 2008, no new federal offshore lease sales have taken place since. Today, about two dozen legacy platforms continue operating in federal waters beginning three miles offshore, and about a dozen remain in state waters, but the direction is unmistakably contraction rather than expansion  a gradual wind-down period toward a full closure is in full swing under Californias 2045 extraction phaseout.

Refining is emerging as the next victim of Californias environmental policy, with closures accelerating even though demand remains high: the state still consumes 1.41.6 million b/d of petroleum products  5 to 6 times what it produces. The number of operational refineries has fallen from 20 in 2010 to 12 in 2025, and processing capacity has shrunk from 1.9 million b/d in 2000 to 1.5 million b/d today.

As domestic extraction declines, crude imports have filled the gap. Alaska remains the primary seaborne supplier, delivering Alaska North Slope (ANS, 32 degrees API) crude at a stable rate of around 220,000 b/d according to Kpler data. Nearly all of Alaskas production is destined for California  only one cargo has gone to South Korea and five to China over the last two years. Ecuador and Brazil have each provided roughly 170,000 b/d over the same period. In recent years, the most notable shift in crude inflows has come from Canadas expansion into the Pacific Ocean. Since the 590,000 b/d Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline entered service in May 2024, flows of Canadian heavy blends to California have jumped from 30,000 b/d in 2023 to 100,000 b/d in 2025. Some cargoes initially struggled to meet the Total Acid Number (TAN) requirements for California refineries, but volumes have climbed over the past two years.

Meanwhile, product imports have escalated as refinery closures accumulate and demand remains among the highest in the country. With the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery (140,000 b/d) finalizing its decommissioning operations in October 2025 and Valeros Benicia refinery (145,000 b/d) scheduled to close in April 2026, California stands to lose 285,000 b/d of capacity in a year. A major explosion and fire on October 2 at Chevrons El Segundo refinery (responsible for roughly 20% of Southern Californias motor-fuel supply and 40% of jet fuel) exacerbated supply pressures. Jet fuel imports surged to a five-year high of 90,000 b/d in November, largely on the back of sharp increases from Japan. Gasoline imports reached record highs as well, averaging almost 50,000 b/d in 2025, sourced mainly from India, South Korea and more recently Japan.

Refined products economics reinforce these trends. Californias crack spreads are the highest across the US: gasoline prices averaged $4.5 per gallon compared with a $2.9 per gallon US average, and even sparsely populated and remote Alaska averaged $3.7 per gallon. Pricing is heavily shaped by CARBOB, Californias own gasoline formulation standard enforced by the CARB and rules that are far stricter than federal ones.

The result is a structural divergence that is already feeding into the price of fuel. As the state forces refineries offline amidst largely flat demand, imports of jet fuel and gasoline are set to keep rising, and the shrinking number of facilities capable of producing CARBOB will intensify the price pressure. With crude oil output falling, refining capacity diminishing and regulatory standards tightening, higher and more volatile fuel prices are becoming an inevitable feature of Californias market rather than an occasional shock. Crude imports may stall or fall as refining capacity contracts and domestic extraction phases out, undermining supply resilience just as the state becomes more dependent on distant sources of finished oil products.

The same shift poses an equally significant challenge for Alaska, whose crude flows have been almost entirely oriented toward California for decades. The Trump administrations vision of Alaska as an economic powerhouse assumes the arrival of new crude from ConocoPhillips Willow project, targeting 180,000 b/d by 2029, and Santos Pikka, aiming for 80,000 b/d by 2026. With California gradually withdrawing as a buyer, those barrels will have to find new market outlets. Selling into Asia means longer voyages and higher costs, and previous exports to South Korea and China have been limited, while Beijing is unlikely to emerge as a reliable buyer amid deepening geopolitical and trade tensions. California  once the natural and nearest market for Alaskan crude  is signaling that the future of the North Slope barrels may unfold elsewhere, or probably not unfold at all.

By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com

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Earlier this year, the Mexican government announced a special new financial instrument to help state-owned energy major Pemex with its debt repayment. The most indebted oil company in the world was in need of a unique solution to its problembut this problem may be bigger than unpaid bills to suppliers.

In July this year, the Mexican government issued $12 billion worth of something called P-Caps. Normally used in corporate circles, P-Caps, or pre-capitalized securities, allow a borrower access to debt funding in case of need but without being included in its balance sheet. The securities sit in a trust to keep them separate from the companys liabilities and avoid having them affect its credit rating.

The financial acrobatics were prompted by Pemexs continued money troubles that have pushed its financial debt to $105 billion with another $20 billion in unpaid bills to suppliers. But those $12 billion in P-Caps were not enough. The government also set up a special investment vehicle worth $13 billion to fund Pemexs operations with money raised from other investors. Per plans, the company should be able to turn things around by 2027. Based on Pemexs track record, this would be quite a challenge.

The key to turning things around is better financial performance, and for this, Pemex needs to do better with oil and gas production. The Mexican state company is currently pumping around 1.6 million barrels of crude daily. It wants to boost that to at least 1.7 million barrels daily by 2033, as well as raising natural gas production by as much as 40% by that year.

Related: U.S. Waiver Lets Lukoil Stations Abroad Keep Operating Despite Sanctions

To do this, however, Pemex needs partners with deeper pockets than its own. It needs outside investors. The tricky part is that while it needs investors, the companyand the government that owns itdoes not want to give those investors too much control over joint operations. As far as mixed signals go, this is among the more complicated ones.

One of the companys ideas for reviving its output and boosting income, for instance, is reopening old wells. To do this, Pemex plans to partner with private firms through service contracts to tackle wells previously shut down due to high costs or technical challenges. Under the proposed model, private operators will bear upfront costs for engineering, operations, and maintenance, and receive remuneration tied to field performance under a negotiated tariff.

Another idea is for so-called mixed contracts with foreign partners for the development of fields that could, in theory, at least, add some 450,000 barrels to daily crude oil production, the Rio Times noted in a recent report on the situation with Pemex. Like the idle well reopening idea, this one is not really generous to those partners. Cost recovery is set at 30% before profits, and there is a condition that Pemex holds a stake of at least 40% in any such project.

The Rio Times reported that some government officials admit the conditions are far from optimal for the kind of foreign investors that Pemex needs to get back on its feet. Reuters reported pretty much the same thing, citing unnamed sources as admitting to a certain crisis of trust with the energy business community.

There's always the doubt about whether Pemex can honor its commitments, given that paying suppliers remains an issue, one such unnamed source told the publication. Companies with outstanding bills to be paid by Pemex include Italys Eni, SLB, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes.

The company has reportedly started to pay some of its outstanding bills. It is a good start, but there are a lot more bills to payand investor trust to restore. Given Pemexs weight in Mexicos economic fortunes, perhaps it is time to accept a compromise with the governments project ownership and profit distribution conditions.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Russias ceasefire collapse this week is a case in point. Moscow combined this with new warnings to Europe, framing any deeper EU role in security or enforcement as direct participation in the war. The message was aimed at Brussels decision to wind down Russian gas purchases by 2027 and at ongoing discussions about expanding European military and industrial support to Ukraine. From Moscows perspective, the EU is transforming itself from a mere economic counterparty in the war into a strategic adversary. The Kremlin is now trying to

Russias warnings to Europe this week line up with the way it is conducting this war. Moscow is trying to raise the background risk level for EU states as they debate deeper support for Ukraines long-range and industrial needs. The objective is not a direct clash with NATO but to push some buttons for leverage with three tactics: cyber activity against energy systems, probing around offshore assets, and irregular pressure in the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean. European capitals are already adjusting. They are treating this as a structural problem rather than just random salvos from Moscow. Europe is moving to tighten grid security, expand backup capacity, and build Ukraine-related spending into regular defence and energy planning. Were in this for the long haul. The war is now embedded into a much wider strategic environment, where Russia aims to influence Europes cost calculations even without major movements on the front line.

Russias warnings to Europe this week line up with the way it is conducting this war. Moscow is trying to raise the background risk level for EU states as they debate deeper support for Ukraines long-range and industrial needs. The objective is not a direct clash with NATO but to push some buttons for leverage with three tactics: cyber activity against energy systems, probing around offshore assets, and irregular pressure in the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean. European capitals are already adjusting. They are treating this as a structural problem rather than just random salvos from Moscow. Europe is moving to tighten grid security, expand backup capacity, and build Ukraine-related spending into regular defence and energy planning. Were in this for the long haul. The war is now embedded into a much wider strategic environment, where Russia aims to influence Europes cost calculations even without major movements on the front line.

Russias ceasefire collapse this week is a case in point. Moscow combined this with new warnings to Europe, framing any deeper EU role in security or enforcement as direct participation in the war. The message was aimed at Brussels decision to wind down Russian gas purchases by 2027 and at ongoing discussions about expanding European military and industrial support to Ukraine. From Moscows perspective, the EU is transforming itself from a mere economic counterparty in the war into a strategic adversary. The Kremlin is now trying to raise the political cost of that.

The negotiating gap has widened. Moscow insists that recognition of its control over Donetsk and Luhansk is the starting point for any ceasefire deal. Kyiv refuses to negotiate away territory. Putins new assertion that Russia will take the full Donbas militarily or otherwise is simply locking that demand in for the public and closing off any space for compromise.

Military activity reflects the same dynamic. Russia is applying steadier pressure around the Pokrovsk axis and along the KupianskSvatove line to squeeze Ukrainian ammunition and force reserve rotations. Ukraine continues to attack Russias energy depth: refineries in Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, and Krasnodar, pipeline assets, and export infrastructure have all been hit in recent weeks. These strikes do not stop Russian operations, but they complicate logistics, force dispersal of fuel storage, and introduce friction into the wider war economy.

But its energy for energy in this game. The response has been a heavier Russian campaign against Ukraines power grid. Strikes on Kherson, Odesa, and parts of Donetsk have cut electricity and heat for tens of thousands, pushing Ukraine into deeper reliance on emergency imports and local load-shedding as winter tightens. Moscow is trying to create civilian and industrial strain but without risking a major escalation.
The Asia Pacific region currently holds the largest share of the AI in mining market, with countries like China and Australia leading deployment through autonomous systems and government-supported "smart mining" initiatives.

AI technologies are being adopted across various applications, with "Operations & Process Optimization" being the dominant segment for improving yields from lower-quality ore, and "Safety, Security & Environmental" projected to be the fastest-growing segment.

The global AI in mining market is projected to reach $9.93 billion by 2032, driven by the dual challenges of complex extraction and rising demand for critical minerals like lithium, copper, and cobalt.

The global mining industry is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, driven by the dual pressures of the energy transition and increasingly complex extraction environments. A new market report projects the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mining market will nearly quadruple in value over the next seven years, reaching $9.93 billion by 2032.

This surge in adoption comes as miners face a "perfect storm" of challenges: declining ore grades, labor shortages, and an insatiable global appetite for the critical minerals required to power electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy grids.

Forecasting a Digital Shift

According to data released this week, the market for AI in mining is valued at approximately $2.6 billion in 2025 and is expected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.1 percent through 2032.

While the mining sector has historically been viewed as slow to modernize, the need for efficiency is forcing a change. The integration of autonomous haulage systems, predictive maintenance analytics, and "digital twins"virtual replicas of physical mine sitesis shifting from pilot projects to standard operational necessity.

The "Operations & Process Optimization" segment is currently the dominant application, expected to account for more than 35 percent of the market in 2025. This technology allows companies to squeeze higher yields out of lower-quality rock, a capability that is becoming essential as easily accessible high-grade deposits are depleted worldwide.

Critical Minerals and the EV Boom

The driving force behind this investment is the global scramble for critical minerals. The report highlights that the metal mining segment held the largest market share in 2024, directly correlated to the demand for lithium, copper, cobalt, and nickelthe backbone of the green energy economy.

"Metal mining operations involve highly complex processesfrom ore body modeling and exploration to drilling, blasting, grinding, and material movement," the report notes.

"AI supports these functions through predictive analytics... enabling cost reduction and higher yield recovery."

For Western nations, this technological pivot also holds geopolitical weight. With China currently dominating the processing of rare earth elements, Western mining majors are under pressure to ramp up domestic production and efficiency to secure supply chains for battery manufacturing and clean energy infrastructure.

Safety Protocols and Environmental Compliance

Beyond productivity, the industry is leveraging AI to address its most persistent operational risk: safety. The "Safety, Security & Environmental" segment is projected to record the highest growth rate during the forecast period.

Mining remains one of the worlds most hazardous heavy industries. Companies are increasingly deploying AI-powered video analytics and real-time worker tracking to prevent accidents involving heavy machinery and to monitor for gas leaks or ventilation failures in underground operations.

Furthermore, stricter Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria from investors are pushing miners to adopt AI for environmental compliance. New tools allow operators to monitor tailings dams for stability, track emissions in real-time, and optimize water usage, ensuring that the intensifying race for minerals does not come at the cost of environmental stewardship.

Asia Pacific Leads Global Deployment

Geographically, the Asia Pacific region commanded the largest share of the AI in mining market in 2024 and is expected to maintain the highest growth rate.

This dominance is underpinned by massive production volumes in China and Australia. Major industry players in the region, including BHP and Rio Tinto, have been early adopters of autonomous technologies. In Western Australia, for example, autonomous haulage trucks and drill rigs are already commonplace, moving millions of tons of iron ore with minimal human intervention.

Chinas adoption is further accelerated by government support for "smart mining" initiatives aimed at modernizing its vast coal and mineral sectors to reduce fatalities and improve environmental performance.

As the world moves toward 2032, the "mine of the future" will likely bear little resemblance to the labor-intensive operations of the past. With generative AI now entering the sector to assist in complex mine planning and exploration, the industry is pivoting toward a model where data is as valuable as the ore itself. For energy markets, this efficiency is not just a bonus; it is a prerequisite for meeting the material demands of a decarbonized world.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Earlier in the year, President Trump signed legislation that effectively ended fuel economy penalties for automakers. The penalties applied to automakers for failing to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards dating back to the 2022 model year. The measure was part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," signed into law in July 2025. And now the president has pushed the envelope further by rolling back Biden-era fuel economy standards, terming them ridiculous.

Trump has officially ended CAFE rules, with automakers now required to meet just 34.5 mpg across their model fleet by 2031, much lower than 50.4 mpg that the Biden administration had imposed. Trump says the less stringent fuel standards will allow automakers to produce more affordable cars, cutting the price of vehicles by at least $1,000.

According to the White House, the reset will save American families $109 billion in total. Earlier in the year, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy claimed the Biden administration wrongly assumed that fuel economy averages for automaker fleets would automatically rise in the coming years as EV adoption accelerates.

"And we're not only talking about outside of our country, because nobody could do it. Nobody wanted to do it. And it was ridiculous, very expensive. It put tremendous upward pressure on car prices, combined with the insane electric vehicle mandate. Biden's burdensome regulations have caused the price of cars to soar more than 25%, and in one case, they went up 18% in one year," Trump said.

Related: U.S. Waiver Lets Lukoil Stations Abroad Keep Operating Despite Sanctions



Not surprisingly, automakers are now breathing a sigh of relief, Today is a victory for common sense and affordability, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) CEO Jim Farley said at the event. This is the right move  We will invest more in affordable vehicles.

The EV sector is the biggest loser of this policy change. EV adoption in the United States remains low compared to other major world economies. Indeed, just 7.5% of new vehicle sales in the country are Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), compared to 50% in China and less than a tenth of Norways 80%. These rules were designed to push automakers toward producing more EVs, and their relaxation removes a primary regulatory driver for the transition to electric mobility. To exacerbate matters, the administration has canceled the $7,500 consumer tax credit for EV purchases effective September 30, a major financial incentive that helped offset the higher upfront cost of electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, U.S. oil producers and fuel traders are the biggest winners here. According to Will Anderson, zero-emission vehicles policy advocate at Public Citizen, the Biden-era regulations could have cut U.S. fuel consumption by 70 billion gallons per year, saving Americans $23 billion in fuel costs. However, the real impact is likely to come from the expected slowdown in EV sales. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has forecast that EVs will displace over 5 million barrels of oil per day by 2030, or ~5% of global oil demand. Some analyses suggest that this number could be even higher, with projections of displacing 10 million barrels per day by 2035 based on announced policies. Those are big numbers by any measure, and could easily offset demand growth by other sectors.

Overall, Trumps energy policies will have a negative effect on a cleaner America. Policies supporting electric vehicles and wind/solar projects have been targeted, including restrictions on tax credits for renewable energy. The administration is also attempting to revoke California's authority to set stricter vehicle emissions standards than federal requirements. The administration has declared a national energy emergency to expedite domestic oil and gas production, including in protected offshore areas.

This emphasis on "energy dominance" favors traditional energy sources over renewable ones and is expected to increase the burning of fossil fuels. Numerous environmental protections have been targeted for repeal or weakening, including air and water quality standards, limits on methane emissions, and coal mining oversight. These actions are projected to increase cancer-causing pollutants like soot, benzene, and heavy metals in the air and water. The U.S. has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement and the Climate Loss and Damage Fund, and rescinded domestic net-zero GHG emission goals. The "social cost of carbon" metric, used to justify climate regulations, is also being targeted for elimination or reduction.

Carbon Briefs analysis shows that this means Trumps policies will add an extra 7 billion tonnes of emissions to the environment. U.S. emissions will now effectively flatline, rather than fall by the required 40% in order to hit climate targets.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Oil prices remained stuck in a narrow range this week, with Brent hovering around $63 per barrel.

Friday, December 05, 2025

Oil prices remained rangebound this week, with ICE Brent still hovering around $63 per barrel, as the markets digested news of higher Russian oil export loadings in December and potential military action in Venezuela. On the physical side, the curtailment of Kazakhstans CPC Blend exports has been the main bullish factor, however its effect was largely offset by Saudi Arabias weak pricing into January, indicating Asian demand signals might be lukewarm for January-February 2026.

Saudi Aramco Slashes January Oil Prices. Saudi Aramco has lowered its Asia-bound January official selling price for its grades by 20-60 cents per barrel compared to December, setting its flagship Arab Light grade at a mere $0.60 per barrel premium to Oman/Dubai, the lowest since January 2021.

Chinese Teapots Are Buying Iranian Oil in Storage. According to Reuters, Chinese independent refiners in Shandong province have been buying huge volumes of Iranian crude, sold at discounts of more than $8 per barrel vs Brent all from bonded storage as Beijing issued the last 2025 import quota last month.

Chevron Doubles Down on Australian Gas. US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) announced that its partners in the Gorgon I have approved the $2 billion Stage 3 expansion of the Gorgon LNG project off Australia's northwestern coast, tapping into the Geryon and Eurytion fields.

Thailand Sets New Climate Goals. The Thai government has reached an in-principle approval for its draft climate change bill this week, agreeing to set up a state-controlled climate fund that would be funded by a new domestic Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and a carbon border tax mechanism.

Turkey Extends Russian Gas Deal. Turkey's state-controlled gas firm BOTAS has agreed to extend its natural gas import deal with Russia's Gazprom for another year, locking in 16 bcm of supply via the Blue Stream pipeline and 6 bcm from the first train of the Turkish Stream conduit.

Chile Signs $12 Billion Deal with Argentina. Chile's ENAP has signed a term deal with Argentina's largest oil producers - YPF, Vista Energy, Shell and Equinor - to buy some $12 billion worth of crude oil from Vaca Muerta over the next 7 years, meeting 35% of the company's total requirements.

China Boosts Gas Storage Capacity. China's oil giant PetroChina (SHA:601857) has purchased three natural gas storage companies for $5.7 billion, one of the largest industry M&A deals in 2025, seeking to improve its geographic coverage and capacities for gas-driven power peak-shaving.

US Naphtha Supply to Venezuela Restarts. US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) has booked an oil product tanker to carry naphtha to Venezuela, the first such voyage since Donald Trump reissued a sanctions waiver in May 2025, defying the US administration's ongoing saber-rattling vis-a-vis Nicolas Maduro.

EU Formalizes Russian Energy Phase Out. EU member states and the European Parliament have agreed on the legal text to ban imports of Russian LNG by end-2027 and inflows of Russian pipeline gas by September 2027, with a vote on the draft expected in the December 15-18 plenary session.

CPC Terminal Damage Cuts Kazakh Output. Ukraine's drone strikes on the CPC Terminal in Russia's Black Sea coast have forced oil producers in Kazakhstan to curb production, with output now averaging 1.9 million b/d or some 200,000 b/d lower than the country's previous levels.

Congress Repeals Biden's Alaska Limits. The US Senate voted 49-45 to approve a resolution that revokes all Biden-era limits on developing Alaska's 1.56-million-acre Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, paving the way for Trump's planned 2026 licensing rounds.

Citi Bull Outlook Lifts Copper Prices. Copper prices jumped to a record high of $11,705 per metric tonne in London and $13,125/mt in Shanghai, after Citi published its copper outlook that expects the transition metal to average around $13,000/mt by Q2 2026, up by $1,000 from their previous forecast.

Saudi Giant Gas Project Fires Up. Saudi Arabia's $100 billion Jafurah gas project has started production, as per the countrys finance ministry, with initial output pegged at 450 MMcf/d as state oil firm Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL:2222) taps into 229 TCf of sour gas reserves and 75 billion barrels of condensate.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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December 5, 2025: There is a new hostile alliance, or Axis of Evil as some politicians like to call it. The new axis consists of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

The World War II Axis was a loose military alliance of Germany, Italy and Japan. The three were not equal. Germany did most of the fighting in Europe, with brief and often ineffective assistance from Italy. Japan was alone in East Asia and the Western Pacific. After an amazingly successful offensive in late 1941, Japan found itself on the defensive after its catastrophic defeat at Midway, where its brief aircraft carrier superiority was demolished. The U.S. atomic bombs, originally designed with Germany in mind, were eventually used against Japan because the Germans succumbed to the combined might of Russia and the allies sooner than expected. The atomic bombs were needed to persuade the Japanese military government that Japan had indeed been defeated, something that had never happened to Japan before.

The new Axis includes two countries that are at war, Russia in Ukraine and Iran against Israel. In both wars the Axis powers are losing. The non-belligerent nations of China and North Korea are assisting Russia and Iran, but not to the point that this assistance would drag China and North Korea into a formal war. Both East Asian powers prefer more discreet and less risky forms of warfare. There are practical reasons for this: all four Axis powers are ruled by unelected governments. Russia is technically a democracy, but Vladimir Putin has miraculously won every election since 1999, no matter how badly he has performed or how much Russians have suffered. The other three Axis powers are dictatorships. Iran is ruled by senior Shia Islamic clergy, which uses their ruthless IRGC/Islamic Republican Guard Corps to keep a poverty-stricken, angry and potentially rebellious population in line. North Korea is ruled by the third generation of the founding Kim dynasty, the worlds first and, so far, only Communist monarchy. The first Kim, Kim Il Sung was put into power by his Russian benefactors after Japan was defeated in World War II. Russia and North Korea have been close ever since. Meanwhile, democratic, free market South Korea has a GDP per capita that is more than fifty times larger than North Koreas. South Korea is the fourteenth largest economy in the world while North Korea is at the bottom of the list of 180 nations. Officially, there is no data on the North Korean economy, but China, South Korea and the United States know otherwise and the Americans and South Koreans cooperate on keeping track of the North Korean economy.

Only one of the axis powers, Iran, does not have nuclear weapons. The Free world, and especially Israel, are doing all they can to prevent Iran from getting such weapons. Iran openly declares that its nuclear weapons are meant for the destruction of Israel. That might not work out in Irans favor. Israel has long had nuclear weapons, and several ways to deliver them. More importantly, Israel has proven defense systems to intercept any Iranian missile or airstrike that includes nuclear warheads. Attempting to use nuclear weapons against Israel might be something the Iranian religious dictatorship would consider a folly too far. We may never know and most of the world wants to keep it that way.

When it comes to going to war with anyone, none of the Axis members is particularly keen on firing the first shot. North Korea, currently dealing with an unexpected outbreak of suicidal activity among their poor and hungry subjects, has sent over 15,000 soldiers and support personnel to help Russia conquer Ukraine. These troops have spent nearly a year in combat and a third of them are dead, disabled or missing.

Iran has sent missiles and drones towards Israel, almost all of which were shot down or missed. There were some Israeli casualties, but nothing to match what last Junes air raid on Iran did. Most of Irans air defense system, weapons production facilities and nuclear material for bombs were destroyed. Over a hundred key scientists, officials and senior military officers running the nuclear weapons program were killed. As much as Iranian leaders disparage Israelis as being evil toadies to the United States, the Israelis are never described as incompetent.

China is not looking to attack anyone immediately. The Chinese prefer to maneuver an opponent or victim into attacking China. At that point the Chinese will smite the attacker with righteous fury and devastation. Sounds almost biblical, but the Chinese were doing it before the bible was written. No one is prepared to attack China, mainly because China is the second largest, after the U.S., exporting nation on the planet. Attack China and then live with all the shortages and higher prices for shabby substitute goods. For industrialized nations an attack on China is an attack on your population's standard of living.
Uzbekistans state oil and gas firm Uzbekneftegaz has signed a cooperation agreement with U.S. corporation Cargill, under which the parties will look to attract up to $5 billion in energy investment to boost the central Asian countrys energy security.

Uzbekneftegazs international trade and investment subsidiary, UNG Overseas, has signed the agreement with the U.S. conglomerate, the Uzbek oil and gas firm said in a statement.

Uzbekneftegaz and Cargill have agreed to raise long-term financing of up to $3 billion, which could be gradually expanded to as much as $5 billion.

The cooperation agreement is aimed at strengthening Uzbekistans energy security, increase resource sustainability, and support sustainable development, Uzbekneftegaz said.

The deal is expected to open up opportunities to attract international investment in Uzbekistans energy and water management sectors, the Uzbek company said, without specifying timeframes or naming potential foreign investors.

Earlier this year, Uzbekistan announced energy-related deals with U.S. companies worth more than $4 billion in total.

Uzbekistans Energy Minister, Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, in October announced deals with Air Products, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, and Gulf Oil.

Air Products will speed up the construction of a petrochemical complex in Bukhara and will be involved in the development of a variety of coal gasification initiatives and the refining of clean jet fuel, according to a report published by the government-connected UzDaily information service.

The agreements with Schlumberger and Baker Hughes cover the implementation of modern technologies, experience and management methods.

In addition, Uzbek officials have signed a memorandum of understanding with Gulf Oil to develop a network of gas stations across the country.

On a late September visit to New York, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a number of deals, including an $8 billion contract to purchase Boeing passenger jets. During a brief meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Uzbek leader expressed an overall intention to conclude business deals with U.S. firms worth about $105 billion.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Equinor announced on Friday two gas and condensate discoveries in the Norwegian part of the North Sea in its largest discoveries so far this year that can be developed through existing infrastructure.

Equinor made the discoveries in the Lofn and Langemann wells in the Sleipner area of the North Sea, in a license located between the operating Gudrun and Eirin fields.

Preliminary estimates indicate the reservoirs may contain between 30 and 110 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalents.

The Sleipner area is an important hub for Norwegian gas exports to Europe. These discoveries strengthen our optimism for further exploration in the area, said Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway at Equinor.

Equinor and its partners in the licenses plan to drill five additional exploration wells, Hove added, noting that adding new volumes is essential to maintain export capacity and value creation from the area.

Discoveries near existing fields can be developed quickly through subsea facilities, with limited environmental impact, very low CO2 emissions from production, and strong profitability, Hove said.

Equinor and other operators on the Norwegian Continental Shelf are exploring prospects near operational fields to take advantage of the existing infrastructure to raise oil and gas production via tie-backs and tie-ins, which are cheaper than investing in standalone developments.

Earlier this week, Var Energi confirmed an oil discovery very close to its Goliat field in the Barents Sea, the first operating Arctic oilfield offshore Norway.

Norway has been boosting its gas production since 2022 when it overtook Russia as Europes top gas supplier. Not a member of the EU, but a NATO founding member and key EU and UK ally, Norway looks to continue providing the gas Europe needs.

Companies operating offshore Norway are raising production of gas and oil, with the support of the Norwegian government, which continues to bet on the oil and gas industry and the massive revenues it raises for the country and its sovereign wealth fund, the worlds largest.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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A loss of Venezuelan oil production in case of a U.S. military intervention will materially impact global benchmark prices as the market will have to replace Venezuelas heavy crudethe bulk of Caracas crude exports, according to Rystad Energy.

Venezuela is estimated to pump about 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil at present. If the U.S.-Venezuela tension escalation into a U.S. incursion in the South American country, this volume of crude would be at risk, depending on the scale of military activity, the energy intelligence firm said.

Although the volume is small in terms of global trade flows, the quality is unique as over 67% of the output is heavy, Rystad Energy noted.

The U.S. military build-up in the southern Caribbean continues and a military intervention isnt being ruled out.

If such an intervention occurs, Venezuelas supply to China, its key and pretty much only customer, could be reduced or completely shut-in, according to Rystad Energy.

China depends on heavy crude supplies from Venezuela to maximize secondary conversion unit utilization.

The Venezuelan grades are an ideal fit for these refineries, and the loss of supply would tighten the heavy crude oil balance, Rystad Energy reckons.

As a result, the overall tightening of the global heavy market would boost the prices for the heavy grades that the U.S. imports, especially the Canadian heavy crude grades. A temporary loss in Venezuelan production is also expected to push up the price of the Dubai benchmark against ICE Brent as Asia will scramble to replace the lost Venezuelan barrels, according to Rystad Energy.

Earlier this week, Kpler said that potential supply disruptions would shift Chinese and U.S. refiners toward alternative heavy grades across the Americas and Middle East. The closest substitutes for Venezuelas flagship super heavy grade Merey in terms of API and sulfur are to be found in its vicinityColombian grades such as Castilla, Apiay, Magdalena, and Mares, according to Kplers analysts.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A carbon tax on imports that kicks in next month for the European Union will lead to a slump in Indian exports of steel to the bloc, forcing producers to look for alternative destinations, Reuters has reported, citing industry executives and analysts.

The so-called Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, or CBAM, was devised to put European industrial producers on a more equal footing with non-European peers that enjoy much laxer emission-related regulations, making them more competitive than European companies.

The corporate sector lobbied with the European Unions leadership for concessions that would provide a much-needed boost to their own competitiveness, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism was the result of that effort.

The CBAM will cover a wide range of imports, including, besides steel, also cement, fertilizers, and electricity.

We recognise that we have to do environment-friendly production and companies are gearing up to comply, but they are also looking at alternative markets too, a former top government official in New Delhi in charge of steel told Reuters. India is the worlds second-largest steel producer after China and exports as much as 66% of its output to the European Union.

This is about to drop sharply next year because Indias steel manufacturing is done in blast furnaces fueled with coal, which is incompatible with the European Unions emission reduction plans. The Reuters report notes steel mills could switch to electric arc furnaces, which have a lower emissions footprint but such a switch would take time and money.

Most of the companies are yet figuring out a way to deal with CBAM, one analyst told Reuters. In the near term, it is expected to slow down India's exports to EU, Ravi Sodah, from Elara Capital, also said.

The timing of the CBAMs entry into effect is a little unfortunate for Europe, which is currently trying to rearman endeavor that involves a lot of steel.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Indias Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is moving to keep its 20% stake in the Sakhalin-1 oil project in Russia after the Kremlin allowed the Indian state-run company to pay its contribution to the projects abandonment fund in rubles from the frozen dividends it is due, sources with knowledge of the plans told Reuters on Friday.

ONGC Videsh, the overseas unit of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), has a 20% interest in the project, but contribution to the abandonment fund, one used for decommissioning of wells, has been a requirement to keep the stake.

Due to the U.S. sanctions, ONGC Videsh and other Indian state companies have not been able to use some $800 million in dividends due from their stakes in energy assets in Russia.

Moscow has now given the green light to ONGC Videsh to contribute Russian rubles to the abandonment fund using the pending dividends of Indian companies, according to the anonymous Reuters sources.

Previously, the Sakhalin-1 oil project was operated by U.S. supermajor ExxonMobil, but Russia removed it from the operatorship position in 2022 amid the companys own total pullout from Russia.

Exxon quit Sakhalin-1 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which triggered an exodus of foreign oil firms and service providers.

This summer, Vladimir Putin amended his decree from 2022 giving full Russian ownership to Sakhlain-1, and opened the door to a return of foreign companies to the oil and gas project.

Back in 2022, Putin signed a decree to seize the Sakhalin-1 project, in which Exxon held a 30% stake.

The Russian government authorized in November 2022 a transfer of a 20% stake in the new Sakhalin-1 operator to Indias ONGC Videsh Limited and 30% to SODECO, or Sakhalin Oil and Gas Development Co, which comprises Japanese firms Itochu, Marubeni, and Japan Petroleum Exploration Co.

Russia also decided to let the Japanese firms keep their stake in Sakhalin-1 as Moscow reshuffled ownership of domestic oil and gas projects after a mass exodus of Western firms.

Last week, Japan said that the government continues to recognize that securing energy from overseas, including the Sakhalin Project, is extremely important for Japans energy security.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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One is not supposed to have a weapon when on parole. But what is a weapon? Is any knife a weapon? The Oregon Supreme Court ruled in State v. Cortes that a knife with a 4.5-inch blade and a rounded tip is not a weapon, and thus Anthony Cortes didnt violate the terms of his parole. For more details, Ill let Justice Bronson Jamess opinion speak for itself:

Defendant, who is houseless, is on probation and subject to the general conditions of probation provided for by Oregon law. Those conditions include the requirement that a probationer shall [n]ot possess weapons, firearms or dangerous animals. Defendants probation officer issued a probation violation report alleging that defendant had violated the general weapons condition when he reported to the probation office with a knife in his backpack. At the probation violation hearing, defendant claimed that, although it was a knife, it was a steak knife, and it was therefore not a weapon but a tool, an essential eating implement that defendant carried in his backpack by necessity because, being houseless, he carried all his worldly possessions upon his person. {The knife was nine inches long, and the blade was four-and-a-half inches in length and had a rounded tip.} The trial court rejected defendants argument that the knifeeven if it was a steak knifewas not a weapon for purposes of the probation statute. The Court of Appeals affirmed without opinion. We allowed review to consider whether defendant violated the weapons condition in ORS 137.540(1)(j). The debate in this case might appear ontological in nature: What makes a weapon a weapon? What characteristics give an object weaponness? But, we need not resolve those deeper philosophical questions. Our task is more grounded; we are only called upon to decide what the Oregon legislature intended to be considered a weapon for purposes of ORS 137.540. Here, based on the text, context, and legislative history of ORS 137.540(1)(j), and considering maxims of constitutional avoidance, we hold that the legislature intended for the term weapons, as used in that statute, to apply to instruments designed primarily for offensive or defensive combat or instruments that would reasonably be recognized as having substantially the same character, and not to tools or objects designed primarily for utility, even when those tools can be used as weapons under some circumstances.

Based on that definition, we conclude that the trial court erred in concluding that defendant had violated the weapons condition without first engaging in a factual inquiry about the knife at issue and making a factual determination as to whether it was a knife that was designed primarily for offensive or defensive combat, or one that would reasonably be recognized as having substantially the same character, as opposed to a knife designed primarily for utility. The development of the probation statutes since 1931 provides several important contextual clues for interpreting the weapons provision in ORS 137.540(1). First, the purpose of the probation system is to promote a probationers freedom and need for rehabilitation so long as those interests are consistent with public safety. Second, it is Oregons policy to ensure that the probation system operates in a swift, certain, and consistent manner. To achieve that policy, the legislature has developed a system of general and specific conditions of probation with the goal of limiting the discretion of probation officers to interpret judgments while, at the same time, providing probationers with clear notice of what conduct is prohibited and required while under supervision. With that context in mind, it is unlikely that the legislature intended for weapons to mean literally anything capable of being used to inflict injury. Such a definition would capture a nearly endless number of objects and would give probation officers unreasonably broad authority to determine what objects constitute weapons. That result would deprive probationers of fair notice about what conduct would constitute a violation. Moreover, it would lead to arbitrary enforcement, with each probation officer determining individually whether a particular object is a weapon in a particular circumstance, as exemplified by the testimony of the probation officer in this case who, when asked to define a weapon, said it was [a]nything that can cause me harm.  [And i]f the term weapons is defined by situational use, then virtually anything in the home can be a weapon when used in a particular manner. Defining a weapon in terms of how an object is used works well when evaluating past behavior, such as criminal statutes that apply to actions already undertaken. But probation conditions exist to regulate future behavior. A situational use definition applied to constructive possession makes it nearly impossible for probationers to predict what future behavior would, or would not, be prohibited. Further, it invites arbitrary enforcement that would vary between probation officers. For these reasons, we reject the states definition of weapons, in favor of a definition of weapons tied to the features of an objects design. The sole question in this case is the legislative intent in using the term weapons in the general conditions of probation. Nothing in our decision today forecloses an individual court from constructing a special condition of probation for knives or other forms of potentially dangerous toolssuch as, for example, a special condition prohibiting actual possession of any type of knife, regardless of design, outside the home, unless possessed for work purposesas long as the record supports that such a condition is reasonably related to the crime of conviction or the needs of the probationer for the protection of the public or reformation of the probationer, or both. 

Have you ever stepped on a Lego in the dark? Without some precision in interpretation, maybe thats a weapon too, a kind of land mine.

Eric Shierman lives in Salem and is the author of We were winning when I was there.
Born in the 6th century B.C.E. in what is now Nepal, Siddhartha Gautama was a prince shielded from the suffering of the world. Upon encountering illness, old age, and death, he abandoned his royal life in pursuit of spiritual awakening.

After years of ascetic practices, he meditated beneath the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment.

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He began teaching as the historical Buddha, offering insights into the human condition and the path to liberation from human suffering. His followers, including Buddhist monks and Buddhist monastics, would later formalize his teachings into schools of thought.
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Schematic representation of the 64Cu production cycle, including the fast and easy synthesis of the target material tBu-CuPc and the setup of the extraction process. Credit: Dalton Transactions (2025). DOI: 10.1039/d5dt02046h

The copper isotope Cu-64 plays an important role in medicine: It is used in imaging processes and also shows potential for cancer therapy. However, it does not occur naturally and must be produced artificiallya complex and costly process.

Until now, Cu-64 has been generated by bombarding nickel atoms with protons. When a nickel nucleus absorbs a proton, it is transformed into copper.

At TU Wien, however, a different pathway has now been demonstrated: Cu-63 can be converted into Cu-64 by neutron irradiation in a research reactor. This works thanks to a special trickso-called "recoil chemistry." The work is published in the journal Dalton Transactions.

From nickel to copper

Copper atoms contain 29 protons, while the number of neutrons can vary. The most common naturally occurring variant is Cu-63, which has 34 neutrons and is stable. Cu-64, by contrast, contains one additional neutron and is radioactive, decaying with a half-life of about 13 hours.

This makes Cu-64 attractive for medical use: It remains stable long enough to be transported to its target location inside the body, but decays quickly enough to keep the patient's radiation exposure low.

"Today, Cu-64 is typically produced in a cyclotron," explains Veronika Rosecker of TU Wien. "You can produce Cu-64 by taking Ni-64 and bombarding it with protons. The nickel nucleus absorbs the proton, ejects a neutron, and is thereby transformed into copper-64."

This method works very well, but it is expensiveand it requires access to both a cyclotron and enriched Ni-64, itself a rare isotope.

Copper with one extra neutron

It is therefore natural to consider a simpler alternative: producing Cu-64 from Cu-63 directly. All that is needed is to add a single neutronsomething a research reactor can provide.

But this approach comes with a challenge. "When Cu-63 is irradiated with neutrons, Cu-64 nuclei are indeed produced, but it is almost impossible to separate them chemically from the ordinary copper atoms," says Martin Pressler. "You end up with a mixture that consists mostly of ordinary copper, with only tiny traces of the desired Cu-64."

Veronika Rosecker in the reactor hall at TU Wien. Credit: TU Wien

Now, however, this problem has been solved using recoil chemistry. This effect has been known for nearly a century, but has not previously been used for the production of medically relevant radioisotopes. Before irradiation, the copper atoms are built into specially designed molecules.

"When a Cu-63 atom within such a molecule absorbs a neutron and becomes Cu-64, it briefly holds a large amount of excess energy, which it releases as gamma radiation," says Rosecker. The emission of this high-energy photon gives the atom a recoilmuch like a rocket recoils when expelling exhaust. This recoil is strong enough to eject the copper atom from the molecule.

"This means that Cu-63 and Cu-64 can now be cleanly separated," says Rosecker. "The Cu-63 atoms remain bound within the molecules, while the newly formed Cu-64 atoms are released. This makes it easy to separate the two isotopes chemically."

Finding the right molecule

A key challenge was identifying a suitable molecule. It needed to be stable enough to withstand conditions inside a nuclear reactor, yet soluble enough to allow efficient chemical processing afterward.

"We achieved this using a metalorganic complex that resembles hemethe molecule found in human blood," explains Pressler. Similar substances had been studied before, but were not soluble. The new complex was chemically modified to make it soluble, enabling straightforward recovery of the Cu-64 after neutron irradiation.

The method can be automated, the molecules can be reused without loss, andinstead of requiring a cyclotronit only needs a research reactor such as the one at TU Wien.

More information: Martin Pressler et al, Fast and easy reactor-based production of copper-64 with high molar activities using recoil chemistry, Dalton Transactions (2025). DOI: 10.1039/d5dt02046h Journal information: Dalton Transactions
by Austin Bay December 4, 2025

President Donald Trump has given Venezuelan dictator and cartel kingpin Nicolas Maduro a harsh warning: Resign Venezuela's sham presidency and vacate the country, or face U.S. military might.

Trump's usual critics fume and cry foul. Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth argue they are fighting a 21st-century counterterror war and are acting to repel at least three slow but deadly invasions: 1) a smuggling invasion of deadly drugs killing millions of Americans; 2) organized foreign gangsters who commit heinous crimes (and may serve as "sleeper" terrorists and assassins); and 3) of millions of unvetted illegal immigrants whose welfare demands bankrupt America's social safety net.

In a column written in August 2025, I noted that in this century's first decade, Communist China began subtly transforming Latin American drug trafficking syndicates into "hybrid warfare" organizations. The evolved cartels, their Beijing connections hazy and obscure, have become proxy armies waging plausibly deniable criminal-anarchic and chemical war against Americans on American soil.

The goal? Undermining American political will and sapping American wealth. This warfare has a name: disintegrative warfare. In a disintegrative war, a "unitary belligerent becomes increasingly fragmented by secessions."

Turning U.S. cities into anarchic hells attacks American political cohesiveness and economic productivity. Killer drugs like fentanyl are chemical weapons. From 2020 to 2024, approximately 600,000 Americans died of drug overdoses. That's roughly equivalent to U.S. military deaths in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Communist China was and remains the world's primary source of fentanyl.

Since August, with Venezuela the first target, the Trump administration has made it clear it is committed to fighting and defeating disintegrative war on the U.S.

Maduro accuses the U.S. of imperialism, but he's a regional aggressor. Like his predecessor Hugo Chavez, Maduro routinely threatens neighbors with invasion and annexation, especially Guyana. Maduro's biggest threat, however, is to the Venezuelan people. He has driven millions into exile, then seized their properties. He has stolen two elections -- from Juan Guaido in 2019 and Edmundo Gonzalez in 2024. International observers contend Guaido and Gonzalez defeated Maduro, but Maduro and his military ignored the ballots.

Rubio continually reminds Beltway media that the Trump administration is using a "whole of government" approach to confronting Maduro and his socialist dictatorship.

The acronym DIME is the quickest way to summarize utilizing "whole of government" power. DIME: "Diplomatic," "Information," "Military" and "Economic" power. When "policy is working," diplomacy, economic interests, military power and information power (both the ability to communicate and to gather intelligence) complement one another. With synergy, the sum is greater than the parts.

Media concentrate on the M because aircraft carriers, B-52 bombers and special operations helicopters make superb video segments. Indeed, as this month begins, we witness the largest contingent of U.S. combat forces in the Caribbean basin since the 1994-1995 Cuban migrant crisis (ignited by Fidel Castro, a hero of Chavez and Maduro).

The Venezuelan military is the heart of Venezuela's Chavista socialist regime. Venezuela's senior military officers belong to a drug cartel that has existed since the mid-1990s, the Cartel of the Suns (CDLS). The military also oppresses the population and controls the oil fields.

So the U.S. military's M must play a major role by confronting the Maduro/CDLS regime with more firepower than it can possibly survive. Attacks on drug-carrying boats and the Pentagon-provided drone videos of those attacks (Military and Information components in DIME) tell CDLS criminals they are targets of lethal attacks. What can the gangsters do? Rubio's suggestion: Encourage Maduro to leave.

Does the Trump administration need to declare war to conduct this operation?

The Pershing Punitive Expedition (also called the Pancho Villa Expedition) provides an instructive example of Washington using U.S. military power to punish deadly attacks on American citizens and the criminal violation of U.S. borders.

On March 9, 1916, Pancho Villa and his rebel force attacked Columbus, New Mexico, and killed 18 Americans. The U.S. garrison repelled the attack, but the assault sparked a nationwide demand for Villa's arrest. Gen. Frederick Funston argued Villa used the U.S.-Mexican border as a "shelter." President Woodrow Wilson (a Democrat) subsequently ordered the Army to organize a punitive force and pursue Villa in Mexico.

The Army failed to catch Villa. That noted, the 11-month-long military expedition (March 1916 to February 1917) involved some 14,000 U.S. Army regulars and a small air squadron operating deep inside foreign territory. In 1916, the Army had around 110,000 regular soldiers. The expedition to punish and stop deadly attacks on U.S. territory (and, in the process, curb border crime) involved around 12% of the Army's professional troops -- a huge military commitment, without a declaration of war.
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The unlucky fossil bird, preserved with over 800 tiny rocks in its throat (visible as the gray mass next to the left of its neck bones). Credit: Jingmai O'Connor.

A fossil only tells part of the story. When an animal's body is preserved as a fossil, there are often pieces missing, and even a perfectly preserved body doesn't tell the whole story of how that animal behaved, how it lived, and how it ultimately died.

But the cause of death for one unlucky bird that lived about 120 million years ago is clearer: the cluster of rocks in its throat tells scientists that it probably choked to death. The reason why this bird was swallowing rocks in the first place is more of a mystery, and one that gets into the bigger picture of dinosaur and bird evolution.

Jingmai O'Connor, the associate curator of fossil reptiles at Chicago's Field Museum and lead author of a paper describing the new species in the journal Palaeontologica Electronica, came across the fossil at the Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature in China.

"There are thousands of bird fossils at the Shandong Tianyu Museum, but on my last trip to visit their collections, this one really jumped out at me," says O'Connor. "I immediately knew it was a new species."

The fossil was tinyabout the size of a modern sparrowbut it had features in common with a larger fossil bird called Longipteryx. "It had really big teeth at the end of its beak, just like Longipteryx, but it's a tiny little guy. So based on that, I knew it was something new."

When O'Connor examined the fossil under a microscope, she saw something puzzling. "I noticed that it had this really weird mass of stones in its esophagus, right up against the neck bones," says O'Connor. "This is really weird, because in all of the fossils that I know of, no one has ever found a mass of stones inside the throat of an animal."

The placement and chemical composition of the rocks suggested that they really were swallowed by the animal during its life, instead of just washing up near its body in the lakebed where its fossil formed.

Paleontologist Jingmai O'Connor examining Chromeornis under a microscope. Credit: Jingmai O'Connor

How scientists investigated the stones

It's common enough for animals to swallow stones that there's even a term for rocks swallowed by animals, either intentionally or by accident: gastroliths. Some birds, including chickens, swallow small stones that are stored in a muscular stomach called a gizzard, which they use to help grind up their food. But in the thousands of fossil birds in the same group as this little fossil, none have ever been found with gizzard stones.

To help determine if the new little bird was simply the first of its kind to be found with gizzard stones, O'Connor drew upon previous research in which she and her colleagues had CT scanned fossils of birds that definitely did have gizzards.

"We had quantified the average volume of the stones, the number of stones that these other fossil birds had in their gizzards, the size of the gizzard stone mass compared to the total size of the bird," says O'Connor. "We CT scanned this new fossil so we could compare it to these other birds with gizzards."

The CT scan data indicated that whatever the mass of rocks in the little bird's throat were, they were not gizzard stones.

"We found over 800 tiny stones in this bird's throatway more than we would have expected in other birds with gizzards. And based on their density, some of these stones weren't even really stones, they seemed to be more like tiny clay balls," says O'Connor. "With these data, we can very clearly say that these stones weren't swallowed to help the bird crush its food."

Since the bird's gastroliths were not gizzard stones, it must have swallowed them for another reason. The researchers can't be sure, but they have an idea of what that might be.

An illustration showing Chromeornis in life. Credit: Sunny Dror

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A possible explanation for the behavior

"When birds are sick, they start doing weird things," says O'Connor. "So we put forth a tentative hypothesis that this was a sick bird that was eating stones because it was sick. It swallowed too many, and it tried to regurgitate them in one big mass. But the mass of stones was too big, and it got lodged in the esophagus."

The finding is unusual, not just because it's the first time, to O'Connor's knowledge, that a fossil animal has been discovered with a throat full of stones.

"It's pretty rare to be able to know what caused the death of a specific individual in the fossil record," says O'Connor. "But even though we don't know why this bird ate all those stones, I'm fairly certain that regurgitation of that mass caused it to choke, and that's what killed that little bird."

In addition to its unusual gastroliths, the fossil represents a new species of bird, and thus, a new species of dinosaur. O'Connor named the fossil Chromeornis funkyi (kroh-me-or-nis fun-key) after the techno-funk duo Chromeo, one of her favorite bands, since birds are also known for making beautiful music. (Scientists can't tell exactly what sounds Chromeornis madeit probably didn't sing like a modern bird, but O'Connor says that it probably made some sort of vocalizations.)

Close-up of the mass of rocks in the throat of Chromeornis (the rocks are the gray mass just to the left of the neck bones). Credit: Jingmai O'Connor

Left to right: Chromeo member P-Thugg, paleontologist Jingmai O'Connor, and Chromeo member Dave 1, posing with a picture of Chromeornis funkyi at a Chromeo concert in Chicago on November 20, 2025. Credit: Jason Peterson.

Chromeo, comprised of David "Dave 1" Macklovitch and Patrick "P-Thugg" Gemayel, were happy to learn that a fossil had been named after them, saying, "We've been doing this for 20 years but this is the first time someone's called us a dinosaur! Jokes aside, this is an incredible honor to add to a career full of surprises. We're glad to bring a little fossil funk to the great science of paleontology."

What Chromeornis reveals about extinction

Beyond the fate of this one unlucky bird that choked on rocks, Chromeornis is a piece of a bigger picture of extinction and survival. It's part of a group of birds called the enantiornithines.

During the Cretaceous, this was the most prevalent group of birds, but when the asteroid hit 66 million years ago, enantiornithine birds went extinct along with nearly every other kind of dinosaurthe only group that remained is the one containing the modern birds still alive today.

"During that environmental disaster, the enantiornithines went from being the most successful group of birds to being wiped out," says O'Connor.

"Understanding why they were successful but also why they were vulnerable can help us predict the course of the mass extinction we're in now. Learning about Chromeornis and other birds that went extinct could ultimately help guide conservation efforts today."

More information: A new small-bodied longipterygid (Aves: Enantiornithes) from the Aptian Jiufotang Formation preserving unusual gastroliths, Palaeontologica Electronica, 2025.
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Credit: Pixabay from Pexels

The recent killing of a 20-year-old tradeswoman in Minnesota has struck a nerve across Canada's skilled trades community. Amber Czech, a welder, was slain by a male colleague while on a work site.

Statements from labor unions and personal stories from tradeswomen shared recurring themes of harassment, exclusion, unsafe conditions and retaliation for reporting.

This tragedy is not isolated to the United States, and exposes a larger pattern of hostile and unsafe work sites for women and gender-diverse workers.

The timing of Czech's death has fueled calls to action. In Canada, Dec. 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, honoring 14 women students murdered in 1989 at Ecole Polytechnique. Preventing gender-based violence is not only a labor issue, but also an education issue.

A long-standing pattern

As a researcher and educator in technological education, I see an opportunity. I help experienced tradespeople become high school teachers. They become certified to teach in one of the 10 broad-based technology subject areascommunications, computers, construction, green industries, hairstyling and esthetics, health care, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, technological design or transportation.

The culture of industry has an impact on the adults who enter teacher education, and those teachers in turn shape the culture of tomorrow's shops and labs. For safer workplaces, the work of prevention must start long before anyone steps onto a job site.

Czech's death reflects painful familiarity that research has documented for decades. Studies across construction, transportation and manufacturing show that women and gender-diverse workers continue to face barriers.

These extend beyond individual incidents, including exclusion from key tasks, minimal mentoring and ineffective or risky reporting systems.

Canadian reports from the Canadian Labour Congress, the B.C. Centre for Women in the Trades and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction highlight recurring issues. These problems are rooted in workplace culture and everyday norms that determine who gets opportunities, whose concerns are taken seriously and how co-workers respond when something goes wrong. These shape whether workers feel safe.

These patterns are not new. Interviews with tradeswomen from the 1970s and '80s described similar conditions. The fact that the same issues are still being raised decades later reveals a deep systemic culture that has been slow to transform.

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Efforts at progress

There are initiatives happening aimed at bringing about change. Fostering women in trades, the federal Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy announced several projects in March 2024. These were funded under the Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative.

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, a non-profit organization that connects the country's apprenticeship community, has an initiative entitled Supporting Equity in Trades (SET).

In Ontario, the province says its recently announced Skills Development Fund is investing more than $8.6 million to support women in the skilled trades. The province's College Trades organization highlights young women's initiatives and pathways to the trades.

Shared responsibility is also highlighted in the federal government's National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence:

"Preventing and addressing GBV (gender-based-violence) in Canada requires a co-ordinated national approach, with federal, provincial and territorial governments working in close partnership with survivors, Indigenous partners, direct service providers, experts, advocates, municipalities, the private sector and researchers  Joint efforts in support of this National Action Plan will align with and complement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' Calls for Justice."

A broader context of violence

Global statistics are reinforcing the urgency. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women report 50,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members in 2024, or one every 10 minutes.

While home is unsafe, so too are workplaces. Violence reflects broader societal norms that shape all institutions, including education. Yet many trades and apprenticeship systems lack the structures to protect women.

At first glance, the slaying of a U.S. welder may seem distant from Canadian high school classrooms. But in technological education, the connection is direct.

In Ontario, the pathway to becoming a technological education teacher begins with years of related industry experience. Those, who are transitioning from the trades in favor of a second career as a high school teacher, come from spaces where these cultural issues persist.

They bring valuable practical expertise but also the norms, assumptions and coping strategies formed in their prior workplace environments.

Some have spent years navigating exclusion or witnessing harassment. Others come from supportive workplaces and are surprised to learn how widespread these issues are. This means teacher education programs cannot assume shared understanding of safety, inclusion or harassment.

Instead, programs must deliberately prepare future teachers to recognize and challenge the norms that reproduce inequity.

This dynamic creates both a responsibility and an opportunity. Technological Education teachers shape learning spaces where young people first encounter trades culture. They influence whether girls, gender-diverse students and other underrepresented learners feel welcome or pushed out, long before they reach apprenticeships.

4 ways to help aspiring teachers tackle GBV

Teacher education programs can help shift ingrained attitudes in trades-related fields. Research on adult learning, workplace culture and gender-equity education points to several effective strategies:

1. Explicitly teach about gender-based violence in trades contexts

Gender-based violence is often taught as a general social issue, not as a trades-specific concern. Programs should address how harassment and exclusion appear in shops, labs, apprenticeships, co-operative placements and how school reporting structures differ from those in industry.

2. Use experiential, reflective learning

Experiential learning emphasizes structured reflection. Case studies, workplace scenarios and opportunities to practice inclusive responses in realistic contexts deepen learning more effectively than policy readings alone. For second-career learners, connecting personal experience with broader patterns is especially meaningful.

3. Teach candidates to identify early warning signs

High school technological education environments can subtly reproduce workplace hierarchies, for example with task assignments, uneven access to tools or normalizing jokes about who is naturally mechanical. Teacher candidates need practice spotting and interrupting these patterns early.

4. Position tech ed teachers to lead and advocate workplace culture

Technological education teachers often maintain close ties to industry, apprenticeship and co-ops. They can advocate for safe placement sites, challenge stereotypes about who belongs in the trades and create spaces where all students feel welcome. Preparing candidates for these responsibilities means inspiring them to be culture shapers.

Cultural change begins before the job site

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women reminds Canadians to confront the roots of gender-based violence and commit to dismantling them.

Czech's killing is a painful reminder that the trades remain a vocation where cultural transformation initiatives are urgently needed.

But responsibility cannot rest solely with employers and unions. It must extend into teacher education programs and the high school classrooms where young people first experience skilled trades instruction.

By equipping future technological education teachers to recognize, prevent and challenge gender-based violence, we take meaningful steps toward safe workplaces and a skilled trades sector where everyone truly belongs.

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Ancient DNA reveals 3,500 years of humanleopard cat coexistence and the arrival of domestic cats in the Tang dynasty. Credit: Cell Genomics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2025.101099

A research team led by Professor Luo Shujin from the School of Life Sciences has uncovered a surprising chapter in the history of cats in China. Through ancient DNA sequencing of feline remains spanning more than 5,000 years, the team discovered that the animals living alongside early Chinese farming communities were not domestic cats, but the native leopard cat.

Domestic cats arrived much later, during the Tang dynasty, likely brought along Eurasian trade routes connected to the Silk Road. These findings, published in Cell Genomics, clarify a long-debated question about when and how domestic cats first appeared in China.

Genetic discoveries reshape cat history

Domestic cats descend from Near Eastern African wildcats (Felis lybica), but the timing of their arrival in China has remained unclear. Small cat bones found in Neolithic and later sites were long assumed to be early domestic cats. The new study analyzed mitochondrial and nuclear DNA from 22 ancient feline individuals excavated at 14 archaeological sites, covering the period from the Yangshao culture (~5,400 years ago) to the 20th century.

The study reshapes our understanding of humananimal relations in East Asia. It reveals that for more than 3,500 years, the cats living near early farming communities were not domesticated but wild leopard cats that thrived around human settlements while hunting rodents. The findings also underscore how global exchange networks, particularly the Silk Road, played a role not only in transporting goods and ideas but also in spreading animal species. The arrival of domestic cats in the Tang dynasty reflects broader cultural and biological exchanges across Eurasia.

Geographical distribution of mtDNA haplogroups in Eurasian domestic cats, highlighting a human-mediated dispersal route into China via the Silk Road. Credit: Cell Genomics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2025.101099

Tracing the arrival of domestic cats

Genetic evidence shows that before ~AD 220, all feline remains near human sites belonged to leopard cats, not domestic cats. They lived around settlements from the Late Neolithic until the end of the Eastern Han, taking advantage of abundant prey around agricultural areas. Domestic cats appeared only in the Tang dynasty.

The earliest confirmed domestic cat remains, dated to AD 706883 from the Tongwan City site in Shaanxi, show maternal lineages linked to Near Eastern African wildcats. Genome reconstruction suggests this Tang-era cat had short fur and likely white or white-spotted coloration. Identical genetic signatures in contemporaneous cats from Kazakhstan confirm that domestic cats have spread into China via Silk Road trade routes.

The study provides the first detailed genetic timeline of cats in China, showing how domestic species spread and integrated into human societies. It highlights the Silk Road's role in transporting animals and offers insights into the long-term interaction between humans and wildlife.

More information: Yu Han et al, The late arrival of domestic cats in China via the Silk Road after 3,500 years of human-leopard cat commensalism, Cell Genomics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2025.101099 Journal information: Cell Genomics
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Animal rights concerns have driven countries to ban the capture of dolphins, porpoises and whales, while growing numbers of marine parks are shutting.

The Mediterranean's first sanctuary for dolphins that have lived in captivity will open off Italy next year, as demand for re-homing rises with the closure of marine parks across Europe.

"We must develop a new model for managing dolphins in a natural but supervised environment," Carmelo Fanizza, head of the San Paolo Dolphin Refuge, told AFP.

Located off the coast of Taranto in the southern Italian region of Puglia, the sanctuary still needs a final green light from the government.

But the site will be ready by the end of this month and the first dolphins are expected to arrive "no later than May or June 2026," Fanizza said.

Animal rights concerns have driven countries such as Canada and France to ban the capture of dolphins, porpoises and whales, while growing numbers of marine parks are shutting.

That has created a burning question: what to do with the cetaceans, which can live for decades and have mostly only known life in captivity, so cannot be released into the wild?

The San Paolo Dolphin Refuge got permission from the Italian government in 2023 to use a seven-hectare (2.5-acre) area in the Gulf of Taranto, near the island of San Paolo.

The spot is "sheltered and protected from the sea, winds and prevailing ocean currents," said Fanizza, brushing off concerns the site was near the industrial coastal city of Taranto.

The city is home to one of Europe's largest steelworks, which has been embroiled in a pollution scandal, but is currently operating at reduced capacity.

"Improvements have been made to the facilities, so that the quality of the breathable air, the water column and the sediments in the area currently pose no risk to animal health," Fanizza said.

Demand for re-homing dolphins has risen with the closure of marine parks across Europe.

Sanctuary

Located around four kilometers (nearly 2.5 miles) off the coast, the facility has a main 1,600-square-meter (17,200-square-foot) enclosure, a smaller one for potential transfers and a veterinary one for quarantine cases.

It has a floating laboratory, accommodation so staff can be on site overnight, and a food preparation area.

It is also equipped with a video surveillance systemboth above and under wateras well as a series of sensors at sea, which transmit data to a control room in Taranto.

The sanctuary's construction has been largely paid for by Jonian Dolphin Conservationthe research organization behind the initiativewith support from private donors and European public funds.

The site's operating costs are estimated at between 350,000 and 500,000 euros ($408,000 and $584,000) per year.

It could legally accommodate up to 17 dolphins, but "the number will absolutely not be that," said Fanizza, who stressed the importance of their well-being.

"Our goal at this stage is not to take in a large number of animals but to identify a group that, given its medical condition, behavior and social structure, could be ideal for initiating such a project," he said.

Muriel Arnal, head of French animal rights group One Voice, which has long campaigned for marine sanctuaries, told AFP that Europe currently has around 60 dolphins in captivity.

"Once you have a model that works well, you can replicate it," she said, adding that she hoped San Paolo would give a home to French dolphins too.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

China routinely sends astronauts to and from its space station Tiangong. A crew capsule is about to undock from the station and return to Earth, but there's nothing routine about its journey home.

The Shenzhou-20 capsule will carry no crew, because one of its windows has been struck by space debris. Astronauts noticed an apparent crack on November 5, during pre-return checks.

Space journalist Andrew Jones explained how experts on the ground had studied images of the damage and concluded that a piece of debris smaller than 1mm (roughly 1/25th of an inch) had penetrated from the outer to inner layers of the glass.

Simulations and tests confirmed a low probability that the window could fail during the high-temperature re-entry through Earth's atmosphere. Although a worst-case scenario, it was one that officials deemed unacceptable. A rescue missionShenzhou-22was launched to bring the astronauts back from the station.

Experts have been warning about the threat posed by space debris for years. The ever-growing number of space programs by states and private entities is now contributing to an increasingly congested environment in orbit.

The European Space Agency estimates that there are more than 15,100 tonnes of material in space that has been launched from Earth. There are 1.2 million debris objects between 1cm and 10cm, and 140 million debris objects between 1mm and 1cm.

In low orbit they will be traveling around 7.6 km/s (roughly 17,000 miles per hour), damaging anything they hit. This is how a piece less than 1mm in size was able to penetrate the thick glass of Shenzhou-20's capsule.

Given the mounting number of objects in orbit, this is likely to be a more regular occurrence. It's costly in terms of damage to equipment, and increasingly a threat to life. When a piece of debris hits another object in space, it can also create more space debris, adding to the problem.

A number of countries are able to track what's in space, but given that these may include classified satellites, there is a reluctance by states to share details. China's space program is overseen by its military, in line with a view that space is inherently linked to national security. This only adds to the geopolitical tensions between states around the use of space.

Treaties and responsibilities

The outer space treaty from 1967 sought to outline how space should be governed. But it is outdated and does not account for the increased presence of debris or the proliferation of private space launches. Nor does it address responsibilities when it comes to the sustainable use of space.

A total of 117 states are parties to the treaty, yet while efforts are ongoing to develop new norms around space governance, including the creation of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee, the organization may offer a platform for cooperation and research but does not result in binding decisions for state action. The lack of any global agreement on space debris, and more importantly repercussions, makes tackling the problem of space debris even harder.

Technology is being developed to address space debrisbut this generally appears as concept mission plans with only a few trial tests being launched anywhere globally. Examples include the idea of a harpoon to collect large piecesalthough the recoil of such an instrument means the spacecraft that deploys it could become a new piece of debris.

An alternative is the highly technological approach of a big net. This will work in the sense that if you can slow the debris down, it will fall into the atmosphere and burn up.

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The problem with these methods is the lack of sustainability. Sending one satellite up to bring only a few pieces down uses up fuel, adds to climate variation. An appropriate and efficient solution would be a constellation of satellites that stay in orbit and bring debris down. The process, of course, is still something to be researched.

A ground-based solution is the laser broom, which uses laser pulses to slow down objects orbiting Earth, potentially allowing them to re-enter the atmosphere and burn up. However, it is yet to be tested and comes with its own potential problems, such as atmospheric warming and missing its target.

Yet without addressing the geopolitics of space governance, the removal of space debris is moot as a focus on national interests, security concerns, and the increasing presence of the private sector means that pollution in Earth orbit is happening faster than we can clean it up.

Any collisions cause many more pieces to be produced than can be collected. Some notable examples include the destruction in 2007, by China, of its own Fengyun-1C satellite as part of an anti-satellite weapon test. This added an estimated 3,500 pieces in orbit.

In 2009, a Russian satellite called Kosmos 2251 collided with an Iridium communications satellite, generating roughly 2,400 pieces of debris. In 2021, Russia carried out its own anti-satellite missile test, destroying the Kosmos 1408 satellite and generating a further 1,787 pieces. These mostly came back through the atmosphere, but 400 pieces were left in orbit.

Whether such an anti-satellite weapon could be repurposed for space debris removal is unlikely but has potential.

It will require concerted global cooperation and effort to not only indicate what spacecraft states and private companies have in space, but to commit to de-orbiting every future spacecraft at the end of its life, reducing future debris.

The current space debris mitigation standards by the European Space Agency highlight that any satellites must be de-orbited within 25 years of the end of operations. While this is also intended to apply to miniature "cubesats"the process of bringing them back down has yet to be demonstrated.

Ultimately, this debris will cause problems for all space launch agencies and private companies, as there is a limit to our ground-based tracking and warning abilities. This makes addressing the global governance of space critical. However, it may take several high-cost satellites to be taken out of commission, or potentially loss of life, for this issue to be taken seriously.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Spain's government said Friday it had not ruled out an accidental laboratory leak as the cause of an outbreak of African swine fever that has rocked the country's lucrative pork industry.

Spain has deployed dozens of soldiers to help track and contain an outbreak of the fever in the northeastern Catalonia region, where 13 cases have been detected since November 28.

The agriculture ministry said in a statement that it had ordered a special inquiry into the source of the virus, which does not affect humans but is highly contagious and lethal for pigs.

A Madrid laboratory that studied the virus concluded that its genetic group was "very similar" to a viral strain found in Georgia in 2007frequently used in labs for testing vaccines, the ministry said.

The ministry said the Georgia link suggested the Catalonia outbreak had not been caused by contaminated products from areas of Europe where the disease is already spreading.

It added that the finding "does not rule out the possibility that it originated from a biological containment facility."

One lab that has tested African swine fever is based near the containment zone in Catalonia, where two dead boars carrying the fever were found.

Experts had speculated that the Spanish outbreak could have come from a contaminated sausage eaten by a wild boar.

Oscar Ordeig, an official in charge of agriculture for the Catalonia regional government, said the theory of a lab leak could not be confirmed and that there was "information missing."

 2025 AFP
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The new study visualizes three decades of income inequality data, the most comprehensive worldwide mapping to be done at a subnational level. Credit: Matti Kummu, Daniel Chrisendo et. al / Aalto University

Income inequality is one of the most important measures of economic health, social justice and quality of life. More reliably trackable than wealth inequality, which was recently given a gloomy report card by the G20, income inequality is particularly relevant to immediate economic relief, mobility and people's everyday standard of living.

A new study by an international team led by Aalto University and Cambridge University is the first to comprehensively map three decades of income inequality data within 151 nations around the world. Despite finding that income inequality is worsening for half the world's people, the study also indicates that effective policy may be helping to bridge the gap in regions such as Latin Americabright spots in administrative areas that account for around a third of the global population.

"This research gives us much more detail than the existing datasets, allowing us to zoom in on specific regions within countries," says one of the study's lead authors, Professor Matti Kummu, from Aalto University. "This is significant because in many countries, national data would tell us that inequality has not changed much over the past decades, while subnational data tells a very different story."

"The new data is particularly relevant in light of recent failings around wealth inequality, given that it could help shed light on what policy levers might be pulled to address inequality in the short-term," says co-lead author Daniel Chrisendo, now an Assistant Professor at Cambridge University.

"We have vastly more complete data on income than we do on wealth, which tends to be much harder to uncover and track," explains Chrisendo. "Especially given that income inequality leads to wealth inequality, it's critical to tackle both formsbut income inequality is perhaps the easiest to address from an immediate policy perspective."

The study is published in Nature Sustainability, and the new global subnational Gini coefficient (SubNGini) dataset, spanning 19902023, is publicly accessible online.

Global annual data and trends can be explored visually using an online tool that enables users to explore how income inequality has played out in regions around the globe and also download the data for further analyses.

Around a third of the global population live in areas where income inequality is improving, according to the research. Credit: Matti Kummu, Daniel Chrisendo et. al / Aalto University

Pinpointing the role of policy

There are many examples where regional efforts have shone more brightly than is revealed by national statistics, say the researchers. However, India, China and Brazil all present interesting case studies that affect large swathes of the global population.

"With regards to India, relative success in the south is linked to sustained investments in public health, education, infrastructure and economic development that have benefited the local population more broadly," says Chrisendo.

Meanwhile, in China, market-oriented reforms and open-door policy have driven economic growth and dramatically reduced poverty since the 1990s. "But we can also see how this growth has been uneven, likely due to the Chinese government's 'Hukou' policy limiting rural migrants' access to urban services," he explains.

In response, the government has implemented various policy measuressuch as regional development programs and relaxed Hukou restrictionsto address disparities and support internal migrants.

In Brazil, the mapping shows a potential correlation between reduced inequality and a regional cash transfer program providing cash to poor families on the condition of their children attending school and receiving vaccinations.

"Overall, being able to visualize these success stories and pinpoint the changing trends in time could help decision-makers see what works," says Chrisendo.

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Income inequality rising for half the world's people

Relative income growth for the world's poorest 40% is one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet the study confirms the collective failure to meet this goal by 2030.

"Unfortunately, not only are we quite far from that goal, but the trend for rising inequality is actually stronger than we thought," says Kummu.

The researchers are now expanding the data visualization to encompass a vast range of other socio-economic indicators, from how populations are aging, to life expectancy and time spent in schooling, to improved access to drinking waterwith the extensive new datasets slated for public launch in 2026.

As an expert in global food systems and sustainable use of natural resources, Kummu hopes the new datasets can be used to better understand, for example, the linkages between development and environmental changes. The recent study revealed links between more unequal regions and lower ecological diversity, which he would like to explore further.

"It's ambitious, but to have subnational, high quality data spanning over three decades is crucial to understand different social responses to environmental changes and vice versa. It gives us the means to start understanding the causalities, not just the correlationsand with that comes the power to make better decisions," he concludes.

More information: Rising income inequality across half of global population and socioecological implications, Nature Sustainability (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01689-4. Journal information: Nature Sustainability
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Northeastern postdoctoral student Levi Kaplan found that TikTok is steering French youth to suicidal and self-harm content. Credit: Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University

Within five minutes of joining TikTok, the French "teens" watched a video expressing sadness.

Within three hours of watching that and similar videos, the TikTok For You feeds of the researcher-fabricated teenager accounts were recommending videos showcasing methods to die by suicide.

"They didn't even 'like' (the sad content). They didn't share it. They didn't subscribe to any of it. They just watched it," said Piotr Sapiezynski, associate research scientist at Northeastern University who analyzed the algorithmic progression. "And just by the act of watching those videos and skipping others, they were implicitly signaling to TikTok that this is the kind of content that they're interested in."

The progression from videos of sadness to videos related to suicide is documented in new research from Northeastern University and Amnesty International titled "Dragged into the Rabbit Hole." The research finds that in France, TikTok's For You feeda personalized stream of short videos that recommends content based on viewingis pushing children and young people engaging with mental health content into a cycle of depression, self-harm and suicide content.

The research is a follow-up to Amnesty's 2023 reports Driven into the Darkness: How TikTok Encourages Selfharm and Suicidal Ideation and "I feel exposed": Caught in TikTok's surveillance web, which the organization said "highlight abuses suffered by children and young people using TikTok."

Like in the previous reports, "Dragged into the Rabbit Hole" includes personal accounts of how youth have been shaped by their experiences with TikTok.

"Seeing people who cut themselves, people who say what medication to take to end it, it influences and encourages you to harm yourself," 18-year-old Maelle says in the report.

"Dragged into the Rabbit Hole" focuses on TikTok in France, where seven familiestwo of whom experienced a loss of a childare suing the Chinese-owned social media company for allegedly failing to moderate harmful content and exposing children to life-threatening material.

In France, TikTok also must abide by the European Union's Digital Services Act, which seeks to create a safer digital space in which users' fundamental rights are protected by regulating online services such as social media, marketplaces, app stores and online travel and accommodation services.

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To conduct the latest research, Amnesty researchers created accounts on TikTok for two fake 13-year-old girls and a fake 13-year-old boy.

Within five minutes of scrolling and before signaling any preferences, all three accounts' For You feeds presented content French researchers labeled as "sad/depressive." The researchers allowed those sad TikToks to play, and swiped past other content. Within 15 to 20 minutes, all three feeds were "almost exclusively" filled with videos related to mental health, with up to half the videos containing "depressive content," according to researchers. Two of the three accounts had videos expressing suicidal thoughts within 45 minutes, the researchers said.

"Within just three to four hours of engaging with TikTok's For You feed, teenage test accounts were exposed to videos that romanticized suicide or showed young people expressing intentions to end their lives, including information on suicide methods," Lisa Dittmer, Amnesty International's researcher on children and young people's digital rights, said in a news release.

But the French researchers wanted to see if the progression from sadness to suicidal content was unique to these accounts or reflected a wider issue in TikTok in France.

So, Northeastern Ph.D. student Levi Kaplan exported the watch lists from the fake teens' accounts and set up 10 automated French accounts that replicated the experiment.

"Our automatic tests were designed as a complement to those manual tests to see if this is a systemic issue," Kaplan said.

Sapiezynski and Kaplan found that it was systemic.

The particular videos recommended were not necessarily the same that the manual accounts were fed, the researchers said. However, Sapiezynski and Kaplan said both manual and automated accounts saw similar amounts of videos related to sadness, depression and (in some cases) suicide.

Sapiezynski and Kaplan caution that this finding does not necessarily mean that TikTok's algorithm is delivering similar results in the United States or in English-speaking countries.

"We didn't measure it, so we don't know," Sapiezynski said. "But it is entirely possible that if we try to redo this study in the U.S., we would see much less suicidal content because perhaps TikTok spends much more money to monitor content in English while usually they will have a smaller team and less resources to monitor content in other languages."

However, Sapiezynski noted, "French is a major language spoken by a huge population."

TikTok criticized the research.

"With more than 50 features and settings designed specifically to support the safety and well-being of teens, and 9 in 10 violative videos removed before they're ever viewed, we proactively provide safe and age-appropriate teen experiences," a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement. "With no regard for how real people use TikTok, this 'experiment' was designed to reach a predetermined result, the authors admit that the vast majority (95%) of content shown to their pre-programmed bots was in fact not related to self-harm at all."

Meanwhile, Amnesty International in France included a long list of recommendations for the commission enforcing the DSA and other regulations, for the governments of European Union member states and of France, and for TikTok.

"Binding and effective measures must be taken to force TikTok to finally make its application safe for young people in the European Union and around the world," said Katia Roux, advocacy officer at Amnesty France.

More information: Dragged into the rabbit hole: New evidence of TikTok's risks to children's mental health. www.amnesty.org/en/documents/POL40/0360/2025/en/

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
A Kansas teacher allegedly groomed a student for years before plying him with alcohol and having sex with him in her Jeep.

Nikki Baird, 30, faces four felony counts of having unlawful sexual relations with a student, the Wichita Eagle reported. Baird was an art teacher at North High School.

Before coming to North, Baird worked at Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet Middle School, where she was named Teacher of the Month in January 2020.

The Wichita Eagle reported that concerns about Baird's closeness with a student were raised more than a year before she was arrested. The newspaper cited an arrest affidavit that stated concerns were first brought to school officials during the 2023-2024 school year.

Police began investigating on May 19, 2025, after they were directed to a social media post that referenced an inappropriate relationship between Baird and a former student.

According to the newspaper, the victim in the case said that Baird first became his art teacher in middle school. She became friends with the student and began grooming him in the sophomore year of high school.

"He described how she befriended him, then isolated him from others," the affidavit reads, according to the Wichita Eagle.

Eventually, Baird "messaged him about how her marriage was struggling," the newspaper reported. The teacher also wrote notes stating her feelings for the student. "One letter said, 'I hope and pray one day I get the chance to be with you' and 'I know that I love you,'" the affidavit read.

The report states that Baird escalated physical contact with the teenager, eventually pressuring him into sex in the back of her Jeep.

The Wichita Eagle reported that the teenager eventually stopped communicating with Baird because he "understood the relationship he had with Baird was inappropriate and he had been manipulated by Baird."

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
Government announces Senate reform to reduce Mexicos workweek to 40 hours

Mexico City, Mexico  President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced a reform project for the gradual implementation of the 40-hour work week. The reform will reduce the working day by two hours per year so that 40 hours are achieved by 2030.

President Sheinbaum says the transition period would begin during 2026 and the first reduction would begin in January 2027. An electronic record of working hours will be created, which will allow for compliance with ordinary and overtime working hours.

The reform bill will be sent to the Senate of the Republic next week with a view to its discussion next year. She says the reduced work week across Mexico to 40 hours will 13.4 million workers.

The benefit has been demonstrated throughout the world. I recently read an article from one of the Nordic countries that even reducing the workweek to 36 hours has resulted in greater productivity for companies, including in the service, hospitality, and other sectors.

Thats why the decision was made to implement the 40 hour work week gradually so it doesnt imply higher costs for the business sector. In some cases, it even leads to greater productivity and its a consensus agreement, she said during a morning press conference.

The Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare, Marath Baruch Bolanos Lopez, explained that as commitment number 60 of the Presidents 100 list, the implementation of the 40-hour work week will be a constitutional right of workers.

He explained that the reform will be presented to the Congress of the Union for discussion and approval and will come into effect on May 1, 2026 with the first two-hour reduction beginning in January 2027.

He explained that the proposal implies that the reduction will take effect on January 1st of each year. In 2026 it comes into force and the transition period is established, then in 2027, it will be 46 hours. In 2028, 44 hours, in 2029, 42 and in 2030, a 40 hour work week.

He pointed out that the reduction in working hours does not imply a decrease in salaries or benefits and that with these modifications, for the first time, overtime for minors is prohibited.

During the regular workday, workers will have more rest time and a fair distribution of working time as well as guaranteed decent working hours. Overtime work is permitted on a voluntary basis allowing for nine to 12 hours of overtime per week.

He says those hours can be distributed up to four hours per day over a maximum of four days during that period. Overtime work for minors is prohibited and the Federal Labor Law establishes a maximum limit of four triple-shift hours. In both work schedules, no single day may exceed 12 hours of work.

He noted that, in order to monitor compliance with the new 40-hour work week in workplaces, the electronic registration of the work day is added as an obligation for employers which will be issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. This will allow that ordinary and overtime working hours be effectively fulfilled.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the benefits of reducing working hours include a reduction of fatigue and work accidents, improvement in occupational health and safety, greater balance between the personal, family and work life of workers and lower risk of suffering from heart disease.

A decrease in deaths from accidents due to less exposure to long working hours, improvement in self-care -nutrition, physical exercise, rest, socialization  and preventive medical care, have also been noted.
Zenith Aeronautics announces $24 million USD Quintana Roo business unit project

Chetumal, Q.R.  Zenith Aeronautics has announced a $24 million USD business unit project for the city of Chetumal. Their project includes deep maintenance and aircraft repair projects, as well as a cargo service centre.

On Thursday, Governor Mara Lezama made the announcement with Zenith Aeronautics. She reported that the project includes two high-impact business units in Chetumal which will be a Zenith MRO maintenance workshop and the Zenith Cargo Terminal.

Lezama said aside from creating hundreds of jobs, the project also promotes the use of renewable energy.

As part of this investment, Alberta Aviation Capital Corporation (AAC), a Canadian company dedicated to leasing aircraft and engines, providing flexible fleet solutions to airlines in North America and around the world, announced its participation in this strategic initiative.

The company said it will send its aircraft for maintenance to Chetumal and will use cargo services to the Antilles and Central America.

Governor Lezama said a cooperative agreement was made after a meeting with Eduardo Mauricio Perez, President and CEO of Zenith Aeronautica, and Luis Sergio De Urioste Limario, Vice President of Aviation Capital Corporation.

This investment confirms the enormous potential of the southern region and reaffirms that Chetumal is ready to become a strategic hub for the aerospace industry.

As a government, we promote projects that generate employment, strengthen new productive sectors and ensure that development reaches everyone. The establishment of these business units represents a decisive step toward a future of greater competitiveness and shared prosperity for Quintana Roo, stated Mara Lezama.

Specifically regarding Chetumal, she highlighted that in addition to being a vibrant city, it is directing its growth toward sectors other than commerce or public administration.

It has a Free Trade Zone designation, a Strategic Fiscal Zone, is one of the 13 Development Hubs for Well-being created by President Claudia Sheinbaum within the Mexico Plan, and is strategically located. In addition, it has infrastructure with an International Airport and a connection to the Tulum airport, and s Maya Train station that will soon have cargo service.

She also emphasized that this new project represents a vote of confidence and represents a decisive boost for the economic development of Quintana Roo by consolidating new productive vocations in the aeronautical industry and strengthening the competitiveness of the south of the state.
One homeowner in South Carolina hoped that buying a home in a new development would allow them to renovate in the way that they wanted  with solar panels. However, they were disappointed to find that the developer had control of the homeowners' association and wouldn't budge on the issue.

"I wanted to install solar panels and after choosing a vendor and a design, I applied for HOA approval," said the original poster in a post on Reddit. "I got a denial letter almost immediately, saying 'the standard for (the townhome community) is to not allow the installation of Solar Panels.'"

The OP's frustration is understandable, given the benefits of installing solar panels. It's one of the best ways to reduce your utility bills and save money, especially as electricity prices rise across the U.S.

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With the right battery storage options in place, solar panels can also provide you with power independent of the grid, which means that you can still have your lights on even when there is an outage or a disaster. To review all your options for solar installation and save money on the process, you can visit TCD's Solar Explorer.

While there is always the option to work with your HOA, legal methods for forcing the issue depend on the state you live in  and unfortunately, the law was not on the original poster's side in South Carolina.

As one commenter explained, "Many states restrict the ability of an HOA to limit or ban solar. South Carolina is not one of these states with a solar rights law so here the HOA can outright ban solar."

If you're interested in solar, your next stop should be the Solar Explorer. It contains information on trusted solar partners whose high level of service can help you save thousands on the cost of buying solar panels or signing up for a subscription service.

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For example, one Solar Explorer partner, EnergySage, curates bids from vetted installers in your area and also offers information on incentives, saving you up to $10,000 on installation.

If you opt for a leasing program, Palmetto's LightReach program offers $0 down and cuts your utility rate by up to 20%. Plus, LightReach offers you access to federal incentives that are no longer available to individual homeowners who buy panels.

To get the most out of your solar panels, they should be paired with energy-saving appliances, such as a heat pump or upgraded HVAC. TCD's HVAC Explorer streamlines the process of choosing an HVAC system that fits your budget and your needs.

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.
China's commerce ministry urges Japanese side to create conditions for normal economic, trade cooperation

Xinhua) 10:27, December 05, 2025

BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday urged the Japanese side to immediately correct its erroneous words and deeds on Taiwan to create conditions for normal economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Regarding Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks, China has repeatedly stated its solemn position and urged Japan to demonstrate its commitment to China with real actions, the ministry's spokesperson He Yadong said at a regular press briefing.

He added that Takaichi's remarks had severely damaged the political foundation of China-Japan relations, and the Japanese side bears unshirkable responsibility for this.

If the Japanese side insists on going the wrong way, the Chinese side will take necessary measures, and all consequences shall be borne by the Japanese side, He said.

In response to a question about Japanese firms' investment in China, the spokesperson highlighted China's appeal as a primary destination for global capital, citing official data showing that 54,000 new foreign-invested enterprises have been established in China this year, a 14.7 percent increase year on year.

China is the world's second-largest consumer market, holding huge potential for investment and consumption, He said.

Meanwhile, China is pursuing high-quality development, and accelerating green, digital and intelligent transformations with strong industrial support capabilities, which offers the best application scenarios for the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, according to the spokesperson.

Foreign companies, including Japanese-funded enterprises, have expressed optimism about the Chinese market, the spokesperson said, adding that China has been and will always be an ideal, safe and promising investment destination for foreign businesses.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will hold the 1+10 Dialogue in Beijing on the morning of December 9 with President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva, Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan, Director-General of the International Labour Organization Gilbert F. Houngbo, General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements Pablo Hernandez de Cos, Chair of the Financial Stability Board Andrew Bailey, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Frantisek Ruzicka. The theme of the dialogue is Working Together on Global Governance for Shared Development.

CGTN: Its reported that in a pretaped interview at DealBook Summit to the New York Times days ago, Lai Ching-te made irresponsible remarks on the situation across the Taiwan Strait. Whats Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: The event of relevant U.S. media outlet provided a platform for the Taiwan authorities leader to peddle separatist rhetoric for Taiwan independence. This is a serious violation of the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques and sends a gravely wrong signal to the separatist forces. China firmly opposes that.

Lai Ching-tes remarks once again revealed his nature as a diehard separatist seeking U.S. support for Taiwan independence and proved him as a provocateur and saboteur of peace. We urge the U.S. side to fully grasp the great sensitivity of the Taiwan question and act on their leaders commitment. Whatever Lai says and does, his separatist agenda will not succeed.

Reuters: Can the government confirm whether the Chinese military is currently massing a large number of naval and coast guard vessels in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and into the Pacific. Are these regular drills or is China planning something else? Japans Defense Minister said today that China has been expanding and stepping up its military activities in the area surrounding Japan. How does the Chinese government respond to this?

Lin Jian: Id refer you to competent authorities for what you mentioned. Let me stress that China is committed to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. The Chinese navy and China Coast Guard carry out activities in relevant waters in strict accordance with Chinas domestic laws and international law. There is no need for relevant parties to overreact and overinterpret, still less should they make groundless accusations.

Reuters: Advanced Micro Devices said on Thursday that the company has licenses to ship some of its MI308 chips to China and is prepared to pay a 15 percent tax to the U.S. government if it ships them. Is China willing and prepared to buy those chips?

Lin Jian: China has made clear its position more than once on the U.S. export of chips to China. We hope the U.S. will take concrete actions to keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded. For anything specific, Id refer you to competent authorities.

China Daily: When jointly meeting the press with French President Emmanuel Macron on December 4, President Xi Jinping announced China will provide US$100 million of assistance to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction. We noted that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a message of thanks to President Xi Jinping. Could you share more details with us, including Chinas consideration?

Lin Jian: Yesterday, when jointly meeting the press with French President Emmanuel Macron, President Xi Jinping said that China and France will work together for the realization of a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question at an early date. He announced that China will provide US$100 million of assistance to Palestine to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction.

It has been over two years since the latest conflict in Gaza broke out, which caused unprecedented humanitarian crisis. China is deeply concerned over that. Since the outbreak of the conflict, China has provided multiple batches of humanitarian supplies to the Gaza strip through the UN, Egypt, Jordan and other channels, which was welcomed and appreciated by the Palestinian government and people. We believe the latest assistance worth US$100 million announced by President Xi Jinping and earmarked for the easing of the humanitarian crisis and post-conflict reconstruction will help improve Gazas humanitarian situation and reduce the suffering of the Palestinian people.

President Xi Jinping described the Palestinian question as a test to the effectiveness of the global governance system and called on the international community to look straight at the root cause of the question, step up to the responsibility and take robust action to redress the historical injustice and uphold fairness and justice. China firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights and will continue working relentlessly with the international community for a full and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the easing of humanitarian situation there, and an early political settlement of the Palestinian question on the basis of the two-State solution.

The Paper: Recently several foreign media outlets including Financial Times and The Economist have published articles about Chinas innovation edge and the reason behind this, saying that China has transformed from the worlds factory to the worlds laboratory, and that Western countries need to catch up in this competition. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: Innovation has indeed become a key word in Chinas economic and social development. It was mentioned 61 times in the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, which was adopted at the recently held fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. Over recent years, major scientific and innovation outcomes have kept emerging in China, and China has gone up the Global Innovation Index ranking, from the 34th in 2012 to the 10th in 2025. For years, China has taken science and technology as its primary productive force. We have provided guidance of visions and policies and advanced reform of the system, taken good use of our market and talents, let enterprises take up the principal role in innovation, and made sustained efforts, blazing a successful path whereby sci-tech innovation spearheads industrial innovation and industrial upgrade propels sci-tech evolution, and making innovation the underlying driving force of Chinas economy.

There may be competition in innovation, but innovation is not about winning. Chinas innovation is open and open-source, and we aim to achieve win-win results. The first batch of cooperation projects aboard China Space Station involves 23 institutions from 17 countries. Chinas FAST telescope accepts observation application from scientists worldwide. China initiated the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization and proposed the AI+ International Cooperation Initiative as part of the effort to promote the open and inclusive development of AI for good and for all. DeepSeek launched an open-source model for global developers to use and improve. The examples are ample. China is willing to share indigenous technologies and innovation scenarios with the world, promote mutual empowerment and common development through openness and cooperation, and deliver more outcomes of innovation to the whole humanity.

AFP: It is understood that China and France have released a joint statement following President Macrons meeting with Xi Jinping. On Ukraine, the joint statement says China and France support all efforts for a ceasefire in Ukraine. So does that mean China is aligned with France in offering its full support of Ukraine? Will China do more to urge Russia to stop its fighting in Ukraine, such as providing aid towards deescalation like it has in Palestine or in other ways?

Lin Jian: During French President Macrons state visit to China, President Xi Jinping held talks with him and the two heads of state exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. President Xi Jinping stated that China supports all efforts that are conducive to peace and will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis in its own way. China supports European countries in playing their due role toward the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture.

During the visit, China and France issued a joint statement on the situation in Ukraine and Palestine. Weve released the readouts, which you may refer to.

Antara: Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, visited Indonesia for two days and held meetings with the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament as well as President Prabowo Subianto yesterday. The Indonesian government said the visit reiterates the two countries commitment to continuously deepen cooperation. From Chinas perspective, what is the significance of this visit?

Lin Jian: On December 3 and 4, at the invitation of Chairman of Peoples Consultative Assembly of Indonesia Ahmad Muzani, Chairman Wang Huning of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference paid an official goodwill visit to Indonesia. While in Indonesia, he met with President Prabowo Subianto and had talks with Chairman of Peoples Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani. He also met with Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani and Chair of the Regional Representative Council Sultan B Najamudin.

At the meetings, Chairman Wang Huning shared information on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, had a broad-based exchange of views with the Indonesian leader on issues of mutual interest, and extended sympathies on the deadly torrential rain and flooding in Sumatra. Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle and expressed its readiness to work with China to elevate bilateral relations to a new stage. Through the visit, the two countries have further deepened strategic mutual trust, promoted cooperation in trade, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, peoples livelihood and other fields, and enhanced the friendly ties between the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference and relevant agencies in Indonesia. China stands ready to work with Indonesia to implement the important common understandings between the two presidents, forge closer synergy on development strategies, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and advance the building of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future to a higher level.

China released a readout on the visit.

RT TV: In the recent meeting between Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, both sides stated that China and Russia had reached a consensus on issues related to Japan. Could you please share the details of this consensus and what both countries are planning to do?

Lin Jian: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. The heads of state of the two countries this year attended commemorative events in each others country and agreed to firmly safeguard the fruits of the victory in World War II, oppose any retrogressive moves that attempt to change the verdict on colonialism and aggression, and send out the strong message of the times of upholding justice.

During this round of China-Russia strategic security consultation, the two sides compared strategic notes on issues related to Japan and reached strong consensus. China and Russia agreed on the need to firmly safeguard the fruits of the victory in World War II which cost the lives and blood of the people, reject any erroneous remarks and deeds that seek to change the verdict on colonialism and aggression, and firmly push back the attempt to revive Fascism and Japanese militarism. China and Russia share the view that the two countries are committed to their shared responsibility as major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council to uphold world peace and security and defend the truth of history and international justice. China stands ready to continue the coordination and collaboration with Russia, and resolutely thwart provocations of Japans far-right forces aimed at undermining regional peace and stability and remilitarizing Japan.
On the morning of December 4, 2025, Madame Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, and Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, who is accompanying President Emmanuel Macron on his state visit to China, visited the Beijing People's Art Theatre (BPAT).

Peng Liyuan and Brigitte Macron visited the Theatre Museum, where they gained a detailed understanding of the development of the BPAT and its exchanges with the French theatre community. The wives of the two heads of state expressed keen interest while viewing the stage set of the classic play "Teahouse". At the theater center, Peng Liyuan invited Brigitte Macron to watch a play segment, and they engaged in a warm conversation with the performers.

Peng Liyuan said that generations of Chinese dramatists have adhered to inheriting and promoting fine traditional Chinese culture in their artistic creations, and learned from beneficial practices in foreign theaters, actively advancing innovation and development. Noting that both China and France are major cultural countries, Peng Liyuan expressed the hope that artists from both countries will strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and create more outstanding artistic works. Brigitte Macron thanked Peng Liyuan for her thoughtful arrangements. Brigitte Macron spoke highly of Chinese dramatic arts, and expressed willingness to actively promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
Each week, Prudence asks readers for their thoughts on the letters shes received. Her reply will be available every Friday only for Slate Plus members.

Hey Prudence,

Re Not Really a Fan of Turkey Anyway: I used to think just like the letter writers friends. I even went so far as to call out the manager of a franchised coffee shop about how immoral it was to force workers to labor on what should be a holiday for everyone. Then a comment forced me to rethink everything.

I was abruptly told to check my privilege. The manager curtly pointed out that everyone there had specifically asked to work that day, and I realized that most of the employees either needed the paycheck (hourly workers arent typically paid for national holidays if they dont work) or wanted to escape their various home situations.

I left the coffee shop thoroughly embarrassed about my entitled assumption that everyone would want the day off and should be given the day off without having a say in the matter. The LWs friends could use a quick privilege check as well!

Check Your Holiday Privilege

This is good information. Even better is the example you give of learning something and admitting that you didnt actually have everything figured out, even though you were very passionate. Thats rare!

Hey Prudence,

Re A Good Cause: One year my brotherspending what appeared to be a fair amount of moneybought every single member of my large family a hoodie from a relatively obscure, corny YouTube comedy group he loves (that none of us had ever even heard of). We all like hoodies, and we appreciated that he gave us a gift that was meaningfulto him, lol. Its the thought that counts?

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One of the gifts Im giving my loved ones this year is a handwritten, personalized book of quotes Ive collected over my lifetimethings I find profound or silly or thoughtful or whatever. I figure everyone will be nice about it, even if they dont necessarily think its a great gift.

But someday, when Im dead, theyll reread theirs and reminisce about how weird I was (remember the time she gave us all handwritten books of quotes?) and my quotebooks will have transformed into precious memory objects. And that will be MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Inannas Naked Hubris

I absolutely love the idea of a book of quotes. I would really like to receive something like that from a friend or family member. As for the hoodies, maybe they were good conversation starters, prompting you to talk about your brother to strangers who also enjoy corny comedy groups? I guess that could be nice!

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Get advice from Prudiesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear Prudence, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Dear Prudence following up) Submit

Hey Prudence,

It sounds like Trunk or Treason planned and executed a highly successful block party! This type of gathering was very common when I was young but has sadly all but disappeared. These events were for familiesand by that, I dont mean that they catered solely to children. They were designed so adults could have a good time as well. I think that was probably why the LW got such an enthusiastic response from the neighborhood.

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I agree with Prudiethe neighbors didnt do anything inherently wrong here, its just not what the LW envisioned for their first real Halloween experience with their child. Theyre upset with the neighbors actions because it changed the outcome for them personally, but it doesnt sound like the tailgate or treat ruined the event for everyone else (unless Ive missed something here).

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The fact is, when their child gets older and they do decide to go around this or any other neighborhood, there might be people sitting in their driveways, drinking and grilling as they hand out candy. Does that mean Mark should immediately turn around and go home? If so (which is certainly possible), then the LW probably needs to adjust their expectations for this and other social experiences involving other families. If the LW is looking for a more controlled Trunk-or-Treat experience, most church-sponsored events or those held in malls often dont involve alcohol.

Tailgate or Treat

Absolutely. Here, as in most situations in life, there are options besides getting mad at other people for doing things theyre allowed to do, even if those things dont appeal to you.

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Hey Prudence,

Re Not Needed Anymore: Godparents mean different things to different people, so Im not sure if the LW is using the term in the religious sponsorship sense or more along the lines of a fairy godparent. My godparents were literally just names my parents needed to put down on a piece of paper to get me baptizedit was a ceremonial role. Sure, they were also my aunt and uncle, but the role was more honorific than functional.

The godkid could easily be sitting on the other side of the country, wondering why these people want them to provide emotional bandwidth when they havent even been invited to visit. (Also, its cheaper for me to fly to Italy than Seattle, so international travel isnt really an indicator of anything other than a desire to go somewhere.)

And emotional bandwidth is narrow these days. Im sorry, but I dont have any to spare. If someone asked me to provide help with tasks like these, I would probably decline. Its better for me not to overextend myselfand better for someone who needs help to get it from someone who can actually provide it.

Emotional Bandwidth Is Narrow These Days

Yes, I really do appreciate that the godchild was clear and honest. If emotional bandwidth is narrow, the least we can do is let people know instead of making promises we cant keep.

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Classic Prudie

My just turned 18-year-old son, who is a senior in high school and lives at home, recently came home and told me he has his first girlfriend and that he is in love. He said she is older than he is. He looks a bit older than 18. Turns out his new love is 48 years old. That is a year older than me. I met her, and she is actually very nice and in love with my son. If I had grown up in this town, we would have been in school together and likely best friends. She is not his teacher or in any position that would be suspect. Is this OK?
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Audition by Katie Kitamura, narrated by Traci Kato-Kiriyama

This elegant novel about an actress happily married to an academic is split in half, offering two different narratives about the way a young man might come between the couple. Its set amid the bohemian circles of intellectual and creative Manhattan, and Traci Kato-Kiriyamas quiet performance allows the dread underlying the seemingly civilized and cultured relationships in the novel to build with a subtle inexorability.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, narrated by Shane Ghostkeeper, Marin Ireland, and Owen Teale

The essence of this novel by a modern master of elevated horror is a revenge story in which a Native American turned vampire targets the perpetrators of a historical event, the 1870 massacre of 200 unarmed women and children of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. The narrative is as nested as Wuthering Heights: The vampires confession is recorded in the journal of a white preacher, which is in turn framed by the story of a contemporary academic, a descendant of the preacher, who thinks the newly discovered journal could make her career. This structure, expertly performed by the audiobooks three narrators, allows Stephen Graham Jones to contrast different ways the same tale gets told, with Shane Ghostkeeper voicing the Indigenous mode of storytelling at the novels heart.

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Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, written and narrated by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Who better to deliver this juicy saga of whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams years working for Facebook/Meta than the culprit/apostate herself? In one womans transition from a diplomat committed to human rights issues to a corporate director of global public policy for a company with no commitment to anything but its own self-interest, Wynn-Williams embodies the trajectory of a whole generation of idealists who once thought the internet could change the world for the better. She offers a portrait of her former colleaguesin particular Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandbergso relentlessly glaze-free that Meta tried to have this book suppressed. Its riveting.

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Daisy Miller by Henry James, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini

No list of the years best audiobooks would be complete without an Edoardo Ballerininarrated entry. The so-called voice of God has launched a side project of self-produced, exquisitely voiced classics in the public domain, offered for very reasonable prices. I particularly loved the variety of snooty and sensitive characters he performs in this Henry James novella about an unaffected American girl destroyed by the mores of sophisticated Europeans, but he has also recorded The Great Gatsby, Bartleby the Scrivener, Death in Venice, and some of Gogols short stories, among other works. All are musts.

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How to Lose Your Mother, written and narrated by Molly Jong-Fast

Its easy to forget that this audiobook originated as an actual book, so vividly conversational is Molly Jong-Fasts narration of her own memoir. Its the story of her exasperating relationship with her mother, the writer Erica Jong, a woman transformed by the literary celebrity that followed the 1973 publication of her novel Fear of Flying. Listening to this audiobook is like having a long, fascinating heart-to-heart on a barstool next to Jong-Fast, a noted political commentator in her own rightbut one who, sober since her teens, would probably not hang around in a bar. Jong-Fast, a born raconteur, describes how her adored, self-absorbed mother has slowly succumbed to dementia. Despite the melancholy subject, the result is profane, lively, and often very, very funny.

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Is a River Alive?, written and narrated by Robert Macfarlane

Our greatest living writer about the natural world and how humans have related to it through millennia, Robert Macfarlane is also an enthralling reader of his own prose. This time, his theme is great waterways, centered on his close encounters with three of them, in Ecuador, India, and Canada. The titles question is misleading, as Macfarlane considers rivers not only alive but something close to actual persons, with distinct identities that justify their protection. His reading of Is a River Alive? will make you believe it.

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Not My Type, written and narrated by E. Jean Carroll

How can a memoir about being sexually assaulted and taking the assailanta former president of the United Statesto civil court for both the attack and defamation be so hilarious and life-affirming? Probably only E. Jean Carroll could pull that one off, and she delivers it best in her own voice. The rhetorical chops on display here are a master class in destroying ones enemies, from comparing Donald Trumps twirled hair with Bette Davis do in Now, Voyager to the praise she heaps on the looks of Alina Habba, Esq., her opponents lawyer, implying that those, rather than her legal expertise, were what got Habba the job. Few knights have ridden into battle with more spirit and aplomb, and a lot of people could learn from Carrolls example.

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Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global by Laura Spinney, narrated by Emma Spurgin-Hussey

About half of the planets inhabitants speak languages descended from the tongue spoken by a nomadic people who roamed the steppes north of the Black Sea 4,000 years ago. Archaeologists and geneticists are even now adding much to our knowledge of how that happened. Spinneys beguiling history of Proto-Indo-European and its scholars is the story of a spoken language, and hearing PIE and its derivatives uttered out loud adds immeasurably to the experience of this book. The recording concludes with extensive acknowledgments of the pronunciation experts the producers consulted in recording Proto, but an additional and slightly sneaky pleasure of this book is the soothing huskiness of Emma Spurgin-Husseys voice, the perfect soundtrack for winding down at the end of a long day.

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The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar, narrated by Gem Carmella

This dreamy fairy-tale novel by the co-author of This Is How You Lose the Time War tells the story of two sisters living in a village near the border of Faerie, where they work harvesting the grammar that powers their worlds magic. On the page, the story might strike some as derivative of Hope Mirrlees and Neil Gaiman, but newcomer Gem Carmellas narration kicks the book up several notches. Her rich rural English accent and animated delivery lend the air of a tale told fireside by a beloved relative, adding so much to the novels charm that all reservations must be swept aside.

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The Book of Dust: The Rose Field by Philip Pullman, narrated by Michael Sheen

Ive said it before, and Ill say it again: Michael Sheens recordings of Philip Pullmans Book of Dust trilogy may be the best fiction narration Ive ever heard (and the competition is fierce). Sheen doesnt so much read the novel as embody it, with an absolute commitment to Pullmans vision and characters that has never flagged. The Rose Field continues the adventures of the adult Lyra Belacqua from Pullmans His Dark Materials trilogy, as she seeks reunion with her alienated daemon, Pan, but if you dont know that already, this isnt the place to start; do yourself a favor and go listen to Sheens recording of La Belle Sauvage. No better tribute has ever been paid from one artist to another.

Read more about the best of 2025.
Can we go again? asks Jay Kelly (George Clooney), a movie star shooting a scene in which the tough guy hes playing dies of a gunshot wound on the soundstage reproduction of a rain-slicked alleyway. I think I can do it better. These lines from the opening scene of Noah Baumbachs Jay Kelly will become the films wistful recurring theme. As an A-list celebrity some four decades into a phenomenally successful career, Jay has arrived at an age when many people look back on what they might have done differently in their lives. But many people dont have a private jet and a full staff of housekeepers, chefs, stylists, and personal assistants at their command. Taking stock of your past mistakes is tough when everyone around you is busy protecting you from the consequences of mistakes youre still making in the present.

Even as a man not given to introspection (this stinging observation comes from Jays long-ago acting teacher), the middle-age matinee idol finds himself thinking about mortality after the passing of his first mentor in the film business, a director played in flashback by the always wonderful Jim Broadbent. At the funeral, a figure from Jays past emerges: his old acting-school rival Timothy (Billy Crudup, sensational in his show-stealing single scene), who offers Jay a not entirely welcome chance to revisit the ambitious and less than ethical young thespian he once was.

The next day, Jay abruptly decides to fly to Europe with his whole entourage. The pretext is a lifetime achievement award hes set to receive in Tuscany, but his main motivation is to ambush his daughter Daisy (Grace Edwards) on a backpacking trip shes taking with friends before starting college. Jay also has an older daughter from an earlier marriage, Jessica (Riley Keough), whos still so angry about his absence in her childhood that they barely speak. His impulsive European tour is at once a misguided attempt to atone for that error and a way of outsourcing the work of his own emotional journey onto his support team.

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The bulk of the action takes place on Jays ride from Paris to Tuscany with his long-suffering business manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), his publicist Liz (Laura Dern), his hairstylist Candy (Emily Mortimer, who also co-wrote the script with Baumbach), and other increasingly exhausted handlers. Because theyre on a train with no first-class seats left, Jay finds himself in a car full of regular people from around the world, most of them thrilled to be traveling with a screen legend.

Jays weaponized charm and bottomless need for approval make him a favorite with the passengers, but by the time the train reaches Italy, most of his retinue has decamped for home. The last man standing is the beleaguered Ron, who has spent decades hustling behind the scenes and giving up time with his family in the service of Jays career. At the gala event in Tuscany, the presence of Jays impossible-to-please elderly father (Stacy Keach) further complicates matters as the codependent Jay and Ron begin to realize how much theyve sacrificed to turn Jay Kellya name, its hard not to hear, with the same cadence as George Clooneyinto a worldwide brand. Sandler, whose performance has garnered even more Oscar buzz than Clooneys, is especially excellent in these late scenes, as his characters once inexhaustible patience wears thin enough to show the resentment underneath.

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Though its hard to imagine any other actor in the part of Jay, Clooneys personal and professional trajectory is quite distinct from Kellys. Where the fictional star rockets to fame in his early 20s, Clooney was a working but relatively unknown actor until he was cast in ER at the age of 33. If anything, the character of a middle-aged former prodigy with children from two different marriages more closely resembles Baumbach, who has a son with his ex-wife Jennifer Jason Leigh as well as two children with the director and actor Greta Gerwig. (Gerwig has a small role in Jay Kelly as the Sandler characters wife, mainly seen during brief phone exchanges.)

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The autobiographical elements of Jay Kelly remain more oblique than confessional. The story also lifts parts of Federico Fellinis La Dolce Vita, about a tabloid journalist confronting the emptiness of his celebrity-centric life, and the same directors 8, about the midlife crisis of a self-indulgent filmmaker. If the valentine to cinema aspect of this Fellini homage puts you on alert, consider it a trigger warning that Jay Kelly also pays tribute to Francois Truffaut and Preston Sturges. It will surely strike some viewers that the problems of anyone as blessed by fortune as Jay Kelly amount to little more than a hill of beans in the crazy world of 2025, but at least the beans Baumbach serves up are lovingly prepared and attractively plated. Linus Sandgrens lambent cinematography captures the sumptuous melancholy of Jays gilded-cage life, and Nicholas Britells lush symphonic score adds a sometimes ironic note of classic-Hollywood glamour.

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Whether the central drama of Jay Kelly strikes you as moving or manipulative may depend on your tolerance for the movies recurring flashbacks, highly stylized affairs that have Clooneys character moving from one practical set to another via Mark Tildesleys clever production design. As Jay starts to daydream about a moment from the past, a door between train cars allows him immediate access to that place and time. Through these portals, the actor witnesses his younger self (Charlie Rowe), a striving artist driven to achieve success at the expense of his most important relationships. Rowe doesnt have the nuclear-grade rizz to pass muster as a young Clooney (though given that were seeing the character from the older Jays perspective, maybe the discrepancy between the two versions of himself is part of the point). But I appreciated these interludes, both for the craft on display in the transition between timeframes and for the opportunity they give Clooney to act with his eyes, as Jay listens and responds to the scenes that play out before him without, for once, having to be the center of attention.

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Baumbach is one of those divisive directors who, like his generational counterpart Wes Anderson, has both a devoted fandom and a vocal community of haters. Is it OK if, as a critic who has at times found the directors work to be astringent to the point of sourness, I enjoyed without unreservedly loving this foray into warmer, more humanistic territory? Though Jay Kellys last act drags a bit, I got weepy alongside Clooney and Sandler during the final scene, as the two men watch a tribute reel of clips from Jays (really Georges) old movies, seeing him morph from youthful heartthrob to silver-haired eminence. Baumbach has said that the first time Clooney ever saw the clip reel was the take that ended up in the film. We dont all get the chance to revisit our past selves in a professionally edited montage projected on the big screen, but anyone whos rifled through a box of old photos can identify with Jays simultaneous sense of nostalgia and dislocation: Was that really me all that time? And if I had the chance to start over again, could I do it better?
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Though Melania Trump has been extraordinarily successful in transforming the role of first lady into a part-time, mostly remote gig, even she needs to put in some face time at the office. The holiday season is one of those times, as the first lady has traditionally been in charge of choosing a theme for the White Houses Christmas decorations, an unfortunate responsibility for someone who its fairly evident dislikes both Christmas and being first lady. Between all the festivities, Melania has already been seen in public more times in the last few days than she has during some entire months of her husbands first year back in office.

She capped off the weeks flurry of activity Thursday night by joining President Trump for the National Christmas Tree lighting, during which Trump let her do the honors of flipping the switch. Good job, honey! he said, before delivering a speech in which he promised that religion is coming back to the USA, by which he presumably only meant Christianity, while Melania stood by in white coat, trying unsuccessfully not to look bored.

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Earlier in the week, she linked up with second lady Usha Vance and actress Cheryl Hinesquite a squadto make holiday packages for service members. (Melania seems to get along better with Usha than she did the previous second lady she served with, Karen Pence.)

But the most notable happening has probably been Mondays debut of this years White House Christmas decorations. The theme is Home Is Where the Heart Is, which many saw as an apologia for the recent destruction of the East Wing, but I interpreted as Melania trying to reinforce the message that she can be just as good a first lady from New York and Palm Beach, Florida, where she seems to live most of the time, as she can from Washington.* A press release chirped that Melania was inspired by the joys, challenges, and frequent motion derived from motherhood and business. The constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space; rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings, Melania is quoted as saying. Motion? Constant movement? Because she is usually shuttling back to where she really lives? I see what shes doing.

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Though Melania developed a reputation during the first Trump administration for goth Christmas displays, she didnt go all out this year, which makes sense: She barely even works there! She also has less help. According to CNN, she employed five full-time staffers as of July 1. During the first term, she had 11. Her predecessor, Jill Biden, had more than 20. By not going over the top, Melania distinguishes herself from her husband, who is doing just that with his current White House renovations. Is it possible things are chilly between them in light of him unilaterally destroying her office space? I would say probably, but again  she barely even works there. Still, Trump has acknowledged that the construction noise is constant.

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All this isnt to say she entirely avoids making it weird. It wouldnt be a Melania Trump Christmas without some truly perplexing choices, and the first lady managed to deliver a few of those despite the relatively more modest spectacle. Theres a certain creepiness to the video the White House released, which New York magazine likened to Darth Vader surveys progress on the second Death Star. Vanity Fair highlighted the absurdity of choosing to display a house of cards, that classic symbol of precarity, along with dominoes, which imply an inevitable fall. The Be Best logo makes an appearance, painted onto some ornaments; other ornaments feature A.I.-generated depictions of state birds and flowers. Trumps gruff White House portrait has been re-created in Legos. Another tree is decorated with 10,000 butterflies. Picture a tree being attacked by a swarm of butterflies, and youve pretty much got it.

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Maybe Melania identifies with the butterflies. Though she made just 19 public appearances between January and August (compared with 40 in the same time frame during Trumps first term), CNN noted a couple of weeks ago that the first lady seemed to be emerging from her cocoon and gradually returning to public life. This makes sense both for the holiday season and Melanias plans for next year: January will bring the release of her documentary, Melania, for which Amazon reportedly paid her an obscene $40 million. Might as well start promoting it now! The film will focus on the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration, according to HuffPost, which apparently took a year to edit into a coherent form. She is also launching her own production company. How will she handle running another company on top of her extremely busy first lady schedule? Something tells me shell find a way.
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The Supreme Court reinstated Texas new congressional gerrymander on Thursday by a 63 vote, thus all but ensuring that Republicans will pick up five additional seats in the House of Representatives next year. A federal court struck down the new map last month, finding that Texas had unconstitutionally discriminated against Black and Hispanic voters in its quest for partisan advantage. Over the three liberals dissent, however, SCOTUS halted the lower courts order in an unsigned, shadow docket decision. Its (scant) reasoning all but invites other red states to gerrymander racial minorities into oblivion without fear of judicial rebuke and to do so just prior to elections when its too late to complain.

On this weeks episode of Amicus, co-hosts Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the Supreme Courts latest gift to the Trump administration and what it portends for the upcoming midterms. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: This feels to me like a signal that the Roberts Six are all-in on the gerrymandering arms race, especially if its Republicans who are going to benefit. To see why, you dont really need to read past Justice Samuel Alitos concurrence, which accuses the plaintiffs of using false claims of racial gerrymandering for partisan ends to favor Democrats. Unless Im wrong, in his telling, its the Black and Hispanic voters who are the real partisans here and not the Texas Republicans. Just to clear this all up: Is this projection and gaslighting from Alito again?

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Mark Joseph Stern: Yes, although Im kind of grateful that Justice Alito wrote this horrid concurrence because it really does lay out the upside-down and frankly somewhat racist reasoning driving this decision. The unsigned majority opinion has exactly two paragraphs of reasoningwhich do not stand up to scrutiny, as Justice Elena Kagan proved in dissentand I will get to that in a minute. But I think Alitos concurrence, which was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, cuts to the heart of whats going on here. And it is incredibly cynical and bleak.

Lets recall what actually happened here: Donald Trump pressured Texas to redraw its congressional maps so that Republicans would have a better chance of keeping the House of Representatives in 2026. Both the Republican governor and the Texas Legislature initially declined his call. So Trumps Justice Department went to Plan B: It sent a letter threatening to sue Texas on the entirely bogus grounds that the map it drew after the 2020 censusthe map in place until quite recentlygives Black and brown voters too much political power by putting them in districts together. Texas responded by drawing a new map that dismantled those minority districts and redistributed their voters on the basis of race in a way that gave Republicans five additional seats.

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The district courts opinionwhich was written by a Trump-appointed judge, Jeffrey Brownfound overwhelming evidence of this racial engineering, both direct and circumstantial. The district court held a nine-day trial with 23 witnesses and 3,000 pages of evidence. It produced a 160-page opinion exhaustively explaining why Texas had discriminated against voters on the basis of race in violation of the 14th and 15th amendments. Then, in two paragraphs, the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority dismissed all of that work as a mistake and essentially held that the district court should have just blinded itself to the obvious racism at work here.

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You have to look to the Alito concurrence to see exactly why. Alito says he thinks the plaintiffs are wielding false claims of racism to help Democrats, suggesting that they dont really care about the allegedly unconstitutional racial discrimination at play here. So note the trick: The mostly white politicians who drew this gerrymander get the presumption of good faith. But the racial minorities who challenged the gerrymander as a violation of their constitutional rights? They get treated like bad-faith partisans who are presumptively lying. That is the only framework through which the Supreme Courts decision and the Alito concurrence make any lick of sense.

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Related From Slate The Supreme Court Is About to Hand Trump Insidious New Powers Read More

It raises this question Ive been thinking about a lot. It seems as though Trump and Trumpism are in peril, right? If polling and special electionsincluding in Tennessee this weeksignal anything, its that MAGA is in trouble, and therefore the 2026 midterms become the harbinger of whats to come. And its as though there are six MAGA justices on the Roberts court who are fighting that tide. It feels like this is the high court in full-on mask off, pants down, throwing in for Trump. I dont know another plausible way to read this.

Another signal that your reading is correct is the way the majority rewarded the GOPs hardball tactics by invoking the Purcell principle here. It holds that federal courts generally shouldnt change the election rules on the eve of an election. But the midterms are still nearly a year away! And the only reason that the district court ruled when it did last month is because Texas waited until the last possible moment to enact this map. So its not as if the plaintiffs dillydallied in bringing their challenge. In fact, as Justice Kagan pointed out, they asked for an injunction before the governor even approved the new map.

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The plaintiffs moved as fast as they possibly could. So did the district court, which did pretty heroic work producing this complex opinion. And you will not often hear me describe a Trump judge as doing heroic work, but that is what happened here. And yet the Supreme Court still faulted Judge Brown for acting too late and causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections. I think that is absurd on its face. And it marks this radical expansion of the Purcell principle, which now apparently bars courts from protecting voting rights a year before an election. In theory, that means that a state could enact a literal Jim Crow lawlike a literacy test or a grandfather clause or an all-white primaryat the last minute, and courts couldnt block it.

In practice, what it means right now is that red states like Indiana and Florida will get a free pass to gerrymander racial minorities into oblivion, even if their maps are blatantly illegal and openly racist. That gives a huge advantage to Republicans because in many states, their one neat trick for gaining a partisan advantage is diluting representation for racial minorities to create more safe GOP districts. And so they can now go full steam ahead, changing the rules, rigging the maps, hampering democracy, without worrying about any pesky litigation that will cause for them. That is the sign of a party thats desperate to cling on to power because it is losing popular support.

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Youve just mentioned the Purcell principle, Mark, whichas we remember from the last few election cyclesis incredibly elastic. The court trots it out at undetermined times in undetermined ways. Much like Christmas, it comes earlier and earlier every year. Now theyre trotting it out the first week of December, the year before an election. It really is the pumpkin spice of legal principles.

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But there are other incredibly elastic principles that weve become so familiar with in this chamber of horrors, especially as part of the shadow docket. Here weve got the Supreme Court just full-on ignoring extensive findings of fact, a really yeomanlike performance from the court below. We have the majority deciding in advance: Oops, we think Texas is going to win in the end. All of this gets called out in pretty plain terms by Justice Elena Kagan in dissent. She has absolutely no compunctions about calling this what it is. This is Kagan putting on a clinic about all that is wrong with how the high court makes decisions right now.

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I admire the outrage that seeps off the page in her dissent. She couldnt believe the way that the majority so breezily substituted its own judgment for the extensive fact-finding of the district court. I also think she definitively proved that the majority was wrong on the law. Its black-letter law that when district courts find this kind of direct and highly plausible evidence of racial gerrymandering, the Supreme Court is required to give substantial deference to those findings. It is required to do so. That is what precedent says. And the majority refused to follow it.

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Let me highlight one example. The Republican operative who drew this racist map claimed that he never looked at racial dataeven though, as Kagan wrote, he had it available at the press of a key on his redistricting software. He testified for a long time. And the district court did not find his testimony credible. It was inconsistent with other witnesses testimony. It conflicted with a bunch of evidence that showed a perfectly calibrated racial gerrymander. Judge Brown was in that courtroom. He saw the testimony. He saw the mapmaker get tripped up by his own alleged cover story, and he ruled accordingly. Then, based on a cursory review of the transcript, the Supreme Court overruled him. That is just flat-out impermissible under the law as it stood on Thursday. But that was inconvenient for the majority. So it just changed the law.
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Automation renders redundancy obsolete, combines departmental workflows, and offers actionable insights. Ranging from small boutique hotels to large resorts, all properties gain from streamlined operations, improved guest interactions, and operational clarity.Initial adoption issues were trust, connectivity, and worldwide compliance. Hoteliers were skeptical of cloud security initially, Mycloud came back with a security-first framework, ISO 27001, SOC 2 audits, GDPR compliance, and VAPT testing.Connectivity issues were met with optimized processes that guaranteed responsiveness on low bandwidth. Being present in multiple regions meant anticipating local regulations and operational standards. Scalability, integration, and localized support were part of the platform to address global hotel demands seamlessly.Mycloud Hospitality's team combines hospitality know-how with technical know-how to create features that demonstrate real-world usefulness. Feedback informs fortnightly updates and upgrades, making the system responsive and current.Support is 24/7 chat, email, and hotline, supplemented by personalized account managers and rigorous SLAs. This balance of experience-led design and high-touch support guarantees hotels of all sizes simple, efficient, and trustworthy operations.Automation is integral to Mycloud PMS, streamlining repetitive tasks and ensuring seamless real-time data flow. AI features, including NLP-powered chatbots, manage guest queries, while smart alerts monitor operational anomalies.Workflow management, audit trails, and integration with analytics tools like Microsoft Power BI enable data-driven decisions. Security is multi-layered, with two-factor authentication, PCI-DSS compliance, ISO/IEC 27001 certification, and hosting across multiple AWS data centers for resilience, high availability, and uninterrupted operations.Managing eight properties once felt overwhelming for Reservation Manager Trish L. Keeping bookings, emails, and availability in sync was a constant struggle. With Mycloud Hospitality, that changed. The support team proved quick and reliable, while the systems simplicity and real-time syncing saved her hours. Instant booking confirmations keep availability accurate, and managing multiple properties is now effortless.For Trish, its an A++ solution that works for hotels of any size.Realtime operational insights allowed targeted offers and pricing adjustments, directly boosting revenue. Across India, managers praise faster workflows, enhanced direct bookings, streamlined OTA management, and operational clarity, proving the platforms value across property types and sizes.Mycloud Hospitality has earned over 20 awards, including Hotel Tech Reports Certificate of Excellence for three consecutive years and runner-up in the 2018 Express IT Cloud Solutions Award. Accolades such as Best Usability Award, Customer Choice Award, and recognition from multiple media and IT bodies affirm both technological excellence and client satisfaction. Yet, the strongest validation remains its long-term clients and consistently high retention rates.In the future, the strategy of Mycloud Hospitality is supported by three pillars innovation, partnership, and strategic expansion. Technology innovation is focused on the formation of new trends, system optimization, security enhancement, and seamless integrations.Market expansion emphasizes local teams and trusted regional partners to provide culturally relevant, real-time support. Anticipating client requirements and industry trends, Mycloud PMS keeps hotels future-proofed, able to deliver outstanding guest experiences while being efficient and smart.
China's elite universities plan to launch an undergraduate major in "embodied intelligence."

China says the major is being introduced to meet national demand for talent and "strategic needs."

Some US universities also offer robotics programs as part of their push into embodied intelligence.

China wants more robotics talent.

The country's elite universities are preparing to launch a new undergraduate major in "embodied intelligence," an emerging field that combines AI with robotics.

Seven universities  including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and Xi'an Jiaotong University  have applied to offer the new major, according to a public notice published in November by China's Ministry of Education.

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These schools sit at the top of the country's engineering and computer-science ecosystem, and several are part of the C9 League, China's equivalent of the Ivy League. Zhejiang University, located in eastern China, is the alma mater of DeepSeek's founder and a growing roster of AI startup leaders.

The ministry said the major is being introduced to meet national demand for talent in "future industries" such as embodied intelligence, quantum technology, and next-generation communications.

In a June notice, the ministry said that universities should "optimize program offerings based on national strategies, market demands, and technological development."

China's embodied intelligence industry is expected to take off. This year, the market could reach 5.3 billion yuan, or $750 million, according to a report republished by the Cyberspace Administration of China. By 2030, it could hit 400 billion yuan and surpass 1 trillion yuan in 2035, according to a report from the Development Research Center of the State Council.

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The Beijing Institute of Technology said in its application document that the industry has a shortfall of about one million embodied intelligence professionals.

If adopted, the major would become one of China's newest additions to its higher-education system.

Beijing's push into AI and robotics has been underway for a while. Shanghai Jiao Tong University already runs a "Machine Vision and Intelligence Group" under its School of Artificial Intelligence. Zhejiang University has also set up a "Humanoid Robot Innovation Research Institute," dedicated to "developing humanoid robots that exceed human capabilities in movement and manipulation."

The Chinese tech industry is moving just as quickly. Chinese companies specializing in humanoid robots and autonomous systems have been racing to keep pace with global competitors. In September, Ant Group, an affiliate company of the Chinese conglomerate Alibaba Group, unveiled R1, a humanoid robot that has drawn comparisons to Tesla's Optimus.

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In the US, some universities already offer courses and labs for robotics and AI, including Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and New York University.

What the Chinese course offers

China's proposed "embodied intelligence" major is designed with job opportunities in mind.

At the Beijing Institute of Technology, the school plans to enroll 120 undergraduates in the program a year, with 70 expected to continue into graduate programs and 50 headed straight into the workforce, according to its application document.

The university's filing sketches out where those students are likely to go. State-owned giants like Norinco and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation are expected to take more than a dozen graduates, while others are projected to join major tech players, including Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, Xiaomi, and BYD.

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The major includes courses such as multimodal perception and fusion, embodied human-robot interaction, and machine learning for robotics, according to the university's filing.

Read the original article on Business Insider
OpenAI has launched a chat feature for ChatGPT that lets users collaborate directly within the app.

Collaborative Features and Use Cases

The feature was initially tested in select regions including Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan, the company announced earlier this month.

The pilot was a small first step toward creating a more shared experience in ChatGPT, OpenAI said. Early users were invited to provide feedback to help shape how the feature eventually expands to more regions and offerings, according to OpenAI.

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Users can now plan, make decisions, and collaborate together while ChatGPT helps search, summarize, generate content, and keep everyone on the same page. OpenAI provides use cases such as panning events, dinners, and game nights with friends or family.

The feature is available to Free, Go, Plus, and Pro users on both mobile and web platforms.

Privacy and Safety Controls

Private chats and personal ChatGPT memory will stay completely private, OpenAI said.

Group chats are invitation-only, and members can leave at any time, OpenAI stated, adding that most participants can remove others, though the groups creator can only leave voluntarily.

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For users under 18, content is filtered, with extra safeguards and parental controls in place. "You can let ChatGPT respond automatically or only when mentioned by someone in the group chat, but your personal ChatGPT memory is never used," AIPRM Engineer Tibor Blaho, who previewed the group chats, said earlier this month.

Trending: Missed Tesla? EnergyX Is Tackling the Next $200 Billion Opportunity  Lithium

Context: Altmans Criticism of Workplace Communication Tools

The feature comes after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman criticized Slack, saying that he suspects it creates "a lot of fake work." Altman also suggested during a "Conversations with Tyler" podcast earlier this month that having an AI inside an app like Slack where you are trusting your AI agent and my AI agent to work most stuff out and escalate to us when necessary could be a better option.

How to Set Up and Use Group Chats

To start a group chat, users must tap the people icon and add participants, either directly or by sharing a link, OpenAI said. Groups can include one to 20 people, and if someone is added to an existing chat, a new group is created, leaving the original conversation unchanged. Each group has a short profile, and all chats are organized in a labeled sidebar for easy access, OpenAI said.

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Group chats work just like regular ChatGPT conversations but with multiple people joining in, according to OpenAI. GPT-5.1 Auto handles responses and comes with features such as search, image generation, file uploads, and dictation. ChatGPTs usage limits in group chats only count when ChatGPT responds, according to the company that explained messages between human participants dont count toward these limits.

See Also: Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling  Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share.

Canvas, Voice mode, Python/Data Analysis, Deep Research, Tasks, Connectors, and Apps, and Agent mode were not available in group chats at launch, OpenAI stated. These features remain available in other parts of ChatGPT depending on the users plan but are not yet supported in group chats, OpenAI explained.

OpenAIs Evolution Toward Social Platform

The group chat feature is the latest step in OpenAIs gradual transformation from a simple AI assistant into something resembling a social platform, according to TechCrunch. OpenAI launched Sora 2, a standalone social media app with a TikTok-style feed for sharing AI-generated videos, complete with algorithmic recommendations based on user activity and location, parental controls, and direct messaging capabilities, in late September.

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This article Is This The End of Private DM? ChatGPT Group Chat Debuts With Revolutionary Upgrades  Here's How It Works originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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Samsung is sharpening its premium hardware strategy with the Galaxy Z TriFold, a triple-panel foldable that sits at the apex of its expanding foldable portfolio.

The device is launching first in South Korea similar to its Galaxy XR headset launch in October 2025, underlining Samsungs intent to test and refine the concept at home before scaling globally. The phone will reach the US in Q1 2026 as well as China, Singapore, Taiwan, and the UAE.

The Korean-first, Koreadaytime launch timing is no accident. It targets a domestic base of highly design and spec-sensitive early adopters, while giving Samsung a controlled environment to stress-test retail processes, support, and software update pipelines for a fundamentally more complex form factor.

Z Trifold tech

Technically, the Galaxy Z TriFold (below) is Samsungs boldest foldable yet. Despite its name, it folds twice using two hinges, effectively combining three approximate 6.5-inch panels into a device that is 12.9mm thick when closed and opens into a 10inch tablet-class display.

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At just 3.9mm at its thinnest point, it undercuts the unfolded Galaxy Z Fold 7, Apples iPhone Air, and Samsungs own Galaxy S25 Edge on thickness, emphasising the companys drive for a slimmer, more portable large-screen device.

A new display stack, shockabsorbing layer, and reinforced topcoat address durability across both folds, while the updated Armor FlexHingewith differently sized hinges and a dualrail structurereduces gaps and improves stability. The hardware runs on a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Samsung Galaxy, a previous-generation chipset but still positioned as sufficient for demanding productivity and gaming.

AI and multitasking

Samsung is leaning heavily on AI and multitasking as key differentiators. Core apps are optimised for the full 10inch canvas, while Samsung Galaxy AI and Google Gemini Live enable contextual, on-screen, voice-driven workflows.

A 5,600 mAh threecell battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging supports the power demands of the larger display, and a 200MP main camera anchors a high-end imaging setup. The IP48 rating matches the Galaxy Z Fold7 but lags IP68 rivals.

Samsung signalling

Strategically, the tri-folds role is less about volume and more about brand signalling. Priced at around Won 3.59m in Korea (roughly $2,446), it is likely to approach $3,000 in the US, creating a three-tier foldable ladder at roughly $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000.

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This structure allows Samsung to span mainstream premium through to ultra-premium, reinforcing its lead as the only major vendor with a complete, multi-tier foldable range.

Competitively, Huaweis Mate XT Ultimate has already proven that ultra-premium tri-folds can generate strong demand in China, even above $3,000, albeit at constrained volumes. Samsungs move is therefore as much defensive as offensive: pre-empting Apples entry into foldables and cementing its innovation credentials before rival Android OS brands such as Xiaomi and Oppo can scale similar concepts. For the near term, tri-folds will remain showcase productsbut ones that increasingly define the high end of the mobile market.

"Samsung bets on ultra-premium foldables with Galaxy Z TriFold" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




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Shoppers line up to get into Mall of America for Black Friday deals, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Bloomington, Minn. Credit: AP Photo/Adam Bettcher

Shopping assistant chatbots were a novelty a year ago. Now, they're everywhere.

After rolling out AI-powered assistants, online retailers and tech companies have been adding more artificial intelligence features to make online shopping easier and more convenient.

The latest crop of AI-powered shopping services and tools made their debut in recent weeks, just in time to kick off the holiday shopping season that begins with Black Friday.

Here's a rundown of existing and newly released AI services that can help with your search for the perfect gift in the run-up to Christmas:

Retail chatbots

Amazon led the way by rolling out its Rufus chatbot in 2024. Other ecommerce websites followed with their own AI assistants to enhance the online shopping experience.

Walmart's Sparky chatbot is available on the retail giant's app and can synthesize reviews or offer product recommendations based on occasions, such as Christmas. Target recently unveiled a gift finder chatbot on its app, but it's only available for the holiday season. Ralph Lauren partnered with Microsoft on the "Ask Ralph" chatbot to provide style recommendations.

The aim of deploying chatbots is to make it easier for people to find what they're looking for. Instead of entering search terms and keywords, you can type or use voice dictation for a conversational back-and-forth.

Black Friday Shoppers wait in line to enter Macy's flagship store on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 in New York. Credit: AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

The results, in my experience, can be mixed.

I tried Rufus recently to find a replacement aftermarket stainless steel pot for my rice cooker, as well as a protective trivet for my kitchen sink faucet. In both cases, the results weren't quite right and didn't seem to capture the wide range of products available. Sometimes the results were completely unsuitable.

I ended up doing a more painstaking search of product listings' pictures and specifications to find the right items. The problem, I suspect, is partly because I was looking for generic products. Searches for name-brand products may produce better results.

AI-powered buying advice

Perhaps you don't want to limit yourself to a single retailer's website in your Christmas shopping search. Or you're not sure where exactly to find that perfect gift.

Tech platforms have rolled out AI-powered shopping tools that can cast a wider net by searching multiple sites.

OpenAI added a new "shopping research" feature to ChatGPT last week that can provide personalized buying advice for products that are heavy on detailed specs, like electronics or appliances. The feature will activate if you ask ChatGPT a shopping-related question or manually turn it on in the chat window. OpenAI says it can go beyond simple questions, such as checking a price or feature that regular ChatGPT can easily answer.

Black Friday shoppers queue to enter FAO Schwarz in New York on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

Google users can get a similar experience when they use its search engine in AI Mode, which recently got a big update for shopping searches. The company says users can describe what they're looking for as if talking to a friend and get an "intelligently organized response" based on 50 billion product listings, with pictures alongside prices, reviews and inventory info.

Google added similar shopping features to its Gemini AI chatbot app for U.S. users last month.

Meanwhile, Perplexity unveiled its own shopping assistant feature last week that can tailor recommendations based on previous searches.

I asked all three to find a soft cotton flannel shirt. Both ChatGPT and Perplexity asked me for specific requirements, such as budget and must-have features. ChatGPT's response was the most detailed, with options from six brands including its top pick, and included pictures, prices and point-form summaries for each shirt. It also compiled the results into a comparison table.

Results from Google, which didn't ask follow up questions after my initial request, felt the most general. Perplexity's results fell in between.

Try it on virtually

So, you think you've found a stylish cardigan for your spouse. But you're not sure about the silhouette or vibe.

Generative AI "try on" tools let users see what a piece of clothing might look like on the wearer.

Existing virtual dressing room tools have relied on complex 3D rendering, real photoshoots and augmented reality. Often, shoppers were limited to picking a model that best fit their body type to see how clothes fit.

Google is now tapping AI to allow shoppers to virtually try on garments and shoes using pictures of themselves in simple poses. Among the exceptions: accessories like hats or jewelry, bathing suits and lingerie.

To use this feature, which is available through Google's shopping desktop search and mobile app in Australia, Japan Canada and the U.S., just tap the "Try it on" button on a product's photo and then add a full-length photo of yourself. You can then save the image of yourself with the tested item or share it. The original photo is also saved to your account so you don't need to keep uploading fresh images.

If you're shopping for a gift for someone, Google says you can upload their photo, but only if you have their permission.

AI agents buy it for you

Now that you've figured out what exactly to get for those special people on your Christmas gift list, it's time to buy. But if you want to outsource some of the legwork involved, there are "agentic AI" tools that can help.

Amazon users can use an "AI agent" to buy a product on their behalf if the price falls to a desired level. Google has launched its own "agentic checkout" feature, which can automatically buy a product you're keeping an eye on with its price-tracking feature. Google's feature has rolled out to a small group of retailers, including Wayfair, Chewy and Quince we well as some Shopify merchants.

Both companies say they'll always confirm with you before the AI agent makes the purchase.

Amazon is taking it a step further by allowing shoppers to buy items that aren't in stock directly from other brands' websites. If you see a product on the Amazon Shopping app with a "Buy For Me" button, you can buy it through the usual Amazon checkout page but the AI agent will then carry out the transaction on the other brand's website with your encrypted payment details. The feature was in test mode but is being rolled out more widely.

AI calls for availability

Prefer to buy in person? It's a good idea to make sure a bricks-and-mortar shop has the product you want before heading over. Google has launched an AI service that will call local stores to ask.

It's only available in the U.S. for toys, electronics and health and beauty products. When doing a Google search for the product you want, add "near me" to the end of your search query. Then, if you see "Let Google Call" when scrolling through the results, you can tap the "Get started" button. Answer some questions about what you're shopping for, whether you want updates by email or text.

Google will then contact stores near your location to ask if the item is in stock.

The bot works swiftly but results might be limited. When an AP reporter in New Jersey asked Google to call around about a specific Acer monitor, the agent returned quickly with a reply from a local computer repair shop that sold refurbished monitors. It appeared to ignore nearby big-box outlets selling electronics.

According to Google's text update, the local repair shop didn't have the monitor, but did have a similar-sized onesans the other bells and whistlesfor a lower price.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The move against the US giant marks the latest move by the 27-nation EU to rein in Big Tech.

The EU said Thursday it had opened an antitrust probe to determine if the way Meta is rolling out AI features in WhatsApp breaches the bloc's competition rules.

The move against the US giant marks the latest attempt by the 27-nation EU to rein in Big Tech, in the face of strong pushback by the government of US President Donald Trump.

The probe falls under the bloc's antitrust rules rather than its newly reinforced digital laws, which Trump has accused of unfairly targeting American firmsthreatening retaliation.

The European Commission said it was concerned that a newly announced Meta policy "may prevent third party AI providers from offering their services through WhatsApp."

WhatsApp pushed back against the claims as "baseless."

But EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said the bloc must "act to prevent dominant digital incumbents from abusing their power to crowd out innovative competitors."

"This is why we are investigating if Meta's new policy might be illegal under competition rules, and whether we should act quickly to prevent any possible irreparable harm to competition in the AI space," Ribera said in a statement.

The EU says the Meta policy announced in October will bar rival AI providers from using a tool in the business version of WhatsApp to reach customers directly.

The restriction applies "when AI is the primary service offered"as with an AI chatbot or assistantthough firms may still use AI tools for support functions such as customer support.

"As a result of the new policy, competing AI providers may be blocked from reaching their customers through WhatsApp," the commission said.

"On the other hand, Meta's own AI service 'Meta AI' would remain accessible to users on the platform."

WhatsApp rejected the argument that it risked hindering competition.

"The claims are baseless," a spokesperson said. "The emergence of AI chatbots on our Business API puts a strain on our systems that they were not designed to support."

"Even still, the AI space is highly competitive and people have access to the services of their choice in any number of ways, including app stores, search engines, email services, partnership integrations, and operating systems."

Multiple cases

The EU probe covers the European Economic Area, made up of the bloc's 27 states, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norwaywith the exception of Italy, which opened a separate investigation into Meta in July.

The Italian antitrust body has said that by merging Meta AI with WhatsApp the US giant may be imposing the use of its AI services on users and channeling its customer base into the emerging market.

There is no legal deadline for concluding an antitrust investigation.

Meta already faces the risk of heavy fines under the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates content.

One DSA case accuses Meta of failing to grant researchers sufficient access to public data, another focuses on accusations Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram do not provide user-friendly ways to flag illegal content or challenge content-moderation decisions.

EU regulators are also investigating Facebook and Instagram over fears they are not doing enough to combat the addictive nature of their platforms for children.

Meta has separately appealed against a 200-million-euro fine imposed this year under the bloc's Digital Markets Act competition law over its policy asking users to choose between an ad-free subscription and a free, ad-supported service.

 2025 AFP
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Inside the mouth of this anchovy, plankton particles are captured by the gill arch system. Credit: Jens Hamann

Wastewater from washing machines is considered a major source of microplasticstiny plastic particles that are suspected of harming human and animal health. Researchers at the University of Bonn have now developed a filter to curb this problem. Their invention was inspired by the gill arch system in fish.

In initial tests, the now patent-pending filter was able to remove more than 99% of plastic fibers from washing machine wastewater. The results have now been published in the journal npj Emerging Contaminants.

Wastewater from a washing machine in a four-person household produces up to 500 grams of microplastics each year, mainly caused by textile abrasion. The household appliances are thus one of the most important sources of the tiny particles. Microplastics currently make their way directly into the sewage sludge of wastewater treatment plants. As this sludge is often used as fertilizer, the fibers ultimately end up on the fields.

Many manufacturers have thus been searching for ways to remove microplastics from washing water to prevent them from entering the environment. "The filter systems available so far, however, have various disadvantages," explains Dr. Leandra Hamann from the Institute for Organismic Biology at the University of Bonn. "Some of them quickly become clogged, others do not offer adequate filtration."

Looking inside the mouths of fish

The scientist, alongside her doctoral supervisor Dr. Alexander Blanke and colleagues, has thus turned to the animal kingdom in her search for possible solutions. The team focused on fish that can be considered true masters of filter technologyand have evolved this filtration over hundreds of millions of years.

Some fish feed by means of filtration; these include, for example, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. They swim through the water with their mouths open and sift out the plankton with their gill arch system. "We took a closer look at the construction of this system and used it as the model for developing a filter that can be used in washing machines," says Blanke, who is a member of the transdisciplinary research areas Life & Health and Sustainable Futures at the University of Bonn.

During their evolution, these fish have developed a technique similar to cross-flow filtration. Their gill arch system is shaped like a funnel that is widest at the fish's mouth and tapers towards their gullet. The walls of the funnel are shaped by the branchial arches. These feature comb-like structures, the arches, which are themselves covered in small teeth. This creates a kind of mesh that is stretched by the branchial arches.

The filter element in the center imitates the gill arch system of the fish. The filter housing enables periodic cleaning and installation in washing machines. Credit: Christian Reu/Leandra Hamann

Self-cleaning: Plankton rolls toward the gullet

"During food intake, the water flows through the permeable funnel wall, is filtered, and the particle-free water is then released back into the environment via the gills," explains Blanke. "However, the plankton is too big for this; it is held back by the natural sieve structure. Thanks to the funnel shape, it then rolls toward the gullet, where it is collected until the fish swallows, which empties and cleans the system."

This principle prevents the filter from being blockedinstead of hitting the filter head-on, the fibers roll along it toward the gullet. The process is also highly effective, as it removes almost all of the plankton from the water. Both are aspects that a microplastic filter must also be able to deliver. The researchers thus replicated the gill arch system. In doing so, they varied both the mesh size of the sieve structure and the opening angle of the funnel.

Filter achieves high efficiency

"We have thus found a combination of parameters that enable our filter to separate more than 99% of the microplastics out of the water but not become blocked," says Hamann. To achieve this, the team used not only experiments but also computer simulations. The filter modeled on nature does not contain any elaborate mechanics and should thus be very inexpensive to manufacture.

The microplastics that it filters out of the washing water collect in the filter outlet and are then suctioned away several times a minute. According to the researcher, who has now moved to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, they could then, for example, be pressed in the machine to remove the remaining water. The plastic pellet created in this manner could then be removed every few dozen washes and disposed of with general waste.

The team from the University of Bonn and the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT has already applied for a patent for its development in Germany; EU-wide patenting is currently underway.

The researchers now hope that manufacturers will further develop the filter and integrate it into future generations of washing machines. This would stem the spread of microplastics from textiles, at least to some extent. And that is also necessary: Analyses indicate that the particles may cause serious damage to health. They have already been found in breast milk and in the placentaand even in the brain.

More information: Leandra Hamann et al, A self-cleaning, bio-inspired high retention filter for a major entry path of microplastics, npj Emerging Contaminants (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44454-025-00020-2
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By combining raw radar imaging data with advanced machine learning, researchers have created SMART-SEA, a system that gives seafarers real-time guidance on how and when to maneuver their vessel. Credit: Rachel Barton / Texas A&M Engineering

Collisions between marine vessels and stationary structures, like offshore oil platforms and depleted wellheads, are becoming increasingly common. These collisions come with a costincluding the financial burden of lost goods and potential loss of life.

Ocean engineering researchers at Texas A&M University are developing a smarter system to combat these collisions and their costs. By combining raw radar imaging data with advanced machine learning, researchers have created SMART-SEA, a system that gives seafarers real-time guidance on how and when to maneuver their vessel.

A paper describing this work is published in the journal Process Safety and Environmental Protection.

To design a practical system for seafarers, researchers conducted a focus group with Texas A&M Galveston faculty members, many of whom are former seafarers. Researchers also collaborated with industry experts, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. Their experience assisted researchers in defining practical decision-making skillslike when to yield and how far to turnand implementing them into the SMART-SEA system.

"Many of these collisions are caused by human error," said Dr. Mirjam Furth, an assistant professor of ocean engineering. "By using data to provide seafarers with real-time instructions, we hope to reduce marine collisions."

At its core, the SMART-SEA system aims to provide seafarers with the ideal maneuvers to ensure vessel safety, without controlling movements autonomously. SMART-SEA provides the information visually on a dashboard, but the decision and steering of the vessel is controlled by the seafarer.

Key data points used by SMART-SEA to provide maneuvering suggestions are raw radar images and vessel maneuverabilitydetermined through a tiered model based on seafarer experience, state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics models, and machine learning trained on past vessel motions.

Raw radar images are processed using a machine learning tool that identifies and classifies stationary objects near the vessel. Once identified, the vessel's maneuverability and seafarer's experience level are considered to recommend the safest action for the vessel.

Furth and her team, including former seafarer and Texas A&M Galveston Professor of Practice Ryan Vechan, tested SMART-SEA aboard the Texas A&M research vessel Trident, with preliminary data supporting the prototype as a way to reduce marine collisions.

SMART-SEA can detect stationary objects in all weather conditions, and seafarers can choose how to receive the dataeither visually, audibly or a combination of the two.

"I do think SMART-SEA could reduce marine collisions and possibly pave the way for more autonomous vessels," said Furth.

Researchers hope to continue testing SMART-SEA on other vessels and to improve the system. Furth believes that the system's low costs could allow it to be adapted for recreational vessels, reducing boating accidents.

"I hope we get to continue this research in the future. I think we just scratched the surface," said Furth.

More information: Andrew Deng et al, SMART-SEA: Ship collision avoidance of stationary structures through integrated machine learning radar image detection and high fidelity maneuvering models, Process Safety and Environmental Protection (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2025.107688
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Applied Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125858

The rise of artificial intelligence, cloud platforms, and data processing is driving a steady increase in global data center electricity consumption. While running computer servers accounts for the largest share of data center energy use, cooling systems come in secondbut a new study by researchers at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), formerly known as NREL, offers a potential solution to reduce peak energy consumption.

Published in Applied Energy, a techno-economic analysis led by Hyunjun Oh, David Sickinger, and Diana Acero-Allardresearchers in NLR's energy storage and computational science groupshas demonstrated a system to cool data centers more efficiently and cost-effectively.

The approach, called reservoir thermal energy storage (RTES), stores cold energy underground then uses it to cool facilities during peak-demand periods.

What is RTES?

RTES takes advantage of cold outdoor air and low-cost electricity before storing energy. Whenever temperatures dropwhether during colder seasons or at nightthe system uses equipment, such as dry coolers or chillers, to chill water before injecting it underground.

In hotter weather, typically during summer, that stored cold water is pumped back up on demand and run through a heat exchanger, where it provides direct cooling by absorbing heat from a data center's warm water return.

This warmed water is then sent back underground into a different, designated "hot well." It is not cooled immediately but instead stays warm until the next recharge cycle, when cold outdoor air and off-peak electricity are again available to replenish the reservoir's cold capacity. This ongoing cycle keeps the system in balance and ensures reliable cooling, while keeping energy costs low and taking stress off the grid.

RTES wells are usually drilled to a depth of about a kilometer or lessdeep enough to reach groundwaterthough actual depths vary with local geology. The brackish or saline aquifers that wells tap into are naturally contained by surrounding rock layers, making them ideal for long-term thermal energy storage because they are slow-moving and chemically stable.

Study scenarios

In the Applied Energy study, the team designed two RTES-based cooling scenarios, using four wells drilled at a depth of 275 meters, and modeled their performance for data center cooling over a 20-year period. The study specifically simulated a seasonal recharging cycle: discharging cold energy during the summer and recharging the reservoir with cold water in winter.

Both scenarios used dry coolers, which provide "free cooling" by moving air over a heat exchanger with mechanical fansno energy-intensive compressors or refrigeration cycles are required, reducing electricity use. Unlike cooling towers, dry coolers also do not consume water on-site. One of the two scenarios also included a heat recovery system that captured waste heat from the data center to provide building heat in winter.

The team compared both RTES scenarios to a third control scenario: a conventional, non-RTES cooling system that uses dry coolers paired with vapor-compression chillers. While chillers are generally efficient, their performance drops in the summer as compressors must work harder to maintain cool temperatures against hotter outdoor conditions, driving up electricity use.

RTES avoids this issue because it relies on stored cold water underground, making its performance far less dependent on outdoor temperatures.

The key takeaway: By eliminating these energy-intensive refrigeration cycles, RTES was found to be nearly seven times more efficient than traditional chillers during peak summer, with a coefficient of performance of 16.5 compared to 2.4, according to the team's analysis.

"Electricity consumption of traditional cooling systems is significant, especially during summer, whereas the RTES system significantly lowered electricity consumption, yielding an innovative and improved method for data center cooling," said Oh, a geothermal engineer at NLR and lead author of the study.

For data centers with nonstop cooling demands, this translates to lower utility costs while maintaining reliable, around-the-clock performance.

So, how much lower are those utility costs? The analysis showed that levelized cost of cooling, a metric that measures the total cost to make and deliver cooling spread out over the system's lifetime, was cut from $15 per megawatt-hour (MWh) with chillers to just $5/MWh with RTES.

The study ultimately demonstrated that the RTES system could reliably cool a data center over 20 years, highlighting the potential of geothermal systems for cooling in addition to their more commonly known heating applications.

The bigger picture

The project focused on a 5 megawatt (MW) high-performance computing data center in Colorado, as described in the Applied Energy paper, as well as a 30 MW cryptocurrency mining facility in Texas and a 70 MW hyperscale data center in Virginia.

The multilab technical report analyzes all three sites, including water savings, while a separate publication in Journal of Clean Energy and Energy Storage focuses on the Texas and Virginia facilities.

Although this study did not explicitly model time-of-use electricity pricing or regional grid conditions, ongoing NLR researchthe Cold Underground Thermal Energy Storage (Cold UTES) projectbuilds on these findings. Taken together, these projects highlight just how much RTES can reduce electricity use, costs, and even water demandfindings that have helped shape DOE's Fiscal Year 2025 research into RTES technologies.

Future research in and outside of NLR is now exploring how RTES could take even greater advantage of off-peak, lower-cost power to operate conventional cooling equipment at very high efficiency and store large amounts of cold thermal energy underground for long durations.

The NLR team is also collaborating with researchers at the University of Chicago, Princeton University, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to examine RTES alongside other water-based storage systems, such as aquifer and borehole thermal energy storage.

This effort will support better understanding of which systems are best suited to different regional subsurface conditions.

More information: Hyunjun Oh et al, Techno-economic performance of reservoir thermal energy storage for data center cooling system, Applied Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125858 Yingqi Zhang et al, Addressing Data Center Cooling Needs Through the Use of Reservoir Thermal Energy Storage Systems, Journal of Clean Energy and Energy Storage (2025). DOI: 10.1142/s2811034x25500029
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To simulate the behavior of physical systems more accurately than ever, Kobe University Yaguchi Takaharu and his team have developed an approach that can learn physically accurate computation methods based on a broad range of target data (blue: ground truth; yellow: previous accurate simulation; red: new approach). Credit: Kobe University

Future events such as the weather or satellite trajectories are computed in tiny time steps, so the computation must be both efficient and as accurate as possible at each step lest errors pile up. A Kobe University team has introduced a new method that uses deep learning for creating tailored, accurate simulations that respect physical laws, while also being more computationally efficient.

From studying the behavior of atoms to setting the trajectory of spacecraft, from material development to weather predictionthe modern world depends on computer simulations. Their computation proceeds time step by time step, and as each step is just an approximation, even the tiniest inaccuracies compound into significant errors at larger time scales.

Kobe University machine learning expert Yaguchi Takaharu explains, "Recently, deep learning methods are beginning to be used, but they often violate physical laws needed for accuracy. More traditional physical simulations may be more accurate; however, they are very time- and resource-intensive."

Yaguchi has 20 years of experience developing physical simulations that preserve principles such as the law of conservation of energy. Together with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, he was therefore looking for an approach that combines the accuracy of methods that respect physical laws and the efficiency of deep learning.

At the Thirty-Ninth Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS 2025), Yaguchi's team report that they have found a way of learning energy-behavior-preserving and therefore highly accurate time step computation from target data. And not only did they show mathematically that their method would obey key physical laws, they also demonstrate the superior accuracy of their method in sample simulations of a broad range of typical physical systems.

"Methods created this way achieve a degree of precision for simulating the long-term prediction of diverse phenomena, even of those exhibiting chaotic behavior that is difficult for humans to design manually. What's particularly significant is that the approach yields methods tailored towards the system of interest, from materials development to weather forecasting," explains Yaguchi.

Simulation of the stellar motion in a plane with the Henon-Heiles model as an example: Compared to various alternative simulation approaches (third to sixth from left), the approach developed by Yaguchi Takaharu and his team (second from left) is closest to the true long-term behavior of physical systems (leftmost). This can also be seen as the error (rightmost) being smallest (colors in the "global error" plot correspond to colors in the different model plots). Credit: E. Celledoni et al., Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 2025 (DOI TBD)

The researchers did not fail to also consider the required computational resources. They found that their new approach only took about 70% of the computation time of the next most accurate, conventional computation method.

Yaguchi says, "Our proposed approach can therefore compute more accurate solutions in shorter time, and that includes the time required for generating the test data and training the model on it.

"If we manage to endow this method with an additional property called 'symplecticity,' it may also enable simulations of energy-preserving systems almost entirely free of error. Creating such a method was previously believed impossible, but our approach could make it achievable."

More information: UEPI: Universal Energy-Behavior-Preserving Integrators for Energy Conservative/Dissipative Differential Equations. neurips.cc/virtual/2025/loc/sa  -diego/poster/118995
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A diagram showing a hypothetical search and rescue situation utilizing a smartphone microphone. Credit: Shogo Takada

When a natural disaster strikes, time is of the essence if people are trapped under rubble. Conventional search-and-rescue methods use radar-based detection or employ acoustics that rely on sounds made by victims.

Since most people carry their phones with them every day, Shogo Takada, a student at the University of Tokyo, is working on a way to use smartphone microphones to assist in locating disaster victims.

Takada presented his results at the Sixth Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and Acoustical Society of Japan, running Dec. 15 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

How the smartphone-based method works

"This method is effective for locating victims buried under debris or soil caused by earthquakes or landslides because sound waves can propagate through them," said Takada. "It could also be used to locate rescuers affected by secondary disasters."

The method combines two types of sound sources; monopole and dipole. Radiating out equally in a circle, monopole sources create sound waves around the source, whereas dipole sources radiate sound from the front and back but cancel out on the sides. Dipole sound sources are directional, which can help researchers estimate the azimuth angle of the sound source, giving them information about the source's location.

In a disaster situation, a rescuer would emit two dipole sounds, which would be received by the microphone of a trapped victim, and then an electromagnetic wave would be sent from the victim's phone to broadcast their location.

In the presence of sound-reflecting debris, a monopole sound can also be emitted by the rescuer to help reduce the effect of the debris. All of the sound sources can be incorporated into a formula to help estimate the location of the trapped person.

Field test results and future plans

Takada's technique proved highly successful in a field test on a disaster training site. The method achieved an error of 5.04 degrees away from the hypothetical victim, when searching over an area of 10 square meters.

"One limitation is that the method assumes the victim should possess a device equipped with a microphone," said Takada. "This is a more restrictive condition compared to traditional techniques that detect sounds or voices emitted by the victim."

However, given the widespread use of smartphones, Takada believes that this technique is promising and plans to refine it further.

"In future work, we plan to develop a method that can estimate not only the azimuth angle but also the elevation angle of the sound source," Takada said. "Additionally, we aim to expand the system to use two sound sources to achieve three-dimensional localization."
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South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung (R) meets with Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Masayoshi Son (L) at the Presidential House in Seoul on December 5, 2025.

SoftBank CEO and AI investor Masayoshi Son said Friday that advanced artificial intelligence could surpass humans to the extent that "we become fish" and could even win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Meeting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul, Son, whose SoftBank is a major backer of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, described a future in which an advanced AI surpasses humans by a magnitude of 10,000.

"The difference between the human brain and the... goldfish in the potthe difference is 10,000 times," he said.

"But it's going to be differentwe will become fish, they (the AI) become like humans," he said.

"They will be 10,000 times smarter than us," he told President Lee, who has vowed to turn South Korea into an AI powerhouse.

Son compared the relationship between this artificial super intelligence (ASI) and humankind to relations between human beings and their pets.

"We try to make them happy... we try to live in peace with them," he said.

"We don't need to eat them... ASI does not eat protein. They don't need to eat usdon't worry."

Lee responded laughing that he was "a bit concerned now."

He asked Son whether ASI could win a Nobel Prize in Literature, won last year by South Korean author Han Kang.

"I do not believe this is a desirable situation," Lee said.

"I think it will," Son replied.

ASI has been described as a hypothetical scenario when AI overtakes humans.

Scientists still consider it a long way off, but say a crucial first stepartificial general intelligence (AGI), which would outperform humans across most taskscould arrive within a decade.

Lee said last month that Seoul would triple spending on AI next yeara move "aimed at propelling South Korea into the ranks of the world's top three AI powers" behind the United States and China.

Also on Friday, Lee's office said South Korea would partner with Arm, SoftBank's British semiconductor design unit, to train 1,400 chip professionals.

The initiative would provide help in "strengthening areas where South Korea's semiconductor industry is relatively weak," said presidential policy advisor Kim Yong-beom.

 2025 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a lightweight wearable device that shifts body armor weight off the shoulders and back of soldiers, helping reduce pain and injury risk.

A new study, "Wearable weight distribution devices for reducing injury risk: How varying amounts of body armor offloading affect biomechanics and comfort," is published in the journal Applied Ergonomics.

The research study was led by Paul Slaughter, a recent Vanderbilt Ph.D. graduate, and Karl Zelik, associate professor of mechanical engineering. Slaughter and Zelik, in partnership with Vanderbilt senior research engineer Chad Ice, also filed a patent on this wearable weight distribution device.

Potential benefits for soldiers and collaboration

"We see opportunities for this device to help reduce musculoskeletal injuries and to accelerate recovery from back injuries in far-forward environments, which could help soldiers to remain effective," Zelik said.

"We're eager to connect with military personnel and programs that could benefit from this capability, and we welcome opportunities for collaborative, translational development to further refine and test this device."

Previous work and exosuit development

This is not the first time Zelik's lab has applied its biomechanics and wearable technology expertise to support service members. From 2021-2022, Zelik's lab partnered closely with soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division. Together they developed an exosuit (a wearable lift-assist capability) to reduce musculoskeletal injuries and enhance soldier endurance during physically-demanding field operations related to sustainment and manual material handling.

This exosuit technology was later commercialized into the Apex 2 exosuit by Vanderbilt spin-off company HeroWear. These exosuits now support thousands of civilian workers who bend and lift for a living, as well as service members in the U.S. and friendly foreign militaries.

How the new device works

Where that exosuit assisted with bending and lifting, this new weight distribution device provides relief from heavy body armor weight during upright standing, walking, and sitting. The new device works by redirecting some, or all, of the weight of body armor from the shoulders and back to the hips.

In trials with U.S. military veterans, Zelik and his team tested offloading up to 90% of armor weight and found significant relief and improved comfort during standing and walking, and no negative impact on posture or muscle activity.

"I am excited by the potential of this technology to help military service members offload their shoulders and back, while also still allowing them to fully perform their jobs," Slaughter said.

Design features and usability

Much of the innovation and intellectual property underlying this device has to do with design features, such as the retractable load-bearing elements, that enable it to be practical and easy to use in the field.

The current prototype weighs only 2 lbs, provides adjustable back relief without motors or batteries, includes quick disengage and release features for emergencies, and allows soldiers to retain their full agility and freedom of movement. High usability was the result of a user-centric design process and working closely with soldiers and Army subject matter experts.

Impact on injury rates and future outlook

Back overuse injuries are one of the most common in the U.S. Army, affecting nearly one in five active duty soldiers each year. Prolonged armor wear is linked to a four-fold increase in low back pain, an issue also seen with police who wear body armor.

Zelik, who was recently honored by Vanderbilt as a Master Innovator for his contributions to translating research into commercial applications, is optimistic about the potential for technology translation and societal impact.

More information: Paul R. Slaughter et al, Wearable weight distribution devices for reducing injury risk: How varying amounts of body armor offloading affect biomechanics and comfort, Applied Ergonomics (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104613
Japan's Asahi Life to acquire Hanoi-based MVI Life for estimated $194 mln

By Hai Yen Fri, December 5, 2025 | 8:31 pm GMT+7

Japanese life insurer Asahi Life has reached a deal to acquire Vietnamese counterpart MVI Life, expanding its presence in the Southeast Asian country as a new life insurer.

MVI Life, formerly known as Aviva Vietnam, was acquired by Manulife in 2021. Since the acquisition, MVI Life has operated independently as a separate life insurance entity, fully distinct from Manulife Vietnam.

A screenshot of MVI Life website.

Manulife did not reveal the deal value, but Nikkei Asia reported the deal at JPY30 billion ($194 million).

MVI Life generated insurance premiums of approximately $93 million in 2024 and had net assets of approximately $134 million as of end-2024.

Following the transaction, Manulife will continue its long-term commitment to Vietnam through Manulife Vietnam, a business entity established in 1999 as the first foreign-owned life insurance company licensed to operate in the market.

"This agreement aligns to our strategic focus and continued commitment to Vietnam. Upon regulatory approval and completion, the transaction will allow us to dedicate our entire focus on serving our customers in the country through Manulife Vietnam," Steve Finch, president and CEO at Manulife Asia, said in an announcement on November 30.

Manulife Vietnam is one of the leading life insurers in Vietnam. The company serves nearly 1.5 million customers nationwide through a network of more than 60 offices, nearly 1,000 employees, over 50,000 agents, and an exclusive bancassurance partnership with local lender VietinBank (HoSE: CTG).

In the first half of 2025, Manulife Vietnam paid nearly VND4 trillon ($151.73 million) in insurance benefits to its customers.

Founded in 1888, Asahi Life is the second oldest life insurer in Japan and has established itself as one of Japans top 10 life insurance companies, serving over three million customers.

Data from the Department of Insurance Management and Supervision, under the Ministry of Finance, shows that as of end-June 2025, the total number of effective life insurance contracts (excluding supplementary insurance product contracts) reached 11,905,495, down 0.9% year-on-year. Total life insurance premium revenue in the period reached VND72,094 billion ($2.73 billion), up 2.4%.

According to Techcombank, Vietnams life insurance market holds significant growth potential, supported by a favorable demographic structure - over half of the population in the working age group, a key segment in need of protection.

The life insurance penetration rate remained relatively low, with the premium-to-GDP ratio standing at only 1.2%, well below the 2.9% average seen in other developing countries, along with 12.44 million active policies as of December 31, 2023.

Techcombank, a major private lender in Vietnam, in July said it has secured a license from the Ministry of Finance to set up a life insurance firm, with itself and leading conglomerate Vingroup as major shareholders.
Dr. Hon. Godwin Friday taking the Oaths of Allegiance, Secrecy and Office, sealing his installation as Prime Minister of SVG.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines ushered in a new political era as Dr. Godwin Friday, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), was sworn in as Prime Minister following a decisive electoral victory that ended the Unity Labour Partys 24-year hold on power.





The November 27th general election delivered a stunning 141 defeat to the ULP, with former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves being the partys sole candidate to retain his seat.





Dr. Friday was sworn in the following day by Governor-General Dame Susan Dougan, during a ceremony at Government House in Montrose.





Attendees included members of Dr. Fridays immediate family, former Prime Minister and opposition leader Arnhim Eustace, NDP candidates, Resident British Commissioner Jeff Patton, Police Commissioner Enville Williams, public officials and specially invited guests.





The formalities of the ceremony were delayed to allow for Eustaces arrival, which was greeted with warm applause.





Delivering his first speech as Prime Minister, after swearing to the Oaths of Secrecy, Allegiance and Office, Dr. Friday openly expressing that he was humbled by the responsibility entrusted to him.





"I intend to do my duty as a Prime Minister for all the people of this country, he said, vowing to work to uplift living standards and ensure that political barriers do not prevent Vincentians from achieving their aspirations.





He emphasized unity, noting that the countrys small population of just under 110,000 is "precious, not small, and called for collective effort to build a stronger nation.





Dr. Friday also expressed deep gratitude for divine guidance during difficult moments. "When challenges seemed to break, I always remember we take it to the Lord in prayer. I intend to do so as Prime Minister, he said, urging Vincentians to embrace each other across political lines.





Touching on issues highlighted during the campaign, Friday stressed that prosperity must be shared. "It does no good as a people for some to be thriving while others are struggling We can do something about it, he said, pledging an adaptable, solutions-driven leadership style open to new ideas.





He thanked his wife, children, Nicholas and Christian, for their unwavering support and advice, noting he expects to rely on them even more in the years ahead.





Friday also acknowledged his long-serving colleagues who endured multiple election cycles in opposition. He said the electorate had finally decided they were ready to see the NDP lead and implement the changes for which it had long advocated.





As he concluded, the new Prime Minister again expressed his gratitude to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. "With such a resounding victory at the polls, it signaled to me that the people are ready for change that makes a difference in their lives, he said.
Dr. Godwin Prime heads a Cabinet that shows an increase in size over the last one of the ULP administration.

Prime Minister Dr. The Right Honourable Godwin Friday will attend to the portfolios of Finance, Legal Affairs and Justice, Economic Planning and Private Sector Development. He took oaths of Allegiance, Office and Secrecy, at the Arnos Vale Playing Field last Tuesday presided over by Governor General Dame Susan Dougan.





St. Clair Leacock, the New Democratic Partys Vice President, is Deputy Prime Minister, tasked with responsibilities for National Security and Immigration.





Sarah Louise Mitchell, daughter of former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell, who will be one of four senators allowed on the government side, was sworn in as this countrys Attorney General.





The Ministry of Health and Wellness, and Energy goes to the West Kingstown representative Daniel Cummings, portfolios of which he was the Shadow Minister while in opposition.





Terrance Ollivierre, of the Northern Grenadines is responsible for Higher Education, Grenadines Affairs, Local Government, Airports, and Seaports.





The Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, and Physical Planning is driven by Nigel Stephenson who beat Grenville Williams in South Leeward.





Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, returning as MP for East Kingstown, takes on what are considered to be the highly profiled portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs.





Israel Bruce is charged with guiding the ministries of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Transformation Ministry, the same ministries for which his vanquished opponent in South Central Leeward, Saboto Caesar, had responsibility.





Shevern Johna former senator now the North Windward MP, is in charge of Social Welfare, Community Empowerment, Disaster Management, and National Heritage.





East St. George MP Lavern Gibson Velox will serve as Minister of the Family, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities, Occupational Safety, and Labour.





The Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, Land Management and Informal Settlement Upgrading is under the watch of Andrew John, who won the South Windward seat, on his first outing.





Phillip Jackson, who is the Marriaqua representative, is Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Innovation, and Digital Transformation. Jackson beat former Health Minister St. Clair Prince.





The Ministry of Youth, Sports, culture and Creative Industries comes under Kashaka Cupids control. The new West St. George representative overcame the former Minister of Education, Curtis King, in that constituency.





Conroy Higgins serves as Fisheries, Marine Conservation, and Climate Resilience Minister. He is the new Central Leeward representative.





Dr. Kishore Shallow, the new North Leeward representative, takes up the Tourism and Maritime Affairs Ministry. Tourism was the responsibility of Carlos James whom he beat in the Nov. 27 general election.





Two other Senators make up the cabinet - Chieftain Neptune and Lavern King.





Neptune, who lost against Dr. Ralph Gonsalves in North Central Windward, is a Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister.





Laverne King, the Public Relations Officer of NDP. is Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Innovation, and Digital Transformation.
Persons of all walks of life and allegiances turned out to witness the swearing in of the new Cabinet.

Prime Minister Dr. the Right Honourable Godwin Friday is appealing to Vincentians to make God the plank of their existence.





His plea came last Tuesday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet.





Dr. Friday noted that a "yearning for change was achieved in part November 27, but that the change is not just about replacing government, but a "change for the country a change in the way we are governed, and the way we accept how we are governed.





Friday extended his thoughts to "how we relate to one another. He pointed to differences, not least in the political arena and posited that even with varying approaches, we can still be a community.





"My Ministers and I are committed to working with all. We want to see a country where every citizens feels a sense of belonging, he asserted.





The New Democratic Party leader assured that he will work with all for the development, peace and progress of SVG, and is bent on investing "wisely in people.





He was aware that "some people are disappointed, and even hurting with the results of the general elections. He noted that "politics is not the only thing that defines us.





He pointed to other aspects that bind us including love for St. Vincent and the Grenadines and called on people to "put differences aside.





As for the election results, Friday quipped, "I know how you feel. I have been there.





The cost of living, the lack of jobs, and the payment of low wages were matters of interest for Dr. Friday. He lamented the wave of violent crimes, notably gun-related homicides, and is worried about poor health care and education which he said ought not to be "slogans.





The new government, the Prime Minister assured, was committed to improving roads and infrastructure generally.





With respect to the cost of living, Dr. Friday announced December 19 as the first VAT free shopping day.





"We will continually look for ways to ease the economic burden, he promised, and declared, "Where there are challenges, we intent not to succumb, but to overcome them, he declared.





Dr. Friday reminded his audience that, "We did not appoint ourselves. I did not make myself the Prime Minister. The people did.





For him, it is an "unmistakable mandate. Lets all accept that. Change is necessary to refresh bring hope and energy to our country.





And in thanking former Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and those who served in the previous administration, he gave the assurance that citizens had no need to worry about projects started by the previous administration. The government will finish them, he committed.





Friday admits that there was work to do and that he was ready to get it done.





"Lets all accept that change is necessary to refresh bring hope and energy to our country, Friday concluded.
St. Lucias political landscape remained splashed in red as the St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) romped home in blazing triumph in that countrys Dec. 01, 2025 general elections. The SLP scored a resounding 14-3 victory in the 17-seat race.





In so doing, the electorate handed 71-year-old Phillip Pierre a second consecutive term as Prime Minister.

The result must have caused mixed feeling in neighbouring St. Vincent and the Grenadines where five days earlier the SLPs sister party, the Unity Labour Party led by Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, was swept from government in a 14-1 trouncing by the opposition New Democratic Party led by Dr. Godwin Friday.





And as far the as the colouration of the results panned out in recent polls, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are now coded yellow, but the Allen Chastanet-led United Workers party failed to add to that collection in St. Lucia.





In fact, Chastanet was the lone successful candidate for his UWP, with the other two seats going to independents  Stephenson King and Richard Frederick both of whom, in their earlier political careers, were members of the UWP, with King serving as Prime Minister in that partys administration (2007 to 2011).





During the election, the SLP advocated for stability and cautious economic management, while the UWP argued that security deteriorated under Pierres leadership partly because of more limited U.S. support for local police - restricted on grounds of past human rights abuses under the U.S. Leahy Law. The UPW called for more transparent auditing of the islands citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programme, introduced in St. Lucia in 2015.





CBI programmes are deemed to be important sources of tax income for several small island nations in the Eastern Caribbean, St. Vincent and the Grenadines being the exception.





Prime Minister Pierre on being declared a winner once again, was visibly emotional and praised the nation for a peaceful electoral day.





"First of all, I would like to thank the people of St. Lucia for conducting what was a very decent election, an election free from violence, and this is testimony to the maturity of our people and the maturity of our democracy, Pierre said according to local press reports.





He directed his gratitude not to any one person but to the collective engine that powered the campaign  constituency groups, party executives, and volunteers working behind the scenes.





Pierre also extended a diplomatic olive branch to the opposition, urging a collective reset for the sake of parliamentary balance.





"There is a place in Parliament for the opposition, and we will move forward and work moving forward together, Pierre said, reaffirming his belief in democratic coexistence.





"Because we think there is a role for the opposition so the fine traditions of democracy can prevail.





Opposition leader Allen Chastanet successfully defended his seat in Micoud South, defeating the SLP candidate, medical doctor Dr. Shanda Lee Harracksingh. However, the partys overall results left UWP operatives contemplating next steps.





Political analyst and columnist Rick Wayne, said on local television that Chastanet would now need to consider surrendering party leadership.





"He will have to look at giving up the leadership of the party, having lost two consecutive general elections, Wayne asserted.





Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves travelled to Castries, Saint Lucia, to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre on Friday, December 5. (Sources: CN Weekly, The Guardian)
Jerrol Thompson, former ULP MP, was forthright as he assessed his partys defeat in the recent general elections.

Former North Leeward MP Jerrol Thompson believes the Unity Labour Partys (ULP) heavy loss in last Thursdays general election stemmed less from its 25 years in office, and more from a predictable campaign strategy that allowed the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) to outmaneuver it.





Speaking on radio, Thompson said the ULPs campaign followed familiar patterns despite some innovations. He noted the party held more local meetings than in previous elections and introduced coordinated uniforms for inside and outside agents, along with strong musical performances  but argued these details ultimately carried little weight with voters.





"I think the ULP may have been quite predictable, he said. "Their approach allowed the NDP to position itself in response to what they expected.





Thompson also criticized the late release of both parties manifestos, saying voters were not given enough time to absorb or compare key proposals. He believes the public perception of the NDPs plan to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) played a significant role in shifting support.





He noted that the NDPs campaign tactics  including the use of foreign artistes similar to those traditionally brought in by the ULP  matched the ruling partys style and neutralized some of its usual advantages.





According to Thompson, the ULP placed heavy emphasis on long-term development achievements such as housing, water access, and improvements in the Human Development Index. However, many voters were more focused on immediate economic pressures, including rising food prices, low wages, and taxation.





Thompson added that the NDPs direct focus on the cost of living  particularly food prices  and its promise of a rapid 60-day response may have been especially effective.





However, he warned that lowering VAT could reduce government revenue, potentially slowing economic growth and contributing to stagflation.





"You need at least 1.5 percent growth to maintain jobs, he explained. "If growth drops below one percent, you lose jobs.
Niesha Frederick was the latest addition to the list of persons killed in Ottley Hall, in recent years. (Facebook Photo)

Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are investigating the murders of two women killed within a three-day span.





The first victim, 34-year-old Mitah Patterson, a farmer of Texier Road, Layou, was shot and killed on Friday, November 28, at around 7:45 a.m. along. He remained lying in public view in the main road in her community.





According to a police report, Patterson sustained several gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by the District Medical Officer.





The second victim, 48-year-old Niesha Frederick, a sanitation department employee and resident of Ottley Hall, was fatally shot late Monday, December 1, 2025, in her community.





Police say Frederick was found lying motionless near the Ame Zion Pentecostal Church, at about 11:45 p.m. She had also sustained multiple gunshot injuries and was pronounced dead at 12:52 a.m. by the District Medical Officer.





She was the mother of five children.





Post-mortems will be conducted to determine the precise cause of death in both cases.





In another case that is occupying the attention of law enforcement officers, the police has launched a public appeal for assistance in locating Lyda " Sherica Adams.





Adams, 36 years old resident of Keartons, Barrouallie, who is said to be six months pregnant, and according to a police report was last seen at 8:05 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, "wearing a Brown T-shirt with a teddy bear design on the front, long brown pants, and foot wear unknown. She is 5 feet 9 inches in height, fair in complexion, brown eyes, with a braided hairstyle.





A source close to her family shared that Adams had left home saying she was heading for Bequia and has not been seen since.





The Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force is requesting anyone with potential information to come forward in the case off the missing female and the two homicides.
(TBTCO) - Tai Hoi thao Chien luoc Tai chinh qua 5 nam trien khai thuc hien uoc Vien Chien luoc va Chinh sach kinh te - tai chinh (Bo Tai chinh) to chuc ngay 11/12, cac chuyen gia a chi ra han che va thach thuc trong qua trinh trien khai, tu o, e xuat giai phap e hoan thanh muc tieu Chien luoc tai chinh en nam 2030.
The difficult operating environment for NGOs in the region is about to get worse as Czechia under Andrej Babiss populist coalition looks set to join Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia in hounding civil society organizations. From Balkan Insight (BIRN).

Even before prime ministerial hopeful Andrej Babis submitted his proposed ministers to the president for approval on 26 November, the coalition that the populist billionaire had put together following the October general election was already triggering street protests and prompting worries within Czech civil society.

When the division of ministries between Babiss populist ANO movement and its two coalition partners  the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy party of notorious Czexit advocate Tomio Okamura and the staunchly anti-green Motorists for Themselves party  was first announced, it sparked one of the largest environmental protests in recent years, with over 5,000 rallying in front of the Prague Castle on 19 October against the potential nomination of a member of the climate-change-denying Motorists to head up the Environment Ministry.

Civil societys fears grew after the drafting of the coalitions program, published in full by Czech Radio on 31 October, which sets out the priorities for the incoming government over the next parliament. Most of the document reflects ANOs clear focus on domestic issues, with an emphasis on populist handouts and increasing wages in the public sector. But further down the list are the kinds of policies and rhetoric more associated with the far right: resistance to migration, revision of green policies, opposition to the EUs Green Deal, and the targeting of non-governmental organizations.

Among the plans is the introduction of a registry for civil organizations that receive public funding under the slogan an end to political NGOs, forcing NGOs to declare any political activity funded from abroad, and preventing the use of public money for political activism.

In this way, the state is creating an enemy out of a sector which has no intention of entering confrontation, Pavel Havlicek, senior analyst at the Prague-based Association for International Affairs think tank, tells BIRN.

Havlicek explains that the targeting of NGOs is something which runs throughout the document the three parties agreed on, even though it lacks any basis in Czech legislation. Furthermore, the categoric misinterpretation of NGOs standing is taking place together with overstating their role in connection to public resources.

Radek Kubala, of the Re-set environmental analytical platform and one of the co-organizers of the October demonstration at Prague Castle, fears that the Babis-led coalition will adopt similarly aggressive rhetoric and attitudes toward NGOs as the populist governments of Hungary and Slovakia have done since coming to power. In Hungary and more recently in Slovakia, the authorities have targeted the NGO sector, particularly those involved in anti-corruption, by putting pressure on their operations through stifling bureaucratic measures and spurious investigations, such as against the Hungarian branch of Transparency International and the independent media outlet Atlatzso.

Kubala speculates that the emerging Czech ruling coalition could be setting the stage for the possible labelling of NGOs as foreign agents  because I dont know how else to understand the program document, adding that NGOs could be targeted by verbal as well as economic attacks.

Lessons From Slovakia

Despite the rhetoric in the program document, there is some hope that the more moderate and less ideological ANO party will be able to tame its radical allies to some extent.

Havlicek believes that Babis will be inclined to avoid controversies that would openly put his government at odds with the EU and will try to avoid any closer scrutiny by the European Commission and the media in general by striking a more pragmatic tone.

However, the nomination of the Motorist parliamentary member Filip Turek as environment minister is reminiscent of the situation in Slovakia, where a nominee of the ultranationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), Tomas Taraba, was put in charge of the Environment Ministry. Since his appointment, Taraba has faced widespread criticism and protests for overseeing the firing of environmental experts, the increased hunting of bears and wolves, more illegal logging, and the shrinking of national park areas in the Tatra Mountains.

Taraba was also one of the first foreign politicians whom Babis met shortly after being tasked by President Pavel on 27 October with forming the next Czech government. We have the same view on the rejection of the tightening of emission norms for industry, Babis told the media after their meeting, during which both politicians voiced their opposition to the EUs ETS2 emissions-trading system.

Kubala highlights how the looming takeover of the Czech environmental portfolio by the Motorists reminds me of the first SNS nominee to the same post in Slovakia, the trigger-happy nationalist Rudolf Huliak, whom the then-Slovak President Zuzana Caputova declined to appoint because he did not recognize the scientific consensus on climate change.

Czech President Pavel is still reportedly refusing to accept the nomination of Turek to the government on the basis of past, but now-deleted, social media posts that were filled with antisemitic, xenophobic, and homophobic abuse. Turek has denied authorship of some of them and claimed their publication was politically motivated to keep him out of the next Czech government.

Like the ultranationalists in Slovakia, the Motorists face criticism that their real aim is to serve as a political vehicle for the powerful energy companies in the country, which in the Czech case include the coal oligarch Pavel Tykac, who is a key donor of the right-wing Vaclav Klaus Institute, where the Motorist leader, Petr Macinka, worked as a spokesman.

Kubala describes Macinka as a man with connections to big business, who at the same time denies scientific facts about the climate crisis and vulgarly threatens ecologists.

Slovak Battlefield as a Warning for Czechia

Babis has also already met with Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok to discuss reviving the Visegrad Group of Central European countries and adopting a common front against EU migration policies. Sutaj Estok, the conservative leader of Ficos key coalition ally, the center-left Hlas-SD party, is known for his strong anti-immigration stance.

Havlicek also highlights how Babiss comments on ending Czech aid to Ukraine out of the state budget were reminiscent of the situation in Slovakia soon after Ficos return to power in the autumn of 2023. Ficos government axed state military aid to Ukraine, though at the same time has allowed commercial military exports to Ukraine to thrive.

Fico and Taraba & Co. have been successful at creating conflict  and pointing fingers at perceived enemies like Brussels, Ukraine, or the liberal opposition, explains Dana Marekova of the Climate Coalition Slovakia, who notes their radical rhetoric largely succeeds because of the non-standard media environment via which they can disseminate their messaging. Analysis has shown how Ficos Smer party reached a more radical part of the electorate by spreading sensational and fear-mongering narratives using non-traditional outlets like Slobodny vysielac or the InfoWars-inspired InfoVojna.

Marekova adds that during her 25 years working in the civil society sector, she has not experienced such difficult conditions as those that exist today. [Its been] more than two years of attacks on NGOs in Slovakia [targeting] core activities and the very essence of the NGO sectors public involvement as it has evolved worldwide since the 1960s, she notes.

Ficos ruling coalition also pushed through novel NGO legislation with the slimmest of parliamentary majorities earlier this year. Although the legislation was watered down after criticism from the European Commission and in light of the difficulties Hungary ran up against with its Russian-style foreign agent bill, it introduces new requirements to file a transparency report and disclose financial information. Additionally, the legislation requires NGOs to provide information to third parties, which paves the way for potential arbitrary bullying of NGOs, local analysts fear.

Lukas Diko of the Bratislava-based Jan Kuciak Investigative Centre tells BIRN that the legislation will add a bureaucratic burden on the affected organizations, and that it is aimed primarily at anti-corruption NGOs like the Via Iuris civic platform or Zastavme Korupciu (Lets Stop Corruption) foundation, which have been instrumental in documenting some of the government scandals.

Diko and Katarina Batkova, a lawyer with the Bratislava office of Via Iuris, agree that with the legislation Fico is aiming at organizations critical toward the government, but in practice NGOs active in the social, health, and education sectors, as well as organizations providing services to pensioners and youths such as the Scouts, could be affected the most. However, Diko warns coalition parliamentary members have already drafted an amendment to the Criminal Code that would mean journalists and online influencers could be charged with a criminal offence over any alleged sabotage of political campaigns.

So far, the criminalization of concrete persons like we see in Serbia is not taking place, Batkova says.

Struggles in Serbia and the Western Balkans

The Association for International Affairs Havlicek points out that besides education, which the radical Freedom and Direct Democracy and Motorists have made clear they want to see expunged of so-called inclusion programs focused on minority and handicapped pupils, another affected area is likely to be Czech international aid and development.

We can see in this the goal of certain aides such as [ex-member of the European Parliament for the Civic Democratic Party party] Jan Zahradil, who is known for his nationalist-conservative views and for advocating open ties with China and reviving the Visegrad Group alliance of four Central European countries, says Havlicek.

Zahradil currently collaborates with the Motorists as a senior expert on foreign policy issues, saying in a recent interview with Czech Radio that he is looking for a position with influence on the forming of future Czech foreign policy.

If the Motorists end up in charge of the foreign affairs portfolio, they could be in a position to implement major cuts to programs such as in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, and the Caucasus, local NGOs fear. [The Western Balkan region] is very connected to this and, in some respects, is in an even worse situation than Ukraine if cuts are indeed implemented, Havlicek notes.

Marko Milosavljevic, professor of media regulation at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia and a former member of the Committee of Experts on Media Sustainability at the Council of Europe, tells BIRN that while local NGOs in the Western Balkans will feel the negative effects of cuts in Czech development operations, some politicians in the region will benefit from them in other ways.

Particularly right-wing politicians are very keen on importing models from their big brothers, Milosavljevic notes, adding that the imitation of Trumpist policies and rhetoric, such as the gutting of USAID and the recent actions against antifa movements, have been pursued by nationalist-conservative politicians in several parts of Central and Eastern Europe as well as in Western Europe.

Serbia is a case in point, Milosavljevic observes, which has seen NGOs being targeted after a year of persistent, student-led mass protests in Serbia, sparked by the November 2024 Novi Sad railway station tragedy, that have exposed huge cracks in the current regime of Aleksandar Vucic.

Aleksandra Sreckovic of the Belgrade-based Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability media monitoring NGO describes the past year as a period when the situation for media professionals has significantly deteriorated , marked by a record number of physical attacks, growing police violence, and an alarming normalization of verbal aggression by public officials.

Reporters Without Borders has registered at least 89 physical attacks on journalists in Serbia since November 2024, with approximately half of those committed by police officers. The Safe Journalist platform registered a total of 238 incidents against journalists in Serbia in 2025, including 136 cases linked to the authorities. There was only one conviction, while 33 incidents went unreported amid a general distrust in the countrys institutions. Furthermore, many NGOs, including the Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability, have been targeted in police raids.

If the EU cannot constrain Vucic, then tensions could rise further, Milosavljevic warns, claiming that the current situation regarding the media is even worse than during the years of autocrat Slobodan Milosevic, when several journalists were murdered.

The situation has been made worse by significant ownership changes that occurred on the Serbian media landscape, which independent analysts argue further strengthened the grip of Vucics Serbian Progressive Party on the media.

The sale of SBB, Serbias largest cable and internet provider, to the PPF Group and UAE government-controlled e& PPF Telecom Group, and the parallel acquisition of key media distribution assets by state-owned Telekom Srbija, has resulted in a shift in market structure, Sreckovic observes.

The United Group retained the N1 and Nova S outlets, seen as some of the last vestiges of independent reporting on the student-led protests, but these have been removed from their leading positions in cable lineups, and some providers such as Orion Telekom have removed them entirely from their platforms, Sreckovic notes.

She also recalls the leaked audio recordings of a conversation between the CEO of Telekom Srbija, Vladimir Lucic, and the newly appointed CEO of United Group, Stan Miller, during which the two discussed Vucics demand to fire the director of United Media, Aleksandra Subotic.

The level of uniformity, says Milosavljevic, between the reporting of the state-aligned outlets with loyalist editors, including those at Pink, B-92, or Informer, is very obvious. Amid the absence of proper regulatory policy-enforcement, the state-aligned outlets have also been cited as using vulgar language and obscenities for some time, representing one of the main reasons why this regime has survived for so long, he adds.

Moreover, a pro-government organization Center for Social Stability has produced at least 20 propaganda films targeting CSOs, students, professors, and the media in a push to discredit the struggling civil society in Serbia.

Both Sreckovic and Milosavljevic also highlight the proliferation of pro-Russian disinformation among the state-aligned media in Serbia. Vucic also publicly endorsed Russias Foreign Intelligence Services statement accusing the EU of plotting a Maidan [revolution] in Serbia, and independent media, such as FoNet, RAM Network, or Vreme, of being tools of EU subversion.

Additionally, Telekom Srbija established a number of outlets abroad, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia. Given one is an EU candidate country and two are EU member states, Milosavljevic argues that the Serbian regimes control of media operations inside the EU has now become an EU problem.

Hope Amid the Despair

Milosavljevic believes the European Commission is finally starting to pay more attention to the developments in the eastern parts of the EU and its surrounding neighborhood, especially since politicians such as Hungarys Orban, Slovakias Fico, and the winner of the recent Czech election Babis began publicly toying with the idea of what Milosavljevic refers to as an Eastern European union which is supposed to have a different set of values.

While pundits and observers have raised the prospect of Babiss incoming government strengthening the Bratislava-Budapest illiberal axis, others point out that without Poland it lacks the heavyweight potential capable of disrupting EU policies.

Across the region, those in civil society agree that the significance of applying EU resources in this area has increased substantially in light of the attacks against the NGO sector unleashed by politicians following a nationalist-conservative playbook.

Despite the developments of the past two years under Ficos government, Batkova also points out that NGOs in Slovakia have come together more, which she is unsure would have happened under normal conditions.

Moreover, Batkova, a lawyer by training, says she wouldnt be surprised if the challenges filed against the Slovak NGO legislation with the countrys Constitutional Court result in a partial striking down of the bill.

Batkova also thinks that compared to Hungary, the Slovak government faces more pressure and more willingness from the public to push back against the legislative measures Fico and his officials are using to target the NGO sector.

In Serbia, where local NGOs face arguably the most hostile working environment, the student-led protests have breathed new life into the population and, despite the odds, managed to connect with other parts of society.

A 38-year-old Belgrade resident, Ida Radovanovic, tells BIRN that she could not sit idly by and watch the protests. The student movement continues to remind us of ordinary human values, she says, pointing out that despite the hopelessness, people still come out to protest.

I am getting to know my country better, empathizing, Radovanovic says. [There is] a shift from the victim mentality to what we can do  how can we maintain non-violent protests.

Albin Sybera is a news reporter covering Czechia and Slovakia at bne IntelliNews and a contributing editor at Visegrad Insight. He regularly writes for Balkan Insight, where this article originally appeared. Republished by permission.
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Artificial intelligence has shifted from a specialty tool to a part of daily life. From generating images to summarizing emails, AI now shapes the way many people work and create. With that shift comes a growing question: Which jobs will AI replace next?

A 2025 study by Uprinting offers new insight into how Americans view AIs impact on the labor market. The findings reveal where the public believes automation is most likely and where they expect human skill to remain important.

Americans Expect AI to Replace Digital and Administrative Tasks First

Respondents agreed strongly on one point. AI is poised to take over structured digital tasks. Jobs built around repetition, pattern recognition, or predictable workflows were seen as the most vulnerable. This includes transcription, basic proofreading, scheduling, data sorting, and similar administrative tasks. The study states that 54% of small business owners say that AI could help most right now in customer support.

Creative digital work also ranked high on the list. Image generation, concept drafting, and early-stage design support were identified as areas where AI tools already feel capable. Many users have seen how quickly AI can generate images or written content, reinforcing the belief that these tasks will continue to shift toward automation.

Even so, respondents preferred a balance rather than a complete handoff. AI may assist with initial drafts or visual ideas, but many still want humans to refine the final result. This pattern reflects how many workplaces adapt today.

Jobs Requiring Judgment and Human Connection Are Viewed as Safer

On the opposite end of the spectrum, respondents saw human-centered roles as far less replaceable. Jobs involving emotional understanding, ethical decision-making, or hands-on skills were considered the least likely to be automated.

This includes fields such as counseling, teaching, skilled trades, and health-related services. According to the study, 50% of senior managers refuse to hand over hiring or performance decisions to AI. These roles demand nuance that respondents believe AI cannot replicate. Trust plays a major part in these views. People want reassurance, guidance, or expertise from another person, not an algorithm.

Physical craftsmanship also ranked low on the list of roles expected to be replaced. Tasks requiring a trained eye, steady hands, or material knowledge are seen as areas where human quality remains valuable.

These findings show a theme. Americans support AI where it speeds up routine tasks, but they want people to remain central in work that depends on empathy, precision, or judgment.

The Line Between Automation and Craft Remains Clear

While AI can streamline digital tasks, many consumers expect physical products to be created with human oversight, such as high-quality printed materials.

Many business owners worry that using AI will compromise the personal touch of their businesses. The study indicates that small and mid-sized companies have cultivated loyal followings through genuine connections. Consumers are quick to recognize AI-generated content, which may lead them to view businesses as lazy if they rely too heavily on it.

Instead of dismissing AI entirely, many business owners are finding a balance. They are learning to use AI as a tool to support their business rather than a replacement for the personal interactions that their customers value.

Why These Perceptions Matter for the Future of Work

Public expectations influence how companies adopt new technology. Roles that consumers feel comfortable automating may see faster AI integration. Roles that require human trust or craftsmanship may evolve but are unlikely to disappear.

The Uprinting study captures this divide clearly. Americans welcome AI for digital assistance and repetitive tasks, yet they draw clear boundaries around work that requires interpersonal connection, hands-on skill, or ethical awareness.

These perceptions may guide how businesses hire, train, and structure teams in the coming years. The future of many professions may lie in hybrid models where AI handles volume and speed while humans focus on strategy, creativity, and specialized expertise.

As AI continues to transform industries, the study suggests one constant. People still want work shaped by human judgment. Technology may accelerate some tasks, but the heart of many professions and the value people expect from them remain tied to human skill.

This content contains links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by the publisher, Lee Enterprises. The views, thoughts and opinions in this contributor content belong solely to the writer.

Lee Enterprises newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.
Lawmakers have struggled for years to regulate social media platforms in ways that tamp down misinformation and extremism.

Much of the criticism has been aimed at algorithms that feed users more and more of whatever they click on  the rabbit hole effect blamed for fueling conspiracy theories, depression, eating disorders, suicide and violence.

Federal law shields social media platforms and internet providers from lawsuits over content posted by users. First Amendment rights make it hard for Congress to regulate speech.

The latest effort comes from Sens. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, and John Curtis, a Utah Republican, who have teamed up to fight political violence since the Sept. 10 murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Under the Algorithm Accountability Act they unveiled Nov. 19, social media companies would lose that legal immunity if they use an algorithm to promote content that results in harm.

The bill would amend Section 230, the provision of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 that protects tech companies from lawsuits over user-generated content.

Too many families have been hurt by social media algorithms designed with one goal: make money by getting people hooked, Kelly said in a statement. Over and over again, these companies refuse to take responsibility when their platforms contribute to violence, crime, or self-harm. Were going to change that and finally allow Americans to hold companies accountable.

A Utah Republican and a Maryland Democrat, Reps. Mike Kennedy and April McClain Delaney, filed an identical measure in the House on Nov. 21.

Unlike broader reforms of Section 230, the Algorithm Accountability Act targets the recommendation process that puts content in front of users, rather than the content itself.

The bill wouldnt directly limit what platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, X and Instagram distribute, but would require them to exercise reasonable care in designing how they organize the content they serve up to users.

Algorithms make us see the world as more aggressive and more conflictual than it actually is. It makes us see the other side as more extreme and more of a threat, said Yphtach Lelkes, a professor of communication and political science at the University of Pennsylvania.

A study published Nov. 24 in the journal JAMA Network Open found that even a one-week detox from social media  cutting back on screen time  reduced anxiety, depression and insomnia in young adults.

I think its coming from a good place, Lelkes said of the Kelly-Curtis bill. But, he said, tech companies are motivated to keep users engaged, and tamping down harmful, inappropriate and outrageous speech could reduce usage.

How do you get companies to promote public good over this need to keep people online as long as possible? he said.

Tech companies warn that encouraging them to tweak algorithms to deemphasize certain political viewpoints means that instead of being neutral about user content, they are picking winners and losers.

That could mean trouble for organizing and recommending content in ways the government would prefer you not to, said Zach Lilly, director of government affairs at a trade association called Net Choice. Thats where you start to ask those First Amendment questions.

Lilly also argued that algorithms are designed to personalize content to a users interests.

Eliminating that, he said, would result in such an extreme reduction in the ability to post our own content online without platforms feeling the need to remove our content for fear of liability.

Smaller tech companies would find it especially costly to comply, he said.

Curtis and other leaders in Utah have been outspoken about political violence since the murder of Kirk during a campus appearance in their state.

Kelly has also been a leading voice on the topic. His wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, was shot in the head in 2011 while meeting with congressional constituents in Tucson. The gunman also shot 18 others, killing six, including a federal judge and a 9-year-old girl. Giffords narrowly survived.

Lelkes said its important to keep in mind that algorithms alone dont cause people to end up in rabbit holes online.

Its more like they were already extreme and ended up in these places, he said.

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence makes algorithms ever more effective at serving up content that keeps users from putting down their phones.

AI systems are making decisions that are impacting peoples lives with little to no transparency about how those decisions are made, or accountability, said Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
Ramla Khalidi, Resident Representative (right), and Do Le Thu Ngoc from UNDP in Vietnam, provide information about the report (Photo: Du Lam)

On December 2, 2025, at the open innovation conference, UNDP released the Asia-Pacific regional human development report titled "The next great divergence - why artificial intelligence may deepen inequality between countries." The report emphasizes that the impact of AI on human well-being is not predetermined but depends entirely on choices regarding policy and governance.

Many Vietnamese worried about AI-driven job losses

Ramla Khalidi, UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam, noted that Vietnam clearly recognizes the urgency of the current moment. The countrys rapid digital transformation and ambitious national development vision place AI at the center of discussions about Vietnams future.

Vietnam aims to become a regional leader in AI by 2030, ranking among the top three in Southeast Asia. This ambition is reinforced by a dynamic AI startup ecosystem, which ranks second in ASEAN, behind only Singapore, in the number of AI startups and accounts for 27 percent of the blocs GenAI (generative AI) startup market share in 2024.

However, this growth opportunity comes with significant social pressure. According to Do Le Thu Ngoc, Head of Inclusive Growth under UNDP in Vietnam, AIs impact is particularly severe for young people. AI is gradually replacing basic entry-level jobs commonly used by young workers to build their careers, such as administrative work, scheduling, drafting documents, translation, and research. This deprives youth of crucial early-career opportunities.

The report shows that Vietnam is among the countries with the highest percentage of people worried about job loss or job insecurity due to AI, at 61 percent. In contrast, countries like the Republic of Korea report much lower levels of concern, thanks to established reskilling strategies and measures to address occupational transitions.

At the macro level, countries heavily dependent on agriculture, textiles, or assembly work face major pressure. Job losses in these sectors cannot easily be shifted to others, as the traditional competitive advantage of low-cost labor is diminishing with the rise of AI-powered robotics.

Domestic businesses slow in adopting AI

Beyond workers concerns, the pace of AI adoption among Vietnamese businesses is also a significant challenge. Despite having a vibrant startup ecosystem, the readiness of enterprises to implement and leverage AI remains low, and is declining, from 27 percent in 2023 to 22 percent in 2024. Reports on GenAI adoption shows that 64 percent of businesses have either not applied generative AI or are uncertain about its use.

Though AI is expected to boost GDP by up to 2 percent by creating new jobs and industries, without adequate preparation in connectivity infrastructure, these benefits will be concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural communities and vulnerable groups behind.

Nonetheless, Ramla Khalidi affirmed that Vietnam is well-positioned to leverage AI for sustainable and inclusive growth if it continues addressing challenges such as digital skill gaps, data quality, and digital inclusion for women, rural communities, and vulnerable populations.

The government has demonstrated strong political will, implemented policies and investments to accelerate digital transformation and AI application in key sectors. The rapid development of digital infrastructure, including near-nationwide 4G coverage, ongoing 5G deployment, and significant improvement in Vietnam's global e-government ranking, is supporting this process.

To ensure that AI serves human development equitably, the UNDP report proposes a framework for action based on three core principles.

First, people-centered: placing technological innovation within the human development framework, prioritizing the expansion of human capabilities and unlocking human potential.

Second, responsible innovation governance: establishing clear, risk-based regulations and enhancing accountability to balance progress with the protection of ethics and privacy.

Third, building future-ready systems by investing strongly in local talent and sustainable infrastructure, ensuring that digital accessibility is treated as essential infrastructure.

Du Lam
Only by expanding its fleet, increasing flight frequency, and rebuilding its route network can Bamboo Airways generate revenue, restore cash flow, and gradually settle its outstanding debts, said Le Thai Sam, former Chairman of Bamboo Airways.

In an interview on December 4, 2025, Le Thai Sam acknowledged that the previous restructuring efforts under the former group of investors fell short of expectations. The airlines fleet, route network, and financial strength were all significantly diminished, which led to the eventual transfer of operational control back to FLC Group - a decision he described as the right one.

Sam expressed deep regret over how the situation unfolded. When the group of restructuring investors and advisors took over Bamboo Airways in 2022, it was a rising star in Vietnams aviation market. The carrier had close to 30 aircraft and operated 60 domestic routes, including niche destinations like Con Dao and Dien Bien, alongside several ambitious international routes. However, by the time Bamboo Airways was handed back to FLC on September 25, 2025, it was down to just seven aircraft and 12 domestic routes - along with a significant debt burden.

One of the most critical missteps, Sam admitted, was the decision to return most of the airlines aircraft during the restructuring phase. This severely limited operational capacity and revenue potential, complicating the companys financial recovery. Only with a larger fleet and broader network can the airline rebuild its cash flow and handle its debt obligations, he reiterated.

A roadmap to settle legacy debt

According to an independent audit conducted by the same investor group on July 31, 2025, Bamboo Airways owed more than 9 trillion VND (approximately 370 million USD) to suppliers.

The largest debt was to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), totaling around 2.6 trillion VND (about 107 million USD), 80% of which accumulated during the restructuring period. Additional debts included nearly 1 trillion VND (41 million USD) to fuel suppliers, close to 4 trillion VND (165 million USD) to Sacombank, and roughly 3 trillion VND (124 million USD) to other banks, financial institutions, and private creditors.

We encountered numerous challenges - both internal and external - during the restructuring phase. The volatile aviation market made it difficult to meet supplier payment commitments, Sam explained.

Sam emphasized that when he and Duong Cong Minh decided to return operational control to FLC Group, they also pledged to take full responsibility for repaying these debts. That commitment remains unchanged. We stand by our word and will see this through, he affirmed.

He also expressed a desire to engage with creditors to find mutually agreeable solutions based on shared responsibility and a long-term partnership.

This new debt repayment roadmap is tied to Bamboo Airways ongoing financial restructuring and credit planning. Among the debts, obligations to ACV are given the highest priority.

A detailed monthly and annual repayment plan has been proposed. Previously, Bamboo depended on a single bank for credit. The airline is now diversifying its financial partnerships and expanding credit limits to fund fleet expansion, operations, and debt settlement. Once capital flows are unblocked, the recovery process will accelerate, Sam said.

He added again, Duong Cong Minh and I will remain accountable for all debts incurred during the restructuring period - from August 2022 through September 25, 2025.

A new development trajectory

In December 2025, Bamboo Airways is set to receive additional aircraft to meet demand during the 2026 Lunar New Year travel season. This marks the beginning of a strategic and sustainable effort to restore operational capacity and rebuild the airlines fleet.

This is a promising sign and a key foundation for Bamboo Airways to enter a new development phase from 2026 to 2030, Sam said. With careful planning and sustainable growth, I believe the airline will soon reclaim its position in the premium service segment.

The former chairman also expressed strong confidence in the airlines future now that FLC Group has resumed control. He praised the new executive team for their bold, unified, and sustainable development strategies aimed at reviving Bamboo Airways former glory.

Du Lam
Seminar "Cybersecurity Law 2025: A Step Forward in Data Security Protection" organized by the National Cybersecurity Association on November 24.y

Data security legalized, closing the legal gap in the digital era

In recent years, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the drafting agency, has proactively completed the dossier for the Cybersecurity Law 2025 Project to submit to the National Assembly. This draft adds many important regulations to build a solid legal foundation that helps Vietnam effectively respond to cybersecurity challenges, protect national security, and ensure citizens rights in the digital age. A strategically significant element is the legalization of data security.

The draft officially adds and defines data security as an important component of national cybersecurity. This is the first time data  the core element of digital transformation  is placed at the center of the cybersecurity legal framework. Data security refers to ensuring that the collection, updating, adjustment, and processing of data serve national digital transformation and the development of the digital economy.

Instead of scattered storage, agencies can access data directly from national databases or use trusted data services from qualified state agencies or businesses. This approach reduces leakage risks, optimizes operating costs, and enhances long-term data governance capacity for organizations and enterprises.

Data security tied to national digital transformation

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dinh Do Thi, Deputy Head of Network Information Security, Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention, the draft Cybersecurity Law 2025 identifies the States key cybersecurity and data-security policies.

First, prioritizing cybersecurity protection in national defense, security, socio-economic development, science and technology, and foreign affairs.

Second, building a safe cyberspace that does not harm national security or social order.

Third, gathering resources on developing specialized forces, high-quality human resources, and promoting cybersecurity R&D.

Fourth, encouraging organizations and individuals to participate in risk handling and cooperate with authorities.

Fifth, prioritizing using Vietnam-made cybersecurity industrial products and services.

Sixth, strengthening international cooperation in cybersecurity.

According to Vu Ngoc Son from National Cybersecurity Association, making data security a core element reflects a global trend. Data is considered the new oil of the digital economy. When data is leaked or stolen, damage extends beyond economics and affects national security and public trust. Treating data as a strategic resource that must be protected at the highest standards is a constructive step, showing Vietnams modern governance mindset.

Data-related risks must be strictly controlled. Highlighting data security in the law reflects forward-thinking management in a context where data has become essential to every organization. This is a strategic, timely, and highly necessary move. It not only fills the legal gap but also demonstrates Vietnams vision in proactively shaping a safe and transparent cyberspace, viewing data protection as the core foundation for sustainable development in the digital era.

"One of the new points of the Draft Cyber Security Law 2025 is the emphasis on the special role and responsibility of the head of the agency, organization, or enterprise in ensuring cyber security.

The head is not only responsible for deploying protection activities within their management scope but must also meet the requirements for knowledge and skills related to cyber security, Son said.

What do enterprises say about the law?

According to Tran Cong Quynh Lan, Deputy General Director of VietinBank, early compliance with the Cyber Security Law 2025 helps the bank consolidate its pioneering position in information safety, creating a competitive advantage over units that have not yet completed their monitoring and data protection procedures. This is also an opportunity for VietinBank to standardize data governance according to international standards, develop a Data Governance Framework, and create a firm foundation for future AI application and data analysis programs.

From a telecommunications-infrastructure perspective, Le Cong Trung, Head of Cybersecurity BU at MobiFone, noted that human resources remain the key to system protection. Technical teams must deeply understand core networks, devices, and protocols, be able to respond quickly to incidents, and strictly follow security discipline. According to him, infrastructure-level cybersecurity is the foundation for protecting national cyberspace, especially during Vietnams strong digital-transformation.

MobiFone affirms continued investment in infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity services, and accompanying agencies and organizations to build a safe and trustworthy digital environment.

All speakers agreed that to effectively implement the new regulations, authorities need to promptly issue standards and technical regulations on cybersecurity. Meanwhile, enterprises must actively develop cybersecurity governance models and especially comprehensive data governance, including classification, encryption, safe storage, monitoring, and incident response.

Thai Khang
According to initial reports, the flames erupted suddenly and spread rapidly throughout the building. A thick column of black smoke rose dozens of meters into the sky and could be seen from afar.

Upon receiving the fire alarm, the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City quickly dispatched personnel and equipment to the scene.

Dozens of officers used specialized fire trucks with ladders to access the burning building. The rescue operation was given top priority.

The scene of the fire. Photo: Nhu Sy



Firefighters managed to control the blaze, rescue several people trapped inside, and transfer them to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Preliminary information from authorities confirmed that four people had died. The police are currently investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the damage.

The victims were identified as Luong Quynh A. (female, born 1997), Dinh Thi Khanh H. (female, born 1985), Dinh Khanh L. (female, born 2018), and Hoang Nhat K. (male, born 2023).

Two others were injured after jumping from the upper floors and suffering smoke inhalation. They were identified as Tran Thi Thuy Linh (female, born 2004) and Tran Thi Ngoc Khue (female, born 2007).

According to Ho Chi Minh Citys 115 Emergency Center and Saigon General Hospital, medical teams quickly arrived at the site and admitted six victims.

Four of them were declared deceased upon arrival due to cardiac and respiratory arrest. Despite intensive resuscitation efforts, none of the four could be saved.

Heart-wrenching scene inside the burned restaurant where four people lost their lives. Photo: MD






On the morning of December 5, the National Assembly (NA) held a plenary session to deliberate on the investment policy for the national target programs on new rural development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas through 2035.

A distinct component for ethnic minority and mountainous communities

Delegate Pham Thi Kieu (Lam Dong Province). Photo: National Assembly

Delegate Pham Thi Kieu from Lam Dong voiced strong support for integrating the three national target programs into a single initiative to better consolidate resources, ensure consistency in management, and reduce overlap, while enhancing transparency and implementation efficiency.

She also agreed with nationwide rollout of the program but emphasized the need to prioritize disadvantaged and highly specific regions, especially those with significant ethnic minority populations.

However, she stressed that integration must not dilute the distinct goals, mechanisms, and approaches of the original programs. Notably, the component targeting ethnic minority and mountainous regions is not only about development - it addresses generational disparities and systemic challenges.

This is the only component that directly impacts the most vulnerable communities living in the most challenging conditions and plays a critical role in maintaining socio-political stability. Therefore, Kieu urged the government and legislature to clarify strategic directions to preserve both cohesion and necessary depth.

First, she proposed creating a dedicated component for ethnic minority and mountainous regions with clear goals, scope, and mechanisms tailored to their unique circumstances. This ensures that essential regional issues are not lost in generalized objectives, she emphasized.

Second, she advocated allocating resources based on actual hardship rather than administrative averages. The most challenging regions should receive the strongest support, or the program risks losing its humanitarian focus and its objective of narrowing regional development gaps.

Third, she underscored the need for the ethnic affairs apparatus to centrally manage the unique component. This, she said, is not about adding bureaucracy but ensuring continuity and leveraging proven expertise.

In reality, state agencies dedicated to ethnic affairs best understand the local context, have data, and possess the capacity to directly implement initiatives at the community level, she concluded.

Based on these principles, Kieu proposed that the investment policy announcement should specify: The agency responsible for ethnic affairs shall lead Component 2, coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors. She noted this aligns with the spirit of the National Assembly Standing Committees Conclusion No. 4665 dated November 27, 2025.

She also proposed that the National Assemblys resolution should clarify: The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will lead the overall program as per the Public Investment Law, while the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs will lead Component 2 to ensure consistency and alignment with the unique conditions of ethnic minority and mountainous regions.

If the program is designed along these lines, I believe we can build a more modern, effective, and humane management model. This is not merely a public investment initiative, but a foundation to bridge development gaps, strengthen national solidarity, and ensure long-term sustainable growth, the Lam Dong delegate said.

At least 70% of central budget should be allocated to ethnic minority areas

Delegate Ha Sy Dong (Quang Tri Province). Photo: National Assembly
Organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH), a seminar on December 1 focused on guidelines for a project to gradually implement the Universal Free Healthcare Policy under the Politburos Resolution 72. Many opinions on the financial resources needed to realize the policy were offered.

This was the first time that MOH had invited experts to discuss the financial foundation for periodic checkups and universal hospital fee waivers.

Tran Thi Trang, Director of the MOHs Health Insurance Department, said the financial burden of medical costs remains high, with citizens still paying out-of-pocket for about 40 percent of total healthcare costs. The portion not covered by the Health Insurance Fund is estimated at VND24.800 trillion per year.

Universal hospital fee waivers will be limited to a basic service package and will expand gradually depending on available resources, Trang said.

Nguyen Khanh Phuong, Director of the Health Strategy and Policy Institute, added that if in 2027 Vietnam increases health insurance coverage to 100 percent for near-poor households and people aged 75 and above, the Health Insurance Fund will need to spend an additional VND2.700 trillion per year.

By 2030, waiving basic hospital fees for all citizens is expected to cost VND21.500 trillion per year, equivalent to what citizens are projected to pay out-of-pocket in 2024.

The drafting agency has set out a roadmap for implementing universal free healthcare in 3 phases: 20262027; 20282030; and after 2030.

Specifically, in 20262027, citizens will receive free periodic health check-ups or screenings once a year, and the entire population will have an Electronic Health Record. The near-poor group and people aged 75 and above will be covered for 100 percent of medical examination and treatment costs within the scope of Health Insurance.

The 20282030 phase aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure to below 30 percent, with screening for common diseases, and increase Health Insurance Coverage to over 95 percent.

After 2030, the system will move towards Universal Free Healthcare within the Essential Service Package, expanding further as resources permit, while operating a smart, multi-tiered, and modern Health Insurance Payment System.

Funding sources

Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha said that hospital fee waivers must be built on the main pillar of the Health Insurance system, supported by the state budget, and implemented through a clear roadmap.

Both the state budget and the Health Insurance Fund will cover basic and essential healthcare costs to minimize the financial burden on citizens, especially vulnerable groups, low-income individuals, and social policy beneficiaries.

Ha stressed that the fee-waiver policy must align with the goal of universal health insurance coverage, ensuring everyone participates to share risks: healthy people supporting the sick, those with resources supporting those without, together with contributions from the state and society.

Trang noted that relying solely on the state budget would make the policy unsustainable. Regardless of whether hospital fees are waived, Vietnam must still increase health insurance contributions to meet rising healthcare demands, as current contribution levels are low.

Rapid changes in Vietnams disease patterns are increasing the proportion of out-of-pocket spending, requiring the Health Insurance Fund to be stronger.

To ensure stable financing, Phuong proposed diversifying revenue sources. In addition to raising heath insurance contribution rates from 4.5 percent to a maximum of 6 percent, part of the luxury tax collected from health-harming products such as cigarettes and alcohol could be allocated to support the policy.

Phuong also emphasized that hospital fee waivers must be limited to the basic service package with clear expenditure ceilings to avoid destabilizing the Health Insurance Fund. Additional resources, such as commercial health insurance and publicprivate partnerships in healthcare, should also be mobilized to ensure the long-term sustainability of universal hospital fee waivers.

As of the end of 2024, Vietnam had 13,395 medical facilities nationwide, including 1,665 hospitals. The number of hospital beds per 10,000 people is 34. The average life expectancy is 74.7 years, with 65.4 years of healthy life expectancy. Health insurance coverage is 94.29 percent of the population (equivalent to 95.525 million people).

Nationwide medical examinations and treatments reached 183.6 million visits, an increase of 9.7 million visits (5.6 percent) compared to 2023. About 40 million people use health insurance services regularly, averaging 4.5 visits per year.

Total nationwide health insurance expenditure exceeded VND139.000 trillion, an increase of more than VND18.000 trillion compared to 2023.

Vo Thu
Professor Tran Trung Dung is transforming outcomes for bone cancer patients with 3D printing - rebuilding lost bone structures and restoring lives. Photo: TK

3D printing: A lifeline for bone cancer patients

Bone cancer, especially in complex locations like the pelvis or femur, has long meant one grim outcome: limb removal. While this choice may save a life, it leaves a deep and lifelong wound - physically and emotionally.

In recent years, the global medical community has introduced patient-specific metal implants to reconstruct lost bone structures. However, their exorbitant costs have made them inaccessible to most patients. In Vietnam, bone reconstruction remained nearly impossible until the advent of 3D printing.

At Vinmec, Professor Tran Trung Dung and his team have turned this impossibility into reality. Through a convergence of orthopedic surgery, biomedical technology, and simulation engineering, they have mastered the use of personalized 3D-printed implants for some of the most complex bone cancer cases. Using CT and MRI scans, they create detailed 3D bone models and design implants that perfectly fit each patients anatomy.

In one case, a patient diagnosed with pelvic bone cancer faced a future of permanent disability. The medical team collected imaging data, simulated the damaged bone structure, and designed an implant to replace the entire affected area. The surgery - removing the tumor, reconstructing, and implanting the 3D-printed part - was a success. Two years later, the patient walks, moves well, and has had no major complications.

Another patient had nearly the entire femur removed due to cancer. Vinmec rebuilt the femur with a 3D-printed model, restoring the structural support of the leg and long-term mobility. Cases that once left doctors helpless now stand as milestones in Vietnams medical advancement.

The key to this success lies in the on-site design lab model. A 3D printing lab at VinUni allows doctors and engineers to collaborate within the hospital setting. While doctors bring surgical and anatomical insight, engineers contribute expertise in materials, structure, and simulation. This real-time coordination results in implants with exceptional precision, tailored for optimal surgical integration.

This interdisciplinary model places Vietnam closer to the worlds top medical centers - and more importantly, gives patients the chance to heal not with loss, but with restoration.

Why does the world pay $60,000 while Vietnam can still deliver?

Despite its promise, 3D printing in medicine faces one major barrier: cost. In the U.S. and Europe, a 3D-printed implant for bone reconstruction can cost between $30,000 and $60,000 - well beyond the means of most patients, even those with commercial insurance.

In Vietnam, the challenge is greater. Patients often depend entirely on charitable funding, as the national health insurance system currently lacks a legal framework to reimburse 3D-printed implants.

How then is Vietnam able to offer these life-changing surgeries at a fraction of the cost? According to Professor Tran Trung Dung, the cost of 3D implants depends on three factors: design time, production scale, and technological readiness. Vietnam is innovating on all three fronts.

First, AI has drastically reduced design time. What used to take two to seven days for an engineer now takes under two hours - and sometimes just one for simpler designs. Shorter design time also means lower labor costs, which are among the highest in the production chain.

Second, Vinmec is launching a cross-hospital network to design and print multiple implants in a single batch. Since 3D printing has fixed costs for materials, machine wear, and operation - regardless of whether one or 20 implants are made - printing in bulk significantly reduces the unit cost.

Third, in-house design labs within hospitals improve efficiency and cut operational costs. Doctors and engineers can complete the entire designsimulationtesting process without relying on costly foreign services. This means a 3D implant in Vietnam can be produced at a fraction of the cost of its European equivalent.

Moreover, international partnerships with Japan and South Korea enable Vinmec to access cutting-edge technology, standardize processes, and train specialized engineers. Over time, this will form a sustainable, high-quality 3D design ecosystem at an affordable price.

Still, for this solution to scale, Professor Dung emphasizes the urgent need for a legal framework. If health insurance could cover part or all of the 3D implant costs, more patients could access this technology without relying solely on charitable funds. This is crucial if 3D printing is to move from being a rare lifeline to becoming a new standard in bone cancer treatment.

Mastering the technology and expanding across the region

By mastering the full chain of 3D printing - from diagnostics, simulation, and design to manufacturing and surgery - Vietnam is cementing its place on the regional map of medical innovation. This technology not only serves local patients but has the potential to export both knowledge and medical products.

Under its new strategy, Vinmec plans to expand its hospital network across Southeast Asia. This is more than a market move - its a chance to bring 3D-printed implants to regional patients who need them most, in areas where international healthcare is still prohibitively expensive.

Beyond bone cancer, 3D medical printing can also serve trauma-induced bone loss, congenital deformities, complex joint replacements, and even produce anatomical models for surgical planning and training. All of this moves Vietnamese healthcare closer to international standards - and strengthens Vietnams position on the global biomedical technology map.

Thai Khang
Delegates reviewed the 2025 self-assessment report by the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense, along with reports on the militarys emulation and commendation activities for 2025 and targets for 2026.

The meeting also examined performance across multiple areas of work and reviewed key tasks handled by the Commission during the second half of the year.

Notably, participants discussed a proposal to revise Government Decree No. 06, which outlines the highest military ranks - Lieutenant General, Rear Admiral, Major General, and Commodore - in the Vietnam Peoples Army and Navy.

General Phan Van Giang praised the quality of the reports and urged relevant agencies to incorporate feedback from the meeting, finalizing the documents in accordance with regulatory standards.

2026: The starting point of Vietnams modern military vision

The year 2026 will mark the first year of implementing resolutions set by the 12th Congress of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Peoples Army and the 14th National Party Congress. The armed forces are entering a critical phase to realize the long-term goal of building a modern military.

To this end, the military must intensify strategic research and forecasting, and provide timely policy advice to the Party and State on military and national defense strategies.

Efforts must also be directed toward developing military doctrine and strategy to meet evolving demands in safeguarding national sovereignty.

The army will continue improving overall quality and combat readiness by streamlining force structures for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Crucially, it will propose the establishment of new military units and ensure sufficient weapons and equipment to support modernization goals.

Focus areas: Foreign defense policy, defense industry, and land management

Vietnams defense diplomacy will continue expanding, with practical and effective bilateral and multilateral engagement aimed at strengthening strategic trust.

The armed forces will ensure timely and adequate logistical and technical support for all missions. Simultaneously, various projects and initiatives will be rolled out to gradually export defense products in Vietnams areas of strength.

General Phan Van Giang emphasized that in 2026, the government will launch several nationally significant infrastructure projects with dual-use value for economic growth and national defense.

Military units must proactively manage and oversee defense land, especially in areas slated for expressways, high-speed railways, or socio-economic projects requiring military land access.

Defense authorities are tasked with researching and proposing suitable land-use plans that balance development needs with military readiness.

Tran Thuong
By the end of October, total export turnover to China reached nearly USD 3.15 billion, up 13.6% from the same period in 2024. This accounted for a dominant 94.4% share of Vietnams total durian exports.

Alongside China, other markets also posted significant growth. Exports to Hong Kong (China) rose by nearly 88.6%, hitting USD 45.3 million. Meanwhile, exports to Malaysia skyrocketed by nearly 470%, albeit from a smaller base.

According to leaders of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, despite technical barriers in China, Vietnams durian industry continues to grow thanks to improved quality and competitive pricing.

Over the first 10 months of 2025, the average export price of Vietnamese durian was USD 3,696 per ton - 15% lower than Thai durian. Furthermore, Vietnam enjoys the advantage of shorter transport times, which helps maintain freshness upon arrival in China.

Industry experts predict that durian exports could reach USD 4 billion this year. As of November, estimates show the figure has already climbed to USD 3.7 billion.

Currently, the durian harvest season in the Central Highlands has nearly ended, while in the Mekong Delta, the off-season crop has just begun and will last through May 2026.

Whats notable is that Vietnam is now almost the only country supplying durians for export to China at this time. This scarcity is driving prices upward and keeping them at historically high levels.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Huynh Tan Loc, Director of the Ngu Hiep Durian Cooperative in Dong Thap, confirmed rising prices. Currently, Monthong durian is being bought at orchards for USD 4.104.30/kg, while Ri6 durian is priced at USD 2.252.45/kg.

The Mekong Deltas off-season durian crop began harvesting a month ago, but supply remains limited, which keeps prices elevated, he explained.

Around Lunar New Year 2025, Monthong durian prices surged to USD 7/kg, while Ri6 reached USD 4.10/kg.

Though prices this year arent as high, the crop is abundant, with yields estimated at 1520 tons per hectare - some orchards even reaching 25 tons.

For durian growers, a farm-gate price above USD 2/kg ensures profit. So, at current prices, Monthong farmers are earning substantial returns, said Loc.

The Ngu Hiep Cooperative currently purchases 12 containers (1840 tons) of durian daily for packaging and export to China. The volume, according to Loc, depends on both Chinese demand and harvest output.

Tam An
In 2024, Vietnam surveyed students from 152 primary schools in 53 provinces and cities, involving 152 school principals, 1,074 fifth-grade teachers, around 6,000 students, and 6,000 parents.

The results show that Vietnamese fifth graders once again achieved the highest average scores in both reading and mathematics across the region.

Vietnamese students scored an average of 323.5 in reading, slightly down by 3.86% compared to the 2019 cycle. In mathematics, they scored 334.6 on average - a minor decrease of 1.99% from the previous cycle.

High proficiency rates surpass regional averages

In 2024, 66% of Vietnamese fifth graders reached high proficiency levels in reading - well above the regional average of 40%. For mathematics, the figure was even more impressive, with 88% of students achieving high proficiency, compared to the regional average of 36%.

Vietnam also led in the proportion of students meeting minimum proficiency benchmarks aligned with the UNs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 86% in reading and 95% in mathematics.

Education Ministry praises data value and regional cooperation

Permanent Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong emphasized that the success of the 20212025 strategic education plan, including SEA-PLM 2024 participation, reflects Vietnams commitment to regional cooperation and educational quality.

He praised the value of the SEA-PLM 2024 data and report, calling it a vital tool for Vietnam and other countries in designing and implementing education strategies and policies.

Vietnam is entering a new development era marked by deep integration, innovation, and comprehensive digital transformation, Thuong stated. Our education system is being prioritized through strategic direction and breakthrough solutions to improve both quality and equity. Valuable results from regional and international assessments will guide our efforts to reform teaching and student evaluation practices, enhancing quality and global competitiveness.

Thanh Hung
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 5 chaired a government meeting to review and provide guidance on the national proposal for establishing free trade zones, a move seen as critical for shaping Vietnams next wave of economic reform.

The proposal, developed by the Ministry of Finance, outlines legal, political, and practical foundations for the initiative. Discussions focused on development goals, establishment criteria, operating models, legal frameworks, incentive policies, and management structures unique to free trade zones.

Globally, more than 7,000 special economic and free trade zones are in operation. They play an increasingly vital role in economic development strategies, especially in emerging and developing nations.

Today, the free trade zone model has expanded to become multi-functional ecosystems incorporating industry, urban living, services, finance, hi-tech, and innovation hubs - all designed to mobilize maximum resources for growth.

Vietnams legal gap and the need for a new economic engine

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at a Government Standing Committee meeting. Photo: Nhat Bac

Currently, Vietnamese law lacks specific regulations for managing and operating free trade zones. While the National Assembly has issued resolutions piloting some special mechanisms for the development of Da Nang and Hai Phong, a fully articulated legal framework for free trade zones is still missing.

Therefore, building a concrete proposal is now seen as urgent and essential. According to the Ministry of Finance, it aims to serve as both a political mandate and a foundation to formalize and standardize national legal policies on free trade zones.

Ultimately, these zones will become experimental grounds for policy innovation and catalysts for growth - modern economic spaces governed by international standards.

Roadmap to 2045: Vietnams vision for free trade zones

The Ministry of Finance projects that by 2026, the first free trade zones will be launched in Da Nang, Hai Phong, and Ho Chi Minh City. By 2030, Vietnam could have 68 zones or similar models in strategically advantageous provinces. By 2045, the goal is to establish 810 internationally competitive free trade zones contributing 1520% of national GDP.

Concluding the session, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that although the concept is new to Vietnam, the approach must be feasible and yield tangible results.

He stressed that the primary goal is to test new policies that serve both short-term needs and long-term national strategies - including the two centennial development goals.

The Prime Minister called for a clear definition of what constitutes a free trade zone, especially how it differs from an international commercial center. He urged policymakers to creatively and flexibly apply existing regulations while crafting new, targeted mechanisms for each type of zone.

Site selection for pilot zones must be regionally balanced and time-bound to allow for performance evaluation, he added.

International lessons, local relevance

PM Chinh directed government bodies to consult international best practices but adapt them to Vietnams unique conditions. He urged the creation of tailored, breakthrough, and competitive policies that would not destabilize the broader investment environment.

The policies must combine universal guidelines with local-specific provisions, applicable across regions with varying strengths.

He also outlined a detailed roadmap: turning the political commitment into action plans, zoning regulations, infrastructure development, resource attraction, hi-tech applications, smart governance, and workforce training. All while ensuring social welfare, environmental sustainability, and cultural modernity in the pilot areas.

On the same day, the Prime Minister also chaired a separate session discussing policy proposals to develop a national oil refining and energy center at the Dung Quat Economic Zone in Quang Ngai.

Tran Thuong
HCM CITY  The clear recovery of the tourism industry, the deceleration of future accommodation supply, and increasing demand for high-end products are helping to bolster investor confidence in the hotel sector, according to the Vietnam Hotel Investment Guide 2025.

The in-depth publication is built upon Savills Hotels proprietary market data combined with legal and investment analysis from international law firm Watson Farley & Williams, providing a comprehensive overview of the local resort market and hotel investment landscape amidst a strong recovery of the tourism industry.

The report highlights the continued expansion of tourism demand, with the domestic market maintaining impressive growth and the international market recovering strongly, particularly from Asian source markets such as the Republic of Korea, China, India, and Taiwan (China).

South Korea and China currently account for 47 per cent of total international arrivals to Viet Nam, while the Indian market has surged by 40 per cent year-on-year, becoming one of the fastest-growing source markets.

As of the end of the third quarter of this year, Viet Nam recorded more than 192,000 hotel rooms in the mid-range to luxury segment, representing an average growth of 10.9 per cent per year over the past decade.

Around 60 per cent of hotel rooms are concentrated in coastal destinations, reflecting the robust development of the resort model.

Key markets such as a Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc have all recorded significant performance improvements. Many resorts in a Nang and Nha Trang achieved occupancy levels of over 70-75 per cent, while Phu Quoc recorded impressive growth of 10-15 per cent compared to the previous year.

Domestic developers continue to dominate, holding 90 per cent of total existing supply. Notably, 68 per cent of hotels are owner-operated, opening up significant opportunities for upgrading, repositioning, or collaborating with international brands.

The number of international brands in Viet Nam is expected to increase from 90 to over 130 in the next three years.

Beyond transactions involving operating assets, the search for coastal land banks and assets with repositioning potential continues to attract interest from domestic and foreign investors. The upscale-luxury and branded residences segments are the product groups with the strongest investment demand.

Major infrastructure projects such as Long Thanh International Airport, the expansion of Noi Bai International Airport, Gia Binh Airport, and the North-South Expressway system are contributing to enhanced inter-regional connectivity.

These developments create a solid foundation for tourism growth and reinforce the long-term prospects of the hotel market.

Mauro Gasparotti, senior director and head of SE Asia at Savills Hotels, said: Viet Nam is gradually affirming its position as one of the preferred destinations for Asian travelers. Local tourism and accommodation products are becoming increasingly diverse, with the appearance of many new hotel brands across various segments catering to different market demographics.

With a stronger demand base and increasing readiness for more diverse products, particularly in HCM City and Ha Noi, it is also becoming more attractive to foreign investors seeking opportunistic investments, he said.

Lada Shelkovnikova, Partner of Hotels & Hospitality group at Watson Farley & Williams, said: Viet Nams hospitality market continues to show exceptional potential, driven by strong domestic tourism, a fast-growing middle class and the Governments increasing commitment to expanding tourism infrastructure. These fundamentals create compelling opportunities for investors seeking scalable, resilient growth.

In 2024, Viet Nam welcomed 17.6 million international visitors and continued this momentum in the first ten months of 2025 with 17.2 million arrivals. The countrys target is 25 million by year-end.  VNS
HA NOI  Starting January 5, 2026, banks in Viet Nam will be required to verify biometric information from customers when issuing new cards.

The move follows the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)'s Circular 45/2025/TT-NHNN issued on November 19, 2025, which amends and supplements a number of articles in Circular 18/2024/TT-NHNN on bank card activities. The new 16-article circular introduces several key changes related to card issuance and usage. The circular mandates that card issuers must conduct a face-to-face meeting and match the biometric data of individual customers or the legal representative of institutional customers with their identity documents.

Crucially, cards can only be used for electronic transactions after the successful verification and biometric authentication of the cardholder or the legal representative. This verification must use biometric data stored on the chip component of the Citizen ID Card. Data verified via the electronic identification account established by the national electronic identification and authentication system.

For cases where the customer registers for services on an online banking application, the issuer must also verify that the registered phone number belongs to the cardholder or the legal representative.

The circular also clarifies rules for institutional customers, requiring the organisation to provide written authorisation for an individual to use the organisation's card. This individual will be designated as a supplementary cardholder.

Regarding credit cards, the new regulation imposes a limit on the total monthly cash withdrawal amount per cardholder, which must not exceed VN100 million (US$3,800) across all credit cards issued under the same BIN (Bank Identification Number).

The SBV also eased residency requirements for foreign individuals. Foreigners are no longer required to have a residency period of 12 months (360 days) or more to apply for a card. Instead, the card's usage period will be limited to the foreigner's remaining legal residency period in Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  The Dragon Capital Vietfund Management Joint Stock Company (DCVFM) has registered to list its shares on the Vietnamese Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM).

According to a resolution of the companys Board of Directors released early this week, the company has approved the centralised depository registration of its shares at the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation (VSD) and registration of stock trading on UPCoM.

Dragon Capital will put all 31.2 million outstanding shares on UPCoM. The closing date for the list of shareholders to register at VSD and register for trading is December 4, 2025.

Dragon Capital, which was established in July 2003 and formerly known as Vietnam Investment Fund Management Joint Stock Company (VietFund Management  VFM), is the first fund management company specialising in domestic fund management in Viet Nam. The companys founding shareholders include Dragon Capital Management (under Dragon Capital) and Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Sacombank).

DCVFM's shareholders currently include two Dragon Capital Group entities, Dragon Capital Markets (Europe) Limited holding 48 per cent and Dragon Capital Management (HK) Limited holding 39.95 per cent; along with DRE SPC holding 4.81 per cent.

The group of individual shareholders holds the remaining 7.24 per cent of the companys charter capital.

As of May 2025, Dragon Capital consulted and managed total assets of about VN128 trillion (US$4.9 billion). The company currently has more than 200 employees from eight countries, providing a diverse portfolio of investment products and services to both domestic and foreign investors.

Dominic Scriven is chairman of the Board of Directors of Dragon Capital and the director of Dragon Capital Group since 1994. He currently owns 210,750 shares, equivalent to 0.675 per cent of the company's charter capital.

DCVFM last year brought in more than VN1.06 trillion in revenue, up 4 per cent compared to the previous year and pre-tax profit of nearly VN297 billion, down 20 per cent. In the first six months of 2025, the company recorded pre-tax profit of VN69.86 billion, down 60 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Hanoi Venture Capital Fund (HVCF) is set to be officially launched on December 22, promising to become a powerful financial driver that will foster the capital's innovation ecosystem.

This information was highlighted following an important meeting held on Thursday chaired by vice chairman of Ha Noi People's Committee Truong Viet Dung, with the participation of contributing investors.

The fund will be established under a business contractual co-operation (BCC) with no legal status, operating on market principles and accepting risks to promote innovation.

Fund objectives include investing in and supporting high-tech businesses, science and technology enterprises and innovative start-ups, promoting the commercialisation of scientific and technological products and creating momentum for the capital's innovation ecosystem.

Funding sources for the HVCF include charter capital from the citys budget, which is capped at VN600 billion (US$23 million) and no more than 49 per cent of the charter capital, along with contributions from investors, mobilisation, sponsorship and other legal sources.

The fund will operate on a pilot basis for up to 10 years, aiming to become a financial boost for regional technology projects, contributing to positioning Ha Noi as the countrys innovation centre.

Dung said that the city's venture capital activities could not be limited to a few areas, but must cover key science and technology pillars such as education, biomedical science, healthcare, transportation and smart cities.

He also confirmed that the funds model would operate according to international standards, with transparency, adherence to market principles and shared risk-taking with professional investors.

Ha Noi plans to participate in the fund with a maximum of six investors to ensure effective governance.

The vice chairman said that the amount of contributed capital is not what matters. What's important is the unity and consensus to create value and step into a new phase of development with significant changes, he noted.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam's steadily expanding economy and rising consumer purchasing power are setting the stage for a strong rebound in the toys and maternal/infant products sector, with industry players preparing for the largest and most comprehensive gathering of the year: the Vietnam International Baby Products and Toys Expo (IBTE) 2025.

The event will take place from 18-20 December at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City.

This year, IBTE will broaden its footprint to more than 10,000 square metres, featuring over 500 booths and more than 250 participating enterprises.

Organised by CHAOYU EXPO and VINEXAD, the expo continues to receive strong support from influential institutions, including the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Association of Vietnam Retailers, the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Vietnam E-commerce Association.

The expo is expected to welcome around 40,000 visitors, with organisers emphasising that the expanded scale reflects both the sector's resilience and increasing international interest in Viet Nam's fast-growing consumer market.

A diverse series of industry-driven activities will be held throughout the exhibition, including forums, panel discussions, B2B matching sessions and curated VIP buyer tours.

With participation from association leaders, market experts and senior representatives from leading companies, these events will provide in-depth perspectives on evolving consumer behaviour, investment opportunities and long-term development directions for the toys and maternal/infant products sector.

One of the highlights will be the participation of the Asian Toys and Baby Products Association Alliance, which will send buyer delegations to engage directly with exhibitors. These meetings will help strengthen business links and unlock cross-border opportunities across Asias expanding toy and baby care supply chains.

Several leading brands, including Hayidai, Kimmon, Dongguan XiaoChaiZhenBang Cultural and Creative Co. and Dongguan Suamoon Creative Industry Co., are expected to launch new products and unveil limited edition collections exclusively at the event.

IBTE has rapidly advanced as a key marketplace for global and domestic brands. The 2024 edition welcomed nearly 200 enterprises across 500 booths and drew more than 42,700 visitors from over 20 countries and territories.  BIZHUB/VNS
HA NOI  The Hanoi Support Centre for Enterprise and Investment Promotion (SCE) in coordination with the Ha Noi Department of Finance, held a seminar on corporate taxation on December 5 to help businesses in the capital adapt to ongoing tax reforms and an evolving investment environment.

In her opening remarks, Nghiem Thi Hoang Anh, deputy director of the centre, said that Ha Noi is vigorously implementing its breakthrough strategy to improve the investment climate.

At the same time, Viet Nams tax sector is carrying out the tax reform strategy to 2030, targeting a modern, streamlined and transparent tax system.

These significant policy shifts, along with ongoing amendments to the Corporate Income Tax Law, the Value-Added Tax Law, and the increasing use of big data in digital tax administration, are directly affecting the production and business operations of enterprises in Ha Noi.

According to Hoang Anh, the seminar aims to clarify major changes in tax policy, analyse common compliance challenges faced by businesses, and identify practical solutions to help reduce compliance costs, take advantage of incentives under the 2024 Capital Law, and support sustainable growth.

Ha Noi always stands by its business community, providing the most favourable conditions for their development. Beyond policy-making, the city places strong emphasis on implementation support, as seen in the 60-day digital transformation campaign of the Ha Noi Tax Department, she said.

She also expressed hope that the seminar would help identify existing bottlenecks that hinder businesses and provide key solutions to ensure more efficient, sustainable development and stronger competitiveness for enterprises in the capital.

During the seminar, experts and policymakers examined major changes in tax regulations and new requirements for businesses.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Xuan Truong, head of the Taxation and Customs Department at the Academy of Finance, outlined current trends in tax reform and essential updates in corporate tax systems.

He said that businesses must adopt modern tax management practices and proactively review their operations to comply with new regulatory standards.

Nguyen Thi Cuc, chairwoman of the Vietnam Tax Consultants Association, detailed the risks and common violations encountered by Ha Noi enterprises from deductible expenses and e-invoices to documentation for tax refunds.

She noted that many risks can be minimised if businesses build structured tax documentation systems and operate with a preventive mindset.

Representing the Ha Noi Tax Department, Tran Quang Hung shared that the city is implementing multiple support measures, including adopting risk-based tax management models, reducing compliance inspection pressure on businesses, and enhancing digitalisation in tax reception, processing, and taxpayer services.

At the seminar, a discussion focused on key challenges and solutions, including tax-related barriers that increase compliance costs; the readiness of businesses for major changes in tax laws and digital tax administration; solutions to reduce compliance costs both from regulatory reforms and through enterprise technology adoption; and the role of tax policy in creating a transparent investment environment under the 2024 Capital Law.

Speakers agreed on several policy recommendations to submit to authorities. These include streamlining procedures related to deductible expenses and tax refunds, making tax risk criteria publicly available, and increasing incentives for technology and innovation-driven enterprises.

The seminar is expected to generate a positive relationship between tax authorities and businesses, contributing to the development of a friendly, efficient and stable tax system.

It also underscores Ha Nois determination to build a transparent and competitive investment environment, laying a solid foundation for sustainable enterprise development in the 2025-30 period.  VNS
HA NOI  Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Le Minh Hoan on Friday urged Samsung to continue expanding its operations and investment projects, enhance localisation in production, promote technology transfer in Viet Nam.

Receiving Park Soon Cheol, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Samsung Electronics, in Ha Noi, Hoan recognised Samsungs position and role as one of the largest foreign investors in Viet Nam. He welcomed all projects and activities of the Republic of Korea (RoK)s group, noting their positive contributions to job creation, technology transfer, export growth, and sustainable economic development in the country.

Affirming that Samsung, with its formation history and impressive development, serves as an inspiring model for Vietnamese enterprises, the NA Vice Chairman urged the group to help train high-quality human resources and raise the number of Vietnamese firms participating in the global component supply chain.

He also expressed his hope that the strong Viet NamRoK partnership will continue to support and drive Viet Nams development in the years ahead.

Park told the host that over the past 17 years, Samsung Vietnam has successfully implemented numerous high-tech projects, operated six manufacturing entities, one research and development institute, and one sales entity, while continuously maintaining impressive revenues, reaffirming its position as a leading FDI enterprise in Viet Nam.

Since 2015, Samsung has cooperated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the provincial and municipal Departments of Industry and Trade to implement various programmes supporting Vietnamese enterprises, such as the smart factory development project, and supporting industry exhibitions. Several initiatives are also being carried out at the National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Finance, including the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) talent development programme.

He emphasised that Samsungs stable growth in Viet Nam is the result of strong support from the Vietnamese Government, NA, ministries, agencies and localities via improving the investment and business environment.

With Viet Nams favourable investment climate and ecosystem for increasing localisation and developing supporting industries, Park affirmed that Samsung will continue to step up its efforts to help enhance the capacity of Vietnamese firms and stands ready to support their deeper participation in the global supply chain.  VNA/VNS
BRUSSELS  As part of efforts to expand cooperation and promote its potential, a delegation from the northern port city of Hai Phong, led by Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Tien Chau, has paid a working visit to Antwerp, Belgium  one of Europes leading logistics hubs.

Hai Phong and Antwerp  two port cities of strategic importance in Southeast Asia and Europe, respectively  share many notable similarities, as both serve as gateways for imports and exports, handle enormous volumes of cargo each year, and function as major logistics hubs for vast economic regions.

Hai Phong, with its Lach Huyen  inh Vu  Cat Hai port system, has become the largest port in northern Viet Nam and one of the largest in Southeast Asia, offering convenient connections to Northeast Asian markets through multiple modes of transport. Meanwhile, Antwerp-Bruges  Europes second-largest port  leads in handling chemical products and automobiles, processes up to 290 million tonnes of cargo and more than 10 million TEUs annually, and provides deep connections into Europes inland transport network.

On Thursday, local businesses and government agencies attended a seminar on exploring new-generation investment destinations in Hai Phong.

Chau affirmed that Hai Phong always views the success of businesses as the key gauge of administration performance, and considers their goals and challenges as its own responsibility. He stressed the citys commitment to accompanying foreign investors and creating the most favourable conditions for them to operate with confidence and achieve long-term, sustainable growth.

From the business perspective, Bruno Jaspaert, CEO at DEEP C Industrial Zones and Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), highlighted the strong advantages European companies can gain when shifting operations to Hai Phong.

According to him, the appeal lies not only in the robust support from local authorities but also in a comprehensive package of investor incentives, including tax benefits and the development of a local free trade zone. Bruno described Hai Phong as a strategic gateway for northern Viet Nam, mirroring Antwerps role in Europe  a place where raw materials enter and finished products exit, connecting to vast markets beyond.

Nabilla Ait Daoud, Antwerps Vice Mayor in charge of education and socio-economic affairs, expressed her desire to strengthen cooperation with Hai Phong and emphasised the 28-year partnership between the city and the DEEP C industrial Zones. She praised the collaboration among ACKERMANS & VAN HAAREN, DEEP C and Hai Phong, describing it as clear evidence of the potential for sustainable development built on a foundation of trusted economic ties.

During the seminar, leaders of the Hai Phong Party Committee and the DEEP C Industrial Zones exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding, marking a new step forward in efforts to attract strategic investment.

With its exceptional seaport position, increasingly modern industrial infrastructure and open policies, Hai Phong is asserting itself as a promising destination for European investors looking to expand into Asia.  VNA/VNS
QUANG TRI  Quang Tri is fast emerging as a standout destination for caravan tourism, drawing keen interest from travel businesses in Laos and Thailand thanks to its renowned landscapes, diverse tourism products and strategic position on the EastWest Economic Corridor.

With its blend of sea, forest, culture and history within short travel distances, the central province is using its natural advantages to position itself as a regional hub for self-driving travellers. To showcase this potential, the Quang Tri Tourism Association has organised a Caravan Famtrip for travel businesses from Laos, Thailand and other international partners. Running from November 2528, the trip gives participants a closer look at Quang Tris rich heritage while deepening tourism links across the region.

The programme, which surveys the Quang Tri  Laos  Thailand route, has received strong feedback from international operators who praised the provinces growing appeal following its merger. Insights from the Thailand  Laos Famtrip delegation, coupled with commitments from local enterprises to enhance accommodation and services, signal promising growth for cross-border road tourism.

During their journey, delegation members said they were impressed by the provinces wide range of attractions, including the beaches of Cua Tung and Cua Viet, historical and cultural landmarks and convenient links to the Phong Nha  Ke Bang World Natural Heritage site. Many highlighted Quang Tris rare ability to offer varied experiences in a compact area.

A key advantage is the provinces position along the EastWest Economic Corridor, described by tourism operators as a strategic asset for caravan development. The Lao Bao and Cha Lo border gates allow self-driving tourists from Laos and Thailand to easily reach Quang Tri and continue to major destinations such as Phong Nha, Hue and a Nang.

"Quang Tri offers everything caravans seek: convenient transit, stunning landscapes and diverse experiences," said a Thai business representative.

Lao travel companies also see strong potential in developing tours centred on the regions sea, cave and cultural routes, which align with the rising popularity of self-driving travel. Their assessments reinforce the view that Quang Tri is well placed to become a caravan hub.

oan Xuan Tien, Chairman of oan Gia Group, noted that Lao and Thai partners have set high requirements for accommodation, from room quality and parking capacity to services tailored specifically to caravan groups.

"These standards exceed those for regular guests, but we are prepared to meet them because the caravan route holds great promise for the future," Tien said.

In response, oan Gia Resort Phong Nha has standardised services, prioritised room allocations, expanded parking areas and developed dedicated packages covering accommodation, dining, laundry and technical support. Flexible pricing and additional staffing during peak periods are also in place to ensure smooth operations.

We aim to establish a product of reception  service  operation of the caravan that meets international standards, enhancing our ability to attract and retain caravan guests in the future, Tien said.

From a regional perspective, businesses see substantial potential for deeper cooperation among Vietnamese, Lao and Thai tourism enterprises. Such collaboration could create a steady customer base and build a cross-border ecosystem for caravan services, encouraging investment in transport, accommodation and distinctive experiences along the 'one journey - three experiences' route.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, Chairman of the Quang Tri Tourism Association, said the association will assist local businesses in standardising services, strengthening human resource training and establishing rapid coordination mechanisms across the three countries to attract more self-driving tourists. With strong local commitment and positive assessments from Laos and Thailand, caravans are emerging as a strategic pathway for the future of Quang Tri tourism. VNS
HA NOI  An exhibition showcasing over 200 selected watercolours from the 20-year artistic journey of Polish-Vietnamese artist Minh am will be held at the Temple of Literature special relic site starting on December 9.

The exhibition, titled Danh Tinh Hinh Thanh (Acquired Identity), is part of a series of activities celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and Viet Nam. It is jointly held by the Temple of Literature, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ha Noi and Nhau Studio.

According to the organisers, Acquired Identity is an artistic reflection on the experience of living between two cultures, Vietnamese and Polish. The exhibition presents works inspired by the artists birthplace, Viet Nam, and by his adult life in Poland, where he has lived for more than thirty years.

It is a personal journey taking visitors through themes of belonging, distance, memory and reconnection, telling the story of returning to ones roots while also growing new ones.

The artworks offer a deep and multidimensional perspective, exploring the immigrant experience, from the early sense of unfamiliarity and the struggle to find ones place to the realisation that multicultural identity can become a source of strength rather than a burden.

"There was a time when being multicultural felt like living between two worlds and not fully belonging anywhere. Today I see it as a bridge that helps me understand others, connect across cultures and understand myself more clearly," the artist said.

The layout and lighting will be designed to create special effects that establish two distinct emotional spaces  Poland, with cold, nostalgic sentiment and Viet Nam, with warm, familiar emotion  guiding viewers on a journey to discover the artist's identity.

In particular, the exhibition will open with performances by OSP Nadarzyn Orchestra, considered one of the best brass bands in Poland and around the world.

It will also include a workshop, an art talk, an artist tour and an online painting competition, providing the public with direct interaction with the artist and allowing participants to explore watercolour techniques.

The Acquired Identity exhibition will run until December 26.

Born in Ha Noi, Minh emigrated to Poland with his parents at the age of seven.

He graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology, earning his master's degree in 2011.

Minh began his journey with watercolour in 2004, and since 2007, he has also been teaching, focusing primarily on this medium.

As a co-founder of the Polish Watercolor Society and a dedicated advocate of watercolour art, Minh has played a key role in shaping a new generation of watercolour artists.

He has conducted numerous workshops and participated in international exhibitions across more than 30 countries, including Italy, the US, France, Australia, China, Mexico, South Korea and Thailand.

His work has earned multiple prestigious awards in international competitions, and his solo exhibitions have been held in both Poland and Viet Nam.

My paintings are all about stories and feelings. I'm searching for solutions to tell my own tale from the past or the vision for the future. Sometimes motives are related to places I have visited or people around me and their identity, he said.

Minh currently lives in his hometown of Ha Noi, where he is a guest lecturer at the University of Architecture. At the same time, he travels the world, leading painting workshops and sharing his knowledge and experience with artists and art enthusiasts.

Founded by musical director Mirosaw Chilmanowicz in 1998, OSP Nadarzyn Orchestra has toured many countries around the world, including Italy, Germany, China, Malaysia, Singapore and the US.

The orchestra first performed in Viet Nam at the 2014 Hue Festival, and has been awarded a 'Service to Polish Culture' medal by the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage in 2008.  VNS
PARIS  A seminar on Viet NamFrance cinema cooperation was held on December 4 at the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in Paris, attracting Vietnamese and French filmmakers, artists and critics operating in the fields of film creation, production and distribution.

The event was co-organised by the Viet Nam Film Development Association (VFDA), the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global), and the Vietnamese Embassy in France.

Opening the seminar, Vietnamese Ambassador to France inh Toan Thang said cultural exchanges between the two countries have flourished in recent years, and cinema has become an increasingly dynamic field of cooperation. Both sides are seeking partnerships that are more effective, far-reaching and beneficial to the development of each nations film industry, he said.

Mathieu Ripka, General Representative of Frances Civil Society of Authors, Directors and Producers (ARP), expressed his optimism about future collaboration, suggesting that one day a Viet NamFrance co-production could even represent France at the Oscars. With a large Vietnamese community in France and many French of Vietnamese origin, the two countries share deep cultural ties that naturally foster collaboration, he said.

VFDA Chairwoman Ngo Phuong Lan highlighted 2025 as a breakthrough year for Vietnamese cinema, marked by rising domestic market share and increasing visibility of young and independent Vietnamese filmmakers at international festivals.

She stressed that Viet Nam's vibrant creative environment and strong box-office momentum are drawing both local and foreign investors to explore projects in the country. She expressed her hope that 2026 would see more concrete and impactful outcomes in Viet NamFrance cooperation.

Young director Le Binh Giang said French cinema remains a major source of inspiration, adding that he hopes to learn from French filmmakers and collaborate with film funds in France. Joint initiatives would not only strengthen the film industries of both countries but also help promote Vietnamese culture, tourism and national identity abroad, he said.

Proposing measures to enhance cooperation, Ripka said the two sides should expand collaboration in film distribution to bring French films to Viet Nam and Vietnamese films to French audiences.

He also suggested exploring partnerships in cinema operations, an area in which France has extensive experience and a strong nationwide theatre network.

The seminar was part of Viet Nam Film Week  The Journey of Light, a week-long celebration held at Le Grand Rex, Europes largest cinema and a cultural icon of Paris.

The programme features 17 acclaimed Vietnamese films, training activities and discussions on co-production opportunities aimed at strengthening connections, improving quality and expanding the global reach of Vietnamese cinema.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The faithful friendship, close cooperation across many fields and deep people-to-people ties between Viet Nam and Cuba are highlighted in an exhibition titled Nghia Tinh Thuy Chung (Everlasting Friendship) at the Vietnamese Womens Museum in Ha Noi.

Addressing the event's opening ceremony on December 5, Director of the museum Nguyen Thi Tuyet said the exhibition commemorates 65 years of Viet Nam  Cuba diplomatic relations and highlights the museum's role as a cultural bridge promoting friendship, solidarity and revolutionary traditions. Through stories, photographs and long-preserved keepsakes, the exhibition recalls the profound bond between the two nations.

"The exhibition aspires to narrate, in a manner both modest and deeply meaningful, the 65-year history of steadfast affection between our two fraternal nations," Tuyet said.

"Everlasting Friendship is embodied not only in historic diplomatic milestones, but also in every day, heartfelt narratives preserved through photographs, personal mementos, and cherished objects that have accompanied their owners for decades."

Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes described the display as a tribute to the historic relationship cherished by generations of leaders and peoples of both countries.

He highlighted the contributions by heroines from the countries, including Cuban revolutionary Melba Hernandez and Vietnamese general Nguyen Thi inh, vice commander-in-chief of the South Viet Nam Armed Forces, whose legacies remain vivid symbols of the exemplary bilateral solidarity.

"The exhibition is a profound tribute to the historic and unwavering bonds between our two nations  bonds that have been carefully nurtured across generations, preserved as a priceless legacy and remain a shining example of international solidarity," said Fuentes.

"Photographs, posters and artifacts on display reflect milestones and memorable moments that have defined the enduring brotherhood between Viet Nam and Cuba."

He added that the exhibition formed part of a broader programme of activities marking Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Year 2025  a year distinguished not only by commemorations of the shared history but also by vibrant exchanges across political, economic, social, cultural and investment spheres.

Featuring more than 200 photos, documents and artefacts, the exhibition is divided into four sections.

Under One Flag introduces similarities between the two countries and the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1960.

Two Kindred Hearts reflects their comprehensive support during the most trying times, including Cubas assistance for Viet Nam during the resistance war and Viet Nams support for Cuba in the face of the US embargo, while underscoring the role commander inh as a special woman greatly contributing to the close-knit bonds.

Sharing One Beat displays materials on the close cooperation between the two Parties and peoples.

The concluding section, Nurturing Friendship presents activities by the Viet Nam  Cuba Friendship Association, activities marking the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and exchanges among younger generations.

On this occasion, the Cuban Embassy presented the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Museum with a commemorative banner once owned by Melba Hernandez, displayed publicly for the first time together with Cuban posters from the 1970s  vivid symbols of the enduring bilateral ties.

Other highlights are posters by Cuban artists in the 70s of the 20th century, showing the enthusiastic support, solidarity and attachment of the Cuban people to the Vietnamese people in the resistance war against the US; and a shirt that Fidel Castro gave to commander inh.

The event also featured an exchange with guests connected to Cuba, including film director Nguyen Ha Tiep; Manuel Enrique Montane Enriquez, deputy director of the Viet Nam  Cuba Genfarma pharmaceutical joint venture and grandson of Melba Hernandez; former student of the Agricultural University of Havana Phuong Song Lien; and journalist Huynh Dung Nhan, who shared personal memories about Cuba.

"I was among the first Vietnamese students studying in Cuba from 1967. After six years in our 'second home' we were trained not only about veterinary but also given knowledge of different fields," Lien told Viet Nam News.

We have grown stronger thanks to the Cuban people, and the lessons we learned from them have greatly helped us build our country. We are deeply grateful for the support of the nation and its people.

I was excited to visit the exhibition. It was both a proud and emotional experience to see so many images of Cuba and Viet Nam, past and present. I even found a photo of my class from an unforgettable time in my life. These memories will stay with me forever, Lien said.

The exhibition opens to the public from December 5 at the Vietnamese Women's Museum, 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Cua Nam Ward.  VNS
HA NOI  Cubas Prensa Latina and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) boast significant untapped potential to expand cooperation in technology development and professional capacity enhancement, especially in content production and fake news combat, the newly elected President of Prensa Latina, Jorge Leganoa Alonso, has said.

Talking to a VNA reporter in Ha Noi on December 4, Leganoa Alonso said that both national news agencies face similar challenges in training personnel and equipping them with modern skills needed to maintain their roles as the key multimedia news agencies of their respective countries while utilising digital tools, applying artificial intelligence, and developing proprietary platforms to ensure technology mastery.

Given this, he suggested that the two sides should intensify exchanges, share professional experiences, and cooperate more closely in content creation and misinformation response.

With more than 65 years of standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight against distorted narratives, Prensa Latina and the VNA have the shared responsibility to uphold the voice of truth on the international stage, he stressed.

Visiting Ha Noi as preparations are underway for the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, Leganoa Alonso said the event will mark a new stage in Viet Nams development process.

He praised Viet Nam for outlining a clear and forward-looking roadmap with concrete objectives for economic growth, human development and social progress.

With well-prepared documents and a favourable political and social environment, the congress will a good start for Viet Nam to move confidently into the future, he said.

Internationally, he noted, Viet Nam has asserted a prominent role through its dynamism and practical contributions, for example in environmental issues. He emphasised that Viet Nam has remained a trusted friend of Cuba as the island nation faces international political challenges. At the UN, Viet Nam has consistently supported Cubas call for the US to end the more-than-60-year embargo.

Viet Nam is one of the few countries that truly understands the suffering caused by sanctions. Its remarkable development today stands as proof of what a nation can achieve once unjust restrictions are lifted, he said, expressing confidence that Viet Nam will continue to stand with Cuba on global platforms.

Symbol of solidarity and cooperation

The Prensa Latina leader welcomed Viet Nams role as a major investor in Cuba, particularly in the Mariel Special Economic Zone. He cited the recent groundbreaking of an 80 MW solar power plant by Viet Nam, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties (December 2, 19602025), as not only a significant economic project but also a symbol of enduring solidarity and cooperation.

Quoting the historic words of Cuban Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro  For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood, Leganoa Alonso said he was moved to see that six decades later, Viet Nam continues to demonstrate that profound friendship through concrete actions, including rice and cash assistance totalling nearly US$25 million.

This is powerful evidence of the deep brotherhood between our two peoples, he went on.

He added that Cuba hopes Viet Nam will continue to pursue its chosen socialist path, strengthen its regional standing, and play an increasingly active role internationally so that both countries can jointly advance issues of shared interest.

Reflecting on Viet Nams development, especially in socio-economic affairs and the media sector, Leganoa Alonso said he has closely followed Vietnams transformation over the past four decades. The country, he noted, has undergone comprehensive changes not only economically but also socially, reflected in rising GDP, improved per capita income, and long-term development strategies with detailed goals for 2030 and 2045.

Returning to Ha Noi after seven years, he said he could clearly see the positive changes in Vietnamese society. Despite rapid growth, Viet Nam remains deeply rooted in its history and traditions. A visit to the Viet Nam Military History Museum helped him better understand the nations resilience and the way it has rebuilt from wartime devastation to chart a course of modernisation.

He also particularly appreciated the Vietnamese Governments strong humanitarian commitment, demonstrated by its determination to ensure no one is left behind during natural disasters and pandemics, as well as ongoing efforts to secure stable housing for flood-hit residents before the upcoming Lunar New Year. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  On the occasion of Thailand's National Day, State President Luong Cuong on Friday sent a message of congratulations to King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also cabled congratulations to his Thai counterpart Anutin Charnvirakul.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man sent congratulatory messages to President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives Wanmuhamadnoor Matha, and President of the Senate Mongkol Surasajja.

On the same occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung extended congratulations to his Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The 15th National Assembly on Friday discussed the draft law on the establishment of a specialised court at the International Financial Centre (IFC) at its ongoing 10th session.

Many deputies agreed that establishing this court is necessary to institutionalise the Partys policies and conclusions of the competent authorities. The court aims to provide a fast and effective mechanism for resolving disputes arising from business and investment activities at the International Financial Centre, using modern procedures aligned with international practices.

Deputy Le Thu Ha from Lao Cai Province highlighted that this represents a breakthrough institutional step  the first time Viet Nam is creating an internationalised judicial body on its territory to handle globally significant commercial disputes, enhancing the countrys legal competitiveness in the region.

The new model must operate smoothly, transparently, and be trusted both domestically and internationally. The investment environment is only truly strengthened when the rulings of the specialised court are enforced, protect the parties rights, and build lasting confidence, she noted.

She suggested that the draft law ensure three key criteria: international competitiveness, fast and transparent procedures with language friendly to global business standards; protection of judicial sovereignty while opening access without compromising legal security and public interest; and effective enforceability, ensuring rulings can be executed domestically and internationally.

Many other lawmakers agreed that appointing qualified foreign judges could help meet immediate needs, attract high-quality, experienced personnel, and provide opportunities for Vietnamese judges and court clerks to learn and improve their expertise. They also recommended clearly defining criteria for foreign judges regarding reputation, ethics, and professional qualifications.

Explaining the drafting process, Chief Justice of the Supreme Peoples Court Nguyen Van Quang noted that this is a completely new model for Viet Nam. The drafting agency had to proactively research foreign experiences while adhering to the principles of National Assembly Resolution No. 222/2025/QH15 on the International Financial Centre in Viet Nam.

He emphasised that the draft is currently a preliminary foundation that will continue to be refined in practice, with the ultimate goal of building investor confidence and strengthening Viet Nams competitiveness in resolving commercial and financial disputes.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Vice Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Ha Thi Nga and visiting Permanent Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee Inlavanh Keobounphanh pledged joint efforts to promote people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries at their meeting in Ha Noi on Friday.

Nga stressed that over the past five decades, under the sound leadership of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party, the Lao people have achieved significant victories in national liberation, nation building and development. The LFNC has united all strata of society and mobilised resources, strength and creativity to make substantial contributions to the countrys overall achievements.

For her part, Inlavanh Keobounphanh expressed gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, Government and people for their consistent support to Laos over the years. She highlighted that the recent successful meetings between the two Politburos, the two Prime Ministers, and the countries joint investment promotion conferences reflected the close-knit cooperation, solidarity and shared purpose of the two nations.

Building on the fine relationship between the two Parties, States and Governments, both sides agreed to step up efforts to implement commitments made by the two Politburos and the two Governments; enhance delegation exchanges; and promote people-to-people exchanges to share experience in realising the renewal policies of each Party and State in the new period. These efforts will further consolidate the spirit of great solidarity and advance the implementation of the Viet Nam-Laos Joint Statement issued during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lams visit to Laos on December 1-2.

Upholding the long-standing tradition of special solidarity between the two countries, the front officials affirmed their determination to deepen bilateral relationship to a new height  great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion, reflecting a shared vision, intertwined strategic interests and a long-term orientation towards sustainable, resilient and mutually prosperous development for both nations.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Colder than average weather conditions are forecast for the Lunar New Year due to the prolonged La Nina phenomenon, which increases the risk of heavy rain accompanied by severe cold and frost in many areas.

Hoang uc Cuong, deputy head of the Hydro-Meteorological Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, said that this year has seen many extreme meteorological and hydrological records globally.

Numerous areas in the US and Turkey recorded temperatures exceeding 48 degree Celsius, setting new records for consecutive days of extreme heat in July. In the North Atlantic, sea surface temperatures remained at record highs, exceeding 25.5 degree Celsius at the end of summer, providing unprecedented energy for tropical cyclones.

The reason for rising ocean temperatures is ice melting at unprecedented rates. In Southwest Greenland, an estimated 300 billion tonnes of ice melted during the summer of this year alone, significantly contributing to a rise in global sea levels.

Tropical cyclone activity last year also broke many records, with the Atlantic recording up to ten storms of category three or higher. Rapidly intensifying typhoons became increasingly common, such as Super Typhoon Phoenix in the Northwest Pacific, which escalated from category one to category five in just 24 hours in September, with winds exceeding 250km per hour.

In Viet Nam, 2025 has been a year with highly anomalous meteorological and hydrological disasters. By the end of last month, economic losses from natural disasters were estimated to exceed VN85 trillion (US$3.2 billion), with 409 people dead or missing.

In the East Sea, there were 21 typhoons and tropical depressions, making 2025 the year with the highest number of typhoons since observation data began in 1961, surpassing the previous record from 2017.

This years typhoon season also recorded many rare unusual features: Typhoon No. 1  Wutip  appeared late in June, recurring after over 40 years; Typhoon No. 9 Ragasa reached category 17 intensity with gusts above category 17, evaluated as the strongest typhoon ever in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).

According to Cuong, the unusual developments regarding typhoons, floods and heavy rain in Viet Nam and worldwide this year indicated that traditional weather patterns were changing rapidly, reflecting the increasingly clear impact of climate change, making natural disasters more severe and harder to predict.

Regarding forecasts for late this year and early next year, a tropical depression is active east of the Philippines and may strengthen into a typhoon entering the East Sea as Typhoon No. 16.

If it forms, this typhoon is likely to cause moderate to heavy rain in central Viet Nam, especially from south Quang Tri to north Binh Thuan, increasing risks of flash floods and landslides.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung uc Tien warned that extreme weather, prolonged heat interspersed with thunderstorms and typhoons, followed by severe cold spells and frost in the winter, would directly impact agricultural production.

It can slow the growth of crops and livestock, requiring localities to proactively implement response measures to minimise damage.  VNS
HA NOI Seventy-two cities from forty-six countries have been admitted to UNESCOs Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), marking another significant step in advancing lifelong learning at the local level.

The new members were selected for their strong commitment to ensuring that people of all ages can exercise their right to education throughout life.

Among the 72 new members are 11 capital cities, including Ha Noi (Viet Nam), Porto-Novo (Benin), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Lusaka (Zambia), Cairo (Egypt), Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Lisbon (Portugal), Ankara (Turkiye), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Caracas (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).

Thirteen countries are joining the Global Network of Learning Cities for the first time: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Lithuania, Mongolia, Niger, Turkmenistan, the United States of America, Venezuela and Zambia.

Education transcends the classroom  it is a collective endeavour, and cities play a key role in promoting learning for all. The 72 new UNESCO Learning Cities announced today are redefining what it means to learn  turning every street, library, workplace, museum and home into a space for knowledge and innovation. By making education a priority, from early childhood through adulthood, these cities are empowering people and unlocking opportunities for all, said Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education on Wednesday.

With the latest expansion, the Global Network of Learning Cities  launched in 2013  has grown to 425 members from 91 countries, collectively supporting lifelong learning opportunities for nearly half a billion people.

UNESCO Learning Cities embedded learning into daily life and create pathways for everyone: reskilling and upskilling workers to meet fast-changing labour markets; offering literacy programmes for those who missed early schooling; equipping citizens of all ages to navigate and shape the AI era; and fostering entrepreneurship.- VNS
HCM CITY  Four people, including two children, died of suffocation in a fire that broke out early Friday morning at a snail noodle shop on Tran Hung ao Street in downtown HCM City, according to local media.

The victims were two children aged two and seven and two women aged 35 and 40.

The 115 Emergency Centre said that it received six patients in total, of whom four were already in cardiac and respiratory arrest on arrival and were later confirmed dead.

Two others  women between 18 and 21 years who jumped down from the ground floor  survived and remain in intensive care.

Rescue operations were hindered because the facades of the three upper floors were blocked by large advertising billboards, limiting access from outside, authorities said. After the blaze was brought under control, authorities were able to carry several victims out.

At the time of the incident, there were about five to seven people inside the shop. Many passers-by and nearby residents attempted to extinguish the fire, but were unsuccessful.

Truong Thi Minh Dung, chairwoman of the Cau Ong Lanh Ward Peoples Committee, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that firefighters used an aerial ladder truck to rescue the victims, and four were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Ward authorities said they are working with the police and relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the fire.  VNS
HA NOI  The Government has established a National Housing Fund under Decree 302 to help ease housing pressures on low-income earners and industrial park workers.

Nguyen Thi May, a worker at Thang Long Industrial Park in Ha Noi, and her family have been renting a room in Thien Loc Commune for nearly a decade.

With a combined monthly salary of around VN18 million (US$680), homeownership and even social housing remain out of reach for them.

My husband and I both work in the industrial park and our two children stay with us. Buying a home is out of the question, especially since our workload has declined and workers are struggling. Our monthly rent and utilities alone are already VN3.5 million ($130), May told Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

As housing prices in major cities have soared since late 2024, stable housing has become an increasingly distant dream for blue-collar workers.

The launch of the National Housing Fund has therefore been welcomed, with many hoping it will soon lead to secure, affordable housing.

Another worker said: My family doesnt meet the criteria to be able to purchase a social housing unit and there are far too few projects. I hope this new policy will expand the housing supply.

Under the Governments Decree 302, the National Housing Fund will invest in building social housing and other similar infrastructure for rent. It may receive and convert public properties and purchase or order the construction of housing units from wholly State-owned enterprises.

The fund can also receive resettlement units, temporary housing and voluntary contributions, and purchase commercial housing to rent to civil servants, public employees and workers.

The breakthrough lies in its approach, which aims to meet actual needs, create a stable long-term supply and make durable housing attainable for low-income households. Because the fund focuses on renting rather than selling, the housing stock remains intact as a long-term public asset.

According to Ha Quang Hung, deputy director of the Department of Housing and Real Estate Market Management (under the Ministry of Construction), the fund is designed to mobilise, manage and invest in long-term development of social housing and rental units, ensuring sustainable financial resources for social welfare goals.

The fund will expand the supply of rental housing. By saving land resources and allowing many people to use the same housing stock over time, it will help meet long-term accommodation needs for groups unable to afford even social housing," said Hung.

It will also stimulate social housing development, balance supply and demand, adjust the real estate commodity structure, lower commercial housing prices, ultimately contributing to a stable, healthy real estate market.

Dr Nguyen Van inh, vice chairman of the Viet Nam Real Estate Association (VNREA), noted that many countries have found success with similar models. Viet Nam may adopt later but the policy remains fitting and appropriate within the broader strategy for housing market stability.

The fund helps diversify existing social welfare tools, he explained. Those looking to buy homes can purchase from enterprises while those who cannot afford or only need temporary accommodation can access rental housing  a widespread need in industrial zones.

inh added that the National Housing Funds capital sources are viable, drawing from the State budget, land auctions and project contributions.

The remaining challenges lie in operations and prioritisation during the implementation process. This means local authorities must take responsibility and ensure balanced planning.

Our housing market still relies heavily on credit, reducing feasibility and effectiveness. Managing, governing and approving fund operations must be handled cautiously due to limited experience. Ministries involved in finance, natural resources and construction will need to issue more detailed guidance, said the VNREA vice chairman.

Sharing the same perspective, Dr ang Viet Dung, chairman of the Viet Nam Federation of Civil Engineering Associations, stressed the importance of coordination between central and local authorities.

One of the examples of this issue is when the centrally invested fund may aim to provide housing for central-level staff but the execution depends on local land availability.

Meanwhile, local-level funds currently have no mandated scale, he added. Ideally, localities should use their budgets to set up funds similar to the central model.

However, if they struggle to secure land, the fund development will be hindered. Therefore, more specificity is needed to ensure effective rollout, he explained.

Dung also noted that private developers of social housing can both rent and sell units, enabling rapid capital recovery. The National Housing Fund, however, offers rental-only units, meaning capital recovery will be slower.

While State support for workers is essential, favourable mechanisms must be in place to address this issue or the funds developments will face obstacles.

Suggesting financial resources to facilitate the operations of the National Housing Fund, Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Thuong Lang from the National Economics University said there should be linkages with the banking system and financial institutions.

This approach would provide the highest level of support for low-income people. Diversified capital and shared responsibility among stakeholders can create a broader network and better problem-solving capacity, he said.

A successful national rental housing fund will require strong initial resourcing, with well-allocated land tied to comprehensive urban planning so residents have access to jobs, transport and public services.

Early projects should prioritise major industrial zones where demand is highest.

In addition, a data-driven operating model with greater decision-making autonomy can ensure efficient management, alongside transparent rental mechanisms that balance workers' affordability with the funds capacity to reinvest.

Flexible pricing aligned with income levels and service quality comparable to commercial housing are also considered essential.

Collaboration with businesses and communities, from land contributions to oversight, can further enhance effectiveness, supported by periodic monitoring and policy adjustments to keep the fund sustainable.  VNS
THAI NGUYEN  As dusk settles over the mountains, the cultural house in Mo Chi Hamlet glows into life, where a small but determined literacy class gathers each night, driven by the hope of changing lives through education.

The class currently has 18 students. Although the number of students is not large, behind each name is a story of a difficult life.

Most of the students are the main breadwinners in their families, working in the fields during the day and going to school at night.

Some live far away and have to walk kilometres on bumpy mountain roads. Some days, it rains and the roads are slippery, but they still persevere to get to class.

Hong Thi Hai, a 24-year-old Mong ethnic mother of four young children, had to quit school early without even knowing the alphabet because her family was very poor.

When hearing that Cuc uong Primary School opened a literacy class in the hamlet, she did not hesitate to register.

I wanted to know how to read and write to find a job in a company and do not need to ask someone to sign for me. Now illiterate is miserable, dare not go anywhere, do anything, Hai told giaoducthoidai.vn.

Hai has to take the children to the class with her. The children are very well-behaved. They always keep quiet to let her write and read every word.

The image of a young mother trying to overcome hardship and eager to learn inspires admiration.

Duong Van Khin, a 40-year-old man, is one of the most diligent students in class.

During the day, he works for hire, and at night, he hastily eats dinner and goes to class.

Sometimes I come home late from work and am very tired, but I still try to attend the class. Not knowing how to read and write is very disadvantageous. When I go shopping, I cannot calculate, and I have to ask someone else to write it for me. Now I am determined to learn how to read and write to be more confident, he said.

Hoang Thi Bich Hue, a teacher at Cuc uong Primary School, said: The most difficult thing for the students is that they are very busy making a living.

Some had to quit because they found work as labourers. Some are so poor that they do not have enough money for petrol to attend the class. We understand and sympathise, but we can only encourage them and find ways to help them maintain their studies."

Not only teachers, Hue and her colleagues are also friends, sisters and motivators.

Whenever a learner is absent, she asks the hamlet head to visit and encourage them to return.

Teachers also organise small gatherings where they share stories of successful learners to inspire others.

We not only teach literacy but also chat and share everyday stories. Learners laugh, tell tales about their fields and crops, then eagerly return to writing. Teaching adults cannot be rigid but must be gentle and approachable, using a variety of methods to help them absorb lessons more easily, Hue said.

Vu Manh Cuong, principal of Cuc uong Primary School, said that after more than one year of opening the class, there are encouraging achievements.

Many students can read newspapers, write their names, sign bank loan documents, and even search for information on the Internet, said Cuong.

Hai said: In the past, when I went to the market, people would write my debts in a notebook, but I had no idea what they wrote. Now, I can write and read it myself. It feels wonderful.

Not only helping people become literate, the class has also opened a new door in their way of thinking.

Many learners have come to realise that studying is not only for children but an opportunity to transform themselves.

Some, after learning to read and write, have become confident enough to work far from home, applying for jobs in industrial zones, gradually stabilising their lives.

To sustain the class, Cuc uong Primary School and the local authorities have made every effort, though more social support is still needed.

We hope to continue receiving attention and encouragement from local authorities and social organisations, so that learners will have more motivation to attend class, said Cuong.

Small classes like the one in Mo Chi Hamlet are quietly transforming the hamlet. Amid countless difficulties, the persistence of these classes has helped poor farmers gradually change, live more meaningful and fulfilling lives, and take steady steps towards escaping poverty.  VNS
HA NOI  Ha Nois first metro line Cat LinhHa ong officially began operating an automated ticket control system on Friday morning, integrating electronic identification, biometric verification and cashless payment options for passengers as part of the capitals broader push towards smarter public transport.

The launch marks a major step forward in the transport sectors digital transformation agenda, aiming to improve user experience and strengthen management efficiency across the citys public transport services.

Ha Noi Metro Co. Ltd said the fully synchronised system has been installed at all stations and features multi-standard ticket readers, AI-powered cameras, smart control panels, servers and security layers meeting international standards.

Passengers can now use a wide range of cashless payment methods including chip-based ID cards, QR codes, international bank cards (Visa) and other electronic payment options.

The company said the automated system also provides an important foundation for future modernisation of the metro network.

Its open architecture allows data integration with central operations hubs and the national digital identification platform, helping to build a shared data resource for urban transport management.

Khuat Viet Hung, Chairman of the Members Council of the company, said the system was the result of Plan 428, which was jointly implemented by the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ha Noi Peoples Committee.

The objective is to modernise the ticketing system, improve security and safety and provide passengers with greater convenience, Hung said.

The system underwent a full-line trial from August 20, 2025, attracting nearly 71,000 registered users and more than 344,000 uses.

By November 18, the entire transition was completed without disrupting passenger services.

This was a crucial preparation phase and enables the company to confidently begin full operation from today, he added.

He said that alongside technological upgrades the operator has strengthened staff training and updated ticket inspection procedures to suit biometric recognition and automated payment systems.

A timely step

Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van Long tested the system using a chip-based ID card at the launch event.

He said integrating digital identification, biometric verification and cashless payment is a timely step in national digital transformation objectives and enhances security, safety and convenience for public transport users.

Connecting with the VNeID platform, he said, would support rapid detection of irregular activity, prevent fraud and reinforce social order and safety across the urban transport network.

Colonel Vu Trong Du of the ministrys Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order said the automated ticketing system represents a significant advancement in public transport management.

The department has worked with the company to deploy multi-layered security measures that protect citizens privacy while ensuring data safety.

The system on the Cat LinhHa ong line is an important testing ground for integration into a broader smart transport ecosystem, ensuring transparent, safe and convenient management, he said.

Vice Chairman of Ha Noi Peoples Committee Truong Viet Dung also praised the completion of phase one of a new traffic management model within just five months.

He highlighted three key achievements.

First, Ha Noi has for the first time applied biometric identification for all passengers on the line, laying the groundwork for identity-based real-time traffic management.

Second, passengers now benefit from an open international payment system using QR codes, EMV cards, Apple Pay and e-wallets, removing the need to queue for paper tickets. Digital ID and VNeID integration also improves accessibility for priority groups.

Third, all technology from digital ID and biometrics to operating software was developed by Vietnamese companies, enabling the city to maintain control over its infrastructure, ensure data security and reduce reliance on foreign technology.

For phase two, he told the company to focus on three pillars of integrating AFC (automated fare collection) with VNeID and the National Ticketing Platform, unifying AFC systems for the lines of Cat LinhHa ong (Metro Line 1) and NhonHa Noi Station (Metro Line 2), and linking the entire public transport ecosystem including buses, national railway stations, car parks and the citys intermodal ticketing system.  VNS
A NANG  Police in central Viet Nam have arrested three nationals from the Republic of Korea who are accused of running a cross-border romance-scam network that used deepfake technology and allegedly trafficked victims into forced online fraud schemes.

According to a statement from the police on Friday, the three men  Choi Minsu, 26, Choi Jinwoo, 25, and Seo Jaeseok, 28  were detained at a hotel in a Nang City late November after fleeing Cambodia, where they are suspected of operating a scam hub in the border town of Bavet in Cambodia.

Interpol had issued Red Notices for all three at RoKs request on charges of fraud, organised crime and human trafficking.

Vietnamese police said the group used deepfake technology to pose as women and establish romantic contact with male victims online.

Once trust was built, the victims were encouraged to sign up for paid travel missions with promises of free flights, accommodation and reimbursement after completion.

The men then coaxed victims to travel to Viet Nam or Thailand before persuading them to cross into Cambodia.

Upon arrival, the victims passports were confiscated and they were detained and forced to memorise scripted scam pitches used in online fraud operations.

Authorities estimate the network scammed roughly US$1 million between August and December 2024.

The three suspects crossed illegally into Viet Nam in mid-October 2025 and went into hiding.

a Nang's police, working with the Ministry of Public Security, tracked them to a hotel in the citys An Hai Ward and made the arrests on October 28.

The men have since been handed over to RoK authorities for extradition, police said.  VNS
Calls grow at int'l forum for reforming global governance to tackle shared challenges

Xinhua) 10:41, December 05, 2025

GUANGZHOU, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Global experts have called for reforming and improving global governance to better address common challenges at a just-concluded international forum held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

The 2025 Imperial Springs International Forum, under the theme "For Global Cooperation and Solidarity," wrapped up on Wednesday. It convened about 200 participants, including former heads of state and government, experts and business leaders, to discuss pathways toward a more just and equitable multilateral system.

IMPROVE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Participants emphasized that the rapidly evolving global landscape necessitates an innovative and inclusive global governance system.

In this changing world, a widely agreed global governance regime is "more than necessary," said Han Seung-soo, former prime minister of South Korea.

Danilo Turk, former president of Slovenia and current president of World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid, stressed the need to "work hard for a complete (and) comprehensive set of ideas for international cooperation (and) for sharing responsibility."

Turk deems it important to formulate a vision for a better world. Thus, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed by China is very helpful, as it "defines the direction in which the world has to move if it wants to preserve stability and prosperity," he said.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the core concepts of the GGI -- adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating the people-centered approach, and focusing on taking real actions -- resonate and correspond with the basic spirits of the UN Charter.

The GGI emphasizes multilateralism and equality, which "aligns with the UN's reform agenda to expand participation, amplify the voices of developing countries and ensure that no one is left behind," Ban said.

Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, president of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, described the GGI as "a cross-cutting effort vital for fostering co-responsibility and shared answers to current challenges."

"We are living in new times, and new times require innovation in global governance," she added.

REVITALIZE UNITED NATIONS

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. Over the past 80 years, the international system with the United Nations at its core has been put in place gradually.

However, participants stressed the need to reform and strengthen the United Nations, particularly to enhance its representation, effectiveness and capacity to address challenges of the 21st century.

Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, pointed out the gap between the current international institutions and the needs of today's world. "The institutions are all created after the WWII, and we are trying to solve the problems of the 21st century with 20th-century tools," he said.

Echoing his view, former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle said international organizations with the United Nations at their core have struggled to fulfill their role in challenging times, leading to a loss of global influence.

"The UN is in a very serious crisis," said Turk. Taking the example of artificial intelligence, he said, "The world doesn't have any institution today that is capable of addressing the challenges of artificial intelligence in a cooperative manner."

Turk underlined the need to "figure out new solutions, some of which will require development of new institutions, some will require a reform of the existing institutions."

"We are facing the stark reality that multilateralism, the very cornerstone of the UN itself, is under increasing pressure," noted Ban.

Despite these challenges, the United Nations' unique role was reaffirmed. Espinosa called it "the universal space to come together and to act collectively on the shared challenges," while stressing the need to revitalize it for new realities.

"The UN's greatest asset is that it remains the sole universal platform that can demonstrate undeniable value and lasting impact in international cooperation on transnational issues," said Ban.

It must continue to play a leading role in areas where no single country can succeed alone, such as responding to climate change, preventing pandemics, managing refugees and regulating new technologies, Ban said.

"I believe it is vital to support greater UN reforms and revitalize multilateralism when it is needed most," he added.

ENHANCE GLOBAL SOLIDARITY

Ban said that the growing trend of unilateralism and protectionism "directly undermines the guiding spirit of multilateralism and international cooperation upon which the United Nations was founded 80 years ago."

In this regard, participants unanimously agreed that collective action and greater solidarity are not optional but imperative.

Han said the forum's theme, which emphasizes global cooperation and solidarity, is "very significant and timely," especially in contrast to the current global trend marked by "division rather than cooperation, and going one's own way rather than going together."

Espinosa called for collective action to tackle challenges like security threats, climate change, poverty and inequality.

"The threats of the world today require greater solidarity (and) more cooperation," she said, adding that platforms like the Imperial Springs International Forum are more needed than ever.

Similarly, Turk said, "There is no solution without global cooperation, and no single country can lead the world; it has to be done collectively."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Local residents arrived to register for complimentary health screenings.  Photos courtesy of Manulife

THANH HOA  Following its stop in Hai Phong, the Manulife's "Healthy Living Every Day 2025" campaign continued in Thanh Hoa at the end of November, offering more than 1,000 free medical check-ups to local residents.

The event is part of the "Choose Green for Health - For a Truly Healthy Viet Nam initiative, organised by Manulife in collaboration with the Vietnam Young Physicians Association, with the goal of enhancing community awareness of digestive health.

Crowds seek free medical services

From early morning, long lines formed at the Hac Thanh Convention Centre as residents, including the elderly, veterans and a significant number of young adults aged 25 to 45, arrived to register for complimentary health screenings.

Attendees received a comprehensive range of examinations such as general internal check-ups; blood sugar, lipid and uric acid tests; abdominal ultrasound; electrocardiogram; chest X-ray; bone density measurements; and ENT assessments. The programme also offered screening for Helicobacter pylori - a common cause of stomach-related illnesses - and recommended gastrointestinal cancer screening for individuals with abnormal symptoms.

A key feature of this years event was the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the diagnostic process. Using questionnaire data and rapid test results, AI tools helped evaluate participants risk of non-communicable diseases and potential gastrointestinal cancers. In addition to diagnostic services, doctors provided guidance on nutrition and physical activity, and prescribed medications when necessary.

Many residents undergo blood tests during the event.

Le Thi Trang, permanent vice president of the Thanh Hoa Youth Union, said the programme offers local residents valuable access to high-quality healthcare services, particularly for workers who often lack the opportunity for regular check-ups.

She noted that this years event also helps raise awareness among young people about digestive-related conditions, which are becoming increasingly common and require greater attention.

Digestive disorders increasingly common among young adults

Health experts at the event reported that a significant number of young participants were showing signs of digestive diseases, including H. pylori infections, gastritis, acid reflux and other gastrointestinal disorders.

ao Thi Huong, a doctor from Central Hospital 71, said many first-time visitors were unexpectedly diagnosed with H. pylori.

What is concerning is that most of them were unaware of the infection, unintentionally putting family members at risk through daily eating habits, she said.

She noted that more people under the age of 40 required thorough screening due to the potential for serious complications. According to Huong, hectic work schedules, skipped meals, processed foods, lack of sleep and shift work are major factors straining the digestive health of young adults.

For many attendees, the programme served as an important alert.

A young man has his blood pressure checked at the event.

Phan Thi Hanh of Sam Son Ward, who tested positive for H. pylori, said she often experienced mild bloating and stomach discomfort but assumed it was due to eating something unsuitable.

The doctor recommended an endoscopy to check for ulcer risks. Without this programme, I probably would have continued ignoring my symptoms, she said.

Early screening remains key

Data collected at the campaign points to a broader trend: young Vietnamese are increasingly affected by digestive issues linked to fast-paced, industrialised lifestyles. Early detection remains the most effective way to prevent complications.

In addition to diagnostic services, doctors provided guidance on nutrition and physical activity, and prescribed medications when necessary.

The "Healthy Living Every Day 2025" compaign offers communities access to modern medical services close to home, while promoting proactive healthcare habits. Thanh Hoa is the second stop in the national series, following Hai Phong, with upcoming events planned for Ha Noi and HCM City.

With a long-term commitment to community health, Manulife and the Vietnam Young Physicians Association plan to continue expanding free medical screening initiatives, applying technology to health assessments and encouraging early check-up habits for a healthier population.  VNS
Kicking off on December 4, the competition has drawn 266 students across 54 teams from eight major engineering universities in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Can Tho. The initiative is organised by MISUMI Vietnam in coordination with ITO Vietnam Co., Ltd., and is open exclusively to students pursuing studies in mechanics, electronics, automation, machine manufacturing and engineering physics in the southern region.

Next years competition revolves around a real-world business challenge: designing an automated pick-and-place system capable of 180-degree product flipping, 100m accuracy, a three-second cycle time per product, and automatic stacking of 10 trays. Participants are also required to calculate project costs and timelines, mirroring the practical demands faced by professional engineers.

Jackson Nguyen Huy Hoang, CEO, ITO Vietnam Co., Ltd, said, The competition is not to determine the winner or loser, but rather an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in reality. Technical decisions must be made within time and budget limits. Students will also understand that there is a huge gap between a beautiful drawing and a production-approved structure that can run stably every day.

The competition aims to help students apply learned knowledge to design a system that meets technical requirements, while ensuring quality, staying within budget, and making progress.

In recent years, Vietnams economy has seen strong growth driven by foreign investment and rising exports. To ensure sustainable development in the manufacturing sector, greater emphasis must be placed on factory automation, with a particular focus on training and developing a high-quality engineering workforce, said Watanabe Tomohiro, general director of MISUMI Vietnam.

This competition reflects MISUMI and ITO Vietnams commitment to strengthening practical skills among the next generation of engineers, helping to build a resilient foundation for Vietnams industrial future, he added.

Wendy Cong Tang Ton Nu Thuy Trang, director of strategic relations, ITO Vietnam, said, As a companion of MISUMI in the competition, ITO Vietnam wants to bring students the opportunity to experience a 'real' industrial environment, approaching the technology standards being used by leading electronics corporations in the world.

Outstanding participants will have the chance to receive awards from MISUMI Vietnam, access automation engineering scholarships, join intensive internship programmes at ITO Vietnam facilities, and progress to full engineering roles on global projects.

Following the December 4 launch, the competition will conclude with a final round and awards ceremony in March 2026, recognising noteworthy teams with a full range of honours, including top, secondary, and special achievement awards.

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What inspired LPBS to place data and AI at the heart of its business strategy, and how have they impacted its operational efficiency and cost optimisation, and delivered better customer experiences?

Our strategic pivot towards data and AI was driven by both external market dynamics and an internal recognition of untapped potential.

Nguyen Duy Khoa, chairman and CEO of LPBS

Vietnam's capital market stands among the most dynamic and technologically progressive in the region. In this environment, simply keeping pace is insufficient, we must lead. This imperative aligns perfectly with our core value of creativity, which calls for us to be pioneers rather than followers.

Equally important was our recognition of a fundamental truth: the financial services industry is, at its essence, an information business. We identified a significant opportunity to transform our institutional knowledge and transactional data into a strategic asset by utilising Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud and AI services. By applying advanced analytics and AI to our data ecosystem, we can generate proprietary insights that create tangible competitive advantages while delivering superior value to our clients.

The transformation has yielded substantial results across two critical dimensions. On the operational front, we've implemented comprehensive business intelligence systems that now support decision-making across all business functions, enabling real-time insights and more agile responses to market conditions.

By partnering with eCloudvalley, we migrated and modernised our entire data environment using a comprehensive suite of AWS managed services including Amazon S3, AWS Database Migration Service, AWS Glue and Lambda, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon QuickSight. The result is a fully integrated, governed, and secure enterprise data platform that provides reliable, high-quality data for every business function.

We've deployed a generative AI chatbot, built by eCloudvalley and powered by AWS, delivering always-on automated support, resolving nearly 80 per cent of routine inquiries and reducing response times by up to 70 per cent. It securely integrates with our internal systems, and enables personalised, context-aware interactions tailored to each customers profile and portfolio. This has led to a significant increase in customer satisfaction and engagement, while allowing our teams to dedicate more time to high value advisory services.

AI development often requires collaboration. How has LPBS partnered with technology firms like AWS to accelerate innovation?

We've established a strategic partnership with eCloudvalley, an AWS Premier Tier Partner, to accelerate our digital transformation. This partnership exemplifies our approach: leveraging AWS's world-class cloud infrastructure, GenAI technologies, and global innovation capabilities, while working with eCloudvalley to deliver the specialised implementation expertise required for our specific uses. This combination ensures we benefit from both cutting-edge technology and practical, tailored solutions.

As we build on this foundation, our roadmap centres on two strategic pillars. First, we're continuing to advance our analytics capabilities to generate deeper business insights, while simultaneously developing intelligent data products that will empower our clients with superior market intelligence and decision support.

Second, we're significantly expanding our GenAI applications. Beyond customer service, we see tremendous potential to enhance internal operational efficiency, augment our advisory capabilities, and create more personalised, intuitive client experiences across all touchpoints.

How does LPBS ensure that its AI solutions are transparent, ethical, and aligned with customer trust?

Trust is the foundation of our industry, and we treat it accordingly. Our approach begins with strict compliance with Decree 13, ensuring robust protection of customer information.

Beyond regulatory compliance, we've established a cross-functional AI governance committee comprising leaders from legal, compliance, risk management, and relevant business units to review all AI features and applications before deployment, ensuring they meet our ethical standards and risk parameters.

AI is a powerful tool, but judgment, accountability, and ethical responsibility must remain firmly in human hands. We operate under a clear RACI (Responsible-Accountable-Consulted-Informed) framework where the ultimate decision-making authority and accountability rest with human leaders.

AI can process information at unprecedented scale and speed, but it cannot replace the nuanced judgment, contextual understanding, and ethical reasoning that experienced leaders bring to complex situations. Our role as leaders is to harness AI's capabilities while maintaining human oversight, ensuring our technology serves our values and our clients' best interests.

How do you encourage a data-driven culture among employees and ensure teams across departments embrace analytics in their daily work?

Cultural transformation begins at the top. When leadership consistently demands data-driven reasoning, it becomes embedded in the organisation's DNA.

However, culture requires more than messaging, it requires tools and capability building. We've developed role-specific analytics dashboards tailored to different needs: comprehensive dashboards for our board of directors to monitor strategic metrics, specialised tools for our brokerage teams to analyse client behaviour patterns, and customised solutions for other departments.

Crucially, we've paired these tools with targeted training programmes. Providing powerful analytics tools without teaching people how to interpret and apply the insights would be futile. Our training ensures every team member can extract meaningful value from data in their daily responsibilities.

What emerging AI trends or technologies do you believe will shape the next phase of the FSI industry and LPBS's evolution, as well as the way investors interact with financial products and services in the near future?

The most significant trend I foresee is the emergence of sophisticated AI-powered wealth management solutions. We're moving beyond basic robo-advisors towards intelligent systems capable of constructing and actively managing complex, diversified portfolios specifically designed for Vietnam's growing mass affluent segment. This democratisation of institutional-grade portfolio management will fundamentally reshape wealth management in our market.

The investor experience is poised for a paradigm shift, from reactive to proactive, from transactional to conversational. In the near future, investment platforms will function as tireless, knowledgeable financial advisors available 24/7. Rather than simply executing trades, these systems will actively monitor portfolios, identify opportunities, alert investors to emerging risks, and provide contextual guidance, all through natural, conversational interactions.

Imagine engaging with your investment platform as you would with a trusted financial advisor: asking questions in plain language, receiving personalised insights about your portfolio, and getting timely alerts about market developments relevant to your specific investments.

This conversational, proactive approach will make sophisticated financial guidance accessible to a much broader investor base, ultimately contributing to greater financial literacy and more informed decisions across Vietnam's capital market.

This is the future we're building at LPBS, where advanced technology enhances rather than replaces the human elements of trust, understanding, and personalised service that define excellent financial partnerships.

A key enabler of that vision is our continued partnership with eCloudvalley and AWS. As AWS accelerates its GenAI, agentic AI, and financial services capabilities, we see potential to embed these capabilities directly into our advisory tools, analytics engines, and customer interfaces. LPBS is committed to shaping a financial ecosystem defined by intelligence, transparency, and trust.

VPBank leverages AWS Skill Builder to fuel digital transformation VPBank announced on August 7 that it has integrated Amazon Web Services (AWS) Skill Builder into its cloud computing training programme to foster continuous learning at scale.

Empowering ASEAN via generative AI Amazon Web Services (AWS) has made the largest-ever investment in ASEAN by an international tech company, demonstrating its strong commitment to providing customers with the most resilient and secure cloud infrastructure. Jeff Johnson, managing director of AWS ASEAN, gave VIRs Bich Thuy his insights on how the investment is to shape the future of infrastructure and AI-driven innovation.
Testing of ventilation systems for Unit 1 concluded successfully

All efforts are focused on a crucial milestone: connecting Unit 1 to the national grid by December 19, and completing the project in accordance with the government's requirements.

According to EVNs Power Project Management Board No. 2 (EVNPMB2), the projects overall progress has been good, with many key packages already completed. The first oil-firing test of the boiler has been successfully conducted, an important component that marked the transition to the next stage of integrated trial operations.

Nguyen Minh Hoang, deputy director of EVNPMB2, said, We are racing against time. Most auxiliary systems, from water treatment, compressed air, and lubricating oil, to the cooling system, have all been tested and are operating stably. December 19 is not just a deadline; it is a commitment shared by thousands of workers striving day and night on site.

Harsh weather has posed significant challenges throughout construction. Prolonged rainfall and storms have made the ground slippery and forced adjustments to many installation plans. However, instead of slowing down progress, engineers and workers have organised rotating shifts and positioned temporary rest shelters near work areas to ensure uninterrupted efforts.

Representatives of contractors Lilama 10 and Lilama 18, responsible for most mechanical and installation work, have expressed the same level of determination as the investor.

Pham The Thao, site manager of Lilama 18, said, We are handling up to 68,000 tonnes of equipment. So far, more than 88 per cent has been completed. The rain and wind have made the installation of the boiler, turbine, and dust filtration systems far more difficult, but once we take on a task, we are committed to finishing it on schedule.

Vietnamese contractors are responsible for many key parts of the project

Over 4,000 workers are present on site at any given time. Support teams, such as Trinh Quang Tuyen's crew from Lilama 10, have remained on-site 24/7. To meet the schedule, we have arranged continuous shifts, with meals and rest areas set up on the construction site. As a Vietnamese contractor contributing to a national-scale project, we must strive to improve every day, Tuyen said.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the investor and contractors, Quang Trach I is steadily moving towards becoming one of EVNs fastest, safest, and most comprehensively executed thermal power projects in recent years.

USC technology and green standards

One of the reasons Quang Trach I is considered a technological milestone for Vietnams thermal power sector is its application of the most advanced ultra-supercritical (USC) technology.

The plants boiler operates at extremely high pressure and temperature, improving energy conversion efficiency and reducing coal consumption to about 280g/kWh, thereby significantly lowering CO, SOx, and NOx emissions.

The coal storage area is designed with shielding to minimise dust

Representatives of EVNPMB2 stated, We optimise technology not only to enhance operational efficiency but also to fully meet both domestic and international environmental standards.

The plant is equipped with a flue gas desulfurisation, a NOx reduction system, high-efficiency electrostatic precipitators, and an automatic emissions monitoring system.

As a result, emissions released through the stack meet stringent environmental requirements and are considered among the most advanced treatment lines in Vietnams coal-fired power plants.

Another notable highlight is the high participation rate of Vietnamese companies in construction. Lilama, CC1, and local mechanical enterprises have been responsible for major components. This localisation effort has helped reduce costs and strengthened Vietnams mechanical and energy industry capabilities.

Quang Trach I will not only provide an essential baseload power source for the Central region, currently facing severe capacity shortages, but also help stabilise the national grid, especially as renewable energy continues to grow rapidly yet remains intermittent.

Quang Trach I is the biggest thermal power plant across the country on installed capacity

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and EVN, once operational, Quang Trach I will supply 8.4-9 billion kWh/year, reduce transmission pressure between the North and Central regions, and contribute to local budget revenue and long-term employment.

Notably, its long-term design already incorporates the potential for fuel transition to biomass or ammonia, aligning with Vietnams Net Zero 2050 roadmap. This demonstrates that the project not only serves immediate needs but is also preparing for a clean energy future.

The project has total investment of VND41-42 trillion ($1.65 billion) with installed capacity of 1,200-1,403 MW (for two units), and expected annual output of nearly 9 billion kWh. The engineering, procurement, and construction contractor consortium consists of Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan), Hyundai E&C (Korea), and CC1 (Vietnam).

Quang Trach Power Centre will also host future LNG projects, aiming to form an integrated power-gas hub for the north-central region.

PV GAS to supply LNG for Quang Trach II LNG thermal power plant PetroVietnam Gas Corporation (PV GAS) signed an MoU with Vietnam Electricity (EVN) on October 14 to supply liquid natural gas (LNG) for Quang Trach II LNG Thermal Power Plant.

Quang Trach II LNG-fired power plant to break ground this year The $1.99 billion Quang Trach II LNG-fired power plant in the central province of Quang Tri is scheduled to start construction by the end of this year.
As global supply chains shift, what advice do you most often give Vietnamese companies planning to expand overseas?

The global landscape is shifting; supply chains are diversifying; trade corridors are being redefined; and new ecosystems are taking shape. In this context, Vietnamese corporates have a remarkable opportunity to move up the value chain and become integral players in regional and global networks.

Therefore, Standard Chartereds advice to Vietnamese corporates is built on three pillars: environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, digitalisation, and resilience through market diversification.

ESG is no longer a competitive advantage. It has become a prerequisite across the supply chains of multinational corporations. Many Vietnam corporates have started to embed it in their business operations. We believe that successful integration starts with a clear and structured approach:

* Define ESG priorities that are most material to the company business model.

* Establish a robust ESG framework: Align your strategy with international standards, set measurable targets, and integrate these into business planning and financing decisions.

* Strengthen governance: Ensure senior management oversight of ESG performance, assign clear accountability, and maintain transparent disclosure.

* Enhance financial and ESG reporting: Integrate ESG metrics into financial and sustainability reports to provide a holistic view of performance and impact.

* Invest in employee awareness and training.

Standard Chartered has been on this journey as well. We started by embedding ESG in how we operate and how we support our clients. Guided by our Sustainability Framework, we are committed to mobilising $300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions in our operations by 2025 and financed emissions by 2050.

Other key focus areas are digitalisation and resilience. According to Standard Chartered Future of Trade: Resilience report, digitalisation and resilience are highlighted as key priorities for companies navigating a turbulent trade environment. This report found that companies are increasingly focusing on digital solution, such as AI, to improve supply chain visibility and management while realigning supply chains geographically to enhance resilience.

Standard Chartered has presence across 54 markets. Our Vietnam operation's key corridors include US, ASEAN, and North Asia. We aim to be the trusted partner that enables Vietnamese businesses to expand into these strategic corridors sustainably and responsibly.

Besides companies, individuals can also leverage on our network through Standard Chartereds Affluent and International Banking solutions. We aim to meet the sophisticated wealth and cross border needs of our clients while serving the growing wealth segment in Vietnam.

Can you share an example in Vietnam where sustainable financing was directly linked to a client meeting predefined ESG targets?

Standard Chartered has been a trusted partner in Vietnam for many years, combining global expertise with deep local insight. In 2019, Standard Chartered Vietnam successfully arranged the Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation's (REE) inaugural US$100 million bond issuance, a fixed-rate, 10-year bond in which the full principal is repaid at maturity.

The proceeds have supported REEs expansion and developments of its buildings in Ho Chi Minh City, including the partial construction of Etown 6 - the first Grade A green building with LEED Platinum Certification.

Another example is our green loan to support the first-phase construction of EMASI Plus Waterpoint School in Long An province.

This loan was used to develop school buildings that incorporate more sustainable elements and are on track to obtain the globally recognised EDGE certification  a global standard for diversity, equity, and inclusion  and are also expected to receive LEED certification at completion.

By aligning financing with measurable ESG outcomes, we help Vietnamese businesses transition responsibly and unlock long-term value. Our 120-year presence in Vietnam positions us as a leading bank in embedding ESG into corporate and financing strategies.

Could you highlight a specific example of how your corporate responsibility programmes are strengthening Vietnams small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) ecosystem?

SMEs are the backbone of Vietnam economy, and supporting them has been central to our purpose of driving commerce and prosperity.

We launched the Standard Chartered Womens International Network (SC WIN) last July, a global initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs by addressing financial and non-financial barriers to help their businesses thrive.

This marks a significant milestone in our banks commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth in Vietnam, particularly for women-led SMEs.

SC WIN was established to provide comprehensive support to women entrepreneurs through three key pillars: delivering products tailored to various business development stages, creating platforms to connect markets, client communities, suppliers and entrepreneurs across different regions, and assisting SMEs in formulating development and expansion strategies.

As transaction banking becomes more central in the digital economy, which capability are you prioritising in Vietnam to stay competitive  cash management, trade finance, or APIs?

Transaction banking is one of our strongest growth engines and a true differentiator for Standard Chartered. Our focus is on digital connectivity  creating a seamless bridge between clients treasury systems and our global banking infrastructure.

In my view, all the factors youve listed are key digital capabilities that we are prioritising. At the core of this is the use of APIs  secure digital connections that allow our clients systems and our banking platforms to communicate automatically, in real time, without manual intervention.

Through our Open Banking capabilities, we enable clients to gain real-time visibility of their cash positions, automate collections and payments, and integrate trade and supply chain financing directly into their resource planning platforms.

With the rise of API banking, instant payments and blockchain settlements, always-on treasury operations and real time cross-border transactions are fast becoming a reality. This paves the way for the rise of a wide range of innovative treasury management use cases.

In Vietnam, we are continuously building on our existing digital cash management capabilities to support our clients needs and contribute to overall growth and development in the market.

We were the first international bank to roll out instant payments in Vietnam. Today, we offer a range of API solutions in the market. Globally, we have 368 ready-made APIs and solutions that we can tap into to serve our clients in Vietnam.

The global rollout of ISO 20022 is creating a shared, structured and interoperable data language, laying the foundation for a common, advanced financial language that enables interoperability across ecosystems.

In Vietnam, we have recently rolled out our new payment platform, SCPAY, which is ISO 20022 compliant. This new platform enhances our ability to act faster and deliver greater efficiency  ensuring we serve our clients better in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Vietnam is one of Standard Chartereds priority markets globally, where we offer a comprehensive range of retail banking products across three distinct client segments: SMEs, affluent and international banking, and mass affluent. In the mass affluent segment in particular, we are well positioned to capture opportunities created by Vietnams rapidly expanding middle class. We are doing so by scaling through strategic digital partnerships, sharper use of data and analytics, and state-of-the-art digital platforms  enabling us to extend access to tailored financial solutions and deepen engagement with a broader, digitally connected customer base.

Standard Chartered committed to Vietnams financial success According to the International Monetary Funds World Economic Outlook Report in April this year, Vietnam is the only Southeast Asian representative in the top 10 countries with a forecast of 6.4 per cent growth from 2024 to 2029.

Standard Chartered and SBV accelerate help for women integrating with digital transformation On March 10, Standard Chartered Vietnam and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) co-organised the conference themed Banking women integrating with digital transformation in Hanoi.
Chirk Leisure Centre wins national Leisure Centre of the Year award

Chirk Leisure Centre has been crowned the Leisure Centre of the Year at the UK Active Awards 2025.

The facility, operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Wrexham Council, was recognised at the prestigious awards for its exceptional standards, community impact and commitment to innovation in health and fitness.

The UK Active Awards ceremony, held in Birmingham, brought together leading organisations from across the sector to celebrate the people and initiatives driving progress in health, fitness and community wellbeing.

Chirk Leisure Centre was selected following a competitive judging process that included a detailed application and multiple mystery visits.

Ivan Horsfall Turner, Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Leisure, said: We are incredibly proud and honoured to be recognised at the UK Active Awards 2025.

This award reflects the commitment, passion and teamwork of everyone at Chirk Leisure Centre and across Freedom Leisure.

Together, we strive to improve lives through accessible, inclusive and inspiring leisure opportunities.

Lead Member for Corporate and Customer Services at Wrexham Council, Cllr Beverley Parry-Jones said: We are proud to work in partnership with Freedom Leisure to deliver outstanding facilities and services for our community.

This achievement reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to promoting health, wellbeing, and active lifestyles for everyone.
Coleg Cambria learners shine at WorldSkills UK National Finals

Coleg Cambria is celebrating an impressive medal haul after eight of its most talented learners and apprentices represented the college at the WorldSkills UK National Finals.

The prestigious Skills Olympics held in Wales for the first time  saw more than 400 of the UKs top apprentices and learners compete across five venues in over 40 skill areas, including Engineering and Construction, Beauty Therapy, Hospitality and the Creative Industries.

Among them were Cambrias competitors from Wrexham and Deeside, who faced intense challenges designed by industry experts to test technical ability, precision, teamwork and resilience under pressure.

The outstanding results for Coleg Cambria included:

Gold for Evie McManus (Beauty Therapy)

Gold for Robert Jones (Aircraft Maintenance)

Silver for Mark Wright (Construction Metalwork)

Bronze for Lydia Roberts (Beauty Therapy)

Highly Commended for Hannah Back (Aircraft Maintenance)

Other competitors representing Cambria and its employer partners included Aircraft Maintenance learner Patrick Dunne and CNC milling specialists Jo Arrowsmith and Tomos Roberts.

This success formed part of a record-breaking year for Wales, which fielded its largest-ever team of 122 competitors. Team Wales secured 57 medals overall, with North Wales learners  including those from Coleg Cambria and partner employers such as Airbus UK  contributing 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze and 2 Highly Commended awards.

Robert Jones, Cambrias Skills Competition Lead, praised the effort behind the scenes and said: This would not have been possible if it were not for the specialist workshops, bespoke training, pressure tests and a high calibre of training delivered by our technical training officers, lecturers and training managers who have been a key part of their journey from competition entry to the national finals.

Lisa Radcliffe, Assistant Principal for Technical Studies at Deeside, added: Each medal represents countless hours of hard work and the unwavering commitment these learners have shown to mastering their craft. We are immensely proud of their achievements and inspired by the bright futures they are creating through skill, determination, and excellence.

Beauty Therapy tutors Ruth Payton and Charlotte Darbey commended the medal-winning duo: They were so focused and calm under pressure, we are incredibly proud of them both.

Jamie Mapp-Jones, Curriculum Director for Full-time Apprenticeships, said: These results highlight the exceptional standard of skills training at Coleg Cambria and the dedication of our learners, staff, and employer partners. Their achievements demonstrate what is possible when talent, passion and high-quality teaching come together.

Aircraft Maintenance gold medallist Robert Jones reflected on his own journey following his golden performance: After taking gold at Skills Competition Wales and Silver at Nationals, I was determined to go for gold this time. The experience has been invaluable  representing Wales makes me so proud.

Medallists from this years event now have the chance to join Squad UK, potentially representing their country at future international WorldSkills competitions.

For more on WorldSkills UK, visit www.worldskillsuk.org. For more news and information from Coleg Cambria, visit www.cambria.ac.uk
Senedd Committee warns greyhound racing ban lacks robust evidence

The Welsh Government has been urged to make sure than animal welfare remains the top priority when introducing a ban on greyhound racing.

That is the view of the Senedds Culture Committee, which has argued that government ministers should have taken a more rigorous and evidence-led approach when drafting the legislation.

The committee has today published its Stage 1 report on the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill.

In September the Welsh Government outlined plans to make it an offence to operate a greyhound track or organise races in Wales by 2030. The ban would impact Wales last remaining track  the Valley Greyhound Stadium in Ystrad Mynach  which faces closure under the draft law.

However the committee has argued that the shortened timetable has meant there has not been enough time to get timely answers to key questions, and some confusion has remained.

It concluded that while the Bill is founded on concerns about animal welfare, the committee concluded that much of the evidence presented during scrutiny was incomplete and highly contested.

During its evidence gathering members heard compelling arguments about the risks of injuries and fatalities on the track, and concerns about welfare throughout a greyhounds life  from breeding and kennelling to retirement. Witnesses highlighted issues such as:

Persistent injuries and fatalities despite regulation.

Welfare challenges beyond racing, including breeding practices and rehoming pressures.

Lack of transparency and gaps in data on injury rates and lifetime welfare.

However opponents of the Bill have questioned whether whether an outright ban on greyhound racing was justified or necessary.

The committee heard warnings of the potential unintended outcomes, such as unregulated racing, and emphasised the cultural significance of the sport for some communities

Delyth Jewell MS, Chair of the Senedds Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee said: Were all agreed that animal welfare must be the top priority in any decision about greyhound racing, but a lack of clear evidence has made the work of scrutinising the Bill more difficult.

We were asked to scrutinise a Bill with incomplete and contested evidence, and within a shortened timeframe. That is not how good law is made. The Welsh Government should have taken more time to gather robust data and consult widely.

The report does not take a definitive position on the general principles of the Bill, reflecting the contested nature of the evidence and the complexity of the issues. It calls on the Welsh Government to:

Undertake a comprehensive assessment of the economic and social impacts before the Bill is brought into force.

Enable statutory guidance to be issued on enforcement and ensure adequate resources for local authorities.

Monitor potential unintended consequences, including cross-border racing and impacts on rehoming capacity.

The Committee also says the Welsh Government should explain clearly how and when it uses moral arguments in making laws and apply them consistently across similar issues.

Delyth Jewell MS added: The welfare of greyhounds must remain paramount. We heard serious concerns about injuries, fatalities and systemic welfare issues that regulation could never fully resolve.

At the same time, we must acknowledge the potential impact on those whose livelihoods depend on the sport and this has not yet been fully assessed.

The Committee believes the Welsh Government should have taken a more rigorous, evidence-led approach when introducing legislation.

In response to the report, a spokesperson from the Cut the Chase Coalition, comprising Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue and the RSPCA, said: Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved.

Across the UK, the industrys own data shows that thousands of greyhounds have been injured in recent years as a result of racing, with hundreds having lost their lives. Such risks to dog welfare are not defendable in the interests of sport or entertainment.

Our position remains steadfast that ending greyhound racing in Wales is the only way of protecting dogs from unnecessary injury; and is in line with public opinion  with tens of thousands of people having signed a petition urging the Welsh Government to take this action.

We welcome the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committees report, including their clear support for safeguarding greyhound welfare, their conclusion that a ban is unlikely to drive continued racing activity underground in Wales, and that the proposed offences in the Bill will be effective. The committee has also recognised the strong arguments in favour of animal welfare during the policy process so far, and we are highly encouraged that a number of Committee Members believe a ban is necessary after hearing the evidence.

We now look forward to continuing to work with Senedd Members as this legislation progresses through the Welsh Parliament, so that Wales joins the growing list of nations worldwide where greyhound racing has been consigned to where it belongs  the history books.

However Mark Bird, CEO of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, has urged the Welsh government to drop the Bill in favour of regulation.

He said: The Culture Committee have criticised every element of this Bill and how this process is being run. It is clear that they believe this Bill is at risk of being ill-judged and ill-considered legislation if it passed.

They are as bemused and shocked as everyone else is by the political shenanigans that led to a dodgy backroom deal becoming a dodgy Bill.

We urge the Welsh government to see sense and drop this Bill in favour of regulation.

If the Bill progresses, detailed changes to the Bill happen later at Stage 2.
Warning issued after cold callers target homes in Rhos and Chirk

A warning has been issued to residents amid a rise in reports of cold callers targeting homes in Rhos and Chirk.

It comes after police issued an appeal after a distraction burglary on Vinegar Hill in Rhos at 4.45pm on Wednesday, 3 December.

Two males, described as having Irish accents, claimed to be Welsh Water engineers in order to gain access to a house.

A spokesperson for Welsh Water has since confirmed that its staff will always carry identification and will provide this to residents to inspect. The organisation has also encouraged residents to contact them on 0800 052 0145 if they are unsure.

Further reports of cold calling have since been made in the village and also in Chirk, however it is unknown whether the incidents are connected.

A spokesperson for NWP Wrexham Rural said: Criminals will use distraction tactics to gain entry to homes, to take cash or possessions, or to trick residents into having unnecessary work completed on their homes.

These criminals will often wear uniform or high visibility clothing with some form of ID that may appear legitimate or official, and they will often pretend to represent utilities and other similar organisations.

The following advice has been issued by North Wales Police to help protect residents from falling victim to doorstep scams:

Never trust identification badges, they can easily be falsified.

Do not allow any cold callers entry to your home. No appointment = no entry!

Do not leave your house if asked to.

Do not keep cash in the house and never pay for items on the doorstep in cash.

Look out for your neighbours, especially more vulnerable members of the community.

You can report any suspicious behaviour to North Wales Police on 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to take up the constitutionality of President Donald Trump's order on birthright citizenship declaring that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.

The justices will hear Trump's appeal of a lower court ruling that struck down the citizenship restrictions. They have not taken effect anywhere in the country.

The case will be argued in the spring. A definitive ruling is expected by early summer.

The birthright citizenship order, which Trump signed Jan. 20, the first day of his second term, is part of his administrations broad immigration crackdown. Other actions include immigration enforcement surges in several cities and the first peacetime invocation of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.

The Republican administration is facing multiple court challenges, and the high court has sent mixed signals in emergency orders it has issued. The justices effectively stopped the use of the Alien Enemies Act to rapidly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without court hearings. But the Supreme Court allowed the resumption of sweeping immigration stops in the Los Angeles area after a lower court blocked the practice of stopping people solely based on their race, language, job or location.

The justices also are weighing the administrations emergency appeal to be allowed to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area for immigration enforcement actions. A lower court has indefinitely prevented the deployment.

Birthright citizenship is the first Trump immigration-related policy to reach the court for a final ruling. His order would upend more than 125 years of understanding that the Constitutions 14th Amendment confers citizenship on everyone born on American soil, with narrow exceptions for the children of foreign diplomats and those born to a foreign occupying force.

In a series of decisions, lower courts have struck down the executive order as unconstitutional, or likely so, even after a Supreme Court ruling in late June that limited judges use of nationwide injunctions.

The Supreme Court, however, did not rule out other court orders that could have nationwide effects, including in class-action lawsuits and those brought by states. The justices did not decide at that time whether the underlying citizenship order was constitutional.

Every lower court that has looked at the issue has concluded that Trumps order violates or likely violates the 14th Amendment, which was intended to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship. Birthright citizenship automatically makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers who are in the country illegally, under long-standing rules.

The case under review comes from New Hampshire. A federal judge in July blocked the citizenship order in a class-action lawsuit including all children who would be affected.

The administration had also asked the justices to review a ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. That court, also in July, ruled that a group of Democratic-led states that sued over Trump's order needed a nationwide injunction to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship being in effect in some states and not others. The justices took no action in the 9th circuit case.

The administration has asserted that children of noncitizens are not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and therefore not entitled to citizenship.

The Fourteenth Amendments Citizenship Clause was adopted to grant citizenship to newly freed slaves and their childrennot...to the children of aliens illegally or temporarily in the United States, top administration top Supreme Court lawyer, D. John Sauer, wrote in urging the high courts review.

Twenty-four Republican-led states and 27 Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, are backing the administration

(Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Doris Crenshaw was 12 years old on Dec. 5, 1955, when she and her sister eagerly rushed door to door in their neighborhood, distributing flyers prepared by activists planning a boycott of city buses in Montgomery, Alabama.

Dont ride the bus to work, to town, to school or any place on Monday, the flyers read, urging people to attend a mass meeting that evening.

There was a sense of urgency. Days earlier, Rosa Parks, the secretary of the local NAACP chapter, had been the latest Black person arrested for refusing to give up a bus seat to a white passenger on the segregated buses. For 381 days, an estimated 40,000 Black residents stayed off city buses  opting to walk, ride in car pools or take Black-owned cabs  until a legal challenge struck down bus-segregation laws.

In this city there was a groundswell of a need to do something about what was going on in the buses, because a lot of people were arrested, Crenshaw, now 82, recalled.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott marked its 70th anniversary Friday  many of the boycott organizers' descendants, including those of late civil rights icons the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy Sr., plan to reunite in the Alabama city where it all started. Widely considered the beginning of the modern Civil Rights Movement, the bus boycott demonstrated the power of sustained nonviolent protest and economic pressure that continues to provide a model for the activism today.

A group of national organizers encouraged people to avoid the temptation of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, aiming the action at corporations like Target and Amazon for phasing out diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and financially backing the Trump administration.

Any time there can be a strategic and organized response to corporate behavior or exclusionary policy, communities should be free to identify the best approach to address the harm thats being created," NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in a phone interview Thursday.

Boycotting is one tool in the toolbox. At the NAACP, we call it selective buying campaigns.

A gathering at boycott's organizing home

At a Friday celebration at the Holt Street Baptist Church, the site of the mass meeting that launched the boycott, speakers connected past to present. The church now serves as a civil rights museum.

What happened here changed the world, the Rev. Willie D. McClung said from the pulpit. Audio of Kings Dec. 5, 1955, speech thundered through the church, and a refurbished bus from the era of the boycott was parked outside.

The Rev. Bernice A. King, King's daughter, said what transpired in Montgomery continues to be a blueprint for any movement for freedom, justice and equality. She said she thinks about the words of her mother, Coretta Scott King: Struggle is a never ending process.

Freedom is never really won," King said Friday. You earn it and win it in every generation. And so the freedom movement has to be intergenerational, and its important that the younger generation learn from those that are still left behind.

The 70th anniversary was marked at multiple events in Montgomery paying homage to the key moment in American history and bringing calls to recommit to the fight for equality.

At a gathering on the campus of Alabama State University, the children of civil rights leaders, including King and the children of the Rev. Ralph Abernathy, met with the living foot soldiers of the movement. Donzaleigh Abernathy recalled her mother's description of the 1957 night their Montgomery home was bombed along with Black churches in Montgomery. Others recalled the joy of seeing empty buses rolling in 1955, proof that the boycott was working.

Boycott history

Parks' Dec. 1, 1955, arrest was the final catalyst for the boycott that had been quietly discussed by some activists in the city. The seats at the front of the city buses were reserved for white people. And Black passengers, who were forced to sit in the back, were expected to give up their seats if the white section became full.

Contrary to the story that is often told, Parks, who died in 2005, wrote that she was not particularly tired from work that day when she took a stand by keeping her seat.

No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in, Parks wrote in her autobiography.

Parks was a beloved figure in the town, Crenshaw recalled. She led the NAACP Youth Council and Crenshaw and other members would meet at the Parks' apartment each week.

Pulling off the boycott for more than a year took an extreme amount of dedication and discipline, Crenshaw recalled.

We walked, and we kept walking, said Crenshaw, who went on to a lifetime of civil rights activism.

Boycotting in the spirit of Montgomery

The Rev. Jamal Bryant, a Georgia pastor who helped organize the Target boycott, has found some dizzying opposition and skepticism from Black pastors and leaders, but said it's been a learning experience to fight through and help people understand.

Everything we are doing, we stole from yall," Bryant told the crowd in Montgomery. "So thank you so very much for giving us the blueprint on how to get it done.

While the specific methods have changed, the underlying goal of leveraging the economic power of the community to drive social and policy change remains the same, said Deborah Scott, the CEO of Georgia Stand-Up. The organization is focused on economic and social justice issues and emphasizes engaging and developing the next generation of activists and leaders.

Scott said she was a teenager when she arrived in Atlanta more than 30 years ago to begin organizing with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference around the anti-apartheid movement. She worked to free South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela and to establish a holiday honoring King.

Just like the original Montgomery boycott, which sought access to affordable, non-discriminatory transportation by bringing large groups of people together to drive change, the success of boycotts after it required an unshakeable sense of unity.

With widespread use of social media platforms, todays boycotts look different. Scott said the biggest change in boycotting with the newer generation is the focus on using consumer purchasing power to pressure companies to change their policies or practices.

Were encouraging people to really dig deep about where they want to spend their dollars," she said.

Next generation takes action

Madison Pugh, at 13, is about the same age that Crenshaw was when she became involved in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The eighth grader decided with her grandmother not to shop at Target. Living in Montgomery, Pugh is growing up surrounded by the history of the civil rights movement that transpired decades before she was born. The stories from Crenshaw and others are more than just inspiring, she said.

It's saddening to the heart to know that a whole group of people weren't allowed to go somewhere and have an education or be treated as humans because they were a different skin color," Pugh said. "It definitely lets me know that the job will never be finished and you have to keep pushing.

Green reported from New York. Race and Ethnicity news editor Aaron Morrison in New York contributed.
Multiple people suspected of sex crimes against children are in custody after an operation from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office's Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations team.
Mayor Daniel Lurie and Zac Posen were on hand to toast the Chestnut Street Gaps big glow-up.

Plus, Lan Jaenicke unveils a jaw-dropping new collection, and Vacant to Vibrant welcomes two new pop-ups downtown.

Fall into the redesigned Gap on Chestnut Street. The Gap returns to Chestnut Street with a very "future is now" refresh. (Courtesy of Gap) All is right in the Marina District now that the newly made-over Gap store has reopened its doors. The months-long closure was an alarming state of affairs for shoppers looking to refresh their hoodie stash, snag infant-sized denim jackets, or grab a pair of distressed barrel jeans. The Chestnut Street store, first opened in 1987, is now back and better than ever, celebrating its return with a full-on rager (ribbon-cutting included) at which a bevy of Gap bigwigs, including president/CEO Richard Dickson and creative director/EVP Zac Posen, joined mayor Daniel Lurie, local entrepreneurs, and a crowd of beautiful people to toast, shop, and make merry. The refreshed space is bright and modern, paying homage to the brands San Francisco roots and the citys tech-slash-creative culture. White walls, wood floors, and vinyl records nod to Gaps original Ocean Avenue store (born in 1969), while wrap-around LED screens, interactive denim displays, and AI-powered styling tools are very future is now. Altogether, the shopping is a delightespecially with newly dedicated sections for sweatshirts, denim, kids, and more. // 2159 Chestnut St. (Marina), shop online at gap.com

Meet Lan Jaenickes ethereal and infinitely wearable new collection. The cashmere Cocoon is just one of our favorites from Lan Jaenicke's Series No. 26. (Courtesy of Lan Jaenicke) The show notes from San Francisco designer Lan Jaenickes recent fashion presentationan intimate and fabulous affair in collaboration with Bonded By Butter and Perliss Estates perfectly capture the spirit of Series No. 26: Tonight unfolds in three movements, shaped by the enduring spirit of West Lake [Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou]. Its devotion to hands, its clarity of proportion, its quiet lasting beauty. The dreamy lineup of dresses, skirts, tops, pants, and jackets bears all of Jaenickes signatures: meticulous craftsmanship, sumptuous natural fabrics (think double-faced cashmere, silk charmeuse, merino wool), and silhouettes that whisper simplicity while delivering precision detailing and magical, fluid draping. The neutral-yet-impactful palette, flush with shades of olive, navy, cream, brown, burgundy, and black, is tailormade for stylish and practical San Franciscans. Another notable thing about Series No. 26? It features both unisex and mens designsa first for the 17-year-old label. And while choosing favorites feels impossible, duty calls. Our top three: 1) The Cocoon : an ultra-voluminous, double-faced cashmere top with a delicate exterior zipper that can be worn in front or back; 2) Japanese Selvedge Denim Trousers : cool unisex jeans with an elastic waist and oversized leg, handmade at Jaenickes Jackson Square atelier; and 3) The Hand Pleated Kimono Dress , a made-to-order silk stunner featuring butterfly paintings by local decorative artist Caroline Lizarraga . Slip in and float away. // Visit Atelier Lan Jaenicke at 431 Jackson St. (Jackson Square) and Maison Lan Jaenicke at 3307 Sacramento St. (Presidio Heights), lanjaenicke.com .
Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine speaks to a group attending the New Mexico Renewable Authority Workshop at the La Fonda Hotel on Oct. 9. Eddie Moore

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine speaks with attendees before giving the keynote speech at the New Mexico Renewable Authority Workshop in Santa Fe in October. Kenderdine abruptly stepped down from her Cabinet-level post on Friday due to personal reasons. Eddie Moore

SANTA FE  The top energy official in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration abruptly stepped down Friday, marking the latest Cabinet-level turnover as the governor approaches her final year in office.

The Governors Office said Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Melanie Kenderdine was resigning for personal reasons, but did not elaborate.

Kenderdine, who previously co-founded a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit energy group, was appointed to the state-level post by Lujan Grisham in April 2024.

She was the second individual to lead the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department on a permanent basis under the governors tenure, as Sarah Cottrell Propst previously held the position from 2019 until late 2023.

Melanie brought national energy expertise to New Mexico, and Im grateful for her contributions at EMNRD, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. I wish her well.

The governor also announced that Erin Taylor, a deputy EMNRD Cabinet secretary, will serve as the agencys acting secretary going forward.

The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department oversees New Mexicos state parks system and is also tasked with regulating the states oil and natural gas industry. In addition, the state Forestry Division and some renewable energy programs also fall under the departments purview.

New Mexico is the third-largest energy producer in the country, and the second-largest crude oil-producing state, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last year, New Mexico accounted for 15% of the total U.S. crude oil production. It was also the third-largest natural gas-producing state in 2024, providing 8% of total natural gas withdrawals.

Throughout her tenure, Melanie brought a wealth of national experience and a balanced approach that valued both our environment and our economy, Missi Currier, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, said in a statement. Her leadership helped advance important conversations about clean energy and resource management in our state.

The departure of Kenderdine, who also previously held high-level positions at the U.S. Department of Energy under presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, is the latest state Cabinet secretary to resign.

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Most recently, former Children, Youth and Families Secretary Teresa Casados abruptly retired in September, paving the way for Valerie Sandoval to be named the governors fourth CYFD secretary since taking office in 2019.

However, its not unusual for some Cabinet secretaries to seek other job opportunities during the final year of a governors tenure in office.

Per the state Constitution, Lujan Grisham is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in office next year and will step down at the end of 2026.
Charges have been filed against 10 people accused of smuggling the opioid-treatment drug Suboxone into the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Center.

SANTA FE  The Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office devised a sting operation at the Santa Fe County jail this summer that resulted in charges against 10 detainees and non-detainees accused of smuggling Suboxone into the facility, according to court records.

A statement of probable cause states that 38-year-old detainee Pedro Talamante and his brother Diego Talamante, 33, collected payments via CashApp from people incarcerated at the facility in exchange for strips of the drug, which is commonly prescribed to treat opioid-use disorder but can be abused.

Pedro Talamante faces conspiracy to commit bringing contraband into jail and conspiracy to commit distribution of a controlled substance, fourth-degree felonies, while his brother is charged with bringing contraband into jail and conspiracy to commit distribution of a controlled substance, also fourth-degree felonies.

Eight others face charges tied to the purported smuggling scheme, including Alicia Quintana, 42; Jeremiah Quintana, 19; James Jochem, 51; Davonne Romero, 27; Clarence Martinez-Sepulveda, 22; Omar Marrufo, 35; Frank Mares, 42; and Cynthia Hernandez, 35.

A combination of the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone, Suboxone is a prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance and has a potential for misuse, according to American Addiction Centers.

Investigators say the defendants used code words, like ribbons and dollars, to refer to the Suboxone, while birthday party referred to their plans to bring the substance into the jail. Investigators had become familiar with the jargon over the course of other drug smuggling busts at the Santa Fe County jail in recent years.

Through prior investigations similar to this one, the language used in the telephone calls were in reference to intent of orchestrating and bringing contraband into the jail facility, a statement of probable cause for Diego Talamante reads.

According to court records, jail guards detected an anomaly while conducting a body scan of Talamante on June 26 after he was booked on a probation violation warrant.

After placing the 33-year-old in solitary confinement, deputies directed a jail worker to go undercover as a jail porter and then approach Talamante to retrieve what they suspected was a package of Suboxone he had smuggled into the detention center.

At that time, Diego is seen on CCTV retrieving the substance from his cavity and sliding it under the door, the probable cause statement reads.

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In a similar case in July 2024, 11 people were charged with smuggling methamphetamine and Suboxone into the jail after investigators reviewed phone calls made from the facility.
Firearms are displayed at a licensed gun shop in Albuquerque in this March 2024 file photo. Some Democratic lawmakers plan to push for increased oversight of gun dealers in the state.

Andrea Romero Source: New Mexico Legislature

Heather Berghmans Source: New Mexico Legislature

Crystal Brantley Source: New Mexico Legislature

SANTA FE  Two New Mexico Democratic lawmakers say they plan to push for legislation increasing oversight of firearm dealers in the state, after a national group released a report that found most guns used in crimes were originally purchased from in-state sellers.

But the proposal could face opposition during the 30-day session that begins next month  if its even added to the sessions agenda.

A spokesman for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Thursday the governor has not yet decided whether to include such legislation on the session agenda, but indicated she is open to the idea.

The governor is committed to ending gun violence in New Mexico and would take a close look at any legislation that could help make that happen, Lujan Grisham spokesman Michael Coleman said in a statement.

Under the New Mexico Constitution, the 30-day sessions that take place in even-numbered years are limited to budgetary matters and other issues the governor approves for legislative debate.

The report released this week cited 2023 data from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that 4,847 guns used in crimes in New Mexico were recovered and traced by law enforcement officials. Of that amount, about 78% of the guns were originally purchased from licensed firearm dealers, primarily in New Mexico.

The report also found that most of the firearms in question were sold by a small number of dealers, and nearly 90% were found in the possession of someone other than the initial buyer.

It was released by Everytown for Gun Safety, a New York-based group that advocates for gun safety and has given hefty campaign contributions to some New Mexico Democrats.

Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, said the findings indicate some firearms dealers might be selling guns to traffickers.

There are bad actors that have repeatedly sold these weapons to folks in the community, and they are still currently operating in the state without any sort of accountability whatsoever, Romero said during a virtual news conference.

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She also said the legislation she and Sen. Heather Berghmans, D-Albuquerque, are planning to file could include employee training requirements and mandatory firearm inventory tracking.

However, Zach Fort, the president of the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, said placing more requirements on federal firearm licensees, or FFLs, will not address the issue of gun theft.

Once they hand that firearm over, they have no visibility into what happens with it, Fort told the Journal.

He also said firearms dealers already must comply with strict federal tracking requirements for all guns, while citing federal and state laws targeting straw purchases of firearms. Such purchases occur when someone is paid to buy guns for another person.

Eric Rasmussen, the owner of Right to Bear Arms gun shop in Albuquerque, said local gun store owners have a system of alerting one another when they suspect straw purchases.

Theres not one gun store owner I know of who wants to sell guns to criminals, said Rasmussen, who is also the president of the New Mexico Firearms Industry Association.

Since Lujan Grisham took office, New Mexico lawmakers have approved several new laws dealing with firearms restrictions. Those measures include a 2019 law expanding required background checks and a 2021 law allowing guns to be temporarily seized from individuals deemed to pose a threat to themselves or others.

Legislators also passed a 2024 bill establishing a seven-day waiting period to purchase a firearm, though that law is currently in limbo after being challenged in federal court.

Meanwhile, attempts to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, with certain exceptions, and to raise the buying age for purchasing AR-15-style rifles have stalled at the Roundhouse.

New Mexico in recent years has had one of the nations highest firearm mortality rates, with roughly 25 gun-related deaths per 100,000 residents in 2023, according to federal data. The only states with higher per capita firearm mortality rates were Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

But Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, said legislation targeting firearms dealers will not reduce violent crime rates in New Mexico.

This session should focus on getting the worst repeat offenders off our streets, not targeting the very New Mexicans who follow the law, said Brantley.
The proposals form part of a package of initiatives, published in a joint report from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and FCA. These include: A new FCA Mutual Societies Development Unit that will act as a central hub of expertise and insight helping mutuals navigate policy and legislative changes. It will support initiatives such as co-operative networks that enable mutuals to collaborate, grow and build resilience. A PRA and FCA review of mutual credit union regulations, considering more risk-based capital requirements for larger, complex firms and proportionality for smaller credit unions. Free pre-application support by the FCA for firms setting up as a mutual society, innovating their business models, or seeking guidance applying for targeted support permission. A cut in application times for new societies  from 15 to 10 working days, encouraging more society registrations through the FCAs Mutuals Society Portal. Confirmation from the PRA that the Building Societies Sourcebook has been removed from the PRA rulebook with immediate effect. Sam Woods, CEO of the PRA and deputy governor at the Bank of England, said: Mutuals are a vital part of our financial system. Todays report examines how the financial mutuals sector is growing, and what we can do to help it thrive in the period ahead. The FCA has also published its own report as registering authority assessing the mutual societies sectors. Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said: The mutuals sector is remarkably diverse and rooted in the communities and members it serves. They support people to buy a home, insure against the worst events, increase financial inclusion and bring communities together, whether in the club, pub or on an allotment. We want to help them grow, and our new Development Unit will provide dedicated support. Were also making it faster for mutuals to start-up. Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: We have committed to double the size of the mutuals sector, and are pleased the regulators are taking concrete steps to support the sectors growth so it can deliver better value for members and communities. "Mutuals form an important part of the UKs financial and business landscape, supporting the savings, borrowing, pensions and more of millions of people. Today's announcements build on existing regulatory initiatives to support mutuals and the wider financial sector, including: The regulators' joint proposals to streamline the Senior Managers and Certification Regime to support competitiveness. The launch of the Scale-up Unit, providing tailored support to firms with growth ambitions. The PRA's Strong and Simple rules, which simplify capital requirements for smaller firms. The PRAs introduction of Solvency UK, which significantly cuts red tape for insurance firms. The FCAs mortgage market reforms, taken up by 85% of the market including building societies, with lenders being able to offer around 30,000 more. Mutuals are owned by their members, typically to serve their owners needs and financial mutuals have over 30 million members across the UK. This includes 93 mutual insurance firms, 42 building societies and 350 credit unions. There are also 12 million memberships across over 8,400 co-operative and community benefit societies. Collectively, these hold more than 223bn in assets and include housing associations, social clubs and retail societies. The reports were launched at an FCA and PRA event on Friday 5 December in Rochdale, attended by Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby MP.
By Stephen Caine, Head of Mortality, WTW But amidst all this, the Regulator has issued a timely reminder: don't overlook the importance of base mortality. They note that "scheme mortality is likely to be a material source of uncertainty, particularly for smaller schemes" and also "we expect many schemes will want to commission [postcode-based or experience] analysis and would generally expect all trustees to have considered doing so." Why base mortality is so important Recent analysis by the actuarial profession's mortality arm, the Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI), reminds us of the importance of tailoring mortality assumptions to a scheme's membership. Their analysis of the mortality experienced by individuals with a pension annuity over 2015-2022 calculated that, on average, male mortality rates could be twice as high in the most deprived areas compared with the least. This echoes similar findings for defined benefit pensioners and highlights the stark disparities in life expectancy across the UK. Location matters, but not in the way you think It's an unfortunate truth that there is so much disparity in mortality in the UK and the underlying causes of this are complex. Our own analysis of the output from our Geo Focus model shows how neighbouring postcodes can have a life expectancy difference of four years, equivalent to a 15%-20% difference in the value of their pension liability. For example, in the Birmingham area, life expectancy at 65 in Solihull is 88.1 years, compared to just 84.3 years in nearby Castle Vale only ten miles away. This shows how life expectancy can vary even within a small area. Similarly, pension amount is correlated with life expectancy, but analysis shows it only goes so far to explaining the difference in mortality outcomes between individuals, especially since many private sector scheme members won't have a full-service pension (because the scheme closed or they moved employment). To properly understand the mortality expectations for a pension scheme, trustees and sponsors need to look at their own experience in combination with a good quality postcode-model that also takes into account lifestyle, health and wealth factors based on where people live (as our Geo Focus model does). Recognising uncertainty The Regulator is clear: mortality assumptions should be prudent, and greater margins for prudence are expected where schemes rely on standard tables without tailoring. They state, "where such a standard approach is taken, we would expect the uncertainty of experience to be reflected in a more prudent set of rates being chosen." This is especially important for smaller schemes, where the concentration of risk in fewer members magnifies longevity risk and less credible data hampers establishing an appropriate scheme-specific assumption. Medium and large schemes on the other hand have the benefit of more data and less concentration risk but pose greater financial risk in absolute terms to their sponsors. Careful management of the risk is therefore beneficial in all circumstances. By doing so, schemes can properly prepare for the future, be it run-on or matching an insurers expectation when approach buy-in/out. In summary While the industry's focus has rightly been on improvements in future mortality rates through projection models, this is a timely reminder: base mortality is the bedrock of your mortality assumption. Get it wrong, and even the most sophisticated mortality projection model won't save you. Get it right, and you will have solid foundations for the next stage in the scheme journey.
Putin Lands in Delhi for 2-Day Visit as India, Russia Set Stage for High-Stakes Summit 2

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening the nearly eight-decade-old IndiaRussia partnership, even as global geopolitics undergoes sharp realignments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting a private dinner for the Russian leader tonight ahead of the 23rd IndiaRussia summit on Friday. Defence cooperation, safeguarding bilateral trade from external pressures, and discussions on collaboration in small modular nuclear reactors are expected to dominate the talksclosely watched by Western capitals.

Putins 27-hour visit carries added significance amid the current strain in IndiaUS ties. Both sides are expected to sign a series of agreements on Friday, particularly in trade and strategic cooperation.

On Friday morning, Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan before holding summit talks with Modi at Hyderabad House, where the prime minister will also host a working lunch.

The Russian president will visit Rajghat earlier in the day and is scheduled to launch the new India channel of the Russian state-run broadcaster after the summit. President Droupadi Murmu will host a state banquet in his honour later in the evening.

Putin is expected to depart from New Delhi around 9 pm on Friday.
Artist Raul Malo performs in concert at City Winery Nashville on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP) Laura Roberts/Invision/AP

Raul Malo of The Mavericks was rushed to the hospital Thursday.

His wife, Betty Malo, shared the news on social media.

Our love is fighting hard right now but not a second goes by that he doesnt appreciate all the love everyone shows him, she posted on Facebook. The boys and I had to bring him to the ER earlier today but (Raul Malo) is stable and ready to fight. We are all excited for (The Ryman) shows and hope everyone enjoys them! Raul has changed many lives and his music has brought so much love to so many people. Lets all stand with him and rally!!!

The Mavericks frontman is battling stage 4 cancer and Leptomenigeal Disease.

Malo, 60, was part of a two-day show in which he was to be honored starting Friday, The Mavericks announced last month.

Were proud to announce the Dance The Night Away: A 35-year Musical Legacy Celebrating The Mavericks & Honoring Raul Malo, December 5-6 at (Ryman) Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, the statement read. A 2-night tribute show in honor of Raul and the bands decades-long history and contributions to American and Latin music, these special evenings will feature guest appearances from an exceptional lineup of friends and artists performing selections from The Mavericks storied catalog of classics.

The Mavericks star has been battling stage 4 cancer since last year. He also has developed Leptomeningeal Disease, which is a rare condition where cancer cells spread to the thin membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
A family was killed in a North Alabama house fire early Friday morning. Two parents and their three children were found dead in the destroyed home.

Lawrence County Coroner Scott Norwood said firefighters were called to a structure fire in the Hillsboro community around 5:25 a.m. Friday morning. The fire was extinguished by 9:30 a.m.

In the first search, the responders found the bodies o the parents but the debris was too hot for responders to do a thorough search of the property. When the site cooled off, emergency responders found the bodies of their three children. The children were 10, 7, and 6 years old.

Lawrence County School officials released a statement regarding the fire.

Our Lawrence County School Family is heartbroken due to a tragedy in the East Lawrence community. We are keeping the affected families close in our hearts during this unimaginable time.

School counsellors and support staff will be available to support students and staff in the days ahead.

We appreciate the compassion, prayers, and support as we navigate this difficult moment together."
On the podcast, were talking winter weather (and wrapping up the hurricane season, which officially ended this past weekend). Were even having some fun with a winter-weather vocabulary test, of sorts:

Mardi Gras Service

So far, the current iteration of Amtrak on the Alabama coast seems to be a success, reports AL.coms John Sharp.

More than 46,000 customers have ridden the rails between Mobile and New Orleans since the Amtrak Mardi Gras service launched on Aug. 18.

It really bodes well for this route. Amtrak services typical slow in January and February, but Mardi Gras between the two cities may be the antidote for that.

So which way are the riders going? Well, Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross thinks its both -- and not just Alabamians taking trips to New Orleans.

Said Ross: It puts to bed the notion that no one wants to come to Mobile. What were finding is were far ahead of the projections -- more than double. The ridership has grown each month. Its become a part of the transportation infrastructure.

A grisly ID

Part of a Center Point mystery has apparently been solved, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson.

Remember the dog that kept bringing human remains back into his yard? The Jefferson County Coroners office has finally identified who those remains belonged to.

In February 2024, a legally blind man in his mid-20s -- Curtis Taylor Jr. -- told his mom he was going to spend some time with his dad. When he didnt show up back at his moms for two weeks, she found out that he hadnt showed up at his dads at all. A missing-persons report was filed, but searches didnt turn up anything.

Meanwhile, about six months later, a man saw his German Shepherd mix playing with a skull in the road by his home. A few months later the dog was playing with a tibia. Then a few months later, on April 10 of this year, the dog was found with a femur. Authorities searched and found a jawbone.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office is investigating Taylors death as a homicide.

Home sweet mansion

The biggest house in Alabama has changed hands, reports AL.coms William Thornton.

All 54,000 square feet of it.

The 1997 house is on 27 acres in Shelby Countys Shoal Creek neighborhood. Its nearly as big as the White House and comes in at No. 44 nationally among the largest houses in the U.S.

There are 15 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms, 12 grand fireplaces, mahogany doors, hand-selected marble, a 25-person theater, a 10-car garage, commercial-grade elevator, 2,000 bottle capacity wine cellar, an equestrian center and, since itd be tacky to make your guests have to share those 54,000 square feet, a 3,000-square-foot guest house.

The house went for a cool $4.8 million, close to the same price it was sold for in 2020.

Quoting

He left in a pine box like I did.

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, according to Eric Michael Garcia of the Independent, quipping on similarities in the way he and Lane Kiffin left the University of Mississippi. A couple days before Tuberville left Ole Miss in 1998 for Auburn, he said hed have to be carried out of Mississippi in a pine box.

By the Numbers

724

Thats how many acres -- across three properties -- the City of Huntsville is expected to annex at his Dec. 18 meeting. The Rocket City has already annexed more than 2,87 acres in 2025.

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1939, abstract painter Jack Whitten of Bessemer.

The podcast
The state of Alabama has a complicated relationship with science, and its criminal courts are no exception. Often, state prosecutors defend debunked junk science, like bite marks, to keep people in prison. Other times, they ignore updated scientific findings, such as recent DNA tests, to defend old theories that led to a conviction. In this series, AL.com will highlight several cases where science is at odds with the sentence.

When Joseph Smith was 27, he was involved in the brutal beating death of a man in Mobile. At the time, he was reading at fourth-grade level.

Is it enough to keep him from being executed?

The federal courts think so. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall does not.

And next week, Alabama will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to let the state put Smith to death even though two other federal courts already ruled that he is intellectually disabled.

Lower courts have ruled multiple times that putting him to death would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. Its been the law of the land for decades not to execute someone who has a mental disability, who falls below a scientific threshold for understanding the ramifications of their actions.

But Alabama argues that Smith has an IQ that is just high enough to be put to death.

Alabama objects to the way the medical community decides who has an intellectual disability. The state also says the rule is so vague that Alabama wont be able to execute anyone so long as a court or an expert has even an inkling that the offender may be mildly disabled.

When it comes to criminal justice, Alabama often ignores or argues against evolving scientific standards, continuing to stand behind discredited bite marks to keep an Andalusia man in prison or ignoring DNA evidence to keep a man locked up for a murder in Montgomery.

Smiths case is different from those two, as this legal battle isnt about innocence. This is no twisting whodunit.

This is not about science

Smith is currently sitting on Alabamas Death Row for his role in the 1997 robbery and beating death of a man in Mobile County.

The question now is what should be done with him. His lawyers say hes intellectually disabled and cannot be executed. The state argues that Smiths IQ is too high to be considered disabled and even if hes borderline, it doesnt really matter.

The state also said clinical standards mutate and by relying on psychologists the court guaranteed that the standards will never stop evolving.

The issue? Alabamas lawyers say Smiths IQ is closer to 75, instead of 70 or below.

But professionals in the field say science is always evolving and IQ is not a simple matter of a test score, especially when it comes to people near the cutoff for being considered intellectually disabled.

As a public policy matter, it is a black line. If you are intellectually disabled, you dont get executed, said Robert Dunham, a lawyer and death penalty researcher. As a medical matter, its a gray line because IQ scores are approximations and you have to use clinical judgement in the close cases.

Ahead of a Dec. 10 hearing in Washington D.C., Smiths lawyers wrote that Alabama is making a a clear attempt to overturn this Courts decades of painstakingly crafted (legal) precedent.

Whatever the Supreme Court decides next week could impact cases nationwide.

This is not about science, Dunham said. This is about politics.

Courts weigh in

The legal fight started with a landmark case.

Years after Smith was sent to death row, the Supreme Court ruled that people with intellectual disabilities could not be put to death.

In the years since, inmates in Alabama and across the country asked to be taken off death row and moved to spend their lives in prison without a chance of parole.

According to research by Dunham, the director of the Death Penalty Policy Project, courts have overturned death sentences of at least 162 death row prisoners nationwide due to these lawsuits. More than 150 of those have been officially resentenced to life in prison, and at least six of the men exonerated from death rows nationally have an intellectual disability.

His data shows that seven Alabama inmates have been removed from death row since 2006.

Several others in the state, including Smith, are on appeal.

A federal judge declared Smith to be intellectually disabled, and so did a federal appeals court, twice.

Yet, the Alabama Attorney Generals Office disagrees and argues Smith would qualify for execution if his five IQ scores were averaged.

Instead of relying on objective evidence, courts are invited to consult the medical community, which usually means picking out snippets from the latest diagnostic manuals, wrote the attorney generals office.

Alabama appeared to take issue with the way scientific thinking changes, moving the baseline of intellectually disabled to a wider range. State prosecutors wrote that our Eighth Amendment evolves every time the (American Psychological Association) relaxes its diagnostic criteria.

This is not about science. This is about politics. Robert Dunham, lawyer and death penalty researcher

The state says there should be clear rules for lawsuits based on someones IQ before a court can consider expert opinions on someones mental status and behavior.

Smiths lawyers said Marshalls office distorts the facts and the law.

Joseph Smith

Smith was raised in south Alabama and his family moved frequently. He didnt go past the eighth grade in school, and his childhood was plagued with physical and psychological abuse.

According to court records, Smith struggled with school and social interactions from the time he was a child. An expert who reviewed his records testified that Smith did all right in first grade, but didnt progress in the next few years. That prompted a referral to special services, where he was given an IQ test for children and scored a 75.

Smith was then placed in emotionally conflicted resource classes.

In 1982, when Smith was 12, he took another IQ test and got a 74. He had to repeat the sixth grade and was placed in classes that were called educable mentally retarded at the time. The next year, he transferred from those classes and into a self-contained EMR classroom.

At the time of the crime, records show, 27-year-old Smith was doing math at a kindergarten level, spelling at a third-grade level, and reading at a fourth-grade level.

Smiths lawyers said he also had significant problems with behavior and maturity. When the crime happened, Smith was dating a girl who was just 15 years old.

When he went on trial in 1998, Smith took another IQ test. This time, he scored a 72. Accounting for margin of error, an expert testified that a score of 72 could be between a 69 and a 75, and a 69 is considered clearly disabled.

Current testing by both Smiths experts and the states experts put his IQ at 78 and 74, respectively and on different tests.

Mobile County Circuit Judge Chris Galanos wrote in his 1998 sentencing order that Smith is the product of an abusive environment woefully lacking in nurturance and emotional support. He also wrote that Smiths lack of intelligence is not an excuse for murder.

Smith had several prior offenses, including for receiving stolen property and third-degree burglary, at the time of the murder and had spent most of his adult life behind bars.

He was released from prison just days before Van Dam was murdered.

The murder

Back in 1997, when Smith was 27, he didnt have a steady job and listed carpenter as his occupation on arrest forms. He bounced between his mothers house in Theodore and living at a motel called the Highway Host.

Smith told police two different versions of what happened on Nov. 23, 1997, but both stories begin with Smith at the motel when the victim, Durk Van Dam, drove up.

During his second interview, which police called a more accurate version of events, Smith said he and a man he knew from the motel, Larry Reid, got into Van Dams car and drove to a utility road with a dead end. There, Smith said, Reid attacked Van Dam and beat him with a circular saw blade, and Smith joined in the fight.

Smith told police the two men took Van Dam to a wooded area, where the beating continued. Reid confronted Van Dam and stole less than $200 before hitting him with a hammer and a wooden board. The two men left Van Dam severely injured, Smith said. Then, they stole tools from his truck and Smith took Van Dams shoes.

The two men hitched a ride back to the motel and left the tools nearby for a third man to pick up later and pawn.

Van Dams battered body was found lying in his pickup truck. He had been beaten and cut, and suffered a plethora of additional blunt force injuries, a Mobile County judge wrote. A medical expert testified Van Dam suffered around 35 injuries across his body and head.

The state explained the case simply to the Supreme Court Justices: Smith brutally beat Durk Van Dam to death with a hammer and saw so that he could steal $140, the mans boots, and his tools.

Reid pleaded guilty to murder and robbery and was sentenced to life in prison.

Not a number

Smiths case was decided in the late 90s. But years later, the laws would change.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that executing people who are intellectually disabled is barred by the Eighth Amendment. The court noted at the time that mild mental retardation is typically used to describe people with an IQ level of 5055 to approximately 70.

In a footnote, the court wrote that up to three percent of people have an IQ between 70 and 75 or lower, which is typically considered the cutoff IQ score.

The justices wrote in the decision, called Atkins, that most states didnt even want to execute a disabled person and a national consensus has developed against it.

The landmark case bans execution of intellectually disabled people with a general formula of three parts, but lets the states decide how to interpret those prongs and how to prove it. States have different legal definitions for determining if someone is intellectually disabled  some have a law, and other states rely on court precedent.

The basic Atkins rule is that someone classifies as intellectually disabled if they have significant subaverage intellectual functioning, have deficits in their adaptive functioning, and that the disability presented before they turned 18.

Often, IQ scores can satisfy the first part of that rule. While the court drew no line of 70 as a cutoff, its long been understood that someone with an IQ in the 80s or 90s wouldnt fit the criteria. Legally, a score of 70 was thought of as fair game for a case.

For psychologists, theres a formula to calculate the first part of the Atkins rule. And the manual used to diagnose mental disorders, the DSM, now puts that number between 65-75.

Smiths team told the high court, intellectual disability is a condition, not a number.

Even with a 70 or close to it, intellectual disability doesnt hinge on one IQ score, said clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Catherine Boyer. Shes worked in the court system since the 1980s, taking the stand for both prosecutors and defense attorneys.

Boyer said IQ is one piece of the puzzle and not a perfect indicator whether someone has an intellectual disability.

In the 23 years since Atkins was decided, the Supreme Court has made several rulings clarifying the law. The justices ruled that a state doesnt have total discretion and cant have a single strict IQ cutoff score, and that a state must use updated clinical criteria.

Intellectual disability is a condition, not a number. Lawyers for Joseph Smith

The justices have also ruled that someone with a score over 70 can be intellectually disabled if they have severe behavioral issues. The district judge in Smiths case wrote that his intelligence and behavior had been deficient throughout his life. His adaptive functioning was low enough his actual functioning was lower than what IQ tests showed, wrote Senior U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade.

But the attorney generals office said the courts have let Smith off the hook.

Smiths Supreme Court case

The federal court in south Alabama ruled that Smith was disabled and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals agreed  twice finding that he shouldnt be executed.

Smith has five IQ scores relevant to his case: A 75, 74, 72, 78, 74. The scores have been done over the years and on different tests.

But with the standard margin of error in those tests, experts said Smith could have scored as low as a 69.

In her 2021 order, Judge Granade said because Smiths scores were on the border of 70, she turned to his behavior to make her decision. The judge called it a close case.

Alabama disagreed. They argued that Smith needed a lower IQ a true IQ of 70 or lower to make a case at all. And, they said, he was just over the line. His behavior shouldnt have even been considered, prosecutors said.

Even adjusting for error, there is no way to combine his scoresnot the average, median, mode, nor any composite metricto find an IQ of 70 or less, wrote prosecutors.

The five tests would average at 74. But psychologists said averaging isnt an accurate system of measurement on these tests, and neither is selecting the highest or lowest score nor throwing out the margin of error. And, professional groups said IQ scores from different tests are not interchangeable.

While the high court has already said states cant have a strict IQ test score cutoff of 70, Alabama argues the justices havent been clear about how to analyze multiple IQ scores jointly. And, according to the Yellowhammer state, someone is just as likely to score on the higher end of a margin of error as they are the lower. Smith could have a result in the mid to high 70s, they argue.

Moving the line from 70 to 75 to account for the margin of error ignores half the range, i.e. the equal chance that a test score underestimates the takers true IQ, wrote Marshalls team.

The prosecutors said that, as Smiths appellate ruling stands, every 75 would be consistent with mild intellectual disability and count in favor of the inmate.

Smiths lawyers fired back. They argued the state seeks is a precise math equation where, as this court previously determined, none can exist legal intellectual disability determination is not precise math.

The science

In its filing to the Supreme Court, the state said that Alabamas definition of intellectual disability isnt unusual. The state said the American Psychiatric Association has loosened the definition of intellectual disability with each new edition of its manual.

But Dunham, who conducts independent research and analysis of death penalty issues, said most people who are intellectually disabled fall in that borderline range.

If you are fighting over IQs at the margin, youre actually dealing with a large percentage of the population who are intellectually disabled, he said. By trying to establish a threshold IQ limit, you are actually excluding the largest number of intellectually disabled people.

Yet, the state said the appeals court ruling has no limit.

In a brief to the high court, professional psychological groups point out that the same diagnostic criterion is used in thousands of other situations for programs like Medicaid and Social Security, in schools and in hospitals. Its use for death penalty cases is minor in comparison.

Boyer, the court psychologist who hasnt worked on the Smith case, said professionals must look at someones adaptive behavior when making a diagnosis, especially for those whose scores fall in the range of 70 to 79.

I think the mistake is thinking about an IQ score as representing someones intelligence, she said over a Zoom call. An IQ score is the best way we have to estimate intellectual abilities IQ tests are one way to get at human intelligence. But its not everything.

She explained that someone with a score of 71 would likely have a true score of anywhere between 66 and 76 (taking into account measurement error). A person with that score could have issues engaging in daily activities, counting money or working a steady job.

And the IQ scale is a continuum, Boyer said. Someone with a score of 70 isnt significantly different from someone who scores 72.

Taking sides

The federal government and 20 other states have backed Alabama against the courts and psychologists. In a joint brief, the group of states wrote that they wish to restore their authority to choose and apply their own penological policies and rules.

America First Legal Foundation wrote in support of Alabama too, asserting that ideological rot has infested professional psychological groups manuals.

The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Alabama Psychological Association have supported Smith.

The medical groups wrote that diagnoses based solely on IQ scores are faulty and invalid. The scores are estimates, the groups wrote, not absolute measures. Intellectual disabilities are multi-faceted and if one looks only at test scores, their diagnosis will be flawed, risking both false positives and false negatives.

Every field of science and medicine develops over time Refinement of the diagnostic criteria, including the criteria for intellectual disability, is evidence of the scientific method at worknot politics or ideology.

Several other organizations have also jumped in to support Smith, including the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Arc of the United States.

Established science

According to Marshalls office, more and more criminals will escape capital punishment nationwide if the Smith ruling stands.

The problem will only worsen as courts import the latest clinical standards, expanding the set of eligible claimants, wrote state prosecutors. The case threatens to disturb state sentences of violent murderers around the country.

But Boyer, the longtime psychologist, said this science isnt new.

Professionals have never relied solely on IQ, and she said its always been the bigger picture. Why would continuing to do the bigger picture change anything?

Boyer said the ruling could be a blow to the use of scientific research in court. Established science is used in DNA evidence and other areas where scientific expertise is relevant, she added.

Its like exempting the criminal justice system from an established, validated scientific approach thats used, Boyer said.

Why would you exempt the criminal justice system from established science?
A North Alabama teen faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges in connection with alleged threats he made to kill former classmates and faculty members.

Eighteen-year-old Athens High School student Carson Albert Butler was indicted by a Limestone County Grand Jury on Nov. 14. He is set to have a pretrial detention hearing on Dec 10.

Butler allegedly made online threats to intentionally cause the death of Athens High School students, faculty, as well as school resource officers, in the summer of 2025, according to the indictment. He was 17 years old when he made the threats.

The threats were posted to several online sites, including a No Lives Matter group, a violent organization within an extremist crime network. The Athens Police Department assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in identifying Butler.

Additional officers were present at summertime campus events following the threats.

Athens City Schools Superintendent Beth Patton released a statement following the indictment.

Law enforcement officials have informed us that, following an extensive investigation conducted by multiple agencies, a former student has been identified and is in custody in connection with an online threat of mass violence targeting Athens High School, Dr. Patton said. First and foremost, we want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority. The individual has been in custody, and there is no active or ongoing threat to our students, staff, or campus.

Threats of violence to any school are entirely unacceptable, and we are deeply grateful to our law enforcement partners for their dedication, vigilance, and thorough response. While we continue to learn more about the circumstances surrounding this event, please note that it is an active and ongoing legal matter, and we are unable to provide further details or comments at this time. As always, we will continue to prioritize the safety of everyone in our school community.

Butler is charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of terrorism.

He is currently being held at the Limestone County Jail until his pretrial hearing on Wednesday.
A suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of a 38-year-old man in Tuscaloosa.

Jamarcus Raheem Jordan, 20, is charged with murder in the November slaying of 38-year-old Lakendrick Rayshon Dunn.

Investigators initially said self-defense issues were raised in the deadly shooting, but further investigation  including ballistic evidence and follow up interviews - led to the charges against Jordan.

Tuscaloosa police were dispatched at 4 p.m. on Nov. 23 to a report of a person shot in the 600 block of 30th Avenue.

They arrived to find Dunn dead.

Jordan remained on the scene and underwent questioning by detectives. Dunn was also armed.

Since the time of this initial incident, the case has been under active investigation, said Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy.

Kennedy said the shooting happened during argument.

Jordan was taken into custody Thursday and remains held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
Tara Reid attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Bad Man" at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on September 04, 2025 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images) Getty Images

Tara Reid remains convinced she was drugged at a Chicago hotel bar late last month, but local authorities say surveillance footage shows no such malfeasance.

Video from the bar at the DoubleTree Chicago OHare Airport on Nov. 23 does not show anyone adding anything to 50-year-old Reids drink, Rosemont authorities told Chicago outlet WFLD.

Footage though does show a bartender covering the glass when the American Pie and Van Wilder actress left the bar.

While we do not have any evidence that a drink was tampered with, it is a good reminder to never leave a drink unattended. If you ever believe you have been drugged or feel unsafe, please reach out to local authorities, read a police statement, according to the outlet.

The Rosemont Public Safety Department did not immediately respond to the Daily News request for comment.

Video shows Reid being transported from the hotel in a wheelchair, slipping out of the chair at one point, and then into an ambulance.

Bottom line is no one ends up in the hospital incapacitated for over 8 hours after a drink, Reid told TMZ Wednesday.

Last thing I remember is having one drink and waking up in the hospital the next day without remembering anything. That was the scariest feeling I have ever felt. I felt so helpless.  I believe I was drugged. Something happened to me.

Also on Wednesday, YouTuber Sean P told the outlet that there was nothing illicit in the cigarette he and Reid shared on the night in question and he is not being viewed as a suspect.

WFLD reports that Rosemont police are waiting for hospital records, from which there may be chemical testing results.

2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Cale Smith has been appointed as the city of Homewood's city manager. Cale Smith

The city of Homewood has appointed Cale Smith, a former engineer and city employee, as interim city manager.

In his past role as the director of engineering and zoning with the city of Homewood, Smith worked to shape the citys infrastructure and growth. As city manager, Smith will oversee day-to-day operations of the city government and manage the city budget.

Smith said he looks forward to collaborating with the city and community members.

At the end of the day, people want to be heard and they want to participate in decision-making processes, Smith told AL.com.

I think that ultimately the city managers role is to figure out the best way for community engagement, how to organize information and how to funnel that up through council and set them on a clear path of what the priorities should be.

Smiths goals

As of November, the city council was reduced from 11 members to four, each designated to represent one of the four wards.

Officials say the change will increase efficiency within the city government.

Smith, who was appointed on Nov. 3, will be the first city manager to facilitate this change in local government. He said he wants to make the transition smooth for the person who takes on the permanent position.

The city council will decide who to appoint as a permanent city manager.

Smith said his goals for his time as city manager include reviewing the city budget to ensure it is fiscally responsible, and facilitating the creation of a comprehensive master plan for the city, which the council will begin to take public input on in January.

Thats one of my goals is to make sure that it kicks off in a seamless way, Smith said.

So far in his term, Smith said he has visited other municipalities that also have a council-manager form of government, including Jefferson County, Vestavia Hills and Pelham.

Ive just been trying to learn as much as I can in this past month and really understand what I can do in this interim role that would be beneficial to somebody whos gonna come in as a permanent city manager, Smith said.

He has also visited each city of Homewood department to better understand operations.

Ive enjoyed going into these departments and understanding how each one operates and functions, Smith said. Thats what I have done over the past month, is to try to figure out ways to get our groups to work together. Fortunately for me, all of our department heads are super qualified and really, really wonderful.

Smith said he looks forward to facilitating a community survey to understand their needs.

I think that would help the councils work and will align our vision with what the community needs are, Smith said. We can hear specific feedback from the community so we know where to spend our resources.

Smith said that above all, he wants to ensure the city of Homewood continues making smart and responsible decisions with community members.

Im excited to be here. I love this community, Smith said. As we look to the future, there are certainly opportunities to grow in HomewoodWere all working together and doing the best we can for this city.

Smiths background

Smith, a Greenville, Alabama native, moved to Homewood in 2004 after earning his bachelors degree in civil engineering from Auburn University.

He spent 17 years working as an engineer, serving as a project manager for consulting firms around the Birmingham metro area and Southeast region.

He has managed projects and budgets for the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, as well as Aldi, Walmart and Target.

My favorite part of being a civil engineer has been the projects that Ive worked on where there has been community input and collaboration, Smith said.

He said one of his favorite projects was with the Montgomery Housing Authority.

We were able to work with those folks and listen to them and understand how to make their communities better, Smith said. I think Ive always done a good job at listening to the communitys needs.

Since 2021, Smith has served as the director of engineering and zoning with the city of Homewood. He has managed more than $15 million in capital projects across the city, according to the city.

Smith replaces Homewoods first ever city manager Glen Adams whose contract expired in November.

Cale Smith has been an invaluable department head for almost five years as Homewoods city engineer, and I am excited to see him take on the role of interim city manager, Mayor Jennifer Andress said in a statement.

Cale knows how to lead, how to put processes in place to make our city better, and has a servant heart for the people of Homewood. I look forward to working with him in this capacity.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Council President Jennie Robinson were among city officials and residents who celebrated the ribbon cutting at the Park at Hays Farm on Thursday. City of Huntsville

Huntsvilles newest park is now open for recreation for the citys southern residents.

City officials cut the ribbon on The Park at Hays Farm on Thursday.

The Hays family donated the land for the nine-acre park.

The Park at Hays Farm will be an invaluable addition to south Huntsville, said Mayor Tommy Battle on the citys website. As our city continues to grow, added park space is a valued part of our infrastructure.

The park is located at 801 Haysland Rd. The parks amenities include a gazebo, a pavilion and restrooms, a waterwall feature, and a windmill from the Hays family farm. The park and its walking paths will connect to the citys greenway network through the Elgies Walk Greenway.

This pivotal project will provide residents with a unique place to live, work and play, said City Council President Jennie Robinson, whose represents the district where the park is located. We are grateful to the many essential individuals who have worked hard to help guide the development of this park.

The city collaborated with Arts Huntsville and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama for a state-of-the-art fitness court highlighting the work of a local Huntsville artist. The fitness court supports the use of the park as a recreational hub.

Bostick Landscape Architects designed the project and Bailey-Harris Construction built it.

This space will serve as an important aspect of recreation for our Huntsville communities, said Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett. It is our hope that residents will use this space to spend time outdoors and connect with community.

The park cost $5.6 million to build. It is meant to be a focal point for the 850-acre master-planned Hays Farm development, where hundreds of housing units are being built or planned, in addition to commercial development.

It has drawn comparisons to other city parks, including Legacy Park in north Huntsville, and Apollo Park in west Huntsville. When the city broke ground on the park last year, City Administrator John Hamilton described the park as filled with passive space, a place where you come eat your lunch, where you have a picnic with your family, where you throw a ball with your [child].

We hope it will become a centerpiece for south Huntsville, Robinson said at Thursdays City Council meeting.
A joint legislative committee Thursday temporarily blocked four legal contracts after a senator on the committee raised objections to a lawsuit over the distribution of proceeds to local governments from the states internet sales tax.

The Contract Review Committee put holds on three legal contracts for Legislative Services and one by the Pharmacy Board. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, the chair of the Alabama Senates General Fund committee, said Thursday he wanted to send a message that the Alabama Legislature is the final authority on the distribution of state tax revenue.

This lawsuit, I think, didnt need to be dropped (filed), Albritton said in an interview with the media following the meeting. I dont think it should have been dropped. I think that lies directly between the Legislatures purview and the legislative role. You dont need to go to the judiciary. You dont need to be impatient. You just come here and lets work it out.

More from Alabama Reflector

While Albrittons request pertains only to the contracts presented before the committee in December, he didnt dismiss the possibility of continuing to hold future contracts until the matter is resolved.

Well see how that develops, Albritton said.

The city of Tuscaloosa and the city of Mountain Brook filed suit against the Alabama Department of Revenue in August, arguing the internet sales tax, known as the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT), violates the states constitution. It further argues some of the retailers who are part of the program should be disqualified because they are ineligible to be part of the alternative taxing program.

Walt Maddox, the mayor of Tuscaloosa, said in a statement on Thursday that several cities have been working with the Alabama Department of Revenue to fix the legal issues pertaining to the SSUT for nearly a decade.

Seeking a legal remedy is not an action we have taken lightly; however, our responsibility is to protect our citizens, educate our children, and invest for the future, Maddox said. Unfortunately, SSUT jeopardizes these sacred responsibilities.

Prior to the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, local taxing entities such as cities and counties could only collect sales taxes on businesses that were within their jurisdictions. The decision by the nations highest court overturned that precedent and allowed governments to collect sales taxes on commercial enterprises that are not located in the area but also conduct business through the internet.

Companies, however, may apply to be part of SSUT, which exempts them from collecting local sales taxes at 10%, and instead charge their customers the lower rate of 8% outlined in the rules governing SSUT.

Brick-and-mortar retailers have long complained that that gives Internet retailers a price advantage and makes it harder for them to do business.

Lawmakers changed the program in 2017 and placed more stringent requirements to be eligible for the program. It disqualified any business with a storefront or an affiliation with another business in the state.

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama has been traveling throughout the state to warn counties about the potential revenue loss that could happen because of the lawsuit. The organization expressed its concerns at the Montgomery County Commission in September. It said that several area municipalities could lose almost $200 million, according to a memo distributed at the meeting.

Montgomery County, according to the memo, received about $40 million in tax revenues because of SSUT, which could now be at risk.

Plaintiffs in the case allege that SSUT reduces the amount of revenue they could receive when retailers that are part of the program pay less in sales taxes because of commercial activity. According to the lawsuit, the city of Tuscaloosa is projected to forfeit about $14.6 million in revenues because of the difference in the amount that is collected from SSUT versus the traditional sales tax scheme.

If they have a shortfall in revenue, they can raise the taxes, Albritton said. They have three, four, five-person councils. And all they need is two votes, or three votes, or whatever, to get it done. Here, we have to deal with 140 people plus the governor. So, if they want to raise a tax to improve their revenue, or if they want to tax something different, they can.

Maddox said that Albritton displays a passion for his district similar to the way he has passion for the city of Tuscaloosa.

Multiple solutions have been proposed since 2017, and I firmly believe as leaders with authentic conviction we can find a way forward, Maddox said.

The Contract Review Committee can place 45-day holds on any contract but cannot cancel them. The Alabama Legislature begins its 2026 session on Jan. 13.
Dan Bongino, FBI deputy director, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

As a podcaster, Dan Bongino alleged that the pipe bombs placed at the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican national parties prior to the Jan. 6, 2021 riots was an inside job.

But as deputy director of the FBI, shortly after announcing an arrest in the case on Thursday, Bongino suggested that his conspiracy theory was not based in facts.

During an appearance on Fox News Hannity, host Sean Hannity brought up Bonginos initial thoughts on the pipe bomb case.

Listen, I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions. And one day Ill be back in that space. But thats not what Im paid for now. Im paid to be your deputy director. And we base investigations on facts, Bongino said.

Hannity: You put a post on X after this happened and said there's a massive cover-up they don't want you to know who it is because it's either a connected anti-Trump insider or an inside job.



Bongino: I was paid in the past for my opinions. One day I will be back in that space pic.twitter.com/rQGuYQt3Mh  Acyn (@Acyn) December 5, 2025

Bonginos response to Hannity startled liberals.

Dan Bongino just admitted to Sean Hannity last night that he used to get paid to push conspiracy theories on the internet, tweeted Mike Nellis. Most people already knew, but I still cant believe he actually said itwhat a clown.

David Corn, Washington bureau chief for left-leaning magazine Mother Jones, said Bongino was saying the quiet--and cynical--part out loud.

In other words: I was making money shoveling conspiracy bull---- without having any facts and conning my audience to make a buck. After I leave the FBI, I will get back to that. What a confession, Corn tweeted.

Trust me when I tell you I previously was a liar, added Max Steele.

Agents arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, Virginia, on explosive charges.

The FBI and Justice Department declined to elaborate on what led them to the suspect. But authorities attributed the arrest to a reinvigorated investigation and a fresh analysis of already collected evidence and data.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said there was no new tip or witness that led officials to Cole. Just good, diligent police work and prosecutorial work, she said.

The mystery behind the persons identity has bedeviled law enforcement and helped fuel conspiracy theories about Jan. 6, 2021, and the Capitol riot by a mob of President Donald Trumps supporters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
Perhaps the most bizarre aspect of the recent video issued by Elissa Slotkin, in which a chorus of prominent Democrat politicians urge military rank-and-file to commit mass insubordination against their leadership, is its banality. It has become commonplace to witness prominent political and academic leftists openly excusing violence, property destruction, harassment of federal officers, and political assassination. Farther back, we observed the lefts support of legal persecution against its political enemies and witnessed, during the COVID debacle, a complete disregard of constitutional legal procedures and constraints. In light of this background, the active promotion of military rebellion seems like a minor escalation.

And yet, the liberal class was and remains oblivious to the glaring contradiction between its newfound fanaticism and its stated devotion to traditional constitutional governance. Leftists simultaneously promote radical violations of democratic norms, like openly calling for imprisoning political opposition, while proclaiming themselves the defenders of constitutional democracy.

Although some of this seeming frenzy of the liberal class doubtless stems from media-driven agitprop, a deeper causal layer underlying this division lies in a distinction between how the left and the right conceive of social authority. Specifically, the left incorporates an ideological conception of social order, whereas the right incorporates a patrimonial understanding.

At the heart of this distinction is that ideologies, liberal or otherwise, present social order as a rational construction. An ideological system is built from a rational elaboration of core axioms, much like a mathematical proof. Liberals view the canon of liberal theory, from Hobbes to John Rawls, as an ironclad ideological formula from which to engineer a just society  a rationally justified political system.

In contrast, the form of patrimonial authority observed by the right is not rational; it is relational. It is analogous to the authority of a father over his children, derived from natural bonds, filial loyalties, and social traditions. It is inherent in the traditions of the society itself, in its customary institutions  throne and altar, blood and soil  and in the filial and class relations that prevail within it.

The lefts rationalist notion of authority is what underlies the liberals otherwise inscrutable conception of constitutional fidelity. Liberals ultimately vest political authority in the correctness of liberalism itself. The Constitutions authority derives from its ratification of liberalism; it functions in itself only to codify and delineate liberal policy goals into a formal legal framework. For the liberal, the Constitution is authoritative by virtue of enacting liberalism into law. Thus, whatever liberals believe at any given moment is not just consistent with the Constitution, but required of it. Not only is it constitutional to allow federal agencies under DHS to function as full-spectrum social media censors; it is unconstitutional to oppose it. When liberals support increasingly flagrant violations of constitutional law in the name of preserving constitutional democracy, they are simply advancing this logic to its natural conclusion.

The conservative will often bewail the liberals dismissal of the Constitutions literal text. He observes the liberal treating the text as a blank canvas on which to impose liberal policy positions and claims that this violates some principle of rule of law. But in doing this, the conservative merely begs the question regarding the nature and justification of legal authority.

In the absence of some foundational theory of social authority per se, rule of law is meaningless. A law holding that everyone whose last name begins with the letter D must do ten somersaults every other Tuesday would universally be recognized as bearing no rightful authority. The dispute between the left and right regarding per se social authority  the division between rational and patrimonial conceptions of authority  elicits two different perspectives of what rule of law means.

Hence, when the rightist invokes the plain text of the Constitution as being authoritative, he is tacitly invoking a particular patrimonial conception of legal authority. He is presupposing that Constitutional authority ultimately derives from the Constitutions status as a touchstone of the countrys political and legal order. The social order of the American nation was built in part on this text, he insists; therefore, the text should be understood as binding and sacrosanct.

For the left, however, this last statement is a non sequitur, because the left rejects patrimonial conceptions of social authority. The Constitutions central position at the foundation of the American social order does not afford it any privilege whatsoever. Authority is not relational  it is not based on the heritage or traditions of any nation  it is rational. The words of James Madison might as well have been written by a random  highly precocious  five-year-old. To the extent his literal words reflect liberal ideology  the one rational ideology  one should congratulate our young prodigy on his considerable talents. To the extent that they dont, they can simply be discarded or interpreted away.

This duality has beset the republic since its founding. United States is very much a manifestation of Enlightenment rationalism, in that it is a nation founded as a conscious historical project, established by a Constitution that was very much a product of rational deliberation, with an expressed commitment to liberal ideals. Yet, until very recently, no American would have claimed that liberal ideals formed the sole basis of the American identity or experience. It was universally understood that the classical Enlightenment ideals heralded at the nations founding represented the aspirational vision of a particular people with its own history, character, customs, and folkways.

It is only with the arrival of the New Left in the 1960s that a post-national, completely ideological notion of American liberalism  one devoid of any cultural reference, animated by purely abstract, ideological matters  begins to amass any sort of political constituency. Although there are many factors that gave rise to this, one primary cause is the emergence of mass education, both as a universal cultural practice and as a mechanism of elite formation. This produced an over-emphasis on the aspects of the American journey that were written down, debated, and codified. This written tradition, though historically vital, distorts the educated publics understanding of American culture and history because it must, by its nature, attend to those elements of the tradition that were and are novel, innovative, and amenable to rational scrutiny  the elements that lend themselves to being the subject of a mediocre term paper.

Conservative values, meanwhile, are naturally expressed and promulgated not by explicit rational argumentation, but through cultural practice, societal habit, and sentimental attachment. Their natural defenders are the clerical classes, the small landowners, and the local elites, all cohorts that have seen their cultural power rapidly decline in postwar America. A society that grants excessive regard to academia will always put those elements on the back foot, as normal people are forced suddenly to produce articulate defenses of what they assumed was natural and unassailable, or face the sneering contempt of the distant functionary who judges their values antiquated and consigns them to perdition at the hands of the liberal world order.

These constituencies would do well to internalize the fact that the tidy rationalistic formulas bandied around by functionaries, academics, and ideologues do not inherently lend them any authority. They can congratulate the learned scholar for his pretty dissertation and politely tell him to shove off.

Image via Pxfuel.
Watch out, world -- here comes the god-spin on climate change inspired by the UNs 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30).

COP30 wrapped up last month with an offering of the usual suspect socialist solutions for acolytes to advocate.

According to UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell during the high-level closing event at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, on Wednesday 19 November 2025 accomplishments include an impressive scorecard of real-world climate actions that will also mean stronger economies, more jobs and better lives for many millions. Read, climate and people control via government power.

Regardless of the official positive spin, the European Parliament was unhappy, noting that:

At COP30, despite our persistent efforts and the European Parliaments clear mandate on mitigation and the phase-out of fossil fuels, we faced a unified BRICS-Arab front and a Presidency unwilling to match our level of ambition, and we must regret that the final outcome did not go further.

Nevertheless, the planet was well represented by attendees across all corners of the globe even with the notable absence of an official delegation from the U.S. government.

However, according to ABC News, a coalition of 100 local U.S. leaders -- including governors, mayors and other top city and state officials -- made the trip as part of the U.S. Climate Alliance. The U.S. Climate Alliance, launched in 2017, is a bipartisan coalition of governors securing Americas net-zero future by advancing state-led, high-impact climate action.

And, although facing an 18-billion-dollar budget deficit, California governor Gavin Newsom was in Brazil during COP30, offering the example of his state as operating a successful climate program.

Unfortunately, there was also a substantial Christian presence at the climate conference through organizations such as the Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP).

CCOP recommendations for onsite participants at COP30 noted that:

The most important work of an observer is not done at a COP, but rather from a COP. We report back to our constituencies (churches, denominations, schools, networks, etc) about what we observe in an attempt to more effectively mobilize everyone for climate action. A Climate Observer who is a follower of Jesus, or who is observing on behalf of a Christian denomination or NGO has additional responsibilities we believe, namely to interpret what they observe through a biblical framework and to act prophetically and priestly.

Heaven help us. Christians witnessing for climate salvation to more effectively mobilize everyone for climate action.

Heres an authentic biblical framework that could provide a heavenly perception to act prophetically and priestly. Genesis 8:22 assures that:

While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest. And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease. (New American Standard Bible)

Changing weather and climate are as certain as day and night. So hopeful human redemption of the terrestrial heavens through delegations at a Gaian confab is tentative at best.

The entirety of the Bible testifies that the Creator of the universe had the gracious and merciful salvation of humans at the pinnacle of His intent. But apparently some Christians unwittingly believe that God rigged the beneficial use of natural resources to collapse the atmospheric environment. Thus, preaching a message of weather woes takes precedence over Providence.

Environmentally responsible extraction of natural resources that improve living conditions is divine. The appropriate goal is to make the withdrawal, use, and distribution of raw materials truly conscientious and helpful to all the worlds inhabitants, especially the many millions of souls still experiencing dire deprivation on a plentiful planet.

Compromising with the world for Christ by putting a Jesus spin on a highly dubious imminent collapse of Gods bountiful creation is nowhere near preaching the truth of the gospel.

Christian enthusiasm for secular disputable solutions and even performative exercises like the Popes recent blessing on a hapless chunk of ice, do not advance the good news of Christ. Rather such passion and performance signal conformance with laic efforts that advance government power at the expense of attainable constituent comfort and alleviation of abject poverty.

The climate of the earth will be well tempered when Christians focus on being ambassadors for Christ, rather than activists for the atmosphere.

Anthony J. Sadar is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist and an adjunct associate professor of science at Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA. He is also author of In Global Warming We Trust: Too Big To Fail (Stairway Press).

Image: COP 30
Have you noticed that the climate alarmists are not alarming anymore? Go ahead and buy that property by the ocean because the water levels are not rising like they told us so many times before. It wont be so bad after all, as we see in this post from Bob Hoge:

Hoo boy. Sometimes, you might do something so embarrassing, so humiliating, that you want to hide in the closet. The prestigious science journal Nature may be thinking about doing that right about now, because on Wednesday, they officially retracted an influential 2024 climate report that predicted gloom and doom, death and misery, and impending economic catastrophe. As is the case with so much of the leftist climate narrative, their wild claims were quite simply unproven: In April 2024, the prestigious journal Nature released a study finding that climate change would cause far more economic damage by the end of the century than previous estimates had suggested. The conclusion grabbed headlines and citations around the world, and was incorporated in risk management scenarios used by central banks. On Wednesday, Nature retracted it, adding to the debate on the extent of climate changes toll on society. Shocker  it seems as if they were relying on flawed data. The decision came after a team of economists noticed problems with the data for one country, Uzbekistan, that significantly skewed the results. If Uzbekistan were excluded, they found, the damages would look similar to earlier research. Instead of a 62 percent decline in economic output by 2100 in a world where carbon emissions continue unabated, global output would be reduced by 23 percent.

Well, who is apologizing for calling me a climate denier? Honestly, I dont need an apology, but a retraction will do. Just come clean and tell us the truth and I will be happy with that.

Im old enough to remember when the world was going to freeze and melt. Then we were going to run out of food because there were too many of us on the planet. Then the oceans would overwhelm our coastal cities and turn everybody into a fisherman. Then we were going to run out of oil because they said so. Doom and gloom and more doom and gloom and then VP Gore even wrote a book about the whole thing.

So mankind will survive. We will be around longer than they told us.

Over the years, I had my share of conversations with climate alarmists. I always got the impression that they hated capitalism more than saving the environment. It was nothing more than U.S.-bashing because no one ever marched in front of the Chinese embassy calling on that country to stop building power plants. Funny how that works! Nobody ever went into a socialist museum and destroyed Mao or Lenin relics, but they definitely went after anything that was European. Down with Michaelangelo, but dont touch that Marx fellow.

So climate doom and gloom is over. And while its over, dont expect the protesters to stop blocking bridges or airports. They need attention and there is nothing like blocking traffic to get you on the news. Maybe we can arrest all of those protesters and punish them by marching in front of the Chinese embassy with manufactured placards about building power plants. Talk about proper punishment.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Minnesota is much in the news these days. Land of a thousand lakes and perhaps more fraud, and home of Minnesota nice, that niceness extends mainly to illegal aliens and criminals. Governor Tampon Tim Walz (D-Somalia) who is running for reelection suddenly finds himself the unwanted center of attention because hes done nothing to identify or prosecute a reported billion dollars in fraud. At least some of that money reportedly went to a Somalian terrorist group, and informed by whistleblowers about the rampant fraud Walz either ignored or persecuted them.

Minneapolis was Ground Zero for the multi-billion-dollar riots of The Summer of Love, which coincided with Defund the Police hysteria. Walz let Minneapolis burn, abandoned a police precinct to the rioters, and his wife opened the windows on their home, the better to savor the aroma of burning tires and revolution.

Minneapolis did defund their police, and the persecution of multiple officers, which included police brass lying about MPD restraint policies to ensure the convictions of those officers caught up in the George Floyd debacle, convinced many officers to leave. Some retired early, others fled to places that allowed officers to do their jobs and others left the profession entirely.

Eventually realizing the damage leftist policies had done, the City Council tried to reverse course, but by late 2024, the MPD had lost 40% of its manpower and was unable to recruit even with dramatically lowered hiring standards. There is no indication the situation has since improved.

In the meantime, crime has run rampant, and ICE has turned its attention to Minneapolis. CNN asked MPD Chief Brian OHara why he has proclaimed the MPD would not help ICE agents.

Host Laura Coates asked, [Y]ou have said that your department is not going to help ICE carry out any raids. Now, critics, they argue that the raids will target dangerous criminals and that police protection could really save lives. But why do you stand firm in not assisting? OHara answered, Well, for one, its against the law here in this city. But, two, on a more basic level, its my mission to deal with crime and violence. The immigration authorities do not respond to domestic violence. They do not respond to shootings and robberies. And I do not have enough cops to deal with the actual crime thats happening in our community. So, its not our job. Theyre not going to do our job for us. And, just, frankly, I think the effect on the community, the way this stuff is being carried out, is making people terrified. Its  Im concerned that people who may need help are going to be afraid to call 911.

No one becomes the Chief of Police of a Democrat-ruled city without being willing to toe the Party line, which in Minneapolis means opposing any attempt to enforce immigration law. No law enforcement agency in Minnesota, and no local or state prosecutor has had a hand in investigating, arresting or prosecuting the fraud largely done by Somalis, leaving the Federal Government to pick up the slack.

Certainly, federal agents dont enforce local laws. Thats no reason for OHara to deny them assistance, particularly when theyre removing innumerable violent criminals, people committing domestic violence, shootings and robberies. Refusing to help other law enforcement officers is a grotesque betrayal of the unwritten code of assistance between cops.

OHara is right about one thing: he doesnt have enough officers to do the job, which is of scant concern to the leftists running Minneapolis or Minnesota.

More recently, OHara held a bizarre press conference during which he threatened to interfere with and arrest ICE agents:

Graphic: TikTok Post

We have experienced reports in this city  where people call to say that theres folks that are masked, that theyre not sure if theyre law enforcement, that they may be kidnapping people. We have had those reports, OHara said during a baffling news conference. He issued the bizarre plea Tuesday, when Mayor Jacob Frey accused immigration authorities of targeting Somali people based strictly on their appearance and claimed it was inevitable that ICE would round up American citizens in the operation.

OHara urged citizens to report ICE officers and assured them MPD officers would intervene against them. That such intervention would violate federal law seemed not to concern him. Tom Homan was not impressed:

Graphic: X Post

Caught in disasters of their own making, Minneapolis politicians, including OHara, are determined to obstruct the very people trying to help them. For Democrats, thats the status quo and a sure path to greater evils.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
Im old enough to remember the early shots of the Climate War. When I was in high school the media assured us an imminent new ice age would doom us all. So would out-of-control population bombs. None of that came to pass, which only made the doomsayers ever more panicky and desperate.

As time passed, we were assured that Global Warning would kill us all unless America poured trillions into the coffers of the UN, climate scientists, the Democrat Party (thorough appropriate cutouts, of course), leftist NGOs and Third World dictatorships.

Eventually, 10-year prediction cycles became all the rage. If we didnt do whatever climate scientists, many of whom had no training or experience in anything resembling climate science demanded, our doom was assured. Every decade of doom, without exception, passed and every prediction baldly, badly failed, which caused some doomsayers to extend their cycles to twelve years with the same abysmalfor themresults.

Most Americans remained blissfully unaware of the certain doom pursuing them, even as media outlets like The New York Times produced hysterical prediction after prediction of the certain obliteration of humanity.

Gradually, actual scientists began to counter Climate Change hysteria. Gently, almost timidly at first, they began to tell the truth, producing facts instead of hyperbole, and Americans began to take notice. They particularly took notice when climate hysterics were forced, kicking and screaming, to admit the globe wasnt, um, warming, and hadnt been for more than a decade.

That eventually forced a wholesale narrative change and Global Warming, overnight, became Climate Change, the all-purpose harbinger of doom that could not be falsified. That meant it couldnt be science, but that didnt matter because CLIMATE CHANGE!!! It would surely kill us all in ten yearsOK, ten more years, and we mean it this time, because were scientists! Were experts and youre not qualified!

It was the all-purpose, infallible secular religion. There wasnt anything it couldnt do or that couldnt be blamed on it. Hurricanes? Climate change. No hurricanes? Climate change. No Polar Bears? Climate change. Plenty of Polar Bears? Climate change. Drought? Climate change. Monsoon rains? Climate change. Shrinking ice caps? Climate change. Expanding ice caps? Climate change. Tuesday? Climate change. Night? Climate change. Day? Climate change. Male Pattern Baldness? Climate change. Racism? Climate change. Bad hair day? Climate change.

Anyone who dared question Climate Change was labeled a Climate Denier, which for a time, more-or-less replaced the worn out racist. All those years, all those words, the New York Times was among the most powerful and angry purveyors of Climate Doom.

Americans finally began to notice those prediction cycles were not only wrong, they smelled suspiciously like hoaxes. They began to understand they were being played for suckers and untold billions of their tax dollars were being wasted. And then was the second term of Trump and the Climate Change industry and Church crumbled, and even The New York Times was forced to chronicle the horror of it all:

Graphic: X Post

A few weeks ago, President Donald Trump declared victory over the climate hoax industry. Trumps statement came shortly after Big Tech billionaire Bill Gates decided global warming was less of a threat to humanity than limited and expensive energy. But this was only one factor in the presidential assessment.

The Times, grudgingly and with blame-casting, has begun, at long last, to tell the truth:

Graphic: X Post

Who to blame, then, for the failure? Big Oil, of course. As delegates wrapped the annual United Nations climate talks last Saturday, those who have campaigned to reduce the use of fossil fuels expressed growing alarm that forces arrayed against them are gaining ground in the information war. The oil, gas and coal industries continue to downplay the scientific consensus that the burning of fossil fuels is dangerously heating the planet. Its a strategy that has been echoed by oil-rich countries such as Russia, Saudi Arabia and  under the Trump administration  the United States. President Trump mocks global warming as a hoax, cheered on by a chorus of influencers online who regularly promote disinformation on social media platforms that once tried to curtail it. While such views have long been dismissed as conspiracy theories, their influence on the global policy debates has clearly grown.

As one might expect, The NYT has it wrong. The information war over Climate Change has been won because Normal Americans, backed by honest scientists, produced real, reproducible, falsifiable science rather than leftist narratives. The truth has finally begun to prevail and will stand for far longer than ten years.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription.

Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor.
African nation plans to reintroduce death penalty for serious crimes

Burkina Fasos Council of Ministers has approved legislation to reinstate the death penalty, targeting offences including treason, terrorism, and espionage, authorities have confirmed.

Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced on Facebook that the move is "part of reforms ... to have a justice that responds to the deep aspirations of our people".

The West African nation had abolished capital punishment in 2018.

The proposed bill must still be adopted by parliament and undergo court review before it can become law.

This development follows a series of sweeping reforms by the countrys military leaders since they seized power in a 2022 coup, which have included postponing elections intended to restore civilian rule and dissolving the independent electoral commission.

Burkina Faso has increasingly silenced critical media outlets in recent years.

Since taking power in a 2022 coup, the West African countrys military leaders have launched sweeping reforms (RIA Novosti)

It suspended the BBC and Voice of America radio stations for their coverage of a mass killing of civilians carried out by the countrys armed forces as well as arresting three prominent journalists earlier this year.

The country is one of several West African nations where the military has taken over in recent years, capitalising on widespread discontent with previous democratically elected governments over security issues.

The military government has been accused of human rights abuses and the detention of journalists critical of the government.

In 2024, Burkina Fasos parliament passed a law banning homosexuality, with people facing two to five years in prison.

The code was approved by the parliament in a unanimous vote, putting the legislation into effect more than a year after its initial approval by Captain Ibrahim Traores military government.

More than half of Africas 54 countries that have laws banning homosexuality, with penalties ranging from several years in prison to the death penalty.

The landlocked nation of 23 million people is among countries struggling with a security crisis in the arid Sahel region south of the Sahara in recent years.

It has been shaken by violence from extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
File. Jeremy O Harris in Toronto (Getty)

American actor and playwright Jeremy O Harris, best known for Slave Play, was taken into custody last month for allegedly attempting to bring illegal drugs into Japan.

Harris, 36, was intercepted at the Naha airport in Okinawa on 16 November after a customs agent allegedly found 0.78 grams of a crystal substance containing MDMA inside his tote bag.

The Okinawa Regional Customs office said that this discovery led to the Americans immediate arrest under Japans Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act.

Customs officials subsequently submitted a criminal complaint to local prosecutors, initiating formal charging procedures.

Police in Tomigusuku city in southern Okinawa confirmed that Harris was still being held, though they declined to say whether he had acknowledged the accusations.

Representatives for the playwright did not comment and it remained unknown if he had secured legal counsel in Japan.

Customs authorities said Harris had flown to Okinawa for sightseeing, arriving from the UK with a layover in Taiwan.

US playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris arrives for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York (AFP via Getty Images)

The prefecture, located about 1,500km southwest of Tokyo, is a well-known tourist destination famed for its beaches.

Japan enforces some of the strictest drug regulations among developed nations, where even minor quantities of banned substances can result in prosecution for possession or smuggling. While penalties are severe, they are generally less extreme than in places such as China or Singapore, where drug-related offences can carry the death penalty.

In recent years, Japanese authorities have arrested several foreigners on drug charges, including former Australian rugby player Blake Ferguson in 2021 and Grammy-winning DJ David Morales in 2018. Morales was arrested after customs officers at the Fukuoka airport allegedly found 0.3 grams of MDMA in his luggage.

A notable case occurred much earlier, in 1980, when Paul McCartney was detained upon entering Tokyo with marijuana and subsequently barred from returning to the country for years.

Harris is an acclaimed playwright best known for Slave Play, the most Tony-nominated play in Broadway history. His work spans theatre, film and television. He co-wrote the award-winning film Zola and contributed to series such as Euphoria, Irma Vep and the upcoming adaptation of The Vanishing Half.

He holds an MFA in Playwriting from Yale.
Creative art therapies are especially suited to populations affected by conflict, displacement, and trauma - Simon Townsley/The Telegraph

Art therapies like music and drama classes could be an effective and scalable solution for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children in the developing world, according to a new study.

PTSD is becoming increasingly common globally, with at least a quarter of children experiencing at least one traumatic event before reaching adulthood  including sexual or physical abuse, natural disasters, conflict, or the death of a close relative.

Standard treatments for PTSD in the West  like psychotherapy and antidepressants  are mostly inaccessible in places like sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East due to high cost, poor healthcare infrastructure, and a lack of cultural acceptance of mental health issues, the study, published in Nature Mental Health, said.

Researchers from the University of Oxford analysed data from 33 studies involving 4,587 participants from 17 countries across six continents.

They found that engaging children in music, visual arts, dance, poetry, or drama classes that are tailored to their own cultural traditions reduced symptoms of PTSD substantially when compared to children who did not have access to the same interventions.

The researchers also found the impact of the classes were actually greater when run by a person already part of a particular community  not a licenced mental health professional  making the overall approach cheaper and easily scalable.

Particularly positive results came from Nigeria, Syria and Palestine where creative expression is already deeply embedded in cultural life, the study said.

Accessible approach to processing trauma

One example was a group of almost 500 Indonesian children from Poso, an area which experienced a protracted inter-religious conflict between Muslim and Christian groups in the early 2000s, whose families livelihoods had been destroyed by the ongoing riots.

The children were enrolled on a five-week programme of school-based drama classes focused on processing emotions, developing self-awareness, and coping with stress and experienced a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness.

It is unclear, however, how long these benefits lasted or how accurate the findings are, given the difficulty of measuring mental health.

Our findings show that creative arts therapies are not just complementary to traditional psychotherapies, they are essential tools for culturally diverse contexts. They allow children to process trauma in ways that feel natural and accessible within their own cultural environments, said Briana Applewhite, a doctoral researcher from Oxfords Department of Psychiatry.

Creative art therapies provide a non-stigmatising, low-cost, and community-driven means of support, especially suited to populations affected by conflict, displacement, and trauma, added Olivia Spiegler, an author of the study and psychologist at Oxford.

The method could be particularly effective in migrants and refugees in the West, the authors said, as a means of overcoming language and cultural barriers.

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
Shares in Big Yellow have dropped after ending takeover talks with a potential US buyer.

Investment group Blackstone said it was not intending to make an offer for the self-storage company, sending its share price more than 5% lower on Friday morning.

Big Yellow told investors on Thursday that there was no basis for continuing discussions with Blackstone after evaluating a possible offer in the context of its strong performance, strategy and business model.

Blackstone had said in October that it was contemplating a takeover bid, but that one of its considerations was the potential impact of the UK Budget on the self-storage sector.

Big Yellow said earlier this week that it was expecting its annual business rates bill to rise by 1.8 million next year following measures announced in the Budget.

It expects 27 of its stores to be affected by changes to the tax system, which will mean that properties worth more than 500,000 are taxed at higher rates.

The higher rates on firms with larger premises  including warehouses, supermarkets, and storage companies  will fund a lower rate for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.

Blackstone, a US-based private equity company, recently pledged to invest 90 billion into projects and businesses in the UK over the next decade.
Adult film star Bonnie Blue has reportedly been arrested in Bali during her BangBus tour.

The 26-year-old found fame when she was filmed having sex with 1,057 men in 12 hours in January.

She is currently on her Bang Bus" tour, which sees her going round the world in a minivan and meeting barely legal fans.

Blue - real name Tia Billinger - was seen inside a police station after officers detained her over alleged pornographic activities, according to 9 News Australia.

Local police said her "Bang Bus" tour was not legal in the country. She could now allegedly face deportation.

Blue - who was recently punched at a nightclub - is thought to have acquired a van locally and drove it to party hotspots, using it to create OnlyFans content with barely legal young men.

Bonnie Blue posing with her BangBang bus in Bali (Instagram)

Indonesian laws prohibit activities such as producing, distributing, or publicly displaying pornographic material, with heavier penalties for actions involving children.

Announcing her arrival in Bali, Blue wrote on Instagram: Hey boys, those that are going to Schoolies and to those who are barely legal, cannot wait to meet you and Im in Bali, so you know exactly what that means.

Schoolies is a term used to describe the week-long period of partying of Australian high school graduates when they finish Year 12.

Students typically flock to Bali and around Australia to celebrate.

Blue also filmed herself driving around in the van with young men partying in the back.

She asked one of he men if they had a message for his parents, to which he said he was being a good boy and just living Bali life.

Earlier this week, Blue posted a video of herself appearing to buy the blue van to use as her BangBus.

Her male companion was seen explaining to the seller that they would donate the van to a dog charity when they left the country.

She is currently thought to be in Thailand, having shared a video exploring the south east Asian country on Instagram on Thursday.

The porn star gained attention earlier this year when she claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 men in 12 hours, many of whom she said were barely legal university students.

She was banned from OnlyFans for taking part in a 2,000 person petting zoo event.

In September, Blue was allegedly punched at Onyx nightclub in Sheffield, south Yorkshire, during her tour.

Her tour across the UK promised fans there would be high-energy DJ sets but no sexual behaviour inside the venue.

Bonnie Blue claimed she had sex with 1,057 men in 12 hours (TikTok/bonniebluclips)

A woman reportedly queued up to meet the porn influencer and punched her in the jaw at an event dubbed the wildest freshers night, per Yorkshire Live.

Police were seen restraining crowds outside the club in footage at the venue. A woman was detained and later released, South Yorkshire police said.

Blue was also filmed telling her security to get rid of a woman who claimed she was setting feminism back.

A TikTok user filmed herself saying at the meet and greet: Do you know how many years you've set back feminism?"

Blue was heard replying, "Oh, get out. I haven't, and then appeared to tell security to get those fat f**ks out.

The vlogger claimed last year that she earns upwards of 600,000 per month.

Some critics have raised ethical concerns about consent and whether young participants fully grasp the long-term implications of being featured in her content.

Blue reportedly verifies the identities of those she engages with and ensures they sign consent forms.
Foreign nationals are facing stress, confusion and exclusion from flights and potential work due to the transition to digital visas, a new study has found.

Some migrants are struggling to prove they have the right to work, study, rent or travel to the UK due to misunderstanding around electronic visas.

Research from academics at the University of Warwick and Leicester called Exclusion by Design, in collaboration with Migrant Voice and the Open Rights Group, found that foreign nationals are also facing glitches and errors with the new eVisa system.

Millions of people have now registered to access an eVisa, according to data in the report, after physical documents were phased out for foreign nationals at the end of 2024.

Academics interviewed 40 migrants in the UK about their experiences with eVisas. While some said they welcomed the digital transition, others said they were left having to explain the changes to employers, landlords and airport staff.

Foreign nationals with a UKVI account can prove their immigration status through a government website, which generates a share code that the user can give to others.

Some of those interviewed reported issues with employers not understanding how share codes worked and technical issues with their accounts, causing confusion.

Landlords also have limited awareness of share codes, and encountered issues with verifying the codes when they did use them, the report found.

Many people also reported fears and issues when using share codes to travel. There was also an emerging form of casual surveillance where workers, such as supermarket staff who didnt need to see proof of a persons immigration status, were asking to see it.

In one case, an individual was quizzed by a supermarket worker who asked them for their share code to prove their age, even though they had already presented another form of ID.

Some foreign nationals have faced problems trying to get back into the UK on eVisas (PA)

In a case of merged identities, an individual who had applied for indefinite leave to remain in the UK had their details mixed up with someone else by the Home Office. They were contacted by a migrant with a different nationality, living in a different UK city, to be told that they could see all the first persons contact information and passport details on their online visa account.

Sara Alsherif, manager at the Open Rights Group, said the eVisa system was still beset with problems. She added: The Home Office can take immediate steps to reduce the anxiety that migrants are experiencing by giving them the safety of a physical or digital back up that will allow them to prove their status in any circumstances.

Nazek Ramadan, director of Migrant Voice, said the reports findings clearly show that the digital scheme was preventing migrants from demonstrating and accessing the rights they already have.

The Independent has documented a number of cases where people had trouble flying due to the introduction of eVisas, which foreign airport staff often did not understand.

This included a woman, Maria Juliana Marquz Monslave, who was left stranded in Brazil after airline staff refused to let her board her flight home, and a UK community worker, Marzena Zukowska, who was challenged at Chicago OHare for over an hour.

Another man told The Independent how he was left unable to prove his refugee status or travel to see his family due to eVisa delays.

Some foreign nationals also reported that they couldnt secure the jobs they wanted because employers didnt understand the share code system. One interviewee told the researchers: You are here with all your information dealing with an ignorant system and its a burden having to say things over and over again.

Others described obstacles when trying to rent a place to live, with another interviewee saying: Imagine you are a landlord. You have five people willing to rent your house. Three of them have a physical document, which is what British people have, and then these two have these strange numbers.

However, other foreign nationals interviewed by researchers said they liked the transition to digital technology, saying: It makes the whole thing easier.

Dr Derya Ozkul, from the University of Warwick, said: We heard from individuals losing employment opportunities, missing flights, having their personal information shared with others, struggling to complete processes due to technical issues, and worrying that they had lost their legal status.

A Home Office spokesperson said:Over 10 million eVisas have now been issued, and the vast majority of people with an eVisa continue to use them without any problems.

They cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with, and provide a secure digital way to prove someones right to work or enter this country lawfully.We stand ready to support any users who encounter difficulties creating or using their eVisa accounts.
Cosmetic filler could lead to blindness and skin loss if it is injected incorrectly, experts have warned.

Non-surgical procedures, such as fillers, are rising in popularity with nearly 10,000 performed by British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) members in 2024.

Cosmetic fillers are injectable substances commonly used to target wrinkles and smooth or rejuvenate the skin - the most common filler is hyaluronic acid.

But if it is administered incorrectly and the filler is injected into or too close to blood vessels, it can have major consequences as a result of a blocked artery.

Clinics are now being advised to carry out ultrasounds before injecting dermal fillers to see where the vessels are located.

If injected incorrectly, filler can block an artery and cause blindness, researchers warned (Getty/iStock)

Study author Rosa Maria Silveira Sigrist, a radiologist at the University of Sao Paulo Department of Radiology in Brazil, said: Vascular occlusion events in the face can be devastating, because, if theyre not properly treated, they can cause necrosis and even facial deformation.

For the study, presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), researchers studied filler-related vascular complications in 100 patients.

In just under half of cases, ultrasound scans showed absent flow to blood vessels that connect superficial to deep arteries in the face. In over a third of cases, flow was absent in major blood vessels.

Areas around the nose are particularly risky injection sites, because nasal blood vessels communicate with some important parts of the head, including the eyes.

Dr Sigrist warned that damage to these vessels can cause severe complications including skin damage, blindness and stroke.

To treat filler-related complications, an enzyme called hyaluronidase is injected to break down the hyaluronic acid filler material. Ultrasound also helps guide clinicians to the area that needs treating.

Vascular occlusion, the disruption of blood flow in arteries, on ultrasound from hyaluronic acid fillers. This ultrasound image shows absent blood flow in a segment of an artery of the lip (Rosa Maria Silveira Sigrist)

If injectors are not guided by ultrasound, they treat based on where the clinical findings are and inject blindly, Dr Sigrist added.

But if we can see the ultrasound finding, we can target the exact place where the occlusion occurs. Rather than flooding the area with hyaluronidase, we can do guided injections that use less hyaluronidase and provide better treatment results.

Ultrasound is also a useful tool for guiding the filler injections themselves and can help with precision, so that less is needed and complications are less likely from the start, she explained.

Those who have experienced complications following filler injections stressed the importance of getting them done by a qualified practitioner.

Lauren Bateman previously told The Independent about how her under-eye filler left her feeling like her face was going to explode and with an infection on her face that could have reached her eye. She admitted the person who administered the filler didnt have any qualifications.

Ultrasound can help prevent inaccuracies, but BAAPS warned it is not yet standard care, although its use is increasing.

President of BAAPS, Nora Nugent, said: Mapping out the location of blood vessels undoubtedly provides valuable information ahead of treatment.

Risks like these from dermal fillers are one of the many reasons why the BAAPS has been campaigning for a long time for increased regulation of aesthetic procedures and restricting the provision of medical procedures like injectable treatments to those who have medical training.

We hope that the government will finally bring about improvements in safety and regulation with the proposed licensing scheme for non-surgical procedures.

The government previously said it plans to bring in restrictions to crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures that have left people maimed, injured and in need of urgent NHS care.

Practitioners will be required to meet rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards before they can legally operate. A public consultation will be published in early 2026 ahead of the proposed changes.
All flights were halted at Edinburgh Airport this morning due to an IT issue with air traffic control.

The airport announced all flights from the Scottish hub have now resumed, but many passengers may still face delays and cancellations throughout Friday.

According to the airports live departure and arrival boards, one flight from Manchester was diverted, about 12 flights were cancelled, and 20 flights were facing delays, with some by more than two hours.

Flights to London Gatwick, Bristol, Amsterdam and Frankfurt have been cancelled. Others, including flights to London and Dublin, have been delayed.

Some passengers have reported being stuck in planes on the runway on Friday morning.

According to the airports live departure and arrival boards, many flights were either diverted or cancelled (Getty/iStock)

Passengers said they were gutted and stressed when they heard their flights had been cancelled.

Morven McCall and Cody Stevenson, both 19, told Sky News they were due to travel to Amsterdam on their first holiday together. But when they arrived at the airport, there was an announcement that their flight had been cancelled.

I was ill over the summer and had to cancel two holidays already. This was our first time going away together, Morven said.

Another passenger said they were told the airfield was closed due to air traffic control halfway through boarding their flight.

The airport explained on social media platform X that the outage was a localised issue, and advised customers to contact their airline for information about their flight.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: Flights at Edinburgh Airport have now resumed following the IT issue with ANS, our air traffic control provider. We thank passengers for their patience and understanding.

The issue was due to an IT problem at air traffic control (PA)

The resumption of flights comes after an earlier announcement that all flights had been halted, which read: No flights are currently operating from Edinburgh Airport.

Teams are working on the issue and will resolve as soon as possible. We will provide updates when possible  please contact your airline for the latest information on your flight.

It is understood that the issue was not linked to the earlier Cloudflare outage. Visitors to a number of pages saw a 500 internet server error warning, rather than the content they expected, on sites including X, Substack, Canva and Down Detector.

The airport is the sixth-busiest in the UK, and the busiest in Scotland. It was used by 15.8 million passengers last year.

Nats, which manages most of the UKs airspace, said during the outage it would work closely with the airlines impacted and support as best we can.

A spokesperson for Air Navigation Solutions, which is responsible for air traffic control at the airport, said: This morning, a technical issue affected one of our systems at Edinburgh Airport, and it impacted flight operations.

Our technical capability has now been reinstated, and flights have since resumed.

Safety is our number one priority, and our engineers worked at pace to restore system capability as quickly as possible.

We regret the inconvenience that this is causing and thank everyone for their patience.

It is not yet known exactly how many passengers were affected by the incident.
The charges follow a police investigation into alleged sexual offences at Royal Stoke university hospital in Stoke-on-Trent and Russells Hall hospital in Dudley. Photograph: Carl Recine/Reuters

A former doctor has been charged with carrying out sexual assaults against 38 people who were patients in his care.

Nathaniel Spencer, from Birmingham, is accused of dozens of acts of sexual assault, some of them against children younger than 13, between 2017 and 2021.

Ben Samples, a Crown Prosecution Service deputy chief prosecutor, said: Our prosecutors have worked at length to support a detailed and complex investigation by Staffordshire police, carefully reviewing the available evidence to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.

The charges follow an investigation into alleged sexual offences at the Royal Stoke university hospital in Stoke-on-Trent and Russells Hall hospital in Dudley.

Spencer is due to appear at the North Staffordshire justice centre on 20 January. He will face 45 charges: 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of attempting to assault by penetration.

Anyone with concerns has been asked to contact Staffordshire police.
Young people take part in a school strike against military conscription on 5 December in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Maja Hitij/Getty Images

The German parliament has rubberstamped a new model for military service that aims to boost its armed forces as thousands of school pupils demonstrated across the country against the plans.

The change will include the obligatory screening of all 18-year-old men to gauge their suitability to serve in the military from 1 January, but does not include conscription, as favoured by some conservative politicians.

If the model fails to pull in enough recruits, parliament will be compelled to discuss the reintroduction of conscription, the defence minister, Boris Pistorius, told the Bundestag.

Pupils missed classes to take part in climate protest-style school strike demonstrations against the legislation in 90 towns and cities, despite warnings from education authorities that striking could affect their end of year grades.

Alicia, a 17-year-old taking part in a demonstration in Kreuzberg, Berlin, said: Im striking against conscription and in opposition to the rearmament thats taking place, not least as I dont think the government is doing enough to secure peace through diplomatic means.

MPs addressed concerns that young peoples futures were being put at risk amid pressure on anyone born from 2008 to join up.

Siemtje Moller, of the SPD, a junior partner in coalition with the chancellor Friedrich Merzs conservatives, pushed back against what she referred to as the populist message of the protest.

She said: We are neither deciding today that you will be obliged to serve in the armed forces, nor that we will be drawing lots to send you to Ukraine as cannon fodder. That is pure populism, or simply nonsense.

Moller expressed the sentiment building in recent weeks that a rise in interest in the German armed forces would ensure enough volunteers would be found to boost numbers to460,000, consisting of 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists.

Germany currently has 182,000 active soldiers and just under 50,000 reservists.

In 2011, under Angela Merkels government, Germany suspended its military conscription programme, which had been in place from 1956, in order to modernise it for the post-cold war world, where it was thought the focus would be on foreign missions requiring the skills of a professional army rather than conscripts needed to fight a war.

Pistorius called the law a critical step towards our ability to defend ourselves, adding: Our allies are looking to us.

The law was passed by 323 votes to 272, with one abstention. Among those against it were the far-right populist AfD and the far-left Die Linke.

Desiree Backer, of Die Linke, urged young people to stand up against the law, which she said was anything but voluntary, as 18-year-olds would be obliged to fill out a questionnaire. She also pointed to evasive answers given by ministers when questioned over whether they would be prepared to see their own children conscripted.

Young people have other plans than risking their lives for the rich, she said.

The AfDs Rudiger Lucassen criticised as superficial attempts to attract young people to military service by giving them substantial pay increases and offering them benefits such as financing driving licences and language classes.

Soldiers who come for the pay have no solid foundation for their service, he said, calling for a military service with a nationalist bent whereby young people would be driven by patriotism, not money, to serve.

The German soldier must know what he is fighting for, he said, arguing that soldiers should follow the centuries-old tradition to fight for their country, not for a government.

Critics called Lucassens stance problematic for failing to refer in that context to the atrocities committed by German soldiers during the Nazi era.

The historic vote took place before another key piece of legislation regarding the German state pension, also expected to have a significant impact on the lives of young Germans.

Related: Half of Europeans see Trump as enemy of Europe, survey finds

Merz had faced an unusual rebellion within his own party from 18 young MPs who argued that the law, which will keep state pensions at 48% of average wages until 2031, would come at the expense of young people who would bear the brunt of demographic changes that meant ever fewer workers were responsible for the pensions of their elders.

The nail-biting vote was considered to be so tight that sick MPs and those with babies were persuaded to be present. In the end, the rebels were won round by a promise that a commission would draw up proposals for more far-reaching changes to the pension system from next year. The vote passed by 319 in favour to 225 against, with 53 abstentions.

The law also includes tax incentives for people to continue in the workplace beyond retirement to cope with an acute labour shortage.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects consumers from wrongdoing by financial institutions, sent a memo in December 2024 which claimed that consumers were complaining that credit card issuers were manipulating the valuation and issuing of reward points (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Law enforcement may back off future investigations into alleged credit card issuer rewards manipulation after a federal government memo on such probes came under fire this week from the American Bankers Association.

The association, which represents the banking industry, sent a letter to the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus acting director, Russell Vought, characterizing the agencys concern over rewards manipulation as unfounded.

In the final year of former Director Rohit Chopra's tenure, the CFPB intensified its scrutiny of credit card rewards, including releasing the Rewards Circular and the Rewards Issue Spotlight, the group wrote, referring to the previous leader who worked under the Biden administration before he was replaced by Vought in February.

These publications raised unfounded concerns about the market for credit cards that offer rewards, including by stating that consumer complaints indicate concerning patterns in market practices.

The American Banking Association letter attempted to refute the Bureaus claims about credit card rewards programs and explain the benefits of rewards programs for cardholders and card issuers.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Acting Director Russell Vought faces questions about his bureaus stance on the legality on certain aspects of credit card rewards programs (Getty Images)

The pushback

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which protects consumers from wrongdoing by financial institutions, sent the memo in December 2024, which claimed that consumers were complaining that credit card issuers were manipulating the valuation and issuing of reward points.

Generally speaking, consumers with rewards credit cards can earn points or miles on each dollar they spend. The number of points they earn depends on where they use the card. Restaurants, for example, may earn customers more points than gas stations or grocery stores.

Card issuers typically allow cardholders to redeem their rewards points or miles for cash, merchandise, or travel. And, in some cases, cardholders can transfer the miles or points to a travel rewards program like World of Hyatt or Southwest Rapid Rewards.

Over time, rewards programs shift the number of miles or points it takes to, say, book a hotel room. One year, the hotel may require 12,000 points for a one-night stay, but the requirement goes up the following year to 15,000. Popular points and miles blogs often publish yearly articles that detail those points changes.

Hotel rewards programs occasionally adjust up or down the number of rewards points it takes to book a stay at a property (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

While common among rewards experts and not generally viewed as a bait-and-switch tactic, the government agency asserted that changes in redemption values were possibly illegal.

When rewards operators influence consumers expectations about the value of rewards in their product or marketing effortsbut later make decisions to deflate the overall value of accrued rewards, they may have engaged in actions that resemble a traditional bait-and-switch scheme, the agency wrote. These activities may constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the [Consumer Fair Protection Act].

The Bureau went on to rail against rewards program terms and conditions, alleging their language can be vague and put most of the power in the issuers hands.

These sorts of dark patterns and fine print will often constitute deceptive representations, omissions, or practices about material concerns, and thus violate the prohibition on deceptive practices, the Bureau wrote. In addition, denying or preventing rewards based on buried or vague terms could cause a substantial monetary injury in the form of lost rewards value and may be unfair.

Banking association downplays manipulation

In its letter about the government agencys memos, the American Banking Association pushed back on the idea that rewards programs are a labyrinth of murky terms and confusing language.

Contrary to the CFPBs assertions, credit card rewards programs are widely accessible, valuable, and clearly understood by consumers across all income levels, the group wrote.

It went on to point out that the consumer bureaus own complaint records reflect that, as just 0.09 percent of complaints in their database were about credit card rewards.

Additionally, the banking association noted that credit card issuers address nearly all of the submitted complaints.

According to CFPB data, 99.2% of complaints received a timely response, and more than one-third of those complaints were resolved by some form of monetary or non-monetary relief, the letter said.

The banking group also argued for the importance of rewards credit cards, listing several benefits such as cardholders earning cashback, points they can convert to merchandise, and exclusive offers. It also noted that rewards help card issuers build customer loyalty.

Consumers of all income levels benefit from rewards, and as the credit card market continues to innovate to drive consumer satisfaction, credit card rewards programs will also continue to deliver significant value to consumers, including convenience, flexibility, and savings, the ABA wrote.
Letitia James, New York attorney general, speaks in Norfolk, Virginia, on 24 October 2025. Photograph: John Clark/AP

A grand jury declined to indict Letitia James on Thursday, according to a source familiar with the decision, a decision that came less than two weeks after a judge ruled that a similar mortgage fraud case brought by federal prosecutors against the New York attorney general was unlawful.

The move by the justice department to present the case again to a grand jury was seen as a signal of its determination to prosecute James, who has been one of Donald Trumps top political foes ever since she successfully brought a fraud lawsuit against him in New York.

James was first charged in October with one count of bank fraud and one count of making a false statement to a financial institution. The charges are in connection to a mortgage she obtained for a home in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020. Prosecutors say James got a more favorable rate on the mortgage because she indicated it would be a second home when she actually wound up renting it out to others. The difference in rates saved her about $18,933 over the life of the loan. Jamess niece lives in the home and reportedly told a federal grand jury earlier this year she did not pay rent.

Related: US judge throws out criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James

James has said she did nothing wrong and argued that the prosecutor who handled it, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed the US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. Halligan, a former White House aide and Trump ally, personally presented the case to the original grand jury that indicted James.

Halligan was installed in the role in late September after Erik Siebert, her predecessor, was forced out after determining there wasnt enough evidence to file criminal charges against former FBI director James Comey, another Trump rival. Comey, who was also indicted earlier this year, similarly argued that Halligans appointment was not legal.

US district federal judge Cameron McGowan Currie agreed with lawyers for James and Comey last month and said Halligan had been unlawfully holding her post. US attorneys must be confirmed by the US Senate, but can serve in an acting capacity for 120 days. Once that period expires, the judges of the district the prosecutor serves in must decide who serves as the top prosecutor. Siebert had already exceeded the 120-day mark and the district judges had chosen to extend his appointment. Once he left, Currie concluded, Trump could not simply appoint someone else to fill the role.

Aside from the appointment issues, experts said the criminal case filed against James in October appeared very thin. The amount that she benefited over the type of the loan was so small that it would not typically merit prosecution, former prosecutors said. The second home rider that she signed with her mortgage also did not prohibit her from renting out the home outright. James also indicated in documents and emails with her mortgage broker that she did not intend to use the home as a primary residence. Career prosecutors who worked on the case concluded there was not enough evidence to charge James and have since been fired.

This should be the end of this case, Jamess attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement on Thursday. If they continue, undeterred by a court ruling and a grand jurys rejection of the charges, it will be a shocking assault on the rule of law and a devastating blow to the integrity of our justice system.
Defense secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the U.S military to carry out an attack on an alleged drug boat on Thursday, killing four occupants, amid the ongoing double tap controversy surrounding the Trump administrations strikes in the Caribbean.

On Dec. 4, at the direction of Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization, U.S Southern Command, which oversees the attacks, posted on social media.

Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed.

Video footage posted by SouthCom shows a boat speeding across the ocean surface before becoming engulfed in flames.

The latest attack takes the total number of people killed in the Trump administrations strikes to at least 86.

The strike came just hours after Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley, the Navy SEAL officer who leads U.S. Special Operations Command, showed House and Senate members on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees footage of the lethal strikes conducted on September 2 and answered questions.

Bradleys appearance on Capitol Hill comes as the Pentagon faces scrutiny for authorizing a second strike on an alleged drug boat on September 2. The follow-up strike  referred to by some as a double tap  was launched after two survivors were seen clinging to the wrecked vessel.

Four were killed on an alleged drug boat after Hegseth orders a new strike (X/US Southern Command)

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, a ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters the footage was one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service. In contrast, Tom Cotton, GOP chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the strikes righteous and entirely lawful.

Defending the second strike on Tuesday, Hegseth said it took place within the fog of war and added that Bradley acted within his authority and the law. Shortly after the latest attack on Thursday, he took to social media to gloat about it.

Every new attack aimed at Pete Hegseth makes me want another narco drug boat blown up and sent to the bottom of the ocean, Andrew Kolvett, the spokesperson for Turning Point USA wrote on X. Hegseth replied, Your wish is our command, Andrew. Just sunk another narco boat.

Thursdays strike is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to cut off the supply of illicit drugs coming into the U.S. and to apply pressure to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom Trump has branded a narco-terrorist.

During a press conference yesterday, Trump claimed the U.S. is at war with drug cartels in Venezuela amidst an unprecedented buildup of military assets in the Caribbean. He also indicated that the attacks could escalate.

Tom Cotton, GOP chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, calls the strikes righteous and entirely lawful (AP)

Very soon were going to start doing it on land too, the president said. Because we know every route, we know every house where they manufacture this crap. We know where they put it all together. And I think youre going to see if very soon on land also.

Maduro has denied he is involved in drug trafficking and has accused the Trump administration of fabricating a new eternal war."

More than just the double-tap controversy, the overall campaign of striking boats in the Caribbean has been subject to significant debate.

A number of Democratic lawmakers have described them as illegal and reckless, pointing out that the administration has failed to publicly provide evidence that those killed were indeed traffickers. A few GOP lawmakers have agreed.

We dont blow up boats off Miami because 25 per cent of the time suspicion is wrong, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said in October. We shouldnt do it off Venezuela either. These are small outboards with no fentanyl and no path to Florida.

Human rights groups and U.N. officials have also characterized the U.S. militarys offensive in Latin America as illegal under international law. Amnesty International called it murder  plain and simple.

Hegseth defended the second strike, telling reporters that Bradley acted within his authority and the law (AP)

Many Republicans, particularly those closely aligned with Trump, have defended the campaign. This weekend, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin said Trump is protecting the United States by being very proactive.

In September, Vice President JD Vance acknowledged concerns surrounding the attacks, but said the rules of engagement should be akin to what they are during wartime.

I understand the concerns about due process, I understand some of the criticisms that have been raised, but this is not a situation where we can send the Navy SEALs into these places, arrest them and give them a proper civil trial or criminal trial, he told Politico.

A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted in late November indicates the public has mixed feelings about the recent military campaign in the Caribbean.

A slim majority, 53 per cent, said they support using military force to attack suspected drug boats, while 73 per cent said the government needs to provide evidence the boats carried drugs. Further, 70 per cent of respondents said they would oppose the U.S. taking military action in Venezuela.
A group of Holocaust survivors have called on Nigel Farage to apologise over allegations of racism and antisemitism during his school days.

The Reform UK leader has faced claims about his behaviour while he was a pupil at Dulwich College, a top private school in south London.

Mr Farage denied at a press conference on Thursday that he ever made racist remarks in a "malicious or nasty way".

He has previously said of the claims that what could have been considered "banter in a playground" could be interpreted in "the modern light of day in some sort of way".

The 11 signatories, some of whom have survived death camps, write that they "understand the danger of hateful words" and call on the Clacton MP to admit whether he said them or if he is accusing those who say he did of lying.

They write: "Let us be clear: praising Hitler, mocking gas chambers, or hurling racist abuse is not banter. Not in a playground. Not anywhere."

They add that "honesty, reflection and commitment to truth" is the responsible response when it comes to allegations about "invoking Nazi attitudes" towards Jewish children.

"So we ask you: Did you say 'Hitler was right' and 'gas them', mimicking gas chambers? Did you subject your classmates to antisemitic abuse?

"If you deny saying those words, are you saying that 20 former classmates and teachers are lying? If you did say them, now is the time to acknowledge you were wrong, and apologise."

Mr Farage's former classmate Peter Ettedgui is among those who have accused the politician of making racist remarks to him during their school days.

Mr Ettedgui, who is Jewish, has claimed that Mr Farage "repeatedly" approached him and said "Hitler was right", while they were pupils at the school.

"Those who hope to lead our country should never divide people by race or religion. Antisemitic hatred must never be normalised."

The Holocaust survivors who signed the letter include Hedi Argent, who fled Austria and lost 27 members of her family, and Simon Winston, who was held in a ghetto in the German-occupied Soviet Union.

Mr Farage on Thursday 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.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer has 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 and referring to this as the "cultural smashing of Glasgow".

Scottish First Minister John Swinney said the comments were "simply racist".
A group of Holocaust survivors have demanded Nigel Farage tell the truth and apologise for the antisemitic comments that fellow pupils of Dulwich college allege he made toward Jewish pupils.

The Reform UK leader has said he never racially abused anyone with intent but may have engaged in banter in a playground.

But in a letter to Farage seen by the Guardian, the 11 survivors said: As Holocaust survivors, we understand the danger of hateful words  because we have seen where such words lead.

Let us be clear: praising Hitler, mocking gas chambers, or hurling racist abuse is not banter. Not in a playground. Not anywhere.

When allegations arise about invoking Nazi attitudes toward Jewish children, the responsible response is honesty, reflection, and commitment to truth.

So we ask you: did you say Hitler was right and gas them, mimicking gas chambers? Did you subject your classmates to antisemitic abuse?

The survivors include Hedi Argent, who lost 27 members of her family in the Holocaust. Another member of the group, Simon Winston, was held in a ghetto before escaping in September 1942 and spending the rest of the war in hiding.

Another signatory is Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, who was sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau where she spent nearly a year. In October 1944, she was moved to Bergen-Belsen, where she was liberated by the British in April 1945.

The eight others are Janine Webber, Edith Jayne, Helen Aronson, Ruth Barnett, John Fieldsend, Susan Pollack, Hanneke Dye and Agnes Kaposi.

Their intervention follows comments made by Reform UKs deputy leader, Richard Tice, to describe the testimony of more than two dozen people as made-up twaddle.

Since the Guardian published its investigation about Farage two weeks ago, more contemporaries have come forward. Twenty-eight former pupils and teachers say they witnessed racist or antisemitic behaviour by him at Dulwich college in south London.

Peter Ettedgui, a Bafta and Emmy-winning director, who is Jewish, has said that a teenage Farage would sidle up to him and say Hitler was right and gas them, sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas chambers.

Eight other contemporaries have offered accounts to corroborate the claim that Farage targeted Ettedgui at school. Most of them have done so on the record. Only one is active in party politics, as the chair of the Liberal Democrats in Salisbury.

Among the new schoolmates to come forward since the first story by the Guardian is Nick Hearn. A banker who described himself as a conservative with a small c, he said he had regularly seen Ettedgui being abused by the Reform leader, and called on him to come clean.

Tice told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that Ettedgui was a liar and the former pupils coming forward had a political axe to grind.

The survivors have asked Farage whether  since he has denied abusing Ettedgui  he was saying that Ettedgui and the others were lying.

They said: If you deny saying those words, are you saying that 20 former classmates and teachers are lying? If you did say them, now is the time to acknowledge you were wrong, and apologise.

Those who hope to lead our country should never divide people by race or religion. Antisemitic hatred must never be normalised. This moment is about moral responsibility. The choice is yours, Mr Farage.

Other former pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds have said Farage directly abused them. They include Cyrus Oshidar, who said Farage would call him a Paki and has described as rubbish the claim that Farage did not act with intent to hurt.

Another student of Asian heritage, who was in the same year as Farage, described him as an open racist who would say Enoch Powell was right to him as a form of racial intimidation.

Reform UK has been approached for comment.

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Irelands premier has described his countrys withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest as an act of solidarity.

Ireland is among a number of countries who pulled out of the contest after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) agreed to allow Israel to participate amid the conflict in Gaza.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he fully understands the decision taken by national broadcaster RTE to withdraw.

However, during a joint press conference at the British-Irish Council, Northern Irelands leaders gave opposing views on the move.

A pro-Palestine protest outside the RTE building in Dublin, calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest earlier in 2025 (Brian Lawless/PA)

First Minister Michelle ONeill said it sent a strong message, while deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it wont make a jot of difference to the situation in the Middle East.

Mr Martin said there are two groups of people, among many, who were extremely brave during the war in Gaza  the medical community and journalists.

And this is, among other things, an act of solidarity with those journalists who were killed in breach of international humanitarian law during the war in Gaza, he said.

Without those journalists, the world would not have known to the degree that it knows the horrors of what transpired in Gaza.

I think our focus has to be on peace and how now can we contribute to the bedding down of the ceasefire and how we, as a country, and Ireland is up to contributing to the peace process, and we work with other like-minded countries in that respect.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said she absolutely agreed with the decision (Liam McBurney/PA)

He added that Irelands decision to recognise Palestine as a state was in the context of the Arab partner peace initiative.

So were working with all involved to see how we can contribute in terms of the peace process the most and also then the absolute unimpeded flow of vital humanitarian aid into Gaza, which is not going in to the degree or sufficiency that the situation requires.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said he understood the context for RTEs decision.

These are editorially independent decisions, I think thats important, he said.

But I would say this by way of context, weve seen hundreds of journalists killed throughout this horrific, horrific conflict.

We still today see a situation where theres not free access by Israel for the media to get in to actually see the atrocities that have happened in Gaza and you cant just forget or ignore the fact that a genocide has taken place in relation to Palestine.

Im sure this was a well-considered decision. Ireland has a long affinity with Eurovision, winning it more times than anyone, I think, at least jointly first.

But I think RTE would have weighed up all of these issues and made their decisions editorially independent of the government, as it should be. But I certainly understand the context for that decision.

Ms ONeill said she absolutely agrees with the decision.

I think its a right and appropriate decision to take, she said.

This is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time, when genocide prevails, and I think countries need to take action that actually sends a very strong message, and I think this is another one of those messages.

Ms Little-Pengelly said: I think the focus on everyone should be on what is actually going to make a meaningful difference in the Middle East. That must mean supporting all efforts to stabilise a ceasefire.

Im glad to see that the UK Government and others are working to help to stabilise that peace.

It is a very fragile situation but, quite frankly, boycotting a singing competition is not going to make one jot of difference in terms of moving forward with a peaceful resolution and permanent resolution to that conflict.
Jamie Oliver is set to relaunch his Jamies Italian restaurant chain in the UK, six years after the brands dramatic collapse.

The TV chef will bring the brand back with a restaurant in Londons Leicester Square next spring, as part of a partnership with the restaurant group behind Prezzo.

Oliver said it is incredibly important to return to the UK high street.

Jamies Italian was first launched with his Italian mentor, chef Gennaro Contaldo, in Oxford in 2008, before expanding to around 40 sites.

It tumbled into administration in 2019, leading to the closure of its remaining UK sites and hundreds of job losses.

The brand continued to operate overseas and has more than 30 restaurants in 25 countries.

Brava Hospitality Group, which runs the Prezzo Italian chain, will relaunch the brand in the UK.

Jamie Oliver is relaunching his Jamies Italian restaurant brand in the UK (Jeff Moore/PA)

Oliver said: As a chef, having the chance to return to the high street is incredibly important to me.

In theory its not the easiest time to return but conversely, I think its the perfect time.

I believe the mid-market needs excitement, surprise and delight and thats exactly what I am planning on delivering.

I will drive the menus, make sure the sourcing is right, the staff training, and ensure the look and feel of the restaurant is brought to life in the right way.

Ed Loftus, global director of Jamie Oliver Restaurants, said: This is an exciting next chapter for Jamie Oliver Restaurants in the UK.

This partnership brings together one of the worlds most recognised chefs with a highly capable operator and the long-term investment to build something with real longevity.

James Brown, chief executive of Brava, said: Our ambition is to bring world-class Italian dining to the heart of the UK high street.

A lot of time and energy has gone into evolving the Jamies Italian concept to make that vision a reality.

This marks an exciting new chapter for both Jamies Italian and Brava, and reflects our commitment to reimagining the high street with exceptional, modern hospitality.
Its like were walking around as a kind of Frankenstein of different tweets. Its this poisonous, internet-bred irony thats very stunting (Shutterstock)

There came a point where John Early had just played one too many lunatics. I felt this thing happen over and over again where I was like oh! People are scared of me. Strangers would be on edge around him, he remembers. Theyd be convinced hed judge them, make fun of them, say something witheringly dismissive. It made him think about the work he was making. Like what am I putting out into the world?

The thing is, Early is really, really good at embodying the absolute pits of modern humanity. Historically, hes specialised in gay millennial narcissism, paranoid vapidity, and a specific strain of faux-liberal, passive-aggressive ruthlessness. Search Party was its zenith. The cult mystery comedy series, a sort of Lena Dunham take on Agatha Christie, cast Early as Elliott, a tumor of a person who sells out his friends, lies about having cancer and pivots to becoming a right-wing talking head in exchange for money and adulation. Early was spectacular in it, just as he was in his episode of the Netflix sketch series The Characters, when he played a man sent into a horrifying tailspin when he learns that his nice, liberal, Obama-era gay wedding is being held on a plantation. Or in any one of his sketches with his comedy partner Kate Berlant, whether he was man competing for attention at a funeral, or pass-agg actor whose face burnt off on the set of Oceans 14.

I grew up around this very progressive kind of Presbyterianism, the 37-year-old says, fondly, of his early years in Nashville, Tennessee. Our Church was like donuts, coffee, cheese grits and people gently teaching you stories from the Bible. So it was just more interesting to me to artistically be the opposite of that later on. To show my teeth a little bit. There was electricity to playing a psycho, and it felt almost grotesque to do the opposite. Playing a nice guy almost felt self-serving at that point.

I meet Early in London, at the tail end of a fly-in visit to promote a romcom that hes starring in, called Eternity. Were in a room surrounded by cameras and publicists, which lends the conversation a slightly artificial air. Early is smart, articulate, and clearly interested in the less funny minutia of things that are funny  the hows and whys of delusion, irony, self-perception, self-aggrandisement, and what it is that makes them such interesting topics to poke and distort into sketches and jokes. But this is also a press junket, so Early  fledgling movie star in a big, glossy A24 film  is expected to dazzle. At points in conversation he turns away from me to one of the cameras that is filming him, winking at it, performing to it. Then, in a flash, he flips back.

I only did it the Taylor Swift video so that my nieces would take me seriously

Eternity stars Miles Teller as a man who chokes to death on a pretzel and wakes up in what resembles a heavenly airport terminal, where he is told he must choose one new world to spend his post-life life in. He waits for his wife Elizabeth Olsen to die too (both of these characters are elderly, I should add, but appear post-death at the age they felt happiest), only to discover that she has another dead paramour waiting for her in purgatory: Callum Turner, military dreamboat briefly married to Olsens character before he was killed in Korea. Anyway, in the midst of this very convoluted love triangle set-up, we also meet Teller and Olsens respective soul-ferriers, as played by The Holdovers Oscar winner DaVine Joy Randolph and Early. Both of them steal the show, lending gently spiky humour and glimmers of queer playfulness to what is generally a very heterosexual, monogamous movie: despite Earlys character being quite clearly coded as gay, he and Randolph are described as an on-again/off-again couple in the movie. I mean, it is eternity  why would you bother with any of those silly sexual hang-ups?

We actually did a lot less than what was in the script, Early says. We were supposed to kiss, but on our last day of shooting, we were like were not doing that, right?. He laughs. As sexually attracted as I am to DaVine, he deadpans, we just thought it would be too broad, and undercut some of the tenderness wed found over the course of shooting. Plus, he adds, theres something funnier about our characters just stating out of nowhere that theyre in love. Like tell, dont show.

He and Randolph bonded instantly, he thinks, based on their shared experience of being consummate, flexible supporting actors. Its a position he has no problem with. The women he adored growing up were actors like Lisa Kudrow, Parker Posey and Toni Collette (as a pre-teen he even ran a Collette fansite), who often thrum along on the sidelines of comedies being weird and off-beat. Im not surprised that I ended up doing that kind of thing, he says. Whenever I was a romantic lead in plays in high school, Id feel utterly limp. I had no idea what I was doing. But when Id play a funny side character, it felt just much clearer to me.

The slight secrecy of his fame folds into that, too  the work of Early, both apart from and with Berlant, tends to be whispered about among the young and internet literate, rather than shoved down our collective throats by representatives of Big Comedy. Early grew up loving once-maligned movies like Romy and Micheles High School Reunion and Showgirls (his eerily precise reenactment of a dance scene from the latter, alongside Berlant and the Broadway star Cole Escola, is a masterpiece), and recognises that often true greatness takes a while to catch on.

They get reappraised 10 or 20 years later and become these cult hits, he says. And I was totally shaped by artists who were cult favourites, who were more niche. It makes sense that the work that I then make, and the work I gravitate towards, is a little bit secret. Its also a very gay thing to do, too. We can see whats special in the thing that gets ignored.

Early and DaVine Joy Randolph in Eternity (A24)

With Eternity, Early is properly flirting with a kind of mainstream attention that has often eluded him. The closest hes come is arguably the music video for Taylor Swifts sexy baby single Anti-Hero in 2022, in which he played one of an elderly Swifts bickering, nefarious sons. That was totally out of the realm of my daily life, he remembers. But once I got there, it just felt like a normal kind of job. And I only did it so my nieces would take me seriously.

When I tell Early that I had earlier overheard a publicist telling another writer that Eternity will be a star-making role for him, he blushes and winces a little. He doesnt seem convinced that it will be. But I also dont know if hed even want such a thing to happen. If Early has evolved out of the snide megalomania of his earlier Search Party persona, it doesnt seem to be because he wants greater, safer fame. Instead he just grew tired of not being sincere about things.

I think theres been a generational affliction, with people my age and younger, of having spent a significant portion of our lives on the internet, and that resulting in our expressive vocabulary being so limited, he says. Its like were walking around as a kind of Frankenstein of different tweets. Its this poisonous, internet-bred irony thats very stunting.

Early alongside Meredith Hagner and Alia Shawkat in the mystery comedy series Search Party (Shutterstock)

Hes therefore ridding himself of it. On his last stand-up tour, Early would tell stories in between entirely sincere musical performances, covering slinky pop and R&B acts from his childhood  Tweets Oops (Oh My); Britneys Overprotected; a wonderfully respectful and earnest rendition of the late Aaliyahs Rock the Boat. And hes written and directed a movie called Maddies Secret, in which he takes the leading  and female  role of a food influencer whose career break triggers her bulimia.

I wanted to make something that didnt have layers of artifice to it, or an ironic, knowing quality, he says. We just dont have much today thats really naive and open-hearted. He thought a lot about it during Covid. We were all having this traumatic experience, and I remember looking around and thinking, oh, we just dont have a culture. We dont really have music, or thinkers, or public intellectuals, or theatre to help us through this very dark thing. We have memes.

Not everything needs to have these shards of irony in them, he continues. So I made a movie in order to kind of hold a gun to my head and force me to make something pure. And as terrifying as that was, it also felt really good.

Eternity is in cinemas; Maddies Secret will be released next year
Grand jury documents relating to the Florida investigation of Epstein will be released

A federal judge in Florida has ordered the grand jury transcripts from early investigations into Jeffrey Epstein to be unsealed.

The material dates from investigations conducted in West Palm Beach in 2005 and 2007.

The case was abandoned when Epstein was handed a sweetheart plea deal by Alex Acosta, then the US attorney, which allowed him to serve 13 months in a low-security prison for child prostitution.

Donald Trump called for grand jury material on Epstein to be released in July in an effort to appease Republican critics, who were frustrated by the US presidents reluctance to release the so-called Epstein files.

Mr Trumps request was initially rejected, but Rodney Smith, a US district judge, said he would now grant the justice departments (DoJ) renewed request in light of the presidents signing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Nov 19.

The bill compels the government to release all of the files it holds on the paedophile financier within 30 days, giving the DoJ until Dec 19 to release the files.

As part of the release, the DoJ had requested documents from three Epstein-related cases: the 2006-2007 Florida grand jury investigation into Epstein, his 2019 sex trafficking case in New York and Ghislaine Maxwells 2021 sex trafficking case, also in New York.

In regard to the Florida case, Mr Smith wrote that the bill calls for the release of unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials that relate to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

He said this specific language overrules other legislation prohibiting its disclosure.

It is not clear when the materials will be released or how much of the material is new. Portions of the documents will also be redacted.

A clause included in the Epstein Files Transparency Act grants the DoJ permission to withhold certain material, including information relating to Epsteins victims and that which would  jeopardise an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution.

The DoJ said it would work with the relevant United States Attorneys Offices to make appropriate redactions of victim-related and other personal identifying information.

On Wednesday, Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking underage girls to Epstein, claimed that releasing her grand jury transcripts would harm her chances in a potential retrial.

Releasing the grand jury materials from her case, which contain untested and unproven allegations, would create undue prejudice so severe that it would foreclose the possibility of a fair retrial should Ms Maxwells habeas petition succeed, her lawyers said in a court filing.

Epsteins former girlfriend and co-conspirator is pushing for a retrial despite multiple failed attempts to appeal her conviction.

Maxwell alleges a juror in her 2020 trial was biased and failed to disclose that they were a victim of sexual abuse.

She also claims there were legal and factual failings in her prosecution, and that Epsteins 2007 non-prosecution agreement should protect her from at least one charge.

The grand jury investigation centred on whether Epstein was abusing underage girls in his Florida mansion.

The materials were provided to federal prosecutors in New York ahead of Epsteins 2019 indictment on sex trafficking charges. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan prison while awaiting his trial.
Kids toys and tumblers recalled as families are warned to watch for choking hazards in gifts this holiday season

Its the most wonderful, and sometimes stressful, time of the year for parents and families as they pick out gifts that will keep children entertained as well as safe.

This holiday season, families are warned to watch for choking hazards when browsing the toy aisle or shopping on Amazon.

Dr. Megan Martin, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital, recently told Fox 13 Tampa Bay that toys with button batteries or small magnets could be dangerous to kids if they ingest them.

As weird as it sounds there are a lot of counterfeit toys and knockoff toys on the market and in those cases the battery compartment is not secured as well because they use cheap screws and flimsier components, so those pose a greater risk for the toy breaking and the battery coming out, Martin said.

This holiday season, families are warned to watch for choking hazards when browsing the toy aisle or shopping on Amazon (Alamy/PA)

Dr. Martin warns against buying knockoff toys and advises parents to check battery and magnet compartments on a regular basis and keep an eye on their kids while they play.

A few toys and even some tumblers were recalled Thursday due to concerns of choking, battery swallowing and magnet ingestion.

More than 10,000 KTEBO-branded writing tablets sold on Amazon were recalled due to a risk of serious injury or death from battery ingestion. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the screw used to secure the battery compartment that contains a button cell battery does not remain attached, causing a hazard.

KTEBO-branded writing tablets were recalled due to a risk of serious injury or death from battery ingestion (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Cubimana treehouse building toy sets were also recalled over fears of battery ingestion. The toys, sold on Shein, have battery compartments that can be easily accessed by children, the commission said.

In both recalls, the commission warns that if ingested, batteries can cause injuries such as internal chemical burns.

Cubimana treehouse building toy sets were also recalled over fears of battery ingestion (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

CreateOn Crayola-branded pip-Cubes were recalled due to a magnet ingestion hazard. Thousands of the magnetic building cube sets were sold at Michaels Stores and Amazon.

The commission explained how the magnets inside the cubes can become loose. If a child swallows the high-powered magnet, the ingested magnets can attract to each other, or other metal objects, and become lodged in the digestive system.

This can result in perforations, twisting, and/or blockage of the intestines, blood poisoning and death, the commission warned.

CreateOn Crayola-branded pip-Cubes were recalled due to a magnet ingestion hazard (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Another increasingly popular item with kids, reusable water bottles, has been recalled over a choking hazard.

About 17,000 of the HydroJug 14-ounce Childrens Sport Tumblers were recalled after the company received more than 600 reports of the rivets on the handle coming loose. If the handle detaches, a child could choke on it, the commission warned.

The water bottles were sold at various stores, including Scheels, and online sites such as Amazon.

No injuries have been reported relating to any of these recalls.

HydroJug 14-ounce Childrens Sport Tumblers were recalled over choking concerns (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

The commission also issued an urgent safety warning over knockoffs of the popular monster-looking dolls, Labubus, in August.

The fake dolls, known as Lafufus, are small enough for a child to fit the doll in their mouth and block their airway, the commission warned.
Two-thirds of 2024 Labour voters would rather Sir Keir Starmer abandon his Brexit red lines and join a customs union with the European Union than raise taxes on working people, new polling has revealed.

The poll comes after reports that the prime minister rejected calls from his chief economic adviser for Britain to rejoin the EUs customs union in an attempt to improve growth ahead of the Budget, with the chancellor instead choosing to impose 26bn worth of tax rises after asking ordinary people to pay a little bit more.

The Savanta poll showed that fewer than one in five (18 per cent) Labour voters would prefer the government to raise taxes and continue to stay outside the EUs customs union.

Some 67 per cent backed rejoining the customs union instead of raising taxes, the polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats showed.

Overall, just over half (52 per cent) of UK adults said they would rather the government join a customs union with the EU than raise taxes. Just one in five (21 per cent) said the opposite.

David Lammy has suggested rejoining the customs union would boost growth (House of Commons)

The results come after deputy prime minister David Lammy suggested that rejoining the customs union could increase economic growth  as ministers increasingly hit out at the financial damage caused by Brexit.

Mr Lammy refused seven times in an interview to rule out reversing Brexit, arguing that leaving the EU badly damaged the UK economy and saying Labour should consider closer integration with Brussels.

While he said that rejoining the customs union was not currently government policy, he said it was self-evident that other countries had seen growth after doing so.

Asked about Mr Lammys comments, a Downing Street spokesperson said: We are strengthening relations with the EU whilst sticking to our red lines.

Theres no credible economic vision for Britain not positioning as an open trading economy.

We have to be grown-up about tradeoffs. We have redefined bonds with the EU and stuck to our red lines.

Pressed on the deputy prime ministers remarks, the official said: That is not our current policy or where we are.

Sources told The Times that Baroness Shafik, Sir Keirs chief economic adviser, privately made the recommendation to rejoin the customs union in the run-up to last months Budget, arguing it would cut costs for businesses and increase exports.

Keir Starmer giving a speech at the Lady Mayors Banquet in central London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The prime minister is currently attempting to ramp up his reset of relations with the bloc as part of an attempt to boost growth, but he has insisted that the governments clear red lines in relation to the single market and the customs union remain in place.

In a speech last week, Sir Keir said it would be utterly reckless to use Brexit as a template for future foreign policy.

Giving a speech at the Lady Mayors Banquet in central London on Monday night, he said: The Brexit vote was a fair, democratic expression, and I will always respect that. But how it was sold and delivered was wrong.

Wild promises were made to the British people and not fulfilled. We are still dealing with the consequences today in our economy.

He added: To consider Brexit a template for our future foreign policy is utterly reckless.

Analysis seen by The Independent revealed that Brexit is costing the UK up to 90bn a year in lost tax revenues.

In the lead-up to the tax-rising Budget, Ms Reeves and other cabinet ministers ramped up their attacks on Brexit, saying the decision to leave the EU had an even bigger impact on Britains economy than critics predicted.

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a bill, being voted on by MPs on Tuesday, which would require the government to launch negotiations over a customs union with the EU, with the party writing to Labour MPs urging them to back the bill.

The bill, tabled by Lib Dem Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, will be voted on by MPs just two weeks after the Budget. However, it is unlikely to pass as a result of a lack of government support and is largely symbolic.

Mr Pinkerton told The Independent: A closer trade deal with the EU is a no-brainer. It is the single biggest thing we could do to boost the economy, generate billions for our public services and put money back in peoples pockets.

I would urge Labour MPs to back our bill this week so we can start to undo the damage done by the disastrous Conservative Brexit deal.

Labour supporters would overwhelmingly back a customs union with the EU. Its time the government listened to them and changed course.

Savanta interviewed 2,024 UK adults online between 7-10 November 2025.
Positive news: Arne Slot (Getty Images)

Arne Slot has confirmed that Conor Bradley will be named in the Liverpool squad for Saturdays visit to Leeds.

The Reds recent struggles, which have seen the Premier League champions win just three of their last nine matches, have not been helped by the absence of the clubs first-choice right-backs.

Bradley has been sidelined since picking up a muscular injury on international duty in November, while Jeremie Frimpong has been out with a hamstring injury since October.

The Northern Irishman returned to training this week, though, and Slot has confirmed that he is in contention to make his return to the pitch at Elland Road.

Conor Bradley was injured on international duty last month (Getty Images)

Bradley has trained this week, so he will train today and will be in the squad tomorrow, he said.

There was a worrying update for another defender, though, as Slot revealed Joe Gomez is currently playing through a knock. He sustained the injury in Sundays 2-0 win at West Ham, but played through the pain to complete 65 minutes of Liverpools 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Wednesday.

Slot explained: Joe Gomez got a knock at West Ham but started. He will train today, yesterday was a recovery day. Let's see where they are.

Previewing the meeting with Leeds, who produced a humbling 3-1 defeat of Chelsea in midweek and were narrowly beaten by Man City at the weekend, Slot added: Yesterday, I look at Leeds vs Chelsea and I saw a Liverpool game: Chelsea conceding a set piece and then a big, big error.

Leeds went very aggressive in one-v-one and then a low block to stop chances. It is difficult for us that style, and many other teams.

We saw them coming back from two down to Man City. Foden made the difference with a moment of magic there and against Chelsea Leeds were very strong. What to expect is what we have faced in many other games."
A man says he was stunned to return to his legally parked car only to discover that Croydon Council had painted a disabled bay around it, and issued him with four parking fines.

While the council's road-marking contractors were aware of the parked car, a breakdown in communication meant its own parking warden fined him four days in a row black Audi.

Silva Stone, who had left his black Audi convertible on a road in New Addington where no restrictions or yellow lines were in place at the time, said he had every reason to believe the spot was safe. "I'm thinking I'm safe, I can travel, my car's good," he said.

Footage he posted on Facebook from 17 November at 11:52am shows Croydon Council's road-marking team painting a disabled bay around his empty vehicle. By midday the bay had been completed and the council truck had driven off.

Mr Stone said he was shocked when, just before 8am on 24 November, a Croydon Council traffic warden was filmed issuing a penalty charge notice, followed by a second ticket placed on the car the next day by the same officer. A total of four penalty charge notices (PCNs) were were issued between 22-26 November.

The PCNs carry a 160 charge each, reduced by 50 per cent if paid early. The video later shows another man removing the penalty notices from the Audi's windscreen.

In the clip, he expresses frustration at the council and its enforcement team, saying: "This is not on, it's not fair. Clearly there is no communication* you are just running it however you want just to make profit. It's like they are bullying."

Meanwhile, a New Addington resident named Sylvia Rooney later posted in a local Facebook group to explain that the bay had been installed for her. She wrote: "This car has been parked here for one week.

"The council put in a disabled bay for me and this car parked in there. It has two parking tickets already for no badge sign. Does anyone know who owns it?"

Sylvia's post on the New Addington Pathfinders Facebook page attracted a flurry of comments, with some members describing the driver's actions as "annoying and selfish".

New Addington North's Labour councillor Kola Agboola responded to residents' questions about who can use the bay. He explained: "Unless the bay has a sign with your vehicle reg only, I am afraid anyone with a disabled badge can use it." He added that he believed the parking team were aware of the situation and said he would "reinforce reporting on it so it can be removed."

Silva Stone says he was issued with four fines

Mr Stone's video has now attracted thousands of views and more than 300 shares, sparking heated debate in local groups. He urged people not to jump to conclusions, saying: "Please, before you comment, find out all the facts, you might not know what happened."

Mr Stone also doubled down on his criticism of the council. "Somebody needs to be held accountable for this because there is no communication and you are there busy giving tickets and just raising blood pressure," he said.

Croydon Council later responded directly to Mr Stone in the comments section of the video, confirming that the fines would not stand. A council spokesperson also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Our road markings contractor painted lines for a new disabled bay on 17 November in response to a request from a resident.

"The contractor painted around a car, as is standard practice, otherwise they would have to wait for the space to be free, which may have taken weeks. The contractor took a picture of the car, so we knew not to give the owner a fine.

"Unfortunately one of our parking attendants was not informed and issued parking tickets. However, these were not processed into fines because we had a note on the system from our contractor. The tickets were cancelled a week before the video was uploaded to social media, and we have apologised for the confusion.

"It is unacceptable that our parking attendant has received verbal abuse online. We ask that any residents with concerns should contact the directly and not abuse any member of staff carrying out their duties."
Chaos reigned at Indias busiest airports for the fourth straight day on Friday after the countrys largest airline, IndiGo, cancelled nearly 550 flights.

Thousands of passengers were left stranded at airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore after their flights were cancelled or delayed for over 10 hours.

The latest round of cancellations came while the carrier was under mounting pressure after cancelling over 1,200 flights in November, according to the national civil aviation regulator.

IndiGo apologised to its customers for widespread disruption across its network, which it attributed to a mix of issues, including adverse weather conditions, greater congestion and the governments implementation of new crew rostering rules.

The last two days have seen widespread disruption across IndiGos network and operations. We extend a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted by these events, the airline said, adding that it was working to reduce the cascading impact of these delays and restore normalcy.

On Wednesday, the airline had cancelled 67 flights at the Delhi airport, 40 at Hyderabad, 33 at Mumbai, and 62 at Bengaluru.

A man looks at a fight schedule screen displaying delayed flights by IndiGo at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj international airport in Mumbai (REUTERS)

On Thursday, it cancelled 118 flights in Mumbai, 100 in Bangalore, 75 in Hyderabad, 35 in Kolkata, 26 in Chennai, and 11 in Goa, the news agency PTI reported.

The disruptions were expected to continue for at least a few more days as IndiGo asked the aviation regulator for a reprieve from the new, stricter flight duty limits, the key reason behind the recent spate of cancellations.

Passengers wandered around terminals looking visibly angry and confused, crowding around IndiGo counters in search of answers.

Many clutched their phones, trying to reach customer care while simultaneously pleading with overwhelmed staff for help.

People also gathered around departure boards, pointing at the long list of cancelled flights in disbelief.

The 6pm flight is delayed by two hours, and even that gate has changed four times, Rakesh Bhanushali, a chartered accountant from Mumbai, complained.

We are relying on staff completely. Staff are cooperating but are frankly saying they arent aware what's happening."

Travelers wait at IndiGo ticketing kiosks to reschedule their flights at the Kempegowda airport in Bengaluru (REUTERS)

In the wake of the cancellations, the aviation regulator asked IndiGo to submit a report on the recent disruption in its networks.

In response, the airline told the Directorate General of Civil Aviation its operations would be fully restored by 10 February and sought relief from some of the new provisions limiting pilot duty hours at night.

The disruptions have arisen primarily from misjudgment and planning gaps in implementing Phase 2 of the Flight Duty Time Limitations, with the airline accepting that the actual crew requirement exceeded their anticipation, the regulator said in a statement late on Thursday after a briefing from IndiGo representatives.

It said a total of 1,232 IndiGo flights were cancelled in November, with at least 755 attributed to the introduction of the new rules intended to ensure adequate rest for pilots and attendants and prevent fatigue.

The Flight Duty Time Limitations rules have complicated roster management for the airline, which was already facing a pilot shortage, Reuters reported, quoting sources.

IndiGo enjoys a domestic market share of about 60 per cent, operating over 2,200 flights daily, and is steadily expanding internationally to challenge rival Air India's dominance.

The airline prided itself on a lack of flight delays and its staff would often announce the "IndiGo Standard Time" whenever boarding was completed before scheduled, a play on Indian Standard Time.

IndiGo had an on-time performance of only about 35 per cent on Tuesday, according to government data, the lowest of all Indian airlines.

Its on-time performance this year has typically been above 80 per cent at major Indian airports.

In the wake of the disruptions, the airlines stock fell 3.4 per cent on Thursday, down 6 per cent for the week.
(PA Archive)

Edinburgh Airport has been hit with a major IT issue which has forced the suspension of all flights.

The suspension was caused by an IT problem affecting its air traffic control provider, according to the airport.

It issued a statement about the flight suspension on social media at 9.20am on Friday.

Teams are working on the issue and will resolve as soon as possible, it said.

We will provide updates when possible - please contact your airline for the latest information on your flight.

Edinburgh Airports live departures website page informed passengers on a number of flights due to leave on Friday morning to go to the gate.

They included the 10.25am Ryanair flight to Belfast, the 10.35am EasyJet flight to Hurghada and the 10.40am EasyJet to Stansted.

In an update later in the morning, the airport announced that flights have resumed.

The statement at 10.45am the airport said: Flights have now resumed following the IT issue with our air traffic control provider.

We thank passengers for their patience and understanding.

Air traffic control at Edinburgh Airport is provided by Air Navigation Solutions (ANSL).

It is understood the issue was not linked to the Cloudflare outage that caused a large number of websites to go down on Friday morning.

Edinburgh is Scotlands busiest airport serving over 15.7 million passengers in 2024, making it the 6th busiest in the UK behind Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted and Luton.
A Texas man resorted to bringing his own mousetrap on movie night as his local theater struggles to contain an ongoing rodent infestation.

Cinemark Theater in Waco has had multiple customers report mice in the theater, prompting local health authorities to launch an investigation.

On Thursday, Cole Pauley told KWTX he brought a mousetrap into the theater and surrounded himself with it to avoid worrying about mice getting too close.

I was like, man Ill just take mouse traps and build a wall of protection around me just so we dont have to deal with it. They were like, you wont do that, youre ridiculous, no one would do that, I said, watch me, he said.

By the end of the movie, one of Pauleys traps successfully caught a mouse. Pauley said a likely cause was the citys construction projects.

Mice have infested a Texas movie theater (Getty Images)

All of this construction is driving these mice out of their fields they live in, they got to go somewhere. Theyll get it under control, Im not really worried about it. It was just something funny, he said.

The first incident of mice was reported on October 14. Abagail Salas told KWTX she saw one while watching a movie.

The woman said she heard someone scream and leave the theater, but she decided to stay.

30 seconds later, I heard a noise, so I took out my flashlight, and on top of my drink was a rat that had climbed down from my arm and was biting the lid and straw in like a very hungry way, she said.

An anonymous customer also filmed one of the mice crawling through the theater.

Not only was it gross to see, but the smell is gross. When I stuck my head behind the seats, it smelled like a hamster cage. It just grossed me out knowing they serve food there because if you know theres mice in the theatre, you know theres mice in the theater, they said.

In response, Cinemark said it has made progress in addressing the mouse problem.

Given nearby construction, weve strengthened our protocols and partnered with specialists to maintain high standards of cleanliness, a spokesperson said.

Were pleased with the progress and remain committed to delivering an outstanding moviegoing experience for every guest.

However, Salas argued the theater had not progressed, and she had no intention of going back.

Ive had coworkers that have gone in the past week and its crawled up their arms or their laps. To me, these rats or mice are comfortable enough to climb on people now, she said.

Public health officials said they were continuing their investigation into the theater.

The department has performed onsite inspections and maintains direct communication with facility management one to three times per week, a spokesperson said.

Cinemark has made significant progress in addressing the pest concerns, and its pest control provider has reported a substantial reduction in sightings over the past two weeks.

Cinemark continues to follow routine disinfection protocols and remains actively engaged in pest abatement and elimination efforts.
The Duchess of Sussex has reached out to her estranged father Thomas Markle after reports he had his leg amputated following surgery in the Philippines.

Meghan has been estranged from her father since her 2018 wedding when he was caught staging paparazzi photos in the run-up to the big day.

A spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex said: I can confirm she has reached out to her father.

The development is understood to have only just happened.

No further details have been released, including whether or not Meghans attempt was successful.

Meghan is said to have previously tried to reach out to him in the past.

Thomas Markle did not attend Meghans wedding, where the then-Prince of Wales stepped in to walk Meghan up the aisle (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Mr Markle, who moved from Mexico to live in the Philippines, has never met his grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The retired TV lighting director ended up in intensive care on Wednesday after a three-hour emergency surgery, the Daily Mail reported.

He was later said to have had his leg amputated below the knee after his foot turned black.

His son, Thomas Markle Jr, said before the news that the duchess had reached out that he hoped Meghan would show compassion.

My only wish is that Meghan shows my father some compassion. He is literally fighting for his life, he told the Mail.

Mr Markle pulled out of attending Harry and Meghans wedding seven years ago after he was caught staging photographs for the paparazzi in the US, and then suffered a heart attack.

Harrys father, now the King, stepped in to walk Meghan down the aisle.

Meghan spoke about the importance of how Christmas trees allow you to really encapsulate your family story in her Netflix holiday special (Jake Rosenberg/Netflix/PA)

Mr Markle went on to repeatedly speak to the media and later claimed he had been shunned by Meghan.

He criticised the duchess but still said he wanted to reunite with her, and publicly pleaded to be able to see Archie and Lili, saying in 2023: She is not the person I knew as my daughter.

The duchess won a High Court privacy and copyright claim against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over articles that reproduced parts of a personal and private handwritten letter she wrote to Mr Markle in a bid to get him to stop talking to the press.

Meghan, who has not seen her father for seven years, paid gushing tributes to Mr Markle on her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig before she married into the royal family.

She called herself a daddys girl and wrote how he invested blood, sweat and tears so she could pursue her dreams.

Mr Markle worked on shows such as hit sitcom Married With Children and popular US drama General Hospital.

He won two Emmys for his teams work on General Hospital, but filed for bankruptcy in 2016 after reports he failed to pay his debts.

Meghan recalled how one Christmas he created a Barbie family for her when they were only sold in sets of white dolls or black dolls.

Her new collection of dolls had a black mom doll, a white dad doll, and a child in each colour. My dad had taken the sets apart and customised my family.

She also described how when she was confronted with a tick-box form to fill in at school about her ethnicity and found she did not fit into just one category: My dad said words that will stay with me forever: Draw your own box.

The Duke of Sussex, who is also estranged from his brother the Prince of Wales and has a troubled relationship with the King, has never met Mr Markle in person.

Harry reunited with the King face to face at a private tea in Clarence House in September after 19 months apart, after previously telling how Charles would not speak to him amid the dukes High Court battle with the Home Office over security.

Mr Markle has reflected on how both he and the King know how tough it is to be estranged from their child.

This week, the duchesss new With Love, Meghan Christmas special  which has been roundly lambasted by critics  premiered on Netflix the same day as news broke of Mr Markles admittance to intensive care.
Modi says India not neutral in Russia-Ukraine war as he rolls out red carpet for Putin in Delhi

Vladimir Putin said Russia was working with the US and other partners towards a peaceful settlement of his war in Ukraine as he reached India on Thursday for a high-level talks with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

The Russian president is in India for a two-day visit for an annual Russia-India summit where talks have been dominated by Russias war on Ukraine as the Indian prime minister called for peace. India and Russia are looking to add a major boost to their defence and trade ties with this visit despite pressure from the US on the Asian country to rework its decades-old tested alliance with Moscow.

India is not neutral  India has a position, and that position is for peace," Mr Modi told the Russian president as they opened their talks in New Delhi on Friday.

"We support every effort for peace, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with every initiative taken for peace, he said. In response, Mr Putin thanked Mr Modi for his attention and efforts aimed at resolving the war.

"We had the opportunity  and you gave me that opportunity  to speak in detail about what is happening on the Ukrainian track and about the steps we are taking jointly with some other partners, including the United States, toward a possible peaceful settlement of this crisis," Mr Putin said.

The Russian president highlighted the joint areas of cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi.

India has been under scrutiny from European and US officials for its purchase of Russian oil since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022.

India has continued to buy discounted Russian oil, despite warnings from Washington that this is partly keeping Moscows revenues afloat to fund the Ukraine war. US president Donald Trump has imposed additional 25 per cent tariffs on Indian imports, raising the total duties to 50 per cent in retaliation.

Vladimir Putin with Indian president Droupadi Murmu (L) and prime minister Narendra Modi at the presidential palace in New Delhi (AP)

"New areas are emerging  high technologies, joint work in aviation, space, and artificial intelligence. We have a very trusting relationship in the field of military-technical cooperation, and we intend to move forward in all these areas, he said.

The 23rd Russia-India Summit comes at a pivotal moment as the United States pushes for a Ukraine peace deal while seeking global cooperation. The visit by Mr Putin is also a test for New Delhi's efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the nearly four-year war in Ukraine grinds on.

India is not a signatory of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, allowing itself to freely host the Russian war-time president wanted on arrest warrant for war crimes in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi walk ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi (Reuters)

The Russian leader, mostly isolated on the world stage, has been making selective diplomatic outreaches to the nations that are either not required to arrest him on the warrant or will abstain from following the ICC signatory.

Mr Putin last visited India in 2021. Mr Modi was in Moscow last year, and the two leaders briefly met in September in China during a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

On Thursday evening, Mr Putin was received by the Indian prime minister in a rare greeting at an airport in New Delhis Palam, who gave the visiting leader a bear hug and a tight handshake with the gusto of an old friend.

The agenda for the talks include discussions on collaboration on defence, energy and labour mobility.

The Indian leader is also expected to push for faster delivery of two further Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. It has already received three under a 2018 deal worth about $5bn. The delay has been tied to supply chain disruptions linked to the war in Ukraine.

The two sides signed a pact in February to improve military cooperation, exercises, port calls, disaster relief assistance and logistics support. Moscow's State Duma ratified the same ahead of Mr Putin's India visit.

Talks are also expected on upgrading India's Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets and accelerating deliveries of critical military hardware. Trade is also expected to be a major point in talks.

The visit has already sparked diplomatic crisis, landing New Delhi in an awkward position, as three European envoys  the British high commissioner Lindy Cameron, French ambassador to India Thierry Mathou and German ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann  spoke out against Russias war on Ukraine in a rare joint op-ed.

Accusing the Russian leader of escalating the war in Ukraine even while peace talks were underway, the European envoys claimed Moscow had launched 22 of the largest air attacks of the entire war since the talks began. These are not the actions of someone thats serious about peace. Neither are these indiscriminate attacks mere accidents, they said, they are a systematic choice by Russia to wage its war of aggression with absolute ruthlessness. And it must end.

The visit from Putin could strain relations with the EU and the US and might jeopardise negotiations for major trade agreements with both that are seen as critical for India's exports.

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi sit inside a limousine after arriving at the Palam Air Base in New Delhi (AP)

In October, the Donald Trump administration sanctioned two of Moscow's biggest oil producers to force countries like India to cut down on imports. Indian officials have said New Delhi has always abided by international sanctions and would do so in the case of Russia oil purchases as well.

Experts have said the grand hosting of Mr Putin in Delhi conveys the message that India is standing by its longstanding strategic partner and defence ally.

Vladimir Putin listens as Narendra Modi speaks during the joint press statements after their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi (AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Putin's India visit, "given the timing and geopolitical context, underscores New Delhi's strategic tightrope walk between the West and the rest, chiefly Russia," said Praveen Donthi, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group.

This tilt from India toward Russia dates back to the Cold War and persists despite its official nonaligned position. "The significant change now is its desire to be a strategic partner with the US at the same time, which will be a diplomatic challenge," he added.
More than 60,000 penguins have starved to death off the coast of South Africa as a result of collapsing sardine numbers, according to a new study.

From 2004 to 2011, more than 95 per cent of the African penguins on Dassen Island and Robben Island died. Researchers said they probably died during the moulting period, the annual event where they replace all their feathers at once over a number of weeks.

The climate crisis and overfishing have been attributed to driving the decline in sardine levels during the same period. Losses of African penguins were also mirrored elsewhere, Dr Richard Sherley, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter, said, with the species witnessing a near 80 per cent population decline in the past three decades.

Penguins need to fatten up before the moulting period, which takes around 21 days, because they have to stay on land and therefore fast.

They are evolved to build up fat and then to fast whilst their body metabolises those reserves, and the protein in their muscles, to get them through moult, Dr Sherley said.

African Penguins rest on the beach at the Boulders penguin colony, which is a popular tourist destination, in Simons Town near Cape Town (AFP via Getty)

They then need to be able to regain body condition rapidly afterwards. So, essentially, if food is too hard to find before they moult or immediately afterwards, they will have insufficient reserves to survive the fast. We dont find large rafts of carcasses  our sense is that they probably die at sea.

The paper, which was published in Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology, calculates that in the eight-year period from 2004 to 2011, 62 000 of those birds breeding at Dassen and Robben islands died as a consequence of South Africas sardine resource located to the west of Cape Agulhas collapsing below, and remaining less than, 25 per cent of the maximum observed value in that region.

Fishing levels are high in the region, while water temperature changes and salinity have made spawning less successful.

African penguins, which are the continents only native penguin species, are on track to go extinct in the wild within the next decade because of climate threats and dwindling food sources.

In an effort to save the species, researchers have turned to penguin decoys  skilfully crafted concrete replicas paired with recorded penguin calls. These are used to lure African penguins into safer breeding grounds along South Africas coastline, encouraging the birds to establish new colonies in food-rich areas protected from human disturbance and predators.

Researchers believe restoring sardine levels could be essential for their long-term survival.

In 2024, African penguins were classified as critically endangered, and restoring sardine biomass in key foraging areas would seem to be essential for their long-term survival, Dr Sherley said.
A new attempt by the Justice Department to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James has failed, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The decision was made after a judge previously threw out a mortgage fraud case that had been encouraged by President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors had returned to a grand jury in Virginia on Thursday, seeking a new indictment against Ms James.

This move came after a judge halted the initial prosecution of both Ms James and James Comey, the former FBI Director and a long-standing critic of Mr Trump.

As I've said from the start, these charges are baseless, James said Thursday evening in a post on X.

It's time for the weaponization of our justice system to stop. I'm grateful to the members of the grand jury and humbled by the support I've received across the nation. I will keep doing my job standing up for New Yorkers.

The Justice Department retains the option to present the case against Letitia James to the grand jury once more (REUTERS)

The judges decision was based on the grounds that the US attorney who presented those cases had been illegally appointed.

The Justice Department retains the option to present the case to the grand jury once more.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

James was initially charged in October by the U.S. attorney installed by the Trump administration to replace the prosecutor who resigned under pressure to bring criminal cases against herself and Comey.

James denied any wrongdoing and accused the administration of using the justice system to seek revenge against Trump's political opponents.
Netflix has struck a bombshell deal to buy Warner Bros, including its film and television studios HBO and HBO Max, for $82.7 billion. This means that fan-favorite franchises  including Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Harry Potter and the DC universe  will all join Netflixs portfolio.

A memo sent to Warner Bros employees and viewed by The Independent stated the deal is subject to several conditions, including the completion of the separation of Discovery Global and Warner Bros Discovery.

This decision reflects the realities of an industry undergoing generational change  in how stories are financed, produced, distributed and discovered  and recognizes the strong, transformed company we are today, the memo read in part.

The deal  which includes about $10 billion in debt, with an equity value of $72 billion  is not expected to close before the third quarter of 2026, when the Discovery Global separation is set to be completed. Its not yet clear what changes will affect customers when the deal closes.

Netflix will buy Warner Bros including HBO and HBO Max in an $87 billion deal for the streaming giant. (Getty Images)

In the end, Netflix sealed the blockbuster deal by offering $27.75 per share, which will see each WBD shareholder receive $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in shares of Netflix common stock. On top of that, Netflix is offering a $5.8 billion reverse breakup fee if government regulators do not approve the deal, which topped the $5 billion that David Ellisons Paramount Skydance had offered in its latest bid.

Our mission has always been to entertain the world, co-CEO of Netflix Ted Sarandos said in a statement.

By combining Warner Bros incredible library of shows and movies  from timeless classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane to modern favorites like Harry Potter and Friends  with our culture-defining titles like Stranger Things, KPop Demon Hunters and Squid Game, we'll be able to do that even better, he continued. Together, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling.

Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who sent a memo to WBD staffers Friday morning explaining details of the deal, declared the merger combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring more options to consumers.

For more than a century, Warner Bros has thrilled audiences, captured the worlds attention, and shaped our culture, he added. By coming together with Netflix, we will ensure people everywhere will continue to enjoy the worlds most resonant stories for generations to come.

While Paramount was proposing to acquire all of Warner Bros Discoverys assets as part of its bid, the Netflix deal will allow WBD to proceed with the announced separation of its Streaming & Studios and Global Networks divisions into two separate companies. Discovery Global, which will separate from Warner Bros in late 2026 and prior to the completion of the Netflix deal, includes the cable television brands CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery and TBS, a number of free-to-air channels in Europe, as well as digital and streaming products such as Discovery+ and Bleacher Report.

The acquisition comes after a bitter bidding war that pitted Warner Bros. against Paramount and Comcast, the home of NBCUniversal (Getty Images)

The acquisition comes after a bitter bidding war that pitted WBD against Paramount and Comcast, the home of NBCUniversal.

Lawyers for Paramount sent a blistering letter to Zaslav this week, complaining about the sale process, claiming that it had become tilted and unfair after Warner Bros requested second-round bids from suitors looking to acquire some or all of the companys assets. Besides Paramount and Netflix, Comcast  the corporation that owns NBCUniversal  has also expressed interest in merging with Warner Bros.

It has become increasingly clear, through media reporting and otherwise, that WBD appears to have abandoned the semblance and reality of a fair transaction process, thereby abdicating its duties to stockholders, and embarked on a myopic process with a predetermined outcome that favors a single bidder, the letter from attorneys at Quinn Emanuel states, which CNBC published in full.

We specifically request and expect this letter will be shared and discussed with the full board of directors of WBD.

The note to Zaslav and the WBD board of directors comes on the heels of a Reuters report that Netflixs proposed purchase of WBDs studios and streaming unit would likely reduce streaming costs for consumers by bundling Netflixs app with HBO Max.

In recent talks with Warner Bros Discovery, Netflix said the potential combination of its streaming service with HBO Max would benefit consumers by lowering the cost of a bundled offering, Reuters noted, adding that the vast majority of Netflix users also subscribe to WBDs streaming service.

Backed by his ultra-wealthy father Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle and a close ally of President Donald Trump, David Ellison had been desperately attempting to add Warner Bros Discovery to his burgeoning media empire in recent months. Following the Trump administrations approval of Skydances $8.4 billion merger with Paramount, which came on the heels of a politically fraught process that saw Paramount pay Trump $16 million to settle his meritless 60 Minutes lawsuit, Ellison began an aggressive campaign to take over WBD.

Ellison, who felt he had a Trump card in his takeover pursuit of Warner Bros, was rebuffed at every turn. After the WBD board roundly rejected Paramounts first three offers, Zaslaz essentially hung a for sale sign on the company and opened up the bidding to other suitors. Still, throughout the process, Ellison exuded confidence that he would ultimately succeed in convincing the board to approve a merger between the two media giants  largely because he argued that only Paramounts bid would be approved by the Trump administration.

Other potential acquirers of WBD  today or in the future  would need to overcome significant (perhaps insurmountable) hurdles given their dominant market positions, Ellison wrote to the board in October.

Until recently, Paramount chief David Ellison had exuded confidence that he would ultimately succeed in acquiring Warner Bros Discovery (AFP/Getty)

Trump, who has repeatedly gushed over Ellison and praised him as a great man since the Paramount-Skydance merger, has applauded the changes Ellison has made to CBS News in recent months. This includes hiring anti-woke opinion writer Bari Weiss as CBS News editor-in-chief, installing a former Trump appointee and right-wing think tank leader as the news networks ombudsman, and eliminating the company's diversity hiring policies. The prospect of Ellison reshaping CNN  which Trump has long despised and deemed fake news  in the same vein as CBS News obviously appealed to the media-bashing president.

Despite the belief that he had the inside edge due to a favorable regulatory path enabled by his familys friendship with the president, Ellison began lashing out this week when it became obvious that Netflix had jumped into the lead after Warner Bros Discovery asked suitors to submit a second round of bids. Amid reports that Zaslav and the board were leaning towards Netflix, Paramount fumed that the sale process had become tainted.

Several U.S. media outlets have reported on the enthusiasm by WBD management for a transaction with Netflix, and on statements by management that a transaction between WBD and Netflix would be a slam dunk, while also referring to Paramounts bid in a negative light, Paramounts memo to Warner Bros stated this week. Additional reporting since the submission of revised bids on December 1 has indicated that WBDs board has really warmed to a transaction with Netflix due to the chemistry between WBD management and Netflix management.

Ahead of the Netflix-WBD deal announcement, Status News noted Thursday evening that a failed deal this past summer between WBD and Paramount over a South Park licensing agreement helped poison the well between David Zaslav and David Ellison, and this tension was an undercurrent running through the Warner Bros auction.

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported earlier this week that Ellison had a Plan B in place in case he fell short  and it involved invoking his relationship with the president.

But if the board chooses Netflix, the Ellisons are developing a game plan that involves going over the head of the board and directly telling Warners shareholders, similar to a hostile bid for the company, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter, the Post wrote. Their pitch: the Netflix deal is doomed to fail, facing rejection by President Trumps antitrust cops at the Department of Justice and, if litigated, a loss in federal courts.

Even before the Netflix deal was announced on Friday morning, MAGA lawmakers were expressing their concern about the merger and suggesting that the purchase wouldnt clear regulatory hurdles.

Learning about Netflixs ambition to buy its real competitive threat  WBD's streaming business  should send alarm to antitrust enforcers around the world, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) tweeted Wednesday night. This potential transaction, if it were to materialize, would raise serious competition questions  perhaps more so than any transaction Ive seen in about a decade.
American filmmaker Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another has beaten films including Sinners and The Mastermind to snag the top spot as Sight and Sounds number one film of 2025.

The British Film Institutes (BFI) international film magazine has crowned the acclaimed action comedy best film of the year, describing it as a worthy winner of the top spot.

One Battle After Another is based on Thomas Pynchons novel Vineland, and follows former revolutionary Bob Ferguson, who must protect his daughter from his old nemesis, the white supremacist Colonel Lockjaw, who resurfaces after 16 years

The film, starring American actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, was released in September this year.

Anderson, also known for There Will Be Blood (2007) and Boogie Nights (1997) said being crowned best film of the year was amazing.

The American filmmaker said being crowned best film of the year was amazing (Anthony Harvey/PA)

Anderson, 55, said: It takes my breath away a bit, honestly.

I remember reading Sight and Sound, as we all do, from when I was so young, and now to have a film that they called the best film of the year its amazing.

The multi-Academy Award winner added: I cant wait to see what it looks like in print. My first response was f*** yeah, and I stand by that.

Anderson has been on the Best Film list before, for the first time in 2005. He came in second place in 2018 for Phantom Thread.

Sight and Sound editor-in-chief Mike Williams said: Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the greatest American filmmakers of his generation, and One Battle After Another is his most prescient, urgent film yet.

Its a worthy winner in a strong year for film.

American filmmaker and two-time Academy Award nominee Ryan Coogler took the second spot, for his American period drama horror film, Sinners.

In third place was The Mastermind by American director and screenwriter Kelly Reichardt  a crime film set in the 1970s.

Sirat, by French-Spanish film director and screenwriter Oliver Laxe, won the Jury Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

The drama came fourth on the NFIs list, and The Secret Agent by Kleber Mendonca Filho came fifth.

Ryan Coogler took the second spot, for his American period drama horror film, Sinners (Ian West/PA)

Iranian film director and screenwriter took sixth place with his thriller It Was Just An Accident, followed by French-American actor and writer Eva Victors comedy drama, Sorry, Baby.

American filmmaker Zach Creggers horror mystery Weapons came in eighth, and Dry Leaf, an experimental road movie by Georgian filmmaker and screenwriter Alexandre Koberidze took the ninth spot.

Chinese film director and screenwriter Bi Gan rounded off the top 10 with Resurrection, a sci-fi drama film.

The list had 10 British films in the top 50 list, including four supported by the BFI Filmmaking Fund awarded National Lottery Funding: Pillion, Rose of Nevada, My Fathers Shadow and On Falling.

This years top 50 list also features 15 films by female and non-binary filmmakers.

Sight and Sounds Winter 25/26 Issue will be available digitally on December 8 and on newsstands from December 11.

The top 10 list in full is:

1. One Battle After Another, by Paul Thomas Anderson

2. Sinners, by Ryan Coogler

3. The Mastermind, by Kelly Reichardt

4. Sirat by Oliver Laxe

5. The Secret Agent, by Kleber Mendonca Filho

6. It Was Just An Accident, by Jafar Panahi

7. Sorry, Baby, by Eva Victor

8. Weapons, by Zach Cregger

9. Dry Leaf, by Alexandre Koberidze

10. Resurrection, by Bi Gan
Pam Bondi sent a memo to law enforcement officials to investigate domestic terrorists. Photograph: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock

The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, instructed law enforcement officials on Thursday to investigate antifa and other supposed domestic terror groups, and specifically directed them to search for tax crimes the groups may have committed, according to a memo obtained by the Guardian.

The document signals how the Trump administration and Bondi are ramping up efforts to crack down on leftwing groups. Antifa, short for antifascist, is not a clearly defined organization, but rather a loose network of activists. Trump signed an executive order in September declaring it a domestic terrorism organization  something legal experts say he does not have the authority to do.

These domestic terrorists use violence or the threat of violence to advance political and social agendas, including opposition to law and immigration enforcement; extreme views in favor of mass migration and open borders; adherence to radical gender ideology, anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, or anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; hostility towards traditional views on family, religion, and morality; and an elevation of violence to achieve policy outcomes, such as political assassinations, Bondi wrote in the document.

Related: Cultivate resistance: policy paper lays bare Trump support for Europes far right

Bondis Thursday memo was sent to all law enforcement agencies and prosecutors as part of an effort to implement Trumps executive order and an accompanying presidential memorandum. In addition to prioritizing investigations, she instructed all federal law enforcement agencies to review their files and holdings for Antifa and Antifa-related intelligence and information and coordinate delivery of such material to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for review within 14 days. It also instructed the FBI to come up with a list of domestic terror groups and calls for a disseminating intelligence on antifa.

The memo, earlier reported by Reuters and Bloomberg, also suggested the Trump administration was continuing to look for ways to revoke the tax-exempt status of leftwing groups, a move that could cripple their philanthropic efforts. After the killing of Charlie Kirk, the department sought to look for ways to investigate the Open Society Foundations, a major funder of liberal causes.

Federal law enforcement and federal prosecutors should consider any applicable tax crimes in cases in which extremist groups are suspected of defrauding the Internal Revenue Service. As it receives referrals for violations of tax obligations, the [justice department] should investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute those responsible, the memo says.

Bondi also instructed the justice department to prioritize grants for states that have programs focused on combating domestic terrorism.

In October, the Trump administration filed terrorism charges against a handful of activists who were arrested during a protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas where a police officer was shot. Prosecutors allege those charged were part of a North Texas antifa cell  making it the first time that terrorism charges were filed in connection with antifa. Family members and friends of some of those charged in the case have told the Guardian that those charged did not intend to commit violence and did not consider themselves part of antifa.

Last month, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, designated four self-described anti-fascist groups in Europe as foreign terrorist organizations, a move seen to bolster Trumps efforts to crack down on similar groups in the US.
Passengers are wearing pajamas to the airport more often in protest against Transportation Secretary Sean Duffys etiquette push.

The Trump administration has launched a campaign to restore courtesy and class to air travel, dubbed The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You.

In a press conference before Thanksgiving, Duffy urged flyers to dress a little better.

Whether its a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, he said, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better, which maybe encourages us to maybe behave all a little better. Lets try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport, the transportation secretary said.

Some passengers took that as an invitation to do the exact opposite.

Passengers are wearing pajamas to the airport more often in protest against Transportation Secretary Sean Duffys etiquette push (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Democratic activist Johnny Palmadessa posted a video days after Duffys announcement, wearing pajama bottoms at the airport as a sound bite of the transportation secretarys advice played in the background. He wrote that he was triggering Duffy with his sleepwear.

The priorities of this administration are so not straight, Palmadessa told The Washington Post.

He said President Donald Trump and Duffy should focus more on affordability issues so Americans have enough money to dress nicely.

Another TikToker recently shared a video showing off her sweatsuit at the airport. As audio of Duffy urging travelers to stop wearing pajamas played, the TikToker posed for the camera in her casual attire.

Well now I absolutely must wear my pajamas to the airport! she wrote.

In a press conference before Thanksgiving, Duffy told flyers, 'I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better, which maybe encourages us to maybe behave all a little better' (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A third person on TikTok filmed herself walking with her luggage in a matching pajama set and slippers and wrote, Me on the way to the airport after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told us to dress with some respect.

The Independent has reached out to the Transportation Department for comment.

When announcing the Transportation Departments new civility campaign in November, the agency provided what it called data to support the feeling that travel has become more unruly.

It said since 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration has seen a 400 percent increase in outbursts on airplanes, and that there have been nearly 14,000 unruly passenger incidents in the past four years.
Screenshot of US southern command post via X, from 5 December 2025. Photograph: US Southern Command/X

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the US military had conducted another deadly strike on a boat suspected of carrying illegal narcotics, killing four men in the eastern Pacific, as questions mount over the legality of the attacks.

Video of the new strike was posted on social media by the US southern command, based in Florida, with a statement saying that, at the direction of Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel in international waters operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization.

Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was carrying illicit narcotics and transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in the Eastern Pacific. Four male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed, the statement added.

The footage showed a large explosion suddenly overtaking a small boat as it moved through the water, followed by an image of a vessel in flames and dark smoke streaming overhead.

It is the 22nd strike the US military has carried out against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, bringing the death toll of the campaign to at least 87 people since September, when the strikes began.

The first publicly announced strike in nearly three weeks, it comes as the Pentagon and the White House have struggled to answer questions about the legal basis for the campaign to kill suspected drug smugglers. US lawmakers have promised to investigate the first such attack, in September, in which two survivors clinging to wreckage were killed in a follow-on strike.

Hegseth has faced increasing scrutiny over that strike following a report from the Washington Post that the defense secretary had verbally directed the military to kill them all. On Thursday, a Democratic lawmaker introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth, pointing to the boat strike and a report that found he broke rules by sharing information on Slack about another military attack, but such an effort is unlikely to succeed.

The US admiral who commanded the 2 September attack told lawmakers on Thursday that there was no such order to kill everyone onboard the vessel. Still, Jim Himes, a Democratic congressman from Connecticut, described the footage of the strike, which reportedly showed two survivors clinging to the wreckage, as one of the most troubling things Ive seen in my time in public service.

You have two individuals in clear distress, without any means of locomotion, with a destroyed vessel, Himes said.

Tom Cotton, a Republican senator from Arkansas, disagreed, saying the footage showed two survivors trying to flip a boat loaded with drugs, bound for the United States, back over so they could stay in the fight and that nearby narco-terrorists may have been coming to rescue them.

Ryan Goodman, a New York University law professor and former Pentagon lawyer, scoffed at Cottons interpretation. Id love to know how Senator Cotton  was able to detect these shipwrecked people were trying to stay in the fight versus clinging to dear life in an effort to survive, Goodman wrote on Bluesky.

Even if you buy all the legal falsehoods (that this is an armed conflict, that drugs are war-sustaining objects), the two shipwrecked were in no way, shape or form engaged in active combat activities (the actual legal test), Goodman added.

The administration has argued the US is at war with drug traffickers and that such strikes are legal under the rules of war, but most legal experts reject that rationale.

Even if we buy into their framing that the individuals on these vessels are combatants, it would still be unlawful to kill them if they are hors de combat, which means theyre incapacitated, Rebecca Ingber, a professor at Cardozo law school and a former legal adviser to the state department, told the Guardian this week.

It is manifestly unlawful to kill someone whos been shipwrecked.

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Vladimir Putin smiles broadly at his ceremonial reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi - Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty

India is joining forces with Russia in the Arctic Circle where Vladimir Putin is amassing forces, nuclear weapons and attack submarines.

Narendra Modi signed a new military agreement with Putin that will give India access to Russian naval ports in the strategic Arctic Corridor linking Europe and Asia.

Russia will also help train Indian seafarers to operate in polar waters to boost Putins alliance in a region expected to be a significant new frontier.

The pair agreed the deal on Putins two-day state visit to India where he is seeking to shore up support despite US demands to boycott Russia.

The Russian president said new logistical routes between the two countries were being forged in the Arctic to strengthen their alliance.

Narendra Modi with Vladimir Putin and Indian president Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace - Getty Images

Before the state visit, the Russian Duma ratified Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (Relos), a key military agreement granting India access to Russian naval ports along the Northern Sea Route (NSR), the Arctic shortcut between Europe and Asia, from Vladivostok to Murmansk.

The deal approves the transfer of warships, aircraft and forces between Russia and India, securing mutual logistical support.

With his dear friend Mr Modi standing beside him, Putin said that co-operation on the NSR, the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor would accelerate under the bilateral agreement.

The VIPs are driven to the palace followed by an honour guard - Anadolu via Getty

For over a decade, Russian and Indian strategists have quietly pursued a framework for both countries to co-operate and jointly navigate the fast-melting ice caps of the Arctic.

The move signals an escalation in the battle to seize control of the polar region.

Russias prized Northern Fleet and parts of its nuclear stockpile are based in the Kola peninsula and Putin is trying to gain full naval control over the Arctic to block the West from accessing key shipping routes.

For India, it is a chance to strengthen defence and economic ties independently against US pressure.

Officials say Relos will open up new routes stretching from the warm water of Chennai in southern India to the ice edges of the Arctic as New Delhi seeks alternatives to traditional lanes like the Suez Canal.

Indian officials argue the NSR could cut shipping distances between northern Europe and the Indo-Pacific by up to 40 per cent, offering long-term support for supply chains disrupted by geopolitical tensions.

On Thursday, Mr Modi broke protocol to personally receive Putin at the Indian air forces airport and the two leaders drove together to the prime ministers residence in New Delhi for a private dinner.

Trade between the countries reached nearly 52bn in 2024-25, though heavily tilted in Russias favour, with Indias exports totalling less than 3.7bn.

Moscow has pushed for greater Asian participation in the Arctic after US and European sanctions forced out European and American firms.

b'

Russian and US bases in the Arctic

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China has expanded its footprint in the region and Russia has increasingly encouraged India to follow suit.

New Delhis engagement in the Arctic remains modest, but officials say India wants to strengthen connectivity in this region as melting ice enables longer navigation seasons.

Defending the relationship against criticism from Western capitals, Putin said neither country used the partnership to act against anyone, emphasising commitment to a multipolar world.

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi are co-operating intensely during the Russian leaders visit - Grigory Sysoyev/ AFP via Getty

The India-Russia partnership has been among the steadiest in the contemporary era with a shared commitment to a multipolar world as well to expand the engagement beyond the traditional military, nuclear and space cooperation, an Indian government spokesman said.

Indias ties with Russia stretch back decades, rooted in Cold War politics and deep cooperation on defence and energy. The visit is Putins first since the invasion of Ukraine, and comes as the US continues to pressure New Delhi to stop buying Russian oil.

Before Putin had even landed, reports suggested India had secured a $2bn (1.5bn) submarine deal with Russia, with delivery expected within two years, officials told Bloomberg.

India became Russias largest buyer of seaborne oil after the invasion of Ukraine, though refiners paused new orders last month following fresh US sanctions on the top Russian energy firms.

However, Putin said Moscow would continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India despite sanctions.
Vladimir Putins assassins went through Londons second busiest railway station on their way to try to kill a former Russian double agent, according to the report into the Salisbury poisonings.

Alexander Petrov, Ruslan Boshirov and Sergey Fedotov, all aliases, were all members of the Russian military intelligence GRU Unit 29155, the 178-page dossier concluded.

Their true names were Aleksandr Mishkin (Petrov), Anatoliy Chepiga (Boshirov) and Denis Sergeev (Fedotov), it added.

They arrived in London from Moscow on Friday 2 March 2018 with the intention of working as a hit squad to kill Sergei Skripal who lived in the historic Wiltshire city.

They failed in their mission and a woman, Dawn Sturgess, was killed after her boyfriend picked up a discarded perfume bottle and gave it to her not knowing it contained the military grade Novichok nerve agent.

Russian nationals Alexander Petrov (left) and Ruslan Boshirov are believed to be the two GRU agents who tried to kill the Skripals (PA Media)

Petrov and Boshirov, who had flown into Gatwick Airport, went to stay at the Citystay Hotel in Bow, east London.

Traces of deadly Novichok were later found at this hotel.

Only Petrov and Boshirov can be the source of the traces in the hotel, the inquiry report stated.

Moreover, the traces at the hotel provide compelling evidence linking these men to the Novichok before it was placed in Salisbury.

Fedotov stayed at the Dolphin Hotel, Norfolk Square, in Paddington, central London.

Former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia who were poisoned in the Salisbury Novichok attack but survived (PA)

Having arrived at Heathrow airport, he travelled by Tube to Earls Court, and then to Paddington.

All three had previously visited London in 2016.

On Saturday March 3, Petrov and Boshirov caught a train from London Waterloo station, the second busiest rail station in London with 70 million entries and exits a year, to Salisbury.

The phone used by Petrov cell sited in the Waterloo area for ten minutes from about 11.40am.

Pictured: A busy Waterloo station (Jeremy Selwyn)

The two Russian agents were later filmed at the arrivals barrier in Salisbury station at 2.26pm

There had been a train which left Waterloo at 12.50pm and arrived in Salisbury at 2.20pm.

Inquiry chairman Lord Hughes concluded: I am sure that Petrov and Boshirov brought with them to Salisbury the Nina Ricci bottle containing Novichok made in Russia that was subsequently responsible for Dawn Sturgess death.

It was probably this bottle that they used to apply poison to the door handle of Sergei Skripals house.

They recklessly discarded this bottle somewhere public or semi-public before leaving Salisbury.

Petrov and Boshirov arrived back at London Waterloo station at about 6.25pm, before going to Bond Street for a suspected meeting with Fedotov, before heading back to their east London hotel.

Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov at Salisbury train station (Metropolitan Police)

The three Russian agents flew back to Moscow from Heathrow on Sunday March 4.

Sir Keir Starmer said the inquiry into the 2018 Novichok poisoning of Ms Sturgess shows the UK must remain vigilant to reckless Russian hostile activity on UK soil.

The 44-year-olds death followed the attempted murder of Mr Skripal, his daughter Yulia and then-police officer Nick Bailey, who were poisoned in Salisbury in March of the same year.

The inquirys final report said Putin was astonishingly reckless and bears moral responsibility for Ms Sturgesss death.

Dawn Sturgess died after being exposed to Novichok (PA Media)

Lord Hughes concluded the attempted assassination of Mr Skripal must have been authorised at the highest level, by President Putin.

The chairman of the inquiry, which cost 8.3 million, said Petrov, Boshirov and Fedotov were acting on instructions when they carried out the attack.

The UK sanctioned Russias GRU military intelligence agency in its entirety following the reports release, with measures also hitting 11 people linked to state-sponsored hostile activity and Moscows ambassador in London being summoned to the Foreign Office.

The Russian agents deny wrongdoing, claiming they were tourists who wanted to see Salisbury Cathedral with its famous spire, and Moscow has refused to extradite them to face justice.
Angela Rayner helped draw up the workers rights reforms in opposition - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

High earners who win unfair dismissal claims could be in line for unlimited payouts under the Governments flagship workers rights reforms.

The move is part of a compromise package agreed with business and trade unions after Labour abandoned plans to give workers the right to claim unfair dismissal from the first day of employment, the Financial Times reported.

Angela Rayner, who helped draw up the workers rights reforms in opposition, has managed to speed up the implementation of the package in a separate compromise with Sir Keir Starmer.

Ministers have been in a stand-off with peers over the original day one plans as well as proposals to ban exploitative zero hours contracts.

Workers can currently only be awarded the lower of their annual salary or 118,223 if they win an unfair dismissal claim, but ministers now intend to remove both limits.

The average award for an unfair dismissal claim is in practice much lower.

Under a compromise brokered between ministers and the unions, workers rights to take their bosses to tribunal will now kick in after six months, down from the current two-year period.

Darren Newman, a consultant on employment law, warned the move could lead high earners in the City to lodge multimillion pound claims, crowding out claims from those who might be in much more need of the compensation.

Ms Rayner had been set to challenge Sir Keir over his decision to water down her flagship reforms in her first policy intervention since she was forced to quit as Labours deputy leader.

She was planning to urge the Prime Minister to speed up the changes.

Ms Rayner had been set to challenge Sir Keir over his decision to water down her flagship reforms - Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

But Sir Keir has dodged a fight by committing to implement the reforms at the earliest opportunity, from Jan 1 2027.

It follows discussions between Ms Rayner and Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, about the plans.

A government source told The Guardian: We are happy to have a clear date for this change. Now the House of Lords need to get on and pass this landmark bill so business can get the clarity they need and workers can get the security they deserve.

Ms Rayner resigned in September when The Telegraph revealed she had failed to pay 40,000 in stamp duty on her new seaside flat in Hove.

She has largely stayed out of the limelight since then, but made clear that she would fight for her workers rights reforms from the back benches.

The changes were slated to come into force at some point in 2027. No precise date had been set, but October was touted as one possibility.

Ms Rayner was set to table a Commons amendment along with Justin Madders, the former employment minister who spearheaded the legislation, to introduce the revised reforms more quickly.

It is understood that the Government will now commit to implementing the protections from the start of 2027, benefiting anyone employed from July 2026.

A Labour source told The Guardian that MPs were pleased ministers have listened and responded to their concerns and proposals.

There has been a groundswell of support for their initiative in both the Commons and the Labour movement this week. They would have easily had the numbers but it wont need to come to that now this has been amicably resolved through dialogue and focused discussion, they said.

More working people now stand to feel the tangible benefit of stronger protection against unfair dismissal sooner and that has to be chalked up as a significant win, which Labour can campaign on next year.

The concession is the latest in a string of climbdowns from Sir Keir, whose first 18 months in power have been marred by back-bench rebellions.

He was forced into about-turns on cuts to the winter fuel allowance and welfare spending. He also backtracked on his initial refusal to hold a national grooming gang inquiry.
Republicans left Democrats on Capitol Hill frustrated this week after a pair of controversies surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued to dominate the headlines, but the presidents party was seemingly unwilling to hold Donald Trumps Cabinet secretary to any public accountability.

Lawmakers from both parties on the committees overseeing the armed forces and intelligence sectors huddled with Adm. Frank Bradley and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Thursday. The briefing focused on a Sept. 2 military strike on a vessel the Trump administration says was ferrying drugs in the Caribbean. In that now heavily-scrutinized mission, Navy SEALs under Bradleys direction conducted a second strike on the burning wreckage of the vessel as at least two survivors clung to it in desperation.

Committees in both chambers, led by Republicans who hold majorities in the House and Senate, announced plans to investigate the strike after news reports generated criticism from experts including former JAG officers claiming that those involved were complicit in a war crime, pointing to language in the military code of conduct and international law forbidding the targeting of survivors who do not pose an imminent threat.

The results of another investigation into Hegseth were released publicly on Thursday as well. A review of Hegseths actions in Signalgate found that the Fox News host-turned-commander was at fault for putting classified information at risk when he shared it in a Signal thread with Vice President J.D. Vance, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and others, including a reporter who was added by Waltz by accident to the group chat.

But the Republicans and Democrats who emerged from Thursdays briefing on the Hill did so saying very different things. The responses from the presidents allies ranged from silence to outright support for their mans man, while Democrats accused their GOP foes of covering up bad behavior.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was found to have risked compromising U.S. intelligence by sharing classified information in a non-classified setting in an official review this week (AP)

On Thursday, Democrats, including Sens. Jack Reed and Tim Kaine, Reps. Jim Himes and Adam Smith all released statements calling the strikes disturbing, unjustified and potentially unlawful.

"Any American who sees the video that I saw will see the United States military attacking shipwrecked sailors, said Himes.

Roger Wicker, the Republican who heads up the Senate Armed Services Committee, only repeated to the press that he would withhold comment on matters related to Hegseth, including whether he had confidence in the secretary, as he hurried into an elevator following the briefing on Thursday. His noncommittal, still an evolution in itself given his previous call for an investigation and accountability, matched his House colleague Mike Rogers, who declined to comment.

Other Republican committee leaders were, meanwhile, ready to exonerate the secretary altogether.

Tom Cotton, GOP chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the strikes righteous and entirely lawful in a gaggle afterwards. He thanked Bradley, whom some speculated the White House was trying to attach blame for the controversy, and added of the targeting of survivors: I saw two survivors trying to flip a boat, loaded with drugs, bound for the United States, so they could stay in the fight.

Adm. Bradley was very clear that he was given no such order, to give no quarter or to kill them all. He was given an order that, of course, was written down in great detail, said Cotton.

GOP Senator Tom Cotton eagerly defended Pete Hegseth and the military strikes against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean on Thursday after a classified briefing (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

His House colleague, chairman Rick Crawford, also defended the strikes. In private, however, things were an entirely different story. The Washington Post reported this week that a similar briefing last month on the boat strikes included Rogers dressing down Pentagon officials who were in the room for supposedly keeping Congress in the dark; multiple Republicans in that meeting were reportedly upset at the officials for failing to turn up with a lawyer in tow to explain the legal justification for the strikes in detail.

Its not just the issue of Trumps escalating military campaign in the Caribbean  which his critics call illegal murders  on which Republicans are privately reported to be taking things much more seriously than they are in public.

On the issue of Hegseths use of a Signal chat chain to share classified information about imminent strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, the president is calling on his allies to circle the wagons once again.

The publication of a report on Thursday revealed that an official investigation headed by the Pentagons inspector general found Hegseth had risked potential compromise of sensitive DOD information, which could cause harm to DOD personnel and mission objectives.

"If this information had fallen into the hands of U.S. adversaries, Houthi forces might have been able to counter U.S. forces or reposition personnel and assets to avoid planned U.S. strikes," the report concluded.

Even with that level of certainty, Republicans like Wicker were backtracking. The Kansas senator said in March that it was clear there were mistakes made in the process of sharing the intel over Signal. On Thursday, hed changed his tune and claimed that Hegseth acted within his authority.

The chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee previously said that Hegseth and others made mistakes in the sharing of classified intel over Signal (Getty Images)

It is also clear to me that our senior leaders need more tools available to them to communicate classified information in real time and a variety of environments, Wicker said in a statement. I think we have some work to do in providing those tools to our national security leaders.

Hegseth himself was overjoyed to not be facing a stronger condemnation: No classified information. Total exoneration. Case closed. Houthis bombed into submission. Thank you for your attention to this IG report, he wrote on X.

But two Republicans who are both retiring and have broken allegiances with the president were not willing to spin the situation to save the defense secretary.

Rep. Don Bacon, who is retiring, was one of two Republicans willing to condemn Hegseths actions this week (Getty Images)

Thom Tillis, a senator, and Don Bacon, a congressman, appeared at different times on CNN on Thursday to summarily reject Hegseths claims of competence and good stewardship of his position. Both called B.S. on the secretarys claim that the Signalgate report exonerated him.

No, that is total baloney, said Bacon. I have better words for it, but you cant say it on TV.

The report makes clear that the secretary put sensitive information that would ordinarily be classified, he added.

Tillis echoed Bacons derision over the response to the Signalgate report. He separately said that he stood by his assertion stating that whoever authorized the U.S. military to target survivors needed to get the hell out of D.C.

As usual, some of the most revealing comments about Trump-era Republicans come from the spurned members of that coalition. The broader reaction from the Hill today, however, was a sign that while the MAGA brand may be at its weakest point in years, the partys especially battle-worn caucuses on the Hill still detest the idea of giving Democrats a single inch.
Between April and September 6,321 nurses and midwives from abroad joined the register of those licensed to practice in the UK, down from 12,534 a year earlier. Photograph: Tommy London/Alamy

The number of overseas nurses and midwives coming to the UK is collapsing, figures reveal, with rising racism and changes to immigration rules blamed for the fall.

Between April and September, 6,321 nurses and midwives from abroad joined the register of those licensed to practice in the UK, compared with 12,534 who did so in the same period in 2024.

At the same time, more international staff are leaving Britain, according to workforce data published by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Health organisations said the trends would make it harder for the already understaffed NHS to provide the care expected of it and that patients would face even longer waiting times for treatment.

Suzie Bailey, an NHS workforce expert at the Kings Fund thinktank, said: The dramatic fall in international nurse and midwife recruitment and retention should be sounding alarm bells for politicians, health and care leaders and people who rely on health and care services.

The shifts identified by the NMC mirror those among overseas-trained doctors. They are leaving the UK in record numbers and a surge over recent years in overseas-trained doctors joining the NHS has plateaued, according to a report last month by the General Medical Council.

NHS staff groups said the rising tide of hostility towards migrants and hardline government changes to immigration rules were behind the apparent shunning of the UK as a destination. Labour has doubled from five years to 10 the time overseas workers have to wait before they are allowed to apply for indefinite leave to remain or claim any benefits, which critics say is pandering to Nigel Farages anti-immigration Reform UK party.

Louie Horne, the Unison unions national nursing officer, said: For decades, nurses and midwives from around the world have brought invaluable skills to the NHS. It would be a disaster to lose that contribution to vital services. This exposes the damage being inflicted by the governments unfair and ill-conceived immigration changes. An urgent rethink to these policies is needed.

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said last month that NHS staff were bearing the brunt of what he called a return to ugly 1970s and 1980s-style racism in Britain.

Overseas staff could also be choosing to go to other countries because of higher salaries or as a result of the NHSs drive to recruit more home-trained staff, the NMC said. Paul Rees, the regulators chief executive and registrar, said: The high-growth era of international recruitment appears to be ending.

Between April and September, 58% fewer nurses and midwives from India  which supplies the most foreign nurses in the NHS  joined the NMC register.

Over the same period, the number of nurses arriving in the UK from the Philippines fell by 68%, from Nigeria by 28% and from Ghana by 9%.

Despite these trends, the total number of nurses, midwives and nursing associates on the register has grown to 860,801, the highest number ever. A record 96,593 (12%) are men.
Ace Stud has purchased Lowther Stakes scorer Royal Fixation, with the filly now set to join Karl Burkes academy of talent in Middleham.

Royal Fixation was never outside the top three during an excellent juvenile campaign for Ed Walker and former owners Opulence Thoroughbreds, with her Group Two win at York sandwiched by a neck defeat by Burkes Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and a highly-respectable third behind Aidan OBriens True Love in the Cheveley Park Stakes.

She will now head to Spigot Lodge to be put through her paces by Burke ahead of the spring, with her Newmarket-based owners hoping she will develop into a Classic contender next term.

Ace Studs bloodstock and racing manager, Paul Curran, said: We bought her a couple of months ago and shes heading to Karl. Shes a good filly and hopefully one who can be lucky for us.

Well take a good look at her and see what she can do, but she was very competitive last season and was beaten by a good filly of Karls who went on to win a Group One, so I think we could try to aim at around a mile.

We could have Guineas ambitions but we havent made a definitive decision on where we go  its a possibility obviously and she could be one to go for something like that.

If not Im sure well do plenty of campaigning with her in and around six and seven furlongs. She looks an exciting filly for sure.
Sir Keir Starmer suggested he would not be able to sleep if Nigel Farage came to power - Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Sir Keir Starmer has said he is the last chance for the centre in the battle against Reform UK.

The Prime Minister admitted that millions of people in the UK had turned to the populist Right because they dont trust centrist parties to deliver.

He said that unless he managed to turn that perception around, Nigel Farage could become prime minister and tear our country apart.

Sir Keir made the declaration as Reform UK rides high in the polls on 31 per cent, well ahead of Labour on 14 per cent.

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His own personal approval ratings have hit rock bottom: a poll last week put it at minus 47 per cent, well below Mr Farage and Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader.

It comes as speculation mounts that the Prime Minister could face a leadership challenge after May, when Labour is expected to be trounced in local elections.

Possible replacements include Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham, who are both more Left wing.

In an interview with The Economist, Sir Keir revealed he had discussed the rise of populism and the threat to centrist parties with European leaders.

And he admitted that he would be able to sleep at night if Ms Badenoch entered No 10  but not if Mr Farage won the next election.

If there is a Conservative government, I can sleep at night, he said. If there was a Right-wing government in the United Kingdom, that would be a different proposition.

Reform would tear our country apart

Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, has said he is the last chance for the centre in Germany, where there has been a surge for the Right-wing AfD party.

Asked whether he saw himself as the last chance for the centre, Sir Keir said: Yes. I think this is the real test of centrist politics.

I dont mean Labour versus Tories, because to some extent thats what weve had. Its a different proposition.

And we have to show that politics can deliver. We also have to expose the Right for what it is, because the propositions of Reform would tear our country apart.

The Prime Minister said that despite their commanding position in the opinion polls, there was nothing that Labour could learn from Reform.

Centre-Right has fallen away

He said an increasing number of people dont trust centrist parties to deliver, and that we have to address that by delivering economic growth and improved public services.

The Prime Minister added: My worry is  and this is how history tells us  is that a Right-wing proposition like that, with fantastical ideas, leaning towards Russia, if it gets into power, it will find that its policies dont work and it wont become more progressive, it wont nudge towards the centre, itll be go to the Right, to the Right, to the Right.

Weve not faced that in this country ever in this form. And its the political fight of our times, and we have to win that political fight.

Sir Keir said that in Britain, the centre-Right has sort of fallen away.

Whats being tested here in the UK and in France and in Germany is whether mainstream politics, centrist parties can deliver against the challenges of the moment.

The answer to that is yes, but that to me is where there is the challenge.

He pointed out that in Norway, the Netherlands, Canada and Australia, centrists had recently held out against the Right-wing in elections.

I think it is right that we can rise to the challenge, but that is certainly the challenge of our time.

Absolute emphasis on the cost of living

He said he had discussed the populist threat with Mr Merz and Emmanuel Macron, the president of France.

We have to  because we are facing the same challenges or versions of the same challenges, and we do talk about it.

There is an absolute consensus that we need to get our economies working and growing, absolute emphasis on the cost of living and why that is so important.
Tehran may be evacuated as taps run dry due to water crisis

Tehran may be forced to evacuate due to a severe water crisis, with experts warning that all taps in the city could soon run dry.

Officials say that the Iranian capital is facing a Day Zero moment in the near future  when all water supplies run out.

Iran has faced severe drought for six years, with Tehrans rainfall in the first two months of the current water year, which begins on 1 October, at near zero, leaving reservoir supplies at dangerously low levels.

Officials in Tehran have undertaken a number of measures, including reducing water pressure, discussing rationing and imposing cuts. They have also suggested more radical solutions, such as evacuation or moving the capital if rain does not return.

Someone drinks water from a fountain in Mellat Park in Tehran, as Iran faces severe water shortages (AFP/Getty)

We are talking about a few days or even weeks of water left for Tehran, Kaveh Madani, director of the UNs University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, told Canadas CBC broadcaster.

Day Zero, as we call it in the water sector, is near. Its a day that the taps would run dry.

In early November, Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian warned: If it doesnt rain in Tehran by late November, well have to ration water. And if it still doesnt rain, well have to evacuate Tehran.

Typically, rain should start falling in Iran in autumn, following Irans hot summer. But the September to November period just gone is the driest the country has seen in half a century, the National Weather Forecasting Centre has reported. Rainfall has been 89 per cent below the long-term average.

Mr Pezeshkian described the situation as extremely critical, citing reports that Tehrans dam reservoirs have fallen to their lowest level in 60 years, some as low as 10 per cent of capacity. Officials say that in the east of Tehran, the Latyan Dam  one of five key reservoirs  is only about 9 per cent full. The Karaj dam, which supplies a quarter of Tehrans drinking water, is 8 per cent full.

Tehran is not the first city to have faced a looming Day Zero crisis. Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Cape Town and Chennai are among the cities that have seen taps run dry  or at least come close to running dry.

Rocks and pebbles cover the bed of the dried-up Kan River, west of Tehran, on 9 November 2025 (AFP/Getty)

Some Iranian officials have pointed the finger at the West, accusing the US High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program of cloud theft and sophisticated weather warfare. But little evidence has been offered to support these claims.

Along with climate-driven factors, the population of Irans metropolitan area has almost doubled from around 4-5 million in the late 1970s to more than 10 million today, according to data from Nasas Earth Observatory.

Water consumption has risen at an even faster rate, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. In 1976, Tehrans water use was at 346 million cubic metres per year. Today, it stands at 1.2 billion cubic metres.

With water levels rapidly running dry, outdated practices and long-standing policies have been heavily criticised for leaving various Iranian industries vulnerable to water shortages.

A dry water feature collects dust in Mellat Park (AFP/Getty)

Irans energy system remains highly dependent on hydropower and fossil fuels. After sanctions, investor scepticism and decades of underinvestment, the current water crisis has now laid bare Irans lack of diversification into other energy resources.

Policies that placed water-hungry industries  including steel, cement and petrochemicals  in some of the countrys driest regions have also been criticised.

Lawmaker Reza Sepahvand said such wrong policies diverted rivers to inland factories that should have been built on the coast. Irans National Water and Spatial Planning organisation now urges relocating those industries to coastal zones that could use desalinated water.

Meanwhile, agriculture still consumes about 80 per cent of Irans freshwater, much of it through inefficient irrigation for thirsty crops in arid areas.

We must modernise, Agriculture Ministry official Gholamreza Gol Mohammadi warned in August, saying outdated practices are draining aquifers and worsening power outages as pumping systems fail.
The Supreme Court will let Texas use a new congressional map in next years crucial midterm elections that could determine the balance of power in Congress.

A redistricting war among states to maximize Republican victories in a Donald Trump-backed campaign to maintain control of Congress got a significant boost from the nations highest court Thursday, with the courts conservative majority agreeing to temporarily block a lower-court order that found the map unlawful.

The map will remain in play while a legal challenge continues.

The courts three liberal justices dissented.

In August, Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved a map drawn up by Texas Republicans that is expected to add up to five GOP seats in the House of Representatives, a move that sparked a gerrymandering arms race and legal battles among Republicans and Democrats across the country to reshape their states political boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott approved a new congressional map for his state backed by Donald Trump in an effort to gain more GOP seats in Congress (AP)

Two federal judges blocked the state from using the map, arguing that there was sufficient evidence that state lawmakers had effectively racially gerrymandered the political boundaries for each congressional district.

Texas District Judge Jeffrey Brown, a Trump appointee, ordered the state to return to its 2021 map.

The state turned to the Supreme Court in an attempt to overturn Browns ruling, a challenge that is expected to return to the justices in the coming months as Texas and other states begin to carve out new maps in time for 2026 elections  a deadline that is fast approaching for many states.

With the new map, Republican candidates in Texas are expected to gain control of 30 of the states 38 congressional districts, up from the 25 that are currently held by GOP House members under the 2021 map.

Liberal Justice Elena Kagan rebuked the courts majority in her dissent, which was joined by liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, warning that the court has delivered a ruling with serious consequences that run afoul of longstanding precedent and the Constitution.

The conservative majority disrespects the work of the lower-court judge that did everything one could ask to carry out its charge  that put aside every consideration except getting the issue before it right, Kagan wrote.

The order is a disservice to the millions of Texans whom the District Court found were assigned to their new districts based on their race, she added.

Because this Courts precedents and our Constitution demand better, I respectfully dissent, Kagan wrote.

The Trump-led redistricting effort has sparked a war among states to rapidly redraw their congressional boundaries in time for 2026 midterm elections, when voters will determine the balance of political power in Congress (Getty Images)

The majority today loses sight of its proper role. It is supposed to review the District Courts factfinding only for clear error, she wrote. The majority can reach the result it does  overturning the District Courts finding of racial line-drawing, even if to achieve partisan goals  only by arrogating to itself that courts rightful function. We know better, the majority declares today. I cannot think of a reason why.

The courts decision to block the lower-court order effectively guarantees that the new map will be in play for next years election, ensuring that many Texas citizens, for no good reason, will be placed in electoral districts because of their race, Kagan wrote.

Conservative Justice Samuel Alito wrote a concurring opinion to push back against Kagans dissent, arguing that the plaintiffs in the case failed to show that race  not partisanship  was the motivating factor to redesign the states map.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defended the map, called the order a massive win.

"This map reflects the political climate of our state and is a massive win for Texas and every conservative who is tired of watching the left try to upend the political system with bogus lawsuits," he said in a statement.

Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said the order marks a sad day for our democracy.

The right-wing Supreme Court just greenlit Republicans schemes to gerrymander their way into power in Congress, she said in a statement. We know Texas was just the beginning of Republicans schemes, as Trump continues to dangerously pressure more state Republicans to fall in line ahead of 2026.

In July, the president commanded Texas Republicans to do a simple redrawing of the states congressional maps. Abbott then summoned state lawmakers to the state capitol in Austin for an emergency session to do just that.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders are laying the groundwork to redraw their states maps in the hopes of sending more Democrats to Congress. Voters last month approved plans for a new map in the Golden State that would neutralize Republican gains in Texas.